Released December 3rd 2002
Well, here�s my Christmas gift to all the P/C fans out there. New stories involving these great characters are becoming harder and harder to find nowadays and I thought I�d contribute. I really hope you enjoy this short story. It�s not the kind I usually write, but there�s a first time for everything. Well, have a merry Christmas, a happy new year!
Standard Disclaimer: The characters involved in this story belong to Paramount. Due to the way their relationship has been terribly neglected, I decided to borrow them and have a little bit of fun. Don�t sue me, I�m not making a cent off of this.
Length: 4 pages
A New Year by Missbevcrusher
New year�s has always come hand in hand with resolutions. It�s a time of year when people reflect on the choices they�ve made and what they would like to better in their lives. Through all the changes and the centuries, the hope associated with that particular time of the year remains as strong as ever.
�Dinner was wonderful Jean-Luc, thank you.� Beverly said as she tightened her long black winter coat around her. She also wore a black beret over her long strawberry blond hair and a long red scarf around her neck.
�It was my pleasure.� Replied Jean-Luc.
It was not often that they had the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of ship life and enjoy time back on Earth. This break was not unwelcome either. The past few missions had been rather difficult and had started to take their toll on everyone. Furthermore, it had been years since either of them had been able to celebrate the holidays. It was a nice coincidence the ship had been scheduled for routine maintenance during this time of year.
After having spent Christmas with Marie in France, Jean-Luc and Beverly had decided they would go where new year�s was celebrated at it�s finest, New-York city.
The streets were filled with people in full celebration and music filled the air. The large slow moving snowflakes which fell down made it all seem surreal somehow.
It was now nearing midnight as they made their way towards Time Square.
As they slowly walked arm in arm, Jean-Luc turned to look at her and smiled.
�What?� Said Beverly as she smiled back.
�You look stunning.� Jean-Luc�s gaze remained entwined with hers.
Beverly laughed softly, �Why thank you Jean-Luc. You look very attractive yourself if you don�t mind me saying so.�
A moment of silence passed between them as they continued their stroll.
�Isn�t this nice?� Beverly was the first one to speak.
Jean-Luc nodded, �Yes it is. It�s my first time at New-York�s new year�s celebrations.�
Beverly laughed, �No, I mean being off the ship for a few days. It�s not often we get the chance to spend some time together while on shore leave. We�re so used to dealing with each other on a professional basis each day that it�s easy to forget what it�s like without the ranks.�
�True.� Jean-Luc turned to look at her once more, �I guess we�ll just have to make an effort to spend more of our time off together then.�
Beverly nodded, �I�d really like that.�
Jean-Luc smiled warmly at her and gently patted the hand that rested on his arm.
A few minutes later, they found themselves amid the thousands of people assembled for the countdown.
Just as midnight was about to strike, Jean-Luc noticed Beverly shivering slightly, �Are you cold?�
�Just a little.� Beverly answered as she gazed at the night sky.
�Here, let me.�
Beverly then felt Jean-Luc coming up behind her and gently wrap his arms around her. It showed her just how tender he could be when he didn�t hide behind the captain�s mask. It was a side of himself that she rarely had the chance to see. She loved the feel of him close to her. As she slowly exhaled and closed her eyes, she could feel the warmth of his cheek next to hers. This felt so right.
�Beverly��
At the soft mention of her name, Beverly slowly turned to face him. As she did so, the crowd around them started the countdown.
�Ten! Nine! Eight��
The intensity with which he held gaze made her heart beat a mile a minute. His expression was filled with something which she never thought she would ever see in him. Tender and loving, it showed a kind of vulnerability. Jean-Luc Picard was not a man who showed emotions easily. Especially the kind that could end up causing him heartache.
�Five! Four��
Without leaving his gaze, Beverly took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. He had always been so good to her. The only constant in her life, she couldn�t imagine what it would be like not having him around.
�Three! Two! One! Happy new year!�
As the crowd around them came alive with celebration, the intensity with which they were now gazing at one another remained.
Time seemed to stand still for Beverly as she pondered her next words. She wasn�t one to take the first step, but something deep within her gave her the courage to say what was on her mind for once in her life. Why not? �I believe it�s tradition to kiss the woman you�re with when the clock strikes twelve Jean-Luc.�
At first, Jean-Luc just stood there in disbelief. When it came to their obvious attraction toward one another, Jean-Luc and Beverly had always been good at knowing where the line was. Though often tempted, they had never crossed that line. At least, until that very moment, �Well in that case� who am I to break tradition��
As quickly as these words were uttered, Beverly felt his warm hand gently caress the side of her face. She then closed her eyes as she was pulled into his embrace. As their lips finally met in what was a most tender and loving kiss, both knew that things between them would never be the same. They had known for years now that not only were they best friends, but soulmates as well. The fears that had kept them apart for so many years, no longer seemed rational.
Once the kiss was over, Jean-Luc looked into her beautiful blue eyes meaningfully and said, �Happy new year Beverly.�
Smiling lovingly at him, she added, �And happy new beginnings.�
Amid the celebrating crowd and falling snowflakes, Jean-Luc and Beverly started a new page in their lives. One that would no longer be filled with loneliness and regret, but happiness and companionship.
By the time each page of the calendar would be turned and a new year would arrive, they would be known as Mr. and Mrs. Picard. When they met so long ago, neither would have imagined that their journey would bring them from friends to soulmates and finally husband and wife. Life is full of surprises after all.
Fin
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