Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek TNG or any of its original characters.
A/N: Thank you all, and I am duly impressed with all of your ability to review when properly motivated. :) I am even more impressed with how kind you all were, considering I just realized I posted the unedited version of 28 instead of the edited one. I read through it briefly and was horrified by the sheer number of typos. Tikva will be so disappointed in me. :( And on that subject, my writing buddy and dear editor who reviewed most, if not all of these 200,000 words, is off on a dream vacation (note my envy) and will have to read the last two chapters with the rest of you when she returns. It was not the same writing them without her :( But I am happy to note that one of my absolutely devoted readers (who chooses to remain anonymous) stepped in and took a look at the last two for me. She has warned me that she is not a beta, so take all the typos that may still exists and blame them firmly on me. And thank you- you know who you are. I am grateful for the help and input.
We are almost to the end. The last chapter will be patiently awaiting posting until it's predecessor has been properly reviewed. Oh, and if you haven't reviewd 28, because you didn't read it until 29 was already posted...don't think that because 10 other people got there first that you are excused. :)
M
Chapter 29:
As the light faded away, the transporter room came into clear view.
Batra gasped as she regained her footing and Shaule hugged tightly to Deanna's body.
"Don't be afraid," Deanna told her.
The doors to the transporter room opened and Captain Picard came in, looking anxious.
"What happened Sir?" Will asked.
"They must have detected the first transporter beam, so they reset their shield harmonics. Are you alright?"
"Yes, Sir. We're all fine." Will looked back to his companions, nodding slightly at Deanna to ask if they all were, in fact, alright. She gave a quick nod in return, and he turned back to the captain. "Captain, may I introduce Batra of Vore. Batra, this is Captain Picard."
The captain stepped forward and offered a hand to Batra, who bowed slightly and kissed his palm. The captain smiled reassuringly to the woman who looked slightly overwhelmed. "Welcome aboard, Batra. I am very pleased that you have agreed to accompany us."
"It is my honor, Captain."
"And this is her daughter," Commander Riker continued, indicating the young girl still clinging to Deanna.
"Daughter?" the captain asked quietly leaning close to his first officer.
Will answered him equally quietly. "It was necessary, sir. Leaving her there would have been something akin to leaving raw meat in front of a lion," Will whispered.
"Uh, yes." The captain made an effort to seem unruffled. "Welcome aboard."
Shaule stared back at the captain until Deanna whispered something in her ear. "Thank you," she told him softly.
The captain nodded a bit awkwardly, then turned back to his first officer. "We have changed course and are on our way to Ura 5. We are expected to arrive in five days." He turned back to Batra. "We have assigned quarters for you for he duration of your stay. If there is anything that you require…"
"I do not wish to trouble you or your ship in any way, Captain," Batra said calmly. She motioned to her daughter and Shaule obediently let go of Deanna and came to her mother's side. "If you will show us to our quarters, we will remain there, quietly and out of the way."
The captain looked from his first officer to his ships counselor for some sort of a cultural cue.
"Batra, that is a very respectful gesture, but I assure you, it isn't necessary," Deanna told her, coming to stand nearer to her. "The Enterprise is a large ship, and there are many amenities aboard that you are welcome to use as you see fit. You won't be in anyone's way."
The captain followed Deanna's lead. "Yes, you are a guest here and we are most grateful for your assistance, both with this mission, and for the assistance you offered my first officer when you first met."
Batra visibly shrunk back at the mention of their previous encounter, and the three officers were left confused.
"Batra?" Will asked cautiously, wondering what had upset her.
"Forgive me, Captain," Batra spoke, her voice an emotional whisper. It was as if guilt had overtaken her. "We couldn't…" she began, but tears choked her voice.
Deanna thought she understood. Batra felt the same shame and guilt as her husband, taking on the burden for the sins of their countrymen. "Batra," Deanna said reaching out to her. "You did everything you could to help me. You should not feel sadness or shame about things that were out of your control."
"There was nothing you could have done," the captain offered.
But Batra shook her head slightly. "We could have," she admitted quietly. "They offered to sell her to us, but the price was more than we could ever have gathered. And then… the man who held her…he offered us a trade."
Will Riker watched as Batra grappled with her own choices. He had heard the story once before, but it didn't make it easier to watch the others realize what the sacrifice would have required.
"He wanted Shaule in her place," Batra told them as the room listened in silence.
Will watched the look of horror cross Deanna's features. She slipped a protective arm around the young girl at her side, as if that could somehow protect her from the sort of horror that she had endured.
"We couldn't allow it," Batra continued. "The sacrifice was too great. I hope you will forgive me, Captain. I hope you all can forgive us for the choices we made."
Will Riker looked away from the women on the transporter pad, back over his shoulder to where his captain stood, stunned. Will seemed the least taken aback, so he spoke on their behalf. "Batra," he spoke slowly. "I told you that was not a sacrifice that Deanna would have ever wanted."
He looked to Deanna, who had tears in her eyes. Shaule looked up at her face, hopeful that what Will said was true. Deanna responded by wrapping the girl in her arms, shielding her from harm.
"Of course not," she whispered.
"It was neither required," the captain said, finally finding his voice, "nor is it a sacrifice we could have accepted. Please," he said, offering his hand to both mother and daughter. "accept our gratitude as it was intended." He watched Batra for a moment before adding, "From what little I have seen, I have to say, I think you will speak very well on your planet's behalf."
Something about the captain's sincere words lifted Batra's heavy heart, and allowed her to smile in return.
Will stepped up again, anxious to see the unpleasant moment pass. "Batra, let me show you to your quarters," he offered. "Once you're settled, we can see about getting Shaule into school."
"School?" Batra and her daughter asked in unison.
The captain nodded. "Of course. If she would like to attend classes during your stay, she is more than welcome to do so."
"There is a school on the ship?" Shaule asked in the same curious manner as the day before.
"There are over two hundred children on board," Deanna told her. "Several your age."
Batra looked hesitant. "Shaule hasn't been able to attended school in years," she told them. "She could never keep up with the other children, academically."
"I doubt that," Will said, winking at the girl at her mother's side, who smiled at him mischievously. "And it would not be required of her. Gault mentioned that she could read…"
Something about the idea seemed to unnerve Batra.
"It is perfectly safe," Deanna assured her. "No harm will come to her aboard this ship."
"May I, Mother?" Shaule pleaded.
Batra turned to her daughter, very seriously. "You must promise that they things that you learn and see here…you can never repeat them. No one on our world must ever know. It's a terrible burden to place on you, but you must promise me. It would be very dangerous for you otherwise."
Shaule was equally solemn as she shook her head. "I promise you, Mother." She turned immediately to Commander Riker. "May I go now?" She asked.
"You don't want to see where you'll be staying?"
Shaule shook her head, her hair bouncing across her face.
Will looked from the captain to the girl's mother, who both gave a small nod, then he shrugged his shoulders. "Come on," he said with a sigh.
"I'll take you to your quarters," Deanna assured Batra, as her daughter went bounding out the door, the first officer in tow.
As they left the room and walked to the lift, Deanna hesitated. "Would you mind if we made one stop first?" she asked.
"Of Course not."
Deanna rubbed slightly at the ridge on the back of her hand. "This was surgically implanted…" she began.
"And you would like it removed as soon as possible. I understand. I watched you rub at it all afternoon yesterday."
Deanna hung her head, ashamed that she couldn't better hide her discomfort with her altered appearance. But Batra reached out to her and covered Deanna's hands with her own. She smiled a kind, understanding smile. Deanna hoped that she had taken no offence. The two women stepped into the lift together. "Sickbay," Deanna called, and the lift set out on its way.
"There are medical facilities aboard as well?" Batra asked.
Deanna nodded.
"I would be interested to meet your physician."
Deanna let a small smile cross her face. "I think that can be arranged."
When they entered the room Deanna introduced Batra to Beverly Crusher and the two women began chatting like old friends. Batra seemed to come alive as she discussed medical things as Beverly quickly removed the ridge along the back of each of Deanna's hands.
And the conversation was not one sided. Beverly asked many questions about the use of roots in Galian medicine.
"I find it all fascinating," Beverly told her.
"Well it is not as advanced as your medical center here," Batra complimented looking around at the equipment that surrounded her.
"Dr. Crusher," a nurse called emerging from a nearby room.
There was a cry of pain from the other side of the door and Batra jumped.
"Nothing to be worried about," Beverly assured her. "Ensign Ellenby is in labor."
"Babies are born here?" Batra almost marveled.
"A few times a year," Beverly commented, leaving the two women and heading into the labor room.
Batra shook her head. "I must say, Deanna. The impression that the militia gives of other worlds and what Star Fleet is like… It could not be more wrong."
"I think people often use images to deceive," Deanna told her. "Even in our culture."
Beverly was bustling with activity as she emerged from the room. "Get her prepped," she told the nurse.
Beverly turned quickly to the two women she had left behind. "There's been a bit of a complication," she told them. "Her cord is prolapsing. We must remove the baby, now."
"I must say that cesarean surgeries were always my very favorite kind," Batra said, almost dreamily.
Deanna watched a smile ease across Beverly's face.
"In that case, would you care to assist me?" Beverly asked.
Batra lit up at the suggestion. "Could I?" she asked puzzled.
"I don't see why not. It's my sickbay and I'm sure Ensign Ellenby won't mind. Come on," she motioned for Batra to join her.
"Call me," Deanna called after them. "When you're done…being doctors." She wasn't even sure they had heard the end of her comment as Batra bound off, remarkably similar to her daughter, to assist in her first medical procedure in over three years.
….
Will watched from a distance as Deanna spent every waking moment with Batra and her daughter over the coming days. When Shaule was off at school, Deanna and Batra spent huddled hours talking and working on their individual speeches, and educating Batra to the political environment she would be entering. Deanna had been in close contact with Ambassador Greer, who had been more than pleasantly surprised by the news that Batra would be joining them on Ura 5.
All three of them would address the main assembly on first full day of the conference, followed by separate addressed to different committees in the following days. At the end, there would be a large reception, which the entire Enterprise staff was invited to attend. Hopefully, by then, there would be an agreement to be presented and signed at the final ceremony the next morning. The whole thing would last six days, and by the looks of the itineraries he saw, it would be a whirlwind. Though he didn't know if it would be any better or worse than the last four and a half days, where he and Deanna hadn't managed more than a passing hello.
Will and Geordi talked as they walked from the main Engineering bay. The ship was running fine, but Will had done the crew evaluations without his better, or in this case, more compassionate half. He was always used to having Deanna's input, sometimes even to just temper the opinions expressed by someone's frustrated commanding officer.
"I'm not saying he's not a problem," Geordi continued as they talked. "It's just that I might have been a little harsh when I wrote up my report. I swear, the kid has days I want to wring his neck and then other days he's in there workin' his tail off, on the top of his game. I don't know what to make of it," Geordi said with a shrug. "But maybe the evaluation is a little harsh," he admitted.
"Hey, I don't know the guy," Will told him. "I go by what you tell me. If you want to amend your report, I'll amend mine. Deal?"
Geordi nodded gratefully, "Thanks Commander. I don't like being to ogre."
Will looked back at his companion and smiled. "A little vertically challenged for an ogre, don't you think?" he said with a smirk.
"You're right," Geordi said as they rounded the corner. "You make a much better ogre than I do," he bit back without missing a beat.
"Thanks," Will said with a chuckle. As they entered the corridor in front of them, they saw Deanna Troi walking in their direction.
"Hi," she said a bit breathlessly, as if she had been hurrying to catch up. "I managed to run into you!"
"Have you been trying to?" Will asked, a bit puzzled.
Deanna ignored his question and greeted Geordi with a smile. "Where are you two off to?" she asked.
"Senior Staff meeting in ten minutes," Geordi answered. "So how much longer until you're back to the grindstone?"
Deanna smiled warmly at her friend. "Soon," she assured him.
"Good," both men said in unison.
Deanna turned her attention to Will. "Could I speak to you for a minute before you go?" she asked.
"Is everything alright?" Will was concerned.
But Deanna nodded. "Fine. I just need a minute or two, I promise."
Will paused to consider it.
"It's okay, Commander. I'll go on ahead," he offered. "I'll leave you two alone. I know when I'm not wanted," he said with a teasing smile at Deanna before he stepped towards the lift and he was gone.
"What's going on?" Will asked cautiously.
"It's nothing, really," Deanna tried to sooth his growing concerns. "I finished my speech last night," she told him.
Will looked around at the empty corridors that surrounded them. "I don't really have time for you to practice it right now."
"I can practice on my own, thank you," she replied smartly. Then she offered him the PADD in her hand. "I want you to read it."
Will took the PADD from her and gave a small shrug. "For content? Grammatical…stuff like that?"
"No," she told him slowly. "I just want you to read it."
This only puzzled Will more. "Why?" he asked.
"Because I have to tell them what happened to me, and I'm pretty brutally honest in places." Deanna reached out and put her hand lightly on his chest. "I'm nervous, Will. I need to know you'll be there, supporting me, not shocked or saddened by what you hear. Please promise me you'll read it?"
Will studied her face for a while, her ever so slightly furrowed brow, the almost pleading way her lips pouted, waiting expectantly for his response. "I promise," he told her simply.
Deanna stretched to her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Will," she whispered, then turned and walked away, leaving him alone in the corridor staring uneasily at the PADD in his hand.
Will tried not to think about it, as he went about his day, meeting with the senior staff and finishing his bridge shift, still he kept it close to him. It didn't seem right to leave it out in the open, something that was clearly so personal, as if it were a journal entry rather than a speech Deanna was preparing to give to hundreds of people.
By early evening, as he sat in his quarters, he realized that he had avoided it as long as was at all reasonable. With a deep sigh, he sank into his favorite chair and began to read.
Deanna began by introducing herself, her various experiences. Then her words began to describe the mission to Galia Prime at the height of the militia's coup. Will understood that the purpose of the speech was to draw people in, to make them identify with not only her, but the people of this planet, but he found that he was still unprepared to hear her express her feelings on what it was like to awake in a dark cavern, mud in her face as men shouted and pawed at her. The terror he had felt from her as they danced the week before was merely a glimmer of the fear and despair she had felt as she was physically and emotionally assaulted.
Will read until he could not bear anymore. He put the PADD down on the table next to him, keenly aware, now, why it was so important to Deanna that he read the speech ahead of time. Tears of frustration, of his own pain ran down his face, yet he was almost unaware of them. He got up and walked restlessly around his quarters for a moment, trying to compose his thoughts and feelings, and then took another deep breath in through his nose and out through his mouth, as she had taught him as he mentally pushed the pictures that her words had created in his mind away. It wasn't anything he hadn't imagined a hundred times since, but before, he had always had the benefit of doubt. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he pictured. Maybe she hadn't been as terrorized as he thought. Maybe, if she was truly lucky, she didn't remember it, at least not in as much detail as she once had. But the images her words conjured were clear. It was her intent for them to shock, and she had accomplished that perfectly.
But at what cost to her? Will asked himself as he picked up the PADD and finished reading.
….
Deanna sat with Batra and Shaule enjoying a simple dinner in Ten forward. Shaule was fascinated by the stars around them, so they sat near the windows, for her benefit.
Both Deanna and Batra had finished their speeches. All that was left to do was wait for the conference.
Shaule was rattling on about something that they had learned in school that day, as she gazed out at the stars, captured by the vastness of space that surrounded her. Deanna smiled vaguely. Shaule reminded her, in so many ways, of herself at that age. At times painfully shy, but when she was comfortable, she was a bit of a chatterbox. Deanna could see how she was tied to her culture, wanting to honor her planet's past as well as the traditions her parents held dear, but she was also fascinated by the differences, the knowledge and experiences other ways of life had to offer. Slowly Deanna's smile faded as she remembered her own inner conflict for so many years, being torn between the life she was supposed to lead and the life she wanted.
And all the while, Deanna played the words of the speech over and over again in her mind, almost like a lulling background song, hoping that the repetitiveness would numb her to the words. They had been buzzing through her head all day, and while the repetitive action did numb at the sting of the words, she was afraid it made her a very inattentive dinner guest.
"Mind if I join you?" Will asked as he approached the table.
Deanna almost jumped, completely missing his arrival, but his calm washed over her and took the last bit of her own worry away.
"Of course you may, Commander," Batra offered. "Have you eaten? We were just finishing up."
"Oh, I'm fine, thank you," he told them. He didn't want to say that he still felt slightly ill if he let the images from the speech flow back into his mind and keeping them at bay was requiring a great deal of mental discipline.
And that was exactly what Deanna was sensing from him as he took a seat, a distinct disciplined calm. She knew that he must have read the speech and she knew him well enough to know what his mind would do with her words. That is why she had to have him, especially, read it before hand. But this mental discipline he was using, was it to protect her from his emotions or was he simply protecting himself.
"So, Shaule, how have you been enjoying the last few days of school?" Will asked her.
The young girl smiled brightly back at him. "I like the math – calculating areas of space! The teacher said that she would send me with work to do while we are on Ura 5!"
Will's eyebrows arched with surprise. "Really? And you'd like that?"
"Very much," Shaule nodded.
"Well, excellent," he resolved as he thought of how extra work while visiting a new planet would have been his worst nightmare at her age, maybe at any age.
The group chatted for a while, before Batra excused herself and her daughter. "It is growing late and we must be ready to depart when we reach Ura 5 tomorrow morning," she told them.
"So you will not be staying on the Enterprise?" Will asked.
Batra gave a quick look to Deanna and Deanna sat forward to speak. "We actually thought it would be better to stay on the planet," she told him cautiously, hoping that she wouldn't disappoint him. "It's just easier that way."
"Deanna said she would stay with us, and we have reserved a suite with two big rooms and living areas and it's overlooking the river!" Shaule hurriedly exclaimed.
Will tried to hide his disappointment at learning that Deanna would be leaving the ship for the conference. Not that they had managed much time together in the past few days, but even a quick hello was better than nothing. And he didn't know that he liked the idea of her being alone when she was exposing so much of herself to strangers, leaving her vulnerable.
"Wow. That sounds great," Will told the happy girl. "I hear that Ura 5 is very pretty, tropical even. Much different from what I saw of Galia Prime."
"Deanna says it's a lot like her planet, with jungles and waterfalls!" Shaule told him.
Will nodded his agreement. "That's what I hear."
"You've never been there?" Shaule asked as if she couldn't believe that there was a planet Will hadn't visited.
"No," Will told her. "I haven't ever had any reason to."
"Then you should come with us!"
Will and Deanna locked eyes for a brief moment. He could have sworn he saw her smile, just for a moment, before she purposefully frowned. Batra shook her head slightly at her daughter, just as she had on the planet when Shaule was peppering Deanna with questions.
"I wish I could, Shaule, but I can't. I have responsibilities here on the Enterprise. But I promise I'll come down to visit one evening when your mother and Deanna aren't too busy…if that is okay with you both?" he asked Batra and Deanna.
"Commander, we would be delighted to see you," Batra told him. "Now, we will be returning to our quarters," she said almost shooing Shaule away. "Good night, Commander, Deanna."
Will and Deanna bade them goodnight as they walked away from the table and out of the lounge. For a moment, they sat in silence. Will watched the stars, but Deanna watched Will, struggling through the barriers of his own creation to try to get a better feel for him.
"We'll be fine, Will," she told him, sensing his concern.
Will nodded vaguely in return.
"The conference has thorough security in place. Worf's already looked into it. If he feels it's safe, you should…"
"I'm sure you'll be well protected," Will told her quietly.
Deanna studied him a while longer, letting his concern wash over her and trying to piece the fragmented thoughts together. She realized, then, that the speech was the source of his fear.
"You read it," she said matter of factly.
Will looked away from the open starry sky, into the pools of black that were Deanna's large eyes, wide and ever hopeful. He nodded, hoping he looked encouraging, rather than concerned.
"It upset you."
"No," he answered quickly, but realized that was not the honest answer and that she would certainly know that as well. "Well, yes. But wasn't that the point? Don't you want them to be upset? So upset that they are willing to take action?"
"I suppose," Deanna answered calmly. "But that's not what you're feeling."
"I think the speech accomplishes its purpose with great poise. I think it is beautifully written." That was the response he had practiced in his quarters before he left to find her, carefully picking words that he believed whole-heartedly.
"But…"
Will shook his head in confusion. "No buts."
Deanna cocked her head to one side her hair falling over her shoulder. She wasn't going to let it go. "I know that what happened to me upsets you. But why are you feeling so concerned for me? Do you not think I'm capable of doing this?"
"I think you are more than capable," he assured her.
"Then what is it?" she asked him. It was an honest, diligent, question.
"I know you want to help them, Deanna, and I think that is admirable. But at what cost to yourself? I saw the look in your eyes in the transporter room when you were going back there. I saw how scared you were."
Deanna opened her mouth to protest, but Will continued on.
"And I know why you are saying what you are in that speech, but…" he shook his head. "What's that gonna do to you, mentally? And then you won't even have your friends around you for support. You'll be alone on this foreign planet…"
"I'll be far from alone," Deanna contradicted.
But Will only seemed more bothered her response. "You know what I'm saying," he told her. "Deanna, three months ago I was picking your body up off the floor. I don't…I don't want to lose you to this."
Deanna lifted her hand and touched it to his furrowed brow. She smiled gently at him, hoping she could somehow convey her emotions to him. "You won't lose me," she told him softly. Deanna took his hand and held it tightly. "This is my truth Will. It's my freedom. When I hid the pain, that's when I was lost."
Deanna made Will look at her, moving her head until she was in his line of sight. When their eyes locked there was a moment of truth that shot through them and when she knew he could sense her ease, she smiled. "As long as you're there to support me, nothing else will bother me. The more emotional their reaction, the more good I can do. I just didn't want my words to cause you pain. I love you."
Will sighed with relief, as if it were the first deep breath he had managed since he began to read her speech. "You know I love you," he smiled.
The kiss Deanna placed Will's cheek lingered, just for a moment, before she pulled away and sighed. "I need to go pack as well," she told him. "Will you come see us off tomorrow?"
"Wouldn't miss it," he whispered, then kissed her forehead. "Good night Deanna."
"Thank you," she told him softly.
"For?"
Deanna shrugged slightly. "All of it. Good night, Imzadi."
….
The senior staff mulled around the observation lounge after their staff meeting. Some routine maintenance was being done while they were planning to be in orbit around Ura 5 for several days. It was nothing extraordinary, and it left the atmosphere almost casual. Geordi leaned back on the edge of the table as he spoke to Dr. Crusher and Data.
"I don't know, Data. Maybe she doesn't even want us there," he told them.
"I disagree," Beverly told them. "I think she is our friend and we need to show her our support."
Geordi just shook his head. "Hey, what about you, Commander?"
Will looked up from the forms he was still reviewing. "What?" he asked.
"The conference. Deanna's presentation?"
Deanna and Batra had left the ship shortly after their arrival at Ura 5. They said they wanted to get settled and have plenty of time to meet with Ambassador Greer before their presentation the next morning.
"What about it?" Will asked.
"Are you going to the presentation?" Geordi asked.
Will nodded. "Yeah, of course."
Geordi looked discouraged. "What about you, Captain?"
Captain Picard put down the PADD in his hand and looked around a bit awkwardly at his senior staff. "I …ah…" he rubbed his scalp uncomfortably. "I wasn't specifically invited."
Beverly Crusher rolled her eyes. "What a crock," she mumbled.
Her response caught the entire rooms attention. The captain's eyebrows shot up at the attach. "I beg your pardon?" he asked credulously.
"None of us got an engraved invitation. She said we should all come. I think she assumed we would all be there, and without her going around asking each one of us to show her our support!"
The captain simply looked back at her stunned. He should have known that she would call his bluff.
"This is what friends do!" Beverly told them all, lecturing them as if they were nothing more than a bunch of badly behaved boys.
"It's not that I don't support her, Doc. Really. It's just that…" Geordi struggled to come up with the right words. "I don't want to make it harder than it is already. I mean, I know she's there to tell them what happened to her. I'm just not sure if I were her, that I'd want my friends listening."
"She's going to be telling hundreds of people," Beverly remarked. "You think that us being there will make her uncomfortable?" Beverly looked back and forth between the men in the room. "Is this about her being uncomfortable or you being uncomfortable?"
Geordi shrugged. "Maybe us being uncomfortable will make her uncomfortable," he offered.
"That reaching a bit, don't you think?"Beverly asked. "I think you're afraid," she pronounced on the group as a whole. "I think you're all afraid of whatever it is she's going to say."
"Well…yeah," Geordi admitted. "It's not like any of us know what she's written."
Will made a small face as he looked back at the reports in front of him, but Geordi didn't miss the expression.
"Did she tell you what she was saying?" he asked.
Will looked around at the rest of the group. Finally he shrugged a bit. "Yeah, I read it." he admitted.
"And?" Geordi and Beverly asked together.
Will thought about how to respond for a moment. His reaction hadn't been easy. How would the rest of them handle it? "Well, it's not all rainbows and unicorns," he admitted, trying to lighten the mood.
"Well, I, for one, am going," Beverly announced. "She's my friend and I want to be there to support her."
"As am I," Worf broke in, form his place at the end of the table. The rest of the group looked at him, a bit surprised.
"You're not uncomfortable with what she might say?" Geordi asked.
Worf stood from his chair, solemnly. "Whether or not I am uncomfortable is irrelevant. And besides, I seriously doubt she would say anything to them that would be worse than what I have already imagined."
"I'm with Worf," Will chimed in, gathering his things as he stood.
Geordi, Data and the captain remained, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Do what you want," Will told them. "She won't hold it against you."
The captain nodded briefly, while Geordi looked back down at the table as if he had been guilted by his colleagues.
With a small shrug, Will headed for the door, the doctor and Worf heading out the other.
"Commander," Data called from behind him.
Will stopped and turned back. "Yes, Data?"
"Is it my understanding, then, that you believe Counselor Troi would want us there, regardless of the fact that we may show discomfort at her words?"
Will sighed a moment as he collected his thoughts. He looked up from his feet into the concerned eyes of his friend. "Data, what happened to Deanna was a horrible thing. I don't think she would expect any of us to be comfortable with it. But not going, that says you're uncomfortable with her, and that's something very different. She didn't do anything wrong. She doesn't deserve to be treated like she did. She is trying to do a good thing here."
"And yet, you told the captain and Geordi not to come if they did not want to, that Counselor Troi would not… 'hold it against them'."
"They shouldn't do what they don't want to do," Will told him. "I can't make them go. Doctor Crusher shouldn't try. Look, Data." Will said pulling him aside, as an ensign passed them in the corridor on her way to the bridge. "If you want to come, come. If you don't, don't."
"I have been trying to support Counselor Troi in her recovery all along," Data said looking puzzled. "Would you say that this is a step on that journey?"
Will smiled slightly at his friend, as he patted his shoulder. "Yeah, Data. I think it's a big step. Maybe even the last big step."
Data looked back at Commander Riker curiously for a moment, before he made his decision. "I would appreciate if I could accompany you to the conference, Sir."
Will smiled. "You got it Data. I'm leaving at 08:00, sharp." With that, Will stepped off to the lift and headed home for the night.
….
The next morning, he grabbed some breakfast and ate as he looked down at the planet below. He wondered what Deanna was doing right now. Was she nervous? He had to admit, he was a bit. Was she eating some breakfast? He hoped she would at least attempt it.
The chime on his door rang as he cleared his plate. "Come in," he called.
The door opened and Beverly and Worf stood waiting for him. "We thought we'd pick you up on the way," Beverly told him.
"On the way?" Will asked, realizing that his quarters were not, in any route, on the way to the transporter room for either of them.
Neither of them responded, so Will let it go, grabbing for his communicator, and with one more glance out the window to the planet where Deanna was; he headed off with his friends. The trio made their way through the corridors together, none of them really talking. When the door to the transporter room opened, they all came to an abrupt stop.
"Captain," Will said, a bit surprised to find his commanding officer pacing the room.
"You're late," was the captain's only response. Will looked to Beverly and saw she was smiling. Even the captain's rough manner couldn't hide his nerves. He was highly uncomfortable, but as Worf had said, his discomfort was irrelevant. They all understood.
"Shall we go?" the captain asked, as if he were irritated.
Will looked over his shoulder out the door. "Ah, Data said he was coming," he told them.
"It's not like Data to be late," Beverly commented. "Maybe he changed his mind."
Captain Picard tapped his communicator. "Picard to Mr. Data."
"Yes, Captain?"
The captain stood on the transporter pad, looking anxious. "Commander, your present location?"
"We are almost there, Sir. I apologize for our tardiness."
"Our?" Will asked looking around at the others.
Before anyone could answer Data rounded the corner, and next to him, Geordi Laforge. Geordi looked slightly sheepish, but no one said a thing as the entire group took their places on the transporter pad.
"Whenever you're ready, Lieutenant," the captain called to the junior lieutenant who stood behind the transporter controls.
"Aye, Sir."
And in an instant, the Enterprise was gone and the six of them stood just on the outskirts of a bustling conference hall.
People were everywhere, a great blend of species were mingling and meandering into the main hall where there was a stage and a podium.
It took a moment for the group to get their bearings. "I think we had better find some seats," the captain told them and he moved off towards the stage, the rest of the group in tow. There were several people who greeted them along the way, but the captain didn't stray, for too long, from his mission of finding seating.
Will kept an eye out for Deanna, but didn't see her, either in the group of people on the stage or in the surrounding crowds.
"Captain," a man called and Will turned, recognizing the voice of the Galian ambassador.
"It's a pleasure to see you again," Ambassador Greer said as he walked of the stage and made his way to the row the captain had chosen.
"Yes, Ambassador. You look well," the captain said politely. "You remember my senior staff," he said gesturing down the row.
"Yes, of course. Hello," the ambassador addressed them all. Then he turned his attention to Commander Riker. "So, Commander, you can see I kept my word."
"Glad to see it, Ambassador," Will said with a smile.
"I hear you are quite the poker player, Commander," the ambassador said with a lopsided grin.
"Oh, really? Where did you hear that?"
The ambassador glanced back at the stage. "Let's say a little birdy told me. She also said I was foolish to try to call your bluff."
The two men smiled at one another.
"You played me, Commander."
"Not at all. I kept my word and you kept yours. A very amicable ending, I think." Will glanced over the stage again. "You wouldn't happen to know the whereabouts of that little birdy, do you?" Will asked hopefully.
Suddenly the smile on the ambassador's face was gone. "She is… a…" he glanced back at the stage again. "She seemed to be preparing when I saw her last. I believe that last minute nerves have reached both of my speaking companions."
The group looked at one another anxiously. They all doubted that this was a simple case of stage fright for either of the woman who would be addressing the conference.
The hall was filling up fast.
"Is she alright?" Will asked.
"She was…meditating." The ambassador sounded far from sure of himself.
Just then, another woman on the stage caught Will's attention. Batra was making her way through the group on the stage bowing slightly and greeting each member of the delegations. She was wearing a simple black dress, her hair pulled away from her face slightly. She was smiling, but Will could see the tense posture in her arms and shoulders. When she caught sight of him and his group, a genuine smile crossed her face and she began to make her way across the stage toward them.
"Captain, Commander," she greeted the two men on the end of the row. "I am glad to see that you are here."
"Hello Batra," the captain greeted her. "Are you feeling ready?"
Batra took a quick glance around the almost full hall and took a long deep breath. "What does ready feel like?" she asked.
"A little queasy, but determined," Will told her with a smile.
Batra responded with a weak smile. "Well, in that case, yes. Very much so."
The captain nodded. "Good. We wish you well, and we are all here to offer our support."
Batra took the captain's hand as she spoke. "Thank you. All of you."
"Batra, where is Deanna?" Will asked.
Again Batra's smile faded. "She's preparing," she told him.
Now Will was beginning to get worried. As he looked at his friends, he realized he wasn't alone.
"Could you take me to her?" he asked.
"She said she just needed a moment," Batra told him. "I'm sure she'll be out shortly."
"Is she okay?" Will asked.
"I don't think she slept last night. She seemed…" Batra shook off whatever it was she was about to say. "I'm sure she'll be fine."
The group on the stage was beginning to take their seats, as the time for the presentations drew near.
Then out from the back of the stage, Deanna appeared. She wore a knee length, light lavender dress. It was simple and soft. Her hair was back and she was smiling, weakly, but smiling. Will could see more. Her eyes were shining, and her eye makeup was smudged ever so slightly. And the tip of her nose was just a bit too red. She had been crying. A good outlet of emotion, he hoped.
"See," Batra told them glancing in Deanna's direction. "Thank you for coming," she told them as she turned to make her way back onto the stage.
Deanna spoke to no one, only politely smiled as she headed to her seat. As she sat, she looked over to meet Will's expectant gaze. She smiled down at him, and he gave her a small wave. Then she looked at the rest of the row, and Will looked with her. Beverly stood next to him, smiling determinedly at her friend, then it was Data and Geordi who gave her a nod and a small thumbs up, and Worf on the end, more stoic then the rest, but he nodded his head to her, to show his support. Deanna closed her eyes for a moment, as if she were drinking them in, then opened them again and smiled at the group. The one person she hadn't yet looked to was her captain, who stood at the end of the isle.
The captain stood looking almost hesitant as Deanna studied him. Something in Deanna's eyes was hopeful, almost pleading.
Finally the captain summoned his courage, and looked Deanna square in the eye. His face dissolved into a soft, kind smile. It was a smile of understanding and he gave her a small nod. There was something in his eyes, it looked like pride as he urged her on, and Deanna's face softened and she smiled back.
In that moment, everyone around them began to sit and the senior staff of the Enterprise took their seats as well.
The beginning of the conference was formal, as items that interested no one in their group were listed off. Then the presenter turned to the three speakers behind them. The applause for the Galian Ambassador's introduction was plentiful and it seemed to reassure Will that the audience that they would address was at least receptive.
Ambassador Greer spoke for several minutes about his time on Galia Prime. There were moments, when he spoke of his staff members that were killed in the early moments of the coup, where he seemed to pause as he choked back his emotions.
Will couldn't help but glance around the room every so often, gauging the reaction of the crowd around them. Most seemed sympathetic. Some seemed to find the whole situation at least unfortunate, if nothing more.
When he finished, the hall filled with applause. Then, after the crowed settled, he spoke again.
"I thank you all for your kind support. I would now like to turn the time over to a woman who did more than her duty in trying to rescue me and the other members of my staff. She risked her own life and well being. And she is the reason we are here discussing this today. The more time I have been able to spend with her, the more I admire her courage and vast array of life experience that have brought us to this point. I feel very lucky to be able, now, to consider her a friend." When he introduced Deanna, the hall again broke into applause. But, in spite of the sounds of support, Will felt his own stomach sink. He tried to project calm strength to her, but felt it was a loosing battle. Maybe he would be able to be nervous enough for the both of them.
As Deanna stepped to the podium, she looked to be the picture of grace and ease, and Will wondered, for a moment, what that illusion was costing her.
Deanna began her speech, word for word what Will had read in his quarters. Knowing what to expect took away some of the pain of the words, but he watched closely as their friends each faltered, even if just for a moment.
Geordi was the first to look down at his hands, Beverly wiped sporadically at tears in her eyes. Worf's gaze drifted to other objects on the stage, anything but to watch Deanna's mouth releasing the horrible words of what happened to her for six days six months before.
There were two, however, who never looked away. Data took it in, as if it were a warp engine status report, though Will noticed that his brow furrowed occasionally as he struggled to understand the logic of an event or perhaps consulted the vast amounts of research he had done on sexual assaults.
The other was Jean-Luc Picard. In the eighteen minutes of Deanna's speech, Will felt a renewed sense of pride in his captain. It didn't take an empath to see that he was ill at ease, or that he found the words he was hearing almost unbearably painful. But he never looked away. He closed his eyes once, in an effort to contain his emotions. His jaw line tightened to the point of a grimace, but whenever there was any possibility of him being within Deanna's line of sight, his attention was undivided and his expression unconflicted. He was there to support her, no matter what she told them, and when it was over, he was the first to rise from his chair and applaud to show his support.
As Will stood next to him, he realized something that had never really occurred to him before. Jean-Luc Picard loved her too. Maybe not in the same way, but he loved her.
Somehow it was almost easier for him to show it to her than the other members of the senior staff. It was something between them. A shared tragedy perhaps or an openness of emotion. He loved her. Will let it sink in for a moment, before he returned his attention to the speaker, where it belonged.
The nervousness in Will's gut didn't completely subside until Batra was well into her speech. It wasn't that he ceased being nervous for her, it was more than he was completely drawn in, listening to her account of the last few years on her planet, the gradual changes that went unnoticed, then were tolerated as a fringe movement and how slowly that fringe gained power and momentum by making ordinary citizens fear one another.
The room seemed to share his intrigue as Will watched delegates sitting forward in their chairs, anxious to hear more, though the end of the story was readily apparent.
The entire meeting was less than two hours long, but Will felt as if he should be calling it a day as the conference adjourned for smaller lunch meetings.
As the hall emptied, the three speakers remained, greeting guests, thanking delegates as they passed, and the senior staff members lingered as well. When most had gone, Deanna broke away from the small group that remained on the stage and made her way to her friends.
"You didn't all have to come," she told them.
Geordi gave a short glance at Dr. Crusher, but no one paid the comment much attention.
Beverly hugged her and told her she did really well, while Worf and Geordi offered their agreement.
"I think if that failed to move the majority of this group, I fear for the direction of the Federation," the captain said solemnly.
The comment earned him a smile. "Thank you Captain. For everything," Deanna told him. Regardless of how it would be accepted, she hugged him.
Captain Picard hesitated only for a second, before returning her embrace, all be it for a brief moment.
Then she turned to Will. "And?" she asked as if she knew something the others did not.
Will made a small shrug of indifference. "Six," he told her. "Maybe a seven."
The others around them looked perplexed, but they didn't know that Will had a habit of grading speeches on a scale of 1-10. It was usually something he did to entertain himself during diplomatic events.
Deanna's face fell. But before she could react, he pulled her to him and hugged her. "Are you kidding? Didn't you see them all? It was a ten. Absolutely. No doubt about it. Ten."
Deanna sighed and then smacked him hard in the arm. "Do I look like someone who needs to be teased right now?" she protested.
"I'm sorry," he said, trying to move to protect himself as she continued to pummel his arm and shoulder. "I'm sorry! Save it to beat the delegates into submission," he said pushing her small fists away. "You did great. Really really well. You all did."
"I agree," Beverly told her.
"Well, it was a good first step. Now we are splitting up, meeting with the individual delegations."
"The next few days will be a marathon, not a sprint," the captain offered his advise. "Eat, get some rest. Don't let one group monopolize too much of your attention."
Deanna smiled at him gratefully as she stood tucked close to Will's body, drinking in the security of it. "Thank you Captain. I appreciate your guidance. This is…definitely a new experience for me."
"Well, you have advised me enough in my time. I'm sure you'll do just fine."
"Counselor," Ambassador Greer called from the stage. He nodded with his head towards the doors.
Deanna sighed and turned back to the group. "I need to go, but…thank you, all." She quickly hugged each of them. "I'll see you in a few days?"
"If you need anything, we will be remaining in orbit," the captain assured her.
"I have already discussed my concerns with the chief of security for the conference. They will be adding extra patrols in the area where you and Batra are staying," Worf told her.
Deanna smiled, though she thought it might have been a bit much. "Thank you, Worf," she offered. With another anxious look from the ambassador, Deanna reluctantly agreed. "Okay, I have to go."
Will kissed her head. "Knock 'um dead," he whispered.
"I thought I was just supposed to beat them into submission," Deanna smiled as she stepped away.
With a shrug he called after her. "Whatever works."
Deanna turned back, just as she reached the door. She seemed like a weight had been lifted from her now that the speech was over. "No offense, Commander, but I think I'll take my diplomatic advise from the Captain." With a quick wink and a smile, Deanna was out the door, on to her next meeting.
….
The days passed with little word from the planet as the conference continued. The atmosphere on the ship was almost peaceful, as each department went about the routine maintenance that had been slipping through the cracks with the constant pressure the ship had been under.
The days were bordering on boring, if such a thing existed on the Federation Flagship. The captain had been called down to the planet three times by some delegates who knew him and wanted to say hello, or even those that hadn't met him, but wanted to. Will gladly remained behind, taking command. There was only one person he wanted to see on the planet and she was far too busy to allow them to sneak away.
On the last night of the conference, a grand reception was to be held. Somehow Geordi and Worf had talked their way out of it, using excuses of how they were needed aboard ship.
Will received a note from Deanna late the night before the reception. He read it anxiously, then sighed and made a note to take care of it first thing in the morning.
When he walked into the ship's stores, the first person he saw was Beverly Crusher, wearing a red short cocktail dress, staring at herself from a three-angled mirror.
Will watched her for a moment before he spoke. "Doesn't seem very practical for Sickbay," he snickered.
Beverly Crusher visibly jumped, then grabbed for the nearest fabric in a chair near her and held it to her as if she had been naked. "Commander!" she hollered with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Will casually moved towards the computer terminal. "Shopping," he said simply.
"For women's clothing?" she asked grudgingly looking around the section of the ships stores where they stood.
Will gave a small shrug. "Yes."
Beverly Crusher glared at him from where she stood at the mirror, wearing one dress and holding another in front of her.
Will took her behavior to mean that she wasn't entirely comfortable with the article of clothing she was currently wearing, but he saw nothing wrong with it. He hadn't seen her in anything quite like it before, but it was far from immodest. Though he noticed in the mirror behind her that it was backless.
She wasn't speaking, just glaring at him as if he were playing some sort of a prank.
With a small grunt of amusement, Will began to explain. "Deanna sent a note last night saying that Batra and Shaule are worried they don't have anything appropriate to wear to the reception tonight and asked me to find them something."
Beverly, for the first time since he walked in, seemed to find humor in the situation. "You…alone?" she asked.
"I think I can manage."
A short laugh escaped from the doctor. "Well, good luck with that," she told him, turning away from him, and as she did so, she moved the second dress over her back.
Will shook his head as he silently laughed at her behavior. "What about you?" he asked. "07:00 seems a bit of an odd time for fashion, don't you think?"
Beverly turned back to him and dragged the second dress back to her front. "I have a full day, okay?" she said and began to turn again, moving the dress back to the back of her, then changed her mind. "It's not like I have closets of these things," she said defensively, forgetting to move the second dress with her, and for the first time, Will noticed the cut in the front was just low enough to make it down right provocative.
"I like it," he told her.
Beverly looked down at herself, suddenly moving the second dress, not quite sure what to cover. "Oh, forget it," she said and threw the second dress at him, before disappearing behind a curtain.
Will caught the dress quickly, but continued to laugh.
After a moment of listening to the doctor fume out of sight, Will called out to her. "So do you always go shopping first thing in the morning?"
"Do you always tease girls and laugh at them like a nine year old on a playground?"
"Yes, almost always," he answered perfectly solemnly. He heard Beverly grunt in frustration. "Come on, tell me what you're doing here and I'll leave you alone."
"Alright," Beverly said peeking her head out of the curtain. "I'm trying to pick out a dress for tonight."
"For the reception? You're not just gonna wear a uniform?"
Beverly hesitated for a moment, studying the first officer. She bit at her lower lip.
"Come on," he urged.
"Oh, alright. But not a word, you understand?" she asked pointing her finger at him.
"On my honor."
"The captain asked me to accompany him." There was a pause as she studied Will's face. He tried hard to keep a neutral expression. "And…I thought it would be nice," she continued, "to wear a dress. Okay?" she asked accusingly.
Will shrugged at her, wondering if he was allowed to speak. After she looked at him with an angry look he decided it was better to risk it. "Hey, it's okay by me. Wear whatever you want." It wasn't unheard of for the captain to take the doctor with him to diplomatic events, but still, the thought of it made Will grin in spite of himself.
Beverly rolled her eyes and disappeared behind the curtain again.
"I'll even help you pick something if you want," he offered.
Beverly stepped out in front of the mirror wearing a much longer, much less revealing black dress. She threw her hair back over her shoulder. "I doubt you and the captain have the same taste," she mumbled, almost before she realized what she was saying. She looked up at Will in an absolute panic, and she pointed again, warningly, at the surprised smile on his face. "Don't. Don't you dare!"
Will shrugged innocently. "I didn't say a thing."
"Good," Beverly said, going back to studying herself in the mirror.
Will watched her for a moment before turning back to the computer terminal. He began to browse through the ships catalogs.
"Hey, Beverly," he called to her as she studied herself. "What about this one?" he asked, pointing to the monitor.
"For Batra?" she asked, coming over to where he stood.
"I guess."
Beverly looked at the dress and shook her head. "She's too tall to wear that heavy a skirt. Trust me," she said bemoaning her own height. Beverly scanned through several more. "Something more like that," she suggested, and headed back towards her dressing room. "But not that color," she called. "Something more understated."
"Okay," Will moaned turning back to the computer. "What about Shaule? What do twelve year old girls wear?"
By the time that Beverly came out from the curtain dressed in her uniform, Will had selected a one shoulder black dress with a long silhouette for Batra. He showed it to Beverly and she nodded approvingly. "Shaule is easy. She could wear a bed sheet and she'd be cute with that face. Just keep it cute, not too adult."
"What about this?" he asked, showing her a black knee length dress, with a gathered bodice and flowing skirt. "It has bows on the back. How grown up can it be?" he suggested.
"I think she'll look adorable." Beverly told him smiling.
"Hey, what about you? Did you pick something?"
"I did," she said coyly.
"The black one?" he asked, mildly curious.
"No," she told him, walking away.
"Not the red one?" Will asked with a wicked grin.
"No. Not the red one," she scolded as she walked out the door.
….
Will carried the two garment bags over his shoulder as he made his way across a plaza and down a slope, green with vegetation, towards a treed area that lined the river. Tucked into the tree line were scattered buildings that served as lodging for the guests of the conference. Will followed his directions, taking a path to the left and continued down the hill. He noted the security measures he passed on the way. He knew Worf had been over them in great detail, but it still made him feel better about Deanna and their guests staying planet side.
Finally, he reached the door to a stone covered structure, simple in design. He knocked on the door, and after a brief pause, it flew open in front of him.
"Commander!" Shaule cried. She grabbed his hand and dragged him into the cottage. "You came! Did you see the river? Isn't it beautiful?"
Will opened his mouth to answer, but before a word could escape, she continued.
"If you take that path there it leads to a meadow. It's so pretty there. Mother and I have taken walks there every morning, and if you look all the way back towards the mountain there you can see Ura falls!"
"It is very beautiful," he finally managed.
"There's the big reception tonight," Shaule continued. "Mother is letting me come. We have been making maps and studying seating charts. Deanna even painted my nails! See?"
Shaule held out her had to Will, but he couldn't see that they looked any different. Perhaps a bit more shiny, he thought.
"They look just like Deanna's now!" she said proudly.
Will nodded encouragingly. "They look lovely," he told her.
Just then, the door to the room to their left opened and Deanna and Batra emerged.
Deanna wore her bathrobe tight around her and her wet hair was fastened loosely to itself.
"Commander!" Deanna said, smiling. "I thought I heard you."
"Yes, Shaule was just showing me her nail polish," Will said and watched the girl in front of him beam with pride. "Bold," he whispered to her sarcastically as she approached him.
Deanna rolled her eyes and ignored him.
Will took the two garment bags off his shoulder and got back to business. "Well, I come bearing gifts," he told them. "Compliments of the Enterprise and her crew." He held out the smaller bag to Shaule, who practically tore it from his hand and began yanking back the protective covering.
"And this one is for you," he said handing the remaining bag to her mother.
He heard Shaule gasp behind him and he wondered briefly it were a good gasp or a bad one. When he turned his head to take a look, he found the girl standing on the couch, holding the dress to her and spinning from side to side. A good gasp, he figured.
"My goodness," Deanna said proudly.
"Oh, let me see," her mother commanded.
Suddenly Will felt unsure of his choice. "It has bows," he told her in some form of justification.
Batra studied the dress for a moment, before smiling at her daughter. "I think it is lovely, Commander. Thank you so much."
"Yes! Thank you, thank you!" Shaule called as she flung herself off the couch at him and hugged him.
"You're welcome," he said catching her, a bit stunned, then returning her to the ground.
"Let's see yours, Mother," she called.
Batra was far more subtle, as she hung the hanger from her bedroom door and quietly unwrapped the almost metallic shimmering black dress.
"I hope it's okay. It should fit pretty well. I had the computer fit it to your transporter records," Will said nervously.
"I don't know what to say," Batra said quietly. She stared at the dress for another long moment. "It is beautiful. Thank you, Commander."
"You're welcome," he said more sedately. "But I am just the messenger. Deanna was the one…"
"Deanna!" Shaule interrupted. "What about Deanna?"
Will looked to Deanna puzzled. "Was I supposed to be picking something for you?" he asked.
"Oh, no. Thank you." Deanna smiled kindly at Shaule, but waved her hand to dismiss the idea. "I have four very nice dresses laying out on my bed already. I just need to pick one."
"Do we get to vote?" Shaule asked excitedly.
"Do you want to?" Deanna asked.
"Yes!" Shaule called starting to bound off to Deanna's room on the other side of the suite.
"Me too," Will added mischievously.
Deanna turned back to him, warily. "Why?" she asked.
Will shrugged with a smile. "I was hoping I could vote for that nude colored one with the diamond straps that you wore a couple of weeks ago."
"Not an option," Deanna responded quickly.
"But I liked that one," Will whined.
Deanna looked at him sharply and arched her eyebrow. "I know you did," she told him seriously. She knew exactly how much he had liked it.
The two stared at each other, though they heard Shaule giggle sharply at their exchange.
"But if there is one universal truth," Deanna continued, ignoring the girl next to her, "it is that a woman can't get away with wearing the same gown to two events in a row." With a wiggle of her brow, Deanna turned towards her room.
"I think I'd better go. You girls have primping to do."
"No!" Shaule called. "You should stay!"
Will smiled kindly at the young girl. "Do I look ready to you?" he asked gesturing to his appearance. "I still need to get ready myself!" he told her. "And that could take hours."
Shaule put her hands on her hips and stepped towards the Commander. "Are you teasing me?" she asked with what he hoped was mock anger.
"You? No. Never," Will told her, giving her a light pat on the head.
"No, he's teasing me," Deanna offered with a smile. "Still it would be funnier if it didn't take him so long to style his hair." Deanna smiled evilly.
"Hey," Will protested.
"Good-bye Commander. We'll see you in a few hours," Deanna said, almost singing as she turned to her room.
"Good bye Batra, Shaule," Will offered, seeming to ignore Deanna.
As he neared the door, he glanced back and Deanna was peeking out of her door. She mouthed the words Thank you, and with a motion as if he was tipping his invisible cap, Will turned and was gone.
….
Captain Picard and Commander Riker strode down the corridor of the Enterprise together on their way to the transporter room. The mood was light and Will couldn't help but notice that the captain seemed to be in a particularly good mood for a man on his way to a diplomatic function.
Will figured he'd give it a try. "I can't help but notice that you seem to be in an awfully good mood for a man on his way to a diplomatic reception," Will offered, hoping he sounded subtle.
Captain Picard looked up at his first officer, just a hint of a smile on his face. "It hasn't escaped my notice that I'm not the only one who seems pleased, Commander," he said pointedly, arching an eyebrow at Will.
Will shrugged. "I admit it. I am ever hopeful that I can steal a minute or two with Deanna." He didn't see the purpose in trying to hide it.
"Well, in another week or so, there will, hopefully, be an opportunity for more than a minute or two," the captain responded, as if it were perfectly natural.
Will burst into a smile. "Okay, I admitted mine. What's your excuse?" he asked, feeling a bit daring this evening.
"I wasn't aware I needed an excuse to be in a good mood," Jean-Luc Picard said, matter of factly, as they rounded the corner into the transporter room.
Just inside the door, Data stood chatting with Beverly Crusher. Beverly's red hair was pulled up in soft waves and her long blue dress accented her eyes. It was striking.
"Wow," Will said before he even thought about it.
The captain turned and gave him a sharp look that came across remarkably like an order to stop ogling his date.
Will grimaced a bit,
"I think that was a compliment," Beverly said stepping towards the transporter pad. "So, thank you, Commander."
Will almost said 'you're welcome' but another sharp look from his commanding officer made him keep his mouth shut.
"Whenever you're ready," the captain told the transporter chief, and a moment later the ship dissolved in front of them and was replaced by the same room where the speeches had been given on their first day. Now, however, the room glittered with lights and tables. Food was plentiful and people were mingling to the sound of an orchestra in the corner, playing traditional Uran melodies.
"Commander!" they heard a young voice call, and Will soon found Shaule moving through the crowd, swishing her dress around her as she stepped. "You are all sitting with us! This way," she said making her way back through the crowd.
When they reached the table, the rest of the group was nowhere in sight. There were seats around the tale for each of the senior staff as well as Ambassador Greer, Batra, Shaule and Deanna. But none of the rest were anywhere to be found. .
"Shaule, where is your mother?" Beverly asked kindly.
"She is…" Shaule picked up a PADD off her seat and studied it for a moment, "talking with Delegate Romaan from Gorvas II. He is a yellow mark still."
"A yellow mark?" Will asked curiously, peering over her shoulder.
"Yes. See?" Shaule showed him the PADD. "Here are all the tables in the hall and a list of what delegates are sitting where. These here with green marks have pledged a yes vote on the aid package. The yellows are undecided and the black marks are no votes."
The captain, doctor, first and second officer looked back and forth at one another, impressed.
"Did the ambassador design this?" the captain asked.
"No, I did," Shaule said simply returning to her computer program.
"By yourself?" he asked.
Shaule looked up at him innocently. "I've been working on it for three days."
"What about these diamond shaped marks?" Will asked pointing at the seating chart.
"Those are votes on the planetary blockade. We need ten planets. Right now we have the eight. But we have two strategies." Shaule moved the seating chart away and pulled up a stellar map. "We can take these ten here or these ten here," she said pointing to the map.
"Right now, these here in the center are yes votes. So we either need these two planets, but if either of them say no, we must go to the second strategy and that leaves four more planets to convince."
"What about the aid package?" Will asked.
Shaule quickly flipped back to the seating chart. "We need 51 votes. Right now we have 42. That leaves 9 more to get and 32 remaining delegations. Twelve of those are confirmed no votes. So that leaves twenty possible votes to get. They have divided the banquet into three groups. The ambassador is working to convince these here with the blue circles, Mother is working on the ones with red circles and Deanna is talking to the ones with purple circles."
"Wow," Will was impressed by the sheer organization of the offensive. He turned to the captain. "Like the political equivalent of the full court press," he told him quietly.
The captain only huffed a bit, his eyes wide.
"Here they are!" Shaule called, pointing into the crowd where Deanna and Batra approached.
Deanna was wearing a deep brown dress, that almost looked like ripples of chocolate as it wrapped around her bodice, a loose skirt flowing as she walked. Around the high waist was tied a burgundy ribbon, that matched perfectly the color of her deep lipstick, and was echoed again in her necklace that accented her neckline. A smile was plastered to her face as if it was just another accessory.
"Captain," Deanna greeted the group. "Commander. Beverly!" she called surprised to see her friend looking so elegant. "You look stunning!"
Beverly blushed slightly as the captain smiled appreciatively. With a quick hug for her friend, Deanna moved on to their table. As she turned away from the room, she grabbed her cheeks with her hands.
"Uh," Deanna groaned. "My face hurts," she told them, massaging at her own cheeks.
"My feet hurt," Batra echoed as she sat in her seat.
"Delegate Romann?" Shaule asked, adjusting her PADD in her lap.
Batra shook her head slightly.
"Yourman Tonug is promising," Deanna told them.
"A mark and a diamond!" Shaule said, seeming impressed.
"Still, he wouldn't make a firm commitment."
"So he stays yellow?" Shaule asked her.
"For the moment," Deanna answered. She sunk into her chair. "I'm taking my shoes off," she told them, reaching under the table.
The Enterprise officers made their way to sit as well, when suddenly Will realized their chairs had been laid out according to rank. First the captain, then Commander Riker, Doctor Crusher and Data, then the chair where Deanna sat rubbing her feet, Shaule tucked next to her, updating information on the PADD in her lap next to her mother. There was still one empty seat meant for the ambassador, but neither the captain nor the first officer seemed very happy with the seating arrangement.
Will decided to take matters into his own hands, pulling out his chair and offering it to the doctor, who smiled gratefully at Will as she slipped into the chair.
As Will tucked the chair into the table, he got a mixed expression of gratitude from his captain, and a bit of a warning glare. Clearly the captain was not impressed with his first officer doting on his date.
Will shrugged it off. However they got there, the captain was sitting next to his date, and Will was at least one seat closer.
Data stood between Commander Riker and where Deanna sat rubbing her foot. He watched each of them for a moment, trying to verify the appropriate response.
"Commander," he finally began. "Would you care to exchange seats?"
Both Will and Deanna smiled excitedly at him.
"Thanks, Data," he said quickly taking the seat next to Deanna before Data could change his mind. He turned his attention to Deanna. "You picked a dress," he told her.
"You combed your hair," she bantered back.
"I like it. Not as much as the other dress, but you're still beautiful."
Ambassador Greer practically waltzed to the table. "Shaule, my dear, I need you to move Delegate Warn from yellow to green," he said quickly sitting down.
"Well done, Ambassador," Deanna complimented.
"Eight to go," Batra counted.
"Unfortunately, Chancellor Ekor was unwilling to remove the permanent see saw from certain parts of his anatomy," the ambassador said, disgruntled.
"Chancellor Ekor?" Batra asked. "I was speaking to his wife yesterday. She was telling me that they have a daughter your age," she told her daughter. Batra looked thoughtful for a moment, before she acted. "Shaule, put the PADD down. I'd like someone to meet you." She was up from her chair and motioning for her daughter. "Come with me," she told her and Batra and Shaule disappeared into the crowd.
As the two disappeared, one of the delegates approached the table. 'Forgive the interruption, but Ambassador, if I could have a moment of your time?"
"Of course," the ambassador responded and walked off following the other man.
For a moment it left the Enterprise crew alone at the table.
"How are you holding up, Counselor?" the captain asked.
Deanna sighed. "The marathon has turned to a sprint to the finish," she told him. "If I smile any more, my face may break off."
The others at the table quietly chuckled.
"It would seem you are making excellent progress," Beverly offered.
"Yes, it's amazing what you can do when you don't eat or sleep for a few days," Deanna admitted, though she still seemed to be in good spirits.
"Well, I think you ought to sit still for a bit and eat some dinner," Will suggested.
Before Deanna could reply, the ambassador returned.
"Shaule needs to turn another yellow box to green. Rova Five is giving their support." He looked pleased as he took his seat. "How long until dinner is served? I'm famished."
"The meal should be served any moment, Sir," Data offered.
"That leaves seven?" Will asked.
Before too long Batra and her daughter returned to the table. Shaule immediately picked up her PADD.
"Move Rova Five to green," Ambassador Greer told the girl.
"And Chancellor Ekor," Batra reminded her.
"How did you manage that?" the ambassador asked with a startled glance.
"I asked what he would want for his daughter," Batra responded.
"That leaves six," Deanna corrected.
"Six in four hours," the ambassador reminded.
Deanna looked around at the servers who were bringing food to the tables around them. "I hope we can eat quickly. We have work to do."
The Enterprise officers watched the three adults at the table practically inhale their food. They quickly reassessed their strategy and were all off again, working the crowd trying to find the votes that would help them most.
Will watched her go. He could hardly feel disappointed. She was so close to accomplishing her goal. He wished he could do something to help. Instead he was left watching the three of them make their rounds, debating issues, making impassioned pleas to those in power who could help them.
The captain and doctor seemed not to mind being left alone at the table. Before too long there was dancing, and much to Will's surprise, Captain Picard almost immediately asked Beverly to join him on the dance floor.
Will watched them dancing. He liked seeing them like that. The captain needed a little more of that in his life, in his first officer's opinion. He tried not to let it bother him that they were so clearly enjoying each others company when Deanna was nowhere in sight and even if she were, she was too busy to talk to him. When the dance was over, the couple seemed to disappear into the crowd. Maybe they were visiting with some of the delegates; maybe they were enjoying some quiet time alone amongst the grounds of the conference center. Again, he felt a twinge of envy, but tried to push it aside as he set his focus on the only two people who remained with him at the table; Data to his right and Shaule to his left.
"You're a computer," Shaule said matter of factly to Data as they sat finishing their meal.
"I am an Android," Data corrected.
"Why were you made to resemble a human?" she asked.
"My creator was human. Do you not resemble your parents?"
"My father says I look like my mother. Do you look like your creator? I mean your face and hair? Like I look like my mother?"
"I believe that I do," Data answered simply.
Will thought it might be a good time to change the subject.
"So, Shaule. You've been keeping yourself pretty busy during the conference with the school work and charts?" Will pointed to the PADD that sat on her lap.
Shaule nodded proudly. "Mother said I could show my charts and graphs to the teachers on the Enterprise while we travel home." There was almost sadness in her voice that Will was unaccustomed to.
"Don't you want to come back to class on the Enterprise?" he asked her.
"Oh, yes. But it will only be for a few days and then we will return home, and I'm not allowed to go to school there." Shaule's eyes were down in her lap, a lonely expression on her face.
"May I ask you a question?" Data asked her.
Shaule nodded.
"I have heard children on the Enterprise say that they did not wish to go to school. You do not share that feeling?"
Shaule looked at Data as if he had just taken off his own head. She shook her head slightly and then launched into a discourse of why she wanted to be able to learn, and to be with more children her own age. When Data told her that he had not attended a traditional school either, Shaule seemed fascinated. The two began to ask questions back and forth, occasionally stopping long enough to let the other answer. After a few minutes of listening to them, Will realized that it was possible that he was sitting with the two most inquisitive people he had ever known.
Even still, their semi conversation couldn't hold his interest and he began to people watch instead. Deanna had reappeared and was sitting next to an older man. A glance at Shaule's chart showed Will that it was Commodore Haan from Dorona, at least if he were in the correct seat. A yellow mark was next to his name on the PADD and Will could see by Deanna's body language that she was hard at work.
He watched her closely as she spoke then listened. Will couldn't hear the conversation, or make out many words from lip reading from this distance, but the body language of the two was fascinating.
Will didn't have to be empathic to see that the older man found Deanna attractive, not in an overt overbearing way, but simply appreciated the company of a beautiful woman.
Deanna seemed to pick up that vibe as well, as Will watched the conversation go on, and she reached out and touched his arm, then his shoulder. Every time it seemed his attention would begin to wander or as if he might be ending the conversation, she would simply touch him and he would be enraptured again.
Will watched traits he hadn't seen for months, the casual way she would flip her hair, or tilt her head as she listened, the way she leaned towards him when she spoke. It astounded him that she was flirting to get a vote. It was harmless, in any case, and he wondered if the commodore was even aware of the subtle gestures, but Will Riker could read those signals anywhere. The more he watched, the more entertaining it became, until with one final flip of her hair over her shoulder, Will lost his composure and broke out into a laugh.
The two remaining table guests stopped their conversation and stared at him, and Will immediately stifled his laughter. "Sorry," he muttered quietly, taking a drink.
"Did I say something amusing, Commander?" Data asked puzzled.
The truth was, Will had no idea what Data had been saying, but he was willing to bet that it was not intended to be humorous. "No, Data. I just saw something…" he thought about explaining it to them, but he didn't really want to explain it to the twelve year old to his left and even if he did explain it to Data, he doubted he would understand or at least find the humor in it. "It was nothing. Sorry."
"So you can just take off your arm? It doesn't even hurt?" Shaule picked up the conversation where it had apparently left off and the two of them returned to their banter while Will watched Deanna bid the Commodore a friendly good bye and move on to another table nearby.
He wondered if he should feel jealous, but somehow he couldn't seem to muster the emotion. Oddly, the one thing he felt for sure was relieved, relieved to see Deanna so at ease, so much like the Deanna he knew, the Deanna he was afraid he had lost.
After a while, a few guests made their way to their table, greeting Will as the representative from the Enterprise, as the Captain was still nowhere in sight. Will had a passing thought about being worried about the relative disappearance of his captain, but decided that he would rather worry about his whereabouts than to go looking for the captain and his date and find them in a situation that would embarrass them all. So instead, he graciously greeted guests and made excuses for his captain's absence.
Will had been visiting with the Emborian delegation for a few minutes near the balcony and when he returned to the table he found Data engrossed in conversation with one of the Huduuh delegates. The captain and doctor were still nowhere in sight, nor could he see Deanna or Batra or the Galian ambassador in the mulling crowd. What he could see was a twelve-year-old girl curled in her chair, her head resting on her arms on the table. It was nearing midnight, and Shaule looked exhausted. Her PADD was still clutched in her hand, but her eyes were closed, and her breaths were slow and even.
Will sank into the chair next to her and watched her sleep for another moment. He wondered what the room would think if he followed suite. It struck him as unjust occasionally, the things kids could get away with that adults couldn't. Soon Data joined him sitting at the table and after a few more moments, the captain and doctor wandered back towards the table as well, talking with Deanna and Batra on their way.
Will wondered if he would ever get to hear what the captain and doctor had spent most of the evening doing.
"Oh, no," Batra moaned when she saw her daughter curled up at the table.
Suddenly Ambassador Greer was swiftly walking towards the table. "Batra, please, there is someone I would like you to talk to."
Batra looked torn as she looked from her sleeping daughter to the ambassador. After a moment, she turned back to the ambassador. "I'm sorry, Ambassador. I should take my daughter back to our room. It's very late."
"Batra, this is Delegate Torgan. His vote is for the aid package as well as the planetary blockade," the ambassador urged.
"I can take Shaule home," Deanna offered.
The ambassador sighed. "I was hoping you could catch Ambassador Waorren. He had some questions for you."
"I'll just walk her back and hurry in," Deanna suggested.
Batra shook her head. "No, I'm uncomfortable with her staying alone. I need to go."
The ambassador looked troubled.
"I'll take her," Will offered scooting back from the table.
Batra looked surprised. "You wouldn't mind, Commander?"
"Not at all," Will admitted, realizing no matter how long he sat there, he wasn't going to be getting any time alone with Deanna. "Unless the captain objects," he offered.
The captain vaguely shook his head.
"It'll be fine," Will urged Batra. "You go on. I'll take care of her."
"Are you sure?" Deanna asked quietly.
"I can command a starship, I think I'm certainly capable of walking a twelve year old home and standing guard while she sleeps."
Batra still looked torn. "I would be very grateful, Commander. Shaule likes you very much. She will be comfortable with you there."
"Sure," Will tried to reassure her.
Batra gently stirred her daughter. "Shaule, go with Commander Riker. He will take you back to the cottage."
"Yes, Mother," Shaule said obediently, rising from her chair. She stopped briefly and handed her PADD to Data. "Here," she told him. "You can keep track of our marks."
With a bit of sleep in her step, and with a glance back at her mother as she headed off to another brief meeting, Shaule followed Will out of the hall and into the garden beyond the hall.
"Did you like the party?" Will asked as they walked.
Shaule only shrugged. She seemed overly quiet as they made their way along the lighted path that Will had walked earlier in the day to the cottage.
"It must be hard to be away from home for so long and your mother is so busy."
Shaule shrugged again.
"Are you just tired?" Will asked her. "It's after midnight."
Shaule raised her shoulders to shrug, but Will put one heavy hand on her shoulder. "I know you like to talk more than this," he told her.
"Commander Data and I were talking about school," she told him quietly as he stood watching her.
"Yeah."
"And I don't know," she shrugged again. "Commander? Can I ask you something if you promise not to tell my mother?"
"Uh oh," Will sighed. He leaned back on a fence that lined the path to the river and watched the young girl standing in front of him, swaying slightly. "I don't know that I can promise that. How about I'll try?"
Shaule frowned.
"Come on, try me," he urged her.
Shaule studied him for a while, apparently deciding if he was trustworthy. "What if…" she began tentatively. "What if I don't want to go home?'
"To the cottage?" Will asked hopefully gesturing down the path to the cottage.
"Home," Shaule said more confidently. "To Galia Prime? What if I wanted to stay on the Enterprise and go to school? I was reading a book they recommended at school, about a bell ringer in a church on Earth?"
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame?" Will asked.
"There was a gypsy," Shaule recalled. "She claimed sanctuary. Could…I claim sanctuary?"
Will thought for a long moment before he spoke. "Shaule, even if you didn't go back to Galia Prime, you couldn't just stay on the Enterprise. You would need some sort of a guardian…a family."
"You and Deanna could be my guardians," Shaule said brightly.
Will couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Ahh- Shaule, Deanna and I aren't…we aren't a family, at least not like what you would need. We…" he sighed again. It was like she was sucking the energy from him. "We've got a lot to figure out before we could be anything like that."
Will crouched down so he was on her eye level. "Shaule, I know that life at home is hard. I know it's not what you want. But that is what your parents are both fighting so hard for, to give you hope." He watched as the girl's mind churned in front of him.
"Besides, how would you really feel, not seeing your brother or father again, maybe for a very long time."
Shaule bit her lip and hung her head.
Will put an arm around her carefully. "Tough choices, huh? Not ones that someone your age should be making." He headed out again. "Come on. Let's get you home."
Reluctantly, Shaule walked on. "Commander?" she asked again.
"Yes?"
"If I go home…do I get to keep the dress?" she asked twirling from side to side.
Will felt himself laugh again. "The dress is yours to keep," he told her.
Shaule gave a little skip before darting out in front of him. "Commander, one more question."
"Let's hear it," he said following behind.
"What is a gypsy anyway?"
….
Once Shaule was safely in her room, Will settled in on the couch in the living area. He meant to find something to occupy him until Deanna and Batra had returned, but before he could even think of it, he had drifted off into a shallow sleep.
….
Deanna and Batra entered the room quietly, to not wake Shaule. But what they found was Commander Riker, leaning back on the couch, his neck kinked back, snoring slightly as he slept. Deanna shrugged her shoulders to Batra who smiled mischievously.
"It is very late," she whispered.
Deanna stepped towards the sleeping man. "Poor baby," she muttered, as she reached out and brushed her fingers through the front of his hair. Still he did not stir. Perhaps it would be more effective if she took a more direct approach.
….
Will didn't think he had fallen into a deep enough sleep to dream, but still the gentle pressure on his lips was tugging at his mind. It seemed so real… And in a moment he was awake and he opened his eyes to see Deanna standing over him, smiling.
"Deanna," he said, sitting up quickly.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hi."
Batra made a small sound clearing her throat, drawing each of their attention to the fact that there was someone else in the room.
"Thank you for escorting my daughter home Commander. It was very kind of you and I am grateful."
"Did you talk with the people you needed to?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes, thank you."
"Any word on the votes?" he asked.
"Not yet. Ambassador Greer is still talking with the last few stragglers," Deanna told him.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Almost 02:00."
"Well, I'll be sleeping. Good night Deanna, Commander," Batra said with a nod, stepping through the door to the room where her daughter already slept.
Will turned his attention back to where Deanna had settled into the couch next to him.
"You must be exhausted," he told her.
Deanna smiled peacefully. "I'm alright," she told him, with a slight sparkle in her eye.
"Yeah? You're not tired?"
"No, I am. I just missed you more." Deanna leaned into him and unlike the kiss that had woke him, which was light and gentle, this time she captured him and pulled herself onto his lap.
Will reacted to her in a fraction of a second, pulling her to him and returning her kiss as if he'd never had the privilege of kissing her ever in his life. His hands were on her shoulders holding her close to him, as she lavished his lower lip with fervent attention.
The passion that had been brewing for so long was suddenly roaring to life with amazing speed as his hands tangled into her hair, and her body pressed against him.
After what seemed like a small forever, at least enough to make up for the lack of attention earlier in the evening, Deanna finally pulled away enough to take a deep breath. "Hi," she whispered.
Will wanted to speak, but his head was still spinning. "Hi," he finally managed.
Deanna smiled at him, almost giddy at her ability to befuddle him, before she leaned in and kissed him again, greedily tasting his mouth against hers.
Will let her take charge, since he had no idea what her intentions were, at least until he was fairly sure that if he didn't get up and walk away at that moment, he wasn't going to leave at all. He sighed again as their lips parted. "I should go," he said regretfully.
Deanna practically curled up on his chest. "You don't have to," she told him. She looked deep into his eyes. "You could stay."
The offer took him aback a bit. As much as he loved the sound of what she was proposing, he couldn't help but glance to the door where Batra and Shaule were staying. That could make for an awkward moment. He had waited a long time…
"Deanna, I'd really rather not explain to a twelve year old girl what I'm doing here in the morning. On the other hand, my desire to leave before morning is really, really low."
Deanna smiled a sad but understanding smile. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could speak, there was a rapping on the door.
Will's heart sank slightly as he felt Deanna jump at the unexpected sound. It was a moment where he realized, in spite of the strength he had witnessed earlier in the evening, she still wasn't completely recovered. Maybe there was no such thing as a complete recovery.
Deanna smoothed her hair slightly as she hopped up and made her way to the door.
"Ambassador!" she called as she found Ambassador Greer on her step. "Come in."
"I was glad to see your lights still on. Is Batra awake?"
"Yes, of course," Batra called, emerging from her room. She had changed out of her ball gown and wore a dressing gown wrapped tightly around her. "Is something wrong, Ambassador?"
"Not at all. Something is very right. We have sixty votes! The aid package will pass first thing in the morning."
"Sixty?" Deanna asked, surprised.
"Confirmed yes votes, there are several more that are likely. The official vote will be tomorrow morning, but I have already spoken to Admiral Daugherty and he has authorized the first aid shipment to be delivered. It will be to Galia Prime in six days."
"Six days!" Batra cried. "I have to prepare, to make arrangements with others in our movement! And it took us five days just to get here!"
Will tried to calm the panic on Batra's face. "We'll increase speed, we can get you home in three."
"Still, we'll need to leave as soon as possible," Deanna concluded. "We'll need to miss the vote and the signing ceremony."
"I wish you could be there to see it," Ambassador Greer said sadly. "You worked so hard for it."
Batra smiled at him graciously. "I am sure, as the Federation representative of my people, you will handle the formalities with great dignity."
"What about the planetary blockade?" Will asked curiously, as he stood close to Deanna, unwilling to loose physical contact with her.
"Both Rivos and Dorn have asked to return to their home worlds and take the matter up with their respective governments. They are both Federation protectorates, and are hesitant to let Federation policies dictate to heavily on their people. They are not saying no, they just need more time."
"What about the other option?"
"We have Volt, Borrona Three and Four, and Sorta. But we are in need of three planets between Borrona Four and Sorta Prime as well as Sorta Five. It leaves us a long way to go. I still believe Rivos and Dorn are the best option, and I believe we can convince them both. But… I was hoping I could convince you to join me as I visit with their governments," he told Deanna.
Without a thought, Will's hand, that had been resting on Deanna's arm, closed around it to hold her. He had thought it was over, and now she was being asked to take off to a different part of the galaxy.
Deanna looked to Batra, who still looked overwhelmed, then to Will, and finally back to the ambassador at her door. "I'm sorry, but no, I can't," she told him. "My life has been placed on hold long enough. My place is on the Enterprise. You are a very skilled diplomat, Ambassador. I have full faith in your ability to convince these people."
"But they want to talk to you, both of you," he urged her. "Both delegations have already sent parties home to begin to talk to their governments…"
"Ambassador," Will broke in with what he hoped would be an acceptable compromise. "Both Deanna and Batra will be aboard the Enterprise for the next few days. Any and all of our recourses are at their disposal. If they could speak with them over sub-space channels…"
"Of course," Deanna offered. "We could speak to both of them, and still get Batra back before the first aid shipment arrives."
The ambassador let out a long, disappointed sigh, but finally nodded his head. "It will have to do," he told them. "I appreciate all that you have done, Counselor. And I respect your decision to return to your life."
"This is our fight now, not hers," Batra added, and the ambassador nodded.
"We would have never gotten this far without you," the ambassador told her gratefully, shaking Deanna's hand. "I would never…" He let the sentence die away, unfinished. "I owe you a great deal," he offered instead.
"Thank you, ambassador," Deanna replied.
Ambassador Greer turned his attention to Batra. "I will send the coordinates of the first deliveries to the Enterprise. Once I return to orbit, I will be in touch as we discussed."
"I look forward to it," Batra told him. "I will help as long as is necessary. But I'm sure it will only be a matter of time until a natural leader for the movement emerges."
The others looked back at her, and smiled.
"I am a surgeon," she reminded them. "A great leader will emerge."
"It would seem to me, that one already has," Ambassador Greer told her, taking her hands and kissing each palm, as was the Galian custom. "Good bye, Deanna," he said sadly. "Commander," he added.
"I'm sure we will speak soon," Deanna reminded him.
"I will make your apologies at the ceremony tomorrow." And with that, the ambassador was off again, back into the darkness of the night,
Batra looked around the cottage. "I need to pack," she told them.
"The Enterprise will need to make some preparations before leaving orbit," Will reminded them. "Why don't you get a few hours of rest?"
"I agree," Deanna said quietly. "We'll be aboard by 07:00."
"Thank you, Commander," Batra offered.
Will smiled kindly at the overwhelmed looking woman. "Well, it looks like I better get back to work," he told them both. "Goodnight Batra, Deanna," he turned and kissed Deanna on the cheek before following where the ambassador had disappeared down the dimly lit path.
"Commander," he heard Deanna call from behind him. He stopped and turned back to the cottage.
Deanna followed him hurriedly, until the light was dim enough where the darkness would obscure anyone's view. Without another word, she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, running her fingers along the back of his hair as she crushed his lips to hers, wasting no time as she slipped her tongue into his mouth and the fire that had been between them just a few minutes before returned.
Will reacted in kind, gladly drinking her in, running his hands along the silken fabric of her dress, down her back, over her bottom, wishing he had never turned down the idea of staying the night with her.
As quickly as it had begun, it ended and Deanna pulled away with one more light kiss to his cheek. "Good night Will," she said slipping from his arms and turning back to the cottage. "Pleasant dreams," she called over her shoulder as he watched her disappear through the door.
Will stood perfectly still in the darkness for a moment, just trying to gain some footing in the situation. He had work to do on the Enterprise, but his mind was completely focused on the woman who had just walked away from him. "She's trying to kill me," he muttered to himself as he turned away from the cottage for the last time, and made his way up the path to the conference center where he could return home.
