Espérer

Synopsis: Mirror AU. When two universes collide, Picard's hope is renewed; However, it forces all to make difficult decisions along the way.

Rating: M

Notes: Please excuse the terrible science. I'm not good with all the sciencey stuff. I'm taking creative license to tell a story.

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to CBS, its parents and affiliates. Just taking the characters out for a jaunt around the galaxy, I warrant they will be returned in the same condition I borrowed them.

Part 1

Doctor Beverly Crusher is absolutely bone tired as she drags herself through her office, barely able to keep her heavy eyes open. It had been an exhausting day running staff, equipment and supplies down to the colony on Ashaawah II, and Beverly had docked the last shuttle in the shuttle bay and wandered back to Sickbay to deposit her med-kit and reports before packing it in for the night. Lowering herself into the chair behind her desk, Beverly groans audibly, her legs aching from running around for three days solid. She abandons her med-kit on the floor and practically drops her PADD on the desk, barely looking at her desk. Closing her eyes, she palms her face wearily. Very rarely does her work get her this fatigued, but pulling double shifts three days in a row is exhausting, and designed for staff much younger than her.

PAGE BREAK

"Sir…"Deanna Troi skips to catch up to the captain and First Officer as they race down the corridor.

"I'm just repeating what Lieutenant Reed told me, sir," Riker states directly, in step with Picard as Picard charges down the hall toward Sickbay. "She docked a shuttle in the main shuttle bay a few moments ago and said she was going to Sickbay to check on everything."

Lips set in a tight line, Picard's eyes flash, almost angry. "It's not her, Will," barks Picard. "It's impossible."

Bowing his head, Riker follows Picard through Sickbay, nodding an apologetic smile at the nurse that Picard nearly knocks over as they weave through the room. "I know, sir."

Running to keep up with the men, Troi huffs. "Captain, please. I'm sure there's a logical explanation."

"Yes," Picard shouts, rounding the corner to the Chief Medical Officer's office. "And, I intend to find out."

Riker and Troi come to stand behind Picard as he pauses in the doorway, frozen, staring at the woman seated behind the desk.

Speechless, Picard's face falls, his eyes surely deceiving him. A few feet away is the living, breathing image of his recently deceased wife.

PAGE BREAK

At the sound of footsteps around her doorway, Crusher glances up from the computer screen, somewhat surprised to find the captain, First Officer and Counselor piled around her office. Smiling groggily, Beverly leans back in her chair.

Riker glances to the motionless captain before casting Troi a questioning look, wondering how to react. Troi moves to lay a hand on the captain's elbow, her expression turning compassionate and concerned.

"Hey. What can I do for you?" Crusher asks quietly, brushing her bangs from her forehead.

Swallowing the hard lump in his throat, Picard motions to speak, but his throat is dry and his hands are clammy and he cannot move.

Blinking rapidly in bemusement, Beverly chuckles lightly. "What's wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost."

Eyes widening, Jean-Luc instantly pales, becoming light-headed.

"Captain…" Deanna begins, clutching his arm at the elbow.

"Doctor," Riker looks to Crusher, a mixture of confusion and apprehension. "When did you…get here?"

Furrowing her brows, Beverly leans forward,eying Riker suspiciously. "Uh, maybe ten minutes ago? I just docked the last shuttle."

"Was there anyone with you?" Riker inquires.

Shaking her head, Beverly looks at Riker in bewilderment. "No. I was the last one of our team left on Ashaawah II. We'll go back in the morning with more supplies. Why?"

"Because, you're not supposed to be here," Picard murmurs, clearing his dry throat. "You're dead."

Eyes dilating, Crusher's mouth falls agape.

Glancing between the stunned captain fighting to keep control and the clearly alarmed doctor, Troi intervenes. "What the captain means is, you passed away, about six months ago."

"No," growls Jean-Luc to Troi, before whipping his head back to look at Crusher. "You were murdered. Five months, twenty-five days and sixteen hours ago."

Thoroughly shocked, Beverly tries to stifle her gasp, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

PAGE BREAK

"No, we're still orbiting Ashaawa II. There's a medical relief effort underway, and our doctors Selar and Martin are assisting the local authorities," Riker explains from his spot on a chair in Troi's quarters.

Shaking her head, Crusher cannot put the pieces together as she sits next to Troi on the sofa in Troi's quarters, attempting in vain to make sense of this development. "I've been working with the authorities on Ashaawa II for three days. I've been coordinating our relief effort. I returned tonight as I did the past two nights. I don't understand."

Running his tongue over his lips, Riker puts a hand on his knee. "Captain, I'm going to ask Geordi and Data to check the shuttle, check our sensor logs and records. See if we can find any anomalies that might explain this."

"Yes, Number One," Picard nods curtly, his head bowed.

Riker jumps out of his seat, turning to Crusher. "We will get to the bottom of this."

Frowning, Beverly can only sigh. "I don't know what 'this' is. But, thanks, Will."

Riker excuses himself, leaving Troi and Crusher on the sofa and Picard seated uncomfortably in the arm chair.

"I don't understand," admits Crusher, turning to Picard. "You said I…or this other Beverly Crusher, was murdered. What happened?"

Troi looks between the two, holding her breath as Picard seems to be considering how to answer the question.

Inhaling a ragged breath, Picard averts his eyes, lacing his hands together. "We were preparing a planet's entry into the Federation. We weren't aware at the time, but a small radicalized faction in the community greatly opposed the planet's admission. To demonstrate their point, they kidnapped Federation prisoners and publicly murdered …Beverly, was a victim."

Blinking rapidly, Beverly attempts to hide her shock and disgust. "I see. Well, uh, where I came from, we never engaged in such a mission."

Swallowing hard, Picard's eyes roam over her from head to toe, slowly appraising her. " Yes. I can see that."

As an uncomfortable silence falls between them, Deanna reaches for Beverly's hand. "We will get to the bottom of this. Will, Data, Geordi, they'll work to find out what happened and come up with a solution."

Letting out a long breath, Beverly smiles gratefully at Deanna. "Yeah. In the mean time, what do I do?"

Plastering on a smile, Deanna squeezes her hand. "Just, stay here. Try to get some rest. You look tired. Get something to eat. I've got to step out for a minute, but I won't be long, alright?"

Bobbing her head, Beverly smiles graciously. "Thanks, Deanna."

Rising out of his seat, Picard tugs on his uniform jacket. "I'll assist Riker and the others. Hopefully we can discover how you ended up here."

Nodding to Picard, Beverly draws in another deep breath.

"If you need anything, let me know," instructs Picard cordially, turning on his heels.

Beverly watches him disappear quickly into the corridor, without even casting a look back.