Author's Note: Thank you for your continued support with this series. All of your reviews, likes, kudos, and messages are wonderful!
Content Warning: This is part two of the Hide and Q storyline. This chapter contains an expanded version of that storyline – including the fight with the strange, alien creatures and the rescue of the mining colony. So be advised, there is some violence in this chapter.
BUT – this chapter ends with some fluffiest scenes we've had in this story so…enjoy! 3
We're playing a bit fast and loose with canon so you will notice some differences in comparison to the episode. (For example, I think Worf is actually a big softie/romantic underneath it all.)
We also get a glimpse of Turkanan tradition.
And now, the conclusion of our retelling of Hide and Q.
As always, if you like my works or want to stay up to date with art, comics, or just like chatting about the fandom you can like/follow at or TheTartanTart on Twitter.
"Geordi, can you see Worf?" Riker asked.
Beverly, Data, and Riker had all found their way back to their starting point on the odd planet.
Worf had yet to return.
Geordi was atop a rock formation scanning the area for any sign of danger.
"I'd see the freckles on his nose if he had them, sir. He's at the third ridge," Geordi advised as he pointed at the line of rocky terrain in the distance. "Moving well, too."
Suddenly, Geordi spotted a group of soldiers in the distance. They were dressed in a similar fashion to Q's nineteenth century Napoleonic era Marshal of France costume.
Without a doubt, they were part of Q's game.
"Oh, oh," Geordi said as he spied them. "Good, he sees them."
"Anything you can pick up from here, Data?" Riker asked.
Data gave Commander Riker a short nod and climbed up next to Geordi.
He scanned the horizon for Worf. His optical sensors were able to quickly identify the mineral and organic particles that made up the layers of sedimentary rock that were scattered across the landscape.
Under normal away mission circumstances, Data would want to study the ruddy siltstone and limestone layers. He was intrigued by archaeological xenobiology. As they were unable to identify their location, it was possible this world had never been explored.
However, at the moment, Data's thoughts were occupied with Tasha.
The slightest misstep could result in her permanent erasure from existence.
Data had always been fascinated by Q.
He understood the Q were dangerous. Their seemingly omnipotent nature and power were unmatched.
They were far advanced beyond the limitations of most of the organic lifeforms that Data had studied.
Furthermore, Q seemed to possess emotion, feeling, and desires.
Data couldn't deny his curiosity to learn more about them.
After all, they were a new lifeform and that was a primary component of their mission – to seek out new life.
After their first encounter with the Q, Data had been partially ashamed to admit he was hoping to encounter the lifeform again.
Now that he had, he regretted ever having such a desire.
Q had put Tasha in a position of grave danger.
His overwhelming curiosity couldn't make up for the sense of emptiness he felt at the thought that Tasha's life could so easily be discarded by the Q.
Theoretically, Data would eventually reach a point that his synthetic system would fail beyond repair. However, he knew it could be hundreds of years before he reached that stage.
Data understood that he would outlive his friends. He knew that Geordi, Wesley, and Captain Picard would all perish someday. Although he would grieve their loss in his own way, he knew that he would retain the memories of each interaction and everything he had learned from them.
They would live on within him.
Although he understood that Tasha would die one day as well, it felt different. He'd thought about it often. In fact, he thought about it more than he cared too.
Perhaps it was a testament to how deeply he cared.
Or how much she had engrained herself into his system.
It's the fact she's got a knack for rushing headfirst into danger. The voice in his head teased. You're always thinking about it because it comes up – a lot.
"Data?" Riker prompted.
He was still waiting for Data's report.
"The soldiers appear to be dressed in a similar fashion to Q's Napoleonic Era uniform. They appear to be armed with heavy armour muzzle-loaded long guns," Data advised. "Based on their appearance they would be smoothbore firearms lacking the rifling grooves necessary to spin the ammunition for increased accuracy."
"What are you saying Data?" Riker inquired.
"They are slow-loading and inaccurate," Data explained.
"Those soldiers have formed a skirmishing line, I think you'd call it, and they're headed this way," Geordi informed them as he kept his VISOR trained on the advancing troops. "Worf's on his way back."
Commander Riker scratched his head.
"Armed with ancient ball and powder muskets?" Riker questioned aloud.
Something about this scenario didn't add up.
"That's what their weapons look like, sir," Geordi said with a shrug.
"Muskets are appropriate to the 1790 to 1800 French army uniform, sir," Data replied. "But it is hardly a weapon by our standards. A lead ball propelled by gunpowder. One hundred metres at best with any accuracy."
Data shared Commander Riker's scepticism but he was having difficulty focusing as his fears about Tasha kept penetrating his neural net.
Geordi sensed Data's struggle.
"But against phasers?" Geordi said poignantly. "Just one of our hand phasers could finish off an entire regiment."
A dark look passed between Geordi and Riker.
"Except for one thing. It hardly sounds like Q to give us an advantage like that. Unless-" Commander Riker trailed off as he pulled out his phaser.
Riker turned to the nearest rock formation and fired a test shot at the rock on a low setting. To his satisfaction, the impact of the phaser caused the rock to blow up.
"Drop your weapons!" Worf cried as he came running up the path.
"I'm afraid that was me, Worf!" Riker called back. "Just checking to see if our phasers still operate."
"Incredible, Worf! You came out of nowhere!" Geordi commented.
"Commander, those troops would have heard that phaser shot," Beverly reminded them.
"Knowing Q, something tells me they already knew our location," Riker replied.
Suddenly, Riker noted the look on Worf's face.
"What is it, Worf?" Riker asked.
"Sir, what they're wearing may be old Earth uniforms, but what's inside of them isn't human at all. More like vicious aliens," Worf explained.
He went on to describe what he had witnessed during his reconnaissance of their camp. They appeared to be powerful creatures – at least as powerful as Klingons, if not more. He'd watched them squaring off against one another at the camp and they clearly possessed great physical strength. Worf hadn't seen their weapons fire, but he suspected they were likely not just muskets.
"Those soldiers are closing fast, sir," Geordi cautioned.
"I'm sensing great anger," Deanna warned. "Like an insatiable rage. They won't stop, Will."
Commander Riker knew they were outnumbered.
If Worf's hypothesis about their weapons was accurate, their phasers would be of no use.
"Data, if you've got a theory about what's happening?" Riker asked.
Data turned around – only it wasn't Data.
It was Q.
"Think fast, Commander Riker," he said. "And move fast."
They were surrounded.
Riker could see that Worf's assessment of the soldier's had been accurate.
They were large, muscular creatures with ferocious looking faces – sharp teeth, intense eyes, and a stance that suggested they were trained to kill. The creatures closed in on them fast, snarling and grunting as they encircled the team.
One of the soldiers fired a warning shot.
As they suspected, the muskets were not equipped with standard lead balls.
An energy bolt shot out of the musket and hit the rocks behind them as it sent dust and debris flying through the air.
"Those aren't muskets," Riker observed.
Worf and Geordi both fired their phasers at the soldiers and brought two of them down as they advanced.
"Will!" Deanna said, encouraging him to focus.
Beverly didn't hesitate as she fired her phaser at one of the troops.
"You only have one chance to save them now," Q explained. "Send them back to the ship."
Riker looked around desperately.
The troops were just a few metres away. If they were to fire, they could take out the entire team.
"You'll let me beam them?" Riker asked.
He didn't want to take the risk of upsetting Q.
Riker surmised it was best to ask for permission.
Q, dressed as Data, shook his head.
"Send them the same way as I do," Q said playfully. "I've given you that power. Do you understand? I have given you the power of the Q. Use it!"
Riker was taken aback.
It hadn't just been a game.
But he didn't feel any different inside.
Suddenly, Q vanished.
A moment later, the real Data appeared once again.
Data looked around. It was evident Q must have suspended time for him as events had transpired – the soldiers were closing in on them – yet for Data not even a second had passed.
"Use your power," Q's voice teased as the growling soldiers edged ever closer.
The team was back-to-back.
"Commander," Geordi urged.
Deciding to trust Q, Riker raised his hand and beamed the team away.
Back aboard the Enterprise, Tasha was sitting alone on the Bridge.
Captain Picard had been present a moment earlier before mysteriously vanishing.
She was sitting next to the Command Chair when the familiar hum of the ship's systems resumed.
Looking up at the viewscreen, the forcefield grid they had encountered earlier had disappeared.
Tasha stood up and looked at the conn.
The computer seemed to be reactivated.
Tasha knew she had a duty to evaluate their position and try and find the crew.
She also considered this could be another test from Q.
Unconsciously, she rubbed her hand where she'd been shocked earlier from touching the console.
Deciding duty outweighed the risk, she cautiously reached for the Operations console and read that their position appeared unchanged from earlier.
It appeared the majority of the crew – minus the away team – were still aboard the Enterprise. All decks were reporting normal conditions.
The nearest planet was over thirty lightyears away.
Whatever planet Q had sent them to was either completely created from Q's mind or nowhere close to the location of the Enterprise.
As they were not in orbit above the planet, she had nowhere to scan for the Bridge crew.
Tasha tapped her combadge to page the Captain, but there was no response.
"Computer, locate Captain Picard," Tasha asked.
"Captain Picard is not aboard the Enterprise," the computer replied.
With a sigh, Tasha assumed the Command Chair.
"Lieutenants Hawk, Siddiqui, Campbell, and Doyisa please report to the Bridge," Tasha ordered. "Doctor Selar, please report to the Bridge."
She would need a team of bridge officers.
Their first priority would be to reach the mining colony.
Doctor Selar would have to take over as acting Chief Medical Officer during the rescue.
Their rescue and recovery mission took precedence over the situation with Q. After all, it was possible the remaining bridge crew had managed to negotiate for the release of the Enterprise. If so, Tasha wasn't going to let that opportunity go to waste.
Before she could adjust the course for the planet, the door to the Captain's Ready Room slid open and Captain Picard strolled onto the Bridge.
"Captain!" Tasha said as she stood up from the Command Chair.
"At ease," Picard ordered. "Are all systems back online?"
"Yes sir," Tasha replied as she stepped over to the helm. "All systems back online, I've ordered a team to report to the Bridge. Our position appears unchanged."
Tasha slid into the seat at the helm.
"Sir, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-" Tasha started to apologise.
"It's quite alright, Lieutenant," Picard assured her. "You have no need to apologise for doing your duty."
Tasha nodded and began to plot a course for the mining colony.
"There's been no interruption to our speed or our course," she stated as she observed their current heading. "Both have remained constant, as though we never stopped."
"We never did," Picard said. "I believe Q suspended time."
In a flash, Worf, Data, Geordi, Beverly, and Deanna appeared on the Bridge.
Data felt a wave of relief as he spotted her at the helm.
For a moment, they locked eyes as a look of understanding passed between them.
Tasha wanted to apologise for not listening to him, for ignoring all his warnings, and to assure him that she would never take his advice for granted again.
Data wanted to pull her close, reassure her how much she meant to him, and let her know how deeply the idea of loss had impacted him.
But they both knew it wasn't the time or the place.
They had an obligation to remain professional while on the Bridge.
He was back aboard the Enterprise, and she was safe from Q's penalty box.
Instead, they conveyed their feelings wordlessly as they gave each other a small nod.
"Where's Commander Riker?" Tasha asked.
"He was just with us," Worf replied.
"He must still be on that planet. We were under attack by these," Geordi paused as he struggled to find the right word. "These alien things."
"Alien things?" Captain Picard asked for clarification.
"Well, maybe Data could explain it better, sir," Geordi said.
"You may find it aesthetically displeasing, sir," Data described. "I could just file a computer report on that."
"Data!" Picard sighed, frustrated.
"Sir, the important thing right now is why is Commander Riker missing?" Tasha insisted.
Their First Officer was gone, seemingly a prisoner of the mysterious Q. They had an obligation to find him – though Tasha had no inkling of where to even begin.
"Understood, Lieutenant," Picard nodded. "But I suspect Commander Riker is probably perfectly safe, at least in a physical sense."
The turbolift doors opened. The team Tasha had ordered to the Bridge stepped off.
"Lieutenant Yar?" Lieutenant Siddique asked. "We were ordered to report to the Bridge?"
Before Tasha could respond, Captain Picard stepped in.
"We had an incident on the Bridge, but it's been resolved," Captain Picard said. "Please return to your postings. When we reach the planet, we'll need you ready for the evacuation."
The team nodded in understanding and stepped back onto the turbolift.
"Sir, Q tried to tempt all of us with the offer of his powers," Deanna explained. "Commander Riker accepted his offer."
Picard sighed.
"Q has an interest in us. All of us," Picard informed them.
"And the reason for that, sir?" Data questioned.
"I wish I knew," Picard confessed. "He first became interested with us at Farpoint. I have no idea what it means."
An unsettling feeling crept into the bridge crew.
It disturbed each of them to think that Q had some interest in their existence.
"We must proceed with our rescue mission," Picard ordered.
Down on the planet, Commander Riker sat down on the sandy soil. He leaned back against the rock and laughed heartily.
"Something amuses you?" Q asked as he appeared next to Riker. "Perhaps you'll share the joke with me?"
In truth, he was fascinated by Riker's response.
The team had been seconds away from death and yet he appeared to be entertained.
"Strange gratitude, from one who has been granted a gift beyond any human dream," Q commented. "How can you not appreciate being able to send your friends back to the safety of your ship? Or sending the soldiers back to the nothingness from which they came?"
He didn't understand humans.
"Certainly, you must understand that at this moment you can send yourself back to the ship or to Earth," Q teased. "You could change your shape to become anything else you've ever wanted to be. Go anywhere. See anything!"
"What do you need, Q?" Riker asked directly.
"Need?" Q asked, confused.
Riker shrugged as he chuckled.
"You want something from us, desperately," Riker said. "What is it?"
Q looked scandalised.
It was a risk – he'd banished Tasha to a strange penalty box for pressing the same issue. But Will Riker figured if Q really had given him the same powers, he was unlikely to be sent to the mysterious penalty box.
"Me want something from you foolish, fragile, non-entities? Oh come, Riker," Q said quickly. "You're beginning to sound like your Captain."
Riker grinned, knowing full well that he'd hit a sensitive spot.
"Now that's a compliment, Q," Riker replied coolly. "But that's not an answer."
Q turned to Riker with an eager gleam in his eye.
"After Farpoint, I returned to where we exist. The Q Continuum," Q began to say
"Which means what exactly?" Riker asked.
They knew nothing about this shadowy Q Continuum. They had no idea whether it was a civilisation, a planet, a ruling council, or some kind of alternate dimension.
"The limitless dimensions of the galaxy in which we exist," Q replied strangely.
"I don't understand," Riker admitted as he shook his head.
Q sighed in exasperation.
"Of course you don't," Q scoffed. "And you never will until you become one of us."
Commander Riker scratched his chin. He was certain Q had already granted him the power of the Q.
Was there something more? An initiation?
His curiosity demanded an answer.
"Until?" Riker inquired. "Would you mind-"
Q growled.
"If you'll stop interrupting me!" Q snapped. "This is hardly the time to be teaching you the true nature of the universe."
Commander Riker nodded in understanding.
He sat quietly as Q admitted that he had misunderstood humanity during their encounter at Farpoint. Although Q had interacted with humans many times over the centuries, he had always considered them savages by the standards of the Q.
But there was something about Jean-Luc Picard and his crew that had left Q feeling more excited than he had in a long time. Observing them and toying with them had provided him with a new reason to exist.
In truth, the life of a Q had long ago grown monotonous.
Meeting Jean-Luc Picard and his crew had breathed fresh life into his dull existence.
Of course, Q could never directly admit that.
"You are unusual creatures in your own limited ways," Q said. "Ways which, in time, will not be so limited."
It was a backhanded compliment, but Riker understood the meaning.
"We're growing," he concurred. "Something about us compels us to learn, explore."
Q nodded in agreement.
"Yes, the human compulsion," Q stated. "Unfortunately for us, it is a power which will grow stronger century after century, aeon after aeon."
Commander Riker's curiosity got the better of him.
"Aeons? Have you any idea how far we'll advance?" he asked eagerly.
Q shot him a warning look.
"Perhaps in a future that you cannot yet conceive," Q said. "That's why we've selected you. We want to know more about this human condition so that we may understand it."
Riker considered his words.
"I suppose you mean that as a compliment, Q," Riker replied. "Maybe it's my limited mind."
He grinned and Q rolled his eyes.
Q understood humans found Riker charming. Q found his 'charm' annoying.
"But to become part of you?" Riker asked incredulously. "I don't even like you."
Q leaned in close.
"You're going to miss me," he taunted as he snapped his fingers and vanished.
The bridge crew – in addition to the Captain and Wesley Crusher – suddenly appeared back on the planet.
"Come on!" Geordi shouted in frustration as he looked around. "Not again!"
"Fascinating," Picard said as he observed the planet. "So, this is where he sent you."
Wesley gazed around confused. For him the entire situation left him utterly bewildered. He hadn't been part of the first group, so he was completely unaware of the situation with Q.
"Commander Riker, what's going on?" Wesley asked as he looked at the eerie green sky. "I was sitting in school and-"
"Worf, my phaser's gone," Tasha reported as she clutched her holster. "Are you armed?"
Worf felt for his phaser and found his too was gone.
He shook his head.
"No," he replied.
"What is that?" Tasha asked as she heard the snarling alien soldiers approach.
Geordi and Data exchanged a dark look.
Tasha hadn't been present during their first encounter.
"Alien soldiers," Worf advised.
"Intent to kill," Deanna warned as she sensed the same rage as before.
The soldiers advanced.
Data, Geordi, Worf, and Tasha took up a defensive stance in front of the group.
"Where is Q?" Picard asked before turning to Commander Riker. "If you have any answers to this, I'm all ears, Commander."
The soldiers were less than four metres away and closing fast.
"Worf?" Tasha prompted. "Straight for the centre? Try for a weapon?"
"Yes," Worf nodded. "I think that is our best bet."
Without phasers, hand-to-hand combat was their only option. Worf and Tasha had significant training in this area, but they were vastly outnumbered.
"Those aren't normal muskets," Data cautioned. "Given my android capabilities, it would be best for me to lead the assault."
"Fine," Tasha replied.
She didn't want Data facing off against these creatures, but she knew he was right. His strength was their only advantage.
"Don't think you're going alone," Geordi added.
"Your orders, sir?" Tasha asked the Captain.
"Q?" Picard shouted.
There was no response.
"Sir?" Data inquired.
All of a sudden, Worf charged forward toward the advancing line of soldiers.
Tasha cast a quick glance at Data.
"I'm sorry," she said as she met his eyes.
She could see the mix of disappointment and understanding in his face.
Tasha felt horrible.
She knew it was futile.
She felt ashamed for breaking her earlier promise to herself not to ignore his warnings.
But she also knew that she had to protect her friends – both those behind her and Worf that was charging forward.
Tasha took off after Worf as she raced toward the advancing skirmish line of growling aliens.
Data was a step behind her and Geordi followed without hesitation.
As Worf suspected, the aliens were extremely powerful.
It didn't take much for them to overpower him as he landed on his back in the sand.
"Worf!" Wesley cried as one of the aliens impaled him with his bayonet.
Wesley rushed toward his fallen friend.
"Wesley, no!" Beverly yelled as she tried to stop her son.
"Wesley! Stop!" Captain Picard ordered.
He was terrified. Jean-Luc couldn't let anything happen to Beverly's boy – he had to put a stop to this.
Picard turned back to Commander Riker.
"What is going on?" Picard demanded.
As Wesley reached Worf, the soldiers were momentarily occupied with Geordi, Data, and Tasha.
Wesley crouched down next to Worf.
One of the alien soldiers noticed the young boy and approached him.
"Wes! Look out!" Beverly called out as she saw the soldier sneaking up behind him.
She tried to run toward him but was stopped by Jean-Luc.
"We don't know what this is," Picard warned her as he held her back.
"My son!" Beverly screamed.
It caught Tasha's ear and she turned in time to see the soldier coming toward Wesley.
Tasha lunged at it.
They struggled for a moment before she managed to bring it down to the ground.
"Run," she ordered Wesley as she wrestled with the creature.
Wesley began to back away but struggled to gain his footing in the loose, sandy terrain.
Across the way, Data had lost sight of Geordi.
His superhuman strength allowed him to throw the soldiers back with ease. But there were so many of them swarming their location, it was difficult to keep up.
"Geordi?" Data said desperately as he tried to fight his way through the crowd.
Data picked up another alien soldier and tossed it through the air. It landed several metres away in the sand with a 'thud' and did not get back up.
He spotted Geordi just as the Engineer was brought to the ground. The soldiers descended upon him, and Data frantically began to push through the crowd to reach them.
"Do something, Will!" Deanna said as she watched with horror as more soldiers emerged around them.
They were everywhere. The team was completely surrounded on all sides.
Riker stood motionless as he watched the scene unfold.
Data was almost to Geordi when he heard Tasha cry out.
"Wes! No!" she shouted.
Wesley had been backing away from them, unable to tear his eyes from the violence.
Another soldier had emerged behind him.
Wesley cried out as he was impaled from behind by the sharp bayonet.
"NO!" Beverly screamed. "No!"
She struggled against Captain Picard and Deanna as they held her back from running toward him.
"This is Q, Beverly," Deanna reminded her. "Will! Stop it! Stop it like you did before!"
Inside, Deanna didn't know if it was real or not. The feelings were real. She could sense Wesley's life was fading.
Wesley fell to his knees and collapsed face-first into the ground.
"Q! Stop this madness!" Picard shouted angrily in hopes that the omnipotent being was listening.
"We have to get out of here," Data said loudly as he made his way to Tasha.
She turned away from Wesley and toward him.
Before she could respond, Tasha grunted as she was run through by the end of a bayonet.
Tasha looked down at the blade sticking out from her diaphragm. There was a searing pain in the middle of her back, and she could taste the blood inside her mouth.
The blade suddenly disappeared, and she inhaled sharply as she felt it pulled back through her body.
She looked up at Data.
He was at her in two steps and caught her as she fell forward into his arms.
Data didn't know what to do.
That wasn't entirely true.
Data knew exactly what to do.
But he was overwhelmed.
Simultaneously, he knew he had a duty to protect the Captain, to defend the other crew members.
At the same time, he knew he needed to apply pressure to the wound. Data's sensors could read that her blood pressure had dropped while her heart rate had increased as it attempted to compensate for the blood loss.
It was vital that he theorise what Q's endgame was in order to get them all out of this situation. Data's computing power was essential to rescuing everyone.
But she was bleeding out in his arms.
And he was helpless to stop it.
They were completely surrounded on an alien planet with no supplies and nowhere to run.
His positronic neural transmitters fired at lightning speed. Data was unable to tear himself away from staring at Tasha – his gaze locked on the spot where tears were beginning to prick at the edges of her eyes, threatening to leak out onto the sandy soil already stained with her blood.
Too much blood. Data realised.
He could feel his neural net race as he tried to prioritise where to start.
Data felt like his artificial breathing system had stopped functioning.
Tasha sputtered and it brought Data back to the present from his mental spiral. It had only been 1.47 seconds, but for Data that was more than enough time for his mind to run wild.
She was trying to speak. Tasha could see he was losing control of his thoughts.
She wanted to apologise, to tell him what he meant, to tell him so many things.
Data blinked, unsure of what to say.
This was the moment he had feared.
Four metres away, Captain Picard and Beverly were cornered by a group of soldiers. Deanna was in pain – she could feel all of the emotion from each of them – Beverly's devastation, Data's fear, Commander Riker's confusion, Captain Picard's anger.
It was all too much.
Data turned off his audio receptors.
Tasha tried to speak again and choked.
"Shhh," Data said as he brushed Tasha's bangs behind her ear.
At that moment, he didn't know what else to do other than to hold her.
A second later Data felt her slip from his grip as he was pulled back by a crowd of the alien soldiers.
His left arm was violently detached followed by his right.
Data fell to the ground hard as he landed on his side.
It took him less than a quarter of a second to spot Tasha about half a metre away on the ground.
She blinked back at him twice and, with considerable effort, shook her head.
The battle was over. It was a lost cause.
Data felt a mixture of emotions - it wasn't supposed to be like this.
"NO!" Riker shouted, finally finding his voice. "Damn it! Damn it to hell!"
He threw up his arm and surrounded Captain Picard, Doctor Crusher, Deanna, and himself with a Q forcefield to prevent the soldiers from getting any closer.
"Riker!" Picard gasped in astonishment. "You did that?"
Will Riker was enraged.
This wasn't a mere game.
It reinforced everything he despised about the Q.
There was so much death.
Unnecessary violence.
And he could stop it.
He had the power to end it all and bring about peace.
"And that's not all!" Riker replied heatedly.
Riker could feel the power surging inside of him, further activated by the rage of having to watch his friends torn apart in front of his eyes.
Commander Riker snapped his fingers and they all vanished from the surface of the planet.
They were back on the Bridge of the Enterprise.
Everyone glanced around at one another, perplexed by the sudden change in situations.
Beverly pulled Wesley into a tight embrace. She didn't know what had happened. She certainly couldn't explain it. But she was grateful her son was alive and well.
Geordi felt along his torso. Where he had been beaten and stabbed was now completely healed.
Deanna felt her vision blur as she was completely overwhelmed by the powerful emotions that radiated off her friends.
Data whipped around in the Command Chair and locked eyes on Tasha. She nodded stiffly, indicating she was alright. It took all of his willpower not to go to her.
Captain Picard didn't need his Command degree from Starfleet to know they had all experienced a traumatic event.
He tapped his combadge and ordered the Beta shift bridge crew to report for duty immediately.
"That grid, their wounds. Only the Q can do that," Picard said darkly as he looked at Commander Riker.
"We have a lot to discuss, sir," Riker replied.
Captain's log, stardate 41591.4. Three hours out from Quadra Sigma Three where the survivors of an underground disaster desperately need our help. Aboard the Enterprise, First Officer William T. Riker needs help nearly as badly. But this is a subject far out of my experience. Out of any human's experience.
The mysterious entity known only as Q has subjected my crew to a sick game seemingly because he is amused by our presence. The game has consisted of judging the reactions of my senior officers when subjected to trauma. Allegedly, he has offered the power of the Q during this game – tempting my senior crew by offering them the opportunity to rewrite the past.
I've ordered second shift on early to give my officers a few hours' time to process recent events until we reach our rescue mission. I will speak with Commander Riker one-on-one later. But for the time being, I find I am also in need of some time alone to collect my thoughts.
As soon as the second shift had arrived to relieve them, the main bridge crew stepped onto the turbolift.
It was an awkward ride.
Beverly and Wesley were the first to reach their floor.
"Come on," Beverly said as she guided Wes off the lift.
He stopped and turned back to the crew.
Wesley paused for a moment before launching himself at Tasha with a warm hug.
"Thank you," he said, shaken by the experience.
Tasha froze, still stunned from what had occurred down on the planet.
It took her second to respond. She gingerly patted Wesley's back and shared a knowing look with Beverly.
There would be time later to explain.
"Sorry," Wes said as he realised he was holding everyone up.
"No need to apologise," Geordi assured him.
With a short nod, Wesley re-joined his mother and the lift doors closed.
Worf was the next to reach his deck.
He nodded to the other officers silently before stepping off to go meditate alone.
The events of the day had left him feeling shaken – both in terms of dying and being brought back to life but also in knowing that they had been defeated by the strange soldiers.
It felt like failure. But it was failure against a significantly superior enemy. No amount of training could ever defeat the Q.
Worf felt an indescribable frustration in knowing they were no match for the power of the Q – and never would be – despite how hard they tried.
The turbolift doors closed and they rode in silence as they reached the next deck.
Will and Deanna got off on the same level.
"Deanna, are you alright?" Riker asked as he started after her.
"I think I would like to be alone," she replied as she eyed him cautiously.
There was something nerve wracking in knowing he had the power of the Q.
Deanna could sense it. They all could.
And for Riker, it was isolating.
He nodded in understanding and set off to his quarters alone and feeling more detached than he had ever felt before.
They flew past Data's deck.
"I'm glad we're here," Geordi confessed when it was down to the three of them on the lift.
Tasha reached out and gave Geordi's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"I am pleased you are alive," Data said to Geordi.
"Me too, buddy. Me too," Geordi replied with an uncomfortable smile.
When they reached Tasha's deck, Data looked back to Geordi.
"I'll be fine," Geordi assured him. "Go."
The moment the door to her quarters closed, Tasha turned to Data.
"Data I-" she started to say.
She stopped as he gripped her shoulders and turned her around.
His fingers found the zipper on her jumpsuit.
A moment later she felt his fingers on her back in the exact spot where she had been stabbed. He traced over where the wound had once been. But now there was nothing indicating it had ever occurred.
Tasha waited patiently, content to let him take his time. She understood he needed physical confirmation that she was alright.
After a few moments, she turned back to look at him.
"It's alright," she said softly.
Data pulled her tightly against him.
"I thought I lost you," he said.
"You did," she retorted, attempting to lighten the mood.
When he didn't respond, Tasha felt that perhaps humour was not the best approach.
"I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you. That I never listen when you try to warn me about-" Tasha said as she began to apologise.
Data didn't wait for her to finish. He pressed his lips against hers, desperate to reassure himself that this moment was real.
After some time, she pulled away as she felt that he was shaking.
Looking up at him, she realised he was sobbing.
She tried to brush away the yellow tears on his cheeks, but they were falling faster than she could stop them.
"Hey, c'mere," she said as she guided him over to the sofa in her quarters.
She sat on the sofa and pulled Data down next to her.
Tasha knew this had been a rough experience for him emotionally. It was hard enough to go through Q's game. She couldn't imagine how much more difficult it had been for someone that was just learning to navigate their own feelings.
Data rested his head in her lap. He continued to cry as she tenderly stroked his hair, trying to ground him and reassure him that he was alright.
"I-I am uncertain h-how to st-stop," Data stammered as he wept.
"Sometimes we just have to cry until there are no more tears," Tasha told him.
"Theoretically, I could produce tears forever," he replied before he could stop himself.
"Then it's a good thing I'm not going anywhere," Tasha said softly.
Two and a half-hours later, Captain Picard was seated in his Ready Room with Commander Riker. They had been speaking for the last twenty minutes about the situation down on the planet.
Commander Riker had explained the details of Q's game and his supposed new powers.
He'd even gone so far as to demonstrate them – summoning a cuppa Earl Grey for the Captain from thin air.
"Will, how the hell do I advise you?" Picard sighed as he put his hands in the air. "You know the implications as well as I."
"No one has ever offered to turn me into a god before," Will replied in a faraway voice.
It was a helluva an offer – immortality, omnipotence, the chance to explore and discover beyond the wildest dreams of any Starfleet officer.
"We've seen what they can do with their power," Picard added.
"And you've seen what I can do with it," Riker said as he looked down at his hands.
He'd stopped a contingent of soldiers. He'd beamed his friends back aboard the Enterprise.
Hell, he'd brought them back from the dead.
That said, it was evident there was fear. Deanna had avoided him. She didn't need to say it aloud, but he could sense they were all afraid of him on some level.
Will Riker didn't feel changed much – he certainly could sense more.
In fact, he could sense everything. He knew the wants and desires of his fellow crew members. He could read their thoughts. He knew their deepest fears.
It was enthralling.
"If you are going to refuse his offer, you must not allow yourself to use this power again," Picard cautioned. "It's too great a temptation for us at our present stage of development."
"Are you worried I won't be able to say no?" Riker questioned.
He already knew the answer, but he felt compelled to hear it from the Captain himself.
"You tell me," Picard retorted as he flipped it back to Riker.
Picard knew Will already knew the answer to his question.
What remained unknown was whether Riker could resist the offer.
"Are you strong enough to refuse the power?" Picard pressed.
"Certainly," Riker replied, entirely sure of himself.
He was riding high from the power he felt.
"No matter how tempted? No matter how difficult Q makes it for you?" Picard went on. "And you know he will."
Commander Riker had never felt more certain.
"You have my word," Riker promised confidently.
Captain Picard wasn't entirely convinced. Nonetheless, he didn't want to anger Commander Riker.
"Good. I know what your word means," Picard responded as he tried to convey trust in his First Officer.
Somewhere buried underneath the curiosity and excitement was the real Will Riker and Captain Picard was determined to draw him out.
The Computer chimed to alert the Captain of their progress.
"Sir, we're in orbit above Quadra Sigma Three," Lieutenant Hawk advised over the conn. "Ready to begin beaming down rescue teams to the underground emergency area."
"Make it so," Picard acknowledged.
The disaster had been worse than reported. There had been a series of subsequent tremors following the initial explosion resulting in further stress on the infrastructure.
Doctor Crusher and the medical teams had been ready to receive hundreds of survivors.
Instead, they found only a small contingent of people.
"Where are the others?" Riker asked as he looked around.
"Gone," a woman said emotionlessly. "It's just us."
The colony was located deep enough into the planet's surface that the ship's sensors weren't much use in identifying life forms.
Adding to the difficulty of their mission, the mineral deposits in the rock created interference and severely limited the range of their tricorders.
Worf and Tasha both led search and rescue teams as they tried to dig through the debris in search of anyone left alive.
Geordi was using his VISOR to scan the area for anything that looked like a lifeform.
"Commander!" Geordi called out to Data. "There's someone under here."
Data rushed over and began to toss the large slabs of rock as if they were balloons.
"You're getting close," Geordi advised as he watched his progress.
After throwing off another large rock, Data spotted the wee frame of a young child.
He scanned her body for life signs but detected none.
Carefully, he lifted her delicate body out from the rock pile.
Doctor Crusher stepped over and scanned her with a medical tricorder.
They had the technology to save people after clinical death depending on the type, extent, and timing of the trauma.
"It's too late," Beverly said bitterly. "She's dead. If only we'd gotten here a little sooner."
Data felt awful.
It took all of his willpower to fight against the tears that had begun to well up in his eyes.
"Sir, if indeed you have the power of the Q," Data pleaded as he cradled her in his arms.
As he stared at the tiny child, Commander Riker understood fully what Captain Picard meant about Q testing his resolve.
"I can't," Riker replied stiffly. "I'm prevented from that by a promise."
"But, sir," Data said suddenly.
He wasn't going to take no for an answer.
A part of him understood why Commander Riker couldn't.
But Data refused to accept that.
"This is wrong," Data argued.
Tasha's heart ached as she watched him.
She knew death was a difficult subject for Data.
Data opened his mouth to protest, but Tasha stepped between him and Commander Riker.
"Data, give me the girl," Tasha instructed.
"She is too young," Data said, shaking his head. "We can save her with the power of the Q."
Tasha stepped forward and slipped her arms under the child.
Data let Tasha carry her away.
"Tasha-" he started to say.
"I know, Data," she replied gently. "Come on."
Tasha tipped her head in the direction of the industrial lifts to the surface of the planet.
There were so many lives lost on the colony – with many of the bodies buried under layers of debris too deep to penetrate – that there would be no way to properly see to all the dead.
But Tasha knew that they could see to this one.
And that it may be therapeutic for Data.
He followed Tasha onto the lift.
They rode in silence to the surface.
When they reached the surface, they emerged back in the centre of what had once been the colony's main mining office.
Tasha led Data outside.
On their way out of the building she instructed him to grab one of the Federation flags that hung on a pole near the entrance. Wordlessly, Data removed the flag and trekked after her.
It was dark out. The sun wouldn't rise on this planet for another six hours.
They walked past the ruins of the colony. It had largely collapsed as the mine underneath had exploded but Data could still make out where buildings had once stood– a canteen, homes, even a community shopping centre.
When they reached the garden, Tasha knelt down and asked Data for the Federation flag.
With skilled hands, Tasha set to work.
She had done this before.
On Turkana.
Too many times. She thought to herself darkly.
Carefully, she wrapped the child in the fabric– tidying her shirt and brushing her hair back.
Tasha licked her thumb and wiped away the dirt on the wee girl's nose.
"I'm sorry you deserved better," Tasha said aloud.
Data watched with fascination as she stroked the small girl's face and spoke in a language that was undetectable by the universal translator.
"Alius iam mortuo in faern ni caen tua rionnag, Azura. Tuin vive tenbras tuae morietur caenspectau tuo ni et cin luna gwaethren. Eorum vitam, sed non finem,"Tasha said quietly. "Mare autem gaer eri-ni semper oriri cin thul ni occursum adventus tui, et erit carrai ni vesta tergum. Ut dirigat viam lunam et rionnag in nimbum Azura luca galad."
After a brief moment, Tasha got up and took Data's hands.
"Tasha, what was-" he started to ask but she cut him off.
"Shhh," she said as she pressed her forehead against his. "A moment of silence for her."
Data understood.
They stayed quiet like that for a moment, foreheads pressed together under the moonlight in the ruined garden.
"Sometimes humans bury the dead," Data said after some time. "Do you believe we should bury her?"
"No, Data," Tasha replied. "She needs to be under the stars."
Data wanted to question this, but instead chose to let it go as they walked back to join the others.
Back aboard the Enterprise, Commander Riker was struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"I should never have made that agreement with you," Riker spat at Captain Picard. "I could have saved that child."
"You were right not to try," Picard said calmly. "Once you became accustomed to that kind of power, Number One-"
"I saved most of the bridge crew is what happened," Riker reminded the Captain.
"And what happens when you grow to like it too much?" Picard questioned.
He turned and looked at Commander Riker sternly.
"What happens when Will Riker the First Officer becomes Will Riker the omnipotent?" Picard pressed. "Don't you think part of the problem with the Q is that they lack humanity? What will occur when you lose your's?"
Riker was infuriated.
"As soon as it's convenient, Captain, I want a meeting with you and the bridge staff," Riker said furiously as he stepped off the turbolift.
"Once we are back on course for the Starbase," Picard promised before the doors closed.
In the end, there had been little they could do. They had managed to rescue a handful of survivors. They would take them along to the Starbase for further treatment and counselling.
The colony was a total loss.
Data theorised the shockwave fallout explosions would continue to ripple for several weeks as the gas pockets expanded below the surface.
There would be nothing they could do to save it.
Once they were clear of the planet's orbit, Captain Picard ordered the senior officers back to the Bridge for their meeting with Commander Riker.
Reluctantly, the bridge officers assembled to listen to Commander Riker.
"Should we not head to the observation lounge?" Riker questioned as he observed his fellow officers take their postings. "I've called everyone here."
"Correction, Number one," Picard replied tersely. "I've permitted you this gathering. We will confer here on the Bridge."
"Of course, Jean-Luc," Riker replied with a curt nod.
Geordi and Data exchanged a glance.
No one – with the rare exception of Doctor Crusher – ever called the Captain by his first name.
As if on cue, Doctor Crusher and Wesley emerged from the turbolift.
Commander Riker was quick to steer Wes away, claiming the meeting wasn't for his ears.
"This meeting is not for you," Riker warned.
Wesley protested. He insisted he was an acting ensign and bridge officer.
In truth, he was worried about his mother and his friends. He wanted to be present to try and help Commander Riker reach the right decision.
Will knew this. He could read Wesley's thoughts.
In the end, he permitted him to remain.
"All right. You can stay," Riker acknowledged.
He turned to the group.
"Now, just because I've been given unusual powers, I am not suddenly a monster," Riker said with a smile. "Except for these abilities – and I don't yet know how far they go – I am the same William T. Riker that you've always known."
Riker looked to the group expectantly.
No one moved.
With his newfound powers, he could tell they were still nervous around him.
"Well?" Riker prompted in hopes that someone would speak. "Everyone still looks uncomfortable."
Deanna looked miserable. Worf was avoiding his eyes. And Tasha was openly staring at him with disappointment.
"Perhaps because they all remember the old saying," Picard said slowly. "Power corrupts."
Riker laughed softly and shook his head.
"And absolute power corrupts absolutely," he said as he slapped Data on the back in a cheery manner recalling the android's earlier warning to Q.
Riker casually strolled back over to the Captain.
"Do you believe I haven't thought of that, Jean-Luc?" he asked as he waved his hand dismissively.
Captain Picard leaned forward in his chair.
"Have you noticed how you and I are now on a first name basis?" Picard questioned. "Number One, Will. Something has happened already."
Riker realised the Captain was correct.
The balance of power had shifted.
Under normal circumstances, Riker would have felt embarrassed.
Instead, it made him agitated.
Commander Riker began to pace uncomfortably.
"In what way?" Riker demanded. "Haven't you seen how much I regret not saving that child?"
It was true.
Will did regret not saving the wee girl back on that planet.
He regretted it deeply.
Riker hoped this would demonstrate his humanity to Captain Picard.
Although, not for the sake of the little girl.
No, rather he hoped it would be enough to convince Picard he could handle the power of the Q.
"Using the power to save her may have been wrong. But no more wrong than it was to save the rest of you," Riker said wildly.
"Let's keep in mind that particular danger was invented by Q," Picard reminded him.
In his eyes, there was a clear distinction between Q's game and scenarios and a real disaster.
It was evident to everyone that Captain Picard and Commander Riker were going round in circles.
Tasha found the courage to speak up next.
"Commander, what we represent to the Q is nothing. We're merely lowly animals to them, tormented into performing for their amusement," Tasha said as she tried to convince him otherwise.
Commander Riker shook his head in disagreement.
"Actually, they think very highly of us, Tasha," Riker said. "We have a quality of growth which they admire."
Tasha crossed her arms in response. She wasn't buying a word of it.
"Or fear," Geordi added from his seat at the helm.
"Commander, Q has muddled your mind," Worf advised. "Twisted your curiosity for their own benefit."
"This isn't you, Will," Deanna said as she looked up at him.
Commander Riker suddenly felt even more lonely than before.
It was as if they had all ganged up on him.
Commander Riker felt this was sooner an intervention than a meeting.
"None of you are capable of understanding this incredible gift," Riker said in a tired manner. "Your minds are too small to comprehend what I am capable of achieving."
All of a sudden, Q appeared dressed in a monk's habit, his hands folded in front of him.
"Are these truly your friends, brother?" Q said, taunting them. "Let us pray. For understanding. For compassion."
Captain Picard had reached his limit.
"Let us do no such damned thing!" Picard snapped as he leapt to his feet. "We're tired of the games and costumes. Have you no identity of your own, Q?"
"I come in search of the truth," Q replied haughtily.
Captain Picard exhaled audibly.
"You come in search of what humanity is," Picard countered as he touched a nerve in the almighty being.
"I forgive your blasphemy," Q snapped quickly in response.
Captain Picard turned to Commander Riker and looked at him pleadingly.
"Don't you see? He's nothing but a flim-flam man. He's been that way ever since we first met him at Farpoint," Picard said as he tried to convince Riker of Q's manipulation.
Worf looked over at Tasha and mouthed the word 'flim-flam?'
She shrugged in response.
Neither of them were familiar with the term but could tell from the context it wasn't something good.
Q pushed past the Captain and came to stand next to Riker.
"You offer nothing but jealousy, Picard. What I offer is beyond comprehension," Q said as he attempted to entice the First Officer. "How can you claim friendship for Riker while obstructing his way to the greatest adventure ever offered to a human?"
The meaning of Q's words was not lost on the astute android.
"Obstructing?" Data inquired. "Then it is not yet certain. Commander Riker has not yet committed."
Q shot Data a sharp look.
Q threw his arm around Commander Riker.
"You love each of your people. Why not demonstrate it. Show them the good your powers can achieve," Q said as he tempted him. "You have the power to leave each of them with a powerful gift proving your affection and displaying your humanity."
Commander Riker turned to Captain Picard to ask for permission.
"There would be no harm," Riker promised. "I would give them all something I know they would like."
Q clasped his hands together eagerly.
"How touching," Q said as he pouted, feigning that he was moved by the gesture. "A plea to his former Captain. May I please give some happiness to my friends, sir? Please, sir? May they please have a crumb of joy?"
Captain Picard was not amused.
However, knowing how his crew had responded earlier to Q's efforts to draw them into accepting his offer, Picard was confident they would make the right choice.
"In fact, I authorise and support your idea," Picard said brightly. "Please feel free to cooperate with him if you wish."
"Are you certain, sir?" Data inquired as he turned to the Captain.
It was dangerous.
He himself had begged Commander Riker to save the young child on the planet.
Data understood how tempting the offer of Riker's gifts could be.
Captain Picard assured Data that it was alright.
"By all means, Riker," Picard encouraged. "Demonstrate your gifts of affection."
"Don't be frightened, my friends," Riker told the room. "There is no way I could harm any of you. Shall I grant you your dreams?"
Beverly turned to Wesley.
"Leave now," she whispered to her son.
"No! Wesley," Riker said, stopping the boy. "I may know you best of all. Our friendship. Our long talks."
"Don't, please," Beverly begged Riker.
Commander Riker knew exactly what Wesley wanted.
"Have your favourite wish, my young friend," Riker said.
Wordlessly, Beverly watched in dismay as her son disappeared and was replaced by a much older boy.
In fact, not a boy.
Very much a man.
"You're ten years older," Riker explained. "Now a man."
Beverly was mortified as she considered the years her son had lost.
"This is no gift," she said cynically.
Commander Riker paid her no attention.
Instead, he turned to Geordi.
"Well, my friend," Riker said. "I know what you want."
With a wave of his hand, Geordi's VISOR disappeared.
They had all seen Geordi without his VISOR plenty of times.
However, this time Geordi could see without the VISOR.
Geordi looked around in wonder as he took in his friends for the first time in a new way. He could see in shadow and in light. He could see colours in the way the rest of them viewed the world.
He was speechless.
Geordi turned to the viewscreen and gazed out at the stars for the first time without his VISOR.
Although, it was different – and not nearly as informative as his VISOR – it was breath-taking.
"It's as beautiful as I imagined," Geordi said, his voice full of wonder. "And more."
The contrast between the inky blackness of the vast expanse and the gentle twinkle of the stars they were flying through was enough to move him to tears.
"Then we can throw away the VISOR?" Riker asked.
Geordi took a breath and composed himself.
Reluctantly, he turned back to Commander Riker.
He knew what he needed to do.
"I don't think so, sir," Geordi said regrettably. "The price is a little too high for me. And I don't like who I would have to thank."
Geordi straightened his posture as he looked over Riker's shoulders.
For the first time, he got to see Tasha flash him one of her million-watt smiles in a new light.
It was as brilliant as Data had described.
"Make me the way I was," Geordi asked. "Please."
With an air of frustration, Riker waved his hand and Geordi's vision was returned to its natural state.
Next, Riker turned to Worf.
"Proud warrior Worf, without a single tie to his own kind," Riker said.
He snapped his fingers. In a flash of light, the Klingon woman Tasha had seen earlier in Worf's memory appeared on the Bridge.
She was leaning against the doorframe that led to the turbolift.
"K'Ehleyr," Worf said breathlessly as she approached him.
The Klingon woman rested her forehead against his.
She was about to stroke his face, when Worf caught her wrists to stop her.
"No," Worf said unfortunately. "She is from a world now alien to me."
"She's pretty special to you," Riker said, pressing him.
"What is in the past must stay there," Worf said as he turned away from her. "This has no place in my life now."
"No place?" Q mocked. "What possesses you, micro-brain?"
Worf growled at Q's accusation.
Commander Riker shrugged and snapped his fingers.
In an instant, K'Ehleyr vanished.
Riker couldn't bring himself to look at Deanna.
As he could read her thoughts, he knew that in that moment her greatest desire was for him to give up the power of the Q.
Her empath abilities allowed her to understand that he knew this.
She tried hard to keep him focused on it – to project her thoughts onto him as much as possible in the hope that it would convince him to turn away from Q's offer.
Commander Riker turned at Data.
"Data," he said with a smile.
"No. No, sir," Data said pleadingly as he leaned back in his chair attempting to put some distance between himself and the First Officer.
Riker leaned in close, towering over the android with a wicked gleam in his blue eyes.
"Now this is interesting," Riker commented as he looked from Data to Tasha.
Riker looked back to Q as if he were seeking guidance.
This was not lost on Captain Picard.
"Is something wrong?" Picard questioned. "Something the all-powerful Q Riker cannot figure out."
Commander Riker couldn't explain it.
It was as if there was some kind of inner turmoil in both Data and Tasha.
There was conflict and Riker could sense it.
With the snap of his fingers, Data was suddenly transformed into a human.
It was a strange sensation for the android.
His mind felt incredibly clear as if he could only focus on a limited number of things. He knew his brain functioning was decreased. It was a thought that both disturbed and intrigued him. He was overcome at feeling everything from the air temperature to his emotions all at once.
Data reached out and touched the console, experiencing the familiar tactile sensation in a whole new manner.
He looked back at Tasha.
Data wanted to touch her too – to trace the bow of her lip with his fingers, to experience the sensation of kissing her without simultaneously processing the chemical makeup of her saliva, the amount of pressure necessary to safely apply, and the chronometer that tracked every millisecond of his existence.
Her breath hitched as she looked at him – so familiar and yet so foreign all at once.
Data had the same features, the same dark hair. He retained the same stiff posture and mannerisms.
Yet, his complexion was human.
And his eyes.
Tasha cleared her throat and shifted her weight from her left foot to her right -certain that she could get lost in those eyes.
Riker could read that Data was unhappy and it confused him.
"But it's what you've always wanted," Riker said aloud as he read Data's thoughts.
Data was unsure how to respond.
It was something he'd always wanted.
And in that moment, he was desperate to experience life in his new form.
But as he held Tasha's gaze, he knew this was wrong.
"You don't know what to do," Deanna said aloud as she picked up on the same feelings that Riker had identified.
Deanna grinned as she looked to Data.
"You have always wanted to be human. It is your strongest desire," Deanna explained. "But more than anything, you want her to be happy."
Deanna nodded to Tasha.
"Yes, Counsellor," Data admitted.
Deanna turned back to Commander Riker.
"Which is where the conflict you're feeling comes from," Deanna went on.
The Counsellor shifted in her chair and looked up to Tasha at the Tactical position.
"You feel guilty because you want him to be happy. To fulfil his dream of becoming human," Deanna said. "But equally strong is the desire for him to be himself. You loved him just the way he was, and you want him to love himself for who he is."
Tasha looked at Data and bit her lip.
Deanna was right. She did feel guilty, ashamed that her own desire would be in conflict with Data's dream of being human.
"Data, human. Android. I don't care," Tasha confessed. "But you don't need to change. Because, for what it's worth, I think you're pretty spectacular just the way you are."
"Data, this is your only chance to become human," Riker said.
It was a tempting offer for many reasons – most of all, it meant that he could share a lifetime with the one he loved rather than just the blink of an eye.
Data knew Tasha's natural life would end someday. And it would prove to be an infinitesimal amount of time in the grand scheme of his existence.
But if he were human, and limited to a human lifespan, that would eliminate that concern.
Tasha looked at him pleadingly and it was enough to make up Data's mind.
"Yes, sir. That is true," Data said sadly. "But I've never wanted to compound one illusion with another. It might be real to Q. Perhaps, even to you, sir. But it would not be so to me."
Data looked back to Tasha.
"Was it not one of the Captain's favourite authors who wrote, 'this above all, to thine own self be true?' Sorry, Commander," Data said sadly. "I must decline."
Disappointed, Riker snapped his fingers and returned Data back to his android form.
Tasha breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, Wesley spoke up.
"Commander Riker, sir," he said. "It's too soon for this."
Will Riker looked to Doctor Crusher before turning his gaze to the now adult Wesley.
"If this is because your mother objects," he warned.
"No, I just want to get there on my own," Wesley said in earnest. "Honest."
Geordi shot Wes a thumbs up from across the room, proud to see the boy make the right choice.
"Hey, Wes," Geordi said with a smile. "Not bad."
Q was growing tired of this.
"But it's easier boy," Q said desperately. "Listen to Riker."
Commander Riker glanced around at his fellow crew members.
Each of them had rejected their greatest desires.
In an instant, Riker knew it was over.
He waved his hand and returned Wes to his teenage self.
"How did you know, sir?" Riker said sheepishly as he turned to Captain Picard. "I feel like such a fool."
"Quite right," Picard replied warmly, and his heart swelled with pride at his crew's resistance. "It's all over Q. You have no further business here."
Q was irate.
"Human! You have no idea. You've just destroyed yourself," Q warned.
"Get off my ship," Picard replied simply.
"I'm not done with you," Q said as he turned up his nose. "You may have won the battle, but the war is far from over."
With a small 'pop', Q vanished.
"Captain, we're showing that same hole in time again," Geordi advised from the helm. "Our instruments say we've just now beamed back from the rescue mission."
"You have the coordinates for Starbase 118, Mr La Forge," Picard advised. "Engage."
As soon as their shift was finished, the crew headed off the Bridge.
Data had planned a detailed evening to spend with Tasha. Despite everything that had occurred, there was still the possibility that this would be their last night together on the Enterprise.
Their hearing was slated to begin in the morning at 09:00 hours and there would be no way of knowing what might transpire.
Data hadn't told Tasha about his plan. He'd been eager to keep it a surprise.
When they reached her quarters, he was going to suggest they begin the first part.
He'd prepared a meal for them – including some of her favourite foods – to take along to the Arboretum. With Keiko's help, Data had secured a secluded spot where they were sure to be left alone. It was near one of the viewer windows so they could look at the stars.
However, much to his disappointment, Tasha was clearly in a mood.
As soon as they were inside, she threw off her boots and raced for her bedroom.
"I'm going for a run," she said simply as she discarded her uniform.
Data cocked his head to the side.
"A run?" he asked in disbelief. "Would you prefer to do something else instead? What about a-"
"I need to blow off some steam," she admitted.
It was the truth. The whole situation with the Q and the rescue had been too much for one day.
On top of the hearing, it left her feeling like she was bottled up and ready to explode.
Data didn't want to disappoint her, so he asked if he could join.
"Yeah," she replied with a small smile.
Ninety minutes later, Tasha was pushing herself as she ran along the holographic rocky trail that simulated the alpine forests found on Grudenhaug II.
Data was next to her, and they were making good time.
"Tasha, you've just completed 15 kilometres," Data advised. "I do believe it would be wise to stop."
Tasha knew he was right.
But she didn't want to stop.
She'd reached the high she had been craving and the release of endorphins was enough to temporarily push away the thoughts of everything else that had clouded her mind – the hearing, dying and being brought back to life by Riker, Q, the penalty box, and the thought of losing Data.
"Tasha, please," Data cautioned.
In truth, he had an entire evening planned for them and was slightly miffed it was going to waste.
Data knew, in part, it was his fault for not clueing her in to his plan.
Remembering that she had cursed herself earlier in the day for not listening to Data's requests, Tasha slowed her pace to a slow jog and eventually to walking.
"Thank you," Data told her honestly as she pulled her leg back to stretch her hamstrings.
"I never wanted you to see that," Tasha confessed out of the blue.
She didn't have to say it.
Data knew she was referring to the memory the Q had forced her to relive.
"Likewise," Data replied.
Suddenly, Tasha felt guilty for feeling bad about her trauma when she recalled what Data had experienced at the hands of Commander Maddox.
"I'm sorry, you know," she said. "I'm sorry for what he did to you."
"It is in the past," Data replied, drawing on Worf's statement.
"He's wrong about you," Tasha insisted. "You do feel emotion. I think you always have."
Data felt like his metaphorical heart grew in response to her words.
"They were blue, you know," Tasha told him.
It was a question he'd wanted to ask all day.
Despite his momentary human existence at the hands of Commander Riker, Data hadn't gotten the chance to see himself as human.
He'd longed to know what colour his eyes had been.
"I'd love you no matter what," Tasha said as she approached him. "But I like these best."
She cupped his face and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.
"My golden eyed man," she said with a warm smile.
She had called him a man.
Not an android.
And not just a man – her man.
It was the little things like this that made Data realise just what an impact she had on his life.
All of a sudden, Tasha hissed and began to rub her left leg furiously.
Data looked down at her with concern.
Tasha waved him off.
"It's nothing," she assured him. "Just a cramp."
Data reached down and massaged her leg.
"Thanks," she said as the pain began to recede.
"Better?" he inquired.
Tasha nodded.
"I'm starving," Tasha said.
"About that-" Data said as he looked at her anxiously.
She could read his look.
"You had a whole thing planned, didn't you?" Tasha asked, feeling sheepish. "And I threw it all off when I said I was coming here?"
"There is still time," Data said. "We have the space at the Arboretum until 23:00."
Tasha cocked her eyebrow at Data.
"Just what did you think was going to happen at the Arboretum?" she teased.
It was only 19:00.
Data looked at her innocently as his head twitched twice.
"I've prepared a meal, and we are passing through the Qualos III system which is known for its fantastic light shows," Data replied simply.
Tasha gave him a look to indicate that she wasn't buying it.
"It would give me great pleasure if I could take you to dinner," Data said.
"Alright," Tasha replied. "But only because you're cute. I don't do this kind of thing with just anyone you know."
"I think it would be wise if you were to change into more appropriate attire," Data advised as he picked her up.
He looked down at her and sniffed.
"And perhaps bathe," he said, teasing her.
"I'm pretty sore," Tasha said.
"Then I shall endeavour to fix that," Data promised.
They never made it to the Arboretum.
Two and a half hours later they still hadn't left Data's bathtub.
Data had only stepped out once when his door had chimed shortly after 20:00.
"Keiko?" Data had asked as he answered the door in his dressing gown.
Keiko Ishikawa was standing in the corridor with a basket of food in hand.
"Had a feeling you weren't going to make it," she said with a knowing grin.
Data cocked his head to the side, initially confused by her statement.
He nodded slowly as realisation dawned on him.
"We went for a run on the holodeck," Data explained. "We were not-"
"It's fine, Data," Keiko assured him. "None of my business anyways but I figured whatever you're up to, you still need to eat."
Her eyes grew wide.
"Well, Tasha does at least," Keiko added awkwardly.
"I am unsure what to say," Data confessed. "This is incredibly thoughtful."
Keiko smiled.
"You don't have to say anything," Keiko assured him. "Just, well, good luck tomorrow."
She gave Data's arm a squeeze.
"We're all rooting for you," she said brightly as she handed over the basket.
"Thank you," Data said as he bid her goodnight.
After Keiko was gone, Data returned to his lavvy where Tasha was waiting.
"Oh no!" she said as she spied the basket in his hands. "I'm sorry."
Data set the basket down next to the tub.
"It is quite alright," Data assured her.
Tasha rested her chin on the edge as she reached into the basket.
Data observed her as her hands found a Vulcan plum and she bit it into it.
"What?" she asked as she looked up at him.
"I will miss this," Data said honestly.
Tasha wiped the juice from her chin with her wrist.
"If it comes to it, I have about thirty days of shore leave. I can't even imagine how much you have built up," Tasha said. "We could meet on Casperia Prime if I get reassigned to that sector."
They both had seen the reports. Although the Border Wars were going in the Federation's favour, Starfleet was still shipping lots of officers out that direction.
"Or if I get assigned along the Neutral Zone, Starbase 215 is quite central," Tasha went on.
Data was uncomfortable with the conversation.
He understood they needed to have it. But it still hurt.
Tasha casually took another bite of the plum in her hand.
She was still hanging over the edge of the tub, waiting for him to join her again.
"Data, it's a little strange that you're out there when you could be in here," Tasha told him.
A moment later he slipped in behind her.
She discarded the remains of the plum next to the basket and let herself relax back against his chest.
"I suppose I am quite pruney," she commented as she looked at the tips of her fingers.
Data caught one of her hands and traced along the wrinkled skin.
"It is fascinating," he said. "An evolutionary trait designed to help humans grip wet objects."
He looked down at his own fingers, turning his hand back and forth as he examined his bioplast.
"I will never experience pruney fingers," Data stated. "My bioplast is not impacted by wetness."
It was a reminder of one more thing that separated him from being truly human.
"You know human skin isn't meant to be submerged in water this long," Data advised.
Tasha grumbled.
It felt wonderful. She had a small tub in her own quarters, but it had nothing on the space Data was afforded in his quarters.
"I might be assigned to a lonely outpost on the edge of the universe tomorrow," Tasha teased. "If I'm going to be punished for sleeping with my Commanding Officer, please let me enjoy the benefits of it tonight."
Data kissed her shoulder.
"And what might that be?" he inquired.
Tasha turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"He's wickedly handsome," she told him.
Data felt warm.
"And whenever I overdo it on the holodeck, he's so good at taking care of me," Tasha went on as she nuzzled her nose against his. "Quite good at rubbing down sore muscles."
Data began to shut down his redundant processes so that he could focus more attention on her.
"I'll tell you a secret," Tasha said playfully.
Data looked at her expectantly.
"Maybe I overdo it a wee bit because I know it means I'll get his hands on me," Tasha whispered against his ear.
She sat back and grinned like a predator that had cornered her prey.
He was staring at her – lips slightly parted, eyes eager with anticipation, his systematic Fourier series pattern that regulated his blinking seemingly paused.
Tasha blushed, feeling both slightly embarrassed and simultaneously proud of herself that she could cause such a reaction with the way he was looking at her.
Shortly around 04:00, Tasha began to shake her head in her sleep. She was mumbling something, but Data couldn't quite decipher what it was.
He ran his fingers up and down the length of her bicep in an attempt to soothe whatever nightmare she was working through.
It wasn't unusual for her to have nightmares from time to time.
After several moments, the mumbling grew louder, and she began to jerk violently.
She was perspiring.
Data held her against him in hopes that it would calm her down.
Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.
She trashed fiercely against him as if trying to break free from his grip and began to scream.
Data gripped her tighter as he was concerned about Tasha hurting herself in her sleep.
"Tasha," he said firmly. "Tasha, stop."
She squirmed as she tried to break loose, and Data momentarily considered it was a good thing he had refused Commander Riker's offer to make him human as this was an instance where his android strength proved useful.
Data figured she would either tire herself out or wake up.
"Tasha," he said as he attempted to wake her for a second time.
She stopped struggling and Data realised she was crying.
"Noooo," she sobbed.
"Tasha, wake up," he tried again.
She sniffled.
"Eorum vitam, sed non finem," she said softly.
Data identified it as part of what she had said over the body of the wee child on the mining planet.
He still had no inkling of what it meant.
Whatever it was, it wasn't something recognised by the universal translator.
However, his perfect memory allowed him to identify it was the same phrase he had overheard earlier.
Data couldn't be sure what was going on in her mind.
The human brain's capacity to imagine and dream was far beyond Data's wildest theories.
He kissed the top of her head.
"You are safe," he assured her. "I have got you."
Her breathing began to regulate.
Tasha blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the dark.
She flinched as she realised someone was holding her.
"It is me," Data said, suspecting she had started to wake up.
He felt the tension in her posture melt as she grasped that she was in Data's quarters.
"I believe you were having what could be considered night terrors," Data informed her.
"Just a bad dream," Tasha replied as she tried to slow her breathing.
While he had little familiarity with the concept of dreaming, he possessed a theoretical knowledge of the subject and knew enough the understand that nightmares and night terrors were two radically different experiences.
"You began to exhibit physical signs of night terrors approximately eight minutes ago," Data explained.
Tasha turned to face him.
She ran her fingers back through his hair.
"Why haven't you gone to bed?" she asked with a yawn. "You feel better when you rest."
Data knew she was right.
They had a big day tomorrow and he did perform better when he had time to put his programming into a state of rest.
But Data couldn't bring himself to do it.
She had fallen asleep next to him, and Data couldn't bear the thought of missing a moment of that sensation – especially if it was to be their last night together on the ship.
"Tasha, may I ask you a question?" Data inquired.
"Mmmm?" she replied sleepily.
"What did you say to that child?" Data asked in earnest.
"I'm exhausted," Tasha replied as she rested the top of her head against his chest. "Let's go to bed."
Data knew she was knackered – emotionally and physically – but he wasn't ready to let this go.
He suspected the death of the child had been just as hard on her as it had been on him.
And he wanted, no needed, to know.
"Tasha, please," Data said as he slipped his fingers under her chin and forced her to meet his eyes.
She blinked a few times. Her eyes were heavy. And she wanted to forget.
Earlier that day, Tasha had been at a loss for how to help Data.
So she fell back on what she knew.
Tasha knew it was strange in comparison to most of the humans and their Earth traditions.
But things were different on Turkana.
"It's a prayer I guess you could call it," she confessed. "It's just what we do on Turkana when a child dies."
"What is the purpose?" Data asked.
"For some people on Turkana it's religious. Other people say it's to comfort people," Tasha said dismissively.
She really didn't want to talk about it.
Tasha had learned shortly after joining Starfleet just how backwards Turkana had been. She'd never learned many of the societal norms shared by most human colonies until she was nearly an adult.
In some ways, it was embarrassing for her.
"What does it mean?" Data asked sincerely.
Tasha looked away from him briefly.
She understood his curiosity was genuine and that he would never judge or belittle her for the circumstances of her upbringing.
But she'd been cautious about displaying most of her Turkanan customs in front of anyone.
By Federation standards, Turkana was an antiquated backwater.
The people were savage, untamed.
Their customs were strange and misguided.
And for Tasha it was a constant reminder that she was on the lower end of the learning curve in comparison to her fellow bridge officers.
"Tasha?" Data prompted.
"Another wee one dead under your stars, Azura. Those who die in the presence of your darkness live on in your moonshadow. Their lives change, but do not end," she said as she translated the traditional Turkanan to English. "May the sea rise to meet you and the wind always be at your back. May the moonlight guide your path and the storm clouds carry you into the stars of Azura's light."
Data was captivated. He knew it wasn't the time, but he had many questions.
"Some people on Turkana still worship the old gods. They think that the god Azura takes the souls of children and keeps them safe in the shadow of the moon," Tasha said in a faraway voice. "You won't find much on it in Starfleet records because the factions largely stamped it out."
The Alliance and the Coalition had attempted to systematically wipe all traces of Turkanan religion from the planet. They had raided the temples for valuables and many of the clan warlords had overtaken them for their own palaces.
In a world like Turkana, the two main militia groups did not want the people to seek hope in anything other than the power of the rival factions.
"I buried a lot of children on Turkana, Data," Tasha confessed. "And I suppose a part of me wanted to believe it was true. I had to."
Data cocked his head to the side.
"That 'what' was true?" Data inquired.
Tasha wrung her hands as she looked down at them.
"That when people die too soon that they're not really gone," she said quietly. "I think that's part of why I used to stare at the sky as a wee girl, hoping that one day I'd escape into the stars."
Tasha shook her head.
"Sorry, I know it's just folklore," Tasha said quickly.
"In the grand scheme of the universe, I think our time in Starfleet has shown us that anything is possible," Data replied.
"I think that's why I hate Q," Tasha admitted bitterly. "They could stop it. All of it. The famine. The war. The abject poverty and violence that has plagued Turkana for over a century. And they don't intervene."
Data didn't have an answer for her.
"You should get some more rest before tomorrow," Data said as he encouraged her to go back to sleep.
Tasha hesitated.
She was still on edge from earlier.
Data lay on his back and Tasha snuggled up next to him, resting her head on his chest.
"I have got you," Data assured her as he pulled her close. "And I will hold you as long as I can."