Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek.

Chapter Six

Tasha Yar could not stop glancing at Data. She'd had a crush on him from the day they'd met - and she had acted on those feelings for Data when the virus hit. And now...she couldn't get him out of her head. Every time she tried to put him out of her mind, something made her glance over at him. And then, of course, she remembered what they'd done - and she had to look away.

Her actions were not going unnoticed. Worf noticed that Tasha kept looking over at the android, and he couldn't help but wonder why she was doing it. Clearing his throat a little, he turned to address Tasha. Jumping a little, Tasha turned hastily from her counsel to face him.

"Worf?" She asked, sounding nervous. Worf gave her what he hoped was a comforting smile.

"I was merely wondering if something was wrong," He said, and Tasha's eyes widened. But other than that facial movement, she didn't look too phazed.

"Nothing's wrong," She said, turning back to her counsel. Worf raised an eyebrow, and turned back to his own counsel.

"If that is the case," He said, quietly so that no one else could hear, "Why do you keep looking at Commander Data?"

Tasha froze, and her eyes met Worf's. He raised his eyebrows a little, and Tasha let out a resigned sigh. Once Worf got into his mind to find something out - there was little one could do to stop him.

"I'd...rather not talk about it now," Tahsa said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. Worf nodded in understanding. He'd grown up with humans, and knew that somethings they felt more comfortable talking about one on one rather than in a group of people.

"Where would be a good place to talk?" Worf asked. Tasha let out a nervous laugh and glanced back at Data, whose head was cocked towards them. "Or perhaps that is something better talked about elsewhere as well?"

Smiling at his joke, Tasha felt herself relax a little bit more. Worf had always felt like an older brother to her, and she felt more comfortable when talking to him. Maybe she shoudl talk to him about what happened with Data…

"1600 in the lounge allright with you?" She asked, silently hoping Data would not follow them. He was obviously eavesdropping on their conversation. Hopefully he wouldn't decide to spy on them too.

"That is fine," Worf rumbled, nodding. "I look forward to our conversation."

"That makes one of us," Tasha said under her breath as Worf returned to his counsel. Before Worf could ask what she meant by that, however, Dr. Selar commed the bridge.

"Selar to bridge," the vulcan said, her voice as impassive as ever. Riker, sitting in the captain's seat, tapped his comm.

"Riker here," He said, trying to keep annoyance out of his voice. "Have you got the results on that virus?"

"Indeed," Selar said, and everyone on the bridge let out a relieved breathe. "I am sending the data on the virus now. Perhaps now we may continue with our mission."

"Amen to that," Riker said, tapping his comm off and turning to face the people behind him. "When you get that information - send it to Starfleet command ASAP."

"Yes, sir." Tasha said, her eyes now glued to her council. With something to do now, she could finally put Data out of her mind. For now, that is.

After Jean-Luc's conversation had ended, the captain decided to visit Dr. Crusher. He needed to see her. And, to tell her how he felt about her. How he'd always felt about her. Since the moment she stepped aboard his ship...he'd fallen in love with her.

But the guilt of Jack Crusher's death had hindered him. After all, he had died while Picard was in command. But with a baby on the way, Jean-Luc had made the decision to marry Beverly. Not only because of the baby, but because it was about time he'd put Jack's death behind him, and move forward.

Walking briskly down the corridors of the Enterprise, he felt a new reserve of determination. He was going to tell Beverly how he felt. And if she didn't believe him, he'd just have to show her. He could take her to the holodeck and show her his hometown, tell her the story of his life - prove to her in some way that he loved her.

Now all he had to do was hope she believed him.

Beverly was munching delicately on a saltine when her door chimed. Putting the cracker down, she cleared her throat and stood.

"Enter," She said, hoping her voice didn't sound weak. The last thing people needed was a doctor who sounded sick.

"Beverly," Picard said, walking into her room the moment the door opened. Blinking, Beverly could hardly believed who had walked through her door. She had wanted to talk to him about their baby, about why he'd asked her to marry him - but she hadn't expected to talk to him so soon. "I have something to tell you. Something I should have told you a lot sooner. But...I am ashamed to say I put it off."

"Jean-Luc..." Beverly said, unsure of how to respond. Stepping around her desk, she dragged her chair over to the one in front of her desk. She gestured to the chair opposite hers and sat down. "Maybe we should sit down for this."

Jean-Luc obliged her, sitting down across from her and taking her hands in his. Then he looked into her beautiful blue eyes.

"Beverly, I love you. I have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you," He said, and Beverly knew by the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes that he was telling the truth. "But I didn't act upon those feelings - because I felt guilty about what happened to Jack. And, I know that what happened to him wasn't my fault. But no matter what his death will haunt me. But that shouldn't stop me from moving on."

"Jean-Luc," Beverly said, squeezing his hands. "I -"

"And before you ask it," Picard interrupted, running his thumbs along her knuckles. "I have to tell you why I decided to ask for your hand now."

Beverly nodded, and waited for him to continue. Taking a deep breath, he did.

"When you told me you were pregnant, with our child - I was overjoyed. I am overjoyed. To think that I'm going to be a father - it's an exhilarating thought!" He said with a smile, "And I knew, then and there, that I wanted to spend every last moment with you. I want to wake up with you, to be there for you, and especially to be there for our child. That is why I'm marrying you."

Smiling, Beverly felt a huge burden lift from her shoulders. Hearing all that Jean-Luc had to say...it was more than enough proof that he loved her and wasn't just marrying her to keep his record clean.

"Jean-Luc," Beverly said, smiling at him. "You don't know how much I appreciate that. I hate to admit it, but I was wondering about your intentions…"

"And I don't blame you for that," He said, relaxing a little. It seemed that she believed him. "Beverly I love you."

Beverly smiled, and instead of responding, tears of happiness began to fall. Unsure of what else to do, Jean-Luc reached around and held her close, giving her an awkward chair to chair hug. But at the moment - neither of them was paying attention to awkwardness. Their eyes were only for one another.

They stayed like this for a long time, both of them hugging one another tightly in silent understanding and happiness.

Unfortunately, the moment was broken after only an hour by Jean-Luc's communicator. Sniffing, Beverly pulled herself away from her fiancee and let out a sobbing laugh.

"You brought your comm with you?" She asked in a joking way. He gave her an apologetic smile.

"A captain's duty is never done." He said, brushing a strand of stray hair behind Beverly's ear.

"Maybe once we're married, we'll have some time to put aside for your honeymoon." She said, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her coat. "Even captain's need some time for their family."

"I agree," Jean-Luc said, standing. "And I will put leave in for our wedding, and when our baby is to be born. I'd like to have some time with him."

"Or her," Beverly said, standing. She brought her chair behind her desk and leaned on the wall behind her. Jean-Luc's comm beeped again. "I think you need to get that."

"Indeed," he said, nodding. Then he tapped his comm.

"Sir," Data's voice said, "Starfleet command has received the data about the virus, and has approved our continuation of our mission."

"Excellent." Jean-Luc said, feeling his spirits lift. Finally, they'd be able to continue to explore the stars. "I'll be up there shortly to see the message myself."

"Sir," Data said, his voice inquisitive. "May I ask where we are heading next?"

"For now," Jean-Luc said, "Let's find the nearest outpost. I think some of the crew could use a break."

"Yes, sir," Data replied. "Plotting course now."

"Very good, Data," Jean-Luc said, "Picard out." Tapping his comm, he ended the conversation. Then he looked back at Beverly, with a smile on his face. "What would you say to a little time off for planning our wedding?"

"I'd say that's the second best thing I've heard all day," She said, smiling brightly.

Hi everyone! Sorry for the late update - I needed a little break from writing. But I'm back! And I plan on posting chapter's 7-10 the following months (and maybe some more beyond that). Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this recent chapter!

Also, thank you for posting reviews. I love hearing feedback!