So this is a teaser to my new piece that is set during the fourth season episode, The Host. I felt like this decision Will makes to be a Trill host, would have been, on a personal level, a lot more difficult for Deanna than we see in the episode. The story will have dialogue from the episode, but I wanted to try and do it more from memory, so if it's not exactly spot on with the episode … that's why. I like the add ons I've read before for this episode but I wanted to try something a little different. I hope you like it and that I get to work on it more. Let me know what you think.
"Look at him," Deanna said to the woman sitting next to her. Beverly who was turned with her back to the man standing by the bar in Ten Forward.
"I don't wan to look at him. Keep talking," she said quietly, yet urgently. "Please keep talking to me."
The counselor couldn't keep her eyes from staring at Will Riker. Those blue eyes that twinkled from within, whether he was grinning a broad smile or concentrating on the next course of action – in charge of an away mission or the ranking officer on the Bridge. The strong arms that had held her while she cried, had lifted her up in love and passion, had cuddled her close in gentleness, caring for her while she was sick or as they talked into the wee hours of the morning. That tiny spot right next to his collar bone that she loved to kiss. But it was just that now, Will Riker's body. The spirit, the entity now invading his body was Odan. And Odan was in love with Beverly Crusher.
That was where the man was looking as her gaze fought so hard to meet his – to Beverly, his eyes burning into her back, willing her to turn around.
"The first man I was in love with was … my father ..." She began as Beverly struggled with her emotions, but found focus in Deanna's voice. The counselor continued looking towards the bar, her gaze locked. Her empathic sense, her duty as an officer, her rationale could separate Odan from Riker. She was able to be there for her friend – who was confused, who felt somewhat betrayed by the ambassador, but longed for the man she loved. Not quite sure she could accept the voice, the touch, the familiar face of the Enterprise's first officer for that of Ambassador Odan.
"Accept it," she could hear the words as they came from her mouth, reaching Crusher's ears, but she couldn't imagine the moment, surreal that she would encourage another woman to step into the embrace where she so longed to be. Not even if it was her best friend. "... Accept the love."
Beverly began to turn to face Odan and as she did, Deanna still couldn't force herself to escape the intense pull to stare into those blue eyes. It was hard to shut out the remembrance of the last time she tried to face him and he refused to meet her eyes. That day in the conference lounge, before he was no longer Imzadi.