I

Nightbird

"And I cause nothing but trouble, I'll understand if you can't talk to me again..."x

"Did you even know that he played?"

Deanna shrugged. "No idea."

Amidst of the drinkers and thinkers of Ten-Forward, Deanna and the rest of the senior crew watched (and listened) as Will blew his heart out onto a golden trombone. The piece ended as quickly as Deanna had arrived; a patient had broken into tears (grief therapy) and so, being the good counselor that she was, Deanna stayed with her until her cheeks were dry and her spirits were high.

"Any requests?"

None. No one knew Will well enough to request anything, and most people had only just heard about the Enterprise's first officer entertaining the crew as if he were only the bartender.

He chose a piece himself.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Nightbird."

Nightbird? Hadn't Andy mentioned something about this to Deanna?

"As a writer, he excels at everything he tries. Just give him a new concept and he'll master in within an hour. But as a musician, he needs practice. Especially with this one song, called Nig-"

Yep. That was it.

But it wasn't long until Will hit a sour note.

And the night ended.

"Second thoughts, Deanna?"

The ladies were at the bar, Deanna twirling her iced Shirley Temple (the captain had recommended it), and the subject had suddenly turned from drinks to Will and Deanna's relationship.

If that's what you called it.

"More like second chances," she answered. She hadn't given much thought to it lately, the patients were streaming in, and suddenly Deanna realized she needed to do a psychological evaluation for the crew of the Enterprise, so in between reading, doing research with past counselors, and her usual bombardment of patients, Deanna had no time to even breathe.

But tonight was different, because Beverly had simply insisted.

She was good at that. And Deanna suddenly realized she didn't know what she would do without the redhead. They had gotten closer when Deanna broke down one day, remembering Andy, Will, and the time they had spent together.

Would he still-

Oh no. He was coming toward them.

Breathe Deanna. If a certain member of the fifth house could see you now...

Deanna dear, why don't you marry...

Ugh.

He gave a gentle smile. "Hi ladies, how are we doing tonight?"

Beverly, please do notleave me with him... "We're fine," the Doctor answered. "That was quite a performance up there, Will. My son even liked it."

"Your son? Wesley, right?" His smile faded as Deanna continued to twirl away.

Guinan approached, eyeing Deanna. The Betazoid smiled as Will ordered a synthehol, and Beverly jabbered away.

"And when we meet; Which I'm sure we will; I understand; We'll be there still; I'll let it pass; And hold my tongue; And you will think; That I've moved on..."xi

"Beverly," Deanna whispered, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Nodding a polite goodbye to Will, Deanna left for her quarters.

"I'm sorry," Beverly said to a despairing Will, eyeing the counselor as she left. "But you know where she'll be if you need her."

He only watched as the doors closed behind her.