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zlanna@aol.com	
	
Heart of the Mind cont.
by Zlanna	
	
	Tension in the staff meeting was escalating.  Geordi and Data were
arguing that the gulium fluoride inner line of the impulse reaction
chamber needed to be changed out since there were 3 fractures/cm3
already. While the IRC repairs could be made in flight, they recommended
that warp not be used during the change out.  Dr. Crusher and the Captain
were anxious to reach Archanis IV to participate as Federation
intermediaries in negotiations relating to exchange of medical
technology with the Romulans. 
	"Geordi, how much will we be delayed if we make the repairs
under impulse power and then jump to warp after the maintenance work is
done?" Riker asked.
	"No, Number One.  That is not acceptable." Picard interrupted
impatiently.  "The IRC can bear the wait.  Under warp factor 3 the
fracturing effect should not be so severe and we can still shave 65
hours off our arrival time."
	"Captain, if I may point out..." Data got up and activated the
wall screen.  "When the gulium fluoride inner line of the impulse
reaction chamber is an 1/fracture/cm3 there is some stress placed upon
the IRC, but not nearly that experienced once the second fracture is
achieved.  Typical causes of the stress fractures include..."
	Riker took a deep breath during Data's highly detailed, highly
technical, highly boring explanation and consciously tried to relax to
better analyze their options.  As he did so, he noticed from the corner
of his eye that Deanna's shoulders also dropped and she seemed to relax
as well. She glanced at him and smiled slightly.  Funny, he had seen her
do that hundreds of times since they started serving together and he
always assumed it was a look of encouragement for him to pursue his
position.  He never thought of it as a smile of gratitude for helping
her deal with the emotions of the room. The rest of the meeting he tried
as best he could to not get caught up in the heated debate, but to
remain as calm as possible. In fact, the approach helped him finally
offer the solution that the group agreed upon in the end. To use warp 4
until a 4th fracture was found and then use impulse for the rest of the
journey. With luck they might make the whole trip without another
fracture and could perform the maintenance while in orbit. It was a
risk, but an acceptable one according to Data.
	"Good job, Number One. I liked the way you handled yourself in
there." Picard told Riker as he left the room.
	Will shook his head as realized that his normal passionate arguing
style probably came across as brash to Picard most of the time. Maybe
this new approach would improve his performance rating. His last review
had included a comment from Picard about the need to be more 'objective'
in guiding the direction of staff meetings. He picked up his PADD and
realized he was alone in the room with Deanna who was watching him.
Smiling, he asked "What?"
	She smiled back. "Nothing, Commander." 
	Even though she turned quickly to leave, Riker noticed the red
glow of embarrassment on her face.
*****************

"So?  What are you waiting for?" Guinan had motioned for Riker to come
over to the bar as soon as he had arrived for dinner.
	"What do you mean?"
	"Deanna, of course. You know, don't you?  You mean you don't know?"
Guinan was incredulous.
	Dr. Crusher entered the lounge and came over and sat down next
to Will.  "Hi.  Want to have dinner?"
	"Sure, I'm starved. Don't know what about Deanna?" His smile
disappeared as he his worst fears came to mind - a wedding announcement.
	Guinan handed the doctor a drink. "He doesn't know."
	A wide smile covered Beverly's face.  "Will, what planet do you
live on?"
	Riker just looked from woman to the other. He struggled to control
the panic that was noticeably affecting his stomach.
	"Worf moved out of Deanna's quarters two days ago. I can't believe 
you hadn't noticed." Beverly watched him with an ever widening smile.
	Riker felt like his heart had stopped.  He had waited over a
year for the news, and now that he had gotten it, he was stunned. He
looked at Guinan and then at Beverly. "Two days ago and neither of you
TOLD me?"
	Beverly laughed.  "I figured you would be the first to notice."
	"I haven't followed the on board gossip for some time.  It usually
concerned Worf and Deanna." Will got up and started to leave.
	"Where are you going?  I thought you were hungry?" Beverly called
out to him.
	"What are you going to do?" Guinan called after him.
	"I'm going to go to the bridge to think."
	Guinan looked at Beverly, the same comment came from each at the
same time: "To the bridge to think?"  Their laughter was just as
coordinated.
*****************
Next day.  
	"Understood, Captain.  Perhaps tomorrow, then." Beverly
Crusher tapped on her com badge.  Another dinner date canceled. She made
her way down to the 10-Forward lounge by herself.  Upon entering, she
immediately noticed Troi sitting at a far table facing the moving stars.
She was next to the huge windows that lined one end of the lounge, her
back to everyone else.
	"How long has she been here?" Beverly Crusher asked Guinan as
she nodded in the direction of the Counselor.  She sat down at the
counter.
	"Since she came off her watch." Guinan replied handing Dr. Crusher
her coffee.
	"What's she drinking?"
	"She's not.  She's been staring at the cup of hot chocolate for
about the last two hours, but she hasn't touched it yet." Guinan shook
her head as she wiped the immaculately clean bar.
	"I'm surprised she is so upset.  I thought the breakup was her
idea. Maybe I should go talk to her. She looks like she needs a friend."
Beverly hesitated, hoping that Guinan would volunteer to go with her.
Deanna had spent most of the past year accusing Bev of trying to get
Deanna and Will together.  It had been a long time since the two of them
had engaged in more than harmless, usually awkward small talk.
	"Good idea.  I tried to talk to her when she first came in, but
she just smiled at me and told me she wanted to be alone with her
thoughts."
	"Well, here goes, wish me luck." Beverly slowly rose from her
seat at the counter and made her way over to Deanna.
	Deanna Troi heard someone approach but she didn't bother to glance
up.  She knew the whole ship was talking about her and Worf. She knew
they had been talking about them the past year.  She had stopped
listening to the gossip long ago for she had been the main topic for far
too long. Besides, she had alienated her best source of ship gossip -
Dr. Crusher.
	"Deanna, may I join you?" Beverly took a seat at the table.
	"Beverly, I really would rather be alone." Deanna picked up a
spoon and stirred the now cold hot chocolate.
	"Talk to me, Deanna.  I thought you wanted to end things with Worf."
Beverly watched her friend carefully.
	"Worf?  Yes, I did. Alexander won't talk to me though. He's very
angry."
	"He'll get over it."
	"Yes, he will." Deanna looked up at her friend. "I hope I haven't
ruin our friendship at least."
	"No, of course not."  Beverly was silent for a moment. "You know
I really did try hard to stay neutral."
	Deanna just shook her head.
	"It's just he had no one else he would confide in."
	"Will?"
	"Yes, Will. You know, Will has matured a lot
in the past year.  You can bet other women have noticed that and find it
very attractive."
	"Like you?" Deanna's voice was much louder than she planned.
	Beverly laughed. "Deanna! You know Jean-Luc and I have been
practically living together for the past nine months."
	"I knew you too were 'seeing' each other.  I didn't realize it
was that serious. When did this happen?" Deanna demanded.
	"At Henalli 4. You caught us kissing one night!" Beverly's
complexion deepened to match her hair.
	"I, I did? I don't remember."
	"Well, you were busy on Henalli 4. I thought you and Will were
going to get together then."
	"I wanted to, but I guess he knew I wasn't ready.  Beverly, you
are right. Will must hate me." Deanna started stirring the chocolate
again.
	"So that is what this is about. You're not upset about Worf leaving,
your upset about Will?"
	"He's been so cold.  He's never said anything about Worf and me.
He never got mad, he just took everything in stride. He hates me. He
doesn't care anymore. He hasn't cared for a long time." The tears in
Deanna's eyes refused to spill, but they were there nonetheless.
	"Deanna, that is not true." Beverly protested.
	Deanna shook her head, staring down at the cup.
	"Deanna, listen to me.  Will loves you very much.  I should know. 
I'm the one whose shoulder he's been crying on this past year.  I told
him to go and have this Imzadi link broken, I begged him to do it and he
refused every time."
	Troi's head came up suddenly, her eyes filled with fury.  "You
told him WHAT?  Why would you do such a thing?  Bev, how could you say
such a thing?"
	"Wha? Don't you think?" Beverly took a deep breath and composed
herself, a trick she had picked up from Riker. "Do you have any idea
what it was like for him watching you two? I told you how he felt the
pain every time you two, every, ...you know what I mean."
	"Yes, I know what you mean." Deanna and Beverly sat silently looking
at each other. "I've missed him so much. Now I've lost him for good."
	Beverly laughed, "No you haven't.  You should have seen him 
last night when Worf's request for a transfer to Deep Space Nine came to
him for signature and Will realized you were staying on the Enterprise."
	"He just learned yesterday?"
	Beverly took Deanna's hand.  "I happen to know you would make
him very happy if you were to let him know you want to be friends
again."
	"I want more than that, I'm afraid."
	"That would make him even happier." Crusher sighed. She would
love to see Will and Deanna together.  Jean-Luc had always insisted that
in the end, he felt they would get together, but he was a romantic at
heart.
	"Bev?"
	"Hmm?"
	"Do you think its possible for two senior officers to have a
relationship and serve together?"
	Beverly's smile returned, "It hasn't been a problem for the Captain
and me."
	Deanna laughed quietly, "I'm so glad for you. I'm sorry I've
been so....preoccupied."
	"Jean-Luc has always wanted to be the one to marry you and Will,
you know."
	"How do you? Please. One step at a time." Deanna smiled for the
first time. "So, Mom, what do I now?"

**************

	Deanna hesitated outside Will Riker's cabin door.  She was ready
to turn and leave when Captain Picard strode up with Beverly and hit the
door chime.  "Ah, Deanna!  Are you going to join us for poker tonight?"
	"Well, I don't know..."
	"Of course, she is." The door opened and Beverly took Deanna by
the arm and pulled her inside.  "Look who I brought tonight, Will."
	Will's looked up and smiled. "Deanna! Come on in.  Here sit down
next to me."
	Picard laughed to himself.  Will Riker was a man to capitalize
on any opportunity that presented itself and he was pouring on the charm
for Deanna's sake the entire evening.  Poor Deanna seemed quite thrown
off by the whole experience.  Maybe Will should turn it down a bit, but
Picard knew that Riker was putting all his knowledge of tactical warfare
to use tonight. By the time, the evening drew to a close, Riker had
Deanna off to a corner in what appeared to be a very serious talk while
the poker game continued unabated.
	"So, then I turned to the Solarian and asked, "And what is in
the trunk?  You know what he told me?"
	Deanna shook her head.
	Will raised his eyebrows, leaned very close and whispered,
"Terrilian Brandy!"  
	Deanna made a face as she realized the entire story had been an
elaborate joke. She watched him closely, remembering Beverly's advice. 
"Will?"
	He took a sip of his drink, drew in a long breath and let it out
slowly as if enjoying the moment immensely. "What?"
	"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"
	"You mean a romantic candlelight dinner alone in your quarters
with soft music in the background and you wear that blue dress I like?"
	Deanna smiled, "No, I mean dinner!"
	Will grew serious, shaking his head.  "No, Deanna."
	Deanna looked at the floor in embarrassment.  He had just been
nice during the evening and she had mistaken his attentiveness for
interest.  It was clear now that she had misinterpreted the entire
evening.
	"Deanna, look at me." Will took her hand in his and whispered so
that the poker crowd didn't realize the drama that was playing out in
the corner of the room. "For years you have been my best friend. This
past year has put a strain on things, I admit, but I still think of you
as my best friend."
	Deanna wanted to run away.  She didn't want to learn that friendship
was all that Will was capable of offering her now.
	Riker continued, "I don't want to go back to being just your friend.
 You've told me for years that platonic love and physical love were two
separate things and I tried to believe you.  I can't live like that any
more.  I love you. I need to be able to show that to you. Maybe human
males are different than Betazoid males, I don't know, but I can't go on
pretending that I don't have that need."
	Deanna didn't know what to say so she said nothing. Together they sat in
silence. 
	Finally Riker spoke up, "I want to build a life.  Do you understand
what I mean? I want to start a family. I've worked hard to get my career
where it is and I have my life on hold for a year, now I want to move
on." As soon as the words were uttered, Riker could see that Deanna had
misunderstood them. "Deanna, I want 'us' to move on together."
	"Will, I'm not sure I can move as fast as you want. I just left
Worf..." 
	Will watched Deanna stroke his finger with hers. "I'm not asking
you to move fast, just that we agree that we are moving forward
together."
	"Well," Deanna moved slightly toward Riker, "I suppose I could
light a candle or two."
	"And the blue dress?"
	"Yes, I'll wear that damned blue dress!"
	"In that case, Counselor, you have yourself a date."
	
******************
 
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