Chapter Two: The Bridge of Hope

It had been a little over two years since Data's valiant sacrifice and Geordi still couldn't get used to the idea of having his identical brother, B-4, around. He and the former senior staff of the Enterprise often took turns caring for the android. However, since Geordi had the most experience with the technology, he spent the most time with B-4 and attempted to enhance his processors, but to no avail. Thinking back to the day when Data appeared to him in a vision, Geordi realized that he had lied to Data's questions; if he was okay and if he understood. Although Geordi understood the reason behind Data's decision, he was still not entirely okay. Despite the joy of his recent marriage and the pending birth of his first child, Geordi still felt a sense of something missing and whenever he looked at B-4, he saw a physical reminder of the friend he lost. At times, his hope wavered and he'd wish that Data were there to help him. Once in a while, he would accidentally call B-4 by Data's name. B-4 still seemed to have trouble figuring out why some people would do this at times. B-4 didn't seem to understand the concept of death and mortality. Whenever someone would die, he would ask when they were going to return. He would often ask why it was taking so long for his brother Data to return.

"Why have you called me 'Data'?" B-4 would inquire, but it was always too awkward to give him anything other than an apology for the confusion.

"You will be able to tell the difference between me and my brother when he comes back from the dead place." he'd also say at times.

Geordi spent much time with B-4. He always struggled with the fact that although he was looking at the likeness of his friend Data, it was not him. B-4's language and behavior were improving very slowly, but overall, he was still painfully child-like and rudimentary. Since his comprehension levels were far less advanced than Data's, he would often initiate an endless barrage of questions. This would often prove exhausting for those who were on the receiving end of the constant queries.

Geordi had been temporarily reassigned to a new ship to oversee a warp core replacement. As he was aligning it, he realized that something was seriously wrong. A series of problems ensued and led to the ship's rapid lost of antimatter containment. The situation looked grim. The ship shook violently and sent several crew members tumbling over.

It was relatively dark, with the exception of flashing emergency lights. Fatality reports were coming in from all over the ship. Geordi was in Engineering, working anxiously to prevent a warp core breech, but nothing appeared to be working. The ship's First officer was badly injured and the Captain was constantly contacting Geordi about the situation, thus adding to the stress. Although his mind was racing to save the ship and the crew, he spared a moment to try to think of what his friend Data would have done if he were there. Especially since Geordi was sure that he and Data had solved a similar problem years ago. However, the solution eluded Geordi. It was as if his memory had been wiped of that event. Suddenly, B-4 entered Engineering while cradling Spot, Data's cat, in his arms; and appeared to be confused about all the activity. He glanced at the flashing lights with immense curiosity.

"Is it a game Geordi?" B-4 replied in his child-like voice and a vacant expression on his face, "Can I play too?"

"B-4, this is not a game! I need you to leave now so we can work here." Geordi replied abruptly as he continued to work.

"Geordi, are you angry with me? Have I done something wrong?" B-4 asked flatly as he followed Geordi.

"Can somebody get him out of here?!" Geordi called to the other engineers before he proceeded to work feverishly on calculations and conversions.


Meanwhile, in a lone forest residence Data was just waking up for the day. The golden sunlight streamed through the window and onto Tasha's silky, blonde hair. She was still sleeping peacefully and Data kissed her gently on the cheek. He then slid quietly out of bed so as not to wake her; he had planned to prepare breakfast. Before he exited the bedroom, he turned to look at her once again; a ritual he did almost every morning. As he proceeded to cross the living room, he began to feel weird as if the room were violently shaking. He managed to stagger over to the sofa and sit. It was a feeling he'd never experienced before; no wait, he had, but it was during his time of service on the Enterprise. When Data looked up, he saw Q standing before him.

"Q, it is you… again." Data replied flatly.

"Yes, Data. Didn't I tell you last time, not to be surprised if I stopped by again? Well, here I am!" Q replied with a smile.

"If you are wondering if I have changed my mind about remaining here, I have not."

Data felt the sensation of the room shaking again.

"Q, what is happening?"

"Oh, so you can feel that? Does it feel familiar to you?"

Data nodded. "But why am I feeling this here? This is not a starship."

"No, it's not, but he needs you again Data. He needs your help."

"Who does?"

"Let me show you…" Q replied as he poised his fingers to snap, "keep in mind, I'm about to show you what will happen if you choose to do nothing."

Before Data could inquire, Q snapped his fingers and Data was suddenly on a starship. However, it wasn't the Enterprise as he'd expected, but another ship. There were injured and dead crewmembers strewn about the ship. As he witnessed the devastation, it caused him intense emotional pain that he didn't have the luxury of shutting off. Data felt extremely saddened by the unfolding scene and wanted to return to his peaceful existence in the forest with Tasha and his family. Everything around him seemed to be happening at four times the rate of normal speed, yet he felt as if he were moving in slow motion. He looked at one of the consoles and saw that there was an imminent threat of a warp core breach and that none of the emergency escape systems were operational. Unless someone could repair the damage to the warp core, everyone on the ship would surely die. When Data entered Engineering, he saw Geordi sweating profusely and working harder than he'd ever seen.

"Damn it! Why can't I remember how to do this?!" Geordi screamed in frustration as he pounded the console.

The computer began to countdown to the crew's destruction and then there was a brilliant white light that engulfed everything. The light seemed very familiar to Data; it was like the light he had seen after the day he rescued Captain Picard from the Scimitar. Q stood before him in silence. However his face did not wear the smile he had earlier.

"Q, I can not allow Geordi to die." Data said somberly.

"Well, what do you expect to do about it?"

"I do not know. Since I no longer exist in physical form, I suppose there is not much I can do."

"Data, once again, I'm here to prove you wrong. You still limit yourself despite all I've shown you thus far."

"Are you suggesting that I can help Geordi? How?"

"Sometimes, all you need is a bridge. I can show it to you, but only you can cross it. I can't make you do it."

Data closed his eyes for a moment and when he reopened them, they were once again inside his forest residence. He sighed happily as he crept towards the bedroom and saw that Tasha was still sound asleep. After a brief moment, he rejoined Q in the living room.

"Alright Q, what do I have to do to save Geordi?" Data asked, to which Q smiled.

"Okay Data, but once you get there; you must not mention anything about me to anyone. I'm not supposed to directly interfere in the affairs of your friends; the Q would strip me of my omnipotence if I were to do that. That's why I came here for your assistance. Please, sit down." Q replied. Data slowly sat on the sofa and Q sat beside him and waved his hand over his face, "Now just close your eyes and…"


Back in engineering, Geordi was still struggling to solve the problem. For some reason the warp core wouldn't eject and one idea after another would fail. The computer continued to count down and they were reminded that if they failed to correct the problem, they would die in less than four minutes. Somehow, B-4 was able to re-enter Engineering. Geordi became furious when he became aware of the distraction.

"B-4, I thought I told you to —" Geordi began to yell but B-4 interrupted him.

"It is good to see you again Geordi." B-4 replied softly as he bypassed Geordi and walked straight to the console and vigorously began pressing buttons.

"B-4, what the hell are you doing?! Get away from there!" Geordi yelled, all the while thinking 'I don't have time for this nonsense!'

Geordi attempted to move B-4's hands away from the console. However, B-4 gently, but firmly seized Geordi's hands instead and looked knowingly into his eyes.

B-4 then described to Geordi how to perform an unorthodox, complicated procedure to bypass certain functions in order to eject the warp core while he attempted to bring the impulse drives back online. Geordi, stared at B-4 with utter shock and he realized that something was very different about the android. As he watched B-4 skillfully operate the console, he noticed that his hand movements were no longer awkward and rudimentary, but were moving as rapidly as Data's, perhaps even faster! B-4 realized he was being watched, cocked his head slightly and looked over at Geordi.

"Geordi, are you alright? Do you understand?" B-4 asked, his voice no longer childlike and awkward, but smooth and authoritative.

The questions sent shivers down Geordi's spine and he was frozen with shock. Those were the same questions Data had asked him when he appeared to him after his death. "Data, oh my God!" Geordi whispered.

"Geordi, I am afraid we are short on time. Did you understand my suggestions?" B-4 repeated, at which time Geordi snapped out of it and quickly proceeded with B-4's instructions.

As Geordi did what B-4 had recommended, he couldn't help but wonder how Data had returned in B-4's frame. As he continued to work on the sequence to eject the warp core, tears fell onto the console. Not a moment too soon, the warp core was successfully dumped. Data had somehow reengaged impulse drives and the ship was able to move away from the ejected warp core before it exploded. As the rest of the crew worked on the other systems and cleaned up the aftermath, Geordi slowly approached B-4.

"Data?" Geordi half asked, half stated.

Data said nothing for a moment before he hugged his friend.

"Yes Geordie, it is me." Data answered.

"But how —"

"I am afraid I can not explain." Data replied as he ended the embrace.

"Data, thanks for your help. I couldn't have done it without you."

"That is incorrect." Data replied with a slight smile, "You already knew what you needed to do, but you somehow forgot. You somehow… stopped believing in yourself. "

Geordi placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Well, it's been really tough working without my left hand." Geordi replied, to which Data looked at Geordi's hands before he realized it was a figure of speech, "Data, I've missed you so much buddy!" Geordi exclaimed as he choked back tears, "If I'd have known you could get into B-4's frame, I would've postponed my wedding."

A broad, surprised smile spread across B-4's face.

"You have married?" Data asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah, a little over a year ago, and I'm going to be a father!"

"Geordi, that is wonderful! I am happy for you! I can not wait to tell —" Data said before he stopped himself before he said Tasha's name.

"Tell who Data?"

"Never mind. Tell me, how has B-4 been doing? Is he making progress?"

"Very little progress, but he's very inquisitive I'll give you that much. I guess it runs in the family." Geordi said with a quiet chuckle, "But he's been taking very good care of Spot."

"Yes, I am aware of that. I was holding Spot when I… arrived here. I have noticed that she has gained weight since I last saw her. It was certainly very nice to see her again." Data replied with an affectionate smile, "She is safe in the quarters of B-4, where I left her before arriving here in Engineering."

Suddenly, Data began to feel strange, it was almost as if he saw static for a moment, but the feeling subsided. He somehow knew his time was limited, and he placed a hand on Geordi's shoulder.

"Geordi, you do know that since I am no longer… present in your life in the way I once was, there is no reason to lose yourself. I am fine, but it is still important to me that you still maintain your optimism... your hope. You would not be the same person without it and I would be very sad if that were to happen to you. It was my choice for things to be this way. Do you understand?"

Geordi's bottom lip quivered as the struggle to hold back his emotions began to take its toll.

"Yes Data," he replied as he wiped his tears, "I understand… and I'll be okay."

Data close his eyes for a moment and smiled with elated relief as he put a hand on Geordi's shoulder.

"It has been really good to work with you again my friend! It was really… so good to see you again." Data replied with a tearful smile.

"I know Data, it was like old times huh?" Geordi replied, shedding happy tears of his own.

Suddenly, B-4's head jolted back and he collapsed to the floor.

"Data!" Geordi exclaimed as he knelt at B-4's side.

B-4 blinked his eyes a few times and looked around.

"Data, are you alright?" Geordi asked.

"Geordi," B-4 replied in his usual child-like voice, "I am B-4. Why have you again called me by the name of my brother?"


Meanwhile Data opened his eyes and found himself in bed next to Tasha, just as he had been before his latest adventure.

"Hey sleepyhead." she said with a yawn before she kissed him, "That must've been some dream you were having."

Tasha and Data began to kiss and cuddle passionately when suddenly Tasha froze and Q appeared, lying across the foot of their bed.

"Q, this kind of intrusion is extremely… inappropriate." Data replied firmly, but not in anger.

"Oh, don't worry I won't stay for the show. I just wanted you to know that you were not there to save the lives on that ship. Your purpose was to give new hope to a man who so desperately needed it for his future… and the futures of many others." Q replied.

"But the warp core —"

"Would have been ejected anyway. Geordi would have come up with the solution in time. I showed you what you needed to see in order for you to help him; to help him restore belief and faith in himself. That will be something he'll be able to pass down to other Generations."

Data was baffled by Q's revelation and one question came to mind.

"Q, I am curious. In what way does this benefit you?"

Q simply smiled, but did not divulge an answer. With a snap, he disappeared and Tasha resumed nuzzling against Data as if nothing had happened, but he of course, pondered Q's statement and wondered what it was he had to gain. After a few moments, the thoughts faded, leaving only Tasha to occupy his thinking.


B-4 was sitting in engineering and Geordi was performing a very thorough diagnostic on him. He was determined to find out what could've possibly caused Data to emerge through B-4's frame, but he couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.

"Alright, we're done." Geordi said, as he closed the panel in the android's head.

"Now can we play a game Geordi?" B-4 asked.

"Uh, maybe later alright?"

"Alright Geordi."

B-4 walked away while humming a song and Geordi smiled as he thought of ways to explain the remarkable occurrence to his former Enterprise colleagues. He also beamed with hope as he thought of the arrival of his unborn son, whom he planned to name Datius LaForge.