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Author's note: Well, this is the last chapter, people! I can't believe I actually finished a multi-chapter fic!
As of March 16th, 2012, I have received 6 reviews. I'm going to take this opportunity to thank my reviewers: autumnrose2010, DanaK, PT21, trance47, kraftykathy, and CityDurl. You guys rule! I never expected so much support!
Anyways, on to the end!
A few days later, Riker and Deanna were walking hand in hand on a currently deserted deck.
Well, deserted except for them and their companions, Tasha and Data. The four had just come from a Secret Couples Club meeting in some currently-vacated quarters. The young Ensign who had been assigned there had recently been reassigned, so there was very little chance that anyone else would walk in on them. It had been pretty fun to all make up excuses to be there. Well, Data didn't see the fun in it, but the other three did.
While there, they'd agreed to move their temporary daytime tryst spot to a table in Ten-Forward placed cleverly behind several large house plants Guinan had recently moved in there. She'd said nothing to them, and they had said nothing to her, but somehow, she'd figured out their secret. Riker wondered if Picard had told her or something. Well, if he had, she was the only one. No one else seemed to so much as suspect.
"You know, we should all be getting back on duty soon," Tasha remarked. "Lunch break is only so long."
"Agreed," agreed Data. Tasha smirked and entwined her fingers around his. He made no move to push her away. As a matter of fact, he never did, whether she wanted to hold his hand or to make love. It was all irrelevant. As long as it made her happy, he had no complaint.
"You always agree," she said as she leaned in a little closer. "Looking for brownie points?"
By this time, they'd reached the turbolift.
"Inquiry: what is a-" Data was silenced when Tasha planted her lips firmly on his own, tired of talk and just wanting a kiss. Deanna and Riker clapped jokingly. The four had begun spending a great deal of time together lately, and had become quite close friends while sharing their secret.
"The turbolift seems to be taking awhile today," Riker remarked a few minutes later.
"I wonder if it's broken?" Deanna mused.
"In a conversation with Geordi this morning, he mentioned that there have been no mechanical errors with the turbolift," Data pointed out. The four looked at each other, suspicion or realization dawning for each one.
"But we don't use the turbolift for anything other than transport," Deanna spoke the thought that had been in all their minds.
"Someone else does, perhaps." Riker hadn't needed to say that, since everyone was thinking of that as well.
"Computer: locate the turbolift," Data ordered.
"The turbolift is approximately three decks away," the computer replied.
"Status?"
"On hold."
The four exhaled. They'd all suspected that, yes, but getting confirmation from the computer was a little different from simply thinking it.
"I'm killing whoever's in there," growled Tasha. "We need to get back to the bridge!"
"Override," Riker, the only one in the vincity with that privilege, ordered. A few seconds later, the turbolift arrived and the doors opened. The four on the deck saw a pair of people with their arms wrapped around one another's waists. They were obviously engaging in a makeout session of their own, oblivious to the three staring open mouthed and Data staring with a mildly surprised expression. Although the act itself was no surprise, the two people were.
"Captain Picard?" Riker cried.
"Dr. Crusher?" Deanna's tone was just as shocked.
"What the hell?" Tasha's comment just about summed things up. The two broke apart abruptly, realizing they had an audience.
"Er…" Picard was now the one at a loss for words. Dr. Crusher just turned red.
Forget being caught kissing someone by a parent, catching said parent in the same context was considerably more embarrassing. At least, for the four still on the deck, that was certainly true. Except for Data, who was incapable of feeling emotion, but even he had the sense that he had interrupted something, and that he was certainly unwilling to have interrupted that something.
After a few moments, however, there was a certain sense that something had to be done. Tasha was totally unwilling to do anything, Deanna was trying extremely hard not to laugh, and Data was unsure how to proceed. Of course, that left Riker.
"Welcome to the club, captain," he said with a grin as the four stepped into the turbolift. "You guys ARE in a secret relationship, right?"
"Obviously," snorted Tasha.
"Alrighty, then. Bridge," Riker temporarily turned to talk to the turbolift before turning to his captain. "We'll keep a secret if you join the Secret Couples Club."
"It would be advisable to say 'yes,'" Data pointed out.
"Ok," Dr. Crusher nodded, while Picard hesitated before nodding as well.
"One warning, though," Riker looked at them as sternly as possible.
"Which is…?"
"Making out in turbolifts is against club policy. A higher-up of mine forbade me from such behavior."
