Chapter 11
Captain Picard, Commander Riker, and a Vulcan Admiral named Styrrec walked into Nicole's quarters.
"Good morning Mister Data." Captain Picard said with a smile.
Nicole was still asleep clutching to the Android. Last night Data held her as she cried. She ended up falling asleep against him.
"Nicole. It is time to wake up, my dear." Data said, slightly shaking Nicole.
Nicole just groaned and rolled over to the other side.
"She always had a tough time waking up." Admiral Styrrec said.
"She still does. A couple of times, Commander La Forge had to come by and wake her because she was late for her shift." Commander Riker said, smiling.
"Do you mind if I try?" Admiral Styrrec asked.
"No sir." Data said, getting up from the bed. He wore a pair of gray pajama pants that Nicole had replicated for him.
The bed dipped slightly when Admiral Styrrec sat down at the edge of it. His hand gently moved through Nicole's hair. He then moved to her arm where he lightly squeezed it. This caused Nicole to stir.
"Stop it Styrrec, I am trying to sleep." Nicole said, pulling the covers closer to her.
"It's time to get up, Nicole." Admiral Styrrec said, tugging on the covers.
Nicole's eyes immediately opened at the sound of his deep voice. When she pulled back the covers, there he was. Sitting on her bed. His face was timeworn these days. His light hair had gone gray. However, his eyes, although aged, still showed the gentleness she knew years ago.
"Hello Nikki." Styrrec said, nodding his head.
The smile on Nicole's face was genuine. This was the Admiral who she spent a Summer and a whole school year with to help control her emotions. They didn't know it would cause her telepathic abilities to expand. And when she came back home after her time on The Newton he took the nearest transport to help with the PTSD.
"I wondered when you were going to make a presence, Admiral." Nicole joked.
"I had some things to finish up on Vulcan, my child." Admiral Styrrec said. He then stood up. "Come. It's time to get up. We are going to have breakfast in Ten Forward."
"I'd rather not, sir." Nicole said, looking away as she sat up.
Admiral Styrrec was already walking away. "It was not a request, Lieutenant."
Nicole smirked. "Yes sir."
"You have 5 minutes to change." Admiral Styrrec said.
Nicole scrambled to her dresser.
Nicole sat at a table with Admiral Styrrec in the center of Ten Forward. She wished the Borg would attack so she wouldn't have to deal with the looks of the crewmembers and civilians.
"What would you like for breakfast, Nicole?" Admiral Styrrec asked.
"Avocado Toast with Basil and Tomatoes. And a cup of strong black coffee." Nicole said.
"Add a couple pieces of Veggie Bacon to that." Admiral Styrrec said.
Nicole shot the Admiral a look. He just gave her a stern look back as he said, "You need some protein as well, Lieutenant."
Nicole looked away. She gripped her arms for comfort. Admiral Styrrec grabbed her wrist so she could unfold her arms. He placed their joined hands on the table.
"After we finish here, I think we should go for a walk around the ship. You could give me a tour." Admiral Styrrec said.
"I'd rather just go back to my quarters. Commander Riker or Commander Data can give you the tour, sir." Nicole said, trying to pull her hand away, but the Admiral only gripped it tighter.
"I would much rather have you show me around, Lieutenant."
Nicole rolled her eyes. She was glad that the food had arrived, because she could hide her hand under the table. However, Admiral Styrrec lightly tapped the table.
"You know my rules, Nikki. Both hands where I can see them."
Nicole bit her tongue to contain her temper. She placed her other hand on the table.
She listened to Admiral Styrrec talk about his wife and children. Nicole missed them so much. She wanted to see them, but she also didn't want them to see her like this.
"Hello Counselor. How are you doing?" Admiral Styrrec asked.
Troi stood with her hands on one of the chairs. She smiled sweetly at the Admiral. Her dark iris shifted her daughter who tried to hide away from her.
"I am well, Admiral. How are you?" Troi said.
"I am quite well. Thank you for asking." Admiral Styrrec said, nodding his head.
Nicole tried to hide her hand away so she could dig her nails into her palm, but once again, Admiral Styrrec grabbed her hand. He gripped it. Nicole was known to find other tactics to harm herself so this was the way he found to help. He also wouldn't let her sleep by herself. He had his eldest daughter sleep in the same bed as her. His eldest daughter was a light sleeper so she would know if Nicole got up from the bed.
"Would you like to join us for a walk through the ship, Counselor?" Admiral Styrrec asked.
"I would love to." Troi said.
Admiral Styrrec had Nicole take his arm as they walked through the ship. This was his other tactic he used. Nicole would end up gripping his arm instead of hers when she was upset.
"I apologize for my delay. I had some things to take care of on Vulcan." Admiral Styrrec said.
"That is quite alright, Admiral. Nicole and I are glad you are here." Troi said.
"Tell me Counselor. Who stays with Nicole overnight?"
"Commander Data does. She is in a relationship with him."
Admiral Styrrec looked over at Nicole. He could see in her eyes that she wanted to do something harmful.
"Does he treat you well?" Admiral Styrrec asked.
Nicole nodded her head. "Yes he does, sir."
"Good." Admiral Styrrec nodded his head.
"Oh yes, Commander Data cares a lot for Nicole. He helps when she has a panic attack or does something harmful." Troi explained.
"Good. Good." Admiral Styrrec nodded his head once again.
When they got to the bridge, Nicole was hesitant to step out of the turbolift. Admiral Styrrec squeezed her hand for reassurance. He led her out onto the bridge.
"Welcome to the bridge, Admiral." Captain Picard said.
"Thank you, Captain." Admiral Styrrec said. "I would like to discuss something privately with you."
"Of course. We can talk in my ready room."
Admiral Styrrec looked down at Nicole. He was a few inches taller than her.
"Do not leave the bridge, Lieutenant. It should not take too long."
Nicole looked up at the Admiral. "Yes sir." She said quietly.
Admiral Styrrec nodded his head. Once the ready room door shut, Nicole closed her eyes and sighed.
"Are you alright, Nicole?" Commander Riker asked.
"Yes I am alright. I just hate it when he does that." Nicole said, annoyed.
"What do you mean?" Commander Riker asked.
Nicole sighed. "When I got my first period, I got my telepathic abilities at the same time. That was when I was unable to control my emotions. No matter what we did. So Mark sent me to Vulcan so I could find ways to control my emotions. That was when we found out that I prefer to harm myself when I can't control my emotions."
"I ended up staying for a whole Summer and a school year. After I came home from my time on The Newton, Styrrec took the nearest transport to keep me from going into a psychiatric hospital."
"That is why you sometimes do Vulcan Meditation." Geordi said.
Nicole looked over at the Chief Engineer. He must be working on the bridge today. She really missed being in Engineering.
"Yes. It was one of the tactics we used. We also kept me in public as much as we could." Nicole said.
"Why?" Worf asked.
"I am less at risk to try something while I am around a lot of people." Nicole explained.
"Commander Data and Commander La Forge please come to my ready room." Captain Picard said over the communication channel.
Data and Geordi went into the ready room. Nicole's emotional state was too strong so she couldn't sense what was going on. However, she knew Admiral Styrrec had something planned. She knew that Vulcan well.
When Data and Geordi came out of the ready room, Data had a datapad with him. Nicole was confused by it.
"Number One, Commander Data will be relieved of duty until further notice. Data gave us a few officers who can take his place." Captain Picard said, handing Commander Riker a datapad.
Nicole looked over at Admiral Styrrec. His expression was emotionless, but Nicole knew better. She glared at him.
"I hate you." She said through gritted teeth.
"Come along, Nikki. I would like to see your quarters." Admiral Styrrec said, ignoring her comment.
Nicole sighed. She followed Admiral Styrrec into the turbolift. Data entered as well.
Spot meowed when they entered Nicole's quarters. She stretched against Data's leg. Data bent down to pick up the feline.
"Hello Spot." Data said.
"Spot is Data's cat, Admiral. She is only with me, because of Data." Nicole explained. She went to the replicator to grab another cup of coffee.
"Has he seen Lorelai, Nicole?" Admiral Styrrec asked, letting Spot sniff his hand.
Spot hissed at the Admiral. This caused Data to move away in case she attacked.
"My apologies Admiral." Data said.
"Don't be sorry, babe. Cats never seemed to like him." Nicole said, leaning back against the couch.
"Who is Lorelai?" Data asked. He placed Spot back down. Spot just scurried into the bedroom.
"Lorelai is technically my cat. She is a Mainecoon. I got her after Rachel was lost. She's been staying with Mary-Ann's brother." Nicole explained.
"Hm." Data said.
"You have a choice Nicole. You may stay on the Enterprise or you and Data can go to Earth." Admiral Styrrec said.
"I'd rather stay on the Enterprise." Nicole said.
"Very well. I will be staying too. Perhaps we can find some quarters to fit the three of us." Admiral Styrrec said.
Nicole raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning, sir?"