Q helps Jean Luc find something he's lost—but will his alter-ego Dixon Hill be up to the task?

Chapter One—What the Q?

The Enterprise moved through the darkness of space, illuminated only by the stars streaking by. Jean Luc Picard, the captain, paused at a port window to watch for a moment. It was ship's night, and the Delta shift had just started. Picard turned and strode resolutely down the corridor his quarters, thinking about nothing.

The doors swished and he found himself in darkness. "Computer, lights 25%." Picard pulled off his tunic and threw it toward the recycler, missing it completely. "Damn." he muttered under his breath. That was how the whole day had gone.

Not that there was anything wrong with the day. The problem was Picard himself. He replicated a cup of tea and sat in the near-darkness. It was a little over three months since Nella Darren had transferred off the Enterprise. He had loved her in his way, and now he was lonely. And bored …. very bored. His life should have been more exciting than most people's, but something was missing.

Nella gave him companionship and he didn't always have to be the captain around her. She made him laugh, teased him and cared for him. They had music in common, and if she wasn't exactly who his heart desired, at least she was a reasonable substitute. Picard sighed as he sipped his tea.

Since Nella left there a lovely lieutenant in Systems Ops that had been flirting with him every time he was in Ten Forward. Picard had been around enough to know what that was about, but a meaningless fling was not what he wanted—not to mention it would undermine morale and was frowned upon by Starfleet. After all, he was not a cadet anymore.

Picard picked up a padd and tried to read about the latest archeological finds on Seti Minor, but failed to hold his interest. He got up and paced the room. The thoughts he tried to push away all day came rushing in. It was what Beverly had said that morning after the staff meeting. Picard had asked her to accompany him to Data's latest recital, and she had turned him down. She said she had made other plans. The small smile she gave him didn't reach her eyes and she quickly left the room.

He realized then that he had been so taken up with his disappointment over Nella that he was losing his best friend. He had not seen much of Beverly, but thought that they would continue on as before. Dammit, that's why he was interested in Nella in the first place. He loved Beverly, but didn't want to damage the tenuous balance of their relationship. Nella offered him what Beverly couldn't, but in the end it wasn't enough.

He wanted Beverly back. If he couldn't have her love, then her friendship would suffice, but the look in her eyes this morning didn't leave him much hope things could go back to the way they were. Picard leaned back and closed his eyes. His mind went around and around, but no ideas came to him. It was time for bed.

A flash of light announced he was not alone, and Q appeared sitting on one of the chairs, wearing a Starfleet uniform, his feet stretched out on the coffee table. "Ah, mon capitaine, it's good to see you. Oh, you don't look well." Q tilted his head as he regarded the captain.

"Thank you for your observation, Q. Now get out of here and off my ship." Picard growled, too tired to yell.

"Hmmf, can't you think of anything different to say? Here I am, being extraordinarily patient, willing to assist you in your time of trouble and all you do is repeat yourself."

"Q, I'm tired, and in no mood for your games. I don't need any help from you."

"Au contraire, Jean Luc. It's obvious to me that even your tiny little brain has finally come to the end of its abilities. You are suffering from ennui, and I've come to relieve you of this tedium." Q looked pleased with himself.

"Q, I'm just tired at the moment. We're going to the Tilonus system, and I'm busy preparing for that. " Picard said wearily. "There won't be anything there to interest you, I'm sure."

"Very well, Jean Luc," Q said mockingly, "I'll go, since I have many other things to attend to. But, I'll be watching . . . ." Q flashed away and the room was quiet and dark once again. Picard shook his head. He would alert the command staff that the intergalactic pest had appeared, but hoped he would stay away. That kind of excitement was not what Picard needed now.

TBC

Next, what is Q up to?