Her Way - Part 1
By Karen Foy
Author's Note: The character Vic Fontaine comes from the DS9 episode "His
Way". He was played there by actor James Darren.
Timeline - This takes place after Insurrection, but before the season finale
of DS9.
Disclaimer: Paramount, the great and powerful, owns all of Star
Trek. I merely claim this story.
"Computer begin program," Deanna Troi said as she entered the room. The
scene was a dinner club, complete with numerous human patrons enjoying their
dinners and the soft music that flowed from the stage. The band on the
stage was playing what Deanna recognized only as an old Earth ballad and a
handsome gray-haired singer held the attention of the audience.
"Amazing," Deanna said slowly as she was guided to her table by one of the
servers. Will would love this, she thought to herself. The singer was
quite mesmerizing as he sang the old love song, but what really amazed
Deanna was the way he related to the audience. At one point he looked
directly at her and his kind eyes had a way of grabbing at her heart, as if
he could see right through her.
At the end of the set, the singer talked informally with the audience for a
moment and then excused himself and his band from the stage for a few
minutes. But instead of making his way backstage, he headed into the
audience, smiling and shaking hands as he talked briefly with various diners
until he made his way deliberately to Deanna's table.
"Hi, how ya doin'? I hope you're enjoying the show," the man stated gently
as he offered Deanna his hand. "You haven't been here before, have you?" he
continued, looking directly into her dark eyes.
Deanna was stunned and intrigued. If she hadn't known better, she would
have sworn that this was a real person, not a holographically-generated
image. His manner was so casual and "knowing" in some way, as if he could
really read the feelings of the person he was talking with.
"No, I haven't, and yes, I am enjoying the show. I can see why this place
was recommended so highly. It just seems so "relaxed" in here," Deanna
answered.
"We aim to please. The name's Vic Fontaine, head crooner for this joint,
and you are .... ?"
"Deanna, Deanna Troi. It's nice to meet you Mr. Fontaine,"
"Please, call me Vic. So what brings a lovely lady like yourself to my
humble abode, especially without your beau on your arm?" Vic asked.
"Now, what makes you think I have a "beau", as you put it?" Deanna
inquired.
"Well, let's just say that I have a pretty good feel for people," Vic
answered. "So, why are you alone tonight. Is he on duty or something?"
"On duty, what do you mean?" Deanna was not in uniform, so why would Vic
think Will would be "on duty"?
"Well, aren't most of you guys on this ship in Starfleet?"
"On this ship!" Now Deanna was really confused. "How do you know we're on
a ship?"
"Well, this is the Enterprise, isn't it? At least that's what my program
tells me?"
Deanna just stared at him in surprise. She was not used to a hologram
responding in such a manner. Her face showed her concern.
"Don't worry, Deanna?" Vic smiled. "I'm harmless. This is just the way
Felix programmed me. I'll have to admit, it was a surprise to me at first
to find that I wasn't in 1962 Vegas anymore, or for that matter Deep Space
9. But it's still a good gig and you Federation people seem like a pretty
good crowd."
"Worf told me to expect the unexpected, but I must say, I didn't expect
this," Deanna said with a smile.
"Worf!," Vic's eyebrows shot up. "How is the big guy." Vic paused for a
moment and then added softly. "I was really sorry to hear about what
happened to Jadzia. They were such a great couple. So, how's he getting
along?"
"As well as can be expected, I guess," Deanna said. "I saw him a couple of
weeks ago on the station. As a matter of fact, that's who sent me your
program."
"Well, I hope you enjoy it." Vic smiled and looked back to the stage.
"Look, it's been nice talking with you Deanna, but it looks like the crowd's
getting restless, so I better get back to work. Stop in again sometime, and
bring your friends. It's always great performing in front of new faces."
As Vic made his way back to the stage, Deanna got up to leave the holodeck.
"Wait until Will hears about this," she said to herself as she saved the
program.
***************
"Troi to Riker," Deanna called on her combadge as she headed down the
corridor toward her quarters.
"Go ahead."
"Will, do you have a minute? I have something I'd like to talk to you
about." Deanna said.
"Sure Deanna, I'm just working on some stuff in my quarters. Come on over,"
Will replied. Riker smiled at the chance to spend some time with Deanna.
Their relationship had grown since their return from the Ba'ku homeworld a
few months before.
Deanna strode into Riker's quarters a few minutes later, the door sensing
her approach as it had been programmed to do, and gave the Commander a sweet
kiss and embrace.
"So, to what do I owe this welcomed respite from my reports?" Will said
with a smile after the kiss ended.
"I've just seen something truly amazing, Will," she said. "Worf sent me
this hologram program that they used on DS9 and I'll have to admit, I
expected something, you know, "Klingon", but this really threw me for a
loop."
Now Riker was intrigued. Worf's holodeck programs were something of a
legend aboard the Enterprise and they weren't usually Deanna's choice for
recreation. What could have her so excited.
"Okay, I'll bite," he said with a smile as he sat down on the sofa. "What's
got you so amazed?"
Deanna sat down next to him and continued. "Well, it's sort of hard to
explain. It's a nightclub from mid 20th century Earth. I think he said
something about Vegas. What's amazing is the main character. He's just so
... so real. I mean, you wouldn't know he was a hologram if no one told
you. But, it's more than that, Will. He knows he's a hologram and on he
knows he's board this ship."
"Wait a minute, Deanna. What do you mean he knows he's a hologram?" This
conversation was getting serious. Their last encounter with a self-aware
hologram was with Professor Moriarty in Data's Sherlock Holmes mystery and
that adventure nearly destroyed the ship.
"I mean, he knows where he is, what year it is, everything." Deanna didn't
miss the concern in Riker's voice. "I know what you're thinking, Will. I
was concerned too at first, but I don't think he's a threat. He said his
programmer made him self-aware, and you know as well as I do that Worf
wouldn't have recommended him if he were a risk to security."
Riker's concern eased. He realized that Deanna was right. Worf would never
recommend a program that could be a threat, especially to Deanna.
"And there was something else. It's hard for me to put my finger on it, but
it's like he's empathic or something, like he's got some special insight
into people. I know, this sounds crazy, but with what Worf told me about
what happened on DS9, I'm beginning to understand what he meant."
"What do you mean, 'what happened on DS9'? Did Worf go to see him after
what happened to Jadzia?"
"No, it was before that, right after they were married. Dr. Bashir
convinced Worf and some of the others stationed there to visit the program.
Do you remember Odo, the security chief?" Riker nodded and Deanna
continued. "Well, it seems that Odo had been secretly in love for years
with the Bajorian liaison, Kira, and that Vic helped the two of them finally
get together."
"Wait a minute, Deanna. How can a hologram help get two people together? I
mean, he can't actually plan things. That would take independent thought."
"I know. It sounds crazy, but this guy actually did it. He manipulated the
two of them into a situation where they couldn't ignore their feelings for
each other any longer." Deanna paused for a moment and then smiled at
Riker. "Remind you of anyone we know?"
"Okay, I see where you're going with this," Riker said with a smile. "You
just can't resist can you? But you know this whole thing could blow up in
your face."
"I know, but it's worth a try. You know they love each other Will. They
just need a little push in the right direction."
"Okay," Riker sighed. "What do you have in mind"?
Deanna cried out a triumphant yelp and kissed Riker fully on the lips. She
loved a little conspiracy.
**********************
After a couple of hours of "planning" with Riker, Deanna entered the
holodeck doors again to find Vic at his usual spot in front of the crowd.
He acknowledged her entrance with a nod and walked over to speak with her
after completing his song.
"Well, hello again, Deanna. I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"Hello, Vic. Actually, I'd like to speak with you for a moment if you don't
mind."
"I never turn down a chance to speak with a lovely lady," he said,
indicating a table where they could talk. "What's on your mind? That fella
of yours giving you trouble?"
"Actually," Deanna said with a smile, "I just came from talking with Will
and we thought you might be able to help us with another situation. Worf
told me about what you did for Odo and Kira."
"Well, I just helped them follow their own hearts. They did the rest. So
what can I help you with?"
"There is a couple on this ship that have known each other for almost 30
years, but just can't seem to get it together, if you know what I mean. We
know they love each other, but each is afraid of losing their friendship if
they take their relationship further. So they keep hiding their true
feelings for each other."
Vic shook his head. "For crying out loud, don't any of you people in the
24th century know how to show someone you love them?"
Deanna laughed. After all, it had taken Will and her almost 15 years to
rekindle their romance.
"I know it seems that way, but we aren't usually this hopeless. Things
aboard a starship just seem to get in the way sometimes."
"Okay, fine. So who is this hopeless couple?"
Deanna paused a moment and took a deep breath. She knew there was no
turning back now.
"The Captain and Chief Medical Officer, Jean-Luc Picard and Beverly
Crusher."
"Wow, you are at the top of the heap now. So, what's their history? If
they love each other, what's keeping them apart?"
Deanna took the next few minutes to fill Vic in on what she knew of the
Captain and Beverly's relationship, beginning with a brief history of their
youth. She told him about how they first met 30 years ago, the Captain's
friendship with Beverly's husband, Jack, how Jack had died under Picard's
command, and Beverly's assignment aboard the Enterprise years later. She
explained her empathic perceptions of them when they were together, how each
of them had had other relationships along the way and how those
relationships had hurt the other party, though neither one of them would
admit it. Deanna concluded with a explanation of their relationship as it
stood now, a few months after Picard had met Anij on Ba'ku.
"Now, wait a minute, Deanna. Maybe your Captain has moved on with his life
and wants to pursue his relationship with this Ba'ku woman."
"I thought about that Vic, but I don't think that's the real situation. I
still feel the Captain's deep emotions when he's around Beverly. He's
afraid of another rejection and I think he feels that Anij is just safer.
And I know that Beverly's feelings haven't changed, although, I'll have to
admit, she was hurt by his relationship with Anij."
"So you think they just need a little encouragement to get on the right
track?"
"Exactly. So what do you think?" Deanna queried, still a little amazed she
was sharing all this with a hologram, let alone asking for his advice.
"Let me roll it over for a little while. In the meantime, why don't you see
if you can get Beverly to pay me a visit? You said she was a dancer in med
school, right?"
Deanna nodded.
"Well, come up with something that will intrigue the dancer in her or
something." Vic paused for a moment. "And, don't tell her I'm a hologram,
okay. Tell her I'm a visiting singer and just use this program in my act."
A small smile crept across Deanna's face. This guy is good, she thought.
"Okay, but may I ask what do you have in mind?" she asked.
"You just leave the details to 'Uncle' Vic and get your doctor to pay me a
visit around seven o'clock tonight."
Deanna's mind was already racing when she exited the program. Now all she
had to do was come up with a way to get Beverly to the holodeck.
****************
"Deanna, I really don't have time for this," Beverly pleaded from behind
her desk. Deanna had been trying for the past 15 minutes to convince
Beverly that she needed a break and a visit to the holodeck would do wonders
for her.
"Beverly, I think you would really like this program. It's a dance club and
I know how much you like to dance. Besides, we all need a little relaxation
every once and a while."
"So what's so great about this group anyway."
"To begin with, it's not a group. He's a singer who uses the holodeck as a
re-creation of a 1960's Las Vegas show. And second, it's a lot of fun.
Besides, he's a great singer and not at all bad to look at. I really think
you should meet him."
"Deanna, I don't ..." Beverly started, but was cut off.
"Listen, Beverly. Just give it a try. What harm could it do? You might
even enjoy it."
Beverly sighed. She knew Deanna would not let up until she agreed.
"Okay, fine. I'll come by for a little while. What did you say this guy's
name was again?"
"Vic Fontaine. The show starts at 19:00 hours in Holodeck 3. Don't be late
and wear something other than your uniform. This is a classy place and it's
supposed to be fun."
"Right," Beverly sighed. "Fun. Okay, I'll be there."
******************
Beverly strode into the holodeck at 19:10 expecting to see some of the other
Enterprise crew since the program was already playing. She was a little
surprised that she didn't recognize anyone in the crowd and there were no
uniforms to be seen. A hostess approached her as the doors closed and she
was seated at a table near the bar.
Deanna was right about one thing, she thought. The atmosphere was relaxing.
A man on the stage, whom she figured with Vic Fontaine, was singing an old
Earth tune. As he neared the end of the song, he looked directly at Beverly
and smiled sweetly.
Beverly was taken aback a little. There were plenty of other people in the
crowd, but he had, quite noticeably, singled her out with his gaze. She
also had to admit that Deanna had been right about another thing. He was
quite handsome.
When the song ended, Vic excused himself from the stage as the band behind
him continued to play low.
He made his way through the crowd, stopping occasionally to chat with
members of the audience, until he was standing right in front of her table.
"Good evening. I'm Vic Fontaine. You must be Beverly," he said softly as
he extended his hand towards her.
"Hello," she said, accepting his hand in hers.
Vic could see the confusion in her eyes as he continued to hold her hand.
"Deanna told me to look for a beautiful redhead, but I must say she didn't
do you justice," he said before raising her hand to his lips and kissing it
gently.
Beverly just smiled. She had to admit, this guy was smooth. "Thank you,"
she replied.
"Mind if I join you? I've been on that stage for a while and would enjoy
the company for a moment."
"Of course, sit down Mr. Fontaine," she said, indicating the chair across
from her. Beverly was usually shy around people that she didn't know, but
somehow she felt completely comfortable around this man.
"Everyone calls me Vic. So, Deanna says you're a doctor aboard the ship.
How long have you been traveling among the stars?"
She laughed gently. "Most of my life really, one way or another. How about
you? Does your tour take you from ship to ship most of the time?"
"No, not really," he said with a smile. "This is my first starship, though
I did do a gig on Deep Space 9 not too long ago."
"Really? I know a few people on the station. Did you stay long?"
"Not too long, but enough about me. I'd like to find out more about the
real Beverly Crusher. Tell me, how is it a beautiful lady like yourself
comes to my joint without some handsome guy on your arm?"
Beverly surprised herself as a smile crept across her lips. His line of
questioning would have seemed offensive if asked by someone else, but she
instinctively felt she could trust this man, as if she had known him for
years.
"What makes you think he's not going to join me later?" Beverly was
beginning to enjoy their flirtatious game.
"I think he must be a fool not to. But then again, maybe he's just not sure
he'd be welcomed?"
Beverly was taken aback again. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, Mr.
Fontaine," she smiled sadly, a little uncomfortable for the first time that
evening. "It seems Deanna has told you all about me, but I know very little
about you."
"Deanna didn't have to tell me anything, Beverly. That look in your eyes
just now told me everything I need to know." There was a gentleness in
Vic's eyes and voice that calmed Beverly's uneasiness.
She smiled weakly and took a drink of wine that a waiter had placed there a
few moments before.
"Am I that transparent?" she said slowly.
"No, let's just say that I've seen the look before." He paused for a
moment. "So, why haven't you told him how you feel?"
Beverly laughed nervously. "I'm not sure it would make a difference
anymore."
"Don't be so sure of that. It's hard for a man to resist a woman who's in
love with him, that is, if he knows she's in love with him."
Beverly laughed nervously. "He's done a pretty good job of it lately," she
said, taking a long drink from her glass.
"Well, you know what they say, 'a bird in the hand'." He didn't finish the
old saying as he caught her gaze and held it for a few moments. He could
see that Beverly understood his meaning.
"So what you're saying is I should just waltz in there and tell him how I
feel?" Beverly said shakily and paused for a few moments. "It's just not
that easy between us."
"You told me, didn't you?" When she didn't respond, Vic continued. "Look,
Beverly, it's never going to get any easier, but maybe I can help a little.
Have dinner with me later this evening, after my show is over. Maybe
together we can come up with something."
Vic could see the hesitation in her eyes. This was going to take a little
more work than he had first imagined. "What was it with these people?" he
said to himself.
He leaned in a little closer to her and took one of her hands in his own.
"You Starfleet types do eat don't you," he teased. "Come on, it could be
fun. We don't have to talk about anything you don't want to. We could just
have a nice dinner, a bottle of the house's best champagne, maybe even dance
the night away. I've been told you're a pretty good dancer and I'll make it
a point not to step on your toes."
Beverly looked into his eyes. Vic was quite charming and, at another time,
she could have been swept away by this man.
He still sensed her apprehension and didn't want to mislead her.
"Beverly, look at me," he paused until she looked into his eyes and smiled
sadly. "I'm not a fool, Beverly. I know where I stand, but I would enjoy
the company and I have a feeling you could use it too. I'll even invite
Will and Deanna. Just say you'll come."
She smiled at him. He truly did understand her and wanted nothing more from
her than to enjoy her company.
"I'd love to," she said softly.
"Great," he said, standing. "Listen, I have some work to do backstage.
Running a show is more than just song and dance, you know," he said,
grinning. "I'll be done about nine o'clock and I'll reserve us the best
seat in the house. Okay?"
"Okay. And Vic," she paused a moment. "Thanks for understanding."
He grinned widely. "That's what I specialize in."
*******************
After Beverly left the holodeck. Vic asked the computer for Troi's
location.
"Deanna?" he called over a communications channel after patching it through
to her quarters.
Deanna sat up stiffly from her position on the sofa. "Vic, is that you?
How are you contacting me?"
"Just a little trick I learned on Deep Space Nine," he replied. "Listen,
Deanna, I'm meeting Beverly for dinner tonight at nine o'clock and I ...."
"Dinner tonight?" she cut him off. "I thought you were meeting her at
19:00."
"I did. She just left, but I need a little more time with her if we're
going to pull this off. And I need you there too, and Will."
"Okay Vic, but I'm confused, what do you need from us."
"I think it will make Beverly more comfortable. Besides, it'll be fun. A
little dinner, a little dancing, maybe even a little romancing, ya know what
I mean."
"Wait a minute Vic. Don't carry this thing too far. Remember, Beverly
doesn't know you're a hologram. I don't want her to get hurt."
"I know Deanna. Trust me. Beverly and I talked all about it. You were
right, she's really hooked on the guy. I wouldn't stand a chance if I
tried."
"Okay, but what's the plan. What are Will and I supposed to do?"
"You just follow my lead. Oh, and one more thing."
"I'm almost afraid to ask," she answered. Deanna wondered what his next
request would be.
"Make sure the Captain drops in around nine-fifteen. And remember, dresses
for the gals and tuxes for the guys. This is a classy joint. Okay,
Deanna?"
Deanna agreed reluctantly. She wasn't sure how she was going to get the
Captain there. Perhaps, Will could help, she thought.
A few minutes later, she and Will were discussing the plan in his quarters.
"I don't know, Deanna. Maybe we should back off from this for now. It's
really none of our business."
"Will Riker, I'm surprised at you," she scolded him. "Beverly and the
Captain are both our friends and this is for their own good. You know they
belong together, they've just gotten "sidetracked" for a little while,
that's all. And don't tell me not to get involved. They're our friends, so
we're already involved."
Riker sat silently on the sofa for a few moments, contemplating what the
Captain, or Beverly for that matter, would do to them if they ever found out
about their little scheme. He had to admit, the thought of his Captain and
CMO finally getting together did have its appeal. They were his friends and
he wanted them to be happy. He didn't have to be an empath to know that
they loved each other deeply, or at least, they could if they were given the
right opportunity. Right, he said to himself, we're not manipulating them;
we're just giving them an opportunity. A small smile on his face grew into
a wide grin with this realization.
"Okay, but if this backfires, it was all your idea," he said, taking Deanna
in his arms.
"I take full responsibility," she answered, kissing him fully on the lips.
"So, can you take care of getting the Captain there?"
"I think I can come up with something," he grinned.
End Part 1