Will was wildly, uproariously drunk. Ten-Forward seemed to tilt, like a planet on its axis, affording him the unusual view of Guinan floating sideways.
"I believe you've reached your limit, Commander."
"Naw, I'm just getting started. Want to come to my quarters for a little game of poker?"
She tried to frown, but a tiny smile lifted the corners of her lips. "I've heard about your poker games, Will. Rumor has it, Counselor Troi lost most of her clothing when you decided to play "strip poker" last Saturday. Good thing you waited until the Captain left the room."
His eyes twinkled and he winked at her. "You should've been there. No doubt you're a damned good player yourself."
"Good enough to get you down to your jockey-shorts in two hands, Commander." Guinan's grin seemed to tilt, and Will realized that his backside was slowly sliding off the barstool. "Two hands, huh? Why don't you put your money where your mouth is? I hereby challenge you to a game-tonight."
"Tempting, very tempting, Will, but I'm afraid only one man gets to see this old body naked-and it isn't you." "New boyfriend?"
Enigmatic as ever, she replied, "Something like that."
"Alright, I give up. Since you won't accompany me, have you seen Deanna tonight? She was supposed to meet me here two hours ago."
"Not since lunchtime. Guess you've been stood up, Commander."
"I wonder what the hell happened?"
"Why don't you go to her quarters and ask her yourself? You might just find yourself a poker partner." Her hairless eyebrows rose suggestively and Will burst out laughting.
"Excellent advice. I'll get right on it."
As he tipsily walked out of the room, Guinan snuck a peek at his firm backside and found herself envying their lucky ship's counselor. "If only I were a few hundred years younger," she murmurred.
In a darkened room, pink candlelight flickered in dancing rows. Every surface was covered with candles, every light fixture draped with purple silk scarves. Strains of soft, jazzy music filled the air, and the couple swayed to the tune in each other's arms.
The petite brunette filled her lover's arms like a tiny doll. Her hair in a cascade of curls down her back, caught at the nape of her neck with a rose-colored hair band. Her dress was of the same color; a sheer gauzy fabric that clung to her figure in light folds. She smelled of lavender and musk, tasted sweet like Terallian wine. He couldn't get enough of her. "Kiss me..." she whispered, and he obliged, willingly. Their lips touched and caught fire, enveloping them both in dizzying passion.
"I want you, Deanna," whispered her lover as he trailed gentle kisses down her neck.
She looked into his indigo eyes and smiled. "I want you too, Imzadi."
His heart was racing, throbbing as though he'd just finished a round of parisi squares. Other parts of his body were awakening as well, throbbing in tandem with his heart. Laying Deanna on the bed, Riker allowed himself the pleasure of staring at her beautiful face, lit like a Bottecelli angel by the flickering candlelight.
"You are so beautiful, Imzadi."
She smiled again, and proceeded to drink in Will's own masculine beauty. His handsome face was flushed with desire and she could see the evidence of his arousal within his tight black pants. Gods, how she wanted him. Needed him. "Come here."
He undressed quickly, needing to be near her. When the last piece of clothing hit the floor, he slid under the lavender flannel blankets and ran a knowing hand up her soft thigh. They kissed, and as it deepened, he removed her dress. He unlatched the delicate lace bra that barely covered her bosom, and one by one, kissed her beautiful breasts. She caught her breath and softly whispered his name. "Will..."
The tiny, purple lace thong was next and he removed it quickly, dying to touch the softness beneath. Deanna moaned in earnest now, becoming aroused as Will touched her most sensitive places. Wanting to please her, he forced himself to slow down, but inside he was going slowly insane. He pressed himself against her thigh, barely muffling a curse.
"I...can't take it, Imzadi. I need you."
"Yes, Will, my love...I need you too. Make love to me...now."
With her ebony eyes begging him, he gave up the struggle for control and rose above her. Covering her body with his, he gently filled her with himself, inch by velvet inch.
"Will!" She pulled him closer, matching her rhythm to his, and together they moved so perfectly that it seemed they'd been making love since the beginning of time. The love in Will's eyes reached out and wrapped around her heart, filling her own completely. Suddenly, their breathing quickened as the exquisite pleasure threatened to envelope them both.
"Deanna, baby, I can't..."
"I know, Imzadi. We'll reach it together...now."
And as the pleasure deepened, as their cries filled the room, every thought disappeared in the lovely explosion that burst through their bodies at the same moment.
"My God!"
"Gods!" They laughed and hugged one another tightly, breathless in the blissful aftermath of their loving. It had only gotten better with time, and Deanna had a feeling it would continue to do so. She only hoped she wouldn't die from the ecstasy in the meantime.
Will Riker stood at Deanna's doorway, ringing her chime insistenly. After a few tries, he realized that she must be asleep. "Computer, override-code Riker Alpha 212 Beta."
"Override confirmed." He'd sneak in and crawl into bed with her, surprising her when she woke the next morning. A secretive grin filled his face as he imagined her reaction. Well, she had stood him up-she deserved to find him in her bed in the morning. The doors whooshed open silently, and Will tiptoed into the candle-lit darkness. Candlelight? Deanna must've planned a romantic evening for the two of them and then fallen asleep. Poor thing. She really had been working overtime lately. Quietly, he made his way to the bedroom and peeked inside, looking for her beautiful face. As he walked into the room, he froze in his tracks. My God. Deanna. She was naked, and enjoying a very erotic moment with another man. Their soft cries reached his ears, and as they finished, he felt his heart break and fall out of his chest onto the floor.
"Deanna. NO!"
Startled, the Counselor pulled the covers over her body and looked up into the face of the man who currently shared her bed. "Will? I don't...I don't understand."
Will's twin kissed her and spun to face the Commander. "Welcome, dear brother. Aren't you going to say hello?"
It was Tom. His transporter-accident twin. But how?
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Isn't that obvious, Will? I was making love to my Imzadi. Until you interuppted us."
Deanna's dark eyes were haunted as she stared at Tom, shocked beyond reason at the realization.
"Gods, Will, I thought he was you. I had no idea..."
"It's true, brother. From the moment I rang her door chime tonight, Deanna has been certain that she was with Commander Will Riker. Surprise surprise."
Will's fury mounted and he swung, landing a blazing punch on Tom's left cheek. "Bastard. Who the hell do you think you are?"
Tom smiled, looking eerily like Will. "I think I'm you, Will. And so did your Imzadi. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. Didn't you?"
Deanna looked away, disgusted with him and with herself. "Get out of here, Tom. Now."
"Yes, Tom, why dont' you get the hell out of here before I beat the living @#$% out of you."
"Deanna, I'll be back again. We'll pick up right where we left off," said Tom as he tossed on his clothing.
She tured her dark eyes on him. "I don't ever want to see you again."
"Funny, you seemed to enjoy me a few minutes ago, Counselor. In fact, I'd say..."
But his words were cut off as Will slammed another punch into his arrogant face. "Get out before I call security. Now."
Finally, Tom moved to leave, after blowing a kiss to Deanna. "Until next time, Imzadi."
Deanna curled into a ball on the bed, covering her face with her hands. "I'm so sorry, Will."
"Did you really think it was me, Deanna? I have to know."
Abruptly, she rose off the bed and glared at him. "Of course I did. Gods, do you think I'd just jump into bed with Tom for the hell of it? The last I knew he was in a prison camp on Cardassia-I never imagined we'd see him again. Especially not like this. Will, I love you. I'd never hurt you-not deliberately."
His face softened. "I know, I'm just stunned. How the hell could he do this?"
She lay a gentle hand on Will's arm. "I'm sorry, Imzadi. I don't know why he decieved me."
"I do. He's wanted you ever since he came aboard this ship years ago. Apparently he found a way to get off that hell-hole of a planet and found you again. He's probably been planning this for years."
Her stomach knotted at his words. They rang true. "Will, I need a few moments, alright? I'm going to take a shower. We can talk more when I get out."
He nodded and then covered his face with his hands, mentally replaying what he'd seen in his mind over and over again. Did she like it? Was Tom a better lover than he was? Questions with no answers filled his head and drove him insane until Deanna came back out again.
"Will? Are you alright?" she asked as she walked in a few moments later. His eyes lifted to meet hers and along with anger and hurt, she saw another emotion entirely. Desire. Saying nothing, he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. "Will, I..." "Shhh..." he murmured and captured her mouth again.
Parting the folds of her blue robe, he bared her breast and caressed them softly. She gasped with pleasure and held his head in her hands. Gods, he wanted to make love. But how could she after what she'd just done with Tom? As the warm familiarity of Will's tongue touched her own, she found herself responding to the kiss. His hand traveled to her belt and undid it. The robe fell off her shoulders, bareing her completely.
"Lay down, Imzadi. On your stomach."
Curious, she aquiesed. Will undressed and when his uniform hit the floor, he climbed on top of her. Her rounded buttocks pressed against his erection as she lifted her hips gently. Will groaned her name aloud, softly, like a curse. "I need you, Deanna." She merely whimpered and he took that as agreement. Gently, he entered her soft, silky warmth, and she cried out as the exquisite pleasure tingled through her lower body. Will's pelvis, rocking gently against her backside, drove her into a frenzy.
"Yes! Gods, yes, Will!" Her sweet cries carried him into the abyss, taking his sanity completely. Their sounds met, became united and carried throughout her quarters as they climbed toward ecstasy. Will's deep throaty moans excited her, almost as much as the feel of him inside of her body. "Imzadi, I'm going to..."
"Yes, baby, do it...come for me." Her sweet screams shattered the air and sent Will tumbling over the edge. They came together and as the crescendo passed, they fell back onto the mattress panting in unison.
"Imzadi...that was amazing. But, why Will? Why did you want to make love, now, of all times?"
Their eyes met and suddenly she understood. Tom had taken something that was his, and he had just reclaimed it for his own. Reclaimed her. Some barbaric, caveman-like male game had just been played, but deep inside she forgave him and understood. The only question now was, where did they go from here? Could Will ever forget about Tom? As they began to fall asleep in each other's arms, another question filled her mind. Would she?

Intimate Strangers-Part 2

His thoughts tumbled over and over each other, as the memories filled his mind. Satin sheets, starry night, soft erotic moans. That night had haunted him for over a week; and he hadn't seen her or touched her since. He was going crazy, but she refused to see him. Didn't she know how badly he wanted her? How much he still loved her? Soon, the Enterprise would be in orbit around Earth, and he would have to leave. Captain Picard had understood the danger he'd be in if they took him back to Cardassia now. Hell, he'd probably be shot on sight the moment he left the ship. A man like Picard couldn't do that to a fellow human being, even if he was an escaped criminal. Instead, he'd spoken with his old friend Admiral Jensen at Starfleet Academy and finagled a position for Tom. He should feel grateful, but how could he when it meant leaving Deanna? Leaving her forever to Will. As Tom Riker counted the evening stars, his mind worked furiously. He would find a way to stay with Deanna...now that he'd held her again, touched her again, he couldn't just let her go. The only problem was going to be getting Will out of the way.
In Deanna's quarters, she and Beverly sat across from one another, sipping from a fat bottle of kanar. "I never knew you liked Cardassian wine, Deanna. You are full of surprises tonight."
The Betazoid smiled ruefully. "There are more where that came from."
"I'm listening," she murmured, a raised reddish eyebrow indicating her interest.
"You must promise me never to tell a soul, Bev. I mean it."
"For God's sake Deanna, we've been friends for twelve years, I think you can trust me. Now spill it! "
"Alright, but it's not an easy story to tell. Last Saturday, Will and I had a rather intimate evening."
"I'm all ears." She was smiling, clearly engaged, dying to hear every detail.
"Well, things became romantic rather quickly and we made love. It was only afterward that I realized what had happened. Gods, Beverly, I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean? What happened, Dee?"
The soft onyx eyes filled instantly with tears. "It wasn't Will I was making love to, Bev. It was Tom."
A deafening silence filled the room as the bombshell dropped, and Bev's mouth hung open in shock. "What? Tom Riker? But I thought..."
"Yes, so did I. Apparently he's got connections we know nothing about because he escaped."
"And he somehow found the Enterprise. Let me guess, he impersonated Will to come aboard and used his access codes all over the ship so no one would know he was here."
"Exactly. And, that night, he pretended to be Will and we..."
"I see. You must've been furious when you realized what had happened. Does Will know?" Deanna stared into the empty wine glass and on cue, Beverly filled it instantly. "Will...saw us. He, snuck into my quarters to surprise me and saw everything."
Beverly nearly dropped her glass, but caught it, and took a gulping swallow. "Oh, God, no, Deanna. Are you two alright? I imagine he's not taking this well."
"To say the least. Right afterwards, after he kicked Tom out, he made love to me. Because of that I assumed we'd be alright, at least, eventually. But since then he hasn't touched me. Suddenly the relationship is strictly professional, and he's doing his best to distance himself from me."
"So you slept with them both, in the same night?" The idea actually wasn't completely alien to Bev. After all, twenty-five years before she'd often fantasized about Jean-Luc...about Jack. About loving both of them, having both of them in her life.
"You make it sound so sordid. But, it wasn't. I love them." As soon as the words were out, she covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh, Bev, I mean, I love Will."
Her friend's eyes were full of compassion and complete understanding. "It's alright, Deanna. I understand better than you might think. You see, I loved my husband. Dearly. But I also fell in love with Jean-Luc. And, even though we never let anything happen between us, we loved one another. It is possible to love more than one person at a time."
"Gods, why did this have to happen? I can't hurt Will, not after all we've been through. But I can't get Tom out of my mind. He reminded me so much of the way Will used to be, when we were young. There's something wild about him that I can't help but feel attracted to."
"Then, my dear, it sounds like you've got a decision to make."
She was right. Tonight, she'd talk to Will, she'd find a way to bring him close again. Soon Tom would be gone for good and they'd be able to put this behind them. Later, after Bev left and Deanna lay tossing and turning in her bed, she wondered if it would really be possible.

Intimate Strangers-Part 3

The look on Will Riker's face could've melted a bar of latinum. His eyes, so blue and normally full of mischief, were instead blazing with anger. As he nursed his fifth Terran ale, he stared sheaths of ice through his twin "brother".
Tom sat across the room, apparently amusing Beverly Crusher with some wild story, as he plied her with synthehol. Well, it could be worse. At least his drinking companion wasn't Deanna. In fact, Will hadn't seen his Imzadi in over a week, and it was driving him crazy. After their night of passion, he'd wanted desperately to put the incident with Tom behind them.
But it was impossible. Deanna was a loving, compassionate person, and she'd tried to help him deal with it; but there was one thing that she couldn't do. Hide her feelings for Tom. Didn't she realize that he could sense her feelings for him?
Once they'd renewed their relationship, their bond strengthened and deepened, so much so that Will could very nearly read her mind. He was all too aware of Deanna's emotions, and he'd cut off contact completely with her; except for professional, ship's business. She'd steered clear of him as well, probably out of guilt, but he'd never explained to her why he was so distant. Hell, if he could read her mind, feel her feelings, then she could read his. Let her figure it out for herself.
"Commander? You look like you could use a friend right about now."
"Guinan. What would I do without you?"
"Let's hope you never need to find out. Why the long face? Didn't you and the Counselor have a romantic evening last week? Surely that would put a smile on your handsome face."
Her hairless eyebrows lifted suggestively and he tried to smile in response. "Actually we did, but things didn't work out the way I imagined."
Her brown eyes searched the room and landed on Tom. Understanding dawned on her face, and she gave him a sympathetic look. "I see. A little competition again, Commander?"
"That son of a bitch. He never should've came back here. Why now, Guinan? Why, when we were finally back on track? Do you know that I was going to ask Deanna to marry me? Damn it, we were so close, and now...."
"She has feelings for him, doesn't she?"
The question sliced into his soul and he drained the pale gold liquid in front of him, hoping to numb the pain. "I don't get it, Guinan. I mean, for all intents and purposes, he is me. Physically we're no different. Except for his beard. What could she feel for him that she doesn't feel for me?"
"Why don't you ask her?" she responded and moved her head in the direction of the doors.
Deanna Troi had just walked in, looking very lovely, but very vulnerable. She wasn't attempting to look desirable; in fact, she merely wore her usual working uniform, and had a wild mass of curls tumbling down her back. Her only make up was soft sandy blush and matching lipstick. But the look on her face made his heart twist. She was so lovely. So perfect. She was hurting, he could sense it, and with everything inside of him he wanted to go to her and take her in his arms.
"Then, why don't you, Commander?" asked Guinan, startling him with her perception.
"Because it isn't me she wants, old friend. It's him."
Just then Deanna noticed Will at the bar, and stared at the back of his dark brown head until he turned around. Their eyes locked, filled with unspoken emotion and a single tear fell down Deanna‹s cheek. "Imzadi. I've missed you so."
"Deanna... I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."
"Neither have I. Will, I know why you've been so far away this week. I know that you've sensed something that's hurt you, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Imzadi."
Will gave into the urge to hold her and crossed the room, standing in front of her. The love in her eyes was evident to him, to everyone in the room. Especially to Tom. "Will, we have to talk. Come to my quarters with me, please." "I think we both know that we won't get much talking done in your quarters. Either we'll argue, or...something a bit more physical."
Her eyes lit with amusement. "Yes, you're probably right. But come with me anyway. It's too public here and I don't want anyone to hear what I have to say."
He sighed. "Alright. Lead the way." She spared a glance at Tom and Beverly as she walked by and tried to ignore the looks in both of their eyes. Tom's was possessive, longing. Bev's was filled with compassion and a bit of amusement. They both watched Will and Deanna leave Ten-Forward, knowing exactly what the couple had in mind.
In the dim light of her bedroom, Deanna held Will's face in her hands and stared into his eyes, trying to project all of her love inside of him. "It's you I love, Will."
"I know that. But, I couldn't get the two of you out of my mind. And I've been driving myself crazy wondering what it was like, if he was a better lover than me, if you had feelings for him. Then, one morning I saw him watching you on the bridge and I caught the way you looked at him. You do feel something for him, don't you?" "Will, I never expected that night to happen. You know that. When I found out I was devastated and furious. I haven't spoken to him since, and I don't plan on it. It was a mistake, and if I'd known who he was , I never would've touched him. But, in many ways, he is you, so yes, of course I feel something for him."
The hurt in his eyes broke her heart, but she couldn't lie to him. He knew her too well. "Tell, me, Deanna, I've got to know..do you still want him?"
Oh, Gods. Her conversation with Beverly came back to her and a dark blush stained her cheeks. She did still desire Tom, but with everything inside of her she attempted to cloak those feelings. Will did not ever need to know. He might suspect, but there was no need to hurt him any further. "No, Imzadi. I desire the beautiful man I see before me. My Imzadi. The only man I've ever loved. Make love to me, Will...now."
His pain dissolved as it was replaced with sudden heart-racing desire. His beautiful Betazoid was standing before him, removing her uniform, letting her hair fall across her bare shoulders. When she was down to a beautiful dark blue bra and panties, he found that he was more than ready to make love to her. For hours, for days, for weeks. Taking her slim body in his arms, his hands raced along her curves, enjoying the delicate silk of her skin. She removed his uniform shirt, and pressed her chest against his, feeling their hearts beating together.
The crush of her full breasts drove him mad and he bent to remove them from her bra. Each soft mound filled his hands and he kissed her there, again and again, sending tingling shots of arousal down her body. Deanna pulled his face up toward hers and tasted the warmth of his mouth. He was delicious. The exotic scent of his masculine cologne tickled her nose and filled her with the urge to cover his body in kisses.
"Lay down, Will. I want to make you feel good."
Good God, how was he going to contain himself? He didn't know or care, so he did her bidding and stretched out on the bed, eagerly awaiting her next move. Feather-light lips pressed against his own, then trailed along his neck, tasting him. Moving down his shoulders, his chest, she warmed him with her lips. His black slacks were in the way, and she deftly removed them, enjoying the tortured look in Will's blue eyes. Beneath the dark uniform pants, he wore a sexy pair of blue briefs and she removed those too.
Gently she moved her lovely mouth down the length of his body and up again, finally moving towards the one place where he was dying to be touched. In response, he muffled a curse and grabbed the beautiful spill of curls in his hands, holding her there. It went on and on until he couldn't take it any longer, and finally he begged her to stop.
"I want you to lay down, Deanna. I believe it's my turn to make you feel good."
The wicked gleam in his eyes excited her beyond words and she relaxed on the bed, feeling him remove her tiny panties. Then it began, his eager exploration of her body. The rooms lighting seemed to pulse along with her heartbeat and her mind detached from her body, slipping away into a pleasant erotic dream world where only Will‹s mouth and hands existed. It was perfect and powerful and soon waves of desire crashed inside of her body, demanding release.
Demanding that she have him inside of her. Now. "Please, I need you so badly."
He stopped his tongue's loving assault, and raised his body above hers. Then, he gave her what she so desperately craved. As he covered her body with his, they joined completely, and both gave voice to the incredible ecstasy it brought. Eager moans and soft cries filled the room as the two lost themselves in one another. Will felt so good in her arms, so perfectly masculine. She met his thrusts with here own, and urged him on as he brought them both close to the edge. In her mind, she could hear his voice,
"You're beautiful, so perfect, I love you."
"I love you, I love you so much. Gods this is incredible"
"I don't think I can last much longer, my love."
"You don't have to.." and as their minds communicated, as their rhythm increased, they both felt the wild, ecstasy burst over them at the same moment. The crescendo lasted forever, bringing them to a perfect union of mind, body and soul.
"Will!"
"Deanna.."
"Yes..." they both said in unison. Then they came back to reality as their hearts slowed, and bodies fell back on the pillows, completely and utterly spent.
"I told you we wouldn't get much talking done, Imzadi."
"Somehow I don't think you mind, Will." she said, looking into his eyes.
"You're right. This was...amazing. You're amazing. I'm sorry for the way I acted this week. You just can't know how much it hurt..."
"Shhh. I know, I know. Do you think we'll ever be able to put it behind us?"
"I want to. More than anything. Once we get to Earth, once he gets off this ship, it'll be a lot easier to forget. Seeing him everyday makes it worse. I've wanted to take him on the holodeck and beat him to a bloody pulp."
"Oh, Will. What stopped you?"
"It's not easy to smash your own face in. And, as much as I hate him, I know that you care about him. Hurting him would only hurt you too. So, I guess the answer to your question is, my love for you. If it weren't for that, I'd take the bastard on right now."
Deanna stared at him, wondering if he‹d really be able to reign in his anger until Tom left the ship. The young Will Riker would've killed him by now, or at least incapacitated him. But he was older, more mature, and had gained some control over his impulses. She hoped that it would last-the last thing she wanted was for him to ruin his career over this.
As they both stared at the ceiling their thoughts took similar paths. They were both thinking of Tom. In his own temporary quarters, Tom was thinking of Deanna. They shared a bond also, though not as strong as the one she shared with Will. Still, it was strong enough to detect her thoughts of him, and he smiled. Even though she had just made love with his twin(yes, he could sense that too) her thoughts now were of him. He wanted her so badly it was a physical ache in his body. How could he get close to her again? Tom knew that Deanna wanted him, he could feel it. The only question was, how could he get her to give into those feelings?
A slow, cocky grin crossed his face as a plan formed in his mind. Walking to the bathroom, he stood in front of the mirror and stared at the familiar reflection. "Will, you and I should really look more alike. After all, we are the same person, aren't we?"
Slathering on a thick mountain of white foam, he reached for the antique razor blade that he always carried for luck. Then, with swift, short strokes, he rid himself of the dark, brown beard. He smiled at the bare-faced reflection. Yes, that was more like it. Now for the final touch. The replicator spit out a uniform, a Commander's uniform. Tom affixed a commbadge above the breast pocket and changed swiftly into it. "Tonight, Deanna. You will be mine again...tonight." Winking broadly at his reflection, he left the room and disappeared in the crowded corridor among a sea of uniforms.

the end