Chapter Two
An: I'm hoping to flesh out character interactions before I move onto romance, and more intensive story line. If you want me to hurry up, please let me know. Thank you for your reading. It's been awhile since I've written and hoping to do my best with this. Much love xoxo
It was another quiet night, although he'd used Wil's laptop some to learn a few basic things about this time period. Albeit if he had been a human, he might have been annoyed at how slowly he had to work. The computers of his time were extremely efficient, and programmed with extensive AI with the capability to have extensive conversations, and even determine the wants and needs of the user. This technology was just starting to use AI, and the computer simply was not fast enough to keep up with his activities. He chose to ask simple questions, mostly about how to utilize the primitive technology he was confronted with, like the still confounding coffee maker and washer and dryer. Wil had a backlog of several baskets of laundry covered in mud and filth he wanted to tackle.
Later that night he wandered the property some, spent some time with Bill the cat as the feline hunted in the nearby barn. He returned to the house just at the sun began to rise above the trees in the distance. Wil would be getting up, she was an early riser it seemed. Wiping his shoes on the mat and letting himself into the house, and being greeted by a very excited lab, shuffling around in a sort of happy dance at the sight of his new android friend.
"Good morning!" Wil greeted Data, she was dressed in her jammies and hoodie again, letting the dog out the door to go run by himself. Getting the milk from the fridge, and grabbing the cereal, it would seem she didn't have much diversity in her meals. It wasn't a nutritionally sound way to fuel ones body.
"We'll leave here soon, We've got some old computers at work if you want to look through them and see if they'll help you. I doubt it, they are quite old" Wil offered, leaning against the counter, and chewing.
"Thank you, I'll see if they are worthy of use" He nodded politely.
"Since you are going with me, I just want you to know I'll be lying to my coworkers about who and what you are?" Wil cringed slightly as if apologizing.
"I think that might be wise. Whatever you need to tell them, I will agree. I don't want to complicate the situation more than is necessary" his hands were folded neatly in front of him.
They were both cut off as a whine echoed from the door. Data stepped a short way, opening the door for the lab who looked up at him, his butt wiggling in excitement. Wil dumped the empty bowl into the sink.
"I'm gonna get dressed, and I'll find you something to wear for work" Wil ran a hand through her hair. Data watched stiffly until he was sure she was gone before racing to the sink and washing the bowl, drying it, and placing it back with it's mates where it belonged.
Opening up the back of the green suv, revealing various plastic totes, and shelving units in the back; obviously supplies for her house calls. Tossing her duffel bag in, Wil pulled a large blue tote towards, she popped the lid open and started rummaging around for a few seconds, before pulling a scrub top out, shaking it out and inspecting it quickly before handing it to him.
"That should fit, if it doesn't I might have something bigger. Sorry I don't have something more masculine." Wil clasped her hands nervously, as he pulled the pink scrub top over his head and the shirt he was wearing. Smoothing it down carefully in the sort of dignified fashion accustomed to a man who wore regimental garb and took a careful pride in how he presented himself. Smoothing the wrinkles, his eyes met hers, and his smiled with a nod of approval.
"It feels good to be in uniform again" This caused Wil to give a playful snort of a laugh as she went to the drivers side, Data opening his side and Meatball shoved by, jumping rudely into his seat. Data gave a slight surprised vocalization he hadn't expected. Wil grabbed the dog by the collar making the old dog groan in displeasure "In the back dog breath" and Meatball looked at her with what Data could only call 'sad eyes' but Wil stood firm, reiterating her command 'Back, now!" and the old dog immediately shuffled between the seats, and onto the floor board behind. Turning around and sticking his grey head between the gap "Your 3rd in command today buddy" Wil scratched the dogs head. Data got up easily into the truck, miming Wil when she buckled her seat belt. Not that he needed it, but safety first he supposed. "You know, I mentioned before I'm a Lt. Commander on the Enterprise. I guess that makes Meatball Lt. Commander now, and I would be first officer. I suppose that makes me your #1" Data prattled in an almost humorous tone, a grin on his features, seeming to enjoy his apparent promotion.
Wil smiled, turning the key on the ignition and the truck roared to life, "Alright #1, and Meatball, off we go." She teased gently as she pulled out of the driver and onto a gravel rural road.
Data supposed it was a 10 min drive so far given how fast Wil drove. He enjoyed looking out the window at the rows of corn, and occasional field with either sheep or cows. "The girls are going to love you" Wil looked over at Data, turning the radio down, and he felt mild hesitation that she didn't keep her eyes on the road completely but said nothing. "How so?" he inquired, what could possibly be interesting about him that the 'girls' would enjoy. He supposed he was interesting to look at given his complexion was unusual for this time period, but beyond that he probably wasn't very interesting.
Wil grinned at him as he was completely clueless "Data, you're really nice. I think Rose might try to adopt you" Data seemed genuinely concerned "I'm not a child, I cannot be adopted."
Wil actually found his oblivious and naive nature cute. His innocence was something she didn't mind and made him interesting to talk to as you never knew how he was going to interpret a situation. Data looked at Wil, her face was amused and she just shook her head at him but at least she didn't find his lack of understanding annoying as some people did.
They pulled into the driveway and glided into a spot quickly and Data could tell this was such a routine now she barely had to think about it. Turning the key off, Meatball huffed in excitement in the back seat as Wil and Data excited the car, Meatball quickly jumping into Data's seat and jumping out of his side with a little help from Data, obviously a common routine for the fat dog, who waddled towards the front door as fast as his legs could carry him. Data was amused by the determined lab, who was pacing outside the door expectantly, waiting for Wil to get her bag and Data to come with her. The dog huffed a bit as if to say 'hurry up', as he panted excitedly outside the door.
Data waited for Wil as she grabbed a few items from a nearby tote, thinning his lips to keep himself from asking if he could carry it for her, but he said nothing and simply waited patiently. "I can carry it myself" Wil mumbled giving him a gentle glance, as if she'd read his mind. "I-I wasn't going to ask, although I would like to….may I. I'm experiencing a condition of uselessness." He seemed almost dejected, and Wil couldn't help but think he really seemed to have an overwhelming need to assist. Perhaps it was an android thing, he might have been built to serve. That thought made Wil ever so slightly disgusted. The thought of nice, sweet, Data being the servant to some entitled human that bossed him around didn't set well with her and she hoped she was mistaken. He's spoken about his rights before, or lack thereof, but beyond that she didn't know much about his time. If it was as awful as she'd made up in her head, she secretly hoped he'd never get home because at least living here he could just live with her. Wil blinked to herself at that thought. Obviously it was because he was becoming a good friend she justified in her mind silently.
"Here, you take this" she handled him her duffle and he took is quickly and shouldered it, with expectation of being handed something else. Wil put a hand up "I'VE got this" she pulled a metal box out, and shut the hatch. "Happy?" she commented at him in a teasing way "I am unable to experience happiness, I do however experience positive feedback at being helpful" Data stated simply and she raised her brows at him, nodding her head exaggeratedly back and forth "Eh, alright then- I guess that's something".
Coming up to the door, she opened the heavy glass and metal door; the bells hanging above tinkled softly, Data grabbed the handle, holding it open so Meatball could push between then, and race into the small waiting room, following by Wil and himself. Allowing the door to close behind them, he spotted two ladies behind the desk. The eldest of the two, a woman probably in her 70s by the look of it, with angular glasses with beaded eyeglasses chain, dark skin, and many small braids pulled back into a bun looked up immediately, smiling widely at Wil.
"Well good morning there young lady. Who's your friend?" Her voice was soothing and warm. She stood up, leaning across the counter on her elbows to take a look at them both from the rim of her glasses. This activity caught the attention of the other woman, a much younger fair skinned lady with blond curly hair pulled into a low pony tail, and bright blue eyes, she smiled as well but didn't stand. "How polite, he carried your bag, and you even let him- I'm so proud of you" her voice was light and teasing, and quite young sounding even though Wil and her appeared similar in age.
Wil gave a side glance at Data "This is my new bodyguard to protect me from you evil broads. " Data immediately turned at her with wide eyes, and the two ladies laughed. "He doesn't know you're a big joker, does he?" the elder woman looked at Wil, ignoring Data completely, Wil shook her head "He's a little gullible" she stated, giving him a gentle slap on his chest, and he followed with concern as he was led past the door to the office, and into the back.
"Everyone, this is my new friend Data, he's going to help us. Data, that's Rose" pointing to the older woman "And that's Kathryn, but she prefers Kat" Data nodded, and the young girl Kat stood, reaching out her hand to shake his. It was then he was surprised to see how very pregnant she was. Data shook her hand softly, but couldn't take his eyes off her belly. Kat smiled "Anytime now" she rested her hands on her stomach, and Data looked at her with what Wil could only describe as an ecstatic expression. "Maybe this time I'll get a grandson." Rose was leaning back in her chair
"May I?" Data asked politely, and Kat nodded, and Data set a gentle hand on her stomach before looking at Kat "It's moving" he stated in surprised and Kat giggled a bit at his enthusiasm. "I bet it'll grow up to be a gymnast with the way it kicks and flips in there" Wil laughed, and cocked a smile, dumping her box under a well used, and scuffed up dining table.
Data found pregnancy to be extraordinary. To grow a new person inside you was amazing to him. He remember Troi's alien pregnancy, and how fast she'd grown, and the kicking the child had done. She'd even let him make personal notes on its activity, finding his constant hands on her stomach tedious after a while. But she'd been kind enough to see the birth, but he wasn't rude enough to venture asking Kat, after all they'd just met.
Data moved and dumped the duffel bag next to Wil's metal box. Rose walked toward them, her hands resting on her slim hips as she watched the two. "Where'd you pick up this one?" Rose moved close to Data, scrutinizing him behind her glasses in a gentle manner, not judging, just observing.
"I picked him up in area 51." Wil didn't even bother to look at the woman, and moved away to the kitchen
"What's all this then?" Rose gestured at his skin and eyes. Data had barely opened his mouth to reply when Wil chimed in "It's body mods" and Data shut his mouth, giving an uncomfortable look "Indeed", looking back at Wil with a nod. Rose squinted "You're such a handsome boy, why would you do that to yourself? I'll never understand you young kids and why you'll disfiguring yourselves. You know, my niece got her eyeball dyed. Her actual eyeball! They injected dye or whatever now it's this god awful blue color. She's covered in tattoos, piercings, and her hair is half shaved. I don't understand why such a pretty little girl would do that to herself." Kat rolled her eyes, and just shook her head at Data 'I'm sorry' she mouthed, and Data gave a silent pleading look. Wil however was ignoring the prattling completely.
"But it's not my body, I did some strange things myself when I was a girl" Rose sighed holding up her hands in defeat, and Wil laid a hand on Rose's shoulder "Please don't terrify him. I'm kind of fond of him" Wil cringed jokingly, but Data couldn't help but appreciate the knowledge that Wil at least liked him, and wasn't just tolerating him. Rose threw her thin hands up dramatically "Alright, alright. I just don't know why such a handsome boy would do that. At least it looks good and he didn't stretch the hell out of his earlobs" The older woman walked off to the front desk, shuffling through some paperwork. Meatball was huffing and puffing around the clinic, Kat grabbed him by his collar "Come on big boy. Lets get you out of the way." and taking him out back. Data looked at the employee pictures, and it appeared it was more than just the three people that worked here. Small the regiment it may be.
The bells on the door jiggled as a few people came into the waiting room with various creatures, talking with Rose at the front desk, followed by Kat coming to assist. Wil was scarfing down a donut leaning over the kitchenette sink, and pounding her coffee with determined purpose. As if she was use to eating quickly and keeping busy. Somehow Data found it oddly sweet, even as she got chocolate icing smeared on the corner of her mouth. He sometimes surprised even himself on what he found interest in. Wil met his gaze, suddenly realizing someone was watching her cram pastry into her face, her cheek bulging with baked goods, and coffee thermos in the other hand. "Sorry" she mumbled, her words hard to distinguish due to her full mouth. Dusting her hands of crumbs, and turning the facet on and rising off her hands. Data taped the left corner of his mouth and Wil nodded "Oops" she wiped a little water on her face, cleaning the chocolate off.
"Wil, your first patient is in room 3. Kat hollered, rolling her chair across the tile but not making the attempt to stand. Wil gave a thumbs up and chugged the rest of her coffee before she gestured Data to follow her. "Sure you want to help today"
"Absolutely, I enjoy the company of animals"
"Well, you might change your mind on that after you get pooped on a few times" and Data cocked his head in concern wondering if she was kidding.
The first part of the day spend by quickly before he knew it, and neither he nor Wil had had a break. Whereas he did not require rest, he wondered how Wil kept up such a physical job without breaks, in fact she seemed to enjoy keeping moving. The wide variety of creatures that came through the door, and Wil and Rose saw checked over each and every one. Thankfully a few other people that worked at the clinic had drifted in, a middle aged overweight woman with very short spiked hair took over at the desk named Dana, and an older man worked outside but Data hadn't met him yet. Kat didn't assist, but did her work testing samples in the lab area. She'd been forbidden by Rose and Wil to assist with xrays even behind the protective barriers, and Data asserted his concern as well, even pulling her with him behind a wall far away to make sure nothing harmed her baby.
Data helped keep things picked up, and helped where commanded. It was very active work, but he really liked it. Even if most of the creatures being treated weren't too happy about their situation. Perhaps if he'd had a second calling when he was first activated, it would have been this instead of Starfleet. There was a certain satisfaction in knowing he was helping make the small defenseless creatures in their care feel better. Perhaps this could be a retirement plan- not that he ever planned on that.
The clients occasionally stared at him, but said nothing and were still polite. Something he hadn't anticipated. When he'd asked Wil why no one said anything, she merely remarked 'Midwestern manners'.
The hands on work and diagnoses without the technology of his time, it was fascinating. was a good doctor, she had to be to make it onto the Enterprise. But she couldn't diagnose an ailment just by smelling the wound or looking at the vague information their testing computer popped out.
Before no time at all, the sign out front had been flipped for lunch and Dana had excused herself to go run an errand. They'd barely had a chance to relax a tall man peeked into the window with a grin, opening the door and coming in. Several large brown paper bags in hand, walking up to the front desk "Feeding time!" he hollered boisterously and Kat walked over giving him a hug and a kiss
"Her husband, Michael" Wil mumbled to Data, placing a hand on his back to assure him, obviously catching his questioning look. He nodded in reply.
"You remember my ketchup this time" Rose didn't even look up at him
"Yes mama, I did, and YOU'RE welcome too" He entered into the back part of the clinic. He was tall, Data determined he was only slightly taller than Commander Riker, with a strong heavy build. Michael set the food down on the table, digging into the bag and pulling out a glass bottle of tea "Decaff for M'lady" he joked to Kat giving her the tea as she smiled, kissing her on the temple gently and she put an arm around him. "Michael, this is Data, he's helping out today. He's Wil's boyfriend" Kat smiled in an almost sneaky manner. Wil opened her mouth but nothing came out and merely glared, Data looked at Wil, hoping her expression would give him some guidance, but she appeared to have broken down and nothing was coming out. "You poor bastard" Michael grinned and shook Data's hand in a friendly manner giving a hearty shake
"I am a victim of circumstance" Data said simply, and Michael gave a loud laugh—Data hadn't intended that as a joke. "Aren't all us fellas" he gave the android a playful nod.
"He follows her around like a lost puppy." Rose was digging through the bag next to her son that dwarfed her in height. At this comment Wil got up, an annoyed expression on her face as she went to the fridge "You people have so little to talk about- it's so sad, pathetic really" getting a bottle of water, opening it and taking a long drink. Data watched her, turning back to Michael "I am merely her friend" he assured the taller man.
"Sure you are" Kat teased lightly, picking at her cheeseburger, and pulling pickles off, eating them before replacing the top of the bun.
Wil walked over in a huff, sitting down again and digging around in the bag pulling out a sandwich "Ya'll think every guy I know is my boyfriend, I'm allowed to have male friends. God forbid a woman lives alone and likes it that way"
"That's just because we're hoping you get laid and mellow out" Michael gave a wide smile, a slight obnoxious nature to it. Data's eyebrows raised at the comment from the unfamiliar man.
Michael reached over and ruffled Wil's hair a bit in a playful manner setting a few strands of her French braid free.
"Buzz off loser" Wil huffed and Michael laughed, giving her a playful shove. Data tensed a bit, uncertain at the interaction between the two and if he should intervene, Wil must have noticed his look because she met Data's gaze "He's been doing that stupid stuff since we were kids. He thinks he's funny. He's NOT!"
"Well this funny guy has to get back to work." He gave his mom a hug, and kissed Kat on her temple again before walking swiftly out the door, turning back with a grin "Hey Wil, don't eat to many of those" he puffed his cheeks
"How about you go stick your head in a toilet and flush it" Wil sniped and stuck her tongue out, blowing a raspberry. Michael laughed loudly, walking quickly out of the clinic.
"30yrs old and you two still haven't grown up." Rose sighed, giving a disapproving look over her glasses, but Data could tell it wasn't serious. "Do you two always interact like that?" Data sat, glancing at Wil briefly.
"Oooh, that's cute, he's worried" Rose mumbled with her gentle breeze of a voice, taking a drink of her soda. Her humor was soft, and quiet, but he could tell why Michael and her got along so well.
Wil's brows farrowed together, Data had an almost peeved look to him. Or as peeved of an expression his calm demeanor could manage. Of course Wil could just be reading too much into it.
"We've been friends our entire life, we went to school together and best friends. I was in those guys wedding party. I was the only non-family, it was me next to Michael's older brothers" Wil gestured at Kat who was scrolling through her phone quickly, before presenting it to Data to look at. It was a nice picture of Michael and Kat dressed in wedding outfits, obviously their wedding, and Kat was quite slender and obviously not pregnant. Rose stood next to her son, and Wil stood nearby with a group of men of various ages, Michael was obviously the youngest of the 6 men. Wil was dressed in a very feminine looking suit similar to the grooms party, but slightly heavier than she was now. Wil glanced over Data arm, and he moved it to giver he a better look "Yep, that's me, 10yrs ago, and 40lbs heavier' she laughed "Depression will do that to you" she mumbled and went back to eating.
"You look nice." Data replied earnestly, presenting Katherine back her phone, she smiled at him. "Wil, I meant you too" Wil flustered at the comment, her cheeks and the tips of her ears turning red. She got up quickly and moved to throw her trash away. Data looked at her, wondering if the comment had be the wrong thing to say as she was acting as if she hadn't heard anything.
Rose put a warm hand on his arm gently "She can't take compliments, hasn't been able too since she was a girl. She thinks she's too tough for that." Rose smiled at Wil in a loving manner.
The end of the day ended much the way the beginning of the day had started. With an influx of pet owners and animals. Some for illness, some for general checkups, and some for new checkups. By the end of the day all of the human workers were looking rather tired. Wil had dog blood on her scrubs from her last patient that had a slight tangle with another dog and had several bleeding open wounds. Despite how worrying they looked to Data, Wil seemed unfettered by the site and assured the owners their dog would be ok in no time as long as the wounds were kept clean. The poor dog whimpered softly as Data held it, and looked at him with sad eyes as Wil shaved and cleaned the bites. Data understood why she didn't do this in front of the owners. He whispered words of assurance to the little mutt as it let Wil work.
Data was so please to see Meatball after the incident, and see the happy uninjured dog waddling about in an outdoor kennel in the backyard of the clinic. Wil was so tired, she didn't even make a fuss when Data pick up her duffel, and metal box she'd brought with her and carried it to the car. Getting Meatball into the truck, and settling in, Wil took a deep sigh before reaching over to turn on the power to the radio and starting a playlist from her phone. Data didn't say anything, sitting silently as Wil pulled the truck from its spot, and started their drive home. Then much to his surprise, she started singing along, rolling down the windows of the truck, allowing Meatball to stick is head out, his tongue lolling in the wind.
Data's lips were thin, and he looked uncomfortable. "Don't they sing along in your time" Wil prodded
"No, I've never experienced such a phenomenon." He stated simply, and Wil laughed tiredly at the mild tone of judgement in his voice
"It's a good way to get stressed out. You should try it" Wil started singing again to a song he'd never heard
"I do not get stressed" Data replied simply, his hands folded neatly on his lap in a formal fashion.
"Ohhh I see. So, androids don't sing then?" Wil gave him a humorous sardonic expression like she didn't believe him.
Data looked uncomfortable, and instead chose to looked at Meatball , who was ignoring him in preference for the open window.
"Don't look at the dog, he doesn't have the answers you seek. Come on" Wil prodded, poking the android in the ribs with a finger.
"I thought you were tired?" Data almost seemed accusing
"I'm never too tired to sing after work-
Oh, baby you're the only thing in this whole world
That's pure and good and right
And wherever you are and wherever you go
There's always gonna be some light," Wil belted slapping a rhythm into her steering wheel. Hanging him her phone, the lyrics seemed to be right under the song. Data read them quickly, then handed her phone back to her.
"Ok, I'm gonna restart the song, and we're gonna sing- this will be a good learning experience for you. This is a human ritual you should learn" Wil stopped the song, seeming extremely intent on him joining her in the activity. He was willing to give it a try, he did endeavor to learn about human behavior, even if it was seemingly bizarre.
The song began to play again, and Data waited for Wil to begin. This was her activity after all, so she was his lead. Bagging her head a bit to the intro. Looking back at Meatball, the dog seemed in ecstasy, a lovely trail of slobber blowing in the breeze.
"The sirens are screaming, and the fires are howling
Way down in the valley tonight
There's a man in the shadows with a gun in his eye
And a blade shining oh so bright
There's evil in the air and there's thunder in the sky,
And a killer's on the bloodshot streets
And down in the tunnels where the deadly are rising
Oh, I swear I saw a young boy down in the gutter
He was starting to foam in the heat" Wil sang dramatically, and Data followed along, albeit not with the same passion.
Wil looked at him in approval and he shared a smile. He supposed he could understand the appeal. He was so use to such quieter and reserved hobbies, but he supposed of all the boisterous activities available, singing together with someone, especially someone you share a friendship with; it was indeed what you might call- fun.
"Well I know that I'm damned if I never get out,
And maybe I'm damned if I do,
But with every other beat I've got left in my heart,
You know I want to be damned with you
If I gotta be damned, you know I want to be damned
Dancing through the night with you/
Well if I gotta be damned, you know I want to be damned,
Gotta be damned, you know I want to be damned
Gotta be damned, you know I want to be damned
Dancing through the night,
Dancing through the night,
Dancing through the night with you" Wil thumped along with the beat, and Data couldn't help but tap his foot a little.
"Meatball, take it away" Wil yelled, and stop singing and Data followed suit, looking at the dog- what was he expecting, the dog couldn't sing. The grey faced dog did nothing but lick what appeared to be a fly off his snout. "Great solo buddy!," Wil cheered and Data looked at her "I like him to feel like he's participating" and Data merely ohh'd.
"Like a bat out of hell
Oh, like a bat out of hell
Oh, like a bat out of hell
Oh, like a bat out of hell (I'll be gone when the morning comes)
Oh, like a bat out of hell (I'll be gone when the morning comes)
Oh, like a bat out of hell….and like that we're home" Wil exclaimed, and Data looked as they pulled into the driveway. Perhaps car duets was a means to pass time in a positive fashion, someway to make time pass more quickly or at least to the human mind, he could understand why humans did it.
"Did I traumatize your delicate sensitivities forever?" Wil turned the volume down as a new song started.
"I can understand the appeal. Up until recently my activities have been of a more, sedate nature."
"oh my god, this isn't like a highlight for you, how boring is your life in the future" Wil looked a little disgusted and concerned
"It's not boring, I keep very busy given my command. But I guess you could say humans in the future try and pride themselves on being calm, diplomatic, and rational. Interactions like you had earlier with Michael are not common- or at least I haven't noticed them"
"Two friends giving each other a hard time isn't common?" Wil parked the truck, rolling up the windows and turning off the engine."
Data nodded "I haven't seen many people behave like that- Geordi does, he is very friendly. Other than that, the closest I can imagine is when I was in the academy. People did pull lots of pranks on me. Like one time a fellow classmate rigged my doorway to administer an energy pulse that shut me off and it took me a few minutes to awaken"
"Oh my god, that is so mean! Michael and I just razz each other, but he'd never do anything to hurt me. Those classmates sound like assholes." Wil seemed extremely disgusted and was shaking her head angrily. "You are so nice, why would they want to do that. But I guess bullies never change no matter the time. I had my fair share of bullies too." she gave him an empathetic look
Data hadn't considered that, was he bullied. He'd have to ask Geordi when he got back. Data never viewed the worst in people, and he would admit that often made him naïve to people's real intentions.
"Geordi was my first friend. He always stood up for me. I genuinely hope someday you get to meet him." Data stopped, looking at Wil, he looked as if he was choosing his words carefully. "He is a good man. I value his friendship a great deal. " Wil could see in Data's eyes he was being honest. Wil smiled at him, putting a reassuring hand on his back, leaning to give him a slight hug, and leaning her head against his arm briefly affectionately, before pulling away. It was but a few seconds, but Data enjoyed the contact. "I'm glad you have someone looking out for you." Wil gave a gentle smile, before turning and walking into the house.
"I was thinking in a couple days, I could take you to the scrap yard, and you can pick out some items you might need"
"Thank you" he gave a slight smile, as he carefully set her items in the mud room carefully, and then tapping each of his boots on the floor to knock off whatever dirt might have clung. Wil found his fastidious nature a bit cat like. Meanwhile Wil had sat down on a kitchen chair, removing her shoes and tossing them in the general area of the mud room. Data grabbed them from their spot and carefully set them in the mud room. Wil thinned her lips holding in a laugh, tapping a finger to her lips as she watched him attempting to organize other surrounding items.
"What does 'Thank you for your service' mean?" His gold eyes shot up to her brown ones, and he cocked his head a bit in question.
"I need more context then that" folding her arms and leaning back in the kitchen chair, enjoying being off her sore knees.
"I mentioned to Dana that I was a Lt. Commander" he stopped suddenly, holding up a hand to stop any vocalization from Wil "I will clarify, I did not tell her it was on a starship in the future, merely what my profession was previous to our meeting- I was vague at best" and Wil nodded, thoughtfully scratching the old labs golden ears as Data spoke.
"I mentioned my station, and that I was taking 'a break'" he air quoted "and she replied with "Thank you for your service and she seemed quite emotional about it—it was, unusual. Why did she thank me?"
Wil smiled and gave a tired sigh, her brows raised as she looked at his mystified expression "She thanking you for your military service. She's very- ummm- patriotic" she attempted to be polite, and not wanting to call Dana a 'flag waving loony toon', or at least that's what Wil's brother had called Dana once.
"Starfleet is not military" Data clarified
"Well, she doesn't know that, but from what I've heard, it sounds partially militaristic. You do engage in conflicts with other peoples on the behalf of your government" Data raised a finger anticipation on his face, and looked as if he were going to debate her, she felt it best to cut him off, or he'd pontificate to her for hours if given the chance. "Data, listen, people did it to my brother, dad, and grandpa all the time. I wouldn't put too much stock into it. Just take it as a compliment." Wil stood, moving to the living room, and the android followed.
"Hmm, I see. In other cultures, the ability to fight for the glory of one's nation, or empire is a means to earn respect and honor, I suppose this time period is no different"
Wil grunted a little as she sat down in her chair, starting to remove her work clothing. "It's also a family profession. You forget I was going to go into the military too, and I certainly didn't want to do it for glory, or honor. I wanted to do it because I admired my family and what it meant to them. Besides, why did you pick Starfleet- you don't seem the military type."
Data took her scrub top and socks before she could toss them on the floor. He appeared thoughtful "I have been asked that question before, and I honestly don't have a good answer. I believe it was a way for me to emulate saviors"
"Doesn't seem that much different than my wanting to emulate my grandpa, dad and brother does it? In the end we're all just attempting to emulate the best version of ourselves we can, sometimes relying on others to help create ourselves" Wil groaned as stood, walking a bit sensitively to the hall closet, pulling out her crutches, and depositing herself tenderly back into her chair, and beginning the ritual of removing her prosthetic. Rubbing her knee attempting to sooth the ache in the joint.
Data didn't venture a reply, instead choosing to move to the kitchen to get the aspirin, putting a pin in the discussion until a later date. He could take a hint that she was achy and tired and had no interest in debating the issue any future.
AN: Thank you for reading, I'm correcting the next few chapters.