Author's Note: Since the last two chapters were short, I thought I'd post another chapter today. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

"Mom!"

Wesley's familiar smile broke across his face, and Beverly felt her heart clench. So much like Jack's, she thought, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over onto her cheeks. And so much like the smile he'd had on his face fifteen years ago when she'd had to tell him about Jack, and how he wasn't coming back. But Jean-Luc is missing; he's not dead. He's not dead.

"Mom?" The smile started to fade, a look of worry creeping into his eyes.

"Wesley." She forced a smile of her own. "How are you?"

"I'm all right." He shook his head. "This is a surprise. I wasn't expecting to hear from you. Although, I did know that the Enterprise was in range of sub-space communications." He always kept up with their itinerary. "You don't have to check up on me every time you're in the neighborhood."

"Of course, I do," Beverly replied, trying to keep her tone light. "That's one of the first rules of motherhood. Never let your child think that he's ever out of your sight. Even when he is."

Wesley nodded. "I'm doing just fine, Mom."

"I'm sure you are." She studied his eyes and face. "You look well. Are you-"

"I'm eating," he answered the question before she had a chance to ask it. "And I'm studying. And I occasionally find time for a date." He laughed when his mother raised her eyebrows. "Nothing serious, Mom." He grinned slyly. "Besides, I think one marriage per family per year is all Starfleet allows."

That was the last time they'd seen each other in person. Wesley had come aboard the Enterprise three months earlier, taking a short leave from the Academy in order to be there for the wedding. Will Riker had been Picard's best man, and Wesley had given his mother away. She hadn't been sure about asking him, didn't know how he'd feel about it. She could still remember their conversation in her quarters just days before the ceremony.

She stared at him expectantly, and when he didn't answer immediately, she lowered her eyes and continued talking. "I'm sorry, Wes. I shouldn't have asked. I know this is all very confusing for you, and the fact that you're here is enough. I'm so glad you could come, because regardless of all the different feelings surrounding this wedding, I wanted you be here to share it with me. And Jean-Luc. I know he's glad that you're here, too. We both are. And Wesley, if there is anything that you want to talk about that I haven't brought up, then please, let me know, because I am here for you. You know that. Whatever-"

"Mom!" She felt his hands on her shoulders, and she looked up. When did he get so tall? "Slow down. You're going to wear yourself out, and you still have a lot to do between now and the wedding. Besides, the answer is... yes. I didn't answer right away because I was a little stunned. I mean, it's not every day that a mother asks a son to give her away at her own wedding. But, Mom, there is no other person in this world that I would want to give you away to."

"Oh, Wesley." She touched her fingers to his cheek. "Are you sure all of this is all right with you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Mom, I wanted you to marry Captain Picard six years ago."

She blinked up at him. "You did?"

"Yes. The first year we were on board, I knew there was something between the two of you, even when you guys were too afraid to admit to it. And then, when you were gone for that year, and came back... I knew things had changed a little, but... You have always loved him, Mom."

"I loved him as a-"

"Don't say friend," Wesley cut her off.

"But I did love him as a friend."

"Dad loved him as a friend." Wesley smiled softly at the memory of his father. "And I know that for a long time you did, too. But your friendship changed, even while the two of you were too busy to realize it. All I can say is that I'm glad you both finally noticed."

Beverly brushed her fingers over Wesley's forehead, pushed back a strand of fine brown hair. "And the fact that Jean-Luc was once your father's best friend?"

"Doesn't bother me. Not at all." He kissed his mother on the cheek. "I just want you to be happy, Mom."

Beverly wrapped her arms around her son, placed a kiss of her own on his cheek. "I am, Wesley. I am."

"So, how are you two newlyweds?" Wesley's grin expanded. "Have you found time for a honeymoon yet? Didn't the Captain want to take you back to France for a few days? I really think a trip would be-"

"Wesley..."

"...just great for you, and France is-"

"Wes!" She raised her voice slightly, and he stopped talking, stared at her blankly. "Wesley." Beverly tried to regain her composure. "I have some... There's something I need to tell you."

"Mom, what is it?" He could sense her discomfort now.

Beverly stared into her son's eyes. He was so close, and yet so far away. And she wished he were here. Right here. With her. With Jean-Luc.

"Mom?" His voice trembled.

She had to tell him. Just tell him. "Wesley, a week ago Jean-Luc and Will left the ship in a shuttle on their way to Trastor Nine. They were to be guests at a governmental conference. The, uh... the shuttle crashed, and when a rescue team arrived, Will was there, but... Jean-Luc is missing."

Wesley gazed back at her, and she could see the tears gather instantly in his eyes. They mirrored the ones in her own. "Missing?" he whispered.

Beverly nodded. "For a week now. We have... search parties out looking for him. But..."

"But what?"

She drew in a deep breath. "Will was unconscious for several days..."

"He's all right, though?"

"He will be. He doesn't remember much, but he does remember seeing Cardassians after the crash. He thinks they took Jean-Luc."

Wesley shook his head slowly, disbelieving. "Oh, Mom." He gasped in a breath of air. "I want to be there."

Beverly reached up, wiped her hands over her eyes. "I knew you'd say that, but there's nothing you can do here."

"I can be with you," he argued. "And when they find him, I'll be there, and if..." His voice trailed off.

She knew what he'd been about to say. And if they don't. That's all she'd been thinking about. If they don't. "I'll keep you informed, Wes. You know I will. And if..." They had to acknowledge the possibility; they couldn't keep it silent between them. "And if they don't find him, then there will be a memorial service, and you can come then."

He swallowed past the lump in his throat. "They'll find him, Mom. They will." He managed a slight smile. "And then I can come anyway, for a visit. All right?"

"Absolutely," she murmured. "Now, you hold on. Don't forget to study."

"Mom!" But he realized she was searching for things to say: everyday things, mundane, unimportant in the face of what was happening to her. To them. "I'll study. I may... I may go talk to Boothby."

Beverly smiled. "I think that would be good. You tell him... Tell him Jean-Luc says hello."

~vVv~