The next morning came too quickly. Everything was blurred, as though someone replaced Heva's eyes with someone going blind. She rubbed them and winced as sleepers scratched her cheeks and fell into nothingness. Heva stumbled over to the replicator and requested in what had to be the voice of a much older woman to anyone else, "Coffee…black…No, wait! Add some Irish cream. Not the liquor, just the flavor. "
Though in all respects the computer shouldn't have understood a word she said, it did and the steaming cup of Irish brew greeted her with warmth and comfort. The first sip was ecstasy. She sat back in her desk chair and inquired about the time. The computer reported it to be little after 04:35 in the morning. An early start, this was just what Heva was hoping for. "Computer, locate the Captain."
"The captain is in his quarters." The computer droned.
Of course, the captain had to still be asleep by now. "Computer…please state the status of project 0-266-195, bacterium specimen analysis and biogenetics research."
"967 specimens have been scanned, separated, and filed. The remaining 33 counted have been saved for your analysis as promising prospects. Do you wish to analyze now?"
"Negative. I will finish later. Transfer any information on the specimens and the remaining prospects to my computer. I will report back in less than two hours, if I haven't please give me a verbal reminder."
"Affirmative."
Heva stood, feeling satisfied. Somehow she knew that things would tie up quickly. She didn't expect that the team would work it all out in one night. Perhaps the Captain split the team into individual groups and had them work it out faster that way. Either way she had work to do. She rushed to her restroom, dressed, freshened up, had a quick breakfast bagel and half jogged to the science lab.
The lab itself was a flutter of voices coming from every direction. Heva stood and observed the teams as they went about their work. She could tell that many of them were tired. Ensign Harvey looked as though she was about to pass out. "Harvey, you are relieved of duty. Go and get some rest." Heva said, putting a hand on Harvey's shoulder. The weary smile she received in return was enough for her and she watched the Ensign shuffle out of the lab. After trolling the entirety of the lab for a while and relieving some of the staff to their quarters, Heva decided that it was time to take the information she'd gathered so far to Captain Picard. She left Lieutenant Robinson in charge and sped off to the hall. She halted and realized it'd only been an hour since she'd woken up and arrived at the science lab. He could still be asleep.
"Computer, locate Captain Picard."
"Captain Picard is in his quarters."
Heva cursed under her breath. She had another hour and ten minutes to spare until she scheduled herself to report back to her own quarters to finish the analysis. Heva grinned suddenly. "Computer, locate Commander Data."
"Commander Data is in his quarters."
Heva turned on her heel and quickly walked to Data's quarters, feeling suddenly light and worriless. She stood at the door waiting for Data to allow her to enter. Every inch of her flesh began to quiver as though she were about to meet true love all over again.
The door slid open and there he stood, he stooped slightly for Spot was perched on his shoulder and back. "Oh, hello. I didn't expect you to be awake for another-"
Heva threw her arms around Data's neck and placed her lips softly on his. Spot retreated like a child fleeing from his love struck parents. Data's eyes remained wide for a moment in surprise and then slowly gave in to the weight and shut peacefully. Heva pushed him backward into his room until his bottom came into contact with his desk. There they stood wrapped up in one another for a moment, releasing one another reluctantly.
Both of them stood with eyes shut a few seconds. Then slowly, reading the other's mind, they opened them and stared into each other's eyes. "Good morning." Heva whispered.
"Hello." Data breathed back. If he had a human heart, it would be desperately beating against his chest, seeking freedom from its binds. His hands traced the map of Heva's back as they stood in one another's arms. She smiled and closed her eyes. "I like that." She commented. "What brought this sudden surge of intimate expression?" Data asked.
Heva lifted her head and smiled. "Just a good night of rest I suppose. Something tells me today is going to be a very fulfilling day. I feel like we are extremely close to ending this plague. All 1000 have been scanned, 967 show no signs of the bacterium. However 33 more are promising. I'm so glad that the team pulled together and worked as hard as they did. Some of them had been up since…two days ago. And now we're close to finding the right insect life to contribute to this cure."
Data grinned down at his lively woman. "I'm glad you're happy. The team was extremely eager to help you. Some of them even mentioned that they would put every ounce of energy into helping you out. Ensign Harvey was most keen. She admires you a great deal."
Ensign Harvey's weary, exhausted face flashed across Heva's brain. She felt a rush of gratitude toward her and made a note to express it to the Ensign when the opportunity arose.
"Did you arrange the teams to work the way they did or was it the Captain?" she inquired.
"I would have to say it was the Captain. I am too modest to take full responsibility. I did suggest it. He was the one who initiated it though." He looked away for a moment toward Spot, who was up on the windowsill, purring happily. Heva turned his head back to face her and kissed him. "Thank you, Data."
At that moment the Captain's voice echoed throughout the room. "Commander Brookes?" his voice asked.
"Yes, sir?"
"If you don't mind, I would like to speak with you in my ready room when you have a chance."
"Of course sir. I'm on my way now."
Heva rubbed Data's cheek for a brief second and whispered "I have to go." Data nodded and as she walked out, their hands held on until the last inch of their fingers slipped out of their grasp. "I will see you when you are relieved of duty." Data said. Heva nodded and grinned at him before bowing out, leaving Data to repair the liquid consistency of his knees.

"Come." The captain said to the door, knowing Heva was most likely on the other side of it. Indeed she entered a few seconds later with the most rested look about her she'd ever had. Heva recognized his surprise and answered the unspoken question. "I had a good night's sleep in what seems like forever. A very good morning followed it as well."
Jean-Luc nodded and waved an arm toward the chair in front of his desk. Heva sat and leaned forward. "Sir, the team has made excellent progress. Although we've completed scans of all 1000 possible specimens, 33 stand out and I'm supposed to double check them in about a half an hour."
The Captain nodded in approval. "Impressive, Commander. You've been working very hard on this project. Doctor Crusher asked me to deliver her thanks to you when I got the chance. She isn't sure if she's found the correct chemical mixture. But if you finish the specimen analysis in the time allowed I am sure that she will find something very soon."
"That's good to hear. I just hope we find whatever we can in time." Heva said, her face suddenly grim. "Don't be discouraged, Commander." Jean-Luc reassured her. "There is always hope for things that seem hopeless."
Heva smiled and nodded at him. She opened her mouth to speak when the computer interrupted her. "Commander Brookes, your studies are ready in your quarters." Picard looked at her curiously.
"I guess I had less time than I anticipated. When I'm done with the last insects, I will report back to you with my findings." She stood, as did the Captain, and took her leave.
Heva only made it halfway down the hall, the prospect of finding a cure still growing steadily in her mind, when a red alert was issued. The words "Intruder Alert" surrounded her and she found herself sprinting to the Captain's ready room again. The turbo lift opened, shut, and flew to her location. She ran in to find the Captain staring wide eyed out his window. She stood beside him and found the freighter floating alongside the Enterprise just as quickly. They looked at one another and ran to the bridge together.