Captain's Quarters, On the deck of the Enterprise D.
Picard sighed as he faced himself in the mirror again this morning, as he did every morning. Today was the yearly anniversary of when he was born. He stared at himself, preparing to take the annually jaunt down mortality lane, another year older. At least this year, the whole thing was being handled with some dignity. Beverly was going to make a diner, and there would be a small discrete get together. None of those nonsensical surprise parties people around here were so fond of giving. Yes today might indeed be bearable, maybe even enjoyable.
A flash of light interrupted his thoughts as a voice echoed from behind him.
"Bonne Fete mon Captain!"
Picard felt his heart sink.
"Q" .
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Back at Xavier's...
"So - What are we going to do? I'm bored " Lexi tossed the "Burstein Bears Go Camping" on the table.
India looked up at her with a bit of annoyance. "Well .. " She said bitterly "I can't do anything until I have discovered the true beauty behind Laplace transforms."
Beast had taken their schooling to heart after that Siku incident(1), and had been _horrified_ to hear the India had only covered half of the Laplace transform, and so could not yet truly appreciate the elegance of it.
Lexi shrugged. "Your fault. You're the one who told him."
"Oh yeah " Moe challenged, looking up from a Biological text that weighed more then the table it was sitting on "What were we suppose to say? What you said? Somehow I don't think he would have bought the fact that _none_ of us knew how to read. I can't believe you told him that."
"I can't believe she cried." Daemon agreed.
"It wasn't easy " Lexi agreed smugly. "I was great!"
She concentrated , and her face suddenly fell as she said in a pathetic little voice. "I never learned to read .... snif snif ... Being a poor disadvantaged orphan that I am..."
Daemon tried to toss Harper's French /English dictionary at her, but couldn't get it off the table and had to settle for the Bescherelle.
"OUCH!"
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"Q."
"Mais Oui! C'est moi! You did not think I'd forget about my favorite Captain's Birthday did you?"
Picard felt his soul cringe.
"I have a present for you, " Q ignored Picard's silence. "Guess."
"Q - Thanks very much , but I do not want a present." Picard began
"WRONG!"
There was a flash as Q disappeared again. "But don't worry ... " the voice echoed from seemingly no where. "I'll be back soon ... with your gift!"
Picard stared at the mirror again. So much for a peaceful day. He shuddered to think of the horrors Q might inflict on him in the name of a good Birthday prank.
"Picard to Riker"
"Yes Sir?"
"Yellow Alert - Q's back."
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FLASH
Q appeared in the study at Xavier's. He looked around, frowning mildly at the sight of all of them studying, except (of course) for Lexi who was searching for lost change in the couch.
"There's the intruder!" Scott and Co. appeared at the door. "What do you want?"
Q smiled and shrugged. "I've come for them " he pointed at the six. "I have a friend who would just love to meet them."
"REALLY?!?!?!" Scott didn't try to keep the joy out of his voice. "You mean it!?!?!" He felt his whole world brighten. Christmas had come twice this year!
"But .... but ... "Jonathan looked around " We aren't packed -"
There was a blur as Q, Quicksilver, and Scott suddenly dropped 6 bags in front of them, the last one grabbing them from the hall closest.
Jean stared at Scott who shrugged innocently , " I took the liberty of packing for them ... just in case they should ever have to leave ... suddenly. Paid off didn't it?"
Jean didn't answer.
"So .. "India tried to get a handle on the situation. "Where are you taking us?"
Q shrugged. "Here, there, a few other dimensions."
{_again?_} Lindsey's mental sigh was heard by all.
"Good then " Warren was ushering them out the door , "Now that that's been settled , On your way! Don't want to keep Mr ... er ..Mr. ... "
"Q."
"Mr. Q waiting. Don't worry we'll write! "
"But .. it's another dimension. .. "
"Details! Take a chance - Go for it!"
"Well I guess..."
Q glanced at them all ... "Ready?"
They looked at each other and nodded. Lexi suddenly looked up
"One last thing - " She grinned evily, " Hope you enjoy the little "thank you present" we left - better find it before it goes ... " Her words were cut off as a blinding flash of light enveloped them.
And they were gone.
The X-men stared at each other. "Present... She was joking right? ...goes ... where? Does that mean 'Off' .. as in before it goes OFF! or go BOOM?"
Scott felt his spirits drop as he imagined scanning the whole mansion for this 'present' which probably didn't exist.
"man I _hate_ those kids."
"Think of it this way .." Loagn said comfortingly, "At least the alcohol will be safe now..."
Scott brightened, "Not to mention the Pizza Pops!"
THE END
(1) This is in reference to a story we wrote with Siku (Created by Darqstar who gave us permission to use her character) in it which we aren't going to post because it isn't what we normally write, but will email if requested.
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