ALL GOOD THINGS…THE NEXT CHAPTER

 DISCLAIMERS: Paramount owns all things in the Star Trek universe. And it’s a pity too; cause they could all have so much fun if TPTB would just let them have fun like we do.

WARNING: This story is rated NC-17. If you are under eighteen, go away and come back when you’re older.

DEDICATION AND RAMBLINGS: This particular story was started less than a month after TNG ended and took a while for me to finish… as you’ll see when you read on. As for a dedication… this one is dedicated to all my friends who encourage me to write what I write. Thanks to you all!!!

Thanks again for letting me ramble, now on to the story…

ALL GOOD THINGS…THE NEXT CHAPTER

**Author's note: Story takes place immediately after the series finale, "ALL GOOD THINGS..." It follows right after the crew's poker game... **

 

=/\= =/\= =/\=

 

Beverly Crusher and Jean-Luc Picard stood in the corridor of the Enterprise waiting for a turbolift. Beverly turned to Jean-Luc.

"Where'd you learn to play poker like that? Eight hands in a row." She shook her head in astonishment. "I thought Will was going to fall off his chair."

Picard smiled.

"Starfleet Academy."

Beverly looked at him with a smile on her face.

"I didn't know poker was a requirement for commanding a ship."

Jean-Luc chuckled.

"Boothby taught me."

"Well, he taught you pretty well." She paused and looked around then leaned towards him. "Care to teach me a few tricks? I'd really like to get Will."

Jean-Luc laughed.

"Sure."

Beverly straightened, just as the lift doors opened. They entered and called out their destinations. They rode in a comfortable silence. Just before the lift stopped, Beverly turned to Jean-Luc.

"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?"

He smiled.

"I'd love to."

She smiled back.

"Good. My quarters, eight o'clock."

The lift stopped. Before the doors opened, Beverly leaned over and kissed Jean-Luc lightly on the lips.

"Good night, Jean-Luc." She said as she moved through the open doors of the lift.

Jean-Luc smiled and watched her walk away until the lift doors shut and cut her from his view.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

Jean-Luc handed Beverly the last of the dishes, which she put in the refuse. He sat back in his chair and watched her glide across the room.

"Dinner was excellent, Bev."

She turned to look at him and smiled.

"Thank you." She said and went back to what she was doing. Suddenly the room was filled with music.

Beverly heard Jean-Luc get up from his chair and come up behind her. Before she could turn around, she felt his hands on her waist.

He turned her around to face him and pulled her close. Beverly's arms went around him and she rested her head on his shoulder. They moved together to the music.

Being this close to her, Jean-Luc could smell her perfume, mingled in with the scent that was Beverly. He closed his eyes and let her scent drift over him. Suddenly he was conscious that her head was no longer on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw that she looking at him with a soft smile on her face.

Her hand came up and gently stroked his cheek. She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. Suddenly she pulled herself from his arms and walked over to the couch and sat down.

Jean-Luc looked at her curiously for a moment then joined her on the couch. He waited for her to speak. After a few moments of silence he spoke.

"Beverly, what is it? Did I do something wrong?"

She grabbed his hand and shook her head.

"No! No, you've been wonderful. It's me." She paused and took a deep breath then continued. "I... I... I can't believe how hard this is for me to say. I usually have no trouble speaking my mind." She paused again to collect her thoughts. After a moment she continued. "I've been thinking about us and where I'd like our relationship to go."

"And did you come up with any answers?" He asked her.

She shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head.

"Not until we were dancing and you were holding me in your arms. It was then that I finally realized that I do want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Then why did you pull away from me?"

She shook her head.

"You're going to think I'm being silly."

"I would never think that."

She sighed.

"I thought about what you told us about the future from your time-shifting..."

"And about our marriage and subsequent divorce." He finished for her. She nodded. "Do you want my opinion?" Again she nodded. "I think there's a very slim chance, very slim, that that future will occur."

He squeezed her hand and continued.

"The reason I explained about that future was because, one, it involved Q and two, I know that that future won't happen." He paused. "Bev, when I discovered that we had gotten married I was delighted. Then in the same moment I discovered that we had divorced. I can't tell you how much that saddened me."

She smiled softly. He cupped her chin with his free hand and raised her face to look at him.

"Beverly, marriage is sacred to me. You know that. And, so is the love I have for you. So when we get married, we're getting married for life. And I will devote myself to making you happy in every way possible."

"Oh, Jean." She whispered.

He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her with a tenderness that took her breath away. He broke off the kiss and leaned back on the couch, pulling her into his lap. She buried her head in his shoulder. Jean-Luc caressed her hair and held her.

They sat that way for a short while, Jean-Luc cradling Beverly in his lap. Beverly raised her head and looked at him.

"I love you. I have for a long time now."

"I know." He said smiling, "I love you too."

She lowered her lips to his and they kissed long and slow, their tongues entering and retreating each other's mouths. Jean-Luc shifted his position and stretched out on the couch, Beverly moving with him.

They lay together, cuddling, kissing and talking about their future together.

"You know." Jean-Luc said against her hair. "I don't know what I want to do more. Just hold you in my arms all night or make love to you all night."

Beverly propped herself up and looked down at him with a smile on her face.

"I was just thinking the same thing." She paused then continued. "Why don't we just hold each other. I know we've waited a long time to be together, but what I've dreamed of more than anything else, is to fall asleep in your arms."

Jean-Luc smiled and grasped her face in his hands and pulled her lips down to his. When he finished kissing her, he sat them up. He cradled her in his arms and stood. He carried her into her bedroom.

He let her down at the foot of her bed.

She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Just let me change." She kissed him then turned and walked into the bathroom.

Jean-Luc watched her go, then walked over to the replicater and called up some pajamas. He quickly changed and crawled into Beverly's bed. Moments later, Beverly came out wearing a spaghetti-strapped satin nightgown.

She smiled at him as she glided over to the bed. Jean-Luc threw the blankets aside and Beverly crawled in beside him.

Their lips came together with a slow burning passion. Jean-Luc caressed Beverly's hair and back.

They broke off the kiss and Jean-Luc lay back against the pillows and gathered Beverly into his arms. She snuggled herself tight against him, resting her head on his chest.

"I love you." She said softly.

"And I love you." He replied.

Moments later, they were both sound asleep, lying comfortably in each other's arms.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

 

Beverly awoke to the feel of Jean-Luc's body pressed tightly against her back, his arm draped over her waist. She smiled to herself and snuggled closer against him. Suddenly she was aware of Jean-Luc's hand moving along her waist and hip.

"Good morning, Jean." She said softly.

Jean-Luc pressed his lips into her hair and moved them down to her neck.

"Good morning."

Beverly turned around to face him and their lips came together in a gentle kiss.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked when they stopped kissing.

A soft smile flitted across her face.

"Very well. And you?"

"Like a child."

Her hand came up and gently caressed his cheek.

"Do you know how very much I love you?" She asked him.

He nodded.

"About as much as I love you."

Their lips came together again, this time with a scorching intensity. Beverly's hands went about Jean-Luc's head and held his lips captive to hers.

Jean-Luc rolled over and pressed Beverly's body into the mattress with his own.

Her hands left his head and moved down along his muscled back and over his firm buttocks, clasping him to her.

Jean-Luc's lips left hers to blaze a trail of hot kisses down her neck to the hollow of her throat. Beverly moaned as his lips moved further down to where her nightgown covered the swell of her breasts.

Jean-Luc traced the outline of her nightgown against her skin with his tongue as his hands moved down the length of her body.

He ran his hand along the outside of her left thigh, then clasping her gently behind the knee; he pulled her leg up and caressed the underside of her thigh.

Beverly arched beneath him and Jean-Luc pressed himself tighter against her as their lips came together.

Jean-Luc's hands went to the straps of her nightgown and slowly slid them off her shoulders.

As he slowly inched the material away from her breasts, a beep from the computer, indicating an incoming call sounded.

"Sickbay to Doctor Crusher."

They groaned simultaneously and quickly broke off their kiss so Beverly could answer the page.

"Crusher here. Go ahead, Alyssa?"

"Sorry to wake you, Doctor, but Lt. Barron's gone into labour."

"I'll be right there. Crusher out." She said closing the channel. She turned to Jean-Luc. "Duty calls."

Jean-Luc looked down at the position they were in then looked at Beverly and said with mock seriousness.

"Couldn't Lt. Barron have waited to have her baby? I mean at least another hour."

They laughed.

Jean-Luc rolled off Beverly and watched her as she quickly got out of bed and changed into her uniform. At the sight of Beverly's naked body, Jean-Luc felt himself grow harder.

"Oh God, couldn't she have waited!"

Beverly quickly threw her hair into a ponytail then turned to face Jean-Luc. She smiled when she saw the look on his face.

She walked over to the bed and leaned over him.

"Feel free to make use of the shower and anything else you may need." She smiled and kissed him softly on the lips. "Don't worry, my love. We have the rest of our lives together to make love."

She stood and made her way to the door. Before the doors opened she called out to him. "I love you."

"I love you too." Came the reply.

Beverly smiled to herself as she glided through the doors and made her way to sickbay. "It's going to be a good day." She thought to herself.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

Back in Beverly's quarters, Jean-Luc lay back against the pillows and closed his eyes.

"Beverly's right." He thought to himself. "We have the rest of our lives to make love." Then he shook his head and opened his eyes. "But that doesn't help me now."

He groaned, got up and headed towards the shower.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

Half an hour later, Captain Jean-Luc Picard stepped off the turbolift onto the bridge of his ship, dressed in a crisp, clean uniform.

"Status, Number One." He said addressing his first officer.

"Ship and crew functioning normally, sir." Said Commander William Riker.

"Very good." Picard nodded. "Well since everything seems to be in order, I'll be in my ready room."

"Aye, sir."

As Picard turned towards his ready room, a series of beeps sounded from the communications console.

"Sir." Came the gruff voice of Lt. Worf. "We're receiving a distress call from the colony on Themaxius two."

"On screen, Mr. Worf."

"Not possible, sir. It's an audio signal only."

"Let's hear it."

"To any Federation ship within distance of this transmission. We are under attack from an unknown enemy. Repeat, we are under attack from an unknown enemy..."

"Mr. Worf, can you raise them?"

"No, sir, I cannot. It's an automated signal."

"Very well." Picard turned to the conn officers. "Helm, set course for the Themaxius Two outpost. Warp seven."

"Aye, sir."

"Engage."

The Ensign at the helm hit the appropriate buttons and the ship changed course and warped towards the outpost.

"Number One, alert Dr. Crusher of the situation and have her prepare whatever means are necessary to help these people." He paused, then said. "I'll be in my ready room."

With that he turned and walked into his ready room.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

Crusher was sitting in her office filling out the tedious but necessary reports on the birth of Lieutenants' Eric and Samantha Barron's healthy baby boy, when she got the call from Riker.

She acknowledged the information then walked out of her office into the main sickbay.

"Okay people." She said addressing her staff. "We have a distress signal from a Federation colony. They are under attack and have probably suffered many casualties. I want one of the cargo bays converted into a triage center and kits made ready for away teams."

Her staff nodded and went to work.

"So much for a nice quiet day." Beverly thought to herself as she herself went to work with her staff.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

"Transporter room to Sickbay. Prepare for an emergency beam up. Patient in critical condition."

Crusher, who was heading out the door for the transporter room, acknowledged the hail.

"Understood. We're ready. Go ahead, Chief."

The sickbay was filled with the distinct hum of the transporter beam.

Crusher gasped when she saw who the wounded person was. She dropped her medical kit and ran over.

"Jean-Luc!" She turned to Riker, who helped her get him on the diagnostic table. "What happened?"

Riker shook his head.

"We were ambushed."

Crusher pushed Riker out of the way, trying not to let her emotions get the best of her, as she stripped Picard of his uniform and quickly covered him with the diagnostic scanner. She called out to Ogawa.

"Alyssa, fifty cc's of hydroquartizine." As she administered the drug she spoke to Riker. "What the hell was he doing on an away team? He never goes on away teams."

Riker just shook his head.

"He insisted. Saying something along the lines of not wanting to sit around doing nothing. And I couldn't talk him out of it."

Beverly cursed under her breath. She worked on Picard.

"He's bleeding internally." She turned to Ogawa. "The clotting agent, now."

Nurse Ogawa administered the agent.

Beverly nodded.

"Good. It's working."

Suddenly the monitors started sounding. Beverly glanced at them and blanched.

Riker looked at her confused.

"What is it?"

"His heart's stopped. Fifty cc's cardioneurozine. Now! Come on, Alyssa." Crusher said impatiently.

Ogawa injected the medicine. Beverly hit a few buttons on the diagnostic monitor.

"Nothing. Dammit! Again, Alyssa. Fifty cc's"

Again Nurse Ogawa administered the drug. Beverly checked the monitors.

"Come on, Jean-Luc! Fight dammit! Don't you leave me now. Don't you dare leave me now. Fight!" She turned to Alyssa. "One more time and if this doesn't work we're going to do a manual heart massage."

Alyssa nodded. Beverly brushed her hand along Jean-Luc's cheek. She turned back to the monitor and suddenly a smile broke out on her face.

"He's responding. Oh thank God." She said.

Alyssa smiled too and went to work on helping Crusher repair all Picard's internal injuries.

"You can return to the bridge, Commander. Everything is under control here."

Riker nodded.

"Notify me when he wakes up."

"Well that won't be for a few hours, if not more. He's going to need his rest. But I'll let you know."

Riker nodded again and exited sickbay.

Crusher turned to Alyssa.

"Keep a sharp eye on those monitors, Alyssa. I want to know if there's even a slight change."

Alyssa nodded and the two of them went to work.

 =/\= =/\= =/\=

"He's pulled through with no further complications, and now he's sleeping." Crusher said to Riker, who had come back down to sickbay. "So, why don't you go to bed. You've had a busy day and look like you could use some sleep."

Riker smiled and stroked his beard.

"Sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you should do the same. You look exhausted."

Beverly shook her head.

"No. I'm staying here."

"Don't you trust your staff?"

"Of course I do, but I want to be here when he wakes up."

Riker just looked at her then nodded.

"Okay." Then stifled a yawn. "I guess I'll see you in the morning. Night, Beverly."

"Good night, Will." She said as he walked out of her office.

When he was gone, she got up and made her way over to the sectioned off bed that Jean-Luc was laying in.

She sat down on the chair beside the bed and grasped Jean-Luc's hand in hers.

"Oh, Jean." She whispered, the tears she'd held back earlier falling down her cheeks. "I love you so much. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you." She leaned forward and pressed a light kiss on his lips. When she pulled away, Jean-Luc opened his eyes, saw Beverly, smiled and then closed them, falling into a deep sleep. "Sleep well, my love."

She rested her head on his chest and fell asleep.

 =/\= =/\= =/\=

Jean-Luc awoke the next morning, conscious of the fact that he was not in his quarters. And for that matter, not even in Beverly's. He opened his eyes and saw that he was in sickbay.

He glanced down and saw that Beverly was sleeping in the chair, with her head still resting on his chest. He brought his hand up and stroked her hair.

"Bev..." he struggled to speak. He gently cleared his throat and tried again. "Beverly. Beverly."

Beverly stirred and slowly opened her eyes. A smile crossed her face when she saw Jean-Luc looking down at her.

She moved and sat down on the bed beside him.

"How you feeling?" She asked him.

"A little sore, but other than that, pretty good."

Beverly glanced up at the biobed's monitors.

"Everything looks good." She looked down at him with a disapproving look. "What the hell were you doing going on an away mission."

"Following Captain's prerogative."

"You were almost killed, for your damn Captain's prerogative." She said with a touch of anger in her voice.

"But I wasn't."

"Jean-Luc, that's not the point..."

He interrupted her.

"Beverly, are you going to sit there and give me the third degree or are you going to kiss me?" He asked with a light smile on his face.

"I should smack you." She said as she leaned over him.

"Well if you still want to afterwards, you can." He said as their lips came together in a gentle kiss.

When they broke off their kiss, Beverly brought her hand up and playfully slapped him on the cheek.

"I never could stay mad at you." She said smiling.

"I'm glad." He said as he brought her lips back down to his.

"Jean." She started to protest. "We're in sickbay."

"We're alone." He said as he claimed her lips with his own.

Beverly sighed and leaned into him, giving in to his gentle kiss that slowly started growing more passionate.

Jean-Luc's hands caressed Beverly's back and slowly pulled her further onto the bed and tighter in his arms.

At that moment they were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. They broke off their kiss and Beverly sat up. Picard looked past Beverly to see Riker standing beside the partition trying very hard to conceal a smile.

"Good morning, Number One."

"Good morning, Captain." He nodded to Beverly. "Doctor."

"And how are you feeling this morning, Commander?" Crusher asked.

"Better. In fact I just dropped by to see how the Captain was doing."

Beverly looked at Picard. They smiled at each other then Beverly turned back to Riker.

"He's doing much better and should be able to return to duty tomorrow, provided he takes it easy." She moved her hand across his chest. "Now, I have to go change into a clean uniform and go about my duties." She turned to Picard, "So, you stay put and don't give my staff a hard time. Understood?"

Picard smiled and gave her a mock salute.

"Good." Beverly said and then brushed her hang along his cheek. "I love you." She whispered.

She stood up. Picard smiled and watched her leave. He turned to Riker who had a huge smirk on his face.

"Not a word Number One," said Picard, "To any one." He finished, knowing full well that by the end of the day, everyone aboard the Enterprise would know about him and Beverly. These things had a way of getting out.

"Of course, Captain." Said Riker, still grinning.

Picard shook his head and slowly sat up.

"Any news on our mysterious attackers?"

Riker straightened up, all business.

"Yes, sir. After we beamed you up, we managed to capture one of them. It turns out that they're Orions."

"Orions?" Picard said incredulously. "God, we haven't heard hide nor hair from the Orions since the treaty negotiations four years ago."

"Well, according to the Orion government, this particular group have broken away and have decided not to honor the treaty," he paused, "The Orion government says to do what we will with our guest, as they want nothing to do with them."

"Very well. Have Mr. Worf interrogate our guest to see if we can find his companions. Any survivors from the colony?"

"About three quarters of them, sir. Doctor Crusher's staff has looked after them. We've offered them the choice of leaving the colony but they all refused."

Picard nodded his head.

"Well then, supply them with some replicaters and anything else they may need and then notify Starfleet Command of our current situation."

"Aye, sir. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, Number One. It appears the bridge is yours until Doctor Crusher releases me."

Riker nodded and left.

Picard lay back and although he tried to fight it, he soon fell fast asleep, dreaming about Beverly.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

Commander Riker strode down the corridor of the Enterprise, on his way to the bridge, when he saw Deanna.

"Morning, Deanna." He said, falling in step beside her.

"Will." She said. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, now that I know the Captain's all right."

"He's doing well?"

Riker smiled.

"Very well."

Deanna glanced up at him.

"There's something you're not telling me."

Riker shook his head.

"Yes there is. I know you better than you know yourself, Will Riker." She said. "And I can sense it when you're keeping something from me."

They came to the turbolift and the doors parted for them, they entered and Riker called out their destinations.

"Come on, Will. Tell me."

Riker looked at her then nodded.

"You're right. I never could hide anything from you." He paused. "Okay. I'll tell you, but you have to swear to me that you'll not tell anyone. And I mean no one."

Deanna nodded.

"You have my word."

He stopped the lift then took a deep breath.

"Captain Picard and Beverly are an item."

Deanna looked at him.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded.

"When I stopped by Sickbay just now to see how the Captain was doing, they were kissing. In fact, Beverly was half lying over him. And before she left for her duties, she caressed his cheek and I heard her whisper, 'I love you', to him."

Deanna smiled.

"Well, it's about time. Those two have denied their feelings for each other for too long."

Riker nodded.

"Yes, well, let's keep their secret for them. In fact the Captain ordered me not to tell anyone. So no talking."

Deanna nodded her agreement and they resumed the lift.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

"Jean-Luc."

He heard her voice calling him and in his sleep he smiled.

Beverly smiled also when she saw the smile on Picard's face.

"Jean, wake up my love."

He slowly opened his eyes and saw Beverly smiling down lovingly at him.

"Well, hello sleepy head." She leaned over him and kissed him lightly on the lips. "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry."

She nodded.

"I figured as much. Here you go." She said and handed him his uniform. "Get dressed and we'll go get something to eat."

She got up and moved to leave him.

"You're not going to stay and make sure I'm perfectly all right?" He said with a glimmer in his eyes.

She looked at him.

"If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, then you're perfectly capable of getting yourself dressed. Besides I have something I have to take care of. So I'll be back in a moment." She smiled at him then turned and left.

Picard chuckled to himself and stripped off the sickbay gown and climbed into the familiar feeling of his uniform. As he was zipping it up, Beverly returned.

"All ready?" She asked.

He nodded. Beverly entwined her arm in his and led him out of sickbay, towards the turbolift.

"So, where are you taking me?" He asked her as they came upon the lift doors.

"Ten Forward." She replied as the lift doors parted. They entered and Beverly called their destination.

Jean-Luc looked at her.

"Why Ten Forward?"

"Because Guinan asked me to bring you down there so that she could make you your favorite meal. She was very worried about you."

Picard smiled.

"She's a good friend." Then looking at Beverly, he called out for the lift to stop.

"Jean-Luc?" She said looking at him.

He moved against her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"There's something I want to do before we're around the rest of the crew."

With that, his lips came down on hers. Beverly parted her lips willingly and allowed his tongue to enter her mouth. He kissed her long and slow, moving her back against the lift walls. He pressed his body tight against hers. Beverly wrapped her arms around him and held him. His lips left hers and moved down along her throat. She moaned. He returned his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. He broke off the kiss and moved away from her.

"There. Nothing like dessert before dinner." He said, pulling his tunic down and calling out for the lift to resume.

Beverly straightened her uniform also and looked at him and smiled.

"You're crazy, but I love you anyway."

"The feeling's mutual." He said, as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

The lift stopped. Beverly and Jean-Luc exited the lift and walked through the corridor to Ten Forward with their arms wrapped around each other.

Moments later, they passed through the doors to Ten Forward. Instantly, Guinan was at Picard's side.

"How's he doing?" She asked Beverly.

Beverly looked at Jean-Luc and smiled.

"Oh, he's doing much better."

Guinan nodded.

"I'm glad. Now follow me." She said gesturing with her hand. "I've saved you two a nice semi-secluded table."

As Guinan led them to their table, both Jean-Luc and Beverly were conscious of the looks they were getting.

When they were seated, and Guinan had left them to get their food, Jean-Luc turned to Beverly.

"It seems we've caused quite a stir."

Beverly smiled.

"Yes I think you're right."

"Remind me to have a word with Riker about keeping secrets."

Beverly laughed.

"No, the only person I think Will would tell would be Deanna. Earlier I overheard a couple of my nurses talking. It seems that one of them went to check on you during the night and saw me asleep on your chest." She paused. "And don't forget we did walk in here arm in arm."

He nodded.

"Ah well, it would have come out sooner or later."

Beverly looked at him inquisitively.

"It doesn't bother you?"

Picard shook his head, reached across the table and clasped her hand.

"I love you Beverly, and I don't care who knows."

Beverly was about to speak when Guinan appeared with drinks.

"Your food will be ready momentarily." She said. Then turning to Picard, she smiled and continued, "And I hear you two are finally a couple."

Jean-Luc smiled at Beverly and nodded as he looked up at Guinan.

Guinan smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Well, all I can say is that I'm happy for the two of you. And it's about time."

With that she left to get their food. When she was out of earshot, Beverly started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Jean-Luc asked her.

"I was thinking the same thing myself. That it was about time."

Jean-Luc smiled at her, love shining in his eyes.

"Yes, I agree."

Moments later Guinan brought their food over.

"Here you go." She said as she placed their plates in front of them. "Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you, Guinan." Picard said as she left. Then without another word, he began eating, Beverly following suit.

 =/\= =/\= =/\=

"That was an excellent dinner." Beverly said as she and Jean-Luc entered his quarters.

"Yes it was. Truly one of Guinan's finest."

They walked over to the couch and Jean-Luc sank down onto it, pulling Beverly with him.

"And now, it's once again time for dessert." He said as he entangled his fingers in her hair and lowered her lips to his.

They kissed long and slow, their tongues entering and retreating each other’s mouths. Jean-Luc's free hand caressed her back.

Beverly broke off the kiss and looked down at him.

"Jean-Luc… we can't. You just got out of sickbay..."

She was interrupted by Jean-Luc's lips blazing a trail of hot kisses down her throat. He moved his mouth to her ear.

"But I want you, Beverly." He said huskily. "I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone in my life."

Beverly looked down at him through lidded eyes.

"I want you too." She said, her voice deep and throaty. "But, Jean, your heart stopped. You almost died on me..."

"Then we'll just have to take it really slow then, won't we?" he said as his hands moved to the closure of her uniform and slowly started to unzip it. "Beverly, I want you. And you know you wouldn't have released me from sickbay if I weren't better."

She sighed and then a small smile spread across her face.

"You're impossible." she said raising herself up on him so he could pull her top off. "You know that don't you."

He smiled at her.

"That's why you love me." He said as he dropped her uniform to the floor and cupped her breasts in his hands.

Beverly sighed.

"I never could say no to you." He smiled. "But slowly okay?"

He nodded and began to gently knead her breasts, teasing her nipples with his fingers until they grew hard. Beverly moaned.

He sat up under her and allowed Beverly to remove his top, which joined hers on the floor.

He lay back down on the couch, pulling Beverly tight against him, reveling in the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest.

Beverly moved her lips down his throat, down his chest, catching one of his nipples in her mouth. She teased it with her tongue and then moved down and flicked her tongue in and out of his navel. Then she slowly kissed a trail back up to his lips.

Jean-Luc's hands moved to her pants and just as he was about to remove them, a beep from communications sounded.

They groaned simultaneously.

"Sacre merde!" He swore as they sat up. "Why is it that every time we try to make love, we get interrupted?"

Beverly just smiled and said.

"Because you're the Captain of the Federation's Flagship and I'm its Chief Medical Officer."

The beep sounded again, this time followed by the voice of Commander Riker.

"Bridge to Captain Picard."

"Picard here." He answered dejectedly.

"Sir, there's a message coming in from Starfleet."

"Pipe it in here, Number One." He said as he quickly grabbed his uniform top and put it on.

Beverly zipped it up for him.

"I think I'll go change." She said holding her own top in front of her. She kissed him on the cheek and then walked into his bedroom, laughing quietly.

Picard shot her a dirty look, shook his head and sighed as he watched her leave the room. He then walked over to the communications console all business.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

 An hour later, Jean-Luc walked into his bedroom and found Beverly asleep.

He quickly changed into his pajamas and crawled into bed beside her.

As he settled himself in, Beverly rolled over and snuggled up against him.

Jean-Luc sighed as he debated on whether or not he should wake her to finish what they had started earlier. He looked down at her and seeing her sleeping so peacefully, he decided against it.

"What's one more night?" He thought to himself.

He kissed the top of her head.

"Je t'adore beaucoup, ma beaute roux." He said softly.

She murmured something in her sleep and snuggled tighter against him.

He smiled and then fell asleep.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

The next day, the Enterprise answered a distress call from the Amargosa Observatory. And that's when all hell broke loose.

Dr. Soran, literally a mad doctor, was hell bent on getting back to a place called the Nexus no matter the cost.

The Enterprise, in the process, of fighting and defeating the Duras sisters, suffered a warp-core breach and had to separate the ship. Although they managed to separate, the blast from the drive section slammed the saucer section into the planet's orbit, causing the saucer section to crash land on the planet, only to be destroyed by a shock wave from the exploding Veridian star.

Picard was on the planet at this time, trying to stop Soran from launching a probe, which would destroy the Veridian star and alter the course of the energy ribbon, which was the doorway to the Nexus. He failed and was pulled into the Nexus.

Despite the tranquil joy of the surroundings Picard found he could not ignore the fact that he had come here at the cost of millions of lives, including the lives of his friends and shipmates on the Enterprise. And, his Beverly.

On the advice of a friend still partially trapped in the Nexus, Picard sought the help of Captain James T. Kirk, who was believed to have been killed eighty years ago, saving the Enterprise B.

Together the two men left the Nexus, returning to before Soran launched his probe. This time they managed to stop him, but this time, James Kirk died.

A while later Worf and Geordi, in a shuttlecraft, found him and informed him of the Enterprise's fate.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

Beverly looked up when she heard the shuttlecraft's engines. She watched intently as it landed and the doors slowly opened, saying a quiet prayer to herself. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw Jean-Luc emerge from the shuttlecraft with Geordi and Worf.

Jean-Luc looked around as he was exiting the shuttlecraft, and felt a feeling of relief wash over him as his eyes came to rest on Beverly. A smile touched his lips as he walked towards her.

She stood up from her patient, resisting the urge to run into Jean-Luc's arms, as she knew he did not like emotional displays in front of the crew.

"I'm glad to see you're all right, Captain." She said as neutrally as possible, when he finally got to her.

"Thank you, Doctor." he said and then suddenly he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He held her against him for what seemed like an eternity. When he finally broke off their kiss, he looked at her, the love he felt for her apparent in his eyes. "I love you. I love you so much." He kissed her again.

Then letting her go, they both went about their business of making sure everyone was all right and sheltered until the rescue ships came.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

In their quarters aboard the U.S.S. Farragut, Beverly and Jean-Luc lay in each other's arms on the couch.

Beverly listened as Jean-Luc told her about everything that had happened to him. About the death of his brother and nephew, which he didn't get a chance to tell her about before and about what went on in the nexus.

She lifted her head to look at him, her hand caressing his cheek.

"You've had quite an experience, Jean. Not many men would have been able to pull themselves from the Nexus. Not with all that it provided."

He nodded.

"True. But it wasn't real. Elise. The children. None of it, and," he paused and his hand rubbed her back. "You weren't there."

"But from what you've told me, anything you wanted you got." She said interrupting him.

"Yes, but like I said it wasn't real. Even if the Nexus had given you to me, it wouldn't have been the real thing." He paused, smiling at her. "Why have an imitation, when I know the real Beverly is far more exciting."

She smiled back at him, shaking her head.

"Oh, I love you. And I am so glad that you came back to me." She settled back on him, her head resting on his chest.

Jean-Luc placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"I love you too. Far more than you know."

They talked some more and before they knew it, they fell into a deep sleep.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

The trip back to Earth was a long one for the crew of the former U.S.S. Enterprise. Not having a ship of their own to man, they found themselves oddly restless.

The senior staff tended to stick together, playing endless games of poker, while talking about their future.

"I wonder," said Geordi as the group sat around in the quarters assigned to him, Commander Riker and Data. "If we'll all be posted together again? I can't imagine serving with a different crew."

"I was wondering the same thing." said Data. "I've gotten used to having all of you around. And now with all these emotions, I find the thought of not being with my friends very disturbing."

"I'm sure it'll all work out, Data." Said Beverly from the couch, where she was sitting next to Picard.

Riker turned to Picard.

"Have you heard anything yet, Captain? Are they going to give us another Enterprise?"

Picard shook his head.

"I don't know, Number One. I've contacted Starfleet, but they haven't said anything as of yet. But I will do everything possible to keep us all together." He paused and took Beverly's hand in his. "We're family after all, and family sticks together."

Everyone nodded at that and then discussions broke out about what kind of ship they would get. If for sure they'd all be serving together. What they would do until they got a new ship.

After a little bit, Beverly squeezed Jean-Luc's hand. He looked at her and she raised her eyebrows at him.

"Well," said Picard, fully understanding her intentions. "We should be going. It's getting late." He stood, Beverly standing with him and they made their way to the door. "Good night, everyone."

They left.

As soon as the doors shut, Data who had been looking at the wall chronometer said.

"But it's still early. The Captain usually doesn't retire this early."

"Who said he plans on sleeping, Data." Said Riker.

"Then why would he and Doctor Crusher leave so abruptly?"

"Think about it, Data." Riker said with a grin on his face. "They are, after all, sharing quarters."

"But we're all sharing quarters, Commander."

"Access your files on relationships, Data."

They all watched as Data internally accessed his files. Suddenly a knowing grin broke out on his face.

"Ah, I understand. They left to fornicate."

Everyone in the room, including the usually stoic Worf, broke out laughing.

This time, Data, who usually didn't get why everyone would laugh at him, finally understood and joined his friends in a good-natured laugh at his still somewhat naive personality.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

When they entered their quarters and went into the bedroom, Beverly turned to Jean-Luc.

"Why don't you get us some wine and put on some nice music. I'm going to go slip into something a little more comfortable." She said kissing him lightly on the lips.

Jean-Luc watched her walk into the bathroom with a smile on his face. He quickly changed and then went into the day area of the cabin and did as Beverly suggested.

Just as he ordered the wine from the replicater, he heard Beverly walk into the room. He turned around and inhaled sharply.

Beverly was dressed in an emerald green, satin nightgown. The top of the nightgown enhanced the shape and fullness of her breasts and the full skirt flowed around her long shapely legs.

"Do you like it?" she asked as she slowly turned around.

"I love it." He said, he voice becoming husky. He walked over to her and handed her a glass of wine. "But then again you're beautiful in anything."

She blushed.

"Thank you."

Jean-Luc smiled and raised his glass.

"To us."

"To us." She repeated, raising her glass to his.

They sipped their wine and then Jean-Luc took the glasses and put them aside.

He took Beverly into his arms and they slowly moved to the music. As Beverly rested her head on his shoulder and Jean-Luc rested his against hers, their dancing to the music slowed until they were just swaying in place.

Jean-Luc's hands moved over her back, slowly moving up to entangle themselves in her hair.

Beverly lifted her head and looked at him with a soft smile on her face.

"Do you know how very much I love you?" He asked her.

Beverly's smile grew wider as she nodded.

"As much as I love you."

He then lowered his lips to hers in a gentle kiss that quickly grew more intense.

Beverly broke off the kiss, grabbed his hand and led him into their bedroom.

Their lips came together again with all the passion that they had kept bottled up for years.

They quickly removed their pajamas and then Beverly lowered herself to the bed.

Jean-Luc watched her with a smile on his face.

"You are so beautiful." He said to her.

She smiled at him as she extended her arms to him. He took her hands in his and kissed each of them. She pulled him towards her.

Jean-Luc let her pull him into a kneeling position beside her on the bed. He let go of her hands and then lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on her abdomen. She sighed with pleasure as he then slowly worked his way down and up her body, raining feather light kisses on every inch of her skin.

As he made his way up to her lips, his hands moved over her body, caressing and arousing her.

Their lips came together again as Jean-Luc's body finally covered hers.

Beverly moaned against his lips and arched her body into his. Her hands moved over his body, over the taut muscles of his back, down to his firm buttocks.

Jean-Luc broke off the kiss and dipped his head to catch one of her breasts in his mouth.

Beverly gasped with pleasure ass his tongue teased her nipple, sending immeasurable sensations shooting through her body.

"Oh God, Jean-Luc!" She said breathlessly. "I want you now."

And then for emphasis, she slipped her hand between them and took his throbbing member in her hand. Jean-Luc groaned as her hand moved on him.

He lifted his head and looked down at her and saw the desire misting in her eyes.

He shifted his position so that he was kneeling between her legs. His hands caressed he thighs and Beverly shivered with a mixture of pleasure and anticipation. He slowly moved her thighs apart.

Jean-Luc once again covered her body with his and claimed her lips.

As they were kissing, Beverly reached her hand between them again to take him in her hand. Then ever so slowly she guided him into her.

Jean-Luc broke off the kiss and raised his head. Their eyes locked. Jean-Luc then pressed himself into her completely.

They moaned at the same time and neither one moved as they felt themselves becoming one.

Beverly's hand came up and caressed his cheek, tears in her eyes. Suddenly she gasped as Jean-Luc began to move inside her. He hand dropped from his cheek to clutch at his shoulder. She arched herself into him, moving her body with his.

Jean-Luc's hands moved down the sides of her body with a feather-light caress until he came to her knees. He moved his hands behind her knees and pulled her legs up and around him.

Beverly locked her legs around his hips, pulling him tight against her. She then felt him shift and pull them both into a sitting position.

She wrapped he arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, crushing her breasts to his chest and kissed him with a scorching passion.

Beverly moved on him, taking him deeper and deeper inside herself with each thrust of her body. She then unlocked her legs from around him and then pushed him down onto the bed.

Jean-Luc gazed up her and smiled. Beverly smiled back at him as his hands came up and cupped her breasts, caressing her nipples with his fingertips.

Beverly moaned and placed her hands on his chest. She then lifted and lowered her hips, riding him.

"Beverly!!" He moaned, as waves of intoxicating pleasure washed over him.

His hands moved up and entangled in her hair, pulling her down to him, so he could catch her lips with his own.

Suddenly he rolled them over and pressed her into the mattress. He then began to thrust into her with an urgency.

Feeling the same urgency, Beverly raised her hips to meet each and every one of his thrusts.

Just then Jean-Luc felt Beverly shudder and heard her cry out his name as she was consumed by her climax. Seconds later he groaned as he exploded within her.

He collapsed on top of her and together they rode out the vast and intoxicating currents of their shared release.

A small while later, their breathing slowed, Jean-Luc raised his head and smiled down at her. She returned his smile.

He then rolled off of her and reached for the blankets to cover them.

Beverly cuddled against him, laying her head on his cheat.

"Oh, Jean." She said softly, placing a kiss on his chest. "That was... incredible."

"Definitely worth the wait." He said with a smile.

She laughed and raised her head to look at him.

"Yes. It definitely was." She then lowered her lips and kissed him. "I love you." she said when she was finished kissing him. "I love you more than I can ever remember loving anyone."

Tears welled in Jean-Luc's eyes at he words, because he had known how much Beverly had loved Jack, and he knew just by looking in her eyes that she meant and felt every word she had said.

"I love you too, Beverly. I've loved you for as long as I can remember." he paused and smiled at her. "Nothing has ever changed that and nothing ever will."

They kissed again, slowly and tenderly. With all the love they had in their hearts.

Then ever so slowly, they began to make love to each other again and again....

 =/\= =/\= =/\=

 Eventually the crew made it back to Earth and within a year they had been reassigned to their new ship. The most advanced ship of the fleet: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701 E.

Although the bridge staff knew of their relationship, Picard and Crusher chose to keep their involvement low-key. With that in mind they each had their own quarters aboard the new Enterprise. Even still, Beverly tended to spend most of her time in Jean-Luc's quarters.

After nearly a year of the new Enterprise being in service, the thing that the entire Federation feared most came true. The Borg entered Federation space intent on destroying the Federation.

With Picard’s knowledge of the Borg, all the ships deployed to stop the Borg were able to destroy the giant cube ship. However, a Borg escape pod was launched and traveled back in time to the mid twenty-first century, with the intention of stopping Earth's first contact with the Vulcans, thus making it easier to assimilate the Earth and stopping the creation of the Federation.

The Enterprise followed the Borg back in time and managed to stop them. Thus ensuring that history would not be altered.

Upon returning to their own century, the crew of the Enterprise after dealing with Temporal Investigations, were granted shoreleave while the Enterprise underwent repairs.

 =/\= =/\= =/\=

Beverly strode into the bedroom and walked over to Jean-Luc's sleeping form in the bed. She sat down and ran her fingers over his bare chest.

Jean-Luc stirred and before Beverly knew what was happening, Jean-Luc pulled down across his chest.

"Jean!" She cried out with surprise and amusement.

Without speaking, Jean-Luc brought her lips down to his and kissed her. When he broke off the kiss, Jean-Luc smiled up at her.

"Good morning, my love." He said.

Beverly shook her head.

"You're crazy."

Jean-Luc laughed.

"Yes I am. Crazy about you." He kissed her again and then let her go.

Beverly stood up and opened up the curtains, letting the sunshine spill into the room.

"It's time to get up." She said walking back to the bed. "Everyone will be here tomorrow and we've got a lot of stuff we still have to do."

Jean-Luc sat up and regarded her.

"I know." He said as he stretched. "Don't worry. Everything will be ready."

"I know. But I like to worry." She grabbed his robe and threw it at him. "You haven't forgotten that I have to go into the city for a little bit have you?"

He stood up and tied up his robe.

"I know you do and no I haven't forgotten that you're going into the city." He paused. "You still haven't told me why though."

"Just something I have to take care of."

He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"You're not having an affair on me are you?" He said smiling at her.

She smiled back at him.

"Of course I am."

They laughed and kissed. And then Beverly pulled herself out of his embrace.

"Go take your shower. I shouldn't be more than an hour."

She kissed him lightly on the lips and then turned and walked out of their bedroom, down the hallway into the living room of the Picard house.

"Is he finally getting up?" Asked Jean-Luc's sister-in-law Marie.

"Yes." Beverly smiled at her. "Do you need anything while I'm out?"

Marie shook her head.

"No thank you. Just don't be gone too long." She inclined her head towards Jean-Luc and Beverly's bedroom. "He tends to mope if you're away from him too long."

Beverly smiled.

"That's okay. I do the same thing when he's gone."

Marie laughed and waved at Beverly as she walked out the door.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

Jean-Luc walked into the kitchen and placed a kiss on his sister-in-law's cheek.

"Good morning, Marie."

"Good morning, Jean-Luc." She replied as she handed him a croissant and a cup of coffee. "Do you have everything ready for tonight?"

Jean-Luc nodded as he bit into his croissant.

"Beverly is in for quite a surprise." Marie said as she sat down beside him. "I like her Jean-Luc. She's feisty. Just the kind of woman you need." She paused and a wistful look crossed her face. "Robert and Renee would have loved her too."

The same look came across Jean-Luc's face at the mention of his deceased brother and nephew.

"I know they would. And Beverly would have loved them too."

They sat for a moment in silence remembering their loved ones.

"So." Marie said breaking the silence. "Tell me about how you plan to do this."

Taking a sip of his coffee, Jean-Luc began to tell Marie his plan.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

"Are you sure you won't stay?" Beverly asked Marie later that evening.

"Yes. I'm meeting my sister in town. It's been some time since I've seen her." Marie responded as she headed towards the door. "Besides this is your and Jean-Luc's last evening together before your friends join you. You should enjoy it alone."

With that she left. Beverly starred after her shaking her head.

She walked over to Jean-Luc and wrapped her arms around him.

"Why do I feel like she's keeping something from me?"

Jean-Luc shook his head.

"I don't know." He paused and kissed her. "Let's eat. I'm hungry."

Beverly looked at him inquisitively.

"You're hiding something too, Jean-Luc."

"I am not."

Beverly nodded her head. "Yes you are. That or you're up to something."

"It's your imagination." He said as he led her into the dining room.

=/\= =/\= =/\=

After dinner, Jean-Luc and Beverly sat outside.

Jean-Luc leaned against the tree he used to sit under when he was a boy, with Beverly lying back against him.

She sighed.

"This is wonderful, Jean-Luc." She turned her head back to smile at him. "I could get used to this."

Jean-Luc leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her forehead.

"I know the feeling."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while longer, when suddenly Jean-Luc sat them up.

"Excuse me for a moment. I have to get something from the house."

Beverly looked at him.

"What do you have to get?" She asked as she moved to let him get up.

"Just wait here and you'll see."

With that he got up and went into the house. Beverly watched him, wondering what he was up to.

Moments later, Jean-Luc returned, but Beverly noticed that he wasn't carrying anything.

"I thought there was something you had to get?"

"There was."

"Well, where is it?" She asked, her curiosity growing.

"Patience, my love, patience." He said as he knelt down in front of her.

And then for some reason, Beverly's heart started to pound in her chest.

Jean-Luc reached out and took her hand.

"Beverly, you know how much I love you don't you?"

"Of course I do, Jean. I love you too."

He smiled.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking. You and I took a long time to admit to each other how we felt and we waited even longer to be together." He paused and took a deep breath, while he reached into his pocket to grab something that Beverly couldn't see. "I don't want to wait any longer for this." He paused again. "Beverly, will you marry me and do me honor of becoming my wife?"

He brought his hand forward and opened it, revealing an antique emerald ring.

Beverly gasped and tears filled her eyes. She nodded her head, unable to find her voice.

Jean-Luc smiled his heart full.

"Is that a yes?"

Beverly laughed as the tears ran down her cheeks. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She cried. "Yes I will marry you! Yes I will become your wife!" She smiled as he slipped the ring on her finger.

She held her hand up and admired the ring in the moonlight.

"Oh, Jean-Luc, It's beautiful."

"Almost as beautiful as the woman wearing it." He replied leaning forward to kiss her.

"Well let's see how beautiful you think I am in six months when I'm as big as a whale."

Jean-Luc stopped moving towards her.

"What?" He asked not quite understanding what she meant.

Beverly just smiled at him and took his hand and placed it over her abdomen.

"Think, Jean-Luc."

Then suddenly it dawned on him.

"Oh my God!" He said as a huge smile broke out on his face. He glanced down at where his hand was resting. "You mean..."

Beverly nodded. "Yes. Not only am I going to be your wife. I'm going to be the mother of your children."

Jean-Luc looked up at her.

"Children? Bev, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Mmhmm. I'm having twins Jean. A boy and a girl."

Tears welled in Jean-Luc's eyes as he took Beverly into his arms.

"I didn't think it was possible to love you any more than I already do, but I was wrong."

She wrapped her arms around him.

"I know the feeling."

Jean-Luc moved his hand under her chin and raised her face up to his and lowered his lips to hers in a gentle kiss that took her breath away.

Then suddenly Jean-Luc jumped up and pulled Beverly into his arms and swung her around, his shouts of joy echoing throughout the night sky.

 

-fin

 

 

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