Chapter One: Reflections of Earth in the Window
Counselor Troi dutifully completed her inspection rounds and entered her new quarters. The space was considerably smaller than the Galaxy class Enterprises on which she'd previously served.
Deanna Troi glanced out of the port view at Earth. Her six-month stay there, in that bit of Alaskan wilderness just now rotating away had been delightful. Her relationship with Will Riker had been strong, but as always, they remained true and constant friends. It almost felt like home, she thought, but that summoned sentimental thoughts of Earth, Betazed, and the Enterprise that much more.
"You guide me," Will had expressed to her as he finished placing the last of her belongings by the stone hearth, "I wouldn't think of doing this without you." It was not until then, that very earthbound, final moment, that he officially requested her presence as Counselor of the U.S.S. Callandor. She had sensed the question swelling within him not just empathically, but with her human intuition as well.
She analyzed his stature when he had asked—he'd symbolically leaned on his encased trombone, and was alarmed when it had wobbled. This was uncharacteristic of her Will; everything he'd said, particularly romantic and professional words, were produced with the confident air that had contributed to Riker's promotion and personality.
Deanna, consciously remaining dignified, had kissed Riker simply as she often did, but said "yes" with as much inflection as if she were responding to a marriage proposal.
At the sound of her door chime, Deanna turned away from the blue green world of memories. With her voice pleasantly affected by her warm thoughts, she smiled and spoke: "Please come in."
Counselor Troi dutifully completed her inspection rounds and entered her new quarters. The space was considerably smaller than the Galaxy class Enterprises on which she'd previously served.
Deanna Troi glanced out of the port view at Earth. Her six-month stay there, in that bit of Alaskan wilderness just now rotating away had been delightful. Her relationship with Will Riker had been strong, but as always, they remained true and constant friends. It almost felt like home, she thought, but that summoned sentimental thoughts of Earth, Betazed, and the Enterprise that much more.
"You guide me," Will had expressed to her as he finished placing the last of her belongings by the stone hearth, "I wouldn't think of doing this without you." It was not until then, that very earthbound, final moment, that he officially requested her presence as Counselor of the U.S.S. Callandor. She had sensed the question swelling within him not just empathically, but with her human intuition as well.
She analyzed his stature when he had asked—he'd symbolically leaned on his encased trombone, and was alarmed when it had wobbled. This was uncharacteristic of her Will; everything he'd said, particularly romantic and professional words, were produced with the confident air that had contributed to Riker's promotion and personality.
Deanna, consciously remaining dignified, had kissed Riker simply as she often did, but said "yes" with as much inflection as if she were responding to a marriage proposal.
At the sound of her door chime, Deanna turned away from the blue green world of memories. With her voice pleasantly affected by her warm thoughts, she smiled and spoke: "Please come in."