Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 18 Jan 2004 18:06:57 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: louiseell@aol.com (louise ellis) Title: "Still There" Author: Louise Ellis Series: TNG Rating: PG Code: P/C Part: 5/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed. "Still There" (5/?) By: Louise Ellis "My turn." Riker nudged his wife aside. "Hey blue eyes." He smiled down at Beverly, then held his arms out. "Dimples." She wrinkled her nose at him briefly before she burrowed into his embrace, sobbing as her guard finally collapsed. "Shh..." Holding her, he sighed and gazed helplessly over her head at Deanna. "Beverly, you're safe now." "I know." Finally recovering, she sniffed and straightened, holding out a hand to Deanna. "I hoped, prayed...but somehow..." "Maman." Felisa edged between them to wrap her arms around Beverly's waist. "If we could get to their quarters?" Picard asked softly. "Felisa was hungry, they haven't had a chance to eat." "Of course." Deanna stepped back, then looked at Beverly, still clad in the sickbay issue she'd been changed into after her surgery, and Felisa, legs and feet bare under the tunic she wore. "Perhaps we could transport there?" "Of course." Riker moved to the controls and set them. "Counselor?" "May I?" She glanced at Beverly. "Please. You as well, Will if you can." Beverly smiled up at him. "I've got to get back to the bridge, I'll stop by later." He returned her smile. "Thanks anyway." Seconds later, they were in a large living area. "Now then." Beverly glanced at Deanna. "I have a huge favor to ask." Deanna laughed softly. "Go. Felisa and I can fix a meal on our own. And the Admiral can assist." "Thanks." Beverly smiled at her, then knelt in front of Felisa. "I'm going to go shower...Deanna can help you get something to eat. You remember me telling you about her, my best friend on the Enterprise?" Felisa nodded slowly. "Very well." She glanced at Deanna. "Come along Felisa." Deanna held out a hand, waiting until Felisa hesitantly took it after Beverly nodded encouragingly. "I'm going to introduce you to chocolate." Beverly groaned. "Jean-Luc, please keep an eye on them." "I will." Pulling her to her feet, he gave a tug, catching her in his arms carefully, her thin body pressed against him. "Mad at me?" "Furious." She rested her forehead against his. "You went against orders to come get me?" "Of course." He chuckled, then sighed. "What if...I had to." "Thank you." She whispered, then shuddered, words failing her. "Ten years." "We're together now." He kissed her lightly, then nuzzled against her ear. "Go take your shower, cherie." "Thanks." She smiled and stepped back out of his embrace. "I put something in the closet for you." Deanna called from the replicator. "Thanks." Beverly cast a last look at Felisa, then smiled a final assuring and encouraging smile. "I'll be right back." Felisa nodded slowly, watching as Beverly slowly went into the next room, then looked at the plate Deanna had replicated, a soft sigh coming from her mouth. "How much may I have? Will you and...he both be sharing with us?" She glanced at Jean-Luc shyly. "Share..." Deanna blinked in surprise, then shook her head. "This is all for you, Felisa. I wasn't sure what you'd like, or how hungry you were, so I chose several things." "All for me?" She stared at Deanna. "But, what about Maman?" "She'll have plenty when she gets back out here." Picard answered softly. "Go ahead and sit down ladies." He quickly replicated two more plates and three drinks. "Here we go." "Where does all the food come..." Felisa shook her head in wonder. "Is it a replicator? She told me about them." "Yes." Deanna smiled. "Now go ahead and eat, before it gets cold." "Yes, Miss Deanna." Felisa obediently began to eat as they joined her. "And as for you, Admiral." Deanna sighed, picking up her own fork. "I can't believe you led everyone to believe you were on Caldos. I knew something was up when you were avoiding me before we left." "Guilty as charged." Picard nodded, then met her gaze until she shook her head. "I had to, Deanna." "I understand." Deanna nodded slowly, then looked back at Felisa. "None of us had any idea..." "Starfleet didn't even know about her. Despite what Beverly said, I think Madred was keeping her as a surprise for us." He winced. "A rather unpleasant surprise." "I agree." Deanna whispered, then straightened as Beverly returned. "Better?" "Much." Now clean and clad in a loose dress with her hair tied back, Beverly moved to the table. "How's your dinner?" "They have replicators, Maman." Felisa looked up, eyes wide. "She said I can eat all this myself." Beverly laughed. "Only eat what you need to, cherie. We'll be able to eat when you're hungry again." "And for dessert..." Having moved to the replicator once again, Deanna placed a bowl in front of Felisa. "This is Andorian chocolate mousse. One of my personal favorites, I think you'll like it." "Oh..." Felisa looked at the food remaining on her plate, then the bowl, then at her mother. "Go on. But don't get into the habit of wasting food." Beverly smiled as Felisa took a bite of the mousse, her eyes widening in delight. "If she gets addicted to chocolate, you get to supply that habit, Deanna." "Any time." She laughed and placed a plate in front of Beverly. "Thank you." She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before looking at the three of them. "I'm really here. With you both. And you're married. And we're here…Oh my…" Picard caught her hand under the table and squeezed it. "Beverly..." "I know." She tightened her hand around his and began eating with the other. "If you weren't supposed to come get us, and did, you must be my father." Felisa announced quietly, her mouth rimmed with chocolate. "Maman told me you were brave and strong, but didn't always think logically, but with your heart." "And that is a well kept secret." Deanna bit back a laugh at Beverly's flushed face, and Picard's stunned gaze. "I think you and I are going to get along just fine, Felisa." "Maman told me about you, too." Felisa paused as Deanna wiped chocolate off the girl's face. "You were her best friend when she was on the Enterprise. She said if anything ever happened to her, I was to try to escape and find you, because she wanted you to be my godmother, and you would believe who I was." "You did?" Deanna turned toward Beverly. "Really?" "Yes. Once I knew about her, and even before that." Beverly glanced at Jean-Luc. "Although we knew the odds were against us, we'd hoped for a child, and discussed alternate guardianship, just in case." He announced softly. "You and Will were our first choices as godparents." "I'm honored." Deanna nodded. "If it's not too late, I accept." "Thank you." Beverly smiled weakly. "I still can't...." "Oh we're real." Deanna turned toward the girl, who was watching the adults avidly. "Felisa, would you like a tour of the ship we're on? Or at least part of it?" "Yes, but don't we have to wait for the guards to take us?" She blinked up at Deanna innocently. "No." Beverly slid out of her chair and knelt in front of Felisa, clasping her hands as she gazed into her daughter's eyes. "Felisa, we don't have to wait for guards ever again. You can do whatever you want, go wherever you'd like, as long as you let me know first. No more guards. Although I'd prefer you go with someone I know until you're accustomed to the ship." "But..." Felisa's eyes widened. "I can play with other children? And go to classes? But who will make sure you eat, and take care of your injuries?" "Injuries?" Picard cut in before Beverly could answer. Felisa glanced up at him. "Yes. She gets hurt a lot. I take care of her cuts, she taught me to use her plaser for when something gets broken, and the bruises heal, eventually." She paused and sighed. "But, she forgets to eat, sometimes." "I see." He nodded slowly, eyes meeting Felisa's. "Felisa, could I see you alone for a moment?" "Jean-Luc." Beverly bit her lip nervously, looking up at him. "It's all right." He held out a hand. "Felisa?" When she slowly took it, he led her over to the couch, where they huddled together for several minutes as Beverly and Deanna watched closely. "Beverly." Deanna touched the other woman's arm. "We need..." "I know." She watched the two on the couch. "How long until we get to... Where are we going, anyway?" "We were going to Caldos, to pick up the Admiral. Now, I don't know. Would you rather return to Caldos, or Earth." Deanna asked softly. "There's quite a few people waiting to see you." "Earth." She glanced at Deanna. "I can't handle Caldos just yet. It's a bit isolated. Strange as it sounds, I think I need to see people, be in an area where my daughter and I are not the only humans. At Caldos, too many memories, too much isolation for right now." "So we'll have plenty of time to talk on the trip to Earth." Deanna smiled as Jean-Luc and Felisa returned. "Well then." "I would like a tour very much, Miss Deanna." Felisa smiled and hugged Beverly. "He is going to take care of you until I get back." "How very nice." Wryly, she glanced up at Picard as he gathered up the used dishes and took them to the disposal. "Perhaps I'll do some taking care of as well." "Why does that sound ominous?" He chuckled. "Deanna, I told Felisa you might take her around the ships, perhaps by the school rooms? And see some of the other children?" And perhaps she could meet some of the others her age?" "Of course." Deanna held out her hand. "Shall we?" "Maman?" Felisa paused. "You'll be all right?" "I will. If you need me for anything, Deanna can get hold of me." Beverly touched Felisa's cheek gently. "You'll be safe, as will I." "If you're sure." Felisa nodded hesitantly as Deanna held out her hand, then slipped her small hand into Deanna's. "Go on." Beverly smiled. "And, both of you. No more chocolate." "Yes, Mother." Deanna laughed and led Felisa out. As the door closed behind them, Beverly turned to Jean-Luc. "Well." (end part 5) -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? 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