SIDE NOTE: One person asked in a PM if Picard would make an appearance. Yes, he will. This story still has so much more to tell. And I am somewhat disheartened that no one guessed my mysterious pest feared by Armanya and felt by Guinan (no, it's not Q but close). Guesses are still very much welcome, as are reviews. I cannot wait to dive into future chapters. Gonna be so...much...fun.

Geordi peered inside the engineering room and frowned. Two members of his team were missing. One of them had an excuse; the other one did not. Normally, he would have searched for the ever-absent Barclay via combadge, but their programs were temporarily offline. He had allowed his other absent team member, Armanya, to discuss recent findings with Thralen before returning. Geordi had checked for Barclay in his quarters, Ten-Forward and even in the holodeck rooms earlier, but there had been no sign of him. He checked Armanya's quarters and was met with her "pet" robot Wakamaru, who informed him Barclay was not found, albeit in Japanese. It was like the Lieutenant had just disappeared. "Worf, have you seen Barclay?" he asked as the security officer passed by.

"No, I haven't," the Klingon growled in his usual no-nonsense manner, not stopping to chat further.

Sighing in disappointment, Geordi made his way to the bridge. "Has anyone here seen Lieutenant Barclay?"

"Broccoli a no-show again?" Wesley scoffed.

"Haven't seen him, Geordi," came Riker's sympathetic response.

Data turned around seconds later in his chair at the ship controls. "Lieutenant Barclay stopped by my quarters earlier for a visit approximately one half hour ago."

"Did he say where he was going afterwards?"

"No, he did not, but he appeared rather eager as he exited."

"Thanks, Data," Geordi nodded, heading back to the engineering room. His frown turned into a hopeful smile when he saw who had returned. "Armanya. Glad to see you. Have you seen Reg?"

Armanya turned to him. "No, not since you called him away a few hours ago. Something wrong?"

"Yeah. He was supposed to be here, helping with diagnostics. I've looked everywhere."

Armanya turned back to her work. "I'm sure he'll turn up. Maybe Deanna is with him."

Geordi touched her shoulder. "Good idea. I didn't think of that. Does he have a session scheduled with her?"

"Heck if I know. I just had a conversation with her earlier. A strange one. She is afraid the poor guy is gonna fall madly in love with me because we broke cake together," she giggled at her own joke.

"Well, he did fall for Deanna after a session with her," Geordi recalled.

"Yes, but she's...Deanna. I'm just plain old Armanya Collins. Besides, I can't reciprocate those feelings because-" she stopped.

"Are you still having those dreams about Data?" he whispered.

Armanya looked at him again, exhasperated. "You tell somebody about a few dreams of where Data is human and we are together and suddenly you think that's the reason for everything. And I thought we were never to bring that up again," she hissed.

"Sorry, but I thought that's the reason-"

"Well, you are wrong," she interrupted.

"Sir, the combadges are back online," Lieutenant Tardow stated.

"Thank you," Geordi nodded before tapping his badge. "Computer, where is Lieutenant Barclay?"

"Lieutenant Barclay is on Holodeck Four," came the computer's reply.

"Damn it," Geordi muttered.

"I'll get him," Armanya smiled. "Just do me a favor, okay? Can you, uh, try to keep a watch out for Data and possibly Thralen for a while?"

"Of course, but why?"

Armanya swallowed hard. "Because I have a bad feeling you-know-who could return soon. I can't allow him to try and hurt either one of them. Please?"

"If you really feel he could come back, the Captain should be alerted."

"I'll tell him later. Right now, I need to get Barclay and you need to work on com-porter number eight. It's going to need a recharge booster."

"Thanks," Geordi replied as she walked out of engineering. Surely she was right about the com-porter, but he hoped she was wrong regarding the other matter.

"Let's just see where you and the Goddess of Empathy are today," she giggled to herself as she unlocked the doors to the holodeck room.

As she entered, she realized the enitre room was the starlit sky and she gingerly stepped forward, having to remind herself she wouldn't fall. In the background, she could hear an orchestra playing a lovely waltz, but she couldn't see anyone. Taking a few more steps, she inaudibly gasped as she saw Lieutenant Barclay, dancing with a simulated version of herself!

"Dancing with you is like dancing on air," Barclay told 'Armanya'.

"That's because we are dancing on air, silly Reg!"

Silly Reg? Armayna thought to herself, shaking her head but unable to stop watching.

"Indeed we are. So, my dear; where shall our dreams teleport us tonight?"

'Armanya' smiled and looked into his eyes. "Wherever you wish to go."

"As long as I am with you, I don't care where we travel. Oh, Armanya..."

I have to stop this! This cannot be happening! Armanya's brain screamed, but she was only able to make a slight choking noise.

Barclay looked up and saw the real Armanya, his face both shocked and embarrassed. "I-Armanya-" he sputtered, letting go of the simulation.

"It's-it's o-"

"End program," Barclay interrupted and the holodeck images disappeared. "I'm sorry," he managed to say before he ran past her and out of the holodeck.

Armanya, unsure of what to think or feel, did the only thing she could do: she called his name and ran after him.

Barclay ran into his quarters but Armanya was right on his tail and slipped inside before the doors hissed shut. Maybe if I keep my back turned to her, she'll just leave me be, he told himself, not daring to look at her.

"Barclay, it-it's okay. I'm not angry. A little shocked, but not angry."

"So you don't think I'm a miserable person for simulating you to express my-my personal feelings?"

"No! Of course not!" she grabbed his arm and turned him around. "I think it's kind of sweet. Strangely sweet."

Barclay looked at her hopefully. "You really think so?" Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe she was planning on confessing that she, too, had feelings for him. As she opened her mouth, Barclay's heart rose into his throat. She was going to tell him she cared for him, too!

"Yes, but you-you have to stop. You cannot have these...feelings for me. We can only be friends."

"Wait-what?" Barclay asked, his heart now dropping into his stomach.

"I'm flattered that you feel this way, but you just can't. You have to let it go," she repeated, her eyes almost pleading with him.

"But I-I do care for you and I can't shut it off like-" Barclay stepped closer to her, grabbing her hand impulsively. His feelings for her were so strong that it terrified him, but as she instantly pulled away, he felt as if he were scaring her, as well.

"You have to, Reg. It's not a suggestion. I care for you as a crew mate and as a friend, but we could never be together; never!"

Now Barclay was beginning to feel angry. "So, let me ask you this: did you have any intention at all of talking to me or did Lieutenant La Forge put you up to it?"

"Yes! No! I mean-" Armanya sputtered. "Yes, Geordi asked me to introduce myself and talk to you, but I would have anyway, regardless! It was my idea to share the cake and meet in Ten-Forward after the party. I think you are a wonderful person, Reg, but I cannot have a relationship with you or anyone else! I just can't."

Barclay watched as tears filled her eyes before she turned her back to him, not wanting him to see her cry. He started to put his hands on her shoulders comfortingly, but refrained. "I don't understand; why would you say something like that? Doesn't everyone deserve to be loved? I know you have a sad past, but it doesn't mean that you never deserve to be happy."

Armanya kept her back to him. "It's complicated, Reg. It's extremely complicated and I don't want you to-"

"She doesn't want you to find out the truth," a voice spoke to them from behind. "The dear girl already belongs to someone...me!"

Barclay and Armanya both spun around at the voice, surprised to see another person inside the quarters. As Barclay looked to Armanya, however, her face did not reciprocate the smile beaming on the stranger's face. Instead, her face looked as if she had just seen a ghost. A very unwelcome ghost.