Voyages 4
Kathryn sits and fiddles with her coffee cup as she watches Beverly fill hers. She adds cream and sugar and Kathryn wrinkles her nose giving Beverly reason to smile. She files it away as one more thing she can needle her new friend with when the time is right.
As impatient as she is, Kathryn is learning that Beverly is going to do things in her own time and in her own way. It's difficult for her to give up that control, being used to giving orders and having them followed. Pushing Beverly will get her nowhere though and she tries to not let it get to her. Still, she's sure Beverly knows exactly what she's doing and it's driving Kathryn a little bit crazy. Kathryn tries to look relaxed as they sit at a table in the dining facility. As much as she hates small talk, she decides that it's better than fanaticizing about grabbing the doctor around the neck and shaking her.
"So, why did you leave the Enterprise? The word is that you weren't happy at StarFleet Medical, that was why you went back?"
Beverly shrugs. "I don't know. When I was here before, it was different. My son stayed on the Enterprise. He was only 15 at the time. I felt bad about leaving him. And it was exciting then, exploring the galaxy, new dangers, new challenges every day. Now Wesley is grown and off doing his own exploring. I don't see him much. The crew? We had been together a long time. We were a family, they were my friends but, over the years, well, you know how it is, people take new posts, they get married, they die. I was starting to feel like I was being left behind."
"And Picard?"
Beverly lowers her eyes. "Yeah. Him too."
"Did you love him? There were rumors. About you two."
Beverly blushes. "I know. Maybe I did, once. I could have. But Jean-Luc is a captain."
Kathryn nods. She knows. A starship captain has only one true love. There just isn't room for two in a captain's life.
"Anyway, I guess I started to feel like I was waiting for something, something that was never going to happen. I needed a change. Medical seemed as good an idea as any. At least here, maybe I have a chance to meet someone."
"Is that what you want? To meet someone?"
Beverly thinks for a second. "Honestly, I don't know. I don't really know what I want. Not yet. I just know that I can't wait any longer for something to happen."
Kathryn nods. "I get that. When it's time to move on. I had someone once. He couldn't wait any longer either."
"I'm sorry," Beverly says softly.
"It's OK," Kathryn says with a shrug. "I don't blame him. I, we were the ones who disappeared. No one knew if we were dead or alive. Or if we would ever make it back. Four years is a long time to mourn. He's happy now. I'm happy for him."
Beverly blinks away the sadness in her blue eyes.
"Maybe we should get together. You know, show them both what they're missing,"
Kathryn searches her face, trying to figure out what Beverly is saying. She gives up.
"I can't tell when you're being serious and when you're trying to tease me."
"Good," Beverly says with a coy smile.
Beverly begins to bus the table.
"Why don't you go and get your things. Let your CO know that you'll be spending a couple of days here, at my place. I'm going to go and pick up a few scanners and things we'll need."
Kathryn eyes her suspiciously. "Your place? Why your place? You aren't planning on taking advantage of me are you?"
Beverly laughs. "I assure you. My only interest is your brain," she says with an enigmatic smile. "By all rights, you should be strapped to a biobed in Medical right now. I'm guessing Voyager sick bay is out as well so that leaves my apartment. Unless you'd rather…"
"NO! No. Your apartment is good."
"Good," Beverly nods. "Gimme a couple hours. I need to stop at the store as well. In the morning, I'm making waffles!"