THe Captain's Ball
  Jazz Man


	
	He hated dress uniforms.  They were just so uncomfortable.  He could never get the collar 
right either.
	"Beverly, can you help me with this?"
	She laughed and walked across the room to him, smoothing her already immaculate dress uniform.  
"It's not the difficult, Jean-Luc."
	"That's easy for you to say," he said tipping his head back to let her fasten the collar.
	"I don't no why you're so concerned anyway, it's only the Captain's Ball.  There are no 
visiting dignitaries to worry about.  The only person you want to impress already is impressed."
	He huffed, "Then why am I going with you and not him?"
	"Am I not good enough for you, Captain?" she asked with mock indignace.
	"You know I don't mean it like that, Beverly.  If it weren't that I liked men and you liked 
women I'm sure we would be married by now."
	"But the universe had different plans for us," she said fastening the last button and giving 
his shoulder a friendly pat.  "He cares for you, you know that, don't you?"
	"Then we won't he go with me?  Is he afraid of losing his image?  Or doesn't he want to make it 
more formal?  Or . . ."
	"You'll get no where like than," she said accusingly.  "If you ask me . . ."
	"Which I didn't."
	"You did.  If you ask me, he's afraid you don't to make it more formal.  He's giving you and 
escape route if you want it."
	"But I don't want it."
	"Then tell him."
	

	The Captain's Ball was one of the more formal balls and dances held on the ship.  Dress 
uniforms and dates were mandatory.  Because of this no one paid much attention to who went with whom.  
People who were single or who had partners off ship just went with a friend.  The Captain, however, in 
his duties in welcoming his crew, was noticing exactly who a certain First Officer of his was with.  As 
soon as there was a lull in new guests he confronted Beverly about it.
	"Have you seen who he's with?"
	"Yes, he's with an incredible beautiful woman, and because of this you're worried."
	"Wouldn't you be?"
	She patted his arm, "No.  Because the woman he's with is no threat at all."
	"Why not?" he asked frowning.
	"She doesn't go out with men."
	"Oh," he said, "Oh."
	She nodded.


	Will Riker was having a miserable time.  
	"Why aren't you with him?" asked his 'date', Lt. Karla Lawson, who knew exactly where Will would
rather be.
	He sighed, "I don't want to pressure him into anything, Karla."
	"But what if he wants to be with you?"
	"I don't know . . ."
	"You saw who he reacted when you came in with me on your arm, he was stung.  He asked 
Dr. Crusher as soon as he could."
	Will shook his head, "That doesn't mean he wants to be with me."
	"No, but the looks he keeps giving you do."


	It wasn't until later in the dance that Beverly and Karla managed to accomplish their goal.  
Somehow, neither of them really knew how, they edged closer to each other.  Now they all they had to 
do was wait.
	"There he is, Will."
	He looked round slightly, "And?"
	"Ask him to dance."
	"No," he said shaking his head.
	"If you do it quietly then he can say no if he wants to."
	Will was resolute, "No, Karla."
	"You want to right?"  He nodded.  "Then go on or I'll stop dancing and make a scene."
	"That's blackmail," he said with a smile.
	"Not quite," she said grinning, "Now go," she said giving him a slight push.
	He stared at her for a moment, then thinking to hell with it; he turned on the Captain.  
"Beverly, would you excuse my rudeness but I'd like to cut in."
	"Of course, Will," she said looking at Jean-Luc.
	"Dance with me?" asked Will.
	The instant it took for Jean-Luc to answer felt like an age to Will.
	"I'd love to," he said taking the proffered hand.
	The two moved away from their former partners with Will taking the lead.
	He leaned in closer to the smaller man and asked softly, "Do you want this?"
	Jean-Luc looked up, "Oh, yes."  Then, surprising himself more than anyone else, he kissed Will 
gently and the two danced on oblivious to the whistles and cheers of their crewmates. 


END