Romping through the Briar Patch
	by Zlanna@aol.com
	
	Please send comments, feedback to zlanna@aol.com
	
	
	
	Will Riker sat silently letting Deanna Troi make their report on
the Son'a to Captain Picard, remembering the feel of her fingers on the
back of his neck. Out of the corner of his eye he caught Worf's quick
glance in his direction. Stiffening, Riker straightened up in his chair
and considered his options.Then he got the idea. One he never thought he
would never have considered yesterday, but then much had changed since
then. All during the senior staff meeting the idea grew, taking shape
and evolving. When Picard dismissed everyone, Riker had reached a
decision.

	Hanging back as the rest of the officers made their way out of
the conference room he smiled when Deanna raised her eyebrow as she
filed past him. "You were awfully quiet, Commander. Mind not on the
briefing?"

	He wanted to flirt back, but he hesitated. "You did an excellent
job, Counselor. I saw no reason to interupt your flow."

	Beverly Crusher stifled her laughter, then caught Deanna's arm
and the two of them sauntered down the hall, heads close together
giggling like school girls. Riker turned to see a disapproving Worf turn
to leave.

	"Um, Worf. Got a moment?" Riker asked.

	"I was going to ten forward to get something to eat," the Klingon
answered, his eyes narrowing as if steeling himself for one of Riker's
quick insults. When he received none he shrugged, "if you need to talk
to me, you may join me there."

	"Great."

	The two men walked silently down the corridor side by side. It
reminded Riker of earlier, happier days. Days before Deanna Troi spent
her nights with Worf instead of in her cabin. When Worf had been one of
his closest friends. But those days were gone. He studied the Klingon as
they continued down the hallway. Riker began to doubt the wisdom of his
current strategy.

	"You wish to ask for advice," Worf said. "About pursuing
Deanna."

	"What?" Riker swallowed back the temptation to lie. "Would you
have any advice if I were to ask."

	"What does your heart tell you to do?" the Klingon asked.

	Riker sighed. "I don't know. Maybe I'm imagining that she is
interested in me."

	"She is interested."

	Riker didn't hide his inspection of the Klingon. Worf continued
to fasten his gaze in front of him giving no indication he was
discussing anything other than an attack plan. Riker walked quietly for
a moment. "Why do you think she is interested?"

	"She has always been interested, Commander."

	Not always, Will thought, but he didn't argue. They reached the
senior mess hall and took seats away from the gathering lunch crowd. No
more was said until after they ordered.

	Riker was sipping his ice tea. He wanted something much stronger,
but since he was on duty he made due with the tea. Worf broke the
silence again. "I would not want you to disappoint her."

	"I wouldn't want that either." Riker looked away and ran his
hand through his hair. Maybe Worf was right. If he and Deanna hadn't
been able to get together all these years, what possessed him to think
she would be interested in more than friendship now. "Hell, I don't
know. The safest thing is to ignore these - feelings."

	"Tell her." Viciously the Klingon stabbed at his food. Riker watched
him eat for a while trying to decide if Worf was hungry or angry.

	"You don't think I should see her, right?"

	Worf was as always, direct. "You should."

	"Right." Riker picked up a sandwich, holding it in the air. "Maybe
I'll go see her now."

	Worf frowned and pushed his plate away. "Commander. Why is this
so hard for you? You want her? Go and tell her how you feel. I do not
understand all this turmoil you create by your hesitation. Do you want
me to talk you out of telling her how you feel?"

	"No." Riker answered hastily, but he wasn't sure. "I don't know," he
said letting the sandwich fall to the plate. He felt like an idiot,
certainly not like the Commander of a Starship. He felt instead like an
insecure eighteen year old, except he had the odd feeling he had been a
lot more decisive when he was teenager.

	"Look," Worf said gruffly, "Go talk to her now, before you lose
your nerve. Tell her how you feel. That is all you need to do. It is all
you can do."

	"Right." Will pushed away from the table as he stood up, "Okay,
I'll go see her now."

	"Good." Worf said, "Go."

	"Right." Riker wheeled around on his heel and started toward her
office. He would go tell her. Tell her what, he wondered as he walked
down the corridor toward her office. He was attempting to compose the
perfect opening line when he passed Lt. Perkins as he rounded the corner
to the medical wing. She flipped her head sending her long blonde curls
swirling around her. Then she smiled in the suggestive way she used with
him. He found himself comparing her smile to Deanna's. It was hopeless.
He compared every woman to Deanna now. He had no choice. He had to find
out where he stood with her. The only other time in his life when he had
been so distracted by a woman was...was when he first met Deanna.

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