Chapter 8: Lonely Among Us

"Captain's log, stardate 41249.3. We have orbited the two major planets of the Beta Renner system taking aboard delegates from those two worlds. Since achieving space flight, their major life forms, the Anticans and the Selay have become deadly enemies. But both have also applied for admission into our Federation. We are to deliver these delegates to this sector's neutral Conference Planet called "Parliament" in the hope their dispute can be resolved. I have assigned Ensign Buffy Summers and Ensign Dawn Summers to assist the Anticans and the Selay however the delegates need. I feel this will be a beneficial learning experience for both."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the transporter room Picard in full dress uniform, waited impatiently near the platform. He looked at Buffy and Dawn, both of whom were in what he assumed was outfits that resembled clothes they might have worn in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. He didn't like the fact that they did not wear Starfleet uniforms despite being given field promotions by Angel. He even had contacted Angel about this simple fact, but Angel said that leeway was given Section 10 operatives because of the work they did on a nightly basis. So, Picard accepted it reluctantly with the hope that with the hope that he or his officers could get them to wear Starfleet uniforms. He turned his attention back to the transporter platform as the Selay delegation materialized on the pad.

Picard gestured for the Selay to step off the platform with a somewhat strained smile. "I am Captain Picard. We hope to make this journey pleasant and comfortable. Arranging that will be my Ensign Buffy Summers and Ensign Dawn Summers."

"Hi," Dawn said as she stepped toward the Selay. "If you'll follow us..." She and Buffy started for the door, "...we'll show you the accommodations we've..."

"We can already smell the Anticans," The Selay leader, Ssestar, interrupted. "They were taken aboard first?"

Picard nodded. "Only because their world was the first on our heading to Parliament."

"Will our quarters be near the Anticans?" Ssestar asked.

"About one hundred meters apart," Picard said as he tried to put a smile on his face. He was afraid he already knew the answer. "Is that all right?"

"No," Ssestar objected. "Unsatisfactory."

Picard started to frown, but Riker nodded to the captain indicating that he'd handle it. "I believe we can accommodate their wishes, Captain. We'll rearrange suite assignments. If you'll follow us?"

Ssestar hesitated, then grunted an assent and motioned his people to follow as he moved toward the door. "And we must be upwind from the Anticans."

Riker nods, "Of course, sir..."

Buffy rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Really?" She noticed that Riker was frowning. The delegation followed her, Dawn and Riker out of the transporter room.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Do you understand the basis of all that nonsense between them?" Picard asked Riker when the first officer had arrived on the bridge.

Riker sighed. "No sir. I didn't understand that kind of hostility even when I studied Earth history. Though I would hazard to guess Buffy and Dawn do given what Buffy is. Buffy reacted to one of their comments; I think it was the downwind one."

Picard nods, "Oh? Well, yes, but these life forms feel such passionate hatred over differences in customs, God concepts, and even strangely enough, economic systems... Buffy reacted to one of their comments? Interesting. Maybe you should have a chat with them later."

"I know their officially Starfleet officer," Riker said, "but does it matter? Section 10 allows them greater latitude than the rest of Starfleet."

"I know," Picard said. "But not all of our dealings are going to be with the supernatural. They do need to learn how things are done. Also, while you're talking to them you can also bring up their lack of uniform."

"Yes, sir," Riker said.

Data frowned at something on his panel, he looked around at Picard. "Sir, my sensors are picking up an unusual energy object ahead."

"On screen," Picard ordered.

Data punched up the command. They can see a strange energy pattern that was obviously moving at warp speeds.

"Confirmed, sir," Tasha said as she looked at her console. "My sensors read nothing solid but considerable energy in..." She shook her head. "... in changing patterns."

Data nods, "Traveling at warp speed, too. Intriguing. I can find no match with anything in our records, sir."

"Could this be another supernatural entity," Riker asked remembering the creature they had dealt with when Admiral Summers had been onboard.

"Let's find out," Picard said. "Change course for a close sensor pass... we'll then increase warp speed to reach Parliament on schedule."

"Aye, sir," Wesley said.

"Security to Sensor Maintenance," Tasha said.

"La Forge here."

"We're making a close sensor pass on an unusual object, possibly supernatural, Geordi. Any problems?"

"None, Lieutenant. All equipment on line and functioning."

Tasha nodded as she looked at Picard. "Sensors ready, sir."

"Life form reading?" Picard asked.

Data shook his head, "No life form reading, sir. Of course we did not get life form readings from the ghost ship, either."

"Begin the pass," Picard ordered.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy and Dawn were walking towards Ten Forward when Buffy's spidey sense began to go off. "Something's not right," she said.

"On the ship?" Dawn asked.

Buffy shook her head as they entered Ten Forward. Buffy saw the cloud through the windows, "No, that." She suddenly felt dizzy and felt something brush her mind telepathically. Then she suddenly began to convulse spasmodically before collapsing to the floor.

Dawn tapped her commbadge, "Summers to Sickbay. Medical emergency in Ten Forward!" She bent down next to her sister. "Repeat - medical emergency!"

Moments later Doctor Agowa rushed into Ten Forward as Buffy began to regain consciousness, "What happened?" Agowa asked.

Dawn shrugged; she wasn't sure. "Don't know. It looked for a moment like she was a little dizzy before she started convulsing."

Buffy suddenly started to powerfully flail her arms and legs around, as if struggling against something. Dawn tried to keep Buffy still as Doctor Agowa opened a medical kit with quick efficiency and pulled out a hypospray, and administers it.

Buffy stopped struggling and looked around with eyes that seem to be seeing for the first time. An expression of wonder and amazement crossed her face. Doctor Agowa looked at Buffy with concern. "Ensign Summers?" There was no response. "Ensign, can you hear what I'm saying?"

Buffy managed a sort of grunt, she held up her hand stared at it for a moment. Then she tried to get to her feet, it was like a baby trying to walk for the first time.

"Buffy?" Dawn said.

"Let's get her to Sickbay," Agowa said as she and Dawn helped Buffy up. She nodded to Dawn as she released Buffy and knelt down for her medical kit. As Dawn led Buffy out of Ten Forward she watched as Buffy walked. To her it looked like Buffy didn't even know how to walk.

Sometime later Dawn was with Geordi and Picard in the Ready Room.

Picard sat at his desk with Geordi and Dawn standing opposite him. He looked up at them frowning.

"He was just monitoring the sensor console when he jerked as though something hit him,' Geordi said. "What my sensors showed..." He frowned, "...It was kind of a... glow... just for a second. I can't explain it."

"Could your VISOR device have malfunctioned?" Picard asked.

Geordi shook his head, "Doubt it, sir. It seemed what I was seeing was something real."

"Buffy said her spidey senses were going off on the cloud," Dawn said, "just before she started convulsing."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In sickbay Buffy and Worf laid on examination tables, Beverly and Agowa were working over the pair with medical tricorders. Next to them stood Troi who was looking up at the monitor. She looked at Worf and Buffy and saw that their eyes were moving around the room and to the women. Their attitudes were one of quiet and deep curiosity.

"I'm going to give you something to help you rest. Just relax," Beverly said as she looked down at Worf. She looked at Agowa. "Administer the same for Buffy."

Beverly and Agowa brought out two hyposprays and injected both of their patients. Worf and Buffy drift off into unconsciousness. Beverly motioned Troi into her office. "Fortunately, their both stronger than an orbital tug. There's nothing physically wrong with either of them. And as far as I can tell there is no medical reason for Ensign Summers to have convulsed in Ten Forward. What have you sensed from either of them?"

Troi shakes her head, "Nothing... which bothers me. Worf has never shielded his feelings from me. Neither has Ensign Summers since she and her sister came to be with us. In fact I no longer even get a telepathic impression from Buffy at all."

Beverly nods, "Are you able to perceive anything at all, Counselor? It may be important."

Troi concentrates, "Perhaps... very faintly. Almost... like a frightened child. In fact, that's all I get from both of them."

"Their frightened?" Beverly asked. She couldn't think of anything that could frighten a Klingon. And given the fact that Buffy was a Slayer she didn't think there was much that could frighten her either.

Troi nodded, "It doesn't make much sense... We both know Worf. And given who Buffy is, I don't see it making any sense at all for her." She looked toward the other room. "Yes, it's fear. Definitely there."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the Antican's quarters Tasha's tremulous smile was offset by a twitch of her nose that indicated that the Anticans smelled quite bad. She noticed Riker and Dawn enter the room.

"Sorry to call you, sir, not strictly security, it's about the dietary requirements of the Antican delegates," Tasha said.

"I thought that had been taken care of in advance, Tasha," Riker said.

Tasha sighed. "So did we, sir. Their live animals were beamed aboard – We were going to preserve the meat for them, but... they say we must bring it to them alive."

"Alive?" Dawn said shocked. She looked at Riker. "I thought you all didn't hunt and kill animals for food anymore?"

Riker sighed as he looked at the Anticans, "Lieutenant Yar was... confused. We no longer enslave animals for food purposes."

Badar N'D'D nodded, "But we have seen humans eat meat!" He grinned - a terrifying display of long, sharp fangs.

"You've seen something as fresh and tasty as living meat, but inorganically materialized out of patterns used by our replicators," Riker explained.

"Wow. Didn't know that was possible," Dawn said, surprised.

Riker glared at Dawn indicating to her now was not the time.

"How sickening! How barbaric!" Badar N'D'D said, clearly repulsed.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In Sickbay Worf and Buffy lay sedated on beds, being automatically monitored by the medical computers. Beverly approached Worf with a medical tricorder. She leaned over Worf's bed, and as she did so there was a sudden split-second burst of electric-like energy between them. She stepped back away from the bed, blinking as if trying to assimilate some new information.

It was at that moment that Troi exited Crusher's office. Beverly looked around at her, puzzled, as Troi walked toward her looking up at the medical viewscreen. "He's reading normal? How did you manage that?"

"Yes... normal, now," Beverly said obviously dazed.

Troi looked at Beverly quickly, "Are you all right?"

Beverly nodded. "Yes... perfectly." She looked at the tricorder in her hand, as she seemed to remember something. "Yes... both of us quite normal." She grabbed a hypospray and administered to Worf, who began to regain consciousness.

As Troi moved beside Worf, Beverly moved over to Buffy and using the tricorder she disabled the scanners monitoring Buffy. She quietly injected Buffy with the hypospray.

"Where... where am I?" Worf asked as Buffy began to regain consciousness.

"Don't you remember?" Troi asked. "You were in the Sensor Maintenance Room…"

"I remember monitoring the sensor console - and that's all. What am I doing here?" Worf said.

"That's a story the doctor will tell you," Troi said as she started to smile at Beverly, Her smile faltered as she saw that neither Beverly or Buffy were in Sickbay any longer.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In Crushers' Quarters Wesley was in the living area, working with a padd, quickly tapping commands into it and watching figures and diagrams changing on the viewer in front of him. He heard the door slide open, and Wesley looked up as Beverly and Buffy walked into the living room from the corridor. "Hi, Mom. You're back early," he said, "Hi, Buffy. If you're looking for Dawn she's not here."

Beverly nodded, "Yes."

"Hello," Buffy said.

Beverly and Buffy moved closer to him and looked at the viewer as he indicated it and the padd. "Physical sciences class. We're studying Doctor Channing's theory on dilithium crystals," he said.

"Tell us about it," Beverly said.

Wesley looks up at Beverly, slightly puzzled. She never was interested in his studies before. But he could see her eyes glitter with an unaccustomed curiosity. "Really? You never seemed that interested in warp theory before."

"Tell us about it," Buffy said.

Wesley looked at Buffy puzzled. He knew from Dawn that Buffy was more interested in security instead of warp theory like himself or Dawn. But like with his he saw her eyes glitter with curiosity. "Doctor Channing thinks it's possible to force dilithium into even more useful crystals. If as shown here, matter and antimatter could be aligned even more efficiently..."

"Would that affect navigation?" Beverly asked.

Wesley shook his head, "This is engineering, not helm control."

Beverly looked to Buffy, "Oh yes, the helm's located on the bridge."

Buffy nodded in agreement. "Yes, on the bridge."

"Mom… Buffy, is something wrong?" Wesley said, concerned for the pair of them.

Without answering, Beverly and Buffy turned and left the room. Wesley moved to a commpanel. "Computer, where is Ensign Dawn Summers?"

"Ensign Dawn Summers is in the Antican Delegate's quarters."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the Antican's quarters Riker was speaking firmly, "These weapons were removed from two of your people who were loitering out of sight in the vicinity of the Selay delegation quarters. Would you care to explain, sir?"

Dawn looked at the device Riker was holding. She could swear the weapon looked like a wrench from her time.

"Those are not weapons, First Officer," Badar N'D'D said. "They are tools we use to dispatch the animals we consume."

Tasha frowned. "Your food supply is not on the same deck as the Selay delegation, sir."

Dawn looked at Riker. "They look like something I am familiar with. With enough force those tools that I am familiar with can kill."

Riker nodded in understanding. The Antican tools looked like something from Dawn's original time. He looked at Badar N'D'D. "You will admit these tools can kill."

Badar N'D'D shrugged. "Some of my people are impulsive. And we all have reason to hate the Selay."

"They appear to have the same feelings about you," Dawn said. She noted that Riker was shaking his head. She sighed, she figured that she was about to be reprimanded for something.

"That is the nature of politics," Badar N'D'D said.

"Nonetheless, Chief Delegate, I'm putting you on notice that all weapons - no matter what their basic function - are being confiscated," Riker said. "Violence will not be tolerated on the Enterprise."

Badar N'D'D nodded, "Of course not. And if any does occur, I can assure you it will not be we Anticans who start it."

"Thank you, sir." Riker and Tasha said. They turned and walked out into the corridor. As soon as the door closed Riker turned on Dawn. "Ensign Summers, this is a very difficult situation. I know your position as Watcher gives you certain clearances. But yours and Buffy's participation was so you both could learn of how we dealt with other species. Not…"

Dawn nods, "I am sorry, Commander. I will be the first to admit I am not used to how you do things here. I am used to being able to speak my mind to add to a conversation."

Riker nods, "Of course. But from now on be careful what you say to them or any other species for that matter. You do not know what they could take offense at. Take Lieutenant Worf for example. He would take offense to you calling him a coward. His people are warriors they hold honor above all else."

Dawn nods, "I understand Commander, my apologies."

"Dawn!" They turned and saw Wesley run up to them.

"Mr. Crusher," Riker said.

"Commander," Wesley said. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Is it important, Wesley?" Riker asked.

"Yes, sir," Wesley answered. "Mom and Buffy stopped by our quarters. They were very curious about one of my engineering studies. Mom has never been curious before. And from what Dawn has told me…"

Riker looked at Dawn.

"I told him nothing about Section 10," Dawn said as Riker nodded.

"Go on," Riker said as he looked back at Wesley.

"Dawn had said that Buffy was more into security so it puzzled me why she was curious about my engineering studies. Then mom asked about navigation. When I said it was an engineering project and not helm control. Their response was that helm control was on the bridge, then they left without another word."

"Computer," Riker said. "Where is Doctor Crusher or Ensign Buffy Summers?"

"Doctor Crusher and Ensign Buffy Summers are on the bridge."

"Thank you, Wesley," Riker said.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

On the bridge Buffy and Beverly stood next to Geordi who was sitting at his console.

"This... is the helm," Buffy said.

Geordi looked up surprised, and then grinned. "Unless there have been some changes I don't know about."

"Doctor Crusher? Ensign Summers?" Picard said from where he sat.

Beverly turned to face Picard. "You will wish to know Lieutenant Worf and Ensign Summers are much improved. Ready to report back to duty."

Picard nodded, "What was the diagnosis?"

Beverly and Buffy headed for the upper bridge. "A temporary mental aberration," Beverly said.

"When it concerns a bridge officer, I expect a better explanation, Doctor," Picard said.

Beverly and Buffy moved toward the Science Stations. "Then I must first run some crosschecks in the library-computer. Both Slayers and Klingons are so unusual in their reactions, aren't they?" Beverly said.

"Take Science Station Two, Doctor. Why don't you help her Ensign Summers since you're here?" Picard said.

Beverly and Buffy move to the science station in question next to Data. Beverly began calling up information.

Innocently, Data glanced to her Viewscreen. What he saw there puzzled but otherwise didn't alarm him. "Intriguing, Doctor. What does helm control have to do with medical crosschecks?"

Beverly ignored him as she found what she was looking for. She noticed Data return to his own research. She looked up to Buffy who nodded as they reached out and touch the panel. As they did so, blue electricity appeared briefly on the panel, and then quickly disappeared. Beverly and Buffy blinked, then looked around as if awaking from a dream.

"I... I don't know why I'm..." Beverly said.

"Last thing I remember…" Buffy said confused why she was on the bridge.

Data looked at Beverly and Buffy, "Is something wrong, Doctor? Ensign Summers?"

Picard looked at Beverly and Buffy, concerned about them. "Doctor, Ensign Summers, are you both all right?"

Beverly nodded, "Yes... yes. I - I'll do my work from my office. That's where I should be... Ensign Summers would you mind accompanying me."

Buffy nodded and they entered the turbolift as Riker and Tasha came out. "Do you want someone to accompany the both of you?" Picard asked before the turbolift doors closed.

Picard looked at Troi. "Counselor, what's happening to my people?"

Data suddenly straightened. "Captain? There is a malfunction in this station. I cannot bring any information up on it." He moved quickly to Science Station 2, the console is dead. "Science Two does not function either, sir."

"Engineering to Captain Picard. We have something wrong with warp drive circuitry, sir."

"Transporter Room Six to bridge. Reporting transporter console malfunction, sir."

Picard frowned. "Mister Data, this ship is less than a year out of spacedock. What are the chances of all this occurring?"

"It is a virtual impossibility, sir," Data said.

Picard frowned, "So what the hell is going on here?"

"Sir," Riker said. "There is more than just the mechanical problems, going on. Lieutenant Yar, Ensign Dawn and I were exiting the Antican's quarters and ran into Wesley looking for Dawn. He mentioned something puzzling that ties into their being up here. He said they walked into the Doctor's quarters and shown interest in his engineering studies, thinking it was helm. When he told them, it was engineering and not helm control. They mentioned helm being on the bridge and leaving without another word."

Picard looked at Troi again. "Go see if you can help Doctor Crusher."

Troi nodded as she stood and left the bridge.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Later in Sickbay Beverly and Troi waited in Beverly's office as Worf and Buffy arrived.

"You wanted us, Doctor?" Worf asked.

Beverly nodded. "Yes, concerning your memory blackout."

"I still don't remember having one," Worf said.

Buffy thought about it for a moment and she did seem to remember a stretch of time she couldn't remember anything. She wasn't sure how though.

"The same thing happened to me," Beverly said.

"I want to try hypnosis on all three of you," Troi said. "It may restore your memory as to what happened."

Beverly and Buffy agreed immediately, Worf on the other hand hesitated. "I fear such things, but..." Worf said.

Buffy looked at the Klingon shocked. From both her studies as well as what she had learned of Worf himself she had thought he had little to fear. "You afraid?" she asked as Worf nodded.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In Riker's Quarters; Riker, Tasha, Data and Dawn weree gathered in chairs near the windows. Dawn watched everyone, Riker and Tasha were comparing notes and Data was watching and smoking a pipe.

"One thing is clear... Almost all the "peace" delegates answered our questions with lies," Tasha said.

"I got that impression also, sir," Dawn agreed.

"Imprecise, Lieutenant… Ensign. They omitted certain truths, which in itself tell us something," Data said.

Tasha sighed, "We can learn something from non-disclosure?"

Data nodded as he took a puff of the pipe, "Oh, indubitably, my good woman."

"Have you been reading Sherlock Holmes?" Dawn asked.

"Ensign Summers is correct in her thinking," Riker said noting Tasha's confused look. "Captain mentioned Sherlock Holmes, which Data is obviously studying...?"

Data puffed on the pipe and exhaled. "Has studied, sir - every case. As Holmes would have pointed out... during the time in question, something was afoot!" he said.

"Afoot?" Tash asked.

"It's something Sherlock Holmes said," Dawn answered. "Basically it means that a situation is already happening, underway, or being prepared."

"While both sets of delegates say they were in their quarters, sensors showed them passing here..." Data said as he pointed at a location on a padd that showed the layout of the area in question. "...and here."

"But since they don't show where they went, we're still in the dark," Tasha said.

"On the contrary, dear colleague - on their return they drew medical supplies appropriate to the treatment of minor wounds and abrasions on these life forms," Data said.

"Let me guess there is only one conclusion," Dawn said.

Data nodded, "Exactly. That they were too engaged in their own affairs to have disabled our ship and murdered the engineer. Given a choice, they'd rather kill each other than any of us. It's elementary my dear, Ms. Summers..."

Dawn sighed, "Remind me never to set foot in the holodeck when someone is running a Sherlock Holmes program. I think I can get all I want from Commander Data."

"Speaking of aberrant behavior..." Tasha said.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In Sickbay Troi had a small machine before her which emitted a resonant, melodic hum and on which lights flashed in a systematic pattern. In front of her sat Buffy in a light hypnotic trance. Beverly and Worf watched intently; they had just gone through this themselves.

"Buffy... can you hear me?" Troi asked.

Buffy nodded, "Yes."

"I want you to go back in your mind to the moment when you first recall this sensation of memory loss. Please picture it exactly as it occurred," Troi said.

"There is no memory loss," Buffy said. "I remember all."

"You remember all?" Troi asked confused as she looked at Beverly. "How?"

"Buffy's mind was suppressed. But the entity was unaware of me," Buffy said. "The entity awoke me and I fought and lost. My first defeat since Buffy's original time. I did not like it."

"Who are you?" Beverly wondered.

"You may refer to me as Sineya, I am the first," Buffy said. "I am the Slayer."

"That might explain the convulsions," Beverly said. "We know that the according to Buffy the first Slayer was created by merging a demon with a young girl. What if like with Admiral Summers the Slayer is a separate entity within her just as the demon is a separate entity within him."

"And that entity fought for dominance and lost," Worf said.

"Exactly," Beverly said. "With you and I we fought for ourselves and lost but Buffy herself fought twice. Once as herself and once as the Slayer. The entity had to defeat them both to take control. It's why Buffy doesn't remember but the Slayer does. And why we don't. We were defeated and suppressed but the entity may not have been able to completely suppress the Slayer."

Thirty minutes later Picard sat at his desk in his ready room facing Buffy, Troi, Beverly, Riker, Data, and Tasha.

"Which confirms the feeling of duality that I sensed in Beverly and Worf," Troi said.

"Why didn't you report it?" Picard asked.

"Because, sir, I assumed at first it was the kind of duality we Betazoids feel in all of you. Even you, sir," Troi said. "When you approach a decision and ask yourself which way to go... who are you talking to?"

"Your hypnotism revealed another form of duality?" Picard asked.

"Yes, sir. I believe something invaded Beverly, Buffy and Worf."

"You said you didn't sense the duality in Buffy," Picard said confused.

"I do but it has felt different with Buffy and Dawn," Troi said. "But theirs has always felt different."

"Because of their telepathy?" Picard wondered.

"We don't know about Dawn for sure," Beverly said. "But Buffy has another personality inside her mind, the Slayer."

"And your tests on her didn't find this?" Picard asked.

"I didn't know what to look for," Beverly said.

"And for me it was asleep, hiding," Troi said. "During Buffy's hypnosis Sineya revealed herself.,"

"So, I made a more detailed scan of Buffy. I now know how she is enhanced and its technological in nature," Beverly said.

"Technological?" Picard asked.

"Nanites," Beverly said. "So small that unless I was actually scanning for them, I would have missed them in my initial scans a couple weeks ago. The nanites not only give Buffy her abilities but are also self-aware."

Picard stood and paced behind his desk irritably. He caught sight of Data puffing on the pipe. "Data, let's proceed without the pipe."

"If you wish, sir..." Data said as he set the pipe down. "...but I ask if you take it as incontrovertible that it cannot be a family member or one of our crew?"

Pire nods, "Yes. Very unlikely."

Data nods, "Then our investigation was worthwhile, sir. We have eliminated both the delegates and all our regular ship's complement. Plus, both Ensign Summers and her sister."

"What are you suggesting?" Picard asked.

"I am referring to the Great Detective's credo, sir. I quote... "We must fall back on the old axiom that when other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth," Data said.

"Which leaves the supernatural," Buffy said.

"Maybe," Picard said.

Bridge to Captain. You're needed here immediately.

They exited the ready room and moved to their respective positions. "Report." Picard said.

"Helm is down, sir. The ship's running wild…" Worf said.

Picard moved to Geordi as Wesley swiftly rose to makes room for Data to take over the panel.

Geordi turned in his seat to look up at Picard, "Sir, we dropped to impulse power…"

Picard bent over Geordi. His left-hand rests near the small control panel on the helm. Up on the upper portion of the bridge Buffy rested her hands on the security panel in front of her. Strange blue electricity flashed around Picard and Buffy for a split second, and then faded.

Geordi stared at Picard, "Sir...? Are you all right? I thought I just saw…" he asked.

Buffy and Picard stood stiffly for a moment as if frozen by whatever had happened. Then there faces took on a slightly different expression.

Picard looked over at Buffy who nodded, "I'm fine. Everything is fine now. Why the drop to impulse power, Lieutenant?"

Geordi looked at Picard for a second. "The helm is suddenly malfunctioning, sir," he said.

Picard shook his head, "Malfunctioning? You're wrong - Look again."

Geordi turned to the consoles, "Sir, I…" He broke off, staring at the panel.

"Mister La Forge?" Riker said.

Geordi was puzzled at what he saw on his console, "There's nothing wrong with the helm now. Everything is – just as it should be, sir."

"In that case, make our heading two-nine-five mark three-seven," Picard said.

"Sir...?" Geordi said confused on why the change of course.

"You have a problem with that heading, Lieutenant?" Picard asked.

"Do you want to double back on our course, sir?" Geordi asked.

Picard nodded, "That is what I've ordered," he said as a puzzled Geordi began doing as ordered.

Troi concentrated her mind on Picard trying to sense the entity.

"Captain... I'm puzzled about your reversing our course," Riker said as he shared looks of puzzlement with Data and Troi.

"The energy "cloud," Commander - I believe it important to have another look at it." Picard said as he looked at Buffy and motioned to the empty chair next to Riker. She nodded and left the security console and moved down to the command area and sat down next to Riker.

"Sir, we're behind schedule to Parliament already…" Riker said.

"I believe a very important scientific discovery awaits us on this heading," Picard said.

"Perhaps you'll share your reasoning on that, sir?" Troi asked.

"Yes, since we obtained only minimal information on our sensor pass of it," Data greed.

"We must go back to learn more. Don't you agree Ensign Summers?" Picard said as Buffy nodded. "Counselor... do you believe a ship captain should explain every order?"

Troi shook her head, "Of course not, sir."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

A while later in Riker's quarters Riker, Dawn, Data, Troi and Geordi had been waiting for Beverly who had just joined them.

"You're late and you asked for this confidential meeting," Riker said.

"Sorry. I was just so troubled by my talk with the captain," Beverly said. "Something seems wrong... terribly wrong."

"I believe I sense something... different in the Captain..." Troi said, "… and Buffy. Not much and maybe I'm incorrect." She indicated Riker, Data and Geordi. "They think I may be."

"You could be reacting to the reverse course order," Riker said.

"But that's our captain. It's not the first time he's done something unusual," Geordi said.

"But it is the first time he asked Buffy if she agreed," Troi said.

"What do you believe you're sensing?" Beverly asked.

"Exactly?" Troi said. "It's difficult to put into words... just a feeling that they've, well... closed part of their minds to me. Buffy's seems more closed than the Captain's does."

"How can you tell there's something there that you can't feel?" Geordi asked.

"As I said... it's hard to say. I just feel the captain and Ensign Summers's become... perhaps dangerous," Troi said.

"Considering that Buffy is the Slayer," Dawn said. "How can she be dangerous to us? It goes against everything she believes in."

"I know, Dawn," Troi said.

"If the Captain is dangerous...if..." Riker said,

"... he'd have to be relieved from command," Geordi said.

"And Buffy if she is truly dangerous to us would have to be put in the brig," Dawn said. "With her strength she could potentially get out of our quarters."

Geordi nodded as he looked at Beverly. "You're allowed to relieve them both if I'm not mistaken... but it's beaucoup trouble if you're wrong."

"Yes," Beverly said. "Admiral Summers said that I have the authority to relieve Buffy of duty also just as I do with the Captain."

"At this moment it is all pure speculation. They have done nothing to subject the Enterprise to danger," Data said.

"Besides, I'd need a medical log giving clear evidence of incapacity," Beverly said. "For both of them in fact." She looked at Riker. "You could do it without that problem..." She looked at Dawn. "As you could you."

Dawn sighed. "As Buffy's watcher, yes I could. But under Section 10 rules I would have to have a reason for it."

"As far as the Captain is concerned, only if all command officers agreed it vital to do so. But he's not showing overt unusual behavior."

Beverly looked at Dawn, "Could you convince Buffy to come see me?"

"As her watcher, I could order her to," Dawn said. "But the thing is Buffy hates hospitals and doctors. When she was eight our cousin Celia died. Buffy was with her in Celia's hospital room when it happened. To this day she's never gotten over it. She hates being in hospitals because of what happened. You've been lucky so far because you haven't forced her to stay in Sickbay. The day that happens she is going to want out big time."

Beverly sighed. "All that's left then …" She looked at Riker and Dawn. "It's still in your corner. I'll order medical and psychiatric exams... You two will have to back me up somehow."

"I'll try," Dawn said. "But don't hold your breath, okay."

In the Captain's Ready Room Picard and Buffy looked up as Riker, Dawn and Beverly enter the room and moved in front of them.

"Yes?" Picard said.

"I'd like you and Ensign Summers to come to Sickbay for some examinations, Captain," Beverly said.

"Oh? We'll be glad to do that when we're free," Picard said.

Buffy nodded in agreement, "As the Captain said when we're free."

"I'd like to conduct them now, sir," Beverly said.

"Why?" Picard asked before looking at Riker.. "What can I do for you, Number One?"

"Sir, Counselor Troi has recommended the examinations," Riker said.

"Same question. Why?" Picard said.

"It is my duty to inform the captain that we believe it possible that he and Ensign Summers are under some kind of alien influence which... may constitute a danger to this ship," Riker said.

"As your watcher," Dawn said. "I am in agreement with Commander Riker and order you to do the tests."

Buffy and Picard smiled, the smile never reached their eyes, and there was no humor in it.

"I consider it equally possible that you three and the counselor are overworked, and possibly suffering hallucinations," Picard said. "This is an order... you're to arrange medical and psychiatric exams of for both yourself and them. Doctor, you realize you're all acting strangely?"

"I'm concerned that you've suddenly turned the ship away from..." Beverly said.

"Buffy I'm concerned for you, you're not acting like yourself," Dawn added.

Buffy smiled at hre sister. "Dawn, have you thought that maybe it's you who is not acting like herself?"

"What's happened to your mind, Doctor?" Picard asked. "The search for knowledge is always our primary mission. I'm sorry but we're too busy for this kind of nonsense. Must I call security to force you to report to Sickbay?"

Picard and Buffy watched as Riker, Dawn and Beverly exit out of the Ready Room.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Sometime later Picard and Buffy were reading the information on the monitor on Picard's desk at an intense rate. They look up at the sound of a chime confused for a moment. "Come," Picard said as the doors slid open, and Beverly entered the ready room and moved in front of them. She was trying to appear relaxed and confident, but nagging thoughts ran around her mind asking about why she was really here. "What do you want?"

"I have the results of the exams you ordered," Beverly said as she offered a record tape to Picard who tossed it aside. "You don't care to inspect them? Please, are you Jean-Luc?" She looked at Buffy. "And are you Buffy Summers or Sineya?"

Picard and Buffy looked at Beverly. "They are here."

"The people I know?"

"And more," Picard and Buffy said simultaneously. "And much more."

Beverly frowned, "The "more" frightens me..."

"And elates us," Buffy said.

"We wish you could understand the glorious adventures ahead," Picard said.

"You and...?" Beverly asked.

"Soon we'll all be home." Picard and Buffy said.

On the Bridge at the helm position, Geordi who stood looking over Dawn's shoulder nodded. He looked at Riker. "Approaching the "cloud," sir."

Riker nodded, "Very well, Mister La Forge. Bring us to within ten thousand kilometers and hold us there."

"Aye, sir," Geordi said just as Picard and Buffy exited the ready room.

Riker got out of the Captain's chair. "Shall we begin the scientific tests that you wanted, sir?"

Picard smiled, "They are already underway."

Picard and Buffy looked at the viewscreen. Their faces were transformed, showing longing and even a kind of love. Then they turn to the bridge."

"I have an announcement for the entire bridge." Picard said as he and Buffy moved to stand in front of the viewscreen. "As you already know or suspected..." He indicated the cloud. "…when our ship passed through the edge of this, it accidentally carried off two sentient beings... much like these energy patterns we're seeing here." Picard looked toward Worf. "A frightening experience for any intelligent being. As if a great claw reached down and scooped up any of you from your home world. Drawn into the energy pathways of this vessel..." He looked at Worf. "...They found their way to you, Worf. The other found itself telepathically caught by Buffy. They were frantic at being carried from their home. Recognizing you as sentient beings, they pleaded for in ways you could not understand... they then discovered the computer intelligence in the ship's memory circuits."

"Simplistic intelligence, but it furnished a way to slow this Enterprise thing," Buffy said.

"And they very much regret the accidental death of Engineer Singh during this..." Picard said.

"Captain…" Troi said. "Buffy, do you exist in combination with the entities?"

"Are they in control of you, sir?" Riker added.

Buffy smiled, "By the time we combined..."

"...We had learned much about each other... our passion for exploration... for the unknown," Picard said. "We found we had similar dreams... and it offered your captain a way to realize them beyond any human expectation."

"Sineya proved a problem when we first found Buffy," Buffy said. "But even she agreed that what we offered was far better than what she and Buffy had now. And end to the endless fight."

"I understand," Data said. "As an energy pattern free of the limitations of matter... it might travel anywhere, at any velocity... Sir… Ensign Summers, I see no way for either of you to journey with an energy form."

"Isn't there?" Buffy and Picard said.

Dawn frowned at what she heard in Buffy's thoughts. "They are planning to beam themselves into the cloud."

"The transporter need not pattern your captain and Buffy back into matter... we'll beam energy only..." Picard said. "... and we will become..."

"...a combined energy pattern of those life forms," Buffy said.

"A resignation from this command and from Starfleet has been appropriately recorded..." Picard said.

"I have also put in a resignation to Angel, Dawn," Buffy said.

"I refuse to allow this, sir," Riker said.

"As your watcher, Buffy, so do I," Dawn said.

Picard smiled, "Oh? Under what Fleet regulation? Does our resignations threaten the ship and its company in any way?"

"Ensign Summers... Captain Picard, you both are now relieved from duty. I judge you both disabled..." Beverly said as Picard and Buffy moved their hands toward nearby consoles. "...mentally incapacitated..."

Picard and Buffy touched the consoles and a brilliant display of light blinds the people on the bridge.

"Security!" Riker said. "Help me restrain the Captain and Ensign Summers..."

"Can anyone see Buffy?" Dawn asked.

"This is blinding me..." Troi said.

"...Where are they? These light flashes..." Tasha said.

"Buffy!" Dawn called out.

"Captain!" Worf said. "I'll help you if you'll let me..."

Unseen by anyone Buffy and Picard enter a turbolift.

As the turbolift closed and began its descent to a transporter room Buffy backed into a wall.

"What is it?" Picard asked.

"Sineya," Buffy said. "She is fighting and winning. I feel as if I am being torn apart."

Picard reached out a hand and touched Buffy. There was a flash of blue for a second before Buffy collapsed to the floor. "We are safe now," he said as the turbolift door opened

Picard exited and turbolift and headed down the corridor and into the transporter room. He knocked out the transporter chief. He set the transporter panel and then jumped on the platform just as he was beamed out.

On the Bridge Riker was in the command chair while the rest of the bridge crew were at their usual stations with the exception of Dawn and Tasha. They exit the turbolift with Buffy.

"Sineya fought the entity," Buffy said. "The Captain took it into himself."

"The Captain then made it to the transporter room," Tasha said. "The Transporter Chief has no idea of what the coordinates were, sir."

Geordi sighed, "He's just out there "somewhere?" How can we settle for that?"

"Give me a choice, then," Riker said.

"Still no readings, no sign of anything," Data said.

Riker sighed. "Mister La Forge, it's time to set a course for Parliament. Warp eight."

"Wait," Dawn said as she and Buffy looked at each other.

"What?" Riker asked.

"Captain Picard is alone out there," Dawn said.

"The entities... have they abandoned him?" Riker asked.

"Aban...?" Dawn said. "No, the combination wasn't possible out there. The Captain is in trouble,"

"We must beam him back!" Troi said.

"Beam him back as what?" Riker asked. "He's nothing but energy now."

"Sir, the entity that entered Lieutenant Worf was caught by the ship's circuitry" Data said. "The captain might try to get in the same way if he's in trouble!"

"Move the ship in closer!" Riker said.

Geordi hurriedly followed Riker's orders. "Moving in, sir. But where?"

"Can you tell?" Riker asked as he looked at the sisters.

"No," Buffy said. "We hear his thoughts but that is all. He is making contact with us but its not going both ways."

Riker sighed as he nodded. He looked at Geordi "Let's hope he can come part way himself."

Beverly exited the turbolift with Wesley. She indicated her son to Riker, questioningly. Riker nodded and went back to his intent examination of the viewscreen. "

Geordi sighed. "Sensors are monitoring our perimeter, the ship's circuitry... Nothing, sir."

"Take us into the edge of it, La Forge," Riker ordered.

Wesley sighed, "Mom, is he gone for good?" he asked as Beverly motioned for him to be quiet. "The funny thing is, I... I sort of liked him..."

"Despite my dislike of the military," Buffy said. "I do to, Wes."

Worf was suddenly startled by a reading on his panel. "Sir! On my sensor controls..."

A sudden blue glow appeared, like that which earlier indicated the entities presence. Followed by a crackle of energy. Worf stepped back, alarmed.

"He found us," Buffy said.

"Just as before!" Data said. "Going first to Worf and Buffy."

"Something crazy on my viewer circuits... Commander Riker!" Geordi said.

Riker leapt toward Geordi's station as Dawn and Buffy moved beside him. An area of static was appearing on the console. The static image was undefined at first but is becoming a "shape," although not yet recognizable.

"Static?" Geordi said as the static image as if with great effort, slowly formed itself into a lop-sided image of the letter "P."

"P for Picard!" Riker said.

Data moved quickly toward Riker. "He's in the ship's circuitry! Come to the Transporter room. Please!" Data said as hurried toward the turbolift. "There might be a way, sir! Hurry!"

Riker, Buffy and Dawn hurried to the turbolift. They join Data as the turbolift doors close.

A few moments later in the transporter room Data made quick adjustments at the control panel.

Riker shook his head, "This is a wild theory Data!"

Data nods, "I knew we had to have the Captain's physical pattern here, he was the last one to beam out."

"Is it possible?" Buffy asked.

"I don't know," Riker said as he glanced at the sisters. He looked at Data. "Data?"

"Unknown at this time, sir," Data said. "I hope the captain remembers his patterns is here. If he has, his energy has moved into the transporter relays by now..."

"Can you tell?" Riker asked as he looked at Buffy and Dawn.

"We can still hear his thoughts yes," Buffy said. "But since he entered the electronics its like its coming from a long distance. We can't tell if he is here for sure or not."

Riker sighed as he turned back to Data. "We've no choice but to risk it."

"Energizing, sir!" Data said as he worked the console.

They wait watching anxiously, their disappointment building. Riker, Buffy and Dawn exchange worried looks. The transporter effect built slowly, a bit unevenly... then firmed up, finally materializing Picard. He looked around, surprised.

"What the devil am I doing here?!" Picard asked confused.

Riker smiled, "Sounds like our Captain..."

"But confused. This Picard-pattern was formed before he went out there..." Data said.

"What's happening to me, Number One?" Picard asked. "I was ready to beam away... somewhere... I remember talk of an... an entity? But all that seems so vague..."

Data nods, "I believe the Captain is now his separate self, sir. A lot of what happened is naturally missing..."

"Data, what nonsense are you talking now? Is it still Sherlock Holmes?" Picard asked.

Data hesitated, exchanging a look with Riker who gave an almost imperceptible nod. "Ah, yes. Indubitably, sir, indubitably."

"I take back what I said earlier about Sherlock Holmes and the Holodeck," Dawn said. "Maybe Data can let me be his Dr. Watson sometime?"

"That is something I wouldn't mind seeing," Buffy said with a smile.

"Well, at least get rid of that damned pipe. It smells," Picard said as he headed toward the doors.

"Doctor Crusher asked me to steer you and Ensign Summers past Sickbay," Riker said. "She says you've both looked very tired."

"Hunh?" Buffy said.

"It's an order, Buffy," Dawn said. "From your watcher."

Buffy sighed and nodded as Tasha hurriedly entered the transporter room.

"Sorry Commander, but Security Team Two reports they've discovered a puddle of blood outside the Selay Quarters and they can't find one of the delegates and..." Tasha said.

"Lieutenant," Riker interrupted, a tad bit annoyed, "couldn't this have waited a moment? We've got the captain back."

Tasha smiled, "Good to see you, sir.. The problem is that one of the cooks has just been asked to broil Reptile for the Anticans... and it looks like the Selay delegate..."

"Riker, with these "peace" delegates and all, I do need some rest. Take charge, Number One," Picard said.

"Of course, Sir," Riker said.

Author's Note: I have been thinking of pairings. Buffy and Worf definitely. Dawn is a little bit trickier because of her age. I ruled out most of the rest of TNG cast because of hers and their ages. I then thought about bringing forth another BTVS character to the Enterprise. First one I thought about was Willow. I ruled Willow out because she is actually guest starring in two spots in the story. One is during Hide and Q and the other is in First Contact. I then thought of Faith and as I thought about it, I actually came up with a way to have her jump forward. So I settled on possibly Dawn and Faith.

Author's Note2: Buffy's nanites are kind of a crossover with Into the Void as the Buffy of Into the Void has them also. Talking about crossovers, there will be some minor crossovers with some of my other stories in Hide and Q.