Things on the USS Enterprise-D were normally slow as she slipped through the darkness of space. Occasionally there were times that there was a strange mission or a first contact situation. But this day was very slow and tiring. A few things did happen, but they weren't as pressing as most situations.

There were some issues in Engineering, issues with the replicators and gravity systems. The replicators were mixing up hot and cold for food items, resulting in Picard's tea being ice cold all day. Also gravity systems were down for a few minutes on decks 8 and 9. But it was a quick repair. The gravity being off then turned on suddenly led to reports of damaging items in the crew quarters- including Picards.

There was also some activity outside the Neutral Zone that the Enterprise checked out. But instead of a battle or even a small skirmish, it was just being a transport vessel having issues with their impulse engines. A crew was sent out to the vessel and it was repaired in less than an hour. There were no problems with the Romulans or anything of the sort during their brief time in the area.

All in all, it had been a long yet boring shift for all the bridge crew. There was little to do, but yet there were still those moments that gave them all little heart attacks. It was exhausting, yet they were not able to let their professionalism slip. They stayed strong, looked strong, and were strong, even when the biggest problem was just the replicator making cold soup and tea.

Finally their shift had ended, and they all left the comfy yet understimulating bridge for the night. Riker, Troi, Worf, Data, Geordi, and Picard all clamored onto the turbo lift. Few words were traded as they began their turbolift ride to their quarters. Even the slightly chatty Riker was not up for speaking, not even to Deanna Troi. They all stood silently in the turbo lift, looking to nothing and looking for nothing.

"Any plans tonight?" Data piped up, breaking the silence in the turbo lift. He looked to the other officers on the lift, and only got light scowls or blank looks. Even Geordi was frowning a little.

"I plan on practicing my trombone a little in my quarters, but that's it for tonight." Riker replied, earning an eye roll from Troi.

"I was going to try some relaxing yoga before sleeping, I'd rather you join me, Commander Riker." Troi gave Riker a light nudge with her elbow, convincing the bearded first officer to give up on his instrumental plans for the night.

"I guess I'm doing yoga now," Riker almost gleefully announced to the rest of the crew. They all nodded their heads in affirmative, already knowing that Riker was going to change his mind when Troi brought up an alternative.

"He's what one in the 21st century would call a 'simp'." Data whispered matter-of-factly to Geordi, resulting in the tired engineer to chuckle.

Deanna sensed the change in emotion that was spreading throughout the turbolift, and chuckled. It may be at Riker's expense, but he would also agree that they all needed a break from the long and stiff day. She shot Data and Geordi a look, one that said 'I heard what you said' even though she was unsure what the meaning of 'simp' was. A simpleton possibly? Yet Riker wasn't much of a gullible person. She inferred that what they meant was that Riker was easily persuaded by Troi- which was the truth.

The turbo lift opened up, and Data, Geordi, and Worf left. Those who were left spread out in the lift, waiting for their stop to come. Riker placed an arm around Troi's shoulder, and pulled her into himself. She gave the first officer a meek smile, enjoying the attention after the long day of professionalism.

Picard was staying silent and stoic, yet Riker knew that there was something on the older captain's mind. No one else seemed to pick up on it, but after all, Riker was his number one. He was the one who knew Picard very well and could tell when he was having issues. He decided to say something, since he knew that Deanna was probably picking up on Picard's emotions.

"Cloudy day, Captain?" Riker asked, looking to the frenchman. Picard turned to Riker, and after a few moments, he let out a pained sigh. He was able to drop the strong captain facade he had on these sort of days around Riker.

"Yes," Picard responded, "very much so," Picard's shoulders slightly slumped forward, giving him a look of defeat.

"How come?"

"I am not completely sure, number one," Picard answered, giving Riker a tired look, "I've been recently not feeling like myself,"

"Huh," Riker nodded, giving Picard a sympathetic look, "Is there anything that I can do to help you? Maybe a ride on the horses on the holodeck sometime?"

"That may be helpful, thank you for the offer William," Picard nodded lightly, patting Riker assuringly on the back. Picard stood there for a moment, and then asked Riker, "Do you ever find yourself feeling lonely, even knowing you are surrounded by many people?"

Riker paused for a moment, giving the question some thought.

"I'll have to say I've felt that before, but it was just due to me being new to the academy and not knowing anyone." Riker explained, "I also got that feeling when I saw my friends dating and getting married while I was single."

"It's a very common feeling," Troi explained, "one can get these feelings when they absorb themselves in their duty and not let themself have time for friends, family, pleasures." Troi gave Picard a concerned look, "something that I've noticed you doing."

"Ever so vigilant, Counselor," Picard found himself smiling at how insightful Troi was, "I will make time in my schedule to engage in some recreational activities."

"That sounds good," Riker said, "We could met up at 10 Forward for some drinks," a sly look befell Rikers face for a moment, "I've also noticed that you haven't had any romantic attractions for a while, maybe I could set you up on a date sometime,"

"Oh, that won't be necessary,' Picard shook his head, smiling coyly.

"How come?" Riker asked, "are you involved with someone already?" Riker gasped, thinking he had just come across some new grand truth, "Who is it?"

"There is no one, number one," Picard shook his head, "I'm just not up to any romantic relationship at the moment, that's all." He explained to the slightly deflated first officer. He gave Riker a reassuring grin, and Riker perked back up.

"Well, let me know if you would be up for finding someone, I bet Troi and I could get you a gal, or guy, in a snap."

"Sounds good to me," Picard said, nodding to Riker.

The turbo lift alerted the three inside their deck. The doors opened with a light 'woosh' and the three stepped out into a pristine and slightly busy passageway.

"I'll let you know if I'm ever in need of your services," Picard explained, turning away from the two, "Have a good night, Counselor, Number One."

"You too Captain," Troi nodded, and took Riker's arm. The bearded man blushed for a moment, and proceeded to walk away with the beautiful Betazoid on his arm.

"So, are we doing normal yoga, or sexy yoga?" Riker asked, almost out of earshot for Picard.

"Oh Riker," Troi sighed with false exasperation.

Picard smiled hearing the two's playful banter. He was delighted to see his first officer and counselor become a couple. They suited each other well, like a trombone and a french horn. They were like tea and scones, Rikers smooth yet strong personality blending well with Troi's sweet and strong one.

And speaking of tea, Picard found himself in need of a pick-me-up, also known as a nice hot cup of Earl Gray Tea. Hot, preferably. Actually, hot was a requirement. After a day of having nothing but ice cold tea he needed something warm. He also thought of getting some scones too, or a few finger sandwiches. Either way, he was in need of both subsistence and a mood booster. Some tea, small food items, and a good book would be the best way to end the night.

Picard entered his quarters, and let himself slump down at his desk. The lights were dim and golden, giving the room a cozy feel. Outside the stars passed sluggishly, since there was no need for the ship to be going at warp speeds for the moment. The captain blinked his eyes slowly, already feeling the tiredness of a long day start to weigh on his eyelids.

"Computer. Tea, Earl Grey, Hot," There was an emphasis on the last word. Picard was not going to have another cup of cold tea again today. The replicator quickly created the requested cup of tea, one with visible vapor coming from the surface of the liquid. Hot, just as he liked it.

Picard paused for a moment, thinking to himself. He then gave the replicator one more command. "Creamer, hazelnut." The replicator then created a little cup full of the thick, ivory liquid. Picard took the two replicated items and placed them on his desk. The cup of tea was warm to his hands, and the small dish of creamer was cool, but not ice cold. He poured the small containers worth of creamer into his tea cup, and carefully swirled the concoction. Then he lifted the cup to his lips and took a tentative sip, taking in the warm liquid, careful to not burn his lips or tongue. A small smile crept across his face, the edges of his eyes wrinkling.

"Computer, finger sandwich, cucumber." Picard commanded again, placing his tea cup down. A small plate with an even smaller sandwich was created by the replicator in a matter of seconds. The captain picked up the plate and placed it on his desk next to the steamy cup of tea and cream. He picked up the small sandwich and took a bite, savoring the rich flavor of mustard seed and the cool crisp of the cucumber. He had to admit that the computer did well at replicating the small sandwiches, yet one could still taste the difference between the replication and the real thing. It didn't help that Picard was raised on the real thing, too.

Either way, it was an enjoyable sandwich paired with an enjoyable tea.

Picard took another sip from the tea cup and grabbed a book off his desk. It was an older book, full of the works of Shakespeare. It was a book full of knowledge and lore, life and death. One could find hordes of pearls of wisdom in the works of Shakespeare. Picard knew that, and kept searching for even more wisdom in the words of the past playwright.

"Seems to be a bad day for you, mon capitaine," a familiar and unwelcome voice piped up from behind the captain. Picard swung his chair around at warp speed and came face to face with the one man he didn't want to see- Q. The celestial being was sitting on Picard's bed, legs crossed and his hands folded. He bore his normal mischievous look, paired with his starfleet uniform- red, with four pips.

"What do you want," Picard sighed gruffly. Q was the last person he wanted to see, yet he knew that he was going to show up anyway. That was Q's style.

"Nothing for the moment, me amore~," Q crooned almost seductively, "I was just checking up on you, afterall," Q gestured to the tea on Picard's desk,"you ordered an earl grey tea with hazelnut creamer- and I know that you only do that when you are not in the greatest of sorts."

"So are you coming here to make my day even worse?" Picard asked out of annoyance, placing his book down.

"Not at all, not at all!" Q explained. He leaned back with a smile, a smile that for once wasn't full of mischievousness or malice. Picard found himself taken aback by the strange new behavior Q was showing. Q was always trying to get on Picard's nerves or teach him some sort of lesson- and now would be the perfect time for Q to do such a thing.

"I'm here to help, Jean-Luc!" The celestial being cheered, "I am going to find out what exactly you're dealing with and I will help you work through it." Picard sighed. Q was trying to teach him a lesson after all.

"I don't want your help, Q" Picard explained, trying his hardest to not have a break in his composure, "Q, "I've just had a long day, and you showing up in you quarters unannounced just made this day a lot-"

"Worse?" Q asked, sadly. His eyes looked downcast and his shoulders slumped. Picard decided to change his wording to prevent a sad or angry god from causing him more problems. After all, Picard had a heart- artificial, but still a heart.

"No, not worse, well, maybe," Picard thought of a moment, trying to think of the right word, "no, you just made my day feel more tiring,"

"Oh do I tire you out, Picard?" Q chuckled in such a manner that made Picard think that Q took his explanation the wrong way. "I could tire you out in other ways, if that is what you want," Yup, he did take it the wrong way.

"No, no!" Picard said in a fluttered, panicked tone, "I meant that I'm tired from my duties today, and dealing with you, Q, is adding to such exhaustion."

"Oh, well you could have explained to me 'tiring' you out a little better," Q shook his head.

"It needed no explanation!" Picard said, shooting a glare to Q, "I said that you tire me out, and since we have never engaged in such activities I know you had in mind, I would think that you would understand that you mentally tire me out." Picard shook his head with a laugh, "I would think that an omnipotent creature like yourself would understand that."

"Oh I understood your intentions completely, mon capitaine," Q smiled, "I was just wondering if you would be up to such activities."

Picard was taken aback by how blunt Q was being. He had already suspected that the deity was more interested in the balding captain than he let on- but this was way to upfront.

"No," Picard said, trying his hardest to not sound like he was in shock,"no I am not up for such 'activities', Q," Picard frowned, "I may be lonely but I am not the point that I would be willing to be a plaything in the sense you are speaking."

"Well that answers my question, Picard." Q smiled, snapping his fingers. The being disappeared from the bed and reappeared standing next to Picard's desk. Picard blinked, his eyes readjusting after the bright flash of light. He shook his head and turned to Q, his eyes narrowing.

"What question?" Picard bit his tongue, irritated by Q's mind games.

"I was wondering what was ailing you, and now I know." Q smiled slyly as he simply explained Picard's affliction: "You feel lonely."

"What?!"

"I see that I have struck a nerve, Jean-Luc," Q nodded, looking down at the seated captain, "Do you admit that you are feeling lonely?"

"Yes!" Picard snapped, turning from Q. He picked up his tea and took a long sip, hoping that it would sooth his nerves. He set the almost empty tea cup back on the desk with a 'clack' and turned back to Q, feeling a little calmer. Even replicated, Earl Grey was great for his frayed nerves.

"So, you feel lonely," Q explained, "Now why is that?"

"Do you expect me to know the answer?" Picard asked, giving Q a tired and annoyed look.

"No, I do not, and nor am I going to pry into your psyche to figure it out." Q smiled with another one of his new sincere smiles.

Picard kept his expression neutral, a poker face. "So what are you going to do- since your last statement seems to imply that you are not going to do one action, yet you plan to do another action.

"Well, mon capitaine," Q explained, "I plan to ask you if I can be of any assistance. Shall I say I plan to be here for you while you are in distress?" Q remarked with authenticity in his diction. He watched as Picard's poker face changed to one of surprise, which was an expected reaction from him.

"I-I don't know what to say, Q," Picard stammered, his mind spinning. He was trying to figure out if he could trust Q and this new behavior from him, or if he should shoo him away to play with another being's emotions. Picard wasn't the most trusting of Q, but the being had helped him in some situations. He aided Picard in figuring out what his life would be like if he didn't take risk- a valuable lesson. That didn't mean that Q was someone to bear any and every feeling to, but yet, Picard felt like he could share a little with Q. Maybe the deity's intentions were pure right now.

"Fine, I'll let you know how I feel at the moment and if there is anything that can be done by you," Picard began, "Q, I'm trusting you with this- but if you turn any of this on me, you will never be welcome in my life or on my ship ever again- no matter your intentions."

"Acknowledged," Q nodded, his eyes soft and full of sincerity, "I will use nothing you say against you or your crew. This is between the two of us."

"Good," Picard sighed. He took a deep breath, and looked Q in the eye. The cosmic being's eyes seemed to shine with tiny, brightly gleaming stars, and for a moment Picard found himself getting lost in those eyes. They were enrapturing, like watching the creation of a nebula or the birth of a star. But then he remembered what he was doing, and shook off the weird, almost dreamy feeling he suddenly felt.

"Bleah," the captain shook his head like a dog shaking water off it's ears. He regained his composure, and faced Q. The uniformed deity gave Jean-Luc a small smile, one full of warmth and understanding.

"Yes, I am feeling quite lonely, yet I still do not have much of an idea of why I'm feeling this way." he explained, closely gauging Q's facial expressions for any change. Yet he sat there with the same reassuring smile. It was unnerving. "I'm thinking it's because I don't spend as much time with my crew as I should,"

"Well, then spend time with your crew," Q shrugged, "That sounds easy enough."

"Yes, it is." Picard said. "But yet I feel like something else is missing. I am unsure what it is, but I know I'm bound to figure it out."

He looked to Q, who was leaning against the wall near the desk. His demeanor was relaxed, yet also full of chaotic energy that even a simple human like Picard was able to pick up on. It was like the air around Q was fizzling, like a freshly opened can of soda- a soda that was made up of exploding planets and blue nebulas. It was sweet yet dangerous, something that Picard would call intoxicating.

"How do you think you'll find out what else is missing, mon capitan?" Q asked, taking Picard's attention from Q's energy to the present conversation. Picard was silent, thinking about Q's question. But instead his mind kept wandering to the energy around Q, or Q's eyes. It was infuriating, yet he was becoming too tired to keep his mind on track.

"I don't know, Q," Picard yawned. "I am very tired at the moment, Q, it's been a long day." He stood up from the desk and turned to Q, "I think I'm going to sleep,"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot you humans do that," Q shrugged. He promptly snapped, and in a blinding flash of white light, Picard's uniform was exchanged for a loose silvery night gown. The neckline was almost as low as his belly button, and matched the rest of Picard's loungewear.

Picard blinked twice, clearing the black spots that were created by the intense light. He then looked down at himself, and made an embarrassed gasp. His face flushed bright red, and he turned away from Q.

"I think it would be best if you left me to rest," Picard sighed, "I can indulge you in my social doing's some other day,"

"Oh sure!" Q smiled, and snapped. He disappeared and reappeared way too close to Picard, leaning into his ear. "I'll see you sometime else" Q whispered before he disappeared in a zap of shining, pearlescent light.

Picard was left alone in his dark room, his mind reeling. He stood in place, trying to figure out what had just happened between the time he was eating a cucumber sandwich and now. He stayed standing in the darkness for a very long minute, trying to sort out the very chaotic evening. He walked over to his bed and laid down on it, not minding the stiff mattress or the thin scratchy blankets. He moved the blankets over him to cover up his exposed chest and legs, which also made him think of the strange evening. Why did Q put me in an outfit that makes me feel even colder than this room does?

Picard closed his eyes, wishing sleep could come to him quickly. He shifted under his blankets, trying to get warm. The cabin was supposed to be at a perfect temperature setting for the captain, yet it was too cool for him. After a few moments of useless shimmying under the covers, he stopped. He laid there on his back motionless, his arms tucked under the covers. Waves of goosebumps rippled across his limbs.

In that moment of shivering, a sneaky thought crept into his mind.

It would be warmer if I had someone with me.

He paused for a moment, repeating his last thought to himself.

Wait, why is that the first thing that comes to mind? He wracked his mind for an answer to his query, hoping to find an answer. His mind whirled for a moment, but it paused. What is paused on was concerning for Picard.

Q

He was hoping that wasn't the answer.

"No… no no no no," He mumbled to himself, shifting under the blankets adorning the bed. Picard's expression turned stern, as if he was going to lecture a misbehaving ensign. He sat up and rubbed his temples. Frustration emanated off of him.

"I am not going to fall for Q's charms." The captain spoke into the emptiness of the room, his words lost to the air. He could imagine himself facing a duplicate of himself, sternly wagging finger at his duplicate.

"Q is a menace, a problem. I do not need to be any more affiliated with him as I am not. He is a pain in my neck at the least, an acquaintance at most- do not make this anymore than it is." Picard lectured to himself.

The captain quieted down, letting himself sink into the mattress he laid upon. He hoped and prayed that no one outside the quarters or in the quarters next to his heard his outburst.

I'm the captain, all these people look up to me and need to feel sure in my command. I do not need any more entanglements or lapses of judgment.

Tomorrow, I'm going to tell Q that I'm not interested in whatever advances he's making. It's best if he stops trying to help me or romance me.

Picard shifted, laying on his side with a huff.

But that small voice in the back of his mind had other ideas.

Come on Jean-Luc, you have to admit that you have taken a liking to Q, even though he is an annoying whatever-he-is.

Admit it- you are attracted to him.

Just let me sleep.

Picard shut the mental argument down, not wanting to think about it anymore. He was confused, exhausted, and just needed rest. He closed his eyes, letting the hum of the engines lull him to sleep.

RED ALERT

RED ALERT

Picard was jolted from his heavy slumber by the flashing of red lights and the blaring on alarms. He quickly slipped out of his bed, doing his best to not fall on his face as the blankets that were wrapped around him tightened around his legs. He kicked off the offending blankets, not caring to place them on his bed.

"Captain Picard please report to the Bridge, Captain Picard please report to the bridge."

The announcement shook the dead-tired captain. He quickly placed his feet into his boots that were sitting by the door of his quarters, forgoing his jumpsuit uniform. In a split second he was out of the cabin and into the bustling passageways.

There was frantic shouting and people pushing past each other, trying to reach their stations. Almost everyone was awake, yet many of the day shifters were groggy from being awoken by the red alert.

One almost mad dash and turbolift ride later Picard was on the bridge. Lieutenant Commander Data was commanding the bridge at the time, but the moment that Picard stepped off the turbolift Data was standing up from the commander's chair.

"Data, what the hell is going on?" Picard questioned the android, "Why are we at red alert?"

The android looked to Picard, processed the inquiries for a moment, then responded.

"Captain, we had picked up some sort of signal coming from a planet that was near our current trajectory, but when we got close to the planet, the warp core went offline."

Picard took a split second to think through what Data had just told him.

"How is this happening?"

Picard had barely finished his query when a lieutenant sitting at the science station started to shout frantically.

"Sir, we've lost power to our impulse engines! We're losing power shipwide!"

Picard turned to the lieutenant, who was standing up from her station. Shock, fear, and confusion was written all over her face. She looked to Picard, her eyes pleading for anything to explain the sudden loss of power.

But before Picard could question her, the lights flickered. The massive ship, which seemed almost stationary one moment ago, lurched forward violently.

Picard, Data, and the rest of the crew on the bridge were thrown back. Picard had a good three seconds of full consciousness as he was thrown like a rag doll through the air. But those moments of awareness were cut off when his body slammed into a buckhead, knocking the air out of him and turning his vision black.

Yet the alarms kept blaring.