Chapt. 12

"I asked you to leave." To her relief she managed to keep her voice even and devoid of emotion, but she knew better than to expect her friend to leave.

"You did." A typical 'Guinan-answer' as they called it. Confirming a question or request without answering to it. Instead of leaving Crusher settled in a chair and made herself at home. Expectantly looking up at the counselor. "Hello Deanna," she began, as if she'd just walked in "how're you fairing?"

Deanna had to blink twice to see through the confusion Beverly's off-hand manner caused. 'We've been spending too much time with Guinan' she though bemused, then settled down as well. "I'm doing fine, thank you."

"Hmm" the hesitation was a clear enough indication she wasn't going to like the next question so Troi stood up and hurried to the replicator, taking the opportunity not to have to face Beverly "so why are you avoiding Will then?"

Deanna went rigid for the briefest of seconds and before she knew it a denial slipped from her throat. Crusher's only reply was an arched eyebrow as she waited for Troi to sit back down.

Counselor Troi, please report to the ready room 'Saved by the bell' she couldn't help but think and at the same time wondered if she didn't rather face Beverly's relentless prying than being alone with Riker in a small room.

"Acknowledged" she called out. After throwing her friend and apologetic smile she left the confines of her quarters and headed for her doom.

Deanna wasn't sure why the captain would want to talk to her, the bi-monthly evaluations of the key-officers had been completed and send and the full crew-evaluations weren't due for another couple of weeks. The only possible professional reason was an evaluation of the acting executive officer.

When she entered the ready room she was greeted by a William Riker looking entirely too relaxed for her liking. He was leaning back in his chair, a totally too satisfied smile beneath his beard and his legs were propped up on his desk. "Counselor, come in, come in." He beckoned cheerfully and never took his eyes of her as she complied.

"It has come to my attention" he started, not loosing his cheerful tone "that the Ship's Counselor is uncomfortable around me."

Her expression didn't falter --much to Riker's disappointment-- not because he hadn't surprised her, but because her anger overrode her surprise. Whatever had possessed him to act so cocky she couldn't know, but it sure as hell pushed her buttons.

"I assure you *captain*, that it will in no way affect my duties." She rose to her feet, intend to make her way out of his ready room the second she had the chance. This entire meeting had obviously been constructed for no other goal than to upset her.

Will jumped out of his chair, never loosing the smirk on his face. "Permission to speak honestly Counselor?"

His unusual request through her so completely off balance she answered affirmative without even realizing it and before she knew it he had framed her face between his hands. ~Honestly speaking, I think you look absolutely exquisite tonight and that I love you very, very much. *Imzadi*~ Before she could even react to familiar whisper of his loving voice through her mind he took her breath away with a universe-shattering kiss. One she returned all too willingly.

When he pulled back and waited for her feet to touch the ground again, the full force what just happened hit her. Hard. And for the first time in her life she backhanded him and stormed out the room to the sanctuary of her quarters.

And Will Riker still smiled.