Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 18 Jan 2004 18:31:53 -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: 9/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed. "Still There" (9/?) By: Louise Ellis Later that night, Jean-Luc woke at an all too familiar sound; that of Beverly's soft whimper as she moved restlessly, the covers tangled on her side. Rising up on one elbow, he gazed down at her, hoping the nightmare would pass. When she let out another soft cry, he lifted a hand to her cheek, gently stroking it, attempting to soothe her back to sleep. "Cherie, shh…sleep…" When she stilled, he smiled, then found himself being flung out of the bed, a slender body landing on top of him, one hand lifted and ready to strike down at his face. "Beverly!" She froze, panting as she blinked down at him. "Jean-Luc?" "Take a breath." He directed softly, remaining motionless under her. "And another. You had a nightmare." She blinked again, then slowly lowered her hand. "Again." With a moan, she slid off of him and leaned against the bed, her face buried in her hands, shoulders shaking. "Beverly," Sitting up, he knelt in front of her, "shh, it's all right, cherie." Gently, he pried one hand away from her face so he could see her eyes. "Cherie, look at me." "I'm sorry." She shook her head and took another deep shuddering breath. "I'm so sorry…" "Cherie, first, we've had this talk every night. This will happen, we'll work through this together. Second, based on how long I went through this with you helping me, I understand it will take as long as it takes. And third," tilting her chin up with one finger, he smiled gently. "You stopped before hitting me this time." Beverly managed a weak grimace. "There is that. I was getting a bit tired of having to repair the damages." He chuckled softly. "And here I thought you believed a crooked nose would help my appearance." "No more than the black eyes." Closing her eyes, she sighed. "Damn." "Come along." Carefully, he helped her stand before easing her back into bed, straightening the covers before joining her. "Better?" "Mmm." When he settled next to her, she pressed up against him, her arm and leg sliding over him as she nestled into him. "At least you exhausted Felisa enough today so she should sleep through the night without her share of nightmares." "And after tomorrow, you can lie out in the sun as much as you'd like, enjoy the scenery yourself." He gently rubbed her back. "Do whatever you'd like." "Tomorrow." She shuddered again, causing him to tighten his arms around her again. After a few more minutes, Jean-Luc sighed and lifted his head. "Not working?" "No." She choked out softly, the tears still coming and sliding down onto the pillow. "Another way then." Slowly sitting up, he drew her with him, then gently pulled her to her feet. "Come along." "Where..." With another sniff, she blinked at him, then let out a soft gasp as he bent and easily picked her up. "Jean-Luc." "You're still too thin." He crossed the room. "You didn't have time to see this before you fell asleep." "See what?" One arm wrapped around his neck, she frowned as he carried her to the protected deck outside their bedroom. "I saw the balcony." "Indeed you did, but you didn't see this." With his hip, he nudged a door open. "A closet…" Her voice trailed off as he used his elbow to touch a sensor, bringing the lights up to display a large tub. Seconds later, there was a soft whoosh as the ceiling and two outer walls retracted, revealing the moonlit ocean. "Oh my…" "And, here." Carefully setting her down as she stared around the small area, he moved to a control panel and seconds later, the tub was bubbling, steam rising in the cool night air, the lights dimming to a more intimate level. "Completely private, yet we can still hear if Felisa needs us." "Jean-Luc, it's beautiful." Beverly turned to him as he returned to her side. "Shall we?" He lifted an eyebrow, then toyed with the top button of her pajama top. She smiled. "I will if you will." Minutes later, she was resting against his chest, eyes closed, his arms around her as the water bubbled around them. "Feels wonderful. You and the water." "Are you relaxing?" He murmured into her ear. "Mmm." She sighed softly. "Perfect. Washing away." "Here," gently he ran his hands along her arms, carefully massaging the tension away before returning his hands to her shoulders as she obligingly leaned forward, allowing him to continue the massage. After a few minutes, he felt her relax into him. "Don't fall asleep." "Not." Beverly shook her head slightly and glanced back at him. "Yet, at least." He returned her smile and leaned forward to kiss her. "Felisa's adjusting well." "She's resilient. And wonderful." Beverly turned to face him, tucking one leg up as she did and ending up straddling his thighs, her arms around his neck for balance. "However…" "I know. Many layers to her, just like her mother." He linked his hands around the small of her back and gazed into her eyes. "Deanna's going to see who's available to continue with you both after she leaves." "I know. She told me." Her eyes clouded slightly. "Adjustment counseling. I know it's necessary, but, I don't have to like it." "We'll get through it together." He leaned forward and brushed another kiss across her lips. "Thank you." She rested her forehead against his. "I was able to request Kate to do my physical tomorrow." "Good." Jean-Luc hesitated a moment before continuing. "I want to suggest something to you, just hear me out." "That sounds dangerous." Beverly sat up, a frown appearing as she studied him. "And I'm finally relaxing." "I wanted to talk to you about it before tomorrow, just in case." His thumb brushed against the base of her spine, causing her to shudder slightly. "I'd like you to consider not resigning from Starfleet outright." Her frown deepened. "Why?" "Because, you've been pouring over medical journals since you returned, when you're not catching up on news, you spent time in the holodeck working on surgical techniques, but it's been a while…" he reached up and traced her lower lip, which was still out in a slight frown. "If you remain on retired reserve, you can still utilize Starfleet Medical facilities at your leisure, take time to catch up on medical advances. And, you and Felisa could join me at any time if I'm required off planet." Beverly gazed at him for a long moment, then leaned forward and rested her cheek against his shoulder with a sigh. "It would be a beneficial arrangement, and it would increase our options. I'll think about it." "That's all I ask, cherie." He nuzzled her hair as he gently rubbed her back. After a few minutes, he felt her completely relax against him and carefully lifted his head. "Beverly?" At the soft sigh, he chuckled, then slid one arm under her legs and slowly stood, cradling her for a moment in the water as she shifted slightly, her arms automatically tightening around his neck. When she was settled, he waded across the tub and gingerly up the four steps to the floor before pausing to let the water cascade off of their bodies. Twisting slightly, he was able to grab one of the large towels set on a shelf, then continued back into the bedroom, where he set her down on the bed before gently toweling off her damp skin. After settling her under the covers, he quickly dried off and returned the towel to the other room, retrieving their pajamas as he did. Dropping them onto the foot of the bed, he eased back under the covers, waiting only a moment until Beverly nestled against him, her head tucked into his neck as she slept. The next morning, Beverly rolled over and stretched before looking back at Jean-Luc, who was watching her with an amused look. "What?" "Feel comfortable?" He raised an eyebrow at her. Realizing she had nothing on underneath the sheet, Beverly blushed lightly. "Very. Someone seems to have forgotten to dress me before putting me to bed." "You weren't alone." He chuckled and reached out to push her hair back behind an ear. "You slept the rest of the night." "Yes," she shifted back to press against him, her hand resting on his chest as her leg slid over his. "A pleasant change." "Indeed." Bending his head, he kissed her gently, deepening the kiss as she responded. "Jean?" Beverly nipped at his lower lip. "What time are Will and Deanna coming for breakfast?" "Seven," as her mouth continued down his neck, he stifled a groan. "You're due back at headquarters at eight." "And what time is it now?" Her nails traced a path along his side as her leg moved over his. He managed to turn his head slightly and squint at the clock on the table next to the bed. "Six thirty." "Damn." She groaned softly, her head dropping against his shoulder. "We're meeting you and Deanna at the café tonight, right?" Catching her hand, he squeezed it. "Mmm. You need to make a reservation." Beverly sighed softly. "I'll take care of it. However, after dinner, do you think Will and Deanna would be all right with bringing Felisa back here, and we could go…out?" Jean-Luc's hand ran up her bare arm. "They could, but…" She lifted her head and gazed at him in the early sunlight. "With her having to go into Starfleet the next morning…" "I understand." He kissed her lightly. "We'll go out another night, just the two of us. After Starfleet finishes their questions." "Perhaps we could go to Paris?" Beverly suggested, her hand absently running along his chest. "Will and Deanna are coming to LaBarre, so they could stay with Felisa, or we could wait until she's comfortable enough with Louis and Marie. We could go dancing…" "I adore you." He chuckled, then looked back over his shoulder as a knock sounded. "Come in Felisa," he called as Beverly pulled the covers back up over their bodies. "Good morning cherie." "Good morning Maman, Papa." Tilting her head, she gazed at them curiously. "Why are you still in bed?" "We're running a bit late." Beverly smiled affectionately at her daughter. "Why don't you run along and get dressed then we'll get breakfast ready." "Very well," with another curious smile, she turned and left the room, pulling the door shut behind her as Beverly and Jean-Luc fell back against the pillows, laughing. "I don't suppose you'd like to stay here today and answer her questions?" Jean-Luc's eyebrow raised as Beverly gracefully slid out of the bed, pulling one of the covers with her and wrapping it around her slender body as she crossed to the bathing cubicle. "You know the ones about why we didn't have anything on." "I'd much prefer that," Beverly called from around the door. "However, I don't think the Admirals and Kathryn would find that an acceptable excuse. Besides, she knows about sex." "Beverly!" Jean-Luc blinked and stared at the door, stopping half in and half out of the bed. "Jean-Luc." She teased, then leaned back and looked out the doorway at him. "Not the mechanics of it or the details, but she is aware that it exists." "Not what I needed to hear." He groaned as he moved toward the closet. A moment later, he passed her as they switched rooms. "Although, what did I expect from another Howard lass." "Exactly." Beverly brushed a kiss along his cheek then laughed as he grimaced and closed the door. (end part 9) -- 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 00:05:19 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n22.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.78]) by swallow (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aIrAc4r93NZFkN0 for ; Sun, 18 Jan 2004 21:04:16 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12955-1074488498-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.