11. THE RETURN

On the Nimitz Bridge the officers were performing routine checks on the ship's systems. Riker, at his station, was wondering about the right words he could use to make Picard change his mind and let him go to the Neutral Zone to look for Denise and Data. A whole day, in fact, had passed since their leaving and they had not received any news from them yet. By now, even the most optimistic ones were convinced that something had occurred to their colleagues.

Geordi La Forge was seated at Ops, Data's usual post, and scanned continuously the surrounding space with the ship's sensors, in the hope to find some useful clue. Deanna Troi, at Communications, had just finished to make arrangements with Dr. Crusher about Ender's hypnosis session. Suddenly a led on the sub – space radio began to blink, indicating an incoming transmission.

"Admiral?" the Betazoid called. "Someone is calling us, using Starfleet secured channel. But the transmission is disturbed".

"Try to filter it, Counselor" Picard instructed, while a faint hope was beginning to born inside him.

"Sir" Deanna reported, after a couple of minutes "it's Captain Rank".

The Bridge warmed up again, hearing the news of their friends' return.

"Confirmed" La Forge said. "Sensors have located the shuttlecraft. It sustained heavy damage, sir".

"On screen" Picard ordered.

"Audio only" Deanna underlined, transferring the communication on the Bridge speakers.

"Fermi to Nimitz. Do you read us?" Denise's voice asked.

"Nimitz here. Go ahead" Picard answered.

"Admiral, we've had our bad moments over there, but everything's okay now. Our thrusters are off – line, you'll have to tow us directly in the shuttle – bay".

"Acknowledged, Denise. Relax, you're in good hands" Picard replied. Then, he instructed Riker to engage the tractor beam as soon as the shuttle was within range.

"With pleasure" William said without hiding his relief, surely shared by the whole Bridge crew.

When the force field in the shuttle – bay was safely in place again, Denise Rank and Data could finally disembark. The woman was clearly tired but her face was illuminated by a sense of triumph. Data, of course, was not tired but surely looked excited, the same excitement a child would express coming home from school with a high mark.

"The poor Romulan commander is surely still wondering where the debris of our ship are" Denise said, rising her voice over the sound of the closing hangar doors. "We've been great!"

"And lucky" Data remarked, trying to restrain the woman's enthusiasm.

Both of them were heading to the nearest turbo – lift for the Bridge.

"Okay, also a bit lucky" Denise agreed. "It's been a very long time since last time I felt this way. That's the price you pay working behind a desk" the captain commented. It seemed that the little adventure made her wish to work in space again.

Inside the lift there were some moments of silence. Then, Denise said "We are a nice couple, aren't we?"

When Data's face turned serious the woman realized that they should discuss the topic of their relationship again. Certainly not now. However, there was something she had to tell immediately if she really wanted the wound permanently healed.

"Data, unfortunately we didn't have the opportunity to discuss much, but I wish you knew that if I hurt you somehow with my behavior, I'm very sorry and I had no intention of doing so. I sincerely hope you believe me".

"I believe you" Data replied. And magically the earlier cheerful atmosphere returned.

"However" the android added "should it present the occasion in the future, remember me not to board a shuttle again, with you as a pilot ".

"Is this the 'thank you' I get for saving your life?" Denise joked, pretending to be offended.

"Next time you want to save my life, tell me in advance, so I can get a couple of sessions with Counselor Troi, to prepare".

The woman could not help but laugh, just as the doors of the lift opened on the Main Bridge. Still, she found the time to have the last word. "Then, please, don't volunteer for any suicide missions anymore!"

Denise stopped talking when Data was already halfway outside the turbo – lift. Picard and the others looked surprised to find them of such a good mood, after what they had certainly been through. Nobody however made any comments about it.

"Welcome back, gentlemen" Picard greeted them. "It's good to see you again".

"It is good to see you as well, sir" Data replied. "With your permission, Captain Rank will bring you up to date about our encounter with the Romulans. I would like to begin immediately the data download on the ship's computer".

"Of course, Data" the admiral said, dismissing him with a slight nod.

Denise told them everything about the Romulan War bird and the acrobatic way they used to escape. She did not mention her own stunts, by the way, because everything was recorded in shuttlecraft log. When her resume was over, Picard told her about their discoveries involving Kristina Ender and commented on how useful and beneficial B'rent's presence had been. Denise was glad to hear that.

"Go to take a shower and have some rest before resuming your duties" Picard concluded. In that very moment the woman realized, for the first time, that she had to look awful after the twenty – four hours spent in the shuttle.

"Thank you, sir" she replied, walking again toward the turbo – lift. There she met with Deanna, heading to sickbay.

"So, your little cruise in the Neutral Zone has been turbulent" Troi commented, as they both stepped inside the cabin.

"We had a lot of fun" Denise countered. "I believe Data will tell you the details in one of your next counseling sessions".

Deanna did not do anything to suppress a laugh. A moment later, becoming serious again, Denise turned to her colleague. "Deanna, I want to apologize for snapping at you, last day".

"Never mind" the counselor replied, waving her hand to dismiss the subject.

"No, it's important. I don't want any misunderstandings between us. I was angry and lost control, but it had nothing to do with you" Denise explained, apologetically.

"Geordi told me what happened and your reaction was quite normal. You must have felt isolated".

"It's true".

"Geordi was a little bit upset" Deanna went on. "You know, he's very fond of you and was not at all happy to have criticized you the way he did. But Data is his friend too and the truth is that between you and Data, you're the one who's leading at the moment".

"That must be proved" Denise murmured reluctantly. "However, I'll clarify with Geordi. Promised. Only, give me time to take back control over my life".

Troi smiled at her friend. "You have all the time in the universe" she stated. "Unfortunately, we are far from solving the mystery of this planet".