Ten Forward was particularly busy that night. Will was on stage with his band, Deanna seated by the bar. Between serving customers Guinan would glance at her, but said nothing. She knew when the time would be for Deanna to talk. It would be soon, but not that night. Shortly before the first set was about to begin, two strangers walked into the room. It wasn't unexpected since the Enterprise had recently had a crew rotation, Deanna was still getting to know her new shipmates. An elegant brunette, possibly in her 20s, and an older man, both in civilian dress, arguably an anonymous pair. But taking a second glance, Deanna knew better.
Lucky your voice sounds a little different as well, Beverly thought, settling down.
It does? Jean-Luc was surprised by this revelation.
Yes, it hadn't to begin with, but it isn't quite so… the timbre is a little different. She ended the thought vaguely. He cleared his throat self consciously, tugging his shirt to straighten it and cross his legs. Don't do that! Beverly admonished, nudging him with her elbow.
What?
That! It's one of your mannerisms! He looked to her sceptically.
"Oh, right," he muttered, quickly uncrossing his arms and legs. Great, now what do I do with my hands? He fretted.
Here, hold mine, Beverly instructed, reaching across and taking his hand. In the middle of Ten Forward. For a moment she could sense his fear and trepidation. They won't recognise us, she reminded him, which eased his concerns somewhat. I know they certainly won't recognise me! Seeing her reflection staring back at her a brunette had come as a jolt to her system. This is fun, but I'll be glad when I can wash this out, she thought softly.
You wear it well, Jean-Luc said. Very mysterious. You'd fit right into a Dixon Hill adventure.
Maybe we should try one again when we get back, it has been a while.
"Any idea who they are?" Guinan said quietly to Deanna as she stared at the newcomers. Deanna jumped in her seat, gathered herself and turned back to glare at the bartender. Judging by Guinan's grin she knew very well who they were. Well, she would, Deanna thought.
"Can I get you anything, ma'am, sir?" a younger server came and asked Jean-Luc and Beverly.
It's working, I remember this server, even in civilian clothes he'd always refer to me as doctor! "Hi! Yes, can we please have one synthahol brandy and..." She turned to Jean-Luc.
I'll have the same.
"Make that two synthahol brandies, thanks," Beverly finished, winking at the man before he wandered off. This is so much fun! Jean-Luc noticed how she spoke differently, lighting, less sultry and more sweet.
You're good at this, he thought, casting a look around.
We're good at this, she corrected, biting her lip as she smiled and met eyes with him. Should we come up with fake names for the evening as well, like characters in Dixon Hill? The suggestion got his mind whirring.
What about… Pierre Chapel, new security officer.
Maybe don't go for something French, people might suspect.
Thomas Clarkson, working in astro physics?
"Mmm," Beverly said with approval. Tommy! Lovely! Her thumb rubbed a little circle against his hand. How about me… Genevieve? Lucy? Abigail?
I like Abigail.
Abigail… Abigail Newcome, a… an engineer? No, archaeologist! You could feed me lines if anyone asks about it!
Now, that is a good idea!
"Your drinks," the server said, placing two glasses of synthahol brandy on the table before them.
"Thank you, sweetie," Beverly told him.
"If I may ask, is this the first time the two of you have come to Ten Forward?" he queried.
"Yes, we're new aboard." Beverly sat forward, focusing her big blue eyes on the man. "Abbie, archaeology." She extended a hand to the server.
"Lucien," he said.
"This is Tommy," Beverly gestured to Jean-Luc.
"Thomas Clarkson, astro physics," Jean-Luc supplied. Before he had to release Beverly's hand to offer it to the server to shake, the lights had dimmed a little.
"Well, I hope the two of you enjoy your night, and welcome aboard," Lucien said softly to them.
"Thank you!" Beverly said sincerely before he hastily made his retreat. On a raised platform, the lights went up, highlighting the band there to perform, Will Riker at the head. "I didn't know they were playing tonight," Beverly murmured, leaning her head close to Jean-Luc's.
He mustn't have mentioned it since we were going to be away on shore leave anyway. At least we have the chance to enjoy the music. The end of his thoughts blended with the jazz that was starting to play. Beverly laid her head against Jean-Luc's shoulder, their hands joined between them.
I wish we could do this more, Beverly dreamt longingly. I forgot what this was like, to be unknown. I didn't realise how much I missed it. She let out a soft sigh. He heard her memories from her academy days, going brunette like she was that night, listening to music, dancing, being able to wander in a crowd with no one recognising her.
I never did that when I was at the Academy, Jean-Luc contributed when the flow of memories she shared dwindled. He could tell she was holding more back, but he didn't feel the need to press the matter.
No, you were too busy having fun with your friends, Beverly thought with a grin.
"And now a number with a step to it," Will announced. Beverly lifted her head, her interest so palpable you didn't need psychic abilities to see it.
"Oh, alright!" Jean-Luc made a show of getting up. Her heart leapt up, his eyes threatening to tear up feeling how happy this simple gesture was making her. "Shall we?" he asked aloud, offering his hand.
Nothing else matter as her face beamed.
"Thank you," she said. "Tommy." She added teasingly as he turned to lead her to the dance floor. Another two pairs were already there, the music starting. Thank you, so much! Her joy was spilling over as they moved together.
Deanna watched on in shock. It was stunning! She could feel how at ease they were with each other, how perfectly they anticipated and combined their movements, how blissful they were in that moment.
With a backdrop of stars, they spun and glided, their feet light, brushing the carpet with barely the kiss of contact. They could have been the only two people in the entire universe for those few short minutes.
Ah! But how short those minutes were! Before they knew it, the music had stopped, the two of them slowed to a halt. I wish it never had to end… their thoughts melded together as the melody faded. They drew close, laying their foreheads together, memorising everything that they could.
We'll have to do this again sometime, Beverly thought as she quickly brushed her lips against his cheek.
Yes… probably on the holodeck though, he thought as they released to return back to their table. A friend was waiting for them.
Beverly looked to Jean-Luc. It seems our little plan has been foiled.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Deanna asked Beverly in a hushed tone.
Good luck, Jean-Luc projected as Beverly's hand left his. The air was cold now it surrounded him.
Thanks, Beverly glanced at him over her shoulder while Deanna led her off to the side of the room.
"What's going on, Beverly?" Deanna demanded in a whisper.
"We're just having a little fun," Beverly assured her, casting her eyes around to make sure no one else was listening in. "Before people find out our appearances have changed, while we'd still be unrecognisable."
"From what I can feel this doesn't seem like just a little fun." Deanna eyed her suspiciously, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Dee, come on, neither of us have had the chance to do this for year!" Beverly implored of her. "Just for tonight, we get to be anonymous to everyone else in this room." Well, almost everyone. "You can feel how much more laid back Jean-Luc is! Tell me this isn't good for him!"
She had her there. "Wouldn't it have been better to do it on a holodeck?" Deanna muttered. "Easier than going brunette."
"I haven't been for a while, I was curious," Beverly murmured. "Besides, it was a last minute decision and we're having a really good time –"
"Ladies," a warm voice made Beverly jump. "Oh, hi," he said as she looked up at Will. She hadn't noticed the music stop for a break.
Beverly side eyed Deanna who was still watching her. Please, please go with it.
"You were the woman dancing before," he said with a grin.
"There were several people dancing before," Beverly said. Deanna heard the shift in her voice to be higher, lighter, brighter, and so sweet it was like chocolate. Alright. She hid a grin.
"Will, if I may introduce…" Deanna said, waving to Beverly.
"Abigail," Beverly said, offering her hand.
"Abigail," Will repeated with a grin, shaking it gently. "I take it you're new aboard?"
"Yes, barely been here a few weeks, I work in archaeology," Beverly bluffed. Oh my god, he's actually buying it!
"Welcome to the Enterprise," Will said.
Beverly, are you alright? Jean-Luc inquired.
I'll be right back.
"Thank you." Beverly lowered her gaze to the hand he still held. "Could I have my hand back…" she paused as if searching for his name. "Will?"
"Oh, right, yes, sorry," he said in a rush, letting her hand drop, blushing as Deanna elbowed his side.
"Anyway, have a lovely night, Abigail," Deanna said, putting extra emphasis on Beverly's false name.
"Thank you, the same to you both," Beverly said, before turning and making a beeline back to the table where Jean-Luc waited. She grinned, clapping her hands softly with glee as she popped back into her seat. "We fooled Will!" she exclaimed in a whisper with delight.
"What? Really?!" he asked in astonished disbelief.
"Yes, really!" He was flirting with me! There was so much humored ecstasy she didn't realize he might take it another way.
You don't think Deanna… Beverly, how serious do you think he was?
Oh, don't worry about it, Jean-Luc. Will is not my type. I might look 30, but I prefer my men older. Her eyes flicked to his crown and back. He raised a hand self consciously, but still couldn't help smiling as his head was considerably haired. Deanna on the other hand… He felt her mind drift a moment in daydream before coming back to the present with a jolt. "You were saying?" she asked aloud.
He reached out and took her hand. "Are you hungry?" he inquired. We might be allowed to go on shore leave, but we… you… are still healing. I don't want you to wear yourself out. Are you alright?
Jean-Luc! Don't worry about me! "Should we head back?" she responded softly. It seemed her youthful euphoria at fooling Will Riker was to be short lived. One more dance… She looked longingly towards the area they'd danced just before.
One more…
A/N: Thanks to LizSeven and sash queen of the jungle for the reviews! That was the penultimate chapter of Time Dilation! Thank you to everyone who has stuck around so far, reading & reviewing! Not long until the end, one more chapter... one more...