Chapter Text
Chapter Two
Four weeks later, Picard and Crusher waved goodbye to Riker and Troi as they entered the cabin of the Mars Transport vessel taking them to Vulcan. Wesley had relayed a message acknowledging their plans to meet him and the couple had prepared the ship for their two-week absence. For them both, this was the first lengthy vacation they had taken in several years. Added to this was the excitement of seeing Wesley and spending the time together, as a couple, not just coworkers.
The weeks had been hard on them both, between work and avoiding Troi. She had picked up on enough emotions in the turbolift that day to set to probing them both. For Picard, it had been easy to handle her. Twice, she had come to his ready room looking for answers to why Crusher was uncomfortable and unwilling to talk about their stay on Kes-Prytt. He had explained both times, that the implants had allowed the friends to see more than they had been prepared for, but they were working it out. Picard had even gone as far as telling Troi that their friendship had move to the next level and it was taking some getting use to for them both. He had lost count of the number of times Troi had confronted Beverly.
Every time, Beverly had slipped away from Sick Bay within minutes of brushing Troi’s concerns and questions off. Each time, she came in search of Picard for reassurance. It was hurting Beverly to hide from her friend and coworker. But the fear of revealing her temporary weakness and the magnitude of her personal needs were greater. That fear manifested itself in the form a nightmare that came after all of the conversations with Troi. Picard knew Troi was the best person to help her, but Beverly was not ready to face the issues yet. All in all, it had drained Beverly to the point, Picard had almost moved up their departure date, just to allow her some peace.
The Mars Transport had started out just as that, a transport between Earth and Mars. Now the company was the largest mass transport in sector 001 and the surrounding sectors. The vessels had increased in size to accommodate more passengers on longer trips, including private suites. It was a modern version of the passenger trains of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Picard had reserved one of the suites, allowing him and Beverly to be completely alone.
After the bags were stored, Picard settled into the corner of the bench seat that doubled as a bed. Crusher ordered tea for them both from the small replicator before sitting next to him. Silence fell between them until after the transport left dock.
Finished with his tea, Jean-Luc seat the cup down and wrapped his arms around Beverly.
"Finish your tea."
'Why?"
"Because, I don't want to spill it."
"Why would you spill my tea, Captain," she flirted.
"The captain is not available. In his place is your man wanting to hold you."
Beverly set the cup away and turned to him, curling up on the bench. He pulled her closer, so she was lying against his chest. “So, you’re my man, are you?”
“I better be,” he laughed at the archaic phrase. “Why don’t you go to sleep?”
“I don’t need any sleep.”
“Beverly, you have been working nonstop, just like I have, for four weeks. Added to that, we have spent many nights talking until late. I’m not sure how we accomplished everything we did without collapsing. And before you argue, I know the nights you didn’t spend with me, you were working in your cabin. You haven’t had more than two hours sleep in a 24-hour period in four weeks.”
“I have been too excited,” she said. Beverly turned in his arms enough to see him, “Can you blame me. And I feel just fine.”
“Yes, I know you feel fine, but we have an eight-hour ride ahead of us. Neither of us is going to want to sleep on Vulcan, so why not take advantage of the peace now.”
“But I want to talk to you.”
“Close your eyes, little girl.”
Beverly laughed, burrowing deep into his embrace. Picard knew just how tried she had to be, and that she would refuse to slow down until she was forced to.
The two had spent every minute possible together since Kes-Prytt. They had discussed everything from basic chitchat to ship’s business to in-depth discussions of medical and technical issues. Many of those nights, they had finished the evening by falling asleep on the couch, holding one another. They had even discussed their relationship, but never did they move to become more. Beside kissing and some light foreplay, the couple was still just friends.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Jean-Luc had planned to take their relationship to the next level during this trip. But now that he was here, he didn’t know when the time would be right. Maybe it was something that needed to wait until they were back on the ship. Either way, Beverly’s slow, deep breaths meant she had fallen asleep and he could do the same without worrying about her.
###
Troi and Riker gave one last wave to their friends as they disappeared into the transport. Troi’s smile quickly vanished, as Riker turned to her. “You never did figure out what was up, did you?”
“No, but I did get a message from Wesley. I told him everything that had happened and my concerns for his mother. He said he would see what he could find out.”
“Was that a good idea, revealing patient information,” Riker said, turning Troi back toward the exit to the star base.
“There really wasn’t any patient information to reveal. Neither gave me any information. Neither has shown any signs of trouble. What I have felt from the two have actually been very vague and undefined. And the mission is public knowledge. Wesley said he understood what I meant about Beverly trying to hide something and would try.”
“Let’s hope he can solve this mystery.”
###
Picard was awakened by the ship’s intercom announcing final approach to Vulcan. Beverly was curled against his chest still sleeping. He knew from experience that is would take more than the intercom to wake her. Easing out from under her, he left her to a few more minutes of sleep while he showered and changes.
“Wake up, Doctor,” he said rather loudly in Beverly’s ear five minutes later.
“No.”
“Doctor Crusher to the Bridge,” Picard said in his sternest voice. The tone reached through Beverly’s sleep to bring her to reality instantly.
“What,” she jumped, opening her eyes to find Jean-Luc looking her in the eyes. “What did you say?”
“Get up and dress. We are on final approach,” he turned gathering their luggage for departure.
Blinking the sleep away, it took her a second to remember where they were. Then she jumped into motion. Within minutes, like Picard, she was dressed and ready to leave. Both dressed in civilian clothes, they could have been tourist from Earth. They exited the transport, looking for signs of Wesley. The greeting outside quickly ruined their image of tourist.
Picard and Crusher found themselves surrounded by Vulcan and Star Fleet officials a few feet out of the docking gate, just as another transport emptied next to them. Running the gambit of welcomes and questions about their “mission” on the planet, the couple continued to search for Wesley Crusher. It amazed Picard at the number of upper officials wanting to speak to himself and his CMO. One officer went as far as saying him and Crusher were seen as VIPs, after all of the amazing things they had done, like defeating the Borg.
The crush between the officials and the other transport was bad enough that Picard wrapped an arm around Beverly to keep her at his side. Fear of being separated from her was so great, he forgot about his aversion of public displays. For Crusher, the arm around her waist was comforting and steadying as she fielded questions.
It was Picard who finally spotted their favorite cadet while he told a Star Fleet commander for the fourth time that he and Beverly were merely on Vulcan for a vacation. Catching the cadet’s eye for help, Picard swore he would have someone’s head for leaking his and Crusher arrival without providing an explanation.
Wesley, having arrived late at the gate, quickly assessed the situation and dove into the crowd. Catching his mother’s arm, he noticed Picard’s arm around her. He briefly wondered how much their relationship had changed since he left the Enterprise and if it had anything to do with the weird feelings Troi had been sensing from his mother. Filing the thought away for later, he and Picard began pushing through the officials, protecting Crusher from the crush of people. Ten minutes later, they had lost the officials in the docking area and exited the building.
“Mom, what have I told you about attracting attention to yourself. It is very unbecoming a high ranking Star Fleet officer,” Wesley said once clear of the building.
Laughing at her son, Beverly pulled the men to a stop and hugged her son, “It wasn’t me this time. It was Jean-Luc. You know how he loves a crowd.”
Picard watched the small family greet, before he touched Wesley on the shoulder. “What did you do, Wesley? Tell everyone on Vulcan we were coming?”
“Nope, you can blame that on my instructor,” the young man smile, embracing his former captain and stand-in father. “I made the mistake of mentioning my Mom and a good friend were meeting me here between training drills. Knowing who my Mom was, he was curious to know who she was traveling with. I didn’t realize he needed something to use in name-dropping games. From there, it spread.”
Beverly smiled at the sour look on her two men’s faces, “You didn’t add that we were on vacation?”
“No one listened to that. I am official on R&R as of this morning, and have my bags packed. Please tell me you have room for me to stay with you.”
It was Picard’s turn to smile, “I booked a suite at the Planet East Hilton with three bedrooms. One for each of us. Let’s swing by for your bags and catch a runner shuttle to the other side of the planet.”
The trio started out, heading for the Star Fleet training facility close to the docking bay. He leds them into the two story building and up stairs. He pushed into his quarters, grabbing his bag. Just as they thought they would escape the building without being noticed, Wesley’s roommate and his trainer turned the corner. Wesley groaned under his breath as the trainer approached Picard.
“Jean-Luc, good to see you again. Welcome to Vulcan. Is Cadet Crusher showing you around the facility?”
Picard immediately recognized the lieutenant’s arrogance and remembered who was to blame for the crush at the dock. He stepped in front of Wesley and Beverly, slipping into his captain persona without a trace of a smile. “Lieutenant, the cadet tells me it was you who informed the planet officials of Commander Crusher’s and mine arrival.”
“Yes, sir,” the trainer replied a little concerned that he had screwed up. Picard completely ignored his hand held out for a shake. He was also a bit confused at the use of Crusher’s Fleet rank, but his ego quickly took over again. “It is only fitting that dignitaries, such as you and Doctor Crusher, be welcomed to the planet. Look at it this way, now you don’t have to report to duty,” he said laughing.
“Funny, I don’t remember a regulation requiring me or my chief medical officer to report to duty when on vacation. Especially, since I was the highest ranking officers at the dock. Tell me Lieutenant, who is your commanding officer?”
“Commander Provos, sir.”
“I haven’t talked to John is several months. I will have to look him up after my R&R and tell him about his officer that can’t keep his mouth shut.”
Wesley watched the exchange in a bit of awe. His mother had followed Picard’s lead perfectly, putting on her command face as easily and quickly as Picard. She had then stepped up close to Picard, helping him form a line of authority the mere lieutenant didn’t have a chance of breaking. Then, with every word Picard spoke, he watched his trainer’s arrogance and ill manners deflate as it dawned on him just how badly he had screwed up. Wesley hid a smile, knowing he would have no more pointed questions about his famous mother and captain.
When Picard had finished, the younger officer stammered an apology before saluting and leaving quickly. Picard and Crusher turned back to Wesley, letting their humor escape for the first time.
“Any more rude officers you would like us to intimidate, Wesley,” Picard asked, sending Wesley into laughter.
“Wow, you are good,” Wesley roommate said, speaking for the first time.
Crusher turned to him, “You should see him handle admirals. Truly an amazing sight to behold.” Crusher and Picard finally laughed and greeted Wesley’s friend. The trio was soon headed for the other side of the planet and their vacation as a family.
###
"So, Mom, how are things on the ship," Wesley asked, watching his mother unpack her bags.
"Good. Although, I think, the captain is a little tired of playing diplomat. One too many diplomatic missions lately. Geordi and Data have created a couple new holodeck programs. When those two put their heads together, the result is a bit frightening."
Wesley laughed at the look on his mother's face. "One of the programs was for Worf and his security drills. All three of them decided the rest of the senior staff should run the drill. I hurt for a week after that thing."
"Let me guess, they programmed a bunch of Klingons bent on destroying the ship?"
"That and a couple of Borg thrown in for good measure. A Borg caught me in the shoulder and knocked me into a wall. I felt like a ball in a racquetball game," she laughed.
"How are the counselor and the commander?"
"Good. Although, Deanna is seeing Worf now."
"What?"
"Not kidding," Beverly said, turning to see Jean-Luc walking in. "Tell him about Deanna and Worf."
Flopping down on the bed, Jean-Luc looked Wesley in the eye, "It is scary to think of Worf and little Deanna. Although I try not to think about them at all."
"You should see them at the poker game now," Beverly cut in, laughing.
Wesley listened as the two officers continued describing life on board the star ship. When Beverly finished unpacking, she rounded the bed to sit next to Jean-Luc, with no signs of realizing what she had done. Wesley noted the action and swore he would have these two together before they left for the Enterprise, if they weren’t already more than friends. It was while he was planning things to push the two together and only half listening that Kes-Prytt was brought up.
"Wait a minute, they implanted you with a device that linked your brain patterns," Wesley broke in. Even thought Deanna had told him about the mission, he had to make these two believe he was clueless.
Beverly nodded, "Yes, except when we broke out, the devices calibrated to each other and not the Kes computer. So, Jean-Luc and I were able to hear each other's thoughts."
Wesley smiled wickedly, "And what did you two learn about one another?”
Picard said, "Wipe that smirk off your face, young man. Our thoughts are private."
"Yes, sir. Come on, Mom, what secrets did you learn?"
Both officers exclaimed at his obvious joke.
"I think it is time for us to head out for lunch," Picard said. Beverly stood in agreement and the three headed out.
###
On their second day on the planet, Picard and Crusher stood waiting for Wesley to finish a purchase in the street market district of the city. Picard had been right about there being no sleep for the trio. After returning from supper the evening before, they had sat up until 04:00 talking about the academy and the Enterprise. On barely four hours of sleep, the three had set out to conquer the street market. So far, the only truly great discovery for Jean-Luc was some Vulcan cookies that could only be found on the planet.
“Where do you want to go next, fearless leader,” Picard joked, leaning against a wall eating his find. Beverly stood next to him leaning close, while holding several bags of merchandise she had found.
Laughing, she turned to him, “You sound like you are not having fun, Jean-Luc.”
“Shopping is not my forte.”
“If you had not come, you would not have found those cookies.”
“Yes, I would have. I would have just called room service.”
“You are not fun,” Beverly said in disgust. Picard only laughed at her.
“We haven’t had much time together, have we,” he asked, dropping his tin of cookies into one of Beverly’s bags, before taking a couple of the bags from her.
“Did you expect us to? Beside, we’ve only been here one day.”
“I know. We’ll have to take another vacation together, just the two of us,” he pulled her in front of him and back between his legs to relax against him. Beverly sighed at the causal action and leaned into him.
“Are you okay,” he asked after several quiet second.
“Sure, why?”
“Beverly, we haven’t discussed our conversation the first night after Kes-Prytt again, or your reaction. We have talked all around it.”
Beverly looked down, letting her hair fall to hide her face; she then tried to stand up straight. Picard wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place. “Don’t hide from me,” he whispered.
“I’m not. Wesley’s coming this way. This isn’t the time.” She pulled out his arms and head for Wesley, smiling.
Picard paused before following. Beverly was ignoring the problem, instead of dealing with it. That frightened him. While she was not acting overtly different, there was a sense of self-consciousness about her that Wesley would eventually notice. The young man was not likely to ignore the change and when he did notice it, he would question it. Picard hoped Beverly was prepared to deal that.
###
It was two days before Wesley was able to corner his Mom again. “Mom, are you and the captain all right?”
The mother and son sat next to the inside swimming pool at their hotel. Picard had wondered off to look for reading material, leaving the couple alone. Both lay on loungers next to the pool, their swim suits still damp from participating in a game of water volleyball. At the question, Beverly picked up her towel and started drying her hair, hiding part of her face. “Sure, why do you ask?”
“Well, you are on vacation together. That is usual in itself. Then there is a certain mission you two just completed where you were held prisoners.”
“Wesley, the Kes didn’t torture us. They just stuck little devices in our neck. No harm was done.”
“Mom, are you telling me, you didn’t learn anything about the captain during that time that changed your relationship?”
Beverly pulled the towel down to look at her son. She had never lied to him. “Yes, the captain and I learned a lot about each other. And yes, it has changed our relationship, like allowing us to come together on this trip. But you make it sound like something should be wrong. There isn’t.”
“So, are you to seeing each other now?”
Beverly finally laughed, “Why, worried I’m going to give you an evil stepfather?”
“Yeah, I wish,” he paused. He had no way of knowing if he was pushing too hard. “There’s something you are not telling me, Mom.”
“There is nothing to tell. Goodness, you sound just like Troi.”
Their conversation ended as Picard walked back up carrying drinks for them all. “Oh, nice, talk about me while I’m gone and then stop talking just as I walk up.”
“It was all good, Jean-Luc,” Beverly said taking the drink. She looked at him hoping he would get an idea of the conversation’s topic. Picard paused catching her eyes and then he nodded once and quick so Wesley didn’t notice it. “What do you think of going to the Betazoid restaurant tonight?”
“We just had lunch. You cannot be hunger again.”
“Yes, I can.”
Wesley watched his mother and the captain teasing each other. Their relationship was definitely stronger and more comfortable. Troi had said, Picard had told her his and Crusher relationship had changed and they were working on dealing with that change. But there was still something not right. His mother had always been so strong, yet, it was like Picard was trying to protect her.
Later that night found Wesley and Picard waiting on Beverly to finish dressing. They had sat down with drinks in the central area discussing minor things. Wesley took a chance on the timing.
“Captain,” Picard through up a hand.
“I told you, it’s Jean-Luc. I am on vacation and so are you. There is no reason to remind me of work.”
Wesley laughed, “Do you have any idea how hard that is?”
“Yes, right after I became a captain, Admiral Quinn told me to call him by his first name. It took me three months to get use to it. You can do it too.”
“Okay, Jean-Luc, as horrid as this sounds what is your intentions toward my mother?”
“All evil,” he said laughing. Picard had been prepared for that question. “What would you say if I told you I planned on asking her to marry me?”
“I would say about damn time,” Wesley smiled. “Have you and Mom gotten that close?”
“We are on our way. There’s a lot to deal with for two officers, like us, when starting a relationship and during that relationship. We are working on those issues. One day, I hope I am calling you about a wedding.”
“And the mission on Kes-Prytt, did that help or hurt?”
“That is an interesting question coming from you?”
“What little Mom has told me about the mission, there’s something she isn’t telling. She gets this look in her eyes. Did they do something more than the implants?”
“No, all there was were the implants. Other than the fact that we were being held prisoners unjustly,” Picard wondered where Wesley was heading with this conversation. Whatever he was searching for, Picard knew he had to distract the younger man. “Wesley, there was a lot of information exchanged during those two days. It was unnerving to suddenly hear your mother’s voice in my head and to know she could hear mine the same way,” Picard explained.
Leaning forward, he continued, “For example, I didn’t know your mother’s fear of heights was so strong. She had mentioned it before, but it has never stopped her on missions. We came up on an all-most sheer cliff that we had to climb. She took one look and I felt her fear, pure panic, at facing that thing. It was enlightening. I saw a side of your mother I have never seen before. And I know she saw the same in me.”
“Is that why you have become so protective?”
Before Picard could think of an answer, Beverly walked into the room. Both men stood to greet her, but before she reached them, Picard leaned into Wesley, “Wouldn’t you protect something so lovely?”
Wesley could only nod.