Chapter Two
Starliner

Beverly surveyed the room they had just transported into curiously. It definitely wasn't a Starfleet vessel; it wasn't like anything she had seen in a very long time. The Captain was still by her side. That was a good sign. At least if they had been transported to the wrong location he would know about it. He had made all the arrangements and hadn't given her enough time to ask any questions. She trusted him implicitly but there had to be some type of mistake.

"Ah, Captain Picard, Dr. Crusher, it is a pleasure to have on board." A handsome man came forward and quickly extended his hand to the Captain.

Well, they seem to know who we are at any rate, thought Beverly. She was still unsure of their location and the rather luxurious surroundings had her further puzzled.

"Please, for this journey I am simply Jean-Luc Picard and this is Beverly Crusher," Jean-Luc said motioning to her.

"Of course, I understand completely," the man replied giving Picard a wink and taking Beverly's hand. "And I am Captain Rick Davis. I would be honored if you both will join my table for dinner tonight."

"I'm sorry Captain, but the Doct- Beverly is catching up on some much needed rest. We will be having a late dinner this evening." Noting the disappointment on Captain Davis's face he added, "Perhaps you will be available for tea tomorrow."

"Yes, I would like that very much," said the younger Captain warmly. "I understand you will probably not want to be disturbed but I hope you will at least have your meals in one of the dining areas. And if there is anything I can do for you please feel free to call on me or any of my staff." Davis motioned for another man to take their luggage.

"Thank you, Captain Davis," said Beverly speaking for the first time. "This is quite a ship, just a little different from what I am accustomed to - or what I was expecting." She gave Jean-Luc a puzzled look but he added no new information.

They walked through the ship with Davis pointing out several features, both recreational and decorative in nature. Brass railings, tasteful paintings several interesting statues, various gift shops, 3 different dining areas and a grand ballroom were just a few of the areas they passed on the way to their cabins. Beverly let her eyes take in the surroundings but she was too tired to really listen to his words.

"Doctor, this is your suite and Captain yours is next door as requested. Again, if there is anything I can get for you just let me know." He smiled happily, watching them enter their cabins before turning to leave. He picked your ship, Davis. He could have travelled home in any number ways but he picked yours. The young captain headed back to his bridge, his eyes inspecting everything anew.

Her luggage was already waiting as Beverly gazed around still not quite believing this was all real. The warm pastel colors and dark blue highlights accenting the beautiful cherry wood carved headboard and a matching dressing table. And the roses. The beautiful arrangement of fresh roses - or at least the best replicated versions she had ever seen, sent a gentle scent into the cabin. She was so tired she didn't even notice the card nestled among the flowers.

She was about to throw herself into the pillows covering the top half of the bed when a small chime rang. "Come in," she called thinking it would be Jean-Luc at the front door.

"Over here," he called from the back of the room. She turned and found him smiling sheepishly just inside an adjoining doorway.

"How convenient," she said looking at him with a suspicious smile.

"I just wanted to check with you about dinner before you drifted off to sleep. How about 2030 hours?"

"How about 8:30 and you've got yourself a date?"

"Of course, I'll ring you then." He smiled and backed out of the room before she could ask him any further questions. He knew she was confused by his choice in transportation but the smile in her eyes told him she wasn't disappointed.

Turning back to the bed, she forced herself to change into her favorite sleep shirt before letting the soft sheets caress her. Then gathering one of the extra pillows in her arms she fell asleep instantly.

By 7:30 he had showered and shaved. For the next 30 minutes he searched the ship's catalog for an appropriate dinner suit. He knew dinner in the main dining room required a certain formalness but it had been too long since he had to wear anything other than his uniform for such an occasion; Starfleet made that choice simple enough. Even though he disliked the cut of the dress uniforms he could at least blame that choice on someone else. He could wear his regular uniform but part of why he chose this particular mode of transportation was to help him make the transition into temporary civilian life.

"Damn, it's just dinner after all, why I am making such a big deal out of what I wear?" he asked himself shutting off the catalog terminal.

I know Beverly won't be in uniform tonight. He couldn't help but smile at the implications of that statement but for now he limited himself to memories of her appearance at several official gatherings. He was never disappointed on those all too infrequent evenings.

It always seemed as though the corridors were especially crowded as he made his way to her door. Everyone he passed seemed to know exactly where he was headed and why. Even though they were official functions he found himself becoming nervous as he approached her quarters. Jean-Luc, it's not a date, it's your duty as Captain to attend, he would tell himself as he rang the door chime.

Then she would appear framed by the door and completely take his breath away. He also remembered the looks she received from the other guests at those events. He wasn't the only one she affected that way and he quietly savored having such a beautiful woman on his arm.

There were a few times when he had been cornered by some ambassador or other VIP only to find her moving smoothly across the dance floor in the arms of someone else. God how he loved dancing with her; Beverly could make anyone look good on the dance floor. And, if only for a few minutes he could hold her in his arms while the whole crew watched. But so could any man who had worked up the nerve to ask her. Few of them did, she was after all the Chief Medical Officer, a Commander by rank and the Captain's date for the evening.

Tonight she was none of those things. Yet, he knew this evening would end like all the rest. He would escort her back to her cabin and she would say goodnight at the door. Sometimes she would kiss him softly on the cheek and he would smile and turn away lest she notice the effect being so close to her had upon him.

But tonight it was simply Jean-Luc and Beverly; no Starfleet, no Enterprise. And perhaps . . .

He stood up and paced the room once more. "Maybe I should ask her to pick something out for me?" He pulled on his uniform pants but stopped and gathered his robe around him again. "Great idea Jean-Luc, this was supposed to help make things easier and you can't even find something to wear for dinner."

8:15 PM said the clock on the dressing table. He pushed the button for the intercom into her room. "Beverly, are you almost ready?"

"Just a few more minutes," she answered back.

"Beverly, I seem to be having a problem," he said hesitatingly.

"What sort of problem, Jean-Luc?" the curiosity evident in her voice.

"Promise, you won't laugh at me?"

It wasn't often he actually sounded vulnerable so she attempted to be reassuring, "Of course, I won't laugh at you. I'm a Doctor, remember? Now, what is the nature of this problem?"

"I don't know what to wear," he said as evenly as he could manage.

Beverly had to clasp her hand over her mouth to keep the sound from bursting over the intercom. Despite her effort he heard a small whimper and then the prolonged silence as she tried to contain herself.

"Beverly, it's not funny," he said in his deepest Captain's voice. "In that case I'll just wear my uniform and be done with it."

A second later she rang the chime at the back door and he called for her to enter as he switched the terminal back on. "Is this what men are wearing these days?" he asked pointing at a particularly uncomfortable looking suit.

He looked up and realized she had done it again. Following her across the room, unable to speak and unable to tear his eyes away from the beautiful woman crossing to his side, he forced himself to inhale. She stood beside him, her intoxicating scent wafting into his space, playing havoc with his senses.

"Maybe you should wear your uniform," she said surveying the display. Then looking at him with an amused grin, "I don't think they're going to let you in the dining room in your bathrobe, however."

"I see you had no problem finding something - er, something . . . to wear." He couldn't quite find the words he wanted, his tongue suddenly heavy adding to the effort of keeping his jaw shut.

Misinterpreting his non-words and almost pained expression she asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like this dress?"

"Yes . . . you're . . . I mean it's lovely. You just caught me by surprise." He attempted to find some of his usual reserve but it was difficult as he drank in the sight of the royal blue dress, falling off her shoulders and caressing her body like a silky hand.

"Yes, well, you know you can ask the computer to help you improvise. That's what I did, except for this last fastener here in the back. Do you mind?" She turned and lifted her hair to reveal the slightly opened dress on her back.

"Not at all." The fabric was as soft as it looked. The warmth of her back, the sight of her bare neck, all combined with the inviting scent of her perfume were affecting him in ways he didn't even want to think about right now. This trip was going to be difficult enough with out those thoughts popping up every time they were together.

This isn't the time, Jean-Luc, he scolded himself trying to concentrate on the fastener. His fingers weren't responding correctly so he leaned in closer trying to get a clearer view. The breath he had been holding in finally released across her the back of her exposed neck; she shivered ever so slightly. The clasp finally snapped into place.

"Now, back to your problem." Seating herself in front of the terminal she turned a critical eye on him; the way she crossed her legs revealing just how far the dress was slit up her thigh. She would glance at him, make an adjustment on the terminal and look back at him again. The whole process was more than a bit unnerving as he squirmed under her gaze. At last she seemed satisfied with the result. "If you hate it, you can wear your uniform but I think I know your tastes well enough by now."

He peered over her shoulder at the image and smiled. "That will do just fine."

"Not bad, if I do say so myself but sometimes designs don't translate into form - like that clasp. I'll reserve my final judgment until I see you at my front door." With that she slipped back into her room.

He arrived at her door 10 minutes later than originally scheduled. And although he had just seen her a few minutes ago his heart raced as she appeared in the doorway.

The smile on her face growing as she surveyed him from head to toe. "Very handsome."

She was right that color did bring out his eyes. Mostly blue, but sometimes appearing gray or even darker she wondered if he was even aware of their intriguing nature. Or of how many times she marveled at their expressiveness. He hid his feelings so well behind that commanding facade but she had learned to recognize every emotion, every nuance that shone through those eyes. Taking the arm he offered to her they walked towards the dining room.

Dinner was wonderful, the chef taking extra care knowing who his patrons would be; the bottle of wine hesitatingly recommended by the young waiter. Soon, the wine began to loosen even more of the knots still holding her muscles captive. The over-attentive waiter kept the conversation short and innocuous so they declined the tempting dessert selection hoping to be left alone.

"The staff is very eager aren't they?" Picard asked when the young man finally disappeared out of range.

"Yes, and I must admit to being a bit curious as to why you chose this form of transportation," she said finally able to broach the subject. "It's not like you to indulge in such a luxurious setting."

He set down his glass, before steepling his hands, "It was the slowest, fastest way I could find. We'll arrive in the same amount of time as if we had used Starfleet transport but I thought this might be a nice change."

"I see . . . It's just not what I was expecting." She watched him for any reaction.

"I hope your not disappointed? Perhaps next time we'll be able to stay for more than one evening."

"No, I'm not disappointed. It's just that . . ." She took a deep breath before continuing, "Are you embarrassed to be seen traveling with me?"

"No, of course not." He was genuinely surprised by her allegation. He pulled himself up straighter, "Beverly, I could never be embarrassed to be seen with you. I just thought this might make the transition a littler easier for me . . . for both of us."

"What transition is that?" she asked still unsure of his true intentions.

"Well, this is the first time we won't have the Enterprise waiting for us. I'm no longer the Captain of the Federation Flagship . . . and you're no longer Chief Medical Officer."

He let his words sink in a bit before continuing but she wasn't ready to hear those facts yet. "Besides, I wasn't sure of what type of traveling companion I was going to be so I thought if you had other entertainment options you might be more comfortable."

"Jean-Luc, I'm not here to be entertained. I want you to stop worrying about me, I'm fine. I came as your friend to try to make things easier for you." She took his hand unaware of the warmth that she sent through him.

"You have. Beverly, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have anything to look forward to on this trip." The sadness returned to his eyes pulling at her defenses. "We've both been through a great deal in the past few weeks, it's very comforting to have you with me." He squeezed her hand gently pressing his fingertips into her palm.

"After everything that's happened, it's very comforting being with you, also." She met his eyes for a moment but had to look away as the heat from his hand reached much further than her hand.

He escorted her back to her cabin, she kissed him tenderly on the cheek; he stood and listened to the door close with a sigh that matched his own.