Change it, he wanted to change her future? She felt guilt at the idea of marrying someone as childlike as Commander Data but why would Q care? Alice watched Q as he began to walk in circles around her future self and Data.

"Have you ever heard Jean-Luc make mention of my irritation when it comes to repaying a debt?"

He didn't stop to hear her answer.

"Being indebted to an inferior species once made my skin crawl. It would keep me up at night, not that I need to sleep, but the principle still applies. It disgusted me."

Q paused his rambling to look at her. His brow was furrowed and his teeth were clenched. But after a moment of glaring her way his face relaxed. His eyes softened and his breathing became even and low.

"I used to think everyone around me was inferior and therefore incapable of receiving my attention. So, imagine the anger my past self felt when finding myself in the debt of not one but two individuals."

He was waiting for her now, wanting some kind of show that she was listening to him. That she was paying attention to the inner workings he was displaying for her.

"Who were the two?" She instinctively glanced towards the still frozen cut outs of herself and Commander Data.

Q chortled and then came closer to her, wagging his finger and tutting lightly.

"The women in your family really can pick up on my clues. Jean-Luc Picard was one, but I was able to repay him not so long ago. The second was Commander Data."

Q flourished his hand in Data's direction. And Alice followed his movements. Data was staring down towards her future self, his facial features as neutral as ever. It was hard to believe he was a part of this relationship.

"I offered him the gift of humanity but he refused. Data believes he will one day find the proverbial elixir of humanity. He believes having Emotions will be sufficient."

"And is it?" Alice scooted slightly forward in her seat, she didn't mean to become this absorbed in the tale, but Q had her attention. And Q was eating it up.

He snapped his fingers and the Android behind him came to life. Data's face became a rapid succession of every emotion. A wide grin and large eyes first, sunken eyes and a thin lined mouth next. Third was a furrowing of his brow and clenched teeth under a curled lip. Fourth was hooded lashes and puckered lips.

On and on, like flipping a switch an entirely different expression took hold. Alice tried hard not to flinch against the unusual sight.

"It worked like a charm, having emotions. He enjoyed life, at first. But soon his high was doused when every living creature he cared for died. Beginning with you."

Q snapped his fingers once more and now she stood over a Data who wore agony in a black suit. His hands clenched tightly onto the headstone before him. Gold tinted tears poured down his face.

Alice found herself dressed in a white gown, she turned towards Q in confusion and he merely waved his hand towards the grave.

"It was your wedding dress, it was what you wanted to be buried in. Beautiful sentiment."

She nodded, accepting the complement for a decision not even present to her.

It was uncomfortable, if she had to place herself in Data's shoes. He wanted to live a real life, but learning sorrow was never easy. And learning it for eternity seemed a prison.

A flash of light and they were once more in her room, just herself and Q.

"Data won't accept my offer to become human yet, but I believe with the right persuasion he will."

Q sat down beside her and Alice lifted her feet, tucking them underneath her.

"And what would persuade Data to change now?"

"You."

Alice snorted and gestured her hand around her room, pointing out the future that was just showed to them

"Clearly I wasn't a good enough reason."

Q nodded and then the cheshire grin was back.

"Perhaps, but I've been pondering on a theory. I changed my life around before I fell in love with Kathy. The reason I changed, became better, was for my son."

Alice hesitated, not understanding where he was going with this. Data had no children, could not have children. She'd heard he had a cat, perhaps a furbaby would persuade Data?

Q snapped his fingers and Alice blinked back against the light. She looked around her but nothing was different. She turned to stare at Q with one eyebrow raised.

"You and Commander Data had children in this once future, but they weren't yours. They were adopted from a fallen family. Don't worry about them, I'll make sure their family is kept intact and safe."

Alice cocked her head, trying to understand what he was saying. Q leaned forward and stretched out his hand, his palm extended. Alice watched him get closer and saw where he was going. She felt her stomach drop. He couldn't be serious?

Q rested his hand a top her stomach and whispered,

"Your child will help Data become what he's always wanted. Your physical, biological child will help Data find his humanity."

Alice pushed him away and jumped off the couch. She walked halfway across the room before she finally stilled, her back to Q.

This was insane, it wasn't possible. She was human, she was organic, made of cells. Data was a machine, he was a robot made of metal and wires. She tried to picture what that could possibly look like. It would be as impossible as a cow being pregnant with a toaster. She turned to look at Q and he was wearing the most mischievous grin yet.

"It's not possible." She whispered. Q stood and snapped his fingers. She flinched but nothing happened

"Anything is possible when you can see, touch, and change reality." Q clasped his hands together

"I don't believe you." And she didn't, she couldn't. This went against every medical procedure and theory she knew

Q shrugged and folded his arms

"Go to sickbay then. Run a full diagnostic. Have Beverly tell you the gestational age."

Alice didn't know how to feel. Angry, violated, confused. Each trying to take command but she needed answers.

"He can't have children."

"You're absolutely right, an android can't reproduce. But I've taken his human DNA. The DNA he will have soon enough."

Alice bit her lip, she felt tears prickling at the back of her eyes. She wanted to hit him, to scream at him, to hurt him. But right now she felt so confused and conflicted. Her knees began to wobble and Q rushed forward to help.

"Don't." She held her hand out, trying not to shout.

"Don't touch me." She reiterated.

Q held his hands up to placate her, but she knew being able to watch his hands wouldn't stop his power.

"I know you're angry. Furious, even. It's understandable. But I've looked into every possible outcome. This is the only one in which you and Data live happily."

Alice wiped at a tear that had begun to fall down her cheek.

"Why would you care about our happiness?" She could hear the bitterness in her own voice.

"Because, in the many futures I watched, I always marry Kathryn and you and I always become family. I just want my family to be happy."

Alice snorted and glared at him

"Why would you not explain to me, give me the chance to choose?"

"I didn't have time."

Alice's head tilted and she frowned at his statement. No time? Had he not just been prattling on about seeing many alternative futures? Time seemed to be his play thing.

"I'm giving up my power to be with Kathryn, to live a life as a human with her. My powers will be gone by our wedding in a year."

Alice lowered herself slowly to the ground, resting on her haunches as she absorbed this information. Q was going to become a human, wanted to make Data a human, and had a year to do so. She still couldn't understand why she had to be dragged into this.

She sniffled lightly and put her head down to her knees. If he was right, then she was currently pregnant with Lieutenant Commander Data's child. Did she really want to do this?

She let her hand slide down to her stomach and just rest. With her eyes closed she could picture it, this growing fetus. Her mind went to the images from the many study PADD's she had to use for class.

She remembered when she first told her mother she'd been assigned to the Enterprise and a running joke around Starfleet was that strange things always happened to the Enterprise Crew.

She snorted now. How ridiculous that she has now become one of the strange anomalies aboard the Enterprise.

She was an anomaly. Her hand tightened on her stomach slightly.

They were an anomaly.

Once this broke out they would be forced to undergo countless tests, they would be under public eye for the rest of their lives. The baby would be scrutinized and studied for just existing.

Alice lifted her head and stared up at Q

"You said the baby is from Datas human DNA. Does that mean the baby will be 100% human?"

Q tilted his head, he lowered himself to squat down in front of her.

"Yes, and no. When Data becomes human I leave behind android parts to him. His mind, his movements, strength. I don't know if your child will have these traits."

Alice rested her chin on her knees, so she would have a super baby. Wonderful.

Q reached out his hand and hesitated before resting it on her shoulder.

"I only saw you happy. I didn't think you'd be so upset in the beginning. I am sorry."

He seemed genuine. She met him only an hour ago but she experienced years of memories. She couldn't fully allow herself to trust him. Who was to say all of this wasn't just an elaborate joke. A horrible, cruel joke.

The bell chimed to announce an arrival at her door. She stared at Q a few moments more. Q nodded his head towards the sound and gave a half smile.

"I think we both know who that is."

Alice groaned and flopped her head back onto her knees. Of course it was Data. How much did he know? Was he even aware of what was to come? Could she ignore him?

The door chimed once more. Twice. And finally she heard Commander Data's voice call out for her. If she waited any longer he would use his security access to force the door open.

Alice stood and stretched her back and legs. A tingly feeling crept up and down her calves. Q was gone now and she was alone to greet her future.

"Come in" she called out and the door opened immediately.

Data strode into her room quicker than a normal human pace, his eyes locked with hers. She waved awkwardly but felt so many emotions roll through her stomach. She was scared, worried of this new life she would have to live.

Data walked slower now as he came closer. He tilted his head to watch as the door slid shut behind him and only then did he ask,

"Have you received a visit from Q, Alice?"

She nodded and took a deep breath. She walked forward and grabbed Data's hand. One of his eyebrows cocked but he didn't stop her.

If this was to be her future then she wanted to take control. She glided his hand forward and held his palm against her stomach.

"Data. Meet our baby."