Author's Notes: Some stories take up residence in my head until I write them down. Enjoy the musings.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek: The Next Generation and its characters. I just borrow them on occasion.

Set afterNemesis. They deleted a couple of good scenes that gave me a few ideas. Continued….

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Dinner was a quiet affair. Both Jean-Luc and Beverly were lost in their own individual thoughts. Whenever their glances met across the table or over their wine glasses, warm smiles were exchanged. Beverly's overnight bag sat near the doorway to Jean-Luc's bedroom.

Leaning back in her chair, Beverly sighed. "That was wonderful Jean-Luc. Thank you."

Picard stood and began to gather dishes. "You're more than welcome Beverly."

On his second trip to the recycler he picked up Beverly's plate and placed a tender kiss on her cheek. Life altering declarations had been made earlier in the evening, but he would give her time. It was true that she had come to him and admitted her feelings; however, Jean-Luc had learned over the years that this woman needed time to adjust.

Beverly stifled a yawn as he came back toward the table.

"Tired?"

Closing her weary eyes, she spoke quietly. "I hadn't realized how tired."

Jean-Luc smiled as he gazed down at her. "I'm not surprised Beverly. None of us have really caught up from the last mission. Add to that the preparation of leaving your home and throw in a little emotional upheaval as well…You should have passed out hours ago."

"Try twenty-five years of emotion upheaval and you'd have it right," she responded as she opened her eyes.

"Come on," he said reaching for her hands. "Time for bed. There's nothing left to worry about tonight."

Beverly let herself be pulled out of her chair. Jean-Luc leaned down to get her bag as they passed through to his bedroom. Arriving at his bathroom door, he gently pushed her in and handed her the bag.

"Here. Take a hot shower, relax. I'll be in here reading."

Jean-Luc turned back to the bedroom and headed to his dresser, leaving a stunned Beverly in his bathroom. She starred at herself in the mirror for a moment. She automatically pulled her night clothes and shampoo from her bag.

He's crazy, she thought. I finally tell him that I love him, I'm leaving after breakfast, and he's actually going to let me sleep…Not that I'd be much fun tonight anyway, but still. Jean-Luc Picard, the ultimate gentleman.

She chuckled as steam filled the room.

On the other side of the door, Jean-Luc had changed and gotten into bed. He sat propped against his pillows reading. He had replicated a couple extra pillows for Beverly and turned down the other side of the bed. Nearly fifteen minutes later, Jean-Luc heard the water shut off. He smiled; Beverly loved hot water and always avoided sonic showers if at all possible. His eyes fell back to the page he had been reading.

Beverly tried to ignore the butterflies that suddenly sprung up in her stomach as she re-entered Jean-Luc's bedroom. Placing her travel bag near the dresser, she turned to face the bed. A small smile tugged at her lips as she saw the bed turned down and the extra pillows he had gotten for her.

Jean-Luc glanced up and caught Beverly studying him. He placed his book on the nightstand and took in her appearance. Her hair was still wet and she had tucked the short blonde locks behind her ears. She had donned a grey tank top and a pair of white shorts, both looked incredibly soft.

"Hi," he smiled. "Feel better?"

"A little," she replied as she walked toward the bed. Jean-Luc couldn't tear his eyes away as she climbed into his bed. After all, how many times had he dreamed of her being there?

"Will you be warm enough?" he asked, indicating her scantly clad frame.

Beverly chuckled, "Well, when I packed, I thought I'd be sleeping in my own bed."

"I see."

"Besides…I can think of some ways to stay warm…"

Jean-Luc slid over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Hmmm…maybe you should fill me in."

Beverly smiled as his lips claimed hers. Her arms slowly came to rest on his chest. Her smile grew as he deepened their kiss.

"I think you may have the right idea Jean-Luc," she sighed.

He continued to show her how well he understood her meaning long into the night. They knew that the morning would bring the sadness of separation, but they would have at least a few memories to carry them through until they were able to be together again.