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Possession

Three

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"Beverly. Are you listening to me?"

"What? No – who – Jean-Luc?"

Shinzon chuckled. "No Beverly, not Jean-Luc. Though I can see how you might confuse us."

"Shinzon? What the hell is going on here?" Crusher sat bolt upright in bed and slammed on the lights. She scanned her bedroom and craned to see out into the living quarters, clutching her bed sheets to her chest. "Where the hell are you?"

"I'm here Beverly – in your mind." His tone was condescending as he waited for her to grasp the reality of his tenuous link with her. Though she was not telepathic, Crusher had been exposed to enough activity to leave a few firing neurons that Shinzon's Viceroy could pick up and amplify. It was not a full connection – but it was exhilarating nonetheless.

"I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but get out. Now." Crusher's tone was dead serious, her voice tightly controlled as she fought off panic. Still unable to comprehend the situation, she glanced wildly about the cabin searching for the intruder.

"Relax, Doctor Crusher. I mean you no harm." Shinzon's tone was still indulgent as he slipped further into her consciousness. He could sense her fear, and it made it easier for him to open her mind further – for she was focused exclusively on him now, leaving the rest of her mind completely unguarded. "I simply desire to speak with you, privately. Away from prodding shipmates, and outside of our formal roles."

"Then send a communiqué. If you do not stop this violation immediately, I will call security. In fact, I'm calling them now." Crusher stood, her coltish legs shaking as she pulled her robe tightly over her nightgown. She suddenly felt dizzy, and stopped her journey into the living room to lean against a wall. She placed an arm over her forehead. In a weakened voice, she once again addressed the Praetor. "What are you doing to me, Shinzon?" Beverly's skin was pallid and slick with sweat. Ronin flashed through her mind, and she felt nauseous.

"I would not harm you, Beverly. I'm simply opening your consciousness to receive me more fully. If you relax the process will be easier." Shinzon spoke as though to a child, simultaneously coaxing and willing her to submit to him.

"NO. Stop. Now." Crusher stood again, swaying. "I'm calling security."

"And what do you think that will accomplish, Beverly?" Crusher blindly acknowledged the futility of that escape plan and struggled for another.

Shinzon's tone was disappointed, derisive. "I only want to speak with you. I think that you and I have much in common – much to discuss."

"Well I don't have anything to discuss with you. And certainly not like this." Beverly balled her hands into tight fists and fought to regain control of her thoughts. "I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but I will not tolerate this."

In his own cabin, Shinzon flushed with delight. She was magnificent, a worthy partner. He could feel the strength of her will heaving mightily against his own. He looked over at his Viceroy, who was void of expression and lost in concentration. He regretted the fact, but he would not be able to carry on much longer. Sorrow was fleeting however – for each time he connected to Doctor Crusher, it would be easier than the last. Soon the link would be strong enough that he would only need the Viceroy to make the initial connection. If all went as he planned, he would not need assistance at all – for Beverly Crusher would be his, on his ship. And Jean-Luc Picard would have nothing.

"Do you not enjoy speaking with me, being with me like this, even a little?" The Praetor had done his research carefully, and was well aware of Crusher's run in some years ago with the anaphasic being. He used the knowledge now to press his advantage. "Surely some small part of you remembers the power of such a connection?"

Again Beverly felt a wave a nausea sweep over her body, and she slid down the wall to the floor. Sick with guilt and shame, she remembered how easily she had surrendered to Ronin. It was something she'd chosen not to speak of, not even with Deanna. And Jean-Luc had never pressured her about it.

Again she steeled herself. "No. You're not Ronin, and I will not put up with this any further, Shinzon. If you're not going to listen to me, perhaps you will listen to Jean-Luc." It was Beverly's last card, and she hoped it was a good one.

Apparently the Praetor was not ready to deal with the Captain. "Very well Doctor. I see that you are not yet ready. But I have enjoyed our meeting. I look forward to the next." Shinzon was careful to keep his tone polite and comforting. He smiled to himself. He knew it would not take long for Crusher to bring Picard in to save the day. He was lucky to have made it this far with the Doctor. He closed his eyes as he felt the warmth of her mind slip out of his. He fell against his chair, spent.

Her mind now vacuous and somehow cold, Beverly Crusher curled tightly in a ball on the hard slate carpeting of her quarters, sobbing violently.

In his own cabin, Shinzon smiled viciously as he met the cold black eyes of his Viceroy. "That went better than I anticipated." The hulking man beside him said nothing, simply rose slowly, turned, and left the Praetor to revel in his seized glory.

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