HOW LITTLE WE KNOW
A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky

PART V

INT. STARFLEET MEDICAL – Later That Afternoon

WILL RIKER and DEANNA TROI walk through the lobby of Starfleet Medical hand-in-hand. DREW RIKER walks several paces in front of the couple.

WILL RIKER
(To Deanna.)
And you're going to do what for me?

DEANNA TROI
(Repeating her answer for the umpteenth time.)
I'm going to have Beverly run a complete medical scan ...
(Adding with a smile.)
... because my husband is over-protective.

Riker looks at Deanna with a gentle glare.

WILL RIKER
Can you blame me?

DEANNA TROI
(Sighing.)
No, I suppose I can't.

Drew nears the turbolift at the rear of the lobby.

WILL RIKER
(Calling ahead.)
Wait for us Drew.

Drew stops and turns to face his parents, patiently waiting for them to catch up to him.

DEANNA TROI
(Arching an eyebrow.)
Why does he mind you so much better than he minds me?

Riker gives Deanna a half-smile and shrugs his shoulders.

INT. CRUSHER'S OFFICE – Continuous

BEVERLY CRUSHER sits at her desk filling out various forms when the door chime rings.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Continuing her work.)
Enter.

DEANNA TROI enters the office followed by DREW RIKER and WILL RIKER. Beverly gives the trio a double-take before jumping to her feet and moving around her desk.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Hugging Deanna.)
You're early!

DEANNA TROI
(Smiling.)
Surprise!

Beverly approaches Riker and kisses his cheek. Drew tilts his head back to watch the actions of the adults above him. Beverly gives Drew a quick glance before stepping back and looking around the room.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Mock seriousness.)
Did you forget to bring Drew?

DREW RIKER
(Opening his arms wide.)
I'm here, Aunt Bev'ly.

Beverly looks at Drew and puts her hands on her hips. Deanna and Riker smirk at the exchange.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Feigning disbelief.)
No! You're too big to be the Andrew Riker I know.

DREW RIKER
(Looking up at Beverly.)
There's only me.

Beverly picks Drew up and smiles at him.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
The last time I saw you you could barely walk on your own.

WILL RIKER
(Tugging on Drew's leg.)
I swear he's growing at warp nine.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
I bet.
(Pauses.)
I remember when Wesley was this age. There were times I barely recognized him from day to day.
(Switching Drew to her other hip.)
Speaking of Wesley, I thought he was coming with you.

DEANNA TROI
He was. I mean, he did. He wanted to see about helping with the Titan's repairs though.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Rolling her eyes.)
Why does that not surprise me?

WILL RIKER
Wes'll catch up with us later at your place.
(Reaching for Drew.)
As will the two of us.

Beverly passes Drew to Riker but not before giving the little boy a big kiss on the cheek. Drew wrinkles his nose and squeezes his eyes closed at the action, causing the adults to laugh.

WILL RIKER
(To Drew.)
Someday you'll wish for a kiss from a pretty girl like Aunt Bev.

DREW RIKER
(Shaking his head.)
No.

DEANNA TROI
Not right yet.
(Smoothing Drew's hair.)
I don't want my little boy growing up too fast.

WILL RIKER
All right, we're going to the park.
(Kissing Deanna.)
See you later, ladies.
(Lop-sided grin.)
Don't gossip about me too much.

DREW RIKER
(Waving.)
Bye Mommy. Bye Aunt Bev'ly.

The women wave in return as Riker and Drew exit the office.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Putting a hand to her chest.)
"Aunt Bev'ly" ... That is beyond precious!

DEANNA TROI
Yeah. He's definitely a keeper.

Beverly gives Deanna another hug before backing up and holding her friend at arm's length.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
You look incredible, Dea. Marriage and motherhood really suit you.

DEANNA TROI
You don't look too shabby yourself, Doctor.

Deanna opens her mouth to say something else but shuts it just as quickly. A momentary silence hangs in the air as Beverly gives Deanna a quizzical expression.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Crossing her arms.)
What is it?

DEANNA TROI
(Slight hesitation.)
Bev, I need you to do something for me.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
Sure. Anything.

DEANNA TROI
Got a medical tricorder handy?

Beverly crosses the room and picks up a tricorder from the counter. Opening it, she walks back to Deanna and begins scanning her.

DEANNA TROI
(Explaining.)
I'm almost positive I know what your scan is going to show ... which is why I didn't bother seeing Doctor Ballor on the Titan.
(Pauses.)
I knew I was going to be seeing you soon and decided I wanted my best friend to confirm my Betazoid suspicion.

Beverly closes the tricorder as a huge grin spreads across her face.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
Deanna, you're ...

BEVERLY CRUSHER & DEANNA TROI
(Simultaneously.)
... pregnant.

The women release squeals of excitement and share another hug.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Setting the tricorder on her desk.)
Congratulations!

DEANNA TROI
(Smiling.)
Now I have to think of a way to share the news with Will and Drew.

Beverly pulls two chairs out from a nearby table and slides one towards Deanna.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Pointing at the chair.)
Sit. It seems we have a lot to talk about.

Each taking a seat, the women begin an animated conversation to catch up on the latest happenings in each other's lives.

* * * * * * * * * *

EXT. PARK – A Short While Later

WILL RIKER stands nearby watching DREW RIKER climb on a jungle-gym structure in the center of the park. Other PARENTS and CHILDREN are in the area.

WILL RIKER
(Catching Drew as he comes down a slide.)
See, I told you this would be way more fun than anything on the holodeck. Dad was right, wasn't he?

DREW RIKER
Yup! Lotsa fun!

WILL RIKER
(Setting Drew down.)
I'm glad you're old enough to enjoy it, Drew. It's hard to tell when we'll have a chance to be planetside again.
(Quietly.)
But such is the life of a starship captain and his family.

Riker sits on the ground and watches as Drew continues to run about and play with the other children.

* * * * * * * * * *

INT. THE BLUE NOTE – Same Evening

DEANNA TROI and BEVERLY CRUSHER enter the jazz club with WILL RIKER and WESLEY CRUSHER close behind. All of them are casually dressed. The club is fairly busy with several PATRONS either seated at tables or moving about. A four-piece BAND plays on a small stage on the opposite side of the room.

WESLEY CRUSHER
(Pointing across the room.)
There's one, Mom.

Beverly follows Crusher's hand and notices the empty table halfway between the bar and the stage.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Tapping Deanna's arm.)
Let's snag it before someone else does.

Deanna nods in response as she and Beverly begin walking across the room. Riker's voice stops them.

WILL RIKER
(Indicating Deanna and Beverly.)
Drinks?

DEANNA TROI
(Sharing a knowing smile with Beverly.)
Something light, please.

Deanna and Beverly both break into smiles accompanied by light laughter. Riker and Crusher exchange a confused glance when the women turn away to claim the table. The men approach the bar and give their order to the BARTENDER.

WESLEY CRUSHER
(Leaning against the bar.)
I wonder what that was all about.

WILL RIKER
(Light chuckle.)
If experience has taught me anything, Wes, it's that it's better to leave those two alone at a time like this. Asking questions can be a hazardous venture when there's something going on between them. It's definitely in our best interest to stay out of the mix.

Riker turns to watch the band. He taps his foot to the beat.

WILL RIKER
(Tilting his head towards Crusher.)
There's nothing in the galaxy like live jazz. Good, live jazz music.

The bartender returns with their order. Each officer grabs two glasses.

WESLEY CRUSHER
(To the bartender.)
Thanks.

Riker and Crusher leave the bar and make their way to the table. As the men approach, Deanna and Beverly abruptly change their topic of conversation. Riker makes eye contact with Deanna. She gives him an innocent smile to which he simply raises an eyebrow.

WILL RIKER
(Setting a glass in front of Deanna.)
You two are in an ... interesting mood.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Accepting her drink from Crusher.)
Just catching up on life.

WILL RIKER
(Skeptically.)
Right ...

Riker turns his chair around and straddles it, placing his drink on the table in front of him. Crusher sits and faces Beverly as they being chatting. Deanna picks up her glass but sets it down again before she's able to take a sip of the dark liquid in it.

DEANNA TROI
(Mystified expression.)
I don't believe it ...

WILL RIKER
What?

Riker twists his body around, trying to find what's caught Deanna's attention. Noticing the actions of the friends next to them, Beverly and Crusher shift their gaze in the same direction.

DEANNA TROI
(Wide eyes.)
Elyse ...?

– End Part V –

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.