- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Dah-ta, look at this.
- Lt. Commander Data: [looking slightly confused] 'Day-ta'.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: What?
- Lt. Commander Data: My name. It is pronounced 'Day-ta'.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Oh?
- Lt. Commander Data: You called me "Dah-ta".
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [laughing] What's the difference?
- Lt. Commander Data: One is my name. The other is not.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Is this possible?
- [stands up and begins to run a scan on Data]
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: With all of your neuro nets and heuristics? Is there some combination of circuits that make up a network for bruised feelings? Possible?
- Lt. Commander Data: [Data smiles at the idea]
- Lieutenant Worf: [anticipating Picard to give Dr. Pulaski a telling-off] Not the best way to meet your new captain.
- [during a conversation, Guinan suggests to Wesley several times to have a drink]
- Guinan: What about a cup of nectar, direct from Prometheus?
- Wesley Crusher: No, nothing! That's the third time you've asked me.
- Guinan: It's what I'm expected to do. Don't you always do what's expected?
- Wesley Crusher: I try.
- Guinan: Even if it's not what you really want?
- Wesley Crusher: Sometimes. Sometimes it's more important to consider others before yourself.
- Guinan: Yes. But sometimes the game is to know when to consider yourself before others. Give yourself permission to be selfish.
- [the crew is discussing whether Troi's unborn child might pose a security risk]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Captain.
- [the senior officers abrubtly stop their discussion and focus on Counselor Troi]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Do whatever you feel is necessary to protect the ship and the crew. But know this: I'm going to have this baby!
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then it would seem that the discussion, is over.
- [folds his hands in reservation to the impending situation]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: .
- [Wesley has mixed feelings about leaving the Enterprise]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's always hard leaving any ship, just as it was for your mother, when she left to become head of Starfleet Medical. But moving from one assignment to another is part of the life which you're choosing.
- Wesley Crusher: I know. But this isn't any ship.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [contemplates this] How true.
- Lt. Commander Data: [on Troi's delivery of Ian] Thank you for allowing me to participate. It was remarkable.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [Commander Riker approaches, smiling, Troi looks to him] Were you here all along?
- Commander William T. Riker: Yes. He's beautiful, Deanna. Just like his mother.
- [grins, leans in and kisses Deanna's cheek]
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: How do you feel?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Fine. Wonderful.
- [looks to the baby in her arms, then back to Pulaski]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Thank you, Doctor, for everything.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Amazing.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [Deanna looks back to the baby again, smiling. A tear of happiness and joy rolls down her cheek, as she sighs a deep breath]
- [Picard has called sickbay to speak to Dr Pulaski, only to be told that she is in Ten Forward]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A few hours on board and already she's found Ten Forward.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [right before giving birth] You don't have to do anything, Data. Just be with me.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: There's nothing to be nervous about.
- Lt. Commander Data: Nervous? I find this very interesting.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ian, could you tell us why you're here?
- Ian Andrew Troi: Because Mommy said it was time to eat.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, I mean, why're you here on this ship?
- Ian Andrew Troi: I live here.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Ian, I think the Captain wants to know if you are ready to tell us why you came here.
- Ian Andrew Troi: No. Not yet.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: The answer is within him. When his cognitive powers have sufficiently developed, he may be able to articulate it.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hope he will tell us soon.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [to herself, analyzing a deadly virus] Some eager beaver at play.
- Lt. Commander Data: Query - "Eager beaver"?
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Well, in this case, 'eager beaver' refers to some overachieving genetic engineer who - probably because of lack of anything better to do - has forced this strain of virus to mutate, just so he can see how bad bad can get.
- Wesley Crusher: Thanks.
- Guinan: For a dish of Dovlarian soufflé?
- Wesley Crusher: No, not for the soufflé. I meant... for the rest.
- Guinan: 't's why I'm here.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher has expressed his desire to remain on the Enterprise.
- Commander William T. Riker: I see. And, how did you respond?
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I haven't yet, Number One, I didn't feel it was my decision alone. His remaining, will have effects on all of us.
- Commander William T. Riker: Good point, with his mother gone, who will see to his studies?
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's true. Of course, that responsibility would fall to Commander Data.
- Commander William T. Riker: And, who will tuck him in at night?
- Wesley Crusher: [embarrassed] Come on, Commander!
- Lieutenant Worf: [somewhat reluctant] I will accept that responsibility.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, we know he'll get his sleep
- [looks to Worf and smiles]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: .
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [looks to Riker, put his hand on his chin in thought] You know, Number One? It seems to me that you would be best suited for these responsibilities. Are you willing to serve?
- Commander William T. Riker: Difficult decision.
- [Riker looks to Wesley, who looks back in quiet anticipation. Riker grins]
- Commander William T. Riker: Yes, I can do that.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [looks to Wesley] Very well, Mr. Crusher, contact your mother at Starfleet Medical, give her my regards, and tell her that you have my permission to remain on the Enterprise. But
- [points to Wesley]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I will abide by her wishes.
- Wesley Crusher: [grins] Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir! I know she'll agree!
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now, do you have course and speed laid in?
- Wesley Crusher: Yes Sir, they are!
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very well, Mr. Crusher. Engage.
- [Wesley grins, and sets the Enterprise's next course]
- Commander William T. Riker: I don't mean to be indelicate,
- [turns to Troi]
- Commander William T. Riker: but who's the father?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Last night, *while I slept*, something, that I can only describe as a presence, entered my body.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A life form of unknown origin and intent, is *breeding*, right now, inside of Counselor Troi. Our purpose here today is determine what course of action we need to take.
- Lieutenant Worf: The decision is clear. The pregnancy must be terminated to protect the ship.
- Commander William T. Riker: [as the bridge crew is discussing the issue, Troi hears a heartbeat within her mind, and looks down at her stomach, then back up to the conference room screen which shows a gestating fetus. The crew's voices are muffled, but can still be clearly heard as Troi is focusing on the baby growing inside her] This situation presents a danger to us and the counselor. It's an invasion, of what, I don't know.
- Lt. Commander Data: Captain, this is a life form. Denying it the right to survive, takes away our opportunity to study it.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [Data encounters Counselor Troi in the corridor, breathing heavily and holding her stomach] Data? Would you help me to Sickbay?
- [Data acknowledges and takes Deanna by the arm, helping her]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [the doors open to Sickbay, Data and Deanna enter] It's time!
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [runs up] Oh, you bet it is! Let's get you to maternity!
- [takes Deanna by the arm]
- Lt. Commander Data: [clicks his combadge] Security team to sickbay.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Is that really necessary?
- Lt. Commander Data: Yes, Doctor. Captain's orders.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: I don't see the need for *armed guards* in the delivery room.
- [shakes her head]
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: . This way.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [Pulaski rushes in and begins to examine Ian] What happened? Did he eat anything, did he fall?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [shakes her head] No!
- Lt. Commander Data: [reads the readout on his tricorder] Commander, the child is the source of the unusual radiation.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Ian said he was the reason the ship was in danger.
- Lt. Commander Data: That analysis is correct.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [continues to try to bring Ian around] I'm losing life signs.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [holds Ian's lifeless hand] You must save him!
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [Pulaski continues to work, but to no success. She runs her scanner over Ian again, then bows her head] I'm sorry.
- [Troi kneels down and begins to weep over the loss of her son. Suddenly, Ian's body disappears and becomes a small, radiant star of energy. The energy star floats into Troi's open hands and Deanna cups her hands around it. Her weeping slowly subsides, then she smiles. Finally, like releasing a dove, she opens her hands and the energy star floats up and through the bulkhead into space]
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [Riker's combadge beeps]
- Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Commander, the containment field has... stabilized!
- Commander William T. Riker: Thank you, Lieutenant.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Then Ian was right. He was the cause.
- Commander William T. Riker: Apparently so.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [Deanna shakes her head and looks down for a moment, then looks back up at everyone] He is a life force entity. When we passed each other in space, he was curious about us, so he thought the best way to learn, was to go through the process. To be born, to live as one of us, and in that way, to understand us. He never meant any harm.
- Commander William T. Riker: There was a moment, when you smiled.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: He said "Thank you". I told him, we will miss him.
- [looks down again]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: And, I will.
- Ian Andrew Troi: [being tucked into bed by Deanna] I can feel that some of the people are very worried.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes, I feel it too. But don't you worry
- [smiles and lovingly strokes Ian's hair]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: .
- Ian Andrew Troi: It's me, Mommy! I'm the reason.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: What?
- Ian Andrew Troi: It's me.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: You?
- Ian Andrew Troi: Yes. I have to leave you now, or it will be very bad for everyone.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Leave? You're going to die! No, you can't!
- [shakes her head no in desparation, and clicks her combadge]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Sickbay, this is Counselor Troi! I need a doctor in my quarters, NOW!
- [Ian has stopped breathing, Troi leans down and begins to shake Ian trying to bring him out of it]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Ian! Ian, No Ian!
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor Deanna Troi is pregnant. She... she is going to have a baby.
- Commander William T. Riker: Baby?
- [everyone looks at Deanna]
- Commander William T. Riker: This is a surprise.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: More so for me.
- [Troi undergoes a completely painless delivery]
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Are easy births the norm for Betazoids?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Not according to my mother.
- [Dr. Pulaski mentions that in her experience, the fathers were almost always present during their babies' delivery]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Difficult under the circumstances.
- Lt. Commander Data: Perhaps *I* could serve in that capacity.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Counselor Troi is going to need the comfort of a human touch and not the cold hand of technology.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Doctor, I think Commander Data will do very nicely.
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: Your choice.
- Wesley Crusher: It's going to be hard leaving the Enterprise.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mixed feelings for all of us. It's always hard leaving any ship, just as it was for your mother when she left to become head of Starfleet Medical. But moving from one assignment to another is part of the life that you're choosing.
- Wesley Crusher: I know. But this isn't "any" ship.
- Lt. Commander Data: [to Counselor Troi] Although I know, in technical terms, how life is formed. There are several things about the process that alludes me. The child inside you, Are you able to access his thoughts? Does he have thoughts? You are aware of him, Is he aware of you? When does that awareness begint?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: [starting to give birth] It's happening...
- Lt. Commander Data: [thinking she is connecting with her unborn child's thoughts] How does it feel?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Data!
- Lt. Commander Data: Yes?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: NOW!
- Lt. Commander Data: [realizing what Troi has been trying to tell him] Now? Now? Now! Doctor! Doctor! Doctor!
- Dr. Kate Pulaski: [coming over to assist Troi's delivery] This is an impatient baby! He's very eager to make his appearance.
- [first lines]
- Enterprise Computer: Repulse shuttle has cleared Docking Bay 3.
- Commander Riker: Open hailing frequencies.
- Lieutenant Worf: Hailing frequencies open.
- Commander Riker: Repulse, this is the Enterprise. We are getting underway.
- Repulse Officer: [over communicator] Acknowledged, Enterprise. Transfer complete. Good luck on your mission.
- Commander Riker: And to you.
- Repulse Officer: [over communicator] Give my regards to your captain. Repulse out.
- Wesley Crusher: Shuttlebay is secure, sir.
- Commander Riker: Thank you, Mr Crusher. Make all preparations to get underway.