Chapter Six: Reconciliation

It had been nearly two weeks since I discovered what Data had done. Our friendship had been very strained and I refused to speak with him about anything other than official business. One day, I had finally cooled off enough and requested to see him after I was done with my shift. He suggested that I visit him in his quarters since he had been working on some reconfigurations on a project he'd been working on with Geordi. Upon entering, Spot meowed and greeted me by rubbing against my leg.

"Hey, Spot!" I exclaimed as I scooped the orange cat into my arms and nuzzled her, "Long time no see, huh girl?

Spot purred as I scratched her behind an ear. I sat on the sofa and placed her on my lap. Very few people were able to get so close to Spot without risking injury, but she and I got along fairly well. Even so, she still had her snippy days with me — usually when Data and I would be too engrossed in discussions about things like work, music and holodeck programs. Spot loved attention and would get pretty ticked off when she didn't get it.

Data had just finished entering some commands on his console before sitting beside me. I was nervous about how to approach him since I thought he'd been equally as angry with me as I was with him.

"Thanks for agreeing to see me, Data. I know things have been pretty tense these past two weeks. I wasn't sure if you'd want to talk to me after the silent treatment I've been giving you lately."

"You are always welcome here, Kadalynn. I still consider you to be my friend, although you no longer wish to be." Data replied glumly.

"About that, I realize that I was a bit hot-headed when I said those things. I know you didn't mean to hurt me when you had Jerome transferred, but Data, I just wish you would've…" I stopped myself from launching another attack, I promised myself I wouldn't get into it. Instead I sighed, "Never mind. What's done is done."

Spot leapt out of my lap and meowed for her toy. I walked over to the shelf and tossed the ball of yarn down to her. I giggled to myself as she rolled around on the floor, looking as adorable as ever. Data walked to my side and I looked up into his eyes.

"Does this mean we are still friends?" he asked.

"Yes, it does, Data." I said with a smile and saw the relieved look on his face. It made me feel even worse for what I had put my friend through, "Oh, give me a hug."

I patted him on the back as we engaged in a platonic embrace. I had to tilt my head upward so as not to get my lipstick on his collar. As I ended the hug, I noticed something strange; he was still hugging me.

"Data? Are you alright?" I asked with a nervous giggle.

He said nothing as he ended his embrace, but he held my shoulders and gazed deeply into my eyes. Something had changed. There was a look in his eyes I had never seen before. He leaned in, gently taking my face into his hands. My stomach felt like it had been tied into knots and my breathing became uneven and shallow. Of the many thoughts running through my mind, 'Turn away' 'Leave' and 'Kadalynn, stop this!' were the most prominent. However, my physical desire defied my thoughts and common sense. It was as if there were some sort of magnetic force drawing us together. Very slowly and cautiously I leaned in, meeting Data halfway, joining him in a kiss.

My mind screamed: 'What's happening?! What am I doing?! This is wrong!', but as he held me close, pressing my body against his, all rationalization flew out the window as my body started to give in to its craving. I can't say how long we stood there in the middle of the room making out, but time seemed to freeze. Yeah, I know that sounds corny, but it's true. Spot interrupted us by meowing loudly and circling our feet. Data and I chuckled before he went to feed the hungry cat. He seemed to stare at me the whole time, it was as if he wanted to make sure I didn't leave — something my mind so desperately wanted to do, but my body would not allow.

When he returned to me, I laughed nervously upon seeing how strange my lipstick looked on his face. I blushed when I remembered how it got there. He furrowed his brow slightly when I gently glided my thumb across his lips to remove the smudged color.

"Sorry, it's not exactly your shade." I quipped. He chuckled softly and almost temptingly as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Now, where were we?" he asked gently before pulling me in for another kiss.

The second kiss was even more intoxicating than the first. His hands slowly moved to caress and explore my trembling body. As he shifted his kiss to concentrate on the sweet spot on my neck, I shuddered when he gently nibbled on it. It was like my entire body had been overlaid with a map, which he used to locate all the areas that electrified me the most. He was so incredibly gentle, that I wasn't aware that he had backed me up into the alcove where his bed stood. Before I knew it, our clothes were scattered across the floor and we softly collapsed onto the bed. He did things to me that had me shivering and whimpering like a cold puppy. He repeatedly heightened my arousal as he massaged and caressed the peaks and valleys of my body. He positioned himself above me and paused for a moment before continuing to raid me with his kisses as he began to drive himself into me. I tensed up for a moment since I was afraid of what to expect. I had never been with an android before. I gasped softly and cringed upon feeling a slight, but sharp burning pain as my body partially resisted. Concerned, he stopped and glanced at me.

"I'm okay." I reassured, my voice quivering with a combination of excitement, fear and adoration.

After a brief moment, he continued and so did the pain. Noticing my slight grimace, he adjusted my position slightly and to my pleasant surprise, it eased the pain dramatically — which was steadily being replaced with pleasure. As we rode the tumultuous waves of our increasing desire, I was repeatedly brought to the pinnacle of excitement — each time, more unrelenting and intense than the last. Just when I thought I could take no more, there was a sensation building up very deep within. At first it was as faint as a whisper, and then it started to grow more and more intense up to the point where it frightened me. It started to become unbearable!

"Stop! Data, please stop!" I cried desperately.

"Have I hurt you, Kadalynn?" he asked while looking into my eyes with grave concern.

"No." I answered while catching my breath, "You didn't hurt me."

"Then why have you stopped me? What is wrong?"

"I… I don't know. I just got really… scared."

"Scared? Of me?"

"No, Data. To be honest, I'm not sure what I was afraid of." I answered, forcing out a nervous chuckle.

"Then we shall continue." he said before kissing my neck and caressing me anew.

"No. I'm sorry, but I can't do this. I hope I didn't ruin things for you."

Data gently withdrew himself, rolled off me and onto his back before holding me close.

"No, you have not. I would have liked to complete our lovemaking. However, I am content with being with you like this; holding you in my arms. I do not wish to force you to continue if you are uncomfortable."

As I lay with my head on his chest, he placed several gentle kisses on my forehead as he stroked my hair. In my mind, I cursed myself for allowing myself to lose control. I felt terrible about being so unfair to Data. In my heart, I felt that we stood no chance in a romantic relationship. I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship. Our friendship was so comfortable and important to me; I knew what to expect from it, but what happened that night threatened to change everything and it saddened me.