[But she can't deny that the suggestion is tempting. Beverly Crusher is astonishingly beautiful and maddeningly clever, the first person since Han she's ever felt this hunger for, and this close to her, Leia wants nothing more than to close the distance between them in a kiss. It'd be unfair to do so, of course--the captain isn't in any shape for more than friendliness tonight--but the longing remains.
But her hair...that's not too much, surely. Leia lifts a gentle hand to Beverly's scalp and begins to slide her fingers through her hair, half-combing, half stroking. She's done this often enough with her own hair, on occasions when a brush wasn't available, but it's easier when it doesn't involve untangling snarls down to her waist. Here, it's more intimate, too, her fingertips a light pressure on Beverly's head before sliding down through her auburn hair.]
[Beverly laughs, short and low. She leans in close, closer than she would allow herself were she sober. The attraction between them is undeniable yet she does her best to do so, telling herself that it's nothing, nothing, that she's only admiring Leia's strength and intelligence and devotion, like she would admire any officer.
But this general from another world is hardly just any officer.]
[Leia slips her arm around Beverly and tells herself she's only going to ensure the woman doesn't end up losing her balance. It's not true, and she knows it well, but anything else would be inappropriate. She doesn't exactly answer to Beverly, and she wouldn't care if she did, but there's a sort of awkwardness to the possibility of--well, anything with her. She can't place what it is, except her own reluctance to begin something that might end up making her life more complicated.
You thought the same about Han, and he was worth it.
But even if romantic entanglements seemed like a good idea, Beverly is in no shape to think about any of this right now. Leia stops stroking her hair, but her hand still hovers close.]
Two. [She raises her brows, making no effort to hide her amusement.] I've only ever made it through one.
[There's little reason for her to drink to excess here, and she's a head shorter than Beverly anyway.]
It sounds like you've had plenty of fun for one night. I should get you back to bed.
[She doesn't move, though, watching Beverly with all-too-intent dark eyes. There are things she should do, and then there are things she'd like to do, and despite how sober she is, she's tempted to pick from the second list instead of the first.]
[Until it's said, Leia doesn't expect to hear it--and then it seems like the most obvious thing in the world, with the way Beverly's been playing with her hair. She's a more flirtatious drunk than Leia would have guessed, but that's her own mistake. In all things, Beverly has the force of passion on her side; she simply harnesses it better in most situations.
If they'd both been drinking, Leia suspects she'd give in and kiss her, but they haven't. The sheer awkwardness of that fact is enough that she feels only a moment's sharp, instinctive desire before it fades into regret. Who knows whether the captain would ever think of such a thing sober?]
You've seen enough of mine for one night. [It's an answer that would have had far sharper edges a few decades ago. How things change.] Do you need help walking back?
[Drunk or not, Beverly knows how to accept a no when she hears it, so she doesn't push. Besides, she really truly did not intend to end up here tonight. Doors are very tricky things sometimes.
Slowly, she gets to her feet and waits a moment, to see if the world will spin again. When it doesn't, she smiles back down at Leia.]
No, I'll be all right. It's only a couple of doors down. But!
[And she's sitting down again, flush with her sudden idea.]
You should join me for breakfast in the morning. I promise I'll behave.
[Leia watches with the same incipient concern as she did when Ben started taking his first steps. Should Beverly stumble, she'll be there to steady her.
But she doesn't, and it hardly matters when she sits back down anyway.]
I'd be glad to.
[And though she's groaning a little inwardly at the fact that her unexpected guest has decided to take a seat once more, she means it genuinely enough. They'll no doubt need to clear the air after this, provided Beverly remembers it, and it can't possibly be stranger than this interlude has been.
For a moment, she sets her hand on Beverly's shoulder.]
[Beverly's eyes sparkle with amusement at Leia's formality and she grins.] I think you can call me Beverly at this point.
[And then she just can't help herself as she leans in to give Leia a quick kiss on the cheek. Very chaste, only a peck, but a hopeful kiss nonetheless. Before she can get herself into any more trouble - Leia is just so very hard to resist - she gets to her feet again. Apparently, third time's the charm, as she actually makes it to the door this go round.
She presses the control panel and the door slides open. Lingering just a moment longer, she turns back to Leia and gives her a small salute.]
[She stills, letting Beverly kiss her cheek and then depart, and sits there for quite a while after, lost in thought. When she finally shakes herself free of her reverie, she moves through the rest of her nightly rituals--combing out her hair, pulling on nightclothes, and so on--
It's only when the lights are out and she's curled up in an unusually rumpled bed that she lets herself think, If I'd turned my head...
In the morning, she braids her hair back with a vengeance but doesn't bother pinning it up; instead, it slides down her back in a thick rope. When she knocks at Beverly's door, it's lightly, in hopes that she hasn't just made a headache worse. (Or maybe Beverly was lucky enough to avoid a hangover, but she sounded like Leia after a few too many cups of jet juice. That seems incredibly unlikely.)]
[Hungover? Maybe a bit (maybe a lot). But her voice is cheerful enough when she calls out:]
Come in!
[Beverly stands up from the table as Leia comes in. Admittedly, she's a little nervous and a little embarrassed by what happened last night - not that she regrets it exactly, but the last thing she wants to do is alienate Leia. So, this is a good sign right? That she showed up to breakfast? Hopefully.
Her uncertainty shows less in her stance - perfect posture and composure as always - and more in the enormous number of food and beverage options on the table: from French to Betazoid to Risan cuisine, she has it all, just in case.]
I trust you slept well?
[You know, after she got out of your bed. Stars above!]
[Leia enters, surprised (and frankly, a little pleased) to see Beverly in such good spirits. Perhaps surprised is a bit naive; as captain of the ship, she must need to place her own discomfort behind the needs of her crew. But it's still enough to draw a smile to Leia's face.]
I did.
[She glances over the variety of foods, made familiar over the months she's spent in this galaxy. It's strangely comforting that it's so unfamiliar; they can dine together and speak without the specters of Leia's past getting in the way. (Beverly's might still lurk, but she's lived with them a long time, so far as Leia can tell.)]
[She always has to do that momentary translation with this and so many other words. Coffee, caf; refresher, bathroom; datapad, PADD.
Leia takes a seat at the table, setting her hands in her lap.]
Shall we?
[Without knowing how much Beverly remembers--or wants to remember--about the previous night, she doesn't want to make too many presumptions. Obviously she knows something, or she wouldn't have prepared breakfast, but Leia's trying to let the subject come up as it will.]
Yes. [Her gesture towards the table is a little more stiff than usual.] And tea. And juice if you prefer that.
[Beverly takes her seat across from Leia and surveys the food again, as if really seeing the large amount of food for the first time. Overboard doesn't even begin to cover it and she can't help but laugh at herself, glancing back up at Leia sheepishly.]
I suppose it's a bit much, isn't it? But I wasn't sure how you... what you would want.
Caf is fine. [She smiles, reaching for a small of her usual breakfast, as well as a few bits and pieces of the other options: a fruit she doesn't recognize, some kind of small pastry, and so on.] We might have to save some of this for lunch.
[Even with four people, she's not sure they'd demolish everything on the table. And though she'd planned to let Beverly raise the subject of the previous night herself, Leia's never been known for her natural inclination towards patience. They're here, and they're tucking into this ridiculous spread. They might as well get down to business.]
Did you have any other adventures on your way to bed?
[Beverly clears her throat and takes a convenient sip of her coffee. She can feel the heat in her cheeks rising, much to her chagrin. Leia's just jumping right in - not that she can blame her, but still, Beverly was hoping for a little more time to prepare herself.]
No, I went to sleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.
[She sets her cup down.]
I am sorry, for last night. It wasn't... I never intended to put you in an awkward position. And I promise I don't normally do that... well, ever.
I know. You've been an effective captain and a gracious host to both my son and me.
[Even when Ben, who might have to make a permanent home in the brig at this point, has made it extraordinarily difficult to summon up grace or poise in his presence. He could meet far worse fates, given the circumstances, and frankly, Leia's still grateful they weren't both tossed out the airlock when they materialized on the bridge to begin with.
And now, with care and a sort of studied casualness:]
I hope we can move past any awkwardness quickly. I'd regret losing your friendship, Beverly.
[Truth be told, Ben doesn't make her all that angry - it's mostly sadness she feels when she looks at him, and especially when she sees Leia's expression as she watches him.
No, even if she weren't a Starfleet captain and a doctor, committed to helping those in need whenever she can, as a mother, she could never abandon them.]
You won't. I hope you know you always have place to call home here.
[Beverly has incredible restraint. There are times when Leia's furious with her son, though she doesn't visit him on those occasions. She can only bring herself to venture down to his force-but-not-Force-fielded cell when she's ready to be calm and patient, no matter what he might throw in her face.]
I'm grateful, as always, but that isn't quite what I meant. [It's easy enough to see why she'd jump to that extreme, but Leia gestures to the food before them.] Even if I had a place on the Pasteur, I'd be sorry to lose this.
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no subject
Date: 2016-10-31 03:28 pm (UTC)[But she can't deny that the suggestion is tempting. Beverly Crusher is astonishingly beautiful and maddeningly clever, the first person since Han she's ever felt this hunger for, and this close to her, Leia wants nothing more than to close the distance between them in a kiss. It'd be unfair to do so, of course--the captain isn't in any shape for more than friendliness tonight--but the longing remains.
But her hair...that's not too much, surely. Leia lifts a gentle hand to Beverly's scalp and begins to slide her fingers through her hair, half-combing, half stroking. She's done this often enough with her own hair, on occasions when a brush wasn't available, but it's easier when it doesn't involve untangling snarls down to her waist. Here, it's more intimate, too, her fingertips a light pressure on Beverly's head before sliding down through her auburn hair.]
no subject
Date: 2016-11-01 10:49 pm (UTC)But this general from another world is hardly just any officer.]
You simply have to have the right touch.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-02 12:35 am (UTC)You thought the same about Han, and he was worth it.
But even if romantic entanglements seemed like a good idea, Beverly is in no shape to think about any of this right now. Leia stops stroking her hair, but her hand still hovers close.]
It's not so difficult.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-02 08:33 pm (UTC)So then why did you stop?
no subject
Date: 2016-11-03 03:30 am (UTC)[She smiles at Beverly, a little sadly, and sets her hand down where it's nowhere in danger of touching the captain.]
...I don't think it's fair to tease you. Especially not when you've had a few drinks.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-03 03:57 am (UTC)I only had two, thank you very much. [She points a finger for emphasis.] They're just... [Frown.] Really damn strong.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-03 04:09 am (UTC)[There's little reason for her to drink to excess here, and she's a head shorter than Beverly anyway.]
It sounds like you've had plenty of fun for one night. I should get you back to bed.
[She doesn't move, though, watching Beverly with all-too-intent dark eyes. There are things she should do, and then there are things she'd like to do, and despite how sober she is, she's tempted to pick from the second list instead of the first.]
no subject
Date: 2016-11-03 10:09 pm (UTC)Mine or yours?
no subject
Date: 2016-11-04 03:51 am (UTC)If they'd both been drinking, Leia suspects she'd give in and kiss her, but they haven't. The sheer awkwardness of that fact is enough that she feels only a moment's sharp, instinctive desire before it fades into regret. Who knows whether the captain would ever think of such a thing sober?]
You've seen enough of mine for one night. [It's an answer that would have had far sharper edges a few decades ago. How things change.] Do you need help walking back?
no subject
Date: 2016-11-04 04:08 am (UTC)Slowly, she gets to her feet and waits a moment, to see if the world will spin again. When it doesn't, she smiles back down at Leia.]
No, I'll be all right. It's only a couple of doors down. But!
[And she's sitting down again, flush with her sudden idea.]
You should join me for breakfast in the morning. I promise I'll behave.
[Hand to her heart.]
no subject
Date: 2016-11-04 04:17 am (UTC)But she doesn't, and it hardly matters when she sits back down anyway.]
I'd be glad to.
[And though she's groaning a little inwardly at the fact that her unexpected guest has decided to take a seat once more, she means it genuinely enough. They'll no doubt need to clear the air after this, provided Beverly remembers it, and it can't possibly be stranger than this interlude has been.
For a moment, she sets her hand on Beverly's shoulder.]
Sleep well, Captain.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-04 03:02 pm (UTC)[And then she just can't help herself as she leans in to give Leia a quick kiss on the cheek. Very chaste, only a peck, but a hopeful kiss nonetheless. Before she can get herself into any more trouble - Leia is just so very hard to resist - she gets to her feet again. Apparently, third time's the charm, as she actually makes it to the door this go round.
She presses the control panel and the door slides open. Lingering just a moment longer, she turns back to Leia and gives her a small salute.]
Good night, General.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-04 03:15 pm (UTC)It's only when the lights are out and she's curled up in an unusually rumpled bed that she lets herself think, If I'd turned my head...
In the morning, she braids her hair back with a vengeance but doesn't bother pinning it up; instead, it slides down her back in a thick rope. When she knocks at Beverly's door, it's lightly, in hopes that she hasn't just made a headache worse. (Or maybe Beverly was lucky enough to avoid a hangover, but she sounded like Leia after a few too many cups of jet juice. That seems incredibly unlikely.)]
no subject
Date: 2016-11-04 04:14 pm (UTC)Come in!
[Beverly stands up from the table as Leia comes in. Admittedly, she's a little nervous and a little embarrassed by what happened last night - not that she regrets it exactly, but the last thing she wants to do is alienate Leia. So, this is a good sign right? That she showed up to breakfast? Hopefully.
Her uncertainty shows less in her stance - perfect posture and composure as always - and more in the enormous number of food and beverage options on the table: from French to Betazoid to Risan cuisine, she has it all, just in case.]
I trust you slept well?
[You know, after she got out of your bed. Stars above!]
no subject
Date: 2016-11-04 04:43 pm (UTC)I did.
[She glances over the variety of foods, made familiar over the months she's spent in this galaxy. It's strangely comforting that it's so unfamiliar; they can dine together and speak without the specters of Leia's past getting in the way. (Beverly's might still lurk, but she's lived with them a long time, so far as Leia can tell.)]
How are you feeling?
no subject
Date: 2016-11-05 12:36 am (UTC)I have a small headache, but it's nothing a little coffee won't fix.
[And some painkillers.]
no subject
Date: 2016-11-05 01:08 am (UTC)[She always has to do that momentary translation with this and so many other words. Coffee, caf; refresher, bathroom; datapad, PADD.
Leia takes a seat at the table, setting her hands in her lap.]
Shall we?
[Without knowing how much Beverly remembers--or wants to remember--about the previous night, she doesn't want to make too many presumptions. Obviously she knows something, or she wouldn't have prepared breakfast, but Leia's trying to let the subject come up as it will.]
no subject
Date: 2016-11-05 01:35 am (UTC)[Beverly takes her seat across from Leia and surveys the food again, as if really seeing the large amount of food for the first time. Overboard doesn't even begin to cover it and she can't help but laugh at herself, glancing back up at Leia sheepishly.]
I suppose it's a bit much, isn't it? But I wasn't sure how you... what you would want.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-05 01:44 am (UTC)[Even with four people, she's not sure they'd demolish everything on the table. And though she'd planned to let Beverly raise the subject of the previous night herself, Leia's never been known for her natural inclination towards patience. They're here, and they're tucking into this ridiculous spread. They might as well get down to business.]
Did you have any other adventures on your way to bed?
no subject
Date: 2016-11-05 02:12 am (UTC)No, I went to sleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.
[She sets her cup down.]
I am sorry, for last night. It wasn't... I never intended to put you in an awkward position. And I promise I don't normally do that... well, ever.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-05 02:42 pm (UTC)[Even when Ben, who might have to make a permanent home in the brig at this point, has made it extraordinarily difficult to summon up grace or poise in his presence. He could meet far worse fates, given the circumstances, and frankly, Leia's still grateful they weren't both tossed out the airlock when they materialized on the bridge to begin with.
And now, with care and a sort of studied casualness:]
I hope we can move past any awkwardness quickly. I'd regret losing your friendship, Beverly.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-06 12:52 am (UTC)No, even if she weren't a Starfleet captain and a doctor, committed to helping those in need whenever she can, as a mother, she could never abandon them.]
You won't. I hope you know you always have place to call home here.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-06 01:20 am (UTC)I'm grateful, as always, but that isn't quite what I meant. [It's easy enough to see why she'd jump to that extreme, but Leia gestures to the food before them.] Even if I had a place on the Pasteur, I'd be sorry to lose this.
no subject
Date: 2016-11-06 02:40 am (UTC)[She really hopes they're both using the food as a metaphor here.]