La Barre

They had been fighting the whole day. They had gotten drunk and fought even more. Brothers. Marie shook her head. Boys will be boys, even when they were supposed to be grown up. Even Starship Captains and established vintners. Now they were sitting in the living room. Both in an overstuffed chair, a glass of fine wine in their hands and a smile on their face.

They had enjoyed Marie's famous Coq au Vin and had retreated to the small living room. It used to be the smokers room in the old days. Large shelfs stuffed with books, old leather armchairs and low tables were standing on a thick rug. Robert had started a fire in the open fireplace. They were brothers again. No more fighting. Marie was sure that would come again. Two people as different and yet alike like those needed to fight. They loved one another and she had come to love Jean Luc as a brother. They were telling old jokes now, talking about every fight they had, about old friends, teachers, classmates. She opened the door to glimpse inside.

"I will be going to bed."

Robert got up and kissed her goodnight.

"We will finish the bottle," he claimed.

Marie winked at Jean Luc.

"No more fighting boys!"

Jean Luc smiled.

"Boy scouts honor! Good night Marie and thank you for the wonderful diner."

As soon as Marie had closed the door Robert came over to Jean Luc and slapped him on the shoulder.

"YOU Never were a boy scout."

Jean Luc grinned.

"That ... she doesn't know",

Both men started laughing hard and when they had managed to calm down again Robert poured another glass of wine to Jean Luc. They sat staring into the fire for some time. No need to speak, they were enjoying home and family too much to be disturbed by the silence between them.

Jean Luc felt as if the world was going to make sense again. He took deep breaths inhaling the scent of the old house, of the fire, of simply anything around here. Everything was so alive and he was feeling better and better. His mind was wandering to Beverly and produced a smile on his face.

Robert had watched his brother.

"Thinking about a woman?"

Jean Luc let out a silent laugh.

"I know you think my way of life is rather archaic, but I still give you one good advice my brother."

Jean Luc raised his eyebrows.

"Get yourself a wife and some children."

Jean Luc took a sip of wine. Then he looked around in the room. Finally he said:

"Maybe that is not such a bad advice."

Robert let out a rumbling laugh.

"I cannot believe my small brother is finally growing up."

He got up and fetched another bottle of wine, opened it and filled their glasses.

"To the Picard family. And to my brother."

They toasted.

"And to my brother!"

They toasted again. No more words were spoken this evening. They sat there, watching the fire, both enjoying each others company. The feeling of home and the knowledge that they were not alone.

When Picard left some days later, he felt as well as he had not felt for some time. He had healed. He had come to terms with himself and what had happened with the Borg. His life would be different, but they had not managed to take away who he was. Like every other encounter with friendly or hostile species, the Borg had transformed him a little, but he was still Jean Luc. The marks might have been deeper, but he had survived. His body and soul still intact. Thanks to his family and friends. He was still a Federation Starship Captain and he was still a man in love. Robert had handed him a box when leaving. It contained a bottle of vintage champagne. A rare bottle. Drink it with the woman you are going to marry, he had whispered laughingly, when they had embraced at the shuttlebus.