Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek: Voyager or Star Trek: The Next Generation, nor do I own the characters used here. I've taken them out for a little fun but I promise to return them when I'm finished.

Author's Note: Thank you for the kind reviews; you're all so very sweet and I appreciate each review I get! Here's the next chapter and hopefully it'll answer a few questions you've had! As always, this isn't beta'd, so all mistakes are mine.

This is dedicated to Oparu, who inspires my muse on a regular basis. Thank you!

Dinner is pasta at a well-known Italian restaurant, somewhere Kathryn's never been but keeps hearing good things about. She's meant to come try the food since she's been home but every time she calls to make a reservation they're booked, and she understands now why the good doctor's been planning this for a month; it took that long to get a table. Sitting in the corner, tucked away from the curious stares that still follow Voyager's former captain, Kathryn and Beverly laugh about stories from their days at the Academy. Kathryn can't remember the last time she's been so relaxed or laughed so freely.

"That was the last time I attempted to sing Klingon opera," she says, shaking her head as she watches the doctor laugh. "I got a new roommate and never saw the old one again."

She's fascinated by the way Beverly's hair falls into her face before being tucked behind one ear and as silly as it is, she finds it adorable. Leaning forward so she can rest her chin on her clasped hands, Kathryn smiles brightly.

"Thank you for this, Doctor Crusher. It occurs to me that I've not been out to dinner with another person in quite some time."

"It truly is my pleasure, though I have to insist that you call me Beverly," comes the reply and Kathryn's smile widens.

"As long as you call me Kathryn," she answers. "We're not on duty, but you'll have to forgive me if I slip up. I've been only Admiral Janeway for so long that I'm afraid I've forgotten how to be just Kathryn."

Beverly leans over the table and touches Kathryn's hand, making a blush burn up the admiral's neck and Kathryn's grateful that she decided to wear a turtleneck with her slacks.

"Well that's something we'll just have to work on, isn't it?"

Kathryn laughs and nods but her reply is stopped by the waiter bringing their plates. They eat in a comfortable silence broken only by small talk. They're halfway through their second glass of wine when Kathryn brings up the thought that's been tickling at her mind all evening.

"This is wonderful, Beverly, but I have to ask you something. What brought this on? Not that I'm ungrateful, because I really appreciate the chance to get out and socialize, but you seem to have gone through a lot of trouble just to get me to my physical," she says, one eyebrow lifting at the sight of Beverly's half smile.

"The Doctor informed me that you're a troublesome patient. He actually went on for a good twenty minutes about the various tricks he used to get you in for your yearly physical," she explains. "I decided that I couldn't just pop this on you and then not have some sort of reward set up, so I made the reservations. I do have to say, the Doctor wasn't terribly pleased with the idea of relinquishing the right to, and I quote, 'inflict your yearly torture'."

That makes Kathryn laugh as she shakes her head, her eyes bright as she finishes off her wine.

"You know, the Doctor was astoundingly persistent. It just so happens that I was better at dodging him than he was at hunting me down," she replies, sitting back in her chair to smile at her companion. "This is infinitely more pleasing than listening to the Doctor's lectures about my horrible work ethic and my insane caffeine intake."

"Ah yes, the legendary coffee consumption I've heard so much about," Beverly answers. "The EMH had a lot to say about that too. He warned me that you have an insatiable appetite for a cup of black coffee, but I promised him I'd find a way to help you cut back."

Kathryn can't help the eye roll but she does manage to keep most of her laughter contained as she smiles and says, "Oh is that so? I'm interested to know just how you plan to help me cut back. If it involves locking me out of my replicator again, I'm afraid I'll have to have a word with you about it. I much rather prefer this reward system."

She's pretty sure they're flirting; their voices have mellowed and they're maintaining eye contact a little longer than would be normally considered polite. She's not sure why she cares if they're flirting; all she knows is that she's enjoying herself more than she has in a long time.

"You know, I think we have just enough time for coffee before we have to be at the theater," Beverly says and Kathryn grins happily at the thought of coffee, which makes Beverly laugh. "Well I see I've said the magic words."

Kathryn thoroughly enjoys the Royal Opera House's performance of Le nozze di Figaro, though her attention is often split between the show on the stage and the subtle way Beverly enjoys herself. She's pleased to see that the woman next to her is enthralled and isn't aware of her scrutiny, so she takes a few chances to study her. She appreciates everything; the way Beverly's hands are clasped in her lap, the way her eyes dance across the stage, and the way her breathing speeds up in time with the growing excitement on the stage. Her laugh is enough to make Kathryn's heart skip a beat, and she's determined to hear that sound again.

They walk to Kathryn's apartment from the transporter station, enjoying the snow flurries that are drifting lazily. When they arrive at the front door of the apartment building, Beverly stops Kathryn with a hand on her arm. She smiles and gives her arm a soft squeeze.

"I've really enjoyed myself tonight, Kathryn. Thank you for your company," she says. Kathryn smiles brightly, her eyes searching Beverly's for moment before she speaks again.

"Thank you, Beverly. I had a good time as well," she says, reaching up to cover Beverly's hand with her own. "I'd like to do this again. Next time it'll be my treat though."

Beverly chuckles and Kathryn can't control herself; she leans in and kisses the doctor's cheek. The bright red blush makes Kathryn happy and she gives Beverly a tight hug before bidding her a good night.