The Child

Enterprise met up with USS Repulse, NCC-2344. The old Excelsior was a veteran of many wars and Enterprise always enjoyed hearing her stories. She only wished they could visit longer. "Kill joy of a captain." She grumbled. Repulse smiled. "We'll visit again soon." She promised. "And remember, no warp until those engine filters are clear." A few weeks ago, Enterprise was stricken with a respiratory illness. She was on the mend but it was inadvisable to warp until her systems had fully recovered. "Understood." She sighed as she coughed. "Just take it easy." Repulse ordered, knowing her flagship well. "Yes ma'am." Enterprise agreed with a smile.

The containment pods aboard and the organic specimens secure, Enterprise set a course for Starfleet Medical HQ. In the meantime, she decided to turn her attentions to Deanna's child, Ian. "You were the entity I detected earlier." She said. "Yes." He replied. "And you are USS Enterprise. I detect you are ill." "I was much worse but I am recovering now." She replied. "I see and you are transferring a virus sample to find the antidote from it?" "That is correct. The virus is extremely potent. I would advise you to stay clear of the containment pods." "Oh, don't worry I will." Ian chirped. "Good boy, run along to your mother now." She ordered and the boy skipped off happily.

...

"If the least potent strain gets loose, it will destroy everything on the Enterprise." Dr. Pulaski said in her debriefing. "There's a cheery thought." Enterprise grumbled. "Just thought I'd give you a proper understanding of what you were carrying." Pulaski said. "Thanks for the reminder doctor." The starship muttered.

...

"Something's wrong!" Enterprise's blood chilled at those words. "What?" She hissed. "Growth." "Where?" She whimpered. "L73. There's a malfunction in the containment field." La Forge reported. "How bad?" She asked. "Bad." Enterprise swore. She would, if need be, close off the cargo bay and effectively protect her crew. Of course, it would infect her but she would gladly sacrifice herself for her crew. Once La Force had left, she closed off the cargo bay. "Enterprise, what have you done?" Picard asked. "What I must, to protect you." She replied. She turned her attention to Deanna's child, looking as he turned into his original form. "Will I see you again?" She asked. "Maybe, Enterprise. Maybe." She watched as he vanished.