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"Delicate Negotiations"

(A dialogue driven challenge)

QDestinyy@aol.com

 

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.

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    "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]