Hello! Thank you again for the reviews! They are kindly appreciated! :)

In this scene, it takes place right after the events in Ménage a Troi and we finally get to meet Rick Chechney. When I sat down to write out his character, I had imagined him as Gaston from Beauty and the Beast but in a Starfleet uniform. LOL!

This chapter is going to be a long one! It is my favorite one and I am very excited to share it with you! I hope you like it! :)

Ménage a Troi:

This party is, thankfully, different than the one before. Beverly took a sip of her drink and looked around 10-Forward. Everything looks more festive. She noticed that there were balloons and streamers lining the tables and brightly colored centerpieces to match the brightly colored cocktails. She looked down at her own drink called Goozel Ashk – a Betazed favorite with an exotic hot pink fruit flower floating on top. The music is a lot better, she noted as she heard Will begin his trombone solo. And the people… She smirked when she caught Jean Luc's eye from across the room. She had heard about his romantic declaration he made to Lwaxanna Troi. I'm never going to let him live that one down - she shook her head – ever.

Pressing his lips into a thin white line, Jean Luc slightly shook his head and turned to the waiter who was offering him another drink.

Beverly grinned into her sugary yet tangy drink.

"Well, look who we have here." His voice was low and sultry. "My dear, Beverly, you are a sight for sore eyes." He placed his hand lightly on the small of her back as he walked around in front of her. His eyes scanning over her body, he licked his lips and quietly said, "You look absolutely beautiful." Rick Chechney smiled as he openly appreciated her figure once more.

Beverly took a deep breath and politely smiled back, though even to the casual overseer, it was a strained one. "Rick, what a surprise to see you here." She did everything in her power not to roll her eyes.

He stepped into her personal space, leaving his hand on her hip."A pleasant one I hope."

Carefully, she looked over his shoulder to see if Jean Luc had noticed. Inwardly, she let out a sigh of relief when she saw that he was in a deep conversation with Geordi. She then took a step out of his embrace and casually said, "That remains to be seen." After sipping the rest of her drink, she put her glass down on the table and started to make her way out of 10-Forward.

Following closely behind her, Rick captured her elbow and brought her to a secluded corner behind a cluster of balloons. Rick smiled to himself, proud that he could capture the elusive Beverly Crusher into a corner. "Oh, come now, Beverly. You make me blush."

Taking a step back, she folded her arms across her chest. "How so?"

He flashed his charming smile – the one that could melt the panties off of any woman willing to give him the time or day, which apparently was every woman except Beverly. "I know you like to play 'hard-to-get'. It just so happens that I love to chase…" he openly leered over her body, "especially if the prize is worth it."

Not wanting to rise to his bait, she lifted one brow and calmly said, "Oh, so I'm a prize now."

Lightly caressing her elbow, Rick took another step into her personal space. With her back now against the wall, she had nowhere to go, but to look into his chocolate brown eyes. Leaning closer to her ear, he murmured, "You could be if you decide to let me take you to a private cottage I know of on the beautiful shores of Mavi Shennet." Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to calm his libido. "Picture it; you, me, crystal clear blue waters as far as the eye can see and no one to hear us for miles." Knowing she was about to give some excuse as to why she couldn't go, he opened his eyes and gave her a sympathetic smile."Now, knowing how dedicated you are to your work, I can make sure that you can acquire enough personal days for our little vacation – God knows you need one." Biting his lip, the visual he had in his head of their romantic week together was getting to be a little too much for him to handle – at least in public. "So," his voice was rough and raw, "what do you think Beverly? Sounds like a great plan. Shall I go ahead and make the reservations?" To him it sounded so ideal, that any woman worth their salt would be honored to spend a romantic, secluded week with him.

Beverly, however, was doing everything in her power to keep her anger and her vomit in check. She wanted nothing more than to slap him across his smug, chiseled face. But, alas, he was still an admiral and warranted or not, slapping one of those would get her a first class ticket into the brig. Still, his oily voice made her shutter in disgust. Taking a ragged breath, she quietly said, "I have a better idea. How about we have the Ferengi kidnap and imprison us as slaves on their ship."

Without missing a beat, he quipped, "How about we make that a Borg ship?"

Okay, enough! She threw her hands to the side, effectively pushing him back a step. Piercing him with her steely blue gaze, she firmly said, "I thought I already told you that I wasn't interested." She raised her hands to stop him from advancing on her and raised her voice, "I am NOT interested in being with you, Rick. What do I have to do to make sure that you understand? Tattoo it on your forehead?"

He flashed his always charming smile, "Come on, Beverly. You know tattoos are frowned upon in Starfleet. Besides, I think secretly you like me to chase you." He lifted his brow and gave her a look of pure, unadulterated lust. "And I just so happen to be good at running – among other things."

"And that would be, Admiral?"

Beverly looked over Rick's shoulder and let go of the breath she was holding. Squeezing herself out from Rick's entrapment, she placed her hand on Jean Luc's arm and quickly said, "Captain! It's good to see you."

"Hmm," he murmured, giving her a short nod. Jean Luc then looked over to Rick and held out his hand, "Admiral Chechney, so good of you to come aboard."

Rick took the Captain's hand joyfully. "Jean Luc! What a pleasure to see you. Thank goodness we have you and the Enterprise around when the Ferengi decided to play lasso with our people." Gripping Jean Luc's hand tighter and bringing him closer, Rick quietly said, "Word on the street says that we have you to thank for getting Lwaxanna Troi back on the Enterprise." Rick smiled an easy smile as he let go of the captain's hand.

Jean Luc couldn't deny it was very hard to dislike Rick Chechney with his easy-going attitude and genuine smile. At least until he looked at Beverly like he wanted to take advantage of her right then and there – then it was very easy to dislike him. Clasping his now free hands behind his back, Jean Luc straightened to his full height and briskly said, "Thank you Admiral, but if you would excuse us, I have to speak to Doctor Crusher privately." He held out his hand one more time.

Taking his hand, Rick nodded and said, "Well it has been a pleasure coming aboard," he glanced at Beverly and repeated, "A real pleasure." Letting go of Jean Luc's hand, he continued,"Oh, before I forget, Jean Luc, I wanted to see if you could permit this wonderful doctor of yours some personal time for a little vacation. We were just talking about doing some sight-seeing on Betazed."

With his voice devoid of any emotion, he calmly replied, "I'm sorry Admiral, but I can't. With our upcoming mission to Zanthras III, we would need Dr. Crusher. If you would excuse us," he looked over at Beverly and said, "Doctor."Knowing full well that she would follow him out of 10-Forward, Jean Luc walked towards the doors without a glance back.

Beverly turned to Rick and smartly said, "I wish I could say that it was a pleasure to see you, but it is against the code of conduct to lie to a commanding officer."

Rick let out an infectious laugh and replied, "Well it was a pleasure seeing you. And Beverly," he grasped her arm as she started to move away and pulled her in close, "I will be here until the Enterprise sets off, if you want to change your mind about Mavi Shennet." Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he winked before he turned and strolled away.

Rolling her eyes, Beverly turned for the exit, but saw Jean Luc standing in the doorway with his hands clenched by his side and his expression unreadable. Slowly, Beverly made her way out. After meeting Jean Luc at the door, she followed him down the corridor and into the turbolift.

"Deck 8," were the only words he uttered in the lift.

The air was stifling – thick with heightened feelings and unresolved words. Neither knew what to say or do or who should go first, so they both stayed quiet.

When the door opened, Jean Luc quickly walked out first.

Beverly, with her long legs, was able to keep up with his stride. Trying to make at least an attempt to cut through the smog of emotions that encompassed them, Beverly quietly said, "Thank you, Captain for promoting Wesley to an acting ensign. He is very excited."

Jean Luc swiftly looked over to Beverly and said, "You know as well as anyone else on this ship that he deserves it. The contributions he has made to the Enterprise are enormous." He slowed his stride when they walked to the door of his quarters. When it opened, both walked in, though a little more timidly. After hearing the door close and lock, Jean Luc turned to Beverly and gently said,"When he goes to the Academy, he will be sorely missed."

Taking a step closer, she placed her hand on his arm and said, "But to hear you say that means a lot to me. To think back to Farpoint Station where you kicked him off the bridge and now he's an active member of the crew." She leaned in and gently kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you." She looked into his eyes and smiled. It was one of warmth and friendship rather than passion and for a split second, the air between them became comfortable again. "I know if Jack were here, he would be so proud of him."

"Where ever he may be, you can rest assure Beverly that he is proud of his son." He allowed himself a small smile before returning to a stony veneer.

With the conversation dwindling, the air in his quarters quickly became thick again. Wanting to do nothing but run away from their impending argument, Beverly quietly said, "Captain, if you will excuse me, I have to get back to Sick-"

"What did Rick Chechney say to you?" His words sliced through the air as fast and sharp as a knife.

Beverly gently shook her head and said, "Nothing… what he said was noth-"

Not believing her for one second, he again cut through her words, "It didn't look like nothing from where I was standing. He was touching you in areas that are inappropriate to touch – and…" he took a second to take a breath, "and yet, you let him." He took a step closer into her personal space, but unlike Rick Chechney, she did not step away. Staring squarely into her eyes, he wanted to make sure that he caught every emotion and thought that passed though her features. "Did you want him to touch you?"

Mirroring his stony veneer with her own, she defensively folded her arms against her chest. "Of course I didn't want him to put his slimy hands on me. From where you were standing, did you see me constantly pulling away from him? Yet, anywhere I moved, he always seemed to corner me."

"You… were smiling at him." His voice cracked a little at the end of his sentence, but he clamped his jaw to control the internal war his body was having - jealousy can be a cruel and unforgiving beast.

Beverly rolled her eyes, "More like gritting my teeth so that I could first, stop myself from vomiting and second, stop myself from slapping him across his arrogant face." Her voice grew louder with each word.

However, Jean Luc's voice stayed calm and low, "So his advances were unwarranted?"

Beverly threw her hands to her sides and yelled, "YES! Haven't you been hearing me all this time? They were unwarranted!" She shook her head and rolled her eyes, "He thought he was being so charming. Did you know that women would actually fall for him! I've seen it happen! It is absolutely ridiculous to see grown, educated, career-driven women pawing at him like he's some god."

Fixing her with his steely gaze, his question came out soft with a twinge of vulnerability, "So you don't want to take personal time to go to Betazed?"

Beverly threw her hands in the air and shouted, "No I don't!"

Jean Luc squinted his eyes and cocked his head to the side. He wanted to believe her but their interaction with one another in 10-Forward replayed over and over in his head. "But he's under the impression that you are interested." He knew there was more to the story, but was he brave enough to hear about it from her? "Why is that?"

Beverly opened her mouth to speak, but for the life of her she didn't know what to say. Had he heard about them? Or was he just going off of pure conjecture from what he saw in 10-Forward? "I don't know."

He let out a mirth laugh as he looked up towards the ceiling and shook his head. "Come on Beverly, yes you do." He looked back at her and crossed his arms across his chest. "A man doesn't pursue a woman like that unless he knows that she's interested."

Hanging her head, she looked at the ground for inspiration. How was she to go about this? In the back of her mind she heard her Nana say 'Although it hurts, the truth never lies.' Picking her head back up, she looked past Jean Luc towards the wall and quietly said, "I… It was… It's not what you think. I let him take me on a couple of dates, but they were harmless."

Jean Luc remained quiet, quite certain that there was more that needed to be told. But could he handle the truth? He could already feel his emotions bubbling so close to the top. Could she see? Could she hear it in his voice? With every ounce of strength he could muster, he cooled his features. But what she had said next, destroyed that barrier that he had so carefully constructed.

"On the last date we went on, I let him kiss me." Her words were barely above a whisper as she hung her head again. Briskly shaking her head so that she wouldn't succumb to her muddled emotions, she picked her head up and gazed directly at Jean Luc. She knew instantly that it was a mistake to look at him. The expression he bore was that of heartbreak and disappointment. Within the private confines of his personal quarters, he was able to let his guard down – along with his famous captain's mask. And though those expressions broke her heart, it gave her the confidence to explain what had happened next."But I knew instantly that it wasn't right, so I backed away. I gave him the cold shoulder and told him that I was not interested in what he had to offer. Unfortunately, he's so thick. He doesn't get that I'm not attracted to him in any way, shape or form. I don't know how many times I have told him."

"Thus his advances are unwarranted."And just like that, his voice became stone cold and his expressions guarded. His slightly heavy breathing was the only part of his body giving away the rolling waves of hatred that coursed through his veins.

She looked him square in the eyes and nodded, "Yes."

His mouth twitched as the thought of another man touching her flashed in his mind. He clenched his fist by his sides and he tried to drown the monster of jealousy within his chest. Taking another step forward, he angrily spat, "Why did you kiss him?"

She wanted nothing more than to reply with something as witty and charming to ease the stale air between them, but her Nana's words of truth rang in her ears once more. She knew then, that he deserved the truth, despite how hard it was to confess to her vulnerability. For a second, she closed her eyes to stop the onslaught of tears. When she opened them, she couldn't stop the air of hurt that crossed her beautiful features. A tiny tear fell down her cheek as she barely whispered, "Because you didn't want me."

All of his anger and jealousy he had pent up just a moment ago, exited his body within one breath. It was that one tear that pushed Jean Luc a step closer towards her - closer than he had been since that horrible night he had questioned her about his doppelganger. The last thing he wanted to do was to make her cry. Gently placing his hands on her cheeks, he wiped away the wet streak from her tear and lightly kissed her on her forehead. "Oh, my dear Beverly, I wanted you so badly." Leaning his forehead against hers, he looked deep into her eyes. With his voice barely above a sigh, he confessed,"I still do." He closed his eyes, ashamed of how he treated her on that horrible night after the party."I was just scared."

Leaning into his embrace, she comforted her guilty soul with his beautiful confession. Biting her bottom lip, she tried not to let the memory of that horrible night take over her conscious. After she arrived at Starfleet Medical, she soon realized that deep down in the pit of her growing womb, she was scared too. "I know."

He kissed her once more on her forehead and then took a step back. Tugging down on his uniform jacket, he knew what he had to do. "I am going to talk to the Admiral."

Confused by the new lack of contact, she slowly shook her head and asked, "Why?"

He shook his head as a scowl crossed his features, "Because he has no right to fondle you like that, especially if it is not welcomed. It is undignified and unbecoming of an officer." He stepped to the side with his eyes on the door.

Beverly quickly grabbed his hand to stop him. "I don't need anyone to defend my virtue." Tugging down on his hand, she seized his attention once more as she saw his eyes drift towards the door. "Beside, you do it, but you don't see me complaining about it."

With his mouth twitching into a smile, he looked back into her sapphire eyes. "First of all, we are not in public and second of all, you let me - besides that's not the point."

Squeezing his hand with her own, she let a coy smile cross her face. "Then stay and tell me what the point is."

With is jaw set tight, he was recounting everything he saw and heard in 10-Forward in his mind. Through gritted teeth, he quietly said, "He was touching you in places you shouldn't be touched, especially if his actions are unwarranted."

Her eyes twinkled in the soft light as she gave him a kind smile. "But I told you that I rebuffed his advances and that his touch means nothing to me – nothing whatsoever." Her words were swift and decisive yet cajoling.

Threading his fingers through hers, he gently squeezed her hand. "I still think I should give him a piece of my mind." He bent his head down and stared at their intertwined hands. Although he was happy to hear from Beverly that she had no feelings towards Rick Chechney, it was hard to contain the monster within his chest upon some of the things he overheard him saying to her."The things he was saying to you were absolutely atrocious." His voice barely above a whisper, he was ashamed that he was eavesdropping but more ashamed that he let those stupid words get to him in such a powerful way.

Stepping closer to him, Beverly used her free hand to lift Jean Luc's chin. "Well not everyone can recite Shakespeare as well as you – A feat; by the way, I commend you on. I'm sure Lwaxanna Troi is just tickled pink at your declaration of love."

Jean Luc took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. He took ahold of her hand that was under his chin and brought it down to their sides. "Beverly, I had to do my best to make sure she made it back alive. I had to pretend, convincingly might I add, that I was insanely in love with her and that if I couldn't have her then no one could." His tone was flustered as his ears turned a slight shade of red.

Beverly threw her head back and laughed, "Again an admirable feat you should be applauded for."

Jean Luc loved the way her eyes twinkled with laughter and joy. He could stare at them all day and never tire of them. One of the numerous qualities he loved about her. Funny, just a few minutes ago, he was angry and jealous at the thought of her with another man. But after her assurance that Rick Chechney was nothing more than a bumbling fool, he was convinced now more than ever to get her back with him. Despite what had happened with his doppelganger and his fool-hardy trip to Risa a few months ago, their chemistry together was undeniable and the love that they shared was unmistakable. But how was he to convince her? He already messed it up once. How can he prove to her that he was no longer scared?

"You know Jean Luc," she said coyly, mentally kicking him out of his revere, "I think it's very sweet that you want to confront Rick Chechney, but he will be leaving within an hour and we won't see him for a very long time." After a full minute of patiently staring at him, willing him not to ruin his career by confronting an admiral over a personal matter, Beverly saw him briefly close his eyes and nod.

Gently squeezing both of his hands, she leaned in and kissed him on his cheek. With her senses heightened by their close proximity and his earlier confession that he still wanted her, she brazenly leaned closer towards his ear and purred,"Jean Luc, I couldn't help but think that out of all the times we were together, never once did you recite Shakespeare for me." Slowly, she let out a soft sigh."What a shame, I know I would have enjoyed it." As she stood oh so close breathing in his delicious scent, she gave into her temptation and lightly kissed the lobe of his ear. In her mind, however, she knew that if she didn't leave right now, she wasn't going to leave until morning. Reluctantly, she let go of his hands and turned towards the door.

She got as far as a few steps when she heard him whisper;

"O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
Her beauty hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!"

Tracing her steps, he kept his eyes steady, bright and serious. He knew that if he let her walk out that door, he would never have the chance or the courage to speak these words to her again. This was his only chance to prove to her that he was no longer scared.

Recognizing the words from her favorite Shakespeare play,she stayed rooted to her spot. Breathlessly, she was mesmerized by the timber in his voice and intensive gaze she could not escape.

"So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,"

Lightly grazing her cheek with his fingers, he reveled in her soft skin. He looked down upon her lips, her beautiful, rosy, full lips – almost giving into the temptation of kissing those blessed lips that he longed for, dreamed for every night since walking out on her. Stepping closer, he smoothly slipped his arm around her waist, letting it lie on the small of her back.

"And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."

No longer able to resist temptation, he leaned in closer and kissed the side of her mouth. Letting his lips linger over her skin, he declared, "Those beautiful words don't come close to compare the one simple kiss we share. The truth is Beverly, I never needed Shakespeare to show my passion, you are all I need."

No longer able to resist, Beverly gradually leaned into his waiting kiss, no longer caring what was outside those doors or what was said or done in the past. Closing her eyes, she allowed his words to fuel her passion. Letting her hands fall on his chest, she was briefly comforted by the warmth his body was radiating.

Knowing that she wasn't going to leave anytime soon, he slipped his hand behind her neck, deepening their already passionate kiss. When he heard her moan that oh so glorious moan, he slowly backed her against the closest thing that would support them.

Feeling the back of her legs hit something hard, Beverly slid both of her hands around his shoulders to steady the clasp of his zipper underneath her heightened skin, she knew then that she needed to touch him – desperately.

A shot of desire flew through his heart when he heard the sound of his own zipper parting. Knowing that there was no going back, he let his lips leave the blessed sanctity of her mouth to mark a trail down to his favorite part of her body –the little patch of skin between her jaw and her ear lobe. Letting his hands fall to the zipper of her uniform, he slowly opened it.

Just for a moment, one torturous moment, they broke contact as they slid their offending jackets off.

When her arms were free from the thick material, she lightly touched his still-covered chest. Unhappy with his thin barrier, she glided the suspenders off of his shoulders and removed his undershirt. With his chest free of any material, she wrapped her arms around his body. Laying her head on his shoulder, she lightly kissed his soft skin.

Feeling the desire he had just a moment ago simmer into a love he desperately missed, he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned in to kiss the expanse of beautiful skin between her neck and shoulder. Sighing to himself, he could live forever holding her like this.

They stayed wrapped in each other's arms for what seemed like a blissful eternity.

Then like a switch, their slight caresses turned into a desire so powerful that their skin sizzled with ecstasy and anticipation. Giving in to their own body's wants and needs, Beverly slipped her hands under the waistband of his pants while Jean Luc's unfastened the clasp of her bra.

Without any effort, he removed the last barrier from their upper bodies.

And just as their hands swiftly made their way to their lower bodies, the door chime went off. Like a bucket of cold ice, the two parted.

Not wanting to ruin the moment he so desperately wanted to see through, Jean Luc quickly encircled his arms around her body and asked quietly, "Computer, identify who is at my door."

"Ambassador Lwaxanna Troi; daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed, Holder of the Sacred Challis of Wreeks."

He looked at the door and whispered; "Now she's gotten the computer to say all that nonsense." His heart soared as he heard her giggle against his shoulder – a beautiful sound he hadn't heard in a long time. Lightly placing a kiss her on her bare shoulder, he murmured, "Maybe if we don't answer, she will just leave."

Then, contradicting him, Lwaxanna started knocking on the door. In her own musical voice, she exclaimed, "Jean Luc I know you're in there. Let me in."

"Jean Luc…" Beverly's voice was soft against his skin. She knew that Lwaxanna was a very persistent woman.

"No… Don't go." He held on to her tightly never wanting to let go, not when it took him this long to get her back in his arms.

She wanted nothing more than to stay, wrapped safely in his arms, oblivious to the world outside of his doors. But she knew the universe wasn't going to stop at his door, content on being ignored. She noticed that the banging had stopped, but knew without a doubt that Lwaxanna was waiting patiently outside the door. With her mind taking over her body, including her heart, she slightly leaned back out of his warm embrace. She instantly saw the hurt that passed through his features before he dropped his head down to his chest. "Jean Luc…"

Abruptly, he bent down and began picking up their clothing. He didn't say a word – he didn't need to. She was going to leave and there was nothing he could do to keep her there.

In silence they dressed, neither looking at each other. When the last bit of uniform was zipped up, they turned to the door.

Without taking his eyes off the door, he softly said, "Please don't think that I don't want this. This won't be the end of our…," he choked, afraid of scaring her with a definition of what their relationship could be, at least with him.

She grabbed his hand with her own and gently squeezed it. "I know you want this and it, whatever it is, will always be there." Letting go of his hand, she walked to door and opened it. Within a rush, she saw the flamboyant Betazoid woman in the corridor. And over her shoulder she saw Rick Chechney looking dour and a bit shocked. Wanting to ignore him as much as possible, Beverly placed her hand on Lwaxanna's arm and said, "Mrs. Troi, I'm glad to see that you are alive and well. If you need anything, anything at all, please do not hesitate to stop by Sickbay or my quarters."

Lwaxanna congenially patted her on her hand and kindly said, "Aww, that's very sweet of you my dear, thank you, but I shall be leaving soon and I do need a word with Jean Luc."

Smiling at the older woman, Beverly turned towards the corridor, which was bare only with the exception of one man. Faltered by how angry he looked, she took a deep breath through her still swollen lips and started to walk towards the lift, hell bent on just ignoring him.

Just as she was about to pass him, Rick quickly grabbed her arm and held her in place with a vice grip she was unfamiliar with. "I thought… But you…"

He looked genuinely upset and for a moment, Beverly started to feel bad - until his grip on her tightened.

"Let go of her." Jean Luc's voice was steel as was the deadly look within his eyes.

Rick looked over to the captain, silently challenging him on what he would do if he didn't.

Accepting the challenge, Jean Luc took a step forward, but was blocked by a hand to move any further. He looked down and saw that it was Lwaxanna who was stopping him.

Smiling at him, she gently pushed him a step back and said, "Jean Luc, I need to see you for a tiny quick moment. Then, if it's no bother, I will need you to escort me to the transporter room." Without giving him a chance to respond, Lwaxanna turned to Rick and quietly said, "Rick, dear, could you be so kind as to let go of Doctor Crusher and to inform Mr. Holms that I will be home shortly?"

Rick loosened his grip, but did not let go of Beverly's arm. With a myriad of emotions crossing his face, he looked from Lwaxanna to Jean Luc to Beverly then back to Jean Luc.

Taking advantage of his lax grips, Beverly pulled her arm away and turned to walk away.

Rick turned to go after her, but was stopped when Lwaxanna grabbed his arm. "Admiral, now that we have settled this little fight, I need you to go to contact Mr. Holms for me."

He wrenched his arm away from the older woman shouting, "I am not your bloody servant!"

Pushing past Lwaxanna, Jean Luc stalked straight to the admiral. "You should not talk to her that way. She is a guest on my ship and as long as you are on my ship you will conduct yourself accordingly to the guidelines of the code of conduct. Otherwise I would have no choice but to place you under arrest for conduct unbecoming of an officer."

Rick puffed up his chest and pointed his finger at Jean Luc, "Captain Pic-"

"Furthermore," Jean Luc interruptedin a commanding voice, "if you ever place your unwarranted hands on Doctor Crusher ever again, I will make it my life's ambition to see that you would be knocked so far down that you would have to salute a cadet." Leaning in towards his ear so that Lwaxanna couldn't hear, he whispered, "She doesn't want you, she never has and she never will. Now leave, before you make a spectacle of yourself." Turning his back on the admiral, Jean Luc looked at Lwaxanna and quietly said, "Please, Mrs. Troi, come in." Standing in the door frame, he waited for the older woman to pass through.

Lwaxanna looked over to the admiral, "Rick, if you could be so kind as to contact Mr. Holms and to meet me at my home on Betazed. There we can discuss just how far my reach within Starfleet can go, and let me assure you my dear, it can go further than what you can even imagine. So if I were you, I would be quick to get rid of those nasty little thoughts that are circling in your puny, weak little mind."

Chewing the side of his mouth, Rick balled his hands into fists and took a couple deep breaths. After a few seconds, he quietly nodded his head and walked towards the turbolift without a single glance back.

After watching him go into the turbolift, Lwaxanna turned back around to Jean Luc with a big grin. Walking into his quarters, she tapped him on his chest with her finger and loftily said, "Tisk, tisk, Jean Luc. You have been a naughty minx since the last time I saw on the bridge." Hearing the door close, she placed a finger on her chin and smirked. "You know Jean Luc, I once accused you of having naughty thoughts but I was never able to see who they were about. I just assumed they were of me." She turned to face him and placed her hands on her hips.

Jean Luc took a deep breath, "Mrs. Troi-"

"However, after what I just saw and felt, I now know of your true feelings for that lovely woman." Lwaxanna smiled warmly. Patting him on his arm, she confidently said, "Don't worry about Rick Chechney, I will take care of him myself. And as far as your secret goes, it is safe with me."

Jean Luc opened his mouth, but nothing came out. What was it about this woman that made him speechless? After a few seconds, he closed his mouth and smiled, "Thank you Mrs. Troi."

Swatting her hand through the air, she made her way to the door. "Please Jean Luc, call me Lwaxanna. And it's the least I can do after you rescued me from that horrible prison of a ship. I will never forget what you did." Stopping in front of him, she placed both of her hands on his cheeks and humbly said, "Jean Luc, whatever you do, don't let her get away. Her feelings are buried so deep inside, but they are there and they are as strong as the ones you harbor within your own heart." Giving him one last smile she turned and sauntered out of his quarters with a wave of her hand and an airy, "Goodbye, Jean Luc."

Again, I hope you liked it! Please review! :)