A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky
PART VII
EXT. FOREST – A Short While Later
DATA and GEORDI LA FORGE lead the group along the yellow brick road. DEANNA TROI gently grabs BEVERLY CRUSHER by the upper arm, bringing both of them to a standstill. Data and La Forge continue walking and talking, unaware of the fact that the women have stopped behind them.
DEANNA TROI
(Lowering her voice.)
Will asked me to marry him.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Wide-eyed with excitement.)
Oh Deanna! See, I knew it would happen sooner or ...
Still holding Beverly's arm, Deanna tightens her grip and uses her free hand to put a finger over Beverly's lips to quiet her.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
Ow!
DEANNA TROI
Shhh!
Data and La Forge glance behind them at the sound of the commotion. Deanna gives Beverly a quick stare before removing her finger. She then gives the pair ahead an overly pleasant, and obviously fake, smile.
DEANNA TROI
(Calling ahead.)
Go on. We'll catch up in a minute.
GEORDI LA FORGE
Don't wait too long ladies. It's probably in our best interests
to stick together.
Deanna nods in understanding as Data and La Forge start walking again.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Slight confusion.)
Since when can't I be excited about my best friend's engagement?
DEANNA TROI
(Returning her attention to Beverly.)
Since I haven't actually accepted his proposal yet.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Astonished look.)
Are you out of your mind?! Why wouldn't you jump at the chance
to be the wife of Commander William T. Riker?
(Chuckles.)
If it were me, I probably wouldn't have even let him finish the question
before I answered.
DEANNA TROI
There's more to it than that.
(Sighing.)
Immediately after Will asked the first thought in my mind was his proposal
years ago on Betazed ... and how terrible I felt when he didn't show up
on Risa for the wedding.
(Wrapping her arms around herself and idly rubbing her upper arm.)
My heart can't take that kind of pain and disappointment again.
It can't.
(Pauses.)
I can't.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
You turned him down?
DEANNA TROI
(Shaking her head.)
No. I told him I needed some time to think about things.
Deanna begins moving about, occasionally gesturing as she talks. Beverly stands by absorbing everything Deanna says.
DEANNA TROI
Bev, you should have seen the look on his face. It was like I
smacked him upside the head with the butt of a phaser rifle. And
his emotions ... I had to put up a mental block to prevent them from overwhelming
me.
(Pauses.)
I just – I don't know what to do. I love Will more than I've
ever loved anyone, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for a commitment like
marriage.
Deanna stops pacing and stares at the ground. She places one hand on her waist and the other on her forehead, closing her eyes.
DEANNA TROI
(Quietly.)
Guinan told me I was overanalyzing this whole thing. Maybe she's
right.
Beverly leans forward and ducks her head to meet Deanna's gaze.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
I'd have to agree with her assessment, Deanna. I hate to admit
it, but you do tend to think a bit much when it comes to matters of the
heart. You need to feel it in your gut that you and Will are meant
to be together, forever. Take the plunge and know that everything
will be all right between the two of you.
DEANNA TROI
(Standing straight.)
You think?
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Reassuring smile.)
I know.
Deanna covers her face with her hands and lets out a deep sigh.
DEANNA TROI
(Dropping her hands to her sides.)
Why does love have to be so incredibly complicated?
BEVERLY CRUSHER
I couldn't imagine it any other way.
Deanna and Beverly share a quick hug before continuing down the road to catch up with Data and La Forge. After a few silent moments Beverly bursts out in loud laughter. She covers her mouth to try and contain it, but is unsuccessful.
DEANNA TROI
(Fighting back a smile.)
What's so funny?
Beverly glances over at Deanna, which only causes her to laugh harder. Tears begin to form in her eyes and roll down her cheeks.
DEANNA TROI
(Light laughter.)
Beverly! What's going on?
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Speaking between bursts of laughter.)
It's ... you ... as a ... lion. Unbelievable!
(Wiping her eyes.)
Too bad ... Will ... can't ... see you ... now.
Deanna surveys her appearance and starts laughing as hard as Beverly.
DEANNA TROI
(Catching her breath.)
I do look pretty comical, don't I?
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Still chuckling.)
To say the least ... the very least.
(Reaching over and tugging on Deanna's tail.)
But this, I must say, takes the cake.
DEANNA TROI
(Small wince.)
Careful! That's attached.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Tugging on the tail again.)
It is not!
DEANNA TROI
(Wide eyes.)
Yes, it is!
(Grabbing her tail from Beverly.)
And I'd thank you to not pull it again.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Wide grin.)
This keeps getting better and better. Remind me to thank Q next
time I see him.
The women laugh again and continue walking.
EXT. FOREST – Simultaneously
DATA and GEORDI LA FORGE walk along the road, leaving the two women, engaged in conversation, behind them.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Looking over his shoulder.)
I wonder what that's all about.
DATA
(Quizzical expression.)
What do you mean? Doctor Crusher and Counselor Troi said they
would be joining us again shortly.
GEORDI LA FORGE
That's what Troi said, but didn't you see the look on her face?
If that wasn't a pasted-on smile, I don't know what one looks like.
DATA
(Tilting his head.)
Pasted-on smile?
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Smirking.)
A fake smile. It's a tactic people use when they want another
person to think everything's perfectly fine when they're really hiding
something inside. I'm assuming it has to do with whatever Counselor
Troi didn't want to talk about earlier.
DATA
But she is confiding in Doctor Crusher.
GEORDI LA FORGE
Woman's prerogative.
(Pauses.)
It's obviously nothing that concerns us so we shouldn't speculate ...
La Forge stops mid-stride and mid-sentence, staring open-mouthed at the scene before him.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Complete awe.)
Man, oh man. This is incredible!
(Turning to Data.)
Wait here. I'll be back in a minute.
DATA
(Following La Forge with his gaze.)
I will be here.
La Forge doubles-back on the road at a jogging pace. He meets DEANNA TROI and BEVERLY CRUSHER, both of whom are laughing uncontrollably, not far from where he left them.
DEANNA TROI
(Curtailing her laughter.)
We're coming Geordi. Don't worry, you haven't lost us.
(Tilting her head.)
At least not yet.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Pointing a thumb over his shoulder.)
You two are never going to believe what's ahead on the road.
La Forge's comment causes Deanna and Beverly to abruptly end their laughter and take on more serious expressions.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
What is it?
GEORDI LA FORGE
I think it's something you definitely should see for yourselves.
Beverly and Deanna exchange slightly confused glances before jogging
after La Forge.
– End Part VII –
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.