Chapter Text
Today was a day of beginnings. It was Willow’s first day of class aboard the USS Enterprise. Willow sighed as she shut off her morning alarm, got up and began to get ready. She hadn’t gone to school since being institutionalized at age 12; so, it had been a good three years since Willow had set foot in a proper classroom. Willow was curious to see how much a 24th century classroom differed from that of a 21st century one. At the same time, Willow was nervous she wouldn’t fit in. She hadn’t grown up in this century, let alone on a spaceship. Willow was afraid she would be too out of her element here.
Willow pressed a series of buttons on her clothing replicator and a civilian student uniform appeared. Since Willow wasn’t an officer or a student at Starfleet Academy, her uniform differed from the traditional Starfleet uniform. Her Uniform consisted of a white short sleeve collared shirt, black dress pants and black laced boots, coming up to just above her ankle. Willow put on a black headband which had a small lace bow on the side attached to it. She wanted to put on makeup, but hadn’t accrued enough credits to replicate some and was hesitant about asking Deanna if she could use some of her credits. Willow had momentarily forgotten Deanna could read her thoughts and sense her emotions because, a mere moment later, she was startled by a knock at her door.
“Come in” Willow called out. Deanna walked in.
“Good morning, Deanna” Willow greeted.
“Good morning” Deanna returned in greeting, a soft smile on her face. “I brought in some makeup for you to use” Deanna said, handing Willow some concealer, mascara, lipstick and blush.
“Thanks” Willow said, taking the items and heading into the bathroom in order to apply her makeup.
Deanna sat on Willow’s bed. “You don’t have to be afraid to ask me for something, you know” Deanna spoke aloud. “Especially something as simple makeup. Believe it or not, I was your age once” Deanna added with a slight chuckle.
“Thanks” Willow responded as she applied her mascara. “It’s just hard sometimes.”
Deanna sighed. “I know, sweetie. I know. I just don’t want you feeling nervous or like you need to hold anything back around me. This is a safe space, remember?”
Willow walked out of the bathroom. “Yes, I remember” she replied. “Anyway, thanks again” Willow said handing Deanna her makeup back.
“Keep it!” Deanna replied with a flip of her hand. “I have plenty of credits, so I can always replicate more.” She paused and looked at Willow with a serious expression. “Do you need anything else before you head to class?”
“Everything is on my PADD, right?” Willow clarified.
“It should be” Deanna replied.
”Then I think I’m good.”
Deanna smiled. ”Perfect. Would you like me to walk you to class?”
”No, thanks. I should be okay.”
”Alright, then” Deanna said. “I’ll be on bridge duty when you get out of class. If you need anything, you can always have someone page me. Dr. Crusher also said that if you begin feeling overstimulated in class or need anything at any point today, you can head down to Sick Bay and she’ll help you.”
“Ok, thanks.”
Deanna stood up and walked over to Willow, placing both her hands on each of Willow’s shoulders and looked her straight in the eye. “You’ll do just fine today. I wouldn’t be sending you if I didn’t think you were ready.”
”I know. It’s just been so long since I’ve been in an actual classroom in an actual school and this is 350 years in the future. Everything is going to be so different.”
“You’re ready, Willow. You scored exceptionally well on your English Language And Literature Aptitude test, remember?” Willow nodded. “Just go and do your best and I have a feeling that your best will be just fine.”
”Ok. I’m sorry for getting so nervous.”
“Don’t be. You’re entitled to your feelings” Deanna told her. “But you should probably get going now. I don’t want you being late on your first day.”
”Alright, Deanna. Thanks.”
Deanna bent over and gave her a hug. “Good luck. See you this afternoon.” She released Willow.
”Bye, Deanna” Willow said as she headed out of their quarters.
Deanna was sitting in Ten Forward, sipping on a steaming mug of hot chocolate and staring out of a window when she sensed someone approaching her. She looked up and saw Beverly standing there.
”Mind if I join you?” Beverly asked. Deanna shook her head and gestured to the seat across from her. Beverly sat down and placed her mug of green tea on the table in front of her. “Penny for your thoughts?”
”Huh?” Deanna asked, her head popping up and turning to make eye contact with Beverly.
“You seemed very deep in thought” Beverly explained. “Is everything alright?”
Deanna nodded. “It’s Willow’s first day. I only registered her for one class and Willow has made great strides in her recovery, but she is still struggling with her anxiety and self-esteem” Deanna confessed to Beverly. “I hope I wasn’t being presumptuous by insisting she start classes so soon.”
Beverly sighed as she placed her hand over Deanna’s, which was resting on the table top. “Deanna, I understand your concern, but it’s been three months and, other than a couple of short-lived conversations with Wesley, Willow hasn’t interacted with anyone her own age. It’s time for her to start and having her attend only one class a day is the perfect way to ease her back into it.”
Deanna nodded. “I suppose you’re right. So, remind me, why didn’t you go into counseling again?” The pair chuckled.
”While tempting, I belong in Sick Bay treating physical ailments” Beverly stated, a smile on her face. “You really think I’d make a good counselor?”
Deanna moved her hand out from under Beverley’s and took a sip of her hot chocolate. “Put it this way, if I ever left the Enterprise, I’d recommend both you and Guinan be considered for my replacement.” She smiled a sly smile. “Unfortunately for you both, I’m not going anywhere any time soon.”
“Well, I’m certainly thankful for that. I enjoy having you around, Deanna.”
”Thank you. I enjoy having you around too, Beverly.” They sat there in silence for a moment staring into one another’s eyes before Deanna broke the spell. “I should be heading to the bridge. My shift starts soon.”
“Alright. Well this was certainly nice” Beverly admitted. “We should definitely do it again sometime.”
”We absolutely should” Deanna agreed as she set her mug on the table, stood up and left. Beverly sat there, watching Deanna’s retreating form.