Matchmaker, Matchmaker

"Time to go, Molly," Keiko O'Brien said, smiling down at her little daughter.

"I don't want to go, Mommy," Molly said stubbornly, plinking a few notes on her preschool classroom's toy keyboard.

"I'm afraid that's not a choice," Keiko said kindly. "We're going to meet Daddy when he gets off duty so he can tuck you in for your nap."

Molly slapped her hands down on the keyboard, reveling in the discordant sounds it made. She did it again.

"Molly!" Keiko said. "You can play some more music tomorrow, okay?"

Molly pouted at her mother, but allowed herself to be hoisted up and carried towards the door.

"Keiko O'Brien?" someone called.

Keiko turned. "Yes?"

A young man walked up to her and Molly. He carried a data padd in his pocket, and he had the inquisitive expression of a cyberneticist. Keiko had seen them roaming the ship, but she hadn't been stopped by one—yet.

"Oh, good," he said, relieved. "I'm Benedict Smith, call me Ben. I was told by Admiral LaRoach that you and your husband possibly had some connection to Commander Data."

Keiko nodded. "Yes, he's our good friend. You know, my husband's just coming off duty. If you come with me, you can talk to both of us."

"That'd be great," Ben said warmly, falling into step beside her as they left the classroom. "So, who are you?" he continued, smiling and looking down at the child in Keiko's arms.

"Molly," the little girl said shyly.

"How old are you, Molly?" he asked.

"Four," she replied.

"That's a great age," he said. "Is Commander Data your good friend too?"

"Sometimes he takes care of me when Mommy and Daddy aren't there," Molly answered. "He's very nice."

"He babysits!" Ben said, chuckling. "I hope you behave yourself for him."

Molly nodded solemnly and Ben looked up at Keiko. "That takes a close friendship, for someone to babysit someone's kids. I'd think it'd be hard to make friends with Data. I mean, I'd be so in awe that I wouldn't be able to start a conversation."

Keiko laughed. "I felt the same way too," she said, shifting a wiggling Molly to her other shoulder, where the little girl promptly fell asleep. "I met Data in the arboretum, where I work. Now, you wouldn't expect an android to be in the arboretum, so I was surprised when he asked me a question about one of the plants. I answered it, and asked him why he wanted to know. He said something about being curious. Well, I can respect that, so we started talking and became friends."

"Hm," Ben said. "I assumed you'd met him through your husband, since he works in an engineering job where he might see Commander Data. I guess assumptions aren't always correct."

"No, they aren't," Keiko agreed. "Here we are!" She punched a code in the panel next to the doorway, and the door opened to reveal Miles O'Brien.

"Hello, Keiko, Molly," he greeted. "Tired, are we?" he added, ruffling his dozing daughter's hair.

At his touch she opened her eyes and smiled at him blearily. "Yes, Daddy,"

"Time for your nap!" he replied, taking her out of her mother's arms. She nodded sleepily.

Once Molly was put to bed, Keiko introduced Ben and explained why he was there, and the three took seats.

"Well, that's a lot to talk about," Miles said thoughtfully. "We've known Data for a while. In fact, he introduced us. And acted in our wedding."

"Really!" Ben said. "Now, I knew he had complex programming, but I didn't know he had matchmaking algorithms!"

Keiko and Miles exchanged glances and then laughed. "That's not exactly how it happened," Keiko said. "Miles, explain how you met Data."

"Well," her husband began, "I was working on one of the transporters with him and Commander LaForge. Commander LaForge was saying something about one of Data's violin concerts, and how it would be nice if Data could play in a group. So I told them I played cello and I'd wanted to join a group. Data and I managed to find another violin and a viola to make a quartet, and we started practicing for our first concert."

"Which Data invited me to," Keiko added. "And though I can't for the life of me remember what we played—"

"Neither can I," Miles agreed sheepishly.

"—I remember that there was a wonderful cello section in it, and I wanted to compliment Miles on it. I came up after it was over, but he was busy talking to someone else, so I went over to Data and complimented him. When Miles was done talking to whoever-it-was, Data introduced us."

"And the rest you can see for yourself," Miles finished, sweeping his hand around the room.

Ben smiled. "Yes, I see. So—" he leaned forward eagerly "Data plays violin?"

"Not only that, he's an excellent player," Miles said.

"I wish I could play an instrument," Ben sighed. "I want to talk to him, you see, and I need something we have in common."

Miles and Keiko shrugged in unison. "I don't know," Keiko said. "He's very nice, though."

"He'd probably be friendly to you, because you'll be friendly to him," Miles said. "Computer, location of Lt. Commander Data."

"Lieutenant Commander Data is in Ten-Forward," the computer replied.

Miles smiled. "Here's your chance."

Ben looked nervous, but he seemed to summon his courage. "I hope he's as friendly as you say," he said, standing. "Thanks for your input."

"You're welcome," Keiko said, and her husband nodded.

Ben took a deep breath and walked out the door.

A/N So, do you want to see Ben meet the one he admires? Or would you rather move on to more character interviews? Review and tell me. Actually, it would be nice if you reviewed anyway. I accept constructive criticism as long as you tell me something nice too. Thanks to all my nice reviewers!