STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Lessons" #40276-245 Written by Ronald Wilkerson & Jeanne Louise Mathias Directed by Robert Wiemer THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1992 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. FINAL DRAFT JANUARY 25, 1993 STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 1/25/93 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Lessons" CAST PICARD NELLA DAREN RIKER DATA BEVERLY TROI WORF GEORDI COMPUTER VOICE A WOMAN'S VOICE Non-Speaking N.D. CREWMEMBERS N.D. MUSICIANS N.D. CREWMEMBER (Marques) N.D. CREWMEMBER (Richardson) N.D. CREWMEMBER (Deng) STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 1/25/93 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Lessons" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE BRIDGE READY ROOM PLANET'S SURFACE CORRIDOR CARTOGRAPHY LAB PICARD'S QUARTERS TEN FORWARD JEFFERIES TUBE ENGINEERING TURBOLIFT OBSERVATION LOUNGE TRANSPORTER ROOM SICKBAY STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Lessons" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. BRIDGE It is the night watch -- DATA sits in the command chair; N.D.'s man the various vital stations. PICARD ENTERS from the Turbolift, preoccupied with the PADD in his hand. PICARD Good evening, Mister Data. DATA Actually, good morning, sir. Picard smiles slightly as he realizes Data's right. DATA Ship status is -- PICARD No need to report. I'm just here to do some work of my own. DATA Yes, sir. Entering information on his PADD, Picard heads to his Ready Room. PICARD I'd like to talk to Doctor Mowray at his archaeological site on Landris Two. Please put it through to my Ready Room. DATA I am sorry, sir, but Stellar Cartography has requested a communications blackout while they run an experiment. Picard is a little surprised to hear this. PICARD How long will it be? STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: DATA Another three hours, twenty-two minutes. Picard frowns slightly. DATA I can override it if necessary. PICARD No, no... it's not important. DATA Aye, sir. Picard EXITS to... 2 INT. READY ROOM Picard sits at his desk and puts down the PADD. After a beat, he activates his DESKTOP TERMINAL. PICARD Computer, display the latest excavation schematics from Landris Two. COMPUTER VOICE Library computer is temporarily off-line. Picard reacts. PICARD Explain. COMPUTER VOICE Library Systems have been allocated to Stellar Cartography. Picard frowns at this unusual circumstance. He turns off his terminal and looks around the room. His eyes settle on a BOOK and he decides to do some reading. He stands and crosses to the REPLICATOR slot in the wall. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - TEASER 3. 2 CONTINUED: PICARD Tea, Earl Grey. Hot. COMPUTER VOICE Replicator systems are off-line at the request of -- Picard finishes the sentence along with the computer. PICARD/COMPUTER VOICE Stellar Cartography... Picard is annoyed but not angry, reasoning that they must be up to something important. PICARD (to himself) What could they possibly be doing down there... ? Picard's mouth was set for the tea, but curiosity gets the better of him. He heads for the door. 3 INT. CORRIDOR Picard approaches the door to the Stellar Sciences Department. He EXITS to... 4 INT. CARTOGRAPHY LAB The room is pitch black, lit only by the light from the corridor as Picard ENTERS. Startled by the sudden blackness, he stops short in the open doorway. WOMAN'S VOICE In or out, but close that door. Picard steps in quickly, and the door slides shut. He strains to adjust to the blackness as he ENTERS. With a bang, Picard's leg bumps into a table, dumping EQUIPMENT noisily to the floor. WOMAN'S VOICE Just try to stand still. In the shadows, several N.D.'s are hunched over a console in the center of the room. It is a three-dimensional grid, and its faint light bathes their faces. Picard stands where he is. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - TEASER 4. 4 CONTINUED: The woman's voice carries a tone of frustration that is slowly intensifying. WOMAN'S VOICE It'll take a second for our eyes to re-adjust... (beat; urgent) Elevate to three-point-two. (beat) Good... we can do this... (beat) We're losing vertical alignment. Compensate... (beat) Gently, don't bump it. (beat) No, no -- hit the... (much louder) Forget it. Lights. The group at the console breaks up. The owner of the voice, NELLA DAREN, Lieutenant Commander, leans against the console in frustration, her back to the door. NELLA Whoever you are, you just ruined four hours of work. PICARD You might've taken the simple precaution of locking the door. She turns to lay into this cheeky interloper. NELLA It's three o'clock in the morning -- Her face falls when she realizes it's the Captain. NELLA (surprised) Captain Picard... Picard can't help but smile at her discomfort. PICARD You must be Lieutenant Commander Daren. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - TEASER 4A. 4 CONTINUED: (2) NELLA Yes, sir. I'm sorry. It's just we weren't expecting many people to be up at this hour. Picard gestures that there's no need to apologize. PICARD You're new aboard the Enterprise. I think you'll soon learn to start expecting the unexpected. She appreciates his letting the matter drop and smiles. NELLA That's why I put in for this assignment. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - TEASER 5. 4 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD Excellent. Now perhaps you could tell me what was so important that it required depriving the ship's Captain of a cup of Earl Grey? NELLA Earl Grey? No wonder you can't sleep. Picard reacts as she strides toward her replicator. NELLA Computer, bring replicators back on line and give me a cup of Daren herbal tea blend number three, hot. She turns back as we HEAR the replicator. NELLA You shouldn't be drinking a stimulant at this time of night. I think you'll like this. She hands him the tea which has appeared, looks on as he takes a sip. He grimaces and makes a sour face at the taste. Nella takes it in stride. NELLA I've programmed seven other blends into the replicator... (smiles) You're bound to like one of them. Though still smarting from the taste, Picard tries to be gracious. PICARD I look forward to sampling them. Nella smiles, then moves toward the console where she was working earlier. NELLA I'm sorry if the system blackouts we requested inconvenienced you. We were taking very precise gravimetric readings -- it wouldn't have taken much to throw them off. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - TEASER 6. 4 CONTINUED: (4) PICARD (eyeing the console) What are these readings for? Nella is pleased the Captain is taking an interest. NELLA I'm trying to construct a mathematical model of an emerging star system. If it works, we'll be able to predict the configuration of a system that won't be formed for another two million years. PICARD (a wry smile) That's a long time to wait to find out if you're right. NELLA (smiles) I have a few things to do between now and then. They regard each other... off their mutual intrigue we... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT ONE 7. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 5 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it moves at warp. 6 INT. BRIDGE RIKER, Data and various N.D.s. Picard ENTERS from the Ready Room. RIKER We'll arrive at the Borgolis Nebula in three hours, sir. PICARD I understand it has unusual radioactive emissions -- I'm sure Stellar Sciences will find it an interesting study. RIKER Commander Daren has already requested time on the main sensor array. Picard nods and heads for the Turbolift. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT ONE 8. 6 CONTINUED: PICARD You have the Bridge, Number One. Data turns to address him. DATA Captain, I would like to remind you about our concert this evening in Ten-Forward. (beat) We will be performing Chopin's Trio in G minor. PICARD (nods) I'll be there. Data is gratified to hear this... 7 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS Picard and BEVERLY are sharing an afternoon lunch, chatting about this and that. PICARD ... the upshot is... we'll be close enough for you to slip away for a few days and see Wesley. Beverly beams at hearing this. BEVERLY Wonderful, thank you, Jean-Luc. She sips her tea. BEVERLY This is delicious; what is it? PICARD It's an herbal tea blend... (beat) I came across it in the replicator files. Beverly nods. PICARD Have you met any of the new crewmembers we took on at Starbase Two-eighteen? STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT ONE 8A. 7 CONTINUED: BEVERLY (nods) In fact, I have a new Nurse. His name's Beck, he's an obstetrics specialist. Picard nods. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/28/93 - ACT ONE 9. 7 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD (casually) I met the new head of Stellar Sciences last night. Lieutenant Commander Daren. BEVERLY Yes... Nella Daren. She was in Sickbay for a physical last week. I liked her. Very forthright. PICARD Very. Beverly suddenly remembers something. BEVERLY Oh, I forgot to tell you... The Exogenics Journal accepted my paper for publication. PICARD (smiles) That's wonderful, Beverly. BEVERLY I'm hoping to get a response from other scientists studying ribosomal replication. There's still no satisfying explanation for the genetic drift. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT ONE 10. 7 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD (smiles) That journal is widely read. You'll probably be swamped with responses. (beat) Did you know it's possible now to predict the configuration of a star system that won't be formed for another two million years? She stares at him, momentarily off-stride by this non-sequitur... but Picard's interests are many and farranging. BEVERLY Really? No, I didn't... PICARD It's quite intriguing. It's made possible by a rather complex mathematical construct based on fractal particle motion. And of course that's just the foundation... the modeling itself requires gravimetric wave inputs. BEVERLY I see. He hears her polite, neutral response and smiles self-effacingly. PICARD Well, I'm sure it sounds dry. Stellar cartography isn't everyone's cup of tea... BEVERLY I'm sure it's fascinating. Picard smiles and puts his cup down. PICARD Well... we'd better get to Ten Forward; we don't want to be late for the concert. And they rise to EXIT. 8 INT. TEN FORWARD TROI, GEORDI, Riker, Picard and Beverly are sitting among the N.D.'s waiting for the performance to start. People talk quietly among themselves as they wait. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT ONE 10A. 8 CONTINUED: A PIANO has been set up on one side of the room, along with CHAIRS and MUSIC STANDS for the accompanists. The crowd falls silent as the musicians ENTER and take their seats. Data carries his violin. Another musician will play a cello. Everyone is in place except the piano soloist, to whom Data now gestures so they may ENTER. It is Nella Daren... 9 CLOSE - PICARD as he recognizes her. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT ONE 11. 10 RESUME SCENE as Data gestures to the others and begins the concert. Nella dives into the piece with amazing skill and relish. From the crash of opening chords to the following arpeggiated run, her performance is an explosion of passionate color. At once, the room is electrified. 11 CLOSE - PICARD as he listens to this virtuosic performance. He's never heard music played more beautifully. His eyes close as he takes it all in... 12 ON CROWD as we see that Picard is not alone in feeling moved by her playing. 13 OMITTED 14 INT. TEN FORWARD during the reception following the performance. Nella is surrounded by admirers and well-wishers. Data, Beverly and Picard stand nearby waiting their turn to thank her for the performance. After a moment, she turns to them. PICARD Your playing was remarkable. NELLA (without modesty) Thank you, sir. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT ONE 12. 14 CONTINUED: BEVERLY You're very talented. DATA I noticed that the applause tonight exceeded average decibel levels. NELLA (smiles) I guess that means they enjoyed themselves. I know I enjoyed playing. PICARD That was obvious. Data has been looking around for the other musician. DATA Excuse me. I have not yet congratulated Ensign Cheney. Nella nods. BEVERLY I'll go with you. Beverly exchanges smiles with Picard and moves after Data. Picard and Nella are alone. Their eyes meet. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT ONE 13. 14 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD I played piano for a while when I was young. But I never put in the practice time it takes to become truly proficient. NELLA That was never my problem. In fact, my parents had to make me go out and play. Picard smiles. Then... something he's been wondering about... PICARD I wanted to ask you... during the second arpeggio in the first movement, I noticed you played an F minor chord instead of a diminished D. NELLA You're a musician. What's your instrument? We should play some time. PICARD I'm very much an amateur. But I must say, your choice in that arpeggio was delightful. Not at all what one expects to hear. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT ONE 14. 14 CONTINUED: (3) She regards him evenly... with a twinkle in her eye. NELLA Well, Captain... now that I'm on your ship, maybe you should start expecting the unexpected. She smiles... and Picard, hearing his own words echoed back to him, can't help but smile back. Hold on their look for a beat -- FADE OUT. 15 OMITTED END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT TWO 15. ACT TWO FADE IN: 16 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it hangs in space in the vicinity of the blue-tinged Borgolis Nebula. 17 INT. BRIDGE Riker, Data, and various N.D.'s. Nella ENTERS from the Turbolift and approaches Riker. NELLA Excuse me, sir. Riker nods that she go ahead. NELLA (continuing) I was hoping my people in Spectral Analysis could have another few hours on the main sensor array. RIKER I'm sorry, the array's been allocated to Engineering; they're running some warp field tests. NELLA If we go off-line now, we'll lose the gas flow pattern we've been tracking. Riker's not annoyed by any of this -- he's used to advocacy from Department heads and is comfortable making these kinds of decisions. RIKER I understand that. But we've got other departments waiting to use the array. NELLA We're at a critical juncture -- RIKER (firm) Commander. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 16. 17 CONTINUED: Nella backs off. Though Riker won't be pushed, he is willing to be flexible. RIKER I'll see what I can do about more time tomorrow. NELLA Tomorrow... but --- (beat; she realizes this is the best she can get) Thank you, sir. Riker nods an acknowledgment and she EXITS to the Turbolift. 18 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS It's evening. Picard is holding his flute, listening to a playback of a recording he just made. He is dressed comfortably, a cup of tea on a nearby table. The door CHIMES. PICARD End playback. The Computer stops the recording. PICARD Come. The door OPENS to REVEAL Nella standing in the doorway. Under her arm is some sort of rolled-up SCROLL. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT TWO 17. 18 CONTINUED: PICARD (surprised) Commander Daren. NELLA I hope you don't mind me dropping by like this? PICARD I'm delighted. Come in. She comes in and the door closes behind her. She sees the flute in his hand. NELLA What kind of flute is that? PICARD It's Ressikan. NELLA I never saw one before. Beat. PICARD They're not made anymore. NELLA How long have you been playing? Picard doesn't quite know how to explain. PICARD A long time... NELLA I'd love to hear you play sometime. PICARD I'm not very good. NELLA It doesn't matter, as long as you enjoy it. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 18. 18 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD Yes, but I wouldn't want to inflict it on anyone else. She shrugs. NELLA May I try? Picard hands her the instrument. She eyes it briefly, sets her fingers to the holes, and tries it. The notes are off key and flat. She stops and inspects it. PICARD You're not holding it quite right... NELLA Show me. Picard takes the flute and PLAYS a few notes, simple and sweet. Nella is pleased by the sound. When he finishes he shrugs as if it were nothing. NELLA You're better than you think. PICARD (dismissing this) Please... NELLA Really. We should play together. This isn't what Picard was hoping to hear. PICARD There's... no piano here. NELLA Oh, but there is. Nella takes the scroll she brought in and unfurls it on a nearby table. It's a sheet of piano keys that flatten out to become a keyboard. She turns and sees the expression of surprise on Picard's face. NELLA I picked it up on Mataline Two. It's amazing. She does a little ARPEGGIO to show off. It sounds like a good electronic keyboard. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 19. 18 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD Remarkable... (hoping to get out of this) Why don't you play something for me? She eyes him, knowing what he's up to. NELLA You start... I'll jump in. Picard can't think how to get out of it. He sets his fingers on the flute tentatively. PICARD What... shall we play? NELLA What were you working on before I came in? Beat. PICARD Bach... the third Brandenburg. NELLA Perfect. Go ahead. He gamely starts in; she waits a few beats and then joins in. The moment she does, he is thrown off, and stops. PICARD Sorry... NELLA It's all right... you're not used to playing with anyone, are you? PICARD Just the computer. She eyes him, suddenly feeling the plight of this man, sitting alone in his room, playing music with a computer. NELLA (gently) Well... I may not be as precise as a computer... but I think you'll enjoy it more. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 20. 18 CONTINUED: (4) NELLA (Cont'd) (beat) Let's try something a little simpler. How about... She begins playing "Frere Jacque." He smiles and chimes in at the appropriate place for the round. They play it through once. He has played his part solidly and she is pleased. NELLA Very good! Now... let's have a little fun with it. She plays a slight variation on the "Frere Jacque" melody. NELLA Try it. Improvise on the melody -- anything you want. He takes a breath... starts to play... it's like a beginner's improvisation, not very loose or imaginative -- but it's a beginning. NELLA That's wonderful! Keep going... He does, and she joins in, noodling in and around his playing. It's a delightful little counterpoint and it helps to loosen him up. He becomes freer... takes a few chances... she matches him... he launches into a bold, venturesome direction and she starts laughing, staying with him, feeling the joyousness that the intermingling of music is bringing them both. 19 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise hanging in space near the nebula. 20 INT. BRIDGE Riker, Data, and various N.D.s. Riker nods that a PADD an N.D. is showing him checks out fine, then moves to sit in the command chair. After a moment, Picard ENTERS from his Ready Room. He's full of energy and seems to be in a great mood. PICARD Number One... my sparring partner cancelled for this afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted to join me? STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 21. 20 CONTINUED: (2) Riker is unsure -- the Captain is far better than he is. RIKER Fencing, sir? I'm really not very good. Picard dismisses this. PICARD It doesn't matter... as long as you enjoy it. Riker considers, then smiles and nods. RIKER Why not? PICARD (pleased) Excellent. Fourteen hundred hours, then. He nods and returns to his Ready Room. Riker watches him go, glad to see him in a good mood. 21 INT. SICKBAY Nella is being examined by Beverly, who waves a SCANNER over her right arm from elbow to wrist. BEVERLY You have a mild strain. NELLA I've been playing the piano a lot... I guess the Captain and I overdid it a little last night. Beverly reacts to this, bemused. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 22. 21 CONTINUED: BEVERLY The Captain? NELLA He plays a kind of flute... Ressikan, I think he said. BEVERLY Yes... but I didn't realize he played... duets. NELLA He never did before. But he seemed to enjoy it. He's actually quite promising. BEVERLY I see. NELLA Tell me... have you known him long? BEVERLY Yes. A long time... NELLA He seems... somewhat isolated. Beverly reflects on this. BEVERLY I'd say he's a private person... but not isolated. Nella takes this in. Beverly turns off the scanner she's been using. BEVERLY There. That should help. Nella flexes her wrist. NELLA It feels much better. Thank you. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 23. 21 CONTINUED: (2) BEVERLY Good. Nella hops off the biobed. NELLA I was afraid I'd have to cancel. BEVERLY (smiles) Another duet? They share a look and Nella EXITS. 22 INT. JEFFERIES TUBE Open on the rungs of the ladder. A woman's hand comes into frame, then another. She's climbing up. Then Nella's body passes. She carries a small BAG slung over one shoulder, and is dressed in civilian clothes. PICARD (O.S.) Where are we going? NELLA Keep climbing. As Nella passes out of frame we see, emerging after her on the ladder, the hands and face of Picard. He too is in civilian clothes. PICARD I don't see why we can't just practice in my quarters. NELLA We're almost there. 23 ANGLE ON JEFFERIES TUBE INTERSECTION It is the intersection of a vertical and horizontal tube. Nella climbs into the horizontal tube and scoots over to make room for Picard. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she reaches into her bag and pulls out her SCROLL KEYBOARD, spreading it out in front of her. After a moment, Picard emerges and climbs into the tube with her. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 24. 23 CONTINUED: NELLA Do you know where we are? PICARD (looking around) The fourth intersect of Jefferies Tube twenty-five. NELLA No... this is the most acoustically perfect spot on the ship. She starts to PLAY, and the sound fills the tube. Picard hears that she's right and nods in appreciation. NELLA The intersection acts as a resonance chamber. She continues to play as Picard speaks. PICARD How did you find it? NELLA A little exploring. PICARD Don't tell me you climbed through every tube on the ship? NELLA (smiles) Well, not every one. (indicating his bag) Try it. See how it sounds. Picard takes his flute from her bag. He puts it to his lips... and begins playing the melody from "Inner Light." It is lyrical, haunting... she is transfixed. He stops, somewhat embarrassed by her rapt attention. NELLA That's beautiful. What is it? PICARD Just an old folk melody. NELLA I've never heard you play with such feeling. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 25. 23 CONTINUED: (2) She begins picking out the melody on the keyboard... then adding chords. He watches her, enjoying her concentration... hearing the beautiful melody. She looks up and sees the look on his face. Their eyes lock for a long moment. He breaks it off, and Nella looks down at her keyboard. After a few notes, Picard joins in. We stay with them for a few moments before cutting to: 24 INT. ENGINEERING Geordi works alone at a CONSOLE. He hears something. MUSIC? How can that be? He walks around the room slowly. Where can it be coming from? Finally, he leans into a Jefferies Tube and puts his head up the shaft. 25 ON DATA who ENTERS the room to see Geordi with his head sticking up the tube. He's concerned. DATA Geordi. Is there a problem? Geordi pulls his head out of the tube. GEORDI I hear music. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT TWO 26. 25 CONTINUED: DATA Music? Geordi nods and moves away from the tube so that Data can stick his head in. DATA I do not hear anything. GEORDI (surprised) Are you sure? Data nods. Geordi moves back toward the tube and leans his head in. GEORDI (frustrated) I know I heard something. He listens, then pulls his head out. GEORDI It's stopped. 26 INT. JEFFERIES TUBE INTERSECTION Picard and Nella are exchanging a warm and deep kiss. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 27. ACT THREE FADE IN: 27 INT. TURBOLIFT where we pick up Picard and Nella after they've left the Jefferies Tube, still in civilian clothes. She is holding the bag which contains her keyboard and Picard's flute. There is a charge in the air between them. NELLA ... I'd heard about Kerelian tenors all my life, but nothing could've prepared me for that man's voice. Soaring... incredible range. PICARD I'm told there are nuances only Kerelians can hear -- we don't have the ears for it. The lift stops and an N.D. ENTERS. Picard's demeanor changes slightly; he stops looking at Nella and stares straight ahead. After a moment she looks up at him. NELLA I should be finished with my survey by eleven hundred hours. It is clear that she is asking when Picard will be free, and when they can get together. As the lift slows to a stop, Picard answers her as if she were reporting to her commanding officer. PICARD Very good, Commander. And he EXITS the Turbolift. Nella is left wondering if he wouldn't rather just forget what happened between them in the Jefferies Tube. Off her reaction... 27A INT. BRIDGE Picard -- now in uniform -- Riker, Troi, Worf and various N.D.'s. Geordi ENTERS from the Turbolift and approaches Riker, who is at aft science with an N.D. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 27A. 27A CONTINUED: GEORDI Commander, we've finished the warp field test. RIKER You brought it in ahead of schedule. GEORDI No problem. We got modulation efficiency up point five percent. RIKER Good work. (to science N.D.) Notify Spectral Analysis they can have an hour on the main sensor array. The N.D. nods and moves away. Suddenly: WORF Captain... (reads off his console) The Federation Outpost on Bersallis Three reports that they are entering a period of fire storm activity. PICARD Is the outpost in any danger? WORF No, sir. The storm is heading for the northern continent, which is not populated. GEORDI Bersallin fire storms come in seven year cycles -- this might be a good chance to study them. RIKER We have two days before our rendezvous with the Havana... Picard considers. RIKER (to helmsman) Helm, set course for Bersallis Three. Warp five. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 27B. 27A CONTINUED: (2) The helmsman responds. PICARD (standing) Counselor, would you join me in my Ready Room? She stands and they move toward it. PICARD You have the Bridge, Number One. 28 INT. READY ROOM Picard and Troi have settled into the couch. Picard lets out a breath, prepares himself for what he has to say. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT THREE 28. 28 CONTINUED: PICARD I wanted to talk to you about a matter of... protocol. (beat) I know there are no Starfleet regulations about a Captain becoming involved with a fellow officer, but... TROI You'd like my opinion about you and Commander Daren. Picard regards her wryly. PICARD It's that obvious? TROI Obvious in way that pleases people who care about your happiness? Yes, it is. PICARD But I have to be concerned about more than my own happiness. TROI And you think that perhaps your feelings toward Nella could change the way you function as Captain... PICARD Yes. Relationships with coworkers can be fraught with consequences. TROI That's true. But cutting yourself off from your feelings can carry consequences that are just as important. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT THREE 29. 28 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command could compromise my objectivity. (beat) And yet... He trails off. TROI Captain... are you asking my permission? PICARD If I were... would you give it? She considers. TROI Yes. Picard takes this in, a mixture of relief and trepidation. 29 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) at warp. 30 INT. CORRIDOR as Picard approaches the door to Stellar Sciences. He's about to stride right through when he remembers the other night and decides to ring first. 31 INT. CARTOGRAPHY LAB where Nella is working alone at a console. She's engrossed in her work and doesn't look up at the SOUND of the chime. NELLA Come in. Picard ENTERS. When she doesn't turn around: PICARD Nella... STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT THREE 30. 31 CONTINUED: She turns and sees him. Given what happened in the Turbolift, she decides to keep it professional. NELLA Can I help you, sir? Picard frowns when he hears her refer to him like this. PICARD I'm sorry about what happened this morning in the Turbolift. (he tries to explain) When that crewman walked in I felt... self-conscious. It might take me a while to get used to the idea of the crew seeing us together. Nella's face softens as she realizes why he did it. NELLA I understand... She moves closer to him. NELLA I'm glad you told me. For a minute there I thought I'd misread you... (smiles) One kiss and you're off to find someone else. Picard smiles at this... PICARD I promise you... I'm not one for casual relationships. They look at each other for a long moment... suddenly one of Nella's colleagues ENTERS behind them, carrying a PADD. The scientist nods at them distractedly, then goes to work on a wall console. PICARD There's something I want to tell you... Picard glances at the scientist. PICARD (continuing) But not here... Nella nods and we... CUT TO: STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 31. 32 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) where Nella is sitting on the couch, listening as Picard tells her a story. PICARD Do you remember that folk melody I played for you this morning? She nods. PICARD I learned it on a planet called Kataan. NELLA Never heard of it. PICARD I'm not surprised. Its sun went nova over a thousand years ago. Nella looks confused. NELLA I don't understand. PICARD The Enterprise encountered a probe sent from the planet before it was destroyed. The probe scanned me -- I lost consciousness, and in the space of twenty-five minutes... I lived a lifetime there. Picard sits down next to her, takes her hand. PICARD I had a wife... children. Picard sees Nella struggling to get her mind around it all. PICARD It was all very real to me. She squeezes his hand. Picard looks at her. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/28/93 - ACT THREE 32. 32 CONTINUED: PICARD (continuing) When I awoke, all that was left of my life there... was the flute I'd taught myself to play. Nella is moved by his story... NELLA (softly) Why are you telling me all this? PICARD Because I want you to understand what my music means to me. (beat) And what it means for me to be able to share it with someone. She looks at him. NELLA Thank you. Her face is filled with emotion. They kiss... more passionately than before... and we go out as she leans back flat onto the couch, pulling him with her... 33 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) at warp. 34 INT. CORRIDOR as Riker makes his way along it. When he passes an intersection, Nella sees him and calls out. NELLA Commander -- Riker slows for her to catch up. NELLA (continuing) I was hoping to talk to you about Ensign Cabot's transfer. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 33. 34 CONTINUED: RIKER Quantum Mechanics didn't want to give him up. NELLA But he wants to come to my department. Riker reacts. RIKER How do you know that? NELLA I offered it to him. Riker stops. RIKER Transfers have to be cleared through me -- before an offer's made. Nella realizes she made a mistake. NELLA I'm sorry. We were just talking and -- RIKER It's okay. But Fontana should stay where he is. Riker is about to resume down the corridor. NELLA (apologetic) Commander, please... don't make that decision final. (beat) I realize I shouldn't have made the offer, but he's perfect for the job. And quantum mechanics is over-staffed anyway. Riker looks at her. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 34. 34 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER Commander... do you realize the position you're putting me in? She has no idea. NELLA I think I'm just doing what any good department head would do -- trying to build the best staff I can. Riker realizes she doesn't see his problem. He frowns slightly, makes a decision. RIKER Look... I'll review the situation and let you know as soon as I can. He moves off, leaving Nella a little confused by his attitude. 35 INT. READY ROOM Picard is reading at his desk. The door CHIMES. PICARD Come. Riker ENTERS. RIKER Can I have a minute? PICARD Of course. Come in. Riker approaches, clearly feeling uncomfortable. RIKER It's about Lieutenant Commander Daren... (beat) As a department head, she comes to me about systems allocation, personnel transfers -- things like that. Picard nods, sensing that Riker is telling him something he already knows as a way of leading up to something difficult. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 1/26/93 - ACT THREE 34A. 35 CONTINUED: RIKER I have to say, I'm beginning to feel... uncomfortable dealing with her requests. Picard realizes. PICARD Because of her relationship with me. RIKER Yes. PICARD Number One... are her requests unusual? Riker considers. RIKER No, sir. PICARD Would you say she's just trying to do her job? RIKER Yes. This is what Picard was hoping to hear. PICARD Then let her. (beat) And feel free to do yours. Picard tries to put him at ease. PICARD Ship's resources are your responsibility. I've always had complete confidence in your judgment. Riker is glad to hear this from him. He smiles and stands. RIKER Thank you, sir. Picard nods and Riker EXITS. Though Picard has dealt with the situation, his face still registers concern. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 34B. 35A INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) where Nella is in the middle of telling Picard a story over dinner. The lights and incidental music give the scene a romantic feel. NELLA ... I can't believe I'm going to get a chance to study the fire storms on Bersallis. Did you know they're generated by solar flare activity? Apparently the radiation -- She stops when she senses his distraction. NELLA I'm boring you. Her smile is self-deprecating. Picard looks at her. PICARD It's not that. She sees that he's got something serious on his mind. PICARD Commander Riker came to talk to me this afternoon. (beat) About you. Nella reacts -- she'd been thinking about their encounter herself. NELLA About the personnel transfer? He nods. NELLA I thought he felt uncomfortable. (hoping it's not true) Did he think I was asking for special treatment? Picard nods. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT THREE 34C. 35A CONTINUED: (2) NELLA I was just doing what I thought was best for my department. PICARD That's what I told him. But we have to be very careful. Obviously it's easy for people to misunderstand. NELLA I don't like the thought of having to second-guess people all the time. If I have to worry about what people are thinking about me, I'll be concentrating on the wrong thing. And I won't be as effective an officer. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT THREE 35. 35A CONTINUED: (4) PICARD All I'm saying is that it's something we have to be aware of. But don't compromise yourself, do what you have to do. He catches her eye. PICARD Because if I find out that the head of Stellar Sciences isn't effective anymore, I'll do what I have to do... (smiles) I'll replace her. Nella smiles, the incident suddenly seems manageable now that it's been brought out into the open. NELLA Noted, sir. PICARD I suggest we forget about this and enjoy the evening. They raise their wine glasses and clink, eyeing each other fondly. NELLA What about that dessert you promised me? PICARD Ah, yes. (he stands) A concoction I first sampled on Thelka Four... But before he can continue, Worf's com voice interrupts: WORF'S COM VOICE Bridge to Captain. Bersallis Three reports that the storm has changed its speed and heading. They are predicting it will hit the outpost within eight hours and are requesting evacuation. PICARD On my way. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT THREE 36. 35A CONTINUED: (5) Picard looks across the table at Nella. They're both disappointed that they won't have their evening together, but that's life aboard a Starship. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FOUR 37. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 36 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it drops out of warp. PICARD Captain's Log, Stardate 46693.1. We have entered the Bersallis star system and are making preparations to evacuate the Federation Outpost on the third planet. 37 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Riker, Beverly, Data, Geordi, Nella and an N.D. colleague (Marquez) have assembled to discuss the situation. GEORDI The fire storms can kick up winds of over two hundred kilometers per hour -- and temperatures as high as three hundred degrees C. BEVERLY Incredible... what causes them? NELLA They form when solar flare radiation from the Bersallin sun reacts with high energy plasma present in the planet's atmosphere. BEVERLY Wasn't the outpost built to withstand the conditions? GEORDI Yes; the structure is reinforced and insulated. But this is no ordinary storm; it's twice as big as any they've ever had. The outpost won't withstand it. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FOUR 38. 37 CONTINUED: RIKER We'll be arriving a little over an hour before the storm hits. (beat) It'll take at least two hours to transport all the colonists off the surface. The direness of the situation is brought home to all present. After a moment. NELLA I led a team of geologists to study the plasma geyser on Taurus Four -- we cross-connected a few thermal deflector units to create a protective shield against the heat. GEORDI A fire wall... NELLA Could something like that work here? Geordi considers. GEORDI It might. Geordi moves to the OKUDAGRAM on the wall monitor that shows an overhead view of the outpost. GEORDI The storm is approaching the outpost from this direction. (he indicates) If we set up a series of thermal deflector units along the northern perimeter, we could create a fire wall to deflect some of the heat -- the outpost's insulation could probably handle the rest. DATA Thermal deflectors generate a field approximately four hundred meters wide. We would need to cross-connect six units and align them so their fields overlap. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FOUR 38A. 37 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER How many people would it take to set it up? GEORDI Twelve, two per team. Cross-connecting that many units will be tricky; once they're set up we'll have to leave them in place and transport our people out -- no one could survive very long outside the outpost. Riker looks to Picard. PICARD Let's do it. Riker dives right into it. RIKER The storm's going to interfere with communications -- everything'll have to be coordinated from the surface. Everyone nods that they understand the risks involved. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FOUR 39. 37 CONTINUED: (3) RIKER (to Data) Mister Data, you'll coordinate the evacuation of the colonists. (to Beverly) Doctor, they have nine patients in the outpost infirmary. Your priority will be getting them to Sickbay -- after that you'll stay aboard the Enterprise and be ready to receive casualties. (to N.D. officer) Marquez, you'll take some people down to track the storm -- you'll need to keep all teams apprised of its heading. (to Nella) Commander, you'll coordinate the deployment of the deflectors. Picard stiffens slightly when he hears this. Riker turns to the assembled faces. RIKER Let's go. He stands and the meeting breaks up. Picard stays seated, his eyes on the Okudagram on the wall. When nearly everyone's gone, he asks Nella to stay in an even tone. PICARD Commander Daren... ? She turns. PICARD (continuing) About these thermal deflectors... He stands and moves toward the Okudagram. By the time he's there, everyone else is gone. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 1/26/93 - ACT FOUR 40. 37 CONTINUED: (4) PICARD (continuing) It seems to me that any one of a number of people could coordinate their deployment. Given their discussion, Nella is a little surprised to hear him say this. NELLA I assume Commander Riker chose me because I'm the best person for the job. Picard can't deny it. Nella takes his hand, moved by his concern for her. NELLA Didn't we agree not to let our relationship get in the way of our work? Picard lets out a breath, nods. But he still doesn't like it. NELLA I'll be all right. She smiles to reassure him. Out on his look... STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FOUR 41. 38 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise slides into orbit above the planet. On the surface, the mammoth firestorm appears as a huge hurricane of flashing fire and boiling black smoke. 39 INT. CORRIDOR ON THE MOVE with Riker and Picard as they discuss final preparations. RIKER Lieutenant Marquez is already set up on the surface. Apparently the storm is still gaining speed -- he's estimating it'll hit the colony in less than fifty minutes. Picard takes this in. They EXIT to... 40 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) The Transporter pad is filled with N.D. team members awaiting transport. Nella is among them, loaded with equipment. As Picard and Riker ENTER, the first officer heads onto the pad to take his place. Picard nods slightly to Riker, but his eyes fix on Nella's, speaking volumes. PICARD Energize. Picard holds Nella's eyes until she and the others DEMATERIALIZE. Off his look we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT FIVE 42. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 41 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it orbits Bersallis Three. The dark red area of firestorm activity has now grown significantly larger, engulfing as large an area as a hurricane would on Earth. 42 INT. BRIDGE Picard is in the command chair; all stations are manned. There is an undercurrent of shared concern for those who face the real danger -- the colonists and members of the crew on the planet. WORF, dividing his time between Tactical and Mission Ops, is assisted by an N.D. stationed at Mission Ops. Picard's manner is intense and fast-paced, but not harried. PICARD How long before the storm reaches the outpost? WORF Seventeen minutes. A growing concern for his crew registers on Picard's face. GEORDI'S COM VOICE La Forge to Bridge. PICARD Go ahead. 43 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM where Geordi is working at the transporter control circuitry on the far side of the room. An N.D. is working the transporter controls. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 43. 43 CONTINUED: GEORDI The ionization from the storm is interfering with the transporters. I'm compensating, but it's slowing things down. We hear the sound of transport in process. PICARD'S COM VOICE Keep at it, Mister La Forge. 44 NEW ANGLE to include the six people who have just been brought aboard. The look of relief on their faces is evident, mixed with concern for their friends still on the surface. 45 EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - NIGHT (OPTICAL) Two N.D. crewmembers, Richardson and Deng, are working near a rock face; each is setting up a DEFLECTOR UNIT. The units are cylindrical, and have a tripod base; they are capped by an emitter array, which lights up when the unit is activated. Nella ENTERS the scene to check on their progress, having just come from an area where another team was working. She opens her TRICORDER and begins to scan the area between the two units. RIKER'S COM VOICE Riker to Daren. Riker's com voice crackles with static. NELLA (activates combadge) Daren, here. Go ahead, Commander. RIKER'S COM VOICE You've got less than nine minutes before the storm reaches the northern perimeter. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 44. 45 CONTINUED: NELLA I'm with team six right now, sir. We're about to bring the deflectors on-line. RIKER'S COM VOICE Whenever you're ready. NELLA (hits badge again) Daren to perimeter teams. Stand by to cross-connect deflectors... She casts a glance at Richardson and Deng, who nod that they're ready. NELLA Activate. The N.D.'s activate their units remotely, using PADD-like devices. The units pulse to life, throwing up a field that extends out of frame but is only visible for a moment. NELLA holds up her tricorder and scans. NELLA Team three, increase your output by point two percent. (beat; off tricorder) Good... (scans) Deng, decrease nutation by point four percent. Deng works her unit. NELLA (beat; off tricorder) Good... we've almost got it. Off Nella's look of concentration. 46 INT. BRIDGE Picard is standing between Ops and the Helm. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 45. 46 CONTINUED: BEVERLY'S COM VOICE Crusher to Bridge. PICARD Go ahead, Doctor. 47 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM Not the one Geordi was in; a different N.D. is manning the controls. Beverly has come aboard with some infirmary patients, who are being led away by N.D. personnel. BEVERLY I've just brought aboard the last of the infirmary patients and they're on their way to Sickbay. But we still have over a hundred colonists down there. 48 INT. BRIDGE PICARD Understood, Doctor. The concern on Picard's face is evident. The Bridge is monitoring surface transmissions -- the static in them only serves to heighten the sense of danger. NELLA'S COM VOICE Daren to Commander Riker. RIKER'S COM VOICE Riker, here. Go ahead. NELLA'S COM VOICE We've got a problem -- 49 EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - NIGHT The wind has picked up and Nella has to shout to be heard. NELLA ... we're having trouble keeping the deflectors cross-connected. The only way this is going to work is if we calibrate them manually. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 46. 49 CONTINUED: RIKER'S COM VOICE If you stay with the deflectors, will they protect you when the storm hits? NELLA looks at her team members. 50 INT. BRIDGE NELLA'S COM VOICE I don't know, sir. For a few minutes... maybe. Picard's face registers what this all means. PICARD Number One, how many colonists are left to transport? RIKER'S COM VOICE Seventy three, sir. PICARD How long do you need? RIKER'S COM VOICE At least ten more minutes. Picard takes this in. WORF Captain, the storm will reach the northern perimeter in four minutes. Picard is faced with a difficult choice... perhaps the most difficult decision he's ever had to make. PICARD Picard to perimeter teams. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 47. 51 EXT. THE PLANET'S SURFACE Nella and crew receive Picard's static-ridden communique with grim faces. PICARD'S COM VOICE ... It is imperative that you hold your positions until we finish the evacuation of the colony. Picard out. Off Nella's face... 51A INT. BRIDGE Picard's look reflects his concern. He may just have condemned Nella to death. After a moment. PICARD Picard to La Forge. GEORDI'S COM VOICE La Forge here. PICARD Keep a signal lock on all perimeter team members. GEORDI Captain, the storm's interference won't -- But Picard interrupts. PICARD As soon as the last of the colonists are evacuated I want those perimeter teams out of there. Is that understood? GEORDI'S COM VOICE Yes, sir. 51B EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - NIGHT Nella is scanning the invisible deflector field with her tricorder. She gets a troubling reading. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 47A. 51B CONTINUED: NELLA (activates combadge) Daren to perimeter teams... the storm's interference is going to make our job harder than we thought. We may lose communication, so it's up to each of you to keep your units operational. (beat) A lot of people are depending on us. Daren, out. We hear the sound of the storm getting closer. Nella moves onto the rock face to get a higher vantage point. 52 CLOSE - NELLA as she reacts to what she sees. NELLA (under her breath) Oh, my god. 53 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Nella's POV of the approaching FIRESTORM. The deflector field FRITZES on for a moment -- it seems scant protection from the immense angry cloud of flame that is bearing down on them... there's no way out. 54 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard and Worf are at an aft station, looking at the OKUDAGRAM seen earlier. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT FIVE 48. 54 CONTINUED: As they watch, the perimeter positions, blinking green, are overrun by the solid red field of the firestorm. WORF The storm has reached the perimeter. 55 CLOSE - PICARD we can only imagine what he's going through. 56 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it orbits Bersallis. 57 INT. SICKBAY Riker is seated on an examining table, being attended to by Beverly. All background beds are filled. Picard ENTERS from the corridor. When Riker sees him, his face tightens. RIKER I got out with the last of the colonists. If it hadn't been for the perimeter teams, we wouldn't have made it. At least Picard knows that he made the right decision -- those who sacrificed their lives did so to save many others. But Picard takes no comfort in knowing this. RIKER We managed to get four of the teams off the surface. (grim) The interference kept us from getting the other two... I don't see how they could have survived. Picard takes this in, stone-faced. PICARD Which teams are missing? RIKER Three and six. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT FIVE 49. 57 CONTINUED: Riker senses that though Picard desperately wants to know, he can't bring himself to ask. RIKER The last I knew, Commander Daren was with team six. Picard's face is ashen. He nods, then turns and leaves the room. 58 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS Picard is very much alone. He sits very still. Silence. After a long moment, he looks over at the table where his flute sits in its case. He crosses over to the table and looks down at it. He reaches out his hand, and carefully closes the case shut... It is as if a chapter in his life is gone forever. After a moment, the silence is interrupted. WORF'S COM VOICE Bridge to Captain. It takes Picard a long moment to respond. PICARD Go ahead, Mister Worf. WORF'S COM VOICE We've found survivors, sir.. They're beaming up now. Everything is written on Picard's face. PICARD On my way. 59 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) where a few perimeter team members are being helped off the pad by medical personnel; they're in bad shape, their uniforms blackened with smoke. Picard ENTERS and sees that Nella is not among them. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - 01/25/93 - ACT FIVE 50. 59 CONTINUED: He keeps his face even -- it wouldn't be appropriate to show his crew that he was looking for someone in particular. As an N.D. survivor passes, Picard puts a reassuring hand to his shoulder. When the last of the survivors have filed out, Picard turns to leave as well -- any hope of seeing Nella again is gone. Suddenly, he hears the sound of the transporter humming to life. He stops and turns to face the chamber. As the N.D. works the console, three figures begin to MATERIALIZE on the pad. As Picard watches, the woman he thought he'd lost takes shape before his eyes. Nella is safe. A look of incredible relief washes over Picard's face. Inside, he wants to run to hold her, but he's the Captain. He can't. Their eyes meet for a brief moment before the medical technicians take her away. But there was something in Nella's eyes Picard can't place... 60 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it orbits Bersallis. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's Log, Stardate 46697.2. Although we succeeded in rescuing all six hundred forty-three Bersallin colonists... we lost eight crewmembers. Let the record show that they gave their lives in the performance of their duty. Commendations will follow. 61 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS Nella sits opposite Picard. Although it's an informal setting, she is reporting to him almost as if they were in the Observation lounge. Both are in uniform. NELLA ... when communications went out, I knew we had to fend for ourselves. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 51. 61 CONTINUED: NELLA (Cont'd) We modified our phasers to create resonant disruptions in the deflector field... the disruptions formed small pockets inside the plane of the field... and we each stood inside one to wait out the storm. (beat) Richardson didn't make it... all Deng and I could do was stand there... and watch. He looks at her... hearing the flat tone of her voice... knowing the unspoken feelings. PICARD Nella... you know I had to give that order -- She lifts a hand quickly and touches his lips. NELLA Don't... don't say you're sorry. He takes her hand in his. PICARD It couldn't have been easy for you... hearing me order you to face death. She doesn't answer for a moment, taking in his words, acknowledging their truth. Then -- NELLA At first, when I heard you tell us to hold our positions, I didn't question it. Of course we would... that was our job. (beat) But when I saw that storm coming toward us... STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 51A. 61 CONTINUED: (2) A long beat passes. PICARD Part of you must have... blamed me. NELLA A small part, maybe... But in the end, I was more afraid that you would blame yourself if I died. She gives him a weak smile. NELLA Would you have? Picard hesitates... rises... paces toward the window, gathering thoughts. PICARD I've lost people under my command... people I cared about deeply... but never someone I've been in love with. He turns back to face her. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 52. 61 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD When I thought you were dead, I went into some kind of shutdown... I didn't want to think, I didn't want to feel. I was here, in my quarters, and... the only thing I could focus on was music... and how it would never give me joy again. She is silent, watching him. A long beat... NELLA Well... where do we go from here? He turns to her... says the difficult words. PICARD We could continue... hoping we wouldn't face a situation like that again... knowing that we might... hoping the pressures on us wouldn't begin to erode our feelings for each other... (beat) That's not what I want for us. NELLA I know. Neither do I. PICARD (reluctantly) I don't think we can serve on the same ship. She looks at him, knowing he's right... wishing it weren't so... NELLA It would be difficult... for both of us. There is a long, difficult moment... each hoping the other will somehow refuse to accept the inevitable. But -- NELLA I'll put in for a transfer. Picard takes this in. PICARD We can arrange shore leave together. STAR TREK: "Lessons" - REV. 01/26/93 - ACT FIVE 52A. 61 CONTINUED: (4) She smiles sadly. In theory they can... but starships range wide... schedules are difficult to coordinate... NELLA Yes, of course. Beyond that, there's nothing else to say. Now, staying there feels awkward. She rises, moves to him... lifts a hand to his cheek, and kisses him softly on the mouth. NELLA Promise me something? Picard looks at her. NELLA (continuing) Don't give up your music. Picard nods almost imperceptibly. She smiles through her sadness... then walks out the door. Picard watches as the door slides shut behind her. He's alone... with only the faint hum of his ship to keep him company. Will he see her again? 62 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it moves away. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END