Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek; I'm only borrowing the characters for a little while :D

Data was walking past Captain Picard's quarters one day, when he heard the commanding voice of his captain arguing with someone. Data's interest was piqued; his captain almost always had a good reason to be yelling at this volume. However, Data's ethical codes prevented him from staying and eavesdropping, as Geordi or Will might have done. Before Data could contemplate the situation further, Picard exited his quarters and ran right into Data. Data had to keep Picard from toppling over, and when Picard was safely on both feet, he looked at Data questioningly.

"Commander Data, what are you doing out here? I thought you were getting ready for Mr. Worf's birthday party in Ten Forward."

"I was, Captain. However, Guinanasked for me to tell you that she was not able to get the streamers to stay up. She wishes to know if you will give her some assistance." Data was unsure of why Guinan had sounded so insistent on having Captain Picard help her with the streamers. Data knew he could probably do a much better job at keeping the streamers symmetrical, but he understood that there were some human traditions he did not really understand yet. Data then added, "Do you require me to do anything, sir?"

Captain Picard looked thoughtful for a moment, and then he said, "Yes, Mr. Data, I do think I may need your help with something. Do you remember Admiral Nechayev? Well, it appears she has ordered all the starships in this sector to get to the nearest space station so we could get our new 'assistants'. I still don't understand why, but all the senior officers of the bridge crew are going to be getting assistants, including you. I am guessing that this means we will be able to let the assistants do the mundane things, such as writing reports and that sort of thing. To tell you the truth, Data, I think there's too much extra confusion and work involved in all this. What do you think of the situation, Data?"

Data thought about this for a while. "Sir, I believe that you are correct in saying these assistants may be adding more confusion. However, I believe you should speak with Commander Riker and get his opinion on the matter. He may be able to help you find a more… appropriate way to handle the situation." With that, they both walked to Ten Forward to help with Worf's birthday party preparations.

At Worf's birthday party, everyone except for the guest of honor had a wonderful time celebrating, and the most exciting part of the celebration was when Guinan brought out the three-layer birthday cake. When Worf blew out the candles, a small rubber chicken popped out at him. Worf was taken by surprise, and everyone was laughing. Worfeven chuckled for a short period of time before he gave everyone the Klingon "don't go any farther or I'll be forced to bring out the Bat'leth" look.

Cadet Abigail Solo, along with the rest of her fellow students, was in a shuttle on their way to the Starship Enterprise-D. Abigail was definitely excited, because she had read so much about the Enterprise: all of the missions, first contacts, and many mishaps that had happened on the very important flagship of the Federation. Of course, Abigail also knew the dangers of serving on a starship, especially if they were to meet the Ferengi or the Romulans. But what she was most excited about was whom she was assigned to: Lt. Commander Data, the first and only android in Starfleet to date. She had read several cybernetics reports on his positronic matrix, and had been extremely happy about her being assigned to him. Her best friend, Leantro Sloan, had been assigned to Commander La Forge, who was Lea's hero.

"Hey, Abby." Lea certainly had a bad habit of interrupting someone when they were in deep thought. Of course, Abigail was almost always in deep thought. "Abby?"

"Hmm?"

"We're almost there. Are you excited? I sure am. I just hope he likes me. I mean, if he didn't… I'd be crushed, devastated…." Lea looked over at her friend, and saw that she was yet again lost in thought. "Hey, what's up with you today, Abby? As long as I've known you, you've never been as quiet as you have today. And I know you well enough to know that when you're quiet, you're either nervous or anxious. Abby, are you listening to me?"

Abigail was indeed listening, but she knew that if she kept her mouth shut, Lea would be quiet and leave her alone. However, she was having no such luck. Leantro's loud voice pierced through the whole shuttle. Everyone else turned to stare at Lea while she went on and on and on about how she was going to try to be the best assistant and how she hoped she would make new friends; she even spent eight whole minutes talking about how she would try her hardest to make a good first impression.

Finally, Abigail had had enough. "Lea! I know you're excited, but I'm trying to concentrate on not being nervous. You know how I get if I get nervous. So please, stop it with the jabbering!"

"Well," said Lea, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, "I won't get in the way of your thinking." Lea then proceeded to give Abby a nasty look. For the last ten minutes of their shuttle flight, they sat in silence, not even looking at each other.

Data was looking in the mirror, making sure his dress uniform was crease-free and in place. He was wondering what type of assistant he would be receiving. He knew that he would not be letting his assistant do his paperwork; he felt that doing the paperwork himself was one of his responsibilities as a Starfleet officer. He would figure out what to have her do at another point of time.

Data was about to walk to the bridge when he saw Spot sitting on his table, looking for food. So, Data went over to the replicator and produced cat supplement #75, which he put down on the floor next to Spot's water bowl. Spot immediately jumped down from the table and started chomping down on his food, making a strange noise as he swallowed it. All of the sudden, his combadge went off.

"(chirp) Picard to Data. Are you almost ready to greet our new assistants?"

"Yes, sir. I will be there shortly."

"Alright, Mr. Data. Picard out."

"Welcome to the Enterprise." said Picard. "As you all know, you have been assigned here to be a personal assistant to a member of the senior bridge crew. Since you all know whom you are assigned to, I trust you will be able to find your assigned officer. Good day to you all."

After the speech when the new assistants were able to mingle and find their assigned officers, Abigail was trying to find Data. This wasn't really all that hard, because, well, he did stand out in a crowd of mostly humans. When she found him, she took three deep breaths, and she stepped forward. She nervously extended a hand towards Data, and tried to greet him. Before she could even begin to introduce herself, he started speaking.

"Hello," said Data "You must be my assistant."

Abby managed to speak quietly. "Yes, I am. My name is Abigail Solo. I just recently graduated from the Academy. I majored in engineering."

"Hello, Ms. Abigail Solo, I am Lt. Commander Data. I admit I am not exactly sure how I would require your help; I am more than capable of doing all my duties without needing assistance. I believe I could allow you to observe and assist in engineering, seeing as most of my time on duty is split between engineering and the bridge. "

Abby smiled slightly. "I think that's a great idea, Commander. I heard that you have a cat, Spot, and I was thinking, if it was alright with you, I might be able to help "babysit" him?"

Data's face brightened. "I believe that will be acceptable; perhaps the reason he lashes out at other people is he is lonely, and I do not give him enough attention."

Just then, Leantro ran over, being her typical Lea self.

"ABBY! Mr. La Forge told me to call him GEORDI. I could just die, I mean, wow!" she then noticed Data standing there, and then she stretched her hand out. "Oh, Mr. Data! I've read all about you, you're so famous back at the Academy! So is Geordi. Is it true that you guys are best friends? Omygosh, Commander Riker! Over there! Later!" she waved behind her after she ran over to give Commander Riker a big hug. Worf had to restrain himself from going to protect Riker, and after a short period of time, he himself was the victim of a hug attack.

"If you couldn't tell, most people call me Abby."

"I see. If it makes you more comfortable, you may call me Data."

When Abby looked back on those few months on the Enterprise, she always remembered how that moment was one of the happiest.