I know I forgot to do something over the past couple of months, LOL. Here's the last chapter - epilogue is going up tonight too. Thanks for joining me for the ride. And thanks, Dave, for the request in the first place. :D :D

They had completed their objective.

Cortana flashed a smile at Data. Together, they had managed to find a low-priority system - a protocol that forced all Sentinels on the Halo ring to perform a self-diagnostic- that they had been able to infiltrate.

"Your transporter chief is going to beam them here. They should be here within seconds." Cortana had managed to download the information about the universe's Flood infection and hoped that the Librarian would be able to use it to discover a cure for the people in their timeline.

For their friends.

"I'm afraid that I can't allow that to happen."

A flash of light flooded the room. In that second, two things happened: Data stood there frozen, mouth open and Q appeared, standing next to the control system.

"You." Cortana's eyes narrowed. "I don't care who you are, we will complete this mission."

"My, you are a feisty one, aren't you?" He held up his hands in innocence. "This time I come on my own accord. I don't plan to stop you at all."

She waved a hand at the motionless Data. "What's that?"

"He wasn't invited to the conversation."

"So, you wanted to talk with me? I'm flattered."

"John doesn't know, does he?" The confidence slid off her face. "That you're not going to be able to make it back to the Foundation with him, despite the efforts that our android friend here has made?"

"We don't know that." Her words sounded as weak as she felt.

"But, I do." He began to pace in front of her. "I always find creatures who admire humanity despite their superiority to them fascinating. Take Data here." He moved to stand next to him. "His one dream is to experience emotion, to become as human as he can."

"And you." He spun on his heel and walked to her. "Tethers herself to one human because of some sort of 'emotional connection' despite the fact that you're as human as the android is."

She doesn't have the energy to fight with him. "What's your point?"

"I told Data one time that I would never curse him by turning him into a human and I would never do that to you, but what if I could take away the one pesky algorithm that is causing all your problems?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Why would you do this?"

"Because it pleases me."

"I've read through the Enterprise's files. There isn't mention of you being generous for no reason."

An impish grin passed over his face. "All right, you caught me. I am willing to help anyone who causes my Q brethren such grief. They are so stuffy. And having a human and his computer counterpart wreak so much havoc to their plans amuses me so."

"We're trying to-"

"Yes, yes, I know your tragic back story. Universe overrun by parasites. Intervention by a Life Worker. Inside, I'm weeping." He rolled his eyes. "In exchange for this one-in-an-alternate-universe chance, I want you to pass along a message for me."

"If you have something to say to John, you can say it to him yourself."

"No. Not him. Her."

She didn't even feign ignorance. Instead, she crossed her arms. "What is it?"

"Tell her that we're even now." Then, he snapped his fingers.

Immediately, Cortana felt a sense of clarity that she hadn't felt since before the first Halo installation. Her processes sped through Halo's systems, her mind was ready to take on a hundred Halo rings. Memories that she thought she had lost forever came rushing back into her matrix.

"Remember your end of the deal." Another flash of light filled the room.

When it faded, he was gone and Data was mobile again. The android looked up at her curiously. "Did I miss something?"

She was saved by answering by the three men being beamed into the control room. John held the Index in his hand.

"Are you ready?"

She nodded. There would be time to tell him what happened after they uploaded the virus into the systems. She looked at Data. "Based on my calculations from previous universes, when the virus is finished uploading, the Master Chief and I will start to phase out of this universe immediately. The self-destruct will occur 90 seconds after that."

Riker nodded. "Understood."

Cortana turned to Data. "Thank you. For everything." She closed her eyes briefly. "Do it."

John placed the Index into the control panel. Cortana intercepted it, added the malicious protocol and allowed it to enter into Halo's control systems.

She met John's gaze. "Yank me."

John reached over and removed her chip. He slid her crystal into his helmet. She accessed the data from his HUD and watched as the three men and the Halo ring faded away.

"John..." She said as they were pulled through time and space.

"I know."

/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/-

Picard watched as the Halo ring exploded from the view screen.

Despite their best efforts, the transporter chief hadn't been able to lock onto the Master Chief. The rest of the away team had returned to the Enterprise and were on their way to the bridge.

The explorer part of him mourned the lost history the ring world contained, but he understood that the knowledge locked away was far too costly to pay. The Forerunners and their secrets would remain hidden in this timeline.

For the future's sake.

The Turbolift doors opened. Riker, Worf and Data stepped out from the lift and joined Picard as the pieces of debris floated in space. Worf moved to his position at the security station and Data sat at the Ops station.

When Riker passed by him, he noticed the arm of his uniform had been singed. "Is a trip to Sickbay in order, Number One?"

Will looked down at his his arm. "I'm fine, sir." He gave a half-grin. "Besides, it will give me something to talk about during this shift besides my latest fishing trip."

"Thankfully," Worf muttered.

Picard raised his eyebrows. "I look forward to hearing about it."

Before he could set a new course, Data half-turned towards the captain. "Sir, do you believe that their mission will ultimately be successful?"

It was the question that he had asked himself since the Master Chief and Cortana had revealed the circumstances that brought them to their timeline. "I don't know. I would certainly hope so. But..." He took a seat in his chair. "They are not the only ones with orders from their superiors. Ensign, lay in a course for Starbase 117."

"Course laid in, sir."

"Engage."