Part 4

Note: Okay, I clearly take excessive creative licence when it comes to the medical issues and how they affects my plot line. I'm only trying to create a story, and I'm not actually a doctor. I'm not trying to say that Wesley has leukemia. I'm trying to say he a cancer-esque disease in the 24th century in which I'm imagining they would treat it with 24th century science-fiction medicine. For the purposes here, I'm saying the transplant is basically taken from the hip bone of the donor and given intravenously to the patient right after. And, I recognize it doesn't have to be from a relative, but that defeats the premise of my story. lol! I'm not putting Wesley into isolation though (which would be necessary in today's world to prevent infection because the diseased cells would be destroyed first) because that doesn't work for my story. Anyway, please just suspend your disbelief for a while for the sake of the story! Hope that makes sense. Hope you enjoy.

Pausing in the doorway to Wesley's private room, Picard finds Beverly perched on a chair next to the biobed, adjusting his pillow and blankets as the teen sleeps undisturbed. Picard slowly pads across the room to the bed.

Rotating around at the sound of footfalls, Beverly is startled to find the captain in the room. "Jean-Luc! What are you doing up?" Jumping to her feet ,Beverly rushes to his side, grasping his arm.

Throwing her an impatient eye roll, Picard's expression illustrates that he had no intention of staying in the emergency ward recuperating from donating his bone marrow. As soon as he could, he had located his uniform, dressed and sought out Beverly and Wesley.

Rolling her eyes, Beverly guides him into the chair she had vacated. "Damnit, Jean-Luc. You're going to be weak. You need to slow down."

"I'm fine," replies Jean-Luc exasperatedly. "How's Wesley?"

Resting her hands on her hips, Beverly blows out a long breath. "He's okay. He's resting." Watching him look at Wesley in concern, Beverly perches on the edge of the bed. "Thank you. I can't thank you enough. I appreciate it. I'm sure it wasn't easy. I know you were…angry."

Whipping around to face her, Jean-Luc raises a brow. "It wasn't a difficult decision, Beverly. I could never allow him to suffer. I'm not angry. I'm…I'm utterly confused."

Sighing, Beverly hardly knows where to begin. "I don't know what to say."

Looking up at her warily, Jean-Luc leans back in the chair, exhausted, head throbbing. "I want to know why you lied. Why didn't you tell me that Wesley is my son?"

Averting her eyes, Beverly stares at Wesley's peacefully slumbering face. As he ages, he resembles Jean-Luc more and more each day. "We didn't want anyone to know."

Furrowing his brows, Jean-Luc stares at her incredulously. "You lied to cover up our affair?"

Bowing her head, Beverly laces her fingers. "It wasn't simple, Jean-Luc. You know how bad Jack was. The last thing I wanted was for us to be exposed."

"So, you let everyone believe that Wesley was Jack's?" Jean-Luc pushes in utter disbelief and dismay.

Tears pooling in her eyes, Beverly cannot meet his gaze. "It was…easier."

"Bullshit!" cries Jean-Luc, jumping out of his chair. "Beverly, how could you?"

Finally looking up at Jean-Luc's now towering form, tears cascade down Beverly's hallow cheeks. "I didn't think you'd want him, and I couldn't bear the idea of my son growing up feeling ashamed because of our transgressions."

Mouth agape, Jean-Luc stands speechless with his hands on his hips.

"I'm sorry," whispers Beverly hoarsely. "I hadn't intended to hurt you. I only wanted to do what was right for Wes."

Letting out a long breath, Jean-Luc palms his face, entirely flabbergasted. "Beverly, you've let him live his life for fifteen years thinking Jack was his father. I haven't been in his life. Can't you see how horrible this will be for him?"

Swiping at her cheeks, Beverly sobs. "Yes. I know. I was only trying to protect him. But, I wanted him to know now, now that he's older. I wanted him to know you, have your example. You're a wonderful man, a great role-model. That's why I requested the Enterprise. I was hoping the two of you would connect, and I could tell you everything."

"You thought you'd show up here and present me with my fifteen year-old son?" Jean-Luc asks, his brow raised challengingly.

Shaking her head, Beverly swallows the lump in her throat. "No. I was terrified. I knew you wouldn't want this. I knew you didn't like kids. You had no intention of having a family. I…I didn't expect you to just jump in and be a father over night. I just…I guess I hoped that you'd…take him under your wing. None of this is his fault."

Sighing audibly, Jean-Luc is light-headed, from the transplant, from the revelation, everything. He slowly resumes his seat in the chair. "You're wrong."

Eyes dilated, a chill runs down Beverly's spine. "Oh, please, Jean-Luc. I know you're angry with me…."

Shaking his head, Jean-Luc looks at Wesley's sleeping form. "Maybe I didn't intend for this, but don't ever think that I don't want him. He's my son, and I will love him."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Beverly involuntarily relaxes. "I'm glad."

"I'm not angry," admits Jean-Luc, reaching over to take her hand. "I'm…stunned, and unsettled. I'm upset that you lied to me, kept this from me for fifteen years. It bothers me that you thought I'd reject him."

Swallowing hard, Beverly is grateful for his comforting touch. "Jack would have, had he known the truth."

"I'm not Jack," Jean-Luc reminds her pointedly. "I love you. I've loved you for nearly twenty years."

Sobbing, Beverly smiles through her tears. "I love you. I'm sorry I've created such a mess."

"We'll figure it out," Jean-Luc assures her, covering her hand in both of his. "Right now, we focus on curing Wes."

Tears streaming down her face, Beverly is relieved, like a massive weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

Jean-Luc tugs her into his arms, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Hey, it's alright. Everything will be fine."

Heart beating profusely against her chest, Beverly tries to calm herself. He knows. That's the important thing. Now she she can prioritize treating Wesley.