A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky
PART IV
INT. BRIDGE – Early Evening
DATA, seated in the command chair, is carry on a conversation with DEANNA TROI, who is at her regular post.
DATA
May I conclude that the normal human response to failure is giving
up?
DEANNA TROI
It is one possible response of many, Data. Some people thrive
on difficult or seemingly unsolvable problems. They are determined
to find a solution even if they've been told it's impossible. On
the other hand, there are people that have trouble dealing with the stress
of such a situation and choose to abandon the challenge altogether.
And still more people fall somewhere in between those scenarios.
DATA
Intriguing.
(Pauses.)
I believe I am of the first variety you listed. When given a
challenging problem I use my vast banks of knowledge to continue finding
a solution until I am successful – which is the outcome more often than
not. In regards to my current collaboration with Commander La Forge,
I am concerned he will give up before a viable answer is found for the
proposed transporter upgrades.
DEANNA TROI
I don't think you'll have to worry about that, Data. One thing
you need to understand about humans is that sometimes they need to take
a break from a challenge to refresh their minds or to simply relax.
(Smiling.)
Besides, Geordi's never struck me as the type of individual to call
it quits before a task is complete.
Just as Data opens his mouth to ask another question, JEAN-LUC PICARD's voice sounds over the intercom.
JEAN-LUC PICARD (COMM)
Counselor Troi, could you please meet me in the Stellar Cartography
lab?
DEANNA TROI
(Looking at the ceiling.)
On my way, sir.
(To Data.)
We can continue our conversation later.
Data nods in acceptance as Deanna moves to a turbolift. As the door closes behind her, Picard enters the bridge from a turbolift on the opposite side of the room. Data shifts his gaze between the two turbolifts, then focuses on Picard.
DATA
(Cocking his head to the side.)
Sir?
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Sitting in the command chair Data has vacated.)
I'll explain later Data.
INT. STELLAR CARTOGRAPHY LAB – Continuous
The lab doors slide open and DEANNA TROI walks inside. The room is empty. Taking a few steps forward, Deanna glances around the quiet lab.
DEANNA TROI
Captain?
Emerging from an unseen alcove to Deanna's right is WILL RIKER. He moves within a few feet of Deanna and smiles.
WILL RIKER
Hello, Counselor.
DEANNA TROI
(Puzzled expression.)
I'm ... supposed to be meeting with Captain Picard. He just called
me on the COMM system.
WILL RIKER
I know. I asked him to do that as a ... as a surprise.
Deanna places her hands on her hips and arches her eyebrows.
DEANNA TROI
Well, I am surprise.
(Light chuckle.)
And more than a little confused.
Riker takes a deep breath and runs a hand through his hair. He turns his head away from Deanna and laughs.
WILL RIKER
You know, I had this all figured out ahead of time, but now that you're
here ... all that planning completely eludes me.
Dropping her arms to her sides, Deanna takes a step forward.
DEANNA TROI
What's going on Will?
WILL RIKER
You mean the world to me, Deanna. This past year we've been together
has been incredible and I don't want it to change.
Riker lowers himself to one knee and presents a diamond ring, which was previously hidden in the palm of his hand, to Deanna.
WILL RIKER
Deanna Troi, will you marry me?
Deanna's hands immediately cover her mouth as a gasp escapes her lips. Her wide eyes start to turn glassy with unshed tears.
DEANNA TROI
(Barely audible.)
Oh Will ...
Unconsciously taking a step back, Deanna breaks eye contact with Riker. Several silent moments pass. The huge grin on his face lessens slightly as he stands, still holding the ring in Deanna's direction.
WILL RIKER
(Half jokingly.)
You haven't answered my question.
Deanna folds her arms across her chest as a pair of quiet tears roll down her cheek.
DEANNA TROI
(Trying to keep her voice calm and even.)
Will, I ... I need to ... think about this.
The smile completely fades from Riker's face. He lowers his gaze to the floor to prevent Deanna from seeing the tears threatening to fill his eyes. He begins to idly spin the ring between his fingers and kicks at imaginary dirt on the ground.
WILL RIKER
(Swallowing back his emotion.)
Sure ...
(Meeting Deanna's gaze.)
... sure. Uh, take whatever ... time you need.
Deanna fidgets with the cuffs of her uniform and once again breaks eye contact with Riker.
DEANNA TROI
(Quietly.)
I'm sorry, Imzadi.
Riker gives Deanna a pathetic version of his trademark smile to try and hide the conflicting emotions he's feelings, knowing his attempt to fool her is futile.
WILL RIKER
No worries.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Deanna turns and exits the lab. After she's gone, Riker slams a fist on a nearby table.
WILL RIKER
Dammit!
He wipes away a tear and takes a final look at the ring in his hand.
He leaves the lab, the ring again hidden in his palm.
INT. ENGINEERING – Same Evening
GEORDI LA FORGE stands in front of a computer panel gazing intently at the schematics and read-outs displayed on it. Glancing at the data PADD in his hand, La Forge takes a deep breath and scratches his head. He taps a command into the main computer then scrolls through the information on his PADD.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Mumbling.)
There has to be an answer here somewhere.
La Forge turns to work at the central control console as DATA enters and moves to study the computer read-outs La Forge was previously at.
DATA
Have you discovered any new information?
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Sighing.)
I've been reviewing the results of our past attempts for hours now
and nothing new has come to mind. There has to be something we're
missing. There has to be.
DATA
Perhaps you should take a break, Commander. It might do you some
good to refresh your concentration and not think about the problem for
a while.
La Forge sets his PADD down and smiles at Data.
GEORDI LA FORGE
I think that's exactly what I need, Data. Why don't we run a
Holodeck program? Something to clear out all the technical mumbo-jumbo
rolling around in my head.
Data gives La Forge a quizzical look.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Laughing.)
Let's go.
* * * * * * * * * *
INT. TEN-FORWARD – Late That Night
Ten-Forward is basically empty except for three stray OFFICERS who are walking toward the exit. DEANNA TROI stands in front of a viewport, arms folded across her chest, staring at the stars gliding by. She holds an untouched drink in one hand. When the lounge finally empties, GUINAN silently moves in Deanna's direction and stands in front of the adjacent viewport.
GUINAN
(Quietly.)
You look like you could use some chocolate.
Still facing forward, Deanna shrugs her shoulders and sighs.
DEANNA TROI
Chocolate can't fix everything.
GUINAN
Not even some from my secret stash?
DEANNA TROI
(Turning to face Guinan.)
Not even.
Deanna crosses the room and stands in front of the bar, setting her drink down. Guinan waits a few moments before following.
DEANNA TROI
Guinan, have you ever faced a decision that you know should
be an easy one to make, yet it's one of the hardest you've ever encountered?
Guinan slowly nods her head. Deanna slides onto a barstool and rests her head face down on the counter, closing her eyes.
DEANNA TROI
(Sighing.)
This shouldn't be a tough choice for me. It really shouldn't.
GUINAN
(Placing a comforting hand on Deanna's back.)
Maybe you've overanalyzing the situation. Seems to be that's
what's happened to me when I've been in your situation.
Deanna raises her head, revealing tear-stained cheeks.
DEANNA TROI
Somehow, Guinan, I doubt you've ever been in my situation.
GUINAN
(Moving behind the bar.)
But that doesn't mean I can't be a sympathetic ear. Someone needs
to counsel the counselor when she's hurting.
INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS – Simultaneously
WILL RIKER lies stretched out on the couch, the heels of his hands covering his eyes. The lights in the cabin are at half-illumination and Deanna's ring is on the coffee table, the light occasionally glinting off the diamond. The door chime rings. Riker ignores the sounds until it rings again.
WILL RIKER
(Groaning.)
Come in.
JEAN-LUC PICARD stands in the doorway holding a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. Riker sits up and gestures for Picard to enter.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Displaying the wine bottle.)
Are congratulations in order, Number One?
WILL RIKER
(Shaking his head.)
No, sir.
(Pauses.)
No they aren't ... At least not for the time being.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
I'm sorry to hear that, Will.
(Setting the bottle and glasses on the coffee table.)
Care to talk about it?
Picard sits in an armchair next to the couch.
WILL RIKER
The last thing I want to do is bother you with my personal problems,
sir. I'll find a way to muddle through them myself.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Nonsense, Will. An attitude like that is not going to help you.
(Pauses.)
If you and Deanna are experiencing difficulties I want to help sort
things out before they are transferred to your duty shifts.
(Riker starts to protest but Picard holds up a hand to silence him.)
I know the two of you have always been conscience of your professional
and personal lives, but I also know that those lines can blur in some instances.
And after seeing your mood earlier today compared to your mood now, I'd
hazard to guess this might be one of those times.
WILL RIKER
At least she didn't flat our refuse me. She said she needed to
think about it.
(Wry smile.)
Thinking. That's Deanna's solution to everything. If she's
just follow her heart for once maybe she wouldn't need to think
about my proposal.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Marriage is a big commitment for anyone ... even when it seems the
next logical step.
(Reaching for the wine bottle.)
Tell you what, let's have some wine while we talk things out.
Don't give up quite yet, Will. Good things come to those who wait.
– End Part IV –
All "known" characters (c) Paramount, Star Trek: The Next Generation and all other relevant parties. This story was written for the enjoyment of other TNG fans and is not meant to infringe upon the copyrights of any of the aforementioned individuals.