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The Surmounting of Pain and Strife

Chapters Thirteen Through Fifteen

Chapter Thirteen

A few days later, the crew on the Bridge was looking at the view screen. A disabled Cardassian Fighter ship was on the screen.

"What the bloody hell are they doing out here?" Picard asked aloud to no one in particular.

"Unknown, Sir." Data as usual took the bait and answered the captain's rhetorical question.

"Data, are we detecting any life forms on that ship?" The captain asked.

"Yes, sir." Data responded. "There are four life signs that are barely detectable."

"Counselor." The captain turned to her and continued. "Do you sense anything?"

"I sense that who ever over it is, they're is in a lot of pain." She responded. "As if they were injured. Other than that, I would say the others are unconscious."

"I say we use caution." Worf suggested with his deep baritone voice.

"I agree, sir." Sora said with a slight panic in her voice.

Picard quickly thought and responded to their statements. "I think if there are dead and injured over there, we are in no danger and need to provide assistance. Even if we are at war with them." Then he turned to Riker. "You agree Number One?"

"Yes, Sir." Riker agreed.

"Round up an Away Team and let's see about getting them to Sick Bay." Picard ordered.

"Aye, Sir." Will rose from his seat. "Worf, Data, Sora. You're with me."

Sora recoiled. "With all due respect, Sir."

"Sora, I need you on my team." Riker stated.

"Commander." Deanna interjected.

"Counselor, she's one of the few people on board who may know their way around a Cardassian ship." Will informed. Then more firmly, he added, "You're with me, Crewman Sora."

Sora looked at Deanna with fear and a plea for help. Deanna empathized, but there was nothing more she could do for her. Her eyes looked at Sora with an "I'm sorry." in them and Sora reluctantly followed Commander Riker and the rest of the Away Team to the Transporter Room.


They successfully beamed aboard the Cardassian ship. It was filled with smoke and the counsole was sparking. Bodies laid here and there on the floor or slumpt over counsoles.

Sora was eeriely quiet as she looked at the bodies scattered about. Riker noticed a strange look about her face, but he addressed Data as he observed her strange body language.

"Data, how many do you think were aboard?"

"Approximately ten."

Will turned from Sora. "Well, let's figure out who's still alive here."

One of the Cardassians slowly moved and groan softly. Sora heard him and jumped back. He was at her feet and he weakly grabbed her leg.

Sora panicked, especially after she saw his markings. Then fell to her feet and started pounding him hard on the chest with her fists. "DON'T TOUCH ME! YOU BASTARD! YOU KILLED MY MOTHER AND TOOK MY SISTER AWAY FROM ME! YOU SHOULD DIE!"

Riker quickly moved in her direction and pulled her off the man.

"Help me." The Cardassian pleaded weakly.

Sora was still hysterical and was fighting her commander. Hitting him hard and screaming loudly. Will let out a grunt from one of the blows. "At ease, Crewman!"

She continued her hysterics not hearing her commander's order. Riker's first impulse was to threaten disciplinary actions if she did not calm down. However, he recognized what used to be long ago called shell shock and she was acting no different than a person in some kind of weird flashback.

As he tried to hold her off of him and the person below him, he looked down at the man pleading for help. He was a Gul. ' Was he the man who tortured and killed her family or was it his markings that set this young woman off?' Will thought to himself.

Her screaming hysterics continued. "Riker to Transporter Room!"

*Transporter Room here.*

"Lock on to Crewman Sora's signal and beam her directly to Sick Bay." Riker ordered.

Within seconds Sora was off the Cardassian ship and in Sick Bay. Beverly rushed over to her first patient from the Cardassian ship and was surprised it was a hysterical Sora.

"Allyssa!" Beverly yelled, trying to restrain Sora from her hysterical fit.

Allyssa was over to Beverly's side with a sedative hypo before Beverly could finish her request.

Beverly injected it into Sora's neck as soon as she could get to her neck. Within seconds Sora was starting to calm down, but she was still talking about her family and the Gul. Soon her voice became a mumble and she slipped into a fitful sleep.

Allyssa helped Dr. Crusher carry her to a biobed. As soon as they had her down on a bed, Dr. Crusher paged Counsoler Troi.

"Crusher to Troi."

*Troi here.*

"I need you in Sick Bay."

*I'm on my way.*

Soon the Gul and the other three Cardassians were in Sick Bay and so was Counselor Troi and Commander Riker.

"What happened?" Deanna asked.

"From what I could tell, the Gul caught her attention and she must have suffered from a flashback or something." Will informed.

"She was still hysterical when she arrived in Sick Bay." Beverly informed. "I had to sedate her."

"I was afraid of that." Deanna responded.

"Deanna, I'm sorry." Will began.

"Don't be." Deanna interrupted. "You didn't know."

"I should have heeded your warning."

"Will, you didn't know." Deanna said again firmly. "How could you?"

Will did not say another word.

"We need to keep her from seeing the Gul again." Deanna said.

"What I want to know is, is he the same one or was it just because he is a Gul?" Will asked.

Beverly shrugged. "We won't know until we ask, but wait until he has been treated for his injuries and they've both recovered."

Will nodded. "I'll be back. Keep me informed of everyone's condition."

Beverly nodded and Will left Sick Bay. Then Beverly turned to Deanna. "You might as well go back to the Bridge. There's nothing you can do until she wakes up."

Deanna nodded. "Let me know when she wakes up."

Deanna left and Beverly went to work on the Cardassians' various injuries.


During lunch Deanna stopped by Sick Bay. "She's still unconscious, Deanna." Beverly informed her.

Deanna looked sadly at her patient. She felt helpless to help Sora at the moment and was worried about her reaction once she woke up from the sedative. Deanna was thankful Sora had been moved to a secluded area of Sick Bay.

"Shall we go to lunch, Deanna?" Beverly asked.

"Yes, let's do." Deanna replied in hopes that would momentarily take her mind off of Sora.

The two headed for Ten-Forward. Once they arrived in Ten-Forward, they took a seat at a table.

"Oh, Deanna." Beverly said with sympathy and envy all at once in her voice. "I don't see how you work with people who have problems, day in and day out."

"It's not easy some days." Deanna admitted. "But I have a lot of ways to relieve the stress when it gets to be too much."

Beverly looked at her with amazement. "Maybe I should learn some of those techniques."

Guinan stopped by their table and greeted the two of them. "Doctor, Counsoler."

"Hello, Guinan." The two said in unison.

"I stopped by to thank you, Counselor, for referring Lisa to me." Guinan said.

"How is she doing?" Deanna inquired.

"Well, she's very reserved and needs a lot of practice at taking people's orders to them and serving them." Guinan said. "But other than that, she is doing very well."

Deanna smiled, thankful that Guinan was opened minded about people. "I'm glad she's working out for you."

Guinan nodded and left just as quietly as she arrived to their table.

Deanna and Beverly had their lunch and returned to Sick Bay. By this time, Sora was awake and very upset.

"Sora." Deanna said firmly. "Listen to me. It's ok. You're back on the Enterprise."

"HE KILLED MY MOTHER!" Sora screamed.

"The man on the ship?"

Sora nodded.

"So, he was the Gul who did this to her or one who resembled him?" Deanna asked.

Sora stared at Deanna. Anger filled her eyes so much that Deanna was not sure if Sora was looking at her or through her.

"Sora?" Deanna tried to see if she had the woman attention. Sora did not respond. "Sora?" She said more firmly.

Sora shook her head. "What were you asking?"

Deanna tried to ask the question again. "Was he the same one who killed your mother or did he just looked like him?"

"I, I, I don't know." Sora said. "He grabbed my ankle. I looked down. Saw he was a Gul and lost it. I can't remember anything more."

Deanna sighed. "Why don't you relax for a while and I'll check on you later."

"OK." Sora said. "Counselor?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry." Sora said remorsefully.

"For what, Sora?"

"For loosing my self-control. For not knowing who I was hurting." Sora stated. "For everything."

"Sora, don't worry about it right now." Deanna said. "Worry about trying to get out of here."

Sora nodded. "Am I in trouble for loosing it, aren't I?"

"Commander Riker has not said anything to me." Deanna replied. "I'm sure if he feels the need to talk to you about it, he will be by to see you."

Sora sighed.

"I'll see you later." Deanna said. Then she turned to leave Sick Bay and headed to her office.

When she arrived to her office, Susan approached her. "Counselor Troi!" She cried.

"What's wrong, Susan?" Deanna said as she turned towards Susan.

"Reg was suppose to meet me for lunch." She cried. "And he didn't."

"I'm sure it had nothing to do with you." Deanna placed a hand on Susan's shoulder and reassured her.

"How can you be so sure?" Susan asked with tears running down her face.

"Could it have been a miscommunication?" Deanna asked.

Susan shook her head no. "He said meet him for lunch. So, I met him in Engineering and he was not there."

Deanna walked over to a counsole that was in the corridor. "Computer, location of Lieutenant Barcley."

"Lieutenant Barcley is in Holodeck five."

"Well, you know where he is now." Deanna said. "Why don't you go and see what happened?"

"Come with me, Counselor." Susan pleaded.

"No, you need to do this on your own." Deanna replied. "I'm sure you can go and find out what happened. I really feel you had your first miscommunication with him. That's all."

"If you insist, but I'm afraid." Susan admitted.

"You'll be fine." Deanna reassured. "Now, go on and fine out what happened."

Susan reluctantly left in search of Reg and Deanna entered her office.


Susan walked into the holodeck and saw Reg sitting at a table and drinking something clear with ice. Her first thought was it was Vodka or Gin, but she never really saw Reg drinking very often.

"Reg." He turned to her voice. "What happened to you?"

"I thought we were meeting here." Reg said. "Where were you?"

"I went to Engineering to find you." Susan said. "But you weren't there."

"I was waiting for you here." Reg replied.

"Watcha drinking?" Susan asked.

"Oh, water." Reg replied. "Thought I'd have something before I go back on duty."

Susan sighed relief. "I guess Counselor Troi was right. We misunderstood each other."

"She guessed I would be here?" Reg inquired.

"Well, she asked the computer. If she thought so, she did not say." Susan informed him.

Reg nodded. "I'm due in Engineering in ten minutes. Lieutenant LaForge would kill me if I'm late again. Shall we try this again tomorrow? Same time? Same place?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't understand." Susan apologized.

"No, it was both our fault." Reg admitted. "I didn't make myself clear."

Susan smiled. "And I can't read your mind."

Reg kissed her on the cheek and left for Engineering.

Chapter Fourteen

Captain Picard came to Sick Bay the next day, for Dr. Crusher informed him the Gul was now conscious. He was not pleased with the fact he had to inform the Gul of what he had to tell him, but they were at war with the Cardassians and Dominion.

Picard greeted the gaurd before entering the area of Sick Bay the Cardassians were being treated.

"I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation ship Enterprise E." Picard greeted. "And you are Gul?"

"Gul Dauch." He replied, still a little weak from his injuries.

"Gul Daush"

"No, Dauch, it's in the throat." He replied. "I have no idea what sound Humans make that sounds like that to give you a reference."

"Ah, yes. Dauch." The Gul nodded at Picard's new pronounciation. "I want to know how your ship became disabled like it was. I assume it was not attacked by a Federation ship or you would have been aboard their ship and not mine."

"Riker." The Gul said. He was clearly in pain still, but he continues. "Man named Riker. He's round up a group of people. People who are, but are not Federation. Ship is Federation, but the people within do not act like the Federation. The man and his people are out for blood."

Picard's eyes became wide. "Thomas Riker?"

The Gul shook his head. "He did not give a first name. He's out to get Cardassians though. Seems to have a vendetta. I can't remember what he called his group of people. New something, but that's it."

Picard sighed. "Which makes it even harder for me to tell you what I have to tell you."

"We are prisoners of the Federation?"

Picard nodded. "Yes, prisoners of war. As soon as another ship meets with us you will be transferred and that ship will take you all to a Federation prison camp."

"You should have let your Bajoran whore kill me and let my people die." Gul Dauch stated.

Picard frowned at the man's words and about that time Sora wandered out of her area and into the Cardassians' area. "He's right. I should have." She said hatefully.

"Crewman, this is a private conversation." The captain informed her.

"He killed many people during the occupation." Sora said. She was becoming upset again. "This man was right for leaving this Cardy's people to die."

"Doctor!" Picard called.

"Yes, Cap." She saw Sora as she was coming around the corner. "Sora, you are not to be in here."

"I had to get out of my room." Sora replied. "I'm sick of Sick Bay. I'm not sick, but his people are."

"Sora, calm down." Beverly said. "And let's go back."

"No!" Sora said, pulling away from Dr. Crusher's out stretched hand. "I can't stand these people! We shouldn't have rescued them!"

Deanna had sensed something was happening in Sick Bay and had decided to check it out. She entered Sick Bay as Sora was starting to esculate.

"Sora, why don't we go for a walk." Deanna suggested as she came within hearing distance of the group.

"Yes, do get that wretch out of here." Dauch said with hatered in his voice. "She's disrupting me very much."

Deanna did not say a word to the man. Instead, she proceeded to get Sora out of Sick Bay and away from the Cardassians. Even though her planet was occupied by the Cardassians, she did not feel as much hate as she sensed from Sora. She even sensed hate from the Gul. It made her wonder if even the Cardassians suffered from a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, even though they were the oppressors.

She guided Sora out of Sick Bay and escorted her to her quarters. "Sora, you need to stay here until Captain Picard, Dr. Crusher or I say differently."

"Oh, so I'm confined to quarters until those assholes leave?" Sora asked as though she were insulted.

"I don't know." Deanna said. "It depends on what the captain says concerning your behaviour."

"Oh, so I'm being punished for what they do?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying." Deanna stated.

"They torture people, rape women, put children through hell and kill people!" Sora screamed. "And you're locking me in my quarters! As though I were the bad guy!"

"Sora, that's not the reason and you know it." Deanna said firmly. More firmly than she meant to say it. She took a few deep breaths before continuing. "We wish for you to stay in your quarters for your own sake. Commander Riker and Captain Picard have decided to relieve you of duty until the Cardassians are off the ship, not as a punishment, but as a means to work with you and to help you."

"Help me!" Sora sounded insulted. "If you want to help me, then get rid of those Cardies! Preferably, end their lives!"

"You know the Federation does not do that." Deanna said. "You may not see it now, but keeping you away from the Cardassians and off duty until they are gone is for your own good."

"Yeah, right." Sora said sarcastically.

"I'll check on you later." Deanna said, then started to leave.

Trying to take her defensiveness out of her voice, Sora asked, "I can't leave my quarters at all?"

Deanna frowned. "I'll see what I can do, but for now, you are confined to quarters."

Then Deanna departed.


Picard called a meeting of the Senior Staff after talking with Gul Dauch. "It seems Thomas Riker has rounded up a group of Federation officers to start a their own agenda."

Riker moved uneasily in his chair. "A new Marquis?"

"Maybe." Picard replied. "We'll have to find him and his crew after the Cardassians are transferred to a different ship. We also need to consider the possibility that he's stolen a Federation ship."

"He maybe dangerous with the ship." Worf suggested suspiciously.

"Possibly, but right now, Mr. Worf, I only want you to concern yourself with making sure there are at least two gaurds posted inside Sick Bay at all times. Now that they are improving, we need more gaurds posted."

"Aye, Sir." Worf replied.

*Barcley to Counselor Troi.*

Deanna looked at the captain apologetically and tapped her combadge. "Barcley, can this wait?"

*Mmmaybe.* He stuttered. *It, it, it's Susan. She, she, she's very upset. Some, some.*

' I don't have time for this.' Deanna thought as she rolled her eyes. "Lieutenant, I'll be there as soon as I can. Troi out."

"Counselor, you may go ahead and check on her if you would like." The captain offerred.

"No, it's." Then Deanna noticed Beverly glaring at her. Reluctantly, Deanna then said, "I guess I probably should."

Picard nodded and went on with the meeting as Deanna left to see about Susan. As she arrived at Susan's quarters she sensed Susan was very frighten about something.

Deanna rang the chime and Reg answered. "She, she, she's in here and, and, and won't stop, stop crying."

As Deanna entered she asked, "Did you say something that upset her?"

"Nnn, no." Reg said. "I found her like this when I came here. She, she won't let me give her a hug, talk to her, or anything."

Susan sat curled up in the fetal position on the couch. "Susan, what's wrong?" Deanna said softly.

"I hear men as bad as someone else I knew are aboard and I, I." Susan could not finish her sentence. Instead she cried harder.

"You what?" Deanna asked.

"I don't want to leave."

Deanna was completely confused. "Leave what?"

Reg filled in for Susan. "We were suppose eat in Ten-Forward tonight."

"I think I understand." Deanna said. "Did you insist on going?" She asked Reg.

"Nnn, No." Reg responded. "In fact I even sug, sug, suggested we stay here."

"I, I," Susan stuttered.

"Go ahead." Deanna encouraged.

"I don't want to be alone." Susan admitted.

"You're not alone, Susan." Deanna said. "I assure you the Cardassians are being closely gaurded and they are not going to hurt you. Besides, Reg is here."

Susan shook her head. "No, I want to be alone."

"Susan, you just said you didn't want to be alone and now you want to be alone." Deanna repeated. "Which is it?"

"My roommate is out for the evening, but I don't want to be alone." Susan said. "But I don't want Reg to stay."

Deanna thought she was begining to understand. "You don't trust Reg?"

"I trust him, but I don't want him here right now." Susan said.

Reg looked hurt and Deanna noticed his pain. "Susan, Reg is very concerned about you."

"I'd rather stay here and be alone tonight." Susan stated again.

For some reason, Susan was pulling away from Reg and Deanna could not figure out why. She knew it was nothing he did, but she could not figure out what was bothering Susan.

Deanna turned toward Reg and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Reg, maybe for tonight you should go. Hopefully, she'll be doing better tomorrow."

Reg looked very hurt and rejected, as Deanna removed her hand. "OK, but I, I, I would like to know if she, she's alright."

"I'll let you know." Deanna promised.

Deanna watched Reg leave and felt bad for him. Susan was taking her feelings out on him, when Deanna knew what was bothering her had nothing to do with him. She then turned back to Susan who was still coiled up in a tight ball.

"OK, Susan." Deanna addressed her. "Talk to me."

"I've heard how bad Cardassians can be and I, I."

"You're scared that they could do something here?" Deanna asked.

"Yes." Susan cried.

"Susan, nothing bad is going to happen." Deanna tried to soothe her fears. "Commander Worf has them under constant gaurd and as soon as they can leave Sick Bay, they will be going to the Brig."

Deanna could sense doubt and fear still. Susan stayed in her tight ball. "They'll be off this ship before you know it." She tried to reassure Susan. "They aren't leaving Security's sight. I assure you."

Susan raised her tearful face and looked at Deanna. "How can you be so sure?"

"Susan, they're not Borg." Deanna stated. Then trying to choose her words as carefully as she could, she continues. "You need to stop acting like a victim and start gaining some self-confidence and emotional strength. I know how to help you gain that, but you have to do what I suggest."

"I don't know if I can." Susan said sadly.

"Well, first of all you need to get out of here and do something as though you are not scared." Deanna suggested. "Then get up in the morning and head for duty as if it were any other day."

"I don't know if I can." Susan said.

"Well, you enjoy Reg's company right?"

"Yes." Susan admitted.

"Well, it's not too late." Deanna said. "Go find him and see if he still wants to do to something. If so, enjoy yourself and have a good time as if it were any other night."

"I'll try." Susan sniffed.

"No, don't try." Deanna said firmly. "Do it. Then you'll have a start at gaining strength and self-confidence. I promise you, you will be safe. If not, then you can take it out on me."

"That wouldn't be fair or nice." Susan said sadly.

"Maybe. Maybe not." Deanna said. "But I can take it. What's not fair is taking your feelings out on Reg, when he had nothing to do with how you feel."

"You're right." Susan said. "I was very mean to him, wasn't I?"

"That's for you to decide." Deanna informed. "I can tell you, he was very hurt, because you were pushing him away, when he hadn't done anything."

"I did hurt him, didn't I?" Susan asked, remorsefully. Deanna did not say another word. "Maybe I should get out and talk to him."

"Maybe." Deanna finally said.

"You come with me?" Susan said, but then realized what the answer would be. "I know. Don't tell me. I need to do this on my own."

"Uh huh." Deanna smiled.

They rose to leave. Just before they parted in separate directions, Deanna touched Susan's shoulder. "It'll be OK." She said reassuringly.

Susan gave her a weak smile and went towards Reg's quarters. Deanna went to hunt down Will.

She found him in their quarters and gave him a big hug. "You off duty, now?"

"Well, actually, I came by to see if you were and to grab a bite to eat before I went back on duty." He replied returning her hug.

"I was hoping to spend the evening in. Just you and me." Deanna admitted.

Will pulled her closer. "Mmm, that would be so nice." He said. "But the Captain wants me back in thirty minutes."

Deanna pulled back a little to look at his face. "Well, at least we'll have dinner together."

"Yes, we will." Then Will kissed her lovingly.

Chapter Fifteen

The next day Sora received permission to leave her quarters to go to Ten-Forward, but she was not allowed near Sickbay, except for medical emergencies. If she was caught going any where near Sickbay she would be confined to quarters completely.

So, Sora went to Ten-Forward that evening. While she was there she over heard other crew members talking about Thomas Riker and his new revising of the Marquis.

"Excuse me." She said to a fellow crew member. "How did you hear about this?"

"I heard the captain spoke with this guy that looks like Commander Riker on the Bridge today." Said the fellow officer. "Tom, I think it was."

"Really?" Sora replied.

"Yes, well anyway, he has started up the Marquis again. The captain told him the Federation would shut them down again, but I don't know." He paused. "He's up for charges on stealing a Federation Ship."

"Quite a guy." Sora said, impressed.

"Yeah and I hear he has quite an attitude."

"Really?" She asked. "Why?"

"Seems like he has a vendetta against the Cardies and the Federation." The officer said. "You haven't heard this yet?"

"No, I've been stuck off duty in my quarters for a while." Sora said. "Had a disagreement with the Commander."

"Oh, sorry to hear that." He continues, "Anyway, this guy seems to have a corn up his butt."

Sora smiled at the comment. "Sometimes we all get that way."

"Yeah, maybe we do."

Sora finished her drink and went back to her quarters. She was getting tired of having nothing to do and hearing nothing but gossip already.

The next day she requested to speak with Commander Riker. He agreed to her request to speak with him.

"So, what is it you want to talk to me about?" Will asked.

"I would like to request shoreleave." She stated. "At least while the Cardassians are on board and since I can't do anything, I would like to use some of my shoreleave time."

"We are at war." Riker reminded her.

"Yes, but I've been relieved of duty for a while." Sora said. "And I do have shoreleave coming to me."

"Where is it you plan on going?"

"Bajor, to visit family." She informed him. "It's a place to go, even though I don't have much by way of family left."

"I see and how do you propose to get there?" Will asked.

"I guess, if I could use a shuttle, I could get there by that means."

"Well, you are a good pilot." Riker complimented.

"Thank you, Sir."

Riker nodded. "I'll see what I can do, but no promises. We have some missing Federation officers that have been unaccounted for. We don't want anymore disappearing, even if we have an idea of their where abouts."

"Well, I'll appreciate it if you can get me shoreleave." Sora said. "It's better than twiddling my thumbs."

"I understand." Will smiled. "Is that all, Crewman?"

"Yes, Sir." She said.

"Well, then I'll get back with you." Will said. "Dismissed."

Sora departed and hoped she succeeded in getting shoreleave. She felt she would go crazy if she were stuck on this ship with nothing to do much longer.


Susan was scheduled to see Counselor Troi at 1000 hours. She was five minutes late and Troi was getting concerned just as the chime rang.

"Hello, Susan."

"Hi."

"So how did it go, with Reg the other night?" Deanna asked.

"He wasn't very happy, but he forgave me." Susan informed. "So, to cheer him up, I took him to the Holodeck and we had fun."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that." Deanna said. "How is being on duty, again, going."

Susan smiled. "It's fine as long as I can keep my mind off the Cardassians that are on board."

"Why are you so afraid of them?" Deanna asked.

Susan shrugged. "I've heard some scary things about them. Some of it sounds like my dad. Some of it doesn't."

"I see." Deanna said. "What part reminds you of him."

"How they treated women." Sora told Deanna.

"Sora, first of all, they are confined to Sickbay until they get medical clearance to go to the Brig." Deanna said. "Second, once they are in the Brig they can't do anything and thirdly, they are going to be transfered to another ship which will take them to a prison camp. They can't hurt you."

"I know that on one level." Susan said. "But on another level I'm scared as hell."

They continued to talk about what was bothering Susan the rest of her session. When she started to leave, the Cardassians were being escorted to the Brig. Susan backed back into Deanna's office.

Deanna had started straighting her desk as she noticed Susan backing in and had gone pale. "What's wrong, Susan?"

"They're being transfered to the Brig." Susan said softly.

"It's OK, Susan." Deanna reassured. "They've probably passed and are on a turbo lift down to the Brig now. You'll be OK."

"May a wait here for a bit?" Susan asked. Deanna gave her a look of ' I have things to do'. "Just five minutes?"

"OK, five minutes." Deanna allowed. "But no more, because I have other patients to see today."

"Thank you, Counselor."

She waited quietly as the time past watching Deanna straighten her desk and start jotting down some things.

"Well, I guess I'd better go." Susan finally said.

Deanna looked up. "OK. Have a nice day and Susan."

"Yes?"

"Don't be so worried about those men in the Brig."

"I'll try not too."


Later that day, Riker went to Sora's quarters. "Well, I have good news for you." Riker said with a smile.

"Yes?" Sora smiled back hoping it was what she was hoping for.

"You got your shoreleave." Riker informed. "You can leave tomorrow on a shuttle, if you like."

"Yes!" Sora said with excitement and gave Riker a peck on the cheek. "Thank you, Commander!"

"I'm glad you're happy." Riker said with a smile. "I wish all crew members acted like this when I inform them they got their wish."

"Oh, I need to pack." Sora said excitedly. "You don't know how glad I am to get off this ship."

"I'm sure it can get old being confined to quarters with sometime in Ten-Forward only." Will said.

"Yes, it does." Sora replied.

"Well, I'll let you get packed." Will said as he left her quarters.

' Now, all I need to do is decide how to contact them.' Sora thought to herself. ' I'm not even sure where they are.'

Sora continued her packing and thought about her next move. She had plans and she was going through with them. She was glad she got shoreleave and a shuttle, so she could go about her plans.

She just was not sure how she was going to enact her plans though. All she knew was, she had to get off the ship in order to go about her plans. She smiled as she thought, ' And go about my plans I will.'

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