A/N This is one of two retroactive chapters. It explains what happened at Caladra. A place that did not exist when this story began.
Set soon after Nemesis.
Star Fleet Medical
Earth
Ten ½ years previous
Beverly Crusher had been staring at the flashing message for over fifteen minutes, slowly, she reached out a long pale finger and started the message.
"Beverly.
I hope this communiqué finds you well. I hope it finds you at all, seeing the difficulty I've had in doing so lately. I'm sure you're heading for Caladra, if you're not already there. That's part of why I'm writing. The Enterprise is set to arrive there early next month. I thought you should know. They've asked me to help with the diplomatic resolutions since the cease fire, and for the Enterprise crew herself to help with the clean up.
I have heard from Will and Deanna, as I am sure you have, that the Titian will be joining us there when they are finished with their current mapping mission. Deanna will be joining my negotiating team, and Will and his crew will be working with the environmental restoration.
Caladra's destroyed society seems an odd place for a reunion, but that's what it seems to be.
Beverly, I miss you terribly. What ever I have done… (sigh)
I miss you terribly.
Jean Luc"
His voice disappeared, causing a fresh batch of tears to form in her green eyes. She wanted to respond. She wanted to find a channel an explain to him what he had done. How he'd just sat there as she'd told him she was going to return to Star Fleet Medical. That she was leaving because maybe she didn't want to end up divorced from him and Captaining some medical vessel in the middle of no where. Maybe she didn't want to sit around his sickbay waiting for him to decide the time was right.
She hadn't expected him to shore leave at Star Fleet Command. She defiantly hadn't expected him to show up at her apartment with two bottles of Chateau Picard. If she had she certainly would have updated her fertility blockers. If she had she would be on her way to Caladra instead of sitting here afraid to go there five months pregnant.
…...
USS Enterprise
In orbit around
Caladra Five
(Site of Star Fleets Worst Ecological Disaster )
"Captain, "
I wish I could say that I've heard something more from Beverly, but all I have received is a short response about the possibility of her coming to Caladra with in the next few weeks. She still seemed as if the decision had not been made.
I know that all of the Psychology staff and 4th year Cadets have been given orders to report there. So I am confused to why the Chief of Medicine has not. Especially someone with Beverly's background in mass casualties. She is certainly needed there from what Will and I understand.
We will see you there in a week or so, until then stay safe. Will says hello.
Deanna."
Picard sighed at his former Counselor's message. He had hoped she had better news on Beverly. He had considered making a more formal request as to why the Chief of Medicine had not made an appearance on Caladra. He didn't even have to be that outright. He could simply suggest that sending a doctor with specific experience to head the operation would help him show good will for his negotiations. Beverly's experience to be exact. He didn't however. Instead he waited.
USS Titian
In orbit around
Caladra Five
(Site of Star Fleets Worst Ecological Disaster )
"Deanna,
I'm on Caladra in the western hemisphere working to get the local physicians up to date on the types of illnesses and injuries to expect over the next few years. I've never seen so much destruction. I cannot imagine what the other side of this planet must be like. Be careful. Watch over each other. Something tells me this is far from over. As far as Jean Luc, I don't know what to tell you. He has done nothing to show me any reason to think anything will ever change.
Bev"
"She say anything?" Will asked softly, making his way back into the bedroom.
"Not really. Just that she doesn't think it's over."
"The war or their romance?" Her husband asked, kissing her bare shoulder, she ran her hands across his cheek.
"The war. Sadly I think the romance may have been doomed all along." She sighed. "Perhaps it's because I'm still alive.." She whispered the last part but his head still shot up.
"What are you talking about?"
"The Captian's future." Deanna reminded him. "They're marriage. The only major discrepancy is my death. I can't help but wonder if that had anything to do with it all."
"Well stop wondering. It's creaping me out." He muttered. "I'll let the Captain stay a batchlor if it means not turning into a bitter old Admiral with nothing to show for himself."
She grinned at him.
"It was just an observation." She smiled.
"Speaking of observations, did you tell her yet?" He let his hand slip around her, settling over her abdomen.
"No." She admitted, lacing their fingers together. "I want to tell her in person."
"I hope she's as excited for us as Picard." He returned her smile. She hoped her baby had his twinkling blue eyes.
"She will be."
Shalda Region
Caldara Five
(Site of Star Fleets Worst Ecological Disaster )
"As you can see Captain the peace here is tentative at best."
Picard walked through the tent city, glancing at the freshly wounded and freshly ill that seemed to be all around him.
"The children pick up bio-weaponry in the streets. The young men still battle over lines drawn hastily on a map by people who have never lived near here before. They are separated from everything they have ever fought for in the name of peace." MayLord Ginise walked slowly and purposefully though the refugee's. Picard's fell on a young doctor, treating an infant wrapped in a Star Fleet blanket.
"Janick. This is Picard, from Star Fleet." Ginise motioned to the young man.
"Star Fleet." He repeated softly. "I have learned much from your people."
"I am glad to hear that." Picard looked at the little boy. "Janick I have a member of my diplomatic team who has just found out she is expecting, about three months along. Is there any danger here for her?"
"Biomedical, no. As long as she remains with the diplomatic envoy." He stopped talking. "However I know that another woman from Star Fleet has decided that the political tensions put her unborn child at too much risk. She will not leave the West until she is sure there is peace."
"Thank you. I will relay that to my officer."
"She should speak to Dr. Beverly. She may have more insight then I."
Picard's blood ran cold for an instant, as his eyes furrowed. His mouth opened softly several seconds before the words could form.
"Dr. Beverly?" He repeated breathlessly.
"Yes. Dr. Beverly Crusher. She was my teacher in the west. She is with child, expecting with in the next month or so." The man said proudly, having no idea what he had just done.
USS Titian
In orbit around
Caladra Five
(Site of Star Fleets Worst Ecological Disaster )
"Will,
I have gone to the Western Hemisphere for a few days. Word in the city is that Deanna is safe as long as she is with the Envoy. I hope that she can continue the processes until I return.
Picard"
"Maybe she's contacted him?" Deanna whispered reading over Will's shoulder.
"I hope so." Riker said soflty. "Do you want me to come with you to the negotiations?"
"No. That's alright. Dr. Ree said he would like to speak to them."
"You think they're ready to meet someone of his.. Stature?" Will's voice rose at the end and Deanna couldn't help but giggle.
"I think they'll be shocked, but hey it might work to my advantage right?" He cupped his face in her hands and smiled.
"Speak softly and carry a big dinosaur?" He teased.
Piqueti Valley
Mobil Hospital
Western Hemisphere
Caladra Five
" Computer record message. Destination Star Fleet Command. Admiral Ulina Havac MD" Beverly moved her hand through her sweaty hair, pulling it until she could wrestle it into a rough bun.
"Acknowledged recording begun" her consol reported back to her. She sighed and started her letter.
"Admiral Ulina Havac
You had asked me to inform you of when I had decided that my condition must precede my work. Uli, I am afraid I am at that point. I had forgotten how much the last few months of pregnancy can take from you.
I have plans with Captain Hansen of the Northwestern. He has agreed to let me continue to educate from there until the baby comes. After that I will have to make some hard personal decisions. I see how great the need is here on Caladra and I know of the effects they will have around the Fleet if they are not dealt with here and now.
The presence of three of the most powerful and tactically strong ships of the Federation here is reminder enough. For now I will stay, but I can't say that I know where my future lies.
On a personal note, thank you for your concern, I am doing alright.
Beverly Crusher MD"
He watched her move from the tent they had pointed out to him and make her way across the courtyard to the barracks. Silently he followed her, watching the way her hand rested in the small of her back, how her other finger swept over her rounded abdomen. He hadn't truly believed it until right now, Beverly Crusher was pregnant.
"Can I help you, Captain?" A young Officer asked suddenly.
"No.. No." He muttered softly. "Thank you Ensign. I'm alright."
Liar, He thought to himself, moving towards the building she'd escaped into.
He had caught a glimpse of her as she rounded the corner and into one of the dorms. He didn't know how long ago that had been. He did know it must have been quiet a while judging by how stiff his legs seemed when he stood back up from where he had planted himself and knocked on the door.
"Just a minute." She called softly from behind the wooden frame. He held his breath as the door unlocked and swung open. Exhaling as quickly as she inhaled. "Jean Luc." She gripped at the edges of her tan robe, as if she could mask her fully pregnant body from him.
"Dr." He wanted to curse himself for the formality, while wanting to curse her for being so informal. "May I come in, please?"
Her eyes hardened over and a very familiar look of defeat set in.
"Of course." She let go of the door, turning away.
"Beverly." The name came off his lips as an accusation and she immediately shrunk away from him.
"Jean Luc this is not the way I intended you to find out."
"How did you intend to for me to find out!" His voice rose sharply. Picard took a breath in an attempt to control himself.
"I don't know." She gripped at the opening of the robe again.
"Why don't you put on something more appropriate for this conversation?"
"What should that be Captain? My uniform? Because I don't think I'll fit into the lace teddy I wore the last time we were alone together." She hissed.
His chin dropped quickly to his chest.
"Beverly.."
"Just a moment." She huffed, tears now evident in her voice as she stomped into the bathroom. She returned in a simple pale yellow dress that accented her figure more than either of the previous outfits.
"Beverly.. Why in God's name would you hide something like this from me?"
Her eyes met his and he took in their weary pink rims and swollen lids, she didn't have an answer and it showed in the way her lips trembled.
He made his way across the room and lifted his hands to her shoulders.
"Why?" He repeated softly. "I would have been there for you."
"That's why." She explained breathlessly.
"You didn't want me here." He asked evenly, his thumbs making circles against the balls of her shoulders.
"I didn't want you to be here because you were supposed to be, Jean Luc."
"Why do you think I wouldn't want to be?" He watched the tears slip from her eyes and onto her pinking cheeks.
"What reason did I have to think that you would?" They always did this. Ran around in circles and riddles. Even now, knowing it, she knew she couldn't stop.
His look was simply pained now. He took her hand and led her to the small love seat in the living area. She gladly accepted his offer to sit. He continued to stare at her.
"I don't know what to say now." He told her softly.
"Then don't say anything." She whispered, watching as his hand made the slightest move at her elbow. She picked it up slowly, moving it to the child with in her. "You don't have to say anything."
…...
USS Titian
In orbit of
Caladra Four
"Captain,
You are needed here. The negotiations are at risk of falling apart. Will has been brought into to cool heads, but I am afraid that things are not going to move forward with out the trust that you have gained on both sides.
I hope that you've found Beverly and everything is well. I am sure her work there is difficult. Tell her we hope to see her soon as well.
Deanna"
"I want you to come with me." He told her in no uncertain terns.
"Jean Luc the West side is unstable."
"On the ground, but the East is covered in sensor blind zones. So much so that Geordi won't allow transport with in a two mile radius of this city. If you needed an emergency transport-."
"Yes, because what would I do in case of an medical emergency with nothing more than a Mobil Hospital to help-?"
"You can go back to the Enterprise." He interrupted quickly.
"And do what?"
"What you're doing on the Northwestern." He told her firmly.
"That's ridiculous. I'm set up here. There is no reason to change my plans."
"There is a reason." He stammered, pointing at her lap. "A very good reason!"
"This reason isn't going anywhere soon." She countered. "We have at least 18 years to iron this mess out."
"That isn't funny Doctor."
"Who said anything about this was funny? CAPTAIN?" She shouted back.
"Why are you making this so difficult?" He accused his head shaking slowly back and fourth as she stood.
"Go back to your mission before people get killed."
"Beverly." He moved forward taking her by the shoulders. "Tell me. Please. What I did to you that made you make the decisions that you've made?"
"What did I do?"
"Nothing." She whispered sadly. "You did nothing."
…...
USS Titian
In orbit around
Caladra Five
"Deanna,
Thank you for your letter. It goes unsaid that I knew I could count on you. This was just something that I had to do alone. The prospect of little Rikers and Little Picards running around together makes me tear up. Literally. I'm sure, one hormonal woman to another, you understand.
I am so happy for you and Will. I only wish that I could have that.
I know that I've hurt Jean Luc and regret doing that.
But we know the decisions he made. He chose not to pursue our relationship and he chose not to stop me from leaving the Enterprise.
I don't think that your not dying was what made the difference Deanna. No offense, but that's a pretty big leap. (One I'm glad we don't have to test.) Perhaps seeing that future. Seeing us divorced.. Maybe that was the catalyst. I don't know.
All I know is that Jean Luc and I have made our choices. We share a child and a bruised and battered friendship. Nothing more.
I will contact you from the Northwestern when the time comes. Until then I'm still making trips to the planet. Despite feeling as big as a shuttle craft.
Beverly."
"You should go to her Captain." Deanna said forcefully after stopping the communique and meeting his eyes.
"You shouldn't have let me listen to that Deanna." He croaked.
"There is still time to change it."
"I don't think there is."
"Will and I.."
"You and Will are a different story."
"Is she right? Is it because of the divorce?" She almost demanded.
He considered it, a long breath moving his upper body abruptly.
"No." He shook his head. "Yes. Maybe!"
"Captain." She said softly.
"If you'd have seen her Deanna." He swallowed. "When she turned around…"
"Captain. ." Her voice was barely audible.
"The feelings of failure.. The hurt that I knew I had caused that woman by choosing Star Fleet again and again.. The love I still had for her.. The sorrow that I was going to die alone.. with out her by my side.."
"You know better now." She said softly. "You can change that."
"Can I?" He raised his eyebrows. "I'm not so sure."
"Enterprise to Captain Picard"
"Yes Worf what is it?"
"We are picking up a distress signal from Caladra Four."
"Mr. Worf?" The distress was obvious in the Klingon's voice beside him Deanna's eyes went wide.
"It is from Dr. Crusher"
…...
"Crusher to Enterprise. Please.. Please come in. Oh God let this work. USS Enterprise or any orbiting vessel. The Mobil Hospital has taken fire. I'm slightly north of the compound and completely cut off. I am unable to contact the Northwestern. There are at least two raid teams in the area. I'm.. I'm going to.. to try and find a way out of the blind zone. Dear God Jean Luc get me out of here."
Picard's jaw tightened. He swung his head back towards Ensign B-4 who was speeding through the sensory readings.
On the screen in front of him Will Riker stood on his own bridge.
"I finally got a message to Hansen. The Northwestern's sensors and blown. Transporters are out. Large number of casualties. They really took a beating. Sig's trying to get her back on line." Picard tried to look concerned. "They've got nothing on Beverly except a faint trace of her on the far north side of the Hospital right before it was attacked."
"Thank you Captain Riker." Picard choked out the words. "B-4 condense your search to the area for mentioned. Geordi how are the transporters doing?"
"We're on line Sir, but I'm not sure for how long."
"Let's hope it's long enough." Picard moaned stomping up the deck to the lift. "Mr. Gibson, you have the Enterprise." The doors of the lift closed before Sam even had a chance to argue.
"Yes sir." He muttered absently.
…..
"Dear God Jean Luc get me out of here."
The panicked sound of her voice repeated it's self in his ears and he had Geordi plant him as close to the edge of the nearest dead zone to her last location. She should be here. As long as she had her wits about her and was headed in the right direction she'd be here. If she was alright. He held the tricorder up in front of him and scanned the rocky landscape for some sign of something. Frowning when there was nothing.
He moved slowly towards a heavily shrouded area. She would know to hide. She was trained for this. He tried to remember that, but all he could remember was her pink rimmed swollen eyes and the feel of her tight abdomen under his palm.
….
"He went alone?" Will Riker was so loud Worf was pretty sure that hailing frequencies could have been closed and they would have heard the Titian's captain from outside the hull.
"He said a team was to risky. . He wanted Worf here incase we were fired upon. I convinced him to take a security officer with him but we were only able to get one signal though, we were lucky to get our security officer back at all." Geordi explained, shaking his head.
"Do you have a lock on him now?" Will's blood pressure had to be sky high.
"No Captain. Not after he entered the dead zone." Riker's eyes drifted shut.
He opened them again and stared into the face of Sam Gibson with disgust.
"Keep me posted Commander." He growled as the screen blinked off.
"Find him." Gibson yelled in LaForge's direction. "Then figure out how to get a team down there."
"Brilliant Commander." Geordi grumbled making his way back up to B-4 and the sensor sweep.
He followed the faint life sign reading on his dysfunctional tricorder into a small cavern.
The sound of frightened heavy breathing echoed off the walls. He could see something scurry along the wall in the darkness as he started in.
"Beverly?" He whispered, catching site of her face before it disappeared back into the shadow.
"Jean Luc?" Her voice was panicked and high, she made no move to come out of the darkness.
"Beverly are you alright?" He rushed towards her as she slid down the rock face with a cry.
"I fell." She sobbed breathlessly.
"Are you hurt?" He ran his hands across her arms and shoulders, before letting his hand rest on her bare knees'
"Jean Luc the baby." She fumbled for the tricorder, turning it quickly on herself as he continued to move his arms carefully over each appendage. Her right ankle was clearly swollen. She winced when he touched it.
"Is it broken?" He asked softly.
"I don't know." She muttered quickly, before moaning in pain. "Jean Luc.."
"What?" He put his hands back on her knee's.
"We have to hurry."
"The baby." He asked her taking the tricorder in his own hands.
"It's coming." She pleaded. "After I fell.. Membranes' ruptured…" she panted out a few more breaths. "I'm four centimeters. We need to get back to the ship. Now."
"Your foot." He stood up quickly, extending his hands to her.
"Can you stand on it?" He asked her dubiously as she gingerly wobbled to her feet.
"Looks like I have too." She breathed gritting her teeth and pulling herself all the way up with a groan.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, stretching her own across his shoulders and started towards the mouth of the cave. He winced at the soft whimper that came from her with each step.
"We have to stay close to the rock face. If we don't we're too exposed." He explained. She nodded, taking a few more steps before her body seized against his. "What?"
"Contraction." She grunted. Pressing her back against the side of the rock. He looked at her helplessly as she closed her eyes tightly against the pain, while one hand gripped his uniform at the shoulder, twisting the fabric there in her grasp.
"We have to get you back to the Enterprise."
He waited her out until her eyes would open and she would start moving again. This was the painstaking pace of five minutes of walking two minutes of waiting out a contraction, until they made it to his beam in location. He eased her down on a small bench outside a small abandoned farm house.
"Picard to Enterprise." His attempt at a whisper was louder than he expected. No one answered. "Enterprise come in!" He demanded that time, refusing to whisper.
"Ahh! Hummmm." He turned quickly as she clutched at her abdomen. "Jean Luc they're getting stronger." She moaned, reaching blindly towards him. He took one of her hands and she squeezed it firmly. "Tricorder!" She cried as he pressed it into her hands. She took a couple of quick breaths before turning it on her self and moaning. "We have to get back to the ship." She looked at him now, with her pain filled eyes. "Please Jean Luc..We have to.." The sound of distant phaser fire jolted them both out of the moment. His arms clamped quickly around her as he hurried her into the abandoned home. He sat her in a chair at the large wooden table and moved quickly back to the door bolting it shut.
"Picard to Enterprise." He repeated half heartedly, backing away from the door. He pulled his phaser from his bag and set it on the table next to her. She again tried to scan herself with the tricorder.
"I'm.. " She squinted at the screen. "7 ½ Progressing quickly. We need to get back.." She let her arm drop, her medical device clattering to the floor as she shook her head back and forth. "I cant do this here."
"We'll get back." He said softly, kneeling before her and picking up the tricoder He set it beside the phaser, rubbing his hands down her arms.
"Oh! Jean Luc!" She cried, as she bent inward with the next contraction. He pressed his hands against her shoulders to keep her from falling out of the chair completely.
"It's going to be alright." He promised, glancing up towards the ceiling and praying for a response from the sky above. "
…
"We've got them Comander!" Geordi yelled from the upper deck.
"Transporter room three report!" Gibson yelled.
"Medical Emergency transporter room three!" Came the overly calm reply. Gibson and LaForge exchanged quick glances before hurrying off the bridge.
"Worf contact Riker and give him the update." Sam yelled as the doors clamped shut.
"Selar." Beverly Crusher cried, seeing her old friend rush into the transporter room, medical team in tow. "I was 71/2 at last check.. Fully effaced and at.. OOOh.. Minus.. "
"I'll take it from here Dr. Crusher." Came the Vulcan's calm reply as the Captain lifted her onto the stretcher and attempted to keep up on the way to Sickbay. Beverly continued to give her medical history through contractions.
"Membranes ruptured approximately four hours ago.." Her voice was airy, as the team eased her into the birthing room. "They were.. Hummmm…" She reached her arm back to Picard who wrapped his hand around hers tightly.
"Beverly. All I need you to do right now is push." Selar told her firmly. "Good Beverly just like that."
The Vulcan's calm words did nothing for Jean Luc Picard who realized in three short weeks his life had changed forever. He braced himself as Beverly pushed again, his eyes falling on the back of a very bald head. He watched as it turned to reveal a perfect baby face. Selar's hands lifted up slightly.
"There we go." She said quietly, like it was an every day occurrence and not the most amazing thing that he had ever witnessed. "It's a boy Captain." She told her Commanding Officer, before laying the baby in Beverly's arms. "A healthy baby boy."
His mouth slipped open as Beverly started to laugh. Her eyes switching from him to the baby and back.
"Look at him." She smiled. "Look at him Jean Luc."
She didn't have to tell him. He suddenly found it impossible to look at anything else.