Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: The Next Generation or any of the characters therein. Please don't sue me or steal my story. Thanks! :)
Hi Everyone! :) I wanted to write a short story for Valentine's Day, but I was too sick and missed it. I missed the week after too. I was going to put the story idea in storage to play with next year, but it kept insisting on being written - mostly because I can't get the awesomeness of NASA's recent discovery of seven Earth-sized planets out of my head. So, since I'm starting to feel much better now, I figured I'd give this story a chance and see where it goes, even though it's quite belated. I hope you enjoy it!
Hearts and Stars
A Valentine's Day Story by Rowena Zahnrei
Part One
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge felt like the luckiest guy in the galaxy. He had good friends, a career he loved that suited his talents and – to top it all off – he'd managed to land a date with Lt. Aubree Chambers.
"It's for this evening. 19:30, sharp," the engineer boasted to Guinan as he finished his synth-ale and slid the glass back across the bar. Alpha shift had just gone off duty and the Ten-Forward lounge was bustling with activity; still, Geordi knew the El-Aurian bartender was listening to his every word. "That might not mean so much out in deep space, but it's Valentine's Day back on Earth."
"Is Lt. Chambers from Earth?" Guinan asked as she poured his refill, then got to work setting up a drinks tray for one of her servers to pick up.
"Well, no," Geordi said. "She's from the Trappist system, but most of the colonies there were founded by Earth settlers, and they share a lot of the same holidays. But, that's not the point."
"It's not?"
"The point is, I've done my research," Geordi said. "I've asked around, gotten to know her tastes."
"Her tastes…?" Guinan repeated, her smooth brow quirked beneath her large, flat hat.
"You know, her favorite foods, the kind of places she likes to go on leave, the sort of little gestures and things she's told her friends she looks for on a first date," he explained. "It's all going in to this special holodeck program I've been developing. I'm telling you, Guinan, it's gonna be perfect!"
"I see," Guinan said. "So, you've 'researched' this woman. Talked to her friends and coworkers. By any chance, did you spend any time talking with her about how this 'perfect' program should play out?"
"And ruin the surprise?" Geordi scoffed into his ale. "Come on, Guinan, you listen to people all day. I'm sure you've heard plenty of the same things I've heard women complaining about when they're out with their friends. They want a man who pays attention to them, right? A man who knows what they like, who makes the extra effort to sweep them off their feet."
"And, your date..?" Guinan asked, pouring two coffees and a synthetic whiskey for a trio of officers at the far side of the bar.
"After ship's business, planning this evening for Lt. Chambers has been my overriding project of the week," the engineer told her. "I'm going to give Aubree the most romantic experience she's ever had. I've got everything set, down to the last detail."
"I'm sure you do," Guinan said dryly, setting the coffee pot back in the machine.
Geordi's brow wrinkled over his VISOR, her tone and attitude starting to grate the edges off his good mood.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
Guinan regarded him with her usual calm.
"It means this is a Valentine's date, not an engineering assignment," the bartender told him.
Geordi's frown deepened.
"You think I'm over planning this."
"I'm just saying," she said, "dating is a two-player game."
"That's why I've been crafting this holodeck program!" Geordi protested. "You know me, Guinan – give me my pick of romantic getaways, and you'll find me spread out on a sandy beach soaking in the tropical sun. Not this program. The whole experience is tailored just for her: a romantic sunset over snowy mountains, one of those wooden cabin cafes that serve mulled wine and hot chocolate—"
"All right," Guinan said, holding up her hands. "I get it. I just hope it works out this time."
Geordi scowled, and set his glass back down.
"Look, Guinan," he said, "just because I haven't had a date in a while doesn't mean I don't know how to romance a lady. I mean, it was hard enough finding time to meet people when I was a junior officer. As chief engineer, the demands on my time are so—"
The wide doors slid open and Lt. Commander Data strode into the crowded lounge, politely skirting a pair of exiting ensigns to make a direct bee-line to Geordi's side.
"Good afternoon Geordi, Guinan," the android greeted his friends. "I hope I am not interrupting, but I wished to pose a question and I thought it would be best to do so in person."
Geordi regarded the pale android through his VISOR, hovering between annoyed and amused. He settled on curious.
"OK, Data," he said. "What's your question?"
"Will you be my Valentine?" Data asked, and held out a folded white card with that very question printed inside a festive, red heart.
Geordi took the card and opened it, snorting a slight chuckle as he read the invitation inside.
"Data, I'd love to go to the kids' Valentine's Day party with you, but I can't tonight. You see—"
"He has a date," Guinan stepped in, her deadpan delivery taking some of the wind from his sails.
Fortunately, her wry tone was lost on Data. The android raised his eyebrows and his pale expression brightened.
"Congratulations, my friend," he said. "May I inquire as to the identity of the fortunate individual?"
Geordi snickered. He could always count on Data to lift his spirits. However awkward the engineer might sometimes feel in social situations, the android's earnest attempts to 'fit in' with human norms and customs had a way of making Geordi feel suave and knowledgeable.
"It's Aubree. Lt. Chambers, from Stellar Cartography," he said. "She's one of the recent transfers from the Lexington. Sorry I didn't tell you, but I kinda wanted to wait and see how things turned out...you know..."
"Ah, yes," Data said – and Geordi all but 'saw' him access her personnel file, his golden eyes moving as if reading information off some internal screen. "I am familiar with the lieutenant. We met at the last department meeting. She seemed quite competent."
"Competent, yeah," Geordi said teasingly, and waggled his eyebrows. "I noticed that too."
Data looked slightly puzzled, aware he had missed something. But, instead of inquiring, he straightened and clapped a companionable hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Have a good time," he said, and brought his hand stiffly back to his side. "I will anticipate a comprehensive report."
Geordi smiled and laughed.
"You want to hear all the details, is that it?"
Data tilted his head.
"Is that not what I said?"
Geordi's smile broadened.
"Sure thing, pal," he said, and copied the android's friendly gesture. "Enjoy the party at the school."
Data nodded once, turned, and walked out of Ten Forward.
Geordi slapped the bar and stood.
"Well, I've got a romantic evening to prepare," he said to Guinan.
"Don't forget what I said," she warned.
"I know, I know," Geordi replied over his shoulder as he followed his friend out the sliding door. "A two-player game. I'll see you later, Guinan."
"Good luck," she said, and went back to pouring drinks.
To Be Continued...
The next part will be coming soon, and so will new chapters for "Skin Deep" and "Croaked," which are already in progress. Stay Tuned, and thanks so much for reading!
Reviews welcome! :)