The Nomination: I had heard of Star Trek...even heard of their conventions....but that was about as far as my knowledge went on the subject, yet Kav was able to write a story fully involving all of the characters from the show, with no confusion about what who was like. Furthermore, she cleverly constructed a plot line that isn't so far out there that it's entirely unbelievable. Top that with her standard doses of roll-on-the-floor-laughing humor, and melt-in-your-seat romances, it is a shining star of crossovers, IMHO.

Sue Thomas FBEYE + Star Trek/The Next Generation. (Characters Added)

Tara is working on the computer in a problem solving chat room for computer 'geeks'. She manages to figure out a series of equations... and is gosh darn proud. The next day, on the way to work, she meets Data . (Now hang on just a minute for those of you shaking your head at me. Remember in the OLD series, the whole Enterprise goes back to the 60's. And in another episode they went back to the 20's... And lets not forget the movie where they come back in a Klingon ship for Humpback Whales. Then in the Next Generation they go back to Old San Francisco and meet up with Guinan, then we have the Movie First Contact where they go back and meet the Borg and Cochrane... anyhow.. its been played with before!) Back to the story.... So Tara meets Data who is working on an anamolie that has the Enterprise stuck in a between warp bubble and hiding from the Planets radar. Her equation has helped solve part of the problem, and created another one that he wants to discuss.

Well, there is, of course, a problem. A member of the Enterprise who beamed down to help solve the problem is missing. And they need him back before they can return to their own time. So Tara has to get the team involved. Jack/Sue/Myles/D are put on the case to find the missing man.... and Tara and Bobby are sent up to the ship to help them set things right.

Any takers????

Odd, I know, but then so am I ... So read if you dare, promises for lots of zaniness and multiple fuzziness....this is an off-beat fluff piece!

Italic words in post below are direct quote from the last episode, Endings and Beginnings.



Tara couldn’t resist sneaking a peak. It was all well and good for Myles to rush in on them practically yelling, “Don’t look! Don’t look!” as they put the finishing touches on their impromptu party. But of course, she had to look. They were coming in from the hallway, pausing on the threshold and Tara couldn’t help but think about how profound that moment was.

They both had a look about them – half relieved, half in nervous excitement. Something had started in that hallway – she just knew it and if Myles hadn’t interrupted…well hopefully this time round Jack wouldn’t be so easily distracted. She tried to hide the knowing smile that plastered onto her face, but she knew Sue saw it and recognized it for what it was…a smirk. Bobby did too. He caught her eye and winked before calling out to Sue, “I wanted to get a disco ball but I didn’t have enough notice.”

Tara blinked rapidly, the after effects of one of Bobby’s sexy stares leaving her feeling like she was watching everything unfolding under the strobe lighting of one of Bobby’s disco balls. She was getting used to seeing around the flashing lights. It was the sizzling shock of electricity whenever he accidentally touched her that she had a hard time coping with. Like now – he’d just brushed her back in passing – and she was sure her hair was standing straight up on end. She shivered when he tossed another lopsided grin her way but turned to look at Jack who headed straight for the donut platter grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Ah come on, Luce, don’t you know what they say? Everything that was old is new again,” Jack defended his friend’s fascination with the disco ball.

Sue smiled brightly right behind him. “And I’ve been told it’s even better the second time around.”

Tara sighed contentedly watching them. There was something to be said for living vicariously through someone else’s love life. All the excitement and none of the fear of rejection. And something was definitely zinging its way around the bullpen. She shared a knowing look with Lucy who was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. Even Myles who usually remained aloof during these gatherings was beaming benevolently at the teasing couple who seemed oblivious to the rest of the team.

He was up all night…the thought of Jack sleepless because of her sent a delighted shiver down her spine. You shouldn’t be feeling so smug, she told herself severely. Why not? I haven’t slept in days…turn about's fair play. Sue looked over at him – dazzled by his buoyant behavior. He smiled and held up his donut, laughing she held out hers and they toasted their Krispy Kremes. She was feeling silly and giddy and as breathless as a schoolgirl and all because he had said…something! I would never want to stand in the way of your career advancement. Just what had he meant by that? I wish you weren’t going. She’d thought she would melt through the floor at those puppy dog eyes of his. Pleading…for what, she wasn’t certain, but if she ever found out she’d give it to him. We’re all gonna miss you as a team – and uh – I’m gonna miss you personally…a lot. He had said it just like that. But what did he mean by it? Miss her as in a dear friend or as in something more? She groaned inwardly at the familiar confusion that surfaced. They were playing that game again – dancing around their potential for intimacy – only today it felt like maybe he had finally taken the lead. Her heavy sigh blew her bangs away from her forehead and he noticed right away.

“Bored with us already, Thomas?” Jack asked not able to take his eyes off her for a second this morning. She was beautiful. Of course he had known that since the day he first laid eyes on her, but this morning she was more than just beautiful. Breathtaking. Captivating. Sensational. Awe-inspiring. It was taking all his willpower not to waltz her out the door and somewhere private where they could finish their conversation…the one Myles had interrupted in the hallway. It was just as well. His choice of venue to make his declaration definitely lacked the appropriate ambiance. And it was lucky for both of them that Myles had stumbled upon them.

“Jack, you may be many things, but boring definitely isn’t one of them,” Sue’s cheeky retort passed her lips before she could bite it back. He watched her cheeks flush with…what? Excitement? Embarrassment? It didn’t matter. He loved her fair skin, the way it had of tattling on her. The longer he stared the more she blushed and he grinned like a fool, liking the implications that sprang to mind. There are things more important than career advancement and most of them are standing right here in this room. But she’d looked right into his eyes when she said that and her smile had been just for him. He knew it. For a second it was like they were caught up in some sort of time warp and their surroundings faded away and it was just the two of them. He suddenly felt an urgency to set the record straight; to not let another minute pass by in misunderstanding.

Jack glanced around the bullpen – other agents had joined their festivities, eager to take part in any excuse to party so early in the day. It would be easy for them to slip out unnoticed, find a quiet spot and…

“Sue,” he fixed her with his wounded puppy dog stare, “you know a guy could get a complex the way you treat him.”

Sue’s eyes widened in surprise and she floundered in real concern for a moment before her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“I mean, first I’m the last to find out that you’re leaving us and now I’m the last to find out you’re staying,” Jack chided, his face deadpan. “I’m beginning to think you don’t think of me as…highly…as I think of you.” He pouted for good effect.

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Maybe the question to be considered is…do I think as highly of you as you think of you?” and with a toss of her head she turned to engage in some meaningless banter with Lucy and Tara.

Jack grinned and prepared to claim her attention again when Myles suddenly began making grotesque gestures. He approached the agent with concern. “You choking on a donut hole, Leland?” he asked preparing to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Myles sighed and rolled his eyes. “As a matter of fact since I don’t happen to wolf down my food like some throw backs to the Neanderthal days and Manning comes to mind when I say that, it would be highly unlikely for me to choke on my carefully masticated pieces of…”

“Spare us, mate, I’d rather watch you upchuck it than hear about the blow by blow of it going down,” Bobby said easily, his eyes welcoming a few new agents to the crowded food table. “Hey who’s the gate crasher?” he indicated a tall man standing off to one side, content it seemed to observe the shenanigans of the various employees who gathered so early in the day.

“That’s who I was trying to warn Jack about,” Myles hissed in a theatrical whisper that circled through the team, all close at hand. “It’s the new big guns from upstairs. Quinn, Quincy, something like that. He plays by the book and has absolutely no sense of humour. He thinks agents should live like robots, work 24/7 and definitely no fraternization with the opposite sex. You were getting a little too cozy with Thomas,” to his credit Myles turned his head so Sue couldn’t read his lips when he added, “you could slice the sexual tension with a knife.”

“Leland…” Jack’s warning growl did not have the desired effect on the Bostonian agent.

Myles just grinned. “Hey – I’m on your side. We all are. Just giving you a friendly little warning. You two want to stay on opposite sides of the room when this guy’s around and mind your p’s and q’s.”

“I heard through the secretarial pool that he’s already gone through three secretaries…and he’s only been here a week. No one has seen him around much, but he scares the secretaries. They drew lots to see who would get sent to him next. Bertha Walker lost and she’s threatening early retirement already,” Lucy told them nervously. This announcement sobered everyone within hearing distance and the party began to lose its joie de vivre. One by one agents from neighbouring offices made their way back to their desks, leaving Jack’s team standing awkwardly underneath the banner proclaiming Goodbye/Welcome Back Sue.

“Well, which is it? Hello or good bye?” The newcomer barked out impatiently.

Sue cleared her throat, but Jack beat her to it.

“Our co-worker was going to take a new position out of state, but has declined so our goodbye party turned into a welcome back party,” Jack replied evenly.

“You’re Sue?” his finger pointed rudely and she inclined her head in agreement.

“Wish washy. Can’t make up your mind. Waffling? Or just plain scared of a challenge? Either way it looks like our loss is New York’s gain. Pity.” He turned on his heels and disappeared out the door.

The team stood in stunned silence for a moment before Sue shrugged her shoulders. “How to win friends and influence people…” she quipped feebly.

Jack was at her side in an instant. “Don’t worry about it, we all know that New York is never going to recover from losing out on the best thing that could have ever hit their office,” he assured her gallantly.

Lucy put a bracing arm around her friend’s shoulder. “Besides, he doesn’t have anything to do with us. He’s here on a temp assignment…streamlining the management side of things. Active agents still answer to Carmicheal and from what I hear, he can’t stand that guy.”

“And speaking of active agents…” D interrupted. “We have a new case and Jack and I talked it over and think Tara should be the lead agent.”

Jack nodded his encouragement to the suddenly flustered Agent Williams, exchanging an amused glance with Bobby. “So, why don’t you fill the rest of the team in, Tara?” he turned to Sue, “I’m really glad you’re not going to miss the fun of this one.”

She looked at Jack in confusion but he shook his head laughing. He suddenly felt carefree and happier than he had in a long time. Sue was back at his side; right where she belonged and all was right with his world – heck – his whole universe was in kilter.

Jack’s boyish good spirits were contagious and Sue found herself relaxing at his side – almost leaning into him as she turned her attention to Tara who had begun to speak. Neither of them noticed the disapproving stare pinned upon them from the hallway. "So that’s the way of it," the stranger muttered to himself, "well, not for long, my friends, not for long. It looks like I got here just in the nick of time."





Tara’s self-consciousness quickly dissipated once she became engrossed in the briefing. This was a big step in her career and she’d been nervously tweaking the operation over the last couple of days. By the end of her fifteen-minute lecture she had lost even Myles who prided himself on being able to follow the most complicated plots of popular thrillers.

“Did I just hear her say that we’re going undercover at a Star Trek convention?” he asked the room at large.

“Well, I didn’t hear that, but I can confirm her lips formed words to that effect,” Sue concurred, exchanging a laughter filled look with Jack. Funny. You. She signed. To which he responded with a shake of his head. Me. Not. T-a-r-a.

“If you two lovebirds could take your eyes off each other for a moment and concentrate on the fiasco at hand…” Myles said scornfully, looking down at the dossier Tara had just shoved into his hands. “Vulcan male. What is that supposed to mean?”

“We’re going undercover, Myles,” Tara explained patiently. She had anticipated a mild onslaught of rebellion headed by Myles Leland III. For all his theatrics, he was reluctant to play dress up.

“You’re sure that this Wesley contact of yours is on the up and up?” Bobby asked with an encouraging smile.

Tara waited the thirty seconds necessary for her stomach to settle before replying. Even then, her voice sounded oddly breathless. “Positive…or as positive as I can be with an Internet contact. Look, everything points to this deal going down over the weekend…”

“And what better place to disguise yourself as a phaser-toting, beam-me-up-Scotty sci fi geek than with hundreds of other phaser-toting…” Myles began.

Sue held her hand up pleadingly. “Please, I didn’t get it all the first time round, but I don’t think I want to.”

“It’s legit,” D put in, somewhat darkly. “We’ve done all the preliminary checks and have raised red flags over at the CIA.”

Tara nodded her head vigorously. “They wanted to know how I knew what I know when only they know and they say nobody else should know…” She could tell at a glance that she was losing her team again. She pulled her hand through her hair as she paced in agitation before them. “Look, I can’t explain it so that…” she looked at them doubtfully.

“So that we simple Cro-Magnon men can understand?” Bobby supplied helpfully.

Tara sighed. “Let’s just say that when I started virtual tutoring for the academy I didn’t anticipate getting the caliber of student this young man turned out to be. He kept me on my toes and up half the night most every night trying to keep one step ahead of him. I was so into the equation, I never saw the end game and once I did, it was too late. He says he’s presenting it at the convention. The trouble is, what he’s presenting is actually just on the drawing boards in very rudimentary form at NASA. He…and to some extent I, since I’ve been coaching him the last three months…have created what could amount to an international incident.”

“At the very least,” D interjected. “In the wrong hands this…equation can prove to be a threat in the hands of the right terrorist…some of whom are eagerly trying to purchase this brainchild of Tara and her student.”

“Does the student have a name?” Jack asked, all kidding put aside now that he understood the gravity of the situation.

“Well he logged on as Wesley Crusher. I had no reason to doubt that was his identity. I mean he had the right ID # and password to get into the Academy’s Scientific Research site. It’s just over the last forty-eight hours that I realized he might not be who he said he was,” Tara explained.

“Turns out there is no Wesley Crusher from any high school in the country affiliated with the Bureau’s Science Streaming program. In fact there is no Wesley Crusher enrolled in any high school in the country,” D explained grimly.

“So we’re going under the assumption that Wesley Crusher is a pseudonym for…a terrorist? Prankster?” Myles supplied thoughtfully. “Who ever he is, he’s obviously a geek…no offence meant, Tara.”

“None taken,” Tara said with a resigned sigh. It was the story of her life. Just when things got interesting with a guy in her life, her geekiness reared its ugly head and there she was, exposed for all to see. She didn’t dare look at Bobby now. He must think her a complete and utter…well, for lack of a better word,geek.

Bobby studied the diminutive agent standing before them with a slight smile on his lips. Trust his little spitfire to get mixed up in something so complicated and top secret she barely had the clearance to tell them anything. She was an anomaly. Impossible to classify so different she bordered on peculiar…

“…it’s an anomaly…” Bobby’s head snapped up as he heard Tara use the very word that had come into his mind to describe her. “Uh…could you repeat that last bit, luv?” he asked.

Luv. She wondered if there was a scientific explanation for the combustible results whenever he used that word in that soft, sexy drawl. If they lined up ten women and he called each of them luv in turn would the resulting combustion equal an inferno? Would said ladies melt into a molten pile of H2 o sludge? Or would their collective swooning take on a domino effect?

“Tara?” Sue shook her friend by the arm. “You okay?”

Tara smiled gratefully at Sue. “Uh, yeah…just fine. My mind was going off on a tangent there for a minute. Thanks for bringing me back. So, Bobby, I was talking about the little equation I was helping Wes cook up for his convention project. It’s an anomaly…pretty technical, but let’s just say that the equations used could result in time shifting.”

“Say again?” Jack asked, staring at his lead agent as if she had two heads.

“Maybe it’s better if we don’t get into the technicalities,” Tara suggested.

“This is definitely sounding a bit too sci fi for me,” Myles said suddenly, staring around the room suspiciously. “It’s not my tenth anniversary with the bureau, nor is it my birthday, but I wouldn’t put it pass the lot of you to put your collective minds together and come up with another nefarious plan to, as you are all so fond of saying, put me in my place. Well this time, I’m not biting.” He looked down at the dossier in his hand and snorted. “Vulcan male indeed. You were all just trying to get me to come to work tomorrow dressed to the hilt and make me the laughing stock of the Hoover building. Well, I like a joke just as much as the next fellow but….”

“Oh Puleeeze! Myles, get it through your head. It isn’t always about you,” Lucy exclaimed effectively silencing their uptight comrade.

Tara sent Jack a pleading look and he held up his hand in a plea for silence. “The case is legit and Tara’s leading it. We’re to give her our full cooperation because as D as intimated, the CIA is breathing down our necks. Shadowing our every move. If they think our nation’s security’s at risk then I think we better take it seriously too. So, Tara you want to wrap this up and send us on our way?”

Tara nodded gratefully. “Sorry guys, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen but it has and I need to fix it…and I need your help.” She blinked back tears as she looked at the team assembled before her. “All I’ve been able to get out of Wes is that he’ll be at the convention.” Tara hurried across to her computer and pressed a few keystrokes. The picture of a young man flashed across the whiteboard. “He sent me his picture. This is Wesley Crusher.”

“It looks like he’s wearing a uniform,” Sue observed staring curiously at the ensignia just below the boy’s collar.

“Federation issued,” Tara said with a grin. “It’s a Star Trek uniform – don’t you recognize it? Circa Next Generation – 1990’s…I’d say he’s a real trekkie – or I should say trekker.”

“What’s the difference?” Lucy wanted to know.

“Trekkie is a derogatory term people use to imply – well, geekiness. Trekker is what serious devotees of the show prefer to call themselves,” Tara explained and returned their attention to the studious young man staring at them. “Looking at him, I just can’t see him as a terrorist wannabe. I’m thinking though, that he’ll be a target and our primary task will be to ascertain his safety and apprehend whoever it is who’s after the equation.”

“But you said he doesn’t exist…” Lucy pointed out.

Tara sighed. “His name doesn’t exist. Who knows? Maybe he signed up under an assumed name as a safety protocol? Though all the students registered with the Academy’s online tutoring have to complete a profile that’s signed by their parents. Wesley’s picture doesn’t match anyone on file. Either he’s a legitimate boy who’s managed to hack his way into our site, which is a scary enough scenario in and of itself, or this picture has been fabricated to lure me into meeting him where I will be apprehended…”

“I don’t like that scenario,” Bobby said, glowering. “We need to go over the details of the set up…”

“I know that, Bobby,” Tara said gently but firmly, “and that’s why we’re all going undercover. Trust me, you show up at a Star Trek convention in your suit and tie and you’ll stick out like a sore thumb…so we have to blend.”

“Hence Vulcan male,” Myles through the file on his desk in disgust. “Do you know how many hours a day Leonard Nimoy was in make-up getting his ears put on?”

“I could always chisel the ends of yours ears off into nice little points to save you the time and trouble, mate,” Bobby joked, drawing a Swiss army knife out of his pocket and advancing on his fellow agent.

“Oh – and what plum detail did you pull?” Myles asked scornfully refusing to cower beneath the Aussie’s knife wielding hand.

Bobby preened. “Scotty, engineer extraordinaire.”

Myles sneered. “You have to wear the flood pants. At least I can wear the streamlined version uniform from TNG’s era.”

“Would that make you a trekkie or a trekker, Myles?” Bobby ribbed playfully.

“I’ll be warring with you for makeup time, Leland,” D grumbled good-naturedly. “I’m a Klingon male.”

“First Officer Chakotay,” Jack volunteered. “Mind telling me who that is?”

“Dark-haired, brown-eyed, incredibly handsome, sensitive, strong, protective type…you’re perfect for the role…” Sue stopped her errant tongue, blushing to the roots of her hair as she couldn’t quite meet the eyes of her grinning teammates.

“My thoughts exactly,” Tara beamed. “And Lucy’s the perfect Lieutenant O’Hura – I means she is at the helm of our communications system.”

“And that leaves Sue,” Jack looked at her expectantly.

“Seven of Nine?” she asked Tara in surprise.

“I know, I know. It is a bit of a stretch emotionally, but figuratively speaking, she’s right up your alley and I’m sure Jack will think so too,” Tara said happily. "and remember I had to tweak this earlier once I'd found out you were staying and still part of the team."

Jack watched Sue’s colour heighten even more with interest. “I’m missing something here,” he complained plaintively.

“You obviously never watched Voyageur,” Lucy gushed. “Well Chakotay and Seven of Nine have feelings for each other which they hide for a number of years before finally giving into them and marrying. Talk about type casting. Though Seven of Nine had been assimilated by the Borg and she wrestles with human emotions – that’s very not Sue.”

“Right, I wrestled with that one, but what really sold it for me was the fact that we could fix up a camera and a decent telescopic lens on her cybernetic implants over one eye and she’ll be able to see and record anything from a good distance away,” Tara said brightly.

“Not to mention the fact that Seven of Nine’s clothes are practically spray-painted onto her body,” Myles added helpfully.

“Couldn’t I just be a Vulcan female?” Sue asked hopefully.

“Not on your life,” Jack interjected quickly. “Didn’t I say that Tara was the lead agent and we all owed her our complete cooperation?”

"But Jack..." Sue began to protest but looked past him in surprise. He turned to see a courier precariously balancing a large bouquet of exotic flowers.

"For Miss Sue Thomas," the boy said nervously.

"That's me," Sue said, eagerly reaching for the floral arrangement and nearly staggering under its weight. She carefully set it down on her desk and the unusual flowers spanned its width, completely covering her paperwork.

"Even I don't know what kind of flowers those are," Myles said as the team gathered around Sue, staring at her expectantly. She inturn looked at Jack, a query in her eyes.

Jack shook his head sadly. "Not from me. Wish they were," he said woefully.

"Open the card," Lucy begged unable to conceal her curiosity. "I bet they're from old whatshisname trying to convince you to keep the NY job."

Sue tore open the envelope she found tucked in the greenery and gasped with alarm. "It's from Special Agent Quinn Quincy," she said in surprise. "He wants me to have lunch with him." Sue showed Jack the card signed brazenly with the single letter Q.

“Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.” Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise sighed wearily as he waited impatiently for the food-replicating machine to conjure up his preferred beverage. Inhaling the steam gratefully, he lifted the delicate china cup to his lips and sipped, eyebrows rising in surprise as the ship’s doctor entered his ready room unannounced.

“Mind telling me what has you in such a foul mood you’ve left my son cowering in his quarters?” Dr. Beverly Crusher asked in a voice tinged with humor.

“I’m getting weary of strangers showing up unannounced in my quarters,” came the captain’s cryptic response.

“I’d hardly call myself a stranger, Jean-Luc,” Beverly protested softly.

“And I would hardly say that Wes is cowering,” Captain Picard countered unable to keep a wry grin from softening his austere features. “I daresay sulking would be a more apt description.”

“I daresay you’d be right…almost what you’re doing in here,” Beverly pointed out bravely.

Jean-Luc glowered. “I am not sulking. I am merely giving myself a few unguarded moments to gather my thoughts.”

“Perhaps you should have indulged in those unguarded moments before you talked to Wesley,” Beverly suggested, a smile softening the accusation in her tone.

“Always a mother,” Picard complained. “And the boy’s brilliant – and I take full responsibility for this fiasco. I should have overseen his education more closely.”

“And I should have sent him to the Academy a year ago, but I wanted to keep him close for a little while longer,” Beverly sighed a mother’s sigh. Wesley was all she had left of her deceased husband. Killed in the line of duty, she had hoped in some small way to keep her son from following the same path as his father, Starfleet Academy and then climbing through the ranks until he was an officer of a starship. “He really doesn’t understand how it happened. And I’m just as much to blame. I was the one who set up the contact with the Academy’s virtual tutoring…”

“Only somehow the wires got crossed and our Wesley Crusher has been tutored by a 21st century – early 21st century mind you – they don’t even know warp drive exists – woman. And the amazing thing is this Tara Williams could keep up with the quantum physics and even contributed to a series of equations that can create backward movement in time. Now, you tell me what we can do about that, Doctor Crusher. The Prime Directive is all shot to – ”

“Captain, may I come in?”

Captain Picard glared at Data, the ship’s science officer who also happened to be an android. “Does no one knock anymore?” he roared in exasperation.

Data looked confused – hesitated a moment before retracing his steps and staring blankly at the open doorway. The second the sensors detected the movement of his body, the doors slid open leaving him nothing solid to knock against. Data commenced knocking on thin air with unsatisfactory results.

“Oh for pity’s sake get in here, man and tell me your business,” Picard groaned as the stirring of a headache infiltrated his brain.

“I can take care of that headache for you,” the ever-observant doctor offered gently. She was unperturbed by his glare in response.

“Captain, I regret to inform you that the Enterprise has changed course…”

“What do you mean, she’s changed course? Did I give the command to leave the Endorian System?”

“No sir, you did not, but nevertheless we are no longer in orbit around Neopla,” Data informed his captain.

“If we’re not in orbit around the sixth planet of the Endorian System then where would we be, Data?”

“In orbit around 21st century earth, sir.”



Sue entered the inner sanctum of the upscale executive office suite and timidly approached the secretary’s desk. The poshest offices in the Hoover Building had been put at the disposal of the mysterious Special Agent Quinn Quincy. Bertha, normally a tidy, immaculate woman looking decidedly disheveled, raised haunted eyes to Sue’s. She gave her a harried look, mouthed a desperate “Good luck” just before grabbing up her handbag and making a dash for the elevator.

Sue’s nervousness increased in velocity at the secretary’s departure and she looked down at a cowering Levi. “If I knock will you tell me if anyone is there?” The dog cocked his head and pawed at the carpet, which she took as her cue to enter. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Sue gave Levi a wobbly smile and turned the knob, letting the heavy oak door swing wide.

She hovered hesitantly in the doorway, staring at the back of the man who had treated her so condescendingly this morning and yet seemed to have tempered his words with flowers not an hour later. It was evident from his hand gestures that he was talking but since he was turned away from her she couldn’t, of course, understand what he was saying.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she said politely. “I’m Deaf and unless you face me when speaking I won’t be able to understand you.”

Special Agent Quincy turned away from the window abruptly, a charming smile upon his lips. “How remiss of me,” he apologized, crossing the room to take Sue’s hands in both of his. “Lovely,” he proclaimed before pulling her enthusiastically towards the window. “Look,” he indicated the expanse of blue, cloudless sky. “What do you see?”

Sue hesitated, unsure of what kind of answer this odd man was looking for.

“Come on woman, simple questions deserves a simple answer.”

“Sky,” Sue answered with a puzzled frown.

Special Agent Quincy stamped his foot as if on the verge of a tantrum. “What kind of trite answer is that?” he complained. “Look beyond the sky. When you look out at all that expanse, what do you see?”

Groping for a suitable answer, Sue’s reply came straight from the heart. “Heaven,” she said simply.

“Heaven?” the man frowned. “Not the heavens? Unknown galaxies? Alien life forms?”

“Just Heaven. That’s what I think of when I look beyond the sky.”

“Fascinating,” he breathed almost reverently and Sue soon grew uncomfortable under his avid stare. “So sweet. I wasn’t expecting that,” he almost looked disappointed.

“Sir?” Sue prompted him out of his reverie.

He flashed her a disarming smile and led her to handsomely decorated table. “Right. Luncheon. A quaint formality. I took the liberty of sending out for something.” He indicated the snowy white tablecloth and the gleaming silverware. Lifting the stainless steel dome cover off one of the plates, a succulent aroma wafted into the air, tickling Sue’s nose. Her mouth watered in spite of the uncomfortable feeling that was threatening to overwhelm her. Beside her she could feel the distinctive rumble of Levi’s growl.

“Tsk. Tsk. I remembered you too, Levi. Here,” he produced a meaty bone, but to Sue’s surprise, Levi turned up his nose at the tasty treat. “Finicky mutt?”

“Not usually,” Sue replied as Special Agent Quincy held out her chair and settled her behind the table. Levi stood guard, growling warningly. “Special Agent Quincy…perhaps this wasn’t a good idea.”

“My that’s a mouthful, isn’t it?” he asked pleasantly. “Just call me Q, all my friends do and Miss Thomas, or can I call you Sue? We’re going to be great friends.” With a wave of his hand Levi’s protests died in his mouth and the dog sank dejectedly to the floor at his mistress’ feet.

Sue shuddered unable to shake the feeling that Q had somehow hexed her dog. Levi looked as decidedly uncomfortable as she felt.

“And I think this is a splendid idea. I haven’t had such a good idea in oh…centuries!” He threw back his head and laughed at some private joke before fixing his gaze upon her once again. Reaching across the table, his hand covered one of hers and he stared down at her fingers in fascination. “No rings?” he asked with a satisfied smile. “Perfect timing on my part, I’d say.”

Sue gulped down some iced water and glanced desperately at the office door. It was closed but she distinctly remembered leaving it open after she entered the office.

Q patted her hand soothingly. “You have a very expressive face,” he confided. He raised a finger and drew it across one hot cheek. “Incredibly soft,” he added absently, examining her as if she was some kind of specimen under a microscope.

Sue squirmed under his perusal, thoughts of sexual harassment suits echoing in her mind but then she looked up into his interested face and she had the feeling she was gazing into the innocent eyes of a child who didn’t know any better. But that wasn’t possible…was it?

He flashed her a delighted smile, almost as if he could read her mind. “You have his eyes,” he suddenly announced and then gave a self-depreciating little laugh. “Or rather, he has your eyes.”

Completely confused now Sue didn’t even attempt a response and he didn’t seem to expect any. He held up a teapot. “Tea, my dear? Earl Grey. Hot.”

“But we didn’t implement anything,” Wesley Crusher repeated emphatically. “It was just a theory – equations – formulae – we didn’t put it into practice.” Wesley looked up at the concerned faces staring back at him. He had always wondered what it would be like to sit around the conference table in the Captain’s Ready Room, discussing strategy. He had always imagined it to be exciting – exhilarating, not gut-wrenchingly uncomfortable.

“Wesley, we believe that there was no deliberate action on your part,” Counselor Troi said soothingly in her softly modulated voice. An empath, she could feel the earnest confusion in the teen-aged boy and knew instinctively that he was telling the truth. “Is there any chance that this Tara Williams could have instigated this situation from her end without you knowing?”

“I don’t think so,” Wesley answered, but he didn’t sound certain.

“It’s a hypothesis we will have to work with then,” Picard announced decisively. “Data, what do we know about Ms. Williams?”

“Extremely intelligent, light years beyond her time in technology – especially with computers,” Data punched a few buttons at the control pad of his chair and everyone looked at the winsome face of Tara Williams. Clear blue eyes, wisps of flyaway hair curling about her face, she was squinting up at the camera with a hint of a smile curving her lips.

“She looks harmless enough,” Lt-Cmdr Geordi La Forge, the Enterprise’s Chief Engineer, commented lightly.

“We all know looks can be deceiving,” Captain Picard retorted sharply.

“In this instance, I would wager a guess that Geordi’s assumption is correct. Tara Williams is a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a computer specialist. She served a long and illustrious career and was instrumental in thwarting a terrorist nuclear disaster in 2007,” Data reported. “She is in fact sir, the essence of what is good in the human race.”

Captain Picard frowned. “And what year in the 21st century are we orbiting?”

“2006,” Geordi replied tersely.

“Just great!” First Officer William Ryker exclaimed. Silent up until this point he was no longer content to be an observer. “If we screw this up we stand to drastically change earth’s history…”

“Completely alter it, sir,” Data corrected. “In fact, if the terrorists succeed in the 2007 nuclear disaster life on earth will not last long enough for any nation’s space program to evacuate any of their citizens and…”

“Enough,” Picard cut in, “suffice to say the results would be catastrophic…for all of us including the Federation. And yet we can’t leave Agent Williams alone with the knowledge she will now be able to impart however unwittingly. I need solutions to this dilemma and I need them now.”

Ryker eyed Beverly Crusher thoughtfully. “We could extract Agent Williams. Bring her on board the Enterprise,” he held up his hands to ward off the cacophony of protests. “We could keep her sedated, take her directly to sick bay where Dr. Crusher could remove the pertinent memory strain. Then we can put her back where she belongs and history can happily go on repeating itself.”

“Providing we can get ourselves back to our own time…” Picard muttered grimly.

“Actually, sir, we would need to take ourselves 350 years ahead into the future. It would only confuse the situation unnecessarily if we were to actually travel any further back in time…”

“I was speaking figuratively, Commander Data,” Jean Luc spared the android a slight smile before eyeing his officers and Wesley Crusher. “You can simplify things for us Wes, if you can tell us exactly where you were supposed to be meeting Agent Williams.”

Wesley’s eyes clouded over in confusion. “I-I’m not certain, Captain. She was talking about the academy and I assumed she meant the Starfleet Academy and the Science Exposition on Neopla. Obviously she meant another Academy…”

“Quantico,” Ryker said with glint of excitement in his eyes. “Best defensive training ground on the planet in the 20th century. It might even impress our Chief of Security here.” Will smirked at the Klingon security officer who sat stiffly across the table from him. Worf growled a response in a low guttural language that Ryker was just as happy not to know the meaning of.

“It is highly unlikely that the FBI training Academy would allow a host of high school students pass it’s security screening. Need I remind you that we have arrived on Earth just years after 9/11?” Data pointed out logically.

A brief moment of silence settled around the table as everyone contemplated this dark period in Earth’s history.

“May I suggest that I head an away team, sir, to locate the human female?” Worf asked in his gravely voice.

Captain Picard leaned back in his chair, rocking gently back and forth his hands steepled in front of him. It was his classic thinking pose. “I’m afraid, Mr. Worf,” he began diplomatically, “that we would be hard pressed to disguise your Klingon heritage and as you are well aware we need to be as…discreet as possible.”

Worf’s alarming eyebrows drew together as a frown further furrowed his impressive brow but he did not argue the point, stiffly conceding his captain’s command.

“In fact, I think the fewer people we come in contact with the better, wouldn’t you agree Mr. Data?”

“It would certainly slant the odds in our favour, though I have to tell you Captain that those odds…”

“Please don’t quote me meaningless numbers, Data,” Picard implored. “Wesley how long has it been since you last contacted Agent Williams?”

Wesley nearly jumped out of his skin at being address once again by the captain. Stammering nervously he stumbled over his answer. “I haven’t…I wouldn’t…not after you t-told me n-n-ot t-t-too….sir.”

“Quite so. Admirable of you,” Picard smiled gently at the boy. “But now I’m asking you to make contact. Arrange a meeting place and time, preferably one that is in a secluded setting. Get specific directions mind you. We’ll beam an away team down and whisk Agent Williams away before she knows what’s happening.”

“S-sir?” Wesley gulped nervously, “C-c-ould I go with the Away team? I-I sent her my picture. She would be less suspicious if I was waiting for her.”

“You sent her your picture?” Jean Luc looked at the quaking teen before him.

“I – I thought she was from the Academy and we were supposed to submit our picture with our preliminary report before the Conference…”

Picard covered his face with his hands, momentarily blocking out the reality of his ever-complicated world. “Number One, make it so. Data, La Forge you’re with me. I want answers on how this happened and I want them now.” Jean-Luc was up and out of his chair heading for the bridge, his science and engineering Chiefs following in his wake.

“That was a gutsy move,” Will Ryker, the Captain’s number one officer, flashed Wes an easy-going smile of approval. It was no secret that the Captain did not approve of children on a starship, nor was he particularly fond of infants – even less so of tempestuous adolescents but over their years in space Picard had come to more than tolerate Beverly Crusher’s son while the boy hero-worshipped the captain.

“I guess I should contact Tara, right?” Wes asked eagerly.

Ryker indicated a workstation. “Be my guest.”



Jack was no longer hiding the way he avidly watched the door to the bullpen. How long could one lunch hour take? He glanced at his watch. Two hours apparently. He caught Lucy studying him and grinned. “You sure you don’t know where Special Agent Quincy was taking Sue?”

Lucy shook her head, frowning. “I couldn’t get any sense out of Bertha. She looked awful – yammering on about tables popping out of thin air and bosses that vanished and reappeared without using proper doors. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was heading for a nervous breakdown.”

“Call up to Quincy’s office, will you? Tell him we’re in the middle of a breaking case and we need Sue back down here.” Lucy nodded and quickly began to dial.

Jack paced the perimeter of the bullpen, watching Lucy all the while. He was nervous and he didn’t know why but his gut was telling him something was up and he wasn’t about to ignore it. His gut had twinged last week, just before Sue had announced her intention of accepting that promotion in New York. Today it was more like a gnawing bellyache. He seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to Ms. Thomas. Lucy hung up the phone and shook her head with a little shrug. “No answer,” she mouthed from across the room.

“That’s it, I’m heading upstairs if anyone is looking for me…” Jack said suddenly feeling the urge to propel into action.

“Jack!” Tara waved her hand excitedly. “It’s Wes, he’s signed on to my messenger.”

Jack halted abruptly, backtracking to hover over Tara’s desk. “Make contact, but keep him talking. Let’s try to track him down. Ready?”

T: Hey haven’t heard from you for a while.

W: Yeah, busy getting ready for the conference. You’ll be there, won’t you?

T: Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

W: Can we meet before my presentation?

T: Good idea

W: Where?

Tara looked up at Jack who was reading over her shoulder.

“Somewhere secluded,” he suggested. “Where we can apprehend this kid and find out what’s going on.”

“If he even is a kid…” Bobby muttered darkly on the other side of Tara.

“Well, we’ll find out tomorrow,” Tara announced as her fingers flew over the keyboard.

T: I know a quiet spot – it will be easy to meet there – not in the crowd of the convention center.

W: Okay – what convention center again?

T: Washington Convention Center – meet me at the park across from the Starbucks entrance. 9:00 a.m.

W: I’ll be there.

T: Good. See you.

W: Yeah

Wesley Crusher signed off, feeling rather squeamish. “I feel like I just sold out my best friend,” he admitted to the first officer and the ship’s counselor.

“Will, you know this is in the best interest of everyone involved, Tara Williams included,” she reminded him gently.

Will Ryker smiled as her dulcet tones washed over the young man and moved to another workstation to give the two some privacy. Will whistled as he searched the ship’s databanks. History. Earth. 20th century. It wouldn’t hurt to have a bit of a refresher course for this assignment. It wasn’t long before alarm bells began ringing loudly in his head. “Uh-oh,” he moaned with enough despair that Lt. Troi and Wes and looked over at him in concern.

“Is there a problem Will?” Deanna asked.

“Oh yeah…you might say that. Remember that writer fellow and the time shift continuum?”

“Gene Roddenberry?”

“That’s the one…better get the Captain. He’s going to want to see this…”

“You have marvelous cheekbones,” Q said idly, staring at Sue with his chin propped in his hands. “You can tell a lot about a human’s character by their bone structure, don’t you think?”

Sue sat motionless as if mesmerized. Her mind was racing but her body felt sluggishly slow. I feel like a butterfly pinned against a board – some exotic species a scientist wants to examine closely, she thought to herself, feeling the panic rise at her helplessness.

Q reached across the table and pushed her bangs back. “High forehead…definitely a family trait, I think. Isn’t genetics fascinating? But thankfully you don’t have his receding hairline.” He released her hair and fluffed her bangs critically. “I can tell you have the same gritty determination, the same stubborn pride that keeps you from asking for help when it’s patently obvious you need it.” His affable smile turned into a frown when Sue closed her eyes, effectively blocking out his monologue. “Now that isn’t very nice,” he regarded her with a thunderous look for a split second before grinning devilishly.

Keeping her eyes closed was the most terrifying thing she had ever done. Unable to hear him and now unable to see him with her body simply too lethargic to move made her feel very vulnerable. Her hammering heart reverberated through her body as she frantically tried to steady her nerves but her eyes flew open when she suddenly felt his hand on her neck. His face was just inches away and his eyes taunted her as his finger trailed further down until the scoop neck barrier of her t-shirt .

“2oth century women wear too many clothes,” he murmured thoughtfully, plucking at the form-fitting spandex experimentally. “Of course, I can fix that with just a snap of my fingers…” he sighed audibly, the feel of his breath skimming her face sending a shudder through her slender frame. “…but I don’t think you’re quite ready for this. And I’m told timing is everything.” He cradled her head in his hand and placed a chaste kiss against her lips. “I’ve been waiting millennia, what’s a few hours more?”





The contact was made, but they were unable to trace the line and Wes Crusher was still more of a mystery than ever. Was he a boy taking on the role of a television character or a man playing a deadly game?

Jack left Bobby and Myles with Tara preparing the takedown for the morning while he took the stairs two at a time – his sense of urgency rising with each footfall. For some reason the elevators all seemed stuck on various floors but Jack was used to punishing his body on his daily runs and climbing the stairs was almost effortless. He was only a little breathless when he burst into the empty outer office in the executive suite.

“Sue?” he called, knowing that she couldn’t hear him, but hoping that Levi could. He was disappointed when there was no answering bark. Striding over to the closed oak doors he rapped smartly and pushed the door open. The office was empty. Jack did a cursory check of the perimeters. The bathroom was bare – devoid of any amenities, including toilet paper and the main room looked as if it hadn’t been used for days if not weeks.

“Agent? Can I help you?” Special Agent Carmichael came into the empty office, clearly puzzled. “Hudson?”

“I was, uh, looking for Sue Thomas, sir,” Jack explained. “She was supposed to be meeting Special Agent Quincy for lunch.”

“Quincy?” Carmichael looked confused. “I’m afraid you’ve been misinformed. I’ve never heard of a Quincy and this office space hasn’t been used in months.”

“But we just met him downstairs this morning. The secretarial pool is in a snit about who is going to work for him next. He sent Sue flowers and invited her to lunch…” Jack clamped his mouth shut realizing he was presenting himself as a babbling fool.

Carmichael relaxed visibly. “Ah, young love. Your Ms. Thomas must have told you a few extra white lies to get a longer lunch hour with her young man.”

“No! Sue isn’t like that!” Jack asserted as he turned to survey the room one more time. It was still just as barren, his footsteps echoing hollowly as he walked across the bare floors. Something shiny caught his eye and he bent and scooped up the shiny thread of gold, pocketing it quickly before Carmichael could ask any more questions. He was escorted to the elevators which were all working now and reluctantly made his way back to the bullpen, the tiny gold cross burning into his palm.





Did I mention that Q is omnipotent -- can do anything he wants? Whenever he wants and on the slightest whim?


Jack’s eyes searched out her desk the second he entered the bullpen. His heart sank when he saw it was still empty.

“Have you heard from Sue?” he asked Lucy anxiously.

Lucy looked up at him, clearly puzzled. “Sue?” she asked in surprise.

“Luce, she’s been missing for three hours now,” Jack snapped back impatiently.

“Who’s been missing, mate? We have another case? Missing persons?” Bobby walked over nosing around Jack like an eager puppy on a new scent.

“This isn’t a case, guys. This is Sue.”

Myles looked up from his desk at the edge of panic in Jack’s voice. Tara exchanged a concerned look with Lucy and asked gently, “Is Sue a friend of yours, Jack?”

“Of course she’s a friend of mine!” came Jack’s agonized reply. “She’s much more than a friend. It’s Sue – Sue Thomas.”

“Right,” Bobby nodded his head sympathetically, pulling out his little black notebook. “And when did you last see the sheila?”

“You mean to say they turned our lives into a television show?” Worf’s incredulous look was almost comical.

“Someone even wrote a Klingon/English dictionary, though I imagine this isn’t any dialect you’ve come across,” Will Ryker was beginning to see the humour in the situation.

Worf glared at the offending screen and declared the language gibberish with a growl.

Jean Luc Picard was speechless and that wasn’t an everyday occurrence. He remembered the time warp continuum incident well. Another timeline thwarted, or so they thought, when the brash young writer Gene Roddenberry had stumbled upon them through a warp in time. He had been their first experience with time travel and though they had carefully kept him confined to his quarters they had had allowed him access to the ship’s computers and the endless records and data that belonged to the Enterprise. When they had managed to return Mr. Roddenberry to the right time and place they had merely doctored his mind into thinking his whole experience was a very vivid dream. How could they have predicted that he would go on to immortalize what he thought were his own fanciful imaginings. And he’d called it Star Trek!

“Well, we can always look on the bright side,” Counselor Troi declared with an impish grin. “This means Commander Worf can head the away team after all. Apparently he will blend right in since Wes is meeting Agent Williams at a Star Trek convention.”




“I’ve never seen him like this,” Tara hissed in an aside to Bobby, her eyes brimming over with concern for her team leader. “It’s like he’s…” she couldn’t bring herself to say the words but Myles could.

“Stark-raving mad,” he supplied with an almost morbid fascination.

“Thanks mate, she really needed to hear that,” Bobby said grimly fighting the urge to take Leland on in a brawl. He flexed his fists longingly. It might not fix the situation, but it would help him vent some of his frustration.

Myles recognized the blood lust in Manning’s eye and backed up, skirting around his desk and across the room under the auspices of dropping a folder off at Lucy’s desk. He slipped his hand around her shoulder and nuzzled her ear for a minute, impatiently holding her still when he felt her stiffen at his public display of affection.

Lucy couldn’t quite meet the eyes of her teammates and resolutely studied her paperwork until Myles detached himself. When she risked a glance up she came head on with Jack’s uncompromising stare. She shrugged defensively.

“Just what was all that about?” Jack managed to rasp out incredulously.

“You know,” Lucy replied sullenly.

“No I don’t. Have you taken leave of your senses? What’s going on around here?”

“Jack!” Tara exclaimed in consternation. She stared pointedly at Lucy’s crestfallen face. “You’re not being very discreet.”

“Well neither are they!” Jack roared, feeling as if he had completely lost his mind.

“Get over it Hudson. We’re well within our rights to date. Lucy’s only a rotor,” Myles practically snarled.

“What do you mean only a rotor?” Lucy demanded.

“Don’t start, Luce…” Myles threatened.

“Lucy – where do you live?” Jack asked suddenly.

“You know where,” Lucy retorted still smarting from his insensitivity. She knew he didn’t approve of her on again off again relationship with Myles, but he had never before made that fact so publicly clear. He had always been more of the big brother type, taking her aside and encouraging her in the little things, like going back to school to take a few fun courses and she’d lost count of the number of times he’d bailed her out when she had to move out of Myles place yet again.

“You don’t live in Georgetown with Sue?” Jack persisted.

“Sue again?” Myles exclaimed in disgust. “C’mon Jack, you know Lucy’s moved in with me…”

“You’re married?”

“No of course we’re not married. Can you see my Bostonian matriarch embracing Lucy into the fold…” Jack was barely aware of traveling across the room. He registered the satisfactory thwack of flesh hitting flesh at the same time he felt the sting in the knuckles of his right hand. The bullpen went ominously quiet as the team crowded together to stare down uncomprehendingly at the prostate form of Myles Leland III.

The shrill sound of the telephone broke Lucy from her trance-like stare and brought her attention back to her job at hand. She spoke softly into the receiver, exchanging nervous pleasantries with the person on the other line before waving to get Jack’s attention. “Jack – it’s Allie.”

“Allie?” Jack recoiled; staggering back until he was pinned against the far wall.

Lucy nodded. “Allie…your fiancée.”





“The Captain is not responding to his summons,” Data informed Commander Riker as the officers reassembled in the ready room just off the bridge.

Riker gave Data an enigmatic look and touched his COM badge. “Picard, you’re needed on the bridge…Jean-Luc…” Alarmed, his voice activated the ship’s computer. “Computer locate Captain Jean-Luc Picard.”

“Captain Jean-Luc Picard is not aboard the Enterprise.”

“Red-Alert!” Riker bellowed and a whining siren immediately sounded as a muted red glow pulsed across the bridge.



He refused to speak to her! Lucy only prayed that Allie hadn’t heard him desperately crying out: “I’m not marrying Allie – I’m in love with Sue!” before she managed to hang up.

Myles looked up with sudden interest. “Is it possible that the mighty has fallen at last? Mr. Morality is actually cheating on his fiancée?” He grinned and threw Jack a conspiratorial wink as if welcoming a comrade in arms.

“No! I never said I’d marry Allie. We never even discussed marriage. Moving in together maybe – but I’ve never thought about marrying anyone but Sue.”

They all stared at him blankly. Tara had started to cry again and Bobby was awkwardly patting her back. Lucy looked shaken.

“But you’ve been dating Allie since high school,” she said in shock.

“No,” Jack said firmly. “Not this Jack.” His denial was emphatic.

Myles staggered to his feet at last and experimentally moved his jaw cautiously from side to side while shaking his head. He stumbled on something half buried under his desk and stooped to pick up a shredded scrap of fabric. Muttering about the slipshod cleaners, he tossed the rag into the garbage can next to his desk.

Jack neatly intercepted it and held it up in the air as if it were a trophy. “Okay, how do you explain this?” he challenged.

“Inferior cleaning services that unfortunately we as taxpayers are funding out of our own pockets,” Myles retorted sarcastically.

“This is Levi’s bunny,” Jack said triumphantly. “We lost it months ago and we had a hard time replacing it.” He shook the scrap under Myles nose. “I was sure you’d thrown it out on purpose. I guess I owe you an apology.”

Myles’ eyebrows arched in surprise but before he could respond D’s voice barked across the bullpen. “What’s going on now? I can hear you all the way back in my office!” he complained. Jack turned to face the disgruntled supervisor.

“D – you remember Sue don’t you?” he asked hopefully.

D passed a weary hand over his face. “Which case was she connected with, Hudson? The prostitute we picked up on the drug deal or…”

“What’s wrong with all of you?” Jack shouted. “Sue. Sue Thomas. Our colleague, our friend. She’s worked with us for three years now. This was her desk. She’s Deaf and Levi is her service dog. And this is the proof that I’m not mad like you’re all thinking because this is his stuffed toy.”

His light of hope was nearly completely extinguished when he looked back into their worried faces.

“Jack, you’ve been under a lot of stress lately,” Tara began.

“Yeah, and if our caseload isn’t heavy enough planning the royal wedding is enough to tax anyone’s stamina,” Lucy agreed.

“It might be time to take some R&R mate, regroup, catch some zzzz’s,” get a grip Bobby thought to himself silently.

“I’ll section you if I have to, Hudson, but this ends here one way or another. Let me know if I need to get the paperwork started,” D addressed this last remark to Lucy before abruptly heading back to his office, giving his door a resounding slam to emphasize his displeasure.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the bullpen after D’s explosive exit.

“He hasn’t been the same since Donna left him,” Lucy felt the need to apologize for their supervisor, which was ridiculous because Jack was her boss and he usually acted as buffer between Dimitrius and the rest of the them. Only Jack wasn’t Jack and she didn’t know what they would do without his solid support to anchor them.

“There was a banner over here two hours ago. It said Goodbye/Welcome back Sue. She didn’t take the position in New York. You cried because you were so happy,” he told Lucy. “And Bobby was joking about not getting a disco ball for the party. And Tara you were looking at Sue and I as if…well, you knew. I saw you and I didn’t care. And Myles you were sneaking pieces of donut to Levi. Sue noticed too, but she didn’t say anything. And D was out here and we handed over the new case to Tara to lead. The Star Trek convention – remember that?”

Tara fumbled with a folder at her desk. “I have the file right here on that, Jack, but it’s set up for tomorrow. Bobby and I were organizing the details when you…”

“Burst in here like a madman demanding to know where Sue is?” Jack filled in grimly. “Two hours! How can my whole life crumble apart in just a couple of hours?” To the horror of his team Jack’s face crumpled as he sank down into a chair and his body doubled over with the force of his wracking sobs. “I should never have let her go upstairs alone. I just want things to be the way they were two hours ago…is that too much to ask?”

Tara broke the uneasy silence hesitantly. “I-I can give you back a couple of hours, Jack, if you think it will do any good.”

Tara worked quickly, her furtive movements conveying her anxiety. She’d dragged them all into the privacy of the closest conference room. “Someone go get D,” she said in a hushed whisper.

“Oh this is ridiculous. Will someone tell me why we’re going along with this cloak and dagger stuff?” Myles exploded.

“Shut up and get D,” Bobby clipped out, placing a protective arm around Tara’s shoulder.

Myles’ eyes rose heavenward. “And what pray tell am I supposed to use as an excuse to get our illustrious leader in here?”

“Oh you’re good at making up convincing stories,” Lucy snapped back. “I’m sure something will come to you.”

Jack shoved Myles out the door before he could begin another argument with their rotor. “Please Leland.” The shock of Jack begging propelled Myles towards D's office.

Tara took a shaky breath and looked at her friends nervously. “I’ve never done this before. It’s just a theory, you understand but…”

A collective chill shivered around the room.

“How does it work?” Jack asked at the same time Lucy asked, “Will it hurt?”

Tara smiled encouragingly. “No we won’t feel anything…we’ll just end up a couple of hours earlier wondering why we’re all sequestered here in this conference room.”

Bobby looked at her dubiously and she blushed under his stare. Geek, that’s what he’s thinking, Tara thought to herself. And he’s right. Definitely not the type of woman he’s destined to fall madly in love with. She felt a piercing pain in the vicinity of her heart but hid behind her cheerful countenance. “If it works,” she began bravely, “it will kind of be like a ripple effect. You know, like when you skip pebbles in a still pond. The movement of the rock creates ripples that wash out in all directions. One ripple can travel from shore to shore if the force is strong enough. Well, just think of the world as the pond and time as a ripple. I’m about to drop a pebble in and stir things around, pushing us back through time. I’m calibrating just a little jolt so we’re only going to move through a couple of hours.”

“Then what?” Bobby asked curiously.

“Then we find out if I’m crazy or not,” Jack said starkly. But I’m not.

“What kind of hijinks are you getting up to now?” They heard D’s grumbling long before he arrived. Myles had to practically wrestle him into the conference room. Bobby hauled on D’s arm while Myles slammed the door shut.

“Let’s get this over with,” Myles muttered depreciatively.

“Right,” Tara nodded and began her count down. “5…4…3…2…1”

“If the festivities are carrying over into the lunch hour shouldn’t our guest of honour be here?” D asked good-naturedly leaning against the credenza. “Where’s the food?”

Tara blinked owlishly up at him. “Um…gee, I guess I didn’t think about that,” she admitted looking a little off kilter. “Lucy – want to help me?”

Lucy jumped up, grateful to be given something to do. She felt decidedly unbalanced. “Is it just me or did this morning go by in a flash?” she asked.

“I’m feeling a bit that way myself,” Bobby agreed. “ Can’t quite remember how I got in here.”

“Now that would be the direct result of your carrying on last night,” Myles joked. “Helping Jack drown in his sorrows?”

“Which have turned into joy. Sue’s back. You know who she is don’t you?” Jack asked excitedly. “Sue Thomas. Levi. Old buddies, right?”

“Jack I think this whole New York fiasco as been harder on you than any of us realized,” D said with concern.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Jack agreed. “Sue! Where’s she at?” He glanced at his watch. It was nearly noon. “Not again!” he moaned, charging back into the bullpen.

“Sue! Sue?” The office was deserted.

Lucy popped her head around the door as she juggled a platter of chips and dip. “I told D this was way too much food for first thing in the morning, lucky he didn’t listen to me. Sue’ll be down in a minute. She’s just running up to see what that new agent wanted upstairs. His name is Quinn Quincy by the way but he’s telling people to just call him Q. She says she’ll join us as fast as she can.”

Jack headed for the stairs and charged up them two at a time for the second time that day. He beat the elevator by five seconds and fended off Levi’s joyous greeting while hustling Sue back inside. He pushed the close door button and then the number for their floor.

“Jack? What are you doing?” Sue asked in surprise.

“What I should have done three years ago,” he declared just as he hit the stop button.

The elevator lurched, then shuddered and stopped altogether. A warning light flashed on which Jack ignored as he crowded Sue into a corner. He braced his hands on the wall on either side of her face, effectively caging her. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise…and something more. Jack grinned as he read the recognition in her eyes. Something sparked – arcing between them – something sizzling hot – something so explosive it devoured them both. His head lowered, her chin rose and he read the excitement in her eyes just before his lashes swept closed and his lips covered hers. Hot. Smooth. Velvet soft, her mouth opened beneath his. He didn’t have to coax or exert any pressure she just opened beneath him, breathing her welcome into his mouth.

It was happening. Finally. At long last. Her senses whirling she could barely maintain a coherent thought past the urgency that consumed her. She needed to taste him, touch him. Leave the same scorching brand across his heart as the one he had branded into hers. An undercurrent of desperation clung to them both and she moaned, deep in the back of her throat and she felt his answering growl as he pushed his body tighter against hers, pinning her flush against the guard rail of the elevator wall. The metal pressed into her hip, biting at the tender flesh and she pulled away from the unwelcome sensation and closer into the arms and against the body of Jack Hudson.

His teeth scored the pulsing flesh of her lower lip and then his tongue smoothed the tender skin before delving deeper into the hot recesses of her mouth. He felt her hands against his face, running through his hair, pulling him closer, anchoring him intimately against her luscious body. His own hands settled along the fullness of her rounded hips, kneading into the soft flesh sliding lower to cup her bottom and settle her more fully against him. He swallowed Sue’s startled cry, drowned it out with a deep, guttural moan of his own just before his lips left hers to slide across her cheek and nip playfully at the sensitive lobe of her right ear. She jumped as fire skittered along her nerve endings, shockwaves that traveled down her neck and coursed throughout the rest of her body. Her hands stopped caressing and clung mindlessly to his broad shoulders as she lost the last coherent thought in a tidal wave of passion.

His mouth was stirring her body to life with every stroke of his tongue. He’d left her ear and rained a path of kisses along the side of her neck and had suddenly become absorbed in the taut flesh that covered her throat. He nuzzled lower, teasing her sensitive skin, his tongue swirling just inside the ribbed edging of her t-shirt. A faint memory stirred – an unpleasant invasion on their interlude. She tried to push it away, but it remained firmly etched in her mind – a cobwebby shadow that cooled her ardor, causing her to stiffen in his arms.

He was ministering attention to the shadowy cleft between her breasts when he sensed her withdrawal. Groaning in frustration he lifted his head, kissing her lightly on the mouth. Once. Twice. Three times and reluctantly took a step away. His heart slammed in his chest as he took in her dishevelled appearance. Her golden hair spun out of control, caressing her face in softly mussed tendrils. He lips were rosy and swollen from his kisses and there was more than one red welt rising on the delicate white skin of her neck. He touched one such weal and felt her shudder as his finger made contact with her skin. His eyes darkened in response and he wanted nothing more than to haul her back into his arms and resume their lovemaking to its natural conclusion but she had hesitated. Unable to completely break contact he reached for her hand and folded it inside his, raising her arm to graze her knuckles with his lips. He turned her hand over and nipped the plump flesh of her palm, lifting his eyes to hers to gauge her reaction.

Sue swallowed. Hard. She had never seen Jack look at her this way – with such longing in his soulfully dark eyes. Her breath quickened and she was suddenly certain that if he kissed her again she would go spiralling out of control. He seemed to come to the same conclusion because he dropped her hand and put some more distance between them. He ran his fingers through his hair – an agitated action that left springy tufts standing up on end and she yearned to smooth them back down.

“That was incredible…you are incredible and I can’t believe I waited three years to experience that,” he confessed with an uncharacteristically shy smile.

His hesitancy warmed her heart and she returned his smile with a heart-stopping one of her own. “Maybe it wouldn’t have been so…incredible…”she echoed his word hesitantly, “If we hadn’t waited so long.”

“Now that’s where you’re wrong,” he spoke with conviction. “You’d move me the same way no matter when I kissed you, no matter how many times I kiss you, no matter how many years worth of kissing you we have…”

Sue’s legs suddenly felt boneless and she sank to the elevator floor much to Levi’s delight. Jack squatted in front of her, a mock pout on his handsome face. “You can’t mean to tell me you prefer Levi’s kisses over mine?” he indicated the frantic tongue of the eager dog, happy to be given his turn at this new game.

“Levi, enough!” she managed to gasp. “Down!” The dog immediately responded, though his tail continued to wag furiously.

Jack pulled her into his arms, so that they were kneeling together in the middle of the small, enclosed space. He tucked her head beneath his chin and closed his arms around her, hugging her to him with a fierce desperation spurned on by the frightening reality of his morning. He chucked her under the chin with his fisted right hand so that he could nudge her face up to his. “I was faced with the stark reality of what my life would be like without you this morning…what all our lives would be like without your gracious presence to smooth out all those uneven edges. You have the uncanny ability to bring out the best in everyone you come in contact with…perhaps that’s because you have the uncanny ability see the good in everyone you meet. I hope, Sue, that you can see enough good in me to consider…”

Levi’s excited barking punctuated each word Jack struggled to speak and he finally gave up and rising to his feet he helped her right herself. “Someone’s decided to come to our rescue,” he said ruefully indicated the blurring lights as the elevator made a swift decent. It had been called to the ground floor where anxious workmen helped them out into the lobby.

“Hope everyone’s all right,” one grizzled face man in blue dungarees said solicitously. “I can’t understand how that happened. We just overhauled all the elevators this morning. Sorry for the inconvenience, sir.”

Sue flushed scarlet as Jack gave the workmen and nonchalant shrug. “No inconvenience…Miss Thomas and I spent a pleasant interlude while we waited, isn’t that right Sue?” He winked at her and she squirmed under the men’s scrutiny. One man stood aloof at the back. He observed them silently, a thunderous frown on his face. She shivered violently as the blood in her veins seemed to turn to ice and instinctively sought out the warmth of Jack’s body.

Levi suddenly leapt to the end of his leash, snarling and barking, his hackles rising up over his back. Jack had to place his hand over Sue’s and it took the effort of both to them to bring Levi back under control.

“That’s not like you, buddy,” Jack said in confusion, smoothing down the dog’s coat. “What do you suppose spooked him?”

Sue’s eyes drifted back to the silent figure. Special Agent Quinn Quincy. She shuddered. She didn’t like the man and for some reason neither did Levi but she didn't know why.





Captain’s Log Stardate 43523.7

According to my crew I disappeared from the ship for an undisclosed period of time. I have no recollection of this and cannot impart any knowledge as to where I was. However, according to Commander Data there was a splinter shift in time on the planet. Since the ripple was contained to what is known as the Hoover Building in Washington DC we can only assume that it was generated by Agent Tara Williams. I feel it prudent to send an away team to the planet’s surface immediately to assess any damage that might have been done to the space time continuum. I will beam down presently with two of my most trusted officers…



Bobby had turned it into an innocent past time – his Tara watching. He was more subtle than ol’ Sparky and as far as he could tell no one on the team had yet to clue into his true feelings. He smiled inwardly. He’d like to keep it that way. While he enjoyed ribbing his best friend about his not-so-hidden feelings for a certain systems analyst, he knew he would hate to be at the other end of all the jokes and pointed remarks. Mostly because his feelings were not reciprocated. Tara was no more interested in him romantically than Leland was. But still, he liked to watch her from afar. She was so alive! She lived every second like it was her last – throwing herself into every situation with boundless enthusiasm…even her dreaded blind dates. She reveled in every experience, milked every ounce of emotion out of it, the good and the bad, as if she were afraid of being shortchanged in life.

Today she was pensive. And that wasn’t like his Tara. She had been subdued since their impromptu lunch in the conference room and she had been working painstakingly at her computer for the past hour. Something had completely absorbed her attention and his casual foray into her territory just fifteen minutes ago had left him puzzled. She had definitely rebuffed him and seemed almost secretive as she worked away at her computer. Patience wasn’t a virtue he ascribed to so he decided another attempt was in order.

“What ya doin’?” he asked in his usual easygoing way. He’d taken to wandering over to her desk in the middle of a quiet afternoon to engage in small talk. He loved to hear her voice and watch her animated explanation of whatever they discussed. Sometimes he felt about eighty when he observed her seemingly boundless energy.

“N-nothing…why do you ask?” Guilt was stamped all over her face.

“Interrupted a personal chat time with the boyfriend?” he teased indicating her laptop that she had placed next to her computer.

“Uh no – I don’t have a boyfriend,” she replied candidly.

Bobby’s radar went up. “What about Stanley?” he asked, trying to quell the curiosity in his voice. Had he sounded too eager? But no, she was obviously distracted.

“We broke up ages ago,” Tara surprised him by saying. “Irreconcilable differences. Chicago and DC long distance relationship just wasn’t cutting it.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, luv. You should have said something.”

Tara shrugged. Her break up with Stanley was the least of her worries right now. “I guess I’m tired of being the one coming out of a failing relationship,” she quipped and then looked up at Bobby, appalled. “Oh, I didn’t mean…not that you are…I mean you and Darcy were long term and it’s not like me having a different man every month…not that I had a different man every month…or ever for that matter oh gosh, don’t you have work to do?” she was nearly as beet red as Sue got and Bobby’s grin just kept widening with every new word she stumbled over.

“Ah, things were just getting interesting over here, sheila,” Bobby cajoled, resting his lanky frame on the edge of her desk.

“Bobby…I’m kind of working on something here,” Tara stammered. Oh please God, let a hole open up and swallow me. She had never been so embarrassed in all her life and she’d had some doozy moments in her time. She fingered her laptop thoughtfully. How much juice would be needed for a minute long ripple back in time? She shook her head disparagingly. She was beginning to see the danger in the allure of this time equation phenomena. It was so tempting to tweak a moment here and there in search of the illusive perfect moment. She couldn’t succumb to the temptation. She’d already used it once and thanks to the video cam on top of her computer screen she had recorded the scene leading up to her decision to test out the ripple theory. She didn’t remember not remembering Sue but she had the proof downloaded onto her hard drive now.

“Tara? You’re woolgathering again,” Bobby chided gently, giving her shoulder a little nudge. “You know I can be a good listener if you feel the need to…talk things out. And I have broad shoulders, plenty of absorbency in them makes them ideal to cry on.”

He fixed her with one of his winning multi-dimpled smiles and she was lost. He was such a sweet guy, the proverbial big bro to all the female members of the team. Tara sighed sorrowfully, she didn’t want to be his little sister, but she knew her kisses left him cold – or worse – sent him directly into the arms of another woman. That had to be the biggest low in her dating history. She eyed her laptop again, finding herself coveting that simple series of equations that would enable her to vanquish that whole wretched night from both their minds. Maybe then Bobby wouldn’t look at her like she was some sort of pathetic…

“Right, I’m not used to the ladies giving me the cold shoulder,” Bobby’s cheerful banter broke through her musings and she squealed when she suddenly found herself hoisted over one of his aforementioned broad shoulders in a fireman’s grip.

“Bobby!”

“Ah, got your attention now do I?” Bobby whistled cheerfully as he headed for the door.

D poked his head out of his office and shook his head in good-natured exasperation. “Children. Children. Children. Your adolescent shenanigans are one of the reasons I feel so at home here. I'm just thinking I need to send Donna over to establish some order though.”

Tara managed to grab the doorframe and clung on for dear life. “Bobby,” she hissed in his ear, “put me down.”

“I love it when you murmur sweet nothings in my ear,” he teased her in a voice that dropped to a sexy baritone.

Was it her imagination or had his accent just thickened? She wasn’t sure if she was lightheaded because he was whirling her around on his shoulder or because she was, in a manner of speaking, in his arms. True. Not the typical romantic clinch for any of her favourite heroines, but still, it was more than a teasing wink from across the bullpen.

“Excuse me, we’re looking for Agent Williams,” a clipped dignified voice with just the hint of a British accent broke through her reverie.

“You’re talkin’ to her…” Bobby said and then realizing that the gentlemen were looking at Tara’s backside from the vantage point he was offering them he quickly lowered her hand over hand until she was more or less upright, tottering dizzily right end up.

Without missing a beat Tara smiled pleasantly at her visitors as if it were the most normal thing in the world to travel through the office piggyback fireman style. Her voice was only a little breathless when she extended her hand, “I’m Agent Williams, how can I help you?”

The shorter man grasped her hand first. He had a firm handshake and mature good looks. Old enough to be her father probably…or nearly, but still, sexy in that balding, chiseled cheekbones, kind of way. He was fit without the bulk – naturally from sports as opposed to bodybuilding. His eyes were kind.

The other man was harder to read. He obviously had a skin condition. She had never seen a complexion paler – with an odd tinge to it. This guy was definitely not a sun worshipper. And there was something about his eyes. Hard to define, but almost vacant. He hid his emotions well. His hand when he gripped hers was cool to the touch and he didn’t seem to know his own strength as he pumped her hand vigorously.

“How can I help you?” she asked once she’d managed to wrestle her hand back.

The two men exchanged a glance before turning to her as one. “Actually, Agent Williams, we’re hoping we can be of service to you.”

Lucy grumbled her way down to the arboretum. She stood in the entranceway, scanning the thinning lunch crowd. Too late for a midday meal and too early for an afternoon break the large room was practically deserted. Even so she nearly missed her, tucked away as she was behind a veritable forest of potted palms. The woman waved and Lucy plastered on a fake smile, gritting her teeth as she crossed the room. Of all the times to have a spot psych assessment! She was feeling decidedly on edge today, though she didn't know why. Myles -- a dour surly very negative version of the current Bostonian agent -- seemed to haunt her waking hours and she couldn't understand it. She'd stopped thinking about him in that negative way for ages.

The woman rose to greet her. She was stunning. Masses of thick dark hair piled on top of her head, voluptuous body, incredible eyes and not a blemish in sight. Lucy wanted to hate her, but she put her at ease with a smile.

"I'm Deanna. I hope meeting here suits you. I find it so much more comfortable then a stuffy office." And they can beam me out of here at a moment's notice if need be and no one would be the wiser, Counselor Troi thought to herself. She indicated the chair opposite her and went through the motions of pouring Lucy Dotson a cup of tea, giving the young woman a minute to compose herself. It was evident that she was nervous. Most people were when they came seeking advice from the empath. Of course Lucy didn't know about Deanna's empathic abilities nor did the rest of her team and Deanna would be seeing them all before her afternoon agenda was complete.

Beverly had discovered the Bureau's policy on the impromptu psych assessments of all their employees -- particularly the agents and team members who worked in the high risk departments and Agent Williams' team had certainly had their share of stressful cases lately. It was the perfect guise to bring Deanna into contact with each of Tara's coworkers.

Calm and unruffled. Serene. Sheesh, easy for her to be that way, she's not the one getting shrunk. Lucy thought irritably, forcing her lips taut in a near grimace of a smile.

"The feelings of nervousness you are experiencing are common," Deanna soothed softly. "It's one of the reasons I suggested meeting in this more informal setting. Why don't you start by telling me something about yourself?"

Lucy swallowed back a sigh and launched into her series of pat replies. Yes, she loved her job. No, the stress wasn't too much for her. Yes she got along with her boss. And her coworkers were also her friends...

"Tell me something about the people who make up your team," Deanna prompted.

"They're great. We're the best, and I'm not just saying that. I may be biased, but it's the truth. Jack...um, Agent Hudson, he's incredible. Solid, dependable, he really cares about his team. He'd be there in a heartbeat if any of us needed him. He knows when to push and when to pull back and when to let us let loose. Like today. We're celebrating Sue staying and we're all a bit giddy with the relief of it. Well, you wouldn't exactly call Myles giddy -- but he certainly came close..." Suddenly the words just tumbled out of her mouth and Lucy found herself talking to Deanna as if she had known her for years, bearly aware of how much she was revealing to this stranger who seemed more like an old friend. And Deanna listened, smiling encouragingly, prompting with insightful observations when Lucy lapsed into silence while far above them the computer on the U.S.S Enterprise recorded every word.





Picard was not comfortable with their subterfuge. He was an honorable man who preferred an open, frank discussion to the kind of cloak and dagger stuff they had been reduced to. As far as covers went, it wasn’t the best, but it had gotten them past security downstairs and into the working environment of Agent Williams. She had just given them the grand tour and though she hid her impatience well, he could tell that they were in the way. He could imagine how she felt, as he had often been forced by the Starfleet Admiralty to conduct tours of his bridge as a goodwill ambassador for the Federation. As Washington Convention Center Security personnel Mr. Datanovich and Mr. Pick, (Data had chosen the names and Picard thought the android’s creative memory chip might need some fine tuning) Agent Williams was obliged to be generous with her time. He had pressed for a little tour and she had reluctantly complied, glancing anxiously at her watch from time to time. He pointedly ignored the hint and distracted her while Data conducted emission readings.

“And this is the bullpen. It’s shared with a number of teams. Our area is over here,” she indicated a corner of the room where their eyes were drawn to a colorfully decorated work area.

“Unusual décor,” Data observed, obviously intrigued.

Tara shrugged and grinned. “My desk. I spend so much time here I figured I might as well make it as close to home as I could.”

Picard took in the gaudy knickknacks, tinsel baubles and gay garlands that dazzled the eye and shuddered to think what her living quarters might look like. Data’s eyes roamed the other work areas and settled on one desk in particular. He moved toward it, frowning.

“An interesting floral arrangement,” he remarked to the young lady industriously working at her computer.

Tara hurried over to his side. “Levi, get Sue,” she said quietly and beamed at the dog as he gently pawed his mistress’ lap. Sue looked up, clearly surprised to see the small crowd gathered at her desk. “Sue, Mr. Datanovich and Mr. Pick are here about the security arrangements at the convention center tomorrow. This is Sue Thomas and her hearing dog, Levi. Sue’s Deaf, but she reads lips,” she clarified.

“These are unusual flowers…blossoms not native to this area, I believe…” Data began.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that,” Sue stood up to focus more clearly on the man who was admiring her flowers. His lips were moving, but she had difficulty reading the words. It was as if his mouth wasn’t quite in sync with the proper formations. She looked nervously at Tara and shrugged apologetically. “I’m sorry, I’m having a difficult time reading you…” her voice dwindled off, at a loss to explain the problem.

“It is we who should be apologizing, Miss Thomas, for taking up your time,” Picard intervened smoothly, realizing too late that Data’s android lip movements were likely not a close enough replica. He made a mental note to inform Geordi. The engineer would enjoy the challenge of tinkering with the problem. Unfortunately Data seemed to have come to the same conclusion and sought to make his own repairs on the spot.

“Isssss…th-th-isssssss….annnnnny….bbbetttttterrrrr?” He droned as he grossly exaggerated each syllable and enunciated in slow motion which also lowered his voice two octaves. It attracted the attention of the other agents in the room who all looked upon them with varying degrees of surprise. Miss. Thomas merely looked more confused than ever.

“How did you do that?” Tara wanted to know. “You sounded like a tape recorder on slow speed.”

“I merely tweaked my auditory sync replicator by enhancing my photonauclear..”

Picard laughed heartily and slapped Data on the back, wincing slightly as his hand made contact with the nearly indestructible alloy that made up the android’s physical body. “Let’s not get too technical Mr. Data – novich. He just had botox injections this morning. Lips are still frozen and that’s likely the reason you’re experiencing difficulties understanding him.” Picard smiled pleasantly; relieved when Sue Thomas nodded her head in understanding, though she stared after them curiously as Agent Williams led them away from her desk.





There was something fishy about the two men who seemed intent upon hanging onto her like a dog with a bone – or a Levi with his bunny. Tara started to smile, but then frowned, remembering the scene her computer eye had recorder earlier…only she supposed now it had never happened. She sighed and rubbed her temples; the beginnings of a headache starting to throb painfully.

“Gentlemen, I don’t mean to be impolite, but frankly, I don’t see what else I can say to assure you that our investigation will be conducted with the utmost discretion and we will do everything in our power to ensure that the Star Trek convention isn’t disrupted in any way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really do have to get back to work,” Tara stared at the door pointedly but neither man made any move to leave.

“Quite so,” The balding one with the cheekbones smiled benignly at her. He reminded her of somebody. She was sure she had seen him before… “but it isn’t every day that the FBI is interested in our humble convention center.”

“Humble is hardly the word I would use to describe 703,000 square feet of prime exhibit space, 150,000 square feet of meeting space, 36,000 square feet of registration space and the 52,000 square foot ballroom,” Mr. Dataonvich saw fit to point out.

Tara stared at him blankly. “Wow – you have a good memory for detail,” she said, rising to her feet. “I have to rely on my computer for facts like that.” She patted her laptop lovingly. “And I really have to get back to what I was working on so…” But she had lost Mr. Dataonvich to her assortment of Disney pens. He reached out a hesitant finger and touched the tigger. The orange and black striped head bobbled. Clearly fascinated he picked up a Winnie the Pooh pen examining it at every angle. “It lights up when you write with it. Here…try it out.” Tara slipped a Bugs Bunny note pad across the desk becoming fascinated with the strange man’s childlike wonder at such a simple thing. He was kind of cute in an odd sort of way and something nudged her memory. “I know who you remind me of now!” She squealed loud enough that not only did both men look up at her in alarm, but so did the rest of the agents in the bullpen. She appealed to Jack and Bobby. “Look – isn’t he a dead wringer for Captain Picard on STNG? And he could be Data. You must get that a lot, right? How ironic that you’re in charge of security for the Star Trek convention! You should enter the look alike contest!”

Across the room Jack’s switched his focus back to Sue. He’d been covertly watching her since they’d returned to the bullpen. He wasn’t about to let her out of his sight again – not in lieu of his earlier scare. He couldn’t understand why he was the only one who remembered the frightening period of time when Sue seemed to have disappeared, but he had no intention of living through a repeat performance. He wasn’t certain how Miss Thomas was going to take his insistence that they spend the night together, but he was determined to keep her within touching distance from now on.

She caught him watching her and the intensity of her gaze sent heat coursing through his body. She was reacting in much the same way, if the flush scorching her cheeks was any indication. He grinned and winked and though she wrinkled her nose at him and turned away, he knew she was just as affected as he was. With the memory of her passionate response to his kisses just an hour ago still fresh in his mind he was hard pressed to get any work done. Maybe an early day was in order. They still hadn’t talked, having shared a rather crowded elevator ride back up with the usual lunch crowd and once they’d reached the bullpen the party in the conference room was in full swing and they hadn’t shared a moment alone since. He caught her eye again and finger spelled L-E-A-V-E E-A-R-LY. A smiled played about her lips and she nodded once, her eyes caressing him warmly before glancing back towards Tara and her visitors. Jack sighed dejectedly when she was lost from his sight by the confounded floral arrangement.

“Levi! No!” Sue’s embarrassed exclamation brought Jack’s attention to the energetic golden that apparently had taken exception to one of Tara’s guests. The air was suddenly punctuated by his staccato barks as he stood his ground in spite of Sue’s command to come. Jack strode over to see what all the commotion was about.

Data observed the canine’s behaviour with acute interest. He scanned his memory banks and retrieved all the information he had stored on the human species’ relationship with dogs. Assimilating the information quickly, he immediately averted his eyes and held out his hand, making sure to keep his palm lower than the dog’s head. It sniffed him cautiously but still growled suspiciously.

“I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into him today,” Sue told them.

Data looked up at the apologetic young woman. He concentrated on his diction as he assured her, “It is quite all right. He probably smells my cat.” Even so, Tara had to translate with rapid hand signs.

Accessing his language memory chip this time, Data correctly identified the rudimentary form of signed language used by Deaf and Hard of Hearing humans. Delighted in finding a common means of communication, Data began an animated discussion about dogs and pet ownership in general in fluent ASL.

“Wow!” Tara said, impressed. “You’re fast!”

“So fast I almost couldn’t read him,” Sue agreed. Sorry, she signed again and pulled the still grumbling Levi away from Tara’s desk turning when she felt Jack’s presence at her side.

“What was all that about?” he asked, his eyes filled with concern.

“Jack, I don’t know. I’m worried about Levi. He acted so strangely earlier down in the lobby and now he seems to have taken an instant delight dislike to that man from the Conference Center. He’d just start to calm down and then take another sniff and go off again.” Levi was still struggling against her restraining hand. “I think I better get him out of here. Maybe a run in the park will calm him down.”

“I’ll go with you,” Jack offered, “just let me get my coat.”

Sue nodded her agreement and turned to signal to Tara that they would be leaving. Tara however had turned towards Bobby and they were in deep discussion over a folder. Sue waited to catch her eye, shying her own glance away from the two men who were deep in discussion alone at Tara’s desk. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when the bald man called the other Commander her interest was piqued. It was still difficult to read the other man’s lips and she frowned in concentration as she read snatches of random words. Computer. Equations. Take it. Won’t get a better chance. Back to ship. Analyze. This is the Captain, stand by…

Sue’s warning didn’t come in time to stop Mr. Datavonich from tucking Tara’s laptop under his arm and bolting for the door, Mr. Pick hot on his heels.

Sue released Levi who flew after the men, barking furiously. All three disappeared into the conference room.

Jack drew his weapon. Bobby and Tara did the same, all three agents approaching the closed door with confidence. Jack pounded on the door. “Give yourselves up, there’s no way you’ll get out of there.” Silence. Not even a bark from Levi. Jack gave the signal and they swarmed into the room, arms extended and arcing, seeking out their targets before pulling back in astonishment.

The room was empty.

I'm trying not to confuse you non-trekkers any more, but I just introduces a new Star Trek character. Guinan. She's played by Whoopi Goldberg. She runs Ten Forward, a fancy bar and eatery on the starship. She's hundreds of years old, sage and wise and doesn't like Qs..


Captain's log Stardate 43523.9

Commander Data and I have returned from the planet's surface with the computer Agent Tara Williams used to create her time ripple. Unfortunately we returned with an unexpected visitor. A dog that seems to have become quite skittish after its experience with the transporter. I understand that Lt. La Forge and Commander Data have succeeded in corralling the animal and are in the process of securing it before heading for the emergency meeting at 0300 hours. In the mean time I have called in Wesley Crusher to assist with deciphering the antiquated laptop's login code.



"It's as if they just disappeared into thin air," Jack said in frustration after completing a fruitless search for the two men and Levi.

Tara's heart sank at his words. This is all my fault. Somehow they managed to use my computer to shift themselves into another time continuum. Of course, she could hardly blurt that out to the team...they would never believe her...or would they?

"I think I know what might have happened, Jack...and how we can get Levi and my laptop back," Tara said timidly. "But we need to meet together in private...and I need my computer."

"Done." Jack would agree to anything to wipe the devastated look off of Sue's face. They had gone down this road before months earlier. He knew how much Levi meant to her and how lost she felt without the loyal companion by her side. "We'll find him, Sue, just like we did last time." It was a vow he didn't take lightly.



"It's a dog."

"A Golden Retriever to be precise," Data agreed. "They are loyal, faithful companions with easy going temperaments and suitable for any life style."

Guinan, the hostess of Ten Forward eyed the android sceptically. Data usually took such care with his appearance. She had been surprised when he first walked in and sat at the bar, waiting expectantly for her to notice him. It was hard not to. He was missing patches of hair, his uniform was hanging in tatters and he seemed to have suddenly developed a nervous twitch.

"What part of that mutt's easy going temperament did that to you?" Guinan asked sarcastically.

"Oh Levi did not do this to me. Spot did," Data hastened to assure his friend.

"Your cat sliced you up in ribbons?"

"She did not enjoy Levi's company as much as I hoped she would," Data admitted. "I had thought it would be comforting for Spot to be able to look into another furry face. Apparently felines and canines are natural enemies on Earth."

Guinan smiled, he sounded so shocked and forlorn as he attempted to assimilate this information but her resolve stiffened as he attempted to butter her up.

"Guinan you are renowned for your sensitivity and compassion. I was hoping that I could leave Levi here with you while I attend an urgent meeting with the Senior Officers."

"It's a dog."

"Yes, I believe we have already established that fact."

"I don't allow dogs in my establishment."

"You have never had cause to make such a decision before today," Data reminded her.

"But now that I've been presented with the situation I've made my decision. No dogs. I'll have signs posted this afternoon." she added sarcastically.

"This is no ordinary dog, Guinan," Data urged. "He is a service dog for a Deaf Woman and is well-trained. I'm sure he will give you no trouble."

Guinan arched an eyebrow in disbelief.

"He is a good dog," Data asserted. "He is just having difficulty acclimatizing himself to my android senctslessness, but I believe I will win him over in time."

"What is this woman going to do without her dog?" Guinan asked, trying not to make eye contact with the soulful brown eyes that were looking up at her pleadingly.

"We will determine a way to return Levi to his mistress without causing further harm...it is complicated and the captain..."

"Picard to Commander Data. We are waiting." The Captain's impatient voice cut in over Data's COM.

"On my way." Data announced and looked at Guinan questioningly.

Two pairs of pleading eyes were too much for her to resist. "All right. But only this once. And you -- stop with the staring. Keep your fur to yourself and stay off the furniture. Got it?"

Levi barked his agreement.



"That's impossible!" Myles exclaimed. "This is some sort of elaborate hoax by someone who doesn't know when to call it quits." He glared at Bobby.

"Hey, don't look at me, Myles. This definitely isn't my style. Way above my league if it is a set up."

"Of course it's not a set up. You've just watched the proof right here!" Tara indicated her computer. They had just watched the morning's replay of Jack's devastation at Sue's disappearance and the rest of team’s inability to even remember her.

"I'd never forget Sue!" Lucy protested loyally.

"That's because we rippled through time," Tara explained a little impatiently. "And we can do it again...just back to before Datavonich and Pick came onto the scene, only this time we'll leave ourselves a message so we know what to expect and we'll beat them at their own game."

"That sounds like something right out of Star Trek!" Myles scoffed. "Boldly going where no one has gone before."

"Well, what if it does? Do any of you have any better ideas?"





"It is password protected sir. They are 13,456,789,281 possible keystroke combinations. I am going through each one systematically," Data's hands flew so quickly over the keyboard that his fingers were a blur.

"Data, Agent Williams wouldn't likely pick a random range of characters for her log in and password. She probably picked something familiar like an interest or a hobby..." Geordi suggested.

"I can't believe with all our superior technology we can't break into a 20th century antiquity!" Picard said impatiently.

"I am attempting a combination of Disney characters. I noticed that Agent Williams has a certain fondness for....Mickey 1928. I'm in!"

"Good work Mr. Data!" Picard praised and cast a keen eye around his ready room. "Lt. Troi, did you manage to glean any information that could prove useful?"

"I only had time to interview one of Agent Williams' colleagues. But she seemed to be the right one. She definitely showed residual signs of time travel. She was experiencing shadow flashbacks which left her uneasy. She wouldn't open up completely to me, but she did say she'd felt off all morning."

"Captain, it appears that Agent Williams actually recorded the alternate time line. It's a crude reproduction but will give us an accurate account of what actually happened."

"Play it, Data," Picard ordered.



"What part of stay off the furniture don't you understand?" Guinan asked. Levi winked at her and rolled over on his back, scratching the itchy spot on the middle of his bum against the plush red seating. "Don't think you can get away with that. I speak dog you know and...hey cut it out, you don't have to go all sensitive on me!"

Levi leapt off the settee snarling and barking at empty lounge chair. Because Guinan spoke dog, she acted quickly.

"Security to 10 Forward."



Silence settled over the meeting in the captain's ready room after the conclusion of the recording. Picard looked over his senior staff almost helplessly. He liked to be in control. He liked to identify a problem, find the solution and correct it. He didn't like to find more problems than they had solutions for. Not only had he apparently disappeared, but Sue Thomas had as well. At the same time. That couldn't be a coincidence.

"Captain if my readings are correct, Agent Williams did not cause your disappearance. It looks like her use of a time ripple restored both you and Sue Thomas. I think she actually corrected a tampered timeline," Geordie said incredulously.

"The flowers on Miss Thomas' desk are unusual, sir," Data began.

"How so, Mr. Data?"

"They are not native to the region...nor to the planet. Eldorian violets and Azarck poppies are difficult to come by in most parts of the galaxy. Their actual blossoming time is only 6 hours 32 minutes and 48 seconds."

"Are you telling me that an alien species left that bouquet of flowers there?" Picard asked darkly, disturbed by the conclusions he was drawing.

"Yes sir, that would be an operative hypothesis at the moment."

"Data -- can you close in on those flowers? I think there's a card," Dr. Crusher leaned forward in her chair watching avidly as Data cleaned up the visual as best he could.

"That will have to do, Doctor," he apologized. But it was enough; they could all make out the distinctively scrolled single letter at the bottom of the card.



"Q!" Guinan spat it out as if it was a curse, and indeed, for her, it probably was.

"Call your rabid dog off or I'll really give him something to snarl about!" Q waved his hand threateningly. "This is hardly the way to welcome guests to your establishment."

"I'd hardly say welcoming you is my intention. Good boy, Levi, bite him and I'll give you a bone," Guinan promised, but the golden didn't need any encouragement as he lunged at the alien.

"That's Sue's dog!" Q exclaimed in surprise and then scowled furiously, wagging his finger from side to side. "It's not nice to fool with Q, Guinan. I thought you of all people would understand that."

Guinan pressed her COM badge. "Captain Q's on board."

"Now you've gone and spoiled my surprise!" Q pouted. "You never were one of my favourite people...and you..." he rounded on the ferociously barking dog but in the blink of an eye Levi disappeared.



"Mr. Data, if you don't mind, let me do the talking. It's a miracle we got the security clearance with the names you supplied the guards with!" Jean Luc Picard grumbled as they rode the slow elevator to the 7th floor.

"Captain," Data hesitated as the doors swished open. "I don't believe this is the correct..."

"Of course it is. The man said 7th floor and that's what this is," Picard protested.

"No sir, I was going to say timeline." He looked down the hall, which was suspiciously deserted for this time of day. He felt a fleeting moment of admiration for Agent Williams' inventiveness and then he was pushing the captain back into the elevator. "It's a trap! Enterprise. Two to beam up."





“Are you sure that’s what he said?” Jack asked Sue again.

“No. It all happened so fast and his lips are hard to read for some reason but it looked like, Enterprise and beam…”

Myles slammed the folder he was carrying onto his desk with such force that papers flew everywhere. “I told you this was a practical joke. And they’ve taken it too far. We could have killed somebody today. I bet it’s Ed in White Collar – the whole building is buzzing with our plum undercover assignment at the Star Trek convention and he has just the right warped sense of humour to attempt something like this.”

Tara slouched against her desk dejectedly. Her headache felt like it was growing into a full-blown migraine. She paused. Wait a minute she hadn’t had a headache before had she? Or maybe she had but it was back there on the other side of the time ripple? Or ahead because it hadn’t happened yet? Oh she was so confused. But at least they were all together including Levi. She’d managed that much at least. And tomorrow…tomorrow was hours away and they needed to get through the night.

“I think maybe we should stick together this evening,” she suggested hesitantly.

Bobby looked at her pale face in concern. She was practically wincing with the effort it took to talk. He was at her side in an instant, his arm supportively around her shoulders. She’d never seemed so slight…almost fragile to him. “The only place you’re going tonight is bed,” he told her firmly, alarmed when she slumped willingly against him. He brought up his other arm to hold her more securely and looked at the rest of the team over the top of her head helplessly.

“Hey, Tara, I can give you a shiatsu massage. That helped the last time you got a migraine, remember?” Sue asked gently.

Tara nodded, and then winced as the movement sent spiraling lights flashing across her line of vision. “That would nice, Sue, but promise me we’ll all stick together?”

“Sure – I think that’s a good idea too. It’s been an odd kind of day. I think we could all use the company,” Sue agreed, trying not to notice Jack’s look of dismay.

“But Sue…” he began to protest but Tara had perked up somewhat.

“Okay. Do you want to come over to my place? We could order pizza and…” her voice trailed off weakly as she rubbed her churning stomach. “…well you could have pizza and maybe I’ll just have some toast.”

Myles snorted. “If we’re all going to continue this torturous day on into the evening we might as well be comfortable. Meet me at my place in an hour. I’ll pick up a movie but I’m putting my foot down on a chick flick,” he announced grudgingly.

“Gee Myles, thanks for that generous offer,” Lucy said sarcastically but was grabbing her purse. “I’m coming with you. I don’t trust your movie choice. I am not watching some classic horror flick in your plasma-screened, surround-sound entertainment room after a day like we’ve just had.”

“You wound me, Luce, you think I’m so completely lacking in sensitivity that I…” they bickered their way down the hall towards the elevator.

“I guess the decision’s made for us then,” Bobby said with a wry grin. He rested his chin lightly on the top of Tara’s head. “You all right with the change in plans, luv?”

“As long as I can pick something up from my place first,” she mumbled into his chest. “Only I don’t think I can drive. Sue would you…”

“Jack is making sure Sue gets to Leland’s place in one piece. He seems rather eager for a few moments of alone time,” Bobby stage whispered with a wink and a nod towards the couple. “I’ll drive you home first and then to Myles’ if you’re really sure you’re up to it.”

“Thanks, Bobby.” The fact that she capitulated so easily had him frowning.

“Well, married man that I am, I plan on spending a quiet evening at home with my family. I have a sudden urge to tell my wife how much I love her,” D admitted pensively, thinking about his alter-self on the other side of a time ripple as Tara called it.

“But D…” Tara started to protest but Bobby shushed her.

“It’s all right luv, D’ll have his family home with tonight. He won’t be alone. He’s got the fearless Tanya to protect him,” Bobby grinned down at her but his eyes couldn’t hide his worry. She looked impossibly thin and pale – almost a ghost of the robust, healthy woman he was used to seeing. “Let’s get you some place where you can rest and we’ll let Sue take care of that headache, okay?”

“’Kay,” she mumbled wearily, allowing Bobby to support her while he tried to slip on her coat.

He was making an awkward mess of it and mumbled an apology; “I’m not very good at dressing a woman.”

“That’s okay,” Tara whispered back, “you probably better at undressing them.”

Bobby grinned. Did she realize what she’d just said? Probably not. “Maybe I could redeem myself later on tonight,” he teased.

“That would be nice,” Tara agreed. Bobby groaned, the poor little sheila probably had a fever as well. He felt her forehead. It was cool.

Sue came to his rescue and helped get Tara’s other arm into her coat sleeve and wrapped her Cat in the Hat scarf around her neck to ward off the chill.

“You want us to follow and help get the stuff Tara needs from her apartment?” Jack asked reluctantly, but filled with concern for their unusually subdued friend.

“Nah, we’ll be fine, won’t we luv?” But Tara didn’t have the energy to reply. “If she doesn’t get any better in a couple of hours I’m taking her emerg.”

Jack nodded. “We’ll go with you,” he agreed.

Sue slipped her hand into Jack’s, surprising him by her forward move within the Hoover Building. They hadn’t even discussed their work situation yet. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and she leaned into him. “In spite of the kind of day it’s been I’m glad I’m here with you…” she held up their joined hands, “…like this.”

Jack brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, his dark eyes locking with hers, full of heated promise.

Bobby cleared his throat. “If one of you would help me with Tara’s laptop and her purse we’ll leave you alone once we get to the parking garage,” and he laughed when Jack and Sue looked over at him in surprise as if they hadn’t realized he was still in the room. Sue blushed prettily and signed sorry before unlacing her hand from Jack’s to accept Tara’s purse from Bobby’s crooked finger while Jack scooped up the laptop. Supporting Tara between them they headed down the hall.

Captain’s log : Stardate 43523.11

Thanks to Commander Data we have averted a potential disaster with 21st century Earth. Apparently Agent Williams engaged another time ripple in order to retrieve both her computer and her friend’s dog. FBI agents were lying in ambush but thanks to Data’s infallible memory chip he was aware of the risk and managed to get us both aboard the Enterprise without incident. Agent Williams is once again in possession of the device instrumental in creating these time ripples and I have just been informed that in my absence, Q has made his presence known aboard the Enterprise.
* * *

“Guinan,” his voice was kind, the commanding tone softening slightly as he strode into Ten Forward.

“Captain,” she replied serenely. She seemed unruffled by her recent experience, but Jean Luc’s look pierced deeper and he saw how truly shaken she was.

“Are you all right?” It was a pointlessly stupid question to ask after one had an encounter with Q but it seemed insensitive to simply begin his interrogation.

“I’m fine, Jean Luc,” she inclined her head, gracefully dismissing his concern.

Picard gave her a sympathetic smile. “You and I both know that isn’t true.” Q had been instrumental in the destruction of Guinan’s people and centuries later she still hadn’t learned to forgive.

“He spoke as cryptically as he always does,” Guinan began, neatly side-stepping the emotionally charged issue. “Though he recognized Levi. ‘That’s Sue’s dog’ is what he said.”

* * *

Sue slipped her hand into Jack’s buried deep in his coat pocket. She shivered slightly in the crisp late afternoon air. They watched Levi romp after his ball with some relief.

“It looks like he’s back to his old self,” Jack commented.

“Good as new,” Sue agreed, wishing that she could say the same for herself. The shiver that tracked down the length of her spine this time wasn’t only caused by the brisk wind that had the temperature dropping rapidly. “Jack – what do you really think happened today?”

Jack sighed, letting go of her hand to stoop down and scoop up the ball for Levi. He tossed it far and watched the golden skidding on the icy ground for traction before taking off after it. Turning back to Sue he shrugged. “I don’t have any answers for you. But I remember the terror I felt when it looked like you had just been wiped off the face of the planet. No one could remember who you were…as if they’d never met you before.” He wiped his hand across his eyes as if trying to wipe away the grim memory from his mind. Motioning to a nearby bench he sat down and pulled Sue into his arms so that she was cuddled into his side. “I was up all last night thinking about you…about us…about why there wasn’t any us. When I went into work this morning I thought it was going to be the last time…” his voice broke and embarrassed, he blinked back tears, staring off in the distance for a moment trying to collect his wayward emotions.

Sue watched him compassionately. She reached up to touch his cheek, pretending she couldn’t detect the moistness she felt there. Brushing her fingers against his jaw she tugged his face closer and raised her lips to his. It was a salty kiss of comfort that quickly burned into something deeper. She felt the heat of him pulsing through her body, chasing away the coldness that lingered in the shadows of her mind. He kissed her roughly, with a certain desperation, nipping and then tugging at her lower lip, urging the same kind of heated response from her that he’d already tasted. She acquiesced, her mouth opening, their tongues melding as a pool of warmth incinerated her stomach.

He reached for her face, the pad of his thumb lovingly outlining the fine arc of her cheekbone. His fingers threaded through her hair as he cradled her head in his hands and gave himself over to the sensations her mouth invoked. He was becoming obsessed with the taste of her…with the feel of her soft body in the circle of his arms…with the sound of the shuddering gasps she made when his lips devoured hers. He groaned, tilting her head back and deepening the kiss even more, capturing her eager cries with his mouth. He felt the building pressure of their attraction and wanted nothing more than to give in to its demand.

Reluctantly he gentled the kiss, grinning slightly at her murmured protests as he eased his body away from hers. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with confusion, brimming over with…love? Desire? He fervently hoped so. He didn’t trust himself to speak, wasn’t sure he remembered how. He raised his hand in stead, two fingers bent inwards, the rest point out. I love you was the first ASL sign he ever learned, but ironically the only one he had yet to use. He watched her eyes shimmer with love as her own hand repeated the sign against his.

“This is…uh…what I was trying to get around to saying this morning before Myles interrupted us,” his voice rasped hoarsely.





The car was parked in front of Myles' house but neither of them made any move to go inside. Jack clicked on the dome light and looked ruefully over at Sue.

"This isn't how I thought we'd be spending the evening," he said reaching over to release Sue's seatbelt. His hand skimmed her stomach and he felt her inhale sharply. He settled back, but not completely over on his side of the car and allowed his eyes to hungrily roam her face.

He was looking at her as if he couldn't decide which part of her to attack first and a thrill shot through her as his eyes darkened, the heat in his gaze melting any resolve she had about getting out of the car and going to check on Tara's headache.

Jack tucked a stray piece of hair, soft as silk, behind her ear and somehow his fingers became entangled in more strands. "Being here with you like this feels so right. I can't believe we've stayed apart for as long as we did." His fingers began to gently knead her scalp. "This feels so good."

"And this will feel even better." She surprised him by reaching for his lapels and pulling him closer. He lost his balance and his hand sought purchase, sliding across her hips before clutching the side of her seat. His fingers brushed against the lever that adjusted the seat and with a flick of his wrist Sue snapped backwards and he followed her down.

"Smooth move, Hudson," Sue managed to gasp rather breathlessly. "One of your more practiced third date maneuvers?" Her breath hissed out as his hand slid up the side of her body.

"You haven't seen anything yet. Watch this." Jack tossed something into the backseat. Levi's strong jaws snapped it up and, wagging his tail in gratitude he promptly settled down to chew on the rawhide.

"Jack! Just what were planning for tonight?" Sue asked trying to sound reproachful but failing miserably.

He winked at her. "Looks about the same thing you had in mind," he teased, relishing the flood of colour that tinted her cheeks. He laughed, just for the joy of being here, like this with her. "I can't believe how completely my life has changed in less than a day," he told her.

"A friend reminded me recently about how precious good friends are. Until last night I thought it would be too hard to stay here and just be your friend. I wanted so much more, but when it came down to actually leaving I realized that I couldn’t do it. You have been such a blessing in my life -- the best friend I've ever had and if I couldn't have you in my life as a lov...well, then I needed to keep you in my life as a friend. I can’t imagine being apart from you, Jack."

"Say it," he challenged with a grin.

"Say what?" Sue hedged.

"Say what you were going to say but chickened out of."

"I didn't!" Sue protested, but the warmth in his eyes had her relenting. "I was going to say that if I couldn't have you in my life as a lover..."

"I like the sound of that," Jack said while lazily tracing the outline of her mouth with his thumb. "You're so beautiful." His eyes darkened and Sue felt the familiar flutterings stirring in her abdomen.

"And here I thought it was your eyes that were beautiful," she found herself whispering. The rough pad of his thumb was sending frissons of pleasure pulsing through her body. The teasing circling stirred her nerve endings until her whole mouth tingled. "Aren't you going to kiss me?" It was nearly a whimper and then she wanted to wipe that all-superior male look off his face, but at the same time it was sending her heart into palpitations. And he knew it. His thumb pressed into the corner of her mouth and she caught the fleshy pad with her teeth, nipping lightly.

"You can just forget about getting out of this car tonight," he declared before his head descended and his lips stroked against hers. He was teasing and gentle, his mouth barely settling over hers.

"That's not a proper kiss," she protested.

He lifted his head so his lips were in her line of vision. "I'm savoring you," he reproached her huskily and then his mouth claimed hers again.

This time his lips fused with hers as his hand found its way beneath her coat. Heat poured over them both and he gave in to an instant urgent need, a need that left his hand trembling as he caressed the soft flesh of her throat. His fingers settled over her wildly beating pulse. The knowledge that she wanted him as much as he wanted her spurring him on, his tongue plundered her mouth as he finally kissed her the way she wanted him to. Easing his knee between her legs he settled himself more fully over her and he felt her welcoming heat. His lips left her mouth to seek the alluring softness of her neck.

She swallowed hard when his lips pressed against her throat. Her own hands ventured beneath his jacket, sliding around his unrelenting muscles to embrace his back. Her hands fisted in his shirt, involuntarily pushing him closer. She slid her body a few inches along the smooth leather seat so that her lips could meet his again. This time she took the initiative, nipping restlessly at his lower lip. Sliding into the heat of his mouth, she pressed closer and suddenly he was in control again sending her senses swimming.

This was too much too fast and yet it felt like the most natural thing in the world. This was where she belonged...where she had always belonged -- right here in his arms. She came alive under his touch, so sweetly responsive that he was beginning to think it would be impossible for them to stop...until he heard the rap on his car window.

Reluctantly he pulled away from Sue, groaning as he took in her luminous eyes and flushed face. "I'm going to kill Leland," he growled, edging back onto his side of the car.

“Myles?” Sue looked around in alarm, her view obstructed by the fogged windows.

“Uh…Sue…how do you feel about letting everyone in on…us?” Jack asked a bit sheepishly. “Because I think Myles is spreading the word.”

“What about work?” Sue asked hesitantly, trying to smooth her hair and straighten her clothes.

He reached out and captured her hand, squeezing it gently, drawing her eyes to him. His look seduced her, catching her up in the cozy intimacy of the moment. “Today I’ve come to realize that nothing is as important as keeping you by my side. If I have to transfer out of the team so be it. It beats transferring out of your life. I love you too much to endure even a second of what I experienced today.”

A tiny stab of fear penetrated her passion-hazed mind. She frowned as vague shadowy images stirred to life. “What do you think really happened today, Jack? None of this makes any sense. Tara can’t really shift time, can she?” Sue didn’t give him time to answer. “Of course she can’t! It’s as preposterous as something out of one of her Star Trek episodes but how do we explain…”

“We don’t for now,” Jack broke in, placing a swift kiss on her mouth before giving her hand a final squeeze. He opened the door and got out of the car, hurrying around to the passenger side to help Sue out. Completely absorbed in one another they nearly forgot about Levi in the back seat of the car. His sudden volley of barking drew Jack’s attention and he looked back to where Levi was snarling ferociously. “What the…?”

Jack turned to Sue, giving her an encouraging push towards the front door of Myles’ home. “Get in there. Now,” he ordered tersely. Drawing his gun, he moved cautiously to Levi’s side of the car, checking the shrubbery along the walk. Finding nothing he opened the car door and Levi flew out snapping and snarling at an empty space of lawn. It was as if the dog had gone mad.

Sue stood transfixed on the front steps. She had the presence of mind to ring the doorbell to get the attention of the rest of the team, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave Jack alone with some unknown threat.

She could feel Myles and Bobby coming up behind her and saw Jack shouting to them. She couldn’t concentrate on the words because she was too distracted by the odd shimmering light that seemed to grow and take the shape of a man. He seemed vaguely familiar and a terrifying chill shot up her spine when he blew her a kiss. She blinked and the vision was gone, replaced by the soft glow that illuminated the yard from the security flood lights.

"Sue, what's wrong?" Jack was at her side now that Levi had stopped his crazed barking.

Sue shivered and smiled bleakly. "Nothing...just the light playing tricks and me spooking myself."

Jack hugged her to him as they crossed the threshold into Myles' home, Levi prancing at their heels. "Well, it's been a crazy enough day to give anyone nightmares," he agreed. As long as that's all they are.





Dr. Beverly Crusher walked briskly into sickbay. Distracted by the readings she found on her tricorder she didn’t notice the figure lounging in her office chair until she nearly sat on him.

“Q!”

He patted his lap. “By all means, Beverly, don’t let me get in the way of your work.”

She ignored his suggestive leer and backed up a few steps. “Whatever you’re doing here this time…”

He interrupted her warning. “Actually, I was hoping for a frank discussion on human genetics. Fascinating topic, don’t you think?”

Beverly eyed him warily.

“Of course I had to come to the expert. You specialized in genetic marking at the Academy, didn’t you?”

Beverly deposited her tricorder on her desk and, hands on hips, defiantly towered over Q who still sat in her chair. “The study of human genetics is best left to the experts of which you aren’t one and you have no business sticking your nose in human anything.”

Q threw her a mock pout. “You never did like me, Beverly and I try so hard to be pleasant. Perhaps we can bond in this new teacher/student relationship. Now what do you suppose would happen to a 24th century human if say…several hundreds of years ago…all right precisely 352 years ago there was a slight…diversion in his bloodline. Just a change of one parent – a slight hiccup in his genetic marker. What kind of cosmic repercussions would that cause?”

Beverly’s hand flew to her COM. “Captain…”

“Don’t bother. I’ll tell him myself.” Q snapped his fingers and disappeared.

Beverly sank wearily into the seat he had just vacated and picked up her tricorder, studying the readings again with a frown.

“Commander Data – Wes, I need to see you in sickbay immediately.”



“Jean Luc, that is not the warm welcome I have come to expect from you,” Q bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, like an excited child just bursting to tell some momentous news.

“Q I don’t believe welcome is ever a word that crosses my mind when we confront one another.”

“Confrontation. Now there’s a dilemma. Do you realize how we always seem to be at odds with one another? I’m ready to put that all behind us, are you Jean Luc? I think what we need is more of a bond…something tangible that would link us to each other throughout eternity…tell me Captain, how far back can you trace your family history?”

Captain Picard glared at the omnipotent Q. “My genealogy is of no concern of yours,” he declared hotly.

“Perhaps not now…but soon it will be,” Q announced mysteriously and disappeared.



Jack kept his arm around Sue’s waist as they stepped into Myles large foyer. He looked over at the woman in his arms with a grin and then proudly announced. “Sue and I are…”

“Engaged?” Lucy squealed excitedly.

Jack looked confused. “N-n-o…”

“Did you sneak out and elope between the bullpen and here?” Bobby teased wickedly.

“No!” Sue replied.

Myles slapped his head in feigned shock. “Don’t tell me you decided to skip the engagement and the wedding and go straight for the honeymoon?”

“Myles!” Sue’s scandalized cry of outrage had everyone laughing including Jack.

“We’re just trying to tell you that we’re out in the open regardless of the fallout back at the office. We’re a couple and we intend to stay that way.”

“Well it’s about time!” a faint voice called from the living room and everyone turned in concern.

“Tara, she doesn’t sound good,” Jack explained to Sue.

Sue was immediately flooded with guilt. How could she have been…carrying on…with Jack like that when Tara was feeling so dreadful? She hurried over to her friend who was stretched out on the sofa with a compress on her forehead.

“Hey,” Sue said softly, rubbing her hands together to warm her fingers up.

“Hey yourself,” Tara managed a lopsided smile but her face looked pale and pinched and there were dark circles under her eyes. “Think you can do your magic fingers thing?”

“That’s what I’m here for,” Sue assured her gently.

“And I thought it was for the pizza and the STNG epifest,” Tara joked back.

Sue’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “That’s our movie?”

“She made me stop at her place to pick up the complete DVD set,” Bobby said glumly.

“And I even brought Voyageur so Jack could see Seven of Nine.” The effort of trying to wink hurt too much and Tara grimaced instead, letting her eyes fall shut.

Sue lifted the away the compress and smoothed Tara's hair back gently before setting to work.



Stardate 43523.14

Q has visited both Dr. Crusher and myself displaying a suspicious interest in human genetics and my own genealogy in particular. Dr. Crusher informs me that Q’s questions indicated a possible intent to interfere in the genetics of one family line. Given his comments to me in my ready room not an hour ago I fear that it is my family history he intends to alter. If he is successful, the repercussions throughout the centuries are unknown.

We are working under the hypothesis that Sue Thomas just might be the genetic marker Q intends to interfere with since she disappeared at the same time I did. Due to the turbulence of the 21st century on Earth, I am unable to trace my family history back any farther than the year 2103. I have no way of knowing if Miss Thomas is indeed an ancestor of mine and if so, why Q has taken a sudden interest in her.

Dr. Crusher has also informed me that emissions from controlled testing of the time ripple equation have left Wes with a mild case of proton poisoning. She has countered the symptoms, but has expressed concern over residual effects Agent Williams may be suffering from. If the exposure goes untreated, it could prove fatal. It is essential, therefore, that our mission tomorrow morning is successful and we are able to obtain both Agent Williams and her computer.

Her tongue poked out the side of her mouth as she concentrated on the task at hand. Her fingers feathered his brow lightly, fanning away the telltale lines.

“Are you finished yet?” D sighed irritably.

Tanya frowned at her father. “Michael Dorn didn’t complain about getting into his Klingon make up and he had to do it every day.”

“And he got a heck of a lot more money for the trouble than I’m getting,” D complained. “Why couldn’t I just be a normal Starfleet Officer?”

“Because Tara’s the lead agent and you know what she’s like with her attention to detail. I think her casting was brilliant and if you’re this grumpy tomorrow you’ll be perfect for the part. Don’t move, I’m not finished yet.”

D easily dodged Tanya’s final finishing touches. “This is just a dress rehearsal!” he protested. “Enough already.”

“Yes, but we have to time it to make sure you’re ready by 8:00 tomorrow…” Tanya said reproachfully.

“I am not driving through downtown traffic in this get up,” D declared emphatically.

Tanya giggled. “Oh Daddy, that would be so much fun!”

He glowered at her. “Now you look just like Worf!” she squealed. “Come and show Mom.”

Donna burst into peals of laughter when she saw Worf’s head on top of D’s FBI tracksuit clad body. “Oh dear, she really did a marvelous job, honey. You can’t see where the head piece starts at all.”

“I’ll do it even better tomorrow, Dad,” Tanya promised, quite pleased with her evening’s endeavors. “And if you don’t want to drive downtown like that I could always come with you and put your makeup on at work…” she smiled innocently up at her father, who looked unaccountably taller as a Klingon.

D sighed heavily, recognizing his daughter’s adept ability at manipulating situations to get what she wanted. “You are not going to the convention. I should never have told you I was going there on assignment.”

“But you did,” Tanya chirped cheerfully, “and I’m not likely to forget. Besides, I have a free ticket. It came with my Voyageur DVDs, so why shouldn’t I go? I won’t give your undercover away or anything. If you do your job correctly I probably won’t even notice you anyway.”

“Tanya, I’m not saying another word about this,” D was adopting Worf’s taciturn personality at an alarming rate.

“Fine!” Tanya huffed. “But, Daddy, can I at least go into work with you in the morning and put your makeup on?” Her tone turned wheedling.

“No.”

“Okay, then what time should I set my alarm to get you all fixed up before your leave?” she snapped back pertly. “Too bad we don’t have tinted windows in the SUV, you might cause an accident! And then imagine the police officer’s face when he has to ticket a klingon! You’ll probably get thrown into jail and Mom will have to bail you out…”

“All right!” D accepted defeat, but not gracefully. “You can come and do your makeup magic at the bullpen but then you are going straight home. Understood?”

“Absolutely,” Tanya nodded her head vigorously practically jumping up and down with glee. “And I’ll bring my Chackotay tattoos because I bet Jack won’t have thought of that and I can fix him up too.” She nearly swooned at the thought of adhering a tattoo just above Jack Hudson’s yummy eyes. Mental note to self: bring hyperventilating bag just in case. “I better go pack!” She was nearly out the door when her father called her back.

“Get me out of this get up! And Donna, stop laughing.”

“But Dimitrius, she played you perfectly,” Donna whispered into his ear. “You’re so hopeless, I think I’ll have to go along to make sure you don’t assign her to SOG without realizing what you’re doing. And…” her voice lowered to barely a whisper, “…you’re kind of sexy as a Klingon.”

“Gross. If you guys are going to start with the smooching I’m so out of here!” Tanya declared firmly, arms crossed over her chest a look of teenage disdain on her face.

“On second thought, you just run along, sweetie. I’m sure your mother can help me out …later...”

Tanya didn’t wait to be told twice. She flew out of the room, blocking her mother’s girlish giggles from her ears. Racing up the stairs she grabbed her knapsack and began filling it with everything she thought she might need for the morning. Last of all she tucked her free ticket courtesy of the Voyageur DVD set into her secret zippered compartment. Now I'm ready for any eventuality, she thought. But was she?





“You mean you have your own set of Spock ears?” Tara exclaimed excitedly to Myles, her headache nearly forgotten thanks to Sue’s massage.

“Well, it would hardly be hygienic for me to use rentals,” Myles replied defensively, retrieving Tara’s plate which was in a precarious position on her lap. One more bounce and his grandmother’s heirloom china would hit the floor. He was glad that Tara had finally shown an interest in eating something. She didn’t look as pale as she had earlier in the evening. He had cooked her a simple vegetarian omelet and Bobby had made her some toast – twice. The first batch incinerated and once the excitement over pulling the battery out of the smoke detector and all the downstairs windows had been opened, Tara seemed almost perky again. There were still dark circles under her eyes and her complexion lacked her normally healthy glow. But her eyes had that sparkling snap back in them as she teased him about being a closet trekkie.

“Trekker,” he corrected haughtily but smiled as he carried the dirty dishes back into the kitchen.

He wasn’t surprised to see that Tara had browbeaten the rest of the team into submission when he returned. Jack was meekly loading the DVD player and relinquishing the remote control to her highness – perched on the overstuffed loveseat, Bobby’s lanky frame taking up more than his fair share next to her.

Myles watched in amusement as Manning lamely stretched and seemed to take up even more space, leaving Tara squished at his side. She didn’t seem to be complaining, her face rosier than when he had left the room not two minutes earlier. Well, well, well, Myles thought to himself, the evening is certainly looking up. He smiled, thinking of the many witty barbs he would be able to toss in Manning’s direction in the future weeks.

It had been amusing to needle lovelorn Jack, watching the office romance that never seemed to blossom into anything more than longing looks. Though he was happy for his friends, he couldn’t help but feel a little let down at the prospect of not being able to watch the furtive looks and discreet gestures that had become so much a part of his work day. It looked like Bobby and Tara were ready to step up to the bar and take their place as the Bureau’s hottest almost relationship. This could indeed prove to be fun.

“Are you sure we have to watch STNG?” Bobby’s voice held just a tinge of a whine.

“Look at it as research for your undercover,” Tara told him earnestly. “In fact, we should be able to count the hours – and the meal since we are technically working over time,” she added slyly.

“Here! Here!” Myles cheered her devious little mind. He had been the one to spring for the gourmet pizza at an upscale Italian restaurant.

A bit more bantering and the group settled down to watch the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Truthfully Jack didn’t pay any attention to the program and terms such as Vulcan mind melds, torpedo bays and warp drives sailed right over his head. He was content to settle back in the easy chair that was just big enough for Sue to cuddle next to him. His arm wrapped around her shoulder, pressing her soft upper body into his. Her curves fit the hard planes of his body nicely and he enjoyed being able to publicly stake his claim. His arm hung loosely over her shoulder and down her front, nestling with hers in her lap. H-a-p-p-y he signed, not knowing if he was making a statement or asking a question. Sue kissed his hand in response and even that innocent action sent a jolt through his body. He kissed the top of her head and looked up, meeting the smirking grins of their teammates. He grinned in return and settled back, his eyes closing, intent on savoring every last second...

The STNG theme song penetrated his dozy mind as it heralded the end of another episode. Jack stirred and opened his eyes as Bobby pressed stop on the remote.

“We have a reprieve, mates – take a look at Sleeping Beauty,” he indicated Tara’s restful pose. She’d made the most of her small corner of the loveseat, a Thai silk pillow cushioning her head. As she drifted into slumber her body drifted further and further into Bobby until now both her cushion and her head were nestled in his lap.

Myles winced good-naturedly as he looked at the expensive raw silk cushion. “Let’s hope she doesn’t drool in her sleep,” he commented with an exaggerated sigh.

“Well, she has the right idea,” Lucy announced a bit enviously. It had been a long and eventful day and another just like it loomed on their horizon. “We should probably all get some sleep. I think we’re going to need it. Sue, can I get a ride home with you? I came here with Myles so I don’t have my car.”

“That won’t be necessary, Luce. I’ll see you home,” Myles quickly objected.

“Nonsense, there’s no point in you having to drive clear across town and back again when Sue is going right there. Sue?”

Sue looked helplessly at Jack. She could feel his body tensing beside her at Lucy’s suggestion and part of her was protesting as well. She was anxious to have more…time alone…with Jack to explore these incredible new feelings. But another part of her realized that having a chaperone along wasn’t such a bad idea. Things seemed to easily get out of hand when they were alone. Best she signed to Jack, a faint flush invading her cheeks as she glanced shyly up at him.

He was amazed at this shyness of hers. She could kiss him wantonly, eagerly abandoning herself to his lovemaking one minute and be stammering as embarrassed as a schoolgirl the next. It proved to be an endearing mixture – as if she knew better but just couldn’t help herself and he kind of liked the idea of being that irresistible.

“What are you thinking about?” Sue asked suspiciously, worried about the wicked glint that lit up his fathomless brown eyes.

Jack’s gaze turned innocent as he stood, pulling Sue up and into his arms for a swift hug. “I’ll show you later,” he promised with a teasing wink and Sue ducked her head, hoping the curtain of hair would hide the fresh flood of heat that had settled on her cheeks.

Jack turned to Lucy. “Sure, come on, Luce. I’ll take you ladies home. ‘Night everyone.”

Myles walked them to the door, pensively watching as Jack and Sue strolled hand in hand down the walk. Lucy took Levi over to a bush and Myles was grateful that she didn’t choose his azalea. Turning his attention back to the couple heading for the car he was suddenly just a little envious of Jack Hudson finding his ladylove at last. Of course, it had been inevitable – Sue’s potential move serving as the catalyst. And they looked good together, settling into a romantic relationship much faster than he would have thought possible.

Why was intimacy so much easier for some people and so much harder for others? He didn’t have to search long for that answer; because other people had been raised by humans, not robots. He tasted the bitterness in his mouth and turned abruptly, shutting out the domestic scene of Jack helping Sue into the car. It was suddenly too much for him to bear.

Returning the family room, Myles eyed Bobby and Tara dubiously. Koala Boy hadn’t noticed him yet and Myles caught his friend in a candid moment. He had cradled Tara in his arms, his fingers lightly fanning the feathery bangs at her forehead, an unmasked look of complete adoration etched across his features. Suddenly feeling like an interloper, Myles cleared his throat and moved to the cedar chest underneath the window.

“Might as well not move her, now that’s she’s finally resting,” he said tossing Bobby a couple of blankets. “It’s a recliner…” he indicated the buttons on the armrest of the loveseat. “Even massages. You should be comfortable. Welcome to spend the night, or go – whatever suits your fancy.” He tossed Bobby a spare set of keys. “Just make sure you lock up if you leave. I’m heading for bed. I’ll leave the hall light on, will I?” Myles plunged the room into darkness as he turned off the table lamps. “Spare rooms at the top of the stairs. First right, if you think you’d be more comfortable there.” He hurried away, whistling under his breath, wondering what Manning would do now. He rubbed his hands together gleefully anticipating the gossip session he would have with Lucy first thing in the morning.

Lucy kept catching his eye in the rearview mirror, grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Even Levi seemed to be laughing, his gentle brown eyes gazing lovingly at Jack. He imagined the dog was giving him the paws up and could have sworn the golden winked at him a time or two. Jack laughed just because he felt like it. This set Levi to barking and Lucy to giggling.

He glanced at Sue who was now pointedly staring out the passenger window. She had to be sensitive to the buoyant mood in the car. Jack was sure she sensed Lucy's giddy reactions in the backseat even if she couldn't see her, but Sue was trying to ignore them all, just a little bit uncomfortable with Lucy’s obvious approval.

Jack maneuvered his car into the last available parking space on the street in front of their apartment. Before he had even turned off the ignition, Lucy bolted out the door, Levi in tow.

"I'll just take this fella for his last walk," she offered in a little rush, not quite daring to meet Sue's eye. "You two go on upstairs and...well just go upstairs. You won't even notice us when we come back. We can be discreet when we want to be, can't we Levi?"

Levi barked, but whether it was in agreement or because he was anxious to get going was anyone's guess. He took off across the street and Lucy hurried after him.

Sue watched her friend all but vanish, swallowed by the dark. "Discreet isn't a word that I would necessarily use to describe Lucy," Sue told Jack in frustrated embarrassment.

"Maybe not, but I like the way the woman thinks," Jack teased and then just because he could, he reached out and stroked the side of her cheek. "Let's get you inside," he murmured huskily.

Sue's heart began to beat out the agitated rhythm she was fast becoming familiar with. Jack had a way of looking at her that melted her insides. His eyes roamed over her possessively -- as if she belonged to him and her belly dipped. He made her feel so desirable and feminine and she secretly loved his take charge attitude as much as she balked against it at times.

Taking a steadying breath she assured him; "It's all right, Jack. You don't have to see me all the way to the door. It's well lit and perfectly safe."

Jack frowned. "Are you trying to cheat me out of my good night kiss, Thomas?" he asked incredulously.

Sue's eyes crinkled up with laughter. "Is that what you're worried about?"

"Among other things."

"Well, let me put your mind at ease," she suggested, artfully placing her hand along the side of his cheek, her fingers soft and delicate against the sandpaper roughness of his jaw. Closing the distance between them she eagerly covered his mouth with her own, tracing the seam of his lips with her tongue. But he was being uncharacteristically obtuse, refusing to open to her and deepen the kiss.

Sue smiled against his mouth, recognizing his playful teasing as a challenge. Her competitive spirit rose and she lifted her other hand to circle his neck -- her strong fingers nimbly kneading the taut flesh there. At the same time she started taking tiny bites out of his lower lip, tugging gently at the tender flesh. Her fingers trailed downwards to the gap at his collar where he had loosened his tie earlier in the evening. Her fingers burrowed underneath and closed around the restraining button at his throat. She undid one and then another...and another, her nails scoring the firm flesh beneath. His skin was warm and supple, the smooth contours of his muscles begging for her exploration.

Jack started as her hand glided across his chest; his involuntary hiss of breath just what she needed to triumphantly deepen the kiss. The warmth of their breath mingling in the cool evening air heightened the sensual flavour. Jack let his head rest against the car seat and allowed Sue to lead the gently erotic connection. She shyly took command in a wicked combination of hesitancy and urgency and he wanted her with every fiber of his being. They broke apart breathlessly and she had to duck her head to disentangle her hair from his fist. When had his hands become buried there? Why was she moving away so soon?

"There's your kiss. 'Night, Jack." She slipped out of the car before he could even catch his breath. Had made it half way to her front steps before he had the presence of mind to stagger out of the parked car. Her key was in the lock, pulling the door open just as he made it to her side. She didn't seem to be surprised. He trailed his fingers down her back as they climbed the stairs to her floor. By the time they'd reached her apartment door he'd hooked his hands underneath the front of her coat and slid it off. Her nerve endings cried out as his hands stroked down her sides and the silky lining of the coat slid along sensitized skin. He stroked his way back up, resting his hands upon her shoulders, stroking and kneading, lifting the hair away from her back. She shivered when the cool air tickled the nape of her neck, shivered more when Jack's lips caressed the goosebumped skin. He licked and nibbled along the golden chain of her cross, pulling her body in close to his so that her back was pressed tightly against his chest. His mouth roamed to the side of her neck, and then he nuzzled his way up to her ear, biting the fleshy lobe, his arm clamping her tightly against him as she shivered with reaction. He concentrated on her jaw next. Sliding along the fine bone contour, reveling in the softness and scent of her skin. His free hand caressed her other cheek, exerting gentle pressure so that she had no choice but to turn her head and when she did he caught her lips with his.

With a muffled cry she twisted in his arms seeking deeper contact, running her hands along his shoulders and down his chest, her fingers clutched at his shirt, hanging on for dear life as she lost herself in his arms. Somehow he managed to open the door to her apartment and haul her inside. He kicked the door closed behind him and lent against the wall, pulling her into his arms. Lovingly, he looked into her eyes. "That," he explained, "was a goodnight kiss and why it can't be done properly in the street."

Sue leant against him weakly, her head still swimming. She rested her cheek against his chest. "Jack -- my coat is still out there."

"Lucy can bring it in," Jack said with an unconcerned shrug, fluidly flipping their positions so that he had her trapped against the wall.

"Jack -- what will she think?" Sue exclaimed in growing mortification.

"She'll think I'm a such a good kisser you lost your head and started peeling off your clothes," he teased before placing his mouth against hers again. His tongue swept into the moist heat of her mouth, coaxing a response as she eagerly complied.

It was some time later when she managed to mumble, "Jack -- this is getting worse instead of better."

He looked wounded. "You think I'm slacking off in my kissing technique?"

Sue jabbed him lightly in the ribs with her elbow. "Seriously. Every time you touch me I want more. When you kiss me I can't think straight. I just want...us...together like this forever."

He looked pleased with himself. "And that's bad because..."

Sue's eyes clouded over in confusion. "Because this is so sudden..."

"Three years?" Jack asked incredulously.

"Well, not the friendship part -- the...the..." Sue floundered.

"The lover part?" Jack supplied helpfully.

Sue nodded.

Jack groaned, releasing his hold on her and letting her slip away from his arms. He followed her into the living room and sat down next to her.

"I love you, you know that, right?" He suddenly wanted to clarify his feelings. He never wanted her to think that his desire for her was stronger than his love for her. "It's natural to want to express that love this way," he watched her shiver as he ran a finger lightly down her cheek and neck. "But I don't want you to think that passion will ever take over what's in here." He picked up her hand and pressed it against his heart. "It's just so easy to get carried away -- acting out what I've finally allowed myself to acknowledge. I love you, Sue and I want to show you how much but I’ll admit, it amazes me how quickly we go up in flames. I’ve never felt like this before.”

“I don’t think I could have imagined this in my wildest dreams…and I’ve had a lot of those about you over the years…” Sue confessed.

“You have wild dreams about me?” Jack asked with obvious delight. He cupped her face in his hands, stroking her cheekbones with his thumbs. Kissing the tip of her nose he added, “Maybe we should do a little role playing here. You tell me a dream and I’ll act it out for you.”

She couldn’t look away from his heated eyes. They were an intoxicating blend of teasing playfulness and hot desire and she could have so easily capitulated, throwing herself into his arms and forgetting everything else. Thankfully Lucy would be returning soon.

“I’m afraid that my dreams are very pale shadows of what of you can really do to my senses. Even touching you is a new experience to me.” She emphasized her words by reaching out and tracing his lips with her finger, her eyes following the movement hungrily.

Jack bowed his head, his lips caressing the soft strands of her hair as he fought for control. He wasn’t sure why he had gotten so out of hand – why he couldn’t seem to put the reins on when it was necessary. He could only assume that the day’s events had affected him more profoundly then he thought. He had lost Sue today, completely, for a short time and been made aware of how barren his life would be without her. He had no intention of losing her again. Ever. Groaning, he pulled back and looked apologetically into her eyes.

“Believe me when I say I would never want to push you into anything you aren’t ready for. I want to believe that I could stop but truthfully I’m not certain that’s possible with you in my arms. So, I suppose we should set up some boundaries for safekeeping…or you could just marry me.”

Sue’s eyes reflected her surprise and confusion.

Jack shook her playfully. “This is the part where you say, ‘Yes Jack I will marry you’ and then I get to kiss you again.”

“Do you know what you are saying?” Sue finally gasped.

“I believe it was a yes or no answer, Sue,” Jack said with slight smile.





“Yes, but…”

He kissed her swiftly. “No room for buts,” he told her sternly, then lowered his mouth again. Heat poured through her to him and he was consumed with the need to kiss her over and over again because it wasn’t ever going to be enough. His jacket slithered to the floor followed shortly by his tie.

Sue shivered as his lips scorched a fiery trail down her neck and along her collarbone. His hand worked its way beneath her t-shirt, his fingers splaying across her midriff, his fingers tracing the curve of her slender ribcage. He pushed her back against the cushions, covering her body with his own as his lips returned to hers. It would be so easy to loose himself in the pleasures her body could bring. He was confident that he could kiss away any doubts or fears she might raise. He had the experience and he would enjoy discovering her secret pleasure points. His fingers brushed against the underside of her breast and he shuddered at the thought of only the thin lace that separated her from his touch. Her mouth was open and welcoming beneath his, her back arching as he stroked her belly. It would be so easy to simply…

“Eloping sounds good.” Somehow he convinced his hand to retreat.

Sue’s head was spinning, her senses out of control and she was slow in assimilating the words he spoke. She kept looking at his lips and remembering the taste of them and that distracted her. She wondered if she would ever be able to read a word he said again.

“Tonight.” He grinned. That got her attention.

“Jack…”

“Ah, here comes the voice of reason,” Jack said mournfully. “Did I tell you I love you recently?”

Sue nodded. “Very recently.”

“Did I show you how much I love you recently?” He was leering playfully at her.

“I…think so.”

“Just think?” Jack frowned with concern. “We can’t have you doubting the depth of my feelings now, can we?” He bent over her again but his efforts were thwarted when her hand reached up and pushed him back. Somehow she managed to scoot out from under him and sat primly on the far end of the sofa.

“Are you thinking with more than your…” she blushed to the roots of her hair.

“Finish that thought, sweetheart,” Jack said encouragingly.

“Jack!” she snubbed her nose at him and glanced down at her hands clasped nervously in her lap. She didn’t trust herself not to reach out and pull him back; her knuckles were white with the pressure of keeping her hands curled in her lap. “Yesterday I thought I’d be going away forever. I thought I’d hardly ever see you again…was certain that was for the best. But now…now I can’t imagine spending a day without you and I want…but are we just reacting to…the physical side of this new relationship? I mean, you don’t know what it would be like to live with me…and honestly you haven’t lived with a woman before…at least I don’t think you have…” she trailed off looking up at him uncertainly.

He forced her clenched hands apart, soothing them with light strokes of his fingers. “I’ve never lived with a woman before,” he assured her. “And there will obviously be some adjustments and I’ll understand if you feel we need to make those adjustments gradually before we get married. I’m voting for a whirlwind courtship that lasts about oh – a day, but if you want the long engagement and the big church wedding, I’m willing to go along with that. Just agree to wear my ring…” He scrounged around the floor for his jacket and pulled something out of his inside pocket.

Sue’s eyes filled with tears when she saw the ring he held with trembling fingers. He suddenly looked so nervous and unsure of himself.

“I…I bought this the day you told us you were going to New York. I don’t know why I finally got around to acting on that day. I'd been thinking about you and marriage for quite a while. I think the shock of your announcement propelled me forward. I found it in a boutique. It’s one of a kind, unique and special. Just like you. The jeweler also made wedding bands that match…if you like it and the setting, that is. And I wasn’t sure of your size, but since this was the only one anyway it didn’t really matter. I thought that if it fit it would be a cosmic sign or something,” he looked sheepish and ill at ease suddenly. “Anyway, I…this was what I was going to show you yesterday morning before Myles interrupted us and I was going to ask you to consider the possibility that you might be able to come to think of me as…well husband material. I was going to woo you long distance, transfer up if things went the way I hoped…that’s what I meant about not wanting to stand in the way of your promotion. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Sue. We can go as slow or as fast as you want…” His lips stilled when she placed her fingers on his mouth.

“You talk too much,” she told him softly. “Aren’t you going to see if it fits?” She held her hand out in front of him and was moved to tears when she felt the tremor in his fingers as he hesitantly navigated the ring onto her finger. She held her breath and her eyes overflowed as the ring slid easily into place. A perfect fit. “I guess that’s your sign, huh?” she asked. “Jack, I love you and I don’t want to wait to start our life together. We’ve waited far too long as it is…but you need to know I’m scared. About a lot of things. Living together with you…that you’ll be disappointed in me somehow. That I won’t be any good at…” Her cheeks were so hot she was surprised that steam didn’t rise from the tears that coursed down them. “I know it’s all my own insecurities, but I just want everything to be perfect for you.”

“It’s perfect for me already, because I have you,” he assured her, tracing the ring nestled on her finger with something akin to awe. “It won’t always be easy and I’m the one more likely to disappoint you a time or two, but never doubt that I love you and I want what’s best for both of us.”

“Then…I want it all now. As soon as possible. I don’t think I can wait through a long engagement and it would be next to impossible planning a wedding with both our parents in different states. And dealing with my mom and wedding arrangements,” Sue looked shell-shocked at the idea. “I know I’m her only daughter, but my brothers have all had big weddings that took years to plan. I know I couldn’t wait that long. I like the idea of eloping, Jack.”

He thought it would be easier not loose himself in her with the promise of a wedding so close in their future, but somehow it made everything harder. She was a temptation he was finding impossible to resist and there was a primitive need in him to claim her as his. He reluctantly drew away.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” he warned, his gaze warm and reassuring upon her upturned face, “but I want to spend the night with you.” He smiled at her look of shock. “Not that way…though I wouldn’t mind if you…” she slapped his arm and he laughed, hugging her briefly to his chest. “Call me overly protective if you want to, but I’m still uneasy after today. I feel that I can’t risk letting you out of my sight for any length of time. Too much has happened. Too many good things are about to happen and I don’t want to take any chances. Let me stay here tonight. I’ll sleep on the couch,” he added hurriedly as he saw the doubt chasing across her mind.

“But you’re tired, Jack,” Sue protested. “And you told me you were up most of last night. You need your rest and the couch isn’t that comfortable.”

“I won’t sleep at all if I go home,” he wheedled, his eyes haunting her with their look of desperation. It was endearing, this need he had to protect.

“All right,” Sue agreed. “if Lucy says…”

“You know Lucy will be over the moon. She’ll probably lock us both in your bedroom!” Jack teased. He bent and kissed her one more time, his lips lingering softly, conveying with their gentleness how much he valued her love. It was a bittersweet moment for Sue and she didn’t know why. “I’ll just go down to the car and pick up my overnight bag…and no I had no idea this morning when I left the house that I would be spending the night with you, but I always carry a change of clothes and extra toiletries…you know that.”

“I know,” Sue agreed and though she was reluctant to have his arms let her go, she stood up and he did the same.

“I’ll be so fast you won’t even miss me,” Jack vowed.

“Oh Jack, I’m already missing the warmth of your body,” Sue told him truthfully.

His eyes darkened, his intent clearly manifested in their depths and she flung her arms around his neck, meeting him half way. Their lips fused and they went up in flames again. He had her in his arms, ready to carry her into her bedroom when reason surfaced.

Her whole body jolted as her feet hit the floor and she opened her eyes in confusion. “We can get married in Virginia tomorrow,” Jack whispered before slipping out of her arms and heading for the door. “I’ll be right back. You might want to make sure you’re locked and bolted in your bedroom before I return.” He was joking, at least he thought he was.

Loping down the stairs at a break neck speed he didn’t notice the figure in the shadows.

He materialized out of the darkness and made his way to the apartment door. It was closed and locked, but easily swung open with a flick of his hand.

Sue felt the rush of cold air and turned towards the door. The apartment hallway was always colder then the apartments themselves. Her landlord believed in applying cost saving measures wherever he could. Shivering at the chill that seemed to invade her bones, she hastened to the foyer. Jack was really in a state if he had neglected to close and lock the door. He was always such a stickler for security. Smiling at the thought of how she affected him, Sue moved to shut the door, surprised when something solid stuck in the way.

“Jack? I thought you were going to your car…”

Sue instinctively stepped away from the door and Jack walked into the apartment. She kept walking backwards feeling unaccountably nervous but she didn’t know why. She smiled apologetically at him which was silly, because he had no idea what was going through her mind and therefore would not expect an apology of any sort. But he seemed…different somehow. Brooding, his brow knitted in a frown, his face a sullen mask. It was Jack but not like she had ever seen him before. Her hand leapt to her throat and she stared at him stricken. “Jack is something wrong?”

He blinked, the tension in his face visibly draining away to be replaced by a bland smile…also not quite like Jack’s. “Just missing you my darling. I couldn’t stand to be parted with you so I came back.”

She stood her ground as he walked towards her. She couldn’t very well cower away from him. This was Jack – the man she loved. The man who loved her more than anything else in the world. He reached out his hand and cupped her cheek and she started violently as a shiver of distaste shuddered through her. She looked at him in confusion. How could she feel repulsed by the man she had secretly been yearning for all these years?

His finger traced the contours of her face. He acted almost absent-mindedly, as if his thoughts were elsewhere and yet there was a predatory glint in his eyes as his face lowered to hers. He was going to kiss her and she had the almost uncontrollable urge to duck and run. His lips hovered over hers and just before he kissed her he murmured, “You have incredible cheekbones…”





“I hope someone in this room has good news to impart,” Captain Picard glared at each of his officers in turn as if they were directly responsible for the predicament the Enterprise was in.

“Wes has responded well to treatment and is going to be fine,” Dr. Crusher volunteered, the smile of a relieved mother on her face.

“Sir, Wesley was minimally exposed to the dangerous emissions. One can only speculate how ill Agent Williams will become…” Commander Data put in.

“We have her locked on our sensors, but she’s not alone. There are two other human males in her direct vicinity, one very close to her. An extraction would not go unnoticed,” Lt. Worf warned.

“Beverly, how long do we have before this agent’s life is in danger?” Picard asked impatiently.

“Less than 24 hours, sir.”

“So in your opinion is it safe to wait to implement our original extraction plan?” Picard pursued.

“Safe, perhaps. Not necessarily wise,” Dr. Crusher said cautiously.

Picard rubbed his hand wearily over his eyes and fixed his stare on his first officer next. “Commander Riker, report.”

“We haven’t been able to ascertain a definite link, sir. The only way we can verify that Miss Thomas is an ancestor of yours would be through DNA testing.”

“I could beam down with the away team tomorrow, captain and obtain it. We’d have a positive answer within seconds,” Dr. Crusher assured him.

Captain Picard nodded his consent. “Any news regarding Q?”

“None sir, but it wasn’t expected. As you know, Q is a law unto himself,” Data observed.

“Still…where is he? What’s he up to? It isn’t like him to leave us alone for very long when we’ve become caught under his radar. And yet two brief visits are all we’ve had. I don’t mind telling you, it makes me nervous – wondering what he’s planning.”

“Captain, while we have been unsuccessful in tracing your own family history before the 22nd century, we were successful in tracing Miss Thomas’ a few generations due to the fact that her progeny kept excellent records. Many people fail to realize how important personal journals can be in genealogical research…”

“The point, Mr. Data.”

“The point sir is that Miss Thomas marries a Jackson Samuel Hudson on tomorrow’s earth date and nine months later gives birth to a son whom they name John Lucas Hudson. Sir, did you not mention that there is a Jean Luc in every generation of Picards?”

The captain nodded.

“Well every generation in the Hudson family has a John Lucas until the records diminish at the end of the 21st century. John Lucas is the anglicized version of Jean Luc which seems more than coincidental given Q’s interest in Miss Thomas and in you, sir.”

“We need more than coincidence and conjecture Mr. Data.”

“Yes sir, but it helps to have an acting hypothesis.”

“Agreed – for all the good it will do us.” Picard stood up. “We’ll meet again at 0600 hours. Dismissed. ” He turned his back on the room, staring pensively out into space as his officers filed out. All but Beverly. Sensing her presence, he swivelled around and fixed her with his most imposing glare.

“Doctor?”

“You’re troubled.” She said it almost apologetically.

A wry smile creased his face. “And why shouldn’t I be given the delicate balance that so many lives hang upon? We can completely change earth’s history with a single blunder.”

“It goes deeper than that,” she refused to let him get off so easily.

Picard sighed.

“Jean Luc it would help if you talked about it.”

“Now you’re sounding like Lt. Troi. If I need a counselor, Beverly, I’ll confide in the federation appointed one.”

“But if you need a friend, Jean Luc, I’m here,” she replied simply, coming to stand beside him. “I need a reading, Captain, for the DNA match.”

“Go ahead; perform your witch doctor ritual.” He stood still as she waved her medical tricorder along his chest.

Beverly pursed her lips disapprovingly at his stiff stance. She performed her medical duties proficiently and was nearly out the door when his voice froze her in her tracks.

“You didn’t meet her. A remarkable woman who has fought all the odds to carve herself out a niche in her society. You’d like her. A self-possessed, proficient young woman. She’s Deaf, Beverly. There are no fancy medical procedures to change that. But she’s a vital, functioning member of her team. You could see the zest for life in her eyes…”

“Jean Luc, your medical history indicates a congenital sensorineural disorder at birth. That’s hereditary.”

“And I’d be Deaf too if I had been born in the 20th century,” Picard agreed. “Beverly, if this young woman is indeed my many times over great grandmother than it’s because of me that Q’s interest has suddenly been sparked in her. And to what purpose?” He looked at her bleakly.

“You can’t blame yourself!” Beverly protested. “Jean Luc there’s no rhyme or reason in what Q decides to do. He operates on whim – out of boredom and he’s become obsessed with the human race. If not you then it would have been someone else.”

“But it appears likely that someone else doesn’t have an ancestor named Sue Thomas.”





Acting purely on instinct, Sue twisted and lunged for the sofa, placing herself between it and Jack.

“Playing the coquette?” Jack murmured indulgently. “That might be fun.”

“Jack…I thought you needed to get your change of clothes from the car,” Sue said desperately feeling the tremor in her voice even though she couldn’t hear it.

“I have a feeling I won’t be needing any clothes. And either, my dear, will you.” He moved with incredible speed, joining her behind the couch, his arms holding her painfully still as he lowered his head once more. “This time you won’t get away. We have a schedule to keep, my dear. A destiny to fulfill. No time to waste, I’m afraid.”



Jack couldn’t understand how he could have locked his keys inside his car, but there they were stuck in the ignition. All four doors securely locked. He didn’t even remember unlocking the doors. He only needed to access the trunk. He scratched his head, smiling ruefully at his absent-mindedness. Sue really had him tied up in knots.

“Hey, Levi, wait up!” Lucy laughed as the golden retriever bounded up to Jack, ecstatically greeting him with a joyfully wagging tail and wiggling bum.

Jack laughed too. “Say knucklehead, you know how to break into a locked car?”

“Who are you calling a knucklehead?” Lucy teased. “I don’t think Levi left your keys in there, did you boy?”

“Woof!”

“Say, Jack, I know how to jimmy the lock. Bobby taught me one day in the parking garage at work. We spent a lunch hour breaking into the cars on level D. It was half an hour before security caught on,” Lucy said cheerfully.

“I’m glad I didn’t hear about that one. I would have had to write Bobby up for sure.”

“Well, it’s going to come in handy now. Wait right here and I’ll run up and get a coat hanger. Don’t move. C’mon Levi, race you!”

The dog won – pulling so hard on the leash that Lucy was forced to drop it in order to stay on her feet. She dashed after him, grabbing a wire clothes hanger from the hall closet. “Tell Sue I’ll just be a minute, Levi,” she shouted running back out the door and down the stairs.



The more she struggled the harder his grip became. “Jack you’re hurting me!” She fought in earnest, but it was futile. He was immovable, her success limited to only be able to avoid his insistently seeking lips.

“From coquette to tease in a heart beat…who would have thought you had it in you, Suzy?”

She couldn’t hear Levi’s frantic barks, but her captor did. He cursed and turned, releasing her to deal with the interfering canine once and for all. Levi flew over the couch, lips curled back, teeth bared and hurled himself at Sue’s assailant, his teeth making contact with tender flesh.

Jack’s face contorted with rage and he pushed Sue aside, lunging for the dog. She stumbled and fell, landing painfully hard on her hip. She sat up quickly and scanned the now empty apartment. Levi nuzzled her, whimpering his concern as he licked her face.

“What just happened here?” she asked shakily, holding onto Levi as she staggered to her feet. “That wasn’t Jack, was it boy?” She grabbed the dog's leash and headed for the door. “Come on, let’s go find the real Jack.”

By the time she made it to the first floor landing, Sue had only vague memories of what had just happened in her apartment. She opened the front door and stood on the steps, staring out at the street uncertainly. Levi nudged her encouragingly and she looked down, surprised to find his leash wrapped tightly around her wrist.

“Sue?” Jack’s call of concern had Levi leaping to get her attention.

Jack read the confusion in her eyes and ran quickly to your side. “Just couldn’t stand having me out of your sight, eh?” he teased lightly while his eyes scanned her carefully. She looked…fragile.

“I…I…think I was going to take Levi for a walk…but I forgot my coat,” Sue said uncertainly, shivering in the cool night air. She looked blankly up at Jack.

His heart sank as he watched her grapple for her bearings. Her face glowed palely in the dim light of the street lamps. She looked haunted and he began to worry that he’d placed too much pressure on her and their burgeoning relationship.

“Hey, you must have dozed off upstairs and you’re all disoriented,” he suggested kindly. “Lucy just came back from walking Levi. You wake her up buddy?” Levi’s tail wagged as his body circled around Sue’s legs, trying to push her back into the building. “Yeah, you have the right idea. Let’s get you into bed…” he laughed at the way it came out, grateful that Lucy wasn’t in earshot. “I mean you need to get some sleep. We all do…” he turned his attention back to Lucy oh was crowing triumphantly and doing what looked like a chicken dance around his car.

“I’m sooo goooood. Sooooo goooood,” she chanted, dangling his keys high in the air.

“Lock it and let’s get upstairs,” Jack ordered, “and I owe you, but don’t let Bobby know that, okay?”

“First thing I’ll tell him tomorrow morning,” Lucy chuckled joining them at the door. “What are we waiting for? It’s cold out here…hey wait a minute, why are you coming upstairs?”

“I’m spending the night,” Jack said indicating the sports bag he carried in the hand that wasn’t wrapped around Sue.

“Whoa…that was fast…” Lucy couldn’t hide her shock, but her mind was racing. Wouldn’t Myles love this new development on the Hudson/Thomas front? She wondered if he would still be up.

“He’s not spending the night night…just spending the night…” Sue looked even more confused.

“Whoa, you have it bad girl, you sound just like Tara when Bobby’s giving her a hard time…” Lucy teased.

Jack hustled Sue inside, Levi eagerly positioning himself on her other side. “I’m sleeping on your couch, Luce, if that’s okay with you. After the mishaps of the day I’d just feel better if I’m here to keep an eye on things.”

“Fine by me, Jack,” Lucy said easily, “though, it might be easier to keep an eye on certain things if you slept in Sue’s bedroom.” She breezed past the two of them and entered the apartment first, tripping over Sue’s coat in the apartment. She grinned, “Didn’t know we had a coat hook out here in the hallway.”

The veiled innuendos sailed right over Sue’s head and Jack supported her weight worriedly. He gave up finally, swinging her into his arms and carrying her past an astonished Lucy directly into Sue’s bedroom. Depositing her on the bed he held her down by pushing lightly on her midriff. She didn’t have much energy to fight him off and slumped back against the cushions listlessly.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she protested feebly.

“Fatigue. Stress – even good stress and I hope you had more of that than the other kind today – can wear you down,” Jack made sure she could see him as he reached down her leg and tugged at the zipper of her dress boot. His hand slid inside, closing around her calf, massaging gently as he slid the boot from her foot. His fingers circled her ankle, smoothed along her heel and tickled her arch.

Sue gasped. “Jack, what are you doing?”

“Undressing you.”

Funny how this felt so right when just moments ago it had all felt so terribly wrong. She frowned. What happened again? She knew she should remember something. She wanted to tell Jack that…

He dropped the second boot next to its mate and hesitated fractionally drinking in the sight of Sue sprawled across the bed. Her eyes were closed and he suspected that if she wasn’t asleep yet, she soon would be. And it would be uncomfortable for her to sleep in her dress pants…and bad for the material. She’d probably have to dry clean them if he didn’t remove them and fold them neatly. So it was with the most altruistic of intentions that his fingers closed over the fastenings at her waist.

“Jack?” Lucy stood hesitantly in the doorway.

He sighed, straightening up. “Go to bed Lucy, that’s an order. I can’t have my communications officer falling asleep on the job. I’m just tucking her into bed. She’s already conked out. I have no intention of taking advantage of her…”

“I know that Jack. I just wanted to tell you that I left a pillow and some blankets on the sofa, but you’ll have to hurry to beat Levi to it. He was nosing around and pawing the blankets into a nest. You’d be much more comfortable in Sue’s bed.”

Jack groaned. Would he? “Don’t tempt me.”

“I think that’s Sue’s department,” Lucy replied with a smile. “And Jack?”

“Hmmm?”

“I’m glad that it’s all working out. You’re good for her. I’ve always known that. It’s like cosmic destiny or something.”

“Now you’re sounding like Tara,” Jack accused. “Good night, Luce, and leave the door open.”

“Ah, Jack, I trust you,” she objected.

“But I don’t trust me.” Door open. You. Sleep. He signed to her.

Turning back he surveyed the sleeping woman on the bed. Resuming his task, he tried for the detached bedside manner of a doctor as he slid the zipper down and eased the trousers off her hips. It was the first time he’d seen her stomach, the molded contours of her flat belly beckoning to him. She was firm and trim and breathtaking. He tried looking to one side as he practically yanked the pants down her thighs but the dark discoloration of a developing bruise caught his eye. It covered an area of her hip the size of his fist. She had to have gotten that recently and he frowned realizing that they still didn’t know what had really happened to Sue today. He tentatively reached out his hand and softly felt her damaged flesh. She winced in her sleep and tossed restlessly. He quickly withdrew and finished pulling off her pants and socks. He figured the t-shirt would be comfortable enough to sleep in and frankly he didn’t trust himself to go further anyway. It took a bit of effort to lift her body off the blankets and settle her back down underneath them. In the shifting process her arms curled around his neck and stayed there.

“Don’t go,” she whispered stretching up to nuzzle his neck.

Her eyes were still closed and she was barely awake. He couldn’t reason with her now, and he didn’t want to. Slipping off his own shoes he crawled into bed beside her pulling her back flush against his chest. He cradled one arm across the pillow and around her head gently stroking her hair in a soothing rhythm. She smiled and nestled closer, instinctively seeking the heat of his body. Jack closed his eyes and counted to ten and then snaked out his other arm so that it was wrapped around her, his hand resting gently on her bare abdomen. He skin was impossible soft and he willed his fingers not to stray. Breathing deeply he closed his eyes and counted. In and out. In and out, willing his body to relax and go join her in sleep.





She went from deep sleep to wakefulness in a single heartbeat. Eyes flying open Tara looked up at the face of Bobby Manning, thankfully in sleepy repose. What was she doing here? What was he doing here? Her sleep-fogged brain slowly cleared enough to remember as far back as fighting to keep her eyes open to watch the Enterprise vanquish Q once again. She hadn’t won the battle and now here she was…oh my goodness with my head in Bobby’s lap! The pillow had slipped and her cheek was pressed against his thigh. Tara gulped and lifted her head cautiously. His arm lay heavy across her upper body, making her first hope of sliding away undetected impossible.

“Well there’s worse places to be trapped,” she muttered to herself resting her head back onto his lap. She eyed him surreptitiously through veiled lashes. “Bobby?” she whispered hesitantly, breathing a sigh of relief when he didn’t stir. “Thank goodness he’s a deep sleeper. All I need is for him to wake up and find me…” Tara gave a hushed little whimper. It feels good…maybe too good. How many times have I had this dream or a version thereof? Unfortunately she was so worried about Bobby waking up she couldn’t enjoy the novelty of her situation. “This is the stuff dreams are made of and I’m too scared too breathe,” she fumed, turning her body slightly so instead of facing him she was lying on her back. Her breath exhaled in a long “No!” Her movement had caused his arm to shift across her chest so that his hand now cupped her left breast.

He felt the furious thundering of her heart beating against his palm beneath the warm soft flesh his hand now covered. Stifling a groan he schooled his features to continue to appear to be asleep. If she was embarrassed before, she’d be mortified now. He wondered how long he could safely wait before faking a sleepy stretch and lifting his arm off of her completely? The rapid beating of her accelerated heart tapped out a rhythm of panic into his hand. He tried to concentrate on that and not the burgeoning warmth that set his fingers tingling. He wanted nothing more than to open his palm, caress her gently, tease her lightly, bend over and…

“Don’t wake up, don’t you dare wake up Bobby Manning. Not now,” her hushed litany thankfully brought him back to reality. Poor little sheila was beside herself while he was entertaining lewd thoughts. He berated himself severely and feigned a snore, shifting his body slightly so his hand fell away from paradise.

“Thank you God,” Tara whispered a heartfelt prayer and Bobby felt a pang of disappointment at her obvious relief.

He continued playing possum, steeling himself against the sensations her nervous movements created in him. He felt the sweet weight of her head lift from his lap, nearly going through the roof when her hand closed over his upper thigh as she struggled to sit up.

“Oops,” Tara exclaimed in embarrassment. In her haste to lift her hand away she lost her balance and landed on the floor with a thud.

Good time as any to wake up, Bobby thought with a grin. He peered over at Tara. “You okay, luv? Did I push you off the couch in my sleep?” He asked innocently.

Tara raised her tousled head to look at him, her cheeks flaming. Thank goodness he doesn’t know what really happened. She smiled brightly. “Uh…not, I just rolled over and ended up here. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“No worries,” Bobby responded affably, stretching his stiff limbs. “I was getting a crick in my neck anyways.”

Tara came up on her knees in front of him her eyes full of concern. “You do? Here let me help. Sue’s showed me some of her techniques.” Leaning forward so that her stomach pressed against his legs, she reached up and began to massage his neck eliciting the most amazing sensations of pulsing pleasure.

Bobby moaned in appreciation. “Lucky Jack,” he muttered.

“Huh?” Tara asked, perplexed.

“If Sue can do this…he’s a lucky man,” he didn’t bother to bite back another groan as Tara’s fingers found a particularly tense muscle.

“It’s easy to learn, anyone can do it. Sue could show you how then you could do it for Darcy…” Tara’s nervous chatter ended abruptly as she realized what she said. “Oh Bobby, I’m so sorry. I did it again. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories. I’m not thinking clearly at all. My head still feels a bit fuzzy, but that’s no excuse. You must think that I’m awful!”

“Awfully wonderfully,” Bobby agreed as Tara’s gentle fingers stroked away the stiffness in his neck. “Don’t worry about it, luv. Darcy’s history. I don't even think about her anymore.” I’m too busy thinking about you.

“That’s good…well it’s not good because you broke up but good that it hasn’t affected you as badly…”

“Can you show me how to do that?” Bobby asked suddenly, stilling her wayward tongue again.

“Uh…yeah, sure. I think so. Though Sue would be better at…” she gasped as Bobby’s large hand encircled her neck.

“So, how do I start?” He hoped his gravelly voice could be attributed to sleepiness.

“Um… you kind of feel around for the tender spot…” her voice ended in a squeak as his fingers began exploring her neck.

“Like this?”

“Uh – huh,” it came out as a breathy sigh that twisted his gut.

He stroked his fingers along the column of her neck, gently putting pressure along the curves at her shoulder. “It feels pretty tight here, now what?”

Now I slither into a pool of melted goo, Tara thought, thankfully unable to make her lips and tongue form a coherent word.

“Do I knead it like this?” Bobby’s head ducked closer to hers as his fingers expertly eased the tension along her muscles. “Or do I try a more gentle approach, like this?” His fingers lightly teased the sensitive flesh sending shivers dancing through her body.

“Um…um…”

He watched her come unravelled in his arms. She was leaning into him, her stomach pressing against his knees as she gravitated forward. Groaning, he shifted his legs and she practically tumbled between them. He adjusted his hold on her moving his hands to work on the back of her neck, his thumbs smoothing over her hairline. She was so fluid and hot, practically melting into him. It would be so easy to duck his head and tilt hers back and taste those tempting lips that had haunted his dreams since that kiss on the steps in front of her house.

A shudder rippled through her body as his fingers wove through her hair. She was perilously close to making the biggest mistake of her life. She’d already kissed him once but he had found her sadly lacking and she knew her fragile ego couldn’t stand another rejection. She felt like Cinderella cruelly yanked away from her fairy tale ending as she leapt to her feet breaking free from his arms and away from temptation. Overcome by a wave of dizziness, her head swam and she teetered precariously before Bobby caught her, his large body gently anchoring her. Her nerve endings buzzed to life at the feel of his hands holding on to her. He makes me feel so alive!


“Steady there, you all right?”

“Just stood up too fast,” Tara blinked up at him. “Bobby I see two of you.”

“Now there’s a frightening thought!” Myles goaded as he looked in on them. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“Yes!”

“No!”

Myles arched an eyebrow, hiding his smile behind an aloof façade. “I heard voices and was on the way to the kitchen to make some hot cocoa. Anyone care to join me?”

“I would!” Tara bolted from Bobby’s arms and staggered into Myles as another wave of dizziness swept over her.

Funny how Myles arms closing around her felt comfortingly secure. Her pulse steadied and she could catch her breath again. “Thanks Myles,” she smiled gratefully up at him and he gave her arm a reassuring squeeze before releasing her.

“Coming for a midnight snack, Bobby?” He called over his shoulder as he walked Tara down the hall.

Bobby glowered. “Interfering drongo,” he muttered stomping after them.

“You know what the trouble with humans is? They’re so capriciously predictable. It’s annoying and endearing at the same time."

Data showed no sign of surprise at Q’s appearance in his quarters. Unlike the rest of the starship’s crew his android body did not need to rest, though he liked to simulate human nocturnal habits as closely as possible. Clad in a satin smoking jacket he sat up in bed enjoying the discordant strains of a Romulan lullaby.

“Computer, intruder alert.”

Q waved his arms theatrically. “Don’t bother, you know it’s pointless. Whatever Q wants, Q gets…and I want Sue Thomas.”

“What business do you have with the 21st century woman?” Data asked, intent on discovering the reason behind Q’s sudden interest.

“Business?” Q chuckled knowingly leaping onto the bed next to Data and elbowing him. “Why, a business as old as time. The stuff immortality is made of.”

“But Q, you are already immortal.”

“True, but I’m bored,” Q pouted fretfully. “I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve become disenchanted with my existence since meeting your Captain Picard. He’s a renaissance man if ever there was one. He leads an exciting life, thwarting evil, wrestling with moral questions far too complicated for his limited brain capacity. He embraces life and defies the odds.” Q’s face took on a spellbound look.

“If you admire the man so much then why do you constantly plague him, sir?”

“Oh I never said I admired him. Intrigued by him perhaps. Cautiously hopeful at times, but admire isn’t the word I would choose. I’ve studied him for a long time now and determined him to be a worthy adversary and those are hard to come by. I should know, I make it my business to search the galaxies for them.”

“I am sure that Captain Picard would be flattered to know you find him so…” Data hesitated, unsure of the correct word for the situation.

“Rewarding…" Q supplied, "or I will. I look at your captain as a lump of clay – full of possibility but lacking one pertinent ingredient necessary to reach his potential. I intend to rectify that situation. And then I can enjoy my life’s work, watching posterity at play, under my divine tutelage of course,” Q rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. “Now, I’m anxious to get started. Tell me Mr. Data, what do you know of human mating rituals?”

“Sir?”

“Come, come, Data. Don’t be shy. I’ll admit, it’s a bit of a sensitive subject, but we’re grown men, we should be able to handle a little embarrassment.”

“I am not embarrassed, sir. It is impossible for me to be so. I have no emotion chip and therefore no feelings.” Data corrected.

“Yes. Yes. So you’ve said many times over. But you have made a very thorough study of those emotions. And I’m here to pick your data chips. I need information and I don’t have much time. 24 hours to be precise. Racing against the clock, humanity’s destiny hanging in the balance. It doesn’t get much better than this. So…mating rituals. Humans. 21st century.” Q looked at Data expectantly.





“She’s drifting off again,” Myles observed with mild amusement.

“Tara, luv, I think it’s time we got you to bed,” Bobby shook her shoulder gently and Tara tried to sit up straight in her chair but the effort was nearly too much for her.

“Bobby, there are two of you again and one of you is almost too much to handle. Two of you is overwhelming,” Tara told him solemnly around a yawn.

“Well there’s only one of you and she’s knackered,” Bobby said with a grin as he stood up and pulled Tara’s chair away from the kitchen table. She would have tumbled to the floor if Myles hadn’t caught her.

The two men exchanged worried glances before Myles tried tapping Tara’s cheek lightly. She hardly stirred. “This doesn’t look good,” he observed. “Does she always get this out of it when she has a migraine?”

“How should I know?” Bobby snapped, his worry and frustration at not being able to do anything constructive stirring up his anger.

“Calm down Koala Boy, she just needs some rest and she’s not going to get it properly down here. Move back so I can carry her up to bed,” Myles ordered.

Bobby stubbornly remained where he was. “If there’s any carrying to do, I’m her man,” he said mutinously.

Myles sighed in exasperation. Of all the times for the Aussie to do his 'Me Tarzan, you Jane' routine. But he still stored up every detail of the scene to play back to Lucy later and successfully hid his smile in Tara’s hair as he passed her over to Bobby. “She’s all yours,” he said with a flourish. “Follow me.”

Bobby felt a fierce sense of protectiveness overwhelm him. He wasn’t used to seeing Tara so poorly. He couldn’t remember her having so much as a cold in all the years he’d known her and here she was practically comatose with the after effects of a headache. It wasn’t natural.

Myles led him up the stairs to the spare bedroom. It was a nice room, fixed up to the hilt like something out of a magazine. Tara would like it if she opened her eyes long enough to see it. Much better than his bachelor pad mayhem, Bobby thought. Myles drew back the covers and Bobby gently settled Tara back against the pillows. He smoothed back her bangs to feel her forehead. “I don’t think she has a fever.”

“That’s not a very scientific way to determine that,” Myles said almost scornfully. “You should at least do the lip test.”

“Come again?”

“You kiss her forehead. You get a more accurate reading that way…at least that’s what my nanny always swore by when I was sick. Go on, try it.”

Bobby gave Myles a dubious look.

“Fine. I’ll do it,” Myles said in a resigned tone. He bent over Tara’s sleeping form, his lips pursed only to be roughly shoved aside by Bobby.

“Well – if you’re going to take her temperature, be thorough about it,” Myles admonished.

Bobby skimmed his lips over Tara’s forehead. It felt warm…at least he thought it did. He repeated the action. He definitely felt heat, but he couldn’t tell if it was coming from the woman in his arms or being generated by him. A third test had him convinced that she was burning up in an inferno of white hot flames. The fourth nearly blistered his lips.

“I’ll just leave you to perfect that technique, Manning. I’ll be down the hall if you need anything.” Myles was nearly out the door when he added, “Oh…you might want to spend the night close by…in case she requires assistance. If that’s too much bother I could stay. It’s a big bed and…”

“Get out.”

Myles could just make out the muffled words Bobby spoke against Tara’s forehead. He laughed openly as he made his way back to bed. Yes sir, he was going to have fun giving Lucy the play by play tomorrow.

Jean Luc Picard vigorously splashed cold water on his face. Bent over the basin, water dripping down his neck he blindly groped for a towel. The cold water had partially revitalized him, but his head still felt dull from his near sleepless night.

“Tsk. Tsk. Jean Luc you look positively haggard this morning!” An unfamiliar voice said mockingly. “Whereas I – why I feel like a new man!”

Picard looked into the mirror and saw the reflection of handsome man peering over his shoulder. With a trim but muscular physique, the man was slight of stature, just a bit taller than the captain himself. He looked like Jack Hudson but Picard knew better.

“Q!”

“Not today…I think I have the impersonation perfected, don’t you think? I’ll admit I was a bit rough around the edges yesterday, but under Data’s fine tutelage I’ve…”

“Commander Data to my quarters immediately,” Picard roared through his COM.

“Right away sir,” Data’s disembodied voice hung in the air between the captain and his intruder.

Picard’s eyes narrowed on the replica Jack Hudson, a sickening foreboding of doom settling in the pit of his stomach. “Q, whatever nefarious scheme you have up your sleeve this time…”

“You wound me el capetain. I am full of good intentions which are in your best interest this morning.”

“You never have good intentions, Q, and your narcissist temperament will never allow you to worry about anyone else but yourself…”

“Precisely, but this time it works in your favour. By the end of today you’re going to feel like a new man, Jean Luc. New blood rushing through your veins in a manner of speaking. There’ll be a new spring in your step and more clarity in your mind I’ll wager. And I have a feeling that you’ll hold me in higher esteem by this time tomorrow.” The face of Jack Hudson beamed at him.

Picard wracked his brain for the sketchy composite they had scraped together on the man. Team leader of one of the most elite teams in FBI history, Jack Hudson had led an exemplary life – married to Sue Thomas. A couple who were more than likely his many times over great grandparents.

“If you have a quarrel with me Q, take it up with me. Don’t go dragging innocent lives into your desire to seek revenge for whatever you think I have done.” Picard knew that it was pointless to argue – Q was an entity of his own but he had to try.

A melodic trill announced Data’s arrival.

“Enter,” Picard commanded and the door slid open on his voice command.

Q ignored the android’s presence and directed his comments to the captain. “Revenge? I’m not seeking revenge against you, Jean Luc.”

It was disconcerting to see Hudson’s features altered to display the almost sneering scorn.

“We’ve always had difficulty seeing eye to eye, haven’t we? It’s one of my biggest regrets and I blame myself for us getting off on the wrong foot. All that mix up at Farpoint Station. I’ve been able to put that behind me, but I see you haven’t been able to let go. The great goodwill ambassador for the Federation. The man who is known for his art of diplomacy; his artful words coveted by arbitrators all over the galaxy. You are held in high esteem Jean Luc for your moral standards and grounded decency. In my opinion it’s your worst failing,” Q sighed pitifully, shaking his head in disappointment. “And aren’t you the one fond of preaching how important it is to build bridges across breaches of misunderstanding? And that’s what I am, Jean Luc. Misunderstood. So, I’m building a bridge. Just a teensy cosmic alteration in the grand scheme of things. A tiny footbridge in the history of mankind, one that will unite us forever in…”

“He is planning on impersonating Jack Hudson, sir and impregnating Sue Hudson with their first child.” Data broke in. “I have spent a great deal of effort trying to dissuade him, but I fear my objections have merely intrigued him.”

“Poor Data, how could you possibly understand, without a heart beating passionately in your breast?” Q sympathized. “How can you imagine these stirrings that accompany the acceptance of this life form?” He looked at his hands, stretching out his arms to admire the bulging muscles in his upper arm. “An impeccable representation of the male of the species, wouldn’t you say, Captain, and I think I wear it well. Add a certain swarthy swagger, a bit of colour to the persona…”

Q draped his arm around Picard’s shoulder, staring off into space, his face wreathed with smiles. “Can’t you envision it, Jean Luc? The pure, moral and dare I say stodgy Thomas bloodlines enmeshed forever with the cunning brilliance I will bring to the union. I’m just going to borrow Sue for a while…just long enough to get the job done and then voila I’m certain you will be vastly pleased with the changes. Who knows – you might even end up taller…with some hair…” Q dusted off the captain’s bald head as if he were polishing it.



Jack eyed the hubbub in the bullpen absentmindedly. He was still trying to process what happened with Sue. Lucy caught his eye and gave him a sympathetic smile but she looked as unsettled as he felt.

There had been a wariness in Sue’s eyes when they woke up this morning. It wasn’t surprising, he supposed, given her inexperience and the fact that they had woken up wrapped around each other and in his sleepy state, waking up from a very realistic dream…His eyes strayed to hers and he sighed when she looked away first, her cheeks stained a dull red. He was used to her blushes, enjoyed coaxing the colour to her cheeks, but this time she looked uncomfortable instead of flustered and he was beginning to worry.

He had apologized for this morning, for the wayward hands that found their way beneath her t-shirt, for the way his lips had traveled the same path, for pressing her so close that she could feel…It was just that he had been dreaming of her and then he woke up and there she was, her warm body beneath his, his lips on her sweet flesh. He was half asleep and more than half aroused, but he had pulled back when he felt her stiffen, had stroked her hair soothingly, apologized profusely and then let her escape from the bed. He had watched her flee, frustrated and worried and they hadn’t had a moment alone since. Something was eating at her. Something beyond his adventuresome advances in bed this morning. He was worried about the deeper darkness that shadowed her eyes – eyes that she kept downcast to avoid looking at him. And since she wasn’t looking, he couldn’t ask her what was wrong. He had a sickening feeling that was the idea.

Taking a swig of coffee and grimacing at the tar-like taste of the home brew, he glanced back at his bride to be and determined that he wouldn’t let this fester any longer. He was through being the cautious guy that avoided dealing with his feelings…and hers. Dumping the murky contents of his cup into an unsuspecting potted palm, Jack discarded the Styrofoam and advanced on Sue purposefully.





Sue recognized the look in his eye – the one that fell into place just before he went into the interrogation room prepared to extract information. She could see that he was concerned, and maybe even a little bit hurt and she felt awful for being the cause of those negative feelings. But what was she supposed to say? Sorry, dear, I just spent a restless night having horrendous dreams about you as some lecherous, uncaring, overpowering…she shuddered at the bitter memories that she just couldn’t shake. Looking up just in time to catch Jack’s eye, she quickly looked away again, too uncomfortable with the feelings of guilt that flooded through her.

How could she have those thoughts about Jack – even subconsciously? Because that’s what they had to be, fears she had buried so deeply that they had never surfaced before until their relationship had change. She had been more intimate with Jack than she had with any other man and there were still unknowns that had to be faced. Tonight. The nerves that settled in her stomach weren’t the anticipatory ones. No, she was terrified, completely and utterly. Why couldn’t she get the memories of those wretched dreams out of her mind? Why couldn’t she remember how delicious it felt to be cuddled next to Jack’s body this morning? How his hands had stirred feelings inside her that both excited and scared her?

Yesterday, she felt secure in trusting her initiation into all aspects of marital bliss to Jack. This morning the thought practically nauseated her. And she was too raw, too ill at ease to be able to hide that from him.

She panicked when she noticed him drawing closer. She didn’t want to hurt him and she could…perhaps irreparably, for Jack valued his sense of chivalry above all else. Looking for an avenue of escape, an excuse to be anywhere but there in the bullpen, she noticed two women enter, searching the office hubbub for someone. Lucy rushed over to them, embracing the dark haired woman, grinning and talking a mile a minute. Their IDs identified them as Bureau employees but Sue had never seen them before. Perhaps they were from the temp rotor division. In any case, Lucy wouldn’t be any help rescuing her from a purposeful Jack.

“You’re looking pensive. Is anything wrong?” Trust him to suddenly embrace the direct approach in a relationship. No more chance encounters for him.

“I’m a little on edge,” Sue admitted. There, that’s the truth and can cover a multitude of reasons without explaining a single one.

“On edge personally or on edge professionally?” Jack looked at her directly, his unguarded gaze showing her the depth of his feeling…and just a little of his confusion.

Sue sighed. He wasn’t going to give up and go away.

“A bit of both, I guess,” she finally admitted.

“What can I do to help?”

The question caught her off guard. She had expected him to goad the details out of her or to lecture her about the futility of avoiding him or to withdraw in hurt and confusion. She hadn't expected acceptance and an offer of assistance.

Jack smiled down reassuringly at her. At least he hoped it looked that way and not like he had a frozen smile pasted on his lips. He felt stiff and unsure and the desire to turn tail and bolt was almost overwhelming. He wasn’t sure he was ready to face the monumental thing – whatever it was – that was haunting her.

Sue looked around the active office area and shrugged apologetically. “It’s not exactly the place to have a discussion.”

Discussion. His heart sank at the word. This didn’t look good but he knew he couldn’t let it slide as he had countless other times in their three year almost-relationship. Yesterday had changed that for him and he had to believe it was a positive change. He wasn’t going to let things slide and he wasn’t going to let her either.

“C’mon.” He grabbed her hand and headed into the hallway, ducking into D’s empty office. “You’ll have your office back in five,” he called to D who had just arrived with Tanya in tow. He didn’t wait for permission but closed the door firmly and turned around to confront Sue. “So?” he prompted softly.

There was warmth in his eyes. It was the first thing she noticed when she allowed herself to stop panicking and really look at him. His eyes were impossible. After three years they still sent her stomach into somersaults when he looked at her that way. With love and friendship and something so much deeper, like they were connecting on a completely different level. She relaxed under his gaze, basking in the warmth that penetrated her body the way the sun’s rays warmed her on a chilly day. The knot of tension that had the base of her neck in spasms eased just a fraction. His patience was endearing. He wasn’t filling up the silence with meaningless chatter or punctuating it with repeated questions. He was giving her space and time within the radius of the warmth of his love and she began to relax.

“It’s silly, really,” she confided with more than a little embarrassment.

“If you’re feeling it – whatever it is – and it’s making you nervous or stressing you in any way then it’s not silly,” Jack rebuked gently. “Sue, you’re scaring me. I’ll admit it. It’s like you woke up on a totally different wavelength than when you went to bed. I don’t feel the same connection we had together yesterday and you’ve got to know that gap will only widen if we don’t take care of this now.”

Sue twirled her engagement ring nervously. It felt so foreign on her finger. Not used to wearing a ring, it was almost too much sensation for her to get used to. But she loved the ring and she knew she would get use to how wearing it felt given time. She wasn’t about to take it off and give up just because it was oddly uncomfortable now. That’s the way all this was with Jack. It was foreign to her and she was facing the unknown. Of course she was bound to become nervous. Wasn’t there a cliché about nervous brides? She almost felt relief, hoping that was all this was.

“I guess, I’m just feeling a bit uncomfortable. Everything’s changed so quickly and I’m a little overwhelmed,” she admitted.

“Overwhelmed about what?” Jack asked, barely able to form the next string of words. “Overwhelmed about me? Unsure of what you feel for me?” He braced himself for her response.

“Oh no! Jack, no! More like overwhelmed about me. About coming to terms with what I’m feeling. This is all so new to me…I mean not just the declarations of love, but the whole physical side of things…” she hated that she blushed so easily. It made her feel like a gauche schoolgirl, unsophisticated and inexperienced and naive.

“Sweetheart, there’s no reason to feel overwhelmed,” Jack immediately soothed. “I told you that you can set the pace. I know I’ve let us get carried away more than once and I promise I’ll try to curb that if you want.” He sighed, uncertain of the correct thing to do or say. “I just want to make you happy, Sue.”

She smiled warmly at him. “I’m the one who has the responsibility for my own happiness, Jack. That shouldn’t be your burden…and I know sometimes it is. I don’t mean it to be that way.” She looked into the trusting face of the man she loved more than anyone else on the planet. The face of her dreams, the one devoid of emotion was gone and in its place was one alight with love and tenderness and compassion. Here was the man that she had fallen in love with.

She was astonishingly beautiful and it always took his breath away to realize how incredible she really was. A lock of her hair had escaped the clasp she had clipped at the back of her head and it trailed softly across the side of her face. He fingered it gently away, tucking it behind her ear, gently circling the rim of the outer shell, his touch so light it was a whisper. She shivered in response and encouraged, he let the same finger trail down her neck, just barely skimming the surface of her flesh, teasing the nerve endings with almost sensations. She threw her head back and closed her eyes, an open invitation for him to continue his exploration. His finger swept along her throat, gliding along her fine jaw, dipping into the tiny cleft of her chin before reaching his ultimate goal – the velvety softness of her full lips. He traced them with a delicate touch, feasting hungrily on her upturned face. The desire to crush her against his body was almost too much to resist, but he did, because he sensed that what she needed now was his gentleness and tenderness more than his passion. He tapped her on the nose and waited for her to open her eyes.

I love you. “We’ll make this work.” Patience. You. “There’s time for us to grow into this new relationship. Room for both patience and tenderness. I promise I’ll listen and try to understand, just don’t lock me out.” Okay? You. Trust. Me.

Sue nodded, feeling almost giddy with relief. He had managed to vanquish those disturbing nightmares to the far corners of her mind. He was a good man, a kind man but most of all a gentle man. She needed to keep her faith pinned on that knowledge. Thank you. Better.

Jack ran his hands down her arms, tugging her gently into a loving embrace. He rested his cheek along the top of her head and would have been content to stay like that indefinitely.

Unobserved Q watched the couple carefully, mimicking the hand movements, the angle of the head…that annoying wink that he had. But still, Sue seemed to like it and that’s what he was here for – to please the little lady. It was almost showtime!

“Sue – it’s about time you got back in here!” Lucy chided but she sported a wide grin on her face. “Glad to see you’re feeling better.”

Her friend’s expressive brown eyes spoke hidden volumes and Sue sighed. Nothing got past Lucy – ever. But the ladies at Lucy's side saved her from the third degree.

“Remember how I told you our team’s up for the spot psych consult?” Lucy asked brightly. “Well, ta-da, it’s your turn. This is Deanna and she’s brought a trainee with her.”

“I hope you don’t mind. My name is Beverly,” the striking redhead offered her hand.

Sue forced a smile in return. The last thing I need right now is a psychologist asking me more questions she thought but reluctantly returned the handshake.

“Oh, silly me,” I forgot I was holding that!” Beverly whisked away the unusual object that had just made contact with Sue’s open palm.

“I understand that you have a ready room…I mean conference room ready for our interview,” Deanna prompted.

“We do?” Lucy looked confused for a moment and then shrugged. “The one across the hall is free. I guess you can use that.”

Sue dug in her heels. “Uh-uh. I’m sorry, I know you have a job to do but now is definitely not a good time. We’re on a case and I have to get ready…”

“This won’t take long and we have a time sensitive schedule to keep as well,” Deanna said firmly, opening the door to the empty conference room.

Beverly took a firm hold of Sue’s elbow and guided her through the door. Sue looked helplessly back at Lucy.

“Don’t worry – I told you, Deanna’s nice. Not like Barlow. The time will fly by and I’ll give a knock when its time. Oh – do you want me to get Levi in here?”

“That won’t be necessary, we’ll tell Miss Thomas when you knock, if that’s all right with you?” Deanna asked politely.

“That will be fine. And Luce? Could you ask Jack to keep Levi with him?” Sue asked unexpectedly.

Lucy looked puzzled. “Okay – but he’s curled up under your desk right now. I can see him from here. He seems fine.”

“I’d just feel better if Levi was with Jack. He’s been acting strangely.”

Lucy gave her the thumbs up and closed the door, leaving Sue facing the two strangers.

Deanna leaned forward, placing her palms flat on the table as she fixed Sue with a compelling stare. “Who’s been acting strangely? Jack or Levi?”

Sue chewed her lip nervously and eyed the women cautiously. She had meant Levi – but Jack had had his moments too…only they weren’t real…they happened in her dreams. She had to keep that straight or she’d confuse them all. And it wasn’t good when an active team member confused the pscyh consult. They’d just ask more questions.

“Sue, are you all right? I’m assuming your hesitation to respond is due to confusion over Jack’s behaviour?” Deanna’s query was deliberately leading, but she needed answers as quickly as possible. The nod from Beverly told her that the DNA results were a positive match. She wasn’t surprised. She didn’t think the captain would be either. Now they needed to find out just how much Sue Thomas knew and figure out a way to protect her from Q’s advances.



Jack didn’t like the psych consult being called in without his knowledge. That was a breach in protocol. D hadn’t been told either. He picked up the phone and made a scathing call and then slammed the receiver down.

“Wow – you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, Jack?”

A half smile played around his lips as he remembered waking up somewhere in the middle of the bed with Sues warm, inviting body…He looked up and met the worshipful gaze of Tanya Gans. Grinning ruefully, Jack shook his head. “Just work related. What brings you down here today, Miss Gans?”

She giggled when he addressed her so formally and his smile widened.

Be still my heart. “Oh – I came down to do my Dad’s makeup. Take a look.” She didn’t take her eyes off him, but nodded her head in her dad’s direction.

Jack looked over at Klingon D and he whistled in amazement. “Wow, he looks like the genuine article. You did a good job.”

“Yeah…well it’s mostly the head piece. Tara went all out on the quality of the costumes. But I do have the knack of mixing the foundation just right to blend it into my dad’s forehead. He looks about as grumpy as Worf does too.” Tanya said proudly.

Jack directed his gaze back to the teen who hadn’t budged from where she stood, and probably hadn’t blinked either. He winked at her because he didn’t know what else to do and she toppled over, clutching his desk for support sending papers and folders flying.

“Oops, sorry…I…” Tanya apologized as she stooped down to help gather up the mess she’d made.

Unfortunately Jack squatted down at the same time and they collided – his hands automatically coming out to steady her.

His fingers were touching her flesh! Okay, not exactly her flesh, but close enough – Jack Hudson was touching her through her tank top and shirt and that was as good as naked…almost. She concentrated on living in the moment, analyzing the feel of his hands at her waist. Firm. Gentle. Hot! She wanted to run screaming from the room. Jump up and down. Call her best friend and scream some more. But no, she wasn’t a little girl any more. She was a mature woman and she needed to act like one. Mature woman had men holding their waists all the time and it was nothing to them. But, it’s Jackson Samuel Hudson…her mind squealed and her tummy flip-flopped.

“You okay there, Tanya?”

His voice was so sexy! Pitched low and with just the edge of concern. She wondered what he would do if she swooned in his arms. Would he catch her masterfully and carry her…where? There wasn’t a bed. The desk! That was it. He would sweep aside the remaining clutter and ease her down on the desk, patting her hand and gazing worriedly into her face. Maybe he would reach out and check for her pulse...bare Hudson fingertips on her wrist! Hyperventilating bag where aren’t thou? What if she realy completely and totally passed out? Oh my gosh…mouth to mouth resuscitation.

“Tanya?”

“Remove your hands from around her waist, Jack.”

“But she’s kind of shaky, here, Myles. I’m afraid she’ll fall. Tanya, did have breakfast this morning?”

“Hudson, believe me, her equilibrium will restore itself once you step away.” Myles smiled sardonically as he tugged Tanya backwards forcing Jack to let go. “See? Solid as the rock of Gibraltar now.” To emphasize his point he gave Tanya a shove and she elbowed him back.

“Ah, cut it out, Myles.”

“I rest my case,” Myles nodded to Jack, “it gives new meaning to the phrase keeping someone at arms length. Keep that in mind…it’s an adage you should live by.”

“Wow, Myles you look fantastic!” Tanya’s hudsonitis had abated enough for her vision to clear. She eyed Myles spiffy federation costume, his slicked back hair, arched eyebrows and pointy ears. “They look real,” she gasped in awe.

“One of Leonard Nimoy’s pairs,” Myles said modestly. “I picked them up at charitable auction.” He raised his hand in the classic Vulcan greeting. “Live long and prosper, Hudson.”

Jack groaned. “Why do I feel like we’re all getting ready for a Halloween party instead of an undercover assignment?”

“Well, there’s no harm in enjoying your work. Look at daddy – he’s really getting into his role.” D had just pulled his phaser on an unsuspecting mail courier. “So – you’re not ready yet Jack. I can help you with your makeup.”

“I don’t need any makeup, Tanya. And I’m ready to go.” Jack swiftly unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off, tossing it onto the back of his office chair.

Heart failure. He’s undressing in front of me. Shucking his clothes in my presence. If I move sideways like this and back up a bit around this corner of the desk I can just touch…

The shirt was whipped out of her nerveless fingers. “I’ll hang this up for you, Jack, shall I?” Myles asked pleasantly while directing a look at Tanya.

Tanya scowled back. Rats. I almost got to touch his shirt, still warm from his body. I bet it smelled wonderful too.

“See, I’m done.”

I’m done in. Tanya had no coherent thoughts as she looked at Jack’s muscular chest and forearms. He was wearing a skintight gray t-shirt tucked into black paints. It did look like the uniform worn under the dress jacket of the federation officers.

“But…that’s cheating, kind of,” Tanya managed to gasp out a protest.

“You think so? Well, I’m not wearing a goofy red jacket and stretch pants so this is it. Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it!” Tanya answered quickly thinking it was too bad that Chakotay’s tattoo wasn’t on his chest. Wait a minute…did Jack know that?





“But Q has already broken the prime directive!” Anger was evident in Beverly Crusher’s voice.

“That doesn’t mean we can continue down that same path!” Picard’s patience was hanging by a thread.

“Captain, we’re all concerned,” Deanna Troi moved into her counselor role seamlessly. “But we have to look at the facts as they are presented to us now. Sue Thomas thinks that Q’s appearances to her have been dreams. The initial meeting left her with a vague feeling of unrest, but she has retained the second occurrence when Q posed as Jack Hudson in vivid detail. Thankfully she remembers it all as a dream.”

“That’s nothing to be thankful for!” Beverly protested. “Jean Luc, she’s riddled with guilt for thinking that Jack would treat her so roughly. She’s sure it means she has some deep-rooted problem that she isn’t willing to burden him with. Until she can figure it out, she's decided to stall the relationship. There’s not going to be an elopement and therefore no wedding night.”

“Captain if we could just explain to Sue that the Jack she’s remembering was an imposter…”

“Have you two lost leave of your senses?” Picard exploded out of his seat and began to agitatedly pace around the ready room. “What are we supposed to do? Beam down in front of her say so sorry there seems to be a mad omnipotent alien life form who has set his designs on you?”

Deanna and Beverly exchanged frustrated looks.

“She is very level headed, sir. I’m sure after the initial shock she would adapt quite quickly…and gratefully I might add. It would relieve her mind and open her to the idea of being intimate with Jack Hudson,” Deanna’s softly modulated voice was slightly more clipped than usual.

“Captain, might I remind you that it is indeed imperative that Jack Hudson and Sue Thomas follow through with their plans to elope. Even if they do get married at a later date, their first child will not be born at the correct time and that will set off a series of events that will change your family history irreparably,” Data pointed out.

“As long as I am in command of this starship, regardless of the century we find ourselves in, I will see to it that we all abide by the prime directive. There will be no further interfering other than guarding them from Q. Is that understood?” Picard narrowed his gaze on to his two female officers awaiting their acknowledgement.

“Yes Captain, if those are your orders,” Beverly said frostily.

“They are,” his voice was imperious. “Lt. Worf, you will take the away team and beam down to the planet’s surface. It’s likely that Q will reveal himself during the day’s events at the convention center. Distract him if you can. What am I saying? We don’t stand a chance. The man is unstoppable.”

“Captain, if I might add some insight to this situation?” Data offered hesitantly. Picard gave the android a terse nod of his head. “I spent some time with Q last night and he appears to be sincere in his intention to enrich your ancestral line with his own unique genetic composite. I believe he thinks it will make you a better man, sir, and thus a worthier opponent. If he were to succeed, it is likely that you might possess a trace of his unique powers. Your life and the lives of the Hudson’s descendants would be changed forever. I believe that given the right incentive however, Q might be reasoned with.”

“And what would that incentive be, Mr. Data?” Picard asked wearily.

“Levi, sir. The dog.”

“I know what Levi is, go on.”

“Well sir, when Q came to my quarters last night he complained that the dog bit him. He was shocked, as was I that an injury to his being was possible at all. Apparently Captain, in order to provide his own unique genetic markers to the future John Lucas Hudson, Q must take on the complete physiology of a human male so that he would be fully functioning at the critical moment.”

Riker snorted with laughter and Picard cast him a quelling look, which Will chose to ignore. “Are you telling me that in order for Q to…”

“I don’t want the sordid details,” Jean Luc protested hastily. “Just what point are you getting at, Mr. Data?”

“Q is vulnerable sir, when maintaining the form of Jack Hudson and the dog senses this. Levi, sir, may well be our secret weapon. Lt. Worf, if you see the dog acting strangely than I would suggest that it would be an indication of Q’s whereabouts. Levi senses that Jack/Q is not the real Jack Hudson and reacts rather aggressively and having experienced one dog bite, Q is rather frightened of the animal.”

“I have a difficult time imagining Q afraid of anything let alone a family pet. Stay alert, Lt. Worf.” Picard ordered. “Now, what about Agent Williams?”

“She wasn’t at the Hoover Building, sir,” Beverly informed them worriedly. “One of her coworkers indicated that she wasn’t feeling well and would meet them at the rendezvous site. I need to begin treatments on her as quickly as possible.”

“So our plan remains the same. Williams will be extracted when young Wes here lures her into the first secluded spot he can find. Is that understood Ensign Crusher?”

Wes whipped to attention. “Yes sir,” he snapped back. “I’ll bring her back here safely, sir.”

“See to it that she is rendered unconscious before even one particle of a single hair on her head passes through the transporter beam. That’s an order.”

“Yes Captain,” Wes agreed meekly.

“All right then, you know what to do…” the captain looked around the table and sighed audibly when he caught Dr. Crusher’s eye. “Yes Beverly.”

“Sir, we have to at least try to undo the mess Q has made of things with Jack and Sue. It wouldn’t be so much interfering with the prime directive as restoring things to their proper balance.”

“I could go back down there sir. Try to talk with Sue again. I can sense the deep love she has for Jack and how torn she is in her decision to postpone the wedding. Some gentle prodding in the right direction might prove beneficial,” Counselor Troi suggested hopefully.

Picard looked at his ship’s counselor incredulously. “You want me to send you back down to 21st century earth on a matchmaking mission?”

“The idea has merit, sir,” Data concurred. “If Jack beat Q to the…well sir, speaking frankly, if Jack copulated with Sue before Q had a chance the crisis would be averted entirely.”

“Dismissed!” Picard barked irritably ignoring Data’s last remarks.

“Copulate?” Riker laughed, slapping Data on the back as they exited onto the bridge.

“I do not believe I used the word out of context, sir. It is an English language verb meaning to engage in sexual intercourse. Would another word have been more suitable?”

Sue stared unhappily at her reflection in the mirror. “You might as well have sprayed it on me,” she told Lucy.

Lucy ducked her head to hide her grin, fishing around in her tote bag for a brush. “It is a bit snug,” she admitted, “but you have the figure to carry it and Jack is going to…” she bit off the rest of her words as she noted the Sue’s eyes cloud over.

“I can’t do this. I thought I could, but I really can’t,” Sue said quietly.

Lucy looked at her friend with concern. She had a feeling that she wasn’t just talking about wearing the silver catsuit that Seven of Nine was noted for.

“Here, let me do your hair. We have to get it up in a bun at the back of your neck.” Lucy clucked and fussed over her dearest friend. Running the brush through Sue’s blonde hair in soothing strokes before gathering it at her nape where she fastened it securely with a comb and some bobby pins. When she had finished she stepped away from the mirror and signed Beautiful to Sue’s reflection. “Now all we have to do is rig the eye piece on and you’ll be good to go. Hold still for a minute – this spray adhesive is supposed work wonders.”

“Do you find change frightening?” Sue asked suddenly.

“Well, sometimes. Even positive change can be scary.”

“You always seem so unflappable. Like you’re ready for anything. Sometimes I feel so old-fashioned and pokey next to you,” Sue admitted.

“I’ve just learned to hide it, that’s all. I just start smiling and talking and whatever flies out of my mouth distracts everyone into thinking I’m just fine when…” Lucy shrugged and gave an embarrassed smile. “What’s all this about, Sue?”

“There isn’t time now,” Sue brushed off the chance to confide in her friend.

“Maybe we should make the time. It sounds serious. Is it about Jack?” Lucy asked softly.

“What was that you said about smiling and talking?” Sue quipped and breezed past Lucy, heading back to the bullpen.

Jack saw her the second she entered the room. He was sure his heart stopped for at least a full minute and when it started again he wasn’t certain that his body could contain the frantic beating. She was stunning and sexy and somehow alien. Sue, but not his Sue and he wasn’t sure if he liked it. Not that she didn’t look incredible – maybe because she looked too incredible. Bart from white collar was giving Sue’s figure more than a once over and he had never really paid attention to her before. Myles cleared his throat, started to say something and thought better of it, ducking his head behind his computer instead. D went to stand next to her and they made an imposing couple – Klingon and rescued human Borg. This job would never be boring.

Sue’s eyes sought out his hesitantly. He sensed her insecurity and grabbing her coat he hurried to her side.

“Here,” he told her, slipping it over her shoulders, “you’ll need this. It’s cold outside.”

Thank you. “I feel about as awkward as I did at the first high school dance my mother made me go to,” She joked feebly.

“You could never be awkward. You’re a beautiful woman, Sue, and I’m honored that you trust me enough to consider joining our lives together.” He kissed her ring finger, ignoring D’s smirk.

“Jack…about…”

Jack’s head turned as he heard the catcalls and whistles and even a smattering of applause as Lucy sashayed into the bullpen in the impossibly skimpy uniform of an original Star Trek female officer. The skirt barely covered her derriere and the slanted cowl neckline exposed flesh usually covered up at work. Lucy carried it off well, vamping her walk to her desk like a runway model, twirling and sucking in her cheeks and then gracefully sliding into her chair.

“Look at Myles,” Sue whispered, nudging Jack and driecting his attention to the bemused agent.

“All right people, let’s roll. Tara and Bobby are in place. Time to join them.” D bellowed before heading out the door.

Jack and Sue followed and Lucy leapt up out of her chair, leaning over to grab her purse. “Drat, gotta remember how little material there is to this,” she muttered, smoothing the skirt down over her rump and holding it against her thigh as she stooped again for her briefcase. Then she hurried after the others leaving Myles still gaping.

“Leland!” Jack roared from the elevator effectively startling Myles into action.

“Oh. Right,” he muttered leaping up and bolting forward. Unfortunately in his flummoxed state he forgot that he was sitting behind his desk and as he thrust forward he collided with solid wood. His body’s momentum made it impossible for him to stop and he somersaulted over the desk, landing in a crumpled heap on the floor. Staggering up in one fluid movement he wove his way out to the elevator where he nearly collapsed once inside.

“Oh honestly, Myles, you’re a mess,” Lucy scolded handing her bag and briefcase to Sue and commencing to reattach his ears which had become skewed in the tumble. “You look more like an elf than a Vulcan. I swear you need a keeper.”




Tara sank gratefully onto the park bench across the street from Starbucks. She wouldn’t admit it to Bobby, but her legs were shaky and her bones felt like ice. She must be coming down with a doozy of a flu and as usual, her timing was impeccable. Bobby had been so sweet. Solicitous, teasing, almost able to anticipate her every need. He was so attentive if she didn’t know any better she would think he was interested in her. Of course that was ridiculous. They were just friends. They’d hashed over the possibility of their having a relationship months ago and they’d agreed that friendship was the only course for them. Well, he had agreed, she had merely gone along with it to save face and not mess up what they had. Now as he sat down beside her and laid his hand gently on her back rubbing comforting circles up and down her spine, she was too sick to really appreciate it. She had the worst luck with men!

“You’re looking pretty glum. Sure you’re up to this, luv?” Bobby asked, his voice carefully neutral but his worried eyes skimmed over Tara’s petite frame. She was much too pale again and she was shivering. He had felt her trembling just before he eased her onto the bench. He had insisted on her resting there, where they had a good view of the Starbucks that was built into the ground floor of the DC Convention Center. Wes was supposed to meet her here in the park across the street. He had to grin as he watched the customers coming in and out of the coffee shop for their morning brew. He’d spotted two Klingons, three Vulcans, multiple Borg and an assortment of alien species he couldn’t name. The rest of the team fit in easily with the Trekker crowd. He spotted D’s impressive figure across the street. And Jack and Sue were ostensibly walking Levi along the path just behind him and he supposed Lucy and Myles were in the van. “Look, we’ve got this covered. Why don’t you go home and get some rest? I’ll wrap up here and come back to your place and take you to the doctor.”

Tara doubled over as a cramp assaulted her belly. She gasped, fighting to remain conscious, but then the spasm passed and she drank in lungfuls of air. “Need to see Wes first. I’m the only one who knows the questions to ask.”

“Tara you can’t even sit upright,” Bobby protested. “He looked up for assistance. They hadn’t had time to suit up or get their earpieces so he couldn’t call for help.

A tall redheaded woman and a slender teenage boy were standing not two feet away from him. He hadn’t noticed them before.

“Can I help? I’m a doctor,” The woman announced.

He thought it odd that a professional woman would dress up for a Star Trek Convention and if he hadn’t been so worried about Tara he might have checked her out more thoroughly. He was just thankful to have someone there who knew what they were doing.

Sheer willpower brought Tara’s head up, determined to dismiss her benefactor before Wes arrived and was possibly spooked.

“Wes!” she exclaimed in surprise.

“Hi Tara,” he said almost shyly. “I came a little early. I was afraid I wouldn’t find the right spot. This is…this is my mom.”

“You don’t know how relieved I am that you are you. We were so sure you were a cover for…well let’s just say we were prepared for a small army of…”

“Then you won’t be disappointed,” a male voice answered smoothly. “Step away from Agent Williams and the boy.”

“We have a problem. Looks like CIA,” Myles announced to the team on the field.

“Spot two more crossing the street at the corner,” D’s voice acknowledged.

“Another’s cutting through the park.” Jack added in disgust. “Did you get the paperwork on this D?”

“No – it looks like they just decided to drop in. I’m going to check it out. Everyone else stay in position.”

He made an imposing figure striding across the road, a tall Klingon in full battle gear. He approached the dark suits angrily.

“Doing a little poaching, Cunningham?’ He asked, recognizing the CIA goon as he drew closer.

Cunningham took his time taking in D’s outfit and gear. He snorted. “More like interrupted the Feds Halloween party. You guys don’t take anything seriously, do you?

“What’s going on?” Wes whispered to Tara watching the two men square off like in the Western program on the holideck that Data liked to run.

“CIA,” Tara informed him grimly. “Listen, Wes, you have to level with me. Did anyone else help you with the time travel equation? An adult? Are you covering for someone?”

“No – it’s all my own work – and yours. You’re the only adult involved…at least until yesterday, but then I don’t you’d consider Data an adult…”

“Wes…” his mother warned and the teen fell silent.

But Tara had picked up on the name. “Mr. Datanovich? He came to my office yesterday and tried to steal my laptop. Wes, who is he? How do you know him? This is bigger than you realize…” she broke off, doubling over in pain and nearly sliding off the park bench but Bobby caught her in time.

“Forget these drongos – can you take a look at her? You are a doctor?”

“Definitely. And I know just what she is suffering from, but I need to get her to my sick…my office. It’s just around the corner. Why don’t you clear up this misunderstanding and Wes and I will help her…”

Agent Cunningham pulled his gun. “She’s not going anywhere and neither is the boy,” he declared menacingly.

“This is outrageous. Williams is a federal agent on assignment – undercover which you’ve just blown, I might add,” D protested.

“Agent Williams you are under arrest for treason against the United States of America.”

In her near unconscious state she heard the words pronounced over her head as if from a great distance as Bobby’s reassuring arms closed around her. “Steady there, luv, we’ll get through this,” he murmured soothingly.

Beverly Crusher didn’t usually lead away teams. And as far as assignments went, this one was colossaly botched. The captain would be furious, but then again, he had put her in charge. Of course she couldn’t allow Wes to be taken into custody by the CIA no more than she could allow Tara to be kept from the treatment she needed to counter the effects of the proton poisoning. As medical officer she was used to making split second decisions to save lives, it was second nature to her and this time Jean Luc and prime directive consequences be damned.

“Agent Manning,” she saw the look of mistrust when she used his name. “I don’t have time to explain, but yes I know who you are. Tara desperately needs medial attention. The kind only I can give. If she doesn’t start treatment within the next few hours she could die.” She paused to let that sink in for a second. “Can you manage to carry her as far as those bushes over there?” He didn’t nod but she read the affirmation in his eyes. “Am I right in assuming that your law enforcement will not shoot first and ask questions later? They’ll pursue us on foot?” This time he nodded. “If you can get Tara to the other side of those bushes, I can help her.”

He didn’t know why he trusted her. It was just a gut feeling. Besides, he didn’t trust the CIA drongo who had busted in on their bust. It would be a cold day in hell before Bobby turned the little sheila over to the likes of Cunningham. “On my mark,” he found himself saying as he shifted Tara completely onto his lap and braced his legs ready to leap up with the extra weight. “Now!”

Cunningham broke off arguing when his quarry took off across the park. “Stop or I’ll shoot!” But of course he wouldn’t. the paperwork and reprimands for gunning down another department’s agent wasn’t worth thinking about. He set out in pursuit only somehow the infernal Klingon got in the way and he found himself eating dirt instead.

Under cover of the bush Beverly wasted no time. Pressing her COM badge she issued her order. “Enterprise. Four to beam up.”

“Four, Dr. Crusher?” Data’s voice echoed his shock.

“Four Commander Data. Directly to sickbay. Now.”

It was a bit like the feeling you got on the downslide of a roller coaster or the nervous thrill just before a first kiss. At least that’s how Tara tried to explain the sensation of transporting afterwards. Bobby pronounced it dinky-di, which could have meant anything.

“Put her here please,” Beverly patted the nearest bed in the sick bay.

In a daze Bobby started to comply, turning a full circle with Tara in his arms as he tried to come to grips with his obviously skewed reality. “I’d swear I was off my face but I haven’t touched a drop.”

“Bobby you’re making me dizzier,” Tara mumbled as he started his second rotation.

He carefully laid her down on the bed, but quickly snatched her up again when the wall at the head of the bed suddenly sprung to life. Numbers flashed, lines wavered and an assortment of muted bells and whistles sounded.

“It’s all right, Agent Manning,” Dr. Crusher said with a smile. “Those are just Tara’s vital signs. The computer automatically monitors each patient on every bed. It’s safe to put her down.”

“This is just like the bloomin’ show…”

Beverly patted the bed they stood beside. “The sooner you set her down here the sooner we can get her back to her old self. You’d like that wouldn’t you?”

She was talking to him like he was a three-year-old child. And why shouldn’t she? He must have more than a few kangaroos loose in the paddock to have dreamed this stunt up.

“My mother’s an excellent doctor,” Wes offered quietly. “I had the same illness as Tara and she treated me successfully. But I wasn’t as far gone as Tara is and I hadn’t been exposed to the same level of protons so the poisoning wasn’t as severe.”

“Poisoning?” Bobby clutched Tara to his chest more tightly. “She’s been poisoned?”

“Sorry Mom, I thought it would be easier if he knew I had experienced the same thing.”

Beverly gave her son a gentle smile and with her best beside manner in place she tried to soothe Bobby into laying Tara back down on the bed. “She’s been exposed to neuroauditor proton particles. She’s had two exposures that we’re aware of – every time she performed a time ripple. Left untreated, Agent Manning, she will die. You have to trust me on that. I don’t know much about the entertainment program Mr. Roddenberry created based on this ship and her crew, but if he was as accurate as I think he was then his Doctor Crusher would be very much like me. Was the Star trek doctor someone you could trust, Agent Manning?”

“Yes.” It was Tara who gasped the answer. She felt like her insides were blistering and the pain in her head was practically unbearable and it was impossible for her to move a limb but somehow she managed to rasp out a response. “The show’s doctor was beautiful and compassionate with a fiery temper but the kindest heart and she was an excellent doctor. And she was secretly in love with the captain…”

Beverly flushed slightly, and her lips thinned into a disapproving line. “Well, I see Mr. Roddenberry left some room for poetic license. But the rest is correct only I can’t be a very effective doctor unless I can examine my patient. And I can’t do that unless she’s on the bed. Agent Manning?”

Bobby cautiously lowered Tara once again, watching as the computer readouts floated into space above her head. “What do they mean? Is she all right?”

Beverly was busy with her tricoder readings. She frowned as she passed the instrument over Tara’s abdomen. “It’s more severe than I thought it would be. For some reason the proton residue is multiplying in her system much faster than it did in Wes. I suppose that’s the result of three hundred years of evolution. I need to get started right away.” She looked apologetically at Bobby and he knew that he had bee dismissed.

“I’m staying.” He declared, bracing himself in case she tried to have him physically thrown out of the sick bay.

“Just stay out of my way,” Beverly murmured, leaning over her patient. “Tara, I’m going to give you something for the pain first and then I’m going to lock you into an artificial sleep while I work on the poisoning. Don’t worry, when you wake up, you’ll feel much better.”

Bobby backed up and watched the doctor work, completely unaware of entrance of two starfleet officers until one spoke at his side.

“This is an unfortunate set of circumstances that has brought you to us, Agent Manning,” Picard was seething with rage but refused to take it out on the hapless 21st century man. He was clearly devastated as he watched Beverly work on his colleague. Perhaps more than just a colleague. What was it with these FBI agents from earth’s past? “You can place explicit faith in Dr. Crusher’s medical talents – it’s as a federation officer that they fall short.”

“Jean Luc, you weren’t there,” Beverly reprimanded.

“Two to beam up? You were only to extract Agent Williams.”

“What was I supposed to do? Let them incarcerate my son and Tara? She would have died and who knows what would have happened to Will? I made the best decision I could under difficult circumstances.”

“Your best wasn’t good enough this time, Beverly! While you were at it why didn’t you beam their whole team aboard? In fact we could invite the entire Star Trek contingency to hold their convention right here on the Enterprise. What’s a few more infractions against the prime directive?”

“Hey stop giving her a gobful. Can’t you see she’s busy?”

Picard turned on Bobby. “What did you just say?”

“Look mate, I don’t care that you’re mad as a cut snake. I am too, but no amount of rantin’ at the doctor here is going to solve any of our problems. So shut your gob and let the sheila get to work.”

Bobby felt a thrill of grim satisfaction when the man ceased his railing. He looked astonished that someone had spoken to him in such a manner. The other bloke – Mr. Datanovich seemed stymied as well.

“Captain, I believe Agent Manning was speaking English but many of his terms are not accessible in my memory banks, however, I believe the gentleman has requested…”

“I know what he wants Mr. Data, I’m just astounded at his brashness – you are after all, Agent Manning – out of your element here.

Bobby folded his arms and stretched up to his full height. Picard only came to his shoulder. “While she’s fixin’ up Tara why don’t we go over there and have a little chat and you can tell me what exactly is going on here.”

“Agent Manning we work in similar fields. Let me put it in a way you can understand. This is a need to know basis. And you sir, do not need to know.”





It was hard to hold your breath when you heart was threatening to pound its way out of your chest. She had thought the coast was clear. She’d watch the team leave and set up at various locations. It was the perfect place to change into her disguise. Her own father wouldn’t even know her. Then she could tail him while he clocked his own surveillance and voila she would see just what kind of agent she would really make.

Changing into her costume had been easy. She really was brilliant. A diabolical mind dedicated to the power of good for all mankind, that’s what it was. She’d chosen to dress as Guinan’s character from the episode Rascals where a transporter malfunction caused some of the crew to become children. Guinan’s character was perfect because she got to hide in a voluminous robe and a hat that hit all of her hair. Her dad wouldn’t look at her twice, especially since he had seen her off on the bus not half an hour ago. Disguise in place, knapsack and laptop in hand, Tanya Gans pre-agent extraordinaire was about to make her debut when Lucy and then Myles came back into the surveillance van. Tanya crouched in the shadowy darkness behind the equipment praying that she wouldn’t be found out, though if she was Myles and Lucy were probably the least likely to rat on her. She had spent a dicey ten minutes barely daring to breathe as she listened to the one sided repertoire from Myles.

“What’s the CIA doing sniffing around here?” she heard Myles mutter.

She didn’t catch all the activity that went on, but she got the gist of what was happening. The CIA were coming after Tara. They wanted to arrest her! Myles and Lucy left the van and Tanya started to make her escape when the back doors opened once again and this time an angry man pushed his way in, Lucy right behind him.

“You can’t do a search without a warrant. I work for the FBI you know and just because all the agents are busy doesn’t mean you can just barge in here and…”

“Shut up.” The man was livid, his face contorted with rage. Tanya slowly straightened up, ready to move into action if he so much as put a hand on Lucy.

“I was told Williams’ laptop is in here. I need to take it as evidence. Under the Homeland Security Act a warrant doesn’t have to be issued in cases involving terrorism.”

“Terrorism?” Lucy gasped. “You can’t expect me to believe that Tara would be involved in something like that.”

“This it?” The CIA agent spotted the closed laptop at the back of the van and reached for it.

Tanya watched in horrified silence as he drew closer, positive that she would be discovered at any moment, terrified that something awful would happen to Tara and she was helpless to do anything…and then she had one of her most scathingly brilliant ideas ever. She wasn’t sure if she could dare execute it, but as a potential agent she knew she had to try. She got her chance when Lucy verbally berated the man for his callousness. He turned to shoot back some smartalec answer and Tanya knew she wouldn’t get a better chance. Quietly shifting Tara’s laptop off the counter, she just as silently slipped her one back in its place. Then she shrunk into the shadows, hugging the wall, sure that her trembling body would rock the whole van and give her location away.

She watched meaty, nail-bitten fingers clutch onto her laptop and she knew a moment’s regret, but it was only the briefest of moments. Surely the CIA would find nothing incriminating in her school girl diary or her secret love sonnets. They might laugh and ridicule, but it certainly wasn’t terrorist material.

She breathed a hearty sigh of relief when the man snatched the laptop and vacated the van. Lucy fumed, made a phone call and then slipped outside again as well.

Tanya counted to ten and then cautiously made her way to the doors. Opening them a crack, she peered out into the street. She saw the team congregated by a bush, their backs turned away. “It’s now or never,” she whispered to herself just before bolting out to freedom. The minute her feet hit the sidewalk she barreled across the street and into the Conference Centre. She was immediately swallowed up in a crowd of aliens and allowed herself to be carried along the momentum until she reached the ticket booth. Coolly reaching for her free pass she presented it to the snooty nosed lady behind the counter. It was ripped in two, one half given back to her and her hand stamped before she was allowed to enter.

As she was passing by the second ticket booth she noticed a crowd gathering around a disgruntled alien wannabe. Tanya stopped, curious to see what all the fuss was about.

“I tell you, I must have put it in my other pocket. I had a pass. I got it with my Voyageur DVDs. Just a minute now. Who knew Neelix would have so many pockets?” He laughed and a few people smiled good-naturedly. Unfortunately a contingency of Klingons were next in line and getting surly with their impatience.

“Hey, mister, is this what you’re looking for?” Tanya asked innocently passing him her half ticket.

The man dressed as Neelix looked at her in surprise. “Why yes, that does look like mine. I remember the rip severing Chakotay from Janeway and thought it rather a cruel twist of fate.” He winked broadly at her and held up the ticket triumphantly.

“You’re hand’s not stamped,” the person inside the ticket booth said suspiciously.

“Oh…yes…” This Neelix was so pathetic she felt sorry for him.

“Say, some people are allergic you know….you don’t want him breaking out in spots do you?”

Everyone laughed noting the reptilian spots on the man’s hands and face. They let him through and Tanya followed, grinning with excitement.

“Thank you, Miss Guinan for coming to my rescue,” Neelix turned to her and made a little bow. “Some people don’t have any patience or sense of humour and they get all worked up over something so insignificant as a scrap of paper. Speaking of which, here, you probably want this back.” He waved the ticket stub at her.

“Nah, you go ahead and keep it. You’ll need it if you want to go out and come in again. I have a stamp, see?” She held up her hand displaying the starfleet ensignia.

“Very kind of you, miss.”

“Guinan will do. Your costume is awesome. It must have taken forever to get those spots right.”

“I got up at 0500 hours this morning to work on them,” Neelix admitted.

“Yeah – I did Dad’s Klingon makeup and put a tattoo above Jack’s eye this morning…” she smiled at the bittersweet memory. Leaning into Jack, carefully laying out the transfer paper, softly pressing the wooden stick against his forehead. He hadn’t closed his eyes and the piercing stare from his wondrous gaze had been nearly more than she could bear and then it had all been over. Her task completed she had no reason to stay. They’d had to peel her off Jack the way she’d peeled the tattoo’s paper backing away and that’s when Dad had marched her out the door and onto a bus headed for home.

“Anyway, I guess I should start looking around. Nice talking to you. Good luck with the costume contest. I bet you win.”

“You think so? I had a terrible time getting just the right material for the tunic. And then sewing it – well, let’s just say me and sewing machines have never seen eye to eye. Borrowed my friend Sue’s and I got it back to her all in one piece…though I keep finding little bits around my apartment that got left over from when I dropped it. But only the once and it still sews and everything.”

“Well your work certainly paid off,” Tanya complemented again. “See you around.”

“See you – and say – if you need any assistance just give me a shout – the name’s Howie. Howie Fines.”

Captain Log’s Stardate 43524.9

The Enterprise has become the reluctant host to Agents Williams and Manning. In an attempt to prevent any further breech of the Prime Directive, I have allowed our visitors limited access to our facilities. Security officers are posted outside Sickbay and once Dr. Crusher has succeeded in curing Agent Williams’ proton poisoning she will attempt to erase their short-term memory and return them to earth. The computer which still houses the equations for the Time Ripple Effect is still at large, though Agent Manning assures us it is safely guarded by the FBI. Procuring it has become the away team’s number one mission.



It took about fifteen minutes of wandering aimlessly; furtively looking over her shoulder before Tanya began to relax. Just because she was carrying around stolen FBI property didn’t mean that everyone else knew that. She wasn’t sure exactly what she was going to do with Tara’s laptop yet, but she figured her best course of action was to lie low and see if any of the team showed up. Her dad had often said that half an agent’s job was spent waiting. Tanya glanced around the crowded venue and grinned. Might as well enjoy herself while she did.

Worf noticed the human child the second time she circuited the perimeter of the large room without taking in any of the vendor’s wares. By the time she had made her third circuit, he determined that she was engaged in some sort of illegal activity. Probably a thief, he thought with contempt, about to dishonour her family name because of a few enticing baubles. She kept glancing guiltily over her shoulder and clutching something close in her arms. He’d like to go over there and confront the girl, give her a good chastening and send her on her way – along a straighter and narrower path, however the Prime Directive would not allow his intervention. If it was destiny that the child become a criminal, so be it. It was not up to him to change the annals of history over one silly little girl.



“She’s responding to treatment,” Beverly assured her anxious shadow. “She just needs to rest now. She’s no longer in pain and the next dosage isn’t due for another hour. I suggest we leave her to get some sleep. It’s the body’s natural way of healing itself.”

Bobby nodded, prepared to leave Tara’s bedside, but her pitiful, “Don’t leave me,” kept him rooted to the spot. The look he gave the doctor dared her to prevent his staying.

Beverly smiled understandingly. He was a fiercely loyal and devoted member of Tara’s crew…team. She could relate to that. Under similar circumstances, if roles were reversed, she could well imagine Jean Luc behaving similarly. She would have to remind the captain of that, he had been rather hard on Agent Manning earlier. “Well, we’ll leave you two alone for an hour or so. You can call for assistance by pressing this,” Beverly pinned a COM badge on Bobby’s shirt. “I’m afraid you’ve been restricted to Sickbay – captain’s orders. I hope you understand.”

Bobby gave the doctor a disarming smile. “Yeah, we don’t let just anyone wander around the halls of the Hoover building either.”

Beverly smiled. “Let her get some rest,” she warned before disappearing through the automatic doors.

Out of curiosity, Bobby followed after her, but the doors remained firmly shut. They were indeed prisoners.

“Bobby?”

He turned to find Tara attempting to jump down from the high bed. The computer read outs above her head were dipping and soaring alarmingly.

“Tara! You’re supposed to rest,” Bobby protested, hurrying to her side.

“But I feel much better, Bobby. The pain’s gone and that’s a blessed relief I can tell you. If felt like my internal organs were blistering from the heat of a volcano about to explode…”

Bobby paled visibly. “I don’t need to hear the play by play, Tara,” he told her meekly.

“Ah, I’m okay now. I feel kind of woozy like I’m drunk…well not roaring drunk – I wouldn’t know how that feels. Just kind of tipsy, you know?” She peered up at him with a puckish grin and Bobby had to smile.

“You scared me, sheila,” he reproached.

“I scared me too,” Tara agreed. “But Bobby, what about my laptop? I heard you tell Picard that it was in the surveillance van.”

“Yeah, well, considering everything that’s happened I figured he might as well know its whereabouts as opposed to the CIA finding it.”

“But Bobby, don’t you see? When we disappeared you’ve got to know the first thing they’d do was search the vehicle and confiscate it as part of their investigation. It’s what we would do,” Tara pointed out.

“But it’s going to take them some time to get a search warrant.” Bobby reminded her.

“They don’t need one if I’m a suspected terrorist.”

“I didn’t think of that. I’ve been so worried about you that I’m completely knackered.”

“That’s really sweet, Bobby. But I’m going to be fine. I have Dr. Beverly Crusher as my doctor,” she clapped her hands with glee. “Oh this is the best dream I have ever had!”

“It’s not a dream, luv,” Bobby told her gently as he tried to get her to lie back down. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

Tara put up very little fight as she sank back against the bed her eyes closing in spite of herself. “We have to stop them taking the laptop, Bobby.”

He pulled the lightweight blanket up to her chin, watching the erratically pulsing readings stabilize. He stroked the bangs from her head, a soothing caress that had Tara practically purring. He grinned in spite of his worry. She was a responsive little thing and the man who got to make her his cook was going to be one lucky devil. He leaned over and whispered reassuringly into her ear. “Don’t worry, darlin’, the laptop is being retrieved as we speak. You just rest and work at getting better.” Unable to resist his placed a feather-light kiss on her forehead.

“Bobby did you just kiss me?” She was too sleepy to open her eyes and look at him.

Bobby froze and cleared his throat self-consciously. “Ah no…’course not. I was just checking your temperature is all.”

“Good,” Tara murmured through a yawn, “because if this is a dream then I’d wake up. I always wake up when you kiss me…”





Even in the midst of all the confusion he still felt a warmth of contentment at the core of his being every time he looked at her. Occasionally their line of vision would cross and a brief look of recognition would pass between them. She was skittish by degrees, but her eyes told him what was in her heart and that was enough for him at the moment. He watched her now, sauntering around the convention center, Levi at her side, oblivious to the looks she was receiving in her catsuit. She was scoping out the field, cautiously checking out conversations in the crowded venue. He'd told her to keep in view at all times but wasn't really worried since he was fairly certain the area was secure. And it kept her off the streets and away from the investigation where Bobby and Tara had last been seen. She was convinced that had gotten away, he was worried they'd been taken as hostages by whoever Wes was connected with. His cell phone rang and he flipped it open quickly.

"Hudson," he said frowning as he listened intently to the voice on the other end of the line.



Sue scanned the crowd in methodical sweeps, unsure of what she was looking for, but certain that there was something to be found here. The woman who had met Bobby and Tara at the park bench had been the same doctor who had accompanied the psychologist, Deanna, earlier at the bullpen. That was odd. It was also odd that the doctor had dressed up in a federation uniform. Why would she go to the bother unless she planned on entering the convention? So Sue studied faces, watched lips, wove in and out of the crowd looking for some kind of clue.

"I'm sorry, dogs aren't allowed in here." She missed the statement the first time around since the guard started talking while standing behind her. Levi drew her attention to the nervous young man who repeated himself again.

"I'm Deaf. Levi is a service dog," she flashed their IDs but the man stared blankly at her.

"I'm sorry, m'am, but the dog has to go. I'll have to escort you out."

Sue looked at him incredulously, but the man seemed unshakeable. She looked for Jack, but his back was turned to her, seemingly engrossed in a phone conversation. By the set of his shoulders she could tell he was angry. She sighed. No point in making him angrier. She'd have to deal with this herself, she thought, following the guard to the closest exit.



Jack pocketed his cell phone and began surveying the room for Sue. A cold knot of fear twisted in his gut when he couldn't spot her at a glance -- and in that catsuit, she should be easy to pick out. He spotted D just coming into the centre from a side door and hurried over to him. "Have you seen Sue?"

D shook his head. "I thought she was in here with you."

"She was," Jack replied darkly. "I turned my back and she seems to have vanished. Just got an interesting call from HR. Our team isn't on the roster for pysch checks and they don't have a Dr. Troi on their roster."



It was a stroke of luck that Sue ran into Howie outside the convention center. She didn't recognize him at first and he obviously didn't know who she was either.

"Whoooaaaa, the names Howie, Howie Fines and if you don't mind me saying your one fine looking....whoooooaaa Sue! I knew it was you all along...just pulling your leg, which I didn't realize were so incredibly long and curvaceous, not that I noticed or anything, because I wouldn't be looking at your seven of nineliness especially if Jack was around. Is he around by the way?" Howie jumped nervously.

"Howie, can you do me a favour?" Sue asked when she could get a word in.

"Sure, you name it, I can do it. Fines at your disposal...not to be disposed of mind you. Say, Sue, I didn't take you for the Trekker type."

"A woman likes to be mysterious," Sue replied vaguely. Jack was going to hit the roof when he found out Howie was here. He'd probably have him arrested just for showing up at the convention. "Howie, can you stay with Levi for a minute while I go in and get Jack? There seems to be a problem with Levi being allowed in the convention centre."

"Levi! Old buddy, old pal. Yeah, sure, we can hang out...just don't tell him to make his angry face. I don't like seeing all those teeth -- especially when accompanied by drool."

Sue handed over the leash. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." She turned to the security guard who was looking decidedly uncomfortable. "I'm getting my boss and we'll settle this once and for all. I'll meet you back at the security office."

She had many admirers as she strode away, her long legs gracefully retracing her steps. One man in particular broke away from the pack with a predatory saunter and fell into step beside her. He touched her shoulder and she whirled around.

"Jack!" she exclaimed in relief. I was looking for you."

"As was I. Missed you," he leaned over and kissed her cheek and Sue looked up at him with a puzzled frown.

"I thought we'd agreed on no public displays of affection while on the job," she objected.

Jack smiled easily. "I couldn't help myself. This physicality is so invigorating, don't you find?"

"Jack?"

"Never mind, just a little joke. Sue, come with me, I want to show you something. It's over here." Jack grabbed her hand and practically ran along the edge of the crowd.

Sue pulled back, trying to stop his surge forward, but he just clamped onto her hand more tightly. "Jack...Jack...I left Levi outside..."

"Good riddance," he muttered, but didn't turn his head so she couldn't see read his words.

Worf had patrolled the perimeter twice paying little attention to the curious glances cast his way. As the only Klingon on a Federation starship he was used to being singled out as an oddity. Following the lead Agent Leland had let slip, Worf had hurried outside to the surveillance van. It was easy to dupe the team’s rotor into thinking that Agent Leland had sent him. Lucy readily provided him with a description of the man who was now in possession of Agent Williams’ laptop and under the captain's orders to secure the computer at any cost, Worf stealthily began his hunt.



“Sheesh, Levi, how many times do you have to do that?” Howie grumbled waiting impatiently beside a bush as Levi sniffed around. “You must have a bladder the size of a pea. And it’s easy for you; you can just lift your leg and go anywhere. Well let me tell you, buddy, all this tinkling is giving me ideas and I need to use the facilities too. Where is Sue anyway? And why’d she think I’d wanna be leashed to a mutt...” Levi curled his lips, watching Howie reproachfully. “No offence. You’re a bit sensitive for a dog, dontcha ya think? It’s all those donuts you’re getting. Too much sugar isn’t good for the canine digestive system. Don’t look at me like that. You know it’s true.” Howie began to fidget and pace in earnest. “Sheesh, if she doesn’t come back soon I’m going to have to use this bush too.”

“Please don’t.”

Howie yelped in fear but Levi groveled delightedly, belly-crawling underneath the bush until the only part of his anatomy that showed was a wildly wagging tail. “Pssst. Levi, come on out of there. Leave talking bushes to biblical prophets. This place gives me the creeps.”

“Howie, it’s me. Tanya.”

“Tanya who?” Howie asked, circling the bush.

“Tanya Gans. You know, Guinan as a young girl.”

“Gans? As in Dimitrius Gans’ daughter. Well why didn’t you say so? I work with your dad on the best team in the FBI. Yeah, your dad and I go way back. Best buds…”

“He’s never mentioned you before,” Tanya said suspiciously.

“Yeah well that’s because I’m top secret, see. The FBI’s most secret weapon. The guy on the street with his ear to the ground. My keen instincts and nose for trouble have helped solved many a case, let me tell you,” Howie boasted.

“Would you stop nattering and get in here?” Tanya hissed. “You’re creating a spectacle of yourself.”

“Where are you?”

“In the bush!” Her exasperated sigh caught in the leaves like a wind about to stir up trouble.

“I can’t fit in there.”

“Hole in the back. You can crawl through. Hurry, Levi’s all the way in now and you said I could ask you if I needed anything.”

“Okay. All right, but if I rip this suit I’m warning you the Bureau is going to have to pay,” Howie grumbled as he wriggled through the narrow opening.

“Sshhh. And stop moving,” Tanya commanded imperiously once he was crouched beneath the dome of foliage where three bushes had grown into one, leaving a round expanse of ground in the middle covered only in moss.

“What?”

“Shhhhh!” Tanya pointed to a gap in the shrubbery where she was watching a figure in the distance. “I’m on surveillance and that guy has been acting strangely – stranger than you even.” She said this as if it was next to impossible.

“Hey – watch it there. I don’t think your father would want you talking about your elders that way,” Howie reproached. In the dark of the enclosed space Howie could just make out the disdainful look Tanya shot him.

“What are you doing with Levi?” Levi’s tail starting thumping anew as he nuzzled his head into Tanya’s lap. She automatically reached out and gave the impossibly soft ears a loving massage.

“Sue asked me to watch him. Said they kicked him out. She was going to find Jack to sort it out. Say, she was dressed as Seven of Nine. What’s that all about?”

“I thought you were part of the team,” Tanya said slyly.

“The secret part, I’m not always privy to what’s going on when I’m into deep cover.”

“You’re a snitch, aren’t you?”

“That’s such an ugly word,” Howie huffed. “It doesn’t do justice to the part I play in the assignments I risk my life for every day.”

“Uh-huh,” Tanya mumbled, rolling her eyes. “Look, you’re in here, because I’m in a bit of trouble – well Tara is specifically and I think the team is trying to help her only I hold the key this time and they don’t know it, following me so far?”

“Could you repeat that again?” Howie asked dazedly.

“Let’s just say I’m deeper undercover than you’ve ever been and right now I’m watching that man – see the guy dressed like Worf? He’s been acting suspiciously, starting with paying a visit to the surveillance van. He’s walked all around the center twice and he keeps hitting himself in the chest and talking to thin air. I think he’s an escapee from the psyche ward.”



Worf pressed his COM badge to report in. “Nothing,” his mumbled admission more than a little testy. His captain had given him a simple task to fulfill and he was failing miserable.

“Commander Worf, I don’t need to tell you how important it is that we procure this computing device. Commander Data has indicated energy readings in your immediate vicinity. It must be there somewhere.”

“I am looking, Captain,” Worf replied curtly.

“Look harder Commander.”

“Yes sir.” Worf accepted the reprimand as his due. Tapping his COM badge to end the connection he resumed his careful pacing of the area.

“You! Klingon. This is a restricted area.”

Worf stiffened at the arrogant tone of voice and turned to confront the speaker. “I do not see any signs posting it as such.”

“Yeah, well, buddy this is the only sign you need.” The man in the suit flashed a badge. “CIA and I’m not telling you twice.”

“Cunningham! What do you want me to do with the laptop?” A man called across the parking lot.

“Just a minute. I told him to hold onto it, does he listen? Do I have to do everything myself around here?” Cunningham’s attention focused back onto Worf. “Out of my sight or I’ll arrange for you to have a police escort to the county jail. This is a matter of homeland security.”

Worf ignored him, focusing instead on the man hovering just outside a black car.

“I put it in your car. Meet you back at the office. I have an emergency call.” Squealing tires proclaimed his hasty exit.

“Hey! Not that way!” Cunningham shouted. “Stop. Mister I’ll give you to the count of five and then I’m drawing my weapon. One…”

By the time Cunningham yelled five Worf was abreast of the car, sighting his prey lying unattended on the front seat. Hitting his COM badge he signaled the enterprise. “I have the target in sight. Standby. I will need emergency transport.”

“Understood.” Data confirmed.

With the agile grace of all the great hunters Worf ducked and dove, his strong arms easily prying open the locked car door. Snatching up the laptop he dropped to the ground at the sound of the first gunshot. Taking a quick visual assessment of the area and noting that it was thankfully devoid of any other humans; Worf withdrew his phaser, which was set on stun, and quickly dropped his assailant to the ground. “Ready. Beam me up now.”

From inside their hiding place Tanya and Howie gaped as the scene played out before them. They saw the agent go down but by the time their eyes returned to the man dressed as Worf he had disappeared.

“That’s impossible!” Howie exclaimed, crawling out from beneath the bush.

Tanya followed him, clutching Tara’s laptop to her chest. “Where’d he go?”

“He just vanished. I didn’t see what direction he ran off in.” Howie pulled out his cell phone dialing 911. “I want to report a CIA agent down in the back parking lot at the Convention Centre…hey what did you do that for?” Tanya had snatched his cell phone from his hand, pressing the end button.

“We can’t be seen here,” she began just as they heard the sirens begin to wail.

“But an agent’s down!”

“No he’s not and that’s the problem. Look!”

Howie turned and sure enough the agent was staggering to his feet, gun drawn. “You, kid. Is that a laptop in your hand?”

Tanya shook her head and started backing away.

“Stop!”

“Run!” Tanya screamed at the same time and grabbing Levi’s leash and racing for cover leaving Howie had no choice but to follow.

There was no room for fear as relief flooded her body. This wasn’t Jack. Hadn’t been Jack before. Not in real life and not in her dreams, though she still felt a prickling of guilt over how she had so readily let doubts creep into her mind. Jack didn't deserve that. She’d have to apologize to him and explain…if she ever saw him again.

“What do you want?” she posed the question bravely, but her heart faltered as she waited for his reply.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He moved down the stairs, drawing closer and closer and she stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. When he reached her he trailed a finger down her cheek in a Jack-like gesture that wasn’t Jack. She turned her head away but he grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him.

“I’m finding certain limitations within this terrestrial shell irritating but I have a feeling I’m going to find that there are compensations…with you.” She shrank back against the wall and he watched her, frowning. “Are human women of your century all so erratic? First you want me, now you don’t.”

“I never wanted you!” Sue spat out furiously. “I want Jack!”

“And you see him before you, new and improved. What’s the problem with that?”

“The problem is that you don’t possess any of the qualities that make him the uniquely special individual whom I love – his tenderness, his compassion, his sense of humour, his joy for life, his honour and integrity…”

“Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,” the man scoffed miming a bored yawn. “You are beginning to annoy me just as much as Jean Luc. I can see where he gets all his failings from, but I’ve arrived in the nick of time to save your line from all of that. Which reminds me, let’s get down to business, shall we?”

Sue staggered backwards as the wall that had been supporting her disappeared and she found herself in a luxurious bedroom, lavishly decorated in opulent splendour.

“Now, could your Jack ever provide you with this?” He said with smug superiority.

Sue looked around her in bewildered disbelief.

“Ah, I see I’ve left you speechless.” He sounded pleased. “Well, while I’m on a roll…” He advanced towards her but Sue evaded his grasp and fled across the room to the door.

“You don’t want to open that!” he warned.

Sue yanked the door open and screamed as she teetered on the threshold of nothingness. A black void gaped on the other side of the door. She jumped when he pulled her back against him. Turning her so she faced him, he smiled. “Isn’t this what all honeymooners want? A chance to be completely alone for uninterrupted hours of bliss?”

Sue shoved, taking him by surprise and slipped out of his arms once again.

“This is getting annoying,” he complained darkly.

“Not half as annoying as you pushing yourself on me,” Sue retorted vehemently.

“Annoying? Moi?” He seemed insulted. “But my dear, I am your perfect fantasy.” He was suddenly standing before her clad only in a pair of black silk lounging pants. Muscles rippled as he advanced once again. “Isn’t this what you’ve been fantasizing about?”





Captain’s Log Stardate 43524.11

Commander Worf has just beamed aboard with the computer device Agent Williams used to create her time ripples. His successful mission is essential to divert yet another disaster of catastrophic proportions. Wes and Geordie have just uncovered an unsettling side effect caused by manipulating time. Young Mr. Crusher has described it as equivalent to a tsunami of time riding in the wake of the ripples.

Captain Picard looked up as a metallic trill announced the arrival of his senior officers. Switching off his automated journal he swiveled in his chair to face the door. “Enter.” He remained silently brooding as his officers took their places around the table.

“Good work, Mr. Worf, I knew I could count on you.” His praise was direct and sincere and Worf’s chest swelled with pride as he inclined his head in acknowledgement of his captain’s compliment. This is what he lived for, to serve with honour.

“Commander LaForge explain this tsunami effect,” Picard continued without preamble.

“The tests Wes and I have done in a controlled environment indicate that a surging force beyond our capability to control will inevitably follow each time ripple. Multiple ripples will result in a wave that we can only compare to a tsunami. Time will surge forward at light year speed and then pull back propelling the Enterprise and Earth with it.”

“Are you close to finding a way to control this phenomenon?” First Officer Riker asked hopefully.

“No where near,” La Forge said bluntly. “We’re working on it round the clock, but so far…”

“Agent Williams used the time ripple effect twice. Am I to draw the conclusion that we are due for one of these tsunami effects?”

“Yes sir.”

“How long do we have? Days? Weeks?” Picard pressed.

“Uncertain. It could be hours or…” Geordie didn’t need to finish his sentence. “We’re hoping that by examining Agent William’s computer we will be able to make more headway and find a way to reverse the side effects.”

“Mr. Data?”

Commander Data looked up from his perusal of the laptop Worf had handed him in the transporter room. “I have just gained access, sir. Agent Williams has changed her password since we had this computer in our possession last. Jackilious. It is not a term I am familiar with. However the contents of the computer seem to be encrypted. I am attempting to break the code but it may take some time. It is most unusual.”

“How so, Data?” Geordie asked curiously.

The android projected the contents of the page he was viewing onto the ready room viewer.

How Do I Love Thee Let me Count The Ways?

I love thee to with every fiber of my being,
From my toes (which tingle when you are near)
To the top of my head where my hair stands on end when I hear your voice.
I love thee with all the capacity that is in my tortured heart
For it is filled with unrequitedness which breeds sorrow.
But still I love thee freely, expecting nothing in return
Save the occasional wink from one of your sublimely chocolatey eyes.
I love thee with the passion of my heart that causes me to swoon when you are near
And sends me hyperventilating at your closeness.
I love thee with a love that knows no bounds,
Where time means nothing and everything
Like the force of nature, the tidal wave of emotion
That beats against my breast like the tsunami against the shore….

“It would appear sir, that Agent Williams was aware of the possible consequences of using the time ripple and has hidden a warning and perhaps a solution within this deplorable rendition of the classic poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

Picard frowned. “Dr. Crusher, report on our patient.”

“She is responding to treatment at a much quicker rate than I anticipated. She will make a full recovery,” Beverly announced with relief.

“Mr. Data take this computer down to Sickbay and enlist Agent Williams help in deciphering this code. Find out if she does indeed have a solution to the tsunami effect. Perhaps she has already implemented it and it is no longer a concern. Lt. Worf, accompany him and see to the security I placed upon our visitors in your absence.”

After they departed, Picard turned to his remaining officers. “It’s been hours since we have had any contact with Q and I can’t help worrying about when he will make his next move…”






For Non-trekkers: A holodeck is a recreation room on a starship which individuals can program to be whatever they want to it to be. It's like going on a holiday. Crew book time and go skiing ont he Alps or visit a balmy beach resort or create complicated story lines form favourite novels...it's pretty much like acting out your dreams.


An unfamiliar rage surged through Sue as she stared incredulously at the imposter who dared think he could improve upon the Jack Hudson she loved.

He was shaking his head at her now, the familiar face masked with scorn.

“I don’t believe that the bride should be scowling on her wedding night,” he commented drolly. “I think that must be my Q to intervene.” He laughed at the pun she couldn’t possibly comprehend. He lunged, she ducked and they went dancing around the room. He glared at her impatiently. “I was not aware that the customary bridal dance would take place with the couple so far apart.”

“You speak as if you don’t belong here. Maybe the question I should have asked is what are you?” A chill of fear threatened to overwhelm her as she voiced her uncertainty. What was happening to her? How was it happening? Feeling as if she was losing the last threads of her sanity she desperately tried to cling to what would bring her strength. The thought of Jack, the real Jack, her Jack came to her mind. Her world righted itself, anchored by the love they shared. She would get through this as she had gotten through other desperate situations and at the end of it Jack would be there just as he always was.

“My you’re a curious little thing. I can see where Jean Luc gets his inquiring mind. And very perceptive of you, my dear, though I’m a little disappointed in your desire to conduct a conversation at time like this. But perhaps that is my fault, I should have swept you off your feet by now.”

Sue found herself suddenly floating in the air above the bed. Terror rose like bile in her throat as she floundered in mid air unable to right herself. “Put me down, please.” It was a whispered plea and she hated showing such a sign of weakness.

“Since you put it so nicely.” She dropped like a stone landing solidly in the middle of the bed.

“Now that’s more like it.” He studied her thoughtfully. “Though I think the whole scene is lacking the right ambience. I know.” He snapped his fingers and Sue gasped as her catsuit transformed into a negligee. “Virginal white. How appropriate.” His manner exuded a shallow charm that she found twice as disconcerting coming from Jack.

She was fast reaching a state of terror she had never known before. Worse even than when Simon had his hands around her neck, choking the life out of her. This fear of the unknown and complete lack of control was nearly crippling and she was ashamed that she was weak enough to allow her eyes to fill with tears. She looked at him helplessly – the face of the man she loved so much. It was all the more terrifying to be subjected to the whims of a madman with Jack’s features.

“What’s this? Tears? Dare I hope they be from joy?” His mockery was evident.

“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. Take me back. Please.” There she was pleading again but what else was there for her to do?

“But if I take you back my mission won’t be complete. And I do like to finish what I start. I don’t understand your reluctance. I have taken great care to create an environment you would be comfortable in. Don’t you like the decor? The real Jack could never afford this…or lavish you with gifts such as these.”

Sue felt an unusual weight against her neck and reached up to her throat, surprised to feel a necklace lying against her skin. She moved her head and felt something dangling from her ears.

“Diamonds,” he said. “Suitable for you I think. Beautiful, delicate, but with an inner core of strength. They are priceless and they’re yours to keep.” He seemed very pleased with himself.

She wasted no time in wrenching off the necklace and pulling the baubles from her ears. Then she threw them at him, her aim deadly accurate. The sharp-edged fastening of the necklace scratched against his cheek, drawing blood. He moved to the mirror, staring at his reflection in fascination. Dabbing at the red smear along his jaw he pulled his hand away, examining the wetness on his fingers. His jaw clenched. “You are making me very angry.”

“I’m the one who has the right to be angry. You’ve impersonated the man I love – made a mockery of what we feel for one another and now you are holding me hostage here…where ever this is,”

“Behold the ice maiden melteth. Work with that passion, darling, I’m sure we can find a more productive use for it.” He sauntered over to the bed with an unassuming carefree air.

Sue tried to leap up but he held up his hand and she found herself pinned to the bed, unable to move. “I’ve tried being attentive, but you are wearing my patience. Let’s get this over and done with so I can watch the millennia unfold with my own special mark upon it.”

Sue couldn’t begin to understand the meaning behind his words, but his intentions were clear and she was helpless to do anything about it.

“At least tell me why,” she said softly, her FBI training kicking in. Keep up interaction with a suspect while looking for an avenue of escape. Well evidently there wasn’t a way out of this room so making a mad dash for the door, if she could even move, was out of the question. Mediate. Keep them talking. Try to negotiate a deal.

“Because I have a fondness for the human race. It’s a weakness of mine, I know. The other Q have ridiculed me for it, but it’s an addiction. I find your pathetic little lives so amusing. And after all this fathomless length of time, it’s hard to find something to laugh at. Jean Luc got me hooked. Such a combination of suppressed rage and stoic honor. I just couldn’t resist finding out what made him tick. Generation after generation, right back to you in fact, they’re all like him. Human genetics. That’s what I’m interested in.”

“Does this Jean Luc know what you intend to do?’”

“Hardly. He’d kill me he could right about now I suppose. It’s a complicated love/hate relationship. Fascinating man though and having met you, I see why. You intrigue me, Sue Thomas and I find I’m quite willing to sacrifice myself for the good of science.”

“What kind of sacrifice?” Sue asked fearfully.

“The kind that could get me killed,” Q muttered. “To take on this mortal coil and attempt to follow in the footsteps of a man, if only for a day. This physical body is interesting, but has too many limitations for my liking. You’re so weighted down in water and mass and there’s so much upkeep. It’s a miracle your race has survived and I suppose I want to experience a small taste of that miracle. And you, my dear, are the chosen vessel.”

“Why me?” Sue asked, desperate to keep him talking as he lay down on the bed next to her.

“Because you started it Miss Thomas. It began right here,” he placed his hand on her stomach, “right now. You are the backbone of generations, did you know that? The matriarch of a great family of notable humans. They all strove to match your maverick spirit, to emulate your honor. Perhaps too much. They have become insipid in their nobility, annoying in their sense of fair play, impossible in their demands to right others wrongs.”

“Who is their father?”

“Why me, of course,” he indicated the body that rose over her. “Jack Hudson.”

“You are nothing like Jack! He wouldn’t pin me down against my will, hold me hostage…”

“Jack Hudson is not the paragon of virtue you think he is” he scorned. “Do you know what is in his mind? What thoughts entice him in great detail night…and day? What do you suppose he’s thinking about when he sits across from you in that stuffy little office you call a pen? I’ll tell you. He’s thinking about sequestering you away where no one can find you so he can have you all to himself without any interruptions. He’s thinking about keeping you in his bed. Shall I tell you what his intentions are there?”

“Stop!” Sue protested furiously. “He would never leave me helpless or make me feel that I had to defend myself.”

“No? I believe one of his fantasies involves a set of handcuffs. Jack Hudson is not the saint you make him out to be.”

“And he’s not the monster you have turned him into.” Though pinned at the waist she still had full use of her legs and she used them.

He doubled over in pain and she immediately felt the pressure pinning her to the bed release. Wasting no time Sue lunged off the bed and raced across the room. Pulling open the door, she hesitated for only a second when she was confronted with the yawning darkness across the threshold. But anything was better than her fate if she stayed in this room.

With a prayer in her heart she jumped - a leap of faith, prepared to sail into a black void of nothingness. Instead her feet hit solid ground. Surprised, she stumbled, lost her balcance and fell onto a hard, cold floor. Whimpering she crawled a distance on her hands and knees, frantically searching for a way through the inky blackness. It was so dark she couldn’t even see the hand she held in front of her face. Unable to hear if he was in pursuit, she was nearly paralyzed with fear. “Oh God, why can’t there be any light? Please, turn on a light!”

She was immediatly bathed in hazy glow and Sue looked around in amazement. She was in a room with black walls, floor and ceiling. Light yellow grid lines glowed mutely across all surfaces, dividing the room up like a piece of graph paper. Shakily, she rose to her feet and looked behind her. The room she had been held captive in had vanished, but the other Jack at least, was no where in sight.

It took several minutes of searching before she detected the thin seam of light at one end of the room. Hoping it indicated a door of some sort, she made her way unsteadily towards it. She had seen this kind of room before, but that had been on a television show – the fabrication of set designers and a man with a dream. It couldn’t possibly be…

Reaching the wall, she felt experimentally along the seam of light. It as definitely a door and there was definitely something on the other side. Feeling unaccountably foolish she spoke softly in almost a whisper. “Computer. End program.” She didn’t hear the computer’s response, but the doors suddenly slid open and she blinked blindly at the infusion of light. It was a second before her eyes could adjust and by the time she could see clearly she had attracted the attention of a number of starship personnel. Heat infused her face as she realized that they were gawking at her scantily clad body and she raised her hands protectively over the diaphanous material that covered her breasts.

A woman with kind eyes calmly approached her, shrugging off a colourful wrap and draping it over Sue’s shoulders. “You’re a stranger here.” The acknowledgement soothed as did the warmth and acceptance in the compassionate brown eyes. “Sue Thomas, I’m wagering?” The woman smiled when Sue nodded confirmation. “I'm sure you are confused. Come with me and I'll attempt an explanation,” the lady wrapped her arm around Sue’s shoulder and gently prodded her forward. “I’m Guinan, by the way, and we have a mutual friend…Levi.” She laughed at Sue’s perplexed look, turning her attention away for a moment to catch the gaping stare of a young ensign. “What are you gawking at? Notify your captain that he’s wanted in Ten Forward immediately.”

She was in the fantastical realm between waking and sleeping, when the cobwebs of her dream still clung to her mind's eye. Tara smiled and stretched and what a dream it has been. I don't want to wake up. She kept her eyes closed and tried to capture the fading realm of dreamland. The trouble was odd sounds -- beeps and humming had her alert and awake. This didn't sound like home. Disoriented and uncertain, she pried one eye open and quickly closed it again, her heart rate accelerating alarmingly. She groped for her pillow but there wasn't one, just the contoured outline moulded onto the strange bed. And the blanket wasn't hers. It was light and silky but warm -- exactly the right temperature in fact for her to be completely comfortable. "It wasn't a dream!" Her eyes flew open and she stared up into Bobby's fathomless blue eyes. They were crinkled at the corners and he was fighting the smile that played on his lips.

"I thought you would never wake up."

It was definitely his voice. She had been sleeping with Bobby in the room. Her heart jack hammered at the thought of him watching her sleep. She squeezed her eyes tight. Please don't let me have slept with my mouth open. And tell me I didn't snore. Please. Please. And oh my gosh, what if I drooled? The beeps grew shriller and their tempo rose. Tara shot into a sitting position and looked around her in alarm. "What is that?"

"Your vital signs sounding reassuringly vital," Bobby told her with a grin and a heart-lurching wink. The beeping cacophony raised a notch and his grin got wider.

"It's true?" She was having a hard time coming to grips with the idea, but once she did she thumped Bobby on the shoulder.

"Ow! What was that for?" Bobby complained, rubbing his arm. She packed a wallop.

"This is all real. We're actually on the Enterprise and you let me sleep?" Her horrified tone matched the shock in her eyes.

"You were sick. The doctor said you needed to rest. She should be back any time for your next treatment. Hey steady there, I don't think you should be..." Tara used his shoulders as a springboard to launch herself off the rather high bed. "...getting up."

"Bobby -- it's really real. I mean actually real. Honestly true...exactly like it is on TV. How can that be? It doesn't make sense. Am I still dreaming?"

"Well if you are I'm sharing the dream with you...uh Tara, luv, do you often dream about me?"

He's flirting with me! This astonishing thought kept her giddiness at bay. "Of course not, why would you think that?" She tossed her head and looked at him nervously.

Bobby shrugged easily. "Don't know, something you must have said." She was so easy to tease.

"What did I say? Did I talk in my sleep? I didn't sleepwalk, did I? And if your name came up in my nocturnal ramblings it's only because I used to have a...goldfish called Bobby."

He towered over her. Did he look that big on earth? His easygoing confidence filled the room and he was grinning at some private joke as they came nose to nose. Well, nose to chest actually. Tara gulped, drinking in the solid expanse. Had it always been that wide? Was everything bigger and better out here in space? Or had she flipped a gasket somewhere in the transporter room. She knew strange things could happen while a person was being transported...wait a minute, she'd been transported and she missed it? "Bobby, talk fast and don't leave out a single detail."





Jack was beginning to believe he was destined to be alone. Sue was missing again and he wondered just how many collective days over the past three years he had spent wondering and worrying about her whereabouts. But this time felt different. There were too many unusual circumstances adding up to nothing more than mass confusion. He had three agents missing, four if he counted Levi and to top it off the CIA had just reported that Tara's laptop had been stolen by a Klingon.

"How's that going to look on your report?" Myles couldn't resist gloating and Agent Cunningham turned purple with rage. He'd demanded that Jack's team help in apprehending the suspect but Jack's patience ran out when Cunningham described two possible accomplices -- a short man covered in spots wearing a rainbow tunic and an African American dwarf in a choir robe. Jack had his own priorities and finding his missing agents was at the top of the list.



Worf and Data nodded to the security officers flanking the doors leading to Sickbay.

"Ahem, sir, you might want to give them some advanced warning before you go in there," a young ensign suggested, his face flushed with embarrassment. The look Worf sent him nearly had him nervously shifting from his position in front of the door.

"We're under the captain's orders," Worf replied sternly.

"Yes sir, it's just that..." the second crewman drew silent when faced with the Klingon's glare.

Data cocked his head and listened intently, drawing closer to the door, he pressed his ear against the seam. Eyebrows arched in surprise and he turned to Commander Worf. "Sir, I believe that the equivalent of a knock at the door is in order here." He agreed.

"Stand aside," Worf commanded, but then he too heard the same unusual noises coming from within Sickbay. A breathless giggle followed by a hearty laugh, then a noise that sounded suspiciously like a kiss followed by an ecstatic moan.

"Let me do it one more time. Please Bobby, just once. What can it hurt?"

"You'd wear a fella out, luv," Bobby protested indulgently.

"But I didn't know how good it would feel," Tara wheedled.

"You're going to break it with over use. Besides the novelty of it will wear off and it won't be as exciting the next time round."

"I can't imagine ever getting bored with this. I'm tingling all over with the rush. How have I Ivied all these years without it?"

"You're such an excitable little thing..."

"I can't believe you're so blasé about it. Where's your spirit of adventure? Your passion? Your thirst for something new?"

"I think you've exhausted it all right out of me and if you gyrate like that any more I think I'm going to have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you off to bed."

Bobby could feel his resolve dimming as he looked into Tara’s hopeful eyes. Shaking his head good-naturedly he moved away from the replicator with a stern warning. “This is the last time. After this one you’re back in your bed where you should have stayed all along!”

Tara gave him a mock salute and rushed to the replicator, practically bounding out of her shoes with excitement. She cast Bobby a sideways glance from beneath her eyelashes, which had him grinning at her wolfishly, though she didn’t notice. Her attention was on the fine piece of technology in front of her. She stroked it lovingly before taking a step back.

“Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.” And squealed with delight when the beverage materialized before her, steam rising from the clear cup. She picked it up, marveling at the craftsmanship of something that had just appeared out of thin air. Looking up at Bobby who gave her a conspiratorial wink, she raised the cup to her lmouth and took a noisy sip, smacking her lips appreciatively and then let out a blissful sigh. “Definitely as good as the first time,” she patted the replicator appreciatively. “Good work.”

“Glad you approve!” Bobby said quickly, taking the cup from her hand and setting it on a table with ten others. “Now that the fun is over, you need to rest. I can tell you’re all worn out.”

“But, Bobby…” A gentle trill cut off her protest and they both looked around in alarm. “What was that?”

“The 24th century’s equivalent of a phone?” Bobby suggested though he couldn’t find anything that fit the description of what he thought a phone in any century would look like.

Tara shook her head. “Nope. They have COM badges and visual email. I’m sure phones are obsolete.” The melodic trill sounded again – twice this time. Tara glanced up at the warning light above the door. “It’s not a red alert. The light would be flashing and the noise would stay on.” She frowned when the trill sounded once more this time louder and prolonged almost as if someone was impatiently pressing a… “It’s a doorbell! Someone’s at the door.”

Bobby walked over to the entranceway, but there was no handle that he could see, just a control panel to one side. Well, he was good at breaking and entering any kind of sealed door on Earth; he might as well try his hand here…

“Wait. Let me try something first. Come over here,” Tara enthusiastically patted her side and he ambled over to her, enjoying the excitement that the simplest things produced in her. She looked up at him with shining eyes. “Ready?” He nodded. “Okay, here goes….Enter!” The door slid open and two starfleet officers stepped inside.

Worf was relieved to see that the two humans were fully clothed, Data seemed disappointed. He had a fascination with the mating rituals of many species, but humans particularly intrigued him.

For once Tara was tongue-tied as she stared in awe at the 7 foot Klingon. Worf looked uncomfortable under scrutiny and fixed his gaze somewhere just over her left ear, in deference to her mate.

“I am Lt. Commander Worf and this is…”

“Data!” Tara had found her voice as she rushed to embrace the android. “Datanovich! It’s so obvious – how could I have missed it? No wonder Levi didn’t know what to make of you…”

“I have found that keeping subterfuge as close to reality as possible is most successful. But you should not have remembered that incident once you rippled time.” Data stepped back and smiled at Tara. It looked more like a grimace since he had no emotion to put behind it, but Tara appreciated the effort.

“I created a timeloop safety protocol for my video diary…just in case. And it looks like I needed it,” Tara explained modestly and then turned her attention to Worf.

“You’re bigger than I imagined you would be,” she said though clearly not intimidated by the grim-faced warrior. Tara threw her arms around his waste and hugged him exuberantly. “You can’t fool me – under that gruff exterior lies a cuddly teddy bear.”

Worf kept his gaze fixed on a distance spot of the sickbay, his hands hanging stiffly at his sides while a look of sheer panic played across his face. Noting the Klingon’s discomfort, Bobby gently peeled Tara away from him.

“I meant no disrespect,” Worf told Bobby formally. “I am a man of honour and have no wish to challenge you for your woman.”

“My woman?” Bobby repeated the phrase as he looked Tara up and down with new interest. “Now that has a ring to it.”

“I’m nobody’s woman,” Tara assured Worf giving Bobby an impatient glare, “ so no offence was taken.” She’d forgotten how quaintly chauvinistic the Klingon male was.

“Agent Williams, we are hoping to enlist your aid in decoding the cryptography in your computer.” Data set the laptop down the table next to the numerous half filled teacups. Raising the lid, his fingers flew across the keyboard. “I am not familiar with the term jackilicious. Is it a colloquialism of your time?”

“Jackilicious?” Tara asked, her confusion warring with her fascination. Data’s hands blurred as he rapidly retrieved the information he desired.

“Yes. I have no record of that word or any of its derivatives in my memory banks. I have added it, but do not have a definition to attach to it.”

“Where on earth did you hear it?” Tara asked in surprise.

“From your computer, Agent. It is your password.” Data swiveled the laptop in Tara’s direction. “Can you decode this for us please? It is urgent that we discover as much as we can about the tsunami effect as quickly as possible.”

Bobby looked over her shoulder and glaring down at the screen. “Jackilicious and now love poetry? Are you harboring unrequited love for Sparky then?”

Tara looked up into Bobby’s dancing eyes. She bit her lip to keep from grinning. Data and Worf were so endearingly serious. You’d almost think that their very lives depended upon her answer. “Sorry, fellas, this isn’t my computer. But I know who it belongs to. If you want a definition for Jackilicious, you’ll have to ask her.”

Worf frowned. “You worked on the time ripple equations with someone else?” He tried to keep the alarm out of his voice, but didn’t quite succeed.

Alert to the nuances in his tone Tara looked sharply at the two officers. “What’s this all about? You both seem deadly serious. This isn’t my laptop. It belongs to a girl. My supervisor’s daughter.” Tara’s fingers smoothed over the mouse and a picture of Tanya Gans leapt onto the screen. “Her name is Tanya and she is…”

“Incorrigible,” Bobby supplied helpfully.

“But how did you get hold of her computer?”

Worf looked uncomfortable…and angry. “I stole it from the CIA agent who stole it from your surveillance van. It is imperative that the information about your time manipulation does not get into the wrong hands…”

“Or any hands at all for that matter. 21st century earth is not ready for the responsibility of time travel,” Data added.

“I have seen that human girl-child. She was acting furtively, as if she was guilty of something and she carried another machine such as this one.” Worf looked at the winsome shot of Tanya, arms folded, leaning against a wall, flanked by Bobby and Jack in their Ops gear.

Bobby and Tara exchanged a glance. “I expect Tanya swapped computers…”

A low grumble resonated around the room slowly building in intensity until the teacups clattered against each other as the table shook.

“Mr. Worf!” Data reprimanded. “This may be a set back but at least we know the information isn’t in the hands America’s top scientists. It will be infinitely safer in the hands of young girl.”

Bobby and Tara grinned simultaneously. “Don’t be so sure of that.”




There was a lull in conversation as Sue made her way back into the Ten Forward lounge. She couldn’t hear the drop in voices but she could tell that conversations staggered to a halt as crewmen tried very hard not to look at her. At least she was more presentable now. Guinan had replicated an outfit for her. Something more familiar – what every earth woman will wear this spring, Guinan had said. Jeans and a peasant blouse, though the material was incredibly light and delightfully soft, the jeans fitting her like a second skin. Her eyes frantically searched for Guinan but when she found her she hesitated. A man was talking earnestly. Mr. Pick. Picard. Jean Luc Picard! Suddenly everything was falling into place! She eavesdropped unashamedly and then frowned, her forthright stubbornness rising with every word she read. Guinan caught her eye and beckoned. Sue marched over, her ire raised a notch further as she caught the last incriminating words from Picard.

“Captain,” she acknowledged him as if she were making his acquaintance at garden party. She noted the startled look in his eye with smug satisfaction. “I’d prefer that you spoke directly to me about what concerns me. I am most definitely not delicate or in a fragile state and I can tell you word for word what that man impersonating Jack said and did to me. And I have no intention of being sedated until you can wipe my memory and send me back where I came from!”

Captain’s Log Stardate 43524.14

Lt. Commander Worf and ship’s counselor, Deanna Troy have beamed back to the planet, this time to hopefully retrieve the correct computer device which is now in the hands of a teenage girl…"computer off."

Jean Luc ran his hands over his head, shuddering at the thought of the fate of the world – the entire universe – in the hands of a hormonal teenager who made up words like jackilicious. When had things gone so terribly awry? He felt the threads unraveling faster than he could pull them together. And Sue Thomas had been a surprise…a not entirely pleasant one.

He frowned. She was stubborn, opinionated, willful and defiant.

“And that’s just for starters. Hello Jean Luc, did you miss me?” Q perched on the edge of his desk, ignoring the icy glare of the starship captain. “I see you’ve become just as enamoured with our Miss Thomas as I have. Delightful creature to lock horns with, isn’t she? Such spirit. Such fire. Such independence. But you’re right she’s also a royal pain in the a…”

“Q!” Picard’s open palms slammed against the desk as he rose to his feet and confronted the omnipotent alien who had become his worse nemesis. “You created this situation we find ourselves in, with history as we know hanging in the balance and for what cause? So you can force your way into our lives thereby changing them irrevocably? And you do this for your own amusement? You’ve an attention span of a three-year-old! What will you do when you grow bored with fatherhood, with being bound to family ties…”

Q shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll stir things up again, I suppose. That’s the joy of being me, Jean Luc, I can have whatever I want, whenever I want it. A pity you humans are so limited by your mortality.” He pouted sympathetically.

“I beg to differ, Q. Apparently Sue Thomas denied you the very thing you wanted most. She bested you, Q, admit it and give up the chase. The end result won’t be worth the catastrophic change you will invoke in all our lives.”

“Jean Luc, you know me better than that. I’m not a quitter. And I’ll admit I was more than a little annoyed with Suzy when she behaved so unladylike in the boudoir. I took such pains to make everything so perfect too,” he sighed elaborately. “Still, I’m over the compulsion to hurl her into space so far it would take her thousands of years to make her way back to her beloved Jack. Of course, I’ve had time to cool off, but I never know what emotions will consume this physical body when I see her next. And this was a trial run anyway. It would have been a bonus had I caught her in my trap the first time round…but you and I both know Jean Luc that in time-altering matters the, well…timing is everything. I have a few hours yet to make the fair lady swoon in my presence. I obviously wasn’t thorough enough in my research. I never did like to study. I was a more hands on learner myself. So I’m off, to observe Jack Hudson in person. I just need to figure out what he has that I haven’t got and then…” Q snapped his fingers and vanished but his voice echoed ominously behind him. “I shall alternate your reality, Jean Luc and you won’t have to worry about time tsunamis any longer.”

Picard furiously pounded his fist at the spot where Q had been, punching the air ineffectually. Placing his other hand against his COM badge he contacted his away team. “Picard to Lt. Worf.”

“Yes Captain,” Worf spoke softly, his voice betraying his concern. The Captain would not risk contacting them if the situation was not dire.

“Find Jack Hudson and then beam him aboard the Enterprise. Directly to my ready room.”

“Sir?” Worf’s shock was evident.

“Captain, is everything all right?” Deanna’s serene lilt irritated him enough to want to throttle her. Better that she was on the planet’s surface and far away from his wrath. He didn’t want to hear her gentle probing or passive platitudes.

“What kind of asinine question is that to ask at a time like this? Of course everything’s not all right or I wouldn’t be beaming half the planet’s population up to the Enterprise.” Sarcasm dripped from every syllable. “Q has set up Hudson as his target. Sue has had a near miss. I don’t fancy taking any more chances with my family line, counselor. Hudson needs to be where we can keep an eye on him. He’s your first priority. Then go after the laptop. Understood?”

“But captain – the tsunami…” Deanna must be really worried or she wouldn’t be second-guessing her superior officer.

“…won’t matter, if Q has his way. I might not even exist. This ship probably won’t arrive here and none of this will matter in the least. Bring me Hudson, Mr. Worf. Now.”




After a fruitless hour of searching Jack sagged wearily against the wall of a surprisingly deserted hallway. He felt gutted when he thought about the loss of his teammates and more than devastated when he thought of Sue. What had he been thinking of – allowing her to roam the convention centre alone like that?

Myles had discovered a practically pre-pubescent security guard who confirmed that a man had paid him to lure Sue outside with the bogus story that Levi was not allowed in the center. He gave a vague description of the man but tall, medium build, brown hair and brown hairs didn't give them a solid lead. Myles was viewing the security tapes down the hall but Jack had been unable to stand the silent monotony. His nerves taut, he was restless and agitated and useless at sitting around watching a blurry replay of the days comings and goings. He was ready for action – craved physical involvement in something.

Myles poked his head out the door of the viewing room. “You all right there, Jack?”

Jack nodded mutely, but his response wasn’t enough to reassure his teammate. Myles called something to the security guard in the claustrophobic room and closed the door, making his way to where Jack, looking beaten, leaned against the wall. Myles touched his shoulder awkwardly in a gesture of empathy and fumbled for words of comfort. “We’ll find them, Jack. We’ll find her. It’s just going to take a bit of time and we have to make sure we cover every angle. Like those tapes in there. Every little bit helps, no matter how tedious.”

Jack raised anguished eyes heavenwards. “Do you know how many times I’ve nearly lost her over the past three years? I started counting…too many times. And in the last twenty-four hours we've been apart more than we've been together. We were going to elope today.”

The statement, coming out of the blue took Myles by surprise. “You what?”

Jack nodded. “I finally did it. Asked her to marry me and she agreed and it suddenly seemed foolish to wait any longer so we were going to elope.”

“Jack, Sue seemed a little…distraught…earlier today. Did you notice that?”

“Yeah, yeah I did.”

Myles scuffed the toe of his shoe along the cinderblock wall in a futile gesture of frustration. He wanted to help -- to make this turn out all right but at the moment he only felt useless.

Taking a deep clearing breath, Jack tried to get his shambles of a brain in order. Suppressing the emotional baggage that was growing too heavy for him to carry he looked Myles directly in the eye. “Sue was upset this morning. Confused. This whole case has been strange and I think it was affecting her nerves. I think she was beginning to doubt her judgement…maybe that’s part of the reason I was pushing the elopement idea. You know that saying – you never know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone? Well that’s what the whole New York fiasco was about for me. I couldn’t let her go without knowing…and maybe I came on so strong that I pushed her away…”

“It’s a possibility – but not a probability. We both know Sue. She would never worry any of us needlessly. And she’s a professional. She wouldn’t just walk off a case because of personal problems…not that I’m saying you’re the problem.” The more Myles talked the more confident he became. “Jack – the feeling I got this morning was that Sue’s doubts were directed more at herself than at you. You know how she internalizes everything, worries it to death, tries to solve everything on her own?” Jack nodded. “As Bobby would say, no worries, mate, we’ll have this in apple pie order in no time.” Myles desperately wished for the Aussie agent to come striding through that door. He’d know what to do and say to bring his buddy around whereas Myles felt woefully inadequate for the job.

Jack felt calmer for talking to Myles. His friend had been thorough, efficient and surprisingly sympathetic throughout the morning. “Thanks, Myles. Look, you keep up on the security tapes, and I’ll just take another lap around, see if D’s come up with anything new.”
They both knew that if D had, he would have contacted them immediately but Myles played along and moved back to the door. “Right. I’ll let you know the results as soon as I have them.” He opened the door and hesitated a minute. “Try not to worry, Jack. We’ll find them, we’ll find her for you.” Then he slipped into the security room and closed the door softly behind him.

Where was she and what was she going through? "Oh Sue -- you take too many risks. When I find you I swear I’m going to handcuff you to my side until this mess is sorted out. I should have done it this morning when I thought of it in the first place. Then at least I’d be with you – where ever you are."

"You see? That's what I told her but she didn't believe me."

The stranger seemed to appear out of no where. Jack blinked and rubbed his eyes and then shifted away from the wall when he realized who the stranger was. "I didn't expect to see you here, sir." Jack practically stood at attention as the new area supervisor who had been alienating agents at all levels sauntered up to him.

"Agent Hudson."

Jack felt an instant reaction of repulsion. He knew next to nothing about the man and yet he was prepared to dislike him on sight. "Agent Quincy."

The man slapped him on the back. "Let's not stand on formality here. Q will do just fine. Walk with me, Hudson."

Jack had no choice but to follow the administrator's lead but even as he did so he voiced his protest. "I'm in the middle of an urgent case, sir. Three agents are missing..."

Q eyed him sharply.

“I need to resume the search. Agent Leland is following a lead now and D...Agent Gans is in the field."

"Yes, I saw him -- even in a crowd of Klingons he casts an imposing figure. Excellent makeup by the way, he nearly fooled me."

A ghost of a smile played about Jack's lips as he remembered the boisterous fun of earlier in the day. "That would be due to his daughter, Tanya, sir."

"Yes, well, about Miss Thomas..."

Jack's eyes clouded over with pain. "She disappeared about half an hour after Williams and Manning."

"I heard those two disappeared right under your nose."

"It happens like that sometimes. You should know that sir, from being in the field yourself."

"Ah yes, and I have played the field farther than you can ever imagine," Q commented dryly. "I understand you are pursuing a relationship with Thomas."

Talk about striking a guy when he was down. Jack's heart sank. Word had traveled fast, but they hadn’t been particularly discreet since the welcome back party the previous morning. And the gossip mill was always ripe for new rumours.

"Sir, this is hardly the time or place to have this discussion."

"Handy side-stepping their Hudson," Q punched him on the shoulder in a comradely gesture, which was lost on him. "Tell me, how is the romance going?"

"Sir?"

"Go on, don't leave anything out. I'm all ears. What sparks the attention of a woman like Sue?"

Jack declined to answer that, walking silently alongside his superior.

"Come, come, agent Hudson. How did the first date go? Chinese or pizza? Those are your two stand-bys, aren't they? Did you bring her flowers? What are her favourites? Or chocolates. A woman always likes chocolate. Deanna does,” Q spoke softly, almost as if to himself as he thoughtful mulled things over. “Of course! That’s where I went wrong! I didn’t wine her and dine her. There’s hardly time for that now, however perhaps a whirlwind courtship is in order. Dinner in Paris, say, flowers from Xenebia and dancing…does she like dancing?”

Jack stood his ground. "I'm sorry sir, this discussion ends here. I have a job to do and that includes bringing Sue home safely. When that's been accomplished I will meet with you at your office but I won't be answering any personal questions now or then."

Q sighed. "Pity. She thinks the world of you, you know. Can't defend you enough. So sure you are her knight in shining armor." Q paused and looked at Jack contemplatively. "Now there's an idea. Perhaps we just need to show Sue what kind of heart really beats beneath that chest. Once she sees you are merely as mortal as the next ne’er do well, she might just look at me with a little more understanding and acceptance. You see, Hudson, I fear the woman has put you on a pedestal and it's time somebody knocked you right off. Of course, you might break something, but those are the risks when one takes a chance on love."

Tall. Medium build. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Jack’s mind worked furiously trying to put the pieces together. Q had shown an interest in Sue since the party and he had summoned her to his office for lunch. And in that alternate time line – when it was as if Sue had never existed, neither had Q.

"You know something about Sue's disappearance." It was a statement, not a question.

“The wheels are turnibg…I can almost see the steam rising out of your ears. It must be such a strain on your poor mortal brain to try to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Here. Let me help you.”

In a blink of an eye Jack was facing himself.

"It's Discardian chocolate. The best in the galaxy. There's nothing like a little chocolate to lift the soul in trying times. Some things remain the same in any century.” Guinan smiled as she broke off a piece of rich, velvety dark chocolate and offered it to Sue.

Sue accepted it gratefully, smiling at the kind woman who carried her serenity wrapped around her like a cloak. Guinan exuded a soothing peace and her presence had done much to calm Sue’s shattered nerves. Popping the confection into her mouth she nearly swooned as the flavour immediately assaulted her senses. The decadent chocolate softened, then melted in her mouth until nothing remained but the astonishing flavour that practically tickled her tastebuds.

Guinan laughed at her reaction. "I told you it was good."

"Not that good!" Sue gasped, feeling a warmth permeate her entire body as the chocolate slid down her throat.

"Yes, well the Discardians take their chocolate seriously and if it doesn't stay in your system for at least an hour it's not worth eating." Guinan busied herself at the counter, remaining close incase Sue needed her, but politely aloof so she wouldn't feel that her space had been invaded.

"You think I was hard on the captain." Sue finally managed to talk once most of the tingling in her tongue subsided.

Guinan arched an eyebrow. "I didn't say that."

"But you're thinking it."

"So you're a mind reader now too? You and Deanna should get together and compare notes."

"No, but, its what I expect anyone would think because it's what ..."

"What you think. Do you stand by what you said to Captain Picard?"

Sue nodded emphatically. "Maybe just not the way I said it." She worried her lower lip with her teeth, wondering what had gotten into her to make her so abrupt and almost adversarial with the captain. She had snapped when Picard had refused to send her home. She knew how worried Jack would be and she couldn’t bear the thought of him going through that kind of pain because of her…again. Besides, after her latest experience with Q she craved the familiarity of the real Jack. She was sure that if they stuck together they’d be safer. But Captain Picard and his prime directive thought differently. He had told her she was staying…a virtual prisoner in Ten Forward. There had been no discussion or by your leave. Just a firm Stay, as if she were a dog. “I don’t like feeling helpless.”

“ No one does,” Guinan replied easily. “No one said you had to like it. That’s just the way it is right now. Jean Luc is feeling the same pressure, only his worries extend far beyond his own personal fight for survival. And he sees you as a victim of Q. He feels responsible for Q's interest in you, and for peril you have been put in. That doesn't sit well with the captain. because though he's fair, he takes great store in accountability. And he does feels accountable. Frankly, my dear, there’s a lot of you in Jean Luc. Q was right. Human genetics is a marvelous thing."

Sue sighed so hard that her bangs flew up off her face. “I was pretty awful to Captain Picard, wasn’t I?’

The conversation had come full circle and Guinan smiled glad to see Sue able to distance herself enough to sort things out in her mind.

“The trouble is, it doesn’t matter what he does. He can confine me here but Q could still find me. So what difference does it make if I stay here or go back? That’s all I was trying to say.” Sue spoke firmly.

“And the Captain knows that and it eats at that masculine pride of his even as it thwarts that protective streak in him. He lashed out because he felt inadequate. A man hates to feel inadequate.”

“Jack’s like that.” Sue said wistfully. “Protective. Overbearing at times, but always with my best interests at heart. I fight against him too. Sometimes do things my own way behind his back just because I have to prove myself. We clash in some ways and always will but still it feels so right.”

Suddenly Sue covered her face with her hands and her shoulders heaved as she silently wept. Guinan placed a comforting hand on her back, tracing soothing circles as she let some of Sue’s grief wash away before tapping her shoulder lightly to get her attention.

“I can’t promise you that everything will be all right, but I can promise you that we will do everything in our power to make it so.”

“Oh Guinan – I don’t know if I can ever make things right with Jack. How can I ever forgive myself for thinking that he could act the way Q did? And what will he think when he finds out?”

“You’re too hard on yourself…and on Jack. Is he really as insensitive and judgmental as you’re making him out to be?”

“Absolutely not! What would give you that idea?”

Guinan shrugged. “The way you talk about him. A man who has a hard time forgiving is usually a difficult companion. Are you sure you want to tie yourself down to a man like that?”

“Jack is kind and compassionate – to a fault. He’ll help anyone who needs help, whether they ask for it or not. He is a man of honesty and integrity and though he has every reason to become cynical from what he sees in our line of work, he isn’t bitter or negative. He’s understanding…” Sue’s tirade trailed off as she looked at Guinan suspiciously.

Guinan merely smiled. “So, let’s get back to how this incredibly good looking man who also happens to be compassionate, generous and crazy in love with you, won’t forgive you because an omnipotent alien masqueraded as your lover and you believed him for a while.”

Sue smiled wanly. “Well, when you put it like that…”

“You take yourself too seriously, Sue and that’s an injustice to both you and Jack. I’ve never even met the man and I’m half in love with him already just from the way you described him.” Guinan teasingly fanned herself and Sue did laugh then.

“Well, he does have that effect on women. I suppose it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that 24th century females wouldn’t be immune.” Sue smiled, remembering the female mechanic who had flirted outrageously with Jack right in front of her and how uncomfortable he had been.

Guinan divvied up the last of the chocolate and settled herself on a stool across from Sue. She popped a piece into her mouth and closed her eyes for one blissful moment. “I’m a romantic at heart. There’s nothing I love more than a good love story, so, start at the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”




Tara was so bedazzled at finding herself in Engineering that Data had to repeat his request three times before it registered.

“Explain this time loop to Wesley.”

Tara nodded eagerly and launched into an elaborate explanation that sounded like it was given in a foreign tongue. Watching, Bobby shook his head in amazement, pride unaccountably swelling in his chest over the sheila’s ability to fit in here. The woman was beyond genius level and apparently Data, Geordie La Forge and Wes Crusher all thought so as well.

Bobby left them to it, wandering around Engineering at will, examining the confusing array of buttons and lights with interest. This was all well beyond his knack with a tool kit and the knowledge he’d gleaned on the bomb squad. Starship personnel were polite and friendly but reserved. Captain’s orders probably. Data had been hard pressed to convince Picard to allow them into engineering at all, but since that’s where the time experiments were being conducted within a protective shield, he hadn’t had much choice once they discovered that Tara could contribute even without her laptop. Bobby listened with half an ear to words like complexities, fragile condition, catastrophic…
He sighed, wishing he could help, but also content to take a back seat and watch the genius at work. Dr. Crusher’s treatment had nearly restored Tara to her usually exuberant self. When he had commented as much down in sickbay, Dr Crusher had looked alarmed. “You mean she get more hyper than this?”

Bobby had nodded, grinning as he replied. “Definitely. We’d call this one of her soft days. You could almost call her down right lazy today.” Beverly had rushed off to rescue a particularly fragile medical instrument from Tara’s inquisitive fingers. Bobby could tell she was relieved when Picard gave the go ahead to send them to Engineering, but she was clearly dismayed about something else and the doctor and captain argued vehemently in hushed tones while casting furtive glances towards them. Something was up and Bobby intended to find out what.

He watched Tara now, running rings around these futuristic scientists who tried to argue against her theories but she just held up her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Talk to the hand” she’d say when their doubting Thomas natures came to the surface. Data had looked confused, but had obligingly directed his remarks to her palm, which had everyone laughing hysterically. When that little sheila set her mind on something, she wouldn’t rest until she’d accomplished what she set out to do. Apparently today it was a protective bubble.

“We need to experiment on something smaller first – to see if it really works. You can use me!”

Bobby was at her side in a second. “Now wait just a minute here. You can’t go volunteering yourself up as an experiment, Tara,” he protested firmly.

“Why not, Bobby? Scientists do it all the time. And I’m sure it will work.”

“Your configurations are most unusual. I cannot see how it is possible to deflan the caliburt without causing a comustatic cycle which would negate the…”

“Do you know what your problem is, Data?” Tara asked kindly. “You’re too logical. Logic is only as good as the creativity behind it. And creativity is illogical. It’s not your fault…it’s just a flaw in your design matrix.”

Data did not appear to be consoled by her viewpoint and an argument ensued so Bobby slipped away again, content for the moment that Tara wasn’t about to hurl herself head first into danger. Keeping hi eye on her he nearly missed the two sheilas gossiping in the corner. The tall redhead kept casting him a come hither look through her veiled lashes which he was trying his hardest to ignore but then he heard her say Sue and Ten Forward and Q nearly got her and his agent instincts went into overdrive.

Sauntering over he introduced himself to the women who turned out to be 1st year crewmen. Flashing his dimpled smile he casually steered the conversation around to include every bit of gossip they were willing to impart. Unfortunately that wasn’t much.

“We’re under orders not to talk to you about that,” the redhead said coquettishly.

“We’re under orders not to talk to you at all,” added the voluptuous brunette.

Bobby gave an encouraging wink and they immediatly turned into putty in his hands.

Tara frowned as she watched Bobby flirt. Not that it was any of her business, but they were in a potentially life threatening situation here and she would have thought that would stand for some sense of decorum. She sighed. He never looked at her that way. She felt an annoying stab of jealousy that she knew was unfounded. She had no illusions about where she stood with Bobby Manning…and obviously those two 24th century bimbos didn’t either.

“Tara your calibration has dropped by a micon. If you spent less time observing Agent Manning and more time concentrating on the screen you would maintain a more accurate reading.” Data’s rebuke was sharp and had Geordie and Wes looking at him curiously.

“Obviously he hasn’t gotten over your comment about the flaw in his programming,” Geordie quipped, noting the pretty flush that tinted Tara’s cheeks.

“I didn’t mean it as an insult, Data,” Tara apologized again. “And I wasn’t watching Agent Manning I was just…”

“Staring into space? I notice that your pulse elevated every time he draws closer, Agent Williams. Like now for instance.”

Tara’s pulse quickened as she felt Bobby leaning over her under the pretence of looking over her shoulder. His large hands swallowed each shoulder as he braced himself against her. His lips tickled her ear as he whispered. “Sue’s here.”

“Tara – don’t let that drongo distract you,” Data ordered sharply, “ you have nearly lost your grid completely.”

“Drongo, Data?” Tara asked a little breathlessly.

“Agent Manning has taught me some Australian slang. I am merely attempting to use it.” Data explained. “And you might want to put your head between your knees right…about…now.”

Bobby seemed to be in no hurry to lift his head away from Tara, his cheek brushing hers as he looked up and winked at the android who slowly imitated him. When Bobby brought his attention back to Tara his lips brushed her neck and the blood rushed out of her head and she did indeed put her head between her knees, drinking in big gulps of air. Bobby was squatting beside her, his large hands stroking her back which further heightened her body’s traitorous reaction.

“You having a relapse, luv? I think we need to get you to sickbay.” Bobby was all for scooping her up in his arms and hiking on out of engineering.

“Actually Agent Manning, if you step away 4.3 meters you will find Tara remarkably improved.” Data volunteered. “I have determined that is the minimum amount of distance you need to maintain apart from Agent Williams. When you draw any closer she exhibits all the metaphysical reactions associated with sexual attraction.”

“Data –“ Tara gasped a warning, her face now beet-red.

“You see, sir, I have been conducting a study on human mating rituals so am quite conversant on the entire procedure. Advance and retreat. The various posturing of romantic love. You and Tara are a classic example.”

“You don’t say,” Bobby looked at Tara with a grin and a wink.

“There you see. Point in case, her pulse just accelerated and her blood pressure has risen. The resultant rush in her ears will leave her feeling decidedly light headed and any sudden movements could send her over the edge however, I do believe sir, that if you step back as far as the console there you will see her vital signs return to normal.”

“Okay. I surrender! I take it back. You do not lack creativity. There is no flaw in your design. Can we call it a truce now?” Tara cried out, desperately embarrassed.

“I harbor no ill feelings, so there is no need to declare a truce,” Data assured her.

“She means shut up, Data,” Geordie said sympathetic to Tara’s plight.

“As you wish, but I feel I must point out that Agent Manning’s continued close proximity is going to hinder Agent William’s efficiency which will result in less productivity for all of us.”

“Lucky we don’t have you on the ethics committee at the Bureau or Jack and Sue would never stand a chance,” Bobby muttered. Not heeding Data’s advice, he moved back to stand by Tara’s side. He held up his hand as Data attempted to recount Tara’s vital signs yet again.

“You wish for me to talk to your hand as well, Agent Manning?”

“I don’t care what part of my anatomy you talk to as long as you start talking, Data. And not just earbashing either,” Bobby declared ominously.

“You sound as cross as a frog in a sock, sir, may I inquire if I have done something to offend you?”

“Yeah, why don’t you start by telling us what you’re doing keeping Sue Thomas under lock and key?”

Somewhere between the atrium and the second floor observatory the thrill of the chase upgraded into real fear. Tanya pelted down the hallway, swerving to climb the stairs, Levi gamely keeping pace at her side.

Why was her father so good at staying undetected undercover? Of course, that was the whole point, but it hardly helped her now when she couldn't tell one Klingon from the rest...except for the federation one now chasing her. The Worf clone that had snatched her computer, only he didn't realize it was hers and now he was after what he really came for -- Tara's laptop.

Her diminutive size was the only thing that saved her so far. He was tall and bulky and had more difficulty pressing through the milling crowds. Staggering up the last step and diving for the safety of an obscure corner, she peeked around it cautiously and tried to think of a plan.

Plan A: berate father and rest of team for completely disappearing off the face of the planet in my time of need. While relishing in the ensuing guilt and attempts to make it up to her, this plan though fulfilling, wasn't any help under her current crisis.

Plan B: approach pimple faced security guard who already kicked Levi out once and inform him that I am being pursued by a strange man. She eyed the spindly frame and the bottleneck glasses and shook her head. Like he'd be any help in a fight. Levi weighs more than he does.

Plan C: Pick up my cell phone and call 911. Only then I'd have to explain how I came to be wanted by the CIA. Her thoughts traveled fleetingly to Howie and she wondered how he was fairing up against the irate Agent Cunningham. They had split up on the ground floor, Howie gallantly offering to draw away their pursuers. And it had worked for all of thirty seconds. And then Wannabe Worf had materialized out of nowhere.

Plan D: She didn't have a plan D, but apparently Levi did, He tugged against her arm and tail wagging hauled her out from her hiding spot and directly into the waiting arms of Worf.

His grip was oddly gentle for a man of his size and with the amount of suppressed fury he had to be harboring. She hadn't made this easy on him, she thought proudly. But his hold was still firm and though she tried to wriggle free she soon realized the futility of her struggles.

"Do not draw attention to yourself." He commanded imperiously as if he really did come from a race of noble warriors.

"Let me go."

"You have something that does not belong to you." He voiced a stern reprimand not even flinching when she aimed a kick at his shin. “Return it to me and I will let you go.”

"It doesn’t belong to you either. And I’m keeping it safe until my friend comes back for it." The tears welling up in her eyes destroyed her image of bravado.

"I mean you no harm. You do not need to be afraid."

She considered it an underlying threat...I mean you no harm if you hand over the laptop. Yeah right. She felt him stiffen as he stared past her and she turned in time to see a group of trekkers coming up the stairs. He tried to draw her away, down a deserted corridor, but she knew she needed to prevent that at all costs. That's when Plan E popped into her head. Sometimes the simplest plans turned out to be the best ones in the end. This one had been drilled into her from the time she could talk and it was almost second nature for her to open her mouth and scream.

"This is not my father! Help me!"

Her voice carried as pure and clear as a seasoned Shakespearean actress. It caught the attention of Agent Cunningham who had Howie cornered in the main hall below. Momentarily distracted, he looked up, his eyes scanning the balcony two levels above and immediately spotted the tall Klingon in the federation uniform. He was grappling with a short person in choir robes. Dismissing Howie as worthless, he turned on his heel in pursuit of a more worthy prey.

"What do you think you're trying to do?"
"Grabbing a little girl in broad daylight?
"What kind of creep would do a thing like that?"
"We ought to teach you a lesson."

Worf immediately dropped his hands from around Tanya's shoulders and taking a step back he said stiffly "This is all a simple misunderstanding." He had no choice but to allow the girl to slip away or he would cause more of a disturbance and the captain’s orders had been explicit. It was imperative that he remain undetected. They could not risk any other changes to Earth’s time continuum. It irked him to admit defeat, but he did so reluctantly. Raising his hands in a pacifying gesture, he backed away from the angry mob of vigilantes.

Tanya almost felt sorry for him. She hesitated for a second, feeling oddly guilty for her outburst, but she was certain he was one of the bad guys, wasn't she? Hewas after Tara's computer and in the wrong hands well...the state of the free world as they knew it would be in peril. Or, at the very least, Tara was going to be in big trouble and in Tanya's books that was just as bad only more so because it hit closer to home.

Their eyes locked, human girl and alien man, and for a split second Tanya thought she recognized a glint of familiarity in his eye. She almost wavered, had even opened her mouth to renege on her plea for help but then she closed it abruptly. Stockholm syndrome! Could she be under its spell already? Surely one had to be captive for a much longer time? But what else could it be that was luring her back to her captor? She had to get out of here now, while she had the chance and definitely before the police arrived on the scene asking more questions than she was willing to answer. Clutching the laptop tightly under her arm, she turned and fled.




Tugging on Levi’s leash, Tanya darted down the first empty corridor she came across, the dog bounding along beside her. She didn’t have a particular destination in mind, simply intent on losing those who were chasing her. Then maybe she’d slip back to the surveillance van and see if any of the team could be found.

Spying an exit door at the end of the hall, she quickened her pace but Levi had other ideas. He veered left, she flew forwards and when the leash around her wrist tautened with the force of the dog’s charging body she was thrown off balance. She belly-flopped on the highly polished floors and slid to a stop at a bay of glass elevators where Levi was anxiously snuffling and pawing at the ground. Winded, Tanya lay prostrate working at catching her breath and clearing her mind. She had just managed to pull herself up off the ground when Levi’s nose twitched and he raised his head, nostrils flaring as he caught a scent. A familiar one judging by the way his tail wagged furiously.

Tanya groaned. “This is not a game, Levi. No bunny chasing until much later. You nearly killed me!” She rubbed her sore stomach and bruised hips, and dawdled undecidedly for another nervous minute while Levi cavorted. Resting his front paws on the wall, he sniffed the air eagerly and nudged the up button with his nose. The elevator door immediately yawned open at the same time Tanya heard the steady gait of some one in pursuit. The Worf look-alike was doggedly in pursuit again.

With no time left to ponder, she leapt into the elevator, dragging a reluctant Levi with her and pushed the close door button but nothing happened. She pushed it again. And again, looking up frantically as he gained speed and drew closer.


She could see his face clearly now – the pronounced ridges along his forehead, the anger flashing from his eyes, the grim set of his jaw. He actually looked like a Klingon warrior prepared to do battle, the smell of fresh split blood in his mind. Her blood, she reminded herself as she realized that she was now trapped in the small confines of the elevator. Terrified, she pushed the button repeatedly, unable to suppress the whimper of fear that rose to her lips as her pursuer came within only an arms length away. She screamed and jumped backwards as his hand reached between the closing doors, trying to pry them open again. With nowhere else to go she cowered against the back wall of the elevator, sliding to the floor in a blubbering heap while she watched the struggle between man and machinery in horrified fascination.

“You are in no danger. I will not hurt you.” She was barely conscious of his sincere vow as she gave a shuddering sob and hid her face in Levi’s fur, afraid that he would actually succeed in ripping apart the heavy elevator doors.

Hearing a muffled thud, she looked up cautiously and then breathed a sigh of relief. Machinery had won and the door was now firmly closed and she and Levi were alone as the elevator began its smooth ascent up the metallic shaft. From her position on the floor Tanya looked through the glass wall, feeling oddly exposed and vulnerable as she rose through the air, clearly visible to all below.

Stifling a sob she watched in resignation as Worf disappeared into the elevator next to hers and the cables sprang to life in the neighboring shaft. She estimated she had about a two-floor gain on him. She knew he was watching from below, trying to gauge when she would stop – which floor she would try to escape from.

Suddenly Levi leapt from her side and began to paw and jump against the glass wall, his short staccato barks echoing urgently through the enclosed space.

“Levi – what’s wrong, boy? You afraid of heights?” But then she saw it too.

Her mouth opened in a silent scream of terror as she looked down upon the motionless form crumpled on top of the elevator just below. He was handcuffed to a cable. A figure in gray and black with an eerily familiar tattoo above one eye.

"I know this has come as a shock to you, Agent Hudson, but please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to restore order to this fractured timeline. I'm sure you understand that I'm not at liberty to divulge all the details of what has gone on over the past twenty-four hours but we will make every attempt to make your stay with us comfortable," Jean Luc concluded nodding to Counselor Troi who immediatly stepped in.

"I'd be happy to sit with you and talk things over if you'd like. You've had a lot of adjusting to do in a very short period of time. That can be unsettling," she said, smiling sympathetically.

"No, that's alright. I don't think any amount of talking would help me see things in a different light. I just need to experience it now. I'm sure that with time and the proper companionship I'll be just fine. Can you take me to Sue now?"

"I'd be happy to. Captain?" Deanna sought his permission and he nodded, watching them exit his ready room. Funny. Hudson wasn't what he thought he'd be. Pity. Feeling rather unsettled Picard turned his attention back to the more pressing problem at hand.

"Worf report."

A gutteral growl crackled in reply.

* * *

"I have been...unsuccessful, captain," Worf managed to bite out as he craned his neck to keep an eye on the turbo lift to his right. The human child was crouched on the floor...terrified. He had terrified her. He sighed. Had the captain known this was to be a diplomatic mission he would have sent someone else. Like Deanna. Diplomacy was lost on Worf, as were polite phrases and soothing words. He prefered direct confrontation both verbal and physical, which was why the child was now having hysterics.

"Commander Worf?"

"There is nothing to report sir. I am in pursuit..." He broke off as the girl began to gesture wildly at him. She appeared to be signaling and then she turned away and he could only assume she was working the buttons on the control panel. She wanted him to stop. If the fingers were not some sort of rude gesture then she wanted to rendevous on the 9th floor.

"Counselor Troi was successful in bringing in Agent Hudson. We're waiting on you, Mr. Worf."

He barely bit back a Klingon curse and managed to spit out "Yes sir. I am following a lead now. Worf out."

He waited impatiently for the doors to open, using his own strength to help them along, certain the child would have raced away by now. He was not prepared for her attack. She used her arms and knees and feet and the dog's leash tangled around his legs and before he knew it he was down and the dog's wet tongue was bathing his face. The child's hysterical babbling was punctuated by gasping sobs which left her nearly incoherent.

"Don't kill him. Please don't kill. I'll do anything. You can have the laptop. Just get him down."

Worf pushed Levi away and easily captured her flailing hands. He shook her gently. "You are not making any sense. I do not intend to kill Levi and he is right here beside you."

Tanya's teeth rattled from the force of his shaking, but she didn't care. They could rattle right out of her mouth and roll down the floor and she wouldn't mind if he would only help her. "I am making sense. He's up there." She pointed to the small hatch in the ceiling of the elevator. "He's trapped up there."

"Who is?" Worf asked, standing up swiftly and stretching his tall frame as far as he could reach.

"Jack Hudson."

Worf dropped his arms and looked down at the tear stained face. "This is not the time for joking," he warned.

"I'm not," Tanya assured him jumping up to stand next to him. "If you won't help him I will."

Worf frowned. "You are too short." he told her tersely. "Stand back." Drawing his phaser Worf carefully slid the hatch open and pulled himself up and over the rim. He stared grimly at the sight before him. Quickly checking for vital signs before snapping the handcuff off the cable, Worf brushed his COM badge. "Worf to Enterprise.”

“Mr. Worf?”

“Captain. We have a problem.”

“That’s nothing new, Commander.” Picard responded wearily.

“Sir, it appears that Jack Hudson has been injured. Requesting that he be beamed directly to sick bay.”

“Nonsense, I’ve just seen Jack Hudson out of my ready room and on to Ten Forward.”

“Sir, I am looking directly at Jack Hudson. He was chained to a turbo lift cable. He appears to be unharmed, but he is unconscious.” He looked down into Tanya's anxious face. "Give me the computer."

"But..." she hugged the instrument to her chest and looked back at him doubtfully.

"He is alive. I will take care of him but I must have that device." His tone was commanding and Tanya found herself reluctantly obeying him. She held it up as high as her arms would reach and he stooped down just as the elevator sprang to life once more, this time it’s journey was directed downward.

Worf was catapulted back inside by the unexpected momentum while Jack no longer fettered hung precariously over the edge. Tanya screamed when she saw his arm flop against the window.

“Worf. Lock on to Hudson’s coordinates and beam him aboard now!”

As Tanya watched, Jack’s arm vanished into thin air.





“You are taking all of this rather well,” Deanna commented as she escorted Jack Hudson to Ten Forward.

“Yes, well I’m the product of extensive training,” he replied somewhat evasively.

Deanna frowned, finding herself unable to get a reading from the man, and that was highly unusual. As an empath; it was second nature for her to pick up on every delicate nuance emotions, both apparent and hidden, in the people around her. That was what made her such a good ship’s counselor. Though not clairvoyant, she could sense the undercurrents in a subject’s mind and the trouble with Jack Hudson was that she couldn’t read him at all. In fact she felt absolutely nothing. Not one iota of emotion coming from the man. Not fear or excitement or nervousness. It was as if he had put an impenetrable wall around his mind. But that wasn’t possible, was it?

Feeling a strange prickling of warning, Deanna slowed her steps and when Jack didn’t keep pace with her, she grabbed his arm gently. “Agent Hudson, I think we need to talk over a few more things before you're ready to see Sue.”

“Oh, my dear Counselor Troi, you have absolutely no idea how truly ready I am.” He pulled his arm out of her grasp and hurried the last few yards to Ten Forward, disappearing inside.



Sue looked at Guinan in confusion. The woman was positively beaming, practically clapping her hands with glee.

“Just to show you that the captain is really a romantic at heart…” The Ten Forward hostess nodded her head to the entrance of the lounge. “There’s a little surprise for you coming through that door right about…now.”

“Jack?” Sue leapt to her feet and flew towards him.

He was even quicker, practically running to reach her. His arms were out, pulling her into an enthusiastic hug which Sue started to return, but then stiffened, rearing back in surprise. He moved quickly, the handcuffs in place before the complete recognition reached her eyes. He smiled triumphantly; the cocky tilt to his head and jaunty swagger to his step enough of a confirmation. This wasn’t Jack.

“I have it on good authority that this,” he held up their shackled hands, “is exactly where he wanted you. I’d hate to disappoint and I believe we’re supposed to keep this timeline as accurate as possible. With one little exception, of course. Come along, my dear, we have unfinished business to attend to.”





“This feels so surreal,” Tara commented to Bobby quietly as Data led them from the turbo lift towards Ten Forward. Tara had persisted in needling the android until he sought the Captain’s permission to take them to Sue.

“Surreal as in science fiction?” Bobby said teasingly, the cocky grin on his face belying the worry he was really feeling. Picard’s terse reply; they might as well join the party had him on edge. He felt exactly the way he did before a take down. He wished the Enterprise crew had not confiscated their guns and no amount of persuasive techniques gained them access to phasers.

Data paused just before entering Ten Forward. “I must remind you both that you are to remain beside me at all times. It is important that you do not draw attention to yourselves or endanger Miss Thomas in any way.”

“Data what do you know that you aren’t telling us?” Tara immediately asked suspiciously.

“The Captain has just contacted me and it appears that Q, in the guise of Jack Hudson, has Sue. They are in here, but as you are well aware the situation is delicate and you must remain as unobtrusive as possible…”

Bobby pushed past Data and charged into the lounge. He assessed the situation at a glance, ignoring the small crowd of onlookers, his eyes riveted on the sight of Sue standing warily next to Jack. She was wearing her brave face, but he could see passed it to the fear that she tried to keep hidden. He body might look outwardly calm, but her spirit was cowering and that scared him. She looked beaten.

“Let her go you drongo!” He succeeded in diverting Q’s attention away from stroking Sue’s hair. It was disconcerting to watch Jack’s face, contort with rage. Even more so when he heard the unfamiliar sarcastic twang in best friend’s voice.

“Well if it isn’t the reinforcements. Did Jean Luc send you instead of coming himself? How the mighty have fallen if he thinks you Neanderthals can succeed where even the mighty federation has not.”

Nevertheless Q tugged Sue back a few paces which struck Tara as odd. It was almost as if he was afraid of letting any of them too close. But Q was never afraid and nothing could harm him. She studied the entity with interest.

“Where’s the real Jack?” she asked as she came to stand beside Bobby.

He looked down at her in surprise when her hand pressed into his thigh. The fingers in her clenched hand opened just enough to reveal the small metallic object she held. It was a tricorder, but one that they had been modifying earlier. The one Tara had intended to use on herself to test out her time bubble theory.

“I think I’m in love with your scientific mind, darlin’” he drawled before directing his attention back to the hostage situation at hand. “If Jack’s missing our people will find him,” Bobby announced with more confidence than he felt. There was only half a team back on earth with no clue as to what they were up against.

"Ah, but I'm the only one who knows where the real Jack Hudson is," the triumphant sneer contorted – such a contrast to Jack’s usual demeanor that Sue couldn't refrain from shuddering in revulsion.

Q felt the tremor as it coursed through her body pressed so close against his. It didn't have to be this way. She was making this all out to be so much more than it really was. He wasn't contemplating kidnapping her for a lifetime; he experienced his own shudder of revulsion at the thought. She would thank him in the end, when she had her baby in her arms -- unique and with a far superior genetic quality then Hudson's mere mortal shell could ever provide. However, getting her to that point was proving to be quite tediously difficult. He was growing weary of wooing her; frustrated by her apparent dislike for him and tired of holding at bay the small army of federation officers who seemed inclined to interfere. And now he had the FBI agents to contend with as well. If only they knew how easily they could overpower him. He'd traded most of his powers for this mortal body, but the energy it took to maintain the facade was taking its toll and he knew he had to move things along before he lost the thread of this tangible frame altogether. And here this infuriating woman was doggedly determined to defy him at every step.

"What have you done to Jack?" Her voice trembled with concern...and dared he hope, fear?

"I had an interesting chat with good old Jack. He was most concerned about you, as am I," his smile was mechanical. "Of course, I'm more of a pragmatic man. Jack was rather delusional; spewing a lot of romantic drivel, which I’m sure, would bore you to tears. Very cliché. I expected more from him. I must say I was sadly disappointed, though in our 'conversation' I did glean a few things about him that proved most entertaining." He noted her ashen face with satisfaction. Now at last they were getting somewhere.

"Jack?"

"Is precariously situated a top an elevator at the Convention Center. Don't worry, he's safely shackled to a cable and as long as he continues to sleep like a baby -- a sleep I might add that I compasssionately put him under -- he will remain relatively safe, providing of course that no one takes the elevator straight to the top." Q shrugged apologetically. "I can't be responsible for what happens after that."

"Let him go." Her voice shook, but with anger this time.

"Such a brave little thing, isn't she?" He appealed to his rapt audience. "She really is of superior stock, this little antique of mine." He leant forward to place a chaste kiss on her lips, but she turned her head so his mouth grazed her ear instead. "That wasn't very nice." He straightened, irritated at her public display of defiance. "Just remember -- you asked for this..."



Dr. Beverly Crusher paced around the bed of her newest patient. The man appeared to be in no discomfort, his vital signs were strong and there were no contusions to indicate a blow to the head. She could find nothing wrong with him other than that he would not wake up. It was obviously the work of Q and Beverly feared that the only way Jack Hudson would ever recover was if Q willed it to be so. Deep in thought she started when she heard Picard's voice addressing her through the COM system.

"Report Beverly." His clipped command was laced with worry.

"No change sir."

The heavy sigh was audible and filled the quiet room. "Keep me posted. I'll be in Ten Forward trying to negotiate with Q."



Sue watched in confusion as Q snapped his fingers and then waited expectantly for her to react. She looked around the room for some sort of clue as to what this action meant, but blank faces stared back at her. It seemed no one understood this man any better than she did.

"Can you all really be so dense?" Q scoffed. "I've woken him up, Sue. Your Jack is now wide awake, no doubt mulling over the ups and downs of life. What do you think he will do when he finds himself riding on top of the elevator? I wonder how long it will be before the dizzying heights will send him into a panic. Flailing limbs and sweaty palms could prove to be quite hazardous to his health, don't you think?"

"Someone will see him. He could be rescued by now," Sue said with more confidence than she felt.

"How do we know you aren't feeding us a line?" Bobby asked.

"Agent Manning if you take one more step closer, I'll remove the handcuff that is probably the only thing keeping Hudson from falling."

Bobby stopped dead in his tracks and looked helplessly between Sue and Tara. "Don't worry, Sue. This drongo is lying. We have no proof that Jack isn't safe."

"You wound me, Agent Manning, you really do. Are you going to take that risk, Sue? I believe that after Q Junior you're due for four more little darlings. Of course, that won't happen if Jack is..."



Beverly stopped by the bed once again, preferring to check his pulse in the time-honoured tradition of doctors throughout the centuries. She picked up his hand in hers, and rested her fingers against the slow but steady pulse at his wrist. Her eyes gazed upwards, reading the complicated array of lights and grids above the bed and then drifted down to sweep with concern over his unconscious body. While the doctor clinically calculated stats, the woman in her couldn’t help but note how attractive her patient was. His hair was thick and springy, probably given to curling if he let it grow longer. His body was well toned, his torso muscular and his lashes impossibly long, fanned out against his chiseled cheekbones. Lost in her musing she didn’t notice the subtle change in the computer’s readings so when his eyes snapped open she dropped his hand and screamed most unprofessionally. Her first coherent thought was that he had the most amazing brown eyes she had ever seen.

Jack jolted awake with a surge of energy instantly aware that his dreams were reality. Q! He looked up at the familiar face hanging over his. Dr. Crusher – Wes’ mother. She seemed in some sort of trance and he briefly wondered if Q had altered her mind in some way. He grabbed her arm to get her attention as he swung himself up and jumped nimbly off the bed.

"Agent Hudson..."

He didn't let her finish. There wasn't time. His mind flooding with memories of Q and his promises. He had outlined his plan in such a detatched, scientific manner, as if Sue was merely a test subject in some horrible lab experiment. Jack had only one thought then and it required immediate action.

"Q," his voice was hoarse, his speech slurred and sleep-filled. He shook his head to clear it and tried again. "Sue? Where is she? I have to get to her before he does."

"I think you should lie back down and let me examine..." she broke off when he fixed her with a wild and anguished stare. His hands grabbed her shoulder and he pushed her away, firmly but gently.

"He's here isn't he?" Beverly nodded. "And Sue?"

"He has her. They're in Ten Forward, but the Captain is there trying to negotiate and your friends, Bobby and Tara, they're with her as well. She's not alone, Jack."

"Not yet," he said darkly. "I have to go -- finish this once and for all. Tell me how to get there." It wasn't a request, but a command.

Tara watched intently as the drama unfolded before her, hoping to find an opening so that she could put her plan into action. In fact she was so preoccupied that she nearly didn’t catch Sue’s subtle message.

“Bobby, look at Sue’s hand,” she hissed under her breath.

Bobby watched Sue’s fingers fly, frustrated with himself for his lack of ability to read finger spelling quickly. Sue took that into consideration and repeated the words. W-E-A-K. “She’s feeling weak?”

Tara sighed heavily, shaking her head. “Not Sue,” she whispered and then made the sign for the letter Q.

They both turned their attention back to the man posing as Jack. He did look a bit off, Bobby realized. There was a pasty pallor to his skin and beads of sweat dotted his brow as if he were exerting a great deal of pressure. Bobby shifted his weight, bouncing on the balls of his feet, his legs firmly placed in a fighter’s stance. His arms hung loosely at his sides making him look like a casual observer when really he was poised for action.

Sue noticed and chewed her lip worriedly. Bobby was ready to make a move and she couldn’t let him do that – not yet.

“Jack could get hurt.” Though she spoke to Bobby, it was Q who responded.

“Well of course he could get hurt. That’s the point – unless you do as I say.”

“How about she does what I say?” a familiar voice challenged from behind Q. “Sue, get out of the way.”

They had beamed Jack directly into Ten Forward. He didn’t have time to enjoy the surprised sensation his unexpected entrance made. He lunged for Q and had his hands around his throat before he spotted the handcuffs attached to Sue’s wrist. His dreams of hitting Q hard enough to send him flying through space at warp speed instantly crumbled. He’d have to be careful now until he could find a way to free Sue.

“Seems you’re in a bit of a predicament, mate,” Bobby said cheerfully producing a long thin sliver of metal. “Won’t take me a second…” he bent to the task and had Sue free and out of harms way in the nick of time.

Once Q was unfettered Jack wasted no time. One well-aimed blow sent Q staggering half way across the room. He sprawled across a tabletop and then slithered to the floor where he lay, stunned and surprised. Jack fought the ungentlemanly urge to kick the man when he was down and impatiently waited for Q to stagger to his feet.

Tara exchanged a conspiratorial look with Bobby. “Now’s as good a time as any, don’t you think?” she asked sweetly.

“In the interest of science, of course,” Bobby agreed. “Stand back, Jack. Let Tara at the blighter.”

Jack turned in surprise. What could Tara possibly think she could do that he couldn’t?

Tara aimed the small hand held instrument she had smuggled out of Engineering. “Think Geordie is missing this by now?” Before Data could stop her, she aimed the tricorder directly at Q and pressed an array of buttons. They watched as a haze of light fanned out forming a tractor beam that fixed onto Q. The fog thickened and spun, weaving it’s way around the man on the floor until he was encased in clear film.

“The time bubble,” Data said with avid interest, eager to see the end result of all their hard work.

The bubble shimmied and quivered as it took on its final form – a perfect circle encasing Q within its center. Tara gave it a little kick and the bubble rolled, Q traveling end over end as it rose into the air, hovering just above their heads.

Tara grinned practically jumping out of her skin with excitement. “Looks like you get your disco ball after all, Bobby.”





There were many things Tanya could be accused of, but slow wasn’t one of them. She was blessed with an analytical mind. Her father said it worked at warp speed. If this was so, she was heading into the uncharted territories of warp 10 right about now.

Fact: People did not disappear into thin air the way Jack just did unless they were vaporized or transported.

Fact: The Worf lookalike awkwardly patting her back which could better be described as pounding the living daylights out of her seemed…well…very Klingonish. His demeanor had never altered once during the tense moments in the elevator.

Fact: He called the elevator a turbo lift. Just being cute? Not a chance.

Fact: He had hit his COM badge and mumbled something immediately before Jack disappeared. A slight of hand? Doubtful.

Fact: They were headed down to the ground floor and through the glass she could just make out Agent Cunningham triumphantly grinning in anticipation.

Tanya’s hand quickly snaked out and pushed the 2nd floor button. She nearly lost her stomach as the elevator lurched to a sudden stop. Knocked into Worf’s solid form, she looked up at him reproachfully. “You’re made like a brick wall.” And it was true, she could feel the bruise forming on her temple where her head and struck his solid chest. “Ouch. More like steel. You have absolutely no give.”

“You should not have stopped the turbo lift so suddenly.” He sounded disgruntled.

Either the guy was a method actor or he was…She shook her head in dismay. If she kept thinking like this she’d need to see the psychiatrist that was shadowing the team this morning – the one who had kept Sue occupied so that Tanya had Jack all to herself while she put on his tattoo. She had her light bulb moment somewhere along the hallway on the second floor.
Fact: The psychiatrist’s name was Deanna. The doctor’s name was Beverly as in Troi and Crusher as in Star Trek Next Generation as in…impossible, but too much to just be coincidental.

She hurried down the hallway of the mezzanine that overlooked the main conference hall. A glass balcony was all that separated them from the thronging crowds of the Star Trek convention below. Looking down she spotted her dad easily. He was with Myles, who seemed to have removed his Spock ears and she strained her neck slightly to get a better view. Yep, that was definitely Howie caught between the two of them. And then, her dad looked up, directly at her as if he possessed some sort of foolproof daughter radar that had kicked into red alert. He saw her, she knew he saw her and her life flashed before her eyes. She was dead. Suddenly the pursuit turned more serious, the CIA a mere irritation compared to what her father would do when he got hold of her.

With this in mind she loped into a run and since she still clutched the laptop, Worf had no choice but to follow her. He easily matched her rapid pace with long strides of his own.

“By your honour must be give me the computer device,” he intoned dourly.

“Uh-uh,” Tanya shook her head. “We had a deal. Laptop for Jack, but I don’t see him anywhere.” She turned full circle to prove her point. Jack was definitely not with them, but Cunningham had just burst out of the second elevator and had spotted them. “Um…Mr. Worf, if you don’t do something quick then neither of us is going to have this laptop. He is.” She pointed at the CIA agent.

Worf was ready to throttle the girl and leave her to the wolves. She deserved a severe punishment for all the trouble she had caused him. Let her deal with the authorities of her country. He was pretty sure that they would not harm a child – even one as annoying as this one. He was tempted to simply snatch the device from her hands and make good his escape, leaving her to her father to sort out the rest. He came very close to doing just that when Cunningham spoiled it all by drawing his weapon. Worf groaned. He could not leave the child in this kind of danger.

“Put your hands up. This is a matter of national security. Down on your knees.”

Worf saw no choice but to kneel, bringing his face nearly level with Tanya’s. She nudged him with a bony elbow and actually winked. “I think now’s as good a time as any.” Her eyebrows waggled suggestively and her face scrunched up as she gave him three more rapid fire winks and then squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath. She seemed disappointed when she opened them. “That was a hint you ninny,” she hissed as Cunningham barked into his radio for backup. “Look, it’s just him, we disappear, who’s he going to tell? They’ll lock him up if he talks. Trust me, he’ll put it down to lack of sleep and stress.” Worf frowned at her. She sighed her impatience and prodded some more. “You know, beam me up, Scottie.”

“I do not know any Scottie,” he informed her stiffly. He was disgruntled that this child’s rationale actually made sense. In seconds it would no longer be possible. He moved his hand to touch his COM badge and give the order but the nervous CIA agent took the action to be a terrorist threat.

“Don’t move a muscle or I’ll shoot,” Cunningham warned.

Worf froze but Tanya didn’t. She had just caught a glimpse of her father and Myles coming up the stairs. Any second now she would be caught between a rock and a hard place.

“Thank goodness you saved me! Thank you oh thank you. He was dragging me off to do who knows what kind of dastardly deed and I was powerless to stop him because I’m so small and weak and I was scared to death. My heart is just palpitating until I think I might actually have the vapors. Yes, my head is swimming and I feel queasy. Oh my gosh I think I’m going to be sick.” She made horrific retching noises that caused Cunningham to jump back nervously. Lurching forward, Tanya threw herself against Worf succeeding in bruising her forehead yet again as it made contact with the COM badge. “Say it,” she hissed, the words hidden amongst the grotesque retching noises that were even turning Worf’s cast iron stomach. When he didn’t respond quickly enough she spoke for him. “Three to beam up…1 Klingon, 1 human and a dog. Urgent. Danger. I repeat…”

Her words ended abruptly as light particles replaced her form. They wavered for a split second – the man, child and dog – mere shadows and light before disappearing completely.

“Explain, Lt. Commander.” Picard fixed his security officer with a stern stare.

“I have failed in my duty as a starfleet officer,” Worf replied stiffly.

“Nothing for it but to rake him over the coals, Captain,” Commander Riker joked unable to hold back his laughter. “After all, Klingons enjoy demonstrating their capacity for enduring pain.”

“You’re not helping matters, Number One,” Picard retorted still holding Worf at attention. “She’s a child, Mr. Worf.”

Worf squared his shoulders. “She is not like other children, sir.”

“Are you making excuses now Lt.?”

Worf stood at attention, fixing his gaze just passed his captain’s left ear. “No sir, I accept full responsibility. I was just trying to explain the circumstances that led up to the…unfortunate addition to our visitors.”

“Including one Miss Tanya Gans,” Riker said cheerfully. “She’s a cute little girl.”

“Do not be deceived, sir. She makes the Xenobia poison tusk-fanged tiger appear as harmless as a pet kitten. She is devious, cunning and possesses an excessive dose of stubbornness."

“Obviously or she wouldn’t have outwitted a Klingon warrior, would she?”

“I was not outwitted.”

“Oh?” Picard frowned. “So you meant to beam up half the FBI agents in Washington DC?”

“Hardly half sir. Only her father and Agent Leland and the small verbose one…and I did not do it deliberately.”

“Don’t forget Lucy Dotson,” Riker reminded Worf. “She’s a very pretty addition to our list of visitors.”

“I did not notice sir.” Worf responded stiffly.

“Surely you must have noticed something when you caught her after she fainted. Very gallant of you Mr. Worf. I believe you carried her all the way to sickbay?” Riker prodded.

For the first time Worf began to look uncomfortable. “Yes sir, I thought she needed immediate medical attention.”

“And you were so overwrought with concern for Miss Dotson that you forgot about Miss Gans and left her unattended in the transporter room.” Riker grinned over this last statement.

“I told her to follow me,” Worf said defensively. “It was an order.”

“One that she obviously had no intention of keeping,” Picard observed. “I believe that was when she beamed up the rest of her team as she put it?”

“Yes sir.” Worf’s response was a guttural moan.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Worf, I didn’t quite catch that,” Riker leaned forward in his chair as if straining to hear.

Worf threw the First Officer a contemptuous look; one that promised he would show no mercy the next time they engaged in Klingon war games on the holodeck together.

“Will, you are being too facetious about a very serious matter,” Picard disproved.

“Sorry, Captain, but it’s not often that Mr. Worf here is bested by a child.”

“I was not bested…” Worf’s voice rose in crescendo and he paused to gain some semblance of control. “…by a child. There were extenuating circumstances.”

“I’m told there always are when Tanya Gans is involved,” Riker offered sympathetically. “At least that’s what Agent Leland said in your defense down in the transporter room.”

“I do not need to be defended,” Worf growled, his nostrils flaring in agitation.

“Temper, temper, Mr. Worf,” Picard chided as he looked thoughtfully at his security officer. “Tell me, just how did a 21st century child come to know how to operate the transporter beam?”

If Klingon’s could blush, Worf would have turned tomato red. “I showed her, sir.”

Picard’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “That must have been some crash course, Commander. Perhaps you’ve missed your calling after all. Starfleet professor might be more suited to your…unique talents.”

The rumble coming from the Klingon’s chest sounded ominous.

“I’m afraid that’s not a good idea, Jean Luc. He might just kill more students then he passes. Their parents would object. Though Worf 101 does have a nice ring to it.”

“If you two are finished…” Worf barely grated out the words, fuming as his superior officers poked fun at him. He never could appreciate the human’s penchant for dragging humour into every occasion.

“Not quite. I really am curious to know how, when left to her own devices, Miss Gans managed to transport four people onto this ship without you being able to stop her.”

Worf sighed. “She asked a lot of questions, sir. I sensed that she was nervous and sought to put her at ease. I thought it would help her relax if she could fix her attention on something else. So I showed her the transporter panel. She wanted to know how accurately we could lock on to specific individual’s coordinates. She was concerned for Lucy Dotson’s safety and so I locked on to her…”

“You did, Worf?” Picard asked incredulously.

Worf nodded glumly. “And then I locked onto the other three. I thought that she might be reassured by seeing the light that indicates each member of the team. Then she asked me how the transporter worked. I did not think she could possibly remember all the nuances of such a foreign technology.”

“Obviously the girl’s a quick study. Too bad she’s born in the wrong century. She’d make a fine Federation officer,” Picard said with a slight smile. “I take it she pushed the engage button before you could stop her?”

Worf nodded mutely.

“And then – with your hands full of Lucy Dotson – she simply repeated the operation with the coordinates you’d already logged in,” Riker guessed accurately. “Game little thing, isn’t she?”

“She did prevent the computing device from getting into the wrong hands,” Worf found himself defending the girl.

“True. Well, shall we return to the bridge? I’m rather fearful now of letting Ms. Gans loose there for so long. I’m anxious to see if the helm is still in one piece.”

“Sir? You have not meted out your disciplinary action,” Worf reminded him.

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten, Mr. Work.” Picard beckoned to the security officer and his Number One and the two men followed him out of the ready room and onto the bridge.

Tanya Gans position was not evident at first. Worf looked worried, Riker amused and Picard alarmed until they located her cozily ensconced in the captain’s chair. Picard strode over.

“Comfortable Ms. Gans?”

“Perfectly, Captain Picard. Thank you for asking,” Tanya beamed up at him. “It’s very comfortable. I like the feel of it. And was it my imagination or did the chair actually automatically mold itself to my b…”

“Indeed, I too am thankful that it is a comfortable chair. I spend long hours in it at times.” Picard interrupted hastily. “You, Ms. Gans…”

“Call me Tanya, I feel like we’re old friends…Jean Luc.”

Riker hid his loud guffaw in a cough.

“Very well, Tanya, you must recognize that these are urgent times and we cannot have you interfering in the daily operations of this ship. Is that understood?”

“What about night time?” Tanya asked hopefully.

“Anytime!” Jean Luc responded, quickly losing his temper. “Mr. Worf, behold your disciplinary action. She is your shadow night and day until this matter is resolved. You will not let her out of your sight and you will be responsible for everything she does. Understood?”

Worf looked appalled. “But captain, that’s impossible!”

“Not up to the task, eh Worf?”

“She is a child, Mr. Worf.” Picard reminded him sternly.

“She is a…a…reincarnate of a human Q sir!” Worf reproved.

“Hey, I’m sitting right here you know and I resent that last remark. And child isn’t exactly the way I’d describe myself," Tanya pouted prettily, practising her winking technique on Commander Riker who was kind of cute and seemed more approachable.

"Perhaps placing her in her father's watchful care..." Worf suggested hopefully.

"Which was where she was this morning, I believe and look where she is now," Picard said derisively. "No, I believe placing Tanya Gans under ship's arrest and guarded by our finest security officer might just see the Enterprise through this unscathed."

"You mean I'm to have a personal escort?" Tanya seemed pleased at the idea, digging in her pocket and producing a crumpled bit of paper. "I've made an itinerary. Ten Forward of course -- I have to see the Q-ball in action. And Engineering. Sickbay. And I want to try out a replicator, make a Jack Cloning holodeck program and..."

"Mr. Worf -- it looks like you'll be busy for awhile."

"But sir. I have duties on the bridge," Worf protested.

"They can be reassigned. This is now your priority assignment." When Worf looked about to protest again, Picard held up his hand, stalling him. "That's an order, Mr. Worf."

"Yes Captain," resigned to his fate, Worf turned to the human she-devil in the captain's chair. He stopped her just before she pushed the red alert button on the arm console panel. It was going to be a long day.





“For an android, he’s a pretty sensitive bloke,” Bobby told Tara as Data wandered out of Engineering.

“What do you mean?” Tara asked, becoming slightly nervous when she noticed the predatory glint in Bobby’s eye. He’d been acting strangely since Jack and Sue’s wedding…and he kept looking at her like…well the way he looked at her in her dreams. Which was ridiculous because she was wide-awake and all too aware of the close proximity of Bobby Manning. If she let her guard down she’d probably embarrass herself by letting him know how she felt.

“I mean, he’s discreetly letting us have some time together – alone.” Bobby nodded at the unusually inactive section of engineering. They’d been there for hours, perfecting the ‘cosmic surfboard’ to ride the time wave headed their way. Satisfied with the results, Geordie and Data had agreed that all that was left to do was wait. Data estimated the time tsunami would hit close to two hours from now. Geordie had opted for some shut-eye, retiring to his quarters. Tara seemed oddly reluctant to leave engineering, so he opted to wait it out with her. The lights had been dimmed, simulating the darkness of night. The skeleton evening crew worked quietly, their movements muted by the methodic throbbing of the core engine. Bobby glanced around. They were completely alone. The nearest ensign was sleepily monitoring the engine coil in the next room; her back turned to them.

“I am certain that you will find something to amuse yourselves with for the next hour, Agent Manning,” Data had said with an exaggerated wink and a nod in Tara’s direction. “Distracting her from the operation would be beneficial to both of you.” A nudge in the ribs this time and then the android had left, the automatic doors swishing quietly and efficiently closed after him. And here they were. Alone.

He was trembling inside, suddenly more nervous than he had ever thought possible. He’d never been shy around the sheilas, always had pretty much his pick of the bunch – until Darcy. A knot clenched in his stomach as his mind flooded with painful memories. Hopefully he was about to put them all to rest right now. And if Tara didn’t see him in the way he hoped – well, they would both forget about his attempt to develop their relationship into something more. There would never be a safer time to put his heart on the line.

“Bobby, you’re making me nervous,” Tara complained a little too breathlessly for her liking.

He was so tall and right now he was towering over her, invading her space, filling her senses with his unique scent, her body receptive to the warmth from the heat of his. All she had to do was tilt her head to the left side and she could rest her cheek against his chest. She stiffened and drew back fractionally. He countered with another advance.

Now they were nose to chest and she was sure the heat radiating from his body was hot enough to give her second-degree burns. She lifted her head determinedly from the temptation of his solid chest and looked up into his face. Her heart did a flip-flop and her belly quivered with the force of one hundred butterflies doing a mating dance. He was smiling at her and she thought fleetingly of how perfect it would be to catch this moment in a time bubble to relive over and over again.

“Is it a good kind of nervous?” The way his hand stroked down the side of her head, playing with the flyaway tendrils of her hair was unsettling. She almost forgot the words the second he spoke them, had to concentrate slowly on remembering the meaning of each one before she could even begin to formulate an answer.

“There’s a good kind of nervous?” She sucked in her breath when his fingers accidentally brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck.

Bobby noticed her sharp intake of breath and the knot in his stomach retracted fractionally. “Yeah,” he murmured, dipping his head so that his satisfied sigh stirred the feathered bangs at her forehead. “The kind that makes all your nerve endings stand at attention just before you kiss a girl for the first time.”

Tara jumped when his fingers wove through her hair, resting firmly at the base of her skull. She melted as the warmth cradled her.

“And you’re such an expert at first time kissing?” Her tongue poked out of her mouth and nervously licked her suddenly parched lips.

Bobby noted the action with darkening eyes as his fist clenched more tightly in her hair. His gaze swept over her face, memorizing every detail from her flustered nerves to her wide eyes looking up at him in confusion. Her face was flushed, the smattering of freckles across her nose barely visible beneath the rosy glow. Her tongue had left her lips moist and wet and he bent just a little closer intent on capturing his desired target.

It suddenly dawned on her that this wasn’t a dream; that Bobby Manning was about to kiss her. She was sure she would be incinerated at the first touch of his lips to hers, she could feel the heat rolling and boiling inside her. No body could withstand such temperatures for any length of time. “I’m going to go up in flames.” She hadn’t meant to whisper the words but they hung in the air between them.

He hesitated just a hair’s breath away from her mouth, his gaze locking with her. “Take me with you,” he murmured, the heat in his eyes licking at the flames in hers.

“No.”

She said it like she meant it. Bobby’s lips were so close that he could practically taste her velvet softness and he knew she wanted this. He could tell from the way she continued to lean towards him, standing on tippy-toe to try and reach his mouth. He didn’t move away but he didn’t complete the kiss either.

“Are you trying to torture me because of what I said to you the last time we kissed?” His voice cracked with emotion and he didn’t care. He had never wanted anything as badly as he wanted this woman in his arms right now.

“No.” she was beginning to sound redundant. “I mean, no I’m not trying to torture you. I’m torturing myself too, you know.” As she spoke her trembling voice steadied and she determinedly took a step backwards, though her upper body leaned further forward, defeating her purpose all together. “Think about it, Bobby. If this is a dream, the second your lips touch mine I’ll wake up. It happens every single time and it’s extremely frustrating. And I don’t want this to end…ever.”

Her words appeased him…somewhat. He could even afford a cocky grin. She not only dreamt about him, she dreamt about them kissing and she wanted more when she woke up. Maybe he should just kiss her senseless and be done with it. He swooped down and she shrieked halting him in mid-smooch.

“Tara…” his gravelly voice sounded thunderous.

“Listen to me Bobby. This makes total sense. Don’t you see? I’ve been dreaming about this moment – planning for it – downright conniving to make it happen for months and now if this is real and the moment is finally here, well it’s going to be gone again – just like that.” She snapped her fingers underneath his astonished nose.

“Give me some credit, luv. It’ll last longer than that,” he mimicked her snapping. “And when it’s over another one will take its place and another until who knows where it will lead to?” He leered at her suggestively, the dimples in his cheeks growing more pronounced as he couldn’t stop his grin from deepening.

Tara gaped at him blankly for a moment, as she experienced a minor meltdown at the images his words conjured up. Hot, sexy kisses, skin brushing against skin, heated words spoken in hushed tones, sheets – white or red, black satin even – her knees buckled and she sagged against the bulkhead. “I want all that Bobby I really do – to finally feel your lips over mine, to slowly burn up under your touch, to feel your hands touching me in ways that I can’t even imagine, the black satin, the…” She squealed as his hands settled on her hips, almost roughly. One finger worked its way under the ribbed edging of her sweater. Then another. And another.

“Bobby!” She squirmed but he wouldn’t let her go, drew her inside the circle of his arms instead, his lips descending once again.

“Please don’t.” There was an urgency in her voice that he couldn’t ignore. “Hear me out first, okay?”

He groaned, resting his chin on the top of her head, waggling his jaw so that his stubbley beard razed against her scalp. Even the top of her head was sexy! “I don’t think you quite grasp what your words are doing to me,” he told her huskily.

“Probably the same thing that’s happening to me,” Tara admitted, “but don’t you see? This is our first kiss. That other one doesn’t count because it took us by surprise before either of us was ready for it. But this one is the one. The beginning of…” she broke off shyly. “You know. But in less than two hours we won’t even remember it – as if it had never happened because technically it won’t have due to the fact that we’ll have traveled back in time so all of this won’t be real but in our hearts we know that it doesn’t get any more real than this…the way we are right now.” She looked up at him pleadingly. “I don’t want to forget our first kiss, Bobby. It would break my heart and I wouldn’t even know why.”

She sounded so forlorn and he found himself running his hands along her arms. Stroking her up and down, trying to chase away the desperation she was feeling. She shivered violently and he nuzzled the top of her head, trailing his nose along her temple over her soft eyelashes, blowing gently on her cheek before grazing along the slope of her nose. He pressed his forehead against her full lips, trying to absorb the feel of her in this very unsatisfactory manner.

His cheek slid along her cheek next, the roughness of his unshaven face lightly marring her sensitive skin. She shivered again and his hands circled around to her back, dropping from her hips to cradle her bottom as he rocked her forward, merging their bodies together. He wanted to swallow her gasp, lap at her parted lips with the tip of his tongue, savor her very essence while they had this chance, but he held back. Honoring her wishes, he chose another avenue of exploration. One that involved his hands which skimmed along the contours of her body, not quite touching, not quite not, just stirring up electricity that danced along her skin where he almost touched. When she couldn’t stand the teasing heat that slowly consumed her body any more, she threw her arms around his neck, clinging to him as the world spun giddily out of control

He scooped her up and carried her to a darkened corner, easing them both to the floor. The shock of the cold tile against her back lifted her body up until it was flush with his again. He took the opportunity to slip his hands around her waist, pushing away the sweater from her midriff, his hands skimming lightly now, igniting fire that danced to the core of her being.

“B-B-Bobby, what do you think you are doing?” she finally managed to gasp.

“If I can’t kiss you then I intend to spend an enjoyable hour not kissing you,” he murmured determinedly, his breath tickling her belly button.





Data strolled through the ship's corridors, nodding to a crewman now and again. His steps faltered and paused as he walked by the holodeck bay. The door to Holodeck 2 was firmly closed, the blinking light indicating that the deck was occupied. He had created the program running there. He hoped they would enjoy it, though Agent Leland had assured him that Jack would make sure Sue enjoyed her wedding night anywhere. Still, he wanted to make it perfect for them.

Feeling the need for company he continued on to Ten Forward, surprised to see so many still gathered around the bar, Guinan regaling them with the wedding night rituals on Regalia Five. The talk was bawdy, the laughter raucous, but in a good-natured way. He crossed the room in search of Worf, slipping on a pile of confetti that still lay on the floor. Data had not been to many weddings, but even he realized how special this one had been. The Captain resplendent in his dress uniform had presided; joining his many times removed great grandparents in holy matrimony. It had been Tanya's idea and she hadn't had to work hard at convincing Lucy and Myles to join in on her scheme. The captain hadn't stood a chance, especially after they explained to him that John Lucas Hudson would not be conceived without a wedding ceremony before hand.

Captain Picard had been almost obsessed with trying to maintain the current timeline as accurately as possible. That included Jack and Sue's elopement and subsequent honeymoon on holodeck 2 -- just in case the time surfing on the tsunami wave they'd been working on did not go as planned. If Jack and Sue did not elope tonight -- if they did not have a son nine months from now then centuries of Picard's history ran the risk of being altered so that Jean-Luc himself might not even exist by morning. Data had tried to emphasize this to Jack Hudson before the couple stole away. He offered his cohesive knowledge on mating rituals to spur Jack on. There wasn't much more he could do. The captain's fate was in Hudson's hands.

"Good evening, Commander, Agent Leland," Data sat down at the table towards the back of Ten Forward.

Worf glowered over his cup of steaming brew -- a noxious concoction that smelled nearly as vile as it tasted -- glug -- a Klingon delicacy. Leland was gamely trying to down a pint of his own without much success.

"It is an acquired taste, sir, taking years to perfect, you hardly have time to make a start."

Myles nodded, his face glowing faintly green in the subdued lighting of the lounge.

"Commander Worf, I hope you are not too deep in your cups to supervise your charge," Data reproached lightly, noting that Tanya was no where in sight.

Worf growled his disapproval, but grudgingly nodded his head in the direction of the billiard room. "She's in there playing with the dog."

"Ah, you are now pet sitting as well?" Data's deadpan delivery made it impossible to know whether he was joking or serious.

"Tanya is in charge of the dog. At least it is keeping her busy." Worf looked exhausted and Data was too polite to mention the slight tremor in the hand that brought the mug of ale to the Klingon's lips.

"I came to say goodbye," Data said formally to Myles. "I will be reporting to engineering soon and preparing for the time wave's arrival. This may be the only chance I have to wish you all well."

Myles was about to respond when excited barking and hysterical laughter carried over from the neighboring room. All three men looked at each other curiously, and as one, rose to investigate.

"Hey there," Tanya waved cheerfully. "Watch this, I've taught Levi a new game its called bop ball." She turned to the excited dog whose entire hind end began to wiggle furiously at the word bop. "Ready?" Tanya grabbed a pool cue and waved it in the air. "Set." She swiped Q's time bubble, sending it rushing to the ground where Levi waited eagerly. "Go!" Levi sprang, his muzzle connecting with the bubble, sending it spiraling into the air and then he gave chase, repeatedly bopping it every time the bubble dropped low enough for him to reach. 15 consecutive bops seemed to be a record if Tanya's effusive praise was anything to go by.

"I told you she was a she-devil and you did not believe me," Worf accused Data.

"I will revise my opinion, Mr. Worf, consider yourself vindicated."

"She's a wicked bit of mischief, isn't she?" Myles smiled fondly at the teenager.

"Here, take my picture," Tanya came running over and handed Myles her cell phone. "It's my visual diary since I don't have time to write one."

Before Myles could point and click, Worf had confiscated the item. "You cannot record anything and risk upsetting the balance. There must be nothing to remind you of your encounters here."

"Not one single teensy little momento?" Tanya asked, crestfallen.

Worf sighed impatiently. "We have gone over this before. I will not explain it again. Surely it's time for you to sleep. Don't human children go to bed early?"

“Not when they’re beamed aboard the Starship Enterprise!” Tanya replied in a huff. “At least take Levi’s picture playing bop ball and then you can keep this as a reminder of me.”

“I do not require a reminder,” Worf assured her stiffly.

“Because I’m so unforgettable?”

“I think the word you are looking for is incorrigible, Tanya,” Myles suggested helpfully.

She ignored him and pressed Worf. “Come on, let me take your picture with Levi playing bop ball,” she wheedled enticingly.

“Only because you will not let up until I do,” Worf grumbled though he seemed to enjoy giving the Q bubble a hardy whack that sent it spinning around the room, Levi in hot pursuit.

“Well, that was pretty good, only you’re supposed to let Levi have a turn,” Tanya reprimanded as she casually walked over to a replicator on the adjacent wall. Her fingers flew over the buttons and she slipped something onto the grid.

“What are you doing?” Worf asked suspiciously.

“Nothing,” she lied, slipping two objects off of the grid and handing one back to the Klingon. “Here’s my cell phone. Do you want me to show you how to access the digital photos?”

“That will not be necessary,” Worf reproached.

“It is time,” Data said suddenly.

“The tsunami?” Myles asked a bit nervously.

“No, sir, it is time to find out whether Jack Hudson was successful.”

“Successful at what?” Tanya asked curiously, but Myles shushed her up.

Data hit his COM badge. “Captain? Can you hear me?”

There was an irritated groan and then, “Data what the devil do you want?”

“You are there?”

“Of course I’m here, where else would I be?”

Data smiled at the eager crowd gathering around him in Ten Forward. “It would seem that Jack Hudson has indeed been successful.”

Jack couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. He barely noticed the romantic setting or the discreet staff at the countryside villa. He was vaguely aware of the warm sea breeze, but that was only because of the way it pushed the filmy fabric of Sue’s wedding dress against the contours of her body. He thought she looked breathtaking in the replicated dress that was an enchanting combination of both centuries. Floor length, the gown modestly skimmed her feet while the bodice clung enticingly to every curve. It crisscrossed over her breasts, leaving her shoulders and back bare and exposed a generous diamond shape swatch of her abdomen.

His eyes caressed her body and his hands itched to reach out and touch what had suddenly become available to him. He grinned as he thought of Data's pep talk earlier. The android had shown a keen interest in making sure that the marriage was going to be consummated. "By 22 hours 23 minutes, sir," he had said precisely in the middle of his free-flowing advice in Ten Forward after the wedding. Jack had found Data’s earnest entreaty amusing as the Commander took him aside and with enthusiastic thoroughness offered his sage advice. Looking at Sue now, in the soft moonlight, he was beginning to appreciate the wisdom in the android's words.

"Humans generally respond to a certain body type. Depending on their sexual imprinting, of course. Sometimes a man responds to certain parts of the body and concentrating on that part of the female’s anatomy is often an excellent starting point. What turns you on, Agent Hudson?"

Creamy round shoulders Jack thought, admiring the lithe muscles that Sue's halter dress revealed. His eyes traveled the length of her form, the outline of her body silhouetted in the waning light. He saw curves -- and legs -- long legs that went on forever.

“Are you a leg man? Or perhaps a woman’s b –”

He swallowed – hard – forcing his eyes away from that part of her anatomy and back up to her face. She was smiling at him. Open and inviting. There was definitely an air of flirtatious recklessness about her and that surprised him. He thought she would retreat into that protective shell she so often hid behind after facing something traumatic, so determined to put on a brave front as she made her independent stand. But her battle with Q seemed to have emboldened her instead. Her eyes shone with confidence as she noted his avid perusal and audaciously conducted one of her own before locking her gaze with his. Just one look and Jack felt his pulse quickening at the intimate promise he saw there. She had to repeat her question twice before he found his equilibrium enough to comprehend her words.

"It's beautiful, isn't it Jack?"

Jack looked at her and nodded in agreement, thinking that she was indeed beautiful. His body’s reaction reaffirmed his opinion. He’d been attracted to Sue since the first day she had stormed into his office and over the years that attraction had grown and changed --- transformed into a deep-seated desire born out of love.

“Indeed, Agent Hudson, lust is what sends a man out on the hunt for a potential mate, but when the hunt proves successful that lust might be better viewed as a biological drive that is a stepping stone to romantic love which is what I believe you and Sue Hudson share.”

Data was right, Jack thought. He’d known the first primeval stirrings of lust early on in their relationship, which rapidly grew into attraction – an attraction he had miraculously suppressed for years. He wasn’t quite sure how to proceed now that he was permitted to give those emotions free reign.

Sue’s heart picked up it’s steady beat as she watched him watch her. His emotions were so open and raw. It was evident that he was laying his soul bare to her and she found it almost as disconcerting as walking through the holodeck had been. One minute she had been in the futuristic corridor of a starship and the next in a busy coastal town in France. It had been Data's idea to send them to the future home of their progeny. He had programmed it to perfection. The romantic summer's evening, the sun's warmth still lingered in the air -- or was all that heat coming from Jack's body just an arms’ length away from her?

He looked incredibly sexy standing there under the moonlight, the wind ruffling his hair. He had shrugged off his jacket shortly after the ceremony and she vaguely remembered having something to do with the top three buttons of his shirt coming undone. That had been outside, in the hallway. Now they were here – for all intense and purposes – France, for an unforgettable honeymoon – even if it did last only hours.

Throwing her arms out wide as if to embrace the whole universe, she took a deep breath, inhaling the pungent aroma of roses from the garden. "It smells divine." In fact she was beginning to think it was intoxicating. She breathed in again, her senses overloading at the heady scent. It would forever remind her of this night, their first time together as husband and wife.

Jack grinned.

The water was blue, the frothy waves lapping at her feet. She had insisted upon curling her toes in the warm, white sand of the private beach. She held her delicate sandals in one hand as she wriggled her toes with abandon and he watched as she breathed in the essence of the wild roses that grew in the garden not far away. Roses had always reminded him of Sue. Not the harsh red ones, though. More the tawny peaches and pale pinks and ivory yellows and those bushes abounded throughout the garden which went on for as far as the eye could see.


“Scent plays an integral part in setting the scene for romance, Agent Hudson. Women are particularly sensitive to aromatic mood enhancement.”

Data had obviously taken great care to create the flowers that lined the walk and the cross-breeze that ensured Jack and Sue would be susceptible to their mingled aromas.

Taking Sue’s hand, Jack tugged her gently back towards the house, suddenly impatient to get her inside. As they walked up the overgrown path, his arm brushed against the flowers and a sweet scent floated into the air, heady, thick and pungent. He plucked one of the blossoms, crushing the rosy petals with his finger. He pulled her in close to his side so she could inhale the heady scent before gently trailing its petal softness across her cheek, along her brow and down the slope of her nose, leaving a sweet scented trail lingering on her moonlit kissed skin.

Sue stood transfixed by his touch. She wrinkled her nose when he tickled the tip, but sighed happily as the light massage flowed around her face. She looked at him and smiled. "It smells heavenly."

"You smell heavenly," he corrected huskily as he lowered his head so that his lips could travel the same path the petals had. She tasted sweet – as delectable as the crushed rose at their feet. Breathing deeply he had to admit that Data was right. Scent could be an aphrodisiac. His tongue delved into the hollow shell of her ear and he caught her to him as she jumped in surprise. He nipped the rim of her ear lightly, rolling the curled fold between his teeth, exulting in her shivering response. Tiny nibbles carried his mouth down the side of her neck, across the soft roundness of her shoulder, lower to an even softer roundness, delicate and full, but still hidden from his view by a swatch of fabric. His finger delved experimentally beneath and he felt her body leap in response.

“Elevated levels of dopamine and nonrepinephrine cause rewarding electric-like shock waves through the neurotransmitters in the brain.”

He could almost see the live currents flashing between their flesh as his hand stroked and molded into her lush softness while she stood trembling in his arms, watching him with rapt attention, her lips parted, her breath coming in little gasps.

She could feel the intensity of his gaze as it burned over her, her body hot and achy wherever he touched. She wasn’t certain but she thought she moaned his name just before his mouth fastened over hers, took possession, coaxing the embers of the flames into a raging fire that leapt between them. He was tugging at her hair, spilling the careful coif into disarray as his hands tunneled in to her scalp, seeking to hold her captive so that he could deepen the kiss even more. His teeth raked over her lower lip even as his tongue caressed the tingling burn, silently urging her to respond in kind as his movements grew more urgent and demanding.

“It is the intoxicating properties of the neurochemical dopamine that creates the building need that must be released…”

She was eager to follow his lead, her own hands flying across his body – shy little butterfly touches that made him hurt with wanting her so badly. He sucked in his breath when her fingers scored a fiery path across his abdomen. She managed to get the rest of his buttons open and he obligingly shrugged the shirt off, uncaring of where it fell. She evaded his mouth long enough to begin her own tactile exploration of his bronzed torso. He clenched his teeth and groaned as her lips grazed across his chest – a sweet torture he wasn’t sure he was capable of bearing for very long.

He slid his hands down to her neck, his thumbs kneading out twin circular patterns along her collarbone, dipping lower and lower with each rotation until she was writhing in his arms. She lifted heavy-lidded eyes to gaze at him through a haze of pleasure and he swooped down and claimed her lips once more in a sweet assault calculated to leave her breathless and clinging to him for support.

She was savoring the strength in the arms that cradled her trembling body when she felt the first purposeful tug at the tie at the back of her neck. She only managed a feeble protest as she tried to clutch at her loosening bodice.

“Jack! We’re outside – in plain sight of…”

“Dopamine and norepinephrine levels surge resulting in arousal…”

Jack closed his eyes and counted to ten even though he knew that counting to one hundred and ten wouldn’t cool him down enough to permit him to stop. He wanted her. This woman in his arms who was now his wife. He wanted to make love to her, kiss every inch of her body, watch her reaction as they came together for the first time. He wanted to bring her the pleasure no man ever had before. He wanted to lose himself in her, bury himself in the sanctuary of her body…

“Computer, remove all holodeck characters from the honeymoon protocol.” His voice was thick with desire, and he could hardly form the words that slurred in his mouth. “Now we’re alone.” He looked towards the villa and it suddenly seemed much too long of a journey to take just now. “Computer, reposition bed in the middle of the arbor.”

He smiled in relief as the resplendent king-size bed materialized beneath the rustling branches of blossoming fruit trees and returned his attention back to his wife. His eyes dared her to protest now as he determinedly unbound the last knot and gently tugged the fabric free from her hands.

Sue hesitated for only a second before stepping back, allowing the fabric to slide gently away from the swell of her breasts. She faltered, but stood stoically under his gaze, fighting the urge to cover herself with her hands.

Beautiful. He signed because she was and the spoken word alone could not begin to describe his emotions adequately. I love you.

She responded by throwing herself into his arms only to cry out at the shock of flesh meeting flesh. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, devouring her first with his eyes and then his lips. He kissed her slowly and deliberately from the top of her head down to her neck, drawing closer and closer to his target. Soft, warm flesh, smooth and supple, tender to every nuance of touch.

“It is the neurochemical dopamine that allows us to maintain intoxicating properties of amour.”

He turned her in his arms, biting and suckling his way across her shoulder blades and down her spine. He knelt to gently knead the swell of her hip, the curve of her derriere and to ease the zipper fastening. Sue stepped out of the gown and barely able to stand with wanting him, she tumbled onto the bed and after shucking off his trousers, he followed her.

“The exhilaration of new love! Le coup de foudre, as the French would say. A lightning bolt.”

His hot gaze burned over her body, further fueling the fire already threatening to consume her. His eyes were so full of love for her that she nearly wept and her own heart soared to new depths as she opened her arms, inviting him to join her. He lowered his body over hers, his hands stroking across her ultrasensitive skin. Pulse racing she tried to reciprocate, but he gently captured her fluttering hands in one of his, pinning them over her head. She groaned a protest.

“Sh,” he soothed, “tonight is just for you. Let me show you how much I love you.” Every cell in his body came alive when she touched him and frankly he wasn’t sure that he could endure much more of her hesitant forays made all the more erotic for her shyness. There would be time for leisurely explorations later. He thought that at some distant time his body might stop going up in flames at a single sultry glance or a whisper of a touch. But not tonight with their combined heat enveloping them in a growing inferno.

“The levels of dopamine and norephinephrine elevate to such levels that they trigger the reward system in the brain…”

She could feel his hands trembling as he touched her skin, sliding over nerve points she never new existed as a restless pressure kept building deep inside her. His tongue scorched each ribcage in turn, teased the underside of her breast and then he nipped gently at the narrow curve of her waist before he dragged her across the bed, positioning her more fully beneath him. And then his mouth claimed hers with a hot blend of passion and possession as his body drummed out a matching tempo.

Afterwards she clung to him, her arms wrapped around his solid flesh – her anchor after the storm and he stroked her tousled hair, tracing light circles along her arm that sent shivers coursing through her body all over again. He hugged her more tightly to him and smiled in satisfaction. No matter the time or the century, they belonged together.

“After the dopamine surge subsides, vasopressin and oxytocin take over. Scientists call them the cuddle chemicals because these hormones are what facilitate the urge to create long-lasting attachment needed in order to raise children.”

Jack’s hand slid over her stomach, impossibly flat and firm beneath his palm. Was it really possible that some spark of life was now nestled there? The beginnings of a future generation that would lead to all this?

Sue’s hand covered his and pressed tightly, protectively. “What will happen to him when we go back in time?” She voiced the fear that was already eating at him. How had he become so protective over something that hadn’t even existed ten minutes ago?

Jack placed his other hand over hers and smiled down reassuringly. “It will be all right,” he promised. “Tara has a plan.”

Sue raised her head from its resting place on his chest and he groaned in protest and pushed her back down.

“I can’t read you properly. I thought you said something about Tara having a plan…”

He relented and shifted so that they lay face to face against the pillow. Unable to stand the withdrawal, he reached out to cup her cheek in his hand. “She tried to explain it to me after the wedding, but I was too…preoccupied…” he smiled and placed a lingering kiss on her lips before continuing. “Something about Bobby having won and she wasn’t about to forget the best kiss of her life…” he sighed. “I really wasn’t paying attention, do you know how incredible you looked in that dress? I kept getting distracted by these flashes of curves and the way it clung to your hips when you moved…”

“Jack!” Sue prompted him.

“See? You’re doing it again. Distracting me.” Jack’s hands began to move more purposefully along her body; pausing at points he now knew were sensitive.

“Jack!” this time she gasped his name.

He grinned, flipping her onto her back. “Don’t worry – we have time. I’m on top of things.”

Sue squealed with laughter as his fingers began a tickling exploration of her ribcage.

He left her to fetch them some clothes from inside the villa. We can't go back in our wedding finery, he had teased as he reluctantly eased away from the warmth of her body. Unabashed at his nakedness he moved from the garden to the house. Sue enjoyed the view until he disappeared from sight and then sighing blissfully gazed up somewhat dazedly into the bower of twining vines and branches that had provided a canopy for their lovemaking.

She stretched languorously, deciding that she could not have picked a more perfect wedding or honeymoon setting even if she'd planned it. Rolling onto her side she stared at the rumpled bed, burying her nose in the pillow Jack had used. She hugged it to her, seeking warmth and comfort in his absence. She desperately wanted this plan of Tara's to work. She couldn't bear to lose this night and the promise it would bring.

Jack paused in the doorway of the villa, drinking in the sight of Sue sprawled haphazardly across the bed. Her golden hair spun out over the pillow, the strands picking up the soft light of the moon. He committed the image to memory, praying that it would stay there even after they returned to their lives on earth. He felt a lump form in the back of his throat and he swallowed hard to press it down. He wanted to keep her sequestered away here indefinitely. Just the two of them, exploring each other until they collapsed from exhaustion. He grinned wryly as he walked up to her. He wondered what his bride would think of that particular fantasy.

Even though her eyes were closed she sensed his presence just before she felt the feather-like stroke of his hand along her hip and thigh. Opening her eyes, she smiled into his concerned brown ones as he leant over her.

"A bride shouldn't be pensive on her wedding night," he told her softly.

"I'm not, really. I was just thinking about what will happen if it doesn't work," Sue admitted in a near whisper, as if voicing her doubts out loud might turn them into a reality.

"It has to work," Jack told her sternly, "but it won't if we're not there in time. Put this on and let's get out of here."

He turned his back and Sue avidly watched the muscles in his buttocks flex as he stepped into a pair of jeans. Noting her candid gaze when he turned to retrieve his shirt, he arched an eyebrow and grinned at the guilty flush that flooded her cheeks.

"Any other time and any other place and I'd have you pinned to that bed until morning at the earliest," he vowed hoarsely, groaning at the picture of temptation she presented. Lowering his head he placed a few well-aimed kisses along her body before reluctantly pulling away.

She rose from the bed in one fluid motion, still self-conscious that he could stare so openly at her nakedness, but determined not to show her discomfort. One shy glance at his face and she knew she had failed. He winked at her and then compassionately turned his back as he shrugged into his shirt. She gave a little sigh of protest as the shadowed clefts and valleys of his rugged physique disappeared from sight. He was heaven to look at, even better to touch. Pulling up the sundress Jack had chosen for her she searched through the bedcovers and then the ground.

"Jack! Where's the rest of my clothes?"

"What do you mean?"

"You only brought a dress -- what about -- what about..." she sputtered not quite able to utter anything more.

Jack grinned at her maidenly modesty. "Trust me, you won't even be wearing this for long," he assured her, unzipping the dress and tossing it over her head. He tugged it down, taking a great deal of care with fitting the bodice correctly before ever so slowly raising the zipper inch by inch. They were both breathless when he finished and Sue leant into him, her face upturned, waiting expectantly.

"If I kiss you we won't be going anywhere for a while and we can't risk that. We're running out of time as it is." He pulled at the hem of her dress so that it covered her legs respectably to her knees and then ruined the effect by hitching it up to her waist again when he trailed his hand up her inner thigh. Their eyes met with a newfound understanding as heat sizzled just below the surface. Jack clenched his jaw determinedly and turned away, grabbing for her hand.

“Are you ready?” he asked, squeezing her hand for reassurance.

Sue took one last lingering look around their honeymoon paradise. She wasn’t ready to leave – wasn’t ready to give up the passion she had discovered here. But she definitely wasn’t ready to give up her memories of the past few hours so she nodded her head in agreement and watched him form the words with a sinking heart.

“Computer, end program.”





Tara fussed and tweaked and fidgeted as only she could when completely absorbed in a project. Bobby contented himself with watching her, feeding on the energized hum of activity that she generated as he tried to get a hold of himself. He was useless to her now and he knew it, unlike earlier…he grinned at the memory of those stolen heated moments in the darkened corner of the engineering bay. He’d driven himself nearly mad with wanting her and his only consolation was that she didn’t come out of it unscathed.

He wasn’t exactly certain how it happened – but some how his soul-destroying kiss had backfired, propelling Tara out of his arms and back to her computer. He was left feeling bereft, heart jack hammering away in his chest. The smell of her still lingered in the air around him and he could remember the feel of her soft body pressing into his, the taste of her lips and the sound of her moans of pleasure were still ringing in his ears. He could barely stand upright and her fingers were flying across her keyboard a mile a minute.

“You’re brilliant, Bobby,” she beamed at him. “I wasn’t one hundred per cent sure that my calculations were on target and I don’t mind telling you I’ve been a nervous wreck since suggesting we try to outsmart Geordie and Data and piggyback the timestream, but now I think I’m positive it’s going to work. And all thanks to you.”

Bobby leant shakily against the console and stared blankly down at her, noting with grim satisfaction that her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes over bright and her hair practically crackling from electricity. She wasn’t as unmoved by that earth shattering kiss as he had feared.

“Mind letting me in on the secret, luv?” he asked in a voice that he still couldn’t modulate to his normal steady timber.

Tara made the mistake of looking up again. Her fingers faltered as she met his intense gaze and moaned in frustration at having to break away from their interlude so soon. She thought she just might be able to withstand that kind of assault to her senses indefinitely if Bobby would agree to it. Her gaze wavered, and glassed over as she remembered the incredible thrill that shot through her the second he lowered his head to hers. He’d been driving her insane with his teasing exploration of her body conscientiously stopping just shy of kissing her. She was the one to break down first. She finally couldn’t stand it anymore and jumped him, straddling his lap as he leant up against the bulkhead.

Tara may have initiated the kiss, but Bobby had taken masterful control almost immediately. One hand had roughly grabbed the back of her head, holding her in place, as if he were afraid that she might try to draw back. There was no fear of that. The heat surging between them had melted her resolve into a seething pool of molten lava and she couldn’t have moved if she tried. She gasped when his other hand fanned out across her lower back, pushing her intimately into the core of his body. That hand remained firm as well, refusing to let her escape until he had finished what she had started. He allowed her up for a brief gulp of air and as she looked into his handsome face, the entire formula just burst into her mind. She’d left out one equation – the one that would make their thrust through time and space infinitely more accurate. Fueled with this new knowledge, she had managed to wriggle out of Bobby’s arms and bolted to the computer.

“You inspired me,” she explained now, and laughed at his look of incredulity.

“Darlin’ that,” he pointed to her flying fingers, “was hardly what I was trying to inspire your hands to do.”

Her face flamed and her thought process stumbled momentarily. She could feel the haze of passion battering against her brain, urging her to give up the equation and return to Bobby’s arms. But if she did, she might just possibly forget what that first kiss really felt like. Turning back to her laptop with new resolve, she determinedly ignored him and attacked her open ended time strand.

And that’s why they were in the transporter room, Bobby supposedly keeping a look out while Tara tinkered with the console.

“We’re a good team, Bobby,” Tara sighed with satisfaction once she completed her merging of 21st and 24th century technology. “We could be lethal together.”

“I’m looking forward to that experience,” Bobby teased deliberately flashing her a sexy smile.

“Is that all you can think about?” She pretended to disapprove but she was secretly pleased and he knew it.

“When you’re around – especially when you threaten not to kiss me and then turn around and throw yourself at me and then leave me completely wound up,” he frowned at her. “I still don’t know what all that was about.”

“I was kissing you and suddenly it was all so clear. I could see the formula lit up like a neon light flashing across my mind. You see, it all has to do with heat build up and expulsion and kinetic energy,” Bobby looked at her blankly. “Don’t you see? We want to overload the timestream, heat it beyond capacity – push it to the limit and induce instantaneous meltdown. Timed just right, the results can be spectacular,” Tara bounced up and down in her enthusiasm.

“And you came to that conclusion while kissing me?”?

Tara threw her arms around his neck. “That’s how you make me feel. One kiss, one touch and my entire body heats up beyond its capacity to endure. I suffer a first class melt down when you…”

His lips covered hers for the briefest of seconds. “…do that?”

“Yes.” Her voice squeaked.

“And what about this?” His tongue traced the outline of her mouth, sending teasing frissons of pleasure cascading through Tara’s body.

“Yes.” The terse whispered response was all she could muster.

“And if I tried it this way?” His hands closed over her hips and dragged her slowly up his body until their mouths were level. “Wrap your legs around my waist,” he instructed. When she hesitated, he flashed her a dimpled grin. “In the interest of science, luv.” He groaned when she complied, wondering at his sanity for starting this here but forged ahead anyway. Rolling her lower lip between his teeth, he tugged gently until she opened her mouth and let him in completely. They became so absorbed in each other that they didn’t notice the door sliding quietly open.

“I see some of my advice to Agent Hudson has rubbed off on you, Agent Manning.”

Bobby nearly dropped Tara headfirst on the floor at the unexpected intrusion.

“Data!” Tara floundered uncertainly, nervously pushing the hair out of her eyes. “We were just, um, working on a new theory about the combustibility of certain matter and anti-matter…”

“And you were using Agent Manning as a willing sacrifice for your scientific research?”

They both smiled sheepishly, trying not to look at Tara’s laptop merrily humming away on the transporter console. Data did look, studied it thoughtfully and frowned.

“Brilliant,” he finally praised after making a few minor adjustments. “You have surpassed my expectations and they were high.”

“Data?” Tara futilely searched the android’s face for some sign of what he was thinking.

“I believe it will be simpler if you have someone manning the transporter when you are ready to beam down.”

“Are you saying you’ll help us?” Tara asked in surprise. “What about your prime directive?”

“Sometimes one needs to break a promise in order to keep one,” Data responded mysteriously. “I have cleared the access points to the transporter room from Ten Forward and the holodeck. The rest of your team should not have any trouble slipping in here undetected.”

Bobby folded his arms across his chest and eyed the commander doubtfully. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. What will Captain Picard say?”

“If our calculations are correct, Agent Manning, he won’t remember a thing in under ten minutes.”



“Tea. Earl Gray. Hot.” Jean Luc Picard cupped the steaming mug in both palms, trying to quell the uneasy chill that had suddenly permeated his body. He had the feeling that he was forgetting something and it was unsettling. The alarm sounded at his door and he turned, unconsciously stiffening his spine, his body tense, as he called. “Enter. Ah, Mr. Data, you’re here with the weekly stats, I take it?” Picard took a sip of tea and frowned when it didn’t immediately soothe his unrest.

“Is there something wrong with your beverage sir?” Data asked politely.

“No, no, Mr. Data. I’m just feeling…melancholy today. As if I missed out on something big. It’s nothing. Report.” Picard sat at the ready room conference table and waited expectantly for the drone of starship statistics.

Instead Data eased into the chair next to the captain. “Sir, I have another kind of report for you this morning…one that I think you will find infinitely more interesting then statistical data.”



Tara couldn’t resist sneaking a peak. It was all well and good for Myles to rush in on them practically yelling, “Don’t look! Don’t look!” as they put the finishing touches on their impromptu party. But of course, she had to look. They were coming in from the hallway, pausing on the threshold and Tara couldn’t help but think about how profound that moment was.

They both had a look about them – half relieved, half in nervous excitement. Something had started in that hallway – she just knew it and if Myles hadn’t interrupted…well hopefully this time round Jack wouldn’t be so easily distracted. She tried to hide the knowing smile that plastered onto her face, but she knew Sue saw it and recognized it for what it was…a smirk. Bobby did too. He caught her eye and winked before calling out to Sue, “I wanted to get a disco ball but I didn’t have enough notice.”

Stunned silence subdued the team gathered around the bullpen. Suddenly Tara let out a whoop of joy. “It worked! It worked!” she squealed, launching herself into Bobby’s arms. “We’re here! And we were there…and we remember…and it really happened…and…” Tara blinked rapidly, the after effects of one of Bobby’s sexy stares leaving her feeling like she was watching everything unfolding under the strobe lighting of one of Bobby’s disco balls.

“And you are a genius!” Bobby placed an exuberant kiss on her lips in full view of Hoover Building employees.

“Bobby!” Tara looked around self-consciously. “This isn’t exactly the time or the place to…”

He swallowed her words, replacing them with the heat of his own mouth and when he lifted his head she was beyond coherent thought. “Actually, luv, if there’s anything I’ve learned from this experience it’s that time is rather fleeting and it’s best to make the most of it while we have the chance. Besides – look at them.”

Tara dazedly turned her head and saw a crowd slowly gathering around Jack and Sue. Lost in each other’s arms they were unaware of the stir they were causing. Jack didn’t hear the catcalls and whistles and cheers of “It’s about time!” and Sue didn’t see the women wiping a tear from their eye and clutching their hearts dramatically. And no one noticed the lone figure who entered and surveyed the scene before him, his stern, unyielding posture transmitting his displeasure. Silence settled rather quickly and people soon found urgent business to attend to elsewhere. Soon it was just the team sequestered in the bullpen with Special Agent Quinn Quincy.

“Q?”

The rumbling growl from Levi was answer enough. Jack pulled Sue protectively behind him and the male members of the team closed ranks, sheltering the women with their bodies.

Q smiled benignly. “Such chivalric gestures seemed to be so ingrained on your species,” he murmured with keen interest. “And I must say you never disappoint, no matter what era. I’m still as fascinated with human genetics as ever – but humanity itself might bear a more introspective research as well.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully in contemplation.

“What are you doing here?” Jack asked, raising a fist in a threatening gesture.

Q snapped his fingers and Jack’s arm immediately dropped to his side where it remained pinned. “That won’t work here, Jack.” He snapped his fingers again and Sue was suddenly standing at his side. “I just stopped in to say good bye.” He lifted her hand to his lips and smiled when she pulled away before his mouth could touch her skin. “As recalcitrant as ever, I see.” He didn’t appear disturbed at this observation. “And how is Junior doing this morning? All tucked in safe and secure?”

“If you do anything to harm Sue or our child I’ll…” Jack’s threat was fruitless but he had to make it anyway.

“Jean Luc certainly did inherit your fighting spirit, insatiable thirst for fair play, the noble bearing in a man of such short stature…I suppose that’s why he fascinates me so and he does come by it honestly now I see. So – no hard feelings?” Jack’s arm, suddenly released, shot out and was gripped by Q’s in a firm handshake.

“If you’ve come to say goodbye, consider it said,” Jack nodded his head in curt dismissal.

“What? No thanks to send me on my way?” Q seemed appalled.

“Thanks for what? Nearly killing Jack? Doing worse to Sue? Trying to change their entire future for generations to come?” Bobby asked sarcastically.

“Is that what you think?” Q sighed, clearly put out. “Of course, I suppose it’s to be expected. I keep forgetting about your almost neolithicly limited brain capacity. It does get tedious at times.”

“Tara luv, do you think you can time bubble this drongo into outer space?” Bobby asked in a menacing tone of voice.

“I see you aren’t convinced that gratitude is in order. Fine. Let me introduce you to a colleague of mine.”

William Hackford suddenly materialized at Q’s side.

“He’s one of you?”

“To simplify things you can think of me as Q1 and him as Q2.”

“Hello, Sue, lovely as ever I see. You had me worried there until the last possible moment. I was sure you were going to leave Jack and go to New York.”

“That was a set up?” Sue asked in confusion.

“You might call it that. You two have given us quite a lot of grief, you know. I thought Simon would do it. But alas, Jack almost blew that one completely. Ten seconds later and the entire Hudson timeline would have vanished into a black hole,” Q said sorrowfully. “And how many times has she been kidnapped and at each sweet reunion all you have offered her was a handshake? And you – ” he turned an accusing stare on Sue, “you just sat back and let one conniving hussy after another parade right by and take your man. I thought nearly blowing him up would spur things along, but alas you hid your love so thoroughly that even I was having second thoughts. And speaking of second thoughts – Tony? Whatever possessed you? A Picard with that genetic makeup doesn’t bear thinking about,” he shuddered in revulsion. “It would be like you taking a Klingon to mate…no insult to the dear, confused and sadly discombobulated Worf where ever he might be at this moment.”

He stared impatiently at the blank faces staring back at him uncomprehendingly.

“Don’t you get it? There was a cosmic blip in your radar, an unfortunate entanglement in your life’s stars, a rift in your milky way and at the rate Jack here was progressing your love was about to vanish into a black hole. No need for effusive thanks however, I merely gently nudged you in the right direction.”

“Gentle?” Jack scoffed, “You call kidnapping Sue gentle? Erasing her from everyone’s memories gentle?”

“I had to get your attention, didn’t I? You almost let her go to New York. I didn’t have the patience to wait while you fumbled around for another three years before getting down to business. Though I must admit that once your mind is set to a task you do perform it admirably,” Q smirked.



“Are you trying to tell me I am to be indebted to Q for saving my life and a countless number of my ancestors?” Picard asked, astounded.

“Affirmative, Captain. The continuum noticed the unraveling rift in your timeline and Q took it upon himself to correct it with his usual dramatic flair.” Data confirmed.

“Why didn’t you come to me with this information earlier, Mr. Data?”

The android hesitated. “The shifts in time created a delicate imbalance – the entire timeline was teetering on the brink of nothingness. I could not risk the improbabilities you or your ancestors’ emotional attachment might bring to it. I took a gamble on Agent Williams’ cunning mind and she did not disappoint.”



Q’s attention settled on Tara next. He circled her, keeping Bobby at bay with a flick of the wrist. “Such exceptional promise. You more than exceeded my expectations,” he applauded mockingly. “I would be tempted to whisk you away with me for a millennia if it weren’t for the small matter of a terrorist plot or two you are instrumental in thwarting. And then there’s Katherine. If you run away with me, what would become of her?” He sighed regretfully. “No, I truly think you are needed right here, right now. I’ll give your regards to Captain Janeway the next time I see her though.” Q marched pompously to the door noting their collective relief with a sardonic smile. “Yes, well, I can tell when I’ve outstayed my welcome. And no need to thank me for my parting gift.” Q stared pointedly at the ringing telephone on Lucy’s desk. “Isn’t someone going to answer that?”

Lucy rushed to pick up the receiver, her eyes widening in surprise as she listened, punctuating the silence with the occasional “No! Are you serious? Who told you?” When she hung up the phone she squealed with glee and rushed to hug Jack and Sue. “You’re legal! That was the exec. secretary gossip pool – they just typed the official withdrawal of the no-dating policy. It’s been abolished!”

“Now you really have something to celebrate,” Q indicated the banner and they watched as he artfully rearranged the letters to read Congratulations Jack and Sue. “Now I think my work’s done, don't you Q2" he motioned for Hackford to join him. "Oh, you might want to check at Our Lady of Mercy Psychiatric Hospital, Mr. Fines is trying to admit himself. And Agent Gans – the time bubble encasing Tanya will dissipate in four hours – you might want to make sure she’s floating over a soft surface by then. And your wife wants you to call her as soon as possible. So at last, I bid you adieu – not goodbye – because I really have grown quite fond of you all,” he smiled benevolently at the clustered team. “so you better remember to mind your p’s and q’s because you never know when I might nip back to check up on you.” In the blink of an eye Q1 and Q2 vanished from sight.

THE END

You can find this story, and all of kav’s other stories here in her archive page. Comments are always welcome.