Conversation Stopper
R/T, Zlanna@aol.com

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"Deanna!" Beverly smiled when Deanna Troi entered Riker¹s quarters. "We didn't think you were coming tonight!"

"I was running late. May I join you?"

"Welcome, Counselor. Shall I deal you in?" Data inquired as Deanna Troi took her seat at the poker table.

"Certainly, Data. Thank you." Deanna deliberately sat beside Will Riker even though there was still room across from the table. She took the chair despite Will's embarrassment and discomfort at her presence. She didn't know why her appearance should bother him, she usually sat next to him at these games.

Data dealt the cards and turned to Commander Riker, "So how did you recognize that it was love at first sight, Sir?"

"Two." Riker replied.

"Excuse, me, Sir?"

"Two cards, Data. Please." Riker stared at the cards. Data waited patiently still watching Riker. Deanna could sense Will's indecision, but didn't know if it was related to the card game. Finally deciding that the strategy of trying to out wait an android was not going to work, the First Officer put the cards face down on the table and mumbled, "I just knew, Data."

"I would surmise, Sir, that love at first sight, being based on strictly physical attraction, would not last, as would a love based on long friendship and acquaintence." Data waited once more for a response.

Beverly Crusher was enjoying Will's fidgeting immensely. It served him right for teasing her earlier about dancer's stretching abilities in front of the Captain. She did feel a bit sorry for Troi having come in during the middle of this conversation. Of course, Beverly was not entirely certain that Deanna was the woman being discussed, but she had a suspicion when Riker had told Data that he believed you could fall in love the first moment you saw someone and love that person your whole life.

"That's not my experience, Data." Will turned to Deanna, a slight smile on his lips. "Counselor, what would you like?"

"What?" Deanna looked at Riker for a moment.

"Cards? Deanna? Do you want any cards?" Riker watched her as she busily began to examine the playing cards in her hands. Deanna felt Will relax a little as he often did once he had picked a course of action. "Actually, Data," Riker continued, "I don't believe love at first sight is based on physical attraction. It has to be a deeper connection than that. There are many equally beautiful women in the universe. If love at first sight were based strictly on physical attributes, then men would go along falling in love with every beautiful woman they met. Wouldn't you agree, Captain?"

"Well, I don't believe in love at first sight, myself." Picard interjected. "I'll take three cards, Data. I think we only convince ourselves later that there was a Œmagical moment' as you call it, Commander."

"I am curious, Commander, if the young woman was without clothing as you said, then how did you know it was her smile that caused you to fall in love with her?"

Beverly couldn't resist that one. "Yes, Commander, how did you know it was her smile you fell in love with?"

Deanna felt her face grow hot. Not able to leave, not wanting to stay. How had Will gotten them on this topic?

"Because Data, her smile is what I see whenever I close my eyes."

Deanna glanced up to see Riker's blue eyes lock onto her gaze.

"Oh, Will, that is so romantic." Beverly gushed. "Don't you think that is romantic, Deanna?"

Deanna still stared at Riker. He was impossible to read at the moment. Finally she gave up. "Yes, that is very romantic, Commander. Not entirely accurate, but very romantic."

"So are you saying that you have never experienced love at first sight, Counselor?" Data injected, being the only one at the table who had not made the connection by this time.

"No, Data, I've fallen in love at first sight too."

"And was the object of your love clothed?" Data continued. Beverly's giggle drew a sharp look from Troi, who noticed even Picard was trying to hide a smile.

"He was not. Data, can't we talk about something else?"

"Of course, Counselor. But I have one other question -- was it his smile that caused you to fall in love with him?"

"No, Data, it was not!"

"So if it is not his smile that you see when you close your eyes, what is it you see?"

"Data, are we going to play poker or not?" Deanna replied losing the struggle to keep the volume of her voice down.

"Certainly, Counselor. I raise you 20 Doctor."

The game continued smoothly for the rest of the night with no more mention of the conversation that had begun the evening. Finally as the hour grew late, the guests began to depart.

Alone together in the room, Deanna turned to Will. "My smile, huh?"

Riker moved close to her. "Mmmm. And just what do you see when you close your eyes?"

"Your..."

Riker leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. "Yes?"

Riker's door opened. "Excuse me, Counselor." Data appeared back in in the doorway. "Was it his eyes that caused you to fall in love with him?"

Troi turned to Data. "Yes, Data. It was his eyes that unlocked my heart."

From the hall outside she heard the collective "Ah."

"That is so romantic. 200 credits, Data! Pay up! You too Jean-Luc." Beverly's voice announced.

"Just a minute, Doctor. I still say, they set us up ahead of time." Picard was heard to say as the door shut. Then the door opened once again, as Picard threw in an afterthought, "Staff meeting at 0700 tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

Riker smiled at Deanna. "My eyes, hmm? And here I thought it was my..."

Deanna covered his mouth with hers quickly ending the conversation once and for all.

The End