II

Counsel

"Computer, verbalize my entire schedule for today, in chronological order, with whatever notes I have."

0800 Carol Bylean; 0900 Bill Ziegler: Grief Therapy; 1000 Data: inquired of small talk; 1100 Riley Kane; 1400 Charlotte Whitney; 1500 Cole Ashley; 1600 William T. Riker; Gri-

What? "Computer, stop. repeat previous appointment."

1600 William T. Riker; Grief Therapy.

She used one of his words. "Fuck."

Unknown command.

1557.

Her last appointment had left over ten minutes ago, and it had been rather simple. Nothing to fret about, just some lady troubles. Deanna made some quick notes in the officer's psychological profile, did some reading on Lieutenant Commander LaForge (for the psych evals), saw that it was almost time, and put everything away.

Sitting, she found that she couldn't keep herself occupied. Was he coming or not? She stood, pacing. Of course she knew why he was seeing her; Andy had been a son to him, and if the fates had allowed it, he could've been his son.

What if they had gotten married? Hopefully their first child would be a boy, naming him Andrew would be suitable. And, it would fit into Deanna's wish to name her first son after her father. His middle name could be Ian. Andrew Ian Troi. Or Riker. Whatever fit.

Her door chime rang and Deanna was jolted from her daydream.

Suddenly, her nerves were a mess. Did she look alright? She looked fine! Good. Hey, calm down! Calm down, Deanna. Sit! Go sit down! Pretend you were reading something! Yeah! Sit. Pick up the PADD! Alright. Everything set? Yes. Okay.

"Come in."

Beverly. Okay. Breathe. A quick glance to the chrono on her console confirmed that it was 1559. One more minute.

"Hey, I wanted to ask if you were free for dinner tonight. Wesley wanted to come too."

Deanna smiled. "Maybe tomorrow? I have psych evaluations to administer next week and some prep work to do."

"Really?"

"Really."

"You're not going to tell me anything else, are you?"

"Nope."

"You're evil."

"I know."

2027.

Her last appointment ended in what seemed ages ago, and when Deanna finished the last of what she had planned for the day, her hopes of seeing Will had vanished with each star the Enterprise passed.

So she hadn't expected that he would walk in when she was about to leave for the day.

He looked tired. Beaten, almost.

"I'm sorry, Dea, there was a skirmish with-"

"Dea?"

"Sorry. Deanna."

"No, I like it."

"Oh. Okay. Were you about to leave?"

She nodded. "We should meet, though. Starfleet regulation, you know."

"Alright."

"So, how are you doing?"

"Don't ask that."

"Ask what? How are you doing? It's a legitimate question."

"Yeah, but in your position as a psychologist, it sounds more like I'm some menial patient who can't take care of himself."

"You know that that's not what I think of you."

"What do you think of me?"

"You're a difficult patient, as you have always been."

"I'm starting on a new book, you know."

"Really? What's it going it be about?"

"At the moment, I have an idea, but its always hard to tell. I'm in my very first early drafts, so its expected that I'll change my mind a lot."

"Oh."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"You should be asking me, but I wanted to know."

"Okay."

"Do you miss him?"

"I do."

"You don't seem like it."

"I deal with it. Working helps, you know."

"I know. That's why Dad recommended active duty. Hey, is that why you've been so busy?"

"No, the crew are just due for psych eval's."

"Oh."

"Do you miss him?"

"More than ever."

"Why?"

"Well, you would think that a change of scenery would help."

"But?"

"But it doesn't. Everything still reminds me of him. Yesterday I nearly called the house thinking I had to check up on him."

She could feel his sadness brewing to the surface.

"Dad tries to help, but at the end of the day, I realized I had to come to you."

"And you have, which is a big step."

"I miss him, Deanna. More than you think. The idea of living without him," He put his face in his hands, and then looked up at her. "That house, is coated with him. His memories, his childhood, that he spent with me!"

"You're a good father, Will, and at the end of the day, he was happy. He died, happy and satisfied, loved by you-"

"And you."

Really? Did she love Andy? Deanna had to cope as much as Will did, but was it because she loved him?

Well then why was she grieving over him! Of course she loved Andy! Andy was...

...Andy was Will's son. And Deanna loved Will. They were nearly a family, one which Deanna had dreamed about since she was seven. Suddenly she remembered Andy was gone, and she found herself gone too, into the depths of sadness which surrounded her first week back to work on the Enterprise.

"Deanna?"

"That should be it for today, Will," she said, voice cracking. "I'll see you next week? Same day, same time."

Disappointed but not wanting to push her tears to the surface, Will agreed, and left.