Chapter Eight
Many months later, Nicole and Data were married. Data had moved all of his stuff into Nicole's quarters. And the best thing, Nicole hadn't heard or seen Regen in a really long time. Things seemed to be looking up. Until one day.
Nicole and Data had returned from their honeymoon on Altera IV. Data wanted to spend time with his mother. Nicole didn't mind as long as they still had time together as a couple. Plus, she loved being on the planet. They decided to get a home there instead of Earth. Although, they may keep their little home out in the country on Earth. If money was supposed to be redundant in the 24th century then it didn't matter if they had two homes. Right? It wasn't too long before they went back to work though.
Nicole had just got off a shift in Engineering. She had about 4hrs to spend time with her husband before he had to be on the bridge for his usual night shift command he had 3 times a week. When Nicole walked into their quarters, he had dinner ready for her. She smiled.
"Hi honey. Welcome home." Data said, smiling and holding out his arms to her for a hug.
Nicole raised an eyebrow, but embraced the android anyway. They didn't normally hug. It wasn't something that Data quite understood. And when did he ever call her honey? It was usually Nicole or Nikki or even her rank. Something was different about Data tonight, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Nicole shrugged it off and sat down in the chair that Data held out for her.
"How was your shift?" Data asked, taking a seat across from Nicole.
"It was alright. Geordi tried to boost the power conversion relays again. And I had to crawl through the Jeffries Tubes today to help boost sensors." Nicole said, pressing her hands against her back and stretching.
"Well after you eat, I can give you a massage, darling." Data said, smiling.
Nicole took a bite of her replicated food. She was too confused to notice that there was meat in her food. "Data, baby, are you trying a new subroutine?"
Data gave Nicole a puzzled look and tilted his head slightly. "No."
No. That was all he said. No. Definitely unlike Data.
Nicole leaned back in her chair. "When was the last time you ran a diagnostic?" Nicole asked.
Data looked puzzled again. Tilting his head one way than the other. "I ran a routine diagnostic this morning, my love."
Nicole was on alert now. These nicknames, although sweet, were unlike the android. And something was missing.
"Where's Spot?" Nicole asked, scooting her chair back slowly.
"Spot is sleeping." Data said.
"Lorelai?" Nicole asked, loud enough for the cat's to hear.
However, neither of the cats showed up. They didn't even come to greet her when she walked in. "She's sleeping too, babygirl."
Data just used a contraction! And wait a minute! Did he just call her…
Nicole's eyes went wide and she scrambled to stand up. She tried to call for help, but her combadge wasn't working. She couldn't leave the room. She even tried to call for the computer but then nothing.
Nicole! Can you hear me? Nikki!
A panicked sounding voice. Who's voice is that?
Nikki! It's Data!
Data? Nicole thought about it for a moment. Was she still in the Jefferies Tube with Data boosting the sensors? Was her shift not over with.
"Data?" Nicole said, aloud.
"Yes. I am here, my love. Would you like that massage now?"
That voice. It wasn't Data!
Someone placed their hands on Nicole's shoulders and turned her around. She looked up slowly and that was when she saw him.
Nicole opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry, but she blinked a couple of times. She saw the panicked looking yellow eyes of her husband.
"Data?" She asked.
"Nikki!" Data looked up. "Doctor! Doctor!" He sounded panicky.
Dr Crusher came into her field of view next. She moved Data out of the way, but he stayed close. Nicole was no longer in the Jefferies Tube. She was in Sickbay? How?
She tried to sit up, but Dr Crusher placed a hand on her chest. "Don't get up just yet. We don't know what happened." Dr Crusher said.
Nicole could only manage to nod her head. She laid there as Dr Crusher scanned her. Her eyes drifted from the scanner to the android standing a distance away. He was worried about her! Even if there were no emotions she was sensing, she knew Data enough to tell that he was genuinely worried about her. Commander Riker and Troi walked up to Data. Commander Riker placed a comforting hand on the android's shoulder.
"Anything Beverly?" Commander Riker asked.
"She seems to be okay, but her psilosynine levels are low." Dr Crusher said, helping Nicole sit up.
Data tried to move to stand by Nicole's side, but Commander Riker pulled him back.
"It's fine, Will. He can come over to her now." Dr Crusher said.
Commander Riker let go of Data. Data went to Nicole's side. Nicole took Data's hand in hers. His bioplast felt warm.
"It seems like it is depleted." Dr Crusher said.
"That's impossible. I haven't been using my telepathic abilities all that much." Nicole said.
"Do you two speak telepathically?" Commander Riker asked, gesturing between Troi and Nicole.
"Yes, but we haven't had a chance to talk since she got back." Troi said.
"Could it be someone is trying to talk to you telepathically? Either than Counselor Troi." Data asked Nicole.
Nicole thought about it. Could Regen be destroying her telepathic abilities by contacting her?
"Nicole?" Troi asked.
Nicole met the dark eyes of her mother. "You're hiding something. Tell us. What is going on?"
Nicole shook her head. "I can't." Nicole said.
"Why not?" Commander Riker asked.
Nicole shook her head again. She leaned against her husband. She felt like she needed to know that he was there.
"I am here Nikki. You know you talk to me. About anything you wish." Data said, holding his wife close.
"Nikki, sweetheart, please tell us what is going on. We can help." Troi said, taking a few steps closer to her daughter.
"I can't mother. I am sorry." Nicole said.
"I am sorry too, Lieutenant. Due to your low psilosynine levels, I suggest that you do not use your telepathic abilities. I am also keeping you from duties for medical reasons." Dr Crusher said.
"Bev-" Nicole started.
"No Nicole! You need to rest!" Dr Crusher cut in.
"That's an order, Lieutenant." Commander Riker said.
"Yes sir." Nicole said.