**************
1000 Ships
Seven
"Hey Valentine I'm just a stumbling around. Who knew that Paris was such a lonely town? I'll meet you at the bridge where we wanted to kiss, or take the high road and be done with this."
**************
"Will, Deanna. It's so good to see you again." Beverly embraced them both fiercely. Troi was taken aback by the flood of desperate emotions emanating from her old friend.
"Welcome aboard Doctor. I'd just been telling Deanna how things were too quiet around here. Then we got your call." Will winked at Beverly and she swatted at his midrift.
Deanna elbowed him in the side and Will donned an expression of hurt surprise. "What?" The trio broke peels of laughter, and Riker nodded to the transporter ensign on duty as they strolled into the corridor of the Enterprise - home.
Beverly almost cried in relief as they made their way to her cabin. It felt so good to be back with friends. Will was plying her with stories, while Deanna interjected an occasional correction. Captain Riker did have a propensity for exaggeration.
They sat around for a while catching up. Troi sensed Beverly slowly easing into the situation, and certainly knew how much it meant to Crusher to be close to the Rikers again. It was difficult to feel the aura of displacement coming from the redheaded Doctor. She'd never found Beverly to be so at a loss.
Will stood to announce his departure. "I've got to get back to the bridge." He clasped his hands in front of him and inclined his head toward Beverly. "We've got a staff meeting at 0800 tomorrow. I expect to see you there on time?" His voice held a mocking authority and his eyes glimmered.
Beverly held up three fingers. "Scout's honor, Captain." Beverly had often arrived a minute or two late to morning meetings on the Enterprise. She was never disrespectful about it, and Picard had allowed her the small leeway. It was something of a running joke. Her mood soured as the once warm memory darkened. Her expression did not change, but Deanna looked at her intently. Crusher shrugged it off and feigned a yawn. Deanna took the hint and stood to join Riker.
Before leaving the women shared another warm embrace. "It's so good to have you on board, Beverly."
"Thank you Deanna. I feel right at home." Crusher plastered on another convincing smile. It wasn't a total lie – she was genuinely glad to be there. Her life had taken a three-year detour, and she felt like this might be a step back in the right direction.
Will and Deanna filed out. As they entered the turbolift they met each other's eyes and exchanged a brief and silent conversation. As they glided toward the bridge, Will nodded. "I'm worried about her too."
*************
The year passed quietly for Crusher and Picard. Both spent it going through the motions. Beverly was still dissatisfied, and Picard still angry.
Will and Deanna were at a loss. Both recognized the fundamental nature of their friends' unhappiness. Losing your life-long best friend tended to take the wind out of your sails. Losing them in this manner tended to make the problem even worse.
When their third wedding anniversary rolled around, Riker and Troi announced that they would be holding a huge gala in celebration. The Enterprise was scheduled to be near Earth, and the party was to be at one of the largest Parisian hotels.
Beverly eyed Deanna skeptically when the Betazoid told her of it, and Picard had groaned when Will had sent the communiqué. But eventually both agreed to attend.
**************
1000 Ships
Seven
"Hey Valentine I'm just a stumbling around. Who knew that Paris was such a lonely town? I'll meet you at the bridge where we wanted to kiss, or take the high road and be done with this."
**************
"Will, Deanna. It's so good to see you again." Beverly embraced them both fiercely. Troi was taken aback by the flood of desperate emotions emanating from her old friend.
"Welcome aboard Doctor. I'd just been telling Deanna how things were too quiet around here. Then we got your call." Will winked at Beverly and she swatted at his midrift.
Deanna elbowed him in the side and Will donned an expression of hurt surprise. "What?" The trio broke peels of laughter, and Riker nodded to the transporter ensign on duty as they strolled into the corridor of the Enterprise - home.
Beverly almost cried in relief as they made their way to her cabin. It felt so good to be back with friends. Will was plying her with stories, while Deanna interjected an occasional correction. Captain Riker did have a propensity for exaggeration.
They sat around for a while catching up. Troi sensed Beverly slowly easing into the situation, and certainly knew how much it meant to Crusher to be close to the Rikers again. It was difficult to feel the aura of displacement coming from the redheaded Doctor. She'd never found Beverly to be so at a loss.
Will stood to announce his departure. "I've got to get back to the bridge." He clasped his hands in front of him and inclined his head toward Beverly. "We've got a staff meeting at 0800 tomorrow. I expect to see you there on time?" His voice held a mocking authority and his eyes glimmered.
Beverly held up three fingers. "Scout's honor, Captain." Beverly had often arrived a minute or two late to morning meetings on the Enterprise. She was never disrespectful about it, and Picard had allowed her the small leeway. It was something of a running joke. Her mood soured as the once warm memory darkened. Her expression did not change, but Deanna looked at her intently. Crusher shrugged it off and feigned a yawn. Deanna took the hint and stood to join Riker.
Before leaving the women shared another warm embrace. "It's so good to have you on board, Beverly."
"Thank you Deanna. I feel right at home." Crusher plastered on another convincing smile. It wasn't a total lie – she was genuinely glad to be there. Her life had taken a three-year detour, and she felt like this might be a step back in the right direction.
Will and Deanna filed out. As they entered the turbolift they met each other's eyes and exchanged a brief and silent conversation. As they glided toward the bridge, Will nodded. "I'm worried about her too."
*************
The year passed quietly for Crusher and Picard. Both spent it going through the motions. Beverly was still dissatisfied, and Picard still angry.
Will and Deanna were at a loss. Both recognized the fundamental nature of their friends' unhappiness. Losing your life-long best friend tended to take the wind out of your sails. Losing them in this manner tended to make the problem even worse.
When their third wedding anniversary rolled around, Riker and Troi announced that they would be holding a huge gala in celebration. The Enterprise was scheduled to be near Earth, and the party was to be at one of the largest Parisian hotels.
Beverly eyed Deanna skeptically when the Betazoid told her of it, and Picard had groaned when Will had sent the communiqué. But eventually both agreed to attend.
**************
