Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 19 Jan 2004 10:30:36 -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: 14/? Archive: yes Summary: An alternate universe story that picks up ten years after Disclaimer: no infringement meant, and comments welcomed. "Still There" (14/?) By: Louise Ellis "No. Nothing like that." Setting the mug on the railing next to them, she absently bit at her lower lip, and let her hand come up to twist her hair. When his hand moved to cover hers, lowering it between them as his thumb caressed her palm, she sighed softly before switching to his native language. "I do so love you." "And I you." He finished in French and kissed her lightly. "Tell me." "After Felisa was born," Beverly gazed at him steadily. "The Cardassian doctors decided to…investigate some of my organs. And remove some of the ones they deemed non-essential." Her eyes held his for a moment, then lowered to stare at his chest. "I mean, I suppose it really didn't matter, because I was too old to have any more children, I was lucky to have Felisa, and there wasn't really any need…" "They…" he shut his eyes for a moment, resting his forehead against hers. "They removed…" "Like I said, it really didn't matter…" She tried to blink back the tears that were threatening to fall. "Cherie…the Cardassians would take every opportunity to dehumanize us, to remove what might establish a sense of identity…" He lifted his head and brushed away the tears that had streamed down her cheeks. "You are no less the love of my life, no less a woman for the lack of certain organs. If by taking them they allowed you to live, I consider it a wondrous miracle." "I know it's senseless, but…" one shoulder shrugged slightly. "I'm still me, I know that." "You are still you." Jean-Luc gazed at her levelly for a long moment, then let his hands wander along her body as he pulled her against him. Moving backwards, he sank into one of the chairs and pulled her onto his lap, her head nestled back against his shoulder as he embraced her protectively. "You are no less desirable or feminine to me because of it." He felt her shudder slightly and ran his hands down her legs. "You're cold." "I'm fine." She whispered, then shook her head again. "Here." Reaching out, he picked up a towel that was lying on the chair next to them and draped it over her legs, tucking it around them before using a corner of it to wipe her face. "Knowing Kate, I'm sure she had some other questions." "She wanted to know if we'd made love since I'd returned." Beverly admitted softly. "I believe she was quite relieved to know that the only reason we hadn't was due to timing, Felisa…nightmares….Not that she would suspect any other reason." "You've got to admit that it isn't from lack of trying." He pressed a kiss against her cheek. "I told her that sex is only part of what we share," lifting her head, she smiled slightly at him. "A wonderful part, but only a part. You've always known what I need, when I need it. And what I've needed is to be held, to be part of us, and to have you be with me." "Do you know what we'll be doing in three days?" Shifting his weight, he pulled her closer. "After getting Felisa settled into the house with Will and Deanna, and saying hello to Marie and Louis, I'm taking you to Paris, where we'll go shopping at all those little places you used to like to find things in. We'll stay in the Paris Grand, in an exclusive suite with a view of the river. I'm going to settle you into a bath, with whatever scent you'd like, with candles throughout all the room. I am then going to…" as he continued to explicitly describe to her what he was going to do, Beverly closed her eyes and relaxed into his voice, finally letting out a low groan of protest. "Stop, or we won't make it to Paris." She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him hungrily, her body shifting from where it had been reclining across him to angling against his, one knee resting against the seat of the chair next to his thigh so she could press her body against his. When she finally lifted her head, they were both breathing heavily, staring at each other. "We don't have to wait." He murmured, one hand running up underneath the hem of her gown and along her bare hip. Beverly blinked at him, reveling in the feel of his hand, warm against her skin, then glanced into the house with a soft groan. "Yes we do." She shifted again, then raised her voice. "Out here Felisa." "I couldn't sleep." Felisa crossed their bedroom and stood next to them, rubbing her eyes. "Here." Jean-Luc eased Beverly off to one side so Felisa could perch on his other side. "Better cherie?" "Yes Papa." She curled up on his lap as Beverly laughed softly. "She is a wondrous reason." Jean-Luc murmured into Beverly's ear, then raised his voice. "Another nightmare?" "No. I just couldn't sleep." Felisa reached out and took Beverly's hand, absently playing with her ring as they watched her. "Cherie, Papa and Aunt Deanna will be with you at all times. And remember, you are to never go anywhere by yourself. You are not to go with anyone except Aunt Deanna or Papa unless one of them says it is all right." Beverly tilted her head, inspecting Felisa's face. "I know Maman." She looked up at her mother's face. "I promise." "Good." Beverly closed her eyes and rested her cheek against Jean-Luc's head as he began to tell Felisa about the stars still visible in the early morning sky while she continued to toy with Beverly's ring. When he stopped talking and gave Beverly's waist a squeeze, she blinked sleepily and raised her head. "Hmm?" "I said perhaps we should go ahead and get some breakfast?" Jean-Luc repeated with a chuckle. "Indeed." She leaned forward and kissed Felisa's forehead. "Cherie, why don't you and I get you ready while Papa sets breakfast out for us." "Can I wear my blue jumpsuit?" Felisa slid off Jean-Luc's lap. "And will you fix my hair like Aunt Deanna fixed yours?" "I think we can arrange for that." Beverly nodded. "Run along and get the jumpsuit out, I'll be right there." When Felisa turned and ran back into the house, Beverly returned her attention to Jean-Luc. "And as for you, the next time you get me that worked up we'd better be alone." "Agreed." He grimaced slightly. "A simple breakfast?" "The best kind." With a giggle, she stood and followed Felisa back into the house. An hour later, Beverly leaned against the doorway, Will Riker behind her as they watched Jean-Luc, Deanna, and Felisa disappear into the transporter beam. As they faded, Beverly let out a soft sigh before turning back to face Will. "Well." He smiled at her gently, then nodded. "Another cup of tea?" "No," she glanced down at herself, still clad in Jean-Luc's sweater over a pair of loose pants she'd pulled on. "I think I'll go get ready for the day, if you don't mind." He chuckled. "I didn't think that sweater was your usual style. Of course I don't mind. Go on and take your time, I'll clear away the breakfast things then get settled in the study." "Reports?" She arched an eyebrow. "What else," he groaned in mock dismay as she laughed softly. "Kathryn Janeway said she might be calling or coming by today." Beverly tilted her head slightly. "Before she gets here, can you give me a brief rundown on what's happened…" "I can do better than that," Will mused thoughtfully. "I'll download some things for you to go over after you come back downstairs." "Beverly's current events review?" Shaking her head, she moved past him, pausing as he caught her shoulder. "Beverly…" When she looked back at him, he grinned and shook his finger at her. "We'll do tests every hour on the hour young lady." She burst out laughing, then hit him lightly on the chest. "Don't bluff, I can still read you." "I know." He grimaced, remembering some of the impromptu poker games they'd played in the last few weeks. "Go get yourself decent." "No comment." Leaning up on her toes, she brushed a kiss across his cheek. "Thanks dimples." "Go on blue eyes." Will teased back, then watched her cross the room and gracefully go up the staircase, his smile fading as he sighed again. When Beverly returned thirty minutes later, she frowned at the stack of padds on the desk. "Where should I start?" "The ones with the Voyager information are on top, I thought you'd like those first. Kathryn called, she'll be here this afternoon." Will glanced over the top of the desk monitor. "She's bringing one of her crewmates from Voyager with her, Chakotay, if he gets back in time." Beverly nodded slowly. "You're all right with that?" He smiled. "Jean-Luc would approve." "Very well," she glanced at the pile of padds again. "I'm going to get something to drink before I settle down, do you want anything?" "I'm fine, thanks." He returned his attention to the screen as she retrieved a cup from the kitchen and settled down on the couch on the opposite side of the room, picking up the first padd as she took a sip from her cup. When the com unit sounded, they both looked up before Will reached out and pressed the control. "Yes?" "Hi." Deanna smiled out at him. "What's wrong?" Beverly shot out of her seat at the sound of Deanna's voice. "What happened to Felisa?" (end part 14) -- 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 ???@??? Tue Jan 20 00:34:09 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n30.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.87]) by condor (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aIOup1yJ3NZFjK0 for ; Mon, 19 Jan 2004 21:31:48 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-12968-1074576656-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.