Come What May

Come What May

A short piece based upon the lyrics from the song, "Come What May" featured in the movie, Moulin Rouge (a personal favorite). I began using phrases from this movie as my signature line a while back and a friend of mine said that this one would make a great Imzadi story. So here it is, Dev. J

This is dedicated to two very special people, one of which will always be my love - come what may. The other will be my friend - come what may. I love you, Gordon and Pam.

Author's note: This piece begins around the time period portrayed in the novel The Battle of Betazed by Susan Kearney, which is during the Dominion War when the Jem'Hadar and Cardassian forces have conquered Betazed, the homeworld of Deanna Troi.

Now on the with show………

Lying nude on the soft carpet of grass beneath her, she looked up into the stars above as they twinkled with a newfound brightness.

Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before

He turns to face her, his trademark grin spreading across his lips.
Those lips…soft and sensual.
His kiss…so powerful and yet tender.

I want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I love more and more

Imzadi…an everlasting bond formed from deep inside.

Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings
Telling me to give you everything

Starfleet, the Enterprise, duty…
Romance gives way to friendship, excitement and lust to love and fondness.
Sweethearts to soulmates.

Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time

But all of those years ago on Betazed. Betazed…

Deanna awoke with a start. Her home was in chaos. She had been asked to do the impossible. Yet all she could think about was Will and the words that had been spoken between them without a sound. The words that continue to be uttered each time they looked into each other eyes.

Come what may
I will love you until my dying day

Her door chimed and she felt him.

"Come in, Will."

"I see you couldn't sleep either. Tomorrow, well…."

"I know. I know what tomorrow may bring. Or should I say what tomorrow may end?"

He held her close; rocking her gently against his chest while trying to share what little strength he had left.

Tears flowed silently down her drawn face as she grieved for her home, for her family and friends … and mostly for what might have been.

:::You too, Imzadi?:::

"Yes, Will. Why? Why have we done this to ourselves? To each other? All this time wasted. A time that may never be now. Why?"

Tears were pouring from her dark eyes now as her heart was crying out to him, her soul yearning for his.

"Imzadi, we have been through all of the excuses time and again. But in the end I don't know the answer to the question. I ask it of myself every day that I wake up and you aren't there beside me. I ask it each night I lay down alone and my mind whispers to yours."

At that, she turned and looked up at him with full understanding.

"I love you, Will. My Imzadi, I love you."

"I love you, too. I always have."

"I know."

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you…

Their lips met and the universe stopped for a moment. The past no longer mattered and tomorrow had no meaning. This moment was for them and them alone.

****

0800 - Transporter room of the Enterprise …

"Counselor, you have been briefed and you know your assignment. I have the utmost confidence that you will carry out your duties with success. We look forward to your quick and safe return to the Enterprise."

Captain Picard spoke with a bravado that belied his inner fear for his trusted friend. But they all knew that this might likely the last time they would see Deanna Troi.

Troi smiled bravely and hugged her Captain. She knew what he felt, what they all were feeling.

As Commander Riker approached her and took her hands, the others officers filed out of the room discreetly.

"Deanna…"

"Will, Imzadi, I will always be with you. Never let me go."

"Never, Deanna. Come what may."

"Come what may."

And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide
Call out to me and I'll be there by your side

With that thought, she vanished into the shimmer of a transporter beam.

****

Three weeks later - the Loneel wilderness on Betazed …

She laid there, darkness closing in … surrounding her.

Cold…so cold.

'Imzadi', her mind called out - desperate for just one more touch from him.

Faint on her lips were the words, "Come what may…."

Storm clouds may gather
And stars may collide
But I will love you until the end of time
A strong voice penetrated her rapidly clouding existence.

"Yes, Imzadi. Come what may. I am here and you are going to be okay. I swear!"

Will Riker picked up her frail body clad only in the tattered remnants of her mission uniform and slapped his communicator hard.

"Emergency beam up directly to sickbay. Two from my coordinates. Now, dammit!"

****

Hours later in sickbay…

"Will, get some rest. It will be a while before she wakes up." Dr. Crusher's hand rested lightly on the Commander's slumped shoulder.

"No, she needs me."

"She will need you alert and healthy when she comes around, Will. I have been able to repair most of her physical injuries, but the damage from the psionic attack to her central cortex was extensive. She is going to need your strength, Will. You know what I mean."

He shook his head wearily as he moved to the nearby biobed that Beverly had provided.

"Thanks."

****

Later that evening…

"Will, I think someone wants to see you."

Riker leapt off the bed and crossed the space between him and Deanna in two strides.

Brushing a stray curl from her forehead, he smiled down at her.

"You gave us quite a scare."

A weak voice finally spoke as a tear rolled from her eye, "Did we do it? Did we win?"

"Yes. Betazed is free. The Jem'Hadar and Cardassians are gone. They have all been rounded up and are being held in Federation camps. You did it."

"Mother?"

"She is going to be okay. Elias, too."

He felt her relief wash over him and he returned the warmth.

"Get some rest, Imzadi. I will be right here."

"Always?"

"Always. Come what may."

She mind brushed his with love before she fell back into a healing sleep. He knew now that he would never let her go.

*****

Two years later …

As Will and Deanna stood there, hands intertwined and wedding rings gleaming, they bid a fond farewell to the crew who had become their family.

"She is a fine ship, Will. You will make a helluva Captain, especially with such a fine Commander on your bridge." Jean-Luc said patting Will's shoulder and smiling at Deanna.

"Thanks, Captain…Jean-Luc. I hope I can live up to the legacy."

"You will do just fine. Just don't put Deanna at the helm. Starfleet doesn't need to lose another ship." Geordi teased them.

Smiles and laughter, along with a few tears, filled the air as the Rikers departed for their new life and adventure.

Stepping out of the turbolift onto their new bridge, Will looked at Deanna with eyes full of excitement and love.

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place

"The universe awaits us, Imzadi. Are you ready?"

"Of course, my love, as long as we are together. Come what may."

The end
Michelle