The Surmounting of Pain and Suffering

Chapters Ten through Twelve

Chapter Ten

Susan had improved enough over a weeks time, that Deanna thought it was safe to take her off precautions. Because of that, Beverly could find no reason to keep her in Sickbay any longer.

Susan was to see Counselor Troi twice a week and Dr. Crusher once a week on different days, so they could keep tabs on her. Today was her day to see Counselor Troi.

"So, how have you been doing the last couple of days?" Deanna asked Susan.

"Great!" Susan replied. "Reg took me to Ten Forward to celebrate my release from Sickbay and we took in a holodeck simulation. It was great!"

Deanna smiled, happy to see Susan was in better spirits. "What did you do in Ten Forward?"

"We had dinner." Susan said with a smile. "I had a salad, but he had a large dinner. I don't see how anyone can eat so much, but he is a man. A nice one it seems, but still a man." Then she giggled.

"Well, at least you enjoyed yourself." Deanna said. "What was the Holodeck like?"

"It was."

*Engineering to Counselor Troi* Geordi's voice came over the comm.

"Troi here."

*We need you in Engineering immediately.* Geordi replied.

In the background Deanna could hear the faint voice of Carlos Senchez. "Woo Hoo!"

Deanna sensed Geordi felt very urgent in his request. "I'm on my way." Then she turned back to Susan. "I'm sorry, Susan, but I have to go. Can you come back at 1500 hours?"

"I don't see why not." Disappointment and concern written on her face. "Is everything ok?"

"I can't say, but I'll meet with you later, if I can't I'll let you know."

"OK."

They both left Deanna's office and Deanna rushed to Engineering. "Up there, Counselor." Geordi said pointing to the third deck of the Warp Core.

Security entered behind her as she looked up to see Carlos Senchez walking on the railing of the third deck of the Warp Core. "Worf, Geordi. Come with me." Deanna said. "I don't want to overwhelm him with too many people."

They arrived to the third deck and Carlos was still doing his balancing act on the railing and singing, "I was walking on the moon one day. In the very merry month of May."

"Carlos." Deanna said as calm as she could.

He turned his head and looked at her, being careful not to tauple off the railing. "Oh, Counselor." He said with a big grin and wobbled a little. "Having some fun here, want to join me?"

Deanna sensed he was very manic, not suicidal, though. "Carlos, could you please come down from there, carefully, so we can talk?"

"Oh, but you must try this." He replied. "It's so exellorating! I was walking on the moon."

"Carlos, please come down before."

Carlos slipped off the railing, but luckily he ended up straddling it. "Ouch!" He said painfully. Once he caught his breath, he said, "But that was so much fun!"

Deanna quickly calmed herself from her panic of his possible fall to the floor of Engineering, which at this height would not have been a pretty sight. "Now, Carlos. Get down from there." She calmly, but firmly, said.

"Oh, I'm fine, Counselor." Carlos said. "Just having a little fun on such a mundane job."

"Maybe so, but what you are doing is very risky." Deanna said. "Might be exellorating, but very risky, because you could take a very bad fall at this height."

"Oh, you're just worried about the Warp Core." Carlos said as he tried to pull himself back up. He wobbled as he did. "The Warp Core will be fine."

Deanna stepped back toward Worf. "We have to get him down, but we have to do it carefully."

"Aye." Came Worf's deep voice in a whisper, then he called for Data.

Deanna took a step closer to Carlos again. "Carlos, we are worried more about you than the Warp Core."

"Don't be Counselor." Carlos said as he looked down. "Amazing! Completely amazing! Have you seen the view from here?"

"No." Deanna replied. Deanna's heart was pounding hard at the imminent danger he was in right now. "And I'm notreally anxious to see it."

"You ought to." He grinned. "Oh, look! An audience! How nice!"

"I'll pass." Deanna said, as she became unhappy about all the people watching below. She was trying hard to think of another motive to get Carlos down.

He wobbled, but caught his balance as he inched closer in Worf's direction. Worf prepared himself for as many possibilities as he could.

Beverly finally reached the third platform and her eyes were wide. "Deanna?"

Deanna tried to signal Beverly to stay calm. Beverly thought, "Oh, wonderful! You're sending me back a patient again. This time he may not be as lucky."

Data arrived to assist Worf in the situation and Worf quietly asked him, "How quick can you be?"

Data quickly accessed the situation. "Given the gravitational pull and the weight of Carlos."

"Data!" Worf growled.

"Quicker than a humanoid and hopefully it is quick enough." Data replied.

"Be prepared." Worf said as they situated themselves near the railing.

Deanna was having no luck with talking him down. Bribery seemed a very inappropriate way to go, but logic was not working. However, nothing came to mind that would be a temptation to make him come down off the railing.

Data was calculating Carlos's wobbling and was trying to prepare himself for Carlos's eventual fall. The more time Carlos refused to come down, the more tense everyone was getting.

"Carlos." Deanna took another deep breath, but before she could say another word, Carlos fell.

Data moved with lightening speed as everyone gasped. The gasps, together, were the loudest sound in Engineering. Time seemed to have stood still as they thought the worst was happening.

When the gasps stopped, Data had managed to grab one of Carlos's limbs, but not before he had hit his head on one of the bars of the railing.

Everyone, who was on the third platform, quickly looked over the bar and there, dangling by his arm in Data's grasp, was an unconscious Carlos. Blood trickled out of the side of his head from where he had hit his head.

"Worf." Beverly said. "Help Data."

Worf leaned over the railing as Data tried to adjust Carlos's unconscious body, so they could get him back on the platform. As soon as the man was in reach, Worf latched onto him, and assisted Data with getting Carlos to safety.

Data could have done it by himself, but the assistance was well received. As they hoisted him over the railing as carefully as they could, Beverly got her tricorder ready.

Once they laid him down on the floor of the platform Beverly started scanning him. She frowned at the readings. "He's in a safe situation, but I have to get him to Sickbay quickly."

"I can carry him for you, Dr. Crusher." Data offered.

"No, I prefer we get an anti-grav at this point." Beverly replied. "Crusher to Allyssa."

*Yes, Doctor.*

"You can bring the anti-grav up now." Beverly informed.

"On our way." Allyssa replied.

"It would seem half the crew is down below." Worf grumbled.

"They are Worf." Deanna replied, just as Allyssa's team came with the anti-grav and carefully got Carlos on the it. Deanna continued to look over the railing.

All of Engineering, a fourth of security, and part of Sickbay's staff had been watching below most of the time, if not all of the time. Deanna felt the attention of observers was one of the reasons she could not talk him down.

Deanna sighed. "Too bad I didn't notice it sooner and got them out of here."

Beverly touched Deanna on the back to get her attention. "You coming?"

Deanna straighten herself. "Yes." She responded. Then she followed the medical staff down to Sickbay.

Geordi went down with everyone and once down, he spoke to the Engineering crew. "Alright, show's over. Everyone back to work. He's in good hands now."


Once in Sickbay, Beverly set to work on Carlos's head wound. She found no other major injuries, except the arm Data grabbed him by was dislocated. She found high levels of neurotransmiters in his brain, also.

"Well?" Deanna asked.

Beverly took a deep breath, trying not to pop off at Deanna again, for she knew that was not the issue here. "I'll be keeping him here for observation for a few days." Beverly stated. "He's going to have a very bad headache when he does wakes up, but there's no concussion."

Deanna closed her eyes and thanked the gods. "That's good."

"He was very lucky." Beverly said. "Data could have missed and then he would have been a worse mess for me to try and fix. If he lived."

"I think we should try a med change."

"Deanna, there was no trace of any current medication in his system."

"He stopped taking it?"

Beverly nodded. "Appears that way."

Deanna sighed. "Well, keep me posted on how he's doing and I'll be in to check on him in the morning."

"OK." Beverly agreed. "See you then."

Deanna left Sickbay and started back to her office. As she walked through the corridors, Captain Picard came over her comm badge.

*Captain to Counselor Troi*

'Now what.' She thought. "Troi here."

*Please come to my Ready Room immediately.*

"On my way, Sir."


"Deanna, I've asked you here, because I have to reprimand Lieutenent Carlos Senchez, when he is released from Sickbay."

"I realize that, Sir."

"Yes, but what you don't realize is, this could be his last time aboard a ship." Picard said. "I don't know what Starfleet is going to do with him, but he can't stay here or on any other ship. He has displayed too many high risk behaviours."

"I understand, Sir, and I agree with that conclusion, if Starfleet decides that."

Picard pushed back his none existant hair. "I feel it would be best for you to be present when I break the news to him, once Starfleet gets my report and makes their decision."

"Yes, Sir."

"I also plan to give them a report of Susan's status aboard this ship." Picard stated. "Is she going to be fit for duty anytime soon?"

"If you are asking me how well she is progressing, I would say she is progressing well." Deanna said. "But, if you are asking when I think she will be able to come back to duty, I am uncertain."

Picard sighed and thought a moment. "Is there any possibility she will return in the near future."

"There's always a possibility."

"She was a very good officer." Picard stated. "Almost too good. I would hate to have to dismiss her and loose a good crew member."

Deanna briefly thought. "Captain, why don't we, in a few more weeks, slowly return her to duty?"

"You mean, start her back part time and see how she does?"

"Yes." Deanna said. "My prognosis for Susan is good, although she will have to continue to see me for quite a while."

"Yes, of course." Picard said. "OK. I will give them a provisional report to them. They may want a report from you on both Senchez and Susan, so I suggest you have one prepared and ready for them."

"Aye, Sir."

"Dismissed." Picard said and Deanna started to leave. Then as an after thought, "Deanna?"

Deanna turned back around. "Yes, Sir."

"How are you doing?"

Deanna was surprised by his question. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"A few weeks ago, you had to take some time off due to stress." Picard stated. "Are you OK now?"

"Yes, Sir. I'm fine." Deanna said. "Thank you for asking."

Picard nodded. "You're welcome. As you were."

Deanna left and returned to her office. It was now two hours later and Susan had returned as instructed. She was waiting at Deanna's office door.

"You're late, Counselor." Susan, tried to tease, but Deanna did not receive the teasing well.

"Susan, this is not a good time." Deanna said. "I'm glad you are in a good mood, but I'm not willing be teased about my timing right now."

"Just got away from the emergency?"

"Yes." Deanna said. "Shall we go on in?"

"Sure if you're in the mood to deal with me." Susan said.

It was not a joke. Susan took Deanna's statement personally as if she thought Deanna did not want her there at this time.

Deanna sensed Susan's feeling of rejection. "Susan, I didn't mean I didn't want to see you right now. I just meant, I did not wish to be teased about being late for your rescheduled appointment."

"Oh, OK." She said softly and doubtfully.

"You ready?" Deanna asked her.

"Yes."

Then they went into Deanna's office to finish Susan's session.

Chapter Eleven

It was two days later and Susan was seeing Deanna again. Finally, in the middle of her session, Deanna brought up the possibility of her going back on duty.

"Susan, what do you think about going back to duty, at least part time?"

"Am I ready?" She asked with surprised.

"I don't know, what do you think?"

"I would like to, just for something to do." Susan replied.

"Good." Deanna said with a smile and noticed Susan's puzzled look. "I'm asking because the captain asked. He wanted to know if you were thinking about leaving permenently or if you were coming back. He also asked if I thought you were fit for duty."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said that I thought it would be OK if you came back to duty slowly." Deanna said. "He was afraid he would have to let you go."

"I don't want to leave Starfleet!" Susan cried. "I have no where else to go!"

"Susan, it's ok." Deanna said, calmly, but surprised by Susan's reaction.

Susan looked down at her wrists. "I really did a stupid thing, didn't I?"

"Well." Deanna pondered her next words. "Yes. You could have costed yourself a lot."

Susan knew she was right. She was so determined that she had not slashed them the regular way most people would. She found the main artery in her wrist and sliced deeply in the opposite direction than most.

If she had been found a few minutes later, she would have been dead. She did not feel the pain from the first wrist as she did the other. If fact, her wounds were so deep, that the auto-suture could not completely heal them in one shot. Beverly had to use a dermo regenerator more than once and she was still having dermo regeneration once a week with Beverly.

Her arms looked better, but minor remains, though now barely visible, were still there. "I'm sorry I put you and Beverly through all of that." Susan sniffed.

Deanna sat for a moment to put her words together. "I'm not going to tell you it's alright, because it wasn't." Deanna informed her. "But I will say this, you were having problems. It does not excuse your behaviour, though. I only hope next time you come to me, no matter what the time of day it is and tell me how you feel."

"You would have thought I was trying to get attention." Susan said. "I wasn't. I was serious."

"I know you were." Deanna said. "But that's no reason not to talk to me."

"Was determined." Susan admitted. "I really wanted to end it all and I wanted no one to stop me."

"All the more reason to come and talk to me." Deanna said.

Susan cried harder. "I really blew it, didn't I? The captain is going to make me leave Starfleet, isn't he?"

"Susan." Deanna began. "The captain is giving you another chance. I convinced him to give you another chance, but you have to go back to duty soon and perform as well as you did before all of this or he could change his mind and dismiss you."

"He's not making me leave?" Susan sniffed.

"No." Deanna admitted. "He is even going to let you go back slowly. Four or five hours a day to start."

"Sounds fair, but what if he needs me longer?"

"He'll ask if you are able to do so." Deanna said. "He's not going to just force it upon you without checking with us first. There's other officers on board who can help out and want to pull double shifts or a shift and a half."

"That doesn't sound quite fair." Susan said sadly.

"Susan, the captain spoke highly of your performance." Deanna informed her. "He's willing to give you another chance, but you have to prove that you can handle it first."

"If he thinks I can't?"

"Oh, I think he feels you can or I would have had a harder time of convencing him to give you another chance."

Susan was very quiet for a few seconds. "I can do this." She said firmly.

Deanna smiles. "I'll let the captain know."

"Can I still see you?" Susan asked.

"Yes, in fact, Captain Picard insists you continue seeing me."

"Part-time at first?"

"Yes." Deanna affirmed. "Look at this way, Susan. Not only is it a trial period for the captain to see how you do, but a trial period for you to see what you really want and a way out of having to find things to do with your time."

Susan gave a soft giggle. "I'll see how well the captain performs."

Deanna giggles with her. "I guess you could look at it that way."

"I have my job back!" Susan smiled excitedly.

"Um hum." Deanna agreed. "But no more stunts."

The statement Deanna just threw out made her think about Carlos. He had pulled one stunt too many. This one was only life threatening to him, but the past stunts involved more than just him. He had another chance and blew it.

Deanna shook her thoughts and tried to convince herself that Susan would be different. Deanna felt Susan would succeed.

"I see Reg for dinner tonight." Susan smiled.

Deanna smiled back. "I'm happy you and Reg have been seeing each other."

"I can't believe I worried that he wouldn't be interested in me because I'm so much younger than he is." She said, then shrugs. "Ten years, but still."

"I'll tell you a secret, Susan."

"Yeah?"

"I know of a couple, can't say who, but they have nineteen years difference between them and you would not even notice the age difference if you saw them together."

"Really?"

"Really." Deanna said. "It is possible, if you want it to be."

"I like Reg a lot." Susan admitted. "He's different from any guy I've met."

Deanna smiled. "Well, have fun at dinner. I'll see you in a few days."

"OK."

"Oh and by the way, Susan."

"Yes?"

"You are looking better." Deanna complimented. "You sleeping better?"

"Yes, Deanna." She said with a smile and very little irratation. "And I'm eating again. Still feel bigger than I should, but I am and I'm glad you noticed."

Deanna smiled. "Well, have a good day."

"I will, I'm seeing Reg tonight." She said with a big smile on her way out the door.

Deanna took a few moments to relax until Lisa came to see her. She was glad Susan was getting better. She just wished others got better, but there were no guarantees that Susan would not relapse like other patients. Deanna wanted to hope that she would not and work hard in that direction, but she knew, ultimately, Susan's will to continue to get better and stay better laid in her hands and not Deanna's.

Lisa was on time today and appeared to be doing well. "How are you, today, Lisa?"

"Fine."

"Your mother not coming again today?"

"No."

"Why don't you have a seat, so we can talk better." Deanna gestured to the seats.

"OK."

The short abrut sentences were Lisa's usual. Every once in a while she would say more, if Deanna asked the right questions.

"So, have the voices gotten better lately?"

"Yes."

"The new hypo Dr. Crusher is giving you, once a week, is helping you?"

"Yes."

"Lisa, what happen at Starfleet Academy?"

"Less structure."

"I'm not sure I understand." Deanna stated.

"Father had strict stucture. My sisters and I had to live by a schedule and stick to it. No deviation."

"I see and part of your time at the Academy was your own free time to structure yourself."

"Yes." Lisa affirmed. "I didn't know what to do."

"Is it better now that you are back home?"

"Most of the time." Lisa replied.

"I'm glad your mother is letting you come here by yourself." Deanna stated. "I think it is good for you."

"It threw me off several weeks ago."

"I know and your mother started coming with you again." Deanna said.

"Yes."

Deanna took a deep breath. "Lisa, you are still young, but you need to learn to structure your time for yourself. Think for yourself."

"I know, but Father still wants to control things."

"I understand, but he's trying to let you go as I suggested and let you make your own choices." Deanna informed.

"He says I'm sick and he shouldn't listen to you, but he would try if it is going to help me get better."

"It's hard for him and I can see how it would be a sudden change for you to go off to Starfleet Academy and be on your own." Deanna said.

"I'd like to go back, but I'm scared." Lisa admitted.

"I know you are." Deanna said sympathetically. "When you're ready and better you can."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, but you have to learn how to handle your life as an adult." Deanna said. "And even though you are on board, living with your parents, you can still learn. They just have to let go of the reins."

"Not too fast." Lisa said with some fear in her voice.

"No, even they need to take it slow for their own comfort, but we can work with them and help them too." Deanna told Lisa.

"Maybe." Lisa said with no emotion this time.

"You know what I would like to see you do?"

"What?"

"Find something on board of your choice that you can do."

"Like what?"

"There are plenty of civilian jobs aboard." Deanna said. "Talk to some of the people who head those departments and see what they have that you can do."

"Who?"

"Guinan, Mr. Mot, maybe something in the Arbouridum even."

Susan smiled. "They all sound like fun people to work for."

Deanna nodded with a smile. "You might be able to volunteer for something in one of the classrooms. Working with the children."

"I don't know." Susan said a little scared about the last. "Some people think I'm weird."

"I don't think you are weird." Deanna told her.

"You're different." Susan informed.

"Well, those are some suggestions." Deanna said. "Now, you decide who you want to talk to first."

"I'm not sure."

"I have a suggestion." Deanna said. "Why don't you write down who you want to talk to and then put them in order. Would that help?"

"Maybe." Lisa said, looking and sounding doubtful.

"You have time to do this." Deanna said. "If it helps, you can bring what you write down to your session next week and share it with me."

"OK."

"I'll see you next week."

"OK."

Lisa got up and left just as unemotional as she came into Deanna's office. Deanna watched her as she departed and then sat down to write her notes.

After she had finished, she had sometime before Will got off duty, so she decided to go to the Holodeck. She programmed the program she desired.

"Program loaded and ready." The computer said.

She punched in a privacy code, but allowed admission for Will to enter. Then she went into the holodeck.

It was a summer day on Earth. A vast lawn laid before her with a beautiful white colonial home. It had a large, fancy porch and a balcony. There were pillers that went from the bottom of the porch to the balcony of greek design.

She walked up to the house and sat down in one of the chairs. A hologram of Mr. Homn came out with a cup of hot chocolate for her and served it to her.

"Thank you, Mr. Homn." Deanna said.

He nodded like the real Mr. Homn and walked back inside as Deanna sat and remembered her father. He was such a kind and gentle men. She still missed him and wish he were here to tell her one of his old Earth fairy tales or even a western story. She really missed those times when she curled up on his lap and listened to his soothing voice.


"Jean-Luc, I don't know how she does it." Beverly told him.

They were in his Ready Room discussing the latest events of shared patients, between her and Deanna. Picard wanted her opinion, too, on these patients.

"What do you mean?"

"Day in and day out, she has to put up with their idiocyncrosies." Beverly said. "I have to deal with them when they harm themselves or they need their medicine or med adjustments. They really try me sometimes, but she manages, for the most part, to deal with it."

"Well, Bev., my guess is the differences in training." Jean-Luc said. "I think I've mentioned this before to you."

"Yes, but I think there's more to it than that." Beverly said. "I think she has more patience."

Jean-Luc nodded. "You maybe right."

"Well, are we finished here?" Beverly asked.

"Yes, if you are sure you agree, with reservations, with Deanna's assessment on Susan."

"Yes, I do." Beverly said. "If she can keep from pulling the same or similar stunt as she did several weeks ago, then she will be just fine staying in Starfleet. If not, then next time it happens, I think she should find something else less stressful."

"Yes, but Beverly." Jean-Luc began to mention. "It was not being in Starfleet that caused her to loose it."

"True, but if her life is already that stressful to her."

Picard shook his head. "I don't think you understand."

"Oh, I understand." Beverly said. "I just don't know how to word it."

"OK." Jean-Luc nodded. "I'll grant you that. I guess we are finished, then."

"See you tonight for dinner?" Beverly asked.

"Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world, Beverly."

"For the world?" She smiled teasingly.

Jean-Luc smiled. "OK, Universe."

"That's better." She smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek.


Deanna was still in the holodeck reminiscing about her childhood, when Will walked into the scene and took a seat beside her. He smiled and said, "Deanna, I thought I'd find you here."

"Oh, hi, Will." Deanna greeted.

"Was this what your home on Earth looked like, when your father was alive?"

Deanna nodded. "Mother gave it up after his death and we just stayed on Betazed year around."

"Looks beautiful." Will said with awe. "Must have been nice to have two homes."

Deanna smiled. "You know, Will, we were very lucky."

"You may have been, but I wasn't." Will stated with his best poker face. "I only had one home."

Deanna chuckled. "That's not what I meant."

"I know." Will stated with a smile. "I just had to tease you. So, what did you mean?"

"We had parents who loved us."

"You may have, but my father was never there." An edge of anger was in Will's voice.

"Still, he didn't run your life every single minute." Deanna told him.

"Kind of wish he did." Will said.

Deanna made no comment. "To think, in this day and age, what some people still go through as children. Living all their childhood lives in environments not condusive to a loving environment."

"I think I get where you're going with this." Will nodded. "I guess in a way, we did have that to our advantage. I had a governess to look after me when my dad was away and she took good care of me. Never did anything out of line and if she had, Dad would have fired her as soon as he found out."

"See." Deanna said with a smile. "You did have it good."

Will smiled. "Maybe so."

There was a pause in their conversation, until Will spoke again. "So, what brought all this up?"

"Oh, just a long day." Deanna informed with a sigh. "That's all."

Will rose and took Deanna's hands in his, "Well, why don't we blow this popscycle stand and get something to eat?"

"This what?" Deanna asked with shocked confussion at his words.

"An old Earth figure of speech." Will said shaking his head. "Your home on Earth was lovely, but this isn't real."

Deanna laugh, finally getting the joke. "Yes, you're right." Then she addressed the Ship's computer. "Computer, end program."

"Would you like to save all information on this similation?" The computer asked.

"No." Deanna said and the holodeck returned to a grid. Then she turned and smiled to Will. "Let's go get dinner, Imzadi."

He kissed her, then said with a smile, "Your wish is my command."

Chapter Twelve

Reg came by Susan's quarters to take her out for the evening. He was a couple minutes early and Susan, being typical, was not quite ready.

"I'm sorry, Reg." She said. "I'll be ready in a minute."

"That's fine." He said. "I can wait."

As she fumbled with an earring she asked, "So what do you have planned?"

"Well, I thought I'd take you to the Starlight Lounge." Reg said with a smile. "They have Vic singing there."

"Who's Vic?"

"You've never heard of Vic Fontaine?"

"No." Susan informed.

"Well, you're in for a treat!" Reg exclaimed.

"And this Starlight Lounge is a holodeck program?" Susan asked.

"Yes." Reg started to worry she was not interested in having dinner in the holodeck. "There's dancing or if you prefer we could do something else."

"No, it's fine, Reg." She smiled. "OK, I'm ready."

Reg smiled at her. "You look very nice."

"Thanks, Reg." She was feeling a bit uncomfortable by his comment.as he admired her. "Aw, shall we go?"

"Oh, yes."

They arrived at the holodeck and Reg prepared the program. "Computer, Starlight Lounge with Vic Fontaine."

"Program loaded and ready." The computer replied. "You may enter when ready."

They entered and were escorted to their table. Vic was singing "I Got You Under My Skin". As he crooned out the song the two chatted.

"So, what do you think?" Reg asked.

"Well, he's not my type of singer, but he's good." Susan smiled.

"Well, he does sing other songs." Reg informed. When Vic finished, Reg requested a song. "How about "Fever"?" He asked Vic.

"Why sure Reg." Vic said with a smile. "Anything for a regular like you."

Vic started singing "Fever". "Shall we dance while we wait for our meal?" Reg asked Susan.

"Sure." Susan said.

They danced and when Vic finished singing "Fever" their meal was ready. They sat back down and started eating.

"So, what music do you like?" Reg asked Susan.

"I like Latin music." Susan said. "I can dance a good Samba." She placed a hand in front of herself and the other was out stretched as she mimiced dancing.

Reg laughed. "Wish I could. Slow dancing is about all I can do."

"Maybe I'll teach you one day." Susan offered.

They talked and ate until they finished their meal and Reg asked her for another dance. As they danced to the tunes of Vic Fountaine their eyes met. They stared into each others eyes as Vic sang, "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" and Susan almost felt she could melt in Reg's arms.

Suddenly, Reg kissed her. It was not a long kiss, but Susan became uneasy. "I think I should go." She said nervously.

"I'm sorry if I over stepped my bounds." Reg apologized.

"No. No." Susan insisted. "It's not you. It's me. I have to go."

Susan rushed out of the holodeck and down the corridor to the Turbolift, leaving a very puzzled Reg. Then she entered the safety of her quarters and cried.

She felt she really liked Reg, but she was so scared. Scared something bad could happen if she let him get too close to her.


The next day Reg was talking to Counselor Troi. "I, I, I don't know what I, I, I, did wrong." He said.

"What happened?" Deanna asked.

Reg told her about his date with Susan and when he finished, Deanna replied, "Reg, you didn't do anything wrong. She was being honest with you, when she said it was she who was having the problem."

"Well, what's wrong, that my kiss upset her so badly?" Reg asked.

Deanna sighed. "I wish I could explain it to you, Reg, but I can't."

"I understand." Reg said nodding his head. "I just couldn't help but get the feeling I made her uncomfortable."

"Reg, I assure you, it was not you." Deanna said. "You did nothing inappropriate."

"I'll take your word for it, Counselor." He said. "After all you know her better than I do. I really care about her and I hate to see her so upset."

"I really wish I could tell you more, Reg." Deanna said. "But you know I can't, no matter how much you care for her."

Reg nodded with disappointment.

"Well, aside from that." Deanna began. "It sounded like a very lovely evening."

"It was." Reg said. "At least from my point of view."

Deanna frowned. "Reg, don't take it personally. You did absolutely nothing wrong."

Reg nodded. "I hope you're right."

"I am, Reg." She could see Reg's self-esteem and self-confidence had been hurt. "Don't be afraid to ask her out again."

Reg nodded again. "I'll, I'll, I'll try not to." He stammered. "To be afraid to, to ask her again."

Deanna rolled her eyes. "Reg, relax! You're stuttering again."


Susan came in later that day. She was sad and quiet.

"I'm afraid I hurt his feelings." Susan said. "But I got so scared."

"Of what?" Deanna asked.

"That something bad was going to happen."

"Has it ever with Reg?"

"No." Susan said. "But it could."

"Susan, if I thought for a minute that Reg had bad intentions, I would not have encouraged you to get involved with him." Deanna assured her. "He's a good guy and would never dream of hurting anyone."

"I felt like I could have melted in his arms." She said with dreamy remorse.

"Nothing wrong with that feeling, Susan." Deanna assured her. "It's what you do with it that matters."

"The feeling scared me."

"Sounds like you were afraid of yourself."

"Maybe." Susan admitted.

"Well, I hope this doesn't cause you not to want to give him a chance." Deanna said. "Give it time and allow him to show you that he's not like the other guys you've met."

"OK." Susan said timidly. "I'll try."

Deanna smiled. "Good. Other than how you felt at the end, was it a good date?"

"Oh, yes." Susan smiled. "It was very fun, even though his choice in music was not my taste."

Deanna laughed. "Well, maybe next time you can choose what you do and the music you dance too."

"If there is a next time." Susan said sadly. "He probably doesn't want to ask me out again."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Deanna said.

Susan looked puzzled. "What do you know that I don't know?"

"Well, all I can say is, he does like you." Deanna said. "A lot. I'd be willing to bet he will ask you out again."

Susan smiled. "I hope so."


At the end of the day, Deanna and Beverly got together and briefed each other on their mutual patients.

"Susan has made remarkable progress." Beverly exclaimed. "She's doing very well."

"I think she is too." Deanna said. "She's trying at least. I just feel sorry for Lieutenant Barcley."

"Why?" Beverly asked.

"For what he has to deal with everytime he asks her out." Deanna said. "They had a date last night that started out good, but Susan lost her nerve and left him standing alone on the holodeck feeling very perplexed."

"Poor Barcley." Beverly said. "That girl can put anyone through a lot. More power to him if he can stick it out."

Deanna nodded. "But maybe next time it'll go better." Then with a smile, Deanna asked, "So how was your dinner date with Captain Picard?"

Beverly smiled. "Very nice." Then she looked up to see her knight in shining armour walk into her office. "Well, speak of the devil!" She smiled.

Jean-Luc smiled back. "Seriously, I came in here to tell you two, that I am very amazed with Susan's progress. She's doing better than ever on the job."

Deanna smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."

"I still intimidate her though." Picard said.

"Why Jean-Luc, you could intimidate anyone who doesn't know the side of you that is a big ole teddy bear." Beverly teased with a smile.

"Beverly, you're such a tease." Picard said with a laugh. "And Deanna, if you keep sending me back fine officers, I'm going to have to promote you."

"As I told Will once." Deanna said. "I'd rather be first officer, the position doesn't have as many requirements as the captain."

"After his job now are you?" He asked jokingly.

Deanna and Beverly giggled. Picard shooked his head with a smile. "Well, I just came by to put my two cents worth in on your briefing."

"Thank you, Captain." The two said in unison.

Then he leans over to Beverly and says, "I'll see you later." Then he departs.

"Well, what was that all about?" Deanna said with a smile.

"Oh, nothing." Beverly said. "He just needed a dose of me. He's fine now."

"Beverly!" Deanna laughed.

"Well, I'm sure Will comes by from time to time to get a brief counseling session from you." Beverly teased.

Deanna smiled. "Yes he does. He most certainly does."

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