Title: Traveler plus One

Characters: The Traveler (Star Trek), Wesley Crusher, Beverly Crusher
Tags: Time Skips, Angst, Mother-Son Relationship

Description: Wesley loved his new life as a traveler, but it wasn't long before a strange melancholy took over. He missed his mom and the idea of living without her was inconceivable. Therefore, the only possible solution was to grant her the powers of a traveler—if only she would agree.

I wrote this based on a dream I had.

THIS STORY COMES WITH COVER ART. I cross-posted this story. To see the image, please go to my AO3 (Archive of Our Own) account (under the same username, RainbowSheltie).

BETA: Annabelle

Wesley had only been with the Traveler for a few years when a strange melancholy began to seep in.

"What's wrong?" the Traveler asked him.

Wesley shook his head.

"I'm not sure. I just feel like something is missing," he stated.

The Traveler looked at him curiously, searching for something until he smiled.

"I see. I think I know what troubles you," he replied.

He blinked them from their current location to a medbay aboard a starship. "Does this place look familiar to you?"

Wesley looked around,

"It's a medbay, but each class of ship is built the same, so there's really no telling—" He trailed off when he focused more clearly. "No, I do recognize this. It's the same as the U.S.S. Enterprise, the one I grew up on with my mom."

"I sensed this is the source of your trouble," the Traveler added. He received a sigh from the younger traveler. Wesley sat down on one of the beds.

"I miss my mom," Wesley admitted. A sudden realization crossed his face and everything was beginning to make sense.

"Travelers live for thousands of years, right?" he asked.

The Traveler nodded.

"It's just, I can't stand the idea that I am going to see her die while I live on for so long," Wesley continued. "I wish there was some way she could join us. Travelers have so much power, and yet, there's nothing I can do. That makes me feel so powerless."

"But we all feel that way about friends and family we leave behind," the Traveler told him. "This is something we must accept."

"I realize that, I do. I thought I had accepted it, but now I'm feeling a sense of regret. Not that I would change my decision! But…"

The Traveler stared at him, with a familiar curiosity.

"Perhaps… perhaps there is a way," he announced.

Wesley looked up hopefully.

"What is it? If my mom could join me, then I'll do anything you ask—whatever it takes." Wesley was met with a kind smile.

"If you truly wish to travel with her, then I will teach you what you need to know. Your desire must be very strong, and your mother must agree," the Traveler answered. "And you may only use this power once."

Wesley jumped off the bed and a wide smile crossed his face. He could barely contain his excitement.

"I'm ready," he stated.

"Then we shall get started."

Beverly was 50 years old when Wesley came to her. The meeting was joyous, but eventually it had to end.

"Come with me," Wesley asked. "Join me on my travels."

She smiled, but shook her head sadly.

"I would love to, but I still have my whole life ahead of me. I have things I want to do, places to see, people to meet. I know I could do those things with you, but I want to live the life I have here and now. I'm sorry."

Wesley's disappointment showed on his face, but he didn't give up.

"Then I shall come to you two more times. Perhaps then you will be ready."

Beverly was 70 years old when Wesley came to her. The meeting was more joyous then the last, but had to end.

"This is the second time. Come with me," Wesley asked. "I beg you, join me on my travels."

Again, she shook her head sadly.

"I still have so much I want to do. I want to live the life I have. I can't bear to part with my family and friends, not yet."

Again, Wesley showed his disappointment, but he didn't give up.

"Then I shall come to you one last time. Perhaps then you will be ready."

Beverly was 90 years old when Wesley came to her. The meeting was joyous, but was overtaken by a sense of urgency.

She lay on her deathbed in the medbay of the same star ship she served on when she was younger—the U.S.S. Enterprise, back when it was captained by Jean-Luc Picard. Wesley knelt down next to her bedside and held her hand tightly.

"This is the last time. Come with me," Wesley asked. "Please, I beg you, join me on my travels."

This time, she smiled at him.

"I have fully lived my life. I was able to grow old with my family and friends. I live with no regrets." Beverly reached over and placed her other hand on Wesley's. "I am ready to go, if you will still have me."

Wesley's face lit up and he could barely contain his excitement.

"Then close your eyes, and lay still," he told her. "Just relax and let the change happen."

Beverly nodded and closed her eyes. Wesley held her hand, and concentrated on her transformation, the way the Traveler had taught him.

At first, nothing happened but the Traveler encouraged him and reminded Wesley that his desire had to be stronger than anything he had felt in his life.

"This is her last chance," the Traveler reminded him. "Focus and remember why you have waited all this time. It comes down to this moment."

Wesley closed his eyes, and this time, the power came to him easily. She gasped as Wesley filled her body with the lifespan of a Traveler. Her skin became soft and her body started to de-age. When the moment was right, he let go and heard her gasp as the change completed.

He watched as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Wesley?" she asked slowly. "I feel strange."

"Because you are finally ready," Wesley responded. "Come, join me."

She sat up and looked down. Her hands and body were young again; immediately she stood up and headed to the closest console, where Beverly was able to see her reflection.

"I'm young again," she stated.

"You are the same age you were when I first left to join the Traveler," Wesley replied. "It's how I have always remembered you."

Beverly grinned, and spun around, enjoying freedom her new body provided her—with the mobility, strength and endurance she lost long ago.

As she calmed down, she ran over to her son and hugged him tightly, and Wesley embraced her, relieved he would no longer have to face the rest of his life alone. The Traveler was good company, but nothing could replace his mother.

"So, where to now?" she asked, releasing him.

"Anywhere you want."

She mulled it over for a moment, until an idea struck.

"Well, I haven't been to Risa in a very long time," Beverly remarked.

Wesley grinned, and looked at the Traveler.

"What do you think?"

The Traveler contemplated the idea.

"We have also not seen the planet in a long time," he stated. "I think visiting Risa is as good a place as any to start."

Wesley held out his hand to his mom.

"You need to hold my hand and concentrate on Risa," Wesley told her, "and we'll be there in the blink of an eye."

Beverly nodded, took her son's hand, and blinked off to what was the beginning of a whole new life.