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Wesley falls for the young future leader of Daled IV, unaware just how dangerous the girl's protective and overly restrictive guardian can be.

Ens. Wesley Crusher suffers the pangs of first love when the Enterprise is tasked to transport a young woman, Salia, back to her home world where she is to become the leader of her people. Traveling with her is her guardian and teacher, Anya, who is more than just a bit overprotective. Wesley very much wants to be with Salia - likewise she with him - but there are few opportunities under Anya's watchful eye. Guinan and others provide Wesley with advice, but when Salia reveals her true self to him, he re-evaluates his feelings.—garykmcd

The Enterprise is to transport Salia, future ruler, from the grim planet Klavdia III where she was raised to her home planet Daled IV, hoping to end the ancient state of war between culturally and geographically totally opposite peoples, her being descended from both dynasties, and her accompanied by bossy crone governess Anya. Meeting Wesley in passing, sparks fly between them, but protocol and Anya stand in their way, even to meet. As Wesley proves to be dangerously distracted by her presence, Anya grows grimly hostile, revealing their species' unsuspected monstrous nature.—KGF Vissers

A pretty girl, Salia, comes aboard the Enterprise with her stern, diminutive guardian. She is to be taken to her home planet where she will fulfill her duty as the one to bring peace to warring factions. Wesley falls for the girl and, smitten, becomes no good to anyone. Only later do people find that Salia and her guardian are allomorphs (shape-shifters) when her guardian transforms into a monster that takes on Worf and wins. Salia's ability to turn into a big hairy monster herself is something not as attractive to Wes, souring his ardor.—Don Payette

Ens. Wesley Crusher suffers the pangs of first love when the Enterprise is tasked to transport a young woman, Salia (Jaime Hubbard), back to her home world where she is to become the leader of her people. Salia was born on Daled IV, and her parents were on opposite sides in a civil war. They both died after her birth. Salia was transported to Klavdia III, so she could be raised in a neutral environment and is now going back with the hope to bring peace to her planet by uniting the various warring factions under her rule. Daled IV rotates once per revolutions, so once side always faces the star and the other is always dark. As such people living in dark and light developed totally separate cultures and eventually went to war for it, that continues to this day.

Traveling with her is her guardian and teacher, Anya (Paddi Edwards), who is more than just a bit overprotective. Wesley very much wants to be with Salia - likewise she with him - but there are few opportunities under Anya's watchful eye. Salia is not very keen to rule her planet. Deanna senses that Salia and Anya are not what they say they are.

Wesley tries to understand from Geordi, Worf, Riker, and Data about how to approach Salia and what to talk to her about, he is smitten. Geordi doesn't have time for Wesley. Data approaches the problem from an anatomical point of view. Worf & Klingons have very aggressive mating rituals and Wesley needs a softer approach. Riker is very romantic, but that style does not suit Wesley. Turns out Salia and Anya are not humanoids, but a bear like species that can shift shapes.

Anya takes a tour of the ship with Worf. She is intelligent and figures that Geordi has found an issue with the warp engines, which was totally unanticipated. Anya knows Geordi hasn't found a solution yet. Anya finds a diseased patient in sickbay and orders Pulaski to destroy him as there is a chance of contagion. When she refuses, Anya turns into her bear form and attacks Worf and Pulaski. But Picard intervenes in time to stop Anya. Anya is confined to her chambers, but she cannot find Salia, who was out on a date with Wesley. Salia shares with Wesley that she does not want a life of a ruler. She wants the life on the Enterprise, but she cannot have it. Wesley is puzzled about why Salia would say this. Anya and Picard then put a stop to Wesley's budding romance with Salia. Picard tells Wesley that Salia is an Allosomorph and orders him to stay away from her. Wesley promises to comply with his orders. Anya tells Salia that she should fulfill her destiny and not get distracted. Salia is not convinced.

Salia comes to meet Wesley and kisses him, but Anya attacks in her bear form, which forces Salia to shift into her bear form to save Wesley. Guinan and others provide Wesley with advice, but when Salia reveals her true self to him, he re-evaluates his feelings. The Enterprise reaches Daled IV and they find that the Daled IV has the same poisonous atmosphere that they encountered on Klavdia III.

Anya says her goodbyes to Salia and says she has completed her mission by delivering Salia to Daled IV. She will live on the 3rd moon, which was her home before she left. Anya tells Salia that it is unlikely that she will ever leave Daled IV. Salia says her goodbyes to Wesley, who is not as smitten as before. Salia transform into her natural form before she leaves the Enterprise. Salia leaves for her new home.