Okay here is the last chapter! Thanks for reading. Hopefully you like this ending ok!!

Chapter Seven

Beverly knew that, really, she should be used to having her son leave. He had been at the academy for 3 years already and each time he went back to Earth, she had to say goodbye. But he felt so much more...gone this time.

Having agreed to head back to Jean Luc's quarters for breakfast after Wesley's early morning departure, she found herself staring absently as she sipped on coffee- completely lost in the feeling of loss that had overwhelmed her in the transporter. What the world gives Bev. What the world gives. I was given a wonderful son. He was given a gifted mind -he was given an opportunity. He was given a guide. I was given the chance to be with him as he discovered his path. I was given a partner to help me through this… even after I pushed him off an emotional cliff…

He was given an unwanted attraction to his best friend's wife. He was given years of guilt and loneliness. Oh Bev, you were given another chance again. Beverly thought about earlier this week when she had come to Jean Luc to ask about advice for Wesley. For Wesley. She was so proud of the way her son and Jean Luc had connected over the last few years. Wes had earned the respect of this man by working so hard and achieving so much. And Jean Luc had stretched so far out of his comfort zone to befriend her son, and to become like a parent to him. Jean Luc deserves better than me. But there he was, standing by her as he always has. I have Jean Luc Picard, and I think I always will.

Beverly looked over to Jean Luc as he busied himself at the replicator. "Jean Luc, did I ever tell you," she paused, trying to think of how to word her feelings, "after we were connected on Kes Prytt -". Beverley paused again as she raked a hand through her hair, "I get this feeling when you are around-" she sighed again.

Jean Luc nearly dropped the coffee carafe he had just replicated, stopping dead in his tracks. Never breaking eye contact with Beverley, he say down on the couch behind him.

"Beverly," he tentatively began, "what do you feel?"

"Well," she held her hands out, reaching for the back of her neck, "I feel a buzz. An um…"

"...A fizzle?"

"Well yes, when it starts…" she continued. Jean Luc rose slowly and moved over to the table across from her- keeping his movements as still as he could. Could it be possible that she…? "The feeling kind of races all over my arms and legs-".

He couldn't help it, Jean Luc gently reached out, held her hand it his, and guided their hands together to his chest "...before settling here." He finished her sentence with certainty. All the days of my life.

"Jean Luc," Beverley looked to their joined hands. They had risen from their seats and were standing toe to toe. "I'm so sorry I avoided you these last few weeks." She laced her fingers into his.

"Oh," Jean Luc murmured in mock seriousness, "have you been avoiding me?" He paused to place a soft kiss on their joined hands "I've been quite busy, you see."

"You hadn't noticed?" Beverley replied, playing along, "Well, my Jean Luc…" she held his face in her hands as she leaned in, "you will have to pay closer attention." She kissed him finally. I know what I have.

"Yes, sir" he breathes. She loves you, sir echoed in his mind.

And from a very small and very sacred little room called the habak, lightyears behind them on Dorvan V, Wesley smiled. "Take care of her, sir." He put out the fire, as he turned to the traveller, "Where to next?"

"Everywhere." Came the reply as they blinked out from reality.