**********************************
From Part Two:
"It's true. It shouldn't be, but it is. She is our daughter." Beverly said and all four adult looked at the sleeping child, a million questions running through their heads. There was nothing left to do, but wait until Lissa woke up. Beverly suggested they do that and talk in her office.
***********************************
"Obviously something has happened in her time, for her to come here and now." Will said and the other three adults agreed with him.
"As much as I hate to admit it, it appears that something has happened...or does happen to me. Maybe she came back to warn us. She is only a young child and has no loyalty to the Prime Directive." Beverly said and Jean-Luc frowned at her. He was about to say something when Deanna's eyes widened.
"Something's going on with Lissa." she said and as soon as the words came out of her mouth a medic ran into the office.
"I'm sorry Doctor, but the girl seems to be having a nightmare and no one out here can calm her down." The man said and they all rushed out. Lissa was tossing and turning on the bed, crying in her sleep.
"Daddy, no. Come back! Uncle Will, please let me go! Daddy, Mommy come back! MOMMY!" she cried and suddenly let out a scream that made chills go up and down everyone's spine. "Daddy, where's Mommy? Liar! She's not dead. She wouldn't leave us! You're a liar!"
Lissa was shaking and crying so hard that Beverly finally couldn't take it anymore. She rushed over to the girl and gathered her into her arms, rocking her back and forth as if she were an infant.
"Shhh," she whispered into the child's ear and the girl's arms snaked around Beverly's shoulders to hold her tight. "It's okay. I'm here. I'm not dead, I'm right here. Shhh, everything's okay."
Lissa began to calm down and soon her breathing was back to normal and the tears had stopped flowing.
"I knew you wouldn't leave us." Lissa said softly and Beverly felt a lump in her throat.
Lissa let out a ragged sigh and fell back into the deep sleep she had just occupied. Beverly let her slip out of her arms and covered the girl up with a blanket. Impulsively she kissed the girl's tear stained cheek and then stood straight up. Deanna walked over to her and took her hand, squeezing it in support. They followed Jean-Luc and Will back into the office, since Deanna was certain that Lissa wouldn't have any more nightmares. They tried to think of some solution to what was going on, but since they didn't know exactly what the problem was, it was fruitless. After about an hour, the medic came back saying the girl was awake and wanted to talk. Beverly and Jean-Luc walked out first and they saw Lissa catch her breath for a moment and then her eyes filled with resignation.
"I'm sorry, M...Doctor Crusher." Lissa said upon their arrival to where she sat on the bed. "Thank you for helping me go back to sleep. Before you say anything, Captain, I am fully aware I am breaking Prime Directive. Uncle Will was very clear on that before he sent me back. We didn't mean to cause any trouble, but we need your help."
She looked at Jean-Luc, biting her lip.
"I think we should probably discuss the rest in your quarters, Captain."
Jean-Luc agreed and Will helped her down for the bed. She grinned up at him and he smiled back. On the way to the captain's room, Lissa latched herself onto Beverly's hand immediately and then took Jean-Luc's hand as well. He felt slightly uncomfortable, but knowing the child's situation, he said nothing. When they entered his room, he headed for his desk and the rest sat on the couch, with Lissa standing and looking at his fish tank. They waited for her to say something and turning she lifted her hands up.
"I don't know where I should start. Is there anything specific you wanna know about?" Lissa asked and they were silent. Will shot a look at Deanna, who glanced at him and then away again. Beverly and Jean-Luc exchanged looks as well, but remained silent too. Lissa sighed, rolled her eyes, and shook her head.
"Adults," she muttered under her breath.
"Why are you here?" Jean-Luc spoke up and Lissa frowned.
"I should probably start at the beginning for that one." Lissa said letting out a rueful chuckle. "About two months ago, my time, our ship...this ship stopped to help a planet named Terra-uno who was at war with a evil race called the Lugarians. The Federation had been involved with dealings with the Lugarians for a while now. In fact, it was the Enterprise who first discovered them. They like to kill off entire races, for fun. Like the ancient Earth sport of game hunting, was something Uncle Will said once. Anyway, my mother and father went down to Terra-uno see if they needed any medical assistance. They said that they did, so Dad and the Federation decided the Enterprise was to stay for a few days and help out. Uncle Will's own ship was going to help too, but every once in a while he would command the Enterprise while Daddy was down on the planet. He always says that he is going to command the ship when Daddy retires."
After a small smile, Lissa swallowed hard and began to pace, like her "father" usually did when he was troubled.
"After about four days the Federation told Daddy that more ships were on their way to help and we no longer needed to stay. Mom and Dad went down to the surface to help one last time, but they had only been there for about ten minutes when a Lugarian ship appeared. It started firing on the planet and the Enterprise without any reason. Uncle Will fought back, cause Daddy had left him in charge again, but soon there were more Lugarian ships. Two, then five, and finally ten. Uncle Will said we had to leave and told them to beam my mom and dad back aboard. He said we couldn't help the planet anymore. They had locked onto my dad's signal and were close to my mom's when the ships all fired at the planet at the same time. I had come on the bridge even though Aunt Deanna had said not to, but I wanted to know where my parents were. That's when Uncle Will said to engage transporters and at the same time the planet exploded. I screamed and before Uncle Will could stop me I went to transporter room. When I got there, Daddy was the only who came back. My mom...." Lissa trailed off, her hands flying to her face and she pushed the balls of her hands to her eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. She drew in a deep breath and bringing her shaking hands back down to her sides, looked up to continue.
"When Mommy died, Daddy just kind of lost it, you know? He wouldn't eat or sleep. He wouldn't talk to me or anyone else about Mommy at all. Not Uncle Will, or Aunt Deanna or even Wesley, who is like a son to him. About two weeks after that, we went back to Earth, and when we got there, Daddy said I was going to live with Aunt Deanna and Uncle Will for a while. He went back into space, while I stayed on Earth with them. It wasn't so bad, living with them. I mean I love you guys and you...they have kids my age so it was like having a big family."
"We have children?" Deanna asked and Lissa giggled, despite the anguish that was in her face.
"Uh-huh. Kestra and William Jr. are twins and we were all born on the same day. Your youngest is named Marie and she is almost 6, but we let her play with us. Kes and Will are my best friends and Marie is like a little sister to me. My older brother Wesley, used to visit a lot the first month, but then he had to go back to his own ship. He is a Lt. Commander now, one of the youngest ever. " Lissa said proudly, showing how much she loved and admired her older brother. Then she came and stood in front of Deanna and Will. Beverly was about to say something about Wes having his own ship, but stopped herself.
"We are all very close, aren't we?" Will asked and Lissa nodded.
"You and Aunt Deanna are my godparents and my mom and dad are Kes, Will, and Marie's godparents." Lissa told them and they smiled at her. Jean- Luc cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him.
"I am still having trouble with all of this. I can't believe that I would just leave my child no matter how grief stricken I was." Jean-Luc said and Lissa walked over to him, shaking her head. She placed her small hand on his cheek and gave him a look that was so much wiser than her young years.
"You loved her so much, Daddy. I have never seen anyone look at someone the way you looked at Mommy. Except maybe Uncle Will when he looks at Aunt Deanna. She was your...what is it that you call Uncle Will, Aunt Deanna? Imzadi?" Lissa asked, turning to look at the shocked adults. If those two had doubts about the child's tale, they were erased in that instant. Deanna nodded and Lissa smiled at them warmly before turning back to her "father".
"We were so happy," she added, her gaze sliding to Beverly. She frowned and closed her eyes, reminding herself that it wasn't really her mother. "So very happy."
"I don't understand how we can help." Beverly said and Lissa eyes flew open in shock.
"You have to turn the ship around." she said and faced Jean-Luc. "It is as simple as that. Just turn the ship around and go in another direction."
"Why?' Jean-Luc asked and Lissa shook her head backing up.
"I wasn't even supposed to tell you my real name, but when I came out of the temporal hole, I was so scared. Uncle Will said what would happen but I really didn't believe him until I saw your ship. Then it was too late to go home again." Lissa said and began to pace once more. "Uncle Will would kill me if he knew what I have already told you! He said he would only send me back if I promised to turn the ship around and that's all."
"I am very sorry, Lissa, but I cannot alter the course of history, let alone my ship, without a good reason. You say that you are my daughter and I am beginning to believe you, despite my better judgment. So you of all people should know that I just can't go on the whim of a nine year old." Jean-Luc said and Lissa drew in her breath angrily. Then she let it out again, slowly, and nodded.
"I know. I wish I could tell you..." Lissa said, shaking her head again, but her eyes strayed to Beverly once more. Deanna could sense a battle was going on inside of her and after a moment or two she felt a sense of determination.
"I love Uncle Will and I respect him, believe me I do. But God help me, if it will bring you back to Daddy and I..." Lissa said trailing off and turned to give Jean-Luc a determined look.
"At exactly 1634 today, you will encounter a Lugarian ship for the first time, who will open fire on you. You try to communicate with them, but they don't respond. The Enterprise will return fire and ultimately destroy them. However, what you don't know is that on that ship is the Lugarian leader's son. Because of this, he will hunt this ship down and start a war with the Federation. The leader will be a step behind you at every turn until one day, 13 years in the future, he catches up with you. With no mercy he kills your wife...my mother along with an innocent planet. All because an evil race decided to hunt others for sport and you had to be the Noble Jean-Luc Picard and kill the High Prince!" Lissa screamed at him and she whirled around to point at Beverly.
"Look at her! She dies because of you. You take away one of the most important people in my life and then send me away as if I were nothing! You don't bother to ask how I am or write to me anymore. It's like I don't even exist for you." Lissa's eyes filled with tears and the anger in her face changed to sorrow. She began to become hysterical and shook her head violently. Deanna could sense that Lissa knew inside that her anger and blame had no rational to it, but the pain was too great.
"Only, I know it's not your fault and I know that you don't understand any of this. Just please, for the love of God, help me. I only want my family back." Lissa dropped to her knees on the floor, sobbing into her hands and Jean-Luc started to go to her. He stopped midway, unsure of what he should do and caught Beverly's eye. He noticed that she had tears in them and the shiny blue orbs that he loved so much were silently urging him to go to her. He let go of all his Academy training and got down on his knees with the child. She instinctively moved towards him and he soon found himself holding his future daughter in his arms. Jean-Luc rocked her in his arms, soothing away her tears as if he had done it all her life.
"I'm sorry. I know he didn't kill her and I know I am asking you to break the code you live by, but it just hurts so much. Sometimes I just want to die too. That way maybe I could see her one more time. Even if only to tell her that I love her. I didn't even get to say good-bye." Lissa said, holding onto him, her small frame wracked with sobs.
"Lissa, I..." Jean-Luc whispered, but her tiny voice interrupted him.
"Papa, fais que ca s arrete, s'il te plait. Fais que mon coeur arrete de faire mal. je t'en supplie." Lissa sobbed into the arm that was comfortingly wrapped around her body. It was then and there Jean-Luc made up his mind on what to do.
**TRANSLATION** "Papa, please make it go away. Make my heart stop hurting. I am begging you."
From Part Two:
"It's true. It shouldn't be, but it is. She is our daughter." Beverly said and all four adult looked at the sleeping child, a million questions running through their heads. There was nothing left to do, but wait until Lissa woke up. Beverly suggested they do that and talk in her office.
***********************************
"Obviously something has happened in her time, for her to come here and now." Will said and the other three adults agreed with him.
"As much as I hate to admit it, it appears that something has happened...or does happen to me. Maybe she came back to warn us. She is only a young child and has no loyalty to the Prime Directive." Beverly said and Jean-Luc frowned at her. He was about to say something when Deanna's eyes widened.
"Something's going on with Lissa." she said and as soon as the words came out of her mouth a medic ran into the office.
"I'm sorry Doctor, but the girl seems to be having a nightmare and no one out here can calm her down." The man said and they all rushed out. Lissa was tossing and turning on the bed, crying in her sleep.
"Daddy, no. Come back! Uncle Will, please let me go! Daddy, Mommy come back! MOMMY!" she cried and suddenly let out a scream that made chills go up and down everyone's spine. "Daddy, where's Mommy? Liar! She's not dead. She wouldn't leave us! You're a liar!"
Lissa was shaking and crying so hard that Beverly finally couldn't take it anymore. She rushed over to the girl and gathered her into her arms, rocking her back and forth as if she were an infant.
"Shhh," she whispered into the child's ear and the girl's arms snaked around Beverly's shoulders to hold her tight. "It's okay. I'm here. I'm not dead, I'm right here. Shhh, everything's okay."
Lissa began to calm down and soon her breathing was back to normal and the tears had stopped flowing.
"I knew you wouldn't leave us." Lissa said softly and Beverly felt a lump in her throat.
Lissa let out a ragged sigh and fell back into the deep sleep she had just occupied. Beverly let her slip out of her arms and covered the girl up with a blanket. Impulsively she kissed the girl's tear stained cheek and then stood straight up. Deanna walked over to her and took her hand, squeezing it in support. They followed Jean-Luc and Will back into the office, since Deanna was certain that Lissa wouldn't have any more nightmares. They tried to think of some solution to what was going on, but since they didn't know exactly what the problem was, it was fruitless. After about an hour, the medic came back saying the girl was awake and wanted to talk. Beverly and Jean-Luc walked out first and they saw Lissa catch her breath for a moment and then her eyes filled with resignation.
"I'm sorry, M...Doctor Crusher." Lissa said upon their arrival to where she sat on the bed. "Thank you for helping me go back to sleep. Before you say anything, Captain, I am fully aware I am breaking Prime Directive. Uncle Will was very clear on that before he sent me back. We didn't mean to cause any trouble, but we need your help."
She looked at Jean-Luc, biting her lip.
"I think we should probably discuss the rest in your quarters, Captain."
Jean-Luc agreed and Will helped her down for the bed. She grinned up at him and he smiled back. On the way to the captain's room, Lissa latched herself onto Beverly's hand immediately and then took Jean-Luc's hand as well. He felt slightly uncomfortable, but knowing the child's situation, he said nothing. When they entered his room, he headed for his desk and the rest sat on the couch, with Lissa standing and looking at his fish tank. They waited for her to say something and turning she lifted her hands up.
"I don't know where I should start. Is there anything specific you wanna know about?" Lissa asked and they were silent. Will shot a look at Deanna, who glanced at him and then away again. Beverly and Jean-Luc exchanged looks as well, but remained silent too. Lissa sighed, rolled her eyes, and shook her head.
"Adults," she muttered under her breath.
"Why are you here?" Jean-Luc spoke up and Lissa frowned.
"I should probably start at the beginning for that one." Lissa said letting out a rueful chuckle. "About two months ago, my time, our ship...this ship stopped to help a planet named Terra-uno who was at war with a evil race called the Lugarians. The Federation had been involved with dealings with the Lugarians for a while now. In fact, it was the Enterprise who first discovered them. They like to kill off entire races, for fun. Like the ancient Earth sport of game hunting, was something Uncle Will said once. Anyway, my mother and father went down to Terra-uno see if they needed any medical assistance. They said that they did, so Dad and the Federation decided the Enterprise was to stay for a few days and help out. Uncle Will's own ship was going to help too, but every once in a while he would command the Enterprise while Daddy was down on the planet. He always says that he is going to command the ship when Daddy retires."
After a small smile, Lissa swallowed hard and began to pace, like her "father" usually did when he was troubled.
"After about four days the Federation told Daddy that more ships were on their way to help and we no longer needed to stay. Mom and Dad went down to the surface to help one last time, but they had only been there for about ten minutes when a Lugarian ship appeared. It started firing on the planet and the Enterprise without any reason. Uncle Will fought back, cause Daddy had left him in charge again, but soon there were more Lugarian ships. Two, then five, and finally ten. Uncle Will said we had to leave and told them to beam my mom and dad back aboard. He said we couldn't help the planet anymore. They had locked onto my dad's signal and were close to my mom's when the ships all fired at the planet at the same time. I had come on the bridge even though Aunt Deanna had said not to, but I wanted to know where my parents were. That's when Uncle Will said to engage transporters and at the same time the planet exploded. I screamed and before Uncle Will could stop me I went to transporter room. When I got there, Daddy was the only who came back. My mom...." Lissa trailed off, her hands flying to her face and she pushed the balls of her hands to her eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. She drew in a deep breath and bringing her shaking hands back down to her sides, looked up to continue.
"When Mommy died, Daddy just kind of lost it, you know? He wouldn't eat or sleep. He wouldn't talk to me or anyone else about Mommy at all. Not Uncle Will, or Aunt Deanna or even Wesley, who is like a son to him. About two weeks after that, we went back to Earth, and when we got there, Daddy said I was going to live with Aunt Deanna and Uncle Will for a while. He went back into space, while I stayed on Earth with them. It wasn't so bad, living with them. I mean I love you guys and you...they have kids my age so it was like having a big family."
"We have children?" Deanna asked and Lissa giggled, despite the anguish that was in her face.
"Uh-huh. Kestra and William Jr. are twins and we were all born on the same day. Your youngest is named Marie and she is almost 6, but we let her play with us. Kes and Will are my best friends and Marie is like a little sister to me. My older brother Wesley, used to visit a lot the first month, but then he had to go back to his own ship. He is a Lt. Commander now, one of the youngest ever. " Lissa said proudly, showing how much she loved and admired her older brother. Then she came and stood in front of Deanna and Will. Beverly was about to say something about Wes having his own ship, but stopped herself.
"We are all very close, aren't we?" Will asked and Lissa nodded.
"You and Aunt Deanna are my godparents and my mom and dad are Kes, Will, and Marie's godparents." Lissa told them and they smiled at her. Jean- Luc cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him.
"I am still having trouble with all of this. I can't believe that I would just leave my child no matter how grief stricken I was." Jean-Luc said and Lissa walked over to him, shaking her head. She placed her small hand on his cheek and gave him a look that was so much wiser than her young years.
"You loved her so much, Daddy. I have never seen anyone look at someone the way you looked at Mommy. Except maybe Uncle Will when he looks at Aunt Deanna. She was your...what is it that you call Uncle Will, Aunt Deanna? Imzadi?" Lissa asked, turning to look at the shocked adults. If those two had doubts about the child's tale, they were erased in that instant. Deanna nodded and Lissa smiled at them warmly before turning back to her "father".
"We were so happy," she added, her gaze sliding to Beverly. She frowned and closed her eyes, reminding herself that it wasn't really her mother. "So very happy."
"I don't understand how we can help." Beverly said and Lissa eyes flew open in shock.
"You have to turn the ship around." she said and faced Jean-Luc. "It is as simple as that. Just turn the ship around and go in another direction."
"Why?' Jean-Luc asked and Lissa shook her head backing up.
"I wasn't even supposed to tell you my real name, but when I came out of the temporal hole, I was so scared. Uncle Will said what would happen but I really didn't believe him until I saw your ship. Then it was too late to go home again." Lissa said and began to pace once more. "Uncle Will would kill me if he knew what I have already told you! He said he would only send me back if I promised to turn the ship around and that's all."
"I am very sorry, Lissa, but I cannot alter the course of history, let alone my ship, without a good reason. You say that you are my daughter and I am beginning to believe you, despite my better judgment. So you of all people should know that I just can't go on the whim of a nine year old." Jean-Luc said and Lissa drew in her breath angrily. Then she let it out again, slowly, and nodded.
"I know. I wish I could tell you..." Lissa said, shaking her head again, but her eyes strayed to Beverly once more. Deanna could sense a battle was going on inside of her and after a moment or two she felt a sense of determination.
"I love Uncle Will and I respect him, believe me I do. But God help me, if it will bring you back to Daddy and I..." Lissa said trailing off and turned to give Jean-Luc a determined look.
"At exactly 1634 today, you will encounter a Lugarian ship for the first time, who will open fire on you. You try to communicate with them, but they don't respond. The Enterprise will return fire and ultimately destroy them. However, what you don't know is that on that ship is the Lugarian leader's son. Because of this, he will hunt this ship down and start a war with the Federation. The leader will be a step behind you at every turn until one day, 13 years in the future, he catches up with you. With no mercy he kills your wife...my mother along with an innocent planet. All because an evil race decided to hunt others for sport and you had to be the Noble Jean-Luc Picard and kill the High Prince!" Lissa screamed at him and she whirled around to point at Beverly.
"Look at her! She dies because of you. You take away one of the most important people in my life and then send me away as if I were nothing! You don't bother to ask how I am or write to me anymore. It's like I don't even exist for you." Lissa's eyes filled with tears and the anger in her face changed to sorrow. She began to become hysterical and shook her head violently. Deanna could sense that Lissa knew inside that her anger and blame had no rational to it, but the pain was too great.
"Only, I know it's not your fault and I know that you don't understand any of this. Just please, for the love of God, help me. I only want my family back." Lissa dropped to her knees on the floor, sobbing into her hands and Jean-Luc started to go to her. He stopped midway, unsure of what he should do and caught Beverly's eye. He noticed that she had tears in them and the shiny blue orbs that he loved so much were silently urging him to go to her. He let go of all his Academy training and got down on his knees with the child. She instinctively moved towards him and he soon found himself holding his future daughter in his arms. Jean-Luc rocked her in his arms, soothing away her tears as if he had done it all her life.
"I'm sorry. I know he didn't kill her and I know I am asking you to break the code you live by, but it just hurts so much. Sometimes I just want to die too. That way maybe I could see her one more time. Even if only to tell her that I love her. I didn't even get to say good-bye." Lissa said, holding onto him, her small frame wracked with sobs.
"Lissa, I..." Jean-Luc whispered, but her tiny voice interrupted him.
"Papa, fais que ca s arrete, s'il te plait. Fais que mon coeur arrete de faire mal. je t'en supplie." Lissa sobbed into the arm that was comfortingly wrapped around her body. It was then and there Jean-Luc made up his mind on what to do.
**TRANSLATION** "Papa, please make it go away. Make my heart stop hurting. I am begging you."