Chapter Four; Veritas
Veritas. Noun. 1. Honesty. 2. Sincerity. 3. Truth.
The door to Data's quarters slid open, and Geordi followed the android in. He folded his arms and watched his friend seat himself at his personal terminal and begin his log of the day's events.
"Well?" He said pointedly. Data looked up, although his fingers continued to dance across the screen.
"Well what?" He enquired. Geordi threw his hands up in irritation.
"Whaddaya mean 'what'? I'm waiting for you to explain why the hell you came on to me!"
Data's pale brow creased, and he dropped his hands to the desk.
"Because I wanted to. My inhibitions were gone, and..."
"Data, all my staff were watching! Who knows what they're going to be saying behind my back!" He began to pace around the room, agitated. "There's gonna be rumours..."
"I do not see why there should be." Data said mildly. "It was obvious that you were the innocent party in the encounter, and that I was very clearly intoxicated."
"You don't just try to kiss your best friend for no reason!" Geordi snapped. Data cocked his head.
"Are you aware of the Latin phrase 'in vino veritas'?" the android said. Geordi glared at him.
"Okay, I'll bite." He said after a moment. "What does that mean?"
"'In wine, truth'." Data quoted. Geordi looked at the floor, considering.
"So, when someone's drunk, they're more likely to tell the truth?"
"The implication is that inebriation enables a person to behave in a manner more consistent with their true feelings." Data's voice was low and sincere, and when Geordi looked up at him he was staring at one of his paintings, apparently unwilling to look at the human standing in his quarters. Geordi put a hand to his forehead and groaned.
"Data... are you really trying to tell me that you're attracted to me?"
The android turned to regard him with his bright golden eyes. "Do you still doubt that I know my own feelings?"
"No, it's not that, it's just..." Geordi began to pace again, self-conscious. "You're my best friend!"
"Does that somehow negate any other feelings I may have towards you?"
"It's a big deal Data!" Geordi huffed. "We're close, yeah, but... You feel romantically towards me?"
"Am I to take it, then, that these feelings are not reciprocated?"
There it was, the one question he had been hoping to avoid. Geordi looked at his android friend. Those wide, childlike eyes hiding his vast intelligence, the bland innocent face completely without guile or artifice. Data had the strength of a titan, and the emotional stability of a toddler.
He could lie. It would be easier, in the long run. Anything else would complicate things. Or, a half-truth? Would Data be able to tell if he lied?
"It's not..." Geordi looked up at the ceiling and sighed. Truth, then. "It's not that I don't find you attractive. But you're my friend! Once you step over the line, there's no going back. Everything changes. Trust me, I know. I'd rather keep you as a friend, than cross that boundary and end up not being able to look you in the eye afterwards."
"You are concerned that if we were to become romantically involved and then decide that we were incompatible as a couple, that we would subsequently be unable to regain our friendship?"
"Right." Geordi turned away, rubbing the back of his neck. His headache was getting worse. He really wished he had stayed in bed.
"Is it not said, that it is better to have loved and lost, than..."
"NO!" Geordi whirled around to face the android. "You don't start talking about love after one drunken attempt at a kiss! You have no idea what you're talking about! You don't know the first thing about what it feels like to be in love, and you don't get to quote Shakespeare at me to try and prove a point!" Geordi took a deep breath and regarded the android, whose mouth was hanging open in astonishment.
"Geordi..." Data began, but the engineer put up a hand to stop him.
"That's enough, Data. I don't want to talk about this any more, you understand? It's not going to happen, so just... drop it. I've got work to do."
Geordi turned and began to stalk back to engineering. No doubt they would all be having a good laugh down there at his expense. As the door opened and he made to exit, Data asked,
"Will I see you in the lounge bar this evening?"
Geordi stopped in the doorway, fists clenched at his side. He shook his head.
"I don't know, Data. I'll see how I feel." He strode away down the corridor.
Data sat in silence for a moment. His cat sprung up into his lap and he stroked her absent-mindedly, before looking down at her.
"I am sure that you are aware that the quote ''Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all' was not from Shakespeare, but is in fact by Alfred Lord Tennyson." Spot purred rhythmically, and Data quirked his head at her. "Although perhaps not, because you are just a cat."
The bar was busy that night, and Data had to push through several knots of people before he found the group of engineers. Geordi was leaning on the bar talking animatedly with Fisk, and the others seemed engrossed in their conversation. As soon as Data appeared however, they raised a ragged cheer, causing heads to turn to investigate the cause of the celebration.
"Look at you! You'd never know there was ever anything wrong!" Data felt a hand slap him on the back, and turned to regard Commander Riker, grinning at him over a drink.
"I am glad to see you well, sir." Data replied, although he smiled in return. Riker's grin widened.
"I understand I have you to thank for my rescue. If you hadn't uncovered me, the med team said they wouldn't have been able to move the debris. Oh! And Daniels wanted me to tell you he's mending well, and to thank you from him. He'll be good as new in no time. T'mir is already back to work."
Data shook his head. "I did what anyone would do under the circumstances. And I failed to rescue Ensign Singh."
Riker's grin faded, his face darkened. "You did more than anyone could have expected of you. It's not your fault she died, her injuries were too severe. Even if you had gone to her first, there's no way she would have lived." He put a companionable hand on Data's shoulder. "We'll miss her, like we miss everyone who leaves us, but don't you start blaming yourself. Focus on your achievements, and your own progress. I hear your legs were almost completely gone!"
"That is not entirely true, sir. Whilst..." Anything more he was going to say was lost as he was grabbed by the elbow and pulled into the gaggle of engineers. Somebody pressed a drink into his hand, somebody somewhere quipped that they thought he'd 'had enough already today', and there was a chorus of greetings and congratulations. Data, momentarily disoriented by the babble, looked to Geordi for support. The dark man was beaming round at his crew, but the smile faltered as Data met his gaze. Geordi turned back to the bar and poured himself another drink from some unnamed bottle as someone somewhere shouted "Speech!"
"Me?" Data queried. "A speech about what?"
"You!" "The rescue!" "YOUR LEGS!" There was a peal of laughter at the suggestion, and Data felt a ripple of amusement pass through him. All thoughts of the darkness, the fear and pain he had experienced, were washed away by the bright soap-bubble feeling of laughter. Humour was something he knew now, and he loved it. Humour he could do.
He placed his glass on the bar in order to bend down and roll up the legs of his uniform. There was a gale of laughter, and someone wolf-whistled. Data reclaimed his glass and struck a pose.
"My legs have always been there to support me." There was a groan. He continued on, his speech punctuated with laughs, jeers and cat-calls. "However today, they came up short. Luckily you fine engineers were here to get me back on my feet, and now recovery is just a short step away. I am once again ready to leap into action and put my best foot forward thanks to you, for without your hard work, I would not have a leg to stand on. I shall go out on a limb and say that today, you have all made great strides, and your accomplishments are staggering. To the engineers!" He raised his glass, and the engineers replied with "To Data's legs!"
As he sipped his drink, Data glanced over at Geordi, who had his elbows on the bar and his head in his hands. His shoulders were shaking, and Data hoped it was with laughter. Riker clapped him on the back again, his bearded face creased with humour, and then his free hand was being shaken by Tramin, congratulating him on a truly humorous speech, and enquiring whether the calibrations had been a success. The engineers peppered him with questions, and Data noticed that only Jensen was absent. He felt a surge of pleasure that so many of them had seen fit to meet him here, in a social place. He chatted animatedly with them all, answering their questions tirelessly. Still, every so often he glanced over at Geordi. He was talking with the bartender about something, Data couldn't quite tell what, and he looked unhappy. Data wondered if Geordi was still angry with him, but then Hesling boldly put her hand on his arm and asked him another question about his internal systems, all the while blushing furiously, which made her freckles stand out in contrast.
"So what's the problem? If you like him, go for it!" The young barman said. Geordi groaned. He had hoped that a few drinks would dull his headache, but it was becoming increasingly clear that the only thing that would help was rest. Still, he wasn't ready to go back to his quarters, not just yet. They'd notice if he bailed on the party too early, and they were all having a good time. Damn, it must be obvious he was upset about something. He gave himself a shake and straightened up.
"It's not that simple. It's never simple. I've never had a relationship work out, and this... no, it's too weird."
"Too weird?" The barman scoffed. "Pardon me sir, but that's a crummy excuse." Someone at the other end of the bar caught his eye and he scurried away, leaving Geordi scowling down into his drink. He topped it up from the bottle again and decided that, headache or not, he was going to enjoy himself. And if that meant getting roaring drunk to try and forget what a terrible day it had been, so be it.
The conversations ebbed and flowed around him, and Data found himself enraptured by the social whirl. Riker dropped in and out of the various groups, his easygoing manner making it simple for him to involve himself in any conversation, his booming laugh infectious. Even Geordi seemed to have come out of his slump, and was chatting away merrily with anyone within earshot. Data had just decided that he would go and talk to his friend to find out what had been troubling him, when Geordi pushed himself up from the barstool he'd been sitting on. He stretched his back with a groan and declared "That's it for me!" There was a chorus of disappointment, requests for him to stay, but Geordi shook his head. The act seemed to make him unsteady somehow, and he staggered sideways as he stepped forward. Almost instantaneously Data was by his side, holding his elbow.
"Geordi, are you well? You appear to be suffering from a loss of equilibrium."
"I'm fine, just a little dizzy that's all. It's this headache... I just wanna get to bed."
"Do you wish for me to accompany you to your quarters in case you suffer from any further dizziness?" Data was concerned. This wasn't like Geordi, he didn't usually become dizzy when he had a headache. He wondered uneasily if this was a symptom of some other underlying problem. Geordi flapped his hands.
"No no no, I'm fine, really." He tugged his arm free, and promptly tripped over the leg of a chair. Data's hand shot out, and once again the android stopped Geordi from falling.
Now Data was really worried. No wonder Geordi had been out of sorts, he was obviously ill.
"I will accompany you to ensure you get to your quarters safely." He declared and, despite Geordi's weak protestations, the android put one arm around the engineer and steered him towards the door.
"And he was the one who told us not to get drunk!" Observed Tramin, to which the others responded with a chorus of amused agreement.
Data helped Geordi through the door and onto the couch, where the engineer collapsed in a giggling heap. Data regarded him quizzically.
"Geordi, I do not know why you are finding this so amusing, you are obviously unwell."
"Data, it's fine." Geordi clicked off his visor and sighed as he rested his head on the back of the couch. "I just want a glass of water, and then bed. Glad I'm not on the roster tomorrow."
Data bought him the water and watched him drink it. He found himself studying Geordi's mouth as his lips pressed against the glass.
"Okay, give me a hand up." Geordi put out his arm and Data hauled him out of his seat. Geordi fell against the android's chest, giggling. He tilted his face upwards and pouted his lips. "Whaddaya wanna do now?"
"I..." Data was mystified by this new behaviour. "I want you to go to bed?" He tried. Geordi chuckled and arched an eyebrow.
"You gonna join me?" The engineer bunched the front of Data's uniform in his fists, and crashed their mouths together.
Data was stunned. Only a few short hours ago, Geordi had been adamant in his insistence that they not engage in any romantic contact, and now his soft lips were on his and his hand was slipping round his neck and it felt so good, so good...
The android gasped as Geordi's fingers found their way into his hair, and Geordi took advantage of his open mouth and let his tongue wander, insistent and forceful. Data's nostrils were filled with his scent; he was drowning in the astonishing tactile sensory information of supple skin and hot mouth and the aggressive movements of that slick wet tongue and the taste of his lips, and the taste of the alcohol...
"Geordi!" He gasped, pushing him away. Geordi stumbled backwards to flop onto the bed.
"Ooh, getting bossy, huh? That's okay, I can..."
"No, Geordi, you are intoxicated!"
"So?" The engineer sat up, looking but not seeing with his pale sightless eyes. Data frowned deeply. This was not a situation he had anticipated. His head was swimming with the surging emotions and the rush of new sensory data, and Geordi was drunk and wanted him and... and it was too much.
"I am going to my own quarters." Data turned to leave.
"Hey, no, wait! Come on, let me... at least let me talk!" Geordi was sitting on the edge of the bed, arms outstretched. Data thought about how easy it would be to fall into those arms, push him back onto the bed... He shuddered.
"I do not think that talking will resolve this situation. I should leave."
"Damn it, Data!" Geordi rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. Of all the times for the android to be stubborn! "Look, I know I said that I didn't want a relationship with you, and, well, that's true, but, y'know, there's lots of stuff two people can do that isn't..." He waved his hands vaguely. "I... I gotta use the bathroom. Stay here!" He pointed at Data. "I'm not done talking at you. With you, I mean!"
Data sat on the couch and began to analyse what had just happened. The precise amount of pressure that Geordi had used to press their mouths together, the chemical content of the man's saliva, the temperature of his skin... The emotions, the feelings that had surged through him in that moment. Deeper than affection, deeper than want or desire, it was an almost physical sensation of need. The way Geordi's fists had felt, the knuckles pressing into his chest, the surge of lust that had almost overwhelmed him. He shivered, remembered the hand in his hair...
"Okay, I'm back, you'd better still be here." Geordi stumbled back into the room, heading the wrong way. Data stood and took his arm to guide him to his bed. Geordi fell onto the mattress gratefully, and held his arms up.
"C'mere."
Data ground his teeth. "No. You said you wanted to talk."
"Pfft! I'm done talking! I wanna kiss you again!" Geordi smiled. Data heaved a sigh.
"Geordi, you said that you did not desire romantic contact..."
"Oh, desire it, yes! Is it a good idea? Probably not. Fuck, Data, I always thought you were kinda cute, I just... I didn't know how... I mean, I've never been with a man before, y'know? So I'm like, whatever, I'm crushing a bit on a co-worker, but then you say you have these feelings and, I... I... I dunno, I guess... I just wanna fool around a bit, see where this goes. You with me?"
Yes, oh yes I am with you, and your mouth on mine and your tongue and your wandering hands and the firmness of your body pressed against mine and
"No, Geordi. Not now, not like this. You are not capable of informed consent. I will remain here if you wish, but I refuse to engage in any further physical contact with you until you are sober enough to make the decision with clarity." In that moment, Data thought that those were the hardest words he had ever had to say.
Geordi groaned and fell back onto the bed. He kicked his boots off and rolled into the covers still fully clothed.
"Okay, fine, I pour my heart out and that's it? Fine. Stay. Go. Whatever. I'm going to sleep."
Data stood for a moment, looking down at the man cocooned in the sheets. He turned and made his way quietly to the door.
"Data?" Geordi mumbled.
"Yes Geordi?" Data turned.
"Please stay."
"... Very well."
Data sat back down on the couch and soon, the room was filled with Geordi's sleepy breathing. Data swivelled round and lay down along the length of the couch, his head on the arm. He folded his hands across his chest and smiled.
In vino veritas indeed.