Harry held back as best he could, his mother didn't know the truth. She didn't know all that Deanna did for them and for their daughter. Until he couldn't take it anymore.
- That's enough, Mom! You don't know Deanna one bit! How can you even talk about her like that? You don't have a clue! -
- Don't talk to me that way, young man! They're all saying how Mrs. Crusher keeps sneaking into the Ambassador with Leonard trailing behind her skirt. He even banned Alice from the theater, so that she wouldn't interrupt them-
- Camilla, you're talking about my daughter-in-law...
- What daughter-in-law, Charles? She dumped your son, left and now she's playing the star with Reed, how come no one notices? -
Beverly kept quiet, she wouldn't say a word about it; just like Laura, they kept to themselves.
- That's not true, Mom, stop believing the gossip -
- It's time for your brother to talk to a lawyer, Susan... Beverly, dear, couldn't you help him with that? -
- Excuse me, Camilla, but I can't intervene in that matter -
- Too bad... I'd feel more at ease if it were you -
Daniel was standing on the other side of the door listening as his wife and Leonard became close. She had sworn to him that she wasn't interested in Reed and now they were friends? That was why she had stopped answering his texts, why she wasn't taking his calls. It was something he had to see for himself. He spent the rest of the night locked in his office, not bothering to even say goodbye to his family.
He spoke to Marcus to ask about Deanna, the professor pretended very well to answer him as the most natural thing in the world and then told Leonard the day and time Crusher would appear in the theater. Logically, he skipped telling Deanna.
Daniel stood at the entrance to the theater, just behind the back rows, in the dark and waited. Some members of the theater saw him, but said nothing, it was not unusual to see people attending rehearsals sometimes, guests of Marcus or some sponsor looking for talent. His heart was pounding, he hadn't seen or spoken to her for days on end.
What was he going to do if what they were saying was true, had he lost her already? Not only did he feel like his heart was going to burst out of his chest, but his hands were sweating and his nerves were getting the better of him. Suddenly she appeared at the side of the stage. Beautiful, smiling, happy. She stepped down to the side to sit in the first row, behind the orchestra pit, on the boards many people were setting up a scenery.
For a few minutes he just stared at her. Seeing her again awakened all those feelings he wanted to bury, all those needs to touch her, to kiss her. His chest swelled at the thought of her soft, warm mouth smiling, singing, swearing on the bed.
Leonard came breezing in with two cups of coffee in his hand and sat down next to her, offering her one of the coffees. And Deanna took it. They talked and talked, Reed sometimes leaning in her direction and she... she didn't move. She received Leonard's words and smiles without flinching. He would gesture, wave his hand, laugh, point things out to her on the set. Daniel's world was shattered.
The frightening Daniel Crusher was defeated by a woman. The feeling of emptiness engulfed his whole body; the failure, the defeat, and all by his own hand, her harsh, meaningless words. And now, what was he to do now? In a matter of days the woman he loved had forgotten him and had already replaced him. His pride and fears would not allow him to approach her.
If he didn't get out of that place a catastrophe was going to happen.
- Nothing you say makes any sense, Daniel.
- It's what I saw, Susan -
- What you saw doesn't mean Deanna stopped loving you -
- What does it matter anymore? -
- For God's sake, Daniel! Go and talk to her at once! Don't get carried away with gossip, it's ridiculous -
- Why? So she can tell me that Reed treats her better? -
- I'm surprised that you can think that in a few days she forgot about you. What's wrong with you, brother? You don't let yourself be defeated... Go fight for the woman you love. You fought against everyone for her... -
- You don't understand, Susan... I myself was the one who treated her the worst, who made her miserable. If I keep looking for her and bringing her to my side she'll only continue to get the worst of me, I'm going to make her unhappy -
- Brother...
- No, it's better that this stays like this... I saw her happy, smiling, like herself; she's in her own world. She doesn't have to worry about me or the children. It's how it should have always been. We took her out of her life to get our problems... If I stay away she can go back to her own thing and forget about everything... -
- She won't forget about you, you know that... You're taking the wrong decision. You're misunderstanding her, she's got nothing on Reed, I'm sure. Deanna wouldn't look at a guy like that... -
- The problem isn't Reed, the problem is me... I became a fearful, insecure man; I clung to her so tightly that she got into every part of me and I couldn't hold her back. She's more powerful than you think, she turned my life upside down and in my desperation to live in that illusion I let myself be defeated... -
The last time she saw him like this was when Emily died, a piece of him died with her. When they were all sure he would never get her back, Deanna came along to paint his world in colors again. And again, he was plunged into the grays.
If he didn't talk to Deanna, she would go do it herself. This was all nonsense, a misunderstanding, she wouldn't let her brother lock himself inside that icy shell again.
-I thought you'd already gone home, Daniel?
- No, Beverly... I don't know if I want to go back tonight... What are you still doing here? -
- I'm just finishing up some stuff. Why don't you want to go back?
- I'm not in the mood...
That was the moment Beverly had waited so patiently for years: to find him vulnerable and helpless. She had her chance, she could feel it with the tips of her fingers.
-It's because of Deanna, isn't it? -
He didn't answer her.
-Daniel... stop thinking about her... Go on with your life, you still have so much to do...".
She walked until she was standing in front of him, Daniel did not move. Tentatively, she caressed his cheek with her hand. When he didn't say or do anything, she continued to speak to him, her voice getting quieter and quieter.
-You are a man any woman would die to be with... You have all the qualities that make a gentleman irresistible... Why let yourself be burdened by a woman who doesn't value you...-
Her hand dared to follow his strong jaw line all the way up through his black hair.
-Look at me Daniel... You know I've wanted this with you for a long time... I won't go away, I won't leave you... - She whispered.
Without noticing he placed his right hand on Beverly's hip, he stared at her without watching her, lost in his thoughts. The touch gave her the green light to venture further. Pulling her body closer to him and slowly pulling her skirt up until it settled over his lap.