Clandestine Rendezvous
Counselor Deanna Troi stood in a sonic shower, allowing its warmth to permeate into her tired weary muscles. Over a month of counseling sessions during both Alpha and Beta shifts and then having bridge duty for Gamma shift was starting to take its toll. Deanna closed her eyes and mentally encouraged the shower to wake her up.
Eight hours on the bridge as the senior officer with only three hours of sleep Troi thought and hoped she would be able to stay awake. All of a sudden, she felt two firm hands begin to massage her shoulders, and she automatically leaned back.
“What are you doing in here, Commander?” She asked as she gave a contented sigh and allowed herself to lean all the way into Riker’s arms.
“I just wanted to remind myself what you looked like before I went off to dream about a clandestine rendezvous.”
Troi turned in Riker’s embrace and opened her eyes to look at him. “Careful, Commander, you wouldn’t want a girl to think her boyfriend has less than innocent thoughts about her.” She said with a playful smile.
Riker brushed Troi’s cheek with his thumb and smiled. “Boyfriend?” He asked, incredulously.
Deanna laughed. “Yes. You know a male friend with whom you have…”
Will shook his head and laughed as well. “I know what it means, Deanna. It’s just that the way you said it was kindda”
“Childish,” Deanna finished and shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t blame me. I’ve been working so long my brain’s mush. Would you prefer sweetheart, lover, or Imzadi?”
Will looked into her eyes and smiled. “I don’t know. Fiancé has a nice ring to it.”
Troi spun around and hit the button to stop the shower. She stepped out in a huff and quickly grabbed a towel to wrap around her body. “Will Riker, I don’t believe you!” She exclaimed.
Riker got out of the shower and followed Troi into the bedroom as he wrapped a towel around his waist. Deanna turned and stared at him in wide-eyed disbelief. “You call that a proposal!” She yelled.
Will shrugged his shoulders. “I’m sorry, but working opposite shifts and barely seeing each other has gotten to me too. We don’t get time alone anymore, and the thought popped into my head. I blurted it out, sorry.”
Deanna let out a sarcastic laugh. “Well that’s obvious, Commander.” She said as she walked over to the closet for a fresh uniform.
Riker walked up behind her and began to massage her shoulders once again. “God, you’re tense. Was I really that far off base?” Troi leaned back and relaxed her shoulders, and Riker leaned down and kissed them tenderly. “I’m sorry, Deanna. It’s just that it was the first time I heard you say boyfriend out loud and it did sound a little girlish.” Will turned Deanna to face him and gave her a smile. “I’m not a little boy anymore, Deanna. And to be called someone’s boyfriend seems a little silly to me, especially when that person means so much more to me.”
Deanna looked up at Will and smiled. “I know that, Will. But little girls dream about the day someone will ask them to marry them.” She said and sighed. “And yours didn’t quite live up to”
Commander Riker put a finger to Deanna’s lips and gave her a knowing smile. Then he took a hold of her hand and got down on one knee. “Deanna Troi, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Counselor Troi smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Still not exactly what a girl dreams about, Will Riker.” She said, taking note of the fact they were both only clad in towels. Then she took hold of her towel to keep it from slipping as she knelt down beside Will. But it will do for now; she placed in his mind and kissed his cheek.
“Is that a yes, Counselor?” Riker asked with a mischievous smile.
Troi gave his arm a smack before standing up to get her uniform. “I’m going to be late,” she said and proceeded to get dressed. Riker got up and laid down on the bed to watch.
Deanna shook her head at him. “If you want an honest to god yes, you better figure out what a girl’s dream is while I’m gone.”
Will crossed his hands and placed them behind his head. “Well I don’t know about a girl’s dream, but this sure as hell beats any dream a boy would have.” He said, the smile never wavering from his face.
End