Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 20 Jan 2004 19:27:28 -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: 27/? 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" (27/?) By: Louise Ellis "You and Jean-Luc both have fairly strong shields, as I said through training, and you both had a fairly high natural level before that training, due to your self discipline. I can only assume some of it was genetic, and some was what you taught her." Deanna explained. "They just want to know what exercises and techniques you taught her." "We also had a lot of time to practice." Beverly stated softly. "I used it as an exercise to take us away when…we needed to." "Oh." She fell silent until they reached the conference rooms. "Wait here, I'll let them know you're here." When Beverly nodded, she continued into the room, leaving Beverly waiting in the hall. A minute later, she opened the door and beckoned Beverly in, then pointed to a seat in the rear of the room. Together, they sat and waited silently, listening to Felisa describe the marketplace. When Felisa finished, one of the Admirals nodded slowly. "Thank you Miss Picard. If you would step outside for a moment so we can speak with your mother." Felisa stood and turned, smiling as she caught sight of her mother and Deanna. Walking toward them, she waited for Deanna, then continued out of the room as Deanna followed. Beverly stood and moved forward, taking Felisa's seat next to Jean-Luc. "Commander Beverly Picard, reporting as requested." "Thank you, Commander." One of them leaned forward. "We had some questions on the training your daughter received. Her mental shields are extremely strong for a human child. We'd like to know what you've taught her." Beverly took a deep breath. "I utilized a combination of techniques that I'd studied or been taught. For the most part, I wanted her to be able to protect herself against any unwanted mental probing. I started with basic visualizations, and continued through some general meditations and focusing of thoughts." "Were you aware that the instant she detected a mental probe, she slammed a wall up?" Another Admiral spoke, one Beverly recognized as being Betatzed. "In fact, similar to the one you utilize." "I was not aware she could detect probing." Beverly stated calmly, "I had told her how being probed could be detected, but since I had no way of evaluating her progress, wasn't aware if she would be able to." "What other methods did you utilize?" The first Admiral spoke up again. "I would describe places, events to her, we'd imagine, visualize that we were there and add to each other's details." As Beverly continued to describe what she'd taught Felisa, she unconsciously reached out and clasped Jean-Luc's hand under the table, clinging on to him for strength. Finally, the chairperson of the panel nodded at her. "Commander, we appreciate your time and candid answers." "You're welcome." Beverly nodded slightly. "Admiral, we'll be taking a ten minute break, then have a few more questions for Felisa." The Admiral glanced at him. "We'll be outside waiting for you to reconvene." Standing, he drew Beverly to her feet, then ushered her out of the room, his hand on the small of her back. When the door closed behind them, he looked at her. "Not too bad, was it." "No." She managed a nervous smile as Felisa ran up to them. "Hello cherie. I hear they're quite proud of you, that was a very detailed description of the market I heard you give them." "That's all they have me do," Felisa shrugged. "Tell them about places and what we did each day. It's just that they make me do it over and over. I wish they'd understand it the first time I told them." "I agree." Beverly laughed. "They did the same thing to me." "We Admirals like to be thorough." Jean-Luc chuckled. "They're taking a ten minute break." "So I'm not done yet?" Felisa sank back down onto her chair with a sigh. "Not just yet." Jean-Luc shook his head. "At least you have the weekend to look forward to." "Thank you for letting Naomi come stay with us." She smiled up at them. "Thank Kathryn when you get home." Beverly reached out and touched Felisa's cheek. "I'm going to run over to Medical and see Kate for a bit, I'll meet you all back at your father's office." "To Medical?" Jean-Luc frowned slightly. "Um…yes." She tilted her head and looked at Deanna. "See you later," she smiled and touched Jean-Luc's arm, drawing him down the hall a few feet. "I'm just going to see if I can liberate a basic med kit and tricorder so I can start getting back up to speed. And I thought I'd get a few of those…things I forgot about yesterday taken care of." "Oh." He relaxed. "Just stay away from those Security holodecks for a few days, all right?" "I'll just have to find something else to take my mind off of things." She ran a finger down the center of his chest and wrinkled her nose at him. "Or someone else." He cleared his throat. "I'll make those reservations for Paris." "For tomorrow?" She raised an eyebrow, then leaned forward and kissed him lightly. "See you later." "Later." He agreed, then watched her leave before turning and joining Deanna and Felisa as they waited to be summoned. ****** That evening, they were all talking in the large main living room when Felisa and Naomi came running in to join them. Kathryn glanced toward them, a wry smile on her face. "I was wondering if you two were ever going to let those puppies get some sleep. You've been outside since dinner." "We were playing with them, then Naomi was showing me the path to the lake." Felisa announced, moving to her mother's side. "We didn't go near the water though." "Very good." Beverly lifted a hand and touched her daughter's hair. "Run upstairs and get your brush, cherie." As Felisa obeyed, Naomi dropped to the floor next to Chakotay's chair. "Thank you for the present, Chakotay." "It's no Flotter, but, I thought you'd like it." He teased, grinning down at her. "Flotter?" Jean-Luc looked confused. "Flotter is still around?" Beverly laughed. "It's a child's character, there's stories and dolls…Wesley used to love him." "I had a Flotter program on Voyager." Naomi grinned. "And a Flotter doll." "What's Flotter?" Felisa asked as she returned, carrying her brush. "A storybook character, like…Cinderella." Beverly took the brush from Felisa and pointed to the floor. As Felisa obeyed, Beverly began to gently brush out the straw and tangles from her hair. "Oh." Satisfied, Felisa settled down as the adults resumed their conversation, Naomi watching intently as it flowed around them. When Beverly finally finished brushing out Felisa's hair, she skillfully plaited it into a single braid and fastened it with an elastic band that had been around the handle of the brush. Kissing the top of Felisa's head lightly, she raised an eyebrow at Naomi, who took the silent invitation and moved to take Felisa's place as Felisa climbed up on the couch between Beverly and Jean-Luc. "I'll get drinks for everyone," Phoebe announced, then shook her head as Deanna moved to stand up. "I'm fine, be right back." Deanna settled back against Will as she sighed. "I may never leave. Real food, good conversation, a fireplace…" "Why do you think I keep coming back here." Kathryn laughed softly. "When our mother died, Phoebe decided to remain here, her studio is in the back, and she was the one of us who truly loved it out here. I appreciate it, and enjoy it, but…" "You couldn't survive without your science labs." Chakotay grinned. "Or replicated coffee." "I'll be the first to admit I couldn't live here full time." She dug her elbow into his ribs, eliciting a yelp from him. "That's all right." Deanna giggled. "Will continues to claim Alaska is where we'll finally settle down." "Lots of fresh air, privacy, clean living…" he grinned. "Your mother would hate it." Deanna's expression grew thoughtful. "Well, now that you put it that way…" "Icy snow, excruciatingly long winters, temperatures lower than low." Kathryn added wryly. Deanna winced. "Good point." "We'll have LaBarre, and Caldos." Jean-Luc announced softly, his hand idly toying with Beverly's hair as she brushed out Naomi's long blonde locks. "Where's Caldos?" Naomi asked without turning. "It's a colony planet, about a week out from Earth." Beverly smiled. "My grandmother settled there, it's where I lived from when I was about your age until I went to the Academy. My grandmother's cottage is still there, my son has been using it from time to time. Or so he told me last week." "It's based on Scotland, here on Earth." Felisa stifled a yawn. "Lots of stories from there." "I've never been to Scotland." Naomi frowned slightly. "I've read about it though." "It's very mystical, magical." Beverly teased softly. "Scotland is based on many legends, quite a few of which made it to Caldos." "And here we go," Phoebe returned, carrying a tray. "Tea for Jean-Luc, Beverly, Will, and Chakotay, coffee for Kathryn, and hot chocolate for Felisa, Naomi, and Deanna." "Forget Alaska." Deanna took a swallow and sighed happily. "I'm moving in here." (end part 27) -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! 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