Author's Notes: Warning! This Chapter will have some loss of crewmembers and Nicole will begin to detach herself from Data :( Captain Picard cares a lot about the members of his crew though.

Chapter 7

Nicole collapsed on the couch. They had to seal several bulkheads. Lost at least eleven engineers. She now had to work out of the Engineering Station on the bridge.

"Tough day?" Captain James Barnes asked, nonchalantly.

Nicole rolled her eyes. She felt sick to her stomach about losing those crewmen. James acted like he just didn't care.

"I lost several good people!" Nicole said, annoyed. "So you tell me if it was a tough day or not."

James narrowed his eyes. "Are you forgetting who you are speaking to, Ensign?"

Nicole closed her eyes and sighed. This man was so annoying! That gill thing caused him to go wacko. He wasn't James Barnes from his service record. He was someone else.

"I am sorry, sir. I am just upset. That's all." Nicole said, rubbing her forehead.

James relaxed. He then walked over to Nicole. Instead of joining her on the couch, he held out his hand to help her up. The next thing Nicole knew, she was up against the bulkhead making out with her Captain.

Nicole gripped Captain Picard's hand as she watched the holographic replay of the night where the Romulans shot a hole in the port side of the ship. One of the bulkheads blew, causing several crew members to be blasted into space. Eleven of those were engineers trying to keep the bulkheads intact.

Captain Picard didn't say anything. Nor did he try to remove his hand. Data and Geordi told him that Nicole needed physical touch to help her stay grounded. It also helped using her rank when talking to her.

"It's okay, Lieutenant. I am here." Captain Picard said, quietly. Making sure only Nicole could hear.

Nicole looked away as they continued to watch the scene unfold. Captain Barnes was removing her uniform bit by bit. Making sure to mark her so the crew knew who she belonged to.

As he marked a hickey into her neck just above her collar, Nicole thought of Christian. The true love of her life. He knew that she HAD to get close to Captain Barnes. Starfleet knew that she was probably sleeping with him.

However, she hated every bit of it. Not only was he not gentle, it just seemed like he was only sleeping with her just to sleep with her. Nicole was given enhancements and special training for the mission. She knew he didn't love her. Captain Barnes could care less about her. He just wanted to get laid.

During the recess, Captain Picard led Nicole by the hand away from everyone. He let her lean against the wall while both his hands were on her shoulders. He was preparing himself to pull her into a hug if she went into a panic attack. Just like Data and Geordi told him.

"How are you holding up, Nikki?" Captain Picard asked.

"I'm fine, sir." Nicole said, plastering a fake smile on her face.

Captain Picard knew better. He may not know how to handle the situation, but he knew when a member of his crew was lying. He chose not to say anything though. Just raised an eyebrow.

Nicole looked down at the ground. She didn't say anything either. Just shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Captain. I shouldn't be part of your crew." Nicole said, still looking at the ground.

"Nicole, look at me." Captain Picard said, calmly. He didn't mean it to sound like an order.

Nicole reluctantly looked up and into the eyes of her Captain.

"Did I ever tell you why you were on the Enterprise?" Captain Picard asked.

Nicole shook her head.

"Mark and I were talking once in his office. He kept telling me how his oldest kept turning down different postings. He found it rather frustrating if I might add." Captain Picard explained, smiling a little.

Nicole smiled back. "He was always frustrated that I wouldn't take the Chief Engineer's position. I wouldn't even let him make me a full Lieutenant."

Captain Picard smiled a bit before he continued. "I suggested you to be part of my crew. Yes I knew your father was my first officer, but I hoped that Commander La Forage would help train you. To help you overcome your fear of leading a team."

"But the Enterprise isn't a training vessel, sir? The Cortez is." Nicole intervened.

"Correct, but during the mission with Yukon when we infiltrated the base of those things in the Rosa Cluster. You developed a friendship with Commanders La Forage and Data. You three seemed to get along well."

"And now I am glad I made my choice. Geordi has helped you greatly. Data as well. You seemed to be sleeping better. You weren't getting upset as much at the junior officers. You even gained a little weight."

Nicole raised an eyebrow. The Captain of the flagship actually noticed she gained weight and slept better.

"Nikki, you deserve to be part of my crew. You even deserve to wear that uniform." Captain Picard finished.

Nicole wrapped her arms around her Captain.

"Thank you, Captain." Nicole said, hugging him.

Captain Picard smiled as he hugged her back. "You're welcome, Nikki."

It was dark when Nicole and Captain Picard left the courthouse. Data was waiting for her by his air car. Nicole ran into the Android's arms. Data greeted his tired looking Captain. He even noticed Nicole looked a little worse for wear. She was not lying when she told him how long and tiring court days were.

"You know, Lieutenant. I was wondering why you don't have court every day?" Captain Picard asked.

"They want to check on my psyche after each day. Basically, I go to court Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I am closely monitored to see how I respond afterwards. Then on Saturdays, I go to Starfleet Medical for my weekly check up to make sure I don't have any new scars or anything that gives cause for concern. Sundays are my free days to do as I please. I just have to be back at the house at a certain time." Nicole explained.

"Hm." Was all Captain Picard said before he bid his goodbyes.

"Can we go to that sushi place? The one off the highway by the turn off to the house." Nicole said to Data.

"Yes." Data said, nodding his head.

He held Nicole's door open for her so she could get in. He then buckled her in. Making sure to give her a kiss on the lips before he moved away to shut the door. Once he was in himself and buckled up, he drove out of the parking lot to the highway.

Data observed Nicole out of the corner of his eye while he simultaneously focused on navigating the highway traffic. Even though it was late, there were still various air cars out on the road.

Her thoughts were miles away while she looked out the window. She used the cuff of her uniform to wipe the tears. Data placed a hand on her knee. As an android he was unable to feel any sexual desire. It was more for comfort. Just to let her know that he was there.

Nicole removed his hand. "Both hands on the wheel, Commander."

Data put both hands on the wheel as he took the exit. The light turned red so he had to stop. He chose this time to look at Nicole for 1.5 minutes.

"I am an android, Lieutenant. I am able to simultaneously focus my thoughts on you while I drive us to the sushi restaurant." Data explained.

Nicole didn't say anything. As the light turned green, Data pressed on the gas and headed down the street.

Three days ago the Enterprise and the Tennessee left. Both Nicole and Corey secretly sent messages to one another in hopes of attempting to meet up. Nicole already got her disguise. She was able to find a wig and some glasses to help hide her dark hair and baby blues. She even found an outfit that wasn't normally what she wore, but would work.

Nicole leaned against the wall at a store that was quite a bit aways from Starfleet Command. She even left her communicator at the house so they wouldn't contact her. Corey pulled up in a friend's air car. He wore a hoodie and some sweatpants to keep himself hidden. Nicole got into the passenger's side. Corey pulled out of the store parking lot. He headed out onto the highway.

"I told you, I would keep my promise, Nikki." Corey said, taking Nicole's hand in hers.

"Yes you did." Nicole smiled, placing her other hand on his.

"Any special you want to go, my dear?" Corey asked.

Nicole shook her head. "Nope. Just take me away from my past."

"Yes ma'am." Corey said.