💾 Archived View for gemini.spam.works › mirrors › textfiles › sf › STARTREK › mothersa captured on 2022-03-02 at 00:43:43.
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This is a reposting of my story from a couple weeks ago. I removed a lot of extra spaces and stuff, so this is a lot shorter. I got this idea last winter while daydreaming rather than paying attention in class. Anyway, it's a Next Generation story concentrating on Troi. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions:) (no flames please). Please e-mail me at jlp7831@ultb.rit.edu. Thanks and enjoy! Mothers and Daughters by Julie Pizor INT. HOLODECK RIKER enters the holodeck. PICARD and DR. CRUSHER are already there, clad in 1940's apparel. RIKER Sorry I'm late. PICARD Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime. RIKER I certainly hope so. DR. CRUSHER Where's Deanna? PICARD I don't know. RIKER It's not like her to be late. Picard taps his communicator. PICARD Picard to Counselor Troi. There is no response. PICARD (continuing) Picard to Counselor Troi. INT. COUNSELOR TROI'S QUARTERS Troi is crouched against the wall next to her bed, hugging her knees. There are flames all around her. Debris from the fire falls from the ceiling. TROI Captain! Help! The fire's everywhere! A large panal falls from the ceiling. Troi lets out a startled SCREAM. INT. HOLODECK RIKER What fire? Why hasn't the ship's censors detected it and put it out? TROI (o.s) I don't know. Troi begins to cough uncontrollably. TROI (continuing) Please help. PICARD We're on our way. Picard out. Picard to LaForge. LaFORGE (o.s) Go ahead Captain. PICARD Counselor Troi's quarters are on fire. I want you and Mr. Data to go to engineering and check the sprinkler systems for any malfunctions. LaFORGE (o.s) Aye Captain. Everyone exits the room. INT. COUNSELOR TROI'S QUARTERS The door slides open as Dr. Crusher, Riker, and Picard rush inside. The room appears perfectly normal. They begin to look for Troi. RIKER Deanna? INT. TROI'S BEDROOM Troi looks very dishevelled as she sits against the wall. TROI Wil? She COUGHS loudly. Riker walks over to the bedroom door and peers in. Dr. Crusher starts to walk across the room when Troi suddenly becomes agitated. TROI Beverly, no! DR. CRUSHER Deanna, what is it? TROI (coughing) The panel it's about to fall. Riker and Picard look around the room. Dr. Crusher continues to look directly at Troi. To their eyes, everything appears normal. DR. CRUSHER What panel? Deanna, to all of us, this room appears completely normal. Dr. Crusher walks over to Troi and kneels beside her. She removes her tricorder from her pocket and quickly moves it around Troi as she has another coughing spasm. Riker walks over and kneels beside her. RIKER Deanna, what's going on? Troi looks up at Riker. Through her eyes, the room is full of thick black smoke. Everything is on fire and debris falls from the ceiling. Terrified, Troi places a shaky hand on Riker's arm. TROI (coughing) I see flames all around me. The smoke is so thick, I can barely breath. Please help me. I don't know what's happening. Troi begins to cough uncontrollably. Riker puts his arms around her to stop her shaking. RIKER Doctor, is there anything you can do? Dr. Crusher sits back on her heels as she places the tricorder in her pocket. DR. CRUSHER Amazing. PICARD What have you found? Dr. Crusher removes a syringe from her other pocket and places it at the base of Troi's neck. After giving her a shot, she places the syringe back in her pocket. She puts a hand on Troi's shoulder. DR. CRUSHER That should help the coughing. Dr. Crusher stands up and looks at Picard. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) Though there is clearly no fire in here, Troi has massive amounts of smoke in her lungs. RIKER How is that possible? DR. CRUSHER I don't know. The shot I gave her should eliminate the smoke. Troi begins to cough uncontrollably again. Riker again tries to stop her shaking by holding her. Troi's coughs turn into choking sounds as she gasps for air. Dr. Crusher kneels back down beside her. Troi suddenly passes out. Dr. Crusher runs her tricorder around Troi. DR. CRUSHER This is bizarre. RIKER What? Dr. Crusher removes the syringe from her pocket again and gives Troi another shot. DR. CRUSHER Her lungs are full of smoke again. After a moment, Troi regains consciousness. She blinks as she tries to clear her head. She sits up straight and looks around the room. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) How do you feel? Troi begins to stand up. Riker jumps to his feet and helps her up. TROI Aside from a slight headache, I feel fine. PICARD Counselor, just a moment ago, you were afraid of the fire that was in this room. Do you still see flames? TROI No. (pause) Captain, I know you must think I've gone insane, but five minutes ago this room was on fire. Picard and Riker look at each other. LaForge enters the room. LaFORGE Captain, what's going on here? Data and I checked everything. There is nothing wrong with any of the sprinkler systems. Troi sighs as she walks over to her bed and sits down. She drops her head into her hands. TROI Maybe I am losing my mind. DR. CRUSHER Everything you think you saw did exist in your mind. PICARD I'd like to see everyone in my ready room. (beat) I'm going to go change into something a little less casual. Dr. Crusher looks at Picard, and then at her own clothes. DR. CRUSHER I almost forgot. Everyone begins to leave the room. TROI I'll be there in a minute. Troi stands up and walks over to a window. Riker walks over and stands behind her. He gently places his hand on her shoulder. RIKER Do you want me to wait for you? Troi hesitates before she answers. TROI No, I'll be fine. I just want to freshen up a little. Riker walks towards the door. RIKER If you need anything, just holler. Troi weakly smiles to herself. Riker leaves the room. INT. READY ROOM Picard sits at the head of the table with Riker to his left, Dr. Crusher to his right, and Geordi and Data across from him. Troi suddenly walks in and sits down. PICARD Counselor, can you tell us exactly what happened. TROI I got up for this morning's meeting. I got dressed, made myself a cup of hot chocolate, then put the mug down on my night table. I turned around and the whole room was in flames. I thought it was kind of odd for this fire to suddenly appear, but when I tried to leave the room, I got burned. Then I started to choke from the smoke. I was about to ask the computer why it hadn't put the fire out when you contacted me. PICARD Hmm. Perhaps it was something you ate or drank. Mr. LaForge, run a level one diagnostic on the counselor's replicator. LaFORGE I'll get right on it. PICARD Doctor, have there been any other similar incidents reported? DR. CRUSHER No, not to my knowledge. LaFORGE It is possible that it's an isolated problem in the counselor's replicator. RIKER Could anything else be causing this? DR. CRUSHER I have an idea, but it's too early to speculate. LaFORGE Counselor, are you just seeing things or are they actually real? TROI They seem real. I know that panel I touched was certainly hotter then it should have been. DR. CRUSHER And the smoke that you inhaled was certainly real. That's what worries me. It's one thing to have hallucinations, but it's another thing entirely when those hallucinations try to kill you. PICARD Counselor, has this ever happened to you before? TROI No, never. DR. CRUSHER Troi, I'd like to see you in sickbay to run some tests on you. TROI Alright. PICARD Until we figure out exactly what is going on, I think we should all keep an eye out on the counselor and also for any other similar reports. RIKER I agree. There's no telling what else could crop up. PICARD Are there any questions? There is no answer. PICARD (continuing) Dismissed. Everyone stands up and walks to the door. -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fare thee well for I must leave thee Do not let this parting grieve thee jlp7831@ultb.isc.rit.edu INT. SICKBAY Dr. Crusher and Troi enter sickbay together. Troi walks over to an examining table and sits down. Dr. Crusher picks up her tricorder and another small instrument. DR. CRUSHER Do you have any idea why this is happening to you? TROI No. None at all. Dr. Crusher takes the small instrument and moves it around Troi's head. She then presses some buttons on the tricorder. DR. CRUSHER Hmm. There's a lot of neural activity in your solar cortex. (beat) I wander... TROI What? DR. CRUSHER Have you been able to converse with people telepathically? TROI No, I've never been able to. DR. CRUSHER Well what about right now. Can you read my mind? Troi closes her eyes. She concentrates for a minute or two before opening her eyes again. TROI Nothing. Beverly, what is this all about? Dr. Crusher walks over to a table and places her instruments down. DR. CRUSHER I just had an idea of what might be going on, but it was just a hunch. Dr. Crusher walks back over to Troi. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) There is nothing wrong with you. I can't figure out what could be causing this. Troi smiles. TROI That's alright. I trust you. I know you'll figure it out. Troi hops off the examining table. DR. CRUSHER I think you should take it easy for the next couple of days. TROI I think you're right. I am exhausted. DR. CRUSHER Why don't you go back to your quarters and rest. I'll check in on you in a couple of hours to make sure you're alright. TROI Sounds like a good idea. Troi walks towards the door. TROI (continuing) I'll see you later. Troi leaves the room. INT. TROI'S QUARTERS Troi walks over to the replicator. TROI Hot chocolate...never mind. She walks into her bedroom when the doorbell rings. She walks back into the livingroom. TROI Come in. The door slides open and LaForge and Data walk in the room. LaFORGE Sorry to disturb you counselor, but the Captain wants us to check your replicator for any malfunctions. TROI Go right ahead. Geordi and Data walk over to the replicator and remove its front panel. Troi yawns. TROI (continuing) If you two don't mind, I'm going to take a nap. LaFORGE Alright, we'll try not to disturb you. Troi walks into her bedroom and lies down. Geordi and Data examine the replicator. They speak in hushed voices. DATA Counselor Troi said she had hot chocolate this morning. Perhaps that specific drink caused her illusions. LaFORGE It's possible. There's one way to find out. (beat) Computer, hot chocolate. The replicator whirs for a moment before producing a mug of hot chocolate. Geordi picks it up and smells it. LaFORGE Smells alright. DATA May I see it? LaFORGE Sure. He hands the mug to Data who smells it. He then fills an eye dropper with the liquid and places a small drop on a pad on his tricorder. LaFORGE Well, what does it say? DATA It says it is made of coco beans, milk, sugar... LaFORGE I know what's in it. Does it say what might be causing the counselor's illness? DATA No, it does not. LaFORGE Well I ran a level one diagnostic on the replicator and came up with nothing. DATA Perhaps it is not the replicator that is causing the counselor's hallucinations. LaFORGE Yeah, that's what I'm beginning to think, too. Geordi puts his tools back in their box. LaFORGE Come on, let's go tell the captain what we found. They stand up and leave the room. INT. CORRIDOR LaForge and Data walk down the corridor. LaFORGE Do you have any idea what could be wrong with the counselor? DATA Is it not common among Betazoids to experience similar symptoms as the counselor when a loved one dies? LaFORGE Hmm. I've heard of that happening before, but only on rare occasions. They stop in front of the turbo lift. The door opens as the two enter. INT. TURBO LIFT LaFORG Bridge. DATA Yes, but it is possible. LaFORGE But you're forgetting Troi's only half Betazoid. If she were fully telepathic maybe. DATA Yes, but still it is possible. The turbo lift slows to a complete stop. The door slides open and Geordi and Data enter the bridge. INT. TROI'S BEDROOM Troi awakes and sits up in bed. She grabs a robe and puts it on. She then stands up and walks into the other room. INT. TROI'S LIVING ROOM Troi picks up a computer date book. She looks at it for a moment before dropping it back down on the table. She looks around her room, then walks over to the window and stares out at the stars. Smoke softly billows into the room from under the doors. Troi continues to look out the window. LWAXANA (o.s) Little one. Help me. I'm dying. Still looking out the window, Troi speaks to her mother telepathically. TROI Mother? Where are you? What's happening? LWAXANA (o.s) The consulate is on fire. I've been trapped in here for over an hour. The smoke continues to fill the room. TROI Why hasn't the fire been put out yet? LWAXANA (o.s) I don't know. (pause) Little One...I'm scared. TROI It'll be alright. I'm sure they're trying to put the fire out. Silence. TROI (continuing) Mother? Mother? Troi turns around and sees the room filled with smoke. She starts to walk forward and immediately begins to cough. She takes a few steps and stumbles, falling to the ground and passing out. INT. SICKBAY Dr. Crusher pulls up her chair and sits down. She types something in the computer and begins to examine some records. DR. CRUSHER Interesting. INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TROI'S QUARTERS Dr. Crusher rings the doorbell. There is no answer. She rings it again. No answer. She touches her communicator. DR. CRUSHER Crusher to Troi. No answer. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) Computer, where is Counselor Troi? COMPUTER Counselor Troi is in her quarters DR. CRUSHER Crusher to Security. Emergency enterance to Counselor Troi's quarters. The door suddenly opens. Dr. Crusher rushes inside. INT. TROI'S QUARTERS Troi is unconscious on the floor. Dr. Crusher kneels beside her and checks for a pulse, then taps her communicator. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) Crusher to Transporter Room 3. Two to beam directly to sick bay. A moment later, Dr. Crusher and Troi begin to fade away. INT. BRIDGE Picard and Riker sit in their chairs. Data and Geordi walkover to them. PICARD Did you find anything? LaFORGE No sir. The counselor's replicator is fine. PICARD That means something else is causing this. RIKER Do you have any ideas what it might be? PICARD No, I don't, but let's hope the good doctor does. Picard taps his communicator. PICARD (continuing) Picard to Dr. Crusher. DR. CRUSHER (o.s) I'm a little busy captain. PICARD The counselor? DR. CRUSHER (o.s) Very unconscious. PICARD We're on our way. Picard and Riker run towards the turbo lift. PICARD (continuing) Mr. Data, you have the bridge. DATA Aye, Captain. Data sits down in the Captain's chair. INT. SICKBAY Dr. Crusher moves the tricorder around Troi's body. DR. CRUSHER Damn! It's the same thing as before. Dr. Crusher runs over to a cabinet and picks up a syringe. She gives Troi an injection in her neck. She moves the tricorder around Troi again. After a minute, Troi slowly begins to regain consciousness. DR. CRUSHER How do you feel? TROI More scared and helpless then I've ever felt before. Tears begin to well in Troi's eyes. TROI (continuing) I know what's causing this to happen. INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE OF SICKBAY Picard and Riker stop in front of the door to sickbay. The door quickly opens as they enter into the other room. -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fare thee well for I must leave thee Do not let this parting grieve thee jlp7831@ultb.isc.rit.edu INT. SICKBAY Picard and Riker walk over to where Troi is lying. Troi turns to face them. RIKER How do you feel? TROI Tired...and scared. Dr. Crusher looks at Riker. Dr. Crusher Well, we know what the problem is. We just don't know if there's a cure. PICARD You know what's causing this? DR. CRUSHER Yes. I had an idea, but actually, it was Troi who confirmed it after she regained consciousness. RIKER Well, what is it? Dr. Crusher looks down at Troi. DR. CRUSHER Do you want me to explain it, or do you want to? TROI (weakly) Why don't you. I'm still a little tired. DR. CRUSHER Basically, Troi has established some kind of link with another Betazoid who is in either grave danger or who is actually dying. She is experiencing events as that other person experiences them. RIKER Do you know who she has established this link with? Dr. Crusher does not answer. She slowly looks at Troi. Troi hasitates before slowly answering. TROI My mother. Riker looks at Picard who has a shocked look on his face. PICARD Have you tried to contact Lwaxana? DR. CRUSHER Yes. We're too close to an asteroid belt. We couldn't make a clear transmission. Picard pauses for a moment before he taps his communicator. PICARD Picard to bridge. DATA (o.s) Bridge here. PICARD Set a new course for Betazed. DATA (o.s) Aye Captain. Troi sighs and looks up at the ceiling. Riker places his hand gently over Troi's. RIKER I'm sure everything will be fine. Troi looks at Riker. TROI She's scared Wil...and so am I. Riker smiles weakly. RIKER You'll both be fine. PICARD Doctor, is this common in Betazoids? DR. CRUSHER No, actually it isn't. That's why I was hesitant to diagnose it. TROI Sometimes families are so close, they establish these links without even realizing it. RIKER Is there any way to break this link? TROI No. I just have to let it take it's course. RIKER But if Lwaxana dies, what will happen to you? Troi turns her head away from Riker. TROI I will again experience everything she does. This time it will be so intense that I will go into a coma. The coma will only last a day or two, then I'll wake up and everything will be back to normal. Everyone is silent for a moment. Picard steps next to Troi and places his hand over hers. PICARD Counselor, I'm sure your mother will be fine. Lwaxana is a very strong woman. Troi looks at Picard with tears in her eyes. TROI Yes, but even she can't live forever. INT. BRIDGE Picard enters the bridge from the turbo lift. Data stands up and walks over to his computer. Picard walks over to his chair and sits down. PICARD Mr. Worf, how much time before we can contact Betazed? WORF Approximately thirty minutes, sir. PICARD Mr. Data, how long before we actually reach the planet? Data swivels around in his chair to face Picard. DATA At warp nine sir, it will take approximately two hours. PICARD Make it so. DATA Aye Captain. Data swivels in his seat again to face his control panel. INT. SICKBAY Troi sits up in her bed. She swings her feet off to the side of the bed and tries to stand up. Dr. Crusher and Riker grab her before she is fully standing. DR. CRUSHER Where do you think you're going? Troi sits back down in her bed. TROI I have a lot of work to do. Besides, I feel fine. DR. CRUSHER You may feel fine now, but who knows about ten minutes from now? Troi sighs. RIKER Dr. Crusher is right. What if something else happens to you and no one's there to take care of you? TROI I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. DR. CRUSHER No you can't. I think until this whole thing is over you should stay under observation. Troi sighs as she lies back down on the bed. Dr. Crusher walks over to a computer and begins typing. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) I'll be over here if you need me. RIKER And I'll be on the bridge. Riker leans over Troi as he brushes a stray hair from her forehead. RIKER (continuing) I'm really worried about you. TROI I'll be fine. It's my mother that I'm worried about. RIKER I just hope that both of you will be alright. (beat) I'll check on you later. Riker stands up and leaves the room. Troi closes her eyes INT. BRIDGE Picard sits in his chair. Worf stands behind him while Data sits in front of him. DATA Captain, we are now far enough away from the asteroid belt to make a clear transmission to Betazed. PICARD Thank you Mr. Data. Mr. Worf, would you hail the consulate? WORF Hailing frequency open. (pause) Do you want it on the main viewer, sir? PICARD Yes. Riker walks in and sits down next to Picard. The main viewer suddenly switches from its display of stars to a worried TECHNICIAN. PICARD (continuing) This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. I have reason to believe Lwaxana Troi is in grave danger. I was wandering if that were true? TECHNICIAN Ah, hold on. The Technician leans over and checks a computer off screan. After a moment, he leans back into frame. TECHNICIAN (continuing) Yeah, it is. Picard looks at Riker, then stands up. PICARD Is there anything we can do to help? TECHNICIAN No, evrything's fine, thanks. RIKER Then why isn't Ambassador Troi safe yet? TECHNICIAN Well, ah, we're doing the best we can. The fire took out all of our main systems, so it's gonna take a little longer than usual. RIKER Can't you beam her out of there? TECHNICIAN No, ah, our transporter beams were damaged by the fire. Our people are trying to fix them, though. RIKER Would it be alright if our people tried to beam the Ambassador out once we're in range? The technician shrugs. TECHNICIAN Sure, why not? Riker looks at Picard. Picard takes a deep breath. PICARD How did this fire start? TECHNICIAN Ah, we're not sure. We're looking into it. PICARD Perhaps it would be helpful then, if I did send some of my crew down to help. TECHNICIAN That's really not necessary sir. As I said before, ah, we're already doing everything possible. If we need any more help, we'll contact you. Okay? Picard looks at Riker who rolls his eyes. PICARD That'll be fine. But in the meantime, please contact us with any progress. TECHNICIAN Sure thing Capt'n. RIKER Is this your regular position? TECHNICIAN No sir, I'm the barber. Hal is normally here, but he's helping with the fire. RIKER I see. Well your doing a fine job. TECHNICIAN Thank you sir. Picard turns towards Worf and makes a cutting gesture. Worf nods and ends the transmission. Picard turns to face Riker. PICARD The barber? Riker shrugs his shoulders, then sits down. Picard looks at Worf for a moment, before returning to his seat. INT. SICKBAY Troi lies on the bed with her eyes closed. LWAXANA (o.s) Little One? Are you there? TROI (without speaking) Yes Mother, I'm here. How are you? INT. CONSULATE/ OFFICE - DAY Lwaxana sits on the floor under a desk. Pieces of the ceiling hang down. Heavy girders block the exits. The flames cover the rear wall and portions of the ceiling. Lwaxana speaks telepathically. LWAXANA I could be better. It's so damn hot in here. TROI (o.s) Is the fire out yet? LWAXANA No, not completely. I can hear them working though. I'm afraid they won't reach me in time. TROI (o.s) Don't say that Mother. They'll be there soon. Just hold on. LWAXANA (crying softly) I'm scared. I just want to go home. I just want to see my Little One one last time. TROI (o.s) You will Mother. You'll be fine, I promise. A ceiling beam falls in front of Lwaxana. The flames quickly climb up the beam, spreading to the ceiling. Pieces of debris begin to fly around the room. -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fare thee well for I must leave thee Do not let this parting grieve thee jlp7831@ultb.isc.rit.edu INT. SICKBAY Troi is covered in perspiration as she tosses and turns in bed. TROI (mumbling) Mother? Mother? Dr. Crusher turns away from her computer and sees Troi. She runs over to her and places a hand on Troi's forehead. DR. CRUSHER You're burning up. Dr. Crusher pulls out her tricorder from her pocket and moves it around Troi. She grabs a syringe and gives Troi a shot. She then removes Troi's blanket. Dr. Crusher GASPS as she looks at the burns covering 50% of Troi's body. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) Ensign, get me the burn kit from the cabinet over there. ENSIGN PALA opens the cabinet and removes a small gray box which she brings over to Dr. Crusher. DR. CRUSHER (continuing) Thanks. Dr. Crusher holds the box over each burn. A faint blue light from the box shines over the burns as they slowly disappear. Troi slowly becomes more alert. DR. CRUSHER How do you feel? Troi rubs her arms. TROI Tired. Sad. Scared. Riker enters sickbay. He walks over to Troi and Dr. Crusher. RIKER How's she doing, Doctor? DR. CRUSHER Not too well I'm afraid. She just had another incident. Troi sits up in bed a little. TROI I'll be fine. RIKER I came down to tell you we managed to contact the consulate. DR. CRUSHER And? Riker looks down at the ground momentarily before looking back at Troi. RIKER It doesn't look good. (beat) They're doing all that they can to free her. Troi smiles weakly. TROI I know. There is a brief moment of silence. Riker looks at Troi whose eyes are welling up with tears. RIKER You look like you need to talk. Troi brushes away some stray tears as they glide down her cheeks. TROI That would be nice. RIKER How about a walk? DR. CRUSHER I don't know. There's no telling what's going to happen next. RIKER I promise, I won't let her out of my sight. Dr. Crusher looks at Troi. DR. CRUSHER It's up to you. TROI Let's try ten-forward. I could really use a chocolate sundae. Riker helps her out of bed. They walk towards the door. DR. CRUSHER Take it easy. TROI I will. They leave the room. INT. TEN-FORWARD Riker and Troi walk over to a table and sit down. A WAITER walks over to them. RIKER Nothing for me. TROI I'll have a hot fudge sundae. The waiter walks away. RIKER So you've spoken with Lwaxana? Troi nods slightly. TROI She really is scared. She thinks she's going to die there. RIKER What do you think? The waiter returns with Troi's sundae. She picks up the spoon and plays with it briefly before answering. TROI I don't know. (beat) I don't know. Riker puts his hand over Troi's. RIKER You have to hope for the best. Troi puts the spoon down on the table. TROI But I have to be prepared for the worst. Troi leans back in her chair and looks out the window. RIKER Your sundae's going to melt if you don't eat it soon. TROI I'm not very hungry anymore. PICARD (o.s) Picard to Riker. Riker taps his communicator. RIKER Go ahead Captain. PICARD (o.s) We should be approaching Betazed shortly. RIKER We're on our way sir. They both stand up and walk towards the door. INT. BRIDGE Picard, along with the rest of the crew, are in their regular positions. The turbolift whirs to a halt as the door quickly opens and Riker and Troi enter the bridge. Picard stands up and faces them. PICARD Counselor, how are you feeling? Riker and Troi both walk to their chairs. TROI I'm alright Captain. Troi sits down in her chair. Picard looks at Riker before they both sit down. Data spins around in his chair to face the captain. DATA Sir, we should approach Betazed in approximately eight minutes. PICARD Thank you Mr. Data. LaFORGE Once we're in range, I'll try to lock on the Ambassador's signal. PICARD Good. Mr. Data, please inform me once we're in transporter range. DATA Aye, captain. Data turns back around in his chair to face his computer. RIKER I'm sure your mother's going to be fine. Troi gets a distant look in her eye. Voices begin to fade. PICARD Lwaxana always seems so invincible. Troi begins to waver in her seat. RIKER I know what you mean. She certainly has done some unbelievable things in the past. LWAXANA (o.s) (weakly) Little One. This is it. I know this is the end. Troi stands up. She is very dizzy and begins to stagger. Sounds begin to blur together with the images of the bridge. TROI (telepathically) Mother? Hang on! LWAXANA (o.s) There's so much smoke. And the flames are so hot. (beat) Goodbye Little One. The voices of the bridge crew are still fuzzy and distorted. Lwaxana SCREAMS. TROI (out loud) Nooooo!!!!!! Everyone stops talking as they gaze upon Troi. She begins to collapse. Riker jumps up to catch her. He grabs her and gently helps her to the ground. She is unconscious. PICARD Picard to Dr. Crusher. EXT. SHOT FROM SPACE OF BETAZED PICARD (v.o.) Captain's Log supplemental: It has been nearly a day and a half since Counselor Troi entered her coma. Though Dr. Crusher says it is a natural event in this situation, I can't help but be concerned. I also dred telling her of her mother's death when she finally awakens. INT. SICKBAY Riker is asleep in a chair next to Troi's bed. Troi slowly opens her eyes. It takes them a minute to focus before she looks over at Riker. She smiles weakly, then SIGHS as she looks up at the ceiling. Dr. Crusher turns from her computer and looks at Troi, then walks over to her. DR. CRUSHER He's been here all night. Troi smiles again, but does not respond. Dr. Crusher waves her tricorder around Troi. Riker stretches, then opens his eyes. He smiles when he sees Troi awake. DR. CRUSHER How do you feel? Troi takes a deep breath before answering. TROI Alone. The smile fades from Riker's lips. RIKER You know, don't you? Troi's eyes begin to tear. TROI She was so scared. RIKER There was nothing we could've done. She was already dead by the time we were in transporter range. Troi closes her eyes as a few scattered tears roll down her cheeks. INT. BRIDGE Picard sits in his command chair with Riker sitting on his right. PICARD Did you tell her about her mother? RIKER I didn't have to. Picard looks at Riker. RIKER (continuing) She already knew. INT. LWAXANA'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - DAY Troi stands in front of a table, putting things in boxes. Riker stands in front of the fireplace removing photographs from the mantle. Neither are in uniform. The room is silent. Riker picks up a photo in a gold frame. He LAUGHS. RIKER Remember this? He turns and walks over to Troi. She finishes placing something in a box. Standing behind her, Riker places the photo in front of her. A large smile spreads across Troi's face. She takes the photo from Riker and gazes at it. TROI I can't believe she framed this. RIKER Look how short my hair was. TROI What hair? You can barely see it under all that whip cream. The two laugh briefly. TROI (continuing) She loved you so much. She wanted me to marry you. RIKER I know. She was always looking out for you. You were the most important thing to her. (pause) She was a very special woman. And she has a very special daughter. Tears begin to form in Troi's eyes. TROI I wish I could've been with her. RIKER But you were. Riker puts a hand on Troi's shoulder and gently turns her around so she faces him. RIKER (continuing) You were lucky enough to be able to speak to her the whole time. (beat) I know when my mother died, I wasn't allowed anywhere near her. I would've given anything to have been able to say goodbye. For the first time, Troi begins to cry. TROI I'm going to miss her. She begins to cry. Riker wraps his arms around her as she cries into his chest. THE END -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fare thee well for I must leave thee Do not let this parting grieve thee jlp7831@ultb.isc.rit.edu