Picard watches as shock turns her deathly pale and light dims from her green eyes.

AWOL.

How did she become that? Where would she even think of going? There was nothing for her anywhere in the universe then here on this ship! She betrayed them. She betrayed Starfleet and everything she believed in or dared to love.

And that hideous voice from her dream burbles up to her consciousness. Did you ever believe you could do anything else? It rattles once before adding. Girl.

She looks away. He watches her center herself slowly; with closed eyes because the tears are coming. She takes in a rattling breath.

"Then," she says in a choked voice. "Under Starfleet regulations regarding officers in deriliction of duty..." She slowly - to show her lack of aggression - unclips the belt holding her phaser and lets it fall. Then she removes her badge and places it in his hand briefly before stepping to the side and looking beyond him.

She nods to the other two officers. "Please," she asks them. "Don't make the Captain take me to the brig. He -" Her voice quavers and she needs a moment to look away.

This is not Q's "penalty box." She won't cry here.

It's only then she makes eye contact again with Picard. "He needs to assemble the senior staff and alert Starfleet regarding my status."