vicki595 | Ficlet: And All That's Best of Dark and Bright

Requested by:

audrich
Fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Pairing: Picard/Crusher
Line: "Oh, wow, Jean-Luc, I didn't know you could see that from here"
Author's Notes: This would be my first TNG fic ever released online. And I think I'm happier with it than what I've been trying to write recently. And the title is rather random, but I had a reason to choose it (a flimsy reason, but it's a reason!!) And I am spamming just slightly today. Heh

"I'm so glad you could come with me, Beverly."

The red-haired doctor turned to look at her companion, her eyes sparkling. "Jean-Luc, I wouldn't have missed this," she said. "It's so rare that we get to spend any time on Earth, and I appreciate you bringing me with you."

"There's no one in the galaxy I'd rather share this with than you," he said, and she coloured slightly, returning her gaze to the panoramic view stretched out in front of them. "Beverly, I have something I wish to ask you." Jean-Luc felt nervously in his pocket for the small box there. It was stupid; he'd commanded Starfleet's flagship for over a decade, faced down the Borg and dealt with the omnipotent Q, yet he couldn't recall ever being so nervous.

"What's that?"

"Ah, well you see. "She walks in beauty, like the night…"

"No – what's that over there?" she asked, pointing into the far distance.

"Oh. It's, well, it's the Louvre, I do believe," he replied.

"Oh, wow, Jean-Luc, I didn't know you could see that from here," she exclaimed excitedly. "Do you think we'll have time to go there tomorrow?"

"I expect so," he said. "Beverly…"

She glanced back at him. "Yes?"

"Could you come over here for a minute?"

A slight frown marred her features. "Don't you want to watch the sunset?" she asked.

"I wanted to ask you something first."

"Okay then." The doctor stood in front of him, and he reached forward to grasp her hands in his.

"Beverly, I had this all planned out. I had the words… not mine, but borrowed from people who knew how to write, to how and try and say what they were feeling. But, standing here, looking at you, none of them seem to be appropriate, so I guess you're going to have to listen to an old captain's babble."

"Jean-Luc…" she began, but he lifted a finger and placed it gently on her lips, silencing anything more she might have tried to say.

"I will confess that I had an ulterior motive when I invited you to spend some time with me. Beverly, I know that we've known each other for a long time now and too often I realise just how long and how many wasted opportunities I've let slip by. What I'm trying to say, no matter how ineloquently, is that I love you and I was wondering if you'd do me the greatest honour and become my wife."

Beverly just stared at him; her eyes wide as he pulled out the small jewellery box and opened it to reveal a simple diamond ring.

He could barely breath, wondering if he'd made the biggest mistake of his life and just completely ruined his friendship with her.

"Well," she began, slightly breathless. "This was unexpected…" His heart sank. "But, how can I say no?"