The BLTS Archive- The Gift by Catherine Ellis (catherine_ell69@hotmail.com) --- This story is set aboard the Enterprise 'E', 8 months into its first voyage. The Star Trek characters all belong to Paramount, I'm just exercising them for my own amusement. --- After 6 weeks away from the Enterprise, Picard wanted to be alone with his crew. He didn't want visitors on his ship and especially not this particular character. The Captain stood sipping a drink while he watched the 'intruder' talking to Dr Crusher on the other side of the lounge. Troi soon appeared at his elbow, drawn by the strong emotions he was emitting. "Tinnov seems very interested in Beverly's necklace." She commented. Picard just grunted. Deanna was about to add "and you're annoyed at him for handling it and mad at Beverly for allowing him to touch her" but sensed he was in no mood to be teased. Instead she asked, "Who's the man in the beard standing with them?" "Paul Evans, " he replied, without enthusiasm. "He'll be our ship's archaeologist while Chatar is away. He came on board with me this morning." "He doesn't look anything like the picture in his personnel file." "It's the beard." Picard explained. "He grew it recently to make himself look older. People expect archaeologists to be ... 'mature'. He and I had a brief talk while we waited for the Enterprise to arrive at the starbase." "What do you think of him?" Picard hesitated, before giving a careful reply. "Ambitious ... self-assured ... eager to please." Troi tried to hide a wry smile. She could guess what that meant - 'pushy, arrogant but willing to kiss the Captain's arse'. "I see he's also fascinated by the necklace. It is a beautiful piece, Sir, where did you get it?" Picard didn't answer. He was beginning to regret giving Beverly a necklace. It gave other men the perfect excuse for staring at that part of her anatomy. --- A knowing smirk crossed Tinnov's face as he announced loudly "Whoever gave you this necklace is either your lover or he aspires to be." Dr Crusher glanced anxiously round to see who had heard and thanked God she hadn't revealed where it came from. "Oh yes! And what makes you think that?" "Because ... unless I'm very much mistaken ... it's unique, about 3,000 years old and extremely valuable. The Ferengi over there will probably offer you 800 bars of gold pressed latinum for it and still consider it a bargain." "You must be mistaken Tinnov." She gave a dismissive laugh. "It couldn't possible be that valuable. A good copy perhaps." "If you don't believe me then ask you colleague here." Before Evans could raise a hand, Dr Crusher removed the necklace. One strange man touching her was quite enough for the evening and she wasn't going to let another near her. The archaeologist examined it carefully before declaring his opinion. "I think you may be right, Tinnov. It looks and feels like Rion." Turning to Beverly he explained that Rion was the human name for a rare Romulan metal. "It's light but very durable, similar to titanium in many ways but more malleable and more attractive to the eye. From the variations in the engraving on each leaf I'd say it's hand made but by a master craftsman. Must have taken months. Even if it's a copy it's still very valuable. Let me have it tomorrow and I'll identify its origin." Beverly recovered her necklace and excused herself. She'd had enough of those two staring at her bosom. Instead she went in search of more acceptable company. Ten minutes of skilful manoeuvring around the lounge was needed to place her in the same group as Captain Picard. Here she remained happily for the rest of the evening but never managed a private moment to ask him about the necklace. --- "Damn, why does she have to be a doctor." Picard turned off the view screen with more than a little irritation. He'd been looking forward to breakfast with Beverly as they hadn't been alone together since his return to the ship. Still, he supposed, the patients had to come first and her invitation to spend the evening on the holodeck was adequate compensation. He wasn't going to let a little hiccup spoil his pleasure at being home. --- Tinnov joined the senior staff in the observation lounge. He was on the ship to provide background information for their current mission. They had all met the man before and admired his scientific abilities but his behaviour was hard to stomach. He had a compulsive habit of provoking people, of needling them with statements that disturbed their emotions. This could be entertaining if you were in the audience but painful if you were the unlucky victim. Picard was one of Tinnov's favourite targets. So far he hadn't managed to ruffle the Captain's stoic facade but found the challenge interesting and kept chipping away. This morning Tinnov was unusually silent as they waited to start the meeting - but not for long. "Captain, isn't Dr Crusher joining us?" he enquired. "Later. A patient needs her attention." "Interesting woman." At Tinnov's remark the others fell silent. Picard glanced down the table. Five amused faces looked back, waiting to see how he'd respond. He tried to side step the question. "I thought it was her necklace that interested you?" "It does. But that's what makes her so intriguing. What is it about her that makes a man want to give her a priceless gift?" Picard remained silent and expressionless. This verbal duelling was getting more personal than he cared for. Round the table several minds wonder if their captain had given her the necklace. Tinnov continued the needling. "Tell me, Captain. If you had a necklace worth a thousand bars of gold pressed latinum would you give it away?" There was a shocked intake of breath; the man had said 'priceless' but they'd never expected a thousand bars! Still silent, Picard tilted his head gently forward and looked down at his own chest. Riker immediately burst out laughing. The thought of that beautiful necklace on Jean-Luc's hairy torso was too much. "You haven't answered my question." Tinnov persisted. Once again Picard took his time, he turned to Troi and asked, "Counselor, if Tinnov offered you a fine piece if jewellery, would you accept it?" "No", was the succinct and truthful reply. "You see, " he continued, " as far as I'm concerned, whether to give it away isn't the main issue. The more difficult problem is finding someone you want to give it to and then persuading them to accept it." A thoughtful silence followed as the others pondered on the nature of Beverly's relationship with the donor. During this tense moment Dr Crusher entered and was immediately unnerved by the strange atmosphere. Several heads turned towards her with odd expressions on their faces. Only Picard appeared normal. "Doctor! Please, sit down. Tinnov has been diverting us with some thought provoking questions but I think we should getting on with our meeting." He waited for her to settle down. " Now, the purpose of our journey to Rigel 5 is to investigate a strange shift in the orbit of its moon..." The Captain was in fine form and his colleagues knew it, they were as glad to have him back as he was to be there. Riker sat silently observing the way Picard ran the meeting, how he quickly spotted the relevant points and asked the most pertinent questions. A smile of admiration settled on the commander's face. "Is something wrong, Number One?" "No Sir. Nothing at all." A slight blush crossed Picard's face as he guessed what Will was thinking. "Please continue Tinnov, you were saying ..." but he never did. A disembodied voice interrupted the meeting. "Captain. Message from Admiral Hudson. He's aboard the Ajax and coming our way. Apparently the Rigelians don't want the Enterprise in their sector. They see the Federation flagship as a threat. The Admiral wants you and Tinnov to transfer to the Ajax immediately. You should expect to be gone for at least a week." A groan of disappointment escaped several mouths and even Picard let his irritation show. Ever on the lookout for needling opportunities, Tinnov asked cheerfully, "Well! Are you coming then Captain?" "When I'm ready." He almost snapped. "If you'd care to proceed to the transporter room I'll join you there shortly." After Tinnov had left the officers sat in silence. Picard glanced briefly at his friends before studying the table top. He wasn't given to sentimental words even if he felt them. "Will ... if I'm not back in a week, can you think up some problem that requires my presence on the Enterprise?" Affectionate smiles greeted this request. They all recognised an "I'll miss you" statement when they heard one. "No problem Sir, we'll have a whole list of tricky issues ready and waiting for you." "It that case, Commander, I shall leave the Enterprise in your capable hands." The officers rose together but waited for their Captain to leave first. On the way out, Jean-Luc brushed Beverly's arm. "Another time?" he mouthed and was answered with a discrete smile and a silent "Yes". --- "It doesn't make any sense. Why does Jean-Luc have to transfer to the Ajax? " In the confines of the tubolift Beverly's irritation and disappointment assaulted Troi's empathic sensors. "Because, my dear Doctor, Admiral Hudson likes to play games. He enjoys unsettling people, seeing how they react to a bit of competition. He's probably trying to provoke the Ajax's captain by having Picard on board. I think our Captain's in for an 'eventful' week, what with Tinnov needling him from one side and Hudson from the other." Crusher headed off to sickbay still annoyed at what fate was doing to her life. Just when she and Picard had settled in into a close and comfortable routine, Starfleet HQ had yanked him away to run a 6 week training course. Yes, they'd been parted before, many times, but this separation had felt different. She'd been surprised at how much she'd missed him, missed the breakfast-time chats, the off-duty hours spent playing or exercising on the holodecks, the friendly hugs and the occasional shoulder massage. Without him she'd felt incomplete and the thought scared her. Irrational fears floated into her mind - he'd get sick if she wasn't there to look after him, he'd have an accident, someone else would usurp her place in his heart. Now, just when he'd returned home safely, Hudson had taken him away again. As usual, when something worried her, Beverly threw herself into her work, aiming to leave no time or energy for other concerns. She didn't wish ill-health on anyone but if they happen to feel like injuring themselves today then she'd be more than happy to treat them. --- Mr Evans spent his day searching the records for Romulan jewellery or any jewellery that resembled Dr Crusher's piece. Its construction reminded him of the overlapping scales on a snake. Many craftsmen had mimicked this the design but few so successfully. The engraving looked vaguely Romulan but didn't match any he could find. This failure didn't phase him at all, in fact it added to the excitement. To be the person who discovered a unique and ancient Romulan artefact was something he'd always craved, the Federation knew so little about this civilisation. He was convinced this was the find which would make his career. The speech he would give to an archaeology conference was already forming in his head. All that was needed was a few scientific tests to confirm his assumptions. --- "Damn. Why does she have to be a doctor." Evans swore. He was still smarting from the curt "Later!" he had received when he interrupted Crusher's work. Now it would be hours before he could collect the necklace and all because she didn't know how to delegate responsibility for 5 minutes. --- At 20:00 Beverly should have been walking along a beach with Jean-Luc, dodging the waves, skimming pebbles and listening to the seagulls. She had found this particular holodeck programme 3 weeks before and had been saving it for his return. But he was away again and she was alone. Her day had been busy but not in the way she wanted. A pregnant colleague had miscarried and lost the child it had taken years to conceive. In another case she had managed to stabilise a patient's condition after several hours but knew it wouldn't be long before she lost that battle too. Emotionally fragile was how Troi would have described her condition. Not tired enough to go to sleep but too tired to do anything productive, she sat in her quarters staring aimlessly at the wall. When the door chime sounded she welcomed the intrusion even when she saw who it was. "Come in Mr Evans, sit down." "No need, I've only come to collect the necklace." Dr Crusher waited for the 'please' or some other civil words to soften the blunt request. None was forthcoming. The man showed no understanding of what he was asking. It might have been a tricorder he wanted rather than a treasured personal possession. For a moment she considered refusing his request but that would only make her look foolish. There was no excuse for one scientist refusing to assist another, even if he were rude. She fetched the box and reluctantly handed it over. "You won't damage it, will you?" A look of offended pride instantly crossed Evan's face; that anyone could doubt his professional expertise was deeply offensive. Beverly found herself in the ludicrous position of having to apologise to this offensive little man. "Arrogant, tactless little .. twerp!!!" She yelled as soon as he had gone. She needed something to hit, some way to vent her anger and frustration. A wild kick at a passing chair only left her with bruised toes. Any other day she would have laughed him off and not worried about losing custody of the necklace. But today these blows were the last straw, her control began to slip. Her throat tightened and tears began to well. "Damn it, Beverly, why are you crying?" She pressed her hands against her eyes and tried to stem the tears. "It's only a necklace." But it wasn't only a necklace, it was the most recent and the most beautiful thing Jean-Luc had ever given her. It linked the two of them in a way she couldn't explain. She brushed away the tears and laughed at the thought of how Riker would react if she complained to him. "Please Sir, can you make Mr Evans give my necklace back?" A few sniffs and she was almost in control again, but the need for something personal of Jean-Luc's hung on. After only a moment's hesitation she left her quarters and strode purposely down the corridor. Passing colleagues, who wanted to talk, were dismissed with a casual wave. Near the Captain's cabin she slowed her pace and timed her arrival for when the passageway was empty. CMO security clearance came in useful when you had unauthorised entry in mind. Once inside Beverly felt better immediately, this was familiar Jean-Luc territory. She strolled around the room leafing through his books and touching his belongings. From the food dispenser she ordered a warm milk with nutmeg and sat down on the couch. She wrapped her fingers round the mug and enjoyed the calming heat. "I've come for a chat Jean-Luc, do you mind?" The ensuing silence only emphasised his absence. "Damn." The tears welled again. "Enough of this Beverly, get a grip on yourself." She quickly finished her drink and returned the mug to the dispenser. The bedroom area looked untidier than usual, used clothing lay discarded on the floor, evidence of Picard's hurried departure. Beverly walked in intending clean it up. She picked up a T-shirt and stroked the fabric. A faint aroma of Jean-Luc reached her nose. She lifted the garment to her face and breadth more deeply. The familiar scent was comforting. On a sudden impulse she rolled it into a small bundle and headed quickly into the other room. Stopping just before the cabin door she instructed the computer. "Tell me when the corridor outside is empty." --- Paul Evans was in seventh heaven. His analysis of the necklace showed it was indeed Rion; further more his tests indicated it was smelted around 3,000 years ago. The surface layer of each leaf in the necklace was coated or fused with another substance which he couldn't identify. As he had guessed on that first day the necklace was hand made. Careful examination showed up tiny imperfections that were barely perceptible to the naked eye. The necklace was clearly the work of one craftsman rather than a team effort. Starfleet archives contained very little information on Romulan decorative arts. They told him that Rion production had ceased 2000 years ago when the deposits were exhausted. There were pictures of jewellery from this period supplied by a Romulan archaeologist who had wanted other races to appreciate his planets cultural history. But amongst all this material there was nothing quiet like 'his' necklace. What excited him most was how few examples of ancient Romulan jewellery were held in Federation Museums. Only one thing worried him about the necklace and that was its cleanliness. --- After two days of study Evans arranged to see Dr Crusher in her quarters. This time Beverly was prepared for his rudeness and met it head on. She allowed him only two steps inside the door before blocking his way. "Where did you get the necklace, Dr Crusher?" "I told you, a friend gave it to me." "Did he say where he got it?" "No and I didn't ask him." "Who is the friend?" Beverly clenched her teeth. "That's my business." "It's my professional duty to find out where it came from. As I first thought, it is Romulan and very old, about 3,000 years old. It ought to be in a museum rather than hidden away in someone's draw. Furthermore it might have been stolen. I must know who gave it to you and how they came by it." Beverly could barely contain her rage. She shoved her face into his. "My friends are not in the habit of stealing or handling stolen property!" "Nevertheless I must know." "I will ask him where it came from but he's a busy man. You may have to wait a week or two for the reply." Evans didn't like it but had no alternative but to accept the delay. With feigned politeness he wished her goodnight. When he was halfway out the door the doctor called after him. "Wait. Can I have my necklace back please? Beverly instantly regretted her words. By revealing her desire for its return she had given him the upper hand. An unpleasant smile crossed his face. He knew his cards, and how to play them. "No doctor, I don't think so. You find out where it came from and I'll consider your request." --- Evans had no misgivings about holding on to the necklace. Though her ownership might be legitimate, it was more likely that her 'friend' had obtained it by some underhand manner. As the Ship's Archaeologist he had a duty to keep it safe. Experience had taught him that women were unpredictable when their emotions were aroused. Even a senior doctor might be tempted to return it to her 'boyfriend'. --- "... Rude, arrogant, inconsiderate ..." Deanna just listened while Beverly ranted on. This venting of spleen was obviously doing her good. "How on earth did he get appointed to the Federation Flagship?" The question had been bothering Troi too. Beverly wasn't the only crew member to have been incensed by Evans' behaviour. "I think someone wanted to see if he would improve if he was given authority. In his last post he complained of being stifled by supervisors less capable than himself." "Well it hasn't worked!" "I know Beverly, but is he really worth getting this worked-up about?" The doctor stopped and noted her own physical condition - pulse and temperature raised, breathing rapid, chest tight - her friend had a point. She sat down and tried to relax with slow breathing. Troi watched her from the other chair. "It's not just Evans' behaviour that's bothering you, is it?" "Perceptive as usual counselor .... Yes... there is something else. Where did Jean-Luc get it? And how could he possibly afford it? And why would he give me a 3,000 year old necklace he knows belongs in a museum?" "Perhaps he doesn't know what it is?" "Oh come off it Deanna! Jean-Luc's no novice when it comes to archaeology. He'd investigate its origins just like Evans." "Then perhaps Evans is wrong." The idea was appealing but despite her dislike for the man, Beverly thought he knew his subject. "I don't know anymore." Her voice sounded exhausted. "Four days ago I had a lovely necklace that I enjoyed wearing, from someone I .... Today, I've a priceless, antique, Romulan heirloom that might just have been stolen, that Evans won't let me keep and which, even if he did, I'd be scared to wear. I don't NEED this Deanna." Troi moved over and knelt beside her. "Have you tried contacting the Captain?" "No. I thought I'd wait until his return. He'll have quite enough to deal with this week without me asking him if he stole my present." Deanna stroked her friend's arm. "I'm sure there's a simple explanation for all this. Try not to worry." --- During the next three days Evans pestered Dr Crusher, trying to establish whether she had actually contacted the donor yet. Her deliberately vague answers only served to torment him. "He's a busy man. He'll reply when he can." --- Commander Riker was preparing to execute one of his 'Picard needed on the Enterprise urgently' plans when a message from the Captain informed them he was already on his way. On arrival he immediately visited to the bridge but declined the command chair. He knew he was in no fit state for that role. Instead he went to his ready room to check out what messages and reports were awaiting his attention. When the count reached 40 he stopped. Only one item got his immediate attention, a personal message from Dr Crusher. "Welcome home. I missed you. B." Picard leant back in his chair, glad to be where he belonged. He didn't mind the backlog of administrative work. This was the job and the company he loved. He'd tolerate any irritations that went with the role. Just then the door opened and one of those irritations came in. His first impulse was to dismiss the intruder but the man was young and obviously excited. "Mr Evans, what can I do for you?" "I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir, I know you've only just returned but I've made a discovery that I'm sure you'll find interesting." "Go ahead, Lieutenant, tell me what's so fascinating?" "I've found a Romulan artefact that's around 3,000 years old. It's of a beautifully design and construction; must have been made by a master craftsman." "What is it?" "A necklace." Alarm bells rang in Picard's head. His manner hardened. "Where did you find this necklace, Mr Evans?" "Dr Crusher had it. Some friend gave it to her. God knows how he got hold of it. It should be in a museum." Picard could have explained everything but didn't feel inclined to reveal his private life to this particular individual. "Where is the necklace now?" "In my vault. Dr Crusher wanted it back but I said no. I'm sure you'd agree." The Captain got to his feet. "No Lieutenant, I wouldn't. Give it back to her." Evans stared, baffled by Picard's reaction. "Sir?" "Give it back to her, NOW!" "Yes, Sir. Right away Sir." The Ship's Archaeologist backed out of the room not wanting to expose his rear to a captain in this sort of mood. "How dare he!" Picard bristled like an angry cat. "How dare he!" The necklace was a very personal item; something between him and Beverly alone. The thought of Evans handling it was ... repugnant. Jean-Luc's first instinct was to visit her in Sickbay and start repairing the damage Evans had surely caused - but that might embarrass her and he didn't want to appear over possessive. An "I missed you too" message would have to do for now. In three hours she would be off duty and in the mean time he could catch up on some badly needed sleep. --- "Dr Crusher, wait a minute." Beverly could hear Paul Evans coming down the corridor behind her. If he asks me about the necklace one more time I'll.. Hands clenched she turned on him with an icy smile. "I just wanted to return your necklace." "What?" She replied in total disbelief. "Your necklace." He handed over the box, wished her goodnight and disappeared as quickly as he'd come. Back in her quarters Beverly immediately checked it for damage - none was apparent but the necklace somehow felt different. It was no longer her necklace, she was just its current - and reluctant - custodian. As she fingered its scales she wondered how many other women had worn it? A hundred? Three hundred? --- Picard rose eagerly to his feet when he heard the door chime. He was sure it was Beverly. At her welcoming smile his first impulse was to engulf her in his arms. He stepped forward to do it but then noticed the necklace box. She's going to give it back. The thought hit him like an icy blow. His outstretched arms folded across his chest and he heard himself say "Good to see you Doctor" as if she were some casual acquaintance. Beverly caught this rapid change in his mood and guessed the necklace was the cause - one more reason to dislike it. She put the box down on the table and moved closer to him, arms folded across her own chest. "How was your week?" She replied equally formally. "I've had better. How about yours? I hear Mr Evans has been examining your necklace. " "Yes. In fact he's very excited by it." Unsure of how to continue, Beverly nervously rubbed one hand along the other. "He's been pestering me about where it came form and who gave it to me. He seems convinced it's a priceless Romulan antique." "The idea seems to worry you." Beverly scanned his stoical face and wished for empathic powers. Do I lie or do I risk hurting him with the truth? "Jean-Luc, you know I really like the necklace ... it suits me ... I treasure it because you gave it to me ..." "But?" "... but I don't feel comfortable wearing something so old and valuable. It's like wearing a holy relic." She held her breath, waiting for his reaction. "Well in that case you'll be glad to know it was only made last year." "Last year! Are you sure?" She wanted to believe him. "Quite sure." Picard stepped forward and grasped her shoulders. "Beverly, how could I possibly afford a 3,000 year old necklace?" "I didn't know. That's one the things that's been ... " her voiced trailed off. "Oh terrific! You thought I'd stolen it!" His words were harsh but his eyes were smiling. "Yes ... I mean No... I mean ... How could Evans be so wrong?" "He isn't entirely. I think he found what he wanted to find and ignored all the evidence to the contrary. It is made from 3,000-year-old Rion. About five years ago the Romulans found a horde of 500 Rion ingots. They traded them with the Ferengi for military technology. Somehow 3 of them turned up in the hands of a Ferengi merchant from whom I bought one last year. Or rather I swapped it for an ancient Cardassian dagger, one Madred gave to me as a 'going away present'." Beverly sighed with relief and her hands found his waist. He felt warm and strong. "So how did the ingot turn into a necklace? Did you commission someone to make it?" A mischievous smile crossed Picard's face. "Not exactly." "Come on, Jean-Luc" She gave him a quick pinch. "I want an 'exact' answer. Now!" "Then follow me." He led her into his sleeping quarters, where, from a set of draws, he removed a tray and laid it on the counter top. Beverly looked down and tried to make sense of the contents - a jumble of pliers, old fashioned tools, bits of metal and an almost complete bracelet. She stared at him - disbelieving. "You made it!" "Yes, I made it. You needn't look so surprised." "But ... but how is that possible? It takes years of practice." "I know, thirty years." He said softly, almost sadly. She didn't understand. "Do you remember that Kataan history probe that locked on to me?" Beverly nodded gently, she could guess what was coming. "Playing the flute wasn't the only skill I picked up. In that 'imaginary' life I earned my living as a metal weaver. I made all sorts of things from farm implements to telescopes and jewellery." For your wife, the thought arrived unbidden in her mind. She'd never felt comfortable discussing his Kataan experience. The idea of him believing he had been married and had children by another woman was more than disturbing. The subject was 'off limits' as much as her married life with Jack. "Though I never made anything quite like your necklace." She caught his eye. Had he guessed her jealous thought? She looked down at the tray again, embarrassed at her resentment of a dream. "What gave you the idea of creating a real piece of jewellery?" She could feel him looking at her. "You did." He lifted a lock of hair to better see her neck. "You told me you liked necklaces but their weight often made your neck ache." "I remember that conversation! We were in the Egyptian museum in Cairo." "Well, it was soon after that that I met the Ferengi and, since Rion is a light weight metal that suits your colouring, the idea just sort of ... grew ... It took me a 6 weeks to perfect the engraving technique. After that I managed to make one or two scales a night for months. ..." As Jean-Luc continued his story he lifted the bracelet and waited for her to offer her wrist. Beverly moved in beside him, pulled back her sleeve back and brought her arm up between his hands. "... Making the necklace was very therapeutic. It took my mind off worrying about the loss of the Enterprise 'D' and whether I'd be offered another ship. When you seemed so pleased with the result I thought I'd keep going and create this matching bracelet" He made a minor adjustment to the fastening and held her arm out for her to admire his efforts. She did, it was beautiful, even better than the necklace. What was more it was hers, all hers, a unique item created especially for her wrist. She ran her hand slowly down her bare arm, across the bracelet, her hand and onto his fingers. "It feels like snake skin." "That's the idea." She kept tracing her fingers slowly across the surfaces, enjoying the different textures. "Evans said the Rion's coated with something he couldn't identify. What is it?" "Ah ... I don't think you want to know that." "Yes, I do. " She bumped his hip playfully." Come on, tell me." "Well, if you must know, it's .... sweat! Human sweat to be exact." "Sweat?" She turned to stare at him. This time it was Jean-Luc who looked down in embarrassment. "It's an old iron weavers trick. If you catch the metal at the right temperature then the oil in the sweat fuses into the surface and gives it that smooth texture. I did tell you not to ask." "Oh I don't know, it adds a certain ... intimacy to the gift." She rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "It is your sweat isn't it?" Picard swallowed hard. He could no longer ignore her proximity. "Yes it's mine." "Good. And I won't ask what you did to raise it." She returned to stroking her arm, but lingered when she reached his fingers. "I have a confession to make, Jean-Luc." A note of playfulness crept into her voice. "Beverly, are you sure I want to hear this?" "While you were away I came in here and took something" She paused. "I took the T-shirt you'd discarded." "What did you want that for? Some medical experiment?" "No. For company. ... I've been wearing it ... in bed." He froze, the unexpected reply was exciting and he wanted to know more. "Was that under or over your nightwear?" "Instead of." Picard had never envied a T-shirt before. "Of course, your aroma is beginning to wear off now." "May I offer you a fresh one?" Picard heard himself say it but couldn't believe he'd had the nerve. It seemed like forever before she replied. "You may ... but I'd prefer one with you in it." He stopped breathing. Did she really mean what he thought she meant? She stroked a finger gently along one of his. "That was an invitation to my bed in case you were wondering." --- The Captain rubbed his hands as he sat down at the head of the conference table. "You look like you had a good night, Sir." "Yes, thank you, Number One, I think that would be an accurate description." Dr Crusher just managed to keep a straight face as she avoided Troi's eye. The counselor was bound to have sensed what they'd been up to. "Shall we get on with the meeting then?" Picard took control. "Mr Evans, tell us about the archaeological site that Starfleet wants us to examine." "Yes Sir. But before I do can I request we make a detour to Starbase 14. Professor Rhineheart, the Romulan expert, is visiting there and I think we ought to entrust Dr Crusher's necklace to his care. "No!" Beverly had had enough of this nonsense. "It is NOT Romulan. It was made last year from a 3000 year old Rion ingot." Evans made a dismissive snort, women were so gullible. "I suppose that's the story your 'boyfriend' told you and you believe him." The thwack as Picard's palm hit the tabletop made even Worf jump. "Mr Evans, that's ENOUGH! For your information I am Dr Crusher's 'boyfriend'. I'm also the person who made her necklace from a Rion ingot. Now, do you want to call me a liar?" There were times when a transfer to another ship seemed like a good career move. Paul Evans decided this was just such a moment. --- The End