Chapter Text
The Enterprise-D glided smoothly up to the docking ring of Deep Space 9, the largest and most sophisticated ship amongst the freighters and passenger vessels that were ensconced amongst the various other hubs.
Aboard the Enterprise-D, Beverly Crusher and Jean Luc Picard were finishing up breakfast in his quarters. The captain had turned around from their shared table and was gazing out towards the station as some of the finer details of the Cardassian design came into focus.
“Penny for your thoughts”, murmured Beverly as she put down her coffee and rose from her chair to stand over Jean-Luc’s shoulder from behind. She leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek and rested her hands on his shoulders.
Jean-Luc brought up his hand to cover hers, but remained staring straight ahead to avoid contact with her piercing blue eyes. “I never really gave much thought to Cardassian design aesthetic last time we visited DS9, but now I am struck by how… brutalist it looks.”
His lips grimaced and his eyes closed as if to ward himself against the memories of another Cardiassian encounter, memories that had altered his personal view of Cardassians in an irrevocable way..
“Celtris 3”, harrumphed Beverly as she came around to kneel in front of Jean Luc and tenderly cradled his head with her hands. “What Gul Madred did to you is beyond the pale. I am still livid about what happened, how Jellico dismissed it all, if only Worf and I hadn’t left you behind….” she trailed off as her anger turned to a tone of regret.
“No!” Jean Luc said forcefully, almost shouting, startling them both. Beverly looked at him curiously, surprised by the outburst.
“No, no, there was nothing to have been gained by staying behind, Beverly”, he said more gently, “Don’t blame yourself. I will be alright. What happened on Celtris 3 is far removed from DS9, and being here will help me move on from that… experience.”
He took both her hands in his and brought them to his lips. Such tenderness was new for them and she shivered at the caress.
Jean-Luc stood, bringing Beverly up to standing with him, and they embraced. “I am here for you Jean Luc, whatever you need”, she whispered in his ear.
“Perhaps there is one thing that may help right now”, he answered as he smiled mischievously and pressed his lips up against hers.
They kissed gently at first, but as his hands came around and pressed her against him, she responded in kind and trailed kisses down to his neck, nibbling at his ear as his hands slid down lower, and lower.
The chirp of the communicator froze them in place, and they reluctantly pulled apart as Data’s voice sounded from Jean-Luc’s comm badge.
“Bridge to Captain Picard. We have successfully docked with Deep Space 9. Commander Sisko is ready to receive you at Ops at your convenience.”
“Please notify Commander LeForge to join me at the docking bridge momentarily, and then inform Commander Sisko to expect us within the hour. Thank you Commander Data, Picard out.”
Jean-Luc pulled away from Beverly, tugging down on his uniform, and then started clearing the table. “I suppose it’s time to make my way over to Deck 25. Care to walk with me?”, he asked Beverly as she helped him tidy up. Her hair remained a bit askew but the flush in her face was starting to fade as they fell back into their professional roles.
“I have some supplies to organize in sickbay first. Julian Bashir requested some of my updated viral vector samples, and has promised me a tour of his infirmary”, she replied. “Oh, and Deanna and I are planning to do a little shopping this afternoon on the promenade.”
“Ah yes, the promenade,” Jean Luc repeated. “Apparently there is a Klingon restaurant that is quite good. Care to join me there for dinner? I imagine we will have sorted out plans for upgrading the station’s sensor arrays by this afternoon, but after that I will have a bit more free time for a few days until Geordi and his team are finished. After all, there isn’t much for a captain to do on a starship that is stationary”, he teased.
Beverly grinned as they moved towards the door. “It’s a date, Jean Luc. Perhaps I can even think of a few more things to keep you busy while we’re here.”
They both stopped just outside the sensor mechanism of the door and appraised each other’s state of readiness for their roles as CMO and captain. Jean Luc gently rearranged a stray lock of Beverly’s hair and she in turn straightened his collar.
“Until tonight Doctor?”
He stepped towards the door and extended his arm to lead her out as the panels swished open. She gazed at him with a soft smile, “Until tonight, Captain.”