Chapter 35

"Isn't it beautiful? Welcome to Starnberg. Come on, let's go to the lake."

Data and I had decided to spend my last day off at the place of my teenage years.

"I moved here when I was assigned to a new guardian at the age of 16. I've always loved it here. The peace, the air and especially the water."

Data put down the blanket in the shadow of a tree. He was always concerned about my pale skin.

He laid down on his back and held out his arm. I smiled and cuddled against him, my head on his shoulder. He reached up, lacing his fingers through my hair. I sighed and gently kissed his lips. My hand moved under his t-shirt and began lazily tracing patterns on his chest.

Data put his hand over mine. "You do really like the feeling of my skin."

I smirked. "Yep, but I love this even more." I kissed him deeply.

"Can you feel the difference?" he asked me after a while.

I looked into his eyes. "If you are referring to my senses, then yes. I can smell no blood or sweat on you, which I'm really glad about by the way. I can hear your different breathing and heartbeat. I can taste your inorganic origin and I can feel the electric energy underneath your skin."

Data lowered his gaze but I lifted it with a finger under his chin.

"But I find these differences pleasing. They make you and every touch unique. It reminds me that it's you, the man I've come to love. If you meant my feelings, there's a difference too. I love you more than I've loved any human. End of discussion." I kissed him deeply, running my hands over his skin.

He did the same on my back, causing me to shiver. "Data, I believe you know how your touches make me feel…but what about you? What do you 'feel' when I touch you, when I kiss you and when we are…intimate?"

Data frowned. "Why do you ask?"

I looked down. "Because you've told me often enough that you have no emotions and that you can't experience pleasure. Sometimes I feel like I'm using you."

His hand on my cheek made me look up.

"I do not feel used. You have just proven that you care about me. I do feel the love in your touches, the passion in your kisses. And I find it pleasing to know that I am able to pleasure you. It is true that I do not experience these things like you do but I know that you enjoy touching and kissing me. It makes me feel loved. Not many women have ever wanted to touch me. So as long as I have no real feelings, you have to feel it for me."

My lips curled into a gentle smile and I put my arms around him, continuing my caresses on his back.

"I will. I love you. Thanks, hon."

He returned the gesture.

I looked up again. "May I try something? I don't know if it will work but I've seen a Vulcan establishing a connection with a robot, far less advanced than you, so perhaps I can create a mental link."

Data raised a brow. "That would be very interesting. Please proceed."

I took his hands. "If you need to stop, tell me. I don't want to hurt you."

He nodded. I locked my eyes with his.

"Close your eyes. Order your thoughts. Clear your mind. Open it. Look at me." He did. "Concentrate on me. Only me, our relationship and our connection. Don't talk. Think."

I closed my eyes. *Can you hear me, my love?*

I jumped when I heard Data's voice not with my ears but in my head. *Yes.*

I opened my eyes and hugged him enthusiastically. "That's awesome! It worked!"

Data kissed my cheek. "It did. Intriguing."

I lay my head on his lap and he started to massage my scalp.

I closed my eyes. "You must like hearing me purr."

"Yes it is a sign that you like what I am doing."

"I like a lot of things about you."

"Such as?"

I grinned and stood up. What had started as a poem ended as a song and a weird dance number on the jetty, which led towards the lake.

"The things I like about you:

Your eyes like sunshine, childlike and innocent

Your hair, ebony and silky" I stroked over his head.

"Your skin, so soft

Your lips, so nice to kiss" I caressed his cheek then kissed him on the lips.

"Your hands, so strong and yet so gentle

Your entire looks make it hard for me to breathe

Your personality:

You are clever but really clueless sometimes

You take a lot literally and never fail to make me smile

You strive for humanity and never notice how close you are

You care about me and treat me with understanding and respect

That's really nice, by the way

Mix it together and you get

Why I love you, my dear."

I had barely finished as I lost balance and fell into the water. Data, who tried to catch me, followed soon.

I knew he couldn't swim and I made my way to the bottom.

The water was clear so I could see him standing there, looking for me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled. *Are you ok, hon?*

*Yes, you?*

I nodded. He put his arms around my waist.

Time seemed to stand still as we looked into each other's eyes. My hair was around us.

I closed my eyes and kissed him. He returned the kiss.

When we broke apart I pointed towards the surface. Data nodded.

I stretched my arms beside my body and slowly lifted them over my head. We went back to the shore.

"Guardian powers have their advantages. Sorry."

"It is alright. I am undamaged."

We undressed down to our actual swimwear and Data wrapped a large towel around us as we lay down again.

My head rested on his chest and I ran my hands over his sides.

He held me close and kissed my forehead.

It was a beautiful date in each other's arms.