Chapter 25

"Dad! I can't" he shouted.

"You'll be okay, Wes. I promise," his father had called up to him. "Just jump!" Jack Crusher had encouraged him, raising his arms up offering to catch his son. But it was too far, and Wesley began to cry. How did he even get up there? He heard his mother say, sounding more than a little annoyed. Or maybe she was afraid, he couldn't tell. And even more strangely, he could not see her. "Wes, you have to jump, I can't come up there after you," his father shouted again.

"Dad! I can't do it," Wesley shouted back.

"Wes, I have to leave. I can't stay here anymore," said Jack Crusher.

"Why, Dad?"

"Wes, I'm not supposed to be here anymore. You will have to do it on your own," his father called out. To his dismay, his father turned away and began to walk in the other direction. Wesley could see that where the grassland ended, there was a plane of stars, which his father continued to walk towards.

"Dad!" he screamed. If his father was not careful, he was going to fall off the edge of the grass and into the stars.

Jack turned around to look at his son with a smile. "It's okay, Wesley," he reassured his son. "This is where I am going next. This is where I am supposed to be." No matter how much he called after him his father continued to walk away, leaving him up in the tree. Suddenly his father disappeared into the stars.

Wes knew that the only way out of the tree was to jump, but he was so small, he feared he would break his legs when he landed. Suddenly he slipped and began to skid down the tree, scraping his knees. Somehow the branches of the tree stopped his fall. To his surprise, the tree's branches gripped his body firmly yet almost comfortingly. It seemed that the tree was breathing. Realizing that he was gripping the tree in return, he loosened his own fingers in an attempt to free himself. The pressure from the grip around his body lessened somewhat and he shifted his weight downward. His feet dangled as he strained to reach the ground. Seeing he only had a few feet to go, he bent his knees and dropped the rest of the way, landing on soft ground.

"Ow. Please watch your knee," he heard a deep voice growl. Wesley opened his eyes slowly and inhaled. Gradually his eyes grew used to the light and he was mortified to find that he was sitting on someone's lap in plain view of the rest of the bridge personnel. The person's arms which had been gripping him very tightly, now completely let him go. Wesley's mortification increased when he realized that this particular lap was Captain Picard's. Wesley rolled away on to the floor in alarm.

"Oof, "said the Captain, rubbing his eyes groggily. The rest of the present bridge crew were either lying on the deck just waking up, or had staggered to their feet.
Picard stood to his feet and reached a hand out to Wesley, who reluctantly took it and got to his feet. Captain Picard seemed slightly uncomfortable, but seemed to have other concerns as he turned away to find Lt. Worf who was again at tactical.

"Report," he said, blinking away the haze that had cloaked his mind for at least an hour.

Worf read Data's report from his station. "Lt. Commander Data and Commander Riker report that Ra'Val is in custody in cargo bay four Captain. He is severely injured and is being held inside the energy field. An additional radiation field has been placed around him for additional security. Counselor Troi and the Vulcan children were not harmed, sir. At least three security officers are missing and presumed killed, Captain. Data, T'Pel and Lt. Yar sustained non-fatal injuries. Personnel now reporting in from all main departments and all decks. Mostly minor injuries, Captain, and no civilian casualties to speak of sir," said Worf. "Ship's systems operational…still on course to Vulcan at warp ten sir." A now familiar beeping sound issued from ops.

"Captain, we are being hailed by the Horatio, sir."

Picard walked over to the command chair and sat down heavily. His legs felt like rubber and though he tried to ignore it, his right leg injury throbbed worse than it had before he had fallen unconscious. He straightened in the chair. Behind him the doors swished open and commander Riker stepped out looking somewhat dazed. Picard turned his head to nod briefly at Riker, who sat down wearily next to the Captain. "On screen Mr. Worf," Picard said.

Momentarily Walker Keels image flashed onto the screen and he looked grim.

"I assume you've taken Ra'Val into custody?" said Keel.

"Yes," said Picard.

"Interesting move there, Jean-Luc: hailing my ship in a situation where I could be of no help to you."

Picard smiled slightly. "Pardon?"

Walker made a face. "You ordered the Enterprise into maximum warp, before hailing us. There was no way short of firing on you to slow you down enough for us to board."

Picard sat forward in his chair, his smile fading. "I thought it a wiser move than slowing down and allowing you to compromise yourself and your own crew, Walker. There was absolutely nothing you could have done to help us. And...we had our own plan."

Walker frowned. "As much as I hate to admit it Jean-Luc, you were right. Again," he conceded. "Unfortunately Starfleet command isn't as impressed. They question why you brought Ra'Val on board in the first place."

"What do you mean?" Picard said frowning. "We certainly did not bring him aboard knowingly, Walker. He disguised himself as a little boy-a little boy whom we were ordered to rescue, I might add."
Walker nodded. "I know, Jean-Luc. But the problem now according to Command is that because Ra'Val got loose your entire crew was compromised psychologically."
"And?"
"And... everyone in your command crew has been ordered to undergo fitness for duty examinations..."

"Walker, my Chief Medical Officer was compromised along with the rest of us."

"Understood. My ship's doctor will beam over and can handle the exams."

"And? What else?" Picard prompted him, standing up.

"I've been ordered to take command of the Enterprise until we meet up with the Columbia at Vulcan."
Riker stood up. "What?!" Picard motioned for him to sit back down but then turned back to regard Walker questioningly.
"Walker, this is highly irregular" he protested.
"Captain, maybe we should finish the rest of this conversation over a secure channel."
"You can say anything you need to in front of my crew," snapped Picard.

"Jean-Luc, it's not you or your crew I'm worried about."

Minutes later, Picard and Riker stood in the Captain's ready room, and Walker Keel's image had been transferred to a smaller screen. "What is this all about, Walker," Picard demanded.

"As I said, I'm to take command temporarily. Once you are cleared for duty, you should be able to take command again once we reach Vulcan."
"What do you mean I should be able to take command again? Who is behind this?"

"Admiral Imhoff has ordered a brief inquiry into your actions with regard to Ra'Val. You'll have to find out the rest of the details from the Admiral, I'm afraid. Please drop out of warp and I'll beam over shortly. Keel out." The screen went black.

Picard ran his hand over his face in frustration, and then to Riker's mild shock he began to laugh. "Oh, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised," he said, still chuckling as Riker watched him with interest. It had been obvious to him from the start that Admiral Imhoff had not wanted him in command of the Enterprise. Picard actually wondered now if the entire mission had been meant to set him up to fail. Apparently ancient history was not easily forgotten.

He should have known Imhoff would try and get his way. He sighed and then quickly composed himself. "Well…" he said, turning to Riker. "I suppose this means we are soon to be off duty, at least temporarily. Please make the appropriate arrangements for the relief bridge crew, Commander," he added. Riker nodded and turned as if to leave.

"Oh…Commander, you are alright aren't you?" Picard asked.

Riker smiled. "Yes, sir, thank you for asking. It was definitely not a pleasant experience though…" He rubbed the back of his neck. He'd dreamed of his father. They'd been on a mountain top in Alaska, and Will had just been a teenager. It was a memory, but something about it hadn't been quite right, and had ended in a terrifying manner. But he couldn't tell anyone about it. Not yet.

Picard inhaled slowly. "Agreed," he said. He lowered his head slightly. "You were in sick bay when it…when it all happened? Did you—"

"Doctor Crusher seems to be alright, sir," Riker offered quickly.

Again to Riker's surprise, Picard's face displayed intense relief. He nodded curtly, looking slightly embarrassed. "Very good," he said. "Thank you."

Riker nodded and exited the ready room.

"Who usually assists you with your maintenance, Commander?" Crusher asked, carefully examining the flap of "skin" that had exposed Data's scalp. The blinking lights that were apparently normally hidden by his hair were utterly fascinating to see. Too bad Data had to have been injured in order for her to see them. Crusher tried not to stare.

Data looked puzzled. "I have always completed my own diagnostics and minor repairs, Doctor. This is in fact the first time in which I have been…wounded in this way. I have never required assistance with my systems before now."

"As bad as it looks, Data, how does it feel?" she asked honestly because she had no idea.

Data opened his mouth as if to say something and then frowned. "To be exact, Doctor Crusher, I do not feel anything. However, I do have neuro-pathways which approximate your nerves. And those indicate that my injuries are relatively minor."

"Ah," said Crusher with a small smile. She patted Data lightly on the shoulder. "To use exact medical terminology then, you're going to be okay," she said. "But," she said, checking her tricorder. "We still have the problem of putting your head back together, if you will excuse my crude way of putting it," she added.

"That is in fact an accurate statement," said Data.

"I could give it a try." Data and Crusher both turned to see Lt. LaForge, who was sitting up on a nearby biobed. "I'm pretty good with repairs, and you know, I could give it a try," he offered easily.

Crusher raised her eyebrows and looked at Data, as if to say "it's up to you."

"I am willing," said Data. Geordi nodded and hopped off the bed to attend to his friend.

Crusher stood worriedly over the sleeping form of Tasha Yar. The young woman had sustained severe bruises to the back of her neck and a substantial concussion from her confrontation with Ra'Val. But it was clear that Yar was a fighter, and within a few days she would recover fully.

T'Pel was another story completely. Crusher moved to her side and switched on the diagnostic diagram. Leaning in, Crusher could see that while her vital signs were stabilizing, she had sustained considerable damage to her spine, which Crusher was optimistic would not be permanent. Her body had impacted something, perhaps a wall, which was not meant to be crashed through by a living body, and it had taken Crusher some time, but she believed she had stopped most of the internal bleeding. Her left arm, a mechanized prosthetic, had been nearly demolished, and would need to be reconstructed. Crusher sighed and straightened up.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw her son approaching. She rushed to him and hugged him fiercely. Pulling away she looked at his face and smoothed his hair. "Are you alright?" she asked, trying to stay calm. Wesley nodded yes, but she quickly ran her tricorder over him anyway. Happily, she learned, he was telling the truth. For some reason he repeatedly shifted his gaze, which he did typically when he was trying to keep something from her.

Given the variety of bizarre visions and highly emotional dreams she herself had experienced, she decided to leave the topic of whatever Wesley had experienced while unconscious for a later conversation. She hugged him again, glad that they were both alive. Over his shoulder she noticed Captain Picard walk in to sick bay. She noted that despite his assurances about feeling better, he was limping, favoring his left leg slightly.

Her heart leaped in her chest, and she watched him as she continued to hold on to Wesley almost reflexively. Picard began speaking to Data in a low voice, while Geordi continued his repairs. After a few moments, she saw Picard reach out and shake Data's hand briefly, and he patted Geordi's shoulder before walking away.

"Mom," said Wesley, sounding muffled. "You can let go of me now."

"Sorry," she said, letting him go. Picard was approaching them both now, but his eyes rested on T'Pel's unconscious shape on the recovery bed.

"Oh no," said Wesley under his breath. He was absolutely freaked out that the Captain might mention what had happened on the bridge.

"Doctor, Mr. Crusher," Picard said in greeting, as he neared. "Good to see you both are well." Wesley was relieved that the Captain decided not to reveal to his mother that Wesley had spent the afternoon sitting on his lap.

"Yes, Captain, we're fine," said Beverly quickly and then fell silent.

"Wesley, will you excuse us for a moment?" said Picard. Before Wesley could say anything, they had stepped away to a nearby corner.

"Doctor, how are T'Pel and Lt. Yar?" He rubbed his chin and nodded as she explained their prognoses to him. "I cannot believe she had the strength to stop him—with Data's help of course. But based on Data's description of the events, he had only one shot left and the weapon was out of his hands when she arrived. She certainly came through for us."

Crusher shook her head. "Jean-Luc, somehow I think that unlike everyone else you never had any doubt that she would."

He smiled wryly. "No, I suppose I never had a doubt, despite everything." He cleared his throat. "But, something else has come up. Starfleet has ordered the command officers, including yourself to undergo fitness for duty tests before returning to duty. Doctor Tamsen from the Horatio will determine whether we are ready to return to duty, and we've dropped out of warp for the moment." He paused and a look of frustration crossed his features.

She searched his eyes. "Jean-Luc, there is something you're not telling me."

"They've put Walker in command of the Enterprise until we reach Vulcan at least," he said heavily.

She laughed lightly. "Is that all? Captain, I am sure that within a few hours you will be back in charge."

He looked away. "I am not so certain about that," he said. "My days as Captain of the Enterprise could be numbered, Beverly. It's something I should have expected. I just wanted you to know," he added, turning back to look at her. He smiled tightly but there was a degree of pain in his eyes that she couldn't miss.

Her smile faded. "After all that, they're just going to take it away from you?" She shook her head. "After all you've given Starfleet…damn them," she said with quiet anger. Her features softened, and she reached out to touch his arm. "Jean-Luc, I'm sorry this is happening. If there is anything I can do…"

He smiled faintly at her. "I appreciate that, Beverly. But for now, please just carry on as you have. And make sure you get some rest. As of now, you're off duty." With that he turned and walked out of sick bay.