New Beginings

Troi strolled to Riker's quarters. It had only been a few days earlier since they had met again aboard the Enterprise, but Riker had asked her to dinner tonight. At first they thought they would just be friends, but emotions had said differently.

As she walked to his quarters, she could only think of two reasons not to have dinner with him and one was, she was the Ship's Counselor and probably should not have relationships with crew members. However, she longed for his touch. She could feel his warm, strong arms around her in her mind and loved that feeling. His mental caress was so loving and so caring. She yearned to feel it for real once again. The last time she felt it was real was in the Jalara. She never felt it again.

The other reason was that she had been hurt before and she did not want to be hurt again. She remembered catching Will with another woman the night before he left Betazed and it took her a long time to get over that. She did not want to go through that hurt again, but yet she wanted to be touched by him the same way she was touched by him in the Jalara. Her feelings ran so deep for him, but she had to give him a chance to see if this time would be different. She knew she would never know if she did not try to find out if this time would be different.

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Will waited with excitement and intrepidation for Deanna to come to dinner in his quarters. "Would she really come?" he thought. He was so scared himself. He had no idea if this was right. If the feelings would be the same as they were before, but he wanted her. He wanted to hold her through the good times and the bad times and never let go.

He too was afraid he would be hurt. His feelings ran so deep for Deanna. He only hoped she felt the same way.

"But what if they have changed since that night so long ago and far away?" he thought. "What if we start seeing each other and we don't feel the same."

He finally told himself to stop what if-ing and start going with his feelings and his heart. His heart told him he loved this woman more than any woman he ever met. All he wanted was to be with her.

The chime to his quarters rang and he knew before he answered it, that it was she who was at the door. His heart skipped a beat and for a brief moment he started to what if again.

"Damn it, Riker" he said to himself. "Just answer the door."

"Come in." he said a wee bit nervous.

The door slid open and he saw her. Her hair was as beautiful as ever. Her eyes were just as brown, shiney and beautiful as ever. And her perfume! Oh God! Her perfume just sent his mind spiralling.

Deanna looked him over too. He still had georgeous hair and beautiful blue eyes. As blue as the sky on Betazed. She could get lost in his eyes, she thought.

Will broke the silence. "Would you like to have a seat?" he gestured toward the table.

The table was set with two lit dinner candles. One on each side of the table. The plates had a blue aztec like pattern with a white background, dinner napkins were blue, and the wine glasses had a blue tint to them. Will had even the silver placed almost perfectly.

"You really go all out don't you." Deanna remarked as Will pulled out a chair for her to sit. She sat and studied him over some more.

"For you, Deanna, anything." he said with a smile. "It's almost ready. I got us a fine white dinner wine. A zinfindel to be exact.

"Really, Will, you didn't have to go to all this trouble." Deanna stated.

"It's my pleasure." he said as he pourred them each a glass of wine.

"It's beautiful." Deanna finally commented.

There was a ding and Deanna wondered if he was actually cooking or if he used the replicator. Will came out with oskoid and a salad. Then he went back and brought out meat and potatoes.

Deanna chuckled, "You're something else!"

"Well, you know me, I love my meat and potatoes!"

"Yes, I do." she said with a heavy Betazoid accent.

"And I know how you enjoy veggies, but the dessert I know you'll love more." he stated.

"Really?" she asked "And what might that be?"

"Oh, it's a surprise." he said.

Deanna took a sip of wine and just smiled at him. As fast as Will finished serving the food he rubbed his hands together and said, "Let's eat!"

Deanna just laughed and took a bite of her food. They conversed through out their meal and made small talk and caught up with each others lives.

When they finished, Deanna asked, "Ok, I've tried to leave room for dessert and this meal was really good, too. So, what's for dessert?"

"Uttaberries!" Will said with a devilish grin getting up to get the dessert.

Deanna laughed, "No really?"

She was on the side of where he had to go to get the dessert. As he walked by, he gave her a peck on the cheek and said, "You'll see."

Deanna's body tingled from excitement with the kiss. It felt so nice, but Deanna reminded herself that this was the first time they had been alone together since the Jalara. She had to calm herself.

Will came back with a Barvarian chocolate souffle. Deanna's eyes got very wide.

"You remembered my passion for chocolate!" she said with amazement.

"Yes I did." Will said grinning from ear to ear. "I remember it is the way to your heart too."

Her body felt so warm and she felt so comfortable around Will. "Maybe too comfortable." she thought to herself, but decided she would enjoy the company and the chocolate.

"You know you really didn't have to go to all this trouble." Deanna said again.

"Deanna," Will said softly, "I would go to a lot of trouble for you even if I didn't have too."

Deanna's heart fluttered with joy. Her pulse rate went up a little and she had no idea what to say. Did she dare say anything? Did she dare not?

"Did I say something wrong?" Will ask.

"No, I just don't know what to say." Deanna responded.

"What? A Troi woman speechless?" Will said with a chuckle.

"It does happen you know." she said, "But don't stop. Continue with what you were going to say."

"Well, for now that was all I was going to say."

She was a little disappointed, but went on to eat the souffle. "Mmmm!" she moaned out and closed her eyes in ecstacy, "This is really good!"

"I'm glad you like it." he smiled.

"Did you make it yourself?"

"No, no," he chuckled, "I can cook a lot of things, but baking a souffle is not one of them."

Then he thought "We are getting along so well. I hope this night never ends."

They finished their dessert finally and Will suggested they sit on the couch. Deanna agreed. Then Will offerred her another glass of wine.

"Yes, why not." Deanna said. So Will poured them both seconds on the wine and sat beside her and faced her.

"You know, Deanna" Will started, "I have wanted to be with you for so long."

"Will, please" Deanna said putting her hand over his mouth, "This evening has been so nice. Let's not bring up anything that might ruin it."

Will leanned over and kissed her passionately on her lips. So many emotions flowed through Deanna's body. She returned the kiss just as passionately. Will paused for a moment and took the wine glass from her and placed both their drinks on the coffee table. Then he put his arms around her, pulled her close and kissed her again.

Deanna did not resist, but a million things went through her mind as he slowly moved down and started kissing her neck. The smell of her perfumed drove Will nuts. He loved the smell of her perfume and how intoxicating it was.

Deanna thought, "I should say no, but yet it's been so long since he or any other man has touched me so intimately like this."

Will thought, "Maybe I should stop. Maybe I'm moving too fast, oh, but the smell of her perfume!"

For a moment Deanna was concerned about this being a case of being bagged and she did not believe in getting bagged, but she did not want him to stop. His soft, warm kisses moving slowly down to her cleavage. She enjoyed his soft touch and his kisses. Her body ached to be satified. He slowly moved back up to her mouth and she returned his kiss as passionately as he kissed her. It had been so long since that time they had spent together in the Jalara, but it seemed as though that time was just yesterday.

As he kissed her he undid the back of her dress and slowly removed her the top part of her dress. Then undid her bra.

"God," he thought, "Her perfume is driving me crazy!" Will was very excited and again he thought he should not be moving so fast. That he might scare her away. He started to pause, but Deanna pulled him close to her naked breast and kissed him as though she was never going to let go.

Will did not stop either. He wanted her so much. To be with her forever. Not just at this moment, but for an eternity. He hoped this moment would never end. He moved slowly down her neck, kissing her all the way.

She tilted her head, allowing him to do what ever he wanted. Her hands caressing his back and his hair. She let out a soft moan of pleasure.

He moved back down to her cleavage. The smell of her perfume was making him so excited that he thought he was going to burst out of his pants. Just then, as though she had read his mind, she reached down and released his desire by unzipping his pants. She pulled off his shirt as if she had done it all her life. Like time had stood still and nothing had ever kept them apart. Then she pulled him back down to her as though she too never wanted to let go of him.

He repeated the same procedure and she willing let him. Letting out soft groans of pleasure. This time he caressed her breast as he moved down. She moved to his body as if it were a dance between them. Slowly, he moved down to her stomach with soft sweet kisses. He thought to himself, "She's so beautiful." As he kissed her soft silky stomach she let out a giggle. He just smiled and then he stuck his tongue into her belly button. She giggle so loudly, for she could not help it. It tickled so much.

Will loved her laughter and prayed he would never have to miss it again. Slowly, after romoving her dress and underwear all the way he started the journey back up her body with sweet, warm kisses and caresses. She moaned again with so much pleasure, as she arched her back to get closer to him. As he reached her face again, he only paused to look into her eyes. As he did, he said, "I could get lost forever in your eyes." Then he kissed her with so much passion and their bodies and souls became one. They moved in time with each other's body. Then suddenly, both at the same time seemed to be in heaven. As though eternity had come and both were filled with pleasure and love.

He laid his head on her breast and let out a breath of air. She put her arms around him and held him close. He got concerned his large body may be a little heavy for her small body and readjusted himself so Deanna was cradled in his arms with her head on his chest. They were silent for a brief time.

"You ok?" Will asked.

Deanna said happily, "Mm, hum. I'm just enjoying being in your arms.

Will squeezed her tight for a a second. Then, even though he was scared, he spoked the words he so long wanted to tell her.

"Deanna"

"Yes."

"I love you."

She sat up and looked at him.

He continued, "I loved you the moment I met you and I never stopped loving you."

A tear fell to Deanna's eye and all she could say in her Betazoid accent was "And I, you, Imzadi." Then she laid her head back down on his chest. They held each other for the rest of the night. Hoping and praying that night would never end.