The BLTS Archive - First Anniversary
by Jaxonii (imzadiofborg@gmail.com)

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DISCLAIMER: Something about Paramount... . Something about
not owning the characters... . I think you get the point.

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"It's been a long time since we've done this," Will said as
he felt Deanna snuggle closer to him.

She ran her hand over his bare chest. "I know, and the stars
are just as beautiful."

He smiled, looking over the moonlit lake, hearing the light
splashing of the water against the shore. "It's funny. I
don't remember any of the details, though it all seems
right."

Her musical laughter tickled against his ear. "Well, it was
a long time ago, Will. We were both a lot younger, and if I
remember correctly, your mind wasn't on where you were or
what you were doing." After a beat, she corrected, "Or what
you weren't doing."

"I'm glad I finally got out of that stage."

Deanna pressed her nude form even closer to his back. "Is
that a hint of regret I sense in you?"

Will took a deep breath, "Maybe a little. You've heard the
saying, hindsight is 20/20. There are many things I did back
then that I wouldn't have if I'd known better."

She brushed her hand across his chest again. "There's
nothing to regret, Will. As I've told you before, youth
excuses a great deal."

"I know, Imzadi, I know." He held her hand against him. "It
just makes me think of how much time we would've had
together, if...  if I had stayed on Betazed."

"But it wouldn't have been the right thing to do. You know
that." Deanna kissed the area behind his ear. "We both
needed time to figure out who we are, who we'd become."

"Yeah, you're right. You had a lot of growing up to do, Miss
Troi."

Deanna punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Me?? *I* had
growing up to do?? What about you, Will-the-Thrill Riker??"

"I prefer to not answer that question." Riker yelped as she
goosed him. "Hey! What was that for?"

"You acted like you needed it. Not to mention I'm at a good
angle, and your cheeks were just begging for it!"

Will rolled to face Deanna and reached to tickle her ribs.
"Oh really? Well, my lovely wife of one year, you've been
begging for this *all* night!"

Deanna squirmed, attempting to get away, but couldn't
between his greater strength and her own laughter. "I
thought we were going to wait to celebrate until tomorrow,
on the night of our first anniversary."

"We were, but you know what lying next to you does to me."
He paused and gestured to the area around them, "Besides,
you remember what this place did to me the first time we
came here."

"I distinctly remember your mind was very far from your
surroundings."

Riker smiled, remembering to the night Deanna was talking
about. "Well, you're right. My mind was focused on a very
beautiful Betazoid girl who was curled up behind me for a
session of 'Nude Therapy'. Which I found out later was
something totally made up."

"That's true," she giggled, then in a sultry voice, replied,
"And what are you going to do about that, Riker?"

Through heavy-lidded eyes, Will looked down at his wife.
"This time I'm going to act on my impulses, Imzadi."

"That sounds like a regression on your part."

"If it is, then I guess I'll need a lot of counseling to get
me back on track... " He leaned toward her, capturing her
lips with his.

Deanna wrapped her arms around his neck, giving in to the
soul-searing kiss for a moment before breaking away for a
breath. "I won't argue with that. And there will never be a
better time than now to work on that problem."

Riker grinned before giving in completely to his Imzadi.
"Happy Anniversary, my love."

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The End