Data mingled among the crew and dignitaries gathered for the formal dinner. He was running a program analysing social proximity as a measure of human relationships while simultaneously conversing with those around him. He found the distance between two people engaged in conversation could be used to mathematically quantify their relationship to one another. Looking over at the captain and doctor, his calculations placed them in the category he had termed, "Long Term Relationship." Never having witnessed any actions that would indicate a sexual aspect to their relationship, he surmised their closeness was born of over two decades of friendship and turned his attention elsewhere.
Jean-Luc admired the way Beverly's dress uniform highlighted her figure. He always found the tedium of these formal events dramatically alleviated by Beverly's presence. They mingled together, each engaging in different conversations, yet intimately aware of the other's proximity. Taking care not to let his hand wander anywhere inappropriate, Jean-Luc took her away from her conversation to introduce her to the guest of honour. He loved the feel of her back under his hand, and he smiled knowing the uniform wouldn't be in the way later.
-P/C-
Will Riker hid a smile as Beverly Crusher slid into her seat next to the captain. The rumour mill was running rampant again after the previous evening's formal dinner. He chuckled at the thought that these two could be anything other than good friends. During their first year together, he often helped to fuel the gossip by wondering if the captain and the doctor were, or would ever be, romantically linked. As time passed and he got to know them better, he realized that would never be the case. Even now, as she whispered something to him and he smiled in reply, he knew beyond a doubt their relationship was completely platonic.
Beverly slipped into her seat, once again the last to arrive for the briefing. She was late because she hadn't been able to find her communicator. She had no idea how it ended up wedged between the sofa cushions. They weren't anywhere near the sofa when he'd 'helped' her out of her dress uniform. She leaned over and whispered, "It was in the sofa." She paused. "I also found your Dixon Hill tie clip." Noticing Will's grin, she winked mischievously.
-P/C-
Geordi woke up dazed and confused in sickbay. Cautiously testing each of his limbs for damage and finding none, he propped himself up on his elbows and looked around. He spotted the captain and doctor huddled beside a monitor; their backs turned to him. Whatever they were discussing appeared to have their complete attention. He could see ripples of tension fading away to relief as they looked at the readout. He hoped this meant his prognosis was good. He cleared his throat to gain their attention and smiled as he saw their faces heat up in surprise.
Beverly knew she didn't have much time. Geordi would be waking any moment, but she had to show Jean-Luc the results from her latest scan. Making sure the area was deserted, she pulled up the data on the desk monitor. Gesturing him in close, Beverly pointed out the relevant details. She heard him gasp in shock, then watched as he became completely enthralled by what he was seeing. She leaned in to share in his joy and wonder at seeing the first image of their unborn son. Suddenly, a cough from behind startled her out of their private moment. She quickly flicked the screen off and turned to deal with her newly awakened patient.
-P/C-
Worf's warrior senses were attuned to his surroundings in an almost preternatural way. He knew his prey was nearby. His teammates were already eliminated, but that didn't matter. He would find the last two and win the contest for the team. All he needed to do was find them before they captured his team's flag. Stalking his prey through the dense underbrush, he wondered how the captain had managed to remain undetected for so long. A sudden movement to his left forced him to spin, fire, and duck for cover simultaneously. He grunted in approval when he realized it was Beverly who had ambushed him. Pride in his student was replaced with the desire for victory as he quickly fired a succession of shots that lit up her sensor vest. It was one-on-one now, and Worf knew he would win.
Jean-Luc silently swore as he heard movement behind and to their right. He looked down at Beverly. He could tell she'd heard it too. He watched as she ever so slowly began to zip up her sensor suit, her fingers barely moving in an effort to remain silent. He needed to do the same with his suit, but he would have to shift his position to do so, and that risked giving away their location. Mouthing the words, she outlined her plan. Her sudden dash through the forest would provide the cover he needed to readjust his suit and prepare to take out their attacker. He watched Beverly sprint through the foliage, saw the bright flashes as their attacker fired, and groaned inwardly as she was eliminated from the game. One of these times, we're bound to get caught, he thought. Not one to give up a tactical advantage, Jean-Luc traced the fire back to its origin and spotted Worf behind a tree. With Worf in sight, and he as yet unseen, the hunter became the hunted.
-P/C-
Deanna Troi was excited. She enjoyed attending the performances put on by Beverly's theatre troupe. Tonight was no exception. She sat through the performance and happily stood to give the cast and crew a well-deserved ovation at the end. Now, as she wandered among the jubilant cast at the after-party, she could feel some of the nervous tension from before the show had yet to disperse. Focusing her empathic abilities, she realized the captain and her best friend were still very keyed up. Beverly's emotions she could understand and chalk up to not having a chance to unwind and decompress yet, but she was puzzled by the captain's nervousness. She made her way over to them and was surprised when they turned to her and Beverly said, "Oh, Deanna, we're glad you're here."
Beverly was trying to casually round up the members of the senior staff. She and Jean-Luc had decided to tell their friends about the baby after the evening's performance. She knew they would figure it out eventually, in fact she wondered if Geordi already suspected something given his grin in sickbay earlier in the week, but she wanted to officially share the good news before it became part of the ship's gossip machine. Having succeeded in getting everyone together, she waited while Jean-Luc made sure their champagne glasses were full before announcing, "The captain and I have some very exciting news." She paused before continuing. "We're pregnant."
She was hoping for surprise. She was completely unprepared for the stunned silence that greeted her announcement. Gazing into each frozen face, she smiled at their comedic expressions. "What?"
"You two are—" Geordi stammered.
"Mated?" asked Worf.
"Well, I'll be damned!" chuckled Will.
Deanna smiled at the couple. "We had no clue."
"No clue?" Beverly couldn't believe her ears. "I know we've been circumspect, but do you really mean to tell me you never suspected anything?"
"We used to wonder," Will admitted. "But when neither of you said anything, we assumed—"
"Yes, well you assumed incorrectly," Jean-Luc deadpanned. Setting his glass down, he rubbed his hands together. "Now that we've got that cleared up, let's celebrate!"
"No wonder the gossip never died," Will whispered to Deanna. "Now that I know; it's completely obvious."
"I can't believe we were so—"
"Oblivious?"