Darren had just finished explaining to Daniel and Colby the whole conspiracy theory aboard the Enterprise. Darren had been able to identify a man as the conspirator, and it was only a matter of time until the man was apprehended. There was still one un-tackled issue - Darren's memories.

"When I was singing tonight, I looked out into the audience and looked upon the Pu'v." Darren started. "Although I didn't know it at the time, all Pu'v have a characteristic circular mark on their cheeks. Looking upon this mark brought up memories of the shooting a couple of days ago, but these memories were different. I know that they are my memories, but the circumstances of the shooting were different. I remember walking with you, Colby, and our dog. I remember walking into a store, and a stranger standing at the counter talking to a man named Sam. I remember this stranger turning around, and the mark on his cheek standing out at me. I remember him pulling the trigger on a gun and shooting me. I also remember the eyes - the same eyes that I saw in the audience tonight - the same eyes as the conspirator."

"Darren, how can you remember things that never happened? Like I said before, we don't have a dog, so how can you remember us walking one?"

"Colby, if I could answer those questions, I would. The trouble is, I don't completely understand it all myself. I don't know if I'm going to remember more as time goes on, or if this is all I'm ever going to know. I'm working with Counsellor Troi now, and she's going to help me try and bring up more memories, but quite frankly, I don't think how successful we're going to be. All I can do is try, and, until I do understand, life must go on, right?" He perked up a bit at that last comment, trying to make Colby and Daniel believe that everything was going to be alright.

"Okay, Daz, but you know that we're both here if you ever need to talk or anything, okay?"

"Yeah, I know" Darren smiled, but it quickly turned into a yawn.

"That's my cue to leave. I'll see you both later." Daniel gave Darren a hug, and kissed Colby on the cheek before leaving.

"Okay, you. Time for bed!" Colby said.

"Aww, mom - just five more minutes!" Darren whined, and Colby laughed. The two cleaned up and climbed into bed. This night, Darren was asleep before his head even hit the pillow.

Darren woke up the next morning to find Colby still there.

"Honey" he groaned, as he sat up in bed. "What are you still doing here?"

"Trying to get rid of me, eh?" she said. "I've decided to start classes a little later today, to give me a chance to catch up on some work."

"Colby, if there was ever a person who kept on top of their work it was you. You're worried, aren't you?" Darren asked, concerned. She turned to look at him, the guilt obvious.

"You don't need to worry - I'm going to be fine. I'm going to have a shower, and then go meet up with Dan and the band. I'm not even going to be alone. Now, you have school to teach, and students that need you, so go."

"But..." Colby started, but Darren interrupted.

"No arguments. Colby, I'm going to be fine. I promise." Colby eventually gave in,

"Okay, I'll go, but please, be careful. I don't know what I'd do without you." Darren got up then, and gave Colby a kiss. "I love you too, dear." He turned and went into the bathroom for his shower, and heard the doors to their quarters open and shut just before he stepped in.

When Darren got out of the shower, he dried off and got dressed. He heard rustling in the living room, and figured it was Daniel letting himself in again.

"Hi Dan!" he called. When he got no response, he said again "Jonesy? You there?". He poked his head into the room only to find it empty. "Dan?" he called out. "Don't do this to me - its not funny"

"No, its not funny is it?" a voice said from behind him. Darren whired around to find the conspirator standing right behind him, with a phaser pointed directly at Darren's chest.

"I was so close, you know. Starfleet didn't suspect a thing. Then you came along, and ruined everything!" the man's voice rose with each word, until he was yelling.

"How did you get in here?" Darren asked, trying to keep calm despite the fact that his heart was beating so loud in his chest he could hardly hear himself think.

"Oh, come on. You're smarter than that."

"The transporter?" Darren said, knowing that he was right. He also knew that if he stalled long enough, security would be on their way. "So you're the one who sent me that message, right?"

"Yes, I did." the man's eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute, you're trying to stall me, keep me distracted, aren't you?" Darren kept silent. "Aren't you?" he yelled. Darren watched as the man increased the setting on the phaser. "I can't risk being caught, and I can't risk you giving me away. It's been nice knowing you!" the man smiled, and pushed the trigger.

Chapter 14

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