Life Systems Support Center, Orion Colony

"How does this work?"

Laura indicated the three separate control panels. "The first sequence here, the second here, then the third. They must all be done in order and within a precise measure of time. Then the cortical stimulation will be deactivated."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

Leo looked briefly the ragged piece of paper clutched in her hand. She'd been writing everything down: the communications signatures that Data had used to contact their former command crewmates, the separate clearance to communicate with the Klingon Empire in order to reach Worf on the ship he now commanded. Some of their friends had come here to pay last respects, some were waiting on Earth, where his ashes would be scattered over the land once occupied by his brother's vineyards. Data had contacted everyone they knew, in the end, because after three sleepless days and nights of legal procedures and Starfleet protocols, of lying on the bed in their guest quarters for hours at a time with eyes wide open as Data sat by her and stroked her hair while Geordi alternately slept in the second bedroom or paced the living room, Leo had nothing left inside her to offer anyone.

Data had spent more than two hours with Will Riker once the Enterprise entered orbit, reasoned and debated and, in the end, even comforted him, so there would be no final reproach between himself and Leo. Deanna had finally been able to convince Will of the wisdom of fulfilling the Captain's request, once she'd gone to the medical center and seen where the Captain's body lay on life support. She embraced Data and Leo, and stood at the bedside for an endless time before she turned a tear-stained face to them and told them what they already knew: nothing remained of the Jean Luc Picard they'd known, not even an echo.

Now it all was there on a scrap of paper; pencil and paper, because they comforted Leo as a PADD could not. It was filled with the writing of herself and others. And in this last tiny corner, the three sets of numbers that would bring it all to a close.

She stood not far from Laura, who had been the kindest and most caring guide through this hell that anyone could imagine. She was ready, everyone was ready, yet when Laura reached for the first panel, Leo cried out, "Wait!"

Half a human heartbeat and a nanosecond of positronic processing passed as Laura and an additional med tech and Data braced for what might come next.

"I'll do it," Leo told them in a faint, firm voice. "It's why I'm here, he asked me to help him, so I'll help him all the way." She turned to Data, beseeching, "That's right, isn't it?"

His response was barely a whisper, so only she could hear. "Yes, my love."

So she reviewed the numbers in her hand, and shoved the paper into her pocket and moved to the bed as Laura stepped aside.

"Let me know if…"

"I've got it."

He's not here anymore…

Still, she took one still hand in her own and held on tight, and leaned down to whisper into the silent ear, "since no man knows aught he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?" Then she stood, and hesitated. Sick with panic, she shut her eyes, and took a breath, and waited until she heard his voice, calm and strong.

It's time, Leo. Make it so.

With her free hand she smoothly pressed the sequences on each panel. The blue and red lights on the cortical stimulator went dark. There was no shudder, no gasp. Leo held the still-warm hand until its warmth receded.

"Show me how to take this off," she asked, pointing to the cortical stimulator.

"Our staff will take care of that."

"Show me. No more strangers. Not now."

Laura showed her which recessed spots to press to release everything. Leo lifted the stimulator and the surrounding shield with infinite care, and handed them to Laura. What she'd believed would be an empty space beneath was more of a depression in the forehead with a tiny hole at the center.

"Can I have some warm water and a towel, please?" she asked. Laura motioned to the med tech who had stood silently by the door in case of "emergencies". He returned in moments, and Laura took the basin and towel and handed them to Leo, who set the basin on the bedside stand. She wrung the towel out, and very gently wiped the residual conductive gels from the pale skin. This done, she handed the basin back to Laura.

"Thank you, for everything. Data will tell you what we've arranged."

Leo paused only a moment on her way out the door, to step into Data's arms and breathe deeply against his shoulder.

"I would love no other," he whispered, and she nodded and left.

She went down the corridor and out in to the waiting area, and found Worf waiting for her. Having arrived too late for visitation, he had been kept outside of the patient area. She stopped in the middle of the room, not able to take another step or form another thought. He stood and went to her, towering over, speaking quietly.

"Leora. I am sorry to have been delayed."

"That's okay, Worf, I mean visiting wasn't really…" she trailed off.

"No, I was sorry not to have been here before to assist you with your mental preparations. Were you permitted to perform the final acts of friendship you described to me?"

She nodded. "And I told them no strangers are to be involved from now on. Beverly's staff will bring him home," she faltered for a moment, and looked up to see Worf waiting patiently for her to continue. "To the Enterprise. We'll be taking his ashes to La Barre… can you come, Worf? I know how pleased he'd be to be seen off by you in full regalia."

"What of the Federation, and Starfleet?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. The ones that matter, our former command crewmates, Philippa, Edward Jellico, along with our other friends, Bruce and the Soongs, they'll be at La Barre."

"Then I will be there."

She nodded. "Thank you, for helping me these past few days. Even Data and Geordi, well it just wasn't enough, not for this. I needed something more."

"I am glad to have been able to assist you and the Captain. You have done very well. He would be extremely proud of the way you have honored him, and fulfilled your friendship."

She said in a wondering voice, "It's done, then."

As she shut her eyes and began to shudder, Worf reached out a hand to support her.

"So this is how a warrior feels?" she cried, "It's so empty."

He took her firmly by the shoulders and straightened her to look him in the eye.

"Not empty," he corrected in a stern voice. "Limitless. What you and the captain have experienced, what you have done for him today... these things are limitless, and their influence cannot be measured in a single lifetime."

She nodded, took a breath, and wiped her eyes. "You're right. Wait here and I'll get Data, I know he'll be glad to see you."

She left Worf where he was, and returned to the patient area to get Data, who met her halfway.

"How are you feeling, my love?" he asked her gently.

The smile she showed him was faint, but getting stronger.

"Limitless, D." She hugged him tight and kissed him then stepped back and repeated, "I'm feeling limitless."

A/N: Yes, loyal readers, this is the END. I have nowhere left to take Data and Leo without truly wearing out their welcome. Thank you a million times, readers and reviewers... it's been a six-year blast.