Chapter 7
A golden arm shot out with blinding speed and grabbed Daniel's wrist. With fluid like movement, Data rose from the bed. The blankets slipped away to reveal his golden form. Daniel fought with all his strength, but against this android, he was no match. Against Data's rage, he was in danger.
As Data turned with his back to her, Razeene could see the slash in Data's back. His inner working, those that were, could be seen flashing green and red. But thank the gods he was alive!
Razeene's hands had been pressed to her face when Data moved. She lowered them and tried to get up from the floor where she had landed. Data now had Daniel against the wall, looking as mad as hell.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Her husband. I came to claim my wife and child. Imagine my surprise when I found you fucking her!" Daniel glared at Data with every kind of hate.
Data looked back to find Razeene. The sight of her softened his features, until his saw her condition. She was using the side of the bed and the wall to regain her feet. Even from across the room, Data could see that she had been hit. The bruise was rising fast.
"He injured you, Razeene? How...how badly are you hurt?" Data was struggling to control rage and anguish at the sight of her hurt at the hand of this man.
"I'm ok. He…he just hit me once. We're ok," she assured him. She knew he would want to know about the baby too. Data would, but the man who had given her the child only wanted to end that life. She straightened her dress and looked for Data's clothes. He was still stark naked and she knew that he had an aversion to being unclothed in an inappropriate situation.
She found his pajamas and realized that they would be the easiest to get on, so she brought them over to him. Data disarmed Daniel and had begun questioning him, but her ex-husband was resisting at every turn.
"Razeene, please bring me a communicator," Data called to her as she approached with his bed clothes. She went to his bedside table and retrieved this as well.
She came over and helped him into his clothes while he kept a hand on Daniel throat. She then handed Data communicator and allowed him to contact the Enterprise.
"Data to Enterprise, come in please."
"Enterprise, Lieutenant Reeve here, Commander," answered the young man that had been left holding the reins while most of the senior staff was on leave.
"Please have a security detail beamed to these coordinates at once. There has been a murder attempt on Lieutenant Tell's life," he ordered. It was clear from the sound that the young Lieutenant made over the communicator, that he was not prepared to hear what he had just heard.
"Murder...? Yes, sir. Transporter room receiving the coordinates now. I am alerting security. Were there any injuries, sir?" the man asked.
"One,"
"Data!" Razeene corrected, pointing at his back. "What do you call this? Call Geordi."
"Correction, Enterprise. Please contact Commander La Forge and request that he return to the Enterprise. Inform him that I will explain as soon as I arrive."
"Acknowledged, sir. Enterprise out."
"What a sweet little couple you make. The harlot and the machine." Daniel looked like he wanted to say more, but Data's rage was clear in his eyes.
"You would be wise to remain quiet. I will remember every word you say and my memory records are admissible as evidence against you," Data warned him.
From behind them, the security team began to materialize.
"Commander." The team leader nodded his greeting.
"You will take this man into custody and place him in the brig. He injured and attempted to murder Lieutenant Tell. I was also damaged in his attempts to have access to Lieutenant Tell." Data released his hold on Daniel Chase only when there were two phasers trained on the man. Data handed the dagger, carefully to the second officer and gave them further instructions.
"They won't keep me for long, android. You can't keep her from me." Daniel narrowed his eyes at Data, challengingly.
"You are in error. They will keep you and I will do everything in my power to protect Razeene from you." Data gave Daniel a hard look and moved to stand before Razeene.
The security officers pulled Daniel in place and the Enterprise was signaled to beam them up. Two extra officers would be waiting to make sure that Daniel did not escape.
Data turned to Razeene the second they were all gone, his eyes full or remorse. "Are you...I am sorry I could not protect you." He touched her cheek just below her darkening bruise.
"You did protect me." She took hold of his hand. "If you hadn't stopped him...he would have killed me. He even talking about...cutting me open to...see if...it was... a girl," she began to sob as the full effect of what could have happened washed over her. Data pulled her into his arms, but his anger was growing again.
How could a man wish to kill or even harm his child? This child was not his. Data had no right to the child, but that he loved her mother. But he knew that if need be, he would give his life for this child. He did not have to care for this baby...he had chosen to.
Yes, that was it...chosen.
"He did hurt you and we need to get you to sickbay to see to your cheek and to assure that you and the child were not injured further." Data pulled her back to look in her eyes. "If you are cleared by the doctor, we will return. We should not allow Mr. Chase to spoil our shore leave."
Razeene sniffed and nodded. "Yes, you're right. But you should get dressed before we go back to the Enterprise." She looked more in control of herself and Data smiled.
"Agreed. You need to check your dress. It is not...hanging quite right." Data noted, tilting his head to the side as he studied her.
"It's not fastened. I needed you to help me and you just laid there on your face," she teased. Data opened his mouth to apologize but she just shook her head and turned around so he could do up her dress.
Data took Razeene to sickbay, but she made him leave her there so that he could meet Geordi on the cybernetics lab.
"Looks like when the blade went in, it made partial contact with your off switch." Geordi said, as he looked over the diagnostic report on the damage to Data's back. "There was circuitry interruption, and a reaction with the metal in the blade that caused it to keep your primary systems offline while some of your secondary systems still had power. Your redundant systems were able to reroute power and bypass the damaged areas. So when he pulled the blade out, you were completely reactivated and had control of most of your systems again." Geordi whistled. "We're lucky that he decided to pull the blade back out. That was what was keeping you out."
"He hit Razeene once before he pulled the dagger out of my back. He could have killed her then if her head had made contact with-"
"Data, come on. She's gonna be fine. Her ex is in the brig and he ain't going anywhere. You picked a name for the little bundle she's gonna have yet?" Geordi knew that Data had not had much time, but this was Data and he wanted to get his friend's mind focused on something more pleasant. Geordi knew that Data could answer and still be dwelling on the 'what ifs', but Geordi could only have one conversation with him at a time.
"I have not. However, I do have an idea on how to proceed in the research for a name," Data told him, smiling. Geordi looked up from his computer analysis and returned the smile.
"Not gonna give it up yet though, huh?" Geordi asked.
"No," Data answered, smiling though.
Geordi moved to his friends back and disconnecting the ODN cable from Data's head, he went from determining the problem to repairing it. He opened Data's shirt in the back and set to work.
"You looking forward to being a father again, Data?" he asked, wanting to chat. It seemed that since Razeene's return that the two friends had not spent much time together and Geordi missed that time.
"Yes, very much so. While I know that this will be very different from my experiences with Lal, I foresee excellent enrichment potential. While my time with Lal was brief by human standards, I feel that it could not have been more precious. What I learned about parenthood from Lal was that my research into the subject left my ill prepared. While I have been researching the raising of human children with emphasis on female children, I believe that experience with again be the best teacher."
Geordi grinned at this. "You know, I bet you're right. But then you usually are." He sighed. "You know, Data...I'm kind of envious. If I could just find a volunteer to give me some, I think I'd have a dozen kids."
"Perhaps you are looking for what you want instead of finding what you need," Data suggested.
"What do you mean?" Geordi asked.
"While I am aware that few understand my relationship with Razeene as it was before she left the Enterprise, it was what I needed. I was not looking for her to provide me with the answer to my predicament, but she did. Nor did I expect to fall in love with her, yet I did. It may be that I had always found more in her than what I sought." Data sat quietly for a while and Geordi worked while mulling over his friend's words.
"Geordi, I do find that I have trouble with some of my feelings involving the child," Data admitted, sounding remorseful.
"What feelings are those, Data?"
"I find myself wishing I could have changed the past, yet changing the past, as it always will, changes the future. I wish that I had been able to prevent Razeene from leaving the Enterprise. If she had not left, she would have never met Mr. Chase and therefore he would have never harmed her. Yet if she had never met him, she would not now be carrying a child that I...love. Further, if he had been emotionally stable, she would have never returned to me. While I could accept that future, I would miss her. I find it difficult to be pleased with the results of a situation when the situation was so filled with unpleasantness." Data head was tilted to the side and as he spoke it continued to move in a manner that those who knew him understood meant he was struggling to process information.
"I understand, Data. Remember when Leah Brahms visited with us and hated everything I had done to 'her engines'. That was a couple of very bad days. And then she found that holodeck program. I thought I would have been happier to face a horde of Klingons with pain sticks than face her at that moment. It was the most embarrassing moment in my life...but afterward...we got to talking and...we became friends. I know that it wasn't as bad as what happened to Razeene, but-"
"No, but it does illustrate that you understand, Geordi," Data interjected.
"I guess the point is to be thankful of what we do have, huh? I'd like a family one day, but I have a career that I love aboard the best ship in the fleet. And I have the best friends that anyone could hope for. Present company included!" Geordi said, and gave his friend a friendly poke in the shoulder. Data grinned.
"Geordi, your comment reminds me of something Razeene and I were speaking of after dinner this evening. She was commenting on how much she enjoying getting to know you better. She also noted that she found your smile...great and your laugh, contagious." Data could hear his friends flattered laughter. "I told her that while others had also made note of these qualities in you, I felt that our long friendship could cause my opinion in this area to be bias." More flattered laughter emanated for behind the android. "In considering the matter, I realize that were I to have set out to build an android with the intent of creating for myself a best friend, and were it to have had qualities I could choose, the end result would have been an android version of...you, Geordi." The flattered laughter stopped.
Data turned his head around to look at his suddenly quiet friend. Geordi looked like he was having trouble with his optical implants, but Data knew better. He turned back around and just waited in silence.
"I guess we're lucky that Dr. Soong beat you too it, Data," Geordi said, after several minutes. His voice still did not sound quite right.
Data looked confused and he grimaced as his head again began the little processing twitches. "You are mistaken, Geordi. Dr. Soong only built three successful androids. Lore, myself and Juliana. He did not build a best friend for me."
Geordi smiled from his position, behind Data. "No, he didn't. He built me mine."
Razeene walk away from sickbay.
Dr. Selar told her that she should get some rest, but Razeene knew that she would not be able to sleep now. Her bruises were healed and the baby was ok. Selar had told her to refrain for having sex for the next couple of day, though. She had not phrased it that way, but... Razeene shivered. The memory of Daniel knocking her to the floor hit her as though she was reliving the event. No, she would not allow him to kill her baby...this baby was hers, not Daniel's. Daniel had rejected them and Razeene felt that she needed to...to face him. If he could not hurt the baby, she would have the opportunity to tell him off!
Razeene headed for Data's quarters and a change of clothes. She showered and changed. Sitting on the end of the bed, she stared absently at her feet. She was trying to steady herself for the task ahead. Her nerves were very frayed. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on a mental relaxation technique that a friend had told her about a couple of weeks ago.
Feeling better several minutes later, Razeene got to her feet and headed for the door.
But the chime was sounding...
Who the hell could that be? Everyone should think I'm on the planet and Data would not ring the chime. She groaned and called for the annoying person with bad timing to enter.
Razeene sighed inwardly as the door slid open to reveal the goddess like counselor from hell. Razeene tried to like this woman, she really did! But every time she thought that they were making progress in getting along, something like this happened. Now Razeene was in a really bad mood and the empath was sure to know it.
"I thought you might want to talk." The counselor paused and tilted her head in a way that reminded Razeene of Data. "You're displeased to see me. Why?" Deanna asked, evenly.
"Sorry Counselor, your timing was just bad. I was about to leave." Razeene saw the look of concern in the other woman's dark eyes and felt ashamed of herself. She sighed and resigned herself to the inevitable. "Did Data send you?" she asked, moving to sit on her favorite chair. Deanna followed and sat on the couch.
"No, I was informed by Dr. Selar about what happened. In a situation like this, I'm automatically informed. You can't believe that having your ex-husband try to take you life would not have an effect on you, physiologically?" The question was so blunt. Was Deanna finally figuring out how to handle her? Razeene smiled despite herself.
"It had an effect, Deanna." Suddenly, the feelings that she had gone through when she had been ordered to wash Data off of her, came to her again. "It's strange the things that go through your mind when you're sure you're dead. Daniel told me to clean up and get dress that he was going to take me away. I'm sure he was planning to abuse me before he killed me, but I'm not sure what kind of abuse he had in mind.
"I remember thinking that if he took me away to kill me, that none of you may ever find me again. This bothered me because it might mean that Data would retain a hope that I was alive, with no proof to the contrary. It's crazy, but when I came out of the bathroom, I decided I was going to piss Daniel off enough to kill me there...for Data. I wanted Data to be able to say goodbye and get on with his life. I didn't want him to wonder, or to worry. I didn't want him to see me a bloody mess either, but I thought those were my only choices." Razeene's eyes welled up with tears. She hated it when she cried, but since getting pregnant...no, since she had left the Enterprise over three years ago, she had been doing that more the she had ever done it previously.
"What had happened to Data?" Deanna asked.
"Daniel stabbed him with a dagger in the back. He had some kind of device that prevented Data or I from hearing him. Daniel said that he had watched Data and I...together." She tried to not make this sound like she was trying to upset the Counselor again. Razeen knew any time they talked about her and Data having sex, it rubbed Deanna the wrong way. "He called Data an abomination. Data! Daniel wants to kill me and the child that he created with me and yet he called Data an abomination!" Suddenly, Razeene couldn't wait any longer. She was ready to face Daniel and Deanna was not going to get in her way. With less effort than she usually needed, Razeene got herself out of the chair and on to her feet.
"I have to go now, Counselor. We can talk later, if you'd like, but right now there is something I have to do." Razeene waited for the woman to rise.
"You're going to confront him, aren't you?" she asked, calmly.
"Yes. I have to," she admitted.
"I agree that it's something you should do, but now may not be the right time, Razeene. It's too soon. You need time to heal and recognize all of the effect this trauma has had on you." Deanna voice was like a plea.
"You forget, Deanna. This is not the first time he's attacked me. The last time, he raped me first and was just getting into the beating when the security force pulled him off me. I fought him, but he was too strong. That was one thing about being pregnant that I never thought about...it makes you physically weak in some ways. I can't protect my baby when I can't even get in front of her." Razeene no longer was willing to wait for Deanna to leave. She was going now, whether the woman remained here or not. She just hoped Deanna didn't follow.
It was considered late night now, as the ship had taken on the local time of the planet, so the lights had been reduced in the brig when Razeene arrived. She stood by the door and was acknowledged by the three guards on duty. One of them was the man that had led the team that took Daniel into custody from the planet. He nodded as well, coming over to her.
He was a very large and full of muscles. His scruffy blond hair was short, but not so short that it didn't look unmanageable. While this man looked like someone you would not want to piss off, he now had an understanding expression on his face as he approached Razeene.
"Are you well, Lieutenant Tell? I see the mark on your cheek is gone." He voice was deep and also alluded to his strength, but also made her feel...safe. A handy quality for a security officer.
"I'm better. I was checked out by Dr. Selar. She took care of my bruises."
"Any man who would strikes a woman is not a man. Striking a pregnant woman...he must be a monster." The brawny man looked like he was about to touch her cheek, but thought better of it and lowered his hand.
Razeene tried not to feel dwarfed by this man. "It's worst than you know, Lieutenant -I'm sorry, I didn't get your name," she admitted.
"Lieutenant Alex Robinton. How is it worst?" he asked, looking like he was preparing to take some protective action.
"Daniel did more then just hit me. He stabbed Commander Data. The dagger did something and Data was out of it until Daniel tried to take the blade out. If Data had not stopped him...Daniel would have killed me and maybe made sure Data was dead too." Razeene's eyes wandered to the cells behind Robinton, trying to see the location of the man that had tried more than once to end her life.
"Why did he want to do any of this?" the Lieutenant asked, confused and angry.
"He was my husband. This baby was his. He did not like the idea that I got pregnant before he told me to. We'd been having problems and this was the last straw. He doesn't understand why I still live when he wants me and the baby dead." Razeene delivered this speech with little emotion, but it invoked a great deal in Robinton. He now looked enraged.
"My wife and I are trying...I can't understand this monster's reaction. If you were my wife, I would be guarding you with my life." He turned to look back at the cell that held Daniel Chase. "I understand that he escaped the last place he was confined." Robinton looked back at her and his eyes were hard. "I give you my word, Miss Tell, that won't happen here."
Razeene smiled. "Thank you, Lieutenant Robinton. I believe you. I do warn you, though. He is very gifted. If he's allowed any leverage, he will use it." With a nod she stepped away from the burly blonde man and further into the room. She found the cell that held Daniel and made her way over.
"Lieutenant Tell," said Robinton, shadowing her. "May I ask why you are here alone? I would have expected Commander Data to accompany you."
Razeene had not expected this question. Being asked why she was here, yes, but why she was here without Data? She sighed. Perhaps it was really obvious why she was here.
"Commander Data was also injured, as I said. He is with Commander La Forge, having his wound seen to."
Daniel heard voices approaching and sat up on his bunk. He glared at both Razeene and Robinton.
"Does the Commander know that you're here?" asked Robinton, in a whisper.
"No, he's busy being repaired. He should not be worrying about me right now. Excuse me, Lieutenant, but this talk is not going to be a friendly one. Please don't pay any attention to what Daniel says."
With that, Razeene took the final steps that would bring her just in front of Daniel's cell. The force field was the only thing that separated them.
Daniel had come to the edge of his cell and looked her up and down.
"I almost had you, my love," he sneered.
"Why do you still call me that? You don't love me now and I don't think you ever did. You wanted someone to control and order around. Love never had anything to do with it." Razeene shook her head at him.
Daniel laughed. It was a cold, humorless laugh. "But you loved me, didn't you, Razeene. Do you think of me when your lover machine touches you?" His eyes narrowed, looking for something she could not fathom.
Razeene laughed and took a small step backwards. She was stunned when her left leg brushed against a chair that had not been there a moment before. She cast a glance over at Robinton and smiled her thanks. Sitting, she turned her attention back to Daniel.
"I told you that Data confused me, reminded me of you...I lied. You reminded me of him and this blinded me to the other side of you. But your touch didn't remind me of him because," Razeene shook her head slowly. "...you just weren't good enough." She said this words calmly, almost offhandedly, but they hit just where she had intended.
The force field crackled when Daniel fists made contact. He was thrown back and all three guards came closer, phasers at the ready.
"Raising force field to level six," announced Robinton.
Razeene never took her eyes from Daniel, but she wished she had been able to keep from flinching when he had moved as if to strike her.
"My seed is wasted in you! I should have known that you were not worth my time when you told me about your sick little love affair with the machine." He made a dismissive gesture and turned back towards his bunk.
"Perhaps. I wish it was Data's seed, but he doesn't have any. Still, he will be raising this child with me. You won't even see her. I will live, despite your best efforts to the contrary. The baby will be born and Data will name her and be her father. He will be my lover and you will just be the nothing that you always were." She sat back in the chair, smirking at him.
"In your dreams, maybe. You are just an interesting equation to him, Razeene. He can't love, he can't want and against me, he can't win." Daniel was leaning forward on his bunk, resting his elbows on his knees. He had almost growled at Razeene's description of the future, but had recovered quickly.
Razeene laughed. "What do you mean, he can't win? Win what? Me? He's had me longer that I even knew." With a motion of her hand, she waved away his wild statements.
"What do I care for you? If you will allow your body to be used by a machine, then you are just so much refuse. But I will not allow my progeny to be raised by an automaton. You will see. I will have that child. It is mine and I will do with it as I please." Looking pleased with himself, Daniel rested his back against the wall and stared threateningly back at Razeene. A cruel smile curved his lips.
"You lost your rights months ago, Daniel. You know that. This is an empty threat."
Daniel laughed, loudly.
"I can get that reversed. I fooled them once...I can do it again. You will try to hide from me again, no doubt. You may even get the metal man to champion you, but it will not help you, Razeene. I'm smarter than he is. I will show those fools that it is in the best interest of the baby to give it to me. If you are a good girl I may just take you with me. You will have to be punished, but if you're properly repentant I may let you out once in awhile to see the child...and to service me. Remember when I last had you, Razeene? You screamed through most of it, but I know that you secretly loved it. I didn't get to fuck you this time, but I'll make up for that." He licked his lips for effect.
Razeen could not keep her face from twisting into an expression of revulsion. "It will never happen, Daniel. The marriage is over, your rights to the baby are gone and that was the last time you'll see freedom. You lost, Daniel. You will never get this baby. I am her mother and I will choose what happens to her."
"Ah, but now I have proof that you're unfit to raise this child. I saw you, Razeene. Remember? When I broke into your room I saw that robot fucking you. You are pregnant...how far now? Six months? No, not quite. And you allow a machine to enter you like that? Do you really think that this will not call into question your judgment as a protector for that life?" His tone was so smooth, so plotting and full of malicious accusation.
Razeene came to her feet. "I did nothing wrong or unsafe for my baby. We even consulted with the CMO on the Enterprise before...you're wrong, Daniel!" She tried to slow her breathing. She could not allow him to get the best of her again. "There is nothing wrong with having sexual relations while your pregnant. Are you trying to convince my that if you and I had stayed together, that you wouldn't have been demanding it of me? Demand that I service you, as you just said?"
Daniel too, came to his feet and as he spoke, he took decisive steps towards her. "It is my right to have you! You are my wife and that is my child! Your body is mine to have how I want and when I want!" He looked her up and down, like he was evaluating the value of his property. "The machine may have rights, but I doubt they include this. When they find out what he has been doing to you they may just tear him apart right there."
"I am no longer your wife, Daniel, and I was never your property! You can tell them whatever you wish. It will change nothing. I love Data and you may hate that, but you can't change it." Razeene shook her head at him and deciding that she was done, smiled. Turning, she gave Lieutenant Robinton a parting nod and then turned to the door.
Data was standing just in front of it.
"How long have you been here? And who told you I was here?" she asked once she was close enough to not have to raise her voice. She threw a suspicious glance at Robinton, who smiled and shrugged guiltily.
"I have been here for five minutes and twenty six seconds. Lieutenant Robinton alerted me to your presence as I ordered him to do." Data looked over at the cell containing Chase. The man was watching them.
"Stare at me now, Robot. She put me here and next she'll do the same or worst to you." Daniel called.
"Your claims are baseless, sir. Your own actions have caused your incarceration. I have committed no crime nor have I committed any offense against this woman." Data found that so far, he could remain calm, but he had entered when Daniel had called Razeene 'refuse' so his resolve to remain calm was now as thin as a micro filament. "You, however, cannot make that same claim. I refrained from injuring you this time. While I abhor unnecessary violence, should you attempt to harm Razeene or her child, I will not hesitate to use deadly force in order to stop you." Data's mouth was twisting into his own angry frown. Razeene took hold of his arm, trying to calm him. Data patted her hand, but did not break eye contact with Chase.
"So, the kid gloves are off, huh, android? Good. Razeene has suggested that you are a match for me. I doubt it, but we shall see." Chase sat back on his heels and grinned with confidence.
"Your statement assumes that you will have the opportunity to test yourself against me in some forum. I do not believe this to be the case. Once the Enterprise leaves this planet, we will head directly to starbase 124. There will be a hearing, trial and you will be convicted of the crimes of which you will be accused. You may face imprisonment or mental reconditioning, but this is the only uncertainty." Data found himself compelled to move closer to the cell. He gently placed Razeene back in her seat, after asking if she did not wish to leave and return to his quarters to rest. She told him that she would stay with him.
"You seem to have her well trained, android. Sit, Razeene. Stay, Razeene. Lay back on the bed and-"
"You will not finish that sentence!" Data commanded sharply. Razeene wasn't sure how Daniel would react to this, but she knew that she did not want to be on the receiving end of one of these looks from Data. "I do not ask for nor do I require your approval of my relationship with Razeene. My relationship with her is not based on one of us having a dominant role over the other." Data paused here and looked over at Razeene. He smiled a lopsided sort of smile and Razeene had to chuckle. She knew what he was thinking.
"Data," she called and reached out to him.
Data came to her side and took her proffered hand.
"I think it's time to leave. Don't you agree, Commander?" she asked as he helped her to her feet.
The look in his eyes caused her to believe that Data was forgetting that there was anyone else in the room. His eyes held such gentleness and tender concern.
"Yes. You need rest, Razeene. I can see that I will need to ensure that you get that rest." He laced his fingers with hers and without a backward glance, led her away. "Are you hungry? Dinner was hours ago."
"I could eat," she told him, grinning.
Just before they left the detention area, Data held up a finger to pause his conversation with Razeene. Looking over at Lieutenant Robinton, he gave the man a nod of approval for a job well done and added one verbal command. "Increase force field intensity to maximum. Inform the bridge if you have any problems and see that I am informed at once should any danger arise to threaten Lieutenant Tell or any other member of the crew. We shall be returning to the surface by morning." Data informed him.
"Aye sir." Came the quick response and without further ado, the couple exited the area.
Data contacted the hotel where he and Razeene had been staying and asked if their room could be changed and their things moved to the new room. The management was happy to comply. The Enterprise had already gathered all the evidence needed from the room so there was no need to go back. By the time he and Razeene returned to resume their shore leave, it was nearly dawn. Fortunately the new room looked different than the old and she was able to relax there. Data was informed of the doctor's lovemaking restriction and smiled at this.
"I have not believed that you would be interested after the events of this past evening. I did not feel it appropriate to ask." He held her in his arms, spooning with her. The baby was kicking, so Data had his hand over her belly and was enjoying the acrobatics of the child. A wide grin covered his face.
"I thought you would have learned by now, it is never inappropriate to ask me. By the gods, Data. I broke up with you and we ended up in bed. I come to tell you goodbye hours before I am to leave the ship and we end up in bed...for hours. When have I said no?" she teased.
"When I asked you not to leave me," he replied, solemnly.
She patted one of his hands. "I promise, I'm not leaving now."
"Or ever?" he asked.
"We never talked about...forever," she countered.
"We are talking about it now," he informed her. "If you have changed your mind with regards to my participation in the life of this child and thus your life-"
"No, I still want you to help me raise her," she said, overriding him, since she did not need to hear the rest.
"Her? You are accepting my suspicion in this matter?" he was grinning again and she could hear it in his voice. It made her grin too.
"Until you are proven wrong, I'm going to assume you're right. After all, so far you usually are." Data made one of his cute little noises of agreement.
"Then I believe it is time," he announced and she groaned since she knew what was coming.
"Oh gods, Data, I'm too tired for this," she grumbled. But she scooted over towards the right side of the bed anyway.
"I do not understand why you insist upon a perfunctory objection to this exercise. You tell me that you enjoy my singing and you always relax and fall asleep thirty four percent faster than if we simply hold each other." He gave her a confused look, but assumed the position he had been using for this regardless.
"Cos' you expect me to. I complain because you expect me to. Now, sing." She laughed at him, but with a nod he made the final arrangements and opened his mouth to sing.
Laying on his back with his head just in front of her abdomen, he had one hand over the kicking child and one hand held Razeene's hand to his chest. One hand for each of my beloved girls, Data mused as he began to sing. Tonight he had chosen a piece from an Italian opera. Razeene closed her eyes as his rich tenor filled the room with music and calmed her to the core.
Data sang to them for forty three minutes and eight seconds. Razeene was snoring and the baby had settled down too. Being careful not to disturb them too much, Data hopped over to the other side of the bed. This was 'his' side and he always slept here. He got on his left side and gently wormed an arm under Razeene. She sighed happily as he snuggled with her. The baby gave a kick of complaint, but settled back down as well.
Now Data let go of a sigh. This simple, quiet time with his new family always made him feel so...human. He did not need sleep, but here he was, in bed, resting. But the point was not to rest, it was to see that she rested and was comfortable and protected as she did.
Data thought back to the first time that Razeene had asked him to remain with her as she slept. He had found the feelings that moment had invoked such a curiosity. Humans were so every vulnerable when they slept. They could not program themselves to wake at the slightest sound or at a certain exact time. He knew that some could condition themselves to do these things, but it was still not a guarantee. But if Data programmed these conditions, he woke. No, ifs, ands or buts. He woke.
When Razeene had rested her head on his chest that evening, years ago, it had signified a change in their relationship to Data. While they had trust and respect, that trust had only extended to the secret that they shared between them. It had never been about...them, what was between them, but about their trusting each other in keeping the rest of the world ignorant of the nature of their relationship. In that moment, Data had realized that Razeene trusted him for him. This trust was beyond his being her commanding officer or her lover, he had hoped that it was an indication that she thought of him as her friend...and perhaps more.
Now they did indeed have more. Much more.
With a contented fullness that started in his abdomen and radiated throughout the rest of his body, Data gave Razeene a carefully calculated squeeze. "I love you," he whispered in her ear, just needing to say it.
"Mm, I love you," she murmured. He was startled by this as he knew she was asleep.
With a small chuckle, Data closed his eyes and initiated his dream program.
Captain Picard was on the bridge. The Enterprise was en route to starbase 124 at warp five and everyone on the ship seemed most relaxed and happy after their shore leave...with some noted exceptions.
Deanna was concerned about both Mr. Data and Lieutenant Tell. Beverly had been monitoring the woman's physical condition and was confident that she would suffer no ill effects physically from the attack she had endured, but Deanna was not so confident about Lieutenant Tell's emotional state.
The captain did not have many opportunities to even see the woman, but Data, he saw. It seemed, to the commanding officer of the Enterprise, that his second officer was growing more tense the closer their proximity to the starbase became. Data sat at ops right now and he looked normal, but he was only performing routine scans. When Data had come in for his shift, he had been quiet. For Data, that was very unusual. Without emotions, Data had always been chatty, but with them he was worst. Still nothing could lessen the captain's fondness for the android. And this caused him to wonder if maybe it truly had been a bad idea to allow Lieutenant Razeene Tell to rejoin the Enterprise.
True, Data and the woman had resolved their prior difficulties, apparently, but the android's ties to this woman had caused quite a stir. Even Picard had not been able to remain ignorant to the state of their affair. Now that relationship was having an effect on his second officer. Data was quiet to the point of being sullen.
Picard knew the situation that Data and Tell would soon face was not a pleasant one. As soon as the Enterprise arrived at Starbase 124, the trial of Daniel Chase would begin. While Picard had confidence that the man would be easily convicted, the trial and reliving the events would be difficult for those involved. Picard suppressed a shudder at the thought. The imagined visions of the man in the brig attacking Lieutenant Tell horrified the captain. How would it have been for the people that had lived through it?
Captain Picard got to his feet and told Data that he had the con. "I will be in my ready room."
"Aye, sir," the android responded automatically. He rose smoothly from his post at ops and headed for the center seat. Picard glanced back and gave him a nod. Data looked over and returned the nod, but there was still no expression on his pale face.
Two hours later, Data's communicator came alive with the sound of the captain's voice ordering him to the ready room. At the same moment, Counselor Troi entered the bridge from the far right lift.
"I can take the con for you, Data," she offered as she came down the ramp.
"Thank you, Counselor," was all he said. He nodded at her and headed for the ready room.
Deanna sighed after him. The captain was right, Data is full of emotional turmoil.
"Have a seat, Commander," the captain told him, when Data enter the ready room.
"Thank you, sir." Data's response was again automatic and lacking any feeling.
"Data. I can appreciate the stress you have been under these last few days since the attack. Trepidation regarding the upcoming trial must be difficult to deal with, I imagine." Picard did his best to sound sympathetic but not patronizing.
Data just looked suddenly uncomfortable. "Yes, sir," was all he said. Again very un-Data like.
"I think that, perhaps it would be in the best interests of all involved if the two witnesses to the alleged crime were not forced to deal with the demands of duty until after the trial."
Data's eyes registered shock. "Sir?"
"I would like for you to relieve Lieutenant Tell of duty until the end of the trial. I would then like you to consider that your last duty until this matter is resolved." Picard said this as gently as possible, but left no doubt that this was an order.
"I am to be relieved as well, sir?" the android asked, obviously disturbed by this news. Picard nodded. "Sir, if I have fail to perform my duties to your satisfaction, I-"
"Mr. Data, that is not the case. You are being relieved in order to prepare for the trial. Any competent officer can man ops at this time. You and Lieutenant Tell are the only ones who can see that justice is done and that this man is punished for his barbaric crimes. I want you to devote yourself fully to this endeavor. These issues are rarely uncomplicated, but I may prove wrong. The trial may be over in a day or it may take weeks. I simply want you and Miss Tell to be ready for it. Is that understood, Commander?"
"Yes, sir." Data knew he had been dismissed and came to his feet. With a partly confused and partly worried expression, he nodded at the captain and was gone.
Picard sighed and absently gave the front of his shirt a tug. That had been difficult. Data was not happy and Picard knew he wasn't, but maybe he could talk to him later...smooth things over. Or perhaps Deanna...
Data left the captain's ready room and still in somewhat of a daze, headed for the turbolift on the bridge. As he pasted the center seat and Deanna Troi, he glanced at her. Coming to a sudden stop, he looked at her concerned expression.
"Your suggestion, Counselor?" he asked, calculating a nine point three percent chance that she would not know what he was referring to.
"No, Data. He asked my opinion, but the idea came from the captain." She looked chagrined.
"I see. You have the bridge, Counselor," he replied and once again headed for the lift.
Deanna watched him depart, sensing the rush of emotions raging within him. He felt betrayed right now, but hopefully he would understand that they had only had his best interest in mind.
Data barely noticed the fact that everyone he past in the corridors seemed to be giving him a wide berth. His mind was racing with so many thoughts and emotion and on so many levels that he had to fight to stay focused on his progress towards stellar cartography. What he saw when he entered the department only made him angrier.
Razeene was six feet off the ground and elbow deep into the back panel of her console. With the speed he was endowed with, Data ran across the floor and stopped just beneath her.
"Lieutenant Tell, what are you doing?" he roared.
She gasped, looking down at him. "Commander? I was replacing a fused circuit, sir. I-"
"Please come down from there at once!" he ordered. Their raised voices had alerted Lieutenant Phillips, who was coming over. Data turned his sharp expression to the man as soon as he came near. "Were you aware of her activities, Lieutenant?" Data ask, crossly. Philips looked as though he now wished he had hidden in his office instead.
"No, sir. I was working with Ensign Ross, we were realigning the- I should have been aware…I'm sorry, sir." The man decided that any excuse was not about to pacify the android at this moment.
"Commander, I have performed this kind of maintenance on my console hundreds of times. I was perfectly capable of completing the job. I did not ask Lieutenant Phillips for permission and he was completely unaware of my activities in the area. I am responsible for my own actions and I ask no one else to be held accountable."
Phillips sighed. He had wondered how this was going to play out. He, along with most of the crew knew damn well that Commander Data and Lieutenant Tell were involved in a heavy relationship. While it did not seem like the woman's style to get him into trouble in order to get herself off the hook, one never knew. Still, he was very relieved that she was not trying to dump the blame on him in order to appease her high ranking boyfriend.
But Data did not look appeased. "Lieutenant Tell, you are hereby relieved of duty until further notice."
"WHAT?" Tell exclaimed. The shock in her features was also reflected on every other face in the room that was aware of what was going on. "Commander, with all due respect, I must protest! I have not done any-"
"The order comes for Captain Picard and is not up for debate. Lieutenant Phillips, please see that her shift is covered for the next few days, possibly the week. Report to Commander Riker if there are any problems." Data looked back to Tell, expectantly. When she did not move, he lifted a hand towards the door. "I will escort you to your quarters, Lieutenant," he said.
Razeene shot him a look of disbelief that faded into one of angry skepticism. "The empty one, Commander?" she asked, but did not wait for an answer. She put the tool she had been using in Phillips' hand and walked out of the room. Commander Data followed on her heels.
A collective sigh proceeded them from the room they had just vacated.
Razeene did not speak to him as they entered the lift. She remained silent as they headed for his quarters. She did not even acknowledge his presence as they enter the room. He followed her into the bedroom as she went to change out of her uniform...but that is not what she was doing. She grabbed one of the cased that they had used during their shore leave, pulled it out of the closet and tossed it on their bed. Returned to the closet, she began to pull her clothes out and throw them in the case.
Data sat down on the bed and watched her. His eyes, lacking the angry look, now just looked...lost.
"You are leaving me?" he asked in a small voice.
She threw the dress that was in her hand into the case and looked up at him, fire in her eyes. "Well, what the hell did you expect, Commander? You just relieved me of duty for no good reason. You have lost your objectivity. If I stay, I put your career in jeopardy and-"
"I did not give the order to relieve you. It came from the captain, as I said. I have also been relieved of duty, Razeene."
"What?" she did not shout it, this time, but she was just as shocked. "Why?"
"The captain felt that we needed to concentrate on the trial and prepare ourselves for it. I realize that the timing of my announcement could have been perceived as though I were relieving you as a result of what I witnessed. This is not the case, although I am not pleased with that action. You endangered our child, Razeene."
While it was wonderful to hear him refer to the baby as 'our child' she was still going to give him hell for his foolish behavior. "No, I did not! I have done that kind of work so often I could do it in my sleep. You are just being overly protective. I think it's sweet most of the time, but this time...you humiliated me, Data. You also scared that crap out of Lieutenant Phillips. Everyone knows about us, Data, including him. He looked like he was sure you were going to charge him with endangering your girlfriend and pull him to the nearest airlock. I know that when we're on duty we try to pretend that we don't have anything between us, but I think we have to look at it differently now. It was secret the last time. It's not this time. You wanted everyone to know and they do, but we have to adjust our thinking to compensate." She came over to him and sat beside him. They laced their hands together. "You're upset with me about being relieved, aren't you?" she asked, gently.
He looked stunned. "I- I am not upset about that."
She tilted her head to the side and gave him an incredulous look. "Do you really think that after all this time that I don't know you? Your pride is wounded and I can see that. I am not an empath, but I can still sense what you're feeling a lot of the time. I know you, Data." she poked him in the chest with her free hand.
He sighed. He was always surprised how much emotional tension this simple act released. "Perhaps the captain is acting in my...our best interest. You are correct, I am irritated that I was relieved. I also did not react properly in stellar cartography. I ask for your forgiveness, Razeene. I am sorry I behaved so irrationally."
She grinned. "Maybe you too have a fused circuit somewhere. Want me to check?" she teased him.
He gave her a slightly apprehensive look. "I think not."
She laughed. "If I ever did, after I was done, you're right...you just may...not think anymore. Geordi La Forge, I am not."
The Enterprise arrived at starbase 124 right on schedule. Daniel Chase was transferred over to the brig there and the evidence that had been gathered by the Enterprise security team, was handed over to the proper authorities. Commander Riker, Lieutenant Commander Data and Lieutenant Tell beamed down shortly after Daniel was pronounced secure. A quick hearing was held to determine if there was a reason for a trial.
It was a very brief hearing.
The trial was scheduled for the following day at 1000 hundred hours. The man who was to act as counsel for Data and Razeene, had been in contact with them over subspace for the last few days. Ryan Bishop assured the couple that he was ready for the trial and all they needed was a little time to prepare for the testimony presentation. Razeene was the one to cause this meeting to break up at 2142 hundred hours, when she claimed fatigue.
The next morning the trial began.
The woman that was in charge of the JAG office on this base, Captain Alura Jackrin, presided over the trial. She was a very serious looking woman, small in stature, but with a presence that left no doubt of her intelligence or who was in charge here. Her dark hair and dark eyes caused Data to wonder if she had any Betazoid blood in her.
The two security officers were brought in to introduce the evidence that they had collected at the scene, and to give their testimony as to what they witnessed when they beamed down to the planet. The questions from the defense counsel were unremarkable for the junior officer. However, when Lieutenant Robinton came to the stand, it was a little strange.
The counsel for Daniel Chase was a gray haired man of almost rail thin build. He was tall, but looked like if he fell, he would break. But his eyes were like those of a hawk. Jason Knight was his name.
"Lieutenant Robinton," Knight said, coming to his feet. Bishop had just finished his questioning. "When you arrived on the scene, how did you find my client?"
"He was being subdued by Commander Data," Robinton answered.
"How?" asked the keen eyed man.
"Mr. Data had him by the arm with his left hand and held Mr. Chase's chest with his right hand. He released him once our phasers were drawn and trained on the man."
Knight looked like he was mulling this over. "Was Mr. Chase struggling?" he asked after a moment.
"No," Robinton answered.
"What was the expression on Commander Data's face?"
Robinton looked confused by the question, but answered anyway. "He looked angry," he replied.
"Because he believed that my client had tried to injure Lieutenant Tell, correct?"
"There was an angry bruise on Miss Razeene's face-"
"Just answer the question that I asked, please." Knight interrupted, irritation suddenly making his eagle eyes darker.
"Yes. Mr. Data believed that Mr. Chase had injured Miss Tell."
"No, further questions." Knight announced and retook his seat.
Everyone at the prosecution table exchanged confused glances.
Data was called next.
He was asked to retell the events beginning from the moment he first heard a sound that caused him to suspect that there was someone else in the room to the moment when Chase was beamed aboard the Enterprise. The questions from Mr. Bishop had been carefully tailored to ensure that certain details were not mentioned...like what Data had or had not been wearing when he had relieved Chase of the dagger.
When Mr. Knight rose for his cross, Data had a feeling of foreboding rush through him.
"Commander Data, what is the nature of your relationship to Lieutenant Tell, please."
"Lieutenant Tell served under my command professionally, however, I believe that your question is not regarding our professional relationship." Data had been instructed to not volunteer information that was not asked for.
"Correct Commander. I wish to know the nature of your personal relationship with the lady."
"Lieutenant Tell and I share a very close relationship," he admitted.
"In fact, you're lovers, is that not true, Commander?" Knight asked, smiling expectantly. Everyone noted the surprised expression that briefly flashed across Captain Jackrin's face.
"That is correct," Data answered, factually.
"And when Mr. Chase entered your room on the evening in question, you and the Lieutenant were engaging in sexually contact, is that not so?"
"While I fail to see the relevance of your question, yes, that is required in order to be classified as lovers. We were on leave together. I cannot see that it would be a...great leap." Quite a bit of harsh sarcasm had entered Data's voice.
"Quite true, Commander. In order to be called someone's lover, one must be intimately associated with them. So, sex is required." Knight received a warning look from Captain Jackrin, so he pushed on. "Commander, I understand that Lieutenant Tell was under your command for nearly five years prior to her departure from the Enterprise-D years ago."
"Correct," Data replied.
"So you knew her for her entire tenure aboard the Enterprise then too?"
"Yes, sir."
"Were you engaged in a sexual relationship with her for any part of her previous tour?"
"Less than half of her last year. Yes."
Knight nodded and started walking around the room, with one hand rubbing his chin. "Were you ever involved in an argument with the Lieutenant?"
"Are you referring to a disagreement on an issue or something that involved...shouting?" Data asked.
"The latter," Knight answered.
"Three days ago. I witnessed her attempting to repair a damaged circuit during her duty shift. I was concerned as this involved climbing up the back of the malfunctioning unit six feet up. I reacted rather emotionally and ordered her down. It was her opinion that I overreacted. This is perhaps true."
Knight looked disappointed by his answer. "Did you ever argue prior to her leaving the Enterprise the first time?" he asked.
"We had one argument."
"What was this about?"
"Objection, relevance?" said Bishop, calmly.
"Sustained. Move on counsel."
Knight nodded and looked back at Data. "One final question, Commander. Have you ever been angry with Razeene?" he asked.
Data wished he had stopped already. "Yes," he answered, reluctantly. He had been very angry at times when he had been dealing with the loss of their relationship and then the loss of her.
"Thank you, Commander. No further questions." Again confused looked were exchanged between those on the prosecution.
Razeene was now up. She would be the final witness for the prosecution.
Her testimony took a lot longer and half way through, they broke for lunch. Upon returning, Razeene resumed her story of her past relationship to her ex-husband.
"While I know this will be difficult for you, will you tell us of briefly the events that took place during your encounter with Mr. Chase that led to his second confinement." Bishop had not told Razeene that he would ask this and she looked stunned and glanced painfully in Data direction.
"I was on a starbase following his release. He had gotten off for his last attack on me. He found me and broke into my room. I was asleep at the time and I awoke to find him holding me down and covering my mouth. He raped me and told me that when he was done, he was going to kill me for disobeying him. He was beating me when the guards finally pulled him off of me. I almost lost my baby as a result of his assaults." She delivered this speech with as little anguish as she could manage. Even recalling the memory hurt. The stunned look in Data's was just as bad if not worse.
"He knew that you were pregnant. Did you tell him that he actions could endanger the life of his child?"
"He wanted to kill the baby and he told me this repeatedly," Razeene answered.
"Did he say this during his most recent assault?"
"He threatened to cut the child from my womb so that I could see it gender before I died. If I lived through his cutting me open with a dagger...that is."
This statement caused the judge to recoil...as it was intended.
"But that did not happen. What stopped him?" Bishop continued.
"Daniel had to get the dagger from Data's back. He hit me and knocked me to the floor, he then went to get it and somehow in pulling it from his back, he reactivated Data. Data took the dagger from him and saved my life."
"You have no doubt that your life was in danger and that of your child and the Commander?"
"No doubt at all. I don't know how one would go about killing Data in a hotel room, but if given the opportunity, Daniel would have done his best. He was angry that I had gone back to Data when I left him. I think he considered leaving Data as he was though, I didn't know if Data was alright, but I think both Daniel and I suspected that Data was not hurt beyond repair at that point."
Bishop nodded at this. "So you think there was a chance Commander Data could have survived that encounter even if you were taken by Mr. Chase?"
"Yes, Daniel wanted me, Data was just there. He stood between me and Daniel, so once Data was out, he was no longer a concern to Daniel."
"But you and the baby would not have survived. Not in the hands of a raging ex-husband. Thank you, Lieutenant Tell. No more question." Bishop sat down and Knight rose to his feet, holding a PADD.
"So Miss Tell. Once Mr. Data was knocked out, you believe that he was out of the way and not a concern for you husband. True?" Knights voice sounded like he was leading her somewhere she did not want to go.
"Yes," she replied, nervously.
"I guess you were hoping for that reaction from you husband when you married him, yet were still communicating with Commander Data...you former lover!"
Razeene looked confused and angry. "I stopped writing Data when-"
"When Mr. Chase found out you had been writing him? Yes, I know. I even have copies of the letters that the Commander sent to you over the course of almost two years. Very interesting reading. I submit them as defense exhibit A." Knight handed a PADD with copies of the letters to the judge and to Mr. Bishop.
Data looked at Mr. Bishop, But Bishop just looked stunned and at a loss. Shrugging, he began to read the letters, trying to see why he was doing this. Razeene looked helplessly over at Data who tried to smile at her reassuringly. Data, of course remembered what was contained in his letters.
"Can you tell me, Miss Tell, when you left the Enterprise, what was the nature of your relationship with the Commander?" Knight asked, looking very smug.
"I'm not sure I can explain it. We had been...lovers, but I told him that we had to end it and he was upset, so I decided to leave the Enterprise so I wouldn't upset him further." She looked apologetically at Data.
"But when you left the ship, was he upset then?"
"Yes," she answered.
"How upset? Did he argue with you? Was he cross? Threatening?" Knight was standing right in front of her, blocking her view of Data. Daniel, however, she could see.
He was grinning.
"No. He was just upset that I was leaving. He asked me to stay." She couldn't let them think they had argued when they hadn't.
"I see in the letters that he refers to something he must have said to you that day. The letter states the Commander had been asked by you if he was going to keep asking you to stay until you leave and that his reply had hinted that he would continue to ask you even after. I now quote for Commander Data's letter,
'Even though four months have past, I still think of you often. So, here it is, as prophesied. Return to the Enterprise, Razeene. Please come back to me. I still need you. I feelings have not diminished with time, they have only grown.
I have no doubt that you have found another lover where you are now. I hope he is good to you. I wish I were he. Do you ever think of me, Razeene? Do you miss me? Was there anything I did wrong? You can tell me now. Please, tell me what I did wrong.
I know that this will cause you to be disinclined to write me again. I have to take that chance. I simply needed to make you aware that I still have not forgotten. I will never forget.
If you write me again, I vow to be less maudlin.
Remembering,
Data'"
Knight looked up from the PADD to see Razeene with her eyes closed and tears welling up in the corner of each. He smiled.
"Quite a heartfelt plea, Miss Tell. I notice that while the rest of his letters, as promised, are less sentimental and not so full of...begging, the Commander does not hide the fact that he cares for you. Each one hints that he misses you, wishes you to return or just regrets whatever it was that cause you to break it off with him. Even the last letter. And I quote:
'Razeene,
I wish to congratulate you on your recent marriage. I hope that Mr. Chase gives you everything that you dream of. I also hope he appreciates what he has in you. I will abide by your wishes and not write again. However, if you at any time in the near or distant future, need me for anything, please inform me.
Be well. Be happy.
Data'"
Knight went back to the table where he have been sitting and put the PADD down. Turning back to Razeene, he stared silently at her for a moment. But the silence did not last.
"He did not argue with you to stay with him?" he asked, finally.
"No, he asked." Razeene glared at him.
"Where there more letters from the Commander after this one I just read, Miss Tell?"
"No," she spat.
"But Mr. Chase reminded you of the Commander, is that not correct? You stated this to Mr. Chase just days ago, Is this true?" he asked, speaking very fast.
"Yes. There were things about Daniel that were similar to Data. I did not connect this at first, but yes, It's true. So what?" She sounded angry now.
"Who connected it?"
"The counselor aboard the Enterprise. I had described Daniel to her and she thought his good points sounded like Data."
"Good points? What are his good points, Miss Tell? The ones he shares with the Commander?"
"He was very orderly, precise, good at problem solving. He is the most intelligent human I ever met. He was neat and well groomed. He had an inner strength, a sureness about him. In some areas he was very predictable. But his controlling ruined it all," she sneered.
Daniel just rocked back in his seat and grinned.
"Chase was controlling? He demanded a certain behavior from you? But Commander Data did not? He made no requests of you?"
"Well, yes. But it was different with Data."
"I see. Did you write to other men, ex-lovers while you were involved in you relationship with Mr. Data?"
"No."
"Did you see any other man at that time?"
"No."
"But you did write to Mr. Data even after you have married Mr. Chase, correct?"
"I had to-"
"Just a yes or no will do, please."
"Yes." Razeene looked crestfallen.
"You say that with Mr. Data, it was different. His demands were different. What did he demand form you, Miss Tell?"
"He did not demand, he asked."
"Semantics. What did he ask of you before you left him?"
"To help him with a problem and to keep it between us," she answered, knowing he was not going to stop there. She was right.
"Ah, yes. The agreement to have sex. Now stop me if I misstate this. You had sex with him because he was malfunctioning and this malfunction caused him to-"
"It was not him that was malfunctioning, it was his emotion chip. He was experiencing random emotional impulses. It caused emotional responses that were like non sequiturs. He was at a loss to combat some of them without help and I found out about this and volunteered to help with...I helped with sexual arousal. If he had this reaction, day or night, he would come to me and I would have sex with him until it subsided. We agreed to keep it between us and we did. No one else found out about it until Data told someone with my permission."
"Fine, fine. Interesting arrangement. So, you weren't dating, you were just his sex toy. And now you are again."
"Objection! Is there a point to all this, Your Honor?" Bishop asked. Data was looking like he was having a great deal of trouble remaining quietly in his seat.
"I have been wondering the same thing, counselor. You informed us in chambers that this would be unconventional, but it would eventually make some sense. Cause it to make sense now, Mr. Knight," Captain Jackrin ordered the other man.
"Yes ma'am. Miss Tell, in your sexual relationships, do you prefer a gentle partner or do you like it a little rough?"
Razeene blanched. She looked over to Captain Jackrin who just nodded. "I like variety."
"So a firm hand does not frighten you?"
"Unless it's Daniel's idea of a firm hand," Razeene answered, looking tired.
"Did Commander Data ever use a firm hand on you?" Knight asked, looking right into her eyes from two feet away.
Razeene remained quiet, glaring at him.
"I see. He did, didn't he? When I spoke to Mr. Chase, he told me that you used to mention some of the games that you would play with Mr. Data. All kinds of sex game. One where he would hold you down and do as he pleased to you. So, I repeat, did he ever use a firm hand or get rough with you?" Knight got right in her face now.
"Yes, damn you."
"Did he ever hold you down using his android strength to ensure that you could not move?"
Razeene closed her eyes. "Yes," she whispered.
"Isn't that the same thing that happened when Mr. Chase came to your room when you were staying at the starbase? He held you down just like he knew you enjoyed and proceeded to initiate sexual contact?"
Razeene gasped and slammed her hands down on the sides of the chair. "He raped me! I told him to stop! I screamed at him to stop! I was not married to him and he had no right to break into my room!"
"Please calm down, Miss Tell," the judge instructed. Razeene covered her face with her hands.
"The prosecution asks for a recess, your Honor," Bishop jumped to his feet to say.
"Granted. Fifteen minutes, people."
Data was instantly at Razeene's side and leading her outside of the room.
"Why is he being allowed to asked about all this?" Razeene asked Data, once they were outside. He held her close and she was resting her head on his chest.
"I believe he is attempting to confuse the judge. If he convinces her that Mr. Chase's behavior towards you was similar to the way I behaved with you, he can cast doubt. I never wanted to invade your privacy with Mr. Chase, but under the circumstances, may I asked a question?" He could feel her nod as well as see her head move. "The first time he was violent with you, did it occur during a sexual encounter?"
"No...wait...He did get too rough once and...hurt me. I told him to stop, but he told me to just shut-" The look in Data's eyes caused her to stop. "Sorry, Data. I wasn't trying to upset you."
"You are not upsetting me," he lied. He winced slightly and continued. "I believe that is the key. Mr. Knight and Mr. Chase believe that revealing intimate details of our relationship will upset us. If we are upset, perhaps we will say something that will assist the defense. Razeene, if you believe that I am embarrassed by our relationship being spoken of here, remember, we may never encounter any of these people again once this trial of complete. I do not regret having been your lover in the past, nor am I ashamed of my ties to you now. If Mr. Knight asks, answer and do not hesitate. We have nothing to hide." Data's words were said with strength and conviction.
Razeene's expression had changed as he spoke. Her grin began and grew with each sentence. "You are so smart! I think you're right. We have no reason to care what these people think of us. I'll do as you suggest, Data. No holds bar!" She reached up and caressed his cheek.
Data smiled back and drew her lips to his.
"Get what you can now, android. After this trial, you may be out of luck."
The couple parted and turned to see Daniel standing with his two guards just four feet away.
"As was the case before, your statement is not backed by facts. When this trial ends, you will be confined and you will not have access to Razeene again. Publicizing the sexual relationship that exists between Razeene and I will have no effect on that outcome." Data seemed to be trying to appear calm, but to Razeene, the anger was obvious.
"I don't understand you, Daniel. I would have thought that you would have gotten enough when you walked in on us. If it's more you want, we can record it tonight and send you a copy. It should keep you for a while. But at this point in my pregnancy, Data and I have to tone it down quite a bit. I get tired fast and he has to hold back quite a lot. I promise to send you a recording of a full love making session after the baby is born." Razeene looked up and Data and gave him an evil grin. "Can they fit a four hour recording on one of those chips, Data?" she asked innocently.
Daniel growled. "If you think I believe that you do or did that on a regular basis-"
"Daniel, remember...Data does not get tired. He does not eat or sleep and you know that I could go longer then you could. I told you, you didn't remind me of him, you just weren't good enough."
The two guards who had been escorting Daniel were opening laughing at him now. One poked Daniel in the back. "I think you lost this stand, Mr. Chase. Time to go back in and let these fine people have their moment alone." Both giggled again as they guided a protesting Daniel into the courtroom again.
Once he was out of sight, Razeene shook her head at him. "All I want is for this nightmare to be over and to go home to...your quarters." She sighed and leaned against him.
"Why do you not say our quarters?" Data asked, rubbing her back with rhythmic motions.
"Because it's your place. I have very empty quarters since you don't let me live there...not that I'm complaining, mind you, but there will not be enough room in your quarters with this little bit comes."
"I have taken steps to see to that. However, you no longer had empty quarters. Lieutenants Cres and Julo Prectin have filled your former quarters along with their child Violu." He lifted her chin to look him in the eyes. "You live with me, and when our daughter comes, she will live with us. We are a family and nothing will ever change that, Razeene." The loving expression on his face entranced Razeene. Slowly she grinned, her eyes shining.
"I love you, Data," she said.
"I love you, Razeene," he answered and kissed her. During their embrace, the baby kicked the spot where Data was pressed against Razeene belly. He broke their embrace and grinned at her belly. "And I love you too, Little One," he said with a cooing voice as he gave her belly a loving caress.
Once Data and Razeene returned to their seats, the trial proceeded.
Knight approached the only pregnant female in the room and looked at her with a calculating smile. "I am sorry I upset you, Miss Tell. I hope you are feeling better now." He did not sound the least bit remorseful.
Razeene just rolled her eyes and shook her head. She felt ready for him now. "I'm fine, thanks," she replied with as much saccharine insincerity as he had given her.
"Then we will get right to it so that this can be over for you. You said that Commander Data had treated you roughly just as Mr. Chase had, yet with Mr. Chase it was rape and it was not with Mr. Data. Can you explain that, please?"
Razeene sat calmly back in her chair and smiled at Knight as though he was a simpleton. "Of course. When I am with Data, I know he will never hurt me. You see, he had an ethical program that prevents him from just going around using his superior strength to kill or hurt people and things. Daniel had no such ethical program and I think his ethics are...damaged. Data is a fun and gentle lover and even if he is being firm and taking control of the sexual session, he had never hurt me or even frightened me. He had my complete trust. I never trusted Daniel in this way."
Knight looked a little confused at the change in her attitude. "But you married him. Why?"
"Well, the usual reasons...I thought he loved me. He was interesting and we had some fun. He was no Data, but he was the best there was out of what I had to choose from." Looking across the room, Razeene noticed that Daniel too, no longer looked so cocky. "But it was only after the fact that I really realized what it was that I married him for," she took a breath to continue, but Knight held up a hand.
"I think that's quite enough, Miss Tell." He shook his head, cautioning her to be silent.
Both Razeene and Data turned to look pointedly at Bishop. The man looked back at Data like he was crazy, but got to his feet. "Objection. He asked why and now he is not going to allow her to give her answer?"
"You may finish your sentence, Miss Tell, but let's hurry this along folks," instructed the judge.
"Thank you, your Honor. "As I was saying, Counselor Troi help me to realize that there was only one thing I could not have with Commander Data that I could with Daniel. A biological child." She patted her belly.
A gleam returned to Knight's eyes and he almost jumped at her. "So, you only married him for his seed?"
Razeene laughed. "No, I think I was in love with him at the time we married, but his rages began soon after that. The love died very quickly after that. My getting pregnant was a last ditch effort to make him happy. My reward was he tried to kill us both."
Knight looked unhappy again. "So you left the Enterprise and Mr. Data because he could not give you a child?"
Razeene looked across to Data. He did not look happy either. She had never talked to him about this. "I left the Enterprise because Data wanted to change our relationship to be more than just sex. He wanted us to date and see if there was a chance for love, but I was not ready for that at the time. I had entered into the agreement with him at the time because there would be none of those kinds of strings. I got nervous when he suddenly wanted to attach strings." Razeene gazed at Data, her eyes full of regret. "I ran. I couldn't face his sad eyes and I ran. I didn't think I wanted children at that time or at least not consciously."
"But once you got together with Mr. Chase you did?"
"No, I did once I was pregnant."
"Mr. Chase told you he wanted children, but later in your marriage. When he told you he wanted to wait, did you become angry and decided to take matters in your own hands?"
"No," she said simply.
"Why did you get pregnant?"
"I was hoping to calm him. He was getting violent and I thought it would change his attitude."
"His attitude was bad. Did it ever occur to you that it could have been that you were still communicating with and comparing him to Commander Data?"
"By that time, I was not communicating with Data. It is natural to compare one's lovers, Counselor. I'm sure even you do it. Daniel may have been unsettled by the fact that he just couldn't measure up." Razeene leaned to look around Knight and smile and Daniel. He just glared back. Razeene laughed.
"So, Mr. Chase was just not up to par with the androids...what? Strength? Stamina? The control he could exhibit over you?" Knight hazarded a glance at Data, who just looked passive.
"Oh, no. When I said measure up...I meant it." Razeene leaned forward, almost like she was confiding in the counselor. "You understand, he does not need sleep...ever, He never gets tired...ever. He can just keep going and going. While I never tried to rub this in Daniel's face...maybe it just got to him over time. Sat there in the back of his mind, chipping-"
"Thank you, Miss Tell. I have no further questions." Knight headed quickly to his seat. Razeene had to suppress a laugh.
Bishop helped she to the table and the prosecution rested.
For the defense's first witness, the following day, Daniel was called. This was no surprise of course. The first question, however...
"Mr. Chase, let's get right to it. I understand that your ex-wife once told you of an interesting sexual experience that she had with Commander Data. Can you please-"
"Mr. Knight. I think we heard just about enough of the sex life between the Commander and Miss Tell yesterday. I was not impressed. If you think it shocks us, you are wrong. I do not care of these two consenting adults engage in intimate relations every day and twice on Tuesday. I want you to tell us something about this case or have the defense rest so I can make my ruling before I grow old here!" the judge scolded him.
Razeene leaned over to whisper in Data's ear. "Once a day...that would be a significant drop..."
"Not lately," he reminded her. Since the attack, she was under doctor's orders to refrain from such behavior.
"Are you complaining?" she asked, quietly indignant.
"I am merely stating a fact, Razeene. Tomorrow, when your ban is lifted, I intend to be very gentle, but I will make good use of the time we have to be alone." He gave her a meaningful grin that caused her to wish she could kiss him right here.
"...tell us about it, please," Knight was saying, when Razeene began listening again.
"Before we had been dating for long, I knew that she had had a thing going on with the android. She talked about him all the time and every time she received a letter from him it was like the whole facility had to stop while she read his letter and mooned over him for a while. But I thought she was cute and we started going out. She did like sex and she liked it rough. But I didn't know how rough until she told me about a little holodeck trip that she had gone on with the android once. It took a bit of wine to get the whole story, but I found out that Mr. Data went berserk on her one day when they were going at it and he went into a rage. He was malfunctioning, but this time it was not sex he wanted. He pushed her away and stormed out of her bedroom almost before he got dressed. She followed him to the holodeck where he proceeded to kill what must have been hundreds of simulated creatures of every description. Most he dispatched with his bare hands.
"Razeene hid, but watched him the whole time. She came out when he finally calmed a little and once he saw her, he grabbed her, ripping off her clothes and fu- took her right there. Blood and guts from all these dead things and they are rolling in it. After hearing that, I knew what she liked and I didn't want to disappoint her." Daniel sat back in his chair, looking very pleased with himself.
Data turned to whisper in Razeene's ear. "You told him about that?" He sounded unsettled.
"I was really drunk! And he was asking questions about some of the hotter times that you and I were together. Blood and guts aside, Data, that time it was really, really hot! You said we had nothing to hide," she reminded him, but they were both noting the expression on the face of the Judge.
The woman looked shocked.
"Are we in trouble...I mean, am I in trouble?" Razeene asked Data.
"Reasonable doubt. This is all he needs," Data reminded her.
"But we have your memory records and the dagger. This isn't about his raping me, it's about him trying to end two or three lives," Razeene defended.
"Let us hope that Captain Jackrin will remember that."
It took the JAG officer a full day to review the evidence and the testimony, but in the end, she did find Daniel Chase guilty. He was sentenced to a rehabilitation colony in the sector 14567, possibly for the rest of his life. Data and Razeene breathed a collective sigh of relief when the verdict was given.
"It's not over, Razeene!" shouted Daniel, as the guards escorted him from the room to the waiting transport. "You will see me again, woman. Count on it." The man's ravings could be heard all the way down the corridor, but Data and Razeene tried their best to ignore his parting rants. They hoped never to see the man again.
The couple thanked the judge and Mr. Bishop and Razeene assumed that they would be heading back to the Enterprise with all due haste, but Data was not moving.
"Captain Jackrin, now that this unpleasant matter is behind us. May I ask you to assist Miss Tell and I in a more agreeable subject?" Data asked the JAG officer, before she departed.
The woman seemed to want to put this couple and their sordid story behind her, but out of politeness she nodded.
"I would like to be named the legal co-parent of the child that Miss Tell carries," Data told her. Razeene wondered how she could have thought that he would have forgotten about this. She came back to stand with him.
"You are in favor of this arrangement, Miss Tell?" the captain asked her.
Razeene nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Very much so," she agreed. Data's fingers found hers.
"If you are willing to go through all of this to be with this woman, I can't doubt your loyalty. I'll need to do a bit of checking into your background, Commander. I hope it is more...mundane than what I have heard during this trial. If so, I will grant your request. Send the formal documents to Mr. Bishop and instruct him to forward them to me. Good luck to you both." With that, she gave them a dismissive nod and walked quickly out of the room.
"She does not like us," Razeene observed.
Data nodded and led her out of the room. "I think we made a less than favorable impression, However, she still seemed willing to grant our request."
And Captain Jackrin did. Two weeks later, Data was officially given legal rights as the father of Razeene's as yet unborn child.
"My computer console is not dusty, Razeene," Data assured her from the couch. She ignored him. "I promise you that the air regulator is functioning properly and is removing the dust particles from the air in our quarters."
"It looks dusty to me and I'm going clean it. Now leave me alone," she sniped, continuing her odd behavior. When Data had returned from his weekly poker game, this evening, he had expected to find her asleep. He had instead found her on her hands and knees picking up 'lint' from the corner behind his console. He wondered how she had even gotten down there, as her due date was only one week away.
Data sighed. He was also beginning to wonder if his fiancée was losing her mind. In order to get up, since she had stubbornly refused his help, she had been forced to crawl to his computer chair and climb to her feet from there. He could not believe how impossible she could be at times, but this was...very odd.
Data convinced her that the sheets on their bed needed changing so that he would be able to call Dr. Crusher without Razeene overhearing.
"She is not behaving normally, Doctor. Our quarters are...clean. I do not understand why she would be insisting this I am...messy," he told the CMO, looking astonished that anyone would suggest such a thing.
Beverly giggled briefly. "Offending your sensibilities, Data?" she teased. The android did not look amused. "Listen, Razeene is going through a perfectly normal stage for a woman who is almost nine months pregnant. Its called nesting. It's like a mother bird building her nest and making sure it is as perfect as she can make it." She watched over the monitor as Data's eyes moved back and forth as he looked up the information that she had just referenced.
"Ah! Of course! I should have realized this to be the case." Data looked relieved.
"Data, bring her in tomorrow. I want to check her. This is actually a good indicator that she may go into labor soon. And I think it's time to relieve her of duty. Oh, and tell her you'll do the cleaning and she can supervise. Get her to put her feet up and you crawl around the floor."
Data looked mortified by this suggestion, but then he never was one for doing things that were undignified. But when that first diaper had to be changed, he was going to have to get over that very quickly. Beverly grinned at his discomfort.
"Yes, doctor," he answered, but sounding much less relieved.
Beverly chuckled again and told him good night.
Data sighed heavily and headed for their bedroom. Their quarters now had two. The quarters next to theirs was empty, so they had commandeered them in order to have the baby's room built and to expand the space that was in the main room. Even their bedroom had been expanded to provide enough space for the small portable bed that Razeene had insisted that they would initially use for the little one.
Data had disagreed. "She will sleep with us," he had said. He could not understand why she would think any other option was necessary. "You have planned to nurse her, so her remaining with you is the most practical solution. She will sleep between us and that will prevent many of the untoward possibilities inherent in newborns."
Razeene had looked at him in shock when he had suggested this, but had declined to argue, so Data had considered the matter settled.
When Data entered their bedroom, he found her laying on the edge of the bed with her feet still in her shoes. She was soundly asleep.
Data smiled. He removed her shoes, put them away, and returned to reposition her on the bed.
"I was just resting for a minute. I was not going to bed," she told him.
"You are now," he said firmly, but with obvious affection. "Do you wish your night gown?"
She sighed, but resigned to listen and nodded.
She did zing in one complaint when he began to sing a number from a Klingon opera, but after he changed to a love song from an old earth musical, she settled.
Razeene had talked Dr. Crusher out of putting her on medical leave the next morning, but a week later, Data told her he was going to relieve her himself if she did not agree to submit to the will of the CMO.
"I will have nothing to do if you relieve me of duty," she told Data, pleadingly. Her dedication to duty was admirable, but it was time to rest.
He pulled her into his arms, from behind her. "You can plan our wedding," Data whispered in her ear.
He could feel her relax into him. A smile curved her lips as she thought over this option.
"You still want to taker her with us on the honeymoon?" she inquired.
Data pulled Razeene's hair over her right shoulder so he could kiss the back of her neck. "Yes. My two girls."
She turned to look at him over her shoulder, startled amusement glowing in her eyes. "Your girls, huh? You may had changed your mind by then, you know." Razeene had staunchly refused to marry him before that baby came. Being legally responsible for the little bit should her mommy die, was one thing. But living with and being married to that mommy may even be beyond his patience level. Razeene had promised to marry him only if he survived the first three months.
"I will never change my mind. Do you intend to leave me again?" he asked, between kisses.
Razeene closed her eyes and allowed the stimulating chills that his kisses were causing to flow through her body. "Never," she whispered.
That night, Data sang her and the baby to sleep with Mozart. Or at least, Razeene went to sleep. The baby seemed to just want to push against his hand. Still, after he played with her for a while, she finally settled. He still loved this game. He would press very gently over a spot and a second or two later, the baby would push back. He would move to a new place and push again. The baby would move there and return his push. Data always had trouble restraining his giggles of giddy glee at this game. He looked forward to playing games with the baby once she born, and wondered what kind they would play.
Razeene felt strange. Something was...not quite right. The room was dark and she wondered how much sleep she had gotten. Pulling herself from Data's light hold on her, she tried to sit up, but could not make it.
"If only you could have slept for five more minutes..." Data mused, awakened by her movements.
"Why? Good dream?" she asked, using his now extended arm to pull herself up.
"Yes. I could fly, but I was not the bird. I love having this dream." He grinned at the memory, sitting up to help her to her feet. Getting out of bed was always the hardest for her.
"Something's going on, Data." The tone of her voice, more that the words caused him alarm.
"How do you mean? Are you experiencing contractions?" he asked, now on his feet and following her to the bathroom.
"No, but something is off. I'm just not sure what. I'll be right back." She gave his hand a squeeze and disappeared behind the bathroom door.
She came out a moment later looking very confused.
"What?" he asked, alarmed.
"I think...I'm not sure, but I think that my water is breaking. But it's not a gush like Beverly said it might be." She looked bewildered.
Data grabbed a robe for both of them and seconds later he was helping her to sickbay.
He waited anxiously as Dr. Selar examined Razeene. He was called back into the room moments later.
"The amniotic sac tore further up instead of over the cervix so the fluid is leaking out more slowly. She is fine. Labor should commence soon. She will need to remain here until it does. I have notified Dr. Crusher of her condition." The Vulcan woman told his.
"Thank you doctor. I may see her now?" Data asked.
"Yes. Do not be alarmed, Commander. This is not an uncommon occurrence. She is not in any discomfort at this time."
Data met her stoic gaze with one of nervous anticipation. "But that will not remain constant," he noted, turning to join his fiancée.
The labor did begin very quickly. Four hours later, Dr. Crusher was called to check her. Razeene was completely dilated and effaced.
It was time to push.
Data gave Razeene his arm to squeeze, but remained oddly silent.
"Relax, Data. She's doing fine. And you are going to be parents in just a few moments, so I hope you have that name picked out." Crusher grinned quickly at the almost panic stricken expression that had covered that android's face since the pains had started.
"I do," he said absently. He never took his worried gaze from Razeene.
"I do, is for the wedding, not the birth." It was most likely meant to be humorous, but since she was preparing to push, Razeene's comment came out sounding rather cross.
"Ok, once you feel that contraction, push!" The doctor instructed. Razeene nodded and Data just stood by, looking stricken. After five good pushes, the baby crowned and Crusher decided that the best way to get Data to stop looking paler than normal, was to give him something more active to do.
"Come over here, Data," Beverly told him. She let him see the top of the baby's head and told him to take her position.
"Why, doctor?" he asked, confused, but excited at that sight of his child's head.
"Because you are going to deliver your baby."
Data looked at though she had just court-martialed him down to ensign.
"He's gonna what?" Razeene groaned, nearing exhaustion.
"You can do it, Data. You just have to tell her to push and to catch. You can catch, can't you?" Beverly asking, grinning.
"I am not a doctor, doctor," he reminded her. Beverly grinned again, but Razeene's sharp intake of breath distracted her.
"Ok, you're on, Data. Watch the head and direct her pushing. Come on, Razeene!" Beverly said, trying to encourage them both.
It took just one contraction for Data to acclimate. By the second contraction under his direction, he sounded like a pro. Crusher suctioned out the mouth when the head was delivered and helped Data to turn the child for the delivery of the shoulders.
"One more, Razeene. One more push and it will be over. Push!" he urged.
"I'm pushing!" she exclaimed.
"Push harder!" he implored, and it worked.
One more push, and the child slipped out and into Data's awaiting hands. A very wide smile took over the features of the new father, as Dr. Crusher helped him cut the umbilical cord, to wash the child and wrap a blanket around the tiny body. His eyes held his awe, but could not contain his tears.
As he came out of the squat, with his child in his arms, he could not take his clouded eyes from the small face.
"Well?" Razeene said, impatiently, as the doctor moved to take care of the less awesome details of delivery. Data moved to Razeene's side to carefully hand the child to the new mother.
"We have a daughter, my love," he choked. Crying at a moment like this may have confused Data in the past, but no longer. He let the tears run down his face as he watched Razeene coo at her baby.
"Hello, little bit. So you are the one who had been keeping me up nights."
Data grinned at this, but noticed that tears of joy were now flowing down her face as well. He leaned in and put his arm around the woman he had loved for so long. He kissed her tenderly on the temple. "I love you, Razeene," he whispered.
"I love you, too."
They brought their heads together and looked lovingly at the tiny face of their baby.
"So, what's her name?" Razeene asked as the baby yawned and began to fuss slightly.
"Aleasa," he told her. "It is Romanian, an old earth language, for...chosen."
Razeene tore her gaze from the child and looked into his eyes with dismay. "Chosen? Data, that's beautiful," she said, choking out the words. She turned to the baby, who was now trying to focus on them and sighed. "Welcome to the family, Aleasa."
An hour later, Razeene was resting with the baby at her breast, in a private room in sickbay. The captain had been by to welcome Aleasa aboard and now everything was quiet. Data had a chair pulled up next to the bed, but was practically in the bed with them, he was leaning so far over.
"You know, we never did go over what her last name should be." Razeene said in a sleepy voice. "Typically the father provides his."
Data looked her in the eye, shock clearly registering in his. "Aleasa Data? I hope you are joking."
Razeene chuckled, but stopped when the baby startled. She settled her back and smiled at Data. "No, I wasn't thinking of that. And by the way, I intend to keep my name if you marry me, but for her...I was thinking of the name that you should have had all along. Son of Soong."
Data looked shocked for a moment, but slowly the idea grew on him. "Aleasa Soong." His eyes started to move back and forth, causing Razeene to wonder what he was thinking about.
"I never understood why you didn't change you name to reflect his once you learned about him in the first place," she commented.
He shrugged slightly. Reaching out, he stroked the baby's cheek with just a finger. A proud grin swept across his face. "I...I had been simply 'Data' for twenty six years before I discovered from Lore that I was indeed created by Dr. Soong, as was he. It never seemed practical to add his name to mine."
"So, what do you think of my suggestion? Is it practical?"
"As to it being practical, I cannot say. However, it is very...flattering." Now he moved his hand to caress Razeene's cheek. The two gazed at each other in silence for several moments. When they turned their attention back to the child, they found that Aleasa Soong had fallen asleep between her parents for the first time, but definitely not for the last.
The end
