Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 3 May 2004 19:30:41 -0700 In: alt.startrek.creative From: keroth1701@sbcglobal.net (Ke Roth) Title: Echoes Author: Ke Roth (keeroth@startrek.net) Series: TNG Part: 155/? Rating: R (violence and language) Codes: P/C, D/f Summary: Lt. Andile, Starfleet's oldest and shortest engineer, comes make any money from writing this. FYI: This story takes place approximately 2 years post "Insurrection", but pre-"Nemesis". Feedback is welcome. Chapter 155 "Oh, yes; _that's_ going to fly," Will muttered sarcastically as he looked up into the eyes of the woman straddling his hips, noting the look of satisfaction on her face, knowing that he had been responsible for part of that expression - but only part of it. The remainder of that gleam of self-satisfied triumph had been caused by her own determined proclamation. A proclamation about which he was not nearly as confident. "I'm sure they're both going to agree to stand up for us at the wedding," he agreed, then added, "right up until they learn the other one is going to be there. Deanna," he went on as gently as he could, "we can't even get them on the same deck, let alone in the same room - it's been how many months since Beverly's come to a staff meeting? - and you're expecting them to stand next together at the ceremony - then share a table at the reception?" he asked his fiancée incredulously. "It's only been two weeks since the last time she was at the meeting," she objected, deigning not to mention that she had attended only because Alyssa had been ill on that one morning, forcing Beverly's presence at the assemblage. "And yes, I do expect them to agree to be there - and to stand together throughout the ceremony on Earth - and then I expect them to stand at the second ceremony on Betazed," Deanna replied. "And they're going to do it," she added firmly. He gave her a dubious look. "Yes. Of course they are," he murmured doubtfully. "No," she countered, "they'll do it - and not because they know I'd badger them into it if they even thought about declining - but for all the right reasons." She stopped, then looked down at him, smiling, then reached down, caressing the face that looked up at her from their bed, and feeling her love for the man surge once again. How can I not love him? she wondered as she ran her long fingers against the angle of his jaw. After all, what other man would surprise her to a picnic lunch in the middle of the work day - a picnic lunch filled with all her favorite treats - then set about sating all her other appetites as well? Well, perhaps not sating them completely, she admitted, feeling a new wave of hunger beginning to fill her as she ran her hands over his chest - but it was a damned good effort, she added to herself. Certainly enough to tide her over until their shift was over, she thought, and they could make love again - and again, she added, happily looking forward to her future with the man. A future that was going to start in the presence of her friends - and in the presence of their joy, she added. "Will," she continued softly, "whatever problems they have between them, whatever they feel - or don't feel - for one another, the captain and Beverly both love us both - and no matter what's happening in their hearts and minds, they can - and they will - put aside their problems for a few hours - or a few days - so they can share the beginning of our new life together with us," she told him. "Unless, of course, you'd rather run off to Risa and elope as soon as we get back," she added, grinning mischievously. "Mmmm, Risa," he murmured, letting his imagination play for a moment, remembering the days and nights of pleasure he had found on that idyllic world - then, looking up at Deanna, imagining how much more incredible those same pleasures would be with her, with his wife at his side. Or on top of him, he added. Or beneath me. Or all of the above, he decided - then decided that there was no need to wait for Risa. He let his hands trail down her body, caressing her from shoulder to breast to hip, exploring each curve as if it were the first time his fingers had touched that exquisite flesh, then letting his hands drift to her back, his fingers spreading to encompass the round globes of her buttocks, squeezing them gently, then gently pulling her hips close to his once again. "Eloping on Risa would be fun," he admitted, "but then again," he continued with a hungry, raspy growl, "we could just skip the wedding and go straight to the honeymoon." Deanna gave a soft groan of her own as she responded to his touch, slowly moving her hips against his. "Keep this up, Will, and you're not going to survive until the honeymoon," she told him. "Making up for lost time, beloved, for all those years when I was willing to settle for friendship - when we could have had so much more." Despite the waves of pleasure washing over her, she forced herself to remain cogent as their bodies began to move in unison. "No," she replied. "You weren't ready then - and I was too ready. We had to have time to discover who we were as individuals before we could become the people we are - as a couple. I don't regret the time it took... but I don't regret you wanting to make up for lost time either," she added with a smile - then drew in a sharp breath as a new wave of pleasure crested over her. "My imzadi," he murmured. "My insatiable imzadi," he added, reaching up, his hands caressing her breasts, smiling as she gave a soft gasp of delight at the touch. "I'm... not ... insatiable..." she managed. "You are. Twice... this morning. And twice... at ... lunch? Ohh!" she cried out, throwing her head back in a spasm of exquisite torment. Not insatiable," he countered. "Inspired. Only you, imzadi, can do this to me." he told her, feeling his excitation growing with every her motion and her every cry. "And only... you... can do this... to me," she gasped back. "Oh, god, Will..." she cried out, feeling her desire mounting, merging with his, building, becoming unbearable, overwhelming, undeniable. He felt it as well, and grabbing her shoulders, pulled her to him, rolling her underneath him without breaking the rhythm their bodies had found. "Imzadi," he whispered - then called it out again and again, even as she did, their voices, their bodies, their needs merging until they became one - and until they could bear no more, and need and pleasure overwhelmed them both. "Inspired," she repeated sometime later, he head resting on his chest, her fingers tracing lazy circles in the hair she found there. "I like that," she said softly. "I think that when you _finally_ get back to the bridge that's what you should tell Data. 'I'm sorry I was late coming back from my break, Commander, but I was inspired at lunch'," she teased. He grimaced. "Knowing Data, he'll want detailed information on what inspired me. No, I think I'll just tell him the truth." Deanna raised her head, looking at her lover in horror. "Will, you wouldn't..." "I can't lie to a fellow officer, Deanna," he countered. So when he asks, I'll just tell him..." "Will..." she started warningly. "That my lunch was so delicious that I decided to have seconds." Deanna stared at her lover for a moment - then shook his head. "Incorrigible. Insatiable and incorrigible." "But honest," he protested, lifting his head to plant a kiss on the top of her head - then lowering it to meet her lips as she moved toward him. "You are delicious," he added, letting his hands caress every delicious curve and indentation on her body - then gave a soft, disappointed groan and pulled away. "But I do have to be getting to the bridge," he reminded her, gently easing his way off her body, hearing - and loving - her soft cry of discomfort and disappointment as their bodies separated. "And you'll ask the captain?" she said, extending her hand to him, letting him help her up to a sit beside her on the bed. "If he'll be the best man?" Will said. "I'll ask him. But he still might say 'no', you know," he added. "It's one thing to agree to stand next to Beverly on Earth; it's something else to ask him to stand next to her on Betazed - when they'll both be stark staring naked," he reminded her. "We'll all be naked, Will," she countered. "That's the point - that when you come to a Betazed wedding ceremony, you bring nothing expect yourself - your heart, your soul, the very essence of who you are - but none of the pretense, the illusions, the masks we hide behind. I don't want the captain there, will; I want our friend, Jean-Luc Picard - the man himself." "I understand, imzadi," he agreed softly. "But what we want - who we want - may be beyond his capacity to grant us. You. more than almost anyone else, know what a private man he is - and more to the point, you know how much that uniform is a part of who he is. To go without it - even for us, for our wedding..." He shook his head. "I don't know, Deanna," he admitted - then smiled. "Of course, we could just have the one ceremony - on Earth. That would eliminate the whole nudity issue..." "And create another, far larger - and far more dangerous one," she countered. "Mother would never forgive either one of us if she couldn't throw a 'proper' wedding celebration for daughter, her new son-in-law - and several hundred of her closest friends," she reminded him. "Hmmm..." Will mused. "Starting a marriage with your mother as an enemy doesn't strike me as the smartest tactical maneuver in the book," he agreed. "It isn't - but it is why I want to get married on Earth first - so we can have a real wedding, one where we can celebrate with our friends and our family - and without the requisite ceremony and posturing that mother will insist upon," Deanna agreed. "You just said that going naked to the wedding was intended to prevent such posturing," he objected. "Will, my mother will be wearing airs and carrying on pretenses even after she's dead; she'd never let a little thing like being naked stop her from being a Daughter of the Fifth House, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed - and all the other titles she has," she reminded her lover. "And I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied, smiling. "Lwaxanna is a force of nature - and one with who I prefer not to contend. Not, at least, when your happiness is at stake," he added. She gaped at him, taken aback by the words. "Will..." "I love you, imzadi," he whispered, reaching for her, pulling her close. "If making your mother happy makes you happy, then so be it." "And being married in the traditional Betazoid way _will_ make her happy," she reminded him "Then we'll get married there - and on Earth - and," he conceded, "I'll do what I can to talk the captain into participating," he continued , turning away from her, reaching for his uniform. But there was a hesitation in his voice, a reluctance in his words that bothered her. "Will?" she said softly. "What is it? What's troubling you? You do want to get married - don't you?" she added worriedly. "Well," he conceded slowly, " I was thinking..." He hesitated, then turned to her, his expression serious. "It's just, well... if you can get the milk for free, why buy the..." She gaped at him, appalled - then watched as his face split into a grin. "Will Riker! You.... You...." she started - then suddenly slapped him on the chest. He grinned, kissed the top of her head - then placed a hand under her chin, tilting her head back so he could look at her - but his expression held little of the joy that he had possessed a moment before. "I love you, Deanna, and I do want to marry you, and I do want to tell everyone, Deanna - but I just think that this isn't the right time," he admitted. "Biji's accident..." His voice trailed off. "It's been nine weeks since the accident, Will," she replied, her voice quieter, her expression now equally serious. "I love Andile - but life goes on. Or it should - and I think she'd agree that we all need to go ahead with our lives. There's been enough sorrow, enough grief to last us all a lifetime - and yet everyone on board is still walking on eggshells, worrying about her - fixating on her. It's not healthy. I think it's time we remember there's more to life than that sorrow. And a wedding - or at least an engagement - might be the way to resume that joy," she said. He drew a long breath - then nodded. "You might be right," he agreed. "God knows we've all been moving around like the living dead for the last two months, waiting, wondering... But I would like to discuss it with the captain first, Deanna, get his approval on it - before we make a formal announcement." "All right," she agreed. "But I'm still going to ask Beverly," she reminded him. "Just ask her not to go public with it until the captain has a chance to make a decision," he requested. "Not to worry, Will," she replied. "I'll be the soul of discretion," she said, reaching down to retrieve her own uniform from the floor. "Great," he countered sarcastically. "Now it'll be all over the ship before I even get back to the bridge." He ducked - but not before the uniform caught him square in the middle of his chest. Will drew a deep breath, worry niggling at the back of his mind. Despite his second dalliance with Deanna - a fact that both surprised and delighted him - he was only a few minutes late returning from his meal break - an event, he insisted, that should, by all rights, pass unnoticed - or at least unnoted. After all, how many times in his entire career had his breaks exceeded the typical sixty minutes? he insisted to himself. Almost none, he replied wordlessly. For that matter, he added defensively, how many meal breaks had he missed entirely in his tenure as first officer on the ship? More than a few, he argued. Even when the ship had been docked at Utopia Planitia for months, he had been on the bridge throughout his duty shift, with rarely more than a token break at any time in his shift! And even if he was running a little behind his time, it wasn't as though he had been less than circumspect in remaining available should he be needed; his communicator was still active, still attached to his uniform; the computer could have found him and notified him of there had been any need for him to return to the bridge. And it was highly unlikely that he would need to hurry back, he added. Despite having a Breen ship less than a hundred kilometers from the Enterprise - and despite the fact that two of the more violent enemies of the Federation had representatives aboard the ship - the last few weeks had been remarkably uneventful. No, there was no reason he couldn't justify being a few minutes late returning to the bridge. His defense prepared, he rolled his shoulders to ease some of the tension that had been building in them during the brief trip from his quarters to the bridge, then, feeling the lift slow slightly, grabbed the lower edge of his tunic, adjusting it in his variation of the classic "Picard maneuver", drew a deep breath, and strode onto the bridge just as the doors opened, ready to argue his case. No one noticed. Or rather, everyone noticed - the bridge crew always noticed when a command officer entered or left the bridge - but no one seemed to note the fact that his absence was fractionally longer than usual. Chagrined at his own self-absorption, he made a mental note not to pre-judge his fellow crewmembers in the future - and, he added, not to make a habit of abusing the privileges of office - even, he added, for Deanna. Well, maybe on occasion for her, he amended, smiling. "Anything happening, Data?" he asked as he made his way to the center seat, the android automatically rising to relinquish the post to Riker. "Cmdr. LaForge reports that he has supervised the final steps in the re-installation and reintegration of the original warp engines," Data replied. "He has initiated a full diagnostic on the system, and if the results meet performance requirements, he would like to begin start-up protocols. We should, at the conclusion of our discussion with the Breen, be able to return to Earth with full warp capability." "How long for the diagnostic?" Will asked. "Geordi estimates eighty-four hours, thirteen minutes, twenty-eight seconds for a level four diagnostic," Data replied. Will grinned. "Geordi does?" he asked, knowing the announcement of exact time expectations was more characteristic of the android than the Chief Engineer. Data gave a short nod. "He does," he countered, then managed a false smile. "I believe Geordi's utilization of the exact time expectation, while accurate, was intended as an act of levity, Commander. He was... 'yanking my chain'," he added. Will smiled, understanding Geordi's attempt to lighten his friends worries - and appreciating Data's attempts to accept that help - even though nothing, short of Andile's recovery, would every fully remove that concern from the android's mind. There were drawbacks to never being able to forget anything, he thought; no matter how busy the ship could be, there would always be sufficient room in the android's mind to be aware - so terribly aware - of his injured friend. "How is she today?" he asked gently. "I believe she is better than yesterday, but not as well as she will be tomorrow," Data answered by rote, then added, "it has been twenty-eight hours since her last seizure," he informed the first officer. "That's a good sign - isn't it?" Will replied. Data hesitated. "Possibly. It may signal that the connections within the corpus collosum have completed their reintegration." "Meaning her brain is regaining function," Will said, his hope unmistakable. "Indeed," Data agreed. "It could also mean that those same connections have completed their dissolution, Commander; that her brain is in the final stages of failure and that her death is imminent," he added dispassionately.. Horrified, Will began, "Look, Data, if you'd rather go be with her..." But the android simply shook his head. "No, sir. I would prefer not to... obsess about the possible negative outcomes. Instead, I will continue focus on the more positive potentialities: to perform my duties - as Andile would require, and to attend to her needs during the third shift." Will nodded. Perhaps Deanna was right; perhaps it was time for them to move on with their lives. Not to abandon Andile of course, he added hastily - but if Data could finally separate himself, even in part, from her side, perhaps it was a sign that the rest of them could move ahead as well. Smiling, he teased his friend, "And the second shift? What do you do then?" he asked, hoping his light-heartedness might help the android. It didn't, he knew instantly, seeing the serious expression in the android's eyes. Serious, yes - but with a hint of something else, something... hopeful. "I have... faith," he said softly, "that Andile will recover - but for her, mere survival is not enough. For her, the fact of mere physical recovery will be insufficient to compensate for the losses she has experienced. She will not be able to do what she once did - and for her, that is tantamount to a living death," he said grimly. "Data," Will interjected gently, "people do learn to live with their disabilities..." "Andile is not 'people'," Data interrupted roughly. "She is... Andile. Her life, her existence is part and parcel of her work; if she can not do the work she loves, then she will die - not physically, but spiritually. I can not permit that. I will not permit that." "You're trying to give her a reason to live?" Will asked. "No, sir; I am trying to give her back her life, as it was," the android said firmly. Will sighed, then shook his head slowly. "That may not be possible, Data." "Yes, sir, it is," Data objected. "That I have not yet found the way to do so does not mean that I will not, only that it may take time. Fortunately, I have time; every day she survives gives me one more day to find a solution." Will studied the man for a long time. And I thought I loved Deanna, he finally realized. And I do - but it's nothing compared to what Data feels for Biji. "You know, Data, I have no doubts you're going to do just that," he said at last, then glanced at the center seat. And speaking of accomplishing missions, he reminded himself... "Data, I need to attend to a personal errand; would you mind taking the con for a few more minutes?" he asked. "Of course." "Thanks," Will replied. Now, to find the captain, he thought to himself, knowing the man's schedule well enough to know that he would be on a meal break of his own between either negotiations with the Breen or negotiations with the Cardassians and the Romulans - but where he would be spending that break, he had no idea. Probably buried in the ship's library, ferreting out some obscure article of law or detail of political protocol or cultural standard that would better allow him to argue his position - and win a concession at the negotiations table. No wonder he had no time to resolve his issues with Beverly, Will decided - or do much of anything else, he added, trying to remember the last time the captain had occupied the center seat. Weeks, he thought - and realized that once again, he had become the acting captain of the ship - a position, he realized, that he was enjoying. I want this, he thought, surprised at the realization; I really want this. This ship, yes - but more importantly, this position - and most importantly, in Starfleet. He drew a breath, a sensation of relief and satisfaction washing over him. This is what I want - and the next time and offer came along - if, he reminded himself firmly, an offer came along, I'm taking it. "Commander?" Data's voice interrupted the man's flash of self-realization. Startled, Will looked at the android, wondering if he looked as at peace with the world as he felt - or if he was merely grinning inanely. "Yes, Data?" he replied. "Your errand, sir?" he reminded the first officer. "Ah, yes," Will countered. "I needed to speak with the captain. You wouldn't know where he is, would you?" "Yes, sir," Data replied easily. "He is in his ready room. Negotiations with the Tar Zumell and Ambassador Tiron terminated early today, and he returned to the bridge just after you left," he informed Will. For a moment, the first officer stared at the android, every ounce of elation and self-satisfaction suddenly gone - then gave a rueful grin and shook his head. "Oh, well," Will muttered to himself. "Some days, you eat the bear; some days, the bear eats you." Data stared at the human, confused. "You wish to eat a bear?" he asked. Will grinned. "Just a phrase, Data. It means that some times you win, sometimes you lose." "And you have lost something?" "Only a little over-confidence. This should only take a few minutes," he added, glancing at the ready room door. "Of course, sir," Data said, then turned back to the seat at the center of the bridge. Will watched him for a moment - then strode to the ready room door, tugged down on the front of his tunic in unconscious mimicry of the captain, and touched the annunciator panel. "Come!" The double doors slid apart, revealing the office within - and the captain, seated at his desk, clearly absorbed by the work spread across his desk. For a moment, Will was tempted to beg off, to make his apologies and offer to return later - but while the captain might be slightly put out by the interruption, Deanna would be merciless. Not angry, not vengeful, not even upset - but she would tease him mercilessly, reminding him, whenever she had the opportunity or the needs, of what he had done - or rather, what he had not. The former he could survive; the latter... Well, he could survive her teasing; he just wouldn't want to, he knew. Will drew a deep breath - then stepped into the room. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Captain," he began. To his surprise, Picard looked up from his work - and smiled. "No need to apologize, Number One. I'm gratefully for a break." He raised his brows the let out a long soft sigh, looking over the padds spread across his desk. "Addressing the negotiations with Tiron and Tar Zumell is challenging enough; add to that trying to initiate a functioning relationship with the Breen..." He gave another sigh. "I understand," Will replied. Picard nodded, studying the desk again - then looked up, as if realizing for the first time that his first officer was standing before him. "I'm sorry, Will; just a little distracted. What was it you wanted?" he added. "Nothing important..." Will demurred - then hesitated. "Sir, are you certain you're all right?" he asked. "You're looking a little... tired." "I am," Picard agreed. "To be honest, I haven't been feeling well the last few days," he admitted. "Then it's a good thing that the negotiations ended early," Will countered cheerfully. Picard frowned. "Truth be told, Will, I'm the one who called an end to today's talks." Startled - and worried - Will looked at Picard, concern narrowing his eyes. "If you're not feeling well, Captain, maybe you should go to Sickbay, sir..." he began - only to be stopped by Picard's upraised hand. "It's just a headache," he insisted - just as he had insisted to himself for the last three days. A headache - and a touch of nausea, he conceded to himself. Perhaps more than a touch, he added, feeling his stomach knot - and a strange tightness growing in his chest. Too many meetings, he insisted; too many padds, too much work. If I'm going to proclaim an early break from today's meeting, I should do just that - take a break. He drew a deep breath, felt the nausea and headache recede slightly - then smiled up at his frowning first officer. "You know, sir, the bones in your back and your neck have never been properly set since all this started..." Will began. "Dr. Ogawa is certain that the reparative surgery can wait until we return to Earth, Will," Picard said firmly. "Yes, sir," Will replied. Fr a moment, an awkward silence fell between the two men - then Picard reminded his first officer, "Was there something you wanted, Number One?" "Oh!" Will replied, startled. "Yes. Ummm... Actually, sir, I wanted to ask a favor," he said. Picard's brow rose in surprise. "A favor?" he said, smiling. "After... what? Fifteen years? I think I can accommodate one favor, Will," he said. "You might want to hear it before you agree, sir," Will demurred. "Indeed?" "Yes, sir," Will replied. Picard waited for a moment - but when Will failed to press the issue, he did - though the growing nausea was starting to tinge his good mood with a hint of frustration. "In that case, what is the favor?" he said, a little testily. "Ummm..." He hesitated again. "Will, just ask," Picard ordered. "Yes, sir. Umm... I was hoping... That is, _we_ were hoping... Deanna and I, that is... " he clarified uncomfortably - then coughed and cleared his throat. "Ummm... " he started again - then blew out a long sigh, knowing he could delay no longer. "Sir, Deanna and I would like you to be the best man at our wedding," he said at long last. Picard stared at the man for a long time, his face a mask of non-responsiveness, of carefully practiced neutrality - then spoke. "Your wedding." "Yes, sir." "Yours and Deanna's," he repeated. "Yes, sir." For another long moment, the captain did nothing other than to stare at the tall man - then grinned widely. "It's about damned time," he said - then rose to his feet, came around his desk, his hand outstretched to the first officer. "Congratulations, Will!" he said in delighted happiness, shaking the man's hand firmly, happily, proudly - then reached out his other hand, thumping him soundly on the shoulder. "I was beginning to wonder when you were going to get around to asking her..." "Actually, she asked me," Will countered. "Betazoid tradition - the women propose." He gave a shaky laugh, the reality of the engagement suddenly becoming real - and, for the first time, terrifying. My God, he thought; I'm getting married! "I assume that means you'll be 'Mr. Troi'?" Picard grinned back. Will froze - then met Picard's eyes. "I hadn't thought about it - but that _is_ the Betazoid tradition," he replied. "Fortunately, Deanna isn't tradition bound," Picard reminded him. "I'm sure she won't object if you keep your... maiden name," he teased the man gently. "Deanna won't object - but her mother might," Will said. Picard's eyes widened at the sudden realization of just who Will's new mother-in-law was going to be - and let out a long exhalation. "Lwaxanna," he murmured - then gave the first officer an appraising look. "Remember, Will, you don't just marry your bride; you marry her family as well. Are you still sure you want to do this?" he asked. For moment, Will hesitated - then replied, "I love her. I have for a long time. And I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with her - even if that means spending it with Lwaxanna as well. After all, the vows do say, 'for better, for worse'," he reminded Picard. "So they do, Will; so they do. And I'd be honored to be there, hearing you say them," he added. The acceptance caught Will unaware - and it took a moment for the words and their meaning to register. "Thank you, Captain - but before you accept, you need to know something... two things actually. One, there will be two ceremonies - the first on Earth, then a second on Betazed," he began. Picard's eyes raised slightly. "On Betazed," he echoed. "Yes, sir," Will said. "Indeed," Picard murmured to himself - then looked at Will. "A 'traditional' Betazed wedding?" he pressed. "With no clothes?" Will nodded. "Yes, sir. No clothes. The wedding party and all the guests will be stark naked," he added, wanting to make sure there was absolutely no confusion on the point. That it would also force Picard to decline was another matter - but he would not have his captain- his friend! - accept the honor without knowing full well what he was agreeing to do. For a moment, the senior officer was silent, obviously formulating a way to excuse himself from the commitment he had just made - but to his surprise, Will saw the man give a single nod of his head. "I accept," he said quietly. "I'd be honored to stand up for you and Deanna," he said solemnly. Will grimaced. "Ummm... about that, Captain..." Surprised by the returning reluctance, Picard looked at Will - then nodded. "Deanna is asking Beverly to stand up for her - yes?" "Yes," Will replied quietly - and was startled by the soft smile on the captain's lips. "A fine choice, Will. Beverly has been a good friend to Deanna - to all of us," he said softly - then met Will's worried gaze. "Don't worry, Will. We're adults; we can behave ourselves, for a day - or two days - or however long it takes for all the ceremonies, rehearsals, parties..." He hesitated, thinking - then grinned. "I believe, Will, that traditionally, the best man is supposed to host the bachelor party..." he began. "Traditionally, yes - but I thought that perhaps you would prefer to defer that responsibility to Worf..." Will started - only to see a mischievous grin on Picard's face. "Oh, no, Number One," he insisted. "I've waited fourteen years to repay you for that little episode on Risa - and once you get married, I'm not going to have the opportunity. No, no; I'll handle the arrangements for the bachelor party," he added with a wicked grin. Will swallowed hard. "Yes, sir." "And speaking of parties - have you two set a date yet?" Will shook his head. "Not yet; once this mission's over and we're back on Earth, we'll start making plans - but in the meantime, we would like to announce our engagement to the crew," he added. Picard nodded - then noted the hesitation in the man's demeanor. "Is there a problem?" he asked. "No, sir - but I wanted to make sure that you didn't consider the announcement ... well, ill-timed," he said. "Ill-timed? How so?" "In light of Andile's injuries..." Will began to explain. "The lieutenant would be the first to celebrate your happiness, Will," Picard interrupted. "I think she.... I think...." He stopped, looked down for a second in surprise and confusion, then looked up again, his face suddenly grey. "I think," he gasped - then cried out in pain, clutching at his chest - and collapsed to the ground. -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Awards Tech Support http://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/commenting/ No Tribbles were harmed in the running of these Awards ASCL is a stories-only list, no discussion. 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