"Within The Confines of Time"

Chapter 9 "In the Eye of the Beholder"

Rated M for some sexually explicit situations, so if your under age, all I can say is skip this chapter. But I know you won't! So be warned…..

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Data was awakened by the sharp swift sound of curtains being drawn back. His head ached profusely, as his eyes squinted in protest against the light that was now flooding the room.

In one last attempt to object, he rolled over away from the bright invasion, pulling the covers up over his head to shelter himself from the discomforting nuisance filtering in.

"You can't stay like that forever?" Tasha pointed out.

Even under the sheets, she could visibly see him startle at the sound of her voice, as he wrapped the covers tighter around his ears.

"Do you have to speak so loud?" He protested.

She crossed her arms and smiled slightly at his crapulent state. Placing a small bowl over on the side table, she sat down on the edge of the bed.

An action that seemed vaguely familiar to him, he just wasn't sure if the incident truly happened in his reality or his dreams. Either way, his senses suddenly became heightened with the nearness of her body.

She placed her hands upon the sheets that were covering his face and gently began to pull them down, her hand slightly grazing over his body as she did so, only to stop with the sheets at his waist.

Still, he lain there with his eyes closed shut, relishing the feel of her touch.

She spoke much more softly this time. "How's that head of yours?"

"Besides feeling like theirs a bunch of midgets running around inside, who insist upon using my brain as a punching bag, I'm just peachy."

Tasha snorted a small laugh at his description. "Well, that's an optimistic outlook."

She reached over to the side table picking up the bowl that sat there. "Here, drink some of this. It should have you feeling better in no time."

He opened one eye suspiciously, as he placed his hand over his forehead once again to shield his eyes from the light.

"It's not hair of the dog is it?" He asked curiously

"You mean hair of the dog that bit your ass? No, I'm afraid not, it's something healthier than that."

Slowly he sat up, grimacing as he held the side of his head in pain. "Ah, kill me now!" He pleaded.

"I'm afraid you're no good to me dead, I need you the way you are." Tasha admitted as she held the bowl out to him.

Data quickly recoiled away from the liquid, placing a hand over his mouth. "It smells horrible! What is that stuff?"

"It's a Romulan antidote called buko. It contains high levels of lauric acid that protect the body against infections and boost the immune system. It's also a quick-fix for hangovers." She pushed the bowl toward him. "Here, drink it!"

He reached out taking the bowl from her, his eyes flicking between the revolting liquid and Tasha's awaiting eyes.

"If you pinch your nose while drinking it, it will help you to stomach it a little better." She offered.

Data did just that, pinching his nose as he quickly downed the antidote. He hastily pushed the bowl back off toward her, coughing and gagging from the repulsive liquid.

Tasha moved in to pat him on his back to help cease his coughing fits. Then slowly she helped him lay back down.

After a few minutes of silence, Data asked. "How long does it take this stuff to work?"

"Sometimes the effects are immediate and then other times it takes about fifteen minutes or so before it starts to help. Depends on how much alcohol was consumed."

"I'll be here all freakin day then." Data declared.

Once again silence fell between the two, as Tasha continued to knowingly stare at Data.

Feeling her eyes upon him, he turned his head to face her. His eyes narrowed in response to her gaze.

Finally, his curiosity got the better of him. "Why do you look at me that way?"

Tasha continued to smile, as the twinkle in her eyes refused to dwindle.

"What way?"

"As if you know something I don't – that kind of way!" He argued.

"Maybe I do."

Data sat up and crossed his arms in defense. "Oh, and what's that?"

She scooted her body a little closer to his as she leaned in to whisper. "I know who you really are!"

Data rolled his eyes as he looked off to the side, staring at the empty bowl that now sat upon the nightstand.

His voice was barely audible to her. "I get so tired of these games." He sighed.

Confused, Tasha asked. "What games?"

He turned to look at her, anger burning in his eyes. "With you!" He demanded. These games with you! Why can't you just accept who I really am?"

Tasha's temper began to flare as well. "And why do you insist on lying to me, Data!"

His eye's widened at the use of his name falling from her lips.

"Where's the General?" He asked in an attempt to change the subject.

"Stop deflecting! Besides he's still sleeping off his hangover." She moved in even closer to him. "So you can stop worrying about being alone with me now that I know who you really are. I promise I'll be good!" She whispered.

"I think it might be best if you leave!"

Tasha's eyebrows rose in disbelief at his statement. "Why? because you don't trust me?"

Data shook his head from side to side furiously. "No! It's because I don't trust me!" He revealed.

She looked down at his hand resting beside him. She gently reached out for it, interlacing his fingers with hers. She slowly closed her eyes and smiled at the comfort it brought her, as Data just stared on in amazement.

And with her eyes closed, she began to speak. "In my time, it's only been seven days since I saw you. I even remember our last conversation." She chuckled a little. "It was in the turbo lift of all places." Finally, she opened her eyes and Data was allowed to see what she was so desperately trying to hide, as the evidence streamed down her face. Just the sight of that one tear, made Data want to spill everything but the declaration would only put her at more risk, he reasoned.

Still, Tasha continued on, allowing her now tear stained face to show her vulnerability in just how much she needed it to be him. "But, if you insist on keeping up this masquerade of yours -"

Data interrupted her. "Tasha, please!"

She held up a hand in protest. "Let me finish, please!" She pleaded. "Then I know that you're doing it for a good reason because I know you, Data!" She nodded her head toward the doors, as she gave him the most melancholy smile. "I guess I better get going."

His heart was beating erratically in his chest. And the emotion that came along with the heaviness of her smile weighed excessively upon his conscious. He didn't come here to bring more anarchy into her world. He came here to rescue her from the chaos that always seemed to inhabit her existence. And hopefully, if at all possible, bring some sort of order and peace back into her life.

He watched powerlessly as she stood up from her position beside him. And already to him, she seemed to be too far away. She awkwardly clasped her hands in front of her, as she gave him another smile, its sincerity not quite reaching her eyes. A moment of silence passed as she held his gaze, till finally resolve settled in her demeanor and she turned to make her way toward the exit of his room.

'She didn't deserve this!' he thought. 'Her whole life has been surrounded by falsehoods and injustices performed purposely to hurt her. It seemed to be an immoral, recurring cycle in her life. One that he had every intention of stopping!

A surge of adrenaline rushed through his body, compelling him from the safe confines of his sheets to the arms of the woman who was now inches from walking out of his room and possibly his life! The mere thought of losing her a second time drove him to her, completely abandoning all rationale.

Shock filled her eyes, as his hand grasped onto her arm, swiftly turning her body to face him. Only to be replaced by a pure look of pleasure as his lips finally descended upon hers; hard!

His hands desperately grasping around her waist, pulling her as close to him as he could possibly manage.

Tasha's lips quickly responded in turn. Her mouth opening to welcome whatever this man had to offer. His tongue plunged deeply into her mouth, as both danced against the other. The heat of the moment rising with each thrust of their tongues!

Data slowly began moving her backwards, the force of the kiss pushing him toward the wall, as Tasha's body mercilessly impacted the cool surface. Data's hands swiftly found his way toward her buttocks, rashly pulling her up.

She quickly complied and jumped up, wrapping her legs around his torso, their kiss never breaking contact. Tasha recklessly wrapped her arms around his neck, trying frantically to merge his body with hers.

Her lips briefly left his to whisper endearments into his ear, as his lips made their way down the smooth, soft length of her awaiting neck.

"I've missed you so much, Data!" She seductively whispered. "You have no idea how many times I wished that you could love me like this."

His hands enticingly moved up her sides, only to rest at the fabric that loosely covered her shoulders. His lips continued making their way down her neck, as he softly brushed the flimsy material aside, revealing more tantalizing skin for his lips to possess.

She moaned softly. "Ah, yes Data!"

Her murmurs of pleasure, coupled with the sight of her shirt barely clinging above her right breast, only tempted him all the more.

His lips continued their descent. He yielded slightly above her breast, where the material of her shirt stopped his invasion upon her breasts. He licked his way back up her neck, only to briefly pause as he passed her chin and claimed her lips once again.

Tasha began urgently grinding her hips into his hardened member, which was so maddeningly hidden by the confinement of his pants. She needed him now, at this very moment, as if her life depended on it!

His lips danced gracefully over hers. His need of portraying the rogue, suddenly giving way to the gentleman he truly was. His caveman cravings to completely ravage her here and now, was replaced by his desire to do nothing more but make love to her. He no longer cared about his pleasure because oddly enough, his pleasure became whatever pleased her.

He now began pacing himself, relishing every touch of her lips, every brush and stroke of his hand against her body and every grind of her hips being met with his.

He moved his hands lightly over her breast, kneading the mound as he stroked his thumb softly over her nipple. Tasha's moans of pleasure were being muffled by the onslaught invasion of Data's mouth.

He suddenly ceased as he made his way back down to her neck, licking and kneading it with his lips. His hands, to her dismay, left her breasts only to work their way back down to her sides. She felt his grasp upon her hips tighten drastically, as he suddenly thrust himself hard into the spot where he so achingly wanted to be.

Tasha threw her head back against the wall, her cries falling upon deaf ears as Data quickly moved to muffle her sighs with a hand over her mouth. His lips moving to graze her ear lightly as he whispered bewitchingly.

"Too loud!" He panted in between breaths.

She placed her hands on either side of his face, staring at him through heavy lidded eyes that were glazed over with passion. She needed to know the answer to her question. She believed it was him but she wanted him to admit it.

"Data?"

He cocked his head slightly to the side. "Yes!"

Her heart leapt in her chest at his revelation. "I knew it was you!"

"Hmm! What gave it away?"

"Let's just say you make for a bad Romulan, your too – good!"

"You have no idea! There is so much I need to tell you, Tasha!"

She placed a finger to his lips in an attempt to quiet him. And then, she silenced him completely with her lips.

The urgency between the two began to rise once again as the kiss deepened. His mouth was melding itself to hers, as one hand made its way down to unfasten her pants. Still holding her up, he backed her off the wall with ease, only to make their way to the bed.

He gently lain her down upon the bed, as his hands slowly pulled at the material he had just unfastened from around her waist. She quickly kicked off the nuisance, as she leaned up to unfasten his pants as well.

She hastily moved to un-tuck his shirt, running her fingers along the smooth skin hidden beneath the material. And then, she wrapped her legs around his waist once again, pulling him down on top of her.

Data slowly pulled the flimsy fabric up above her breasts as she easily complied by lifting her arms above her head, allowing him to remove the shirt completely.

The touch of her skin upon his hand was more intoxicating to him than the Romulan Ale he had consumed the night before. He gently took one nipple into his mouth and smiled pleasantly, as her body arched slightly off the bed from the satisfaction his tongue was bringing her.

Her fingers began kneading into his hair in a silent plea for him not to stop this torturous, yet blissful onset.

Suddenly, Data's head snapped up from the chiming of his door.

He turned to face Tasha in horror as he jumped up, offering a hand to help her off the bed as well.

Another chime….

Data quickly grabbed her clothes placing them in her hands. "Hide, quickly!"

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Author's Notes: Alright you guys, I've been working on this chapter all day long. So I hope it was a pleasant surprise and a little steamy one too! And as always, I thank all you for the wonderful reviews. I just hope that I can continue to live up to you guys expectations with this story. I hope you enjoyed it, I know I did writing it! ; p