They were mid conversation in the middle of the night when another song started to play. Jean-Luc heard Marta's small sigh before he saw the huge grin growing on Hannay's face. A few seconds before she had seemed ready to fall asleep, but now –
"COME ON!" she squealed, clambering clumsily to her feet, grabbing Marta and Beverly's hands.
"Han, no," Marta groaned with a laugh.
"Sweetie, it's our song, come on!" Hannay insisted as Marta continued to laugh. "You too, Beverly, oh Dancing Doctor of old!"
"Who are you calling old?" Beverly retorted. Do you mind? She asked after Jean-Luc as he smirked, watching the chaos of Hannay forcing her wife and friend onto the dance floor.
I'll just watch. He projected, true to his word, observing the dancing.
Hannay sang loudly, out of time, out of tune, and not the correct lyrics. She didn't care. No one else cared. Marta slipped her footing, falling into Beverly. Turning into her, Beverly caught her, steadying her.
"Woah, cheers," Marta said, reaching out around her as she wobbled.
"I think you'd better sit down," Beverly gently suggested.
I think you'd be right, Jean-Luc projected. Beverly could sense his concern.
"Yeah," Marta plodded back up to the table.
Make sure she has some water, Beverly instructed Jean-Luc, only to see he was already on it. I love you. The thought slipped out.
He looked up and smiled. I love you too. They grinned at each other. Marta rolled her eyes at their goofiness. Hannay grabbed Beverly's arm, spinning her around to dance together. My best friend. Jean-Luc added with a hint of wistful sadness. Surely that wasn't all the universe would set them up to be, but he still found he wouldn't lose her friendship for anything in the world.
As the song changed, Hannay moved closer into Beverly's arms, the two of them swaying as Hannay laid her head on Beverly's chest. "You are the best dancer ever; you know that?" she babbled. "Like, you taught me everything I know, like, you're the best, you know? And you're so hot."
"Your wife is literally over there," Beverly reminded her, nodding her head towards the table where the others were within earshot.
"Yeah, but like, you know? You're just so beautiful? I'm so glad you came." Hannay drew her head back and went to kiss Beverly. She turned her head so Hannay got her cheek.
"Hannay, you're married," Beverly chuckled as Hannay giggled. She saw Marta watching, completely at ease. But still, if she didn't hear the state of their relationship, what was allowed and wasn't, Beverly wasn't about to go making any assumptions. If only Jean-Luc had, then maybe things would have gone differently, she thought, recalling a late night conversation with Jack. But it was so long ago, so hazy, was it a memory, or a dream? But of course he was always too much of a gentleman.
"Marta, is it alright with you if I kiss Beverly?" Hannay yelled out to her wife suddenly. Beverly's head jerked with shock, momentarily flustered.
"Yeah, so long as I get a kiss too," Marta shouted back.
"See? It's okay," Hannay slurred, drawing Beverly's eyes back to her. "Unless you and Jean-Luc –"
So long as I get a kiss too! Jean-Luc thought, jokingly echoing the sentiments of Marta. Except he would never say the words because that would mean… a lot.
Beverly flashed him a sidelong look through her lashes. Deal. Neither was sure how serious she was. She focused back on Hannay. "It's okay." Beverly repeated Hannay's phrase.
The grin grew on Hannay's face before she gently raised a hand to hold Beverly's head, guiding her lower so their lips could meet. It was different to kissing Hannay when they were both young, and relatively inexperienced compared to where they now both found themselves. Once they had been full of burning passion, but now it was gentle, calm love, constant and patient, a love they could always find their way back to.
Jean-Luc didn't anticipate the rush of emotions through their psychic link. It overwhelmed him as he tore his eyes away, fighting to focus on reality and not be swept up in it.
"Johnny, you okay?" Marta frowned at him.
Dammit. They weren't sure if it was Beverly's thought or Jean-Luc's, but both shared the sentiments.
I'm so sorry Jean-Luc, I didn't mean to –
You had no idea, don't worry about it. "I'm fine," Jean-Luc told her hoarsely.
"Not jealous, are you?" Marta teased, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Excuse me." He stood and took a quick escape to the bathroom.
Jean-Luc? Jean-Luc?! "Dammit," Beverly muttered under her breath as she and Hannay stumbled back to the table. Oh god, please don't block me out! She slumped on the bench that had previously been his seat. Hannay snuggled against Marta.
"What's going on with you two?" Marta inquired quietly. Beverly opened her eyes, looking up through her fingers at the older woman. "Jean-Luc has been acting weird all evening, and I'm not referring to his crush on you, which if you haven't noticed it, I envy your remarkable powers of obliviousness."
"Beverly is oblivious as can be," Hannay murmured. "She didn't realise how in love she was with Jack for months!"
Oh damn, how do I tell them? Do I tell them? Jean-Luc? Jean-Luc?! Come on, I need you! She waited a moment for his reply, but silence. Ugh! "It's… complicated…"
"Yeah, you two are," Marta commented drily. Beverly sat back to glare across at her. "Let me guess…" I'd rather you wouldn't, Beverly thought. She thought hard about a theory for a moment. "This has to be pretty recent… something to do with the two of you being de-aged perhaps?"
"They're telepathically linked," Hannay said without opening her eyes. But still, she could feel it when Beverly's glare shifted to her. She smiled. That was one thing that had never worked on her in all the years Beverly had known her, and she found it infuriating! "My aunt is a Betazoid, remember?"
"Damn you," Beverly breathed icily, crossing her arms and turning to glare out at the stars and two moons. Jean-Luc, I'm sorry.
It's fine. Better we found out about what happens here than when we got back to the Enterprise. He tried to silver line it.
We're going to have to talk about this.
Later, just enjoy your night. She could feel him going back into a Vulcan style meditation. After a few seconds, her awareness of him was like a whisper.
A/N: Sorry this is a little late! Thanks sash queen of the jungle for reviewing the last chapter! I really do appreciate the reviews! Thank you so much!
