riverview | @b.crusher

[Nine years. Nine years since she stepped back through the portal, nine years since she returned to the Enterprise, nine years that inevitably faded some of the memories of this place - but not everything. The faces she knows. Even if she forgets now where that cute little corner market was or what the hell half these gifs and memes mean anymore (if she ever understood in the first place) Beverly never forgets a coworker, a patient, a friend. And she left them all in such a hurry. The portal's connection to her time and place had been tenuous, she had to go then, or risk losing her chance to go home all together.

And now... now she's back, exhausted by the weight of war and the toll of death, new lines etched into her face. When the portal specialist told her it had only been a week since she'd left, she had to laugh. Of course. It seems this place isn't ready to let go of her.

Though not typically a frequenter of the network, it is the easiest and quickest way for her to contact multiple people at once. She doesn't want anyone (else - apologies to Lucretia) to be caught unawares by her sudden reappearance, so she leaves a quick video message:]

Good Morning. This is Dr. Beverly Crusher [of the USS Enterprise no more] reporting that I have returned to Riverview.

[For god's sake, woman, this isn't a mission log. She offers a smile - it's a little sad, but a smile nonetheless.]

I wanted to apologize to those I left without proper goodbyes. I hope you got my messages, at least. I'll be at my apartment for the rest of the day if anyone wants to stop by. Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It's all too fresh, is all. He hasn't even had time to get used to the thought of Beverly being gone, and yet here she is again, back in Riverview. He holds her a little tighter for a moment, then eases his grip on her. A small part of him wants to be upset, mad at her for leaving so suddenly and only writing that brief letter, but he can't bring himself to. He gets it, he really does.

He just wishes it wasn't such a bitter reminder that everyone here could vanish from one moment to the next, no warning, no proper goodbye. ]

Can't believe you're back. [ He pulls back, hands resting on her shoulders while he looks her over. For all she'd told him before, he'd never expect her to see her again. Not here, anyway. ] How long has it been— for you?

[She gets it too and wouldn't blame him for being upset with her. In fact, she's been expecting more anger from people than she's getting. But then, Jim, like her, has no doubt been on the receiving end of those Starfleet letters, messages officers prepare if the worst happens. He's probably written them too.]

Nine years.

[Most of them at war with someone - the Dominion, the Borg, the Remans. Jean-Luc's words echo through her head: Remember when we used to be explorers? ]

[ It's true, he has. Back in his world, and here too. Just in case... well, Bones did disappear without warning after all. He just doesn't want to leave Victor or Lucy behind without a single word left for them. Even if it's just to tell them he loves them.

So no, he's not mad. He is upset, but not with her. ]

Jesus. [ He breathes out, shaky. His hands rest on her arms, squeezing then letting go. That's— a really long time. ] Okay, uh... will you tell me about it?

Of course.

[She takes a step back.]

Come in, come in. There's coffee if you want some and ah -

[A very eager cat is doing her darndest to trip Jim up as he comes through the doorway. Beverly scoops her up with an exasperated sigh.]

Agatha's been very needy since I got back.

[ Jim steps inside, though he does manage not to trip on the cat. He's used to pets, so he knows what that's like. He can't help a small smile as Beverly picks Agatha up and explains her behavior. ]

That's understandable. [ It may have only been a week, but that is a pretty long time for a cat. ] I'll have that coffee, since you're offering.

Great!

[She smiles and nods towards the living room.]

Just have a seat anywhere.

[Needing to pour the coffee, she deposits Agatha on the sofa, though it does little good because the cat immediately hops down and follows her into the kitchen with a meow. As for the ever-elusive Christie, he might just see her gray form streak down the hallway.

Beverly soon returns with a tray bearing two mugs of coffee, as well as his choice of sugar and creamer. She sets the tray down on the coffee table.]

I couldn't remember how you took yours so ah... I just brought in everything.

[ It hasn't been that long for Jim since the last time he was at Beverly's place, so he promptly makes his way to the couch and sits down, looking around. It all looks pretty much the same— not that he expected anything to have changed.

He smiles as Agatha follows Beverly to the kitchen, then back to the living room. He shifts closer to the edge of the couch, shaking his head. ]

You didn't have to. Thank you. [ He does reach for the creamer and the sugar because that's how he takes his coffee— light and sweet. He keeps glancing at Beverly, spotting the differences in her appearance, though he doesn't comment on it. ]

So— what did you get up to, back home?

[Beverly joins him in adding creamer and sugar to her coffee as well. She doesn't have as much of a sweet tooth as Deanna, mind, and she can take black coffee when necessary, but she prefers it a bit milder. As she stirs her coffee, she can feel Jim's eyes on her. No doubt now that he's sitting right next to her, he can see the lines in her face more clearly, though her hair remains remarkably free of grays, for now.]

There was a war.

[She sighs and puts down her cup.]

I don't know how much I should tell you but seeing as I'm not going back...

@b.crusher | video

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