Here is the final chapter of THIS Brenna Jones story. I earnestly hope you enjoyed it and gleaned some pleasure from it. Again let me know what you think and of any improvements you believe I could make. Don't worry, anything that I leave hanging in this story will be taken up in the next.


I knew without having to open my eyes that HE was there. I felt his presence just as easily as one could feel a boil on their ass. I kept my groan of despair to myself, not wanting to disturb James who continued to sleep peacefully curled around me. I memorized the feel of his body curled against me, the sound of his soft breath near my ear, the scent of his skin. I filed it all away in my memory so that I could recall it and relive it for years to come if need be.

"As touching a sight as this is," his voice was dry and I knew he probably had a sarcastic smile on his face, "I really think that it's time for you to go."

I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing him away with every fiber in my being. Why oh why did I have to leave? Why couldn't I stay here with James and the others? I'd found a niche among them, a family. I'd found the promise of a great love within James, and what a surprise that was. Now this bastard of a helper, Q, was making me leave.

"No matter what you do, Brenna, I'm still waiting."

I sighed and finally opened my eyes to find Q's face millimeters from mine. I didn't flinch like I wanted to; I merely stared back at his smiling face. Oh how I wished to smack that smile from his face. Make him feel just a small portion of the pain he was currently putting me through.

"Are you quite finished with all this eewy gooey lovey dovey stuff?" Q turned his nose up at the sight of James curled against my back.

I sighed again, closing my eyes for a moment to relish the last dregs of pleasure I could gain from the moment. When I heard Q tapping his foot on the floor I opened my eyes again and nodded. He smiled and pulled away enough for me to swing my legs onto the floor. I got dressed; even though I knew Q could and probably would alter my clothing at his whim. Once I was finished I turned back to my bed where James continued to sleep peacefully, his hand resting on the pillow my head had once been.

I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss onto his brow. When I pulled away slightly his eyes fluttered. My heart leapt in fear. Please oh please don't wake up! I felt James put a hand on my neck and draw my face closer. He leaned his head up just as he continued to pull my head down until at last our lips met. The kiss was soft, tender and loving even, nothing rushed or lustful. Pure, open, accepting, full of trust. By the time he pulled back, gave me a slight smile, and rolled over to fall back asleep, I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

"I love you." I whispered over his sleeping form, pressing one last kiss onto his cheek before pulling away and facing Q.

"Oh brother." Q waved at the display of human emotions like it was a pesky fly or ugly vermin. "How you lot have managed to get this far in life is beyond me." He snorted when he spied the tears on my face.

I pulled my shoulders back and took my place beside him. I spared one more glance at the bed, wishing with all my being to return to it. Then Q snapped and the scene was gone. What replaced it was nothingness. We were surrounded by...nothing. The best way to describe would be pointless because this was Q and Q often was indescribable and caused indescribable moments.

My life aboard the Enterprise was over now. The family and friends I'd come to have and love would no longer know me. Their lives would continue on as if I'd never been there. Mac would never realize he'd come to have another daughter of sorts in me. Spock would never know the card games I'd taught him, or his time as a baby. James…James would return to Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise and I would return to Brenna Jones, wanderer of the galaxy now that Q had a hold of me.

"You'd think someone told you your best friend had died." He sighed and shook his head as we walked through the nothingness in no particular direction. "It's not like you're not taking a part of him with you." He eyed me from my toes to my forehead, a knowing smile on his face. "Yes a part of him indeed." I felt my heart leap into my eyes and he only laughed at the sight of my confusion. "Oh not to worry, all in good time. Now give me a good performance and we'll see what might happen won't we?"

I eagerly nodded, hating him just as my gratefulness to him increased. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe…well who knew…I certainly didn't.