The Sound of Silence

by SophieDevereauxtoo

Written for a song prompt challenge on the FB group All Fandoms FanFiction and Original Writers. The challenge was to choose a song from the list and include the title and one line of lyrics. SOS was the only I knew. The Disturbed (band) version is OK but I will always hear Paul and Art in my head.

The door to the office slides open and Beverly Crusher peers in. She sees her friend Deanna Troi hunched over the monitor on her desk, listening intently to something. She walks slowly in and, careful not to startle Deanna, she puts her hand on her shoulder.

"What'cha doing?"

Deanna looks up and smiles.

"I've been planning that dance for Friday night. Been trying to come up with a theme. What do you think about '20th century Earth'?"

"Sounds like fun."

"It does, doesn't it?" Deanna says. "Been listening to some music."

She cues up a song. Beverly recognizes it instantly.

"Oh. The Sounds of Silence! Simon and Garfunkel. I love this song!"

"You know it?"

Beverly nods. "My grandmother loved old Earth music. This was one of her favorites." She holds out her hand. "May I?"

Deanna takes her hand with a smile and lets Beverly pull her to her feet. Beverly wraps her free hand around Deanna's waist and pulls her close. Slowly, they begin to move around the room. Beverly sings softly into Deanna's ear.

"And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence"

By the time the song ends, the women are lost in a passionate kiss, the silence around them broken only by the sound of their own heartbeats. Deanna pulls away, her voice tight.

"I think that one's a keeper. Computer, play next."

With a contented sigh, she lays her head against Beverly's shoulder and they begin to dance again.