Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 18 Jan 2004 18:02:20 -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: 4/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed. "Still There" (4/?) By: Louise Ellis "So much for secure safety." He managed a smile. "There's so much more, but you need rest." "Maman," Felisa glanced up at Beverly. "Where are we?" "You're on a small freighter, obtained from the Maquis...yes Beverly, we're giving it back." He forestalled the next question. "My views on the Maquis have been changed in the past several years. We're heading back into deep Federation Space, where we'll rendezvous with the Enterprise. Even if the Cardassians do come after us, we're far enough ahead they shouldn't be able to catch up." "Shouldn't?" Beverly paled, remembering the condition of some of the escaped slaves she'd had to treat after their recapture, if they'd survived. Reaching out, she grabbed at his arm. "Jean-Luc, if they catch us, we're all dead. He has ways...He'll be able to..." "We won't let them." He nodded decisively. "We left with a fleet of traders, just another anonymous ship, we're taking evasive actions, the inner rooms are shielded, no trace of human life signs on board, and we're within com range of Federation vessels at all times." "Very well." Beverly shuddered and protectively tightened her grip on Felisa. "The bedroom is through there, I brought you clothes...none of the surveillance said anything..." He cleared his throat. "I mean, they didn't know she belonged with you..." "My…our daughter was a well kept secret." Beverly managed a smile. "As I said, Madred used her to keep me in line, but it worked both ways." "There are clothes?" Felisa's eyes widened. "For us?" "We'll get you some, cherie, anything you want." Beverly brushed a kiss along the top of her head. "Jean-Luc, I'll be right back. Felisa, come along." Standing, she led Felisa into the next room. A few minutes later, she returned and paused at the door. "She's in a bath. Loves them, believe it or not. Not that we had the luxury of hot water but a few times." "I'd believe it. I know her mother's single vice." Picard smiled. "Long hot baths with scented oil or bubbles, candles surrounding the tub, soft music…" "One of her mother's many vices. The biggest one being her belief that emergency calls are just that." Beverly shuddered remembering the emergency call that had resulted in her capture. "She will have her mother's dedication," Picard moved forward slowly, "Her focus upon life and living, care for the injured, and her beauty." He touched Beverly's chin, lifting it. "All beautiful qualities. Felisa will be fortunate to have them." "Stubbornness, single mindedness, weaknesses." Beverly countered softly, reveling in his soft touch. "Hopefully she'll lose those." "I wanted to kill him." Picard breathed out. "I wanted to go find him, and kill him for taking you and keeping you from me for what I believed was forever, after we'd finally accepted what we felt for each other. I still do, now more than ever." "No." Beverly closed her eyes briefly, then gazed into Picard's, the soft blue of her eyes now a hard glittering sapphire. "I want him to know he lost us. And lost the control over us that he had. He was so proud to have Jean-Luc Picard's child...and lover, he could treat us…me however he wished." "Little did he know he had my wife." He kissed her lightly, then harder as her arms ran around his neck. "She saved me, Jean-Luc." Clinging to him, Beverly trembled. "After Madred showed me what he expected...I had no reason to live, until he told me your child would be raised as a Cardassian slave under his direct attention if I didn't agree to cooperate. There was always hope that we could...the Federation could...if we could only survive." "I know." He tightened his grip on her. "I maintained that you were still alive, no one but the senior staff believed me, and even that was wearing thin after all these years…" He broke off as the ship shuddered and tilted. "Merde..." "Maman!" From the other room, Felisa's shriek cut through the air. "Beverly." Picard caught her hand as she turned toward Felisa's cry. "Stay in these rooms. Promise me." "But..." She met his gaze and nodded slowly, terrified eyes wide in her pale face. "Very well." "Bon. You'll be safe here and I'll be back. I promise you." He turned and left the room at a near run as she moved back to the bathing cubicle. "It's all right." Grabbing a towel, Beverly wrapped it around Felisa shivering body and hugged her. "Come along now." As the ship shuddered again, she winced. "We're safe now, I promise. Okay?" Felisa nodded. "Good. Now, let's find you something to wear." Glancing through the pile of clothes now lying on the floor, Beverly pulled out a long tunic. "It's not much, but it will do for now. Here we go, cherie." She helped Felisa pull the tunic on over her head, then smiled weakly. "Lovely." "What is it?" Felisa looked about wildly as the ship shuddered again. "What's happening?" "I don't know." Beverly grabbed the cover off the bed and a pillow, then stumbled and fell, Felisa tumbling next to her as the ship tilted. "Damn, lost stabilizers. Come on Felisa." Crawling, she led Felisa to the corner of the room, where they huddled together, the cover over them and using the pillow to ward off the small objects that occasionally bounced into their corner as she murmured softly to Felisa, trying to comfort her in both Standard and French. Some time later, after the ship had resumed its normal operations, Picard strode into the room. "Beverly, Felisa?" "Back here." Beverly closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall, arms still wrapped around her daughter, both of them trembling as they clung to each other, the pillow lying on the floor in front of them. "Are you..." Picard's voice trailed off as he caught sight of the two of them huddled in the darkness. "It's over. We're safe now." "Where were you?" Felisa hissed, staring up at him. "She's hurt!" "Jean-Luc." Beverly shook her head and wiped the tears from her face, the blood from a small cut on her forehead trickling down the side. "I'll be fine. Felisa, if you would..." "Yes?" Felisa looked back at Beverly. "Get a damp cloth from the bathing area, cherie. Bring it back here." Beverly smiled slightly as Felisa slowly obeyed. "Jean, it's only a few bumps and bruises. Believe me we've both been worse off." "Still." He shook his head. "Dammit, I should have been here." "No, you were needed on the bridge." She glanced back at Felisa as she returned, carrying a small cloth. "Good girl. Let's see here..." carefully wiping Felisa's face, she smiled. "No harm done. Everything else all right, cherie?" "Yes." Felisa shuddered and automatically took the cloth from Beverly and dabbed at the small cut on her mother's forehead, a movement coming with too much familiarity to Jean-Luc's watching gaze. "Are they gone?" "For now." Picard knelt on the floor beside them, one hand lifting to gently stroke Felisa's hair as she continued to work at the cut on her mother's face. "And the Enterprise has changed course to meet us sooner than expected." "How much sooner?" Beverly raised an eyebrow then caught her breath at the pain the movement caused. He winced slightly. "Any time now." "That bad, hmm?" Realizing how bad the conflict had been, Beverly closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall. "Thank you cherie, it feels much better now." "Maman?" Recovering slightly from her recent fright, Felisa touched her arm apologetically. "I'm hungry, and you need to eat too." Picard chuckled. "She's definitely yours." Shooting him a mock glare, Beverly slowly stood. "Then let's get some food in you before the..." Her voice trailed off as the com system broke in, announcing the arrival of the Enterprise. "Well then. A bit longer, then we'll eat. All right?" "Very well." Felisa clung to Beverly's hand, and tried to smile, a wave of panic running through her at another new event. "Shall we, then?" Picard indicated the door, then led them silently down the corridor, Beverly and Felisa both stealing glances at him. "Here we are." Entering the transporter room, he smiled at the Captain and Doctor. "Paul, Andrew, thank you." "Just don't let Starfleet find out." The Captain winced. "Please." "Not a word." Picard nodded as he lifted Felisa to the platform, then stepped up with Beverly, not releasing her hand. "Thank you...both." Beverly looked at the three men, confused at their last exchange. "I can never repay you..." "Just keep him out of trouble, Doctor." Andrew grimaced. "I transferred all your records over to the Enterprise, good luck to you all." "Thank you." Frowning slightly, Beverly looked back at Picard, a faint suspicion forming. "Three to transport over." The Captain nodded, then activated the controls. Seconds later, Beverly opened her eyes to meet the stunned gazes of Deanna and Will. Deanna glanced at the man on the platform and groaned. "I knew it." Her gaze then slipped to Felisa and her mouth dropped open. "Hello to you too." Beverly smiled and dropped Jean-Luc's hand with a squeeze, then stepped toward Felisa, one hand lying protectively on her shoulder. "Deanna, Will, my daughter, Felisa Renee." "Your daughter?" Riker shook his head. "Welcome to you both...and, um...Admiral, forgive me, but aren't you supposed to be on Caldos?" "Could be." Picard winced as Beverly whirled on him. "No thanks to you, Captain." "You weren't supposed to be on the recovery team? What would have happened if Madred had caught you?" Eyes flashing she dropped Felisa's hand and stepped closer to him. "Dammit, Jean-Luc, why the hell were you...." She broke off as he put a finger to her mouth. "We'll finish this later. Without an audience." He glanced at the couple watching them, fascinated, as well as Felisa, who was gazing up at them contemplatively. "And your cooperation is appreciated as well." "Hello Felisa." Recovering, Deanna moved forward, her eyes moving to the girl standing uncertainly on the transporter pad. "Welcome to the Enterprise." "Thank you." She whispered faintly; pale as she stared back at the Counselor. "And Beverly." Stepping forward slowly, Deanna breathed out, then launched herself into Beverly's arms as the two women embraced, holding onto each other tightly. "My turn." Riker nudged his wife aside. "Hey blue eyes." He smiled down at Beverly, then held his arms out. "Dimples." She wrinkled her nose at him briefly before she burrowed into his embrace, sobbing as her guard finally collapsed. (end part 4) -- 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 ???@??? Mon Jan 19 00:05:19 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n22.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.78]) by swallow (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aIrzw4r93NZFkN0 for ; Sun, 18 Jan 2004 21:03:34 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12952-1074488467-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.