Hi there dear readers,

So, if you feel inclined to leave me a little review, please go ahead, give in to that inclination! This whole series is now officially the longest thing I've ever written (all four parts), so I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. It is the equivalent of a pretty chunky novel! Aye aye aye! I can't help notice though that the ST:TNG crowd may be far more numerous, but they are far less review-ee ;)

Spot.


She strode with purpose and pace from the transporter station to Command. She flashed her ID at the security officer on duty and continued her journey without even breaking her determined gaze for anyone. She walked into a turbolift and headed to Will's office up on the admiralty floor. She didn't bother with his assistant who spluttered and leapt to his feet at her surprise entrance.

She pushed open the door forcefully, "What the hell happened Will?"

"Sir… Sir… Doctor Howard is here for you Admiral Sir," said the assistant uselessly from behind her.

"Yes, thank you. I can see that Novak," said Will stating the obvious. "Beverly, please, take a seat."

"Oh no… I'm way too mad to sit down," she paused, flapped her arms helplessly then took a deep breath. How could this happen?! He's been out there for nearly two years!"

"I know… I know…"

She quickly turned back to check the door to the outer office was now closed, that she could speak with freedom from listening ears. "He's been tortured Will… starved… and Starfleet just abandoned him – all of them. Will!"

He was waiting for her to run out of steam, to get it out of her system, he would draw her fire. She'd been through a huge swing on the spectrum of possible emotions since he'd first broken the news. She'd been so calm, something must have changed. He walked from behind his desk and put an arm around her, trying to get her to sit down. She took the cue, thankfully, and he perched himself on the corner of the desk so he was right next to her.

"You're absolutely right. Something went horribly wrong. I know you won't believe me, but I've been working on this. Heads are going to roll… trust me. But I need a little time."

"I thought he was dead…" she said then burst into tears. She dropped her face into her hands and allowed herself the freedom to let go.

"Oh Beverly… I'm so sorry," he said as he hopped off the corner and crouched down to be level with her. He hugged her to him and she wept on his shoulder, huge wracking sobs. "I'm sorry…" he said, his own voice cracking with emotion.

After a few minutes, once she'd cried herself out, she wriggled free of the hug and looked at her friend. She could see he had been crying too, "Look at us…" she sniffed.

"I think we're allowed," He replied, wiping his own tears away. "Come on, let's sit over here."

In the corner of his office there was a sofa and an armchair with a low coffee table between them. He gestured for Beverly to take a seat, then tabbed at his replicator to request some drinks. "You've seen him then?"

He placed a drink in front of her and she took a sip, "Uh huh."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really…" She could feel tears welling again, she didn't know if she felt strong enough to go into the detail he seemed to want. "He's in a bad way Will. How much do you know?"

He knew more than he could tell her, and it was one of the very few times in his career that he'd felt so strongly that Starfleet was in the wrong. He felt compelled to give in and break orders. He could only shake his head, she had to know he couldn't reveal anything. "Did you speak to him?"

"It was just a second… he's very weak. So thin… only a few words."

"You spoke with his doctor?"

She nodded, "She seems like she knows what she's doing."

"It's the Phoenix Bev… a big deal these days. We wouldn't send just anyone."

"Will…" she said, her eyes begging for information she knew he couldn't give.

He returned her gaze, trying to communicate all he knew with just his eyes, "I'm sorry…" He cleared his throat, needed to change tack. "They'll reach Earth in… three days?"

"Another four… and then what happens Will?"

He shook his head, "He comes home?"

"Of course he does. I can take care of him. But how does he come back from this?! How is he supposed to just settle back into his life knowing that the Federation had given him up for dead, let him rot all the way out there after sending him in the first place?"

He dropped his head, thought back to all the bad times on the Enterprise. The Borg, the Cardassians… Picard was the strongest man he knew. "I don't know… but one thing I can say with total certainty, is that we'll be there – for him, and for you."

"I don't know what to do…"

"What do you mean? When the ship gets in?"

She nodded, tears welling in her eyes once again, "I don't feel like I get a say… it's all so hush-hush."

"What do you want to do Beverly?"

"I just want him home…"

"Then that is what will happen. I'll see to it myself. I'm tired of… Well… you know what I mean."

"Will they let him transport down directly? Can I go up there and get him? He's going to need…"

"Let me look into it, see what I can do… I can see there being a problem with you going up… how about if I went to get him? Brought him down to the house? I'll make a plan, talk it through with Deanna, make sure we do the right thing for him – and for you. Does that sound okay?"

She nodded again, tears flowing freely now. "Thank you Will… I'm sorry for… breaking in, earlier."

He hugged her again, "No need for apologies… not about this. Not ever."