Chapter Nineteen

Picard stood outside Ten-Forward, he took a deep breath and walked in.

Guinan sat at the bar; her eyes fell on the Captain as he moved towards her.

Picard held out his gift. "A peace offering," he explained.

"Jean-Luc, you didn't have to do that!" she exclaimed.

She took the present and pulled off the wrapping.

"Teachers Whisky," Guinan read the label on the bottle she had just unwrapped.

"I thought that we could share a glass, as friends," said Picard.

"We never stopped being friends Jean-Luc," stated the listener.

"I know," Picard acknowledged. "But I wanted to make a gesture."

"It's very thoughtful of you," thanked Guinan.

She reached across the bar for glasses and opened the bottle. She poured them both a glass and raised hers to her nose and took in the fragrance. "Good stuff!" she claimed. She handed a glass to Picard.

In unison they raised their glasses in the air.

"To friendship," toasted Guinan.

"Salute," Picard added and they both gulped down the liquor.

Guinan let out a breathless sigh. "Very good stuff," she said as she re-filled their glasses.

They sat together for the rest of the night, sipping whisky and exchanging war stories.

Beverly Crusher sat in her office finishing up medical reports. Sickbay was quiet and softly lit, Beverly basked in the calm, she needed some calm right now, after all the mayhem of the day.

They had lost many patients in the aftermath of the Eclipse attack. It had been brutal. Matters had been made worse by the difficulty the crew had encountered just getting to Sickbay.

It was only now, in all the stillness, that Beverly realised she had lost her mental and emotional connection with Deanna. Crusher was torn between missing the connection; and relieved to be of one mind, to be independent again. All of that telepathic and empathic activity had been exhausting. Beverly had a new respect for Deanna; she didn't know how her friend managed to do it day-in and day-out.

She was expected for a game of poker, but Beverly wanted just a few more moments of seclusion. She had been through so much in such a short space of time; now was her first opportunity to reflect on it all.

As Deanna approached Sickbay, she hesitated. She was aware that Beverly wanted some alone time, but they needed to talk. The doors to Sickbay parted and Deanna entered. She immediately caught sight of Beverly sitting at her desk, lost in thought.

Beverly snapped out of her reverie and rose from her seat at Deanna's approach. She moved to the window, turning her back on Troi.

"I thought you'd come by," Beverly said fortuitously.

"I wasn't sure if I should, but I wanted to," Deanna said.

Beverly glanced over her shoulder at Deanna and smiled. "It's strange, isn't it? Since we were de-possessed, I feel so cut-off and detached from everything… like nothing around me is real. I mean - I can touch people, see them, hear them... but it's like looking at a reflection of reality… shimmering and dreamlike."

Deanna nodded, she understood completely. She remembered when she had lost her powers and was uncertain if they would ever return. It had felt like a waking nightmare, fortunately it had been temporary, but the fear and disassociation had left its scar.

Even though she and Beverly had been connected for a short time, they had shared the same mind and emotions, it was an intimate connection and would leave a lasting impression.

Deanna reached out and touched Beverly's shoulder gently. "You might feel strange for a while, but it will pass. I promise you."

Beverly turned to look at her friend, her eyes peered into Deanna's. "Are we alright?" she asked.

"We're fine," assured Deanna. "It might not feel like it now, but we are going to be alright."

Beverly smiled again, then stared out at the chasm of stars, her smile fading as the sense of isolation and abandonment filled her yet again.

Sensing her friends despair, Deanna added. "We need to work on this - it won't go away overnight."

"I know," Beverly paused. "For a while I wasn't alone, I liked that feeling," Crusher took in a painful breath. "And now that feeling's gone. Taken away. I know it didn't belong to me, but I feel robbed. Does that make any sense?"

"Yes, but you're not alone, Beverly. You have all of us aboard the Enterprise. We know you and we'll help you through this," Deanna said softly.

Beverly turned to face her friend. "Thank you."

Deanna slipped her arm around Beverly's waist. "Come on, we have a poker game to go to."

Beverly put her arm about Troi's shoulder. "Lead on," she replied and they headed towards the door.

Hovri sat in transporter room three, his only companions, the computer consoles that surrounded him. He was pondering his future. What would he do when the Enterprise reached Federation space? He hadn't thought that far ahead when fleeing Turpara 11, he had been too busy trying to escape.

The doors to the transporter room opened and Miles O'Brien stepped in.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you," claimed the Chief.

Hovri grinned, pleased that at least one person cared about him.

O'Brien took a seat beside him. "What are we thinking about?" he questioned.

"My future," replied Hovri.

"That's easy," stated the Chief.

"Yeah?" Hovri said doubtfully.

"Your immediate future is to have dinner with me and my wife," O'Brien informed him.

He stood up and held out his hand to Hovri.

"Dinner - really?" Hovri couldn't hide his surprise, the last thing he had expected to find aboard the Enterprise was friendship.

"Will you join us?" asked Miles.

Hovri took O'Brien's hand. "I'd be honoured," he beamed as O'Brien pulled him to his feet.

"Good - that's settled."

The two men left the transporter room and headed towards O'Brien's quarters.

"Hey - maybe you could join Starfleet," suggested the Chief.

"Maybe I could," replied Hovri, suddenly feeling optimistic about his future.

"They should be here by now," complained Worf.

Data shuffled and dealt another hand.

Riker picked up his cards. "Stop worrying - they'll be here soon."

As if on cue, Beverly and Deanna entered the room, arm in arm.

"You see," said Riker.

Worf scowled at him.

"Just in time ladies - take a seat," Will offered.

Deanna and Beverly took the chairs reserved for them.

Will leaned towards Deanna. "I'm just about to beat Worf over there at yet another game."

Worf scowled so hard Riker thought the ridges of his forehead would pop out.

"Five card stud," Data called out.

Geordi put out his hand out for two cards, received them, groaned when his visor picked up what they were, then threw them face down on the table. "Fold!" Geordi muttered, then sat back in his chair to observe the rest of the game.

"Dealer takes one," stated Data, giving himself another card.

All eyes turned to Worf. The Klingon stared intently at his well-protected hand, as if that would make the cards magically transform into the cards he needed to win.

"One," Worf demanded.

Data dealt an individual card, then all eyes turned to the smug look on Riker's face.

"None for me," Will cooed.

"Come on Will - let's see them or raise the stakes," said the Doctor.

Riker held up his hand for quiet and basked in the long pause before making his next move. "I raise the bet."

He threw five silver counters into the centre of the table, adding to the large stack of chips already piled up.

Worf grinded his teeth in an attempt not to lose his temper.

Data raised his eyebrows, then turned his cards face down in resignation. "Fold," he declared.

Worf was not willing to give in so easily, especially to Will Riker. "I meet your hundred and raise you two hundred," pushed the Klingon warrior.

Geordi let out a low whistle, glad that he was out of this hand.

Riker didn't falter for a second. "I'll see your two hundred and raise you another five hundred."

The Senior Officers gasped.

Worf muttered something in Klingon, then threw his cards onto the table. "Fold," he said gruffly.

Riker laughed as he scooped up his winnings.

Geordi shook his head in amazement. "How do you do it?"

"Skill," replied Will good-humouredly.

Data took in all the cards and reshuffled them.

"That translates into over confidence and a lot of luck," chided Deanna.

"I'm looking forward to winning all of your winnings," Beverly said to Will, a smirk on her face.

"You don't stand a chance Crusher," replied Will as he stacked his chips.

"We'll see Riker. I'm not as easy to crack as a Klingon," Beverly hit back.

Worf was about to protest, but thought better of it.

Data dealt a new hand.

"I feel lucky," stated Beverly.

"Your money's mine Crusher!" teased Will.

"All I hear is talk - you haven't a hope in hell Riker. You may as well give me all your money now and save yourself the humiliation of actually playing me," retorted Beverly.

As they all studied their cards, Beverly glanced at Worf, who was sat to her right.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you," Beverly began.

Everyone at the table looked at her.

"Yes Doctor?" inquired the Klingon.

Beverly moved her cards about in her hand as she spoke. "When I was brought back aboard the Enterprise, I noticed that I had a hospital identity bracelet on," she paused for effect.

Worf had a vacant expression on his face.

"Maybe you could explain to me," Beverly continued, "Why I was listed as Mrs Beverly Worf."

Crusher looked directly at him. Worf felt embarrassed at his friends amused stares. He glared at Beverly.

"This ought to be interesting!" remarked Geordi, leaning forward in his seat.

Deanna rested her chin on her hands, not taking her eyes off Worf. "Well?" prompted the Betazed.

"It was the hospitals mistake... I... they... the nurse - she thought you were my wife - so... I didn't…" Worf trailed off.

Riker laughed, obviously enjoying Worf's humiliation.

"Who wants a card?" Data asked.

The others returned their attention to the game.

Data handed out cards to whoever required them.

Beverly leaned close to Worf and whispered. "Thank you."

Worf smiled in return.

Beverly straightened up. "You're going down Riker," she declared, shuffling her cards around in her hand.

Worf smiled to himself, it was good to be among his friends again.

"You're wasting your time Crusher - I'm unbeatable tonight," claimed Will.

Even if they could be annoying at times.

Later that evening Deanna sank gratefully into her bed. She was exhausted. She closed her eyes, comforted by the thought that she had made amends with those closest to her.

Deanna slipped down through the layers of the crews emotions, memories and duty to reach the peaceful state of a sleep. Her mind and all its abilities were weary from their recent excursion, she needed rest. Needed to be ready for the next day and whatever it brought with it.

- The End -