Valentine's Day Story
February 8th
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Hearing the alarm Beverly sat up with a start. She turned the alarm off and had her legs over the edge of her bed, before she even looked at the time. Once she registered what she saw, Beverly collapsed back onto her bed with a groan. Moaning something about changing the alarm time, she tried to get another hour of sleep.
After ten minutes without prevailing, Beverly relented and grudgingly got up, and went to have a long wake up shower. While the water pummelled her still sleepy body she went through her appointments for the day. She had an annual physical that she had to over look, three check ups to attend to, and four reports she had to look over from the recent research project. Basically nothing exciting was to happen.
Sitting at her breakfast table, Beverly let out a deep sigh. Her knees were up close to her chest, in a protective ball, and her hands were wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee. She looked across the table to the empty seat opposite her. Its usual occupant was far away at the moment and had been for nearly two weeks now. She let out another sigh, this one quickly followed by a groan as she rested her head on her knees. She couldn't believe that she was missing him this much.
She thought back to when he had first told her about the mission. About how his presence was requested to be at the negotiations on Dart IV between its inhabitants and the people of Blyton II, accompanied by Admiral Sutherland. Now this is something Beverly couldn't exactly complain about, the negotiation was for a badly needed peace treaty between the two planets. What was making Beverly so upset about all this was the fact that it was only Jean-Luc, Ella Sutherland, and their shuttlecraft on the mission. The Enterprise was ordered to the other side of Federation space. And why were they going in the opposite direction? Because the Federation Flagship needed to be a show of force over there, or at least that's the excuse Admiral Sutherland was giving anyone who asked. And with this 'mission' completed, the Enterprise was remaining in the area to do some 'fundamental observation research' on an anomaly nearby, because they 'happened to be in the area'.
No matter how upsetting this matter was, it didn't change the fact that she was here and he was all the way over there, and wouldn't be anywhere near here for another two weeks, at least. But what really had Beverly confused was how upset she was really getting over this. Jean-Luc had been on missions that took a lot than this before. What made this one so different?
'You know very well what,' came a little voice at the back of her mind. 'You know the rumours just as well as the next person, about how that woman feels towards your Jean-Luc. The thought of her spending all that time with him is sickening! Just when he seemed ready to ask you out again, properly. AND he's going to miss Valentine's Day!'
'I don't know that for sure,' she thought to herself. 'And just a stupid old holiday. It's not like we had any plains, or it was a special occasion.'
'He would've made it special and you know it!' came the voice again. 'When has he let you be alone on Valentine's Day since your return for Starfleet Medical? Never! Even after the whole Kespryt fiasco, he didn't let you spend the night alone. He dragged you out to the party in Ten Forward. And this year he'll be spending it with her!'
A surge of jealousy swept through Beverly with such an intensity that it surprised her. 'Shut up,' she almost growled. She waited a moment, there was no snide come back, or smart comment. Sighing, again, she got up and put her dishes in the dispenser.
'Perfect start to the day,' she thought to herself. 'Wake up an hour too early, have an argument with myself, and the day hasn't even begun. What next?'
vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds vds
As Beverly got off the 'lift she saw the figure of a good friend disappear around a corner. Chuckling to herself she sped up to catch up to her before they arrived at Sickbay. Beverly couldn't help but smile at the sigh of her, now, very pregnant friend.
"Alyssa!" Beverly called catching up to her.
Alyssa turned to greet her boss, and walking together. "Beverly."
"Ready to start your last week?" Beverly teased; receiving a glare and a playful hit on the arm from her disgruntled friend.
"I don't see why this has to be my last week," Alyssa complained as they entered Sickbay. "I could keep going on for another few weeks."
Beverly let out small laugh. "Hey, consider yourself lucky that you've got this week! You know me; I'd normally have you sitting back in your quarters in a stress-free environment. Two weeks ago," she added over her shoulder, entering her office.
"That may be true," Alyssa replied following Beverly. "But that doesn't mean I have toooo… What is that?" She exclaimed noticing the package on the desk. Alyssa turned to see Beverly looking just as surprised as her.
"I don't know," Beverly replied, walking around to the other side of her desk. "You 're guess is as good as mine." She was looking at the package as though it might explode any second.
Alyssa walked closer to the desk. "Open it," she urged.
"But it could be dangerous. I haven't ordered anything, and who know how many people would like to show they could damage the Flagship of the Federation."
"Quit being the drama queen." Alyssa said rolling her eyes. "It couldn't possible be dangerous with Worf as our security chief."
Beverly opened her mouth as if to respond, but then relented with a brief shrug of the shoulders.
The package itself was about 10 centimetres high, 30 centimetres wide and 20 centimetres deep. Around it was beautiful blue wrapping, with a neat red ribbon tied around it. It appeared to be rather full and heavy, with a classy aura to it, making its contents illusive.
Slowly Beverly untied the bow on the top of the box, and placed the ribbon to the side. Carefully she removed the lid to it and gave a quick intake of breath when she saw the box's contents. It was full to the brim with her favourite chocolates.
"Oh yes, watch out for the deadly chocolate, Beverly." Alyssa joked.
"There's a note," Beverly said, ignoring Alyssa's last comment.
And a note there was. In the middle of the box was a piece of paper folded over with Beverly's name elegantly hand written on it. Picking up the paper Beverly read out:
'6 day from now is a day forever known as Saint Valentine's
Day, a day of love. For all the days leading up to this special date
I will shower you in gifts to show how I feel.
All my love Your Secret Admirer'
Alyssa took the note and read it herself, before turning to Beverly and asking, "So who is it?"
"It was signed 'secret admirer', Alyssa. How would I know if it was a secret?"
"It'syour Secret Admirer," she corrected rolling her eyes again, "and it's hand written." She said handing back the note. "So, whose handwriting is it?"
"I wouldn't know. The last hand written note I received was from Wesley's grade 4 teacher. And this is most certainly not Mr Higgins's hand writing. If it were I would be calling Mrs Higgins to check what her husband was up to."
"Don't you exchange notes with the other senior staff?"
"Yes, but they're not handwritten. I haven't exchanged those type of notes since I was in medical school."
Sighing exasperatedly, Alyssa replied, "Well that's helpful isn't it? I guess they'll just have to remain anonymous for now." She turned to leave and start working. Turning at the door she added, "Though I must say it's romantic. I wouldn't mind if I got something like that."
"Alyssa, you're married, and getting close to having your first child!"
"Well if Andrew were to do something like that, I wouldn't be complaining." She finished with a sigh before leaving the office.
Shaking her head Beverly let out a small laugh as she tried to turn her attention to the pile of work she had to do.
For her part Beverly managed to forget about the package for the rest of the day. Only when it came time to go home did she think of them again. Silently she made a list of possibilities.
