“It’s quite all right,” Picard said in diplomatic response to Beverly’s question as to whether or not she was interrupting. She was, but there was no way he would let on. “Doctor, may I introduce Admiral Virginia Hamilton. Admiral, this is my Chief Medical Officer, Beverly Crusher.”
“I am familiar with the doctor’s reputation,” Virginia said with a smile as the two women shook hands and exchanged formal greetings.
Picard continued. “Beverly is an old friend of mine, her former husband served with me on the Stargazer.”
“I know,” Virginia said softly. She had ‘read’ the doctor as she had performed on stage, but even if she hadn’t, the admiral would have been able to discern the jealousy in the other woman’s eyes. “I never had a chance to play Queen Gertrude, Doctor, I always played Ophelia. You’re quite an excellent actress.”
“Thank you,” Beverly replied, honestly pleased at the alien woman’s praise despite her present ill feelings. “Shall I see you at Counselor Troi’s wedding tonight?”
“Yes,” the admiral answered. “I have yet to decide whether to wear my dress uniform though, they are so uncomfortable.”
“I know what you mean.” Beverly looked at the captain. “So, Jean-Luc, I’ll be ready around 18:30…will that work for you?”
“Ah…” Picard, the diplomatic captain who had performed numerous first contacts with countless different alien species, floundered as he sat between two distinctly different women. The admiral’s face was smooth and devoid of expression, but Picard could feel her sinking emotions as clearly as if he were Deanna with her empathic abilities. Doctor Crusher sat there looking at him with an innocent expression of expectation, but her facade didn’t fool him. “Doctor,” he began cautiously, “I had thought to escort the admiral”
“Oh, how rude of me. Of course you would. I’d forgotten you wouldn’t know anyone on board, Admiral.”
“I’m sure,” answered Virginia, hating what she was going to say next. “Captain, you should escort your friend. Far be it from me to interrupt a tradition. Don’t worry, I’m quite used to going to parties on my own. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a communication to send to my office.” The admiral rose to her feet as she spoke. “It was nice meeting you, doctor. I’ll see both of you later.” She turned and walked away with a quick militant gate.
The silence that ensued was not comfortable.
“I will see you at the wedding, Doctor. Not before.” Picard stood and walked in the same direction that the other woman had left in, his back stiff.
“Damn,” Beverly muttered to the empty chairs.
45 minutes later, Beverly was recounting the incident to Deanna Troi.
“Beverly,” Deanna began matter-of-factly once her friend was done. “I’m not sure I understand. You’ve never had a problem with the captain previous romances. You’ve even fixed him up a time or two. Why now?”
The redhead crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “None of them have had the potential of permanence like this one does.”
“You can’t know that…it’s only in the beginning stages. You’re acting like he’s asked her to marry him.”
“Admiral Hamilton is not known for casual love affairs. She’s had 2, maybe 3 affairs since her husband died…almost 2 centuries ago! The lives of the men that she’s chosen was changed forever!”
“I’m quite certain that the captain knows what he’s getting into to…if that is what he chooses. Beverly, when you and the captain became aware of your feelings for each other during your captivity on Kesprytt, weren’t you the one to tell him you were comfortable with the relationship and didn’t wish to pursue anything romantic?”
Beverly grudgingly admitted, “Yes.”
“And have you ever given him any indication you were ready for your relationship to change?”
It was several long seconds before Beverly conceded, “No. Deanna, I don’t know that I am ready. I’ve just always expected him to be there when I was.”
“I see.” Deanna was introspectively quiet for a moment. “That was Commander Riker’s attitude as well. And I waited…and waited…and waited…and then he died. Worf and I had already begun dating before his mission, but will never expected it to last. Shortly before Doctor Soran killed Will, I had made the decision to let go of my romantic feelings for him and move on with Worf. Needless to say, Will was hurt by my decision and claimed that he was going to try to change my mind, but he never got the chance.”
“I…didn’t know all of that,” Beverly said softly.
“Beverly, if Captain Picard has decided to move on, then you either try to change his mind…or you let him go and move on.”
The other woman cursed.
“Now, we both need to get ready for tonight. You are still coming, aren’t you?”
“Of course! I’m honored you chose me to be your attendant. And…thanks for taking the time to listen to me.”
Deanna smiled. “What are friends for?”
2 comments:
There was certainly an awkward exchange between Bev and Virginia.
I like the way you're going with an alternate line, with Soran having killed off Riker.
I enjoy alternate time lines...the entire 'what if' something was different..ya know.
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