Author's Note: I wanted to re-imagine some of what happened with Data after Descent. I've basically stuck to everything up until the end of Descent part II, and then changed what happened to him after that. I don't want to say anything more because I don't want to give anything away! I probably won't throw in much from movies or particular episodes and I won't stick to post 6th season cannon. You've seen all that. ;) This begins a couple months after Descent part II.

This is my first fan fiction attempt...it's been fun!

Chapter 1: The Bar

"Excuse me! Can I get a martini over here?" Commander Riker smiled at the comely human bartender. She was a redhead, and he thought he saw her wink at him.

He really enjoyed these fringe "wild west" colonies. They were always so active, so vibrant. The rich food was almost never replicated. Real old fashioned drinks. Boisterous patrons filled the bars; unlike those more subdued residents of the more central planets. Oh, and the women! This is how he imagined Earth to have been 400 years ago. Sometimes the utopian Federation could be so…

"Sir?" Riker hadn't noticed the pair of innocent yellow eyes gazing at him. He wondered how long Data had patiently waited before speaking.

"Yes, Mr. Data."

"Commander, a Klingon female wanted to know what I am 'packing.' I told her that our ship is in orbit so I saw no need to organize any impedimenta. She appeared displeased and has retreated to that corner." The android officer tilted his head subtly in the Klingon's direction. "Did I do something wrong?"

Riker sighed. The second officer took this as an invitation to sit down on the bar stool next to the commander. "It's not that you did anything wrong…it's just…are you staying here?"

"Yes. You are alone. Perhaps you would enjoy some company." Data smiled as broadly as he could. In truth, this was just a slight twitch in the left side of his mouth. He raised his eyebrows as if he were hopeful.

Unable to think of what to say, Riker just nodded and looked once again at the redheaded company that he wished he could be keeping. She returned, smiling, with a martini and set it before him.

"Freshly stirred," she said. "This is the real deal, Starfleet."

"Thank you," Riker took a sip. After so many months of synthehol the gin burned. He tried to keep a straight face. "It's exquisite. It matches the mixologist."

Just as she blushed, Data leaned forward with his mouth open and one hand rose as if he wanted to ask a question. Riker grabbed that hand and held it down. Data got the hint and leaned back again.

The bartender's smile broadened and turned to Data. "What would you like?"

The lieutenant commander seemed to consider this for a moment. "I do not know. Prune juice."

"Prune juice? Why…? We don't have that. How about some cranberry and vodka."

Data nodded and the bartender turned away to mix another drink. He leaned over to Commander Riker. "Worf recommended my initial choice. However, I have not imbibed in cranberry and vodka before so I suppose this will be acceptable."

Riker stifled a laugh. "So, I didn't expect to see you down here. Hell, I'd have expected Worf before you."

Data nodded and abruptly tilted his head to the side. "When Captain Picard gave us a week to 'relax' I had initially intended to spend it working on several paintings." The android paused, as if he were considering something very carefully. "I finished the paintings, Commander, two days into the seven days we have been permitted leisure. I needed feedback on the works; so I asked Captain Picard to provide it."

"Uh-huh," Riker said. Where the hell is this going, Data?he thought.

"After critiquing only 17 of my 54 works he told me you might desire some companionship."

Riker tried not to slump too visibly on his stool. "I see. Well, the captain was right. I was looking for companionship."

The android gave him the lopsided-sort-of-smile again and turned to receive his cranberry and vodka from the bartender.