Emma opened her eyes only slowly as the light of the sun shone brightly on her bed. She blinked sleepily trying to figure out where she was. She frowned as she realized she was in the residence. It was their bedroom with Edmond! And a chill ran over her as she realized that she lay there all naked except for the thin white sheet around her - and she was not alone!

How could she be here?! Was this some twisted dream?! But it all felt so real!

The man behind her suddenly moved and slid his arms around her body. Emma froze to the spot as she felt his breath in her ear.

She sat up and turned to face the man in one bed with her - but she was all alone! She turned her head around alarmed at this. Her heart drummed in her chest. She knew he was there! She could feel it - feel him! Where was he?!

She jumped out of the bed with the sheet tightly wrapped around her, and ran to the closet to find some clothes. She had to get away from here! She opened the door of the closet - but it was all empty. She opened the drawers of the cupboards randomly looking for ANYTHING to wear, but found nothing inside of them, whereas she knew they all should have been full of her clothes. She suddenly heard the opening of the door and swirled around - only to find herself in a huge hall.

She looked down at herself taken aback: the sheet changed into a tight, white dress leaving her shoulders bare, just as the sheet had. She placed her palm on the skirt of the dress and felt its familiar, silky material. She knew this dress! It was her wedding dress! She raised her head and realized that she was not alone in that hall anymore. She looked at the crowd gathered: there were all her friends from Epsilon Four! All of them! - But it was all wrong! These people couldn't have been at her wedding! Gabriel, Gary, Earl and his son... she hadn't even known them at that time! And the three other Starfleet officers that stayed on Epsilon Four after it broke away from the Federation... They never knew the people of the Resistance - they died before they could have got to know them...

So this WAS a dream, she finally acknowledged. A twisted, sick dream... But why, just why didn't it end?!

She then felt strong arms coming up about her from behind. She looked down at her stomach in distress, where she felt the touch - only to find a huge deep red patch growing on her white dress! The arms held her firmly as the patch consumed the skirt of her dress just to let her go when the pain came, and she collapsed onto the ground soundlessly, not even having the strength to scream.

Turning onto her back, she found herself on a bed. She knew the surroundings, it was a hospital ward.

She felt her eyes fill with tears. Is this never gonna end?!

She was all alone again. All alone except for that shadow that never let her go! Not even after she left the very planet, when for a short time, she actually believed she'd left him behind for good! But he was there! He was ALWAYS there!

Earl, Beverly, Data! Anybody?! "Where are you?" she breathed feeling her hot tears roll down her temples, and she closed her eyes.

"They're all a dream, chérie!" she heard his low voice, full of pleasure she knew he felt over her suffering. Feeling his weight above her, she opened her eyes in desperation just to find Edmond looking down at her, watching her intensely. He lay above her, on top of her, pressing her body onto the bed - she felt she couldn't even breath from his weight.

She shook her head defiant "No!" she moaned, and tried to push him away, but he put a firm hand on her shoulder and kept her lying underneath him.

"Yes, they are! They never existed! You just hoped you could escape, and your fantasy created them!" he slid his hand from her shoulder to cup her cheek "But you cannot escape, ma chérie. You're mine! And mine alone!"

He leaned close and pressed his lips to hers firmly. She had no strength to try to break free, and just whimpered helplessly with her eyes wide shut praying for this torture to finally end.

When he released her, and her eyes fluttered open, the scene changed again. It was dark all around them, only some faint lights blinked in the background - and his weight was not suffocating her anymore. The only sound was their breathing, and the constant chirping of the computer - in rhythm with her heartbeat, she realized. From the taste of the recycled air, she knew: she was no longer on the planet! This was the Enterprise!

She could still feel his breath on her lips - wet, she realized from his deadly kiss - and her gaze was still chained to his as if she had no chance to break away. Slowly, a scream welled up in her throat as she stared right into his dark eyes and felt herself drawn into a bottomless chasm - that chasm she knew all too well...

"You're mine, chérie!" he whispered "You're mine to wake. And you're mine to take home!"

She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out!


When the Captain and Beverly arrived at Emma's ward, they found Jones still at her bed side. But they took this in only at the periphery of their sight as their gazes were glued to the woman lying on the biobed - her eyes were open!

Emma was looking up at her husband full of dread and defiance in her gaze, though she had no strength to move or to speak. Beverly's eyes wandered to the monitors around them, and her heart skipped a beat: Emma's lifesigns were strong and within normal parameters.

"You're awake..." she breathed on a shaky whisper feeling her eyes fill with tears as Emma finally tilted her head a little to look from her husband to her, and Beverly finally locked gazes with her beloved friend for the first time after four long days of agonizing worry.

"Yes! She's awake!" Jones declared breaking the magic between the two ladies.

Jones stood there with the expression of the statue of the most faithful husband ever born - the husband who'd arrest his own wife just to possess her, Beverly thought, and her blood boiled.

Picard took a step toward the man "Premier Jones, you know you're not allowed to be here. Leave now, and let the Lieutenant rest!" he asked on a silent but relentless voice.

Beverly's temper blew before Jones could have answered "I've told you a hundred times! Don't dare come anywhere near her!" she hissed stepping up opposite him "Now get the hell out!"

Jones simply raised his eyebrows challengingly "Exactly your mindless need to keep me away from her hindered her improvement! I've told you, the voice of a loved one can reach even a coma patient, and it would do her good, if I was allowed to be with her! And here she is! Awake and healthy! But you're so blind in your hatred towards me, that you'd sooner see Emma dead - or worse, at the side of a machine than letting her own husband spend even one moment with her!"

Beverly's hands came up into fists, and Picard stepped between the two of them "That's far enough, Premier Jones. I'm not asking you any more times. Leave! Now." he told the man on a dangerously low voice.

Jones stared into his eyes defiant for a long moment, before he conceded "I'll leave. For now. But I'm coming back soon!" he went around them to the door and turned back from there to look at his wife once again "Till then, prepare yourself, ma chérie. You're coming home with your husband today."

Emma had no strength to reply, she simply shut her eyes feeling utterly exhausted.

As soon as he was gone, Beverly stepped to Emma's side and fought the urge to be a friend before she could be a doctor: she took a tricorder in hand and scanned her thoroughly.

Emma's eyes slowly fluttered open and blinking tiredly, she tried to focus on Beverly's face as she was studying her results on the instrument.

"How is she?" she heard the voice of the Captain.

Beverly shook her head slightly, in astonishment "Her values are fine. She's still severly anaemic and will need a lot of rest and special nutrition in the next few weeks given that we couldn't find her a blood-donor, but... the point is, she's out of the woods."

"But how?"

"I have no idea..." Beverly whispered really stunned.

Emma frowned trying to make some sense out of what just happened and what she'd just heard, but after a few moments, she realized that with her thoughts as jumbled as they were, she needed a hand. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth "Bev..." she whispered.

Beverly looked at her, and as her worried gaze met Emma's jaded one, her throat closed, and she couldn't stand being the professional doctor any longer. She put the tricorder down and took Emma's hand in both of hers "Yes, it's me, it's me, dear!" she whispered on a tear-filled voice, squeezing her friend's hand tightly.

Emma swallowed to wet her dry throat "And your grumpy Frenchman."

A chuckle rippled through Beverly's lips "Yes, and my grumpy Frenchman." she sniffled trying to swallow her tears as she turned to the Captain who stood there with a stoic expression on his emotionless face.

He then remarked with some sarcasm "Well, I'm relieved to see that your ability to make snarky comments was not impaired, Lieutenant Jones."

Beverly chuckled and wiped her wet face. Then before either of the ladies could answer, his combadge went off, and he was called to the Bridge.

"Take your time to rest, Ms. Jones." he told her from the threshold "I'll come by later, and I'll make sure, Premier Jones wouldn't bother you again." he promised and left.

"Wouldn't bother me... for how long..." Emma breathed and turned her head away with a resigned expression.

Beverly could see that Emma was still under the effect of her husband's devastating visit, and she needed to sooth her. She gently stroked her hair and held on to her hand in hers. "Hey... If the Captain says he won't bother you again, then he won't."

Emma turned her head back to look into her eyes "Why am I here?" she asked on a thin voice visibly very confused.

Beverly gaped for a moment in shock "You don't remember?" Emma shook her head wordlessly, and Bev stroked her hair again "What's the last thing you remember?"

Emma tried to gather her thoughts, but they seemed to be scattered all over this darkened ward. Everything seemed so hazy, as if most of her life was only part of that devastating dream she'd been through. She frowned slightly as she tried to remember which of her memories were the last ones "We went down on the planet. I didn't want to, but the Captain convinced me... We... we had a fight with Data, and I ran out on him..." suddenly tears ran to her eyes "I didn't want to, I just needed him to find me! Did he find me?!" she asked desperately, searching Beverly's eyes.

Bev smiled squeezing her hand "He did, dear. He did. We all did. You led us to the Resistance."

Emma frowned again trying hard to find a memory of what Bev was talking about "I don't remember." she whispered.

"This is normal, don't get scared." Beverly soothed, and when Em looked at her still very confused and frightened, she went on to break the events of their mission as gently as she could to her "You've been in coma for the last four days. Even a little more than that. It's normal that you don't remember your conscious last twelve hours or so, the memories couldn't register deep enough. But it all will come back with the brain stimulation drugs you're getting."

"Coma?" Emma asked shocked. Her eyes shut, and she felt her attention slipping as she suddenly felt really light-headed, and a wave of nausea rushed through her. She took a deep breath to get a grip and concentrated on Beverly's voice:

"Yes. You were in the mines, and there was an accident. You got injured really badly. You lost a lot of blood."

Em frowned feeling her hand on her cheek - and in her mind's eye, she saw Juliana stroking her cheek gently, telling her that everything would be alright, whereas she knew, she'd soon die... She shook her head slightly, and her eyes snapped open bewildered.

"An accident..."

"Yes, there was an earth quake, while you were underground. And the mine collapsed."

"Was... was Data there too?" Emma asked suddenly as if she was unable to keep herself from asking about him.

Beverly nodded "Yes, he was."

Then came another vague memory to the surface of Emma's consciousness, and she grew visibly scared as she saw a green blast hitting her lover on the shoulder. The chirping of the computer became wild with her pulse spiking as she asked "Was he hurt? Is he..." she swallowed hard "Is he alive?" her voice broke, and Bev stroked her cheek again soothingly.

"Yes, he is. He was hurt, but he's okay now. You must not worry about him. He's fine."

At this, Emma simply broke down crying "So where is he now? Why isn't he here? Why?" she felt unable to control herself or her emotions or what she was uttering - and the only thought that remained important was to see Data!

Beverly could very well see that she was too tired and traumatized to think clearly. Also blood-loss could cause confusion and anxiety, she knew - she needed to make her calm down. "Shh, hush, it'll all be okay." she told her soothingly and straightening, let her friend go to get a hypospray.

Em just went on still in tears "We had a bad fight... Ed told him things about me... And he was so disappointed! So disappointed in me! Oh..."

"Hey..." Bev came back to her and took her hand again "Shh, he's worried about you, just as we all were! But you need to rest now!" Beverly told her holding the hypospray to her neck.

"No, please, don't. Bev, please!" Em begged before Beverly could give her a shot, and the doctor took the hypospray away looking into her eyes with a pleading expression.

"Em, you need to rest, and you're so distressed that you won't be able to. I need to help you to sleep. Please, let me."

Emma took a long breath and tried to stop crying "No, Bev, I'm fine. I promise, I will rest, just don't knock me out. Please!" she implored - the one thing she was not able to endure ever since she spent those horrible months in the nuthouse was to be drugged senseless. Of course, Bev knew nothing about that...

Beverly slouched at her hard-headedness and put down the hypospray on the biobed to take her hand into hers again "Okay. But now close your eyes and try to sleep a little."

Em swallowed and looked into her friend's eyes "Bev..." she started on a small voice again "Could you tell him, that I'm sorry?" despite struggling hard against it, her eyes filled with tears again "Could you ask him to... to visit me just once? Before... before Ed takes me anywhere he wants... I need to see him and tell him... something that I need to... I need to, Bev. Please!"

Beverly glanced away now really feeling cornered: she couldn't leave her friend so desperate about how Data felt about her, but if she told her that Data was not at her bedside because he was sitting in the brig, it would be just as bad. Or she could always lie... No, Em knew her too well, she'd know right away...

She held her hazy gaze and stroked her cheek gently "Em. He's very worried about you, but he cannot come to you now, my dear."

A tremor ran through Emma at this "He's hurt, isn't he? Is he dead?! I have to know!" her voice trembled with fear and the effort to stay strong.

Beverly squeezed her hand in hers as she decided that she had no other choice, she had to be honest with her "Emma, he's fine, believe me. And I'll tell you everything. But you have to promise me that you remain calm. You must not fall apart, you're too weak for that. Do you understand?"

Emma nodded and tried everything to compose her features.

Beverly held her gaze silently and waited until her breathing slowed a little before she finally told her the truth "He's in the brig right now. He was confined for threatening Ed during the mission, when you were in the mines."

Oddly enough, Emma only looked at her shocked then, but no other outward sign of distress could be seen on her features. She didn't break down, she didn't cry. She didn't seem to be in panic either. It gave Bev some faint, unrealistic hope as she went on "I don't know the details. I only know that Ed managed to convince the Admiral that Data is dangerous." she took a deep breath to calm herself "I know how difficult it is having to listen to such news. But you must not worry! Jean-Luc and the rest of the senior staff are fighting for him and for you! To find a way to stop Edmond. As far as I know, Deanna and Will are on their way..."

Suddenly, Emma made a huge effort to turn to her side. "Em, what are you-" Beverly started bewildered, but then Emma pulled her arm underneath her body and then slowly, gingerly pushed herself up into a half sitting half squatting position on the bed. She crouched there slouching and panting from the effort - but with unbreakable resolve on her features. Beverly just gaped at her: she didn't think it was possible with Emma being so weak and exhausted as she was!

"Em! Lie back already!" she commanded when she found her voice.

But Emma shook her head stubbornly "No, Bev!" she told her faintly, fighting the head-rush that suddenly blurred her vision "You'll have to give me something to get me on my feet!" she breathed.

"What?! You're crazy! You're in no condition to get up! With or without medications! Stop this insanity and lie down!"

Emma swallowed hard and locked her determined gaze with Bev's bewildered one "Beverly! I need to save him! Ed can do whatever he wants to me, but I will not allow Data to come to any harm!"

Beverly gaped incredulously "You're delirious, you're talking non-sense!" - and actually she was quite convinced that it was the very case!

Emma shook her head "No! Haven't you heard him?!" Bev only looked at her confused, wide-eyed as she went on "He's about to take me home today! You heard him promise, didn't you? Just think about it! Do you think he'll let Data live and have an immortal opponent?! He had him confined! Now, he'll find a way to kill him before he leaves the ship!" she made an attempt to get off the bed, but Beverly stopped her pushing her back.

"Emma, stop it!" she told her holding on to her two arms to keep her on the bed. With the effort of trying to stand up, Emma felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion wash over her, and Beverly almost had to hold her up as she was so weak that she was barely able to support her own weight sitting there so slouching. But her gaze still reflected unbelievable determination - and desperation. Bev squeezed her grip on her looking into her eyes deeply "Emma. Please, try to think clearly! This is the Enterprise. No one will harm Data even if he's in the brig. You have to stop this insanity and lie back right now!"

"Don't be naive!" Emma cried out "Ed Jones reaches his goals every time he sets his mind on to something! No one on the Enterprise can stop him!"

"That doesn't matter, Em! He can't even go near Data! He's guarded! But even if he weren't, Ed is surrounded by Starfleet officers on a Federation starship! He cannot do any harm to anybody!"

"To anybody, ha? So why is he threatening me with taking me away? Does that have no basis at all either?" Emma demanded. Bev grew silent at this, and Em understood she didn't have to know the details to draw her conclusions "He did find a way to play around the rules, right?" she stated on a low, bitter voice "Just as he always does!" she whispered and shook her head "I've told Picard! I warned him, he has no weapon against Ed Jones! But he didn't believe me..." she looked at Bev again "And neither did you!"

"Em..." Beverly slouched letting out a long breath.

Emma then went on on a firm, determined voice "The Federation, Starfleet... they're your team, with your rules, Bev. Ed's playing in a whole different playground, and you cannot do anything to stop him!"

Bev stared at her completely frustrated "So who do you think can?!"

"MY family. The Resistance."

Beverly gaped at this suddenly remembering Deanna's words in the Captain's ready-room: "Her loyalties are divided, if she were to choose between Starfleet or the Resistance... she would choose them over Starfleet."

That scared Beverly to her very core "Emma, dearest! Think of reality! You're a Starfleet officer! Just as Data! Even if you're ready to commit treason or mutiny, he's not! Even if you managed to free him from the brig, which is impossible in your present condition, he won't go with you!"

And at that, suddenly they heard a male voice from the door "Let him answer that for himself!" they turned in union to see there Earl Mils. And behind him glinted a pair of golden eyes that took Emma's breath away every singular time she met his gaze.

"Deadpan..."


Data and Earl appeared in a deserted corner close to sickbay after beaming out of the brig. Data glanced around cautiously and motioned for Earl to follow him, when the corridor was empty. They stopped at the entrance, and peeped in. There was only Doctor Selar with a patient on a biobed and a nurse hurrying around.

"Why didn't we beam directly into sickbay?" Earl asked on a hushed voice.

"I don't intend to take hostages or cause any kind of stir-up, Mr. Mils - I mean, Earl." Data explained and then moved over to a companel. He hit a few buttons, and in a second, heard the computer from the sickbay:

"Medical emergency in cargo bay four. Doctor Selar, please report immediately."

Gazing inside, they saw that the nurse and Selar packed their instruments to get ready. The two men ran back to the small corner they originally started from and watched as the Vulcan doctor and the nurse rushed by on the corridor. When they disappeared in a turbolift, the two accomplices emerged from their hideout and ran back to sickbay. This time, only the patient lay there on the biobed, with his eyes shut. Data and Earl took their chances and entered.

They hurried through sickbay, Earl looking into the wards to see where Emma could have been, then at the far end of the corridor, just as he was about to enter the last ward, they stopped short staring at each other shocked.

Two ladies were having an intense discussion inside. One was Doctor Crusher, they both recognized her voice. But the other!

"This is impossible!" Earl whispered pricking his ears in shock.

But it was true. Data's voice recognition algorithms double-checked it. It was her. It WAS Emma! She was alive! She was awake! She was fine! She was fine and talking to Doctor Crusher!

The last time he'd heard her voice, it was broken and trembling with pain and fear and her tears. She was begging him because she didn't want to die, she wanted to stay and be with him - but she did die! Her pulse disappeared only moments later from under his fingertips, and she said nothing afterwards. She didn't move afterwards... And now, she was fine! She was inside! He could go there and look into her beautiful eyes! Hold her close! Feel her pulse under his fingertips again and set his own heart beat according to hers! She was there alive and fine!

Data felt himself shaken, and he recognized that Earl was talking to him leaning very close to his face - he seemed oddly bewildered for some reason... But why couldn't he hear what he was saying? In that moment, Data realized that his emotion-chip occupied almost all of his processing capacity, depriving him even of the ability to hear. And the thought process that was free enough to realize this, also made another revelation: he would never be able to help Emma or Earl or himself to escape in this current state of mind - or any other he'd be in near her. This was no different than a mission, only that it was even more important than a mission! There was no space for his overwhelming emotions! No space at all!

He slowly reached up to the back of his neck, slid his fingers over the holo-service-door to his emotion-chip, and then pressed the button to turn it off.

The monitoring system over his processes immediately reported a fifty percent drop in his resource utilization, and he took a long breath - now that he had the space to think of breathing at all.

"Data!" Earl called him now for the third time on a tense, hushed voice.

He finally focused on the old man's eyes "Yes, Earl. I am sorry for being distracted. It will not occur again." he promised on a flat tone, which surprised Earl a little. Then Data nodded toward the ward "We may proceed."

Earl did raise a suspicious eyebrow at the sudden change in his accomplice's behaviour, but he had no time to ask, so he just nodded and as they entered, they heard Doctor Crusher's pleading voice:

"Emma, dearest! Think of reality! You're a Starfleet officer! Just as Data! Even if you're ready to commit treason or mutiny, he's not! Even if you managed to free him from the brig, which is impossible in your present condition, he won't go with you!"

"Let him answer that for himself!" Earl declared stepping in and looking at his android companion following him.

Emma gaped seeing her old friend here, on the Enterprise! They must have met, if what Bev had said was true that she'd brought them to the Resistance, but she had no recollection of it.

But then, it all became a blur as she saw her entering lover. The world simply faded into nothingness, and the only thing she felt herself able to do was staring at Data, feeling helplessly devoted to him as he was standing there tall, with his golden eyes glinting against the darkness around them.

"Deadpan..." she whispered.

They locked gazes for a long moment. Data acknowledged that even with his chip off, and all his emotions gone from his mental pathways, a numb, almost indescribable craving after Emma's touch remained. The absence of her sensory input patterns seemed to be processed in a different way compared to his other emotions. It was a curious sensation to experience. But he put it aside for now with the same ease he was managing any other thought processes, and he finally looked at Doctor Crusher.

"Data... How did you-" Beverly started slowly not even sure what she wanted to ask before he explained on a calm, firm voice.

"Emma is not safe on the Enterprise any longer, Doctor Crusher. Therefore, I decided to take the initiative and stop waiting for events to simply occur around me, around both of us. We have run out of time and options."

Beverly let out a frustrated breath - this was unbelievable! It was as if Emma and Data both had lost their minds at the exact same instant! "Data... you know that Will and Deanna are on their way. They might have found something-"

Data nodded cutting in "I know. But we no longer can afford the time to wait for them. And after seeing how Premier Jones avoided all and every attempt at revealing his machinations, I doubt that anything Commander Riker and Counsellor Troi might have found would have any relevance to our present situation, Doctor Crusher. Now, that Emma is awake, he will take her without waiting another moment."

Beverly sighed resignedly. There was truth in his words. She hadn't even had the time to think over how to save Emma from being dragged back to Epsilon now that she was awake - and with Data having committed mutiny, the die was cast. Still letting them go just like this... she looked at Emma torn.

Emma took her hand with a wistful smile "It'll be fine, Bev." she told her on a low voice "Just give me a shot of Levo-cordrazine to get me on my feet. I promise, as soon as we're safe with the Resistance, I'll rest as much as I can."

Bev shut her eyes shaking her head disbelievingly "Oh, I can't believe I'm going along with this!" she whispered and then stepping over to the instruments, fetched a hypospray. She walked back to the biobed and pushed the spray to Emma's neck. The younger woman took a long breath feeling herself filled with energy.

"That's one hell of a stuff you've got there, girl!" she whispered with a smile, her voice had a subtle slur to it, but then as she opened her eyes, the previous exhaustion was gone, and she suddenly hopped off the bed.

In the next moment, she stepped over to Data, threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.

As Data felt Emma's soft, warm lips over his own, he acknowledged that the sensation of absence he'd felt for her touch lessened by a margin. Curiously enough, however, the work-load over most of his sub-processors spiked, seemingly without any visible cause. He started a diagnostic thread to check the possible reasons responsible for such an unexpected activity as she pressed herself up to his body tightly. She held on to him so firmly that he could tell, she wanted him to respond to her tenderness almost desperately so. However, in 2.89 seconds, he determined that every moment spent with lingering about worsened their chances at a successful escape. So he took her by the upper-arms gently, and broke away from her after only a moment. He gazed into her eyes and seeing her expression, he understood that she might have taken offence over his temporary rejection of her affection, therefore he gave her a small smile, he hoped would be reassuring enough.

Feeling her lips on his felt like coming home! She never ever felt that way before, and it was so amazing she suddenly felt light-headed over the sensation. She held onto him tightly expecting him to slip his arms around her waist and hold her close to him. However, to her complete shock, he did not respond to her enthusiastic tenderness. Instead, after a short moment, he broke away taking her arms away from around his neck rather clumsily with a rather eery smile on his face. She stared into his eyes in consternation.

Letting her arms go, he took a small step back, and seemed to try to explain himself "I do not wish to hurt your feelings, however we do not have time for displays of affection momentarily." he told her on a silent voice, then gave her another creepy smile, which made her feel even worse. It was as if they were two polite strangers! Or worse...

Beverly looked at the scene taken aback, and she vaguely understood that Data might have switched his chip off, but she had no time to comment on it as he stepped over to her "Please, give us that hypospray, and a tricorder, Doctor." She nodded absently, and they walked over to the instruments to pack away a few things.

Emma stood there still shaken by what just happened. Earl stepped to her and put a gentle arm around her shoulders comfortingly. "Let him concentrate on saving you, little bird!" he whispered giving her a gentle squeeze.

She nodded faintly - sure. No problem there. But what would it have taken to kiss her back? Just a few moments, that wouldn't matter anyways! Or... was her earlier suspicion true? Were they really angry at each other still, despite what Bev had said? The last thing she remembered about the two of them was that they were shouting at each other after Ed'd told Data that she was a drug addict, and Data believed it without any doubt... After that, she ran out on him... at least that was the last thing she remembered. But Bev said, they'd met at the Resistance, and it was impossible that she hadn't tried to clarify everything!

And at that moment she remembered standing in her darkened room at the Resistance - the moonlight painted Data's skin so pale that it was almost his original color - and she could recall the horrible desperation she felt as they were once again fighting with each other. And then she uttered the words "...It's just because I'm screwed up, Data! I'm screwed up! That's all I can say." It was plain, he was then really disappointed, really hurt... So she probably have just made matters worse between the two of them. She swallowed bowing her head with a heavy heart. How did I mess this up even more than it originally was?! If only she could remember more...

"Let us go." Data declared stepping back to them with a small bag at his side. Emma looked at him visibly desperate, but he didn't look at her. She slouched as she felt her eyes filling with tears and slowly came to realize that though that shot of Levo-cordrazine gave her energy, it definitely did NOT substitute rest, that could have given her at least a measure of control over her emotions.

Beverly stepped to her and touched her upper arm "Take care of yourself!" she whispered, and Emma now had another reason to let her tears fall...

She embraced her friend tightly "Thanks for everything, sweetie!" pulling a little away she looked into her eyes desperate "You know you're the best..." she whispered sniffling.

"Oh, you..." Bev pulled her close again just as moved, feeling her throat closing. She planted a small kiss on her cheek, rubbing her back as they heard Data's urging voice.

"We must make a move, Doctor."

Bev let her go, wiped an escaped tear off her cheek and looked at the android "Have her eat something as soon as you have the chance. She needs to gain her strength back, and a few shots of Levo-cordrazine won't do that, only give you the impression of it. When it wears off, she'll feel very weak and tired. Don't wait till then, rather make her rest and eat, okay?"

Emma frowned trying to sound annoyed "You can talk to me Mother-Hen, instead of hiring a babysitter!"

"Exactly because I know you, I'm talking to your babysitter!" Beverly told her almost as if she was talking to a child. She looked back at Data "Take good care of her!"

Data nodded obediently "I will make sure she is provided rest and sustenance." he then locked his gaze with hers "Doctor Crusher, I wish to believe that one day we may return, and this voluntary exile of us will not last forever. Please, let the Captain know that I am sorry I have to let him down."

Beverly looked at him with as much care in her eyes as she had displayed when looking at Emma "Data... He'll not think any such thing, you know that! There's nothing you could do that would make him feel that way!"

He consciously pulled his lips into a small smile, which he hoped looked grateful "Thank you, Doctor Crusher. For everything." he added silently. She then wordlessly pulled him in for a hug, which he returned rather awkwardly and then quickly let her go.

Beverly looked at them with tears in her eyes, but determined "We'll do all we can to find a way to get you back! I promise!"

Before they could answer, suddenly, they heard voices from outside, and they all listened intently. It was Doctor Selar having returned from her visit to cargo bay four, where she found no traces of an emergency. They all knew they'd run out of time.

Data stepped to the console, Earl and Emma in his tow. He pushed a few buttons and with a last wave from Emma, they disappeared from in front of Beverly into a swirl of shiny particles. And then they were gone.

She stifled a sob as she remained there all alone in the darkness not knowing if she'd ever see them again in her life. But as the voices from outside grew stronger, she took a few long breaths to try to calm herself. She wiped her tears and composed her features before stepping out to Selar who was just about to enter.

"What happened?" she asked the seemingly upset Vulcan doctor - as much as a Vulcan could be upset.

"Unbelievable, Beverly!" Selar spread her arms exasperated "Somebody played a practical joke on me! I was called to a medical emergency, but there was no one in need of help! I had Security check the logs to see who the perpetrator was! I've never experienced anything of the kind on a starship! What a reckless behaviour!"

"Yes, you're right, it does sound rather strange." Beverly answered absently, closing the door of the ward, but then her combadge went off saving her from having to think of any other, more relevant comments.

"Troi to Crusher!" they heard.

Beverly looked suddenly stunned hearing her voice. She then pressed her combadge and answered on her most professional tone "Crusher here!"

"Beverly, please report to the Captain's ready room as soon as you can."

"On my way." Beverly nodded and started to walk away from the ward glancing back still a little distracted.

Seeing her expression, Selar asked now in her usual aloof manner "How is Lieutenant Jones?"

Beverly looked at her first alarmed, then smothered the expression and nodded "She's... resting."

"Would you like me to stay with her?" the Vulcan doctor offered, and Beverly looked at her wide-eyed for a moment before giving her a tight smile.

"No, no, it's alright. She's asleep, and the computer is set to notify me, if there's a change in her condition. Please, don't let anyone go into that ward until I'm back, alright?" she told her hurrying toward the exit.

"Of course, Doctor." Selar nodded, and Bev left sickbay feeling her cheeks burning.