Ship’s counselor’s personal log, I find myself unusually nervous as I prepare for my picnic with the captain on the holodeck that will run a program of the Twenty-first Century’s New York City’s Central Park. The replicator provided appropriate attire for the occasion and a picnic basket of Southern food and drink Lieutenant Twig recommended and chocolate chip cookies Aquina suggested. It’s been so long since I pursued a romantic relationship with a woman. I can only hope that if Amanda does not share my feelings, she will not be offended by me expressing my interest. It’s so amazing to me that I would find myself wanting companionship at this age. Sixty is hardly ancient for either Vulcans or Betazoids, but because Jemeli was a Betazoid, I thought I would enjoy a very long marriage with her and I thoroughly bonded with her both telepathically and empathetically. When you love someone with your whole heart, as I did, and that person dies, it seems impossible that one’s heart could care for another. You never think the sight of another woman would make you feel like your heart was coming out of your chest, but that happens to me every time I step onto the bridge. If I have to step close to her for duty’s sake, I find her scent positively dizzying. Its little wonder she beat me so soundly when we played chess; I could barely focus on the game. I found myself staring at her as she surveyed the chess board. I could feel the wheels in her mind turning as she contemplated her next move. As beautiful as she is on the outside, I found the intricacies of her thinking process even more so. Hers is a mind I could get to know forever and still I would discover another gorgeous facet of her psyche. However, I must hurry so I don’t keep Amanda waiting. End recording.

James left his quarters and soon reached the holodeck and entered. He found himself in the middle of a green park in what he surmised to be a moderately warm summer day. He saw few others in the park and those who were there were fanning themselves profusely. As he walked carrying the picnic basket and chess set, he heard the sound of an audio broadcast of what had been called “radio” during that era. The announcer said, “It’s a record breaking heatwave here in the city. My suggestion is find some shade, or better yet, some air conditioning, folks!” James smiled at Amanda’s courtesy. “She is so thoughtful. Hopefully her Vulcan and Romulan blood will make this temperature comfortable for her!” Scanning the park, he perked up when he saw her. He smiled as he saw that she too was in her “civvies.” She also wore shorts and a t-shirt that showed off her shapely figure. “Calm down, Boy,” he warned himself, “This is just a picnic and a game of chess. Try not to stare so hard.”

“Jim, I mean James!” she smiled, her eyes sparkling “You brought a picnic, how thoughtful of you!”

He tried not to stare directly into her eyes, lest he get lost in them and get completely tongue tied, then realized she had continued to speak.

“I’m sorry Amanda,” he apologized, “I didn’t hear what you said. Would you mind repeating that?”

“Oh, I was apologizing for calling you ‘Jim,’” she said, “It just felt so natural to me, even though you look nothing like him.”

“Who?” he asked as he set the basket on a picnic table, spread out the tablecloth and set out the food, “Pardon, me, I don’t think you want cold fried chicken.”

“OOOhhh, yes,” he nodded, “Your great-grandfathers served with him, didn’t they? I read about them in the Academy, required reading you know.”

“Don’t I know it,” she smiled, “Of course there was a lot that happened that didn’t get into the official record.”

“I imagine it is a challenge to live under two such men’s shadows.”

“Now, now, James—” began Amanda.

“Please, call me ‘Jim.’ No one ever has before, but I rather like it.”

“All right, Jim. Let’s not turn this into a counseling session. Please pass me the food.”

“Sorry, Amanda, it’s a bit of an occupational hazard. My late wife had to remind me to not analyze her as well.”

“Your late wife?” she asked sympathetically, “I am so sorry to hear that, Jim. How long has it been?”

“Ten years,” he said, and then chuckled, “So who is playing counselor now?”

Amanda chuckled, “Professional hazard, every good commanding officer knows how to play therapist.”

“And your Vulcan and Romulan telepathic abilities don’t hurt, Amanda.”

“Not to mention good old fashioned woman’s intuition. My human grandmother had plenty of that. The fact is I just care about people. That’s a part of the appeal of command, exploring the galaxy and taking care of my crew.”

“I can see we make a good team, Amanda. That’s why I studied the sciences and therapy.”

“I can see your wife did well for herself. A sensitive man of science isn’t easy to come by. Was she a scientist and a therapist herself?”

“Jemeli was a bit of both, really. She was an elementary school teacher.”

“Ah, so she was a civilian?”

“Indeed she was. We grew up together on Betazed. We were high school sweethearts and we decided it would be easier for us to be together if she chose a career that would ensure we wouldn’t get separate assignments. So she went to a university to study teaching in San Francisco while I was at the Academy and we married after she completed her studies and I became an officer.”

“Then she would live in family quarters with you and teach,” smiled McCoy, “at least until the babies came.”

“No, Jim, it’s just clear to me that you are a family man. To be honest, I was surprised you didn’t have a family when you came on board. You struck me like a person who prefers not to be alone. You’re being a widower makes a lot more sense. However, I am surprised that no one has snatched you up before now.”

“Well, like my cousin, I have been married to my work,” admitted James, “Wow, perhaps you missed your calling, Amanda.”

“No, Jim,” sighed Amanda, “I am quite happy with being the captain of the Asimov. You just have such an interesting story, and it is good to get away from the bridge.”

“Well, then I am glad I could do my job where you are concerned. I have found that captains are a lot like mothers in that they are often the most challenging people to get to invest in their self-care.”

“Well, if you suggest I play chess,” smiled Amanda, “I think I could be persuaded to do more self-care, as long as you provided the company.”

James felt his heart pound in his chest and thought frantically, “Oh my goodness! Is she flirting with me!? Oh please God, please let her be flirting with me! Give me a sign!”

At that moment, Lieutenant Twig came strolling up to them and said, “Hullo, Cap’n, lovely day, ain’t it?”

The captain stared at Twig and asked, “Lieutenant, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, wall, I thought this here wuz a public hollerdeck session,” said Twig, who looked somewhat unsteady on his feet.

“No, Lieutenant, it isn’t,” said Amanda sternly and regardless of her attire, it was clear to James that in her mind, his Amanda had transformed herself into Captain McCoy, who looked at Twig very intently, “Lieutenant, have you been drinking?”

“Yes, ma’am,” admitted Twig, “Commander Gallagar and I had a few.”

“A few!?” Amanda nearly yelled, “Was it that moonshine of yours?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Twig mumbled.

Amanda sighed, and tapped her comm badge, “Gallagar!”

“Yes, Captain?” N’ka’s voice was heard.

“Report to the holodeck, immediately!” barked Amanda.

“Yes, Captain,” said N’ka, who appeared in minutes.

“Gallagar,” said Amanda, “How much moonshine did you let Twig drink?”

“Mr. Troi were having a private meeting when Twig came barging in here. Now I know he insists on having a still, but remember he doesn’t have your tolerance for alcohol. Now, would you please remove him and get some coffee down his throat.”

N’ka mouthed the words, “Private?” to his cousin and grinned and told Twig, “Come on, let’s get you out of here,” and took him away.

James was reeling as he realized Amanda did want to be alone with him. “Okay, play it cool,” he thought, “Don’t overwhelm her.”

Amanda sat down and resumed eating and Mr. Troi popped up, grabbed the Thermos and poured her some sweet tea.

“Hmmm, delicious,” she smiled, “That takes me back to my Grandma Joanna’s kitchen, everything here does, especially the chocolate chip cookies.”

“I am glad you like them, Amanda, and you chose the perfect day for a picnic!”

“Yes, Jim, nice and sweltering,” said Amanda, her eyes sparkling, “miserable for humans but perfect for you!”

Amanda watched Amanda eat, while trying to not make it too obvious that he was watching her. He was so absorbed his food got cold and he didn’t notice the sky cloud over until he looked up and realized they were dark with rain and said, “Amanda, I think there is a problem with the holodeck’s climate control,” when the skies opened up and a downpour fell upon them.

“Quick! Get the food in the basket!” and as the two of them packed up, she looked around, “There is gazebo over there, where can wait out the storm!”

“Why not correct the program?” yelled James.

“What’s the fun in that?” she laughed, “It’s not often a person gets caught in the rain!”

The two of them dashed over to the gazebo, both laughing like children as they stood in the shelter, watching the rain come down. Every once in a while, James would gaze at Amanda and watch her wavy auburn hair form into wet ringlets. All at once she caught his gaze and as he found himself leaning in, her comm badge chirped. She whispered softly, “Duty calls, Jim,” tapped her badge and said, “McCoy, here.”

Commander Stevens’ voice was heard, “Captain, I didn’t want to interrupt your time on the holodeck, but we just got a general distress call with a coded message from the Aurora.”

Amanda sighed and said, “All, right send it over here, McCoy out,” then said, “Computer, arch,” and walked over to the arch that materialized in the gazebo and looked over the readout. She tapped the computer panel and Stevens’ face appeared on the view screen.

“Yes, Captain,” he said.

She paused and looked up at James, gazing into his eyes she said, “Life is short, Jim.”

He stared at her, not quite understanding what was going on, “Amanda, I don’t understand.”

“Please sit down, Jim,” she said softly and as he stood there, clearly befuddled, she added, “I know you’re wondering why I’m not flying off to the galley this minute in ‘Captain McCoy mode.’”

“The thought did cross my mind.”

“But Jim, at this moment, I need to be here with you and I need you to sit down.”

James’ mind buzzed, “My goodness, is she saying what I think she is saying!? For Heaven’s sake, man, sit down!” and he gingerly sat down on the bench as Amanda stepped forward and put her arms around his neck and murmured, “As I said, Jim, life is short. We are about to face battle together. I am confident in the Asimov and her crew, but that doesn’t guarantee success, or that either of us will live to see another day.”

James continued to blink as he thought, “Oh, please, oh, please, oh please,” as this beguiling creature before him came closer, sat in his lap and whispered, “Carpe diem, Jim, ‘seize the day,’” leaned in and kissed him on the mouth. As James felt himself getting lost in her arms, he heard her mind whisper, “Please hold me, Jim.” So he wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss as the rain continued to fall.

“It’s been so long since I’ve held a woman like this, Amanda,” he thought to her.

“I’m so happy to be held,” she thought back.

As their two minds joyfully danced together like two children in the joy of having found one another, Amanda noticed a change in the rain and thought, “James does that rain sound different?”

“Yes it does,” thought James.

“Like pebbles on a roof,” thought Amanda and the two of them began the careful process of separating their minds as they reluctantly stopped kissing, but still held each other against a sudden drop in temperature. “Brrr, I’m freezing!” thought Amanda and she finally opened her eyes and cried, “WHAT’S THAT!“

James, opening his eyes to golf ball sized precipitation that drummed on the gazebo’s roof, said “Its hail!”

“Computer, end program,” barked Amanda.

“Unable to comply,” replied the computer.

“Unable to comply.”

“Computer, exit!” they yelled.