And now it's time for yet another episode of... Star Trek: The Next Sensation To boldly go where only naughty fans have gone before! Episode 4: Physical Contact PLEASE NOTE!!! The following short story is rated NC-17, with _very_ good reason. It is meant for adult readers with open minds. This is a piece of erotic, rather than science, fiction, even though it is written about the characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation. You are welcome to pass this story around except for a few caveats: 1) Keep this entire header attached and keep the story together 2) Don't make money off it in any way whatsoever. Thanks! Credit for kamireh goes to another net.naughty.scribe, the Phantom! :) And thanks to G.Rozman for the idea! Paramount is wholly non-responsible for this story, and all standard disclaimers apply. Star Trek and its characters are registered trade marks of Paramount, Inc., and no copyright infringement is intended. copyright 1994, the lady of shalott All Rights Reserved *** Beverly had never been so furious in her life. /That... that arrogant, pompuous, self-important JERK!/ She blew through the doors of Sickbay and stormed into her office, her expression so forbidding no one dared speak to her. Dropping into a chair, she drummed her fingertips on the tabletop. How _could_ he have been so... so *rude*? Her mind drifted back to the morning's breakfast, just before the Enterprise had docked at Starbase 14 for some R&R. *** "Jean-Luc, the Acamryn Orchestra is here at SB 14 and they're going to put on a performance this afternoon. Will you join me?" Beverly asked. "Hm? Oh, yes, certainly. I've heard great praise of their work." He finished off his coffee. "Would you care to have lunch beforehand?" "Sounds good to me. I'll meet you in the main rec room of SB 14 at... 1200 hours?" "Excellent." They cleared off the table and went their separate ways. *** /And then he keeps me standing there like a fool in the rec room for an hour while he chats archaeology with the slowest-speaking human I have ever met, ignores every hint I drop, and even makes me miss the first ten minutes of the performance!/ Thinking about it was making her even angrier. Shoving it out of her mind, she tried to turn to her work. "Computer, download Starfleet medical regulations update from SB 14 main computer." But it was impossible not to dwell on it. Jean-Luc was usually such a gentleman the incident seemed almost more unforgivable by contrast. /Having a 'fascinating intellectual discussion with Professor Markens' indeed! 'Perhaps I'll meet you at the concert later' he says!/ Bev was really fuming now. /What he needs is a good spanking!/ The door to her office chimed. "Come," she snapped. Dr. Selar entered. "Doctor Crusher, I note that you are somewhat upset." The Vulcan woman paused slightly. "Perhaps it would be more logical for me to update our records." Beverly was embarrassed. She was usually too professional to bring her personal life on duty with her. Firmly pushing aside her irritation, she shook her head. "No, Selar, that won't be necessary," she essayed a smile. "I'll be fine, trust me. I just need to be alone right now." Selar took the hint and exited. Moving her eyes to the screen Beverly began scrolling over the revised regs that covered the entry of several new races into the Federation. None of the new alien societies had members serving on the Enterprise right now, but she always liked to have the most up-to-date medical information on hand. "Computer, back one screen!" Staring at the type, she started to laugh. /The 24th century and we still can't avoid typos./ She shook her head and made a mental note to inform Starfleet Medical of the error. "Resume scrolling." Another two pages marched by before she suddenly stopped cold. An enormous, wicked grin spread over her face as she hurriedly reviewed the erroneous paragraph. /Jean-Luc Picard, you have just crossed the wrong woman./ she gloated. *** At that moment, Jean-Luc Picard was sitting in his ready room, rather ill-at-ease. He knew he owed Bev a thorough apology. /I acted dreadfully/ he thought with remorse. /I should have explained that Profesor Markens is the archaeologist who is following up on Professor Galen's work. If only he'd been staying another few hours!/ A sip of Earl Grey did nothing to soothe his conscience -- or his nerves. Apologies were not his strong point, as he usually made such an effort to be in the right that they weren't necessary. But he'd already put it off long enough. Much longer and Beverly would be coming up with some plan of revenge. His PADD beeped softly, indicating a message. A check revealed... an appointment for a mandatory physical. /Too late/ he groaned mentally. Physicals were a nuisance he hated to put up with. Unfortunately, since he'd put his off for several months now, Beverly was well within her rights to drag him in. He set down the teacup with an annoyed clink, noting the exam was in one hour. /Well, I'll just go then and apologize before the examination. I'd have to get the damn thing sometime anyway, and Beverly may forgive me more easily if she feels she's gotten me back/ he decided, smiling wryly. *** Bev smiled angelically down at him as she adjusted the restraining field. "Now, this won't take long at all," she promised sweetly. Jean-Luc glared at her. "This is absolutely ridiculous!" he exploded, not for the first time in the last ten minutes. Shifting, he instinctively tested the fluid force field bonds holding him to the examination bed. They were quite secure. "Dammit, Beverly, I apologized! Please take this damn thing off me!" She batted ingenuous eyelashes at him. "Why Jean-Luc, I don't know what you mean. I've already shown you the new regulations." "We both know that that is a completely blatant error! It's meant for the al'Oficerians, not 'all officers'! They *have* to be tied down for physicals because they float away otherwise!!" "Well, I'm sorry, captain, but the regs say, 'all officers must be restrained during physical examinations,' and I intend to stick to them," she declared loftily. He resigned himself to the inevitable as Beverly wheeled up a *large* cart loaded with various drugs and instruments he couldn't recognize and felt no desire to become acquainted with. She gave him an openly naughty grin as she picked up a sharp-edged scalpel. He nervously watched the movement of the blade as she brought it close. Moments later, his uniform separated along the seams, leaving him clad only in black cotton briefs. Sickbay was warm enough with clothes on, but stripped he was shivering slightly, as, he realized, Bev intended. /She is just going to make this as uncomfortable as possible/ he thought savagely. "Is this really necessary?" he demanded. "What if someone comes in?!" That thought hadn't occurred to him. He did _not_ want to be seen barely clothed in this already embarrassing situation. "Yes, it is necessary. And don't worry -- I've engaged the privacy lock," she replied dulcetly, patting his shoulder. /Thank goodness for small mercies/ he thought. She reached for a hypospray, still smirking down at him. She missed. "Oh!" she squealed, the drug leaping into her system. /Serves you right!/ Jean-Luc couldn't help thinking smugly. She stood motionless, eyes widening, then slowly turned away in a dazed, almost drunken fashion. "Beverly?" he asked, suddenly concerned. "Mm. You know, I feel... very... warm, all of a sudden." She shrugged the lab coat off onto the floor. "What on earth is wrong with the atmospheric controls in here? It is stifling!" Before his stunned eyes, she slid her hands up to the uniform collar and pulled it open. The smooth expanse of her back, all graceful lines and creamy skin, slowly emerged as she folded the garment off her shoulders, letting it slither down her body. Her head fell forward as she lifted the rich, glowing fall of auburn hair from her neck with a sigh. "Ohh, that's *so* much better." She pushed the jumpsuit over her hips, stepped out of it. Unable to stifle an instinctive reaction, Jean-Luc felt his mouth water at the sight of her slim legs, long and flowing. She wore only a single undergarment, and he could see just the hint of the curves of her full breasts to either side of her back. Reluctantly, he averted his eyes from the tantalizing sight, but it was too late to avoid a certain faint tightening in his groin, stirring of illicit pleasure. Swallowing hard, he forced his voice out. "Beverly." "Mm?" she murmured hazily. /I have to see what's happening to her/ he told himself, trying to rationalize a look in her direction. Fortunately, of course, she had pulled the thin lab coat back on, tying it around her waist. He ignored the sensation of disappointment, tried and failed to ignore the succulent display of legs and cleavage that the robe left open to view. "Beverly! What was in that hypospray!!" Turning to look at the tray, she picked up the spray and examined it in bright-eyed fascination. "Hm. Concentrated extract of kamireh!" she announced cheerfully. Jean-Luc stared in horror. Kamireh, the Ishtarian drug, was one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs available in its normal form! /Concentrated extract?!? What the hell is something like that doing in Sickbay?/ He started to fight the restraining field, knowing he had to get loose and get help for her immediately. She felt glowingly warm, all her nerves tingling. /What was I doing?/ she wondered, biting her lip in perplexity. Jean-Luc's movement caught her eye. /Oh yes! Now I remember. I was teaching Jean-Luc a lesson/ She moved to the controls of the restraining field. "Yes, Beverly, that's right. Turn off the field," he said, relieved. After blinking at him in momentary confusion, she frowned and shook a reproving finger at him. "Oh no. I'm not turning off the field." She fiddled with the controls until the field shifted him, gradually turning him over onto his stomach. He couldn't see her anymore! "What are you doing?" he demanded anxiously, trying to peer over his shoulder. "You were very rude today, Jean-Luc," she lectured sternly. "I'm sorry! How many times do I have to explain!" he burst out, jerking against the restraints ineffectually. "Stop that." Her hand pressed against his back to stop his movements. "It's very easy to *say* you're sorry. I want to make sure you never do this again." He sighed, and began to explain in a reasonable tone. "I promise, I won't -- ow!" Her hand came down firmly on his buttocks, startling him. "Beverly!" he yelled, scandalized. "What the devil do you think you're doing!!" "You need a good spanking," she informed him. her hand descended again. The blows, like shocking splashes of cold water, woke him up rather than hurt him. But the situation was intolerable nevertheless! "Beverly," he spoke icily, voice as forbidding and cold as he could make it, "I *order* you to release me from this field this instant!" She paused, hand resting on his backside. "No." she responded brightly. "NO?!? What do you mean, 'no'! I just gave you an order!" She patted his rear. "Sorry, Jean-Luc. But I haven't finished examining you yet." She giggled faintly. "Besides, this is fun. Has anyone ever told you you have a nice --" "NO!! They have NOT! And I don't want anyone to, either!" His voice crescendoed upward dramatically. "Alright then, I won't. But you do." She patted the portion of his anatomy in question once again, and gave him a pinch for good measure, inducing the sound of audibly grinding teeth. The flesh under her hand was satisfyingly firm, a pleasure to hold cupped in her hand. Beverly indulged a sudden yen to feel the texture of his skin under her fingers and leaned forward to put her hands on his arms, stretched over his head. The hardened biceps tensed under her caress, the slightly roughened skin rippling over the shifting muscles as she kneaded her way down, over his shoulders and taut neck. Every sensation seemed magnified a thousand times to her; the mild tremors of his body under her hands thrilled through her like music. Jean-Luc struggled against the restraints only weakly now as Beverly's hands wreaked havoc on his system, massaging and stroking their way to victory over his senses. She skimmed her hands down his back, half-tickling his sides with her fingertips until she was back at his waist, hands resting just above the thin cotton briefs. Excitement bloomed in the pit of his stomach as she tucked one hand into them, rubbing the tender skin of his buttocks and gently squeezing them. His head slumped, forehead resting against the smooth padding of the table, as his breath became audibly labored. His pants were stimulating, the soft gasps revealing her power over him. Beverly closed her eyes, enjoyed the sensuous rhythm of his body's arousal and the tight curves moving slightly under her hand. The scalpel, right at hand, sliced through the briefs as easily as it had through his uniform. To pull the fabric away, she reached a hand through his thighs, felt his sex throb against her palm as she grasped the remnant and gently tugged it away. "Ahh," Jean-Luc hissed at the fleeting contact, body jerking. And then he was completely exposed, the most sensitive skin open to the air and her greedy eyes. Not being able to see her was the most maddening part of it all; unable to anticipate a single move she made, Jean-Luc could only try to imagine what she would do to him. Beverly was still vaguely intent on punishing him, although the sensual pleasure flooding her body at every venue threatened to push all other concerns from her mind. Almost absently, she spanked him again, more for the pleasure of his pliant flesh bouncing against her sensitized hand than to lesson him. Jean-Luc gasped satisfyingly as her hand clapped against his backside. Helpless to stop her, he could abandon himself without guilt to enjoyment of the stimulating warmth of her almost gentle paddling. Her lips on him came as a sweet surprise, brushing a chain of soft, feathery kisses from the base of his neck down his spine. The moist, yielding lips swept over his shoulders, back to the sides of his throat, where a teasing tongue slipped out to trace the lines of his ear. Soft moans broke from him, inciting her to repeat the trail she'd just left, this time with open- mouthed, suckling kisses that intensified the ache building in his loins. His skin, lightly coated with sweat, tasted salty on her tongue, each shuddering breath he took vibrating against her mouth in a symphony of desire. "Mmm..." she breathed out her satisfaction, her breath shivering against his skin. Her hands left his tingling buttocks to rub down his thighs, her mouth dropping to the small of his back. His convulsive movements had nothing of escape about them now, he merely reacted to the delicious survey she was making of his body. "Beverly," he groaned hungrily. In all the times he'd wondered, fantasized, about yielding to his long-standing desire for the beautiful doctor, he'd never imagined such an illicitly torrid scenario. He'd thought in terms of gentle seduction and slow, warm lovemaking rather than the searing sexual passion that filled him now, rendering him more helpless than the restraining field. Warm pressure against his legs revealed that Beverly had climbed onto the table, straddling his thighs. The soft inner skin of her legs grazed his while she rubbed his back again, then leaned forward, laying herself atop him. As her mouth buried itself in the curve of his neck, her hands reached beneath him, caressing his chest and pulling them close. Questing fingers sought out his nipples, manipulating them to hardness, while her own delicious breasts pressed against his back through the lab coat, the hint of her tender peaks vividly present. Her body nestled against his, she nuzzled him, teeth catching his skin in little nibbling bites. Moving in languid circles over his torso, her hands spiraled downwards to his firm abdomen, sparking shivers of anticipation that were soon fulfilled. Jean-Luc shuddered softly, Beverly twined a hand between his legs to grip the smooth shaft. It leaped at her touch, responded to each stroke with eager pulses, a rhythm against her fingers. She drew her other hand to the robe, impatiently freeing herself from its confines to press firm breasts to his warm skin. She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder tenderly. What exquisite sensations were running through her, as she sounded the range of his body's tones. Here hard muscle, built up under taut, satiny skin; here an utterly different hardness, rigid yet pliant under a velvety-soft surface. Musky and indefinably male, his teasing scent filled her breath, the light sheen of sweat faintly salty to the taste. Taut lips parted for her inquisitive fingers, devouring them hungrily. A shock ran down her at the tender suckling, her hand tightening involuntarily on his manhood, wringing a groan -- of delight? of agony? -- from him. "Beverly! Oh, I... I *need* you," he cried out, harsh sobbing breaths punctuating the sentence. "Yes, yes, Jean-Luc, I want you," she promised weakly, reaching for the field controls. Some perversity kept her from simply turning it off; perhaps it was the wickedly heady power it gave her, to control him so utterly. But she shortly managed to have him turned again; now he lay on his back, arms still extended overhead, the eyes, fastened on her face, glittering bright with passion. Climbing back onto him, she turned the scalpel on her own undergarment, took his shaft in her hands, reveling in the flush that surged over his expressive face, desire writ plain on his aristocratic features. Teasingly, she stroked her sex with the blood-dark head, feeling him strain towards the moist warmth in an attempt to thrust. The infuriating heat of her hands on his chest, she leaned over him, lips millimeters away from his. "Say please," she whispered, eyes dancing. Another stroke insured his compliance. "Please!" The word was torn from him. Then the first warmth circled his sensitive tip, enveloping folds taking him in slowly. His little moan of satisfaction inflaming desire, she drove herself onto him with one swift thrust. "Ahhh!" he cried, hips lifting into her, the hard shaft pulsing within her, heartbeat against her deepest walls, a union of intensity she'd always wanted, always feared. Almost sobbing with the wildfire pleasure devouring her, Beverly only knew she didn't ever want to let him go, wanted to hold that igniting presence inside her. Tight clenching seized his shaft, the heated depths urging him on to a peak along with her soft pattern of moans, her body rocking against his, hands sliding over his heaving chest. She rose up slightly, let the shaft almost slip from her, then plunged again, closing her inner muscles around him, and he spent himself in one orgasmic spasm, the fulfilling rush, sensation of being liquid within, crashing like waves against her welcoming shores. Trembling, she lay, snuggling against his strong chest, the softening member still present inside her. He was collapsed entirely, eyes shut, expressive mouth loosened by his release. Her nerves still sang, joyful chords of afterglow playing through her. Jean-Luc felt her nuzzle his chest gently. "Mmm," she murmured, looking at him with eyes that did not look at all tired. Trembling, she lay, snuggling against his strong chest, the softening member still present inside her. He was collapsed entirely, eyes shut, expressive mouth loosened by his release. Her nerves still sang, joyful chords of afterglow playing through her. Jean-Luc felt her nuzzle his chest gently. "Mmm," she murmured, looking at him with eyes that did not look at all tired. He swallowed. "Beverly, maybe you should let me go now?" The suggestion came out sounding plaintive instead of forceful as he'd intended. Her answering smile looked rather discouraging. Or encouraging. /She can't actually expect me to... again?/ Looking at the Cheshire grin was giving him a rather apprehensive feeling. "Beverly," he warned, "I, um, I'm really very tired." An understatement... his body was spent and stiff from fighting the bonds. "Of course. Here, let me make you a bit more comfortable." Her voice oozed consideration and understanding. Jean-Luc was not reassured. The field relaxed just a little, maneuvered his arms to his sides. Now able to shift about, if only a little, Picard tightened then relaxed his muscles, trying to work out the stiffness, eyeing her suspiciously. Beverly had rolled off him, and was curled against his side enjoying the view, still smirking dangerously. "Are you very sore?" she asked solicitously. "Yes!!" he stated emphatically. "My poor darling," she murmured huskily, hands moving to his shoulders. A thorough massage followed, her hands kneaded all the tension out of his stretched muscles, from the taut arms to his calves, lingering rather longer than necessary on his upper thighs. Relaxing under those skilled, tender fingers, he started to feel that perhaps a second round wasn't out of the question when she suddenly slid to the ground. "Where are you going?" he was startled. "Don't get lonely, Jean-Luc. I'll be right back..." her voice floated back as she stepped into her office. She returned in a moment, holding a small glass jar of amber liquid. "What is that?" he inquired nervously. Smiling, she dipped a finger into the liquid and offered it to his mouth. Their eyes held as he suckled the finger, warm sweetness between liquid and gel lingering on his tongue, mingling with the faint salt aftertaste of her skin. /Warm honey/ he realized, licking her clean and opening his mouth for another taste. Instead, she drew the finger back, catching more of the viscuous liquid, and drizzled it onto his chest, bending to retrieve the golden stream with her mouth. Heated sticky trails wound around his nipples, hiding from her seeking tongue to no avail. She was climbing back onto him, devouring every last succulent drop from his flesh. The loosened restraints let him writhe under the feast, gasping with delight. "Like that?" she asked sensuously, kissing him lightly under one ear, nibbling the lobe with still-sticky lips. "Oh yes," was his heartfelt reply. He turned his head towards her, eagerly catching her mouth with his own in a deep, penetrating kiss. She cupped his face in her hands, let her tongue dance over his teeth, revelling in his hungry response. "Mmm." Eyes sparkling, she sat up, reached for the jar once more. She tipped it this time, letting the thick flow wend its way down his flat hips to nestle in the curls at the juncture of his thighs, and picked up the rapidly reviving shaft to trickle the very last bit all over the firming length. He almost bounced in a delight of expectation, her mouth following the trail of honey with agonizing slowness down, down... The sweet warmth was teasing between his thighs now, deliberately cleaning up every trace of honey except the final trail on his excited member. She delayed so long he finally complained, "Beverly!" A throaty chuckle answered, and her tongue was suddenly dancing on his manhood, pleasing him with devious machinations. "Mmmm," Beverly licked her lips, grinning devilishly at him before licking up another line of honey from his shaft. Hips thrusting slightly, he eagerly awaited her next tasting, sighing weakly with pleasure. Still moving through a whirl of heightened senses, Beverly found it wickedly delightful to drag out each loving stroke of her tongue on him, to watch him moan so desperately. He was so sweetly vulnerable, naked passion imprinted on every feature of the elegant body. Finally, she sat back, all traces of delicious honey erased from his equally delicious flesh, now rigid and straining after her just as her own depths yearned for his satisfying fullness. Delightful as it was to lie helpless under her tender ministrations, Jean-Luc hungered to touch her, hold her in his arms and drive her to the same maddening heights he had reached. "Beverly," he pleaded huskily, "I want to please you, my love." "How can I resist an offer like that?" she murmured against his ear, stroking his cheek. Her other hand reached for the controls, finally releasing him. Sitting up, he enfolded her body, strong arms pulling her tight against him. Her arms circled his neck as he violently kissed her breath away, drinking deep, deep of her sweetened mouth. One hand trailed down her body, fingertips tickling lightly over the firm curves of her breasts on a journey to her softly throbbing sex. He dipped his fingers lightly into her wet cleft, lubricating them, before moving to draw faint circles around her sensitive nub of pleasure. Rhythmic pulses beat through her in time with his stroking, and she worked her hips over his hand in response. "Ohh, harder, *harder*!" she demanded, the light touch teasing her. Jean-Luc pushed her gently back onto the bed, increasing the pressure around her clitoris slightly, and bent to suckle a tender nipple while his free hand teased the other breast to a rosy peak. He sat back for a moment, breathing heavily, to enjoy the exquisite sight laid out before him. Beverly's flame of hair fanned out against the vibrant teal of the bed; her eyes, alight with pleasure, picked up the bluegreen background. Pure creamy skin, flushed to rose by their heated exertions, rubbed silken against his straddling thighs, where her hands kneaded away at his taut muscles. His erect shaft danced at the gateway of her sex, leaping energetically with every throb until it was all he could do to restrain himself from burying his manhood in her at once, but he was determined to pleasure her as thoroughly as she'd done for him. Mouth watering in anticipation, he bent hoveringly over her, dropping a light kiss in the hollow between her breasts. Beverly gripped the sides of the bed in convulsive delight as his mouth tripped lightly down her chest, the intended destination clear. His fingers searched her folds while he made his lingering way down, the skilled digits coaxing her open and stroking just barely inside the labia. And finally he arrived, lips closing around the tingling nub of her clitoris, gently suckling the tender kernel while his fingers sought deeper into her. They pressed up into her channel, meeting the warm external pressure of his mouth, and started a cadence of thrusting motions that brought her to a body-shuddering climax with dramatic swiftness. He felt her orgasm as the clenching muscles of her inner walls seized on his fingers and her fluids anointed them. Eager to keep her at the peak, he enveloped her folds with his mouth, tongue driving into the froth of her ecstasy until she cried out wordlessly at the pleasure of it. As the first wave broke and eased, he lifted his head after one last, loving taste and moved forward, nestling between her thighs. Taking his shaft in one hand, he used the achingly hard length of himself to stroke the tender flesh of her inner thighs and the rich, glistening folds of her labia with a feather-soft touch. Beverly made a soft, pleased sound, and twined her thighs around him, her sex invitingly open to his manhood. He could wait no longer; Jean-Luc parted her folds and entered up to his hilt in the welcoming depths, groaning with satisfaction as the liquid warmth of her closed about him. His arms braced against the table, he started to rock against her, urged on by her deliberate internal clenching. Their labored breathing fell into step under the guidance of plunging thrusts, came faster and came faster until a final mutual rush took them to an eternal instant of utter gratification. *** Opening his eyes some time later, Jean-Luc noted from Beverly's rhythmic breathing that she slept, cradled against his chest. He stroked her hair, trying to decide what to do, where to take this suddenly confusing relationship. /No matter what, I *couldn't* regret this... even if I wanted to/ he admitted silently. It surprised him how much he *didn't* want to. Their friendship, so settled and comfortable, was easy and uncomplicated, like a well-worn piece of clothing. They gave each other companionship, affection, even love, and he'd thought passion a minor consideration after these, growing from them. But now, still flush with afterglow, he found that passion was not looking so minor after all. He glanced down at the beautiful doctor snuggled with him. She was sleeping heavily, lips parted. /Probably the kamireh, working out of her system/ Then he stiffened, realizing what the drug meant for this encounter. /Beverly didn't choose this/ he thought grimly. /Under the influence of that much concentrated kamireh, it's just a wonder she didn't jump on me immediately/ Closing his eyes, the captain let his head fall back against the cushioned bed. /I can't expect this to mean anything to her!/ Jean-Luc knew that if he did, it might undermine their friendship. /And I won't risk that happening just for the sake of my hormones/ Slowly detangling himself from her, Jean-Luc hunted around for something to wear. Unfortunately, nothing presented itself, as most of the clothing in the room had been thoroughly sliced up. Giving up, he found his comm badge and lifted Beverly in his arms. "Picard to Transporter Room three. Two to beam directly to Dr. Crusher's quarters, from my position. Energize," he ordered quickly to forestall any questions. The air shimmered, and then he and Beverly were in her room. After tenderly laying her in the bed and tucking the sheets around her, Jean-Luc brushed a kiss over her forehead and left after replicating a new uniform for himself. *** Jean-Luc was just finishing off his morning croissant when the door chimed, freezing his coffee cup halfway to his lips. /It can't be.../ but who else would come by his quarters so early? Swallowing down nervousness, he spoke. "Come." It was indeed a slightly tousled and wild-eyed Beverly. She hesitated a moment on his threshold, then stepped in with the determined air of a condemned prisoner about to face execution. "Jean-Luc, we have to talk about what happened yesterday," she announced firmly, only her wringing hands betraying anxiety as she waited for his response. Tentatively, he gestured to her usual seat. "Won't you join me?" he asked quietly, knowing she would understand more than the words themselves. A slow, brilliant smile rewarded the overture as she sat down with him. Almost instinctively, they reached out to each other, hands clasping. "I was just so afraid this would hurt our friendship," she confessed. His hand tightened on hers. "No, Beverly. I value our relationship far too much to let a bizarre... accident ruin it." A faint blush tinged her cheeks at his words; he smiled gently. "Friends?" he offered lightly. "Friends." Their eyes met warmly. After a last squeeze of her hand, the captain rose and crossed to the replicator, bringing back a cup of coffee for her. Crossing back to the table, he asked, "There _is_ something I was curious about." "Oh??" Setting the cup in front of her, Picard missed the apprehensive look she gave him. "Yes -- 'concentrated extract of kamireh'? Why would you have something like that lying about in Sickbay?" As he took his seat, he finally noticed the guilty flush coloring her face. "Oh, um, for... for research," she stammered nervously. Suspicion gleamed in his eyes. "Exactly what *kind* of research?" he asked, voice hard. Poor Beverly looked even more worried. "Well, uhm, stimulus- response! Yes, that's it." "And who were you planning to use as a _subject_ for this little experiment?!" One look at his dangerous expression and Beverly wisely kept her mouth shut. Jean-Luc had already realized the truth, though. "You were going to use it on me, weren't you?!!" he snapped, leaping to his feet. "I can't *believe* you actually planned something so, so inexcusable!" Beverly sank into her chair, trying to look small as he furiously paced the length of the room. "What were you planning to do, keep me fastened down and watch as I went through torment?" "No! Of course not, Jean-Luc! How could you even think such a thing?" she cried indignantly. He stared at her. "Well then, how *were* you planning to handle the situation -- by making love to me?" Silence reigned for a few moments, her shamefaced look answer enough. His jaw dropped. "You-- you...!" he spluttered incoherently. "Beverly!" She stood to face him, eyes snapping. "Alright, Jean-Luc Picard! Exactly *what* about yesterday didn't you like?" she demanded. Now it was his turn to blush. "That's not the point," he muttered. "Oh? Well, I didn't notice you complaining any then! I suppose it was alright for you to take advantage of _my_ exposure to the kamireh, but not the other way around?" "Wha-- *I* was TIED DOWN! By *you*, if you recall!" Picard exploded. "You deliberately planned the whole thing to... to seduce me! Admit it!" Beverly fidgeted uncomfortably. "So?" she said defiantly. Jean-Luc blinked. /She really *did* plan to seduce me!/ A wicked smile slowly curved his lips as he thought about the implications of that. "So..." he said slowly, "I think this calls for some... discipline." THE END