Romping Through the Briar Patch by Zlanna@AOL.com

	Please hit the back button to return to the index page



	There was food, a spicy Betazed casserole dominated the table. He
was vaugely aware of the heavy aroma, but it held no interest for him.
Deanna commanded his full attention. She was wearing a gold, shimmering
robe held together by a belt fastened tightly around her waist. He heard
a computer from somewhere, but he didn't realize at first that it was
the ship computer telling him he was blocking her door. Even when he
heard the warning, he didn't react. He stood watching her come to him.
He could smell a sweet frangrance that clung to her announcing her as
she drew near. She took him by the arm and led him inside. She had her
cabin set much warmer than the corridor, but the heat did nothing to
eliminate the goosebumps on his arms.

	She reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead as
she appraised him. "Do you understand what is happening here?"

	"Yes," he said trying to remember the question. He was admiring the
slope of her breast as it dipped inside the robe.

	"Are you sure this is where you want to be?"

	He reached out for her, pulling her close improving his view. He
drew in a deep breath of her perfume and let his fingers play with a
strand of her hair marveling at its softness. "Nowhere else."

	"Why?"

	"What?" he asked. He tried to clear his head but it was impossible
with her so close.

	"Will, think for a moment." Deanna took a step back. He followed
automatically.

	"I am thinking. I'm thinking of you. It's all I've done for the past
twenty-four hours."

	"Exactly. That's my point. Why just the past twenty-four hours? Why
not the past twenty-four years?"

	Riker reached out and cupped his hand around the line of her jaw.
With his thumb he carressed her chin. "Because you didn't want me, now
you do."

	"It's that simple?" she asked. "You think it is that simple?"

	"For me it is." he answered. He leaned forward and when she didn't
move away he let his fingers gather up her hair behind her ear as he
pulled her forward to kiss her. He took his time enjoying the feel of
her pressing against his chest. "No yuck?" he teased.

	She closed her eyes. "I liked you without the beard."

	"Why?" he asked.

	"I don't know." She dropped her gaze unable to meet his penetrating
stare. "The beard was a mask. It wasn't you. I prefer you the way you
were - the way we were - in the beginning."

	He placed a single finger under her chin and gently eased her face
upward until she met his gaze. "Then the beard goes." He bent down,
placing his warm lips on hers.

	She pushed him away so she could study him closer. Her voice was
quiet. "You mean it?"

	"Sure."

	"When?"

	It was his turn to laugh. Pulling her to him he didn't try to kiss
her. He just whispered, "Now. In the bubble bath."

	"And can I use the straight-edge?" she asked.

	"Do you still remember how?"

	"I'm sure it will come back to me," she answered.

****

	Picard had just returned to the Enterprise determined to contact
Starfleet regarding the situation on the Bak'u's planet. Doherty had
overstepped his bounds, Picard was sure of it. Behind him he heard Will
Riker's deep baritone relaying that Doherty wanted the Enterprise to
leave the Briar Patch. I just bet he does, Picard thought. It wasn't
until he entered the turbolift and spun around Picard caught sight of
Will Riker's smooth face. He couldn't help the double take. It had been
quite a while since anyone had seen Riker sans beard. There was a glint
in Riker's eye. Picard recognized it. The same glint the Commander used
to have years ago when he returned from his yearly vacations to Risa.
Will Riker had gotten lucky. Very lucky and judging by the way Riker was
teasing Commander Worf, Picard had the sneaking suspicion Riker had
finally consummated his relationship with Counselor Troi. He hoped so.
The way the two of them had been flirting with each other since their
trip back in time to save the flight of the Phoenix, it was about time
they quit dallying and got down to business. So to speak thought Picard.

	***

	Worf slowed his pace and waited for Data to finish inspecting
Commander Riker's face. He watched the android shake his head and walk
away and caught Riker's amused look as he approached Worf.

	"I see you consummated your relationship with Counselor Troi" Worf
said as Riker fell in step beside him.

	Riker appeared to feign innocence. "What makes you say that, Worf?"

	"Your smile. Anyone who knows you would see it immediately in the
way in which you are so pleased with yourself." Worf came to a halt as
the two of them waited for a turbolift to the bridge. "That and the fact
you let her shave the beard off."

	"Hmmm." Riker made no reply, but began to hum softly.

	Worf gave the first officer a side glance of disapproval. "Did it
hurt?" he asked he asked as they both entered the lift.

	Riker's smile started out a slow grin that spread until it seemed to
engulf his whole face. Then he started laughing. "No," he laughed some
more, "Worf." Riker choked another laugh back, "It felt great!"

	Rolling his eyes, Worf sighed in disgust at Riker's juvenile humor,
"I meant the razor, Commander."

The lift arrived at the bridge and both men stepped off.

	"I know. I meant that too," Riker insisted. "I did." Worf crossed to
his station vowing to never advise the Commander again. "Really!" Riker
protested a little too loudly. 

Let him get his own women from now on, Worf thought.

****

To be continued...

Please hit the back button to return to the Index page.