Jean-Luc stared dumbfoundedly at the screen. This had to be absolutely the most ridiculous training idea he'd ever heard of from Starfleet. But there it was and not only that but it was mandatory ship wide. Even the captain had to follow it. At first he'd thought it was some cruel joke but upon checking with one of his good admiral friends found out that even they themselves were partaking in what he had said was the best excuse to have fun he'd ever heard of. Jean-Luc almost winced, turned off the screen, adjusted his uniform as he always does when he's nervous, and called the senior staff together.
Once they'd all assembled and taken their seats in their respective positions Jean-Luc had explained the whole training memo to them. Will smiled brightly through the whole event seeming unbothered. Data kept nodding as though he thought it was a very good plan but Geordi and Worf seemed to outwardly agree with the Captain's discomfort.
Worf was the first to remark after the captain had finished his statement, "We must spend six months learning an art?" The Klingon was almost beside himself with outrage, "There are far better uses of our time."
"I know, " Jean-Luc agreed, "But it is mandatory. Starfleet has however been gracious enough to send out a memo of things that are acceptable for arts. Classes are as we speak being set up for several of these and there should be a list in your message box as early as tomorrow."
With a long sigh from Worf and a shorter one from Geordi the meeting was concluded. Jean-Luc returned to his ready room and pushed the whole silly mess out of his mind for a while. When his shift finally finished he went to his quarters to set up in preparation for his dinner with Beverly.
Shortly after he had finished the door chimed and once replied to Beverly brisked in quickly. They had gone halfway through the meal when Beverly first brought it up.
"Jean-Luc, I've the perfect idea for what we should do for our arts."
"Yes Beverly?"
"We're going to learn to Ballroom dance."
"What? No, I don't think so�"
Beverly quickly cut his excuse short, "I need a partner and you need to learn an art so it'll be a great chance for us to spend time together. Besides, Alyssa is offering the class and I already signed us up."
"Very well Beverly," Jean-Luc sighed.
The rest of dinner was finished with light conversation and then Beverly opted to retire early.
"When do we start?" Jean-Luc asked.
"The classes begin tomorrow night at 1700 hours."
Beverly kissed him lightly on the cheek and disappeared.
Jean-Luc and Beverly had agreed over dinner that they would not saying anything about what they were doing for their arts education. Beverly had not wanted to be reminded of her "dancing doctor" nickname, and Jean-Luc simply didn't like the whole idea.
Precisely at seven o'clock Beverly came to Jean-Luc's quarters to get him. Then they walked down to the holodeck. Jean-Luc seemed as nervous as ever and Beverly gripped his hand to help ease his tension. When they entered Alyssa who was dressed in a gorgeous gown with a slightly flowing skirt told all of the ladies that they should have to wear a floor length dress and one that they could move in for every session of the course. Jean-Luc thought that this could get to be a very nice course indeed. He always loved it when he got to see Beverly in a dress and now he'd be seeing a lot of them. Then came the other shoe, Jean-Luc was informed that all the men would have to wear a tux. They were given an overview of the course and told that they would learn the Waltz, the Cha Cha, the Tango, and some free form dancing. Then they were informed that the final as with all the other courses would be taped and sent to Starfleet as a record that the task had been completed. This took up half of the time and the other half was spent hearing the history on the various dances. Alyssa informed them then that the class would meet next on Thursday at 1700 hours and would continue to meet every Thursday after that. Then all of the anxious students fled the holodeck for the safety of their quarters, Jean-Luc included.
Jean-Luc and Beverly didn't see each other the following day because they had conflicting schedules. However, Beverly managed to run into Deanna in Ten Forward for lunch. Deanna asked Beverly to join her and when Beverly sat down she could tell Deanna had something on her mind.
"What are you going to do for this course in the arts?" Deanna asked, "I've no idea what to do?"
"Well I can't tell you what I'm doing," Beverly replied which immediately drew her friend's attention, "but I can make a few suggestions that might help. You could maybe take up singing, or perhaps play an instrument, maybe you would like to ask Data to teach you how to paint. I believe that's what he is doing for his course."
"Perhaps I might, those are some very good suggestions," Deanna commented taking another bite of her salad, "but what are you doing?"
"Tell you later," Beverly said as she was already headed down the steps of Ten Forward. She made it out the door before Deanna could object.
Thursday night came around quickly and Jean-Luc and Beverly had agreed to meet each other at the holodeck and afterwards they were going out for drinks. Jean-Luc was there early and a crowd had already assembled for the class by the time Beverly walked in. She quickly gained the attention of several of the men in the class though when she entered in with a hunter green dress on. It had a flowing skirt that seemed to flutter behind her. Her bright red hair was fastened back in an alluring French twist to keep it out of the way. Jean-Luc motioned to her and she joined him as they took their seats around the edge of the dance floor.
"You look nice this evening," She broke the ice by saying.
"So do you." He replied back and then they turned their attention over to Alyssa who was out on the dance floor with a male nurse friend of hers.
"This evening we will learn the waltz," She began, "It can be a fairly simple procedure or a difficult one." She ordered the computer to play some music and the couple glided gracefully across the floor. Then they stopped and she instructed everyone else to take the floor. Then she conducted them through it step by step. It took a while for them to walk through it several times and then the lesson came to an end.
"Make sure you practice between now and next Tuesday because the first thing we are going to do is the waltz to music and I will walk around and observe you." Alyssa said with a smile, which made most of the couples uneasy. Jean-Luc and Beverly were already in the hallway when next they spoke.
"Do you need to change before we go to Ten Forward?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Not necessarily," Beverly returned with a smile.
"Well I suppose it would save time if we didn't, but it might draw attention," Jean-Luc replied.
"Very well, I'll see you in fifteen minutes," Beverly returned and took the turn that lead to her quarters. As promised fifteen minutes later Jean-Luc was greeted by Beverly in her uniform and ready to go. They walked to Ten Forward in companionable silence and once in there took a quiet table near the windows. Guinan brought them each a drink and then left them to enjoy it. It was much later when Jean-Luc finally returned Beverly to her quarters with a soft kiss on the cheek for good-bye.
Beverly was excited to finish her shift on Tuesday early. Alyssa had been teasing her since Saturday when she'd caught Beverly practicing in her office. Beverly hurried home and changed into her green dress again and met Jean-Luc at the entrance to the holodeck. They took their seats. When Alyssa arrived the men were instructed as to the proper way to ask a lady for a dance and escort her onto the floor. Some of the ensigns fumbled a couple of times and Alyssa had to instruct them once more. Finally, everyone had been successfully escorted onto the floor and a piece of music syncopated for waltzing began. Alyssa was walking about the floor regarding the couples and offering advice.
"Captain, please loosen up, dancing is supposed to be fun. See how Dr. Crusher is doing it. She's having fun with it so why can't you? You're a natural dancer your steps and rhythm are fine but you don't seem to be enjoying it." Alyssa instructed and Jean-Luc tried his best to loosen up. Finally, close to the end of the second song Jean-Luc actually seemed to be having fun. He and Beverly had decided to add in some of the more difficult steps and some of the other couples watched them with admiration.
The Waltz had been a bit easier to learn than the Cha Cha but not nearly as much fun to dance. Beverly had insisted that they practice on it to be able to give a good performance for their second test, which had been scheduled for a Saturday night. They had met in Jean-Luc's quarters for dinner every night that week and Beverly had heard numerous rumors that they were becoming romantically involved. She smiled inwardly to herself as she walked the final hall to his quarters. She wished that they were becoming romantically involved. She knew it was there as well as he did. Those feelings that they had discovered were inescapable. How she wished that she could just surrender, that she could just give in to those feelings. She entered Jean-Luc's quarters and they ate dinner quietly, then he turned on the music for the Cha Cha and they began. While they danced they talked. It was fun and exhilarating. Jean-Luc seemed to match Beverly's smile and their steps were perfect by now. They discussed their work and free time and anything else that interested them and to anyone who had walked in it would have seemed that they were pros.
On Saturday night the class met early, they ate a fancy dinner together and then the computerized band started into a Cha Cha piece. Jean-Luc stood up and walked to Beverly's side of the table.
"May I have this dance?" He asked offering his hand and with a slight bow.
"Yes you may, "Beverly replied with a smile and placing her hand in his she rose with his aid and they took the floor. Beverly had chosen a blue floor length dress for this evening and the sequins on it shone like her deep blue eyes in the light. They executed the Cha Cha perfectly and were one of the few couples whom Alyssa actually praised.
Jean-Luc sighed thankful that he could be off the floor. Being out there on that floor with Beverly in his arms was too perfect. He was happier out their dancing than he'd ever been before. He had an excuse to feel her body close to his and her heart beating fast from all that dancing drove him almost as crazy as the dresses she kept wearing to class. The others applauded when the test was over. They took a while to celebrate it and then they all went to soak their feet and get some rest.
By now the senior crew had decided that they were going to throw a command party to show off all of their talents at the end of the six weeks. Beverly was hoping that she and Jean-Luc could somehow get out of it. She knew Jean-Luc would be uncomfortable and she would never force him to do anything. After all, he hadn't forced her into a relationship. A relationship which she now wanted more than ever. The other crewmembers had become highly suspicious as well. They had asked Beverly on numerous occasions if something had finally happened and Beverly had managed to evade every question. However, she knew her timing wouldn't be that good forever. People were talking, and it would only get worse.
Beverly had never learned the Tango before but after only a couple of walk-through of the steps Alyssa declared she'd have never known that Beverly hadn't. Some of the members in the class had found out her nickname and used it with affection only within the classroom for Jean-Luc and Beverly had practically ordered them not to say anything about them attending the class. Jean-Luc liked the Tango because there was a lot of dips in it and each dip only seemed to exhilarate Beverly more. He wanted her. He wanted it to be like this for always. But how could he even hope for it when Beverly had slinked away from it the first time he'd offered. Perhaps though, now might be the time to take the chance. Jean-Luc and Beverly had decided to continue their evening practices after dinner. Even though they both knew that they were meeting because they liked this new closeness and because whiled they danced they could expose their feelings without fear, neither of them ever spoke about it to the other. They continued to dance the Cha Cha and the Waltz along with the Tango in order to keep the steps fresh in their mind. The dances now had become very comfortable as well as the dance partners. Beverly and Jean-Luc had danced with a couple of other people on request at a couple of the parties but they mainly stayed with each other and soon the other classmates had taken the hint and left them together.
"You know he's in love with you," Alyssa declared bluntly one morning as she was seated in Beverly's office.
Beverly looked up at her with shock.
"Oh don't give me that! You know it," Alyssa continued, staring at Beverly, "You can see it in his eyes when he dances with you. In the way he holds you."
Could it be true? Beverly's heart leapt at the possibility. She had to know. That night after they had finished dinner and were in the process of the Tango she seized the opportunity.
"Jean-Luc, are you still in love with me?" She asked matter-of-factly.
The Tango movements immediately ceased and Jean-Luc just stared at her. Should he tell her the truth? Should he admit that he wanted her now more than ever?
"Why do you ask?" he heard himself say. Why had he said that?
"Oh because people are talking about our spending so much time together and well�" Beverly trailed off looking at him seductively.
"Okay, I am, "Jean-Luc replied with almost a frustrated sigh. He exposed himself once again to her in hopes that perhaps this time would be different.
"Good," She replied and when he looked at her astonished she continued, "I think we ought to give them something to talk about."
Jean-Luc smiled at her and kissed her. She kissed him back passionately, unafraid and he knew that now he had the chance to love her forever. They went back to their dancing but this time the Tango and the Cha Cha were on fire. Their steps, their movements their flow was all marked with passion. They passed their test with flying colors that Saturday night and even managed to clear the floor. Alyssa remarked that she saw a real change in their skill and inquired as to the reason. Beverly merely told her that if people were going to talk, they might as well have something to say. Alyssa beamed her a smile and offered that she hoped everything would work out the way she, as well as most of the rest of the crew, who were their friends, had always wanted it to.
In the next three weeks Alyssa had taught the class all kinds of free dance steps and even how to incorporate them into the dances they had already learned. Beverly had taken over the class for two lessons to teach them how to do a few steps that even Alyssa didn't know and Alyssa noticed that Jean-Luc was even beginning to openly display the fact that he was in love. The entire crew was buzzing about Jean-Luc and Beverly spending so much time together and Will and Deanna had their suspicions. Deanna was happily engaged to will and she wanted Beverly to be as happy as she was. Their suspicions were heightened when day after day it seemed nothing could upset neither the captain nor the chief medical officer.
Finally, their test for tape came and Jean-Luc was rather nervous. Beverly and he had set up a time with Alyssa when they would both be free to have their tape made. Jean-Luc and Alyssa seemed rather alarmed as Beverly entered and halted their conversation immediately. They smiled and Jean-Luc walked over to escort Beverly to the floor.
"You look beautiful as always love, "He whispered to her remarking on her silver dress of satin that seemed to cling in all the right places with an elegant slit up the back and a halter top. They took to the floor and danced the waltz first. Jean-Luc loved the feeling of his hands on Beverly's bare back. Beverly's heart was racing she'd never been so happy. Then hey moved into the Cha Cha where they blissfully danced their way flawlessly through the difficult arrangement of it, even adding a few difficult movements in there. Next came the Tango and Jean-Luc knew he'd be fine through that. He danced it flamboyantly with Beverly striving to match his every move. At the end of the whole dance session Alyssa turned off the tape and then applauded them.
"Very good, I give you a perfect score," Alyssa commented happily, "but I expect you to do a return performance on Friday at the party!" She smiled then and they left the holodeck. As Friday night drew closer Beverly saw less and less of Jean-Luc. She began to fear that perhaps he had just gotten carried away with the dances and now he was backing out of their relationship. However, the few times she did see him she had been rewarded with a passionate kiss and 'I love you'.
It was with these thoughts in her head that she had prepared her dress for Friday. Deanna had visited her several times during the week disclosing romantic evening that she and Will had spent together while he'd played some piano music for her which he'd picked up. Deanna and Data had been thoroughly enjoying themselves getting some paintings together to display in Ten Forward to demonstrate what they had learned. Even Geordi seemed to be enjoying himself. He'd chosen to learn some more music on the trumpet, which he'd learned to play as a little boy. He and Will had even gotten a few snazzy jazz tunes together to play for the party. Worf had taken up ironwork, though bending the metal into objects almost didn't require heat the massive Klingon. He too would have pieces for sale at the party.
Finally, the big evening came and Beverly walked quickly towards Ten Forward. She wanted to get there before Jean-Luc, though she needn't have worried because a very nervous Jean-Luc was pacing his quarters while Will was attempting to adjust his bow tie.
"My curiosity has been raised to it's fullest as to what you've been doing these past six weeks, and why you seem to be in such high spirits, though Deanna and I have concluded that Beverly must be responsible. Good luck," Will said with a smile as Jean-Luc took one final look in the mirror and they left for Ten Forward.
Will walked in looking suave in his tux and was equally rewarded when Deanna sauntered over to him in a silver satin gown that clung to her all the way to her fishtail flare near the bottom. The top was haltered and it was practically backless to the thrill of a few lieutenants. Her hair was swept up on her head and falling down in ringlets everywhere. She met Will with a long passionate kiss. Then Jean-Luc stood in the center and commenced the party. He still hadn't seen Beverly. He'd figured that she'd have been at his side almost instantly. Well no matter, tonight he was going to make public his affection for her. He walked around and admired Deanna and Data's paintings and Worf's ironwork. He selected a piece of each that he'd like to have and the flattered artists said that they'd see that the pieces made it to his quarters. Will began playing along with Geordi and soon the dance floor was being used. A few of the couples from the dance class were there but they were merely slow dancing.
Beverly had watched him make his rounds looking at all the artwork. He looked so alluring, so mysterious in that tuxedo. Then Will had begun playing and how she longed to be on the floor. Then suddenly the crowds parted and there he was. He moved towards her with the moves of a jungle cat, sleek, suave, sophisticated. He walked over to her.
"May I have this dance please?" He asked offering his hand and bowing slightly.
"Yes," She replied and took his hand to rise. When she did so he nearly lost it. Beverly was wearing a black gown with spaghetti straps, which showed off her neck and shoulders. This gown also clung in all the right places until just past her hips when it flowed to the floor and on the left hand side was a slit up to the middle of her thigh, this slit was trimmed by large white ruffles. The gown added to the seduction of the woman wearing it and she soon had quite a few people's attention. Her hair, which was again in a French twist, was stuffed with white roses.
"You look spectacular," Jean-Luc said breathlessly as they glided onto the floor. They slow danced to the song that was playing and two more afterwards. Jean-Luc could see the eyes on them and hear the whispers. Then he motioned to Will to start the arrangement he'd given them. Suddenly Jean-Luc and Beverly broke into a Cha Cha, she surprised couples around them cleared the floor except the ones who knew how to dance it, they stayed momentarily and then decided to watch the Captain and Chief Medical Officer to see how good they really were. Beverly's eyes were sparkling and she laughed as she danced. Deanna looked at the couple to Will and back again an astonished look on her face. So that's what they'd been studying! After completing the Cha Cha the arrangement flowed into a jivy free form dance number in which Jean-Luc and Beverly got everyone looking on in amazement. Then the music went right on into the Tango, even Alyssa was shocked, she'd never seen a dance full of so much passion.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Beverly asked.
"Every minute of it," Jean-Luc answered with a smile.
Finally at the conclusion of the Tango Jean-Luc dipped Beverly brought her up and gave her a long French kiss. Beverly was shocked; her eyes flew wide open. Her first reaction was to resist but she didn't, she gave in and her senses reeled as she enjoyed the kiss. Everyone around them enjoyed the scene and was clapping wildly. When he finally drew back from her she looked at him with a shocked expression.
"People were talking," Jean-Luc said with a smile, "So I gave them something to talk about."
Then Beverly gave him another long kiss. The rest of the couples joined them on the floor for a few more dances, even Will and Deanna got into the spirit. The party was a huge success and furthermore, Will and Deanna saw that their friends finally had what they deserved, each other. All it took was a little bit of nothing to do it. The End
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