Mending Fences Chapter 10
Dinner passed with casual conversation. Every once in a while Jean Luc and Beverly exchanged a glance or
a brush of the hand Deanna looked up in surprise when she realized the passionate emotions she was feeling
were not coming from the Captain, but from Beverly She looked up and met Beverly's eyes. Deanna's face
reddened at the thoughts and feelings emanating from her friend. Beverly saw her blush and smiled.
"Captain, What time shall we expect you back on board tomorrow?" Will asked.
"I have some things to get in order here Number One, I will report in before the ship disembarks. I trust
everything is in working order?"
"As you left it, Sir." Riker replied with confidence.
Beverly, tears welling in her eyes, turned to face the Captain. "Jean Luc," she whispered.
Noticing her tears forming he took her hand, "What is it, what's wrong?"
Deanna, sensing Crushers emotions spiraling downward, gave Will a meaningful look and said, "Come on
Will, lets go take care of the dishes"
Still holding her hands, Jean Luc moved to kneel beside Beverly, "Talk to me, what is it?"
Trembling, she whispered, "You're leaving…you're leaving me alone."
Tugging on her hands, he pulled her into his warm embrace, "I will not leave you behind."
"But I can not return to the ship, I resigned my post… I can't do this without you, Jean Luc, I need you."
She embraced him tighter and wept into his shoulder.
"I will speak to Admiral Westlake, we will work something out, and get you reinstated as CMO."
"I…I'm not ready to take that step yet. I just know that I can not cope with all of this alone."
"I promise you, Beverly, I will not leave unless you are by my side. I will figure it out, love, trust me."
**************************************************************************************************************
A few hours later, true to his word, Jean Luc had the matter settled. Beverly would return to the Enterprise
with him. The position of CMO was hers when she was ready to resume the duties. Doctor Selar, anxious
for the chance to leave the 'paperwork' and reports behind, was happy to hear of Dr Crushers return.
Jean Luc, thinking it was time for Beverly to get reacquainted with being around people other than himself,
asked Will and Deanna to stay the night at the house with them.
Lounging contentedly around the fireplace, the conversation between the four was comfortable and casual.
Comfortable until Deanna motioned to Will that she wanted to talk to Beverly alone.
"Captain, How about a tour of this beautiful house?"
Picard, ever observant, did not miss the glace between his Number One and the Counselor. "Sure Will, I
need to stretch these legs anyway."
Leaning over Beverly, he softly placed his lips against her cheek and whispered, "It's time to let go of the
guilt and the shame. Talk to Deanna, she wants to help you."
He felt her nod her head slowly in resignation and then kissed her gently on the lips before moving over to
Deanna. "Don't be too rough on her." He said with a small smile.
End part 10
Dinner passed with casual conversation. Every once in a while Jean Luc and Beverly exchanged a glance or
a brush of the hand Deanna looked up in surprise when she realized the passionate emotions she was feeling
were not coming from the Captain, but from Beverly She looked up and met Beverly's eyes. Deanna's face
reddened at the thoughts and feelings emanating from her friend. Beverly saw her blush and smiled.
"Captain, What time shall we expect you back on board tomorrow?" Will asked.
"I have some things to get in order here Number One, I will report in before the ship disembarks. I trust
everything is in working order?"
"As you left it, Sir." Riker replied with confidence.
Beverly, tears welling in her eyes, turned to face the Captain. "Jean Luc," she whispered.
Noticing her tears forming he took her hand, "What is it, what's wrong?"
Deanna, sensing Crushers emotions spiraling downward, gave Will a meaningful look and said, "Come on
Will, lets go take care of the dishes"
Still holding her hands, Jean Luc moved to kneel beside Beverly, "Talk to me, what is it?"
Trembling, she whispered, "You're leaving…you're leaving me alone."
Tugging on her hands, he pulled her into his warm embrace, "I will not leave you behind."
"But I can not return to the ship, I resigned my post… I can't do this without you, Jean Luc, I need you."
She embraced him tighter and wept into his shoulder.
"I will speak to Admiral Westlake, we will work something out, and get you reinstated as CMO."
"I…I'm not ready to take that step yet. I just know that I can not cope with all of this alone."
"I promise you, Beverly, I will not leave unless you are by my side. I will figure it out, love, trust me."
**************************************************************************************************************
A few hours later, true to his word, Jean Luc had the matter settled. Beverly would return to the Enterprise
with him. The position of CMO was hers when she was ready to resume the duties. Doctor Selar, anxious
for the chance to leave the 'paperwork' and reports behind, was happy to hear of Dr Crushers return.
Jean Luc, thinking it was time for Beverly to get reacquainted with being around people other than himself,
asked Will and Deanna to stay the night at the house with them.
Lounging contentedly around the fireplace, the conversation between the four was comfortable and casual.
Comfortable until Deanna motioned to Will that she wanted to talk to Beverly alone.
"Captain, How about a tour of this beautiful house?"
Picard, ever observant, did not miss the glace between his Number One and the Counselor. "Sure Will, I
need to stretch these legs anyway."
Leaning over Beverly, he softly placed his lips against her cheek and whispered, "It's time to let go of the
guilt and the shame. Talk to Deanna, she wants to help you."
He felt her nod her head slowly in resignation and then kissed her gently on the lips before moving over to
Deanna. "Don't be too rough on her." He said with a small smile.
End part 10