Chapter Twenty

The next time I awoke, the room was much clearer. The lights were well in focus, and the sounds of the medical monitors sounded unbearably loud in my ears. My body felt entirely different. I clenched my hands into fists, and I felt the strength returning into them. I gasped for breath, feeling the air entering my lungs. I felt empty inside, as if someone had carved a hole in my chest.

It took me a moment to register that I was not alone in the hospital room. There were three men with me, all in high-ranking Starfleet uniforms. I counted the buttons with the vision that had been restored to my eyes. They were all Admirals.

"Doctor Crusher," said the one closest to me, his light blue eyes peering, "are you awake?"

"I – yes, I think so," I replied. I began coughing after that, and a heavyset man on my left handed me a cup of water.

"Thank you."

"Doctor Crusher, it's nothing short of a medical miracle that you've survived."

"Survived? I – you mean – I'm not going to die?"

"Not as far as we can see. You're bouncing back remarkably, Doctor."

I managed a weak smile. "Well, that's news I didn't expect to hear."

"We need to ask you a few questions about what happened. Were you alone with Will Riker when you operated on him?"

"Was I – I think – no, I don't think that I was, no. I wasn't alone."

"Who was there with you?"

"A man – I think he was called Balthasar. I think that was his name."

"Did he tell you his name?"

"Did he….. no. I don't think he did."

"Who did tell you?"

"Someone said it, I think."

"Who? Who said his name, Doctor Crusher?"

The man in front of me spoke in a hushed tone, but there was sharp hiss in it. I could see the third man at the back of the room pacing, hands behind his back.

I searched their faces. Suddenly I felt extremely uncomfortable in their presence.

"I'm not sure. I don't remember."

"It's a simple question, Doctor Crusher. How can you not remember who told you a man's name? There must have been someone else there. Who was it?"

I stretched my arms outward slowly and yawned.

"I'm so sorry," I said. "I can't keep my eyes open anymore. I just need to rest."

Eyes nearly shut, I watched them exchange glances. I simulated sleep as best as I could. I closed my eyes completely, relaxed my arms, regulated my breathing so it became slow and steady.

"What should we do? Do you think she knows?"

"She has to know. We'll come back."