Getting to First Base
R/T, Zlanna@aol.com

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Will listened to Data's pleas for volunteers. He longed to join Data's newly formed baseball team which was to play the top-rated team of Star base 411. He also knew that this was performance review time and it would be impossible to make the practices, not that he needed much practice. Geordi and Worf had already signed up and were gathered to lend support as Data delivered his recruitment speech.

"Come on Commander, those bureaucrats at 411 need to be put in their place and with you on the team we are the ones to do it." Geordi urged.

Worf sat still listening to the conversation, watching Riker carefully. He had joined the team out of loyalty to his crew mates more than anything, but he had played baseball on Earth and was a deep ball hitter. He knew that their team's chances of winning would certainly go up with the athletic Riker on the bench.

Shaking his head sadly Will knew he had to decline. "Sorry. My schedule is packed for the next three weeks. Deanna is mostly done with her part of the evaluations though, maybe she'll help you out."

That was when Lieutenant Winoski made the fateful error. "Counselor Troi? Come on Commander! The idea is to win!"

Geordi knew they were in trouble immediately. Riker's jaw clenched and his eyes, which had an amazing ability to reflect his mood were as stormy as the blue skies of Andomedies during the twister season. "Counselor Troi would be an asset to your team, Lieutenant. Data, my advice would be to ask Deanna to catch for you if you want to beat 411."

Data had considerable respect for Commander Riker's judgment as well as for his knowledge of baseball, but he failed to see the logic of his advice. "Counselor Troi lacks the upper body strength of the rest of the male members of the team, Sir. She is neither as quick in her reflexes as the other players nor is she as fast a runner. Does she have much experience as a player?"

Riker smiled. "No Data. She has only played one season on a Betazoid intramural team while she was at the university, but the team was undefeated. She is a good catcher. Her father taught her to catch and her cousin on her father's side let her catch for him in the backyard when he was practicing for the diplomatic core league on Betazed."

Data frowned. Troi's experience playing for an intramural team and playing in the backyard would not be very useful against the top team of the Starfleet league. He still failed to understand Riker's recommendation. "Does Counselor Troi have some other attribute that makes her qualified for the team, Sir?"

Riker had hoped Data would realize Troi's potential contribution on his own. Turning to Geordi, Will asked, "What do you think Geordi?"

LaForge answered carefully. "Well, Sir." he paused looking to Data for support, "Her empathic skill might be useful as a base coach."

Worf sat quietly studying Riker. His commanding officer was laying a trap and he felt the others were obligingly stepping in. When Riker turned to Worf and repeated the question the Klingon was prepared. "I believe Sir, that you and Counselor Troi on the same bench would be a formidable combination."

No emotion revealed itself on Riker's face. "Indeed. Okay gentlemen. I could perhaps make time for a practice game against you."

"What are you guys cooking up over here?" Beverly Crusher's pleasant voice interrupted Riker.

Deanna grabbed a seat next to Crusher and the two women joined the group. Riker broke into a large smile. "Deanna, we have been challenged to play a practice game against the Enterprise baseball team. Are you up for a game of baseball?"

Deanna had heard that Data was trying to put a team together but felt with crew evaluations going on, it would be impossible to make the time for practices. Will's next comment however, convinced her otherwise. "General consensus seems to be that women lack the upper body strength and speed to be an asset to the team."

"Now wait a moment Commander, we never said that!" Geordi protested eyeing Crusher worriedly.

Data stared innocently at LaForge. "That is true Commander, we only said Counselor Troi lacked those qualities."

Geordi buried his head in his hands knowing they were in big trouble now. "And what about me, Data? Would I be an asset to the team?" Crusher's complexion matched her hair and her mood.

Data serenely nodded. "We do need a bat person." he volunteered.

"Data!" Geordi shouted, but the warning was too late, the damage had been inflicted as the both women were now up in arms.

"Are you forming a team, Commander?" Crusher asked.

Riker looked over at Troi. "Only if Deanna agrees to play." he replied and at her nod he grinned. "Yes, we are forming a team, Bev. What to be on it?"

"You bet." Bev snapped. Then turning to Data she spit out the words, "Women's Intergalactic Champions, 2344 - 1st base-MVP. File that in your data banks!"

Data blinked unconcerned. "Thank you Doctor. Entry added and catalogued."

Crusher got up moaning, then catching Guinan's eye she yelled across the ten-forward lounge. "Guinan!" and motioned with her hand for the hostess to come over.

"Yes, Doctor, can I do something for you?"

"Yes! Join Commander Riker's baseball team." Crusher replied.

Guinan looked over at Geordi sitting with his head on the table, his hands on his head and knew something was up. "Who are we playing?"

"The physically superior men's team." Deanna answered.

"Ah!" Guinan smiled at Geordi. "I'd love to play." Turning to Riker Guinan added, "U.S. Olympic team of 2004 - gold medal - center field, batting average 432, 45 RBIs."

Geordi groaned again and even Lieutenant Winoski was starting to look worried.

Smirking Deanna replied, "I believe, Commander, we can fill out the rest of the roster fairly easily. Let's set the day and time of the game."

Negotiations for the game went quickly. Each team had two weeks to prepare. Will and Deanna scheduled one field practice since the performance reviews prevented time for any more practices. No one was exactly sure who came up with the idea of bleachers, but it was soon discovered that there was not room in the holodeck for them anyway. Disappointment over the inability to see the game ran so high that Deanna suggested they hook up a vid camera to broadcast the game ship-wide. She recognized the benefits the distraction of the game had for the crew. Tensions always ran high on the ship around performance review time but instead of hushed, nervous conversations among small, worried groups of people, nearly every conversation centered on the upcoming baseball game between Data and 'Will's Girls' as the ship had named Riker's group. For their part, Will and Deanna spent their free time practicing but they were not using a ball or bat.

"You know," Will began, "I know a quicker way to improve my ability to send and receive." He was sprawled out on Deanna's couch, his shoes off and his legs dangling over the end. His dinner plate sat on the coffee table next to him bearing the last remnants of their meal.

Deanna regarded his relaxed state. Usually he was a bundle of nerves during performance reviews, but this year, he seemed to take everything in stride, due she suspected to the relaxation sessions they had held every night to improve his ability to send to her telepathically in preparation for the game.

"You need to improve your concentration Commander. Once we win the game, then we'll talk about the celebrations."

Will opened his eyes a crack to watch her. He could read nothing from her expression. Over the years of attending the weekly poker games she had developed a poker face which rivaled his own. He closed his eyes again listening to the sounds of her clearing the table. Concentrating he cleared his mind focusing on the faint feeling that he knew to be her presence in his thoughts. Neither one had mentioned it but their practicing sessions had strengthened their connection with each other. At first he had noticed it in small ways. Rather than feeling her presence in his mind when she was in the room with him he would feel her approach before she entered the room. In the evenings, he felt her moods shift when she was in her quarters which were located next to his. The previous night he woke up from a very sensual dream in which she was the object of his affections and immediately realized she too had awoken. He had used the com badge to ask if she was okay. Her voice, an octave lower than normal told him much more than her curt, verbal reply of "Go back to sleep, Riker."

I only do this for the pleasure of Imzadi fans. If you enjoyed the story or if you have suggestions, please send your comments toZlanna@AOL.com.