Disclaimer: See chapter six.

A/N: For all intensive purposes, Data never died.

Chapter Seven: Transmission From Libra XVII

Wesley had just left the bridge and was walking back to his cabin. He had been back on the Enterprise for two weeks, and it had been three weeks since he had said goodbye to Lauren. When he reached his cabin, he went inside and sat down on his bed, pulling a photograph out from under his pillow. It was his favorite picture of Lauren, one he had taken himself when they were at the beach. Lauren was sitting on the sand, her long brown hair blowing gently in the wind, and her knees pulled up to her chest. Her feet were just barely peeking out from under her skirt, and she had a thoughtful expression on her face, as if she were dreaming though completely awake.

Wesley sighed. He missed her so much and was longing to see her, but the Enterprise wasn't due for shore leave for another few months. He knew he had the option of the holodeck, but he remembered the trouble that Barclay had with his holodeck creations, and had ultimately decided against it. There was no way a hologram could replace Lauren.

His mind wandered to their last parting. Lauren had looked so sad, had cried, and had clung to him, needing to stay with him but knowing she couldn't. He knew then, when she had willingly run out into a rainstorm to meet him, that he loved her, but he would never admit it. Love never went well for him. The only other girl he really loved ended up being a shape-shifter, and he had never met anyone he could get close to during his travels through space and time.

Suddenly, a voice filled the room. "Captain Picard to Ensign Crusher," the voice said. Wesley sat up immediately, and tapped his communicator.

"What is it Captain?"

"You are needed on the bridge. We are receiving a transmission from a planet, requesting help. We will need all officers on the bridge, so we can determine if the transmission is from a hostile race."

"I will be there shortly, Captain."

"Thank you. Picard out."

Temporarily broken out of his thoughts of Lauren, Wesley raced to the bridge. "I wonder who or what would be contacting the Enterprise directly," he thought.

"What have you determined, Counselor?" Captain Picard asked Deanna Troi. The entire crew-Wesley included-had assembled on the bridge, and were now waiting for Troi's response.

"They are Human, Captain," she answered. "They mean no harm. I sense great fear from the woman, but something else from the younger girl."

"What is it?"

"I sense hope, anticipation. It's almost as if she is waiting for something or someone to speak to her."

"Put them on screen," Picard ordered. The view screen lit up, and Wesley gasped. There on the screen was a woman that he recognized to be Lauren's mother Aurora.

"Thank you Captain," Lauren's mother said. "The people of Libra XVII are in dire need of your help." Aurora Scarlett looked at the assembled crew members, and did a double-take.

"Beverly?" Aurora asked when she spotted Dr. Crusher. "Is that you?"

"Hello Aurora," Dr. Crusher said. "Wonderful to see you again."

"This is not the time for a reunion," grumbled Worf. "What is your trouble?"

"The people on Libra XVII are in grave danger," Aurora said. "Many years ago, my husband entered into a trade agreement with the Remans. On his way back from closing a trade deal between Remus and another planet, his ship was attacked by a Romulan vessel, and he was killed. The Romulans have made it known to the people here that they will be coming for us, as they are against anyone who is in peace with Remus. We need your help." Just then, another voice was heard offscreen.

"Mom, come quickly!" the unmistakable voice of a young adult female called out. "Audra's trying to eat the wallpaper again!"

The crew of the Enterprise chuckled. It was obvious that a young child was at work in that house.

"Bring her to me, Lauren," Aurora said. Wesley's eyes grew wide with surprise. The voice had been Lauren's. His Lauren.

"Hold on a minute, let me catch her," Lauren said. "Boy is she fast!" The sounds of pounding feet and screams of "Come back here Audra! NO I AM NOT KIDDING!" and "Willa help me! She's too fast!" could be heard in the background.

"I apologize," Aurora said to the crew. "My two-year-old is getting to be quite the rambunctious child, as her sisters were." Suddenly, something on the screen caught Aurora's eye. It was a tall young man with brown eyes and brown hair, standing next to Dr. Crusher.

"Your son has grown up quite a bit since the last time I saw him," she said warmly. "How are you Wesley?"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Scarlett," Wesley replied. He was just about to ask how Lauren was, when his question was answered. Lauren suddenly came into view, carrying a small child in her arms and looking quite out of breath.

"It took me AND Willa to do it, but we finally got her," Lauren said as she looked down at Audra. Audra wiggled, put one hand in her mouth, and pointed at the screen with the other.

"Mom, who are you talking to?" Lauren asked.

"See for yourself," her mother said, taking Audra from Lauren. "Captain, my two youngest daughters, Audra and Lauren. Lauren, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise."

At the sound of the word 'Enterprise,' Lauren's breath caught in her throat. She turned to face the screen and scanned it quickly. Her eyes brightened and she smiled when she caught sight of the person she had been looking for.

"That is the girl I was speaking of," Troi said to Picard. "Apparently, she was hoping to speak to a certain young ensign." She motioned towards Wesley, who was now standing in front of the screen conducting an animated conversation with the young woman on the screen, who was laughing at something Wesley had just said.

Picard smiled at the two young people. He remembered what it was like to be young and in love, but unfortunately, there were other matters to be attended to at the moment.

"Wesley, you may finish you conversation with Miss Scarlett at a later date," he said. "I must speak with her mother about aiding the people of Libra XVII."

Wesley waved goodbye to Lauren, who grinned and waved back, before walking back to the Helm and sitting down.

"Mrs. Scarlett, I have decided to come to your peoples' aid," Picard said. "We can transport you and your family onto the ship and keep you safe here, but the others must stay behind and prepare for war. Do you understand?"

"Yes Captain," Aurora replied. "When shall we begin packing?"

"As soon as you can. Make sure you and your family bring all necessary belongings with you, as I am positive that it will not be safe to return to get those posessions that you leave behind. I will see to it that quarters on board the Enterprise are prepared for you and your daughters."

"Thank you Captain Picard," Aurora said. "We are greatly indebted to you."

"You're quite welcome Mrs. Scarlett. Picard out."

The view screen went black. Picard turned to an ensign a few years younger than Wesley and said, "Make sure quarters are prepared for the arrival of Aurora Scarlett and her three daughters." He looked at Wesley and smiled before saying, "And make sure the quarters are near the cabins of Dr. Crusher and her son. You may all go back to your duties."

Wesley went back to his cabin smiling. Lauren would soon be with him again.

Meanwhile, back on Libra XVII, Aurora Scarlett and her daughters were preparing to leave. Willa and Lauren had felt the danger and were packing before their mother even said the words.

Lauren grabbed her suitcases and packed all her clothing and schoolbooks into one, and all her keepsakes and mementos into the other. The last thing she picked up was the photograph of her and Wesley. Lauren smiled and put that on the top, and closed the lid. She would be with Wesley soon enough, and then they would be safe.