The Favor
The following story line is mine. Don't try to copy it cause I'll get mad
In a like vain, Star Trek The Next Generation and all characters are the sole property of someone other than me.
"Ready?" Beverly smiled and headed for the door. Jean-Luc couldn't move.
"Wait, Beverly" he called. She halted and turned around.
"What?"
"I...I can't go" he said. What the hell was he saying? He sounded like some damned coward.
Okay so he was scared. Nothing wrong with that. Who wouldn't be afraid of being faced with such an occasion?
Coward. Damn.
"What do you mean you can't go?" Beverly asked playfully. She knew exactly what he was feeling. Damn she knew him too well.
"I..." Jean-Luc didn't know what to say. He felt ill prepared to deal with this all. He still had too many questions running around in his head. What was the deal between Wyatt and Deanna, between Deanna and Will? Was Laal going to call him 'Grandfather'? Why did Lwaxana respect Guinan so much? Who was Kestra married to? Was Jason going to know what was going on?
"What is it Jean-Luc?" Beverly probed in her Doctor's voice.
"I have some questions" he finally admitted.
"Shoot" Beverly flopped on the couch and waited. Jean-Luc tugged the bottom of his shirt. Where did he start?
"In my reality...Deanna never marries Wyatt" he started, "I don't really know anything about him"
"Ah" Beverly drew her legs up to her chest, "Well, he's a medical doctor, one of the finest research doctors in Starfleet"
"He's in Starfleet?" Jean-Luc asked, surprised. Beverly nodded.
"Yep. He has his labs on the Enterprise so that he can be with Deanna and the kids" she told him, "He did his internship on Betazed and he and Deanna fell in love, which worked out nicely since they were already bonded. It was around the same time that Will and Raylyn were there. Deanna and Wyatt married a year after Will and Raylyn"
"And Will and Deanna?" Jean-Luc pressed. He couldn't think of a delicate way to ask his question.
"They get along great" Beverly said, "Deanna's practically Raylyn's sister"
"But that's it? There's nothing more between them?"
"Jean-Luc what do you want to know?" Beverly asked back. Jean-Luc took a deep breath.
"They are not..Imzadi?" Beverly laughed.
"No! Deanna and Raylyn are. It's annoying sometimes, really. One of them will just take off for the other" Jean-Luc nodded. This relieved some anxiety he'd been having.
"Was that what you were so worried about?" his wife asked.
"Largely" Jean-Luc admitted, "Does Jason....does he know?" Beverly nodded.
"Ray told him. Don't worry so much" she stood and held her hand out. He took it and they went to the turbo lift. Beverly checked the program console when they reached the holideck.
"Everyone's here already" she told him and walked towards the doors, which automatically opened for her. A soft ocean breeze wafted out, carrying the soft strains of a quietly playing jazz tune. The loud, abrasive sounds of children's laughter clamored to be heard over the talking of the adults. Jean-Luc stepped into the illusion and it sealed itself behind him. They were on a high cliff, overlooking the ocean. A large house stood to his right, climbing four stories into the sky and adorned with various turrets and balconies. A brick patio extended from the back wall, covered by what looked like a rain proof canvas roof. The backyard was extensive, a carpet of short cushy grass that reached back about ten yards to a wooded area. A small children's wading pool lie to his left. The adults were sitting around in lounge chairs with tall glasses of lemonade on his right. Jean-Luc had no idea where they were supposed to be.
"Ah, Papa! There you are!" Raylyn waved from a chair a few feet away. Will was standing behind her, conversing with a man that Jean-Luc identified as Wyatt Miller. Deanna was sitting next to Raylyn. Lwaxana had attached herself to Ambassador Spock and was no doubt regaling him with some pithy tale of her own intelligence. Jason was talking to the Klingon couple, one smiling the other frowning, and Data was speaking to Guinan.
Jean-Luc felt something wet permeate his uniform and turned to see a brown haired boy, about four, with a squirt gun.
"Andrew, don't shoot your Uncle!" Deanna cried with dismay from her chair and got up to take the toy from one of her sons. All of the children, including the young J.W., were playing near the wading pool. Laal was watching over them.
"The brown haired one is Andrew" Beverly whispered, "The blonde is Ian and the little girl is Ana" Jean-Luc nodded. He would probably not be required to interact with the children, but it would not do for him to not know the right names for the right one.
"Ambassadors" Jean-Luc nodded at the Klingon couple, "Thank you for coming"
"Our pleasure. We've just been talking to your son here." Ka'lar nodded at Jason, whom Jean-Luc was sure got to know the Ambassador's fairly well on the trip to rendezvous with the Enterprise from Kamor"
"I trust he's been telling the truth" Beverly joked and Jean-Luc forced a chuckle. He really was nervous. Ridiculous, he kept telling himself. Still, he was out of his element at such non-formal gatherings, especially with a family he suddenly felt he didn't know at all. He had no control over the situation and he couldn't think of anything to talk about. He nodded at the delegates and moved on to Will and Wyatt, who he was eager to acquaint himself with.
"Sir" Will greeted him.
"Sir" Wyatt nodded too.
"Will, Wyatt" Jean-Luc nodded back. Beverly sat down with Lwaxana and Spock.
"Well, sir, what do you think?"
"About what, Number One?" Jean-Luc inquired.
"About the Argos Treaty. Will here thinks they're going to back out of it" Wyatt said, punching Will playfully on the arm.
"Oh, no, Will" Jean-Luc said. This was territory he knew. The Argos Treaty was the agreement that had allowed the Cardassians and the Federation to stop fighting. He had read all about it.
"The Cardassians will not want to give up the territory they gained from that agreement"
"That's what I said!" Wyatt exclaimed, "Will thinks they'll try to finagle a new agreement" Jean-Luc dove into the debate, thankful to have sound footing. Wyatt was an excellent orator and seemed to have a wonderful sense of humor and duty. Occasionally Deanna or Raylyn would call their husbands away for a few moments, but the men returned quickly, and eventually Data and Worf, Spock and even Jason joined the discussion as well. Little by little Jean-Luc's nerves unwound and he found himself enjoying the evening. Laughter surrounded him and the group of men moved on to different subjects. Jean-Luc could hear the women talking about raising children and other such feminine matters. This was the way Jean-Luc had always imagined family gatherings. Everything was going perfectly and then.
A water balloon exploded in his face.
Alexander had thrown it.
Nobody spoke.
The crickets stopped chirping.
"Alexander! Captain."
And then Raylyn laughed.
Everybody stared at her as if she'd gone mad.
And then Beverly laughed.
And then Jean-Luc laughed.
And then everybody was laughing. Well, except Worf.
"It's quite all right, Mr. Worf" the Captain assured the Ambassador, "No harm done." He was completely and utterly soaked. The balloon had been very full. There were even droplets falling from his long nose. Jean-Luc wiped them away with a chuckle as Alexander appeared beside his father to apologize.
"I'm sorry Captain!" he spurted.
"It's all right, Alexander" Jean-Luc told him with a smile, "You've got a strong arm there. You need to work on your aim a bit, I think, but, you've got a very strong arm!" He laughed again.
"Jean-Luc!" Beverly called from her lawn chair. She was still laughing.
"It's time for dinner I think!" Jean-Luc nodded and started for the house.
"Have everybody sit, I'll go change quickly" he answered. He was happy to find a dry uniform hanging in the closet of one of the larger rooms on the second floor of the beautiful 20th century beach house. It had a splendid view of whatever ocean it may be lapping at the rough cliffs. When Jean-Luc appeared outdoors again the patio was occupied by a large round table, around which everybody sat. He took a moment to note who was seated next to who. Deanna and Raylyn with their respective husbands on either side, Beverly next to Guinan who was seated next to Lwaxana who had Spock next to her. Data was next to Wyatt and Jason was next to Will. The Klingon couple were seated together on the left of the only empty chair left, obviously at the "head" and obviously meant for him. The children were seated at a separate table, watched over by Laal who had been keeping an eye on them all night.
Jean-Luc took his seat. The food was on the table, ready to be served. Everybody was looking at him.
"Jean-Luc. A toast, to start the meal?" Beverly said quietly from his right.
"Ah, yes" Jean-Luc stood, not able to help the grin that was spreading from ear to ear, "To the health and happiness of all here gathered" And he tipped his glass back.
The following story line is mine. Don't try to copy it cause I'll get mad
In a like vain, Star Trek The Next Generation and all characters are the sole property of someone other than me.
"Ready?" Beverly smiled and headed for the door. Jean-Luc couldn't move.
"Wait, Beverly" he called. She halted and turned around.
"What?"
"I...I can't go" he said. What the hell was he saying? He sounded like some damned coward.
Okay so he was scared. Nothing wrong with that. Who wouldn't be afraid of being faced with such an occasion?
Coward. Damn.
"What do you mean you can't go?" Beverly asked playfully. She knew exactly what he was feeling. Damn she knew him too well.
"I..." Jean-Luc didn't know what to say. He felt ill prepared to deal with this all. He still had too many questions running around in his head. What was the deal between Wyatt and Deanna, between Deanna and Will? Was Laal going to call him 'Grandfather'? Why did Lwaxana respect Guinan so much? Who was Kestra married to? Was Jason going to know what was going on?
"What is it Jean-Luc?" Beverly probed in her Doctor's voice.
"I have some questions" he finally admitted.
"Shoot" Beverly flopped on the couch and waited. Jean-Luc tugged the bottom of his shirt. Where did he start?
"In my reality...Deanna never marries Wyatt" he started, "I don't really know anything about him"
"Ah" Beverly drew her legs up to her chest, "Well, he's a medical doctor, one of the finest research doctors in Starfleet"
"He's in Starfleet?" Jean-Luc asked, surprised. Beverly nodded.
"Yep. He has his labs on the Enterprise so that he can be with Deanna and the kids" she told him, "He did his internship on Betazed and he and Deanna fell in love, which worked out nicely since they were already bonded. It was around the same time that Will and Raylyn were there. Deanna and Wyatt married a year after Will and Raylyn"
"And Will and Deanna?" Jean-Luc pressed. He couldn't think of a delicate way to ask his question.
"They get along great" Beverly said, "Deanna's practically Raylyn's sister"
"But that's it? There's nothing more between them?"
"Jean-Luc what do you want to know?" Beverly asked back. Jean-Luc took a deep breath.
"They are not..Imzadi?" Beverly laughed.
"No! Deanna and Raylyn are. It's annoying sometimes, really. One of them will just take off for the other" Jean-Luc nodded. This relieved some anxiety he'd been having.
"Was that what you were so worried about?" his wife asked.
"Largely" Jean-Luc admitted, "Does Jason....does he know?" Beverly nodded.
"Ray told him. Don't worry so much" she stood and held her hand out. He took it and they went to the turbo lift. Beverly checked the program console when they reached the holideck.
"Everyone's here already" she told him and walked towards the doors, which automatically opened for her. A soft ocean breeze wafted out, carrying the soft strains of a quietly playing jazz tune. The loud, abrasive sounds of children's laughter clamored to be heard over the talking of the adults. Jean-Luc stepped into the illusion and it sealed itself behind him. They were on a high cliff, overlooking the ocean. A large house stood to his right, climbing four stories into the sky and adorned with various turrets and balconies. A brick patio extended from the back wall, covered by what looked like a rain proof canvas roof. The backyard was extensive, a carpet of short cushy grass that reached back about ten yards to a wooded area. A small children's wading pool lie to his left. The adults were sitting around in lounge chairs with tall glasses of lemonade on his right. Jean-Luc had no idea where they were supposed to be.
"Ah, Papa! There you are!" Raylyn waved from a chair a few feet away. Will was standing behind her, conversing with a man that Jean-Luc identified as Wyatt Miller. Deanna was sitting next to Raylyn. Lwaxana had attached herself to Ambassador Spock and was no doubt regaling him with some pithy tale of her own intelligence. Jason was talking to the Klingon couple, one smiling the other frowning, and Data was speaking to Guinan.
Jean-Luc felt something wet permeate his uniform and turned to see a brown haired boy, about four, with a squirt gun.
"Andrew, don't shoot your Uncle!" Deanna cried with dismay from her chair and got up to take the toy from one of her sons. All of the children, including the young J.W., were playing near the wading pool. Laal was watching over them.
"The brown haired one is Andrew" Beverly whispered, "The blonde is Ian and the little girl is Ana" Jean-Luc nodded. He would probably not be required to interact with the children, but it would not do for him to not know the right names for the right one.
"Ambassadors" Jean-Luc nodded at the Klingon couple, "Thank you for coming"
"Our pleasure. We've just been talking to your son here." Ka'lar nodded at Jason, whom Jean-Luc was sure got to know the Ambassador's fairly well on the trip to rendezvous with the Enterprise from Kamor"
"I trust he's been telling the truth" Beverly joked and Jean-Luc forced a chuckle. He really was nervous. Ridiculous, he kept telling himself. Still, he was out of his element at such non-formal gatherings, especially with a family he suddenly felt he didn't know at all. He had no control over the situation and he couldn't think of anything to talk about. He nodded at the delegates and moved on to Will and Wyatt, who he was eager to acquaint himself with.
"Sir" Will greeted him.
"Sir" Wyatt nodded too.
"Will, Wyatt" Jean-Luc nodded back. Beverly sat down with Lwaxana and Spock.
"Well, sir, what do you think?"
"About what, Number One?" Jean-Luc inquired.
"About the Argos Treaty. Will here thinks they're going to back out of it" Wyatt said, punching Will playfully on the arm.
"Oh, no, Will" Jean-Luc said. This was territory he knew. The Argos Treaty was the agreement that had allowed the Cardassians and the Federation to stop fighting. He had read all about it.
"The Cardassians will not want to give up the territory they gained from that agreement"
"That's what I said!" Wyatt exclaimed, "Will thinks they'll try to finagle a new agreement" Jean-Luc dove into the debate, thankful to have sound footing. Wyatt was an excellent orator and seemed to have a wonderful sense of humor and duty. Occasionally Deanna or Raylyn would call their husbands away for a few moments, but the men returned quickly, and eventually Data and Worf, Spock and even Jason joined the discussion as well. Little by little Jean-Luc's nerves unwound and he found himself enjoying the evening. Laughter surrounded him and the group of men moved on to different subjects. Jean-Luc could hear the women talking about raising children and other such feminine matters. This was the way Jean-Luc had always imagined family gatherings. Everything was going perfectly and then.
A water balloon exploded in his face.
Alexander had thrown it.
Nobody spoke.
The crickets stopped chirping.
"Alexander! Captain."
And then Raylyn laughed.
Everybody stared at her as if she'd gone mad.
And then Beverly laughed.
And then Jean-Luc laughed.
And then everybody was laughing. Well, except Worf.
"It's quite all right, Mr. Worf" the Captain assured the Ambassador, "No harm done." He was completely and utterly soaked. The balloon had been very full. There were even droplets falling from his long nose. Jean-Luc wiped them away with a chuckle as Alexander appeared beside his father to apologize.
"I'm sorry Captain!" he spurted.
"It's all right, Alexander" Jean-Luc told him with a smile, "You've got a strong arm there. You need to work on your aim a bit, I think, but, you've got a very strong arm!" He laughed again.
"Jean-Luc!" Beverly called from her lawn chair. She was still laughing.
"It's time for dinner I think!" Jean-Luc nodded and started for the house.
"Have everybody sit, I'll go change quickly" he answered. He was happy to find a dry uniform hanging in the closet of one of the larger rooms on the second floor of the beautiful 20th century beach house. It had a splendid view of whatever ocean it may be lapping at the rough cliffs. When Jean-Luc appeared outdoors again the patio was occupied by a large round table, around which everybody sat. He took a moment to note who was seated next to who. Deanna and Raylyn with their respective husbands on either side, Beverly next to Guinan who was seated next to Lwaxana who had Spock next to her. Data was next to Wyatt and Jason was next to Will. The Klingon couple were seated together on the left of the only empty chair left, obviously at the "head" and obviously meant for him. The children were seated at a separate table, watched over by Laal who had been keeping an eye on them all night.
Jean-Luc took his seat. The food was on the table, ready to be served. Everybody was looking at him.
"Jean-Luc. A toast, to start the meal?" Beverly said quietly from his right.
"Ah, yes" Jean-Luc stood, not able to help the grin that was spreading from ear to ear, "To the health and happiness of all here gathered" And he tipped his glass back.