Fighting Against Fate

Prompt: "He doesn't have to know."

Beverly shook her head at Jean-Luc lightly. "No, Jean-Luc, no matter what we've done in the past, we can't. I'm still in love with you, but I'm engaged to Jack."

Jean-Luc chuckled softly, whispering into her ear. "He doesn't have to know."

Shivering as he placed his hands on her arms, Beverly placed one of her own on his. "But I'll know, and I'll feel guilty. I haven't even told him that you and I used to be together. The last time Jack and I had a real arguement, it was because Walker and I were apparently flirting with each other the other night."

"Well, I would be worried about Walked flirting with you too. He's a very handsome man," Jean-Luc replied with a small laugh.

"I love you, and I have no romantic interest in Walker at all," she said, "in fact, I'd have more romantic interest in Admiral McCoy than I'd have for Walker."

The pair began laughing, Jean-Luc ultimately composing himself before his lover did. "Well, I knew that you had a thing for older men, but I didn't know you'd go for that old. I thought great-granddaddy issues were a thing of the past," he said.

Beverly smacked him arm lightly. "I do not have great-granddaddy issues. My point is, I have no romantic interest in Walker."

Jean-Luc laughed. "You say that, but I heard that when he was Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise, Admiral McCoy was a handsome man."

"I know he was. I've seen photographs, but I still don't want him. Maybe back then, but certainly not now," Beverly replied, "he's nearly 100 years old."

"Will you still love me when I'm 100 years old?" Jean-Luc asked, raising an eyebrow.

Beverly blushed. "Of course I will. Will you still love me?"

Jean-Luc nodded, "until the last breath leaves my body."

Beverly felt tears come to her eyes. She knew that Jack didn't love her as much as Jean-Luc did, yet she had accepted his proposal. "Jean-Luc, I have to go. I can't do this to Jack. I love you, but I really can't," she whispered.

Jean-Luc's face fell and he got off of Beverly. "I'm sorry for trying to persuade you. It wasn't right."

Beverly shook her head. "I'd have done the same thing, believe me. Just don't forget that I love you, okay?" she asked.

Jean-Luc nodded as Beverly redressed. It hurt him to see her go, but he was a coward where she was concerned. Now, she was engaged to his best friend and they were both left fighting against, what he believed was, fate.

finis.