Standard disclaimer: Paramount owns the whole deck and we won't play with it. Wanna bet? ;-)

Winning Hand

by Astra

Commander William Riker paced the width of the turbolift and thought fast. The Captain had called him to the bridge just a few moments ago, and it couldn't mean anything good.

First, he was off duty, and the Captain never disturbed his officers when they were off duty unless it was an extreme emergency. Second, there was no emergency. There were no flashing lights, no warning alarm. Nothing. Not even a drill. Third, Picard had sounded more than a little, well, miffed. Jean-Luc Picard didn't often do miffed. Fourth, Riker'd cleaned his fellow officers out at the poker game last night, and they'd taken to betting for more interesting winnings. Deanna had warned him about that...

The lift slowed, and Riker stopped pacing, turning smartly to face the door. Ever the consumate Starfleet Officer, he strode smartly out of the lift, down the ramp and up to the Ready Room door. His hand was raised to signal his arrival when the door slid open and he nearly collided with Beverly Crusher.

In the confusion of apologies, it took him several long seconds to notice.

"Beverly. What did you do...?"

"Commander Riker." Picard's unspoken command demanded immediate response. Riker tore his eyes away from Beverly and entered the ready room. There was no doubt -- Picard was not pleased and Riker was the cause.

"Sir."

"Number One, we have a situation on this ship." Picard refused to sit, chosing instead to circle his desk and move beside Riker.

"Sir?"

"It seems that there is an unhealthy trend among some of my officers - my senior officers."

Riker kept looking straight ahead. Really if he'd known, he'd never have made that bet. But he didn't even suspect until Deanna told him while they were cleaning up after the game. By then it was too late. And he'd never expected her to do that. After all, he'd been deliberately vague as to the terms of the bet.

"I don't know what you mean, sir."

"What my officers do off duty is their own affair, Mr Riker, unless it adversely affects the operation of this vessel. I would suggest you remember that in your future recreational pursuits. Dismissed."

Riker stood there half a second, considering. Then he conceeded to the Captain's authority and left. There were some things you just didn't argue about. As far as Jean-Luc Picard was concerned, this was one of them.

"Tell me again."

Beverly claimed her ice cream from the replicator and returned to her spot on the couch. She leaned back against the pillows and stretched her legs, plopping her feet into his lap.

He whoofed, frowning at her. "Watch where you put those feet, my dear doctor, or I may be in need of medical attention."

She licked her spoon sensuously and made him rethink his complaints about the placement of her feet.

"Now, talk."

"There are rules against torture, doctor." She growled through a mouthful of ice cream. He laughed. "Okay, okay. He was positively terrified. We've got Will completely convinced that I'm angry at him. After a very convinging acting job by yours truly, I might add."

She harumphed.

"And thanks to the talents of my coach." He quickly ammended. "I don't think he'll be quite so cocky at the next poker game."

Beverly set the ice cream down and slithered over to him until she was curled up in his lap. "Wonderful. It was worth it then."

Jean-Luc fingered her hair. "Well... short and blonde is not how I prefer it doctor, but your hair was sacrificed for a worthy cause."

"I guess, but I really hated throwing away that full house to his lousy pair of threes."

"Ah, but consider the triumph of out-bluffing our dear Commander. He was so completely convinced he'd won, he never even asked to see your cards."

"True." She breathed the word into his ear, then nibbled his earlobe.

"I thought you already had a snack, Beverly."

"I did. Now I want dessert."

"Oh." He nipped her neck. "There are advantages to having your hair this length."

"Mmmm? You'll have to show me."

"Is that an order?"

Beverly gave him her best wicked grin. "Make it so."