Difficult Decisions

by Imzadi McSpirk

Disclaimers: TNG, TOS, and DS9 belong to Gene Roddenberry and Paramount. No infringement intended. I only own the original characters, original places, and this story.

Summary: Just how far would you go for a friend?

Pairing: Will/Deanna, Data & Geordi and surprise pairing

A/N: Feedback welcome. Takes place after Nemesis. Will, Deanna, and Worf are still there. This is my first fanfic. Please take the time to review. I would love to hear what you think.

A/N #2: Italics denotes thoughts, alien words, and combadge conversations. / / denotes telepathic communication

A/N #3: There is an OC but he is NOT the focus of the story.

Spoilers: The Measure of a Man, The Big Goodbye, The Child, Peak Performance, The Most Toys, Data's Day, In Theory, Interface, Gambit Parts 1 & 2, Generations, First Contact and Nemesis

Rating: T

Copyright © 2011 Imzadi McSpirk

The Enterprise-E was in an intense situation. Captain Picard appeared in a blue haze of the transporter as he returned from the Reman ship. Lieutenant Commander Data had went over to rescue him. However, only one of them were able to transport back. They had gotten the captain out and was trying to think of a way to save Data.

The bridge crew stood and watched the Reman ship on the viewscreen. Before they could say or do anything, the ship exploded. They all watched as their friend Lieutenant Commander Data sacrificed his life to save the life of their captain.

Counselor Troi-Riker, who was an empath, was being bombarded with the whole crew's grief as well as her own. She couldn't help from crying. She had just lost one of her dearest friends with whom she had served with for over 15 years. She remembered how he had cried tears of joy when he had been reunited with Spot after the crash of their previous ship. She also remembered helping him through his ordeal after being violated by the Borg Queen. She would truly miss his childlike joy at discovering something new.

Commander William Riker was feeling Data's loss as well. He never thought he would outlive Data. He had considered Data a very good friend. He remembered the day Data came to him seeking advice on a relationship. It had broke his heart when he had to help Bruce Maddox prove Data was not a sentient being. Even then Data had forgiven him. He would really miss his friend. His blue eyes looked over at his wife. He could feel how much she was hurting through their bond. He walked over to his wife and enveloped her in a comforting hug. He felt her bury her face in his broad chest. He would miss his friend's childlike innocence as well.

Lieutenant Commander Worf was angry at the Remans and the Romulans for the death of his friend. He considered Data to be an admirable and honorable warrior. He remembered giving Data a hard time while Data was in command while Captain Picard and Commander Riker were on the mercenary ship. Data had given him a second chance. The only comfort Worf took was that he died with honor. He let out a howl that was usually reserved for the death of a Klingon warrior. Though Data wasn't a Klingon, he was still an honorable warrior.

Beverly Crusher was in shock. She had often thought of Data as indestructible. She thought he would outlive them all. She remembered the day she taught him to dance. He had been so eager to learn. She knew his death would hit Wesley hard. The two had been close. She for one would dearly miss him.

Lieutenant Commander Geordi LaForge turned away from the viewscreen. He was hurting the most. He and Data had been best friends for a long time. He and Data had done so much for each other over the years that they were almost like brothers. They almost came as a pair because it was rare you saw one without the other. Data had put his career on the line to help him free the entity he thought was his mother. He remembered how terrified Data had been when Soran had turned his weapon on him. It had broken his heart to see Data almost about to cry in sickbay over not being able to get to him. He remembered loaning him a shoulder to cry on as he remembered his daughter Lal. He could remember other times where his best friend had been there for him. He was wracked with guilt for not being able to help Data. He would miss his best friend everyday.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard was perhaps feeling the most guilt. He had been Data's mentor. He remembered helping the android get through his loss of confidence over being beaten at a game for the first time. He remembered giving him advice on how he was a culture of one when he had first discovered his dream program. Data was a good officer and was one of a kind. He felt so guilty that the younger man was left to die on the Reeman ship to die. The ship would not be the same without him. He would deeply miss his friend. He wanted his friend back so much that he even thought about asking Q.

Everyone was so deep in their grief that no one noticed the flash of light on the far corner of the bridge.

"What is wrong? Why is Counselor Troi crying?" a concerned voice asked.

"She's crying because you died, Data," Geordi answered through his grief.

"But I am fine. If I were dead I would not be standing right here."

"Data!" Geord yelled and ran over and hugged his best friend who happily hugged back.

Soon the lovable android found himself surrounded by his friends with hugs and handshakes all around.

"How? We saw the ship explode," Deanna wondered.

"I do not know. For one minute and five seconds I was on the Reeman ship and then the next thing I knew I was here."

There was another flash of light next to Picard.

"Ah Jean-Luc we meet again," Q greeted.

"Q if this is another one of your cruel jokes..."

"Jean-Luc, you wound me with your words. This is no joke. Let's just say he effected more lives than he thought."

With that said Q was gone in a flash of light.

Two months later

Commander William Thomas Riker and his wife Commander Deanna Troi-Riker lay awake in kissing and talking in their quarters aboard the USS Enterprise-E. They had met many years ago when Will had been stationed on Betazed. After becoming involved they had broken their relationship off and went their separate ways. However, fate had something else in store for them because they ended up serving on the USS Enterprise-D and the USS Enterprise-E for many years together. Between the countless other people they dated, they soon realized they were not getting satisfaction. Then, they rekindled their relationship. Finally, after dating for awhile, they got married in Alaska two months prior.

"I love you, Imzadi," Deanna ran her hand through his dark hair.

"I love you, too, Imzadi,"

Their lips met in a passionate kiss. He cradled her in his arms and rolled them to where she was on top and they slowly began to make love.

"The time is 0600! The time is 0600!" the computer chimed.

"Well, Imazadi, looks like it's time for work," he informed as he climbed out of bed.

"Where are we going today?" she inquired as Will pulled her out of bed and into the bathroom.

"We're headed to DS9 to pick up a couple of new crew members. It's time for crew rotation again," he informed,stepping in. "We're also picking up some supplies."

Deanna stepped in behind him. They chose to forgo the water shower in favor of the sonic shower, "Do you know who we're getting?"

"A new Science Officer and some rotating crew. Computer activate sonic shower."

A series of beeps were heard as the computer responded followed by the activating of the sonic shower. After about fifteen minutes, they stepped out of the shower and got dressed. After Will was dressed in his Command uniform, he left Deanna to finish getting ready.

"Honey, I will order us breakfast while you finish getting ready."

"Thanks."

"Anything from my Imzadi."

Will went to the replicator and ordered. "Two hot chocolates, bacon, eggs, and buttered toast."

Two plates of food and two cups of hot chocolate materialized in the replicator. He took the drinks to the table first, and then returned for their food. They chatted about different things before going to their shift on the Bridge.