Mandaema Bloss (created by Amanda Bloss) is a full Betazoid with considerable empathic and average telepathic abilities. Although she serves as Ship's Counsellor, she is strongly irritated by people who assume that Betazoids are only suited for this type of job in Starfleet.

My session with Ensign Mara Golabek went as well as can be expected. She is concerned for her grandfather, who has taken ill. She received the communique from her mother at a critical time. Her work in the astronomy department has escalated since we entered this sector, and the news has interfered with her ability to perform accurately. Mara was so excited; she had been assigned to observe an unusual gaseous phenomenon which has not been probed since the last century. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Now her fellow scientists are operating around a distracted crew member. I was confronted by Lieutenant V'lek, who appraised me of his frustration with and concern for Mara. I have since spoken with her five times and done my best to encourage her optimism and focus. She is very close to her grandfather. I envy her for the love she has shared, for I never knew either of my grandparents. I do not envy her fear of losing him.

I entered Sick Bay on my rounds and everything stopped: conversation, movement, a quick hiccup of thought. I paused, startled. The door waited patiently for me to move. Three personnel exchanged furtive glances. Seconds passed.

"Counsellor," Dr. Nesta Rhiannon said smoothly, emerging from her office and taking me gently by the arm. "What wonderful timing! I must show you something in my office."

I let her escort me while activity snapped back and conversation resumed. I stared over my shoulder. The two female technicians exited. A young man I recognized as Ensign Veale remained at his terminal, raised his head, and treated me with a nervous smile. I was directed from his view and offered a seat.

"Well," Nesta said, sliding into her chair. She didn't seem to know what followed, so after an awkward pause, I prompted,"Is something wrong?"

"No, no," she said genially.

"Your staff seem...preoccupied."

"Of course they are, Mandaema. So much to do, so little time." She leaned forward slightly and added, "They've been edgy ever since the food replicators started misbehaving."

"Ah, I see," I replied, sensing the story was not complete. Wishing I had Nesta's talent for reading auras - far more subtle than direct telepathy - and that her empathic abilities would not make her more difficult to read. I filed the incident for future reference. "You wanted to show me something?"

The slightest of hesitations, then she said,"Yes. I've been experimenting with dream therapy and Calandra and I were interested in feedback from your department." I nodded. Dreams were a favourite area for Nesta, and Cultural Advisor Calandra of Len, a civilian, specialized in interpreting them. We had discussed the many theories and applications previously. She launched into an enthusiastic explanation of her latest revelation, and half an hour later I felt informed to the point of saturation.

"Very interesting," I said sincerely. "I look forward to your presentation at the next medical seminar. I'll assist in any way you feel necessary."

"Fine, fine," Nesta concluded warmly, and followed me into Sick Bay. Ensign Veale was diligently working, but he managed another nervous smile before quickly returning to his duties.

Once we were in the corridor and heading by mutual consent to The Circle for lunch, I casually inquired about his odd behaviour. Nesta smiled.

"What do you think?" she countered.

"He seemed nervous," I said. "As if he were anticipating something."

"Perhaps it's just the beauteous Mandaema Bloss sending another male pulse on the rampage."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes - a habit from childhood embarrassments - and stated evenly, "You say that a lot."

"Well, it's true!"

"Nesta - "

"I know, I know," she said placatingly as we entered the turbolift. "Change the topic."

The Circle was understandably busy. There were many familiar faces, since I made a point of being able to at least recognize each crew member by name, but some had more immediate impact. Lieutenant Chris Hill, who was transferring to engineering, was seated with Lieutenants Sotar LaForge and Univus Vartaaga at a table near the door. I approached them and Mr. Hill fairly leaped from his chair.

"Counsellor!"

I blinked, but said," Am I interrupting?"

"No," Mr. Vartaaga interjected quickly, also standing. "We just have to leave now." He smiled apologetically. "Sorry."

"See you later, though," Mr. LaForge said, then stopped when his crew mates directed an odd look at him. "Later, whenever we see you again, that is."

"Yes," said Mr. Hill, edging towards the door. "But we don't know when that is until we see you, you see."

I nodded, trying not to appear confused, as the three hurried from the room.

"Great," Nesta said appreciatively, taking a seat. "You found a table."

"It found itself, actually."

"I've ordered for you," she continued, having missed my brief conversation. "I hope you're in the mood for beans."

I sat. "Beans?"

"Baked beans with molasses and cheese, and fresh, hot rolls. Well, as fresh as you can get with a replicator."

I noticed Belgai Nikonersee, the Welfen's Chief of Engineering, having an animated discussion with Ensign Jacob Thompson, also of engineering, and Ensign Romani of security. Lieutenant Sarenock was listening intently, but being Vulcan he was not as demonstrative as the others. Nesta followed my gaze.

"I think Belgai and Romani are designing a new restraining device for security," she said, then frowned slightly. "Or was that a retraining device?" She shook her head, as if to clear it. "Never mind. They're brewing something."

Belgai was sitting with his back to the door, but Romani spotted me and sent a quick wave our way, gaining the attention of the others at her table. Belgai twisted his large form and smiled at us then turned away and leaned over to Thompson, who nodded and led the group from the room, pausing briefly to say "hello" as if we might be contagious. Sarenock acknowledged us with a slight incline of his head, then disappeared.

"I seem to be clearing a path for the emperor," I commented dryly.

"Pardon?" Nesta had been absorbed with a small stain on her lab jacket.

"I think it's an old Terran saying," I explained. "People leave when they see me because they know a powerful but dangerous person is not far behind."

"Oh," she said, then switched gears on me again by saying in one breath: "Must be your imagination oh look, here's lunch."

And that was, as they say, that.

I'm lying in a bed, my family around me, as I gasp for breath. They look so solemn, so powerless. Then I'm a small girl, clinging tightly to the frail hand of a man in his one hundred and seventy-ninth year as he lies on the bed, dying.

Then I'm watching a kite soar above me as a younger version of the man expertly handles the string.

Then I'm sitting outside on a brisk night, watching the stars through a telescope, knuckles white with cold, as the man checks the map of constellations with his flashlight.

Then I'm teaching him after my third semester at Starfleet Academy, of planets and stars and orbits and nebula, so much information he smiles without really seeming to be able to absorb it all, but listening just the same.

Then I learn of my assignment aboard the U.S.S. Welfen and I'm torn, reluctant to journey so far away but encouraged by the man, now looking older than I ever noticed, to reach for the stars and hold them close.

Then my shift concludes and I enter my quarters, not wanting the communique to be there, but knowing it is. I'm compelled to listen to my mother's voice and my world shatters.

And then I'm lying in a bed, my family around me, as I gasp for breath. Then I'm a grown woman in Starfleet blue, clinging tightly to the frail hand as its grasp slowly slackens.

I woke from the dream very distressed, and it took me a few moments as I reviewed it's contents to realize I had not been sleeping very well and could not have been dreaming. I was receiving someone's thoughts.

I sat upright and swung my feet to the floor.

"Computer, locate Ensign Mara Golabek, please."

"Ensign Golabek is in her quarters."

"Thank you, computer," I said as I rushed to dress.

"You're welcome, counsellor."

She opened the door when she knew it was me. The room was dark except for a dim haze of light lingering at the portals. She was huddled on the floor near her bed, her face strained and exhausted and wet with tears.

"Mara?"

She looked up at me with huge eyes. Images bombarded me.

"Mara, I - "

The kite was so high, it would climb forever and never stop.

"Mara - "

Follow the north star and you'll never get lost.

"I - "

I'm so proud of my little astronomer.

"I - "

No matter where you go, I will never be far away.

I shuddered and my heart tightened as her pain washed over me. I knelt down beside her and leaned against the bed. Gently, I put my arms around her and held her close. Finally, the words came, quivering from my lips.

"I...grieve with thee," I managed, and let the tears slide from my eyes.

I was exhausted when my shift began. My parents had sent a communique while I slept, but I was running late and didn't have time to read it.

"Duty calls," I murmured, thinking of all the news my mother would have packed in, leaving my father with very little to say. So typical. So wonderful.

Ensign Ssenoila Kyle joined me on the turbolift. Her unique empathic ability was an excellent addition to the department, and her organizational skills were only out-shone by her bubbly personality. Today she seemed uncomfortable encountering me, preoccupied with work, no doubt, since she was projecting a sense of grim, tedious deliberation. Something else tried to creep in, anticipation that was far from grim, but she returned to the more routine feeling and then exited the turbolift abruptly, having changed her mind, she said.

"Don't want to go there now," she purred.

I felt like the auroral plague.

I entered the counselling area and was surprised to find it empty. Several crew should have been preparing for their appointments and convening for the daily briefing.

"Computer, what time is it, please?"

"0800."

"Where is my staff?"

"Unknown."

I walked briskly to my office and checked the terminal.

"There is no record of a report being left for me." The computer had no reply. I rephrased it as a question and received the same response: "Unknown."

"Computer, please locate Dr. Sparrow."

"Dr. Sparrow is in Holodeck Two."

"Dr. Rhiannon?"

"Dr. Rhiannon is in Holodeck Two."

"Dr. Dragoman?"

"Dr. Dragoman - "

" - is in Holodeck Two," we concluded together.

"Why are they in Holodeck Two?"

"Insufficient information to form a hypothesis."

"I wasn't asking you!" There was a pause while I let my exasperation dissipate. I sighed. "I'm sorry, computer. I didn't mean to raise my voice."

"No offense taken, counsellor."

Confused and a little disconcerted, I asked the computer to rearrange my schedule and inform any clients of the changes.

"I'll be in - "

" - Holodeck Two," the computer and I stated simultaneously. As I left, I made a mental note to have a chat with Belgai about the personality quirks in the system.

Outside Holodeck Two, the corridor was deserted. According to the panel, a scenario was running.

"Computer, what program is currently in operation?"

"Please identify?"

"Identify - ? Me? Oh, yes. Counsellor Bloss."

"I am sorry, but your request cannot be filled at this time."

"When can it be filled?"

There was a long pause. I was about to make another inquiry when the computer startled me by saying: "Counsellor Bloss, you may enter when ready."

Puzzled, I took a step forward and the doors parted. Beyond lay darkness. Standing in the open doorway, I said, "Computer, could I have some lights please?"

There was no response. I took another step and began, "Computer - "

Just before the door snapped shut, I sensed excitement barely controlled, and reeled at the intensity. Suddenly the lights flared, temporarily blinding me.

As my eyes adjusted, a large group of people gradually focused into recognizable individuals, all staring at me from a typical Betazoid banquet setting: a garden.

Captain Alison Bruce stepped forward, wearing a very self-satisfied expression.

"Sur-pri-ise," she half-sang, then everyone else joined in. It was such a jumble, it was almost unrecognizable. Someone started "Happy Birthday" in a key most people find uncomfortable, so many sang however they saw fit. This just added to the spontaneity. At its conclusion were applause and hoots and sharp whistles and cries of "Speech, speech!!" I followed the captain into the scene and marvelled at the night sky of Betazed, still visible beyond the floodlights. Then I returned to the bright eyes, waiting for me to say something.

The crew I had encountered in The Circle were there, along with many others including Ssenoila and Ensign Veale, sporting his nervous smile. So were Doctors Sparrow, Rhiannon, Dragoman, and others from medical and counselling, along with friends from different departments. My eyes came to rest on Mara Golabek, who seemed on the verge of tears, but she smiled, and I felt the room glow.

"This is most unexpected," I began, quite stunned. "How did you know?"

"I know everything," Nesta stated firmly, and I joined in the laughter. I glanced at the captain, who winked in my direction. As I suspected, the good doctor had input from the command department, too.

"It took quite a bit of planning," Alison admitted, emphasizing her words to suggest the effort involved.

"And I'm still not sure how we managed it!" Belgai said, obviously delighted with the results.

Then it all made sense. They weren't avoiding me because of something I'd done. They were avoiding me because of something I could do: read their thoughts.

Captain Bruce must have realized the conclusion I'd made, for she said: "After all, how do you keep a surprise from a Betazoid?"

Stardate 7207.29 Personal Log.

Our voyage through this sector has certainly been eventful. I'm one year older and, as the captain says, a year wiser. Mara Golabek has returned to duty and I will still be seeing her on a more casual basis. I find myself thinking of stars, which are a very important part of her life, and I have returned to my birthday program just to lie on the grass and gaze on familiar constellations. I find great comfort in the reminder that no matter where I go, they will never be far away.

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