Trivia and In-Jokes: The line Are you going to play that thing or just blow on it until he gets here? is a play-on of Jim Kirk saying to Spock about his lute "Are you going to sit there and pluck that thing or are you actually going to play something?" (paraphrasing) from Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
Chapter One: Seven Years Earlier…
Lisa sat in Data's quarters waiting for him to go off duty, fiddling with her pan flute. Jamie, her flit (Rising Fog to most), sat perched on the couch beside her preening his black and gray scales. He didn't mind being around Data; since the android had no emotions for the flit to read, it was really quite peaceful.
Are you really going to ask him to play that song with you? Jamie asked telepathically. After you've been talking about it for a year?
"I had to make sure he was going to keep playing. You remember how he didn't want to do that concert." She put the flute to her lips and blew a few random notes. For some reason she could play by ear any song she knew the lyrics to just by singing them in her head.
Are you going to play that thing or just blow on it until he gets here?
Lisa gave her flit a dirty look, then asked the computer to play the version of the song she wanted to get Data to play with her that had the lead vocals removed. That's where her flute came in.
The song was called "To Love You More". It had been sung by an Earth woman named Celine Dion and had been popular in the late 20th century. What made Lisa want to play it with Data so bad was the lead violin part performed by violinist Taro Hakase. She absolutely adored it.
She was so into playing she didn't even realize Data had walked in until the short violin solo three and a quarter minutes into the song when she turned around and noticed him watching her. She made a move to turn off the music, but he stopped her.
"Please continue," he said.
Lisa shrugged, smiled and without missing a beat continued to play. When she finished, she said, "Well, what did you think?"
"Intriguing," he replied. "However, I am not familiar with the piece you were playing."
"I'm not surprised," she said and explained the origins. "I'm glad you heard it, though. I wanted to ask you a favor."
"Certainly."
"Would you play it with me? You can do the lead violin."
He nodded. "Of course. First, I must analyze the original recording in order to adequately replicate the notes."
Lisa just happened to have the original cut of the song in her personal files, so she called it up on the computer so he could listen. She tried to sit quietly, but she couldn't help mouthing the lyrics.
After he'd listen to the original cut, he asked the computer to remove all the instruments but the lead violin and then listened to that. It was odd hearing it that way.
Finally he said, "I am creating a file that has both the lead vocals and violin removed." His hands flew over the computer pad. "Do you wish to proceed?"
She nodded eagerly. "Yes!" she said and held up her flute.
Data retrieved his violin and gave the computer the command to play the music. He played his violin in a perfect imitation of Taro Hakase.
Together they played, their only audience Jamie, who watched impressed. He probably would have clapped if he had hands.
Very nice, he said when the last note faded.
"Thanks," replied Lisa, causing Data to cant his head in puzzlement. One downside of Jamie's telepathy was that Data's android brain couldn't allow him to hear it. She had to reiterate to him, "He said he likes it."
Well, not in that many words.
She ignored him. "Data, you have no idea how much that meant to me. Thank you."
He nodded. "You're welcome."
She grinned. "That's gonna be known as Our Song from now on."
That caused Data to frown. "Inquiry…'Our Song'?"
Chuckling, she explained, "Well, in normal context, Our Song refers to one chosen by a couple that best symbolizes their relationship. In this case, considering the circumstances, it's just the song you and I play together."
Data nodded, understanding. He had known Lisa was attracted to him for years. Although he couldn't return the affection, he greatly valued their friendship and that was why he allowed her to spend so much time with him. It was enough for her. For now.
End chapter one.