Paramount owns everything. Resistance is futile. All opening lyrics from Indigo Girls album, All That We Let In – www.indigogirls.com

This is pure escapist fun. The plot is obtusely predictable and the writing probably too hurried. This does nothing to move the genre. But everyone has to take the requisite stab at P/C angst, so here goes, eh? I can actually see parts of this fitting into a larger story someday, so don't be alarmed if you see an excerpt appear somewhere else.

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1000 Ships

One

"Ain't it funny how we lose one day, and a lifetime slips away. I'm looking back on us that way, something I never thought I'd say."

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"Well then. I guess this is goodbye." Jean Luc Picard's tone was almost brusque as he faced Beverly Crusher on the transporter platform. She stood primly, hands clasped at her waist, surrounded by all of her belongings.

"Yes." Her response was terse, and her lips twitched upward.

Behind Picard, a young ensign shifted nervously on her feet. The tension in the small room was palpable, almost tactile. She hoped the two officers would just get it over with. Clearly they were having a hard time with the entire event, but did she have to be stuck in the middle of it?

Picard cleared his throat, but had nothing to add.

"Well then." Crusher nodded to the young woman. "Engage."

As she shimmered out of his existence, it appeared that Picard took a step forward, extending his arm. "Wait."

But the ensign was quick on the mark. Beverly opened her mouth to respond, but was already engulfed in blue. Seconds later, she and everything around her had disappeared. Feeling the fool, Picard snapped his arm to his side. He turned and nodded crisply to the woman, then strode hastily from the transporter room.

Ensign Kostyra rolled her eyes as he left. Who did these two ever think they were kidding?

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"You will not cry." Beverly Crusher reminded herself forcefully. "You are starting a new adventure. This is a step forward. You will not cry." She exhaled loudly and wiped the offending tears from her face. She looked around at her new home. It was beautiful, certainly. The Starfleet transport had dropped her off just moments ago. She'd quickly dismissed the cadet that had shuttled her out here. He'd been endearing enough, and full of questions. A young medical student, he'd volunteered for the menial job of ferrying her around with an eye to picking her 'legendary' brain. Her blow-off had clearly disappointed him. But she'd spent the afternoon on the verge of tears and was unsure how much longer she might be able to fight them off. She made a mental note to take the kid to lunch next week.

She walked forward into the living room. Despite her mood, her breath was instantly taken away by the view. Unable to take time for a search, she'd simply given a list of desires to a property agent, and access to her credits. Lucky for her the woman had come through in a big way. She drew back the curtains further on the expansive bay window. The city of Seattle sparkled before her in the midday sun, framed by the rugged peaks of the Cascade Mountains. Ferry boats chugged across the glittering blue Sound, and off to her right stood the proud edifice of Mt. Ranier. She'd loved the Northwest of the North American continent ever since her first visit, and could not believe the luck she had to actually find such a beautiful spot when she'd relocated to Earth.

A quick shuttle ride and an even shorter transport away from Starfleet Medical, Crusher was indeed happy with her new home. The climate reminded her of Caldos, and her ancestors' home in Scotland. Even more importantly, it would provide her an escape from the frustrating bureaucracy back at Starfleet. Her duty hours belonged to them – but her life and her weekends were her own. Well, they would be from now on. She had given almost everything to Starfleet, a life, a husband, and when she'd left the Enterprise she'd made a pledge to herself. No more – her family was now scattered. Riker and Troi on the Titan, Data gone, Wesley was God knows where. And Jean-Luc Picard. "To hell with Jean-Luc Picard."

She plunked down into the large overstuffed sofa that faced the window. She looked around her new home. The entire scheme was local in flavor. Dark wood pillars contrasted neatly with the warm white walls, and native art had been placed tastefully throughout the room. Though not entirely of her own design, the décor was still soothing. Emotionally and physically exhausted, she pulled a throw down over her tense body and fell into a fitful sleep.

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Picard sat reclined in his office chair, hopelessly trying to read the weekly personnel report submitted by his new first officer. Complete, but certainly not anything comparable to the subtle humor Riker's reports had taken on through the years. And dry reading was simply not enough to keep him focused at the moment. His mind wandered. Wandered over Beverly's patrician features, flaming red hair, full hips, slender legs...... He shook himself mentally. He should be excited – a new ship, a new crew. The unknown surrounded him. But for the first time in his life, he found it completely disarming. He longed for the familiar. But there was literally no one onboard to speak to.

Chastising himself as he did so, he leaned forward and opened a channel at his terminal, hailing Will Riker on the Titan. Moments later the computer blipped, and Riker's amiable face appeared on the screen.

"Captain. What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" Will was beaming, a grin splitting his face ear to ear. He had everything in the world to live for. His first commission, a new wife. The galaxy was his playground. Suddenly, Picard felt incredibly foolish, self-conscious. Still, he plastered on a smile.

"Just calling to see how your ship is shaking down, Captain." Picard was incredibly unhappy at making small talk with Riker. He genuinely considered Will part of his family.

Will knew that the call was more than casual. He'd served far too long with Picard to allow the older man to pretend he did not miss his crew. "It's just fine sir. But it's a little strange waking up somewhere other than the Enterprise."

Picard chuckled. "Indeed. How's your crew?" Jean-Luc kicked himself again. Why could he not be forthright with this man? 'Because you can't admit the truth to yourself.'

Riker saw a shadow pass over Picard's eyes, but pushed forward. "Just fine, Captain. As you know, Starfleet gave me wide latitude in selecting my senior staff. They're the best I could ask for."

"As they should have, Will. You deserve to be serving with the best." Although the pretense was false, it still lifted Picard's spirits a bit to talk with Riker. Still, he could not help but feel sadness creeping in as he remembered his own first command on the Stargazer. Where had that young man gone? Where was his own spark? But before he'd even finished the question, he knew the answer. His spark had beamed off the ship not two hours ago. Disheartened, Picard chatted for a while longer with Riker before making an excuse and begging off.

By the end of the conversation, Riker was certain of Picard's melancholy. The senior captain kept a convincing front, but it was no match for Will's intuition. He turned to Deanna, who had come into the cabin a few moments ago. "I'm worried about him."

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