A Star Trek Next Generation based fan fiction novel

Reginald Barclay discovers that space is not the final frontier

Where No Man has Gone Before

Chapter 6: Deanna's Return Home

When we finally broke from the kiss, it was all I could do to stay on my feet. The look in Geordi's eyes, says he's
probably feeling the same thing as I am. Without saying a word, we left the briefing room and headed for engineering
holding hands. Neither of us cares if someone saw us.

For me, it seemed as though my duty shift would both, never end and hoping it never would. Again, Geordi and I worked
side by side, neither of us seemed to want to be separated from one another. Work soon done, we left together and headed
for Ten Forward for some quiet time.

When we entered, Guinan seemed to know just what we wanted and had our drinks already at a small table next to the
viewport. Again the view of a vast nebula, beautiful colors stretching into seeming infinity. Feeling I needed to make a
gesture of thanks to her, I gave Guinan a hug and thanked her for everything. She just gave me one of her patented
enigmatic smiles, like she knew everything in the universe. She probably did, though.

We sat sipping our drinks, quietly savoring our closeness, knowing almost instinctively what the other was thinking. I
looked down at my hands being held by him, then said, "Geordi, you have always been my friend, even when no one else saw
any value in me, you still cared enough to believe in me. I can't tell you how much that has meant to me over the years
we've known each other."

As I looked up again into his eyes, he looks down at our hands, then back at me. "Regina, I have to be completely honest
with you, when we first met, I didn't believe you were cut out for a position on the Enterprise. But, Guinan made me see
that I should try and see past that and give you the benefit of the doubt. Now I can't believe how much you mean to me."

"Really?"

He says, "And I mean, even before you changed. You are my friend now, first and foremost. That night I walked in here
after my duty shift, and I saw you for the first time after you had changed. I already knew that you had become a woman,
all of the senior staff knew by then. But when I first saw you with my own eyes, I knew right then that I loved you."

My heart leapt with joy to hear him say that to me. "Geordi, I think I felt the same thing when you walked through the
door. But why did you wait so long?"

He seemed relieved, "I wasn't sure if you felt the same way. Plus, with having just changed, I wasn't sure if you were or
would be interested. It seems that Guinan may actually know everything."

We laughed at that, then I said, "So that you understand exactly how I feel about you, let me make it perfectly clear
Geordi, I love you!"

Geordi smiled widely in answer to my statement, "Regina, I tell you truly, with all my heart, and every fiber of my
being, I love you too!" Happy tears of joy spilled from my eyes. I don't think I could be any happier than I was now.

Geordi got up and moved to my side of the table, and soon I was snuggled into his arm, feeling truly content. Hearing, a
pair of people approach our table, we looked up to see Beverly and Will, standing together.

Beverly says to Will, "I think we're intruding here, maybe we should leave them be?"

Will starts, "I think you're right doctor..."

Before they can turn away, I reach for Beverly's arm, "Nonsense sis, you and Will are happy to join us. Please sit."

They take the seats opposite of us and place their drinks down on the table. Beverly says, "You two look so happy
together, like the perfect couple, snuggling in a loving embrace." Will looks a little uncomfortable with her choice of
words.

Geordi and I looked at them and them back at each other, we shared a tenderly brief kiss, then looked back to them for
any judgement. Before anything could be said, Guinan arrived at the table with a tray with five glasses of champagne. She
passes out the glasses and raises hers, "To the happy couple!"

It seemed that all of Ten Forward had heard her and cheered for us. Again, I was overcome with great feelings of joy and
happiness, knowing that everyone shared how good I felt.

******************************

We thanked Guinan, and then ordered dinner for the four of us. I must say that spending so much time with Commander Riker
had never held any pleasure in my mind, but now, I could see he was a genuine caring person. Through dinner, we chatted
about many things, not the least of which was that Deanna's transport shuttle would rendezvous with the Enterprise very
late tonight, and Will was not certain he'd get much sleep.

We were all happy that Deanna would finally be home, and I for one, couldn't wait to see her again. I was fairly sure she
was eagerly waiting to meet the new me. The old me would have been in a near fit of terror at the thought, but not now.
From what Beverly had already said, and what I knew for myself about Deanna, I was sure I would have another very close
friend.

******************************

On the long walk we took back to my quarters, I steered us towards the main galley to have another visit with Chef. I had
an idea to make Deanna's homecoming a little extra special. Everyone knew her, fondness, and her weakness for chocolate
anything, but only a few knew her love for lemon tarts. I hoped Chef would agree to make them for her.

When we entered Chef's kitchen, he and his crew began to applaud for Geordi and I. I blushed deeply, realizing word had
reached even here about Geordi and I. No matter how big our ship was, it only proved how much of a family we all were.

Chef gave me a hug and shook Geordi's hand, then saying to me, "I'm very happy for the two of you, congratulations to you
both. Now, what can I do for my favorite lieutenant, Regina?"

Geordi smiled at me, seeing me in my confident and sure environment. I say to Chef, "Well, Chef, you know Deanna comes
home tonight?" Waiting for his nod. "Well, I was wondering if you could make some lemon tarts for the officer's briefing
tomorrow morning, you know how much she loves them."

Chef smiles, "Regina, you should know by now that I would do anything for you or the good councilor. I love how you are
always thinking of others." He took me by the shoulders and looked me in the eye, "You know, I used to be your mother's
chef, back at Starfleet Command, I know that she would be very proud of what a fine young woman you've become."

For that, I gave him a very daughterly kiss on the cheek, and thanked him for his kind words. It almost seemed as though
everyone forgot that I was male until less than a week ago. Even I was beginning to think of my old life as a very bad
dream that I had only just finally awoken from.

Walking the rest of the way to my cabin, quietly strolling hand in hand, when we reach my door, he has a smile of his
face that wider than I've ever seen before. I said, "What?" Returning his smile.

Geordi takes my other hand in his, "Has anyone ever told you how utterly amazing you are? If we ever find out who is
responsible for you changing into who you are now, I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for bringing you to
me, to fill a hole I didn't know I even had."

"Geordi, you're the only one to say that to me! I love that you say that and mean it. I can never feel like I can hear
that enough from you, and it means more than you can possibly know." I reached up and kissed him with all of the passion
I had in my heart, letting him know the depth of my feelings.

*******************************

Ship time 0800 Hour

Deanna Troy

Will and I walk into the senior staff meeting, hand in hand, conversing softly about our reunion last night. The smell of
fresh lemon tarts had my mouth watering, and my eyes searching. As I spotted them, I sensed a welcome feeling coming from
our new Miss Barclay. She stood holding Geordi's hand, and you didn't need to be a telepath to sense to love that
radiated from the two of them.

I broke from Will and went to Regina, giving her a big hug. She surprised me by returning the hug with a great amount of
warmth and compassion, followed by a kiss on my cheek. I could sense the confidence she gave off, and thought she was
doing better than I had thought she would.

I stood back and smiled at her. Looking at her, I suddenly realized how much shorter, she was, compared to her old male
self. The loss of height did nothing to hide the poise of this new, younger person, her strawberry blonde hair framing an
incredibly beautiful face. It was clear that everyone in the room was taken by her charms.

After returning her kiss, I said, "Regina, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. After all the glowing reports
I've had from Will and Beverly, I can't wait to sit down with you for a talk. After the meeting, maybe? If Geordi can
spare you for a little while."

I can see Geordi hive her hand an affectionate squeeze, "Sure, as long as it's only for a little while. I don't mind."
Regina nods her head.

The captain walks in with Beverly, and everyone takes their seats. The captain says, "It's good to have you back Deanna.
It seems that Regina has planned for your welcome home. I think you will be happy with our newest crew member."

I looked at Regina, and with complete sincerity, "I already am sir."

******************************

Regina

After the meeting was over and everyone went their separate ways, Geordi gave me a kiss and headed for engineering.
Deanna smiled at me, "I won't keep you long. First, I wanted to thank you for the lemon tarts, there are only three other
people on board who know how much I love them, and Chef's are the finest in the Alpha quadrant."

I smiled back, "It was the least I could do for your homecoming. I'm glad you liked them."

Deanna says, "Second, I know from Beverly what she told you, and I wanted you to know from me, that if you need to talk
to me about anything at all, my door is always open. Though I sense you have none of the former problems you had before
and I'm very happy for you."

"Thanks Deanna, from almost the first moment after my change, I've felt like this was the best thing that ever happened
to me, or ever could have. Now with the feelings Geordi, and I share for one another, we're both unbelievably happy
together."

Deanna looks me deep in the eye, "Know that I'm only asking out of interest and in no way think poorly about it. And know
that you can also think of me as your big sister like you do Beverly. But, just how did this start with Geordi. No one
needs to be telepathic to see the love that surrounds the two of you. And I'm very happy for the both of you!"

"Well, you of all people know, that Geordi was the first person to have any faith in me, even before you did. Not hat I
blame anybody but myself for that. When we saw each other for the first time after my change, we were drawn to each
other, as moths to the flame. Guinan seemed to know it right away. And I'm sure you would have too, if you had been
there."

Deanna gave me a quick sqeeze, "I'm glad to see you finally so happy, both of you. How does it feel to be so much younger
now?"

"It feels wonderful, it means Geordi and I can be together for that much longer." She gave me that look, that says, oh,
do tell. I gave her a stern look, "I'm not the kind of girl to kiss and tell, but that's all there has been, just
kissing. Lots and lots of very passionate kissing."

Deanna fans her face with her hand, having felt my deep feelings for Geordi. Deanna starts to giggle, "It's going to be
very interesting to have you as my little sister." Giving me a hug.

End of Chapter 6