- [Picard tells Lt. Cmdr. Daren of his life on Kataan from "The Inner Light"]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: ...And when I awoke, all that I had left of that life... was the flute that I'd taught myself to play.
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Why are you telling me this?
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Because I want you to understand what my music means to me... and what it means for me to be able to share it with someone.
- [Lt. Cmdr. Daren has barely survived a rescue mission]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've lost people under my command - people who were very dear to me. But never... someone I've been in love with. And when I believed that you were dead, I just began to shut down. I didn't want to think or feel. I was here in my quarters... and the only thing I could focus on was my music, and how it would never again give me any joy. And then I saw you standing on the transporter pad! And I knew that I could never again put your life in jeopardy.
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: [about Picard] He seems... somewhat isolated.
- Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'd say he's a very private person but not isolated.
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: I'm sorry, it's just we weren't expecting anybody to be up at this hour.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well - you're new on the Enterprise. You'll have to learn to expect the unexpected.
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: For a minute there I thought I'd misread you. One kiss, and you're off to find somebody else.
- [Picard is consulting Troi about his relationship with Lt. Cmdr. Daren]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You see, I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command would compromise my objectivity. And yet...
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Captain, are you asking my permission?
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If I were, would you give it?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your choice in that arpeggio was delightful - not at all what one would expect.
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Well, Captain, now that I'm on your ship, maybe you should start expecting the unexpected.
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: 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 star system that won't be formed for another two million years.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's a long time to wait to see if you're right.
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: I have a few things to do between now and then!
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now, perhaps you can tell me what was so important that it required depriving the Captain of his cup of Earl Grey?
- Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Earl Grey? No wonder you can't sleep.