A Star Trek Next Generation based fan fiction novel

Reginald Barclay discovers that space is not the final frontier

Where No Man has Gone Before

Chapter 5: The Kiss

Dining with Beverly was a true joy, we talked and laughed while we ate. I really was like having a big sister who was my
best friend. I told Beverly how I felt and she smiled and hugged me tightly, she was always a friendly sort of person,
having her as a close friend was something I would truly come to enjoy.

After we were done eating and just talking casually, Data walked in the door. When he saw us, he headed towards our table.
With a friendly smile he asked, "Good evening ladies, may I join you?"

Beverly looks at me and I nod, "Certainly Data, please sit with us. How are you tonight?"

He says, "I am quite fine, thank you. If you do not mind Regina, I am intrigued by your change and would like to
understand more about what happened. I have read the reports and still do not fully comprehend."

Beverly says, "What don't you understand? The physical changes or the process of the change?"

Data says, "It is the process, the how it could happen, that has me mystified. The residue that was taken from Regina's
hand shows nothing remarkable to justify the capabilities to cause a human body to spontaneously change genders. Please
Regina, could you tell me everything you saw and did, no matter how insignificant it may seem."

"Of coarse Data, if it'll solve the mystery, then I'm all for it. Where should I start?"

Data says, "Start from the very beginning. Include your thoughts, ideas, emotional context, just anything at all, Please?"

Ok, I thought to myself, where do I start. What happened before I went aboard the other ship wasn't necessary information,
so I'll start with the core breach. "Ok then, when I got to the other ship, I was in engineering, just outside the central
control chamber. I was thinking how archaic the design seemed, because the readings were all analog, as well as the
controls. I thought it odd that something so outdated was still in service. It was all very old."

I take a pause to think, "A quick scan showed me what the problem was, and it was a simple adjustment of a few dials and
switches. Once everything seemed in order, I reported back to the captain that the situation was safe. He told me to get
back to the Enterprise for debriefing." A short pause, "I was running a final scan when I got an anomalous energy reading.
It came from behind a small panel held on by four screws. After removing the panel, a small compartment held what looked
like a tiny pink crystalline rose. The energy reading was so small, less than a data crystal, I thought it was harmless.
Holding it in my hand, I felt a warmth, making me think of sitting in my mothers lap as a child, comforting."

Data said, "Interesting how it gave you the feeling of comfort, fascinating."

I continued, "Since it seemed harmless, I held it while I called for beam out. When the transporter effect started, the
tiny rose became warmer and pulsed, matching my heartbeat. The transporter tech read a problem and tried to stop the
transport. That's when it flared up and began to feed energy to the transport, it's pulsing matching pace with my racing
heart. As I began to materialise on the pad, there was a final brilliant flash of pink light, and I fainted. The last
thing I saw was Commander Riker's expression of utter shock. The next I knew I was waking up in sickbay in a stasis
field."

Beverly spoke up, "And the rest they say is history. So do you have enough Data?"

Then I thought, "Data, I'm not sure if it's anything important, but, the rose seemed to have a ring at the top, like it
was meant to hang from a necklace or something."

Beverly asks, "Could it be a charm, from a bracelet, perhaps?"

Data cocked his head, "I do not know doctor, but it gives me somewhere to start. Thank you ladies, have a pleasant
evening." With that he walked away.

Beverly says, "So, will we be seeing you at the morning briefings again anytime soon? I must say Regina, this morning when
you had everyone's favorite drinks ready for them, it was like you were playing hostess. I thought it was a wonderful step
in the right direction."

I smiled, "Thanks Beverly, I really appreciate you saying that. And yes, it's likely I will be there most mornings now.
Geordi says he needs his best girl by his side. Now I just need him to think of me as a woman instead of a girl."

Beverly laughed, "Regina, I don't think you have anything to worry about there. The way he looks at you when you're not
watching, he's completely under your spell."

I ask, "I was wondering what you thought about having blueberry scones for the briefing?"

She says, "That's a fantastic idea, the captain will love them, that's for certain." After a thought, "Why don't you ask
the stewards to have them delivered fresh in the morning, chef loves to make special things."

"Thanks Beverly, I'll do that. I'll stop by the galley on the way back to my quarters." We stand up and I hug Beverly,
"Goodnight 'sis'." I say.

She gives me a quick kiss, "Goodnight 'sis'."

************************************************

On the way to my quarters, I stopped and asked the chef if he would mind making some fresh blueberry scones for the
morning briefing. He said, "How can I refuse such a nice young lady, Miss Barclay. Seeing as you came in person to ask,
certainly, I'd be my pleasure."

I smiled at him, "Come on now, I called you Chef and not Chief, the least you can do is call me Regina. Please!"

He laughed, "Okay Regina, have it your way."

I started to leave, then turned back and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "Thanks Chef, Goodnight!"

As I walked out, all of his staff stood still watching me with smiles on their faces. That made me feel real nice.

************************************************

The next morning, Chef was as good as his word, he even delivered the scones himself to the briefing room. I had just
placed everyones drinks, when Beverly walked in ahead of Riker. Steam, rising from the drinks and the scones too, Beverly
comes and gives me a hug, and whispers in my ear, "Good job sis."

I whisper back, "Thanks sis."

Riker asks, "Regina, are you planning on making a habit of beating me to the briefings now?" With a laugh in his eyes.

I answer, "Yes, sir, Commander." He starts to take a scone, until I slap his hand away. "No you don't, not until the
captain gets his first." Smiling at him.

He laughs, "Okay, I don't need to be henpecked. If it's not Deanna then it's you now, or Beverly. When will women give me
a break?"

Beverly and I share a look and together, laughing, say in unison, "Never!"

Riker relents, holding up his hands in surrender, "If you're going to be that way, you might as well just call me Will."
He keeps laughing.

Geordi walks in, hearing the last part of our exchange, and heads over to me. He takes me a little aside, "Nice job
Regina, way to go. Only a couple of days and you have the commander eating out of your hand."

I look down, hair falling across my eyes, looking back up through the curls, I quietly say, "The only one I want to eat
out of my hands is you Geordi." Smiling sweetly at him.

He takes my hand, leading me to our seats, with a slight squeeze, whispers, "I already have, from day one."

My heart skipped a beat. I had professed my feelings and Geordi had admitted his own. As I squeezed his hand back, a great
feeling of warmth flooded through me.

The captain entered taking his chair, he notices the scones. The others take their seats. Taking a scone, smelling the
blueberries, he smiles. He says, "Number One, I'm surprised you didn't beat me to the first one."

Will smiled, "I tried, sir, but was reprimanded for my attempt." Rubbing the back of his hand where a faint red mark could
still be seen, from where I had hit him.

The captain laughs, "Then I have three things to thank Miss Barclay for. The excellent tea, the wonderful fresh blueberry
scones," Savoring the fresh smell, "And for stopping the cookie thief from raiding the cookie jar. Thank you Regina, well
done."

Data just looks on in confusion.

All I could do was smile, not trusting my voice due to my emotions at the moment. Beverly and Geordi have big grins on
their faces, showing how proud they were of me. I was so happy that I could have cried.

After that the briefing went very quickly, when it was over, the captain said, "Regina, again, thank you so much for the
scones."

I say, "You're welcome Captain, but I only asked Chef to make them."

The captain smiles, "Ah, but you see, you were the one who asked him. Had I been the one to ask, well, let's just say we
wouldn't have had any this morning. So thank you!"

"Thank you sir."

The others leave following the captain out. The last ones left are Beverly and Will, with Geordi and me.

Will says, "I'll mind my manners the next time, just don't tell Deanna about this or I'll never hear the end of it." He
leaves with a smile on his face.

Beverly gives me a hug, "Nice job sis." And gives me a quick kiss goodbye.

As she leaves and the door closes, Geordi beams at me. "Woman, do you know how proud of you I am? You are amazing!" He
sweeps me into his arms, hugging me tight.

After a lingering moment, in a breathy voice, "Well Geordi, are you going to kiss me?" Gazing into his beautiful eyes
waiting for his response.

He stares into my eyes, and without hesitation, kisses me passionately. The longer the kiss goes, the more I feel lost in
him, melting into a puddle of warm feelings washing through to my very core. To the center of my soul.

End of Chapter 5