"You want me to do what Jean- Luc?" she laughed annoyed.

"It's not that big of a deal Beverly." He tried to defend himself. She grabbed his forearm and held it tightly.

"You do realize that we planned this eight months ago, right?" He could feel her grip tightening around his arm.

"It's just shore leave Beverly…"

"No, it's not." He pulled her hand off of his arm.

"Don't be so indignant."

"Me? Ha. That's really funny. We planned this trip to Scotland together Jean- Luc; I thought that meant we would actually be going together." She sighed frustrated, leaning back into her chair, crossing her arms.

"Look Beverly, I'm sorry, but something came up…" He cursed silently to himself. He shouldn't have said anything.

"And what could possibly be so important that you decide to cancel our plans for shore leave… that we finalized eight months ago?!" She nearly yelled at him. Fortunately Ten Forward was crowded so he didn't detect the rise in pitch of her voice.

"Well to be honest Beverly…"

"I don't want to know."

"Are you just going to shun me for the rest of the evening like a child?"

"I intend to." He reached for her hand across the table and she raised her eyebrow in disgust at him. "This has something to do with Anij, doesn't it?"

"Possibly."

"I knew it. I just knew it."

"She has offered to show me where some of the ancient Ba'ku ruins are. I am very interested in learning more about the culture and…"

"Save it. Just go. I don't even know why you want to muck around in the dust with that woman but, hey, just go."

"Thank you."

"You know, I really ought to never speak to you again. Now I'm going to have to go with Deanna."

"Thank you Beverly…" he suddenly said as his hand grabbed hers across the table. Squeezing it, he whispered: "It's not every day a man finds love is it?"

He'd said it, that dreaded "L" word. Damn him and his wandering eye. Since when had he fallen in love with a woman he just met? Why the hell wasn't it her? Indignantly she released her hand from his and stood up. "I should be going Jean- Luc."

"Thank you again Beverly." God this was going to be hell, she was so angry with him, but she hoped he couldn't detect her jealousy. "Will you join me for breakfast tomorrow?"

"I, um, well…" she searched her mind for an excuse, any excuse, just so she wouldn't have to see him tomorrow.

"Good, I'll see you then, bright and early." He smiled at her as she faked a half smile in his direction, as she walked quickly out of Ten Forward.

"Croissant Beverly?" Her eyes shot up from her empty plate as she placed her spoon back on the table and inhaled deeply.

"No."

"Fruit?"

"No thank you Jean- Luc"

"Are you going to eat anything?"

"No." She glared at her companion across the table.

"Would you like some coffee then?"

"No." She folded her arms and sat back in her chair, letting out a frustrated breath of aggravation and impatience.

"Doctor- Beverly- are you alright?" he glanced at her, concerned.

"Quite fine, thank you."

"I've known you for too long Beverly; you can't hide your anger from me."

"I'm not angry at you Jean-Luc."

"Yes you are. You've barely uttered a civilized word to me all morning."

"I just had a rough night…"

"Beverly…" his voice warned her not to lie.

"Well I did, and if you'll excuse me, I'm due down in sickbay."

"Your shift doesn't start for another forty- five minutes."

"I have a lot of catching up to do, you know, lots of padds to read."

"This has something to Anij doesn't it?"

"Her? No. Don't be ridiculous."

"I'll see you for dinner than Beverly?"

"I thought you had plans."

"You could join us…"

"That's alright; I was going to eat with Deanna and Will tonight anyway."

"Oh…" He ran his hand over his head and took a deep breath. "Breakfast tomorrow then?"

"I suppose."

"Right, then I'll see you bright and early tomorrow." He smiled at her, but she only acknowledged his smile with a raised eyebrow and a quick one of her own.

"Sure." The door hissed shut behind her as she let out a sigh of relief.

He sat on the Bridge, staring out into space, and let his mind wander. In the corner of his eye he could see the Ba'ku home world. His thoughts flew from one woman to another: Nella, to Vash to Anij, and finally to the incredibly testy Beverly this morning. Sure she had been like that other mornings, but this morning was different, this morning he could tell she was mad at him and that was rare. She had even refused to eat dinner with him, which they had done together now for five years. He needed to know what was bothering her. After all, he was enamored by Anij, but Beverly, she was and always would be the woman he loved. Though he had lost her, he was determined not to loose her friendship. He decided he needed to see her and his hand moved toward his comm. badge.

Breakfast had gone absolutely terrible. She had been so cold and dismissive and she knew it. She wanted nothing more than for things to be back to normal with her and Jean- Luc, but with Anij, his new found love, she found herself acting irrational and jealous like a love sick teenager. After all Jean- Luc was hers, he always had been there, wrapped around her finger. But now, it seemed as if someone had taken her place in his heart and she hated that thought. She sighed heavily and tapped on her commbadge. Pushing him away would only ruin their friendship. As if it isn't already ruined she thought.

"Crusher to Picard"

"Go ahead Doctor"

"You're due for physical sir." Stupid! Her mind cried out. He didn't need a physical; she just wanted to see him, to apologize.

"Sir? Since when do you call me that? "

"Don't be difficult Jean- Luc, just come down would you?"

"I'm on my way. Picard out." She let out a sigh of reluctance. She didn't really want to eat with that woman there. Anij actually made her nauseous.

As he sat on the bio- bed she scanned him, staring blankly at the screens that flashed in front of her. "You're in perfect health Captain."

"Thank you Doctor."

"Welcome." She walked to put her instruments and spoke again. "Your all clear to return to the Bridge." Idiot! Her mind screamed. Don't let him get away… He walked toward the door as she stuck her arm out to halt his passage. "Wait a minute."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry I was so irritable at breakfast…"

"That's alright Beverly"

"Can I still join you tonight?"

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I… yes."

"20:00 hours Beverly." Smiling coyly at him she said:

"I'll be early."

She stood in front of her closet, clothes strewn about her feet in a most cliché manner. Groaning she reached for the last thing besides her uniform that still hung in her closet. She really hated the dress that clung to the hanger. It reminded her so much of Jean- Luc and yet- she knew this was the dress to wear. She had worn it when they had visited LaBarre together; she had never felt more alive than during those few days with him. It all seemed so perfect, he was so perfect. They had eaten dinner in a small Parisian café that evening and she hadn't been able to take her eyes off him, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.

As she zipped up the dress in the back, she glanced at herself in the mirror. The dress was strapless, a small little black number that reached just below her knee. The dress was decorated with burgundy trim. It fit her perfectly, every curve was accentuated. Her strappy black stiletto heels wound their way around her ankles as they added a little length to her mile long legs. Her hair was twisted atop her head in an elaborate bun and she donned a delicate pair of ruby earrings to finish off the outfit. This dinner on the planet was her chance to prove that Jean- Luc was hers and no one else's.

As he waited for her in the transporter room, he felt nervous. He couldn't decide if what he was doing was right… Abandoning the only woman he ever truly loved for another he had just met? But Anij was something else. She was loving, caring, funny, and had a wonderful smile. Not to mention the most beautiful blue eyes… He shook his head and stared at the transporter. There he was, thinking about Beverly, again. As the doors hissed open, his mouth nearly fell to the floor as he admired how wonderful she looked. The dress, he knew that dress. She had worn it that night in Paris. That wonderful night.

"It's so beautiful here Jean- Luc, how do you manage to stay away?"

"I try not to…"

"The stars look so wonderful from down here don't they?" She smiled at him, swirling her pink drink in the moonlight.

"You look wonderful tonight Beverly."

"Thank you Jean- Luc…" She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "These last few days have been so wonderfully perfect…" She sighed tightening her grip on his hand.

"I'm glad you enjoyed LaBarre and Paris Beverly." He watched as her eyes clouded with tears.

"This is so silly Jean- Luc, but I can't possibly think of leaving. Not just France, but how close we've become."

"You're my best friend Beverly, nothing will ever change that."

"And you are mine, but tonight, I just felt something more."

He stood up from the table, leaving the cash and walked toward her. "Walk with me?"

"Yes, I'd like that." As she stood up from the table, she took his proffered arm and tightened her burgundy wrap around her shoulders. They strolled along the banks of the Sine arm in arm as the stars and moon illuminated their path. Just as they reached the Notre Dame Cathedral, Beverly stopped walking. "Beverly?" Jean- Luc put his arm on the small of her back as she walked to the wall and stared at the building.

"Isn't it wonderful?" She whispered as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "I could stay like this forever." Kissing her forehead he whispered:

"So could I…"

And there she stood the image of perfection, right before his very eyes. As his eyes ran up and down her body, she smiled gently at him.

They stepped on the platform as she took a deep breath and he took her hand. They didn't exchange words, just looked over at each other and smiled. Whatever came to be came to be, no matter what, nothing could ever break their friendship apart.

As they ate dinner, Anij rested her hand on Jean- Luc's arm and smiled contentedly up at him. Beverly sat across from the pair biting her lip and absently picking at her food. As she stabbed a fruit that appeared to be a strawberry she saw Jean- Luc look up at her. She raised one eyebrow in his direction and removed her fork from the berry, stabbing at it again.

Of course, she looked perfect. Anij smiled at the thought of her white dress that flowed off her shoulders, falling on the ground, making her look like an angel compared to that redhead doctor. Her hair fell gracefully down her shoulders and was perfect, she was perfect. And yet, Jean- Luc had been looking at her all night long. His eyes, even as she held onto his arm, watched the woman across the table, smiling as she looked at him, gazing at her as she stared into the sky. She had to get him away from there, now. After all Jean- Luc was her catch not Beverly's.

She leaned over to him and whispered something in his ear. He smiled up at her, but shook his head "no". She sat back down disappointed and spoke to her for the first time.

"Desert, Doctor?"

"With you?" she mumbled to herself.

"Sorry?" Sensing a conflict brewing, he spoke up.

"I think Doctor Crusher and I should be returning to the ship for now Anij."

Beverly got up quickly and rolled her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I agree, it's been a very nice evening, thank you Anij."

Picking up her shawl Beverly walked away from the table and toward the forest that surrounded them. She could hear their conversation and she felt her face heating up in anger and frustration.

"I'll see you in a few days Anij…"

"I can hardly wait." She smiled, taking her hand in his. "We can finally have some time together."

"Yes, it will be very nice." He covered her hand with his own, pulling their intertwined hands toward his chest. Kissing her gently he whispered "Till then mon Coeur." He held her close as the wind blew, swirling leaves in circles that fell gently to the ground around them. It was perfect. And yet- his eyes followed the wind and the leaves only to see Beverly, shawl hugged tightly to her body, hair disheveled as she looked to the stars. In the moonlight she looked like an angel, and as he held Anij in his arms, he couldn't stop his heart from crying out for her.

As she felt the wind sting against her cheeks, a lone tear fell for the love she lost, the love she never deserved to have.

As she watched him at breakfast, she noticed that he was unusually quiet.

"Jean- Luc, are you alright?" His teaspoon fell from his hand and clanked loudly against his plate.

"Fine."

"Well this is ironic." she mumbled.

"What?"

"Now you're being standoffish."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

"Beverly…"

"I just think it's time we stopped this."

"What?"

"This. This…" she raised her palms up in anger. "This…abruptness, coldness, I mean we are best friends right? And we can't even manage a conversation. It's so…"
"Pathetic, aggravating, annoying, childlike…"

"Thank you."

"So what do you want to talk about Beverly?" She pursed her lips and raised her lips, taking a deep breath.

"To be honest Jean- Luc…" he looked at her intently. "I'm out of ideas."

He looked at her seriously, until a smile broke across her face. She giggled and pretty soon both of them had doubled over in laughter. Grabbing piece of fruit from her plate, she threw it in his direction as she finally felt at home for the first time in weeks. He threw a piece of muffin at her, letting his resolve melt as he enjoyed her company, and how perfect she was.

"Enough!" she giggled as she pulled a piece of fruit off of her uniform.

"I think not Doctor… Captain's orders…" He laughed as she sighed blowing her bangs into the air. "Beverly…" his voice grew serious. Her laughter subsided as he reached across the table and took her hand. "I don't think I told you how lovely you looked last night."

She felt her cheeks blush as she looked up at him. "Thank you." It had been so long since any one had told her she was beautiful. Only now it was because he felt he had deserted her, she could tell and she felt a tear fall from her eye.

"Beverly? Are you alright?" He stroked her hand with his thumb.

"Quite."

He released her hand and noticed another tear fall onto her cheek. . She reached up to wipe the tears away with her hand, but they fell to rapidly now. He walked over to her and took both of her hands in his own.

"Computer, music, Picard 6." A slow waltz began to play as he pulled her up from her chair. Holding her in his arm felt so perfect. And as she leaned against him she felt her tears cease and enjoyed the dance.

The following morning, she awoke with a ridiculous grin plastered on her face. What a wonderful evening she had had with Jean- Luc, dancing to Cole Porter and drinking red wine. Everything had been so perfect, he had told her she was beautiful, she had cried and he held her and they had laughed as they had not for weeks. She looked in the mirror as she laughed and called: "Computer, Cole Porter music please…" As Anything Goes played in her quarters she swayed all the way to the sonic shower giggling the whole way there.