Chapter Fifteen

It was a pleasant informative tour that led to a dinner invitation in Tenaya's cabin, since the Enterprise wasn't due to leave until late the following day Beverly accepted.

"So what are the other hosts like?" Beverly asked as they finished their coffee.

"Well the second host was a botanist named Jillhar Howdell, he helped cultivate a stain of cactus that was used to treat Rhilan flu."

"The Jillhar-Botray cactus?" Bevelry inquired.

"One and the same." Tenaya said as she stood up. "Would you like some wine?"

"Yes," Beverly stood up as well and headed to the couch as Tenaya ordered up some wine from the replicator. "Your symbiont has had some remarkable host."

"I know." Tenaya replied uneasily, then handed her a glass of wine.

"You're not intimidated are you?" Beverly asked then took a small sip.

"I was in the beginning, and when the science commission pulled the plug on the Dacrunay symbiont well that didn't help." Tenaya replied trying to stay focused on the conversion and not Beverly's long legs, which her short green dressed nicely revealed. "The commission is fine with the emergency symbiont, as long as the host agrees, but they don't think society is ready for a fully artificial symbiont."

"Sometimes it can take time for society to catch up with science." Beverly took another sip of her wine and sat it down, "Oh and why did you call it Dacrunay?"

"I thought it was a wonderful combination of all three of our names." Tenaya said as she joined Beverly on the couch.

"My name didn't need included, you and Data did most of the work."

"Your work with cybernetics was very helpful, I should have consulted with you on the project to start with."

"And why didn't you?" Beverly asked with a teasing smile.

"I wasn't sure you liked me."

Beverly blushed slightly. "That changed on the arboretum didn't it?"

"Yes, when you didn't have me reassigned after ogling your legs I thought I was safe."

"Speaking of legs what were you and Data talking about?"

"Oh that, um well there's a resort on Risa, and the waitress have some attractive outfits."

"Attractive or revealing?"

"I just always thought you'd look good in one."

"Apparently the thought was clear in your brain, when you were linked to Data."

"It spends a lot time in my brain, except when the real thing is in front of me, and driving me crazy." Tenaya then leaned down and place a kiss on top of Beverly's right leg just above the knee, she felt Beverly shudder slightly when her lips brushed across her skin.

"You're bolder then I remember." Beverly replied in a raspy voice, she uncrossed her legs and shifted slightly so she was facing Tenaya.

"Do you object to the change?"

Beverly stared at her for a moment knowing that question concerned her more then that one flirtation kiss, when she had read Tenaya's letters she had hunted for indications of change, and they had been there, but they had only enhanced what she felt, just as the past day had added to what she felt for Tenaya. "No, I don't."

"Beverly, I want to be part of your life. If we are here together that would be wonderful, if your aboard the Enterprise I guess that's where my leave time will be spent, because I still love you."

Leaning in Beverly placed a gentle kiss on the younger woman's lips and then whispered. "And I love you."

Green eyes locked onto blue eyes, both filled with utter joy, then Tenaya pulled her into a passionate embrace and kissed her deeply.

Needing air they parted, Beverly stood up and offered Tenaya her hand. "There is one area of the ship you didn't show me."

"And what area is that?" Tenaya teased

"I believe it's through here." Beverly guided Tenaya to her own bedroom.

Once there Tenaya placed a kiss on the back of Beverly's neck and unzipped her dress. " I think you'll find the beds more comfortable than the beds on the Hopkins."

Beverly stepped out of her dress, removed her shoes and wearing only a black bra and panties laid down on the bed.

"Well are you comfortable?" Tenaya asked removing her blouse and pants before lying down beside Beverly.

"Yes, but I'm sure the first officers quarters will be even nicer."

Tenaya raised up and placed an eager hand on Beverly's waist and was about to kiss her, when Beverly spoke "I am still going to Betazed for the wedding ceremony, which will be in the nude, maybe you should try to can get away."

"Wish I could, of course people would just stare at my spots."

Beverly reached around Tenaya's back undid and removed her bra, "I think they'd stare at more than that." Beverly placed a hand on each of Tenaya's breast kissed one then the other and then pressed her lips against Tenaya's, who early accepted them.