Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 20 Jan 2004 11:07:04 -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: 21/? 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" (21/?) By: Louise Ellis Putting the glasses on and tucking her hair up into the hat, Beverly laughed and affected a slight accent. "You know, I've been hearing that a lot. They say everyone has a double somewhere, little did I know when I came out to visit my dear chum Kathryn, that I'd hear about mine." "Hiding in the open." Kathryn gestured toward the door. "Shall we?" Laughing, the two women moved through the door. An hour later, they transported back to Phoebe's porch and moved inside, still chatting and laughing. "I'll take these…" Beverly blinked. "Oh, I have no idea what room we're in." "Phoebe!" Kathryn called, then smiled as her sister entered from the kitchen. "We're home." "Just in time for dinner." Phoebe was wiping her hands on her apron. "Will and Deanna took Felisa out to the barn to see the puppies, and Jean-Luc just went upstairs." "Speaking of which…" Kathryn raised an eyebrow. "You have your room, I put Will and Deanna in the corner room, Beverly, you and Jean-Luc are in the first room to the left up the stairs, Felisa is right next to you." She glanced at the bags and smiled. "Deanna and Felisa arrived with a few things as well." "Good." Beverly glanced back out the door. "You said she's out at the barn?" "And in love with the puppies, I'll warn you now." Phoebe laughed. "Lucky you." Kathryn agreed with a laugh, then nodded toward the stairs. "I'll change and be back down to help you." "Fine, is Chakotay coming out tonight or tomorrow?" Phoebe paused as she turned back toward the kitchen. "Tomorrow. He just came back today and is wrapping up." Kathryn shrugged. "He said he brought you something." "Tease." Phoebe laughed and glanced at Beverly, "he has a habit of bringing me eclectic art ideas he thinks I might incorporate into my work." "Ah." Beverly smiled. Chakotay had been one of the many things the two women had talked about during their shopping trip. "I see. I'll be right back down as well." "Don't worry about it, you're a guest." Phoebe waved a hand and disappeared back into the kitchen as they continued up the stairs. "That's you." Kathryn pointed, "I'm down the hall on the right, let me know if you need anything." "Thanks." Beverly smiled and opened the door, her smile widening as she caught sight of Jean-Luc standing at the window. "Hello there." "Hello." Turning, he waited as she dropped her bags on the bed, then moved into his arms. "You all right?" "Wonderful." She nuzzled into his neck, then raised her head. "Although, I hear we may be begged for a puppy." "We nothing, she already hit me up." He chuckled. "I told her we'd talk about it." "Ah." Beverly smiled, then kissed him. "I got you a few things to wear out here." "I had just thought about that." He raised an eyebrow. "You went shopping?" "Yes," stepping back, she reached out and picked up the hat and glasses, slipping them on. "Amazing how I resembled that poor woman who just returned from Cardassia…" she stated archly in her affected accent as he burst out laughing. "Hiding in plain sight." He grinned and pulled the hat and glasses off her head, tossing them back to the bed. Gazing at her again, his smile faded as he inspected her. "Isn't that one of the security workout jumpsuits?" "Didn't want to get my new uniform dirty." She smiled sweetly and stepped back, pulling items out of bags until she found what she was looking for. "Here you go…They should fit." She handed him a pair of tan slacks and an olive shirt. "I've got to go downstairs and help Phoebe…" "Beverly…" he began, then sighed as she brushed a kiss across his lips, then turned and quickly exited, leaving him nothing to do except follow her directions and change clothes. After dinner, Jean-Luc, Beverly, and Phoebe had allowed Felisa to drag them back out to the barn, where she was showing Jean-Luc and Beverly the puppies. "See Maman, they're almost old enough…" she gazed up at them earnestly. "At least they're not Irish setters." Jean-Luc murmured in Beverly's ear, earning a jab in his rib as she knelt next to her daughter. "They are adorable." She smiled at her daughter, surrounded by seven puppies as they played in the hay. "Actually," Phoebe leaned against the wall, "they're all spoken for except the one without the collar." "Why?" Felisa picked up the one puppy without a collar, easily the smallest one. Cuddling it, she gazed up at Phoebe. "It's the smallest one, and since we'd only thought there would be six, was a bit of a surprise when she popped out." Phoebe laughed softly. "I haven't had a chance to contact anyone on the list of potentially interested owners." Jean-Luc exchanged a glance with Beverly, who nodded slightly as she stood. Waiting until she moved next to him, he looked at Phoebe. "So it would be possible for us to adopt her?" "Really Papa?" Felisa beamed up at him, her eyes pleading. "I think that would be perfect." Phoebe smiled warmly. "And, since you'll be here a few days at least, Felisa can help me with the puppies and see what goes into taking care of them. And if by chance you end up having to go off planet, I have no problem with one more dog visiting." "Thank you!" With a squeal and without letting go of the puppy, Felisa scrambled to her feet and hugged first her parents, then Phoebe. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" "You're very welcome," Beverly laced her fingers with Jean-Luc's and squeezed his hand. "However, remember, you're going to have to help take care of her, and be responsible for her." "I will." Felisa plopped back down on the hay, laughing as the other puppies tumbled over her. Beverly watched her for a moment, then abruptly turned and left the barn, causing Jean-Luc and Phoebe to exchange a frown. Phoebe took a step toward him, dropping her voice so Felisa couldn't hear. "Go, I'll stay here with her and the puppies." Jean-Luc nodded, then moved to follow Beverly. Hesitating as he left the barn, he caught sight of her slender silhouette moving toward a path that led to what Kathryn had indicated was a small pond a short distance away, through some sort of grain field. Following her, he finally caught up to her as she stepped out onto a small dock type platform extending over the water. Stopping at the foot of the path, he watched as she stared out over the water, arms wrapped around her waist. Finally, he stepped forward, waiting until she turned her head slightly, indicating she was aware of him, to move forward, stopping behind her. "Cherie?" (end part 21) -- 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 18:48:22 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n29.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.85]) by emu (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aKxw61S63NZFnx0 for ; Sat, 24 Jan 2004 15:48:42 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12977-1074988108-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.