Captain Wren Walton sat in the Mackenzie’s command lounge, nursing a syntheholic brandy. The last few days of wedding preparation and planning work had taken their toll. The news of Peter Crawford’s impending forced retirement from Starfleet hadn’t helped. She stabbed at her chicken Caesar salad, annoyed that she felt anything for the man. In her darkest thoughts, she’d considered following him to Earth and chasing him. The door to the mess flew open, admitting Captain Park of the Perseverance and her chief medical officer, Ada Josephs. They selected food from the replicator and sat down at Wren’s table. Park’s eyes watched her friend’s morose posture, and Walton felt the pressure of her gaze. Walton dropped her fork , sighing. “What.”

Park cocked her head to the side. “Evening, Wren. Nice to see you too.”

Walton felt her face warm at the admonition from her friend and former XO. She was right. Wren grumbled out, “I’m sorry.” She looked up and cast an amused look at Ada. “What did she do to convince to come along?”

Josephs chuckled dryly. “When Seoyeon tells you to come with her on an important side mission, you don’t refuse her.” She playfully punched Park on the shoulder. “Mind you, her track record has improved significantly since the academy.” That earned her a glare from Park and a chortle from Walton, who felt the trace of a smile for the first time in hours. It felt good. Ada dug into her loaded baked potato soup. “Park says you had some bad news. I’m sorry.” Ada’s eyes reflected genuine concern, and Wren replied with a thankful nod.

Walton sipped her brandy. “It takes away serving under his command while trying to make a relationship work.” That thought gave her hope.

Park cut her steak apart and asked, “So you’re thinking about taking the chance?”

“I think it’s the best chance I’ve got. What about you, Park? Ada?” She laughed at the mirrored looks on their faces. “I need something else to focus on besides my miserable love life.”

Park shook her head vigorously. She did not want to go first, and Ada sighed. Wren felt it in her soul. Ada said, “Lieutenant Calog Tir. We’ve gone on two dates. It’s been nice.” She rolled her eyes at Wren’s staring. “Dating a Trill isn’t any different. There’s just a lot more inside that head of his. Kinda fun, if you wanted to know.”

Walton scoffed, but it was gentle. “I’m not sure I want to. I dated one in the academy. Got a little weird. He was also part Betazoid.” She shivered. “They tell you to experiment in the academy. They are wrong sometimes.” The amused looks on the other two gave her cause to roll her eyes. “Ask Park about her Orion flings.”

Park pointed a shocked finger at her friend. “Now that’s not fair. That was before you met me. I wasn’t in a great place,” she explained to Ada, whose eyes sparkled with mirth. “It was fun, don’t get me wrong. It did not help me in the center chair.” She paused, a sly smile rippling across her lips, “It improved my flexibility.”

Ada guffawed, and Wren’s head shook with a barely contained cackle as she muttered, “Let’s forget I put us on this train of thought. Park? What about Hargraves?”

She smiled conspiratorially. “We’ve crossed the three-date Rubicon. The fourth date is the wedding. He’s my date. We’re going on a date at a wedding.” Her smile widened at the words. “First time I’ve said that aloud.”

Ada downed her soda, thankful for the restful dinner. “How’s that feel? The saying it part.”

Walton watched her friend contemplate that answer and chew on her bottom lip. Wren had known Park for most of her professional career. She reserved lip-chewing for deep thoughts. Park seemed to find the words. “It feels…weird but wonderful. I mean, we send messages back and forth a lot. We both send each other flowers. We have unofficial dates over video calls.” Park’s face reddened slightly. “I’ve dated plenty, but this one feels different. Better. Like, I’m not worried about Charlie and me. I know, sounds like every other girl we knew at the academy. Rarely ended well for them.”

Wren put her hand out to Park, and her friend grasped it as she reminded her, “We’re not in the academy anymore. We’re commanding officers. We’ve grown up.” She chuckled, “Mostly.” She squeezed Park’s hand gently. “It’s different now. For all of us. I mean, he lets you call him Charlie. That’s something.”

Park’s smile was sly, “Among other names.”

Ada groaned. “I do not want to know,” and Park put her hands up in surrender.

Walton sat back in her chair. “Is it possible we’re all where we’re supposed to be, finally? That whoever came before…that these are the right ones for us?” The other two shrugged. They weren’t sure, and in truth, Wren wasn’t either. It felt too good to be true. And yet, it felt different this time. She pushed back from the table. “Dessert?”

On that, they agreed. Wholeheartedly.