NEW:COMMAND DECS 8&9/13 [PG] TNG (R/T, P/C)
Micaela
through as html, not text format. If anyone was unable to read COMMAND
DECISIONS 1-7, please e-mail me privately and I will send them to you.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thanks.
Micaela
Title: COMMAND DECISIONS An IMZADI Story
Author: Micaela (Counsel...@yahoo.com)
Series: TNG
Part: NEW
Rating: PG for mild language and love scenes
Codes: R/T, little P/C romance
Summary: The story takes place immediately following "INSURRECTION".
The crew of the Enterprise have had some
life-changing experiences during the Ba'ku mission. They now have to
come to terms with them and make decisions on where
their lives will take them now.
This is my FIRST attempt to write ANYTHING, so please be kind and keep
this in mind as you read it.
Disclaimer: As always, all disclaimers concerning the characters
belonging to Paramount apply. The plot and storyline,
however, belong to me. I make no profit from this work.
Warnings: NONE
COMMAND DECISIONS chapter 8 "THE BIG DAY" Haven't we waited forever
for this? I know I have. Enjoy!!!
The following morning began with a rush of activity. Data was putting
the final touches on his wedding discourse. Mr. Homn
had arrived and set up the ancient Betazed Gong of Appreciation and the
Sacred Chalice in Ten Forward where the reception
would be held. Lwaxana and her attendants arrived at the ceremony site
with the flowers from Betazed - exotic blooms from
the Jalara Jungle itself. Geordi had made sure that the holodeck
program was in perfect working order before donning his
formal dress uniform. He would be escorting Chandra as an honor
attendant down the aisle. His white smile was brilliant
against his ebony skin. He pinned the lavender rose onto his lapel as
he gave himself one final inspection before heading back
to Holodeck 3.
Will had finished all of his duties as of yet. He had placed a small
table beside the area they would occupy during the joining.
On it he put a large candle of remembrance two long stemmed white roses
and one small white rosebud, and three small holos
- one each of his mother, Deanna's father and Deanna's sister Kestra .
Deanna wanted a special moment during the ceremony
dedicated to their memory. Will thought it was touching and said he
would take care of it. He had given Deanna's matching
platinum wedding band to Picard for safe keeping. All of the details
had been handled. There was nothing left for him to do
but wait until the big moment arrived. He spent the remainder of that
time pacing around until he had made all those with him -
Data, Geordi, Jean-Luc and his father Kyle tired and nervous. They told
him to relax. He explained that he was not nervous -
just anxious. In just a few short minutes, he would see the completion
of a life long dream - he and Deanna would be joined in
marriage. He asked the time and paced once more.
In her quarters, Deanna was putting the final touches to her hair. She
was breathtaking. Her gown consisted of a white satin
halter style bodice that cut low in the back sitting atop a full skirt
of silk tulle. The gown was heavy with silver beadwork and
encrusted with crystals, clear sequins and pearls. The train was short
and sweeping. The neckline of the gown set off the
jewelry piece her mother had given her the night before. She wore silk
stockings and white satin pumps. Instead of a veil, she
chose a hairpiece crafted of the white gauze headband that was
traditionally worn by Betazoid brides. It was the same
headband that she had made so many years ago when she was to marry Will
the first time. Her memory drifted back to then
and ran through many of the times they had shared in the ensuing years.
They had changed so much and their love had grown
so strong and deep. The feelings did not even resemble what they were
back then. The emotions were richer - with more
depth. This was an everlasting love. Deanna's mind came back to the
present as she surveyed those around her. Beverly
wore a sleeveless sheath dress done in a merlot color satin. The
neckline of the dress contained a faceted beaded fringe that
cascaded and sparkled as the light danced off the cut crystals.
Chandra's dress was identical in design but was a dusky shade
of lavender. The pastel tone accented Chandra's pale hair and coloring,
while the deep shade of Bev's gown highlighted her
features. Lwaxana had decided to yield to Deanna's wishes as she chose
a simple deep purple evening suit. It was not the time
for one of her outlandish, garish styles. She looked tasteful and
elegant. The colors made her skin glow and she was radiant
with her daughter's happiness. As the moment approached, they gathered
their bouquets of white lilies, merlot colored roses
and tiny lavender buds and made the final adjustments. Deanna placed
the handkerchief that Bev had given her in her hand
beneath the flowers. They all shared one last embrace. Deanna had
asked her mother to stand in for her late father and escort
her down the aisle. As Lwaxana prepared to "give her away", she
projected to her daughter <Your father would be so proud
if he could be here with you right now. Are you ready, Little One? I
can sense William's anxiety>. < I have never been more
ready for anything in my life, Mother. Shall we?> They shared one last
hug as they walked down the aisle.
Will was breathless when he caught sight of his Imzadi. The waves of
emotion emanating from him could not dammed up. His
intense blue eyes were shimmering with tears as Deanna approached him.
Lwaxana gave her daughter one final kiss on the
cheek before handing her over to Will and stepping aside. Deanna and
Will were oblivious to anything around them as they
were captured in this truly perfect moment. Their hearts were speaking
to one another as Data proceeded with his short
discourse. The time came for them to light the 'remembrance candle' and
have a silent moment dedicated to the memory of
their late loved ones. They repeated their vows to one another as tears
fell softly down Deanna's face. Before the kiss,
however, there would be one more act of symbolism. Lwaxana stepped
forward holding a heavy silken cord. This was the
Betazoid Act of Joining. It was only performed when two true IMZADI
were being wed to each other. This would be the final
link of their IMZADI bond. This would completely connect them for
eternity. Lwaxana instructed then to face one another
and join hands. They were then to close their eyes and clear their
minds. All barriers were to be eradicated. As their minds
and souls opened completely to each other - they were forever sealed as
one. It was a most unique bond. The total sensation
of being a part of another's essence was almost overwhelming. As Will
and Deanna opened their eyes and looked at each
other, Lwaxana wrapped the cord around their intertwined hands as a
symbol of the Joining of the Souls. Data looked at them
and said, "By the authority conferred upon me by the United Federation
of Planets, I now pronounce you - husband and wife.
You may kiss your bride." Will face split into the biggest smile as his
eyes crinkled up in delight, "Oh, I intended to do just
that!" he said as he took Deanna in his arms and fastened his parted
lips to hers. There had never been a more perfect kiss -
so sweet, so richly laced with forever. The crowd gathered had begun to
stifle their giggles as Will and Deanna lingered in the
kiss - they were so enraptured by the moment and each other that time
stood still for them. When they finally parted, the group
erupted into cheers and applause. The happy couple was showered with
flower petals thrown from the gathering of family and
friends as they headed to Ten Forward for the reception.
COMMAND DECISIONS chapter 9
The reception was indeed a celebration to remember. Guinan had outdone
herself. Champagne flowed freely from a
beautifully crafted crystal fountain. The wedding cake was a sinfully
rich CHOCOLATE creation that was decorated with the
fresh flowers from Betazed - tiny jungle blooms that resembled baby's
breath mixed with roses and greenery. A fine
assortment of delicacies from through the galaxy was served on the
buffet. Everyone was having a truly magnificent time.
After Will and Deanna shared the first dance to a soulful rendition of
"NightBird", Jean-Luc quieted the crowd as he stood on a
table to propose his toast. "I have never known anyone quite like
William and Deanna Troi Riker. They share a special bond
that I could never begin to understand. They have a found a flame of
undying love in one another after all these years. It goes
to show you that it is never too late," . At that he looked directly at
Beverly as he continues, "They are two of the finest people
that I have had the privilege of knowing and calling my friends. I wish
them an eternity of happiness - Cheers!!!" At that he
raised his glass as the crowd repeated "To Will and Deanna". Jean-Luc
began to speak once more, "I also have a special
wedding present that I would like to present to the happy couple now, if
I may. I have spoken to Starfleet Command and
made arrangements to fill in as Captain of the Enterprise, while Will
and Deanna enjoy one month of shore leave. I have a
honeymoon cottage on Risa reserved for two weeks as a gift to you. You
can decide together what to do for the remainder of
the time. You two have waited MUCH too long for this moment not to have
a proper honeymoon. Besides, every ship
needed a few little counselors and captains running around under foot -
you might as well get started right away." Shouts of
agreement rippled throughout the crowd as Deanna blushed and Will shook
Picard's hand vigorously in gratitude.
The time came for some of the sillier, however FUN, earth traditions.
Will lifted Deanna on to the bar. He hiked her
voluminous skirts up to reveal to tiny lace garter sitting on her silk
covered thigh. As sexy music played in the background, Will
run both his hands up her leg as he leaned in and grabbed the lace with
his teeth. The crown squealed as he worked his way
back down toward her ankle until the garter was free. He then turned
his back to the crowd and with a bit of the devil in his
eyes, he tossed it. The group of 'bachelors' parted to reveal a rather
sheepish looking Picard with a white lace garter sitting
atop his bald head. He looked at Will incredulously as he said, "Thanks
a lot Captain, it is just what I needed." At that he shot
a grin at a rather startled looking Dr. Crusher who returned the smile.
Deanna now stood up on the bar as Will supported her.
She slowly removed the white gauze headband from her raven locks. She
turned her back and tossed it over her shoulder -
right in to the waiting hands of her best friend, Beverly. The crowd
applauded as Deanna was helped back to the floor. She
strode over to Bev and said, "You remember what this means, don't you?
... The Betazoid tradition states that whoever catches
the bride's headband - the great love of their life is in attendance at
this gathering. That is how Will and I met, remember?"
Deanna winked as she looked in Captain Picard's direction and then back
at Beverly. "Yes, but look how long it took you
two." Bev teased. Dee replied, "Yes, but now I am Mrs. Captain William
Riker. YOU NEVER KNOW! You have one
month together here on the Enterprise, before he returns to his shore
leave - better make it good." They laughed together as
they headed off to grab the men for a dance.
The Rikers had decided to return to their quarters and begin the
honeymoon. They had much to do considering the surprise gift
from Jean-Luc of a real vacation. Arrangements had to be made and
luggage had to be packed. They were due at Risa in just
two days. As they strolled down the corridors, Will filled Deanna in on
Jean-Luc's experience on the Ba'ku planet and his
departure from Anij. His plans, however, to return to Earth and take up
a position with Command had surprised her a great
deal. She never pictured Jean-Luc Picard behind a desk. "It is where
he says he feels he can do the most good right now. He
seems comfortable with my command of the Enterprise and I think he has
some ideas of settling down for a while." Will told
her. She raised her eyebrows in a question, "BEVERLY?" Will nodded.
"I told him to tell her exactly how he feels. They
have wasted too much time already. Romance may be blossoming by the
time we return to the ship." Deanna hugged him
tightly and said, "I can't wait to see her face. She has missed him so
much and I know she loves him a great deal. I just hope
they don't screw it up with the notion of 'just being FRIENDS’." She
punched him in the side and she took off running the
remainder of the way to their doors with Will hot on her trail. As she
reached for the door entry, he shouted, "Oh no you
don't! I intended to carry my wife OVER the threshold!!!" At that he
scooped her up and entered the room. Deanna was
breathless once more. If the day itself had not been the most romantic
day possible, Will had arranged to have the cabin
decorated while they were at the reception. Jungle blooms rested in
various vases filling the quarters with an exotic scent.
Candles of every shape, size and color caressed the room in an ethereal
glow. The bed was adorned with silk sheets and
covered in rose petals. Soft, sensual music played in the background.
<IMZADI - did you do this? It is so BEAUTIFUL. I
... I think ... > her thoughts trailed off as muted tears fell from her
luminous eyes. "I know what you think, remember?" Will
said as he kissed her gently. She retired to the bathroom to don the
black lacy attire that Bev had given her the night before.
Will stripped off his formal uniform and tossed it into the closet. He
was standing nude by the nightstand pouring two glasses of
champagne as Deanna emerged. Her breath caught in her throat as she
gazed upon her husband. He had to be the most
handsome man ever. She drank in his image thirstily. His broad
shoulders, his strong thighs, his gentle hands, that sexy dark
spread of hair that covered his abdomen and descended into a 'v' just
below his waist ... she looked at his face. He held so
much love in his gorgeous azurine blue eyes. His smile that was so
white against the dark patch of his beard could make her
heart skip a beat. She longed to run her fingers through his soft thick
brown hair. And his true beauty was held inside - the
qualities of his heart and soul ... loyalty, devotion, commitment,
tenderness, passion, deep love and pride for his dear wife. No
words were needed as he came to her and held out a glass. She took it
and they made a silent toast - never taking their eyes
from each other. Will set the glasses aside as he lay Deanna back onto
the petal-covered bed. He slowly removed her
lingerie. As she lay there nude and her soul completely bare to him as
well, he worshipped every inch of her flesh with his eyes,
his hands, his mouth. Her skin warmed at his touch and flushed as
desire rose in her like roiling lava in an active volcano. Now
that the IMZADI link was complete, they felt what one another felt.
Their passions merging as never before. And as their
bodies were united in love, their souls were seamlessly melded as well.
Their essences become ONE. The feelings were
indescribable as the pleasures, both internal and external, came to a
climax. They lay together utterly spent and fully opened to
one another. There would be no more secrets, no more loneliness, no
more empty spaces inside. They filled each other totally
and could never be separate entities again.
TBC