Part 25

Data had been on his way to report to the bridge when he spots the doctor waddling in the corridor, hand favouring her back.

Spotting Data striding toward her, Beverly exhales in relief. "Data!"

"What is wrong, Doctor?" Data inquires, effortlessly rushing to her side.

Eyes wide, Beverly is disheveled and panicked. "Something's not right. Please help me to sickbay?"

"Yes, Doctor," replies Data calmly, taking her arm. Guiding her to the turbolift, Data scrutinizes her form. "Shall I contact the captain?"

Shaking her head, Beverly winces through a painful cramp. "No, that's alright, Data. He's busy with the conference. Don't disturb him."

The turbolift doors open and Data helps Beverly inside, holding her arm for support.

Closing her eyes, Beverly takes a steadying breath, trying to still her rapidly beating heart.

PAGE BREAK

Sitting in the large chair in the governor's private office, Picard stares across at the computer view screen and is immediately connected with his ship's counselor who is sitting in the observation lounge on the Enterprise in orbit above the planet where a large interplanetary peace conference is being hosted. Picard is representing the Federation and has been essentially sequestered on the planet for over thirty-six hours.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt you, sir," Troi apologizes.

"That's quite alright, Counselor," Picard assures her, his eyes heavy. "I needed a break. Governor Yornak can yammer."

"I'm sure," Troi responds.

"What's wrong?" Picard inquires, sensing from the hesitant look on her face that she is not calling to provide a much-needed reprieve from the conference.

Sighing, Deanna grimaces. "Beverly's in sickbay. She's not doing well. She…she's bleeding heavily. They're going to deliver the baby by emergency cesarean."

Digesting the news, Picard nods slowly. "Alright. I'll take the shuttle back immediately."

Frowning remorsefully, Troi shakes her head. "I'm afraid you can't, sir. Will, Geordi, Data, everyone looked at the situation thoroughly. Beaming is entirely impossible. The ion storms are incredibly violent. You won't be able to navigate through the storm with the shuttle."

"That's unacceptable," declares Picard. "There must be a way. Put me through to Riker."

Frowning hesitantly, Troi nods. "Yes, sir."

Troi changes the communication link and he is instantly transferred to the view screen of the bridge where Riker is in the command chair.

"Number One, I need to get back immediately," Picard demands over the screen.

"I know, sir," Riker replies evenly. "Unfortunately…"

Cutting him off, Picard rises front he chair in the governor's office. "Enough excuses. I want solutions."

"We don't have any, sir," Riker informs him ruefully. "We've reviewed every possible alternative. You'll have to wait until the ion storms die down."

"Damn it, Riker!" Picard drives his fist into the desk. "My wife is about to deliver my baby. They're both in danger. Get me back to my damned ship!"

Swallowing hard, Riker shares a queasy look with Data. "I'm sorry, Captain. I can't."

PAGE BREAK

Sweating profusely, Beverly looks up at Doctor Hill examining the monitors over the biobed in the maternity ward. "You have to do something."

Grimacing, Doctor Hill shakes his head. "No. We have to perform a cesarean, and it has to be now."

Tears pooling in her eyes, Beverly glances at Deanna standing beside the bed, holding her hand. "Please, no. It's too soon. Jean-Luc can't get back. Just wait. Slow it down."

Striding into the room, Doctor Selar looks to Doctor Hill. "The operating room is ready."

"No," cries Beverly, shooting the Vulcan doctor a desperate look. "The baby's not ready. Jean-Luc's going to miss the birth of his child."

"If we do not deliver the baby now, Doctor, it will not matter, as the baby will not survive," Doctor Selar states flatly.

Lips trembling, Beverly bows her head. "I can't believe this. This isn't happening."

Squeezing her hand, Deanna uses her other hand to rub Beverly's shoulder soothingly. "It's going to be okay, Beverly. It won't be long and you'll have a beautiful little baby in your arms. Your husband will be back and none of this will matter. Just focus on the positive."

Doctor Hill takes a hypospray and presses it to Beverly's neck. "Just relax. You're going to be fine, Doctor."

PAGE BREAK

The familiar brush of lips against her forehead stirs her and Beverly is vaguely aware of the strong hand lightly grasping hers. Opening her eyes, Beverly blinks rapidly, gazing into concerned hazel eyes peering down at her.

"I've never been so glad to see those blue eyes," Jean-Luc confesses, leaning down to pepper her cheek with kisses.

Smiling groggily, Beverly is light-headed. She takes in the surroundings, notices she is in a private room in sickbay. "Jean-Luc…"

From his chair beside the biobed, Jean-Luc brushes her hair from her face. "Beverly…"

"The baby!" Beverly gasps, eyes wide. Suddenly panicked, Beverly moves to sit up, feeling dizzy.

Smiling, Jean-Luc lays a hand on her shoulder, guiding her to lie back down. "It's okay, love. The baby's fine. We have a very resilient, strong-willed son."

Covering her lips with her palm, Beverly begins to sob, overcome with emotion. "Oh, Jean-Luc."

Dropping a kiss to her lips, Jean-Luc beams. "You've done well, my love. I cannot thank you enough."

"How is he? I want to see him," Beverly sniffles, her mind racing.

"He's tiny, but he's going to be fine," Jean-Luc assures her, stroking her cheek, absorbing her tears. "His lungs are fully developed, which is remarkable given he's almost nine weeks early. Dr. Selar said that's thanks to the steroids. They've detected a heart murmur, but he is stable. They're feeding him supplemental oxygen, but he's breathing independently."

Interpreting all the information, Beverly deduces that this is probably as good as they could have expected. "Oh, Jean-Luc. I need to see him. Can you bring him here?"

"Take it easy," Jean-Luc says softly, watching her mind practically racing. "You've lost a lot of blood. You're going to be a while recuperating. Just lie back for a minute."

Letting out a long breath, Beverly tries to digest everything, her head foggy and body aching. "How did you get back?"

"Mr. O'Brien found an ingenious way to rig the transporter to beam me back through the storm. Needless to say, this will reflect extremely well on his record," Picard jests.

"Jean-Luc, I need to see our boy," Beverly implores, clutching the cuff of his uniform.

Doctor Selar enters the room almost silently, observing the patient carefully. "How are you feeling, Doctor?"

Glancing up, Beverly drops her hand. "Great. How's our son?"

"He is quite well," Doctor Selar informs her, approaching the bed. "His prognosis is good considering everything the two of you have endured."

As Selar scans her with a tricorder, Beverly sighs. "Bring him to me. I need to see my baby."

"Please have patience, Doctor," Doctor Selar requests evenly. "You have only just awoken. Are you in pain?"

Brushing her off, Beverly becomes exasperated. "I don't care. I just want to see our son. Please!"

Doctor Selar glances to Picard uncertainly.

Picard sighs, turning to Beverly. After everything they had been through the last thirty-one weeks, he could not keep her from the baby.

"I will bring him," Selar relents. "You may see him for a moment. Then you must rest."

Crying in relief, Beverly nods. "Thank you."

Nodding, the doctor crosses the room.

Closing her eyes, Beverly is overwhelmed with emotion.

Kissing her temple, Jean-Luc swipes at the tear tracks on her cheeks. "It's okay. You did it, love. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," blubbers Beverly, absolutely itching to have her baby in her arms.