„My only wish was to be human. It is all I have ever wished to be."
„I hope you achieve your dream."
„So do I."
Data blinked. He was in his quarters, and the lights were dimmed to 20 percent. It seemed to him, as though he hadn't had any dreams this night, but it wasn't unusual: He didn't have a lot of knowledge of the dream program his father created.
Spot jumped on his bed. The tabby cat purred, as he stroked her silky fur and stood up. As usual, he hadn't undressed. After he had ordered his cat's food (Feline suplement # 129) and set it in front of Spot, he left his quarters. He didn't require the sleep, but liked to experience the dreams he sometimes had.
Data felt responsible for what happened on the bridge. He had left two hours befor the Alpha-shift, but wanted to check if everything was okay. He knew he could have been on the bridge 24 hours a day 7 days a week, but Captain Picard ordered him to take time off. He decided, after he had seen, that a very tired Counselor Troi had everything under controll, to visit Geordi.
The closest thing he had to a best friend.
But did Geordi LaForge feel the same way? Suddenly, it occurred to Data, Geordi would rather spend time with human fellows. He had mentioned a beautiful new Ensign who was stationed on the Enterprise on Starbase 29, and Data had asked, if he was in love with her. He just grinned and said: „You'd like to know, don't ya?" Data had nodded eagerly, and Geordi had explained, he hadn't exspected an answer, and had sighed, as Data had cocked his head, and opened his mouth for a response. It seemed, he hadn't exspected an response for that, either.
Maybe it was best if Data didn't visit Geordi after all. He decided to design an new wet food for his tabby cat in his quarters, and work a bit.
„Ookay. That should do it - thanks, and great work, everybody!" Geordi LaForge stepped back. The sensors had been improved by four percent. He grinned at his engineering team, and they went back to there work. Whistling, he checked some sensors, and thought about the date he planned to ask Chrystal out to. He wondered, if Data would come down before his shift; he usually did, but there was new sign of the android. He caught himself worrying, something had happened to Data, even though they hadn't promised to meet in engineering. „Geordi to Data." He touched his comm badge. For a moment there was silence, than he heard the familiar voice. „Data here. What is ist, Geordi?" Had Data – hesitated? Geordi whiped the thought away. It wasn't possible - and even if it were, it didn't make any sense. He was Data's best friend. „Aren't you coming down here today?", he wondered aloud. „If you wish it, I certainly will", his best friedn replied. „Uh, Data, it's not that important, if you were, uh, working", he answered hastily. „It is no probleme, Geordi. I have just finished designing Spot's new wet food. She does not seem to appreciate it. Maybe hunger will provide her to try again." „Sure, Data", Geordi answered unhappily. He didn't know what was going on with him. He sighed, and immediately Data asked if he was all right. He answered he was fine, und tapped his comm badge after a short „Bye, Data!".
In the evening, Geordi went by Data's quarters. The android was busy with his cat, but stopped petting her striped orange fur for a moment, when his friend arrive. Then he continued to stroke her. She terminated her purring only for a short hiss in Geordi's direction, and rubbed her head on Data's chin.
For a moment, there was just silence. Then Data spoke up. „Geordi – what defines „friendship"?"