A/N: This is another way that Beverly and Jean-Luc could have gotten together. It's told from Anij's point of view. I had wanted this to be a one-shot but I had too much to say about it so it's not.

The Relationship

1.

After the danger passed he changed; maybe it was only the danger my people were in that interested him, maybe it was only the potential to be more. He was still sweet and caring and on occasion teasing, but he wasn't the same. As they repaired the ship to go back home to their Federation and maybe face a court martial all the crew members spent shifts down on the planet to help us rebuild and to help them heal. We were walking along a village road and we came upon one of the "Son'a" and his mother with the red-haired doctor of Jean-Luc's. He told me that it might begin the healing process and it sounded like he spoke from experience on this issue. I let it slide then notice that he was not looking at me, but he continued to stare at them . . . no not them the doctor who was standing a distance away. The planet's rings has not only granted us with long lives and the ability to make a moment carry on but certain members had a slight telepathic ability and it was then that I realized what it was . . . he loved the doctor. Loved her more than his own life.

With that knowledge in mind I came up with a plan. I was slightly upset at how he led me on, but I discovered just how deep his feelings were buried. He liked me as well just not as well as hi loved the doctor. With that knowledge all my resentment I felt towards him vanished. So I wanted him to be happy, even if it wasn't with me. I wanted to know more about the doctor so as we walked away I decided to ask him.

"Tell me about your crew, Jean-Luc. What are they like?"

"My crew is about 100 people along with civilian experts and their families. They are so many that even I do not know as much as I should. But I can tell you about the members of my senior staff, because out of all my crew they are the ones that know me best." He paused for a moment deciding which one to start with and how much to share.

"My first officer, William T. Riker was born on the planet Earth in Alaska. He loves his job he is patient and reserved but he can also be stubborn and slightly overconfident. He loves to rock climb. He plays an exceptional poker game and a mean Trombone. He loves my counselor and ship's diplomatic advisor. He has been my trusted right arm since I first took command of the last Starship named Enterprise, and has continued to be ever since. I look forward to the day I can call him Captain Riker.

"Deanna Tori is my counselor and diplomatic advisor on my ship. She is of a race of people who are telepaths of varying degrees, called Betozoids, however she is only half. Her father was a Starfleet officer therefore she is empathic to all but another telepath. She also plays a decent poker game and has a big obsession with chocolate.

"My Chief Engineer is Geordi La Forge was born blind as was fitted with a VISOR to help him see, but he doesn't see as we do. He sees in a way better than us. Also an adept poker player (you have to be when playing with Will). He is also an accomplished pilot.

"My security and tactical officer is Worf, a Klingon. Klingons are a warrior race who set great store on honour. Worf is a loyal officer to both Starfleet and the Klingon Empire. He was married but his wife was killed and I do not believe he will ever get over it. He also has a son, Alexander. Worf also plays poker with the rest of the senior officers.

"Data, whom who have already met is an Android. Data strives to be human and often will ask awkward or odd questions in his quest to understand humans. He is as loyal as they come. To most of the crew who know him the fact that he wants to be human makes up for his moments of superiority. And he also plays poker. And the good thing about him playing poker is we don't need to keep track of our wins and losses because he recalls them perfectly and he can deal fairly not stacking the deck. That goes against his moral codes that have been programmed into him. He also has a cat named Spot."

After that he passed and a peculiar expression came over his face. I waited a few moments before asking him again about the doctor. "What about the other women who was with us, the one who treated my head injury when the cave collapsed. Who is she?"

"That was my Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Beverly Howard-Crusher. She is most likely the one person one my ship to have known me before entering under my command. She was married to Jack Crusher, one of my senior officers aboard another vessel. He died under my command. She is a caring, compassionate and wise woman. She is an amazing dancer and is in charge of the ships Theater troupe. She has one son named Wesley who has served aboard my ship while trying to gain admission to Starfleet Academy. She has saved my life more times than I can count. She also plays a mean poker game and is in my opinion the only one who can give Will a run for his money. She is my best friend and my anchor." He stopped talking and went into a retrospective trance-like state.

I left him in that state and made my way around my home. Everything was coming together and would soon go back to normal, or at least some-what normal. During my wanderings I saw Data being chased by some of the children teaching him how to play. Data really did want to become human, how strange and yet how wonderful. I walked farther and saw the doctor in conversation with one of our medical people. I smiled at them and saw that while Dr. Crusher smiled at me, it did not meet her eyes. Gently probing with my thoughts I saw that she was somewhat jealous of me, because . . . she loves him just as much! My plan now is to get them to tell each other, but for that I need help maybe their empathic counselor.

I pick up my pace trying to find what was her name, Troi. I spotted her a few houses down with the First officer. Remembering that she can hear other telepaths I cautiously reach out with my mind trying to find her.

Are you Deanna Troi?

Yes.

I think that I might need your help with something.

What is it?

I would rather not say where others of my village can hear. I am not the only one with telepathic abilities; most of the other women do as well. Meet me in 5 minutes out by the hay fields.

I see her nod a yes at me and I slowly make my way to the hay fields, stopping occasionally to talk to my people. I reach the fields at the same time as the counselor. I go and sit on a bench near the fields and she joins me.

"I am sorry if I startled you, but I heard that you can communicate telepathically with another telepath. But I thought that you could be the one to help me out.

"With what and who told you?" she asked sternly.

I tell her about my conversation with Jean-Luc and what I sensed from him and then of what I sensed from the doctor. When I was done I could see a glint in her dark eyes and a smile on her lips. With those signs I knew that I had her help in my plan.

"So Anij, what is your plan?" she asked me.

"You guys are planning to go back to your ship soon right? She nodded yes. "Well I will suggest that it be to check on the ship and change into clean and non-uniform clothes, and that any crew member who wants to beam down should and that we will have a little feast to say both thank you and good bye. If I talk to everybody needed to pull off the feast soon it will be ready before the sun sets. Then once everybody is down here I will drew Jean-Luc to the fountain in the center of the square; the fountain is designed to be able to hide people on opposite sides. Once on side of the fountain I will ask Jean-Luc some questions that should if asked at the right time and in the right order should get him to let on that he doesn't love me as much as he loves his doctor. What I would then need you to do would be to get the Doctor on the other side of the fountain to where she can hear his answers then as we make to leave act like you never heard our conversation and start one of your own. What you say there is your choice but I was thinking that she say that she stills has feelings for her Captain and why they have not talked about the relationship between them grow."

"Deal. But I want something in return." At that I start to think about what I can give her when I remember what Jean-Luc told me about her.

"We have our chocolate makers who would be more than happy to let you sample and take some back onboard the Enterprise with you." As I make my offer her eyes go wide and she smiles brighter and she agrees. We both leave to take care of our own business.

I go and talk to all our people who make food and the readily agree, then I talk to the members of the performance guild and ask if they would like to perform for our guests. They too agree with enthusiasm. Smiling I leave them and make my way back to where I left Jean-Luc passing the word along that we would be having a feast in honor of the crew of the starship. I find that Jean-Luc has made his way to the fountain and was staring at some of the work displayed there. I sit next to him and he smiles at me as I do.

"Sorry for leaving you but some of my people wanted to talk. They want to have a little dinner for all the crew of your ship. I told them that you needed to check on your ship and such and they said that they can have the food ready by sunset. I think my people want to say thank you and goodbye. I think also that any crew member who was not seriously injured while on your ship could benefit from being on my planet for a few hours." I give him a few moments to let him mull over the idea.

"I think that I agree. When we beam up to the ship I will make an announcement to my crew. And if they wish to come they can beam down. I think that I need to beam up and at least change into fresh clothes." He stood up and helped me up and we made our way back to the hay fields where they would beam up to their ship. I see that Data is playing in the hay fields with some of the kids.

They beam up and I get ready for the night's plan and party.

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