Part 7

USS Stargazer, 2348

When the door to his cabin opens, Jean-Luc races to the entrance, practically falling over himself. Beverly Crusher enters the cabin tentatively, the door closing behind her.

Grabbing her arms, Jean-Luc pulls Beverly to him roughly. "What took you so long?"

"Jean-Luc…"begins Beverly, putting her hands flat against his chest.

Cupping her cheek, Jean-Luc kisses her deeply. "Damn it, Beverly. Three months. Three long months."

"Jean-Luc…"whispers Beverly hesitantly, pulling back.

"Then I have to wait ten….No…ten hours and twenty-two minutes to get you alone?"Grinning wickedly, Jean-Luc grips her hips, pulling her flush against him. "You've been on my ship ten hours and twenty-two minutes, Beverly."

Groaning painfully, Beverly steps back. "No, Jean-Luc."

"What's wrong?" demands Jean-Luc in concern, appraising her in worry.

"I'm sorry," cries Beverly, eyes brimming with tears, cheeks tinging red.

"What's the matter?" repeats Jean-Luc, reaching for her hands.

"I'm so sorry," sobs Beverly, tears rolling down her cheek. "This…this can't happen anymore. I'm sorry. I'm done."

Face falling, Jean-Luc's blood runs cold. "What happened? How did he find out? Did he harm you? What did he do to you? Did he threaten you? Beverly, I swear, I will…"

Shaking her head, Beverly sniffles. "No. We can't continue."

"Why?" demands Jean-Luc, drawing her in by her hands.

Lips trembling, Beverly averts her eyes.

"Beverly, talk to me," implores Jean-Luc, placing his hands on her waist.

Looking up at him helplessly, Beverly bites her lip. "I'm pregnant."

Eyes dilating, Jean-Luc absorbs the magnitude of her words. "Pregnant?"

"I'm sorry, Jean-Luc. I'm done. I can't…I can't do this. I…I have to give my baby a family," explains Beverly ruefully.

"With him?" asks Jean-Luc incredulously. "That's no family. Beverly, he doesn't love you. I love you. Come with me."

Shaky hand covering her trembling lips, Beverly sobs, collapsing into his chest. "I'm so sorry, Jean-Luc." She can barely stand to look at the devastated look on his face, the hurt and disappointment. It mirrors her own. She knows she's doing the right thing. This has gone on far too long, and this is now the inevitable conclusion. She's about to bring a child into the world, and she needs a family. She doesn't want a family with Jack, but it's the only option. This isn't what Jean-Luc needs. He has his life. He has his family. The Stargazer is his woman. His crew is his family. What would he possibly do with a child? She could never take him away from his command, his love and one true passion. This has gone on far too long, and it's time to end the pain.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Jean-Luc's hand aimlessly rubs her back, in utter disbelief. He cannot fathom that this is the end. Beverly is his, not Jack's.

USS Enterprise, 2364

Since Wesley is on the road to recovery and had not show any signs of rejecting the transplant, Beverly had released him to their quarters. She had intended to take a few days off of shifts and stay with Wesley until she is confident he has recuperated and can resume his normal activities out of their cabin. That evening, after his shift, Picard had came to their cabin to check on Wesley and stayed to have dinner with them. Wesley had been looking and feeling much more like himself. Now, Wesley is taking a shower before he heads to bed, and Picard is preparing to return to his own cabin for the night.

"You'll call if you need anything?" Jean-Luc confirms, standing by the Crusher's cabin door, reluctant to leave.

"We'll be fine," Beverly assures him, squeezing his hands that have been holding hers for at least five minutes as they have been attempting in vain to say goodnight, reluctant to separate. "He's really much better."

Running his hand along her arm, Jean-Luc draws her closer. "I'll drop in tomorrow morning before I go to the Bridge."

Smiling, Beverly lays a hand on his shoulder. "I'll make breakfast."

Pecking her lips, Jean-Luc cups her neck. "Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?"

Raising a brow, Beverly grins. "Dinner?"

"It occurs to me, we've never been on a proper date," Jean-Luc muses.

Laughing lightly, Beverly bobs her head. "I suppose we haven't. I guess…I guess if Wes is feeling well enough I could do dinner."

"Good. I want to do this right," declares Jean-Luc, massaging her neck. "We've no secrets now. We can take our time."

Smiling warmly, Beverly's stomach flutters deliciously, stirring with the familiar feelings she had always experienced with Jean-Luc fifteen years ago.

Capturing her lips in a deliberate, deep kiss, Jean-Luc drops one hand to her hip, drawing her in even closer.

Wesley walks into the kitchen clad in his pyjamas and slippers, stopping when he spots his mother and father at the entrance in a heated embrace.

Spotting her son out of the corner of her eye, Beverly instantly halts their exchange, pulling back.

Alarmed, Jean-Luc's eyes dart around for the source of Beverly's apprehension, until he discovers Wesley in the kitchen area. Slowly he lowers his arms as Beverly takes a step backward.

"I'm sorry," mumbles Wes awkwardly, backing out of the kitchen.

"No," Beverly shakes her head, taking a few steps into the kitchen area. "We shouldn't have been…"

Shaking his head, Wes puts a hand up. "No. I'm sorry. It's totally fine. You were just kissing. I know you've done way worse."

Flustered, Beverly's jaw drops. "Wesley!"

Smirking, Jean-Luc stands behind Beverly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Relax. He's a fifteen year-old boy, Beverly. He's said way worse."

"Jean-Luc!" Whipping around, Beverly reddens, embarrassed and peeved.

Chuckling lightly, Jean-Luc wraps his arms around her waist, trying to maintain his humour about the situation. "Beverly, relax. We can't be uptight. This is new for all of us. Let's just try to maintain a positive outlook."

Exhaling audibly, Beverly smiles in self-deprecation. Truly, she is at a loss. She wants to be sensitive and delicate; after all, her son is impressionable and he has just been dealt life-alerting news. She doesn't want to overwhelm him and overexpose him to their relationship. And, this is an entirely new realm for her and Jean-Luc, as well. She has no idea what is going to become of them and how they will manage their relationship. However, she recognizes that Jean-Luc is probably right, and they're best to acknowledge that some of this will be awkward and different, and they need to be calm and maintain their sense of humour if they're going to make it work.

Grinning, Wes shakes his head in amusement. "Well, I was just coming to say good night to Mom. So, maybe I'll just say goodnight and leave you guys alone."

Beverly pads over to Wes and hugs him soundly. "Goodnight, sweetie."

"Goodnight, Wes. See you tomorrow," Jean-Luc smiles warmly. He can barely fathom that this is his son. He knows it will take time to grow accustomed to the idea, but he's anticipating a wonderful future.