Data Lore Desire

We Are.... One

**** This chapter is based off of Season 5 Episode 23 I Borg and Episode 24 Next Phase****

Dezirae breaks another one of Picard's "rules" while Third of Five was on board the Enterprise she WALKED him to the Science Lab instead of having him transported and everyone wondered how she was capable of doing that without him trying to escape and harming her in the process though how else would anyone treat the ones who "saved" them.... though it is quite possible that she somehow subconsciously shut off his "Borg side" maybe because she had hope for him or that "extra feeling" she had about the "changes" that may or may not occur within him Beverly on the other hand once again was happy that someone.... other than her.... was showing her "patient" kindness though it didn't surprise her as much as it did the others she got to know Dezirae quite well over the past couple of years and even considered her a friend and THAT she found odd for there was still many things she did not understand about her and she was a bit off putted by the fact that the Crystalline Entity was her creator.... "these are my friends they will be looking after you for awhile as I have things to do promise not to assimilate them and I will come back an visit when I can alright!?"  Dezirae says softly as she leads Third of Five into the platform in the middle of the lab Third of Five nods then watches her leave and tilts his head at her curiously.... Dezirae continued to bring Third of Five now called Hugh back and forth from the lab to his cell the same way each time though she did visit him other times as well when he was without Geordi and/or Beverly as a visitor/friend than someone who was "curiously learning about him" she even walked him into Picard's Ready Room and everyone.... including Picard.... was surprised she did so then he found out HOW she was doing it "ok Hugh we're here so I will allow you to see once more"  Dezirae tells Hugh who nods Picard watches as she touches Hugh's eyepiece and Hugh stares at Picard as though he knows him and says after quite a long pause "Locutus"  Picard replies after a pause in a surprisingly calm tone as he stares at Hugh "yes I am Locutus of Borg"   Hugh asks as his eye wanders up and down, back and forth as he tries to process what he is seeing "Dezirae said you had sent her to help but we did not expect.... why are you here!?"  Picard looks at Dezirae with a raised eyebrow then at Hugh as he replies as he slowly walks over to him "this is a primitive culture I am here to facilitate its incorporation identify yourself"  Hugh says he blinks then his eye once again moves up and down, back and forth as it does everytime he speaks "Hugh"  Picard orders "identify yourself"  Hugh says "we are Hugh"  Picard replies "this is not a Borg identification"  Hugh says "Third of Five"  Picard replies "this culture will be assimilated"  Hugh says "they do not wish it"  Picard replies "irrelevant"  Hugh says "they will resist us"  Picard replies "resistance is futile"  Hugh says "resistance is not futile some have escaped"  Picard replies "they will be found it is inevitable all will be assimilated"  Hugh asks "must Geordi or Dezirae be assimilated?"  Picard replies "yes"  Hugh replies "he does not wish it"  he turns and walks over to the circular fish tank that is inside the wall then turns back around and says "he would rather die than be assimilated we do not know about Dezirae but...."  Picard interrupts "then he will die"  Hugh says staring straight at Picard without blinking or processing what he was about to say and he takes Dezirae's hand in his own as though that would protect her from the inevitable "no Geordi and Dezirae must not die Geordi and Dezirae are a friend"  Picard replies as he walks over to them "you will assist us to assimilate this vessel you are Borg you will assist us"  Hugh replies "I will not"  Picard asks with a soft surprised tone "what did you say?"  Hugh replies "I will not assist you"  Picard asks as again with a soft surprised tone "I?"  Hugh replies "Geordi and Dezirae must not be assimilated"  Picard says softly "but you are Borg"  Hugh replies "no I am Hugh"  Picard looks at Dezirae and says with a soft low voice "it looks like you were right once again"  she smiles at him....