Pre-nuptial
PG
Rising Sun and I wrote this story together. We hope you have enjoyed it.
Disclaimer: Star Trek is Property of Paramount. No infridgment or profit is intended from this story and is meant for entertainment purposes only.
Summery: Will and Tom have a falling out over Will and Deanna's wedding plans. Will they make amends before it is too late?
Will and Deanna just arrived in Alaska. It was winter, but Deanna did not seem to notice it. She appeared too excited to notice anything.
"Will, it's so wonderful you finally agreed to see your dad and brother, so we can tell them that we are getting married."
"Yes." He replied with a smile. "You know, Deanna, I'm glad to be here this time too. All the little tifts Tom and I have seem so insignificant right now."
"I'm glad Will." Deanna smiled. "Now, let's go up, knock on the door and see if they will let us in out of the cold."
Will chuckled. "I almost thought you weren't going to notice the cold with all your excitement."
"Will, I've noticed and I'm freezing."
They got out of the shuttle and headed toward the house. They knocked twice, but before they could finish the second knock on the door, Kyle Riker answered.
"Will!" He said with a surprised smile. "This is a surprise. What brings you here?"
"Well, Deanna and I have something to tell you."
"Come on in, before you catch your death of cold then tell Thomas and me."
"Thomas is here?" Deanna asked.
"Yes, he's staying with me again until he's back up on his feet."
"Again?" Will asked.
"I tied one too many on and Starfleet ousted me again. Said I needed to go through rehab or never come back. So, I'm here, again."
Will did not say another word, but his face said it all. He hated his brother's behaviour since he came out of no where. It was not the reappearance that brought it on, but rather due to the fact Deanna decided not to take another chance with him and people mistaking him for Will. Both upset him, but in different ways.
"So, what is it you two want to tell us?" Kyle asked.
"We're getting married!" Deanna said as she held her hand out to show them the engagement ring.
"You just couldn't wait." Will said teasingly.
"No." Deanna replied with a smile.
Tom had a look of distain on his face as Kyle was hugging Will and Deanna. Kyle congratulated them and kissed Deanna on the cheek. "It's about time you two tied the knot."
"We'd love to have you there. Both of you." Deanna stated.
"I'd love to, Deanna, but my health hasn't been the best lately."
"Well, we'd love to see you there, Tom." Deanna invited.
"You would, but he doesn't care if I come or not. In fact, he'd probably be happier if I didn't come." Tom retorted.
"Now, what's that suppose to mean, Tom." Will asked.
"Just that."
"Tom, I really would like to see you there. Everything between is water under the bridge."
"Is it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Deanna only stayed because of you. Not because she didn't want to take another chance with me."
"Tom, whatever you want to say, say it." Will demanded.
"Not here. I don't want to talk here. I really don't want to talk to you."
"Boys!" Kyle scolded. "I don't know what this is all about, but I'm not having it in my house. Now, I only raised one of you, but now I have two and I don't know what to do with you. Anymore, all you do is fight and argue with yourselves. I want it to stop. This is suppose to be a happy occasion for Deanna and Will."
"Well, it’s not for me." Said Tom.
"Tom, outside." Will ordered.
The two men walked outside. "Now what is your problem, Tom?"
"You're my problem. If it hadn't been for you, I might have been the one marrying her."
"Maybe not. You left her again on the Enterprise."
"She wanted to stay."
"Yes, but she wanted you to stay too. I never left her once while on the Enterprise."
"No, but you made every effort to get into her uniform."
"Tom, I resent that. She happens to be the woman I love."
"Well, if the truth hurts."
"Truth is, you're jealous."
"Believe what you want, but I'm not coming to the wedding."
"Oh, so you're going to break Deanna's heart again."
"If anyone is, it's you. Deanna has a nice body, is beautiful and smart. All the things that turn a man on and you're not thinking with your head as usual."
"You are insanely jealous."
"Yeah, take this!" Tom took his fist and punched Will square in the mouth. "That's for taking her away from me!"
"I didn't take anyone from you!" Will punched back but missed.
Tom used the momentum of Will’s falling body to land a well-placed kick to the ribs. Will continued the fall rolled over and came up swinging.
Blissfully unaware of the war raging outside Kyle chatted with his daughter in law to be. "So you finally nailed him!" he grinned.
She grinned back. "Sees like it took a long time didn’t it?"
"Can I offer you a drink?" he stood.
"Hot chocolate please." Came the instant reply. After being in the cold what more could a girl need? Hot chocolate and the man she love – life was perfect.
They moved into the kitchen. Deanna sat and watched Kyle move around the room. She was never sure as to which came first. Her awareness that all was not right or the two Riker "boys" coming through the door like an avalanche.
Deanna frowned, "Kyle…" She began.
"Mmm?" He was watching the brew.
Suddenly the kitchen door was flung open with a force that threatened to unhinge it. Deanna shuddered as the accompanying blast of cold air displaced the warmth of the kitchen. In the midst of all that rolled in William and Thomas Riker locked in a wrestling match worthy of any Klingon.
Deanna immediately jumped off her stool. She had too the two men were rolling her way and smashing all in their wake.
"Will! Tom!" Kyle roared to on avail.
The clones continued to pound each other. With every connecting punch Deanna groaned. Not only was the physical combat distressful to her but the emotional intensity between the two men was affecting her. Had she been in the next galaxy she would have felt it. Being that close was agony.
Finally she cried out. "Stop!" She slumped to the floor and whimpered under the emotional strain "Oh God, please stop!"
The whimper pierced through. The two stumbled to her side.
"Deanna! Honey… Talk to me!" Will held her.
"As usual a reaction and not action." Tom scorned.
Will glared at his brother. "Don’t start."
"Start? We never stopped." Tom growled.
Deanna pulled away from Will. "Will you two please stop this!" She exclaimed as she went to get a towel to clean up Will's bloody nose.
"Ow!" Will screamed as she tried to help.
"Serves you right for trying to fight with your brother!" She scolded. "Kyle, do you have any ice for Tom's eye?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll go get him some."
"Don't bother. I'm leaving." Tom said curtly.
"Leaving where?" Kyle asked with concern.
"I don't know and I don't care. Anywhere he is not, that's for sure! At least until he leaves."
"Tom!" Deanna said.
"I can't stay here with him! That back stabbin' son of a…"
"Thomas!" Kyle scolded.
"I hardly stabbed you in the back!"
"Yeah, right. Thinking with something other than your mind, too." Tom added slamming the door hard as he walked out the door.
Kyle and Deanna were stunned by his reaction. They stood there and stared at the door for a brief moment.
"I've never seen him like this." Deanna stated.
"You've hardly seen him." Will replied.
"Honestly, I don't think I've seen him like this either, Deanna." Kyle said.
"I think he's being a typical Riker. A real jerk." Will implied.
"Well, I'm sensing great jealousy."
"Deanna, tell us something we don't know." Will said hotly.
"Will, you can't let him leave like this. I would really like to see him at our wedding and he's your brother. You two need to act like grown men and talk this thing out somehow."
"Deanna, the man gave me a bloody nose, back off." Will went into the spare bedroom that he and Deanna were going to stay in while they were there and slammed the door.
"They're acting like real children!" Deanna said in exasperation.
"Deanna, hopefully they will work it out. It may take years or it may take days, but they will. Look how long it took Will and me to work out our differences."
"Kyle, I don't think this will be worked out in a matter of days unless they are both willing to talk to each other."
Kyle sighed. "Maybe you're right, Deanna. Maybe you're right. More hot cocoa?"
"Chocolate does not solve everything. Right now, I'm very concerned about the two of them. They can't just duke it out like this and then not speak to each other."
"They're Rikers. They can do anything when it comes to a disagreement."
"Well, I wish it were over something other than me and not jealousy either." Deanna said as she sat back down at the table.
"So, how long are you staying?"
"We thought we would leave the day after tomorrow." Deanna informed Kyle as he set another cup of hot cocoa before her. "What's this for?"
"For you. I know, you said chocolate doesn't solve everything, but I know you, Deanna. You will find any excuse to eat or drink chocolate and this is as good of an excuse as any. Two days huh?"
Deanna nodded her head. "We also want to fly to Betazed and tell my mother. We don't have a lot of time off, so we're keeping our visit short. The Enterprise will be meeting us there."
"I see. Not much time to work things out."
There was a pregnant pause in their conversation. Both were thinking about everything that was happening around her.
On the way to Betazed, Deanna was regretting her reaction to Tom when she found him at a local bar. She felt what she said may have been unforgivable.
"Tom, you're a jealous jerk!"
"Deanna, I really don't want to hear this right now. I just want to get slouched."
Tom said a few things in his drunken state. At one point he stood and grabbed her by the wrist and began saying hurtful things himself to her, everything from being a royal aristocrat to being a sex-crazed woman who was looking for only one thing.
Everything he said stung, but she did not back down. She continued telling him how angry she felt.
"I told you, I don't want to hear anything you have to say!" He yelled.
"Well, you're going to hear it anyway! Ever since Will and I got back together you have been a royal jerk! You make me wish that incident which made two of you never happened! I just can't stand you! You're not the W. Thomas Riker I knew. Not even the William T. Riker I knew. You are two different people and one of you makes me sick! You're nothing but an asshole anymore!" Deanna immediately left him sitting alone at the bar. She did not speak to him again after that and did not wish to speak to him.
She sat quietly in the seat beside Will now. Regretting everything she said to Tom. She did not really regret the fact that a transporter incident happened which caused Will to become a twin, instead on being just one Riker. She cared about both of them.
"You're so quiet." Will finally said.
"Will, I said some pretty horrible things to your brother."
"And now you are regretting saying those things."
She nodded.
"What did you say to him?"
She broke into tears as began telling him what she had said Tom. "I feel so awful!"
"It was how you felt and personally, I think he is being and asshole too."
"Will!"
"Did the jealous old fool get around to telling you that he is not coming to the wedding?"
"I didn't stick around. He was starting to scare me."
"I guess an angry, jealous, drunken Riker can be pretty scary."
"So, how did you find out he is not coming?"
"He came by when I was out getting firewood."
"Oh, so now the truth comes out. That's how you're eye became a mirror image of Tom's. So, now you have a swollen lip and a black eye." She said in a sarcastic manner. "Wonderful! Will, this has to stop! You two can't keep on fighting this way."
"I know. Personally, I'm getting really tired of my brother's behavior. I don't care if he comes or not to our wedding. Especially if he's going to act like a jerk."
Deanna fell silent again. She could sense the anger Will had for his brother and thought it was very sad. Two brothers fighting about a woman was just awful. She could not stand it, but yet she did not know what to do about it.
She was not going to cancel the wedding, but yet she wanted the fighting to stop. It was just ridiculous, in her mind, for them to be fighting like this and it was ridiculous for Tom to be so mean and hateful.
She had not done anything to Tom, but yet he was acting like he despised her. Except for insane jealousy, she had no idea why Tom hated her or why he was hurting his brother so much. It just was not right.
She let out a silent sob as a tear rolled down her face. Will put the shuttle on autopilot. Then he went over to where she sat and knelt down beside her. He pulled her close to him and hugged her tightly.
"It will be alright, Imzadi. It really will be. We'll just have to give him some time. Hopefully, he will come around eventually and come to our wedding anyway."
As the shuttle was nearing Betazed, Will and Deanna were again talking about the incident between Will and Tom. Deanna was very concerned about the way the two ended it.
"He says he is never going to step foot on the Enterprise again or in our home." Will informed her.
"Will, you have to find some way to make amends with him." Deanna encouraged. "I really would like to see him at our wedding."
He pulled her closed and hugged her. "I know you would."
They rounded the corner and Riker stopped short in shock. There was no other word for it. Just… shock. The best way he could describe the scene was that of a cattle line, awaiting auction.
He stared at Deanna, "What is this?!"
"Immigration."
"Imm…" He looked around. The signs said it all.
BETAZED CITIZENS ROW 1 – 25
FEDERATION CITIZENS ROW 25 – 50
NON- FEDERATION CITIZENS ROW 51-75
CREW 76-100
Deanna was constantly adjusting herself as the stream of passengers passed they by. Riker was rooted to his spot. "I know dear, as the First Officer of the Enterprise your probably have never gone through this."
He ripped his eyes from the horror before him, "…and you have?"
"The first and last time was when I left for Earth." She explained, "As military personnel we usually dock else where when Enterprise is on Tour."
"So what happened to the Fifth House and all that no VIP treatment?"
She signed as she guided him to the appropriate line. "Mother doesn’t know we are here."
Suddenly he grabbed her. "Don’t leave." He was lost in all this.
She smiled at him. "I won’t. I can just as easily check through Federation Lines as Betazed Lines."
He relaxed at her words. This is until they actually faced the Immigration Officer.
The man looked at the ID and mentally projected, "Ms Trioi, you are Betazoid?"
"Yeees." She drawled warily and vocally. Immigration Officers were powerful people.
Still he refused to vocalize and asked "Why are you not in the Betazoid citizens line?"
This was getting tedious. This was worse that dealing with her mother, when she decieded not to speak for all to hear. For the benefit of Will, she spoke out loud. "I am also a Federation Citizen not mention a Federation Officer with the rank of Commander, therefore since I am with my fiancé and he not a Betazoid, but rather a Federation Citizen and Officer I came through the Federation Citizen line with him so as not become separated."
The answer seemed to satisfy, but he had one last mental jab for Troi. "That is what you get when you choose a mate not of Betazoid. You can’t hold a decent conversation. You have to vocalize." He stamped the papers and turned to Riker and said. "NEXT!"
Having finally got through Immigration, waited for luggage, waited on the long line they now faced Customs.
Recognizing the name TROI, Deanna was let through with no problem. Riker on the other hand faced a different tune.
The questions flowed…
"Do you have any Tribbles with you?"
"Would you like to declare anything, like Romulan Ale, Cardassian Beef?"
"What is the purpose of your visit here?"
"Do you have any weapons to declare?"
Finally Deanna had had enough. "ENOUGH" she flashed at the Officer so strongly that even non telepaths in the room heard. "He is with me and is the First Officer of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Not to mention a guest of Lwananna Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House."
All Riker saw was the glare. He’d never seen Deanna that angry before.
Finally later they emerged. As Deanna hailed a transport he grumbled.
"I can’t believe they lost our luggage too!"
Deanna and Will were now on Betazed. They were sitting on the veranda with Lwaxana enjoying a midday tea and had just finished telling Lwaxana about their wedding plans.
"Oh, how wonderful!" Lwaxana exclaimed. "It's about time you two got married! Oh Mr. Homn! Mr. Homn! I have wonderful news for you!"
Mr. Homn walked out on the veranda and made a slight bow in greeting to her. She told him of the wonderful news and Mr Homn smiled. He offered Deanna a hug to congratulate her. A first to see him do.
"Oh, we must start making plans now!" Lwaxana continues in excitement. "We need lots of flowers, cake, and oh yes! The minister! Can't forget that. Mr. Homn, see if Farrenge is busy in the near future. If so, have him clear his schedule. He just has to do Deanna's wedding service." Lwaxana was hurriedly walking and thinking at the same time.
"Mother."
"Now that we have the priest, we need someone to cater the affair and do the flowers."
"Mother!"
"Oh, yes, Dear. What is it?"
"We haven't decided on a date yet. We need to decide that first and besides, we thought we would have a wedding on Earth as well as Betazed."
"Two weddings?"
"Yes."
"Why? You must have a traditional wedding, not some pagan wedding."
"Traditional on whose planet, Mother?"
"Pagan?" Will questioned as though he were insulted.
"Oh, don't look so surprised, Will." Lwaxana scolded. "You know how I feel about Earth religions and rituals. They are very pagan including their ceremonies, especially wedding ceremonies. Whoever heard of wearing clothes at a wedding ceremony? Honestly! Because of Humans we have had to change things to accommodate those who are uncomfortable in removing their clothing in public. So, now it's come as you feel. Humans have no trust of each other, while Betazoids can conduct a beautiful service in the nude with no worries about others. It's completely open and trusting, just as marriage should be."
"Mrs. Troi. That's not what I meant." Will stated.
"Oh, I knew what you meant." She replied.
ALASKA
THREE MONTHS LATER
"Oh, I knew what you meant." The words of three months before echoed in Lwaxana’s head.
"I heard that mother." Deanna telepathed to the older Troi.
Lwaxana frowned. It had been three months of pure frustration. She’d married a human, lived with him and loved him dearly and deeply. But NEVER, NEVER had she realized just how frustrating the species could be. Til now
There were all that planning!!! On Betazed all one really did was inform the Head of the House in this case the Fifth and after that show up. Naked at that too!
Not these humans. They had to take a life time to pick the venue another for the guest list and as for the food and flowers.
PAGAN.
That is what it was PAGAN and she stood by that judgment.
"Mother!" Deanna vocalized.
"Well it is." Lwaxana spoke.
"Mother." Deanna’s voice was softer causing her scowling parent to look up. The scowled morphed instantly into a grin of pure pride.
Deanna stood before her mother in full marital regalia.
"Oh Little One." Lwaxana teared up.
Deanna was concerned. "Mother are you alright?"
Lwaxana nodded. "You are so beautiful and I just wish that your father could see you." Then the Daughter of the Fifth House emerged. "Riker had better treat you well…"
The daughter of the daughter cut her across. "He has and he will." She smiled. "Are you ready to escort your daughter down the aisle?"
Lwaxana knew that short of her first grandchild there would be no prouder moment than that of Mother Giver. Now that it was all over she sat content to list to Jean Luc offer his speech.
"Duty…" The speaker paused dramatically.
"A Starship Captain's life is filled with solemn duty. I have commanded men in battle. I have negotiated peace treaties between implacable enemies. I have represented the Federation in first contact with twenty-seven alien species. But none of this compares to my solemn duty as… Best man." Picard was cut off by the uproarious laughter of the friends of Will and Deanna who were in attendance for their wedding.
"I can't do that!"
"Why not? You're involved with the Romulans, Tom. You can surely smuggle in a couple of cases of Romulan Ale for oh, say, Ten kilos of gold pressed latinum." Quark was trying to make a deal with Thomas Riker. One that he thought would bring in a lot of money if he were the first to sell Romulan Ale at his establishment.
"Its illegal for starters!" Tom replied.
"That never stopped you before." Quark replied. "First the Maquis and now smuggling. This could turn out to be a great money making deal!"
"QUARK!" Came Odo's voice. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing! I assure you." Quark squirmed. "Just making chit chat with the customers."
"That better be all you are doing or I'll have this place closed down faster than you can turn a profit."
"That won't be necessary, Sir." Quark informed him.
"And you, Sir. Don't I know you?" Odo asked.
"No, Sir. I don't believe we met."
"Aren't you Commander Riker?"
"No, Sir. Actually, he made captain recently. I'm his brother Tom."
"Oh, yes. You must be his twin." Odo stated.
"I guess you could say that."
"Well, I do hope this man is not bothering you."
"Oh, no. As a matter of fact, Odo was just telling me someone had let a duck loose in his establishment."
"Oh, yes. The great 'Quack at Quark's' story." Odo replied sarcastically. "I do hope he is finally getting a laugh out it. Everyone else is."
"Did you ever figure out who did it?" Tom asked.
"No, but I guess its just as well." Then Odo looked at Quark. "It put him in his place for a while. Only he couldn't stop complaining about how much profit he was loosing."
"Well, I still say I know who did it, but you won't listen to me." Quark said bitterly.
"Well, goody for them. They get away scott free and you are at a loss." Odo said sarcastically. "Now, you just watch your step or I won't close you down temporarily like the duck person did. I'll close you down permenently."
Odo walked off and Quark mumbles, "I bet you would to, you sorry excuse for a humanoid."
"Quark." Tom tried to get his attention. "If I do this, how much will you pay me."
"Thomas Riker!" A familiar voice called out.
"I've heard that voice before." Tom mumbled, then turn towards the voice. "Mrs. Troi, this is a surprise."
"I bet it is! Who do you think you are not coming to the wedding of the century!" Lwaxana chided.
"Now it looks like its your turn." Quark whispered to Tom. "If you don't mind, I'm going to attend to my customers."
"Oh, and leave me alone with her?" Tom whined as Quark walked away.
"I heard that!" Lwaxana continued to scold. "You still haven't told me why you missed Will and Deanna's wedding. He's your brother you know."
"Who married the woman I love and wanted first!"
"You don't know that. You were separated by a weird thing a ma jiggy. What was it called?"
"A transporter malfunction."
"Oh, yes. That was it. You really shouldn't be fighting with him on such a joyous occasion. It was a beautiful wedding, too."
"I'm sure it was. Now if you don't mind, Mrs. Troi, I have things to do."
"Like what? Sit here and get drunk, like you usually do?"
"I have sat at other places." Tom replied.
"Be that as it may, you need to make amends with your brother."
"I'm not stepping one foot on the Titan." Tom said. "Bar keep. I'll have another shot of whiskey. Oh, hell. Just bring me the bottle."
"Coming right up and don't call me bar keep!" Quark replied. "Its a better establishment than that."
"What ever happen to the customer is always right?" Tom asked.
"It went out with the Rules of Aquisition." Quark smarted.
"Really! Don't bring him that! He doesn't need it!" Lwaxana informed Quark.
"Really? And are you paying me to keep the bottle from him?"
"Why should I?" Lwaxana smarted.
"Good! Because I never do business with women anyway." Quark stated. "They should be at home and naked. Keeps them in their place!"
"Really!" Lwaxana was now insulted. She leaned over the bar and grabbed him by the collar. "I'll have you know, you toad face Ferengi!"
"Madame, please!" Quark squirmed.
"I am the daughter of the fifth house of Betazed! Holder."
"Let him go, Lwaxana!" Odo walked back into the bar.
"He insulted me!" She informed Odo.
"I'm not surprised. What else is new?" Odo said disgrunted.
Tom just sat and drunk his drink. Ignoring all that had happened. "Don't look at me. I'm just sitting here, minding my own business."
"Yes. I can see that." Odo replied.
"Aren't you going to do something about this, this frog!" Lwaxana asked.
"Yes. In due time." Odo said flatly. "Quark, you can't run a business by insulting the customers."
"She's a woman."
"So, that shouldn't make a difference if you want money." Odo replied.
"The 94th rule of acquistition states Females and finances don't mix. In this case, she was taking a customer from me."
"I'm sure she had her reasons. Still that's no reason to insult her."
"Well, you know as well as I do she gets on people's nerves." Quark tried to defend himself.
"I do not!" Lwaxana exclaimed.
"Quark! You can stop now or I'll have to close you down!" Odo threatened.
"OK, but only if you remove her from the premises."
"For now." Odo agreed. "Let's go, Lwaxana. I'm sure we can find a higher class of people around here some where."
"Well, I never!" Lwaxana stated.
"Yes, you're probably right." Odo agreed.
"I'll be back and you better be sober, Thomas!"
"Lwaxana, I hate to say this, but Captain Sisko is wanting to talk to you." Odo informed her as he escorted her out of the Promenade.
"What for?" Lwaxana asked suspiciously.
"He seems to have a problem with you harassing customers. Last time you were here you were giving everyone problems."
"I was not!" Lwaxana stated indignantly. "I was only performing my ambassadorial duties."
"Yes, so you have said."
Lwaxana pulled away from Odo's grasp. "Odo, I see no reason why you should be escorting me to see Captain Sego as though I were a common criminal!"
"Yes." He replied in a frustrated manner. "And it's Sisko."
"Whatever." She said. She pulled away from him as he tried to grab her by the wrist again. "Unhand me! I can walk to his office by myself! I've been there enough times, that I know where it is!"
She proceeded to Sisko's office. "Honestly, Odo, I don't see why you are treating me this way!"
"Oh, I don't know." He replied. "You insult Quark, bothered his customer, and made your presence well known in the Promenade."
"Really! That customer is a relative of mine! I wasn't doing anything a well meaning relative would not have done."
"I see." Odo replied with no further comment.
They arrived at Sisko's office door and Odo rang the chime. "Come in." Sisko said while he was seated at his desk looking out into space. He turned his chair around as they entered.
"Mrs. Troi, have a seat."
"I'd rather stand." She stated defiantly.
Sisko shrugged. "Suit yourself. Mrs. Troi, why are you bothering guests in the Promenade?"
"He was not just any guest, he is a relative of mine."
Sisko nodded. "Yes, Captain Riker's twin so to speak."
"You could say that."
"So, why the scene?"
"Well, one, that troll was bothering me and two, Thomas has been estranged from my son-in-law and daughter for almost a year now. I haven't seen him in ages. I think I have every right to be upset that he has not even spoken to me since gods know when."
"Mrs. Troi, I don't have to tell you what could happen if you cause an interstellar incident."
"Oh, please!" She said brushing his comment aside. "Quack would never press charges against me, because he is a two face toad face troll and he knows it!"
"Mrs. Troi!" Sisko tried to use his most threatening voice.
"Oh alright. I'll try to be nicer to the troll."
"Starting with calling him Quark." Odo ordered.
"Quark?" Lwaxana asked trying to sound naive about the Ferengi's true name.
"Lwaxana!"
"Alright. Quack, ah Quark it is."
"Now." Sisko began. "If you can restrain yourself, you may enjoy our space station like any other guest. If not, we will have to make you stay in your quarters for your safety until the next Federation ship heading for Betazed arrives. Is that clear?"
"You are telling a daughter of the Fifth House how to conduct herself?"
"I am." Sisko nodded and his features were starting to take on an ominous tone.
"You, you can't do that!" Lwaxana tried to get a hold of herself. She could sense he was dead serious. "I am Lwaxana Troi. Daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed!"
"Yeah, yeah." Sisko waved her off as she continued.
"Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix."
"Odo, take her out here."
"Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed!" She said louder as Odo guided her out of Sisko's office.
"Yes, we know the spiel, Lwaxana. You can stop now. He's quit listening." Odo informed her.
"How dare he!"
"He dares."
"Odo." Lwaxana's featured softened so much that she looked as if she could cry. "Am I an ogress?"
Even his feature almost softened when he heard her questions and the tone of her voice. "No, not an ogress."
"Then why are Captains so cold to me?"
"Maybe overbearing at times."
"Overbearing?"
"Well, that might not be quite the right word, but you are not an ogress."
She patted him on his shoulder. "Thank you, Odo. You have been a big help."
She started to walk away from Odo. "Lwaxana?"
She turned around. "I know I probably shouldn't ask this, but could we have dinner together tonight?"
"Oh, Odo." She said cheerfully. "Now that's the Odo I have come to love. See? I don't care what anyone says. You do have a soft side to you."
"Yes. Well, don't tell anyone."
"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
"So, is that supposed to be a yes?" He asked.
"Of course. How about 1800 hours. You can pick me up at my quarters."
"I'll be there."
Lwaxana left Odo to return to her quarters, or at least that was what she tried to appear to be doing.
Quark’s place had four aspects to it… Number one was the bar – a place to drink and be merry or drink and drown your sorrows. He didn’t care as long as you ordered and paid for drinks. Number two was the dabo table. Play and loose money that was Quark’s aim for his patrons. Three was the holo suites. As long as you paid what you did up there was up to you. Finally, there was the dining area, the one place that had a slight sheen of respectability. Federation and Civilian patronized it for the chef was good. Quark didn’t care as long as you paid.
This evening Odo escorted Lwaxana to the dining area of Quark’s place.
"I’m still mad at you." She informed her escort.
"Uh huh." Odo read the menu.
Lwaxana studied her surrounds and spotted the start of trouble. She grimaced.
"I saw that." Odo still studied the menu.
She snapped up hers. "I’ll have the Baron Rothschild 2020."
That got Odo’s at tension. "2020?"
"2020." She was emphatic. "I’ll pay if it’s too much."
"It is too much – but I will pay."
"HA!" She grinned at him.
Odo returned to the menu, wondering why oh why had he not just stayed in his office and ordered Bejoran take away. Ah well so much for what may have been. He griped the menu for dear life and prepared to face the evening with this formidable woman.
The wine arrived. "Are you going to stare at that menu all night?" She sipped the wine and instantly cried out. "By thunder! What is this swill?!"
Odo dropped the menu and attempted to silence her. "Lwaxana, please!" He whispered as the other patrons turned towards their table.
"Then you try this and tell me that this is Baron Rothschild 2020." She hissed.
He did but his reaction was different. This was Romulan Ale. Banned Romulan Ale. Some how Quark not only had the contraband but it had got mixed up with the regular vintage. He hailed the waiter.
Once before them Odo gave instructions. "This wine is bad. Please bring another bottle."
"Sorry sir, madam." The waiter scuttled away to make things right.
For the rest of the dinner, Odo barely heard a word that his date said. Located where they were he could see Riker but the man could not see him. And what Odo saw had him preoccupied not only with the Romulan Ale that had come his way, but also with the manner that Tom Riker, Quark and that Romulan were in a constant tet-a-tet. He was sure that they were up to no good. At first Odo had assumed that the pointed ears meant Vulcan but with Ale popping up like that he was convinced that the man was Romulan.
He needed to end this dinner and go investigate those three. Something was happing tonight.
Odo had taken on a human appearance and by and large he emulated the human condition fairly well. There were moments, however when his attempts to act human failed. Tonight was one such time. He’d ended his dinner ‘date’ with the formidable Mrs. Troi, escorted her to her quarters in record time and was off in search of Quark.
Odo had no brain to read, Lwaxana, however didn’t need a mind. Odo was up to something and she Lwaxana Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed was not one to be just brushed aside no matter what the reason. She resolved to find out what was suddenly so important!
No sooner had Odo delivered her to her quarters, than she was out again.
She followed him at a discrete distance, thorough the promenade deck, past docking bay after docking bay, winding through passage after passage and finally she was lost. She couldn’t afford to lose sight of Odo now.
Odo for his part had headed for Quark’s Bar but had spotted him and Tom leaving so he just walked by and followed them. So intent was he at following them that he never noticed that he too was being followed.
Tom and Quark led the ‘audience’ to a remote cargo bay. Bay 101 a place hardly used even during the War with Cardassia or with the Dominion, making it perfect for what they had in mind.
The Romulan stepped forward. “You have the Ladinum?”
“You have the Ale?” Tom echoed the tone.
The Romulan placed a bottle on the crate between them. “A sample.”
As Quark reached for the bottle it began to glow then grow and finally it morphed into Odo.
“I hate when he does that.” Quark confessed.
“Quark you and your colleagues are under arrest.” Odo announced.
“By you and which army?” Tom challenged.
The Romulan has been stepping away. Odo eventually noticed. “Not so fast.” He prepared to reach for his prisoner. The man shot and every one scattered for cover.
Quark for all his bravado was not armed and was content to cower in a corner. Tom on the other hand was a former Maquis and was always prepared. Odo was Station Security, he had to be armed and so a three way shooting range emerged.
The Romulan began to make his way towards an exit that went past Tom. Lwaxana spotted him and shouted “TOM LOOK OUT!”
The fact that there was someone else there was matched by the horror that the witness was a woman. The fact that it was Lwaxana Troi was too much for the men to absorb.
The Romulan trained his weapon on her. Tom spotted the action and stepped between them. Odo also saw the action and he aimed at the Romulan. They both fired at the same time.
“Captain! We have weapons fire in…” Kira paused she couldn’t believe what she was reading. “… in cargo bay 101.”
Sisko did a double take. “Did you say 101?”
“I did.”
He sighed. “Take a team down there and find out what’s happening.”
“Aye sir.” She tapped her communication to call on the Constabulary as she headed for the elevator and was gone.
Will and Deanna had gotten word that Tom had been fatally wounded. They had also received brief details on how he was wounded. They had the Titan change coordinates and headed straight for DS9.
They were currently docking at the station and ready to disembark from the Titan. Lwaxana greeted them at the docking gate.
"Mother, are you alright?" Deanna asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, but I'm afraid Tom may not be."
"What happened?" Will asked.
"I'm afraid it was my fault." She replied. "If I hadn't distracted him, maybe he would not have been hit in his chest. Doctor Bashir is working hard to save his life, but he is not sure if he can.
I don't know what the extent of his injuries are."
"Mother, I'm sure you didn't mean for him to get hurt. I really don't think it was you fault." Deanna replied.
"If he wasn't into something he shouldn't be into this would not have happened." Will stated.
"He was working with a Romulan." Lwaxana replied.
"A Romulan?" Deanna asked with disbelief.
"And Quack."
"Quack?" Will asked. "Don't you mean Quark?"
"Oh, yes. That's it."
Will didn't look too happy. "Well, let's go to Sickbay and see what Doctor Bashir has to say about his condition when he's done working on him."
They left the docking area and headed for Sickbay. As they walked they continued to discuss Tom.
"From what I could get from his mind." Lwaxana began. "He was going to smuggle Romulan Ale for Quack."
"Romulan Ale?" Deanna's question was more of an exclamation more than a question; she let the mispronunciation of Quark's name pass. "That's illegal!"
"Anyway, one of those fake Vulcan's was going to meet with him in some storage area."
They ignored her fake Vulcan comment.
"I followed Odo, trying to not be spotted and when we reached the storage area, Odo tried to talk to the fake Vulcan.
The man was not about to talk to him and firing broke out. The pointed ear creep shot at Odo and Odo transformed. I saw Tom and yelled. He looked at me and was hit square in the chest."
Lwaxana looked as though she could cry. "He could die and it's all my fault! I shouldn't have followed Odo."
"I'm sure it was not all your fault." Will addressed his mother-inlaw.
It did not stop the tears that came to her eyes and she began to weep. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I only wanted to warn him."
"Mother, it's alright. It was an accident."
They finally reached Sickbay and notified someone that they were there. The Nurse agreed to let Bashir know they were there the first opportunity she got to tell him. Bashir was still working on Tom.
Hours seemed to go by before Bashir came out of the operating theatre. He approached them immediately.
"It will be a while before he is conscious." Bashir informed them. "He'll need his rest, but I'll let you visit briefly when he comes to."
"How is he?" Will asked with concern.
"I'm afraid, I had to give him an artificial heart." Bashir informed them. "His own heart was too badly damaged from the phaser wound. He'll be here for a while until he fully recovers.
Then he'll have to go through some rehab also to get back his strength."
"I see." Will replied. "In the meantime, is there anything we can do to help?"
"Just be there for him as much as you can." Bashir replied. "When he wakes up, he'll be very sore."
Another hour past, as they had to wait Will took the time to inform their father.
Tom finally woke up from the surgery. As she had promised the nurse came out and informed them. "He's awake now. A bit groggy and weak, but you can see him for ten minutes."
"Thank you." Will replied.
They went into where Tom was recovering from surgery. He laid there, half awake and half asleep.
"Tom?" Deanna tried to get his attention.
"Deanna?" He said breathless and weak.
"Yes and Will and Mother are here too."
"I'm sorry."
"What the hell were you thinking trying to pull off an illegal heist and with a Ferengi and Romulan at that?" Will asked. Anger was in his voice.
"Trying to make a living." He said breathlessly.
"How stupid can you be?" Will asked.
"Will." Deanna began. "I don't think now is the time."
"I'm sorry." Tom said again.
"For what?" Will asked. "Pulling another stupid stunt?"
"No." Came his airy response. "For. Our. Last."
"Will, I think we need to let him rest." Deanna stated.
"No." Tom said. "I. Must. Say this. Before. I die."
His words were laboured and came with great effort.
"You aren't going to die." Lwaxana stated. "The doctor expects you to recover."
"I. Didn't. Mean. To." Tom continued.
"Oh, let me help." Lwaxana said with what sounded like frustration.
"You need to save your strength."
Tom would have laughed if he felt better, but even that took too much effort.
"He wants to make amends with you two." Lwaxana informed. "He wants to apologize for missing the wedding and wants to give his blessing to you two."
"Something. Like. That." He said with great effort. "Take. Care. Of. Her, Will."
Will was shocked. He did not know how to react or respond. "I accept your apology and I will take care of her."
"Thank you." Came his breathy reply.
"Time's up." The nurse said as she poked her head in the door.
"The patient needs his rest."
Will, Deanna, and Lwaxana nodded.
"I'll see you again, when I can." Will said. "Do as the doctor says. If I know you, you'll try and get out of here as fast as you can and before the doctor ok's it."
"I'm. Not. Going. Anywhere." Tom replied.
The three departed, leaving Tom to rest.
"I guess we'll be here a few days." Deanna informed her mother.
"What about you?"
"I plan on staying here for a few more days. I want to see how Tom does."
"I understand." Will replied.
It was a week later and Tom Riker was ready to be transported to the nearest medical star base for rehabilitation. He was on his way to recovery, but still a little weak.
The Titan was going to transport him to Medical Star Base Fifty-Four.
Will was a little anxious about transporting his brother, but at the same time he wanted to spend time catching up on each other's lives. Somehow, Will had a feeling that Tom's life in the last few months was very interesting to say the least.
"No, alcohol or even synthohol." Doctor Bashir informed Tom.
"You can't afford the effects on your new heart while you are healing."
"Damn, no whiskey sours?" Tom quipped jovially.
"No." Bashir did not think his question was funny at all. Bashir continued with the orders Tom needed to follow. "Now, you still need plenty of rest. No late nights playing poker."
"Guess you'll miss the weekly poker game we have." Will teased.
"Don't rub it in." Tom replied.
"I'll send all these instructions over to the Titan's doctor, plus any follow up you will need." Bashir informed Tom. "You will have to visit the doctor every day until you reach the Starbase.
"After that you will be in their hands."
"Understood." Tom hated to be the center of a doctor's attention, but he did not have much choice right now.
"Well, you're free to go whenever the Titan is ready for you." Bashir told him. "Take care of yourself and stay out of trouble."
"I always try." Tom replied.
Bashir left Tom, Will, and Deanna alone. "Tom." Will began. "I hate to be the barer of bad news, but as soon as it's medically feesible for you to be placed on trial, you will be tried for your crimes that have taken place recently. I don't know where they will take you from the starbase to be tried, but you will go from there as soon as the doctor clears you."
"I guessed that was the situation."
"I'm sorry, Tom." Will stated.
"Don't be. It's not your fault."
"No, but our argument was partly my fault."
"I think we have said everything we need to say." Tom said. "I just want to thank you for giving me a ride to the starbase and a second chance as your brother."
"I've given you more chances than that." Will stated jokingly.
Tom gave a weak laugh and regretted it. "Oh, don't make me laugh."
"Let's get out of here." Will suggested. One could hear happiness in his voice. Happiness that his brother was going to be alright.
Happiness that they had both finally made amends and most of all on speaking terms again.
Deanna and Will helped Tom off the biobed. Then they beamed over to the Titan's Sickbay.
When they arrived, Deanna finally spoke to Tom telepathically. It was just one sentence, but it spoke volumes to Tom. "Welcome home, Tom."
End
