As soon as the Enterprise was close to clearing the nebula, Jean-Luc and Beverly were ready to depart in the shuttle bay. Their bags were loaded aboard.
"I hope you have a good holiday," Will told them with a warm smile. There was no sense he had any suspicion from the night before, a vindication to your excellent performance skills, Jean-Luc complimented Beverly.
"Thanks, Will." Jean-Luc shook his hand firmly. Will eyed his captain's hair line for a moment. I hope it was enough, Beverly responded.
"Stay out of trouble until we get back," Beverly instructed, embracing him. I thought that was supposed to be my line? Jean-Luc teased her lightly as she let go of Will. She turned to Deanna. With no hesitation, she hugged the shorter woman. "Take care of yourself, Dee," she whispered softly so that the men wouldn't overhear.
"You too, Bev," Deanna murmured. "We're talking when you get back."
"You betcha." Beverly agreed as she released her.
"Bridge to main shuttle bay," Data called. "The Enterprise is clear of the nebula."
"That's our boarding call," Jean-Luc said to Beverly. They entered the shuttle craft, giving a final wave farewell to Deanna and Will before flying out.
"Second time lucky," Beverly muttered under her breath, watching out the window. Both continued monitoring the instruments longer than protocol dictated after the route was set. I think we might be alright this time, Beverly cautiously hoped.
I believe you might be right, Jean-Luc seconded, the two sharing a glance.
"Well then," Beverly said, turning and stretching her legs out. Holiday has begun! "We have a lot to talk about."
"Why do you hate being brunette so much?" Jean-Luc immediately asked.
Excuse me?! Beverly blinked in surprise, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. "What's that got to do with anything?!" she snapped, her eyes narrowing at him.
"Why do you hate being brunette?" he repeated calmly. Peculiar… she rarely gets this worked up about something small…
Well, too bad, I'm not telling! "Do what right?" she demanded instead. He paused, taking a second to process her words. She could sense it as he did, his mind quieting down. "Ah! Gotcha there!" she cried triumphantly. "Out with it, Jean-Luc! You've been acting strangely ever since that encounter with Q!"
Beverly. "I..." I don't know what to say… I don't know where to begin… I don't know what I can say… I…
I'm listening. She softened, her arms relaxing.
For a moment he looked up. For a moment he was about to say something. For a moment he was ready to tell her. For a moment…
He turned away. Forget about it, he murmured mentally, getting up and going to the more comfortable sitting area to find a book. Beverly watched him go, her arms dropping as she slowly stood.
"Jean-Luc?" she said softly.
"Forget about it, Beverly," he snapped, more brash than he had intended. She flinched a hair. I'm sorry.
So am I. He lowered his head, closing his eyes. Whatever you want, whenever you're ready. She went and stood behind him, her hand resting on his shoulder.
"It was wonderful dancing last night." Magical. You're sublime, Beverly. He turned his head to half face her over his shoulder as he spoke. He could feel her swell of joy at the memory.
"I had a splendid time too, Jean-Luc. Do you think the others will work it out? Apart from Deanna, I mean," she whispered by his ear.
Let them, what does it matter anyway, Jean-Luc wished in reckless abandon. Two weeks with Beverly. No Starfleet breathing down our necks, no emergencies to be called away to. Two weeks to spend with my friend. My best friend. And I never ever want to lose that.
He could feel her fear as she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, holding him against her. I don't want to lose you either, Jean-Luc, Beverly projected, resting her chin on his shoulder. You're my best friend, and I never want to lose you. "Maybe that's what we both need right now," she murmured. To be friends. To help each other through this. Then we can think about taking 'us' further. She sighed quietly. I am afraid, but I do want to try.
"Whatever you want, whenever you're ready," he repeated the phrase which was beginning to wear on them both.
She kissed his cheek. My noble, Jean-Luc. Stoic til the end.
"Now, I suppose we'd better double check that all our new arrangements will be in order for when we arrive on Mintarka," he pointed out. Beverly begrudgingly released him, the two of them setting to work at computers. It only took a few moments to run the checks.
"We have a two-bedroom flat in Celepolis," Beverly informed him. "For the first week."
"The archaeology group still haven't gotten back to me," Jean-Luc said, frowning at his screen. That's odd… I hope they're alright…
"They could just be distracted, or having some trouble with communications," Beverly pointed out, but his concern was infectious. She could now share the sensation of discomfort in his gut. It is the middle of nowhere, like you said.
True, he acquiesced. Us worrying about it won't do anything to help. "I'll send another message to be sure."
They sat in silence, neither wanting to consider what might be the problem at the archaeological site. For all they knew there wasn't any problem at all and there was a perfectly reasonable explanation. I hope.
"So, how shall we pass the time on the trip?" Beverly voiced. It would take them several hours to reach Mintarka a little after lunch time. She stretched her legs out before tucking them under her on the seat.
"What was that beach you were telling me about?" Jean-Luc inquired.
Beverly grinned, gazing off to the side as if looking through the side of the shuttle into another realm. Opening her mind, she let him glance some her day dreams and a few brief flashes of memories. "They have some beautiful beaches, Jean-Luc," she breathed. Jack loved it there.
Ah, I thought the name sounded familiar. She looked to him as he averted his eyes. "Jack told me about your shore leave." We'll be there and she'll only remember him. But that's as it should be, she is his wife.
"Did he also mention the secret beach?" Beverly asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. It was our favourite place. Just us, together. He glanced up to her.
"No, not that I can recall," he spoke in a low voice. It was entirely possible that Jack had mentioned it and Jean-Luc simply forgot; it had been nearly twenty years since Jack's death. Still, he was curious. A secret beach?
Beverly frowned a hair. Odd. He always said how he wanted you to see it someday, how you appreciated natural beauty like that, how you'd love it there. She shrugged idly. "Jack and I thought of the three of us having a shore leave there, like old times…" But with Wesley, and then Jack died, and you disappeared… I've never been back.
So why now?
He was caught off guard by her sly grin. I suppose you'll find that out when we get there.
A/N: They are finally getting to go on their shore leave! Hooray!
Thank you Erica and sash queen of the jungle for the lovely reviews! As always, please feel free to leave a review and I hope you all have a wonderful day!
