"...How did this happen?"

His eyes moved from her face to the floor. The ability to look at her had been misplaced, along with his confidence. They were substituted with guilt, dread, and fear of what was to come.

She obviously was displeased by the situation. Why did this have to happen this way?

"Beverly, I'm so sorry. I had no idea who was behind that mask."

She sighed and muttered to herself,

"Of course. That's how these things are supposed to work, right?"

They were silent for a few moments, unsure of what to do with the situation at hand. The least they would do is just think of it as a big misunderstanding and forget about it. He pushed away from her, ready to leave.

"Beverly," He began, cutting through the silence. "What happened wasn't ours to-"

She grabbed his arm to stop him and pulled him closer.

"Obviously we both want this. So what's stopping us?"

More silence accompanied them as he tried to comprehend her words. A large grin spread across his face. He kissed her again to show his approval.

"I didn't know you were such a flirtatious woman." He stated, finally looking at her again. She cocked her head and smiled sweetly.

"And I didn't know that you liked to take your women into dark control rooms."

"It was convenient, and the need to touch you was unbearable!"

"Well I think it's sexy."

They kissed again, and united as lovers. And no one took notice as they left the Holodeck control room and to Jean-luc's quarters. There was no need to be afraid anymore.

•••••

The next morning, the conference room was alive with chatter. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves at the party last night.

Data was expressing his curiosity in what happened at the gathering, as he didn't go because it would be too difficult to disguise him. Geordi Laforge was telling Data about the woman he had met at the party and that they were going to plan a real date. Lieutenant Worf was complaining about a malicious hangover he had gotten for ordering one too many alcoholic drinks, and William Riker was having a light conversation with Deanna.

Beverly walked in normally as if she didn't notice or care about being late for the meeting. Deanna saw her come in and motioned for her to join them.

"Will and I were just discussing what we wore yesterday night." She tells Beverly. The redhead smiles and sits beside Will.

"I was all dressed in grey and was wearing a wolf mask." Will began. "Deanna claims that she was a pink mermaid with a scaly fish mask. What were you, Beverly?"

Beverly hesitates for a moment before answering. "Well, I was wearing a blue dress and a matching mask with swirls jutting out of it. Some called me the Blue Maiden."

"Ya know what? I think I danced with you once."

"I think you might have! And tried to hit on me too." Beverly grins and slaps him playfully on the shoulder. He apologizes and flashes his teeth back at her.

"So, what happened last night?" Deanna touches her lightly on the arm to get her attention. She furrows her eyebrows.

"What do you mean, 'what happened'?"

"Come on Beverly. I saw you leave with a man wearing a bird mask and old-fashioned clothes. And you came in later than usual this morning. Obviously something happened."

Beverly began to flush profusely and looked downwards at the table. She felt Deanna reach into her mind and immediately shut her out. It took some time to find the right things to say without blowing their cover.

"He called himself 'General Birdsfellow'. I... He asked me to dance, and I gladly did. Afterwards he brought me outside where we were alone, kissed me... And left. That was all, I swear!"

"Mnhm. I'm sure about that."

Deanna was about to say something more when the doors to the conference room swooshed open and Jean-Luc entered. Everyone went quiet as they waited for their captain to speak.

"So, thoughts on the party?" He asks the bridge crew as he pulls his chair away from the table and sits down. His hazel eyes dart around until they lock with her blue ones. She smiles, and he smiles back. Deanna looks at the two with an intrigued look on her face.

"I think Guinan should stop purposely giving out alcoholic drinks in place of synthehol." Worf rumbles.

"I'll be sure to talk to Guinan about it, Lieutenant. Thank you."

Data jumps in."With the current design for the costumes and the state of the vocal adjuster, there is a 45.6759 percent possibility that identity would be discovered. Perhaps improving on them would increase the enjoyment of the gathering."

"I think with time I can improve on the vocal adjusters." Beverly states. "If I fiddle with the voice patterns enough I should be able to increase the realism of the voices."

"I'm sure if you work with the sciences staff you'll be able to do it, Doctor." His voice is calm and professional as it should be. If you listened carefully or knew him well, though, you would have noticed a slight compassionate tone to his voice. Deanna sure did.

"I'm glad that you agreed to do this, Captain. It was a great way to celebrate the holiday, but I think it would be better if we hold it on Valentine's day. Many people were brought together yesterday and it would add to the adventure of finding love. Make it more... Special." She looks right at Jean-luc and Beverly when she says this.

"Your completely right, Counselor. From now on we'll host it on Valentines. I can't wait to see how everyone reacts."

His gaze has mostly been on Beverly throughout the conference. Her eyes haven't strayed from his either. He winks at her from across the table. A blush spreads from her neck to her cheeks and she diverts her attention down to her busy hands.

While Will discusses ideas about what they're going to do for the next Easter, Beverly feels someone's eyes on her. She looks up to see Deanna staring with a knowing smirk on her face. Beverly knows that she's going to hear it all later.

This is going to be a long day. But she's loving it.

~Fin~