Chapt. 25

Sounds and lights slowly slithered back into her existence, accompanied by a sour taste in her mouth and disorientation. Slowly she opened her eyes and waited for the red blur hovering above her to transform into Beverly Crusher.

"Welcome back."

Deanna opened her mouth to reply but was silenced by a slender hand against her mouth. "No talking for another twenty-four hours. The smoke damaged your thorax and lungs, talking would be harmful and painful."

Troi nodded her understanding and then, becoming aware of the numb feeling in her legs, looked pointedly downward. She sensed Beverly's reluctance to answer the unspoken question and unbidden panic crept in her mind. She would recover wouldn't she? The injuries hadn't been that bad! Had they?

Crusher seemed to notice the Counselor's sudden distress and placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "It will heal, but you'll need several treatments to regenerate the tissue and extensive physical therapy."

Again Deanna nodded; she could live with that.

To her horror she felt her eyes begin to close again and fought to keep them open. The Doctor found it rather amusing and chuckled softly as Deanna lost her battle and drifted back to sleep.

Beverly checked the protective bandages around Troi's shins and then returned to her office to continue writing her reports.

On the Bridge Captain Riker read the Doctor's report on Counselor Troi's condition for the thirteenth time. According to Beverly Deanna could return to duty after being released from Sickbay, although she would have to make use of an anti-grav chair for at least two weeks to allow her legs to fully heal. He wondered how much trouble Troi would give her doctor; she never had liked feeling helpless.

Crusher had hailed him earlier to inform him that Deanna was awakening, obviously expecting him to come running down to Sickbay and although his first reaction was to do just that, something held him back and instead he remained in his chair.

Would she wonder where he was? It was a kind of unspoken agreement to be there for one another when one of them woke up in Sickbay. Would she remember that?

Will's attention shifted back to the padd in his hand. She had scared the hell out of him. It should be something he had gotten used to by now, having to visit his friends in Sickbay after away missions, but it was different with Deanna, it had always been different with Deanna.

Imzadi.

He sighed heavily, drawing the attention of the other officers around him. He wanted to go to her, he wanted to see her so badly it hurt, yet at the same time he felt as if she didn't want him there, she had been avoiding him after all.

So what did that leave for him? Waiting? Or did she expect him to keep their pact intact? Wait for her to come to him, or take the first step himself again?

Why was he feeling as if their relationship was starting for the very first time, why did he doubt whether or not he should go to her? Of course he should! She was his best friend, if nothing else, she was Imzadi.

Having made his decision he relinquished command to Commander Data and hurried down to Sickbay.