Chapter Six: Two Hours
Following their socialization in Ten Forward, Riker invited the counselor back to his quarters. Naturally, she agreed. They'd had little time to eat in Ten Forward due to the approachability of Lieutenant al'Vere, an officer whom they agreed had much potential, and seemed extremely kind. al'Vere was overwhelmed with introductions, and a few people that had known her or her husband John (who was apparently a prodigious teacher of music).
Finally, the doors shut behind them.
"I'm exhausted," Deanna declared, taking a seat at the table.
"Don't worry about a thing," Will grinned, "tell me what you like, and I shall prepare it."
"Mmm… how about chocolate milk and a small garden salad."
"Nothing exotic?"
"I'm too tired to be exotic."
"Hmm… let's hope that doesn't present a problem." Riker waited until he turned around to grin at his own comment. He stood at the replicator: "One chocolate milk, 15.5 degrees Celcius, and a small garden salad."
"Please specifiy what you desire in your garden salad." The computer was never pleased with Captain Riker.
"Tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and carrots," he ordered.
Deanna smiled; he knew her likes and dislikes so well.
Riker delivered the food to her and then ordered a glass of synthehol and replicated Halibut. He joined her at the table, looking into her eyes.
"You know, I think I forgot something."
Before she could reply, he stood up and walked briskly to his bathroom area. Riker returned with a single white rose in a dark green vase. He placed it simply on the table.
"For you."
Deanna smiled, and extended her hand to touch his face lovingly.
"Imzadi," she said in his mind, though she meant to say it aloud.
For once, he did not seem uncomfortable with that word or relationship.
The couple continued their dinner, discussing the day's events.
"You know, I can't go ahead and fire Lawenhauer," he said, "but I must confess that I want to. He's dreadfully annoying."
Troi became analytical.
"He definitely has his fair share of walls, but no more than most people. It is extremely important to him that you like him and trust him."
"If he performs effectively, I might do that, but his constant demand of attention is too much to deal with. al'Vere is promising, though."
"Not too promising for you, I hope." Deanna jested, but the pain of the past was there.
"You must trust me." He took her hand abruptly, and kissed it.
"And when, captain, does our first assignment arrive?"
"Two hours."
They both grinned at the prospect of two hours alone.
Following their socialization in Ten Forward, Riker invited the counselor back to his quarters. Naturally, she agreed. They'd had little time to eat in Ten Forward due to the approachability of Lieutenant al'Vere, an officer whom they agreed had much potential, and seemed extremely kind. al'Vere was overwhelmed with introductions, and a few people that had known her or her husband John (who was apparently a prodigious teacher of music).
Finally, the doors shut behind them.
"I'm exhausted," Deanna declared, taking a seat at the table.
"Don't worry about a thing," Will grinned, "tell me what you like, and I shall prepare it."
"Mmm… how about chocolate milk and a small garden salad."
"Nothing exotic?"
"I'm too tired to be exotic."
"Hmm… let's hope that doesn't present a problem." Riker waited until he turned around to grin at his own comment. He stood at the replicator: "One chocolate milk, 15.5 degrees Celcius, and a small garden salad."
"Please specifiy what you desire in your garden salad." The computer was never pleased with Captain Riker.
"Tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and carrots," he ordered.
Deanna smiled; he knew her likes and dislikes so well.
Riker delivered the food to her and then ordered a glass of synthehol and replicated Halibut. He joined her at the table, looking into her eyes.
"You know, I think I forgot something."
Before she could reply, he stood up and walked briskly to his bathroom area. Riker returned with a single white rose in a dark green vase. He placed it simply on the table.
"For you."
Deanna smiled, and extended her hand to touch his face lovingly.
"Imzadi," she said in his mind, though she meant to say it aloud.
For once, he did not seem uncomfortable with that word or relationship.
The couple continued their dinner, discussing the day's events.
"You know, I can't go ahead and fire Lawenhauer," he said, "but I must confess that I want to. He's dreadfully annoying."
Troi became analytical.
"He definitely has his fair share of walls, but no more than most people. It is extremely important to him that you like him and trust him."
"If he performs effectively, I might do that, but his constant demand of attention is too much to deal with. al'Vere is promising, though."
"Not too promising for you, I hope." Deanna jested, but the pain of the past was there.
"You must trust me." He took her hand abruptly, and kissed it.
"And when, captain, does our first assignment arrive?"
"Two hours."
They both grinned at the prospect of two hours alone.