The Confession by Astra Beverly Crusher took the long way to Jean-Luc Picard's cabin. She knew she was late for their morning breakfast of coffee and croissants, but she needed time to think. It had been nearly five months since their abduction on KesPrytt. She's said something to him then, something she'd come to regret more deeply every day. *But not anymore.* she told herself. Increasing her pace she quickly reached Jean-Luc's quarters. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she pressed the door chime. The door opened immediately and she entered. He looked up from the book he was reading, comfortably reclined on the sofa. "Good morning, Beverly" She nodded her greeting in return while eyeing the table. Their breakfast was carefully laid out, untouched. He'd waited, of course. Beverly went to the table and sat. She studied the cup filled with steaming black coffee and the matching plate holding a buttered croissant. Looking up, she saw Jean-Luc taking his usual seat across from her. He'd asked her something, but she hadn't heard a word. "Is everything all right, Beverly?" he repeated. She caught his eye for a moment, then turned away. "Yes, fine." She stared at her plate for another minute, gathering her courage. Across the table, Jean-Luc took a big bite of croissant. *Now!*, she told herself, *while his mouth is full.* "Jean-Luc... there's something I've been meaning to tell you..." His eyes widened and he tried to quickly swallow the last of the food in his mouth. Before he could speak, Beverly continued. "It's about KesPrytt. I said something to you then. Something I shouldn't have said." Taking a breath she plunged on. By now Jean-Luc's mouth was empty, but he was looking at her too intently to remember the partial croissant clutched in his hand. Beverly forced a tiny smile. "Jean-Luc, I...I..." She looked at her plate again, steeling herself, then looked up into his eyes. "Jean-Luc, I'm sick of croissants. I want something else for breakfast." :::end:::