A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky
PART XII
INT. CRUSHER'S OFFICE – Same Evening
BEVERLY CRUSHER sits in front of her desktop viewer talking to DR. CAFRY DUCA.
DR. DUCA
Are you sure I can't convince you otherwise Beverly? They'll
really miss you down here.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
I'm sure, Cafry. I just feel that my place is on the Enterprise
right now. It's not that I'm not flattered or compelled by the offer
because I truly am, but there's a sense of "home" here I'm not ready to
abandon quite yet.
DR. DUCA
(Sighing.)
I understand. I do.
(Wagging a finger.)
But you're still at the top of my list to take the position sometime
in the future.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Smiling.)
Maybe in a couple of years I'll be ready.
DR. DUCA
(Nodding.)
Take care, Beverly.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
The same to you and Jana.
The viewer's screen goes blank as the transmission ends. Beverly runs her fingers through her hair and leans back in her chair, sighing. A few seconds pass before JEAN-LUC PICARD's voice sounds over the intercom.
JEAN-LUC PICARD (COMM)
Doctor Crusher, please report to my ready room.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Tapping her communicator badge.)
I'll be there shortly.
INT. PICARD'S READY ROOM – Continuous
JEAN-LUC PICARD sits at his desk reading a data PADD. The door chime rings.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Come.
The door slides open as BEVERLY CRUSHER enters the room.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
You wanted to see me?
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Ah, Beverly.
(Gesturing to the chair opposite him.)
Have a seat.
Beverly sits in the chair and crosses her legs.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Setting his PADD aside.)
While you were ...
(Slight smirk.)
... otherwise engaged with Q, I had a rather interesting conversation
with Doctor Duca at Starfleet Medical.
Beverly lowers her gaze and idly rubs her hands together in her lap.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
He asked me to inform you that he's awaiting a response to his offer.
(Pauses.)
Why didn't you tell me Beverly?
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Making eye contact with Picard.)
Because I wasn't sure if I was going to accept the offer or not.
I was still mulling things over when Q whisked me away to the Emerald City.
(Deep breath.)
But, oddly enough, that experience helped to solidify my decision.
Picard leans forward slightly and interlaces his fingers on the desktop, preparing himself for the worse.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
That decision being ...?
Beverly reaches out and places a hand on top of Picard's.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
Jean-Luc, I'm staying.
(Smiling.)
Head of Medical is an incredible opportunity, for which Cafry thinks
I'm crazy to pass up, but I couldn't bring myself to leave all of this
behind.
(Gesturing around her.)
"This" meaning the Enterprise, the crew ... my friends.
All of this means more than a promotion.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
I don't want you to feel like you're missing out on the chance to advance
though.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Chuckling.)
I've served at Headquarters before, remember? The title may be
prestigious but it simply means more paperwork and more stress for me.
Believe me, I'd much rather stay on the Enterprise and be involved
with hands-on projects than be planetside and stuck behind a desk filling
out reports all day.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Genuine smile.)
And I'm thankful for that.
INT. ENGINEERING – Same Evening
Standing at the central console, GEORDI LA FORGE and DATA study the transport blueprint unrolled in front of them. La Forge is pointing out a highlighted area.
GEORDI LA FORGE
It's so simple that we passed right by it before. All we need
to do is tweak the pattern buffers and rewire a section of circuitry to
increase overall power to the system.
(Tapping the blueprint.)
I can't believe I didn't pick up on that.
La Forge rolls up the blueprint and places it under his arm. He walks to a nearby bulkhead and removes a panel to gain access to a storage compartment. Data moves next to La Forge and accepts the tools and equipment he is handed.
DATA
Geordi, what do you think the quote "True humanity transcends human
beings" means?
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Handing Data an Engineering repair kit.)
Interesting quote. Where'd you hear it?
DATA
Q. My gift was a framed version of that quote.
La Forge stops his work and gives Data his full attention.
GEORDI LA FORGE
Well, I think Q means that even though you'll never be fully human,
you posses more genuine character qualities associated with humanity than
some humanoids do.
(Putting a hand on Data's shoulder.)
And I, for one, can't agree with him more.
DATA
(Cocking his head.)
But that is how Doctor Soong created me – to integrate human traits
into my programming.
GEORDI LA FORGE
But you're so much more than the sum of your programming and parts,
Data. You have an individual personality, an individual self.
You've successfully avoided integrating the negative qualities that people
can possess. There are times when I have to consciously remind myself
that you're an android because you seem so real to me. That's
not an easy feat by any means.
DATA
I am real.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Light laugh.)
I know that. It's – it's just hard to put into words what I'm
thinking. The ideas are concise in my mind but that don't necessarily
transfer to my mouth as clearly.
(Pauses.)
You're one of a kind Data ... don't ever forget that.
DATA
I suppose you are correct.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Smiling.)
I suppose I am.
* * * * * * * * * *
INT. TROI'S QUARTERS – Later That Night
Dressed in a nightgown, DEANNA TROI sits on the edge of her bed gently running her thumb over the key she received from Q. Sighing, she places the key on top of her nightstand and swings her legs under the bedcovers.
DEANNA TROI
(Rolling on her side.)
Computer, lights out.
The lights diminish, leaving the cabin in darkness. Deanna spends several unsuccessful minutes trying to get comfortable before sitting up and calling for light. She climbs out of bed and grabs her robe from the back of a nearby chair.
DEANNA TROI
(Tying her robe.)
Computer, what's the location of Commander Riker?
Deanna starts walking toward the door but doubles-back and picks up the key, stuffing it into a pocket of her robe. She barely hears the computer's response as she exits her cabin.
COMPUTER
Commander Riker has just exited his quarters.
INT. HALLWAY – Continuous
DEANNA TROI determinedly heads down the hallway talking quietly to herself and not paying attention to the occasional OFFICER that passes by. She has one hand in her pocket fingering the key. Rounding a corner, Deanna literally runs into WILL RIKER, who places his hands on her shoulders to help steady both of them. Riker is also wearing pajamas and a robe.
WILL RIKER
Whoa!
(Realizing Deanna is in front of him.)
Deanna. Where are you going this time of night?
DEANNA TROI
I could ask you the same thing.
(Giving him a once over.)
You aren't exactly dressed for bridge duty, Commander.
WILL RIKER
(Dropping his hands to his sides.)
Can't sleep.
DEANNA TROI
Me either.
WILL RIKER
Wanna talk?
(Deanna nods in response.)
Your quarters or mine?
DEANNA TROI
(Pointing in the direction Riker came from.)
We're closer to yours.
Riker steps aside and gestures for Deanna to lead the way.
INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS – Continuous
DEANNA TROI precedes WILL RIKER into the room and turns to face him once both are inside.
WILL RIKER
So what's on your mind?
DEANNA TROI
(Making eye contact with Riker.)
You.
WILL RIKER
I've been thinking about you too.
Deanna puts one hand into her robe pocket while the other reaches for Riker's left hand. Keeping the key hidden from sight, Deanna slips it into Riker's palm, closing his hand with a gentle squeeze.
DEANNA TROI
(Quietly.)
I should have given this to you a while ago, Will.
Riker opens his hand and stares down at the key.
WILL RIKER
Wh – what is it?
DEANNA TROI
The key to my heart.
(Placing a hand to her chest.)
And there's no one I trust more than you to keep it safe.
(Pauses.)
Not even myself.
WILL RIKER
(Meeting Deanna's gaze.)
Oh, Dea ...
Deanna looks at the ceiling in an attempt to prevent the tears welling in her eyes from falling.
DEANNA TROI
(Trembling voice.)
I've been stupid Will.
(Sniffing and wiping a tear from her eye.)
For some reason unbeknownst to me I've buried my feelings for you beneath
my sense of logic. I didn't want to allow myself to totally believe
things were so perfect between us. I wouldn't let my heart fully
open.
(Pauses.)
I was waiting for something bad to happen. There's always a rift
that forms when we get too close.
WILL RIKER
(Putting his hands on either side of Deanna's face.)
That was the past. This is the present ... and our future.
Riker lightly kisses Deanna as silent tears begin to crawl down her cheeks.
WILL RIKER
(Brushing a thumb over Deanna's cheek to dry her tears.)
I love you, Imzadi.
DEANNA TROI
I love you, too.
Riker pulls Deanna into a tender embrace and kisses the top of her head. They gently sway back and forth for several silent minutes.
WILL RIKER
(Looking down at Deanna.)
Does this mean you'll marry me?
DEANNA TROI
(Taking a step back.)
If you still want to marry me.
WILL RIKER
Of course I still want to marry you, Deanna! I wouldn't
have proposed in the first place if I wasn't dead-set on wanting to spend
the rest of my life with you.
(Smiling.)
Hell, I even went so far as to ask your mother's permission first.
DEANNA TROI
(Wide-eyed expression.)
You're kidding.
WILL RIKER
Nope.
Riker moves toward the coffee table and sets the key down. Deanna places her hands on her head and slowly rubs her temples.
DEANNA TROI
I'm surprised I haven't received a message from her. If you talked
to her beforehand I would've expected a communiqué from her minutes
later. She's got to be going absolutely crazy waiting for
the news. You know that her main goal in life is to see me married.
Riker stands behind Deanna and wraps his arms around her. Deanna massages Riker's forearms with her hands.
WILL RIKER
We can worry about your mother in the morning.
(Kissing Deanna's neck.)
There are more important things to take care of right now ...
DEANNA TROI
(Blushing slightly.)
Will Riker!
WILL RIKER
(Holding out the diamond ring.)
... like making our engagement official.
(Mischievous grin.)
Had you let me finish my sentence, you would have found out that's
what I was referring to. What were you thinking about Miss
Troi?
Deanna turns to face Riker and playfully slaps his arm. Riker adopts a more serious expression as he drops to one knee and presents the ring to Deanna.
WILL RIKER
Deanna, will you do me the honor of being my wife?
DEANNA TROI
(Tears rolling down her cheeks.)
Yes. Without a doubt.
Riker immediately stands and picks Deanna up, spinning her in a circle. After setting her back down, Riker carefully slides the ring onto Deanna's left hand as she watches his every move with overwhelming happiness.
WILL RIKER
(Eyes twinkling.)
It's official.
DEANNA TROI
(Admiring her ring and nodding.)
Official.
The couple shares a passionate kiss, followed by several smaller ones, to seal their engagement.
WILL RIKER
(Pulling back.)
So what's this Bev tells me about your adventures in Oz? I would've
paid good money to see you go off on Q while wearing that lion costume.
DEANNA TROI
(Narrowing her gaze.)
Will?
WILL RIKER
Yeah?
DEANNA TROI
Shut up and kiss me.
Both Deanna and Riker laugh before engaging in another kiss.
– End of Story –
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Look for "How Little We Know" – a follow-up story
to "Misconceptions" and "Work In Progress."
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.