Summary: I'd actually just fallen asleep watching an episode of ST TNG and it ended with the Crushers hugging each other and I guess they were on my mind. This story came to me in a dream, so if it makes no sense at all it's because it isn't a story...it s just a dream that I am putting on paper!
Note: Dear Fluffy the Fluff Bally of Doom, Jala, Tnglover, Sadie, Lochinblu, Mollybrr, & Bobshabadoo: Some of you picked "Duty to Defend"...some... "The Traitor"...both of these are arcs...This one won by default via private email. Don't let the title fool you...it's not lovey dovey!
Title: Alienation of Affection
Disclaimers: I love them, don't own them. I'm writing stories this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ST:TNG. If you have not seen the 2012 Calgary ST: TNG reunion show on You Tube...you must watch it...Wil Wheaton is so sweet, hysterical and endearing you will fall in love with Wesley Crusher all over again...or if you hated him...you will NO LONGER!
Timeline: Takes place before my story Final Mission...Wesley is 16. Beginning of season 3.
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Chapter 1 - In the Water
(August 6, 2365)
Captain's Log Stardate 43248.72 The Enterprise is en route to Betazed to retrieve Commander Riker and Counselor Troi. We have a brief stop to pick up our CMO, Dr. Beverly Crusher before our arrival at starbase 221 for a well deserved break for our crew. Dr. Crusher has been on the planet Volarus 4 with a science team studying the flora and fauna for a new colony to be set up for future federation settlers. *****************************************************************************************************************
Dr. Beverly Crusher returned from Volarus 4 seemingly years younger than when she left. As she materialized on the transporter pad, Chief O'Brien had remarked about a glow she'd had attained on her five day adventure at the planet's science station and thought maybe it should be a vista that the entire Enterprise crew should enjoy. Her face had a warm rose blush and her hair had mixed streaks of gold with her signature red as the sun had obviously touched every fiber of her being.
When she stepped down from the transporter she was pleasantly surprised to see Captain Picard standing in wait.
"Captain...surely you're not here to see me?"
"Hello Doctor. Consider me your personal welcoming committee. Welcome Back! " Dr. Crusher gave him a gentle hug as he took her bag.
"Thank you, you didn't have to do that, I know you're busy."
"Never too busy for a break."
"I was however expecting to see my son."
"He is a little tied up in Engineering at the moment, he made the suggestion that I take his place."
"Oh he did? I'll have to thank him for that." she smiled pulling a strand or red hair behind her ear, as Picard stared at her. Suddenly Beverly felt like a school girl staring at the captain of the football team. There seemed to be some nervous sexual tension between them as he reached out to stroke her arm gently; a sliver of a smile forming on his face.
"Beverly, you look absolutely sun-kissed."
"You don't realize how much you have missed the sun until you spend immeasurable time without it." She smiled warmly and as they departed the transporter room.
"A day is a lost treasure among the stars... "How was the planet?"
"It was beautiful...we'll have to talk about my discoveries very soon. The springs, the islands...it was amazing."
"Over dinner?" he asked stopping at her door." Beverly smiled coyly.
"I think that could be arranged." the door swooshed closed between them.
Picard walked away with a grin on his face as he headed back to the bridge.
She sighed entering the empty cabin. Beverly thought about going to find Wesley. It would be so nice to see his face after almost a week away, but she decided that a shower and change of clothes were a more urgent need at the moment. Entering her room she emptied the contents of her bag, placed the framed picture of her and Wesley back by her bedside table and unwrapped her new prized possession. It was a plastic container of sparkling water from Denuvian springs.
The people of the planet use the springs as their main source of life. Water came from underground artesian springs fed by a substantially large geothermal heat source. Some of the springs were used for bathing and relaxation, others for cooking with but it seemed to have rejuvenating properties she wanted to continue to study. She took a sip from the delicious water, sighed and placed the bottle in the chiller. Beverly Crusher then headed off to the sonic shower. **********************************************************************************************************
Main Engineering
From his vantage point the Enterprise was about the size of a cubicle. Of course he was currently crammed inside the warp engine room checking all of the isolinear chips trying desperately to find the faulty chip that was causing the short circuit Geordi spoke of. They had been at it for more than three hours. Between the two of them they'd checked more than 400 chips and Wesley was beginning to see them even with his eyes closed. He'd burned his fingers twice replacing faulty chips that were overheating.
He enjoyed helping Geordi. Next to Data, he was his best friend and favorite teacher. Learning about every aspect of Engineering was amazing and Geordi was a kind and patient teacher who always allowed Wesley to conduct tests and experiments on his own so that he could learn by doing. Even when he made mistakes, including the small electrical fire a few weeks ago, Geordi chalked it up to new experiences and kept praising Wes for each of his successes.
"This is the last one sir."
"Good Wes. Maybe you should take a break."
"Nah...I'm okay. My bridge shift isn't for another hour. "
"Hey, isn't your mother coming back today?" Three crewmen looked up and giggled as Wesley turned three different shades of red.
"Yes..." Wesley said through gritted teeth. "Dr. Crusher is due back today."
"Sorry, Wes."
"Don't you think you should go meet her?"
"I have duty until 2300, so I will have to see her at home."
"I think the Captain would cut you some slack. She's going to be ticked at you."
"What?" he peeked his head out from behind the counter. "Why?"
"I know if it was my mother and I haven't seen her ..."
"I talked to her last night...Ok?...she knows...she'll come and find me if she needs to."
"Good man." Geordi said patting his knee as Wesley rolled his eyes and gave him a lopsided grin.
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2345hours
After his shift in engineering and on the bridge, Wesley headed by ten forward for a bite to eat before returning to his quarters. As he reached the door he placed his fingers over the keypad but the door did not automatically open. He was surprised to find the door locked. He entered in his keycode and the door automatically.
The room was extremely warm as he ordered the computer to drop the temperature to a more comfortable 21 degrees Celsius. Wesley walked into his room and peeled off each article of clothing until he was down to his grey snug fitting boxer briefs and placed his uniform in the repli-cleaner. He walked into the bathroom, and washed his face and brushed his teeth, before dragging his exhausted body back into his bedroom.
He set the time on his chronometer for 0800 hrs and laid slightly muscular shoulders back on his pillow. Wesley lay in the bed waiting for the room to cool before covering himself with the sheet. He placed his civvies on the floor by the bed so he could put them on quickly if he needed to. After several minutes he felt the pull of sleep tug at him as he pulled the cool sheets over long lanky legs quickly giving in to exhaustion.
One hour later:
The change in temperature awoke her. She drank from her bottle of water as she sensed that she was no longer alone in her quarters. Again she adjusted the temperature upwards and went in search of the disturbance.
Dressed in a soft, baby doll, pink nightgown that barely reached her knees, Beverly slid into Wesley's room and pulled the covers down off of his shoulders. He was turned on his side facing away from her. She rubbed her hands across his back in circles and then up to the trapezius muscle near his shoulders. His skin was firm with developing muscles, he was finally beginning to fill out becoming less gaunt.
Her fingers ran up to intertwine in his chocolate brown tresses as she leaned in to kiss his sleeping cheek and then his neck. Sensing the nuisance Wesley rolled over onto his back swatting the offending hand away as he took a deep breath and continued to sleep. Beverly stared at his face and squeezed his cheeks. She grabbed his face angrily.
"A child..." she sneered. She walked to her room, gathered her robe and pulled it tight around her.
As she did she noticed again the picture by her bedside table of "her" and the child. He would ask too many questions and would be in the way of her plans. He had to go. She went back into his room and pinched Wesley's ear until he groaned and started to stir.
"Ouch...what the..." He rubbed at his eyes and weary face. "Oh hi Mom."
"What are you doing here?" she asked as the bright lights assaulted his eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you, my shift just ended...how was your..." Wesley began sitting up in his bed yawning.
"Why are you here?"
"Well, I was trying to sleep..." he said smiling playfully. Her face did not reflect the slighest bit of humor. She looked angry, and Wesley swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked into her steel greenish gray eyes.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"These are my quarters..." Now Wesley was completely confused. He got out of bed and put on his shirt and pants, suddenly feeling very naked under her scrutiny.
"Did I do something wrong? I'm really tired. Can we talk about this in the morning."
"I want you out of here. Get out now."
"Mom? What's wrong? What did I do?" Sitting down beside her, he reached for her hand, but she snatched it away from him.
"You don't belong here." Wesley leapt to his feet angry at the idiocy of his mother's statement. He physically pinched himself to make sure he was awake.
"This is my home, the only place I've ever lived on this ship...longer than you have actually."
Beverly Crusher raised her hand and struck Wesley across the face as hard as she could. He was so unprepared for the strike that he nearly fell into the bedroom wall.
Wesley held his face. The sting from being slapped with such ferocity ached more than he ever expected. "Beverly" stood in stunned silence as she realized what she had done. Wesley's was more than a little shocked and hurt, but he was equally surprised to see the shock and remorse on her face.
"Wesley! Oh my God...wait...I didn't mean it." she stammered reaching for his hand. Wesley pulled away, turned and grabbed his shoes and headed out the door.
"I'll leave." he spat angrily.
Beverly slid down the closed door shaking as her head fell to her lap..."Oh God...what's wrong with me...Why did I do that...?"
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What's gotten into Beverly? Is Wesley just finally getting the smackdown he deserves?
Please review! The quicker you review the quicker I update...its ready. =)