Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 20 Jan 2004 19:37:17 -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: 28/33 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" (28/33) By: Louise Ellis "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." "The love of my life lost to hot chocolate." Will sighed melodramatically. "Face it Will, her first love has always been chocolate." Beverly took a sip of her tea and set it to the side before returning her attention to Naomi's hair. "Do you want a braid like Felisa's?" "Yes, please." She twisted slightly, smiling up at Beverly. "Straight then." Beverly turned Naomi's head, then pulled the brush through Naomi's hair. "Are you sure you two will be all right here this weekend?" "We'll have plenty for them to do." Phoebe settled back down in her chair with her cup. "The lake should be warm enough for swimming, and there's always the puppies, and picnics…" "And hiking and exploring." Kathryn smiled. "We'll be fine." "We will, Maman." Felisa smiled up at her mother sleepily. "And I can call you whenever I want. None of the Admirals will have any questions for me this weekend, so I can play." "Very well." Beverly managed a slight smile. "I'll take care of her." As Beverly finished the braid, Naomi twisted again, looking up at her. "Really, I will." "I believe you." Beverly touched Naomi's cheek and smiled. "There you go." "Thank you." Naomi stood and moved to the mirror, looking at the braid. "I like it like this." "You are very welcome." Beverly set the brush to the side and picked her tea up as Naomi returned to her seat by Chakotay. "So you like the Prep School?" "It's okay." Naomi shrugged. "I learned a lot before we got back, so I was able to skip some of the classes. I like it because I can choose what kind of courses I want to take, besides the required ones. And the other students are okay." "Naomi is second in her class." Kathryn put in proudly. "I get to start piloting classes next year." She smiled, "except Tom already taught me the basics." "Tom Paris?" Jean-Luc winced as Kathryn laughed. "B'lanna was there too, so he couldn't teach me too much." Naomi admitted. "At least it wasn't you." Kathryn looked up at Chakotay. "They couldn't loose a shuttle." "I haven't lost one since we returned." He frowned at her. I'm sure there's a fascinating story behind that." Beverly smiled and set her cup to the side. "But, I think Felisa needs to go on up to bed." Jean-Luc chuckled and stood, then picked up Felisa who'd fallen asleep curled up next to Beverly, her empty hot chocolate mug dangling from her hand. "Her cup…" he warned, then smiled as Beverly rescued it. "I'll go up with you." Naomi stood, "good night everyone." "We'll see you in the morning." Beverly smiled and set her cup, Jean- Luc's, and Felisa's back on the tray before following Naomi and Jean-Luc up the stairs. As Naomi pulled the door open, Beverly moved past them and pulled out Felisa's pajamas. After Jean-Luc set a sleepily protesting Felisa down on the bed, he nodded at Beverly, then left the room. "Here we go, cherie. Change into your pajamas." "Not tired." Felisa mumbled as Beverly smiled, then helped her change into the pajamas. "And remember," Beverly glanced at Naomi. "She may have a nightmare, just call us if you need help with anything." "We'll be fine." Naomi pulled the covers down on Felisa's bed, then helped Beverly ease into the bed. "Right Felisa?" "Be fine." Felisa sighed softly and rolled over. "Very well." Beverly bent over her daughter and kissed her forehead as Jean-Luc returned, carrying a glass of water, which he set on the nightstand. "Good night, cherie." "Good night." Jean-Luc echoed as he caught Beverly's hand and kissed Felisa as well. "Naomi, let us know if you need anything." "I will, good night." Naomi watched them leave the room, then began to get ready for bed. "I like Naomi." Beverly said as they closed their bedroom door. "And it's nice for Felisa to have someone close to her age here." "They do seem to have bonded." Jean-Luc agreed, pulling her around and into his arms. "Feel better?" "Mmm." She smiled at him, running her hands up his chest and around his neck. "Feel you." "I made the reservations this afternoon." He lifted an eyebrow. "I hope you'll agree with what I've planned." "I'm sure I will." She let a finger run along the top of his collar. "Should I bring my brand new medkit?" "You never know when you'll need to practice." He chuckled. "Did I mention we'll stop in at LaBarre for a brief visit, then on to Paris for shopping, and the ballet?" "The ballet?" Her eyes widened. "Really?" "Really." He leaned forward and kissed her gently. "And two days to ourselves." "In Paris." She sighed softly and rested her head against his chest. "And Felisa safe here." "Remember on the deck yesterday morning?" He nuzzled her hair. "Everything I promised to do to you?" When she shuddered in his arms and let out a low moan, he chuckled. "I see you do. The offer still stands." "It better." Beverly lifted her head. "We leave in the morning?" "Mmm." He lifted her hair and inspected her neck. "I see you've spent some time with your…tools." "Kate did." Her lips twitched. "She was quite pleased to hear we…" He drew back and stared at her. "You told her about last night?" "Not the details." Her cheeks flushed. "And the…evidence spoke for itself." "I am glad you have your own kit now." He groaned and kissed her. "Bed?" "Bed." She agreed, stepping back with a smile. "And tomorrow, Paris." ****** The next afternoon, Beverly stepped out of a fitting room and smiled shyly. "Well?" Jean-Luc turned to gaze at her and froze, his lips curving up in a slow smile. "Absolutely perfect." "You think?" Nervously, she ran a hand down her side, smoothing the soft fabric. "It's so…" "So what?" Moving to face her, he caught the wandering hand and squeezed it. "It's beautiful on you." "I like the color." Which Beverly did, the soft material had an iridescent sheen to it under the darker green tone. "And the collar." "High enough?" He teased, as the collar was nonexistent, the neckline dipping down in a drape, exposing her cleavage. Turning her to look in the mirror, his smile widened. "You look beautiful." Beverly eyed the dress for another minute, then smiled. "You make me feel that way." "Go change, so we can…" he leaned toward her ear so the hovering salesperson couldn't overhear, "start back toward our hotel, and I can get started on that list of things I mentioned to you." "Right back." Beverly released his hand and returned to the fitting room. By the time she returned, having given the dress to an attendant to wrap, he was waiting, several other parcels on the counter next to him, the sight of which caused her eyes to widen. "Jean-Luc…" "Just a few more things." He teased, wrapping an arm around her waist as she stared at the parcels. "But, all we've done today is buy things for me." She glanced at him. "I'll never wear all of these things, I only need a dress or two, that's all." "You'll find time to wear them, sooner or later." Jean-Luc leaned back toward her ear as the sales person set the package with the dress in it with the other things. "And we did find a few things for you that are actually for me." When she closed her eyes, blushing, he glanced back at the sales person. "You can have them delivered to the Paris Grand for us?" "Immediately, Monsieur Picard." She nodded, a slight smile on her face. "It has been a pleasure." "Thank you for your help." Beverly managed softly. "Yes, thank you." Jean-Luc returned her nod, then led Beverly toward the door. As they exited, he caught sight of a small café. "Would some tea help?" She glanced at him gratefully. "Yes, then back to the hotel?" "Whatever you wish, Madame." Leading her to the table, he seated her before moving around the table to sit. When the waiter came over, he ordered two teas and something Beverly missed before returning his attention to her. "Beverly?" "Hmm?" She'd been watching the people strolling past the café, and looked back at him. "Sorry?" "You went away there." He lifted and eyebrow as he reached across and took her hand. Stroking it, he frowned. "Your hands are like ice." (end part 28) -- 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 n20.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.76]) by kite (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aKxyg5iu3NZFkD1 for ; Sat, 24 Jan 2004 15:50:56 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12984-1074988133-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.