|
|
| Home Just In Communities Forums Beta Readers Dictionary Search | Login Register Extras |
"Hey" Raylyn patted his shoulders as she walked by, "You did good
Papa" He smiled at her and sipped his wine. The scene was wonderfully
relaxing. Will and Wyatt were rolling in the grass, playing with their
children. Raylyn and Deanna were laughing over something girlish and their
mothers were sharing a conspiratorial cup of tea. Wesley was teaching Laal
to play catch without lobbing his head off with the ball. Jason, Geordi and
Data were talking about some new design upgrades the Enterprise was
scheduled for. Jean-Luc fixed the scene in his mind. This is what he hadn't
known he wanted. This is what he hadn't known he needed. It was a piece of
heaven he knew he was never supposed to have known existed. But thanks to a
certain sometimes dangerous, always obnoxious, nearly omnipotent being, he
now knew that it was possible. He now knew that he could be the Captain of
the Enterprise and have a family. He knew that he could deal with a child
without scaring them to tears, or falling apart himself.
And so it was he was smiling in his sleep, a few hours later. He was
dreaming about the future. Raylyn gave birth to two beautiful, healthy
little girls that looked just like her, Picard nose and all. J.W. adored
them. The three of them, with their three cousins, grew into fine young men
and women. J.W. went into Starfleet and took over the Enterprise when his
father retired. The girls, Bethany and Chaza, after their mothers, followed
different paths. Bethany went into history, a passion adopted from her
grandfather. Chaza became an artist on Betazoid and became famous
throughout the quadrant. Wesley quit the Academy, but followed the Traveler
onto a higher plane of existence. Jason married, produced 5 children, and
reshaped society on Kamor. Jean-Luc and Beverly eventually retired to his
family estate in France. Rene had joined Starfleet, over his father's
objections, and became one of the best Captains in the fleet. Jean-Luc
couldn't imagine a more satisfying future for his family. Then, in the
mists of his dreams and through the fog of unconsciousness, he heard a
familiar voice, one that he was not particularly pleased to hear.
"Hello, Jean-Luc" Fighting his sleep, the Captain tried to figure
out what was going on. All that would come to his sleep ridden mind,
however, was a name. A name which in itself spelled out disaster,
annoyance, confusion, and now, oddly enough, appreciation.
"Q"
Jean-Luc let his eyelids flutter. He had the sense that he should be
trying desperately to do something, catch on to something, but he couldn't
think of what that might be. He breathed deeply and felt his head rest back
into his pillow. It would be morning soon and he would have to get up, but
he was enjoying the warmth of his blankets at the moment.
Chime.
Chime.
Jean-Luc mumbled something and flipped over. He heard his door open
but the sound didn't quite register. He was still drifting slowly to
consciousness.
"Wakey wakey, Mon Captione!" Jean-Luc sat straight up in bed.
Beverly was not beside him. The huge portrait of their family was missing.
He was back. A deep disappointment flooded his chest.
"Good morning, Q" he said, flipping the blankets back and getting up.
"That's all I get? 'Good morning, Q'? Jean-Luc! After all I've done
for you!" Q mocked his outrage and shock. It was his form of humor, as Jean-
Luc was only too aware.
"What day is it?" Jean-Luc asked, ignoring his outburst.
"I told you the ship wouldn't do without it's Captain, Jean-Luc" Q
answered cryptically.
"Computer, date" Jean-Luc ordered, going for his uniform.
"There you see" Q said when it had reported. He had woken the day
after Data's art display. Right back where he belonged. He swallowed and
zipped up his shoes. He would face this world just as he always had...but
in the back of his mind he would always treasure the world he knew existed
somewhere.
"Very well, Q" he said. There wasn't anything else to say, really. He
would die before thanking the meddlesome creature.
"You're welcome, Jean-Luc" Q smiled pompously, sorely trying Jean-
Luc's patience. He turned, as if he were going to go, and then turned back
around.
"Oh, yes" he snapped his fingers and three holograph cubes appeared
on Jean-Luc's side table, "Raylyn insisted" And then in a bright light he
was gone. Jean-Luc turned to the holograph cubes. He turned the first on.
The happy image of his entire family appeared, Jason, Wesley, Deanna and
Wyatt, everyone. He turned the second on. This one had only Raylyn, Will,
J.W. and the twin girls, who were about 10 in the holograph. He turned to
the third, no idea what so ever might be displayed as he thumbed it on. An
image of Raylyn popped up, smiling softly at him, a light twinkling in her
eye, her hair tumbling around her shoulders and face.
And Jean-Luc smiled.
Somewhere a few seconds before, or a few seconds later...
"Papa?" Jean-Luc was already dressed.
"Good morning, Ray" he said. She almost didn't notice it, she'd grown
so used to the difference. She smiled, a little sadly and gave him his
morning kiss.
"Good morning, Papa"