A/N: thank you everyone for your continued support! I really appreciate it! It gives me the motivation to know someone enjoys my work (and that my ideas aren't crazy :D)
'What do I do?' Beverly thought she sat in a chair at the end of her daughter's bed in sickbay. She had a hundred thoughts swimming through her mind right now. Jean-Luc, Jennifer, Hopkins, paperwork, Wesley. 'Dear god, Wesley' she thought clearly as she leaned back into the chair. Taking a deep breath, she tried to go over everything slowly. Her mind instantly became overwhelmed though when she thought about Jean-Luc again. Inside she'd always known that Jennifer was his. She had known from the moment they had handed her the baby. While it was true that Beverly had refused to list the father on the birth certificate, it was because she never did do a paternity test. While she would bet money that Jean-Luc had been her baby's father, she didn't want to make that assumption… not with his career. Not to mention, if she did an open test with Jennifer's DNA in the Starfleet database and Jean-Luc didn't come up, that would be a larger disaster. Stars forbid Jennifer's father had been a lieutenant just starting his career or worse, an ensign. Beverly couldn't… she wouldn't hold someone accountable for what had happened when they were under the influence of a virus they couldn't control. Especially after it had been her choice alone to keep the baby. No, she had decided early on that Jennifer would be her responsibility only… despite her suspicions that Picard could be the little girl's father.
When that plan had fallen apart after the disaster though, and the guilt she had been carrying on her shoulders for the past four years came tumbling down around her, Beverly Crusher had to come clean. Through tears she had told Jean-Luc about his possible offspring, and while he was upset with her, it had been because she had not told him about her. Not of her existence. She had been slightly surprised, but grief had put those feelings on hold. Now that Jennifer sat right in front of her though, the doctor couldn't help to hide a chuckle that escaped her lips at the irony of it all. Jean-Luc was mad because he didn't know he had a daughter. Not because he had one. After the meeting, he had asked for the test, and she had obliged using an older medical device that wouldn't automatically list him in Starfleet's records. When the results had come back with what she had known all those years ago, Picard had surprised her once again. No yelling, no anger, and no crying- which she had seen men do in the past when she had informed them that they had an unknown child. Usually from a vacation to Risa. He had simply told her to call him when Jennifer woke up and left. 'Shock' she figured as her mind let go of the topic for present and drifted to Wesley.
"Oh god, Wesley" she said out loud as she leaned back forward to look at Jennifer, who was sleeping peacefully. Wesley would be leaving at the end of the month to go to the Starfleet Academy. He had been delayed a year due to him and Picard's shuttle crashing, but he would go this year. He had told her that as soon as he had been rescued last year. "I'll have to tell him tonight" she mumbled to herself as she started to think about what she would say.
Picard had been pacing around his quarters for the last hour now. He was in shock, he couldn't seem to process what Beverly had told him. The captain knew from the moment she had told him a few days ago that Jennifer could be his daughter that there was a real possibility. He had known Beverly for almost twenty years, and he knew she would never exaggerate things-especially not this. The fact that the test had proved what they had both suspected though had made his chest tight, and he had excused himself and quickly left. He never had thought of having children, he couldn't even remember the last time he had a dream with a family member of his in it. He had decided long ago his profession would have to come before his personal life. He had always had a strained relationship with his family, and it wasn't something he actively sought out. Now though, his whole perspective and ideology he had built over his lifetime had come crashing down with one test. Yes, he had ordered the test, but it still shocked him. He could have told her to delete the results, but even in shock he knew he couldn't do that. His sense of duty refused to leave her with his child. Besides, he had always got along with his nephew, how different could this be?
He sat down and began to think clearly. In the morning, he would call Beverly and ask to meet with her before Jennifer woke up. He wanted to go over what the future held in store for him, and how his and Jennifer's relationship would work.
"What?!" Wesley said softly, standing up.
"Wesley, please let me finish. I never-"
"When you left to Earth you had a daughter, put her in the 'system', and kept her a secret from everyone?" He asked, the pain visible in his tone.
"Yes, but you have to understand. I never meant to have another child. After your father passed, I figured that was over. This happened because of a virus. I don't regret it because I have another child now, but you must understand. I never meant to hurt you or anyone else!" Beverly tried to explain as Wesley began to pace around the quarters.
"Including Captain Picard?" He asked as he gave her a look. Beverly felt her face turning red as she stood up to face her son.
"I did not know that he was her father. Jennifer was not the only baby conceived by the events of that night. There are a few others that are in my situation as well."
"But you suspected….Mom, you're a doctor. Let's be honest here, you knew." He sneered as she looked at him in shock. She looked away as she tried her best to fight herself from crying. The air in the room when cold as she took a deep breath and turned around to face him. "I'm sorry mom, I never-"
"Listen Wesley" she interrupted as she took a step towards him "I have tried to explain this to you for the last hour in the only ways I can. Yes, I regret what happened- but I gained a daughter… and a child can be a wonderful thing. I had suspicions about the captain, yes, but I did not see it my place to interfere with his career. It was my choice to keep the baby. My choice. I never told him anything, because I didn't give him a choice. Nor was I sure it was his. Tomorrow night, Jennifer..your sister, is going to be here, and she is going to live here. I am sorry, Wesley…. I am sincerely. I cannot make this go away though…this is real life, son." Beverly finished as Wesley sighed and sat back down.
"Mom, I'm… I'm in shock. I am sorry for my reaction. I just, I need time to process this…. It's a lot to take in." He said as she sat back down across from him.
"Oh trust me, I know." She chuckled as he ran his hands through his hair.
"I'll be here tomorrow night, but I can't promise you it won't be awkward… I'll try though." Wesley sighed as Beverly stood up and put a hand on his shoulder.
"That's all I ask, Wesley. I'm going to bed, it's late. I recommend you do the same." Beverly said as she bent down and kissed him on the top of his head. "Goodnight, son".
"Goodnight, mom" he replied as she walked to her bedroom. After her door closed he stood up and sighed for what felt like the hundredth time in the last hour. 'What a mess' he thought as he looked at the picture of his father on the coffee table. "I wish you were here dad." Wesley mumbled as he tried to understand everything that had been told to him in the last hour.
Beverly walked down the corridor towards Captain Picard's quarters. She had woke up this morning to find a message from Jean-Luc on her computer.
Beverly,
me for coffee after you wake up. I want to discuss some things with you concerning Jennifer.
-JL
She had gotten dressed and peaked into Wesley's room, who had already left for work, before starting her ascent to the captain's quarters. Now, she stood outside them.
"Enter" the doctor heard as she entered his quarters. He had set the table with coffee and croissants.
"Captain" she greeted him as she walked in and sat at the table.
"Good morning, doctor." He said as he poured the coffee and sat down next to her. They sat silently for a few moments before he put his coffee down. "How is Jennifer doing?" He finally asked as she nodded.
"Just fine. Nurse Ogawa said she woke up quite early this morning, so she gave her a light sleeping aid. She should be awake around nine." Beverly answered as he nodded. "Jean-Luc" she started putting her hand on his arm "you don't have to do this if you don't want to."
Picard took a sip of his coffee before looking at her in the eye. "Beverly, I want to. Jennifer is just as much my responsibility as she is yours. She's my daughter, and well, I want her as much as you do." He explained as she smiled at him. "Now, the reason I called you here is because I'm wondering how our responsibilities between Jennifer are going to work. I know many people in situations such as…ours… tend to 'trade off'. Seeing as how…" he stopped talking as he noticed that she had begun shaking her head no.
"I don't want to be trading her off like an object, not when you live five decks above me. Unless you don't agree, I'd like to keep her at my quarters. At least for right now. This is going to be a big transition for her. If you'd want to ever come over or do something with her though you're welcome to. If she ever wants to stay with you or have a sleepover, that's fine too. I just think for now, it would be better if she remained in my quarters." Beverly finished as Picard nodded.
"I was going to suggest the same. I want to be clear though, I want to be spending time with her. I'm going to be coming by quite a bit if that's alright. " He added as she nodded.
"Thank you, Jean-Luc. That means a lot." Beverly finished as he smiled lightly before looking over at the clock. "It's almost nine, small we get going?"
"Of course" he replied as they stood up and walked out. Jean-Luc followed Beverly down the hall as he felt his heart rate start to fluctuate. Had this had been another negotiation, he would've been fine. This wasn't another negotiations with the Romulans though. No, this was his daughter.
Beverly and Picard had been standing next to Jennifer's bed for about five minutes now. He could see her eyes moving under her eyelids- which according to Beverly meant she would be awake soon. He sighed in relief as he noticed the red burn that had covered her skin yesterday was now gone. He hoped that the pain would be gone as well. At about that time, Jennifer started to shift around more in the bed.
Beverly ran her hand through her hair as she told her gently to wake up. A few moments later, her eyes opened and focused on Picard. She looked at him scared as he looked back at her blankly before he gathered up the courage to give her a small smile. She shifted on the bed and sat up to look around. She finally made eye contact with Beverly as she gave her a slight smile. "Hello there, Jennifer." Beverly greeted as Jennifer looked at them both confused.
"Who are you? Are you going to hurt me? Where's Mr. Hopkins? Did they find auntie Tiffany?"
"Calm down, Jennifer. We're Starfleet officers on a federation starship. We're your friends, and we are not going to hurt you. Mr. Hopkins is with his family right now, but he's on the ship too." Picard answered as the doctor looked over at him with a little smile.
"We're on a starship?!" Jennifer said as she started to look around the room. "I've never been on a starship! Can I look out the window?" The toddler asked as she began to wiggle off the bed. Beverly grabbed her daughter and sat her back on it.
"Jennifer, we can look out windows soon. First though, we need to talk to you. Can you do that for me? Please?" The doctor asked as Jennifer nodded at her.
"First off, are you in any pain? Does your sunburn feel better?" She asked as the girl nodded back. "Okay, good. I'm Doctor Beverly Crusher, and this is Captain Picard. Who was your family? Did you have a mother and father?" She asked as Jennifer shook her head no.
"I have auntie Tiffany and uncle Ben… and a doggie named Sage. He's really big" the toddler explained as Beverly nodded softly before turning to Picard who gulped.
"Well sweetheart, do you remember the attack. When you were at Mr. Hopkin's house?" Beverly asked as Jennifer nodded. "Well uh… Jennifer… your auntie Tiffany and uncle Ben didn't make." She said softly as the girl tilted her head confused.
"Are they still on the planet?"
Beverly felt like she was looking at Wesley twelve years ago and having to tell him his daddy wouldn't be coming home. She looked at Jean-Luc for help as he cleared his throat.
"Jennifer, your family was killed in the attack… you won't be able to see them again. I'm sorry." Picard explained as Jennifer looked at him confused before she realized what he said. Big tears began to gather in her eyes and her lip began to tremble.
"I can't see them?" She asked looking back over at the doctor who shook her head as she gathered her in her arms. The three sat like that for almost ten minutes as Jennifer cried against Beverly. When she had calmed down enough to talk, Beverly sat her back on the bed.
"Do you know who your mommy and daddy are?" Beverly asked as the little girl wiped her tears and shook her head no.
"Auntie Tiffany said my mama was a doctor, and that she couldn't be with me right now." She said as Beverly pursed her lips. 'They knew who I was' she thought before she cleared her mind from the thought as looked back at Jennifer.
"I'm your mother, Jennifer. I'm a doctor here on this ship. This is your father, he's the captain of the ship." The doctor explained as the girl looked up at Picard.
"Auntie Tiffany never mentioned anything about my dad." Jennifer said as Picard smiled gently at her.
"That was because your aunt did not know I existed. Rest assured I am your papa" Jean-Luc confirmed as he looked at Beverly who was smiling gently at him.
"I don't think my parents would come" She said as she folded her arms frustrated. "I want aunt Tiffany and uncle Ben" Jennifer exclaimed has she began to cry again. Beverly was reaching out to hold her again as Picard stopped her.
"Beverly, this is going to take quite some time, I think it might be best if we go back to your quarters" he added as she nodded in agreement. The doctor wiped the girl's tears as she tried to coax her off the bed. All attempts were met with resistance and more crying though.
"Come here Jennifer" Picard intervened as he picked up the now sobbing toddler. She kicked at him twice before giving up as he shifted her to one arm. With one look back to Beverly, who gave him a reassuring nod, they walked out of sickbay back towards the doctor's quarters. 'I didn't consider this' he thought to himself as he tried to block out the almost four-year old that was crying right by his ear.
Well, I hope you enjoyed it! I really enjoyed writing this chapter (if you couldn't tell by the length). I look forward to the upcoming chapters. Please, let me know if you have any ideas concerning which way this story should go. Drama? Romance? Family? I do have some fluff planned over the next few chapters, but obviously I want to add some stuff, so any ideas are helpful.
Thank you for reading and please review!
-NPD
