Chapter 8
The stars sparkled brightly through the thick glass window of Admiral Jellico's Quarters of Starbase 421. Jellico pressed his hand against the glass as he admired the vacuum of space. The view was breathtaking. It was nothing like the vista of San Francisco but it was still quite lovely. The Federation starships mingled within the sparkled dark blanket known as outer space. Suddenly, flashes of warp speed streaked the vacuum of space, forcing Jellico to crack a smile. The U.S.S Enterprise had arrived. There she is, he thought, the "Ship of Dreams". Admiral Edward Jellico had the temporary command of Enterprise NCC-1701-D, during the probable threat of war with the Cardassians. His popularity with the Enterprise crew was less than desired but he had enjoyed his time on the starship. At the time, Jellico had implemented several procedural changes of the Enterprise, which caused some of the Senior Staff to become rather displeased with the acting captain. The Admiral had had a strong conflict with Commander William Riker during the threat. They argued many times during Jellico's command and had little respect for one another. However, they did manage to set their differences aside. Jellico disliked Commander Riker but he knew that the Enterprise had one of the best crews in Starfleet. He had felt privileged to be a part of the crew, even if it were for a short time. Jellico remembered telling his sons the stories of Captain James T. Kirk and first NCC-1701. They were like fairytales to the boys. They loved the Enterprise and called it the "Ship of Dreams". His son's love for the Enterprise caused Jellico to appreciate the Galaxy-Class Starship throughout his entire career. Starbase 421 was an extremely large base, with the capacity to dock dozens of starships. However this day, the base was overpopulated. 421 was filled with it's maximum capacity of starships. Now the remaining ships were orbiting the starbase, waiting for further instructions. The area surrounding Starbase 421 was virtually cluttered with "Outer Space Traffic". The Enterprise squeezed in with the other starships. Jellico turned away from the window and headed for door. He wanted to be at the transporter room before Captain Picard beamed aboard 421. He thought it best to get the formalities out of the way and get straight to business.
====///====
Commander Will Riker fastened his pips on his uniform collar and stared at himself in the mirror. He found it rather odd that he was added the fourth pip. Will was a Captain. Captain William Thomas Riker, he thought, well I still can't believe it. Captain Picard had just paged Will and informed him they had reached Starbase 421. They had to beam to the base immediately. Will had jus finished getting dressed and he decided to give himself a look over in the mirror. Riker sighed as he stared at himself through the mirror. Suddenly, Deanna stepped up from behind him and wrapped her feminine arms around his waist. She gently kissed his neck and squeezed his body tightly against hers.
"Believe it Will, you're the Captain of your own ship."
Will looked at his wife puzzling through the mirror. They looked at one another through the mirror's reflection. Will Riker's powerful blue eyes connected with Deanna's rich brown ones.
"I didn't say anything, did I?" he asked puzzled.
"No, but I could feel what you were thinking. You're facial expression says it all. You've waited most of your life for this moment and now that it's finally arrived, you don't know how you handle the pressure."
Will smiled and placed his hands over hers, which were still tightly wrapped around his stomach. He interlaced their fingers and pulled Deanna even closer. She quickly rested her head on his shoulder and took in his scent through her nostrils. Will looked over his shoulder and down to his wife.
"You read me like a book Mrs. Riker. I'd say you've got me pegged right on target."
"I'd say I would have to agree with you Mr. Riker, and I'd also say you're one of the best leaders I've ever known. You'll do fine. The day you start doubting yourself is the day I kick your butt."
Will could not help but laugh. He quickly turned around so that he was facing Deanna. Their eyes met once again and this time it was followed by a passionate kiss. Will placed his strong hands on Deanna's cheeks and brought his lips to hers. There was a sadness in the kiss. A thought of goodbye passed through both of their minds and tears began to swell in Deanna's eyes. They slowly trickled down her cheeks. Will only smiled and wiped them away with his thumbs. He kissed her forehead and pressed her body against his chest. She quickly wrapped her arms around his back and squeezed him tightly. Will did not want to let go of Deanna. He wanted to hold her and reassure her that they would be together again soon. Will believed it and prayed that she did too. Suddenly, words floated into Will Riker's mind.
"I love you, Imzadi."
Now tears began to swell in Riker's eyes. He hugged her again and replied to Deanna through the mind, just like she taught him so long ago.
"I love you too, Imzadi."
Finally they released their grip of each other but continued to hold hands. Wetness engulfed Will's eyes so Deanna kissed her index finger and brushed his tears away with it. She then proceeded to trace his beard with the same finger. Deanna looked up at him lovingly.
"You better go. You have a crew that's waiting for you."
Will did not say another word to Deanna. He only nodded, kissed her once more, and then left their quarters with the doors hissing shut behind him. Deanna stood in the middle of their dark and empty bedroom. She was alone. Alone to cry, which she did.
The stars sparkled brightly through the thick glass window of Admiral Jellico's Quarters of Starbase 421. Jellico pressed his hand against the glass as he admired the vacuum of space. The view was breathtaking. It was nothing like the vista of San Francisco but it was still quite lovely. The Federation starships mingled within the sparkled dark blanket known as outer space. Suddenly, flashes of warp speed streaked the vacuum of space, forcing Jellico to crack a smile. The U.S.S Enterprise had arrived. There she is, he thought, the "Ship of Dreams". Admiral Edward Jellico had the temporary command of Enterprise NCC-1701-D, during the probable threat of war with the Cardassians. His popularity with the Enterprise crew was less than desired but he had enjoyed his time on the starship. At the time, Jellico had implemented several procedural changes of the Enterprise, which caused some of the Senior Staff to become rather displeased with the acting captain. The Admiral had had a strong conflict with Commander William Riker during the threat. They argued many times during Jellico's command and had little respect for one another. However, they did manage to set their differences aside. Jellico disliked Commander Riker but he knew that the Enterprise had one of the best crews in Starfleet. He had felt privileged to be a part of the crew, even if it were for a short time. Jellico remembered telling his sons the stories of Captain James T. Kirk and first NCC-1701. They were like fairytales to the boys. They loved the Enterprise and called it the "Ship of Dreams". His son's love for the Enterprise caused Jellico to appreciate the Galaxy-Class Starship throughout his entire career. Starbase 421 was an extremely large base, with the capacity to dock dozens of starships. However this day, the base was overpopulated. 421 was filled with it's maximum capacity of starships. Now the remaining ships were orbiting the starbase, waiting for further instructions. The area surrounding Starbase 421 was virtually cluttered with "Outer Space Traffic". The Enterprise squeezed in with the other starships. Jellico turned away from the window and headed for door. He wanted to be at the transporter room before Captain Picard beamed aboard 421. He thought it best to get the formalities out of the way and get straight to business.
====///====
Commander Will Riker fastened his pips on his uniform collar and stared at himself in the mirror. He found it rather odd that he was added the fourth pip. Will was a Captain. Captain William Thomas Riker, he thought, well I still can't believe it. Captain Picard had just paged Will and informed him they had reached Starbase 421. They had to beam to the base immediately. Will had jus finished getting dressed and he decided to give himself a look over in the mirror. Riker sighed as he stared at himself through the mirror. Suddenly, Deanna stepped up from behind him and wrapped her feminine arms around his waist. She gently kissed his neck and squeezed his body tightly against hers.
"Believe it Will, you're the Captain of your own ship."
Will looked at his wife puzzling through the mirror. They looked at one another through the mirror's reflection. Will Riker's powerful blue eyes connected with Deanna's rich brown ones.
"I didn't say anything, did I?" he asked puzzled.
"No, but I could feel what you were thinking. You're facial expression says it all. You've waited most of your life for this moment and now that it's finally arrived, you don't know how you handle the pressure."
Will smiled and placed his hands over hers, which were still tightly wrapped around his stomach. He interlaced their fingers and pulled Deanna even closer. She quickly rested her head on his shoulder and took in his scent through her nostrils. Will looked over his shoulder and down to his wife.
"You read me like a book Mrs. Riker. I'd say you've got me pegged right on target."
"I'd say I would have to agree with you Mr. Riker, and I'd also say you're one of the best leaders I've ever known. You'll do fine. The day you start doubting yourself is the day I kick your butt."
Will could not help but laugh. He quickly turned around so that he was facing Deanna. Their eyes met once again and this time it was followed by a passionate kiss. Will placed his strong hands on Deanna's cheeks and brought his lips to hers. There was a sadness in the kiss. A thought of goodbye passed through both of their minds and tears began to swell in Deanna's eyes. They slowly trickled down her cheeks. Will only smiled and wiped them away with his thumbs. He kissed her forehead and pressed her body against his chest. She quickly wrapped her arms around his back and squeezed him tightly. Will did not want to let go of Deanna. He wanted to hold her and reassure her that they would be together again soon. Will believed it and prayed that she did too. Suddenly, words floated into Will Riker's mind.
"I love you, Imzadi."
Now tears began to swell in Riker's eyes. He hugged her again and replied to Deanna through the mind, just like she taught him so long ago.
"I love you too, Imzadi."
Finally they released their grip of each other but continued to hold hands. Wetness engulfed Will's eyes so Deanna kissed her index finger and brushed his tears away with it. She then proceeded to trace his beard with the same finger. Deanna looked up at him lovingly.
"You better go. You have a crew that's waiting for you."
Will did not say another word to Deanna. He only nodded, kissed her once more, and then left their quarters with the doors hissing shut behind him. Deanna stood in the middle of their dark and empty bedroom. She was alone. Alone to cry, which she did.