The BLTS Archive - What the Fates Allow by Zlanna (zlanna@aol.com) --- All characters and the Star Trek universe are the property of Paramount Pictures. Support Star Trek - buy Pocket Books novels. --- Universe B --- Trapped inside the hold of the transporter effect Deanna watched the accident in slow motion, a disinterested passenger, aware of the danger but helpless to interact with the spiraling turn of events. At the com station in front of her O'Brien's eyes widen with terror. Standing below the transporter pad Geordi screamed. From his position by the transporter room door Will Riker ran forward. Despite the danger to both of them should he reach her, he held out his arms in a desperate attempt to pull her back, but it was never meant to be. Piece by piece his denial darkened in her vision until she all she could see of him was the face she held always in her memory. She awoke on the transporter padd cradled in Will's arms, searching for the broken link, lost, but comforted by her husband's presence. "Hey, you okay, Ambassador? You gave us quite a scare there." The blue eyes searched her face and the smile seemed genuine, but the emotions were wrong. The connection altered. Confused and dizzy she nodded briefly never taking her eyes off of him as he slapped his com badge. "Bev, we had some trouble down here with the transporter. Ambassador Troi seems okay, but we almost lost her. Maybe you should check her out." "Is she dizzy?" "Seems pretty woozy to me. Hasn't said much." "I'll be right there Will. Keep her flat on her back," At his laugh Crusher added, "we know how good you are at that." His laughter deepened. "So, Ambassador, sorry for the bumpy," his voice cracked, "...ride..." He stared down at her, his mouth open as if to speak, but no words came. His blue eyes lost their humor. His smile froze, turning gradually to a frown of passion. Time suspended and Deanna found herself reliving their first moment together. She could feel his emotions twisting and churning from light hearted concern to admiration to the first pangs of lust to full blown desire to love and she stayed by his side not understanding why he should be experiencing the first signs of the bond yet again, but determined to guide him through the journey. The transformation consumed him and the bond forged. His voice boomed with fear, "Who the hell are you?" he asked as he pushed her away with his arm while at the same time his mind begged her near, "What the hell are you?" "Imzadi..." she answered taking his hand in hers comforted by the gold ring glittering on his finger. Feeling instinctively for her own she discovered the diamond band missing. The transporter door whooshed apart and Beverly Crusher rushed in. She sat a medbag next to Deanna then paused and looked at Will then Deanna. "Ah," she said to Troi, "I see you've met my husband." --- Universe A --- Will Riker knew as soon as heard Geordi's curse that something had gone terribly wrong. With no regard for his own safety, ignoring all protocol he plunged forward reaching as far as he could toward Deanna with the insane notion of pulling her out of harm's way. It wasn't to be. Her form wavered before him, then vanished. Not the gradual fade out of shimmering lights normally exhibited by the transporter effect, but an abrupt flash as if someone had neatly sliced off a part of his existence. He shouted at O'Brien, "is she safe aboard the Riix?" O'Brien never lifted his head. "No, Sir, I've lost her." Riker took another step forward, and another, unable to stop himself from moving toward where he'd last seen her. A low pitched whine pierced the air and O'Brien's excited cry alerted Will to halt. Within seconds Deanna's form reappeared on the padd. Her eyes were shut, her body held by the transporter alone. Will rushed forward and caught her in his arms as she sank toward the floor. Her eyes opened a crack and her low moan proved she still lived. Gently Will pushed a wayward curl off her forehead and she opened her eyes wider this time. She stared at him and Will found himself unable to pull away from her stare. "Are you okay?" he asked her. She jerked free of his embrace and scooted along the floor away from him as if frightened. "Who the hell are you?" she asked even as she felt the initial pull of a forming bond. "Where the hell am I?" Will slapped his com badge. "Doctor, we had some trouble down here with the transporter. Deanna seems okay, but we almost lost her. Maybe you should check her out." "Is she dizzy?" "Seems pretty woozy to me. Doesn't seem to recognize me." "I'll be right there Commander. Keep her flat on her back," At his laugh Crusher added, "I know you've had lots of practice." His laughter deepened. "Imzadi. Say something. What's wrong?" She reached out a trembling hand to his cheek and her voice in his head carried a question, "Imzadi?" The transporter door whooshed apart and Beverly Crusher rushed in. She sat a medbag next to Deanna then paused and looked at Will then Deanna. "Ah," she said, "Newlyweds!" and rolled her eyes. Deanna Troi held up her hand in protest to the hypo. "What did you say?" Raising her hand Riker fingered the gold wedding band on her finger. "Oh, no. Don't tell me you've forgotten our wedding so soon?" Deanna stared at the starship commander and found breaking the gaze impossible. Something about the deep blue eyes mesmerized her. As if they were laughing at the two of them. She found herself smiling as well. She should look away, she warned herself, but could not. Catching her off guard the stranger dropped his mental barriers, inviting her to explore his thoughts, probe his mind and though she knew she possessed no power to do so, she found herself drawn in, joining him in a manner reserved only... No, she could not, would not. She was engaged. This was wrong. She tried to pull back. Too late. She couldn't take this step she told herself, begged herself. To betray Wyatt in this manner was something she always promised herself she would never do. Her mother warned her not to make promises outside her power to keep, but she laughed the advice off as she often did. As a half Betazoid, she felt confident in her control. Now she flushed with the knowledge of her betrayal to her fiance. Within seconds her life changed. Engaged to be married to a friend before, now linked to an Imzadi. For the rest of her life. Shuddering with the realization the bond was forged, Deanna reached out, grabbing the taut muscled arm of Will Riker for support. Never had Wyatt's touch thrilled her as this connection did. Never had she regretted her parents' decision to betroth her according to the ancient Betazed ways as she did now. Imzadi, she thought. "Imzadi," whispered the deep voice in her thoughts. Oh no, Deanna thought at the realization the man beside her had answered her telepathic plea, what have I done? His panic nearly overwhelmed her. "What is wrong?" She wanted to lie. To tell him not to worry. She wanted to take back her mistake, break the bond, but his feelings overwhelmed her. His love embraced her in a tight blanket of hope and trust. She should push him away, explain what had happened, but his link to her was strong. As if it had spent years in the making.She didn't understand what had happened, how the link formed, she knew only she didn't want to go back to her old life. To a life without this man. "I love you," she said and to her amazement he answered, "I love you, too Deanna. Having second thoughts? What to cancel your trip?" His passion sent her heart pounding. "Yes," she answered, "yes, I think that would be a good idea." --- Universe B --- Deanna Riker rubbed her head in frustration as she sat on the transporter pad floor, "I don't think I belong here." "Ambassador, what do you remember before the transporter problems?" Deanna watched the doctor studying the medical tricorder's readouts. Crusher's frown deepened. "First, I remember that I'm not an Ambassador. I'm the Counselor of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E under Captain Jean-Luc Picard. My mother is Ambassador Troi and second," she shot a look at the Commander, "I remember that I'm married." "Is she okay?" Will asked, though he backed away from Deanna as he spoke. Crusher shrugged. "The accident must have disturbed her somehow. Apparently she is in denial over her mother's death." "My mother's death?" Deanna repeated. "When did..." She stopped, reminding herself that this was not her time. Not her life. Taking a long breath, she composed herself. "In my universe my mother is quite alive." Crusher patted her arm. "Ambassador, I'd like to take some readings. Then we'll contact your fiance." "I'm afraid that will prove difficult." Deanna said. "Why is that, Ambassador?" Will asked. "Because," she answered, her eyes locking with his, "in my universe-you are my husband." Watching the man's face pale didn't improve Deanna's mood, but seeing Beverly's deepen to crimson certainly did. "Ambassador..." Doctor Riker began, "Counselor," Deanna corrected. With infinite patience and a hint of irritation Beverly repeated, "Counselor, I would like to run some tests on you." "Physiological or psychological?" Deanna asked catching the deliberate look the doctor gave Will. "I'm not sure," Beverly rose slowly, "both I imagine." Deanna started to follow the doctor then paused when she realized Will remained behind. "Well, aren't you coming too?" The look of remorse in his eyes stopped her cold. "No," he said in little more than a whisper, "I have to pick my son up from school." His guilt washed over Deanna, but couldn't stem the flood of embarrassment she felt as she remembered the forging of the bond. Then for the first time she understood. They were happy. Will and Beverly. Here in this universe, they were in love, had children, a life together. What had she done? In silence she nodded and trailed after Beverly, never once able to meet the other woman's eyes as they headed toward sickbay. --- Universe A --- This was wrong of course, what she was planning to do with this man. Except lying here nude in his bed listening to him wash in the bathroom, she didn't feel like she was doing anything wrong. She studied their picture resting on the headboard. A beach scene - Betazed, no doubt. So young. How long had they been married - the woman who looked like her and this man? Since they were children? He balanced his long frame against one side of the doorway, head cocked to one side watching and her disappointment stung. Pajamas? She hadn't thought from his earlier emotions he would appear dressed. He reached out to her through the bond. Curious. Wistful. Sad. He knew. Knew she wasn't his wife. Swallowing hard she tried to find the words to explain but all she could do was look away and cry. His arms folded around her and he stroked her hair. "Don't worry," he cooed. "We'll get you home. Everything will be all right." But he was her Imzadi and he belonged to someone else. Nothing would ever be right again. --- Universe B --- Deanna stopped rubbing her ring finger when she caught Beverly Crusher's side glance. "My husband does that." Crusher said as she adjusted her medical instruments. "Really?" So does mine she thought but she said nothing. "It's...a common habit among Betazoids." "No it isn't." The two women looked at each other for several minutes. Enough of this. Deanna sighed. "Do you have Deanna Troi's medical records on board?" "Yes." "What is the state of her medical health at this time?" "You are quite healthy. Or were until the time of your transport." Deanna swung her feet off the biobed. "Scan me." Crusher said nothing. She ran the scanner slowly over Deanna. Then repeated the action a second time. "How the hell did that happen?" "Funny," Deanna said with a slight smile, "those were my husband's exact words when he found out I was pregnant." --- Universe A --- Data listened with care. Ambassador Troi had seen the android before on board, had read about him naturally, but never talked to the sentient machine before. "I believe Commander, we hit the temporal anomaly just as we initiated the transporter effect." Riker drew his hand through his hair as if in anger. "Why does every damn anomaly in space hit us? Only us? Ever hear of another starship losing people to temporal anomalies?" Will faced her. She stared at his blue eyes and wordlessly shook her head. His voice softened and he took her hand in his large one. "Don't worry. We'll get you home." And his wife back, but she knew he was too nice to add the last words. --- Universe B --- Data listened with care to Deanna's story. "Our records show that there was a temporal anomaly in our path at the time the transporter activated." "Why does every damn anomaly in space have to hit the Enterprise?" "Just lucky I suppose." Crusher said in a quiet tone. She began putting her equipment away. At first Deanna didn't realize the doctor was still talking to her. "What did you do to him?" "Do?" Deanna asked, although she knew exactly what was wrong with Riker. "He is distracted. Sad. Moody. What did you do to him?" Troi closed her eyes, unable to look her friend in the eye. "On board the Enterprise you and I are best of friends. He is my husband." "My God, you did do something." Crusher's voice rose in panic. "He'll be all right." Deanna reassured the doctor. "For a few weeks he'll be disoriented. But he's human. He'll recover, with only lingering effects." "Lingering?" "If it gets too bad send him to Betazed for treatment. They'll know what to do." "Riker to Crusher." "Here, Will." "We're ready to send the Counselor home." Deanna hoped Bev couldn't hear the desperation in the voice. --- Universe B --- "We're ready to send the Ambassador home." Deanna bit her lower lip as she followed Riker down the hall. With each step she found herself slowing, trying to determine how to tell him what she felt. She never made it. They arrived at the transporter room, both wrapped in silence. "Ambassador." He motioned toward the empty pad. Unable to move, she closed her eyes, gathering courage to return to the emptiness that awaited her. When she opened her eyes he was holding her. In a whisper he said, "You won't be alone. Find the Will Riker in the universe you return to. Forge the bond. You'll be happier than you can imagine." One tear spilled out. But it was a tear of joy. He was right, of course. There was a Commander Riker back in her universe. Waiting for her. Suddenly life didn't look bleak at all. Universe A Deanna awoke on the transporter padd cradled in Will's arms, rewarded by the comfort of their familiar link. "Welcome back," he whispered as she lost consciousness. Even as the world turned black she was glad to be home. --- Universe B --- Deanna's form appeared on the padd. Her eyes shut, her body held by the transporter she wavered for a moment. When she woke up she found herself in Doctor Crusher's arms. "Ambassador Troi?" the doctor asked. Deanna's gaze drifted to Commander Riker standing tall, but with his head turned away. "Yes?" "Glad to have you back." "Thank you doctor." Troi answered as the Commander walked out the room. She could hardly wait to follow. --- Universe B --- Ambassador Troi relaxed a little when she found the Commander alone in the forward lounge. The hour was late and the crowd light. She took in a deep breath and walked up to his table beside the broad expanse of glass windows. "Commander? May I have a brief word with you? I'm scheduled to depart shortly." "Certainly, Ambassador. What can I do for you?" "May I sit?" He downed the ale in front of him. "I don't think that would be a good idea." "No, maybe not. I just wanted to say..." He cut her off. "I'm happily married." He looked down at the table and twirled the wedding ring on his finger. "To Bev...to the doctor." "I'm glad to hear that." She brushed off imaginary lint from her long dress. "I am engaged. A boy I've known a long time." An eyebrow shot up. "Oh... Good." She felt him relax. "Congratulations." "I wanted to tell you if ever..." she waited until he looked up at her, "if you ever find yourself alone..." He rose at the words, but she sensed no anger from him. In a quiet voice he answered, "and if you are ever...need...a friend..." On one heel he spun around and out of her life, but not out of her thoughts. Still, she felt better as she watched him go. In another universe fate had brought them together. For now, that would have to be enough. --- The End