Title: The Wounds We Heal
Fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Pairing: Jean-Luc Picard/Beverly Crusher
Rating: PG
Length: 592 words
Content notes: References to past torture and the injuries sustained
Author notes: Set right after Chains of Command. I have read so many fics centred around the events of these episodes but somehow have never written one. Obviously, not canon compliant.
Summary: A nightmare in sickbay after the events of Celtris III leads to a discussion between Picard and Crusher.



Deep lacerations and trauma to the wrists, lack of nourishment, traces of some horrifying drugs in the bloodstream and the presence of one small mechanical device of unknown purpose, but judging from the bodily trauma, some form of torture is likely.

Beverly had managed to heal all the wounds Picard had sustained during his capture on Celtris III. She had felt an urge to smash the device the moment it had been removed from his body, refraining only for the hopes that Data and Geordi could potentially study it and report back on the inner workings.

She was angry.

Angry at the Cardassians for committing these atrocities. Angry at Starfleet for being willing to sacrifice Picard for whatever good they thought would come of this. Mostly, however, Beverly was angry at herself for not going back for him to begin with.

“No!”

Beverly rushed over to the bed where Picard was thrashing about asleep. He had wanted to go back to his own quarters after the surgery, but Beverly had insisted on keeping him overnight for observation. He had relented without much fuss. Beverly chalked it up to the stress of everything.

“No!” he cried out again, “Please!”

She placed a hand on his arm to try and subdue him. He continued to shout.

“Jean-Luc,” she called, “It’s alright. You’re safe.”

His eyes opened and met hers.

“Beverly.”

“Yes, it’s me,” she replied, “You’re in sickbay.”

Beverly could see tears threatening in Picard’s eyes and her anger at the situation began to bubble up again.

“I thought they had you,” he confessed.

“No, Worf and I both made it out,” she said brusquely, “I wanted to go back -“

“No!” Picard shouted instantly, cutting her off.

Beverly looked at Picard. She may have been able to heal his physical wounds, but she knew that his psychological ones would take time and some sessions with Deanna.

“I’m sorry,” he said softer, “I just -“

Picard stopped and held her gaze. Beverly could not remember seeing him quite this distraught before, barring the time he had mind-melded with Sarek.

“They told me they’d let me go,” he continued, keeping eye contact, “That they’d get what they wanted from ‘the human female’.”

Picard broke into tears then and Beverly immediately pulled him into her embrace. She was certain he could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest, but she found she didn’t really care in that moment.

“I couldn’t let them hurt you,” he sobbed.

Beverly couldn’t fault the man, because if she had been put in that situation, she would have done the same thing. All those years ago on Rutia IV, when Finn had threatened to kill Picard, she had felt the same abject terror that she could see Picard was experiencing now.

“I’m okay,” she told him, “And you are too.”

Picard looked up at her then. Despite his eyes being red rimmed with tears and the exhaustion being clear from his expression, Beverly had never loved the man more than in this moment. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

“Get some sleep Jean-Luc,” she said as she pulled away.

“Beverly,” he said, reaching a hand up to cup her cheek, “I-“

He faltered. Beverly put her hand on top of his.

“I know,” she replied, “Me too.”

He smiled up at her.

“Sleep,” she commanded, “I’ll be right here.”

Acquiescing, he lay himself down on the sickbay bed. Beverly sat herself down in a chair beside it, holding his hand in hers as they both drifted off.