Chapter 14

The council waited for Picard to give his ideas on how to solve this delicate problem. Picard stood before the council aware that they were all waiting for him.

Picard then proceeded to tell the Council how they could handle the situation, laying out the details which explained the death of Vance, his return and the return of the Enterprise to Earth. He had thought about this since his decision to confront Vance and set the record straight and he had come up with a plausible explanation. Vance's death while unexpected was not difficult to explain. He was an older man who was under tremendous stress. His heart could give out at any time and that is what will be told to all. Beverly Crusher as an experienced ships doctor will confirm that he died of a sudden and massive heart attack. As for his re-appearance and the secret meeting of the Council well that too could be explained. Vance had put in a report that he had died when his craft and crashed on a planet he had been sent to survey. Well he had not died in the crash; in fact he had survived and over the last five years managed to get the transmitter working. He had managed to contact the Enterprise who had spent the last few weeks trying to locate the signal and find him. It was well known that the Enterprise had disappeared for a period and had maintained communication silence. This could be explained away but the fact the planet that Vance had purported him to have died on was in fact in the Nebelan sector, a part of space where sub-space communication was notoriously bad. Once the Enterprise had retrieved him they had notified the Council who had in turn ordered their immediate return to Earth to deliver him back to them.

Beverly watched him as he laid out what they had to do to make this work. She was amazed that he had come up with the perfect plan, even taking into consideration maybe having to explain the death of Vance. Her eyes shone with love and pride as he spoke. They did not deserve him or his loyalty.

The Council listened to Picard's plan and found themselves agreeing with his suggestions. It was probably the only way that they were going to get away with this. The other problem was of course what to do with Picard now that he was back.

Three hours later the chamber rooms were cleared and Picard was back on the Enterprise. He was in his quarters busy gathering his few possessions together before he left for his family farm. Beverly was to accompany him on his trip and she was in her quarters preparing for the trip. Riker stood with Picard in his quarters.

"The Enterprise is yours sir." Riker said flatly as they continued their talk on Picard's future.

"I could not do that to you Will. This has been your ship for the last five years and it is only fair that it remain so. Anyway it is a mute argument Number One; it is the Council that will decide both our futures."

"Sir, if you asked for the Enterprise back they would give it to you sir." Riker insisted.

"I know that Will, but it is not just you that I am thinking of it's me. I don't know if I want it back. I don't know if I want this life back." Picard paused before continuing. "You know that Beverly and I have...well let just say we have found each other. It took a long time and a great tragedy for that to happen and I am not about to waste the opportunity."

"I understand Captain, but being back on the Enterprise will not stop that. Dr. Crusher is already here and it would be a natural as breathing for you to resume your duties as Captain." Picard started to speak but Riker interrupted him as he continued.

"As for myself, well sir...I would be honoured to serve as your Second-in-Command again. Before you say anything let me say that I have proven myself a worthy Captain and I have no ambition to Captain any other ship, besides..." Will looked slightly embarrassed as he paused. "Besides I am going to be a father and that takes precedence over anything else."

"Will...Congratulations!" Picard said as he grasped his hand.

"Thank you sir."

"But you know that does not have to..." Picard halted his speech as Riker raised his hand.

"No sir. I will not be like my father was. I will be there for my child and if I have to break in a new ship and a new crew, well let's just say it is not conducive to good parenting."

"Precisely why you should remain here on the Enterprise as her Captain." Picard stated.

"Sir...I don't think you understand what I am trying to say. I want to stay on the Enterprise and I want to stay on her with you as her Captain, the way it should be."

"Well let's both think about it and when the Council meets in two weeks then we can deal with the issue. For now all I want is to take Beverly to my home and hopefully sometime during the next two weeks make an honest woman of her." Picard smiled at the expression on Riker's face.

"Don't worry Number One, you and Deanna will definitely be invited to the ceremony."

"What ceremony would that be?" Beverly Crusher asked as she entered his quarters.

"I believe the Captain is going to be honoured by the Council with a ceremony on his safe return." Riker hastily said. Picard smiled broadly. Riker had not lost his ability to think on his feet, or his ability to rescue his Captain from sticky situations.

"That's right." Picard responded taking in the beauty of the woman before him his eyes betraying his adoration. "Are you ready to go?"

"All packed." Beverly confirmed.

"Then I suggest we get going." Picard said taking her hand in his.

"We will see you in two weeks Number One." Picard said as he and Beverly left his quarters and headed to the shuttle bay where their transport awaited them.