It had been a long work day, and Beverly was tired. Stifling a yawn, she decided to call it a day and return to her quarters for dinner. Just then, the buzzer on the door sounded and, to Beverly's delighted surprise, there stood Jean-Luc, smiling.

"Sorry it's such short notice," he said. "But if you don't already have plans, would you like to dine with me this evening?"

"Why, of course, I'd love to!"

Jean-Luc took her arm and escorted her to the dining area. After selecting their food from the replicator, they chose a booth towards the back. Beverly stifled another yawn as she got her silverware out.

"Long work day?" Jean-Luc asked sympathetically.

"Oh, yes." Beverly nodded.

Soft music played in the background, and after finishing their meal, Jean-Luc and Beverly rose and began to dance. As she relaxed in his arms, she rested her head on his shoulder and again inhaled his once-familiar scent.

"I see that you're still the world's best dancer," Jean-Luc murmured into Beverly's hair.

She laughed lightly, accepting the compliment. "You're not so bad yourself, you know," she told him pleasantly.

Beverly was enjoying herself so much that the time just seemed to fly by.

"Do you realize how long we've been dancing?" Jean-Luc laughingly asked after awhile. Beverly looked at the clock on the wall and was shocked.

"And I thought you were so tired from working such long hours," Jean-Luc teased.

"Being with you seems to have revived me," Beverly said happily. It was true. She felt as if she could keep dancing for the rest of the night, but just then, she stifled another yawn.

"I think I'd better get you back to your quarters," Jean-Luc told her. Beverly felt a little sad as they walked back to her quarters arm in arm. She really didn't want the night to end.

Jean-Luc hesitated at the door to Beverly's quarters, as if hoping that she would invite him in. As soon as the thought entered her mind, she felt her heart begin to race madly, and her tongue seemed glued to the roof of her mouth.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, then," Jean-Luc finally said. He kissed her lips softly and was gone.

Beverly was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. It was several hours later when she suddenly jerked awake, frightened by a nightmare. She remembered how Jean-Luc had always comforted and soothed her when she had awakened from nightmares when they had been married. This time there was no hesitation. Quickly grabbing a robe and sliding her feet into slippers, she headed for Jean-Luc's quarters.

Standing outside his door, her nerve almost failed her. How would he react to being awakened at this time of night? She almost turned and walked back to her quarters. Just before doing so, she summoned all her courage and pressed his buzzer.

She waited a few seconds, and he didn't come to the door. She contemplated making a mad dash back to her own quarters. She was just about to do so when the door finally opened, revealing an obviously very sleepy Jean-Luc in robe and slippers.

"Beverly? What are you doing here?"

"I...had a nightmare and couldn't get back to sleep," she mumbled.

Wordlessly, Jean-Luc stepped aside so that she could enter. Then he took her hand and led her to the sofa, where he sat down and pulled her into his lap. The warmth of his body, together with the soothing beat of his heart, made Beverly feel so relaxed and drowsy that she was asleep again within minutes.

The following morning, Beverly awoke to find that Jean-Luc had lovingly tucked her into his own bed. She reached for him, but he was gone.