I'm Not the Only One Chapter 2, a startrek: the next generation fanfic

Part 2

You're throwin' around a lot of serious accusations
Ain't too hard to tell what you're insinuatin'
You think I'm the one who stole her away
And if not for me she'd still be yours today

We're both men here so why play games
Why don't we call a spade a spade?

Man to man tell me the truth, tell me
Were you ever there when she needed you?
Man to man look me in the eye, tell me
If you really loved her, why'd you make her cry?
Man to man, who cheated who
You're the one to blame tell me it ain't true
Man to man, man to man

Well, you think all your anger is justified
Me, I think it's just your wounded pride
What did you really think she was gonna do
She's a real woman not a doormat for you

You want her back but it's too late
Why don't we just cut to the chase

Gary Allan, "Man to Man."

Picard presses the chime on Jack's cabin door, his heart pounding profusely against his chest. With great restraint, he had contained his powerful outrage and disappointment in his friend for Beverly's sake. Now, however, it is time to discuss the matter with his friend.

The door slides open to reveal Jack Crusher, grim look set upon his stony face. "Oh."

From his expression, it is evident to Picard that Jack had been expecting it to be his wife knocking at the door, not the captain. "May I come in?"

Scanning his friend, Jack's lips form a tight line. "I take it Beverly ran crying to you?"

Raising a challenging brow, Picard braces himself for what he anticipates will turn into a heated confrontation. "I want to talk."

"I'm not in the mood," professes Jack, hand hovering over the button to close the door.

Stepping over the threshold before Jack has a chance to lock him out, Picard is not about to allow Jack to escape from this discussion so easily. "Damn it, Jack, don't cower!"

The door slides closed behind Picard and deafening silence pervades the small cabin.

Inhaling sharply, Jack glares at his superior officer. "You think I owe you something? You think is any of your business?"

Eyes dilated, Picard begins to realize that Jack does not comprehend the magnitude of the problem.. "No, that's not what I said. But, your wife is distraught. I think you ought to fix this."

Shaking his head, Jack scoffs. "You have no clue."

"Then tell me!" implores Picard, tossing a hand in the air. "What the hell possessed you?"

"You think it's easy? You think it's easy being here while she's away? It's lonely. It's hard," explains Jack in frustration.

Mouth agape, Picard is flabbergasted. "You think that's an excuse? You were lonely?"

Growling in agitation, Jack turns his back to Picard. "This is pointless."

"Everybody's lonely, Jack," Picard states pointedly. "Everyone has needs. You don't think Beverly was lonely? That doesn't give you the right to cheat."

Whipping back around, Jack puts his hands on his hips. "It wasn't easy. This wasn't all me. She could have done more, too."

Without consciously considering his actions, Picard's rational side is supplanted by his rage and instantly he finds his fist connecting with Jack's face. Before he can register what has happened, he has dealt Jack a powerful right hook precisely between Jack's eyes.

Stumbling backward, Jack is shocked by his friend's action and it takes a few seconds for him to respond. After a second, he reacts with a punch to Picard's nose that nearly knocks him out.

Shaking off the dizziness, Picard hardly notices the blood dripping from his nose, grasping for Jack's uniform collar. "Damn it, Jack!"

Grinding his teeth, Jack pants for air, regaining his equilibrium. "You fucking hit me!"

"Don't you ever imply that this is Beverly's fault!" orders Picard, shaking Jack by the collar.

With blood drizzling from the laceration between his eyes, Jack shoves Picard off.

Panting, Picard tries to compose himself, to still his pounding heart. "This is no good."

"I think you should leave," Jack states sharply, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Agreed," grumbles Picard, starting for the cabin door. Swiping at the blood trickling from his nose, Picard turns to glance at Jack. "Jack, I fought for you. You should know that."

Casting his friend a pained look, Jack swallows hard.

PAGE BREAK

Rising from the sofa at the sound of the door opening, Beverly is grateful that Jean-Luc has returned. She had been pacing the cabin restlessly, left alone with her tortured thoughts. When Jean-Luc sneaks through the cabin door, she is alarmed to find his uniform slightly disheveled, blood dripping down his face.

Worried, Beverly rushes to the front as the door closes behind Jean-Luc. "What happened?"

Waving her off, Jean-Luc sighs in resignation. "You don't want to know."

Pressing her hand to his cheek, Beverly examines his bleeding nose. "You took quite a blow."

"Not nearly as bad as the one I gave," smirks Jean-Luc as Beverly tilts his head back.

Casting him a reproving look, Beverly runs her thumb along his cheek. "You had a confrontation with Jack, didn't you?"

Reddening, Jean-Luc doesn't want to lie to her, while simultaneously he does not want to heighten her anxiety over the situation.

Rolling her eyes, Beverly steps back. "Go sit down."

"Beverly…."grumbles Jean-Luc.

"Sit down!" orders Beverly, walking over to the replicator in the tiny kitchenette.

With a sigh of exasperation, Jean-Luc moves to the sofa as Beverly replicates a glass of ice and a glass of water.

After a moment, Beverly joins him on the sofa, handing him a glass of water. "That wasn't wise, Jean-Luc."

Jean-Luc winces as she applies the ice cubes wrapped in a cloth over his nose.

"Look up," commands Beverly, holding the cloth with ice over his nose.

"I'm sorry, Beverly," whispers Jean-Luc, staring up at the ceiling.

Frowning, Beverly wipes the blood from his face with another cloth. "Me, too. You're lucky your nose isn't broken."

Tilting his head back down, Jean-Luc tries to look at her. "We can get your things. You're staying here tonight."

Nodding slowly, Beverly concedes. "I haven't brought my case up yet. I'll go down and get it. Thank you."

Reaching for her hand, Jean-Luc musters a smile. "You're not alone, Beverly."

He had insisted she sleep in his bed and she protested fervently; however, in the end, too exhausted and drained to fight anymore, Beverly had consented to taking the bed while Jean-Luc opted to sleep on his sofa. After having lied awake restless for hours, Beverly decides to creep out into the dark living area.

Tip-toeing silently across the living area in her nightgown and robe, Beverly pauses at the sofa. She kneels down beside the sofa and lays her hand on Jean-Luc's shoulder.

Half-awake, Jean-Luc rouses, sitting upright gradually. "Beverly?"

"I'm sorry to wake you," whispers Beverly, already regretting coming in here.

Blinking rapidly, Jean-Luc comes to his full senses. "No, that's alright. I could hardly sleep. Are you okay?"

"Just can't sleep," sighs Beverly wearily.

Making room for her on the sofa, Jean-Luc pats the cushion beside him invitingly. "I'm sorry. What can I do?"

Accepting the offer, Beverly slips onto he sofa beside him, already feeling better. "I just don't want to be alone."

Jean-Luc adjusts the blanket, wrapping it over her lap and legs. "You're not alone."

"Will you come lay beside me?" Beverly asks tentatively, curling up beside him under the blanket.

Breath catching his throat, Jean-Luc hedges. "I'm not sure…that's a wise idea."

Pursing her lips, Beverly takes his hand under the blanket. "I promise I won't kiss you. I just want you close."

Internally struggling, Jean-Luc exhales slowly. He wraps an arm around her back, silently wondering to himself how much further she can test his resolve.

Laying her head against his shoulder, Beverly closes her eyes. "Jean-Luc, you're a really good friend."

Swallowing hard, Jean-Luc rubs her back. "Yes." Too good, Jean-Luc mutters inside his own head.

"What am I going to do, Jean-Luc?" whispers Beverly. " I feel like he's cut my heart open, but I don't know what to do. I love him. He's still my husband and I love him. I want a family. I want Wesley to grow up with a father. I can't believe this is the end for us."

Every fiber in his being is aching. Jean-Luc is livid with his friend. Right now, Jean-Luc has what he considers the most beautiful, intelligent and kind woman in the universe in his arms, and it takes every ounce of will power he possesses not to jump her. Conversely, Jack fails to recognize Beverly for the incredible woman she is and has the audacity to be unfaithful. If Jean-Luc were given the chance to capture her heart, he would never let it go. "It's not. If you love him, you can make it work."

Pressing her lips to his cheek, Beverly smiles in the dark. "Thank you, Jean-Luc. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Inhaling sharply, Jean-Luc nods. "I'm here for you. I'll help you work it out."

Squeezing his hand, Beverly closes her eyes. "Yes. It will all work out."