NCC-1701D - U.S.S. Enterprise, 2364

Deanna looked at the small babe cradled on her lap. She was hardly a babe anymore, and it still amazed her how quick she was growing. Dark, thick curls framed the toddler's sleeping face. Beauty and innocence rolled into a mini replica of her mother. She was two years old, almost three, and never had she spent a day away from Deanna.

"She comes first," she said, looking over at her commanding officer sitting across the desk, "But I assure you, Captain, this will not interfere with my duties."

"I understand, Counselor. I understand family always takes priority over duty."

"Thank you for your understanding, Captain."

"Er... Counselor, I don't mean to be indelicate, but her father?" The serene look on her face dropped.

"He's another kitten to kick, as my daddy used to say. I haven't spoken to him since I was pregnant." There was bitterness in her tone, her tongue sharper than a guillotine.

"He left you?"

"In a manner of speaking, Sir. He chose his career in Starfleet over me. That's why I chose not to tell him anything and raise my baby girl alone, while he galivanted across the galaxy. The one thing he always wanted more than anything was to be captain. Who was I to stop him?" Picard fell silent, eyes fixed on the babe. She fuzzed; Deanna's sight went straight to her at warp speed. She soothed, setting her to sleep again. A good mother, Picard decided, and a fine officer she'd make.

"Very well, Counselor, I appreciate your honesty and the disclosure," he said, "We should we meeting with our first officer in a couple of hours. Why don't you two get some rest in the meantime?"

"Thank you, Captain."

"Dismissed."

She had to admit it. The meeting with the Captain was formidable, but what was even more terrifying than that was seeing him again. It had been what… three, four years? And still she could feel her breathing catch in her throat when she saw him step out of the Captain's ready room and into the bridge.

Deanna was returning to her post at the bridge after long, lonely hours in her office. As she stepped out of the turbolift, she saw him. Still as handsome as she remembered, and still as hungry for adventure. Picard called to her.

"Counselor!" then turned to his young first officer, "I've asked her to join us in this meeting." He turned back to her and indicated towards the younger man, "May I introduce our new first officer, Commander William Riker. Mister Riker, our ship's counselor, Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi."

They shared looks for a short period of time. Will was obviously stunned to see her standing there, but she wasn't in the least surprised. She was hurt? Yes. She was angry? Like hell she was; but she was not surprised to see him there. She let her thoughts carry out, ingrain deep into his.

Do you remember what I taught you, Imzadi? Can you still sense my thoughts?

"A pleasure, Commander," she said, holding out her hand formally. He was visually nervous.

"I, ah…Likewise, Counselor." Picard studied the interaction with curiosity. He turned to Riker.

"Have you two met before?" Riker considered his answer carefully.

"We… we have, Sir."

"Excellent! I consider it important that my key officers know each other's abilities."

"We do, Sir; we do." Deanna spoke.

As they were getting ready to walk down to the turbolift, a male junior officer interrupted them and then a little squeal was heard. She turned around to find Lyra fuzzing in the young ensign's arms and reached out to her. Shock overcame her.

Mama!" Will's jaw nearly dropped, and his eyes opened wide as plates as Deanna reached out to the toddler. She was about three years old, and she had Deanna Troi everywhere, except for her eyes. Those were blue, and for some reason they reminded him of his mother's eyes, his own.

"Well, what's my Little Urchin doing here?" Her voice was soft as she calmed the inconsolable babe.

"I found her roaming around deck nine looking for her mother, Ma'am. I asked her and she said her mother's name was Deanna Troi. I tried to reach you in your office, but you'd already gone out."

"Thank you, Ensign," she smiled kindly, "I'll take it from here. Urchin, say 'bye bye' to the ensign." The toddler waved bye with a small, chubby hand; then clung to her mother for dear life. Deanna turned to look at the captain, an apologetic look in her eyes.

"I'm really sorry, Sir, I know how you feel about having children on the bridge, but she's part Betazoid, and she's never been anywhere with these many minds before."

"Oh, it's alright Counselor."

"I'll contact Ensign Miller, to come pick her up in transporter room 3, Sir." She did so, then walked into the turbolift with them both. Will was still in shock with realization and surprise. Suddenly he felt the voice, so vivid in his prefrontal cortex.

I, too, would never say goodbye, Imzadi.

The mission was long and difficult, but after everything was sorted out and the reports filled, Will searched for Deanna zealously. He was delighted to find out her quarters were on the same deck as his, just a few doors down from his own. He knocked on the door and waited for her to answer. When the reply came, the doors slid open.

"Hey," He said, "May I speak with you?" She looked different and yet familiar at the same time. He peeked around the room. There were toys in every corner and baby items everywhere, from a pacifier to a yellow blanket with a stuffed giraffe on top.

"Right now, is not a good time, Commander," she looked weary and her tone was sharp, "Lyra is having a bit of trouble adapting, so is mayhem around here. She's inconsolable."

"It is about her that I want to talk."

"What would you want to talk about my daughter? If it is because of what happened on the bridge yesterday, I assure you it won't happen again, Commander."

"No, it's not that. It's just this doubt is killing me. How old is she?"

"Two. She'll be three by the end of August."

"I knew it! Is she my daughter?" Silence. Cold, hard silence. "Deanna, is she my daughter?" He asked again, pacing the last four words sharply for emphasis. She nodded, finally. Something came over him. Happiness, he realized.

"Can I see her?"

"I just put her down for a nap, but if you've got a couple of hours, you can wait for her to wake up, and I guess I owe you an explanation."

"You bet," he smiled at her, sat down on the couch when she motioned him to.

"Coffee?"

"Please."

"Milk and two sugars?"

"You remember."

"Unfortunately."

"Ouch, that hurts! Tell whoever sharpened your tongue they need him in 18th century France."

"I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to harm your fragile ego, Commander," she handed him his cup and sat across him on the couch, "I'm the opposite of the Deanna Troi you met years ago. In fact, the only thing we have in common is the height. What do you want to know?"

"When did you find out you were pregnant?"

"About three weeks after you left, I was planning on telling you when we saw each other on Risa, but that plan got thwarted halfway through."

"Why didn't you tell me through subspace? I would've dropped everything to come find you."

"Precisely because I knew you would drop everything to come find me is why I didn't tell you. More than anything, all you've ever wanted was to captain your own ship; and who was I to stop you?"

"When was she born?"

"August 28, 2362. Stardate 40538.8. She weighted a little under three kilograms and I could fit her little head in the palm of my hand. The minute they put her into my arms, I was smitten. And the next minute I was terrified for what might happen to her in the future. After that, well let's just say it was part joy and part guerrilla warfare."

"Do you have any pictures?" he tried, and saw Deanna stand up, walk to the bookcase and pull out a computer chip from a small wooden box. She handed it to him.

"This is all I have for Lyra. Everything is in there; every birthday and milestone."

"Thank you." Then it downed on him, "Wait a minute, Deanna. Your pregnancy, was that what you had to talk to me about and didn't wanted through sub?" She nodded.

"It didn't seem appropriate. But I knew that at some point or another you and I would meet again, and Lyra would want to meet her father, so I kept track."

"Thank you."

The shuffling of little feet made Deanna turn around and Will look up to see the toddler walk in, slightly rubbing her eyes. She looked just like Deanna except for her eyes. Those eyes had Betty Riker written all over them. Lyra Troi had his mother's eyes, and that was all the proof he needed to know Deanna was telling the truth.

"Mama?" Her voice was squeaky, and it made her sound like a cartoon character.

"Come here, Sweetheart," Deanna scooped her into her arms and nestled her on her hip" She sat back down on the couch with the girl on her lap, rearranged the obsidian mass of curls under a ribbon, then spoke again.

"Baby, do you remember what I told you about your daddy?"

"Yes, mommy. That he was away working, and that he couldn't come see me."

"Exactly, Sweetheart. I have someone I'd like you to meet. This is Commander William Riker."

"Hello, Commander."

"Why don't you try 'Daddy', Love?" the mother said, looking as her daughter's face changed from confused to surprised and then back to confused. She observed the strange man before her, looked back at her mother. Deanna nodded in affirmation and observed partly amused and part relieved how the toddler moved on to pull Will into a hug.

"Hello, Daddy," she corrected, and it made Will smile. Deanna was right; he was instantly smitten. With that smile so much like his own, and that cartoon character voice he was absolutely done for.

"Hey there, Princess." Deanna smiled. Blood was certainly thicker than water, and she had to admit, like father like daughter. For the first time in three years, she felt the burden on her heart lighten and the constant ruminating stop for once. Yes, she was finally at peace again. Or so she thought.