When We Two Parted

Disclaimer: If only the rights belonged to me, then I would have gotten P/C together in the TV series. But as it is, I don't own them so please don't sue. I am only using for the enjoyment and not for the profit.

Summary: Beverly spends time with a man she thought dead and truths, deceit and broken promises are revealed.

Rating: PG-13

A/n: Many thanks to Jamie, my utterly wonderful beta and who is also a great sounding board for my ideas, whether they are good or are utter tripe.

Chapter Two: Long Time No See.

The next morning, Beverly awoke earlier than usual and forced herself out of her bed. She had never been a morning person. Jack used to tease her about it and had even warned Wesley as a baby about waking her up too early. She smiled at the memory, she'd been happy with Jack. Their time together as a family had been cut short, but that didn't take away the love that had been there. She had grieved for him for many years, cutting herself off from any male attention because she hadn't wanted to betray him. Odan had found the key that had unlocked her heart, her guilt, her desires, and had made her feel like a woman. She hadn't truly been in love with the Trill Ambassador but she had cared for him and had a lot to thank him for.

The chronometer beside her beeped and startled her from her thoughts. She was meeting Walker Keel in two hours and she needed to be dressed, fed, and presentable. On a morning like this, she felt that two hours was not nearly enough time to do all that.

Starbase 16 bustled with people as Beverly made her way down the walkway. Most of them seemed to be traders and she had seen a few of the Enterprise's crew mingling with the crowd. She came to a standstill and looked around, hoping to spot Walker amongst the crowd. and For a brief moment she couldn't see him and the thought crossed her mind that she hadn't really been in contact with him, and it had all been a figment of her imagination.

She jumped slightly as she felt an arm encircling her waist and pull her towards one of the exits. She had been about to show whoever was touching her some Klingon moves when she heard a familiar voice.

"Gotcha, Bev."

"Walker!" she squealed as she turned and wrapped her arms around him. As soon as she heard his voice, all doubts about him and if he was really her Walker Keel went out the window. She was just so glad to see him after such a long time.

Strong arms held her to him and she relished in his comforting embrace. She had relied heavily on him when she had lost Jack. He had been her emotional rock when Jean-Luc had disappeared without saying goodbye after the funeral. Walker Keel was the older brother she never had and she loved him for it.

"Oh, Walker," she said as she cupped his face. "I can't believe you're here. I am so happy to see you."

Walker grinned and placed his hands on her shoulders. "You always were excitable over the smallest things."

"This is no small thing," she told him, almost scolding him.

"I suppose not," he relented. "Do you remember when you found that stone that you thought was shaped exactly like the Stargazer?"

"It looked identical," she protested, smiling brightly. "You even agreed."

"Johnny and I agreed with you because we didn't want to break your heart," he said with a chuckle. "Jack, on the other hand, agreed because he didn't want to spend the night on the couch. Damn uncomfortable, that couch."

"Nana said that having like that was a good investment because it would make the husband appreciate his wife a lot more," she told him with a grin.

Walker chuckled loudly and offered her his arm; she gracefully slid her arm through his and rested her hand on his forearm.

"Where to?" she asked.

"Thought we could drop by the medical centre so you can check that I am me," he answered as he led her out of crowded transporter room.

With their backs to the transporter pad, they didn't notice that Jean-Luc Picard had arrived and that he had seen the embrace between the two friends. They also didn't know that Jean-Luc hadn't gotten a good look at the man.

An hour and half later, Beverly was completely satisfied that the man in front of her was Walker Keel and she was ecstatic. They now sat in one of the many restaurants that the starbase provided, eating lunch and talking about old times.

"Why didn't you want to me to tell Jean-Luc that you would be here?" she asked, approaching the subject she had really wanted to talk about since she had suggested the three of them meet up and had been shot down. "He would be overjoyed, Walker."

"I'll contact him in my own time," he assured her.

Beverly wasn't satisfied with his answer. "You contacted him when you warned him to be careful," she said. "So why can't you now?"

"He owed me one," Walker said as he picked up his glass and took a sip of the clear liquid.

"What did he owe you for?" she asked.

"Bev, leave it," he told her.

"Walker?"

"Just leave it!" he snapped.

Beverly pulled back and regarded Walker closely, never had she known him to snap at her. She'd heard him snap at Jack and Jean-Luc many a time in the past over something, but with her, he usually changed the subject instead of snapping. He didn't like to raise his voice in front of women, as he had always been taught it was disrespectful. So the fact that he was snapping at her convinced her to leave the subject well alone. Her curiosity was piqued though and she would have to resort to getting it out of Jean-Luc. She would leave it a few days, though, because she wanted the captain to squirm slightly after their argument.

"Bev, I'm sorry for snapping," he said as he reached across the table and held her hand. "I'm still annoyed with him, but you're right, I do need to see him. I promise I'll contact him tonight."

"I am sorry I pushed," she replied as she squeezed his hand before turning to eat the rest of her lunch.

"It's not that I'm withholding anything from you," he continued. "I just need to speak to him first. Why don't you indulge me on some ships gossip, preferably about a certain captain?"

"Let me start with two words," started Beverly, sighing. "Nella Darren."

to be continued...