"Sir, dropping out of warp," the Ensign at Conn informs Captain Picard.

"Excellent. Take us into the station at one quarter impulse please."

"Aye sir," the young man replies.

Picard turns to Worf. "Open a shipwide com link please."

Worf signals to him and the captain begins to speak.

*All hands. We have arrived at Starbase 84. We will be docked at Shuttle Bay 3 for those who wish to disembark. Please check your department's duty rosters for the schedule for the next four days. Aside from light duty, all crew is welcome to visit the station. Accommodations off ship are at your own expense. We will be departing at 15:00 on Tuesday afternoon. Enjoy your leave. Picard out*

Beverly and Deanna are walking toward the retail center of the Starbase. Beverly glances down every corridor and around every corner as if she is looking for someone. Deanna decides to tease her a bit.

"Looking for someone?"

Beverly smiles. "Oh you know, you never know who you might run into on a shore leave."

"So I've heard. Have you made plans for the weekend yet?"

"No. We haven't talked. I'm not even sure when, or if, Voyager will be here."

Deanna is surprised. "You haven't talked?"

Beverly shrugs. "She hasn't tried to contact me. Maybe they aren't really coming. Or she doesn't know."

"Why didn't you ask her?"

"I don't contact her."

Deanna gives her a disapproving look.

"It's not like that. She didn't ask me not to. I just don't know what she's told her captain. And it's not like she would have anyone trying to contact her. I thought it would be awkward for her if she hasn't shared yet."

"And why wouldn't she share?" Deanna's voice is just as disapproving as her face.

"She's different Deanna. You know that. She's very private. I just don't want to cause her any problems."

Deanna's only response is a low humming sound telling Beverly everything she needs to know about her friend's opinion. She tries to change the subject.

"So are you staying here on the station or going back to the Enterprise?"

"I thought I'd get a place here. Be a nice change."

"Have a roommate?" Beverly asks with more than a bit of teasing in her voice.

"Not yet. You offering?"

"Maybe. If Seven doesn't show up."

Deanna laughs. "Actually, I was thinking of asking someone. You've kind of inspired me the last couple of weeks, all your naughty thoughts."

Beverly laughs too. "And who is this lucky person?"

Deanna's cheeks turn bright red.

"No! Deanna! Really?"

"I've been thinking a lot about it, yeah. I mean I haven't said anything to him and I could very well chicken out…"

"Well, I think you should. I've never understood you two in the first place. I mean, even if you don't want to be together, you can at least take advantage of the benefits."

"Beverly!" Deanna scolds her as they both laugh.

From behind them, the women hear a voice.

"Beverly Crusher!"

Beverly freezes. Deanna takes the hint and whispers "see you at the reception. I want hear all about it!" before she disappears into the nearest retail cubicle. The voice calls out again.

"Beverly Crusher!"

"Yes?" She turns around to see a tall blonde woman walking toward her.

"I require your assistance!" the woman demands.

"Something I can help you with?"

The woman stops several feet away. Her gaze is intense. "I require your assistance," she repeats.

"Well then how can I assist you?"

The woman walks closer, invading Beverly's personal space. "I have not been kissed in several weeks," the woman says softly. "I was hoping you could help me fix that."

Beverly leans close enough that they're breasts gently touch. "Let me see what I can do."

Beverly moans softly as they kiss. She wraps her arms tight and pulls Seven close. "Gods I can't believe how good you feel. I don't know what it is about you Seven , but no one has ever gotten to me like you do."

"Explain."

"Mmmm… just that I am surprised how much I missed you, how much I miss this." She kisses Seven again.

"What time do you have to go to the event?"

"I've got a couple hours. Do you have a place to stay?" Seven shakes her head.

"Well, I was planning on getting one. Come with me?"

Seven shakes her head again. "No. I have something to give you. I will meet you there in 15 minutes."

Beverly nods and kisses Seven one more time before letting her go.

Seven shows up again at the same time Beverly finds her quarters for the weekend. She has both hands behind her back. Beverly tries to peak but Seven turns away with a laugh.

"No. You need to wait!"

Beverly waits until the doors close behind them before turning around and wrapping her arms around Seven's waist. "So are you going to show me now or should we go straight to bed?"

"As tempting as that is, I think I should give you your gifts first."

"You shouldn't have gotten me anything."

Seven raises her eyebrow. "Does this mean you don't want them? Or is this a social custom where you say the opposite of what you mean?"

Beverly laughs. "You're adorable."

"In that case, I will give you your gifts." She brings her hands from behind her back to show a bottle and a flat package wrapped in a piece of old fabric. Beverly takes the bottle and examines it.

"A bottle of Terran wine? Where did you get this?"

"Is it a good vintage?"

Beverly laughs. "I have no idea. Should we open it?"

Seven nods. "But first, you must open this." She pushes the smaller present into Beverly's hands. Beverly carefully unwraps it to find an antique stethoscope.

"Is this? Is this 21st century?" she asks.

"20th."

"Where did you find this?"

"Is the location where presents are bought significant?"

"No," Beverly says while laughing. "It's another social custom. It means 'I can't believe you found this.'"

"Oh. Well in that case, my crew mate Lieutenant Paris is adept at 'acquiring' things. I asked him to find some gifts that would be of interest."

"So you've told your friends about us?"

"Indirectly, yes. I told Captain Janeway."

"And what did she say?"

"She was not pleased, though I am not entirely sure whether she is concerned about my feelings or hers."

"Yeah, I got the same thing."

"Explain."

"No. Not now. I have other things I want to do first."

"You mean sex? I really hope you mean sex."

"I mean sex." Beverly says as she lays her gifts on the table and takes Seven to the bedroom.

Beverly is sitting on the bed, sipping her wine while Seven tickles her back. She's already had about half of the bottle, Seven not liking it.

"You need to go soon." Seven tells her.

"I wish I didn't have to."

"You are not looking forward to the Admiral's reception?"

"Not hardly. Would rather stay here with you. I've never enjoyed these sort of formal events, but Captain Picard already said I would be there."

"Perhaps you will have a chance to speak to Captain Janeway. She looks forward to meeting you."

"That will certainly be interesting. I think I have a few more minutes before I need to go. A little something to look forward to?" she asks as she turns and kisses Seven. She pushes Seven to her back then straddles her. She finds Seven with one hand and herself with the other. Seven watches her carefully before pulling her down for a kiss.

"I like that," she whispers.

"I told you I would show you how."

Seven nibbles on Beverly's neck while Beverly moves her hands faster and faster until Seven goes rigid beneath her. She falls over the edge herself and Seven wraps her up with her arms and legs.

"When you return, I can show you what I learned."

"I look forward to it," Beverly says as she reluctantly rolls off of Seven and the bed. "I will get out of there as quickly as I can." As she prepares to leave, she looks back at her lover. "I'm really glad you're here Seven. I missed you."