More Than a Lifetime #5: Return to Normal

Chapter 1

The turbolift halted, and the doors opened, revealing ship's counselor Deanna Troi, who had been waiting patiently for the lift to arrive.

"Goodmorning, Deanna," said Will Riker, who was already occupying the lift..

"Will - goodmorning," Troi said, stepping into the lift and joining the commander. "You're just the person I wanted to see."

"Really?" Will asked. The lift doors slid shut, and Deanna instructed it to go to the bridge, Will's destination as well. "What can I do for you?" Will asked.

"Well, it's about Dani," Deanna revealed, with some degree of caution in her voice.

"What about her?" Will inquired, caution creeping into his own voice.

"I've been fielding some concerns about her serving aboard the Enterprise," Deanna said.

Will looked at her, puzzled. Why would anyone be concerned about Dani Janeway, Will wondered silently. He already knew the answer, though. He didn't even know why he was trying to pretend like he didn't. He had a feeling he knew the exact words that were going to come from the counselor's lips.

Deanna continued, answering Will's unasked question. "People are concerned about her relationship with Dukat."

"She no longer has a relationship with Dukat," Will said, immediately tensing at the subject of conversation. He knew it. Dani's relationship - former relationship - with the infamous Cardassian was going to be a hot topic for weeks, perhaps months, to come. It had all ended almost a year ago, with the execution of the former gul by the Romulans, and Dani had moved on, apparently. She and Will had resumed their romantic relationship three months ago during one of his visits to Deep Space Nine. They were together again, just like the old days. Despite the fact that Dani was leaving DS9 having served Starfleet to the best of her abilities, and one rank higher to show for it, he and Dani both knew that her past relationship with Dukat would be all that a lot of people saw for a long time to come. It wasn't something that was just going to go away. That much was obvious, given the fact that Dukat had died almost a year ago, and people were still talking about him and Dani.

Deanna had expected the automatic defense that Will projected regarding Dani, and she understood his need to do so. But it didn't change the fact that there were people on board the Enterprise who didn't want Dani there. "Regardless, they're questioning her loyalty to Starfleet," she said.

"That's absurd," Will said. "Dani's as true to Starfleet and the Federation as you and I are."

"I know that, but many don't." Deanna didn't like being the bearer of a lot of unpleasant news, especially on a day when she knew Will was excited, but there was more that he needed to be aware of concerning the crew's attitude toward Dani Janeway. "People are also concerned that she's going to be on the receiving end of some special treatment," Deanna added hesitantly.

"Special treatment?" Will couldn't believe his ears. "Computer, halt turbolift." The lift came to a complete stop. Will turned to Deanna. It wasn't enough that Dani would have to deal with the backlash of her relationship with Dukat, was it? She would also have to deal with the backlash of being her. He didn't know why it was so hard for people to accept that the daughter of Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay could come up through the ranks and prosper without the help of "connections". "Who exactly has been coming to you with these 'concerns'?" Will asked. It came out more harshly than he'd intended, especially since he knew Deanna was only doing her job by informing him. He knew she hated it as much as he did. She knew Dani, too.

"A significant number of officers," was Deanna's calm reply. "There are a lot of people who don't want Dani on this ship, Will."

Hearing her say the words Will had known were true was hard. How could people hate so much the woman he'd come to adore? He merely turned to the turbolift doors and said, "That's unfortunate." Dani didn't deserve this kind of reception, he thought. All she'd ever wanted to do was be a good officer. "They don't even know her," Will said quietly. "But I don't have time to go and personally talk to every officer on this ship who has a problem with Dani Janeway."