"I'm sorry, Deanna," Will said. "It's just - I never know where I'm going to be stationed next, and I don't think I'm ready for a long-distance relationship."
"I understand," Deanna said. Her voice was hollow and she avoided his gaze. "Congratulations on your promotion, Commander Riker. And your new assignment."
"Deanna - " Will said desperately. "It's not like that."
"Like what?" Deanna asked pointedly.
"You're the empath," he said. "You know how I feel about you."
"I do," she said flatly. "And I know how you feel about your career too."
Will laughed humorlessly. "You make it sound like my career is a woman," he said.
"Well, I know that your career is more important to you than any woman right now," she said. She kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye, imzadi. Maybe one day we'll meet again."
After Deanna left, Will touched the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him. "Goodbye, imzadi," he whispered.
Dear Deanna,
It's been a year since I was stranded on this godforsaken planet, and I can finally record another log entry. I wrote down everything I wanted to say. I'm trying to look on the bright side. One more year here is one year closer to being rescued and seeing you again.
I only had one uniform when I beamed down here, so I've been wearing the scientists' uniforms. Most of them are too small for me, but I've found a few that fit. I hope they don't mind. They shouldn't, since I helped save their lives and all.
As you can see, I've also grown a beard. I've always hated shaving, and I figured no one can see me anyway. I don't look so young anymore, that's for sure. But I do keep it trim - I don't want to have a three-foot-long beard when I'm rescued like one of those castaways in old TV shows. I hope you like it, if you ever see it. Or feel it. I wonder what it would be like to kiss you with a beard. Me having the beard, obviously - not you. Hah... I seem to be losing my dialogue skills.
I've been having strange dreams. I dream that I'm back on the Potemkin. I dream that I've been promoted to Lieutenant Commander, to Commander, to Captain. I dream that I'm with you on Betazed. I wish you could tell me what these dreams mean. They don't give me hope. They make me feel like I'm going insane, because I see what I'm missing. I've been drinking more coffee to keep myself from falling asleep and having these dreams. I know it's bad for me, but I can't help myself.
I've been watching the scientists' logs. I think I've seen all of them now, so I've gone back and started watching some over again. It started out as a way to distract myself, but I feel like I know these people. It makes me feel a little better knowing that these are the people I rescued. That this wasn't all in vain. I hope I get to meet them again someday. And you. God, I miss you all the time. I hope you're still thinking about me. Love, Will.
