Author's Note: Chapter 1 took place directly after the events of the movie "First Contact" on the Enterprise-E. This Chapter (and most of the story from here on out) takes place directly after the events of the movie "Generations" and the destruction of the Enterprise-D. I do my best to match continuity and canon as best I can.

Chapter 2

2371

Captain Jean Luc Picard looked at what seemed like a sea of faces looking back at him. What could he say to this group that had become his second family? For eight years they'd served together, risked their lives together and now, just like that, it was done.

"I have tried to find something inspirational to say but the words have escaped me," He began honestly, "I do not know what the future holds for this crew. Thank you to all those who gave statements and answered questions at the hearings. I know it's an intimidating process but it's standard procedure when a starship is lost."

Picard continued, "I have heard that a new Enterprise is being commissioned as we speak. But who will crew it, even who will captain it, is still to be decided. I will use whatever influence I have to keep this amazing crew together but it will take time. I do not expect you to put your lives on hold," He stole a glance at Riker, "Or pass up better opportunities in the meantime."

He heard rumblings in the crowd. His senior staff already knew what he'd just said but most of the others did not.

"Again, thank you for all you've done. And for what could be the last time, dismissed."

The crowd of USS Enterprise-D officers and crew members that had gathered in that lecture hall at Starfleet headquarters began to disperse. The room was filled with a mix of feelings; uncertainty, anxiety and relief. As always, Deanna Troi had a front seat to it all. She sometimes wished she could turn it off. Being in crowds like that made it difficult to focus on one person, even if that person was right next to you.

Worf could be so hard to read. In all honesty, that was part of what drew her to him. Unpacking his tightly wound personality was a challenge Deanna didn't often get. He didn't immediately move to leave the room the way the others had. Deanna waited with him and as the room emptied, she could sense him more. Worf was feeling anxious and unsure.

"So what do we do now?" She asked offhandedly, more to the air than to Worf.

"I do not know," Worf's gaze was far away and his voice sounded despondent, "I do not know," he repeated.

"Well, for now at least, we could go have dinner."

Worf nodded, "Yes."

They left the lecture hall and began walking the campus towards the dining hall. They walked in silence at first. Deanna could tell that he wanted to say something and was searching for the words. Finally Worf spoke up, "I have been considering using this time off to visit my family here on Earth."

"I think that's a good idea. I am sure Alexander would enjoy that as well," she replied.

Worf took a breath, "I would like it if you accompanied us as well."

Deanna was stunned, "Really? Worf, I-"

"If you have other plans or simply would rather not, I completely understand," he added quickly.

"No, no. I would love to," Deanna looped her arm in his and squeezed it, "I'd love to."

Worf stopped once he realized they were alone. Gently he placed his arm around her waist and pulled her close, " I will let my parents know we are coming. You know, Russia gets very cold at the time of year."

Deanna smiled up at him, "I'm counting on you to keep me warm, then."

A small smile formed on Worf's lips just as he brought them down onto hers. Anxiety was replaced by contentment and Deanna could feel his body relax in their embrace.

"I am going to go get Alexander and we will meet you in the dining hall," Worf said quietly.

She nodded, "I'll see you there."

The two parted. Deanna walked away with a bright smile on her face. This was a big step, a very big step. She was starting to feel a little nervous herself at the idea of meeting his family. She had no idea what to expect but was excited to find out what was in store.

"Deanna!"

The ear to ear smile that was on her face faded almost instantly. She knew that voice anywhere and though she usually welcomed it, right now it was the last one she wanted to hear.

Her face didn't show that though. Troi put on her best smile, turned and said, "Will! Where are you headed?"

Commander Riker jogged a few paces to catch up to her. The warm sun put a slight sheen of perspiration on his forehead and for a brief moment she swore she saw a gray hair glistening, "I was looking for you actually."

"Oh? What can I do for you?"

He put on his most boyish grin, "Wanna go to Risa with me?"

She was stunned, "Wh...What?"

"Or maybe not Risa. If you were planning to go back to Betezed, I'd love to come along. It's been awhile since I've seen Mrs. Troi."

Deanna still could not believe her ears. Where had Will been the last seven months? Clearly he knew she and Worf were together. When they first got serious, Worf told Deanna he wanted to approach Riker to essentially ask his permission for the two of them to see each other. Deanna was adamantly against it. Will already acted like he owned her, she didn't need Worf validating that idea, "You're joking."

"Not at all," He replied, still grinning and standing entirely too close to her. Will knew what he was doing. He'd stood by and watched this thing with Worf go on for much longer than he'd ever expected. It was time to take back what was his, "Come with me," he paused before lowering his voice to almost a whisper, "I still owe you that trip to Risa."

Deanna gasped at the reference. Now she was getting angry. How dare he bring that up, after all these years! She managed to keep her composure, though, "Worf has invited me to go with him and Alexander to spend some time with their family here on Earth."

Now it was Riker's turn to be stunned, though he couldn't let her see that, "Worf's from Russia, right? Get's pretty cold there. Nothing like the endless sunshine of- "

"I am not going with you to Risa, Will. Worf and I are…" her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words.

"What are you and Worf?" Will asked, an air of challenge in his voice.

She steeled herself, "We are together. You know that."

"I've seen you two together. But I've seen you and Data together, too."

Deanna crossed her arms, "I'm not playing this game with you Will. You know Worf and I are seeing each other. And besides, I already agreed to go with him."

"So if I'd asked you first you'd be going to Risa with me?"

Deanna frowned, "That's the thing, Will, you were first. And second for that matter. Worf got to me last, and that's what's important."

Will lowered his eyes; he was out of witty things to say to charm her back to him.

"You know what you remind me of, Will? You're like a child who plays with a toy for a while and then tosses it aside. The toy is completely forgotten until you see someone else pick it up. Then, inexplicably, you want it again."

"It's not that simple, Deanna. You and I are..."

"Are what? What are we Will?" now she was challenging him to answer.

Riker was silent. He wasn't expecting this from her. She was angry and hurt and most of all, she wanted him to know it.

His eyes searched hers, trying to find that little spark that was always there, had been there since the day they met, "We are," Will dropped his voice to a whisper again, "We are Imzadi."

"Don't you ever use that word again," Deanna's voice was almost venomous, "You don't think I know that? You don't think I still see it, feel it, every time I'm near you? I simply cannot keep doing this with you," she took a breath, and composed herself, "I am with Worf now and things are going very well. You and I have a connection, but I need more than that, I need a commitment. And I have never been able to get that from you. So no, I will not be going to Risa or Betezed or anywhere with you," she paused, "But thank you for asking."

Without another word Deanna Troi turned on her heel and walked the other way. Will Riker stood there, dumbfounded. She was absolutely right about all it it. He liked the security of keeping her in his back pocket, but the freedom of never having to commit. He took her for granted, assumed she'd always be there whenever he was ready. Even this thing with Worf, Will figured once he was ready to step back in that it would be over. What a fool he had been. And now she was walking away from him and towards a man who didn't know how not to commit. Worf was loyal to a fault, he could hate Deanna but would never leave her lest he risk dishonoring her.

Will stood there, realizing that with the Enterprise gone, they could be reassigned and he might not even see her again. He'd had her right there, the love of his life, for eight years. And he never acted on it.

William Riker knew he didn't deserve another chance with Deanna Troi. But he also knew that if he got it, he wouldn't give up until she was his wife.

Helena Rozhenko walked through her modest home one more time. It has been a long time since Worf had been home, and then when he told her he was bringing a friend, a female friend, Helena could hardly contain herself. She worried endlessly about her youngest son and the idea that he might be on the path to finding happiness with someone made her heart swell. She needed everything to go as perfectly as she could. He hadn't give her much notice, there were a dozen things she would have done had she known Worf was coming home sooner.

"You are fussing too much," Sergey scolded.

"There is no such thing as too much fussing for Worf. How often does he bring a woman home to meet us?"

Her husband Sergey conceded from his spot in his favorite chair. It gave him the perfect view of anyone coming up the road to their house. In the distance he saw three figures materialize, their forms contrasting against the white snow. With a quiet groan that showed his age, Sergey hoisted himself from his chair, "Well, it will have to do because they are here."

Helena virtually dashed to the door of their countryside home and stood on the porch as her son Worf, grandson Alexander and the woman Worf told her about ascended the stairs. Alexander was the first to reach out and hug her, "Grandmother!"

"Oh, Alexander!" she exclaimed, "You grow so fast, you are like a different boy every time I see you."

"I'm as tall as you now," he said, his voice cracking a bit under the changes of adolescence.

Next up the stairs was Worf, "Mother, Father, I would like you to meet Counselor Deanna Troi. Deanna, these are my parents."

"Call me Helena, and this is my husband Sergey," she said, reaching out to to hug Deanna, "How are you?"

"Cold," Deanna admitted honestly.

Sergey laughed from behind his wife, "Come inside, all of you."

They all went into the house and as they were removing coats and setting down bags, Sergey whispered to Worf, "She's beautiful,"

Worf smirked at his father, "Of course she is."

That made Sergey laugh again, "So how long will you be with us son? We get to see you so rarely," he asked as she sat right back into his spot.

Worf remained standing, "Our ship has been destroyed. The truth is, Alexander and I do not have a home right now."

"This is your home for as long as you need it," Helena added.

Alexander spoke up, "Then can I have your room upstairs, Father?"

"No," Worf answered quickly. Worf loved that room.

"You can stay in Nikolai's room," Helena said, "I know you just got here Worf, but perhaps you and Alexander could bring in some wood for the night. It's only going to get colder and your father cleaned out the fireplaces just for you."

Worf smiled, "Of course, Mother."

Worf and Alexander put their overcoats back on and headed out the door. Helena turned to Deanna again, "Let me show you where you will be staying."

Counselor Troi followed Worf's mother as she ascended a narrow staircase. At the top was a door that Helena opened, revealing a big open space that looked very different from the rest of the house, "Worf pretty much built this room himself when we moved here from Gault. He wanted his own space and Sergey and I knew he needed it. He even built another fireplace up here so that he could keep it lit whenever he was here. He loves fire, but I'm sure you know that."

Deanna walked around the room and felt like she'd been let into a secret part of Worf's life. She'd been in his quarters on the Enterprise countless times, but this was different. This room was just as neat and orderly as the one on the Enterprise and was also an eclectic juxtaposition of Klingon and Human culture. For a moment, she felt like she shouldn't be here, that she was looking in on something Worf wanted kept private.

"Thank you," Deanna finally said.

Helena smiled, "You're nervous."

"Yes," she admitted.

"And not just about meeting Sergey and I."

Deanna laughed, "Worf never told me you were an empath too."

Helena smiled, "Worf is difficult. But he is worth it," she paused, "I am going to let you settle in. I'll see you in a bit."

Troi walked over to the window and looked out. She had only seen snow a handful of times in her life and the white was blindingly bright. Out there in it were Worf and Alexander. Deanna watched intently as Worf swung an axe over and over breaking the big logs Alexander brought him into smaller ones. It was like a different person had beamed down to this secluded, cold and snowy place with her. A person who build attic bedrooms and chopped firewood and smiled at his parents. Deanna didn't know this Worf, but he was eager to learn all she could about him.

Nightfall came quickly at this time of year. It had been a good day, better than either Worf or Deanna has expected. The inevitable awkwardness of bringing a woman home faded quickly and in no time, Troi felt like part of the family. Worf wondered how much of her empathic abilities played into that, but he didn't question it.

The rest of the house was quiet. Worf's parents had long fallen asleep and Alexander had gone to spend the night with old friends. Deanna sat on the edge of the bed in Worf's attic sanctuary. Worf was there was well, kneeling in front of the fireplace and carefully arranging the logs he'd split himself and filling the spaces with kindling. They could both hear the cold wind howl outside the window.

"The environmental controls should do a good job of keeping the cold air out," he began, "I do this because… well, I do not exactly know why I do this," he said.

"Yes you do. You do it because you love fire."

Worf's eyes were fixed on the small flicker of a flame, "I do. It has always brought me calm and focus."

Deanna ran her hands over the furry bed covering, "I've never felt anything like this, what is it?"

Worf stood, "It is the pelt of a Russian brown bear."

"Is it real?"

He smirked, "Oh yes."

The fire grew. They were both quiet for a moment as they gazed into it.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she whispered.

"I am glad you came," Worf answered sincerely. The low rumble of his voice sent chills through her, despite the heat of the flame. Deanna rose to her feet and stood before him. They had been together as a couple for quite a while now and they'd shared just about everything in that time, everything except… this. Whenever they got close, really close, Worf's guard was always up just enough that things never proceeded beyond a kiss and a hug good night. He never let her in all the way. Deanna didn't push, she respected that he was not ready to take the last step with their relationship. But as the months went on she wondered if he would ever be.

Deanna was not the only one keenly aware of what they had not yet done. Worf told himself that he was keeping to Klingon traditions- mating was reserved for the person you intended to marry and they had not spoken of taking that step. In reality, he knew it was much more than that. As much as he hated admitting it to himself, he was afraid.

"I... I am going to let you get some sleep. The fire should last most of the night."

"Where are you going?"

"I can sleep on the couch. I think it would be more appropriate."

Deanna could feel that guard slowly building up, "You know," she began, "I told you I'd need you to keep me warm."

Worf swallowed the lump his throat. He really did not want to sleep on the couch and he knew she knew that, "I built the fire, did I not?"

It was her turn to smirk, "That's not what I meant."

As they stood together in that dark room, firelight dancing around them, Troi had a feeling tonight would be different. She took his hand in hers and slowly walked him back to the bed, her eyes never leaving his. All at once, Deanna sensed the one thing that was holding him back from her.

"You don't have to be afraid," she whispered, with as much sincerity as she could muster.

Normally, the insinuation that he was afraid of anything would have made Worf furious. Hearing it from Deanna did the exact opposite, "I do not wish to hurt you," he admitted honestly.

"Oh Worf," Deanna reached up and touched his face. She'd done some research on Klingon mating and she knew what she was getting herself into, "I know you don't. And I trust you, completely."

It was as if those words were all he needed to hear. The next thing she knew, Deanna could feel Worf literally sweeping her off her feet and placing her gently onto his bed. Worf's imposing frame loomed over hers the same way Will's had once upon a time.

Dear God, not now, Deanna scolded herself. Not now. She needed to get him out of her head. As Worf's lips moved to the curve of her neck, Deanna's eyes were drawn back to the fire. Worf's fire. The one he built for her. She could feel Worf's strong hands fumble with the clasps and closures of her clothes. Worf's hands. Deanna let her eyes close and a sigh of pleasure escaped from her lips just before they were silenced by his. The fur felt exhilarating against her bare skin, but his bare skin on hers felt even better. This is what she had waited for, this was what they both needed.

The shadows their bodies made in the firelight were unlike any that attic room had seen before.