Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If there is anything that The Continuum loved more than their own omnipotence, it had to be a good trial. Even I have been guilty of indulging myself in such a manner. Oh yes, I’ve certainly delighted in putting other more simple minded species on the stand a time or two. Whether they were guilty or not. It’s all very much the same to me. Although being on the other side of such a trial is, admittedly, not nearly as pleasant. I say this with quite a bit of personal experience unfortunately. Though usually I’m let off the hook with little more than a slap on the wrist. Taking all that into consideration, there was only one thing worse than being tried by The Continuum. 

My son being tried by The Continuum. 

Oh yes, that was much much worse. Of course, his crime wasn’t anything too substantial. All the poor kid did was try to bring someone back from the dead who was supposed to stay dead. But that’s hardly worthy of a whole trial I think. At least they decided to forego the actual courtroom and robes. Opting instead to float about in our natural forms. I’d describe them to you in great detail if I wasn’t so sure the very thought would drive you to insanity.

As Junior was brought before The Continuum, I hovered by silently hoping that they would afford him the very same slap on the wrist they often did me. No such luck I’m afraid. The rest of The Continuum ruled that the boy was far too unstable and his powers had progressed more than he was truly ready for. Imagine that, being punished for being an overachiever. He takes more and more after his ol’ man everyday…

“I object!” I all but yelled to the rest of my brothers and sisters. Of course we aren’t all actually related. But for the sake of not troubling your puny little mind too terribly, let's go with that. “This is all highly unfair, he’s just a boy!” Sadly my objection fell upon deaf ears, (Or lack thereof).

“Overruled. Q,  please, come stand before the elders of The Continuum.” The voice of one of my elder sisters startled me, and before I could object further I materialized in front of them at the boy’s side.  

If I had arms I would have thrown them up in frustration; and if I had eyes they would have rolled out of my nonexistent skull. “Oh, and what crime am I being accused of?!”

“You were supposed to be watching him. ” My dear sister sneered.

“What, you mean every second?” That was admittedly the wrong course of action on my part. I could see then that none of them were in the mood for my unique brand of dry humor. 

“As a matter of fact, yes!” Interjected another one of my Continuum brothers. “Instead he is left galavanting across the cosmos causing more chaos and destruction than you at your most annoying!”

“Really? Wow I must be losing my touch…” I quipped, feigning hurt. What can I say? Old habits die hard. I could feel the very fabric of The Continuum rumble with the magnitude of their anger. I could feel the trepidation emitting from Junior’s mind mixing with my own. 

‘We’ve really stepped in it now, haven’t we kid?’

‘Yeah, no kidding Pops…’

Our semi-private conversation was cut short by my elder sister once again addressing the two of us. This time with a far more menacing cadence to her voice. “You have brought nothing but chaos and disorder wherever and whenever you go, and that goes double for that child of yours. And now he has almost disrupted a crucial part of the timeline regarding your precious humans. An insultingly simple species that you have become far too attached to. One you’ve since made our problem, and you sat idly by and watched him do it!”

“I was only letting him get it out of his system! The boy just needed a little closure. Besides, I put everything right back the way it was before he made too big a mess of things.” Even as I said this I could feel the emotions radiating from my son. All the fear, the pain, and a certain degree of anger directed, not only towards The Continuum, but towards myself as well. 

“That is not closure! You’ve let far too much slide… as have we.” The Continuum once again rumbled with the intensity of its members. Only this time it was not quite with anger but rather with resolution. Which was a far more troubling thought. “You and your spawn are too unstable… In light of certain circumstances, we begin to question where your true loyalties lie as well. That is an instability that The Continuum cannot afford.”

“My loyalties have always lied with The Continuum! This changes nothing! And I will teach the boy the same! This is all just a big misunderstanding!”

“It is much too late for that, Q. The verdict has already been made…”

‘Oh no, NO!

…Not this! NOT AGAIN!’

“Q, you and the child will be stripped of your power and the immortality that comes with it. The Continuum has agreed to give you two some time, on behalf of the child. To agree upon which mortal form you will take and what is to be done with you. You both may take your places among the court until it is time to deal your punishment.”

In less than an instant we were transported back among the rest of the cosmic jury. I turned my essence towards Junior and I could feel the cold numbness of defeat taking over his being. For once in my life I felt truly powerless. I knew there were no words of comfort I could offer him but I had to say something to him.

‘Stop…’

Well that had been unexpected. ‘Junior?..’

‘Just stop Dad. There’s nothing you could’ve done.’ My son mentally sighed and turned his own essence from me. I fell silent under the weight I could tell he was carrying and I turned my attention to my elders as they called upon whoever else they decided to accuse.

“Will those responsible for the fledgling, Q, please come forward.” The Qs in question appeared before us, appearing as two luminescent clouds of green energy. “The continuum has heard your request for emancipation from your duties as the fledgling’s mentors and has decided to entertain it. You may bring him forward.” A moment later a human male of about his early to mid forties appeared falling to his hands and knees. He picked himself up, dusted himself off and stood before our brothers and sisters. Arms crossed and pouting like a petulant child.

‘Trelane?..’ I thought as I looked upon the poor young Q. ‘What could he have done to drive them to this?’ 

“Q, do you kno-”

“My name is not Q! I am General Trelane, retired, and I…”

“SILENCE!” The rumbling of the continuum’s energy became angry once again. Enough so that the younger Q momentarily abandoned his insolence, stunned into silence. “Good. Now, do you know why you are here?” My elder sister's voice was just above a whisper now but echoed through the rest of our collective consciousness.

Trelane seemed to shrink back at this. He held himself close to his chest and mumbled meekly, “Because they don’t want me anymore….” His eyes downcast. I couldn’t help but feel a little  bad for him. I had no idea his “caretakers” had even come to such a decision. It was then that I became fully aware that the continuum had likely been blocking me from a number of things lately. It made me wonder what else they were keeping from me.

“You are here because you refuse to fully mature and accept the laws of The Continuum. Instead choosing to spread chaos as far as your reach will go. Tormenting lesser species. Playing with them as if they were nothing more than toys.” 

Trelane looked up towards her. “Everyone else does it!” The young Q groused loudly. “Isn’t that what it means to be a Q? To have the entire universe at one's fingertips?”

Trelane was cut short by one of my more annoying brothers. “That is not what it means to be a Q!” Trelane flinched at the sheer volume of his bellowing. “With omniscience comes rules we all must follow. Rules you refuse to even acknowledge! We cannot allow you the full extent of a Q’s omnipotence when you refuse to stop acting like a spoiled child! The Continuum will not be the ones to take responsibility for whatever destruction you may cause. And it is well within your former mentors’ right to refuse the responsibility as well.” I watched Trelane closely throughout the old wind-bag’s entire spiel. I could see fat tears welling up in his once bright brown eyes.  

He sniffed noisily and wiped his eyes on the ornate sleeve of his blue velvet coat. “It’s not fair! I just wanted to have a little fun, that's all! I can change! I’ll be good! Honest!!” Even over the sounds of his cries you could practically hear the icy sound of his breaking heart. “Honest…”

His despondent pleas fell upon deaf ears however. “I’m very sorry Q. The verdict has already been made…” My sister spoke calmly once again to the poor little Q, and if you ask me she didn’t sound very sorry at all. She turned her essence away from him for a moment while she addressed the two Qs who decided he just wasn’t worth the effort. “The Continuum has granted your request. He is no longer your responsibility. You may resume your place among the rest of the court.” The two clouds of luminescent gas dissipated leaving Trelane to face the court alone.

“What’s gonna happen to me?…I’m all alone now…” Trelane said that last part more to himself than to the court. If we weren’t collectively all-knowing the words might have been lost to the proverbial wind.

“You will no longer be allowed to be a member of the Continuum. You will be stripped of your powers. As for where you’ll go, you’ll…”

“We’ll take him!” 

Now let me tell you, surprising a Q is by no means an easy task, but to say that Junior had surprised me with such a frantic declaration was probably the understatement of the millennia. I said nothing however and I made no move to silence him. The rest of The Continuum did the same, silently daring him to continue. “W-what I meant was, since we’re all being punished might as well give us all the same punishment. You know, get it over with.” So many different emotions were going through him I didn’t know what to make of it. Despite everything, in that moment, I felt like he knew what he was doing. 

My sister’s deep rich laugh seemed to echo from every crack and corner of the continuum. “You make a good point.” She chuckled. “Get it over with indeed. Very well, request granted. He’s all yours...” Trelane appeared next to us now in his true form. If he still had a human head I’d imagine it would be bowed low in shame. The poor thing. “With that out of the way, this court is adjourned. The continuum will reconvene once you all have settled on a suitable form for your punishment… Dismissed.”  

SNAP!

In an instant the three of us stood in the middle of a blinding white void, no longer in our true forms. We stood in human form wearing equally blinding white garments. This place was familiar to me and I knew it for what it was. A penalty box. A twisted sort of waiting area. Trelane was the first to break the silence we found ourselves in.

“I am ever most obliged to you, my dear Q Junior. I know not what dreadful fate might have befallen me had you not intervened.” He bowed deeply as he said this,his words sincere and his old grandiose flair returning. Although I could tell, said flair was clearly more fabricated than before.

“Yeah well, don’t mention it. For all we know we could be heading straight for something way worse.” Junior let out a resigned sigh. “And by the way, speak normal would’ya? That’s like the whole reason you’re here isn’t it?”

“Well gee, you don’t have to be so mean about it.” Trelane said, crossing his arms tightly across his chest with an honest to Q pout. Faux British accent lost.

“Alright that’s enough, both of you. It won’t make this situation any better.” Not that there was much else there could be done about it. 

“Oh, don’t be so hard on ‘em Q.” Just out of our field of view, stood a face I hadn’t seen in quite a while. Appearing as a human male with blonde hair that stopped just above the tips of his ears. He was also about the same height as me, likely at least 2 or so inches shorter, mind you. “It’s not easy being kicked out of the Continuum. You would know all about that of course.”

“Q. What brings you here? Have you gone and convinced the Continuum to kick me out again? Is that it?” I tried to keep the ice out of my voice but I’m sure a little bit slipped past regardless.

The other Q seemed to chuckle somewhat fondly at the memory. Although maybe he just found the whole thing amusing, who could say? “Not this time, ol’ friend. As a matter of fact I’m here to help.”

“By dishing out our punishment?” Junior said once again voicing my thoughts exactly before even I could. The boy had a way of doing that.

The elder Q chuckled dryly. “Yes, but also by keeping an eye on you after the fact. After all, it does help to have friends in high places.” 

As much as I wanted to be suspicious of his actual M.O, I’d be lying if I said he didn’t have a point. “Fine. I suppose so.” I muttered, waving him off.

“Good. So!..” Q clapped his hands together rather obnoxiously looking back and forth between the three of us. “Have you chosen a mortal form to spend the rest of your lives in?” He finished seeming rather pleased with himself. In his foolishness he held the attention of Trelane and myself, but Junior seemed wholly uninterested. 

Junior took to sitting cross legged on the floor of the white void, picking idly at something on his pristine white pants, not bothering to look up. “Why don't you send us where you left Dad the last time?” If he saw the look of annoyance I gave him, he didn’t show it.

“You mean becoming human? Among other humans?” If Trelane were capable of it I imagine his eyes would have shown considerably brighter.

All was silent for a moment. It was clear from the wicked sort of half smile Q wore that he was rolling the idea over again in his mind. “Ya know,” he started while diverting his eyes from Trelane. “Ya know, That’s not such a bad idea…” Q locked his eyes directly with me as he snapped his fingers soundly. There was no flash of blinding light to accompany it, (that was really my thing anyway,) but I was acutely aware that everything around us was frozen instantaneously in time. “So how's about it, Q? How does being human again sound?”

“Well I really don’t know. I would have to talk it over with my travel partners.” I gestured towards the two frozen Q next to me hoping the hint would be obvious. After all, it was their punishment too. They should at least get to play a small part in the final say. Don't you agree?

“Cute. But let’s be honest with ourselves here. No matter what form you take being mortal is going to be beyond torture. Going from being a universal constant for billions of years to, all of a sudden, being bound by the laws of a fleeting existence. Then a swift death when it's all over. Dontcha think it would make sense to choose a form you’re a little more familiar with?” 

At first I didn’t respond. Much too lost in thought. “You could be right,” I murmured after a moment, “but the form hardly matters. I highly doubt I would make it far enough to waste away like that. I’ve been through this before.” The memories of that time weren't pleasant, but I knew then I had been punished for a far more egregious crime. Q didn’t seem to agree, however. I could practically feel irritation and something akin to anger crackling through him.

“Not this time, Q.” His voice was hard as stone. “The Continuum is getting real tired of cleaning up your messes. They aren’t going to let you off the hook so easily. And you and I both know they’ve given you far too many chances.”

I scoffed right in his face at this. A gesture he didn’t appreciate at all.” The last time I was made a lowly human all I had to do was try to off myself.”

“Yeah, I know. I was there, but this is serious.. It’s gonna take a helluva lot more than a little selfless act to get you out of this one. Killing yourself isn't going to get you very far. They’ll likely just sit back and watch it happen.” All the previous irritation faded away and he heaved a heavy sigh. “They intend for this punishment to be permanent. Once you choose there is no going back. And now you have those two kids to worry about. They’re your responsibility now. You’d be wise to do well by them.”

Another moment of quiet contemplation was all I needed to be convinced. He was right and I knew it. “I think I’ve made my decision, but I’d still like to run it by them before I make anything official.”

“Good. But you might wanna make it quick. The others won't wait much longer.”

Anxiety grew in my chest at the thought. “I understand.” Q gave a curt nod and raised his hand to snap away. “Oh, and Q?” He stopped just before he could follow through. “Thank you by the way.” I gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach my soon to be  human eyes. Forever… 

“Don’t mention it. Not yet, at least.” With a wink and a snap, he was gone. 

He left my surroundings frozen in time when he left. Presumably to give me another moment to myself to think. I didn’t need it though. I knew what I wanted to do.

SNAP!

Trelane was naturally the one to break the silence. “What just happened? Where’s Q?”

“Yeah, Dad, something’s off now. Did he just choose for us?” 

“Not quite, but he did put the idea in my head. I think you were right Junior. I think becoming human is really the best we could do.” I expected to see uncertainty in their eyes, maybe even fear, but as two of them looked between each other and back at me there was none to be seen. 

“Well it seemed to work out pretty well the first time,” Junior agreed, “at least for you.”

I scoffed at the admittedly embarrassing memory. “In a matter of speaking.”

“Well at least we would know what we were getting ourselves into, for the most part.”

I nodded to him in agreement. “I can hardly argue with that. Well I guess it’s settled then. We are to become as insignificant and lumpen as the rest of humanity.” I couldn’t have physically kept the contempt from dripping into my tone if I tried.  

Trelane, however, found the whole situation highly entertaining. “Human.” Trelane sang wistfully. “This should prove to be great fun! Direct observation of an apex predator, as said predator! How smashing!” He exclaimed practically buzzing with excitement. He always did have a nose for adventure, but he would soon find out that the novelty of the situation would wear off fairly quickly.

“Something like that kid…Something like that.” I clapped my hands together to get both Q’s attention, the sound reverberating throughout the whiteness of the void. “Welp! Are you boys ready to be faced with your own mortality?” The two of them just gave passive little shrugs.

“The Continuum isn't gonna wait forever.” Junior reasoned.

‘Alright then,“ I said, holding up my hand for them to see. Middle finger and thumb pressed tightly together “Let's get this show on the road.”

SNAP!

I had been trying to take us back to stand before The Continuum for our mortal punishment. Instead I found myself in another rather eerily familiar location. An old dusty backroad, stretching farther than any weak mind could possibly fathom. No beginning or end and yet I've probably walked it entirely billions of times. So without much choice, I walked it again. I just walked.

and walked…

and walked.

I could've been walking for hours. Days, or maybe years. Hundreds of them. Who knew? It didn't really matter. The continuum didn’t operate on linear time as it were, and I had a feeling I knew exactly what, or rather, who would be waiting for me. Somehow, though, it felt different this time. The blinding sun beat down with brutal intensity. Same as always, only this time I could feel it. For the first time ever I actually broke a sweat, and the brightness made my eyes sting. Just as I began feeling a tired ache in my legs I saw something break the horizon. It was only a little black speck perched against the skyline. I felt the overwhelming urge to break into a sprint after it but something else won out. Something that told me that despite heat and the burn in my muscles there really was no need to hurry. So I just kept walking and walking, and watching as the little black blip slowly came into view. 

“Took ya long enough.” Q called out to me as he stood waiting. He looked as though he hadn't a care in the world. The searing sun obviously having no effect on him. “Did you enjoy your little stroll?” 

“Not-not as much as I u-usually do.” I tried to look as unaffected by the elements as he was, but I couldn't quite keep my voice steady. Speaking between light pants. Q seemed endlessly amused by this as he clapped me hard on the shoulder. Something I was once again surprised actually kind of hurt. “What am I doing here anyway? Aren’t I about to be late for my own funeral?” I scowled.

“Don’t be so dramatic.” He rolled his eyes just as dramatically but I could still hear the amusement in his voice. “Besides, I thought you might want to take one more walk down memory lane.”

I hummed in begrudging agreement. “Yes well, you certainly made sure I wouldn’t forget it any time soon. Which I assume was your intent.” 

Q exhaled a small laugh. A second later his face faltered and he looked away thoughtfully. After a moment of the wheels in his brain audibly turning he spoke. “You got me there Q. But I also thought you deserved an explanation."

“An explanation? For what?” I asked just barely getting my breath back. 

“You're not just going to be mortal.” 

“Meaning?...”

“Meaning The Continuum decided to get a little creative with your guys’ punishment. Ya see,” Q said, throwing a casual arm around my shoulders."They've decided to give each of you your own little mini punishments.” I didn't appreciate the way he said all that, and I was beginning to like this whole situation less and less as time went on. If my dear brother in omnipotence really wanted to offer me any real aid during such a stressful ordeal, he was doing an abysmal job of it.

I rolled my eyes with as much subtlety as I could muster. “Well don’t keep me in such suspense, What kind of quaint little punishments are we talking about?” I honestly expected an annoyingly amused smile on his naturally smug face. To my surprise his face fell once again, but he kept his smarmy tone as he said:

“Well, Trelane’s punishment will be incredibly obvious. Trust me you'll know it when you see it.” he chuckled humorlessly. “Junior’s punishment has a bit more weight to it. —The Continuum has wiped all traces of memory of that Brunali boy from his mind. As if they never even met. That way the boy can’t go and make the same damning mistake.”

“Hmm.. Yes well, that certainly  tracks.. It's just like them to choose the most absurdly excessive course of action.” And between you and me I was not the least bit entertained by their theatrics. “And what about me? No wait, let me guess, have they blessed me with seasonal allergies?” 

“You wish. It's not so much a matter of what, but rather when.” I didn't like where this was going. “Bad news is they're sending all three of you back in time, but the good news is they're dumping your sorry carcass back on that luxury sardine can.” Q said, flashing me a knowing smile. “In fact you’re not even really here. Your body is sound asleep right where they left you aboard the Enterprise. When exactly is for you to find out on your own.”

“Something tells me I'm going to be none too pleased when I find out… How will this affect the others?”

Q gave me a halfhearted shrug. “Trelane probably won't think much of it at all. I mean he’s been on the Enterprise before, just not the Enterprise-D. I bet he’ll find the whole thing pretty damn hilarious.” He said with a fond laugh. I didn't doubt the fact that he was probably right. “That specific part of your punishment will mostly affect Junior and yourself. Like I said, The Continuum doesn't want him to make a repeat mistake, and being thrown back in time is gonna help make sure that doesn't happen.”

“And I'm sure they hope I can take away some sort of lesson from this too.” 

“The trial never ends. Only this time you're on the wrong side of the bench, buddy. Right alongside the rest of humanity.” Oh goody… “But hey, at least you’ve got someone on the inside still looking out for ya.” He shot me a quick wink and I couldn't help the corners of my lips from turning up. (Damn these expressive human faces.) “Speaking of which., it’s time for you to go. You've already spent too much time here.” I said nothing to this but nodded nonetheless. He was right. Like it or not, I was on borrowed time now.. “Don’t look so defeated old friend, you'll be hearing from me much sooner than you think.” The light playful punch that landed upon my right shoulder did nothing to dispel the looming sense of dread that was coursing through me. Or perhaps I just found it incredibly irritating, who knows. All these messy human emotions could really give an entity a headache now that my physical body can manage it. “Are you ready Big Guy?”

I rolled my eyes as dramatically as physically possible. “Oh I’m breathless with anticipation.” Q returned my eye roll with equal enthusiasm as he lifted his fingers to the air preparing to snap. After a beat of silence from him he quirked his brow clearly urging me on. “Very Well,” I sighed lightly tugging down the front of the stark white shirt I wore. “I’m as ready as I will ever be.”

“Good.” He crooned with a sardonic smile. “See you out there…”

Chapter Text

SNAP!

Q woke up with a start, bolting upright and almost falling off whatever it was he found himself on. Once the shock to his system wore off he looked about the room taking in his surroundings. To his surprise and even slight relief he found himself laying on a fully reclined beige armchair. Despite how dark the room was, the first thing he noticed was that the room he was in was clearly someone’s personal quarters onboard The Enterprise. The second was that he was completely naked… again. 

“But of course,” Q grumbled. “I should have figured as much.”  He didn’t have the energy to worry about outdated human modesty as he kept sweeping his gaze across the dark room. It didn’t take him very long to deduce that he had in fact been deposited right in Captain Picard’s sitting room. “Why am I not surprised?” He said with a quiet groan. 

At that exact moment he heard rather than saw someone stir on the long couch in front of him. He instantly recognized Q Junior’s voice but couldn’t quite make out his silhouette in the darkness. The presence of a second set of soft snores was the only indicator that Trelane was likely also in the room as well.

Q breathed a quiet sigh of relief and stood up from the beige armchair. He held his arms behind his head and stretched out his back which already bore a dull ache. Stumbling a little clumsily in the darkness, he made his way over to the automatic door that led to Captain Picard’s sleeping quarters. Standing in the doorway he watched a moment as Jean-Luc slept peacefully under the stars that flew silently passed his overhead window. Upon further inspection Q found that there was a discarded blanket barely hanging off the edge of the bed. He entertained the idea of waking Jean-Luc but decided against it. Instead he carefully grabbed the blanket from the bed and left the room.

Blanket in hand, he made his way back to the sitting room. Instead of returning to the armchair, he settled himself at the far left side of the spacious couch. He settled one end of the blanket over himself and tossed the other over where he assumed his two companions were laying sound asleep. The moment Q rolled over to get comfortable he felt the blanket be suddenly tugged away from his hands. Now only covering his lower legs. Q let out a full volume groan that he was surprised hadn't woken anyone up. The captain specifically. 

He tossed and turned for a bit, getting comfortable. Deciding the blanket wasn’t worth his energy. He was far too tired to deal with it. That thought in and of itself was a terrifying one. Falling asleep the first time he was made mortal had been a harrowing experience. He hoped he would never have to experience it again, but his lead-heavy eyelids told him he really had no say in the matter. He managed a comfortable enough position and laid still. He didn't have to wait very long at all for sleep to claim him.

~

“Captaaaaain…”

“Oh Captain Picaaaaard…”

“Wakey wakey. It’s bad manners to keep your company waiting..” Jean-Luc shot up out of bed, feeling himself almost colliding with whoever was looming over him, phaser in hand. “Easy now Cap’n. Besides, that little thing won’t get you very far.” The blonde man before him held both hands in the air, but his face betrayed no fear whatsoever. Even as the phaser was still pointed at his chest.

“Who are you?” Jean-Luc questioned, not letting his guard down for a single second. The other man lowered his hands with a wicked smirk.

“A friend of a friend.” Jean-Luc continued to stare at him, clearly not quite understanding yet. “Perhaps you need a little hint as to who I'm referring to?” The blonde held up his right hand again, fingers poised to snap. 

“NO! Wait!” Picard cried, lowering his weapon and raising his other hand in surrender. “There is no need. I get the picture.. However, that doesn't explain why you’re here in my quarters.” The blond man laughed a little and Jean-Luc felt his annoyance growing by the second. 

“You’re a smart one. No wonder Q’s kept you around this long.” He chuckled. “I’m just here to pass on a message.” At that Picard gave him a look that said he should get on with it. He clearly had no interest in this back and forth. “Just thought you might need an explanation as to why there’s an unconscious Q curled up aaaall cozy like on your couch.” 

Picard gave him an incredulous look then moved to lightly push past him into the sitting room. Just as he had said, there lay Q snoozing soundly in a deep dreamless sleep. “What is the meaning of this? Is Q being punished by The Continuum again?” 

“Eeeyup! Now you’re gettin’ it Cap’n.” The blonde Q grinned. 

“But why?” Jean-Luc asked. “Wasn’t he just here on this ship not but a few months ago? Also sans powers?” 

“Weeeeelll, yes and no. Yes for you, but not for him.” The smile on his face told Jean-Luc that he was very unlikely to get anything other than that out of him without a little coaxing. 

“I don’t understand, what does that all mean? Are you saying he’s from the fut…”

“Jean-Luc?...”

Both men turned their heads quickly in the direction of the familiar, albeit sleepy, voice. “Ooop! Looks like someone's waking up.” Cooed the blonde with an all knowing grin. 

“Q? What are you doing here?” Q lifted his head from the couch and squinted at the two men. Peering at them through sleep-laden eyes. 

“I told you you’d be hearing from me sooner than you think.”

“Yes well I hadn’t expected you to mean that so literally.” Q muttered through a particularly big yawn. 

He rose from the couch, yawned and stretched giving both men full view of himself as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. The blonde Q didn’t seem particularly phased by the action. Jean-Luc, however, made quite the show of directing all of his attention to the ceiling. Finding it to be just about the most interesting thing in the world. While Jean-Luc was busy examining the ceiling, he was taken aback by a distinctly younger voice. 

“What’s everyone yapping about?” All three men whirled around at the sound. “Can’t you see some of us are trying to sleep?” Q made his way back over to the couch to casually check over his son who was still untangling himself from the thick blanket. Q Junior sat up, Q watched with mild interest as the blanket continued to wriggle beside him. A second later a small head of  sleep-tossed hair emerged from the confines of the blanket. It was a little boy no older than 8 years old, rolling over and refusing to open his tired eyes. Clearly attempting to go back to sleep. Q watched intently as the young boy wrapped himself more comfortably in the blanket. His gaze swept over the boy's features, noting his messy dark brown waves, full jovial face, and a surprisingly strong chin for such a little kid.

“Trelane??...” Q called out, voice dripping with disbelief.

“I don’t wanna get uuuup…” The little boy whined. “Five more minutessss…” The young boy began to fall asleep again and in that moment there was only one thing Q thought to do.

He laughed.

He burst out laughing so hard, not only did he get Junior and Q laughing as well, but the sound alone made Trelane jolt awake with a loud yelp. The only one in the room not laughing was Captain Picard. Jean-Luc took the opportunity to retrieve his combadge from the other room. “Picard to Commander Data.” 

“Data here, Sir.” Came the voice of his Lieutenant Commander over the comm system. 

“Please report to my quarters immediately, along with security personnel." Picard sighed a moment. “And Data… Please bring with you two pairs of civilian clothes. One for an adolescent male age 16 or 17, and another age between 6 and 8. Both male. Average height and weight. Picard out.” 

Picard didn't quite like the sound of his lieutenant Commander’s intrigued little “Hmm..” followed by a quick, dutiful, “Aye Sir.” before the comm went silent. Picard turned his attention back to his mostly unwelcome guests. He was unsurprised to see the boy was absolutely fuming where he sat. 

“It’s not funny!” Trelane wailed. “Look what they've done to me! Why, I’m positively pint-sized!”

Junior wiped a stray tear from his eye, laughter beginning to die down. “Actually kid, it’s pretty damn hilarious.” He remarked between chuckles.

“I’m.. struggling to make sense of all this.” Jean-luc butt-in. “I know what you are doing here, Q, but why these children? Who is this other Q?” 

The blonde in question shot him a toothy grin. “Looks like you have a lot of explaining to do. I’ll leave ya to it. Oh but before I go, Heads up kid!” In his arms appeared the very same ornate blue velvet coat Trelane was so very fond of. With a wink he tossed it to the little boy who caught it gratefully. An elated smile on his round face. “Consider it a gift from your ol’ uncle Q.”

“Uncle Q? Wouldn't that make you Dad’s brother?” The older boy scoffed as Jean-Luc whirled his head to him in shock.

“Dad??”

The Blonde Q paid him no mind and returned the boys scoff with a thoughtful noise of his own. “Huh, I guess you're right, kid. Naturally I’d be the older brother, of course.”

“Older brother?!” Q exclaimed. “You're only one thousand years older than me! That hardly counts…” His voice oozed with disbelief. Utterly offended at the entire notion. 

“It's good enough for me. And as your big brother, I’ll take full responsibility for keeping any of your old ‘friends’ from finding you.” 

“How very thoughtful of you…”

The Blonde patted him rather roughly on the back before slinging an overly friendly arm across Q’s shoulders. “Someone’s gotta keep an eye on you, Little Bro.” His free hand made quite the show of poking him in the chest. Physically driving the point home. “You just keep an eye on those two, ok?” The message came in loud and clear for Q, and he had no other choice but to nod his head in understanding and a silent promise to both of them. 

At that moment, the door chime sounded to The Captain’s quarters. “Come!” Picard gave the order to enter. The door slid open to reveal Mr. Data accompanied by a small security team.

“That’s my cue to leave.” The Blonde extracted his arm from Q’s shoulders and gave the captain a curt nod. “Cap’n.” He didn't wait for Picard to respond before he turned back to his “Brother” for the last time. “Try to stay out of trouble.” With a little wave of his hand and a flash of light he was gone.\

Data walked in, with security personnel posted just outside the door. “Captain?” He looked about the room with piqued interest. Tilting his head in curiosity in his usual bird-like manner. “Q?...” 

“Well if it isn't my professor of the humanities. It’s good to see you again.” For as much as Q seemed mocking and positively pleased with himself. What he said was relatively genuine. Ever since the first time he was left to pilot a mortal body with only the assistance data was able to offer, he had harboured a soft spot for the android. That’s not to mention how he sacrificed himself to save Q’s ungrateful skin.

“Likewise.” Data replied, his lack of emotion prevented him from picking up any mockery that may have slipped into Q’s tone. Without another word he turned his attention to the two boys sitting on the couch and handed both of them a pile of civilian clothes. Q Junior dragged Trelane into the other room to change, being sure to throw the blue coat over the little boy’s shoulders as they left. 

The two reemerged from the other room, both clad in drab grey garments. Q sneered at what they were wearing. Finding them far too similar to the ghastly clothes they had originally forced him to wear. At least Trelane had the Ornate coat to spice things up. Even if it was quite a few sizes too big and practically dragged on the floor as he walked. Q honestly thought he looked kind of cute in a ridiculous sort of way. 

“Data, escort these two to sick bay for a routine examination. Hold them there until I arrive.” Picard ordered, answered by a quick, ‘Aye sir.’ from Data. The two boys looked hesitantly back to Q as if asking if it was okay.

“Go on, follow the Android.” Q reassured, waving them off indifferently. That seemed to satisfy them well enough, and Data led them out of the room. Security following close behind. 

Jean-Luc slipped away for a moment while everyone was distracted and made his way into his sleeping quarters. He quickly rummaged through some of his belongings in search of something for Q to wear. All he had on hand was some pajamas and a couple of sweatshirt and pants sets he often used for exercising. One of these was a particularly old set lovingly saved from his academy days. To his annoyance, the set looked to be just about the only thing that would fit Q, and Captain Picard lamented not having asked Data to provide some. How that had slipped The Captain’s mind was truly a mystery.

After getting himself dressed in his usual uniform, he rejoined Q who sat waiting patiently with his hands folded over his lap and his head down. He lifted his head at the sound of Jean-Luc coming in. Only to have a bundle of bright grey sweats thrown unceremoniously in his face. “Put that on.” He instructed the other man. 

He sat down at his desk and waited for Q to change where he stood. When he was done Q joined him and sat across from him at the desk. The outfit fit him… fine, although the pant cuffs stopped awkwardly above his ankles. Jean-Luc tried not to pay too much attention to that though. “Now. I think you owe me a multitude of explanations.” Jean-Luc said expectantly. 

Q smiled at him and he couldn't help but think how annoyingly saccharine it looked. “Where would you like me to start, Mon Capitaine?”

“Preferably from the top.”

“Alright, do you want the full story or the abridged version?” Q quipped.

“Q.” Jean-Luc’s voice held just a hint of danger behind it. He was far from being in a quipping mood. The sooner he had all this sorted out the better. 

“Alright, alright… Well, first of all,” He started, weaving his tale, that saccharine grin never leaving his face, “If there is anything that The Continuum loved more than Their own omnipotence, it had to be a good trial....”