Chapter Twenty-Eight: Awakening

"Doctors." Quickly he let his eyes slide over his wife, checking for any signs of exhaustion and pain. For a brief moment they locked eyes and he saw just a flicker of exhaustion and when she sat down it was clear her ankles and back were hearting. She'd need -and get- a thorough massage tonight.

"Captain," they greeted, tiredness laced through their voices, "we've completed Captain Troi's surgery." He frowned at Doctor Crusher's lack for further information about Troi's condition, but decided to wait until one of them would say something.

"Her physical injures," this time it was Kate who spoke for she realized it was too painful for Beverly to do it, "were in many regards less serious then the ones after her ordeal on Pklira Prime. She suffered mal-nutrition, dehydration, a number of bruises, cuts and a broken wrist." As bad as that sounded the injuries were indeed less severe than her previous ones, but Doctor Pulaski hadn't finished yet. "The trickiest was and will be the extreme large amount of drugs in her system; nearly twice as much as before." This new bit of information brought Jean-Luc's head up, questions shining in his eyes.

"I'm not sure what they were hoping to accomplish, the drugs served a variety of purposes. She's been paralyzed two or three times and brought into some kind of comatose state. Other than that the drugs have had a significant influence of her Betazoid abilities."

"It's too soon to say exactly what changes she's undergone, we'll have to wait until she wakes up."

"Can you give any indication how long her recovery will take?" Sadly the two women shook their heads. "We have no way to tell how vast the psychological damage is."

"She's a strong woman; her chances for recovery must be good." The look that passed between the two doctors told him they weren't so sure, but they nodded nonetheless. A shiver crawled up his spine and reached the base of his skull within the second. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, trying to shake of the feeling of panic that seemed to close in on him.

"Visitors?"

"Minimal, we have to keep any empathic interaction as little as possible."

"Will?" Again a silent communication between the doctors, they'd obviously discussed Riker's possible influence on Deanna.

"No. He won't be able to control his emotions and should Deanna be a wake; she doesn't know he returned and we don't know how she feels about him." This time he allowed the sigh he'd been holding back to escape from his throat. "So we're playing the waiting game?"

"Afraid so."

~*+*~

Expectantly he looked up as the doors slid apart, he had expected his wife home hours ago but she hadn't wanted to leave Deanna yet. With a happy smile he welcomed his wife, then quickly got to his feet and closed her in his embrace. She leaned back against him, grateful for his support. Docile she followed his lead to the couch and lied down to rest her head on his lap. He gently smoothed her hair out her face and bent to kiss her forehead.

"How are you?"

"Tired." She sighed, "we've done pretty much all we can do, but still it doesn't seem enough."

"Shh. I'm sure you've done everything you could." She murmured her acknowledgement, but her face suggested she didn't feel that way at all. "Want something to eat?"

"No, I ate in Sickbay." Their hand found each other and under his lead began to rub small circles on her belly. "Don't forget to look after yourself Bev." He studied her face closely and saw the tension hadn't left her face yet.

"What's bothering you?"

"Hmm?"

"You're miles away." His mild amusement made place for concern as he realized just how much this whole situation with Deanna unsettled her.

"No, just in Sickbay." Well, at least she still had her sense of humor. He knew from experience that the best way to help her deal with it was to talk her through it, rather than trying to take her mind off the matter.

"How is she?" She pushed herself upright, eager to talk. "I can't tell you...doctor/patient confidently."

"But?"

"But," Beverly debated with herself whether or not she could tell him. Deanna had told her after her recovery from Pklira Prime that if Beverly needed to talk about her patients it might be helpful to create some kind of diary. Under normal circumstances Beverly turned to Deanna, knowing that the Counselor as well had patient-confidently. But this was different; Deanna's injuries were too personal. She couldn't afford that knowledge to alter her husband's attitude toward his friend, counselor and First Officer. "But...but nothing. I can't tell you."

It bothered him, he knew how badly she needed to talk about it but her reluctance meant that the injuries were too personal to talk about without the consent of the patient. And now, apart from being worried about his wife and unborn child, his worry about his officer grew as well.

The coming weeks would be unnerving; all everyone could do was wait. The doctors had decided to keep Troi under sedation for at least one and a half week, giving her body and psyche time to rest and heal. There was no doubt however that Deanna had a long road to recovery ahead. If not physical, then psychological.

~*+*~

Two weeks later...

"Come in." Engrossed in the padd the ship's CMO had brought in fifteen minutes earlier, Jean-Luc didn't look up to acknowledge his visitor until he'd finished reading. "Will." It surprised him a little that his long time friend hadn't tried to get his attention sooner. Had he become so attuned to his Captain that he knew when trying to interrupt would be futile, or had the nine months absence made him a bit insecure about his current position on board the Enterprise?

"Sir, what's happening to Deanna?" The abruptness of his question startled Picard. He had expected Beverly to explain the situation to Will and even if she deemed it better for him that he'd explain it, why hadn't she given him a sign? Too late now, fortunately he had lifetime of experience with difficult situations.

"She's being treated."

"Beverly told me as much." Riker grumbled angrily and leaned closer to his CO, demanding an answer without saying a word. "I'm sorry Will, but Deanna can't handle visitors yet." Not the answer the commander was waiting for, that much as clear by the expression on his face.

"I figured as much, *sir*. But *why*? According to the official reports her injuries are healed and she is just regaining her strength; so why can't I visit her?! I haven't seen her since she came back on board!" It seemed Riker frustration had reached a boiling point. For weeks they had tried to give him as little information as possible, at least until Deanna had completely awoken and could tell them what she wanted to keep classified. Unfortunately they had little choice in that matter now. Knowing Will Riker he would not settle down before he had a satisfying explanation for why he wasn't allowed to visit Troi.

"Will," no use in evading the question...but maybe he could tell as little as possible. The Doctors had been very insisted on keeping Deanna's condition as classified as possible, "until Doctor Crusher and Doctor Pulaski feel she's strong enough to handle visitors you'll have to leave her alone." The ire flickering in his first officer's blue eyes told him he wouldn't settle for it.

"Look Will, Deanna's Betazoid abilities have been manipulated, right now she's a little more sensitive," 'a little more' was just about as big as an understatement could get, right now Deanna was the most powerful telepath/empath ever recorded in Betazoid history according to Beverly and Kate, "to the moods of those around her, therefore she must be kept as isolated as possible." To his relief he saw the ire in Riker's eye fade and he knew that for now he would accept Beverly's order to stay away from Deanna.

"I'll let you know as soon as she's allowed to receive visitors Will."

"Thank you sir."

~*+*~

{Damnit, I have to be in--} Frustration {How do I look? Will he--}{Hriay'K Trnopd Zsa--} Anxiety {--Engineering zara te duo qis--} Love {Three more days till our next mission, Beverly--} Longing {Oh I hate my--}{I'm so--} Anger {You all--}{--bed now} Tiredness {So many drugs--} Worry {Ztio, deira'Tgi}{Oh, this tastes--} Delight {The recalibratio--}{--just one week--} Haste {--there she is again} Disdain {Dialdrazine and kyra-amine don't--}{--looks absolutely radiant to--} Happiness {oh..what's in that--} Curiosity {Deanna? What's happe--}

Silence.

'What's happening? Where am I? Walls around me, why? I can't move! He has paralyzed me again! No, can't let it happen, must resist. My eyes, I have to open my eyes!'

~*+*~

"Doctor! Doctor, she's coming around."

"It's about time!" Kate hurried over to the biobed of her patient and tapped her commbadge, "Pulaski to Crusher, your patient is waking up."

On my way!

~*+*~

Voices, far away, beyond reach. 'What are they saying? Who are they?' More voices, hurried, indistinctive and female. 'What is he planning? My eyes, why won't they open? What has he done to me?' Hands touching her face, the voices softer, almost soothing. 'What is he trying to do?'

"Everybody move away, give her some space." The nurses moved away, leaving only Beverly and Kate near the biobed. The former took one of Deanna's hands in her own. "Dea? Take it easy, don't hurry. You're save here, I promise." Finally she managed to open her eyes, just a little bit, but enough to make out that the auburn-blur hovering above her was Beverly Picard.

What kind of game was he playing with her now? Trying to make her believe she had been rescued only to hurt her more? After all, he would only mute her senses when he had something to hide from her. Was this yet another holodeck-recreation? She knew and even understood the games he was playing with her, but her defenses against them had long since failed. This was only another game, and she should not believe it for a single second. But she hoped, despite her better knowledge she hoped she was finally rescued, away from his grasp and those piercing blue eyes.

Deanna closed her eyes again, hoping to make Thomas believe she was a sleep, but the voices continued, coaxing her to open her eyes. "Com'on Dea, open those pretty eyes." Could it be true? Was it really Beverly talking to her now? She had learned through experience that Thomas would've given up by now and either would've turned of the simulation and left or lost his temper. But none of that had happened and the voices continued to talk to her. She wanted to open her eyes, god knew she wanted to. Her heart and mind craved to sense the love and care from her friends again, but she couldn't quite believe that those memories indeed were more than just dreams.

From a professional point of view she was quite aware that she was close to the point of no return. Her resistance had been broken, but the hope was still there. When that hope would be gone, so would she and there was no doubt in her mind Thomas Riker was -very- close to reaching his goal and make her his docile slave. Drawing on the last string of hope she decided to take her chances, if this wasn't real Riker would get what he wanted, but if it was it would be her salvation.

The two doctors kept a close look on their patient's face hoping fiercely she'd open her eyes. Deanna Troi had been unconscious for two weeks and they needed her to wake up to make a more reliable prognosis of her condition. But more than that they just wanted their friend back. A relieved smile crossed their faces as Troi blinked her eyes several times and then finally opened them.

"B-Bev?" Speaking was a bit awkward, her tongue felt twice it's usual size and her lips were completely dried out. Deanna almost panicked as she realized she couldn't move. Foreseeing the reaction doctor Crusher gently pressed her hand against Deanna's forehead and whispered, "shh...you're all right, just a bit stiff." Her black eyes shot around, trying to determine where she was and if what she was seeing was real. "You're in Sickbay Dea, on the Enterprise." The redhead almost gasped at the vulnerability and fright in her friend's eyes.

"Am I?" she queried, finding it a little bit easier to speak.

"Yes you are," Kate now stepped up to the bed, maneuvering herself in Deanna's view, "and we're not going to let you get away again." For a moment Troi blankly stared at the new person, not quite realizing who she was, but then recognition hit her and a fraction later she started to cry of joy. She was home, on the Enterprise; the *real* Enterprise. There was no way Thomas could've known about Kate. She was really back!

The Betazoid's tears alarmed both doctors; was she in pain? But then Beverly faintly picked up hazy thoughts of the joy and relief and smiled genuinely for the first time since the Counselor had been back onboard. With her long fingers she wiped the tears of Deanna's cheeks, all the while whispering softly. Unnoticed by either woman, Kate Pulaski withdrew herself from the room, giving the two friends privacy in their reunion.

The past weeks she had often thought back about her year onboard the Enterprise. It had been nothing she'd expected, all the rumors about the closeness of the Senior Staff had been true and they were indeed the finest of the Fleet. Her first day had been quite hectic and had proven to be one of the most challenging, frightening as well as interesting in her career.

She'd been onboard for barely ten minutes when a young woman walked into Sickbay, she saw her hesitate at the entrance and when she closed her eyes started to walk up to her.

~-~-~-~-~

"Can I help you?" Her head snapped up and wide black eyes stared back at her. Noting the definitive Betazoid features Kate concluded this young woman had to be the Ship's Counselor. She hadn't really spent much time reading personnel files of the Senior Staff, basically all she knew were their names and features. Doctor Crusher had been reluctant to submit their medical records through subspace, therefore she had yet to study them. She studied the Counselor's features; she had expected her to look a little more…older. Deanna Troi was already a renowned psychologist, but the woman in front of her looked as if she had barely finished the Academy.

"I need to speak Doctor Crusher." She answered, surprising Kate by seemingly not knowing Beverly Crusher had left. Her surprise however turned into concern when the Betazoid darted past her and skittishly looked around. "Doctor Crusher isn't here."

The woman stopped dead in her tracks and slowly turned around, her face drawn in shame. "Oh god," she whispered, pressing two fingers against her lips, "you must be Doctor Pulaski, how foolish of me." Her cheeks reddened with shame, but again she surprised Kate with how easy she was able to cut the somewhat awkward moment short. "I need some advice, would you accompany me to Ten-Forward?" 'Damn,' she thought to herself, 'I hope she doesn't keep surprising me like this.'

~-~-~-~-~

A secretive smile surface as Pulaski recalled how Deanna Troi had done exactly that. Just when she was sure she could predict Deanna's reaction to a situation she turned out to be completely wrong. The only person she had ever come close to understanding and predicting was Picard. Mainly due to the fact he made sure that everyone onboard his vessel knew where they stood and what he expected of them. Over the span of that year she'd come to know the Senior Staff very well, but albeit building a strong friendship with Troi the Betazoid remained as illusive as ever. Hearing the door behind her open she turned around and locked her eyes on those of her college. "She's sleeping." Sighing deeply Beverly sat down in her chair as gracefully as she could manage at six months pregnant.

The two doctors looked at each other for a -long- time and then both simultaneously laughed. "She's back and she's going to be fine."

A few meters away in the adjoining room Deanna's peaceful sleep wasn't as peaceful as either Doctor believed.

~-~-~-~-~

He was everywhere, no matter how hard she ran or where she ran to; she always ended up in his arms. And he was always in her mind. The drugs he'd given her had left her open and vulnerable to his thoughts and emotions, allowed him to control her but in such a manner that she was perfectly aware of what was happening. She could feel everything he did to her and had to watch as he assaulted her, unable to control her own body and thus unable to fight his intrusion.

For any being, being treated the way he treated her was humiliating. But for a telepath/ empath to be ripped of her mental abilities was the worse thing that could happen. Without her shields she wasn't only vulnerable to him, but also to the emotions and thoughts of all people around her. He could make her do anything he wanted, if not by controlling her mind then by other means and for as long as those drugs had their hold on her there wasn't anything she could do, but to endure his actions and wait until he would make a mistake. And for ever there were those blue eyes watching her every movement and hearing her every thought.

Piercing blue eyes, filled with so much hatred and lust, bore into her soul and made her shiver in horror.