Chapter Twelve: Rewrite History

I spent my time in the brig contemplating the randomness of my actions. 'What compelled me to do such a thing?!' I thought to myself, 'If not for Data pulling me in with the tractor beam, I would have died!'

"So true my child!" Q exclaimed. He stood just outside my cell and was wearing a security uniform.

"You again?! What's up with all the outfits?!" I shouted.

"I could never stick to one style for very long. It's dull. Anyway, it's always refreshing for one to mix things up." Q replied before looking around, "I see you've found new digs. Kind of Spartan though."

"Shut up! Why can't you just leave me alone?! Why can't you just get out of my head?!"

This Q character really made my blood boil. Even worse, he frightened the mess out of me since, to my knowledge; he was a figment of my imagination.

"Now, now… don't be upset just because you wouldn't listen to reason. I tried to tell you your plan was a bad idea, but you didn't listen. We both see how that brilliant idea turned out."

My head was pounding and my patience had finally worn out.

"Okay. What is it?! What do I have to do to make you go away?!"

"Ah! That's what I like to hear! Ready to negotiate are we?"

"Just tell me what you want!"

"Alright my child. All you have to do is make the Enterprise your home; the rest will take care of itself."

"And just what is that supposed to accomplish?"

"It will help me to rewrite history."

"Rewrite history? Whose history? I don't understand..."

"You don't have to." Q answered abruptly and rather harshly, "Just do as you've been instructed and I'll get out of your hair… for the meantime anyway. Do we have an accord?"

Q extended his hand through the force field and I stared with amazement before shaking it reluctantly. It felt as if I had just sold my soul to the devil himself. Immediately upon shaking my hand, he disappeared.

I sat on the bed and stared at the ground. Eventually, I fell asleep. I dreamt of nothing, at least I couldn't remember dreaming. Then I heard the force field lower and I sat up. Beverly entered, the force field immediately raised behind her, and she sat beside me.

"Kadalynn, I heard about what happened." She said in a shocked voice comparable to how a teacher might sound when she catches a student eating glue, "What were you thinking?"

I really didn't want to hear any lectures, but I knew Beverly was right in her thinking.

"I wasn't." I answered glumly, "I just sort of, panicked! I really didn't want to hurt anybody. I just wanted to go home. I guess that ship has sailed."

Seeing that I was already beating myself up about the incident, Beverly didn't speak to me much longer before returning to sickbay. I sighed before standing up to pace the room and saw the chronometer on the wall outside my cell. It turned out that I had been in the brig for only five hours. However, it felt more like five months. Gold eyes interrupted my gaze at the chronometer. Startled out of my thoughts, I leapt back from the force field — which lowered upon Data's command.

"Kadalynn, I am here to escort you to the captain's ready room." Data said plainly and I made a move to step out of the cell, but he stopped me, "However, I wish to speak with you first."

"Data, I'm very sorry for what I've done. I was just desperate to get home. It's not that I don't like it here; it's just that I miss what I used to have. I just wish I could explain it in a way to get you to understand." I glumly explained.

"I do understand and I now realize some of my behavior towards your desire to return home was insensitive. I came to this realization when I recalled an experience during an away mission several years ago. I had been kidnapped by a man named Kivas Fajo, a dealer on a trade ship. He led the Enterprise crew to believe I was dead and he wanted me to remain among his 'one-of-a-kind' items… indefinitely. I repeatedly voiced my desire to return to the Enterprise — my home — but each time he denied me. He eliminated my right to choose and out of my intense desire to have you remain aboard the Enterprise, I have eliminated your right to choose. Kadalynn, for that, I am very sorry." Data explained, his face reflected the somber sincerity of his words.

"Data. I had no idea you'd been kidnapped." I said with shock and he nodded, "I'm so sorry that happened to you. If you weren't on duty right now, I'd hug you."

"I can arrange to take a brief break." He replied with a faint smile.

He stepped out of view of the brig guard and we embraced. A single tear trickled from my eye. It felt good to be hugged by him again. I heard a soft sigh escape his mouth, which was close to my right ear.

"I have missed you, Kadalynn." he whispered.

At first, the sentiment seemed strange to me since I had just seen him hours ago, but then it dawned on me, he missed my friendship and our closeness. Recently, everything had gotten so tense and uncomfortable.

"I've missed you too." I replied, "But I'm scared that my time on the Enterprise may be finished. I'm scared that despite our reconciliation, our friendship will be over."

"Do not worry about that. Everything will be fine… I promise." Data replied with a smile as he ended the embrace.

"Data, do you know something I don't?" I asked, but Data ignored the question as he continued to smile softly.

"Come, we must see the captain." Data said as he led me out of the cell.


When we entered the captain's ready room, my heart palpitated when I saw the captain at his desk and Cmdr. Riker in one of the chairs. Capt. Picard motioned for me to sit in the empty seat next to the first officer. It was a welcome invitation since I felt like my knees were about to buckle. What transpired next shocked me beyond belief! Although I was reprimanded, there was to be no further punishment for my actions. It turned out that Counselor Troi had informed the captain of my intense confusion and panic that led to my lapse in judgment. She had convinced him that I really didn't intend to cause any harm. The captain went on to explain that the quality of my work was always exemplary and that all I lacked was a bit of discipline.

"Cmdr. Data believes that the best place for you to receive such discipline is at Starfleet Academy." Capt. Picard explained. I looked over my shoulder and saw Data smiling knowingly as he nodded.

"Kadalynn, you would make a fine cadet." Data said with a note of pride in his voice, "The level of dedication you apply to your work is commendable."

"I agree." Cmdr. Riker replied, "However, if you're accepted to the academy, I hope you'll pay extra attention when you're instructed on operational protocols; such as the respect for the use of pass codes. I for one am extremely disappointed that you used my pass code during your… brief excursion."

"Commander, I've only seen you use the code once and I never planned to actually use it. I didn't even realize I remembered it until I did. I just panicked. I know it's no excuse, but…"

"You're right, it's no excuse. However, the moment you saw my pass code, you should have reported it immediately." Cmdr. Riker gruffly interrupted.

"Number one, that is enough." Capt. Picard replied, "We are all aware of Kadalynn's mistakes, as is she. However, it will do us very little good to dwell on the issue. She has made it abundantly clear and has accepted full responsibility for her actions. That is a quality I wish were present in more Starfleet officers. Kadalynn, Cmdr. Data will help you in preparation for the Starfleet Academy entrance exam. Dismissed."

I shakily rose to my feet and Data escorted me out of the captain's ready room. Everything was going so fast. I was amazed that the captain didn't plan on keeping me in the brig indefinitely.


Data and I went to his quarters where he showed me photos of Starfleet Academy as well as an overview of the campus. He also told me about his experiences from when he attended the academy. The more I heard about it, the more excited I became about possibly attending. Then came reality. Data explained the difficulty of the academy's entrance exam. Well, of course Data had no trouble passing it. When he finished speaking, it became very quiet. The silence was uncomfortable since I knew he was staring at me, yet I avoided his gaze until he gently touched my shoulder. When I finally looked at him, I saw a very soft smile on his face as he leaned forward, taking my face in his hands to lift my mouth to meet his. The warmth of his lips against mine felt like the gentle caress of the sun's heat after a long winter. After the first kiss, we hesitated before continuing. He held me close as he kissed me passionately. Planting a trail of kisses upwards along my neck, his lips met my ear, on which he gently nibbled.

"Kadalynn, I have missed you so much." He whispered between kisses. "I have missed your touch, your scent, your taste…"

The sound of his smooth voice was laden with passion, it was intoxicating. I felt my defenses weaken with each kiss and I began to surrender to him all over again.

'Here we go again.' I thought nervously.

Then suddenly, I became flustered as I recalled the night of our intimacy and the intense fear I felt in the middle of it. As much as it tormented me to do so, I pulled away from Data's embrace, but didn't have the strength to move far.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked.

"Data, I'm just… I'm not ready to go that far, at least not now." I told him.

"It is alright." He gently replied as he embraced me and stroked my hair, "You do not have to do anything you are uncomfortable with. Please, do not leave."

I looked up into his eyes before we started kissing again. He slowly raised me to stand with him. I was so distracted by the kisses, I didn't realize he was leading me to his bed until we were standing at the foot of it. I immediately tried to pull away from him, but he held me steady.

"Data, I'm not ready."

"I gave you a promise, we will not do anything you are uncomfortable with. I will honor that promise." He said as he gently lowered me onto the bed.

My heart pounded in my chest as he lay beside me and continued to shower me with loving kisses. I trusted him completely and I knew that he would not betray that trust. My mind and my body were at war. Physically, I wanted him so badly I could almost taste it, but mentally, I just wasn't ready. Eventually, my mind won the battle. Data and I didn't make love that night, but instead kissed and embraced until I fell asleep in his arms. It was the best sleep I've gotten in a very long time.


The next morning, I awoke to Data's voice, gently coaxing me to rouse. The scent of coffee and pastries filled the air. Data smiled down at me before leaning in to give me a kiss, but I turned my face and shielded my mouth. Unfortunately, morning breath was still an issue, even in the 24th century.

"What is wrong?" He asked.

"I need to clean my teeth first." I said with embarrassment. Before Data could object, I leapt out of bed and into the bathroom where I showered and cleaned my teeth.

When I was done, I emerged from the bathroom wearing a robe. I had forgotten that I wasn't in my own quarters and that I had no uniform, other than the one in which I had fallen asleep.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Data had replicated a fresh uniform for me. He even replicated a bra and panties to wear underneath. As I dressed, I was surprised that he managed to determine my exact size. When I joined him in the other room, I saw the source of the tempting smell of breakfast. There was an impressive spread on the table which consisted of coffee, fruit and pastries. A beautiful bouquet of exotic wildflowers served as a centerpiece. The setting was incredibly romantic.

He pulled out a chair for me and I eagerly sat. I was famished and couldn't wait to dig in. I had my eye on a scone and a mini croissant.

"Data…" was all I could say as I was rendered speechless by his kiss.

"I love you, Kadalynn." He said with a gentle smile. For some reason, I was unable to say it back. Maybe I didn't believe I loved him, although I really did care about him. Maybe I was just in denial. Feeling awkward, I changed the subject.

"What's the occasion for all this?" I asked, noticing the smile fade from his face slightly at the fact I hadn't returned the sentiment.

"We are now a couple." Data answered, a slight smile reemerging on his face, "I wanted our first breakfast together to be memorable. I wanted it to be special."

"It is special, Data." I said as I became misty-eyed, "No one has ever gone out of there way for me the way you have."

After enjoying breakfast, it was time for Data to report for duty. Since I was now training for the exam, I needed to study the routines and procedures as performed by the crew. However, before we left, I stopped in my tracks when I realized something.

"Wait!" I exclaimed.

"Kadalynn, is there a problem?"

"Yes. I can't leave, not right now."

"Why not?"

"It's very early and the corridors are busy. If someone sees me leaving your quarters, they'll know that I've spent the night here."

Data thought for a moment with a concerned look on his face.

"You do not wish for anyone to find out about us. Are you embarrassed to be with me?"

"No. I'm not embarrassed. I just think we should wait a while before publicly displaying our relationship."

"For how long?"

"I don't know. Let's just take it one day at a time, alright?"

"Alright." Data replied, but it was clear that he didn't completely agree with my request.

Data came up with a plan that he report to Engineering while I waited in his quarters for five minutes. At that time, the corridor would be clear enough for me to leave his quarters undetected by others. However, I needed to be precise with my departure since there would only be a fifteen second window before the corridor would be filled with the next wave of crewmembers. I waited anxiously until the time came. When it did, I quickly headed for the door to exit, but was tripped by Spot, who dashed in front of me while I was in mid-step. I fell flat on my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. By the time I recovered and stepped out into the hall I breathed a sigh of relief until I turned and realized that I had been seen by Lt. Gomez — of all people! She stared daggers at me before storming past me, intentionally bumping into my shoulder.