Two thoughts occurred to Picard in the coming days after the time-travel incident. The first being that they would probably never know what really happened, or why. Despite knowing this, the captain couldn't stop thinking of it. Counselor Troi said that since the event was so traumatic, it would take time for him to heal. It didn't make Picard feel much better.
The second thought was that this really seemed like something Q would do – something so convoluted would certainly amuse him to no end. Picard had only confided in Riker of this suspicion. "That checks out," his first officer had said, "but why didn't he come out at the end to boast, then?"
"Perhaps," Picard had replied, "he wanted it to remain a mystery."
But the captain couldn't help himself from considering it. One night, alone in his room, he said in a low whisper, "Q, was that really you? It couldn't have been, could it?"
Picard instantly felt silly saying it, and a long silence passed. So long, that by the time he heard the voice, his thoughts had moved onto other things.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Oh, wouldn't you like to know!" the disembodied voice said, unmistakably Q.
Before the captain could respond, the voice added, "I think we'll be seeing each other again soon, Captain. Yes, very soon."
Picard just sighed.