How Long Love
Chapter 8: The Magic Closet
Chris-
Chris blinked and yawned sleepily before opening his eyes. The Count was smiling at him and that made Chris smile back. He hadn't had any nightmares, just like the Count had promised. -Count? Is Leon back, yet?-
"Yes, my little one." The Count said, putting his hand on Chris' hair. "I have seen him with my own eyes, but there are some things you must understand before you meet him. Here, sit up. Tet-chan, will you get something to eat for Chris?" He spoke over his shoulder and then looked back at Chris. "The others have been waiting for you."
Chris only then noticed Tet-chan standing near the door. There was a rare smile on his friend's face, though he stood just as proud and stiffly as ever. Tet-chan hadn't changed a bit. He walked out of Chris' bedroom, his jewelry jangling, after the Count nodded at him and Chris knew that Tet-chan had gone to get breakfast. That was strange, in itself. Usually, he ate with the Count and Leon in the kitchen, not served in bed. -Where's my big brother, Count?- Chris rubbed his eyes and sat up with a little help from the Count. He felt very stiff and wondered how long he'd been asleep. -Can I see him? Is he here?-
The look on the Count's face almost made Chris wish he hadn't asked. There was a look of weariness under the Count's warm smile and Chris had a dreadful feeling that something was wrong. "No, he is not here, not at the moment, anyway. He was here a few moments ago. He is alive and safe, just as I promised you. Looks just the same as the last time you saw him, if just a little bit younger."
-I don't understand. Younger?-
"Yes. Not by much, maybe a year or so. He is still our Leon, though. A few things about him have changed, but not much. It is to be expected in reincarnation. His soul is the same, but his experiences are different."
-What?- Chris tried to stifle the disappointment he felt that Leon wasn't right there when he woke up. He'd wanted to see Leon so badly, but he trusted the Count to do what was best. Reincarnation. That meant that Leon had been reborn, right? Chris was sure he'd heard that word somewhere before. -Where is he? Doesn't he want to come home?- Count D looked like he might cry for a moment and Chris felt terrible. -I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!- He sat on his knees on the bed and leaned forward to hug the Count, pressing his face against the soft robes the Count always wore. -I know Leon wants to come home, I'm just worried. Don't cry.-
Count D put a hand on Chris' head. "Ah, do not be so upset for my sake, Chris. There is an unexpected development and it has caught me by surprise. It is not your fault or Leon's. I am not sad, really. It will simply take longer than I was hoping to bring Leon back to us. You see, he does not remember us."
Chris pulled away from the Count and frowned up at him. -Doesn't remember? Why not? Is it like that time you fell in the sea and got amnesia? Leon was really upset then.-
"Was he?" The Count asked, just a little bit pleased, though Chris didn't know why.
-Yeah. He was really worried when the tidal wave washed you off the deck of the ship and he almost jumped into the sea to go after you. He was smoking a lot more when you couldn't remember us and everything made him more and more angry until you got your memory back.- Chris hadn't like that vacation at all, even if it had been the first vacation they'd all taken together. Leon had taken them to a beautiful island and to the beach, using money he'd saved for more than a year. Of course, Leon said he'd only invited the Count because Chris had begged him to and the Count said he only accepted because Chris had begged him to. They were both fibbing and Chris didn't understand why. He knew the truth. Leon asked Chris if he would mind the Count coming with them, then asked when Chris said he'd love the Count to go. The Count accepted gracefully, but when Leon had gone home, the Count had spent three hours digging though his vast wardrobe looking for just the right outfits to bring. Chris had known they liked each other from the beginning and it seemed silly the big game they were playing by not telling each other.
Oh well. That was grown-ups for you.
"I see. He never told me he worried for me."
-Yes, very worried. Count, can't we just tell Leon about us? He'd want us to.-
"It is not that simple, I am afraid. I am not certain what has caused his amnesia. Just telling him would do no good. He does not remember me at all and would not believe us if we told him. Leon has lived a whole life without us, this is real for him. We will not let him go though, will we?"
-Right!- Chris agreed more enthusiastically than he really felt. Leon had really forgotten him? Had a whole life without him? Chris swallowed hard. He and Leon had only just found each other, so what would Chris do if Leon liked his new life better than the one he shared with Chris and the count? What if Leon didn't want to come home?
"Our Leon may never remember the truth, Chris. Don't cry, please. We can always make new memories with him." Count D smiled softly, then sat back a little and looked Chris up and down. "You need a bath and some fresh clothes. I am afraid all of your clothes will be out of date and draw too much attention, should you be seen in public. I will ask Pon-chan to pick something out for you," He paused when he saw Chris' hesitant look. "Or we can just let you rummage through my wardrobe, if you prefer. There should be clothes in there from when I was your age and they will be a little less conspicuous, I think. I know dear Pon-chan has a taste for rather...er...lacy clothing" It wasn't an understatement. Pon-chan liked clothes with lace and frills and Chris just knew she'd pick out something girly for him to wear. "She's been lonely without you, Chris. We all have."
-Lonely? Why? I've only been asleep. I didn't go anywhere. You said Leon lived a whole life without us, how?-
"Chris, you've been sleeping for more than four hundred years."
Reggie-
Reggie followed Leon, though reluctantly. It wasn't that he didn't want to meet Leon's new friend, but he couldn't stop shaking. His fingers kept twitching and Reggie just knew he was going to have nightmares as soon as he fell asleep. He'd really thought Leon would be off the meds by this time. That he wasn't meant that Reggie had a choice to make and neither options looked very appealing.
Neither of them spoke when they walked, side-by-side to wherever it was that Leon was taking them and Reggie wished he knew what Leon was thinking about. Was he thinking about how Reggie might betray him, now that Reggie knew his secret? Not that Reggie wanted to, but it would be the right thing to do.
When they reached the door of the man Leon was looking for, Reggie was surprised at who they saw when the doors slid open. He was beautiful. Like a living doll. There wasn't a single thing about the man that was anything less that perfect except, perhaps, the slightly disgruntled look on his face when he noticed Reggie standing behind Leon. Not exactly angry, but certainly not happy, the man said nothing for a moment and fixed his hard eyes on Reggie.
Reggie felt like something lower than an insect under the man's displeased eyes and wondered what it was that he'd done wrong. 'This wasn't a private meeting, was it? Leon wouldn't have asked me to tag along, if it was.' But Reggie was doubtful. The man looked awful dressed up, like he'd put a real effort into looking nice for Leon's arrival. It shouldn't have been all that surprising that Leon would have an admirer. He was good looking, smart, very charming, and he had a heart of gold. Why wouldn't Leon have attracted someone's attention so easily?
"Greetings." Almost instantly, the unhappy expression on the man's face vanished and he was smiling pleasantly at both Reggie and Leon. "I was not expecting more than one guest. Will you take tea with us?"
Reggie looked at Leon, just to see if Leon cared one way or the other. Leon's expression was strange, one that Reggie had never seen on Leon before. Leon wasn't even looking at Reggie, but there was a faint blush on Leon's cheeks. He wondered if he was interrupting something important and decided that it was best to bow out gracefully and let Leon enjoy whatever was to come of this meeting. Besides, it would give Reggie time to think about Leon's problem before anything serious happened. "Actually, I have to be on duty soon. I should get some sleep. Thanks for the offer, though." He was happy for Leon and hoped that it would all work out well. Leon deserved happiness.
Leon said, almost absently. "See ya. Wanna meet for dinner tomorrow?"
Reggie frowned at Leon's suddenly indifferent attitude and looked at him closely. He hadn't really thought about it before, but Leon had never been in a relationship with anyone for as long as Reggie had known him. This would be good for Leon, so long as Count D didn't deliberately try to hurt Leon. "Sounds good. Nice to meet Mister...er...?"
"You may call me Count D." Count D didn't offer to shake hands, but bowed slightly, keeping his hands tucked up inside the billowing folds of his sleeves. "Perhaps we will see more of each other in the future. Forgive me. I neglected to ask your name, earlier."
"Reggie. Er...Reginald Barclay." Reggie left and made his way back to his own quarters and it felt like he had the weight of the world on his back without a clue about how to lighten the load. Leon was his only close friend and now he found out Leon not only was still taking those damned drugs, but was deceiving Star Fleet. The proper thing to do would be to go straight to Counselor Troi or Doctor Crusher and tell them everything he knew about Leon. Tell them about the meds, Mr. Goti, the hallucinations, and what, exactly, was going to happen to Leon when he had to go without the meds for more than a few hours. It was bound to happen sooner or later and, when it did, Leon could easily die. Then again, Leon was his only friend. The only person, besides dear Deirdre, Reggie had ever really trusted and he knew for a fact that Leon trusted him. How could he go behind Leon's back and break that trust? Leon would hate him.
When Reggie finally settled down in bed and ordered the lights off, he still hadn't decided what to do. It was possible that he'd be able to convince Leon to get off the meds by himself. He and Leon could take a couple of days off and Reggie would help him through the terrible withdrawal in private. They'd have time to prepare and get emergency medical supplies together in case anything horrible happened, as it probably would. It might work, if Reggie could get Leon to agree to it. If Leon was sane, afterwards. If Leon was alive afterwards.
Needless to say, Reggie didn't get much sleep that night.
Leon-
Leon was trying to shake the powerful feeling of deja vu. Just looking at Count D made Leon feel things he'd never felt. He felt like he was home. Count D's incredible, inhuman eyes. Purple and gold. Leon felt like he'd done this before. Open the door and find those mismatched eyes looking at him.
"Your friend seems...nice." Count D remarked.
"Reggie? Yeah, he's great."
"You must forgive me for mentioning it, but he seemed worried for you. Are you close?"
Leon wasn't sure what Count D was driving at, but there was something left unspoken in his words. "Closer than I've ever been to anyone." Leon admitted, proudly. At least talking about Reggie was helping to distract Leon from the feeling of deja vu. "Reggie's done a lot for me. I trust him." Was it Leon's imagination or did Count D's eyes tighten with hostility, just then? "We're like brothers, I guess. We were raised together. If you can call it that." That seemed to relax Count D and he stepped aside, motioning for Leon to enter his quarters.
Leon followed Count D into his quarters and it struck him how empty the place was. It was like no one even lived there. To be fair, it had only been a few hours since everyone had started coming on board, maybe Count D was new to the Enterprise and all his belongings hadn't yet arrived.
"Thanks for taking care of my bird, I know it was kinda short notice. Where is she, anyway?" Leon asked, looking around the empty quarters. Usually, when he came into a room Jill would fly right to him or at least start cawing. "Hope she didn't bother you too much."
"Not at all. I was pleased to have her. She is waiting for you."
Leon shivered at Count D's voice, but it wasn't all together unpleasant. The moment the doors slid closed behind Leon, he could feel Count D's eyes on the back of his head and a slow blush crept up his cheeks even before he turned around to face Count D. He'd never felt like that before and it was making him so nervous that Leon was starting to get twitchy. If it weren't for the fact that Count D had Jill, Leon thought he'd just run away right then and there. "I can't stay long, I need some sleep before I have to go on duty." It was a good, and honest, excuse.
"I am pleased to have you in my home. If you are tired, I have a bed you may sleep in." There was something dreadfully intimate about the way he said that and his voice made Leon feel dizzy and very hot. That sounded very much like a pick-up line many of the guys he'd gone through the Academy used on girls.
Leon blinked and stared at D, dully. "I'm too tired for this. Can I have my bird and then I'll leave you alone?"
"Leave me?" Count D sounded a bit alarmed, but calmed himself so quickly that Leon was sure he'd imagined Count D's distress. Count D put a hand to the side of his face and gave himself a little shake, to clear his head, most likely. "If Jill wishes to go with you, then yes." D sounded distracted and didn't turn his mismatched eyes away from Leon while he spoke. "Please, won't you join me in the parlor for tea?"
"What do you mean if Jill wants to go with me?" Leon asked, somewhat offended. "Of course she wants to go with me."
"Who are you to fathom the mind of a female? Now, about the tea...?"
With a shrug, still trying to shake the feeling of having met Count D somewhere before, Leon nodded. "Yeah. Sure, why not? Just for a minute, though." He looked around the empty room and scowled at D. "What the Hell are you talking about? Parlor?"
"Yes. It is just downstairs. Please, follow me." Count D turned from Leon then and went to the closet just inside the entrance to the quarters.
This was just too stupid. Downstairs? This guy was crazy or just stupid. They were on a starship, for God's sakes, there was no downstairs! Everyone's quarters were exactly the same and Leon knew this was the same lay out as his own. The door that man was headed for was nothing more than a closet. "You're sure about that, huh?"
"Oh, yes. Very sure." The door slid open to reveal darkness and Count D stepped aside, gesturing for Leon to precede him. "After you, Mr. Detec...after you, sir. I am afraid I have not asked your name, yet."
Leon looked dubiously into the darkness of the closet. "It's Barns. Leon Barns. Look, I'm sure you've got a great closet, but where's Jill?" Leon couldn't help the feeling that this guy was just looking for an excuse to get him alone in a dark, enclosed space. He wasn't entirely sure that he was against the idea, either.
"Down there." Count D pointed into the closet and, for the first time, Leon noticed D's long, painted fingernails. He'd never seen a man with such fingernails. They were painted dark purple and looked lethally sharp. No wonder Count D wore such long sleeved clothes. They hid his fingernails perfectly. Maybe that was the point. Maybe the fingernails were used for attack. In which case, Leon wasn't sure he wanted Count D at his back. Then again, why would anyone try to kill him? It wasn't as if he was important. "All you have to do is go to her." Count D was suddenly at Leon's shoulder and whispered softly, as if he were afraid to disturb the moment. "You will not be alone. I will be right behind you. "
Leon jumped when Count D put a hand on his shoulder and moved away. "Er...why don't you go get her. I'll just wait here." He still didn't believe there was anything in the darkness but a closet, but having Count D so close was making him feel...weird and Leon wanted a little distance between them. "You're really sure there's a room down there, huh?"
"Oh," Count D's smile widened just a bit. "Quite a bit more than just one room. Will you not come and see it? It is just like my home on Earth. A perfect duplicate. I am sure you will like it, if you just give it a chance. It is a petshop, or it was. I will not sell any of my dear pets here, on this ship. Perhaps when we return to Earth..."
"What are you babbling about?" Leon scowled and moved away, turning to face Count D, though that put his back to the darkness in the closet. "This is impossible. There are no stairs anywhere on the Enterprise. What makes you think you have some in your closet, let alone whole rooms in there? It's just crazy."
"Perhaps you are correct. Would you like to prove me wrong? Here. I shall go first." He stepped into the darkness and stepped down. Leon's eyes widened. Down? Then another step down and he was nearly engulfed in the darkness. "Will you not follow, my Leon?" Count D turned halfway to look at Leon, his eyes shining from the light from behind Leon.
"What do you mean, 'my Leon'? Getting a bit familiar, aren't you?" Leon couldn't help but feel a little disturbed by the possessive tone and felt butterflies in his stomach. This wasn't what he'd come here for and he found himself wishing that Reggie had stayed with him. "We've never met before." Leon was beginning to feel very uncomfortable, mainly because he wasn't sure he was telling the truth. Ever since he'd first seen Count D, he had the feeling of deja vu. Like a forgotten dream that was trying to resurface. "Look," Leon shook his head and tried to laugh it all off. "Maybe this is just some kind of joke to you, but I really need to get some sleep. I'm exhausted. The only sleep I had was interrupted by Jill going nuts."
"As I said before, you may sleep here, if you wish." Count D took another step down and vanished into the darkness, his voice sounding distant. "You are always welcomed in my home, Leon. Remember that. Always."
Leon had no choice. He wanted Jill back and this crazy guy with the magic closet had her. "Awww...shit!" Leon took a deep breath and stepped into the darkness. He only took one step and then the darkness cleared and he could see where he was. He was standing at the top of a stairway lit from the ceiling and smelling faintly of something sweet that tugged at Leon's memories. The floor under Leon's feet was very real and he reached out a hand to touch the wall, finding it solid, too. At the bottom of the stairs, with his hand on one of a set of doors, Count D waited with a patient smile, or so it seemed to Leon.
When Leon reached the bottom of the stairs and stood next to Count D, he could feel his heart pounding against his ribs, but was sure it didn't have anything to do with the meds. "What is this?" Leon asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Who are you?"
"I am your friend, above all else."
"You don't even know me."
"I have known you since long before you were born."
"That's impossible."
Count D pulled one of the doors and it swung open to let more of the sweet, familiar smell waft out at Leon. "Very little is impossible."
It was real! Leon stared at the room, amazed. "This...this can't be!" But it was. the room was real. "An illusion. It's just a hologram, like the holodecks. That's how you did it, right?" Leon whirled on D, both accusing and desperate to be right. He needed to have a logical explanation for this. "It's nothing but computer generated. Right, Count D?""
"Please, call me D. I would like that. This is merely the front hall, in a manner of speaking. The parlor is this way."
"Stop it!" Leon snarled, grabbing D by the arm and giving him a firm shake. He was amazed at how fragile the smaller man felt, but he was so angry that D seemed to think he was so stupid that he'd keep playing along with this game. It wasn't real, it was just an illusion, it had to be! D just looked at Leon, steadily and calmly. He didn't seem to mind being shaken at all and he was even still smiling. Leon didn't know what else to do, so he released D and called out, "Computer! Stop this program!" Nothing happened and Leon's anxiety grew. "Computer! Security override, Barns 787. stop this program!" Leon couldn't understand it. There should have been some response from the computer, even if it was just to tell him that his override command was invalid.
D beckoned to Leon. "There is no computer here that would respond to any orders you gave it. Please, the tea will get cold."
Leon felt very out of place in his uniform, the room made Leon feel like he'd stepped back in time a few hundred years. He couldn't believe this was real, but all evidence said that it was. The sweet scent he'd smelled when he'd started down the stairway was incense, as evidenced by the hanging metal things with thing tendrils of smoke slowly snaking out of the openings in the top, and he could hear the soft movements somewhere and suspected that it must be the pets D had spoken about.
Wearily, Leon sat on the sofa D indicated and waited. His eyes traveled around the room, drinking in everything he saw. A distant part of his brain told Leon that he would have to report this to his commander, Mr. Worf, immediately. This wasn't right and the captain should be made aware of what was happening on the ship. Leon really didn't want to, though. He couldn't think of a reason, but he didn't want to get D in trouble. It was ridiculous. They'd only just met. To Leon's surprise, D sat with him on the sofa. Not just with him, but right next to him. So close that if Leon leaned just a little bit, their knees would touch.
It was at that time, when Leon was sweating from confused feelings, that he saw another person walk in. It was a kid, a young teenager , at first glance. However, a closer look said otherwise. The kid had curved horns growing out of the sides of his head, like those of a ram, and tapered ears, like a Vulcan or a Romulan. Even his eyes were a bit odd, orange with cat-like slit pupils. He was bare footed and wore a kind of loose white pants tied at the waist with a white sash. The boy was bare-chested but for an open, orange vest and a necklace decorated with teeth. It wasn't his own adornment. Along with the necklace, he wore wide, gold bands on his wrists and narrow gold bands on his biceps. He even wore bands on his ankles with small disks hanging off that jangled when he walked. The boys' hair was red and wild.
"Tet-chan, has Chris eaten?"
"Yes, master." Ten-chan bowed to D, but his eyes stayed on Leon for a moment. Leon felt his back stiffen the moment their eyes met. There was something about Tet-chan that screamed danger to Leon. "He ate everything I gave him and Pon-chan's helping him dress."
"Thank you. Will you please prepare tea and refreshments for my guest?"
"It's already done, master. I'll fetch it for you." Tet-chan bowed again and turned to leave, but when he did, his eyes caught on Leon again for a moment. Those eyes...dangerous eyes. The eyes of a hungry animal. Tet-chan looked curious, more than anything, and a little cautious of whatever he saw in Leon. Tet-chan broke his eyes away from Leon's and he stalked away. It certainly couldn't be said that he walked, stalked was a far more accurate term. The boy moved with the grace of a wild cat. Tet-chan returned in moments with a large tea service, like something out of history, balanced easily on his hands. He set it down on the coffee table, bowed once more to D, then left without another word.
"Who was that?" Leon asked when Tet-chan had gone. Surely, it couldn't be D's son or brother, they looked nothing alike. Leon wasn't even sure he knew what species Tet-chan was.
"One of my darling pets. Tet-chan is very important within my petshop." D poured two cups of tea and offered Leon a plate of sugary treats, most of which Leon wasn't even sure of what they were.
Leon turned the snacks down with a grimace. "Can't stand that much sugar. Sorry."
D leaned in close, closer than most people liked getting to Leon. "Some things never change. Here," He took Leon's hand and placed a small apple in it. Leon was sure that there hadn't been any apples on the tray Tet-chan had delivered. "I think you'll find this more to your liking."
"I...I should go." Leon stood up very quickly, hitting the coffee table with his knees and sending the tea set crashing to the floor, shattering all the fine china. "Oh...sorry. Didn't mean it. Sorry." He was babbling as he quickly made his way away from D, to a more comfortable distance. He felt stupid. 'What the Hell was that reaction for over a stupid apple?'
D didn't acknowledge the apology or the broken tea set. He stood and Leon felt like his heart stopped. He couldn't breathe. "You are afraid." It wasn't a question. "I am the last person you need to fear. I would never harm you. Not if my life depended on it. I have waited for too many years for you to return to me. I would not waste all that time." Leon's breath was almost painful and he couldn't take his eyes off D. He was gasping for air like he was drowning.
The distraction Leon needed for his own sanity came from D, himself. D looked away from Leon, sharply and muttered something to himself which sounded like, "Ten-chan...". When he looked at Leon again, he smiled. "Forgive me. Something urgent has come up. Will you please excuse me?" He turned and rushed out of the parlor, through another set of doors, leaving Leon alone.
It would have given him time to think, except that he spotted, at that moment, a set of bright blue eyes peering at him from around the edge of the sofa. "Hello." Leon swallowed his own discomfort and waited to see if another strange creature, like Tet-chan, would emerge. "You gonna come out or what? I don't bite."
The blue eyed person hesitated a moment and then sat up, now looked over the arm of the sofa, and Leon was shocked into speechlessness. It was a child, a regular looking human child, but the face...it was Leon's face! There was no mistaking it and Leon stood up to get a closer look. The child had been sitting on his knees and looked at Leon in an oddly worshipful way with adoration in his eyes. He was dressed in a green, old-style oriental outfit, though he clearly wasn't oriental.
They stared at each other for quite a while before the little boy stood up and impulsively threw his arms around Leon. Leon didn't know what to say, but he was pretty sure the kid mistook him for someone else.
-Leon?-
Leon was sure that he heard it, yet he didn't see the boy's mouth move at all. "Yeah, I'm Leon. Who're you?"
The little boy looked up with teary eyes. -I thought you were dead! I saw him shoot you!-
There! Leon was sure the boy's mouth hadn't moved at all. There was an obvious answer to that. The boy must be a Betazoid, one of the telepathic aliens. Leon remembered the dark haired woman he'd met coming over on the shuttlecraft, but couldn't bring himself to push the little golden child away from him as he'd pushed the woman away. "I think you're mixing me up with someone else, kid. I've never met you before."
The little boy looked shocked, but smiled, bravely. -The count warned me. It's okay.-
"Ummm...yeah." He wondered what the kid was talking about and if he was entirely sane. Had the boy been listening the whole time he was talking to D? He must have been. How else would he know Leon's name? "Look, I need to find my pet bird. She's a big black crow. Have you seen her around?"
The boy thought. -I've seen lots of birds, but I'm not sure about a crow. The count would know.-
"Yeah, but he doesn't seem to want to tell me. Just wants me to hang around as long as possible."
-Isn't that good, though? Don't you want to be here?-
What was the kid expecting of him? Leon didn't want to disappoint the kid, his eyes were too sincere. Leon ran a hand through his hair and noted, again, how much the kid looked like him when he was a child. It was almost like looking back in time, but Leon was sure didn't have any children. Unless, of course, Mr. Goti had done other experiments with all the samples he'd taken from Leon over the years. That thought stopped Leon cold. It was possible.
"I just want my bird. I promise I'll come back to visit if you'll help me find her."
The little boy's smile widened and he nodded eagerly. -Yes, yes! I know lots of people here, I'll show you all around. Someone will know where your bird is.- He seized Leon's hand and pulled him towards the door D had just gone though, presumably leading further into this weird place. This weird place that felt like home. -We'll go visit Hon Ron and Philippe and Ten-chan...oh, no. Ten-chan's out exploring, Pon-chan told me. But we'll find someone who knows where your bird is.-
The halls beyond the 'parlor' were just as befuddling as the magic closet, the impossible stairs, and the horned boy. There seemed to be endless miles of them. All of them looked exactly the same, but the little boy knew exactly where he was going. He popped his head in some doors and would ask if anyone had seen a black crow named Jill and, receiving a 'no' go on to other rooms. Some rooms he warned Leon away from, saying that the count didn't like anyone going in this one or that one. All the time, he refused to let go of Leon's hand, holding it in as tightly as he could.
They eventually came to a door that the boy didn't immediately dismiss or throw open without hesitation. -The count's in there.- He told Leon with a little frown. -I was going to ask Mellow, but she must be busy with him.-
"All the better." Leon was tried and confused. He wanted his bird and the best way would be to directly confront D and demand her back. Leon moved to give the door a push, but the little boy held him back.
-You can't! The count doesn't like to be disturbed and you heard him say it was urgent. He doesn't lie!-
Leon settled for just cracking the door open and looking in. He saw no one but D sitting at a computer. It was an old fashioned computer, one with a keyboard and a large, bulky monitor which cast a glow onto D's face. Strangely, he wasn't typing on the keyboard, but talking directly to the computer monitor.
"Can you do it, Mellow?" D asked. "Ten-chan needs us quickly."
Yes, Count. The computer replied. It wasn't all that unusual, all computers had the ability to vocalize, it was much easier than typing. What was unusual was the emotion in the computer's voice. It sounded worried. There should be a terminal in the quarters you were assigned. You will have to take me there and have the ship's computer create a compatible interface for me. It will only take a moment. Then I will take care of Ten-chan.
D nodded briskly and pushed a button on the...what was it called? Tower? Something like that. He pulled a thin, round disk out of the slot and stood up briskly. Leon and the little boy barely had time to jump away from the door before D opened it and took in the sight of them both standing there.
-Sorry, count.- The child said, sounding a bit embarrassed. -Leon's looking for his crow and I was going to ask Mellow, we didn't mean to interrupt you.-
"Do not fret. Mellow and I had just finished. I see you have met Christopher Orcot, Leon. He's my ward. He is the brother of a very dear friend and that friend asked me to take care for him for a while." D bent down to Chris' level and asked gently, "Are you pleased?"
-Yes! Thank you, count.- Chris beamed.
"Then say goodnight, Chris. Leon must return to his quarters and get some sleep, he's very tired. I am sorry I can not offer to let you stay the night here, as I had wished. Something has come up." When Chris held onto Leon's hand tighter, D reassured the boy. "Now, now. He will return later, after he has rested. Yes, Leon?"
That was just unfair! How could Leon say no when the kid was looking at him with such a pitifully hopeful expression? "Yeah, I guess."
Chris smiled angelically and Leon wondered if the kid knew he'd be a heartbreaker someday? The girls were going to fall all over him with a smile like that. Thankfully, Chris let go of Leon and started back down the hallway. -I'm going to play with Philippe, count. Bye, bye, Leon!-
"I'm not leaving without Jill." Leon said when D took him by the arm and began leading him to the door. Leon shook off D's hand and convinced himself that the tingle he felt from D's fingers was nothing and he hadn't really felt it at all. This was all going way too fast for him and he wondered why D was suddenly eager to get rid of him when he'd been happy to have tea and offered Leon a bed for the night just moments ago.
"Yes, of course." D turned and looked down the hallway. Jill appeared and flew straight to Leon, landing easily on Leon's shoulder. "There. Now, you should go now. You may be getting a call from your superior soon and I am afraid it will not reach you in here." D slipped the computer disk into one of his long sleeves and took Leon's arm with his free hand. "I will show you out, please forgive my rude manners, but this is a family emergency."
Leon let himself be hurried out, back through the halls and passed the parlor. He didn't protest once when D escorted him up the stairs and back through the magic closet. When they were in the regular, ordinary quarters, D opened the door for Leon and bowed when Leon walk out. "Please, come back when you are free. Our tea was interrupted too soon. Perhaps we will have dinner, next time."
Leon nodded, but didn't say anything when the door closed between himself and D. Something strange was going on. A computer that told a person what to do? This was all to weird, but how could Leon ever explain all of what he'd seen and heard to anyone? No one would believe him. It occurred to Leon that maybe he should have been more worried. The safety of the ship and crew were in possible danger and he really wasn't all that worried. What he'd seen in D's petshop, the telepathic child who looked so much like Leon, the boy D called his pet (illegal at best) and so many other little things that should have Leon worried half to death but didn't. Maybe he was just over tired and not thinking straight. Whatever it was, Leon didn't think it was worth upsetting the captain with it. D was weird, but he felt safe. Reggie was an officer, so. Leon would tell him when they met for dinner and Reggie could decide what to do next.
With his mind set on what he would do, Leon went back to his quarters to try and get some sleep before his shift started. 'First, some sleep. It's not like D's dangerous. Just weird.' At least, Leon didn't think he was dangerous. Not even what he'd heard about D loading some computer thing into the Enterprise's system could worry Leon. What harm could a single computer disk do to the incredible technology of the Enterprise? Probably nothing.
Ten-chan-
Ten-chan was careful to keep in hiding until he decided what form he would take. Even with so many humans it was easy to trick them. A faceless person would be best. Well, not exactly faceless, but someone with so ordinary a face that they couldn't be remembered. Tet-chan was good at that sort of thing and he ended up walking the halls of the starship easily, as if he were one of the ordinary passengers. No one who saw him would be able to remember if he was male or female or what his face looked like.
'Later I'll get a more fun disguise, but right now it's just scouting around and that means sneaking. I love sneaking.'
While it was fun to walk amongst the humans without being noticed, it was even more fun to look at all the people who weren't humans. They were so interesting and Ten-chan could hardly believe his eyes. He stared and followed some of these interesting creatures around while he explored the starship. These unearthly creatures were everywhere and they were all so wonderfully different. Blue skin, green skin, bumpy heads, pointy ears, fur, scales, and beings who looked human outwardly but clearly weren't. Ten-chan was entranced and almost lost his concentration several times. That was unheard of. Ten-chan was kitsune and, like all kitsune, he was skilled at deception and intrigue. This sort of thing was second nature to him, yet he'd almost let himself be seen several times just because he was so awed by what he saw around him. Not just by the alien creatures, but by how the humans interacted with them.
'I'm by far one of the boss's oldest pets, but I've never imagined humans could turn out like this. I've never seen humans so...mature.' In fact, the only pets who could claim an older age than Ten-chan were the phoenix, the ki-rin, and an ancient tortoise who lived in the furthest reaches of the pet shop. 'I've seen humans in all their stages. I've seen them living in caves and wearing the skins of other animals for warmth. I've seen them march armies across continents, salting the Earth to kill it in their wake, making it desolate and worthless. I've seen them as they sang their children to sleep and watched them die. I've never seen humans like this.'
He stopped a moment when he rounded a corner and saw a human speaking with one of the alien creatures. They both laughed at what the human had said. The inhuman male creature was only about five feet tall and had immense ears. His teeth were pointed, just like Tet-chan's, and his skin was a grayish brown color. They way they laughed and stood together made Ten-chan think that they must be old friends would.
It struck Ten-chan as amazing. When had humans become so capable of ignoring differences? It wasn't all that long ago that humans had been butchering each other because of the shape of one group of humans eyes or the color of their skin or even the deities they chose to worship. So amazing, in such a short time. Maybe it was all because of that terrible war he'd heard the count talking about with the other Kami. Ten-chan supposed that it was good for the humans, but he wondered what this change in humans had done for the other animals of Earth and wished he could see Earth.
'I wonder if we'll see Earth again.' It was a traitorous thought and one that Ten-chan berated himself for. Of course they would see Earth again. 'The boss said we'd go home afterwards and he doesn't lie to us.'
As Ten-chan made his way around the starship, he kept careful track of what he saw and heard. It would be important when the count asked him, later. He memorized which corridor went where and certain important places on the ship were such as the medical facility, buzzing with activity though it was the middle of the night. At least, Ten-chan thought it was still the middle of the night. He could be wrong, it was hard to tell without the natural rhythm of the Earth. He wanted to stay at the medical facility, called Sick Bay by those who seemed to be working there, and observe but there was so much else to see. It seemed as if the starship was as endless as the petshop with miles and miles of corridors and passages to explore. He passed through engineering where people were calmly and professionally doing this and that and other things Ten-chan didn't understand at all.
It was called the Enterprise, the count had told him, though Ten-chan still wasn't sure how it worked. He was still impressed that humans had done it. Of course, it wasn't nearly as impressive the powers he knew the count had, but it was still pretty good. As he made his way though the ship, mapping it all out mentally in case the count should want to know where anything was, he came across the bridge where the command crew were getting ready, just like the rest of the ship.
His disguise was perfect and no one even glanced at him so Ten-chan was able to stand in the background and listen to everything. They didn't see him, because they didn't expect to see him. It was an almost sleepy atmosphere. There was nothing urgent going on, but everyone was checking and double-checking things on their consoles. It was a actually a little bit of a let down. Ten-chan had expected a little more excitement. Ten-chan just watched the crew go about their daily routine. He grew quite bored until a door on the side of the bridge opened with a hiss and a man strode out with a heavy looking face.
"Make ready to go, number one."
He was not an outwardly impressive man. Rather short and balding with beady eyes and a mouth that looked like the man didn't smile as much as he should have. He was dressed in a uniform of red and black and walked stiffly, tugging at the shirt of his uniform with a sharp pull. The human took a moment to look around the bridge, no doubt inspecting his crew and apparently finding them all satisfactory. His eyes skimmed right over Ten-chan as if he weren't even there. That was the way it should be.
Everyone looked at the balding human man, startled, but ready to obey. One human man stood up from his seat and stepped aside, letting the shorter man take his place. This other human's eyes were droopy and his beard was neatly trimmed, making him look very professional. It didn't hurt that he was muscular and looked as if he were used to a physical lifestyle. Still, he obeyed the older human without question and began issuing orders while the balding human sat and glared at the screen that took up nearly a whole wall of the bridge.
That screen bothered Ten-chan. He liked the sight of the stars and the now distant Earth, they were things he'd never thought to see, no matter how long he lived, and were so pretty. The problem was that he wasn't sure if the stars and the picture of the stars and Earth were real or not. He could see them, but that didn't mean anything. After all, the people around Ten-chan couldn't see him, but that didn't mean he wasn't really there. Well, it wasn't that they couldn't see him. Rather they just didn't notice him. To all of these people, Ten-chan looked as if he belonged there. It was a very handy way to get around without trouble. Ten-chan just didn't trust that what was on the screen was real.
"What's the hurry, captain?" The bearded man asked, quietly, when he sat next to the balding man. No doubt he spoke quietly enough not to be overheard by the rest of the crew around them, but Ten-chan's hearing was far better than most creatures and he heard it as easily as if the man had been shouting. "I thought you didn't want to leave for the next few hours."
"My plans have been interrupted. We have orders." The captain looked at one of the men stationed just between himself and the oversized screen. "Head out." He opened his mouth, probably to give more orders, but stopped when there was a bright flash of light and suddenly there was another creature on the bridge. This new being caused great agitation amongst the crew and Ten-chan saw at least one of them pull out a weapon, which the newly arrived being completely ignored. "Q!" The captain snarled, at once all his calm and dignity completely escaped him. "What the Hell do you want? Mr. Worf, at ease!" He snapped this last at the very large alien creature who had drawn his weapon.
The captain's reaction amused Ten-chan because the only other time he'd seen a human become so angry, so quickly was when the count and Leon fought over something.
This new creature made Ten-chan weary and he found himself backing towards the doors which had brought him to the bridge. He looked like a human male with a receding hair-line and puffy lips. There was something about his face that suggested he sneered quite a lot, like he were used to having a bad smell under his nose. He wore a uniform exactly like that of the captain, but the reactions of the other crew told Ten-chan that this being was not a regular part of the crew. They weren't happy to see him. Not that this Q being, cared at all. He stood with his arms behind him and kept his eyes locked on the captain. "I'd advise you against going on, Jean-Luc."
Now this was intriguing and if there was one thing Ten-chan couldn't resist, it was a chance to learn about secrets. He would stay, despite his instincts to flee. This Q being didn't smell right. More to the point, he didn't smell at all. There was absolutely no scent to him. Ten-chan was puzzled, when this being first appeared, and had been testing the air for the being's scent. Every creature had a scent, even the alien creatures Ten-chan had encountered in the halls of this place had a scent, though it was often unpleasant and always strange. In fact, the only being Ten-chan had ever encountered without a scent, was Count D. That thought led to others which frightened Ten-chan. He wasn't one to turn away from reality, but Ten-chan didn't like to think that there were other creatures in existence with powers like a Kami's.
'Not just 'like' a Kami's power, but...the same.' What a terrible thought.
The captain's anger didn't abate, but it seemed he wasn't one to lose his head. He calmed himself, though the rest of his crew remained tense. "What do you want?"
"Just to offer advice, Jean-Luc."
"Give me a reason why I should listen to you." The balding captain grumbled. "Every time our paths cross you tend to bring trouble with you, Q."
"You seem to be blocking some details out. I've only done my best to warn you away from danger over the years. Is it my fault you humans don't like to listen to reason?"
"Reason!?" Captain Jean-Luc whirled around with his fists tight and looking ready to strike the being he called Q. "It's because of you that the Borg discovered humanity and we've had so much trouble with them! How many of my crew have died because of you!? It's because of you..."
"Because of me that humans learned of the threat of the Borg years before they should have and have time to prepare. Because of me that little Amanda was taken away from where she might do such great harm and to a place where she could grow in peace. Because of me that you were able to save that over-polluted planet and because of me that you keep getting snatched away from the jaws of disaster. Is that what you were going to say? I hope so because I've got another warning for you. Do not leave Earth. Not yet. Wait just a few days. Trust me, your lives will all be the better and saver because of it."
Captain Jean-Luc looked furious, but he seemed to be too smart a man to just refuse out of anger. "Why? What's going on that a few days will make such a great difference?"
"It's not really my place to say. In fact, I really shouldn't be giving you any warning at all. There are certain people who would be quite angry with me, if they knew what hints I'm giving you. Which I'm sure they will in just a very short while." The Q's eyes shifted and landed right on Ten-chan. "You have a spy on your bridge. Unless I'm much mistaken, this same spy has been prowling all over your ship and now plans to carry the information he's found back to his master."
It was the first time since Ten-chan had assumed his disguise that anyone had noticed him and he felt a quiver of fear run down his spine. No one could see passed his illusions, no one but other kitsune and Kami. He began to back away towards the exit. 'He knows!' If he were discovered by these people and they knew exactly what he was, it might make life impossible for him and could cause trouble for the count. Ten-chan most definitely didn't want to do that. He wanted to be valuable to the count and this could ruin everything!
Captain Jean-Luc looked around, looking right passed Ten-chan. "Mr. Worf, scan the bridge."
"Nothing unusual, captain. Nothing reads on the scanners." This was from a being who was very obviously not human. He was quite tall, even taller than Ten-chan remembered Leon being. He looked at the Q and then at his captain. "He's lying."
"Yes," Q said, sarcastically. "Either that or the spy doesn't register on your scanners." He looked at his fingernails, studying them as if they were of far more interest than the people he was trying to warn. "I just thought I'd be civil this time and give you time to think before you did anything rash. There are powers you don't understand."
Captain Jean-Luc rolled his eyes. "We've all heard your rant about how much greater you are than us mere humans, Q."
"Good. Then I won't have to repeat myself." Q stepped away from the wall where he'd been leaning during the whole conversation. He went to captain Jean-Luc and they stared at each other, neither willing to give an inch. "Q are the most powerful beings in the void you humans call outer space. However, we aren't alone and we aren't the only ones with such power. If you think I have the potential to cause havoc among you humans, then wait till you see what disaster your guest can wreak." Q seemed suddenly aware that they were being watched and turned away from the captain. "It's just a warning. You can ignore it if you please, which I'm sure you will. Your do tend to become obsessive about these petty little missions."
"Petty?" Captain Jean-Luc was unwilling to concede even that small point. "There are two thousand people dying on Actura IV, I'd hardly call that petty!"
"That all depends on your perspective. Wars on Earth have killed more than that in a single day, men, women, and children. Two thousand is a relatively small number. You should be more concerned with your ship and crew. There's danger from within."
Why Q trying to was warning captain Jean-Luc, Ten-chan had no idea. It wasn't as if the count was going to hurt anyone. The count was really very peaceful, unless someone tried to hurt Leon or Chris and then the count would probably tear the whole ship apart. Why couldn't they just grab Leon and go back to Earth?
"Sir!" One of the human crew spoke up, though he sounded a bit reluctant to break into the conversation. "Message from Starfleet."
The large view screen of the stars blinked and was replaced by the face of an old woman. "Captain Picard, your ship is still in dock. May I ask why you have left, yet?"
Ten-chan realized his mistake. It wasn't captain Jean-Luc, but captain Picard. Humans had far too many names.
"My apologizes, admiral. We're leaving now." Captain Picard nodded at one of his officers. "Take us out. Set heading to Actura IV. Engage." There was finality in the order and he looked again at Q as if to say, 'what are you going to do now?'
Q bowed his head, solemnly. "You've made your choice. Live with it." Then he turned halfway around and vanished in a flash of light.
There was silence on the bridge and Ten-chan thought that they must all be waiting to see if the Q would return. Ten-chan wanted to leave and tell the count what he'd seen and heard during his trek through this starship. However, Ten-chan was kitsune and had certain pride to up hold. He would not run screaming back to the count just because he'd heard some odd things and seen a being who held much power. No, he'd wait and collect his wits, first, then report to the count. Had to be professional and not shame the count, he didn't want anyone to think he was unworthy of the count's good favor.
When he'd taken just a moment to calm himself, Ten-chan decided that he would use a faster method of communication than just by running home. It was important that the count should know about all that had gone on as soon as possible. -Hey, boss.- There was a moment when Ten-chan thought the count wouldn't reply. -Boss?-
-I am here, Ten-chan. Forgive me. I have a guest and was not paying attention.-
Guest? That must be Leon. No one else would distract the Count to such inattention. -I'm on the bridge, boss. The captain said we're leaving and there was a creature with no scent, just like you. Is this important? That creature knows we're here. He hinted at it to the captain, said they shouldn't leave Earth, yet. I'm not sure but I think he was trying to buy you some time. If you want to leave, now is the time. I don't think the captain's going to be changing his mind.-
-I see. Yes, it is important. Thank you, Ten-chan. Come home right away. Waste no time. If we leave Earth's orbit, I'm not sure what will happen, but I would rather you have where I know you're safe.-
-You got it, boss.- Ten-chan had turned and started to leave the bridge when his attention was caught by captain Picard and the bearded man, number one, talking.
"That was strange." The bearded man said with a very suspicious voice. "No mocking? No threats? No insults? It really wasn't like Q at all, now was it."
"You're right. I don't like this at all. It sounded as if he were trying to protect us, however absurd that sounds."
Wasted time. Ten-chan was ancient, he should have known better than to waste time listening to their conversation. It was jut a few seconds, but Ten-chan was curious and knew all the information he could gather would be helpful to the Count. It was in that few seconds, however, that an un-human crewman suddenly shouted out, "Captain!" And Ten-chan found a finger pointed right at him.
Picard-
Picard and Riker both jumped to their feet and turned , following Mr. Worf's pointed phasor. "Where did that come from?" Riker muttered. It was a fox, or something very much like a fox. It's fur was completely white with two bright red dots just above its eyes and nine long tails, all moving independently behind it, it couldn't have been a fox. Not an Earth fox, at any rate. "Q's intruder?" The creature looked vaguely surprised.
Yes. Riker was quite right. "Mr. Data, have you ever heard of any animal like this on any known planet?" If anyone would know, it would be the android sitting in the front of the bridge. Mr. Data looked at the creature with his golden eyes and one could almost see him sorting through the files of information he had stored in his mind. Despite what anyone else said, Picard found it hard to think of Data as anything but a person. He rarely acted like a machine, so why treat him like one?
"No existing animal, captain." Mr. Data replied. He turned his head slightly to the side and a smile played on his lips. One would almost think he was amused. "However, there is a Japanese legend..."
"Not now, Mr. Data. I want facts, not fairytales." As highly as Picard thought of Data, the android did have a tendency to ramble when given half a chance. Not an existing animal. That didn't mean Q hadn't just create it on the spot or, perhaps, that he'd brought it here from another part of the universe, just as he'd taken the Enterprise and thrown them into the middle of Borg territory, bringing them back only after several lives had been lost. "Counselor, anything?"
Deanna Troi shook her head, after barely a moment. "It's an animal, sir. No intelligence as we know it."
The fox-thing hissed at Troi and let out a little barking yelp, its tails now lashing around aggressively.
Ten-chan-
'No intelligence!? I won't be insulted by that thing!' Ten-chan did his best to curse out the female with the onyx eyes. She didn't understand him and at least that gave Ten-chan some information. His illusion had been broken, but they didn't see his human form. They only saw his animal-like form. Though he wasn't quite sure how, Ten-chan was sure it had something to do with either moving away from Earth or that Q being. Whichever it was, he didn't like it. This was not good, his main value to the count had just been eliminated and, if he wasn't careful, he'd be eliminated very shortly.
"Intelligent or not," The bearded man said with a deceptive laugh. "I think it understands you, Deanna." Ten-chan didn't trust that one at all. He was the sort who would lure his prey with a soft word and a gentle smile, then snap them in two when they weren't expecting it. "Q's probably behind this."
-Boss! What do you want me to do?- It would have been much easier if they weren't floating around in the void and if Ten-chan didn't have to worry about what was going to happen to the others. If he had to, he could destroy this whole ship and all its people. If he still had the power. Mabye more had been taken from him than just his illusion. Ten-chan backed away from them all, trying to keep his eyes on all of them at the same time. He hadn't been this helpless since he'd been a kit many, many centuries ago.
-Come to me.- As always, the count's voice was calm and unruffled. -Do not use the turbolift, the way you got onto the bridge. Right above you, there's a narrow shaft. Go up, Ten-chan. I will lead you home.-
Ten-chan looked up and then back at the Enterprise crew. At least two, the bearded man and Mr. Worf, the alien with dark skin and a bumpy forehead, had some kind of weapon out and aimed right at Ten-chan. They both looked ready to fire at a moment's provocation. -I'll be caught, boss. They can track everything with computers and they have their weapons aimed..-
-I will have Mellow in the computer systems of this ship in just a moment. She will guard you.-
Ten-chan tensed and tilted his head backwards so that he was looking straight up. -You got it, boss.- Ten-chan released a small bolt of energy, emanating from the two red spots above his eyes, which shattered the panel of the ceiling just above him. Just that little bit of energy use tired him and Ten-chan worried all the more for it. It should have been just a fraction of his power, but it felt like he'd used all of himself in that one little action. He hated being so weak. If Tet-chan saw him like this, Ten-chan would never live it down!
There was shouting from the crew of the starship and Ten-chan jumped for the opening in the ceiling even before the debris hit the floor, but when he did there was a jolt of pain when one of the crew's weapons hit him in the hind leg. Ten-chan fell to the ground and let out a pain filled whimper. Whatever weapon that was, he'd never seen it before and had no idea how to defend against it. It was like a ray of bright light from one of those little hand-held things. It hurt, a burning, searing pain that jabbed right though his mind and made him see stars.
"Careful. We don't know what it is. Q must think he's playing a fine trick." It was the bearded man who spoke, hostility clear in his voice.
Ten-chan looked up and found half-a-dozen of those little light weapons pointed at him. He was surrounded. If only he had a bit more of his power... -Boss, I could really use some help here.-
"Captain," Mr. Worf spoke in a deep, guttural voice. "I recommend that we destroy it at once. Better to get ride of the danger now."
-Boss! Help!-
To be continued...
Chris-
Chris blinked and yawned sleepily before opening his eyes. The Count was smiling at him and that made Chris smile back. He hadn't had any nightmares, just like the Count had promised. -Count? Is Leon back, yet?-
"Yes, my little one." The Count said, putting his hand on Chris' hair. "I have seen him with my own eyes, but there are some things you must understand before you meet him. Here, sit up. Tet-chan, will you get something to eat for Chris?" He spoke over his shoulder and then looked back at Chris. "The others have been waiting for you."
Chris only then noticed Tet-chan standing near the door. There was a rare smile on his friend's face, though he stood just as proud and stiffly as ever. Tet-chan hadn't changed a bit. He walked out of Chris' bedroom, his jewelry jangling, after the Count nodded at him and Chris knew that Tet-chan had gone to get breakfast. That was strange, in itself. Usually, he ate with the Count and Leon in the kitchen, not served in bed. -Where's my big brother, Count?- Chris rubbed his eyes and sat up with a little help from the Count. He felt very stiff and wondered how long he'd been asleep. -Can I see him? Is he here?-
The look on the Count's face almost made Chris wish he hadn't asked. There was a look of weariness under the Count's warm smile and Chris had a dreadful feeling that something was wrong. "No, he is not here, not at the moment, anyway. He was here a few moments ago. He is alive and safe, just as I promised you. Looks just the same as the last time you saw him, if just a little bit younger."
-I don't understand. Younger?-
"Yes. Not by much, maybe a year or so. He is still our Leon, though. A few things about him have changed, but not much. It is to be expected in reincarnation. His soul is the same, but his experiences are different."
-What?- Chris tried to stifle the disappointment he felt that Leon wasn't right there when he woke up. He'd wanted to see Leon so badly, but he trusted the Count to do what was best. Reincarnation. That meant that Leon had been reborn, right? Chris was sure he'd heard that word somewhere before. -Where is he? Doesn't he want to come home?- Count D looked like he might cry for a moment and Chris felt terrible. -I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!- He sat on his knees on the bed and leaned forward to hug the Count, pressing his face against the soft robes the Count always wore. -I know Leon wants to come home, I'm just worried. Don't cry.-
Count D put a hand on Chris' head. "Ah, do not be so upset for my sake, Chris. There is an unexpected development and it has caught me by surprise. It is not your fault or Leon's. I am not sad, really. It will simply take longer than I was hoping to bring Leon back to us. You see, he does not remember us."
Chris pulled away from the Count and frowned up at him. -Doesn't remember? Why not? Is it like that time you fell in the sea and got amnesia? Leon was really upset then.-
"Was he?" The Count asked, just a little bit pleased, though Chris didn't know why.
-Yeah. He was really worried when the tidal wave washed you off the deck of the ship and he almost jumped into the sea to go after you. He was smoking a lot more when you couldn't remember us and everything made him more and more angry until you got your memory back.- Chris hadn't like that vacation at all, even if it had been the first vacation they'd all taken together. Leon had taken them to a beautiful island and to the beach, using money he'd saved for more than a year. Of course, Leon said he'd only invited the Count because Chris had begged him to and the Count said he only accepted because Chris had begged him to. They were both fibbing and Chris didn't understand why. He knew the truth. Leon asked Chris if he would mind the Count coming with them, then asked when Chris said he'd love the Count to go. The Count accepted gracefully, but when Leon had gone home, the Count had spent three hours digging though his vast wardrobe looking for just the right outfits to bring. Chris had known they liked each other from the beginning and it seemed silly the big game they were playing by not telling each other.
Oh well. That was grown-ups for you.
"I see. He never told me he worried for me."
-Yes, very worried. Count, can't we just tell Leon about us? He'd want us to.-
"It is not that simple, I am afraid. I am not certain what has caused his amnesia. Just telling him would do no good. He does not remember me at all and would not believe us if we told him. Leon has lived a whole life without us, this is real for him. We will not let him go though, will we?"
-Right!- Chris agreed more enthusiastically than he really felt. Leon had really forgotten him? Had a whole life without him? Chris swallowed hard. He and Leon had only just found each other, so what would Chris do if Leon liked his new life better than the one he shared with Chris and the count? What if Leon didn't want to come home?
"Our Leon may never remember the truth, Chris. Don't cry, please. We can always make new memories with him." Count D smiled softly, then sat back a little and looked Chris up and down. "You need a bath and some fresh clothes. I am afraid all of your clothes will be out of date and draw too much attention, should you be seen in public. I will ask Pon-chan to pick something out for you," He paused when he saw Chris' hesitant look. "Or we can just let you rummage through my wardrobe, if you prefer. There should be clothes in there from when I was your age and they will be a little less conspicuous, I think. I know dear Pon-chan has a taste for rather...er...lacy clothing" It wasn't an understatement. Pon-chan liked clothes with lace and frills and Chris just knew she'd pick out something girly for him to wear. "She's been lonely without you, Chris. We all have."
-Lonely? Why? I've only been asleep. I didn't go anywhere. You said Leon lived a whole life without us, how?-
"Chris, you've been sleeping for more than four hundred years."
Reggie-
Reggie followed Leon, though reluctantly. It wasn't that he didn't want to meet Leon's new friend, but he couldn't stop shaking. His fingers kept twitching and Reggie just knew he was going to have nightmares as soon as he fell asleep. He'd really thought Leon would be off the meds by this time. That he wasn't meant that Reggie had a choice to make and neither options looked very appealing.
Neither of them spoke when they walked, side-by-side to wherever it was that Leon was taking them and Reggie wished he knew what Leon was thinking about. Was he thinking about how Reggie might betray him, now that Reggie knew his secret? Not that Reggie wanted to, but it would be the right thing to do.
When they reached the door of the man Leon was looking for, Reggie was surprised at who they saw when the doors slid open. He was beautiful. Like a living doll. There wasn't a single thing about the man that was anything less that perfect except, perhaps, the slightly disgruntled look on his face when he noticed Reggie standing behind Leon. Not exactly angry, but certainly not happy, the man said nothing for a moment and fixed his hard eyes on Reggie.
Reggie felt like something lower than an insect under the man's displeased eyes and wondered what it was that he'd done wrong. 'This wasn't a private meeting, was it? Leon wouldn't have asked me to tag along, if it was.' But Reggie was doubtful. The man looked awful dressed up, like he'd put a real effort into looking nice for Leon's arrival. It shouldn't have been all that surprising that Leon would have an admirer. He was good looking, smart, very charming, and he had a heart of gold. Why wouldn't Leon have attracted someone's attention so easily?
"Greetings." Almost instantly, the unhappy expression on the man's face vanished and he was smiling pleasantly at both Reggie and Leon. "I was not expecting more than one guest. Will you take tea with us?"
Reggie looked at Leon, just to see if Leon cared one way or the other. Leon's expression was strange, one that Reggie had never seen on Leon before. Leon wasn't even looking at Reggie, but there was a faint blush on Leon's cheeks. He wondered if he was interrupting something important and decided that it was best to bow out gracefully and let Leon enjoy whatever was to come of this meeting. Besides, it would give Reggie time to think about Leon's problem before anything serious happened. "Actually, I have to be on duty soon. I should get some sleep. Thanks for the offer, though." He was happy for Leon and hoped that it would all work out well. Leon deserved happiness.
Leon said, almost absently. "See ya. Wanna meet for dinner tomorrow?"
Reggie frowned at Leon's suddenly indifferent attitude and looked at him closely. He hadn't really thought about it before, but Leon had never been in a relationship with anyone for as long as Reggie had known him. This would be good for Leon, so long as Count D didn't deliberately try to hurt Leon. "Sounds good. Nice to meet Mister...er...?"
"You may call me Count D." Count D didn't offer to shake hands, but bowed slightly, keeping his hands tucked up inside the billowing folds of his sleeves. "Perhaps we will see more of each other in the future. Forgive me. I neglected to ask your name, earlier."
"Reggie. Er...Reginald Barclay." Reggie left and made his way back to his own quarters and it felt like he had the weight of the world on his back without a clue about how to lighten the load. Leon was his only close friend and now he found out Leon not only was still taking those damned drugs, but was deceiving Star Fleet. The proper thing to do would be to go straight to Counselor Troi or Doctor Crusher and tell them everything he knew about Leon. Tell them about the meds, Mr. Goti, the hallucinations, and what, exactly, was going to happen to Leon when he had to go without the meds for more than a few hours. It was bound to happen sooner or later and, when it did, Leon could easily die. Then again, Leon was his only friend. The only person, besides dear Deirdre, Reggie had ever really trusted and he knew for a fact that Leon trusted him. How could he go behind Leon's back and break that trust? Leon would hate him.
When Reggie finally settled down in bed and ordered the lights off, he still hadn't decided what to do. It was possible that he'd be able to convince Leon to get off the meds by himself. He and Leon could take a couple of days off and Reggie would help him through the terrible withdrawal in private. They'd have time to prepare and get emergency medical supplies together in case anything horrible happened, as it probably would. It might work, if Reggie could get Leon to agree to it. If Leon was sane, afterwards. If Leon was alive afterwards.
Needless to say, Reggie didn't get much sleep that night.
Leon-
Leon was trying to shake the powerful feeling of deja vu. Just looking at Count D made Leon feel things he'd never felt. He felt like he was home. Count D's incredible, inhuman eyes. Purple and gold. Leon felt like he'd done this before. Open the door and find those mismatched eyes looking at him.
"Your friend seems...nice." Count D remarked.
"Reggie? Yeah, he's great."
"You must forgive me for mentioning it, but he seemed worried for you. Are you close?"
Leon wasn't sure what Count D was driving at, but there was something left unspoken in his words. "Closer than I've ever been to anyone." Leon admitted, proudly. At least talking about Reggie was helping to distract Leon from the feeling of deja vu. "Reggie's done a lot for me. I trust him." Was it Leon's imagination or did Count D's eyes tighten with hostility, just then? "We're like brothers, I guess. We were raised together. If you can call it that." That seemed to relax Count D and he stepped aside, motioning for Leon to enter his quarters.
Leon followed Count D into his quarters and it struck him how empty the place was. It was like no one even lived there. To be fair, it had only been a few hours since everyone had started coming on board, maybe Count D was new to the Enterprise and all his belongings hadn't yet arrived.
"Thanks for taking care of my bird, I know it was kinda short notice. Where is she, anyway?" Leon asked, looking around the empty quarters. Usually, when he came into a room Jill would fly right to him or at least start cawing. "Hope she didn't bother you too much."
"Not at all. I was pleased to have her. She is waiting for you."
Leon shivered at Count D's voice, but it wasn't all together unpleasant. The moment the doors slid closed behind Leon, he could feel Count D's eyes on the back of his head and a slow blush crept up his cheeks even before he turned around to face Count D. He'd never felt like that before and it was making him so nervous that Leon was starting to get twitchy. If it weren't for the fact that Count D had Jill, Leon thought he'd just run away right then and there. "I can't stay long, I need some sleep before I have to go on duty." It was a good, and honest, excuse.
"I am pleased to have you in my home. If you are tired, I have a bed you may sleep in." There was something dreadfully intimate about the way he said that and his voice made Leon feel dizzy and very hot. That sounded very much like a pick-up line many of the guys he'd gone through the Academy used on girls.
Leon blinked and stared at D, dully. "I'm too tired for this. Can I have my bird and then I'll leave you alone?"
"Leave me?" Count D sounded a bit alarmed, but calmed himself so quickly that Leon was sure he'd imagined Count D's distress. Count D put a hand to the side of his face and gave himself a little shake, to clear his head, most likely. "If Jill wishes to go with you, then yes." D sounded distracted and didn't turn his mismatched eyes away from Leon while he spoke. "Please, won't you join me in the parlor for tea?"
"What do you mean if Jill wants to go with me?" Leon asked, somewhat offended. "Of course she wants to go with me."
"Who are you to fathom the mind of a female? Now, about the tea...?"
With a shrug, still trying to shake the feeling of having met Count D somewhere before, Leon nodded. "Yeah. Sure, why not? Just for a minute, though." He looked around the empty room and scowled at D. "What the Hell are you talking about? Parlor?"
"Yes. It is just downstairs. Please, follow me." Count D turned from Leon then and went to the closet just inside the entrance to the quarters.
This was just too stupid. Downstairs? This guy was crazy or just stupid. They were on a starship, for God's sakes, there was no downstairs! Everyone's quarters were exactly the same and Leon knew this was the same lay out as his own. The door that man was headed for was nothing more than a closet. "You're sure about that, huh?"
"Oh, yes. Very sure." The door slid open to reveal darkness and Count D stepped aside, gesturing for Leon to precede him. "After you, Mr. Detec...after you, sir. I am afraid I have not asked your name, yet."
Leon looked dubiously into the darkness of the closet. "It's Barns. Leon Barns. Look, I'm sure you've got a great closet, but where's Jill?" Leon couldn't help the feeling that this guy was just looking for an excuse to get him alone in a dark, enclosed space. He wasn't entirely sure that he was against the idea, either.
"Down there." Count D pointed into the closet and, for the first time, Leon noticed D's long, painted fingernails. He'd never seen a man with such fingernails. They were painted dark purple and looked lethally sharp. No wonder Count D wore such long sleeved clothes. They hid his fingernails perfectly. Maybe that was the point. Maybe the fingernails were used for attack. In which case, Leon wasn't sure he wanted Count D at his back. Then again, why would anyone try to kill him? It wasn't as if he was important. "All you have to do is go to her." Count D was suddenly at Leon's shoulder and whispered softly, as if he were afraid to disturb the moment. "You will not be alone. I will be right behind you. "
Leon jumped when Count D put a hand on his shoulder and moved away. "Er...why don't you go get her. I'll just wait here." He still didn't believe there was anything in the darkness but a closet, but having Count D so close was making him feel...weird and Leon wanted a little distance between them. "You're really sure there's a room down there, huh?"
"Oh," Count D's smile widened just a bit. "Quite a bit more than just one room. Will you not come and see it? It is just like my home on Earth. A perfect duplicate. I am sure you will like it, if you just give it a chance. It is a petshop, or it was. I will not sell any of my dear pets here, on this ship. Perhaps when we return to Earth..."
"What are you babbling about?" Leon scowled and moved away, turning to face Count D, though that put his back to the darkness in the closet. "This is impossible. There are no stairs anywhere on the Enterprise. What makes you think you have some in your closet, let alone whole rooms in there? It's just crazy."
"Perhaps you are correct. Would you like to prove me wrong? Here. I shall go first." He stepped into the darkness and stepped down. Leon's eyes widened. Down? Then another step down and he was nearly engulfed in the darkness. "Will you not follow, my Leon?" Count D turned halfway to look at Leon, his eyes shining from the light from behind Leon.
"What do you mean, 'my Leon'? Getting a bit familiar, aren't you?" Leon couldn't help but feel a little disturbed by the possessive tone and felt butterflies in his stomach. This wasn't what he'd come here for and he found himself wishing that Reggie had stayed with him. "We've never met before." Leon was beginning to feel very uncomfortable, mainly because he wasn't sure he was telling the truth. Ever since he'd first seen Count D, he had the feeling of deja vu. Like a forgotten dream that was trying to resurface. "Look," Leon shook his head and tried to laugh it all off. "Maybe this is just some kind of joke to you, but I really need to get some sleep. I'm exhausted. The only sleep I had was interrupted by Jill going nuts."
"As I said before, you may sleep here, if you wish." Count D took another step down and vanished into the darkness, his voice sounding distant. "You are always welcomed in my home, Leon. Remember that. Always."
Leon had no choice. He wanted Jill back and this crazy guy with the magic closet had her. "Awww...shit!" Leon took a deep breath and stepped into the darkness. He only took one step and then the darkness cleared and he could see where he was. He was standing at the top of a stairway lit from the ceiling and smelling faintly of something sweet that tugged at Leon's memories. The floor under Leon's feet was very real and he reached out a hand to touch the wall, finding it solid, too. At the bottom of the stairs, with his hand on one of a set of doors, Count D waited with a patient smile, or so it seemed to Leon.
When Leon reached the bottom of the stairs and stood next to Count D, he could feel his heart pounding against his ribs, but was sure it didn't have anything to do with the meds. "What is this?" Leon asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Who are you?"
"I am your friend, above all else."
"You don't even know me."
"I have known you since long before you were born."
"That's impossible."
Count D pulled one of the doors and it swung open to let more of the sweet, familiar smell waft out at Leon. "Very little is impossible."
It was real! Leon stared at the room, amazed. "This...this can't be!" But it was. the room was real. "An illusion. It's just a hologram, like the holodecks. That's how you did it, right?" Leon whirled on D, both accusing and desperate to be right. He needed to have a logical explanation for this. "It's nothing but computer generated. Right, Count D?""
"Please, call me D. I would like that. This is merely the front hall, in a manner of speaking. The parlor is this way."
"Stop it!" Leon snarled, grabbing D by the arm and giving him a firm shake. He was amazed at how fragile the smaller man felt, but he was so angry that D seemed to think he was so stupid that he'd keep playing along with this game. It wasn't real, it was just an illusion, it had to be! D just looked at Leon, steadily and calmly. He didn't seem to mind being shaken at all and he was even still smiling. Leon didn't know what else to do, so he released D and called out, "Computer! Stop this program!" Nothing happened and Leon's anxiety grew. "Computer! Security override, Barns 787. stop this program!" Leon couldn't understand it. There should have been some response from the computer, even if it was just to tell him that his override command was invalid.
D beckoned to Leon. "There is no computer here that would respond to any orders you gave it. Please, the tea will get cold."
Leon felt very out of place in his uniform, the room made Leon feel like he'd stepped back in time a few hundred years. He couldn't believe this was real, but all evidence said that it was. The sweet scent he'd smelled when he'd started down the stairway was incense, as evidenced by the hanging metal things with thing tendrils of smoke slowly snaking out of the openings in the top, and he could hear the soft movements somewhere and suspected that it must be the pets D had spoken about.
Wearily, Leon sat on the sofa D indicated and waited. His eyes traveled around the room, drinking in everything he saw. A distant part of his brain told Leon that he would have to report this to his commander, Mr. Worf, immediately. This wasn't right and the captain should be made aware of what was happening on the ship. Leon really didn't want to, though. He couldn't think of a reason, but he didn't want to get D in trouble. It was ridiculous. They'd only just met. To Leon's surprise, D sat with him on the sofa. Not just with him, but right next to him. So close that if Leon leaned just a little bit, their knees would touch.
It was at that time, when Leon was sweating from confused feelings, that he saw another person walk in. It was a kid, a young teenager , at first glance. However, a closer look said otherwise. The kid had curved horns growing out of the sides of his head, like those of a ram, and tapered ears, like a Vulcan or a Romulan. Even his eyes were a bit odd, orange with cat-like slit pupils. He was bare footed and wore a kind of loose white pants tied at the waist with a white sash. The boy was bare-chested but for an open, orange vest and a necklace decorated with teeth. It wasn't his own adornment. Along with the necklace, he wore wide, gold bands on his wrists and narrow gold bands on his biceps. He even wore bands on his ankles with small disks hanging off that jangled when he walked. The boys' hair was red and wild.
"Tet-chan, has Chris eaten?"
"Yes, master." Ten-chan bowed to D, but his eyes stayed on Leon for a moment. Leon felt his back stiffen the moment their eyes met. There was something about Tet-chan that screamed danger to Leon. "He ate everything I gave him and Pon-chan's helping him dress."
"Thank you. Will you please prepare tea and refreshments for my guest?"
"It's already done, master. I'll fetch it for you." Tet-chan bowed again and turned to leave, but when he did, his eyes caught on Leon again for a moment. Those eyes...dangerous eyes. The eyes of a hungry animal. Tet-chan looked curious, more than anything, and a little cautious of whatever he saw in Leon. Tet-chan broke his eyes away from Leon's and he stalked away. It certainly couldn't be said that he walked, stalked was a far more accurate term. The boy moved with the grace of a wild cat. Tet-chan returned in moments with a large tea service, like something out of history, balanced easily on his hands. He set it down on the coffee table, bowed once more to D, then left without another word.
"Who was that?" Leon asked when Tet-chan had gone. Surely, it couldn't be D's son or brother, they looked nothing alike. Leon wasn't even sure he knew what species Tet-chan was.
"One of my darling pets. Tet-chan is very important within my petshop." D poured two cups of tea and offered Leon a plate of sugary treats, most of which Leon wasn't even sure of what they were.
Leon turned the snacks down with a grimace. "Can't stand that much sugar. Sorry."
D leaned in close, closer than most people liked getting to Leon. "Some things never change. Here," He took Leon's hand and placed a small apple in it. Leon was sure that there hadn't been any apples on the tray Tet-chan had delivered. "I think you'll find this more to your liking."
"I...I should go." Leon stood up very quickly, hitting the coffee table with his knees and sending the tea set crashing to the floor, shattering all the fine china. "Oh...sorry. Didn't mean it. Sorry." He was babbling as he quickly made his way away from D, to a more comfortable distance. He felt stupid. 'What the Hell was that reaction for over a stupid apple?'
D didn't acknowledge the apology or the broken tea set. He stood and Leon felt like his heart stopped. He couldn't breathe. "You are afraid." It wasn't a question. "I am the last person you need to fear. I would never harm you. Not if my life depended on it. I have waited for too many years for you to return to me. I would not waste all that time." Leon's breath was almost painful and he couldn't take his eyes off D. He was gasping for air like he was drowning.
The distraction Leon needed for his own sanity came from D, himself. D looked away from Leon, sharply and muttered something to himself which sounded like, "Ten-chan...". When he looked at Leon again, he smiled. "Forgive me. Something urgent has come up. Will you please excuse me?" He turned and rushed out of the parlor, through another set of doors, leaving Leon alone.
It would have given him time to think, except that he spotted, at that moment, a set of bright blue eyes peering at him from around the edge of the sofa. "Hello." Leon swallowed his own discomfort and waited to see if another strange creature, like Tet-chan, would emerge. "You gonna come out or what? I don't bite."
The blue eyed person hesitated a moment and then sat up, now looked over the arm of the sofa, and Leon was shocked into speechlessness. It was a child, a regular looking human child, but the face...it was Leon's face! There was no mistaking it and Leon stood up to get a closer look. The child had been sitting on his knees and looked at Leon in an oddly worshipful way with adoration in his eyes. He was dressed in a green, old-style oriental outfit, though he clearly wasn't oriental.
They stared at each other for quite a while before the little boy stood up and impulsively threw his arms around Leon. Leon didn't know what to say, but he was pretty sure the kid mistook him for someone else.
-Leon?-
Leon was sure that he heard it, yet he didn't see the boy's mouth move at all. "Yeah, I'm Leon. Who're you?"
The little boy looked up with teary eyes. -I thought you were dead! I saw him shoot you!-
There! Leon was sure the boy's mouth hadn't moved at all. There was an obvious answer to that. The boy must be a Betazoid, one of the telepathic aliens. Leon remembered the dark haired woman he'd met coming over on the shuttlecraft, but couldn't bring himself to push the little golden child away from him as he'd pushed the woman away. "I think you're mixing me up with someone else, kid. I've never met you before."
The little boy looked shocked, but smiled, bravely. -The count warned me. It's okay.-
"Ummm...yeah." He wondered what the kid was talking about and if he was entirely sane. Had the boy been listening the whole time he was talking to D? He must have been. How else would he know Leon's name? "Look, I need to find my pet bird. She's a big black crow. Have you seen her around?"
The boy thought. -I've seen lots of birds, but I'm not sure about a crow. The count would know.-
"Yeah, but he doesn't seem to want to tell me. Just wants me to hang around as long as possible."
-Isn't that good, though? Don't you want to be here?-
What was the kid expecting of him? Leon didn't want to disappoint the kid, his eyes were too sincere. Leon ran a hand through his hair and noted, again, how much the kid looked like him when he was a child. It was almost like looking back in time, but Leon was sure didn't have any children. Unless, of course, Mr. Goti had done other experiments with all the samples he'd taken from Leon over the years. That thought stopped Leon cold. It was possible.
"I just want my bird. I promise I'll come back to visit if you'll help me find her."
The little boy's smile widened and he nodded eagerly. -Yes, yes! I know lots of people here, I'll show you all around. Someone will know where your bird is.- He seized Leon's hand and pulled him towards the door D had just gone though, presumably leading further into this weird place. This weird place that felt like home. -We'll go visit Hon Ron and Philippe and Ten-chan...oh, no. Ten-chan's out exploring, Pon-chan told me. But we'll find someone who knows where your bird is.-
The halls beyond the 'parlor' were just as befuddling as the magic closet, the impossible stairs, and the horned boy. There seemed to be endless miles of them. All of them looked exactly the same, but the little boy knew exactly where he was going. He popped his head in some doors and would ask if anyone had seen a black crow named Jill and, receiving a 'no' go on to other rooms. Some rooms he warned Leon away from, saying that the count didn't like anyone going in this one or that one. All the time, he refused to let go of Leon's hand, holding it in as tightly as he could.
They eventually came to a door that the boy didn't immediately dismiss or throw open without hesitation. -The count's in there.- He told Leon with a little frown. -I was going to ask Mellow, but she must be busy with him.-
"All the better." Leon was tried and confused. He wanted his bird and the best way would be to directly confront D and demand her back. Leon moved to give the door a push, but the little boy held him back.
-You can't! The count doesn't like to be disturbed and you heard him say it was urgent. He doesn't lie!-
Leon settled for just cracking the door open and looking in. He saw no one but D sitting at a computer. It was an old fashioned computer, one with a keyboard and a large, bulky monitor which cast a glow onto D's face. Strangely, he wasn't typing on the keyboard, but talking directly to the computer monitor.
"Can you do it, Mellow?" D asked. "Ten-chan needs us quickly."
Yes, Count. The computer replied. It wasn't all that unusual, all computers had the ability to vocalize, it was much easier than typing. What was unusual was the emotion in the computer's voice. It sounded worried. There should be a terminal in the quarters you were assigned. You will have to take me there and have the ship's computer create a compatible interface for me. It will only take a moment. Then I will take care of Ten-chan.
D nodded briskly and pushed a button on the...what was it called? Tower? Something like that. He pulled a thin, round disk out of the slot and stood up briskly. Leon and the little boy barely had time to jump away from the door before D opened it and took in the sight of them both standing there.
-Sorry, count.- The child said, sounding a bit embarrassed. -Leon's looking for his crow and I was going to ask Mellow, we didn't mean to interrupt you.-
"Do not fret. Mellow and I had just finished. I see you have met Christopher Orcot, Leon. He's my ward. He is the brother of a very dear friend and that friend asked me to take care for him for a while." D bent down to Chris' level and asked gently, "Are you pleased?"
-Yes! Thank you, count.- Chris beamed.
"Then say goodnight, Chris. Leon must return to his quarters and get some sleep, he's very tired. I am sorry I can not offer to let you stay the night here, as I had wished. Something has come up." When Chris held onto Leon's hand tighter, D reassured the boy. "Now, now. He will return later, after he has rested. Yes, Leon?"
That was just unfair! How could Leon say no when the kid was looking at him with such a pitifully hopeful expression? "Yeah, I guess."
Chris smiled angelically and Leon wondered if the kid knew he'd be a heartbreaker someday? The girls were going to fall all over him with a smile like that. Thankfully, Chris let go of Leon and started back down the hallway. -I'm going to play with Philippe, count. Bye, bye, Leon!-
"I'm not leaving without Jill." Leon said when D took him by the arm and began leading him to the door. Leon shook off D's hand and convinced himself that the tingle he felt from D's fingers was nothing and he hadn't really felt it at all. This was all going way too fast for him and he wondered why D was suddenly eager to get rid of him when he'd been happy to have tea and offered Leon a bed for the night just moments ago.
"Yes, of course." D turned and looked down the hallway. Jill appeared and flew straight to Leon, landing easily on Leon's shoulder. "There. Now, you should go now. You may be getting a call from your superior soon and I am afraid it will not reach you in here." D slipped the computer disk into one of his long sleeves and took Leon's arm with his free hand. "I will show you out, please forgive my rude manners, but this is a family emergency."
Leon let himself be hurried out, back through the halls and passed the parlor. He didn't protest once when D escorted him up the stairs and back through the magic closet. When they were in the regular, ordinary quarters, D opened the door for Leon and bowed when Leon walk out. "Please, come back when you are free. Our tea was interrupted too soon. Perhaps we will have dinner, next time."
Leon nodded, but didn't say anything when the door closed between himself and D. Something strange was going on. A computer that told a person what to do? This was all to weird, but how could Leon ever explain all of what he'd seen and heard to anyone? No one would believe him. It occurred to Leon that maybe he should have been more worried. The safety of the ship and crew were in possible danger and he really wasn't all that worried. What he'd seen in D's petshop, the telepathic child who looked so much like Leon, the boy D called his pet (illegal at best) and so many other little things that should have Leon worried half to death but didn't. Maybe he was just over tired and not thinking straight. Whatever it was, Leon didn't think it was worth upsetting the captain with it. D was weird, but he felt safe. Reggie was an officer, so. Leon would tell him when they met for dinner and Reggie could decide what to do next.
With his mind set on what he would do, Leon went back to his quarters to try and get some sleep before his shift started. 'First, some sleep. It's not like D's dangerous. Just weird.' At least, Leon didn't think he was dangerous. Not even what he'd heard about D loading some computer thing into the Enterprise's system could worry Leon. What harm could a single computer disk do to the incredible technology of the Enterprise? Probably nothing.
Ten-chan-
Ten-chan was careful to keep in hiding until he decided what form he would take. Even with so many humans it was easy to trick them. A faceless person would be best. Well, not exactly faceless, but someone with so ordinary a face that they couldn't be remembered. Tet-chan was good at that sort of thing and he ended up walking the halls of the starship easily, as if he were one of the ordinary passengers. No one who saw him would be able to remember if he was male or female or what his face looked like.
'Later I'll get a more fun disguise, but right now it's just scouting around and that means sneaking. I love sneaking.'
While it was fun to walk amongst the humans without being noticed, it was even more fun to look at all the people who weren't humans. They were so interesting and Ten-chan could hardly believe his eyes. He stared and followed some of these interesting creatures around while he explored the starship. These unearthly creatures were everywhere and they were all so wonderfully different. Blue skin, green skin, bumpy heads, pointy ears, fur, scales, and beings who looked human outwardly but clearly weren't. Ten-chan was entranced and almost lost his concentration several times. That was unheard of. Ten-chan was kitsune and, like all kitsune, he was skilled at deception and intrigue. This sort of thing was second nature to him, yet he'd almost let himself be seen several times just because he was so awed by what he saw around him. Not just by the alien creatures, but by how the humans interacted with them.
'I'm by far one of the boss's oldest pets, but I've never imagined humans could turn out like this. I've never seen humans so...mature.' In fact, the only pets who could claim an older age than Ten-chan were the phoenix, the ki-rin, and an ancient tortoise who lived in the furthest reaches of the pet shop. 'I've seen humans in all their stages. I've seen them living in caves and wearing the skins of other animals for warmth. I've seen them march armies across continents, salting the Earth to kill it in their wake, making it desolate and worthless. I've seen them as they sang their children to sleep and watched them die. I've never seen humans like this.'
He stopped a moment when he rounded a corner and saw a human speaking with one of the alien creatures. They both laughed at what the human had said. The inhuman male creature was only about five feet tall and had immense ears. His teeth were pointed, just like Tet-chan's, and his skin was a grayish brown color. They way they laughed and stood together made Ten-chan think that they must be old friends would.
It struck Ten-chan as amazing. When had humans become so capable of ignoring differences? It wasn't all that long ago that humans had been butchering each other because of the shape of one group of humans eyes or the color of their skin or even the deities they chose to worship. So amazing, in such a short time. Maybe it was all because of that terrible war he'd heard the count talking about with the other Kami. Ten-chan supposed that it was good for the humans, but he wondered what this change in humans had done for the other animals of Earth and wished he could see Earth.
'I wonder if we'll see Earth again.' It was a traitorous thought and one that Ten-chan berated himself for. Of course they would see Earth again. 'The boss said we'd go home afterwards and he doesn't lie to us.'
As Ten-chan made his way around the starship, he kept careful track of what he saw and heard. It would be important when the count asked him, later. He memorized which corridor went where and certain important places on the ship were such as the medical facility, buzzing with activity though it was the middle of the night. At least, Ten-chan thought it was still the middle of the night. He could be wrong, it was hard to tell without the natural rhythm of the Earth. He wanted to stay at the medical facility, called Sick Bay by those who seemed to be working there, and observe but there was so much else to see. It seemed as if the starship was as endless as the petshop with miles and miles of corridors and passages to explore. He passed through engineering where people were calmly and professionally doing this and that and other things Ten-chan didn't understand at all.
It was called the Enterprise, the count had told him, though Ten-chan still wasn't sure how it worked. He was still impressed that humans had done it. Of course, it wasn't nearly as impressive the powers he knew the count had, but it was still pretty good. As he made his way though the ship, mapping it all out mentally in case the count should want to know where anything was, he came across the bridge where the command crew were getting ready, just like the rest of the ship.
His disguise was perfect and no one even glanced at him so Ten-chan was able to stand in the background and listen to everything. They didn't see him, because they didn't expect to see him. It was an almost sleepy atmosphere. There was nothing urgent going on, but everyone was checking and double-checking things on their consoles. It was a actually a little bit of a let down. Ten-chan had expected a little more excitement. Ten-chan just watched the crew go about their daily routine. He grew quite bored until a door on the side of the bridge opened with a hiss and a man strode out with a heavy looking face.
"Make ready to go, number one."
He was not an outwardly impressive man. Rather short and balding with beady eyes and a mouth that looked like the man didn't smile as much as he should have. He was dressed in a uniform of red and black and walked stiffly, tugging at the shirt of his uniform with a sharp pull. The human took a moment to look around the bridge, no doubt inspecting his crew and apparently finding them all satisfactory. His eyes skimmed right over Ten-chan as if he weren't even there. That was the way it should be.
Everyone looked at the balding human man, startled, but ready to obey. One human man stood up from his seat and stepped aside, letting the shorter man take his place. This other human's eyes were droopy and his beard was neatly trimmed, making him look very professional. It didn't hurt that he was muscular and looked as if he were used to a physical lifestyle. Still, he obeyed the older human without question and began issuing orders while the balding human sat and glared at the screen that took up nearly a whole wall of the bridge.
That screen bothered Ten-chan. He liked the sight of the stars and the now distant Earth, they were things he'd never thought to see, no matter how long he lived, and were so pretty. The problem was that he wasn't sure if the stars and the picture of the stars and Earth were real or not. He could see them, but that didn't mean anything. After all, the people around Ten-chan couldn't see him, but that didn't mean he wasn't really there. Well, it wasn't that they couldn't see him. Rather they just didn't notice him. To all of these people, Ten-chan looked as if he belonged there. It was a very handy way to get around without trouble. Ten-chan just didn't trust that what was on the screen was real.
"What's the hurry, captain?" The bearded man asked, quietly, when he sat next to the balding man. No doubt he spoke quietly enough not to be overheard by the rest of the crew around them, but Ten-chan's hearing was far better than most creatures and he heard it as easily as if the man had been shouting. "I thought you didn't want to leave for the next few hours."
"My plans have been interrupted. We have orders." The captain looked at one of the men stationed just between himself and the oversized screen. "Head out." He opened his mouth, probably to give more orders, but stopped when there was a bright flash of light and suddenly there was another creature on the bridge. This new being caused great agitation amongst the crew and Ten-chan saw at least one of them pull out a weapon, which the newly arrived being completely ignored. "Q!" The captain snarled, at once all his calm and dignity completely escaped him. "What the Hell do you want? Mr. Worf, at ease!" He snapped this last at the very large alien creature who had drawn his weapon.
The captain's reaction amused Ten-chan because the only other time he'd seen a human become so angry, so quickly was when the count and Leon fought over something.
This new creature made Ten-chan weary and he found himself backing towards the doors which had brought him to the bridge. He looked like a human male with a receding hair-line and puffy lips. There was something about his face that suggested he sneered quite a lot, like he were used to having a bad smell under his nose. He wore a uniform exactly like that of the captain, but the reactions of the other crew told Ten-chan that this being was not a regular part of the crew. They weren't happy to see him. Not that this Q being, cared at all. He stood with his arms behind him and kept his eyes locked on the captain. "I'd advise you against going on, Jean-Luc."
Now this was intriguing and if there was one thing Ten-chan couldn't resist, it was a chance to learn about secrets. He would stay, despite his instincts to flee. This Q being didn't smell right. More to the point, he didn't smell at all. There was absolutely no scent to him. Ten-chan was puzzled, when this being first appeared, and had been testing the air for the being's scent. Every creature had a scent, even the alien creatures Ten-chan had encountered in the halls of this place had a scent, though it was often unpleasant and always strange. In fact, the only being Ten-chan had ever encountered without a scent, was Count D. That thought led to others which frightened Ten-chan. He wasn't one to turn away from reality, but Ten-chan didn't like to think that there were other creatures in existence with powers like a Kami's.
'Not just 'like' a Kami's power, but...the same.' What a terrible thought.
The captain's anger didn't abate, but it seemed he wasn't one to lose his head. He calmed himself, though the rest of his crew remained tense. "What do you want?"
"Just to offer advice, Jean-Luc."
"Give me a reason why I should listen to you." The balding captain grumbled. "Every time our paths cross you tend to bring trouble with you, Q."
"You seem to be blocking some details out. I've only done my best to warn you away from danger over the years. Is it my fault you humans don't like to listen to reason?"
"Reason!?" Captain Jean-Luc whirled around with his fists tight and looking ready to strike the being he called Q. "It's because of you that the Borg discovered humanity and we've had so much trouble with them! How many of my crew have died because of you!? It's because of you..."
"Because of me that humans learned of the threat of the Borg years before they should have and have time to prepare. Because of me that little Amanda was taken away from where she might do such great harm and to a place where she could grow in peace. Because of me that you were able to save that over-polluted planet and because of me that you keep getting snatched away from the jaws of disaster. Is that what you were going to say? I hope so because I've got another warning for you. Do not leave Earth. Not yet. Wait just a few days. Trust me, your lives will all be the better and saver because of it."
Captain Jean-Luc looked furious, but he seemed to be too smart a man to just refuse out of anger. "Why? What's going on that a few days will make such a great difference?"
"It's not really my place to say. In fact, I really shouldn't be giving you any warning at all. There are certain people who would be quite angry with me, if they knew what hints I'm giving you. Which I'm sure they will in just a very short while." The Q's eyes shifted and landed right on Ten-chan. "You have a spy on your bridge. Unless I'm much mistaken, this same spy has been prowling all over your ship and now plans to carry the information he's found back to his master."
It was the first time since Ten-chan had assumed his disguise that anyone had noticed him and he felt a quiver of fear run down his spine. No one could see passed his illusions, no one but other kitsune and Kami. He began to back away towards the exit. 'He knows!' If he were discovered by these people and they knew exactly what he was, it might make life impossible for him and could cause trouble for the count. Ten-chan most definitely didn't want to do that. He wanted to be valuable to the count and this could ruin everything!
Captain Jean-Luc looked around, looking right passed Ten-chan. "Mr. Worf, scan the bridge."
"Nothing unusual, captain. Nothing reads on the scanners." This was from a being who was very obviously not human. He was quite tall, even taller than Ten-chan remembered Leon being. He looked at the Q and then at his captain. "He's lying."
"Yes," Q said, sarcastically. "Either that or the spy doesn't register on your scanners." He looked at his fingernails, studying them as if they were of far more interest than the people he was trying to warn. "I just thought I'd be civil this time and give you time to think before you did anything rash. There are powers you don't understand."
Captain Jean-Luc rolled his eyes. "We've all heard your rant about how much greater you are than us mere humans, Q."
"Good. Then I won't have to repeat myself." Q stepped away from the wall where he'd been leaning during the whole conversation. He went to captain Jean-Luc and they stared at each other, neither willing to give an inch. "Q are the most powerful beings in the void you humans call outer space. However, we aren't alone and we aren't the only ones with such power. If you think I have the potential to cause havoc among you humans, then wait till you see what disaster your guest can wreak." Q seemed suddenly aware that they were being watched and turned away from the captain. "It's just a warning. You can ignore it if you please, which I'm sure you will. Your do tend to become obsessive about these petty little missions."
"Petty?" Captain Jean-Luc was unwilling to concede even that small point. "There are two thousand people dying on Actura IV, I'd hardly call that petty!"
"That all depends on your perspective. Wars on Earth have killed more than that in a single day, men, women, and children. Two thousand is a relatively small number. You should be more concerned with your ship and crew. There's danger from within."
Why Q trying to was warning captain Jean-Luc, Ten-chan had no idea. It wasn't as if the count was going to hurt anyone. The count was really very peaceful, unless someone tried to hurt Leon or Chris and then the count would probably tear the whole ship apart. Why couldn't they just grab Leon and go back to Earth?
"Sir!" One of the human crew spoke up, though he sounded a bit reluctant to break into the conversation. "Message from Starfleet."
The large view screen of the stars blinked and was replaced by the face of an old woman. "Captain Picard, your ship is still in dock. May I ask why you have left, yet?"
Ten-chan realized his mistake. It wasn't captain Jean-Luc, but captain Picard. Humans had far too many names.
"My apologizes, admiral. We're leaving now." Captain Picard nodded at one of his officers. "Take us out. Set heading to Actura IV. Engage." There was finality in the order and he looked again at Q as if to say, 'what are you going to do now?'
Q bowed his head, solemnly. "You've made your choice. Live with it." Then he turned halfway around and vanished in a flash of light.
There was silence on the bridge and Ten-chan thought that they must all be waiting to see if the Q would return. Ten-chan wanted to leave and tell the count what he'd seen and heard during his trek through this starship. However, Ten-chan was kitsune and had certain pride to up hold. He would not run screaming back to the count just because he'd heard some odd things and seen a being who held much power. No, he'd wait and collect his wits, first, then report to the count. Had to be professional and not shame the count, he didn't want anyone to think he was unworthy of the count's good favor.
When he'd taken just a moment to calm himself, Ten-chan decided that he would use a faster method of communication than just by running home. It was important that the count should know about all that had gone on as soon as possible. -Hey, boss.- There was a moment when Ten-chan thought the count wouldn't reply. -Boss?-
-I am here, Ten-chan. Forgive me. I have a guest and was not paying attention.-
Guest? That must be Leon. No one else would distract the Count to such inattention. -I'm on the bridge, boss. The captain said we're leaving and there was a creature with no scent, just like you. Is this important? That creature knows we're here. He hinted at it to the captain, said they shouldn't leave Earth, yet. I'm not sure but I think he was trying to buy you some time. If you want to leave, now is the time. I don't think the captain's going to be changing his mind.-
-I see. Yes, it is important. Thank you, Ten-chan. Come home right away. Waste no time. If we leave Earth's orbit, I'm not sure what will happen, but I would rather you have where I know you're safe.-
-You got it, boss.- Ten-chan had turned and started to leave the bridge when his attention was caught by captain Picard and the bearded man, number one, talking.
"That was strange." The bearded man said with a very suspicious voice. "No mocking? No threats? No insults? It really wasn't like Q at all, now was it."
"You're right. I don't like this at all. It sounded as if he were trying to protect us, however absurd that sounds."
Wasted time. Ten-chan was ancient, he should have known better than to waste time listening to their conversation. It was jut a few seconds, but Ten-chan was curious and knew all the information he could gather would be helpful to the Count. It was in that few seconds, however, that an un-human crewman suddenly shouted out, "Captain!" And Ten-chan found a finger pointed right at him.
Picard-
Picard and Riker both jumped to their feet and turned , following Mr. Worf's pointed phasor. "Where did that come from?" Riker muttered. It was a fox, or something very much like a fox. It's fur was completely white with two bright red dots just above its eyes and nine long tails, all moving independently behind it, it couldn't have been a fox. Not an Earth fox, at any rate. "Q's intruder?" The creature looked vaguely surprised.
Yes. Riker was quite right. "Mr. Data, have you ever heard of any animal like this on any known planet?" If anyone would know, it would be the android sitting in the front of the bridge. Mr. Data looked at the creature with his golden eyes and one could almost see him sorting through the files of information he had stored in his mind. Despite what anyone else said, Picard found it hard to think of Data as anything but a person. He rarely acted like a machine, so why treat him like one?
"No existing animal, captain." Mr. Data replied. He turned his head slightly to the side and a smile played on his lips. One would almost think he was amused. "However, there is a Japanese legend..."
"Not now, Mr. Data. I want facts, not fairytales." As highly as Picard thought of Data, the android did have a tendency to ramble when given half a chance. Not an existing animal. That didn't mean Q hadn't just create it on the spot or, perhaps, that he'd brought it here from another part of the universe, just as he'd taken the Enterprise and thrown them into the middle of Borg territory, bringing them back only after several lives had been lost. "Counselor, anything?"
Deanna Troi shook her head, after barely a moment. "It's an animal, sir. No intelligence as we know it."
The fox-thing hissed at Troi and let out a little barking yelp, its tails now lashing around aggressively.
Ten-chan-
'No intelligence!? I won't be insulted by that thing!' Ten-chan did his best to curse out the female with the onyx eyes. She didn't understand him and at least that gave Ten-chan some information. His illusion had been broken, but they didn't see his human form. They only saw his animal-like form. Though he wasn't quite sure how, Ten-chan was sure it had something to do with either moving away from Earth or that Q being. Whichever it was, he didn't like it. This was not good, his main value to the count had just been eliminated and, if he wasn't careful, he'd be eliminated very shortly.
"Intelligent or not," The bearded man said with a deceptive laugh. "I think it understands you, Deanna." Ten-chan didn't trust that one at all. He was the sort who would lure his prey with a soft word and a gentle smile, then snap them in two when they weren't expecting it. "Q's probably behind this."
-Boss! What do you want me to do?- It would have been much easier if they weren't floating around in the void and if Ten-chan didn't have to worry about what was going to happen to the others. If he had to, he could destroy this whole ship and all its people. If he still had the power. Mabye more had been taken from him than just his illusion. Ten-chan backed away from them all, trying to keep his eyes on all of them at the same time. He hadn't been this helpless since he'd been a kit many, many centuries ago.
-Come to me.- As always, the count's voice was calm and unruffled. -Do not use the turbolift, the way you got onto the bridge. Right above you, there's a narrow shaft. Go up, Ten-chan. I will lead you home.-
Ten-chan looked up and then back at the Enterprise crew. At least two, the bearded man and Mr. Worf, the alien with dark skin and a bumpy forehead, had some kind of weapon out and aimed right at Ten-chan. They both looked ready to fire at a moment's provocation. -I'll be caught, boss. They can track everything with computers and they have their weapons aimed..-
-I will have Mellow in the computer systems of this ship in just a moment. She will guard you.-
Ten-chan tensed and tilted his head backwards so that he was looking straight up. -You got it, boss.- Ten-chan released a small bolt of energy, emanating from the two red spots above his eyes, which shattered the panel of the ceiling just above him. Just that little bit of energy use tired him and Ten-chan worried all the more for it. It should have been just a fraction of his power, but it felt like he'd used all of himself in that one little action. He hated being so weak. If Tet-chan saw him like this, Ten-chan would never live it down!
There was shouting from the crew of the starship and Ten-chan jumped for the opening in the ceiling even before the debris hit the floor, but when he did there was a jolt of pain when one of the crew's weapons hit him in the hind leg. Ten-chan fell to the ground and let out a pain filled whimper. Whatever weapon that was, he'd never seen it before and had no idea how to defend against it. It was like a ray of bright light from one of those little hand-held things. It hurt, a burning, searing pain that jabbed right though his mind and made him see stars.
"Careful. We don't know what it is. Q must think he's playing a fine trick." It was the bearded man who spoke, hostility clear in his voice.
Ten-chan looked up and found half-a-dozen of those little light weapons pointed at him. He was surrounded. If only he had a bit more of his power... -Boss, I could really use some help here.-
"Captain," Mr. Worf spoke in a deep, guttural voice. "I recommend that we destroy it at once. Better to get ride of the danger now."
-Boss! Help!-
To be continued...