Conclusion to "Romping in the Briar Patch
	by Zlanna@aol.com
	
	***
	
	Riker sat in the command chair, trying to ignore how good it felt to 
be in charge of the Enterprise. They had made it out of the Briar Patch and
now they were waiting for Starfleet to either order them home, or back to 
arrest Picard or to give them permission to stop Doherty.  Riker found
himself staring to his left wondering what Deanna might be doing. Somehow
he felt like she might be thinking of him, though he shook off the feeling
with an embarrassed scratching of his bare cheek.

	He drummed his fingers on his console until he caught his helmsman
giving him an annoyed glance. Reaching over to the com channel he
contacted engineering. "How's those repairs coming, LaForge?"

	"Right on schedule. Give us about two more hours and we will finish
aligning the warp core the Saratoga brought over."

	"Understood." Riker's finger tapped in frustration on the arm of his
chair. "Geordi, I don't suppose..."

	"I'll try to hurry it up, Sir, but no guarantees. We don't want to
make any mistakes."

	"Acknowledged," Riker sighed, then caught himself as he saw the
trill Navirgator smiling at him. He was going to have to find a way to 
put an end to her flirting. If Deanna ever suspected... He stopped himself. If
Deanna thought he had been encouraging the woman at all she would be
hurt and that was something he would not allow to happen. Never again 
would he be the cause of Deanna being hurt.

	"Ensign!" Riker said with a sharp edge to his voice, "monitor your
station or I'll get someone who will."

	The trill's face went red and her eyes flashed a murderous look in
Riker's direction. Well, that was one woman he wouldn't have to worry 
about flirting with him anymore he told himself. Somehow the realization
didn't bother him as much as he might have thought it would.

	"Starfleet headquarters on priority one, Sir." Daniels announced.

	"I'll take it in the Captain's ready room," Riker said. He was
already out of the chair and half-way to the office. As he approached
the desk, Riker swung Picard's console around. Punching in his access
code he straightened and waited for the link to come up.

	"Commander Riker. You have the okay. Bring in Doherty. You have our
backing." Admiral Tracey said into the monitor.

	"Thank you, Admiral."

	"And Riker..." the blond officer continued.

	"Yes, Admiral?"

	The woman smiled, "You always look good in that chair. Let me know
when you get back if you want your own yet."

	Riker broke out in his own grin. Maybe, he thought to himself. He'd
talk to Deanna. "Thank you Admiral, I'll let you know."

	"Sounds promising. Usually you just turn me flat down. Sure you
didn't bump your head too hard during your Riker manuever?"

	"Possibly."

	"Tracey out."

	No sooner had Tracey's face disappeared, than LaForge's voice 
came over the audio channel, "Commander?" 

	"Yes?"

	"We have impulse whenever you want. Warp in about one hour."

	"We just got permission to bring Doherty in," Riker said.

	"Great. Let's go get him then," LaForge answered.

	***

	It was peaceful standing on a hill overlooking the Bak'u village. 
Memories of recent battles and the subsequent deaths seemed to fade in this
place of healing. It was an idyllic scene with the warm sun washing all 
in its regenerative embrace. Like the small villages that dot the 
Betazed landscape Riker thought. Riker wondered if Deanna had noticed 
the similarity and if she shared his longing for the time they had 
spent there together.

	"So, Number One. I hear that you have been inappropriately consorting 
with a fellow officer," Picard was looking out over Bak'u
landscape searching for something. Riker wasn't sure what.

	"Only during off duty hours," Riker's answer was guarded hiding his
discomfort at discussing the situation with his superior, even if it was
Picard.

	"I can make some allowances while you are under the influence of the
Briar Patch, but when we leave here, I will expect that you and
Counselor Troi will return to your professional relationship." Picard
broke into a smile as his eyes lit up as he apparently spotted someone
he knew on the walkway below. "We can't have you setting an improper
example."

	"No Sir," Riker gritted his teeth in an attempt to hide his
disappointment at Picard's words. He followed Picard's gaze and spotted
the woman who was watching the Captain with equal interest.

	"Of course, it would not be improper if it were official you
understand," Picard tossed off the sentence as he  walked off to the
join the woman who waited for him.

	Worf and Geordi came over. Riker was still recovering from Picard's
off handed remark when the First Officer felt a warm, sensuous flood
invade him causing him to catch his breath in a short gasp of
recognition. Turning he saw Deanna. She spotted him too and waved, her
smile wide and confident. It had been so long since he had seen that
smile. A smile that spoke of a future not of past betrayals.

	Riker realized Worf was studying him. "Do you think when we get away
from this metaphasic radiation, it'll change the way we feel?"

	"Your feelings about her haven't changed since the day I met you,
Commander. This place just let them out for a little fresh air," the
Klingon answered.

	Before Riker could respond Worf left as if escaping any further
questions. Official relationship. Riker bit his lip as he walked over to
Deanna's side. Standing next to her, he reached down and took her hand
in his. Why not?  he asked himself. Why the hell not?

	"Indeed," she answered in his thoughts. "Why the hell not?"

	Riker wasn't sure, but he thought the relationship might just have
become official.

	The end