Beverly had indeed found the cure. First she revived her nursing staff, and gave them hyposprays to use on everyone else. Then she headed to the Bridge.

As soon as Captain Picard was able to, he stood up and scowled. "What was that?"

"A concentrated form of Cerinean Flu," answered Beverly, reviving the crew one by one, "Infused with their own secret recipe, whoever 'they' were. Only me, Wesley, his friend, and a handful of the crew were not affected by it. I'm still trying to figure out why. Thankfully it wasn't powerful enough to be incurable. And it wasn't deadly at all. They wanted to incapacitate you, not kill you."

"Where's Mr Crusher?" asked Riker, straightening up.

Beverly looked slightly guilty. "They've gone to rescue Commander Data."

"What?" Picard's face took on a look of disbelief. "A couple of children have mounted a rescue mission against an enemy we know nothing about? What madness is this?"

Worf looked at his screen. "Captain, I am detecting a shuttle coming within range. It is one of ours."

"Life signs?"

"Two humans… and Data."

"So, it seems the mission was successful." Riker nodded, impressed. "Not bad for a couple of kids."

"Lieutenant, scan for other ships. They might have followed them."

"No other vessels in the vicinity, Captain. The shuttle is docking."

"Good."

When the three shuttle occupants entered the Bridge, Picard confronted them with a frown. "Commander Data, it's good to have you back with us. Mr Crusher, Miss Hope, please join me in my ready room."

Leaving Data to the others, Charlotte and Wesley followed the Captain to his room. Once the door had closed, he turned to Wesley.

"Mr Crusher, I don't know where to start. You…"

Charlotte stepped forward. "Excuse me for interrupting, Captain, but the mission was my idea. Wesley didn't want to have any part of it, but I made him help me. Please don't punish him for something I did."

"Ah." Picard studied Wes for a moment longer, then turned to Charlotte. "Miss Hope, we are, of course, extremely glad that Commander Data has been returned, but that does not exclude the fact that you threw caution to the wind and launched a mission that was clearly a great risk to you and your friend's life without even thinking of the consequences. It was dangerous to not only you but to this ship; they might have followed you here…"

"I understood the risks, Captain, and I knew perfectly well what the consequences may have been. But we not only brought back Data but disabled the enemy ship as well. I know it was dangerous and stupid, but Captain, you must understand, I couldn't just sit and do nothing while the crew was incapacitated. Data is so, so important to me, maybe more important than my own life. I couldn't let him be taken apart or experimented on. I couldn't."

Captain Picard stared at her for a long time. Finally, a smile graced his lips, and he put a hand on her shoulder. Charlotte smiled back, tears pricking the edges of her eyes. After a while, Picard pressed her shoulder and let her go. "Dismissed," he said softly to both of them.

Charlotte and Wesley walked out onto the Bridge. Wes took his station at the helm, and Charlotte looked around at everyone, smiling. Before anyone could say anything, she walked into the lift. The doors closed.

Later, in Ten-Forward, Charlotte sat at the bar and smiled at Guinen. "One small chocolate sundae, please. Were you affected by the gas?"

"Yes." Guinen replicated the dessert and slid it across the bench. "Which is funny, since I'm not usually affected by anything. But that doesn't matter anymore. What does matter is a certain act of heroism that I've heard about." She gave Charlotte a significant look.

Charlotte took a bite of her sundae to avoid having to say anything, but her face betrayed her. Guiden leaned close. "You were very brave."

"No I wasn't," Charlotte whispered, not looking at her. "I was terrified. But…" she raised her eyes and looked at Guinen's face, "Wouldn't you do the same for someone you loved?"

The bartender smiled and moved over to another customer. "Yes, I would." Her eyes flicked over to the door, and Charlotte followed her gaze. Data had entered Ten-Forward and was heading for her.

He sat down on the seat next to her and fixed his yellow eyes on her grey ones. "I would like to express how grateful I am to you, but I am unsure of how to do it."

"Data, a simple thank you will suffice."

"Thank you." He paused. "But one thing puzzles me. Why would you risk your life to save me?"

Charlotte put down her spoon. "Data, you are important to me. I could not imagine a life without you. Do not wonder at my risk-taking. I would do it again and again if I needed to." She stood up. "Now, enough. Let's play chess."

Guinen looked over at the couple as they set up the chess board, and she sighed. For now, at least, everything was alright.