An hour has passed, and there's a chime at the door. "Orion? It's Captain Picard. May I enter?"

Orion Shadow looks up from his book and nods, "Of course! I was hoping to have visitors."

The door slides open and Picard enters. "Good to see you're doing okay. I received word that the removal of the Borg technology is progressing well, and should be complete within the hour or so."

"Excellent!" He breathes a sigh of relief. "This all went so well... the pessimistic side of me would say it was too easy, but... in the end, I'll have my Raven back, and that's what counts. Of course, I have Q, and your crew to thank for that."

"We were glad to be of service, and I'm sure you can thank Q, or Discord, or whatever entity he chooses to be, when we return you to your own world. Is there anything we can do to make your stay with us more comfortable until we arrive at your home world?" Picard asks.

"You've done more than enough for me," he says with a laugh, "But I'll wait and see what Raven has to say when she wakes."

Picard smiles. "Very well. Do not be afraid to ask for anything should you desire it." He gets up. "I must return to the bridge. Please pass my regards to your wife when you see her." He walks from the room, the door sliding shut.

After an hour or so, Orion climbs to his hooves once more and begins trotting toward sickbay again, whistling cheerfully to himself and nodding happily at any passersby.

"Just in time," Doctor Crusher says as Orion enters. "She's over there and been asking for you. I want to caution you, we couldn't undo everything the Borg implanted, so please don't be too shocked at what you might see."

Raven lay in a biobed, a few scars and bald patches showing where most of her implants were. Her right hoof still was clad in the same black metallic substance, and her eyes, while still robotic, now had a more natural coloring about them. One ear remained metallic, turning with a soft, slight whine when it swiveled. Best of all, her cutie mark had returned to what it once was, and her coloring had almost returned to full luster. "Orion?" she said softly. "Oh, it's so good to see you again, my darling."

"And you too, my love," He smiles wide, hardly batting an eyelash at what remains of the Borg technology, or the scars and bald spots. Fur grew back, after all. "I was so worried... seeing you up there, overtaken... it scared me. But you're safe now, and that's what matters." He does eye the black substance covering her right forehoof. "That's not going to implant nanites in me, will it?"

"They said it was deactivated. I pose no harm to anypony, especially you," Raven says with a smile. "It was the weirdest thing ... one moment I was walking to Sugarcube Corner to get some surprise treats for you and the foals, and the next thing I know I'm on some strange spaceship."

Orion takes the covered hoof at that, and nods, "Indeed? We'll have to go there when we return to Equestria... have a little welcoming party for you." He nuzzles her cheek, "What else do you remember?"

"Well... everyone I met on the ship was nice. They had never seen anypony like me before, and I was actually quite the celebrity. Then, I remember the big cube that appeared in front of us...lots of screaming and shouting... something grabbed me and I felt a couple of stings...and that was it until I saw you here."

"That must be when you got... all this..." He gestures to the various cybernetics. "If it's any consolation, your new appearance doesn't scare me in the least. In fact, I rather like it." He smiles at her. "How would you like to go up to the bridge? You can meet all the friends I've made!"

Raven shakily sits up. "I'd like that ... but you might have to let me lean on you, I'm still a bit woozy...Doctor, is it okay if I go with my husband?" she asks.

Doctor Crusher waves a small scanner around Raven. "Sure, just don't over-exert yourself."

Raven slowly gets to her hooves, and leans against Orion. "Okay then… lead the way."

Orion nods and trots with her toward the bridge, going slowly thanks to her added weight. "I've met an android, a shapeshifter made of pure energy, humans... so many races! They'll just love you!"

Raven leans against Orion and nuzzles him. "All I care about is if you love me, my darling." They make their way to the bridge.

"Ah, Orion ... and this must be the lucky lady, I presume?" Picard says as the turbolift doors open and the couple step onto the bridge. The entire bridge crew turns and smiles, except for Data, who cannot express emotions.

Orion laughs and nods, "Of course I love you, Raven. And I will for the rest of my life." As they arrive on the bridge, he nods. "it is! Captain Picard, may I introduce to you Lady Raven Shadow. Raven, this is Captain Picard and the crew of the starship Enterprise."

"An honor, Lady Brownmane," Picard says, giving a slight bow. "How are you feeling?"

"I'd just like to be able to go home, Captain," Raven responds.

"I fully understand. We should be arriving back at your home world within the next two hours. We are just now entering the Zacherle cluster. Please, feel free to look around," Picard says warmly.

Orion suddenly remembers something, "Are you hungry, Raven? It's past dinnertime according to my watch, but I'm sure we can find something for you to eat, if you'd like it."

"I'm not really all that hungry at the moment, but I could use some tea right about now," Raven replies.

Orion nods, "Very well then! They have something called the replicator I think you'll like." He shows it off, putting in an order for two cups of tea, "And here we are! Just the way you like it."

Raven takes a sip. Her eye widen. "You're right! It's exactly how I like it - but, how-where did -" she stammers, before shrugging and taking another sip.

"Technology, darling!" He laughs, "Though honestly, it looks more like magic to me." He sips his own, quite used to it by now. Then he sits, wrapping a foreleg around his beloved. "Ready to sleep in your own bed again?"

"I'm ready to sleep for a week ... or two," she says with a giggle. "I'll be so glad to see the familiar sights of home once again." She yawns. "Perhaps we could ask Pinkie to hold off on that party for a little while…"

"Your wish is my command," he promises, kissing her muzzle. "I'll wake you when we get there."

Raven snuggles against her husband, and lightly dozes as the stars drift by the viewport.

As they approach Equestria a few hours later, Orion gently nuzzles the earth mare, and whispers "We're here... almost. I haven't the faintest idea what our landing procedures will be."

Raven opens one eye. "You don't know, or don't want to tell me?" she asks with a hint of mischief.

Captain Picard enters the room where the two have been staying. "We're entering orbit now. If you two will accompany me to the transporter room, we'll get you back home in no time."

"Oh! That's how! I really should have guessed." He helps Raven up and trots with her toward the transporter room, "You'll like this... it's like my teleport spell, only I'm not casting anything."

"Oo, sounds fun," Raven says, following Orion onto the pads.

Picard smiles at the two. "It was truly a pleasure to have met you both. I hope some day your world and the Federation can truly unite as friends."

"And you, Captain. Come visit us sometime, we can introduce you to Luna!" Then, with a last wave, he proclaims "Energize!"

The room starts to shimmer, and after a moment Orion and Raven find themselves once again standing on the soil of Ponyville. "That was fun," she says, "but let's not do that again too soon, okay?"

Orion laughs, and nods, taking Raven's metallic hoof in his own organic one. "For now, I think normality is just what we need." And together, the two ponies trot in the direction of home.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Discord's voice rings out over the landscape: "You're welcome, Orion."