Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or its characters. I just own my characters that i created in my special little brain of mine.

Author Note once again sigh

Faye: nO MORE SCHOOL! THANK THE Q'S!

Q pops up

Q: you said my name?

Faye: I LOVE YOU! ogles him chases him like a fan girl

Q runs very fast away

Faye: YOUR QNESS IS SO MUCH CUTER!

Director: ...

just read!

Chapter 9: Twilight

Picard sat in his seat with his eyes fixed upon the main viewer examining the two war birds uncloaked in front of the Enterprise as if being cornered by a bully asking for his lunch money. What did they want from them now? Yes, they've had many encounters with the Romulans sometimes over serious matters and other trivial things. His own bridge crew remained silent as if they were planning themselves a card that the Romulans could never guess. What type of matter did this new encounter bring for the Enterprise? Was this a continuing situation over something? So many things that were fought over..

His brow deepen as he rose up adjusting his shirt approaching the main viewer with the famous confidence of his of playing this straight. This was chess. They had to make a move before the Romulans did more than this. What was coming from this?

"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. What is your mission of being here? Why did you hail us?" The main viewer suddenly showed a slightly middle aged Romulan with his lips thin and a underlying smile hiding underneath his fake seriousness. This concentration was faked. All of it didn't matter. What was being hidden mattered to the safety of Picard's crew and of himself. "I hailed you Captain because I believe that you earlier came across a junk like ship that carried something of importance to us. Did you not?"

"We did."

"Did you not find anything of importance?"

"I am afraid not. May I ask, what important thing is concerning you so? Can you describe what you lost?"

"We lost something. It isn't clear what we lost. But we were missing some type of case. It had a rather interesting creature in it. Apparently it was stolen from our capitol and hidden aboard that ship. I assure you captain that is indeed vital to us. "

How vital could be disputed. This brought something to Picard's mind when he suddenly thought of Tomiko and her suitcase. But that was her's. She had brought it here. But she had also been found on a old starship but surely it had no connection to this..could it? NO.

He could tell there wasn't any dishonesty from Tomiko and her situation so he shoved it behind.

"I am sorry that you indeed lost this precious item but I can assure you that we found nothing aboard. We just helped them get on their way.."

The Romulan commander was upset and suddenly cut his link with the captain and the war bird cloaked and flew away at warp 8 concluded by Worf. Picard had an uneasy feeling that was tiding over in himself. It was overwhelming and he was unsure what just occurred. Did it mean that they perhaps were going to be meeting again in the future? If perhaps they were destined to be intertwined with each other over this 'lost' thing. He stood frozen hearing the many beeps of the computers and of Data and of Will talking to him about this incident. He remained perfectly at peace with himself debating over this.

"Captain? Sir?" Data looked at him quizzically twitching his eyes turning them around back to his con. He snapped briefly back realizing that he had to tell Tomiko sooner or later but..he had to wait for the tests to come in.

"Yes, Mr. Data?"

"Are you alright sir? You seem preoccupied by something. Does it happen to involve our new guest?"

"Yes. Tell me, Mr. Data, is she alright? You were the last one there with her, weren't you?"

"Yes sir I was," Data twisted around his entire front part glancing at Picard. "Are you concerned about her sir? She is fine. But of course I am not sure of that at this present moment..." he began to think over and didn't do much until he realized that they may of been hurt and even at that realization he called upon Doctor Crusher but..

there entering on the bridge was Tomiko closely followed by Natsumi and Tasha who led the party. Picard stood up and wasn't upset at her present on board bridge, he was almost relieved and greeted her warmly.

"Sir?" Tasha scratched her head but before she could react, Picard asked of Tomiko to join him in his ready room and Natsumi came along. By this short time, the entire bridge crew stopped their workings and watched Picard lead the way to his ready room. The doors slid close.

Picard sat in his chair that was facing a standing Tomiko. Her face was solid and expressionless. He motioned for a chair but she declined politely.

"Sir..this whole thing.."

"You had to see me?"

She was taken aback. "Aren't you upset that I went on your bridge without your permission? I'm sorry but this matter has to be discussed now and not any time later because it is that important sir. So I beg of you to-"

"Yes. Go on."

"Sir..those Romulans..what did they want..?"

"They were searching for a suitcase.." She quickly cut him off.

"Sir, what about me! I have a suitcase..but I can't verify that it is mine..hell I found it on that ship." She confessed down casting her head so he wouldn't see her shame. Why hadn't she told him earlier? There had been no time to. She was left wondering that now..was that an excuse of her's? She pondered. He said nothing going over to the replicators and ordering a earl gray tea, hot. He took it and went back to his seat relaxing in it.

"Really, so?"

"And sir..Mr. Data and I haven't done that thing..as I told you before. I have yet to do that. But first what about those romulans, were they were upset? Were they wanting this case that I may have?"

Picard gripped the edge of his desk when he leaned really forward. He sensed her remorse and guilt flooding up and thus went to counteract such a emotion. Could he?

"Now Miss Tomiko, lets not jump to conclusions over this matter. I assure that I have everything in order and if you have any reason to doubt, please you are welcome to come on the bridge to talk to me and I'll gladly accept. Now I think.."

Natsumi's eyes were wide and she let go of Tomiko's leg and wandered over to the fishbowl(it looked like..except no fish) and tapped on the glass. Both their eyes darted to her. There was something special about her that couldn't be overlooked. So why be given the chance?

"Sir..since we are out of danger, perhaps she could stay somewhere. I have nowhere to place her.."

Natsumi turned her attention to them both. "No need to. Can't I just stay here?"

"I don't think so. Captain Picard is busy running his ship through here and you would only get in the way...maybe..Hey Natsumi, do you wish to spend time with other children?"

She nodded. Tomiko twisted her head to Picard. "Is there a place for children-"

"Yes. Yes there is."

She gave a nod. Natsumi beamed unaware of anything. Tomiko was left in a state worse that ever. What kind of danger would she be putting the Enterprise in just because of this little girl? She was ashamed and maybe upset. So many things didn't add up but why..? But why! Picard wanting to help calm the silence once more, asked Natsumi outside, she happily accepted and left Tomiko inside.

"Miss Tomiko, do you want to speak-"

"No sir! I do not need to speak to your counselor! I am just fine..just peachy." She rubbed her arm avoiding his eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, can Data and I do that thing?"

He snapped back. "Yes..yes..do so..and.." She was already to the door with her back turned. "Miss Tomiko..we will do everything to help you if needed." She sniffed exiting. He sighed relaxing and twisting his chair around to look at the stars.

wwwwwwwwwwwww

Tomiko sat down as Data stood up pressing the many buttons bringing up many different things. She was awfully quiet resting within in her mind. "Miss Tomiko, I have noticed that kind of behavior from you. What is troubling you?"

"Why does everyone think that something is bugging me? Can you tell me why they won't leave me alone?" She perked up her head slightly. His golden eyes shined on her face for a second that went away back to the computer screen.

How could she be so cold to him? He was trying his damn hardest to be nice and she was pushing him away. Did she do that to Tomoyuki because of that? NO! She pushed him away for the reason, a personal reason she didn't need to discuss openly with anyone. She stopped her thoughts of her brother and tried to focused.

"Maybe because you express a dissatisfied look on your face. Your body languages say so also and they-we only want to help because we care about everyone including you."

She cracked a laugh. Was she really that easy to read? She'd never been told that but perhaps he was correct. He was an android, so he had to be correct. Could he ever be wrong? He didn't say much after that as he poked faster at the keys.

She wasn't in any rush but why did a lot of things have to conflict within her? She couldn't help her bad thoughts on this situation. Maybe if she wanted to go home then she had to do that again.. She shivered and her spine tingled into a mass of nothings. She didn't want to sit straight anymore. She couldn't do it.

"So Mr. Data, what do you think of humans now? Do you really want to become one as you say?"

"Yes. It has always been my dream to be human and I shall do everything to try to obtain that dream. What? Do you have problems with your own humanity? Miss Tomiko, if that is so just remember that you can be more than you are."

"Silly as it is. I do. Sometimes I wish I could be like you now. "

"Why?"

"Because you can't feel a thing and it appeals to me but as you said there is nothing that i can to do to change what I am. I guess I have to accept this for what it is."

He twisted his head slightly puzzled. "I never said that."

"Oh gomen. My brother did- He said..t..hat..." She lowered her eyes closing them finally falling asleep until she was called to wake up again.

"Miss Tomiko, I need your input now.."

"Oh..Oh...Oh...Oh..Okay then. Gomen Nasai! Let me see.." She put her hand underneath her chin deeply pondering in her memory of that first thing she could recall. But she couldn't get more of the image of it. It was stuck in her mind and it refused to come out. She sighed shaking her head. It was no use..her mind was simply blank but again it couldn't be her fault..so everytime she thought hard on it..it just plagued her. She was just drifting on those empty feelings.

Instead of saying anything, she sat eerily quiet. Data moved his head so inhuman like so much that she almost started crying. All of her frustrations..nothing could change it..nothing...

She wondered how long it had been.. "I can't think..Mr. Data..I can't.." She gasped and he was rather concerned.

"Do you need rest? Or do you need Dr. Crusher's assistance..?"

"I..I..I...I...I.."

Nothing was ever the same after the big leap had been taken so why had she been so frighten of it? "MR. DATA! IT IS THE ROMULANS! THEY ARE GOING TO ..."

"Going to what?"

She suddenly shot up standing shakily rejecting his arms as his support all the while muttering about seeing the captain. He wouldn't allow her to go and called Dr. Crusher to be expecting a sudden patient. But Tomiko refused that outright over commanding his voice over his talk with the Doctor. She screamed nothing was wrong with her and stormed off. Data quickly dashed after her.

She kept running somewhere and finally found the observation lounge and burst in. Picard and his senior officers were in there talking (minus Data) and were shocked by her rude behavior. But she was beyond comprehending. She was not audible to them. Her words weren't heard from her loud sobbing and the tears made it difficult to see.

"Yes?"

"Sir..is ..the...re-results..in.?"

"Yes. Are you..?"

"Sir..please tell me..wait..before you speak..before you say anything..let me tell you something..it is about the romulans." At this, they all sat up stiff examining her more clearly. She was shaking to the point she had to grip the chair handle to stay up. Her legs had given up on her.

All were alarmed and terribly horrified at her condition. Picard sigh exasperated remembering what he said told her and to the pleas of his officers, he hushed them allowing her room to sleep. In this state she was indeed in a bad state but she had to..

"Sir..the romulans are..going to attack again...I finally understand it..all..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" She laughed cracking before collapsing onto the floor in one piece but sprawled out. Gasps were heard as Data entered the room picking her up.