Sorry I've been so...inactive, intrepid audience of mine. Read, review, and be proud of me for finally updating the gem of my collection.
Beverly Crusher's eyes gleamed and she leaned forward expectantly. "So then what happened?"
Deanna poked listlessly at her chocolate ice cream. "He said that at least he had my friendship, and then he left." With a complete lack of enthusiasm, she scooped up a little of the melting chocolate concoction and placed the spoon in her mouth.
"Deanna! I thought you wanted him to admit that he loved you! All the time you were with Worf you kept telling me--"
"Oh Beverly," Deanna interjected woefully, "I'm not sure what I want anymore. I thought I wanted for Will and me to be together, and the time on the planet was wonderful, but..." She paused, trying to verbalize the feelings in her heart. "But I wonder if the feelings we had were real."
"Did you think they were real?"
Deanna looked despairingly at her earnest companion. "I--thought so, but now I'm not sure." She swirled the contents of her bowl around. "You know Will. He's very passionate, but he doesn't take the time to evaluate the sincerity of his feelings. He takes his first inclination and runs with it. That's part of the reason he's such a good officer."
"But Will's instincts are usually correct," Beverly said gently. "Will is also good at knowing how he feels right off the bat."
Deanna sighed. "I--don't know what to think about him, Beverly. I can't tell if I long for the beautiful past we had together or I genuinely want a future with him. I can't tell if his feelings are sincere or if the Ba'ku energies are influencing him."
Beverly's eyes were sympathetic. "I don't envy you, Deanna. You have a difficult determination to make. Will loves you, in many senses of the word. He values your advice and your friendship. He turns to you when he needs help. That you all know to be true, but could any of it survive in a romantic relationship? Would it be irrevocably changed?" With a smile, she got up and left Deanna staring into space and idly swirling the melted ice cream.
* * * * *
"That's rough, Commander," Geordi stated bluntly, studying the Engineering consoles as he listened to Will relate his episode with Deanna. "Sounds like she's confused."
"Confused?" Will had been hoping for a straight, clear cut issue: either Deanna loved him or she didn't. He could form a plan once he knew exactly what he was up against. But if she was confused, it would be harder to deal with the situation.
"I don't think she knows how she feels, Commander. She's conflicted."
Geordi detected the anguish in Will's eyes before his voice mournfully said, "What can I do, Geordi? How can I convince her?"
Geordi shrugged. "I don't know. The counselor needs to discover for herself how she feels before she can make that evident to you."
Will was torn. "But what can I do in the meantime?"
"Keep going like you've always been going. Give her time without pressuring her to make a decision."
"Do you think she'll make one?"
Geordi's blue implants showed his sympathy. "You've given her a lot to think about. I think she'll have to, even if that decision is inaction."
Will cast one sorrowful look at him before turning and leaving Engineering.
* * * *
I know it's not much, guys, but read and review anyway. I'll try to have more soon. Authoress's honor. :)