Dark Encounter
by Rob MorrisHe had refused synthehol. He had gotten blasted on levels even his younger, randier self would never have allowed. Now his head was paying the price.
"I remember---a LOT of red hair."
He had found an equally drunk partner --female, he was pretty sure--and gotten thoroughly laid. She was enthusiastic, she was energetic, and best of all, didn't seem to care about who he was anymore than he cared about who she was. Once, this would have been ideal. Now, it made James T. Kirk feel pathetic. This feeling would continue.
"Did it feel good, Murderer?"
Kirk started, at that voice.
"Please tell me I didn't. Please, God, tell me I was not THAT drunk."
As he saw the angry Beverly Crusher naked on his bed, Jim received the confirmation that he had, indeed, been THAT drunk.
"Did it feel good, screwing your victim's woman, Kirk?"
"Doctor Crusher, I know how drunk I was. How drunk were you?"
She hesitated, and the logical question almost seemed to sober her.
"So we ended up together. We'll see quite a bit of each other anyway---at your Court Martial!"
Kirk sighed. He hadn't had five minutes without Crusher's accusations since arriving back on Earth.
"Beverly, I didn't kill Jean-Luc. I would pay literally any price to bring him back. Go and see Counselor Troi, Doctor. Or better yet, seek out Scotty's niece, who wasted the last century of her life blaming her uncle and me for her brother's death. That death was caused by Khan. Picard's death was caused by Soran. If Carol were alive, I'd tell her that David's death was caused by Kruge. I have deaths on my conscience, Doctor. Just not those deaths."
She was unmoved.
"You came back; He didn't. A tale as old as time, Kirk! Ask Decker, and then Spock. Ooh, and how about Harriman? Couldn't decide whether to take the glory or his chair. Bad gamble, but along comes a pigeon named Jean-Luc, and back comes the hero!"
"Doctor, you are a victim of grief. I've been there, and I sympathize. But right now, you are also a walking fertilizer patch, and this discussion is over."
"Get out of my sight, 'Legend'!"
"No. I'm not leaving."
"Oh. Is the big man planning to roll his latest conquest a bit more?"
"Not at all."
"Then why don't you just get the hell out?"
Kirk smiled.
"Because. These are my quarters."
She was red with rage.
"Then I'M leaving!"
She stormed out, and then Kirk noticed something.
"Oh--Doctor! Wait, you forgot to put on your cloth--"
Jim considered all that had been said to him, in the heat of Beverly's grief and shame. He tried to be big about it. He failed.
"Computer, LOCK DOOR!!"
A half an hour later, a call was made to Deanna Troi's quarters.
"Uhhh...Ok, Bev. I'll be right down. No, I don't mind. At least now, I can find out whether or not you're a real....Don't take that tone with me! I....Computer, lock out incoming calls!"
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A month later, Beverly had still not seen anyone in attempting to come to grips with her grief. Mentally, she had never prepared herself for the possibility of Picard not being there. She was certain that, whatever their fates together, there would be more time. Now, Kirk, the man who always came back, served only to remind her that time does indeed run out. Her door chimed.
"Come."
It was Will Riker.
"Beverly, the Enterprise-E will be up early next year. I'm XO again. We're getting everybody back. Isn't that great news?"
"You're not disappointed over not making Captain? Will, you earned that seat."
"My actions involving that illegal cloak experiment are still on the record, and still on the minds of Starfleet Command. But, the truth is, they gave the Chair to the best qualified individual. Our new Captain is the very best."
"Jean-Luc is the very best."
"Was, Beverly. If he were alive, it would be up for debate. But he's gone, and you of all people know the healing power of acceptance."
Crusher got an ominous feeling.
Will, who is the new Captain?"
"A hero of Jean-Luc's. Indeed, to most Starfleet Officers over the past---"
"Will, who is he?"
"He's commanded two other ships with the name---Enterprise. Doctor, he wants you aboard."
She was incredulous.
"KIRK!!!? They gave our Flagship to a creaking time anomaly---"
"Watch your tone, Doctor! Understand, you are just days away from being ordered into controlled psychiatric treatment. I miss him, too. And I want that chair. But with the talent that's been lost over the last eight years Starfleet needs someone like Jim Kirk. I served under one legend. I'll serve under another. Its both my duty and my privilege. As your friend, and speaking for our friends--Beverly, its long past time to start moving forward again."
"Who got him the job?"
"He didn't want it, at first. Then, the Admiral in charge of personnel re-recruitment went at him. Uhura--can be very persuasive."
Crusher shook her head.
"Nyota Uhura is my friend! She wouldn't betray me like this. She helped me get through the Academy--but I guess she's his friend first, right?"
Will stood in silence. Beverly waved him away.
"Get out of here, Commander. Go and further your career."
Sensing no breakthrough, Will left her alone with her unresolved grief.
Doctor Crusher sat, and stewed. She thought about how she had acted, and some of the things she had said. How grief and doomed love had put her on the ropes in a way she had only felt once before.
"Who did I blame then, Jean-Luc? Easy. The man who brought the body home. Who did I then get drunk and sleep with? Predictable, Howard. So very predictable. I think, though, I'll just apologize this time, and avoid the falling-in-love part."
Still in pain, but beginning to see past it, Beverly headed for the refresher. There, waiting for her--was herself.
"Who the hell are you?"
A phaser blast put Beverly unconscious. She was then quick-transported out. The shapeshifter smiled.
"Why, I'm Beverly Crusher, of course."
The changeling saw a PADD with a signed retraction of charges that had been made against Captain Kirk. She tsked.
"No, no, no! Bev, we have to stand firm."
The retraction was deleted. To all appearances, Beverly's anti-Kirk Crusade grew less histrionic, but did not let up.
One year later, in a Dominion prison camp, a Beverly Crusher who had sworn to never let grief consume her again saw her Vorta and Jem'hadar aptors reduced to infancy. Behind them was The Traveller, mentor to her son Wesley.
"Beverly, Wesley awaits you. Would you like to leave this place?"
Swearing to send James Kirk an apology, Beverly hugged the Traveller warmly. She was now ready to honor Jean-Luc's memory as he would want her to—by living her life to the fullest.
"Traveller---I think Its time I moved on."