Betazed, winding down the day.

[capt_will_riker]

::carefully dumps heavily marinated replicated chicken into pan, adding another sprinking of replicated oregano for merit

Comments

[wesleyrcrusher]

::coughs from position just inside open door, shoving hands into pockets::

Trying?

I just got here, and my good mood has already dropped a few notches.

Way to go, Counselor.

[dee_troi]

::stares ahead at capt_will_riker with wide eyes, taking in the devilish grin tugging at his lips::

::turns, slowly...afraid that the voice might be attached to a mere figment, one that might disappear instantly::

::claps a hand over mouth, eyes instantly and disobediently brimming as they take in the man propped against the door jam, a few years older and a bit huskier than last sight, but definitely real::

...

::strides forward, locking him in an iron clad hug, just in case::

Wesley Crusher! Where have you been?

[wesleyrcrusher]

::returns the grip, carefully...it may just be illusion caused by time and absence, but she seems thinner, more fragile::

Some places I couldn't tell you, and others I'm pretty sure you wouldn't believe.

I'll pick a few to talk about later.

::smiles down into her dark, wet eyes::

Right now, I'm just happy to be where I am. I hope you don't mind the intrusion, I guess I could have timed my visit better...

[dee_troi]

Don't be ridiculous.

You don't expect me to believe you've actually kept up with the time during your journeying, do you?

::shakes head, smiling at a memory...oh, the chaos he caused by suddenly appearing in the middle of the wedding rehearsal...Beverly was beside herself getting a uniform fitted for the actual ceremony::

::presses a brief kiss to his cheek, stepping back::

You're always welcome, Wesley.

[wesleyrcrusher]

That's good, since I don't think I have anywhere else to go.

::preempts any platitudes with a wave of hand::

Commander...Will...told me earlier. I'm fine. To be honest, I had already braced myself. I had been hearing bits here and there about the Borg virus and fighting whenever I popped back...enough to know it was bad.

I just couldn't bring myself to find out how personal.

[dee_troi]

::draws brows together...what a pitiful attempt at blowing off bad news and the emotional damage it's bound to have wreaked::

::carefully studies younger man's emotions...calm, but perhaps just too calm?::

::gives capt_will_riker a pointed look::

::I wish you had waited until I was here.::

::to wesleyrcrusher, offers another, comforting smile::

You have family in us, Wesley...Worf and Geordi as well. You should contact them.

And Captain Picard.

[capt_will_riker]

Leave him alone, Deanna. He knows.

::looks beyond guest to other figure hovering just outside door::

Barin? Since Wes is going to be staying with us, I assume you won't mind helping him settle in?

...and no all night holo-sims. I imagine he could do some catching up on sleep.

[wesleyrcrusher]

::nods to Enterprise's former counselor, pretending not to notice her tightly pursed lips and defensive hunch::

I should. I will, soon. I thought I'd get pointers from you on how to approach him first.

::returns ginger smile as barin_troi steps further into kitchen::

::look to capt_will_riker, giving him a slight smirk::

Okay, Dad. Only one round of Proton.

[capt_will_riker]

::raises brows as two boys walk past and out of room, before turning back to face wife...and see how much trouble mouth has put self in::

They should restrict Paris' communiques home to family. His additions to those games are taking over.

[dee_troi]

Really, Will.

::moves to clear table, earlier mood quite dissolved::

You just dislike the man on principle.

[capt_will_riker]

Right.

::moves to help, for brownie points if nothing else::

The principle that hereditary entitlement has no place in Starfleet.

I thought he annoyed you too.

[dee_troi]

::nearly pulls an eye roll:

I was referring to other principles, o self-righteous one.

::smiles..that shut his mouth::

But for valid reason. Not only was he a horrible patient back when I had him after Caldik Prime, for a while I could hardly keep up with all the referrals he was causing to have sent my way...broken hearts everywhere. Completely disgusting.

And I shouldn't be talking to you about this.

[capt_will_riker]

I doubt he cares.

::starts cleaning food from oven, dumping it in pan for whatever stray might wander by the next day::

I guess getting a dog is out of the question now...

If it makes you feel less guilty, I looked into a couple of Barin's programs...just checking, you understand. There are a few new characters. One is a very buxom brunette with black eyes. Stuck up prude.

::twists as heavy cup clatters to table again, watching companion head for doorway to nearby office::

Where are you going?

[dee_troi]

To claim his comm time next uplink.

I intend to make Thomas Eugene Paris cry.

::pauses, looking back::

Purely in the interests of emotional cleansing, of course.

[capt_will_riker]

Of course.

::feels brief sympathy for the fellow despite::

::watches dee_troi slip completely out of sight before returning attention to task...and gaze to the view across Lake El-Nar::

::tries not to feel too bitter...the charade of normalcy lasted longer than expected, and it isn't Deanna's fault things are the way they are...that she's the way she is::

::doesn't make the wind blowing in any warmer, though::