It was early morning by now, and Picard had constructed a plan that in theory could work. And while he had yet to be completely convinced, he knew that something would have to be done. Even if Q really was playing some sort of joke, he couldn't deny the consequences of leaving him alone if he truly wasn't.
It was a long shot. And he was certain that he was going to regret it. But he intended to have Q share quarters with the guard that had watched him while he was in the holding cell.
Ensign Joshua Williams. The security officer who first stood guard outside of Q's cell. He has had more experience dealing with the Q than nearly the entire ship combined, and most importantly, he doesn't openly hate him as most of the crew does.
The reason for this is that the ex-god would have no clue on how to do simple things. Eating, sleeping, working… He nor any of the bridge crew would have time to teach him. Leading him with his current plan. The ensign could also watch him more closely to ensure that he really does, or doesn't have his powers. He had just called the man to his office, and was waiting for him to arrive. He still wasn't too sure of his set up but it was all they had.
He recalls the reactions of the bridge crew as he briefed them on it. Troi had said that although risky, the potential friendship might be the best thing for him. Riker had shown extreme hesitance, but reluctantly agreed with Troi. LaForge was shown to be more open to it. Stating that we won't know the outcome until we try. Data noted the possible danger but had a similar view to LaForge. Worf understandably had the most negativity towards it all. He only agreed to at least try it because the ensign was a security officer.
Picard was broken out of his thoughts as the ensign walked in. The man was pale with short, neat brown hair. His green eyes standing out from his otherwise unremarkable appearance. "You wanted to see me sir."
"Yes Mr. Williams. Have a seat this may take awhile." The man quickly sat down. He was startled when he got called, afraid that he somehow did something wrong.
Trying to find the right words, Picard began, "If you recall Q has paid us another visit."
"Yes sir. He claimed to be human." He replied encouraging the captain to continue.
"Correct. But we have a problem." He said carefully observing the officers reaction.
"We believe he is telling the truth."
"What?" Joshua replied before catching himself and adding, "So he's telling the truth then?"
"Yes. Although we can never be truly sure, we are heavily leaning towards yes."
Do to the disbelief on the man's face Picard felt a bit of doubt from his last statement.
"Mr. Williams, did anything happen while you were guarding the cell, that could disprove my last statement?" His eyes went wide for a moment before replying.
"No sir." He thought for second before continuing, "Permission to speak freely sir?"
"Permission granted."
"I personally thought he was telling the truth since the beginning. I like to think that I've seen him enough to know what he's like. But the man that you told me to watch, wasn't him. It didn't feel like him. He was different somehow." He finished. Looking at the captain for a reply.
"So you believe it then." Picard said surprised yet happy that he at least didn't have to convince him. But he noticed that the man in front of him was getting more uncomfortable by the second.
"Sir, with all due respect, what does this have to do with me?" He looked at the captain expectantly.
"Might as well spit it out." Picard thought dreadfully. "I have an assignment for you. I cannot say how long it will take you to complete it. But I believe you to be one of the only people who can do it." Joshua sat up straighter at the mention of an assignment. "You will be placed into bigger quarters for your assignment, and your other duties and responsibilities will be lowered to accommodate the extra work." Picard steeled himself for the possible reaction. "But for the assignment itself, you will be sharing these new quarters with Q." The man's face twisted into complete surprise and disbelief. The captain couldn't decide if the silence was a good thing or not. But he continued nonetheless, "Q knows as much about us as we do him. Due to this your purpose is to teach him the basics of humanity and mortal living. You are also to monitor him for any evidence that his powers are still intact. If you do find evidence. You will come to me immediately."
He sat there to a full minute processing everything he was just told. Picard waited. Prepared to give him all the time he needed. He finally met eyes with the captain, "Sir, I don't know if I can do this."
"We picked you for a few reasons Mr. Williams." He didn't budge. So he thought of a compromise, "If in a week's time you feel that you absolutely cannot handle it, you may quit. But you must do it for at least a week." He loathed the idea of having to find another person, but it would give him at least a week to do it. The panicked man calmed down slightly and agreed.
"Okay a week. W-When do I start sir."
"Tonight. You are relieved of your duties for the rest of the day to pack your belongings, and transfer them to your new quarters." Picard stood up. "You are dismissed."
He touched his communicator. "Worf."
"Yes captain?"
"Please come to my office to show Mr. Williams to his new quarters."
"...I'm on my way captain." Picard let out a breath of relief now that the task of convincing him was done.
(The Bridge)
Riker sat in the captain's chair on the bridge with the rest of the bridge crew. Everyone was somewhat tense as they awaited news from Picard. To pass the time and ease some of the tension they all started a friendly bet on whether or not Q's "babysitter" had taken the assignment or not. Riker, Worf, and LaForge said no. But Data and Troi went with the other option.
The bridge was almost entirely silent until the captain's voice was heard on Worf's communicator. "Yes Captain?" Everyone turned to Worf, eager to find out what happened.
"Please come to my office to show Mr. Williams to his new quarters." No matter who bet on what, the answer shocked all of them. Especially Worf who took a full second to respond.
"...I'm on my way captain."
All eyes followed Worf as he left the bridge. Riker turned to LaForge. "I can't believe it. He accepted it."
"I'm just as shocked as you."
(The New Quarters)
Worf had quickly made his way to the office. Upon getting there he was faced with a clearly panicked ensign and a less obvious stressed Picard. He swiftly took the man and began the silent trek to the living area of the ship. He admired the man next to him, and much as he assumed him insane. He'd imagined that even a human Q is an obnoxious Q. He wouldn't wish this on his worst enemy. But as much as he hates the idea of Q living on the Enterprise, he couldn't deny that he was extremely curious as to how this would all work. He refrained from making conversation. He already looked like he had enough on his mind already.
After walking him to the door, he stopped and said the first sentence of the trip, "We're here."
"Thanks." He walked in without another word. Despite the pang of sympathy he felt for the officer he started his way back to the bridge where Riker will inevitably ask how traumatized the guy was. Troi will with no doubt feel his sorrow from a lightyear away.
Josh sighed as he entered the much anticipated new quarters. It was clearly much bigger than his old ones. Along with a larger living space, he found two bedrooms right next to each other off to the left. The other side held a small kitchen with a table fit for two. There was also a bathroom uncomfortably close to the kitchen. But he figured that as long as he didn't think about it he'd be fine.
Luckily his old quarters weren't that far from here. So he at least would be able to move fairly quickly. He didn't have too many personal belongings. Most of his clothes were just uniforms. He never decorated. Preferring to leave it blank. Beyond things such as his toothbrush he didn't bother with much else. So in an attempt to lighten his mood and ease some of the stress he decided to try and pack as slowly as possible to get his mind off his predicament for now.
Even if the captain said it would only be a week he was sure it would be more. After all everyone either hates Q or are too afraid to go near him. That didn't mean that he himself wasn't afraid. He was just more curious than anything. With these thoughts and analyzations to left to his old quarters to finally begin packing.
It only took him two hours to pack up everything and bring them to what he hoped was his temporary home. Breathing slightly heavy from the mild exertion he was far more calm than he had been all day. In the back of his mind he wondered if this could actually work. He had already accepted the assignment. So he might as well make the best of it. He briefly pondered if it would even be possible to befriend Q. The thought lingered as he emptied the box with his personal belongings on his bed. He had set aside a few extra sets of clothes that he planned on giving to Q. But to his surprise everything was already stocked. Q's dresser was full. And after looking around he found that the bathroom and kitchen already had everything provided. He took minute to relish in the fact that he didn't have to do it himself.
But the stress free mood didn't last long as it got later in the evening. Soon his "roommate" would be joining him. And that thought alone terrified, and interested him.
And as if on cue his communicator beeped. "Ensign Williams, are you ready to pick up Q?" He didn't recognize the voice on the other end, but he let himself chuckle at how she made it sound like he was picking up a child from daycare.
"Yes. I'm on my way."
He left instantly. He never thought it was possible to be fascinated while being so dreadful he almost wishes he was never placed on the USS Enterprise to begin with.
Almost.
He practically ran to the cells. After getting there he walked in the room to find the most bored, apathetic, zombie of a guard he had ever seen. When he saw Josh, he gave him the most sympathetic look he was certain that somewhere, somehow, Counselor Troi was hyperventilating.
The broken guard wasted no time it opening the cell, grabbing Q by the arms. "Just what are you-!" and roughly shoving him towards Josh.
"He's you problem now!" He yelled with all the joy in the world as he shoved them both out the door and into the hallway. After a moment of catching their balance and processing what the heck just happened Josh looked Q dead in the eye "What?" He could already tell this was going to be a long night.
"You know what? I don't want to know." Q shrugged in response. "Just follow me alright?" He started walking with Q in tow.
"So, do you just want to be called "Q"?" He looked confused for a moment.
"Well it is my name." Q replied before studying him. To say that it made him uneasy was an understatement.
"I've seen you before."
"Yeah I was the guard by your cell when you first got here."
"Of course how could I forget the Cowardly Lion." He said in a jovial tone.
He pushed down a jolt of embarrassment before he spoke again, "my name is Joshua Williams. Please just call me Josh."
"Well then Josh, where am I going off to now?"
This confused him for a second. Was he even told about the plan? Because he definitely didn't want to be the one to do it. He couldn't think of anything better than to just say it quickly. Get straight to the point.
"We're sharing quarters. I'm supposed to help you now that you're human." Q stared at him with a blank face. It almost looked mournful for a split second before resuming it usual boredom and nonchalance.
"Well I'd be lying if I said that the that wasn't the weirdest thing to happen to me today." Josh briefly wondered if he picked up the wrong Q. The rest of the trip back to the quarters was silent. When they got to the door Q let out a long exhausted yawn. It took until just now for Josh to realize just how bad he looked. He had bags under his eyes, a pale complexion and a slouched frame. His anger and annoyance had faded out after taking notice. "Q, you need to get some sleep. We'll talk tomorrow."
Q shot him another look of confusion. "What is a sleep and how do I get it?" Josh fought the urge to laugh.
"Sleep gives you energy. If you're sick, or hurt, it will help to heal it." He felt like he was talking to a child.
"Fine but how do I do it"
"Do you remember when you blacked out in your cell?"
"Yes…"
"That was sleep." Although Q would never admit it, he was actually terrified of what happened to him during his nap on the cell bed.
"If sleep helps you then why do I feel worse now than I did before it."
"You probably just didn't sleep long enough."
"Is there a way to get to sleep?"
"You lay down, close your eyes, and it'll happen eventually." Q looked at him before lying on the ground. "Q, n-no you get in a...you know what? Follow me I'll show you." Q rolled his eyes before wordlessly getting up and following him. He led him to his bedroom and showed him his bed. "You lay on this. If you just lay on the floor you'll be in pain when you wake up." He barely finished his sentence before Q flopped on the bed and closed his eyes. Josh stayed for about a minute and a half before he heard Q start to snore.
A/N this is my first attempt at really fleshing out an oc. The reason for his existence is that I couldn't see Q staying with any of the other major crew members. The obvious choice would be Picard himself. But would the captain logically have the time? The same goes for Riker. I just couldn't see him with Troi, and Worf would refuse. The idea I originally had was with Data and LaForge. I think the three would have gone brilliantly with each other. But even then we get the same issue as with Picard. So I ultimately settled on an oc.