A/N: just a little bit of a story. Really recommend going to trekcore dot com and checking the screen caps to accompany this. PS: I just play in the Paramount sandbox.
"Shit. The damn thing's closed up again. Get out of here, Jean-Luc – get back to the ship." Beverly started and turned back to judge the distance between her and the security forces, considering making a run for it before the Prytt closed the last ten yards between them.
"Damnit, Beverly!" Picard was consumed with frustration. At least one of them had made it over the border – but he could not stand the fact that Beverly was the one left behind.
"Don't yell at me Jean-Luc, I was a little distracted!"
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to yell. I'm scared for you." The Captain's own grey eyes flickered with concern. Two days of mental telepathy had stripped them down to fundamental emotional honesty. "Don't run Beverly – they're too close – you could be hurt." Picard locked eyes with the frightened Doctor. "The town isn't far from here, Beverly. I'll get back to the Enterprise. I'll get you out of there. Hold on."
Beverly turned back to Picard as the Prytt grabbed her roughly at the shoulders. "Jean-Luc, I have a feeling I'm about to get very nauseous."
Always humor with Crusher – perhaps her most effective defense mechanism. "Hold on Beverly. I'm getting you out of there. They will not hurt you." Though Picard had no way to ensure the accuracy of his statement, Beverly could sense his absolute resolve. In Jean-Luc's mind, once his will was so fiercely committed, there could be no other outcome.
"More of that false Captain's bravado, Jean-Luc?" Her tone was light but Crusher's face remained intent.
Picard's countenance darkened further with growing concern as Beverly struggled instinctively against her captors.
"I know you're scared, Beverly – I can feel it. I will get you out of there."
Crusher's eyes reflected both her fear and her trust. "I've never doubted you, Jean-Luc." Conversations and emotions, hidden for years and now raw and exposed, both intended and unwillingly uncovered, swirled between them. It was impossible to tell for a moment whose thoughts were whose.
Then, a silence that seemed unnatural after the constant mental chatter from the past 48 hours settled between them. Despite the man-handling from the Prytt, Beverly never lost eye contact with the Captain.
"I love you Jean-Luc."
"I love you Beverly."