Disclaimer: I don't own anything Star Trek: TNG. I do own Latika Sarin.

After her shift was over, Latika hurried back to her and Data's quarters. When she entered, Data was nowhere to be found. She was a little confused until she turned to see Spot playing with the bow on a box sitting on the table. She smiled and walked over to him. Spot meowed as she stroked him before placing him on the ground. She released the small note from the bow's grasp and read it.

Latika,

Please change into this and meet me at the holodeck. I have many surprises for you.

Yours always,

Data

Latika smiled at the note and placed it on the table. This is so unlike Data, she thought to herself, I wonder what he's up to. She glanced down into the box to find a simply embroidered purple holi blouse with long brown pants. She quickly changed into her new outfit and headed for the holodeck. When she finally arrived, (she had gotten terribly lost and had to ask the computer for directions) she entered the holodeck. She had never actually been inside the holodeck when it was on, so she didn't really know what to expect. She closed her eyes and stepped through the doors.

She stood there for a moment. Before she opened her eyes, her other senses began to receive information. She could hear water in the distance, waves softly caressing the beach. She could smell the sea water, mixed with a hint of incense. She remembered the smell. She opened her eyes slowly and looked around. She was exactly where she thought she was. Mumbai, India. She spun around and took in everything. It's all so real. Am I actually in Mumbai? Latika backed up, still staring in awe at the world around her, until she ran into something, startling her. Whatever it was grabbed her, and she looked down at the hands, but relaxed when they were a familiar pair of very pale hands. She turned around and slowly looked up at Data, who was smiling back at her. He was wearing a white shirt with slacks and boots. She could see his perfectly chiseled chest through his shirt. She stared at him for a moment before he cleared his throat to get her attention. She quickly looked up at him.

"I see you found your way to the holodeck. What do you think of your surroundings? Are they exactly as you remember them?" he inquired, still holding her. Latika looked around one more time before replying.

"Data, it's exactly as I remember it. It's incredible! Why did you do this?"

"You seemed "homesick" according to Guinan. Not for Omicron Theta, but your real home, India. Now," he grabbed her hand gently, "I have much planned for us. Please follow me." Data lead Latika down the hill to the beach. The beach was a long strip of sand that bordered the main part of Mumbai. The sea was at low tide, and small waves were crashing. They walked down the beach for a while, hands intertwined. They were silent, taking in the moment and scenery, when Data stopped them. He motioned down to their feet, where he had set up a picnic for the two of them on a large blanket. Latika gazed upon the scene, then looked up at Data and smirked. Latika sat down on the blanket and Data sat down next to her. She looked around the blanket to find quite a spread: fruits, vegetables, cheeses, a beautiful feast. Data picked up a small plate filled with Mangoes and Dates and held it to her. She picked up one of the ripe mangoes and took a bite. The juices filled her mouth with sweet and succulence and it was the perfect consistency. She ate a few other fruits and cheeses, even feeding Data a couple, insisting he try them.

When Latika finished her last date, Data lifted her to her feet and took her hand, "Did you enjoy the food?"

"I did. It was so delicious. Just like the food at home," she smiled.

"Good, I am glad. Now, on to our next activity. Please, follow me." They started walking down the beach again. But after a few minutes, Latika didn't see anything and started to wonder.

"Data, what are we doing? I don't see anything out here."

"Patience, darling. You will see. But first," they stopped father down the beach, "You must close your eyes. I promise that you will love it." Latika put her hands in front of her eyes while Data addressed he computer. "Computer, run program Alpha 4478." She heard something materialize in front of them and she resisted the urge to peek through her fingers. She then heard huffing, sand being moved, and metal clinging together. She listened to Data's footsteps as he walked away from her, toward whatever he had summoned. "Okay, Latika, you may open your eyes now."

Latika put her hands by her side and gasped. In front of her, Data was holding the reins of two beautiful horses. They were both large and muscular draft horses, over 17 hands high each. They were obviously of the same breed. The horse to Data's left was skewbald, his patches a rich, dark brown with black points. His mane and tail were black and white, made of thick but silky hair. His forelock fell past his eyes and would have covered them, but they were brushed to the sides, accentuating his slight roman nose. He had massive amounts of feather on his legs, making him look like floated when he pawed at her. (Link to horse on page) The other horse, on Data's right, was piebald and his patches were light and dark dappled grey. He too had a long mane and tail, all white, and the tips of his tail brushed the ground lightly. He also has lots of feather on his legs. He looked at her with large, kind eyes that seemed to stare right into her soul. (Link to horse on site)

Data gave her a moment to take in the horses before he spoke. "Do you remember these horses, Latika? They were the ones you told about from when you were little. They were the carriage horses that the mayor of Mumbai owned. You always said how much you loved those horses, but you could never touch them. But now you can. I have downloaded every program on horseback riding, and I am going to give you lessons. Is that okay, darling? Will that make you happy?"

Latika slowly walked up to the piebald horse and gently scratched under his forelock. The horse knickered to her softly. The other horse then got jealous and nuzzled her arm. She turned to him and smiled and rubbed his muzzle.

"Do you remember their names?" Data asked.

"Of course I do," She turned back to the piebald, "His name is Pawan, Wind. And he," she looked and the skewbald, "is Abani, Earth."

"So," Data held both sets of reins out to her, "which would you like to ride?" Latika contemplated his question for a moment, staring at the pairs of reins. She then picked up Pawan's reins and smiled. She then put the reins over his head and walked to his side, where she loosened the stirrup. Data walked over beside her, with Abani following. "Do you need help-" but before he could finished, Latika gracefully pulled herself into the saddle. She then turned back at him and smiled while she re-adjusted the stirrup.

"Does that answer your question?"

Data turned and mounted Abani and looked back at her lovingly, "Yes, it does. So, what would you like to do first?"

"You're the teacher, Data. Start with the basics."

"Okay, how about we start with a walk?"

A/N: Sorry it took so long to update! I've been sooooo busy! I'm planning on having the next chapter up very soon. Hope you are enjoying the story so far. Please comment!