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Imzadi: My Version
Chapters Twenty-one to Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-one
Will was on his way to see the captain. As he was walking down the corridor he thought about the prior day's conversation with Deanna.
"Will, I don't think you would be very happy working planet side." Deanna commented. "I'm afraid you would not want to stay stationed on a planet, because of your desire to be a captain in the near future."
That's when he walked over to Deanna, placed his hands on her shoulders, looked her straight in the eyes and said,
"Deanna, there's some things that take presidence over
beating Kirk's record. I do not want my children growing up with an absent father. I want to be there for them. And if that means giving up a dream or two so be it."
Then he pulled her in close to him and just held her. Finally, he said, "Unlike my father, I have to be there for them. I want to be there for them."
He knew Deanna sensed his sincerity, which was what brought him to the captain today. He had put in a request to be transferred planet side on Betazed or Earth.
Finally in the Captain's Ready Room, the captain addressed him. "Lieutenant," the captain, who was a much older man, began. "I've read your request for transfer and I was wondering, within this short time that you have been on the Hood, if there was a problem."
"Well, yes and no, sir."
"Would you mind elaborating on your statement?" the Captain asked.
"There's not a problem here on the Hood." Will stated. "It's more of a family matter."
"I see, and given your request was preferably for Earth or Betazed, I assume this family matter has something to do with our vistors from there."
Will was uncertain how to answer, so he was rather honest,
"Yes, sir. It does, sir."
The captain walked around his desk and sat on the front side of it in front of Will. "Not that it's really any of my business, but may ask what relationship the Troi's are to you?"
"Deanna Troi is my fiancee." Will answered keeping his head up.
"I think I understand." The captain said. "So, why couldn't she just come aboard here on the Hood after you're married?"
"Well," Will responded hesitantly, "We feel being aboard a ship, even with all it's positive aspects, is not very condusive to raising a family."
The captain smiles and chuckles slightly. "Ah! So you're planning to have children right away! No waiting, huh?"
"I guess you could say that." Will replied.
"I like your spunk! Your ambition, Lieutenant!" The captain commented. "I wish I were young again. Because if I had it to do all over again, I would do just what you're doing. I would have gotten married to the woman I was in love with so many years ago and had a family, but no, I chose the stars and prestige."
Will sat and listened to him and it was starting to slowly dawn on him that this was what his future self meant, by screwing up. He did not marry Deanna when he had the chance and now, much like his captain, he wished he had. However, the circumstances were probably a little different than this man's were.
"Well, Lieutenant Riker." Will turns his attention back to his captain who was still smiling at him. "Are you sure this is what you want to do with your career in Starfleet?"
"Yes, Sir. At this point in my life." Will answerred firmly.
The captain sighed a sigh that was mixed with emotions. Then he said, "I can't say if I agree with your decision to be transferred to a planet side position or not, but I can say I will put in your request for transfer. You're a good officer and I'll miss having you aboard."
They both stood and the captain pats him on the back and says, "Good luck, I wish you the best."
"Why thank you, sir, but I haven't gotten the transfer
yet."
"No, but you have made plans to be married and that's enough right there to wish you luck."
Will smiles and thinks to himself, "To bad I couldn't have had him as a superior officer sooner. He has seemed like a good man to work with." Then he finally says, "Thank you" again to his captain.
Will departed from the Captain's Ready Room and headed for the turbolift. He was rather excited to tell Deanna how his
discussion went, until the doors to the turbolift opened. He
wanted to find some excuse not to get on at that moment, for
standing in the turbolift was the woman he was trying hard to avoid. She was of olive complextion, brown eyes and hair. A real looker and any other time he might have taken an interest. Not that he had not, but he was so committed to Deanna and did not want to go that route, but this woman made it very hard for him.
He could not find an excuse so he boarded the turbolift.
"Hello, Billy Boy."
"Ma'am, I would appreciate it if you would not address me in that manner."
"Oh, really?" she smiled. "I've heard other female officers, who have served with you, say you enjoy it."
"That was another time and place."
She puts and arm around him, "How about lunch?"
"I'm sorry, I'm booked."
"Dinner."
"Also booked."
"You're not still spending your free time all alone are
you?"
"Nope, someone's booked my schedule for me."
"Really," she said. "Maybe I could unbook
it."
Will was getting very uncomfortable and then the turbolift
stopped. Will was about to get off to get away from this woman, when he saw Deanna about to get on the lift. She paused and looked at Will and then the other woman. She sensed who was the aggressor and why Will was so uncomfortable at that moment.
"Imzadi, it's not what you think!" he thought at her with desperation.
She got the message. Will was almost sure of it.
She then smiled at Will and stepped into the turbolift. Then she put her arm around Will's arm. "Why Lieutenant! It's nice to meet with you a little sooner than expected! This way we can have more time in each other's company during your lunch time!" she said in a cheerful voice.
Will was thinking, "Well, I was either saved by the bell or she is making some sort of a point here."
The lift stopped on the floor of the lounge and the three stepped off. The woman address Will again and said, "So this must be the person who has booked all your free time?"
"This woman can stop anytime now." Will thought. Then responded with a smile, "Yes, she is."
"Aren't you the delegate's daughter?"
Deanna hated being referred to as the delegate's daughter, but all she said was, "Yes, I'm Deanna Troi."
"Lieutenant Marie Rosalinio."
Will thought she was of Latin descent, so with some surprise in his voice he says, "Sounds Italian?"
"Silcilian, actually." she said and then she noticed a look from Deanna that most women understand as "Back off". The woman got the message, but said, "Well, I'll leave you two alone." Then adds, "After all, Billy Boy here needs to keep the delegate's daughter entertained."
Will buries his face into his free hand and says, "Oy!"
Deanna gives a small chuckle, pats him on the arm and replies, "It's okay, Will. I have an idea of what was going on, you can relax now."
Will looks up, moves his arm from hers and faces her. "How did... Oh, yeah." realizing how stupid that question was going to be. Then says with a smile, "I guess I was saved by the bell."
Taking Will by the arm again, she smiles and says, "Yes, and don't you ever forget who has all your free time booked or I'll really remind you big time, Billy Boy!"
Will just smiled and they walked off to find a table. Will pulled a chair out for Deanna to sit down and then he helps her up to the table.
"I'll go order. What do you want?" Will asked.
Deanna jokingly says, "Ice cream and pickles."
Will looks at her with an "you serious" look? Deanna laughs and then tells him what she really wanted.
Will returns, sits two glasses of water on the table and then sits down in the chair across from her. He stares at her, with a smile, for a few moments. Then he says, "You know, I think your mother is right. You are glowing. Or at least right now you are very radiant."
Deanna smiles and almost chuckles. "You know, flattery will get you everywhere."
"I wasn't trying to flatter." Will smiled. "I
meant it."
She smiles, tilts her head and slightly nods, "Why thank you."
Then Will got serious. "How did you know?"
Their food was being delivered to their table, as the
conversation paused briefly. Will thanked the person who brought them their lunch and looks back to Deanna.
"Know what?" Deanna resumed the converstion, then took a sip of water.
"What was going on between her and me in the
turbolift?" Will asked. "I felt almost certain you
would misunderstand and take it all wrong."
She reachs over, pats him on the cheek and explains with a smile, "Simple, Will. You are marrying an empath."
Will felt so stupid now for asking, so he changed the subject. "Oh, I want to tell you." Will began with a slight lit in his voice. "I spoke to the captain, before we came down here."
"What did he say?"
"He said he would put in my request for transfer."
Deanna looked at Will and said, "You actually put in a
request?
"Yes, I did." Will smiled.
Deanna smiled back at him and she was rather happy that Will was going through with what he said, but she was concerned that he might change his mind eventually. She prayed to the gods that that day never came.
Chapter Twenty-two
It was almost a week later, Lwaxana's conference was over and Will had gotten his transfer. He and Deanna had no complaints about where he was transferred and the captain of the Hood was glad Lwaxana was going to be leaving.
In the visitor's quarters, Lwaxana was making big plans for
Deanna's big wedding day and she was determined to have them
married within a month, before Deanna showed too much.
"Mother, don't you think we are rushing to get this all set up?" Deanna asked. "After all, we need to give people time to RSVP and all."
"Oh, no!" Lwaxana sent. "I'm not having my daughter showing at her wedding anymore than need be! After all, it is a Betazoid wedding, and I'm not going to have it any other way. No, we just have to have it within a month, before you show too much."
"Really, Mother." Deanna sent back. "Is it really necessary to have it strictly Betazoid? I think Will would be a little more comfortable if it were both."
"He's just going to have to adjust to Betazoid ways,
especially since he's marrying a daughter of the Fifth
House."
Deanna just rolled her eyes.
"Oh, and another thing." Lwaxana added. "I don't trust that Rosa person. We may be arriving back at Betazed tomorrow, but mark my words. She's still going to be trouble. She's been trouble and she will be more trouble. I can just sense it."
"Mother, Will's handled her thus far." Deanna stated. "I think he'll be ok."
"No, he's managed to deal with her because you've been with him his every waking free moment." Lwaxana reminded her. "She's up to something for his last night here. Trust me, Deanna, she's going to be even more trouble."
Deanna was feeling ill at ease by her mother's statements. She's seen this woman, sensed her intent and she knew her mother knew what she was saying. She did not like it. Deanna was in deep thought when her mother gave her a gentle mind brush.
"Deanna."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mother."
"How can you let your thoughts drift off, scheming and devising plans, when I'm trying to make plans for YOUR
wedding?" Lwaxana asked.
"I'm sorry." Deanna apologized. "What were you asking?"
"I wasn't asking, I was stating that I thought a pale blue head band would be nice. Don't you think?"
Deanna knew what her mother was getting at. "Mother, it's almost time for Will and me to meet for dinner, can we talk about this later?"
Her mother frowned. "Oh, alright." she sent. "I guess with having a month to plan, we can wait on the headband. Go have dinner. You know, you do have dinner with him more often than you do me, but I understand, you prefer his company over your old boring mother's."
Deanna, ignoring her mother's last words, was now all smiles as she left to meet Will for dinner. He was waiting for her in the lounge and as usual, there was that Sicilian beauty all over Will. "Doesn't she ever let up!" Deanna thought.
She walks over to the table where Will was being tormented by her advances. She sensed Will was struggling hard not to give into her advances. In a way it made her feel good, but in another way it worried her, for it just confirmed what her mother was saying. Deanna smiled a mischievious grin and said to herself, "Well, I can certainly remedy the problem tonight."
She wanted to scratch the eyes out of the woman pawing her soon to be husband, but she reminded herself this woman had no idea of what kind of relationship she and Will had. "Not yet at least." she thought with a smile.
"Hello," Deanna greeted. "We meet again." Then she planted a kiss on Will's cheek. It got a reaction out of the woman, but it did not last very long.
Deanna sat down across from Will and the woman stroke the side of Will's face and purred, "I'm sure one way or another, I can throw you my own personal bon voyage party, later." Deanna did not like the sound of that and felt like she could really retaliate, but no she had other ideas, which would take care of her. She smiled to herself as she thought about what she was going to do.
"Deanna." Will said with some frustration in his voice. "I'm getting a little..."
"Will it's ok." she said. Then she smiled adding,
"I personally wouldn't worry about her anymore. Besides, you
know if it's too much, I'm here and I can help relieve you."
Will was not too sure what she meant, but if she meant what he thought she meant... Will smiled and thought, "If she means what I think she means, this could be interesting with a pregnant woman."
Deanna sensed a change in his sexual frustrations and knew they were re-directed at her now and not the temptress of a few moments ago. She could not help but giggled.
"What's so funny?" Will asked.
"You!" she said with a smile.
They had finished dinner and Will was about to walk Deanna back to her guest quarters, but Deanna had other plans.
"You know, Will." She started to suggest. "We
could go back to your quarters and have our own little
party."
Will's interest perked up. "What do you have in mind?" He smiled.
She smiles a sly smile back at him and says, "You'll
see." She was not about to tell him what her mother
mentioned and what she was concerned about. However, if her
suspensions came true, at least she would be there to see the look on one particular person's face.
Deanna and Will were enjoying each other's company when the chime to his quarters rang.
"It's 2200 hours." Will stated. "Who could this be? Not your mother, I hope."
Deanna did not say a word. She just readjusted herself as Will answered the door to his quarters without even a shirt on. Just his pants and nothing more.
"This should be interesting." Deanna thought.
As the door opened, Lieutenant Rosalinio threw her arms around Will, planted a kiss on his lips and then said, "Happy bon voyage! I knew the delagate's daughter couldn't have your schedule book at this ho..."
When she saw Deanna walk up behind Will, she stopped in
mid-sentence with wide eyed amazement and removed herself from Will.
Will finally got a grip and said, "Lieutenant, this is my fiancee."
The woman's mouth dropped wide open and Deanna just smiled trying to stifle a laugh.
"I ah..." the woman stammered. "I...Ah...Had no idea." Then backed away from the door, into the hall, letting it close shut.
Deanna finally let out a laugh and Will turned to face her.
"You?? How??"
She threw her arms around Will, kissed him and said, "I told you, you didn't have to worry about her."
He chuckled a small chuckle and returned her kiss. Then they had their own little party for the rest of the night without any more disturbances.
Then next day Deanna returned to the visitor's quarters to gather her belongings for their return to Betazed. Lwaxana was a little livid.
"Deanna! I can't believe you stayed out all night and in your condition! And with him, before your wedding!"Lwaxana sent.
"Mother, if you saw the look on that woman's face last night, I'm sure you would have understood." Deanna smiled.
Lwaxana backed down a little, "Well, I guess you had good intensions, so I won't say anymore."
At 1000 hours, Deanna, Will, and Lwaxana were all in the
transporter room and on their way back to Betazed.
"Lieutenant," his former captain began. "I'm sure going to miss having you serve under me. I'm sure you would have made a fine officer."
"Well, thank you, sir." Will smiled.
"However, I congratulate you and wish you and your soon to be wife good luck."
"Thank you, sir."
"Since I won't be at the wedding, may I kiss the bride,
now?"
Will smiled and said, "If she has no objections."
The captain approached her and Deanna turned her cheek towards him. He then gave her a peck on the cheek. After that the captain said, "You're marrying a fine man, but I'm sure you already know that."
Deanna smiled her acknowledgement.
"And you, Mrs. Troi," the captain addressed her.
Lwaxana looked at the captain with a look that said,
"Whatever you have to say I already know it."
"You know what I'm going to say of course, but I'm saying it anyway." he said. "Try and be nice to this gentleman and not pick his brain too much."
"Well, I never!" Lwaxana was a bit mortified. "I will inform you, I don't pick people's brains!"
The captain just smiled and watched them all step onto the
transporter padd.
"Energize." The captain commanded. "And thank God that woman is gone!"
"I heard that!" Came Lwaxana's voice.
"Well, at least I got one last jab at her." the captain smiled looking at the officer at the other side of the transporter controls. Then he added, "He may be marrying a fine woman, but I still feel sorry for him."
"Why is that, sir?"
"His mother-in-law!" he responded. "I sure
wouldn't want her as my mother-in-law!" Then the captain departed without another word.