Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 20 Jan 2004 10:56:49 -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: 18/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed (thanks for all the comments so far!). "Still There" (18/?) By: Louise Ellis "You…you should have died, you and your bastard child." He hissed. "You knew not of the plans you both ruined; I should have sent you back to him in pieces as I had thought to do." "Commander." The consul stepped forward. "Am I to understand that you are identifying him as Gul Madred?" "Yes Consul, you do." Beverly finally stepped back as the door opened and Picard and Davies strode in, moving to flank her as she stared down at Madred. While he struggled to his feet, she felt Picard's light touch against her back, supporting her, and she spared him a slight glance. "You will both die." Madred hissed. "The rest, only the ones in the third and eighth cell I recognize from his personal guard." Her eyes swept the cells one last time, coming to rest on the last cell. "I'd like to speak with the one in the last cell. Away from here." Turning on her heel, she strode to the door, waiting until the security team had opened it, and then continued through, Picard and Davies following her once again. "The last cell?" Davies frowned at her. "Why?" "He's not of the same caliber as the others. Besides Madred and the two I recognize, the rest are too rough, too sullen." She shook her head. "They don't have the arrogance that the other three have. I'd guess hired mercenaries. The last cell though, there's something different…" Beverly frowned and moved to the replicator, retrieving a glass and taking a swallow before continuing. "I want to speak with him. Away from the others." "You did a good job in there." Davies seated himself and watched her pace back and forth across the room. "Kept mentioning Jean-Luc's name, played on his pride. Care to consider a transfer to Security?" "I'll keep that in mind in case the medical thing doesn't work out." Still pale, she threw him a slight smile then turned as the door opened, and one of the security team stepped in. "Commander, the prisoner is in interrogation room number three." He nodded at them. "This way." "Thank you." Beverly followed him into a small room where the Cardassian sat, his wrists secured to the table with restraints. As the consul entered silently behind her, Beverly slid into the seat facing the Cardassian. "You're not like them." To her shock, he chuckled. "I tried to tell them it was a foolish plan. Madred was so blinded with rage he wouldn't listen to reason." She blinked at him before answering. "So why come with him if it was a foolish plan?" "I needed to return to Federation space, being captured as a Cardassian commando seemed simplest." He shrugged. "Someone had to leak to the media where we would be." The consul stepped forward. "Identify yourself." "A simple Cardassian trader." He grinned, then looked back at Beverly. "I saw you a few times, but wasn't sure if you were the same doctor who'd gone missing years ago or not until one of the slaves I'd ‘purchased' told me he'd recognized you." "I said, identify yourself." The consul repeated, then stopped as the door burst open and a security team entered, followed by an unfamiliar Admiral. "Sir." Beverly followed suit and stood, eyes straight ahead. "Sir." The man glanced at her, then directed his attention to the consul as the security team took up places on either side of the door. "You are dismissed. Send Admiral Davies and Admiral Picard in to us immediately." "Yes sir." With a nod in Beverly's direction, the consul departed. "Commander…Picard, I believe it currently is." The Admiral gazed at her levelly. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a bit too observant for your own good?" "I would assume that it's a result of my research background, sir." She blinked, then glanced at the door as it opened, Davies and Picard entering, then coming to a halt, staring at the Admiral facing her. "Jean-Luc, you'd told me quite a bit about her, but hadn't done her justice." The Admiral raised an eyebrow. "Once she's recertified medically, I'd like her to be on certain medical teams if requested." "If at all possible." Davies nodded slowly. "What can we do for you." "I hadn't counted on anyone putting the pieces together quite so quickly." Seating himself, he crossed his legs, still scrutinizing Beverly. "At ease Commander, please sit." Beverly glanced at Jean-Luc, then sank down in the remaining chair at the table, Jean-Luc moving protectively behind her. "Thank you sir." "What tipped you." He gazed at her. "About him. And why not call him on it in the main brig?" "He let down his guard when I was looking at each one." She hesitated, "None of the prisoners could see each other, he was, and yet he wasn't Cardassian, when I was watching them. I asked to see him separately because it was almost too calculated, since they couldn't observe each other." "Very good." He nodded, then glanced at the prisoner. "She got you away from them." "She couldn't have done what she did at the outpost if she wasn't intelligent." He shrugged. "I would have identified myself sooner or later." "Admiral Ian Whitecourt." The Admiral introduced himself and nodded at Beverly. "A distinct privilege Commander. You gave quite the specific information in your debriefings. Very informative." "You're welcome." Beverly attempted to hold back the twinge of bitterness, but wasn't quite successful. He raised his eyebrow again, but refused to rise to the bait in her tone. "I would like to believe that based on your prior record, and personal standards, you will forget everything this man may have told you." "I don't think that will be a problem." Jean-Luc stated firmly, one hand resting on Beverly's shoulder. "If you've no more questions for her…" "Not at the present time," Ian smiled smoothly, "however, possibly in the future. I'll contact you should I think of anything." "I'll expect it." Beverly's expression was cool as she stood and nodded at him. "Sir." "Dismissed Commander." He returned the nod, then waited until she and Jean-Luc led Paul Davies out of the room to return his attention to the Cardassian. As the door shut behind them, Beverly glanced at Jean-Luc. "Should I be concerned that someone in whatever division of Starfleet he's in is aware of me?" "Not at all." Paul Davies interjected with a grin. "It can only be beneficial to you in the long run, as a bargaining chip if needed, of course." "Madred?" As they returned to the offices, Beverly turned to Davies. "The entire group will remain in custody, we'll open a conversation with the Cardassians." Davies shook his head. "They'd put him out of the main loop years ago, he doesn't have many helpful connections, if any at all." "They'll be kept here then." Jean-Luc frowned slightly. "For a while." "Under heavy and constant guard." Davies sighed, then managed a slight smile. "So, what will the two of you do the remainder of the day?" "I…" Beverly hesitated, then glanced at Jean-Luc. "I've some reports that I'd planned on reviewing while Felisa was with Deanna." Jean-Luc stated slowly. "If it wouldn't…" Beverly bit her lip nervously. "Is there a holodeck here at Security that I could use for a while?" Davies looked surprised. "I'm sure we can find one somewhere around here, do you want medical simulations?" "No." She blinked at him solemnly, not elaborating on her statement. "Beverly…" Jean-Luc frowned as she turned toward him. "I know what I'm doing." She gestured with one hand. "Go on, I'll track you down when I'm done." He moved to face her, searching her face for a long moment before leaning forward and kissing her. "You know how to find me." "Yes, I do." Reaching up, she cupped his cheek. "I love you." "I adore you." He pressed a kiss to her palm then stepped back and glanced at Davies. "Take care of her." Davies raised an eyebrow in response. "I'll do what I can." As Picard turned and left the room, he turned back to Beverly. "What kind of program would you like to utilize." (end part 18) -- 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 n8.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.92]) by cockatoo (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aKxwP4oh3NZFkl0 for ; Sat, 24 Jan 2004 15:49:27 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12974-1074988084-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.