Synopsis: Post movie "Generations". While the Enterprise is undergoing maintenance, Jean-Luc and Beverly spend shore leave on a secluded planet.
Rating: M
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to CBS, its parents and affiliates. Just taking the characters out for a jaunt around the galaxy, I warrant they will be returned in the same condition I borrowed them.
"What's wrong? Beverly pours a steaming mug of black coffee and hands it to Jean-Luc at the helm in the shuttle. "You don't like lunch?"
Setting the tray of sandwiches on the floor between the chairs, Picard shakes his head. "No, lunch is fine."
"You don't want to spend two weeks with me on a secluded planet, leaving behind your ship and crew?" surmises Beverly, fixing him with a pointed brow.
Lips quirking upward, Picard shakes his head. "That's not it. I'm just not certain I should be taking shore leave right now."
Resuming her seat at the navigation console in the captain's yacht, Beverly huffs. "Now is the perfect time, Jean-Luc. The Enterprise is in dry dock. The ship won't be operational for another six to eight weeks. We have the time to get away. And you, more than anyone, need to get away for a while."
"Beverly," protests Picard mildly, shifting the mug in his hand.
Interjecting, Beverly puts a hand up. "Stop, Jean-Luc. We're going. If you don't take this vacation I'll be reporting you unfit for duty."
Relenting, Picard relaxes, his shoulders dropping. They had had this exact debate before they left, and he has no interest in rehashing it. "Very well, Doctor. I know better than to argue with you."
"After all this time, you ought to," smirks Beverly playfully.
Changing the subject, Picard turns to the viewport. "Tell me about Caisaan."
"It's a small planet, small population living mostly in a couple modern cities. The majority of the planet is mountains, forests or lakes." Beverly retrieves a sandwich from the tray between them and places it on a napkin in her lap. "We can go hiking, canoe down the lake. You can dig for ancient artifacts…or whatever."
Chortling, Picard regards his companion with mirth. "Whatever?"
"You'll love it, Jean-Luc! I promise!" guarantees Beverly emphatically.
Nodding, Picard takes a sip of his coffee. "Sounds lovely."
"This will be fun," adds Beverly optimistically, taking a bite of her sandwich.
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"Well, what do you think?" Beverly enters the tiny living room of a small log cabin, wet hair pulled back and clad in a terrycloth bathrobe.
Picard, hand on the mantel of the fireplace, turns at the sound of her. Face falling into an easy smile, Jean-Luc gestures to the roaring fire in the fireplace. "This place is lovely."
Chuckling, Beverly pads toward him in her slippers, having just showered after their long shuttle ride to the planet. "It's rustic."
"But, not too rustic," points out Picard teasingly. "I noted we have a replicator." Pointing to the tiny kitchen with a table and rudimentary appliances, Jean-Luc is grateful to be in a cottage with limited technology. If they're going to have a vacation, he's grateful they'll be able to enjoy the beautiful nature that the planet has to offer instead of being tethered to Federation automation.
"Well, I wouldn't have us wither away, now would I?" jests Beverly, basking in the warmth of the fireplace next to Jean-Luc.
"Feel better after your shower?" Picard inquires, loving the rosy tinge to her cheeks after she's freshly showered.
"Much better," breathes Beverly in relief, moving over to the sofa.
Picard meanders over to the sofa and perches next to Beverly. "Well, we can get an early start tomorrow. Anything in particular you'd like to do?"
Leaning back into the sofa cushions, Beverly relaxes. "I was thinking maybe we could go for a little hike up the mountains."
"Oh, yes. That sounds love…"Voice catching in his throat, Jean-luc pauses as Beverly gives her wet hair a little shake loose and proceeds to comb through it with her fingers.
Glancing up, Beverly finds Jean-Luc staring at her in a daze. "Jean-Luc?"
Clearing his throat, Jean-Luc rapidly averts his eyes. "Are you hungry? I think…I think I'll go test that replicator."
Raising a brow, Beverly watches as Picard jumps to his feet. "Sure. We can make some dinner."
Picard dashes off to the tiny kitchen, tripping over his feet. Taking in a long breath, he attempts to compose himself as he reaches the replicator on the counter. Truthfully, he had a felt an overpowering urge to reach for Beverly, and he had to distance himself. Despite everything, he's not been able to sublimate his feelings for Beverly. After their confinement on Kes-Prytt, Beverly had made it clear that she was not ready to act on whatever romantic feelings they may have harboured for one another. And, although Jean-Luc had attempted, in vain, to ignore the attraction he held for her and focus on maintaining their friendship, sometimes it had been so difficult. Now, as he fumbles to program the replicator, he lets out a frustrated grunt. Being in such close proximity to her is torture. He regrets now having agreed to take the vacation together. He hadn't considered that they'd be sharing a small cabin, that they'd be together most of the time for two weeks. Jean-Luc wonders how he can make it through the next weeks alone with Beverly, while his heart aches for her so desperately. He knows that Beverly only wants to be friends, and it's killing him to see the woman he loves in such a close setting. He's terrified that he'll say or do something that would cost them their friendship. How did he get himself in this mess? And how can he get himself out before he embarrasses them both?