Episode: Haven
Author's Notes: Thanks again for all your wonderful feedback! I love to hear what you think. :D :D

"I can't believe Troi is going through with this," Beverly said as she and the captain walked down the corridor after the disastrous dinner.

He slowed down and looked at her, surprised. "The idea of arranged marriages has been a long part of Betazoid history."

"It's not the tradition I'm talking about, Jean-Luc," she said, shaking her head. She lowered her voice. "I could sense Riker's jealousy and I'm not a telepath."

Jean-Luc had to agree with her astute observation; his first officer was jealous. But, if anything was going to happen between his two officers on a personal level, he doubted Counselor Troi would have proceeded with the wedding preparations.

"Perhaps," he said slowly, "Riker doesn't feel like it is his place to say anything. She is, after all, bound to another man."

Beverly shot his a disapproving look. "It sounds like he's taking the easy way out. What kind of man would walk away from the woman he loved?"

Suddenly, Jean-Luc was no longer aboard the Enterprise; he was on Earth with a much younger Beverly Howard standing in front of him with a frown.

"Did he tell you about this?" she asked, holding up a copy of How to Advance Your Career Through Marriage.

He nodded as he watched her pace around her living room. "Jack has always believed his sense of humor is his best quality."

A small smile fluttered over her lips. "It is." She flipped through the pages of the book. "I don't know, Jean-Luc. Marriage is such a big step. I don't know if I'm ready." She dropped the book down on the desk. "I'm not even 25. How do I know Jack is the one?"

Jean-Luc's heart started to race. Maybe, finally, after years of loving her from afar, this was his chance to show her that Jack Crusher was not the one she should marry. Before his traitorous thoughts could continue, he stopped himself.

Though he loved Beverly, he could not, would not, sabotage the relationship between her and Jack. He took a deep breath. "Beverly, I think we both know what you are going to say," he said, his chest aching slightly.

She smiled sheepishly, her copper hair glistening in the sunlight. "Yes, we do. I just wanted an outside opinion. Well, I guess I should contact Jack and tell him I have made a decision." She walked in front of Jean-Luc and kissed his cheek softly. "Thank you, Jean-Luc."

"Jean-Luc?"

"Jean-Luc?"

Her voice pulled him away from his long-buried memory. Once she saw she had his attention, she raised her eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

"Honestly, I think only a very brave man could do such a thing. Now, if you would excuse me, Doctor, I need to get back to the bridge," he answered curtly.

As he walked away, she wondered if his change in attitude was because of something she said.