Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 19 Jan 2004 10:27:02 -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: 13/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed. "Still There" (13/?) By: Louise Ellis When Beverly emerged from the cubicle, fastening her uniform jacket, Jean-Luc was waiting for her. "Hi there. I hear someone couldn't show up on time for his physicals?" "Exaggeration." He shrugged, then tightened his arms around her as she easily went into his embrace. "Are you all right?" "I spent three hours being questioned by the Admirals, dealt with the press, and went through both psychological and physical testing all afternoon. How the hell do you think I am?" Eyes closed, she nestled into him. "I want to go home Jean-Luc. I want to go home and be with you and Felisa. And no questions." "Then that's what we shall do." He pressed a kiss against the side of her head. "We shall transport home, where you will change into something comfortable while Felisa and I prepare dinner, perhaps a picnic that we can take down to the beach. Felisa can play while you just lie there and rest." "And we can soak in the hot tub after she goes to bed?" Beverly's voice was slightly muffled against his neck. "Whatever you'd like." He gently stroked her hair. "Kathryn said she'd call in the morning to see if you were up for a visit." "I didn't know her ship…Voyager, wasn't it?" She waited for his confirmation before continuing, "I didn't know it had returned." "They had quite the voyage, no pun intended." He sighed. "You were one of her doctors after she was a prisoner?" "Yes." Her lips twitched against his neck, "I never thought…" "You never would." Jean-Luc leaned back to gaze at her face. "You're done for now though." "And now I have two days of worrying about how Felisa will be, of what will be done to her, asked of her…" She raised a hand and gently traced his cheek. "I'm glad you'll be with her." "Both Deanna and I will." He turned his head and kissed her hand. "She knows you're with her in your heart." Beverly smiled tightly. "Thank you." "And once again, you are very welcome." With a chuckle, he clasped her hand and drew it down between them. "Shall we?"" "At your pleasure, Admiral." Waiting as he called for the transport, Beverly idly glanced back out the window, closing her eyes briefly during the transport so that she opened them to see her daughter curled up with Deanna on the sofa, both of them gazing intently at a book. "Papa! Maman!" Felisa jumped up and ran across the room, throwing her arms around Beverly's waist. "You're back." "Indeed I am." Kneeling, she embraced Felisa tightly, then glanced past her at Deanna. "Did you have a good day?" "Indeed we did," Deanna nodded then raised an eyebrow. "And no sunburns." "Very good." Beverly smiled. "Did you have fun with Deanna and Will?" "Uncle Will taught me how to fly a kite." Felisa announced proudly. "And Aunt Deanna taught me how to make Talosian chocolate mousse." Beverly groaned. "You didn't, did you De?" "Of course I did." Setting the book aside, she stood up. "It's the best kind." "It's really good." Felisa smiled. "We saved you some Maman. Uncle Will wanted to finish it, but I made him leave some for you." "Well thank you." She hugged Felisa again. "Papa thought we could have a picnic on the beach tonight, if you'd like." Felisa's eyes widened. "Really? Can Aunt Deanna and Uncle Will stay?" "If they'd like." Beverly stood as Jean-Luc re-entered the room, Will next to him. "Jean-Luc, Felisa thinks the idea of a picnic is a good one." "And we've been invited to stay." Deanna smiled at Will. "Why don't we start organizing things and let you two change out of uniform." "Felisa, can you keep an eye on them?" Jean-Luc swung her up into his arms. "I have all day." She replied loftily, her arms around his neck. "Do I get to go with you tomorrow?" "You, Aunt Deanna, and I will be going to Starfleet tomorrow." He smiled at her. "We have to get up early though, so we'll be there on time." "Then we should get dinner ready so we can go to bed." She stated logically, squirming slightly until he let her down. "Can I pick what we have?" "Of course," Deanna took her hand and let Felisa lead her to the kitchen, Will following. "There goes trouble." Beverly sighed. "Between those two, I hope we don't end up with an entire meal of chocolate." "I'm sure Will can get a suggestion or two in." Jean-Luc caught her around the waist and led her toward the bedroom. "But to play it safe, we shouldn't dawdle." "Mmm," she sighed and rested her head on his shoulder as they entered their bedroom. "Early night sounds good." "You're exhausted." He tilted her chin up with a finger and inspected her face. "Let me read Felisa to sleep tonight, perhaps you can get a few hours in before one of you has a nightmare…" "You'll come in and hold me after she goes to sleep?" She gazed at him levelly. "Of course." He nodded slowly. "Whatever you wish." "That's an open ended offer." Her lips twitched. "Thank you." "I love you." He replied simply, then leaned forward and kissed her. "Go change." Beverly nodded, then turned away Early the next morning, Beverly rolled over and gazed out the window at the moonlit ocean. She'd slept sporadically throughout the night, napping briefly before waking up. On the positive side, she hadn't had any nightmares, but then again hadn't been deep enough asleep to fall into them. Felisa had woken once, about midnight, and it had taken them another hour to get her calmed down and back to sleep before returning to their own bed. With another soft sigh, she eased out of bed and was reaching for her robe when she caught sight of the thick sweater Jean-Luc had been wearing the previous night. Diverting her hand, she picked up the sweater and held it against her face, inhaling his scent for a brief moment before pulling the sweater over her head. Big enough to fit him loosely, it fell to midthigh on her, almost covering her slip of a nightgown. Silently moving out of the room, she crossed to the replicator and retrieved a steaming mug and then returned to the deck area outside their bedroom. Leaning against the railing, she took a swallow of the nutmeg laced steamed milk and stared at the faint glow of dawn on the horizon south of the house. When she felt Jean-Luc's arms slide around hers to rest on the railing, she smiled and leaned back against him. "I didn't mean to wake you." "I wasn't really sleeping." He nuzzled her neck, pressing a light kiss to her cheek before reaching out and taking the mug from her hand. Taking a swallow from it, he nodded and returned it to her hand. "Aunt Adele's." "Mmm." She sighed softly as his arm slid around her waist, holding her against him. "I borrowed your sweater." "I noticed." He chuckled, a soft rumble against her back. "It's yours any time you wish." Beverly smiled again and lifted her free hand to caress his cheek before turning in his embrace and leaning back against the railing. "I have to tell you something." He raised a silent eyebrow and waited as she took another swallow from the mug. "I've been meaning to, I just hadn't gotten around to it, and Kate asked me about it…and I guess I've just been thinking about it…" "You're all right?" Concerned, he took a slight step forward, tightening his grip on her waist. "You're not ill…" "No. Nothing like that." Setting the mug on the railing next to them, she absently bit at her lower lip, and let her hand come up to twist her hair. When his hand moved to cover hers, lowering it between them as his thumb caressed her palm, she sighed softly before switching to his native language. "I do so love you." "And I you." He finished in French and kissed her lightly. "Tell me." (end part 13) -- 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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