Beverly ran her hands over her bare arms, which, despite the July heat, were beginning to show goosebumps. She slowly turned her head to face her partner, smiling as she caught sight of the wondrous look in his shining hazel eyes. He loved this place so much, she thought, and even though they both belonged to the stars, he belonged here more than anywhere else on Earth.
The doctor sighed as her mind came to rest on her inevitable feelings for Jean-Luc; the love in her heart that she was forced to suppress. She loved it here too, almost as much as she loved her captain, and wished that she could belong here with him, belong to him, like she had been able to for the past six-week’s shore leave. It had been heaven for her. If only it were forever…
Jean-Luc pulled his gaze down from the stars and focused it on Beverly, who to his surprise was looking quite intently at him. Returning her smile, the captain realised he was watching her with the same expression with which he had admired their view. He loved being in this place so much…yet he loved Beverly more, and he could never truly belong here until she did too. Having her here had been utter paradise. Oh, he thought, if only it could stay that way forever…
“Jean-Luc, it’s getting late and I’m cold. Shouldn’t we be back at the house by now?” Beverly’s words woke him from his dreams. He reached over and took her hand in his, making her goosebumps vanish.
“Oh, it can’t be that late, can it? The stars are brilliant. Are you sure we couldn’t stay a little while longer?”
“How much longer?”
“I could stay here for at least another hour.”
“Suit yourself.”
Beverly looked back to the stars with a grin. So what if it was a little bit cold? She was in a place she adored, with the man she adored (who happened to be holding her hand), on summer shore leave. What cold possibly be wrong? Her eyes slid closed in contentment.
Jean-Luc, however, was still concentrating on his companion. Rolling over onto his side and looking down at her face, he whispered her name.
“Beverly?”
Her eyes flickered open again, to see Jean-Luc smiling sweetly at her, their faces only inches away from each other. He was so handsome…she couldn’t help herself staring lovingly back at him.
“Jean-Luc.”
She gave his hand a squeeze, and he let go, compelled to continue…
“I really have enjoyed being here with you, Beverly. I can’t tell you just how much it’s meant to me.”
He moved his free hand up to stroke her cheek. Beverly rested her hand on his, still lost in his eyes. She wished that they never had to part.
“I’ve enjoyed it here too. I love being here with you. In fact, I’m quite sorry that it’s almost over.”
“So am I.”
There under the gentle moonlight, they each could see not only the glorious stars of the night sky reflected in each other’s eyes, but something much more – something deeper than the love they tried to ignore every day. Jean-Luc couldn’t help but curse himself for not inviting her to his home sooner. After all, if this had been their situation several years ago, where would they be today?
Beverly smiled. Here she was in what was, no doubt, the most romantic place on the planet, with Jean-Luc’s lips hovering so closely over her own, and yet if anyone asked them they would say that they were nothing more than good friends. It was stupid, she thought, to play that game like they so obviously were, with neither of them ready to admit what they felt, for no real reason. Jack had died a long time ago. They were free to do what they pleased. She slid her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her, speaking softly.
“Jean-Luc?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I know.” He kissed her softly under the glittering light of the stars, their faces lit up by the subtle moonlight. He didn’t need to say any more, for the look in his eyes clearly said, “I love you with all my heart.”
Afterwards, as the lovers made their way wordlessly back to the house, they thought gleefully of the room that awaited them…the cosy, warm bedroom with a fireplace and a four poster bed…and the bottle of vintage ’47 Chateau Picard, that would be standing ready on the table…their eyes shone like the cosmos above them as their gazes met.
The Picard residence was lit by flickering candles, casting shadows that danced and wavered on the walls. In the fireplace the flames licked and twisted and emanated warmth into the bedroom. The curtains were closed round the bed, but on the other side, in the dim light, were Beverly and Jean-Luc, the happiest that they had ever been.
Earlier they may have been stargazing, but that night they only had eyes for each other...
