A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky
PART V
INT. TEN-FORWARD & INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS – Thirty Minutes Later
[Attention focuses between Ten-Forward and Riker's quarters during the two conversations.]
DEANNA TROI sits on top of the bar resting her back against the wall. She occasionally takes a drink of the purple liquid in her glass. GUINAN leans against the bar, her eyes never leaving Deanna.
GUINAN
Do you love him?
DEANNA TROI
With all my heart.
(Shaking her head.)
Which is why I shouldn't be debating Will's proposal. We're Imzadi.
I love him. I want to spend my life with him. I do.
GUINAN
Sounds to me like you may be trying to convince yourself of that fact.
DEANNA TROI
(Wide-eyed expression.)
Guinan ...
GUINAN
(Shrugging her shoulders.)
Just my opinion.
Deanna sets her drink aside and pulls her knees to her chest.
DEANNA TROI
Okay, I'll admit that we've had our fair share of difficulties over
the years ...
JEAN-LUC PICARD remains seated in the armchair. WILL RIKER slowly paces in the main room of his cabin.
WILL RIKER
... but I've put the troubles behind me.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
The question is, has Deanna?
Riker stops pacing and faces Picard.
WILL RIKER
I would hope she has. Those events are in the past. Many
of them can be attributed to the foolishness of youth or to us denying
our feelings.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Taking a sip of wine.)
That may be true for you, Will, but people can view the exact same
situation in very different lights. No offense intended, but Deanna
may still harbor some resentment for mistakes you've made in the past.
Picard gives Riker a gentle glare, revealing that he may know more about the relationship than he would normally disclose. Riker sighs deeply and returns to his seat on the couch.
WILL RIKER
(Placing his elbows on his knees.)
Do you think she doubts my sincerity or intent?
Deanna finishes her drink and Guinan takes the empty glass from her.
DEANNA TROI
He was sincere. I have no doubt about that.
GUINAN
Yet you still wonder if you can trust him.
DEANNA TROI
I don't know if I'd phrase it exactly like that ...
(Takes a deep breath.)
... but maybe I would.
Deanna stretches her legs out on the bar top and places her hands on her thighs.
DEANNA TROI
(Small smile.)
He did propose once before. And you can see how well that
turned out.
GUINAN
Time changes things. Changes people.
Picard pours two fresh glasses of wine, emptying the bottle.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Think of how your life has changed over the past decade. The
altering dynamics. Then think about what's been stable during the
same time frame.
WILL RIKER
(Realization showing in his eyes.)
Deanna. She's always been there for me, no matter what.
Deanna slides down from the counter and stands across the bar from Guinan.
DEANNA TROI
We continually support each other through the good and the bad.
Will's been a stabilizing influence in my life when I've needed it the
most.
A smile spreads across Guinan's face, knowing she's helped Deanna the best she can.
GUINAN
Precisely.
DEANNA TROI
(Covering Guinan's hand with her own.)
Thank you, Guinan.
Guinan ducks behind the counter and re-emerges holding a plate of dark chocolate truffles.
GUINAN
The real stuff ... from my secret stash. Take two and call me
in the morning.
Taking the place with her, Deanna gives Guinan an appreciative smile and wave before exiting the lounge.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Rising from his chair.)
I'm sure Deanna will come to the same conclusion before long.
WILL RIKER
(Following Picard to the door.)
Thank you, Captain.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Putting a hand on Riker's shoulder.)
Don't mention it, Number One.
* * * * * * * * * *
EXT. SPACE
The Enterprise travels at low warp speed.
BEVERLY CRUSHER (V.O.)
Doctor Beverly Crusher – Personal Log – Supplemental. At Counselor
Troi's suggestion, I've compiled a list of reasons to accept the offer
from Starfleet Medical and reasons to decline it. I've done the same
with regards to staying at my current posting on the Enterprise.
Even after all that, I am not any closer to making a final decision.
There are compelling options for both sides of the dilemma I'm facing.
* * * * * * * * * *
INT. SICKBAY – Following Morning
BEVERLY CRUSHER is in one of the smaller research labs running tests. She puts a blood sample into a diagnostic machine and turns to view the read-out on a computer panel, her back to the door. The door slides open and, unbeknownst to Beverly, Q enters the room.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Continuing to study the test results.)
It's just as we thought, Doctor Selar. The nucleotide sequence
...
Q
Guess again, Doctor.
Beverly turns around at the sound of Q's voice and places her hands on her hips.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
If you're here for another dance marathon you can go right ahead and
find yourself a different partner. I have work to do.
Q
(Taking a step forward.)
Oh no. I have something far more entertaining planned.
Smiling, Q snaps his fingers and the pair vanishes in a flash of
light.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE HOLODECK – Continuous
GEORDI LA FORGE examines a computer chip in his hands. DATA is in front of an open access panel repairing the circuitry inside.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Turning the chip over.)
Yeah, this is definitely shot.
DATA
That would explain why none of the Holodeck characters have vocal abilities.
GEORDI LA FORGE
It would.
La Forge taps his communicator badge to contact Engineering (JR. LT. TARALIS).
GEORDI LA FORGE
La Forge to Engineering.
JR. LT. TARALIS (COMM)
Engineering. Go ahead, sir.
GEORDI LA FORGE
Taralis, I need a new vocal replicator up here at Holodeck Two.
Think you can hook me up?
JR. LT. TARALIS (COMM)
Yes, sir. I'll be right there. Engineering out.
DATA
(To Data.)
Once we replace this, the Holodeck should be as good as new.
Q suddenly appears in the hallway next to La Forge. He puts an arm around La Forge's shoulders then takes a couple of steps and puts his other arm around Data's shoulders, successfully holding the two men in a tight bear hug.
Q
Geordi! Data! Just the men I was looking for.
As quickly as he appeared, Q disappears again, taking La Forge and Data with him. Mere seconds later, Taralis arrives to find the Holodeck repairs abandoned.
JR. LT. TARALIS
Commander La Forge?
(Opening the Holodeck doors and looking inside.)
Sir?
(Returns to the hallway.)
I've got the vocal replicator ...
INT. BRIDGE – Continuous
JEAN-LUC PICARD, WILL RIKER and DEANNA TROI are seated at their respective posts. LT. CMDR. K'JARED is seated at the helm. Riker and Deanna seemingly ignore each other, busying themselves at their consoles.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Commander K'Jared, what's the estimated time to Starbase six-two-eight?
LT. CMDR. K'JARED
(Reviewing the helm read-out.)
Approximately one day, six hours, sir.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Nodding.)
Maintain present course and speed.
LT. CMDR. K'JARED
Aye, sir.
Without any warning, Deanna disappears from her post in a flash of light. Riker and Picard are immediately on their feet.
WILL RIKER
Deanna!
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Raising his voice.)
Q! What have you done with my counselor?
Q appears in Deanna's seat, wearing a Starfleet medical uniform similar to hers.
Q
Don't worry, mon Capitain, I'll have your officers returned
to you before you know it.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Officers? Who else have you accosted?
Q
(Standing.)
In total, four members of your senior staff. I've decided each
of them needs to do a bit of ...
(Wildly gesturing his hands while talking.)
... oh, what's the word I'm looking for ...
(Snaps his fingers in realization.)
... soul-searching.
(Lowering his voice.)
And believe me, they really need it.
WILL RIKER
Soul-searching? With your help?
Q
(Glaring at Riker.)
Trust me.
Q once again disappears, leaving Riker and Picard thoroughly perplexed and somewhat anxious.
WILL RIKER
(To Picard.)
What do you think we should do?
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Tugging down his uniform shirt.)
Drawing from our previous encounters with Q, I don't think there's
much we can do.
WILL RIKER
(Running a hand across his beard.)
I was thinking the same thing.
– End Part V –
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.