Jean-Luc scowled at his reflection in the conference table. Asking her outright would be crass, and he was not about to ruin what they had by sticking his foot in his mouth. Maybe she missed. He snorted. Targs would have to overrun his bridge before he believed that was an accident.
He steepled his fingers under his nose. What to do?
The remainder of the senior crew filed in and took their seats, the one to his left conspicuously empty. He checked the chronometer and opened his mouth to speak when the woosh of the doors behind his chair announced the arrival of the last crewmember.
"Sorry," Beverly said as she slid into the nearest vacant seat.
Bright spots of colour highlighted her cheeks. Was she blushing? He willed her to make eye contact with him, but she appeared intensely interested in Geordi's report – hanging on his every word as though the recalibration of the dilithium crystals was the most fascinating topic in the universe.
Jean-Luc stifled a smile as Geordi began to shift uncomfortably under her scrutiny. Careful there, Doctor, you wouldn't want him getting the wrong idea. He tapped his lips. And just what is the 'wrong idea,' eh, Johnny? Who was he to judge her interests? Geordi was certainly easy-going and considerate. What gave him the right to assume she wouldn't be interested in the chief engineer?
"Thank you," Jean-Luc said as Geordi wrapped up his report. "Data?"
Jean-Luc smothered a grin as Geordi sank back in relief when Beverly turned her eyes on the android. You have my sympathies. It's not easy having those blue eyes boring into your soul, is it?
He glanced at the woman studiously ignoring him and reached a decision. He hadn't earned a reputation as a master tactician for nothing. She'd fired the first shot, now it was his turn.