The Spirit of Friendship
Data's seven years of service aboard the Enterprise-D had taught him a great deal. He had learned how to function as part of a close social and professional team, how to act as a leader, to inspire the confidence and nurture the abilities of his subordinates, and he had learned how to recognize, respect, and share in the varied interests of his friends while simultaneously developing and expressing his own preferences.
Yet, for all the benefits his active participation in the Enterprise social scene had brought him, Data knew he had also incurred several drawbacks. Case in point: he now understood – honestly understood – what it was to be lonely. Where once he would only have mused absently on the etymological origins of axioms like "absence makes the heart grow fonder," now, when his friends were unavailable for social interaction, Data missed their input. He missed it a great deal.
Geordi was busy. Geordi was overseeing the installation of the Enterprise's new warp core while the ship was in spacedock. Data had pointed out that, technically, the Chief Engineer's presence was not required until the unit was ready for its initial tests, but Geordi's responsibilities made him behave with somewhat irrational protectiveness whenever "strange hands" touched "his" beloved engines. So, as he had done in many similar situations, Data had left his friend in Engineering and gone off to pursue his own interests.
Unfortunately, most of the interests he did not share with Geordi – such as his artistic, musical, and literary endeavors – were sedentary, and Data had wanted very much to leave the ship and explore the starbase. It was only after he had crossed the docking ramp to the base's observation deck that he'd realized he did not want to explore the starbase alone.
Data stared out the gently curving viewport window at the sleek, elegant lines of his starship. His home. The harsh interior lighting did no justice to her hull's bright finish. He preferred the way she looked in her natural habitat – the deep, star-speckled blackness of space.
When was the last time he had looked – really looked – at his ship from the protected interior of a starbase?
The memory appeared before he'd finished forming the question. It had been six years, eight months, and twenty-four days ago, on Stardate 41365 – the day four Bynars had hijacked the Enterprise and kidnapped the Captain and Commander Riker in hopes that the two officers could restore the master computer that sustained their world.
Data slid his eyes to the side, allowing the recorded events of that day to play across his conscious thoughts. He had been new to his position then, new to command, and still unsure how the very human concepts of 'recreation' and 'personal time' might apply to an android who never tired and had no emotional need for diversion. After all, on his previous assignment aboard the Trieste, his organic crewmates had behaved toward him as if he were no more than a mobile computer interface, never questioning why the android officer never left his post unless ordered to take on some other duty.
He had not anticipated how different his situation would be aboard the Enterprise where, from the very outset, he had been treated, not as 'that creepy robot,' but as a man.
Geordi had been the one who suggested they step off the bridge, away from the busy Bynars, and use their free time to pursue outside interests. When Data claimed he had none, Geordi had suggested he try his hand at something creative, like painting. He had even suggested a subject: the Xylo Eggs.
The corners of Data's lips quirked slightly at the memory of his first artistic endeavor. The brushwork had been thick and heavy, a result of holding the brush too tightly, and the colors, instead of forming complimentary layers, had blended to create a rather muddied effect. He liked to think he had improved since then.
That day, Data had been thoroughly absorbed in the creative process in a way he'd never been absorbed by anything but his work when the Bynars made their move, simulating an impending warp core breach to force the crew to evacuate the ship and remove it to a safe distance from the starbase. Jarred back to reality, Data had performed his duty with alacrity, but had been unable to shake the disconcerting notion that he had done something terribly wrong. He had left his post, abandoned his duties, just to indulge a personal whim. Because he had not been there, on watch, on the bridge, the Bynars had overtaken the computer and commandeered the vessel – along with the Captain and First Officer. Upon arriving on the starbase, he had expected immediate reprimand—
But, none had been forthcoming. Then, when he had admitted his perceived negligence to Geordi, their friend Tasha had scolded him for even harboring such an attitude, saying, "That's a pointless discussion, Data. You could have been on the bridge and it still might have happened."
Fallibility. It was such a…human…flaw, hardly to be expected of the tireless, mechanical data collector that had headed the Trieste's life sciences department.
But to Tasha, like Geordi and the rest of the Enterprise senior staff, Data had always been a person. A living being, fully capable of making mistakes, forming close social connections…and missing the people who were no longer with him. People like his father, his daughter…
…and Tasha herself.
Data's perfect posture seemed to wilt, just slightly, and he turned his gaze back to the ship, experiencing the loss of their valued input as a strange, undefined weight deep in his chest cavity. It had been a long time since he had felt so…isolated.
Before the Enterprise, a moment like this would have had little effect on him. With company, without company, in a group, isolated from a group, it had made no difference. His thoughts were his own, solo or shared, so what did it matter if he was socially isolated as long as he maintained a perfect record of his experiences?
But somehow, somewhere, something had changed. He had changed. Having friends – real friends – had augmented his outlook, imbued his life experiences with unanticipated nuances that added shade and flavor to every moment he shared. Because of his friends, because of the acceptance and encouragement of people like Geordi and Tasha, Commander Riker and Captain Picard, Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troi, the android who now stood gazing out at the Enterprise was no longer the android who had signed aboard.
The thought made him reflective and he tilted his head to consider the implications. Gradually, his sharp eyes lost their focus, his processing speed seemed to slow…
And then, in his mind, he heard a voice.
"Hello, Data."
It took a moment for him to register the warm presence by his side; the small, callused hand slipping into his own and giving his fingers a familiar, friendly squeeze.
"Tasha," he said. "I wished to share my time off with a friend. I am pleased that you are here."
The young woman smiled a smile drawn from his memory banks, but Data didn't dwell on that. Even if she was just an extrapolated amalgam of memories and dreams, it was enough to make for a pleasant daydream.
"You know I'm only a figment of your imagination," she said, echoing his thoughts.
"Of course," he assured her. "I am pleased that I now have an imagination capable of providing me with such engaging and pleasant scenarios. I have greatly missed your company over the years."
"Oh, Data," she said, and shook her head. "Look, if you're lonely, why don't you go find Riker or Troi or someone? I'm sure they'd welcome your company."
"Commander Riker exhibited great reluctance this morning when I voiced my interest in exploring the station's zoological garden, leading me to infer that viewing captive, endangered animals makes him feel guilty. And Counselor Troi has chosen to spend her time off with Worf. I have no wish to intrude on their 'date.' I find I prefer solitude to being 'a third wheel.'"
He turned to face her.
"Are you aware that Captain Picard used to invite me to private diplomatic dinners purposefully to deflect attention away from himself?" he said. "At the time I believed he had chosen me as a companion because the diplomats in question shared my interests and were eager to engage in topical conversation but, in reality, they were terribly bored. The practice became something of a running joke on the ship before I caught Geordi laughing and requested he explain. The Captain has since apologized for using me in that way, but I have learned my lesson, Tasha. I will not intrude where I am not wanted, and I will not expound upon my personal interests without assurances that my conversation will be met with honest reciprocation."
Tasha raised her eyebrows, her amusement accentuating the lines of her face.
"Sounds like you've grown up a lot since I last saw you," she said, and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "The old you never would have been so discerning about those kinds of social subtleties, let alone gotten indignant about it. I'm proud of you, Data."
Data tilted his head in acknowledgement, but said, "I am afraid I still have a long way to go."
"You'll get there," she said, her expression warm. "In your own way, and in your own time. But, where's Geordi, anyway? Why isn't he spending time with you? I'd like to see him again myself."
"Geordi is still overseeing the installation of the new warp plasma conduit. They have run into a series of minor, though unforeseen, problems and Geordi is reluctant to leave his engines until the 'rough edges' have been 'hammered out.'"
Tasha smiled.
"Listen to you, employing human metaphors right, left, and sideways. I always knew you'd get the hang of casual speech someday. I bet you won't even bat an eye if I suggest that things might go faster in Engineering if they had another hand at the wheel."
An expression that might have been amusement briefly softened his eyes.
"Geordi wishes to handle this on his own," he said. "And Captain Picard said I should take this time to enjoy myself. I too often spend my leave doing work."
"Then why are you standing here?" she said. "Why don't you go somewhere more interesting? Like you said, this starbase has a pretty good zoo."
"Such activities are best shared," Data said. "Most of the leisure pastimes available on this base are designed for couples, families, and groups rather than lone individuals. Besides, I am enjoying this time here with you."
"But, I'm not real."
"My memories of you are real. I carry them with me every day."
Tasha turned her face away, then, on impulse, leaned in to kiss his cheek. When he fixed her with a curious stare, she smiled and squeezed his hand again, then turned her eyes back to the Enterprise. After a moment, Data followed her gaze. She stepped closer, pulling his arm around her shoulder, then her waist, until the pair of them stood entwined in a comfortable half-embrace - a posture he remembered her taking on several occasions when she had sought him out after suffering one of her all-too-frequent nightmares. On those occasions, he would accompany her to her favorite observation lounge. They would stand, staring out at the stars, and talk together until her weariness overtook her. Then, she would pat his arm or kiss his cheek, wish him goodnight, and head back to bed. When he looked back on his friendship with Tasha, it was always those brief, trusting moments he missed most of all.
"You're right," she said, resting her head against his shoulder. "This is much better with two."
"Data?"
The android blinked and turned around, feeling the disorientation that accompanied a broken daydream more keenly than ever before.
"Data?" Counselor Troi said again.
Data blinked a few more times, unable to suppress a sinking sense of loss as the imagined pressure of Tasha's head against his uniform and the warmth of her hand on his took their place in rank and file among the rest of his accumulated records.
"Data," Troi said, a glimmer of concern darkening her eyes. "You looked like you were a million light years away just now. Are you all right?"
"Yes, Counselor," he said, turning his focus to her at last. "Was there something you wanted?"
"Well…" she said, seeming uncharacteristically awkward as she stared into his face, as if trying to read something that was no longer there. "I'm sorry, Data. I didn't mean to intrude on your thoughts… But, Worf and I were wondering if you'd like to join us for a walk. The zoological garden they have here is supposed to be one of the best in the quadrant and, as Captain Picard has said, you are our resident honors student in exobiology."
Data furrowed his brow, as if questioning the motive behind her invitation.
"Are you certain the pair of you would not prefer to share the experience as a couple?" he said.
Troi seemed amused.
"Data, I assure you, this isn't a pity invite. Lt. Commander Masters, who currently runs the park, is going to be meeting us in a few minutes to act as our guide. She's recently put in for a transfer to a deep space assignment and, if it's approved, I was thinking you might want to consider her for a position in the Enterprise exobiology lab."
"Then, this is to be an informal evaluation?"
"Well, no, not really," Troi said. "More a chance for social interaction. I thought you might enjoy the opportunity to talk with someone whose passion for studying alien lifeforms might almost rival your own interest. Besides, going to the zoo is always more fun when you bring your friends along."
She smiled at him.
"So, what do you say, Data? Will you come?"
Data's lips twitched ever so slightly upward, and a lively warmth seemed to brighten his golden eyes.
"When you put it like that, Counselor," he said, "how can I refuse?"
References for this daydream include TNG "11001001," "Phantasms," "Manhunt," "Clues," "Legacy," and "Tin Man."
So, did you like it? Please review and let me know what you think! As Data said to Geordi after his poetry reading (in "Schisms"), "An artist's growth depends upon accurate feedback." Any feedback you could give me would be deeply appreciated. Thanks for reading! :)
