AN: Here we are, another piece to this one. I'm trying to get back here with more regularity.
I hope you enjoy! If you do enjoy, please do let me know!
111
Wesley's little friend, Emily, was pretty, smart, friendly, and she seemed to have a bright future ahead of her. She had big dreams, and she studied Engineering. During the dinner where they met her, she seemed particularly impressed that Wesley's step-father was the captain of the Enterprise, and Wesley had nudged Jean-Luc to tell her that he would definitely consider recommending her for a post when she finished her studies.
Jean-Luc didn't know if Emily and Wesley had any real future together, or if she would even remember the promise—she'd likely not need his recommendation at all if she continued on according to what she'd accomplished so far—but the thought of it had earned a very happy smile from Emily and a kiss for Wesley that Jean-Luc was certain he wasn't supposed to have witnessed later, when he'd gone out to see if Beverly had followed her son outside when he'd offered to walk Emily back to her home.
Emily, of course, was declared to be a wonderful girl—she would never be good enough for Beverly's son, and Jean-Luc had heard just the slightest vein of that truth when they were alone together—but Jean-Luc thought she would be good for Wesley.
Wesley, thankful for Jean-Luc's efforts and, perhaps, feeling something of a kinship with him, had asked him about the "family" vacation they'd planned at the end of their leave time. Beverly thought it would be nice for all of them to go somewhere together, but Wesley had asked Jean-Luc about buying him some more time on Caldos. Jean-Luc brought the idea up to Felisa first, and she'd been thrilled. She thought it was healthy for Jean-Luc and Beverly to have some time together, but she also liked the idea of Wesley having a man to go to as something of a supporter when it came to dealing with his mother.
Beverly had begrudgingly accepted the idea that Wesley would remain on Caldos when she'd been alone with Jean-Luc and he'd presented the idea to her on Welsey's behalf, but she'd put on her best performance in Wesley's presence and declared that it was a wonderful idea. He was having a good time there, after all, and he was such a great help to Nana—not to mention how much she liked Emily and hoped he could spend a little more time with his new friend before returning to the Enterprise.
Jean-Luc was only thankful that he hadn't been called upon to give Wesley any sort of "speech" involving his relationship with Emily. He hoped that wouldn't arise, either. Perhaps it was possible that his mother's condition was warning enough of what could happen when certain activities were practiced—especially without proper precautions.
Of course, Jean-Luc wouldn't, if given the opportunity, change a thing about their indiscretion or anything that had arisen from it.
Left with the planning of something like an actual honeymoon and a with a very short period of time to book something, Jean-Luc took care of things while Beverly spent time with her Nana, enjoying the woman's doting and affection.
He'd decided to surprise Beverly, and so it wasn't until they transported in that she knew where they were going.
The reaction he got, though, was admittedly different from the one he'd expected.
"Risa?!"
Jean-Luc dropped a hand to the small of Beverly's back to guide her off the transporter pad at the resort. The things they'd brought for the trip had been packed into one bag, and he carried it over his opposite shoulder. He escorted Beverly to the check-in desk, choosing not respond to her for the moment. He figured they would have plenty of time to discuss whatever she was feeling when they'd gotten to their room and were outside of the earshot of those who worked for the resort.
"Jean-Luc Picard," he said to the woman who looked at him over the check-in counter. She smiled at him.
"I'm sorry, what was that name again?"
"Picard," Jean-Luc repeated. "P-I-C-A-R-D. I booked a couple's retreat."
"I've got a reservation for two for a full Pleasure Package," the woman said.
"That would be us," Jean-Luc said. "It's our honeymoon." He felt his face grow a little warm at the look that the woman gave Beverly. She quickly put a smile on, though. Still, Jean-Luc didn't miss when Beverly's eyes went briefly wide in response, and her features stiffened.
He was simultaneously ready to get to their room and terrified of what might happen to him when they got there.
They completed the check-in and registration, and they were shown to their room. On the way there, the host that escorted them listed off the wonderful things available to them, including events that would take place at specific times. At the door of their room, Jean-Luc accepted the folder that was passed to him which would contain the details about activities—something he was sure they'd be happy to have, since he hadn't managed to listen to a single word that the host had said as he'd walked with them and told them all the wonderful things that awaited them on the pleasure planet.
Jean-Luc locked the door behind them, put their bag down, and braced himself for whatever was coming when his very quiet wife decided not to be quite so quiet.
"I can see you're upset," he offered, when she didn't say anything and, instead, stood stiffly in the middle of their room and looked around. She didn't say anything still, and he pressed again. "Beverly—if you'd like to discuss it…"
"Risa?" She said, her tone not making it clear exactly how she wanted him to respond, but surely making it clear that she disapproved of his choice.
"I thought you enjoyed Risa," Jean-Luc said. "I distinctly remember hearing you recommend it when people needed shore leave and stress relief."
"It's the Pleasure Planet, Jean-Luc," Beverly said. She went to their bag and started unpacking their things. She carried their clothes and tucked them away in the room's provided drawers and closets.
"And what's wrong with a little pleasure, Beverly? It's our honeymoon, isn't it? As close as we're likely to ever get, at the very least. And it's possibly our only vacation both without Wesley and before the baby arrives."
"What about—Corsica?" Beverly asked. "Betazed? There are plenty of places that offer relaxation and escape."
"I did look at Corsica," Jean-Luc said. "However, it seems that they had no open places on such short notice. And, well, for obvious reasons I thought that we might avoid Betazed. We didn't want to catch the attention of anyone when we were trying to just relax and get away."
Beverly sighed and sat down on the bed.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you on our honeymoon," Jean-Luc said, not sure exactly what it was about Risa that was so horrible today. He picked up the folder and looked through the activities. "We could see a piece of theater together, if you're interested. There are beautiful hikes and boating we can take part in. If you'd just like to relax, we can spend time on the beach or by the pool. We could take in the sunset at Temtibi Lagoon, Beverly, and have a romantic meal there. We'll go for a walk on the beach. Our package is all inclusive. We could visit the spa, and you could be pampered for a while. Wouldn't you like a massage?"
She frowned at him, deeply, when he looked up from the folder and he closed it, a heavy feeling taking up space in his chest.
Jean-Luc walked over and sat next to her on the bed.
"Beverly—I don't understand what I've done wrong, but I will right it if you'll give me the opportunity." Jean-Luc reached a hand over and caught Beverly's hand. For a second, she let her hand hang loosely in his, and then she sighed and squeezed his hand.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Jean-Luc," she said, practically sighing out the words.
"You are clearly not happy, my love," Jean-Luc said, swallowing back amusement. "I have done something wrong."
"It's just—Risa is the Pleasure Planet," Beverly said.
"I'm aware, it's one of the reasons that I thought we would be sure to find a number of things to enjoy here during the next few days," Jean-Luc said.
"You're forgetting that one of the main things that people find to enjoy here is…well…the women and the particular pleasures that they seem to offer," Beverly said.
Jean-Luc felt a little heat come to his face.
"Is that jealousy, Beverly?" He asked. "Are you concerned that—I may find some Risian woman while I'm on my…my honeymoon? With my wife?"
She didn't look nearly as amused as he felt.
"Jean-Luc…" Beverly said.
"I have waited all these years to be with you, Beverly. I could have had any number of Risian women in that time. I could have had any number of women from any background, if I had truly wanted that. And, yet, there was no woman that I wanted to settle down with except you. There's been no woman that could even win my attention for long. Do you sincerely believe that I would bring you—and our daughter—to Risa so that I could…look for another woman in front of your face?"
"No," Beverly said. "I don't. But—the women here are known for how beautiful they are, Jean-Luc. How—alluring…"
"It's starting to sound to me like I should be the one that's concerned," Jean-Luc said. "It sounds as if you've studied the women of Risa with some interest."
"I am going to feel very self-conscious out there, Jean-Luc," Beverly said. "When I put on a bathing suit to go out there for swimming in the ocean or lounging on the beach—or when I put on a dress for that romantic dinner at Temtibi Lagoon, I'll be carrying her out there, and I'll be putting myself on display next to all these practically perfect women with their practically perfect bodies."
Jean-Luc laughed to himself.
"I can't speak for the other men around here," Jean-Luc offered, "but this man will only have eyes for you, Beverly. My concern will be—if you are comfortable, and if you need a refill on your drink, and if you have remembered sunscreen, or would like a foot massage. You have my word, if that's your concern, that I will only have eyes for you."
Beverly looked like she relaxed a little.
Jean-Luc had never purposefully given her any reason to be jealous. Still, he knew that jealousy was one of those human emotions that often arose all on its own. Admittedly, when they did finally make their way down to the spa or to the chairs near the sea—and when some Risian man, because there were just as many of them employed as their were women at every resort, offered to give Beverly one of the many massages that Jean-Luc would press her to accept—Jean-Luc knew there would be some jealousy that naturally reared its head at the thought of another man touching her and bringing her pleasure—no matter that he was employed to do so, or that Jean-Luc wanted her to have the pleasure. Jealousy was simply something that naturally occurred from time to time.
Jean-Luc wasn't going to hold it against his expectant wife that she might not entirely hold her jealousy back, or that she might admit to some insecurities about her body. After all, there would likely be Risian men that would make Jean-Luc very aware of how much he needed to schedule a bit more time in the ship's gym. There were likely to be Risian men who wouldn't have dropped Beverly, as he once had, while attempting to carry her to bed, after all.
Jean-Luc lifted Beverly's hand and kissed it. She smiled at him softly.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"There's no need to apologize," he assured her. "I only want to be certain that you feel secure and comfortable—and know that I am here because I want to spend this time relaxing with you. As for the…real pleasure of Risa? I hope that you and I will keep that between ourselves."
She smiled sincerely this time.
"You know, Jean-Luc, Risian women are known for their creativity and imagination," Beverly said. "I'm not sure if I have that many tricks up my sleeve."
Jean-Luc laughed, happy to hear her teasing.
"You should know by now that I am a man of limited adventure," Jean-Luc said. "I would rather have that which I know to be enjoyable than any promise of some possibly exciting unknown. Tell me what you want, Beverly."
"You," she said with a smile.
"Then, you shall have that," he said. "Now—and later. As often as you like."
He leaned and kissed her. Any anger she'd felt toward him was clearly gone. The kiss was hungry, and it was practically electric. Jean-Luc enjoyed it for as long as she wanted, and he noticed the change in her pupils when the kiss broke.
"Let's spend a little time here," she said. "Then—let's do that dinner on the Temtibi Lagoon and a walk along the beach at sunset."
"I can think of no better way to spend an evening," Jean-Luc assured her. "I know you like to freshen up. I'll turn down the bed."