Title: Parterre Chapter Three: "Future Imperfect"
Author: Psycha (psycha underscore fairy at yahoo dot co dot uk)
Series: TNG
Rating: K
Codes: C, T
Summary: After a few weeks of uneasiness, Beverly begins to realize the underlying course and acts accordingly…
Chapter Three: "Future Imperfect"
"How is he doing?" Beverly turned her gaze to the young woman across from her when she was sure the first officer was out of hearing range. The exhausted expression on the counselor's face was hard to miss, especially for a doctor.
Deanna sighed and tore off a piece of bread. "He's coping, trying to deal with the memories." She tucked the bread in her mouth and chewed slowly. "Barash showed him a future that seemed perfectly real and probable, with the exception of his wife."
"Minuet."
"Yes, a hologram. She couldn't have been real."
Crusher nodded and took a sip of her wine. "Figures that his track record with women would be the thing to help him see through the hoax." Deanna's laughter made her smile, it was good to see the worry lines in her friend's face disappear for a short while. "Quite a birthday present."
Troi nodded and looked thoughtfully at a point on the table's surface. "It might be a blessing in disguise," she said slowly. "For a while he was a father, a widow and a captain. It's making him consider the path he's taking."
"I have to admit I was surprised when he turned down his own command, again." The changes in Troi's expression were minute, but Beverly felt as if she knew every thought that fluttered through that pretty head.
"You returned here after Starfleet medical, why?"
Black eyes implored her, the counselor's mask betraying nothing but gentle amusement. "I didn't like the work." Deanna shook her head and Beverly knew she saw right through her cop-out. "The Enterprise is still the flagship, a better position just isn't available."
"Is that why you came back here?"
With a sigh she relented, scanning the area around them out of habit and spotting Riker and LaForge near the bar. "Not primarily. Wesley was still here and Jean-Luc, Will, you…I felt comfortable here."
"So does Will," Troi shared, "so do I. The Enterprise is more than a position, it's an extended family."
"But I thought he wanted his own command."
"So did I." Deanna whispered softly. "People change."
"Sickbay to Doctor Crusher."
With a roll of her eyes Beverly acknowledged the hail, a part of her grateful for the interruption. "Crusher here." It had been a while since she and Troi had shared lunch together, in the last few weeks she has felt increasingly exposed in the counselor's presence. The conversations they shared had become more personal and intimate amplifying feelings she was trying hard to deny.
"Doctor, Doctor Selar is requesting your assistance."
"I'm on my way." Adrenaline was already starting to rush through her body, preparing her for a potentially high risk operation. "Sorry to cut this short," she lied to Troi, abruptly standing up.
"Dinner in my quarters tonight?"
Taken by surprise Crusher paused mid-step, her eyes flicking over the pale skin that set off against the dark red of Deanna's uniform. "Uhm, I'm not sure how long I'll be. Maybe some other time." She pretended not to see the disappointment in black eyes and hurried off.