Once secret feelings brought again to light

Can they bear to speak and do what is right?

The candle is snuffed, the grandmother dead

So why does the word love still fill them with dread?


Jean-Luc met Beverly in sickbay. Tears were still leaving tracks down her cheeks, her eyes red. Her arms were crossed tight, hugging herself. She still wore the nightie and dressing gown he had found her in. A nurse tried to guide him to his own biobed to be checked out, but he resisted, instead going to Beverly's side. She is more important.

"Beverly," he breathed, putting a hand on her shoulder. She was fighting back sobs. "I'm here, it'll be okay." His words appeared to help, Beverly calming with deep breaths before turning to him.

"Are you okay?" she automatically asked, trying to reach for the tricorder Alyssa patiently held, waiting to scan Jean-Luc herself. Alyssa acquiesced, passing it to her so that Beverly could scan Jean-Luc. "Leftover traces of anaphasic energy. That was quite a zap he gave you." Her brow furrowed as she focused on the readouts. "Steady vitals. Have a check-up before shift tomorrow. You should be fine to go back on duty by then."

He could see the tricorder shaking in her hands. It was so slight, it was possible no one else noticed. Still, he gently took it out of her hands, passing it back to Alyssa. Beverly needed him. And if all she wanted was a friend, then that was what he would gladly be.

A hiss and hurried footsteps towards him tempted his attention. "Sir," Deanna Troi spoke behind him. He had no choice but to turn now. "There is a call for you from the planet." He let out a small sigh of "can't it wait?" for her to add, "It is urgent."

"Can I take it in your office?" he asked Beverly.

She nodded then tried to jest, "Is it still my office?"

Alyssa patted her other arm. "No one actually believed you were resigning," Alyssa assured her. Beverly lowered her head in guilt.


A/N: Thanks to my friend Momo for helping beta!