Data along with Worf's security team found nothing to point a finger at Heva for the crime. Now even more disturbing problems arose. The most likely option was that there was an intruder onboard either in league with or turning out to be Lore. Now the whole ship was crawling with security. However although the suspicion turned away from Heva, there was still something that didn't feel right to any of them. Jean-Luc needed to be sure about what was going on and decided on a different tactical strategy. Deanna now sat before Heva in her quarters, watching her as she flipped idly through the book settled on her knees looking casually distracted.
"You don't need to worry, Heva. We're only concerned because you seem to be suddenly better when your condition was so bad before." Heva scoffed and turned to face the Counselor. "If that's all you're worried about why do I feel like a prisoner in my own room. Is a security detail really necessary?"
Deanna drew a look of understanding on her face and leaned forward to pat Heva on the leg, attempting to comfort any harsh feelings she knew she had. "That's just a precaution. After an experience such as yours and after the behavior you exhibited before…we just find it strange that you seem to have made a full recovery so quickly."
"You make it sound as though I were diseased." Heva said, sounding mildly sarcastic. "Now, Heva." Deanna said, almost motherly. "Surely you can understand our concern. We merely want to know that you're alright before you return to duty. And unfortunately…" Deanna hesitated, not knowing how she would react regardless of her calm disposition. "Unfortunately you're confined to quarters until we leave headquarters."
Almost instantly, the feelings Deanna could feel from Heva dropped to freezing and she gained a glare so foreboding she felt herself backing away from her. "I beg your pardon, Counselor?" Heva asked coolly, her voice changing drastically. Deanna attempted to remain vigilant and prepared for the violent outburst she knew was coming. "You're confined to quarters until we leave headquarters. It's only until tomorrow-"
"THAT DOESN'T MATTER! I NEED TO GET INSIDE HEADQUARTERS!" Heva roared, sending her book flying across the room and coming to stand almost instantaneously. Deanna stood her ground and gazed hard into Heva's eyes. There it was again, that same cold and lifeless atmosphere in them that she'd seen before. Her suspicions were confirmed and the plan was suddenly set in motion.
"I understand." Deanna said, trying to sound mildly frightened. "I will talk to the captain. Perhaps he can make an exception. I'm sure you could even use a bit of shore leave to clear your mind a bit."
Heva's shoulders relaxed and her lips moved into a satisfied smile. She sat back on the bed and looked up at Deanna. "Thank you. That will be just fine. I think I could use some time off myself, actually. Being on the ship has given me a case of cabin fever." With that Heva stood and retrieved her book ending up where she started on the bed. Deanna slowly sat down to face her again, gaining a confused look from Heva. "Was there something else you wanted to discuss, Deanna?"
"Yes, actually." Deanna began slowly. "Data has expressed some concerns to me personally that he requested I bring up with you. And I don't think I need to remind you that I will keep everything we say here in confidence. Whatever issues you have you can deal with outside of our session but I won't get in the way."
Heva closed her book, closed her eyes and gave a small chuckle. "What is Data concerned about? Me? Or our relationship?" She asked this question in such a sarcastic and careless way that it almost surprised Deanna. However she had to remember everything she was told about this assignment and kept as level of a head as she possibly could so as to not give herself away.
"Both, as a matter of fact." she replied. "He's worried that because of your dealings with his brother-" "His name is Lore." Heva interrupted with a growl of defiance. "And I know what you're going to say. Data is worried that because Lore 'tortured' me that I am going insane and that I may be thrown away into a comfy white cell where he will never see me again. If that's what's to happen, so be it. Data, along with the rest of you, don't have a clue what Lore is really like. The injuries I sustained were not from torture but from a spill I had coming down the steps of the bridge to accompany him. You all think you know what happened on that ship? Well you don't. Lore is a sophisticated, charming, and perfect being and he should be given more recognition. Oh sure, you're going to say that no one who is so power hungry should be given any sort of second chance. Well maybe if you all listened to what he has in store for the Federation rather than sit idly by and make rash assumptions you would understand that what he is doing is for the greater good. What he is about to do is beyond anything we as humans could ever accomplish. He could drastically improve our way of life, give us the help we need. He, along with the androids he will most certainly produce not unlike Data and himself, have the capability to build weapons that could even eradicate the Borg. How could we pass up a chance such as that? You're all naïve, blind, and arrogant. And as for Data, well perhaps he doesn't have the vision or the drive that I see in Lore. So perhaps Data should take a look at himself before he could even think of being good enough to stand beside his brother in anything he plans to do. Maybe he should stop worrying about me and put himself first. Maybe he should look at his so called growth as a person and realize that he is nothing more than a machine who wants to be something that is less than perfect. Maybe he should be more like Lore. Maybe we all should. I will thank you to tell Data to keep his concerns about me in a box under his bed and go on about his duty like he's supposed to and I will also thank you to leave now. This conversation is over."
Even this response took Deanna by surprise and although she felt so much anger and so much hatred toward her, the crew, and even Data from Heva…she knew that somewhere deep down she didn't mean it at all. Deanna stood slowly, looking down at her friend feeling a deep sadness and longing to find a way to bring her back and left.
Heva stared after her suddenly feeling the searing pain in her forehead that had become all too familiar. "Get…out…of…me…NOW!" she growled through gritted teeth. She held her forehead gingerly and suddenly smiled, breathing hard while a single tear forced its way out and down her cheek. "We're almost there, darling." she said in a voice that wasn't hers. "Soon we will be rid of them and the plan will be complete."