It was late summer in La Barre and the grape harvest was in full swing. Watching the worker drones moving up and down the vineyard, Picard tilted his head back into the sun and sighed. He was sat on the terrace that faced up the rows of lush vines that bore the fruit which would become Chateau Picard. It had been a few weeks since his return home to France and this time, he felt alot more content than he had in years.

"Penny for your thoughts," said Marie, as she set a tray on the small patio table.

Picard opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Do you have one?"

Marie poured some coffee and passed a cup to Picard. "Have what?"

"A penny," he said, remembering a similar conversation with Beverly Crusher a long time before.

"As it happens, I have several," she said. "Very old antiques in a display case in your father's study."

"I see," said Picard, sipping his drink.

"I meant, what are you thinking about?"

"Oh, I was just wondering how the Triathians are faring in their new universe. You know, they are one of the most remarkable people that I have ever met."

"You never cease to amaze me, Jean Luc," said Marie.

"In what way?"

"You embark on an expedition that turns into life and death struggle. You lose friends and fight the Romulans. Have I got this covered so far?"

"I would say so," said Picard.

"I would have thought that you'd want to forget the whole thing," she said.

Picard took her hand. "I can see why you would think that but what you must remember, is that eventhough they died, an entire race was saved from extinction. They didn't die for nothing."

Marie got to her feet. "Well, I for one am glad that you made it safely home. I'm going to check on dinner."

Picard watched her go back into the house and smiled to himself.

"If only she knew," he said, closing his eyes again. In his mind the universe opened and, suddenly, any journey seemed possible. There was no distance to travel. In fact, everything was just one step away.