The Host
Dr Beverly is in love with Odan, a mediator temporarily on board the Enterprise. When he is wounded in a shuttle craft attack, Dr Crusher discovers that the character of Odan is a "parasite" in a volunteer's body. This joining of a long-lived Trill and its subsequent hosts is quite the norm for the Trill world, but big news for Beverly.
When the host body dies, Riker acts as a temporary host to keep the dependent Trill alive, and to enable continued talks until a properly selected replacement arrives.
With Odan inside of and controlling the Riker body, the Trill not only continues his negotiations, but still professes his love for Dr Beverly. But it is difficult for her to maintain the attraction in the form of the number one officer's body.
	Beverly is joined by Deanna in ten-forward and wonders what it was of Odan that she loved. Now when she sees Riker, is it really Odan ?
	On her own in her quarters, Beverly reflects on Odan's love for her, before accepting him again as her lover.
	Riker becomes increasingly ill as Odan's negotiations proceed, despite the medications given to retard the Trill's rejection from the Human body.
After successful mediations, Odan collapses and Dr Crusher removes the Trill from Riker, as agreed regardless of that day's outcome. Hopefully keeping Odan alive for a few more hours in a stasis chamber, the Enterprise proceeds at high warp to meet up with the previously distant Trill spaceship.
	Dr Crusher receives the new host, but is lost for words when she sees it is female. The female host is still Odan and still loves Beverly.
Unfortunately, Beverly can't live with the uncertainty brought about by these bodily changes. She apologises for her human condition of limited ability to love. The female Odan kisses Beverly on the hand, and leaves.
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