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Possession

Eight

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(Big thanks to WhoaNellie for inspiration on this chapter. Way to know your Trek cannon! The use of the Tapestry plotline is perfect!)

Picard thrust the broken rod forward, impaling the Praetor. A spray of blood splattered his uniform and his face.

Waves of shock and disbelief echoed across Shinzon's face. He looked down at the crimson spear and grabbed it both hands. Suddenly, he threw back his head and began to laugh, awed by the glory and irony of it all. As he did so he pulled himself toward the Captain, close enough to smell the fear from the older man.

Picard looked on, horrified. All his doubts, his judgments of the young man rushed forward and crowded out the disaster surrounding him. He could almost see an image of a giant Nausican standing behind the Praetor, who was consumed in his own mad laughter.

Shinzon looked up and met the Captain's own shocked grey eyes. "I'm glad we're together now. Our destiny is complete." His laughter stilled as blood streamed out of his mouth.

Picard was silent as Shinzon grabbed his throat, binding them together in the throes of death. Had it not been for Data's sudden appearance, he would have remained there, damned by his own DNA and the sadistic grace of destiny.

"And then I was back on the Enterprise. And Data was gone." Picard looked down into his tea, which had grown cold as he somberly relayed Shinzon's final moments to Beverly Crusher.

"Jean-Luc." Beverly took his face her hand, and he turned his cheek toward the warmth of her palm. "Don't lose hope. I can see it in your eyes. I can see what you've lost. But it's not everything Jean-Luc. You haven't lost everything." Her cobalt eyes shone with pain, emotion, and unshed tears as he looked up to meet them. Her meaning was not lost on the Captain.

"Haven't I?' His own eyes were dark and deep, tears also gathering. His heart still ached with the loss of Data, a man who had become a son to him. The pain was mirrored by the sudden appearance and death of Shinzon, a being who was not son, brother, father, but somehow family. And now gone. It seemed that change had rushed at light-speed upon his life, and he was struggling to keep up. How he would do it alone escaped him. He could – he knew that. But he found he did not want to. He was tired of his closed heart and empty soul. The result of the choices he had made sat before him in the willowy and now ephemeral form of Beverly Crusher. Tomorrow, she would be gone, and he alone - again.

Beverly remained silent. The comfort she could offer would not come in words that would ultimately be meaningless. She took his hands in hers and leaned toward him and rested her forehead on his. Jean-Luc had chosen his path. She had followed him willingly when her own had converged with his. But her career was her own, as was her life. It was time for new adventures and challenges. She'd stayed with him for a decade. Her new life would be bittersweet, as she looked eagerly forward and regretfully behind.

"You will never be alone, Jean-Luc." She sat back and met his eyes, placing a hand over his heart. "I'll always be here for you – you just have to ask."

He took up her other hand and brought it gently to his lips before placing it on her lap. "I will miss you, Beverly." His throat caught as he spoke and he turned away to face the stars.

"I know, Jean-Luc, I know." She sighed deeply and stood slowly. "Well. It's getting late." She smiled tersely and clasped her hands at her waist.

Picard stood as well and tugged brusquely on his top. "Yes." His eyes were veiled with loss.

For such old friends the silence between them was painfully awkward. Beverly shook her head and stepped forward, embracing Picard tightly. "I love you Jean-Luc."

He held her in his arms and felt her solid weight against his empty chest. "I love you Beverly."

They stood for a long moment before slowly drawing apart. They clasped hands briefly before Beverly turned and walked out of his quarters. The doors slid shut quietly behind her.

Picard stood in the dark, illuminated weakly by the cold starlight.

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"Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say.

Chained to all the places that he never wished to stay.

As he faced the sun he cast no shadow."

Oasis – Cast No Shadow – (What's the Story) Morning Glory

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END

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