Cold Feet Series

Part 1

It started with her teasing him, as these things usually did. And as usual, he endured it, then spent long moments in quiet contemplation of the proper response. After all, it's not like he was used to being accused of such things.

Jean-Luc Picard was not a vain man, but neither was he foolishly modest. He knew he was one of Starfleet's finest. He knew he had a reputation of being a fine negotiator and a distinguished diplomat. Among the cream of Starfleet elite, there were few who could claim more years of distinguished service. Even among the best of the captains, there was only a handful who could claim to have a battle strategy named after them. No, Jean-Luc Picard was no ordinary man and he knew it.

Which is why Beverly's teasing comment stayed with him through breakfast, the staff meeting and a day's worth of tedious duties. Perhaps if they were on a mission, rather than sitting in the middle of yet another nebula letting the stellar cartographers play, the comment might not have bothered him quite so much.

Not that the comment actually bothered him. He was, after all, above such petty considerations. And it's not like it was a disparagement. It was just... annoying. So he thought about it - a lot - and finally came up with the proper response. All that was left now was waiting for the right time.

*****

They shared a late dinner that night, Jean-Luc having learned early to stay out of Beverly's way on play rehearsal nights. Beverly had a most disconcerting way of recruiting everyone within earshot and he knew better than to pretend he'd be excused because of his rank. As far as she was concerned - it gave him more reason to help construct sets or serve as stand-in while the "real actors" did more important things.

She arrived at his quarters with her hair delightfully mussed, and the air of having

accomplished great things. Jean-Luc was delighted. She was always so… uninhibited on nights like this. Perfect.

They lingered over dinner, then retired to the sofa for wine and conversation. They talked long into the night, then proceeded together into his bedroom. He didn't even need to attempt seduction tonight. She joyfully and oh so skillfully took the lead, leaving him breathless and trembling. It was almost enough to make him change his plans. But not quite.

Hours later, in the early morning, when he was sure she was comfortably sleeping, he carefully reached over and eased up her scanty nightgown, letting his fingers trail with the lightest touch over her skin. She sighed contentedly and continued to sleep proving yet again that she was not a morning person.

Jean-Luc smiled slightly. Perfect. This was working better than he planned. Now if he could just… there. The scant gown was now safely out of his way, leaving her delightful backside bare. He adjusted the blanket, careful to keep her warm. Beverly was very sensitive to temperature changes and merely shifting the blanket had been known to wake her.

He stopped a moment, just looking at her. She was so beautiful, so peaceful. Nothing on that placid face betrayed the wicked sense of humor she deviled him with so often. So very often.

Tearing his eyes away from her, Jean-Luc shifted slightly in the bed, turning away from her scorching hot flesh until his back was to her, delighting in the coolness of the sheets in this new location. He drew his legs up, careful not to disturb her.

There. Better.

Finding a comfortable position, he closed his eyes again, relaxed his body and…

*Now!*

With one swift movement he pressed the soles of his feet to her exposed back, counted to three and was rewarded with a startled shriek as Beverly leapt out of bed.

*Cold feet indeed.*

::: end :::

Return to Astra Plain's