Chapter Fifteen

(A special thank you must be made to the author Peter David. It was from his book Imzadi, that I gathered the details of the Betazoid wedding ceremony. I mean no infringement on him or his work. It also has to be noted that any phrases surrounded by * are communicated telepathically.)

"Kathryn, I don't see why I have to wear this blasted dress uniform if I am just going to take it off!" Chakotay continued to pull at the collar as he spoke.

"I told you that the reception is formal."

"Interesting idea-nude wedding but formal reception."

"You knew going in Commander."

"I wouldn't exactly say I knew. I repeat I thought it was a joke. I thought you were flirting."

"You thought or you wished."

He swept her into his arms and kissed her. "Both!" They continued walking hand in hand to the designated building. When they got to the front steps Chakotay stopped. "I am usually not shy but I am ready to jump out of my skin! This just feels weird. The only person I want looking at me nude is you."

Kathryn knew exactly what he was worried about. "Her mother will be too caught up in the wedding of her only daughter to even glance your way."

He looked at her hopefully. "Do you think so?"

Kathryn began to walk again. He pulled her arm to stop her. "I asked you a question." His voice was forceful. "Do you really think so?"

Kathryn shrugged her shoulders in defeat. "No. But we owe it to Deanna to act properly despite what her mother might or might not do. Besides there shouldn't be that many people at the actually ceremony. You know what Deanna said - the ceremony was just for friends and family but the reception is a big formal Starfleet event." They both reluctantly entered the building.

They found themselves in a large room. The room was filled with yet it had no furniture in it. Around the room on the walls were areas that looked like small closets. There were hangers and hooks and boxes on the floor. The stark reality of disrobing in public hit Kathryn like a tidal wave. Suddenly she was very nervous. She instinctively reached for Chakotay's hand. The couple stood hands entwined and took in their surroundings. The room was hot. It had a feel similar to a tropical region, hot and humid. Neither of them could understand this considering the barrenness of the room. They both noticed a door that must have led to another room. The other thing they both noticed was the absolute silence. There was not a sound being made in the room. They were reluctant to speak because of it. They both quickly realized the irony in this since everyone in the room could read their minds. More people continued to enter the outer room.

"It's not everyday that the daughter of the Fifth House, whose mother is the Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rux, and Heir to The Holy Rings of Betazed gets married."

Kathryn was startled by the sound of a voice. She did not know the man who was speaking. "No, I don't suppose it is." When she turned to ask him who he was he was already gone.

They both were startled by another voice directly behind them. "It's too damned quiet in here."

Chakotay and the Captain turned around and saw them. "Captain Picard, Beverly it is wonderful to see you."

Picard stood with his arm protectively on his wife's back. "All this silence is very eerie. I never get used to it."

Kathryn looked around. "It is nerve wracking. I have a very strange feeling that they are talking about me."

Beverly chimed in. "It's like a cycle. You think they are talking about you. Then you realize you are thinking it and that they can read your mind. Then you try to not think about it which of course makes you think of it even more. It is just ridiculous."

Kathryn smiled at Beverly. She had summed up her feelings exactly.

Picard leaned over and kissed his wife. "I better go. I am sure Lwaxana is driving Deanna crazy." Picard left his wife with their new friends and entered the inner room. Once he opened the door a wave of tropical breeze spread throughout the room. The strong smell of flowers swirled through the air.

Chakotay stood between Kathryn and Beverly, happy to have some conversation to distract him. "Where is he going?"

"Deanna asked if he would lead her mother into the ceremony. He will act in her father's stead." Before anyone else could speak the doors opened inviting everyone inside. The crowd began undressing and taking their seats for the ceremony.

Deanna and her mother were in a private room adjoining the ceremonial room. Her mother was arranging the curls that swept down the side of her daughter's face. Deanna sat in front of the mirror at the vanity table while her mother stood behind her.

* There is no reason to be nervous Little One. You chose him long ago.*

*Yes, mother.*

Lwaxana grabbed her chest in shock. * You're worried about me! You think I'll make a scene!*

It was useless denying it. *You are not exactly thrilled with this marriage.*

Lwaxana pulled up a chair and sat down next to her daughter. She turned Deanna around to face her and took her face into her hands. * I am thrilled Little One!*

Deanna pulled her face away in disgust and walked to the other side of the room. *Please don't lie to me! You don't need to be empathic to know how you feel about Will.*

*Apparently you do! I am thrilled about this wedding. He is your imzadi.*

Deanna was stunned. She had no sense that her mother was deceiving her. *Why mother, after all these years?*

*I could ask you the same thing.* Lwaxana took a deep breath. She stood up and moved about the room. Deanna watched her mother. To her she no longer looked like the domineering leader of the fifth house. She looked like a woman lost in a memory. A vulnerable woman lost in a memory of sadness. * When I met your father it was pure ecstasy. I knew he was the one instantly. I too was betrothed to someone else at the time yet I gave him my heart. I defied my parents and married him.*

Deanna was amazed at her mother. It was rare for her to reveal her true self even to her daughter. When her mother turned to face her she saw tears in her eyes.

*Losing him was the most painful experience of my life. Any other relationship I ever had never came within one iota of that one.* Lwaxana smiled nostalgically. * He was my imzadi.*

Deanna stood up and faced her mother. All the years of frustration and fighting with her mother over Will seemed to come to the surface. Deanna was angry. She spoke out loud to her mother. She didn't need to yell to make her point. The simple fact that she was speaking out loud was enough to make her mother understand. " If you understood, then why did you fight me for so long. It would have been much easier if I had your blessing!"

Deanna waited. Her mother sat in the chair at the vanity and began to fuss with her own hair. She thought for awhile before she spoke, which was something she was unaccustomed to. She leveled the playing field and spoke her words out loud also. "Little One I did not approve, until now. His spirit was restless, immature. He wasn't ready to be a man, much less a husband. He needed to be happy with himself before he could be happy with you. Look within yourself Little One and you will see that I am right."

Deanna eyes glistened with unshed tears. *When did you get so wise?*

Lwaxana stood up and hugged her only daughter. *I always was, you just never listened!*

Mother took daughter by the hand and marched toward the door. *Let's go. You have a handsome Commander waiting to become your husband and I have a dramatic performance to put on.*

*Not too dramatic mother.*

Lwaxana laughed and bowed in theatrical fashion. *They will be talking about my wailing for years to come.*

Deanna frowned and headed to the door. The moment was gone. Her mother was back to her old self. Deanna halted just short of the hallway. *MOTHER!*

*Come on, don't tell me you haven't thought the same thing. The dimples were enough to get me. I am sure he has a rock hard physique underneath that Starfleet uniform and I intend to enjoy every moment of seeing it. I might just give that Captain what's her name a run for her money.* Lwaxana swept out of the room to meet her escort Captain Picard.

At that exact moment the calm she had recently acquired completely vanished from Deanna's body.

As Kathryn took off her uniform pants she asked Beverly, "Tell me again why I am doing this?"

Beverly laughed. "Because we are Starfleet officers and we are good at doing what we are told even if it feels ridiculous! Just be glad you are not eight months pregnant and look like me."

Chakotay escorted both women into the room. "You look lovely Beverly."

"You are a charmer Commander."

Kathryn replied. "You're not the first woman to tell him that." His encounter with Lwaxana returned to the forefront of his mind. His apprehension returned.

Chakotay led them to seats on the far left of the room. The room was not that large. There were six rows of chairs on each side. Every row had five chairs in it. Chakotay chose the third row. Beverly went in first and went all the way to the far end. Chakotay entered next followed by Kathryn. The three sat down on the softly cushioned chairs and stared straight ahead. Chakotay placed his hands folded in his lap. Kathryn in turn crossed her legs. It took a few minutes and a lot of courage before any of them would look around. The room was completely white. It was filled with dozens of floral arrangements all of which were also white. The smell was beautiful. It reminded Chakotay of the jungle where he and Picard had visited. In the front row on the right was Deanna. She sat alone. Her shoulders were straight and proud. Her black hair was swept up in the back with various pieces of curls sweeping across her neck and ears. She wore a white headband around her head. Kathryn remembered reading somewhere that it was symbolic of something. "Deanna looks radiant. Doesn't she Chakotay?"

"Yes, she does." He fidgeted. He wasn't sure where to look and more importantly he wasn't sure what to think. He closed his eyes and attempted to meditate for a minute to bring his emotions under control. It was extremely difficult to be sitting next to Kathryn right now. He was annoyed with himself. He was used to having much better control of his body. He didn't want to embarrass her so he begged his spirit guide to bring him calm.

Kathryn didn't noticed Chakotay's turmoil because another couple joined them in the seats next to her. It was the same man who spoke to her in the outer room. He smiled at her as he sat down. This time he introduced himself. "I am Gart. My daughter, Chandra, is Deanna's best friend and attendant."

"I am Captain Janeway from the Federation. I am an old friend of Commander Riker."

"It is nice to meet you. It was at my daughter's wedding that I first met Commander Riker. He made quite an impression." Gart smirked as he remembered the young man's unbridled thoughts. He looked over at the Captain again. "You are uncomfortable."

Kathryn was startled by his bluntness but then she remembered he could read her mind.

"I am sorry Captain. I did not mean to intrude. It is just that many newcomers to Betazed find our ways strange."

"I don't think I would call them strange, unique maybe."

The man chuckled. "Spoken like an ambassador. Our ways are unique. They are old and steeped in tradition. He pointed to the walls. "The color white is used to represent purity. It is also used in simplicity so it takes nothing away from the Betazoid inscriptions on each panel. The flowers are from our own jungle. They are used to represent beauty." He stopped which left Kathryn wondering about the nudity.

"Ah yes, the nudity. It symbolizes that physicality and spirituality are one. There is nothing to hide. Everyone in their nudity is sharing in the spirit of unity and harmony."

"It is a little less disconcerting knowing the history behind it. How will I know what is going on in the ceremony if I cannot read minds?"

"The ceremony will be spoken out loud. It is done in deference to off worlders or those among us whose powers are not that strong." Just then a door on the left side of the chapel opened and William T. Riker walked out. He was alone. He had no family representing him. No one to perform the rituals of the male in the bonding but he did not mind. He had waited years for this day. Finally they were ready and they were here. His eyes caught sight of Deanna. She was as lovely as the day when he first saw her in this very place. This time his mind was not filled with sexual thoughts but with thoughts of love. His mind and his heart were overwhelmed at the thought of joining his life with hers. Deanna saw him and she smiled. Although she could not read everyone in the room, she could read him. She understood what he was feeling and she shared it with him. They locked eyes and relished their private spiritual bonding. Some guests were nodding to one another. Many remembered the brash young man and his appearance at Chandra's wedding. They all agreed that he had come a long way along the journey of life and no one doubted that he and Deanna were where they both should be.

It took a few moments for the Federation guests to realize that they had relaxed. They, too, were caught up in the scene before them. Chakotay brushed Kathryn's hand with his and leaned down and whispered in her ear, "soon."

Everyone's attention was drawn to the door on the right. A cry escaped the other room as the door opened. Picard entered with his back to the people. He was practically dragging a woman through the door. Lwaxana was wailing. "No, Deanna, No." Picard continued to pull her as her sobs increased. She was on the verge of hysteria. Kathryn and Chakotay looked about frantically. No one was moving. No one was even reacting besides Captain Picard. He had moved to her side and put his arm around her shoulder. They had made it to about three meters from the alter when Lwaxana cried out again and fainted dead in Picard's arms. Chakotay moved without thinking. He was heading out of the aisle to help the Captain when Gart reached out his hand to block Chakotay's way. Before Chakotay could push the man away, Gart told him that it was a symbolic gesture. It was all part of the ceremony. Chakotay went back to his seat feeling a little foolish yet relieved. Kathryn stroked his arm and leaned into him. "Just think what Lwaxana would have done if she opened her eyes and found you looking down at her instead of Captain Picard!" Chakotay shuddered just a little.

The Captain and Lwaxana had made it to their seats next to Deanna. Another woman walked in. She had long blonde hair and like Beverly she was visibly pregnant. The man next to Kathryn smiled broadly. He looked down the aisle at Commander Riker's guest. "My daughter."

"She is lovely." Kathryn told him.

The Betezed man sighed. "Yes, she is, even more so now that she is carrying my grandchild!"

Kathryn thought of her mother and her last words when she left for the wedding. All parents are the same she thought.

The blonde haired woman walked over and stood directly in front of Deanna. "I summon you to the place of marriage." She reached out a hand to Deanna who stood up and took it. Chandra led Deanna to the place on the ceremonial alter next to Riker. As she did a quiet cry was heard front the front row. Lwaxana could not control herself. The only difference was that this time the tears were real.

The clergyman began to speak. He lifted up the old scroll that was in his hands. He read the words first spoken by the ancient people of Betazed. He spoke in their ancient tongue long since discarded for a more modern version similar to earth's English. Even though Kathryn could not understand the words she could feel the beauty of it. Will and Deanna had turned to face each other and took each other's hands. After each sentence the clergyman spoke, the couple said yes, and that was followed by the soft bang of a gong. After the final declaration, the clergyman rolled up the scroll and carefully placed it in its ornate gold box. The couple dropped hands as Will walked to the side of the altar and retrieved a silver tray. He returned to Deanna and placed the tray on the podium just behind them. "In accordance with earth tradition, the place of the groom's birth, the couple would now like to recite their own vows." The clergyman walked up the steps of the altar and sat in a chair that reminded Chakotay of a throne. Once he sat everyone attending did the same.

Deanna once again took Will's hand. She took a gold band from the tray and slipped it on his finger and began to speak.

"With this ring I pledge you my life. I will stand beside you for all the years to come. I will nurture you and love you and be your partner in all we do. I do not have to pledge you my heart for you captured that the day you sat in this very same room. You helped teach me to reach for the best in me, to challenge myself to grow and fulfill my own destiny. Though the road was long and filled with many twists and turns I have found my destiny and it is right where it all began, in this ceremonial room with you, Will Riker." There were tears in everyone's eyes by the time Deanna had finished. Lwaxana dabbed the corner of each eye as she projected her thoughts to her daughter. *Well done Little One.*

Will leaned over and kissed Deanna gently on the head. He took a matching ring from the tray on the podium and placed it on her finger. He took her hand in his and took a deep breath. There was silence in the room. Suddenly there was a collective gasp from the Betazoids in attendance.

*Deanna with this ring I pledge you my life, for without you I am nothing more than a shell of a man. I spent years chasing dreams that did not make me happy. The only happiness I have found in life was when I was with you.*

Kathryn and Chakotay looked around. Everyone was staring intently at Will as if they were listening to him but he was not speaking. She looked at Gart who caught her eye and saw her confusion. He leaned over and spoke softly. "He is communicating telepathically. He honors her greatly in doing this." She mouthed the word, "oh," and relayed the idea to her friends. Even though they could not hear him they watched his face and read his expressions.

*You are the piece of my soul that brings forth the goodness and light. I thank the gods the day I agreed to attend Chandra's wedding, for it was the day of my awakening, the day I found my life. I am yours in mind and body. I will not betray our commitment in action or spirit. I will do everything in my power to bring you everlasting joy, for you are my imzadi.* There was another gasp from the people.

Kathryn looked around the room and saw tears streaming down almost every woman's face. Her attention returned to the altar when Will turned and walked down the aisle and stood and faced Lwaxana. * Lwaxana, ruler of The Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rux, Heir to The Holy Rings of Betazed - on this day I give you my solemn promise to love your daughter with all my heart, to protect her with all my strength, to desire her and only her with my body, and to trust her with my being. I vow to honor her Betazoid traditions in both our lives and those of our children. Lwaxana, I promise to be all she needs and more.*

Lwaxana stood up and placed her hand on her new son-in-law's cheek. She decided to honor his heritage as he had done hers. She opened her mouth and spoke. "Will Riker, we have been adversaries in the past. You viewed me as an obstacle you needed to overcome in order to reach my daughter. I was not an obstacle but merely a guardian. I have watched you progress in both emotional and mental ability. You have gone from a brash, arrogant young man to an astute confident grown man. It is with great joy that I witnessed the joining of my daughter to a man who has become worthy of her." Lwaxana kissed him on the cheek. "I am proud to call you son-in-law."

The exchange seemed tremendously out-of-character to everyone who knew her but Lwaxana had depth that few people understood.

Will returned to the altar and took Deanna's hand once again. This time he spoke his declaration out loud for all to hear. "Deanna, with this ring I pledge you my life, for without you I am nothing more than a shell of a man. I spent years chasing dreams that did not make me happy. The only happiness I have found in life was when I was with you. You are the piece of my soul that brings forth the goodness and light. I thank the gods for the day I agreed to attend Chandra's wedding, for it was the day of my awakening, the day I found my life. I am yours in mind and body. I will not betray our commitment in action or spirit. I will do everything in my power to bring you everlasting joy, for you are my imzadi."

As Kathryn listened she was caught in the beauty of his words. Her cheeks were wet with tears. Chakotay reached a hand up and wiped her tears. Both of them were remembering their own declaration. He once again took her hand and squeezed it. Someday soon it would be them exchanging vows. Any outsider watching the wedding may have found it absurd. A grown man completely naked, pledging his love to a woman also naked, in front of guests who were all crying, who also happened to be naked. Yet the beauty of the ceremony and the depth of the couple's love all but made everyone forget their initial discomfort. They were simply people sharing the union of two people deeply in love.

The clergyman joined the couple at the bottom of the altar. "In another tradition that is unique to earth- I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Will scooped Deanna up and exuberantly swung her around as he kissed her lips. The gesture seemed fitting in the uniqueness of the wedding. The guests stood as the newly married couple prepared to leave. The new Mr. and Mrs. Riker led the way down the aisle. When they reached the back of the room Captain Picard and Lwaxana Troi headed down the same aisle. Lwaxana was on Picard's left as they began to walk. She stopped when she reached the end of the third row. She looked pointedly at Commander Chakotay. Her eyes scanned every inch of his body from head to toe. She smiled wickedly as her eyes returned to his face. She laughed very softly and continued on her journey down the aisle to the reception.

Every ounce of admiration she had gained with her declaration to her son-in-law vanished in the instant she devoured Chakotay with her eyes. Picard couldn't help but chuckle. 'Lwaxana was back with vengeance.'