Picard glanced around one last time. He hated to admit it, but it was time to move on. In the 18 months since the Reman incident he had accomplished much, but had found little joy in it. USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F had been re-commissioned after E had been destroyed by the Scimitar. He had captained her maiden voyage, watched B4 undergo major upgrades at his own request, whilst processing Data's memories until he eventually introduced himself as Data, Series 1.5. In addition the planned nuptials of Will Riker and Deanna Troi had finally taken place on Betazed, and Lwaxana had been a stickler for tradition, ensuring that the entire Wedding Party went as naked as the day they were born. Picard had his own theories as to why she did it, but he knew he barely escaped her amorous attentions with his skin intact. There had been many misty eyes when the newly commissioned Enterprise F finally left the couple on board Will's new command, plus one future addition as he and Beverley had been quietly informed. With the loss of half his officers to former postings, matrimony, new postings and the great beyond, Picard had had a hard time training their replacements, eventually accepting Admiral Janeway's fourth offer of an admiralcy and a place at Star Fleet Academy, and settling to training the new Captain as well as the rest of the Bridge crew. Beverley had decided at the same time to take a position at the Academy, telling him that she wasn't following him, just couldn't see the point in travelling without any of the familiar faces of the family that had built up over the years.

And now finally the day came that Picard handed over the reigns of the Flagship to her new Captain. She was a fine young woman, but Picard had a feeling that the Riker's, he corrected himself, the Troi's would be back one day. They were in Space Dock orbiting Earth, above San Francisco, and the Bridge was empty, abandoned, silent and deserted. Everyone had gone ashore for something or another. He looked around one last time, surrounded by the ghosts of his crew, both those gone and those who might darken these hallways again one day.

"Admiral Picard? We're ready to beam you to the surface." His combadge crackled, and he nodded, placing a hand on his chair one last time.

Time to make that step where no Picard has gone before.

"Make it so."

Will sat on the Captain's chair of the Titan. He was edgy and nervous and the Bridge crew were uncomfortable with him being there in that state, their eyes flitting to him every few seconds, but they knew full well that he had been banished to the Conn by the Doctor for being a nervous father to be.

"Riker to Sick Bay." The Ensign at the Helm stifled his moan again, knowing full well what the Doctor's response would be.

"As I told you before Captain, it will take as long as it takes. It is a natural process, and I, if not Deanna, have done this many times before." He frowned, knowing that he should know better than to go up against Beverley Crusher, but this was his wife. "Wipe that look off your face, you look like Jean-Luc when he's not getting his way. Deanna's fine, your baby is fine, this will take as long as the baby wants it to, there's no rushing it. So you keep us out of trouble and I'll look after things here." Finally Will nodded and closed the channel. He knew all would be well, he trusted Beverley implicitly; she had taken leave from the Academy and then all but commandeered a ship to get out here in time for the birth. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Beverley smiled at Deanna as she started to come around.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You fell asleep after the birth. It was a long birth, and you were exhausted. Your husband is waiting to introduce you to your daughter. Will approached the bed, quietly humming to the newborn cradled in the crook of his arm.

"She's beautiful." He said, leaning over and kissing Deanna's forehead and passing her the baby. "You're beautiful. And I know what I want to name the baby." Deanna and Beverley listened carefully to him and then Beverley began to laugh.

"The only way to find out is to ask him." She said, the laugh still evident in her voice and her smile.

Picard was at his desk, reviewing the test results from the most recent intake wanting to become Tactical Officers when his combadge beeped.

"Admiral Picard, sir, you have a subspace communication, it is marked personal."

"Who's it from Ensign?"

"Uh, it's also marked surprise sir, I'm afraid I can't access its source. It's bounced through several ships, and I can't trace it." Picard's brow furrowed, a suspicion forming in his mind.

"I'll take it in my Ready… in my office." He knew the ensign was grinning from the tone of his voice as he complied. The screen on his desk flickered and then Beverley appeared.

"Good evening Jean-Luc." She smiled slightly, "I'm sorry to be interrupting you during your marking hours." Dear Gods but the woman knew his schedule far too well. "I have someone for you to meet." She stepped aside and his former counsellor and Number One came into view, leaning over a cradle. The lighting around them had been dimmed, and their outlines were softened by it as they stood there. He smiled at Deanna as she leaned into the cradle and lifted a bundle into her arms. She walked closer to the screen.

"Captain," she said, holding the baby gently tilted towards the screen. "I'd like you to meet my daughter." Riker joined her, quietly putting his arm around his wife's shoulders.

"With your permission, sir, we'd like to name her after you, and have you and Dr Crusher as her sponsors."

"I'd be honoured Number One." He replied thinking that he hadn't seen Riker looking this young and excited since they had first met.

"Well, Captain, I'd like you to meet baby Jeanne." Deanna said smiling down at the bundle in her arms. Riker grinned at him.

"I sense great joy, Number One." Picard said, stealing Deanna's phrase. "I also sense great officer potential."

"Don't you start!" Beverley laughed at him, coming back into focus. "At least wait until she's out of nappies before you recruit her."