Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 20 Jan 2004 19:38:32 -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: 29/33 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" (29/33) By: Louise Ellis "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." "I'm fine." Beverly smiled slightly. "Really. It's still just a bit overwhelming, all of…this." His smile disappeared. "We should have gone back to the hotel so you could rest." "No, really," she shook her head. "I like being able to sit and watch people. It's just…" "Too much, too soon?" Still caressing her hand, he gazed at her intently. "Not really." She broke off as the waiter set their tea in front of them, then placed a plate of delicate pastries between them. When he left again, she continued. "I'm just not accustomed to things, to being able to go, and do…and make decisions about myself. I've not had to do that for so long." With her free hand, she lifted the tea to her lips and took a sip. "We should have waited before coming to Paris." Jean-Luc shook his head. "It's too soon, we should have remained in LaBarre, or at Kathryn's." "No," she turned her hand over in his grasp and laced her fingers through his. "It would have been so easy to remain hidden. I like this, being able to watch, observe…relearn what it means to be human again." Her eyes met his. "I remember coming with you to Paris after the Borg…we would sit and just watch. Two people watching people who didn't know who you were." "I remember." His eyes grew distant. "You didn't really give me an option. You dragged me to places where I would see life again." "And now you are giving me the opportunity to live again." She leaned forward and kissed him lightly. "I just sometimes need to take a breath and look around to get my bearings." "You will let me know when?" His eyebrow raised. "Of course." She released his hand and picked up one of the pastries, lifting it to his mouth and waiting until he took a bite to bring the other half to her mouth with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Tease." He chuckled after swallowing. "Seduction." She retorted, taking a sip of her tea. Halfway down to the table, her hand froze as her eyes widened. "Beverly?" Jean-Luc set his cup down and leaned forward. "Why is he here?" She whispered, unconsciously setting her cup down as she continued to stare over Jean-Luc's shoulder. "He's following us. I thought I saw him earlier, but thought it was my imagination." "Who's following us?" Twisting he followed her gaze until he saw a man leaning against a lamppost, watching them. Meeting Jean-Luc's eyes, he straightened and moved to join them. "Hello again." He gave a slight smile as he pulled out the third chair at their table. "Admiral." Jean-Luc responded tightly. "I would assume this is more than a chance meeting?" "Just happened to be in the area." He smiled at Beverly. "Commander." "Admiral." She whispered, eyes wide. "In the area." Jean-Luc echoed sardonically. "What a coincidence." "When did you notice me, Commander." Ignoring Jean-Luc's comment, he continued to stare at Beverly. "When we left the transport station, and again about an hour ago after we left a store." Her fingers were knotted together. "Why can't you just leave me alone?" "You have no authority to be following us." Jean-Luc glanced at Beverly before continuing. "We are aware of the occasional security sweeps for our safety, but have done nothing to warrant any surveillance." "Just curiosity, Admiral." He smiled and shook his head at the waiter, when the man approached the table. "Commander, you must forgive my interest. You're quite the contradiction." "Just leave me alone." Beverly shook her head slowly. "Please." Before Jean-Luc could add anything, the man leaned forward. "I apologize, and I will leave you the rest of the weekend. However, I did want to let you know that your attackers have been transported off of Earth, and are being returned to Cardassia, where they will stand trial. A Starfleet Security team is accompanying them, as is a consul." "He's gone?" Beverly blinked, focusing on him. "Back to Cardassia?" "Indeed." Abruptly, he stood, still smiling. "Enjoy your weekend…I hear the ballet is entertaining, and Commander, the green dress is stunning on you." She stared at him. "Thank you." As he turned and left without another word, they continued to stare after him. "Are you all right?" Jean-Luc cautiously reached out and touched her hand. Beverly stared in the direction the man had gone for a long moment, then turned to look at Jean-Luc. "Yes. I'd assumed we'd be under some sort of covert observation, probably for our own safety, I just don't understand why Admiral Whitecourt would be observing us himself." Jean-Luc let out a soft snort. "You do have an admirer there." When her eyes narrowed, he gently squeezed her hand. "In a good way. And from what I've heard, that's quite a bit safer that negative attention from him." "I'd rather not have his attention at all." She sighed. "Can we go to the hotel now?" "Of course." Lifting his hand, he signaled the waiter, then signed the check when it was brought. A minute later, they were moving down the sidewalk, his hand protectively on the small of her back. When they entered their suite at the hotel, Beverly stopped short, staring around the suite. "Jean-Luc…" "I thought you would like it." He watched her face as she took in the elaborate furnishings and the parcels on the table in one corner. Pulling her around to face him, he smiled. "Why don't you go take a bath, I'll put our purchases up while you relax." Beverly stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes. "You are amazing." Sliding her hands up around his neck, she leaned forward and kissed him as he held her. When they finally broke apart, she smiled at him. "I don't want a bath just yet." "Oh really?" He raised an eyebrow, "and what do you want to do?" Beverly caught his hand and gave a slight tug, leading him toward the double doors leading out to the balcony overlooking the city. "Out here." Pushing open the doors, she stepped onto the stone terrace and hesitated only a moment before continuing to a wide chaise lounge. "Here." "Here?" Jean-Luc chuckled, then sat on the edge, drawing her down with him. "I just want to lie here in the sun with you." She waited until he'd settled himself, then curled up next to him, her hand sliding across his chest as she sighed softly. "Comfortable?" Stroking her hair, he smiled down at her as she sighed again and settled closer against him. She'd gained back some needed weight, but still felt so light…so slender… "Yes." Beverly tightened her grip on his shirt, nestling into him and relaxing into his gentle stroking of her hair. Jean-Luc closed his eyes as well, enjoying the warm sunlight. When she spoke again, it was so soft, he almost missed it. "Cherie?" "So warm." She repeated, slightly louder. "The sun." "Is it too warm?" Concerned, he lifted his head. "No." Her lips twitched and she pressed down on his chest. "Stay there." "Very well." Relenting, he relaxed back into the cushions and waited. When she spoke again, she tilted her head slightly, so he could hear her. "It's so warm. It wasn't warm there. There was sun, a light, and it wasn't cold. But, it wasn't really warm at all. It was an illusion of light. And it was never quiet." She let out a soft sigh. "Not just industrial…but noises from people. And screams. Not constant, but the occasional ones. That was why…" When she remained silent for a long moment he spoke. "Why you taught her to shield." "Yes." Eyes shut, she continued. "It started as a way to try to tell her…show her about anywhere else but where we were. And to help her shut out what she could." "Visualization. Imagination." He nodded slightly. "And escape." Beverly added with a sigh. "Anywhere but there. And it gave me time…to gather myself. Do you know, she learned to use a plaser when she was five? She wanted to make me feel better. Five years old and she knew when I tried to keep it from her, when I was in so much pain I couldn't even sleep…when I would fight the tears…" "Shh." Trying to calm her, he tightened his arms around her. "Beverly, it's all right now…shh, Cherie." "I know, I know." Shuddering, she clung to him for some time in silence before finally beginning to relax in his embrace. "I needed you so much…" "Oh, Beverly." Her broken tone practically undid his tight control on his emotions. "Cherie, I'm here now. And I'm not going to leave you. Ever again." She nodded in his embrace. "I want you to rest now. Just rest, I'm here." Gently, he continued to stroke her back until he felt her relax into sleep, eventually following her into the velvety darkness. (end part 29) -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! 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