They stayed in contact after that. It was as though Jack's death had created a morbid string of humanity to connect them. Picard sent communiqués with some frequency telling her about the life he was living, and read the ones she sent with interest. He visited on leave occasionally, and, as Wesley grew older he stepped further and further into his life, trying to help him out wherever Beverly could not. he believed every boy need a man to look up to, and though he was not certain he was the man for the job, he felt he owed it to Jack to do the best he could.

Beverly stood by him after Maxi Zeta, and even testified in favor of his character at the court-martial. She never blinked when she was on the stand, and when she spoke of him, her voice did not falter. He found himself moved as he listened to he recount the kind of man she believed him to be.

She ate dinner with him that night. He couldn't help but notice the way her eyes danced when she laughed, or how her smile lit up the room. "God, she's beautiful," he thought. He marveled at the way she had picked up the pieces of her life and moved on. She always swore he had helped her, but he thought it was nothing more than flattery. She had always been strong.

She noticed the way he was looking at her, and felt a knot of fear in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps she was reading too much into it. She had always felt safe with him, and had sometimes even wished they could be more than friends. It had been years now since Jack had died. She felt ready to move on now, and she wondered if he would be willing to take her hand and move with her.

He walked her home, taking her arm and chatting easily with her in the brisk air. They reached the doorstep. They embraced as usual, but this time it was different. It was as though, in their touch they found a need for something more. Slowly the brought their lips together. It was a kiss full of love, hope and promise. Beverly felt as though, somehow, this was a moment they had waited for since the beginning of time. It seemed as though some kind of destiny had been fulfilled. She swallowed as he pulled back, mustered all of her courage, and asked, "Would you like to come in?"

Picard wanted nothing more, but he wanted there to be no regrets when the decision was made. "Not tonight," he said, "but soon."

She nodded. "Jean Luc, I…"

He cut her off "I know."

* * * * *

"I got the assignment," he told her, not long after that night.

"Jean Luc," she said, "that's wonderful." He had wanted the Enterprise captaincy badly, and she would have given anything to see him get it.

"I ship out in six months," he said.

"So I guess we'll have to make the most of it before we say goodbye." She knew that such vessels were designed for long term missions. It could be years before he returned to Earth. Her heart was breaking, but she didn't want him to see. She wanted nothing to spoil his moment.

"Come with me," he said.

"Oh, Jean Luc, I don't have what it takes. I don't have the service record. I'm up to the job, but you have to serve your time."

He smiled. He loved the way she was honest. She knew she was good at what she did. She was one of the best. He was glad that she felt no need to deny it. "Why don't you give it a try?" He paused, and then pulled from within him he strength to say what he had wanted to for so long. "How can I live anywhere but with the woman I love?"

She looked at him.

"I love you," he said

"And I you." She held out her hand, and he took it, smiling.

"You made my life complete. No matter what you have, it means more when you have someone to share it with. I always loved you, Beverly. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were incredible."

"Why thank you, Jean Luc," she said, an impish smile on her face, "But I knew I was incredible all along."

He laughed loudly, until her kisses quieted him into finding another more enjoyable pursuit.

*