The pain and emptiness that Deanna had been experiencing in the last few days grew as Will Riker accompanied her to Sickbay. Her eyes were set straight ahead, though the seldom-prevailing, less professional side of her wanted to hold Will's hand. Usually when she wanted to hold his hand, it was for his sake. He needed the help. As this abstract feeling grew, it was now she that needed him. She wasn't exactly opening her mind up to Will right now, but she was seeing as much as she could of his own mind. A distinct image of the sun pouring through a rugged wooden window pane was very strong in his mind at the moment. He then thought of sleeping next to her; he seemed to compare the fresh warmth of her body to the rays of sun that felt so comfortable at home. The pair displayed a twin expression of shock as they entered Sickbay. It was Wesley Crusher who was on the bio-bed in his crisply new red uniform. Beverly turned. Deanna expected her friend and colleague to display the bereaved face the doctor often wore in private, or when thinking of Jack. Her emotions conveyed that expression, but it was apparent that Beverly was doing the best she could to be professional.

"I'm worried about being professional where my love life is concerned," Deanna thought, "and look how selfish I have been."

Deanna embraced her friend. Beverly made it seem as awkward as she always felt when she was on the receiving end of comforting attention. The doctor then backed away and looked at the pair.

"It seems like some type of multiple personality disorder." Beverly's eyes began to tear, but she continued. "He came to me to tell me that something was wrong. Data came with him insisting that Wesley seemed fine, but that he should see me, and then he just lapsed, as if he were another person. He wasn't acting violent and I had him lay down here, but as soon as I started to determine his seratonin levels-the most basic step of course-he started flailing his arms and he just wasn't my Wesley. Data restrained him until I was able to prepare a sedative.do you want me to wake him to speak to you or. what else should I do?"

Beverly wound her hands around each other busily, as if washing them. She looked awkward with no other patients to tend and no tricorder in her hand. Deanna sensed and saw the guilt Beverly felt, but knew that more than anything, she just wanted answers about what had suddenly taken Wesley by surprise.

"We will have to wake him up, Berverly. I think it would be best if the Captain was here, and notified.

"If I was in her position," she thought, "I'd want Will here."

"Jean-Luc is presently detained," Beverly replied somewhat coldly, "with your mother. In Ten Forward."

Riker would have chuckled had surrounding situations been any different. He placed a hand meaningfully on Beverly's shoulder.

"I'm sure he's trying to escape," he assured the doctor. "I will bring him here personally. I'd get Data back in here, too, just in case." Riker avoided looking at the Ensign on the table, but Deanna was quite focused on him.

Beverly nodded with a somber determination as Deanna helped her sit, wait and watch.