Chapter 2

Beverley reviewed Deanna's medical file, which the Admiral had sent over, and then headed to the Captain's ready room. After answering the chime Jean-Luc saw her enter and waved her to a seat.

"How are you Doctor?"

"I'm ok considering what's going on. I'll feel better when we have Deanna home with us."

"Of course. I assume that's why you're here. Have you gone over her file?"

"Yes I have. This isn't going to be easy for her or for us. I've looked at a number of options and I've spoken to T'vek. I believe it would be best to assign her quarters near the senior staff and treat her there. I could put her in a private room in sick bay, but I think the normalcy of a home setting would be more beneficial to her."

"Ok Doctor, I'll assign quarters now and then you can arrange to have her transported directly to them." He entered a few commands on his terminal then showed her the information. As she left he leaned back in his chair and contemplated the journey ahead of them.

Beverley realised that the quarters the Captain had assigned to Deanna were the closest available to both her own and the Captain's. She smiled at the protective gesture and hoped there would be a time when Deanna would smile about it too. She was glad to realise that the new quarters were also a good distance away from Will and Deanna's previous quarters. The pain of remembering times spent there would not help her to heal right now, that would come later. Beverley had already requested that Deanna's things be sent over and as she entered the main living area she saw the crates stacked to one side.

Tapping her comm badge she said "Crusher to transporter room 2, I'm ready, you can beam her over now."

"Acknowledged Doctor, initiating transport."

Moments later Deanna was in the room sat on the sofa staring straight ahead. Beverley couldn't help it, releasing a small sob she rushed over to Deanna, put her arms around her and said "you're home now Deanna, you're home."

After a few moments Beverley released Deanna and sat back looking at her. Deanna hadn't moved and it seemed as if she wasn't aware of the change in her surroundings. One thing though told Beverley that part of Deanna had responded to the change, a single tear running down her cheek. Beverley reached up and wiped it away with her thumb, gently stroking Deanna's cheek as she repeated her earlier words "you're home now Deanna, you're home."

Several hours later Beverley was still sat at Deanna's side. She'd hoped that returning to the Enterprise would be enough to bring about a change in her friend, to get some sort of reaction, but other than that solitary tear Deanna's condition had remained unchanged. Beverley had sat and talked to Deanna, telling her what had been happening on the Enterprise recently and confiding in her how much time she was now spending with Paul. One by one the senior officers had all called in to see Deanna, had offered their condolences and asked Beverley what they could do to help. Beverley had told each of them that she would call if there was anything they could do but that for now she would stay with Deanna.

As it was getting late and Beverley was trying to decide what to do next, the door chime sounded again. As Beverley called "come in" the captain entered, having finally escaped from the bridge and the preparations to join the investigation. He paused just inside the door and took in the sight of them. When Beverley saw her best friend standing there, the wave of emotion she had been holding back for hours suddenly burst through her defences and she began to sob again. Jean-Luc walked over, knelt in front of her and put his arms around her.

"Sssshh. It's ok Beverley. She's here now. She's safe with us, she's home." He gently rubbed her back whilst she cried on his shoulder, soaking his uniform top. Eventually, she stopped crying, sat up straight and wiped her face with her hands. "Beverley, you're exhausted. Go and get some rest." Seeing she was about to protest, he spoke again. "You don't need to leave her. I've arranged for your staff to cover your shifts in sickbay for the next two days while you get her settled in. Paul will bring some of your things by later so that you can stay here with Deanna. Now go wash your face and lie down. I'll stay with her for a while."

Beverley looked at him with an uncertain expression for a moment before getting up and crossing to the door of the bedroom. Turning in the doorway to look back at him she said "thank you Jean-Luc. That's just what I needed." Then she headed off to do as he had bid her.

Jean-Luc looked to the other woman sat there and felt the sadness surrounding her. He had always found situations like this difficult. It was one thing to have to deliver the bad news, it was entirely another to have to pick up the pieces. It had been hard enough when Jack had died and he brought his body home to Beverley. It had taken along time for their friendship to recover from their mutual pain and his feeling of guilt over the death of his best friend. Now though he had a promise to fulfil. He had a duty to another close friend to do right by his widow and that meant passing on an important message.

"Deanna. I know you're hurting right now. I know this is really hard for you to go through. Right now though I need you to listen to me." Jean-Luc looked into her eyes. He hoped she could hear the message he was about to give her. "Deanna, Will asked me to give you a message. He told me that if anything were to happen to him I should tell you he said

'Imzadi is a bond for life, but I will still be with you in spirit long after my body is gone. If you can no longer reach out and touch me, then reach out to our friends. A part of me will always live on in those we love and who love us. Draw strength from them.'"

As Jean-Luc spoke he saw tears start to fall from Deanna's eyes. As he finished he saw her shoulders begin to shake and finally she looked at him. He sat next to her and held her tight as she sobbed. Beverley appeared in the doorway and looked at them.

"It's ok Beverley. Get some sleep. I'll be here." Beverley hesitated as she looked at him. She was so tired, but also relieved that something had finally got through to Deanna. Deciding that Jean-Luc had everything under control, she turned around and went to lie down on the bed.

Gradually Deanna's sobs lessened and turned into quietly shed tears. Jean-Luc continued to hold her tight and felt her relax against him. Eventually she fell asleep. He sat there for awhile, thinking of all the adventures he'd had with Deanna and Will on the Enterprise. It was hard to believe the man was really gone, but now Jean-Luc knew he had to do everything he could for the woman he held. A woman who had lost her entire family but was part of this special family of his on the Enterprise. There seemed so little he could really do, but at least she was home now and he'd do whatever it took to keep her here on the Enterprise. He looked down at her, she was sleeping peacefully. Carefully, he picked her up and carried her through to the bedroom, laying her beside Beverley. After pulling the covers around the two women he pulled a chair to the side of the bed and sat back in it. Eventually he too was asleep, keep guard over the two most important women in his life.