Summary: All is not well in Imzadi Paradise leading to an event that shocks everyone...(Takes place about a year after A Child's Lead. You should read that story before this one).

"Illusions of Grandeur"
Part 2
By Jaclyn Riker

Deanna awoke to the sound of Lily laughing and her husband's deep voice. She smiled and stretched, grabbing the robe from the edge of the bed. Wrapping it around her, she crept quietly to the doorway and smiled at the sight before her.

Lily, already dressed in a dark blue play jumper, sat on the floor playing with a device that would project a 3D image of what she was thinking about. Will sat across from her, still in his pajamas, trying to guess what they were. Of course, in typical Will fashion, he was coming up with the silliest things he could think of. Seeing them together like this always made Deanna's heart skip a beat. Lily was tiny for her age, looking no more than 4 and ½ years old, but she had the heart of a lion. And could be stubborn as a mule if it ever came down to it. Deanna smirked, knowing that it was a trait she had inherited inarguably from her father.

"A pig wearing a captain's uniform flying a shuttlecraft?" Will guessed, frowning in mock frustration at the image before him.

"No, Daddy!" Lily giggled and pointed to the image that was obviously a horse. "It's Sugar!"

"The pony Uncle Jean-Luc gave you for your birthday?" Will asked and at Lily's nod, he peered at it in concentration. A grin lit up his face and he nodded too. "Oh yeah. I see it now."

"Daddy, you knew all the time!" Lily said and laughingly, gave him a light push on the shoulder. Will threw himself backwards slightly and gave her a wide-eyed stare.

"Watch it, Princess! You'll hurt your old man." Will said, but Lily knew he was just playing around and laughed at him. Then, looking at the image, she sighed.

"I wish Sugar could live at home with us." Lily said softly and Will caressed her face lovingly.

"I know you do, Princess, but you know that she is happy in Uncle Jean-Luc's stable. " He told her and she gave him a small smile. "Okay, Princess, how bout we play again?"

"Okay." Lily said, her smile growing bigger. She closed her eyes and began to imagine her next picture.

"Good morning, Early Birds." Deanna said, stepping into the room and walking over to where they sat. She leaned down to kiss the top of Will's head and straightening again she looked at Lily. The child's eyes had snapped open at the sound of Deanna's voice and she now stared at her icily. Deanna shuddered at the anger that radiated towards her from the girl, feeling it wash over her along with a deeper sense of betrayal.

"What are you playing?" Deanna asked, kneeling down by Will and trying to ignore the glare she was receiving. Deanna felt Will wrap a supportive arm around her shoulder and she leaned into his embrace gratefully. However, Lily ignored her question and her completely, closing the device and standing.

"Daddy, I ate breakfast. Can I go see what Lissa is doing?" Lily asked and noticeably edged towards the door. Will, through the bond he now shared with his wife, could feel the hurt and confusion from Deanna. He decided to put an end to all of this once and for all. He rose off the floor, helping Deanna up at the same time.

"Lily, sit down. It's time we had a talk." Will told her and Deanna sighed inwardly. She knew what was coming and was grateful he had initiated it.

"I don't want to talk. I want to go see Lissa." Lily said frowning and once more headed for the doors.

"Kalila Marie, if you take another step towards that door you are going to be one sorry little girl!" Will's voice boomed out and Lily froze. She stood shock still for a moment before whirling around. Tears of anger and frustration were running down her face.

"You yelled at me! You never yelled at me before she came." Lily said, pointing at Deanna, her eyes shooting daggers and her voice shaking.

"Whoa, young lady! This is all you. Don't you blame your mother!" Will said, putting his arm around Deanna's shoulders.

"She wants to send me away! You said we would never be apart after you came back. You would never do that to me unless SHE told you too! How could you let her send me away?" Lily said vehemently, tears falling fast down her slightly rounded cheeks.

"Oh, Lily, no. It would only be temporary. Only a couple of weeks. You wouldn't stay if you didn't want to." Deanna tried to explain, but Lily would hear none of it. It hit Deanna suddenly, that the girl had built up so strong a wall in the lie embedded in her heart and brain that she didn't want to hear the truth.

"No! You don't want me here. You only said you loved me to marry Daddy. It's him you love, not me." Lily cried, hugging herself.

"Oh, Lily, my Little One. How could you ever think that I don't love you?" Deanna asked, gasping at the girl's words. She took a small step backward, but Lily backed up too.

"Don't call me that. I'm not your 'Little One'!" Lily yelled at her, eyes flashing in pain. "I wish you were the one who went away."

"Lily, don't talk to your mother that way." Will said trying to protect Deanna, but Lily turned her glare on him.

"She's not my mother. My real mother is dead, but if she were alive she would be a million times better than her!" Lily pointed once more in the direction of Deanna. Of all the words spoken in the past moments, those hurt the worst. Deanna sat down hard onto the couch behind her and just stared at the angry child.

"That's it! No more. You are to go to your room for the rest of our stay. You are not allowed out unless it is to eat dinner or use the bathroom. No talking or seeing Lissa or any of your other friends. This will extend for two more weeks when we get home." Will said angrily, walking over and taking Lily's upper arm. He didn't grab her hard enough to hurt her, but he thought he had a tight grip. It was a surprise to him when Lily wrenched her arm away, surprisingly strong for her age.

"I hate you." Lily said softly, but with the emotion in her voice rang true to her words. Lily looked over at Deanna and then back to Will. "I hate you both."

Turning on her heel, she ran into her room sobbing. Will followed, but found that his "gifted" daughter had locked out all voice commands but her own.