Disclaimer: Star Trek is the creation of Gene Roddenberry, owned by Desilu Studios. I don't own any of these characters (though that would ROCK).
The quote is from We'll Always Have Paris.
"...we can thank Worf's Klingon guile for that."
"Well done."
William Riker, Deanna Troi, Jean-Luc Picard, Katherine Pulaski, and Geordi LaForge sat in the Captain's ready room, filling each other in on recent events.
"It seems like we've been gone months, considering how much we missed," Geordi said.
"I'm just glad we managed to take Khorami down a few pegs."
Pulaski smirked. "Agreed. I can't believe that guy—good thing Data managed to beat him at his own game."
"I can't believe how quickly the subject of this briefing turned to gossip," said Riker.
Ignoring Riker's snarky comment, Troi spoke up: "I'm glad about that as well, Doctor. Data seemed pretty shaken when he lost the first match."
Geordi turned to the counselor, his usual smile absent. "I didn't hear about this. What happened?"
"After Kolrami won against Data, he was almost...smarting. It was strange: if I hadn't known better, I would have said Data's pride was hurt."
Pulaski rolled her eyes. "He was completely convinced that he was malfunctioning somehow. Honestly, I've never seen anyone take a defeat so hard. I mean, sure, it was unexpected that Kolrami won, but it wasn't a big deal."
Geordi's eyebrows knotted.
"Gosh...that's awful."
Riker turned to Geordi. "What do you mean?"
"You don't get it?" He glanced at his fellow crew members. "Do none of you get it...?"
Picard sighed. "Mr. LaForge, feel free to enlighten us."
"I've never spoken to Data about this, but I get the impression he believes that, if he ever stops working flawlessly...we're just going to throw him away like an old tool."
Silence entrapped the room like a sheet of ice. Commander Riker was the first to gather enough courage to shatter it.
"I...never knew. How could he believe something like that?"
Geordi shrugged. "Data's been treated as if he's expendable for most of his life. I guess he just can't shake that idea."
The cold silence fell once more. Then, someone's combadge chirped, breaking into the thoughts of the crew, and reminding them of their duties. Riker, Troi, Pulaski, and LaForge slowly filed out, heading to their respective posts, leaving Captain Picard.
After all, I am a machine, and dispensable.
He sighed.
The door to his ready room chimed brightly, jolting the Captain from his musings.
"Come in."
The doors swished open, and Data entered, Padd in hand.
"Sir, I completed the status reports as you requested."
"Thank you."
After a brief hesitation, Picard placed a hand on the android's shoulder.
"Keep up the good work, Mr. Data."
Data blinked in surprise.
And for a moment, Jean-Luc Picard could see past the pale, expressionless face—he saw Data for who he truly was: a lost child, dreaming of love and happiness.
"Thank you sir." Data said softly. "I will do my best."
Picard gave his third in command one of his rare half-smiles, and the two walked onto the bridge together.