There he was, standing in front of Picard with that strange, sly, annoying yet charming smile. It made Picard shutter, yet melt on the inside.
These damned feelings.
It didn't help the older captain that Q always had the most mischievous yet dreamy look in his eyes. Those eyes, those damned, sparkling eyes.
"Why are you here?" Picard asked Q, trying to dampen the confused upset in his voice. He sat up upon Dux, who was looking down at Q, their expression blank. Q instead was smiling coyly.
"Ahh Jean-Luc, for reasons that aren't hostile," Q said in a very sultry voice, much to Picard's chagrin, "But to be completely honest, I can't find a reason I'm here." His dramatic voice changed from the romantically charged one to one of light bewilderment. He stood up on the ledge of the fountain to try to look at Picard face-to-face.
"Sure," Picard said, looking down at the Q, "I've seen you pull this before, remember?" he gave Q a knowing look, "When the Q turned you into a human and put you on my ship?"
"This is no prank, my little captain" Q said, crossing his arms, "Or a punishment from the Q."
Picard kept looking at Q, still calling 'bs' on him.
"Trust me- I wouldn't choose to be stuck into a human body again like I am now." Q said, smirking at Picard. He crossed his arms and turned his nose up to Picard. "I would have chosen to be a draconequus instead."
Huh?
"My point is," Q glared at Picard and Dux, "I'm not here on my own volition- or the Q's either."
Picard looked down at Q, studying the god. It was a strange thing, looking down upon a creature who normally looked down upon mankind. It was exhilarating yet off. It gave Picard a sense of power that he never felt over Q, but it wasn't that pleasant of a feeling.
Yet he had to use that sense of power to get the truth out of Q- if the truth wasn't already out.
"Is there any way to prove to us that you're not here just for your own game?" Picard asked, tilting his chin up in a deity-like fashion.
The faintest of blushes spread upon Q's cheeks for a moment as he looked up to the captain.
Picard would be a perfect Q, Q thought to himself, concealing a flustered grin.
"Well, I have a feeling that your steed has told you that there are more of us Q here, am I not mistaken?" Q shot a glance at Dux, who was unamused.
"Yes, Captain Solis has told me about their findings," Picard leaned down a little, looking right into Q's star shining eyes, "So, where are they?"
"I- um," Q tugged at the collar of his robes, hoping to hide the fact that this power play was making him feel all hot and bothered, "They're somewhere." He looked away from Picard, and to the buildings around the town square.
If I hadn't seen them myself, I would have thought you were lying, Q.
"Agreed," Picard said, "I trust Dux on this, yet you, Q, are making things more difficult than they should."
"I'm not! They were out here before you both came galloping here like your asses were on fire."
I'm not sure if that was in insult to my gait or if he's just being a brat.
"It could be both." Picard whispered with a shrug.
"Rude," Q crossed his arms and snobbishly turned his nose up to the mortal captains, "If anyone is the brat here it's Picard with all of his teasing."
"Picard looked down his nose at Q, a mischievous look on his face.
"Teasing?" He asked, "What teasing." He smiled, playing with the god. He watched Q's face become bright red, yet he wouldn't tell if it was out of frustration or being flustered.
"All of this!" Q stomped his foot, gesturing to all of Picard, "You've been a flirt since Fairpoint!"
"I was genuinely upset with you then, Q." Picard shot back, "I was not being flirty at all during our first encounter at all."
"Then why-"
"Q!"
A voice rang out from another one of the decrepit buildings. Picard, Dux, and Q turned to see a tall woman wearing the same dark robes that Q was wearing step out of the dark.
She had long, pale white hair which flowed behind her, sparkling in the early morning sunlight. Pointed ears peeked out of her locks, establishing her as a Vulcan. Her chocolate colored skin glistened in the light, as if it were dusted with stars. She gracefully walked up to the three people in the town square, her face emotionless yet judging.
Picard looked at her, confused yet also aware of who she was. She was a Q.
Q shot a glare at the vulcan woman, who shot one back at him.
"I am T'Q, I see you have met that Q." she said looking at Picard. She strode up to Dux and Picard, and lightly grinned at them, "I apologize for any and all of the chaos he's put you through. Your Q is quite a rowdy one."
"No need to apologize," Picard gave a dismissive gesture, "I'm just surprised to see another Q."
"I normally only show myself to a few Vulcans I have been close to, so I can understand your surprise." T'Q explained, "In fact, most Q will never show themselves to creatures like you," she looked away from Picard and to Dux, "oh you, no offense."
None taken.
"But your Q is correct." She explained, "We are here not because we had any desire to be."
"Well, then why are you here?" Picard asked, confused.
"We're trapped here." She calmly spoke, "I, your Q, and three more of us have found ourselves trapped here."
"Trapped?"
From the explanation I was given about you all, you're powerful, godlike, am I correct?
The Vulcan Q nodded yes.
"What happened?" Picard asked, all while slowly lowering himself off of Dux. Q took notice and hopped off the fountain, finally able to look at Picard face to face.
"I can explain!" Q interrupted, almost hastily. The T'Q discreetly rolled her eyes.
"Go ahead," She gestured from Q to Picard and Dux, as if to say 'take the stage, Q'.
"First off-" Q cleared his throat before stepping in front of T'Q, "I am first wondering why I keep getting called 'Picard's Q', why can't it be Q's Picard instead? After all, I'm more of the dominant one, say, T'Q, didn't you see me when I first met Picard? I was the one in control from the-"
"Enough," T'Q pinched the bridge of her nose, "I don't think they don't want to hear about your frustration at the moment." She shook her head, "Now get to the subject at hand."
"Of course," Q said, waving his hand at T'Q to tell her to 'back up', "So, you want to know why we are here?"
"Yes, I figured I got that across."
"So, here's the thing, Jean-Luc-"
Is he allowed to address you as that?
"No, but there's not much I can do to stop him."
"Shh you two." Q hissed. "As I was going to say- I was meeting up with some of the Q after I left your ship for the night when we realized that your ship was in trouble."
Why were you meeting up with other Q?
"None of your concern-"
"We were wondering why Q was so drawn to a certain captain." T'Q eyed Q and Picard. Q blushed for a moment.
"Shut up." Q snapped at T'Q, "So anyways, I and the other Q realized your ship was in trouble, so we came to find out why. We arrived at your ship only to be pulled from our position to this forsaken planet."
"What pulled you down here?" Picard asked, his voice tense.
"We don't know," T'Q interjected, "We figure it's whatever pulled your ship down here."
"But why are you still here?"
"Uhh, if you haven't picked up on it yet," Q gestured to himself then to T'Q, who stood there silently, "We're pretty much powerless."
"Whatever pulled us down here also drained us of most of our power," T'Q calmly explained, "We used what little power we had to make sure the Enterprise wasn't smashed to the point of no crew survival." She paused for a moment, glancing over at Q from the corner of her eye, "A certain Q used some of his power to save the life of you, Picard."
Q's eyes were now wide open, and a noticeable blush formed on his upper cheekbones. Picard on the other hand didn't seem phased by what T'Q had said. Yet inside he was a confused yet mushy mess.
That's strangely romantic.
Picard felt his cheeks warm due to Dux's statement. He was hoping that none of the creatures surrounding him picked up on the change in hue of his face.
"It sure is, Captain," T'Q smiled, nodding to Dux, "I just don't know if your Kll'ii has picked up on that yet."
"Kll'ii?" Picard and Q asked at once, both turning to T'Q and Dux.
Dux and T'Q looked at each other as if what she had said was some sort of inside joke between the two of them.
Kll'ii means 'friend in the mind' in the language of the Thaleen. That's what we use to describe a friend who is not Thaleen and can only understand up through our telepathic speech. I consider you, Picard, as one of my Kll'ii.
"I consider you as a friend too, Dux." Picard said, cheerfully smiling. But his grin was gone when he realized that both T'Q and Dux had mentioned a romance between Q and himself. The smile became an embarrassed look matching Q's.
"So, you saved me," Picard said, turning to Q, hoping that he didn't pick up the wavering in his voice.
"I suppose I did, Jean-Luc," Q turned his nose up, "That's the second, no wait, third time I've done so, so don't expect me to do it again."
"Third time?" Picard narrowed his eyes at Q, "What do you mean by third time? I only remembered the time you kept me from dying after my heart was injured."
"Oh don't you remember when I was human and I was sacrificing myself to those-"
"Nevermind, I remember that." Picard shook his head, "But in my perspective that seemed to be more of you thinking of the greater good."
"Yes I was thinking of the greater good, but it still counts as a time I've saved your life."
"No it doesn't."
"Yes it does, dear."
The second the word 'dear' escaped Q's lips the two bickering men fell silent.
As Q realized what he had just said, he placed a hand upon his mouth. He had a look of surprise upon his face, and he found himself unable to look at Picard.
Picard's face flushed to an extremely noticeable shade of pinkish red. He wished that he could just jump up onto Dux's back and disappear beyond the flame colored horizon.
"Oh mon Dieu." Picard whispered, embarrassed.
T'Q and Dux turned to look at them, eyes wide and jaws almost dropped. The one simple word said by Q was just enough for them to confirm that the captain and deity had a romantic interest in each other.
If T'Q wasn't as dignified as she was, she would have let out a quiet 'yes'. After all, she had been one to hear Q and his swooning and complaints about the captain whenever he was in the continuum.
"I- well, you see-," Q stammered, still looking away from Picard.
"We get it." T'Q said, clasping her hands behind her back, "No need to say anything."
"So, how about we talk about this town," Picard interjected with a cough.
Yes, about the town.
"I figured you were going to want to discuss this haven we have found," T'Q nodded, "But first, how about a meal? You both look starving."
Picard and Dux were brought into one of the crumbling orange brick buildings nearby, which looked to have been turned into a mess hall, or bakery if one was being generous. The warm smell of freshly baked bread wafted outside the building.
"We had found a silo of grains that were in good condition, so we have been able to make an assortment of edible foods to sustain our humanoid forms." T'Q explained, gesturing for Dux and Picard to walk into the building.
Another Q walked up to the two captains, smiling. Her form was of a shorter, rounder, human woman, with long, bright pink hair and piercing green eyes. Her skin was as pale as moonlight, and covered in tawny freckles.
"She liked to spend a lot of her time on Earth learning about all the different cuisines that humanoids enjoy," T'Q said, introducing the Q next to her.
"Hey ya'll!" She said, a large grin on her face, "Sorry I ain't as dignified as T'Q here, I think spending a lot o' my time on Earth studying the food has made me soft."
"I have no complaints," Picard said.
"Good, good." The baker Q said, "Oh it may get a wee bit confusing with all of us going by Q walking about, so just call me Quintessa- that's my Earth disguise name! It means 'essence', or 'harvester'."
"Interesting." Picard nodded, "It's a lovely name."
Q, what name do you go as? Dux inquired, turning to Q.
"Just Q."
"We call him Picard's Q back in the continuum," Quintessa piped up, "or 'that dumbass that can't keep himself out of trouble' or 'the guy who can't stop playing god'."
"How rude. It's not playing god when you are a god," Q said, "And I think Q is a fine 'name' for me."
"Ehh suit yourself," Quintessa shrugged. She walked over to what looked to be an oven which was made of stone and brick, much like the building was. She placed her hands in and pulled out a stone plate with a freshly baked loaf of bread perched on it.
Picard found his mouth watering at the smell of the bread. He was hoping that it tasted as good as it smelled.
Quintessa placed the loaf of bread down on a platter and placed that platter on a wooden table near her.
"I've also been experimenting with the local fruits and trying to make jams outta 'em," She announced, "The flavor reminds me of Terran prickly pears."
The Q grabbed a jar of pink orange jam from a shelf near here and popped the lid off and placed a knife in it. She placed it down on the table with the bread and gestured for Picard and Dux. Picard sat on one of the wooden chairs that were around the table, and Dux sat their haunches down on the floor.
"As the French say, bone apple tea."
"I think it's bon appetit." Picard corrected.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Quintessa waved her hand in a dismissive manner, "now eat you two, y'all look like you're starvin'."
The meal of fruits and crudely baked bread that was served to Dux and Picard was enjoyable to say the least. The two were able to eat their fill, which was not something they had done in a while.
It would have been more enjoyable if not for Q stabbing a bunch of fruits onto one of Dux's horns and calling it a 'Q-bab". The fruits left a sticky mess behind on the offended horn.
"Sorry about that, Captain," Quintessa apologized to Dux. She was standing on a chair to help her clean up Dux's horn with a cloth, "He can be a bit of an ass,"
"Tell me about it" sighed both Picard and Dux.
Quintessa finished cleaning up the sticky mess and hopped off the chair. She walked over to the makeshift cooling rack by the oven and grabbed another loaf of bread and brought it over to the table.
"More?" she asked as she began to cut into the fresh loaf.
"I'm good," Picard said, putting a hand up, "I've had more than my fill."
I as well, Dux remarked.
"The food was delicious," Picard commended Quintessa, who was smiling brightly, "I would like to bring some back to my camp, if that is alright. I think my crew would like your baking"
"Actually, why don't you bring 'em here? We can-"
"Quintessa," T'Q said firmly, "We had not discussed that yet, so do not offer that up to them yet."
"But we have enough room for them all." Quintessa pleaded, "Sure, many of the buildings need repairs but with more than a thousand people helping we can turn this place into an oasis!"
"I agree," Picard said, turning to the two Q, "Our crews could repair this town and together we could wait until aid comes."
The two Q looked at him, then back at each other.
"Quintessa, let's discuss this privately, then."
T'Q placed a hand on the small of Quintessa's back, and gently herded her into a nearby room. The two started a muffled conversation, one out the the hearing of Picard, Dux, and Q. The three that were left behind awkwardly stayed where they were. Dux got up from where they were seated and walked outside, stretching their legs in the process.
Well, they are discussing it, right?
"Correct." Picard said, getting up from the table, "I am hoping that the discussion goes in our favor, this place may be what keeps our crews alive."
"Oh no worries, mon capitaine, they will most likely agree to let your crews stay here," Q explained slyly, "The other two are out scouting the area, but they will most likely side with you."
"I sure hope so," Picard turned to Q, his arms crossed. "Mon chéri." sarcasm dripped off his last statement.
"No need to be such a morveux, Jean-Luc," Q crooned, almost purring. He placed himself in front of the captain, looking down upon him. He took the older captain's chin by his thumb and index finger, tilting his head up and exposing Jean-Luc's neck. Picard's breath was caught in his throat, making him audibly gasp. His glassy eyes flicked around, trying to avoid meeting Q's gaze.
Q narrowed his eyes, his expression severe yet alluring. His tongue flicked across his barred, shining, white teeth. The deity grinned, taking a moment to look down upon Picard in this dominant stance he took. He leaned down to Picard's ear, hearing the captain's breath hitch.
"I'll make sure they let you- and your crew- come here." Q whispered, his voice rough in an erotic sense.
Picard swallowed, hoping that Q didn't pick up on his shallow breaths or reddening face. There he was, being held in place by the sensual deity in which he found annoyance. Something about this experience was exhilarating to the captain. It was arousing."
"On dirait que vous avez besoin d'un verre, Jean-Luc." Q breathed into his ear, grasping the captain's chin harder.
"Oh baise." Picard swore. He could feel a few beads of sweat forming on his brow, even knowing the air inside the buildings was cool and crisp. He felt feverish. He felt his lower belly become warm, almost electric. And it was not because of the large meal he just had.
"C'est ce que tu obtiens pour m'avoir excité tout à l'heure, mon cher Jean-Luc." Q gently brushed his thumb tip over Picard's lower lip, all while biting his own lip. In response Picard choked a moan, hoping the Q in the other room didn't hear.
"Vous aimez ça, n'est-ce pas?"
"Oui,' Picard gasped, "beaucoup." He looked up at Q, his green hazel eyes large and round with pleasure and thrill.
"Bon," Q rasped, pulling Picard's face to his own, "Je voulais faire ça depuis longtemps." The Q brushed his lips over Picard's, soft and gentle yet overpowering. Picard for his already wobbly legs becoming even weaker.
"Mon sale capitaine," Q crooned. The man he was holding suppressed a gasp, swallowing down the undignified sound.
"Je veux t'embrasser, Jean-Luc." Q stated in a sultry manner.
"Alors, faites-le." Picard looked up at the god, his eyes flickering with flirtatious intent. He smiled seductively, almost begging Q.
With his remaining hand, Q grasped Picard's waist, grabbing tightly but not tight enough to bruise. He pulled Picard's abdomen into his own, pressing their bodies together. Picard let out a pleasured gasp, one that told Q of how long Picard had gone without this type of touch.
"Toucher faim, n'êtes-vous pas?" Q chuckled, running his hand from Picard's waist to his hip. Picard shuddered in delight at the feeling. He pressed his hand into the supple flesh of the captain's hip, running his thumb over the crest of his hip bone.
"Dans une large mesure." Picard remarked, melting under Q's gentle yet dominating touch. He wanted to say more, but he was afraid that he was going to start panting.
"Pauvre Picard, pauvre pauvre pauvre Picard." Q whispered, almost growling. He pressed his lips into Picard's, eliciting a lewd gasp from the shorter man. Picard pressed back, reciprocating the osculation. He pressed his body into Q's almost letting himself be held up by the deity. It was a stimulating feeling for Picard, being touched this way- by a god no less.
Picard pulled away from the kiss, still letting himself be grasped by Q. Q looked down at him, confused for a mere moment.
"Pressez-moi contre le mur et ravissez-moi, s'il vous plaît." Picard requested, breathing rapidly. The warm, electric feeling in his belly was building, spreading to his jelly legs and chest.
Q grinned slyly. He removed his hand from Picard's jaw and moved it to his hip. Picard let out a soft moan, and placed his hands on Q's shoulders. Q then pressed his body harder into Picard's, and pinned Picard to the wall behind him. He held the captain there for a moment, savoring the man's deep, panting breaths and delicious, cherry red lips.
Q pressed his lips into Picard's, feeling Picard suck in a breath. In that moment, Q worked his tongue into Picard's, evoking a lustful noise from the captain. Q's tongue flicked around Picard's maw, sliding against the captain's own.
Picard started to grind against Q, much to the delight of Q. Still french kissing Picard, slowly moved a hand from Picard's hip to his butt, squeezing his plump posterior.
"Aah~" Picard gasped, grabbing Q's shoulders tightly. His jaw dropped open and his eyebrows shot up, giving him a surprise yet horny expression. He pressed himself even harder into Q, grinding his hips into the deity's. Q pushed back harder, almost smashing Picard against the wall. The two men's lips met again, tongues returning to the battle of dominance and pleasure.
The moment was as wanted as a glass of cool water by the two men, yet steamier than a boiling geyster. The power balance was apparent, yet played upon to the arousal of the two.
"Uhm, what's going on?"
Q whipped his head around from Picard, breaking the passionate kiss. In the doorway stood T'Q and Quintessa, staring back at the two men. Quintessa's eyebrows had shot straight up, while T'Q had gracefully placed a hand over her mouth.
Picard, who was still in a daze, turned to see the two women staring him down. He pushed Q off of him, and straightened his disheveled shirt. Q moved away from the captain, not daring to look at him.
"We were just going to tell you, Captain Picard," Quintessa coughed, "and Captain Dux when he returns," Quintessa did her best not to have her voice waver awkwardly, "That your two crews can stay in this town until rescue arrives."
T'Q removed her hand from in front of her agape lips and straightened her posture, "Yes, we figured that the two crews staying here would be beneficial to all parties, humanoid, Thaleen, and Q." She awkwardly looked at Q, then Picard. Her eyes were piercing right through them, as if she wanted to dispel the memory of walking into their session.
Picard coughed, "Of course," He bowed his head down, avoiding eye contact with the two Q in front of him, "I will return to my camp to let them know about this place and your decision." He was hoping and praying that they had not noticed the little bit of saliva on the corner of his mouth, or his almost nervous grasping of both of his hands at his sides.
"That sounds like a plan." T'Q said, placing her hands together, "Please inform Captain Dux of our agreement," she slightly bowed to the Captain, "Ek'klem na'odu."
"You're welcome," Picard said, reciprocating the bow. He turned from the Q and started out the door, not even looking at his Q before he left.
The moment that Picard was out the door, the two Q directed their attention to Q. Q blushed, giving them a half hearted smile.
"So, did your discussion go well?" He asked, feigning a happy-go-lucky tone.
"Yes," T'Q nodded, "And I assume your conversation with Captain Picard went well too?" If Q wasn't trying to calm his racing heart he would have noticed the sly smile creeping on T'Q's face.
"I- well- hmm," He stammered, turning his gaze from the Q, "It was well." He staid, nonchalantly.
"Good," T'Q walked to the door, and placed her hand on the nob, "And next time, please get a room." She walked out of the building elegantly.
Q turned to Quintessa, who was giving him a more noticeable knowing grin. He frowned at her, which only made her laugh.
"Wow, y'all are something." She said with a chuckle, "I guess we were right for labeling you 'Picard's Q', ain't I right?" She placed her hands on her hips defiantly, "Embrasse-moi Q, embrasse-moi Q, ha y'all are abordable."
"Shut up," Q said, half joking, before he walked out the front door.
"But yah, next time- do it somewhere else that ain't my bakery!" Quintessa shouted playfully.
As Q walked out of the bakery he looked around, scanning the area for Picard. But there was no sign of the captain he had just made out with.
Q felt disappointed, as if he were stood up.
But before Q had a chance to call out the Starfleet captain's name, Dux with Picard on their back came galloping past, almost knocking over the lone Q.
Time seemed to slow for just a moment as Picard turned his head to look over at Q, who was standing in place- almost frozen. Q's eyes met Picard's, and time almost stopped.
Light seemed to warp around the captain, as if he were in the middle of a solar eclipse. He seemed graceful, just tragic, like a painting of love and loss. Light glittered all around the two men, like stars in a dying galaxy.
Picard's eyes were like precious jewels, periots, glimmering in low light. They were soft, yet they pieced the depths of Q's mind. They were daggers, yet they were also a soft blanket at wintertime.
A deep pang filled Q's chest as Picard and Dux rushed off, out of sight of the Q.
What just happened?
Dux was galloping off with Picard on their back, headed in the direction of the camp. The sky was clear and blue, and the air was crisp and cool.
Everything seemed great for the Thaleen captain.
I'm so glad that the Q are going to let us stay in that town- they seem nice.
Dux got no response from Picard.
Picard?
Still no response for the captain that was poached upon their back. Dux was beginning to become concerned, especially after they saw Picard walk out of the bakery wordlessly and stiffly.
Picard, is everything alright? Dux slowed from a full blown gallop to a trot, bouncing across the red sands.
"Yes Dux, I am alright." Picard said, patting Dux's neck. He paused for a moment. "Sorry, I'm used to doing that to the horses I rode before."
That's alright- no offense taken. Dux paused, slowing them self to a stop. Are you sure that you are alright, Jean-luc? It seems that something happened after I walked out of the bakery.
"No, everything is fine," Picard said, "why did you stop?"
I can tell that something isn't right. Did something happen? Did the Q say something? Did Q himself say something?
"No- Nothing of the sort."
I'm sorry to pry, Picard, but I want to see if I can help you with whatever is troubling you.
"I…" Picard's voice trailed off, "I kissed Q."
He felt Dux gasp underneath him.
What? Dux sounded like a teenage girl hearing the latest gossip, You kissed him?
"Technically he kissed me first," Picard groaned.
Wow- was it good?
Picard sighed, not wanting to answer the Thaleen.
Sorry- but did you at least enjoy it? Are you and Q dating now?
"Yes- and no." Picard bit his lower lip, thinking. He knew he could trust the Thaleen captain, but he was unsure that they could help his conflicted feelings.
Is that what's wrong? That you and Q aren't a couple?
"Sort of." Picard sighed sadly. His shoulders slumped forward in a defeated fashion, "I genuinely enjoyed what Q and I did- yet I'm still unsure if I want to be with him."
Is it because he's annoying? I picked up on that immediately when I met him.
"It's because he's a Q. A god of sorts." Picard said, exasperated, "I'm unsure if he truly loves me, or if I'm just a plaything to him. I can't tell if he genuinely has feelings for me or if I'm just being controlled like a puppet for his amusement."
Then why don't you talk to him? Dux inquired. They turned their head around to look at Picard, careful not to stab the man with their horns.
"It's not that easy," Picard lamented.
Sure it is, Picard, how about you just give it a try?
"But what about my crew?" Picard thought out loud, "I would think that many of them would become distrustful of me if I were to suddenly couple up with Q- who had terrorized my ship and crew before."
Then keep it as a private thing, Dux suggested, You don't need to be making out in public or getting married tomorrow to be a couple.
"You have a point, Solis," Picard found himself blushing as the recent memory of he and Q's makeout session resurfaced, "how about we get back to camp now, I don't need my crew to worry about where I am, even know I left a note on my bed."
Good point- I don't need Amare- err, my crew to worry about me either.
"Why single out Amare, Dux?" Picard inquired slyly, as Dux started into a trot, "Are you and her-"
Dux froze, embarrassed.
Let's not discuss that at the moment.