Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 18 Jan 2004 18:11:41 -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: 6/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed. "Still There" (6/?) By: Louise Ellis "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." "Well." He echoed softly and held out his arms, smiling as she moved into them and cuddled into him. "Better?" "I want to stand here forever." She whispered, eyes closed. "Just hold me. Let me feel you..." "Come along." Bending, he lifted her easily and carried her to the couch, sinking down into the cushions as he held her. "How's that?" "Good." Eyes still closed, Beverly let out a soft sigh. "What did you tell Felisa?" "That I would take care of you, and later, she could show me exactly how she took care of you, to make sure I was doing it correctly." He kissed her cheek gently. "And that I wanted to take care of her as well. And that if I lied, she could do anything to me that she wanted." "Really?" Beverly sighed again, her hand absently caressing Picard's chest as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. "Really." He nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Do you know how many times I've dreamed of holding you like this?" "Probably about as many times as I've dreamed of being held like this by you." She smiled slightly and kissed his neck lightly. "Ten years." Picard murmured. "Shh." Beverly shook her head and opened her eyes to gaze at the ring on her finger, her hand still on his chest. "Felisa saved me, y'know? I tried to make you alive for her...I taught her your language, told her stories..." "Felisa Renee." He smiled. "Our daughter." "Our daughter." She echoed. "If it hadn't been for her..." "Did you know you were pregnant?" Picard gently stroked her back. "I had no idea. To be totally honest, despite our talking about a child, I hadn't thought that it would be possible." Beverly shook her head slightly. "You can imagine my shock, and Madred's amusement at my ignorance. Luckily, a child of yours, combined with my medical skills and knowledge of homeopathic remedies, made me somewhat valuable in his eyes." Shuddering slightly, she took a deep breath before continuing. "He needed a medical specialist to deal with species and slaves so he didn't have to waste the Cardassian doctors time and energy, as well as a doctor he could manipulate to use on his staff, if need be. I was free medical treatment for the slaves and prisoners he dealt with. In exchange, I may have been humiliated, occasionally injured - nothing more than some bruises or minor breaks which I was able to treat - and subjected to verbal and mental abuse, but I wasn't raped." She smiled slightly. "I was a human, and beneath his notice for that sort of activity. And had he let his guards use me, I wouldn't have been able to do what he needed me to medically." "And Felisa?" He asked softly. "I begged. I gave up any pride I may have had." Lifting her head, she gazed into Picard's eyes. "I humiliated myself and pled and bargained with the devil for her safety. And I taught her. I taught her how to use the plants, how to do basic medical procedures, how to help me. I tried to make her invisible enough to escape his notice as she grew, and yet valuable enough if something happened to me, that she would have at least some degree of protection. And when I could, I taught her how to defend herself. Clean fighting, and survival fighting. She's a child, but she knows how to do what she has to do to survive." "Like her mother learned as a child." He leaned forward and kissed her. "Hell of a tradition to hand down." "And not one I ever thought I'd have to." She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder again. "Of all things to teach our daughter, how to survive hell." "She could have had no better teacher. Or mother." He gazed at the top of her head, then pulled the ribbon out of her hair and gently combed it out with his fingers. "I'm so sorry. Oh Bevy..." Beverly nestled closer. "Say that again, please." "I'm sorry." He closed his eyes. "So sorry." "Not that." She shook her head. "My name. Say my name again. The way you say it." "Bevy." He opened his eyes and pressed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "Beverly." He kissed her again. "Beverly Cherysse Howard." Another kiss. "Beverly Cherysse Howard Crusher." Another kiss, this time on her forehead as she lifted her face to his. "Beverly Cherysse Howard Crusher Picard." A lingering kiss on her mouth. "Bevy." He murmured against her lips. "Thank you." She whispered. "So long..." "Bevy." He repeated. "My love." He gazed at her upturned face. "I want to kill him." "Jean-Luc." Her eyes widened as she reached up to touch his cheek, running a finger along his chin before resting her hand back on his chest. "I want you to promise me something." "Anything." He nodded. "Stay away from him. Don't give him the opportunity. Order him killed, send in a team, provide the weapons, but don't leave me to go after him." Beverly stared at him. "Promise me." "Beverly..." He began, then broke off at her expression. "I promise." He whispered softly. "I need you." She bit her lip nervously. "I need you to be with me. To raise our child. I've existed ten years...I can't take any more. I don't know how much longer I could have…I need you...do you understand?" He nodded slowly, then tightened his arms around her. "I understand. Will you do something for me?" "If I can." Beverly whispered, raising her hand to touch his cheek, once again absently caressing. "I want you to close your eyes and rest." He smiled and turned his head to kiss her hand. "Our daughter is going to be back soon with her own questions and fears. We're going to have a lot to deal with in the coming weeks. I want you to rest some while you can. I'll stay right here and hold you, all you have to do is close your eyes and let go." "You'll stay and hold me?" At his slow nod, she sighed and relaxed back down on him. "I'm dreaming. I must be." "No." Picard relaxed back and gently caressed her hair. "No Bevy, you are here. We are here." "We." Her lips curved upwards. "Together." She let out another sigh before relaxing completely onto him, nestling into his warmth. A short time later, the doors slid open, causing Picard to move slightly as he turned his head to see who'd entered. "Hello there." "Is she all right?" Followed closely by Deanna, Felisa cautiously entered the room. "Yes. Just resting." He smiled and continued to speak softly. "Did you enjoy your tour?" "Yes." Felisa crossed the room to look down at him. "She's all right?" "I'm fine." Beverly slowly raised her head and blinked sleepily. "Hello, love." "Deanna took me all over the ship, she showed me where her rooms are, so we can go visit." Felisa knelt next to the couch. "And she showed me where the classrooms are, and where they grow plants, and..." She paused as Beverly laughed softly and held up a hand. "Sounds like you had quite the tour." Beverly smiled and slowly sat up, Picard helping her as they untangled their legs. "Thank you Deanna." "My pleasure." She perched on a chair. "If you're up to it, I thought we could go by ship's stores and perhaps choose some clothes and a few other things for the two of you, then let you get settled in. Of course that's after you stop by Sick Bay for that cut." "Oh." Beverly blinked and glanced at Picard. "I believe that's her ever so polite way of saying Starfleet needs to talk with me." He chuckled as Deanna blushed. "Am I correct?" "Yes, sir." She sighed. "Let me wake up, and then we'll see what we can do." Beverly looked at Felisa. "Perhaps a few new clothes will help us all. And of course I need to hear about you and Will." "Shopping." Picard grimaced. "Well then, I'll be off to the bridge." "I believe a uniform would help." Deanna teased, looking at the casual clothes he still wore. "Probably." He sighed. "How'd they find out?" "As if it could be kept a secret?" Deanna raised an eyebrow. "Is he in trouble?" Felisa looked from Beverly to Picard and back. "For getting us? Are we in trouble?" "No." He reached out and took her hand. "Felisa, you are not in trouble. Getting you was a priority, no matter what anyone may have told me. I would have done whatever it took to get you and your mother back, understand?" "Yes." She smiled slightly. "Thank you." "And her mother thanks you." Beverly stood and stretched carefully. "Give me five minutes and I'll be ready." "That will give us time to get a drink, right Felisa?" Deanna smiled. "Right." Her smile widened. "May I have some more hot chocolate?" "More hot chocolate?" Beverly sighed. "Deanna..." "It's...comforting." Deanna winced. "And she has ten years of hot chocolates to make up for. Besides, it's a beverage, not really pure chocolate." "You can rationalize chocolate like no other." Beverly shook her head. "One more cup is fine. A small one, Felisa." "Thank you Maman." She ran to the replicator as Picard stood. "I'll see you later." He brushed a kiss across Beverly's cheek. "Uniform?" She reminded, raising an eyebrow. "Oh. Yes." He glanced at Deanna. "Actually, no. I'm officially on leave..." "True." Deanna nodded, then shrugged. "But, Will is waiting in his office." "I'll see you ladies later." He smiled around the room, then strode out as Felisa returned with two mugs, one of which she held out to Deanna. "Maman?" Felisa moved to perch on the edge of the couch. "Do you think I will be allowed to have a blue dress?" "Would you like a blue dress?" Beverly paused and turned to look at her daughter before she entered the bedroom. "Yes, and maybe a green one...I don't have to wear brown anymore do I?" Felisa watched Beverly hopefully. "Not unless you see a brown outfit you absolutely love." Beverly smiled and continued on into the bedroom. (end part 6) -- 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 ???@??? Mon Jan 19 00:00:35 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n13.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.68]) by skylark (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aIrxk60f3NZFjw0 for ; Sun, 18 Jan 2004 21:01:18 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12953-1074488469-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.