This is when is starts to get...er...well...you'll see! The pace is definitely going to start to pick up! Don't forget to review:)

Beverly Crusher hated paperwork with a passion. All those years, when she has served as CMO on the Enterprise, she had whined about all the paperwork that she had to complete.

Little did she know that CMO paperwork was baby stuff compared to that which she faced on a daily basis these days. She had told herself that she was going to devote the entire day to getting herself caught up, but instead she found herself reminiscing…especially about the man she loved:

I'm late. I'm late. I'M SO LATE. Crap, I'm going to get yelled at! Dr. Elson is going to be so pissed if I miss rounds… I can't believe I slept through my alarm!

Beverly was running through the grounds of Starfleet Medical, definitely not paying attention to where she was going. All she could think about was how stupid she was.

Out of nowhere, she hit something hard and flew backwards, landing on her rear end. The books and papers she was carrying fell out of her hands and collapsed in a heap around her.

Turns out it was not something she'd ran into, but someone.

"What on earth!? You ought to be watching where you're going ENSI—," the man's voice trailed off as he looked over at the young doctor who had knocked him off his feet.

Noticing the captain's insignia on the man's collar, Beverly was immediately terrified. How could she have been so stupid? Now she was DEFINITELY going to get in trouble.

But the captain just kind of starring at her kind of funny.

Beverly decided to try to apologize.

"I'm so sorry, sir! I know it's not an excuse, but I'm late for my shift at the hospital and…and…and I just wasn't paying attention. Are you hurt?"

At this point, the captain's eyes were locked onto the doctor's face…it was almost as if he was starring right through her.

"Yes… I mean no, I'm fine. Don't worry about it…just pay attention next time!"

The captain, got up and smiled at Beverly, still starring right at her.

"A doctor, huh?"

"Er…yes, sir. I'm a resident."

'What is your name ensign…or I suppose you want to be addressed at "doctor." That seems to be the case with you Starfleet MDs."

"Yes, sir. I'm Dr. Crusher. Dr. Beverly Crusher."

The warmness that the captain had come to show since laying eyes on the young doctor instantly vanished when she told him her name. He dropped his longing gaze.

"Oh! Well, carry on doctor!" he said and walked away.

Beverly immediately went on her way too, perplexed by what had just happened between her and that captain. His reactions were so confusing…

Later in the week, when Beverly was finally not on call, Jack began pestering her about going out with him to meet a couple of his buddies.

"Come on, Bev! I want you to meet my friends and the officers I work with. Both Walker and Jean-Luc have been dying to meet the famous doctor-girlfriend that I'm always bragging about. They can't understand how a brainless oaf like me could pick up suck a catch."

She punched him in the arm for that last comment.

"Just tell them I'm only in this relationship because I feel sorry for you," she teased.

"Please come with me?!" Jack gave her the fakest looking puppy-dog lip.

Beverly rolled her eyes and sighed.

"FINE!"

"And Beverly, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard, my commanding officer and dear friend." Jack said, smiling at happy-go-lucky smile.

Beverly looked at the captain, and he at her.

Instant realization.

He was the man she'd run into.

The captain looked at the ground, obviously embarrassed.

Beverly, playing the part well, sticking out her hand and saying.

"A pleasure to meet you, sir."

"The pleasure is all mine, doctor."

As he starred into her blue eyes and she into his, Beverly saw a great sadness there.

Suddenly it dawned on her.

He's in love with me.

Beverly was brought out of her thoughts by some voices in the hallway outside her office.

There had never been a doubt in her mind since the day that she'd met Jean-Luc and seen the way he looked at her that he loved her. It was obvious, but even nearly thirty years later, they were still a part. Love was present, but it just had never been meant to be.

Sigh. I wish I could just get my mind off of him! He's all I think about! As much as I don't want him to go, it will be easier once the Enterprise leaves. I might finally be able to actually move on…

Beverly noticed that the voices outside her office were suddenly much louder and almost irritated. It was if two people were arguing…and they sounded like they were just outside her door.

"…you can't tell her, yet! She'll just get upset!"

"We have to tell her! Not only does she deserve to know, but she might be his only chance."

"You know damn well that his injuries are probably fatal."

"Yes, but…"

With those last words, Beverly exited her office to see her assistant and a blonde nurse standing outside the threshold.

"Whose injuries are probably fatal?!" the doctor asked.

Neither woman said anything; the looks on their faces were that of sadness and sympathy.

"Well? Is someone…" she trailed off, horrible realization and panic consuming her all at one.

NO!

Jean-Luc.