Part 2

Glancing up over his computer monitor at the sound of the door chime, Picard beckons the caller into his Ready Room. "Come."

The Ready Room door slides open and a small boy enters hesitantly, stringing his hands.

Somewhat alarmed, Picard leans forward in his chair at his desk. "Louis, what are you doing here?"

Chewing his lip, Louis trepidatiously pads forward to the desk. "Mom said you were working."

"I am working," replies Picard, appraising the boy concernedly. "I just finished a conference. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," answers Louis quietly, standing in front of the desk.

Exhaling audibly, Picard stands out of his chair and circumnavigates the desk. "I'm afraid I must return to the Bridge shortly. You mustn't be here, Louis."

Dejected, Louis climbs into the visitor chair in front of the desk as his father perches on the edge of the desk in front of him. "You said we were gonna spend time together."

"We will," Picard assures the boy, reaching for his hand. "I just have to work. This is a new ship, new crew…"

Sighing, Louis bows his head. "Alright."

They're interrupted by the sound of the door chime, and Picard glances toward the door and invites the caller in. "Come."

Beverly enters the Ready Room, hands on her hips. Crossing the room, she fixes her youngest son with a no-nonsense glare. "Mr. Picard, what are you doing here?"

Looking sombrely at his mother, Louis shrugs his shoulders. "I came to see Papa."

Pointing her finger at the boy, Beverly pauses next to the visitor chair. "You were supposed to meet your brother after school."

Glancing between Beverly and the boy, Picard intervenes. "Louis, where are you supposed to be now?"

Frowning, Louis looks guiltily at his father. "I was meeting Wes after class and then we were supposed to go to our quarters."

Gesturing to Beverly, Picard's face is set neutrally. "Apologize to your mother. Then, march yourself back to your cabin."

Nodding obediently, Louis climbs out of the chair. "Yes, sir." Louis steps over to his mother and offers a short hug. "I'm sorry, Mom."

Patting his head, Beverly softens. "Go on, Wes is waiting for you at home. Go home and do your home work."

Louis exits silently, leaving Beverly and Picard alone in the Ready Room.

"I'm sorry he bothered you," apologizes Beverly, running a hand through her hair, slightly exasperated.

Waving her off, Picard stands off of his desk, coming to stand in front of Beverly. "There's no need to apologize. He's no bother."

"He so desperately wants to see you," explains Beverly, racking her own brain, trying to conceive a way to make her son happy and balance the delicate relationships involved.

"We'll work it out," promises Picard. "Maybe we should devise a schedule? I can take him some evenings and days when I'm off duty?"

Eyes widening, Beverly blanches. "I'm not splitting custody of my son!"

Softening, Jean-Luc reaches for her hand. "Beverly, he's my son, too."

Meeting his gaze, Beverly is at a loss for words, unable to vocalize a rebuttal.

"I don't want to split custody of Louis," clarifies Jean-Luc, holding her hand. "If we're going to make this work we have to do this together, as a united front."

Nodding, Beverly concedes. "You're right."

"Right now, Louis is confused and needs direction. The two of us need to get on the same page so we can present a joint effort. I would like to spend more time with all of you, get to know both of the boys," Jean-Luc tells her earnestly. "I do think we ought to set aside the time for that to happen. We need to show Louis that we are a family. Maybe he'll settle in better if he sees that we're making that effort."

Nodding her agreement, Beverly exhales. "Yes. That's a good idea."

"Why don't you bring the boys over to my quarters tonight after your shift?" suggests Picard. "I'll get dinner."

Smiling lightly, Beverly bobs her head. "Sure."

PAGE BREAK

"Jean-Luc, watch them!" cries Beverly, gesturing to the boys in the living area as she carries their empty mugs to the recycler.

Chuckling, Picard observes Wesley and Louis playfully engaging in a fencing duel with his old epees. Jean-Luc had brought his old swords out to show the boys, and the boys had wanted to witness a little demonstration. Picard had taught them the "en guard" pose and a strike and block position. Beverly hadn't been overly thrilled to see the boys fencing without the proper protective gear.

Shaking her head, Beverly deposits the mugs and follows Picard into the living area, where the boys are play duelling without any equipment or protection.

"Alright, boys. That's enough," Jean-Luc tells them good-naturedly, happy to see the boys getting use out of his swords. "Now, bow to your opponent and shake hands." Jean-Luc lowers himself onto the sofa, content to watch the boys.

Giggling, the boys follow through with Picard's instructions of the accepted etiquette. Wesley lays his epee up against the wall beside the sofa.

Louis carries his sword over to his father. "Papa, can you teach me to fence?"

"Sure, Cadet," Picard answers with a proud smile. "How about you and Wes hang onto those epees? We'll practice in the gym."

"Excuse me?" Beverly interjects, raising a brow to Picard as she slips onto the sofa beside him.

"Under my supervision," amends Picard for Beverly's sake. "With proper safety equipment."

Relenting, Beverly nearly smiles. "Fine. But, the swords stay here."

Smiling, Picard nods to the boys. "Will you two pack the epees away for now?"

Wes retrieves the sword and motions for Louis to follow him through to the spare room Picard has used to store some books, artifacts and assorted personal items.

Picard turns to Beverly on the sofa. "I saw the invitation for that symposium next month."

Frowning, Beverly shakes her head. "Yeah. It's too bad. I've been going with a delegation from Medical for probably five or six years now. Well, there will be other opportunities."

"I was going to suggest you take a delegation and go," Picard offers, a relaxed smile on his lips. "I know how much you enjoy it."

"I can't," argues Beverly. "That's very kind, Jean-Luc. But, we're just getting established in Sickbay. And, I really can't leave the boys for that long. It's not the right time to be taking off for a week."

"I can watch the boys," offers Jean-Luc casually.

Incredulous, Beverly almost scoffs. "You'd look after the boys?"

Shrugging, Jean-Luc leans toward Beverly. "Sure."

Letting out a long breath, Beverly tries to stifle her amusement. "Ahh…no."

Reaching for her hand, Jean-Luc grows earnest. "Beverly, Louis has been asking if he can sleep over here. He wants to do more things together. It would be a good opportunity for me to bond with them."

Considering his request, Beverly is torn, staring into his hopeful eyes. "I don't know, Jean-Luc. You've never had the responsibility of caring for children before."

"Because you haven't let me," Jean-Luc reminds her painfully. "Beverly, for nine years you've kept me at arm's length from my son! How am I supposed to know how to parent when you haven't let me be a father to my own son?"

In the kitchen, Wesley puts a hand on his little brother's shoulder. Having just stepped into the room, they had overheard the conversation.

Startled, Beverly glances over to the kitchen, where Louis has begun to tremble, tears welling in his eyes. "Louis!"

"What?" Sobbing, Louis stares in shock and disbelief at his mother. "I thought Papa was posted on the old ship! I thought he was working!"

Beverly jumps off of the sofa, dashing across the room to Louis standing in the kitchen area. "Louis…"

"You lied!" Louis accuses, tears rolling down his cheeks as Beverly approaches him. "You kept Papa away."

"That's not true," retorts Beverly, dropping to her knees in front of Louis, taking his little hands in hers.

Louis retracts his hands, sobbing. "Go away. I don't want you. I want Papa."

Mouth agape, Beverly's heart shatters.