Chapter Ten
The wedding had gone smoothly and the reception was now in full swing, after the long build up to the event. The preparations had gone on for some weeks and the product of all the work was that everyone was having a ball. The band played and the guests danced and ate the buffet that had been laid out for them. There were about fifty guests at least, Beverly and Jack had lost count, and the dance floor was jammed full of people trying to dance to the best of their abilities. Jack had given up the dance lessons as soon as he could, Beverly had said that he had two left feet and even she couldn't teach him to be more graceful with them.
Beverly sat down for a second while Jack went to get some drinks. She had been rushed off her feet for the past few weeks and having to dance with almost every guest didn't help her much, she was in need of a much- earned rest. She was looking forward to the honeymoon where she would be able to lounge around on a beach all day if she wanted to.
Jack returned and she stood to retrieve her drink, lifting her dress off the floor so that she didn't stand on it. It was no longer tradition to wear a white, uncomfortable dress, with various veils and other attachments since more modern attire was suitable these days. Her dress was still flowing and white however. Beverly wasn't one to keep up with tradition usually and always went for a more comfortable feel but today was special and it somehow seemed appropriate. Jack however was in full dress uniform and was completely uncomfortable; they always had high collars and were too tight.
"Thank you, Jack." She said as she took the glass from him and smiled warmly.
"Your welcome, Beverly Crusher." She grinned again; it would take her a long time to get used to the name change.
"That sounds weird doesn't it...? Beverly Crusher. Dr. Crusher... I'm so used to Dr. Howard." She said, rolling the name around a few times to try and get used to it.
"You didn't have to change your name you know, you had the option to leave it as Howard. You know I wouldn't have minded." Jack told her.
"Yes, I know. But even though I'm not usually one for tradition, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't change my name. Besides, Dr. Crusher has a nice ring to it don't you think?" She said laughing slightly.
"Yes, I certainly do. Just don't live up to it or your patients won't be too happy." Jack said chuckling slightly as well. A man strolled over to greet them both and held his hand out to shake Jack's.
"Congratulations Jack, and Beverly of course. I wondered when you two were actually going to tie the knot."
"Well we finally did, Jean-Luc. After all this time."
"It was a wonderful service, different vows. Did you write them yourselves?" Jean-Luc asked out of interest.
"Yes, we think that it means more to us knowing that it is what we both feel. 'To love, honor and obey' doesn't actually fit with this day and age anymore." Beverly said engaging Jean-Luc in conversation.
"I see what you mean." Picard agreed.
"Well sorry to leave so soon but I must thank the other guests for coming." Beverly said starting to back away. "Lovely to have seen you again Jean-Luc. Please come by the house for dinner one night before you ship out again."
"I will do that, thank you, Beverly." He smiled grateful for the invite.
"Well I'll leave you two to talk then." Beverly said kissing Jack on the cheek then moving away through the guests.
"She looks beautiful, Jack. You've done yourself proud." Picard said admiring his best friend's new wife.
"Why thank you, Jean-Luc. Listen I haven't thanked you for being my best man yet, it really means a lot to me. I don't know what I would have done if you had said no." Jack said placing a hand on Picard's shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"Nonsense, your my best friend and I was honored to do it, there was no question of me not doing it." Picard said delighted that he had been chosen for the task.
Beverly moved through the crowd quite quickly until she got to her old friend Kathleen Hunter. "Kath?" Beverly said rushing over.
"Bev!" Kathleen said embracing her best friend from so long ago.
"Thank you so much for coming. God, how long has it been...?" Beverly asked, holding her by the hands and looking her over.
"Too long... six years." She said as they hugged each other.
"Wow, how are you? I haven't heard from you for so long, and how did you know I was getting married anyway?" Beverly asked, still shocked at seeing her after so long. She had actually caught sight of Kathleen at the ceremony out of the corner of her eye but she couldn't stop the wedding just to speak to her.
"Jack ran into Walker about a month ago at Starfleet, he invited us both but told us not to tell you, he wanted it to be a surprise." Kathleen told her.
"Well it certainly is that. How are you keeping? You don't look so much different from when I last saw you, may be a little older though." She said joking with her.
"I'm on temporary leave from Starfleet but I've got the rank of lieutenant when I go back. I'm married now, and nearly a mother." She said with pride and patting her stomach so Beverly could see the bump. Beverly noticed that she had gained all of her confidence and that marriage had obviously worked in her favour.
"A mother? Are you married to Walker?"
"Of course, who else? We were married about six months ago now."
"Congratulations then, I wish you all the best." She paused looking around. "Where's Walker? Is he here?"
"He's camped out at the food table as usual but I'll tell him to come and speak to you before the night's out, don't worry."
"You make sure you do and tell him I want to dance with him before the night's out."
Beverly noticed a woman leaning against the far wall, out of the way of the main crowd and looking directly at her. She turned away from Kathleen, "I'm sorry, Kath. I have to get going but I want to speak to you later. Don't leave without saying goodbye."
"Sure," Kath said moving away to find Walker. Beverly stared at the woman who returned the gaze easily enough, capturing all of her attention. She knew her, but from where? She walked over to her cautiously for this was not one of her guests since she was wearing a normal duty Starfleet uniform. "I know you, don't I?" She asked as the woman stood up straight and smiled. "Wait, you were at the Academy when I rescued the shuttle pilots from their shuttle, you were in my classroom but you weren't a med student, were you?" Beverly asked suspiciously.
"No, Beverly. I know this must seem a bit strange to you but I was not actually in the room at the time, I was in your mind just as I am now."
"What? You're standing right here. What do you mean your in my mind? And what are you doing here at my wedding reception?" She asked incredulously, she couldn't believe the intrusion.
"This is going to take some explanation and I fear we don't have time." The intruder said. She looked worried and a bit unsure.
"Well of course not, I'm due to go off on honeymoon in a short time." Beverly told her, she really could not be bothered with this but somehow she knew it was important.
"No, you're not." Troi said a bit unconvincingly.
Beverly was becoming a bit annoyed at the intruder and she started looking around to see if she could find Jack, some moral support would be nice about now. "What do you mean, of course I am. Look I think you had better start from the beginning before I have you thrown out of here." She threatened.
Troi sighed not knowing where to begin. "Alright but first you have to know that you can't have me thrown out because I'm not really here." Beverly looked puzzled but Troi continued, hoping that it would all become clearer to her soon. "None of this is real, for a start, you're reliving memories. You're actually aboard the starship Enterprise in the year 2370."
"What? That can't be possible, it's 2348." Beverly exclaimed utterly perplexed and confused.
"No, it's not, it's 2370." Troi said trying to convince her of the fact, unsuccessfully.
"Look I don't have to stand here and listen to this nonsense. I'm supposed to be enjoying myself and you're not helping me do that. I don't even know you." Beverly said forcefully though trying to keep her voice down so that she would not attract attention.
Troi decided to continue with the explanation. "You're in a coma and are experiencing flashbacks to key events in your life. Each time you flashback your body deteriorates and you're very close to death at this time.
"The ship is stuck in a very dense nebula at the moment, looking for a lost starship called the Washington. You beamed down to a planet with an away team a few days ago, and recovered two dead crewmen from a crashed shuttlecraft. When you returned to the ship you started to experience memory loss and eventually lapsed into a coma. We can't do anything for you, we're waiting for the arrival of Dr. Bashir from Deep Space Nine but we fear that he may be too late. I've made myself known to you to try and help you out of it."
"Who are you?" She asked expecting a straight answer right away.
"My name is Deanna Troi and I'm the ship's counsellor." She paused letting it all sink in for a moment. "We're best friends," Troi added, trying to make her remember something of what she was saying.
"I don't remember any of this."
"I know, I believe that it is because you don't have access to those memories yet, your brain seems to be letting you relive experiences in sequence somehow."
"So why have you made yourself known to me now? Wouldn't it be better to let me relive the experiences until I'm up to the... present?"
"I was seen by accident before which triggered you to have a relapse in our sickbay. It was risky to let you see me this time but we had to risk it because we believe that if you experience bad memories, you'll die. I'm here to try and prevent that."
"This is a lot to take in.... I don't know what to make of it. I have felt something though, as I moved through the guests, a familiarity with some of them more so than others, though I know them all." Beverly told her.
"Who do you feel that with?" Troi asked a little concerned.
"Jean-Luc Picard for one, that one's the strongest and I don't really know him all that well. Walker Keel, you... and that strange android back when I first saw you, I've temporarily forgotten his name."
"Those are all people that you have had more recent contact with, outside of your mind. Jean-Luc Picard is the captain on board the Enterprise, the android- Data is the ship's second officer, Walker, you didn't see him all that long ago and as for me, I've already told you who I am." Troi informed her.
"So what now?" Beverly said looking around at the guests and to Jack skeptically. "Why don't I feel a familiarity with Jack?" She asked turning back to face Troi.
Troi took a deep breath, looking over to Jack and back at Beverly before answering. "You haven't seen him for a while that's all." Troi said trying desperately to find a way to avoid answering that particular question.
"Tell me. I need to know." Beverly said forcefully but keeping her voice down low so that she wouldn't attract attention.
"No you don't, that is what I am here to prevent." Beverly looked at her squarely forcing Troi to turn away.
"Prevent what?" She demanded. Just then one of the guests approached and caught Beverly's attention.
"Beverly. Congratulations. I saw you standing by yourself. Don't you want to dance?" He asked her.
Beverly's heart sank he couldn't see Troi.
"Bev?" He asked as she shook her head and smiled at him.
"Sorry, I'm just a little distracted. I'll dance with you later, okay?" She said putting her hand on his shoulder and smiling at him.
"Alright, I'll hold you to that mind." He chuckled and moved away.
Beverly turned back to Troi who was looking rather odd. Troi looked up slightly, listening. "I have to go, something is wrong, I'll be back soon though and try to remain calm." Troi vanished from sight, leaving a slightly startled Crusher behind.
"Hey, what have you been up to, I've missed you." Jack said approaching her from where he had been standing with Jean-Luc a moment before.
"Nothing." She said turning and hugging him tightly.
A/N: Please leave a review... Good or bad... all are accepted. Thank you.
The wedding had gone smoothly and the reception was now in full swing, after the long build up to the event. The preparations had gone on for some weeks and the product of all the work was that everyone was having a ball. The band played and the guests danced and ate the buffet that had been laid out for them. There were about fifty guests at least, Beverly and Jack had lost count, and the dance floor was jammed full of people trying to dance to the best of their abilities. Jack had given up the dance lessons as soon as he could, Beverly had said that he had two left feet and even she couldn't teach him to be more graceful with them.
Beverly sat down for a second while Jack went to get some drinks. She had been rushed off her feet for the past few weeks and having to dance with almost every guest didn't help her much, she was in need of a much- earned rest. She was looking forward to the honeymoon where she would be able to lounge around on a beach all day if she wanted to.
Jack returned and she stood to retrieve her drink, lifting her dress off the floor so that she didn't stand on it. It was no longer tradition to wear a white, uncomfortable dress, with various veils and other attachments since more modern attire was suitable these days. Her dress was still flowing and white however. Beverly wasn't one to keep up with tradition usually and always went for a more comfortable feel but today was special and it somehow seemed appropriate. Jack however was in full dress uniform and was completely uncomfortable; they always had high collars and were too tight.
"Thank you, Jack." She said as she took the glass from him and smiled warmly.
"Your welcome, Beverly Crusher." She grinned again; it would take her a long time to get used to the name change.
"That sounds weird doesn't it...? Beverly Crusher. Dr. Crusher... I'm so used to Dr. Howard." She said, rolling the name around a few times to try and get used to it.
"You didn't have to change your name you know, you had the option to leave it as Howard. You know I wouldn't have minded." Jack told her.
"Yes, I know. But even though I'm not usually one for tradition, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't change my name. Besides, Dr. Crusher has a nice ring to it don't you think?" She said laughing slightly.
"Yes, I certainly do. Just don't live up to it or your patients won't be too happy." Jack said chuckling slightly as well. A man strolled over to greet them both and held his hand out to shake Jack's.
"Congratulations Jack, and Beverly of course. I wondered when you two were actually going to tie the knot."
"Well we finally did, Jean-Luc. After all this time."
"It was a wonderful service, different vows. Did you write them yourselves?" Jean-Luc asked out of interest.
"Yes, we think that it means more to us knowing that it is what we both feel. 'To love, honor and obey' doesn't actually fit with this day and age anymore." Beverly said engaging Jean-Luc in conversation.
"I see what you mean." Picard agreed.
"Well sorry to leave so soon but I must thank the other guests for coming." Beverly said starting to back away. "Lovely to have seen you again Jean-Luc. Please come by the house for dinner one night before you ship out again."
"I will do that, thank you, Beverly." He smiled grateful for the invite.
"Well I'll leave you two to talk then." Beverly said kissing Jack on the cheek then moving away through the guests.
"She looks beautiful, Jack. You've done yourself proud." Picard said admiring his best friend's new wife.
"Why thank you, Jean-Luc. Listen I haven't thanked you for being my best man yet, it really means a lot to me. I don't know what I would have done if you had said no." Jack said placing a hand on Picard's shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"Nonsense, your my best friend and I was honored to do it, there was no question of me not doing it." Picard said delighted that he had been chosen for the task.
Beverly moved through the crowd quite quickly until she got to her old friend Kathleen Hunter. "Kath?" Beverly said rushing over.
"Bev!" Kathleen said embracing her best friend from so long ago.
"Thank you so much for coming. God, how long has it been...?" Beverly asked, holding her by the hands and looking her over.
"Too long... six years." She said as they hugged each other.
"Wow, how are you? I haven't heard from you for so long, and how did you know I was getting married anyway?" Beverly asked, still shocked at seeing her after so long. She had actually caught sight of Kathleen at the ceremony out of the corner of her eye but she couldn't stop the wedding just to speak to her.
"Jack ran into Walker about a month ago at Starfleet, he invited us both but told us not to tell you, he wanted it to be a surprise." Kathleen told her.
"Well it certainly is that. How are you keeping? You don't look so much different from when I last saw you, may be a little older though." She said joking with her.
"I'm on temporary leave from Starfleet but I've got the rank of lieutenant when I go back. I'm married now, and nearly a mother." She said with pride and patting her stomach so Beverly could see the bump. Beverly noticed that she had gained all of her confidence and that marriage had obviously worked in her favour.
"A mother? Are you married to Walker?"
"Of course, who else? We were married about six months ago now."
"Congratulations then, I wish you all the best." She paused looking around. "Where's Walker? Is he here?"
"He's camped out at the food table as usual but I'll tell him to come and speak to you before the night's out, don't worry."
"You make sure you do and tell him I want to dance with him before the night's out."
Beverly noticed a woman leaning against the far wall, out of the way of the main crowd and looking directly at her. She turned away from Kathleen, "I'm sorry, Kath. I have to get going but I want to speak to you later. Don't leave without saying goodbye."
"Sure," Kath said moving away to find Walker. Beverly stared at the woman who returned the gaze easily enough, capturing all of her attention. She knew her, but from where? She walked over to her cautiously for this was not one of her guests since she was wearing a normal duty Starfleet uniform. "I know you, don't I?" She asked as the woman stood up straight and smiled. "Wait, you were at the Academy when I rescued the shuttle pilots from their shuttle, you were in my classroom but you weren't a med student, were you?" Beverly asked suspiciously.
"No, Beverly. I know this must seem a bit strange to you but I was not actually in the room at the time, I was in your mind just as I am now."
"What? You're standing right here. What do you mean your in my mind? And what are you doing here at my wedding reception?" She asked incredulously, she couldn't believe the intrusion.
"This is going to take some explanation and I fear we don't have time." The intruder said. She looked worried and a bit unsure.
"Well of course not, I'm due to go off on honeymoon in a short time." Beverly told her, she really could not be bothered with this but somehow she knew it was important.
"No, you're not." Troi said a bit unconvincingly.
Beverly was becoming a bit annoyed at the intruder and she started looking around to see if she could find Jack, some moral support would be nice about now. "What do you mean, of course I am. Look I think you had better start from the beginning before I have you thrown out of here." She threatened.
Troi sighed not knowing where to begin. "Alright but first you have to know that you can't have me thrown out because I'm not really here." Beverly looked puzzled but Troi continued, hoping that it would all become clearer to her soon. "None of this is real, for a start, you're reliving memories. You're actually aboard the starship Enterprise in the year 2370."
"What? That can't be possible, it's 2348." Beverly exclaimed utterly perplexed and confused.
"No, it's not, it's 2370." Troi said trying to convince her of the fact, unsuccessfully.
"Look I don't have to stand here and listen to this nonsense. I'm supposed to be enjoying myself and you're not helping me do that. I don't even know you." Beverly said forcefully though trying to keep her voice down so that she would not attract attention.
Troi decided to continue with the explanation. "You're in a coma and are experiencing flashbacks to key events in your life. Each time you flashback your body deteriorates and you're very close to death at this time.
"The ship is stuck in a very dense nebula at the moment, looking for a lost starship called the Washington. You beamed down to a planet with an away team a few days ago, and recovered two dead crewmen from a crashed shuttlecraft. When you returned to the ship you started to experience memory loss and eventually lapsed into a coma. We can't do anything for you, we're waiting for the arrival of Dr. Bashir from Deep Space Nine but we fear that he may be too late. I've made myself known to you to try and help you out of it."
"Who are you?" She asked expecting a straight answer right away.
"My name is Deanna Troi and I'm the ship's counsellor." She paused letting it all sink in for a moment. "We're best friends," Troi added, trying to make her remember something of what she was saying.
"I don't remember any of this."
"I know, I believe that it is because you don't have access to those memories yet, your brain seems to be letting you relive experiences in sequence somehow."
"So why have you made yourself known to me now? Wouldn't it be better to let me relive the experiences until I'm up to the... present?"
"I was seen by accident before which triggered you to have a relapse in our sickbay. It was risky to let you see me this time but we had to risk it because we believe that if you experience bad memories, you'll die. I'm here to try and prevent that."
"This is a lot to take in.... I don't know what to make of it. I have felt something though, as I moved through the guests, a familiarity with some of them more so than others, though I know them all." Beverly told her.
"Who do you feel that with?" Troi asked a little concerned.
"Jean-Luc Picard for one, that one's the strongest and I don't really know him all that well. Walker Keel, you... and that strange android back when I first saw you, I've temporarily forgotten his name."
"Those are all people that you have had more recent contact with, outside of your mind. Jean-Luc Picard is the captain on board the Enterprise, the android- Data is the ship's second officer, Walker, you didn't see him all that long ago and as for me, I've already told you who I am." Troi informed her.
"So what now?" Beverly said looking around at the guests and to Jack skeptically. "Why don't I feel a familiarity with Jack?" She asked turning back to face Troi.
Troi took a deep breath, looking over to Jack and back at Beverly before answering. "You haven't seen him for a while that's all." Troi said trying desperately to find a way to avoid answering that particular question.
"Tell me. I need to know." Beverly said forcefully but keeping her voice down low so that she wouldn't attract attention.
"No you don't, that is what I am here to prevent." Beverly looked at her squarely forcing Troi to turn away.
"Prevent what?" She demanded. Just then one of the guests approached and caught Beverly's attention.
"Beverly. Congratulations. I saw you standing by yourself. Don't you want to dance?" He asked her.
Beverly's heart sank he couldn't see Troi.
"Bev?" He asked as she shook her head and smiled at him.
"Sorry, I'm just a little distracted. I'll dance with you later, okay?" She said putting her hand on his shoulder and smiling at him.
"Alright, I'll hold you to that mind." He chuckled and moved away.
Beverly turned back to Troi who was looking rather odd. Troi looked up slightly, listening. "I have to go, something is wrong, I'll be back soon though and try to remain calm." Troi vanished from sight, leaving a slightly startled Crusher behind.
"Hey, what have you been up to, I've missed you." Jack said approaching her from where he had been standing with Jean-Luc a moment before.
"Nothing." She said turning and hugging him tightly.
A/N: Please leave a review... Good or bad... all are accepted. Thank you.