The room was hot and darker than she expected. She trembled uncontrollably as fear settled into every part of her body, hot tears continuously streamed down her face as she attempted to move her arms and legs. No matter how hard she tried, the restraints on her wrists and ankles wouldn't budge. It seemed the harder she fought, the tighter they became. Choking back a sob, her body trembled as she craned her neck to the side at the sudden sound of a saw whirring to life erupted behind her. The slab of metal she was bound to felt cold against her cheek, sending a completely different type of shiver down her spine.
Too terrified to even scream, she felt bile rise in her throat as her heart raced at knowing what was about to come. She wanted to plead with them. Beg them to stop, but she was suddenly paralyzed with fear. Every cell in her body was screaming in terror, while simultaneously hoping a miracle would happen, and she would be spared.
The dark figure slowly lumbered to the table and loomed over her, tubes and metal protruding from various parts of its body. Raising its right arm, the source of the sound came into focus. Where a hand should have been, a saw was mounted. It was a small, round and already covered in bright red blood. Reaching out, the figure put its left hand on her naked form, further restricting her movements by pressing hard on her stomach. Instinct took over and she tried to wiggle away from its grasp. Tried with every ounce of adrenaline pumping through her veins to break free. It was a futile effort. She closed her eyes and swallowed. This was the end. She allowed her tears to fall freely, allowed her sobs to break through as she silently said goodbye to those whom she loved who she would never see again.
She was unprepared for the pain. As the saw met her flesh, a searing white heat flooded through her and blurred her vision. She felt the blade penetrate at the bottom of her sternum, then slowly carve down the middle of her stomach towards her abdomen. Warm blood oozed from the incision, flowing down her sides like tiny, thick rivers of lava.
Not being able to bear the torture any longer, her voice finally bubbled up from her chest and she screamed into the darkness around her as her consciousness faded into nothingness.
The blood-curdling scream ripped through his dream, immediately pulling him from the depths of sleep. He was out of bed instantly, foregoing his robe as he rushed from his quarters into the empty corridor. He looked around quickly, trying to decipher from where the chilling sound had originated.
Another ear-piercing scream cut through the silence. This time, however, it didn't stop.
Finally realizing the screams were coming from the cabin next to his, he bolted to the door. "Computer, emergency entry! Commander William Riker!" The doors instantly swished open.
Allowing his ears to guide him, he ran across the dark expanse of the living room into the bedroom. Isabel was in bed, sheets tightly twisted around her arms and legs. Tears streamed down her face as her screams continued. A quick glace told him there was no one else in the room.
"Isabel!" Reaching her, he urgently shook her shoulders, trying to wake her.
Still deep asleep, she thrashed against his hands, pulling away as though she was terrified. Sobs wracked her body as Will tried to free her from the confines of the sheet twisted around her. He hit the comm on the nightstand. "Riker to Troi!"
Deanna's sleepy voice echoed over the comm system in the room. "Will?"
"I need you in Isabel's quarters – now!" Ending the link without any further explanation, he focused back on his task of freeing Isabel's tangled limbs.
Finally loosening the sheet, he grabbed her around the back of her shoulders and hauled her into a sitting position. "Isabel! It's Will – wake up! You're having a nightmare." He started shaking her gently again, trying to pull her from the terror within her mind.
Her eyes snapped open, and he stared into an empty void of hazel. She was still in her nightmare. The screams subsided but were replaced by agonizing pleas for help. As she continued to thrash, he pulled her tightly to his chest, unsure of what to do to help her.
At his embrace, she started fighting. Her fists connecting with his chest and face as she desperately tried to escape his grasp. "Stop! Get off of me!" Her cries had become hysterical, causing tears to spring to his eyes as he tried to comfort her. "Somebody, please, help me!"
"Try to calm her down! I'll grab the medkit." He turned his head at the sound, grateful to see Deanna.
"She's having a nightmare. I can't wake her." He continued to try and rouse her from her sleep. "Isabel! Come on, wake up!"
"Hold her still, she's terrified." Deanna rushed over to him, sitting behind Isabel, trying to help restrain her wild movements.
"Mom…" Will looked at Deanna, who met his watery gaze with one of her own. Isabel continued to softly plead for her mother, her voice laced with a deep fear and sadness that chilled him to the bone. Finally, Deanna administered the spray and within seconds Isabel collapsed against his chest.
After a few moments, he started to feel her stir. She pulled back, looking into his eyes with absolute panic. As sobs started to overcome her again, she let him pull her close and cried into his shoulder as her body continued to shake. He held her tightly, gently rubbing her back as he shot Deanna a concerned look.
"Isabel?" Deanna gently placed a hand on her back. "You're okay. You're on the Enterprise." Isabel didn't move. Deanna caught his eye and continued softly. "Will, I think we should call Beverly."
Isabel pulled herself back at Deanna's words. Shaking her head, she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "No. Please don't bother them."
"Isabel, I think it would be best –"
"I'm fine. There isn't anything they can do. I want them to enjoy their last day alone together before we – " she stopped suddenly, changing the subject. "My memories are starting to come back." She paused, recalling her nightmare, instinctively placing her hand on her stomach. "The Borg. They cut me open. They cut me open and…I was awake. I could feel everything." She looked Deanna directly in the eye. "I can remember it all."
Will paled and looked at Deanna, who also looked like she was going to be sick. He realized she was probably sensing detailed images from Isabel's mind. Running a hand over his face, he reached out to touch Isabel's hand. "You're safe. They can't hurt you. It was just a memory."
Staring across the room, Isabel's voice was just above a whisper as she spoke. "It was so real. So terrifying." She looked between the two of them. "I don't understand. Why didn't they assimilate me? What were they doing?"
Deanna was once again rubbing Isabel's back, trying to further comfort her. "I don't know." Shaking her head, she continued. "We could try to do a regression treatment, but…"
"But that would put me right back there." Isabel forced a smile and rubbed her neck where Deanna had administered the hypo. "What did you give me? I'm feeling very…light right now."
"Just something to help calm you down. It will also help you sleep." Deanna paused, catching Will's eye again. "Since you don't want us to call Beverly, is it okay if I stay with you tonight?"
A sleepy grin appeared on Isabel's face. "Only if that's not keeping you from other extracurricular activities with Mr. Riker." Will chuckled at the joke, the hypo was clearly taking full effect.
"I hate to disappoint you, but I was in my own quarters when Will called." Deanna smiled at him, holding his gaze longer than he expected. He looked back at her, his Imzadi, and smiled. He would have loved nothing more than having her warm body curled next to his every night.
"Damn shame." Watching Isabel's eyelids become heavy, Will laughed and stood to leave. Before he could take a step, Isabel's hand caught his.
"Will…thank you. It seems you are always the one to save me." Smiling, she looked at him. "You – or the other you – rescued me from the Borg ship. I remember that now, too. You came to get me, as you always have. Thank you for always being there."
Touched by her words, he shared her smile. "Always. Call me if you need anything."
"I need my cousins back. So…get to work on that."
"Let me clarify, call me if you need anything tonight." He watched her eyes flutter shut, a slight smirk on her face. He looked up at Deanna who was shaking her head and smiling.
"Okay, enough of the matchmaking. Back to bed. I'll be on the couch if you need me." Deanna helped her under the covers.
"Deanna, would you…" Isabel yawned, snuggling deeper into the pillow. "Would you stay in here with me?"
"Of course." Bending over, Deanna gently pushed a strand of auburn hair out of Isabel's eyes. "I'll be right back."
In the living room, Will leaned against the wall, running a hand over his face as he exhaled deeply. "That was intense."
Deanna nodded as she moved to stand next to him, placing a calm hand on his forearm. "She must have been screaming incredibly loud for you to have heard her in your quarters."
"Deanna, I've never heard anything like it. Her screams…it was like she was being…"
"Ripped open alive?" They shared a knowing look. Will reached out and took her hand in his, playing with her fingers as he did years ago when they would spend every night embracing one another. He missed her touch, her closeness. They were always so good together.
He shook his head. "I can't believe everything she's been through. She's barely twenty-two."
Nodding in agreement, Deanna looked at him. "I know." He watched her concentrate for a moment. "She's okay now, asleep and relaxed."
Will smiled sadly. He looked at the woman standing before him. He loved her – loved everything about her. He was convinced she had the purest soul of anyone he had ever met. Fighting the urge to lean over and kiss her lips, he squeezed her hand instead. "I suppose I'd better go. I have to report to the bridge in, oh…" He looked at the chronometer on the wall. "…three hours. I should try to get some sleep."
She walked with him to the door. As he turned to say goodnight, she shocked him by stepping into his personal space. Her chest was pressed up against him and he held his breath, not wanting to chance ruining the moment with even the slightest movement. Reaching up, she gently traced her finger along his forehead, along his temple down to his beard and to his lips. He stared at her, not sure what was going on, but knowing anything that was going to happen between them was going to be up to her, since she had made it clear to him she wasn't comfortable with them having a relationship while they were both serving together on the Enterprise.
Taking him utterly by surprise, she moved her hand behind his neck and pulled his head down towards hers as she stood on her tip toes to meet him halfway. Their lips met and he instantly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tightly to him. Her lips were soft and full, the sweet vanilla flavor of her favorite lip balm hitting his tastebuds just as he remembered. He enjoyed every second, relishing in the touch and smell of her. Wishing with all of his heart that the moment would never end.
Threading her fingers through his hair, she pulled away from him to catch her breath. "God, I missed that." She smiled up at him and he laughed.
"You could have had it anytime you wanted, you know."
Tilting her head, she smirked at him. "I know…and I also know that I've been a fool, Will. Isabel was right about Beverly and the Captain. I see how happy they are, and I want that for us too."
He pulled her close to him once again. "Then you've got it."
Half asleep, Jean-Luc rolled onto his side and automatically reached out to curl his arm around Beverly's waist but found her side of the bed unexpectedly empty, the sheets cool. Slowly opening his eyes, he glanced at the chronometer and took note of the late – or very early – hour and pushed himself up into a sitting position. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he heard the faint, familiar sounds of someone making their way around the kitchen. Smiling to himself, he got up and padded his way down the stairs clad only in pajama pants and made his way into the kitchen to join his wife.
Pausing in the doorway, he leaned against the jamb and leisurely crossed his arms over his bare chest as he stared at the woman before him. She was making tea, busying herself in front of the stove – not yet noticing she had a voyeur.
Remarkable. That was the first word that always popped into his head when he thought of Beverly Crusher, now Beverly Picard. Everything about her was remarkable. Her kindness, her passion, her humor, her beauty. The way she selflessly put others before herself time after time. Then there was her unconditional love for him, first as friends then as lovers. He was a lucky man and he vowed never to take her or her love for granted.
A sigh of frustration echoed through the room, bringing his focus back to the moment. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are when you're frustrated?"
Jumping only slightly, Beverly turned and gave him a slight smile, amused by his comment but clearly preoccupied with something else. "I'm sorry if I woke you. I couldn't sleep." Pulling her robe tight, she turned back to the stove she continued her actions. "Would you like some chamomile tea?"
"Yes, please." As he spoke, he moved to sit at the antique kitchen table. He continued to watch her in silence as she finished, then caught her eye as she carefully carried the steaming mugs to the table to join him. Sitting, she slid his mug towards him. "Thank you." She acknowledged him silently with another sad smile. "Penny for your thoughts?"
She placed her hands around the hot mug and sighed once again. "I just…something just doesn't feel right. I can't put my finger on it, but I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach."
Taking a sip of tea, he thought back to their earlier call with Isabel and Wesley. "Are you worried about the kids? I know our conversation with them tonight didn't go as expected."
Shaking her head, she shrugged. "While I wasn't thrilled with our children hosting a kegger…that irritates me more than worries me."
He raised an eyebrow and nodded, signaling he agreed with her. "Do you still feel guilty about not helping to retrieve Isabel's memories?"
She looked at him ruefully. "I've felt bad about that for the past two weeks. Maybe that's what it is? Maybe the thought of going back to the Enterprise tomorrow and finding out what they discovered is causing more anxiety?" Sensing she wasn't finished he waited as she took a long sip of the herbal drink. "I should have been there, Jean-Luc." Looking quickly at him her eyes grew wide before a devilish smile kissed her lips. "Don't get me wrong, it's been wonderfully romantic spending time just the two of us. These two weeks have been absolutely magical."
Laughing slightly, he reached out to grab her hand. "Beyond magical, my love." Bringing her hand to his lips he gently kissed her palm. "And I do understand what you are saying, but don't forget they did promise to alert you if anything of concern arose."
The sound of Beverly's laugh was music to his ears. "Oh, please, Jean-Luc. You know as well as I do that disturbing us is the last thing Isabel would do. Short of a red alert…"
"…she wouldn't dare interrupt us." He finished the sentence for her while nodding his agreement. "If you want, we can go back to the ship tomorrow morning."
"You mean in a few hours?" She smirked at him, acknowledging the extremely early hour.
"We can do whatever you'd like. Stay here as planned until the evening, go back as soon as the sun rises…it's entirely up to you."
Shaking her head, she squeezed her hand which was still encased in his. "No, no. I want us to enjoy our last day today…and while I don't trust Isabel to do so, I know Deanna would contact us if anything were to go wrong." Giving him another wicked smile, she changed the topic. "So, are you finally going to tell me what you have planned for our last day?"
Foregoing the last of his tea, he stood up and pulled her out of her chair. Reaching for her waist, he pulled her hips flush with his own. "Well, for what I have planned first we should go back to bed and get some rest."
Sliding her hands up his chest she rested her hands on his shoulders. "You're insatiable."
He laughed again, leaning down to give her a quick kiss. "Yes, I know." He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "After our work out, I thought we could take a walk through the village and get the necessary supplies for a sunset picnic in the vineyard…maybe squeeze in another workout as well if there's time." Grinning, he ran his hands slowly down her back.
Grinning, she kissed him again. "That sounds like a perfect way to end our honeymoon. Thank you, Jean-Luc."
Raising an eyebrow, he gave her a quizzical look. "For the picnic? You're welcome."
Tilting her head, her fingers began playing with the hair on the back of his head as she smiled at him. "For the picnic. For everything. For being you. For being so patient and understanding, and for showing me how amazing love can be. Sometimes I wonder how I survived all of these years without being able to show you how much I truly love you."
Kissing her deeply, he savored the taste of chamomile on her tongue. Pulling away, he smirked at her once again. "First of all, it is I who should thank you. If I am as you say, then I only have you to thank for helping shape who I am. Secondly, I would advise you wait until after I speak with Isabel about the appropriateness of the captain's daughter hosting parties before you commit to how patient and understanding I can be."
"Oh, I can't wait for that." Shaking her head as she laughed, she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the stairs. "Come on. Let's go back to bed so we can start enjoying our last day as soon as possible."
Playfully reaching out to grab her waist, he pulled her back into his chest and wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling his nose into her neck. "I don't think I'm tired anymore."
Giggling, she turned her head to look him in the eye. "Well, my dear Captain, then I suppose we need to figure out a way to tire you out. Any ideas?"
"Oh, several." Lightly tickling her ribs, he urged her to continue towards the stairs as her laughter echoed through the room.
