Chapter Eight: Dressing up

As she looked at herself in the mirror she still couldn't believe she had let Beverly talk her into this.

"Forget it Bev. I'm not going." The redhead stepped behind her and looked at their reflections.

"Hey, I didn't just spend an hour doing your hair and make-up only to have you go back to your quarters and wash it all off."

"Why do we have to dress up like this?" Beverly walked to her bed and stepped into the gold-coloured pumps standing at the foot of the bed.

"Because I know Will Riker and you'll have to make him not forget about you." Like she had done many times before that night Deanna summoned all her inner strength to keep her mask in place. Her friend already stood by the parted door, ready to walk out. "Now come on, or we're going to be unfashionably late." Both women left the Doctor's quarters and headed to those of the First Officer. One was looking forward to their arrival and the reactions of the others; the other was dreading exactly that. Both were pleased by the surprised and admiring looks they got from passing crewmembers. 'How am I going to get myself through this?' When Beverly was about to ring the door chimes Deanna stopped her.

"Give me a minute Bev." With interest she watched the Betazoid who was clearly concentrating on something.

"What were you doing?" She asked as soon as Deanna's eyes opened.

"Blocking my senses for the poker game."

Deanna, come in. Almost instantly the doors slid open and Deanna plus a very surprised Beverly walked in. Will came up to them but froze as he saw them. And although she knew she shouldn't Deanna allowed herself to sense him. There it was: love, admiration and awe.

Riker studied his best friend carefully. Her silky ebony hair was been put up and pulled together by numerous tiny silver clips which allowed quite a few tendrils to drape down her neck, back and shoulders. A dozen silver strands were woven through her hair, creating a shiny glow around her. The make-up around her eyes made them appear larger than normal. Her lips where as red as red could be, matching the colour of her dress and shoes.

Her dress was rather simple; fitting around her upper body as a second skin. Two very thin silver straps were the only things holding the dress in place. A folded vertical band across her chest was decorated by several shiny stones. The snug fit of material around her waist and hips left nothing to the imagination. As soon as it reached her thighs the material exploded into a wide skirt that reached down to the floor. Until she walked up to him he didn't see the slit starting halfway her right thigh. She was so close that he could feel her warm soft breath against his neck. So close that if he had wanted to he could reach down and kiss her.

"Glad you like it." As she passed him he couldn't help from turning and following her with his eyes. Her back was left naked until the upper edge of her hips. Then a civilized yet insistent cough came from behind him. Reluctantly he turned around to see an annoyed and insulted looking woman. Beverly and Deanna quickly exchanged a wink before Beverly began to attack Will.

"Where have your manners gone Commander? You know very well it's impolite to keep a lady unattended; especially after she put herself through 2 hours of self-torture by dressing up for *your* party." For a moment he really believed she *was* insulted...until he saw the little, mischievous twinkle in her eyes. When he was about to make a witty comment in response he suddenly found his chance being taken away by Geordi.

"What is it Riker? You're not trying to keep all the women for yourself are you?!" Geordi's reaction was very much the same as Riker's when he saw the two women on either side of his Commander with a sheepish look on his face.

"Ouch; tough choice huh, Commander?" Without hesitation the engineer stretched his hand out to the Counselor who accepted and let the blind man guide her to the poker table.

"Well, I guess that leaves me with you." The Doctor sounded less than pleased and proceeded her 'companion' without glancing at him. Despite not quite understanding the situation, Will followed her dumbly. Intrigued, Data tilted his head as he studied the two women.

"Doctor, Counselor; may I ask what the reason is for your...unusual way of dressing tonight?" They quickly exchanged looks; this was enough for Beverly to understand Deanna wanted her to do the talking.

"Well Data; Deanna and I thought that since this is sort of a goodbye party for the Commander, we might please him by dressing up in this way." She turned her head to throw Riker a disdainful glance. "Apparently, I was mistaken."

"I see, an interesting notion. You picked those clothes to impress Commander Riker, but they didn't have the desired effect. You had expected the Commander to make compliments and give you attention, but instead he has this rather strange apathetic look." Deanna frowned and when her eyes met Beverly's both women laughed gently.

"Quite correct Data."

"Thank you Counselor." Turning to Will Data seemed to access one of his databases. "Commander, you are know as what humans call a ladies man, or in more ancient terms a lady-killer." The android tipped his head to the left and blinked his eyes. In the meantime Deanna took a seat next to Geordi and Beverly sat down on her other side. "Then, as a ladies man, should you not overwhelm the Counselor and the Doctor with compliments?" Tipping his head back Data awaited Will's answer with curiosity. When none came Deanna gathered all her inner strength and forced herself to lock her eyes onto his.

"Data *has* a point there, Will." Her intense look burned in his eyes and had the intended effect.

"Well Data, you see, sometimes a woman can look so astoundingly beautiful..." He had not released Deanna's eyes, but instead intensified his gaze. "...That she takes the breath away of even a ladies man." The Betazoid ground her teeth in order not to let anger and fear take control. 'My God, she's so da*n beautiful.' Almost hearing his thought she clenched her hands into fists. 'That dress is gorgeous; I'll take one with me for Lyana.' After hearing that devastating thought her eyes briefly shot fire, but Deanna simply bent her head and closed her eyes for a second.

When she looked at him again, they were empty. Will narrowed his eyes ' what just happened?'. 'THE BASTARD!!!' Her thought was so intense; so loud in her head that she was sure that the others had heard it as well...but they hadn't. "Thank you Will, I'm sure Deanna appreciates that too."

~*+*~

"Alright, that's IT, I *quit*." Everyone looked up in surprise. "Oh, don't give me those innocent looks. Gee, I spend all that time dressing up and you don't even let me win!" With no exception, everyone regarded their seemingly furious friend.

"But Doctor..."

"Don't even try it Data. You *could've* handed him some useless cards!"

"But that's cheating!" Deanna silently watched the scene around her unfold. Will wasn't sure if Beverly really was furious, which was exactly what the Doctor had been hoping for. The two women locked their gazes briefly and with a slight nod Deanna let Beverly know to continue.

"Bev. calm down." The furious glare she got back was accompanied by a wink.

"I will Counselor, in my quarters! Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go and get out of this..." she gestured angrily at her body. "...Thing." With large steps she left.

"If you'll excuse me; I'm going to make sure she's alright." Jean-Luc stood up and left, avoiding the gazes of his friends. Still confused, the remaining three men turned to the empath for an explanation. Deanna shrugged her shoulders and took the deck of cards.

"Tough day I guess. So, you're all still in?" Geordi shook his head sadly.

"The Doctor has a point. And I will not keep feeding that..." With a broad grin on his face he pointed at Riker. "...Man's ego. Besides, the Captain requested a more detailed report on the Ryarans' communication system. Data, I could use your help." With an apologetic nod Data stood up and followed Geordi out. Riker was too stunned by their behaviour to say anything.

"Well Will, it seems your winning row is over." She winked at him coyly before she too stood up. But before she had pushed herself all the way up he grabbed her wrist; preventing her from straightening further.

"Can't you stay and talk for a while?" Quizzically she looked deep into his blue eyes. 'Forget it Will.'

"Sure; but in my quarters; I *have* to take this dress off." A mischievous sparkle appeared in his eyes. "Shame on you William T. Riker!" This time he didn't hear the disbelief and anger in her voice.

"Can I still come?!"

"Ten minutes!" As he watched her leave he compared her body and way of moving to that of Lyana. They were alike, but also not. The difference was not only in looks and character but also in presence. Much to his dismay he couldn't quite place or describe it. He used the ten minutes to clean up the mess his friends had made and to put together a short list of things he wanted to discus with his Imzadi.

Deanna used her ten minutes to change her dress into a lose-fitting deep purple one.

'I can't do this! I *don't* want to be alone with him!' But she knew there wasn't an escape for her, just like there hadn't been one before, ever.

~D~