When he got to the Sickbay he had Wesley lay down and Beverly fix him up.

"What happened?" she asked.

"When we were hit causing it to break the Enterprise front he was unable to get up before it got us unlike Data."

She sighed and shook her head.

"And he didn't want to leave without everyone being safe. Even after losing so much blood."

While she fixed Wesley up she wondered where he got this from.

An hour later Wesley woke up and groaned.

"What happened?" he said then remembered. "The ship! Sir, is everyone alright?"

"We're all fine Ensign Crusher." Picard said standing next to him.

He sighed in relief.

"You on the other hand broke a left rib, stitches galore, lost a lot of blood and scars." Beverly said while she checked on him.

"Sorry."

"Ensign Crusher, you are free to take the rest of the week off to heal." Picard said.

Wesley opened his mouth to say he's fine but saw the look on his face.

"Yes sir."

Then Picard nodded and headed to the bridge.

The next day Wesley was let out and was in his quarters wanting to go to the engineering room.

Beverly said he had to stay in his quarters today and then talk to Picard later.

He sighed and got a chime.

"Come." he said and the door opened.

"Captain." he said and stood up causing him to wince for a second.

His rib was still a little sore.

"At ease." Picard said. "And you don't need to do that to me anymore."

"Right, sorry."

"I heard you were hoping to go to the engineering as you used to."

Wesley turned a little red.

"It's, um, a habit sir. I'm not a sit there and do nothing."

"Well, if you promise to be careful you can go help Geordi with light things tomorrow and until you get back to your part. But if you feel tired or sore at anytime go and rest in your quarters."

Wesley smiled widely.

"Yes sir! Thank you sir!"

Then they split up.

The next day he was at the engineering passing Geordi a wrench.

"Alright, that should do it." Geordi said when it was done.

"Let's give it a go." Wesley said.

Then he hit the button and it worked this time.

"Alright! Finally!" Geordi said smiling.

"How long did it take you?"

He turned bright red.

"Six months to figure out what happened?"

Wesley burst out laughing after hearing that then winced and put a hand on his rib.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, laughing hard makes it a little sore."

Geordi nodded and they went back to work.

Finally the week was over and Wesley was back on duty.

"Ensign Crusher, you're free to go on your lunch break." Picard said.

"Yes sir."

Then he headed to the Cafe' to grab some lunch.

While he sat there in the Cafe' he thought about his first day here, his first promotion and his second promotion.

He and his mom were standing just inside the turbo lift door. She was uncomfortable while he was all eyes, taking in as much as he possibly could in this one limited look at his dream place. His mom started to step out, gesturing to him to stay in the turbo lift.

"Permission to report to the captain..." she said.

"Children are not allowed on the bridge, Doctor." Captain said coolly.

"Captain, my son is not on the bridge. He merely accompanied me on the turbo lift."

"Your son?"

"His name's Wesley. You last saw him years ago when..." she said and trailed her words; Captain understood.

"Oh, back then." He glanced from mom to him then cleared his throat. "Well, as long as he's here..."

He looked to Picard hopefully. His mom waited, then Captain shrugged, tries to sound friendly.

"I knew your father, Wesley. Want a look around?" Captain asked and was out like a shot. "But don't touch anything!" Captain continued quickly.

He was in awe. To him, this was the equivalent of a devout Catholic stepping into the nave of St. Peter's Basilica. The turbo lift was on the level of the "horseshoe", so the command positions were spread below him. Captain moved down to the captain's chair level and he moved with him. He was careful to put his feet down just right so he doesn't even scuff the floor. Captain watched, stepped aside to gesture toward the command chair.

"Try it out." Capitan continued and he did so. "The panel on your right is for log entries, library-computer access and retrieval, view screen control, intercoms, and so on."

"Yes sir. And here, the backup conn and ops panels, plus armament and shield controls." he said nodding and pointing.

Captain looked closely at he, perplexed.

"The forward view screen is controlled by the ops position..." Captain started.

"Yes sir, which uses high resolution, multi-spectral imaging sensor systems..." he said interrupting him.

"How the hell do you know that, boy?" Captain asked.

Before mom or himself could reply, a very distinctive signal sounds and he, closest to the control, transferred the signal into audio.

"Perimeter alert, Captain!" he said was instantly embarrassed; mom was mortified; Captain was angry.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Wes!" Mom said interrupting him. "You shouldn't have touched anything."

"Off the bridge! Both of you." Captain said.

Worf had come to his feet, not sure whether or not he should respond to the call. Mom was hustling him toward the turbo lift.

"You have a perimeter alert, Captain." Worf said.

"As my son tried to tell you!" Mom said to Captain leaving into the turbo lift, the doors closing behind her and himself.

The turbo lift doors snapped open and he was looking a bit warily toward Captain.

"Come onto the bridge, Wesley." Captain said as he hesitated. "Move!"

He hurried onto the bridge and approached Captain. All the Bridge Crew watched with interest. No one knew what was coming.

"Commander Riker told me how supportive you were in Engineering. Well done." Captain said and he stiffened himself with pride. "At ease, sit here in Command."

Captain indicated the bench beside Troi. He hesitated.

"Captain - that's not allowed. Your orders." Riker said.

"Oh, that's true. I can't waive them again." Captain said to him. "Only commissioned officers."

"It's quite all right, sir, I understand." he said.

"Please don't interrupt me, Wesley." Captain said while he interrupted him.

"Sorry, sir..." he said very nervous again.

Captain looked first from Riker then to him and back to Riker. He knew that Riker was orchestrating this a little.

"Any commission rank?" Captain said to Riker then paused. "Even an ensign?"

"Then he would have authorized access to the bridge."

"Well, then, I'll have to make him an Acting Ensign." Captain said then he touched a switch. "Captain's log Star date 41263.4. For outstanding performance in the best of Starfleet tradition, Wesley Crusher is made acting ensign. With all the duties and privileges of that rank." he said then clicked off. "And Mister Crusher, whether the rank becomes permanent is up to you." Captain said to him. "At the first opportunity your entrance application will be tendered to Starfleet Academy. Until then you will learn this ship. Every operation, every function. Commander Riker, a duty schedule for Mister Crusher. Heavy on study."

"Aye, sir." Riker said.

"Meanwhile, you can sit and learn something here." Captain said.

He stepped over and took his seat. His eyes shining as he looked around the bridge belonging for the first time in his life.

In the full command area Riker glances over at him, then to Captain.

"Sir, shall I send for Doctor Crusher?"

"Why? Is someone ill?" Captain asked then quietly to him. "Or do you want to go tell her about this?"

He was tempted.

"If you don't mind, sir, I'd like to sit here awhile. I'll tell her later." he said instead.

Captain was reading something on his PADD as he entered.

"You asked to see me, Captain?" he said and Captain barely looked up.

"I've been in touch with Admiral Hahn at Starfleet Academy." Captain said.

His expression turned hopeful.

'Maybe there's still a chance somehow..." he thought.

"The Admiral regrets your missing the oral examination and hopes you'll reapply next year." Captain continued.

He hid his disappointment. No loopholes here.

"I understand, sir." he said. "I do intend to reapply."

Captain nodded, good.

"In the interim... the Academy's loss is our gain. I'm gratified the Enterprise will continue to benefit from your talents for another year."

"Thank you, Captain."

Captain returned his attention to the PADD. He was still standing, waiting to be dismissed. Nothing. He was beginning to feel awkward.

"Is that all, sir?" he continued.

"There is one more thing." Captain said and looked up. "For some time now I have been

contemplating a certain action. Your conduct today has convinced me to take that action."

He stood mute, wondering if he's in trouble.

"I've reviewed your service record thoroughly and I've decided upon the appropriate course."

'Is that a twinkle in Captain's eye?' he wondered.

"I am granting you a field promotion to full Ensign."

His face lit up.

"Congratulations." Captain continued before he could speak. "You're dismissed."

Later he entered the Main Bridge, now in the crimson Starfleet uniform of an Ensign, and took his station.

"Notify Starfleet we are en route to the Xanthras system for our rendezvous with the Zapata." Captain said to Worf.

"Aye, sir."

"Ensign Crusher, take us out of orbit and set course for Xanthras Three, Warp Factor Six."

"Aye, sir." he said while he worked the helm. "Course set."

"Engage."

He could tell mom was looking proudly over at him, who took a moment to relish his new status.

'Yes! This is going to be all right!' he thought.

When he was back he was still smiling.

"Dad would be proud of me. Even though I did something I shouldn't've done."

Then he thought about what he had done over the years.

When ended his memories he looked at his watch and saw it was five minutes before his shift.

When he got to the bridge he sat down as usual smiling.

"Where to Captain?" he asked.

"Warp 1." Picard said and sat down. "Engage."

"Yes sir." he said.

When it was all set they were off to continue to explore.