===

Patience, patience; the Beverly part is the last chapter I'm afraid

===

Chapt. 28

The chair did have its advantages, Counselor Troi thought smugly as she watched her last patient of the day leave her office. Sixteen-year-old Shilon Maloet had been injured three months earlier and now suffered spinal injury, leaving both her legs paralyzed. Deanna had been unable to forge a break through with the girl, who had cut herself of from all social contacts, until Shilon had entered her office and came face to face with her counselor...in a chair similar to hers.

"What happened?" She'd asked.

"I got injured during an Away Mission." And for the first time since she'd started counseling Shilon, Deanna could see a trace of interest and genuine concern in her pale blue eyes.

"Is it forever?" She had asked in a small voice. Deanna sensed dread; for Shilon didn't want anyone to be in the same position as herself, yet there was also some joy? at having someone with the same problem she was facing. In reply Troi had shaken her head slightly. "I'm glad" her patient told her.

"Yet you're also a little disappointed."

Huge eyes had met her own then and shame flooded through the teenager's being. "I--I don't mean you any...harm Counselor, but..."

Realizing she was too ashamed to answer, Deanna had finished her sentence "but you would like someone who's experiencing the same as you are."

With her cheeks blushing deep red Shilon had nodded. "I just thought that...that maybe..."

"I'd hate it as much as you do?"

Shilon grinned genuinely then, the first broad grin she had offered her Counselor. "Something like that."

And the breakthrough had been made. Now, nearly three weeks later the girl had regained her formed positive attitude, although she still leapt back into depressive episodes from time to time. With the help of her arms Deanna pushed herself to a standing position, holding still for a couple of seconds to regain her balance and began to head for the exit of her office.

Because her legs were still somewhat wobbly she choose to stay near to walls incase she lost her balance. She still had the AGC, hidden away in a corner of her quarters. Her appointment for her therapy was due in thirty minutes, so she had just enough time to walk to her quarters, take a shower and eat a sandwich.

Grumbling to herself about still having to use the damn chair for 'longer' distances drew her some confused glances from passing crewmembers. She had nearly reached the door to her quarters when Riker suddenly came around the corner and practically ran past her, causing her to stumble and fall against the wall.

It took her longer than she would've liked to retain her footing and balance. Silently she wondered why he had been such a hurry, but when the computer told her he was in his quarters and off duty she cursed him. He might not be interested in her as Imzadi anymore, but they were still friends, or at least co-workers and he had no right to run her over like that and not even offer her an apology or help her up!

With her mouth now set in an angry line --Will Riker always had that affect on her; changing her mood drastically without even trying-- she walked into her bathroom. She was going to have one serious conversation with Captain William T. Riker tomorrow. Whether he liked it or not.

No one treated a Daughter of the Fifth House as if she didn't exist. Much less a Starfleet Commander.