Thank you so much for the nice reviews.
Sorry for the delay… I hope you're still interested in what happens next?
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"Where are they?" asked Picard "Is the ship here in the system?"
He was sitting in his chair on the bridge, tapping his feet nervously.
"Yes, Sir, I could retrace the signal…they are hiding behind the third planet" answered Worf.
Data turned around to Picard.
"Captain, since Geordi and I have analysed the subspace transport signature, I think I would be able to programm our transporter for a subspace transport to Boks ship, even if they have activated shields…of course there would be a incalculable risk of a malfunction because of the instability of the patterns in the subspace. But under the prevailing circumstances..."
He was interrupted by Worf.
"Captain, we have an incoming message from Bok",
Picard stood up at once. "On screen", he said.
He saw Bok, standing behind Diane, holding a knife to her throat. Except for a bloody laceration on her temple, she seemed uninjured.
"So, Picard, it looks like my moment of revenge has come. I guess you are as excited as I am. Diane will die here in my arms within the next minutes, and you can be sure it will be a slow and painful death. So if you want to say farewell to her, you have to hurry."
"Bok, you will take your hands off her immediately!" Picard said harshly.
Bok laughed. "I think you're not in the position to claim this, Picard!"
He pushed the knife into Diane's skin, so that she had to lift her head.
"This girl has nothing to do with your seek for revenge. This matter concerns only me and you." Picard stated. "Her death won't bring your son back."
"No, it won't, but that's not what I want. What I want is payback."
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While Bok was talking to Picard, Diane felt his clutching hand loosen from her hair. He seemed unattentive.
In that second she saw her only chance. She knew that Bok had a phaser at his belt, and with a quick movement she turned around and grabbed it. Bok was apparently surprised and stumbled backwards.
The other four ferengi on the bridge pulled their phasers immediately. Diane realized that her great plan ended here.
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"What happened?" asked Picard. They had only seen how Diane had apparently drawn something like a phaser and turned around to Bok, and then the transfer ended.
"The connection was cut." answered Worf, and Riker added: "It looks like they have some unexpected trouble with their passenger..."
"Maybe this is our only chance. Number One, Mr. Worf, you will come with me. We'll beam directly to the bridge with a subspace transport. Mr. Data, how long will it take to make the necessary adjustments?" Picard asked.
Data stood up "If I do it myself, seven minutes and thirty eight seconds", he answered.
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After being struck by a phaser, Diane fell to her hands and knees, but was pulled to her feet instantly.
"I underestimated your impudence, it seems," Bok said. "You thought you could ruin my great moment, but you can be sure this will not save your miserable life. Your behaviour will only extend your pain…"
Then he turned to the guards. "Finish her off…but not too quickly."
Again they beat her head and body. She collapsed on the floor and gasped for breath. "You're such a dastard! A wimp! Don't you even dare to retaliate with your own hands?"
In that moment, Picard, Worf and Riker materialised on the bridge. They easily knocked the four ferengi out who weren't even able to shoot at them. Picard ran to Diane immediately and wanted to help her up, but she winced. "Don't touch me, I can get up on my own!"
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"I'm fine", she said with a slightly trembling voice.
They beamed directly to sick bay.
Bok's ship turned out to be understaffed, there were not more than about 20 ferengi on board. The rest of Bok's crew had seemingly left because of his mindless thirst for revenge. The enterprise had no problem to get the whole ship under their control.
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Diane was sitting on a biobed, while Dr.Crusher examined and tended her injuries.
Picard was standing next to them, feeling insecure what to do or say.
They had just informed the Ferengi government about the whole incident, and Picard was awaiting their reply.
"Are you sure you don't want to lay down?" Crusher said. "You've got some bad bruises and two partially fractioned ribs. The treatment would be much easier if you would just relax."
Diane shook her head. "I prefer sitting, if it's okay", she said. Her face seemed a bit pale.
She pressed her shaking hands at her temples.
"Just give me something for this headache. Those ferengi throw a mean punch."
Beverly gave her a hypospray for the pain. "You'll get better soon, but your body needs some rest…I'd recommend you to stay in sickbay at least over night, but I guess you won't like this suggestion."
That raised a little smile on Diane's face. "Exactly", she said.
Few minutes later, Crusher packed up the medical instruments. Picard came a step closer. "Diane…I'm so sorry how all of this turned out to be. If you need anything, just say it. I want you to know that you can come to me for anything."
Diane nodded, but did not look at him. "Yeah, thanks", she said silently.
Suddenly, the intercom sounded. "Riker to Captain Picard, can you come to the bridge? We have incoming messages from Ferenginar for you."
"On my way", Picard replied. He looked uncertainly at Diane.
"Dr. Crusher will take care of you until I return. Is that allright for you?"
"I don't need a babysitter", Diane answered.
Beverly smiled. "I don't think you need to be babysitted. But maybe you prefer to have some company until your father returns."
Diane looked at her, and then at Picard. "Okay…whatever", she replied.
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In Diane's quarters, Beverly ordered a warm milk from the replicator.
Diane looked at her pointedly.
"I know what you want to say," Crusher said. "But believe me: a hot cup of milk is exactly what you want right now, even if you don't know it." She smiled and sat down next to Diane, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa.
"So, physically you should be allright now…but if you feel uneasy and want to talk about what happened on Bok's ship, you can tell me both as a Doctor and as a friend…"
Diane interrupted her.
"It's okay. I can cope with that. It's not like someone used force against me for the first time, you know…"
Beverly sighed.
"Diane, it is not okay at all. This is not a test or a competition. I'm sure you are a very strong person that can bear a lot without complaining. But you don't need to prove anything here. I just want to know how you really feel. And your father wants to know, too…it would be good if you would talk to him about all this. He wants to care for you…but you have to let him."
Diane hesitated. She bit her lips.
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Bok tried to convince me that all of this was my father's fault, and there were moments I really believed that. And although my sanity and reason tell me that I can't blame my father for this, I do it, somehow…it's confusing me. I'd love to hole up somewhere. I'm not good at talking about my feelings. Especially when I'm not sure about them."
Beverly was surprised at that answer. She didn't expect Diane to talk that frankly all of a sudden. She took a deep breath.
"I think everyone would feel confused. You're in an extreme sutiation, your life has been turned upside down. No-one expects you to keep calm. But don't you think your father knows that? It would be better for you both if you would give him a chance."
Diane took the cup of milk, held it with both hands and was watching it as if she could find something important inside it.
Beverly took a deep breath. "You look tired. Do you think you're able to sleep some hours? I think you'll feel much better then."
Diane nodded. "I'll try", she said.
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After having talked to several meticulous ferengi officers, who of course apologised for all the inconveniences caused and assured to open the criminal proceedings immediately, Picard was relieved when he finally left the bridge.
But when the turbo lift began to move, he suddenly wished to have some urgent work to do. He feared the confrontation with Diane, for he still didn't know how to reach her if she would refuse him.
He would understand that after all that happened, Diane would not have the desire to get to know him better. Maybe she would want to leave the ship as soon as possible to live her independent life again…and although he would of course offer her any help she might need, she wouldn't accept it. But he also felt like that wouldn't be the right ending.
Picard had always regarded family as something constant, that involved both responsibility and reliability.
But without being part of Diane's life for years, how could he impart this?
"Computer?", he asked, "Where is Dr. Beverly Crusher?"
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When he entered Beverly's quarters, she seemed surprised.
"I thought the proceedings with the ferengi would take longer", she said.
"They were long enough for my taste", Picard replied. "Beverly, how is Diane doing?"
"She'll be all right." Beverly answered. "I told her to sleep but I doubt she will heed my advice. Reminds me very much of someone else I know."
"Beverly, this is one of the moments I would be grateful for any piece of advice. I have the feeling that there is a gap between Diane and me now that I'm not able to bridge after what happened today. I'm asking you as a parent – " he hesitated. "Should I make the first move or leave it up to her? How much intervention is too much? I don't want her to think that I'm treating her like a child. But I'm responsible for her welfare, and – "
Beverly smiled. "Jean-Luc, I think if I had an answer to this, it would be the answer to the oldest parental questions of mankind. Although you and Diane are in a kind of exceptional situation, I'd say this is the same problem all parents with children in their teens have in the whole galaxy… on sick bay, I realized how shortly she was talking to you. Keep in mind she is a sixteen year old girl that has already gone through a lot more than most people of her age have.
It is important to be honest and sincere. Be yourself, Jean-Luc, and not an untouchable starfleet officer…don't underestimate that effect on young people. As the Captain, you are the ultimate authority on this ship, and everyone has to follow your orders. Don't you think that this could awe a girl like Diane? You have to give her the chance to get to know you as a person. As a father."
"It sounds so easy when you put it like that, Beverly." Picard said.
"It's both easier and harder than you might think. No one is born as a father or a mother, and no one ever brings it to perfection." Beverly paused. Then she added: "Personally, I think you should talk to her...in many ways, she is just like you." She smiled.
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Picard rang the doorbell of Diane's quarters but there was no answer.
His first idea was that she was sleeping, but then he thought again and headed for the turbolift.
Ten Forward was rather empty, as usual at this time of the day, so Picard found Diane immediately.
She sat at one of the windows.
Picard crossed the room and stood in front of her.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you?" he said.
Diane looked up. "No…no, not at all."
Picard took a chair from one of the tables and sat down. "How do you feel?" he asked.
Diane sighed.
"Oh, please. I think I've been asked this ten million times since I came off that ferengi ship.
And for the record: asking me over and over again how I feel doesn't make me feel better at all." She looked out of the window, but turned to Picard again. "To be honest, I don't know. I'm not sure about anything right now."
Picard cleared his throat.
"Bok and his crew has been arrested and will be delivered to the security department of Ferenginar…"
Diane interrupted him. "You mean that there's no need for me to stay here any longer?"
"Well, you can put it like that, but…Diane, I have thought about what you told me. I can understand that you consider returning to Daranos IV. But to be honest, I wouldn't want you to live on your own in a place like that. I don't know what your future plans are, but I really like to help you to achieve them. As my daughter you are a citizen of the Federation…that means you can travel, live, work or study whereever you like in the federal territory. I'd be glad if you would choose some saver or quieter place to live…maybe we could visit each other from time to time."
"But what would you do if I'd insisted on returning to Daranos VI?" Diane asked.
Picard hesitated. But before he could answer, Diane said: "You're right. I'd be stupid if I'd return there. Except for my few memories, there is nothing that bounds me to that place…but at the same time, it is the only home I ever had. I've been travelling with my mom for years, and I remember being totally relieved when we finally lived in a real appartment in a real town, and not on a spaceship." She paused. "Where is your home at all? On this ship?" she asked.
"Most of the time, yes…but I was born on Earth, my brother's family still lives there. If you wish, we could visit them…I'm sure they'd love to meet you." he replied.
"I'll think about that," Diane said, looking out of the window again.
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Later in the evening, Picard sat at his desk in his quarters, trying to concentrate on the details of the newest orders he received from starfleet. The next weeks would be full of diplomatic missions and internal politics…not exactly Picard's favourite activities.
He had just ordered another cup of tea from the replicator when suddenly the doorbell chimmed. "Come in," he said. The door swooshed open, and Picard was astonished to see Diane standing in the corridor.
"Erm, I hope it's okay that I'm here, I mean…I couldn't sleep and you said I could come to you whenever I want and…"she began.
"No problem, just come in. Do you want a cup of tea?" Picard answered.
Diane shook her head. She sat down on the couch, and then looked at Picard's desk that was full of datapads.
"I don't want to keep you from your work", she said quietly.
Picard raised his brows. "Actually, I'm happy about every distraction at the moment."
"I thought about what you said, about going whereever I want and future plans and all that…"
Diane said. Like on the day they had met the first time, she seemed very young to him right now. It was like some of her protective self-confident masks had vanished.
"I thought…", she continued, "I thought about what actually was the most important thing in my life until now. I guess it was always my independence, because that is something I learned from mum…she never relied on anyone else than herself. Living self-dependent after she died was like I was continuing the way of life we lived together. It was my last connection to her at all." Diane's voice was almost a whisper.
"But you are not Miranda. You have to live your own life, and I'm sure that's what she would have wanted for you, too" Picard said
Diane nodded. "I mean, I…I don't want to feel like I'm loosing her completely, but I do. But I came to a conclusion." She looked at Picard. "Maybe it is not just a home I need, maybe I should give this whole family thing a try… I wanted to ask you, would it be possible if I stay here? On this ship? With you?"
Thoughts ran through Picard's head, about custody and dangerous missions and education on a starship, but he nodded. "Of course…as long as you like", he said.
Diane smiled shyly.
Suddenly there was the sound of an incoming message on the desk monitor.
"I'm sorry, I think it's Admiral Richards, he wanted to contact me as soon as possible…" Picard apologised. "Would you excuse me for a minute? I think this won't take long. Get yourself something to drink if you like."
"Aw…no problem…" Diane said and leaned back on the couch.
Picard stood up and went to his desk. It was indeed Admiral Richards, and Picard needed over 20 minutes to get rid of him politely, because apart from few small changes in the starfleet orders, all the Admiral wanted to tell Picard were his newest fishing and camping stories.
Picard was relieved when the monitor went black. He looked over to Diane, and saw her lying curled up on the sofa, her shoulders slowly rising and falling with her breath.
He thought about what she had said about needing a home, and a family. He remembered how many perils and dangers and unforeseen situations he had faced through his life, and still could not picture himself as a father of a teenage girl.
Carefully he covered her with a blanket and dimmed the light. His work had to wait until tomorrow.
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This is actually the last chapter of the first part of my story…but it will be continued soon. I just felt at this point it needed some sort of ending. Reviews are appreciated.