Hi my fellow Trekkies, here's part 3 of the Charlotte Files! Sorry it was a long time coming, but at the moment i've been transplanted to another fandom, so my Trek fanfics will be a bit slow for a while.
We come back to find Charlotte planning her wedding, but outside forces wish to interfere... I don't own anything except my own character.
Please enjoy, and please review :)
Sometime in the distant future, somewhere in the vast reaches of the galaxy, was a Starship, and in this Starship was a woman.
She was no ordinary woman. Her hair was shock white, and her eyes were silvery-grey. And although she was nearly 40 years old, she looked no older than 18. Furthermore, she had a few strange gifts, some of which allowed her to manipulate the atoms of water or turn her body into a cloud of fine mist. Much of her heritage was unknown, and much of her history involved people and things in other universes.
And she had recently become engaged to the most advanced android in the Federation and was currently planning her wedding.
Like I said, no ordinary woman. Little did she know, that was going to become even truer in the very near future…
Charlotte paused for a moment to rest her eyes, then decided to shut her PC. Staring at that screen for what seemed like hours, trying to decide on a spot to hold their wedding, was planning to be more difficult that she had thought it would be. She instead let her gaze wander to her left hand, and she smiled as she held her ring up to the light.
The ring featured a rose accented by a small, curving leaf. The rose held a small gemstone gently folded into the petals. Softly arcing scallops of metal held another stone and some small, delicate beadwork. The whole thing was made up of what looked like white gold, and the gemstones were the ones she had admired so on Pirel's ship. Their current colour was silvery, diamond-like.
Charlotte had realised that the whole 'market' visit had been Pirel's charade to find out what kind of jewellery she preferred, in an effort to help Data find an engagement ring. She had to hand it to him for his ingenuity, both in the charade and realising Data's plan in the first place. The fact that Data had, in accord with Sommelian tradition, made the ring himself, was a nice personal touch, and one she greatly appreciated. Who knew an android could be so romantic?
Charlotte blew on the ring and smiled as the gem changed colour, then sighed as she remembered what she was supposed to be doing. Really, wedding planning was so exhausting. There was the ceremony location, the dress, the honeymoon, not to mention the guest list that was growing longer every day…
Both of them had gotten to know many people over the years, but that was nothing compared to the amount of people who wanted to attend once they found out who was getting married. She had come to realise that Data was an extremely famous figure all over the galaxy- or least their quadrant, anyway. Charlotte estimated that all of Starfleet and probably half the Federation would end up at the ceremony, and to tell the truth, she wouldn't have minded that much if it wasn't for the space needed.
Scooping up three PADDs from from the hundreds scattered all over the coffee table and floor, she got up and studied the top one on her way to the replicator. Guest lists... I'm sure i saw a few more answers before... "Coffee, Vietnamese, hot." She grabbed the mug that materialized and took a gulp. "Ah, that's good. Computer, update guest list and transfer to PADD." About 10 more names appeared on the device. "Ok, that brings the list up to 2857. Computer, open folder named 'Wedding Venues'. How many venues are big enough for 3000 guests?"
"There are two files that meet that criteria- The Great Cathedral on Betazed and Lover's Meadow on the southern continent of Riza."
"Hmm, i would rather have the ceremony on Earth. Stuff researching by hand. Computer, search venues on earth that can hold 3000 people or more."
"Working."
She collapsed back onto the couch and took another sip, glancing at the second PADD. Shaking her head, she tossed them next to her and massaged her temples.
"It's all so hard, isn't it?"
Charlotte almost choked on her mouthful of coffee. "What-?"
The man examined his nails, a nonchalant look on his face. "So much work, so little gain. So much brain power that could be put to better use. I have to wonder why you even bother."
She stared at the man in the Starfleet uniform who was sitting opposite her on the other couch. "What-?"
He looked affronted. "Oh come now, Charlotte, surely you haven't forgotten me!"
She scowled. "Believe me, there is no way I could forget you." Setting her coffee down, she folded her arms and tried to look stern. "Captain Picard's on the Bridge, but i'm sure you already know that. So what are you doing here?"
"What if I told you I thought I'd just pop in for a visit?"
"I'd laugh, because it's been more than 10 years and you don't do that kind of thing. So i ask you again, what are you doing here? What do you want?"
"What makes you think i want anything?"
"Because, Q, you're annoying and selfish and never come to the ship unless you want something."
Q looked affronted. "Am I really that selfish?" he asked in mock-shocked tones.
"Yes. And annoying, and ridiculous." Charlotte sighed and took another sip of coffee. "So could you please tell me what you want so I can go back to planning my wedding?"
"Are you saying that all this effort you're putting in is so that you can spend the rest of your life with that walking calculator?"
She stared at him, shocked, and stood up slowly. "Get...out."
"I can get you someone much better, you know." He made to click his fingers. "I could find someone perfect for you, just like-"
Charlotte jumped up, grabbed her coffee and threw it in his face. "Get out!" she shouted.
Q looked at her, coffee dripping down his face, eyed wide. Then, with the click he was about to use on her, he disappeared.
Charlotte stared into her mug, and stalked back to the replicator. "Damn Q made me waste my coffee," she muttered, and ordered another one. Much troubled, she went back to her couch and sat down, leaned back, and stared out the window at the stars outside, knowing that that wouldn't be the last she saw of Q...
What could Q possibly want with Charlotte, and why? Watch this space!
AN- Reviews will possibly make me write faster and may bring me back to the Star Trek fandom, so please, tell me what you think!
