Forwarded by the ASC-VSO 
Posted: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 15:13:03 GMT  
In: alt.startrek.creative 
From: "Heather Smyth"  
 

Title: Vengeance From The Past
Author: Heather Smyth
Series: TNG
Part: 10/10
Rating: R
Code: P/C
Disclaimer: Paramount owns all Startrek and I derive no financial gain from
this story...just a little fun.
Summary: See part one.

        Two days later they had returned to his quarters after a busy day
for both of them. Jean-Luc now went without the use of the crutches whilst
within his cabin and was beginning to nag Beverly to let him try walking
sans braces.
"I just don't think it's a good idea Jean-Luc. It's too soon!"
"At least you could let me try! At this rate it'll be weeks before I get rid
of those damn braces! Jesus Beverly I hate it when you do this to me!"
"Do what to you? Do you think I do this deliberately? What sort of Doctor do
you think I am? I have only your wellbeing in mind and I deeply resent any
suggestion from you that's to the contrary. You can be such a pain in the
arse sometimes Jean-Luc."
They stood toe to toe, each glaring at the other.
He relented. Sighing, he closed his eyes and held her shoulders.
"I'm sorry Beverly. It's.it's just that."
"I know Jean-Luc, I understand.really I do. Tell you what.how about we try
tomorrow, in the physiotherapy room? That way we can have help on hand."
"In case I fall flat on my face you mean?"
"Well it could happen."
He nodded and sighed.
"Very well, I concede. We'll do it your way."




       The next day Jean-Luc left the Bridge and entered the turbolift on
his way to Sickbay. As he leaned against the wall, he stared down at his
feet.
"This should be interesting."
He walked into Sickbay and was greeted by Beverly's trusted assistant,
Alyssa Ogawa.
"Hello Captain, Doctor Crusher is waiting for you in the therapy room."
He nodded his thanks and made his way into the vast room where he found
Beverly and an orderly waiting for him.
She gestured him to move over to the parallel bars. Taking off his trousers,
his braces were removed and he stood in his socks, holding on to the bars.
"Ok Captain, you know what to do, just take it slowly."
He nodded and took a deep breath. Stepping forward, he paused and stifled a
grimace as pain shot up his right leg.
"Are you ok?"
He frowned and shot Beverly a warning look. She bit her lip, but said
nothing further. Taking more tentative steps, he moved along the length of
the bars and turned slowly at their end. Again he refocussed his
concentration and stepped out, gaining confidence with each step. Becoming
cocky, he let go of the bars and took three steps when suddenly his right
ankle rolled. With a cry of pain he pitched forward and rolled onto his
side.
"Fuck!"
Unused to hearing him use such an expletive, the startled Doctor rushed to
him with a tricorder. She scanned the ankle and instructed her helper to
retrieve an analgesic hypospray and a tissue regenerator.
"Hold on Jean-Luc, I'll have it fixed in no time."
He said nothing, just stayed on his side, trembling with pain.
The orderly returned and Beverly administered treatment. True to her word,
the pain was banished and the injury repaired.
"There now. Would you like to stand up?"
He spoke for the first time.
"What I would like is to return to the Bridge, thank you Doctor."
Beverly bowed her head and frowned.
"As you wish Captain."
Soon back in his braces and trousers, Jean-Luc picked up his crutches and
left the room without another word.

Later that night Jean-Luc walked slowly into his quarters and was surprised
to find himself alone. He called out for Beverly but was answered with
silence. He raised his head and enquired,
"Computer, location of Doctor Crusher?"
"Doctor Crusher is in her quarters."
He checked the time and, finding it quite late, again accessed the computer.
"Computer, is Doctor Crusher asleep?"
"Bio readouts show Doctor Crusher to be awake."
He thought for just a moment before he left his cabin, heading for Beverly.
The first chime went unanswered. The second barely ended when the door
sighed open.
They stood in silence, watching each other. Beverly lowered her head and
stood back.
"You want to come in?"
He said nothing, but entered her cabin. He walked to the sofa and turned his
head.
"Is it all right if I sit down?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
In silence he sat, placing the crutches by his side. After an awkward
silence he cleared his throat.
"You weren't in my quarters when I came in."
"No."
"Why?"
"After this afternoon I thought you didn't want any company."
He scowled and rubbed his hands on his thighs.
"Yes.I'm sorry about that, I was a little.annoyed."
"A little?"
"Alright, I was pissed off I admit it.however I shouldn't have taken it out
on you. For that I apologise.sincerely."
Beverly came to him and eased herself down onto the sofa. Taking his hand,
she bobbed her head to peep under his brow.
"What made you so angry?"
"Twisting my damn ankle. On top of everything else.it was just too much. It
hurt and I'd had enough. I wanted to demonstrate to you that I could walk
unaided and."
"But you did."
"What?"
"You did Jean-Luc. Yes you rolled your ankle but before that happened, I
think you were doing marvellously.far better than I thought you would, in
fact I am thinking of extending your therapy to include more unaided
walking. What do you think?"
A smile slowly spread across his face eventually becoming a rare full grin.
"What I think is that I have a wonderful Doctor, best friend and".he kissed
her softly. "lover."
She raised a hand and caressed his face.
"Have you eaten"
"No, but I'm not hungry.for food anyway."
She chuckled and rubbed his chest.
"Your incorrigible."
"Uh huh. Come to bed."
She leaned in and kissed him deeply before pulling back and nodding slowly.
They rose from the sofa and made their way to her bedroom, spending the next
hour in delicious ecstasy. They eventually ate dinner in bed.





          Over the next two weeks Jean-Luc's therapy consisted of walking
unaided and he started to go without his crutches while on duty. Beverly
decided the brace on his left leg could come off and he strengthened the
legs with weight bearing exercises both in therapy and in the privacy of his
quarters. Swimming was continued, although to keep his mind on the job,
Beverly stayed out of the water. She was a little surprised with his next
request.
"Fencing?"
"Yes, fencing."
"Jean-Luc I don't think."
"Beverly hear me out. What I propose is a holodeck opponent. I can call up
something easy and just go through the motions.nothing too strenuous."
"But your right leg is."
"Weaker, I know.but what better way to strengthen it? I still have the brace
and I won't put too much strain on it.please Beverly?"
She thought for a few moments and came to a decision.
"Ok, but I want to be there."
He frowned and was going to shake his head when she said quietly,
"It's that or nothing Jean-Luc."
He looked her in the eye and nodded once.
"Very well."





            They entered the holosuite together and Beverly couldn't help
but notice how handsome he was in his fencing outfit, it accentuated certain
parts of his anatomy and she enjoyed surreptitiously peeking at it.
He had programmed an appropriate venue and Beverly took a chair to one side
and watched with interest as he took position on the track. His opponent was
immobile until he raised his epee and called,
"En garde!"
His holodeck opponent raised his sword and the bout began. True to his word,
he'd programmed an easy bout, but it still tested him. Every time he lunged
forward, his right leg trembled and pain slithered up and down his shin. He
ignored it and continued, winning the bout. He cast a look at Beverly and
called for another partner, this one a level higher in difficulty.
The contest was harder and took longer, but again he was victorious. Sweat
was beginning to run down his face under the mask and he was breathing hard.
He made sure his voice was strong when he ordered the next bout, again a
level higher.
"Jean-Luc."
He shook his head and Beverly quietened, shifting uneasily in her chair.
This time his opponent scored three hits before Jean-Luc was able to defeat
him. He stood still, panting, his hands on his thighs.
"Jean-Luc I think that's enough for now."
He straightened and shook his head. He was about to order another opponent
when Beverly stood and walked over to him. She gently squeezed his arm and
gestured for him to remove the mask. She was shocked at his appearance.
"Ok that's it, enough."
"Wait." he panted. "I'm not finished."
"Oh yes you are! Look at you, you're exhausted."
He shook his arm free and hefted the epee.
"I'm fine Beverly, I just want to."
"I know what you want to do and I'm not going to let you. What are you
tyring to prove?"
"Nothing! I just want to."
"No!"
He flung the mask across the room, followed closely by the epee. He then
stalked to the chair and slumped into it.
Beverly pinched the bridge of her nose and took a large breath. She
sauntered over to him and squatted at his knees.
"How's the pain?"
He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.
"Want something for it?"
She could see the muscles of his jaw clench as he fought his internal
battle. His eyes snapped open and he gave a curt nod. The hypospray appeared
from her coat pocket and she tipped his head to one side to administer it.
He sighed, his balled fists relaxing, his tense shoulders lowering. Beverly
gently rubbed his leg, waiting for him to recover himself. When he was
ready, he spoke.
"I just want it over. I want things to be as they were.before all this."
"I know Jean-Luc, I understand.really.and it will be ok, I promise. Just a
little longer.be patient just a little bit longer."
"Patient? I've been patient dammit! How much longer Beverly? When will my
fucking leg stop hurting?"
Beverly closed her eyes and let his anger wash over her, knowing he needed
the release. Instead of answering him, she gathered his arms and coaxed him
to his feet and led him out of the holodeck. They ambled slowly through the
corridors to his quarters and, once inside, she directed him to the bathroom
where she undressed him, then herself and ran a hot bath. He let her usher
him into the tub and when she settled in front of him, he reached for her,
but she caught his hands and kissed them before placing them on his thighs.
She washed his body gently as he rested his head on the folded towel behind
him and drifted off to sleep as she massaged his right leg.
He awoke to find her gone but the smell of food told him where she was. He
exited the bath and dried himself, finding his robe waiting for him. As he
entered the bedroom he could hear Beverly quietly humming to herself as she
set out the evening meal.
"That smells lovely.what is it?"
She raised her head and brushed back and errant strand of lustrous red hair.
Smiling at him, she gestured to the table.
"Pasta Alfredo and hot crusty bread."
"Sounds delightful, thank you."
Without the brace on his leg, he walked carefully to the table and seated
Beverly, then took his own seat. He watched her serve herself and when she
offered the dish, he shook his head and took her hands instead.
"I know I seem to be saying this with monotonous regularity, but I'm sorry
Beverly. I'm sorry I lost my temper, I'm sorry I get so impatient and I'm
sorry I take it out on you."
She tilted her head and made a show of considering his contrition.
Eventually she smiled softly as tears glistened in her lovely blue eyes.
"I forgive you Jean-Luc. I understand what you're going through and I also
understand how hard it's been for you. A man like you doesn't easily give up
control to others and I know you've been trying.very hard.to stick with the
therapy and all I've asked of you.
It won't be long now I promise and you can blow that brace out the airlock
and never see it again. Just a little while longer."
He released her hands and covered his face with his own. She could see his
shoulders shake and left her chair to kneel beside him.
"It's ok Jean-Luc, let it out."
He buried his head in her shoulder as the sobs overtook him. His arms
encircled her and he pulled her close, his whole body trembling with his
distress. It was some minutes until he regained his composure. He pulled
back from her and bowed his head, embarrassed by his breakdown. Beverly left
him briefly and returned with a handkerchief, which he took gratefully and
blew his nose. She left him alone and dished up some dinner for him then
took her seat and began to eat.
He took his cue and picked up his fork, but before he ate, he said quietly.
"Thank you my love."




         Ten days later Beverly took the brace and handed it to him. He
raised his eyebrows and questioned.
"Does this mean.?"
"Yep. Want to go to the airlock?"
He laughed and turned the brace over in his hands.
"That's not necessary Doctor, but you could put it in the deepest darkest
cupboard you have. I never want to see it again!"
Beverly rested her arms on his shoulders and touched her forehead to his.
"Done my love. How does it feel to be whole again?"
"Wait 'til later tonight and I'll show you."
"That's just what I wanted to hear. I love you Jean-Luc."
"And I you, mon coeur."
She stood back from him and ran a finger down his chest.
"It's been quite a journey hasn't it?"
"It has indeed, one I couldn't have made without you. You've been my
touchstone, my calm place in the storm. I don't know what I would have done
without you."
"Have you learned anything?"
He thought for a while and frowned, lowering his head.
"Patience, tolerance.the ability to let others help. They were difficult
lessons to learn."
"I think you're a better man for learning them."
He looked up and smiled mischievously.
"Well.as long as some good has come out of it all."
She slapped his arm and laughed.
"You're incorrigible!"
"So you've said."



--
Stephen Ratliff
ASC Awards Tech Support

http://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/commenting/

No Tribbles were harmed in the running of these Awards

ASCL is a stories-only list, no discussion.  Comments and feedback should be directed to alt.startrek
.creative or directly to the author. 

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:
     http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 


From ???@??? Wed Mar 24 00:20:05 2004
X-Persona: 
Status:  U
Return-Path: 
Received: from n34.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.102])
	by tanager (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1b60Oe2xY3NZFmQ0
	for ; Tue, 23 Mar 2004 21:20:10 -0800 (PST)
X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-13317-1080105609-stephenbratliffasc=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yah