AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry that this story has been so long in being updated. I want to thank everyone who kept the reviews coming and I want you to know that this story is dedicated to you.

Beach of Memories (part 5)
by Jaclyn Riker

R.J. and Kelly walked up the hill holding hands in complete silence. The birds around them sang sweetly as if to give the day a swan song, since the sun was already halfway set. They reached the top of the hill and just looked out into the valley where a lazy winding river that snaked through it.

"It's amazing that your parent's found this place so close to the city." Kelly said, breaking the silence.

"I know, but I think that's why they love it so much." R.J. said smiling at her. "We havefifteen acres of land, yet San Francisco is onlyan hour away by hovercar. Nice and quiet for Dad and Mom to relax after a busy day working in the city."

"I bet they need to relax!" Kelly said grinning at him. "Your dad is one of the most important heads of Starfleet and your mom is head of Starfleet medical."

"Well, look who's talking! Your dad is one of the youngest heads of Starfleet and he still commands a ship when they need him." R.J. said, playfully poking her in the side. She giggled and smacked his hand way. R.J.'s eyes lit up and her own widened as she caught onto his thoughts.

"Oh no, you don't!" she squealed and ran with him at her heels, fingers wiggling ready to tickle her. They rounded the tree a few times, each trying to out smart the other, before Kelly plopped down into the tree swing. She gave a loud laugh as R.J. plopped down next to her, kicking of with his feet so that swing began to move. As it slowed into a smooth rhythm, Kelly sighed deeply, closing her eyes and letting the movements calm her. R.J. raised his left arm and subtly moved it to lay on the back of the swing. Kelly felt his movements and hiding a smile, lifted her head slightly so that he could slide it around her shoulders without embarrassment. She lay her head down on his shoulder and sighed again.

"Kel, are you okay? With everything that's going on?" R.J. asked, softly, not stopping his foot from pushing off the ground to keep the swing moving. Kelly's eyes opened and she stared at the sky and fading sun.

"I'm not sure." Kelly said just as softly. "I keep remembering stuff, you know? Like how she used to braid my hair and even after she was done, we would just sit there together, her and me. Not saying a word, just sit there with me on her lap and her arms around me. I felt so safe on her lap. Like there was nothing in the world that could hurt me as long as I was with my mom. Then earlier today in the car on our way here, I remembered how, late at night coming back from your house she would sing to me until I fell asleep. I must have been younger than Jess the last time that happened, but still..."

R.J. tightened his arm around her shoulders and she gratefully snuggled closer into him.

"But you're still angry with her." R.J. said, knowing he was right even without the tiny nod he felt on his shoulder.

"She still left me, R.J, andI never got a letter or a videocall...nothing! I can't help but hate her for that." Kelly said, her voice betraying the hurt she had carried inside for just over five years. Errant tears slipped out and in a voice that was even more pain filled than before she whispered, "She didn't say good-bye. That's what hurt the most. I woke up one morning and found my dad crying at the kitchen table. There was an emptiness in the house that hadn't been there the night before, but I didn't know why until he looked up and saw me. 'Come here, Sunshine.' he said. 'Come sit with Daddy.' I knew then that she was gone. I don't know how, I just did."

"What happened then?" R.J. asked, knowing that she had to talk about it.

"Nothing. He held me and we cried, then we moved on. We had no choice. We had Jessie to think about, she was only six months old then. It wasn't her fault that she left. Not her fault..." Kelly said and he gave her a hug, frowning at her last words. Before he could comment, Kelly shifted and leaned forward out of his arms. "You know, I used to have a dream where she did say good-bye to me. It is late at night and she comes into my room...

"Kelly, wake up. Wake up, my little one." Deanna whispers, bending down to gently shake the child awake.

"Mommy? What's wrong?" Kelly asks, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Nothing's wrong ,Sweetie. Mommy just wanted to say goodnight again." Deanna says, trying hard not to cry when Kelly smiles up at her.

"You're so weird sometimes, Mommy." Kelly giggles, her voice rough from sleep.

"Of course I am." Deanna says laughing quietly. "I'm married to your father."

Kelly laughs too, before yawning again. "I'm sleepy, Mommy. I'm gonna go back to bed now."

"You do that, Little One." Deanna says, pulling the covers up around her more and tucking her daughter in tightly. She pauses and her eyes travel over her first born baby's features as if trying to memorize every detail. Taking a deep breath she leans over and kisses Kelly goodnight for the last time in a long time. "Always remember that I love you."

"I love you too, Mommy. Goodnight." Kelly whispers before promptly falling back into a deep sleep.

"Good-bye, Little One." Deanna whispers back and quickly leaves the room before succumbing to the tears that threaten her. But not quick enough as one falls andis immediatelysoaked up into the bedroom carpet, asif the carpet knows that isabsorbing a secret that will never be told.

"Kel? Kelly, you okay?" R.J. asked, gently shaking her and she blinks looking at him, as if seeing him for the first time. "Kelly?"

"Uh yeah, I'm fine." Kelly said, shaking her head as if to erase the images she saw in her head. "We should go. It's probably time to leave."

"You're probably right. In fact I'm surprised no one has come to get us." R.J. said standing up and helping Kelly off the swing. A gentle breeze blew a piece of her hair in front of her face and R.J. lifted his hand to gently tuck it behind her ear. Their eyes locked and each leaned in at the same time to share love's first innocent kiss. Pulling back, Kelly blushed and R.J. grinned at her, took her hand once again in his and they walked back down the hill.

As they reached the bottom they saw that both cars were started and everyone was standing around talking. Beverly looked up and spotted them first, nudging Deanna slightly. Deanna looked up too and the two women gave each other a knowing look.

"There you two are! One of us was just about to go get you." Will said and then gave a puzzled look to the others when R.J. and Kelly burst out laughing. He shrugged and grinned too, until he noticed that they were holding hands. His smile disappeared and a deep frown replaced it as he looked from one adolescent to the other. Kelly saw it and her eyes widened, shooting a look to Deanna for help. Deanna saw where this was heading and took Will's arm.

"It's time we got going. Our reservations are in 20 minutes." Dee said and tugged on Will to lead him to the car. R.J. and Kelly let go of each other's hand and went to their respective cars, but gave each other a secret smile as they got in. Will looked in the rearview mirror at his older daughter and was about to open his mouth when he caught the look that Deanna sent him. She shook her head and glared at him to back off. He let out a displeased noise, but kept his mouth shut and just drove to the restaurant. Deanna caught Kelly's eyes in the side view mirror and for the second time that night, Kelly smiled at her before dreamily gazing out the window. Deanna closed her eyes, trying not to burst in joy and hope. Maybe, just maybe, this would all work out.

TBC (I promise!)