Standard Disclaimers apply: Paramount is Lord and Master of the Star Trek Universe. With the exception of a few characters, plot points, and an excerpt from Peter David's "Imzadi", all the characters are the sole property yada yada yada. All rights blah blah blah. I am not stealing, I am just borrowing.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” the minister’s voice droned on as the mourners huddled around the frozen ground in which the bodies of William Thomas and Deanna Troi Riker were being interred.

Numbed by grief and the frigid Alaska winter, Sierra watched silently as her beloved parents were laid to rest. She leaned against the broad shoulder of her twin brother Harrison, drawing strength from him. She could not believe her wonderful parents were truly gone. Not even seeing the double casket lowered into the cold earth could make it real for her.

Once the casket was lowered into the ground, the friends and family of the Rikers’ began to move away, some fighting tears, others crying openly. Beverly Picard, one of the latter, made her way slowly to her Godchildren, her grief evident on her tear-streaked face.

Sierra scarcely noticed the people streaming around her. She had not moved an inch. She stood rigid as the caretakers began shoveling dirt over the casket. The sound of earth hitting wood pounded in her head like a drum. The slow tattoo ripped through her soul with every beat.

The now orphaned teenager threw her hands over her ears and closed her eyes tightly against the sound. Like a torrid river, the pain washed over her. Sierra began to scream as reality crashed around her, bringing with it a sorrow that was stronger than anything she had ever felt in her entire life.

"Noooooo," she screamed, tears clogging her throat so that the sound came out barely a whimper.

"Seri!" Harrison yelled. Sierra did not feel his arms wrap around her, nor did she hear the sound of Beverly's cry as the world went black around her.

Sierra awoke slowly. For one blissful moment she was unable to remember the events of the day. The all too brief seconds of oblivion were abruptly shattered when Sierra’s eyes met those of her brother. Sierra found herself lying on the couch in her living room. How had she gotten here? The last thing she remembered was standing at the gravesite, listening to the horrible sound…

Sierra moaned and tried to sit up. Instantly, her brother was beside her, helping her into a sitting position. “Seri, are you all right?” she heard in her head. Despite the pain, Sierra was comforted by the voice in her mind. Being telepathically linked to her sibling had always been, in Sierra’s opinion, the best thing about being one quarter Betazoid. Although, according to her mother, the link had more to do with being twins then being Betazoid.

“What happened?” She answered verbally.

The cushion shifted slightly as Beverly sat down beside Sierra, putting her arm around her shoulders. “You passed out, Darling. You should rest here for a while. This has all been too much for your body to take.”

Sierra could hear voices coming from the other room. She knew the house was filled with friends and well-wishers; it was her duty to attend to them. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to draw strength from deep within, just the way her mother had always taught her. She would not fall apart in front of half of Starfleet. She would wait until later, when she was alone.

Sierra shook her head, “No, Aunt Bev, I’ll be alright.”

For the next three hours, Sierra walked among the many, many people who came to pay their final respects to her parents. People from all walks of life. Humans, Betazoids, Vulcans, Bajorans, a few Klingons, and many other races filled the small house. Sierra was beginning to feel clausterphobic. As she went from one person to the next, mumbling thank you, and allowing herself to be patted and petted, she desperately wished everybody would just leave.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the last of the guest left. The only people that remained were her parents’ dearest friends. The former senior bridge crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Sierra stood at the front window, staring out at the endless blanket of white.

Feeling a light touch on her elbow, Sierra turned to meet the sad eyes of Geordi La Forge. Behind Geordi stood Beverly Picard and her sons Wesley Crusher and Benoit Picard. Also among the group was Data.

"Seri, I am so sorry for your loss," Geordi said quietly. "Will and Deanna were dear friends and will be sorely missed."

Harrison came up behind Sierra and placed his arm across her shoulders. She leaned into him, drawing strength from his gentle touch. "Thank you Uncle Geordi. We appreciate you coming. "

The group turned and moved to the living room, joining Worf, Alexander, and Jean-Luc Picard.

"What will you do now?" Wesley asked, sitting next to his stepfather.

Harrison spoke for the first time. "Seri and I will start the Academy next month, just as we planned. Until then, we will stay here and close up the house. Mom and Dad accumulated a lot of stuff in the fifteen years that they lived here."

Data, with his abundant curiosity that the years had not diminished, remarked, "I find it very peculiar that Deanna passed away just days after Will did. Although Will's heart problem was known, there was no indication of Deanna having the same condition. Yet, she died of heart failure, same as he."

Since the Riker twins were unable to answer, Beverly spoke past the apple sized lump in her throat. "None of us could fully explain or understand the incredible bond they shared. I truly believe that this bond had become so strong after twenty years of marriage that one could truly not exist with out the other."

Data nodded in understanding "So what you are saying, Doctor, is that..."

"Mama died of a broken heart," Sierra finished softly.

Hours later, Sierra closed the door behind them. With a sigh of relief she leaned against the door. She loved her parents' old friends dearly. The former crewmates had been like family to her and her brother throughout their lives. Sierra and Harrison both called Data and Geordi "Uncle", and Beverly and Jean-Luc Picard were their Godparents.

However, despite the closeness they all shared, she was glad they had gone back to their own homes, or temporary lodging, as the case may be. Sierra desperately needed some time to herself. Time to wrap herself up in her own emotions and allow them to flow freely.

"Seri?" She heard in her mind.

"I'm in the foyer, Harry." she sent back.

"I'm going up to bed. Are you going to be OK?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Don't stay up too late."

"I won't. Goodnight, little brother"

Sierra could feel his laughter. "Only by five minutes, Big sister"

Chuckling softly, Sierra walked up the long staircase. Her amusement abruptly ended as she reached the closed door of her parents' room. Knowing that she should wait until she was stronger, yet unable to turn away, she opened the door slowly.

Sierra entered the room silently, closing the door behind her. She had no idea what she was looking for, but she needed something, Anything that would help her to understand. She needed to understand the bond that was so strong, it made it impossible for her mother to live without her father.

Sierra wanted to understand the bond that took away both her beloved parents within one week of each other.

The spacious bedroom looked the same as it always had. Nothing was missing except the strong life forces that were uniquely Deanna and Will Riker. The same antique bedspread lay across the old-fashioned sleigh bed. Her mother's cosmetics still sat on the dresser.

Sierra opened the closet door. Pushing aside her mother's clothing, she knelt down and reached toward the back, pulling out the box she knew would be there.

Holding the box lovingly against her chest, Sierra climbed onto her parents bed. She had never inspected the contents of the box, but she knew it contained her mother's most prized possessions. Sitting in the center of the bed with her legs folded beneath her, Sierra uttered the word she knew would unlock the box. "Imzadi"

The container popped open, revealing the contents, on top of a stack of folded papers, lay a gauzy white headband. Sierra had heard the story of the first time her parents saw each other countless times. Fingering the headband lovingly, she set it aside. Reaching into the box, Sierra pulled out a stack of papers, wrapped in a red ribbon. She untied the ribbon and unfolded the first sheet, marveling at the feel of the outdated, and rare writing implement. Real paper was hardly ever used anymore, which made the contents of the box even more precious.

Fighting back tears, Sierra read the first page.

Sierra smiled, despite her sadness. She always knew her father had the heart of a poet.

She picked up the second sheet. Unfolding it, she began to read.

My Dearest Deanna,

Sierra read the letter again in shock. She could not believe that her father had ever been that cruel. She unfolded the next letter, almost afraid of what she would find.

Sierra sighed. This letter must have been written soon after her father joined the crew of the USS Enterprise. Sierra knew from stories she had been told that her parents had decided to pursue only a professional relationship, despite the love that had never dimmed.

The next item in the stack was a data chip, like the ones used to record log entries. Sierra looked at it, slightly confused. Why would data chips be stacked neatly in with a bunch of letters? Only one way to find out, she decided.

Sierra got out of the bed and sat in front of the computer terminal on her mothers desk. She inserted the chip and rubbed her eyes wearily while she waited for it to load.

Personal Log: Stardate 41296.7 -First Officer William T. Riker.

Sierra’s eyes snapped open at the sound of her father’s voice.

The rest of the Senior Staff are having dinner and enjoying the festivities surrounding the upcoming nuptials of Counselor Deanna Troi and Wyatt Miller. I had to leave. I could not bring myself to sit and watch my Imzadi planning a life with another man. I know that it was a mutual decision to not resume our relationship. I know that the last few months have been difficult on both of us. Being so close physically, yet so far apart spiritually. Why then, can I not wish her happiness and be there to support her as a friend? And why do I feel like a spoiled child who has lost his favorite toy?

Favorite Toy? Sierra tried not to laugh. Her mother would have killed her father if he had ever treated her like that. And who is, or was, Wyatt Miller?

Sierra queued the next entry:

Sierra raised her eyebrows at that. Her interest was definitely piqued now.

I’m not sure how it happened. We were sitting in my quarters just enjoying each other’s company and the warm friendship we have developed over the past three years. We were talking and laughing. We were drinking synthehol and talking about our recent visit to Betazed, and our little adventure we shared with my mother. I could feel Will’s emotions. They were rather , ah, primitive. I knew he was thinking about that kiss we shared on Betazed, and about my less then dressed state when DaiMon Tog beamed me back into our cell. I must admit, my thoughts were running along the same lines. Then the most amazing thing happened. Will projected his thoughts into my mind. I do not think he even realized what he was doing. Will’s erotic thoughts warmed me all over. I could not help myself. I leaned over and kissed him. It had been so long since I kissed him. I mean really kissed him. He put his arms around me, and I was lost. We were lying on the couch entangled together before we came to our senses. Or rather he did. Will is the one who pulled away. I would have kept going. He was right though, we have come too far, become too good of friends to allow sex to change things. And change things it would. No matter how enjoyable making love to him would be, I cannot take the risk of losing my best friend. We are better off as friends then lovers. Or so we both keep telling ourselves.

Sierra shook her head in disbelief. She could not believe how stupid her parents were!

Anxious to hear more of their beloved voices, she queued the next entry:

Personal Log: Stardate 46920.7 First Officer William T. Riker

Sierra sighed again as the last entry faded away. Her Godparents had told her just how stubborn her parents had been in insisting that they maintain a professional relationship. Aunt Beverly had told her that everybody knew how they felt, nobody minded to senior officers being in love, and everybody thought they were fools for denying themselves.

Sierra settled back on to the bed, and picked up the next letter.

Sierra had never really understood the Imzadi bond. Her Grandmother had tried to explain it to her one time by pointing to Will and Deanna and saying, “Watch them together. See the way they stare at each other for a long time, lost in the moment? See the way they finish one anothers’ sentences? Remember what it is like to hear your brother or your mother’s voice in your head? Now imagine that voice is some one you are head over heels in love with. Now imagine if that voice stopped.”

Sierra tried to imagine it now. She could almost understand. She felt lost with out her mother’s voice. She would go crazy with out Harry’s. How would she feel losing a lover’s presence in her mind?

Suddenly a thought protruded into her mind. “I’d go crazy with out your voice too, Seri. If it is like this for us, how much more powerful was it for them?”

Sierra smiled, “Thanks Harry. Now go back to sleep.”

Sierra picked up the next letter.

Sierra smiled again. Now this was more like it. She had been told about the Briar Patch. She knew her parents had gotten married in a traditional Betazed ceremony less than a year later.

Sierra had to stop reading for a few minutes, while the tears flowed freely down her face. She had always been "Daddy's little girl." Her mother said that Will would sit for hours, just holding and staring into the face of his infant daughter. Not that he neglected Harrison, by no means; it is just that little girls are special.

Neither of the Riker twins ever doubted their parents love.

Sierra picked up the last folded piece of paper. She was mildly surprised to see that it was not as old as the others. In fact, it looked rather fresh.

When she opened the letter, she was double surprised to see that it was not addressed to either of her parents. The final letter was addressed to herself and her brother.

Goodbye my loves,

Choking back sobs, Sierra clutched the paper to her chest. She lay down and curled herself into a fetal position, crying herself to sleep. Somewhere in the night, Sierra Deanna Riker found a small measure of peace as she heard the sounds of her parents' laughter echoing in the room. Finally, she understood. Two halves of a whole, two parts of a soul. Deanna and Will. Best friends, lovers, colleagues, parents, and most importantly, Imzadi. Sierra smiled in her sleep. "Rest well, my beloved parents,” she whispered in her mind. In the other room, Harrison also smiled. Rebeem.

THE END