| Released November 18th, 2008 The Road to There by Missbevcrusher Rated [R] (so far the story has not strayed into R territory, but it will eventually) Chapter 4 The next day in combat class, things seemed to start out quite nicely between Jean-Luc and Beverly. The first sign that things were looking up came by way of her sitting in her usual spot, which was right next to his. When the two were paired for a joint assignment however, things didn�t go as smoothly. �Why do you fail to see my point? It�s clear as day.� Picard gestured toward the notes he�d entered on his padd. �Because your point doesn�t make sense. This strategy of yours is full of holes.� �Full of holes?� Jean-Luc wasn�t used to being told his defense strategies didn�t make sense. �And yours isn�t?� �You just can�t admit that I�m right. What�s the matter, Jean-Luc? Afraid of being upstaged by a girl?� That comment elicited incredulous laughter. �You are unbelievable�� �Is there a problem up there?� Commander Perry�s expression was even more severe than usual. Jean-Luc and Beverly both sat up straight and pretended that everything was fine. But their instructor would not drop the matter so easily. �I asked you two a question.� He crossed his arms and waited. �No, sir,� they both echoed quietly. �Good.� The commander stepped down from the podium where he had been going over his weekly planner and started pacing the front of the class. �Some of the most important things when it comes to surviving a chaotic situation are teamwork, cooperation, and trust. If one cannot work seamlessly with his or her fellow officers, it puts him or her at a disadvantage from the start. You might not think that bickering in class is a big deal, but if you can�t learn to overcome differences and work together now, you won�t stand a chance in the fleet. Is that clear?� �Yes, sir.� Their answers were low. �I didn�t quite hear that, cadets.� �Yes, sir!� �Good. Now�� Perry took a breath. �So that the both of you can learn how to form a functioning team despite personal differences, you will hereby be required to pair up for joint assignments and paired exercises until further notice. Understood?� Jean-Luc and Beverly exchanged unhappy looks but responded to their instructor as they should. �Understood, sir.� �Carry on.� In a barely audible whisper, Beverly said, �This is all your fault.� �My fault?� Jean-Luc wasn�t someone who lost his temper easily but despite his crush on her, Beverly still managed to drive him up the wall. He sighed. �This is going to be a long semester.� �I�m glad we understand each other.� Merde. * * * * Comfortably settled on her bed, Valerie was reading a text on Klingon/Federation political relations. She rested with her back to a few pillows she�d stacked against her headboard, the infamous white baseball cap slanted low just over her eyes as music played on the small computer that sat on her nightstand. The cadet�s concentration was suddenly broken. There was a swish that indicated someone was entering the room which was immediately followed by a few muffled curses. Uh-oh� There was a storm of unimaginable proportions brewing, of that she was certain. Symes� suspicions were confirmed when she tilted her head up so that she could have a better view of the room. A pissed-off looking redhead quickly stalked toward the bathroom; from inside of which could be heard a non-too-gentle shuffling of stuff on the counter. �Bev?� Valerie called out for her friend but didn�t quite dare to move just yet. When the med student emerged from the bathroom, the confining jacket of her uniform had already been discarded leaving only the white t-shirt beneath. �I can�t believe that stupid, arrogant�� What followed weren�t words. Instead it was a breath of frustration. Seemingly oblivious to anything around her, Beverly turned toward her dresser where she started to toss out one undesirable item after another. �Okay, let me guess� Jean-Luc Picard?� Beverly whirled around. �That�� She struggled to find a description. ��stubborn, egotistical piece of�� �Yeah alright, I get it. You don�t like him. What�d he do this time?� �As luck would have it, or rather as bad luck would have it, I ended up paired with him for an assignment today. His proposed solution to the problem made no sense and as he refused to acknowledge the fact that I might have found a better way to go about the problem, we started arguing. And guess what? Commander Perry said that I�m stuck with him for any assignments or team exercises until he decides otherwise. Can you believe that?� Symes tried not to laugh but was having a hell of a hard time. �Val, this is not funny.� �I don�t mean to piss you off more, but I beg to differ.� �Whose side are you on anyway?� Valerie got up. �I�m not on anyone�s side. I just find the concept of you being stuck with him rather funny considering you�re pretty stubborn yourself. Look, why don�t you just try to make the most of it? The sooner you start getting along with him, the sooner Perry will relent and you can pair up with whoever you like.� Beverly�s anger subsided somewhat, but from the look on her face it was clear she was less than thrilled at the idea. �I hate to admit it, but you might be right.� �Hang in there. It�ll be over before you know it.� Valerie sunk back on her bed. She was about to resume her studies when she couldn�t help one last comment. �Besides, you might actually start to like him if you give him a chance.� �Don�t push your luck.� As Beverly once again disappeared in the bathroom to change, Valerie chuckled softly. I can�t wait to see how that�ll turn out. * * * * �Come on, ten more. You can do it.� Jean-Luc held Beverly�s feet down as she proceeded with the series of sit-ups they�d been instructed to do. Beverly had managed to stay civil toward him for a full week now. Whether it was genuine improvement in their relationship or a forced performance aimed at an earlier release from their pairing, Jean-Luc could only guess. Whatever was the case, he didn�t care. Any time spent with her was time he could work on slowly winning her over, for despite their earlier argument, he was still extremely attracted to her. Furthermore, as he steadily got to know her better, the more he realized that the pull she had on him was way more than physical. If only he could peel away just a few more layers to reveal the mystery that was still Beverly Howard. He couldn�t help but admire her focused expression as she gazed up at the ceiling. She�d done three series of fifty sit-ups already and was now nearing the end of her forth. She was definitely in shape and it showed via her toned stomach. When she�d reached fifty, Beverly sat up and wiped her brow as she exhaled. He smiled. �Good job.� �Thanks.� She didn�t return his warm expression. Instead she swallowed in between breaths, and then said, �Okay, now your turn.� They switched positions and he started his sit-ups. At first, Beverly looked at him as she kept count, but soon had to look away as he kept his gaze locked with hers. �Shy?� he asked. A little smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she gazed sideways. �I am not.� �Then why are you looking away?� She relented and turned to meet hazel. �Because of the way you�re looking at me.� �And what way is that?� He smiled in his usual dashing way and effortlessly continued with his abdominal exercises. With a combination of amusement and exasperation, she responded, �You know what way.� �No, I don�t.� His eyes seemed to peer right through to her soul. �Enlighten me.� �Oh come on. You can stop being evasive.� �Okay you�re right. I can�t stop looking at you� But it�s because you�re too damned beautiful.� At that moment, Beverly was grateful for the fact that they were several feet away from their classmates and that most likely they did not hear what her partner had just said. She felt a sudden surge of heat to her cheeks and she was sure she�d turned several shades of red. Great, I�m blushing. �Focus on your sit-ups, Cadet.� He stopped talking at that point but his gaze never wavered. He was absolutely entranced by her. * * * * Jean-Luc sat on his bed untying the laces of his boots when his roommate came in. �What�s up, Johnny?� asked Corey as the door hissed shut behind him. �Just winding down.� he answered as he dropped a boot to the floor. Zweller undid the strap on the front of his uniform. �Long day, huh?� �Not so bad, but I am glad it�s Friday.� �Marty just asked me if we wanted to join her for some pool tonight. Guess she�s meeting up with some new friends at O�Callaghan�s Pub.� Jean-Luc nodded. �Yeah, sure.� �Great. We�ll leave at around 1900.� �Sounds like a plan.� �By the way, you remember Camille Sullivan?� How could he forget? She�d been one of his diversions at the beginning of his freshman year. �Yes, why?� �She�s been asking about you and I�m pretty sure it wasn�t just polite conversation. Want me to ask her to tag along?� Jean-Luc smiled as he got up but raised a hand so as to refuse the offer. �No, that�s quite alright. But thanks.� �You feeling alright, Johnny?� Picard seemed puzzled. �Yes.� Corey got this glint in his eye. �Spill the beans, who is it?� �Who�s who?� �The little lady you�re not telling me about.� �Corey.� He started to protest. �Camille Sullivan is quite the babe so for you to politely refuse that she tag along�� Zweller let the statement trail. �There is someone, but it�s not quite what you think. I�m not seeing her. She�s� a classmate.� �So Johnny has a crush. Now why isn�t she biting?� �Well, she�s�� Again, he searched for the right word. ��complicated.� �They all are if you ask me. Anyway it�s shower time.� Corey turned toward the lavatory, leaving Jean-Luc alone with his thoughts. Never before had he refused a possible date with a beautiful girl for someone he wasn�t even involved with. There�s a first time for everything. He couldn�t explain exactly why but Beverly was different and she already had him hook, line, and sinker. * * * * �And you should have seen the look on his face when he found out we were all jerking his chain.� Valerie burst out laughing as she regaled her story about this poor fellow in one of her classes. Beverly and Danielle, who sat with her around the large circular booth at the back of O�Callaghan�s Pub, were laughing just as hard. �I missed all the fun I see,� said Batanides as she approached the table. �Marty.� Valerie pointed toward her friends. �You haven�t met Beverly and Danielle, have you?� �No, I�m afraid I haven�t.� Marty extended her hand to Beverly first. �I�m Marta Batanides, but everybody calls me Marty.� �Hi Marty, I�m Beverly Howard.� Then it was Danielle�s turn to introduce herself. �I hope you girls don�t mind, I�ve asked a few of my friends to join us here,� said Marty. �Hey, the more the merrier,� Valerie responded. Marty slipped into the booth as she glanced toward the front of the pub. �Right on cue.� She smiled and waved her friends over. The other three girls turned to see who Marty had gestured to and that�s when they all discretely exchanged looks. While Danielle�s expression was somewhat unreadable, Beverly seemed to turn a bright shade of red. And Valerie was positively beaming. This is going to be an interesting night. Jean-Luc and Corey made their way to the back and smiled politely at some of the people they knew. When he got close to the table, Jean-Luc immediately noticed the redhead who was busy trying to look as though something had fallen in her drink. �Hello, Marty,� he said with a smile. Luck might be on my side tonight after all. A new round of introductions got underway, during which Jean-Luc merely kept glancing over at Beverly with obvious wheels turning in his mind. At first, the conversation between the newly merged groups of friends was light. Mostly, they got to know one another better with the basic facts. But then slowly as the night went on, the topics strayed into more carefree and often humorous categories. The whole time, Beverly and Jean-Luc mostly kept to themselves. While he listened and sipped at his drink, Jean-Luc�s main focus never really strayed from the redhead. In the subdued lighting of the tavern, she looked even more beautiful. Her already delicate features were softened beneath the reddish hue of the antique neon alcoholic brand advertising sign that hung nearby. He noticed that as much as she avoided looking toward him, she would sometimes cast a quick glance his way. Whenever that happened, the med student would look away as though she�d been caught red-handed�a fact that made him all the more eager to know what lay hidden beneath her guarded exterior. After a while, Corey suggested they all take their mingling to the other side of the room, where the pool tables were. The cadets started to file out of the booth one by one�except for a certain redhead. Valerie was curious. �You coming, Bev?� �Nah, that�s alright. I think I�ll sit this round out and finish my drink.� �Okay.� When he saw that she was remaining at the table, Jean-Luc, too, decided to stay behind. Beverly immediately recognized her faux pas but it was already too late. She didn�t want to ruin the pleasant atmosphere between the newly acquainted groups of friends by showing her reluctance toward Jean-Luc openly. For several long seconds, neither one of them said anything. It was rather awkward even. But finally Jean-Luc decided to attempt conversation. �This is nice.� The redhead looked around and nodded. �Yeah, I like this place too.� Picard chuckled and looked down at his drink momentarily. �That�s not quite what I meant� It�s nice seeing you out of class.� �Oh�� She was still rather reserved around him therefore he chose his next line carefully. �You�re studying medicine. That must be quite a task.� �It is challenging but I enjoy it.� Her eyes lit up as she spoke about her chosen field. The subtle change in mood did not go unnoticed by Jean-Luc and he found it endearing. �Any particular reason why you chose medicine?� She shrugged. �A family tradition, I guess.� �One of your parents is a doctor?� �Something of the sort, but it�s not my parents. It�s my grandmother. She�s the one who raised me after my parents died.� Picard was not only surprised by that personal admission, but his heart went out to her as well. �I�m sorry to hear that.� �It�s alright� It was a long time ago.� He had a feeling that their conversation would stall as it usually did, but once again he was taken by surprise as Beverly suddenly turned the tables on him. �What about you? Why�d you choose Starfleet?� Jean-Luc suddenly seemed pensive as he took a slow breath. �I guess it was my way of ridding myself of the confines of my childhood�a way of finally seeing what�s out there.� His answer both intrigued and surprised her, for underneath his picture perfect overachieving exterior, there was much more to the young man who sat across from her. A layer of pain perhaps� It was too soon to tell however. �I meant to tell you,� he finally said, �I really enjoyed this past week spent with you in combat class. I know that it was more likely out of necessity on your part but still, getting along with you� it�s been fun.� �About that�� Jean-Luc braced himself for what was to come. Beverly continued, �As much as I forced it at first� I now have to admit that you might not be such a jerk after all.� Unable to keep eye contact, she looked down at her drink with a smirk. Did I hear her correctly? Picard was more than stunned. When he finally managed to get a grip on his emotions, his somewhat carefree nature took over and he couldn�t resist one last attempt. �So does that mean we�re on for coffee?� Beverly laughed. �No, it just means that I�m going to ease on the �ice princess� factor so that we can succeed as a team.� �Hmmm.� He pondered her words for a few moments. �Just so you know, I never considered you to be a total ice princess.� �You didn�t?� �A little snobbish at times, yes, but definitely not an ice princess.� The two shared a laugh. It felt strange, yet refreshing at the same time to let her guard down in front of him like this. So in keeping with the light-hearted nature of their conversation, Beverly countered, �Just so you know, I really did think you were cocky.� She lifted her glass halfway to her lips and stopped. �And I still do.� Jean-Luc feigned being hurt for a moment but then started laughing. Beverly�s eyes twinkled as she too finally joined in the laughter. continue to chapter 5 library |