Chapter 7

"Geordi?"

The engineer started, still startled by the sound of that once-familiar voice.

I should be used to it by now, he chided himself; after all I've been hearing it all day.

But after so many years of _not_ hearing the voice, it still jarred him, reminding him of what had been lost for so long, of what almost was not - and, he added with a frustrated sigh, of what should not be.

"Geordi?" Data repeated.

"Yeah?"

"You are troubled, are you not?"

Geordi pulled back from the analyzer, wiped at the tears that filling his weary eyes, then nodded his head, then sighed. "Yeah. This isn't making any sense."

Data considered the man's response for a brief moment, hearing the stress in the man's words - then decided that if Geordi was avoiding the issue, it was not his place to press the matter. "I would assist you," he offered, "if I could see what you were doing."

"Sorry, Data," Geordi quickly apologized, rising to his feet, moving the screen so that the android, still immobilized, but now seated, could see the display. "I'm so used to you not being... I mean..."

"You are used to me being an inanimate object," the android suggested.

Geordi looked as his friend, startled by the accusation - then gave a reluctant sigh. "Yeah, you're right," Geordi agreed. "Sorry," he added, "but... It's been four years, Data; I guess I've gotten used to working by myself."

"That is understandable - but from my point of view, however, it has only been a few hours," the android reminded him.

"And you're used to working with me - not being worked on _by_ me," Geordi concluded. "I guess I've got some adjustments to make, haven't I?" he said.

"Not if you do not wish my assistance," Data countered.

Geordi laughed, the chuckle quiet and low - but there was a bitter, sad undertone to the sound. "Data, you don't know how many times I wanted just that - how many times I had to guess at what I was doing, remembering how many times I had done maintenance or repairs on you with you telling me what was working and what wasn't - and wondering if that day would ever come again - and now that it's here, I don't even think to ask for your help," he said. "Sorry," he repeated.

He looked at the monitor, adjusted the position, then looked at his friend. "How's that? Can you see it all right? Should I move it?"

"That is unnecessary, Geordi. I can adjust my optic receptors to compensate for the distance and angle," Data replied, then spent a moment doing so before looking at his friend once again. "I must inquire, however: at what I am looking?"

Geordi gave another apologetic laugh. "Sorry. I should have told you. The image on the right is the last circuit I was working on just before you can back on-line, Data. The one on the left is the same circuit before I disassembled it and rebuilt it. I'm trying to figure out which component in the circuit was the one that was responsible for you... uh, coming back," he explained.

Data looked at the engineer for a moment, then turned his attention back to the monitor. For a moment he was silent, then said, "That is odd."

"What?" Geordi replied, instantly rising to his feet to get a closer look at the monitor. "Do you see something in the circuits?"

"No."

"No?" Geordi echoed. "Then what's odd? What do you see?"

"Nothing," Data answered blandly.

"Nothing?" the engineer repeated, then shook his head. "What so you mean, nothing?"

"I mean, I see nothing. Or to be more accurate, I see everything - but I do not see it well. I have increased the sensitivity of my visual receptors - but the images are blurred, Geordi," he admitted. "It appears that my visual acuity servos seem to be ineffective at resolving images closer than thirty-two point three seven centimeters," he informed his friend.

"Ah," Geordi said. "Probably just need to fine tune the servo mechanism adjustment range," he said, as much to himself as to his friend, then moved behind the android, reaching for the panel that covered that covered the control mechanism, releasing the catch - then stopped.

"I'm sorry, Data," he apologized. "I'm just so used to you..."

"Being inanimate," Data repeated, then turned his eyes toward the man. "Geordi," he said gently, "you need not continue to apologize - nor to act as you are. I have taken advantage of the past several hours to avail myself of the public records regarding the Enterprise's encounter with the Remans and the Scimitar. You were in no way responsible for my actions, Geordi - nor for the results," he counseled his friend.

"I know, Data," Geordi sighed. "It's just... It's been four years, Data. For a while, I wondered if I could ever manage to bring you back on line - but now that I have, I can't stop thinking, why couldn't I have done it faster?" he admitted miserably.

"Do not chastise yourself. It took my creator, Dr. Noonian Soongh, far longer than four years to bring me on-line, Geordi," he reminded the engineer. "Rather than berating yourself, you should be commended on your perseverance and your success at this formidable task."

"Yeah," Geordi said, "but what Soongh did was different. You weren't... alive before he brought you on line the first time. This time..."

"This time," the android interrupted, "it was the same. I was not cognizant of time passing prior to my first start-up - nor was I aware of it passing while I was... dead," he told his friend. "In the first circumstance, one moment I was not aware - and then I was. In this case, I was not aware of the passage of time; from my perspective, at one moment I was recording my memories to download to B-4 - and then I was here. There was no loss of time from my point of view, Geordi; I was not 'waiting' for you - or for anyone - to revive me."

"Yeah, but..."

"Geordi," Data said gently, "I did not suffer. You, however, did - and you continue to do so. You should not. You have managed to restore my functions," he added, "and at great cost to yourself. I am thankful for your efforts; please do not continue to castigate yourself for any 'failure' you may perceive for the amount time you required for this achievement. To do so would be to cast a pall upon an event that should be celebrated," the android advised.

Geordi forced a grin. " 'An event that should be celebrated'?" he echoed. "You might want to check your humility sub-routine, Data; it seems as though 'dying' has given you quite an ego," he teased the android.

Data frowned, perplexed - then frowned again in frustration as his body servos failed to respond to his subconscious commands. "I was not referring to my 'resurrection', Geordi - but rather to your achievement in reconstructing me. After all, aside from Dr. Soongh, no one has ever successfully brought an android on-line before," he pointed out. "It is a significant accomplishment in the field. However," he added, "it would be more significant if I could move."

Geordi smiled at his friend. "Sorry about that, Data - but I want to be sure everything works before I risk you crashing to the ground the first time you try to walk. Dr. Soongh's notes - the few we could find - left a lot to be desired - as the problem with your eyes demonstrates," he said, moving behind the android once again, reaching for the pressure point on the back of Data's skull that would release the covering over the android's optic center, the opened the panel.

"Hmm," he murmured a few moments later as he studied the scanner readings. "The servo controls seem to be functioning - and the range parameters seem to be correct."

"Nonetheless, my close range vision is impaired," Data countered.

"Well, if it's not the servo, maybe it's your eyes," Geordi mused, reaching for a micrometer. "Now don't blink," he said as he moved the instrument toward Data's eye.

He pulled back several moments later, frowning, then turned to the computer, tapped the console, then raised his brow in surprise. "Data, for someone who's only a few hours old, you've somehow managed to acquire a case of presbyopia."

Data gave his friend a confused look. "Geordi, that is not possible. Presbyopia in humans and other humanoid species is related to deterioration of the muscles of the eye concomittant with aging."

"Only in part, Data," Geordi corrected his friend. "It's also related to a change in the shape of the eye as we age - and that's what's happened to you. Your eyes were one of the first components I built - but they the interstitial fluid balance has fractionally decreased since then."

"That is not unexpected. The permeable membrane of the eye was subject to such volumetric changes; the vitreous and aqueous humours of my eyeballs were kept in equilibrium with the original specifications through a self-correcting mechanism," Data agreed.

"And with you being off line so long, some of that fluid evaporated and wasn't replaced," Geordi said. "Fortunately, that's no more a problem for you than it is for most people; I can bring the eye volume back to design specs the same way a doctor does - and everything should come back into focus. Hang on," he said, moving away, then returning a few moments later with a small tray of tools and equipment, then leaned close once again.

"Try it now," he said, pulling away a few minutes later.

Data blinked several times, then turned his focus on the computer monitor. "It is greatly improved, Geordi. I can now use the servos to bring the image into clarity."

"I'm glad - but it just proves out my concern; if your eyes have altered since I rebuilt them, I'm sure your other components have been affected by time and lack of use as well. Before I let you try and walk around the ship, I want to make sure each component and servo is back to design standard."

"While I am... impatient... to move again, I believe prudence is the optimum choice in these circumstances," the android concluded.

He turned to the screen, studying the images intently, then shook his head. "However Geordi, while you have solved my dilemma, I am afraid I cannot solve yours."

"I don't understand," the engineer replied.

"You are attempting to determine the difference between these two images in order to ascertain what event that transpired to cause my return to consciousness," Data reminded him, gesturing with his head at the monitor. "However, I can find no difference between these images."

Geordi raised his hand, shaking his head. "Not possible, Data; there has to be a difference. That's the circuit I replaced just before you came on line - so whatever made you difference between you being off-line and on-line must be in that circuit."

Data studied the image again, then looked back at Geordi skeptically. "You may be correct, Geordi, but if so, the change is at a level below that which I am capable of detecting."

Geordi looked at the monitor again - and sighed. "I know, Data," he conceded, "and that's what's got me worried. If the difference between you being off-line and on-line is so minute, so minimal, what's to say you won't stop working whenever that one microscopic connection comes undone again; one inadvertent bump, one fall, one simple mis-step - and we would be back where we were a year ago."

Data considered the problem, then considered his friend. "If my existence were that precarious, Geordi, I should have damaged countless times during my previous 'life' - but history counters that argument. If the memories I downloaded to B-4 are correct, then I experienced severe physical trauma without component failure during my previous tenure on this ship; it is unlikely that that should have changed since that time," he pointed out.

"That assumes I rebuilt you correctly," Geordi reminded him.

"I am functioning, am I not?" the android reminded his friend.

"But you weren't yesterday, Data - and I need to know why," the engineer complained. "I need to know what happened between yesterday and today to make you function," he said, frustratedly.

Data nodded. "Your point is well taken, Geordi. I wish I could answer your question - but I cannot. At least, not at this point in time. I will, however, give it due consideration - and, in time, perhaps I will have an answer for you."

"Thanks, Data," Geordi said with a smile - then let the smile widen. "You know, it's good to have you back."

"It is good to be back," Data confirmed, "although I was not aware I was away. However..."

Geordi raised a brow, concerned. "What is it, Data? Is something wrong?"

"On the contrary: nothing is wrong. As far as I can determine, everything is quite 'right'. However, perhaps it is too 'right'; perhaps there needs to be something 'wrong'," he said.

Geordi shook his head. "I don't get you."

"Geordi, several minutes ago you diagnosed me as having the android equivalent of presbyopia - an ailment typically related to the process of aging."

"Oh, Data, that was just hyperbole," the engineer said dismissively. "You don't age; you aren't ever going to have to suffer from the effects of aging - and you shouldn't worry about it."

"I am not worried about aging, Geordi; I am worried about _not_ aging," he replied.

Geordi frowned and shook his head.

"Geordi, Ginger... Andile... and I spoke sometimes of her past. She told that her failure to age often placed her at a disadvantage with those around her. Her youthful appearance lessened her credibility with those who appeared to be her senior in age..."

"Captain Riker thought I was yanking his chain the first time he met her," Geordi murmured in agreement. "He thought I suckered some poor cadet into standing in as Biji as part of a practical joke."

"... while she has had to endure watching her friends and co-workers age around her - while she does not. It was very difficult for her, Geordi."

Geordi grinned. "She's a tough lady, Data; she can handle it."

To his surprise, however, the android frowned. "She is not that tough, Geordi - nor would you be if you continually had to face watching those you consider to be friends abandon you because they can longer identify with you. It damaged her emotionally and psychologically."

The engineer sucked in a breath. "Sorry, Data; I didn't know. She never let on..."

"She did not permit herself to show her pain - but I knew of that hurt - and I believe - no, I _know_ - that I do not wish to suffer it as well."

"All right - but I'm not sure what I can do to help you with that," Geordi replied.

"You can. You can help me age."

The engineer stared at his friend for a moment, bewildered by the request - then shook his head. "Data..."

"Geordi," the being interrupted, "The first thing I saw when I reawoke was you, the Captain... Admiral Picard... Captain Riker... and you had all aged."

"Yes, but that does not affect how we think of you," Geordi protested.

"Not today, no. Today you see before you the person - the same person - that you remember from the day I died. But soon you will come to realize how much the passing of four years has separated us; how time has affected you - but has passed me by. Knowing you all as I do, I do not believe you would come to resent me for that difference - but it will separate us - and the distance will only grow with time.

"Geordi, it has always been my desire, my goal, my wish, to be a part of humanity - not to be separate from it. If I am to be a part, then I must play that part, even to the extent that my appearance must change over time. I must age as you do."

The engineer considered the idea for a moment. "I can write that program, Data, but those changes will only be cosmetic; even if you age, you won't die. But we will. Data, at some point, you are going to be separated from us - forever," he reminded his friend gently.

"I know, Geordi. And when that time comes, when my ties to you and the others have passed, Andile and I will move on, restore our youthful appearances, and start a new life on a new world," he informed his friend.

"Andile?" Geordi echoed in amazement. "You're still planning on finding her? But... you heard what the admiral said: he didn't know where she is, Data, he doesn't even know if she's still alive," he protested,

"She is alive, Geordi; I know that," the android replied with quiet confidence.

"That may be - but she could be anywhere. How are you going to find her?"

"I do not know, Geordi - but I will. I know that as well," he insisted.

Geordi sighed. Now, even as it had been four years before, there were times when it was not possible to argue with Data. When he got an idea in his mind, there simply was no shaking it.

Perhaps it was his greater understanding of all the details of the topic involved, or his remarkable ability to understand how the components interacted and inter-related - or perhaps, Geordi admitted to himself, perhaps it was the android equivalent of intuition.

It was a ridiculous idea, of course; he wasn't even sure he believed in human intuition, let alone some sort of biomechanical sixth sense. But even so, he admitted, whether it was intuition or reason, more often than not Data was right - and even if he wasn't, there was no point in crushing his dreams - not today, he added, not when his own dreams and efforts had finally been fulfilled.

Or almost fulfilled, he added, reminding himself of the work that lay ahead of them both.

"Well, if you're going to find her, you're going to need a body that's up to spec. Let's run a full ocular assessment first..." he began reaching once again for the diagnostic tools of the table behind Data.

"Geordi?"

"Yes?" the engineer replied absently as he picked up a scanner.

"If my internal chronometer is correct, it is now almost oh-two hundred."

Geordi glanced at the chronometer on the work bench. "Um-hmm," he agreed.

"That means I have been on line for almost twenty-four hours - and that you have been conscious for at least that amount of time. It has been a day of great emotional tumult for you. Should you rest? I do not want you to overtax yourself on my account."

"Thanks, Data, but I'm fine," Geordi answered.

The android fell silent for a moment, then looked at his friend. "Perhaps - but I am not," he said at last.

Startled out of his trance, the engineer looked up. "What? What's wrong, Data?"

"I, too, have had a day of great tumult, Geordi. If what Admiral Picard says is correct, the world that I left - the world of my memories - is no longer a world in which I belong. It is a possibility which I never have considered - and the options and opportunities that lie before me were equally unforeseen. I am... overwhelmed, Geordi. If you would not mind, I would like the opportunity to reflect on what has happened - and what is to come," he informed his friend.

Geordi studied his friend for a long moment, then nodded. "You'd like to be alone," he said.

"If you would not mind," Data added.

"No. No, of course not. I'm sorry - I hadn't even thought of what you must be going through - I was just so anxious to get you back to what you were. I'm sorry; I forgot you're going to need to make as many adjustments as we are, aren't you?" he apologized.

"Perhaps not as many - but of equal import, certainly," Data agreed.

"Of course," Geordi repeated. "And I suppose I should get some sleep," he added. "Are you okay here? In the chair? Or would you rather be back in the frame?" he asked, concernedly.

"Until my neurological systems are resequenced, I have no sensation of pressure discomfort from remaining in one position, Geordi; you can leave me as I am without concern about my well-being," he told his friend. "But if you would diminish the ambient lighting?" he asked.

Geordi nodded, understanding the android's desire to have solitude and quiet after the frenetic activities of the day. Calling out the order, he watched as the lights faded, then turned to his friend. "Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything, Data."

"I will be fine."

"Do you want me to turn off the monitor?" Geordi pressed, reluctant to leave his friend alone. "I can leave it on if you want. Maybe you'll finally find what I did to being you back on line today," he added, half-jokingly.

"As I previously indicated, Geordi, the two images are identical; nothing that you did today has altered my potential functionality," he reminded the engineer.

"Yeah. Okay. Well, then I'll be back in the morning," Geordi said at last.

"Sleep well."

"I will."

For a moment, the two were silent, then Geordi looked at his friend on last time, his face illuminated by the glow of the monitor - and felt a wash of relief and grief rush over him - grief for the time lost, and relief for finally having his friend back.

If he was back, Geordi added, still worried about why the android had suddenly come back on line after so many years of failure - and still worried about how long that success might last.

He turned - then stopped as he heard his friend call out to him.

"Geordi?"

"Yes, Data?"

"Do you believe in the concept of the soul?"

Geordi smiled, then nodded to himself in the dark. "Yeah, Data, I do. It's not very scientific of me - but I do believe in souls."

"And do you believe I have a soul?"

"Of course you have a soul," Geordi protested.

Data thought for a moment. "The same soul as the one I had when I died?" he pressed his friend.

Startled by the question, Geordi drew a long breath, the let out an equally long sigh. "I... I never really thought about it, Data." He fell silent, then added, "I don't know. Does it matter?"

"Perhaps not. But... It has occurred to me that perhaps the reason that you can find no technical reason for my return to life is because there is none; the body you created was fully functional - it simply was waiting for the soul to return."

"You were waiting for your soul?" Geordi echoed worriedly.

"Yes."

"And now it's back."

"Yes."

Geordi raised a brow. "Data, do you know what that sounds like?"

"I suspect as though it sounds as though I have not been capable of separating my sensory inputs from my literary memory files," the android agreed.

"Yeah, like you can't tell fact from fiction," Geordi muttered.

"That may be the case, Geordi," Data conceded. "But it may also be the case that I am right. After all, if I had a soul, either it died when I did - or it remained unbound, free to roam the universe, until a corporeal existence was once again made available to it."

Geordi looked at his friend, skeptical - and worried by the android's sudden venture into the realm of metaphysics. Determined to point out the absurdity of the question, he asked, "Well, if that was the case, Data, why didn't you come back on line the first time I rebuilt your body? Why wait so long?"

"Because... Perhaps my soul was elsewhere, occupied with other tasks."

"That's an interesting idea," Geordi hedged. "And now? Have you finished those tasks?"

"I do not know, Geordi. I suspect, however, that my soul has returned to my body for a reason. A purpose."

"A purpose," the human echoed dully. "And that purpose would be...?"

"What it has always been: to be with Ginger," the android said simply. "Indeed, perhaps that is what I have been doing throughout this interim time: being with her, watching over her."

"And you suddenly returned to your body because...?"

"Because watching over her spiritually was no longer enough. Because... " Data looked at his friend, seeing the doubt in his expression - but knowing to the depths of his being that he was correct.

"I believe I have returned, Geordi, because she needs me."