Baby Come Back
Chapters Four through Six
Song is "Harden My Heart by I forget. :(
Chapter Four
Beverly finally arrived at Deanna's quarters. She was not sure if this was where she wanted to be, but she felt it was better than being at home right now. She rang the chime to Deanna's door and waited for her to respond.
She did. "Beverly, what are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to someone." She said as Beverly entered Deanna's quarters when Deanna gestered for her to enter. Beverly looked out of sorts and Deanna could sense something was very wrong.
It was not the first time Deanna sensed something was bothering Beverly. She had sensed for a few months that something was bothering both Beverly and Jean-Luc, but she never could put her finger on it.
"I was about to get myself some lunch. Would you like anything?" Deanna asked.
"No thank you. I'm fine."
Deanna retrieved her hot cocoa from the replicator. She had been thinking about what she wanted for lunch just as Beverly had rung the bell to her quarters.
"I guess I could wait. What would you like to talk about?" Deanna inquired as she took a seat opposite of Beverly.
"Go ahead and eat. Don't let me interrupt."
"No, that's alright." Deanna studied her friend. "Beverly, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Then Beverly realized that Deanna knew better. Sadly Beverly finally replied, "Everything."
"You want to talk about it?"
"No. Yes. I don't know."
"When you arrived you said you needed to talk to someone." Deanna continued to pry.
"Yes, I do, but I don't know if I should."
"Beverly, I'm your friend. If you can't talk to me, who can you talk to?"
"It's Jean-Luc. He can't stand my son."
"Oh, Bev. I don't think that's true."
"Yes, it is." Beverly informed her. "He's always talking about how disrespectful Wesley is to him, how childish Wes can be sometimes. Then he tries to avoid my son by going on all these away missions. That's just for starters."
"He may be using that as an excuse." Deanna replied. "It takes time to get used to marriage. More so if there are children involved."
"True, but Wes is avoiding him too for the most part. He did come by Sickbay to check on Jean-Luc."
"And how did that go?"
"Jean-Luc almost started another argument with Wesley." Beverly was on the verge of tears. "He insists he will continue to go on these away missions so that he can avoid my son. I don't think I can take anymore!"
Beverly was now crying. She could not hold back the river of tears. They now flowed freely down her face.
Deanna moved over to where her friend was sitting and put an arm around her. Deanna hugged Beverly close to her. "It will work itself out."
"I don't know. I've been thinking about leaving Jean-Luc." Beverly cried.
"I don't think you really want to do that."
"I don't know. There are times in which I just want to pack up and leave."
"But that's not what you really want to do is it?"
"No, I'd rather see my son and Jean-Luc get along with each other."
"I don't know if that will happen anytime soon." Deanna informed Beverly. "These things take time. If you would like, I could see all three of you for counselling."
"Maybe that would help."
"It couldn't hurt."
"No, you are right, Deanna. It couldn't hurt. I'll see if I can get Jean-Luc to agree when he is feeling better."
"Fair enough. Let me know when all of you are ready and I'll set up an appointment for all three of you to come in so we can discuss all of this."
"Alright." Beverly said as she wiped the tears from her face.
Deanna got Beverly a tissue and handed it to her. "Here." Deanna used one hand to gently massage Beverly's back. "We'll work all of this out somehow. Give it some time before you do anything hasty."
Beverly took the tissue from Deanna and nodded her head. "I will and thanks Deanna. I don't know what I'd do without you. You're a good friend."
"No problem. I'm sure if we give Wesley time he will adjust too." Deanna stated. Then she added, "But both of them will have to want to adjust."
"True. If they don't, I don't know what is going to happen."
"Like I said, give it time and let me know when you three are ready."
Beverly stood. "I will."
"Take care of yourself, Beverly." Deanna told her as she watched Beverly leave her quarters. "And get some sleep. How long has it been since you slept?"
"I haven't been able to sleep lately." Beverly informed her. "Much less eat."
"Beverly, you're a doctor. You know better." Deanna scolded.
"Speak for yourself. Psychologists make the worst patients." Beverly reminded her. "Next to doctors of course."
Deanna shook her head. "Doctors maybe the worst patients, but Beverly, you have to start taking better care of yourself. You know this."
"Alright, Doctor Troi." Beverly said sarcastically. "I'll try."
"Alright. I'll leave you alone for now, but before you go, at least promise me one thing."
"Yes?"
"At least try and get some sleep. I'll see if Doctor Selar will prescribe something to help you sleep if you would like?"
"No. No, I'll be fine." Beverly brushed Deanna off as she departed from Deanna quarters.
"I hope so. I truly hope so." Deanna said softly as Beverly left.
Beverly finally went back to her quarters, only to find Wesley was now back from school. "You're home!"
"It is lunch time." Wesley told her. "Where were you? I was about to leave a note for you. I didn't see you in Sickbay, so I came home, but you weren't here."
"I was." Beverly paused. "I went to see if Deanna wanted to eat lunch with me."
"And?"
Beverly looked at her son quizzically.
"I mean, obviously you aren't having lunch with her or you wouldn't be here."
"She had other plans."
Wesley smiled. "Oh, yes! She and Commander Riker have been seeing each other. I bet she wanted to have lunch alone with him today."
"Wesley!"
"Mom!" He exclaimed back at her. "That's not what I meant. Sometimes when two people are dating, they want to dine alone together. What did you think I meant?"
"Nothing." She replied shaking her head. "You are very wise for you young age."
Wesley shrugged. "I got to get back to class." He kissed her on the cheek and headed for the door. Then he stopped as though he forgot something. "Oh, um. How is the captain?"
"Very grumpy, but I guess that just means he is recovering."
"Well, I guess that's good." He turned and headed out the door. "See ya, Mom!"
"See you, Wes." She called back to him.
She walked over to a chair and sat down. "I'm alone again." She sighed.
Then she became lost in her thoughts again. She could not help but feel sad about how her marriage was taking a turn for what seemed like the worse.
"I was much happier when I was single." She thought to herself. "I never dreamed that this marriage would turn out like this."
She laid on the couch and let her thoughts wandered through the recent events. She wished for the time before she had married Jean-Luc. She wished she had seen this coming before she married Jean-Luc, but then she reminded herself that she knew Jean-Luc had a hard time dealing with children. She should have seen it then.
She drifted off into a fitful sleep. Her body was so tired that she could not fight sleep any longer. Soon she was dreaming about her marriage and everything that had occurred.
"I'm worried about Doctor Crusher." Nurse Alyssa Ogawa stated to Doctor Selar. "She isn't usually this late."
"She and the captain had a disagreement." Doctor Selar informed her. "It is typical of humans to avoid emotionally charged situations. That maybe all she is doing."
Ogawa shook her head. "No, this isn't like her. She has been very stressed out and exhausted a lot lately. I'm going to check on her."
"Alright." Selar stated flatly. "Suit yourself, but I assure you she is alright."
Ogawa left Sickbay to check on Doctor Crusher. Once she arrived at Doctor Crusher's quarters she rang the chime to her door.
There was no answer. Ogawa tried the chime once more. Nothing.
Ogawa was getting very concerned now. "This is not like her." She thought to herself.
Ogawa overrode the lock on Beverly's quarters, only to find a sleeping doctor on the couch. Beverly was now in a deep sleep.
Ogawa smiled and was thankful it was not an emergency like she was afraid it might have been. "It's about time you got some rest." She said softly in order not to disturb Doctor Crusher.
Embarrased about being overly concerned for Doctor Crusher, Ogawa backed out of the door as quietly as possible. Once the door was shut, she whispered, "Sleep well, Doctor."
Chapter Five
It had been almost a week since Picard had been released from Sickbay. He was eager to get on with his life and get back to the Bridge regardless of what anyone else had to say. Beverly, however, insisted he was not ready to go back to duty. She also explained to him that if he did so now, he would be going against doctor's advice.
Picard did not seem to care. "My place is on the Bridge. I have to return to duty and I feel I am well enough to do so."
"Jean-Luc, you are still walking with a cane! You can't be serious!"
"I don't need the cane." He said as he threw the cane aside.
"Alright. It's your decision. Do what you want, Jean-Luc." Beverly said as she threw up her hands. "Hurt yourself for all I care."
Jean-Luc did do precisely what he as he wished. He was never one to relax in Sickbay or anywhere else for that matter. At least not for very long.
Jean-Luc reported to the Bridge as though it was any other day. He strolled onto the Bridge with his usual timing. "Report!"
"Captain, I thought you were suppose to be off duty until the doctor cleared you?" Riker inquired.
"No worry, Number One." Picard stated. "Everything is fine."
Riker was not sure if he believed his captain. Even so, he relinquished the captain's chair to Picard without saying a further word.
Everything went smoothly on the Bridge. Picard did not have to move around too much, which was just fine with him. His leg was begining to bother him by lunch time.
During lunch he tried to avoid Beverly like the plague. He was not interested in going another round with her. So, he stayed clear of Sickbay and their quarters, preferring to go to Ten-Forward instead.
"Nice to see you out and about, Captain." Some of the crew members greeted as he walked into Ten-Forward with a bit of a limp.
"Captain." Others said with a nod.
Picard would just nod and continue on his way to find a table. He finally decided on one. He sat down next to a window and propped his sore leg on the chair next to his. He then contemplated the situation between him and Beverly.
Suddenly he jumped out of his skin. "Ah, what?" He replied with a start. "Oh, Guinan, you startled me. I wasn't aware that you were there."
"I just got here." She informed him as she sat a cup of Earl Grey in front of Picard. "Something on your mind?"
"Well, nothing important. Thanks."
"You're welcome on both accounts."
"What?" Picard asked with confusion.
"You want to talk about it?"
"Guinan, I hardly think my dirty laundry is a subject for conversation."
"No, but maybe for a good listener." She said as she took a seat across from Picard.
"Really, I."
"Jean-Luc, how long have we known each other?"
"A long time."
"Have I ever given you any reason not to talk to me?"
"No, but I'm not sure you want to hear what is currently on my mind."
"Try me." Guinan insisted.
Picard told Guinan about everything that was happening between Beverly and him. Including his frustration with Wesley.
"The first year of marriage is always hard." Guinan told him. Her hands moved as she talked. "The thing is, if you want your marriage to last, you have to work on it. Not run away from it."
Picard nodded. "That maybe true, but it's hard when Wesley can be such a pain in the ass."
"Captain?" Guinan was shocked by Jean-Luc's words. Guinan used his title more of a reminder of his position on the ship and where he was at the moment. It was not that she was forgetting that Picard and she were on a first name basis.
"Guinan, it's just that Wesley can be so disrespectful and annoying."
"He's a teenager." Guinan shrugged. "He'll grow up one of these days. For now, he has to find his way and part of that includes rebillion."
"One of these days had better come soon, because I don't think I can take much more of his so called rebellion."
"You may have to." Guinan stated. "What are those lines in the vows? 'For better.' Um, the Earth custom you have during a wedding. 'For better'." Guinan acted as though she were trying hard to think of customary lines for an Earth wedding.
"Or for worse?"
"Yes. This may be your for worse." Then Guinan rose from her chair and went back to work.
Picard pondered what Guinan had said until he had to return to the Bridge.
Back on the Bridge, Wesley was at the conn. Riker was seated to the right of Picard and Deanna to Picard's left. Geordi was beside Wesley at ops and Worf was at Tactical.
They had been travelling through space without any problems. It was getting a little boring for Picard on his first day back and he was wanted some action.
"Sir, sensors detect a Romulan vessel one hundred kilometers away." Worf informed Picard. "Their weapons are loaded and ready to fire."
"Hail them."
"Aye, sir." Worf then had a puzzled look on his face. "Now their weapons are down. Now they are back up again."
"Sir, I'm picking it up too." Geordi informed the captain. "Now their weapons are off line."
"What the hell?" Riker questioned.
"Keep trying to hail them." Picard ordered.
"Aye, Sir." Was Worf's reply.
"What do you think is going on?" Will asked.
"Maybe they are in one of those streams that interferes with the ship's systems." Picard stated.
"Could be." Will contributed. "But that doesn't answer why they don't respond to our hails."
"Yes, it does Number One. If it's wreacking havoc with their systems, they may not be able to get a distress call out to anyone, much less answer a hail."
Wesley swivelled around in his chair to face the captain and commander. "I think it's a trap." He suddenly pronounced.
"Wesley, I rather doubt that when their weapons keep going on and off line." Picard said testily as he brushed off Wesley's suggestion.
"But Sir, they are not responding to our a hails and sensors don't say that their comm is down." Wesley persisted. "It's like the Romulans are up to something."
"Wesley, when I want your opinion, I will ask for it." Picard snapped.
"OK don't take my word for it and we end up under attack." Wesley sneered as he swivelled back around in his chair at the conn.
"Wesley, one more remark and I will have you thrown off the Bridge and possibly into the Brig." Picard threatened.
"Yes, sir. I'm just a teenager." Wesley whined. "I don't know anything."
"Wesley!" Picard growled.
"We are within twenty kilometers of the Romulan ship." Worf informed Picard. "Their weapons are continuing to show problems."
"Keep trying to reach them." Riker ordered.
All of a sudden a phaser blast hit the haul on the starboard side of the ship. It caused the ship to rock back and forth for a short time.
"See?" Wesley gloated. "I told you it was a trick."
"Sir, injuries are being reported on decks six and seven." Worf informed again.
"Thank you, Mister Worf." Riker replied. "Shields up just to be on the safe side."
"Wesley, I want you off my Bridge!" Picard stated sternly to Wesley.
"But I was right. They fired on us didn't they?" Wesley whined again as he pointed towards the Romulan ship on the view screen.
"Could be a fluke since their weapons appear to be malfunctioning." Picard informed Will as he tried hard to ignore Wesley.
"I don't think so, Sir." Wesley continued to insist. "That was a warning shot."
"I've had enough of this. Wesley, get off my Bridge now!" Picard demanded.
"I was just trying to help." Wesley insisted. "You are always wanting me off your Bridge and then Mom talks you back into letting me back on the Bridge. How can I ever learn anything if you keep throwing me off your Bridge?"
"Better yet, I think the Brig would be better." Picard continued to demand as another shot from the Romulan vessel hit the shields.
"Why?" Wesley asked.
"For insubordination!"
"But Sir."
"Worf, have Ensign Crusher escorted to the Brig."
"Captain?" Will began to ask. "Wouldn't his quarters suffice?"
"No! His quarters are my quarters and right now I don't want him anywhere near me."
"Why don't I escort him, Sir." Will offered just as another phaser blast hit the ship.
Suddenly a Romulan face appeared on the view screen. "Consider yourselves warned."
Picard gestured to Wesley as he told Will, "Get him off my Bridge." Then Picard asked the Romulan,. "With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"
Will guided a reluctant Wesley off the Bridge. "I told you so! It was a trick!" Wesley whined.
Picard ignored Wesley as Will escorted him off the Bridge.
"I am Gul Dar. You are too close to the Romulan Neutral Zone." He informed the crew of the Enterprise.
"I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. I was not aware that there was a zone that stated when a ship was too close to the Neutral Zone."
"Now there is."
"If I may ask, what are you doing in the Neutal Zone?"
"Guarding the border."
"I see. What gave you reason to fire on us?"
"Your proximty."
"Really?"
Picard continued to deal with the Romulan. He preferred to deal with Romulans rather than children. He knew how to deal with Romulans. Children he did not.
On the turbo lift Will was talking to Wesley about what happened on the Bridge. He did not feel like he was doing a very good job explaining to Wesley what he did wrong.
"Wesley, there is a way to express your opinion to the captain."
"I was expressing my opinion like everyone else."
"Yes, but he wasn't asking you." Will stated.
"I don't see how he wasn't." Wesley retorted. "He asked a general question to the crew. I just jumped in and gave my opinion just like everyone else and I was right."
"No, Wes. You insisted that it was a trap or trick. Not suggested."
"Still I was right."
"And that's another thing the captain doesn't like."
"What it that?"
"Arrogance." Will told Wesley. "Especially from a kid."
"I'm not arrogant. Just smart."
Will could not help but to laugh at what Wesley just said. "Yes, you are, Wes. Yes, you are."
There was a brief pause in the conversation. One could hear the hum of the turbolift as it went to their destination.
Wesley finally spoke. "You aren't taking me to the Brig are ya?"
"I'm sorry?" Will was not sure what Wesley had just said.
"When we got on the turbolift and the doors closed, you told it to go to Deck twelve. That's not the deck the Brig is on. It's Sickbay."
"Yes, Wes. I'm taking you to your mother."
"Why?"
"It's better than the Brig, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Don't worry, Wes." Will patted Wesley on the back just as the doors of the turbolift opened. "You'll be alright. Besides, you were right. What the Romulan did was a trick and I don't see how anyone could hold that against you."
Will escorted Wesley to Sickbay and left him with his mother. He explained the situation to Beverly. She did not seem at all happy about what had happened. When Will finished he returned to the Bridge.
"He wanted to throw you into the Brig for that?" Beverly asked her son.
"Yes, ma'am."
Beverly looked like she could explode with anger.
"What is it, Mom?"
"Nothing Wes. I just have a feeling there's going to be a really big explosion when we get home tonight. Plus, we'll need a bigger sofa."
Chapter Six
"The Brig?" Beverly said suddenly as Jean-Luc walked into their quarters. She had been waiting for him like a vulture waits for its prey.
"What?" Jean-Luc asked. He was caught off guard.
"You were going to throw my son in the Brig."
"He was being insubordinate."
"He's a child."
"Teenager!" Wesley piped into the conversation. He had walked into the room and heard them arguing.
"Wesley, stay out of this." Beverly ordered.
"All the more reason why he should not be on my Bridge!" Jean-Luc shouted.
"He's quite capable of performing his duties."
"If he were then he would not be showing me, the captain, disrespect." Jean-Luc insisted. "I'm sorry I agreed to make him acting insign."
"Really?" Beverly asked defiantly. "How many times has he pulled us out of jams?"
"I can't help that he is a brain child."
"You are so ungrateful!" Wesley stated angrily. "I kept us from falling prey to that drunken mess that the USS Botany Bay fell to."
"One incident." Jean-Luc replied. "Besides didn't your mother tell you to stay out of this?"
"What about today on the Bridge?" Beverly demanded an answer.
"Just luck." Picard insisted.
"Still you want to throw a child into the Brig?"
"Teenager!"
"Wesley, stay out of this!" Both Jean-Luc and Beverly said at the same time.
"See? That is precisely what I mean!" Jean-Luc ranted. "No respect for authority."
"You asked the crew for suggestions and he gave you one." Beverly reviled.
"And I was right!" Wesley whined.
"Shut up, Wesely!" Jean-Luc ordered sternly.
"That's another thing!" Beverly shouted. "Where do you get off telling my son to shut up?"
"Beverly." Jean-Luc tried hard to control his anger. "If someone can't show the captain any respect then they should not be even an acting officer."
"I was just trying to help!" Wesley screamed indignatly.
"Go to your room!" Jean-Luc order.
"No! I don't have to do what you say off duty! You're not my father!"
"Wesley!" Beverly scolded with shock.
"Well he's not!'' Wesley insisted. "He killed my father!"
"Go to your room, Wesley!" It was now Beverly's turn to order Wesley to his room.
"Alright, I'll go, but know this, he can't tell me what to do off duty just because he is my step-father!"
"Now, Wesley!" Beverly demanded.
Wesley went to his room. As soon as the door closed to his room, Jean-Luc began again.
"Beverly, I can't have that kind of behaviour on or off duty on my ship. I want him out of here!"
"If he goes I go!" Beverly stated with indignation.
"Fine! Then I want a separation!"
"What?" Now it was Beverly's turn to be caught off gaurd.
"You heard me." Jean-Luc insisted. "There are vacant quarters on deck eight. You and Wes can move into them."
"I don't believe you!"
"Believe it, Beverly. I will not live with that kind of behaviour."
"Too bad Will wasn't here just now to keep you from making an ass out of yourself in front of children, because you just did!" Beverely informed Jean-Luc under no uncertain terms. Then Beverly walked out of their quarters and stormed down the corridor.
It was not long before she had graced the doors of Ten-Forward. She gazed around the room hoping Deanna was there. Deanna was not. Beverly was disappointed for she wanted to talk to Deanna.
Beverly had gone to Deanna's quarters first, only to find that she was not home. She also went to Deanna's office. Still, Deanna was not there, either. Then she went to Will's quarters. She had no luck there either. Not only was Deanna not there either, but Will also was not in his quarters.
"Damn!" She uttered in frustration.
"Can I help you?" Guinan suddenly appeared.
"Yes, I'd like a quiet table somewhere away from people." Beverly informed Guinan.
"I think I can help you with that." Guinan said with a smile. Then she gestured for Beverly to follow her.
Once Guinan had shown her to the table, and Beverly was seated, she again asked Beverly, "Can I help you with anything?"
"I'll have a Long Island Ice Tea."
Guinan gave a slight bow and was off to get Beverly's drink. While she was away, Beverly fumed over Jean-Luc's behaviour.
"How dare he! I'm his wife!" She thought to herself. "You don't just throw your wife out just because you don't like her child! Nor do you try and throw a child out of the house!"
Guinan returned with Beverly's drink. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Beverly shook her head.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to talk?"
"No, I want to be alone."
"Seems to me you have been doing a lot of that lately." Guinan observed.
"Of what?"
"Being alone."
"Guinan, please. I really don't want to talk about it."
"I see. It seemed to me you were looking for someone when you came in here. Are you sure you don't want to talk to someone."
"Guinan, I don't think you would understand."
"Try me." Guinan said as she took a seat across from Beverly.
"OK." Beverly finally said after giving it some thought and began telling Guinan what had been going on between her and Jean-Luc up until now.
"And you have never thought about a separation?" Guinan asked.
"Well, yes, but I would never say I wanted one."
"You'd just leave?"
"NO!" Beverly shouted. Then she realized what she had just done and softened her voice. "I wouldn't just leave, but I....." She trailed off and did not finish her sentence.
"Now that Jean-Luc has said he wants a separation, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know." She shook her head sadly. "Starfleet Medical has been almost begging me to take the head position there. I guess I'll just go there."
"And Jean-Luc?"
"He'll stay here." Beverly was surprised by Guinan's question.
"No, I mean, how do you think he will feel with you leaving the Enterprise?"
"I don't think he even cares anymore. He's married to this damn ship." Beverly insisted. "Not to me."
"Oh, I don't know." Guinan began. "I think he loves you very deeply."
"You could have fooled me!"
"He just doesn't know how much he loves you."
"Maybe so, but I'm not sticking around here to wait for him to figure it out."
"You don't have to." Guinan stated. "You do what you feel is right, but remember this could be your 'for worse'." Guinan emphasized the word 'your' to make it clear to Beverly that she meant it was Beverly's and not anyone else's. After saying all she was going to say, Guinan rose from her seat and disappeared as quickly as she appeared.
Beverly sat and nursed her drink until she felt ready to go back to their quarters.
Once she arrived back home she prepared for bed. She took one look at the sleeping Jean-Luc and decided she did not want to share the bed with him.
She was not sure if she really wanted to sleep on the couch either, but decided it was her best alternative. So, she got a blanket and retrieved her pillow from the bed.
She then walked into the living area, sat down on the couch, placed her pillow at one end, and then laid her head on it as she pulled the cover over herself. She laid there and then turned onto her side only to discover that sleep was not going to come to her so easily.
She laid on the couch for several minutes only to find that she could not sleep. So, she got up to get some warm milk. "Milk, warm." She told the replicator.
The replicator obliged her with a cup of warm milk. She removed the cup from the replicator and sat back down on the couch with a sigh.
"Never thought I was going to be the one sleeping on the couch." She said to herself.