Chapter 9

Nicole walked through the corridor when she came across some quarters. She ran fingers across the nameplate. She typed in a code on the keypad. The doors opened right after she pushed the enter button. After all these years, the code never changed. 2370. The year they were married.

They were different then the ones on the Enterprise-D. A lot smaller since the Enterprise-E was built more for battle than comfort. However, they had both of their belongings. Nicole even found the white teddy bear with the yellow eyes and golden federation uniform. It was the bear Data got her for their first Valentines Day. She smiled and sniffed the bear. It smelled like him.

Just then an orange puff ball began rubbing against her leg. She purred as Nicole was familiar to her.

With the teddy bear in her hand, Nicole bent down to pet the feline. "Hi Spot." Nicole said, choking up a little.

Nicole giggled as Spot bonked her head against Nicole's chin. Meowing, Spot looked at Nicole.

"What is it, girl? What do you need?" Nicole asked Spot.

Spot walked over to the replicator. She sat as she meowed. Nicole smiled as she stood up. Reluctantly, she placed the bear down so she could feed Spot.

As she stood back up after placing a bowl of fresh water down, she saw something sitting on the chair in the corner. Nicole walked over to it. She traced her fingers across the two pips on the collar. She still never took the promotion. She gently played with the communicator, careful not to push it.

Data walked through the corridor sometime later. He nodded his head to a passing crew member as he headed towards his quarters. He thought about asking Nicole to see if she wanted to stay with him in their quarters, but immediately dismissed it.

On Xevius, Nicole not only shared a house with their 2 children and teenager, but Data also noticed that the crew of the Apocalypse stayed with her too. They usually slept in the living space while Nicole, Norah, Kuvi, and James were in their bedrooms. There was a possibility that Nicole and Commander Tamalo would be staying in the same quarters.

For the first time, Data stopped dead in his tracks. Nicole was on the floor (in her uniform) playing with Spot. The bear that she named, Data Bear, was next to her.

Baby blues met yellow eyes as Nicole said, "Hi Data. I hope you don't mind. I let myself in."

Nicole stood up when Spot ran over to greet her owner. Data picked up the feline and held her as he scratched the side of her head.

"I do not mind." He said.

Nicole smiled. She then picked up Data Bear. She placed it on her side of the bed.

Data did not feel sexual attraction. Not since he took out his emotion chip. However, seeing his wife in her Starfleet uniform made something snap in him. Once he placed Spot down, Data used his inhuman speed and strength to pick up Nicole and hold her against the bulkhead. Nicole's legs were wrapped around his waist while her arms were around his neck.

As they kissed, Nicole played with his hair at the base of his neck. The same spot that causes his sexual program to activate. Data used this opportunity to return the favor. He broke the kiss to kiss Nicole's neck. Making sure to get that soft spot behind her ear.

"Data." Nicole's breath hitched.

Data smirked as he captured her lips again. Nicole let his tongue invade her mouth. She even let herself moan into the kiss.

That night, Nicole let Data take what he wanted from her. She let him carry her to the bed and give her pleasure while she was still wearing her uniform. She even returned the favor. Although Data received pleasure by giving Nicole pleasure.

Nicole rested her head on Data's chest while she played with the material on his jacket. Data held her in his arms.

"May I ask why you will not come back?" Data asked.

Nicole sighed. "I made a promise to protect Xevius and help the refugees, my love."

"I see. You know I made a promise to stay by your side for as long as you needed me to. I will keep that promise my dear. Please allow me to help you." Data said.

Nicole sat up in their shared bed, disturbing Spot some. She pulled her knees to her chest.

"I can't babe. You will be destroyed." Nicole said, quietly.

Data sat up as well. He rested his bare back against the headboard.

"What do you mean?" Data asked.

Nicole closed her eyes. She turned to look at the Android. The one she's been married to all the years.

"When Brerrok killed Regen, Carter and Michael were furious. They wanted not only him but me dead as well. For a year they've been gathering followers spreading rumors about me. They want us to go back to our own ways. The ways of death and destruction." Nicole explained.

"If they find out that I have loved ones in the Federation they will use that against me to overthrow me from the throne. This is why I chose to send you three back to the Enterprise. I had to protect you all. If Michael got word that we were helping the Federation, he would use that against me to destroy everything I worked so hard to build."

Data noticed tears were falling down Nicole's cheeks as she explained everything to the senior officers in the observation lounge. It was unsatisfactory to see the woman that he cared so much about like this. So he wrapped his arms around Nicole and held her. He even placed a kiss on the top of her head. Nicole cried softly into Data's chest. Brerrok didn't seem all that bothered by it. He knew Nicole and Data were married. Most of Nicole's followers knew.

"Why do you have to act so vile though?" Dr. Crusher blurted the question.

Nicole pulled away from Data to wipe the tears with the cuff of her gray sweater.

"I have to. If I don't show that I can be tough or willing to kill someone then Xevius will no longer be under my control." Nicole said.

"We don't like being this way, doctor. None of us do. We rather help others. To build a civilization. Then to steal or hurt others." Brerrok said as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Alright. That's enough." Commander Riker said. "We need to find Captain Picard."

"Have you heard back from your people yet, Nikki?" The Security Chief asked.

"I heard from a couple of them, but they haven't seen the Apocalypse." Nicole said as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Bridge to observation lounge. We are getting a transmission from the Apocalypse." Someone from the bridge said.

"On our way." Commander Riker said, getting up from the chair. Pretty soon everyone from the Observation Lounge filed onto the Bridge.

Michael's face came onto the screen moments later. He had a Cardassian woman with him. Behind them there was a little Cardassian girl about age 5 giving one his followers a tough time. Nicole immediately looked at Brerrok who could not turn away from the view screen.

"Who's that?" Commander Riker asked softly.

"His wife and daughter." Nicole said quietly, keeping her focus on her first officer.