"Dr. Crusher?" Troi called out following the hiss of the doors.

"Yes? Troi?" Crusher left her office, her thick red locks swaying slightly against her shoulders.

"I have a special patient for you," Troi sang out.

"I'm coming!" Crusher grabbed a tricorder and adjusted her jacket. She thought about asking Troi about meeting the Chancellor and Senator from Partia. She'd heard epic stories of the Chancellor and endless accolades for the Senator as well. She was very curious about them and looked forward to the evening's reception.

Crusher was then quite startled at the sight of a tall, firm man lounging irreverently on a bio bed. "Oh..." she exclaimed, searching Troi's face for an explanation.

"Beverly, this is Senator Dell Lem. He has a bit of an injury and wanted to get it taken care of before this evening." Dell straightened on the bed and winced just slightly.

"Oh..." she said softly. Crusher held her breath as his cool gray eyes seemed to scan her like a probe. He glanced away, his cheeks reddening, and brushed some of his tousled black hair from his face. It was short, but playfully messy. It made him seem so young, clashing with his strong, mature jawline, and his actual advanced age.

He looked into her face again and reached for her hand. "It's wonderful to meet you, Doctor." As he had with Troi, he wrapped his thumb around hers with delicate purpose.

"It is..., " Crusher replied, "I was looking forward to meeting you tonight... Senator..." She looked down and gently took her hand from his in order to take control of the tricorder.

"Please call me Dell," he said smoothly. "Thank you for your help, Doctor. Please know I would have rather we'd met in a less professional setting." He smiled, completely unaware of his innuendo.

With a blink, "Call me Beverly then. And tell me what's the matter."

"I believe it's my third hip." He placed a hand over his left side. Crusher ran the device over him and it sprang to life.

"Partian anatomy is really fascinating," she mused.

"We're a boney species." Lem bit his lower lip briefly.

"Yes..." Crusher said quietly. "And you're right. You've got a hairline fracture of the third hip. How did that happen?"

"Football?" Lem said. "A human Admiral visited the Chancellor with her family before going ice climbing. Her son and daughter taught me football. It was brutal."

The two women laughed. Crusher flushed at the image of the Senator's athleticism. "It's nothing too serious." She snapped back to reality and said, "But you really are coping with the pain well." She offered him her most flirtatious smile and picked up the hypospray.

"Well, complaining about pain takes up a lot of time, Doc––Beverly." He flushed again.

"I thought that was something of which Partians had a surplus," she said. The hiss of analgesic delivery was followed with beeps indicating bone fusion.

"It's very true. But we do not have a surplus of opportunity. Opportunity is precious. If you waste time, you miss opportunity." He took a deep breath as the pain subsided in his hip and said, "I feel much better already."

"I'm glad to hear it... Dell. This should heal up just fine. You're in excellent health." She patted him on the shoulder and immediately felt embarrassed.

"I find that to be both good and bad news." Lem leaned back onto his hand.

"Why's that?" Crusher asked, putting down her instruments.

"It's always pleasant to hear one is healthy. But if I were sick then I'd have more opportunity to see you." He flashed her a bright white smile. She almost exploded.

Crusher could barely look at him after such a statement. She managed, "What a charming thing to say, Senator." Was he toying with her? Did he mean it? They'd only known each other a few minutes and yet she felt almost giddy.

"Dell."

She sighed, "Dell."

Troi, who had been absolutely silent throughout this entertaining play stepped back to give them further opportunity.

"You know, I am an admirer of yours, Beverly." He chuckled and looked away, amused at his position. "And I find it very gratifying that I am allowed to call you by your first name."

"I think I may not live up to your admiration." She smirked and looked down. Troi had a brief moment of concern. She shot her attention to Lem's emotions. He was not hurt. Troi was relieved. Then she was amused. Because he was amused.

"I highly doubt it," Dell said, his cheeks reddening a little. "My father is a medical doctor also. He's been on Delos IV recently, working, and he has told me of his own admiration for you. Having previously given attention to your service record, I share in his sentiment." Lem stood up from the bio bed, revealing his full height and the broadness of his shoulders. His dark suit was of a thin knit fabric, structured along the shoulders and collar, but seemingly soft and breathable as it did not stifle him.

Crusher gazed up at him cautiously. She could feel his elevated body heat. Partia is a bitter-cold planet. Dell Lem's temperature would register 42 degrees Celsius on a thermometer, but was off the charts on Dr. Crusher's sense of him.

"I appreciate that," she stammered. "I am an admirer of yours as well."

"Allow me to converse with you more at the reception?" he asked. She nodded and he smiled, taking her hand and thumb again. His hot palm made her legs feel like jelly. "You shall have to help me be social." His eyebrows lifted. "I suspect I could spend the whole evening listening only to you."

Crusher laughed shyly as Lem turned away. She huffed and almost hissed at Troi, who was smirking knowingly at her. Then the Counselor and Senator left sickbay. The Doctor floated into her office before demanding that the replicator give her cold water.


Later that evening, Ten Forward was gentle in mood but anticipating the fun to follow. It was not common that it saw all of the senior bridge crew at one time for one event among so many others from every part of the ship. A lovely buffet had been arranged along the lavish windows: food illuminated by the stars. Data had made that observation.

"That's really quite poetic, Data." Troi smiled.

"Thank you, Counselor." The Commander's head tilted. "I am endeavoring to better understand poetry. I hope to attempt my own compositions soon."

"I think you're absorbing it quite well." Troi picked up a drink from the bar as she saw Dr. Crusher glide into the room. "Well that's a wonderful development, " Troi giggled. Data gawked at the Doctor, puzzled at the Counselor's riddle.

"What's developing?" Riker came up behind her and saw the object of her attention. "Oh, I see."

Crusher began to walk toward the trio. She'd pinned her hair back in a delicate, loose bun. Her makeup was minimal, but her blue eyes seemed to glitter more than the sapphires that dangled from her ears. Instead of her medical coat she sported a long-sleeved, knee-length, tastefully-fitted dress of intricately-crocheted blue wool.

"Your legs look amazing," Troi whispered into Crusher's ear. Data overheard and glanced down at her fair, firm calves. Riker chuckled and Data looked away.

"Thank you," the Doctor said. "I just thought the Chancellor and Senator would appreciate me getting... into the spirit of their ways."

"And their clothes, it seems." Troi smirked and sipped her drink.

"Their clothes?" Riker grinned and took in Crusher's dress.

"I believe, Commander," Data began, "that the Doctor's dress is woven from the under-wool of the ellt, a Partian ruminant livestock."

"Yes, Data." The Doctor shuffled behind the Lieutenant Commander and Counselor to get a drink. The chatter had died down some and she knew the Partians would be arriving soon.

"Did I tell you what the Captain said of the Chancellor?" Riker leaned in to Troi, looking straight ahead and sipping his drink.

"No... What?"

Riker hesitated until he was sure Troi could barely contain herself. "Well. It was very uncharacteristic of him..."

"Will, what?" Troi took his arm.

"He said that he would have an easier time dealing with the Chancellor's... personality... if she were less... " he glanced down at her face, "lovely."

Troi gasped and cupped her mouth. "He really said that?" she asked. "The Captain?"

"He absolutely did." Riker sat his drink on a coaster. "I nearly fell down laughing I was so shocked."

"That's very interesting." Troi chewed on the olive that had rested in the bottom of her glass.

Soon the chatter elevated and people ate. With a hiss of the doors the Captain and Worf joined the party. The crowd parted somewhat out of reverence. Troi was mildly disappointed that they had not chosen more appropriate attire, but she hadn't really held out much hope anyway. They obviously looked good in uniform.

"Counselor, should I have changed?" Worf slid up next to her, noticing her soft pink dress with the flowing skirt and Crusher's striking new look.

"I think you look fine, Worf." She patted him on the arm as Guinan handed him a prune juice.

"Thank you, Guinan." Worf lifted the glass to his lips.

"I think she's going to be excited to meet you," Guinan said, turning to leave.

"What do you mean?" Worf asked her before drinking. She only smiled and walked off with her tray.

"I believe that it would not have been appropriate for the Captain to dress down for an event featuring a Chancellor and Senator of Partia," the Captain hissed at Riker even though he'd said nothing. Just the sight of Riker's smooth gray slacks and well-sculpted dress shirt made Picard uneasy.

"You always look great, Captain." Riker smiled gently and handed him a glass of sparkling wine. And then the doors opened! There was a hush, almost a gasp before subtle clapping.

"Careful! We might sing if you applaud!" The Chancellor waved a hand in the air. An Ensign to her right who had been standing at the bar suddenly fled, dashing in her path. She dodged him gracefully but could not fight the physics of momentum and bumped hard right into the back of poor Lieutenant Barclay.

With the utmost precision his glass of ale spewed over him, soaking into his uniform, none falling on the ground. The crowd hushed. La Forge stepped forward and almost threw up from embarrassment. Barclay wanted to climb into a hole and die. He felt like his internal organs were shutting themselves off, committing ritual suicide one by one to avoid the anguish of turning around and gazing into the face of a Federation legend with ale soaking into his underwear.

"Oh no. Oh no!" The Chancellor covered her face for a moment before desperately waving at a bar back and saying, "Please, sir, some towels! Oh my goodness!"

Barclay summoned his courage and looked at her face. Her dark eyes glistened and he stopped breathing as she bore a sad and loving look into him. It was a feeling he'd remember all his life.

"Lieutenant, oh Lieutenant," she breathed. "I am so sorry! I can't believe my clumsiness. I was just so excited to see everyone!" She took the towel and his hands. He felt the warmth of her palms as she delicately wiped the ale from his fingers and wrists.

"Reg, what happened?" La Forge jumped between the Chancellor and Senator, taking Barclay by the shoulder.

"I–– I––Commander––Sorry––I don't!––" He was trembling. Suddenly the Chancellor put a hand on his bicep. He froze. La Forge froze. Lem smiled gently and slid his arm around the Commander's shoulder.

"It was a silly accident," Lem said smoothly. "The Chancellor will take care of the Lieutenant. I'm Dell Lem; who are you?" They turned in to face Ten Forward, the Senator adeptly intercepting the approaching Captain to Barclay's incredible relief.

"I'm––I'm sorry," Barclay said, recoiling slightly as she leaned in closer to place the towel over the remaining ale on the bar.

She smiled. "Please don't apologize for my––and that Ensign's––blunder, Lieutenant. I hope you aren't too upset." She took his thumb and stared up into his face, seeming to hope for a glimpse of forgiveness in his eyes.

"I'm not upset... Chancellor. I––" He pulled his hand away awkwardly and tugged at his soaked uniform.

"You will have to change," she interrupted. "Please tell me you will return." She nodded the confirmation for herself.

Barclay gasped, "If you wish, I will. I will." She smiled and took his arm, leading him out. As he left he turned to look back. She waved. He almost tripped over his feet.

"Geordi, I think the Chancellor will want to have a long talk with you," Lem said as he walked between the Captain and La Forge. "You know she was an Engineer."

La Forge smiled. "I certainly do. Actually..." he dropped his voice and leaned in toward Lem, "that Lieutenant? He's a member of my staff." He cocked his head to the side, searching for an indication of whether or not he should keep Barclay far away from the Chancellor.

"Oh that's funny!" Lem laughed. "The Chancellor will..." he trailed off catching a glimpse of Crusher hiding behind Commander Riker, "find that… amusing."

The three men stopped before Troi and Riker in their fine attire. "Beverly?" Lem peaked around Riker's shoulder, who suavely stepped out of the way, leaving Crusher naked to the Senator's gaze.

"Good evening, Dell." She covered her mouth slightly with her glass of wine. "It's nice to see you again."

The Chancellor had joined the group, speaking briefly to Worf before appearing to Geordi's right. "Commander La Forge?" She was so quiet in her approach he nearly jumped in the air. Lem and the Captain didn't even know she was there for their gaze on Crusher.

"Yes," La Forge choked. "I'm sorry about that, Chancellor."

"Lellee."

La Forge froze, "Lellee… I'm sorry about Barclay."

"What Barclay?"

"I beg your pardon?" He lifted his eyebrows.

"Does he have a first name?" Sull asked as she slid her hand under his bicep.

"Yes!" he exclaimed over-enthusiastically. "Reginald. We call him Reg."

"Very good." The Chancellor turned to feast on Lem and Crusher chatting about the most boring things to avoid showing their giddiness.

"Dr. Crusher?" Sull broke away from La Forge.

"Yes?" Beverly turned and Lem coughed.

"I'm sorry," Lem said, turning. "Chancellor Sull, this is Dr. Beverly Crusher." He slipped his warm hand under Crusher's palm to gesture her forward. Sull took her thumb.

"Lovely to meet you Chancellor," the Doctor said. Crusher was unsure as to whether or not she should shake hands amidst the Partian grip.

"Lem and his father talked about you quite a bit before we set aboard the Enterprise," Sull replied. She let go of the Doctor's hand. Crusher turned to look at Lem, expecting to see his blush, but he didn't. He seemed to beam.

"Beverly, would you indulge me?" He reached for her hand.

Her head swayed with a zap of confusion and she asked, "Indulge you?"

"With a dance." He waved his fingers at the air, revealing that no one had noticed a gentle jazz quartet had set up in the corner.

Crusher blushed furiously and shook her head looking around. She whispered, "I'm not sure, Dell."

He stepped forward and whispered, "I know you can dance." Her eyes widened and she looked away, but he took her hand and she was forced by her own need to look back. "It's a big secret, I know," he said. "I would've kept it more closely, but then I saw how you look in ellt wool."

Crusher smiled and acquiesced to his movement toward the band. She was too charmed to notice Riker and Troi had overheard the whole exchange. The Chancellor had managed to capture the Captain's attention away from Lem's efforts, but both the Betazoid and the Commander heard Crusher sigh giddily.