Prologue... Beverly briskly entered Deep Space Nine's Sickbay and halted posthaste when she saw Thomas through the large window of the private room. He held Deanna's small hand in his larger one intently watching her lying on the bio bed surrounded by medical staff. Beverly knew, from past experience with both Thomas and Will, what he was doing. She never professed to fully understand the connection the Riker men, including the youngest Riker male, had with Deanna, especially the one Thomas and Deanna shared. Somehow it was different; stronger yet more delicate and undeniably more intense. It was akin to watching a volcanic lava eruption that never ceased flowing; it simply continued to grow in strength. Deanna was on her side curled up in the fetal position facing Thomas. She was fast asleep with the aid of medication while he was sitting in a chair beside his Imzadi, with an utterly desolate look on his face. He looked like he had aged 10 years when in reality it'd only been 12 hours since she'd last seen him. She quietly set her bag down and walked over to him, reaching out she touched his shoulder. He didn't flinch; he simply looked up at her with bloodshot blue eyes, shock still written upon his handsome features. The compassion and understanding in Beverly's eyes was his undoing. Thomas Riker, the man, reached out for her, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Like a wounded child he rested his head on her stomach and tried to control his tears. When she reached down and tenderly stroked his head she heard Thomas' breathing catch. She knelt down and enfolded her arms around his shoulders as he buried his head on her shoulder. Beverly felt him inhale deeply, trying to control his emotions, but it was a losing battle, his tears started to fall. Knowing Thomas wouldn't want an audience to see his breakdown she looked over her shoulder at the nurse and gave a knowing nod. The young nurse ushered the medical staff out, closed the curtains and shut the doors behind. Without a word Beverly sighed and stayed where she was holding her friend and letting him cry as she began to shed tears of her own. Chapter One It just hasn't been the same without Deanna these past agonizingly slow four plus weeks Riker thought to himself as he sat in the morning's briefing. He was reminded, in her absence, what a steadying calming factor she was to not only him but also the rest of his crew as well as many other inhabitants of the DS9 station. He sighed, `I can't wait `til she gets back. I can't wait to touch her, to kiss her, to make love to her. I'm getting tired of only having her pillow to smell when I go to bed.' He thought. Finally the meeting adjourned and Thomas, having 'requested', not that he needed to request, the next three days off, chose to get his hair and beard trimmed as well as make an effort to clean up his quarters before his beautiful Betazoid arrived back home to him. Thomas returned to his quarters, ordered up a steaming cup of hot coffee from the replicator and sat down at his desk. He saw there was an incoming message from Betazed. `What timing,' God how he ached to hold her in his arms again, to inhale and bask in her scent that lingered on him while he went through his day. There were times, that after he'd showered he'd purposefully get his wife aroused, pull her up onto his torso, grab her hips and rub her heated, soaking wet, sweet smelling core all over his chest just so he could smell her throughout his day. He'd also done it before away missions at times simply to have a physical part of her with him for a day. That, coupled with her mental brushes would make him smile; at times groan, which drew looks if done too loud and he'd smile unashamedly. He was not one to shy away from his erotic side; in fact he thrived on it. There too were times that same combination would backfire on him and force him to seek out privacy so he could ease his overwhelming need for her. The advantage and drawback, if one could even call it a drawback, of being intimately involved and mentally connected to a Betazoid, he wouldn't have it any other way. He smiled at the woman staring back at him. He took note that she was still at the Troi mansion and not on a transport back to the DS9 but chose not to comment just yet as to why, thinking she would explain in due time. "Hello Love." His thick baritone voice stated tenderly. "Hello yourself." she answered back. Even though she tried to hide it she was not in a good mood. She was in a downright foul mood that was for sure. "How are you beautiful?" He drawled. Deanna sighed, "I'm fine Thomas." But she clearly was not fine. Thomas frowned and forgetting he was going to wait for her to bring up the explanation he spoke, "So what's going on? Why are you still on Betazed when you should be on a transport back to DS9 and back to me?" he asked curtly. "Because Captain," she stated sarcastically, "the particular transport I was to be on had some sort of mechanical failure problems and the next one won't be until late tomorrow evening." She sighed heavily once again. "I'm sorry Thomas." Tears welled up in her eyes. "But at least mother will be happy that I'm here a little while longer." She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand and forced a smile. Thomas' throat knotted hard and he put his hand on the screen as if to touch her face. "Sssh, baby don't cry. I can't bear to see you cry. Everything will work out just fine. Come on now keep your chin up. It's not like it's the end of the universe Deanna." He stated calmly. "But Thomas, tonight, tomorrow and the day after were supposed to be our days." She let the next several tears fall down her flushed cheeks. "This was supposed to be the first time we've spent your birthday together as a couple. Not just as friends but as a couple and now it's all ruined. And I know you requested time off for today as well as the following two days and it's just ruined." "It's not ruined." Thomas attempted to soothe Deanna's frustration. "Let me see if I can still get you back here later tonight Imzadi. I'll find you an available something, be it federation, private or whatever. Wait for me to contact you back." Thomas paused and gave her his trademark Riker grin. "Oh and Deanna it's just another day honestly you know that don't you? Any day shared with you is a special day to me." "You're right Thomas any day together is a special day, but did you make any plans on your end for us?" She asked somewhat pensively. "Don't have a plan of attack as of yet love. I thought perhaps we might throw caution to the wind, wing it a little and see what * comes up *." He smirked at his comment thinking it was smart. Deanna chose to ignore it. "So Captain Riker, I guess it really doesn't matter if you try to find me a transport back home or not since there aren't any plans!" she retorted vehemently. "How's Little William?" `Good God what a shitty, shitty mood.' He thought as he spoke, almost whispering her name as he leaned toward the screen, "Deanna." He paused and remained calm speaking softly, "Of course it matters and he's with the O'Brien's playing with Molly, he's excited that he's going to spend the next few days with them." His bright blue eyes twinkled and a smile crossed his face. "Throwing caution to the wind doesn't necessarily mean I don't have any ideas," he smirked. "I have lots of wonderful ideas." His voice became a low husky growl as he leaned closer yet to the screen. "Most of them only need you and me alone with chocolate and strawberry ice cream." He chuckled hoping to get a positive response from her but only received a halfhearted smile. "Oh Thomas." "Now hold on and let me see what I can do to get you back here tonight. Stay right where you are I'll be back with you shortly." He placed two fingers to his lips and then touched the screen with them and with that he disengaged the link and set to work on finding alternate transportation for one upset, frustrated Betazoid. CHAPTER TWO It'd been four hours since he'd found Deanna new traveling arrangements. It wasn't hard to find with all his connections legitimate and otherwise. She was now well on her way back home, however she wouldn't arrive tonight as planned but early the next morning. He'd busied himself with cleaning his quarters and rearranging several items making extra space, space for Deanna to put some of her things if she wished. He'd even spoken to one of DS9's engineers about his idea of expanding his quarters with Deanna's but hadn't quite been able to accomplish it before her return. He wanted Deanna to just move in with him when she came aboard as DS9's resident counselor but she opted to have her own quarters for the time being, even when he'd practically begged her not to. Although she spent ninety percent of her time in his quarters he did understand her need to be alone at times and although certain specific people knew him and Deanna were together, they also opted, for the time being, to keep their relationship, specifically their marriage, private. However the gossip mill would run rampant at the slightest morsel of rumor regarding the SID Captain and the station's resident counselor. So he'd keep the expansion idea tucked away from Deanna for the time being. He was getting anxious, weeks without her making him more so. The sound of his computer terminal brought him out of his thoughts, an incoming message. He knew who it was from; he'd been waiting for it. She'd told him she'd contact him once they were well on their way. Her beautiful face filled the screen. "Hello Imzadi." Deanna smiled. "Hi yourself, how are the traveling arrangements? Agreeing with you? Meet with your approval? Up to your standards?" He lowered his voice before he spoke again. "Imzadi I can't wait for you to be home." Deanna was remarkably more relaxed and she let out a dainty laugh. Thomas' grin went from ear to ear, "It's good to hear you laugh." She leaned into the screen "I'm sorry about earlier Imzadi. I was and still am just frustrated and a little aggravated that I'm not going to be curled up with you tonight. Four and a half weeks is four weeks too long to be without you." "I'm a little frustrated about that myself but I've been taking it out on my quarters by cleaning them." He was proud of himself and smiled. "Don't be alarmed when you get here and think you're in the wrong quarters. I've picked up all my dirty socks and made the bed." He let out a small chuckle and once again leaned into the view screen, his voice low rough with desire. "Deanna, we can make up for you not being in my bed tonight by staying in our bed all day tomorrow if you so desire. Your wish will be my command for the next two days." Either she'd ignored or completely missed the infinitesimal point he'd made with the mere change of one word. "We can't stay in bed all day Thomas. Tomorrow is your birthday and we have to celebrate." Deanna countered him. "I told you, it's just another day, we don't have to celebrate." "Don't be ridiculous. We have them, so we need to celebrate them." "What do you have in mind? Since obviously my ideas are no longer at the forefront of your mind." "Umm, I thought maybe we'd go to dinner either on the Promenade or a bit more romantic in the Holodeck, take a walk along a sandy beach at dusk, go dancing and then end up in bed." she purred seductively as her finger slid up and down the screen. "Why don't we just start in bed and skip everything else? We could replicate dinner in." he growled in a husky voice. "You are shameless and oh so bad Thomas Riker," she whispered. "Oh, Imzadi, I'm not bad. If you want bad, I'll give you ba..." "Thomas, I have to go, someone else needs to use this," Deanna interrupted. "Wait Deanna, one more thing before you go. Silk, Chocolate, Carmel, whipped cream, strawberries and ... "Oh, Gods, Thomas, you're insufferable!" "Ashau du nuh'," Thomas laughed as the link was disconnected. ((((Love you too.)))) CHAPTER THREE "Computer time." "0237 hours." "Damn time is moving slow." He sat down at his desk, picked up an old-fashioned pen and paper and leaned back in his chair closing his eyes to think. Since sleep was eluding him, he thought he'd occupy his time doing something romantic while Deanna was still on her way back home to him. Thomas Riker wasn't prone to writing poetry until one Betazoid raven- haired beauty entered his life. His attempts seemed doomed to failure in his opinion. He could count on both hands and feet how many he'd written and tossed away over the years, except for those he'd written while imprisoned. He could count on one hand how many he'd written and stashed away near a small velvet green box and he could count on one finger how many he'd written and had taken away. He sat at his desk writing a few lines and either scratched them out or wadded the paper up and threw it onto the floor. He kept writing and writing. His mind overflowed with words and phrases. He seemed a bit awed by his mind's ability to do so. You leaned over and you kissed me I felt my knees go weak You leaned over and you kissed me I couldn't even speak You leaned over and you kissed me With passion flowing free You leaned over and you kissed me A touch so soft and tender You leaned over and you kissed me With the fire no kiss should lack You leaned over and you kissed me My soul you did explore You leaned over and you kissed me Lover, kiss me so much more! "Aaghh, that's horrible." He wadded it up and threw it on the floor. "I'll never get this right before she gets back." He mumbled to himself. He pressed pen to paper once again. You Are My Poetry You whisper verbs in my breath Kiss the corners of my smile Touch the depth of my heartbeat And breathe my poetry. You trace the echo of my hunger Sign the curves of my skin Take my desires as your own And inspire my verses. You linger soft where I need you Never tremble receiving my loving Adorn my life with your beauty And have become my poetry. `Good thing the replicator can make paper.' He thought as one more paper wad went flying through the air and landed haphazardly upon the couch. His once orderly room had become a mass of white wadded paper balls. `How can she like this dribble?' Just then the glint in his eyes became just as wicked as the smile on his face and he started writing once again. Deanna Dear for one night I want you to be my call girl Coming around in that just right do me now outfit Standing at my door in black spike heels and stockings waiting to entertain me I want to unwrap you by candle light Slowly, like a very special package delivered just for me Letting me take my time, not tearing any paper as I lift your shirt above your waist Sitting you in a chair by the viewport Pity no one can catch a glimpse As I part your legs and you arch your back Showing me your urgent need, pleading with me to lick With leisure, as it holds my favorite flavor You want me kneeling before you, naked I see Nibbling at your passion flower with my teeth Around the edges of your silk panties Caressing your petals with my chin and nose Savoring the fragrance while our eyes gently close Not content with this petting for long The urge to strong Like a cat kneading, you can't help but purr While I remove, smiling up at you, your silken panties I spread your lips like sweet sweet honey Using my fingers to start the flow While you're watching down at me As you raise them to my mouth, offering a taste Begging me to tell you what I want I say please, I will do anything you ask Being at your mercy, submitting to your hunger For the moment is my task to see your whole body smile With the pleasures my heart and body have to offer. "What a fantastic birthday gift that would be!" He stated excitedly as he chuckled and proceeded to peruse over that which he'd just written and set it aside on the desk willing his body to power down. "Riker you horny bastard damn good thing Deanna will be home today. You really do need to get laid or take a very cold shower." He shook his head, closed his eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. "Ok Riker let's get it right this time." With evidence entered, I kiss your perfect face Moist from busy dreaming Your scent marks me Your fingerprints, My pen dipping in you, on point, Extracting, gliding us With even strokes Into the night's ink Write me across the pages of your universe in passages transcribed upon the stars for you have read the poetry of my soul in Braille upon my skin and you have woven your words with mine across the seven seas sailed between Polaris and Orion. Speak my name into the wind in syllables that drip from your tongue with nectar licked from the very tips of my fingers under the spell of daybreak chanted on the breaths between whispers spoken by beating hearts. Carve our initials on the backside of the moon and throw a kiss into the slipstream for it to rain on me at twilight and I will throw it back to you before the night sets in so you can drink the passion that flows from the inscription of your name upon my lips. Thomas reread his words and smiled satisfactorily, "Perfect. Not the greatest but still perfect." He laid it back down on his desk next to his written fantasy and tapped his comm badge. "Riker to Bridge," He stood, walked to his bedroom striping off his clothing, leaving them where they fell and he laid his well-formed, large naked frame spread eagle on his bed relaxing in the warmth. His quarters were several degrees warmer than most of the station due to his wife and son and their need to keep it warmer for their liking. It was a trivial thing he'd readily accepted and gotten quite used to. "Yes Sir?" "Please inform me when the Corvallen Freighter arrives to docking port. It should be within the next hour or so. Counselor Troi is on that ship." "Aye Sir." "Computer time?" "0647 hours." `Good, just over an hour before she arrives. I'll just take a small cat nap,' he thought. He'd finally gotten tired and sleep overtook him in mere moments. CHAPTER FOUR "Bridge to Captain Riker," The unseen voice waited moments and having gotten no reply stated once again. "Bridge to Captain Riker." Riker awoke with a start and replied groggily. "Riker here." "Sir you requested to be informed when the Corvallen Freighter arrived. It's in docking port three as we speak." "Yes, thank you, Riker out." Thomas sat up grabbed his pants and shoes put them on and stood to fasten his pants. Grabbing the white t-shirt he'd discarded earlier in the living area he put it on as he walked out his door and headed towards docking port three. He ran his hand through his long dark hair without so much as a thought about how that had enhanced his already slightly disheveled appearance, "Riker to docking port three?" "Captain?" "Has Counselor Troi debarked yet?" "No Sir." "Good wait until my arrival to do so." "Aye Sir." Riker entered the room and gave the order to open the port doors. `Gods I can't wait to touch her.' Ensign Michaels observed and took note of the tousled appearance of SID's Commanding Officer. Something he'd have to add to the Riker/Troi rumor mill. 'Couldn't wait to see Counselor Troi; that much is obvious,' Michaels snorted quietly as Riker briefly looked at him and spoke abruptly. "Open the doors." Riker stood tall and watched as his vision of beauty named Deanna Troi stood before his weary eyes. He grinned as she demurely stepped through the door, walked to him, dropped her bag at his feet and spoke seductively as she wrapped her slender arms around his neck and curl a finger in his hair. "It's so good to see and touch you again Imzadi." Thomas Riker had the biggest smile she'd ever seen on his face. He was no longer fatigued. Ensign Michaels began making mental notes; the very large smile on Riker's face and what could be made out to be smoldering desire in his eyes. The kiss Troi placed on Riker's neck and then on his lips. 'This is great stuff. I can't wait to tell Sorenson and Bellows about this. They aren't going to believe it. Captain Riker did have a softer side and was evidently not a prick all the time.' Suddenly Deanna felt his arms slip around her waist and she was pulled against a solid chest and a very hard something else as Thomas began nuzzling her neck. Then he lifted his head, placed his mouth on hers and his tongue delved deep into her mouth. She pressed herself into his frame until he had to back them against the wall or fall over. "Deanna," he gasped seductively in her mouth. "Oh, God, I missed you so much." Thomas was making quick work of kissing her again and roaming his hands through her hair, over her breasts, her back and ass entirely oblivious of his surroundings. Before the couple went any further however they abruptly stopped upon hearing Ensign Michaels clear his throat rather loudly. Realizing where they were Thomas lifted his head, pushed slightly away from Deanna, sheepishly grinned at the smiling yet slightly embarrassed Ensign and shrugged nonchalantly. Thomas grabbed Deanna's hand as he reached down for her bag. Strategically placing it in front of him he made a beeline for the door and left the room hastily virtually dragging Deanna in tow. "Where are we going?" She asked innocently. "To bed," he responded wolfishly. "Why? Are you tired Thomas?" Deanna giggled. "No Deanna I'm not tired, I'm horny as hell and I'm going to fuck you so long and hard you won't be able to walk straight for a week." He growled indifferent to who might have heard the old terrain slang profanity which Thomas Riker was known to use on a regular basis. Ensign Michaels laughed as he heard the verbal transaction before the doors closed and shook his head. He tucked away the tidbit of information he'd just been witness to, knowing that several people in the Riker/Troi betting pool were going to win a lot of credits later that day including him. Once they arrived at the door, Thomas picked Deanna up, walked into the cabin straight to the bedroom and set her down beside the bed "How was your trip?" He tossed her bag aside. She reached up and kissed his neck as he made swift work of unbuttoning her blouse, pulling it off and unhooking her bra tossing them all on the floor. "A bit bumpy at times but otherwise satisfactory," Deanna muttered as she lifted his white t- shirt over his head and threw it on the floor next to hers. She undid his pants and pushed them down "I didn't get much rest at all." She stated as she kicked off her shoes and Thomas lowered her skirt along with her slinky little panties. "Mmm beautiful as ever Imzadi," He growled as his hands slowly caressed her now nude hips, thighs and ass. "Kupi-sarlah nash-veh yeht i' Imzadi," ((((I could come right now, Imzadi.))))Thomas toed off his boots and pulled his pants the rest of the way off. "I think I got forty-five minutes of sleep or so early this morning love." Quirking an eyebrow Deanna quipped, "Practicing your Vulcan I see. Let's not teach our son that phrase just yet," she was looking down at his body admiring the view. "Thomas?" "Yea?" He was grinning down at her when she looked up at his face. "You don't have any underwear on." She quipped. Thomas leaned down and kissed Deanna soundly on the mouth as he picked her up and laid her in the middle of the bed. "I didn't feel the need to put them on this morning sweetheart, just one extra thing to be removed." "Do you go commando often Imzadi. Or is this something new since I've been away?" She asked smiling. "I suppose that's something you'll just have to figure out on your own my dear." Thomas stated as he reclaimed her mouth in a bruising kiss. "Make love with me Thomas, now, please!" She reached up and pulled him down onto her. She guided him to her and ever so slowly he slid himself inside of her as he watched love wash across her face. "I've missed you so much Deanna. So very much that I don't think I'll last very long." "Then don't Imzadi, just love me please." He smiled at her, "With pleasure my love." CHAPTER FIVE Two hours later when Deanna opened her eyes, she was looking at old fashioned photographs. Although she found it a bit odd to have old fashioned style pictures, she smiled none the less as she recognized the first picture as one from their first official date as a reestablished couple. Thomas had taken her to the Holodeck for a picnic and he had recreated the Janaran Falls; the first place they'd ever made love and learned each other's bodies, minds and souls. The second picture was of Thomas and his, now their, son Little William after Thomas had discovered and rescued him from Cardassia Prime, the third was of her and Little Will on the smallest, newest Riker's recently established birthday and the fourth picture was of young William as a baby; a picture that Thomas' Romulan ally had given him and Thomas cherished it above all others since he'd not known of his son until he was almost two and a half years old. Thomas had put the photographs in beautiful wooden frames that resembled the logs on the Riker Log Cabin home in Alaska and they sat prominently on the bed stand next to his oversized bed, a bed she realized, the first time she'd shared it with her lover, fit his large, muscular body perfectly yet seemed to dwarf hers. Deanna smiled, turned in Thomas' arms and kissed him, waking him and their lovemaking began anew. After hours of love making, Deanna again began to awaken with a feeling of euphoria. "Mmm," she purred as she snuggled deeper into her pillow. She ran her right hand over the covering, surprised that it felt so good as rough as it was. She tried to move her legs and found that she couldn't. Still almost asleep, she opened her eyes to see not a pillow, but a nice soft, furry chest. She moved her head slightly and planted several kisses on it. She heard a low long growl and tilted her head up to look into her husband's face. Her eyes widened like saucers when she finally realized that it in fact was not a dream, it was real, and she was at last, after four and a half weeks, in Thomas Riker's arms. "Good morning Imzadi. So very glad you're home." He whispered huskily. Deanna tried to move but realized she couldn't as her legs were entwined with Thomas' larger ones. He pulled her tighter to him possessively and matter of factually stated, "Mine." Before he started to quietly snore, Deanna giggled and allowed herself to also fall back asleep in her Imzadi's arms after giving him a peck on the chin and answering him, "Yes, yours, always will be yours." CHAPTER SIX He hadn't slept well for weeks and was making good on his notion of staying in bed all day thus far. It was eleven twenty-seven hours and Thomas lay on his back still groggy from sleep with Deanna on her side pressed against him. Her arm was across his chest, her leg draped over his thighs and her head nuzzled into his neck, sound asleep after they'd made passionate love for the third time since she'd gotten back that morning. He chuckled as he remembered the conversation that lead up to their third love making session. Thomas was glad he'd had Little William spend time with the O'Brien's. William enjoyed spending time with their daughter Molly. "Happy Birthday, Captain Riker and I love you Imzadi." She'd said sleepily. "And I love you too Imzadi. Now rest. Go back to sleep." "I don't want to sleep. What I want is to make love with you," she purred and crawled on top of him, straddling him. He could tell she was already stimulated and it didn't take him but a few seconds to become aroused by her. "Deanna, you're exhausted. You can't possibly have the energy to have me pounding inside of you, again," But Deanna wouldn't take no for an answer and he loved what she was doing to him. He wanted her, and he wanted her now and it appeared that she craved the very same thing. "Make love to me, Riker. Make love to me! We've been apart for so long. I don't want to be apart any more. I want to be with you, I want to feel you inside me again. Thomas, love me now please." He chuckled once again at the memory as he settled himself. "You're going to wear me out my love." He whispered into his sleeping lover's hair as he faded off into oblivion once again hugging her tighter to him as he did so. Less than a half-hour later the couple awakened simultaneously, "Dax to Captain Riker." A half-asleep Captain, stretched, reached for his communicator and responded groggily, "Riker here." "Thomas I've been buzzing your door for the past five minutes. Is everything all right, I need to talk to you." Jadzia's voice was filled with lilt. Thomas grumbled and answered gruffly, "Everything's fine. Is this something that can wait Jadzia?" He looked over at Deanna and watched her shrug to his unasked question. "No Thomas, I'm afraid it can't. Besides what are you still sleeping for anyway? It's thirteen hundred hours for crying out loud. Are you feeling all right?" She could barely contain her mirth. She knew he wasn't alone, knowing by his voice that she'd awoken him and hadn't broken up a private party of two. "I'm Fine, give me a minute," He growled as he dislodged himself from Deanna and got out of bed. He proceeded out of the bedroom and grumpily headed for the door when Deanna's voice stopped him. "Oh Thomas?" she was trying to stifle a giggle as she stared at him. The tall, tired, disheveled man stopped and turned to face her. "What?" he stated a bit more sharply than he'd planned and Deanna broke out into laughter. "Why are you laughing Deanna?" he whined. She pointed at him and he shook his head, "WHAT?" "Thomas, you might try putting on some clothes before you answer the door or you'll give Jadzia a very large shock." Thomas looked down, grumbled, walked over to a chair and grabbed the pair of pants he'd tossed aside earlier that morning and put them on. "There, more presentable sweetheart?" "Oh yes, much." Deanna continued to giggle as she got out of bed, found her robe and followed him into the living area sitting down on the sofa. She knew what was coming for her Imzadi, she'd spoken with Jadzia about it a week prior and she was excited to see his reaction to the little surprise. He opened the door and jumped back two or three steps from the shock of a dozen young school children, including his three year old, yelling "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, happy birthday to YOU!" They were holding a banner in front of them as they sang to him and for Jadzia's part she could barely withhold her own excitement. Thomas quickly turned and shot a quick glare to Deanna behind him, pinning her with his big blue eyes clearly asking `Did you know about this?' And then he turned back to Jadzia with a `I'll get you for this' look before he allowed himself to smile and say thank you to the children for the Birthday well wishes and the banner they had made for him. After they'd all wished him a happy birthday, his son looked up at his very, very large father and began to speak. "D..d...daadaayy, w..ww..wweee ha..a..aava burffffaaadaayy ..." the dimple chinned, black haired, blue eyed, charming pointed eared, Riker toddler put two of his fingers, from his dominant left hand, in his mouth for a moment before he finished. Noting he was nervous in front of his classmates, making his child's speech impediment more prominent, Thomas dropped down to his eye level, placed his hands on his son's arms, great pride emanating from him for the Riker determination his three year old had swiftly developed in the short six months he'd been with his father. "Hal_tor fi' Sa_Fu, Du kup tor..." Thomas paused as he couldn't translate the last word so he spoke it in Earth Standard. "...it." ((((Go on Son, You can do it.)))) Thomas made sure he spoke to his half Human/half Vulcan son in Vulcan as often as he could, together along with Deanna, they were learning the language and the latter was teaching both her Riker men the Betazoid language as well. Deanna had placed a halt on too many other languages Thomas had knowledge of. Not so much because it would be too much for the lad but because most of the words weren't the most appropriate of words to be teaching a small boy of three. Little William reached out and cupped his small hands on either side of his father's face, nodded, smiled back and spoke with more conviction. "Aaaafff..fff...ffffaaa c...c...ccooool weee, ummm havvv...aaa burrrfffffffaaadaayy ppp..ppp..pppaattt...ttt...tttaa fff..fff...fff..fffoo uuuu Dddaadddayy, uuummm Maa..maann..maaann..mmanaa S..s..s..sissk...k...koooo saaaay w...w..wweee ccc..cccaaana doooo bbbbyyyy bigggaaa wi...wi...winooows on p..p..prooromaaaadddaaa, cc...cc..ccaannnaa uuuu cc..cc.cccomeeee p..p..puuueeezzz dd...dd...ddaaddayy? W..w..w..wwweee g...g...goonnnaaaa hhhaaavvvaaa c...c..cccake aaaa...aaaann um iiiiiccc ceeeeeeemmmm fff..fff..fffoooo uuuuu ddd...ddd..dddaaddaayy, ppp...ppp...pppuueeeeze ccc...ccc...cccuuummm." Thomas could feel Deanna's aching desire to want to help their son with the struggles that he was dealing with and it too broke Thomas' heart to see his lovely little boy struggle and suffer, if he could take it all away and upon himself he would do it in a nanosecond. Watching and hearing his son struggle simply fueled Thomas' rage and disgust for the entire Cardassian race and quite frankly the most important reason of them all to hate the Cardassians was what they'd done to his baby boy. One day, the charming lad would overcome all of his problems and be the stronger and wiser for it. Thomas' eyes were soft and he had a very large grin on his face as he nodded his head yes and placed a hand on William's shoulder. "You are having a party for me?" He was truly surprised. "Why William, I'd be delighted and honored to attend. What time shall I be there my boy?" He wrapped his arms around his son as the younger Riker looked up at Jadzia for the answer. "Sixteen hundred hours would be wonderful Captain." Jadzia winked at her friend. "Very good, we'll see you then." The children smiled and said goodbye, luckily young William hadn't seen Deanna, as Thomas stood in the doorway watching them walk down the hallway. He then turned around to see Deanna on her feet backpedaling away from him, giggling as she did so. "You knew about this didn't you?" He started to stalk her. "You're lucky your son didn't see you, you know." She simply nodded her head, laughed and started to run as he chased her around the cabin. By the time he was able to grab her and push her to the floor she was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. "Oh Gods Thomas, I thought you were going to fall over when the door opened and they yelled happy birthday. I wish I could have seen the look on your face." "Ah a payback is in order here I do believe." He flipped Deanna onto her back, untied her robe and proceeded to tickle her mercilessly. CHAPTER SEVEN He'd felt a bit awkward and tense at the start of the party but as it wore on he'd become more relaxed about the idea. Even more so after Deanna wrapped her arms around one of his and told him that it was good practice being around more than just one child every now and again, she'd stated smiling up at him. His response to her comment was to lean over and kiss her without a care as to where he was. He looked around a bit sheepishly afterward and saw numerous very wide smiles on some of the crew's faces. It was clear to him that they'd suddenly gone very public with their relationship. Thomas had laughed with the children as he blew out the candles of his trombone shaped cake and again when he'd opened the several gifts the kids had made in their art classes for him. He enjoyed watching as the children started to become more at ease around him just as he had with them. Riker had taken great care in speaking with each child individually and thanking them for thinking of him on such a special day. The adults took delight in Thomas' shocked look when several of the children even approached the larger than life SID Captain and blindsided him by giving him a hug. For Thomas' part he actually enjoyed himself immensely and had almost decided to forgive Jadzia and Deanna, but not entirely. Thomas smiled even more and his heart swelled with so much love when his son had decided to take five minutes out of his play time to hug and kiss his mother and then climb into Thomas' lap, cup his cheeks in his tiny hands as he often did and plant a sloppy kiss on his daddy's cheek, and whispered in his ear, "H...hhh...hhhappp...pp..pppaaa Burfffddd..ddd..ddday ddd...ddd..dddaaaddd..ddd...dddy. Mmmeeee lllooovvvvv uuuuuu." Thomas hugged his little boy tightly, kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, loud enough for Deanna to hear as well, that he loved him. "Taluhk nash-veh k'dular." With that the boy, with eyes that matched his own, scrambled from his lap and scurried off to play once again. The party had finally wound down. The parents ushered their children off the Promenade and Thomas finally leaned back in a chair after he graciously thanked all the children, teachers and parents who'd made such an effort to show him he was appreciated. He was toying with one of his gifts, a miniature black head with two big blobs of blue where the eyes should be protruding from it and he chuckled at the irony of it all. "Well Captain Riker, that was certainly enjoyable and entertaining." Commander Sisko smiled as he sat next to Riker and grabbed the black head out of Thomas' hands and held it up next to Riker's head. "Why Thomas, I'd say the likeness is simply incredible, simply incredible indeed. What do you think Kira?" "The resemblance is remarkably uncanny." Kira chimed in as she placed drinks at the table in front of both officers as well as three more beverages. Thomas shook his head and chuckled. "Dontcha think the eyes are a bit big?" Before both had a chance to respond Daniel, Vatican, Deanna and Jadzia approached the table and sat down with their drinks. Thomas eyed the two women respectively and waggled his finger at them. "Don't think you're off the hook ladies." Jadzia scoffed and snickered, as did Deanna. "Oh Thomas, you can't honestly say you didn't have a good time? The children were absolutely adorable and wonderful." Jadzia looked at Thomas, "You know Thomas your son; dare I say he's quite the little charmer just like his daddy and his uncle. I wonder, is his grandpapa Riker as much of a charmer as his offspring?" Thomas groused slight at the mention of Kyle then merely nodded and smiled. "Alright Deanna, yes I had a good time and yes the kids were great. But this doesn't mean it's open season on Riker." He stated gruffly and took a stiff drink of his beverage and pulled the glass away from his mouth in surprise. "This is delicious and ... real." Kira simply patted Thomas on the back, "For a special occasion." He smiled up at her, "Thank you Kira." "Happy Birthday Captain," She smiled and as she leaned back in her chair. CHAPTER EIGHT They'd been talking and drinking for several hours and to everyone, but Jadzia and Daniel's surprise, Deanna had pulled her chair close to Thomas and cozied up to him about two minutes after she'd sat down at the table. Thomas, for his part ponied up closer to Deanna as well. Close enough to where they were in constant body contact, whether it was an arm, leg, fingers or lips. At one point Thomas leaned over to give Deanna a soft kiss on her cheek but ended up lips to lips when she turned toward him at the same time. Thomas delved his tongue into Deanna's mouth and deepened the kiss letting it linger longer than initially planned. "Ashayam," he murmured. ((((Beloved.)))) Thomas was starting to think how fitting it would be to start giving some payback to Deanna under the table with his roving paw. Then he thought the wiser of it knowing it would simply inflame him as well, but he did take a small liberty now and again and Deanna would squirm, try to hide a gasp or a sigh amusing him all the more as he ran his hand up between her legs and gently rubbed her core through her dress; he knew she wasn't wearing any panties under her little black dress and it turned his crank. He'd asked her to go without them, prior to leaving his quarters, as a small birthday gift to him and she'd agreed to give him that. The more Riker drank the more open in his public displays of affection in regard to Deanna became. Every so often he'd pick up her hand and kiss it or rub it on his cheek. Periodically he'd place his arm around her shoulders and hug her to him, smile directly at her and wink. Often times he'd reach under the table and knowingly squeeze her knee or thigh or take his hand and run it seductively up as far on her leg as he could without getting hit while having a huge schoolboy grin plastered on his face. They'd exchange knowing glances from time to time not truly caring if anyone saw. Besides it wasn't like their relationship was a secret now. Not after the way they'd behaved in docking port three that morning anyway. Riker realized that it would be station wide knowledge that he and the station's counselor where now very intimately involved with each other and were officially off the market. They hadn't broadcast their marriage so it wasn't common knowledge and those that did know weren't prone to divulging said information at the behest of Deanna and Thomas. The couple thought it would be safer for the time being due to the nature of Thomas' job. Now Thomas didn't know why he'd kept it on the down low in the first place. She was after all his best friend, wife, lover, a mother to his son and future children but most importantly his Imzadi and he was to the point of not caring if the entire universe knew. Other than the fact of keeping Deanna safe from any so called enemies of Thomas', there was no other reason to keep it a secret. By twenty-two hundred hours The Promenade started to get busier with the nightlife. Thomas stood rather unsteadily; everyone at the table knew he was more than slightly buzzed and tipsy from the alcohol. Daniel started to offer his assistance to Thomas but was waved off by a rather animated arm motion from his commanding officer. "Nooo Daaaanieeeeelllll, I'mmm fahhine. Beeeessssides I neeeed to essscorrrt Deannnnaaa hommme." He paused and then stage whispered. "I think she'sss aaa liaatte tiiiired annnn drrrruuunk." Thomas slurred and felt the room spin slightly as he stood behind Deanna's chair, waiting for her to stand. They said their goodnights and headed down the hall. Thomas leaned his large frame rather heavily against Deanna and draped his arm possessively over her shoulders and she wrapped her arm around his waist, every bit the poster couple of Deep Space Nine as they made their exit. "Well this evening's Riker Troi display will ignite the betting pools and you can bet he'll have one hell of a hangover tomorrow that's for sure." Jadzia snickered as she took another drink. Daniel chimed in. "Yeah maybe one of them should go away more often, it'll make life less painful on the rest of us when whichever one comes back home." "Cheers to that." Sisko said as he lifted his glass. Once they rounded the corner; Thomas stopped, leaned against the wall in a small recess and whirled Deanna into his arms and planted a long, hard, wet kiss on her lips. "Mmm I love youuuuuuuuuuu Deeeeeeaaaaaaaannnnnnaaaaaaaa Rrrrrrriiikerrrrr" He slurred. "Mmm youuu feeeeel sooooo gooooood." He lowered his head again and caught her lips in a bruising kiss. He ran his hands through her hair and down her shoulders then cupped her breasts in his large hands, kneading them and worrying her nipples between finger and thumb as she groaned at the pleasure he was sending through her body. Even drunk Thomas knew how to electrify her body and bring it to life, thrilling her to her very core. Deanna pulled away with an audible smack and smiled up at her Imzadi. "I love you too Thomas. Now come on let's get you home and to bed." Thomas grinned like a little boy waiting for a cookie, "Nnnnnnowwww that'ssssssss annnnnnnnnn offffferrr I caaann't reeeefffuuuuuuusssssssssssse. I'm allllllllll yuuurs mmm'lady. Lead the wayyy." Deanna quirked an eyebrow at him and smiled. The walk to his quarters was made in comparative silence as Deanna tried to keep Thomas upright. He was more intoxicated than she had originally thought. "Come on Captain you need to be in bed. You need to sleep it off big fella." Thomas grunted as she punched in his access code, grabbed his arm and led him through his door, through the living area and into the bedroom. She pushed him down onto the edge of the bed. "Take your clothes off Imzadi you'll be more comfortable." Deanna started to walk away but he grabbed her wrist. "Aren't weeee jusss thhhe demandinnnnnnnnn sssssoooort t'night Deeannnnnaaaaaaaa. Youuu gonnnnaaa taaaaake yuuuur clothessss offff annnnn giiiittt comfyyy withhh meeeeeeee? I promissse I'lllllll beeeeeeeee aaaaaa goood boyyy." He paused, "I'll beeeeeeeeee aaaaaaa vaarrry vaarrrryyy gooood boyyy. At leeeeassssst thasss whuuut myy woooomannn sayyysss." He yanked on her wrist drawing her to and on top of him as he fell back with her onto the bed. "Youuu arrre myyy wooomannn arrrrrrrennn'ttttt youuu Deeeee?" He asked in a low, thick baritone voice as his hands pushed her dress up and began rubbing her bare ass and sliding his thick digits between her legs sliding them along her clit and over her pussy. "IIIIII'mmmmmmmmmmm glllllaaaaaaaaaddddddddd youuuuuuuuuu diiiiiidnnnnnnn't weaaaaaaarrrrrr paaaaaaaannnnnnnnttttttttttiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeessssssssss. MMMMM yuurrrrrrrrr alllllllll wettttttttttt Immmmmmzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaadiiiiiiii, youuuu neeeed a gooood fuuuuuukkkkkkiiiiiiinnnnnnn. Youuu havvve aaa greaaat assss haaasss anyone evvverrr tolllld youuu thaaat?" "Don't be silly. You know the answer to that question." Deanna took a deep breath to steady herself. "Tooo whaaat queeeestion? Thhhe niccce assss, nneeeeeeeeeed aaaaaaaaa goooooooood fuuuuuuukkkkkkkiiinn or thaaat yourrre miiinne?" He drawled. "That I'm yours Thomas. Of course I'm yours don't be ridiculous." She attempted to extricate herself from her lover but was unsuccessful. Regardless of his rather inebriated state he was still extremely strong and seemed to have enormously long octopus arms. "Prrrrrove it tooo meee then Dee, prrrrrove it tooo meee." He nuzzled into her neck. "Oooh I loooooove how yuuur hair smellssssssss." "Thomas you're drunk." "Yuuu haaavvve aaa waaay of statin thhheee obviousss Couuunseeeelor. But I'm nooottt drunnnk nnufff not tooo satisfyyyy myyyy Immmzadi." He had an evil glint in his eyes that matched the grin on his face as he brought his damp fingers up to his lips and licked them off. "MMMMMMMM ssssssssooooooooo gooooooood." Deanna relished being wrapped in his strong arms and being crushed up against his solid body. He was making a good case for himself. "I tell you what my husband, you get undressed and if you're still awake when I get back you can show me just how good you can be. I'll just be a few minutes I promise." "OooKaa." He released her and she helped him sit up and he started to disrobe. Deanna went into the bathroom and when she came out she smiled as Thomas was sprawled half on and half off the bed sleeping and snoring ever so quietly. He had one boot and sock off, his shirt off but still clutched in his right hand and his pants were unzipped and halfway down his broad sexy hips. She giggled at the sight and she finished taking the remainder of his clothing off, pushed his large body onto the bed then crawled in beside him, kissing him before laying her head on his chest and wrapping her arm around him. "Happy Birthday Imzadi may all your wishes come true. Sweet dreams my love." CHAPTER NINE Thomas awoke suddenly in the middle of the night bolting upright in bed. His head hurt like hell. His heart was nearly pounding through his chest, adrenaline pumping hard through his veins and he was drenched in sweat. "Deanna." He gasped hoarsely as he waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He looked around taking in his surroundings and suddenly realized what he'd just experienced wasn't real, none of it was real. It was simply a nightmare, the same damned nightmare. He looked to the woman next to him hoping like hell she wasn't coherent to live the nightmare with him and he lay back down. He turned to face her inhaling her scent as he did so. Thankful he hadn't awoken her, he reached out to touch her. Needing the reassurance that she was in fact with him and breathing. He caressed her cheek and ran a gentle hand through her hair then leaned in and placed a soft feather light kiss on her lips. "Thank God." He whispered. "I don't know what I'd ever do without you." He willed his body to release the tension, it refused to relax and he didn't want to wake her so he slowly got out of bed and somewhat unsteadily headed for the bathroom. A nice hot shower would do the trick he thought. He shivered uncontrollably but he wasn't sure if it was from the Station's night air that cooled the sheen of sweat that covered his skin or from her voice that cut through the starlit room. "Imzadi, what's wrong? What is it?" Deanna was awake and she'd felt his despair and terror. Thomas' muscles tensed and he silently cursed as he turned and met her gaze. They simply stared at each other for what seemed like hours. He damned himself for waking her and he tried to hide his rampant emotions from her. His voice was hoarse and it cracked as he spoke. "Nothing's wrong. I'm sorry Deanna. I didn't mean to wake you up. Please go back to sleep. I'm just going to take a shower. I'll be back before long." Deanna didn't believe it was nothing. She'd heard and felt his very raw almost deathly worry for her. He closed his eyes to center himself knowing she was going to come to him. He could hear the sheets move on the bed as she got out of it. He braced himself for the gentle assault he knew he couldn't withstand. "Thomas, what is it? What's wrong?" Her fingers brushed lightly against his defined chest up to his cheeks to the back of his neck then along sweat-streaked shoulders and down his tension-ridden chest once again then stopped to rest on his hips. "Talk to me Imzadi." "It's nothing really." Thomas winced at her feather like touch. "Please, just go back to bed." "No Thomas. It's not nothing." She spoke ever so gently but firmly. "I don't accept that, especially when it's about me." Thomas tilted his head; shot her a narrow glance and pushed hers hands off his hips. "What? How?" Anger sparked momentarily behind his eyes, "Stay out of my head Deanna," he grated. "Thomas, you can't be serious." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly to her. "I heard you call my name and I felt distress when I heard it." He still didn't relax so she ran her hands up and across his smooth muscled back up to his shoulders along his neck and then cupped his jaw in both hands forcing him to look straight into her eyes. "What was it, Imzadi?" Blue eyes stared defiantly into onyx. He didn't want to answer her. He didn't want to worry her with nothing but a simple nightmare. After all that was what it was a silly little nightmare. He'd had it several times before and each time it became more real than any other he'd ever had. He didn't want to alarm her. "It was nothing really Deanna just a silly dream. Probably something to do with all the drinks I had earlier." He smiled at her. "What was your nightmare about?" she asked insistently. Thomas was dumbfounded, "I didn't say it was a nightmare." "You didn't have to I knew it was." She hugged him again. "Please talk to me Thomas. What has you so distraught?" Thomas grabbed Deanna's arms to release her hold on him and walked her to the bed. He sat down on the edge pulling her along with him. He kept one of her hands clasped firmly in his and he sighed heavily before he spoke. "I've been having this reoccurring nightmare." "For how long?" "Since about a week after you left and every time I have it, well it seems to become more real."
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