Chapt. 27

From the corner of his eye Riker watched as Deanna maneuvered her chair down the Bridge and positioned herself next to her usual chair. Although he'd gotten used to seeing her in the AGC it still pained him to see her like that, even after a week. "Counselor."

"Captain" she acknowledged after a moment's hesitation. Despite having known Will for nearly a decade she wasn't sure how to handle herself in his nearness; ever since she'd returned from the science station he'd kept at a professional distance. The only times she saw him off duty as at a poker game or a brief encounter in one of the corridors. But never allowed he her to sense anything but vague impressions of basic emotions.

And that hurt.

Over and over again she sought in her mind for a reason, -any- reason for his behavior but found none.

"Counselor?"

"Yes Data."

"Was it not today that you were allowed out of your chair?" Deanna smiled at the Android's involvement in her recovery. In fact, Data had been a better fried than Will during the past week and a half; helping her with her therapy, spending his free time with her and lifting her spirits even though they'd mainly talked about captain Picard,  Tasha, Geordi, Worf and her children.

She was about to answer his question, but a voice coming from behind beat her to it. "It was, but it seems the regenerators have some difficulties with her mixed DNA."

To Troi's surprise Riker actually reacted. "But there has never been trouble before, has there?"

"No" Beverly amended ruefully "but we've never had to regenerate skin lying so deeply, it's a lot more complex than healing more superficial injuries."

"Perhaps I can help Doctor." Again Deanna smiled at Data's readiness to help.

Doctor Crusher walked down slightly so that she could look at Troi's face. "That is why I came down here Data" she grinned, then turned serious eyes on her best friend "when we're finished I want you in Sickbay so we can use you as guinea pig."

"Of course." Deanna replied mockingly.

"Good girl, Data will you accompany me please?"

"Of course Doctor." Unable to turn Deanna listened intently to the soft padding of her friends' feet on the floor. She hoped the adaptations were quickly made; it was bad enough to have to spend three extra days in the AGC, she certainly didn't want that period to become even longer.

Hearing the doors of the turbolift open and then close, Deanna returned her attention to the vast expanse of star in front of her, glancing at her captain every now and then. She tried desperately to break through his block, or at least figure out why he was blocking her in the first place, but Riker didn't let his guard down for a second.

Sighing loudly Troi drew the attention of nearly everyone on the Bridge, expect of the person who's attention she was fishing for.

Will Riker was flat out ignoring her.