Path: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.pas.earthlink.net!elnk-pas-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!pd7cy1no!shaw.ca!newscon02.news.prodigy.com!newscon06.news.prodigy.com!prodigy.net!border1.nntp.dca.giganews.com!nntp.giganews.com!ngpeer.news.aol.com!audrey-m2.news.aol.com!not-for-mail Lines: 100 X-Admin: news@aol.com From: andreat@aol.com (AndreaT) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Date: 19 Jan 2005 20:54:49 GMT Organization: AOL, http://www.aol.co.uk Subject: NEW TNG Why don't we... 1/1 (P/C) Message-ID: <20050119155449.12854.00000156@mb-m11.aol.com> Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative:161999 X-Received-Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 12:55:20 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) This is a section from an unfinished piece I wrote a year ago called "A Cunning Plan". I couldn't find the inspiration to finish it but quite like this bit and felt the need to post it. To set the scene, it's between Insurrection and Nemesis and Riker wants Picard and Bev to have to same chance of happiness he has with Troi so engineers a reason for them to be on shore leave as a foursome..... Hope you like. Andrea. Part 1/1 "Why don't we just have sex?" At first he gave no indication that he had heard what she had said. He continued to gaze straight ahead, watching the sailing boats on the horizon. The sea breeze billowed his white cotton shirt as he leaned on the sea wall. She didn't dare turn to look at him, so they stood side by side, contemplating the shimmering sea as silence expanded the moment. "To what end?" he finally responded. She'd known he would be sceptical, probably turn her down. She'd given him enough cause in the past. "I just thought that if we could get past the will we/won't we phase, we could get on with a proper relationship. Whether it turns out to be platonic or something more, I just don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering...." She hoped the explanation was enough. "I don't think I can," he paused and then para phrased her words, "*just have sex*." She turned to look at him now, slightly irked by his reply. "Jean Luc! How many women have you slept with? You can't have been in love with them all!" Still he stared out to sea. "Eighty seven women, eleven men and one ....." A slight smile played across his lips as if he were reminiscing which infuriated her further. "You weren't exactly saving yourself!" she said tersely and instantly regretted it as his head snapped around to look at her. "NO I WAS NOT! I was trying to forget YOU," he shouted. His eyes bored into her but she refused to look away. Her resolve was slipping. It wasn't going according to plan. "Did you make love to Anij?" she found herself compelled to ask. "That's non of your damn business!" "Isn't it? "Why now?" he asked in a more gentle tone. "I.....," she began but couldn't finish. She hadn't wanted a discussion. It was too hard to put into words the feelings of emptiness she had, the realisation that they were growing apart. The inevitability of their being together had drifted away because of so many opportunities not grasped. She sighed and looked away, frowning at her own inadequacies. "God damn it Beverly! Don't toy with me." She winced. Now she had made him angry. And then to her surprise he said, "Right, fine, why not?" He firmly grasped he wrist and set off at a brisk pace, almost pulling her along behind him. "Just remember, this was your idea. Don't you dare back out on me now," he called as he led her along the path back to the villa. Beverly was shocked by his sudden decision and *Was that a threat* she thought. Her legs felt slightly numb and she struggled to maintain an elegant gait. She was aware of the heat of his hand tightly holding her wrist, beads of perspiration causing the floaty fabric of her dress to cling to her back. They reached the villa she found herself propelled up the steps and into it's cool interior. To her relief Will and Deanna were in the lounge, surely that would deter the captain and give her chance to regain her composure but to her dismay he continued right through the lounge towards the bedrooms and then to her acute embarrassment he barked, "Will, Deana, now is a good time to take a walk!" She briefly made eye contact with a surprised Deana and didn't know whether to plead for help or reassure her that everything was ok. She didn't have time to do either as Picard thrust into her bedroom, spun her round and pinned her to the door with his body NewMessage: