Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 18 Jan 2004 18:41:46 -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: 11/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed. "Still There" (11/?) By: Louise Ellis Davies gazed at her levelly for a long moment, then chuckled, shaking his head. "Jean-Luc, I take it this is the legendary Doctor Crusher…I'm sorry, Doctor Picard, that I've heard tell of?" "I'd say, for all intents and purposes, indeed she is." He slid an arm around her waist. "Shall we?" "I'll take care of the arrangements for later today." Davies turned to lead them down a corridor, then paused and glanced over his shoulder. "You've adequate security for…" "Will and Deanna are there, and additional security patrols have been arranged for." Jean-Luc nodded. "Good. You'll both let me know personally if there is a need for any additional assistance." He waited for their nods, then continued to lead them toward a conference room. Three hours later, Paul Davies stepped back from a podium and made a slight gesture towards Beverly before moving to stand next to Jean-Luc. Watching as she deftly answered the individual questions being thrown at her, he leaned toward Picard. "Is she as calm as she appears?" Jean-Luc shook his head slightly. "Look at her hand." He directed Davies' gaze to Beverly's hand, clenching the edge of the podium, her knuckles white despite her calm tone of voice. "If she starts twisting her hair, we need to get her out of there." He fell silent as she once again explained that she was pleased to be back at Headquarters, and no, there were still questions that she had to answer for Starfleet. No, she wasn't sure of her plans for the future, she was still in discussions with Starfleet about what she would be doing. Davies glanced up sharply at a question about her time as a prisoner. He'd clearly defined to the entire lot of them the boundaries of questions, and her imprisonment was far out of them. Watching as the hand that wasn't clenched on the podium lifted to a stray strand of hair, he stepped forward, deftly easing Beverly away from the podium and back toward Jean-Luc. "As I stated at the beginning of this conference, only questions dealing with the Commander's return would be responded to. At this time, we will end, any future conferences on this topic will be announced and you will be welcome at that time." Turning on his heel, he strode away from the podium and through the door at the rear of the room, ignoring the questions that flew through the air behind him. As the door closed, he saw Beverly literally crumble, Jean-Luc catching her and swinging her into his arms before looking up and down the empty corridor. "What happened?" "She made it through the door," Jean-Luc glanced up as a door opened, then moved toward the woman gesturing toward them. "Come on. I was watching on the com, you know some of them will make it back through here." She stepped back as the two men brushed past her. "My assistant is gone to lunch, take her into my office." Following them, she secured the door behind her and grabbed a throw draped across the back of a chair. "Here. Have you called Medical yet?" "No." Paul Davies shook his head, watching as Jean-Luc carefully laid Beverly on the sofa, then covered her with the throw. "Jean-Luc, who was she to see this afternoon?" "Kate Pulaski." He gently ran his hand along Beverly's cheek, then glanced up at the other woman as Davies moved to the comunit. "Thank you Kathryn." One eyebrow raised. "I of all people know what it's like to deal with the unwanted attention." Kathryn Janeway shook her head. "I caught a glimpse of her yesterday in the hall…she looks a bit different today." "She decided if the she had to deal with the press, it would be on her terms." Ruefully, he shook his head. "Headstrong as ever." "You missed that, didn't you." Kathryn retrieved a cup of coffee and seated herself in the chair facing the sofa. "Indeed I did." He smiled slightly, one hand moving to stroke Beverly's hair as the other hand clasped hers. "I'd like you to get to know her." "As I told you, we'd met twice, the second time briefly before I left on Voyager." Kathryn smiled slightly. "We shared the same perspective of a certain conference we were both required to attend." "Ah yes." Jean-Luc nodded, "I remember now." "'Member what?" Came the low murmur from the sofa, causing both of them to look down at Beverly, who was blinking sleepily at them. "Hello there." Jean-Luc bent over her. "Welcome back." "What happened?" She tried to sit up, then sank back down into the cushions with a groan. "I'll be the judge of that." Kate Pulaski nudged Jean-Luc out of the way. "You were supposed to come to me, not the other way around." "Sorry." Beverly shook her head slightly. "I'm fine Kate, just too much excitement…" "On an empty stomach." She finished, glancing up at Jean-Luc. "Has she eaten anything today?" "I wasn't hungry this morning." Beverly interrupted softly. "We were to go to lunch after the press conference, which means I should be eating something right now. Kate, I can answer your questions." "Beverly, I've treated you before. Hush." Continuing to scan Beverly with a tricorder, Kate shook her head. "And dinner last night?" "She ate." Jean-Luc frowned, trying to remember. "Some." "Kate, it's just been a long few days. I'm taking all the supplements I'm supposed to, and I'm generally eating as often as I feel like it." Beverly pushed the tricorder away and slowly sat up, then stared at the woman facing her. "Kathryn Janeway?" "Hello there." She smiled. "My office was closest, and being as sympathetic as I am about others who are attacked by the press, had Jean-Luc bring you in here." "I'm sure there's a really great story behind that." Beverly looked around the room, a blush rising in her cheeks. "How many people know I passed out?" "Just us." Paul Davies stood behind Kate Pulaski. "Doctor, I apologize for the way that conference ended. We'd laid the guidelines out clearly to the representatives, and the last question was definitely beyond those guidelines." "It's all right." Beverly smiled slightly. "I'd expected more along those lines. However…" she glanced at Jean-Luc, "it is lunch time." Kate Pulaski chuckled. "There's the Beverly I'm familiar with." "If you're sure you're all right…"Jean-Luc frowned. "Jean-Luc, I'm fine. Right Kate?" Beverly looked at her. "She needs food, and as I've an exhaustive afternoon planned for her, I'd suggest a good lunch." Kate indicated the door. "As its lunch time for all of us…" "I took the liberty of arranging for food in the private officer's mess. Kathryn, Kate, you're welcome to join us." Paul Davies smiled at them. "I'd like that," Kathryn Janeway stood, "it will give us a chance to begin to catch up." "Considering the last I heard, you were still missing…" Beverly shook her head slowly as she stood, Jean-Luc's arm sliding around her waist until she'd regained her balance. "There's so much…" "I've been there." Kathryn stepped forward toward Beverly, waiting until Jean-Luc had released her and moved toward the door, leaving the two of them facing each other. "Both places." "Both?" Beverly frowned slightly, then blinked. "I'd forgotten…" "You were one of my doctors when I returned, but that was so long ago." Kathryn glanced at the group waiting by the door. "We'll talk later?" "Please." With a nod, her frown faded into a slight smile. "I'd like that very much." "I understand Jean-Luc will be staying with your daughter as she's questioned over the next two days." Kathryn began as they moved toward the door. "Perhaps we could meet during that time?" "If you can spare the time, you're welcome to come out to the house we're staying at." Beverly offered, glancing at Jean-Luc as they approached him. "More than welcome." He agreed, then nodded toward the door. "Paul and Kate went ahead to make sure the hall was clear." "Good." Beverly let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. "I can't believe I did that." "You're just not accustomed to that many people at once," Kathryn offered as they left her office. "It gets better." "Can't get worse." Beverly let out a rueful laugh. "I'm glad the Admiral talked us out of announcing the rest of it." "The rest?" Kathryn glanced at her. "Her name change, which has now been officially announced to her board of inquiry." Jean-Luc stated firmly, slipping his hand into Beverly's as they strode down the hall, ignoring the occasional staff member that passed them. "So the rumors are true." Kathryn laughed, "wait until I tell Chakotay." "He'd appreciate it." Jean-Luc agreed as Beverly shook her head and sighed again. "We'll catch you up cherie." "That's all I do. That and answer questions." Beverly managed a tired smile in Kathryn's direction. (end part 11) -- 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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