The Lazarus Dilemma.

                          The sated man lay face down on the bed, spread eagled with one arm hanging over the edge of the mattress and one foot poking out from the covers, although the blankets only covered him just over his buttocks. His gentle snores amused the woman as she suckled her son, her twinkling eyes leaving the man’s form with reluctance as she checked on her other infant son, studiously gripping his feet in the cradle.

The lovemaking had been extraordinarily intense, leaving her contented and replete, the cries of their twin sons dragging her from her husband’s warm embrace with great reluctance. The four month old boys were taking a lot out of her, especially as she insisted on breast feeding them both. Matthieu, the one at present sucking greedily was the oldest by seven minutes. His brother Henri, though junior was the more placid of the two. It wasn’t often he was fed first, his older brother making his displeasure at having to wait very obvious. Henri on the other hand was content to bide his time, seemingly knowing instinctively his mother would feed him eventually.

The soft tapping on the bedroom door made the woman smile.

“Come in Jacques.”

The four year old peeked in and, seeing his father asleep, tiptoed over to his mother and settled a hand on her arm as he watched her feed his little brother. Gently rocking in the antique wooden chair beside the bed, the woman put one foot on the mattress and leaned down to kiss her eldest son’s forehead. Jacques’s soft giggle and whisper made the woman smile.

“Papa’s snoring.”

Whispering herself, the woman agreed.

“Yes he is. Why don’t you hop in with him? It’s nearly time for him to wake up.”

The dark hazel eyes, so reminiscent of his father gleamed and the grin made his dimples indent. His resemblance to his father was remarkable, even down to his dimpled chin. The little boy crept over to the bed with exaggerated care and, mustering all his stealth, insinuated himself onto the mattress and next to his father’s somnolent body.

As soon as the man sensed his son’s touch the snoring abruptly stopped. With awareness slowly rising, he groped at the blankets and pulled them higher up his naked body. Jacques, in a moment of mischief, lifted the blankets and giggled delightedly as he uttered breathlessly,

“Papa you’re not wearing anything!”

His head turned away from his son, the man growled and used his outstretched arm to make a grab for the boy. Considering only seconds before he had been blissfully asleep, his reflexes were astonishing. Captured by one large strong hand, the boy giggled and made a half-hearted attempt to struggle free. The man turned his head and tucked his free arm under him so as to better tickle his son. The giggles turned into squeals and the woman sighed dramatically.

“Jean-Luc stop torturing the boy! You’re disturbing the twins.”

Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of the Starship Enterprise rose up on an elbow and blurted on his son’s stomach. As Jacques screwed his face up in disgust, Jean-Luc lifted his head and grinned at his wife.

“Good morning Beverly.”

She smiled tenderly at him and returned the greeting.

“Good morning to you.”

Wishing fervently that he could get up and kiss the love of his life, the naked Captain frowned and looked down at the now quiet boy. Before he could say anything, Jacques frowned and lifted a hand to touch the tip of Jean-Luc’s nose.

“Papa…why aren’t you wearing any clothes?”

The Captain ignored the chuckle from his wife and smiled down at the lad.

“I got hot so I took them off.”

That gave the boy pause for thought.

“But Papa you only wear shorts to bed. Why did you get hot?”

Feeling somewhat exasperated, Jean-Luc scrambled for a plausible excuse the boy would accept. His troubled gaze cleared as inspiration struck.

“I…ah…must have dreamt I was at the beach. I always get hot at the beach.”

Jacques’s eye shone as he gasped.

“The beach? Papa can we go…can we go this afternoon? You said you’d show me the rock pools!”

Jean-Luc sat up and made an attempt to look as if he was considering the plea. With warmth glowing in his expressive dark eyes he smiled at the boy.
“Well, as I have today and tomorrow off…if it’s all right with Maman…I don’t see why not.”

The force of the little body launching himself around his torso almost toppled the Captain. He hugged his son and kissed the top of his head.

“Go and wash your face and get dressed now Jacques, we’ll be having breakfast soon.”

As Jacques left the bed, Jean-Luc was congratulating himself for so deftly avoiding an embarrassing situation. His smugness was however, short lived.

“You must dream about the beach a lot Papa. I have found you…”

The boy frowned as he used his left hand to close the little finger and thumb of his right hand, triumphantly holding up the remaining fingers.

“Three times without any clothes in bed.”

The Captain prided himself on his self control and his ability to not react overtly to most situations, but as he was constantly learning, his children could break down his carefully constructed barriers with astonishing ease. The blush didn’t bloom fully, however the tips of his nears turned red and to those who knew him well, it was a stunning display. He cleared his throat and made sure his voice was steady.

“Hmm. After you’ve washed up you can start to set the table.”

Beaming at the implied responsibility, Jacques’s eyes shone with adoration for his father.

“Yes Papa.”

As the boy triggered the door mechanism, Jean-Luc called,

“Don’t replicate anything; I’ll be out in a moment.”

The door closed on the boy’s reply. Jean-Luc relaxed slightly and eased his legs over the side of the bed and stood, finally able to kiss his wife good morning. The kiss was languid but Beverly, sensing her nursing son was finished, lifted a hand and wickedly tickled Jean-Luc’s scrotum. He snorted and stepped backwards, shaking his head.

“You could simply tell me to stop.”

The answering smile was both devious and saucy.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

He frowned.

“Tickling my balls is fun?”

Beverly cocked her head and sighed.

“It can be.”

Jean-Luc scratched his stubbled cheek and shook his head.

“Hmm. Well I’ll take your word for it. Are you right while I have a shower?”

The Doctor nodded.

“Uh huh, they’re both finished. I’ll go and supervise Jacques until you come out.”

With a nod of acceptance, Jean-Luc stepped past his wife but paused to kiss her again. She smiled and playfully swatted his bare behind as he left her.

His one word reaction made her giggle.

“Wench!”

                    When Jean-Luc emerged into the living area he smiled at the scene before him. Jacques and Beverly were seated at the table, the boy dressed, his hair showing his attempts to comb it with the help of some water. The result was rather…interesting, tufts and spikes standing next to wet areas, plastered down and still dripping. The twins were on a soft quilt next to the sofa. As usual, Henri was content to wave his soft rattle, seemingly mesmerised by the bright colours and happily cooing and gurgling but Matthieu had turned himself over and was making a determined effort to wriggle off the quilt, his soft toys ignored. The Captain cast a look at his wife and hooked a thumb towards the babies.

“I see Matthieu is up to his usual tricks.”

With a grunt, Beverly grimaced.

“Oh yes…that little boy is going to be a handful. Like you, he likes exploring. God help us when he starts to crawl.”

Jean-Luc watched the baby straining forwards and sighed.

“Well at least with his hair we’ll never lose sight of him…or his brother.”

Both identical twins had their mother’s vibrant red hair in luxuriant abundance. Their blue eyes were the same shade as Beverly’s but both boys had their father’s dimpled chin. Jean-Luc took his seat and was reaching for a croissant when Jacques piped up.

“Papa can I sleep with no pyjamas on? I sometimes dream about the beach.”

Seeing the consternation on her husband’s face, Beverly decided to help him out.

“No Jacques, it’s important little boys keep their jamies on. Even when they get hot, grownups can still get cold later and they know how to warm up again. When you grow up you can decide whether or not to wear jamies, but until then Papa and I want you to wear them. Okay?”

The boy nodded.

“Okay Maman…anyway if Papa got cold you could warm him up.”

Smiling slyly at her husband, Beverly nodded.

“Yes I could. Now…which beach programme do you want us to run? The Sandy Point one or the Squeaky Beach one?”

Jacques didn’t hesitate.

“Squeaky Beach! Papa said he’d show me the rock pools. He said there were…”

The little boy frowned and screwed up his face.

“Ah…”

Suddenly his face cleared and he grinned.

“Starfishes!”

“Starfish.”

Jean-Luc gently corrected.

“Not only starfish, but molluscs, crabs, little fish…in fact all sorts of things.”

Jacques grinned at his father.

“And we can swim.”

The Captain sighed.

“Yes, we can swim.”

The lad clapped his hands and Beverly chuckled.

“While you two are busy on the Holodeck I’m going to get Ensign Miles to come by to sit with the twins. I’ve got some work to do in Sick Bay.”

Jean-Luc looked up from buttering his croissant and frowned.

“Do you have to go? It would be nice if you and the twins came to the beach too.”

With a sigh, Beverly drank the last of her coffee.

“Sorry, I’ve got an experiment running that simply won’t wait. Tell you what…if I finish early enough I’ll join you…okay?”

Jacques jiggled up and down on his chair.

“With the twins?”

As Beverly answered, Jean-Luc put a restraining hand on his son’s shoulder, his look telling the boy to sit still.

“Yes, with the twins.”

Quietening, Jacques grinned happily.

“Yay!”

Breakfast over; Jacques left the table, leaving the adults alone. Beverly watched as the older boy went to his brothers and gently played with them. Jean-Luc’s soft deep voice made her frown.

“I’m still not all that happy about you going back on duty.”

Sipping her second coffee, the Doctor flapped a hand.

“Oh Jean-Luc…it’s only a few hours a day, besides you do a full shift every day.”

Holding up one hand, Jean-Luc accentuated his points by touching his fingers.

“One, I still do a lot of my daily work from our quarters. Two, I’m not breast feeding two fast growing babies and three, I didn’t have a difficult pregnancy and delivery. Selar told you your recovery was going to take time, especially considering you’re feeding the boys. I just think you should take some more time off. Why rush back to work?”

Beverly rested her elbows on the table and held the cup between her hands. They had had this discussion before…and probably would again. She sighed and closed her eyes.

“Jean-Luc I need to work. I need to reassure myself I’m more than just a mother. I was a Doctor a long time before our children were born and I fully intend to be one after they grow up. Do you realise how fast medical knowledge and technology moves forward? If I stay away too long it will pass me by!”

Jean-Luc grunted and wiped his mouth with his serviette.

“You can keep up by reading all the current journals. And Beverly…motherhood is certainly not something to belittle. I happen to think it’s a wonderful state of being and vitally important for the children.”

Despite her exasperation with the man, she had to smile.

“As do I my love. Look it’s just a few hours a day. If I don’t handle it I’ll back off…okay?”

Running his fingertips around the rim of his cup, Jean-Luc sighed in capitulation.

“Very well.”

Henri’s sudden wailing brought the adults to their feet. Matthieu triumphantly waved the soft rattle in his hand while his bereft brother cried his outrage. Jacques took the rattle off Matthieu and abruptly both babies were bellowing. Jacques got up in disgust and stomped off to his room. As he passed his parents he grumped,

“It’s too noisy in here!”

Each adult picked up a baby and spent several minutes calming them. Jean-Luc wrinkled his nose and patted Henri’s bottom.

“He needs changing.”

Beverly nodded.

“So does Matthieu. You go first.”

Jean-Luc went back into the bedroom, entering the nursery and placing his son on the changing table. Beverly stood in the doorway watching with amused wistfulness.

“You’ve come a long way Jean-Luc.”

With expert efficiency, Jean-Luc had the baby changed in a few minutes.

“I had too. After all…I was responsible for all this.”

Beverly giggled as they swapped places.

“Well I grant you kids were your idea, but I had some input.”

The caress to her neck was both unexpected and welcomed.

“You have made me a very happy and contented man my love.”

Having successfully changed Matthieu, Beverly turned and kissed her husband.

“And you my dear Captain have made an honest woman of me.”

Jean-Luc let out a soft laugh and hefted his burden.

“Time for a supplement feed?”

Beverly nodded.

“Uh huh, some pureed fruit will do for now. They can have something more substantial later. You go put Henri in the high chair while I replicate some fruit.”

Jean-Luc had just fastened Henri into his chair when the door chimed.

“Come.”

Commander Will Riker strode in, his trademark grin in place.

“Good morning Captain.”

As soon as the burly man spoke, Jacques barrelled out from his room.

“Uncle Will!”

The boy launched himself at the tall man and Will grabbed the boy, hoisting him up above his head and whirling him around. Jacques squealed in delight and shouted,

“Papa! Look…I’m flying!”

Beverly walked from the replicator, fretting baby in one hand, a bowl of pureed fruit in the other. Her resigned voice cut through Jacques’s racket.

“If he throws up on your head Will, you’ve no one to blame but yourself.”

Lowering the giggling boy to the floor, Will ruffled his hair and gave his behind a pat.

“You wouldn’t throw up on your Uncle Will, would you Jacques.”

His eyes shining, the boy shrugged.

“I don’t know!”

Jean-Luc gave his Exec a look and gestured him to a seat.

“What can I do for you Number One?”

His grin lingering, the big man took a seat.

“New orders Captain.”

Raising his eyebrows at this breech of procedure, Jean-Luc waited for Will’s explanation. Noting his CO’s reaction, the First Officer lifted a hand in apology.

“I know Captain, you should’ve been the one to receive them, but Admiral Mitoshi called about an hour ago and was in a hurry. She sends her regrets.”

Letting the moment pass, Jean-Luc gave a nod and gestured for his Exec to continue.

“We’ve been redirected to the Garuda system. Seven weeks ago seven members of an advance science team were deposited with field equipment to do a preliminary study of the chosen site. Apparently the Exeter had found some very interesting biological specimens that Starfleet Medical has since discovered have led to some significant breakthroughs. The advance team was to collect more samples and do some more testing. They were due to stay three months but three days ago Command lost contact with them. Not only have they stopped sending regular updates, they don’t answer any hails. The Hood was due to pick them up in five weeks, but Command wants us to go see what’s going on.”

Jean-Luc rubbed his lower lip thoughtfully.

“I see. ETA?”

“Four days at warp five, but the Admiral has given us permission to exceed that.”

The Captain stood and tugged down on his tunic.

“Very well. Set course and engage at warp eight.”

Will also stood and gave a slight bow of his head.

“Yes Sir.”

As Will left, Jean-Luc went to his wife and took the spare spoon out of her hand. He hooked a chair with his foot, dragging it closer as he dipped the spoon into the bowl then offered it to Henri. The baby obediently opened his mouth and took the fruit. The Captain chuckled at the resulting wide-eyed look.

“I don’t think he’s terribly sure about this fruit. What is it?”

With admirable dexterity Beverly caught the almost liquid fruit that Matthieu extruded from his mouth with her spoon and directed it back between his lips. This time the baby swallowed.

“A mixture of apple and pear.”

Jean-Luc redirected his attention to Henri to find him waiting patiently with his mouth open.

“Well Henri seems to have made up his mind.”

Beverly chuckled and fed Matthieu another spoonful.

“Will this new mission alter your plans?”

Jean-Luc shook his head.

“No, I don’t think so; Will can handle it until I’m due back on duty, besides I’m available if he needs me.”

That made the Doctor smile.

“Good I know Jacques is looking forward to spending time with you on the Holodeck. If you do the beach this afternoon, what will you do tomorrow?”

Shovelling more fruit into his son’s mouth, Jean-Luc wasn’t quite as adept as Beverly with spoon feeding.

“Well we won’t be going to the Holodeck until the afternoon…in the morning I thought we could all go to the pool in the gym. The twins seem to love it and Jacques is slowly mastering backstroke. Later I thought I might introduce him to horse riding.”

Beverly cast her husband a sceptical look.

“A four year old?”

Jean-Luc shrugged.

“I was only six when I started. Don’t worry; I’ll programme something suitably docile.”

Beverly maintained the stare.

“And small.”

The Captain sighed theatrically.

“Of course.”

The fruit was almost gone and Matthieu seemed to have had enough. Beverly stood and went to fetch a damp cloth. Henri gurgled happily as he spat out some fruit and, before his father could prevent it, brought his hand first to his mouth and then, coated in the sticky mess, unerringly directed his hand to his abundant red hair. With the spoon poised in the air, Jean-Luc dropped his head and sighed.

“Henri my son, you’re going to get me in deep trouble.”

Beverly appeared beside her husband and groaned.

“Oh Jean-Luc…”

The man looked up and tried to plead his case.

“He was too quick for me…again.”

Hands on hips, Beverly snorted.

“I don’t understand it! You have very good reflexes…why can’t you stop him before he puts his food in his hair?”

Jean-Luc frowned and shrugged.

“I…I don’t know. He seems to fool me every time.”

With her usual gentle efficiency, Beverly cleaned Matthieu and grumbled.

“Well you can bath him! Ensign Miles will be here in ten minutes so unless you want her to think you’re completely incompetent you’d better get moving.”

Jean-Luc was already on his feet and removing Henri from the chair. He grimaced as the baby gripped his shirt with the offending hand and ignored the following jibe.

“And change your shirt.”

                 When Jean-Luc and Henri emerged from the nursery, Jacques was regaling Ensign Miles about his upcoming trip to the beach. To the young woman’s credit she patiently listened to the little boy while sitting Mathieu on her knee. When she realised her Captain was in the room she climbed immediately to her feet and tried to control her nervousness. Knowing the Ensign was intimidated by him, Jean-Luc mustered a smile and put Henri down on the quilt.

“Thank you for coming Ensign. I take it Doctor Picard has left?”

Swallowing to wet her dry mouth, Ensign Miles nodded.

“Yes Sir.”

“Well, both the little terrors have been fed and changed so you shouldn’t have any trouble. They can be put down for a sleep in about an hour. Did Doctor Picard leave some milk?”

The Ensign nodded again.

“Yes Sir.”

Stifling a sigh of exasperation at the Ensign’s nervousness, Jean-Luc smiled again and gave a short nod.

“Well then…”

He turned to his son and said,

“Do you have your bathers on?”

The boy nodded enthusiastically and, to prove his point, pulled down his trousers to show his father the brightly coloured swimsuit. The Captain went to his son and hitched up his pants, grinning widely.

“All right we can go.”

He turned back to the Ensign and noted her eyes had widened.

“Ah…Sally isn’t it?”

The woman nodded.

“Yes Captain.”

“Don’t hesitate to call either me or Doctor Picard if you have any concerns at all, no matter how insignificant. All right?”

The nod was jerky.

“Yes Sir.”

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Jean-Luc maintained his smile.

“Right then. Jacques?”

He held out his hand and his son quickly took it.

“Shall we?”

Once the doors closed on the departing pair, Sally sat heavily on the sofa and dandled Matthieu on her knee.

“Your Dad scares the hell out of me, but holy cow…he’s gorgeous!”

                    It was late in the afternoon when Beverly finally made it to the Holodeck. She wheeled the double stroller over the sand to find her husband reclining against a rock, their son sleeping by his side. In a colourful array around them, several buckets filled with water sat on the sand and Beverly chuckled quietly.

“Been collecting specimens?”

Jean-Luc grinned and shook his head.

“My God…his curiosity is insatiable! We had to examine…minutely I might add…every living thing we found. He decided we should put our finds in buckets according to colour. Thus…the crustaceans are in the yellow ones, the molluscs are in the orange ones, fish are in the blue ones and things not readily identified are in the rest. I tell you Beverly…he’s a born scientist.”

While Jean-Luc had been talking, Beverly had spread a blanket and was in the process of extricating the twins from the stroller. Jean-Luc stood and helped her, noticing that the boys were now dressed in sunsuits and hats. He looked up at his wife to see her lift her dress over her head to reveal a dark blue one-piece and his appreciative whistle made her grin.

“You’re a lecherous man Jean-Luc Picard.”

The Captain lifted his chin and huffed.

“Lecherous? I think not! Discerning most definitely, but lecherous? It isn’t lecherousness to admire one’s wife.”

Beverly stepped back and deliberately looked the man up and down. Not a tall man, Jean-Luc was nonetheless a well put together example of masculinity. He was well muscled, lean and compact and the way he filled out his black speedos made Beverly unconsciously lick her lips. When their eyes met there was absolutely no doubt of the mutual attraction that blazed between them. Jean-Luc was about to step up to her with the intention of kissing her when Jacques sat up and rubbed his eyes.

“Maman?”

Beverly planted a quick kiss on Jean-Luc’s cheek before she sat beside her older son. Fully awake now, he grabbed her hand as he stood, pointing at the buckets.

“Did you see Maman?”

Smiling tenderly, Beverly nodded.

“Uh huh. Are you going to show me?”

By now dragging on her hand, Jacques impatiently insisted she rise.

“Yes! Come on Maman.”

With the twins occupied with their toys, Jean-Luc sat with them and watched as Jacques showed his mother every one of his precious specimens. The sigh that overtook the Captain was a deep one.

“I am so lucky…My God I have been blessed.”

                     They stayed on the Holodeck for two more hours before the twins began to loudly complain. The family packed up their things, Jean-Luc assuring Jacques that the specimens would be better off back in the pool. Their arrival back at their quarters preceded a very busy time as Beverly fed the twins and Jean-Luc organised dinner for himself, Beverly and Jacques. Later, when the children were all safely in their beds, Beverly flopped down on the sofa and plonked her feet on the low table. Jean-Luc joined her, an open bottle of wine and two glasses in his hands.

“You look exhausted.”

The Doctor shot her husband a sardonic look and gratefully accepted the full glass. She closed her eyes and took a long sip, swallowing and letting out a deep breath.

Jean-Luc placed the bottle on the table, sat back and took a sip of his own, but his eyes never left his wife. His deep voice made Beverly frown.

“You’re doing too much.”

Rubbing her brow with irritation, Beverly sighed tiredly.

“Don’t start Jean-Luc.”

The Captain leaned back and placed his feet next to Beverly’s on the table. Despite the warning in her voice, he wasn’t going to let the matter rest.

“Beverly when are you going to admit that you went back to work too soon? Look at yourself…you’re exhausted. You cannot continue to try and balance work and the kids. Something’s got to give.”

Unable to hide her irritation, Beverly glared and shook her head.

“I don’t believe this! We are in the twenty-fourth century Jean-Luc…archaic concepts of chauvinism such as you’re suggesting disappeared eons ago!”

His voice showing his own growing irritation, Jean-Luc growled,

“It’s not chauvinism dammit! Beverly you had a very difficult pregnancy, for God’s sake you had to battle just to carry the twins to term. Then the delivery was complicated and protracted and the damn haemorrhage you suffered could very well have taken your life. Why can’t you see that you need to rest?”

Beverly’s eyes settled on her glass and she ignored her husband as she took another sip. Undaunted by her attitude, Jean-Luc continued.

“And why do you insist on breast feeding the twins? They are old enough to be weaned; you’ve given them a wonderful start. It’s taking too much out of you my love, especially now that you’ve gone back to work.”

Beverly’s voice rose with anger.

“I told you…it’s only a few hours a day! For crying out loud Jean-Luc, I’ve seen you practically drag yourself out of Sick Bay to return to duty…don’t tell me I can’t go back to work!”

Keeping his own voice down with an effort, Jean-Luc gritted his teeth.

“I’m not telling you any such thing! All I’m saying is something’s got to give. If you insist on working then you either have to wean the twins or organise for more help with the children so you can get more rest.”

The look he got was frankly calculating.

“What about you? Why don’t you shorten your hours and spend more time with the boys?”

Jean-Luc pursed his lips and lowered his head.

“Are you asking me because you think I need to spend more time with the children, or is it because you don’t like anyone else helping?”

Beverly tried to glare her outrage but the gentle question got under her defences. She sighed and flapped her hand.

“You know damned well I don’t like outside help. It took me three weeks to warm to Sally.”

Jean-Luc sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Then what do we do? For the foreseeable future it will be difficult for me to cut my hours and you seem to be stuck in obstinacy.”

Her glittering eyes and thinned lips clearly showed her anger.

“I am not obstinate!”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“Fine! But will you at least admit that you need to rest?”

He lowered his voice and reached up to gently push some stray strands of hair behind her ear.

“You can’t do it all my love.”

The anger slowly abated, eased by the resolute love that showed in her husband’s eyes. Beverly sighed and managed a smile.

“I’ll think about it.”

Knowing that was as good as he was going to get, Jean-Luc gave a pensive nod and looked into the deep red wine in his glass. The deep smooth timbre of his voice gave Beverly a delicious thrill.

“Have you spoken to Deanna lately?”

The Doctor frowned.

“I had a quick chat over the comm. this afternoon.”

Jean-Luc looked up, concern in his eyes.

“How is she?”

“Worn out. Apparently Emily is still very unsettled…not sleeping well or feeding properly. Deanna is going to contact the Harrami University on Betazed; she thinks they might be able to help.”

The Captain nodded.

“It’s the hybridism?”

Beverly sighed.

“She thinks so. Apparently the university has a department that specialises in Betazoid hybridism.”

Taking the time to refill their glasses, Jean-Luc sat back and sipped before voicing his next question.

“And Will?”

A deep frown creased Beverly’s brow as she idly ran her fingers around the rim of her glass.

“He is helping, but Deanna thinks he’s not taking it as seriously as he should. It’s as if he has come to the conclusion that Emily’s just a fractious baby and Deanna’s overreacting.”

Jean-Luc sighed and briefly closed his eyes.

“I did have a talk to him recently…I suggested he reduce his hours…spend more time with Deanna and the baby, but he resisted. Beverly…he does recognise the baby as his now doesn’t he?”

Beverly shrugged.

“He says so. It’s odd really, Deanna offered to organise a paternity test but he adamantly refused, even though his first reaction was to deny parentage. I don’t know Jean-Luc…they have the opportunity to really make something of this but the distance Will has put between them…”

She sighed deeply.

“I suppose I’m just being a hopeless romantic, but if two solitary, set-in-their-ways people like us can overcome our years of denial of our feelings and finally admit our love, why can’t they? Look what we have Jean-Luc…they could have it too.”

Putting his glass on the table, Jean-Luc took Beverly’s glass and placed it next to his. He then took her hands and looked deeply into her eyes.

“They may find their way my love, then again, maybe they won’t…but if they do, if they’re exceptionally fortunate like us, then I can only hope they find the happiness I have found. You complete me Beverly…in ways I can’t adequately describe. You have given me life my love…life and three precious children. My heart could not be fuller. I love you.”

With her eyes brimming with unshed tears, Beverly closed the small distance between them and kissed her husband with all the love and tenderness she could muster. Jean-Luc wound his arms around her and leaned back, drawing her down to lie with him. Over many slow minutes they divested each other of their clothing until, naked and highly aroused, they joined and held tight, savouring the heady high of penetration. Lying on their sides, Jean-Luc slowly withdrew until only the head of his penis resided inside her. He gently pinched her nipple as he slid back into her and growled his appreciation as she lifted her leg higher and over his hip. Letting go of her breast, he gripped her behind her knee and pulled her leg higher still, all the while maintaining his deep, slow thrusts. As the sensation intensified, Beverly groaned and met his thrusts with wanton jerks of her hips, driving him ever deeper. She reached over his shoulder and pulled him to her, her teeth leaving red marks on his neck. Jean-Luc felt his need growing rapidly and quickened his thrusts. He let go of her leg and insinuated his hand between them, seeking then finding her swollen clitoris. With quick, firm strokes he teased her, gritting his teeth and screwing his eyes shut, knowing his climax was imminent.

“Please Beverly…hurry…”

Just when he thought he was going to lose his battle he felt her internal muscles contract rhythmically as her body flexed and shuddered, her teeth sinking into his neck. Her soft cry was lost as he surrendered, his orgasm making him push himself deep inside her, his body jerking spasmodically as he ejaculated.

Many minutes later Beverly relaxed and allowed her arms to fall limply by her side. Jean-Luc pulled back slightly and grimaced, his chest was wet with her milk and a trickle of blood from his neck had mixed with the fluid creating a macabre pattern. Through mere slits he could see her eyes twinkling.

“We’re a mess.”

He nodded, his smile a tired one.

“Indeed.”

“And we’re going to have to replicate new cushions for the sofa…again.”

Jean-Luc’s eyes followed the dribbles of milk across his chest and onto the cushion. He also felt the wet spot down lower. With a rueful grin he lifted his eyebrows and kissed the tip of Beverly’s nose.

“We could always use plastic covers.”

The Doctor snorted and raised a languid chuckle.

“Oh yeah I can see it now. Deanna comes to visit and sees the furniture covered in plastic. That’ll go down well and when she asks why…”

Jean-Luc growled and gently bit his wife’s earlobe.

“All right I get your point.”

They lay quietly for a while, kissing and caressing gently, the euphoria of their lovemaking slowly fading. Beverly feathered her fingers over his face and quirked an eyebrow.

“By the way…is this what you meant by resting?”

Jean-Luc’s embarrassment made Beverly giggle delightedly. He sighed and idly drew a finger around her areola, making the nipple harden.

“I’ve been bad haven’t I.”

Wrapping her arms around his head, Beverly clenched her internal muscles and Jean-Luc smiled. In a saucy whisper she said,

“I like my men bad my love…and you are the absolute worst.”

His male pride restored he eased out of her and sat up.

“Shower?”

Holding out her hand, she allowed him to help her up and looked down at the sofa with distaste.

“Oh God…what a mess.”

Jean-Luc bent down and gripped the cushions, lifting them with a grimace.

“You go shower, I’ll take care of this.”

He turned to go to the reclimator but her soft touch to his neck stilled his feet.

“Then I’ll take care of that.”

He nodded and kissed her fingertips.

“I’ll be with you shortly.”

Walking somewhat unsteadily, Beverly went into the nursery and checked the twins before going to the bathroom and entering the shower. As promised Jean-Luc soon joined her and within fifteen minutes they were in bed. They settled together, Jean-Luc spooned against her back but, as he was drifting off to sleep, he heard her softly chuckle. His one word query rumbled through his chest.

“What?”

He had to strain to hear her muffled question.

“Are you going to dream about the beach again tonight?”

He frowned; about to ask why when he realised Beverly was referring to his nakedness. He chuckled and pulled her closer to him.

“If I do you’d better be there too.”

Beverly entwined her fingers with his and sighed.

“Oh you can bet on it.”

Sleep swiftly claimed them.

                  As Jean-Luc and Jacques walked back to their quarters the next afternoon, they raised smiles from the crew they passed. Both in riding habits, Jean-Luc wore fawn jodhpurs, long black boots, a woollen jumper and a soft cap. His son wore dark brown jodhpurs, short brown boots and a windbreaker. While Jean-Luc carried a short hunting cane, Jacques carried a crop and a white helmet. Their conversation centred around their mounts.

“But Papa why did Emlyn refuse the jump?”

“Because you hadn’t gathered him properly. Horses need to be collected and balanced to jump…even over cavalettis.”

They entered their quarters and Jean-Luc immediately grinned. Sitting on the sofa was his wife and on the soft quilt at her feet, played the twins. The Captain strode to Beverly and gave her a soft kiss. The Doctor trailed her fingers down his face then cast her eyes over the pair.

“Well I must say…you both look very fetching.”

Jacques looked up at his father, his brow furrowed.

“Is that good?”

Letting out a gentle chuckle, Jean-Luc ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Yes son, that’s good. Now go and get changed.”

Jean-Luc had just sat down next to Beverly when he was hailed.

“Riker to Picard.”

He sighed and gave his wife a look of apology.

“Picard here.”

“Captain we’ve achieved orbit around M225. I think you should come up here Sir.”

Stifling the urge to ask why, Jean-Luc knew Will wouldn’t have disturbed him on his day off without good reason.

“Very well Commander, I’ll be up shortly. Picard out.”

The Captain rose and looked down at his wife.

“Are you finished for the day?”

She nodded with a smile. Jean-Luc gave her a smile of his own.

“Do you want me to call Ensign Miles?”

With a shake of her head, Beverly stood and gently squeezed his bicep.

“No my love, we’ll be fine.”

He gave a nod as he walked to the bedroom. Over his shoulder he called.

“I’ll be as quick as I can.”
He emerged scant minutes later in uniform. Jacques, by this time changed and playing with his brothers, looked up at his father and frowned.

“Why are you in your uniform Papa?”

Crouching down with his son, Jean-Luc rested his arms on his thighs and sighed.

“I have to go to the Bridge Jacques.”

The boy shook his head.

“But Papa you said you didn’t have to be on duty until tomorrow.”

“I know Jacques but Uncle Will needs me. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Seeing the boy was going to make things difficult for his father, Beverly stood and held out her hand.

“It’s time to bath the twins. Want to help?”

That brought a grin of delight.

“Can I get in the bath too?”

Beverly nodded.

“Oh I think so…but no splashing!”

“Okay Maman.”

With his son suitably distracted, Jean-Luc sent Beverly a look of gratitude and quietly left.

                      The Captain’s arrival on the Bridge brought a higher level of tension to the attendant crew. Jean-Luc exited the lift and strode to the Command well, casting an eye at the planet below.

“Report Number One.”

Will immediately stood and vacated the Command chair.

“We have a problem Captain.”

“How so?”

Gesturing to the forward viewscreen, Will’s voice showed his frustration.

“We can’t scan the planet Sir and with the massive solar flare activity of the Garudan sun, we can’t use transporters either.”

Jean-Luc ran a finger over his lower lip in thought.

“I take it you’ve hailed the planet.”

Will nodded.

“Yes Captain…no response.”

The Captain didn’t hesitate.

“Very well, assemble an away team and shuttle down.”

“Aye Captain.”

As Will called his team together, Jean-Luc took his seat and began what he found sometimes difficult to do. Wait.

It was twenty-five minutes before a scratchy call came from the planet.

“Riker to Enterprise.”

Jean-Luc lifted his head to respond.

“Picard here Commander, go ahead.”

“Captain we’ve found the scientific team…they’re all dead Sir.”

His face showing none of the anguish he felt, Jean-Luc asked,

“Can you determine cause of death?”

“No Sir. Our instruments aren’t working too good down here.”

Briefly lowering his head and closing his eyes, Jean-Luc took a deep breath.

“Understood. Bring the bodies back with you…we’ll autopsy them here.”

“Aye Captain.”

Jean-Luc allowed a few seconds before he made another call.

“Picard to ensign Miles.”

“Miles here Captain.”

“Ensign would you please report to my quarters? I am in need of your services again.”

“Yes Captain, I’m on my way.”

Taking another deep breath, Jean-Luc lifted his head.

“Picard to Doctor Picard.”

“Picard here.”

“Doctor we’re bringing several bodies aboard needing autopsies. I would prefer it if you did them.”

There was a momentary silence before Beverly replied,

“Understood.”

Jean-Luc gave a small smile.

“Ensign Miles will be with you shortly…and please tell Jacques I’ll read to him tomorrow if I come in too late tonight.”

“Will do. Picard out.”

Once again Jean-Luc settled in to wait.

Will returned to the Bridge forty-five minutes later and the call from Sick Bay came fifteen minutes after that.

“Picard to Captain Picard.”

“Picard here Doctor.”

“Captain I’ve done the preliminary scans and I can tell you the cause of death. They all drowned Sir.”

The frown that graced Jean-Luc’s face as he turned to his Exec made Will shake his head.

“Drowned Doctor? Do you know how?”

“No Captain, but I would like to request I go down to the planet. I need to take some samples.”

Pursing his lips, Jean-Luc directed his attention to his Second Officer, seated at Ops.

“Data what time is it on the planet?”

The android turned in his chair and replied,

“Night has just fallen Captain. The time would be analogous to twenty-thirty hours.”

“And what is the length of the night?”

“Nineteen hours Captain.”

With his lips compressed into a thin line, Jean-Luc considered his options. Coming to a decision he lifted his head.

“Doctor you may shuttle down at twelve hundred hours tomorrow…and I will go with you.”

Will began to protest and Jean-Luc held up a hand to silence him while Beverly responded.

“Well okay Captain. Picard out.”

With the channel closed Jean-Luc turned to Will and speared him with his intense dark hazel eyes.

“I take it you have an objection Number One?”

Sitting up straight, Will tucked in his chin.

“As a matter of fact yes Sir I do.”

Jean-Luc smiled ruefully.

“I don’t see any problem here Will, I won’t stay long…once Doctor Picard has her samples we’ll shuttle straight back to the ship.”

Will shook his head.

“But Captain…”

Jean-Luc’s lowered brow told Will the argument was over.

“No Will…call it Captain’s prerogative.”

Swallowing further protests, Will sighed, his face clearly showing his displeasure.

“Very well Captain…but will you take security with you.”

Jean-Luc shook his head.

“Oh I don’t think so Number One. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Giving up reluctantly, Will gave a curt nod.

“Yes Captain.”

Jean-Luc stood and tugged down on his tunic.

“You have the Bridge; I’ll be in Sick Bay.”

Standing, Will nodded.

“Aye Sir.”

                    Jean-Luc found his wife in the analysis lab. He went to her side and squinted at the image on the computer screen.

“What is it?”

Straightening, Beverly flipped her hair off her neck.

“Short answer is…I don’t know. What I do know is it’s some sort of chemical but exactly what sort I haven’t a clue.”

Lowering his head and folding his arms, Jean-Luc sighed.

“I take it you got it from one of the bodies?”

The Doctor nodded, her soft grunt making her frustration clear.

“We’ve only done preliminary scans but so far the samples we’ve taken from each body all have this chemical present in similar amounts. It has permeated the nervous system and altered the cellular cohesion.”

She turned to her CO and frowned.

“Jean-Luc I’ve never seen anything even remotely like this before.”

“But the cause of death was drowning?”

Beverly shrugged.

“Well yes, at least the lungs of all seven bodies were full of water and all signs point to death by drowning, but with this chemical present it’s not so cut-and-dried. Until I can identify this substance and determine exactly what it did, I can’t offer a definitive answer.”

Jean-Luc gave a curt nod.

“Very well. Will the autopsies be done this evening?”

Beverly nodded.

“Yes, with Selar and Tomlinson helping me we should be finished by…oh say, oh three hundred.”

Allowing his Captain’s mask to fade, his eyes showed his love and concern.

“All right, I’ll be returning to our quarters within the hour. Please don’t work too hard and take advantage of a sleep in in the morning.”

Beverly was about to protest when Jean-Luc held up a hand.

“I’m sure Selar can continue the work on identifying the chemical, it doesn’t require your personal attention. Please Beverly…it’s bad enough that you have to work late tonight, don’t exacerbate matters by going on duty early tomorrow without sufficient rest.”

Running her hand through her hair to quell her irritation, Beverly sighed and briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them she raised a small smile.

“Okay, but I’ll do it under sufferance.”

That brought a smile of understanding from the man. Casting a quick look over his shoulder to ascertain their privacy, he leaned forward and kissed her. Beverly grinned wickedly and pinched his behind. He snorted and gripped her wrist, his deep voice low.

“Wench!”

As he left the lab Beverly watched his retreating backside with lascivious thoughts.

                 The lights were very dim when he entered their quarters. In the gloom, Ensign Miles could be seen slumped in one corner of the sofa, head tilted awkwardly and a PADD resting on her lap. With his customary silent step, Jean-Luc went to Jacques’s room, tucking the little boy in and kissing his forehead. Next stop was the nursery, to repeat his actions with the twins. Satisfied that all was well, he walked silently back into the living area and gently gripped Sally’s shoulder, giving it a gentle shake as he said quietly,

“Ensign.”

The young woman startled awake, jumping so violently the PADD slid off her lap and clattered onto the floor. Jean-Luc stilled her hands and bent, picking up the device and putting it on the low table.

“I’m sorry to have startled you Ensign.”

Scrambling to her feet, Sally gulped and attempted to push her hair from her face.

“Captain!”

Jean-Luc’s finger went to his lips in a ‘be quiet’ gesture. Sally nodded, blushing furiously. In a much quieter voice she said,
“I’m sorry I was asleep Sir…I must have dozed off while I was reading.”

The Captain waved a dismissive hand.

“Ah, no matter…no harm done. I’m sorry I’m so late getting back. Was everything all right?”

Sally Nodded, a small smile on her face.

“Yes Captain. Jacques helped me put the twins to bed…he really is a dear little boy.”

That brought a warm smile from the usually stoic man.

“Yes he is. Well you’d best be getting back to your quarters. It will be necessary for you to report back here tomorrow at eleven thirty hours, both Doctor Picard and myself will be going down to the planet. I will contact your immediate superior to inform her of the change in your duty shift.”

Having got control of her breathing, the Ensign managed to give a professional nod.

“Yes Captain, thank you Sir.”

Relieved that she was finally relaxing a little in his presence, Jean-Luc gave a nod and a small smile.

“Dismissed Ensign.”

Sally stepped past the man but paused and turned, summoning her courage.

“Captain Picard?”

Jean-Luc looked up, tilting his head.

“Yes?”

The smile that graced the young woman’s face made Jean-Luc realise just how attractive she really was.

“Good night Sir.”

Keeping his face neutral, the Captain inclined his head.

“Good night Ensign.”

Ten minutes after she left Jean-Luc was in bed.

                      It was oh three twenty and as Beverly entered the silent quarters she didn’t bother asking for lights. The exhausted woman began to strip off her uniform as her tired feet took her to the bedroom. She paused at the door and sighed, reversing her course and entering her eldest son’s room. Having made sure he was sleeping peacefully, she went into the bedroom, crossed it and entered the nursery. Henri was tucked in and sleeping soundly, but Mathieu had wriggled free of his blankets and was quietly fussing. With a smile and a shake of her head, Beverly found his dummy and guided it to his mouth. As soon as the baby felt the soft rubber he latched on and sucked contentedly. Beverly tucked him in and left to finish undressing. She slipped into bed wearing nothing but her briefs. Jean-Luc sighed and mumbled something incoherent as Beverly snuggled into his back, her arm going around his chest and her legs intertwining with his. She felt his body stiffen as he woke, his deep rumbling voice making her sigh.

“Everything all right?”

“Uh huh.”

“Did you get finished?”

“Hmm.”

He gripped her arm and found her hand, lacing their fingers together. Beverly took a deep breath and concentrated on relaxing her tense body. Jean-Luc felt the loss of rigidity and smiled.

“Sleep my love.”

She didn’t answer, she was already drifting off.

                 At oh seven thirty Jean-Luc woke to feel Beverly getting out of bed. He sat up quickly and grabbed her wrist.

“What are you doing?”

Casting him an exasperated look, Beverly tried to free her wrist.

“Let me go Jean-Luc.”

He shook his head.

“No. Not until you tell me what you’re doing.”

With a snort, Beverly’s blue eyes flashed.

“I just thought of something. I need to get to Sick Bay.”

Jean-Luc shook his head.

“Oh no you don’t! You’re staying here in bed.”

Now Beverly’s formidable temper was rising. 

“Now you look here Jean-Luc! I…”

He again shook his head, completely unmoved by her anger.

“No. If you have some information, call the duty Doctor, or call Selar, but you are not leaving this bed until I’m satisfied you’ve had sufficient rest.”

Beverly relaxed herself, hoping to catch her husband off guard. Jean-Luc however was not fooled. He increased his grip and shook his head.

“No you don’t. Call Sick bay and tell them what you want.”

The fire in Beverly’s eyes would have made a lesser man flinch.

“And if I don’t?”

The Captain’s face hardened.

“Then I will relieve you of duty.”

Now outraged, Beverly hissed,

“How dare you! I would never have believed you could be such a bloody chauvinist! I am the CMO of the ship Captain and I insist you allow me to do my job!”

Releasing her wrist, Jean-Luc got out of bed and, in silence, went to her side and sat, settling his intense gaze on her face. He kept his voice soft and low, but the steel still showed.

“That’s the second time you’ve accused me of chauvinism Beverly. It wasn’t true the first time and it’s not true now. Are you going to try and tell me you’re not exhausted?”

Beverly said nothing.

“If you were a member of your staff what would your recommendation be?”

The Doctor lowered her head and ground out,

“Jean-Luc…”

He took her hands and tilted his head to see under her brow.

“Beverly be reasonable.”

That brooked an angry response, Beverly lifting her head and her voice.

“Be reasonable? You’re a fine one to talk! Dammit every time you’re in Sick Bay…”

The Captain’s eyes darkened and he growled loudly,

“Look at yourself! You’re pale, your hair has lost its shine, there’re dark circles under your eyes…I’m telling you Beverly…you have to rest! And if you don’t do it this morning, you won’t be going down to the planet with me this afternoon.”

The wail from the nursery made Beverly swear.

“Shit!”

Jean-Luc stood and glared down at his wife.

“I’ll change them and bring them in. You stay in bed!”

She returned his glare and as he turned his back, she poked her tongue out. By the time he returned with Mathieu she was calmer. She put the little boy to her breast and sighed as Jean-Luc left to change and gather his youngest son. When he came back into the bedroom, Beverly was leaning back on the pillows, her eyes mere slits. The Captain sat on the bed, cradling Henri as his brother fed greedily, waiting patiently. Once the feed was over, Jean-Luc laid Henri on the bed as he took Mathieu to burp him. Beverly took Henri and offered the other breast. Having achieved a good belch, Mathieu stuffed his fist into his mouth and worried it, making small grunting noises. Jean-Luc looked down at the baby and frowned.

“He’s still hungry.”

Beverly sighed and nodded wearily.

“I know, one breast isn’t really enough for either of them any more. Replicate some porridge for them.”

Jean-Luc rose to go to the nursery. He paused at the door and quirked an eyebrow.

“With milk or water?”

“Umm milk. The replicator has my milk in the programme.”

He nodded and continued into the nursery. When he emerged, Mathieu had a bib on and the Captain had another bib in his free hand. Tossing the spare bib to Beverly, he entered the living area and, knowing his son would complain loudly if he put him in the high chair without offering him food, Jean-Luc went to the replicator and ordered the meal whilst holding the baby. Armed with a bowl of warm porridge and milk, he went to the high chair and spent some time getting the wriggling child secured. By the time he offered the first spoonful, Mathieu was crowing loudly.

Fifteen minutes later Jean-Luc appeared at the bedroom door, a wide grin on his face.

“Voila!”

Beverly looked up from her doze and managed to giggle.

“I don’t believe it…his hair is still clean. What did you do…tie him up?”

Looking appropriately affronted, Jean-Luc lifted his chin and said disdainfully,

“I’ll have you know I have developed a superior technique.”

Beverly snorted.

“Ha! We’ll see how you go with mashed vegetables.”

The glare lacked any real venom. The Captain went back out into the living area and deposited the baby on the quilt, making sure he had plenty of soft toys. By the time he came in to get Henri Beverly was dozing again. He took the baby and repeated his feat of feeding him and keeping him clean. Soon both twins were playing happily and Jean-Luc went into the bedroom, pulling the cover over his sleeping wife and getting his clothes out. He would wait until Jacques woke and joined him for breakfast before he showered and shaved.

               The four year old woke about an hour later. Jean-Luc was sitting at his desk, doing some work when the little boy emerged, knuckling one eye and yawning expansively. Jean-Luc smiled and said softly,

“Good morning Jacques.”

The boy mumbled something and ambled over to his father, insinuating himself onto Jean-Luc’s lap. The Captain wrapped his arms around his son, breathing in his unique scent and kissing the top of his head. They sat in warm silence for a while before Jacques lifted his head and asked,

“Where’s Maman?”

Keeping his voice soft, Jean-Luc replied,

“She’s asleep Jacques. We must be very quiet; your mother is really tired.”

The lad nodded.

“’Kay. Can we have breakfast? I’m hungry.”

As Jean-Luc rose to his feet, he hefted his son and settled him in his grip.

“Yes of course. What would you like?”

The mischief in Jacques’s eyes was clear. Only just containing his grin he said,

“Coffee and croissants.”

Jean-Luc growled and blurted his son’s neck, muffling the boy’s giggle against his shoulder.

“I don’t think so little man. How about some cereal and fruit and some juice?”

Jacques frowned but couldn’t hold it. He grinned at his father and nodded.

“All right.”

Lowering the boy to the floor, Jean-Luc ruffled his hair.

“Good. Now you go and wash up and get dressed while I replicate the food.”

“Okay Papa.”

Jean-Luc had eaten his first croissant by the time Jacques re emerged. At a gesture from his father, Jacques went to him and stood still while Jean-Luc tucked his shirt in and tied his shoe laces. No comment was made about his hair, his efforts to comb it interesting to say the least, but he was proud of his work and his parents had decided to let the matter go. Jacques climbed onto his chair and spent the next ten minutes eating. Once he was finished Jean-Luc said,

“I have to go and shower. Will you watch the twins for me?”

Puffing his chest out with pride, Jacques nodded.

“Yes Papa.”

The Captain stood and bent down to kiss the lad’s forehead.

“Now you come and get me if you get worried.”

The nod was a solemn one.

“Yes Papa.”

“Good lad.”

                   When Jean-Luc came out of the bathroom Beverly sighed and turned over but didn’t waken. He dressed and was back in the living area in under fifteen minutes. The boys, all three of them, were happily playing. Jacques looked up and frowned.

“You’re in uniform.”

The Captain went to his sons and sat on the floor.

“Yes I’m on duty now.”

The youngster’s head dropped and he sighed.

“Oh.”

Wanting to cheer the lad up, Jean-Luc offered,

“How about I work from my desk here until your mother and I have to go down to the planet?”

Jacques smiled, but he was still troubled.

“Who will come to look after us while you’re gone?”

Jean-Luc smiled.

“Sally Miles.”

Jacques looked down at Mathieu who was endeavouring to take the soft stuffed Targ out of his hand. He absently gave it to his little brother and grinned up at his father.

“That’s good Papa, I like Sally.”

Jean-Luc retuned the grin.

“Fine. Now I have some work to do. All right?”

The lad nodded.

“Okay.”

Once seated at his desk, Jean-Luc tapped his comm. badge.

“Picard to Riker.”

“Riker here Captain.”

“Will I’m going to be working from my quarters this morning. Feel free to call me if anything comes up.”

“Yes Captain…ah Sir?”

Jean-Luc sighed quietly, knowing what was coming.

“Yes Commander.”

“Are you still planning on going down to the planet this afternoon?”

The Captain kept his voice even.

“Yes.”

“Sir…”

Now growing irritated, Jean-Luc’s voice grew hard.

“We’ve already spoken about this Number One. I am going down to the planet…get used to the idea.”

Jean-Luc could almost see Will tuck his chin in.

“Very good Captain. Riker out.”

Jean-Luc turned to see his son standing beside him. The boy’s eyes were wide.

“Are you mad at Uncle Will?”

Jean-Luc smiled.

“No Jacques.”

“It sounded like it.”

The Captain lifted his son and set him on his lap.

“You know that Uncle Will is very good at his job?”

The boy nodded silently.

“Well, part of his job is to make sure I’m always safe. He doesn’t want me to go down to the planet because he thinks it may not be safe.”

Jacques frowned deeply.

“But Papa…is it safe?”

Jean-Luc smiled his reassurance.

“I think it is.”

That was enough for the boy. He nodded and slid off his father’s knee.

“Okay.”

Jean-Luc watched as the boy went back to his little brothers before activating his computer and beginning his work.

                        It was just after eleven thirty when Beverly woke. She stretched with cat-like grace and was mewing with pleasure when she suddenly stilled and closed her eyes.

“Damn!”

She sat up and pushed at her unruly hair while lifting her head and calling,

“Picard to Selar.”

“Selar here.”

“How are we going with the chemical…any progress?”

“No Doctor.”

Swinging her legs off the bed, Beverly stood and arched her back, her fingers kneading the small of her spine.

“I’ve had an idea. I want you to test the adrenaline levels of all seven bodies.”

“May I ask why?”

Beverly frowned lifting her hands to give shape to her words.

“It was something I remember seeing in the cellular mitosis levels.”

“Very well Doctor. Is that all?”

“Yes. Picard out.”

She had just emerged from the shower to find her husband waiting with a fresh towel. She smiled as she took the towel, but gently slapped his shoulder.

“You deliberately made it so as I’d go back to sleep.”

Jean-Luc raised his eyebrows and nodded, a small smile on his face.

“Guilty as charged.”

She huffed, her irritation obvious. The Captain folded his arms, his smile fading into a frown.

“Why are you upset?”

Drying herself with brisk movements, Beverly gritted her teeth.

“Because I told you I wanted to contact Sick bay. I had something important to ask Selar.”

Jean-Luc shrugged.

“Well I didn’t stop you.”

Her piercing blue eyes rooted him to the spot.

“You know damn well feeding the twins in bed that early was going to put me to sleep! Why didn’t you let me get up?”

Taking a deep breath, Jean-Luc briefly closed his eyes.

“Because you were exhausted! How many times do I have to say it?!”

By now dry, Beverly brushed past her husband and stalked into the bedroom, dressing with brusque efficiency. Jean-Luc allowed a cold silence before he asked gently,

“How do you feel now?”

Her answer was icy.

“Fine.”

Not wishing the anger to go any further, Jean-Luc went to his wife and took her hands.

“Beverly? Please my love…don’t be angry with me. I had no choice.”

The fire in her eyes as she gazed at him would have made a lesser man cringe but Jean-Luc held her eyes and showed her the love in his. The tension slowly left the Doctor and she lowered her head.

“All right Jean-Luc.”

He let go of her hands and embraced her, immensely gratified when her arms went around his head. They shared a gentle kiss before Beverly pulled back and looked at the door.

“What time is it?”

“About quarter to twelve.”

Beverly left his arms and went to the dressing table, taking a brush and pulling it through her hair.

“What time do we go down to the planet?”

Jean-Luc sat on the bed and watched his wife, admiring her svelte form.

“Oh I thought twelve thirty, but it’s not hard and fast, we can please ourselves really.”

Beverly turned and smiled.

“Good. I want to feed the twins and get them settled for a nap before Sally arrives.”

Jean-Luc nodded.

“Very well. Are you going to supplement their feed again?”

Beverly sighed and scratched her temple.

“Uh huh.”

She gave her husband a long look and smiled.

“I’ll wean them Jean-Luc…you’re right it is taking too much out of me, and besides, they’re just not getting enough from me.”

The Captain went to his wife and took her hands.

“You’ve given them a marvellous start Beverly, be happy with that.”

The smile was brave but Jean-Luc could see the sadness in her eyes. They shared a tender kiss then left the bedroom, Beverly chuckling as she saw Jacques refereeing his little brothers as they strove for possession of a bright yellow duck.

                    They had fed and changed the twins and were getting lunch when Sally arrived. Jean-Luc remained quiet and unobtrusive, trying to get the young woman to be more relaxed in his presence. Beverly invited the Ensign to join them for lunch and the Captain was mildly surprised when she accepted. Jacques chatted away, impressing the Ensign by occasionally slipping into French. The meal out of the way, they were sipping coffee when Sally cleared her throat.

“Captain, Doctor, I have something I’d like to run by you…it’s about Jacques.”

Giving her their undivided attention, Sally reddened but swallowed and continued.

“Are you aware there are five children aboard the same…or similar…age as Jacques?”

Jean-Luc looked at Beverly and shrugged.

“No Ensign.”

Beverly smiled and nodded.

“I am. Jacques sometimes plays with Adam Stefferson.”

Sally grinned.

“That’s right. Well Kerry Lockwood has organised a pre-school group for the littlies. I was wondering if Jacques could join.”

The parents shared another look and Jean-Luc gestured to his wife.

“It’s all right with me. Who is Kerry Lockwood Ensign?”

Meeting her CO’s intense gaze made Sally’s heart pound.

“She’s a Lieutenant Junior Grade assigned to Astrophysics. She has a background in teaching pre-schoolers Sir.”

Beverly finished her coffee and smiled.

“Well it sounds wonderful. When does it start?”

Sally returned the smile and ruffled Jacques’ hair.

“It already has. There is a class this afternoon, I could call Kerry and set it up if you like.”

Again the parents shared a look and a smile. Jean-Luc said gently,

“Make it so Ensign.”

Lunch over, Jean-Luc and Beverly prepared to leave. Beverly took one more look around the quarters before saying to Sally,

“The twins are in their cots, fed and changed. I’m not sure when we’ll be back but I’m not anticipating being very late. If you need to, call Gail Grundy if you need to rest.”

The Ensign grinned and nodded.

“Will do Doctor.”

Jean-Luc rose from his desk and joined his wife.

“Ready?”

“Yep.”

Just as they were about to leave, Beverly received a hail.

“Selar to Picard.”

“Picard here. Go ahead.”

“Doctor I have completed the scans for adrenaline. In all bodies, levels of adrenaline are one hundred and fifteen percent above saturation levels.”

Beverly grimaced.

“That’s an enormous amount! Have you taken a biopsy of the adrenal glands?”

“Yes Doctor. They all appear to be normal.”

“Well keep at it Selar, I’ll contact you when I get back. Picard out.”

Jean-Luc raised his eyebrows.

“Trouble?”

Beverly shrugged.

“Unknown. At the moment it’s just another aspect of the mystery.”

Jean-Luc pursed his lips.

“Well we should go.”

“Right.”

As they walked to the Shuttle Bay Jean-Luc smiled.

“Ensign Miles does well with children doesn’t she.”

Beverly snorted.

“She ought to!”

Jean-Luc frowned.

“Why?”

“Because she’s the eldest of nine children my love. She told me going to the Academy was a Godsend, she found the peace and quiet of the grounds wonderful…and sharing a room with just one other person…bliss!”

The Captain shook his head.

“Nine children? My God that’s a rarity these days. No wonder she knows so much about babies and pre-schoolers.”

“Hmm.”

             Will Riker was waiting for them in the Bay. His quiet insistence finally paid off resulting in both Beverly and Jean-Luc going down to the planet well armed.

Jean-Luc piloted the shuttle to a likely landing site within fifty metres of where the bodies were found. The Captain exited the little craft first, scanning in a wide circle before he would allow Beverly to join him. He grunted as she stepped to his side.

“I’m getting almost nothing.”

The doctor took some time to look around her. They were situated in a semi-clear plateau, to the south of their position the land fell away in a gentle slope to a swathe of trees, beyond which was the shore of a large sea. East and west the plateau rose slightly to more bush but to the north it rose sharply, the low scrub giving way to grassy tussocks until another plateau flattened the mountaintop. Birdsong could be heard and judging by the small clumps of manure dotted here and there, there was evidence of grazing animals.

Just before the rise to the east, four tents could be seen and surrounding them, equipment was strewn about. Jean-Luc gestured in that direction and both officers studied their tricorders as they walked.

They arrived at the shelters and Jean-Luc pointed to an area outside the middle tents.

“The bodies were found here…laid out side by side.”

Beverly turned and went up on tip-toe, lifting a hand to shade her eyes from the bright sun.

“I can just see the sea over the tops of the trees. How far do you think it is?”

Jean-Luc turned and mirrored her gesture with his hand.

“I’d say about a kilometre…not much more.”

Turning back to the tents, Beverly snorted.

“If we accept that’s where they drowned…how the hell did they get up here…and who laid them out?”

Jean-Luc grunted.

“I don’t know but I can guarantee it wasn’t the birds or the grazing animals. What occurred here smacks of intelligence…lethal intelligence. What we have to do is try to make contact.”

Beverly nodded.

“Hmm. Laying the bodies out like that…it was very ritualistic wasn’t it.”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“Perhaps…or they might have been simply leaving them for us to find. After all, they were brought back to their campsite.”

“I suppose so. In any case I’m going to want a sample of the sea water before we go.”

Jean-Luc nodded.

“Agreed. Will took all their computers…Data’s downloading the logs and going over their research. Once we get our samples we can leave.”

Beverly grinned and started back to the shuttle.

“I’ll get the cases. You check out the tents.”

The Captain tossed her a smile and nodded.

“Will do.”

                   Within an hour and a half they were finished. They lifted off from the planet and, while they made the relatively short journey back to the Enterprise, Jean-Luc asked,

“Beverly…those adrenaline levels…why would they be so elevated?”

The Doctor sat back in the cockpit seat and shrugged.

“I’m not sure. As you know, adrenaline is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It is responsible for many things, but the most obvious is the ‘flight or fight’ response. Adrenaline levels that high can be brought about by many causes, but I suppose my first guess would be enormous stress, most probably fear.”

Jean-Luc frowned.

“That sounds bad. I mean adrenaline levels that high caused by fear would indicate abject terror in unprecedented amounts.”

Beverly sighed sadly.

“Pretty much.”

They were silent as they docked. As they exited the little craft, a call came from the Bridge. Predictably, it was Will.

“Riker to Picard.”

Closing his eyes and sighing deeply, Jean-Luc answered,

“Picard here.”

“Glad you’re back aboard Sir. Data has completed his analysis of the computers.”

“Very good Number One. I’ll be there shortly. Picard out.”

Before he could say anything else, Beverly gently gripped his arm.

“I’ll be in Sick Bay.”

About to protest, the Captain instead lowered his chin and nodded.

“All right. I’ll see you later.”

With a quick peck on his cheek Beverly left. A few minutes later Jean-Luc was on his Bridge. He wasted no time on pleasantries, directing both Will and Data to join him in his Ready Room.

“Report Data.”

With both senior officers seated in front of their CO’s desk, the android tilted his head and began.

“The information I have analysed is comprehensive Captain. The group had identified three biological specimens that meet the criteria for medical’s research. The leader, Lieutenant Kim Beazely had successfully extracted the pertinent cells of two of the specimens and had written a comprehensive report on the results. His second in command, Lieutenant Junior Grade Gerrul, J’Huz had identified an area to the north of their camp as being a rich area for further study. They had intended to move their camp up to the top of the plateau within days of the last entry and to that end, had set up preliminary markers to facilitate their work.”

Jean-Luc sat back and pursed his lips.

“I see. Was there any mention of concern? Any hint of trouble? Did they, for instance, encounter any evidence of intelligent life?”

Pulling down the corners of his mouth, Data shook his head.

“No Sir, none. To all intents and purposes the team were functioning well and succeeding admirably in their mission brief.”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“Exactly what has medical so excited?”

“The specimens found provided a substance that has wide ranging benefits to the medical community. So far they have identified uses in orthopaedics, haematology and oncology. Apparently the eventual uses for the manufactured drugs derived from the specimens could be significantly far reaching.”

Jean-Luc nodded.

“And are the specimens floral or faunal?”

“Floral Captain, although one is a moss-like substance that may be more faunal than floral.”

The Captain stood, bringing his officers to their feet also.

“I see. Well until we hear more from Sick Bay we will wait.”

Hearing the dismissal, Will and Data turned to leave, but Jean-Luc called softly.

“Will? A moment if you please.”

The big man returned to the desk.

“Yes Captain?”

Jean-Luc let his stern command façade drop and smiled at his Exec.

“I will be on the Bridge for a few hours Number One. Why don’t you take some time off and spend it with your daughter.”

Will was about to refuse the offer when he saw his Captain’s eyes harden. Stifling his irritation, he instead summoned a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Thank you Captain.”

Both men exited the Ready Room and Jean-Luc watched as the younger man entered the turbo lift. The Captain settled into his seat and stared balefully at the planet rotating lazily below.

                     Deanna was seated in the living area of her quarters, head bowed in her hands and eyes firmly closed as her daughter screamed unceasingly. The Counsellor was bone tired and very distressed. She didn’t hear Will as he spoke; in fact it was his hand on her shoulder that startled her out of her morbid thoughts. She looked up at the man, tears streaking her gaunt face. Raising his voice to be heard over the cacophony, Will almost shouted,

“How long has she been like this?”

Lowering her head and shaking it slowly, Deanna shrugged and waved a hand in silence. Angered by her response, Will went to the cot and scooped up the baby, holding her against his chest as she arched her back and screamed louder, her little body rigid. The Commander rubbed her back and crooned, his efforts to comfort the baby utterly useless. After ten minutes the exasperated and frustrated man put the baby back in her cot and went to sit beside Deanna.

“Can’t you stop it?”

Keeping her head in her hands, the Counsellor tiredly shook her head. Will scowled and looked over his shoulder at his daughter, her little face red and sweaty as she bellowed.

“But you’re her mother!”

At the end of her tether, Deanna sprang to her feet and fisted her hands in the startled man’s tunic.

“Damn you Will Riker! It’s got nothing to do with me! Emily is a hybrid…something’s wrong with her!”

He glared up at the petite woman and growled loudly,

“Then do something about it!”

The slap to his face was loud even over the baby’s raucous din. Immediately on his feet, Will grabbed Deanna’s hands and shouted,

“How dare you!”

With tears of anger and frustration coursing down her cheeks, Deanna shouted,

“How dare I? Because you’ve all but abandoned us! Where have you been these last two days Will? I’m struggling here…I need help!”

“Then get someone to help you!”

Her eyes bored into his.

“You’re Emily’s father Will…I want your help!”

Will let go of her hands and wiped his face.

“All right what do you need from me?”

Deanna brushed at her tears and sighed.

“I’m going to call Beverly to see of she will give Emily a mild sedative so I can get some sleep. Would you stay?”

The big bearded man nodded.

“Okay.”

Grimacing at the noise, Deanna lifted her head and shouted,

“Troi to Doctor Picard.”

“Beverly here Deanna. What can I do for you?”

“Can you come to my quarters and bring a med kit please?”

“Will do…are you all right?”

Sighing deeply, Deanna answered,

“Not really but it’s Emily who needs to see you.”

“I can hear her! I’m on my way. Picard out.”

The parents sat down and Will leaned closer to be heard.

“Have you contacted the university on Betazed?”

Deanna nodded wearily.

“Yes, I’m waiting to hear from them.”

Casting an annoyed look at his daughter, Will growled,

“Will they be able to do anything?”

The tears began again.

“I don’t know!”

Seeing her distress, Will gently put an arm around his friend and eased her head onto his shoulder.

“It’ll be okay Dee.”

They sat in miserable glumness as the baby continued to scream. They didn’t hear the door chime so Beverly used her medical override to let herself in. Will looked up and grimaced.

“What a racket!”

Deanna lifted her head and nodded.

“I need to get some sleep Beverly. Can you give Emily a light sedative?”

The Doctor frowned.

“It’s not really recommended Deanna. Babies shouldn’t be sedated.”

The distress was clear in the Counsellor’s voice.

“I know but I have to get some sleep…and so does Emily. She’s been screaming for hours and she won’t feed.”

One look into Deanna’s desperate eyes was enough for Beverly. With a decisive nod she patted Deanna’s arm.

“Okay. I’ll just scan her first.”

Will and Deanna sat glumly while Beverly deployed her tricorder and scanned the baby. They didn’t hear the hiss of the hypospray, but the sudden cessation of noise made them realise their ears were ringing. Beverly turned the baby on her side and tucked her in. Deanna went to the cot and stared down at her daughter, tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

“How can one so small make so much noise?”

Beverly turned the scanner on her friend and frowned at the results.

“You’re dehydrated, you’ve not eaten sufficiently and you’re exhausted. I want you to eat something before you go to bed.”

About to protest, Will’s strong hand on her arm stifled her words.

“Don’t worry Beverly, I’ll see to it.”

Smiling her gratitude, Beverly packed up her med kit and made to leave. She hesitated at the door and said,

“Emily should sleep for about six hours. I recommend you try and feed her just as she wakes up. You might have better luck then.”

Both parents nodded. Almost as an afterthought Beverly muttered,

“And you Will Riker are relieved of duty for the foreseeable future.”

His mouth agape, he didn’t react until Beverly had already left the room. He caught up with her in the corridor outside.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? I can’t be relieved of duty!”

Sighing and trying to ease the man’s angst, Beverly gripped his elbow.

“Listen to me Will…Deanna is at the end of her endurance. She’s had enough and needs help. What do you think is going to happen when Emily wakes up?”

The Commander shrugged.

“Hell I don’t know…I guess she’ll start crying again.”

“And how do you think Deanna’s going to cope with that? This sleep she’s about to have is the first in nearly fifty hours Will. Why don’t you know about that?”

The tall man ran a hand through his hair and had the good grace to look embarrassed.

“I…I…ah…”

“Will she needs your help. Be with her…help her through this. Emily’s your daughter too.”

Not willing to give up, Will tried one more time.

“But Beverly…relieving me?”

She smiled to take the sting out of her words.

“I’ll talk to the Captain, Will, it’ll be all right.”

As she walked off down the corridor she felt his eyes on her back.

                          Jean-Luc turned his head to greet his wife as she arrived on the Bridge. She gestured to the Ready Room and he nodded, saying quietly,

“You have the Bridge Data.”

Once inside, Beverly quickly outlined what had transpired with Will, Deanna and the baby. Jean-Luc nodded pensively and guided Beverly to the sofa where they both sat.

“I take it he resisted?”

Beverly grunted.

“Oh yes…in fact he was outraged.”

The Captain sighed.

“Damn. I was so hoping he would volunteer to take some time off to help Deanna. Just how is Emily?”

Beverly rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

“At the moment she’s exhausted and very hungry. The sedation I gave her was very gentle but it really went against the grain I can tell you. If Deanna wasn’t in such terrible need of rest I would have refused.”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“There was no alternative?”

Beverly shrugged.

“Well I could’ve taken Emily to Sick Bay and kept her there while Deanna got some sleep but it would have been very disruptive…and besides with the empathic connection between mother and baby I don’t think Deanna would have allowed herself to be separated from her. In the long run the kindest thing for all involved was to sedate her.”

Jean-Luc sat back and crossed his legs.

“How long do you envisage keeping Will off duty?”

Beverly sighed and pushed back her hair.

“As long as it takes for Deanna to recover…maybe thirty-six hours.”

With a decisive nod, Jean-Luc brought the discussion to a close.

“Very well, although I may have to do more work up here instead of our quarters. I’ll talk to Data…see how he feels about it.”

Both officers stood and Beverly sighed as her husband kissed her tenderly. Before she turned to leave she said softly,

“I love you.”

He smiled and trailed one finger down her face.

“And I you.”

                    At seventeen thirty-eight Jean-Luc walked into his quarters to be greeted by his oldest son, running to him at top speed, his right hand clutching some sort of construction.

“Papa! Look what I made!”

Staggering a little under the onslaught of Jacques cannoning into his legs, the Captain grabbed the boy’s shoulders to steady him.

“What have you got there Jacques?”

With a huge grin, the lad thrust his prize up towards his father’s face.

“It’s the Enterprise Papa!”

The man dropped to one knee and took the offered model. It was made with bits of stiff cardboard, paper and tinfoil and had been painstakingly painted. Over the saucer section was daubed…1701 E. Jean-Luc studied the construct, giving it his full attention. When he spoke to the boy, his voice was soft and very deep.

“This is marvellous Jacques. You have put a lot of work into this.”

His wife’s gentle voice made him smile.

“I told Jacques you made model Starships when you were a boy.”

As Jean-Luc stood, he picked up his son and directed his eyes to his wife, clearly showing his love and pride. Unaware of the by-play between his parents, Jacques piped up with,

“I made it at school.”

Jean-Luc kissed his son’s temple and raised his eyebrows.

“Did you now? What else did you do?”

As Jacques regaled his father about his afternoon, Beverly went to the twins and made sure they both had toys to play with. She sat on the sofa and let her head rest back on the cushions. When the chatter of her older son eventually diminished she opened her eyes and smiled as her husband sat beside her.

“How are things in Sick Bay?”

“Fine. We’re no further in identifying that chemical but all the autopsies are finished and the bodies have been prepared for transport back to their origins.”

Jean-Luc smiled.

“Good. Any news about Deanna and Emily?”

Beverly shook her head.

“No, but I intend to drop by after dinner. Emily should be waking up about then and I want to see if we can get her to have a feed. I really don’t want to have to feed her intravenously.”

The Captain frowned.

“Well I understand that, but you must be very tired. Can’t one of your staff do it?”

With a weary smile, Beverly shook her head.

“Deanna’s my best female friend Jean-Luc…she and Will need me at the moment.”

With a sigh of resignation, Jean-Luc capitulated.

“Very well. I’ll see to the children while you’re gone.”

She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you my love.”

                        Having fed the twins and enjoyed their own dinner, Beverly left her family and went to Deanna’s quarters. She knew as soon as no one answered the chime that things were once again bad. She used her override to enter and was surprised to find the volume of Emily’s crying wasn’t as bad as she had anticipated. However it was two very anxious parents who were attempting to encourage their reluctant daughter to feed. Deanna sat with the baby in her arms, one swollen, leaking breast exposed as she repeatedly offered her nipple. Emily would take it, suck once or twice then release it to wail piteously. As Beverly approached, Will ran a frustrated hand across his face and swore loudly.

“Shit! This is pointless!”

Before Deanna could remonstrate with the angry man, Beverly dropped a hand to his shoulder and gave a squeeze.

“Patience Will.”

To Deanna she said,

“Have you tried a bottle?”

Gritting her teeth, Deanna nodded grimly.

“Yes, with my milk and with formula. She just won’t accept anything!”

Beverly sat beside the distressed woman and held out her arms.

“Here, let me take her.”

It was with relief that Deanna handed over her daughter. Will stood and paced restlessly, his fingers raking through his hair.

“What’s the matter with her Beverly?”

Just then Deanna received a call from the Bridge.

“Counsellor there is an incoming message for you from Betazed.”

Closing her eyes, Deanna grimaced and muttered,

“If that’s Mother I’ll scream!”

Lifting her head she replied,

“Thank you Bridge, I’ll take it in my quarters. Troi out.”

She went to her computer and activated it while sitting and trying to tame her unruly hair. The face that appeared made her smile tiredly.

“Brun Embrahood! It’s good to see you.”

The dark haired man grinned widely.

“And you Deanna. When I saw your name attached to the enquiry to the university I made sure it was me who answered. So tell me, how is your daughter…and congratulations by the way.”

Deanna sighed, her smile turning worried.

“Thank you Brun. Emily’s not doing very well I’m afraid. She won’t feed and she gets very little sleep as she’s crying almost constantly.”

The Betazoid nodded thoughtfully.

“I see. How old is she? About one month?”

“Yes.”

The middle aged man smiled.

“That’s not unusual with hybrids Dee. I’m sending you a formula that should help, but to get it exactly right I need a genetic profile of both you and the father. Once we have that we can tailor the enzyme balance and end all this trouble once and for all.”

The tears that welled in Deanna’s eyes were ones of gratitude.

“Thank you Brun, you’re a gem.”

“No problem Deanna. Let me know how you get on…and this time don’t leave it so long to contact me.”

The Counsellor nodded.

“I won’t. Enterprise out.”

She then accessed her terminal and, as promised, the formula recipe was there. She downloaded it onto an isolinear chip then went to the replicator and placed the chip in the slot, allowing the central computer to analyse the information. Within two minutes the replicator conjured up a warmed bottle of dark cream liquid. Deanna took the bottle and went to Beverly, sitting beside her and taking back her fractious daughter. At first, when offered the bottle, Emily resisted, her screams becoming progressively louder, but after some of the liquid had entered her mouth, she suddenly stopped her struggles and began to suck, her efforts becoming increasingly stronger. Will came over to sit on the floor at Deanna’s feet, his mouth agape.

“Well I’ll be damned.”

As the baby fed, Beverly said softly,

“So who’s Brun Embrahood?”

Deanna smiled as she watched her daughter finally feed.

“His father is a dear friend of Mother’s. While I was growing up I used to see a lot of him, then later, when I was studying psychology, he was at the university teaching medical graduates. He’s a gastroenterologist.”

Beverly grinned.

“With a knack for helping hybrids.”

With the level in the bottle quickly dropping, Emily’s eyes began to droop. Beverly stood and gently squeezed Deanna’s shoulder.

“Well everything seems to be under control here. After you put Emily down I want you to go back to bed.”

The Counsellor looked up and smiled, but her tiredness made her usually shining black eyes dull.

“No argument there Beverly.”

Beverly nodded and turned her attention to Will.

“And you Commander…I want you to get some sleep too, but Deanna will need a decent meal when she wakes up and a quiet couple of days to follow. I’m counting on you to provide them.”

Stifling the irritated sigh that wanted to emerge, Will instead inclined his head and muttered.

“You got it Doctor.”

With nothing further to say, Beverly left.

                    The lighting was subdued in her quarters when she entered. Soft classical music wafted through the air and she spied her husband in his favourite chair, his nose buried in a book, the overhead spotlight providing enough light for him to read by.

After checking on the children, Beverly went and sat on the arm of his chair.

“I have good news.”

Jean-Luc closed the book on his finger and looked up, his eyebrows raised.

“Oh?”

Beverly spent a few moments telling her husband about the success with Emily. He smiled, his eyes warm and twinkling.

“That is good news. I know Deanna must be so relieved, but how is Will taking it?”

Beverly frowned.

“Actually he was so amazed he didn’t say much. He’s still upset at being relieved though.”

Jean-Luc stood and held out his hand while he placed his book on the low table.

“Well it’s still very good news. Now wife…I think you should go to bed.”

He expected her to acquiesce, but instead she sidled up to him, gathered his tunic and undershirts in her hands and pulled them free of his pants. She then insinuated her hands under his clothes to caress his skin. When she spoke her voice was low and sultry.

“Only if my husband comes with me.”

His eyes darkened and he sighed.

“I think that can be arranged.”

Thinking she would turn to go to their bedroom, she surprised him again by unzipping his trousers and reaching inside his briefs to gently grip his penis. With a gentle tug she led him slowly across the room to their bedchamber.

By the time they were standing beside the bed, he was hardening in her hand. She released him and stood before him, slowly stripping off her uniform. Jean-Luc mirrored her actions, divesting himself of his clothing…not hurriedly, but in a leisurely fashion, taking the time to watch each other as they stripped.

Once naked they kissed languidly, allowing the tension to rise slowly. As they kissed their hands caressed and touched, feather-like contacts that left them wanting more. When Jean-Luc’s fingers lightly circled her areolas she sighed into his mouth and danced her fingers down the length of his stiffening penis, dallying at the head and teasing the slit. He growled with soft sensuality and left her mouth, slothfully kissing his way down her neck to tarry at the suprasternal notch, pushing his tongue into the indentation. Beverly mewed softly and hefted his testicles, gently massaging them. His mouth travelled lower, planting open-mouthed kissed over the surface of her breasts. The Doctor arched her back, offering her breasts to him and he took the offer gladly, descending onto one nipple with his hot mouth as his fingers gently pinched out the other. Unable to continue her caresses, she lifted her hands to hold his head, pulling him closer and silently asking for more. He swapped nipples, lavishing each in turn with his tongue and teeth, while his hands roamed over her body.

He knew her body well, knew where her erogenous zones were and exploited them mercilessly. By the time he slowly sank to his knees in front of her she was panting with desire. With her legs already apart, Jean-Luc had no trouble spreading her with his fingers and kissing her intimately. While his tongue probed and lapped, his fingers slipped inside her, first one, then two, then three as Beverly pushed her hips forward, grinding herself against his questing mouth as her hands held his head.

He slid his fingers in and out of her while his tongue teased her with tantalising brushes and playful nips. Her continuous soft moans and copious lubrication told him she was close. He spread his fingers inside her and ground his tongue against her clitoris. Beverly inhaled sharply and rose up on the balls of her feet, pulling his face savagely against her sex. As her internal muscles rhythmically gripped him through her climax, Jean-Luc continued his actions, eliciting two more orgasms in her before he slowly eased off. He rose slowly and held her in his arms as she wilted against him. After a few seconds he guided her onto the bed and ushered her up the mattress until her head was lying on the pillows. He covered her with his body and her arms went around him as his erection slid through her saturated folds. She opened her legs and hitched them over his hips, their kisses passionate and protracted. Beverly could taste herself in his mouth and she sighed, pushing her hips up in an obvious invitation. He pulled back slightly then eased forward, his penis nudging into her entrance. As he slowly penetrated her she broke the kiss to bite his neck, her eyes screwed shut as he filled and stretched her. His need escalating rapidly, he didn’t wait but started to thrust quickly. Beverly gasped, her grip on his buttocks tightening. Jean-Luc suddenly rose up on his arms, staring down intently as he increased the power and frequency of his thrusts. Out of control, Beverly twisted and flexed under him, biting her lips to keep from crying out. Jean-Luc’s deep urgent voice made her open her eyes.

“Beverly…I’m going to come…”

It was the urgency that sent her over the edge. As he pushed deeply into her and shuddered through his orgasm, Beverly arched up off the bed, her mouth agape in a silent scream as her climax ripped through her. They held each other, their bodies caught in a rictus of ecstasy, only to collapse moments later in a sweaty, tangled heap, panting and gasping.

It was Lean-Luc who found his voice first. In a husky whisper he gulped and said,

“Oh God… Beverly that was…that was…oh God.”

Her smile was tired and lopsided but she had to agree.

“You can say that again my love.”

He rolled gently to one side and flopped onto his back, one arm flung across his face. Beverly turned onto her side and entwined their legs while resting one arm across his chest and nestling her head on his shoulder.

He raised his free hand and rubbed it through his body hair, snorting and smiling.

Intrigued, Beverly lifted her head.

“What?”

His deep voice rumbled through his body, making the Doctor sigh with happiness.

“I’m not drenched in your milk.”

She plucked at his chest hair and he let out a soft yelp.

“Ow!”

“That will teach you not to make fun of me. You know I couldn’t help that.”

He grinned.

“Still it is nice to be dry. Why, by the way, is that so?”

Beverly settled her head back on his shoulder and sighed.

“Because I’m taking medication to dry up my milk.”

That sobered the drowsy man.

“Oh. I’m sorry Beverly.”

She snuggled into his body and kissed his skin.

“No need my love, it was my decision.”

As he reached down to grip the blankets to pull them up, Beverly rode the movement and sighed when the soft coverings slid over her body. They were silent for a while before Jean-Luc muttered,

“Bon niut mon coeur. J’taime.”

With her eyes closed, Beverly smiled.

“Good night Jean-Luc, I love you too.”

They slipped seamlessly into sleep.

                       Deanna slept so soundly she didn’t dream. The hand that shook her shoulder was insistent and she rose to wakefulness sluggishly, a groan of complaint and a grimace telling her disturber just how reluctant she was to wake. Will scowled and shook his head, increasing his grip of her shoulder and adding an irritated voice.

“Come on Deanna…wake up! The baby wants a feed.”

Emily’s wails could be heard and Deanna chose to ignore them.

As the words filtered through the fog in her mind, her disgruntled feelings gave way to rising anger. With her eyes firmly closed and her face set in grim lines she ground out through clenched teeth,

“Then feed her!”

The hand on her shoulder disappeared and the voice barked,

“What?”

Still refusing to open her eyes, Deanna sighed with disgust.

“Go to the replicator, get a bottle of the new formula and feed her.”

The mattress shifted as Will stood.

“That’s your job!”

Her anger now overriding her desire for more sleep, Deanna opened her eyes and glared up at the big man.

“You insensitive bastard! Go and feed your daughter and leave me alone!”

With a deep soft growl, Will turned for the door but Deanna stopped him in his tracks.

“And she’ll need to be changed.”

His outraged glare was pointless. Deanna had already closed her eyes again and snuggled down into her pillow. He gave her a final glare, just for the sake of it, then left the bedroom and went into the nursery. Emily wailed loudly in her cradle, her little fists clenched tightly. Leaving the distressed baby, Will went to the changing table and inspected the items, picking up a tube of cream, taking off the lid and sniffing the contents suspiciously. As Emily’s cries became more strident, the First Officer scratched his head and shrugged.

“Shouldn’t be too complicated.”

It was almost twenty minutes before Will finally succeeded in getting a clean nappy on his daughter. He held her up at arm’s length and scowled as the infant screamed. Trudging into the living area with his daughter held against his chest, Will retrieved the bottle from the replicator and went to Deanna’s favourite chair, sitting heavily and positioning Emily for her feed.

The baby was uncooperative. By now frantic, Emily squirmed in her father’s arms, amazing him by raising the volume of her screams even further. Will was fast losing his patience and was becoming scared. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to remember the previous day and what Deanna had done. He sighed, opened his eyes and attempted to get the teat of the bottle into Emily’s mouth. She wasn’t impressed by his efforts, arching her back and turning her head to the side. Will gritted his teeth and tried again, this time squeezing the soft bottle and managing to get a small quantity of the liquid inside her mouth. She coughed and gagged and there followed a period of silence. Will, thinking he was having some success, gently pushed the teat into his daughter’s mouth and waited. Nothing happened. Emily’s face slowly began to turn red and he suddenly realised she wasn’t breathing. He jerked the bottle out of her mouth and lifted her up. The sudden movement made Emily take a huge breath and she expelled in a long scream. Will swallowed his relief and again laid her in his arm. With determination borne of stubbornness, he persevered with the bottle until, quite abruptly, Emily started to suckle. One minute she was screaming uncontrollably, the next she was feeding; her little fists each side of the bottle and her unfocussed eyes staring up at her perplexed, but gratefully relieved father.

As the dreadful noise suddenly stopped, Deanna slowly relaxed her very tense body and opened her tightly closed eyes. It had been extremely difficult to lie passively in bed while her daughter screamed and Will struggled, but she knew she had to do it, if only to make him his take share of the load. She sighed deeply and centred herself, allowing her barriers to lower in order to sense her daughter and her father. From Emily she felt contentment and satisfaction. From Will she sensed amazement, relief and affection. Her eyebrows rose and she slowly sat up, pushing her unruly hair away from her face. She knew sleep was long gone, so she rose from the bed, donned her robe and went out into the day area. Will was so engrossed in watching his daughter suckle; he didn’t notice Deanna standing in front of him until she spoke.

“It feels wonderful doesn’t it.”

The Commander slowly lifted his head and instead of his trademark grin, he face was serious and contemplative. When he spoke his voice was soft and filled with awe.

“I never realised Deanna.”

Perching on the arm of the chair, Deanna sighed as the first paternal feelings from Will washed over in strong waves. Will’s eyes went back to his daughter and he shook his head.

“She’s so small.”

Deanna’s sigh was a sad one.

“With her feeding problems she’s put on very little weight since her birth.”

Will frowned and looked up at his friend.

“I’ve been a complete arsehole haven’t I.”

Deanna shrugged sadly.

“I sensed your anger and reluctance Will…and your fear but I never understood it.”

The big man closed his eyes and sighed.

“It’s true; I was angry…and afraid. When you first told me you were pregnant I was furious. It crossed my mind you had used the pregnancy to trap me, after all you had always used an implant. I thought maybe you would use the pregnancy to force me into something I didn’t want.”

Deanna swallowed her anger and dismay and strove to keep her voice even.

“Will what happened between you and me the night Emily was conceived was wonderful. Unexpected, but wonderful. How we ended up in my bed is a mystery to me but I don’t regret it. As for the implant, I haven’t been using one for some time…there just didn’t seem to be any point.”

Her eyebrow rose and she couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

“Besides, you’ve always used one.”

Will reddened and lowered his eyes.

“I had been receiving treatment for a sexually transmitted disease and I was advised to go off the implant during the therapy. I was clear of the disease when we had sex, but Selar had told me to wait another three weeks before a new implant was inserted to give my system time to recover.”

Deanna shook her head.

“So Emily’s conception was just bad, dumb luck.”

Will nodded.

“I guess so.”

The Counsellor nodded.

“Okay I can understand your anger, but why were you frightened?”

Will lowered his head and gently removed the now empty bottle from Emily’s slack mouth. Using his thumb, he wiped away a dribble of formula from her chin and gently lifted the baby to his shoulder. As Deanna watched in stunned amazement, Will rubbed and patted his daughter’s back. She sensed his reluctance to speak, but knew him well enough to know he would eventually be forthcoming. Emily burped up some liquid onto Will’s shoulder and Deanna patted his arm.

“Stay there, I’ll get a cloth.”

She was back in moments and cleaned up the mess. In a gentle voice she said.

“You can put her back in her cradle now.”

He lifted his head slowly and the look in his eyes took Deanna’s breath away.

“Would it be all right if I just held her a while longer?”

Battling her rising tears, Deanna nodded mutely, a lopsided smile in place. They sat in companionable silence for a while before Will started to speak in hushed tones.

“I never wanted to have kids. I never wanted to do to any child of mine what my father did to me.”

Deanna gently squeezed his shoulder, silently encouraging him to continue.

“I know that knowing what my father did made it easier for me to avoid doing the same things, but I couldn’t be sure…I couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t do exactly the same things. After all, I put my career above my love for you…above everything else…relationships, personal happiness…and I’ve hurt you deeply, something I never meant to do. In many ways I behaved just like my father and it disgusted me!”

He sat back and eased Emily into his arms.

“You know…and this is a really terrible thing to say…but when the Captain and Beverly got married I thought they were fools. They seemed to be willing to throw away everything they’d worked all their lives for…and for what? A legal contract?”

He snorted and shook his head.

“Madness! And then when they had kids I thought their insanity was complete. At any moment I expected them to say they were leaving the ship to set up some kind of domestic nirvana in la la land. I couldn’t understand it, especially the Captain…he was always so dedicated to his work…the ship…his Command. I just couldn’t see why they acted as they did. If they wanted a relationship, why didn’t they just have one like the rest of us? You know…share a bed, have some fun and no harm done. Why marriage…and why kids? It simply didn’t make any sense.”

He sighed and lifted a hand to rub his eyes.

“And then we spent that night together and I was happy about it. Sex with you isn’t like sex with any other woman…we have this…connection, this history and I kinda hoped it would continue, but when you told me you were pregnant I wanted to run away from you as fast as my legs would carry me.”

With a shake of his head, he sniffed and blinked away his tears.

“I’m sorry Deanna. I was a coward and a fool. I said hurtful things and I should’ve been there for you and Emily from the beginning.”

There was a sad silence before Deanna smiled through her tears.

“Well you’re here now Will.”

He nodded and smiled ruefully.

“And I’m here to stay…if you’ll have me.”

The kiss was a gentle one and Will closed his eyes with relief.

“Thank you Deanna, I won’t let you down…again.”

The Counsellor smiled warmly.

“I know.”

                     Beverly looked fondly at her husband as he poured another cup of coffee for her. Jacques was frowning down into his cereal bowl, idly pushing some of the soggy breakfast about with his spoon. Jean-Luc, understanding his son’s mood, sighed and gently replaced the coffee pot on its warmer.

“Jacques I know you’re disappointed but it can’t be helped. Uncle Data needs me on the Bridge.”

The youngster scowled.

“But why Papa? Uncle Will doesn’t mind if you work from here. Why won’t Uncle Data let you stay home?”

Jean-Luc sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“It’s not that Uncle Data won’t allow me to work from here Jacques, it’s just that he is more comfortable with me on the Bridge at this time.”

The piping voice was querulous.

“But why Papa?”

Taking pity on the vexed man, Beverly reached out and gently squeezed her son’s hand.

“Jacques Papa must do his duty…you know that.”

The boy shook his head.

“But he can do his duty here.”

Her smile was tender.

“Sometimes yes, he can, but right now he has to present himself to the Bridge and we need you to be a big boy and not make a fuss about it.”

The lowered eyes and pouting lip made Beverly inwardly smile…so like his father.

“Come on Jacques…be fair. Papa spends as much time with you as he can! It’s not easy for him you know, being the Captain and your Papa too.”

With a lifted chin, Jacques said defiantly,

“But Maman Papa is the Captain…he can do whatever he wants! If Papa wants to stay here, Uncle Data would have to say yes.”

Beverly sighed in frustration and Jean-Luc sent her a look of gratitude. He sat back and drained his cup before addressing his son.

“Do you think that would be fair Jacques?”

The boy looked at his father with confusion.

“What?”

The Captain gave a half smile.

“Think about it Jacques. Do you think it would be fair of me to work here from our quarters when I knew Uncle Data wanted me on the bridge?”

The boy frowned deeply.

“Uncle Data’s really smart. He would be all right.”

“Uncle Data is a subordinate officer Jacques and, even though he is very, very smart, he relies on me to guide him…to show what we call ‘leadership’. And I can’t do that by staying here in our quarters when I’m needed on the Bridge.”

Finally giving up, Jacques sighed and pushed his bowl away.

“All right Papa.”

Beverly smiled at the boy and ruffled his hair, earning her an admonishing look as the offended lad attempted to smooth the damage with his hands.

“Have you finished your breakfast?”

The boy nodded.

“All right, help me clear the table then you can play with your brothers.”

While the dishes were cleared, Jean-Luc went to his desk and sorted through some PADDs. He separated the ones he wanted from the pile just as Beverly appeared at his side.

“The water in the lungs of the deceased is identical to the water we collected from the beach.”

The Captain looked up and scowled.

“So they did drown at the beach.”

“Yep.”

He ran an exasperated hand over his bald pate.

“Then how the hell did they get back to the campsite?”

Beverly shrugged.

“I’ve no idea, but would it be possible for me to go back down?”

Jean-Luc’s eyes glittered.

“Why?”

“Because I want to go to the top of the plateau for some more samples.”

With his arms slowly folding over his chest, Jean-Luc gave the request some thought.

“I take it you think it important.”

The Doctor nodded.

“Yes. I want as much information as I can get. There is a chance…admittedly a very small one…but a chance nonetheless, that the unidentified chemical in the bodies may have a source somewhere within their search areas and if that’s so, then I need to find it.”

Jean-Luc gave a curt nod.

“Agreed. I’ll come down with you.”

Beverly’s expression mirrored her conflicting emotions.

“Do you think that’s wise Jean-Luc? As much as I enjoy your company…with Will still off duty and Data requesting your presence on the Bridge…”

He dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand.

“I’m sure Data can hold the fort for as long as it takes to gather a few samples.”

Her face cleared but doubt still lingered under the surface.

“Well all right. This afternoon?”

His smile made his eyes crinkle.

“Uh huh. I’ll give you a call.”

He picked up his PADDs and Beverly gently halted his movement by placing her hand on his chest. They shared a tender kiss then she whispered in his ear.

“Thank you for last night…it was…incredible.”

He closed his eyes as a wave of heady emotion coursed through his body. When he opened them he smiled rakishly.

“I aim to please.”

He stepped past the amused woman, not at all surprised to feel the slap to his behind. After giving his sons a kiss each he left his quarters, his heat brimming with happiness and his step light.

                 Having outlined his intentions to his Second Officer, Jean-Luc endured the predictable protests until his patience wore thin. Adopting an uncompromising Command façade, Jean-Luc’s voice softened and his dark eyes hardened. Data, an astute student of body language and the subtle nuances of his CO in particular, immediately recognised the end to the situation.

“Mr.Data I will be going down to the planet in the company of Doctor Picard this afternoon. This discussion is closed.”

Although his golden eyes dilated, there was no other outward sign of dismay or discomfort to be seen in the android, despite his emotion chip providing both feelings in abundance. With an incline of his head, Data acquiesced.

“Aye Captain.”

                The next few hours were quiet, the usual efficiency of the Bridge heightened by the Captain’s presence. Just after noon, Jean-Luc rose and went into his ready room, saying over his shoulder,

“You have the Bridge Mr.Data.”

The Captain had only had enough time to order a sandwich and a cup of tea from the replicator when his door chimed. As he seated himself behind his desk, he called,

“Come.”

Data came in and Jean-Luc gestured to the seat in front of his desk.

“Please Data…sit.”

The android did as his CO suggested and placed his hands on the desktop.

“What can I do for you?”

Tilting his head to one side, Data tried to predict the reaction to his next words.

“Captain Picard I would like to ask you to reconsider your decision to go down to the planet.”

Although anger and irritation spiked, Jean-Luc knew Data well enough to realise there was something more than stubborn adherence to standard operational procedures behind his request. Sitting back and picking up the crystal shard that lived on his desk, Jean-Luc’s face was completely unreadable. His voice was very soft and deep.

“Why?”

“Sir our sensors have recorded an inherent instability in the atmosphere. The computer has analysed it and concludes there is a ninety six point five percent chance of severe gravimetric storms imminent. It would be unwise for either you or Doctor Picard to be on the surface when they hit.”

Jean-Luc pursed his lips.

“Gravimetric storms are a very localised phenomenon. Are you certain the area we will be covering is under threat?”   

Data shrugged.

“No Captain I am not certain, but the danger exists.”

The Captain lowered his head and ran his fingers over his lower lip.

“The samples Doctor Picard wants to collect are of vital importance Data. Surely we can use our tricorders to alert us of any approaching storms?”

The corners of Data’s mouth turned down.

“As you know Captain, our instruments are almost ineffectual on the planet’s surface. Their use would be severely limited.”

“All right, what about the shuttle’s sensors?”

Data frowned.

“They would have sufficient sensitivity to be of use Captain but how can you stay close enough to the shuttle to hear the alarm if you are off collecting samples?”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“Look Data I’m sure the Doctor and I can work something out. Your caution is commendable, but I really think this discussion is moot. Thank you.”

Hearing the dismissal didn’t make Data feel very confident in leaving. He sighed and opened his mouth to continue. Anticipating this event, Jean-Luc shook his head.

“No Data, my mind is made up. Please desist.”

With no further room to manoeuvre, Data stood and nodded.

“As you wish Captain.”

After the android had left Jean-Luc tapped his combadge.

“Picard to Picard.”

The amusement in Beverly’s voice when she replied made the Captain smile.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that Captain. What can I do for you?”

“Are you ready to leave?”

“Yes.”

“And the children?”

He heard her sigh.

“Jacques is at preschool and Ensign Grundy is with the twins now, but Sally is due to relieve her in about an hour.”

The Captain sat back and nodded.

“Good. We shouldn’t be too long…have you got everything you need?”

“Pretty much. I’ll call down to the Shuttle Bay and have the duty officer load. How much time do I have?”

“Oh I think fifteen minutes…longer if you need.”

“No that should be fine. I’ll meet you in Bay three in a quarter of an hour. Crusher out.”

Jean-Luc sighed and lifted his head.

“Doctor?”

The reply was cautious.
“Yes?”

“I beg your pardon.”

Now she sounded confused.

“What?”

“You haven’t been Doctor Crusher for almost five years.”

There was a blank silence followed by,

“Oh. I did it again didn’t I.”

His chuckle was warm.

“Look I really don’t mind…are you sure you still want me to tell you when you forget?”

The growl was low.

“I didn’t forget Jean-Luc! I just…it’s habit dammit. I’ve been saying ‘Crusher out’ for bloody years! How would you cope if your last name was changed?”

He grinned.

“I would be all at sea my love, but your name change was your idea. I was perfectly happy for you to keep your old name; you were under no obligation to change.”

Her voice softened.

“I know, but I wanted to take your name Jean-Luc. Besides, now that we have kids I think it’s fitting we all have the same surname.”

“Agreed. Now…our fifteen minutes has been significantly eroded. I’ll see you in twenty minutes. Picard out.”

                The shuttle had just cleared the bay for the relatively short journey down to the planet when Beverly turned her clear cerulean eyes on her husband. Taking a few moments to admire his patrician features, she frowned and broke the gentle silence.

“Jean-Luc I want to ask you something, but I don’t want you to get upset.”

He made some course adjustments before he turned his head and raised an eyebrow.

“Well you may ask Beverly, but I can’t say how I will react until I hear the question.”

Beverly sighed at his rather predictable reply, but nodded her agreement of his stipulation.

“Okay, fair enough. I want to know why you’re so keen to come with me. You know as well as I you’re breaking SOP by accompanying me and it’s not like you to do that. This is the second time you’ve suggested you come with me…is it because you really want to be a part of the investigation in a hands on fashion, you don’t think I’m up to the work on my own…or you’re simply being over-protective?”

His initial reaction was irritation, followed by a spike of anger and it surprised him, both by the appearance of such feelings and the intensity they held inside him. He sat back and took a deep breath, settling himself and trying to be objective.

“Are you asking me as my CMO…or as my wife?”

Beverly shrugged, a little shaken by his query.

“They’re one in the same aren’t they?”

He shook his head.

“No, they’re not. Beverly throughout our marriage have I ever let our relationship colour my judgement or perception of your job? Have I, for instance, ever refrained from sending you on a dangerous mission because we are married?”

The Doctor shook her head, her frown deep.

“And I can tell you why. I respect you as an officer and a highly trained professional. To let my feelings interfere in the committal of your duties would be criminal. But…as your husband I feel fear every time you leave the ship.”

He sighed deeply.

“I can’t help that my love, but it’s my problem to overcome and I strive to do so. Now as for this mission, I have to admit I am motivated by feelings of wanting to protect you, though I think your current physical and mental condition is relevant to that; however I can assure you I am here for purely professional reasons. Seven people have died under suspicious circumstances and I want to find out why.”

Beverly nodded slowly, not fully convinced.

“Okay, but you’ve rarely exercised your prerogative to go on away teams…like I said it’s against SOP. Why now…why this mission in particular?”

Jean-Luc brought the little craft into a gentle landing at the campsite and deactivated the engines. He sat back in his seat and grinned ruefully.

“Boredom.”

Beverly’s eyebrows rose incredulously.

“What?”

His grin widened.

“You heard me…boredom. Do you know what it’s been like all these years…sitting up there on the Bridge while others do the work? Listening to their reports…watching them go about their duties and not being able to do much more than monitor them? It’s hell Beverly…sheer unadulterated hell and I’m tired of it. An opportunity appeared that gave me the excuse to not only leave the ship on an away mission, but to do so with my wife…who, coincidentally, isn’t in the best of health and could do with some care. All right…it’s against SOP and if called on it I would probably be censured by my superiors, but it’s my decision to make…and I’ve made it.”

Beverly regarded her husband silently, once again marvelling at his ability to surprise her. She gave a small smile, just a tipping of one corner of her mouth and muttered,

“Still…it’s a little over protective isn’t it?”

The captain shrugged.

“Perhaps. Put it down to my maleness…or consanguineous concerns.”

That made Beverly snort in disbelief.
“Consanguineous concerns? Explain.”

Having activated the hatch controls, Jean-Luc stood, assisted Beverly to her feet and guided her to the aft section and the opening hatch.

“All Picard men over the centuries have been protective of their women. It’s in the blood.”

That made Beverly gape.

“Their women? Don’t you think that’s a tad chauvin…”

The Captain held up a hand and rolled his eyes.

“Please…don’t accuse me of being a chauvinist again Beverly.”

He sighed.

“Look just accept the fact that I’m an old fashioned man and that when we took our marriage vows I committed myself to you…and that means, amongst other things, affording you my protection. All right?”

Throwing her hands in the air, Beverly lifted her head and sighed.

“God…you are the most…”

She suddenly lowered her hands and gazed at her husband with unabashed love.

“The most chivalrous, noble…drop-dead gorgeous man I’ve ever known.”

His smile was warm, but he was embarrassingly disgruntled, his frown showed that.

“Well…ah…thank you. Now we’d best unload our equipment, then I’ll set the sensors to watch the weather.”

The Doctor grinned, her ability to discomfit him amusing her.

“Okay…Captain.”

He heard her impertinent tone and sighed, although inside his heart sang.

“Oh my love…I adore you.”

                    They spent an hour collecting samples before Beverly stood and stretched. She wandered over to Jean-Luc and gained his attention.

“It’s time we went up to the top of the plateau.”

He nodded and glanced over at the shuttle.

“We can leave most of the equipment here.”

Beverly nodded.

“Agreed.”

Within minutes they were hovering over the mist-clouded plateau. Beverly could tell by the tense set of his shoulders that the information he was getting from the scanners didn’t meet with his approval.

“What is it?”

He sighed and shook his head.

“There’s nowhere to land.”

Leaning over to get a look at the screen, Beverly scowled.

“What do you mean? There must be somewhere.”

The Captain grunted in frustration.

“I’m afraid not. The entire surface of the plateau…which by the way isn’t all that big…is covered by jagged rocks and unstable shale. There just isn’t anywhere to put down safely.”

Scratching her head, Beverly let out an exasperated breath.

“So what do we do?”

Jean-Luc shrugged.

“There’s only one thing we can do. Land back at the campsite and climb up ourselves.”

In the silence that followed Jean-Luc turned and watched his wife. He could see her uncertainty.

“Don’t worry about it Beverly. I’ll take us back to the Enterprise and detail another team to do this. It won’t take all that long.”

Her head snapped around, the fire in her eyes unmistakable.

“You will not! Land the bloody shuttle Jean-Luc!”

He sighed and shook his head.

“I really don’t think you’re up to this.”

She had to concentrate on not raising her voice.

“I most certainly am up to this…for God’s sake stop coddling me. Land the shuttle and we’ll climb up to the plateau.”

He had two choices. He could acquiesce and allow her to attempt the task or he could pull rank and order her back to the ship. Each choice had its pitfalls; the knack was to choose the one least likely to cause the most trouble. He sighed and gave in.

“Very well…if you’re sure.”

The withering look made him inwardly wince. In frosty silence he landed the shuttle and proceeded to take out the necessary equipment. Once suitably prepared they walked to the steep rise and looked up into the thickening mist. With a gentlemanly gesture of his hand, Jean-Luc beckoned his wife to precede him.

“After you.”

She huffed theatrically and began to climb.

                      Despite the insidious dampness of the all-pervading thick mist, they were both hot and sweaty when they finally crested the top. Beverly sat heavily, drawing her knees up and resting her forearms, her head bowed. Jean-Luc slid his backpack off his shoulders and set it down beside his wife before dropping to one knee and gently gripping her shoulder.

“Are you all right?”

With a deep sigh, Beverly raised her head and summoned a wan smile.

“Yeah…a little winded, but I’m okay. What now?”

Jean-Luc stood and squinted off into the swirling mist.

“Well as soon as you’re ready we’ll collect the samples then I suggest we skedaddle out of here…post haste.”

Beverly’s chuckle made him glance down at her, a frown on his face. With raised eyebrows he silently queried. Beverly chuckled again and supplied the answer.

“Skedaddle?”

He shrugged and grinned ruefully.

“Well…it seemed appropriate.”

She held up her hand, snorting with amusement.

“Help me up Jean-Luc…you never cease to amaze me.”

Delighted that he had managed to surprise his wife, the Captain helped her up then bent to open his backpack. He removed several items then straightened and looked off to his left.

“I’ll start over there.”

Dusting off her seat, Beverly nodded.

“Okay, I’ll go over there.”

She pointed behind her and Jean-Luc grunted.

“Keep your communicator on an open channel. Once we go into the mist we won’t be able to see each other.”

Beverly nodded.

“Agreed.”

They parted and once Jean-Luc had reached a likely spot he tapped his comm. badge.

“Can you hear me Beverly?”

Her reply was laced with warmth.

“Yes my love.”

“Good. I’ve reached the outer marker and I’m about to start.”

“Okay, I’ve just about to reach my marker…I’ll set up my apparatus in a minute.”

“Very well.”

Just as Jean-Luc set his backpack down the loose shale slipped down towards the edge of the easterly drop. The Captain grabbed the pack and dug his feet in, leaning back until his hand met the ground. His movement was stopped and he swallowed, edging forwards to peek over the lip. The drop was hidden by the mist but he knew from the shuttle’s scans that there was a sheer fall of twelve metres before a series of ledges broke the sloping drop back down to the campsite, three hundred and eighty seven metres below. He sighed and sat back, scrabbling backwards away from the drop. Once he felt safe, he deployed his equipment.

Both Jean-Luc and Beverly had been diligently working before the Doctor looked up, frowning at the darkening sky, such as she could discern through the mist. She tapped her badge.

“Jean-Luc?”

His response was immediate.

“Yes?”

“Is it my imagination…or is it getting darker?”

He frowned as he looked around him, the failing light now obvious to him.

“As a matter of fact it is, but we’re supposed to have several more hours of daylight yet.”

Remembering the briefing her husband had given her, she muttered,

“Gravimetric storms?”

“It could be. We’d batter pack up and prepare to leave. Are you almost finished?”

“Yes…you?”

He smiled.

“Yes I was taking the last sample.”

“Me too. I’ll meet you back where we came up.”

“Will do.”

He quickly began to pack his equipment and had almost completed his task when there was a sudden bolt of sickly green energy. It struck only a few metres from him and he cowered, his arms over his head.

“Beverly!”

Her reply was scratchy.

“Yes…I can hardly hear you.”

“Plasma bolts! Start down now…I’ll catch you up.”

“No! Where are you?”

“Beverly…get down to the shuttle…NOW!”

He heard his communicator crackle and all of the hair on his body rose. He smelled the change of atmosphere and grabbed his backpack, rising to his feet to make a run for it. The bolt slammed into the shale next to him, sending up a choking cloud of dust. The energy rebounded off the ground and hit his side, searing his flesh. His strangled cry was drowned out by the tremendous roar that followed the bolt. His body was blown sideways towards the drop and landed near the edge. In a semiconscious daze he dug his fingers into the shale but it was too late. With ponderous increments his legs and hips slid over the edge, teetered for several sickening seconds before his upper body suddenly slipped silently over the lip.

He dropped like a limp rag doll, his body turning lazily through the charged air. He tried to curl up and protect his head but in his dazed state he had little control over his body. He slammed back first into an ancient desiccated bush, the brittle, dry wood exploding with devastating results. Vicious shards of wood were driven into his body as the timber skeleton offered no resistance, his body smashing through it and into the stone ledge with deadly force.

Shale fell over his unconscious, bleeding form, covering him into a blue-black shroud.

                        As Beverly approached the easterly marker she slowed her steps and dropped to all fours. Another bolt of plasma struck the ground off to her right and her hair rose off her scalp. She coughed in the thinning air and waited until the oxygen returned before creeping closer to Jean-Luc’s backpack. She reached it and looked frantically around, seeing nothing of her husband. She lifted her head and yelled,

“Jean-Luc! Where are you?”

With no other sounds but those of the raging storm, she set about searching for her Captain. As she made a pass close to the edge she saw the furrows his hands had left in the shale. Her face paled and, as she moved closer, she saw blood which had made gory clumps in the shale dust.

“NO!”

She slapped her comm. badge.

“Picard to Enterprise!”

Nothing…just static.

“This is Doctor Picard calling the Enterprise…Emergency! Two to beam immediately to Sick Bay!”

Again there was no reply.

“Dammit!”

Lying flat on her stomach, Beverly inched to the edge, digging her feet into the shale and pushing backwards with her hands, she looked over the rim. She could see nothing but the thick mist. She called again.

“Jean-Luc!”

But she got no reply. As she wriggled backwards, away from the edge there was another plasma bolt strike nearby, blasting an inspissated cloud into the air, causing her a hacking cough. With gritty, streaming eyes, Beverly scrabbled back to the spot where they had crested the top and began a pell-mell descent. Heedless of her own safety, the Doctor went at break-neck speed, rushing headlong down the steep slope. It was of no surprise that she eventually went head over heels, tumbling out of control until the slope became less steep. She rolled one more time then regained her feet, loping down the slope with long strides. When she finally made it to the campsite, she was bleeding from several wounds and scrapes and was badly out of breath. In a staggering run she made for the shuttle. Just as she approached the open hatch a tall being stepped out of the craft. Beverly skidded to a halt and swallowed to catch her breath. Now out of the mist, in the gloomy light the Doctor regarded the greenish-blue creature. It was tall, over two metres and had webbed hands and feet, with a fin-like organ that went from the forehead, over the head and down the being’s back.

Beverly allowed a few seconds of silent inspection before she took a tentative step forward. She smiled and held up her hands.

“I mean no harm.”

The being stared blankly at her, the nictitating membranes of its eyes flicking twice and the deep slits in its neck wetly opening and closing.

Growing frustrated, Beverly stepped closer.

“I’m sorry, but I need the shuttle. My…mate is injured and I need to help him.”

She was about to step closer still when the being lifted one webbed hand. In it was a small device, the tip of which glowed bright blue. Beverly knew a weapon when she saw one. She shook her head.

“No…please…”

She turned to run only to be confronted by two more beings, each holding a weapon. She spun back to the being at the shuttle.

“Please! I mean no harm…I must go!”

With no thought of her own safety, Beverly tried to brush past the alien. As she went by its shoulder it raised its other hand and she felt a sting over her breast. She stopped abruptly and looked down to see blood start to colour her uniform. As her body began to register the effects of a drug she said breathlessly…

“No…what have you done?”

She very quickly lost control of her body, collapsing onto the ground. She could see, hear, taste, smell and feel but had absolutely no command of any muscle in her body. She felt herself lifted over the shoulder of the alien and her eyes faithfully recorded their passage over the ground, although she could only see in one direction…she could not move her eyes or blink.

She was placed face down on a vehicle of some sort, cylindrical and cold. It rose silently and moved off towards the sea.

                   Data took one more look at the screen and quietly summoned his CO.

“Commander Riker to the Bridge please.”

Will emerged quickly from the ready Room.

“Yes Data?”

“Sir there are significant gravimetric storms over the plateau.”

Will’s stomach immediately soured. He cast a sideways glance at the Lieutenant at Tactical and said firmly,

“Hail the Captain.”

Several seconds later the young man said apologetically,

“No response Sir.”

Still in civilian clothing, Will wished he could tug down his tunic. He took a deep breath and came to his decision.

“Right I’m taking a shuttle and an away team and I’m going down to see if they’re all right. Data you have the…”

The android Second Officer stood and shook his head.

“No Commander. You are still listed as being off duty…and in any case, you are the senior ranking officer aboard. It would be inappropriate for you to leave the ship.”

Will’s usually friendly blue eyes glittered angrily as he prepared to argue his case. Data, however, was not to be swayed.

“I will lead the away team Sir.”

Snapping his mouth closed, Will nodded grimly.

“Okay, but you get back here pronto…and bring them home…don’t take no for an answer.”

Data’s smile was warm.

“Aye Commander.”

As Will seated himself in the vacated centre seat, he lifted his head.

“Riker to Troi.”

“Troi here, go ahead.”

“Deanna I’m going to have to stay up here a little longer…something’s come up.”

There was a moment’s hesitation before Deanna asked.

“Is everything all right?”

Will sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“We don’t know…yet. Can you sense Beverly or the Captain?”

“No…not really.”

“Okay, thanks anyway.”

“Let me know Will…Troi out.”

The big man stared sullenly at the planet and snorted.

“I knew he shouldn’t have gone down there.”

                     Flying a shuttle through a gravimetric storm required superlative skill and, even with the shuttle’s shields activated, the little craft was severely buffeted. Data hovered over the shuttle at the campsite and scanned as best he could under the circumstances. With only partial scans available, Data ascertained there were no humanoid life forms present. He inputted the appropriate commands and the ship rose and ascended the rise up to the plateau. As had the Captain before him found out, there was nowhere to land. Instead Data piloted the vessel very low, slowly skimming over the surface until he found first Beverly’s equipment, then the Captain’s backpack…too near the edge of the cliff for comfort. Utilising exceptional skill, Data brought the shuttle to a static hover and kept the craft steady while a crewman jumped from the open hatch to reconnoitre. He returned fifteen minutes later and was assisted aboard by his ship mates.

Data turned in his seat and said,

“Report Ensign.”

The sandy haired young man swallowed and caught his breath.

“Sir I’m afraid it’s bad news. There is evidence to suggest someone has gone over the edge. I found drag marks and blood Sir.”

The android spent a few seconds forming and discarding hypotheses. Eventually he settled on one.

“Perhaps one of our officers fell over the cliff and the other is mounting a rescue. We must investigate.”

The storm was slowly abating and the plasma bolts were coming less infrequently, but Data kept the shields at full strength and piloted the shuttle with due caution. He took the little ship over the edge and turned on the powerful flood lights, keeping the nose of the craft facing the cliff. Twelve metres down they found the Captain’s body, partially buried under a cover of shale.

With the same skill as before, Data positioned the shuttle close enough to allow crewmembers to jump a short distance to the ledge. Only this time Data utilised the computer to take control while he left the ship in the company of two crewmen. They landed near the Captain and went straight to him, tricorders scanning. While Data cleared the shale from Jean-Luc’s face, one of the Ensigns muttered,

“I’m reading very faint life signs Commander, but I can’t tell what his injuries are.”

“Understood Ensign. We will have to be very careful in how we get him on board. Moving him may be dangerous.”

“Yes Sir, but we have to get him back to the Enterprise really quickly Commander.”

Data looked up and tilted his head.

“I am aware of that Ensign. Go back to the shuttle and get a whole body pressure suit.”

“Aye Sir.”

While the Ensign was gone, Data and the other officer gently straightened Jean-Luc’s grotesquely twisted body. The woman assisting Data suddenly paled.

“Commander…there’s so much blood…”

“Are you all right Ensign? Are you going to faint?”

Pausing in gently pulling the Captain’s unnaturally crooked leg out straight; Data suddenly grabbed the woman’s body as she slumped forward. He lifted her and laid her beside his CO before returning his attention to his Captain. The mist was rapidly clearing by the time the Ensign returned with the pressure suit. Together the two men eased the Captain into the suit and closed it, activating the air pump to supply the pressure that they hoped would control the bleeding and keep his battered body stable enough to move.

Such was their caution it took over twenty minutes to get Jean-Luc aboard the shuttle. The Ensign who had fainted had recovered and sat pale and shaking in one of the aft seats. Data ran a tricorder over the Captain before going to the cockpit for the journey back to the Enterprise.

As they cleared the surface, Data opened a channel.

“Data to Enterprise.”

“Riker here. Go ahead.”

“Commander I have found Captain Picard. He is severely injured Sir. Request immediate transport direct to Sick Bay.”

“Understood.”

Data heard the order and turned to see his Captain’s body disappear in a sparkle of blue light.

“Thank you Commander. I will return to the surface to search for Doctor Picard.”

“Any sign of her Data?”

“Not so far Sir.”

“Right…keep me posted, Enterprise out.”

As Data made the course corrections to take them back to the plateau, he said over his shoulder,

“Will you be able to continue Ensign?”

“The young woman nodded, lifting her chin.

“Yes Sir…I’m sorry I fainted.”

Data nodded silently and brought the shuttle to a hover over Beverly’s equipment. He then turned in his seat and addressed his crew.

“It is my intention to have the shuttle maintain this position at a height of one point five metres above the surface. We will disembark and search the plateau for any signs of Doctor Picard. Any questions?”

Receiving shakes of the head, Data turned back to the controls and opened the aft hatch. As the crew stood he said,

“Do not go too close to the drop on the east side. I will search there.”

The two Ensigns muttered,

“Yes Sir”

 As they jumped from the craft.

                  Will arrived in Sick Bay as they were removing the pressure suit from Jean-Luc. Blood dripped onto the floor and the big man swallowed, his eyes squinting as he took in the ghastly sight of his friend’s smashed body. He stood to one side as he listened to Doctor Selar catalogue Jean-Luc’s injuries.

“Two skull fractures…prepare a deep neurological scan. Four crushed vertebra, five broken ribs, lacerated kidney, severe bruising to the liver, ruptured abdomen and spleen with accompanying internal bleeding. Pelvis is in eight pieces both legs multiple fractures, left arm broken in five places…both scapulas shattered. There are multiple wounds with pieces of wood deeply embedded and a severe burn to his right side. Prepare him for surgery…STAT. I want whole blood and plasma drips…get a line in and the worst of the wounds packed with super absorbent gauze.”

The staff hurried to carry out their orders. Selar stepped back and faced her worried CO. She spoke without waiting for the inevitable questions.

“His injuries are severe; however I believe he will make a full recovery, provided I can get him to surgery quickly enough. At the moment blood loss and shock are the most pressing concerns, that and the skull fractures. I will know more soon.”

Will gave a curt nod, both acknowledging her words and dismissing her. The Vulcan physician left him and ushered her patient into the surgery suite. The Commander gained the attention of a passing nurse.

“I will be in Counsellor Troi’s quarters. Please call me as soon as you have any information about Captain Picard.”

“The young man nodded.

“Aye Sir.”

                    Deanna, already aware of the tension and worry in her friend, faced the door expectantly as he approached. She called out just before he pressed the chime.

“Come in Will.”

The Commander strode in, his face softening as he took in the scene before him. Deanna was lying on the sofa, her head and shoulders propped up with pillows as she fed their daughter. Will sat on the arm of the sofa and rubbed his face with his hands.

“How is he?”

Will shook his head.

“Bad. Multiple injuries…severe blood loss…shock….need I go on?”

Deanna grimaced.

“I sense very little from him…he’s deeply unconscious. What happened?”

Will shrugged.

“To be honest I don’t know. We got a call from Data to say they’d found him, but I know little more than that.”

“And Beverly?”

Will sighed.

“No sign of her yet.”

Seeing that Emily had finished the bottle, Deanna sat up and was about to burp her when Will’s large hands appeared and he took the baby, gently settling her on his shoulder. As Deanna watched his gentle patting, she sighed.

“Well there’s no way Beverly would have left the Captain…unless she went to get help. Where was he found?”

Will shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

Deanna laid a gentle hand on Will’s thigh.

“Look, under the circumstances I think you’d better return to duty…your place is on the Bridge. Contact Data and get the information you need.”

Seeing the uncertainty in his eyes, Deanna smiled to give him the encouragement he needed.

“Go Will. I’ll get someone to watch Emily and I’ll go down to Sick Bay. I’ll keep you posted…as long as you do the same for me.”

Handing his daughter back to her mother, Will stood and gave a nod.

“Do you mind if I get changed here?”

She shook her head.

“Not at all.”

The big man disappeared into her bedroom, emerging minutes later in uniform. He went to Deanna and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“I’ll be in touch.”

She smiled and nodded.

“Thanks.”

                 Beverly’s eyes were tearing as they reacted to the salty air of the beach. The craft settled on the sand and she felt straps placed tightly over her back and legs. The alien being straddled her and the craft lifted from the sand, heading out to sea. They skimmed over the surface of the water, their speed excessive. When they were approximately one hundred metres off shore, the craft and its occupants suddenly dived under the surface. Beverly had no warning, no chance to take a deep breath. The water stung her open eyes and, as they quickly descended to the sea floor, her eardrums painfully perforated with the increased pressure. Unable to hold what little breath she had any longer; her lungs expelled her air in a rush of bubbles. She was unable to stop the reflex inhalation. Cold sea water flooded her lungs, the burning shock making her gag. The second inhalation wasn’t as painful as the first and her vision began to grey. By the third breath she was unconscious. Five minutes later she was clinically dead.

                        Data went into the abandoned shuttle and turned on the power. After checking the logs he activated the floodlights, adding to the light from his own shuttle. With night fast approaching, he stepped out of the craft and addressed his waiting crew.

“Although we know our instruments will not work adequately here on the surface, I ask you to use your tricorders…it may be that close inspection may yield clues we might otherwise miss. To that end I must stress…use your own senses, eyesight, hearing; even smell could tip the balance of our search. I will scour the area at the base of the plateau. Marks, you search in an arc from here to the edge of the forest. Haddrell, you search from here to the small rise to the west. Report anything…I repeat, anything out of the ordinary. Dismissed.”

The officers spread out, each bending low in an effort to see the ground by the light of their palm beacons. Nearly an hour passed and nothing was found. Data called the others back to the shuttle.

“It is now fully dark; I suggest we return to the Enterprise. We can resume our search in the morning.”

The atmosphere in the shuttle was gloomy as the three officers made the journey in silence. Once clear of the planet, Data opened a channel to the ship.

“Riker here Data, go ahead.”

“Sir I must inform you we have had no success in our search for Doctor Picard.”

“Understood. Once you’ve docked I want a briefing.”

“Of course Commander. Data out.”

It was only half an hour before Data strode onto the Bridge. Will rose and, with a look and a pointing finger, directed his staff to the Observation Lounge. The seated officers all looked expectantly at the android and he quickly gave his report.

“We found Captain Picard on a ledge, twelve metres down from the eastern lip of the plateau. His backpack was abandoned as was Doctor Picard’s equipment. There were signs of a struggle in the shale near the lip…I believe the Captain attempted to arrest his fall. There was also evidence of plasma bolts striking close by. That, added to blood we found near the lip that has been identified as coming from Captain Picard suggests he was injured before he went over the edge.”

Will stroked his beard.

“Right…so it seems they got caught in the gravimetric storm and what…the Captain fell over the edge?”

“That or blasted over.”

The Commander grunted.

“Okay what about Doctor Picard? Where the hell is she? Did she fall too?”

Data shook his head.

“There was no evidence of that. We searched the base of the cliff and scanned the remaining ledges from the shuttle as well as thoroughly searching the top of the plateau. Commander we found nothing but her equipment. Of Doctor Picard herself we found nothing.”

Will grimaced.

“What about their shuttle? What did the logs have to say?”

Data folded his hands on the tabletop and sighed.

“The logs gave no indication of anything amiss Commander. I read of their difficulty in finding a landing site atop the plateau and of the Captain’s efforts to rig an alarm that they could hear to warn them of approaching storms. Other than that, the logs yielded very little.”

Will abruptly stood and went to the viewport.

“Well I know for sure Doctor Picard would never leave the Captain, especially if he were injured…unless she needed to get help. Now if she were up on the plateau when he fell she would’ve been unable to get to him…right?”

Data nodded.

“Indeed. In fact, due to inclement weather conditions, it is doubtful she would have been able to even see him.”

Will grunted.

“Okay…so what would she do?”

Geordi, up to this time content to sit and listen, raised his hands.

“There’s only one thing she could do Commander…get back to the shuttle to use it to rescue the Captain.”

Will slapped his thigh, moving back to the table and grabbing the back of his seat.

“Precisely! So she went back down…did she make it?”

Data shrugged.

“Unknown. There is no evidence to suggest either way.”

Will growled.

“Well I don’t buy it! Beverly would give her life before she abandoned her injured husband. Data I want you and Lieutenant M’Rak to organise six teams. Take as many shuttles as you need with whatever equipment you require. Go back down there and search again. There has to be something we missed.”

Data and the Vulcan head of security stood and went to leave. Will stopped them with an urgent plea.

“Find her.”

They both nodded and said quietly,

“Yes Sir.”

                      It was pain that woke Beverly. Although her eyes were already open, they slowly began to focus and the all-pervading pain made them tear…that and the fact that they were dry from being unable to blink. Her chest and throat aflame, Beverly tried to take a deep breath, but it was impossible.

“What?…I drowned! I know I did…I remember…”

 The lower half of her face was covered my some sort of mask and a tube extended down her throat. A particularly bad pain in her left upper chest made her realise something had perforated her flesh.

“I must have been resuscitated!”

 With no way to look down to see what it was, Beverly instead concentrated on what she could see.

 She was lying naked on her back on a cold metal surface. Overhead there was a bright light and her eyes had trouble seeing past the glare, but beyond the halo of light she could see some sort of apparatus which seemed to be attached to something that disappeared from her line of sight. She swallowed with difficulty and devoted some thought to her situation.

“Well…I can see, hear and breathe and my heart seems to be functioning all right. I can swallow…can I move anything else?”

She spent the next few minutes trying and failing to move any part of her body.

“Okay…I can’t move, but obviously there are some functions unaffected by whatever it was they injected me with. Right. I can feel and I seem to have all my cognitive abilities. Now what?”

Several minutes passed before Beverly suddenly became aware of a spreading warmth puddling under her.

“Oh great…I have no control over my bladder.”

Just then her skin registered a shift in the surrounding air. A very gentle breeze touched her naked body, raising goose bumps.  With her senses honed, she waited to see what would happen.

                       “Well if you need me, don’t hesitate to call.”

“Yes Counsellor. Harrigan out.”

Head nurse Alyssa Ogawa set the cup of hot chocolate on the table beside Deanna and said quietly.

“Jenny Harrigan?”

Deanna looked up and smiled.

“Yes. I asked her to stay with Emily…now that we’ve got her feeding properly she’s not such a pain to be with. She even sleeps now.”

Alyssa chuckled.

“I don’t know how you coped Counsellor. From what I heard…it must have been very hard.”

Deanna sipped her drink and shrugged.

“It was, but what else could I do but cope? She is my little girl. It wasn’t her fault.”

The two women shared a few moments of silence before Deanna asked,

“Any news?”

The Lieutenant shook her head.

“No. last time I checked Doctor Selar was treating the Captain’s skull fracture. Don’t worry though…I’ll keep you posted.”

Deanna’s smile was tired.

“Thank you.”

Alyssa stood and gently squeezed Deanna’s shoulder.

“I’ve got to get back to work. Will you be okay?”

The Counsellor smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I’ll be fine.”

She watched the nurse walk away and concentrated on sensing her Captain. Her frown at feeling very little marred her classical beauty.

                      With his usual clinical efficiency, Data deployed his teams with logical thought. The tall bright lights were set out in a pattern that gave them optimum illumination. Broken up into groups of two, the eighteen pairs spread out in a predetermined arc, tricorders scanning and eyes peeled. At the base of the incline Lieutenant J.G. Parminder Singh suddenly stopped and fell to her knees. Her partner, Kessok Jul, a Bolian of immense proportions, went down on bended knee beside her and frowned.

“What is it?”

With an irritated sigh, Parminder shook her tricorder.

“I got a fleeting reading of microcellular debris…but it’s gone again.”

The blue Ensign looked up the incline, aiming his palm beacon.

“Let’s go up a bit…we might find a bigger sample.”

Parminder stood and grumbled,
“You’re supposed to call me Sir.”

The Bolian snorted.

“Of course…Sir. My apologies…it’s just that you are so…small.”

The little Lieutenant looked up at her subordinate and smiled.

“I see what you mean, but don’t let Commander Data catch you forgetting.”

With a chuckle, Jul helped the Lieutenant to her feet and they started up the incline. They had gone up almost seventy metres before Parminder suddenly stopped. She again dropped to her knees and grunted as she pressed the controls on the tricorder. By now well out of the radius of light at the campsite, Jul aimed his palm beacon on the ground and hunkered down beside the Lieutenant.

“Anything…Sir?”

“Yes…dammit it comes and goes…wait a minute.”

After another sweep with the tricorder the Lieutenant gasped.

“Yes! More microcellular debris…and blood!”

Jul stared down at the barely discernable drips and grunted.

“Are they..?”

“Uh huh. Doctor Picard’s. We need to tell Commander Data.”

“Agreed…Sir.”

                   Half way between the Picard’s shuttle and the tree line, Data was on his knees, bent forward with his face almost touching the ground as his right hand gently skimmed the surface. His remarkable eyes contracted and dilated as he made microscopic measurements. The two junior officers trotted up to their CO slightly out of breath.

“Sir?”

Maintaining his concentration, Data said softly,

“One moment please.”

He shifted slightly, altering the angle of his line of sight. He blinked once and sat up. Parminder was intrigued.

“Have you found something Sir?”

Data nodded.

“I believe so Lieutenant. There is a very slight indentation here…as if something of significant weight rested here. Judging by the shape I would say it was cylindrical, approximately one and a half metres in length and half a metre in diameter.”

“Could it be made by any of the scientist’s equipment?”

Data stood, dusting off his pants and shaking his head.

“I do not think so.”

 His face cleared and he faced the two young officers.

“Do you have something to report Lieutenant?”

Proffering her tricorder, Parminder nodded.

“Yes Sir. We found microcellular debris and blood that has been confirmed as coming from Doctor Picard.”

Data took the device and turned to get the light from the nearby pole.

“I see. Where did you find these samples?”

Parminder turned and pointed up the incline.

“We found the first at the bottom, but there are bigger samples about seventy metres up.”

Data nodded.

“Come with me please.”

Together the three officers went over to the Picard’s shuttle. On their way Data gathered six more crewmen. Once assembled, the android addressed them.
“I want you to make a line and ascend the incline. Don’t go more than one hundred metres up, but look carefully. Scan for microcellular debris and blood. Report back to me when you are finished.”

There was a quiet chorus of “Yes Sir.”

Data watched them go then went back to his own study of the site.

                      It was oh four fifteen when Deanna was woken by a gentle shake to her shoulder. Selar stood over her, her dark Vulcan eyes showing concern.

“Counsellor perhaps you should retire to your quarters?”

Brushing her hair back, Deanna shook her head.

“I will, once I know how Captain Picard is.”

The Doctor nodded.

“I understand.”

She gestured to the office and both women went there, entering and settling in their respective chairs. Selar sat behind Beverly’s desk, her hands clasped on the desktop.

“I have completed the surgery on Captain Picard and he is resting comfortably in his room. I foresee no complications to his recovery, however as he suffered a large subdural haematoma his stay here will be several days.”

Deanna sighed.

“I see. I take it all his other injuries have been successfully treated?”

Selar inclined her head.

“Yes Counsellor. He will require extensive regeneration therapies but that should cause no problems. He is a very fit man for his age and has always exhibited remarkable restorative powers.”

Deanna smiled ruefully.

“I think you’re forgetting two rather important factors.”

The Vulcan raised one perfect eyebrow in query. Deanna sighed and tapped her fingers to illustrate her points.

“One, he has always had Doctor Picard here to look after him, and two, his compliance with any treatment had always been because Beverly wouldn’t put up with his nonsense. You’ll have your work cut out for you…both getting him to stay here, and to succumb to your treatments.”

The look on Selar’s face brooked no argument.

“In the absence of Doctor Picard, I am acting CMO of the Enterprise and as such, Captain Picard will obey my orders. I am sure, as he is a consummate professional, he will comply.”

Deanna’s chuckle was a tired one.

“I think you underestimate his dislike of Sick Bay Doctor. However, I’m sure you’ll work it out.”

She stood and stretched.

“Well I will retire for the night. I will let Commander Riker know about the Captain.”

Selar gave a short bow.

“Thank you Counsellor.”

As Deanna left she smiled to herself.

“When he wakes up, you’ll have a battle on your hands my friend.”

                   Will was tired and irritated. The latest report from the planet shed no light on Beverly’s disappearance; indeed, all it did was deepen the mystery. He sighed as the Sick Bay doors hissed open, and put his concerns aside. He was there to visit his Captain who knew nothing of his wife’s status.

Being au fait with Sick Bay’s rules. Will met with Selar in Beverly’s office first. The Vulcan gave her usual dispassionate report.

“Captain Picard regained consciousness at oh seven forty this morning. I am keeping him lightly sedated and controlling his pain with analgesia, the result being he will be quite drowsy. His right leg is in a plasticast from hip to toes, as is his left arm. Both arms are in stasis to prevent movement thereby facilitating the healing of his shattered scapulas. He is undergoing full-body regeneration therapy and he has a duraplast patch on the back of his skull. Intravenous infusion of both blood products and nutrition was withdrawn this morning; however he is attached to a biowaste unit.”

Will nodded and ran his fingers through his beard.

“Can I wake him?”

Selar raised an eyebrow.

“For what purpose?”

The Commander sighed.

“He’s going to want to know where his wife is.”

The Doctor lowered her head and considered Will’s words. With a shake of her head she clasped her hands behind her back.
“I do not think it would be advantageous to tell him.”

Will snorted.

“Maybe not, but I’m telling you he’ll want to know and if I don’t tell him he’ll fight you tooth and nail until he finds out.”

Selar shrugged.

“Then my suggestion is…do not wake him.”

The big man shook his head.

“Doctor he already knows something’s wrong, the minute he realised you were treating him. He’s waiting to hear from me.”

The Vulcan’s dark eyes bore into Will.

“Are you certain this is wise?”

Will nodded.

“Believe me…the alternative is too ugly to contemplate.”

With a curt nod, Selar gave her permission.

“Very well, but try to keep him calm, I would not like to increase the level of sedation at this stage.”

Will gave an encouraging smile.

“Will do.”

                   When Will entered his CO’s private room he wasn’t surprised to see the man fighting sleep. Through slitted eyes Jean-Luc saw Will’s entry and summoned his roughened voice.

“Where is she Will?”

Grabbing a chair and reversing it, Will straddled the seat and rested his hands along the back. He took a deep breath and looked into the older man’s eyes.

“We don’t know Captain.”

Jean-Luc closed his eyes and swallowed, gathering his courage and quelling his fear.

“I went over a cliff. Did she?”

Will shook his head.

“No Sir, in fact we have evidence that proves she tried to make it back to your shuttle.”

The Captain digested that information before asking,

“Did she take the shuttle?”

“No Captain. We have evidence she made it down the slope, but as far as we can tell, she never made it to the shuttle. Data has found three indentations half way between the shuttle and the tree line. It looks as though three small craft have set down.”

His slitted eyes glimmered in the light of the room.
“What are you saying?”

Will sighed.

“I’m not sure Sir, but we can’t discount the possibility she was abducted.”

There was a momentary silence before Jean-Luc sighed.

“What else is being done?”

“Data has nearly forty crew at the campsite going over the area with a fine toothed comb. Until we complete our investigations there’s little more can be done.”

Jean-Luc gave a curt nod. He swallowed again and frowned deeply.

“My boys?”

Will grinned.

“Ensign Miles stayed with the boys in your quarters last night…she set up a cot in Jacques’ room. As far as I know, all is well.”

Jean-Luc was about to say more when a quiet medical alarm sounded. He winced and closed his eyes. Will stood and laid a hand on the Captain’s chest.

“Sir? Are you all right?”

Before Jean-Luc could answer, Selar entered, a hypospray in her hand. She checked the readout above the bed and administered the hypo.

“Captain Picard that should alleviate your pain.”

To Will she said,

“The Captain needs to rest.”

Will nodded and turned to leave but Jean-Luc’s deep voice stilled his feet.

“Keep me informed Number One…and please ask Ensign Miles to see me at her convenience.”

Will gave a nod.

“Aye Captain.”

As the big man left he heard Selar saying,

“Sleep Captain Picard…sleep.”

                              Beverly knew there was someone in the room with her, but until they entered her field of vision, they remained invisible to her. She could hear movement and as she felt cold hands on her skin she wished she could shudder. Hands lifted her breasts and pressed the flesh, her nipples receiving due attention. Whatever was imbedded in her upper left chest was slowly withdrawn and the excruciating pain made Beverly yell in her mind. Tears streamed down her face as the agony radiated out through her chest and torso. She felt blood running down her sides, then the sensation of the gore being wiped off her skin. Something was pressed over the wound and she smelled the unmistakable aroma of burning flesh, but oddly, there was no associated pain. The residual pain throbbed insidiously in her chest, but she was very grateful to note it slowly ebbed. More movement could be heard then she felt her legs being parted. Her labia were spread then something was inserted into her vagina. Outraged and helpless, Beverly endured the intrusion, again crying out in her mind as the object penetrated too far. At the periphery of her hearing she detected odd, soft beeps, as if an instrument was working. The sudden cold application of metal against her clitoris made her silently yelp. The mild electric shock that passed through the organ made her silently gasp, but her drugged body showed no outward reaction to this violation. She tried to relax but she felt a pressure deep inside her body, followed by sudden intense pain in her lower abdomen. The pressure increased until she was silently screaming, tears pouring from her eyes. She dimly heard a loud chiming and the pressure abruptly ceased. Into her blurry vision a figure appeared, the suddenly blocked light casting too much shadow for her abused eyes to see. She smelled something decidedly wet and swallowed convulsively. As her vision adjusted an alien face stared down at her. Large webbed hands appeared and the mask was taken off her face. Then, with no time to prepare herself, the tube that was extended down her throat was withdrawn. Again she cried out in pain and anguish as the delicate mucous membrane of her throat was torn by the dry tube. The cold hand pulled her chin down and introduced a thin metal pipe. There was a hissing sound and Beverly’s mouth was pervaded by a strong chemical taste. The pain in the trachea lessened and she gave a prayer of thanks. The alien moved away and she felt something being placed over her abdomen. It was heavy and heart rate increased with her fear.

“Oh my God…what now?”

                     Selar, being a Vulcan, had almost limitless patience but her Captain was trying her resolve. For the third time in as many minutes she found herself shaking her head.

“No Captain Picard you may not sit up.”

He glowered at the woman and growled,

“Why the hell not?”

Adopting what she hoped was a respectful demeanour, the Doctor explained.

“Captain your injuries were quite severe, necessitating lengthy treatment to affect a complete recovery. “

His eyes glittered dangerously.

“I understand that, but why must you insist I be laid flat on my back? Surely I can sit up at least.”

Taking a deep breath, Selar clasped her hands in front of her.

“Captain there are some injuries that require deep regeneration therapy…”
“Which I can take sitting up!”

Ignoring his interruption, Selar continued.

“Your shoulder blades in particular must be kept still, both for the regeneration treatment and to make sure the repaired bone knits correctly.”

Jean-Luc snorted.

“So I had a few broken bones…I’ve had them before.”

“Yes Captain you have, but your right leg was badly broken in several places and both scapulas were shattered, not to mention your pelvis. I’m sorry Sir, but the only way I can heal these injuries satisfactorily is to have you lie flat in bed while the regeneration beams do their work.”

Jean-Luc pursed his lips and huffed.

“Very well I will accede, but I want to be removed from the biowaste unit.”

The Doctor bowed her head and briefly closed her eyes.

“Captain your request is illogical. How could you adequately void your bodily waste while being kept still in bed?”

His lowered brow deepened and he scowled.

“I would manage.”

The Doctor’s jaw tensed.

“I’m sorry Captain…no.”

It was unusual for Jean-Luc to raise his voice, but he was frustrated and angry.

“Look Doctor my wife is missing on that damned planet and I’m stuck here unable to lift a finger to help find her. Dammit woman…can’t you see I need to do something!”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Selar sighed.

Captain I understand but your attitude is illogical. As your Doctor I am bound by my oath to treat you as I see fit, to do otherwise would be negligent of me. Please Sir, your compliance will speed your recovery.”

The Captain squinted and gritted his teeth. With a glance at the readout Selar could see his pain levels were rising. She left the room, to return shortly with a hypospray. As she injected the man he closed his eyes and sighed.

“Why is there so much pain in my head…and why is my sight affected?”

“You sustained two serious skull fractures, causing a large subdural haematoma. It and the fractures have been repaired, but the underlining brain tissue has been traumatised. You will experience vision disturbances and pain until the tissue regains its former state.”

His voice had become gravelly.

“How long?”

“At least three days…perhaps longer.”

With a grunt he snarled,

“And the rest? How long will I be stuck here?”

Ignoring his sour attitude, Selar replied,

“I envisage you will be able to be discharged to your quarters in a week.”

A nurse entered and Selar turned to hear what he had to say. She nodded and again addressed her Captain.

“Sir Ensign Miles is outside…she says you have requested her presence.”

Jean-Luc nodded, his eyes still closed.

“Sir I do not wish you to be disturbed at this time. I will ask her to come back tomorrow.”

His eyes snapped open and he gently shook his head.

“No! She is looking after my children…I need to see her.”

Knowing that the man wouldn’t settle until he knew his children were all right, Selar acquiesced.

“Very well, she may have five minutes.”

The Ensign entered and Jean-Luc opened his eyes, doing his best to put a smile on his face.

“Ensign please, sit.”

The nervous woman sat on the edge of her chair, trying to keep the blush from rising over her face.

“Hello Captain Picard, how are you Sir?”

The smile widened but didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Oh I’m fine. Tell me…how are the boys?”

“Well Captain…Jacques misses both you and Doctor Picard, but they’re all well. Captain…do you really read Jack The Ripper to Jacques?”

Jean-Luc clenched his fists, his eyes glinting angrily.

“I most certainly do not! Why?”

Sally’s grin was infectious.

“Because he told me you do. He asked me to read to him last night and when I enquired which book you were reading to him, he told me Jack The Ripper.”

With a deep sigh, Jean-Luc wished he could rub his face with his hands.

“He doesn’t even know what the book is about. He saw me reading it last week and asked me about it. I fobbed him off but obviously his curiosity has been aroused. I have been reading Gulliver’s Travels to him.”

“I thought so Sir, it’s sitting on the nightstand beside his bed.”

The Captain nodded.

“Where I left it. Tell me, how are the twins doing with their feeds?”

Sally grinned.

“Oh they’re doing really well. I have Ensign Grundy come and help me…I know Henri will wait fairly patiently but I don’t think it’s fair. With Gail helping me we can get them both fed at the same time.”

Jean-Luc smiled his gratitude.

“Thank you Ensign, that is very kind of you. How are they tolerating the fruit?”

“Oh really well Captain. They’ve progressed to apple and orange and I’ve introduced some rice and barley. Don’t worry Sir, they’re doing fine.”

There was a momentary silence then Jean-Luc frowned.

“Doctor Picard told me you are from a large family.”

Sally smiled wistfully.

“Yes Sir, I am the eldest of nine.”

“That is so unusual these days. What was it like Ensign…growing up in such a crowded household?”

Sally shrugged.

“Oh I guess it was a little noisy…not much privacy…if I may ask Sir…do you have any siblings?”

The sadness that passed across the Captain’s face made the Ensign instantly regret her question but before she could retract it her CO smiled softly.

“I had an elder brother but he died a few years ago.”

Sally sighed.

“I’m sorry Sir.”

Jean-Luc wished he could shrug.

“It’s of no consequence Ensign. Has your department head been notified of the situation?”

The Ensign nodded eagerly.

“Yes Captain, Commander Riker spoke to her and I have been released from my duties to care for your children until such time as the situation is resolved.”

The Captain nodded.

“That’s good. I take it you have adequate help if required?”

“Yes Sir. Not only is Ensign Grundy available, so are several other crewmembers. Once it became clear that you needed help I was inundated with offers.”

Jean-Luc smiled.

“How gratifying. Well I am pleased it’s you caring for the boys. Perhaps you can bring Jacques to see me soon? I know he will have some questions for me.”

Sally grinned.

“Oh yes…no doubt about that Captain, but I think he needs to see you for comfort too Sir. He misses you very much…both of you.”

Jean-Luc sighed, his eyes troubled.

“What have you told him?”

It was Sally’s turn to sigh.

“Not very much. I haven’t told him Doctor Picard is missing, but I did tell him you have been injured and have to stay in Sick Bay for a while.”

“How did he take it?”

Sally frowned.

“He was very worried Captain. It took a lot of effort on my part to finally dissuade him from coming down here to see you. He can be a very determined little boy.”

The Captain gave a rueful smile.

“It’s a family trait Ensign, one he gets from both sides. Some may call it stubbornness.”

Selar came back in and said softly,

“You must rest now Captain.”

The Ensign stood and smiled down at her CO.

“Don’t worry about your kids Captain; I’ll take good care of them.”

With a tried smile, Jean-Luc nodded.

“I know you will Sally and I do appreciate your assistance.”

Selar waited until the young woman had left before injecting her patient with a sedative. As his mind and body succumbed to the drug he managed a scowl at his Doctor.

“You always get your way don’t you.”

He was asleep before she had to reply. Smoothing the blanket over his chest, Selar gave a satisfied nod.

“Most times Captain…most times.”

                    Will Riker strode onto the Bridge, his curt order to the Lieutenant he was relieving making the man wince inwardly.

“Report!”

“Sir! There has been a change in shifts down on the planet and Mr.Data reports they have discovered alien DNA at the shuttle site. They are at present trying to identify it.”

Will nodded and, as the change of shifts occurred around him, he raised his head and called,

“Riker to Data.”

The reply was instant.

“Data here Commander.”

“What have you got for me Data?”

“Early this morning we discovered DNA and cellular residue from Doctor Picard very near the shuttle. I utilised the shuttle’s scanners to augment our tricorders and found DNA from an alien source. We have, as yet, been unable to identify it Sir.”

Will stroked his beard.

“I see. Any more information about the indentations? Are they from a craft?”

“We think so Commander. We have detected a slight electromagnetic disturbance which may indicate a power source. We will investigate further.”

Taking his seat, Will nodded.

“Very well Commander. Riker out.”

An hour passed before Selar appeared on the Bridge. In her usual calm Vulcan manner she requested to see Will in the Ready Room.

“What can I do for you Doctor?”

Selar took a seat and clasped her hands on the desktop.

“Commander I have some disturbing news.”

Will’s stomach soured, his thought going immediately to his Captain.
“Is it Captain Picard?”

Selar shook her head.

“No Sir…at least not directly.”

Will scowled.

“Explain.”

The Doctor frowned slightly and sat forward.

“You are aware Commander of my on going efforts to identify the chemical found in the bodies of the scientists?”

Will nodded silently.

“In my investigations I decided to go back to the bodies to do a microscopic analysis of the tissue. What I have found is deeply disturbing.”

The Commander kept his face inscrutable.

“What did you find?”

“Sir there has been tissue taken from the bodies and invasive procedures undertaken.”

Will’s eyebrows rose.

“Tell me.”

“I discovered each major organ in all seven bodies had tissue removed. The evidence of this…biopsy-like sampling was very well disguised but evident nonetheless. Even the reproductive organs have been sampled. Also I found three entry points into the brain. One at the occipital cortex, one in the frontal lobe and one…and this is somewhat surprising, up through the palate of the mouth and through the thalamus and corpus callosum and into the parietal lobe.”

Will closed his eyes momentarily and shook his head.

“So…whoever did this was doing what? Experimenting? Exploring?”

Selar shrugged.

“I would say exploring Commander. If I was presented with alien bodies I may well do exactly as they have done.”

“Why didn’t you discover this before?”

The Vulcan tilted her head and raised one eyebrow.

“The autopsies had been conducted and, apart from the chemical and the highly elevated adrenaline levels we found, there did not seem to be anything else of note. The microscopic tissue analysis I did would not usually be considered in a standard autopsy unless there was doubt about the cause of death. We established very early that they died as a result of drowning.”

Will sat back and ran his hands over his head. He sighed and picked up the crystal shard the Jean-Luc kept on his desk.

“Do you know if they were alive or dead when these…samples were taken?”

Selar shrugged.

“Unknown Commander, however the elevated adrenaline levels seem to suggest enormous stress was experienced by the…victims. It may well be that they endured the procedures whilst alive…and aware.”

The crystal shard clattered on the desktop as Will growled,

“Shit!”

 A frown graced the Vulcan’s face.

“Sir?”

Will sighed.

“You are aware Doctor Picard is missing?”

“Yes Commander.”

“Well what if the same people who did the experimenting on the scientists have Doctor Picard?”

Both of Selar’s eyebrows rose.

“That would be…unfortunate.”

Will scowled.

“Yes, it would. Have you made any progress in identifying the chemical?”

“As a matter of fact, yes Sir. Although we have not identified all of the constituents, we have established the chemical is a drug and its effects would be similar to that of curare.”

Will frowned, shaking his head.

“I’m not familiar with that drug.”

“Curare has been used on Earth for centuries. It was first found by South American natives and used for hunting. In effect it renders the recipient utterly unable to control their muscles. However the victim can see, hear and feel.”

Will rubbed his face with his hands.

“Oh God…this is too horrible to think about.”

Selar nodded.

“Indeed it is disturbing. Especially when you consider, if Doctor Picard is indeed in alien hands, that they now have a female to examine.”

Will’s head shot up.

“Oh Christ…we have to do something!”

The Doctor sighed.

“What more can we do Sir?”

Will stood, bringing the interview to an end.

“I’m not sure Doctor but I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit on my arse up here twiddling my thumbs!”

As the big man strode from the office, Selar followed him, her thoughts wry.

“How illogical.”

                     The passage of time was very difficult to judge for Beverly. Since the heavy sensation descended on her stomach she had been left alone. The vaginal probe was left in situ but the spray that had been applied to her throat had worn off and she struggled to breathe through the raw tissue. But despite her uncomfortable state she drifted off into a light sleep. It was interrupted by cold hands on her face. Although her eyes had remained open throughout her slumber, she realised they were not so dry. Her curiosity was answered when, without warning, an alien appeared in her line of sight and dripped some liquid into her eyes. Unable to show her appreciation, Beverly’s heart accelerated when she felt a sharp pain on her forehead. Blood trickled each side of her head as the pain intensified. Whatever had penetrated her skin suddenly met the bone of her skull. Again the pain intensified as the intrusive metal instrument abruptly began to spin. The Doctor shrieked in agony as the bone was bored, but once the skull had been penetrated the pain suddenly lessened. The instrument was withdrawn and Beverly caught sight of a thin, flexible tube being introduced into the hole in her skull. There was a deep pressure inside her head and she felt nausea rising. Fortunately she passed out.

It was pain that woke her. She was lying on her side, her hair obscuring her vision. Cold hands held her, preventing her from rolling forwards or backwards. The same pain as had occurred in her forehead now bit into the skin and bone low at the back of her head. Again she cried desperately in her mind as the dreadful drilling took place. When the pain suddenly subsided she sobbed silently with relief. This time, when the sensation of pressure occurred she remained conscious. After what seemed an interminable time she was gently rolled onto her back and her head raised and placed on something hard. She could now see down her body. The vaginal probe was connected to a thick cord that in turn entered what looked like some sort of computer. An alien appeared near her feet and gently pushed the probe deeper inside her but, although the action was gentle; it was again pushed too far inside her, causing the wretched woman to cry silently in pain.

Another alien lifted her head and adjusted it until the hard pillow was under her neck. Her head was eased back until her neck was hyper-extended. Now she could only stare at the white ceiling. A cold hand gripped her chin and pulled it down, opening her mouth to its full extent. She felt and heard the sharp click as something metal hit her teeth and pressed down on her tongue. Again her heart accelerated as she felt the biting pain in the roof of her palate as it was being pierced. Whatever did the cutting sliced through the palate and into her nasal passage, then on up into the bone of the sphenoidal sinus. It then began to drill. Beverly shrieked in silent in agony, tears streaming from her eyes. Her bladder released and she gagged as blood filled her mouth. Something soft and rubbery was insinuated into her mouth and the blood and saliva was sucked away. Just when she thought she could stand no more agony, the floor of the skull was penetrated and the pain abated. As a flexible tube was introduced into her brain, her bowel emptied itself and she lost consciousness again.

                     Selar had just given Jean-Luc some liquid sustenance when there was a soft knock at his door. Making sure she had wiped her Captain’s mouth, the Doctor went to the door and opened it. With a gesture she bade the caller to enter. Sally Miles came in and Jacques trailed behind her, holding her hand. Jean-Luc slowly turned his head, and seeing his son, smiled.

“Hello Jacques.”

The little boy stayed behind the Ensign, peering around her legs. In a small voice he said,

“Papa?”

Wishing he could hold out his hand, Jean-Luc instead broadened his smile and nodded.

“Yes son, come here…come to me.”

Gaining confidence at hearing his father’s voice, Jacques sidled past Sally and approached the bed. He looked solemnly at the man and frowned.

“Why are you in bed Papa? It’s nearly lunch time.”

Jean-Luc kept the smile in place but he sighed.

“I got hurt Jacques. I have to stay here in bed for a while.”

The boy nodded.

“Papa…where’s Maman?”

Glancing at the Ensign, Jean-Luc frowned.

“Ah…Maman is very busy on a mission.”

Jacques thought about that for a few seconds then nodded.

“Can I sit with you on the bed?”

The Captain nodded.

“Yes I think so.”
He cast a look at Sally and she smiled obligingly.

“Here you go.”

She lifted the boy and set him down beside his father. There wasn’t much room and Jean-Luc chafed at not being able to put a protective arm around him.

“What have you been doing?”

The lad beamed.

“At school I made a dragon!”

Jean-Luc looked suitably impressed.

“A dragon? My goodness. Next time you come to visit me, will you bring it?”

Jacques nodded.

“I couldn’t bring it today ‘cause it’s still wet. Papa…when will Maman’s mission be finished?”

The Captain kept his worry from his voice.

“I’m not sure Jacques.”

The boy frowned.

“But you’re the Captain…you know everything.”

That brought a sigh.

“I don’t know everything Jacques and while I’m here in Sick Bay I don’t get to hear all that goes on.”

“Why?”

“Because Doctor Selar wants me to rest. Do you remember when you had tonsillitis?”

The boy nodded vigorously.

“Yes! Maman took them out and gave me a bowl of ice cream.”

Jean-Luc smiled.

“That’s right, but before Maman removed them do you remember how she made you rest a lot?”

Jacques frowned then smiled.

“Yes. She said it was so I’d be strong for the…the...op...op…”

“Operation.”

“Oui!”

“Well it’s the same for me. I have to lie still while I get better.”

The boy’s eye widened owlishly.

“You can’t move?”

Jean-Luc smiled to take his worry away.

“Not much but tomorrow, or maybe the next day I will be allowed to move. I broke some of my bones and I have to lie still so they can mend properly.”

“Oh. I want a hug.”

Jean-Luc frowned.

“Well I can’t move my arms, but if you’re very careful, you can hug me.”

The boy grinned and Sally stepped forward to lend assistance. Jacques gently hugged his father then rested his head on Jean-Luc’s chest. When he spoke his soft voice was sad.

“I miss you and Maman Papa.”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“I know Jacques, but hopefully we’ll both be home soon.”

He altered his voice to a more cheery note as he asked,

“How are your little brothers?”

The boy lifted his head and giggled.

“They’re okay. Yesterday Matthieu got rice and apple in Sally’s hair. You should have seen her!”

Jean-Luc chuckled and stole a glance at the embarrassed Ensign. To ease her chagrin he muttered,

“Both of the twins have done that to me Sally…don’t worry about it.”

The Ensign grinned ruefully,

“Thank you Sir, but as you can see, I have long hair and you have…oh…excuse me Captain.”

Again embarrassed, Sally lowered her eyes as she blushed furiously. Jean-Luc chuckled again and sought to save her.

“It’s all right Sally, I fully understand that wiping food from a bare pate is much easier than having to wash long hair.”

The mortified young woman looked up quickly and smiled.

“Yes Sir.”

Jean-Luc yawned and blinked several times.

“Well my son, I think I will have to rest soon. I keep being given medicine that makes me go to sleep. Will you come and see me again?”

“Oui Papa. Can I come and see you after dinner? Maybe you could read to me”

Jean-Luc smiled.

“I’ll ask Doctor Selar and I’ll let Sally know. All right?”

The boy nodded and bent forward to kiss his father’s cheek. He giggled and ran his fingers over Jean-Luc’s chin.

“You’ve got whiskers.”

He chuckled.

“That I have. Perhaps you can help me shave later.”

The boy nodded.

“Okay.”

Sally helped him down from the bed and, as they left, Jacques turned at the door and waved.

“Bye Papa.”

“Bye Jacques.”

                           The ensign that trotted up to Data was out of breath. The android turned to the young woman and patiently waited for her to get control of her breathing. Eventually she gasped,

“Sir you were right. There is alien DNA at the indentations…and we found some more at the tree line.”

In Data’s hand were three very small scraps of grey and black material. He had just confirmed they were from Beverly’s uniform. He looked at the Ensign and nodded.

“Very well Ensign, thank you.”

As she turned to leave, the woman hesitated and turned back to her CO.

“Sir?”

Data raised his eyes to meet hers.

“Yes?”

“What do you think it all means Sir? Do you think Doctor Picard has been abducted?”

Pulling down the corners of his mouth, Data shrugged.

“Although at this time we cannot be one hundred percent certain, evidence so far suggests that is what has happened.”

The young woman blanched.

“Sir…do you think that’s what happened to the scientists?”

“It could be.”

Shaking her head, the Ensign swallowed to wet her suddenly dry mouth.

“But Sir…they all died.”

Data nodded.

“Yes they did.”

Giving her CO a stricken look, the Ensign drifted away. Data had just returned his attention to the shuttle scanners when a familiar voice drew his attention.

“What have you got Data?”

He swivelled the cockpit seat and tilted his head.

“Commander Riker? What are you doing here Sir?”

Will waved his hand impatiently.

“Never mind that…fill me in.”

Data frowned but stifled his protest at his CO’s presence. Instead he gave his report.

“In addition to our previous findings, we now have small scraps of Doctor Picard’s uniform from the incline and just recently I have been informed that the same alien DNA as we found here at the shuttle, has been detected at the indentations and at the tree line.”

Will folded his arms and scowled.

“So it’s pretty certain then…she was abducted.”

Data allowed a nod.

“In the face of the evidence…yes Sir, I believe she has.”

The big man slumped into the unoccupied cockpit seat and rubbed his face wearily.

“We have to find her…and soon.”

That surprised the android.

“Of course Commander…is that not why we are here?”

Will grunted.

“You don’t understand Data. Selar has just informed me that the bodies of the scientists have been experimented on. Tissue has been taken and their brains invaded with instruments. Now add to that the fact that the scientists were returned drowned…and the fact that they were all male…do you get my drift?”

Data frowned then raised his eyebrows.

“I see Commander. You are saying that on the basis of Doctor Picard being female, she has provided the aliens with a different subject.”

“Yes. And Doctor Selar also told me that the chemical found in all seven bodies is a drug similar to curare.”

Data frowned.

“That is most unfortunate.”

Will nodded.

“Yes it is…and I’ve been told that the elevated adrenaline levels in the bodies may indicate they went through the experimentation whilst alive and aware.”

Data nodded slowly.

“I see now your need for haste. What do you suggest we do Commander? We have almost exhausted our investigations here.”

Will stood and tugged down on his tunic, a habit he picked up from his Captain and not necessary with the new uniforms, but one he found strangely comforting.

“I think we should move this investigation to the sea. Everything points to that.”

Data stood and nodded.

“I will see to it at once. Will you be staying Sir?”

Will gave a curt nod.

“Yes, at least for the time being.”

Data bowed his head.

“Very well Commander.”

                       Beverly’s eyes were wide open and staring but in reality she saw nothing. However her mind was furnishing images at an astonishing rate. All her memories were rushing by, flickering instances of her infancy, her early childhood on Arveda III and with that her precious memories of her parents, there were images of her teens, living with her grandmother on Caldos, fleeting glimpses of school, then the Academy and Jack Crusher, her first husband, but when she reached her time in medical school the images suddenly slowed. As the scenes scrolled across her mind, some were accelerated and some slowed, but as they progressed Beverly sluggishly realised her brain was being accessed for information. It had not occurred to her before, she was too involved in her memories to comprehend what was happening, but when the images abruptly slowed she had a chance to catch her breath. Now she tried to divorce herself from what she could see in her mind’s eye and concentrate on what was happening to her. With this intense mental effort, the images wavered and stopped. She felt an increase in the pressure in her head but resisted. The voice that invaded her mind made her sob with both fear and dread.

“You will cease.”

“What?”

“You will cease your efforts to stop the harvesting.”

“What are you harvesting?”

“Your knowledge.”

“Why?”

“Because we need to know.”

“What do you need to know?”

“That is not your concern.”

“But if you tell me I might be able to help.”

“You cannot help.”

“How do you know?”

“We know.”

The pressure increased again and Beverly felt herself beginning to fade. She bolstered her strength and struggled to keep the invaders out.

“You will cease!”

“No! Tell me what you want.”

There was silence then the voice returned.

“We think you possess knowledge we need.”

“Why?”

“Because you are a healer.”

Beverly thought furiously.

“Did you try and get this knowledge from the others? The scientists?”

“Yes.”

“They died. Did you kill them?”

“No. Yes. They drowned. It was not our intention.”

“I drowned. Did you intend that?”

“No. We exist in water but we can exist in air.”

“Amphibian?”

There was silence while the question was considered. The answer was curt.

“Yes.”

“You resuscitated me.”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you resuscitate the scientists?”

“We did.”

“But they died of drowning.”

There was the metal equivalent of a sigh.

“We can resuscitate here but not on land.”

“Then how am I going to get back to my people?”

“You will stay with us.”

“No I wish to go back to my people. They will be very worried, they will be looking for me.”

“What is a…husband?”

“Ah…he is my…mate.”

“And children?”

“Our offspring.”

“You are very…attached to your husband and children.”

“Yes. Humans most often mate for life. Please…you must let me go.”

“No, you will stay. We need you.”

“But you haven’t told me why?”

“Why are you different from the others?”

These sudden shifts in subject were hard for Beverly to handle. She concentrated on keeping control of her thoughts.

“Different?”

“Your body differs.”

“Oh. I am female. They were male.”

“What is the purpose of this?”

“Humans have two genders, necessary for breeding.”

“How does this occur?”

Beverly mentally sighed again.

“Well…the male inseminates the female and the offspring develops within the body of the female. It is gestated for nine months and is born live, but still underdeveloped and totally dependant on its parents. It will not mature for many years.”

“That is inefficient.”

This time Beverly shrugged in her mind.

“Well it has worked for Humans for millennia. In fact all mammals follow a similar process.”

“Mammals?”

“A descriptive scientific term for the warm-blooded animals of Earth, from where Humans originated.”

“Interesting. We will continue.”

The pressure grew and Beverly cried out as her struggle for control began to slip.

“No please…”

“You cannot resist, we will find what we need.”

A coldness pervaded Beverly’s mind as dreaded words filled her head.

“Resistance is futile.”

                               It was early evening on the ship and Jean-Luc’s discussion with Selar was causing him to become angry and irritated.

“Look I just want to read to my son. Can’t you do something about my vision?”

Selar sighed.

“No Captain I cannot.”

Jean-Luc scowled.

“There must be something surely…a temporary solution.”

“I am sorry Captain but I am not prepared to administer any extraneous drugs or therapies. It could set back your recovery.”

The Captain grimaced.

“But I want to read to my son and I can’t with my sight the way it is now.”

With great forbearance, Selar kept her voice even.

“Captain Picard I have already explained why your sight has been affected. You are receiving the appropriate treatment and it will rectify itself in due course. You will just have to be patient.”

“But…”

“Captain why don’t you utilise an audio book? You can still be with your son while you both listen to it.”

Jean-Luc glowered and grumbled,

“It’s not the same.”

“Well I am sorry Sir. Now would you like a cup of tea?”

This was a new development. Up until now Selar had forbidden him his favourite brew. He looked up in surprise and nodded.

“Yes I would…thank you.”

She was gone only a minute and returned with a steaming cup.

“Doctor Picard had noted in your records that you prefer Earl Grey tea, hot, black and unsweetened. I hope this is to your taste.”

She gently lifted his head and placed a straw in his mouth while gently warning,

“It may not be as hot as you like…I need to protect against scalding.”

Jean-Luc drew the liquid into his mouth and sighed with pleasure. She was right, it wasn’t as hot as he would have liked, but it was delicious nonetheless. As the warmth spread in his stomach he closed his eyes and smiled.

“What made you change your mind?”

The Doctor tilted her head.

“You are progressing well. I saw no need to deny you your preferred beverage any longer; however I will restrict the amount you ingest.”

Jean-Luc sighed. It had been a very long day. Although he was given regular updates from the Bridge and Will came down as often as he could, to be confined and immobile in Sick Bay while his beloved Beverly was missing ate at him, eroding his patience and stamina. He swallowed and nodded.

“I understand. Thank you Doctor.”

Hearing the subtle dismissal, Selar bowed slightly, put the now empty cup in the recycler and silently left the room. Jean-Luc gathered his thoughts and stared at the ceiling.

“Picard to Ensign Miles.”

“Miles here Captain.”

“Ensign could you bring Jacques down here please? I would like to say goodnight to him.”

“Of course Captain. Would you like to see the twins too?”

Jean-Luc gave that a moment’s thought.

“Yes Ensign, I believe I would.”

“Very well Captain, we’ll be there shortly. Miles out.”

The Captain sighed and closed his eyes.

“Where are you my love? Are you all right? We’ll find you Beverly…hold on…hold on mon coeur.”

               In all there were six shuttles parked along the sandy beach. For two hundred metres in each direction, Enterprise crew scoured the sand, while over head and out to sea, two shuttles methodically swept back and forth, their scanners and sensors penetrating into the water. Will and Data stood at the shore line, staring out at the low-flying shuttles, one with forlorn despondency, the other with limitless patience. When Will spoke, his voice showed his low spirits.

“This is getting us nowhere.”

Data cast a look at his CO and frowned.

“It has only been one point four hours Commander.”

The big man grunted.

“What about the thirty eight hours at the campsite?”

Data shrugged.

“All thorough investigations take time Sir.”

Folding his arms, Will lowered his gaze and stared at his feet.

“The scientists all drowned Data. How the hell did it happen? Were they taken out to sea and abandoned? Were they in a craft that sank? How the hell did seven grown men drown?”

Although the questions were largely rhetorical, Data answered nonetheless.

“Unknown Sir, but we will keep investigating until we have the answers. Captain Picard would expect no less. By the way Commander, how is the Captain?”

Will sighed and ran a hand over his head.

“He’s coming along all right. By this evening I think Selar might let him sit up.”

Data nodded.

“That is good. He must be very concerned. Who is caring for his children?”

Will frowned and lifted his head, giving the Second Officer a perplexed look.

“I…ah...I don’t know.”

Data, seeing his CO’s discomfort, changed the subject.

“Once we have the results of our search, I will correlate everything and perhaps we will gain information that will lead us to Doctor Picard.”

Will grunted.

“Yeah well it can’t come quick enough for me. Have you spoken to Geordi about augmenting the Enterprise’s sensors?”

“Yes Commander. He suggests we may have more success with our sensors in a few hours. The solar activity is abating but it is a temporary situation. The sun is a particularly active star.”

With a growl, Will scratched his cheek.

“Just like everything else about this damn situation! I’m going back to the ship Data, keep me appraised.”

The android nodded.

“Aye Sir.”

               The pain deep within her head made Beverly cry silently. She had woken to the pervasive invasion of her brain, the memories accessed scrolling by, sometimes at phenomenal speed, sometimes so slowly she relished the opportunity to revisit long lost or seldom seen visions of her past. The aliens seemed to be concentrating on her medical knowledge, lingering over her memories of medical school and subsequent experiences as a qualified Doctor. She endured the invasion for several hours before it abruptly stopped. Into her line of sight appeared an alien. It dripped some solution into her eyes and turned away. Beverly, seething with indignation and fear, concentrated all her meagre resources and tried to move. The index finger of her right hand twitched then rose a few centimetres. Immediately an alarm sounded and the alien reappeared. It stared down at Beverly before disappearing from sight. The sting in her shoulder told Beverly more of the drug had been administered. She struggled to move the finger again, but try as she might, it was useless. Once again she was immobile.

The probes in her brain became inactive and the memory theft stopped. She felt the probe in her vagina move and the pain returned deep inside her. Hands touched her lower belly and she cried out silently as something was pushed through the skin of her lower right abdomen. She felt the cold metal slide through her flesh and pierce something within her. Gasping and sobbing she called,

“Stop!”

The voice that answered was completely dispassionate.

“No.”

“What are you doing to me?”

“We are harvesting.”

“Harvesting what?”

“That does not concern you.”

Beverly was incensed.

“Doesn’t concern me? You’re taking samples from me!”

The voice sounded bored.

“You will be silent.”

“I will not! Stop what you’re doing!”

“If you will not be silent we will hurt you.”

Beverly almost laughed outright.

“You’re already hurting me! Have you no concept of pain?”

The procedure halted.

“You are feeling pain?”

“Yes!”

The voice took on a note of contrition.

“We are sorry…we did not know.”

In exasperation, Beverly had to stifle the urge to shout.

“Why did you think I was crying?”

The alien appeared near her head.

“Crying?”

Beverly sighed.

“Crying is a response to certain stimuli. It can be emotional or physical in nature but most times it indicates distress, but not always. In this case crying was caused by pain, fear and outrage.”

The alien bent forward and delicately sniffed Beverly’s face. It straightened and seemed to sigh.

“Is this why your eyes…leaked?”

“Yes. Crying causes the lachrymal glands near the eyes to excrete excess fluid.”

“Your eyes are dry now.”

Beverly sighed.

“Because I can’t blink.”

There was a momentary pause.

“If you could blink…your eyes would be moist?”

“Yes. The lachrymal gland produces fluid constantly to lubricate the eyes. It is distributed by blinking.”

“We will remedy this.”

The alien went out of sight but soon returned with a small metal cylinder. It was placed at the corner of her left eye and she felt a sharp pain. This procedure was repeated on her right eye and, after a few minutes she tried and successfully blinked.

“Thank you.”

The alien inclined its head.

“We will continue.”

The pain in Beverly’s lower abdomen returned and she cried out.

“No! Stop…please!”

The voice was tired.

“We apologise but we cannot. We must harvest.”

“But…”

“It would be better if you thought of your…family…and ignored what is happening.”

“I can’t! It hurts too much!”

“We are sorry.”

Whatever it was that had penetrated her skin was slowly withdrawn. Just as Beverly was breathing a sigh of relief, it suddenly pierced her on the other side. She moaned and tried to writhe.

“My ovaries! You’re taking samples from my ovaries!”

“Be quiet.”

“No! Stop please…you don’t need that.”

Instead of answering, the probe was pushed deeper inside and Beverly cried out.

“No…please, no more!”

The vaginal probe suddenly heated up, the warmth radiating out and pervading her lower abdomen. Beverly silently sighed with relief.

“Is that better?”

She swallowed.

“Yes.”

“We will continue.”

The Doctor rallied her waning strength.

“Tell me what it is you seek. I might be able to help you.”

The voice was suspicious.

“Why would you help?”

The red head wished she could smile.

“Two reasons. One, I am a Doctor and as such I have sworn an oath to not only do no harm, but to help wherever I can. The other reason is because I am a member of Star Fleet. We are bound to help those in need.”

The voice grew derisive.

“As long as it does not interfere with your Prime Directive.”

“You know about that?”

“Yes.”

Beverly inwardly sighed.

“It is true that the Prime Directive sometimes prevents us from helping those in need, but as long as who we wish to help is of a similar technological level as us, there should be no problem and that seems to be the case with you.”

There was an ominous silence before the voice returned.

“You cannot help.”

Frustrated, Beverly snorted silently.

“How do you know? Tell me what it is you look for, what it is you need.”

The alien appeared at Beverly’s head.

“You are a healer…we understand your motives. We will discuss this.”

It moved away and Beverly called out,

“Wait…come back…talk to me…I don’t want to be alone!”

The soft footsteps slapped wetly as they receded from her hearing. Beverly swallowed and stared up at the white featureless ceiling, blinking away her tears.

                       The bed had been raised and Jean-Luc sat up, his head slowly spinning. Selar stood by his side, a hypospray in her hand.

“I can give you medication for your vertigo Captain.”

He shook his head, his eyes closed, wincing as he did so.

“No thank you Doctor, I would like to see if I can cope without additional drugs.”

Selar sighed.

“Very well Sir.”

A few minutes later he opened his eyes and took a deep breath. Looking around he gingerly lifted one arm. Selar immediately grabbed his wrist.

“That would be inadvisable Captain.”

Jean-Luc gave a nod and made sure he bent his arm at the elbow, keeping his shoulders still. Mollified, Selar let go of his wrist and nodded.

“That is acceptable Sir.”

She turned and offered him a drink. He took the straw and sucked, the tea filling his mouth. Swallowing, he sighed and managed a smile.

“Are my children here?”

“Yes Captain they are waiting outside with Ensign Miles.”

Jean-Luc closed his eyes and took another deep breath.

“May I be disconnected from the biowaste unit now?”

Selar was about to shake her head in the negative when she saw what an effort her Captain was making in hiding both his pain and dizziness. With him now allowed a small amount of movement she could not, in good conscience, deny him his request. She gave a silent nod of her head, unseen by the Captain. He didn’t know of her decision until she began to disconnect him. He endured the embarrassment stoically and sighed when he was once again lying free of paraphernalia. Selar waited until he opened his eyes and looked at her.

“You will let someone know when you need to void your waste.”

He nodded tiredly and sighed.

“Of course.”

The Doctor nodded.

“Very well, I will allow your children in to see you now.”

Jean-Luc raised another smile.

“Thank you Doctor.”

His smile grew to a grin when Jacques made his way past the pram and rushed into the room.

“Papa! Look what I bought to show you!”

From behind the boy’s back his little hands produced a mysterious construct. Jean-Luc’s grin still in place, he frowned and looked expectantly.

“What have you got there?”

Jacques’ look of disbelief was priceless.

“It my dragon Papa!”

Now seeing the green and red paint…and lots of glitter, Jean-Luc’s eyebrows rose.

“Ah! Of course. Bring it over here son so I can see it better.”

With Sally’s help, Jacques was placed on the bed, grinning up at his now almost upright father. Careful not to move his shoulders, Jean-Luc took the dragon from the lad and inspected it.

“Well Jacques…this is the best dragon I’ve seen today.”

The boy giggled.

“Oh Papa…how many dragons have you seen today?”

The Captain made sure he looked as though he was seriously considering the question.

“Well, let me see. One was brought in this morning to have its claws trimmed, and this afternoon Doctor Harrington saw one who’s fire had gone out…so…yours is the best out of three.”

Jacques’ incredulous look made the man laugh.

“I’m having you on Jacques. I’ve only seen one dragon today, but it’s still the best.”

The boy chuckled and leaned forward, wrapping his arms around his father and snuggling into his chest, the dragon forgotten on the bed. Jean-Luc returned the hug as best he could, tears pricking his eyes. While all this had gone on, Sally had taken Matthieu out of the double pram and was amusing him with a soft stuffed cat. Henri waited patiently while his brother received all the attention. Jacques pulled back and sat up, seeing that his father wanted to see his other sons. Matthieu was placed in his arms and Sally picked Henri up, Jacques helped Jean-Luc to settle his older twin in one arm then watched as the younger boy was placed in the other arm. The Captain looked down at his little boys and chuckled as Matthieu crowed at him. When he spoke his voice was soft and very deep.

“How are they sleeping?”

Sally smiled.

“Very well Sir. I feed them dinner at about eighteen hundred, bath them both and by nineteen thirty they’re both in bed. They play a while then they nod off and sleep through until about six or seven.”

Jean-Luc nodded.

“And the feeding?”

“No problem Captain. They’re tolerating the added grains really well and the fruit goes down a treat.”

Henri yawned and lifted his legs to grip his feet. Jacques giggled and gently tickled the baby, making Henri gurgle. Jean-Luc watched with amusement before asking,

“And you Ensign, are you getting sufficient rest?”

Sally reddened immediately.

“Oh yes Captain, you needn’t worry about me Sir.”

Jean-Luc lifted his eyes from his sons and frowned at the young woman.

“I will most certainly worry about you Ensign. You are looking after my children and I deeply appreciate your efforts. Did you know you are the only person Doctor Picard is happy to have baby sit?”

Sally’s blush deepened.

“Oh Captain…I…I…no Sir I didn’t know.”

“Well it’s true. Now I want you to promise me something.”

The woman swallowed and tried to cover her smile.

“Yes Sir?”

“I want you to promise me you’re not taking on too much. You told me there are others willing to help…avail yourself of them.”

The smile became a grin.

“Yes Captain. I will.”

The Ensign got a chair and sat while the Captain played with his sons.

It was Jacques who noticed his father was sweating. Showing maturity beyond his tender years, the boy caught Sally’s attention and frowned at her. The Ensign stood, curious as to what was bothering the lad. One look at her Captain had her very concerned. Jean-Luc was pale and there was a slight tremor in his hands. Sweat trickled freely down his face and his eyes were dull.

“Sir? Captain Picard? Are you all right Sir?”

The man looked up and swallowed, giving a slight shake of his head. Sally didn’t hesitate. She slapped her comm. badge.

“Miles to Selar.”

“Selar here.”
“Doctor I need you in Captain Picard’s room immediately.”

“On my way.”

The Doctor entered with a hypospray in one hand and a tricorder in the other. She administered a drug and scanned the Captain as Sally took the twins and put them back in the pram. Jacques slid off the bed and went to Sally, his thumb stuck in his mouth as he stared wide-eyed at his father, his arm wrapped around her legs. While the Ensign tried to quell the boy’s fear, Selar spoke softly to her CO.

“You have done enough for one day Captain. I have given you a potent analgesic and you require rest. I will lower the bed.”

He raised one hand and shook his head, his voice husky and ragged.

“No…wait one moment…please.”

Selar paused and frowned.

“Captain…”

Jean-Luc opened his eyes and shook his head.

“Please…let me say goodnight to my children.”

The Doctor stood back from the bed and sighed.

“Very well.”

Jean-Luc beckoned to his eldest son and smiled.
“Jacques?”

The boy stepped forward but faltered as his father closed his eyes and swallowed. His voice was very small when he said,

“Papa?”

The Captain opened his eyes and let his son see his love.

“It’s all right Jacques…come here please.”

Taking halting steps, the boy approached his father, his thumb stuck firmly in his mouth. Sally followed him and when he was close enough, lifted him onto the bed.

Jean-Luc slowly lifted one arm and smiled at his son.

“I need a hug Jacques.”

At first the little boy wrapped one arm around his father, not willing to give up his thumb, but as Jean-Luc settled his arm over his back, Jacques slipped his thumb from his mouth and wrapped his other arm around his father. His small body trembled as he started to cry, making Jean-Luc’s eyes fill with tears. The Captain lowered his face and kissed the top of his son’s head, whispering,

“It’s all right Jacques…everything’s all right.”

The boy shook his head and pulled away. Through his sobs he managed.

“No it’s not Papa. I want Maman…I want you to come home. It’s not the same. Sally doesn’t do the voices like you do when she reads to me. She makes me comb my hair different…I have to tuck myself in in the morning….it’s not the same Papa. Come home Papa…please?”

The man sighed and used his thumbs to wipe away the boy’s tears.

“I can’t come home yet Jacques but soon…I promise.”

The boy fell forward onto his father’s chest and sobbed, his voice muffled.

“What about Maman. Can you bring her home?”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“Not yet.”

The boy’s voice grew to a wail.

“Why? You’re the Captain…you can do anything!”

Jean-Luc pulled his son to him and closed his eyes in anguish. Jacques dissolved into more sobs and clung to his father. The twins started to cry and Sally went to Jacques, gently tugging his shoulders.

“Come on Jacques, it’s time to take the twins home. They need their dinner…will you help me feed them? Maybe you can have a bath with them too.”

Unwilling to release his father, Jacques tightened his grip, causing Jean-Luc to grimace and Selar to step up to the bed. Between the Doctor and the Ensign, they got the boy to let go of his father but he resisted their efforts to lift him from the bed, struggling and shouting.

“NO! I want to stay with Papa!”

He was becoming increasingly distressed when Jean-Luc’s deep commanding voice cut through his racket.

“Jacques!”

It was a tone the boy seldom heard from his father, but he reacted immediately. Suddenly still and quiet, he looked owlishly at the man, hiccupping occasionally. Jean-Luc softened his voice but the inherent authority was unmistakable.

“You will go back to our quarters and behave yourself. I will be home as soon as I can.”

Tears sild silently down the boy’s face but he nodded and said quietly,

“Yes Papa.”

Sally helped him from the bed and it was then she noticed the twins had stopped crying. As she left with her charges she marvelled,

“My God…even babies obey him!”

As Selar lowered the bed, Jean-Luc marshalled his remaining strength to spear her with his intense gaze.

“You will discharge me as soon as possible. My children need me.”

Knowing now was not the time to argue, the Doctor inclined her head.

“Yes Captain.”

She administered a sedative and, as the man slipped into sleep, she noted his stern expression didn’t alter.

“You are a very determined man Captain Picard.”

                      Data bent low on his hands and knees and sniffed the aggregation of grasses and mud. His tricorder suggested it was a nesting site but, as there was no evidence it had been used in quite some time, the android decided to heed his own advice and use all his senses. The Lieutenant at his side frowned and gave a sidelong look at his companion, another Lieutenant, his eyebrows raised.

“Ah Commander…what are you doing?”

Data sat back on his haunches and brushed his hands free of sand.

“Although the information is sporadic and incomplete, the tricorder suggests this is a nest site. I am endeavouring to ascertain whether or not that is correct by utilising my olfactory senses. It has been documented that reptilian nest sites have a peculiar odour, one easily detectable.”

The young man gaped and shook his head.

“And does it Sir?”

Data shrugged.

“That is indeterminable as I am unfamiliar with this planet’s species. However I can determine it carries no reptilian odour that I can identify.”

The Lieutenant shrugged.

“So now what Sir? We have found an old nest. So what?”

Data stood and flicked at the sand on his trousers.

“We must thoroughly investigate everything we find Lieutenant. We do not yet know what is significant and what is not.”

“But Sir…how can an alien nest site be significant?”

The android shrugged.

“I do not know.”

Just then Data’s comm. badge came to life.

“Shuttle Monash to Data.”

“Data here, go ahead.”

“Sir we’re getting some screwy readings here. Request your assistance.”

The Second Officer frowned.
“Define ‘screwy’ Ensign.”

“Well…we think there might be a mass at one hundred and fifty metres of depth, but we can’t be sure. One minute we get random indications of a power source then it disappears. We need your help Sir.”

“Understood, I am on my way. Data out.”

The pale artificial man turned to his fellow officers.

“While I am gone I want you to search this section of beach. If you find any more nest sites, catalogue them then report to Commander Peverill. He will assign your new tasks.”

The men nodded and replied in unison.

“Aye Sir.”

Within fifteen minutes Data had piloted a shuttle out to sea and landed it on the water’s surface. Stern to stern, both craft had their aft hatches open, through which Data entered the Monash.

“Ensign Tamblyn, you reported a ‘mass’ at a depth of one hundred and fifty metres. Can you be more specific?”

Paul Tamblyn shook his head.

“Not really Sir. We think what we’ve found is the top of something, because the actual depth here is one hundred and sixty-five metres.”

“I see. Why do you not think it is a naturally occurring phenomenon?”

Tamblyn sighed and shrugged.

“Because of the sporadic power readings Sir. The source is unknown, but I don’t think it is naturally occurring. We’ve been trying to pin it down when we see it, but it keeps ghosting then disappearing.”

Data tilted his head in thought.

“And you think these readings are coming from the…mass?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Curious. Is there a deep water pressure suit on board?”

The Ensign shook his head.

“No Sir.”

“I see.”

Data walked forward and opened a broad range channel.

“Commander Data to all shuttles. Any shuttle containing a deep water pressure suit, please report to me immediately. Data out.”

He waited only five minutes before making his decision.
“It would seem none of the shuttles has one. I will return to the Enterprise. In my absence, Commander Peverill will be in charge. Please make your reports to him until I return.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. Several minutes later the shuttle had lifted off and was ascending the heavens.

                      Will twisted in the Command chair and frowned.

“He asked for what?”

“A deep water pressure suit Sir.”

The big man nodded.

“That’s what I thought you said. Riker to Data.”

“Data here.”

“Going for a swim Data?”

Will grinned at hearing the obvious confusion coming from his friend.

“Sir?”

“You want a deep diving suit. Why?”

“Oh. Yes Sir. We have discovered something under the surface of the sea that warrants further investigation. Also, while I am aboard I will see if Geordi is ready with the augmented scanners. We would benefit from their readings.”

“Understood. I’ll let him know you’re on your way. Riker out.”

The First Officer ran his fingers through his beard and sighed. Lifting his head he called,

“Riker to LaForge.”

“LaForge here.”

“Geordi, Data’s on his way. How are we going with the scanners and sensors?”

“Almost there Commander, but our window is going to be very short. The activity of the Garudan sun is increasing again.”

Will nodded, his face showing his frustration.

“How long will we have?”

“Best estimate…twenty minutes.”

With a grunt, Will closed his eyes briefly and shook his head.

“Damn. Okay Geordi, start as soon as you’re ready. Send all our results down to the planet as well as to our science stations.”

“Will do Commander, LaForge out.”

The quiet voice of the Tactical officer broke into Will’s thoughts.

“Commander Data’s shuttle is docking now Sir.”

Giving a curt nod, Will muttered.

“Thank you Ensign.”

                      It had been several hours and no one had returned to Beverly’s room. She had managed to doze fitfully but as her fear slowly gave way to boredom, her thoughts settled on her family.

“Oh my little ones…are you all right? Is your father with you? Did they rescue him? Is he all right?”

 Images of her husband filled her mind and she sighed inwardly, remembering the night everything changed.

It had been nothing special, just a shared dinner, although being in her quarters was a little unusual, their habit of dining in Jean-Luc’s abode almost sacrosanct. They had eaten in easy companionship, chatting freely about everything and nothing, keeping up with ship’s gossip, work…the usual things. After dinner they had retired to the sofa to savour their wine, a bottle of the Picard vineyards. Beverly watched her friend surreptitiously, happy that he could relax so much in her company. Her pupils dilated as she took in his features…his body. She had always found him attractive…compelling…his natural authority and commanding presence made him very alluring but what she found most irresistible was his well hidden vulnerability. That he was willing to let his guard down with her was a tremendous compliment and she found she was becoming increasingly unable to resist his appeal. She had long harboured erotic fantasies about him, but as her feelings for him grew, the fantasies became more and more prevalent. And knowing he loved her…had done for thirty years…only served to make a difficult situation worse.

She sat up abruptly and placed her glass on the table, putting it down with more force than she intended. Somewhat startled, the Captain shot her a glance.

“Well I suppose we should call it a night Jean-Luc. I have to be up early tomorrow.”

She saw the disappointment flicker in his eyes but he covered it well. He stood and held out his hand, assisting Beverly to her feet. They walked slowly to the door and, as it opened, Jean-Luc turned to his best friend with the intention of thanking her for a lovely evening. He caught Beverly in an unguarded moment. As their eyes met he saw the love in her eyes.

Jean-Luc was a man accustomed to seizing opportunities when they arose. It was a philosophy that had served him well all his life. Not willing to change now, he took a step forward, allowing the door to close. Holding Beverly’s gaze, he raised his hands and cradled her face, leaning in slowly and brushing his lips over hers. The shock of their touch sent a shiver through the red head. She gasped softly and, as he approached for another kiss, she closed her eyes and waited breathlessly. The following kiss made her moan softly and when they parted she mewed in discontent. Still holding her face, Jean-Luc said quietly,

“Open your eyes Beverly.”

Once he held her gaze he took a deep breath and swallowed.

“I love you Beverly…you know that. Do you love me?”

All she could do was nod; her voice had long ago deserted her. The smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth made Beverly chuckle. Jean-Luc kissed her again. What started out as an expression of tenderness became heatedly passionate, leaving Beverly weak-kneed and clutching his shoulders. When he picked her up she sighed and laid her head against his neck. As he carried her into the bedroom she whispered,

“Make love to me Jean-Luc.”

His reply was another languid kiss. They made love twice that night and again in the morning. As they lay quietly, enjoying the afterglow of their efforts, Beverly finally found her voice. She snuggled into his embrace and, with tears in her eyes, said,

“I love you Jean-Luc. I have for a long time.”

He tightened his embrace and kissed the top of her head.

“I know.”

They were married three months later.

Her thoughts drifted then. Images of their married life, the afternoon Jean-Luc proposed made her sigh.

They were sharing a day off. The Captain had done some tweaking of the rosters to allow them to have a day off together. He had taken Beverly to the Holodeck for a picnic. The blanket was spread on the top of a small rise, the grasses soft and fresh. Around them in every direction sprawled the Picard vineyards. Beverly was sitting within the embrace of her lover, her back pressed against his chest. She leaned her head back onto his shoulder and sighed as he gently caressed her neck.

“Oh God…this is wonderful. Is it really like this?”

Jean-Luc chuckled.

“Well we do get lovely days like this in late spring and early summer but the truth is there are insects that bite up here. Whenever I came here as a lad to read I always had to smother myself in anti bite cream.

The Doctor giggled.

“Oh I can just see you…all shiny.”

With a snort, Jean-Luc gently bit her neck.

“I was not shiny! The cream rubbed in completely. What I detested was how it smelled. I ended up smelling highly perfumed! My dear brother used to give me hell about it.”

Beverly turned in his arms and knelt. With mischief in her eyes, she leaned forward and nuzzled his neck, groaning sensuously. Amused…and a little aroused, Jean-Luc lifted his head to give her better access. The gentle shove on his chest had him topple backwards leaving Beverly to stretch out on top of him. He sighed and brought his hands to her head, guiding her mouth down to his. The kiss was passionate and Beverly mewed as she felt his erection grow under her. His hands drifted down her sides, his fingers gathering the material of her sundress. As the fabric slid up her legs, Jean-Luc’s eyes suddenly widened as he encountered no underwear. Beverly lifted her head to smile into his dark eyes. His one growled word sent shivers down her spine.

“Wench.”

She sat up and ground herself against him. He gripped her hips and pushed up, closing his eyes and moaning softly. Abruptly, making his eyes snap open, Beverly moved backwards to sit on his thighs. She made short work of opening his trousers and freeing him from his briefs. With a few quick tugs, she lowered his pants and underwear to his thighs then moved back up to straddle him. She rubbed herself over his stiff penis, coating him with her dew. His hands went to the buttons of her dress, but he growled in frustration as his fingers fumbled. Taking pity on him, Beverly took over and undid the dress, pulling it open and displaying herself to him. With no bra to worry about, Jean-Luc smiled as he lifted her breasts out of the confines of the dress and rolled the nipples in his fingers. Beverly was deeply aroused. She leaned back, arching her neck as her lover kneaded and teased her breasts. Suddenly she looked down at him, placed one hand on his chest and raised herself, taking his penis in her other hand and lifting it. With slow deliberation she lowered herself, centimetre by centimetre until he was deeply inside her. Jean-Luc closed his eyes and gasped, grabbing her dress and pulling her down for a heated kiss. The broke the kiss, panting and gasping. Beverly lifted herself slowly the dropped back down sharply, making them both cry out. Heady with desire, the red head quickened her motions, rising and dropping forcefully. Very rapidly she approached her release but her lover had other ideas. He suddenly sat up and stilled her. Utilising his mouth, he lavished her nipples while his fingers explored her sex. She shifted and wrapped her legs around him, giving him better access to her clitoris. As he kissed her again, his fingers slid over her pearl making her shudder. He lifted his hands and wrapped his arms around her before slowly leaning forward to lay her on her back. With her legs around his waist, Jean-Luc pulled himself out of her tight heat and slid his penis through her folds. Beverly gasped and shook her head, panting,

“No…no…I want you inside me…quickly Jean-Luc…please…quickly!”

Ignoring her plea, he nuzzled her neck, while slothfully pushing his erection back and forth over her clitoris. His deep voice was husky with desire.

“What do you want Beverly? What do you want me to do?”

She bit her lip and screwed her eyes shut to stop her reply. He chuckled and pushed himself harder against her.

“Tell me my wanton lover…how do you want it? Hmm?”

Unable to resist his sensuous voice, Beverly gasped,

“Hard…I want it hard and fast!”

“Then that’s what you’re going to get!”

He surged into her, the sudden penetration making Beverly shriek. He took her hands and pinned them beside her head as he rose up and proceeded to plunge violently in and out of the writhing women below him. Mindless with sensation, Beverly arched her back and gripped his shoulders.

“Yes! Yes! Oh God…I’m going to…”

Abruptly she was there…her climax causing her to scream softly as her body twisted and flexed in ecstasy. Undone by his lover’s reaction, Jean-Luc closed his eyes, his mouth agape as his orgasm swept him away. Buried deep within his lover, he spasmed rhythmically as he ejaculated. Seconds later he collapsed, panting and softly moaning Beverly’s name. With every residual pulse of his softening penis, Beverly clenched him internally. They lay in each other’s arms, slowly regaining their breath.

Eventually Jean-Luc rolled to his side, taking Beverly with him. As they lay quietly, still joined, Jean-Luc sighed and tenderly kissed her.

“I never want to do anything else but make love to you.”

Beverly chuckled languidly.

“What…no captaincy? No exploring space?”

He shook his head.

“No. I just want to spend the rest of my days loving you. And as for exploring…I’d rather explore you.”

He gently pushed himself into her and she sighed.

“We have the rest of our lives Jean-Luc. Don’t even think of giving up your life’s work for me…or anybody else. It’s who you are.”

They kissed again and Jean-Luc smiled.

“Actually there’s a way I can have my cake and eat it too.”

That made Beverly’s eyebrows rise.

“I’m cake?”

He chuckled.

“Not exactly, but I think you know what I mean…although you are simply scrumptious.”

The Doctor giggled.

“And you’re incorrigible. Now what’s your big idea?”

He sighed, closed his eyes briefly and swallowed.

“Marry me.”

Beverly’s dreamy look disappeared. Suddenly tense she gasped,

“What?”

Rising up on one elbow, Jean-Luc looked down at the startled woman.

“You heard me. Marry me…please.”

It was Beverly’s turn to swallow. She frowned, her eyes darting about.

“But…Jean-Luc…it’s only been two and a half months.”

He smiled tenderly.

“And thirty years.”

She looked into his eyes and saw the love and determination. Sighing, she shook her head.

“You’re mad.”

He chuckled.

“Perhaps but I know what I want. The thing is…do you what the same?”

Staring deeply into his eyes, she whispered,

“Are you sure?”

He nodded slowly.

“Yes, absolutely.”

Her smile was small, but her eyes sparkled.

“Then yes.”

His smile became a rare full grin and his eyes glittered with tears.

“I love you mon coeur…I will make sure you will never regret what you have just done…what you have just given me.”

Her own tears sliding down her face, Beverly sighed.

“I know my heart…I trust you…implicitly…and I love you, with all that I am.”

He sighed and they kissed again.

“I am a very lucky man.”

Beverly giggled.

“I know.”

                       It was getting late when Data was finally ready for his dive. The shuttle floated serenely on the surface as the two Ensigns checked his suit.

“All clear Sir.”

Data turned and nodded.

“Very good Ensign, thank you. I estimate I will be gone approximately thirty minutes. Please monitor the line and be ready to haul me up if I give the appropriate signal.”

The young man nodded.

“Yes Sir.”

Moving with surprising ease, Data went to the open aft hatch and sat on the leading edge with his flippered feet in the dark green water. The older Ensign once again checked the line attachment and tapped Data’s helmet, giving a thumbs up sign. The android answered the sign and, without any further ado, slipped feet first into the frigid water.

As he quickly sank the oxygen mixture in his tanks changed to compensate for the ever increasing depth. At seventy metres he switched on his helmet lights and aimed the beams down. The inky blackness below him extinguished the light, swallowing it up completely. With infinite patience Data bided his time, knowing he would eventually arrive at his destination. The pressure compressed his suit against his body, but he was comfortable, the internal heater keeping him warm. At one hundred metres an automatic system within the suit compensated for the pressure and he realised he could move more freely. Now surrounded by absolute darkness, Data turned his head, his lights illuminating bizarre and deadly looking creatures. His hand dropped to his phaser, but the animals avoided him, seemingly disturbed by his lights. He glanced down just in time to see the top of an enormous dome suddenly appear out of the blackness. He kicked his feet and arrested his downward fall, hovering over the dome. Aligning himself horizontally, he drifted down until his gloved hand made contact with the dome. It was covered by a thick coating of marine growth but as he rubbed vigorously, the underlying surface became evident. It was rough, grey in colour and obviously not natural. He kicked his feet, moving at a slow pace. He deployed his tricorder but was frustrated by the results. His hand encountered an irregularity and he stopped, his hand busily brushing away the growth. He exposed a seam. Turning at right angles to his previous trajectory, he followed the seam as it traversed the top of the dome and disappeared down the gently sloping side. He was so engrossed in his investigation; he literally bumped into the sea floor. Righting himself, Data stood on the barren sandy bottom and frowned. The surface of the dome went below the sea bed. He floated down to his knees and, waving his hand vigorously, shifted an amount of sand but got no further in discovering how deeply into the bed the dome went. With his tricorder showing very little information, Data placed one hand against the surface and, using his flippers, began to circumnavigate the dome.

It took nearly forty-five minutes before he returned to his starting point. He encountered more seams but apart from that the dome was featureless. The comm. unit in his helmet came to life.

“Commander Data?”

“Go ahead.”

“Sir we are receiving the results of the Enterprise’s scans. I think you should see this Sir.”

“Understood. I will surface immediately.”

As he began his ascent the line was taken up and, due to the sophistication of his suit, decompression was unnecessary.

                    In the time it had taken for Selar to leave the Captain’s room to retrieve a hypospray, Jean-Luc had sat up and twisted himself in the bed so the one leg was dangling over the side while the other leg, completely encased in a plasticast, stuck out in front of him. The Doctor entered and stopped dead.

“What do you think you are doing?”

The man grunted.

“I am attempting to get out of bed.”
“Why?”

Jean-Luc took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds then let it out slowly.

“As I told you yesterday…I want to be released to my quarters. Today would be good.”

Selar went to his bedside and injected him before he could protest.

“That was for your pain Captain. I cannot release you yet, you are still undergoing intensive regen treatments.”

The Captain shook his head.

“You have a portable regen unit; I can be treated in my quarters.”

“That is illogical Captain Picard. You are here; you should take advantage of that fact.”

The man grunted.

“You saw how my son reacted yesterday. He needs me Doctor and I intend to be there for him.”

The Vulcan shrugged.

“Children of his age are very adaptable; he will soon become accustomed to his changed circumstances.”

Jean-Luc shook his head vehemently.

“I don’t want him to adjust! Look, his mother is missing, he’s pining for her and I’m not there to comfort him. He’s suffering. I have to be there for him and I can’t do that from Sick Bay.”

He looked into Selar’s dark eyes and all but pleaded.

“Please Doctor…I must do this.”

Selar stood absolutely still as her analytical mind sorted through the facts. She knew if she didn’t acquiesce he would become belligerent and his treatment would be that much more difficult. She clearly remembered Deanna’s warning. But could she treat him adequately in his quarters? She weighed the pros and cons and quickly came to her decision.

“Very well Captain I will release you, but until I am satisfied you are coping you will have a nurse stay with you twenty-four hours a day.”

Jean-Luc pursed his lips and considered the options. He fixed the Doctor with a steady gaze and offered a suggestion.
“I would like to limit the amount of people in my quarters at the moment…my children have been disrupted enough. How about you let Ensign Miles look after me?”

Selar shook her head.

“Unacceptable. She lacks the required medical training.”

Resting his cast encased arm on his chest, Jean-Luc sighed.

“Look all she needs do is scan me regularly with a medical tricorder. You, or some other Doctor will be coming by often enough and I will tell her if I require help.”

Selar retuned his gaze with equanimity, giving his words due consideration.

“It would mean I have to trust you.”

Jean-Luc nodded seriously.

“Yes.”

“You have proven, over the years, to be a recalcitrant patient. Some might say…difficult.”

Jean-Luc nodded slowly.

“That is true.”

“Why is this different?”

The smile that emerged on her Captain’s face surprised the Doctor.

“Because this involves my children. I may take liberties with my own health, but I would never compromise theirs.”

Said with such resolute conviction, Selar had no choice but to accede.

“Very well Captain. I will take you to your quarters and initiate your regen treatment. I will trust you. Don’t disappoint me Sir.”

Jean-Luc nodded solemnly.

“I won’t…thank you.”

                   Geordi turned from the aft science station and repeated his words.

“There’re a series of them Commander. Over a twelve kilometre square I count…”

He turned back to his screen and paused,

“…eighteen of them.”

Will, standing beside the dark man, ran a hand through his hair.

“Do we know what they are?”

The Engineer shrugged.

“Well, we’re only getting partial information, but they’re not naturally occurring, and there’s air inside them…air and water in separate compartments.”

Will chewed his lip.

“Dwellings?”

Again Geordi shrugged.

“I don’t know for sure, but what else could they be? And Commander…the structures extend below the level of the sea floor…at least twenty metres, maybe more and there’s evidence to suggest each structure is connected to the others by subterranean tubes at least three metres in diameter.”

The big man puffed out his cheeks.

“Okay…do we have any idea how many people could be down there?”

The engineer sighed.

“None whatsoever. If there’s anyone down there we can’t detect them.”

Will grunted.

“Damn. Okay keep scanning. Have you sent what we have so far to the surface?”

“Yes Sir. Data should be back aboard the shuttle in about ten minutes.”

“Right. Keep me posted.”

“Aye Sir.”

                  The two Ensigns on the shuttle assisted their Commander back on board. Data took his helmet off and, with further help from the junior officers, quickly divested himself of the pressure suit. He was seated in the cockpit ten minutes after he came aboard. His remarkable positronic brain assimilated the incoming information at a phenomenal speed, the Ensigns could only stand and watch in awe. Having read the information, Data tapped his comm. badge.

“Data to Enterprise.”

“Riker here. Go ahead Data.”

“Sir I have read the results of the scans and I can confirm most of what you have found. Although I only examined one of the domes, I ascertained they are not naturally occurring and do extend below the floor of the sea.”

“Understood. Is there anything other then the domes? Anything else on the sea bed?”

The android shook his head.

“No Sir, the sea bottom is barren, devoid of plant and animal life as far as I could see, however the surface of the dome is covered by a luxuriant amount of marine growth.”

“I see. Very well, have you anything else to report?”

“Yes Sir. On our investigation of the beach and the dunes we discovered what appears to be a moderately large nest site. I would like to bring some samples aboard for further analysis.”

“That’s fine Data. I’ll see you when you come up.”

“Aye Sir. Data out.”

The Second Officer turned his head and caught the attention of the waiting Ensigns.

“We are taking the shuttle back to the beach. Please take your seats and prepare for lift off.”

“Aye Sir.”

As soon as Data’s shuttle settled on the beach, a tall female Lieutenant met him as the hatch opened. Data stepped out and lifted an eyebrow.

“Report Lieutenant.

“Sir we have found several more nest sites, five containing some large unbroken eggs and the remains of broken eggs.”

“I see. Anything else?”
“No Sir.”

“Show me please.”

The walk to the nests was relatively long, about four hundred metres. The Lieutenant led Data into the small dunes and pushed through some undergrowth. There, in a saucer-like depression were the remains of a nest and in it sat eight large bluish eggs, surrounded by the broken residue of several more eggs. Data went to the nest, went down on one knee and peered closely at the remains. As he examined the eggs, the Lieutenant informed him,

“The other nests with eggs are down the beach a ways, approximately fifteen metres apart.”

The android stood and deployed his tricorder.

“These nests are one point five metres in diameter and one point eight metres deep. That suggests a creature of some appreciable size. The blending of soil and plant material to construct the nest suggests the builder intended to use the heat generated by the nest to aid in incubation, a tactic shared by many species of reptiles and birds from Earth.”

He turned to the Lieutenant.

“I want you to gather a team. Collect samples of the soil, plant material, and broken eggs and take several of the unbroken eggs. Bring them to my shuttle when you are ready.”

“Aye Sir.”

On his walk back to the main landing site, Data was met by Lieutenant Peverill. The young man nodded to his CO.

“Sir we have discovered three indentations on the beach. I believe they fit the dimensions of the indentation found at the campsite.”

Data raised an eyebrow.

“Indeed? Show me please.”

Once again on his knees, Data meticulously measured the indentations then stood and brushed the sand off his trousers.

“You are correct Lieutenant. These indentations are an exact match. Take a cast of them. I will be returning to the Enterprise shortly, you will assume command in my absence.”

The young man nodded.

“Yes Commander.”

                   Deanna Troi knew the man before her well as her Captain, but the man himself remained somewhat of a mystery. He only ever let her see of his real self what he allowed her to see. She knew this was a defence mechanism, one carefully constructed to protect himself, but she was curious nonetheless to know what lay in his heart as well as his mind. Seeing this stoic and reserved man seated with his son on his lap, a gentle smile on his face and suspicious moisture in his eyes, Deanna knew she would probably never know his true self…that would be something only Beverly would ever know. She resolved to query her friend about it…if she was recovered.

Sally Miles was feeding the twins, having just scanned her Captain and found, although he was tired and in mild pain, he required no medical intervention. Jacques was chatting to his father and Jean-Luc was listening closely to what his son was saying. Deanna watched with interest as the man’s brow lowered.

“Well if you didn’t want him to take your book, why didn’t you say something?”

Jacques’ voice was small.

“Because he’s bigger than me.”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“But Jacques Adam Stefferson is your friend. Are you frightened of him because he’s bigger than you?”

The boy shrugged.

“He took my pencils and I asked for him to give them back. He wouldn’t so I took them. He pushed me over.”

“I see. Does your teacher know about this?”

Jacques shook his head.

“No.”

The Captain pursed his lips and lowered his head and his voice.

“Would you like me to talk to her?”

The boy looked into his father’s eyes and nodded silently.

“All right. Now…are we going to read?”

The boy shook his head.

“Oh? Why not?”

Tears welled in the little boy’s eyes.

“Papa where’s Maman?”

Jean-Luc cast an eye at Deanna and frowned.

“Jacques…”

The lad shook his head and raised his voice.

“No Papa…I want Maman! Where is she? I had a yucky dream last night….I couldn’t find Maman and when I woke up she wasn’t there and neither were you!”

Deanna caught her CO’s eye and he nodded imperceptibly. She moved closer to the boy and his father.

“Jacques.”

He reluctantly turned his head and regarded Deanna with teary eyes.

“You know that your mother is a Star Fleet officer.”

The boy nodded, his thumb making its way to his mouth.

“And you know that sometimes Star Fleet officers have to do things that take them away from their families.”

The boy’s face brightened.

“Like when Papa went to that planet with the green people and didn’t come home for lots of days?”

Deanna smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. Well your mother has gone away too.”

That brought a frown.

“But Papa doesn’t know when she’s coming back and he’s the Captain…he should know everything.”

Deanna shook her head.

“No Jacques, he doesn’t know everything. Sometimes even Captains don’t know everything that happens.”

“But he’s my Papa and Maman’s my Maman…why doesn’t he know where she is?”

Jean-Luc took his son’s hand and said softly.

“Jacques…”

The boy shook his head.

“No Papa…why don’t you know?”

Deanna sighed and closed her eyes, saying softly,

“Tell him Captain.”

Jean-Luc took a deep breath and swallowed.

“Jacques you know that Maman and I went down to the planet?”

The boy nodded.

“Well while we were there I got hurt. Your Maman tried to help me, but somehow she went missing and so far we can’t find her.”

That brought quiet tears from the boy.

“You don’t know where she is?”

“No.”

“Did you hail her?”

“Yes, but she didn’t answer.”

The tears intensified.

“Will she come back?”

Jean-Luc wrapped his good arm around his son and laid his cheek atop the boy’s head.

“We are doing everything we can to find her Jacques.”

Deanna raised her mental barriers against the anguish coming from father and son. She stayed half an hour more before leaving them.

                     The cold wet hand on her face woke Beverly from a fitful doze. Her eyes snapped open and an alien appeared, blocking the light from the overhead fixture.

“We have given your words due consideration. You may be able to help us.”

Beverly swallowed.

“What is it you need from me?”

Instead of answering, the alien moved away and Beverly felt the probe being withdrawn from her vagina. She felt something tugging at the skin of her lower abdomen, followed by the sensation of something being taken from her flesh. There was little pain. The covering of her body with a soft blanket-like article made her sigh.

“Will you let me move?”

There was a sharp pain in her upper arm and the cold feeling of liquid being infused into her muscles. She waited and within minutes she began to regain control over her body. Instead of doing anything overt, she shifted her head slightly and moved her eyes until she could see the alien. She smiled.

“Thank you. Will you remove the probes from my brain?”

“No. Without those we cannot communicate.”

“Then may I sit up?”

The being went to a control panel and pushed a button. The top half of the bed rose until Beverly was sitting up. She lifted her hand, the action sluggish, but she sighed with relief at being able to once again move. Before she could ask any more questions, a computer screen was moved closer to her. Displayed on the terminal were images of human anatomy, one male, the other female. The alien gestured with a webbed hand.

“Can you explain the differences in your anatomy?”

Beverly smiled.

“Of course.”

She lifted her hand and pointed.

“This is a female. Females are generally smaller than males, have wider pelvises and lighter muscles. These organs are breasts. Their primary function is to produce milk to nurture our young.”

 Her finger lowered.

“This organ is the uterus. In it, the fertilised egg grows into a baby. On either side of the uterus are the ovaries. They produce eggs.”

She shifted her attention to the other schematic.

“This is a male. These are testicles. They produce sperm, needed to fertilise the female’s eggs. This organ is the penis. It is required in fertilisation, as the procedure requires the sperm to be deposited within the female.”

The alien nodded.

“These organs…do they have any other functions?”

Beverly smiled.

“Yes, some do, I have only mentioned their primary function.”

“I see. Tell me…what is this?”

The alien enlarged an image of the female genitalia and pointed to the clitoris.

Beverly sighed.

“That is the clitoris.”

“What is its function?”

“To provide pleasure.”

“Why?”

Beverly slowly lifted her hand and rubbed her cheek.

“In Humans the process of procreation is very, very pleasurable for both male and female. Also in Humans the act of procreation is undertaken for purely pleasurable reasons…that is not for procreation.”

There followed a protracted silence. The alien looked at Beverly then looked at the screen, seeming to be confused. It eventually gave the Doctor its attention again.

“I do not understand. Why would you go through the process of procreation and not reproduce?”

Beverly smiled.

“As I told you it is extremely pleasurable. For many centuries Humans have had control of their fertility, only creating offspring when they wanted to. That means that they can enjoy the pleasure of the act without reproducing.”

The alien shook its head.

“So you are telling me you use the process of reproduction for…pleasure only?”

“Yes.”

“Does this process have a name?”

Beverly chuckled.

“It has many names but the most common is sex.”

The tall being sighed.

“Perhaps you cannot help us after all.”

Beverly frowned.

“Why do you say that?”

In silence the alien pushed the screen out of the way and went to leave the room. Beverly spoke out loud.

“No…don’t go! Tell me what’s wrong.”

The alien didn’t understand her words, but it heard the urgency inherent in them. It turned and went back to the console.

“We are too different.”

Beverly shook her head.

“Do you mean anatomically?”

Shaking its head, the alien lifted its hands.

“No…philosophically. To us, the process of reproduction is sacred. We too derive pleasure from the process, but to indulge in the act for the pleasure alone is abhorrent. We cannot ask one who takes the process so frivolously to help us. It would be an anathema.”

The red head shook her head.

“But you can’t judge me because our cultures differ. My knowledge as a healer might be able to help you! That has nothing to do with my attitude to sex!”

The alien sighed, its nictitating membranes briefly covering its eyes.

“We will give this some consideration. Do you require food…drink?”

Realising she was both hungry and thirsty, Beverly nodded.

“Yes please, I need both food and drink.”

“I will provide for you.”

Without another word, the being left the room.

                   Will and Deanna were enjoying a quiet few minutes in Deanna’s quarters. Emily lay in her father’s arms, sound asleep after a feed. The new formula, tailored to her genetic profile had improved her demeanour greatly, feeding now a pleasurable experience for all involved. Deanna watched in amusement as Will’s eyes drooped and his head began to nod. She could feel his weariness so she leaned forward and eased her hands under the baby, her intention to put her in her crib. Will’s eyes snapped open and he growled.

“I was not asleep!”

Emily snuffled and he lifted the little girl to his broad chest, gently rubbing her back. Deanna sighed and gave her friend a sceptical look.

“Will you’ve been awake for over forty hours; it’s time you got some rest.”

The big man shook his head.

“Not likely Dee. With the Captain out of Sick Bay prematurely and the situation with Beverly unresolved I’ve got way too much to do.”

Placing her hand on his forearm, Deanna let him see her concern.

“But Will you can’t go on like this. What possible good will it do if you collapse through exhaustion? If you really want to help Captain Picard and Beverly you have to get some rest so you’ll be at your best.”

The First officer grunted.

“It’s so bloody frustrating Dee. With the solar activity from the Garudan star we can’t use the ship’s scanners, transporters or sensors properly and our equipment is virtually useless on the surface. We’re effectively blind. Now we know there are underwater structures…huge domes connected by subterranean tunnels…and we can’t see inside them.”

Making sure his daughter was secure; he rubbed his face with one hand.

“What if Beverly’s being held in one of those domes? How the hell are we going to get her out?”

The Counsellor made sure her voice was soft and calm.

“Are we doing everything we can to find her?”

Will nodded silently.

“Then you can’t do any more Will. Look, it’s getting late and you really need some quality sleep. Go…get in my bed and get the rest you so desperately require.”

There was a momentary silence while Will warred with himself. He knew Deanna was right, but his burning need to find Beverly pulled him towards the Bridge. With a soft grunt his body, not his mind, won.

“All right Dee. Here…”

He handed the baby to her mother and slowly stood, taking the time to stretch. He cast Deanna a look of tired gratitude and slowly walked into her bedroom. She noticed his slumped shoulders and sighed, tapping her comm. badge and saying quietly,

“Troi to Bridge.”

“Bridge here, Lieutenant Duggan.”

“Lieutenant Commander Riker will not be returning to the Bridge until tomorrow morning.”

“Acknowledged Counsellor. Bridge out.”

Deanna’s eyes drifted down to her daughter and she smiled tenderly.

“You will see your Daddy in the morning my little one.”

                  Jean-Luc, having been given a potent analgesic prior to retiring for the night, was sluggish to waken as his brain perceived the soft voice of his oldest son.

“Papa? Papa wake up.”

The man’s eyes slowly opened and he lifted his head, noting that the lights were on in his bedroom.

“Jacques? Are you all right? Where’s Ensign Miles?”

Knuckling his eyes, the boy took a shaky breath.

“Sally’s asleep. Papa I had a yucky dream…can I get in with you?”

Jean-Luc found a smile.

“Of course you can.”

With his free arm, the Captain lifted the blankets and Jacques wasted no time in snuggling into his body. With the hip to toe cast on his right leg and his left arm also encased in a long cast, Jean-Luc found it difficult to embrace his son, but, such is the flexibility of children, Jacques soon moulded his little body to the contours of his father and, after placing his thumb in his mouth, let his body relax. Jean-Luc quietly ordered the lights off and in the silent darkness he heard his son softly crying. Not knowing what to say to comfort the boy, Jean-Luc gently stroked his hair and kissed the top of his head. After a few minutes Jacques asked around his thumb,

“What if Maman doesn’t come back?”

Jean-Luc closed his eyes and concentrated on keeping his voice even.

“I’m sure we’ll find her Jacques. Uncle Will and Uncle Data are doing everything they can.”

The boy sniffed.

“But they don’t know where she is…neither do you. What if she’s hurt?”

Jean-Luc took a deep breath and said softly,

“Lights ten percent. Jacques will you help me to sit up?”
“Oui Papa.”

Together they got Jean-Luc sitting up, his back propped against the head of the bed, Jacques careful to place the pillows behind his father. Jean-Luc lifted his encased arm and encouraged his son to snuggle against his chest. Once the boy was settled, Jean-Luc hugged him as best he could and sighed.

“Jacques whatever happens…you and your brothers won’t be alone, you have me.”

With his thumb still in his mouth, Jean-Luc had to listen carefully to hear his son’s words.

“I know Papa but I want Maman too. Don’t you want her?”

Tears pricked the man’s eyes as he nodded.

“Oh yes…oh yes Jacques…I want her very much.”

The boy lifted his head, his eye wide.

“Tell me about your wedding day again Papa.”

That brought a wistful smile to the Captain.

“Well…I hadn’t seen your Maman for three long days. We had set the date, but at the last minute I had to mediate a dispute between some miners. We had rendezvoused with the Agamemnon and Captain Simpson, an old friend of mine, had agreed to marry us. The two ships…the Enterprise and the Agamemnon stayed in orbit around Jarros waiting for me to finish the mediation. Finally, after days and days the miners reached an agreement and I was able to come back to the Enterprise. Now, your Aunt Deanna wouldn’t let me see your Maman because it was our wedding day. Uncle Will, Uncle Data and Uncle Geordi took me to my quarters and stayed while I showered and shaved and got dressed.”

Jacques nodded.

“In your dress uniform.”

“That’s right and your uncles were in their dress uniforms too. We waited in my quarters for two whole hours until it was time to go to the forward lounge. Aunt Guinan had decorated it…it looked beautiful and Uncle Will had turned the ship so all we could see out the viewports was stars. Uncle Will and I took our places with Captain Simpson and waited. Then some very pretty music started and I turned around…and there was your Maman.”

Jean-Luc’s voice broke and he had to swallow and take a deep breath to regain his composure.

“Your brother Wesley was holding her elbow and Maman was holding a small bouquet of orchids.”

Jacques sighed.

“She was very beautiful.”

Jean-Luc tightened his arm around his son.

“Oh yes Jacques, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Aunty Deanna walked behind her and all together they walked slowly through the lounge until Maman stood by my side. I took her hand and we faced Captain Simpson and he married us.”

The boy giggled.

“And then you kissed and then there was a big party.”

Jean-Luc answered his son’s chuckle with one of his own.

“Yes I did and yes there was…a very big party. Uncle Data and Uncle Geordi had made a special programme on the Holodeck and we were there a very long time having our party. Lots and lots of the crew stopped by to congratulate Maman and me. It was a very happy, wonderful day.”

Father and son stayed in companionable silence for a while before Jacques said,

“Tell me about when I was born.”

Jean-Luc smiled.

“Well…we had only been married a few weeks when I asked Maman if she would like to have children. She wasn’t too sure at first, but after she thought about it for a few days, she told me she would be very happy to have some children. You were conceived about a month later and by the time we had our first wedding anniversary, you were there with us.”

Jacques lifted his head and took his thumb out of his mouth to stare solemnly at his father.

“You helped me to be born.”

The Captain nodded.

“Indeed I did and it was a wonderful experience, one I will never forget.”

“Maman said you were scared.”

Jean-Luc frowned.

“Ah…actually scared might not be the right word. I was worried and apprehensive, but I don’t think I was scared. You see having a baby is very hard work and, even though the mother is given medicine to help, it is a painful process and I found it very difficult to see your Maman go through that and not be able to do much to help her.”

It was Jacques’s turn to frown.

“But you knew what to do.”

Jean-Luc nodded.

“Yes, I had been practising with birth simulations on the Holodeck and Doctor Selar was there to help me if I needed her, but Jacques being there and assisting in your birth was a very intense experience. It may be hard for you to understand, but it changed me forever.”

“But you were happy?”

“Oh yes! Very, very happy, so was Maman.”

Pulling slightly away from his father, Jacques crossed his legs and smiled.

“And when Matthieu and Henri were born you helped too.”

Jean-Luc smiled, but his eyes were haunted.

“Yes, but Maman had a very hard time having the twins, then, just after they were born, Maman had a medical emergency that made her very sick. I was very, very worried about her.”

The boy nodded.

“I remember Sally came to stay with me ‘cause you stayed with Maman in Sick Bay all night.”

Jean-Luc nodded.

“Yes and then you…”

The man tickled his son,

“Came to Sick Bay next morning and saw your little brothers.”

Jacques giggled then sobered.

“Papa I want Maman to come home.”

Jean-Luc gathered the boy in his arms and together they lay back down. Once Jean-Luc was satisfied his son was warm and comfortable, he kissed him and gave him a hug.

“Me too Jacques, me too.”

                     It was a little unusual for Data to be seated at the analysis computer in Sick Bay. The lab he was in was deserted but for him and he found the screen a bit low to see while standing and, rather than adjust it, he chose to sit. The results scrolled across the screen and he frowned, looking over to the spectral analyser that scanned the three eggs. Refocussing his attention on the screen, he highlighted an area and enlarged it.

“Curious.”

He tapped his comm. badge.

“Data to Riker.”

It was Deanna who answered.

“Troi here Data, Commander Riker is asleep. Can I help you?”

Data gave the query a second’s thought before replying,

“Could you come down to Sick Bay please Counsellor?”

“Ah…yes, but it will take me about fifteen minutes, I have to get someone to sit with Emily.”

“Understood Counsellor, I will see you when you arrive.”

The mechanical man looked again at the screen and again tapped his comm. badge.

“Data to LaForge.”

A sleepy voice responded.

“LaForge here Data, what can I do for you?”

“I am sorry to disturb you Geordi, but I require your presence in Sick Bay.”

“Okay, I’m on my way.”

                    Data and Geordi were pouring over the screen when Deanna arrived. Geordi saw her and stepped to one side to give her a clear view of the screen.

“What is it Data?”

Data stood and pointed to the images.

“We may have discovered something of importance Counsellor.”

Troi peered at the screen and smiled.

“I see. Well what is it? What am I looking at?”

Using his index finger, Data illustrated his words.

“What you are looking at is a spectral analysis of three of the eggs we recovered from the nests. See here…”

He pointed to one particular egg,

“It contains an immature being. But this egg and this one too also contain infant beings.”

Deanna nodded.

“So?”

“Each of the immature beings is significantly deformed.”

The Counsellor gasped and looked up into Data’s golden eyes.

“How do you know?”

“Apart from each individual having different deformities, I have established these anomalies are inconsistent with sustaining life.”

Deanna stood, a deep frown marring her classical beauty.

“Have you scanned the other eggs?”

“Yes Counsellor, they are all defective.”

“None are compatible with life?”

“No Counsellor.”

Geordi stepped closer and gently gripped Deanna’s shoulder.

“And they’re amphibious Counsellor…at least they’re supposed to be.”

Deanna’s eyes snapped to Data for an explanation. Again he pointed to the screen.

“These organs are supposed to be gills and these…”

He indicated the shadowy images,

“Were meant to be lungs.”

Deanna turned her back on the screen and folded her arms.
“Right. From what we know so far, Beverly appears to have been abducted and possibly taken into the sea. We already have seven dead bodies, all male and all drowned. We have discovered some sort of structures under the sea which our scans can’t penetrate. Data what are the odds that Beverly is being held in those structures?”

With a tilt of his head, Data made the calculations.

“Ninety-eight point seven percent Counsellor.”

Her next question was directed at the Chief Engineer.

“Geordi can you devise some sort of scanner that we can use close up, under water? Possibly hand-held?”

The blue ocular implants that served as Geordi’s eyes dilated.

“Maybe Counsellor…if we tie several tricorders together and tap them into our sensors, but that will depend on the Garudan sun. We will have to wait for a quiet interlude in the sun’s activity.”

The Counsellor nodded.

“Very well, make the required arrangements. I will wake Commander Riker and inform him of what’s transpired.”

With a nod and a quiet, “Yes Sir.”, Geordi left. Deanna turned to Data and smiled.

“Good work Data, keep working.”

“Aye Counsellor.”

                   The hard cold surface of the metal table was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Now able to move, but still connected to the probes in her brain, Beverly sighed and shifted again, trying to ease the growing pain in her back and buttocks.

When the door whispered open, the Doctor turned her head and smiled. Knowing communication wasn’t possible until the alien went to the console, Beverly waited, stifling her impatience as the tall being walked ponderously across the room. Finally connected, the words sounded in her mind.

“You have eaten…drank?”

“Yes thank you. May I have my clothes?”

“Clothes?”

“The garments I was wearing when you took me.”

The being nodded.

“Ah yes. I am sorry but the garments you were wearing have been destroyed. In our culture it is considered impolite to cover our bodies with garments.”

Beverly sighed despairingly.

“I see. Well, despite the blanket you gave me, I am cold and uncomfortable. This table is hard and cold. I need to cover myself with something warm and I need something softer to sit on if I am required to remain here for much longer.”

The alien stepped back from the console and studied the woman. Placing its webbed hand back on the panel, it said,

“I see. What would suffice?”

Beverly smiled.

“Do you have a padded chair?”

With a shake of its head, the alien seemed to frown.

“What is a padded chair?”

“A chair is something you sit on. A padded chair is a chair that has soft cushioning.”

Obviously confused, the alien shook its head.

“I do not know of these things.”

With a smile, Beverly lifted a hand to give a depreciating wave.

“Oh don’t worry about it. How about something soft on the floor?”

That brought a smile, the appearance of several sharp teeth making Beverly inwardly cringe.

“Yes I can supply that.”

Maintaining her own smile, Beverly placed a hand on her chest.

“Thank you. My name is Beverly Picard.”

“We know.”

“What is your name?”

The alien gave a short bow.

“I am known as Het Ma.”

Beverly’s smile broadened.

“I am honoured to meet you Het Ma. Have you spoken to your colleagues about my helping you?”

“I have.”
“And?”

Instead of answering the woman, Het took the thin cables connected to the probes in her brain and disconnected them from the console. It then bent and retrieved a moderately sized metal box, the surface of which was covered in gauges and switches. The cables were connected to the box and Het came closer to the table.

“You may stand.”

Somewhat surprised by this turn of events, Beverly eased off the table, but had to hold its edge as her head swam. Taking several deep breaths, she steadied herself and faced the alien who was now standing closer to the door, the box in its hands.

“Can you walk?”

Wrapping the blanket about her form, Beverly nodded and took a few tentative steps. With growing confidence, she made it to the door.

Het passed its hand over a sensor and the door opened. The corridor outside was dark, but as they stepped into it, the overhead lights came on automatically. As they walked down the tubular structure, the lights came on as they went, the ones behind extinguishing.

After ten minutes Beverly was becoming tired  but, just as she was about to ask Het to stop, the alien halted beside a closed door and passed its hand over another sensor. Beverly’s eyes took a few seconds to adjust to the dim lighting of the room, but her breath caught in her throat as she realised what she was looking at.

On the floor, lying on beds of dark blue vegetation, lay deformed aliens. Most of them were young, but there were some adults. Beverly stepped into the room and thought,

“My God Het…what happened to them?”

The being sighed.

“We do not know. Approximately eight turns ago some of our offspring emerged from the egg deformed. Many died and many eggs failed to hatch. Whatever has caused this continues and the number of properly formed, live hatches is becoming rarer. If we do not find the cause and rectify it, we, as a species, will die out.”

Kneeling beside one drooling victim, Beverly gently touched its head. Its eyes opened and its mouth opened and closed, but she could see the vacancy in its eyes. The Doctor looked back at Het and shook her head.

“Can you give me more light and a scanner?”

Het sighed.

“No. Bright light disturbs them and you would be unable to use our scanners.”

“Why?”

“Because they are bio-molecular. Our scanners interact directly with our brains. Our technology would be incompatible with you.”

Beverly frowned.

“But you can communicate with me via a direct connection to my brain. Couldn’t we adapt your scanners?”

Het shook its head.

“No. This form of communication is only possible because of what we have learned from you and your fellow Humans. The adaptations for communication are vastly different to what would be required for you to adequately use a scanner. I fear it may damage you irreparably.”

Beverly stood, her eyes faithfully supplying images of deformed limbs, grotesque head malformations…the images of hell. She briefly closed her eyes.

“Are there more?”

Het sighed deeply.

“Yes, many more. These cannot breathe in water and others cannot breathe in air. There is no pattern to the deformities, some are significantly afflicted, others mildly, but as I have said, many more are dying in their eggs, never to hatch.”

Careful to avoid the probes in her head, Beverly rubbed her brow.

“And I take it you have checked the parents? Taken DNA samples…done genetic profiles?”

“Yes. We have discovered some anomalies which, as yet, we cannot explain.”

Beverly turned to the alien and lifted her hands.

“Het I come from a great ship, in orbit around your planet. On board I have equipment that could help. Allow me to return to my ship. I want to help you.”

“No.”

Stifling the growl of frustration that welled in her throat, Beverly straightened and looked Het in the eye.

“Then let me contact my ship. There are people on board that can help me and you.”

Het shook its head.

“No. You will not sully my people. I am grateful for your offer, but I cannot allow my people to be exposed to you and your culture.”

This time Beverly couldn’t disguise the frustration in her voice.

“Then how do you expect me to help?”

“We will supply all the information we have amassed. Perhaps you will be able to find the answers we seek.”

The Doctor lifted her hands in exasperation.

“But Het I know nothing of your people. I need more than statistics and scan results I won’t understand!”

Het smiled.

“You are a great healer. We have faith in you.”

Beverly sighed deeply and took one more mournful look around the room. Fastening her eyes on her captor she shrugged.

“Well I am flattered but I think you are mistaken.”

Het bowed.

“We will see.”

                        Sally was disturbed to find Jacques not in his bed when she awoke. Not finding him in the living area, the Ensign risked her Captain’s wrath by peeping into his bedroom, breathing a sigh of relief to find father and son asleep in bed.

She had showered and was setting the table for breakfast when the boy emerged, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

“Good morning sleepy head.”

Jacques frowned bleary-eyed at the woman but delivered the message his father had given him.

“Papa wants to wash and shave.”

With a nod, Sally tapped her comm. badge.

“Miles to Gibson.”

“Gibson here. Good morning Sally.”

A smile spread across Sally’s face.

“Good morning Nathan. Captain Picard is ready for his ablutions.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there. Gibson out.”

Having got Jacques seated and started on his breakfast, the Ensign knocked softly on the bedroom door.

“Come.”

“Good morning Captain.”

Before Jean-Luc could return the greeting, the twins began to fuss. He glanced at the nursery and smiled as Sally said,

“They sound hungry Sir. Would you mind waiting for your breakfast while I feed them?”

Jean-Luc shook his head.

“Not at all, I’ll have breakfast after Ensign Gibson has helped me.”

“Thank you Sir.”

An hour later, breakfast over, Jean-Luc sat on the sofa reading to Jacques while the twins played on the quilt at his feet. He had been given a painkiller and was waiting for Selar to call him to Sick Bay. He didn’t have long to wait.

“Selar to Picard.”

“Picard here.”

“I am ready for you Sir.”

Holding up a hand to silence Jacques’ protest, the Captain responded,

“Very well Doctor, I will beam directly to Sick Bay.”

“We will be waiting Sir. Selar out.”

With the channel closed Jacques took the opportunity to vent.

“Papa you said we would spend the day together!”

Jean-Luc sighed.

“We will Jacques but I have to go to Sick Bay for a while. I promise it won’t be long.”

The boy scowled.

“Why do you have to go? Sally told me you would be able to get better here at home.”

“That’s true but some of my injuries need to be taken care of in Sick Bay. Besides, I need you to keep an eye on the twins while I’m gone. You can do that can’t you?”

The request robbed the boy of his discontent. He gave his father a long look then sighed.

“Yes Papa but do you promise to come back soon?”

Jean-Luc ruffled his son’s hair.

“Yes my sweet son, I promise.”

“Okay then.”

Giving the boy a one-armed hug, Jean-Luc released Jacques and encouraged him to move away. He then lifted his head and called,

“Picard to transporter room. One to beam directly to Sick Bay.”

“Aye Captain, energising.”

Jacques watched as his father disappeared within a sparkle of blue light. He sighed as Sally emerged from his room with a PADD.

“Time to practice your numbers Jacques.”

                      Selar stepped back from the bio bed and consulted the screen above the bed. The reclining Captain remained silent as the Vulcan physician went about her business, but his impatience was just under the surface. Now free of the derma plates at the back of his head and the cast on his leg, Jean-Luc itched to get back to his quarters, however he had to wait for Selar’s diagnosis of his condition. Eventually the stoic woman nodded.

“Generally I am pleased with your progress Captain You will require physical therapy on your leg and your sight may be mildly affected for a small amount of time to come and you will continue to experience discomfort in many areas of your body, but you are ahead of schedule and I see no reason why you cannot continue to recover in your quarters.”

Seeing her CO begin to rise to a sitting position, Selar offered her hand and the Captain took it. Once upright he slowly lifted his cast-encased arm and raised his eyebrows.

“When will this come off?”

The Doctor folded her arms and raised one eyebrow.

“Two more days Captain.”

Jean-Luc nodded pensively then asked.

“And the pain in my shoulders?”

Selar frowned.

“That is difficult to say Sir. The shattered bones have knitted satisfactorily but there will be residual pain upon movement for some time yet. Such a severe injury will require time to heal Captain.”

Jean-Luc gave a curt nod.

“I see, very well, thank you. I take it I can return to my quarters?”

Selar inclined her head.

“Yes Captain and now you are free of the cast on your leg; perhaps you might allow the use of a wheelchair?”

Jean-Luc considered the suggestion and gave a nod.

“Yes that will be fine.”

Within minutes Jean-Luc was on his way back to his quarters.

                     Data sat back from the screen and slowly shook his head.
“I do not understand.”

Will, standing beside the android leaned forward and peered at the screen.

“Why Data…what is it you don’t understand?”

“These deformities Commander. I cannot find the cause.”

Will looked again at the screen and screwed his face up in disgust.

“Well whatever’s causing it…it’s doing a bang-up job. That thing is revolting.”

Data nodded pensively.

“Indeed it is, but I have looked at several of these deformed beings and I have noted the deformities differ from infant to infant. If you look carefully it is possible to use the computer to build a construct of an undeformed being.”

The First Officer’s eyebrows rose.

“Really? Show me.”

Data entered the requisite commands and within seconds a three dimension image appeared. As it slowly rotated on the screen Will softly whistled.

“Now that is something! Reptilian?”

Data shook his head.

“I think not Commander. These organs…”

He pointed to the screen,

“Are gills, but if we look inside the creature…”

He brought up another image,

“These organs are definitely lungs. I would say these beings are amphibian.”

Will grunted quietly.

“Well that explains how they were able to grab the scientists and Beverly then disappear into the sea. Okay, how do they communicate?”

Data sighed.

“That is difficult to say Sir. There is a rudimentary larynx but I would hazard a guess that they utilise touch or perhaps telepathy. The brain capacity is very large with the hippocampus highly developed, even in these young. Also the webbed hands and feet possess very highly developed sensory pads at the end of each digit. The number of nerve endings far exceeds that which you would find in a Human.”

Will straightened and arched his back, pushing his fingers into the small of his spine.

“Okay so…we have an amphibian species that has developed a curiosity for Humans. Why did the scientists drown?”

Data sat back from the screen and folded his hands in his lap.

“Unknown Sir.”

Running his hand through his hair, Will snorted.

“Well we need to find out if we want to have any hope of rescuing Beverly.”

Data nodded once.

“Agreed Commander.”

As Will turned to leave, he said over his shoulder,

“I’m going to report to the Captain. Keep me posted.”

“Aye Sir.”

                     Jean-Luc sat in his favourite chair, Henri in the crook of his arm. Seated on the sofa, Sally fed Matthieu while Jacques watched. As usual, the younger twin waited patiently while his older brother fed. Sally smiled at her CO, seeing him lost in the eyes of his little son.

“I’m so glad Doctor Picard has her milk in the replicator files. They don’t need it…not really, but they enjoy it so much.”

The Captain looked up and returned the smile.

“I’m just grateful they’re still willing to take it. The silence is rather pleasurable.”

Sally’s chuckle made Jean-Luc’s smile broaden.

“They do make a racket when they’re hungry, don’t they…well, at least Matthieu does. After this they can have some mashed vegetables and gravy.”

That made Jean-Luc’s eyebrows rise.

“Oh that sounds tasty. When did they start having that?”

“A couple of days ago.”

Jacques screwed his face up and shook his head.

“Mashed vegetables? Yuk!”

Jean-Luc frowned.

“Why do you say that Jacques? You like vegetables.”

The boy’s eyes grew wide.

“Oui Papa, but mashed? That’s for babies.”

Said with such an air of superiority, the adults had to concentrate on not laughing. Matthieu finished his bottle and the delicate manoeuvre of swapping babies took place. Henri latched onto his bottle and sucked voraciously, his eyes closing in contentment. The older twin, now lying in his father’s arm, looked up into Jean-Luc’s face owlishly, making the man chuckle.

Jacques moved from the sofa to sit on the arm of his father’s chair and offered his hand to his little brother. Matthieu took his thumb and tried to stuff it in his mouth. Jacques groaned and retrieved his hand, his face one of disgust. Just then the door chime sounded.

Jean-Luc looked up and called,

“Come.”

A smiling Commander Riker entered, his grin widening at the scene before him. It faded however as he realised he was interrupting feeding time.

“I’m sorry Captain, I can come back later.”
He’d just finished his sentence when Jacques launched himself at the big bearded man. With his usual swiftness, Will scooped the boy up and spun him around over his head. Jacques squealed and Jean-Luc admonished,

“You’ve been warned about that Will. Vomit in your hair is singularly unpleasant.”

The Exec gave his Captain an incredulous look and Jean-Luc shrugged.

“Or so I’ve been told.”

Chuckling softly, Will eased Jacques to his feet and ruffled his hair.

“How you doing tiger?”

The boy looked up, his face suddenly serious.

“I miss Maman Uncle Will.”

Will hunkered down and gently gripped the boy’s shoulders.

“We all do Jacques and we’re doing everything we can to find her.”

The boy nodded solemnly.

“That’s what Papa says.”

Jean-Luc’s quiet deep voice caught Will’s attention.

“What’s our status Number One?”

At the gesture from his CO, Will sat on the sofa and clasped his hands.

“Well Sir we’re still mainly blind. We can get a look at the surface only when the Garudan sun quietens, which isn’t often. At the moment Geordi’s cobbling together some tricorders we hope to link to our sensors so we can scan inside the domes, but we’ll have to wait for the next calm cycle from the sun.”

Jean-Luc pursed his lips and lifted his head.

“And then?”

Will’s face became grim.
“We send down some divers and hope we get what we want.”

“You’re certain Beverly’s there.”

Will nodded.

“Yes Sir.”

There was a momentary silence then Jean-Luc sighed.

“I’ve been reading Data’s reports…these deformities…could they have anything to do with the abductions?”

Will shrugged.

“Unknown Sir, but if you were suffering something similar, who better than to help you but a highly trained Doctor?”

It was Jean-Luc’s turn to nod.

“Indeed, but what about the scientists? They were taken, then returned drowned.”

Will shrugged again.

“Maybe they didn’t have the information required. After all, Beverly’s not been returned, perhaps she’s being held because she does have what they want.”

“Hmm, yes you have a point. Well keep on it Number One.”

The big man smiled.

“We will Sir. So, tell me, what did Sick Bay say?”

That bought a scowl from the older man.

“Usual draconian edicts. The cast stays on for two more days, but apart from that I’m…”

Will grinned.

“Fine Sir?”

The glare lacked any real venom, although the Captain’s voice was cold.

“Yes Commander, I am fine.”

Coming to his feet, Will went to his Captain, bent and softly rubbed his knuckle over Matthieu’s cheek. The baby grabbed his finger and tried the mouth stuffing routine. Will chucked and gently pulled his hand away.

“No you don’t mister…I need that finger.”

Jean-Luc smiled and offered the baby the knuckle of his index finger. Matthieu immediately took it and started to suck. Keeping his attention on his son, Jean-Luc said softly,

“How is Emily?”

Will’s reply was equally soft.

“She’s just fine Sir. With the help of a friend of Deanna’s from the university on Betazed, we’ve been given a new formula specifically tailored for Emily. She’s now feeding well and sleeping…finally.”

Jean-Luc looked up, his gaze piercing.

“And Deanna?”

Will smiled tenderly.

“She’s fine Captain.”

Tilting his head slightly, Jean-Luc softened his gaze.

“And you and Deanna?”

That brought a sigh and a look of regret.

“We’re okay Sir, no thanks to me. I was an ass, pure and simple. Lucky for me Deanna has such a forgiving nature.”

Jean-Luc smiled wistfully.

“I am constantly surprised by the amount of love, patience and forbearance Beverly has shown me. God knows…I never deserved it. Perhaps it is something inherent in women…there to make up for the deficiencies of men.”

Will grinned, his blue eyes twinkling merrily.

“I don’t think they need any help Sir, they have an ample armoury when it comes to the battle of the sexes. I know for certain I was smitten the moment I met Dee. She stole my heart and has had me wrapped around her little finger ever since…and you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Jean-Luc nodded thoughtfully.

“While I may like to cling to the illusion that I’m in control I have to agree with you Number One. Now…I believe you’re off duty for the interim. Go and spend some time with your family. Keep me apprised of any developments.”

The big man gave a nod.

“Will do Captain.”

After Will left Jacques sat on the arm of Jean-Luc’s chair and smiled.

“I like Uncle Will, he’s fun.”

The Captain returned his son’s smile and nodded.

“He’s a good man Jacques, Emily is a very lucky little girl.”

                          Beverly groaned and rubbed at her tired eyes. She had a headache and her back was causing significant discomfort. With the blanket still wrapped around her naked form, she scowled at the computer screen and grunted.

“How the hell am I supposed to make head or tail of all this!”

She pressed a button and the images on the screen scrolled down. Picture after picture assaulted her senses. Deformed beings, in varying stages of development were displayed with dispassionate clinical efficiency. Beside each image unintelligible text appeared, obviously the scientific notes for each case. Growling in frustration, Beverly lifted her head to stretch her neck, only to pull tight the cables attached to the probes in her brain. Sharp pain sliced deep inside her head and she yelped. A quiet alarm sounded, bringing Het Ma within moments.

“What are you doing Beverly?”

The tired Doctor looked up and lifted her hands.

“Sorry I keep forgetting the probes are there.”

Het scanned the monitor then turned to Beverly and made a hissing sound.

“You have disturbed the connections. Are you in pain?”

Beverly nodded.

“Yes.”

The nictitating membranes over Het’s eyes flicked twice and the being flexed its hands.

“I do not know what we can do about that. Our drugs may harm you.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Beverly sighed.

“What I really need is sleep.”

That brought a frown.

“Sleep?”

Beverly smiled wearily.

“An extended period of voluntary unconsciousness Humans need to regenerate and rest.”

Het’s eyes widened.

“Ah! Yes I understand. What do you require to…sleep?”

“Another blanket, something soft to lie on, quiet and darkness.”

The being bowed.

“It will be as you wish Beverly.”

As Het turned to leave, Beverly called it back.

“Het tell me something. When these deformities first started, was there anything else that happened around the same time? Anything you would consider unusual?”

The tall alien tilted its head and seemed to be thinking deeply. With a sigh it lifted its hand and rubbed its chin.

“I was quite young eight turns ago, but I remember people saying that we had to limit our time on the land. Apparently our skin was being burned by the sun for the first time in living memory.”

Beverly frowned and folded her arms.

“I see. You lay your eggs on land don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“What is the incubation period?”

Het went to the computer and entered some commands before it answered,

“By your time frame, fourteen weeks.”

“Right. Do you build a nest?”

Het nodded.

“Yes but only to provide steady, constant warmth. The eggs are exposed at the crown of the nest to utilise the heat from the sun.”

Beverly rubbed her forehead and sighed.

“Okay, thank you Het.”

Giving a slight bow, the alien left the room. Beverly scowled at the computer screen and shook her head.

“Radiation overexposure. Could it be that simple?”

She sighed expansively and waited for Het’s return.

                    It was morning on the Enterprise and Will had just reported for duty on the Bridge. He had received the hand-over report from the night watch and was settled in the Command chair when Data exited the aft turbo lift. The android walked to the Command well and faced his CO. Will looked up at his friend and smiled.

“Good morning Data.”

“Good morning Sir.”

In his usual no-nonsense style, Data wasted no more time on pleasantries.

“Sir I request we do an in depth analysis of the Garudan sun.”

With a frown, Will lifted his head.

“Why?”

“Because I believe the deformities I have been studying have a direct link to the sun.”

“How so?”

Data tilted his head, his eyes showing his concern.
“I am not certain, but I believe the malformations may be the result of exposure to harmful radiation.”

Will stood and turned to the Lieutenant manning the science station.

“Initiate a level five scan of the Garudan sun Lieutenant.”

“Aye Sir.”

The Commander then turned back to his friend.

“Have you accessed the last survey notes on this system?”

The android nodded.

“Yes Commander. The last ship to do any scientific studies of this system was the Melbourne, twelve years ago. Their report states the Garudan sun was normal for its age and type.”

Will scratched his beard.

“So you think the sun has undergone some sort of change?”

“Yes Sir and if that is the case it is entirely possible harmful radiation could be flooding the nearby planets including the one we now orbit.”

“What sort of radiation?”

“Well, considering the Garudan sun is a G type yellow star I would have to say gamma radiation.”

Will raised his eyebrows.

“A G type yellow? Same as the Sol system sun.”

“Yes Sir.”

The Lieutenant turned from her monitor and said quietly,

“Commander Riker the Garudan sun has decreased in size and is emitting morbidly high levels of gamma radiation.”

Data moved the aft science station and began to enter commands. He worked at a phenomenal rate until he lifted his head and turned to his CO.

“Sir the hydostatic equilibrium of the sun has destabilised. The fusion reaction has accelerated.”

With several long strides, Will joined Data and stared at the calculations on the screen.

“Is the sun going nova?”

“No Commander, but these changes will bring about the eventual demise of the sun. For the time being it will grow.”

Will folded his arms and bowed his head.

“What could have caused this if not natural ageing of the sun?”

“I would say that in the last twelve years a black hole has passed too close…close enough to be within the Roche limit of the sun and in doing so, ripped off part of the sun’s matter, thereby causing the instability.”

Will briefly closed his eyes and sighed.

“So the long term prognosis of this system is?”

“This system is doomed Commander. However there is a more pressing concern. As Garuda is the only inhabited planet in this solar system that we know of, we would need to evacuate it. The gamma radiation will only increase. Life on Garuda will no longer be sustainable.”

Will ran an exasperated hand through his hair and grunted.

“Right. Senior officer’s briefing in ten minutes.”

“Yes Sir.”

                  The senior officers sat around the long table in the aft observation room. Will, Deanna, Geordi, Data and Lieutenant M’Rak all cast their eyes towards the planet lazily turning in the black void of space. Taking a deep breath, Will tapped his finger on the tabletop.

“Our Garudan problem has just become significantly more complicated.”

Pressing a control on the console near his hand, Will brought up a three dimensional hologram of the planet and its sun.

“We have discovered the Garudan sun has been destabilised and is emitting high levels of gamma radiation. As the sun expands these levels will increase to lethal dosages. The sun is doomed and so is this system.”

About to say more, the sound of the opening doors made Will turn his head. His eyes widened and he immediately rose to his feet.

“Captain!”

Jean-Luc walked slowly into the room, his cast-encased arm held awkwardly at his side. The effort to keep his face neutral whilst enduring significant pain made Will inwardly grimace. Deanna, sensing her CO’s distress, stood and went to his side, but refrained from touching the man, knowing such an action, especially in front of his senior staff would not be appreciated or appropriate.

Amid some minor reshuffling, the seat at the head of the table was made available and Jean-Luc took it, smiling his thanks and sinking gratefully into the chair.

The only outward sign of the pain he withstood occurred when he first spoke. His roughened voice cracked and he paused, frowning as he cleared his throat. When he tried again his voice was deep and clear.

“Report Number One.”

Over the course of a few minutes, Will explained the situation and marvelled at the calm demeanour his Captain showed. Ever the professional, Jean-Luc eased his broken arm onto the table and sighed.

“Right well we have to gain contact with the inhabitants. If Doctor Picard has been abducted to assist these people in some way it is highly likely she would have found that the deformities have been caused by over exposure to gamma radiation and if that’s so, then she will be trying to convince her…hosts…to either release her, or contact us.”

Data, always playing devil’s advocate, spoke softly, but his words cut through the atmosphere.

“Sir with all due respect, we do not know that Doctor Picard is even alive. If what happened to the scientists is any indicator it is highly unlikely that she survived.”

When he spoke, Jean-Luc’s voice was emotionless, but his eyes darkened and glittered dangerously.

“That is true Mr.Data but I have to believe she survived. Until I see her lifeless body for myself I will carry on as if she is alive and well.”

Somewhat chagrined, Data bowed his head.

“Yes Sir.”

Turning his head slowly, Jean-Luc faced his Exec.

“If Doctor Picard is being held in one of those under water domes, how much protection from the radiation may she be getting?”

Will sat back and shrugged.

“I really don’t know. Data?”

The Second Officer frowned and tilted his head.

“Although we cannot as yet penetrate the surface of the domes, the deformities I have seen seem to suggest they have been caused by direct exposure to the sun’s rays.  Gamma radiation would be able to penetrate the sea water to the depths of the domes, although they would be attenuated but unless there is sufficient density to the dome’s structure, or shielding with lead or some similar native metal, the radiation would reach inside the domes.”

Jean-Luc gave a shake of his head.

“Then it is even more imperative that we find and rescue her. Data in the reports from the Melbourne…was there any suggestion of warp-capable species anywhere in or near this system?”

“No Sir.”

Will frowned deeply and clasped his hands on the tabletop.

“You’re thinking about the Prime Directive.”

Jean-Luc gave a curt nod.

“Yes I am. If we find their technology is inferior to ours and they’re not warp capable I’m afraid evacuating these people might be impossible.”

Geordi’s ocular implants dilated as he sat forward, his voice worried.