Paramount owns the Star Trek universe and all the characters that
inhabit therein. You You can blame me for the plot and the spelling.



	Of Friends and Lovers 
	by Zlanna June '98


	"Beverly?"

	"Hmmm?"

	"Was he the best lover you ever had?"

	Crusher smiled. A tiny, whimsical grin of remembrance which she
fought to hide. "He was good, Deanna, I'm not sure I'd say he was the
best."

	"Hmmm." Deanna Troi said softly. She didn't push for any further
explanation.

	Crusher bit her lip. How do you lie to an empath? Camouflage your
emotions in minutiae, Will had advised once. She attempted to
concentrate on the five step procedure for repairing a torn spleen. No
need to let her emotions advertise her deceit. From their spot under the
large tree lined pavilion of the Nuite town center she and Deanna hid
from the strong, midday sunlight.  Out of the corner of her eye she
watched the Betazoid watch the Commander as he patiently listened to the
Nuite Governor explain plans for future buildings they would build from
the Federation aid the Enterprise had brought .

	"Was he the best lover you ever had?" Crusher asked. She tried to
keep her voice uninterested. Unattached. Disengaged.

	"Oh yes." Deanna gushed in a low, throaty voice of seduction. "The
very best."

	"So why don't you go back to being lovers?" the doctor pressed.

	It was the way those black, riveting eyes devoured Will Riker as he
stood listening intently to the small group of bureaucrats that tipped
Crusher off. "Deanna! Since when?" The question slipped out carelessly.
Without thought. Slipped out with no premeditated intent to accuse or
condemn.

	The Counselor tore herself free from the object of her scrutiny. "We
are adults, Bev."

	"But you both see other people."

	"Will calls it deliberate dissemination of deceitful information."

	"What?" The doctor demanded, confusion battling with her shock.

	"A strategic maneuver." Troi diverted her gaze to Crusher. "Invented
to throw the rumor mongers of the grapevine off their stride."

	The redhead nodded. "Is that what he told you? I can't believe you
fell for it."

	"I'm an empath, Bev. I haven't fallen for anything. He knows where
the line is drawn."

	"And he never crosses it?"

	It was a mysterious little smile. No, more a smirk, Crusher
realized. Perhaps an arrogant grin of dominance. "No. Never."

	"But."

	Bev thought she saw the briefest flicker of a frown, but she wasn't
sure until she heard Deanna continue as if to herself. "Once. I allowed
it once. For a dear friend." It was then Crusher realized with
embarrassment her gaze was still riveted on Riker, spellbound, admiring
him,  remembering his touch, his smell. She pushed aside the thought.
Odan. It was Odan's touch, not Will's she told herself. Then Deanna's
words penetrated her memories. She looked up to catch the look of
amusement that danced in the eyes of her companion.

	"Okay, maybe he was the best." Crusher conceded.

	The End