Part 2

Dr. Selar's prediction proved to be accurate. Picard spent four days in the isolation unit. He reached the contagious stage on the morning of the second day leaving him feverish and achy. Still, he decided that was preferable to the numbing lethargy that followed. Once released from the isolation unit, he spent another full day sleeping in his cabin.

The worst part was not having Beverly there. Jean-Luc had never realized just how much comfort he took from her gentle bedside manner whenever he was sick or injured. That and the fact he was just plain terrified that she could still die.

Right now he just missed her. Again, Dr. Selar had been right. This episode had proved devastating to Beverly. For days her life had hung in the balance as she struggled to fight off the infection. Now, the virus was gone, but her recuperation was extremely slow.

Beverly remained in the isolation unit. She was no longer contagious, but now the concern was reversed. Her resistance was low, and any additional strain on her immune system could be fatal.

Picard, who normally avoided Sickbay at all costs, had become a regular fixture during his off duty hours. The medical staff grew used to seeing him sitting next to the doctor's unit. The sound of his voice, reading or just talking, became part of the background noise, noticed only when missing.

Will, Deanna, Geordi and Data along with several of the medical staff each took turns relieving the Captain, mostly out of their own feelings for Beverly, but also because they agreed with him about not wanting to leave her alone.

oxo

Beverly had been confined for nearly ten days, and Jean-Luc was beginning to wonder if she was ever coming out. She was asleep at the moment, but it wasn't a peaceful slumber. Countless times he'd watched Beverly soothe a restless patient with a gentle hand on a shoulder or arm. He couldn't even do that much for her now. There was, of course, the quarantine seal pass through, but Dr. Selar wanted that disturbed as little as possible. The best he could do was rest his hand against the clear partition separating him from the biobed where she lay. Beverly stirred, turning instinctively toward him as she awoke.

She was terribly pale, and she had lost more weight than was good for her. Her eyes were dull, lacking their usual fire. Even her hair, the auburn beacon that allowed him to find her in any crowd, had lost its vibrant luster. She raised her hand to match his on the partition, as had become their habit. It was somehow comforting to both of them, a personal connection despite the barrier. Still, Jean-Luc could see what that small expenditure cost her, and he hated seeing her so frail.

"Hi," she whispered. "What time is it?"

"It's very late or very early," he replied, matching her soft tones, "depending on how you look at it."

"Either way, you shouldn't be here. Where's Data?" Her voice cracked, raspy from lack of use.

"Tired of me already?" Jean-Luc teased.

"Never, but I can see I need to have a word with my staff about keeping the captain healthy."

"I'm not a captain right now." He shrugged at her skeptical look. "I'm a friend taking care of a friend, same as everyone else who sits in this chair.

Beverly closed her eyes with a sigh. The silence stretched out, and just when he began to think she had fallen asleep again, she murmured softly, "I've got awfully nice friends." Shifting restlessly, she asked again, "Where's Data?"

Picard raised an inquiring eyebrow. "What's this sudden fascination with Data? I think I'm beginning to get a bit jealous."

"Poor Jean-Luc. It's just that Data does something for me that you don't." Just then, Data entered Sickbay. The captain was surprised to see that he carried a guitar. With a faint smile, Beverly continued, "He sings to me. He has a beautiful voice. And he doesn't mind when I go to sleep during a 'performance'."

oxo

Four days later, Picard entered Sickbay only to find Beverly's unit was empty. His heart stopped for a moment before he realized that he would have been notified immediately if she had taken a turn for the worse. Taking a couple of steadying breaths, he ventured further in.

Beverly was on the far side of the room, seated in a chair. She looked up as she heard him approach. "Jean-Luc," she said, her words scarcely reaching him. She waited until he came closer before speaking again. "You just missed my great performance. I walked across the room. Barely. With help." She flashed a wan smile at Alyssa Ogawa who stood beside her.

"And you've done all you're going to do for today," the young nurse admonished. "You've been out of that isolation chamber less than an hour. You shouldn't over do it."

"I know what I can and can't do, Alyssa."

"Well, for once, just once, I'm in a position to know better."

"But..."

"No 'buts'. Captain, if you could help her to that bed, I'll go get her medication."

Beverly opened her mouth to protest, but Jean-Luc held up his hand. "You heard her. And it's your fault she's so stubborn because you trained her. Besides, she's right. I happen to know, from my own personal experience with a far less severe case, that you barely have the strength to stand up by yourself, much less argue with both of us. Now, you can do a bit more walking today and get there under your own power, or I can carry you. Which do you prefer?"

"Are you sure I'm capable of making such a judgment of my own abilities?" she asked sarcastically, but her voice was already noticeably weaker.

"Apparently not," he replied with a grin. "Very well, my lady, you shall ride." He lifted her easily before she could react.

"Jean-Luc, put me down!" she demanded.

"Just because of your attitude, I'd drop you right here if I didn't think you'd shatter into a thousand pieces. You weigh practically nothing. Have you eaten today?"

She wrinkled her nose as he set her gingerly on the biobed. "No, food doesn't seem very appealing right now."

"Now I know you're too sick to take care of yourself. I never thought I would see the day when Beverly Crusher didn't want to eat." This time, she stuck her tongue out at him. "Very mature, Doctor, which is probably why your staff says you make such a terrible patient!"

Alyssa, returning with the hypospray, merely smiled as she heard his last comment.

oxo

Beverly would never fully recover while on board the Enterprise, or so said the general consensus of opinion. She was pushing herself to return to duty, which was slowing her recovery.

By unanimous vote it was decided that Beverly would take a month's leave to recuperate. It was unanimous because Beverly's input was not solicited. Neither was she asked where she would prefer to spend her leave nor with whom. Will had suggested Risa, but he was emphatically overruled in favor of Aglais for its more restful and therapeutic activities.

The only plan that was not put up for any form of vote was the captain's announced intention of accompanying Beverly - simply as a precaution, of course. Deanna pointed out that he hadn't had much chance to relax himself after his illness. Not that anyone would have argued with him anyway.

Deanna did Beverly's packing so that the doctor could be transported directly from Sickbay to the shuttle. It also allowed her to include the less conservative items that she was sure Beverly would never have chosen for this particular leave.

tbc