A Hill Too High As he read the final words, tears misted his eyes, the fingers of his right hand reverently caressing the texture of the ancient page. The words of the sonnet had touched him deeply, touched him as a lover, as a protector and as a warrior. He sighed then and closed the aged text, knowing he was a better man for having read it. His companion watched and saw all. She had been resting, her feet propped up, her hands absently stroking her swelling stomach. She had seen this reaction before, yet it still tugged at her heart....that this remarkable man, this gallant Captain could be so moved by the words of a time so long gone. Inclining her head to see under his brow, she said gently, “Was it beautiful, Jean-Luc?” Not bothering to wipe away the evidence of his emotion, he sighed and nodded. “Oh yes Beverly, very beautiful. I’ll mark the page for you....I think you’d like it. Tell me, what do you want for dinner? I believe it’s my turn.” Beverly placed her feet on the floor and, with Jean-Luc’s help, struggled to her feet and stretched. “Lucky for you, I’m not all that hungry....something light, a salad perhaps.” “Very well, I’ll just go to the cockpit and check the heading, then I’ll order dinner.” Beverly watched him leave then went to wash up. They were in a runabout on their way back to the Enterprise after attending a conference at a distant Starbase. Jean-Luc had been less than pleased at the thought of Beverly travelling at this later stage of her pregnancy, but she was obstinate, citing the chance to hear of the most advanced treatments in post influenza syndrome, a chance not to be missed. The current ‘flu doing the rounds was virulent and stubborn, the unfortunate patients having to suffer a host of unpleasant symptoms even when the illness had passed so, in the end, the Captain had capitulated. Secretly he was glad, he had always enjoyed being with Beverly and this trip was no exception. As she emerged from the bathroom, she heard Jean-Luc making the last of his selections. He set the table, then brought the dishes one by one. Having served Beverly, he placed a modest amount on his own plate and sat down. “Tell me Beverly; have you and Tobyn chosen any names yet?” Gesturing with her fork, Beverly gave a mock-serious look at her friend. “Now you know better than that. You know full well we’re not telling anybody.” Sitting back and looking as innocent as he could, Jean-Luc pleaded ignorance. “Really? I didn’t know that. So....you can’t tell me....your closest friend?” “Tell you what....I’ll let you know first, after the birth, ok?” “Thanks....I think. Has engineering finished the modifications to you quart...?”
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