A/N: Just a random little fluffy scene that always wants to pop into my mind when I see Star Trek Generations. Takes place before Picard finds out about his brother and nephew. Also, this does not include the deleted scene where Picard mentions something about them all being on board.
Captain Jean Luc Picard heard Doctor Beverly Crusher shriek as Data pushed her overboard, knocking Worf back into the frigid water. He was powerless to do anything aside from stand there, hands clasped behind his back. Had anyone been studying Picard, they would have noticed the slight start he gave and saw the struggle in his features as he fought himself to remain a respectful distance away.
"Data!" Geordi LaForge exclaimed to his friend as he peeked over the side of the ship.
Data began to reply. "That was-"
"Not funny!" Geordi stared at the blank faced android for a moment, and then glanced back over to see Beverly nearly floundering in the water as she paddled toward the ship.
Worf had finished hauling himself back onto the deck of the ship, growling. Onlookers parted quickly so as not to be in his way as he stormed off.
Once Beverly hoisted herself over the side of the ship with Geordi's help, she sent a fierce glare in Data's direction. Wiping the remaining beads of water from her eyes, her gaze automatically met with Picard's. He was pretty sure he saw fire flash in her eyes and tried not to bite the inside of his lip as he held her gaze. Beverly brought herself up to full height and strode past them toward the steps that would lead her below deck.
Curse words sailed freely from her lips as she rummaged throughout the cabin for a towel. She rifled through a few cabinets and drawers, finding little more than papers and other antique items, meanwhile leaving evidence of her search with small puddles of water. Water droplets had rolled to the tips of her red hair that escaped from being pulled back behind her head, threatening to fall as she trembled from the slight chill in the air.
"Um, I believe you are looking for one of these?" Beverly would have recognized the quiet deep rumbling voice anywhere. Whirling around in the now all-too-small cabin, she gave the intruder a smile which was more of a grimace. Picard held out a small towel to her, cheeks tinged pink as he regarded her sheepishly. He had wanted to throw himself over the side of the ship to gather her in his arms, but seeing as everyone had been standing about, it would have made it painfully obvious how he felt for the Doctor.
"Yes, thank you…Captain." The fire that emanated from her had quelled at Picard's presence as Beverly gently retrieved the towel. She wiped her face before starting on her hair, trying to squeeze as much water as she could from it. The red locks were already starting to curl from the moisture, framing her face wildly.
Picard had taken up post leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest as he watched her with hidden amusement lest he spark her temper again. "Do you need another towel?"
"Yes, I need to get out of these clothes before I catch a chill…holodeck or not, I'm freezing." Beverly did not take notice of the Captain staring in her direction as she bent over to tug off her boots. She dumped the water from each on the floor, mumbling under her breath.
It took every captainly ounce of Picard not to snicker and he moved to grasp another larger towel for her. By the time he had turned back to her, Beverly had stripped down to her Starfleet-issue undergarments. Swallowing had somehow become a forgotten action to him as he gazed at her fair skin that she was attempting to dry with the small hand towel.
"Towel…?" she asked. Thinking it odd that he hadn't moved for a moment, Beverly glanced up to see him staring in what looked like shock. It was her turn to blush. Smiling shyly, she took a step toward him. "…sorry, I didn't think you would mind." Her fingertips rested on the towel that Picard clutched in front of his body.
Clearing his throat, Picard brought his eyes back up to her visage. He was reluctant to let the towel go. "Beverly…"
She smiled at his obvious apprehension and tugged the towel with both hands, which caught Picard off balance since he had been holding onto it so tightly. He bumped into her, hands coming to rest on the still moist skin of her hips. Their eyes remained locked in an intense gaze, neither wanting to move or speak.
"Bridge to Captain Picard." the communicator chirped.
"Picard here." His gaze remained on Beverly, fingertips drifting upward on her hips toward her waist.
"There is a personal message for you from Earth."
The Captain saw a flash of what he thought was disappointment in Beverly's eyes as she finally broke eye contact to look down between them. She stepped back from him and began to dry the rest of her body off. Picard never thought he would be envious of a towel but couldn't help but think as such while he watched her dab the soft material on her chest.
He groaned inwardly and let out a quick sigh. "Put it through down here," Picard responded. He attempted to still Beverly from drying herself off, hands coming to rest on her upper arms. Remembering the last few words they had spoken regarding a potential future together did not make him feel any more confident with what he wanted to say to her, so he didn't. Picard simply leaned forward and caught her lips with his own in a forceful kiss. His hands moved to gently cup her face by her jawline and he pulled away slightly only to press another firm kiss on her lips. "You're beautiful when you're wet and angry," he confessed in a rushed breath of air.
Pulling away from her for a final time he started back toward the steps that would lead him above deck. He had to see her reaction, though. He had to know. Picard angled his body to face toward her so he could look at her one more time.
Beverly stood completely still, hands still seizing the towel in front of her body, effectively providing some sort of modest cover. Her lips were parted in surprise as if she were trying to remember where she was, and her blue eyes were wide as she stared at the Captain. Slowly, the smile appeared on her lips and the hint of a pink color rose on her cheeks.
That was all he needed to know. Picard grinned and nodded as he took the stairs above deck to retrieve his message from Earth.
