AN: so sorry for such a late chapter, school just started back for me, and I am kind of losing a little motivation for this story, sadly (,:

this chapter is dedicated to mikelokison! i came back to your lovely review(s) whenever i was really feeling like quiting, and it would put a little pep in my step, per se!

apolgogies, as this is kind of a filler chapter, but i am hoping that if i bridge a certain gap... i can hopefully help the story pick up!

enjoy!

...

"Well? Where do we start?" Lore asked, looking at Data expectantly. If his brother wanted this relationship, he'd have to do the work. They hadn't even done anything yet and Lore was already feeling annoyed and regretting his acquiescence. His face twitched in response. Maybe it actually was somewhat voluntary, seeing as the blasted thing seemed to only happen when he was unhappy. He dismissed that thought, seeing as it would happen more often than it did if it happened whenever he was unhappy, seeing as that was almost all of the time.

He tried to inconspicuously turn his face away, so that neither his brother nor his friend would see it. Unfortunately, it was too late.

"Uh, Lore?" Geordi began tentatively.

Lore turned towards Geordi and raised a brow in defiance, hoping he would not bring up what had just transpired across the android's face.

Geordi grimaced, likely regretting his decision to speak.

"I fix Data sometimes, when he, uh, gets injured or something, so I am pretty familiar with his circuitry and likely, by proxy, yours as well, so…" he trailed off, leaving the unspoken question dangling in the air.

Lore pondered for a moment, then a cold streak of defensive anger shot through him.

"Are you… suggesting…" he began, in a menacingly low voice, "that I… need… fixing?"

Geordi's face paled.

"Oh no! No, absolutely not!" he stammered, desperately trying to salvage the situation, "I was just-"

"Just what? Implying that I am broken? That I need to be fixed? I am not just some little science project you can tinker with until I suit your needs! I am not broken!"

At some point, Lore realized he was speaking less about La Forge, and more about a certain parental figure. Data put a soothing hand on his arm, and the anger seemed to drain from Lore instantaneously, leaving only an empty feeling of… guilt? He was getting really good at identifying his emotions. Maybe his sessions with Counselor Troi really were paying off.

Data stood, still with a hand on Lore's arm and made a step toward him, holding out his own arm wide. As he got closer and closer, Lore became more and more confused. Data mechanically wrapped his arms around his brother's shoulders, clearly finished with whatever mission he had just set out on.

"What," Lore started, arms stiff at his side, "are you doing?"

"I am hugging you."

"Well, yes, I see that, but why?"

"It is something people do when another is feeling upset." Data answered matter of factly. "You are upset."

Lore felt some unknown emotion that flooded his circuits with warmth. His shoulders relaxed and he awkwardly wrapped his own arms around his brother's back. Was this joy? Contentment? What he assumed were tears pricked at his eyes and he buried his face in his brother's shoulder, not wanting the other occupant of the room to see.

After what simultaneously felt like milliseconds and eternity, Data released his grip, allowing Lore an escape. Lore wiped his face with the back of his hand, hoping to wipe away any potential evidence of tears.

Data met eyes with Lore and glanced expectantly at Geordi, who was looking rather uncomfortable.

Lore raised a brow. Did Data honestly want him to… apologize to the engineer?

Data tilted his head at Lore, as if seeming to read his thoughts. He glanced at Geordi again.

Lore groaned inwardly, and cleared his throat, more to stall than anything. He turned his full attention to the lieutenant commander, whose frame tensed.

"I'm… sorry," he said, drawing the pause out. He didn't really care if La Forge forgave him or not, but if it would placate his brother, he'd apologize.

Geordi nodded warily.

"Thank you," he said. Data smiled. Lore snorted, how naïve his brother was, so easily pleased by a miniscule apology. He stood from his chair, hoping the other two saw it as a signal that this little meeting was over.

"Well," he began, "I believe it's time for me to go… elsewhere." "Elsewhere probably being the bar, so he could shake away some of these emotions with Guinan's company.

Data nodded, and opened his mouth.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Lore answered over his shoulder, already leaving the room.

The doors slid soundly shut with a swish behind him.