Nightmares to Come
  Jazz Man

	"Here," said Riker handing Picard a plate.
	"Thank you," he said putting the plate down in front of him.
	Riker sat down opposite and began to eat.  Once he realise Picard hadn't touched his
food he stopped.  "I made it specially, the least you could do is eat it," he said lightly.
	Picard looked up sharply, "Made?"
	"You didn't notice?"
	He shook his head, "I'm sorry, it's just . . ."
	"I know," said Will, reaching over to take his hand.  "Do you want to talk about 
it?"
	Picard looked down for a long moment then spoke.  "I shot him, Will.  He was me and
I shot him."
	"You saved the ship, Jean-Luc."
	"How do we know that?  His plan might have worked if both of us went."
	"It didn't work," Riker said firmly.  "You did what had to be done, what he would 
have done."
	"That doesn't change that I shot him," he said, running a hand over his head.
	Riker sighed, "He was you, right?" Picard nodded. "You would die for this ship," 
There was no need for confirmation of that, "He would have died for this ship.  He did die
for this ship."
	"That doesn't provide absolution."
	"No," said Riker, "But it is a start."
	"I'm sorry, Will," he said again, "I really am."  He stood and walked over to the 
window to stare into the vastness of space.
	Riker's gaze followed him and he sighed quietly.  Nothing he could say would help 
Picard.  All he could do was be there and comfort him during the nightmares to come.


End

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