Disclaimer: See part 1

Author's Note: The italicized part is a flashback and anything underlined means it is mental telepathy, but I'm sure you guys would have figured that out anyway. Just thought I'd mention it beforehand. Okay, enjoy!

"Illusions of Grandeur"
By Jaclyn Riker

Another week went by, faster than the first one, but in some ways worse. Hope was fading fast and no one was any closer to figuring out a way to find Lily and the Q.

That is until Deanna came running onto the bridge and breathlessly said, "My mother."

"Excuse me?" Jean-Luc said incredulously and Will came to stand by Deanna.

"Honey, what about her?" Will asked, but she just shook her head.

"No, not just her. You. Me. Chandra and her family, all of my friends on Betazed and their familes, my family...everyone we can bring aboard!" Deanna cried and they stared at her until understanding dawned on Will's face.

"A kind of mind meld, you mean? If we all join our telepathic minds, maybe we can reach out as one being and find her." Will said, excitement gaining in him quickly.

"Sort of. It's called arbani. It is an ancient ritual that I have heard about, but never seen. However, it supposedly very strong and just might work." Deanna explained, as excited about the idea as her husband.

"Wait a minute," Jean-Luc said and frowned. "I hate to remind you of this, but the Q could be a million light years away. Maybe more. Can it reach that far?"

"It's worth a try, Sir." Deanna said and after a moment's thought he nodded in agreement.

Deanna thanked him and went quickly to their quarters to video call her mother. Lwaxana Troi answered on the first ring.

"Little One, I knew it was you. What is it?" Lwaxana asked her eyes burning into Deanna's soul. Deanna explained her idea and Lwaxana nodded happily.

"Oh, Darling, I agree that it's worth a shot. I am so glad to be doing something. I have been going nearly insane over here with worry. But I know that everything will be okay. You'll get her back."

"Thank you Mother. I hope so." Deanna said, grateful for her mother's strong presence in her life even if she could be trying at times. She watched Lwaxana close her eyes and after a minute opened them up again.

"Little One, it is all set. Chandra and her family are coming, as are members from each royal house. So are old family friends, some of the strongest family members, and me, of course. In total we should have about 150 to 200 people. However, doing this on that enormous ship of yours will never do. Brianna, daughter of the Second House of Rituals, said that we may use the ancient mediation rock on their property. It has been used throughout the generations for strong ceremonies such as this and this is no expectation." Lwaxana said all of this in one long breath that set Deanna to laughing. Some out of amusement, but mostly out of pure joy.

"Thank them all for us, Mother." Deanna said, truly smiling for the first time since Lily had been taken. After communicating with Jean-Luc, they set a rendezvous time for two days. Deanna said good-bye to her mother and then flopped face down onto the bed. Lifting her happy face from the mattress, she caught sight of the picture on the nightstand. Will, looking handsome as ever in his dress uniform and Deanna, a true vision of beauty in her wedding gown.

Then there was Lily.

She looked like a fairy princess in her flower girl dress smiling down at her new mother from the safe perch of her father's arms. Deanna traced the girl's face lovingly and the memory of her wedding came rushing back to her. In fact, she could almost hear the music and laughter in her head along with the most memorable thing said to her that night, besides Will's vows. Closing her eyes she let the warm memory play in her heart and mind.

Lily ran over to her, the blue eyes that were so much like the man Deanna had just married were twinkling like stars. The girl grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dance floor.

"Come on, Mommy. Dance with me." Lily pleaded and laughing Deanna nodded, giving an apology to the people she had been talking with. They danced to the song laughing joyfully until, all of a sudden, Lily stood still. Deanna stopped too, bending down to place her face level with her daughter's sweet one.

"What is it, Lily?" Deanna asked quietly and Lily bit her lip.

"Mommy, you belong to us now, right? We'll always be together?" Lily asked her, the child's voice soft and apprehensive.

"Oh Lily, I'll be with you always. Do you know how much I love you?" Deanna questioned the girl and Lily nodded confidently.

"Yes. Forever times infinity." Lily told her seriously.

"How do you know that?" Deanna asked, in mock surprise. Lily giggled and wrapped her arms round Deanna's neck, giving her a tight hug.

"Because that's how much I love you, Mommy." Lily whispered into Deanna's ear and she held the child closer to her, closing her eyes to keep the tears at bay. They repeated the almost sacred words in unison before releasing each other to dance again.

"Forever times infinity..."

Mommy? I can feel you, Mommy! Where are you?

Deanna's eyes opened at the sound of her daughter's voice. It wasn't part of the memory, which meant...

Deanna concentrated and opened her mind, wider. There! It was faint, but there was a presence down in her soul and her heart leapt as she recognized it as Lily.

Lily? Lily, is that you?

Deanna thought, her mind's voice hopeful.

Help me, Mommy!

Lily's voice sounded so far away and so frightened.

I'm trying, Little One. Hold on a little longer.

Tears began to fall down Deanna's face as she talked with her missing child.

Hurry, Mommy. I miss you...

Lily's voice grew farther and father away. Deanna had to reach as far so she could hear the last words.

I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Mommy. Tell Daddy...

Then the small voice was no longer there and neither was the presence that she had felt.

"Lily! No, Lily don't go!" Deanna cried aloud, starting forward physically before realizing that it was useless. She was gone again. At that exact moment, Will burst through the door. Without calling out for her he ran straight into the bedroom, knowing that was where he would find her.

"Deanna, what happened? I could have sworn I heard..." He said, his voice confused, but one look in her shining eyes and he knew. "You talked to her, didn't you? It wasn't my imagination."

"No, Imzadi. I talked to her. She wants to come home as much as we want her here. She said she was sorry and...that she misses me. She misses us." Deanna said and began to cry as Will dropped down onto the bed beside her. She leaned into him and he held her, sharing the mixture of joy and pain at hearing their daughter again.

"It's going to work, Dee. I can feel it. It has to work." Will said, hugging her closer to him and kissed the top of her dark head. A few tears shined in his too blue eyes as he rocked her as much for her comfort as his. "It has to."

TBC