Rating: T
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.
Note: So, "Home", was supposed to be a little one-off. Then, you asked for a sequel , which turned into "Home Coming". Due to overwhelming demand, I've written a follow-up. I'm glad you're enjoying. P.S: The timeline here may not gel completely with canon.
Part 1
Setting the PADD from which she had been reading flat against her stomach, Beverly rotates her head resting in Jean-Luc lap on the living room sofa to glance up at him. For his part, Jean-Luc is thoroughly engrossed with his own PADD as he sits upright, his back supported by a large accent pillow on the sofa.
"Hey, can I bother you?" Beverly asks gently, shifting up to look at him properly.
Reading glasses slipping down his nose, Jean-Luc diverts his attention from the PADD in his hands as Beverly moves to curl up beside him on the sofa, adjusting his legs. "Certainly."
"I spoke with Wes this morning," begins Beverly, curling up against Jean-Luc, tucking her feet beneath her.
Lifting a brow, Jean-Luc abandons his PADD on the table in front of them. "You didn't mention that at dinner."
"I know," exhales Beverly, covering his hand. "I was a little…hesitant."
"What's wrong?" Picard inquires in concern, placing Beverly's PADD next to his on the table.
"Nothing," Beverly assures him immediately. "It's just. He's coming to Earth to retrieve new crew for the Titan. Before he heads back, he has a few days leave. He's coming to visit, and I'm not…sure how we're going to do this."
Straightening, Jean-Luc observes Beverly's tentative expression. "You haven't told him of our relationship?"
"No," admits Beverly ruefully, squeezing his hand. "I'm sorry, Jean-Luc. There's never an appropriate time. I never speak to my son. When I do it's quick and chaotic. I couldn't tell him of our involvement over garbled subspace."
Pursing his lips, Jean-Luc bobs his understanding. "But, now Wesley is coming to visit you, and he doesn't know that you and I are together, and sharing quarters?"
Grimacing, Beverly nods, confirming his interpretation. "I'm sorry, Jean-Luc. I just thought it'd be better to explain in person. I haven't seen my son in ages."
Taking her hand in his, Jean-Luc squeezes it affectionately. "Of course. When is he coming?"
"Next week," relays Beverly, practically sighing in relief.
Resting his other hand on her knee, Jean-Luc bobs his head. "Would you like to arrange guest quarters or have him stay here with us?
Half-smiling, Beverly is utterly relieved that Jean-Luc isn't upset that she had not communicated their involvement to her son, and grateful that he is willing to welcome Wesley into his home. "It's okay with you if he stays here?"
"Of course," shrugs Jean-Luc easily. "Whatever you'd like."
Running her hand along his arm, Beverly smiles graciously. "I'd like for him to stay with us, if you don't mind. I never get to see him."
"By all means." agrees Jean-Luc, leaning in to rest his forehead against hers, their noses brushing.
"Thank you," breathes Beverly against his lips, pecking him tenderly.
Kissing her back, Jean-Luc strokes her cheek. Breaking off, his gaze searches hers. "It will be nice to see Wesley again."
"Yes," agrees Beverly, grinning widely as she pulls back slightly. "I'm excited."
"I'm sure Geordi and Worf will be glad to spend some time with him, too," remarks Jean-Luc. "Oh, and we're upgrading the deflector dish this weekend. Perhaps Wes would like to give us a hand?"
Smiling faintly, Beverly pats his hand. "Perhaps. Let's just give him a chance a relax first. He will have had a long journey, and this is his shore leave."
Bobbing his head, Picard communicates his acquiescence. "Very well. Well, it's up to him. He's welcomed to partake if he desires. I'm sure Geordi would appreciate the assistance. If not, we'll be glad to catch up with him after this lengthy absence."
"Thank you, Jean-Luc," replies Beverly graciously, leaning in to pepper a kiss to his lips. "I really appreciate this."
"It will be nice to have him home," notes Jean-Luc, taking her hand.
PAGE BREAK
Hands crossed behind her back, Beverly bounces on her toes as her son's image materializes on the transporter pad. Letting out the breath she had been holding, Beverly exhales a sigh of relief at seeing her son for the first time in what feels like eons. "Wesley!"
Finding his mother standing expectantly beside the transporter pad, Wesley smiles lightly. "Hi, Mom."
Leaping forward, Beverly practically tugs him off the pad, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Wes! Oh, it's so good to see you."
Stifled by his mother's arms around his back, Wesley laughs good-naturedly. "It's good to see you, too, Mom."
Loosening her grip slightly, Beverly scrutinizes his appearance. "You've lost weight. Are they not feeding you on the Titan? Should I speak to Captain Riker about your health?"
Rolling his eyes, Wes stifles his smirk. "I eat perfectly well, Mom."
Cupping his cheek, Beverly cannot help but stare at her son openly, beaming. "Well, you can have whatever you want on the Enterprise. I made you peanut butter cookies."
Eyes wide, Wes stares as Beverly laces her arm through his. "Mom, I'm thirty-one years-old. You don't need to make me cookies."
Leading him out of the transporter room, Beverly is almost dancing. "Does that mean you don't want them?"
"No, I want the cookies," answers Wes lowly, the door sliding closed behind them.
Chuckling, Beverly pats the arm linked through hers. "I thought you could go get unloaded and we could have a bite to eat. I figured you'd be hungry."
"Sure. Sounds good," replies Wes casually.
Walking through the corridor, Beverly tries to keep her tone nonchalant, although her heart is palpitating wildly. "Would you like to stay in or go to Ten Forward?"
"Oh…uh…"Shifting the case in his hands, Wes shrugs. "Doesn't matter. "
Entering the turbolift, Beverly ushers Wes inside. "Well, you can settle in and decide later."
"Okay," agrees Wes simply as the lift starts.
Beverly finally relinquishes her hold on her son, her hand shaking slightly. "You're okay staying with me? You don't want your own quarters?"
Shrugging, Wes looks at his mother openly. "Doesn't matter to me. I figured you'd want to spend some time together. I've only got four days here."
Smiling warmly, Beverly tries not to let the obvious discomfort show on her face. "I'm looking forward to spending the next days together."
"Is everything okay?" Studying her, Wes moves to the door as the lift pauses.
"Fine," replies Beverly dismissively, patting his shoulder before moving to exit the lift. "Come on."
Following his mother down the corridor, Wes exhales in resignation as he watches her stride purposefully down the hall. Something is different about her, and his mother is actually strange.
Coming to an abrupt halt outside her elected destination, Beverly rapidly enters the passcode on the lock of the cabin door and opens the cabin door.
Stopping behind his mother, Wes stares in bemusement as Beverly lets herself into the captain's cabin. "What's wrong? Why are you going in there?"
Waving him inside, Beverly's expression is earnest. "Come in. Let's talk."
"What's going on?" inquires Wes in bewilderment.
Ushering him inside the cabin, Beverly's heart races, her palms sweating. "Come sit down."
"Why are we here?" demands Wesley, his gaze rapidly scanning the room as the door slides closed behind them.
"Why don't you sit down?" suggests Beverly, gesturing to the sofa. "I'll make some tea." Truthfully, she needs something to do with her hands.
His gaze wanders from Beverly at the replicator around the room as Wesley meanders over to the sofa. Noticing the plants, a bouquet of roses in a vase on the coffee table, Wes' interest is piqued. He had never visited the captain's private quarters, but from what he knows of the man, it would be out of character for Captain Picard to decorate his residence with plants and live flowers. Lowering himself onto the sofa, Wesley blinks rapidly at the accent pillows on either end of the sofa, his suspicion aroused. He had never heard of Captain Picard to have an eye for interior decorating. Pillow in hand, Wes glances at the end table, noticing three holophotos displayed. Gasping, Wesley is shocked to discover his mother's smiling face in all three photos. In one, Beverly is cradling an infant Wesley. The second photo was captured on the bridge of the Enterprise D, shortly after Wesley was made an ensign. Picard and Beverly are standing on either side of Wesley, donning his red uniform, a massive grin on his youthful face. In the third holo, apparently taken recently, Picard has his arms wrapped around Beverly's shoulders and she holds his hand as they smile contently at the camera. Dressed to the nines, they're both out of uniform and apparently had been attending a formal function.
Eyes dilated, Wes whips around. "Mom?"
