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Chapter 6 Unraveling the Threads

	Will handed the coordinates of the hotel to the transporter officer
and joined Deanna, setting their cases on a third pad. The two of them
materialized in front of the Galactic Hotel, drawing only passing
glances from nearby pedestrians. Inside the lobby, Will registered
himself, then raised his eyebrows with delight that the concierge handed
him two keys. Noting Will's surprise, the concierge explained, "For your
companion." nodding politely at Deanna.
	Deanna linked her arm in Will's. "You will find that although it
is considered rude to refer vocally to our Imzadi status, the telepaths
will sense it immediately, reacting with a deference that comes from the
belief that an Imzadi couple is particularly blessed. Superstition
claims an act of unrequested kindness performed for an Imzadi couple
will come back to the giver four-fold. Unmarried Imzadi's are unheard of
in our society. We will draw attention nearly everywhere we go, although
most will accept the strange situation because you are human and I am
only half Betazoid." As if to prove Deanna's point a young teenage boy
grabbed their cases before Will could pick them up, bowing deeply and
proclaimed to the two Starfleet officers that it would be his honor to
carry the bags to their room for them. Arriving at their room, a worker
was already inside, setting a magnificent vase of handmade pottery
filled with dozens of exotic flowers on a side table. "Complements of
the concierge" the hotel worker informed them, bowing deeply, a smile
lighting her face.
	"I thought everyone here was a telepath. Why do they speak to
us?" Will was standing in the middle of the room surveying the plushness
of the surroundings. It was beginning to dawn on him that the room was
much larger and more ornately decorated than the one he had requested,
with amenities that he had not seen on the description list.
	Deanna crossed over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist,
closing her eyes and centering herself before answering. "It is
considered impolite to communicate telepathically with someone who
cannot answer you telepathically."
	"Ah. They are accommodating my handicap then." He smiled, not at
all offended by the observation.
	"And mine." Deanna released her hold and examined the terminal
on the desk. She felt Will's compassion even before his lips tenderly
kissed the top of her head. "It must have been difficult growing up here
where such abilities are so prized when your abilities were so
different. But tell me, how common are empaths among Betazoids?"
	Deanna patted his hand, her mind returning to the same conversation
nineteen years earlier. "We are not common at all. Telepaths rely so
heavily on their abilities, that even if they possess empathic
abilities, they usually do not train to develop them believing that the
ability to read minds makes the use of empathic abilities unnecessary."
	Leaning close Will kissed her ear whispering, "I prefer empaths
to telepaths myself." It was the same comment he had made nineteen years
ago and the feeling of deja vue the words inspired sent a shiver down
Deanna's back. Abruptly he changed the conversation, "Let's go to the
security vault."
	Deanna turned to him expecting to continue the conversation in
the bed as they had so many years earlier. "Now?"
	"Yes, now. We will have time to go before the reception."
	"Will, whatever is in that security vault has been there nineteen
years. It will keep until tomorrow. We have an hour before we have to
arrive at the Federation reception. I need to shower first and to
replicate an outfit." She felt the disappointment, but she also sensed
the internal debate he was conducting. "You know actually, a shower and
replicating an outfit would only take a half hour and we could be
fashionably late."
	The doorbell rang just as Deanna's dress dropped to the floor.
Laughing, Will waited until she slipped in the bathroom before opening
the door for a grinning hotel worker bearing an elaborate meal on a
cart. "Complements of the hotel manager." The worker announced wheeling
the cart expertly around to the side of the bed. Will noticed the
woman's face turning a deep red as she backed out of the room no doubt
aware of what she had just interrupted either due to a quick reading of
his mind which would have been extremely impolite or sharp eyes that had
noticed the discarded dress on the floor.
	
	An hour and a half later, Deanna announced,
"There, how do I look?" Deanna turned slowly around in front of
the mirror, satisfied with the dress she had selected.  It was a deep
burgendy, full length gown cut lower than would be considered
appropriate at a Starfleet reception, but quite acceptable on Betazed,
where Will had already noticed women tended to favor more daring
outfits.
	"As I recall, I just told you looked beautiful a few minutes ago
when you were naked, why would my opinion have changed? Besides which,
you are an empath, you know exactly my opinion of how you look right now
so why are you asking?" Lying on the rumbled sheets, still attacking the
bounty that the hotel manager had sent, Will enjoyed watching Deanna
preen in front of the mirror storing the scene for later when she was
sure to tease him about his own occasional glances at his image.
	"I know you are happy, I don't know if you approve of the
dress."
	"Well, I don't. I'm sure there is a burlap sack around here you
could wear instead. I'm not anxious to compete with the 20 year olds who
are going to be chasing you around tonight.  Not to mention my own
father."
	As if on cue, the intercom announced that Kyle Riker was waiting
in the lobby. Nervously running his hand through his hair, Will rose
from the bed following Deanna out of the room to meet the father he
couldn't remember.

	Kyle Riker had talked most of the way to the reception without
once bringing up Will's accident nor his future.  Deanna, grateful for
the ommission of the later held Will's hand in hers, providing an anchor
for the myriad emotions Will experienced during the trip. She knew the
question that was on the First Officer's mind, but she was surprised he
had not blurted it out as he so often had done during his recovery when
he wanted to know something. 
	"You two seem very close again. I'm glad." The Envoy studied the
two younger people sitting in the ground transport beside him. Caught
off guard by the elder Riker's opening into the very conversation that
had preoccupied him during the trip, Will relaxed slightly, breaking
into a grin. "Yes. Again. You know I have no memory of events prior to
the accident except for my personal log entries."
	"I knew you had experienced some loss. I was not aware it was
total."
	"Total may be an exageration, but extensive would be correct.
There are two years of log entries that have been deleted, I do not know
why. Do you?" Will was glad the conversation was occuring with Deanna at
his side since she would be able to tell him later if his father was
replying truthfully. 
	As if the same thought had occurred to him, Kyle Riker stole a
quick look at the empath before answering.  "I do not know why the logs
are missing. Perhaps you deleted them after you rejoined Deanna on the
Enterprise."
	"Perhaps. In the last entry I have, I mentioned that I had asked
you to arrange a marriage between Deanna and myself with Lwaxana Troi.
Did you approach Lwaxana about the marriage?" 
	Kyle Riker stared out the window, debating if it were possible
to avoid responding in a way that would hurt the couple next to him. "I
approached her."
	Deanna reached out to the envoy still holding the hand of her
best friend, encouraging the older man to continue. "We need to know
what happened."
	"Ambassador Troi was convinced that your link was a temporary
situation that could easily be remedied. She refused to discuss a
marriage agreement."
	"There is something else." Deanna prompted, realizing that now
was the time to clear the air for all of them.
	"Not really. I didn't feel it was in Will's best interests to
get married so young, so I halfheartedly tried a few more times to talk
to her, but I gave in a lot quicker than I should have. I must admit I
was a little upset that she seemed to think that my son was not good
enough for her aristocratic daughter."
	"I'm not sure you could have changed her mind, even if you had
pushed hard." Deanna replied.
	Kyle Riker played with the crease on his pant leg for a few minutes.
Deanna realized he was weighing the advisability of revealing yet
another piece of information. "Will, you were planning on going to Risa.
We talked the night before you left. You were planning on bringing
Deanna to a reception on Risa's third moon, that I and my sister's
families were going to attend."
	Noting Will's blank stare, Deanna prompted, "Will's aunt." She
indicated to Kyle.
	"Yes, your aunt. You wanted her to meet Deanna. I never believed
after that conversation that you had decided on your own not to go to
Risa.  I got a short communique from the Betazed embassy the day you
were going to Risa stating that Lt. Riker had changed his plans and the
wedding was off. I assumed there had been a fight between you two, until
I got Deanna's message shortly afterwards that you had never arrived and
that you had not contacted her."
	"A week later I got a coded message hand delivered by courier
instructing me to give an access code to a storage vault here on Betazed
to Deanna if you should not survive. That is all the message said."
	"Survive what?" Deanna wondered out loud looking at Will, who simply
shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but I bet we find some answers
when we go to that vault tomorrow."

	After the reception, Kyle Riker deposited Deanna and Will back at the
Troi mansion. On the steps to the front door, Deanna leaned over to kiss Will 
goodnight before entering, realizing that this would be the first night they 
had been apart since the night she had stayed with him in his quarters 
after the accident. 
	"We could just tell your mother you are going back with me."
Will replied as if reading her mind. "I'll tell her if you want." Deanna
stood quietly listening, trying to fight her need to please her mother. "Time 
for us is precious, Deanna. All we have could be swept
away with one blast from a Borg ship, or one explosion of a warp core.
Others can afford to waste it, but not us. We've wasted too much
already. Come back with me. Let me tell your mother you are staying with
me. You aren't a child anymore and she knows that." Deanna debated what
to do for a few minutes, finally deciding that Will was right, she was
not a little girl anymore, although she always felt that way in this
house. "I would like to return with you, but I can never say no to my
mother."
	"Then I'll do it for you, if you want." His arm was draped
protectively around her when the mammoth doors opened to reveal Mr. Homm
standing in the entryway. The giant simply grinned at Deanna, motioning
for the two of them to enter. Behind him Lwaxana's voice carried to the
couple.  
	"Deanna! It is about time.  I have been worried sick about you.
That was a nice how do you do, to not even call before going to the
Federation reception and how do you think that looked for a daughter of
the Fifth House to go the Federation embassy reception and shun that of
the Chancellor of Betazed! William! I didn't expect you tonight!"
	Bowing his head slightly Will never removed his arm from Deanna's
shoulders replying, "Mrs. Troi, it is a pleasure to meet you. I do
apologize for monopolizing your daughter, but her assistance was
invaluable tonight. Actually, many of the diplomats expressed their
appreciation to the Fifth House for sending a representative to their
reception when they knew there was another dinner hosted by the
Chancelor."
	"Ah, yes? Well, I'm glad some good came of it then, you know
there are many times when sharing the burdens of the Fifth House with
someone else would be nice.  I often say that I raised Deanna to carry
on after me, but I don't see how she will do that from a Starship!
Deanna, where are your bags?"
	"In the transport, Mother."
	"Mr. Homm, get Deanna's bags for her and take them upstairs to
her room. "
	"Mrs. Troi." Will began resisting the urge to draw back when he
felt her reach into his mind. Lwaxana turned abruptly staring at Riker,
whose expression never varied, but met her gaze steadily. He waited.
They continued to stare at each other for several minutes, before
Lwaxana's shoulders relaxed a bit. Her voice was more subdued when she
addressed Deanna. "I have no objection if you wish to stay with William
while you are here, Deanna.  You only needed to tell me."
	Wincing, Deanna looked at her mother with sympathy. "I know it
is lonely here, Mother. I don't mind staying. I'd like to catch up with
you."
	Lwaxana Troi's smile broadened, grateful for the acknowledgement
from her daughter that she was sacrificing something by giving in. "No,
little one, go ahead and stay with William. We can stay up late talking
and then we would only go to sleep anyway. Stay with me until bedtime,
return to your hotel and we can chat again tomorrow."
	"I have an appointment tomorrow at the university," Will
volunteered, "perhaps you two could spend some time together then."
	"Fine." Deanna agreed wondering what Will would be doing at the
university and why he had not informed her. After over a month of having
him totally dependent on her, she was surprised how annoying it was when
he showed the first hint of independence. She was watched Mr. Homm bring
in drinks, then obediently take his position by the infamous gong.
Lwaxana held up her hand and motioned for Mr. Homm to retire for the
night. 
	Deanna looked up to see her mother smiling at her, then followed
her gesture towards Will who was sound asleep on the couch next to
Deanna. "He has been through a lot. I had no idea."
	"Yes, I suppose actually the recovery process hasn't been so
long, but it feels like it. This is actually the first day he hasn't had
a nap. Usually he sleeps quite a bit."
	"You should tell him he doesn't need to try so hard to protect
you, I'm not going to come between you two again." Lwaxana's expression
had softened from the Keeper of the Holy Chalise of Rixx to that of the
concerned mother.
	"Did you before?"
	"You know the story, Deanna." 
	"I don't believe I do, Mother. Not the whole story, do I?" Will
shifted uncomfortably on the couch his head hanging at an odd angle.
Deanna scooted over on toward the far end and gently pulled him down so
that his head was on her lap, letting him continue his postponed rest.
	"No, no you don't. If you will let me, I would prefer telling
the story though when William can hear it too. It is not something I
wish to repeat twice and I'm sure he will have a thousand questions.
Tomorrow after he returns from the university have lunch with me and I
will have a talk that I should have had a long time ago with you two."
	Deanna started to protest, but Lwaxana raised her hand indicating
that the conversation was over for the night. "Mr. Homm will see you out
dear. I am sleepy myself and must retire. Until tomorrow." Then she
disappeared upstairs, hurrying as if afraid Deanna would convince her to
reveal all before she was ready.

	In the transport back to the hotel, Deanna watched Will fall quickly
asleep again. As they approached the hotel, he finally awoke. "Will, why
did my mother agree to let me come back with you?"
	Riker shrugged, "I told her it was rare to get another chance,
not to blow it."
	"That's all you said?"
	"Apparently it was enough."

	"Deanna!" Will bent down to kiss Deanna's head, but she simply
rolled over. Determined to meet the challenge, he nibbled at her ear,
then when she rolled back over he kissed her lips. Opening one eye, she
squinted at him. "What are you doing up so early? Come back to bed."
	"The vault opens in one hour. We have time to get dressed, eat
breakfast and get there early. We have a lot to do today." Pulling the
sheets off of her, he threw a dress from the closet at her. "Come on
Counselor, let's get a move on!"
	"I thought you didn't want to play Commander anymore." she said,
trying to hide behind the pillow and get a little more sleep.
	"I realize it has certain advantages.  When else can a man order
a woman around and get away with it?" Determined to be on time, he
grabbed the pillow. "Deanna!  Come on!"
	"Oh, all right. Don't forget that we are having lunch with my mother
today."
	"With your mother? I have to go to the University this morning."
he protested but stopped when she raised her hand. "Oh, no."
	"What?"
	"That's just the same gesture your mother uses when she wants to
silence you."
	"It is not. Now listen, we will have time to go to the vault,
then you go to the University and then meet me at the mansion and then
we will have lunch.  I have a feeling a few of your mysteries will be
resolved at lunch."
	Frowning, Will could see that he was not going to win any arguments
with Deanna this morning. The image of Deanna sitting there on the bed
with her hand held up silencing him was frightening. In the back of his
mind he seemed to remember hearing once that you should look at a
woman's mother, to see what she would be like in 25 years.  Of course,
Deanna was nothing like her mother, he reminded himself.

	"Access approved." the computer program announced and a long,
rectangular tray emerged slowly from the security vault. Deanna's
nervous anticipation was amplified by the mixture of fear, hope and
curiosity that Will was experiencing. A broad smile grew as he handed
her the thin gauze headband, "this is yours I believe. Were we planning
a Betazoid wedding?" Carressing the headband, Deanna nodded slightly. 
"Here this is yours too I imagine." he continued, slipping the platnum 
band with a single ruby on Deanna's finger. "Now what's this?" Slowly 
he withdrew a series of padds.
	"Your personal log files?" Deanna guessed.
	"Probably. What is this?" He handed her the five pointed medallion
elaborately decorated in gold, silver, platnum and eridiumion, Betazed's
most precious metal.
	Turning the artifact over in her hand, Deanna looked at him in
awe. "Will, this is Betazed's highest honor. Where did you get this?"
	"From the Sindareen rescue?"
	"No. I would have known about that. I don't know of any case in
which this medal has been given to a hero that survived.  It is supposed
to be a posthumous award." Deanna still had her hand in front of her
mouth as she stared at him as if he were an apparition. 
	"Deanna, I am alive. I'm not a ghost."
	"How did you get this?"
	"Maybe it's not mine."
	"It is yours, all right, your name is on the back." 
	"Let's go listen to the tapes."
	
	Back at the hotel, Deanna felt the wall of depression descend on
Will Riker as he embraced defeat momentarily without argument. She would
have felt it if he had not been her Imzadi, but given that he was, she
had to fight her own growing despair. "Will, we will solve this mystery
even without the logs." He continued to stare at the blank padd as if it
were a personal friend that had betrayed him. Two years of memories
erased. "Who could have done this?"
	"Someone who didn't want you to find out what happened during
those two years. There is someone else who can help, though, Mother.
Let's see what she has to say today.  Are you still wanting to go to the
University?"
	Drawing a deep breath, squaring his shoulders again, Will nodded
dejectedly. "Yes. I'll see you at your Mother's."

	Riker left the steps of the university, his suspicions confirmed. He
had gotten his answers, but Rabeem didn't bring the relief he had
sought. The pain of the knowledge he carried weighted him down, so that he
forced himself to place one foot in front of the other on the way back
to the Troi mansion. He now understood why Deanna had been so hesitant to renew her
relationship with him when he had joined the Enterprise, but he didn't have
a clue how to convince her they could work things out. If only she had 
trusted him a little more. 

	Waiting outside the door of the Troi mansion, Will began to
worry something was wrong. He did not know why, but he had no
sense of Deanna. Impatiently he rang the door again, but still no one
came. Desparate, he lunged against the huge door without success. 
Finally he withdrew his minature phaser he had hidden in his pocket and
fired at the lock drilling a precise hole in the mechanism. Putting his
shoulder to the door, the huge door opened to reveal Mr. Homm standing
there. "They are gone." was the manservant's only comment.

End of Chapter 6