Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Star Trek or any of its characters, nor do I own any rights to the song titles used. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author Note: This was inspired by the song Rewrite the Stars from The Greatest Showman soundtrack (sadly, I don't own that either). Chapter titles are also named after songs, but the chapters are not necessarily based on the lyrics…though some do make an appearance.

Kickstart My Heart

Jean-Luc Picard waited patiently for the turbolift to arrive. Smiling to himself, he shook his head slightly as he took in his surroundings. Every day he was still in awe that this was his ship. He was the Captain of the flagship of the Federation – of the coveted Enterprise. It was the culmination of years of dreams and hard work, of sacrifice and love. Finally, the lift arrived, and he stepped inside, casually giving the order for Deck 12.

Leaning against the wall, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. The journey to this point in time hadn't always been easy, he knew. He thought of Jenice. They had been married for almost twenty years. He knew how much she herself had sacrificed for his career. How much time together they had given up over the years when he was commanding the Stargazer. He wondered how much time they had actually spent together as husband and wife over the past two decades. With the Stargazer not being a family ship, Jenice had continued living in Paris after they married. While she had visited Jean-Luc when possible, realistically they only saw each other when he was on shore leave or if the Stargazer was docked at McKinley Station for repairs. At last, she was able to be with him full time on the Enterprise. Admittedly, he was excited – for his new post and the opportunity to finally be with his wife every day.

The lift doors hissed open, and he walked quickly down the corridor to sickbay. Due to an unexpected issue on the bridge, he had missed the arrival of his new Chief Medical Officer. Wanting to apologize and introduce himself in person, he had excused himself from the bridge as soon as possible. He didn't know much about Dr. Beverly Crusher, but from what information he had gathered, it seemed she was the best doctor in Starfleet, and he was elated to have someone with her expertise and reputation on the Enterprise.

Out of habit, he hesitated as he reached the sickbay doors. He wasn't a fan of this part of the ship – of any medical institution, really – and he actively tried to avoid it as much as humanly possible. The sounds, the smells…always brought his mind back to darker times. Times of injury, death, and loss. If it were up to him, he would never be required to step foot inside these doors unless it was a life-or-death emergency.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside and tentatively looked around. It was quiet. He noticed one of the medical staff across the room, taking inventory of one of the cabinets. Other than that, there weren't any patients he could see. Releasing the nervous breath he hadn't realized he was still holding, he turned to make his way to the CMO's office. Just as he reached the door to walk in, he suddenly crashed into someone walking out the door, sending the stack of PADD's they were holding across the floor.

Regaining his focus at the unexpected encounter, he looked at the stunned face staring back at him…and froze.

Suddenly, time seemed to stand still.

He stood there in awe, staring at the breathtakingly beautiful woman standing in front of him. Carefully taking in her fiery red hair, porcelain skin, full pink lips, and sapphire blue eyes…his stomach flipped and his heart started racing. He could feel a searing heat starting to radiate throughout his entire body as the exotic smell of her perfume hit his nose. He knew he needed to say something – anything – but his mind was currently abuzz, and he found he was unable to form a simple sentence.

"Captain! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you." Concern clouded her brilliant eyes.

He closed his eyes as the sound of her velvety voice tickled his ears. Clearing his throat, he swallowed hard and did his best to compose himself. "It's quite alright, Doctor. I know you weren't expecting me."

She smiled gratefully at him and he thought his heart was going to explode out of his chest. What was happening to him?

Bending down, he helped her collect the many PADD's now strewn across the small space. Making their way back into her office, he placed the devices on her desk. He motioned for her to sit, and he took a seat across from her. "I wanted to apologize for not meeting you in the transporter room when you arrived. Unfortunately, there was an unexpected issue that needed handling."

She shook her head. "I appreciate the apology, Captain, but please don't worry. I understand how unpredictable things can be. You are, after all, the Captain." She flashed him another smile and he adjusted himself awkwardly in his chair.

Nodding, he glanced around the room. She hadn't been there long enough to add many personal touches, but his eye landed on the one item she had already placed on her desk. Following his gaze, she smiled and caught his eye. "I know. It's a real picture – frame and all!" She picked up the small metal frame and handed it to him. "This is my husband, Jack, and our five-year-old son, Wesley. They are on the Enterprise as well. Jack is operations on Gamma shift."

Jean-Luc's heart panged as he looked at the youngster in the photo. Almost a spitting image of his father, Jean-Luc couldn't help but wonder what his own son would look like. Jenice had made it clear she never wanted any children, as she was far too involved in the Paris social scene. Her social obligations, along with Jean-Luc's constant absence, wouldn't have been conducive to raising a family.

"You have a beautiful family, Doctor. I look forward to meeting them." He handed the frame back to her and watched as she carefully placed it back on her desk.

She turned back to him, and he drank in her eyes as she spoke. "I've heard your family is on the Enterprise as well?"

"Yes, my wife, Jenice, is aboard." He chuckled. "Honestly, I'm not sure how much she's going to enjoy life on a starship after living in Paris for so long, but I'm happy to have her here."

"I suppose I'm lucky in that respect. Jack and I met at the Academy, and Wes is absolutely fascinated with starships. Although, I suppose Starfleet is all he's really known." She pulled a leg onto her chair and hugged her knee to her chest. "He can't stop talking about the Enterprise. Jack is showing him around the ship right now. He's very excited to be here."

Jean-Luc relished in how easy and comfortable it was to speak with someone he had just met moments ago. "Well then, Doctor, you'll have to bring him to the bridge for a quick tour."

Her eyes grew wide at his statement. "I thought children weren't allowed on the bridge."

Smiling, he shook his head. "No, generally they are not. However, being the Captain does have its perks, and if your son would like a tour, then I'm happy to oblige. After all, who am I to deter the dreams of a future Starfleet cadet?"

Based on the look of amazement on her face, he knew he had surprised her. Her expression softened and she looked directly into his eyes. "Captain, I…" She paused, smiling at him with a warmth and kindness he had never experienced before. "Thank you very much."

"It would be my pleasure." After a few moments of silence, he sighed and gave her a small smile. "Well, I suppose duty calls." With that, he stood and made his way to the door. Turning back, he allowed himself to enjoy the sight of her once more. "Welcome to the Enterprise, Doctor. It's great to have you aboard."

She stood, acknowledging his exit. "I'm happy to be here, Sir."

Jean-Luc left the office of his new Chief Medical Office in a state of shock. Leaning his back against the wall of the corridor outside of sickbay, he massaged his temples. What had just happened? As a married man, he was appalled at his behavior, or more accurately, his reaction to meeting his new CMO.

Pulling himself together, he tugged on his tunic and started walking towards the lift. No matter what was going on with him, his first duty was to this ship and her crew...not to mention his wife. Making his way back up to the bridge, he pushed all other thoughts from his mind, praying deep down that they would not resurface.

Kickstart My Heart, written by Nikki Sixx, performed by Mötley Crüe