Part 3

Jean-Luc quietly pads into the living area, clad in his slippers and robe, discovering Beverly in the corner at her large desk looking out over the massive picture window out onto the San Fransisco street below. Beverly is absorbed in reading off of the computer monitor, and Jean-Luc slowly crosses the room.

Startled at the sound of his footfalls, Beverly turns around to find Jean-Luc behind her. "Oh, Jean-Luc. Good morning."

Smiling gently, Jean-Luc notes that she's dressed in casual trousers and a knit sweater, rather than her standard uniform. "Good morning. Looks like you're getting an early start to the day?"

Rotating her chair around to face him, Beverly shrugs apologetically. "Those Starfleet bureaucrats are quite demanding, Jean-Luc."

"Are you working here today?" inquires Picard hopefully.

Rising out of her chair, Beverly reaches for his hand. "Yes. I have a video conference this afternoon and a brief to complete. It looks beautiful out. If you're up to it I thought maybe we could go for a walk after breakfast, get some air."

Jean-Luc slips his hands around her waist and draws her in, brushing his lips over hers. "That sounds lovely."

Beverly smiles against his lips, glad to see that Jean-Luc seem to be in strong mental cognition today. "What would you like for breakfast?"

"Oh, it's my choice?" Jean-Luc teases her, stroking his hands down the small of her back over her sweater.

"Anything you'd like," offers Beverly raking her index finger over his bottom lip suggestively.

Kissing her finger, Jean-Luc's hazel eyes dance with mirth. "I just want you."

"Coffee first, dear," teases Beverly, stroking his jawline with her thumb.

Jean-Luc pecks her lips, dropping his hands.

Rubbing his shoulder, Beverly places a fleeting kiss to his cheek. "I'll get you some coffee and then make breakfast. You could use a decent non-replicated meal."

"Let me help," offers Jean-Luc, following Beverly to the kitchen in the open-concept apartment. "You've done more than enough already."

Beverly orders a steaming mug of dark coffee from the replicator and hands it to Jean-Luc. "Just go sit and have your coffee. You need time to recuperate."

Accepting the proffered mug, Jean-Luc decides not to argue with her, knowing it would be a losing battle. He's feeling so well today, and he's happy, and he doesn't want anything to interfere with that. For the first time in a very long time, he feels like he's exactly where he should be. "Thank you, dear."

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"You're right. This coffee is delicious," remarks Picard, sipping on his coffee from a paper cup that they had procured along their walk. After they had cleaned up from breakfast and Picard had dressed, they had set out on a leisurely stroll to get Picard up and moving, and breathe some fresh air. They had briefly paused to get a coffee and take a short break in the park.

Perched on a park bench in a small, grassy park , Beverly takes a sip from her own paper cup of coffee. "That bake shop has the best coffee. I walk in every morning on my way into Medical and get a coffee."

Taking her hand, Jean-Luc rests his cup beside him on the park bench. "When do you think I'll be able to return to duty?"

Linking her arm through his, Beverly exhales deeply. "I don't know, Jean-Luc. I think you need some time."

"But, I feel quite well," argues Jean-Luc, somewhat perplexed. "My injuries have healed. I know you were worried about the concussion, but it doesn't seem that bad. I've regained my memory. I can concentrate, think quite clearly…"

Grimacing, Beverly rotates to look directly into his eyes. "It's not just that. I ran a level four neurographic scan. Jean-Luc, you're in the early stages of Irumodic Syndrome." Choking back a sob, Beverly bites down on her bottom lip, trembling. "I'm so sorry, Jean-Luc. I…I was in denial, myself. I was putting off telling you."

Furrowing his brows, Jean-Luc is confused. "Well, there must be a mistake, Beverly. I feel fine."

Shaking her head, Beverly grasps his arm, hot tears welling in her eyes. "No. I'm sorry, Jean-Luc. "

Puzzled, Jean-Luc looks at her questioningly. "But, I can think fine. I have no neurological impairment."

"It's not constant," explains Beverly painfully, running her hand along his arm. "I think you suffered a concussion and that, combined with the Irumodic Syndrome, caused some impairment. You've healed and are doing better now. But, Irumodic Syndrome is a degenerative disease. You may have ups and downs, good days and bad. Some patients experience minor symptoms for years and others go down hill quickly. I…I don't know what it would look for you."

Pursing his lips, Jean-Luc seems to contemplate her response. "So, some days I could be perfectly fine, have my entire mental faculties, and other days I might not even know my own name?"

"I don't know," cries Beverly ruefully. "I've asked Doctor Frank Leibowitz to meet with you tomorrow. He's been researching and treating IS for two decades. He'll assess you properly and give us treatment options."

Inhaling sharply, Picard nods. "Well, then, I suppose we will know more then."

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"What time am I meeting with this…Doctor Leibowitz?" Picard sets his empty tea mug on the coffee table in front of them, a pensive look on his face.

"Nine," answers Beverly, laying a hand on his arm as she curls up beside him on the sofa. They had been sipping their tea in quiet conversation after dinner, relaxed in their pyjamas on the sofa, but Picard had appeared troubled. "You can come in with me in the morning."

Bobbing his head, Picard purses his lips. "Beverly, I did some reading when you were on your video conference. Irumodic Syndrome is…degenerative. I'm only going to get worse."

Rubbing his arm, Beverly smiles optimistically. "Doctor Leibowitz is on the frontier of brand new treatments. He'll have options for us."

Exhaling deeply, Jean-Luc covers her hand on his arm. "Beverly, I'm not sure how our relationship will develop, but it's not fair to you to commence an intimate relationship with someone with a severe neurological disease."

Eyes dilating, Beverly is shocked. "Jean-Luc, you think I don't love you because you have Irumodic Syndrome?"

Inhaling sharply, Picard grimaces. "Beverly, there's nearly two decades between us. And, now, a serious degenerative disease. It hardly seems right to…"

Forestalling him with a finger to his lips, Beverly shakes her head vehemently. "Shut up, Jean-Luc. Don't you dare talk like that." Hot tears stinging her eyes, Beverly fights her anger, grief and anxiety. "I love you. My feelings aren't dependent on you being young and healthy. I will always love you. And I promise…" Chocking back a sob, Beverly grips his arm fiercely. "I promise I will always take care of you."

Remorseful, Jean-Luc sighs, brushing her hair back from her face and freeing his hand to envelope his arm around her back. "I don't deserve you, Beverly."

Warm tears cascading down her cheeks, Beverly presses her cheek to his, laying one hand against his chest. "After all this time, we have to believe we deserve each other." She had taken far too long to get to this point, and she'll be damned if she ever goes back. Yes, Jean-Luc is ill. Yes, inevitably she will have to endure the devastating loss of the man she has come to love over decades, and it will take a piece of her soul. But, until that day comes, she will love him with everything she has.