#lt broccoli

[obrienmustsuffer]

NOOOOOOOOO

[theeminentlyimpractical]

Lt. Reginald Barclay; end of watch 21 November 2024.

Lt. Barclay, you are clear to go 10-7, 10-42. Godspeed.

[itextbrettaftereachstartrektng]

[tough-girl9]

TNG Pet Peeve

WHY DOES NO ONE ON THE ENTERPRISE KNOW HOW TO HOLD A CAT CORRECTLY?!? Even Data?!? Had no one who was working on the production of this show ever been around a cat before? I mean, seriously, look:

I feel so sorry for Spot in this scene. Like, the entire time, he’s desperately scrabbling at Worf with his back feet trying to get some support and just dangling there looking horribly uncomfortable.

I could forgive it if it was just Worf, who doesn’t seem to be familiar with handling cats, but-

Data! Honey! Did you not research how to hold cats before you adopted Spot? Why are you holding him like that? No wonder Spot looks so pissed off. Data should know better, and this isn’t the only time he dangles Spot like that. Just why???

OK, I lied. BARCLAY knows how to hold a cat properly. He is the only person in the 24th century who knows how to hold a cat properly.

[holodeckvillian]

found this is my camera roll and thought it said “reginald barclay” and i wasn’t surprised???

[your-new-valentine]

Realization

"Do you remember when we first met, Lieutenant?" Dr. Lare mused to himself while gazing out at the vast nothingness before him before turning in his chair to face Lt. Barclay.

Shaking his head, Barclay scoffed. "How could I forget? I was practically insane, all I did was make a fool of myself."

"Well, all my clients and patients start out like that: imperfect. I must admit that I'm never surprised when someone comes in, shaking to their core or appearing to be on the verge of fleeing." Lare stood and walked over to his potted fern in the corner of his office, lifting its leaves toward his eyes. "I think I say it everyday, but I'm very proud of your progress. I can tell you've begun to think of me as a..." He glanced over at his patient, smiling with his soft eyes. "As a friend. I think it's important to look at how far we've come, even now with these small things. How do you think, Lieutenant?"

Trying not to fidget in his chair, Barclay looked away as his mind raced with countless things to say. With a sharp inhale, his eyes rose to meet Lare's before he spoke. "I'm worried." His mouth suddenly seemed dry. "I don't know how I think of you, doctor. I know how I wish to think of you, but I know it's wrong." His words were hesitant as they stuttered from his lips. Lare cocked his head before seating himself back at his desk. Knowing they were in session, Barclay swallowed and continued. "You know, doctor, I've always kept myself... distant from the rest of the crew. I stuck to my job and I kept to myself. I don't think I ever took the time to think about how I truly felt about others. Sure, like any underling," he said with a chuckle, "I wasn't much of a fan of, well, all of my superiors, but that's different. I'm sorry for all the stuttering, my brain," he paused, looking for the right words, "it, uh, it goes so fast, and sometimes I just can't get out what I want to say with the ease that I wanted."

"Worry not about that, Lieutenant," Lare nodded, "it will pass. It did for me, though I can't say it happened as quickly as I had wished it to." He almost giggled at the thought of his past, trying to keep from grinning too wide. "I'm sorry, please continue."

"I think what I'm trying to say, doctor, is that I have developed feelings for..." His words trailed off, biting his tongue before he spoke too quickly. "Someone." He sighed, forcibly counting backwards in his mind to calm himself.

"Oh, Lieutenant, that's beautiful! How well do you know this 'someone'?"

Barclay choked, almost reluctant to keep speaking. "I see them about every day, and we talk. Often, very often. I'm almost scared how much we know of each other, but I know that I... I think I love them."

"Have you told them?"

"Of course not!" He almost seemed offended at the question. Shaking his head, he laughed to himself to try and ease the pain. "I don't think I could. It's not right. I couldn't." He regretted even bringing it up.

"Reggie," Lare whispered, leaning across his desk. "I know it's strange, but in the end, all we are is people. So maybe I am your counselor, but I am also your friend." Lare stepped around his desk, kneeling before Barclay to meet his worried eyes. "It's ok to tell me you love me." His gentle smile melted every regret the Lieutenant had. He placed his soft hand on his patient's cheek. "It's ok for two people to love each other, even if they are in a position like ourselves." Lare stood, Barclay following as he looked up at him.

"You..." Barclay did not want to continue his question, nor did he have to before Lare nodded.

"I noticed it somewhat quickly. I had never felt it with a patient, so I knew you were special. Us Korveli, we think of it as you humans think of fate. I didn't mention it, for I wanted to keep our relationship professional until you had felt it too. But now we are both ready, yes?"

"Ready?" He felt almost scared now.

"To accept our fate. No need to fear it anymore. We shall grasp it by the hands and embrace it!" He appeared to mean that literally as he wrapped his arms around Barclay, resting his head on his shoulder.

The Lieutenant didn't know how to feel. He was scared. He was surprised. He was loved. Slowly, he placed his own head or Lare's shoulder, placing his arms around his chest. The hug did not feel forced. It felt how Lare had described: destined. They felt as if they had just met and fallen in love with their first breaths. It felt as if they truly were meant to be there just as they were. An alien counselor and his human patient. There they stood, embracing the other. Though really, in the end, all they were is people. Two people in love.