Chapter Text
Jean-Luc and Beverly were in the captain’s quarters.They were used to spending their evenings like this, relaxing and chatting about their day, maybe enjoying a cup of tea. They were usually relaxed in each other’s presence, but on this particular evening the captain looked distracted, like something was bothering him. Beverly sensed that something was off, and promptly asked him -her doctor instincts never really disappeared, even off duty.
“It’s… the Borg I believe” he answered “Being face to face with him stirred some… memories. I admit I...wasn’t able to sleep properly last night”
“Jean-Luc, are you experiencing flashbacks again?” she replied, a little alarmed. She had assisted him in his recovery from the assimilation, and remembered the painful flashbacks he had to deal with for some time.
“They’re more like… nightmares” he admitted. Beverly was about to reply when she noticed he had frozen. He looked distracted, as if something was flashing before his eyes.
“Jean-Luc, are you alright?” she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. The movement apparently brought him back to reality
“Yes, I...I’m sorry, it’s…”. He found it difficult to articulate the words.
“It’s alright, you don’t have to say anything”. She circled his shoulders with her arm, and invited him to sit down next to her, while she took his hand. They sat side by side on the couch.
“It’s so difficult“ -he whispered, looking in front of him – “years have passed, and still… when I’m reminded of it I…”. He looked like he was losing his usual composure, although he was struggling not to.
“I know, Jean-Luc”. She guided him to rest his forehead on her shoulder, cupping his face with one hand while gently tracing his back with the other.
They stayed like this for some time, as she held him close while he slowly let go of his usual composure and allowed himself to cry. The captain was always so collected, so self-controlled, but even someone like him needed to be comforted from time to time. She always made sure to be there for him.
-----------------------------
Later that night, Beverly was in her quarters. She had stayed with the captain for some time, and then, when he was feeling better, she made sure he went to bed. On his request, she gave him something to help him sleep. She left, reminding him to call her if he needed anything.
The doctor was tired. The last few days had drained everybody’s, energy, and she felt the need to rest. She was already dressed for bed and had a cup of tea in her hand, when she heard a chime at her door. “Come in”.
Unsurprisingly, it was the captain. He was dressed for bed as well. “Hello doctor” he said, standing awkwardly at the door.
“Jean-Luc, come in. Why are you standing outside?”
“I’m very sorry to disturb you at this hour”
Beverly went and took his arm, inviting him in “I assume you’re having trouble sleeping again?”
“It would seem so. I came to ask you if you had anything else to help”
“Well, I already gave you a dose earlier… I’m afraid I can’t give you more than that”
“Alright” he sighed “I understand“.
He was ready to leave, but she stopped him. “I can’t give you any medicine to sleep, but if you need company you can stay here for a while”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to disturb you. I better return-”
“Shut up, Jean-Luc” she took his arm again and invited him to sit on one of the chairs. She replicated him a cup of Earl Gray and they sat together, enjoying each other’s company and chatting about ship’s business, deliberately avoiding to talk about the Borg: what they both needed at the moment was to relax.
An hour went by, and the captain was feeling remarkably better. Both of them, though, were starting to feel very tired. When he saw her yawning for the third time in a row, Jean-Luc resolved to go back to his quarters. “Beverly, I think I must go now. It’s getting pretty late and you need to rest as well. Thank you for today, I really appreciate your help”.
He stood up, preparing to leave, and she followed him. “You know I’m always happy to help, Jean-Luc” she said smiling, but looking clearly tired “Do you think you’ll be able to get some sleep?” she continued.
“I… guess. I believe I will” Jean-Luc tried to sound convincing, even though he didn’t really think he could sleep. He felt better after being in familiar company, and he was rather tired, but he wasn’t sure the nightmares would leave him alone.
“Are you sure?”. Beverly knew him too well to believe what he said. And, besides, an idea had occurred to her. “Why don’t you sleep here?”
“I-I’m sorry?”
“You could sleep here. If you have nightmares again, you won’t be on your own”
“Doctor, I don’t… that would be…”
“Think about it, it’s easier to deal with this kind of situation if you have someone near you”
“Beverly, that would be highly... inappropriate!”
“Come on, Jean-Luc, we’re adults!” she placed a hand on his shoulder “And being here might help. If you have a nightmare you can just wake me up. It’s easier than dealing whith it alone”
He was at loss for words. He wasn’t eager to contradict her. The mental exhaustion of the last few hours was weighing down on him, and he knew how incredibly stubborn his CMO could be. Without saying a word, he let Beverly take his hand and guide him towards her bedroom. “Computer, turn off the lights” They climbed into bed, and both drifted off to sleep.
-----------------------------
Jean-Luc slowly opened his eyes. He felt more rested than he had been in a while. As he regained consciousness, he felt surprised by his surroundings, not recognizing his quarters. He then remembered the previous evening. As he tried to shift his position, he became aware of something that was, not unpleasantly, weighing on him. He slowly realized what it was: Beverly was laying almost on top of him, with one arm and one leg thrown across his chest and legs, and her head resting peacefully on his shoulder. He took in the situation, and violently blushed -his body, on top of that, was already reacting to this closeness.
Very carefully, trying his best not to wake her up, he slid away and out of bed. To his surprise, he realized he had had no trouble sleeping. “Maybe Beverly was right”, he thought, “it was probably a good idea to sleep here”. At the same time, he felt embarassed thinking about the position they had found in their sleep -and he was grateful the doctor was yet to wake up. She and him, tangled together in her bed. It would be difficult to shake this image from his mind.
He was about to go and replicate breakfast for both of them, when his communicator chirped. “Riker to Picard”
“Yes Number One”
“Captain, we are expecting you on the bridge. The shift started 10 minutes ago. Is everything alright?” Picard cursed under his breath. Did the alarm not go off? Or maybe neither of them had heard it?
“I’m sorry Number One. Everything is alright, I’m on my way”
“Acknowledged”
He hastily made his way back to the bedroom and started getting dressed, putting a uniform on as fast as he could. Then, he turned to the doctor. “Beverly, wake up”
“Hm…?” she yawned, her eyes still closed.
“What is it, Jean-Luc?”
“The alarm didn’t ring, I’m late for my shift and you probably are, too”
She jolted awake “Oh, it’s already the second time this happens. I should have it fixed”. She got up and started getting ready as fast as she could. Meanwhile, the captain was ready to leave.
“Jean-Luc, have you seen my unif-”
“I cannot thank you enough for your help, Beverly”he said, as he took her hand and looked her in the eyes. “Now I have to run, but I’ll thank you properly later. Join me for dinner tonight”
“Wait Jean-” She couldn’t finish her sentence, he was already rushing to the bridge. She tried to run after him, but he had bolted off. Beverly couldn’t help but giggle at what was about to happen.
Jean-Luc realized something was amiss when, making his way to the bridge, some ensigns gave him weird stares. Other two crewmembers looked at him, then turned to each other and smiled knowingly. Puzzled, he entered the turbolift, and a few moments later he was on the bridge.
“Ah captain, there you are. There are a few-” Riker stopped mid-sentence. His First Officer looked at him with his characteristic smug smile. “I see why you were late captain”- he said jokingly- “did you stop by sickbay?”
The captain didn’t understand, until he saw other members of the bridge crew staring at his uniform. Looking down, he saw it was blue. He muttered an obscure french curse under his breath.