"Her lungs suffered a lot of damage from smoke inhalation, and she had second-degree burns on her arms and face. Plus she had a nasty bruise on her forehead, but she'll be fine. She just needs to rest."

"And is she who we think she is?"

Doctor Crusher glanced over at the two girls, one sleeping in a bio-bed and the other standing protectively by her side. "I did a full DNA scan. She is most definitely Charlotte Hope."

"Right." Picard straightened his uniform and looked grim. "It's time to get some answers."

Charlotte- the one standing up- didn't look up as they approached; instead anxiously watching her double's still-slightly-sooty face. "How is she, Doctor?"

"She's going to be just fine," Bev answered soothingly. "But it would help if we knew who she really is."

"Lieutenant, you seem to understand more than anyone else what is going on here. I presume you have an explanation for all…" he gestured to the sleeping girl, "this?"

Charlotte sighed. "I do, but it's a long and complicated story. I might need some help telling it. And… Data should be here. This is something that he should hear as soon as possible."

Picard tapped his badge. "Commander Data to sickbay."

"On my way, sir."

Bev held up a hypospray. "I think it's safe to wake her."

The stimulant went in, and the girl on the bed opened her eyes and tried to sit up.

"Take it easy," Charlotte said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You're safe now. You're home."

"The other ship…" C2 started, voice raspy.

"Gone." Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "It's all gone." Her voice changed to angry relief. "But what the heck were you doing in Sickbay? I could've lost you!" And Charlotte embraced her double, clinging tightly to her. "You gave me such a scare!"

Sickbay doors opened, and Data walked in. "You wanted to see me, Cap-" He froze at the sight of the two identical white heads that separated at the sound of his voice; the two identical faces that looked at him with completely different expressions- the one on the bed with joy and the other with sadness. And his positronic brain came closer than it ever had to complete and utter confusion.

"Now listen up, everyone," said the 'sad one', separating herself from the other and beckoning him over. "We're going to tell you all a story. It's going to sound strange and impossible and insanely complicated, and we might get in trouble for keeping it a secret, but it's something we should've told a long time ago." She looked at each of them gravely. "The first thing I have to say is sorry for deceiving you, because I'm not who you think I am."

She turned to Crusher. "Do you remember…?"

Much later, C2 rang the bell to a room that she hadn't entered in a long time. The doors hissed open, and she walked in timidly, not knowing how she would be received.

Data sat at his console, whatever work he was supposed to be doing abandoned, mechanically stroking the cat on his lap as he devoted most of his attention to the recent problem that had first arisen in Sickbay.

He had tried his hardest with logic, but the situation wasn't logical in any way. The emotion ship had now been activated to help with the analysis.

It was a complicated situation, he decided, and one to be treated with caution. Perhaps it would be best if everyone took a step back from relationships for the time being…

C2 crept over to the couch and contemplated the man she loved, wondering how he was taking it all. Their relationships- hers and Charlie's, Charlie's and Data's, and now hers and Data's- were all going to have a marked change now…

Data looked over at her. "Charlotte… er… which one are you?"

"The original," C2 answered with a humourless laugh. "I mean, from this universe. I belong here."

"And the second Charlotte? Where is she?"

"In our quarters. Hiding, I think."

"Why?"

"She's afraid- afraid of you, afraid of what's going to happen to her… us… this whole situation. Frankly so am I, but I had to come and talk to you." He didn't look like he was going to say anything, she so continued on. "I missed you terribly, you know. It hurt to be away from you for so long, especially with everyone in such a bad mood because… Anyway, I'm glad to be back where I belong, with people I know and love." She stood up and approached him slowly. "But I realise that this is a complicated situation and that you're going to need time to get used to it. We all will. I just want you to know that that girl whose been living here, that girl who you thought was me… she is me. And I am her. And we both love you- always have, always will." And with that, she stroked his head, kissed it, and left.