It was damp. The kind of damp that you would never encounter on a starship. No matter how good a holodeck is, it couldn't possibly recreate the humidity and moisture effects of being in a harbor at twilight on a cool fall evening. The air hung salty with the sea, and thick with fog.

Dr Beverley Crusher did not like to be damp. Her uniform hung limp and heavy on her. She could not wait to get off this damned planet and back to her humidity-controlled cabin. She would change right away, pull her hair back into a clip… maybe it was a good day to review that play she was thinking about using for the next production…Macbeth with a hot cup of tea…

Focus Bev. She was here for a very important reason. She was meeting with the captain and federation representative here on Morena 2. It was a secret meeting in a dark and unsavoury place. She had no idea why she was here, or what the captain could possibly have planned. Of course, she trusted Jean Luc completely, so if he asked her to be here, then here she was.

She began to hear footsteps on the dock behind her. She slowly crouched down behind a bench as she watched to see what was happening.

Jean Luc Picard, captain of the starship USS Enterprise approached their meeting spot, completely alone and unarmed. She sighed in relief and revealed herself by standing up and stepping forward.

"Jean Luc" she began.

He whirled around, surprised to find she had reached the rendezvous location before him.

"Beverley" he did not smile. "thank you for coming. I apologize for the location and timing of this meeting. I …"

"…wait, are you on your own?" she interrupted. If he was alone why the hell couldn't they have just met on the damn ship?

"Yes, Beverley, I couldn't risk bringing…"

"...then what the hell are we doing down here?" she demanded "what could possibly be…"

"...sorry," this time Jean Luc interrupted her, "I know you hate to be damp." He cracked the slightest smile and looked down, slipping his captain's mask off. "I would not have asked you to come if it weren't of the utmost importance."

Her tension lessened slightly at his more friendly tone. She stepped closer to him, focused.

"I believe you may be in great danger, so I needed to get you off the ship as inconspicuously as possible. Beverley I can't tell you much more, but for the next few days, I need you to stay here on the planet. I have rented a room under a false name and have installed a replicator for all your food and clothing needs. Please speak to as few people as possible, without looking suspicious. Hopefully this will all be over in a week or less, but this is the safest option until then."

Beverley looked at him, stunned, "Jean Luc, I'm all for following orders, but is there anything else you can tell me? Why am I in danger? Is Wesley safe on Earth? Did I do something wrong?"

He waved off her questions. "I do not believe that Wesley would be in danger, but you most definitely might be. You are absolutely not to blame for any of this." Jean Luc stepped even closer to her then; they were practically touching. "Please Beverley, I cannot tell you more. You must stay here and blend in."

"Jean Luc, what could anyone possibly want with me? If a it a medical issue? Diplomatic? I am not a coward, I would prefer to stay and fight any accusations or aggressors. I don't want to put the people of this planet in danger with my presence." Beverley trailed off, looking into the eyes of her captain and her friend. There was something there she wasn't expecting to see: fear, "Jean Luc, are you in danger? Let me stay and help you. Have I done something to put you at risk?" she grabbed his arm, pleading, "What is it, Jean Luc? You can't just leave me here while you go to face dangers on your own! I can't protect you if you push me away!"

He voice was beginning to get louder. Jean Luc became aware of a few local men and women starting to look their way. They were still wearing Starfleet uniforms. He grabbed Beverley's arm and started walking back to the street, away from the harbor. "Dammit Beverley. I need you here, I need you safe. This is not your fault or your doing." He whispered harshly.

She pulled her arm free, looking at him with confusion and frustration. "Well then what the hell is it? You're terrified Jean Luc! Let me help you."

He stopped abruptly looking at her. Sighing his hand went to her shoulder, "Help me by staying here. Please don't let anyone know who you are. Destroy your uniform and hide your communicator. Your room is just up this street. Number 33. Apartment 6." He pulled her into a hug. "I will see you again soon." He let his hand linger a moment longer.

With that, he turned and left. Beverley was momentarily stunned, but she obeyed her captain. She walked straight to the building and shut the door behind her. Well she thought to herself, at least I can destroy these damp clothes.