Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 20 Jan 2004 10:49:16 -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: 16/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed (thanks for all the ones so far!). "Still There" (16/?) By: Louise Ellis "No, I've arranged for you to be transported elsewhere, you'll understand when you arrive." Jean-Luc glanced off screen. "Ready?" "But…" Beverly managed to get out as Will rounded the desk and grabbed her arm. "Ready." Will interrupted, just as they heard something approaching, causing them to both turn towards the screened windows. "Stand by for transport." Jean-Luc responded tersely. "Now, Jean-Luc…" Will managed to get out before pulling a stunned Beverly to the floor, an explosion erupting around them as they dematerialized. Seconds later, Will and Beverly rematerialized on a porch, blinking at each other before looking around. Will finally broke the confused silence. "Are you all right?" "What happened?" Trembling, she remained where they'd fallen, his arms locked around her protectively. "Where are we?" "Hello?" A woman opened the door and looked down at them. "Oh, you poor thing…" Kneeling, she helped Beverly untangle herself and stand, Will right behind her. "Katy said you were coming and there was an emergency?" "I'm sorry?" Beverly blinked at the woman, then whirled, instinctively falling into a defensive crouch at the sound of someone coming up the steps of the porch. "Beverly…" Jean-Luc held out his arms, tightening them around her as she practically threw herself into them. "Shh…it's all right." Gently, he rubbed her back as she clung to him, the woman moving past them to draw Will into the house. Finally, she drew back slightly and gazed up at him. "Better?" "Where's Felisa?" She whispered hoarsely. "With Deanna, at headquarters." He managed a slight smile. "She's fine." "What happened?" She glanced around at their surroundings. "Where are we?" "You're at Kathryn Janeway's sister's house." Jean-Luc nodded toward the door. "Let's go inside." "Very well." Stunned, Beverly allowed him to lead her inside, where they followed the sound of voices back to a warm sunny kitchen. "There you are." The woman moved forward to take Beverly's hands. "You poor thing, such a shock, coming after everything else you've been through. I'm Phoebe Janeway, Kathryn's sister, and this is our family's house, you're still on Earth, in Indiana. Sit, I've made tea." After she'd settled them, Jean-Luc gazed at them, his fingers laced with Beverly's. "We'd taken a break and Deanna and I had taken Felisa to the cafeteria for something to eat, Kathryn was joining us and happened to pass one of the common rooms. There was a viewscreen on and she heard your name, so glanced in to see a shot of Beverly and myself on the deck area as they spoke about your return." He took a deep breath. "She called me immediately, I sent Deanna and Felisa on to the conference room, and went to the Security office to meet her. We called up the area and found three different shuttles on their way toward the house, two of which were armed. Security dispatched troops and I called you to get you out of there." "There was an explosion…" Will raised an eyebrow. "The house was destroyed as you transported." Jean-Luc stated quietly. "The other house seconds after." "You said security was dispatched." Phoebe frowned. "Did they catch whoever it was?" "They did. The crews of both vehicles are being held at the Starfleet Security Facility." Jean-Luc frowned. "The third crew was a media team, they had no idea who the others were, just followed them in." "Well, you're welcome here as long as you need to remain." Phoebe poured some more tea into Beverly's cup. "I've plenty of room, no one ever bothers me out here except Katy and Chakotay when he's on planet." "Thank you." Jean-Luc smiled warmly at her, tightening his fingers through Beverly's. "We'll only be a few days, then leave for France, if that won't be too much of an imposition." "Not at all." She stood. "I'm going to go check the rooms upstairs. Please feel free to help yourselves to anything you'd like." Her eyes ran along Beverly's figure. "I may have a thing or two that will fit you, except for the length…" "I'll get her some things when I return to Headquarters." Jean-Luc stated softly, then shook his head slightly. "Or should I say Deanna and Felisa will." "I don't want Felisa out and about." Beverly whispered, looking up at him. "Not until we're certain there's no more danger." "From the computer then if needed." He touched her cheek. "Just a few basics for all three of you." "Oh." She closed her eyes wearily and rubbed against his hand. "Sorry." "Quite all right." He smiled at Phoebe. "Thank you again." She smiled at him and left the room just as his combadge sounded. "Picard here." "Sir, Admiral Davies had requested that you and…the Commander join him as soon as possible in regards to the recent incidents." "Understood. We'll be there shortly. Picard out." He leaned forward and touched his lips to her forehead. "Bevy love." "Mmm." She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. "I don't have a uniform." "I don't think they'll mind." Will stood. "I'm going up to my ship to check on some things, I'll meet you back down here tonight." "We'll see you then." Jean-Luc nodded at him. "I'll let Miss Janeway know," he managed a slight smile at them before turning and leaving the room. "I was barefoot. I need some shoes." Still slightly in shock from the last few minutes, Beverly extended a bare foot from under the table. "I noticed." Phoebe swept back into the room, a pair of sandals in her hand. "I think these will be close enough. Captain Riker said you're needed at Starfleet?" "Yes, I'll make sure Kathryn is aware of what's happening with our schedule." Jean-Luc bent and helped Beverly slide the sandals on. "Thank you again…" "It's no bother, I welcome the little bit of excitement Katy sends me now and then," Phoebe smiled. "Breaks up my day somewhat and reminds me there's an entire world, or should I say universe out there. Oh, one thing, your daughter's not afraid of dogs is she?" Beverly blinked in surprise. "I…she hasn't been around them, but she does like animals in general." "Good, I've a litter, or as Katy would say, another litter of puppies out in the barn, and my two tend to wander in and out at all hours." Phoebe glanced around, "as a matter of fact, I'm surprised they haven't come to investigate you yet." "She'll probably love them." Jean-Luc chuckled as Beverly stood. "Ready?" "Yes. Thank you, they fit perfectly." Beverly smiled at Phoebe. "Should we contact you before we return?" "Don't worry about it, Katy will let me know when to expect you, I'll have dinner ready then." Phoebe returned Beverly's smile. "I'll see you both then." "Thank you again." Jean-Luc touched his communicator, and moments later, they had rematerialized at Starfleet Headquarters. Glancing at Beverly, he tightened his grip on her hand. "All right?" "Yes." She took a deep breath. "Where are Felisa and Deanna?" "Over at Medical with Kate Pulaski." He nodded toward a hall, urging her in that direction. "We'll go over there as soon as we check in with the Admiral." "What could he want?" Beverly frowned slightly. "We'll find out soon enough." They fell silent as they continued down the hall and into the next set of buildings. Stopping in front of one of the offices, he faced her. "Ready?" (end part 16) -- 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 ???@??? Sat Jan 24 18:53:57 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n17.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.72]) by robin (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aKxxC5Tg3NZFjX0 for ; Sat, 24 Jan 2004 15:50:16 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12972-1074988076-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.