Chapter 2

As they walked arm in arm they got approving looks from the crew. They didn't know it but the crew new that this was coming for a long time.

Walking through the holodeck doors Beverly was amazed at the detail and work Picard had put into this evening. It was a table outside with the stars glistening brightly above in the sky. The table was set with a royal blue tablecloth and wine glasses trimmed with silver. There was soft jazz music playing in the background the mood even more romantic. With the moon shining so brightly above you could see the refection in the lake next to the table.

"This is amazing…so beautiful." Beverly just kept looking at the magnificent sight.

"I'm glad you like it. I was actually hoping you would wear that dress it matches the décor perfectly."

"Have you seen my entire wardrobe? I might need to get new cloths so I can surprise you."

"Like you wardrobe just the way it is. Shall we?" he gestures to the table. As they sit down a waiter comes to greet them and ask them what they would like to drink.

"Can we get a bottle of Chateau Picard 2341.I heard that that was a good year."

"Excellent choice sir I will be right back." The waiter goes off to get the wine.

"Do you really want synthaohol. That stuff tastes odd not really like wine but not completely off either." Beverly asked thinking it was going to be replicated like everything usually is in the holodeck.

"No, this I put here before I went to get you. This is unfortunately the only thing that will not be replicated but I have been saving it for a special occasion and I think this is a very special occasion indeed."

"You really thought this through didn't you?"

"Of course only the best for you."

"Oh well, I feel flattered." She smiled brightly at him a smile that says this is exactly where I want to be.

"How was your shift today?" he said trying to keep the conversation going.

"It was alright I guess. No actually it was horrible. All I could think about was you and our date tonight. I messed up so many times that Alyssa had to ask if I was alright. Every time the doors opened I wished it would be you. So I stayed in my office for the rest of the day."

"I wanted to go to sickbay so badly just to see you. But I didn't want the crew to think that there was something wrong with their captain."

"Speaking of the crew what are we going to tell them?"

"Why not let them figure it out for themselves?"

"You know full well what would happen, we would be married and pregnant within a week."

"I suppose you're right, but what do we say?"

"Send out an announcement saying that we have started a relationship and that it will not have an effect on your performance as Captain. That seems to be the best way."

"Maybe we should think about this tomorrow, and write it together?"

"Sounds good to me." That means that we will be together tomorrow morning.

The waiter came and took their orders. As they ate the conversation was light and once they were done eating they made their way to the lake. They walked around with their arms around each other content with the way the evening is going.

"Maybe we should go back to my quarters. It's getting late." She emphasized her point by kissing him with the promise of so much more.

"Alright, let's go. Computer end program."

The walk to her quarters was silent, not an uncomfortable silence but rather a silence that says 'I can't wait until we are on the other side of those doors.' Going up to the door Beverly put in her code and once they were in she was kissing Picard feverishly before the doors even closed.

She had many surprised for him tonight…..

The Morning After

She awoke with her head on his chest, he smelled wonderful even after last night. She would have to ask him how he did that someday, not today though. She looked at the chronometer and it said 07 hundred hours. She started to detangle herself from him, trying not to wake him but failing miserably. He pulled her to him as soon as he woke up and asked…

"Where are you going?" While rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"To the bathroom I'll be right back, go back to sleep."She got up and put on his shirt that he wore last night.

"You look good in my shirt."

"Thanks now go back to sleep."

Picard was defiant and stayed awake for her. He didn't want to miss a thing.

"I thought I told you to go to sleep." She started to crawl onto him over the covers.

"Sorry I just can't go to sleep without you now." He said with a saucy grin on his face,

"It's been one night there is no way you can possibly know that." She leaned in to kiss him and a curtain of red hair was covering their faces on both sides….

Later that morning

They sat there at the desk, both wanting to get this over with but not knowing how to do it exactly.

They contemplated different ways to phrase it but each time they get close it just doesn't sound right. They each had a way that they wanted to tell the crew but putting them together was the hard part. Picard wanted it to be plain and simple, just say they were in a relationship and be done. Beverly on the other hand wanted to be a little more telling, she wanted to say that it would not affect is performance as Captain and that they were happy in their decision. The letter eventually came to this

Crewmen,

This is Captain Picard, there are not many things that I feel are necessary to tell you but this is important. Doctor Crusher and I have recently started a relationship and any rumors you may have heard that go beyond that are false. I would appreciate it if everything would remain normal because this new development would not affect my performance as Captain.

Captain Picard

Send.

"See that wasn't so hard."

"I still would have rather them figure it out for themselves, or just not tell anyone at all."

"So are you ashamed of me is that it?" knowing full well what he meant but wanting to see him sweet a little.

"No of course not. It's just that you know that I don't like everyone to know my personal business and this is extremely personal."

"Yes I know but it has to be done. I have to go to my shift now so I will see you later in ten-forward?"

"I will see you there."

They kiss and she goes off to her shift which should be a lot better than yesterday.

For those of you who are reading this and don't like the amount of fluff that is here I just want to tell you that it gets better. There will be some conflict and it is not going to be all fluff I promise. Read and Review please and thank you.