Disclaimer: Star Trek: The Next Generation, the U.S.S. Enterprise, and all the canon characters belong to CBS/Paramount. The rest is mine.

Hello from Earth…

(Unless otherwise noted all messages are video recordings.)

Stardate 44395.54 (Thursday, 25 May 2367)

09:00 Martian Standard Time

To: Keiko Ishikawa O'Brien, U.S.S. Enterprise

From: Zoe Harris, Hotel Curiosity, Mars

Hi, Keiko! I'm recording this on my padd at the breakfast table, so I only have a minute, but I wanted to let you know I received the file with the pictures from your wedding. Sorry I had to miss it, but I'm pretty sure you didn't really need some kid hanging around. I know, I know, you're not that much older than I am, but… look at you, all 'Sadie, Sadie, married lady.' Congratulations!

Anyway, your dress was amazing! I've never seen a kimono that delicate looking, and you really did glow the way all the magazines say you're supposed to.

Actually, everyone looked amazing - I can't believe Ed wore a tuxedo - but then, he's not Starfleet, and everyone else was in formal dress. He and my mother look so good together, don't you think?

Thanks, also, for the picture of Data – I'd never seen him all dressed up before. I know you can see me blushing, but please don't tell him I did? Someone should frame a copy of that image of him though…

Dad has a class this morning – he's teaching a spring intersession kind of thing, through June – but this afternoon we're going to the Spirit Arboretum. I can't wait to see it.

(An audible chime interrupts the recording.)

Oh! My ride is here. Friends of Dad's have daughters my age, and we're spending the morning getting mani-pedis together. Gotta go.

(=A=)

3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Theodore Nechayev MIT, Boston, MA, Earth

To: Zoe Harris, Hotel Curiosity, Mars

Well, Zoe, I did it!

I have completed my last exam, turned in my last documentation from my time on the Enterprise and I stand – well, I'm sitting. Hmm. Alright, I sit before you a free man, and a rising junior. I'm told next year will be intense, so I hope you're planning to have some fun between music and theater stuff because I'm excited about getting to show you my city.

Aunt Alynna says she's got the guest suite already for you, and to let you know that yes, there is a bathtub. She asked me what your favorite scents were, and I'm afraid all I could remember was that you dislike roses. No matter. There's a bath shop in one of the shopping districts that you will love, and I will suffer manfully through because it's my job as your host.

Before you ask, no, she's not expecting that we're serious; she knows I invited you as a friend.

And, friend-of-mine, you'll want to be in your best comfort mode, because Cherise – the on-again/off-again girl I told you about – is definitely off-again, this time forever.

I can imagine the look of doubt crossing your face, so before you crumple a napkin to throw at the screen – don't you dare glare at me, Miss Harris – you should know that a copy of her wedding announcement to some lawyer from Harvard is attached to this recording.

Can't wait to see you next week.

(The following is an attachment, from the Boston Herald)

Girard – Kaplan

Cherise Girard and Evan Kaplan were married Saturday the 20th of May, 2367 at Memorial Church, Harvard University. The reception followed at the Plaza Tent on campus.

The bride is the daughter of Claire and Edmond Girard, of Quebec, and is currently a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where her studies are focused on Urban Planning and Civil Engineering. She will graduate with the class of 2369.

The groom is the son of Harriet and Norman Kaplan, of Chicago, and completed his legal studies at Harvard University in January of this year. He is currently an associate at the law firm of Kaplan, B'nel'kp, and Rogers, and is based in Boston.

(=A=)

Stardate 44402.71 (Saturday, 27 May 2367)

23:45 Martian Standard Time

To: Lt. Commander Data, U.S.S. Enterprise

From: Zoe Harris, Hotel Curiosity, Mars

Hi, Data. This message is really brief because it's almost midnight, and I'm very tired and a little buzzed from champagne.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Champagne. Dad let me have some at the after-party, but it had been hours since I'd eaten anything and… oh, god… telling this completely backwards.

Okay, five words: I saw the Tantalus Quartet.

I saw them, and heard them, and met them, and it turns out that their cellist, Hugo Rodriguez, is actually one of the instructors at the Suzuki thing, and he's going to make sure I'm assigned to his section.

How cool is that?

I mean… seriously?

Anyway, the concert was amazing, and the after-party was really lovely, but it would have been better if you were there. I mean, going to their concert with Dad was fabulous, but his suits are always rumpled and he never lets anyone press them, and Keiko sent me the pictures from her wedding and you looked…

(Zoe utters the next line in a tone of perfect, sudden clarity.)

Actually, you looked pretty amazing.

(And then she reverts to her usual breezy style.)

I mean seriously… how are you not beating women off with a stick?

Oh-oh! Hugo and Gae-Lyn said to hook you up with their booking agent, so I've sent that information as a text file. They said if their schedule meshes with the ship's, ever, and anyone would be interested, they'd be willing to come aboard and do a concert or two, gratis.

(Data is then treated to a really intense yawn from Zoe.)

Remind me of the time conversion, and I'll call live and in-person when I'm settled in San Francisco.

G'night, Data.

(=A=)

Stardate 44421.56 (Saturday, 3 June 2367)

8:56 PM, Pacific Daylight Time

To: Lt. Commander Emily Harris, U.S.S. Enterprise

From: Zoe Harris, Casa Nechayev, San Francisco, Earth

Hello from Earth, Mom!

Theo met Dad and me at the spaceport on the first, just as we planned, and then his aunt took us all to dinner at this place in the Marina district that had these mashed potatoes that are twice-baked with gouda…seriously, Mom, I wanted to take a bath in them.

Oh, please tell Lt. Worf that we delivered his gift to Alexander, and that his parents send their regards. They're very sweet people, and insisted upon serving us lunch. I might have to start swimming every day if people keep feeding me this way.

I got your letter, and I promise I'll be a credit to my good breeding. Or at least I won't embarrass you too much. Yes, I know staying with the Admiral is an honor, and yes, I know I have to tone down the snark. Maybe it helps that I'm a civilian, because she seems perfectly delightful to me.

Also, she's a lot smaller in person than she is on the news nets. We could totally share clothes, if she owned anything that wasn't a uniform.

Dad's list of rules was way more specific: don't do drugs, don't get drunk, don't pierce anything below my earlobes, or above my earlobes, and no visible tattoos.

No, Mom, I'm not going to run out and get an invisible tattoo. What would be the point?

Anyway, yesterday, Theo and I went out to the Maritime Museum to see the old ferries – they really used petroleum products to power vehicles? How quaint. We also poked around the tall ships – I love the smell of tar and history. I would have made an awesome pirate. Theo indulged me, and since we were practically the only people there, we played pirates on the Balclutha for hours.

Then we went to this really old restaurant on the wharf and had three kinds of clam chowder just as the fog rolled in. Mom, Beach Haven is fantastic, but I think I'm falling in love with San Francisco.

Today, we went to Golden Gate Park, and saw a local Shakespeare troupe perform A Midsummer Night's Dream. The actor playing Puck was half Vulcan, and I know it's a total stereotype, but the pointy ears totally worked for the character, and then we came home and watched vids and ate Thai food. I always miss delivery food on the Enterprise.

It's only nine, but I'm tired…Theo has arranged to meet some of his local friends for brunch tomorrow, and we left word at the Academy for Wesley to come join us if he was available.

I'm enjoying this trip a lot, but I'm also looking forward to Suzuki starting next week. I'm not wired for a life of leisure.

I've attached a few still images from our museum trip. There's one of me in classic pirate stance at the bow of the ship – could you make sure Data gets a copy? Trust me, he'll appreciate it.

(=A=)

10:30 PM, Pacific Daylight Time

From: Cadet Crusher, Wesley, Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth

To: Zoe Harris, Casa Nechayev, San Francisco, Earth

Zoe!

Mom said you were spending the summer here in San Francisco, and I have been so busy with classes that it didn't occur to me to have a welcome message waiting for you.

About brunch, I've arranged for a day pass, and would love to meet you and Theo. The time and place you suggested work within my schedule.

See you then.

Oh, wait…"Casa Nechayev?" What's that?

(There is a beat and then the recording continues.)

Wait, Theo Nechayev is related to Admiral Nechayev?

You're staying with them?

Now I really want to see you at brunch.

Notes: Novella length sequel to CRUSH. Locations on Mars are named after various Mars landers. Locations in San Francisco are real. The Balclutha is one of the tall ships at the National Maritime Museum, which is based at a pier off of Aquatic Park. I confess: on days when the water is choppy, I'm too chicken to climb the steps to the upper deck, even though I know it's perfectly safe. "Casa Nechayev" is Zoe's name for the admiral's house.