"Stay for dinner," implores Jean-Luc, slowly zipping up Beverly's uniform, his fingers lingering on the skin of her neck.

Offering an apologetic smile, Beverly rotates around in his arms, resting her hands against his exposed chest beneath his grey satin robe. "I have to get home. My shift ended an hour ago. Wes will be expecting me."

Groaning, Jean-Luc drops his hands to her waist, drawing her in closer. "Just stay for a short while."

Pecking his lips, Beverly caresses his chest. "I can't. I really have to go."

She hadn't ever intended this to become a habit. It had all started in the holodeck, when she and Picard had played his "Dixon Hill" holonovel program, and serious improvisation had ensued. Beverly hadn't been entirely thrilled with some of the corny lines and poorly conceived characters in the 1940's era detective series, but she had been entirely attracted to Picard when they were consumed in the program. What Beverly couldn't have imagined when she was immersed in the holo-fantasy was ever taking their romance outside of the safe confines of the holodeck. Her friendship, her relationship with the captain is so complicated and confusing that sometimes it's easier to get lost in the fantasy relationship with Dixon Hill rather than contemplate her real situation with Jean-Luc Picard.

However, immediately, Picard had not been content limiting their romance to the holodeck. He had invited her to his cabin the day after their holo-adventure, and she had all but fallen into his arms, no traces of the characters they had portrayed evident in their embrace this time. Beverly had attempted to fool herself later when she returned to her quarters, telling her own mind that it was just an excursion, that she would put an end to this adventure and vainly try to hang on to the threads of the torn fabric of their somewhat comfortable relationship.

All that had gotten thrown to hell the next day when he had lifted her onto her desk in her office, nuzzled her neck and demanded that she meet him in stellar cartography in ten minutes. When Beverly had ducked back to her cabin later that night, she had promised herself she would visit Picard the next morning and set hard parameters for a professional working relationship and cherished friendship. She'd gently explain that she couldn't carry on like this, and they'd have to return to their previous border lines.

Well, that had been the line she had been playing in her head when she had visited Picard in his ready room that morning, and she had intended to put an end to this brief affair until he smirked up at her from her from behind the desk and asked what she was doing that evening.

So, now, days after this whole thing had started, Beverly is buzzing, confused and anxious and uncertain how to react.

"Tomorrow, then," nods Picard, gripping her waist.

Face falling, Beverly shakes her head. "No. No, I'm sorry, Jean-Luc."

Unphased, Jean-Luc takes her hand. "Come for dinner tomorrow."

"Dinner?" Beverly raises a brow, somewhat surprised.

Smirking, Jean-Luc nods. "Yes. Bring the boy if you want. Just…just come over tomorrow night."

Lips turning into a smile, Beverly bobs her head. "Dinner?"

"Yes," confirms Picard with a head bob, rubbing her hand in his.

Confused, Beverly blinks rapidly. "Um….Okay."

Now what? Beverly had thoroughly enjoyed exploring a fulfilling fantasy role with Jean-Luc in the holodeck. When he had moved their game outside the holodeck, she had soaked up every moment, but had known the fun could not continue indefinitely without seriously impairing their relationship. Now, now Jean-Luc wants to move their relationship not only outside the holodeck, but outside the bedroom, too?