Remembering: A Post Nemesis Story by Cheyanne Jenn
Deanna Riker stepped on the bridge of the USS Enterprise 1701-Efor the last time. She approached the Captain as her own for the last time. She opened her mouth to say something but, the emotions of the other crew members flooded her. Pain, apparent pain. So much it overwhelmed her. It was comprehensible, Data's death struck the Enterpriseharder than Shinzon's WarBird.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard knew Deanna well enough to know she was sensing something bad. "Are you packed and ready to go, Counselor?"
"Yes, sir," Her voice was shaky and marked with sadness.
"Is there a problem?" Jean-Luc asked. Sure he had no telepathic powers but, anyone could pick up her emotions - Betaziod or not.
"I sense sadness on this ship. In everyone but the new crew members. A greater sadness in the senior officers, you, Will and myself." Deanna didn't try to hide her feelings. "It's Data's death. It has saddened all of us."
"Any suggestions?"
"Data was closer to us than any other lost officer. Just give them some time to recover before taking on a big mission." Deanna felt a tear escape her eye. Then another... and another... another...
Before she knew it, she was crying. "Oh, come now," Jean-Luc said and hugged her. Then, his vision blurred. An attack? The Q? Tears? Couldn't be. Deanna's blurred face looked at him.
"Captain? You are crying."
"I-" Jean-Luc felt a lump in his throat, he found it hard to breathe, his face felt wet. "I am especially saddened. He was an exceptional officer. But we must not let our emotions block out our duties." He wiped his eyes and turned to face the main viewer. "Ensign Perim, set in a course for Pacifica. About time for us to let our First Officer and Counselor enjoy their honeymoon there. Warp factor five. The fare well celebration will take place in the mess hall at 1500 hours. All are invited. Engage,"
At the celebration, Will Riker stood up to lead the toast of Romulan Ale. "We all know that this time should not be the time to celebrate a... conjugation" The other crew members laughed. "But we must not let our sadness and depression overcome our happiness."
A/N: Kind of short, I know. I just HAD to make a Star Trek fic and I could only cough up a one-shot.