Home Again

When he materialized on the Enterprise Deanna Troi and William Riker had come to meet him. He was disappointed Beverly was nowhere to be seen. Although he had putted on his Captains mask, it didn't go unnoticed to the Counselor who knew him too well. The men greeted each other and Commander Riker instantly started to talk ships business. Picard seemed slightly absent minded. Troi noticed and pulled Riker to the side.

"Let the Captain step of the platform first", she said laughingly.

Picard gave her an appreciating smile.

Riker rolled his eyes to the Captain.

"Women!"

The Captain simply nodded.

"We will talk tomorrow at 1000h in my ready room, Number one",

Picard stated and started to head for the door, Troi on his heels. Riker was left in the transporter room dumbfounded. When the two stood in front of the turbolift Troi said.

"She is quite nervous and scared, otherwise she probably would have come to greet you. I guess you'll find her in her quarters."

With that she turned around and left him waiting alone. Now it was his turn to be speechless. He shook his head, entering the lift.

"Deck 8, Officers Quarters", he ordered the lift.

He turned right in direction of Beverly's quarters. He chimed and was granted access within some moments. He entered placing his duffle bag down next to the door and smiled. He felt like one of those sailors coming home to his loved ones after a long trip on the ocean.

Beverly was sitting on a chair in front of her eating table. She hugged one of her knees and had a cup of tea standing on the table. He smelled the distinct note of earl grey and needed to smile even more.

She looked to him expectantly and scared. From the way she clung to her leg, he knew she was nervous. Would she send him away or was she scared he would not stay. All of a sudden he was not so sure anymore, this would work out the way he had imagined it during these days in France and on the trip back. He was so sure she would meet him in the transporter room. But she had not been there. He took a deep breath. He was lost for words.

Beverly had about the same feelings as he had. Only she had been scared that he would not come back to her as a lover ever since he left for France. And now he was there. From the bag on the floor she knew he had come to her straight from the transporter platform. A good sign. She wondered how he had escaped Will Riker, but that didn't matter. What mattered now was to know. What mattered now was to speak up. Her mouth felt try and her tongue heavy.

She slowly unfolded her legs and stood up. My god, he looks great! He had gotten some teint and looked fresh. She took some steps to shorten the distance between them, hoping she would find some words on the way.

"You are back", she said with a low voice, a smile staring to produce itself on her lips.

He nodded. She looked so good and her voice was so soft and inviting. He started to move towards her until they stood face to face. Still not touching, but only an inch away he whispered.

"Yes I am back."

His breath tickled her nose. He inhaled her scent and slowly turned his head to place a soft kiss on her lips. She reacted instantly drawing her body closer to him, so her full length was touching his body. He entangled his hand in her hair to deepen the kiss.

When they went up for air he whispered.

"So, you have actually been waiting for me."

A tear slipped from Beverly's eye and he brushed it away with his thumb.

"How could I have not waited for the love of my life. And you have come back to me", she stated.

"I never intented to only come back to the ship", he said.

She nodded.

"Good. I love you."

He smiled.

"That is good, Beverly Crusher, because I love you so much, I cannot even start telling you."

They kissed again. This time deeper, hungry for the other one's touch and love. They made up for the time apart that night, being one body and soul in love.

Life changed considerably during the next months. They decided to keep their relationship private. Inevitable the senior staff noticed that their relationship had changed, so they had informed them about their "change of status". Beverly spent most of her nights at Jean Luc's, more and more personal things enriched the captain's spartan quarters. Both of them enjoyed their new found intimacy. Enjoying to finally not wake up alone, to have someone share their thoughts, whenever they came to their minds and not having to wait until breakfast.

Jean Luc turned out to be a lot more romantic, than Beverly had ever thought him to be. To most of the people not knowing him better he seemed cold, rational and stiff, but he managed to surprise her regularly with special treats. He loved to spoil the woman he loved and he was a very generous man and lover.

Life had been easy, but Beverly had a feeling it wouldn't stay that way. Having lost her first husband, she didn't take happiness for granted and she knew, that sooner or later their past or a mission was about to strain their relationship. The test came on board in form of a young woman with shoulder long brown hair.