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Set Up

by Zlanna@AOL.com

"Bye, Deanna! Enjoy yourselves a little. Will, don't work the whole time!" Beverly waved good-bye to her two friends, smiling at their dubious expressions. When the transporter patterns disappeared, a smiling Dr. Crusher hit her com badge. "Crusher to Data, Operation Riker/Troi Alpha has lift off."

Riker and Deanna Troi materialized on the DS-9 space station to await their transport shuttle to the Personnel Development Seminar at Starfleet Academy in San Francisco, Earth. "I still think it is ridiculous that I have to attend this damn thing." Will complained yet again.

"As a Commander, and someday future Captain," Deanna noted Will's mood improved at that description, "you need to keep up with the latest regs on Personnel issues. Besides, Beverly is right, it will be a good opportunity for you to relax a little. Come on, let's sit and have a drink while we wait for the shuttle." Counselor Troi headed for an empty table while Riker went to the bar for the drinks. The green-skinned Orion woman, dressed in the provocative clothing of her gender and species, watched Riker make his way to the bar. Her emotions were strong, alerting Deanna to the woman's lustful thoughts.

Completely oblivious to the Orion woman's stare, Riker returned shortly with the drinks. "You know, I really should have stayed on board the Enterprise for the Warp Drive reinitiation build-up, " he continued.

"Will, I think Picard registered you for this seminar as much to get you to take a break as for the training. Forget about the Warp Drive reinitiation. All you ever do is stand there and watch Data and Geordi re-calibrate everything anyway! Relax." A pleasant voice announced, "Transport Shuttle T872 departing for Terra is now ready. Please approach Shuttle Bay 2."

Gathering their belongings again Deanna shot a quick glance in the direction of the Orion woman, dismayed to see she was following close behind the two Enterprise officers in the transport line. Standing in line, waiting to board the shuttle, Riker examined their seat reservations. " Oh no," he muttered, "we are assigned to the main lounge." Turning to Deanna he said, "Wait here, I'm going to see if we can get seats in the observation deck."

Deanna laughed. "You are like a little boy who always has to look out the window."

Ignoring her comment, Riker headed toward the reservation terminal. Deanna realized that the Orion woman was walking toward Will intending to intercept him. On impulse, Deanna took three giant strides herself to catch up to him and grabbed Will's hand. "Here, I'll come with you."

Riker looked down at Deanna holding his hand, then lifted his eyes to her's. His expression was one of bewilderment. It was an awkward moment and Deanna wasn't sure if she should let go of his hand or not. Before she could withdraw it, he locked his fingers around hers. After securing their new seat assignments, they boarded the shuttle, making their way to the observation deck. Deanna waited for Riker to drop her hand, but he held it until he needed to stow their luggage. Without saying a word, he sat down next to her, reaching over casually, taking her hand in his again, resting it on his knee.

Chief O'Brien stood next to his wife and watched the transport shuttle leave DS-9. Laughing, he made his way to the Orion woman, "Here's your payment."

"Shjijk!" She cursed. "I tried to get his interest. That little Betazoid"

"Now, now. That Betazoid woman is a friend. You did fine. Here is the extra 100 credits." O'Brien handed the Orion the credits card.

"But you told me I would only get the extra credits if I seduced the man!" She replied.

"The woman is an empath. We had to make sure she would believe that you wanted him badly."

"Starfleet officers -- they were all nuts," the Orion thought.

Chief O'Brien rejoined his wife and together they accessed a com panel. "Enterprise, this is Chief O'Brien at DS-9."

"Data here, Chief."

"Data, inform Doctor Crusher that Riker/Troi Beta was a great success."

"Message understood and relayed Chief."

The trip to Earth was four hours long at Warp 8.5. After an hour of small talk, Deanna fell asleep, her head leaning against Will's shoulder. She awoke slowly, gently enticed from her slumber by the pleasant feeling of contentment that flowed from Will Riker. Opening her eyes she discovered that in her sleep she had shifted her position so her head was in his lap, her legs stretched out on the empty seat next to them. Will had his arm draped protectively around her with his fingers still interlaced with hers. His free hand stroked her hair.

Sitting up she asked, "Are we there?"

"Yes, we are there. We disembark in 15 minutes," Will replied. "We'd better get our stuff together."

Grabbing a ground transport was no problem and shortly the two found themselves at Starfleet Academy's Officer Barracks. The short Ouviean studied the quarters' list again. "I'm sorry, Sir. I have no record of either of you here on the housing list."

"Well," Riker glanced at Troi. "Maybe we can secure a room at a nearby hotel."

"That would be difficult Sir, with the convention in town. Let me see what I can do." In a few minutes the Ouviean returned, a huge smile on his face. "You are all set. The Saint Francis has a room."

"A room?" Deanna repeated.

"Yes, believe me it is the last one in San Francisco. I think the entire universe has showed up for this conference."

"Which conference is that?" Will asked.

"The games conference, Sir." The little man regarded Will suspiciously. "Where have you been? Haven't you followed the news?"

Frowning Will shook his head, "No, not Terran news anyway." Turning to Deanna, he motioned to leave adding, "Well, it won't be the first time I've spent a night on the couch."

The Ouviean watched the couple leave feeling very satisfied with himself. Alex, his brother-in-law had promised to remove the couch from the suite. He turned to his terminal and typed a message to his old friend, "Dear Beverly, Your Riker/Troi beta 2 is in motion."

Finding the hotel was no problem, but the room itself was. Will stared at the room. "What do they use this room for?"

Deanna stood next to him trying to suppress a giggle, "Well, what do you think they use it for?"

"I think they rent it out by the hour." Will replied, eyeing the deep red velvet drapes, the mirrors that decorated the ceiling and the circular bed which was a good 4 meters in diameter. A billowing, translucent canopy hung from the high ceiling enveloping the bed.

Laughing Deanna replied, "I can't imagine why it wasn't taken! You did tell them we wanted to stay for 7 nights didn't you?"

Riker stood in the middle of the adjoining livingroom still holding the suitcases. Turning around he said, "Deanna, there's no couch. Where am I supposed to sit?"

Deanna crossed over to him taking the suitcases from his hands, setting them on the floor. "I was more concerned with where you are going to sleep." She waited, knowing that he was going to kiss her, feeling his indecision and the slow resolve that he began to emit. The best part of a kiss for her had always been his anticipation prior to the actual event.

Taking a break from the reservation desk, Tarmon Jkulik strolled by the room he had assigned to Will Riker. If the couple were going to protest the room they would have done so by now. Sure enough the "Do Not Disturb" lamp was on. Returning quickly to the front desk, he sent a message to his brother-in-law at Starfleet Housing. "Riker/Troi beta 3 successful." The small Ouviean laughed to himself before passing the message on to Beverly Crusher.

The next morning Riker awoke momentarily disoriented. He stared up at the translucent canopy trying to see what held the material in place. Deanna jumped on the bed, bouncing over to where he lay. "Good morning, Commander!"

"Good morning Counselor. Did you sleep well?"

Deanna took a deep breath. "Yes, I did -- the little you let me sleep!"

"Me?" Will replied. "As I recall, you were the one who seduced me."

"I did not!" Deanna countered. "I distinctly recall you seduced me."

"I did not. You kissed me first." Riker protested.

"Well, you kissed me back, that means you seduced me." Deanna retorted. " I'm hungry and the seminar starts in a half hour."

Groaning Will grabbed her hand. "Deanna, a Personnel Development seminar is about the last thing I feel like going to right now."

"Come on! We have to go. I'll replicate you some coffee and a roll." Will frowned. "I like the sound of a roll, but coffee is not what I hand in mind."

The pillow Deanna threw hit him squarely on the chest. He fell back in a mock faint. "I'm going to check us in for the seminar. Hurry up and get dressed!" Deanna called. From the other room Will heard Deanna ask, "What? That can't be true!"

Will craned his neck to see into the adjacent room. "What's wrong?" he yelled back.

"You won't believe this. I tried to check in and our seminar was rescheduled for next week because of the games conference! I called the training coordinator's office and they confirmed that the seminar isn't until next week." Deanna walked back to the bedroom. "Look -- the change was made two months ago. How could Captain Picard not have known?"

Will shrugged. "I believe Beverly had taken over the arrangements. Maybe there was a mix-up." Reaching out he took Deanna's hand and pulled her back to the bed. "Say, you are a professional Counselor. You can give me a private personal development seminar!"

"A private personal development seminar?" Deanna repeated suggestively. "Come here, Commander -- let's see." Putting her hands on her hips she studied him for a moment, "I'd say you were pretty well developed already, Sir."

"Thank you. I think you are pretty well developed yourself, Counselor!"

Meanwhile, Lt. Monray, post-training coordinator at Starfleet Academy cut the comlink to Deanna Troi. Humming to himself, he sent his subspace message to his aunt, Dr. Pulaski. "Riker/Troi Beta 4 stage is complete."

Pulaski smiled, forwarding the message to her colleague Beverly Crusher aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Exactly one week later Beverly waited nervously at Transporter Room 3. "If you chew those fingernails anymore you are going to wear your teeth down!" Guinan admonished her. Beverly gave the El-Aurian a dirty look, but dropped her hand next to her side.

"Here they are ladies," the transporter officer replied. Immediately the shimmering forms of Will Riker and Deanna Troi materialized on the pad. Both were smiling, looking very relaxed.

Stepping back from Deanna's hug Crusher asked, "So, how was the seminar?"

"Great!" they both answered in unison, exchanging a knowing glance. "We had a wonderful time." Deanna added as Will picked up both suitcases and waited for Deanna to go in front of him. At the door, he gently put his hand on the small of her back guiding her out into the hall. It was a small gesture. The type of small gesture a lover makes without a second thought. Only two people saw it and recognized it for what it was.

Guinan reached out to shake Beverly's hand. "Congratulations Doctor Crusher. Operation Riker/Troi appears to have been a success!"

Beverly just smiled. A smile that she was still wearing when she returned to the bridge and made her way to the Captain's ready room. Waiting outside his door, she heard him command, "Enter." Looking up from his padd he asked, "Well? Did Riker and Troi say anything about the Personnel Development seminar?"

"Only that they had a good time." Crusher answered. Picard could sense there was something the doctor wasn't telling him, but he had no intention of asking what that might be. Some things a Captain was better off not knowing.

©1997 Zlanna@AOL.com

The End

I only do this for the pleasure of Imzadi fans. If you enjoyed the story or if you have suggestions, please send your comments to Zlanna@AOL.com.