Story [Star Trek: TNG] Second Man (Troi, Will, Tom Riker)

Title: Second Man
Summary: Deanna meets up with Thomas Riker long into the future and is happy with the choices she has made.
Notes: Ten Years post Nemesis. A follow up to TNG episode, Second Chances.
Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to Paramount and many others. No infrigment is intended.
Author: Sara Kenobi

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Part 1


"He'll be there you know."

Deanna Riker-Troi smirked knowingly at her husband's worried tone. She leaned into his arms and kissed him firmly on his warm lips. Even after ten years of marriage it still felt so new and wonderful. She still couldn't believe it had taken so long to
realize it was a certain wonderful that she couldn't do without.

"I know." Deanna looked up into his baby blue eyes. It was eyes that she had been looking into for over twenty years. It was also the eyes of someone else she loved very much too. Their five-year-old son had his father's eyes and her thick hair. "I love
only you, Will. There has been only you for nearly twelve years since we've been back together. I will always care for him because he has your heart, and he was someone very special to me. He'll never have your place in my heart though."

Will forced a smile and kissed her in return. "I know I'm being silly. We have William and we have so much else together. I'm just always afraid I'll wake up one day and you'll both be gone."

"Will, you'll always have us. We're a family. I'm your wife who loves you more than anything."

Deanna snuggled into his chest and smiled contentedly.

Will sighed deeply in contentment. The argument in his belly seemed long forgotten at her touch.

"Besides, It's not like we'll be alone. It's the Enterprise. Captain Picard is about to leave for Earth and Tom is coming on as an ambassador from Star fleet for the trade with the Romulans."

"I still can't believe he got back involved with Star fleet." Will muttered.

"It took him a long time to come to peace with himself and what happened."

"I know." Will admitted begrudgingly. "I'm happy that he was able too. Not many would be able to walk out of a Cardassian
labor camp and live to tell about it."

"We need to get Kyle soon." Deanna whispered softly. "You want to go this time?"

Kyle was William's middle name and they had agreed to call him by it in remembrance for Will's father. William senior had
forgiven his father for the past but still found it difficult to use his name with his own son.

"I will. I have only a week left before I have to meet the Enterprise myself. Then our poor son will be going to Betazed to see
Uncle Lax."

"My brother is good with kids I'll have you know."

"Yeah, sure. Why did William go missing on our last vacation? He only had to watch him for thirty minutes and he lost a
three-year-old boy on a planet of telepaths."

"He's changed. Lax is married and has a one-year-old son himself."

"As long as Laura is there, then fine. I know she'll most not likely lose our only son."

"Oh, Will Riker! You are just upset at having to leave again so soon. Kyle likes Betazed I'll have you know."

Will sat on the living room sofa and sighed. "Yeah, you're right. It's like I'm missing him grow up. Something I swore I'd never do if I ever had my own child. I'm missing you like crazy I might add. Why don't you apply to the Enterprise? I'm sure the
Medical staff would have a place somewhere." Will offered.

"I haven't practiced in over five years Will. I like it here with Kyle in San Francisco. He likes his school and has friends. It
wouldn't be fair to uproot him right now."

"I know." Will admitted. "I miss having you both there every day is all."

It ached in his chest every time he had to walk out the door and go months without seeing them again. He had respected
Deanna's decision to retire from her career and Star fleet after Kyle was born. She had spoken dreamily of her own childhood
and of how great to had been to live in an actual home growing up. So they had purchased that white colored house about a m