Author's Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)

Deciding to go to France and getting there were two entirely different matters. The decision was relatively simple. The actual getting there, although it didn't seem a terribly difficult task, was almost impossible.

Jean-Luc held back as they stepped onto the transporter pad. The few times he'd been transported before had not been pleasant. He'd reacted badly to the sensation, but it had been several months since the last time, and Beverly had hoped that the fears surrounding the procedure had left him. Apparently, she was wrong.

"Jean-Luc, it's all right. I'm with you."

He squeezed her hand tighter, and whimpered softly.

Hadrian stood next to the controls. "Beverly, I can give him something to help him relax."

She shook her head. "No, I'll just hold on to him." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and pulled him onto the pad next to her.

Robert moved closer to him as well, placed a large, reassuring hand on Jean-Luc's arm. "I'm here, too, Jean-Luc. You're going to be just fine."

Despite their closeness, Jean-Luc began to cry.

Beverly looked down at Hadrian. "If we're going, we'd better go now."

Hadrian spoke to the transporter technician, and then looked back up at the trio. "Good luck, Beverly. Keep in touch."

She smiled. "I will. Thanks, Tolbert."

"Energize," Hadrian instructed.

They solidified a few moments later in the transporter room on Space Station McKinley. Jean-Luc's crying had intensified, and, although Beverly held him securely in her arms, nothing seemed to help him. The transporter chief could barely hear Robert's voice as the elder Picard confirmed their transfer coordinates. But within seconds, the effect surrounded them again. And then, suddenly, they were standing in the front courtyard of the Picard family home, warm sunlight filtering down around them.

Jean-Luc was holding tightly to Beverly, his face buried against her chest, his shoulders still shaking with sobs. He didn't even realize that they were no longer on the transporter pad until Robert pried him loose from Beverly's embrace.

"We're here, Jean-Luc," he whispered into his brother's ear. "Look around."

Jean-Luc raised his head a fraction, his eyes blinking from the bright light, his hands reaching out blindly for Beverly. She caught hold of him, squeezed his fingers.

"It's all right," she assured him.

Behind them, the front door of the house opened, and Marie Picard came out. She was followed by a thin, brown-haired teenager.

"Hello," she smiled. "Welcome."

Robert leaned close and kissed him wife. "It's good to be here, Marie." He straightened. "I'd like you to meet Doctor Beverly Crusher – our new sister-in-law." And he smiled.

Marie reached out and took Beverly into a warm embrace. "It's so good to finally meet you," she exclaimed.

"It's nice to meet you; I've heard so many wonderful things about you and your family - and your beautiful home."

Marie smiled and pulled away. "And I've heard some wonderful things about you." She looked past Beverly's shoulder at Jean-Luc. He was standing silently, staring down at the cobblestoned courtyard. "Hello, Jean-Luc," she said softly. "We're glad you're here." He didn't respond. Marie reached back and placed a hand on Rene's shoulder, pulled him forward. "This is our son, Rene."

Beverly nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Rene."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He inclined his head in greeting, but then stared past her at Jean-Luc. "Hello, Uncle Jean-Luc," he ventured.

At the sound of the boy's voice, Jean-Luc looked up curiously. And he smiled, even though tears still marked his cheeks. "Hello, Uncle," he murmured.

"Well, I'll be..." Robert whispered.

Beverly frowned. "But, I don't understand. Uncle?"

Marie touched her on the arm. "Don't worry. He's not confused. Not in the least. It's... an inside joke." Marie's smile broadened. "And you just happen to be on the outside right now."

~vVv~

Beverly was amazed at how easily Marie and Rene accepted Jean-Luc. Without question, they welcomed them both into their home, and Beverly noted that Rene immediately took on a big brother role with his uncle, showing him around the house, helping him get settled into his old room. She was even more amazed by the fact that Jean-Luc went with him freely, following him around with a sense of wonder and trust.

"Rene is wonderful with him, Marie," Beverly commented, looking across the dining room table at her sister-in-law.

They were both enjoying a welcome cup of tea.

"We've had many long talks about Jean-Luc, and what to expect, how to treat him. Rene is very sensitive for a thirteen-year old boy. I like to think that has something to do with his upbringing, but I suppose I'm a bit biased."

Beverly shook her head. "I don't think so at all. As a mother myself, I tend believe that our children receive all their good habits from their parents," she laughed softly. "But still, I am impressed. My son, Wesley, is nineteen, and it took him several days to become comfortable around Jean-Luc."

"But, don't forget that Wesley has always known Jean-Luc as the captain of the Enterprise," Marie added. "And I'm sure that made accepting the way he is now all the more difficult."

Beverly nodded in understanding. "For both of us."

Marie reached over and placed a hand on Beverly's arm. "Beverly, I know we've just met, but please feel free to talk to me about anything. From the letters Jean-Luc wrote to us before your marriage, I feel like I've known you for years."

"The same for me. He's told me so much about you and your family and your home here. I've always sensed a longing within him to have what you and Robert have." Beverly stopped talking and stared across the room, her eyes unfocused.

Marie squeezed her arm. "He's going to get better, Beverly. I know it's difficult to think that he will, especially after being with him day in and day out for the past few months. But, I like to think that La Barre has special... healing qualities. Being here will be good for him. I'm sure of it."

"No!" The cry broke the stillness, echoing from upstairs.

Beverly and Marie were on their feet and up the stairs instantly. They rushed into Jean-Luc's room. Rene stood bewildered next to the bed, where an open suitcase lay. Jean-Luc was huddled on the floor, his green blanket wrapped around him. He was crying and rocking, and rubbing a corner of his blanket soothingly against his cheek.

Marie went to her son and put an arm around his shoulders. "Rene, it's all right."

The boy shook his head, still startled by the situation. But he took a deep breath and explained. "I was just helping him unpack. We were talking about starships. He seemed to be listening to me."

"And then you took out his blanket," Beverly said, kneeling on the floor next to Jean-Luc, her hand rubbing his back. The crying had stopped, replaced by soft snuffling sounds.

"I was just going to put it on the bed. I didn't know he would react like that."

"It's all right, Rene." Beverly smiled over at him. "I should have warned you. Jean-Luc is very protective of his blanket."

Rene shrugged. "Sort of like I used to be about my teddy bear."

Marie hugged her son closer, proud of how he was handling the situation with his uncle. "Oh, no, Rene," she sighed, "you were much worse about your bear. No one was allowed to touch him but you. "

Rene's face suddenly brightened. "Hey, I've still got him on my shelf. Maybe Uncle Jean-Luc would like him."

The boy slipped out of the room and appeared a few moments later carrying an old brown bear. He slowly approached Beverly and Jean-Luc, then bent down onto his knees.

Beverly nodded her approval and touched Jean-Luc's chin, raised his face. "Jean-Luc, Rene has something for you."

Rene smiled shyly at Jean-Luc. "I'm sorry about your blanket. I didn't know how important it was to you." He held out the bear. "I thought you might like to have this. His name is Alexander."

Jean-Luc looked up nervously, tears glistening in his eyes. He still clutched his blanket tightly around him, but curiously reached out a hand and touched the teddy bear. "Zander," he whispered.

Rene looked up at his mother. "That's what I used to call him," he said.

Marie nodded. "I remember."

Rene pushed the bear into Jean-Luc's arms. "You can have him. It's all right."

Jean-Luc smiled and took the bear, wrapped a corner of his blanket around him.

Beverly issued a sigh of relief, grateful for Rene's generosity. "What do you say, Jean-Luc?"

Jean-Luc thought for a moment, and then answered. "Thank... you," he mumbled, rubbing tiredly at his eyes.

"Yes, Rene," Beverly said, "thank you. I think you're going to be a very good friend for him right row."

"So do I," Marie agreed, coming over and touching Rene's shoulder. "Why don't we go downstairs and let Jean-Luc take a rest?"

Rene stood up. "I'll be back later," he promised.

Jean-Luc nodded. "Later."

After Marie and Rene left the room, Beverly helped Jean-Luc to his feet and led him over to the bed. She set him down on the edge of it and bent down to remove his shoes. "I think you've had a long day, Jean-Luc. Why don't you take a nap before supper?" she suggested.

He hugged the bear to his chest. "Zander," he murmured.

Beverly pulled back the covers. "Yes, Zander can take a nap, too." She helped him crawl into bed; and arranged his blanket over him and the teddy bear. "Now, you close your eyes."

He stared up at her. "Stay?"

"I'll stay. Close your eyes," she repeated.

With a contented sigh, Jean-Luc closed his eyes. Softly, Beverly began to hum an old lullaby. Within minutes, he was asleep. Realizing just how tired she was, Beverly lay down on the bed next to him and fell asleep as well.

~vVv~