Title: Best Friends Are Forever
Author: Velliana Margulis
E-Mail: velliana@yahoo.com
Rating: G
What Series: TNG
Summary: A new crew member comes aboard the Enterprise-E

Best Friends Are Forever
by Velliana Margulis

Legal stuff- Paramount owns the Enterprise-E and her crew. I own this story and my new character Lieutenant Faith Parker.

Author's note- Sorry about the repetitiveness in the first few paragraphs, but there are only so many ways to describe a friendly handshake.

Codes- R/T, D/P
***********************************

"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Parker" Captain Picard said as he stretched out his hand as the Lieutenant Parker stepped down off the transporter platform.

The young Lieutenant accepted the gesture, "Thank you Captain, I am honored to be serving on your ship"

"Lieutenant, this is my first officer, Commander William Riker" Jean-Luc said gesturing towards the tall, dark, handsome man standing to his right.

Will shook the Lieutenants hand and smiled "Glad to have you aboard, Lieutenant"

"Thank you, Sir"

"And this is, Lieutenant Commander Data, our cheif science officer and third in command" This time the Captain gestured towards Data.

"I look forward to working with you Lieutenant Parke" Data smiled as he took the Lieutenants hand with a firm hand shake.

"As I look forward to working with you, Commander" Faith smiled brightly.

"Before we leave orbit would you like a tour of the ship, Lieutenant?" Picard asked kindly.

"Yes, I would enjoy that, Captain" Faith said, still smiling brightly.

"Good" Captain Picard said as the quartet walked out of the transporter room.

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

"And this, Lieutenant Parker, is the bridge, where the majority of your on duty time will be spent" Will commented as the foursome stepped out of the turbolift nearly two hours after leaving the transporter room.

Faith was in awe. She had seen pictures of the bridge of the Enterprise-E before, but she now realized that they did it little justice. It was larger than it looked in the pictures and was twice as magnificent.

"This will be your station" Will continued, gesturing towards the Tactical station directly in the middle of the bridge. Faith stepped up to the console, the junior officer, who was filling in stepped aside to give Faith access. Faith entered in her command code and began to memorize the console, then entered her exit command and let the Ensign get back to work.

"Thank you, Ensign" Faith said putting a hand on his shoulder in gratitude. The ensign nodded in acknowledgment.

"Well, Lieutenant, Commander Riker and I must get back to work, but Commander Data will show you to your quarters" Jean-Luc said taking his seat in the Captains chair and putting in his command code to download all the dry-dock reports into his mini-console.

"Thank you, Captain" Faith stated as she and Data entered the turbolift.

"I'll see you at 0600 hours, Lieutenant"

"Aye, Sir" At that the turbolift doors shut and Faith was on the way to her quarters.

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

"Here we are, Lieutenant, officer's sweet number 337. Deck three"

"Thank you, Commander Data, would you like to come in for a minute?"

"Please, Lieutenant, when we are off duty you may call me Data, and yes, I would like that" Data said as he stepped inside her quarters.

"Well, then, Data, when we're off duty you must call me Faith" Faith said smiling as the doors closed behind Data.

"Would you like something to drink?"

'Yes, a hot tea with honey, please"

"Computer, one hot tea with honey, and one Rhaktajino" Faith ordered.

"Unable to comply, no command code has been programmed into This replicator" The computer said in feminine monotone.

"Oh, I forgot, Computer, command code Parker-two-one-Alpha" Faith said running her fingers through her long, deep auburn hair. Once the computer recognized the command code two large silver and black starfleet issue mugs appeared in the replicator.

"Here you are, Data, one hot tea with honey" Faith handed the mug to Data as she took a seat on her couch, motioning for Data to do the same.

'Thank you" Data said as he took a sip from his mug and sat down next to Faith, 'So, Faith, tell me a little bit about yourself"

"Well, as you probably already know, from reading my personnel file, I was born in Columbus, Ohio in 2346. I lived in Columbus until I joined the academy when I was fifteen. At the academy I majored in the Scientific and Security/Tactical fields. I actually studied under Professor Tuvok while he was still there. I've lately completed my training in Terran, Klingon, Vulcan, and Bolian Martial Arts. After graduating from the academy I was content for a while to stay a junior officer. I was an ensign aboard the MANATEE for five years under Captain Michael Darkwing. I mainly worked Ops and occasionally was given a turn at tactical during the Delta shift. My last Captain, however, Captain Rachel Williard, was the one who encouraged me to lean towards the Command route. She had faith in me. She promoted me to Lieutenant Junior Grade within my first year of serving with her. I was promoted to full Lieutenant three years ago when she made me Cheif of Security aboard the PHANTOM. Captain Williard pushed me, and rebuked me many times, but I'm grateful that she did because I wouldn't be here" Faith gestured to her surroundings.

"If she hadn't. In fact, she's the one that got me here. She insisted that I take this position. She told me that she'd miss me, but that I couldn't stay on the PHANTOM forever. Captain Williard, other than my parents, is the one person that has had the largest impact on my life. Without her, I' d still be an obscure ensign on an obscure ship"

"Do you miss her?" Data asked softly as he took a sip of tea.

"Oh, yes, but she has promised to keep in contact with me, so that makes it a little easier. That and the fact that I'm doing something she always wanted me to do" Faith said looking out the viewport at the large space station just outside.

"Well, I'm sure you'll make many good friends here" Data commented reassuringly.

"I know I will" Faith smiled back at Data.

"Dr. Crusher, to Lieutenant Parker" Beverly's soft voice came over Faith's commbadge.

"Yes, Dr. Crusher"

"Lieutenant, when you have a moment, I would like to see you in my office. I would like to take some medical scans and the like for your medical records. It's no emergency. Just basic protocol" Beverly stated.

"All right, Doctor Crusher, I'm on my way" Faith said standing up, "Parker out. Well, Data, I'd better get down to sickbay. It was nice speaking with you. Maybe we can continue our conversation another time."

"Well, Will, Deannah, and I usually eat dinner together in ten-forward after our shift is over, would you like to join us tonight?" Data asked standing near the doors to Faith's quarters.

"Yes, I would enjoy that, Data, what time will you be there tonight?"

"We will be there at 1900 hours"

"Well, then, I'll see you there, Commander" Faith said as the doors to her quarters opened and she stepped out.

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


Over approximately the matter of one hour Dr. Crusher performed at least three dozen tests and took at least as many scans of the new lieutenant, all of which would go in her permanent medical record for easy access if she were to become ill while in space.

"Well, Lieutenant" Beverly smiled, "You are in perfect health. The only thing that worries me is that you have abnormally high amounts of caffeine in your system."

"Oh, yes, well, I've already had two mugs of Rhaktajino today" Faith said a bit ashamed.

"Rhaktajino! You drink Klingon coffee, I thought I was the only non-Klingon who drank that stuff!" Beverly smiled finding something she had in common with the new crew member.

"It's the only coffee that's strong enough for me" Faith smiled, "I like my coffee Strong"

"Well, sometime, I'll have to have you over for a cup of coffee" Faith smiled brightly.

"I'd enjoy that, Faith" Beverly agreed,

"Now that I'm finished hear, our Counselor, Deanna Troi, asked me to have you go to her office. She'd like to speak with you"

"Alright, Doctor, then I'll be on my way"

"Okay, Oh, and,Faith"

"Yes"

"Call me Beverly"

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

Deanna was sitting in her office reviewing personnel files when her door chime rang.

"Come" Deanna called she took a sip of her hot chocolate as her office doors swished open.

"You wanted to see me, Counselor" Faith stated as she stood just inside the doors of Deanna's office.

"Ah, Faith, yes, have a seat please. Would you like anything to drink?"

"No thank you, Counselor, I've already had two mugs of Rhaktajino today. I think that's my limit" Faith declined kindly.

Deanna smiled warmly, "Please, Faith, call me Deanna. This isn't a Counseling session, I just wanted to get to know you a little bit"

"Well, Deannah, what did you want to know?"

"I'd like to know what you like to do, you know, your hobbies, your interests. We often have recitals and things like that and I'm usually the one who gets the crew together" Deannah smiled.

"Okay, well, I have quite a few hobbies. Music is my first love. I play the guitar, the piano, the drums, and I also like to sing. Acting is another love of mine, I signed up for all the plays I could when I was at the Academy. If I weren't in Starfleet I would probably act in the holovid's or in Theatre. I love to read. Especially Shakespear. My favorite is probably Hamlet. I have the whole play memorized. I love to go horse-back riding. I was on the Academies Field Hockey team and I like to dance" Faith explained. All this talking about herself was making quite uncomfortable, however, and Deannah could sense it.

"Are you all right, Faith?" Deanna asked concerned.

"Oh, yes, I just feel kind of conceited only talking about myself" Faith said apologetically.

Deannah gave half a giggle, "I understand, I went through the same thing when I came aboard" after a short pause she continued, "Data tells me that you will be joining us for dinner tonight. Since we're still in dry-dock we're all going to dress down. Do you have something to wear tonight, or would you like to shopping? Our ships stores have many beautiful clothes"

Deannah was inviting Faith for a good old fashioned "Day at the mall! There's no better way to get to know someone than to go shopping with them."

"Well, actually, I could always use another new outfit" Faith agreed,

"Shall we?" she said gesturing towards the door as she smiled.

"Let's go" Deannah said as she stood up from her chair.

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

"Where are they? They're almost fifteen minutes late" Will asked impatiently. Data just sat quietly in his seat at the bar sipping his Romulan Ale.

"They will be here, Commander" Data answered calmly.

Just then the two women walked in, both looking beautiful. Deannah wore an ankle length, sapphire blue, wrap-around skirt, and a white blouse that she wore off the shoulder which was cinched tightly around her waist. Her hair was pulled back loosely and had little rhinestones placed stategically throughout.

Faith, who was standing at Deannah's side, was wearing an oyster white, linen, wrap-around summer dress which showed off her curvaceous figure. The dress was simple in itself yet elegant. It had a tank-top bodice, which tightly hugged every curve of her feminine body. The hem ended at her ankles, and the dress was tied off at the side with two fine linen strings. Faith had let her thick, deep auburn hair fall loosely over her shoulders ending in soft curls.

When Will saw the two women walk in he immediately came up to them and took Deannah by the hand to lead her to an empty table in the middle of the room. Data followed suite, taking Faith's arm and leading her to the table. Faith couldn't help but notice how good Data looked in his black leather pants, white dress shirt and black leather vest.

Once they were seated Will was the first to speak, "Where have you two been? We've been waiting here almost fifteen minutes."

We lost track of time" Deannah smiled, "Faith and I went shopping and we were having so much fun we didn't bother to look at our chronometer's. You know how it is when two girls get together, Will"

"I told you you'd make alot of friends here" Data said smiling. Just then Guinan stepped up to the table.

"Commander Riker, Counselor Troi, Commander Data, how are you tonight, and who is your friend" Guinan asked nodding to each respectively and then ending her gaze on Faith.

"Guinan" Will answered, "This is our new crew member, Lieutenant Faith Parker. She will be taking over as Cheif of Security"

"Oh, Lieutenant Parker, you look much different in civilian clothing. I saw your Starfleet picture. I must say it doesn't do you justice"

"Thank you" Faith said blushing.

"Well, I'll be getting back to the bar now. Just let me know if you need anything, it was nice to meet you, Faith" Guinan commented and retreated back to the bar.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, also" Faith retorted.

Will turned to Faith, "Do you know what you would like for dinner tonight Lieutenant?"

"Hmmm. I think I'll a salad with ranch dressing, Lasagna, and two pieces of Garlic bread. I'm famished. I haven't eaten since 0400 hours"

"Do you want anything to drink?" Data asked standing up.

"Yes, a Vulcan daiquiri"

"What would you like to eat, Data?" Will asked standing up.

"I will have the same, Commander. What would you like to drink?"

"I'll have a large glass of Romulan Ale, Data. What would you like to eat, Deannah?" Will asked turning towards the counselor.

"I'll have the same as Faith and Data, and I would like a grasshopper to drink, Data" Deanna answered.

"We'll be back in moments" Will commented smiling.

"We'll be waiting"

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


Faith spent that night getting to know her newly made friends. They told her about themselves, about the crew, about the ship, about former crew members, but the one that touched Faith the most was someone who once held the position she would assume tomorrow. Her name was Tasha Yar. According to Data she was beautiful, young, and vibrant. Tears came to Faith's eyes as Data recounted the circumstances of Tasha's death, and how she had left the tiny holoimage for Data which had become his most cherished possession.

"When she died I was incapable of feeling, at least, the way that I feel now, and, this may sound harsh, but I'm glad I couldn't feel. I don't know if I could have dealt with my emotions then. I came to terms with her death before they found my emotion chip, but sometimes, now it is so hard. I miss her so much. She was my best friend. Sometimes the only thing that helps me is something that Counselor Troi told me after my emotion chip was installed. She told me "best friends are forever, as long as someone remembers them" At hearing that the whole table started crying in remembrance of a long lost friend.


FINIS