Chief O'Brien stood at the console.
"Four to beam up!"
Counselor Troi, Captain Picard, and Lieutenant Worf looked on as four bright, humanoid shapes formed in the transporter.
"Deanna!"
With a grin on his face, Will Riker strode over to the Betazoid counselor, and pecked her on the cheek. A blush bloomed in her cheeks like a blossoming rose.
"I missed you, Imzahdi."
Bev smiled at the happy couple. Her smile widened upon seeing Captain Picard, who was clearly a bit embarrassed by watching Will and Deanna.
"Oh, why not?" thought Dr. Crusher. She strolled over to Jean-Luc, and quickly kissed his bald head. He turned as red as Mars, but managed to keep his composure, saying "well, it's—it's good to see you, too, Doctor."
Nearby, Worf watched the scene, a look of disgust marring his features.
"I despise public displays of affection."
"Come now, Worf! Don't be jealous!"
Tasha Yar walked up to Worf and gave him peck on his ridged nose. His expression didn't change, but his face colored ever so slightly.
After viewing this chain of events, Data turned to Counselor Troi.
"I do not understand. Why are you and the others kissing?"
Deanna smiled.
"It's our way of showing people close to us that we're happy to see them again. After all, you, Will, Beverly, and Tasha have been on the away mission for a long time."
Data cocked his head to the side, considering this new information.
"Intriguing..."
At that moment, the door to the transporter room whisked open, and Geordi LaForge walked in.
"Hi, everybody! Good to see ya!"
Data glanced at his friend. Then, his face brightened.
"Ah. Geordi!"
In three long steps, the android closed the distance between himself and Geordi, and cupped the other man's face in his hands. He leaned in...
And kissed Geordi on the lips.
There was an awkward silence as the other six crew members stood around, watching the two men. Picard looked a bit embarrassed and uncomfortable. Even Worf, who usually didn't show any emotion, seemed surprised. However, Tasha, Will, Beverly and Deanna all exchanged knowing smirks.
After a few moments, Data and Geordi finally separated. Geordi's face was flushed.
"Uh, Data? What...why did you...you know?"
"Kiss you?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you are metaphorically close to me."
Geordi's eyebrows went up.
"Of course, buddy."
"And I have not interacted with you for one month, two weeks, and five days. Therefore, it was appropriate for me to show you that I...missed you, was it not?"
Deanna giggled, but maintained her composure. She placed her hand on the android's shoulder.
"Data, I think—"
"It's ok, Deanna."
Smiling widely, Geordi linked elbows with his friend and led him from the transporter room.
"I've missed you too, Data."
The others stared after the pair, open-mouthed. Finally, Riker spoke.
"Might as well follow their example."
Two by two, the others left for various parts of the ship.
Except for O'Brien, who was still trying to figure out what the heck had just happened.