Star Trek: The Next Generation and Geordi LaForge are owned by Paramount. I'm just playing in their sandbox. This story was originally part of the LiveJournal Fanfic 100 challenge. I chose a world I'm reasonably familiar with, and a character I've never explored. This chapter replaces the original chapter seven, because I've decided to change directions just a bit.
Violet
The new vice-president of FNN has violet skin and platinum hair, and I can't remember which world she's from, or where I've seen her before, but it doesn't really matter. "Ms. Rossi," she says, and her voice has the tone that says she is only talking to me because someone told her to, "I do hope you and I can become friends. I'd like to apologize for your suspension, and invite you to return to work at the beginning of the month."
"And the source I refused to name?" I ask.
"No longer an issue," she says. "Officially, the network still maintains that you should have given up the name when asked, but your suspension was public, and frankly, we need you back at work, in the field, and on camera."
There's a catch, I know, but I can't find it just yet. "I still won't reveal my source," I say.
"Nor do I wish you to," she agrees. "Think about it. Talk to your partner. Get back to me tomorrow."
"Sure," I breeze. "Tomorrow." As I leave her office, though, I'm perplexed. Partner? I don't have a partner. And then I remember where I've seen her before, and I know that my next contact with Geordi can't wait two days til our regular com-date.
"Enterprise here, this is Lt. Commander Data." The android's pale gold features fill my vid screen. "Kat, it is the middle of our night watch. Are you alright?"
I'm caught off-guard by the question. "I'm honestly not sure, Data," I tell him. "Look, I'm sorry for the lateness of the hour, but it's important that I speak to Geordi as soon as possible. If he's not on duty, you don't have to wake him, but…"
My lover's best friend interrupts me. "Forgive me, Kat, but I do not believe you would call at this hour 'just to chat.' I will wake Geordi and route your signal to his quarters."
"You're a really good friend to him, aren't you?" It's more an observation than a question, but Data responds anyway.
"Geordi is a 'really good friend' to me, Kat." I can see his fingers moving out of frame while he talks, though his eyes are directed toward the screen. "As I try to be. I can transfer you n - "
"Data, wait!" I cut him off. "The next time the Enterprise is back at Earth, would you join Geordi and me for dinner? I think it would be a good idea for you and I to get to know each other better."
For the merest fraction of a second, he seems surprised at my invitation. "Thank you, Kat. I would like that. Transferring now."
The image on my screen wavers and then instead of Data's face in the frame, it's Geordi, who is likely bleary-eyed behind his VISOR. "Kat, it's the middle of the night. Are you okay?"
"No. Yes. I don't…I'm sorry to bother you, and I know it's your night watch. You sent me the schedule, remember? I just…at that banquet…at the Academy…do you remember a woman with purple skin and platinum hair?"
"Purple?"
"Violet, actually, but…yeah."
He lowers his head for a moment, in a thinking pose. "Yeaaaah," he says slowly. "I think I do. She was with another reporter. Why?"
"She's my new boss," I tell him. "And she wants to end my suspension beginning the first of the month, no questions, no penalties."
"That's great, Kat…but…this couldn't have waited two days?"
"Geordi…"
"What am I missing?"
"She wanted me to ask my partner. I think…I think they're only ending my suspension because they think I have a connection with you…and through you…"
"…with the Enterprise, and with Starfleet," Geordi finishes the thought. "Is that so bad?"
"Is what so bad?"
"Being publically connected with me?"
"Of course not, Geordi. You know I love you. It's just that…" I stop talking, because he's riveted to the screen, and if his eyes could see, I swear they'd be burning through the VISOR. But the words are there now. Out in the open. And there's no going back. "I love you," I repeat in a softer tone. "But this feels like I'm using you, somehow."
"You're not using me," he says. There's a beat and then he suggests, "Look, if this is a ploy for FNN to get someone inside Starfleet, I'd rather it be you than someone we can't trust. And if it's something else, well, you can do more good working inside their system with all their resources at your fingertips, right?"
"For a guy who was just woken up in the middle of the night, you think pretty fast," I tease. "And yes, of course you're right."
"All part of the service, ma'am," he says, and flashes me his trademark saucy grin.
"Any idea when you'll be in the neighborhood again?" I ask, even though I know I should send him back to bed.
"Not soon enough," he says, and it could be a joke, except he says it softly, and there's a wistful note in his voice.
"You should go back to sleep, Geordi," I tell him. "We'll have our real talk in a couple of days?"
"Count on it," he says. He pauses, then, and grins, "I love you, too, Kat…meant to tell you sooner, but didn't want to spook you."
"I know," I tell him. And because we've known each other forever, he knows that I mean both I knew you loved me, and I knew why you didn't want to tell me. "Sweet dreams, Geordi," I add, and then I kill the signal.
I stare at the blank screen for several minutes. Finally, Perry, the Chihuahua named for a journalist from a twentieth century comic book character - a journalist - despite her gender, jumps up to put her head on my leg, reminding me that my whole reason for being is not, in fact, hurtling through the vastness of space, but is right here in my apartment, as well.
"Perry-dog," I say, scratching behind her ears. "Let's go to the beach!"
The dog makes happy circles all the way to the door, and I resolve not to worry about any ulterior motives. At least…not for today.
