SUBJECT: R/T
RATING: G
DISCLAIMER: Paramount owns the characters. Warner Brothers owns the song. No infringement is intended, no profit is
made.
SETTING: Some point after Deanna and Worf get
together.
FEEDBACK: Would be greatly appreciated.
Untitled
Will entered Ten-Forward, hoping to
relax after working a double shift. He
scanned the room as he stepped up to the bar, and saw them sitting in a
secluded table. No turning back now, he thought, and sat down on a barstool.
Riker was staring off into nowhere
when Guinan appeared. "What can I
get for you, Commander?"
His gaze turned to the barkeep,
"I'll have an ale." He turned
slightly, and could see Worf and Deanna out of the corner of his eye. They seemed to be having a good time.
Guinan returned with his drink. "She looks lovely this evening, doesn't
she?"
"Yeah," Riker answered before he realized. He glared at her. "Who?"
"Counselor Troi, of
course," she answered.
He looked at his drink, "I
guess you caught me. She always looks
lovely." Will stole another glance
at the couple.
And I'd
give up forever to touch you
'Cause I
know that you feel me somehow
You're
the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I
don't want to go home right now
"Have you told her
that?" Guinan persisted.
"No," he stated, and took
a long drink. "I don't want to be
a third wheel. Besides, she's happy,
and that's all that matters."
"Are you sure about
that?" she continued.
Riker's eyes turned into ice,
"Yes. I am. Good night, Guinan." As he stood up, his eyes met momentarily
with Deanna's.
And all
I could taste is this moment
And all
I can breathe is your life
And
sooner or later it's over
I just
don't wanna miss you tonight
He jerked his tunic down and quietly
stormed out of the room, not knowing that Deanna watched him leave. She had been able to block Riker's emotions,
but right before he left, they escalated to the point that nothing could stop
them.
And I
don't want the world to see me
'Cause I
don't think that they'd understand
When
everything's made to be broken
I just
want you to know who I am
Will entered Holodeck 3,
"Computer, begin program Riker 12."
The yellow and black grid dissolved into a thick mountain forest. He found an old worn trail through the trees,
and followed it for several minutes before finding what he was looking for.
And you
can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the
moment of truth in your lies
When
everything feels like the movies
Yeah,
you bleed just to know you're alive
About ten meters off the trail was a
small pond. He walked around it to a
huge fir tree, and sat beneath it, occasionally skipping rocks or throwing
sticks into the water.
Will had hoped this would calm him
down, but all it did was make him ask more questions. Questions that he couldn't answer, and that frustrated him even
more so.
And I
don't want the world to see me
'Cause I
don't think that they'd understand
When
everything's made to be broken
I just
want you to know who I am
Just when he had gathered up enough
courage to leave the holodeck and approach Deanna, Will heard something walking
through the woods. The program had
included wildlife, so he sat still to see what was approaching.
To his surprise, Deanna came into
the small clearing. "What are you
doing here? Don't you have some other
place to be?" he asked smartly.
"I was worried about you,"
she said, "I thought I might be needed here."
"Why are you worried about me?" Riker turned to face her.
"I figured you had other
obligations." Turning back, he
slung another rock into the pond.
Deanna sat beside him. "When I left Ten-Forward to check on
you, Worf told me that we should part ways.
He said something about not wanting to be in the way. I don't know. It shocked me, so I don't remember much after that." After several minutes of silence, she stood,
and began dusting off. "I guess I
should leave."
And I
don't want the world to see me
'Cause I
don't think that they'd understand
When
everything's made to be broken
I just
want you to know who I am
"Wait." Will got up beside her, lifted her chin, and
looked, really looked into her eyes
for the first time in many years. He
could see the moisture in her eyes, and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "Please stay. I could use some company right now." He smiled.
"Would you like to go to my quarters? I can get some hot chocolate for you, and we could talk. Is that okay?"
Deanna gave him a weak smile,
"That sounds good, thank you, Will."
I just
want you to know who I am . . .
END