Chapter Seventeen:

"I know the drill, Doctor," Geordi said as he stepped into sickbay for another mind meld session.

His welcoming party had been five days ago, and since then he and Dr. Selar had performed a mind meld every evening. Their attempts to uncover any more information on the aliens and what they had done to him during those missing months had thus far proven futile. He wondered why he still felt hope.

La Forge lied down on a biobed and removed his VISOR. Trying to relax, he closed his eyes and imagined the wormhole. He wanted to concentrate on its beauty and its power, as difficult as that was to separate from its ominous nature. He pictured himself stepping inside a class-eight probe, though he could not remember doing so, and launching toward the wormhole.

He felt Dr. Selar's cool fingers press firmly against his cheek and then the now-familiar tug at his mind. At first he saw nothing as had been the case on previous attempts, but soon a group of humanoids came into focus. Their features were a bit blurry and yet unmistakably foreign. What are they doing to me? he wondered as they scurried about inside his mind, picking up objects and returning to scan or prod him. I don't want to remember this! he screamed inside his head.

Suddenly, he left that alien examining room. He was standing in a corridor, looking out a window onto space. A large ship of alien make glided by and he visually followed its movement. A pocket-sized wormhole opened up about ten-thousand kilometers directly ahead of the ship's course. The craft continued at impulse speed, seemingly oblivious that it was too large to fit through the pocket. Geordi looked on, fascinated.

The ship slowed, but did not come to a complete stop. Its forward hull penetrated the pocket and still it continued, gliding through the ever expanding pocket with ease. Moments later, the pocket swallowed the entire ship. La Forge heard a sound like a giant bedsheet flapping in the wind as the wormhole collapsed, returning to its original size.

Damn! he thought as his heart began pounding. He had not witnessed anything as incredible since the soliton wave achieved warp speed. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see three of the aliens advancing on him. Two of them grabbed him by the arms, while the third scanned him with a small medical object. The engineer suddenly felt woozy and as he succumbed to unconsciousness, he felt himself being lifted and carried away.

When he awoke, La Forge was back in sickbay on the Enterprise. "I saw something this time!"

"Yes, I know," Dr. Selar said matter-of-factly. "I shared your memory."

La Forge smiled as he snapped his VISOR back into place. "There is a way to send an entire ship over to their region of space!" His forehead creased, his smile fading as he began to wonder--and worry. How had he escaped from the aliens long enough to witness the ship enter the wormhole? And why hadn't they appropriated his VISOR? There was still so much he didn't remember.

"It leaves many unanswered questions," the Vulcan said

"Yeah. . . ." Geordi wanted to say more, but his thoughts and feelings were as distant as the other side of the wormhole he traveled so long ago.

***

Upon receiving an official report from Dr. Selar of the results of her mindmeld with LaForge, Captain Riker contacted Admiral Wilson.

"Captain, I'm glad you contacted me," the older man said, his grim tone filling Riker with dread. "I just received word from the Lexington not more than an hour ago. They've detected one of our probes floating rogue in the Beta Quadrant. Unfortunately, it is about fifty light years past the far end of Romulan space."

"That close?" Riker questioned in surprise. "Commander La Forge traveled 57,000 light years when he disappeared. That would mean that these aliens purposely sent the probe to the other side of Romulan space. But why?"

"That's a question I'd like answered. But more importantly, we must find a way to retrieve the probe If the Romulans were to get a hold of that probe and decode the information, I doubt the Neutral Zone would stop them from attempting to acquire its potential power. It's bad enough having the Ferengi on our tail."

Although the admiral's tone was sliding toward anger, Riker couldn't help smiling. They would not have to plan a reconnaissance mission through enemy territory to retrieve their probe. He now knew how the alien technology worked.

"I've contacted the Lexington and the Nebraska and ordered them to join you. The wormhole cannot be too heavily guarded."

"Agreed, sir. But I believe our situation may not be as dire as you fear. My chief engineer remembered some vital information fromt he time he was held captive by the unknown creators of the wormhole. We've discovered how to send a ship through one of the pocket wormholes! We have a way to retrieve the probe without crossing Romulan space."

***

Don't let him see how worried you are, Deanna told herself. She couldn't stop her hands from shaking as she packed a couple extra uniforms in Worf's away bag. They'd faced danger countless times before and she'd always handled it with dignity. Why was this time any different?

There's something out there!

Worf grabbed her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, still bulging from post- natal fat, and she nearly dropped the bag. She could feel his large hands through the thin fabric of her nightgown, still soothing despite their roughness. If only his touch were enough to calm her as it once had been.

"Darling, let me take care of that," he said. Although he didn't come out and say it, Deanna could sense his concern for her well being. Did he fear she couldn't properly care for their baby during his absence?

"I'm quite capable of handling domestic chores," she snapped.

His grip on her slackened. She tried to probe him, but his thoughts were filled with a mixture of conflicting emotions. What did he want from her? Her chest tightened as the seconds ticked by.

He raised his hand to her shoulder and gently coaxed her to turn and face him. "I don't doubt you, Deanna." He paused, averting his eyes. "I do not wish to miss any of Shannara's first moments. I was not around for Alexander's first few years."

"That wasn't your fault. K'Ehleyr should have told you when she realized she was pregnant."

"That is not the issue here now!"

Deanna took a step back, hitting her ankles against the edge of their bed. She had long ago let go of her jealousy over K'Ehleyr's memory, but now suddenly those old insecurities rose to the surface. For God's sake, she told herself. You're married to the man. You just had a baby with him.

"I'm sorry...." they said simultaneously and relieved, slipped into each others arms. "I have thirty minutes before I must report to Cargo Bay 3," he mumbled into her ear.

"And the babies still asleep," she added. She lifted her head, bringing her lips to his. "We may not see each other for a while. This one may have to last us for days." She allowed him to lower her toward the bed.

"Weeks." He forcefully pushed the away bag to the floor as he began biting at his wife's neck and she felt a warm trickle flow down to her chest. Slipping his hands underneath her nightgown, he tug at her nipples.

She cried out in pleasure and pain, digging her nails into his back and coaxing him to continue by rubbing her pelvis against him. They had not made love since before Shannara's birth and now Deanna felt a desire for her husband rising in her like a high tide. "Worf!" she gasped as she clawed at the zipper to his uniform.

She had him half-unzipped when he raised up and with a growl, lifted her nightgown off her in one swift move. His mouth then found her breasts, his teeth grazing across her nipples. She cried out and silently hoped they would not wake the baby. He'd withheld such aggressive Klingon behavior during their lovemaking in the past. She didn't want him to stop now!

Half ravaging her and half fumbling with his uniform, Worf slowly managed to become undressed. He then proceeded to give the bumps and curves of his wife's body his full attention as she coaxed him along with her hands. Suddenly and acutely aware of their limited time, Deanna urged him, "Now! Now!" He thrust deep within her and growled his pleasure in her ear.

She began nibbling gently at his chin, but as his thrusts became more insistent, her teeth dug into his flesh and the coppery taste of his blood coated the tip of her tongue. With a warrior's cry, he spasm within her. Still he continued his pace, wanting her to feel the same release and it came glorious moments later as she grabbed onto his hair, pulling his lips onto hers.

The baby began to cry.

Deanna chuckled with the humor of a mother; of a well-contented woman. It had been a long time since she'd felt this at peace with herself, be it only briefly.

They got up and Worf retrieved his uniform, quickly dressing. Deanna found a fresh outfit in her middle drawer. Once dressed, Deanna went to retrieve Shannara from her crib. Worf met her back in the living area and as she prepared a bottle for their infant daughter, he turned their conversation back to the missions.

"Commander Data will be sending frequent reports to the Enterprise via the wormhole," he informed her. "I am sure the captain would not mind if I sent you a few private messages."

"I will look forward to them, but I probably won't receive them right away." The dim light cast a shadow across Worf's furrowed brow, her statement obviously catching him offguard. "I've decided to take Mother up on her offer to spend some time with her on Betazed," she explained.

"I am glad to hear that. You need your rest and you and the baby need family with you."

Although she could see the relief cast across Worf's face, a part of Deanna felt as though she were running away from the problem, too afraid to solve it. Was that true? Guinan had told her that she needed to stay aboard the Enterprise until the resolution of this wormhole mystery. Was she jeopardizing Shannara's future, taking her to a safe harbor only to alter her destiny to something less than she could become?

Worf stepped up to her and kissed her on the forehead. "It saddens me that we must spend some time apart during this crucial time." He brought his index finger up to Shannara's tiny hand. "But I have my duties."

"Don't worry, Worf. Your family will be fine when we return to each other." Deanna hoped he could not see how afraid she was. Maybe he would mistake her fear for sadness. She did feel that too.

Worf nodded. "I will think of you constantly," he said, and then kissed her again.

As they embraced, their infant nuzzled safely between them, Deanna prayed that they were not saying goodbye forever despite their promises to one another.

***

"Your orders are to retrieve the probe as swiftly as possible and to return to Federation space," Riker informed the team after Worf arrived in the cargo bay. Already present were Data, LaForge and Barclay. Only one assigned crew member hadn't arrived yet, Lieutenant Berlitz.

"We must consider that they have left our probe floating in space as a decoy," Worf pointed out. If they are setting a trap for us..."

"That's why I've assigned you to the mission, Worf. See that you're on your best guard and bring my crew home safely."

"Of course, sir."

"Captain," Data began and Riker turned toward his first officer. "You do realize that although we know the location of the probe, it may require several hours to safely retrieve it."

"That's where you come in, Data," Riker replied, stating the obvious.

"Correct, Captain. However, I am bringing this point up not because I am concerned about the difficulty of the task, but rather the attention our presence here may bring. Even if you are able to form an armada on this end, the Romulans may view the runabout's passage through the wormhole as a breech of the Neutral Zone even though it will not be passing directly through their space. They may see it as just cause to fight for control of the wormhole bridge."

"And most likely the creators view us in much the same way we do the Romulans."

Riker had no more than made the statement, when the officer currently stationed at tactical paged him. "Sir," Ensign Tanner interrupted over the comm. "The Lexington has just arrived. "They're hailing us, sir."

"The Lexington?" Riker looked at Data. Their armada was forming quickly, so why did he not feel any sense of security? "On screen."

The bridge of the Lexington appeared on the small screen in Cargo Bay 3. "Captain Riker, good to see you again," Porter said.

"Likewise. I didn't realize you were so close....or has your chief engineer oiled your engines well?"

Porter chuckled. "Actually, my standing orders for the past few weeks have been to remain within a close distance to the Enterprise. It appears that Starfleet Headquarters foresaw an event of this nature."

"Let's just hope we don't have a reason to pool our resources."

The captain of the Lexington nodded in agreement. "I have a special request. One of my officers would like to join your away team. I've already taken the liberty of having it approved by Starfleet." Ensign Autumn Raines walked into view. "I do hope you don't mind."

Riker did not even attempt to hide the smirk that broadened his face. "Not at all. Riker to Transporter Room Three."

"Chalker here."

"Prepare to beam Ensign Raines from the Lexington aboard.

"Aye, sir."

Riker turned back to the viewscreen. "You may join the away team in Cargo Bay 3," he told the young woman.

"Thank you, Captain," Raines replied and stepped away from the viewscreen on the Lexington.

Once he'd severed the connection with the other captain, Riker informed Data that he was returning to the bridge. He paused just outside the turbolift, however, to take a closer look at his security officer. "Worf, did you cut yourself shaving?" Riker asked with genuine curiosity....but then Riker was a good bluffer.

Worf brought his fingers to his chin. Although he always sported a beard, he did use a razor occasionally to shorten and even out the hairs. Upon lowering his hand, he noticed droplets of blood on his fingertips. "I believe..." he began, but as he looked up, he noticed a tell-tell smirk on the captain's face.

"At ease, commander," Riker said. "And good luck." He turned to step onto the turbolift.

***

The away team began placing what belongings they'd brought with them in the small temporary quarters assigned to them. They were nearly ready for departure accept for one problem: Berlitz had yet to arrive.

"Commander Data to Lieutenant Berlitz," Data said, tapping his commbadge.

"I'm very sorry, sir," Berlitz came over the commlink. She sounded out of breath. "I had some minor trouble with Toby. I'm on my way now, commander. Stepping on the turbolift as we speak....."

As Worf listened to the conn officer's excuse, he lightly growled in his throat. Did such irresponsibility go hand-in-hand with parenthood? This type of behavior had always angered him before. He loved his daughter more than anything, he admitted to himself, but he would not allow even her to come between his duties. Even if there had been no way for Berlitz to avoid arriving late, the least she could have done was page Data rather than wait for him to contact her.

"You were given adequate time to prepare, Lieutenant," Data chastised. "Nevertheless, I will overlook this matter. Be prepared to leave the docking bay in five minutes."

"Aye, sir." The relief in her voice was overwhelming. When she arrived two minutes later, she again apologized profusely, first to Data and then to the group.

Worf watched her as she prepared herself for her station. She was a well-trained conn officer. He decided he could forgive her for allowing her domestic situation to interfere with her duties. Maybe he would one day require the same forgiveness. "How is your son doing?" he asked of her, swiveling in his chair at tactical.

Berlitz was a bit taken aback by the question coming from a Klingon, but then she remembered that the commander had an infant daughter. "Toby is fine, but he's too young to understand why his mommy has to leave him. He's frightened that I won't be coming back." A solemn silence passed between them. "I only hope he's wrong." She turned to walk through the doorway and down the corridor to her quarters, so she could put her belongings away before they set off through the wormhole.

*****

"Five seconds until we enter the wormhole," Berlitz said. "Four...three. ."

"It's so beautiful," Raines said. "This is the moment I've always dreamed about."

"Two. . .one. . .!"

The wormhole loomed before them, and suddenly, their screen was filled with a bright light as they entered the wormhole. Data noticed the tension in Berlitz' neck as she navigated them toward pocket three-two-six-nine.

"Relax, Lieutenant," the android said. "We will come out of this successfully."

"I just hope my memory wasn't faulty," La Forge said in a low voice. This brought a nervous glance from Berlitz. "The runabout will make it through," he added with determination. "Just go about it as slow as needed, Lieutenant."

"Slowing to one hundred kilometers per second, Commander," Berlitz said, her voice a bit shaky.

"That is acceptable," the acting captain replied.

Raines stepped up to the ops console to monitor any changes in the pocket's stability. "The wormhole appears integrally sound," she told the group.

"Shields are at maximum efficiency," Worf reported.

The others stared silently, tensely at the viewscreen as Berlitz navigated the ship ever so slowly through the pocket. Data believed the validity of his friends' memory and yet he clutched anxiously at the arms of his chair as the pocket slowly expanded to let the ship through.

"The pocket has expanded to nearly forty meters in diameter," Berlitz informed. "It's remarkable! The surrounding wormholes have shrunk and yet show no signs of collapsing.

Pocket is now forty-five meters in diameter and continuing to expand."

No one among them needed to be told of that fact, for they were all staring at the viewscreen watching the spectacular phenomenon unfold before them. They glided through the enlarged opening, more aware of the actual distance of the wormhole than if they had been traveling at warp speed.

"Shields holding," Worf said.

Then finally, they exited on the other side near a four-planet solar system. Behind them, the pocket retracted to its normal size, making a distinguishable slapping sound.

Geordi howled with glee, and Berlitz favored him with a prideful glance.

"Shield fluctuation. . .negligible," Worf reported.

"Well done, Lieutenant," their acting captain told Berlitz with a smile.

"We are in the Beta Quadrant," Berlitz said, reading her console, almost thirteen thousand light years from our previous location. Scanning for life signs." After a moment she added, "No class-m planets. One class-k planet shows signs of non-sentient life. Sensors indicate no ships in the immediate area." She swivelled in her chair. "Your orders, sir?"

They could all relax now that they knew the pockets did actually expand and that no immediate threat had presented itself. Yet Data had expected to find the aliens waiting for them in this system and he suspected, by their expressions, that his team had as well. He could not completely rule out that the probe had been left in this area of space as a decoy.

"Pinpoint the exact coordinates of the probe. We will retrieve it as quickly as possible and return to Federation space. I would rather avoid a surprise visit from Geordi's captors."

Not to mention the Romulans, Worf thought.

They located the probe only two million kilometers away and pulled it in with a tractor beam.

"It's definitely been tampered with," Geordi said after a cursory examination. "Someone scorched the locking device open."

Beside him, Barclay carefully scanned the probe to eliminate the possibility that it had been booby trapped in some way. "It's safe," he verified.

Nodding, Geordi popped the casing open with one click. Before it had been tampered with, it had required a six-diget code. As he performed this task, Geordi momentarily felt overwhelmed by the memory of stepping inside the probe. *I'll be back in time for supper* he'd promised. What was he now leading them into?

"That's odd," Barclay said with a grin. "It's memory was completely wiped and only a 565 byte file left in its place." He paused as he accessed the file. "It's a set of coordinates and instructions on how to get there."

"Do you suppose they're welcoming us, sir?" Berlitz asked. She was still sitting at her station, but her console was nearly forgotten.

"We have no proof that those coordinates will lead us to the creator's homeworld," Worf pointed out. "We cannot yet rule out that we are being led into a trap."

"I understand Commander Worf's concern," Raines said. "But we need to also consider a more optimistic possibility. Maybe they're giving us permission to use their wormholes. "We can't pass up the opportunity to collect further data on this phenomenon. I could create a mapping system. Imagine, Starfleet ships could soon be traversing all parts of the galaxy!"

"I would prefer to assume that," Data responded. "We will proceed, however, not without caution."

"Suggest we divert all but minimal life support to the shields," Worf recommended. His furrowed brow still showed his unease, but he did not argue with a direct order. His point had been made. Now he would concern himself with following orders to the best of his ability.

"Agreed," Data said with a nod and Worf quickly performed the task. "Commander Barclay, give the instructions to Lieutenant Berlitz." He turned toward Berlitz. "Take us there, Lieutenant."

"Aye, Commander," Corinne responded as Barclay handed her his tricorder with the coordinates. She swiveled in her chair and with her hands racing across her console, she brought them about and back through the pocket.

"Let's hope they're friendly," Geordi said as they glided through the bridge wormhole toward another pocket.