Chapter 2 (1,364 words)

Geordi La Forge had had rather a long day in engineering. In fact, he had never known a day on the Enterprise to seem so long. He only wanted one thing right now, and that was sleep. He had been working non-stop for at least twelve hours, and he was incredibly tired. It hadn't even been the captain's orders that he should work as much as he had been doing recently, it was his own idea, and, he thought, a very stupid one at that. He was making his way back from engineering and it was at times like these that he was so grateful his quarters went that far away. It only took him a few moments and, before he knew it, he was in his personal quarters, and he could finally get some rest.

But, he knew he had spoken too soon. As soon as he had walked into his quiet, peaceful quarters, he heard a sound which he knew was the door chiming. Half of him wanted to just simply ignore it, but he knew that he couldn't do that. It might be something of high importance. And so, he rather half-heartedly spoke, "Come in."

The computer obeyed his command and the door then promptly slid open. On the other side, was Data. Geordi didn't really expect his android friend to be visiting so late. So, he expressed his surprise, "Data? What are you doing here?" He asked, rather too loudly.

Data blinked and then stoically and rather shyly replied, "I have come to ask for your assistance."

Geordi said nothing but just stared at his friend blankly. He then quickly gathered his thoughts and said in response, in a weary tone of voice, "Why? What for?"

Data shuffled forward a little so that he was actually in Geordi's quarters and was no longer standing like a spare part rather awkwardly on the doorstep. "It is of a…" he paused, thinking of something to say "…personal nature." He then looked down at the floor, with a blank expression on his golden face.

Geordi didn't really have any idea as to what to say in response to this confused question. How could Data possible have something to ask him that was of a 'personal nature'? But, the android was his friend, and so he asked, rubbing his forehead a little, "What is it, Data?"

For the rather long time period in which Geordi had been trying to think of what to say in response to his statement, Data must have been attempting to try and work out what he, himself, was going to say next, because he looked his commander straight in the eye and said in a bland tone of voice, "Do you remember Lal?"

Geordi failed to recognise what Data had said straight away. He was honestly too tired to be thinking too hard now. Then, suddenly, he remembered what 'Lal' was or rather, who 'Lal' was. She was Data's 'daughter'. Geordi stood there open mouthed and was simply astounded and rather confused. "What?"

Data seemed to be examining his friend, before replying with one word, "Lal."

The chief engineer can't have been too happy with Data's response, but he exclaimed in return, "Lal?"

Data simply nodded and replied in his trademark tone of voice, "Yes."

"But, I thought Lal was, "Geordi paused, thinking he should be a little sensitive regarding how exactly he was phrase the next part of his sentence, "…dead."

Data stood there still for a short while but then he answered, "Yes, she still is 'dead'. However, I have been considering this for quite some time and I think I would be appropriate to try and reconstruct her positronic matrix."

Geordi La Forge was, for lack of a better word, dumbfounded. He had thought Data had learned his lesson. Although Data wasn't upset when Lal had died; he couldn't be upset, Geordi could tell that he wasn't really all that right either. "It's only been two years, Data," he said, "that's not that much time."

Data nodded, taking in and considering his friend's concerned words. "I understand that Geordi, but I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in this situation."

Geordi looked at him and sighed, before asking, "May I ask, what are the advantages?" He couldn't think of any himself.

Data replied simply, "Lal will live."

Then, Geordi knew what the other outcome was. "So, the disadvantage is that Lal will die."

Seemingly unperturbed by this rather personal and emotional statement, Data just nodded in response.

However, the true nature of why Data had decided to visit Geordi was yet to be known. "Data? What is it you want me to do?" Geordi asked.

"For the past two point three seven years, I have kept Lal's body in suspended animation, in case any such time as now should arise."

Geordi waved his hand in a sort of smooth, circular motion, beckoning Data to continue, "So?" He asked.

"I request your assistance in reconfiguring her neural net."

Geordi was lost for words. He didn't know how exactly to respond. "Data, you've got to be kidding," he said, but then he saw how serious the expression on Data's face was and he quickly decided that Data had indeed meant what he had said. "The last time, Lal's systems failed. There was too much stress, how can you be sure that won't happen again?"

"I cannot, Geordi," Data said simply, "however, I can attempt to employ something which I have been testing in my frequent games of poker."

"And what is that?"

"Calculated risk."

Geordi didn't particularly like what he was hearing. "Look, Data, playing poker and resurrecting your daughter are two different things. I don't want to see you get hurt again, if this thing doesn't work."

"I cannot feel offence or sadness, or anything like that, Geordi, I will feel nothing."

"That may be, Data, but that's not really my point. What I mean is that, although you can't feel emotions, you do care about people don't you?"

Data stared blankly, as if he had momentarily been deactivated or something, but then his yellow eyes refocused and he answered his friend's enquiry. "I am able to feel some degree of concern for the welfare of others."

Geordi realised he wasn't really getting through to Data quite in the way that he would have like. "Look," he said firmly, "when Tasha died, you 'felt' something, didn't you?"

"I did not feel anything, Geordi, because I simply cannot. I was concerned about her, because she was… special to me. I had become accustomed to her presence and it was… strange when she was no longer present."

It had taken a little longer then Geordi would have liked, but he said, "Exactly. So, if Lal does… die this time, you have to be prepared for that time."

"I do understand, Geordi," Data replied. "It is my decision as to whether or not to continue this, but I am asking for your help."

Geordi looked deep into his friend's eyes and, although he knew that they were some form of advanced camera-system they were as good as real. The light in Data's eyes was not as full as it used to be. Perhaps, Geordi thought to himself, there was some sort of failure in Data's photonic configuration, but he knew there was something more than that. "Ok," he said quietly.

"You sounded rather lacking in enthusiasm," Data observed.

Geordi sighed, "I'm sorry, Data. But, I will help you."

"Thank you," Data said, and the slightest glimmer of a smile was visible on his face. Geordi knew it was definitely programmed, but it meant a lot to him, the gratitude. "I will be in main engineering at 1400 hours," he stated before leaving.

Geordi sighed; peace at last, he thought to himself. But, in spite of how much he wanted to sleep, he couldn't straight away. There were too many things swirling around in his mind. But, the main thought which kept him awake for half the night was Data's unexpected revelation about Lal. It took him a few hours, but Geordi finally settled down and managed to get some sleep.