Chapter Text
It had been awhile since Beverly's return from Starfleet Medical. And she was very happy to be back on the Enterprise. It was her home. She liked Earth just fine, but in space, she thrived. Life on the Enterprise? With everyone she loved? It was all she wanted. But... it was not all that Beverly needed. Part of her heart remained behind on Earth. Nobody knew. Even Deanna. And now... the weight of her secret was beginning to eat her alive. But Beverly was abruptly startled out of her thoughts when her door chimes rang out.
Rather sure as to whom the visitor was, Beverly called out, "Please come in!"
And Beverly was proven right. For in strolled her greatest friend in the universe. Deanna. She greeted her friend warmly enough, but she didn't have to be an empath to see that something was on her mind. How curious. Beverly moved across the room, to the couch by the window and sat. Her friend joined her when invited.
Beverly said, "How are you? I don't think we've really had a chance to talk yet since my return from Starfleet Medical. Not like how we used to."
"You aren't wrong. And I am fine today, thank you." Deanna returned. "But I could ask the same inquiry of you."
Beverly made a lame attempt at being dodgy. "Why, I don't know what you mean."
Deanna didn't break. "You have been jumpy ever since Captain Picard announced why we are off to Earth."
Now Beverly lifted one eyebrow. "Did he send you?"
The woman shook her head. "No. The captain is concerned, but I am here on my own today because you're my closest friend. And also the closest I've ever known to a sister."
Beverly's heart filled with affection for Deanna. Her own feelings about their friendship were mutual. So Beverly retrieved a small plastic orb from a holder on the small glass table in from of them. She had been looking at it a few minutes ago.
The doctor toyed with her orb as she spoke. "Will I have your word you won't tell a soul?"
Deanna still did not break. "Yes."
"Well…" Beverly sighed. "About a week after I got back to Earth, I learned I was pregnant."
Deanna's response had been far from Beverly's expectations. "I did wonder how long it would take you to realize…"
Beverly sputtered, "I... what? You knew it?"
"Not until you were about to leave. On that transporter pad, I could sense an extra presence. Brand new." Deanna confessed. "I wasn't until you'd transported away already that I made the connection. What did you have?"
"A little baby girl." Beverly then held her palm flat and the orb levitated ever-so-slightly. "Do you what this is?"
Deanna nodded. "A Betazoid memory orb. It's activated by happy thoughts. When the thoughts are strong enough, it projects a holographic image of a good memory belonging to the owner. Will gave me one. After Ian Andrew chose to go back out in to the stars."
Beverly would be hard-pressed to forgot Deanna's first explanation about her lost child. She couldn't imagine that kind of loss. But she cared for her friend, so the story of the star-child would always matter to her.
She cleared her throat in an attempt to get herself back on track. "Watch."
Beverly's memory orb levitated a few more inches above her palm. It even shone in a splendid way. Beverly then waved her free hand over the orb, and before them was projected an image of a little girl on a nursery room floor. She was brightly dressed from head to toe. Deanna didn't fail to noticed the child's fair skin, and her bright red hair. Or her familiar eyes. A Crusher blue.
"That's my Annie." said Beverly in a fond way. "My orb catches her every moment. I love to see her happy and laughing."
"Your daughter is beautiful." Deanna complimented. "Just beautiful."
Beverly deactivated the orb and returned it to its place. "My daughter's full name is Deanna Yvette Adele Crusher."
The counselor's heart skipped a beat. "You named her for me? But her middle names... They are from the Picard clan. You and he...?"
Beverly squirmed slightly in her seat because the next part of what she had to say was huge. "I've also just learned that Annie and Wesley are going to be big siblings. But you're the first who knows."
Deanna wanted to congratulate her friend. But she quickly held back. All she could sense and see from Beverly was a flurry of sadness. Confusion.
"Are you going to be okay?" she said softly.
The redhead shrugged. "Jack and I always wanted to give Wesley at least one sibling. But then my husband died. So... I thought the chance went with him."
Understanding crashed into the other woman. "But now you want to keep Annie and new little one to yourself because you've been pinching yourself."
"That is exactly it. I will clue Jean-Luc and Wesley in before shore-leave is over, but I need to get Annie first." Beverly's words were solemn. "It is the number one item on my agenda."
"You left her with one of your Starfleet Medical friends." Deanna connected the dots. "But something's happened. Unforeseen. Am I far from the truth?"
Beverly shook her head. "I left Annie in the care of my dear friend and former instructor whom I was always close with. Her name was Felisa."
"Which is the name of your father's mother, if I remember correctly." Deanna said.
"Mhm. Very good." Beverly heaved a sigh. "Unfortunately, the commander passed away unexpectedly in her sleep due to a stroke."
Deanna touched Beverly's hand in a show of comfort. "I am so sorry. Where is Annie now?"
Beverly lit up again. "My daughter has been with another dear friend and old teacher from Starfleet Medical now. Admiral Doctor Stefania Bishop."
"I know that name!" Deanna had her own thrill of joy. "Bishop is the head of Starfleet Medical now!"
Confused, Beverly said, "That is correct. Stefania became direct successor in my stead after I left. How did you know about her post?"
Deanna lifted one eyebrow in mild amusement. "I am a psychologist. So is she. I've read all of her papers and attended a half-dozen of her conferences before."
Beverly laughed softly. "Touché. We are very close because she took me in at one point when I was younger, and she is old enough to be my mother. Did you ever have a chance to speak with her at the conference?"
"No, but I wish I had." the younger woman lamented. "Bishop strikes me as very friendly. Fun, kind."
"Those words are all very accurate." Beverly confirmed. "Stefania was the one to find Felisa. And she rescued Annie."
The counselor voiced a concluding thought. "So your daughter has been with Stefania Bishop since you came back home."
"Yes." Even before the shore-leave was announced," Beverly went on. "I was going to request personal time to I could go get her. And I had planned on asking you along."
Deanna gave her a friendly wink as she answered, "I would have said yes."
"Thank you." Beverly smiled at her. "I suppose that's that. Do you have any idea when we should be in space dock?"
"Very late tonight." Deanna answered. "There are many more hours to go."
"Understood. The two of us and the rest of the senior staff will be departing for earth in the shuttle at the first decent hour." Beverly made a point to look Deanna in the eyes. "Will you come with me to get my daughter? Please?"
Deanna's answer was cheerful. "Of course, Bev, and I'm honored. Thank you. My little namesake seems a delight."
"Annie is. That girl is also really smart..." but Beverly's words and smile faltered fast.
Deanna read her like a book. "Would you like me to stay with you for awhile?"
Beverly gave a soft, "Yes."
Deanna dutifully held her friend. It took more than a lot to rattle Beverly. Most days.
After all, she was the chief medical officer on the Federation flagship. A person in such a position had to be steadfast. However, all the recent events were beginning to push it. Especially since the captain had no idea of what she was withholding. With each hour, Beverly was beginning to regret staying quiet. What would the captain do when he found out? Never would Beverly hold anything from him again. It was too much. Just too much. She hoped time would fly now. Being in space dock definitely couldn't come fast enough.
Deanna did not judge Beverly as quiet tears fell down her face. This woman was not a crier. So far as the counselor knew, her friend was only this vulnerable in front of her. And solely because they had always treated each other like sisters.
"I'm with you." Deanna rubbed Beverly's back. "As long as need."
While the Enterprise was the Federation's pride and joy, it was not invulnerable to wear and tear. Even in space. And so Admiral Essen delivered Captain Picard of an order to make port at Starbase 001. The Enterprise would be undergoing maintenance and tune-ups from stem to stern. All the maintenance crew asked of them was a ship-wide withdrawal. Mass approval was had. Immediately. Vacation struck everyone's delight.
0900 hours the next morning found the whole of the senior staff departing the Enterprise in a runabout shuttle, bound for the planet below. Geordi found his comrades in the miniature mess hall after setting the craft on autopilot. He was quick to join them at the dining table.
"I don't know about everyone else," the engineer said as he took the last empty chair. "But I plan on going in to the city right away. It's been quite some time since I last saw San Fransisco."
Data remarked, "I have always wanted to spend an afternoon reading in the Starfleet Medical athenaeum."
Geordi chuckled. "Okay, my friend. We will be there for seven days. You are going to have some fun with me first."
Data began, "But..."
"Just trust me, Data." reassured Geordi. "It will build your character."
The android trusted his friend implicitly. So he just made a soft humming sound and waited for someone else to speak.
Worf said informatively, "There is an elite martial arts facility at our destination which specializes in bat'leth training. I have heard many good things about it."
"Every training facility at Starfleet Medical is elite." reflected the captain. "Looking to train in an authentic environment?"
Worf nodded. "Yes. That is correct, sir."
Will spoke up. "I brought my trombone, so I might tag along and look for a place to play. But only if Deanna doesn't make me play that damn song…"
Across the table, the captain laughed. "Care to share the name of your 'damn song,' Number One?"
The bearded man made a slashing signal with both hands.
But Deanna cheekily supplied, "Night Bird!"
Will spoke swiftly to the captain before Deanna could stir up any more frivolity. "Do you have any upcoming plans?"
"I do." Jean-Luc told him. "There's an archeological institute a few kilometers from where we'll be staying."
"Let me guess." Will joked. "They're holding an archeological conference about findings from Mars Colony. And you're a keynote speaker."
"Very funny, my friend." the captain deadpanned. "It's actually a conference about archeological findings from Onniulia V that I have been looking forward to it for quite some time."
Jean-Luc then looked across the table, to the opposite end. Beverly and Deanna were there. Watching him. They had had a tendency to stick together on shore-leave before. And their stories were too colorful upon return. Every time.
"And just what have you both got up your sleeves?" he asked them.
Beverly turned coy. "Wouldn't you like to know? Don't worry about us, lest I come drag you away from your precious conference a moment too early?"
The captain read into her teasing him as a sign that she was bounding back in the direction of her old self.
But he sat up straighter. "No thank you, doctor. It won't be necessary."
"That's what I thought." Beverly sassed. "We will be fine. And we will come back with plenty of stories. Just like we always have."
It did not take long for everyone to put their belongings away in their pre-assigned quarters when they did arrive to their Starfleet destination. But the doctor and the counselor had an even shorter time of taking a hover-car to Admiral Doctor Bishop's house. She lived in a cozy residence near the center of town. And she greeted her guests kindly as she ushered them inside as she closed her door against the grey weather.
"My friend," the older woman then hugged her former pupil again. "Annie will be so very happy to see you."
The old friends had stayed up late the night, speaking over a ship-to-shore transmission, catching up. And talking of what was to come. Each felt ready.
So Beverly said eagerly, "I could hardly sleep. Where is she?"
"Asleep, although I expect she'll be waking from her nap soon. But first..." she shifted her attention to the counselor as she shook her hand warmly. "Deanna, Beverly has told me a lot about you. I am extremely pleased to meet you at last now."
Deanna bobbed her head. "I've read your work before. Every paper, too. And I've been to six of your speaking engagements."
"Wow. I don't hear that every day. Color me impressed. Please call me Stefania. A friend of Beverly's is a friend of mine." Stefania looked closer at Deanna. "I've also heard stories about you from Lwaxana."
"Is she here?" Deanna bleated in semi-alarm.
"No," Stefania laughed at her new friend's behavior. "But she was. Lwaxana and I are friends of old. It happened that she was 'in the neighborhood' around the same time I found Annie."
"Mother has always had peculiar 'cosmic timing,' as she likes to put it." Deanna sighed. "Have she and Annie met?"
"Mhm." said Stefania. "Annie loves her greatly, and your mother loves her the same. Lwaxana purchased Annie lot of new clothes before journeying homeward. And then dearest Mister Homm turned up with a great bounty of toys for Annie."
"I have never understood how those two can make friends wherever they go." Deanna shook her head in wonder. "They themselves are proper opposites."
Beverly remarked, "A proper thank you is in order for the next time Lwaxana comes aboard ship, then."
"Come along now." Stefania beckoned to the others. "I'll show you to Annie's room. She sleeps upstairs."
Had the moment been anything other than what it was, Deanna would have taken more time to observe the details of Annie's room. But she could only watch Beverly just then. Reunion time was at hand.
Beverly sat with Annie and took her into her arms just as she began waking up. The doctor's heart felt full. Annie being in her arms brought a tremendous amount of relief. They had been away from each other for far took long. Perhaps this joy would a sign for a positive outcome on the captain's end of the situation later.
"It's time for up now." Beverly gently stroked Annie's cheeks. "Up. Mama's here."
Annie made a happy sound when she opened her eyes and saw Beverly first.
"Mama!" she sat up and hugged as much of Beverly as she could. "Mama!"
Beverly returned her hug. "I came back just for you because I love you."
Annie understood those last three words very well and hugged Beverly again. "Love, love, love."
Annie fisted a hand in the cloth of her mother's dress and leaned against her to hear her heartbeat. But also to make sure she was really there.
"Love, love, love." Annie relaxed against Beverly. "Love…"
Beverly felt even more comfort. It was all beginning to level out. For now. Only time would tell just what way the rest of the day's events would unfold.