An ambassador's gift to a rival is a woman bred to be the perfect partner.
The Enterprise carries Kamala, a woman who is an empathic metamorph, sent as a gift to end a long war between two worlds. Her abilities allow her to be whatever her partner desires. She is meant to be the bride of a leader on the other side, and she is under the protection of Picard.
Picard finds himself drawn to Kamala, and she reciprocates, raising questions about free will and choice. The Ferengi also have designs on her, adding a note of comedy and danger. The episode is a thoughtful look at relationships, and at what it means to be wanted for oneself. It is a memorable story of restraint, with a bittersweet ending.