[Ten Forward]

(The place is thronging, and Riker is playing 3D chess against a Ferengi)
RIKER: Check and mate.
WESLEY: Perfect. The queen's gambit finished off with the Aldabren Exchange.
NIBOR: That is unfair. I couldn't concentrate with all that noise.
WESLEY: Noise? It's Algolian ceremonial rhythms.
PICARD: A toast to the success of the trade conference, Reittan. I must admit, I had some doubts when you invited the Ferengi.
GRAX: They made a profit and behaved themselves. What more could one ask? Still, they trouble me. We Betazeds are uncomfortable with species like the Ferengi whose minds we can't read.
DATA: Perhaps your telepathic abilities are ineffective owing to the anomalous construction of the Ferengi brain, which is composed of four different
PICARD: Thank you, Mister Data. It was thoughtful of you to invite Lwaxana Troi to be part of the Betazed delegation.
GRAX: Yes, Lwaxana and I go way back. Her first husband and I were old friends, and I've known Deanna since she was a child.
PICARD: I'm sure Counsellor Troi appreciates the opportunity to spend time with her mother.
LWAXANA [telepath]: (whilst eating) Little One, you could at least pretend you're happy to see me.
TROI: Mother, we're among non-telepaths. It's impolite not to speak aloud.
LWAXANA [telepath]: You mean talk with my mouth full? Deanna, please!
LWAXANA: All right, you want me to say something aloud? Have you considered if you had stayed on Betazed, you might have been a happier person.
TROI: Let's not guess what might have been. I love my work aboard the Enterprise.
LWAXANA: Yes, of course you do, but its all business and no play. You've got to enjoy life, relax, like I do. Find yourself the right man, think of your future. Think of my future.
RIKER: Lwaxana, Deanna. Anything I can do for you?
TROI: (gets up) Could I?
(Riker and Troi leave Lwaxana and go to sit at the bar)
FAREK: She's as repulsive as the rest of them.
(Ethan Phillips, who will eventually be Neelix, is under those ears)
TOG: Repulsive? I find her exotic. And what an advantage her telepathy would be in our negotiations.
FAREK: To read our competitors' minds? Yes, that would be valuable. But she'd never agree to use her powers to help us.
TOG: I'm not so sure.
(He goes over and introduces himself)
TOG: Lwaxana Troi of Betazed, I believe. I am DaiMon Tog of the Ferengi vessel Krayton. May I join you?
LWAXANA: I was just going to see Captain Picard. Excuse me.
(Lwaxana hurries away)
LWAXANA: Oh, Jean-Luc! Jean-Luc! Come have a drink with me. Tell me what you've been up to.
PICARD: Perhaps later, Lwaxana. Mister Data and I were just about to show Reittan Grax the er, the er, the new door mechanisms on the aft turbolifts. If you'll excuse us?
TOG: Lwaxana Troi. I desire you.
LWAXANA: What?
TOG: You see, your Betazoid skills would be very useful to me, and I find you very attractive. I am willing to pay handsomely for you.
LWAXANA: I don't believe this.
TOG: You must be aware that every female has her price.
LWAXANA: Let's get one thing straight, little man. I am not for sale. And if, by some chance I were to become available, I would rather eat Orion wing-slugs than deal with a toad-faced troll like you! So go away and find someone else to become your property.
(She storms out)
TOG: As you wish.
FAREK: Now that you've totally humiliated us, may we return to our vessel?
TOG: She is exhilarating, isn't she? Now I want her more than ever. Lwaxana Troi, you will be mine.

[Corridor]

TROI: Are we at war with the Ferengi yet?
WORF: DaiMon Tog has returned to his vessel and the Ferengi have left orbit.
TROI: My mother will be relieved.
WORF: I hear she handled the situation quite skillfully. An admirable woman.
TROI: I'll be sure to tell her you said so.
LWAXANA [telepath]: Come in, Little One.

[Troi's quarters]

(Lwaxana is lying on the couch)
TROI: Mother? Mother, please.
LWAXANA: After that awful little Ferengi insulted me, I needed to centre myself. Can you imagine that dreadful little creature talking to me like that? Doesn't he realise that I am a daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed. Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx?
TROI: The Sacred Chalice of Rixx is an old clay pot with mold growing inside it.
LWAXANA: Perhaps one day when you're older and wiser, you'll understand. Come on, sit down. Talk to me. We spend so little time together.
TROI: That's true. I'm sorry, and I didn't mean to get so upset with you at the reception.
LWAXANA: Deanna, try to understand. You're all I have. My only concern is for your happiness.
TROI: I am happy. Why can't you believe that?
LWAXANA: I wish I could, but how much happiness is there in always being there for someone else, and never being there for yourself?
TROI: I get a great deal of satisfaction out of my work.
LWAXANA: I'm sure you do. I'm sure it's very rewarding in its way. What about a family?
TROI: This is my family. My friends here on the Enterprise.
LWAXANA: All right. In case I have to spell it out for you, I'm talking about finding a husband, having a child. That's what made me happy. At least until now.
TROI: Mother, look. Perhaps some day I will marry. But you've got to let me make my own choices, live my own life, and not the life you would choose for me.
LWAXANA: You had your chance with Commander Riker. Look how you ruined that.
TROI: I did not ruin anything. We've became very good friends.
LWAXANA: Well, all the better. You certainly wouldn't want to marry an enemy. I see we can't talk about this. Very well, have it your way, Little One.
TROI: Little One? You called me that when I was five. Now stop demeaning me and address me as an adult!

[Corridor]

LWAXANA [telepath]: I'll be home on Betazed if you need me, Little. Deanna.

[Ready room]

WESLEY: Adding pre-processors to the neutrino counters boosted efficiency by eleven percent. Of course, Commander La Forge and Commander Data did most of the work.
LAFORGE: Not so fast, Wesley. Pre-processing the data with an optical chip was your idea.
DATA: That is correct, sir. Although Commander La Forge and I designed the chip, Mister Crusher derived the equation governing its operation.
RIKER: The point is, you've completed the upgrade well ahead of schedule. Very impressive.
PICARD: Indeed. Fine work. We shall miss you, Mister Crusher. As you've guessed, final entrance examination scores from Starfleet Academy have arrived. Congratulations. As soon as you have completed the oral exam, you'll be formally admitted.
RIKER: We'll have you back at Betazed in plenty of time to meet up with the Academy transport ship.
WESLEY: Thank you, sir.
PICARD: That'll be all. Number One, a moment.
(Wesley and Geordi leave)
RIKER: Yes, Captain?
PICARD: You'll agree that this is a fairly routine mapping mission?
RIKER: Yes, sir.
PICARD: Counsellor Troi had the good sense to ask for shore leave. I can see I'm going to have to suggest it to you. Have a good time, Number One.

[Clearing]

(Will and Deanna are strolling hand in hand through an exotic parkland. Both are in civilian dress)
RIKER: I think it's around here somewhere.
TROI: Maybe it died. It has been a few years.
RIKER: Muktok live for hundreds of years. Here it is.
(A low growing plant with a fluffy purple flower that chimes when you shake it)
TROI: It's lovely. I remember that sound, and all the good times we had.
RIKER: I remember a certain junior officer meeting a very serious psychologist. The best part about being assigned to Betazed.
(as they kiss, they don't notice the flamboyantly dressed woman, and a tall man carrying picnic baskets)
LWAXANA: Oh, this is the perfect spot. Put the food down over there, Mister Homn. Isn't it a beautiful day for a picnic? They'll join us in a minute. No, no, no, no. Here, put the food over there. No, you can go back
TROI: Mother, how did you know about this place?
LWAXANA: Your father used to bring me here. Sit down.
RIKER: And you even brought provisions. Very thoughtful.
LWAXANA: Here, Will, Deanna. Try an oskoid. They're delicious. That sap running through the veins helps keep it warm.
RIKER: Very tasty. So tell us, Lwaxana. The last time we met, you were looking for a husband. Did you have any luck?
LWAXANA: Alas, no, but what happens to me isn't important. I'm much more concerned about other people getting on with their lives.
TROI: Mother.
LWAXANA: Mister Homn, I noticed some uttaberries back along the path. Pick some.
(Homn dutifully leaves them)
LWAXANA: Well, Mister Homn and I could go back home if you two would like to be alone. It's such a romantic setting.
TROI: Mother, stop it.
LWAXANA: Darling, you have been so excitable lately. Have you ever thought of a leave of absence? I could talk to Jean-Luc.
RIKER: Try the oskoid. Very different.
(A Ferengi beams in)
RIKER: What the?
TOG: For one whose beauty surpasses even these pericules.
RIKER: DaiMon Tog, I thought the Krayton left orbit hours ago.
TOG: It did. But when I tried to get the image of Lwaxana Troi out of my mind, I could not succeed.
LWAXANA: This is ludicrous. You mean you came all the way back to Betazed for me?
TOG: Why continue to search for perfection once you have found it?
TROI: I don't believe this.
LWAXANA: Look, Demon Tog, or whatever you call yourself, I am the Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed. And unless you want to create an interstellar incident, you had better beam back to your ship.
TOG: Returning to my ship is exactly what I had in mind. Krayton, transport four immediately.
RIKER: No, Tog!
(And they all disappear. Mr. Homn returns, eating berries, and looks around somewhat bemused)

[Holding cell]

(They wake up in a large cell with a forcefield at the entrance. Two Ferengi are playing 3D chess outside)
RIKER: Lwaxana? Deanna?
LWAXANA: Where are we?
RIKER: From the smell of things, I'd say we're aboard a Ferengi vessel.
LWAXANA: The Ferengi can't do that. You're Starfleet officers.
RIKER: Tog must have missed that chapter in the Ferengi book of Etiquette. (taps his comm. badge) Enterprise? Must be too far out of range.
(Riker tests the forcefield - it hurts)
NIBOR: DaiMon, they have regained consciousness.
TOG [OC]: Very good.
(Deanna and Lwaxana are beamed away, and their dresses fall empty to the floor)

[Tog's quarters]

LWAXANA: I should have known. Even their transporters can't be trusted.
TROI: Why have you removed our clothing?
FAREK: Females do not deserve the honour of clothing.
LWAXANA: They're as bad as humans. Look at the leer on his face.
TOG: No. His is an expression of revulsion. But it is a feeling that I do not share, Lwaxana.
(Lwaxana picks up a couple of bedsheets or something, and hands one to Deanna. They wrap them around themselves)
LWAXANA: Well, it's cold in here. Do you want me to become ill?
TOG: You must forgive the doctor. He is not accustomed to dealing with Betazoid females. Now, Lwaxana, I have a business proposition for you.
LWAXANA: Thanks, but I'm not interested in any of your propositions.
TOG: Hear me out. Your telepathic powers could bring us both great profit.
LWAXANA: Huh. Why would I want to bring you profit?
FAREK: In order to keep your daughter alive and healthy, for one.
TOG: There's no need for threats. Lwaxana is a sensible female
TROI [telepath]: I don't like the sound of this, mother.
LWAXANA [telepath]: I believe I can control him, Little One.
LWAXANA: I'm sure we can talk about this. Just the two of us.
TOG: A wise choice. Farek, leave us. And you may rejoin your friend.
TROI [telepath]: Mother, are you sure?
LWAXANA [telepath]: I'll be fine.
(Deanna vanishes)
TOG: And now, Lwaxana Troi, let us talk.
(He presses a button and a bed slides out from the wall)

[Engineering]

LAFORGE: Fifteen hours from Gamma Erandi, and already the subspace static is playing hell with communications.
WESLEY: Just what you'd expect from a stellar nursery.
DATA: Wesley, congratulations on passing your Starfleet written examination. An excellent achievement.
WESLEY: Thanks, Data. Now if I can just do well on the oral exams.
LAFORGE: Not to worry, you will. And when you return, we'll be gaining the best ensign in the fleet.
DATA: There is no guarantee that Wesley will be reassigned to the Enterprise. Ninety one per cent of Starfleet graduates are not posted to Galaxy class starships on their first assignment.
WESLEY: I never thought of that. I always assumed I'd be coming back to the Enterprise.
LAFORGE: I'm sure Captain Picard will request you. That is, if he's still commanding the Enterprise when you graduate.
WESLEY: I never thought of that, either. I never thought I'd feel this way about leaving you guys and the Enterprise.
DATA: Is that not a part of the human experience? Growth and change?
WESLEY: I suppose so, but.
LAFORGE: Listen, Wesley. I felt the same way when I left my family to go to the Academy. But it was one of the best times of my life. You're going to meet new friends and have adventures that you can't even imagine yet.
WESLEY: I hope you're right, Geordi.

[Holding cell]

(Troi is back in her own dress now)
LWAXANA [telepath]: Little One, Tog's given me something perfectly hideous to wear. He says it flatters my beauty.
TROI: So far, Mother's in no danger. I hope she knows what she's doing.
RIKER: Well, she's bought us some time. Let's make the most of it. (to the chess players) I wouldn't do that.
NIBOR: I don't need your help.
RIKER: The hell you don't. You're two moves away from being mated. See, you should have listened to me. Now you've only got one possible escape. That wasn't it.
(The other Ferengi makes his move, laughs and leaves)
RIKER: You should've moved the bishop.
NIBOR: Ridiculous! The bishop was pinned.
RIKER: Don't listen to me. Forget the fact that I beat you in thirty moves.
NIBOR: Pure luck.
RIKER: I was being polite. I could've won in twenty moves.
NIBOR: Then prove it. (sets up new game) Pawn to queen four, King's level.
RIKER: Pawn to king's bishop three, Queen's level.

[Tog's quarters]

LWAXANA: I must admit, when you first approached me aboard the Enterprise, I was intrigued.
TOG: You mean revolted.
LWAXANA: Perhaps a little. Do you forgive me?
TOG: Yes. With your powers we could be a formidable team.
(She grabs his hand to stop him removing her dress, but never looks directly at him)
LWAXANA: My, you have great strength in your hands.
TOG: And you like that?
LWAXANA: I have always admired strong males.
TOG: You are beautiful. It is impossible for me to resist you.
LWAXANA: Then don't.
(They pucker up and fall back on the bed. Troi cringes)

[Bridge]

DATA: Initial scans of ionisation patterns complete, sir. Now correlating sensor readings.
PICARD: It's almost incomprehensible, the amount of energy being expended.
DATA: Actually, it is five point three four times ten to the forty first watts, sir. Well within the norm for this type of phenomena.
PICARD: Yes, yes, yes. Perhaps, Data, but that takes away none of the wonder.

[Holding room]

NIBOR: Check.
RIKER: I'm sick of this game.
NIBOR: Of course, now that you're losing.
RIKER: Who's losing? I'm just tired of standing up.
NIBOR: You can't resign now.
RIKER: It's hard to play from in here. I can't even see the whole board.
NIBOR: Ah, then you'll finish the game if I let you out of the cell?
RIKER: I might.
NIBOR: Clever, human, but I'm not that foolish.
RIKER: What, do you think I'm going to try to escape? What would that get me? You've already got her. Besides, where would I go?
NIBOR: I do not trust you.
RIKER: Fine. Thanks for the game.
NIBOR: Come out here. (puts the forcefield back up) Now save your rook, if you can.

[Tog's quarters]

LWAXANA: And that was my first husband. Not much of a conversationalist, but what a lover. Well, then I met Zarn
TOG: I do not want to hear about your other romances. It makes me jealous.
LWAXANA: My, my. What big ears you have. Has anyone ever told you how attractive they are?
(She strokes the edges)
TOG: Some females think they are my best feature. No one has ever given me oo-mox like this before.
LWAXANA: Oo-mox?
TOG: There is no translation. But the ear is one of our most erogenous zones.

[Ferengi brig]

(Nibor is out cold on the floor)
RIKER: Those Ferengi have iron jaws.
(Riker releases Deanna)
LWAXANA [telepath]: Little One, if Tog were a kitten, he'd be purring.
(Riker starts working on a computer panel)
TROI: [telepath] Good work, Mother. [aloud] According to Mother, DaiMon Tog is extremely relaxed at the moment.
RIKER: Tell Lwaxana to keep him relaxed while we call the cavalry.
COMPUTER: Access to communications denied. All transmissions to be authorised by DaiMon Tog.
TROI: Let's see just how relaxed DaiMon Tog is.

[Tog's quarters]

TROI [telepath]: Mother, we're out of the cell and we're trying to contact the Enterprise, but we can't do it without Tog's access code. Do you think you could manage to
LWAXANA [telepath]: Say no more, Little One.
TOG: Lwaxana, you and I are going to make such a wonderful team. With your telepathy and my cunning, I foresee
LWAXANA: A very profitable future.

[Bridge]

WORF: Subspace interference is subsiding, sir. Communications have been restored.
PICARD: Good. Contact Commander Riker on Betazed.
WORF: Message coming in from Betazed, sir. Priority One.
PICARD: On screen.
GRAX [on viewscreen]: Captain Picard, at last. We have been trying to reach you for two days.
PICARD: Our communications have been blocked by the nebula, Reittan. Is there a problem?
GRAX [on viewscreen]: I'm afraid so, Captain. Lwaxana, Deanna and Commander Riker have disappeared.

[Tog's quarters]

TOG: I knew I wanted you the moment I saw you. You have fulfilled all my expectations.
LWAXANA: How sweet.
TOG: Farek thought it was a bad idea, but I knew better.
LWAXANA: How clever.
TOG: I knew best. I always know best.
LWAXANA: How repugnant.
TOG: What?
LWAXANA: I said, how romantic. I can't resist a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.
TOG: That's me. That's why I'm DaiMon of this ship. I take charge of every situation. More to the left, woman.
LWAXANA: Whatever you say. My darling, would you care for something to drink?
TOG: You're so attentive.
LWAXANA: Does your food synthesiser know how to make an Arcturian Fizz?
TOG: I don't think so.
LWAXANA: They have certain pleasure-enhancing qualities.
TOG: Mmm
LWAXANA: Let me teach your computer how to make one. I'll need your access code.
TOG: Yes, my beloved. Computer, access code kayee yooree dahtayee
FAREK: Tog! Be silent! I knew you were not to be trusted.
LWAXANA: Doctor Farek! I was going to make DaiMon Tog a drink.
FAREK: Save your lies for this fool.
LWAXANA: Oh please, don't listen to him. Don't. No, he's misunderstood me.
FAREK: No, Tog. You have misunderstood. You have been tricked by a sly female who finds you repulsive.
TOG: She was only trying to serve me a drink.
FAREK: You almost gave her complete access to the ship's computer. A security breach severe enough to cost you your command.! It's time you took my advice. Let me study her.
TOG: Study her? Your mind probes could kill her.
FAREK: You brought her aboard for her telepathic powers. If I can determine what neural configuration gives her those powers, I may be able to duplicate them. We could still profit from this.
TOG: I don't know.
FAREK: A true DaiMon would not be blinded by lust. Give her to me, or I may be forced to report your transgressions.
TOG: Very well. Take her.

[Clearing]

(Lots of people with tricorders taking scans)
WORF: When you have finished here, survey in that direction.
CREWWOMAN: Aye, sir.
GRAX: I wish I had some answers for you, Lieutenant Worf.
WORF: Mister Homn was no help?
GRAX: None. He last saw them as he was leaving this clearing. When he returned, all three of them were gone.
DATA: Lieutenant Foley discovered this in the pond. (Tog's bouquet) The species is Zan Periculi. It is not indigenous to Betazed, but to Lappa Four. A Ferengi world.

[Ready room]

PICARD: Now we now have a reasonable hypothesis as to whom.
WORF: The difficult question is where.
LAFORGE: The Ferengi ship is almost as fast as the Enterprise. She could be anywhere by now.
PICARD: Commander Riker will assume that we'll be searching for them. He'll find some way to send us a message. Mister Worf, I want continual monitoring of Ferengi subspace frequencies. Mister La Forge, can you extend our sensor range?
LAFORGE: If I narrow the band and tie in long range sensors to the subspace scanners, I can boost the gain.
PICARD: Make it so.
DATA: Do you wish to leave orbit, sir?
PICARD: Not until we have someplace to go.

[Ferengi brig]

RIKER: I've done everything I know how. It's no use. Without Tog's security code, I can't get near their communication system.
TROI: We're running out of time. Farek's about to begin the neural scan on Mother.
RIKER: Maybe I'm going about this in the wrong way. If I pick a minor subsystem, something non-essential. Like this. Warp field phase adjustment. All this does is suppress the subspace interference generated by the warp engines.
TROI: Meaning what?
RIKER: Meaning if I set up a simple oscillation, I can send out a signal. The trick is to create a message that the Enterprise will understand but that the Ferengi will think is just normal subspace static. What's wrong?
(Lwaxana is being tortured by the Ferengi mind probe. It hurts, a lot)
TROI: Mother. Will, we have to help her.

[Bridge]

LAFORGE: Thanks for your help, Wes, but you'd better get aboard the Bradbury. They were ready to break orbit an hour ago.
WESLEY: Soon as I'm sure this works.
LAFORGE: Initiating scans now, Captain.
PICARD: Can you locate the Krayton?
DATA: Ferengi transmissions are routinely scrambled and encoded, sir. Without breaking the code, we will be unable to identify any specific Ferengi vessel.
LAFORGE: Ferengi codes are damn near impossible to break.
PICARD: Gentlemen, I have the utmost confidence in your ability to perform the impossible.
WORF: Captain, the Bradbury is hailing us. They can no longer delay their departure.
PICARD: Mister Crusher. Now. No lengthy farewells. Good luck.
WESLEY: Thank you, sir.
(Wesley takes a look around as everyone carries on with their duties, then leaves)
DATA: The repetitive nature of the subcarrier pattern would imply a modified

[Turbolift]

WESLEY: Deck six.

[Transporter room]

CRUSHER: Wesley?
(She hands him his case, and hugs him)
CRUSHER: Take care.
WESLEY: You too, Mom.
CRUSHER: Something the matter?
WESLEY: We've been scanning Ferengi transmissions, trying to find the Krayton. One of the signals was, I don't know, familiar somehow.
CRUSHER: Something in the message?
WESLEY: No, the message was scrambled. It was the static!
CRUSHER: Where are you going?

[Bridge]

WORF: Captain. The Bradbury has informed us they can wait no longer for Mister Crusher to come aboard.
(Wesley dashes in)
PICARD: Wesley. 
WESLEY: Captain, I think there's a pattern to the subspace interference I heard on one of the Ferengi messages.
PICARD: Wesley, unless you leave immediately, you're going to miss the Bradbury.
WESLEY: The interference itself could be a message. If I could just hear a replay of the subspace scans.
PICARD: Signal the Bradbury they may leave. Play back the Ferengi transmissions.
WESLEY: Wait. Repeat that one. Put it on a continuous replay. Hear that popping noise? Data, can you filter out everything but that sound?
LAFORGE: That's Cochrane distortion. A fluctuation in the phase of the subspace field. All warp engines generate that kind of interference.
WESLEY: But listen to the pattern. It's the Algolian ceremonial rhythm that the musician played at the reception.
DATA: Mister Crusher is correct, sir. There is a temporal correlation.
PICARD: Then it is a signal from Commander Riker. Ingenious. He selected a signal we'd recognise but one the Ferengi would dismiss as static.
WORF: Signal source located, Captain.
PICARD: Plot an intercept course.
WESLEY: Course plotted and laid in, sir.
PICARD: Well done, Mister Crusher. Warp eight.
WESLEY: Aye, sir.
PICARD: Engage.

[Ferengi lab]

(Lwaxana is not suffering in silence. Riker and Troi burst in. Riker shoots at Farek)
RIKER: Get away from her.
FAREK: What are you doing? br> (Troi runs to her mother and Tog sneaks up from behind)
TOG: Stand off, Commander.
(Riker hands over the weapon)
LWAXANA: DaiMon Tog, can't we strike a bargain? All I'm concerned about is my daughter's safety. What happens to me isn't important.
TOG: What are you suggesting?
LWAXANA: Let me be candid, DaiMon Tog. Deanna's of no use to you. She's only half Betazoid. And if you keep Riker, Starfleet will never stop chasing for you. Release them. Release them and I will stay with you willingly. I'll even use my telepathy to aid you in your negotiations.
TOG: A tempting offer. I would like to believe you.
LWAXANA: The offer is genuine. I give you my word as a Daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed.
RIKER: Lwaxana, don't.
LWAXANA: I've made up my mind.
RIKER: I can't let you do this.
LWAXANA: William, I am a grown woman. I can make my own decisions.
TROI: Mother, we can't just leave you here.
LWAXANA [telepath]: Yes, you can, and before he changes his mind.
LWAXANA: Please, Little One, do this for me. Just this once. Do we have an agreement?
TOG: I give you my word. I will release your daughter and the Commander.
FERENGI [OC]: DaiMon. A Federation ship approaching at high warp.
FAREK: The Enterprise has found us
TOG: Slow to impulse. Raise shields. Inform the Enterprise that two of our guests are ready to return. The other will be staying with us, at her own request.
FAREK: I must protest, DaiMon.
TOG: Lwaxana has given her word.
LWAXANA: Oo-mox is only the beginning.

[Bridge]

(Riker and Troi are beamed directly to the bridge)
PICARD: Are you both all right?
RIKER: None the worse for wear.
TROI: My mother bought our freedom, Captain. She doesn't want to stay with Tog.
PICARD: Hail the Krayton.
WORF: Frequencies open. DaiMon Tog responding.
PICARD: On screen.
TOG [on viewscreen]: Captain Picard, so good of you to meet us. We were on our way to Betazed to return our guests.
PICARD: Of course you were, DaiMon. But you're still holding Lwaxana Troi.
LWAXANA [on viewscreen]: When will you get it through your thick head that it's over between us, Jean-Luc?
(mute transmission)
TROI: I think I know what she's doing. You have to fight to get her back, Captain.
WORF: Open.
PICARD: Er, er. It's not over between us, Lwaxana. You're mine and I will not let you go. I insist you return to my side immediately.
LWAXANA [on viewscreen]: You mean, you still care? (Picard ploughs into a hotchpot of lines from Shakespeare's sonnets, 147, 141 and 8.)
PICARD: My love is a fever, longing still for that which longer nurseth the disease.
LWAXANA: Tell me more.
PICARD: In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, for they in thee a thousand errors see. But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, who in despite of view are please'd to dote. Shall I compare the to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

[Tog's quarters]

(As the declaiming goes on in the background)
TOG: You didn't tell me that you and Captain Picard were
LWAXANA: You said you didn't want to hear about my other romances. I have a new love, Jean-Luc.

[Bridge]

[Ready room]

WESLEY: You asked to see me, Captain?
PICARD: I've been in touch with Admiral Hahn at Starfleet Academy. The Admiral regrets your missing the oral examination but hopes that you'll reapply next year.
WESLEY: I understand, sir, and I do intend to reapply.
PICARD: In the interim, the Academy's loss is our gain. The Enterprise will continue to benefit from your talents for another year.
WESLEY: Thank you, sir. Is that all?
PICARD: No.
WESLEY: Is there something wrong, Captain?
PICARD: I'm just thinking that I'm saying goodbye to you as you are today.
WESLEY: But I thought you said I wasn't going to be able to go?
PICARD: The Academy must make you wait, that's true. But, when I review your service to this ship, your crewmates, I cannot in all conscience make you wait for the Academy. You see, Wesley, in my eyes you're an acting ensign in title only. I hereby grant you field promotion to full Ensign, with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations. You're dismissed.

[Bridge]

WORF: Lwaxana Troi has beamed down to Betazed, Captain.
PICARD: Notify Starfleet we are en route to the Xanthras system for our rendezvous with the Zapata.
WORF: Aye, sir.
(Wesley enters in his new red uniform)
PICARD: Ensign Crusher, take us out of orbit and set course for Xanthras Three, warp factor six.
WESLEY: Aye, sir. Course is set.
PICARD: Engage.

(blast! nearly got rid of him too....)