Smoothing non-existent wrinkles out of her uniform, Isabel sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. This was as good as it was going to get on just a few hours of sleep. Placing her comm badge on her chest she begrudgingly turned and trudged out of her quarters.
As she reached the turbolift, she sighed and leaned up against the bulkhead. Rubbing her eyes, she needed a moment to compose herself. Shaking her head, she tried to push the gnawing feeling in her stomach aside, tried to focus on anything else than what had transpired after Drew's supposed death.
"You know, I could feel your unease all the way in my quarters." Looking up, she noticed Deanna standing next to her, arms crossed, with a slight smirk on her face. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Isabel gave her a weak smile. "Even if I did, there isn't enough time. I'm already late. I just couldn't…" She glanced down the empty corridor, sighing as her thought drifted off. "I'm sorry, by the way. For yesterday. For leaving. For everything. I know it was wrong to leave without telling anyone. In the moment I just thought it was the right thing to do."
"You were going to go find Drew on your own and you didn't want to put anyone else in danger. I understand, but when are you going to understand that you don't have to do everything on your own? We are all here to help you. We want to help you. I don't know why you thought you had to keep this a secret. We are stronger together." Deanna reached out to call the lift. "Come on, I'll walk with you."
Isabel was quiet as they waited for the lift. She knew Deanna was right, but she was struggling with allowing others to potentially sacrifice themselves for her mistakes. The doors opened and she followed Deanna into the lift, leaning up against the wall and wrapping her arms around herself. "Are you coming with us?"
Deanna shrugged. "I'm actually not sure yet. The Captain let me know I might be needed once the details of the mission are disclosed. He did request I be present at the briefing."
"You should be there." Isabel avoided Deanna's gaze, focusing on a non-existent piece of lint on her sleeve.
"Care to share why?" Shrugging, Isabel shook her head. "Would you feel more comfortable if I were there?"
Isabel caught her gaze and was about to answer when the doors swished open, revealing two ensigns waiting to take their place on the lift. Walking off in silence, they made their way to the doors of the Observation Lounge. Before they could activate the door sensor, Isabel reached out to touch Deanna's arm. Deanna turned and looked at her, knowing what she was going to say before she said it. "Yes…I would."
Smiling, Deanna reached out to wrap her arm around Isabel's shoulders. "Come on. Let's listen to the briefing, then I'll talk to the Captain, okay?" Isabel nodded and they walked into the room.
As they took their seats around the table, Isabel took inventory of the team Jean-Luc had assembled. As she suspected, Beverly and Wes were there, seated at the far end of the table near Will. Data was seated next to Will, and to her surprise Lieutenant Mitchell was seated across from her as well. She caught his eye and smiled slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as he nodded in return.
"Good morning. As you are aware the Enterprise has been given orders to lead a clandestine rescue mission." Isabel held her breath as she waited for Jean-Luc to fill the team in on who they were looking for, knowing there would be several questions she wasn't looking forward to answering, but thankfully he chose not to elaborate.
"Immediately prior to this meeting I gave the order to head directly for Starbase 41, where we will meet with Major Kira Nerys who will be providing us with further details. After we regroup, a small crew compliment from the Enterprise will take the Defiant-class ship the USS Insurgent to our next coordinates, and the Enterprise herself will continue on to Deep Space 9. As of this time the whereabouts of the individual in question are suspected, but unconfirmed. As such, the length of this mission is ongoing and shall remain confidential. Later today each member of the team will be briefed directly on their individual responsibilities, and there will be mandatory daily physical training from now until we reach the Starbase for those slated to be on the away team, which should take approximately ten days. Any questions?"
Glances were shared around the table, but no one spoke. "Alright. Dismissed."
Isabel stood and made her way quickly to the door. "Isabel, may I have a word?" Stopping in her tracks, she turned to face Jean-Luc. He motioned for her to take her seat again and, with a nod, signaled to Beverly and Deanna that he wanted to speak with her alone.
His voice softened once they were alone. "In addition to physical training, you are to continue your daily sessions with Counselor Troi as well. It's our hope you will be able to resolve some of what you are processing internally with the Counselor's help."
"Understood." Isabel looked down at her fingers, buying herself a desperately needed moment. "I'm sorry for my behavior yesterday." Glancing up she looked at the man who, now more than ever, wished was her real father. "I know I should have contacted you, but I thought I was doing the right thing. That said, I take full responsibility for my actions, and I am truly sorry."
Reaching out he grabbed her hand which was fidgeting on her knee. "Beverly told me what you told her last night. I'm very sorry you felt you had to deal with those memories on your own. Especially your memories of the Borg. I know you are aware of my personal history with them. If anyone can understand how it feels to be violated by the Borg, it's me."
Promising herself she was not going to cry again she gave him a tight smile. "Thank you." Shaking her head, she moved her gaze from his eyes to try and steel her emotions. "I still can't believe you are both still speaking with me after knowing what I did to Drew."
Nodding, Jean-Luc was quiet for a moment. "I suppose if we had known Drew and lived through losing him as your parents had we might feel differently. Though I hope I wouldn't have behaved in the same manner." He paused and squeezed her hand. "Please look at me."
Taking a deep breath, she looked back into his caring eyes. "You mean you wouldn't have sent me to a Borg ship for my first mission, knowing I would probably die?"
She watched anger flicker quickly across his eyes, before softening once again. "I would hope that I would not allow my anger to put those I love in danger."
"Well, joke's on him. I'm the only one who survived." She quirked one side of her mouth, trying to lighten the mood, knowing she had failed miserably.
"No matter what has happened in our past, we are all discovering the truth at the same time now. Let's continue to do this together as planned. Please trust us and know we are here to help you. We'll take everything one step at a time, alright?"
She could only nod in response. Smiling, he tilted his head towards the door. "Come. Let's get to the bridge. We can talk again later if you'd like. We do have a long trip ahead of us." Pulling her out of her chair, he placed a quick kiss on her temple as he led her towards the door, his arm protectively around her shoulders.
The soft hiss of the door to his quarters pulled him from the chaotic thoughts bouncing around in his mind. Walking through the door he ran his hand over his smooth head and exhaled slowly, contemplating his next steps as a Captain…and a father.
"Oh, please tell me the two of you didn't get into an argument. I don't think I can handle any more of Isabel's dramatic exits from the ship."
Jean-Luc looked up as the voice of his wife echoed through the room. He glanced over at her curled up on the corner of the couch, an antique hardcover copy of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew in her hand.
He raised his eyebrows and nodded towards the text. "An appropriate read after the last few days."
Chuckling, she closed the book and reached over to grab the mug of tea from the table in front of her, the silk of her blue robe parting to give him an unexpected glimpse of her lacy negligée underneath. "I thought maybe I could find some helpful tips." Settling back into the cushions of the couch, Beverly smiled sweetly at him as she held the mug on her lap. "What's wrong, Jean-Luc?"
Shaking his head, he moved to sit next to her, giving her a quick peck on the lips as he did so. "Nothing is wrong I suppose. I have just been caught off guard is all, and I'm not sure how to process what I've just witnessed."
Beverly's eyebrows scrunched together as she sat up straight. "Were you not able to speak with Isabel? She's been uncharacteristically quiet in the past few days since we've left Earth, I was hoping she'd open up to you."
"Oh, I found her, and she did express some of her feelings…just not to me." He shot Beverly a hesitant look, and she shot him a look of confusion in return. "I may have eavesdropped longer than I should have on a conversation Isabel was having with Lieutenant Mitchell in the holodeck."
Beverly's eyes went wide. "You didn't."
He nodded. "I did."
He looked at her and she looked back at him expectantly. After several moments of silence, she laughed. "Are you going to tell me what happened or leave me in suspense all night?"
He shook his head and clicked his tongue. "You aren't going to be happy with me."
"Spill it, Jean-Luc!" She slapped him playfully on his arm and he reached out quickly to grab her hand, bringing her fingers to his lips. She smiled sweetly at the gesture, scooting closer to him on the couch as he wrapped his arm around her.
"I located Isabel in the holodeck. She was running some sort of winter wonderland program – which I must admit was very beautiful - a thick forest of fir trees, snow-covered landscape. Anyway, as I walked deeper into the forest I heard voices. One was Isabel's and, once they came into view, I realized the other voice belonged to Lieutenant Mitchell. They didn't know I was there and couldn't see me, and I was going to leave, but then I heard her laugh…"
"I can't believe you left without saying goodbye. I thought we were closer than that."
Isabel shrugged, taking another sip from her thermos. "It was just easier that way. Do you want a sip?" She held the black tumbler in his direction.
He smiled. "That depends. How much alcohol did you put in there?"
Laughing whole-heartedly, she nodded. "Okay, I deserved that." Smiling at him, she continued. "I will have you know this is one hundred percent hot chocolate. Even I can be a purest at times."
He took the drink from her gloved hand and sipped, nodding his approval at the taste. "Counselor Troi's recipe?"
She chuckled. "Obviously."
After a few quiet moments he broke the silence. "So, are you going to share why you've been so withdrawn since we left Earth? I thought everything was back on track with you and your family." He handed the drink back to her, taking the opportunity to shift his position on the wooden bench to sit closer, adjusting his thick winter coat around his neck as he did so.
"They are… I'm just in a weird place. It's been hard for me to process what I'm feeling." She looked down, then up across the frozen pond, her eyes locking onto a young couple ice skating on the smooth, shimmering surface.
"And that would be…" He elbowed her in the ribs, and she playfully punched him in the arm in return.
She sighed, momentarily fascinated with the steam rising out of the small opening in the thermos. After a few moments she slowly acquiesced and continued. "In a nutshell, since my memories came back, I find myself wishing that I belonged in this universe. The thought of going back to that place…" Tears began sliding down her cheeks. She looked at him, smiling sadly. "I wish Beverly and Jean-Luc were my real parents. That I was always surrounded by this much love." She paused again. "The thought of going back to my universe and facing my real parents is…making me very nervous. Honestly, I've been extremely depressed lately."
His voice was soft and calm. "Who says you have to go back? Isn't that your choice?"
She wiped her cheeks and elbowed him again. "See, that's why I like you. You're so matter of fact. You think every solution is simple."
"I thought you liked me because I don't exist in your universe."
She smiled brightly at him. "That too."
Returning the smile, he stood and held his hand out to her. "Come on, let's go ice skating."
Her eyes went wide, and she shook her head vehemently. "Oh, no, no, no. I don't ice skate. I merely enjoying watching those talented enough to be able to do so."
"You're kidding. The fearless Isabel Picard doesn't know how to ice skate?" Shaking his head, he reached over to grab her hand, pulling her up and leading her towards the pond.
She abandoned the thermos and went with him, but with worry across her face. "James, please. I don't want to fall and embarrass myself – or worse break something." As soon as the words had been uttered, her boot caught on a tree root and she stumbled, losing her balance on the icy snow.
With one quick movement James wrapped his arm around her waist and caught her mid-fall, bringing her tightly to his chest as he brought them both back to a standing position. With his free hand he affectionately moved an errant strand of hair behind her ear. "See? I promise to always catch you if you fall." Her hands had grasped onto his arms when he caught her and she just stared into his eyes, seemingly not knowing what to say. "Computer, start a light snow fall."
Isabel continued to stare into his eyes, and he into hers. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips and her teeth bit her lower lip slightly. Her voice came out in a nervous whisper. "Is this the part where you kiss me?" James nodded slowly and leaned in…
Jean-Luc sighed. "I left as soon as I realized what was happening, but I wasn't fast enough. I know I was wrong for eavesdropping in the first place."
Beverly snaked an arm around him as she curled further into his side. "I promise to keep your secret, but should you find yourself if that position again…leave right away, or even better don't interrupt a holo-program you weren't invited to in the first place."
They were quit for a few moments, each processing in their own way. Finally, Jean-Luc broke the silence. "What do you know about James Mitchell? Should I be worried? He has an exemplary service record – which is why I chose him for the mission – but I must admit I don't know anything about him personally."
Laughing, Beverly pushed herself up so she could look him in the eye. "Out of your entire experience, that is the part you are worried about the most? Not our daughter dealing with severe depression at the thought of going back home?"
"I consider it prudent to focus on matters that may be concerning in the more immediate future."
Closing the small gap between them she captured his lips with her own, deepening the kiss as she simultaneously climbed into his lap. "What if I give you something else to focus on in the more immediate future?"
Her hands danced up his chest and found home on the back of his neck, her fingers lightly scratching through his hair. A low growl escaped his throat as he wound his fingers through her hair, pulling her back in for another kiss as his other hand pulled her hips flush against his own. His head started spinning from the sensations of her hands on him and the smell her light perfume. His mind went blank as he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. "What were we talking about?"
"Hmmm." She purred softly into his ear as her finger lightly traced his opposite earlobe. "I think we were talking about how you have too many clothes on."
"Ah, yes that seems about right." Taking his wife into his arms once again he focused solely on her and allowed all other worries to drift entirely from his mind.
"Treat her well, Captain. She's a tough little ship." Isabel watched Major Kira Narys smile widely at Jean-Luc from across the small table in the cramped, poorly lit conference room on Starbase 41.
They had arrived that afternoon and, with the mission being high priority, had immediately rendezvoused with the Major. Ignoring the pleasantries currently happening around her, she let her mind wander back to the events of the last week and a half. There had been a lot of apologizing to do on her part, but thankfully things seemed to have returned to how they were prior to her memories returning. She was grateful Jean-Luc and Wes had been as compassionate as Beverly had been once they found out the truth about Drew. For hours the four of them had talked and had formulated as much of a plan as they could prior to meeting with the Major.
So here they sat, the core members of the team: Jean-Luc, Beverly, Data, Deanna, Wesley, Lieutenant Mitchell and herself. While they were being briefed, the skeleton crew transferring to the Insurgent was busy prepping the ship for departure. Generally equipped with a crew of about fifty, Jean-Luc had decided to cut that number in half due to the dangerous nature of the mission. They would all need to pull double-duty to keep up with the demands of the ship.
She shifted her attention fully to the Major as the conversation progressed to the details about their mission. "This is what we know. Approximately six months ago a rift was detected near the Badlands at the Cardassian boarder. The Federation crew stationed at Gamma 7 Outpost discovered a Cardassian ship from another universe had come through the rift, among its passengers was a young man meeting the description of your brother." The Major looked at her with kind eyes. She smiled softly in return, immediately deciding she liked Kira Narys. Honestly, Isabel couldn't imagine anyone not liking her, with her upbeat personality and no-nonsense attitude. "From there we learned he was taken to Celtris III." The Major's gaze softened as it shifted to Jean-Luc. His history on the planet was no secret to anyone in the Federation, especially Bajorans.
Beverly was the first to speak. "Celtris? But there wasn't any installation there. It was a ruse."
Kira nodded. "It seems there may be a more extensive research facility there after all."
"Wait – how do you even know it was even my brother? No one has seen him in almost ten years."
Kira tilted her head and smiled tightly. "When Captain Crusher came through the rift a few months ago, he sent a transmission to Section 31 with updated information on Project Lazarus from your universe. Apparently, it had been a while since we previously had contact, and in that time it was discovered your brother was still alive. The information provided included detailed medical records and a list of identifiable marks. Using that information, we were able to confirm it was Drew."
Isabel raised her eyebrows in question. Hesitating, Kira continued. "The day of your brother's accident he also sustained a severe laceration on his forehead. It was not treated before he was taken, and now there is a very identifiable scar."
Isabel could feel the blood rush from her head. Her heart started beating faster as the memory started to seep to the front of her mind. She heard her mother's voice echo in her ears as she screamed for her son who had fallen. Closing her eyes, she focused on her breathing and pushed the memory aside. "Is he still on Celtris?" Sitting up nervously in her chair, she prayed this mission would not lead them back to that godforsaken planet.
"No." Isabel released her breath at the Major's answer. "About a month ago we got word your brother was being transported back to Cardassia. We don't know how, but on the way there he escaped when his transport made a routine stop on Amleth. We don't know where he is now, but we've received a few unconfirmed reports of a gentleman matching his description on Marva IV. Of course, those reports came in a couple of weeks ago, but that's the latest information we have."
"Marva? Isn't that a Maquis base? Could they have taken him as some sort of revenge against the Cardassians?"
Kira shrugged. "I think all possibilities are on the table at this point, Captain. We know the Maquis were not involved prior to Drew escaping, but we cannot be sure who he's been associating with since then."
"Super." Everyone turned to look at her, her sarcastic comment hanging in the air. "What? I can't be only one who knows where this is heading." She looked around the table at the mostly questionable gazes. Rolling her eyes, she swiveled in her chair and looked pointedly at the Major. "This is the part of the speech where you tell us to buckle up and enjoy our time in the Badlands, right?"
Catching her eye Kira smiled knowingly. "The Admiral told me you were feisty. Yes, there is a settlement on Marva where transports stop prior to flying deep into the Badlands. You will start your search there, at…" Her voice trailed off as she re-read the information on the PADD on the table in front of her. "…an unnamed whole-in-the-wall bar owned by a rather nasty Ferengi named Dek. Our intel suggests your brother was doing business with him, which we assume involved arrangements for a transport based on Dek's previous dealings. Apparently the Cardassians are not too happy with him for assisting your brother, so we're hoping to use that to our advantage." She pushed the pad and it slid across the smooth table towards Jean-Luc. "Report back what you find, then we'll assess next steps from there. Remember, we are only trying to determine Drew's location. If you find he is still on Marva, you are to call immediately for reinforcement before conducting any rescue operation."
Jean-Luc nodded. "Understood. Major, we cannot thank you enough for your assistance. I can assure you, you will be in great hands on the Enterprise on your way back to Deep Space 9. We'll report back as soon as possible once we reach Marva."
"Thank you, Captain." With a nod, Kira turned and faced her once again. "Here, Lieutenant." As she spoke, she slid another PADD across the table. "This is all of the information we have on your family. What happened with your brother after the accident and assumptions as to why we think the serum worked on him and not others. It's all there for whenever you're ready for it."
"But Nechayev made it seem like she didn't have this information…"
Kira cut her off with a smile. "I spoke the Admiral and made it clear it was in the best interest of the mission if you were privy to this information. Eventually she agreed with me."
She felt her heart skip a beat in her chest. "Thank you, Major. I appreciate the effort you went to in order to share this with me."
Kira gave her a smile and gave a sharp nod towards the others in the room. "Alright, you're all dismissed. Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you when you return."
