Fic - The Quiet Moments

[cornerofmadness]

Title -- The Quiet Moments
Author-- cornerofmadness
Disclaimer -- Roddenberry owns all
Rating -- teen
Characters/Pairing -- Jean-Luc Picard (Implied Picard/Beverly)
Word Count -- 255
Warning -- none
Summary -- Jean-Luc looks forward to the quiet moments onboard.
Author’s Note -- Written for the 12_daysofficmas community.

XXX
Jean Luc uncorked a bottle of wine his sister-in-law had sent. She made him promise to not drink it alone, echoing his brother’s sentiment. Jean-Luc was alone, but only for the new hour. Real wine needed time to breathe. His brother had slipped him some real cheese too, creamy oozy stinky Langres; Comte which had fruity hints and subtle hazelnut flavor; Oussau- Iraty with its firm, nutty taste that proclaimed its sheepy origins. Jean-Luc couldn’t wait. He slathered a bit of the Langres onto a bit of crusty bread, taking a taste. He had forgotten how good non-replicated food could be.

He gazed out the porthole. If being able to sail among the stars, to command a ship like the Enterprise, meant giving up real food, it was a price Jean-Luc more than willingly paid.

“Computer, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata,” he said. The soft, beautiful refrains waved over him. Jean-Luc relished these quiet moments. There were not nearly enough of them. Not that he disliked all the action he and his crew saw. The exploration was why he was out here, but sometimes Jean-Luc wanted a little time to himself, to listen to his music, to read a good book, or like tonight, enjoy the company of a very good friend.

Knowing his luck, a red alert would sound before Beverly could get away and join him for wine and cheese. Jean-Luc refused to worry about it. This was the time he had carved out for himself and he meant to enjoy every moment of it.