Lonely
When Jean Luc woke in the morning, she was gone. He felt the bed next to him cold. He listened and looked around, but she was gone. Then he found the old fashioned envelope on his nightstand. He swallowed hard. He opened the envelope carefully, pulling out a single piece of paper and a lock of auburn hair. He smiled. He liked her romantic ways and his fingers tenderly caressed the soft strand of hair. Seeing the lock of hair, he knew that the letter would be kind and her leaving was not a definte goodbye. He unfolded the piece of paper and started to read.
"I am sorry, but I needed to go. I couldn't bare saying goodbye to you personally. It would be too much. Enjoy home and heal. I'll be waiting for you. All my love. Beverly."
Jean Luc read the letter a second time. He was sad, but he understood. They both had been so vulnerable these days and emotions flooded to the surface yesterday. They both were not able to control them and they both were slightly scared, what that was doing to them. He missed her, but he understood. For her it was easier to leave than to be left behind. And for him it was easier to go to the transporter room alone, too. But she would be waiting and he would heal. She had showed him yesterday, that he was still human. She initiated his healing and it was up to him to get well now. He would go back to France to find strength and courage again and return the man he was before. And she would wait. Oh, what a promise. He putted the letter and the lock back in the envelope and slipped it into his bag.
He got himself breakfast and tried a book, but he was too unfocused for reading. It would be another hour before they reached the place to go off the ship and he decided to take a tour of the ship. He strolled around and ended up in Ten Forward. The Bar was empty expect for Guinan. It seemed, she had been waiting for him. She placed a glass of juice onto the bar and looked at him waiting. Picard nodded his thank you and took a sip. The cool liquid felt wonderful in his soar body. Then he looked up into her eyes.
"Will I be ok again?"
Guinan rose her non existing eyebrow and turned her head slightly. It looked as if she were searching for truth or wisdome but Picard knew she already had the answer and that she just took her time to tell him. She looked into his eyes again.
"You will be different."
Picard smiled.
"You cannot give a straight answer, can you?"
Guinan laughed out.
"No. But that you already knew, when you asked. Had you not."
Picard nodded taking another sip from his glass.
They both gazed into the direction of the viewport not saying a word for what must have been ten minutes. Two explores and travelers enjoying the view in mutual understanding for the wonders of the universe.
When Picard started to move to say his goodbye she grabbed his arm.
"How is Beverly?"
Picard raised his eyebrow. Did she know? Inwardly he shook his head. This woman!
"She will be ok."
Guinan nodded.
"Good."
Picard nodded. Then he turned towards her.
"Take care of my crew!"
Guinan smiled.
"I will."