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Planet of Silence
Chapter Eleven and Twelve
Chapter Eleven
Two days later, Mriana and Deanna Troi were on their way to Transporter Room four, with Commander Riker, to meet Lwaxana Troi and the interpreters. Forty-eight interpreters total. Some were also teachers of the deaf.
Lwaxana just beamed onto the Enterprise as they arrived. "Oh, Darlings! It's so nice to see you two again!"
Deanna and Mriana looked at each other and then back to Lwaxana.
"Deanna and Mriana will show you to your quarters." Will informed her.
"What? You're not coming with us? Why Will, I'm disappointed!"
"Sorry Mrs. Troi. I have the others to show to their quarters and give them all a brief tour. So, duty calls."
"Well, if you must. Deanna and I do have a lot to catch up on and your mother, Mriana, wants a full report on how everything is going with you."
Mriana did not respond. On the way, Lwaxana asked telepathically, "What are all these, what were they called? Oh, yes. Interpreters. What are they doing here? Some I hear are teachers for the deaf."
Deanna and Mriana tried to explain, as they headed to Lwaxana's quarters. Once inside, Lwaxana fell silent. A first for her and just stared at Mriana.
Mriana started to feel a little uncomfortable. So, she began to speak verbally to her aunt. "I want some hot tea. Would you two like anything?"
"I'll have some." Deanna said aloud. "Mother?"
"Oh! Nothing for me. I'm fine." She said looking at Mriana quizzically.
Mriana had her mental shields up ever since they had entered the guest quarters. So, no amount of mind brushing Lwaxana did opened up Mriana's mind block. She refused to respond in that manner.
"She's starting to figure it out." Mriana thought to herself, but she had to turn away to command the replicator.
"Two teas, hot." She ordered.
"Mriana." Lwaxana began. "How are things going with you?"
No response. Deanna gave Mriana a mind brush and sensing this time it was Deanna, she realized something had happened.
Mriana turned back around. She had hoped she was right in thinking Lwaxana had said something. So, she tried to seem as natural as she could. "I'm sorry. What did you say?" She said aloud.
Lwaxana did not miss a beat and began a verbal rampage. "Why didn't you two tell me what has happened? Mriana, you should be back on Betazed! Not here with non-telepaths!"
"Mother." Deanna said calmly.
Mriana was looking completely confused. She had no idea what her aunt was saying aloud, but sensed she was extremely upset.
Lwaxana continued to rant and rave. "Your mother has a right to know! You shouldn't be trying to hide the fact you are now deaf from her! You should come home immediately and start fulfilling you duties as a daughter of the.."
"Mother!" Deanna interrupted again. "She can't hear you unless you send your thoughts to her."
Mriana had sensed that her aunt now knew and had dropped her shields. She wanted to sense everything she could, but she only felt bewildered by the bombardment of emotions that imminated from Lwaxana. Her aunt was so angry with the two of them that it nearly knocked Mriana backwards as the emotions hit her suddenly.
"I'm sorry." Lwaxana sent. "I know she's deaf, Little One."
"Hey! I'm deaf not a non-telepath! You can address your thoughts to me, too, Aunt Lwaxana!" Mriana thought to them as she broke into their thoughts.
"I still say the family, especially your mother, should know! I also say you should return to Betazed for your own safety." Lwaxana sent.
"First of all, I am safe here. Secondly, I was going to tell my mother. I just was not ready to do so just yet. So, butt out, Aunt Lwaxana!"
"How dare you talk to me in that manner, young lady!" Lwaxana scolded. "Your mother should have heard from you the moment you first found out you were deaf. You should not have waited and you should have returned much sooner to Betazed! You can come home with me when we get to Betazed. You'll get along much better on Betazed than you will here."
"I'm not leaving this ship! I'm getting along here just fine! I will continue with Starfleet anyway I can!" Mriana sent back angrily.
"But most are non-telepaths here, Dear. How could you possibly survive if you can't hear, much less send thoughts back and forth with another telepath?"
"I'm not an invalid, Aunt Lwaxana!" Mriana shouted. "And I ask you NOT to treat me like one!"
"I'm not. I'm just looking out for your best interests. Just as your mother would." Lwaxana sent. "And PLEASE don't yell at me, young lady!"
"Aunt Lwaxana, with all due respect, I'm doing quite well. I'm learning Federation sign. I'll be assigned a terp, today. Soon I will be performing all my duties. So, I am NOT helpless!"
"I know that, but it will be easier for you, if you come home to Betazed."
"I refuse to be pampered and taken care of like I'm royalty and an invalid at the same time!" Mriana continued to yell.
"But Mriana, this is no life for a member of the Fifth House or even for the Sixth House for that matter. A personal interpreter! Really!"
"Your Mr. Homn is no different, Mother."
"He is different. He's my valet."
"Is he? He takes care of your every need. Mriana's interpreter will take care of her needs."
Lwaxana sighed. "Maybe you're right, Little One."
"And stop calling me Little One!" Now it was Deanna's turn to shout in indignation.
Lwaxana recoiled again. "What's with all this shouting! Really, we are of the houses of Betazed. It's just not proper to shout like you two are doing."
"What's not right, Mother." Deanna began, but was interrupted.
The on board ship's communication bleeped. *Commander Riker to Counselor Troi.*
"Troi here." Deanna responded.
*Counselor, I assume Counselor Mriana is with you?*
"Yes, she is."
*Please tell her to meet me in Ten-Forward. I'd like her to meet her interpreter there. Then they can start assigning interpreters and teachers to their assignments.*
"I'll let her know."
*Thank you. Riker out.*
Deanna repeated all of this to Mriana telepathically.
"Well, I guess I'll see you two later." Mriana sent. Then she thought, "Saved by the bell."
"Oh, really? Is that what you think, Mriana? I'm not done with you yet!" Lwaxana sent, but Mriana continued to walk out of the guest quarters without stopping to respond. Lwaxana turned back around to Deanna and sent, "Briana and I do wish one of you would carry on with the traditions of our houses."
"Mother, we are quite happy with our choices. We really want the careers we have chosen."
"Be that as it may, you two really do need to settle down on Betazed, continue the duties of our houses' and have a family to carry on the family names."
"We can carry on the family names anywhere, Mother."
Will Riker and Mriana's interpreter were seated at a table in Ten-Forward when she arrived. Riker waved her over to the table. Then he pulled a chair out for her to be seated.
Gesturing he said, "Have a seat."
Mriana sat and Riker assisted her up to the table.
The new interpreter was on the job. "Ms. Paula Sohn, me." She signed. She only spoke for Riker's sake. "I have been assigned to be your personal interpreter. What is your sign name?"
Mriana showed her and explained that it was because she was empathic that she got that sign name. Then Ms Sohn explained that she was also empathic. "My father was Betazoid and my mother was Vulcan."
"Interesting." Mriana signed.
"Well, I see you two are getting along well." Will said as he stood. "I'll just attend to my duties and let you two carry on. OK?"
Ms. Sohn interpreted what Will had said and Mriana nodded.
"If you need me, you know where to reach me." Then he departed.
"Yes, but I have the problem of duel empathy. I can sense feelings like you and feel feelings by touch. It's not something I like to use very often."
"So, that makes you feel uncomfortable."
"Not my heritage. No, it's the double dose of empathy that bothers me. I have the Vulcan mannerism, but yet I also have the Betazoid values. It's rude to touch a Vulcan you're not intimate with, but yet I can still sense others emotions even so. It can be very uncomfortable, especially on Vulcan. For Vulcans have no feelings supposedly, but that's a lie. Oh, I know. Vulcans don't lie, but they do keep their feelings under the strictest control."
"And you feel it's an invasion of privacy to sense their feelings?"
"Yes." She sighed. "That and I don't always keep my emotions under as tight control as most Vulcans."
"Well, you are not all Vulcan, either."
"Tell that to my pointed ears and those on Vulcan."
The two of them laughed and continued their conversation. They discussed individuals who needed interpreters, their personalities, state of minds, and individual needs until Mriana had to meet with Doctor Crusher.
Ms. Sohn went with Mriana when she left Ten-Forward to see Doctor Crusher. It was then Mriana decided that having an interpreter was not so bad. She was begining to appreciate the ability to know what others were saying without putting her friends and family in an awkward position.
Geordi entered the Turbolift Will was on and a conversation began. "Is there trouble in paradise with one of my favourite couples, Geordi?"
"Why do you ask, Commander?"
"Something Mriana said to me the other day."
"What did she say, if I may ask?"
"She asked me if Deanna suggestively asked me to stay the night would I?"
"And that led you to believe she and I are having problems again?"
"Well, I'm concerned."
"Really Commander, I don't think that is any of your business."
"Geordi, you and Mriana are Deanna's and my friends. Besides, you know I know a lot about being Imzadi and I take that very seriously."
"Well, don't worry about us. We're fine." Geordi replied a little irritated by Will's questioning.
"Are you really?"
Geordi sighed. "I don't know. She's back to not speaking to me again."
The turbolift stopped and they began to disembark. "Well, my suggestion would be to not turn her down next time."
"With all due respect, Sir, butt out."
Riker and LaForge then met with the other senior officers in the Observation Lounge. Captain Picard address them all when he began the meeting.
"Since this illness, it seems there is a need for a Ship's Counselor for the deaf crew members that we now have aboard this ship. Some will more than likely stay and try to continue. I want that continuation of their careers to be as smooth as possible for them. However, I would like to hear your suggestions."
"Can't Counselor Troi still work with these officers?" Worf inquired.
"If you mean me, no. I sense they need and want someone who is like them. Someone they trust and understands their needs emotionally. I can only do so much for them."
"I see." Worf rumbled.
"Mr. Worf." Picard addressed. "I really feel we all need to put our personal differences on deafness and other disabilities aside in this matter. Now is not the time to be pushing our cultural values, whatever they maybe."
"Aye, Sir." Worf replied demurely.
"So, what we're looking for is not just a counselor, but someone who can communicate fully with them as their Ship's Counselor." Commander Riker inquired.
"Yes, exactly Number One." The captain confirmed.
"I recommend Counselor Mriana Troi. I feel she has the greatest ability to express their needs and help them to the fullest. Also, she already has a rapport with us." Suggested Data.
"Only because she is Deanna's cousin." Worf informed.
"I agree with Data, though Worf." Beverly stated. "She would be the best choice of all the counselors aboard this ship and she has their trust already."
"Only because she is deaf now also." Worf replied. "Shouldn't the counselor be hearing? I mean, Mriana is very talented or was as a counselor. I do have respect for her still, but she is deaf now."
"Mr. Worf." Picard said sternly. "That maybe, but she would be a far greater help to them as well as to us than if we had a hearing counselor, who was not also empathic. Plus, it could take time to train a hearing counselor for this position."
"And if there were a problem among any of them, they could bring it to her with far more confidentiality. No interpreters around to hear their most intimate thoughts that they would not like to share otherwise. Also, if need be, she could like wise bring their concerns to Captain Picard or the appropriate person." Stated Deanna.
"So, she would be performing some of your duties also?" Asked Geordi.
"Yes. In a way. She would still be working under me, but even more directly with me. Much like before, except she would have even more authority. Much like we do." Deanna explained.
"Her job would be exactly like Counselor Troi's, but it would be strictly concerning the deaf community we now have aboard our ship. She would still have Bridge duty from time to time also. Not too much different than before, just more specialized."
"I see." Data stated. "So, in a sense, she would be promoted in rank and be on the same level as Counselor Troi."
"I agree, Mriana seems to be the best choice for the position." Worf conceded. "Especially, since she is well respected among the Senior Officers."
"Except she's been wrote up for disobeying orders and wrecking havoc as many times as Lwaxana has come on board. No offense, Deanna." Will stated.
"None taken. I know her record, but may I pointed out that since she has been assigned to this ship she has not been wrote up, except for maybe once."
"True and her talents in psychology has carried her to the rank of lieutenant." Picard informed. "And she's only been wrote up once in three years. About the time she has served on this ship. She has improved in some ways."
"I think we've all had something to do with that." Deanna stated.
"She is the most logical choice." Confirmed Data.
"So." Picard began. "Are we all in agreement that Counselor Mriana Troi is our choice for Ship's Counselor for the Deaf?"
Ayes came from all around the room, but Worf still had some reservations. "I understand your reservations, Worf, and they have been noted. However, I want you to consider whether or not they have to do with Klingon attitudes or if they are really justifiable. If they are justified, then write your concerns down and present them to me for consideration. If they are not, then I would appreciate it if you would keep them to yourself." Picard ordered.
"Aye, Sir." Worf replied irritatedly.
"Very well. I'll call her to the Observation Lounge, so we can inform her of her new duties."
"Um, not now, Captain. I have agreed to meet with her in about five minutes concerning an implant. I have my doubts that it will be helpful to her, though." Dr. Crusher informed him.
Picard thought for a moment. "I guess we could reconvene at 0800 hours tomorrow. Doctor, out of curiousity, how would this implant work?"
"I'm not sure if it will work at all. Remember, she has no eardrums, no cochlea, nerve damage and damage to her Wernicke's area of her brain. Until I exam her and do some research, I have no idea if an implant will work. If it does, even marginally, she will hear basically garbage."
"Garbage?" Data inquired. "Ah! Trash, waste, refuse, but how does this apply to hearing?"
"No, Data." Geordi said with a chuckle. "I think the doctor means she will hear something, but it won't make any sense. It will have no clarity or meaning to her."
"Precisely, Geordi." Confirmed Doctor Crusher. "It will be much like the very first cochlear implant at most, except it will have no cochlea to go through. I would have to build her an artificial one and that won't be as good as if she had one that still had some nerves working within it. I can't promise anything will work for her, but it may work for some of the others who have not had as much damage. I don't know if it is worth trying, but Mriana wants to look into it, even so. Therefore, I have agreed to help her make a decision on this procedure."
"Very well. I'll allow a recess in this meeting until 0800 hours tomorrow. Geordi, see to it that Mriana gets the message to meet the Senior Officers here at that time."
"Aye, Sir."
"Meeting adjourned."
Everyone started to depart. Will was talking to Deanna as they were leaving. "I really think Geordi needs some help."
"Excuse me, Commander?" Geordi interrupted.
"I was just suggesting that Deanna might make some suggestions to you on how to relate to Mriana."
"Sir, I really think you two need to stop intervening in our relationship."
"I don't know, Geordi." Deanna said with a smile. "I think you two have come along ways with our help."
"Counselor, I really think we can work this one out on our own."
"Well, if not, you two know where my office is." Deanna stated.
"And mine, too, for that matter." Riker added with a smile.
Geordi just stared at the two of them, in disbelief as they left the Observation Lounge.
Chapter Twelve
Mriana Troi and Paula Sohn were waiting for Dr. Crusher in her office, when she entered Sickbay.
"Sorry I'm late. Thanks for waiting. This must be your interpreter?"
"I'm Ms Paula Sohn. Just talk to her like I'm not really here."
"I'll try and do that. OK, then. Let's go ahead and get started if you're ready." Dr. Crusher began.
Mriana nodded and hopped onto an exam table.
Dr. Crusher ran a tricorder over Mriana and punched in some information into the computer.
"So, Doc." Mriana said aloud. "What's the verdict?"
"You almost sound like Geordi." Beverly laughed.
"Well, I guess I've hung around him too much lately."
"Looking at this information and your scan results, I'm not sure if it's possible. Even if it does work it will be far less efficient than Geordi's visor and you won't really be hearing anything. There's just too much damage to repair."
"But what will I hear?"
Mrs. Troi walked into the meeting at this moment. "Ah! Dr. Crusher, I hear you're going to restore my niece's hearing! How wonderful! She's just so determined to continue her career with Starfleet. I'm certain she would be far safer if she could hear."
"Mrs. Troi, I think you misunderstood." Dr. Crusher informed her.
"Misunderstood? What? How? I hear you're one of the best doctors in Starfleet and you're telling me I misunderstood! I surely couldn't be mistaken."
"No, you see, I'm checking her today for the possiblity of an implant that would give her artificial hearing. She won't really hear."
"What? She'll still be deaf?"
"Yes."
"No, that just can not be! You just have to fix her doctor! You're the best! She can't stay here if you can't fix her!"
"Mrs. Troi, she's not broken. Only her hearing has been destoried."
"Well, still. You must do something to fix her hearing."
"Aunt Lwaxana!" Mriana said aloud. Then she signed, "Please don't."
However, Lwaxana interrupted. "You don't need to interpret for me, Mrs. Sohn and stop waving your hands at me, young lady! I can still read your thoughts just fine."
"Aunt Lwaxana, I don't sign for you. Nor do I have an interpreter for your benefit. She's here to help me communicate with non-telepaths." Mriana thought at Lwaxana.
It was then Deanna walked into Sickbay. "There you are, Mother. I thought you would be here."
"Little One!"
"Mother, please! Don't call me Little One! I'm a grown woman!" Deanna projected at her mother.
Lwaxana shot her a look and continued. "Do you realize Doctor Crusher is attempting an implant on your cousin that serves little purpose! Oh, the horror of such a thing!"
"Not exactly, Mother. It'll serve some sort of purpose, I'm sure."
"And she's going to use her as a guinea pig!" Lwaxana continued.
"No, she's not, Mother."
"Oh, please! Don't start patronizing me like you usually do!" Lwaxana scolded and then turned to Paula Sohn. "And stop with the hands!"
"I'm only doing my job, Ms?" Paula asked as calmly as she could, but even Lwaxana could test a Vulcan's patience at times.
"You can call me Mrs. Troi and she can read me just fine. We're both Betazoids, Ms Sohn and I'll have you know, I am a daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed."
"HEY!" Mriana yelled. "I'm here! I'm the one who is looking into this, not you!"
"Oh, yes, dear. You don't have to shout we can hear you just fine." Lwaxana informed Mriana. "I know you have a right to do what you want. You are an adult, but I do think you should return to Betazed."
"And do what?"
"Well, you can carry on the traditions you mother has taught you as one of the daughters of the Sixth House of."
"Oh please!" Mriana said aloud in irritation as she jumped off the exam table and looked her aunt directly in the face.
"Well, you wouldn't have to sign or use your voice." Stated Lwaxana aloud. Forgetting that Mriana could not hear. Even so, Mriana understood what she said.
"And what's wrong with my voice?" Mriana questioned indignantly.
"Well, it's gotten a little nasally. Like you have a cold or something and I know you can't have one of those dreadful illnesses in this day and age, especially on this ship." Mriana looked towards Ms Sohn for an interpretation.
"Like I have a cold! Oh, great, Aunt Lwaxana! Just add insult to injury, why don't you!"
"Mother, please!" Deanna interjected. "I think we should go and let Doctor Crusher continue her examination."
"No! I told your aunt I would give her a full report on everything that's happening with her daughter. I said I would and that's what I'm going to do."
"Aunt Lwaxana, with all due respect, I think you will have all the information you need to report to my mother without being present at this time." Mriana sent and signed. Ms. Sohn interpreted her signing.
"I agree, Mrs. Troi." Doctor Crusher concurred.
"Oh, alright! I'll go, but I want to see you before I go."
"Yes, Aunt Lwaxana." Mriana said verbally as she tried to mock being an obediant child.
Deanna tried to quickly guide Lwaxana out of Sickbay. Beverly, Ms Sohn and Mriana watched as the two of them left.
Once they exited, Doctor Crusher spoke. "Well, maybe now we can continue. There's been extensive damage. I might be able to build an artificial eardrum, cochlea, and other parts of the hearing organ, but the wiring for the nerves that have been destroyed will be far more difficult."
"Then what?"
"Well, it would be placed in your ears and an amplifier would be placed at the opening. The connection would be about here." Beverly touched the area behind Mriana's ears about midway. "You can take it on and off when you want. The spot behind your ears will be the place that the nerves get stimulated."
"What will I hear?"
Beverly looked at her sadly. "The best you can hope for is garbled sound. You'll eventually be able to distinguish between vocal sounds and just sounds, but nothing will be clear like it was."
"So I won't really hear?"
"No, I'm afraid not." Beverly stated glumly.
"Well, it's a lot to think about. Let me get back with you on my decision."
"That will be fine. Take your time thinking about it. It's a big decision, but keep in mind, it might not work at all. It is experimental in this case."
"Thank you, Beverly. I will." Then Mriana and Ms. Sohn departed from Sickbay. Once they were in the corridor, Mriana turned to Ms Sohn and signed, "Ms. Sohn."
"You may call me Paula."
"You may call me Mriana."
Paula gave a slight bow of her head in acknowledgement.
"Paula, you're free to go. I'll see you in the morning at 0745 hours."
"Very well." Paula signed back to her.
The two parted company and Mriana entered the nearest Turbolift. "Deck Ten."
Soon after Mriana entered Ten-Forward. She ran into Sara's parents and asked if they would be accompanying with Sara to her office tomorrow at 1000 hours.
They nodded yes and quickly left Ten-Forward, without saying another word.
Geodi was already seated at a table. Once the two of them made eye contact, he waved her over to his table.
She gave an indignate look and then reluctantly walked over to his table.
"I want to apologise for the other night." Geordi signed.
"It's OK." Mriana signed once she was seated and then, as though reading her mind, Guinan walked over to their table. She placed a Sumarian Sunset in front of Mriana.
"Thank you." Mriana signed and said aloud.
Guinan gave her a slight bow as though to say, "You're welcome". Then she left the two of them alone.
Geordi continued. "No. It's not alright. Obviously you're upset. Are you still angry with me?"
"No, just upset."
Geordi place his closed hand on his chest and made a rubbing circle with it. It was the sign for "I'm sorry".
"Don't be. It's OK." Mriana signed back, but it was obvious to Geordi, that she did not really mean it.
"Are you still upset with me?"
"No, Geordi. Just disappointed."
"You want to talk about it?"
"No. I'd rather not right now."
"OK. That's fine, then. How did things go with Doctor Crusher?"
"Fine." Mriana signed, but a look of disappointment was written all over her and Geordi could see it as plain as day through his visor.
"You don't seem too happy about it."
"I'm. Well. It's won't be as successful as I had hoped. That's all."
"Mriana." Geordi signed. "I don't see like seeing people see, but I can detect things seeing people can't. Your implant could give you a similar advantage."
"I don't know, Geordi. Doctor Crusher didn't seem very hopeful about it."
"Well, give it some thought. Say, not to change the subject, but Captain Picard asked me to tell you that he'd liked to see you in his Ready Room at 0800 tomorrow.
"I sense good news." She signed with a smile.
"Yes. But I'm not at liberty to give you any details. I am sure, though, that you will be very happy about it or at least I hope you will be."
"That's nice, but why the secretcy?"
"Captain Picard wants to surprise you, I guess." He signed with a shrug.
"OK. Very well. I'll wait until tomorrow."
"Great! In the meantime, why don't we join the others in a poker game tonight?"
"Do you really believe I could play without someone thinking I'm being sent messages?" She signed jokingly.
Geordi chuckled as he gestured, "Let's go!"
They left Ten-Forward together and eventually arrived at Will's quarters. Once they were allowed to entered, Will welcomed them. "Have a seat and join us." He offered with a gesture.
Data dealt them into the game. Then he laid the cards down and explained, in sign and orally, that the game was five card draw. No wilds.
Worf discarded two cards and said he would take two. Deanna took three and Will took two. Mriana watched carefully, so she knew what was happening.
Mriana finally discarded three cards and signed three. Data gave her three cards in return.
When all were finished, Worf bid fifty. Deanna folded as did Geordi. Will and Mriana matched the bid and added ten. Data called and Mriana won that hand.
"Lady Luck." Will commented.
Data had interpreted what Will said to Mriana and she replied with, "I wouldn't call it Lady Luck. Just luck."
It was Mriana's turn to deal. "The game is five card stud. Aces, Kings, Queens, and One-eyed Jacks are wild."
Worf growled. "Women!"
"I saw that, Worf." Mriana said, inferring that she read his lips.
Will smiled and then put on his best poker face. He then proceeded to win that round.
"You see, Will, it was just luck." Mriana said with a smile and Will grinned back at her.
They continued for a few more hours. Mriana won three more hands. Will won five. Deanna and Geordi won two apiece.
Worf began to get discouraged and occassionally grumbled, especially after Data also won his fifth hand that night.
Once they all agreed to call it a night, Will commented to Mriana, while Data translated. "You cease to amaze me, Mriana. If I lost my hearing, I think I'd be devastated."
"Oh, you learn to deal with it. That's not to say it doesn't bother me anymore. It does sometimes, but you know if you have determination and a little help from your friends, you can do almost anything that you want. Regardless of the shortcomings." Mriana responded.
"How right you are, Miss Troi. How right you are." Will said jubulantly.
They all started to leave, when Deanna stopped Mriana with a telepathic message. "Mriana."
"Yes."
"Did Goerdi tell you about Captain Picard wanting to see you in his Ready Room at 0800 tomorrow?"
"Yes and I'm anxious to find out what he has to say."
"Well, I thought I'd meet you at your quarters shortly before that and we could go together, if that's OK?"
"Yes, but I'll have Ms. Sohn."
"Even so, it's on the way to the Bridge and I have Bridge duty in the morning."
"OK. I'll see you in the morning then. Good night."
"Night, Mriana."
While Mriana and Deanna were talking, Will and Geordi had their own conversation.
"You two made up?" Will asked Geordi.
"No, not really. We're just talking again."
"Well, it's a start." Will stated.
"I hope we do eventually. I'm getting a little tired of this, myself. One day she's all over me and the next day, I'll say something and then she won't talk to me."
"It'll get better Geordi." Will said as he patted him on the back.
"I hope you're right."
Then the two couples went their separate ways. Will walked Deanna to her quarters and Geordi walked Mriana to hers.
"What was that all about?" He asked Mriana once he realized something had occurred between her and Deanna.
"Oh, nothing." She signed back to him. "Deanna just wanted to make sure I had gotten the message that the captain wanted to see me in the morning."
They walked the rest of the way in silence and soon they arrived at Mriana's quarters.
Geordi gave her a good night kiss. Then he started to turn and leave.
"You still won't stay, will you? Not even for a night cap." Mriana said aloud.
Geordi turned back around. "Mriana. I."
Suddenly, Mriana gave a loud gasp. "You've been seeing Laia!"
"It's Leah." Geordi corrected, as he fingered spelled Leah's name.
"Geordi, she nothing but a hologram! Nothing more than a part of the Enterprise! In reality, she's married! So, why do you continue to do this! Especially when there is someone right here. Who loves you and is real!"
"Mriana!"
"GO!"
"Mriana, please!"
Mriana walked into her quarters. The doors closed behind her.
Geordi over rode her enterance code and walked into her quarters.
"GET OUT!" She shouted.
"Can we talk?" He signed.
Mriana took a deep breath. "OK, you have five minutes to talk."
"Mriana, Leah's holographic program helps me figure out some complicated things."
Her arms were crossed, but she was looking at him directly and getting everything he was signing.
"I'm hoping that maybe, eventually, I can help Doctor Crusher find something that will work for you almost as good, if not as good, as my visor works for me."
"Really?" She asked aloud and with surprise.
"Yes. That's all it is."
She studied him over and they started to talk even longer than five minutes. It was not long until the five minutes turned into an hour. Then two hours. By the time the third hour rolled around they were sitting on the couch kissing and making amends.
Geordi soon found himself under the warm covers beside Mriana. She was sound asleep and snuggled closed to him. He kissed the top of her forehead and pulled her closer to himself. Then he too, fell into a deep sleep.