[Part 3]

Brief Overview: While Wil and Jean-Luc are on assignment near the Sheliaq Nation, Deanna and Beverly stay behind with Lwaxana constantly worried about their husbands. They know where they are but don't know how they are. Lwaxana does her best to entertain the wives.

Deanna is in her childhood bedroom when she is awoken by strong kick in her abdomen. It was the baby's way of telling her it was still there. Deanna smiled and placed her hand on her stomach. In just one evening the baby has grown so much. Yesterday you could barely tell that she was pregnant; and now she couldn't see her feet. Stroking her stomach...

"Hey little one, I know you are still in there. Be happy that you aren't out here; so much has gone on since I found out I was having you. One day daddy was here beside me in bed and the very next he was gone saving the universe and the federation. I just hope that you stay in there longer then expected so that your daddy will be here for your birth."

The baby replies with a much softer kick. Deanna giggled lightly but she could help but worry that her baby won't know its father. Deanna climbs out of bed and puts on her slippers, what she needed was a nice warm bath before her mother would call her for breakfast. With a sigh Deanna enters her bathroom and closes the door behind her lightly.

Meanwhile in the room down the hall Beverly wasn't having quite as nice of a day as her best friend. She had been up all night vomiting, she remembered this with Wesley for eight straight months she had morning sickness. She was so ill she could barely move to get up and take a warm bath; that always seemed to work with Wesley.

"Well, I guess that you are on the way aren't you sweetheart. Let's just hope that your daddy makes it home for the birth, I wouldn't want to do this without him. He wanted you more than anything, probably with the death of Rene knocked some sense into his brain to settle down and start a family. Don't give your mommy a hard time; she doesn't want to be sick everyday, all day, for the next eight months."

Beverly placed a hand on her stomach and stoked it softly. She began to hum a song, a song that she also used to sing to Wesley when she was pregnant with him. She smiled and went into her bathroom to run some hot water.

Picard and Riker were both captured at the first attack. The shields collapsed and everyone on board was taken hostage. All were places in individual cells, worse then the 21st century holding cells. They were dark and damp; Rats crawled through the cracks in the walls and floor. Picard and Riker were placed in a far worse cell then their crewmates.

"Do you know why they placed us together in this cell Wil? Every one of our crew members has their own cells."

Wil looked around and to the guards. They were armored from head to toe in roman armor. Head pieces similar to the ones used during that era. They carried large fire arms that were almost as thick as Wil's fore-arms. He sighed, he may have been caught but he was going to get out, dead or alive.

"Wil, would you quite it and listen to me we have to find a way out of here. I have seen these cells before, we are held in prisons similar to the ones used for death row inmates during Earth's history. Wil!"

Wil jerked around almost fast enough to give him whiplash.

"I'm sorry Captain, what was it that you were saying?"

"I was asking you why they put us in this holding cell together when both our crews have been places in single cells. There are so many still open, what do you think?"

"Maybe they wanted us together to grill us together. After all we are captains of on the largest fleets in our galaxy. They may think that if we are together it would be easier to manipulate each other and they would get the answers that they are seeking."

Picard nods, for once he didn't question Wil's motives and he trusted his gut feelings. Wil comes and sits next to Picard to begin a captain to captain conversation.

"Wil, do you remember the times we had. We have been is so much more danger than we are here. The Borg for one, they assimilated me, I was a part of their collective, and I almost killed you and my entire crew."

"You didn't know what you were doing. The Borg had a way of doing that. They took your identity away from you and created Locutas. You were not Captain Jean-Luc Picard; you were Locutas of Borg."

"No Wil, you don't understand, I knew what I was doing, and I knew everything that I was doing. The Borg Queen convinced me that you were going to leave me. She told me that you had far better things to do than rescue their Captain."

"But she was wrong, we came back for you. If there is one thing that you taught me all those years ago is that you never leave one of you crew member's behind, and we didn't."

Back on Betazed Mr. Holm has set the places for breakfast at the women. Lwaxana was already seated at the table. Deanna on her heels at the bottom of the stairs. Lwaxana hears her daughter's footsteps and turns to her.

"Little one, look at you today! You look wonderful how is the baby? I hope that you slept well. Will Beverly be joining us soon?"

"I'm fine mother, I just miss Wil. The baby kicked today, it's my own personal alarm clock I can't believe how much I'd grown over night. Beverly is still in bed, human pregnancies are far worse than betazoid pregnancies. She has a touch of morning sickness; I stopped in to see her before I came down. She told us to eat without her and to have Mr. Holm bring her some ginger-ale and saltine crackers. She said that it settles and upset stomach, oh mother she looks terrible."

Deanna walks up to her mother and gives her a hug. When they pull apart Lwaxana places her ear down on Troi's stomach.

"Mother what are you doing?"

"Shhh, Deanna, I am talking to the baby it needs to know the voices of its family. You should already be using your telepathy it is never to early to start."

"Mother, I already speak to the baby using my telepathy, I also do if verbally. This baby is only ¼ betazoid it may not even have any telepathy. Maybe it will be like me, maybe it will be empathic."

Lwaxana pulls her head away from Troi's stomach.

"No Deanna we have a very gifted baby in there. It is far more advanced than any betazoid baby I have ever seen, well at least since your brother. I believe it has taken after it grandma. Are you going to learn the sex of the baby or are you going to wait. You let me know that you were a girl when I was 3 months pregnant with you same with your sister Kestra and your brother told me when I was 6 months pregnant."

"Right now it will be a surprise, if the baby wants to tell me what it is then I will let it. Until then I don't want to know."

"I know...and trust me with as gifted of a child you are carrying you will find out soon. Now come down and eat something the baby is hungry and so am I."

"Yes, mother."

=/=

On a Sheliaq planet Wil stands alone in his cell. They had taken away Picard without a word. All Wil knew is that they were a very violent species. Wil paced back and forth among the cell area. He may not be Captain Picard's first officer but he was his friend, he couldn't help but wonder how he friend was doing. Suddenly with slamming of metal doors a guard brought in a very beaten Picard. The guard opened the cell doors and threw Picard in breaking his arm. Wil rushes to his friend's side and looks up at him.

"What the hell have you done to him? He is nearly dead what gives you the right to treat and being in this manner. You are evil."

Riker gets a slap at his face.

"He would have been dead if he stayed in their any longer. We will need him again to get computer access to your ship. You will be next and because of your behavior, you will get far worse treatment."

Wil retreats back to his fallen former captain. He was so badly beaten you couldn't tell he was Jean-Luc Picard because of the bruising, swelling and blood on his face. Riker ripped off a piece of his uniform to stop the bleeding. He didn't have any water so he did the best he could to clean up Picard.

"Wil, don't let them know about the commands, I overheard them speaking about making the ENTERPRISE and TITIAN warships and fool the federation allies that they are the federation. If they get those commands the entire federation will be destroyed starting with Earth."

"If there is one thing you taught me is that being a part of the federation is sacred and no matter what never let the enemy get command of the bridge. I have not forgotten that, if that means that I will be beaten I will make it. We have babies on the way I want nothing more than to bring them into a world where there is no war. Unfortunately there is war and I will do my damnest to protect them from harm."

Picard begins to drift off into unconsciousness. Riker slaps Picard's face to bring him back to conscious. Picard replies with his eyes opening is surprise.

"Stay with me Captain, you just got all your dreams, don't give up on them. We promised our wives we would return unharmed and we have too. Captain stay with me, I have to set your broken arm talk to me."

Riker pulls Picard up against the wall and moves to the beds. Ripping off a piece of material and two pieces of metal off the bed, Riker sets Picard's arm in restraints.

"Captain, wake up I need you to stay awake from what I see you have a nasty concussion."

Picard comes back to consciousness and thanks Wil for taking he out of it,

=/=

One month later on Betazed Lwaxana, Deanna, her brother Barin, and Beverly are on a picnic with Mr. Holm not very far behind. All of them are seated on the blanket that Holm placed down near a lake. Because of Kestra death Barin is seated on his mother lap.

"Mama, can I go and play with Deanna?"

"I don't know Barin, your sister is going to have a baby really soon she may not be much fun. Besides I think that she misses Wil."

"I know mama if she comes to play with me she won't miss him as much. I don't really know her yet, please mama?"

"Its alright mother, I'll take him to the swing set, I think I can handle pushing him. It will give us a chance to catch up."

Lwaxana nods and Barin jumps off his mother's lap and help Deanna get up. Together they take each other's hands and walk towards the swing set. Lwaxana glances over to Beverly who seems to be a little uncomfortable.

"Beverly, are you alright? I am sensing some erratic thoughts from you. I don't mean to pry but when something like this occurs, even if the person doesn't want to express it I can tell."

"Thanks Lwaxana but I am fine. I just am feeling a little sick and I miss Jean-Luc. I just don't understand that after all these years when we are finally together that fate would take him away. We finally have someone to take care of together and I just worry that this baby won't know its father."

"Beverly, you're lying to me. Remember I can read your thoughts. Something besides that is bothering you. Are you going to tell me or do I have to read your thoughts without your permission?"

Beverly begins to look at her and a sharp pain crosses her abdomen. Unconsciously she places her hand where the pain is coming. Lwaxana notices this and the blood on Beverly's pants she calls for Holm. At the same time Deanna can sense her best friend's pain and stops the swing and she and Barin both run to where Lwaxana is.

"Beverly, what is the matter? Barin and I could sense your feelings. your pain. What is going on are you alright?"

"HOLM! Come here right away Beverly is having a contraction we need to get her to the hospital right away."

Holm comes just as quickly as Lwaxana called him. Lwaxana and Deanna help Beverly to her feet. Due to her weakness she collapses and Holm catches her and carries her to get the help she needs. While Deanna and Barin follow behind the pain continues to run through Beverly's body.
"No the baby, I am loosing the baby!"

Lwaxana when they get to transportation places her hands on Beverly's stomach followed by Barin's both close their eyes.

"Deanna what are they doing?"

[Whispering] "Most Betaziod's have the ability to control their pain. She is making a link to the baby and Barin is helping her, together they meditate to take the pain away. My mother has some very advanced telepathy and Barin has that same ability even though he is part betazoid. From what I heard Tavnian's are also telepathic, Barin is advanced for his age as a betazoid. Normally Betaziod's don't learn how to use their telepathy until they reach puberty. Because Tavnian's are also telepathic he is ahead for his years."

[Whispering] "Deanna its working the pain isn't as bad anymore."

"Holm lets get out of here."

On the Sheliaq planet Picard has recovered from some of his injuries. His arm was still broken and Wil looks as if he had been questioned. They are still being held in a single cell and for the last few days the guard has not taken either of them for more questioning. Wil wasn't sure if they cracked the code without their authorization of if they were making more plans on how to get the answers that they were seeking.

"Hey Wil, Deanna she is almost 7 months pregnant isn't she? How do you think her pregnancy is coming along?"

"Yes she is. I don't know how her pregnancy is coming along but I can sense that she is being well taken care of. Aside from a little depression she seems to be enjoying the time she has with her mother and brother."

"You knew Deanna before you were stationed on the ENTERPRISE how did you learn about this? You can sense her? You can tell what she is feeling how?"

"Years ago, before we were stationed on the ENTERPRISE Deanna and I had this amazing heated relationship; her mother didn't think that I was good enough for her daughter, she always believed that Deanna should marry a Betazoid male, in that way they could share in the bonding. "

"The Bonding?"

"Oh, there are two types of bonding wedding bonding which is conducted in the nude as a celebration of strong love and bonding, both telepathic and physical. Most believe that it is okay to keep more then one actual love though, and the wedding celebration is a complex system of gifts and replies. The tying of knots is also associated with this tradition. But you already know that one. Genetic Bonding involves younger Betaziod's offered to one another as a pre-destiny of marriage or love. The parents arrange this, and it is a telepathic bonding that is supposed to last for a lifetime. Children, although, are not required to totally devout themselves or even carry through with it. Marital Forces are spirits and fate-like gods that protect true love and Imzadi no less. They are supposed to guard and give every born Betazoid a 'soul-mate', and also they are supposed to provide fertility and flourishment to married couples. Deanna is my IMZADI always has been and always will remain."

"Betazed has a very interesting culture. Beverly and I have similar connection. It not what you call a bonding but it works. I can tell right now that she is grieving."

"Maybe you are soul mates. I know that her first love was Jack but perhaps after he passed away she opened her heart to find another soul mate. I always believe that when one soul mate dies there is always another on the shelf. Beverly has loved you for as long as I have known her. If she is grieving maybe it is because she realized that you can also be her soul mate."

"You to Wil Riker; Deanna may be your IMZADI but perhaps I had a part into bringing it in again. I didn't know about Deanna and your relationship when she first came aboard but when I found out I felt partially in bringing you back together."

Suddenly the entire planet begins to shake, almost like an earthquake. As normal captains the first thing they thought about was explosives.

Back at the hospital on Betazed Beverly is resting. The pain as been controlled but not by Lwaxana and Barin, they did control it until they reached the hospital. The Doctor is in the room with Beverly. Deanna, Lwaxana, and Barin wait nearby.

"Mother, you wore yourself out for Beverly; you may have saved her baby, and you, Barin, you are so talented there aren't many Betaziod's your age that can do the things you did there with Beverly."

"I know that I wasn't supposed to do that but mama was having trouble controlling the pain. I know the Beverly is your best friend I just HAD to help mama out. You aren't mad mama are you because I used my gifts?"

"No Barin, you did a very selfless thing. I don't know how long I would have lasted if you weren't here with me. Deanna can't do it because she doesn't have the gift there are only a few Betaziod's your age that can do this. Thank you for helping."

"Mama you knew that when you pregnant with me that I would be special. Enough to end a marriage and marry a friend just so you can raise me; I will never forget that and everyday I thank you for doing that. Helping you was the least I could do after all you have done for me."

Lwaxana smiles, she is so proud of her son. Deanna smiles to they all hug the hug is broken when they hear Beverly's door close behind them.

"Dr. Bader, how is Beverly is the baby alright?"

"She is fine; she will be tired and experience some pain and bleeding. She had a miscarriage.

"Oh no, Captain Picard said that if she would have a miscarriage now it would kill her."

"No wait, she had a miscarriage of one of her eggs from what she has told me Dr. Selar implanted three fertilized eggs. She still has two viable ones, she is having twins. We aren't sure what caused the miscarriage but from what I have been hearing around I assume that it is from the war with the Sheliaq. You must keep her calm no matter what it takes. She has 2 ½ months until she is out of this danger zone. I gave her a sedative she should be sleeping soon."

"Can we go and see her just for a little while?"

"Certainly Deanna but don't stay too long she needs her rest."

Deanna nods and she and her family go in to visit Beverly. When they go through the door the see her hooked up to two monitors. She has her eyes closed but opens them when she hears the door close behind them.

"Hello Deanna, I guess Jean-Luc doesn't settle for just one thing, we only wanted one baby and now we have too. He will be so excited when he finds out the news, if he finds out the news."

On the Sheliaq planet their world is still shaking metal bars and concrete fall from the walls and cracks on the floor leave hug gaps that fall down to oblivion. Picard and Riker try to take cover but with the cracks on the floor and the bars coming apart there isn't much left. Riker slips into one of the crevasse on the floor her grabs a hold of the edge but can't hold on forever. Picard just has Riker saved his life jumped down and grabbed a hold of Riker's hand both falling into the pit.

"Captain Picard! Where are you?"

"Wil, I'm over here, it's so dark just follow my voice they must be some underground caves here. Maybe they will lead us to the planets surface."

Wil follows the voice and soon approaches Jean-Luc. He didn't appear to be hut but in any case he was glad that he wasn't alone in the pits. Together they begin to walk along the pathways in the pit. They just hoped that some of their crew fell into the pits and they would take the paths and perhaps lead them to their ship.

"Do you really think that these caves can lead to the surface? I have never seen caves crafted like this. What do you suppose they were used for?"

"I don't know Wil but if I know Earth's history this is similar to the Underground Railroad during the civil war. They were used to take slaves up north where there were no slaves. Perhaps eon's before the Sheliaq concurred this world this was an underground railroad to free slaves. I don't know about you but one thing I am sure of is that we are going to get out of here alive."

"I didn't think I wouldn't after all I have a baby that is due to come any month now. You too Jean-Luc have a baby on the way as well. You survived the Borg you can certainly survive the Underground Railroad here on the planet."

"I most certainly will."

Back on Betazed three months later Lwaxana has gotten the unpleasant news that Wil and Jean-Luc were last seen three months ago in a Sheliaq prison. A federations spy spotted them just before a monster earthquake hit the planet; now she must find a way to tell her daughter and Beverly that their husband's have been presumed dead. Lwaxana comes up to her daughter room Beverly was there with her. Deanna was teaching Beverly to knit the twins a blanket. Deanna could sense the moment her mother walked in that something was wrong.

"Mother what is it? Has something happened to Barin is he alright? Tell me mother what is the matter? I may not be full betazoid but I can tell you are keeping something from me."

Lwaxana sits on her daughter's bed trying to find the right words to use with such terrible news.

"Deanna, Beverly, you know how Wil and Jean-Luc were headed to the Sheliaq nation, well their ships were attacked and everyone was taken hostage. All members of both ships were placed in unsuitable cells. Wil and Jean-Luc were places in one, probably to see if one would break before the other and the Sheliaq would get control over the ships. Both were beaten severely almost to death. However, as much as they were beat they survived and kept going. Nothing was more important then you and those precious babies. Three months ago a terrible earthquake hit the planet that they were being held on. It is believed that they had fallen through on of the cracks in the cell. They are assumed dead."

"NO! I don't believe that Jean-Luc and Wil both know how to survive even in the dimmest of circumstances. No I didn't feel him die Jean-Luc would never leave me to raise the twins alone. No, I won't believe it not until I see his body."

Deanna is so shocked she can't even speak. Barin comes rushing into her bedroom he could sense that his sister was in distress. Believing that it may be the baby he jolted out of bed from his nap. Lwaxana turns to see her son at the door way.

"Wil is not dead Mother, we have a bond and I know that it looks like he is dead but he isn't. Mother who told you this, is it some cruel joke or something because if it is it is not funny."

"No little one it isn't a joke, they can't find their bodies they may have fallen into the lava pits. I don't believe that he is dead either."

"Mama, he isn't dead I can still feel him, Deanna can't you feel it too?"
Lwaxana once again is surprised by her son's abilities. They are far more advanced than her own. Lwaxana motions Barin to her lap and he climbs into it.

"Mama, Deanna, Beverly take my hands we will pray to the spirits to bring your husbands home safe and sound. They will listen to us if we pray together."

Deanna, Lwaxana, Beverly and Barin join hands and close their eyes. Together they form a link with the spirit world. Suddenly the link is broken by a groan from Deanna's mouth; Lwaxana and Barin pick up right away on her contraction.

"Mama its Deanna she is having a contraction we need to help her! I know that you can't meditate to stop my big sister pain but can you keep her calm if not this isn't going to work. Exactly the way we did if for you three months ago please Beverly help my sister!"

"I will Barin I promise. You concentrate on controlling her pain I will keep her calm. Deanna listen to my voice, I know that you are in a lot of pain right now but concentrate on me, my voice, forget about the pain."

"I can't Beverly it hurts too much. I don't remember being in this much pain with Ian. How can I stop it?"

Lwaxana and Barin have their hands on here stomach and with their eyes closed. Beverly could tell that Lwaxana was struggling but with Barin's help she wouldn't put in as much effort and just let Barin take care of most of the pain.

"Deanna listen to me, it's taken longer than they expected to stop your pain. Try and concentrate on my voice forget everything that is around you just concentrate on bringing this baby in the world."

"Beverly its too soon, I still have two weeks to go what if something is wrong with the baby that is why it is coming early."

"No remember Deanna Dr. Simms told you that since you are half human you could go between eight months and ten months. You are nine-and-a-half months pregnant it is normal and the baby is fine."

"I don't want to have this baby without Wil. He wanted to be here so much I don't want to have the baby now. No not without Wil."

"Looks like the baby is going to come anyway; Deanna you are two centimeters dilated already. You still have plenty of time."

A groan escapes Lwaxana's mouth Beverly looks over to her she is struggling.

"We can't stop the pain we need to get her to the hospital right away. Maybe they can help her with the pain we can only do so much. Barin and I are loosing the link."