Resistance Is Futile - pt 28

Virginia sighed in satisfaction as she completed her sundae and handed the dish back to Guinan. "That wasn't as good as the real thing, but it hit the spot."

"I'm sure it did," replied Guinan, taking care of the dish and returning to her seat. "So, what do you plan on doing now?"

"Now? I'm going to inspect the shuttlecraft Deanna and I will be using, after which I shall retire to my obnoxiously huge admirals quarters to catch up on dreaded paperwork."

Guinan smiled, knowing that while the size of the suite appalled her, Virginia also loved the spaciousness. "I meant about Jean-Luc."

Virginia shrugged. "What is there to do? He loves Beverly...far deeper than he wants to admit. I have no choice but to back off."

"Are you going to talk to him, tell him why?"

"Do you think he would believe me? He had no idea what he was saying." Virginia stretched, working out kinks in her back. "He'd think I was being hysterical."

"You might be surprised."

Virginia didn't comment.

"Think about it."

"All right. I can't imagine what good it will do, but I will at least think about it."

"Good."

The two exchanged a few more comments, then Virginia said her goodbyes and left.

With a heart still heavy with hurt and loneliness, Virginia walked the hallways of the Enterprise without seeing the crew members that passed her by. Sometimes she missed the old ships, such as the original Enterprise. But now wasn't one of those times. Now she was grateful for the never ending corridors and nooks and lounges. She wandered seemingly aimlessly, but soon found her way to the Main Observation Lounge, empty at this hour. Deck to ceiling windows gave an amazing view of their starlit path. She walked up to those windows, until she was nearly touching the transparent aluminum.

She was still deaf to the thoughts of the individuals on the ship. Indeed, it was a blessed silence. Telepathically shielding herself completely was a skill she had never learned, one thing her Teacher had never been able to show her. Alcohol was the only thing she had found that worked. Of course, it rendered all of her powers usless, so it was a Catch 22. One thing it didn't do, which had always confused her...it didn't shut down any of the Bonds she'd ever had. She remembered times when she had been so drunk that she hadn't been able to stand...but could pinpoint Marcus no matter where in the world he was..across the room, across the street, three levels up and tied to a chair....could feel his thoughts, his emotions, his disappointment that she was drinking. He had told her that it didn't dampen his end of the Bond either.

She had Bonded with only two others in her lifetime. Jayden, and the man who had been her Teacher. She and Jayden had never had a chance to see if their Bond would still be open when she'd been drinking, he had taken his life before the month was out. She had talked about this affect with her Teacher, before they had ever Bonded, and he'd been at as much of a loss for an explanation as she had been. Apparently he had forgotten about it, because she had felt his presence on the ship when she'd been talking with Guinan.

He kept the Bond as Muted as possible, as did she. It was preferable over Breaking it, because Breaking it hurt. When Marcus had died, she'd lost herself. It hadn't been as bad when Jayden died, though it had been bad, mostly because she'd had this other Bond previously and he had been there to comfort her. But it was something she didn't want, so he Muted it.

A musical note sounded, low and sweet....followed by another, this one higher. Soon, there was symphony playing in her ears. There was no specific tune, a seemingly aimless melody. The stars were singing. Only she knew now that it wasn't the stars. The song touched the hurting spot in her, and she wanted to surrender to it, but she couldn't...or wouldn't. Her heart racing...Virginia turned and ran from the room, fleeing the heart song...