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Chapter 12: Scarring to the heart

What was going on? Was Picard going to demand that she spill everything? Everything? Everything? She had the most fearful stance of anyone..of anything..So she didn't answer..nor start any sort of conversation..and so the whole moment she stayed, she stayed in the silence. They all did. She darted her eyes to Data and expected some support now..despite rejecting it earlier.

Help Help

Her mind screamed that. It screamed such..so loud that she nearly had an heart attack despite her young age. Her screaming..her screaming violently ripped in her chest and she could..and she could..

"I see you are at a lost Miss Tomiko."

Finally she found her voice.

"Yes..I am captain.."

He coughed and perhaps that signaled something in her..something to make her jump start the conversation back to life. She was the only one to do it. She was..

"Sir..you haven't.."

"Haven't what?" He quickly interjected at the end of her sentence.

She shook her head.

All she could ever think about..all she could ever…was gone somewhere..

"You won't let Natsumi go back to the Romulans, will you? They seem dreadful—"

"You don't want that, do you? And you have a clear reason for it, right?"

Again she felt numb. No clear reason..just a feeling..a spine tingling feeling that wouldn't quit even now..How much could he go on with just her feelings? Not very much. Not very much, could he. But she could believe such a girl like Natsumi could ever belong to the Romulans, not that she couldn't see..not that she didn't understand them..it was more than that..more than that..They seemed pretty cold to her..and a child, whether human or not, needed to be in the company of humans..and..She just didn't want Natsumi to go! Not to go back! Not to that suitcase, they cruelly placed her! Not to that fate of uncertainty! So the moment passed for her tears and actions had to be done, they had to be..

"I don't but she can't go back..and my word should be good. Better than anything I have currently."

Now she hoped the truth wouldn't sting anymore when he told her that Natsumi couldn't stay. She was somehow counting on his doubt and suspicion...and his abandonment of this cause.

"Don't you know they're here already? They want her."

"They can't."

Was Picard really going to give in to those demands? Was he? Didn't he know that the Romulans were trying to be bullies and nothing more? Didn't Picard see such a fact floating up in his face? Didn't he? Didn't he? Still she hoped, he was somehow a reasonable person..so far, he proved to be..in times that weren't so nice..Yet..could this situation really prove more to her, then ever possible? Beyond a doubt...beyond such a one..it couldn't be so.

"You seem...resolved to not let that happen.."

"But..I am sir. I have always been so."

He looked at her more closely trying to understand her better. She wasn't exactly the easiest person to understand and that was saying a lot.

It was enough for her. It was enough for her, not to be guessed by other people. Not by them. "But.."

"If the Romulans endanger my crew..my ship because of one girl..then I must be obliged to let her go. Do you understand that Miss Tomiko? I take safety very seriously here. Everyone here will be safe under me and I will not put them in unnesaccary danger. If Natsumi, does cause this danger then.."

She knew the rest. He didn't have to say the rest. He didn't need to. She knew and it sunk in with her deeply. "Then goodbye, but.."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "I want to go with her, can't you grant me that?"

She cringed at the thought of leaving this comfortable ship for a unsured future with the Romulans who could kill her if needed. She thought of leaving Robespierre by himself..her love..her warmth..and her damn brother! Well whatever on that last part. The others she could hardly stand it. She could.

"Are you sure?"

"I am sir, and don't try to stop me either, because I will always find a way.."

A threat.

"Then.."

Uneasiness..and..finally..He left to make his arrangements and she cried. Cried. Data, being still in the room, rushed to her and knelt beside her. But he couldn't get much out of her besides, "it has to be done..it has to be done.."

Did he want to be human still?

Did he? Did he? DID HE, DAMNIT? Where would she be going anyhow? She knew she'd go with Natsumi..but where? Where? Where? What would happen to her, after she left this ship? Were the Romulans even friendly? Were they? So many unanswered questions. So many..so many dangling in front of her. She didn't even bother to ask. She wasn't going to. She had enough talking to. She wanted to talk to no one today, anymore. It wasn't worth her frustration.

"I gotta go pack."

Data nodded. He picked her up again and they left.