Star Trek The Next Generation: Discovered

Chapter 5

Four Months Later...

"Yes, Picard, the appeals from your crew have gone through, as well as those from Betazed, but the Council's taking its time getting back to us with their decision."

"But, Admiral Osan, with all due respect, isn't three months a bit excessive for a decision of this kind?"

"Yes, Jean-Luc, it is, but I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, you must prepare the Enterprise to receive delegates from the Betazoid and Helikin people in the Dekan system. I needn't tell you of the importance of this trade agreement between these two peoples."

"Yes, Admiral, I understand. What exactly will our part be in this?"

"Your job, Captain, is to convince the Betazoid delegation to agree to this treaty."

"Very well, Admiral. We appreciate your assistance in this appeal."

The older Admiral nodded his head and the screen went blank.

"Commander Riker, I can't take it anymore, she's just not helping!"

"Lieutenant Benedict, please calm down."

"No offence, Commander, but how can I calm down when the woman, who's supposed to help me reduce my stress levels, is actually increasing them?"

"Ah, I take it your sessions with Counsellor Lepec are not going particularly well."

"That's putting it lightly, Commander." Answered the man; who stood at the same height as his C.O, with a smile.

"I'll see what I can do, Lieutenant. Excuse me; I've got a meeting with Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher."

"Thanks, sir, I appreciate your help."

Will Riker continued to walk down the corridor, only breaking into a smile when the turbolift doors closed around him.

"Sorry I'm late, Captain, Doctor." Will said nodding, as he entered the Captain's Ready Room.

"Some problem, Commander?"

"Well, quite possibly, sir. One of our new Counsellor's patients is not particularly happy with her services."

"They're not the only one..." muttered Beverley.

"What do you mean, Doctor?" asked the Captain.

"I've had several complaints from my patients about Counsellor Lepec too."

"Why did no one tell me about these incidents?"

"I thought it was an isolated incident." Said Riker, sitting down beside Beverley.

"Yes, I thought the same thing."

"Well, I'll talk to our Counsellor soon. Now to business, we're being diverted to the Dekan system where we'll pick up delegates from Betazed and Helika. Our assignment is to convince the Betazoids to sign a trade agreement with the Helikin council."

"When do we arrive?" asked Riker.

"Two hours. Guinin is already preparing Ten-Forward for a reception to be held before the first conference."

"We'll be ready, sir. Is there anything else?"

"Just to let you know that our appeals have gone through to the Federation council, but it's taking them along time to come to a decision. Admiral Osan is preparing to intervene on our behalves."

"Thank you for letting me know, sir."

"Now, I'm sure you've both got things to do. I'll talk to our Counsellor."

The C.O and the C.M.O stood up as Picard tapped his commbadge,

"Picard to Lepec. Counsellor could you come to my Ready Room please."

"Aye, sir. I'm on my way."

As the First Officer and the C.M.O walked onto the Bridge, the new Counsellor glided past them. As she walked past Riker she smiled seductively at him and then entered the Captain's Ready Room. Riker heard a growl of disgust emanate from Beverley Crusher and saw her roll her eyes.

"Will she ever stop?" Beverley asked in annoyance.

"I doubt it and she can't understand the fact that I'm not interested, either."

Will shook his head, as they entered the turbolift.

"Counsellor, I'm sorry to say that I've had a number of complaints about your counselling sessions."

"I can't imagine why, Captain, most of my patients have improved greatly and in a quicker time then it would have taken Counsellor Troi to...."

"Counsellor Lepec," he said sternly, "your work is under a lot of scrutiny from your patients. Deanna Troi was an exemplary officer and Counsellor and never, in all the years she served under me, did I receive any complaints about her work..."

"Captain, permission to speak freely?" she interrupted.

"Very well." He said, a frown forming across his face.

"I am not Counsellor Troi, but everyone expects me to be exactly like her!" she said, angrily, "how can I be someone I'm not?"

"No one is expecting you to be Deanna, Counsellor, but I hope that you will take the time to listen to what this crew has to say. You must understand that the crew had known Deanna any time between two and twelve years, it's not easy to accept the loss of someone you're close to."

"Captain, it's not like she's dead!"

"Counsellor, that's quite enough! I will not have you disrespecting Deanna, is that clear?"

At first Lepec said nothing,

"Is that clear, Counsellor?"

"Yes, sir." She replied through gritted teeth.

"You're dismissed."

Counsellor Kitana Lepec sat, as usual, alone in the 'Ten Forward' lounge, nursing a drink of sinthohol. Her thoughts ran rampant through her mind. How the hell was she going to persuade the Captain that she was better suited for this posting than that upper-class bitch, Deanna Troi, when the First Officer was besotted with her and the rest of the crew all loved her? Perhaps she knew things about Deanna Troi that they didn't, after all she had grown up in close proximity to her. Things that perhaps would convince them that Deanna Troi was not what she seemed...

"Commander." Greeted Picard, as Will Riker sat down in his usual seat on the Bridge.

"Captain." He replied.

His First Officer had obviously been distressed by Deanna's leaving, but more so by her wishes to be left alone. Deanna had not contacted him, as yet, nor had she contacted Will or Beverley. Worry had caused his First Officer sleepless nights of wondering about Deanna's whereabouts and condition. Four months of worry could turn, even the strongest of men, to a worn out jumble of nerves and Will Riker was, as far as Jean-Luc was concerned, an extremely resilient man, but
Deanna had an unusual effect on Riker.

"I thought you'd like to know that I got a list of the Ambassadors that we'll have aboard. One of them is a Daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed."

"Deanna?" he asked.

Picard shrugged,

"It doesn't say whether it's Deanna or Lwaxanna."

Will nodded his head slightly, taking in the news that either Deanna or Deanna's formidable mother would be aboard. If it was Deanna had she forgiven him and if it was her mother did she know what had been going on?