The away teams finished their work and were packing up to leave the southeast survey site. Soren had been consulting on an initial test of some of their equipment. It was only luck that Deanna had walked by them just as Carson issued the order for Soren's team to head back to the Enterprise.
Soren stood with Deanna and 2 other geologists of the field team, to wait for the land train to take them to their shuttle site, some distance away on the peninsula.
He was reading a report on the planet's inaccessible minerals and listening to the local radio in an earpiece.
The train pulled up to the platform and they boarded. The 2 geologists moved to the end of the foyer, still chatting. Deanna acknowledged him briefly and stood close to the doors, then returned to reading something on her PADD, her back almost to him.
The train lurched, causing the carriage contents to sway and reach for railings to hold their balance.
Soren felt comfortable against the wall and settled into reading the report.
Raising her arm to scratch her neck, Soren gazed. The purple blouse and black pants she had chosen for this away mission, failing to hide her beauty.
Soren adjusted his collar and glanced at the geologists. Soren couldn't hear their exchange, they were not interested in either Soren or Deanna.
Agamantheum is believed to be affected by heat, so much so that, to drill for it would greatly damage it, rendering it unworkable.
The train approached the next station and braked sharply, Soren looked up from his report as they all lost their balance momentarily. With her right arm, Deanna secured herself to the railing. 6 more passengers pushed their way into the carriage. Deanna turned and stepped closer to Soren, in an effort to be more efficient. Nonchalantly she pivoted, her back again to Soren, standing just 2 feet away as the train started up again.
The train rounded a bend and the passengers were once again rocked. The passenger in front of Deanna rearranged their footing and she stepped back to allow him room.
Soren hadn't moved.
As the driver accelerated and the carriage rocked, he could feel her warmth as her backside brushed his hip. She smelled so good, like distant warm caramel syrup. He breathed her scent in, watching her in front of him.
Was she really so oblivious to the effect she had on him, or did she know exactly what she was doing to him?
He glanced out the glass of the doors to the fields beyond, composing himself.
She was still reading.
Ignoring him, so it seemed, her feet moved again, into his personal space. Another bump, it was as if a heat transfer occurred between them. The excitement of the contact caused his heart to race.
He tried to appear to ignore her, as if he was being observed. As the train careered, he looked out of the glass again, the report in his hands forgotten.
Another bump and he felt her again. He felt so turned on by her he admitted a cold shower would be a solution.
'Deanna,' his own voice sounded strange to him.
'Counsellor Troi', when we're in public, please.' She answered quietly yet firmly.
He smiled, the tension easing.
A cheeky smile was forming on her lips too as she turned.
He faced her back again, willing the train trip to last even longer but they had to be drawing close to their station, and their shuttle and the Enterprise.
His head buzzed with excitement, the report in his hand fell to his side. Her slim waist beckoned him and as the train swayed them again, he steadied himself with his left hand over her hip.
He heard her sharp intake of breath, but she kept her eyes on her PADD.
Soren consumed her form with his eyes, drinking in her scent, her hair brushing the side of his face.
Was it his imagination or did she ever so slightly arch into his touch?
The other passengers were unaware of their slow dance.
He let go and she turned her head over her shoulder then turned back.
The music in his ear bounced and encouraged him.
Still watching her as if hypnotized, her left hand dropped to her side, invitingly.
He took it, as waves of elation swept through him.
The train pressed on.
His fingers played with hers, gently and slowly.
He thought Deanna bit her bottom lip, but he could not see her face.
Another bump in the track and another press of her backside into his hips.
They continued their game, as if Soren was lying in wait for the prey to turn around and face her attacker.
The train approached another station, slowing.
'This is our stop,' she said, freeing her hand.
Soren sighed inwardly at the loss of her contact, then recovered, gesturing towards the geologists, who made their way over to the doors.
The doors opened and she left him, walking out; her eyes on the map she'd brought up to guide them.
She fell into step beside David, as Soren compliantly paired with Michael.
As Michael talked enough for all of them on their way to the shuttle site, Soren debated his next course of action. Should he corner Deanna and demand to see her? Should he ask her what time her shift finishes? Should he turn up outside her quarters tonight? Or should he do nothing and wait for her to simmer in silence, only to be the one to initiate their next meeting. He felt giddy with confidence.