The Tenderness Of Bravery.
Commander William Riker glanced sideways at his Captain, a slight frown marring his genial face. With a surreptitious peek at the chronometer beside him, the Commander wondered what was going through his CO’s mind. Jean-Luc Picard’s shift had ended over an hour ago yet he was still on the Bridge. He had emerged from his Ready Room forty minutes earlier and contented himself by sitting in the command chair, seemingly studying the readouts before him.
Will stifled a sigh and gazed at the viewscreen, the vista unchanged as the mapping and cataloguing of the star system progressed, as it had for the past week and would continue for another month.
Sensing movement beside him, Will turned his attention to his Captain. The older man stretched and offered a small smile.
“Well Number One I believe I will retire for the night.”
The First Officer returned the smile.
“Actually Captain, your leave started over an hour ago.”
Jean-Luc pursed his lips and nodded.
“Indeed.”
“Is everything at the vineyard set up?”
The Captain nodded.
“Yes, all is in readiness.”
“And you’ve chosen a Doctor?”
Jean-Luc nodded.
“Yes.”
Will grinned.
“Well Sir…two days and you’ll be on your way. How long will the trip take?”
“Oh about eight days…we’re in no hurry, we have a month and a half yet.”
The Captain stood.
“Although I am now officially off duty, don’t hesitate to call on me if need be.”
Will rose to his feet, his warm affection for his Captain evident in his happy blue eyes.
“Of course Captain, thank you Sir. Goodnight.”
Jean-Luc nodded and left the Bridge maintaining a straight back and square shoulders, but once he was in the turbolift, he relaxed and rubbed his tired eyes.
“Deck eight.”
As he exited the lift and approached his quarters, a wistful smile slowly emerged. He hesitated momentarily at his door before stepping forward and triggering the sensor.
Her subtle perfume pervaded the air and he closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. A soft feminine voice caressed his ears.
“Long day?”
He smiled and nodded, but stayed where he was. His eyes opened and settled on the beautiful redhead seated on the sofa. She smiled at him, but he could see her confusion.
“Jean-Luc? Why are you just standing there?”
He sighed deeply and shook his head his velvety baritone sending a shiver through the watching woman.
“I was remembering the countless times in the past I’ve walked into these quarters, tired and frustrated, only to spend a lonely night with no comfort or solace.”
The woman rose and moved slowly to him, her bulk making him smile. When she was close enough, he reached out and laid a hand on her distended stomach. In return she lifted a hand and traced a line from his eyebrow to his endearingly dimpled chin.
“Those days are long gone Jean-Luc.”
He sighed and moved slightly to her side, making it easier to kiss her.
“I love you Beverly.”
The Doctor tilted her head and rested her cheek against his.
“And I you my Captain. Now come and sit down. I want to hear about your day.”
He smiled and took her hand as they sauntered over to the sofa. Once settled, Jean-Luc sighed and wrapped an arm over Beverly’s shoulders, gently pulling her closer.
“Actually my love, I would prefer to talk about your day. Did the baby shower go well?”
Beverly’s giggle took him unawares.
“Oh it was a hoot. Did you know there are male Orion dancers?”
A frown crossed the Captain’s brow as he shook his head.
“No I didn’t know that…but what on Earth was a male Orion dancer doing at the baby shower?”
A light flush crept up Beverly’s neck, blooming in full over her face.
“Ah…it was Deanna’s doing…she thought a normal shower would be a bit…staid.”
There was a moment’s silence before Jean-Luc’s eyes widened.
“Are you telling me that male Orion dancers do what female Orion dancers do?”
Beverly giggled again.
“Uh huh.”
The Captain’s mouth opened and closed twice before any sound came out.
“But…but…Beverly those women…they…it’s…what they do is positively pornographic! Are you telling me the men do the same...?”
The Doctor sighed wistfully.
“Yeah.”
Jean-Luc sat up and scowled down at his companion.
“And this was at a baby shower?”
Beverly grinned up at the outraged man and patted his arm.
“Settle down Jean-Luc…it was a hologram, not the real thing.”
The Captain shook his head.
“But didn’t you have a male exotic dancer at your hen’s night?”
With deliberate patience, Beverly said evenly,
“Yes, but he was Human and quite tame. Look Jean-Luc we did all the traditional ‘baby’ things at the shower and Deanna thought there would be no harm in livening things up a little. Really…it was nothing.”
The disgruntled man sat back and frowned with distaste. The Doctor snuggled into his side and gently nibbled his earlobe.
“Anyway…you had a buck’s party with the boys. What’s the difference?”
Jean-Luc rubbed his nose and sighed theatrically.
“Firstly, all I did was have a few drinks with a select few male friends…and second…there were no exotic dancers.”
Beverly lifted herself higher and kissed him.
“That’s not what I heard.”
He pulled back, his eyes wary.
“Really? And just what did you hear?”
With her fingers idly drawing patterns over his chest, Beverly shrugged imperceptibly.
“Oh nothing really…just the bit about the Deltan female…you know, the one reputed to be on heat.”
The Captain swallowed convulsively and took a deep breath.
“Ah…now you mention it, I do recall a Deltan female in oestrus, but that was Riker’s doing and I made sure I absented myself soon after she was…presented to me.”
The Doctor smiled triumphantly.
“Hmm. From what I know of Deltan women in that condition, they’re irresistible. It is reputed that their sexual allure is overwhelming.”
Jean-Luc lifted his chin and pursed his lips.
“Not to me.”
The Doctor nuzzled his neck.
“Oh I see. So why did you come back to your quarters that night so hot and bothered?”
Jean-Luc’s look was disdainful.
“I did no such thing.”
With a gentle bite to his neck, Beverly’s hand untucked his shirt.
“Really? Well far be it from me to point out the obvious my love, but you came through the door that night with a raging hard on. In fact if my memory serves me correctly…you ravished me that night…twice.”
Jean-Luc sighed with relaxed happiness as Beverly’s hand caressed his chest.
“My dear Doctor…you’ve always had that effect on me.”
Beverly chuckle was cheeky.
“And a head full of Deltan pheromones had absolutely nothing to do with it?”
The Captain turned to her and kissed her with languid passion.
“None whatsoever.”
With a sultry moan, Beverly slid her hand down his torso to trace the outline of his erection through his pants.
“And what about this? What do you suggest we do about it?”
With remarkable grace Jean-Luc stood and held out his hands.
“Come to bed and I’ll show you.”
Beverly took his hands and allowed him to help her to her feet. Being seven and a half months pregnant she found herself cumbersome and unwieldy. Hand in hand they walked to the bedroom and slowly undressed each other before lying on the bed together. Jean-Luc took his time arousing his wife, lingering over her swollen breasts and gently sliding his fingers through her folds.
When she was ready, Beverly rolled onto her side and Jean-Luc spooned behind her. He eased a hand under the swell of her belly and gently pushed down, his hand over the fan of her copper curls. With her properly aligned, he gripped his penis and guided it into her and, once fully immersed in her tight silken heat, he returned his hand to her sex and softly teased her clitoris until she began to rhythmically clench him. At feeling the delicious sensations, Jean-Luc started to gently thrust. Beverly mewed sensuously and covered his hand with hers, helping him to pleasure her.
Her first orgasm was gentle and languid, her body barely reacting. Jean-Luc was accustomed to this. Her pregnancy well advanced, Beverly’s climaxes were numerous and tended to build in intensity. With that in mind, Jean-Luc continued his gentle thrusts, allowing his skilful fingers to play her like a rare and beautiful instrument. Soon another orgasm washed over her, this one stronger, making her body shudder. With diligence borne of love and the desire to give his lover pleasure, Jean-Luc persisted, eliciting three more climaxes in his wife before she began to pant and writhe. Throughout their lovemaking the Captain had exerted formidable control over his own need, thankful that his slow pace afforded him a chance to regulate his responses to Beverly’s obvious passionate reactions. He gently bit her shoulder as he sensed her final climax gathering. He increased the pressure of his sliding fingers and quickened and deepened his thrusts. His orgasm caught him unawares. He strove to stop it but it was no use. His body tensed and he buried himself inside her and moaned deeply as the release swept him away. Beverly’s body flexed and spasmed, her mouth open in a silent scream as the final powerful orgasm surged through her. Somehow her husband had kept his fingers sliding over her clitoris and, as he softened, Beverly’s body resounded again and again with sensuous aftershocks. Her hand reflexively gripped his and stopped all movement and they lay together, panting and gasping as their bodies recovered.
After several minutes, Jean-Luc reached down and pulled up the covers, before wrapping his arm around his dozing wife and kissing her temple.
“Goodnight mon coeur.”
She mumbled sleepily and Jean-Luc drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face, something that had become common over the recent months.
As ingrained habit demanded, Jean-Luc was awake before the alarm and softly ordered it off line. With his hand spread over his wife’s belly, a tender smile emerged as he felt his unborn child move energetically under his gentle touch. Beverly snuffled in her sleep and shifted slightly, backing further into his embrace. The Captain softly kissed her neck and closed his eyes, allowing himself to slip back to sleep.
Two hours later it was Beverly who woke. She took a moment to savour the feeling of being held by her husband before her over-full bladder made her exit from the bed essential. She gently lifted Jean-Luc’s arm and slid from the bed, padding naked across the room and into the bathroom.
Having finished and washed her hands, she was making her way back to bed when his deep voice made her smile.
“You look absolutely beautiful.”
The Doctor slipped into the bed and snuggled into Jean-Luc’s embrace. She sighed and kissed him.
“Remind me to ask Selar to check your eyes. There seems to be something wrong with them.”
His reaction was to kiss her with languid passion. Tapering the kiss, he pulled back and frowned.
“There is nothing wrong with my eyes as you well know.”
Beverly stifled a snort and shook her head.
“Jean-Luc my love…I look like a beached whale, my hair is a fright and I’ve no make up on.”
He tightened his embrace.
“And you look absolutely wonderful!”
Beverly chuckled.
“Rose coloured glasses?”
The Captain grinned and gently pushed his wife onto her back, rising on his elbow to stare lovingly down at her.
“Possibly, but I have always thought you were the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
They kissed again and Beverly sighed. Jean-Luc lowered his head to the pillow and placed a hand on her belly.
“Junior was very active earlier this morning.”
Beverly smiled and nodded.
“I know. The little beastie keeps stepping on my bladder.”
Jean-Luc chuckled.
“What time is our appointment?”
“Eleven thirty.”
Jean-Luc sighed happily.
“Good, that gives us plenty of time. Do you want to shower or bathe this morning?”
Beverly chewed her lower lip, mulling over her decision.
“Shower I think…on the condition you join me.”
Jean-Luc sighed theatrically and closed his eyes.
“Don’t tell me…you want help washing your feet again?”
The Doctor giggled and insinuated her hands under the covers to tickle his ribs. Jean-Luc guffawed and drew up his knees, grabbing her hands and shaking his head.
“Wench! Stop that or I’ll return the favour.”
Beverly grinned saucily.
“Well what do you expect? You know damn well I can’t even see my feet left alone wash them.”
Jean-Luc rolled onto his side, sat up and pushed the covers down; exposing the rise of Beverly’s swollen stomach. He bent forward and tenderly kissed the taut skin, before gently laying his face near her navel. Beverly watched with tender amusement, her hand caressing her husband’s scalp. After a few minutes she said softly,
“Help me up sailor. Let’s get this day on the road.”
After a leisurely breakfast and a stroll through the arboretum, the couple made their way to Sickbay. The head nurse, Alyssa Ogawa greeted her boss and Captain and led them to a bio bed, making the preliminary scans while they waited for Doctor Selar.
The stoic Vulcan soon joined them and read the results of the scans, studiously ignoring Beverly’s attempts to see them.
“Are you getting sufficient sleep Doctor Crusher?”
Beverly nodded.
“Yes.”
Raising one perfect eyebrow, the medic stared hard at her boss.
“The scans show recent sexual activity. Do you think that’s wise at this stage?”
Jean-Luc lowered his head, trying to hide the flush that rose rapidly over his face. Beverly stifled a snicker, her amusement at Jean-Luc’s discomfort making her want to giggle.
“It’s fine Selar, we’re careful…nothing too vigorous I can assure you.”
The Vulcan nodded.
“Very well. Everything is progressing normally, however your blood pressure is slightly elevated. I will administer something to stabilise it but your physician on Earth will need to know. To that end I will supply your notes.”
Beverly frowned.
“All right…I suppose it’s associated with the fluid I’m carrying?”
“I would say so.”
The red head sighed.
“Damn.”
Jean-Luc took his wife’s hand and addressed his enquiry to Selar.
“Is the condition life threatening?”
Selar closed her tricorder.
“If left untreated yes, but it is in the lower end of the scale and, if treated properly should be of little consequence.”
The Captain cast his wife a look and continued,
“And our journey? Will it be safe to travel?”
Selar nodded.
“Yes Captain. I will supply the necessary drug and Doctor Crusher can self-administer.”
The Vulcan clasped her hands in front of her and tilted her head.
“Are you still unwilling to know the sex of your child?”
The couple looked at each other and shared a tender smile. It was the Captain who answered.
“That is correct Doctor.”
Selar bowed her head.
“Very well. Your child is progressing normally and I foresee no problems. You are free to leave.”
Jean-Luc helped Beverly off the bed and the couple thanked Selar. As Beverly made to leave, Alyssa caught her arm.
“Doctor Crusher?”
Beverly smiled at the Lieutenant and encouraged her to speak. The small Asian woman looked shyly at Jean-Luc and he took the hint. Squeezing Beverly’s hand he said softly,
“I’ll see you outside.”
Beverly threw him a smile and watched him appreciatively as he walked away. Alyssa poked her arm.
“Stop that.”
Brought out of her reverie, Beverly grinned.
“Why? He’s all mine.”
Alyssa rolled her eyes.
“Yes we know…and you broke a lot of hearts taking him off the market.”
Beverly giggled and watched curiously as Alyssa gathered the other nursing staff around her.
“Doctor Crusher…we know you’ve had a baby shower but we wanted you to have this.”
The petite woman handed Beverly three isolinear chips. Frowning, the Doctor tilted her head.
“What are these?”
Rayner Kholer smiled and pointed at the chips.
“We all recorded our favourite music…nothing I might add that was too…loud…just gentle stuff that maybe your baby might like to listen to.”
The Doctor beamed at her friends and sighed.
“That’s really lovely. The Captain and I have been careful to expose junior to music all through the pregnancy but…and I’ll hold you to this little secret…because of my ever so cultured husband, it’s been mostly classical. Is there any blues or jazz on these?”
Kerry Waghorn nodded eagerly.
“Yes! And some swing. Actually there’s music from all over the quadrant. Your baby should have a very rounded education.”
Beverly chuckled.
“Thank you all very much, this will be great. All I have to do now is convince bubs’s father to allow me to play it.”
Everyone laughed and Alyssa took Beverly’s hands.
“We’ll all miss you Doctor.”
Beverly sighed.
“If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be back in six or seven months. It’ll pass quickly, you’ll see.”
Her staff all nodded. Taking her leave, Beverly left Sickbay, her step light. Her husband met her in the corridor.
“Everything all right?”
Beverly smiled and nodded.
“Yes, just a last minute gift.”
“A gift? What is it?”
The Doctor chuckled wryly.
“I tell you later.”
That afternoon the couple were enjoying a quiet cup of tea while gentle jazz played in the background. Jean-Luc’s head slowly nodded, his eyes closed. Beverly watched him out of the corner of her eye, amused to find him so engrossed.
The music ended and the Captain sighed. Beverly gently squeezed his hand.
“Well, what do you think?”
The man opened his eyes and frowned slightly.
“I liked it…it was relaxing and very mellow.”
“There you see…music doesn’t have to be classical to be interesting. Computer play next selection.”
The sultry voice of Billie Holliday wafted through the cabin and Jean-Luc smiled.
“I’ve heard this before, you play this often.”
The Doctor grinned, her blue eyes sparkling.
“Uh huh.”
The door chimed and Jean-Luc looked over, calling softly,
“Come.”
The parting doors revealed Deanna Troi, Ship’s Counsellor and Beverly’s best female friend. Unwilling to get up, Beverly beckoned with her hand.
“Come in Dee.”
Jean-Luc shook his head in silent exasperation and rose to his feet, smiling at their visitor.
“Good afternoon Counsellor.”
Deanna grinned and clasped her hands behind her back.
“Good afternoon Captain.”
She looked down at her friend and sighed.
“You look insufferably contented.”
The Doctor grinned.
“That’s because I am.”
Jean-Luc went to the replicator and called softly,
“Can I get you something Counsellor?”
She nodded.
“Yes please Captain, a hot chocolate with two marshmallows.”
Suppressing a shudder, Jean-Luc placed his order and soon rejoined the women carrying a tray. Noting Deanna was seated, he put her mug in front of her and then handed his wife her chamomile tea, taking his Earl Grey and sitting back to take a tentative sip.
“How did the exam this morning go?”
Beverly sipped her tea and raised her eyebrows, flapping a hand.
“Piece of cake.”
“Everything’s okay?”
“Yep…couldn’t be better.”
Jean-Luc frowned and softly cleared his throat making his wife scowl at him.
“Oh all right my blood pressure’s up a tad, but really, it’s nothing.”
Deanna leaned forward and stared hard at her friend.
“Why do you have hypertension?”
Beverly sighed.
“It’s a combination of things. One is my age and another is the fact that I’ve developed a bit of fluid. There would also be hormonal considerations too, but honestly Dee, really I’m fine. You don’t think our Captain would be sitting here so smug if me or the baby were in any danger do you?”
The Counsellor’s fathomless black eyes shifted to her Captain. He smiled and shrugged.
“It’s true Deanna; Selar has given Beverly the all-clear. We leave tomorrow and Beverly will have some medication to self-administer. I’m sure if she had any doubts whatsoever, Selar would have cancelled our trip.”
Deanna relaxed and sat back, sipping her drink as a comfortable silence descended. After a few minutes Deanna asked softly,
“Captain…may I ask you a personal question?”
Jean-Luc’s eyebrows rose and his dark eyes glittered.
“You may ask Counsellor.”
The petite woman smiled and tilted her head.
“But will you answer?”
The Captain pursed his lips.
“That depends on the question.”
Deanna grinned knowingly.
“Fair enough.”
Folding his arms, Jean-Luc said softly,
“Ask away.”
Taking a deep breath, Deanna placed her mug on the low table and looked straight into her CO’s eyes.
“Captain you have loved Beverly for a very long time.”
He merely nodded.
“But you never did anything about it…never pursued a romantic relationship with her.”
Jean-Luc frowned.
“Your question?”
“What changed? What was it that brought you two together finally, after all this time?”
His dark eyes bored into hers, his face unreadable. Deanna began to feel uncomfortable and was on the verge of apologising when his quiet deep voice broke the silence.
“A camellia.”
The Counsellor frowned in confusion and Beverly quietly sighed.
“A camellia? I don’t understand.”
The Captain smiled.
“We were to have dinner and I went to the Arboretum to see if Stan had any new blooms. He showed me a new camellia and I inveigled him to give me one specimen. I presented it to Beverly that night…and it seemed to touch her deeply.”
He held his hands up.
“The rest, as they say, is history.”
The Counsellor frowned and looked to Beverly for confirmation. The Doctor sighed and curled her legs under her.
“It’s true that the camellia was the catalyst, but the truth is I was finally ready to admit how I felt about the Captain. It was something I’d been agonising over for months…as you well know…and his gesture, so typical of him to try and find something to please me, tipped the balance. I confessed my love and we became a couple.”
Deanna sighed.
“That really is so romantic. And the pregnancy…was it planned?”
The couple shared a wry smile and Beverly shook her head.
“No. As you know, the Captain can’t use implants because of his prosthetic heart and I’d been not using any contraception for a long time…I simply saw no need. Well, our physical relationship started immediately and I went to sickbay the next day for an implant, but it was already too late. Unbeknown to either of us, I had conceived.”
Deanna giggled slyly.
“Serves you right Beverly. You of all people should’ve known the risks of unprotected sex.”
Jean-Luc took his wife’s hand and looked into her eyes.
“I prefer to think of it as providence Counsellor. This was simply meant to be. We have been married now five months and I, for one, couldn’t be happier.”
Beverly smiled tenderly and raised his hand to kiss it. Deanna watched the exchange with delight, never believing she would ever see her reserved, highly private Captain being so demonstrative.
“So Will says everything’s ready at the vineyard.”
Jean-Luc smiled.
“Indeed. The nursery has been refurbished and the family furniture has been taken out of storage. I believe the cradle is the same one I, my brother and generations of my family have used over the years. My sister-in-law is eagerly awaiting our arrival and apparently my village is preparing to welcome the newest Picard, my beautiful bride.”
“Beverly will you deliver the child in hospital or opt for a home birth?”
The Doctor shifted, her face screwed up with discomfort. Having found a more comfortable position she sighed.
“Oh a home birth I think. We’ve asked Paul Chapman from Starfleet Medical to assist; I served with him when I was head of the facility. He’s a damn good Doctor and a dear friend.”
Deanna smiled.
“Well you seem to have everything under control. One thing before I leave…is this going to be an only child?”
The couple looked at each other and both smiled. Beverly answered.
“Although being pregnant at my age isn’t much fun, we do hope to have at least one more…a pigeon pair would be nice.”
The Counsellor stood and grinned down at her friends.
“Wonderful! Thank you for talking to me, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With his customary good manners, Jean-Luc stood and escorted Deana to the doors. Just before the sensor she stopped and turned to look her Captain in the eye.
“Will and I are so happy for you Captain…you’ve waited a very long time.”
Jean-Luc lowered his head, his deep voice soft.
“It was worth it Deanna…I’ve never known such happiness, such utter contentment.”
On an impulse, the pretty woman rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek.
“Good afternoon Captain.”
They packed slowly, allowing Beverly to rest as often as she needed. They ate a leisurely dinner and retired early, slipping into sleep spooned together tightly.
In the morning, Jean-Luc rose first, leaving his wife to sleep while he showered and shaved. He entered the bedroom with only a white towel around his slim waist and shook his head as Beverly growled at him.
“You look drop dead gorgeous…come here.”
With a cautionary shake of his finger, his mock scowl made the sleepy woman chuckle.
“Not on your life, I know that tone of voice. If I get too close to you, I’ll be ravished.”
The Doctor stretched languidly and mewed.
“I don’t believe it! I’ve never known you to knock back the opportunity for a quickie.”
Folding his arms over his chest and deliberately flexing his biceps, Jean-Luc grinned Gallically.
“Under normal circumstances you’d be quite right, however we’re due to have breakfast with Will and Deanna in forty-five minutes and you’ve yet to have a shower. To put it succinctly…we don’t have time.”
The Doctor sat up and tried to get some semblance of order in her hair. With a frustrated huff, she abandoned the attempt and instead raised her arms above her head, stretching luxuriously and affording her husband an uninterrupted view of her swollen breasts.
He growled softly and came to the bed, his hands gently cupping her breasts while he kissed her thoroughly. Beverly sighed into his mouth and reached for the towel, but his hands were too quick. He gripped her wrists and shook his head.
“Oh no you don’t. Gods woman you’re a tease.”
He stood up and Beverly snickered and pointed to the tantalising bulge pushing the towel out from his body.
“What about that?”
Jean-Luc closed his eyes and sighed.
“You’re incorrigible. Come on I’ll help you wash your feet.”
With a disappointed pout, Beverly slid from the bed and did her best to entice her husband to give in to his obvious arousal. He ignored her until he was kneeling before her in the shower and heard Beverly moan. Looking up he was transfixed as Beverly slid her fingers through her folds. His hands moved of their own volition, creeping up her thighs to join her fingers. As he took over, Beverly lifted her hands and teased her nipples, parting her legs and pushing her hips at the crouching man.
Intoxicated by her scent and the wanton display, he closed his eyes and leaned forward, replacing his fingers with his mouth. A low moan greeted his ears as his tongue feathered over her clitoris. He gently slipped two fingers inside her and coaxed the first orgasm from her. It was gentle and he continued, the next three climaxes growing stronger. He suddenly stood and turned his lover, encouraging her to brace herself against the stall. As he eased his throbbing penis inside her, his fingers found her clitoris and matched the rhythm of his thrusts.
His other hand found her breasts and he gently kneaded the firm flesh, struggling to keep control as she contracted around him.
Beverly suddenly stiffened and she gasped,
“Oh God…yes…yes…I’m, I’m…”
With abrupt suddenness, her orgasm took her. Jean-Luc rested his forehead on her neck and clenched his teeth, continuing his thrusts and caresses until Beverly climaxed again. It was his undoing. With a low cry of liberation he held himself deep inside her as he came, his body flexing and shuddering.
The couple regained their breath and Beverly chuckled tiredly.
“Gotcha.”
Jean-Luc eased himself from her and gripped her shoulders, turning her to face him. After a tender kiss he sighed.
“What the hell am I going to do with you? For God’s sake…you’re insatiable!”
With the warm water running down their bodies, Beverly gently pinched his nipples.
“I’m afraid, my dear Captain, there is
only one cure for my insatiable appetite.”
She kissed him passionately then giggled.
“I’ll give you one guess what it is.”
He sighed and shook his head.
“Well I can only assume it means sex. Lots of sex. Am I right?”
The Doctor hummed happily and gently squeezed his flaccid penis.
“Uh huh.”
Jean-Luc offered a rare full grin.
“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
Beverly frowned as Jean-Luc turned the water off. He helped her out of the shower and assisted her in drying. They dressed quickly and were setting the table when the door chimed. Beverly winked at her husband and he shook his head, calling out,
“Come.”
Will and Deanna entered, the big, bearded First Officer grinning at his CO.
“Good morning Captain, Beverly.”
Jean-Luc nodded, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
“Good morning Number One, Counsellor.”
With a sweep of his hand the Captain invited his guests to take their seats at the dining table.
As the Captain and Doctor carried plates from the replicator, Jean-Luc said,
“I hope coffee and croissants are all right. It’s a favourite of ours and just lately our dear CMO can’t seem to get enough.”
Beverly coughed into her hand and cast her husband a knowing look. He shook his head then studiously ignored her sly teasing.
Will and Deanna both noticed the by-play and Will grinned widely.
“Yes Captain, I’ve heard that pregnant women develop voracious appetites. I suppose the trick is to be able to keep up with them.”
Jean-Luc placed the coffee pot on its warmer with great deliberation then stared at his Exec, his face unreadable. Will, ever aware of his Captain’s well-guarded sense of privacy, tucked in his chin and cleared his throat. Deanna decided to break the impasse.
“Are you packed Beverly?”
With a grateful smile, the Doctor nodded.
“Yes we finished last night.”
“So you’ve got what…three hours ‘til you leave?”
Beverly smiled and nodded.
“Uh huh. We’re just going to hang around here in the meantime I’m a bit tired.”
Deanna kept her sly smile under control, instead turning to her Captain.
“You will keep in contact with us Sir?”
Jean-Luc carefully applied some strawberry jam to his croissant then smiled at his Counsellor.
“Indeed Deanna. We’re well aware of the ship’s pool concerning the date, time, weight, eye colour and gender of our child. Never fear we will supply all relevant information.”
The Captain turned his attention to Will.
“And you Number One…how many credits have you wagered?”
The big man grinned.
“Enough to make me very happy if I win any of the categories, but I’m really confident about the date. I reckon I’ve got it nailed, so,”
He looked meaningfully at Beverly,
“I’m relying on you Doctor. Don’t let me down.”
Beverly covered her face with her hands and shook her head.
“Oh my lord…the pressure! As if I didn’t have enough on my plate, now I’m solely responsible for the future financial security of the First officer. How will I cope?”
Everyone chuckled and Beverly lowered her hands and grinned. Her face suddenly grimaced and she closed her eyes. Jean-Luc gently gripped her shoulder and asked softly,
“Are you all right?”
The wincing woman nodded and summoned a rueful smile.
“Yes, Bubs just kicked something tender. I’ll be fine in a minute.”
As she predicted the discomfort soon passed and the four friends enjoyed their breakfast, lingering over their coffee, the men discussing ship’s business at the table while the women went to the sofa for a more relaxed talk. Deanna glanced over at the table then turned back to the Doctor, keeping her voice low.
“You’ve got to take it easy Beverly, I’m well aware of what you two were up to this morning.”
Beverly flushed and rolled her eyes.
“God Deanna can’t you blank us out?”
The Counsellor sighed and pushed her hair back, casting her friend an exasperated look.
“Normally I do, but you two are very intense and I can’t help but be aware when you have sex. Actually I’m jealous, it must be incredible.”
Beverly sighed and briefly closed her eyes.
“It is believe me.”
“Well anyway you should get more rest. Pretty soon the sex will have to stop.”
With an irritated shake of her head, Beverly scowled.
“I know and I’m not very happy about it. Can you imagine lying next to such a sexy, sensual man…a man you know from personal experience is very gifted in sexual matters, a man you’ve lusted after for years, and not be able to have your way with him? Honestly…talk about cruel and unusual punishment!”
Deanna giggled.
“Just remember it was sex that got you into this situation in the first place.”
The Doctor wrinkled her nose and poked out her tongue.
“Thank you very much.”
The Counsellor gaped with feigned innocence.
“That’s what friends are for.”
Jean-Luc’s quiet baritone ended any further repartee. He had left the table and seated himself next to his wife, surprising both Will and Deanna by taking her hand and tenderly kissing her cheek. Will held out his hand and helped his lover to her feet.
“Well we’ll be off. Thank you for breakfast Captain it was terrific.”
Jean-Luc smiled up at his guests and sighed.
“You are both most welcome. Forgive me, but I won’t escort you to the door, the plain truth is I’d rather sit with my wife and see if I can entice her to have a nap.”
A grinning Commander held up his hand.
“No worries Captain. We’ll see you off later.”
With a gentle nod of his head, Jean-Luc dismissed the two officers and, once they’d left, coaxed Beverly into his embrace and encouraged her to lift her legs to stretch out.
Having got her comfortable, the happy man gently caressed her face with his fingertips until she drifted off to sleep.
“Sommeil mon coeur. J’taime.”
Four hours later Jean-Luc and Beverly we seated in the Captain’s yacht, the Calypso. Will, Deanna, Data and Geordi were on board the craft, each smiling broadly as their Captain settled his wife into her chair. She sighed with exasperation and looked up at her husband.
“I would rather sit in the cockpit.”
He frowned down then shrugged.
“As you wish.”
He helped her to her feet while casting their friends a long-suffering look,
earning a giggle from Deanna. Beverly cast Jean-Luc a mock glare as the others
made way as she went past. She turned her attention to the Counsellor and
wrinkled her nose.
“It’s taken me weeks to train him, now he’s going overboard!”
Will chuckled and shook his head, earning him a glare from his Captain.
“I would’ve expected a little back up from you Number One.”
The big man grinned, his blue eyes twinkling.
“It’s the lesser of two evils Captain. Yes I’m loyal to you…but I have to front up to Beverly for my physicals. Honestly Sir…who would you back?”
Once Beverly was comfortably seated, the Captain faced his Exec.
“Cowardice Will is a very nasty trait. I expected better of you, however I do concede you may have a point. I too have to endure Beverly’s prodding and poking during my physicals so in this instance I’ll let you off the hook.”
He raised a finger and shook at Will’s face.
“Only this once mind.”
The gathered officers laughed and Will extended his right hand.
“Goodbye Captain, safe travels.”
As Will bent to kiss Beverly’s cheek, the others bade Jean-Luc farewell. Data and Geordi kissed Beverly, but Deanna hung back, waiting while the men went back into the living area. Jean-Luc gave a curious look over his shoulder but knew better than to interfere.
Deanna took Beverly’s hands and said softly,
“You will keep in regular contact?”
Beverly smiled gently and nodded.
“Yes, don’t worry.”
The petite woman leaned forward and kissed her best friend, whispering,
“And remember…behave yourselves. You need to rest.”
As she straightened, Beverly grinned evilly.
“Okay, but you remember I’m aware of Will’s…appetites. If I come back and find you’ve been getting by without enough sleep, I’ll be after you.”
Deanna snorted.
“Will’s appetites? What about mine? I think you should do some study on Betazoid females.”
With her eyebrows raised, Beverly smirked.
“Really? You’ve been holding out on me.”
“No I haven’t…I was sparing you. Before you and the Captain became physical, your sexual frustration was almost impossible for me to bear. You and the Captain have large libidos and the tension was, at times, very intense. If I had told you about my…appetites it would have only made a bad situation worse.”
Beverly smiled and batted her eyes.
“So selfless! My how altruistic can you get. I’ll ask Jean-Luc to give you a medal…for forbearance.”
Deanna giggled and took her friend’s face in her hands.
“Take care Beverly.”
“I will, I have Captain Courageous to look after me.”
As Deanna entered the living area it was to see her lover waiting for her.
“Ready Dee?”
She nodded and smiled.
“Uh huh.”
Turning to her Captain she smiled.
“Goodbye Sir. Take care.”
Jean-Luc nodded and watched as his friends left. He entered the cockpit and took his seat, opening a channel to the Bridge.
“This is Picard. Calypso ready for launch, requesting clearance.”
The reply was instant.
“Bridge here Captain, you are clear for launch. Bon voyage Sir.”
Jean-Luc smiled.
“Thank you Bridge, Picard out.”
The little ship dropped from her docking port and moved away from under the saucer section of the Enterprise. Once clear, she rotated on her axis and jumped to warp. Beverly, watching the monitor, witnessed her home disappear in a fraction of a second. She sighed and turned to her husband.
“So we’re on our way.”
Jean-Luc inputted the required instructions for the autopilot then stood and held out his hand.
“Yes and now there’s no need for you to sit in that uncomfortable chair.”
Beverly’s mouth opened in mock outrage.
“How the hell do you know it’s uncomfortable for me?”
He kissed her tenderly and rested his hands on her thighs.
“Because of the way you’re sitting…that and the tight expression. Sure signs of discomfort.”
The Doctor huffed but allowed her lover to help her to her feet. As they moved into the living area she sighed.
“It doesn’t make much sense. Those chairs have been ergonomically designed, they should be comfortable…they always have been.”
Jean-Luc held his tongue until he was certain Beverly was happily ensconced in a soft lounge chair. He then went to the replicator and ordered some teas. When he was seated beside her, he sipped his Earl Grey and pointed out the obvious.
“Beverly those chairs were not designed for very pregnant people. You know that.”
Beverly sighed and lifted her feet and tucked them under her, closing her eyes briefly.
“Yes I do know, but still…”
The Captain chuckled.
“Perhaps you can add that to your research.”
Beverly scowled.
“What…how to design chairs that are comfortable for the very pregnant? Give me a break.”
Jean-Luc’s chuckle became a laugh. Beverly grinned, delighted to bask in his good humour. He calmed and sipped again, his eyes glittering. He asked his next question softly.
“What did Deanna say?”
Beverly flushed.
“Oh you know…the usual stuff. Take care, eat well, get enough sleep.”
The Captain shook his head.
“No…the other stuff.”
The Doctor adopted an innocent look.
“Other stuff?”
Jean-Luc sighed and shook his head.
“Yes. You were deep in conversation in our quarters and you stopped when I approached, then the same thing happed here. Deanna held back until she could see you alone. What’s going on?”
Beverly covered her face in her hands and took a deep breath. Jean-Luc waited patiently.
“She is worried I’m doing too much and not getting enough rest.”
“Nonsense. You’re getting ample rest. Does she think I’m incapable of caring for you?”
Seeing the beginnings of anger, Beverly held up her hand.
“No of course not. Look Jean-Luc, she was alluding to our…sex life.”
Jean-Luc head shot up and he glowered.
“Our what?”
The Doctor took a large sip of her tea and sighed.
“You’re aware she can sense us all the time?”
The Captain’s reply was curt.
“Yes, but I also know she can blank us out…afford us some privacy.”
“That’s true, but apparently our lovemaking is so intense it infiltrates through her barriers.”
Jean-Luc bowed his head and ran a hand over his bare scalp.
“Are you telling me she was aware every time we made love?”
Beverly nodded mutely.
“Shit!”
“And so you can see how she would know if I was feeling a little peaky.”
The Captain closed his eyes and reined in his anger. Once again in control he sighed expansively.
“I see. Well as she was concerned for you well being I suppose I’ll just have to let the matter go. I can tell you; however, I’m very glad to get away from the ship.”
Beverly chuckled and finished her drink.
“You and me both. If one more person had requested to touch my belly I would’ve been forced to carry a phaser to vaporise them.”
Jean-Luc chuckled warmly and came to his feet.
“Would you like to read for a while?”
She nodded with a smile. The Captain retrieved their books and they settled down to pass a few hours, happy and contented in each other’s company.
For the next three days the couple fell into the rhythm of long-distance space travel. Loping along at warp five, the Calypso proved comfortable and well appointed. They read a lot, slept and made love once; Jean-Luc heartily relieved there was no one to sense their heated passion.
They were both in the living area sharing a light afternoon tea when the yacht ploughed head on into a cosmic string fragment. The craft ricocheted off the fragment, its speed reduced to warp three and spinning wildly, its engines offline. The occupants were thrown violently against the forward bulkhead. While their ship careered through space out of control, Jean-Luc and Beverly lay injured and unconscious on the floor.
It was over two hours until the Captain groaned softly and rolled onto his side. Opening his eyes, he was greeted with absolute darkness. Suffering pain in several areas of his body and feeling nauseous, he got to his knees and called roughly,
“Beverly?”
There was no reply.
“Computer lights.”
Nothing, no response.
He crawled forwards until he felt the bulkhead then he began to search with his hands, radiating outwards from the wall. In a few minutes he discovered his wife. He felt his way up her arm to her neck, his questing fingers encountering the telltale stickiness of blood. Finding her neck, he breathed a sigh of relief when he detected her pulse, strong and steady. He bent low to her ear and called,
“Beverly can you hear me? Wake up Beverly.”
She didn’t respond so he crawled over to one of the recessed lockers only to find it open and its contents disgorged. It took twenty-five frustrating minutes for him to find a palm beacon, but once he did he quickly located a med kit and made his way back to his wife. As he approached her she groaned. Using the light, Jean-Luc took some gauze from the kit and pressed it against the freely bleeding laceration on Beverly’s head. She suddenly jerked and her eyes opened. Jean-Luc gently gripped her shoulder and spoke firmly.
“Steady Beverly, you’ve been hurt. Lie still while I scan you.”
She nodded once and winced at the pain that action brought. The tricorder’s quiet sounds shattered the silence of the darkened craft and Beverly swallowed, blinking away her tears. Having completed the scan, Jean-Luc helped Beverly to sit up and when she gestured for the tricorder, he reluctantly handed it over. She was silent as she read the results then sighed. Jean-Luc’s voice was rough and deep.
“Are you all right?”
“Uh huh. Two broken ribs, sprained right wrist, fractured pelvis and a concussion.”
The Captain gently laid his hand on her abdomen.
“And the baby?”
Beverly grimaced and wiped away an errant tear.
“Bruised but stable.”
Jean-Luc let out his breath and closed his eyes. He was about to suggest he move Beverly to the bed when she said shakily,
“Your turn.”
He frowned and shook his head.
“No I want to…”
Her voice hardened.
“Dammit Jean-Luc give me the light and let me scan you!”
He quelled his rising fear for his wife and sat slowly on the floor with a soft grunt. Handing Beverly the light and the tricorder, he sat quietly while she scanned him. When her gentle hand pressed some gauze to his temple he sighed.
“Well?”
She squinted down at the tricorder.
“One broken rib on the right, two on the left. Two cracked cervical vertebra, a wrenched knee and a nasty cut to the head. Not bad considering.”
Jean-Luc snorted.
“Considering what? What the hell happened?”
Beverly used the light to sweep across the room. It was a mess. All the lockers had spilled their contents, the furniture was ripped from their moorings and several control panels were black and scorched.
“Can you find me an osteo fuser?”
Jean-Luc fumbled in the med kit and handed Beverly the requested instrument. She examined it and snorted.
“Dammit, it’s useless.”
The Captain grunted.
“Obviously we still have life support and the inertial dampeners seem to be on line. I’m going to get you to the bed then I’m going to find another light and go to the cockpit. If I can eke some power from somewhere we can send a distress signal.”
The Doctor gripped his arm.
“I’ll go with you, you might need some help.”
Shaking his head his voice took on a command tone.
“No. You and our child have been injured. I want you to lie down in bed.”
Beverly sighed shallowly.
“Okay but you’re going to have to help me, I don’t think I can walk just yet.”
Jean-Luc stood, suppressing a groan of pain and helped Beverly to gain her feet. They slowly negotiated the debris and made their way to the bedroom. Beverly supported herself against the wall while Jean-Luc dragged the mattress back onto the bed and found two pillows. Once she was lying comfortably, the Captain found another light and, after leaving her with her own palm beacon, made his way to the cockpit.
What he found dismayed him. His initial sight was that of a wildly spinning star scape. The consoles were dead and the communication system was utterly destroyed so he got to his knees and tore open an access panel. By re-routing what little power that remained, he managed to activate the forward sensors but that didn’t help with the craft spinning out of control. As he was re-aligning the isolinear chips there was a gout of sparks and a small explosion. The Captain was set back on his behind with burnt fingers. Grabbing the fire suppressant, he put out the minor blaze and waved away the smoke. The panel was a complete mess of charred chips and scorched wiring, yet Jean-Luc still believed he could coax some power from the unit. Utilising his burnt fingers, he deftly re-wired some circuits and smiled grimly when one of the consoles glowed dimly. He climbed to his feet and attempted thruster control. The little ship answered sluggishly and over several minutes the sickening spinning slowed to a stop. Jean-Luc could see that they were still travelling at warp speed, the elongated prismatic stars flashing by told him that. With the forward sensors on line, he manoeuvred the Calypso until she was travelling forwards. Immediately a warning sounded. Without the aid of the computer to help him, Jean-Luc had to coax the screen to supply a grainy image. A planet was looming up and they were caught in its gravity well. He frantically attempted to launch a distress beacon, but was stymied by dead equipment. His eyes kept straying to the screen as the planet rapidly approached. Through gritted teeth he muttered,
“Oh God…I’ve got to slow us down!”
Around the front of the little craft, the exterior metal began to glow as they entered the upper reaches of the planet’s atmosphere. With skill borne of many years experience, Jean-Luc fired the failing thrusters and lifted the nose of the ship, skimming and bouncing across the thickening space. He had no way of measuring their speed, but he sensed they were dropping out of warp. Caught within the grip of the planet, he continued to manoeuvre the yacht until he was sure they were at sub-light speed. Then, with his heart pounding, he gently angled the Calypso and made what was a very dangerous entry into the atmosphere. As they made their gentle descent, he tried valiantly to get some information about the planet. Before things became too chaotic he found three things.
The planet was class M, the surface temperature was forty-five degrees Celsius and there were no discernable structures.
The glow of the super heated exterior made him squint. The atmosphere was particularly thick and the cloud cover extended deeply. Blind and descending too fast, Jean-Luc kept firing the thrusters, attempting to give them as much time as he could. Suddenly the yacht broke through the clouds and Jean-Luc grimaced as he was confronted by an unbroken coverage of tall trees and mountainous terrain. He shook his head, his stomach clenching. He called out,
“Beverly can you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll have to brace yourself! We’re about to crash land on an M class planet, but we’re coming down much too fast and there’s little I can do about it.”
Her voice was surprisingly calm. She replied,
“Is there anywhere to put down?”
“Not that I can see yet.”
“Okay, do your best my love, I trust you.”
The Doctor got off the bed and settled against the bulkhead. She placed a pillow over her belly and crunched forwards, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her head on her knees. She closed her eyes and clenched her jaw.
“I’m thinking of you my love.”
Jean-Luc swallowed and stifled a groan of despair as a tall mountain reared in front of them. He coaxed the nose of the craft up and fired the thrusters but there was a loud explosion and what little propulsion he had failed. They made it over the mountain crest but nose-dived down the other side. They clipped an outcropping of rock, sending them spiralling. With a Herculean effort, the Captain kept his wits about him and spotted a body of water fast approaching. With what little helm control he had left, he aimed the yacht at the water and grimly gripped the console. As the surface of the water zoomed up at them he groaned,
“God help us.”
He then lifted his head and yelled,
“Hold on Beverly!”
The Calypso struck the water on her side, the impact causing her to cartwheel end over end for almost one hundred and seventy metres before she slewed sideways and slowly came to a stop, steam and smoke lazily rising around the ruined craft.
Inside two people lay unconscious. Beverly was sprawled on the floor on her back, blood flowing freely from several wounds. Jean-Luc was tangled in the remains of one of the cockpit seats, the ulna and radius of his right arm poking through the flesh of his forearm. Blood covered his face and a spike of metal pierced the muscle of his left hip.
The ship began to settle in the lake, the water finding entry through a multitude of rents and holes. Very quickly the Calypso started to fill. Going down by the stern, Beverly’s body was lifted by the water and floated free of the deck. The water infiltrated into the forward section and Jean-Luc, lying curled on his side, inhaled some water and immediately coughed violently. Dragged to consciousness, he was confused and very groggy. He stared uncomprehendingly at the blue-white bones protruding through his flesh and shook his head. He stared blearily back into the body of the craft and, by the daylight streaming in through the cockpit, saw Beverly float into view. He gasped and tried to stand, falling to his side as his left leg gave out under him. Ignoring the intense pain, he dragged himself forward into the deepening water. Reaching Beverly, he realised the yacht was not only filling very quickly but was lifting into a perpendicular position. Using the rising water to help him, the Captain guided Beverly back to the cockpit and with an effort, eased her through the broken front windscreen. He pulled himself up and through the opening just as a blast of escaping air blew out as the craft slipped under the water. Jean-Luc cradled his wife in his arm and looked to the shore, fifty metres distant. With slow steady strokes, he brought them to land and managed to drag Beverly up above the water line. He collapsed beside her, his last thought being one of sorrow.
“I’m so sorry my love.”
Beverly groaned softly, rolled to her side and vomited. The hideous retching continued for some minutes before she calmed and flopped gasping onto her back. She lifted a hand to shield her eyes in the blazing sun, her eyes squinting and watering. Her other hand went to her belly as she felt a weak kick. The Doctor swallowed and blinked away her flowing tears. She turned her head sluggishly to see her husband lying beside her. Blood had trickled down his face in several streams from two nasty lacerations, one on his scalp, the other over his eyebrow. Beverly concentrated on her body, attempting an assessment. With gritted teeth, she tested her muscles experimentally and found she could sit up. Her wrist was badly swollen and throbbing but she utilised both hands to examine Jean-Luc, shaking her head as she catalogued his injuries.
Taking advantage of his unconscious state, she aligned his broken arm but the pain that caused was enough to rouse him. He curled up and groaned, his stomach heaving. Beverly gently gripped his shoulder and spoke to him.
“Jean-Luc? Can you hear me?”
The Captain nodded slowly and Beverly eased him onto his back.
“Can you open your eyes?”
He grimaced but complied, immediately turning his head to avoid the intense light.
“We have to get out of the sun Jean-Luc. It’s very hot and we’re already burnt.”
Jean-Luc nodded and slowly sat up. Unable to stifle a groan of pain, he cradled his broken arm and gripped his left hip with his free hand. Through a clenched jaw he ground out,
“Christ there’s something…”
Beverly removed his hand and searched for the reason for his pain. Her fingers encountered a short length of metal sticking out from his trousers.
“Can you straighten your leg and lie on your right side?”
He grunted and slowly did as she asked, gently easing his broken arm out from his body. The Doctor undid his pants and lifted them free of the shard to find the spike protruding from the flesh of his hip. Frowning deeply, Beverly felt around the injury, causing Jean-Luc to gasp.
“Sorry my love. Jean-Luc you have a piece of metal embedded in your hip. I’m going to try and pull it out. Are you ready?”
He could only nod.
“Okay, hold on I’ll be as quick as I can.”
The Doctor gripped the five centimetres that stood above her husband’s skin and applied steady pressure but it didn’t budge. Grimacing in pain, she used both hands but they slipped off, Jean-Luc groaning deeply.
Wiping the sweat from her face, Beverly tried again but she couldn’t extract it. Jean-Luc heard her exasperated grunt and turned his head.
“What is it?”
Beverly snorted.
“I can’t move the bloody thing; it must have pierced the bone. Can you help me?”
The Captain swallowed and closed his eyes.
“Can’t we leave it there?”
“No my love, I’m worried about infection. If we can get it out we can flush the wound clean.”
By now panting and sweating profusely, Jean-Luc gritted his teeth and nodded.
“Very well.”
His left hand went to the site and Beverly guided it to the spike. They both
gripped the metal and Beverly said quietly,
“A steady pull Jean-Luc, try to resist jerking it out.”
The Captain nodded silently and Beverly took as deep a breath as she could.
“Okay on three. One, two, three.”
As they pulled Jean-Luc cried out and screwed his eyes shut. For almost a minute they persisted until the Captain shook his head and pulled his hand free.
“No…enough.”
He lay panting and trembling as Beverly shook the sweat from her eyes. When he’d recovered a little, the Doctor said softly,
“We’ll give it one more try my love, and this time we jerk it. One hard quick pull. Okay?”
Jean-Luc nodded silently and allowed Beverly to guide his hand to the metal. They both took hold and he waited for her signal.
“Okay…NOW!”
The violent pull did the trick. As the metal slid from his flesh, blood welled up and poured over his hip. The suffering man let out a cry of agony and Beverly had to hold his hand tightly as he attempted to clutch the injury.
“It’s out! Hold on Jean-Luc, the pain will abate…wait it out.”
After several minutes Jean-Luc rolled onto his back then slowly sat up. Beverly showed him the spike. He shook his head and grimaced.
“Good lord…that must be fifteen centimetres long!”
Beverly scowled at the spike and noted the sharp tip.
“And embedded some distance into the bone of your pelvis I’d wager.”
The Captain looked around and frowned.
“There’s some pretty dense foliage over there. I suggest we shelter from this damned sun in it.”
The Doctor nodded her agreement.
“Good idea, but before we do that we’d better see if that water is drinkable. Dehydration is a danger we must avoid if we can.”
Jean-Luc turned his attention to the lake and nodded.
“Agreed. Can you make it?”
Judging the distance at only five metres, Beverly nodded and eased onto all fours. Jean-Luc copied her and together they slowly crawled to the water’s edge. After allowing Jean-Luc to take an experimental sip, Beverly tried herself and smiled in relief.
“It seems all right, it’s fresh at least, but don’t drink too much, just in case.”
The Captain smiled his understanding and they sipped the water cautiously.
Having slaked their thirst they slowly crawled to the bush that grew in profusion above the shoreline. They crept into the shadows and Jean-Luc took a long look at the sky.
“The sun is low, I think it will be dark soon.”
Beverly sighed softly.
“I wonder how cold the nights are?”
With a quick glance around him, Jean-Luc grunted.
“I should be able to make us a nest with the available greenery.”
The Doctor smiled and lifted a hand to gently caress his face.
“Did you get a message out?”