Deanna Troi sat at a table near the viewport nursing a hot chocolate, waiting for her friend to arrive. She tried to relax, but she was responsible for phase two of the operation and her nerves were on edge.

Glad her friend wasn't an empath, she looked up as Beverly strode through the doors of the lounge. Ten Forward was reasonably busy, as many people had stopped by for some relaxation, but most conversations dwindled as Beverly Crusher entered the room.

Tall, beautiful, with endless legs, Beverly moved with the grace of a dancer. Tonight she wore a tattered linen sack covered in purple and gold sequins. The rough weave of the thigh-length sack highlighted the black tights and Mary Janes that clothed her lower body. Her hair was done up in a loose roll, complete with the obligatory wisps that needed to be constantly tucked behind her ear.

Taking a seat across from her friend, Beverly leaned back and turned her gaze to the viewport. Sighing, she rolled her shoulders, closed her eyes, and slumped into the curve of the chair.

"Rough shift?" asked Deanna after the waiter brought a round of drinks.

Rousing herself, Beverly took a sip of her drink and smiled, "Not really." Gesturing out the viewport at the green and orange sphere, she continued, "Preparing everything for the upcoming mission was a bit onerous, that's all."

"I'm sure the mission will be fine," Deanna assured her friend.

"It's not the mission I'm worried about," Beverly answered in return.

"Oh?" inquired Deanna, empathic senses tingling.

Raising her arms in surrender, Beverly acquiesced, "I'm not worried about the mission; I'm worried about the pilot."

"Surely you don't doubt the Captain's ability to safely pilot the shuttle?" Deanna was concerned at this turn of events.

"No," Beverly shook her head. "It's not his skill. It's him." Seeing the continued puzzlement on her friend's face, she exasperatedly added, "I'm worried about spending so much time alone with him."

Realization dawned on the counsellor, and she had to fight the wave of giddiness that accompanied it. The misgivings Beverly had just shared were playing right into the group's plans.

"Beverly," Deanna said as she reached for her drink. "You already spend a lot of time with him. What is so different about this situation?"

Tired, Beverly struggled to find an answer that would satisfy her nosy companion. Running her fingers through her hair, she sighed, "I don't know."

Not meeting her friend's eyes, she lamely continued, "Maybe it's because he's so reserved. What if he's boring?"

Deanna rolled her eyes, "Beverly, if you found him boring, I highly doubt you would spend as much time alone with him as you do."

Smiling in agreement, Beverly replied, "I guess you're right. I'm worrying for no reason."

Deanna nodded, "Yes, you are."

Deanna quickly gulped down her remaining drink and stood up. Looking down at her puzzled friend, she said, "Let's go for a walk."

"What?" A look of disbelief crossed Beverly's face, "You want to go for a walk? Now?"

Deanna nodded, "Yes. Now."

"But I just sat down!" Beverly replied, trying to hide her anger.

"Trust me," Deanna said, trying to sound as persuasive as possible. "It will be very worth your while."

Grumbling as she stood, Beverly followed her diminutive friend out of the lounge muttering, "It had better be."

"Riker to Picard."

"Picard here," replied Picard as he set down his glass of Chateau Picard and book of Shakespearean sonnets.

"Sorry to bother you now that you're off-duty, sir," Riker's voice filled Jean-Luc's quarters. "But there seems to be a problem with the shuttle for tomorrow's mission."

Concerned, Picard responded, "Is it serious, Number One?"

"Not serious enough to cancel the mission, but you might want to check it out for yourself, sir," Riker replied, trying to keep the smile out of his voice.

"I'll be right there," Picard stood and tugged at the hem of his green silk shirt. "Picard out."

Riker grinned as he made his way to the shuttle bay. Now if only Deanna could fulfil her part…

Beverly and Deanna strolled around the corner of the corridor and almost bumped into Riker and Picard at the entrance to the shuttle bay.

Surprised, but not unhappy to see them, Picard said, "It's a good thing you're here. Commander Riker says there's a problem with the shuttle."

Looking directly at Beverly, Jean-Luc continued, "Doctor, you might wish to join us to make sure your medical supplies haven't been affected."

Nodding their agreement, the two women followed the men into the cavernous bay.

Shortly after helping Beverly double check the medical supplies, Deanna Troi excused herself from the group. She had done her part in getting the red-head onto the shuttle, now it was Will's job to ensure they were left alone.

"So, you see, sir" Riker continued. "Geordi and Data kept getting these readings as they prepared the shuttle earlier."

Thoroughly engrossed in the mystery, Picard nodded, "Yes, I can see where this would seem to be a puzzling anomaly."

Hoping Picard had taken the bait, Riker almost sighed with relief when his captain continued speaking.

"I think the best course of action would be to take the shuttle out for a quick spin," said Picard. "That will be the most efficient way to determine the cause of these readings."

Resisting the urge to pump his fist in the air, Riker solemnly replied, "If you think that's best, sir."

"I do, Number One," Picard said as he gestured toward the back of the shuttle. "If you wouldn't mind sealing the hatch on your way out, I'll begin the launch preparations."

"Aye, sir," Riker smiled as he exited the co-pilot's seat.

"Oh, and Commander," Picard added. "You can tell Doctor Crusher she's free to go. She's off duty and doesn't need to be a part of this – it's just a routine flight."

Inwardly cursing, Riker replied, "Aye, sir."