XX.
Six officers and one civilian approached the three Federation shuttles, neatly lined up in a row near the Freres' former temple complex. Picard stopped, casting a melancholy look back, and let the last ten days pass in his mind's eye. He recognized the place where he had been shot a few days ago and involuntarily touched the spot on his stomach. He heard footsteps behind him, but before he could turn around, two arms wrapped around his chest from behind. Without hesitation, he nestled into the hug.
"How did you know it was me and not maybe Data?" Beverly whispered in his ear.
"That would have been all right, too," he replied, amused.
For a moment, they stood in silence. Only weeks ago he would not have allowed himself such an intimate moment in the presence of their colleagues.
'Times are changing,' he thought pensively, enjoying the tickling of her hair on his cheek.
After several minutes, he heard someone clearing his throat behind him and reluctantly released himself from Beverly's embrace.
Riker grinned broadly, as Picard eased toward him. "The shuttles are ready, sir," he said businesslike. "What is our destination?"
Picard looked into the smirking faces of his crew. "I'm open for your suggestions."
"You owe me a vacation on Solaris IV," Wesley said, looking at his mother.
"And I would like to continue our holiday in Venezuela," Deanna interjected.
"Well, I'd be interested in the mountains on Ceitgen III," Geordi spoke up.
"Fiddlesticks!" Data intervened. "Commander Riker has promised us a vacation on Risa."
END