As she was enjoying the sweet taste of hot chocolate Deanna Troi allowed the soft tones of the music to travel through her heart and settle in her soul. She had managed to postpone meeting her mother for half an hour, giving herself the chance to reflect on the last twenty-four hours.
"Come in." A startled Captain Picard watched the doors open, he didn't recall requesting to come in. Deanna's cheeks flushed a little when she read his thoughts.
"I'm sorry Captain, that was rude."
"That's all right Counsellor. I just dropped by to say 'Welcome back'." The Betazoid grinned and raised her left eyebrow.
"I seem to be hearing a lot of that lately." Laughing Jean-Luc replied.
"Well, what can I say...you're just incorrigible. Now if you'll excuse me I..."
"Have some business to take care of?" She winked as she emphasised the business part.
"Uhm...yes. Goodbye Counsellor."
"Goodbye Captain." 'Girls' she heard him mutter just before the doors closed. With a smile she let herself fall back onto her couch. It was amazing how much their stiff Captain had changed. His entire face beamed with happiness and peace. Marriage sure as he*l agreed with him. And he had lightened up quite a bit.
~Little One, since you're well enough to see that Captain of yours, why don't you come to me as well. I *am* your mother you know.~ She gave a deep sigh and quickly weighed her options; not that there actually was a choice but still...
~*+*~
~I'm going to bed Mother I'll see you later.~ Deanna put her empty mug down and stood up from the couch. Her movements caused Lwaxana to stand up as well and hug her daughter in a tight embrace.
~Sayara Irie Lit--Deanna~ The younger Troi smiled and gently kissed her mother goodnight.
"Sleep well Mother." With a loving smile on her face Lwaxana watched her daughter leave.
~You're quite a person Captain Deanna Troi. I just wished you hadn't inherited my stubbornness Dear. But do your old Mother a favour and think about the offer.~
~Thank you Mother, but I've already made up my mind. I'm going to stay and nothing anyone says is going to make me change my mind. And you're *not*...~
~I know I am. Now go to sleep and think about it tomorrow.~ As she reached her quarters Counsellor Troi shook her head while still smiling. 'She just won't let it go', she thought to herself. When she was barely two steps inside her 'home' she pulled out the clasp that had been holding her hair and let the dark curls caress her back.
Slipping out her uniform she walked to her dresser and picked out a long black nightgown. She pulled it over her head and let it fall down. Next she walked to her mirror and sat down in front of it. With long gentle strokes she began to force the tangles out her hair, while her mind replayed the conversation with her mother.
When Starfleet had offered her a promotion she had been sure it was because her mother had pulled some strings, but that had turned out to be untrue. She had sensed her mother's honesty as well as Picard's when he had told her he thought she could handle it. But she had turned it down, for she simple reason that *she* didn't think she could handle it and more importantly, she didn't want to.
Of course it felt good to know others thought she was up to it; she hadn't denied that, but she simply didn't look upon herself as a Captain. She considered herself a Counsellor and what opportunities would Captaincy give her to counsel?
Which was exactly why they had hoped she would accept Starfleet's second offer; Head of Starfleet's Psychology Department and the Admiralty to go with it. But she turned that one down too. Before being stationed on the Enterprise-D she had been assigned to the Psychology Department as assistant of the Department's Head. And she had seen how little time that officer could spend with patients.
And then the third offer...teaching at the University of Betazed. She had to admit, that one had been the most attractive one, but she had turned it down as well. Picard had warned her about career suicide and all the consequences that went with it, but she didn't care. She had never really cared to make her career an outstanding one; all she cared about was having the opportunity to help people.
She also wanted to stay on the Enterprise, with her friends. When she placed her brush down her eyes fell on the medal she had received a few days earlier. A medal she thought she didn't deserve. It was her job to protect Captain Picard, and every other Starfleet officer and Federation citizen and in her opinion EVERY life form. It just didn't feel special to her and certainly not worthy of that stupid medal, even though she knew that the task up ahead would be a long and horrific one.
She just couldn't help wondering what her mother, or Betazed's government had to with it, because she was pretty sure they had done something. She was one of the very few Betazoid Starfleet officers and currently the highest in rank, so it wasn't unthinkable that they had pressed the Council into giving her promotion. But dammit! She had WORKED for this and she didn't want to be GIVEN ANYTHING.
She let out a cleansing breath and forced herself to calm down. Getting angry over the past was something she had given up long time ago. Well...except maybe for one specific issue. With a sad smile she got up and lay down on her bed. She turned onto her side, pulled the sheets up over her body and tucked her hands beneath her head. Her breathing gradually slowed and soon she was asleep.
~*+*~
The first thing she became aware of the next morning was her mother. ~Good morning Li--Deanna." Behind closed eyes she rolled her eyes at her mother's sudden intrusion but responded politely. After a huge yawn she opened her eyes, only to find her mother sitting on her bed. Unwilling to wake up, she closed her eyes again and just hoped the image would go away. But when she opened them again, Lwaxana Troi was still there.
"Mother? What are you doing here?" Confused and worried yet reluctant she sat up, taking in her surroundings through the hazy fog of sleep. She saw her mother smiling slightly, [] felt her concern and love but there was something not right, out of place...
"Just watching over you Dear." And with those words she understood what her mother had been doing for her but found herself unable to believe that her mother would do such a thing.
"You absorbed my dreams." Lwaxana's mouth popped open in preparation for a denial but the minute she caught her daughter's eyes she realised there was no escape.
"Yes." Deanna blinked and then blinked again. She had already prepared herself for a verbal fight. Her mother's humble and defeated sounding 'yes' surprised her. "You deserved your rest Little One."
"How often?"
"Dean--"
"HOW often Mother?" The elder Troi sighed and met her daughter's gaze head on, not willing to give in and knowing she had done it for the right reasons.
"Once while you were recently on Betazed, the night of your promotion and last night." Deanna didn't know how to react; she understood why her mother had intercepted her dreams and was even grateful that she had, but dreams were private, intimate and she couldn't help but feeling betrayed in a way.
Before she could say anything however Lwaxana explained. "Deanna, you were exhausted, you NEEDED a good night sleep. Your meta-consciousness NEEDED its rest as well. I didn't want to give you any more medication. I really believe I helped you." At her mother's words Deanna found herself no longer able to stay mad at her and so, when she began to speak her voice was soft and held no accusation what so ever.
"I believe I understand why you did it Mother, but dreams are very private. You had no right." To her surprise Lwaxana dropped her head and nodded.
"You're right, I didn't." Deanna's eyes widened slightly; she had never seen her mother agree with anyone without putting up a fight first. Just as suddenly as she had dropped it Lwaxana's head snapped up. She almost jumped off the bed and pulled Deanna along as well. "Now that that's settled, dress quickly and we'll have breakfast in Ten-Forward." With a smile on her face she watched her mother rustling through the clothes in her closet. 'You are impossible Mother.'
~Have you ever known me to be otherwise?~ Deanna's smile grew wider as she placed her hand on her mother's shoulder.
"No, I haven't, though there are times..." Before she could finish Lwaxana turned around and pushed a piece of clothing in her hand, effectively preventing Deanna from ending her sentence.
"You have ten minutes to get ready...Little One." Deanna swallowed her comment and instead smiled sweetly at her mother and watched her leave.
~*+*~
Breakfast went fairly well. Her mother, for once, didn't try to annoy her and they had spent most of their time discussing the future and her new abilities. Lwaxana had of course noticed that she was holding something back, but fortunately didn't try to find out. Deanna kissed her mother good bye and left for the brig.
The night before she had suddenly 'remembered' some things and thoughts from Rahad and Kasheira during her so-called visit. According to the computer they were still being held in the brig so she decided to pay them a visit. Two guards were stationed outside their cells and when she walked in a fifth came up to her.
"Counsellor?"
"Hello Jack, I'd like a moment alone with our guests."
"Of course." The tall man gestured to the four security guards to leave and followed them. Once outside the room he contacted his Captain.
"Welcome aboard the Enterprise Rahad, Kasheira." Her voice was soft and pleasant. Her smile was sweet, too sweet. "I hope you're enjoying your stay here?" Both prisoners blinked in confusion; their former hostage was so da*n polite that they weren't sure what to make of it.
Deanna grabbed a chair and placed it so that both prisoners could see her. She sat down and folded her hands in her lap, throwing them a sweet smile. "Tell me, why did you take me?" They regarded her for a few moments before speaking.
"Because we could." Deanna narrowed her eyes and focussed them on Kasheira's; she had hoped that Rahad would talk.
"I don't believe so." Her eyes shifted to Rahad. "I believe someone ordered you." Their heads snapped up and Deanna knew she had hit the mark. "Try again; why me?"
"We don't know." The woman spoke the truth; she did not doubt that.
"Who ordered you?"
"He didn't give his name."
"What did he look like?" A smile of satisfaction crossed her features when Kasheira's eyes widened in shock.
"How did you--"
"Oh, some of the repercussions of your so-called medical treatment." For a second she thought she saw guilt in the red eyes, but they hardened before she could be sure.
"Just the average human. Smooth face, muscled, brown hair and rough hands."
"Thank you Kasheira." Deanna stood up and approached Rahad, standing directly in front of him. "Tell me Rahad, how does it feel to share your head with thousands of others?" His gaze locked onto hers and to her disgust she saw only satisfaction.
"Tell me Counsellor." He emphasised 'me' deliberately, hoping to agitate her. "How does it feel to want to kill?" Her eyes flashed but she was able to compose herself before lashing out at him.
"It felt great Rahad." He frowned, not sure if he had heard her correctly. "Especially since I didn't kill anyone, not even you despite the drugs." Rahad was silent, not knowing what to say. "Tell me about the organisation." Their eyes widened in disbelief. "No, the others don't know...yet. You've acted like fools. You gave me the ability to hear other people's thoughts but you didn't realise I could pick up yours as well."
She smiled triumphantly as she sat down once more. "So either you'll talk or I'll make sure that you'll find yourselves in a Klingon or Cardessian prison camp. And believe me, not even your friends will be willing to go there to rescue you." With those words Troi stood up and headed to the doors. "I'll be back tonight."
Kasheira and Rahad watched her with consternation. "Please Counsellor, wear that nightgown I gave you! You'll look absolutely desirable!" To his dismay she didn't react. "Bitch" he hissed under his breath.
"What are we going to do Rahad?"
Outside the brig Deanna stood still and took a deep breath to compose herself. She remembered the gown Rahad had sent her before he was put into the brig. It was long, silvery and highly see-through. She shuddered as she remembered the note that had come with it. Troi shook the thoughts out her mind and headed for Sickbay for her check up.
~*+*~
"This is amazing Deanna! All your injuries have completely healed!" The enthusiasm and happiness radiating from Beverly made her laugh.
"Well, that's good news isn't it." Beverly frowned and shook her head with a rueful chuckle.
"I don't know how you did it Deanna, but you've broken every healing record here aboard the ship." Troi grinned back before her face reverted to a serious expression.
"As long as I don't get another medal." The Doctor petted her patient's arm, knowing that Deanna didn't think she deserved the medal. "So, how are you and that Little One of yours doing?"
"Oh, wonderfully. Though Jean-Luc is driving me crazy with his over-protectiveness." The Counsellor chuckled softly and soon Beverly joined her. "He's even worse than Jack was." For a split second her eyes misted. Deanna reached out and softly squeezed her friend's hand.
"I'm sure that Jack would have wanted this for you." They looked directly into each other's eyes, searching for both discomfort and comfort.
"I think you're right. Now c'mon, let's go to Ten-Forward. We have something to celebrate." The Doctor grabbed Deanna's hand, literally pulling her off the biobed and dragging her towards the doors.
"Beverly, now that I am healed, why don't you let me walk on my own?!" Quizzically Beverly glanced at her until she realised what she was doing.
"Oh, I'm sorry Dea."
"It's alright, just walk!" As they turned the corner they saw the open doors of the Turbolift, which would undoubtedly close in a second. Beverly refused to wait for the next one, [] speeding up and waving her arm through the air while running to the lift. "Oh Dammit, stop it right there you son of a Turbolift!!!"
Deanna froze in place, amazed at the flood of not-so-nice endearments that came out of the CMO's mouth. But the Turbolift miraculously remained in place. "C'mon Dea! Hurry up!" The Counsellor quickly caught up with her friend and entered the Lift, saying hello to Data.
"Deck Ten."
"Doctor, Counsellor." Polite as always the ship's Acting First Officer regarded them both. "Was I correct in my assumption that the Doctor wished the turbolift to remain at this Deck until she had stepped in?" Beverly rolled her eyes and quickly exchanged a look with Deanna.
"Yes Data, that assumption is correct."
"Then may I ask you why you pretended that this Turbolift could hear your 'order' while you know this machine could not." The nonplussed look in the Doctor's blue eyes almost caused the Betazoid to burst out in laughter, but she managed to keep her expression neutral.
"It's a…uh...human trait Data, sometimes we address non-living, non-sentient 'things' as living beings."
"I see. If I may Doctor, I have another question."
"What is it Data?"
"What did you mean by 'son of a Turbolift'?" Deanna hadn't believed that Beverly's eyes could become larger than they already were. She was forced to revise her opinion. The next glance she got from the older woman was clearly a 'get-me-the-he*l-out-of-here'!!! causing Deanna's serious mask to crumble.
Just when she was about to lose her battle with the laughter the doors opened. Beverly flew out of the Turbolift, pulling Deanna along with her. They were giggling loudly as they entered Ten-Forward.
"Son of a Turbolift?!"
"That's what you get when you watch to many twenty first century Earth movies." Deanna gave her friend an inquiring look but she simply ignored the question that shone in her brown eyes. "So what do you want? A chocolate pie with chocolate chips, whipped cream and chocolate fudge or chocolate ice-cream with extra cocoa, white chocolate bits and whipped cream mixed with chocolate fudge?"
Deanna's eyes grew wide with anticipation and delight at the mention of her two most cherished chocolate traits. "[Some choice, huh?" Beverly quipped lightly while poking Deanna softly between her ribs.
"The choice isn't really the problem." With a deep sigh the Counselor rolled her eyes. "The decision is."
~D~