-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Delicate
Negotiations"
(A
dialogue driven challenge)
DISCLAIMER:
Characters are the property
of
Paramount/Viacom, etc.. The
ideas
expressed
herein are copyright by me.
The
word "Thalani" is borrowed (with permission)
from
the illustrious Zlanna.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Counselor."
"Commander."
"Deck eight." He
called. The turbolift door slid
shut.
"Turning in early?"
"I thought I might. Early
shuttle tomorrow. You?"
She stared at him mutely.
"You didn't call a deck. That
means you're going to your cabin. I
assume.."
"Well, you know what they say about assumption."
"Listen, Deanna.."
"Deck 10." Troi
called. The lift responded with a
beep.
"O-kay."
"I'm meeting someone."
He nodded.
"You don't believe me?"
"Oh I believe you. Someone
chocolate, I'll bet."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Planning on pouting for the rest of the evening?"
She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Just asking." He
shrugged.
"I'd thought about it."
"Halt turbolift." The
tiny room froze in mid-motion. "Deanna..."
"Why bother?"
"Because I promised you I would."
"Well then by all means, Commander, I release you from your
responsibility." She turned
from him towards the wall.
"Because it's different this time."
He touched her back. She
flinched.
"Is it?"
"Because I lo-"
"Resume lift!" Troi
cut him off.
The computer bleeped mournfully.
"Computer, belay that." His
hand moved down her arm. "I
do, you know."
"I know." She
faced the doorway, straight ahead. "What
difference does it make?"
He threw her a look and removed his touch.
"Apparently none."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Can we resume the lift now?"
She glanced at him.
He shifted his foot. "The
Enterprise is heading back to the briar patch in about six months.
Starfleet wants a level three analysis of the metaphasic radiation for
the entire quadrant once the Ba'Ku have had time to recover their ordeal."
"Fascinating." She
examined the ceiling.
"I'm going to be back by then."
"Well, I'll be sure and note the date in my calendar."
"Damn it, Deanna, I have no choice."
"Of course not, Will. You
never do."
"Fine. I'll resign.
Is that what you want?"
"Resume lift."
Another series of automated bleeps intervened.
"Wanna come with me?" He
winked.
She cleared her throat softly.
"Didn't think so."
The lift door hissed aside.
"What about tonight?" He
pressed.
"What about tonight?"
"Wanna come with me tonight?"
"No." She glanced
at him.
"Liar." He pressed
his back against the wall. "I
felt that."
She turned her head. "I
said no."
"So I'll pick you up in your quarters at 2100?"
He stepped outside the lift and turned towards her.
"I won't be there." She
glared at him.
"Sounds great. Neither
will I."
"Safe journey tomorrow." She
waved nonchalantly.
He stepped back into the lift. She
placed her arms akimbo on her hips.
"Get out of my lift, Commander."
He leaned forward and whispered something in her ear.
"You are a cocky son of a bitch, Will Riker."
Her dark eyes flashed.
"Actually, my mother was a saint -- compared to yours."
The corners of her lips tipped upward.
"Was that a smile?" He
gasped.
She turned her head away from him.
"I knew it. I knew you
couldn't resist me."
She uttered a sound of disgust.
"Computer, seal turbolift. Authorization
Riker, Alpha Charlie."
Her mouth fell open. "You unimaginable bastard.
I can't believe you just used level two command authorization to trap me
in here!"
"Yeah, I know. Wanna
neck?"
"Drop dead."
"I think we lost that smile somewhere."
"The jury's still out on whether or not it was ever there to begin
with."
"God damn it, you're beautiful when you're angry."
"Keep pushing your luck and you'll spend the next six months in
intensive care."
"I'm going to miss you."
"Oh, really? That's
convenient."
"Bullshit. It hurts
like hell already."
She stared at him in silence.
"Don't go." She
whispered and she hung her head.
"I have to."
"I know."
"Would you shove me against the bulkhead if I kissed you?"
She almost laughed. "Maybe."
"Oh good. I was
beginning to miss that aspect of our relationship."
He cupped her face in his hands and drew his lips across hers.
"I'm waiting.." He
whispered.
"For what?"
"Impact."
Her mouth curled upward. "How's
this?" She sealed her lips
over his.
"Incredible." He
held her head between his hands.
They drew apart.
"Six months is a long time."
"Not as long as ten years."
He shrugged.
"Longer." She
countered, eyes dark.
"Longer."
They stood at arms length.
"I'll send a subspace every day."
He brushed his hand across the edge of her face.
"That sounds familiar." She
frowned.
"Twice a day?"
The hint of a smile reached her eyes.
"Be careful. I might
hold you to that."
"How about tonight?"
"You want to send a subspace to me tonight?"
"I was actually just thinking about the holding part."
She drew her hands along her arms. "I
don't think so."
"Computer, lift access open. Authorization
Riker, omega four." He nodded
slowly.
"Free at last." She
sighed.
"You always have been, Deanna."
"A part of me, perhaps."
"I can be at your quarters at 2100."
The lift door opened once more. He
stepped backwards through the gap.
"I told you, I won't be there."
"You're meeting someone."
She didn't respond.
"Thalani, Imzadi." He
blew a kiss in her direction and then turned, moving down the hallway several
meters.
"2130!" She called
behind him. He froze.
"And if you're even a minute late, I'm not answering the door."
The smile on his face grew wide.
"It's a date." He
didn't turn around.
"It'll be a hell of a lot more than that, Riker."
The lift door hissed shut behind him.
"Yes ma'am." He
tipped his head and grinned.
[END]