The BLTS Archive- Lady In Red by Trexphile (trxphile@cox.net) --- January 1998 DISCLAIMER: The lyrics within are from the song "Lady in Red." Thanks to all BONCers who informed me that this wonderful song is by Chris deBurgh! Paramount owns the material, cut out the pattern and stitched it all together but I have made some alterations of my own and in my opinion, it fits much better now. --- The house was quiet as he made his way slowly up the attic stairs. The door at the top swung open silently when he pushed on it, revealing the dim interior. The only light came from a small window, through which the late afternoon sunlight eased. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, searching for her amidst the crates and assorted items. He heard a thump and turned toward the sound, then smiled. Working his way gingerly through the disarray, he stopped and looked down on a bent head of faded red and streaked silver. He knelt with a bit of effort beside the large open crate and waited. She looked up. "Jean-Luc! I didn't hear you come in." She smiled, the fine lines around her eyes and mouth crinkling. "Obviously," he replied, returning the smile. "Just what are you doing, Beverly?" She sat back on her heels and waved an encompassing arm. "Oh, just sorting through some junk here, trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of." "Hmmm," he intoned, looking around solemnly. After a moment, he looked back at her. "Why?" She offered him her familiar now-that's-a-stupid-question look, then shrugged. "Why not?" He chuckled and shook his head. He'd given up arguing with her a long time ago, at least over something like this. He reached into the crate and picked up a small wooden box. "Would you like some help? It might make things progress faster." She smiled and touched his cheek. "Yes, Jean-Luc, I'd like that." They spent the next thirty minutes sifting through the contents of the crate, stopping frequently to reminisce over most of the items. They had finally reached the bottom of the crate. Each item had been removed and its fate determined. Beverly reached in and retrieved the last object. It was a large soft package, covered in a sturdy plastic wrapping. "Now what's this," she murmured and began opening the package. Jean-Luc watched her and as the wrapping fell away, a shimmer of red flickered, catching the fading rays of the sun. Beverly looked up at him, her smile radiant. "Jean-Luc," she whispered and slowly raised her arms, the glimmering red material falling across her bosom and lap. "Remember this?" He nodded slowly as his smile grew. "Yes," he whispered, "I certainly do." --- I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight. I've never seen you shine so bright. I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance, Looking for a little romance If given half the chance. I have never seen that dress you're wearing Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes. I have been blind... Lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek. There's nobody here -- it's just you and me It's where I want to be. But I hardly know this beauty by my side. I'll never forget the way you look tonight. --- He sips at his drink, taking in the sights and sounds. The small bar is crowded, the dance floor full, the music flowing over the laughing patrons. He waits for his friend, wryly smiling as he takes another sip. 'Late as usual, Jack.' He watches a tall slender young woman gliding across the dance floor in her partner's arms and he unavoidably, unwillingly compares her to another. 'Will she be with him?' Turning away, he motions to the bartender for a refill. He watches her as she fills a fresh glass and then there is a voice at his ear. "Hey, sailor. Been waiting long?" Catching his breath, he turns and sees her, standing immediately. Deep crystalline blue, flowing russet, soft smiling red. "Hello, Beverly. No, not long. Please -- sit down." She does so and then he notices her dress, shimmering and flowing, brilliant fire red. He looks away quickly, hoping that she hadn't noticed his appreciative lingering gaze. He pulls his facade tightly about him as his heart sighs at its empty state. Attempting a tone of nonchalance, he speaks. "And where is Jack this evening?" She shrugs, even that simple movement a graceful one, and she looks out over the dancers. For a brief moment he allows himself the illicit hope that something has happened between them, that they have quarreled and created a rift between that will never be sealed. "He said he'd be here. He's running late, as usual. Yep -- that's my Jack." As she turns to smile mischievously at him, the small flicker of hope is snuffed out and he chides himself for allowing it to ignite in the first place. The bartender is there and inquiring after her preference in refreshment. She answers and turns away again, watching the moving couples as he watches her. He drinks in the sight, awed by the transformation. He has seen her worn out after a day of classes, relaxing in her apartment after sharing a meal, enjoying a spirited game of volleyball on the beach. He has even seen her just awakened and in her nightgown after dropping Jack off at her apartment following a particularly rowdy night on the town. But he has never seen this woman, this Beverly. She is suddenly no longer just a dedicated medical student, a girl nineteen years his junior. The feelings he has suppressed for some time now swell within him and he turns away and closes his eyes, trying to keep them locked away where they should be ... and failing to do so. "Would you care to dance?" He turns back as the voice intrudes on his struggle. A man is smiling down at her, his palm outstretched hopefully. Jean-Luc stiffens as a wave of jealousy washes over him, followed immediately by guilt. His relief is almost palpable as she shakes her head and smiles at the stranger. "No, I'm sorry. I'm waiting for someone." The man retreats back into the crowd and she smiles at Jean-Luc, sipping at her drink that has just arrived. Barely a minute passes, and once again another man approaches and asks her to dance, she politely refusing. It happens again. And again. After the fourth would-be suitor leaves, she looks at Jean-Luc, her smile brilliant. He smiles back, basking in her radiance. "Beverly, you might as well dance with someone. At least until Jack gets here." She tilts her head, gazing directly into his eyes. "I will -- if you'll ask me." His breath catches in his throat. He slowly, deliberately sets his glass down, stands and offers her his hand. "Would you care to dance?" She rises and takes his hand in hers. "I thought you'd never ask." He leads her onto the floor, his heart pounding as his hand moves to rest on her lower back, as her hand slides up his arm to rest on her shoulder. The music is slow, romantic, and they begin moving to the music, finding their rhythm, moving as one. Her eyes are level with his, something he has always found particularly appealing but has never considered sensual until just now. Her eyes, level with his ... just as their shoulders are, their chests, their hips... 'Dangerous thoughts, Johnny. Stop it.' She smiles at him, bringing his thoughts back to where they should be. He holds his breath as she moves in even closer, her face and lips only a breath away from his. She turns her head then and leans in, resting her cheek lightly against his. He has to make a conscious effort to breathe as his head reels with the overwhelming effect she is having on him. His gaze falls on one of the men who had asked her to dance and he sees the envy clearly on the man's face. Suppressing a smile, he tightens his arm against her back just slightly, claiming his victory, short-lived though it may be. He closes his eyes as the dance continues, letting the feel of her, the scent of her, the silent communion with her permeate his entire being. In his mind, they are together, a couple, sharing the first of many dances to come -- and he smiles in his contentment. "Mind if I cut in?" With an almost audible cry of pain, his private world dissolves. He snaps his eyes open and sees the smiling face of his best friend. Beverly steps back, the happiness evident in her eyes and smile. "Jack! I see you finally made it." Jean-Luc steps back as the couple embraces and share a kiss. And as he watches, the mask falls into place with the permanence of a sealed tomb. --- I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight, I've never seen you shine so bright. You were amazing. I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side, And when you turned to me and smiled, you took my breath away. I have never had such a feeling, such a feeling of complete and utter love As I do tonight. Lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek. There's nobody here -- just you and me. It's where I want to be. And I hardly know this beauty by my side. I'll never forget the way you look tonight... --- He sits at the table and watches as she moves through the crowd, stopping to speak with first one person, then another. He smiles as she laughs at a remark he cannot hear, feeling the connection they share even from across the room. He sits back in his chair, amazed by her beauty, her elegance, her ability to comfortably maneuver through the greetings and congratulations extended to her by so many this evening. She continues on, a warm splash of red, shining more brightly than the others. He smiles as he recalls the first time he saw that dress, remembering how different the circumstances were then, amazed at the changes in his life. The fantasies of so many years ago pale in comparison to what he has now. 'You are truly the luckiest of men, Johnny.' Music begins playing, and the crowd thins out slightly as some head for the dance floor. 'I wonder if I should ask her to dance?' As if reading his thoughts, she turns toward him from across the room and smiles. He smiles back and nods. She exchanges a last word with her unknown conversationalist, then comes over to the table and looks down at him. "Would you care to dance, Captain?" He laughs softly at her formality and rises, taking her proffered arm and walking her to the floor. The music is light and they fall immediately into step together. She smiles into his eyes, her mood buoyant, as it should be on this special evening. Another couple dances past them, each person offering their congratulations. She graciously nods and thanks them, then looks back at him. He brushes back a strand of gold that has fallen from its clasp onto her cheek. "I am so proud of you." Her eyes glow with thanks, outshining the sparkling material of her dress. "I could never have done it without you." She hugs him tightly, her cheek pressing against his and he sighs just slightly as he closes his eyes. It feels like just the two of them together and he treasures the moment, knowing that it will be a fleeting one. She pulls away a bit and they continue the dance. "May I cut in?" They both turn to the voice. Will Riker smiles at them and Jean-Luc steps back, releasing her and allowing Will to take his place. "Thank you, sir." Jean-Luc nods and leaves the floor, heading back to his table. He sees a familiar form sitting in the chair next to his and smiles at her as he sits. He takes her hand and kisses it and she laughs softly. "She's wonderful, isn't she? I can't believe it -- she's all grown up now." Beverly nods, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Yes. I know." Jean-Luc kisses Beverly's lips softly, then sits back and takes her hand, entwining their fingers together. Together, they watch their daughter as she shimmers among the other dancers, the love they have for her shining even brighter. --- He fingered the dress's material. "Beverly, do you remember the first time I saw you in this dress?" She looked off, thinking. "No ... I don't think so." She looked back at him and smiled. "When was it?" He shook his head. "It was a long time ago." She tilted her head. "Meaning?" "Just that it was a long time ago and I don't recall it myself." She gave him a look, one that told him that she knew he wasn't being entirely truthful but that she wouldn't press him to reveal more than he intended. "Well," she said as she refolded the dress. "I remember the last time I saw this. Isabel wore it at her graduation reception." "Yes," he whispered, "I do remember that." "Good," she continued as she wrapped the plastic around the shimmer of red that was now barely visible in the growing darkness. "I guess you're not as senile as I thought you were." She glanced up, her eyes dancing with mirth. He didn't reply, just shook his head in mock exasperation. "So." She held the package out. "What do we do with this? Should we keep it... or give it to Isabel?" He took the package from her and set it aside. "Let's give it to her. Perhaps one night, she'll be wearing it and will catch of the eye of some young man who will fall instantly in love with her. And then some day, they'll marry and be as happy as I've been with you." Beverly smiled at him, and then her smile faded just a bit as comprehension dawned. "Now I remember... I remember the first time..." she murmured, her eyes flickering past him as the memory rose. Jean-Luc nodded and rose stiffly to his feet. He held out a hand to her and she took it, rising slowly, caught up in her memories. He placed one hand around her waist, keeping her hand gripped in the other. His voice was soft. "Would you care to dance?" His question brought her back to the present and she laughed. He tightened his embrace, drawing her closer. Even after the passage of so many years, that soft musical sound could still take his breath away. "I love you, Jean-Luc." He brushed his lips against hers. "I love you, Beverly." They began to dance, swaying together as one, the day's last light softly illuminating the tokens of memory surrounding them. --- The End