Data held her tightly, laying her gently on the floor, where he could check her for injuries.

"Help!" He yelled, panicking when he couldn't find anything. She wasn't bleeding, and there were no bruises on her. Suddenly Dr. Crusher

appeared by her other side.

"S-Samantha, please wake up..."Data pleaded frantically, holding her upper body against his lap. He lightly stroked her face, trying to warm

her cold skin. She was still breathing, but her pulse was slow.

"Data, we need to take her to sickbay. Mr. Worf," Dr. Crusher moved off to the side to allow the Klingon room. He gently lifted Sam in his arms,

since Data was nothing but panic.

"Data, come on, let's go and wait outside sickbay." Counselor Troi grabbed Data's arm and lead him out of Ten Forward.

Data was ready to use all of his strength to pry the doors that led to sickbay open, the second he heard her scream. But he didn't. Instead, he

paced the corridor, shaking with fear. Counselor Troi reached for his shoulder, and gave him a gentle pat.

"Data, I'm sure-"

"Why did you not sense it?" He whirled around so fast she winced. He wasn't angry, but anxious, and terrified. And wanted answers.

Counselor Troi had never seen him like this.

"I don't know, Data. I've been wondering the same thing..." she said.

Suddenly Data perked up, his keen hearing picking up the sound of footsteps heading toward the door. The instant they opened, he pounced.

Or tried to. It was the Captain who stood there, not the doctor. His face wasn't grim, or frightened, which Data took as a good sign.

"Data, I'm going to let you in, but before I do, I am going to ease your worries by telling you...she will be fine." Picard said kindly, to his

worried second officer.

"Dr. Crusher can explain it better, go on, she's waiting." He stood aside, and Data all but ran to the doctor's office, followed by the captain

and counselor. Dr. Crusher was sitting behind her desk, waiting for them. Data knew what she was going to say, so he immediately sat in the

chair opposite her.

"Data, I want you to know, first and foremost, as the captain said, Samantha is going to be fine. She's in surgery-"

"Surgery?!" Data instantly panicked. That didn't sound like "fine" to him...The thought of that frail, tiny girl being cut up-

"Data! Listen. Her appendix was ready to burst. That's what's wrong with her. But you brought her here in time to prevent any major

problems. Before it burst. Right now, we're removing it, and she'll be fine."

"Why could Counselor Troi not sense anything?!" Data wouldn't let that go. Dr. Crusher sighed.

"Data...that girl has been through hell...she's seen things that even Mr. Worf would be traumatized from...But, not only mentally, Data. Those

scars on her legs. They affect other parts of her body as well. That's probably why Deanna didn't notice anything. For right now, she's going to

be staying here. Normally, this is a procedure that is quick, and people are in and out in the same day, but this little girl is different. She has all

kinds of issues going on because of her legs." Dr. Crusher told Data, her voice a gentle, motherly calm voice.

"May I see her?" Data asked. Dr. Crusher smiled and said,

"You may, but you must wait till she's out of surgery. She won't wake up right away, but I'm sure she'll want to see you."

Data was given the gown Sam was wearing, and asked to put it somewhere where it wouldn't get wrinkled.

"Sam really loves that dress." Counselor Troi told him. Data frowned, and said,

"I must apologize, Counselor. I did not mean to snap at you. I hope you can forgive me."

Even Data could tell from the look on the woman's face, that she felt just as bad as he did.

"Data, you don't have to apologize. I feel somewhat to blame; if I had sensed it, I might have been able to get her help before it got to this

point. But, fortunately, she's going to recover, that's the good news."

Data sat next to the biobed after they brought Sam back out. He held back the tears as he noticed how pale she was. But kept reminding

himself that she was out of danger. Dr. Crusher told him it would be about a half hour or so before she woke, but that didn't bother Data. He

contented himself with holding her hand, and gently stroking it. Counselor Troi also waited nearby for her to wake; she too, wanted to know

why she couldn't sense the young girl. Even in the girl's sleep, her emotions were unreadable.

Sam woke what felt like seconds later, feeling a lot better. She felt no pain, except an upset stomach. Suddenly her eyes bolted open. Data

instantly knew what was going to happen, and sure enough, he grabbed a silver pail and thrust it under her chin in time to catch her vomit.

Data pulled her hair back gently, holding it behind her, and lightly rubbing her back.

"It is alright, sweetheart, let it out..." He soothed. Sam felt her eyes well over with shame, but continued retching. After a moment, Data

looked up at Counselor Troi and the look he gave her clearly said "This doesn't look 'fine' to me!" Counselor Troi mouthed to him, "It's normal;

the anesthesia does this to people sometimes."

After she was finished, Data disposed of the pail, and got a glass of cold water for her.

"Take small sips..." He warned her. Sam nodded, and did as she was told. The water tasted a little like mint. She frowned and looked up at

Data.

"It is a special solution to help your stomach settle after vomiting. Also, it helps clean your mouth after." As soon as he said it, Sam felt her

stomach lighten, and relaxed against the pillows. She felt her eyes droop.

"Sleep, my dear." Data lightly stroked her forehead.

Later, after Counselor Troi had left to get something to eat, Sam woke again. This time, she felt a lot better. Taking a deep breath, she

yawned and stretched. Data chuckled from across the room.

"I am glad to see you are comfortable. Dr. Crusher wishes to keep you here for a few days." he said as he made his way to her side again.

"I'm sorry..." Sam said, feeling ashamed again. She knew now, what had happened. Data shook his head, sitting next to her on the bed. He

took her hand in his and lightly kissed it.

"My dear child, you have nothing to apologize for! You did not know what was wrong..."

"But...I ruined the dance..." Sam said, a little confused. Data shook his head.

"You did not. I quite enjoyed it, and I know you did as well, other than this..." he said, gesturing to her stomach. Sam smiled slightly, leaning

back against the pillow. She glanced down at her other hand.

"I wanted to make sure you had a good time. And until I felt sick, I was enjoying it a lot. Especially dancing with you, you're a good dancer."

Sam said, smiling.

"Can I ask you a question?" Data asked, now that she was fully awake. Sam nodded.

"Counselor Troi was unable to sense your pain, or discomfort...why?"

Sam sighed.

"After I was rescued...by Professor Snape. He taught me how to block people from reading my thoughts. He was surprised I was able to learn

it, since I was so weak. I didn't realize it would also work on Betazoids...I should apologize to her, too."

"No, only an explanation is needed. She feels she could have helped you if she had known."