Star Trek
The Next Generation
The Captain and the Doctor
A Marrissa Story

By Stephen Ratliff



Prologue

     The Enterprise-E was just days from launch when Captain
Jean-Luc Picard convened the status meeting.  Lieutenant
Commander Worf had arrived from Deep Space Nine, per the
Captain's request to serve as Chief of Security for the first
mission of the new Enterprise.  After the mission he would of
coarse be returning to Deep Space Nine.  Lieutenant Commander
Data and Lieutenant Commander La Forge had been working out the
problems on the new Enterprise for nearly a month.  
     The rest of the crew, Captain included, had been using some
of their accumulated shore leave.  Counselor Troi was just back
from Betazed, where she had been fending off her mothers attempts
at matchmaking.  Commander Riker had just returned from Risa. 
Lieutenant Marrissa Picard had just returned from a school in the
former United States where she had been recruiting for Starfleet. 
Doctor Beverly Crusher had spent the last month, according to the
Counselor in a small village away from it all.  Captain Picard
had spent the time in his hometown, settling the affairs at his
families vineyard.  
     The observation lounge of the Enterprise-E was different
than the one on the D.  The dimensions where about the same,
however, instead of tan it was a blue-gray color.  Along the
inside walls, there were six spaces for paintings.  The first
five where of the most famous crews of each Enterprise.  The last
was covered, as Captain Picard was still waiting for the final
staff assignments before he completed it.  
     The table in the center of the room around which the crew
was arranged was shaped like the one on the D, but that was all
that was alike.  The table top was of a navy blue tinted glass,
where the old had been black.  The sides where edged in a six
inch strip of oak.  The supports which on the D had been granite,
where of the same oak as the edging.
     The people sitting around the table had not changed much
however.  Captain Picard was still at the head, ready to receive
the opinions of his crew.  Commander Riker was still at his left,
ready willing and able to assist.  Lieutenant Commander Data had
changed a bit, his face now boasted signs of his new emotions
chip, in the form of smile that graced his face.  Next in line
was Lieutenant Commander Worf, now in red.  At the end of the
table sat the newest edition to the Command Crew, Lieutenant
Marrissa Picard, Chief CONN officer.  Her hair was pulled back in
her usual ponytail, the quickest way she could fix her long blond
hair on a bad hair day.  Beginning the run back up the other side
was Lieutenant Commander La Forge, scanning his PADDs full of up
dates on the new ship.  Next was the Ship's Counselor, Commander
Deanna Troi, in full uniform projecting an image of peace.  Back
next to the Captain, the Doctor sat.  A smile graced the lips of
the red haired sprite, Doctor Beverly Crusher had something up
her sleeve.
     "Lets get down to business, Ladies and Gentlemen," Captain
Picard said.  "Commander Riker, crew status?"
     "All those who are scheduled to arrive before our mission
have arrived," Commander Riker reported.  "All crew members are
back from shore leave."
     "Doctor, crew health?" Picard asked.
     "The only problem we've encountered is a rash caused by the
new bed padding," Doctor Crusher replied.  "I've asked Commander
La Forge to see about getting some of the old padding."
     "Commander?"
     "Star Fleet informs me that the old padding type will arrive
within the hour," Commander La Forge replied.
     "Thank you Commander," Doctor Picard replied.
     "Now Commander La Forge, you promised me a fully operational
starship in two weeks, I gave you a month, so is my ship ready?"
Captain Picard asked.
     "Fortunately, yes Captain," La Forge replied smiling.  "If
she performs like she tests the Enterprise will go Warp 10 and
stop on a dime."
     "Query Geordi, stop on a dime?" Data asked.
     "Old Earth expression meaning to stop quickly," La Forge
replied.  
     "Oh, to end, to halt, to come to a stand still ..."
     "That's enough Data," Picard interrupted.
     "Have I been babbling again?" Data asked.
     "Yes, but it's nice to know something's don't change,"
Commander Riker replied.
     "Speaking of change, the Doctor and I have an announcement,"
Captain Picard said, as he took the Doctor's hand.  "Beverly has
accepted my proposal, as soon as we can find another Captain we
will be getting married."
     "Congratulations, Captain, Beverly," Counselor Troi replied,
bubbling over.  
     "Congratulations, Captain, Doctor," Commander Riker said. 
"When did this come about."
     "Will, I guess I did a better job hiding my affections than
I though," Captain Picard replied.
     "No, not really Captain, I need to know the date of your
proposal so I can award the Crew Betting pool on the subject,"
Commander Riker said.
     "Two days ago, Commander," Captain Picard replied, then
getting stern he continued, "And how long has this pool been
going on, and how much is in it?"
     "The first entry is for Stardate 43057, by Nurse Ogawa,"
Riker replied.  "The current pot is 5768 credits.  Mister Data, I
believe you know who our winner is."
     "Lieutenant Marrissa Picard has Stardate 48570, Commander,"
Data replied.
     "Marrissa, what did I tell you about gambling?" Captain
Picard replied.
     "Dad, I only bought one date," Marrissa replied.  "And I won
the credit at the poker game you brought me too."
     "Well, if that's the case, I guess I can let it go," Captain
Picard said.  "Now if you don't mind, the Doctor and I have some
things we need to attend too."  The Doctor and the Captain left
the room.
     "So, Marrissa how did you guess that date," Riker asked. 
"After all you bought the date six months ago."
     "Observation and prediction, Commander, nothing more,"
Marrissa replied smiling.
     "Observation, Lieutenant?" Commander Riker inquired.
     "Observation," Marrissa stated firmly, not willing to
elaborate more anywhere other than her Personal Logs.

Chapter One
The First Indication

     Marrissa had just gotten back from the Maine with her new
Ensign's pip when she first encountered it.  While she and the
Captain, her new adoptive father had settled in to the remodeled
quarters, Marrissa had been surprised when the Doctor stopped by. 

     "Just checking to see if you and Marrissa are settling in,"
the Doctor had said.
     "I think we are getting on fine," the Captain had replied. 
     "We still on for our usual breakfast?" the Doctor inquired.
     "I don't see any reason why not," her adoptive father
replied.
     It had seemed innocent enough, a regular breakfast between
two Star Fleet Officers, discussing the crew, the days events,
the usual for such morning meetings.  But Marrissa quickly
noticed something as she ate her toast with strawberry jam and
drank her strawberry juice.  There was a undercurrent of tension,
of something they where trying to hold back.
     Marrissa excused herself, and left early for class.  All the
while puzzling, what was going on between her father, the Captain
and the Doctor?

     The next day she stayed longer, her class that day beginning
much later.  When the Doctor and the Captain left she noticed
their exiting comments, "Good day Jean-Luc," and "I'll see you on
the Bridge later, I hope Beverly."  Marrissa then figured they
were just friends.  Or perhaps she was just seeing a stage in the
relationship, a stage which would change to something different. 
She went back to studying, this was a puzzle she had plenty of
time to study, after all Captain Jean-Luc Picard her father now. 

     Later in that week, Commander Riker assigned her as Alpha
Shift CONN Officer for a weeks trial.  Ensign Picard, as she was
referred to on the bridge had a new field to observe the Captain
and the Doctor.  
     She noted that when the Doctor was expected to stay in
Sickbay and their was nothing interesting going on, the Captain
spent most of Alpha shift in his Ready Room.  However, the moment
the Doctor arrived the Captain was on the Bridge, ready to chat,
to hear what ever the Doctor had to say.  Even occasional retreat
back to the Ready Room for a more intimate chat.
     Maybe they where better friends that she thought, the
Captain and the Doctor.

     After a month the Captain and the Doctor came in to conflict
as two officers in their positions often do.  The Doctor had
beamed down to assist some injured villagers on some nameless
planet when Data noted that the dam upstream was about to burst. 
The Doctor would not leave until the last of her patients were
safely away.
     When the Doctor had returned, she reported to the Captain in
his quarters, Marrissa listening at the door.
     "Doctor, I do not want to see nor hear of you pulling such a
delaying tactic again," the Captain lectured.
     "Captain, do not tell me how to do my job and I will not
tell you how to do yours," was the Doctors angry reply.
     The Captain paused ... and thought for a moment.  ""You were
only doing you job," he conceded.  "But you could have been
killed ... you only got out of there with a minute to spare."
     "How come you except a minute to spare from Geordi, Data,
and Worf," the Doctor replied.  "But can't grant that to me, I'm
just doing my job, just like them."
     "Perhaps it's because I care," was the Captain's response,
as Marrissa withdrew into her room.  There were times to leave
the Captain and the Doctor alone.

     Marrissa considered the Doctor with care, after all if this
relationship was going where she thought it was, the Doctor would
be her mother to be.  She considered the Doctors talents ... no
former Chief of Starfleet Medical could be considered second
rate.  She considered calling up Wesley to ask about the Doctor
as a mother, but decided that could wait.  The Captain and the
Doctor weren't going that fast.

Chapter Two
The Fire is Lit.

     Marrissa figured she'd grow up on the Enterprise-D, but,
alas it was not fated to be.  The Enterprise-D crashed and
burned, like her cousin Rene, and Uncle Robert, just a week
before.  
     That crash, no those deaths in France, that was what changed
the relationship between the Captain and the Doctor.  Marrissa
had seen the tears in his eyes when he had learnt that Robert was
dead with his son Rene.  She knew the tears she saw when the
Captain found the remains of the Enterprise-D where not for the
ship, not even for the late Captain Kirk.  No the tears where for
Rene, the last male Picard.  She knew that her company gave him
solace, that at least until she married, there would be another
Picard, even though she carried none of his blood.  
     But Marrissa knew better by the time they arrived in France
to settle Robert's affairs.  The Captain needed more than she
could provide.  He needed the Doctor.  She decided to talk to the
Counselor.  
     Marrissa caught up with Counselor Troi at Starfleet Command,
just outside the Academy.  "Counselor, a word if you will,"
Marrissa hailed.
     "Certainly, Marrissa," Deanna Troi replied.  "You know
Marrissa, you are picking up your father's manner of speaking."
     "I take that as a compliment," Marrissa replied.  "Just as
long as I haven't caught that English accent of his.  A Frenchman
with an English accent."
     "That is a little odd," Troi conceded.  "Now what did you
want to talk about."
     "The relationship between the Captain and the Doctor,"
Marrissa said.  "You know more about it than I do.  After all
I've only been his daughter for a little less than a year."
     "Your father has always had an attraction to Beverly," Troi
began.  "The doctor has had one at least since she returned from
her turn as Head of Star Fleet Medical."
     "I know that," Marrissa replied.  "I want to know why it
hasn't gone anywhere."
     "Doctor Crusher has been waiting for the Captain's first
move," Deanna Troi noted.  "As for the Captain, I think their are
many reasons.  For instance his reluctance to have attachments
with those under his command..."
     "...due to the fact that such attachments may effect his
judgment," Marrissa finished.  "I've encountered that one.  It's
why he said he didn't want me to get my Ensigns pip.  I'll
probably have to do something spectacular to get my full
lieutenancy."
     "Then their is the fact that he doesn't want to risk their
friendship," Troi pointed out.  "Its not an uncommon excuse."
     "Yes, but something better happen soon," Marrissa responded. 
"Dad's depressed, the death of his brother and nephew Rene hit
him hard.  He spends most of his time up in the attic, looking
though the old junk, crying.  He needs to get out, get involved. 
Kinda like you got me into getting the Kid's Crew in shape and
fully organized after my parents death.  Only their is no ship
for to keep Dad busy."
     "So you think that getting him interested in the Doctor may
do the trick," Troi concluded.  "Not a bad idea, and they have
wanted the relationship for quite some time.  If anything now is
the best time we could hope.  Say Marrissa do you need a new
dress?"
     "New dress, I don't own a dress," Marrissa replied, some
what puzzled.
     "Good, so does the Doctor,"  Troi replied.  "Ask the Captain
to take you to Paris to get you a dress.  Then around one, stop
at the Cafe de'Amour on the Seine, get seated and then excuse
yourself to go wash your hands.  Don't return, sneak out the
back, I'll arrange the rest."
     "Aye, Aye, Commander," Marrissa replied.

     The next mourning Marrissa convinced the Captain to take her
shopping for a dress in Paris.  The Captain went along, not
really caring.  They spent the morning, Marrissa unsatisfied with
each dress.  Then around one, Marrissa suggested a break.  The
Captain agreed and soon they were at the Cafe de'Amuor.
     "Let's sit over there," Marrissa suggested, indicating a
seat over looking the river.  They took the seat and the waiters
came to take there order.  
     "What will you have, sir and madam," the waiter asked.
     "Tea, Earl Gray, hot," the Captain said without enthusiasm.
     Marrissa added, "some crescent rolls and I'll have your
herbal tea."  Then noticing the approaching Counselor, she
excused herself and said, "Excuse me, can you show me to  your
restroom?"
     "Most certainly, Madam," the waiter replied.
     As she left the table, the Counselor and the Doctor entered
the Cafe de'Amuor.  The Doctor was saying, "Deanna, why did you
insist on me wearing this dress?"
     "Beverly, this is Paris, you're of duty, and the uniform
looks out of place," Deanna Troi replied.  At that, the
Counselor's communicator chirped.  She tapped it and said,
"Commander Deanna Troi, here."
     "Counselor, Admiral Necheyev needs to see you right away,"
Commander Riker's voice replied.
     "I'll be right there, Troi out," Deanna replied.  "Sorry
Beverly, Necheyev wants my opinion on yet another ex-Enterprise
officer.  But, I see the Captain over there, why don't you join
him for lunch."
     Across the room, Marrissa noticed with satisfaction the
Doctor's arrival, and turned to the waiter.  "Sir, I'll be
leaving now, give the herbal tea to that red headed lady that
just joined my father," Marrissa said.  Then taking some paper
out of her purse, she continued, "When they leave, hand them
these.  Oh and charge their bill to Lieutenant Marrissa Picard,
Star Fleet, San Francisco."

     Doctor Crusher, meanwhile, joined the Captain,  "Is this
seat taken, Jean-Luc," she asked.
     The Captain noticeably brightened.  "No, Beverly, is not,
but Marrissa was here some where."
     The waiter returned, setting the tea, herbal and earl gray,
in front of them.  The doctor turned toward the waiter, thinking
to order some tea, when she realized it was already there.  She
began to suspect something was up.  "And what will you have to
eat," the waiter asked.
     The Captain and the Doctor ordered lunch, and sat back to
enjoy the meal.  The talk wandered from topic to topic, as such
conversations often do, until they realized it was late
afternoon.  Marrissa had never returned, having left out the
back.  
     "Beverly, would you care join me for dinner?" Jean-Luc
asked.
     "Certainly, Jean-Luc, but I think we've been set up," the
Doctor replied.
     "Waiter, check," the Captain asked.  When it was delivered,
with a couple of tickets, he read it.  "I know we have."  He read
from the bill.  "Bill charged to Lieutenant Marrissa Picard, Star
Fleet, San Francisco.  And apparently, she's treating us to King
Lear."
     "Well I don't see anyway I'm passing up good drama," the
Doctor replied.
     "I certainly don't want to miss a Royal Shakespearean
production of a work of Shakespeare," the Captain replied.  
     "Marrissa set us up good," the Doctor commented, laughing
     "Oh yes, but is she ready for the consequences?" the Captain
rejoined.

     They spent a long evening at first the dinner then at the
late night play.  The Captain returned to the vineyard late that
night, promising another such date the next day.  Looking in on
his daughter, before going to bed, thinking.  I wonder if she
knew what she was starting.
     The next morning at breakfast, Marrissa chatted happily,
"Dad, Star Fleet wants me to do some recruiting for them. 
Apparently the number of humans applying to Star Fleet is down."
     "Nothing off planet, I hope," the Captain responded.
     "No, most of the High Schools are in the former United
States," Marrissa responded.  "Its a little funny though,  I'll
be recruiting people to join Star Fleet that are 4 to 6 years
older than me."
     "That is strange, but then again you are the youngest
Lieutenant in Star Fleet," her father concluded.  "Just be home
in time for dinner.  Its going to be awful lonely here"
     "I will," Marrissa responded, smiling.  "I'm sure you'll
find something to relieve the boredom."

     So the next few weeks progressed with a knowing growing
warmth, the Captain and Doctor spending more and more time with
each other.  Marrissa checked in, every once in a while.  Her
bright young face was a smile from ear to ear, at the success her
plan had made.  

     Within a month, the Doctor was staying at the Picard home. 
As Marrissa suspected the time was drawing near, she contacted,
Commander La Forge and suggested some tests he should run on the
new Enterprise.  The Commander was impressed with her idea, and
called the Captain.
     The next night at dinner, the Captain asked,  "Marrissa, if
you're done with that recruiting tour that Star Fleet had you on,
Commander La Forge would like your assistance in running some
tests on the impluse engines."
     "Today was my last, Cave Spring High in Roanoke, Virginia,"
Marrissa replied.  "So I'm free to go where ever I'm needed."
     "Good, a shuttle will pick you up tomorrow," the Captain
concluded, smiling at the Doctor.

     As Marrissa prepared to enter the shuttle the next day, the
Captain pulled her aside.  "Marrissa," he said.
     "Yes, Dad," she replied.
     "Before you go, I must ask, is it all right with you if I
marry the Doctor?" the Captain asked.
     "Of coarse," Marrissa replied.  "I've been expecting it for
some time."

     The Captain discounted it, but Marrissa knew that if it
wasn't for her push, the Captain and the Doctor wouldn't be about
to become Captain and Doctor Picard.

Chapter Three
The Actual Proposal

     Captain Jean-Luc Picard had spent the whole afternoon making
sure everything was ready.  He had never proposed to anyone
before and he wanted everything to be all right.  The dining room
was spotless, the polished brash was gleaming and on the mahogany
table the families good silverware was arrayed.  The steak dinner
was set out, and the dessert tray, was waiting off to the side,
covered with its silver lid.
     He was dressed in a formal tux, black with a white tie,
stifling to say the least.  The Doctor, entered, in a tight green
dress, having been told this was a formal occasion.  No one was
ever more beautiful than Doctor Beverly Crusher, the Captain
professed.  The Doctor felt that no man was ever as handsome as
Captain Jean-Luc Picard, as he sat her at the table.
     The meal proceeded, as meals often do, the couple talking
about one topic or another.  However the Doctor had noticed
something, the Captain was nervous, she'd never seen this before. 
The Captain had faced down Romulans, Cardassians, and Borg and
not even flinched.  This was unusual, something was up!
     The time came for dessert, and the Captain placed hers
before her.  Then he stood by, waiting for her to uncover it. 
She protested, claiming she ate too much already,  then as the
Captain insisted that she at least uncover it, or she'd insult
the chef; she did.
     Inside was a small gold band with a 24 caret diamond on a
strawberry short cake.  The Doctor turned to the Captain, down on
his knees, and asked does this mean what I think it does?  The
Captain's reply, was a smile, Beverly will you marry me.
     The Doctor paused a moment, giving the Captain a moment of 
did I make a fool of myself before replying, Yes, what took you
so long.

Epilogue

     It had been just over ten months since Marrissa pushed the
Captain and Doctor together.  Now Marrissa was about to be given
a reason against her actions.  Doctor Beverly Picard was about to
have a baby.  Jay Gordon, who had recently gone though that path
with the birth of his second little sister, had warned her. 
Babies kept you up late and your parents short tempered. 
Marrissa had laughed him off.  
     Doctor Selar came out to the waiting expectant father and
his daughter, and said "It's a girl."
     They rushed in to the side of Beverly Picard, who was
holding the new born little Jacqueline Marie Picard.  "She's so
little," Captain Picard commented, his large finger brushing
against her cheek.  Jackie's little hand reached out and grasp at
the finger, holding tight.  
     Marrissa looked at her newborn sister, and said, "Hello,
Little Sister."
     Moments later, Wesley phased into view behind Marrissa.  "I
see I'm just in time," Wes commented as little Jackie yawned. 
"Congraduations, Mom, she looks just like you."
     "Probably because we are both tired," Doctor Picard replied.
     "I agree with that assessment Doctor," Doctor Selar replied. 
"Now Captain and Company get out, for the next two weeks this
Sickbay's mine and I won't have you keeping my patients up.
     As the Captain left Sickbay followed by Marrissa and Wesley,
Wesley commented, "So I have another little sister to annoy me, I
hope she gives equal time."
     "Wes, do you what mean, you are hardly ever here," Marrissa
replied.
     "There is a reason for that," Wes replied.
     "Yeah, you are too engrossed in your work," Marrissa shot
back.
     "Apparently," Wesley observed, "that statement could be
applied to you as well.  After all, you do have two months
accumulated shore leave."
     "Wes ..." Marrissa began.
     "Quiet," Captain Picard ordered.  "You two do more verbal
fencing than any two people I know."
     "It keeps us sharp," Wesley replied.  "Besides, hitting a
girl is bad form."
     "Bad form, Wesley," Marrissa replied.  "Or are you just
remembering Worf's little trip to Sickbay as a result of that
bat'leth match."
     "That's it, I'm going to the Bridge," Captain Picard
replied.  "I can't believe I gave you that full Ensigns rank,"
Picard indicated Wesley, "or made you my Chief of Security," he
indicated Marrissa.  
     "Momentary sanity," Marrissa replied.
     Captain Picard threw up his hands and entered the turbolift. 
When he was gone, Wesley commented, "I can't believe you said
that."
     "Something wrong with my parting shot?"
     "Yeah, if I'd done that I'd never be able to return to the
Bridge again," Wes replied.
     "You haven't lived with him for the most of the two past
years," Marrissa replied.  "You'd be surprised what Dad puts up
with."
     "Please tell me," Wes implored.