Chapter Eight

When Data went to check on Barrows...no, Lessa! the next morning, he knew she had not slept at all last night.

Straining to not keep in mind what he had sensed from her meeting with Mathison, Data ordered himself to focus on her health and well being. With her advanced ideas for androids, Data still wanted her on the team. So his future children were depending on their finding some way to work through this latest issue.

When he arrived, she was dressed, but not in her uniform. The temperature of her quarters had been raised slightly and she was wearing shorts and a short sleeve top, both in a deep purple that brought out her eyes.

She greeted him with a forced warmth. "Why are you so irritated? Bad dreams?" she asked. She was standing, barefoot, with her arms entwined behind her.

"No, I did not engage my dream program last evening. Nor did you. Why?"

"Well, damn. You can sense that too, huh? I was hoping you wouldn't put that together. I can't seem to hide much of anything from you, can I Data?"

Still irked, he countered, "Perhaps it is time you ceased trying!"

"I know you don't like being in my head, but it's not easy for me either, Data! You've been pissed off about something for almost two days now, and I've been trying to stay out of it, but it's not easy!"

"I think you need to find a method to break this link we have. It is proving to be invasive. I have no intentions of being an unwilling participant during your dates with Lieutenant Mathison!" Data was raising his voice now...shouting at her, but he could not stop. He was angry.

"What? How do you know about...how much can you hear?" Her hands were fisted on her hips now. He could feel the heat rising in her too.

"This is a tightly woven crew. Gossip, true and untrue, spreads quickly. He invited you to a musical concert two days hence. I am only thankful that I will not be among those playing!"

"Are you going?" she huffed.

"Not anymore!"

"Why are you acting like this? You act like you're mad he asked me out. Why? You never wanted to, did you?" She was yelling now too.

"I am not sure. I never got the chance to test that theory!"

Recognizing the reference to her own words the other night, Lessa reeled back, almost as though he had struck her.

"I think you need to leave, Commander Soong. Now!" She was positively seething.

Furious, but stone faced, Data gave one sharp nod. "Break the link, Lieutenant, that is an order!" With that, he turned on his heels and walked decisively out.

He could feel her own rages even hours later.

The following day, Lessa returned to the lab. Neither male would admit it, but the two days they had worked without her had been rather unproductive.

Barrows may argue incessantly, but no one could deny she brought a level of passion to their work that the other two just could not capture alone.

But even Maddox saw the change in both Barrows and Soong once she returned. They both bit their respective tongues more often. They even glared at each other at times.

As a result, the work suffered. Just when Bruce was certain Lessa was going to chew him out and come up with a brilliant compromise for his ideas on the positronic relays in the anterior cortex, an idea he knew needed just a little work, Lessa looked at Data, swallowed her response and just shrugged instead.

"I have no idea what's going on with you Lessa, or you, Data, but if it doesn't stop, this project is done! Work it out! I'm going to get a drink. We'll pick this back up tomorrow." With that, he left the two alone.

While Bruce did not stay to see this, the two left behind quickly exited the lab just seconds after he had vacated it. They went in separate directions and spoke not a word between them.

Lessa tried to be more on her game the following day, but as soon as Data walked in, she could feel the wall he was attempting to build between them and it ticked her off.

Bruce took one look at their expressions and threw up his hands.

"I'm informing Director Wellers and Starfleet that we have come to an impasse. We will be taking four days off to contemplate this problem alone before coming back to work. If you two can't work together, I will take steps to see that I am made leader of this group and I'm not sure which of you I will evict!" After only being in the lab ten minutes that day, Maddox walked right back out, almost as angry as the two he left behind him.

Deanna tried to speak with Data the next morning, just before their shift. She was aware, like almost everyone else on the ship, that Greg had his date with Lessa tonight.

The counselor came by Data's quarters early, but the android was tight lipped, evasive and angry.

"Please Counselor, I have no desire to speak of this. As always, your intentions are well meaning. But this is something I must resolve myself. I will see you on the bridge."

Recognizing a dismissal when she heard one, Deanna left. She would have tried Lessa Barrows next, but considering the woman had a date with another man tonight, now was not a good time. Feeling trapped in a maze with no choice of direction, Deanna was forced to just sit tight for now. The way out would open up soon.

She hoped.

Lessa had brought one nice dress from Britta III. It was a deep burgundy, with a simple, clean cut. Modest and understated, but she felt it would be appropriate for this first date. She was just brushing out her hair when her door chime announced Greg had arrived.

She was surprised to see he was still in uniform. What was it about starship crews? They never took their uniforms off! Lessa mentally sighed before pushing this complaint aside and smiling at her date.

The gentle kiss Greg laid on her cheek was flattering, but startling too. But it brought her attention to his hair. This, at least, he had changed. Free of the thong he usually kept it in during duty hours, Lessa could now see the tight and perfect ringlets that covered his head. They came down to his shoulders, calling to her.

Smiling, Lessa brought her hand up, her eyes darting to meet his for a second. He was grinning with delight.

"Do you mind?" she asked.

"Not at all," he replied, smiling even brighter.

They were as soft as silk. They came down to his shoulders, unbound, but if stretched out, they would go much further.

"Now it's my turn," he told her. Greg reached over to her unbound tresses and fingered the silky mass of dark waves that ended in curls twenty times the size of his.

Lessa realized the moment she touched his hair, that she should not have done it. His fingers running through hers felt very familiar, intimate. Too familiar, too intimate. Plus the little bundle of emotions inside her head (that didn't belong to her) were revving up.

Data was right, she needed to find a way to break this connections, but she was beginning to doubt there was a way, short of brain damage for one or both of them.

Stop thinking of Data, you're on a date. Concentrate on Greg!

Greg was giving her a suggestive look, but having little experience with this sort of thing, and due to the fact that her head was still filled with the emotions she was feeling herself and the ones she was receiving from deck two, Lessa was oblivious to its meaning.

"Shall we go?" she prodded him, wanting to get this going.

She also missed the expression of disappointment on the security chief's face, since she turned around too fast.

The concert was held in a room the Enterprise E had designated as reserved for just this purpose. Two violins, one piano, two flutes and drums would be played tonight. It was a strange combination, to Lessa's mind, but once the musicians began to play, she let go of her doubts.

She closed her eyes and relaxed, wanting to float away on the beauty she was hearing. But as soon as she found this peace, it was shattered by anger.

Enough was enough. Time for action...sort of.

Sending a part of her mind down the growing thread that connected her mind to that of a certain angry android, Lessa opened the lines of communication even wider. She even envisioned lighting the fire with Data in it!

~ I am trying to enjoy a concert, Data Soong. Stop sending me so much irritation! Don't you have something you can do to relax? ~ She could feel his initial jolt of shock at her communication. She was not displeased by her ability to startle him.

~ Perhaps if I could enjoy the concert… ~ The rest of his thought was a garble of emotions. None of them were pleasant.

~ You could have attended! ~

~ Not without a broom. But I found mine too late. ~

~ That doesn't make any sense to me and I'm in your head! Do you want me to share what I'm hearing with you? I can do that, you know. ~

Now she felt something akin to pain coming from Data. She tried not to grimace, as Greg would surely notice.

~ No, I do not wish that. Maybe I will initiate my dream program. ~

~ Now that's a great idea. I don't think I've ever heard you do that before, ~ she noted, trying to recall.

~ And I have only ever experienced yours one time. It has been days, Lessa. Why have you not slept? ~ He sounded and felt concerned but still miffed.

~ We'll have to talk about that. ~

~ Have you found a way to break this link? ~ Data was all but mentally growling at her.

~ We'll have to talk about that too. ~

~ Indeed, perhaps we should go on a date! ~ he shot back.

~ Maybe we should, at that! ~ she countered.

All of the sudden, his tone was much softer...almost timid.

~ You would go? On a date with me? ~

Here it was, Lessa realized. It was jealousy she had been sensing. Now the sweet android she had come to know and care for was there. Hopeful, anxious and sad at the same time. And she realized something else. Data was the one who should be here beside her. Not Greg Mathison, as nice as he was.

~ Yes, Data. Why didn't you tell me this date with Greg was what was bothering you? ~ She tried not to sound impatient and accusing, but this had been going on for days! It was affecting their work!

~ I am not bothered by your dating Lieutenant Mathison. ~

Lessa sent a very clear mental scoff, having to swallow the verbal one.

~ Since I am the first telepath with whom you have communicated, I will let you in on a little secret you need to understand when dealing with one such as me. Lying to a telepath is less than useless. Especially if said telepath is camped out in your head while your doing it. ~ The sarcasm lacing her mental tone was very easy to hear.

~ I am not- ~

~ About to claim you aren't lying? I still hear it, Data. ~

~ I do not, as a rule, lie! ~ he insisted, but she heard more.

~ Who is that you're picturing? They're saying you're learning to lie. Bad hair...is that hair? Her skin is scary too. Boy, does she not know you. You've known how to lie for a long time. Wow, you were gonna shoot that Fajo guy! Not that he didn't deserve it, but- ~

~ Lessa! ~

~ Fine! You go to bed...in your uniform? Don't you have nightwear, Data? ~

~ You can see what I am wearing? ~ he sounded nervous now.

~ Not always, but I am in your head. Your eyes are right next door. You always say you want to be like humans. Humans wear night clothes to bed. I'm going to put out the campfire now. We'll talk soon, Soong. Goodnight. ~

Sighing, Lessa left Data's head, leaving behind only the little connection they shared.

Data was calmer than he had felt since he had witnessed Mathison touch Lessa's hair on the planet. He still wanted to see it free of her braid. He would have been very upset if he knew Greg Mathison had been running his fingers through her hair just a little while ago. Or if he knew the security chief would do this again as he tried to kiss Lessa goodnight on the lips, hours after Data went off to dreamland.

~ Come to my quarters after your shift ends, if you're free, ~ Lessa instructed Data the next morning.

Data had not been aware of their link while dreaming, so he did not know if she had slept, but he suspected she had not. It was one of the things she had said they would discuss.

~ Agreed, ~ he answered.

~ Wear casual clothes, but not your uniform! We're going to the holodeck after we talk, so be ready for it. ~

~ Understood. I will join you as soon as I change, ~ Data promised as he felt the campfire go out.

Lessa was in dark clothing, head to toe when Data arrived, wearing brown pants and a dark yellow shirt.

"Few colours suit my gold skin," Data admitted, shrugging.

Lessa laughed. "I can imagine. What was your father thinking there?" she wondered aloud.

Data shook his head. "Lore's skin is the same. I assume it was so we could be recognized as androids. I did not follow his example with Lal." Data wondered if that had been a mistake.

"It wasn't," she answered his thought, unnerving him slightly. She was doing this more all the time. "I've seen Lal clearly in your head. She was lovely. In every way." Lessa wanted to suggest that Data did have the option to change his skin if he so desired, but that was a conversation for later.

"Thank you. How was your date?" Data asked, changing the subject from one painful one to another upsetting one, though not as much.

"Later. We have other things to discuss. Like breaking this link."

"You have found a way?" Data inquired, no longer sure he wanted it broken, unless she was going to continue dating someone else.

"The only other person I have a link with, and let me qualify that by saying, I consciously maintain that one, is with Dari. Ah, Director Wellers, I mean."

"So you could sense her while you were living on Britta III, at all times?" Data wondered why she thought this necessary.

"That's part. I kept a link open so we would know at once if something happened to the other. I guess it's a mother/daughter thing. With you, I don't maintain it. It just is."

"Then it would take distance to break it." Data concluded, thinking this over.

Lessa grimaced. "Data, Andaria is sleeping at this very minute. Guess how I know that for sure?" She looked apologetic as Data looked stunned.

"We are weeks away at warp-"

"I know. I've never been out of contact with her. Even when I was on Earth for my Starfleet training. So distance is a doubtful way of breaking this."

Data shook his head and sat down, thinking. Realizing she undoubtedly heard much of it. He looked up a moment later.

"The other issue was, why don't you sleep."

She sat down across from him. "I sleep, but not being human, I assume, I don't sleep as often. Once every three to five days. And I wear night clothes when I do," she noted, waving a playful finger at him.

"I have never seen the necessity. My uniform will become wrinkled, but I change it in the morning."

"Part of it is the feel of the bed clothes. They are made softer and loose for comfort. I'll make you a deal. You can use the arm I made for you to sample...and if you promise to try the bed clothes...you can try the leg too." Lessa wore a triumphant grin as she knew by his reaction she had him.

"When did you create the leg?" Data asked, his jaw slightly dropped.

"Three...no, four months ago." She looked away, trying to remember. "The arm was just before that." Smiling at him, she asked. "Do we have a deal?"

Looking intrigued by the idea, Data nodded. "When?"

"I think we can have time tonight, if you don't have any plans. Are you free?"

Data nodded.

"Good, now you aren't." She rose to her feet. "Talking is done. Let's go!" If she had longer legs, she may have been able to outpace Data, but she was far too small for that, even with her swift departure.

"A friend of mine from Britta III sent me here with a new holo-game to try out, but I haven't had the chance. So we are gonna try it together," Lessa explained as they made their way to a reserved holodeck.

"What type of game?" Data asked, noting her mounting excitement. She was looking forward this this, whatever type of game it was.

"Adventure. There are some puzzles, he told me, but mostly just a save the world role-playing type game. Pol told me it has a graphic, violent mode and a more pacifistic mode. We'll play that one."

Arriving at their destination, Lessa input the commands to load the program while Data waited.

Once inside, the narrator of the story appeared to them, to explain some of the set up.

"Ah, the 'volunteers'!"

Lessa and Data were in darkness. The only light was provided by this character's ghostly visage. He was a dark skinned man, in white robes that covered all but his long face. His reference to them being volunteers had obviously been delivered with sarcasm.

"Don't tell me anything about yourselves but what information I request. You, what weapon will you use?" The ghostly image was clearly a man of power. One who should not be trifled with. Having pointed at Lessa, she was the one to respond.

"A bow," she offered quickly.

"Computer, freeze program!" Data ordered. He turned to Lessa. "You indicated this would be a non-violent version of this game." He looked and felt disturbed.

Lessa shook her head, impatiently. "In this type of game, there is always some fighting. Even if it's just with a violent animal. You will need a weapon to defend yourself, Data. And you'll have to pick a name too. To get into the spirit of this, you should pick one that is not your own."

Thinking back to his adventures with the command crew when Q had put them all into the roles of Robin Hood and his merry men, Data discarded the name "Tuck" and turned instead to "Little John". John was a simple enough name. The quarterstaff would be a good defensive weapon as well.

"Agreed," Data said, now ready. "Computer, run program!"

Hearing Data choose the name John, she shook her head and chose Mary for herself, keeping it simple.

The mission their ghostly sponsor sent them on seemed clear enough. They were to find people who had been captured, mind controlled and enslaved by evil, monstrous invaders to their realm. Holding out what looked like stones to each of them, their sponsor told them the finer details.

"Our enemy will use those they have captured as hurdles thrown between you and our goals...the leaders of this threat. Those controlled will attack you if they see you coming. Do your best to not be seen. Use the runes to break the spells placed on the innocent. Each one you save will get us closer to stopping this danger. Each one dead puts us all at greater risk. We need all we can gather for the final threat. Go now, my volunteers. Go and save us all!"

The lights went out completely, leaving John and Mary blind for a moment.

The scene had changed when the lights came back up, bringing the players to just outside a small, primitive village. Someone was looking at them, motioning them closer the moment the scene solidified.

"Is this intended to be Earth's history?" John asked Mary, whispering.

"From what Pol told me, it's Earth like, but with many twists. There will be some magic, more than just the runes. No idea how that will work," Mary explained.

"Come, my friends, come!"

"Our contact?" John suggested. The man was wearing plain, but dirty and tattered garb. What used to be a white shirt and brown pants were now riddled with many tears. A thick black apron partially covered both. Soot was a running theme across this large and strong looking man's body.

"Our mutual friend told me to expect your arrival. I have your map prepared. I can also supply you with repairs, new weapons, whatever you need, if you have the coin. Oh, here, these are a gift for you. From our friend." The man produced two sets of what looked like goggles, handing one pair to each.

"Put them on, they are enchanted. They will help you on your journey."

Looking at the goggles and then each other, Mary shrugged and put hers on.

"Oh! I was wondering how he was going to do that! Put them on, Da-John." She reached out to shake the hand of the blacksmith. She knew this now, since he was clearly labeled by her magic goggles.

"Thank you, my friend. We must be off to complete the task set for us by our mutual friend. Farewell."

Nudging John down through the town, Mary explained.

"Have you ever played a game like this, Data?" she asked, not wanting to insult his intelligence if he had.

When Data shook his head, Lessa continued.

The two lines on the right, the red one is your health. If that line goes to nothing, you're dead! The green is energy, or stamina…" Lessa went on to explain how the game would keep track of damage done and stamina or magic used. And the limit to the amount each of them could carry.

"But I am an android. I can carry more than twice the weight indicated," Data complained, frowning.

"Not here. You're just John, a level one human with a quarterstaff. Don't worry. You'll see." She smiled and nudged him along again.

"You indicated you had not played this game prior to our arrival." He gave her a suspicious look.

She laughed. "I was telling the truth. But I have played other games Pol created. Some of the elements are the same. Let's go! We have people to save and bad guys to...most likely, kill."

After rescuing sixteen captives, the loot John and Mary had collected, to sell, or to use as aids in their battle, was more than they could carry. Convinced that his android strength would be able to overcome any hindrance, Data picked up what Lessa could not carry and was shocked to discover he could not move an inch. A warning flashed at the uppermost part of his goggles, telling him that he was overburdened and could not move until he dropped some of his load.

He looked to see Mary trying to stifle a giggle. Tossing a helmet over his shoulder (something he would never do in real life) John moved to join her.

"Stop laughing or I will tell Commander Maddox that you are-"

"I don't even want to hear the end of that sentence! Let's go. I think our villain is up ahead, in the big room. But he may not be alone," Mary whispered. John followed, walking as silently as he could carrying two hundred and ninety nine pounds of weapons and armor.

On the walk back from the holodeck, Lessa sighed with pleasure. Data was talking a mile a minute about how lucky her last shot into the big bad boss had been, but was also pleased with the hits he had delivered, bringing the boss down just enough for her to finish him off.

That had been the third boss they had faced together tonight. They were developing a fairly tight strategy for taking the bad guys down. Even if they had "died" twice during their first boss encounter.

"I did not get a chance to employ the new magic spell I received from our defeat of Rekzool the Mighty. When can we return to play again?"

Lessa grinned. Taking a second to compare her evening with Greg Mathison to the one tonight with Data, she felt sorry for the human male. She also wondered at the sanity of the females on this ship. How was it that Data was not even dating anyone? He wasn't shy. He'd admitted to her that he was not innocent of sexual matters like she was. So why?

"Lessa?"

Coming out of her introspection, she saw her companion was staring at her, bewildered at her lack of response.

"I'm sorry, Data. Just a stray thought that ran away with me for a moment. We can return any time you'd like to. Maybe we can invite Geordi next time, if you want to."

Data considered this, stopping in his tracks. "Would you be thinking of inviting Lieutenant Mathison?" Data asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Lessa chuckled. "Maybe Akayla, or Deanna, but not Greg."

"Greg." Data remained unmoving. She could feel little tendrils of jealousy coming from him. Hoping she was doing this right, Lessa slipped her arm through his, trying to make the move seem casual and reassuring at the same time.

"Yes, Greg is the name of the man I had one date with. But I don't foresee it going anywhere. But this new man I saw tonight. I'm hoping for a second date, but I guess I'll have to see if he asks."

Data relaxed and grinned back at her. "Who is this man? Is he bigger than I am?" he teased.

Lessa shook her head at his foolishness, but was glad he had calmed.

"Very funny. Now let's go to my quarters and get two cases to take back to your room."

Lessa slipped into her bedroom when they arrived at her quarters. She returned carrying – awkwardly - two large cases. "You keep these in your bedroom?" Data asked, already knowing what lay within them.

Lessa handed him the larger case. "Yes, under my bed. Why?"

When Data gave her a peculiar look, she gave him a playful slap on the shoulder.

"It's not like I have a whole person stashed under my bed! Just in case you were wondering, I give you my word, this is all I have."

"If you say so." Data gave her a sly look of suspicion until she slapped him again.

"Ouch!" he lamented, bringing a hand up to where she had hit him, feigning pain.

Lessa sighed, rolling her eyes at him. "Come on. I'm taking you to bed."

It took a second for Data to collect his lower jaw so he could follow her out.

Once they arrived in Data's quarters, Lessa took some time to wander around, after politely asking if she could. As he nodded, Data recalled the day Maddox had entered his quarters without even asking permission, only to look through his personal belongings with no qualms about giving insult or injury.

Lessa touched his violin. Just laid a finger on it, but did not move it or pick it up.

"I still want to hear you play," she mused, her voice soft and thoughtful.

"I will play for you. But not tonight." Came the reply.

She wanted to look around more, but his words reminded Lessa she had a purpose here this evening.

"Yes. Another time." Lessa pulled herself out of her reverie and faced Data. You need a pair of shorts that will give me access to your leg connection. You can just take off your shirt like you did before, if that's acceptable."

Data noticed how she had switched to professional mode again. Was that embarrassment he was sensing?

"I know you have seen my full specifications and schematics, Lessa. It would not trouble me to simply remove my clothing and-"

"I don't think so. Schematics are not the same as the living, breathing...sort of...man. Remember?" she pointed to herself with one finger on both hands. "Person who is uncomfortable with the subject of sex. Naked man...sex...not seeing a significant difference here. Shorts, now!"

Relenting, Data went to his bedroom, replicating a pair of shorts on his way. He did not let her see his smile. If she was still unsettled by the subject, then Mathison had not had the opportunity to get her past her discomfort. This meant Data still had a chance at the broom. But Data did not really know how to sweep Lessa off her feet.

Putting the thoughts aside for now, though he was burying them deeply to keep her from overhearing, Data got out of his clothes and into the shorts. Mostly bare, he returned to Lessa.

She had not been idle. In her hands she held a pair of sleeping clothes. Data could not discern what they were made of, but they were a full pair of pants and shirt in black with gold piping around the cuffs and the front of the shirt.

Using a comical voice, Data said, "I will wear those for you, Lessa. But it will cost you an arm and a leg!"

"I can't believe you just said that!"

She put the night clothes down on his coffee table and motioned for him to come to her. She had the case with the enhanced leg near her. She opened it, preparing for the switch. Data came over, transferring his full weight to his left leg, as the leg she would be removing was his right.

"Sit down, Data," Lessa directed him, pointing to his couch.

"That is not necessary. I assure you, I have excellent balance. I can remain standing on one leg while you remove the other."

"I've seen your specs, as you just reminded me. I know about your balance. But compared to me, you are very tall. I don't like the feeling of you towering over me. Sit!"

"Who is pushy?" Data teased as he went to sit.

"You are."

It was an odd position to be in, but with the weight to his leg, Lessa needed the leverage. She moved to straddle Data's right leg to get a firm grip. Looking up to let him know she was ready, Lessa removed his leg.

"This is weird, but can you hold your leg a moment while I attach...the one I made?"

Data grinned. "Of course. This will mean I will be walking around with one of your legs."

"You are a laugh a minute," she told him, not laughing at all. She carefully attached the leg she had created for him, before taking his original leg and placing it reverently in the case. Data was grinning and wiggling his toes when she moved to open the case with the arm. Lessa smiled at his antics as she efficiently removed his left arm, placed it next to the case – since Data seemed too distracted to hold it for her - brought the other arm over and attached it. When she turned back from placing his original arm securely in the case, Data looked gleeful. He was walking around the room, his head moving in the jerky way he had when he was analyzing something in detail, or compiling information.

"I rarely walk around barefooted. The difference in sensitivity is alluring."

Grinning at his reaction, Lessa came over with the silky soft shirt she had replicated for him in her hands. She helped him into it as Data aahed and oowed over the sensations he was experiencing.

"I'll let you get used to this tonight, and next time I can do the required adjustments to your neural net, with Geordi watching."

"Why would you require him to watch?" Data asked, slapping his own arm and then her creation to compare.

"To protect you. I know everyone around here is worried that one of us – Bruce or I - will harm you. I just want to put everyone's mind at ease, about me at least. Bruce has to do his own easing. Now, go try the pants on...in private!" she added to make sure he didn't just strip right there.

"I do believe I begin to understand what you mean now. This experience is quite stimulating. But is not stimulation contraindicated when a humanoid is attempting to relax enough for sleep?" Data asked as he came out, dressed for bed.

Lessa found she couldn't resist. She ran a hand over the arm of his shirt. It was a lovely fabric.

"We get used to it. As for me, I just wait until I can't stay awake any longer and fall where I stand." When Lessa sensed alarm from Data over her statement, she grinned reassuringly. "And that is still two days away...or is it three? I forget?" She shrugged, dismissing the whole thing. "But you, Mr. Soong, can enjoy a nice restful nap in your new comfy jammies right now. So, off you go. I'll come by in the morning and help you change back into your...self. Goodnight Data." Lessa smiled before turning to go, but Data stopped her, from behind, holding her shoulders gently.

"Lessa? Did your date yesterday end with a goodnight kiss?"

Lessa was still facing his door as she slowly nodded, feeling like the other shoe had just dropped. "Yes," she whispered, reluctantly. The anger she had hoped was gone from Data reappeared in a flash.

Swinging back to glare at him, Lessa lectured, "Don't ask questions you don't truly want the answers to, Data!"

Data was silent now, but he was staring at her, intensely.

"Will you allow me to kiss you?" Even as he asked the question, Data could sense her distress. Could she sense what he was feeling for her? The feel of the soft fabric against his skin was intriguing, but he wanted to feel her skin with his fingertips. He wanted to be the one touching her hair! He wanted to kiss her!

She looked frightened again. Dammit!

"Why? Why are you afraid of me?" Data could not stop his temper from rising again. "You told me you let Mathison kiss you! Were you afraid of him?"

Lessa wrapped her arms around herself, looking sad. It made her look so small. "No, but it's not the same with you!"

"Because I am-"

"Oh, of the love of...I just took off one of your arms and one of your legs. If the fact that you're an android put me off, I wouldn't be here! I'm telepathically linked to your mind! But, I could block him out last night. Hell, Data. For part of my date with Greg, I was busy arguing with you and not paying him any attention at all!" Now she just crossed her arms, irritated. "It's not the same. You're not the same. Not what you are, but who you are!"

"Who am I? We are both bridge officers. I am only one step higher than him in rank. We are both male. He is only five centimeters shorter than I am. My hair is straighter than-"

"Stop!"

Data began to realize he was pushing her too far. During his last tirade, her expression had changed from one of anger to one of scared sadness.

Data sighed. "I simply wish you to explain why you would allow Greg Mathison to kiss you, but the thought of my kissing you causes you great distress!"

Lessa just stared at him for a long moment. When Data was about to ask again, she broke.

"Greg is a nice man, but…what he's looking for is not the same. It's a 'here today, gone tomorrow' scenario with men like Greg. Lots of people are like that. But you're... I know damned well your kiss will be different. Because it will mean something. To you. To me. His didn't!"

She was gone before Data could recover from the shock of her pronouncement.