"So," Beverly concluded around a mouthful of croissant, "I'm going to take my leave on Parcellon."
"That sounds like an admirable plan, Doctor," replied Jean-Luc.
"Why thank you, Captain," she replied with a smile. She ran her fingers over the handle on her coffee mug before asking, "Have you considered taking some leave?"
Jean-Luc's eyes widened in surprise. "Well, Doctor, I can't say that I've given it much thought lately." He developed a sudden interest in the butter knife on his plate, rolling the handle back and forth between his thumb and forefinger. "I'm not sure I have any time coming to me…"
"Please," Beverly replied. "You and I know you haven't taken any leave in over two years. You have enough banked days to leave Will in charge of the Enterprise for over a year."
"Yes, well," he struggled to find the words to express his discomfort. "That may be, but I don't feel now is the time for me to be away from the ship. We have the upcoming negotiations with the Faclids, the mapping of Cluster 159 in the Urgara system, and the warp coil systems upgrade at Starbase 413. I'm afraid I cannot spare the time off right now."
Beverly sighed. "Alright, I won't press you, but when I get back we're going to sit down and have a serious chat about this." He opened his mouth to speak, but she pressed on. "As your physician and your friend, I recommend you take some time for yourself; sooner rather than later."
"Having a certain nagging physician off my back for a couple of weeks will feel like a vacation. I'm sure that counts, doesn't it?"
"Jean-Luc!" Beverly threw her napkin at him in mock outrage.
-P/C-
Jean-Luc wandered into sickbay and found Beverly checking the monitors on the screen above one of her patient's biobeds. He quietly approached, not wanting to disturb the sleeping form, but unable to wait across the room from her. "I'm sorry you missed your transport to Parcellon," he whispered.
She smiled tiredly, and absently tucked her hair behind her ear. "I guess starship captains aren't the only people who have trouble getting away from their duties."
"I will approve a new set of dates if you wish to reschedule your leave," he offered.
She shook her head and moved off toward her office. "No, that's alright."
"Surely, you're not giving up on your time off?" he asked. "You need some down time."
"You're lecturing me about taking time off?" she laughed.
Jean-Luc harrumphed and tugged on his uniform top. "Yes, well…"
"I'm teasing, Jean-Luc," she replied. "I'm still taking my leave."
"Oh?" he asked as he sat down across from her, watching as she inputted data into her computer. "And where are you planning on going on such short notice?"
"Well," she smiled mischievously as she leant across the desk toward him, lowering her voice to a stage whisper, "I happen to have a little pull with the captain, and I know he'll approve my change in plans."
Jean-Luc cocked an eyebrow. "Really? And why do you think the captain will grant your request?"
"For one, it's a very simple request, and two," she grinned devilishly at him, "he's never been able to refuse me anything."
Jean-Luc laughed and then sighed in defeat. "So, Doctor, just where am I approving your leave for now?"
"Here."
"Here? Sickbay?"
"No, not here here," she replied. "Here. The Enterprise. I'll take my leave on board. Dr. Selar will remain temporarily in charge of sickbay, and I won't be called in for anything short of a planetary disaster."
Jean-Luc looked doubtful. "Do you really think you can stay away from here for a full two weeks?"
She bristled slightly at the insinuation. "Yes, Captain, I do; and far more easily than you could, if our situations were reversed."
Now it was his turn to react. "Doctor, I'll have you know, I am capable of enjoying time off in a recreational manner."
She arched an eyebrow in reply. "Really? When was the last time you booked the holodeck, went to the gym, fenced, played racquetball, or even read for pleasure in your spare time?"
"I, uh…"
"Point proven. You've forgotten how to relax, Jean-Luc."
"I have not."
"Prove it."
"Prove it?" he asked.
"Prove it. Take a few days off and relax. No catching up on paperwork, no updating correspondences, no responding to anything short of a planetary disaster."
"Doctor, I don't think—"
"You don't think you can do it? Neither do I," she replied, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. She watched his jaw set into a stubborn line. "I don't think you're capable of relaxing on board your own ship."
"Well," he countered, "I don't think you can do it either." He leaned back and crossed his legs. "I'm willing to wager you'll be back in here within forty-eight hours of starting your leave. You're just as bad as me when it comes to your work, Doctor."
"Hmm," she replied. A slow, sly smile spread across her lips. "A wager? That could be fun. I accept."
"Excuse me?"
Her smile grew as his confusion increased. "I accept your wager, Captain. Now we just need to agree on the terms." She ticked each item off on her fingers as she spoke. "First, we need to set the victory conditions. I think the loser should have to cook dinner for the winner on the holodeck. No replicators allowed. Second, we'll need to get Geordi or Data to install monitors on all our computers and PADDs to ensure we don't try to access any work-related materials. And third—"
"We?" Jean-Luc asked. "I don't recall—"
"Of course, 'we,' Jean-Luc. We're going to see who can last longer; you or me."
He blushed slightly at the double entendre. "I don't think—"
"Not again," she replied. "Don't tell me you're already conceding defeat."
"I am not conceding defeat."
"Really?"
"I was trying to say, that I don't think installing monitors on the computers will be sufficient. I think we'll need to get Mr. Data to install proximity detectors on certain areas of the ship, such as sickbay, the research labs…"
"The bridge, your ready room…"
"The observation lounge…" He shook his head at how easily he'd been roped in to taking time off.
"Shall we set the start time for our little competition at 0600 hours tomorrow?" Beverly asked.
"Agreed," he replied as he stood. "Oh, and one thing more, doctor…"
"Yes?"
"I think the loser should have to prepare dinner and an evening's worth of entertainment." He smiled. "I will, of course, supply the wine regardless of who wins."
-P/C-
Beverly had intended to sleep in. She envisioned waking decadently late, slowly greeting the morning surrounded by gloriously soft and warm sheets, and only padding out of bed when her hunger finally drove her forth. She was understandably perturbed to find herself wide awake at 0615. Fidgety and unable to reclaim her dream state, she wandered into the living area in search of coffee and a croissant. I wonder if Jean-Luc is awake yet.
"Computer, location of Captain Picard," she asked.
"Captain Picard is in his quarters," replied the soothing female voice of the computer.
"Is he awake?"
"Negative."
Hmm. It seems at least one of us knows how to sleep in while on vacation, she thought as she cursed her own early rising. Grabbing a copy of the latest dramatic production she was directing, she curled up on her couch with a steaming mug and prepared to while away a few hours altering stage directions and editing dialogue.
-P/C-
Jean-Luc woke with a start and flew out of bed. Merde! Sprinting into the bathroom, he grabbed his sonic shaver and began to quickly run it over his chin. "Computer!" he barked. "What time is it?"
"0825."
Merde! He was almost an hour late for duty. "Why didn't my alarm go off?"
"The alarm for your sleeping area was not set."
Brilliant answer, he thought as he quickly brushed his teeth. "Why wasn't my absence noted by the bridge?"
"You are not listed as on bridge duty today. No call was required."
What?! Realization slowly dawned; the bet, the forced vacation. He relaxed.
He chuckled softly as he grabbed his bathrobe and padded barefoot into his living area. Force of habit took him to his desk where he sat down, preparing to check his messages. A note, in his own precise hand, was attached to the screen, reminding him of the ban on any activity related to his duties. Grumbling softly, he changed his plans and went in search of breakfast.
"Computer, location of Doctor Crusher."
"Doctor Crusher is in her quarters."
"Picard to Crusher," he called as he carried fresh croissants to the table.
"Crusher here."
"Would you care to join me for breakfast?" he asked. "Unless, of course, you're too busy relaxing?'
Her laughter filled his quarters, making the room feel warmer. "I think I can squeeze breakfast into my schedule today. Give me five minutes. Crusher out."
She sounds relaxed. I bet she didn't fly out of bed, forgetting she's on vacation. He frowned slightly, thinking about his own abrupt waking.
-P/C-
"That was lovely," Beverly said as she wiped her face with her napkin, "as usual."
"My pleasure," he replied.
She leaned back and pulled her right leg up into the chair as she sipped the last of her coffee. A comfortable silence filled the room as they both contemplated the day ahead. Suddenly Beverly shot forward, almost slamming her coffee on the table. "Damn!"
Alarmed, Jean-Luc sat forward, his musings instantly forgotten. "What?"
She was up and out of her seat before he finished asking. "I'm late! I booked the holodeck for 1030. I need to run." She was out the door before she remembered to hastily call over her shoulder, "Thanks for breakfast!"
She's already booked things! His stress level elevated slightly at the thought. Clearing the table, he resolved to head to the recreation area to see if he could get some fencing or racquetball in before lunch.
-P/C-
Jean-Luc absently stared out the viewports in Ten Forward, letting the panoply of stars streaking by at warp speed wash over him. Such beauty…
"May I join you?" Will Riker's deep voice brought his thoughts back from the celestial and back to the corporeal.
"Ah, Number One," he replied. "Of course. Please, sit down."
Will's eyes sparkled. "How are you enjoying your vacation?"
Jean-Luc harrumphed. "It's fine."
He'd gone to the recreation area to work out and found a group of young officers fencing. Joining in, he'd quickly discovered his skills had atrophied from lack of use. Leaving before he could make a total fool of himself, he ate a sparse lunch and wandered over to the racquetball courts where Ensign Ortiz beat him three games in a row. He was too grumpy to eat alone in his quarters, and since a retreat to the refuge of his ready room was out of the question, he'd come to the lounge to try to relax. And also to prove to a certain stubborn medical officer that I am indeed perfectly capable of relaxing on board my own ship.
Will arched an eyebrow and smirked. "It was a bit sudden, wasn't it?"
"Sudden?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Your leave – it seemed to be a rather sudden decision."
"Yes, you could say that," he replied.
"Is everything alright, sir?" Will asked; a note of concern in his voice.
Jean-Luc sighed. "Yes, Number One, everything is fine. I seem to have inadvertently found myself embroiled in a wager with Doctor Crusher, that's all."
"Oh?"
"Yes, she accused me of being unable to relax on my own ship, and I foolishly accused her of being a workaholic, and now we're competing to see who can resist any work-related activities the longest."
"So, you're on a competitive vacation?"
Jean-Luc nodded. "Yes, and let me tell you, this holiday is proving to be quite the challenge."
Will shook his head. For others, a bet like this would be a cake walk, but for these two…
The doors to Ten Forward opened and Beverly walked in, looking radiant in her off-duty clothes.
Placing two hands on the table, Riker pushed himself up and said, "Well, here comes the competition. If you'll excuse me, I'll be heading back to the bridge now." He winked at the captain. "Good luck, sir."
Beverly ordered a drink at the bar, greeted several other patrons, and made her way over to the captain's table. She'd run out of non-work-related 'fun' things to do over an hour ago and was desperate for a distraction. Watching Jean-Luc as he followed her progress toward him, she couldn't help but wonder how she was going to keep herself occupied for the next few days.
Damn! Why does he have to look so attractive?
Thoughts along those lines would be too much of a distraction, so she firmly pushed them aside as she took the seat across from him.
"Doctor," Jean-Luc greeted her.
"Captain," she replied.
"You look lovely this evening. This vacation must be agreeing with you."
Not really, she thought. I'm wound up tighter than a spring. "Thank you," she replied. "You're looking rather dashing yourself. You must be finding your spare time quite relaxing."
I'd rather be facing a Cardassian warship over a bank of loaded photon torpedoes, he thought. "Indeed."
-P/C-
Beverly ordered the lights extinguished as she slipped under the covers. She'd had a truly enjoyable time with Jean-Luc in Ten Forward, which had been somewhat surprising. They'd chatted for a couple of hours, alone and with friends and acquaintances who'd dropped by the table, and not once had she felt exposed or on display. He'd seemed genuinely relaxed as well; a total contrast to his usually reserved manner when in public.
She smiled in satisfaction, remembering worming his plans for tomorrow out of him and managing to get an invite to his holodeck adventure. Breakfast and a couple of hours in the holodeck would keep her morning occupied, but she had no idea what she was going to do to fill the rest of her time. She wanted to lock herself in one of the science labs, but that was out of the question. There was no way Mr.-I'd-Rather-Read-Reports-Alone-In-My-Ready-Room-Than-Take-A-Vacation-Picard was going to win this bet; even if she had to pace her quarters until she wore a hole in the carpet; she was going to prove her point.
-P/C-
Laughing and chatting amiably, Jean-Luc and Beverly arrived at the doors to her quarters. They'd just finished spending a couple of hours playing the lead characters in a rollicking adventure involving a university professor and his alluring French associate.
At first Beverly had doubted the plot would hold her interest but, faced with a series of puzzles that genuinely challenged her, she found herself slipping into the role of 'Sophie.' She even enjoyed the dramatic chases through the streets of Paris and was looking forward to returning to the holodeck to experience the climax and conclusion. She suspected that she and 'Robert' would have to find some way to get to Scotland for that portion of the story, but she trusted his ingenuity and his downright illegal tendencies would see them through.
"You know, for a paragon of virtue," she teased, "you seem to have a natural predilection for breaking the law."
"Whatever have I done to deserve such a pompous and unrealistic moniker?" he asked, laughing.
"Well, anyone who has an entire day named after them has to be one."
Jean-Luc groaned. It seemed everyone on board took great joy in 'Captain Picard Day' except him. The children loved it, but he suspected they'd love it even if it were called 'Mushy Pea Day' so long as they got to tour areas of the ship normally out of bounds. The staff, he knew, loved it purely because they enjoyed teasing him and watching him squirm.
"Don't act so put out, Jean-Luc," she said, trying to keep the smile from her lips. "You should be honoured. I've never had a day named after me, but I can assure you if I did I would treat it with the dignity and reverence it deserved."
"That can be arranged, Doctor," he replied.
"You wouldn't dare!" she exclaimed.
"In fact," he continued in a deadpan, "it's almost worth losing our little wager just to be able to go and draft the memo outlining the day."
"Jean-Luc…"
He chuckled. "Don't worry, Beverly. I'll save you from needless public humiliation and spectacle. It's not something I would wish on my worst enemy, let alone one of my dearest friends." He paused as she keyed open the lock and the doors swooshed open. "Speaking of our wager," he asked, "what are your plans for this afternoon?"
Sitting on my thumbs waiting for you to crack. "I, um," Think! You can't let him know you've run out of things to do already! "I was planning on going for a walk in the arboretum."
"That sounds nice," he replied.
It would be if I hadn't already done fifty laps, she thought. "Yes," she agreed.
"Would you care for some company?" he asked. If I stay in my quarters I'm going to capitulate and start reading the messages that must be piling up in my inbox.
"Sure. Pick me up in an hour?"
"It's a date," he said as he winked and walked away.
A date? I can't say I'd thought of that as an option for passing the time. She furrowed her brows in thought as she entered her quarters. It was just a joke, I'm sure.
-P/C-
This stroll through the arboretum was proving to be far more pleasant then her previous speed laps. She had a charming companion who was willing to listen to all of her stories about the origins and varied uses of many of the plants they encountered, and she found his relaxed pace far more soothing than her usual purposeful strides.
They turned a corner and discovered a large, slightly muddy hole blocking their progress. Nimbly leaping across the chasm, Jean-Luc turned and grinned at Beverly. Gallantly holding out his hand, he offered to help her cross the gap where someone was obviously doing maintenance on one of the water lines. Eyeing her slacks and shoes doubtfully, she shrugged and took his hand.
She made the leap and the momentum from her jump propelled her into his arms. Laughing, she placed her free hand on his chest and said, "Why thank you, good sir."
"My pleasure," Jean-Luc replied, in no rush to release her. They stood there, his right hand holding her left, her right caressing his chest, and his left hand protectively wrapped around her waist, gazing into one another's eyes. Time and the universe ceased to exist as he stared into the soul that so perfectly complemented his own. The urge to kiss her was magnetic.
Beverly stared into the eyes of the one man able to send her stomach into warp speed. He was so close, and staring so intently, she felt a warm blush creep up her neck. Normally she would have broken away by now, but his hands felt so strong and warm, and she felt herself sliding into the depths of his hazel eyes. If he kisses me, what am I going to do?
Dear god, he closed his eyes in despair, I'm going to kiss her. I can't resist. I've fought off Romulans, Cardassians, and Ferengi, but I can't fight this any longer. He opened his eyes and his heart leapt into his throat. She was no longer staring into his eyes. Her gaze was firmly locked on his lips and she was unconsciously licking her own in response.
He inched closer, their noses almost touching. His heart tripped faster and faster under her hand. Her chest brushed against his and she shivered. If I were on Parcellon and he were some dashing stranger, I wouldn't even hesitate. She bit her lower lip in an agony of indecision.
He could feel her breasts through the thin material of his shirt and the sensation was driving him mad. His fingers began an unconscious stroll up her spine; his actions eliciting an aroused gasp from her. Her eyes widened, and he stifled a low moan as her fingers delicately travelled over his shoulder and up the back of his neck. He leaned in to close the last few millimetres separating them when a soft cough from further up the path shattered the moment and sent them spiralling off in different directions.
Her heart pounded in her chest and she blushed crimson when she made eye contact with him. She expected to feel relieved now that there was space between them, but all she felt was an intense need to throw herself back into his embrace. Her voice was lower, and more sultry than usual as she spoke. "I think… I think I could use a drink."
He swallowed reflexively. "Indeed." He paused and decided to throw caution to the wind. "Would you care to accompany me to my quarters? I have a bottle of the '48 I've been saving for a special occasion."
She nodded, afraid her voice would reveal her inner longing. Don't give up on that special occasion just yet, Jean-Luc, she thought as she took his arm as they quickly walked down the path.
-P/C-
"You look relaxed," said Deanna as she slipped into the seat in front of Beverly's desk.
Beverly looked up from her computer and smiled. Several days and nights of mind-blowing sex will do that. "I am," she replied.
"I take it you enjoyed your vacation?"
"Oh yes. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
"So, who lasted longer?"
"Excuse me?!" Beverly blushed furiously.
"Will told me about the wager," she explained. "Who won?"
"I won the bet," Beverly replied. But I think Jean-Luc won the award for most relaxed; at least this morning, anyway. When I left him, he was very mellow; downright limp, even. She almost chuckled at the image but caught herself.
"Was it good?"
"What?!"
"The dinner. Can the captain cook?"
"Oh," she sighed in relief. "Yes, it was very good." We didn't get around to eating any of it, but I'm sure it was fabulous.
Deanna narrowed her eyes as she stared at her friend. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were keeping something from me."
Beverly laughed. "Come on, Deanna, you know I couldn't hide anything from you!" She leaned back in her chair. "I just enjoyed my vacation far more than I expected, that's all. I feel rejuvenated, and I'm happy. Isn't that the point of taking leave?"
"I suppose so." Deanna still seemed doubtful. "Well, you do seem to be more relaxed, and certainly more satisfied. In fact, you're almost glowing."
Purring. That's how Jean-Luc described it last night, she thought with a contented smile. "Let's go get some lunch. I'm starving."