Intervention

Author's Note: this was my answer to a challenge to use as many quotes from TNG episodes as possible. The quotes are in parentheses.

*****

Alone, and surrounded by silence, he sat. He was clad in standard cranberry and red, a Starfleet duty uniform, and sitting cross-legged on the hard ground. Above him were the wonders of the heavens. He didn't notice. The omnipotent Q was bored.

With a flash of light, a marionette appeared. It hung suspended before him and he frowned at it. ("Jean-Luc, there are some things I want to tell you.") He tugged the strings and the replica of his favorite starship captain nodded its head. "Well first, your tailor..."

("Do you do this all the time?") A voice demanded from over his left shoulder.

"Go away, Amanda. Find your own asteroid to play on." He said it without turning to look at his protégé.

"Not a chance, Q," she replied, materializing a cushion before sitting beside him. "I know what you're up to even if you don't realize it yet." He frowned and she put up a hand to stop his retort. "And don't look at me like that, Q. (You know exactly what I mean.) Your precious Jean-Luc Picard has gone and completely, and I do mean completely, fouled up your plans and now you're sulking."

"I am not sulking. I'm just considering the alternatives," Q huffed at the marionette before him. "I mean really, mon capitaine. I give you everything. A new ship, a new uniform, I even reassemble that pitiful group you call a bridge crew. Then," he shook the marionette's strings for emphasis, "I even give you that obnoxious red-head. And what do you do? You ruin it all by running off on some fool's mission."

Amanda placed her hand on Q's arm. ("I didn't know you felt this way.")

Q laughed. "Neither did he. For years I was a constant thorn in his side. There wasn't a day he didn't think of me." Leaning close to Amanda, he whispered, ("It was very intimate.")

Just then the marionette dropped into his lap, its strings gone. Its tiny mouth opened, and the rich tones of Jean-Luc Picard emerged, "Why, Q. (Why didn't you ever tell me you were in love with me?")

Q studied the puppet a moment them turned, slowly and warningly towards Amanda. She was shaking with laughter, but managed to sputter a rather unconvincing, ("I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist.")

Q turned away in disgust. "You're as bad as he is. Must be that inferior human upbringing. Well, I've had enough of you. And him. There's a much worthier human for me to lavish my attentions on now." He left in a flash of light, the marionette laying forgotten in a heap on the ground. His parting words drifted back to her, ("I should have done this a long time ago.")

*****

("Captain, can I see you in your ready room? It's a private matter. No, actually, it's an urgent one.")

Captain William Riker looked at his CMO in surprise. She'd barreled off the turbolift as if being chased and now waited impatiently at the entrance to his private sanctuary. He motioned for Data to take Command and preceded the Doctor into the Ready Room.

As soon as the doors were closed he turned to her. ("Okay, Bev.) What's wrong?"

"This!" She pulled a padd from the pocket of her lab coat and shoved it towards him.

Scanning it quickly, Riker felt his legs go rubbery. This can't be right. Sitting on the nearest chair, he read the whole message over, twice. At last he set the padd aside and looked up into the eyes of Beverly Picard. The tears he saw were no surprise.

"When did you get this?"

"Today. A few hours ago. Will, I had no idea. No idea." She turned away. In a much softer voice she said, "I told him: (Jean-Luc, crossing into Klingon territory is absurd, but then I never could say no to you. It made him angry, Will. More angry than I'd ever seen him. He said, ('Oh, so that's why you married me.') And he stormed out. I haven't seen him or talked to him since." She turned and snatched up the padd. "And now this."

She made a motion, as if to hurl the offending item across the room, but caught herself. Riker was beside her, folding her into an embrace and gently rocking her. "I'm sure there's some reasonable explanation, Beverly. Jean-Luc was very concerned about this mission. Perhaps he hasn't been thinking clearly."

Beverly pulled away and stalked to the window. "You're wrong, Will. The only time Picard wasn't thinking clearly was when he asked me to marry him. This damned Klingon mess comes up and off he goes without a thought to me or my needs. It's all (He's Jean- Luc Picard, and if he wants to go on one more mission, that's what we're going to do.) Well not any more. He's apparently tired of 'we'. I'm just sorry I didn't serve him with divorce papers first!"

Whirling, Beverly looked Riker directly in the eyes. "With you permission, sir. I'd like to request a few days personal time."

"Of course, Beverly." He took her hand. "And please, tell me if there's anything I can do."

She managed a small smile. "Thank you Will, but right now I need to get out of here before I throw something." And she turned on her heel and strode out of his ready room, and into the nearest turbolift.

Riker waited for her to go, counted to ten in several languages, then called Data into the ready room. The android read the divorce action and promptly returned to his console where he began making discrete inquiries into Jean-Luc Picard's current location.

*****

Three days later Will Riker arrived at Beverly Picard's quarters with bad news and a sense of dread. There were lots of times in the past months when he desperately wished for Deanna's presence, but this was the worst. Taking a deep breath, he rang the door chime and waited.

On the fifth ring, Beverly opened the door. She was clad only in a shirt and panties and seemed definitely the worse for wear. Brushing past her, Riker entered the cabin and tried to count the empty bottles of wine. It seemed Madame Picard had been depleting the family stock. Rather clumsily it would appear, from the number of stains on the walls and carpet.

"Will, how nice of you to stop by. Care to indulge in some of the famous Picard '51 with me?" She flung a glassful at the nearest wall. "It makes marvelous paint."

"Beverly, stop that." Riker took the bottle out of her hands. "Look at you. You're a mess. This place is a mess." Riker gripped her shoulders and looked directly into her eyes. "He's not worth it, Bev."

She immediately sobered. "You found something?"

"I had Data run a check on the divorce papers. Beverly, Jean- Luc filed them a week before he left Earth with instructions that they not be delivered until he was long gone." He heard the breath catch in her throat and saw her go pale. "That's not all. Beverly, he and Deanna are engaged."

"What!"

"It's true."

"Will, I don't believe this. Even if something changed between Jean-Luc and I, Deanna would never betray us like this."

Riker nodded struggling to fight back his sense of anger and betrayal for the sake of his friend. "I know, Beverly, I know. I don't pretend to understand it either."

Suddenly he was unable to take any more. Looking down, he realized he was still holding the bottle of wine. Lifting it, he took a long drink. Beverly reached over the side of the couch to where the last unopened bottles sat. She selected a nice white, opened it with practiced ease, and took a drink herself. Turning to Will she held up her bottle and they made a toast. "To Jean-Luc and Deanna, our *best* friends."

And that was the last thing that either one of them remembered.

*****

"Ow."

It was a small sound, but amplified by his pounding head, it was enough to wake Will Riker up. Opening his eyes, it took him several long seconds to realize that his eyes were, indeed, focused. He didn't recognize anything because he wasn't in his quarters.

"Ow."

His head screamed in protest as he turned it towards that annoying noise. He realized who was making that noise at the same time that he realized where he was. Beverly's quarters. Beverly's couch, to be precise. And it wasn't exactly designed to be slept on.

Looking down, he saw her head in his lap, eyes closed, one hand pressed against her forehead.

"Ow."

"You said that," he responded, but quietly.

"And I meant it every time. Help me up, so I can find my medikit."

He finally succeeded in rolling her off his lap onto the floor. She didn't find this particularly funny, but also didn't have any desire to try and stand with the ship doing loops like it was. Instead she crawled across the cabin to her medikit, then sat on the floor and prepared a hypo.

Administering a dose to herself, she sighed in relief. Climbing to her feet she was glad to discover the ship had stopped doing loops. A moment later, she was back on the couch, sitting beside Will and pressing the hypo to his neck.

"Better?" she asked.

He nodded.

She laughed. "Good, then let me suggest that the next time you come to offer comfort, you put the wine away instead of joining in."

"Oh, so now I'm your guardian, protecting you from yourself." He smiled back.

"And a lousy job you're doing, I might add." Beverly started gathering up wine bottles and stuffing them into the recycler as if she couldn't get rid of them fast enough.

Riker helped until all of the trash was gone. Then he took her hand and led her to the couch again. Sitting beside her, he looked into her eyes.

"Beverly, may I take off the uniform for a moment?"

"Captain?" She pretended to look startled.

"No, not captain, just Will." He took her hand to give him courage. "I had a dream last night. It wasn't the first time I've had this dream."

Beverly suddenly understood. "Oh, one of those."

"Now stop that, Beverly. (A man can not be held responsible for what his mind does while's he's asleep.)"

"Yes, he can, Will. Because he wouldn't have those dreams if some little part of him didn't want what he's dreaming of."

Will nodded. "Perhaps that's true. (You're a very attractive woman.)"

Beverly looked away. "(And you're a very attractive man.)"

("Now that we know how each of us feels, perhaps we should not be afraid to explore those feelings.")

"Oh, Will. (I guess I always knew that there was an attraction between us right from the start, but I never knew how strongly you felt."

"Of course you didn't, Beverly. You only had eyes for the great Jean-Luc Picard." Riker gently stroked her face. "Even when I was host for your beloved Odan, I knew you'd never leave Jean- Luc."

("How well you know me.")

("After all this time I ought to.")

Beverly stood, suddenly vividly aware of her memories of the night they spent together when he was Odan's host. (The sensations were real, and extremely arousing.) She turned back to him prepared to do something reckless, only to see that dreaded, ("And now we're friends.") look in his eyes. She felt like screaming in frustration.

Will surprised her by pulling her down onto his lap and kissing her.

"Beverly, there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time. Something I would never say if I felt you and Jean-Luc had a chance of being together. Beverly, I..."

And then, as usual, the lights went off.

*****

("Damn it, damn it. Captain, my dear captain. You are royally messing this up.")

With a flash, the lights went up and Q stood before them looking annoyed.

Riker pushed Beverly aside and leapt to his feet "Q! What are you doing here?"

"Why saving you, of course. What is it with you Starfleet types and Red here? You fall all over yourself pining for her, and then as soon as she's available you play the noble martyr."

"Now just a minute," Beverly interrupted. She was steaming mad.

Q gave her a curious look. "Really Red, such thoughts. (I'm beginning to realize that you always have some acerbic remark on the tip of your tongue.")

Beverly replied, ("Well at least I've trained myself not to say it anymore. But in your case, I'll make an exception")

Q had turned away from her, back to Riker and was unprepared for Beverly's next words.

"You're responsible for this whole mess with Jean-Luc, aren't you? You put him up to it," she muttered to herself. "I should have known." Tapping Q on the shoulder, she said, ("Right now I find you extremely, extremely. Of course we haven't time for that sort of thing.")

Q was confused. The woman was positively raving. ("What sort of thing?")

("Oh, God, would I love to show you. You owe me something. You do realize that don't you? I'm a woman...")

Q was getting annoyed and cut her off. He came here to talk to Riker, not Red. ("Not, now, Doctor, please.) And what does being a woman have to do with it?"

"Nothing, except that you keep waltzing into my life and messing it up. I've had it."

And with that, Beverly attained near legendary status by executing what Riker later dubbed the Beverly Picard maneuver. With a graceful turn, she gripped the back of a chair and planted her foot firmly into Q's midsection. The astonished cosmic pain- in-the-ass landed none too gracefully on his backside and stayed there.

Beverly's foot came up again, and Riker had to pull her away.

"All right, all right. Calm down, Beverly."

"Just one more, Will. He deserves it."

"I know he does, but that's enough. No more violence. It doesn't suit you, Beverly."

She looked down at the being sprawled on her floor.

"No, you're right, Will. And he's not worth it." She watched Q struggle to his feet. She saw his hand come up and was prepared for his retaliation, when another flash of light lit the room.

Amanda Rogers appeared, and she was laughing. Now Q was really mad.

"Stop that."

Amanda laughed harder, struggling to get herself under control. At last she managed to say.

"I think you owe the lady an apology, Q."

Beverly waved her hand, "Forget it. It wouldn't mean anything, anyway."

Amanda nodded, "You're right. But I've got something that might make amends." And she waved her hands. And the lights went out. Again.

*****

Jean-Luc Picard stood in the center of a large empty room. It looked very much like a holodeck without the gridwork. Beside him was a rather flustered Deanna Troi. They'd been here, in this place for what seemed like days.

It had started when Picard had arrived at her quarters in the middle of the night. His agitation had been so great that his thoughts had woken her long before he pressed the door chime. He entered her quarters dressed only in a short robe and shorts.

"What can I do for you captain?"

Picard looked at her, eyes filled with anguish, unable to express his thoughts. Deanna tried to lighten the mood.

("Personally, I think you just enjoy waking everybody up in the middle of the night.")

Picard had to laugh. ("Actually I really like running around the ship in my bare feet.") Then he sobered, "Deanna, I've tried going over everything I can think of. I just don't know what to do about the Klingons. This madness has to stop. (No more killing.")

She touched his arm, wanting to offer comfort, and found her self pulled into his tight embrace. Just as quickly he let her go.

("Jean-Luc, I heard you. Don't push it away.")

"Counselor. Deanna, I think, I need someone to..."

She frowned at him. "Is that what you want, Jean-Luc, to get closer?"

"No, no. Maybe. I don't know."

Deanna urged him gently, ("Out with it, Jean-Luc.")

He took a deep breath and spoke. "It's been weeks since I've heard from Beverly. And then, three days ago I get that damned divorce notice." He clenched his fists at his sides. "Why?"

Deanna knew the man standing before her was vulnerable. But she also knew that she had to be honest with him. He'd been so wrapped up in the Klingon matters lately that he'd neglected his wife. After so many years of denying their feelings for each other, Deanna was sure this denial was the last straw for Beverly. Picard had to be told.

("Jean-Luc, there are some things I want to tell you.")

And then, of course, the lights went out.

And they woke up here. They'd scoured the dull gray room for any possible exit and found nothing. Finally admitting defeat they sat down in the center of the room.

("Well, it seems as if we're stuck with each other.") Picard said.

They remained that way, half dozing, until a flash of light roused them.

"Q!"

"Oh spare me the joy at our reunion, Picard. I'm fed up with you and your little trained minions today. Here's the deal." And with a wave of his hand, Picard found himself at a table with Riker, Q and Data. Data had a deck of cards in his hands and his poker visor on.

("So, five card stud, nothing wild and the sky's the limit.") The android announced, dealing the cards.

Picard and Riker started to talk at the same time and Q silenced them. "Before you both start babbling, here's the situation. One round, winner takes Red. Oh, and gentlemen, anyone who refuses to play is an automatic forfeit. Trust me, you don't want me to win her. I like her better as a dog."

And for the next few minutes the scene took on a very surreal feeling as Picard and Riker tried to argue with Q while concentrating on their game. They knew better than to completely ignore his warning.

Picard put in his bet and Q frowned, ("Jean-Luc, if I didn't know better I would think you were playing games with me.")

"Of course I'm playing games with you, Q! You insisted."

Q smirked. "Oh, well, so I did."

"Stop talking and bet," Riker growled.

Q laughed and took his turn. At last, Q called Picard's bet, laying his hand down before the two officers with a smirk. "I wonder how Red would look as a pit bull."

"Not so fast, Q." And Picard displayed his hand. They both had identical hands. Then Riker showed his hand. It was same too.

Q sputtered, "How?"

And they all heard laughter.

Amanda appeared behind Data, fanning herself with a deck of cards. "I provided the means, but your Mr. Data here dealt the hands."

Picard smiled. ("Mr. Data, you're a clever man in any time period.")

Data tilted his head, "Thank you, Captain, but..."

*****

And then they were all in Beverly Picard's quarters. Will, and Jean-Luc, Deanna and Beverly, Q and Amanda.

"Oh don't worry about Data," Amanda said, noting Jean-Luc's look. "I sent him back to his quarters. He's going to think that this was a mildly interesting dream."

"Thank you, Amanda," Picard said, then he turned to Q.

Before he could say anything, Q spoke. "I have to leave now. I realize you will miss me

terribly, mon capitaines but..." He smiled, ("I wouldn't worry about it. Something tells me that you're going to have to put up with me for a long time to come.")

Jean-Luc, who had caught sight of Beverly and hadn't heard a word that Q had said, muttered, ("Well, it won't be easy but I'll manage.") without even realizing what he was saying.

Q was not happy at being so completely ignored. ("Don't get me wrong, Jean-Luc, but I'm glad we're not joined at the hip any longer.") Then he flung his arms around Riker and gave him a big kiss. "Now Riker's my best friend. Aren't you mon capitiane?"

Riker was still sputtering when Q left.

Deanna noted the tension between Beverly and Jean-Luc, and tried to get Will out of the room. She was nearly to the door when she realized, ("Where the hell was I headed?) I'm on the wrong ship."

Amanda smiled. "Not anymore. While the boys were playing poker, I took care of the Klingons. It's probably only temporary, but the treaty I negotiated should last for a while. Then I brought your ship back here. It's right next to the Enterprise now, transferring personnel and supplies. Oh, and no one knows you and the captain were absent."

She laughed. "Now I'd better go see what Q is up to. Beverly gave him a good solid kick a while ago, and he's probably off nursing his bruised ego and planning his next visit. Bye."

And the final flash of light lit Beverly's quarters and then was gone.

Jean-Luc and Beverly had been listening to Amanda, but were now facing each other again. Deanna and Will decided a hasty retreat was in order, and nearly fell over each other on the way out the door. Alone at last Jean-Luc finally spoke.

("Beverly.")

("Yes, Jean-Luc?") It came out rather bitter.

Then he remembered he was angry with her. ("You will address me as captain.")

That was a mistake, now Beverly's natural temper started to flare. ("Captain? Well then, my dear Captain, you will address me as Chief Medical Officer, or Doctor.")

"Oh I will, will I? Then you will have the good grace to explain to me what the hell you think you're doing."

"Exactly what you want me to do, Captain."

("Not good enough, damn it! Not good enough!)" He took her by the shoulders and stared into those blue eyes. "Why do you want to divorce me, Beverly? I thought we were happy."

"We were. Until I find out you filed for divorce a full week before you left on this Klingon mission. A full week of making passionate love to me while planning to get rid of me." She tore herself from his grasp and walked away.

Jean-Luc caught up to her and turned her around. "What are you talking about. I never filed for..."

And it hit them both at the same time.

"Q!"

And their anger, white hot in its fury, quickly turned to passion as they held each other. They had been manipulated, used once again by that cosmic pest. But this time they didn't waste any energy thinking about him. They were too glad to be together, their relief at still being in love too consuming to allow any distractions.

They didn't even hear his parting comment, "Oh really, mon capitaine. How disgusting."

:::end:::

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