A/N: Oh my gods what is this? Another update? You bet your boots!
Data had just started to unpack his belongings when there was a chime at the door.
"Come in," he called out.
It was Captain Picard.
"I hope I am not disturbing you," Picard said.
"Not at all," Data replied. "Please, sir. Come in."
He moved his bag from the table to the floor.
"Would you like a beverage, sir? Or something else?" Data asked.
"No, no, don't stop on my account," Picard assured him. "I just wanted to drop by and talk."
He leaned in close.
"Are we alone?" Picard asked.
Data looked confused for a split second before he understood the Captain's meaning.
"Lieutenant Yar is with young Mr Crusher. We are alone," Data assured him.
"Good," Picard said.
He sighed and sat down on the edge of the table as Data resumed unpacking his belongings.
"I wanted to make you aware of a few things that occurred during your absence," Picard explained.
Data listened intently as Captain Picard filled him in on the situation with the unknown, strange disappearances.
"We've recorded them on two planets so far. Tauphi IV is gone. Tendria III suffered the same fate," Picard shared. "I'm sure you'll be interested in the reports. I've had them transferred to your workstation in anticipation of your arrival."
He knew Data would want to see the evidence first-hand.
"We're currently en route to investigate Starbase 212," Picard explained. "We've been unable to establish communication with them prior to our communications blackout."
Jean-Luc still felt bad about that.
He'd initially promised the crew it would be forty-eight hours.
It had now been six days.
"This close to the Neutral Zone," Jean-Luc trailed off.
"Your information would indicate this is well beyond the capabilities of any known Klingon or Romulan technology," Data advised.
"That's what worries me," Picard said. "We may be dealing with something bigger, more dangerous than we've encountered before."
"Deposits of Bitrium were found on both planets," Picard said. "Large deposits."
"Intriguing," Data remarked.
Jean-Luc could see the synapses firing in Data's mind.
"Data? What is it?" Picard pressed.
"Uncertain," Data answered honestly. "But I recall reading something involving Bitrium deposits like this before. During an exobiology course."
His brow furrowed as he strained to access the information.
Typically, he had perfect recall.
"I will have to research this, sir," Data advised.
"Please do," Picard said.
He flashed Data a rare smile.
"It is good to have you back. And to see that things are working between you and Lieutenant Yar," Picard said.
"I am relieved, sir," Data confessed.
"How is she?" Picard asked.
Data nodded slowly.
"We are…. coping," Data settled on.
He was hesitant to say 'better' lest they encounter a setback. Data knew that it was important to take one day at a time.
"If I may share in confidence, this is not the first time we have had to learn how to work through trauma," Data explained. "We are coping. And our sessions with Counsellor Troi are most beneficial. But it will take time."
Data's face darkened.
"There was an incident at the start of the trip. I have no evidence Lore was responsible, but I cannot think of any other reasonable hypothesis," Data said.
"What happened, Data?" Picard asked.
"I would rather not go into the details. It very nearly cost me my relationship with Tasha," Data confessed. "She ended our relationship over a misunderstanding that I believe was planned by Lore with the intention of driving us apart."
"Well, I can assure you he's going to have a much harder time sneaking around now that I've assigned him a combadge," Picard said.
"Very wise, sir," Data agreed.
"And you could see forever," Tasha said with a grin as she recalled the view from their cabin. "There was this big storm that hit and knocked out all the power. Broke the generator and we had to huddle in front of the fire all night."
"Sounds like you and Mr Data had a great time," Wesley said.
Tasha nodded.
Suddenly her face lit up. She put a finger and then reached down to rummage through her bag.
"This is for you," Tasha said.
She produced a book – one she had picked up from the bookstore in the village.
Wesley paused as he ran his hand over the title.
Ellington the Elephant and his Great Starship.
It was a children's book and one of Wesley's favourites.
"I remember you said your dad used to read it to you," Tasha said. "I know you're too old for it now. But you mentioned that it was destroyed when you were on the Stargazer, and I just thought that-"
She stopped as Wesley sniffled loudly.
He reached up and thumbed away the tears that were spilling down his face.
He got up from his seat and threw his arms around Tasha.
"This is the nicest thing anybody's ever gotten me," Wes sobbed.
After a few seconds, Wes returned to his seat with a hasty apology.
"I'm sorry. I'm just so worked up and this is such a thoughtful gift and-"
"Wes, how are things with your mum?" Tasha asked intuitively.
"Not great," Wes admitted. "She's in love with him. Like she doesn't even care about me at all."
He blew his nose with a napkin and then shook his arms to relieve some pressure.
"I'm just glad things are good with you and Data," Wes said.
"I wanted to talk to you about that," Tasha said.
Wes had a sinking feeling he knew what was coming.
"We're going to talk with Commander Riker this afternoon and request new quarters," Tasha explained.
Wes nodded with the best smile he could muster.
"That just…. grand," he settled on.
"Family quarters," Tasha said. "It's probably going to be a few weeks. I don't think there will be any available until the new crew rotation at Starbase 56. The Ashwhites are transferring to the Yamato or so I've heard."
"Could be happier for you," Wes grinned.
He was smiling.
But on the inside, Wesley felt like his whole world was crumbling.
It wasn't the same as being home with his mum. Yet being Tasha's roommate for the past few weeks had given Wesley a sense of found family and safety.
"Wes, you're coming too," Tasha said. "As long as you want to."
Her hand shot out from across the table, and she gave Wesley's hand a gentle squeeze.
"Family quarters," Tasha repeated. "Meaning you would have your own bedroom and wouldn't have to bunk down on the sofa."
She flashed him a broad smile.
Wesley didn't know what to say as his brain flooded with insecurity. The very last thing he wanted to be was somebody's problem – he already felt awful enough being unwanted at home.
"Aw c'mon. You'll be newlyweds. You don't want some teenager crowding in on you," Wesley said, trying to downplay just how desperate he was.
"We're not married yet," Tasha teased.
"I don't want to be a bother," Wesley replied.
"You aren't," Tasha assured him. "We want you to move in there with us. Data and I have already talked about this and you're coming with us – unless you'd rather go back to the lower decks and two horrible bunkmates?"
Wes chuckled.
"I don't want to make things awkward, you know, when you're busy with Data entry," Wes said.
"First of all, don't ever repeat that," Tasha said. "And secondly, we'll have to work out some arrangements to share the space, but I think we can sort it out."
Wes wasn't entirely sold. He longed to say yes, but he was worried about cramping their newfound happiness.
"We'll be on opposite sides of the space," Tasha added. "So you-"
"Won't have to listen when you're porking each other like-"
"Wes!" Tasha said, embarrassed.
"Alright, when you duck out to test your mattress with-"
Tasha smacked him playfully on the side of the head.
"Who the hell taught you to talk like that and what have they done with my sweet, gentle Wesley Crusher?" Tasha insisted.
"I've been spending a lot of time at Commander Riker's poker nights," Wesley confessed.
Tasha rolled her eyes.
"Well, it seems I need to have two conversations with Will Riker," Tasha teased.
"He promised me an extra stack of starting chips this week if I got you to smile with that," Wesley confessed.
"Man, am I glad you're back," Geordi said as he and Data studied one of the bitrium deposits. "You don't know how glad I am that you're back."
It was the third time Geordi had proclaimed this since Data's arrival.
"Geordi, may I inquire if there is a particular reason for your joy at my presence?" Data asked.
"I just, well, I like when you're here. I like working together," Geordi replied.
In truth, he was grateful that Data's appearance meant no more crawling through Jefferies tubes on his own.
And no more surprise visits from Lore creeping up on me. Geordi thought.
"Did something happen while I was away?" Data asked.
Geordi set down his sample and contemplated how to best answer that question. Technically, Lore hadn't directly threatened him.
But it was an odd encounter and it had left Geordi checking around corners ever since.
"I just had a bit of a scare the other day," Geordi replied. "Nothing important."
"Was my brother involved?" Data pressed.
"Yeah," Geordi replied awkwardly. "Look, I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it."
I am certain he did. Data thought darkly.
Omicron Theta Colony | 2335
"Why must you always break my possessions?" Data demanded. "Ruin that which is mine?"
"It was an honest mistake brother," Lore replied, feigning innocence.
"You intentionally ruined this painting because you knew it was special to me," Data said, accusing his brother.
Weeks of meticulous work had been destroyed in an instant when Lore had sloshed paint all over the canvas.
"I told you it was an accident," Lore insisted.
"It was deliberate," Data replied in a terse voice.
Data froze as he heard the sound of glass shattering behind him.
He turned to find Lore sitting atop his desk, the smashed remains of Data's glass canary figurine on the floor. It was a piece Data had made by hand and one that he treasured for its beautiful yellow colour.
"Whoops," Lore shrugged. "Butterfingers."
He wiggled his hand just to taunt Data.
"I forbid you to enter my room again," Data declared.
Lore simply scoffed.
"Like that's ever stopped me before," Lore said, waving his hand.
For Data, who had always been obedient and respectful, the fact that Lore would so easily dismiss a request for personal space was unfathomable. It did not compute – and it was frustrating.
"I will report this to father," Data warned.
"Well, scurry off then!" Lore laughed.
His eyes fell on another one of his brother's stupid glass animals.
"I'll just wait here like a good boy admiring all your pretty things," Lore said menacingly.
Data stopped.
A part of him desperately wanted to run to his mother and father so that they might convince Lore to respect Data's belongings. But Data knew that if he stepped outside of his room, Lore would likely destroy everything that was dear to him.
"Why?" Data asked simply.
"Because they're yours," Lore replied. "And because I can."
Without warning, he swiped his arm across the desk – sending all of Data's glass figurines into the wall where they shattered.
Data rushed over to the wall and picked up the shattered remains of the giraffe he had made.
"Think of this as a lesson, brother," Lore remarked.
He raised his foot and then stomped down on the last bits of glass to ensure they were broken beyond repair.
Present
Will Riker sat patiently as he listened to Data and Tasha outline their request. As First Officer, it was his job to oversee crew accommodations – including requests for the transfer of quarters.
Family quarters in particular were a hot commodity on a starship.
"The Ashwhites are transferring to the Yamato," Riker confirmed. "But not for another six months."
Data and Tasha weren't too let down.
"No worries," Tasha said. "We knew it was a bit of a longshot."
"Maybe not as long as you think," Riker said.
"I don't want to pry, but are you two planning on having children?" Riker asked.
Data and Tasha looked at one another.
Things were all so new and they were still figuring out their own relationship. They had spoken about it before – long before Lore had entered the picture.
They hadn't even thought of broaching that discussion yet.
"Well we, um…" Tasha trailed off.
"We have discussed the matter previously but not recently," Data said.
"We need space for Wesley," Tasha reminded him.
They had included that in their initial request, but she wanted to make sure Riker understood.
Riker nodded.
"I know and we'll take care of that," Riker promised. "But the reason I ask is the Finch-Tomasins have recently accepted new positions on Starbase 78."
Data and Tasha didn't follow.
"They're leaving on a shuttle in six weeks. That means their quarters will be available," Riker explained. "The only thing is, they have one of the larger family quarters on board. Four bedrooms."
"Oh," Tasha said as realisation dawned.
While such decisions were ultimately at the First Officer's discretion, there were guidelines he was supposed to follow. That included allotting space based on both need and potential need.
For example, families that were intending to expand was an acceptable reason to grant larger family quarters.
"Um, I think you recognise things are a little different in our case," Tasha said.
Riker simply smiled.
"Are you looking for a donor?" he teased.
Tasha shot him a look.
"Just teasing," Riker assured her. "And maybe a little serious."
He had a small smile on his face.
"Sir," Tasha chastised.
"It is a legitimate option given our-" Data began to say.
He stopped as Tasha shot him a look.
"I'd say yes," Tasha said. "To your earlier question."
Data looked concerned.
Wordlessly, the two exchanged a series of gestures and expressions as they tried to communicate.
Tasha couldn't understand why Data was so reluctant.
"I believe it would be best if we were to think about this and get back to you," Data said.
Tasha was confused. Data had always previously indicated a preference for having children someday. In fact, he'd been the one to raise the issue in the first place.
"So far no one else has submitted a request for family quarters. But I believe the Chang's may be considering it," Riker advised. "They're expecting again."
"Right," Tasha nodded.
"We will get back to you," Data said.
"Do you mind telling me what that was all about back there?" Tasha asked.
"As I said, I believe we should discuss this," Data replied.
They had returned to his quarters to finish unpacking.
"Then talk," Tasha urged.
Data turned to his luggage and began sorting his clothes for the garment reprocessor.
"Data," Tasha pressed.
"I just think this is a big discussion and we should not rush into anything," Data said.
"I'm not saying we're going to start trying now," Tasha explained. "But you want children."
Data did not answer.
"Right?" Tasha asked tentatively.
Data remained silent. He had no idea where to begin.
"Data, have you changed your mind?" Tasha asked.
"We do not need to decide this today," Data said.
Tasha felt like someone had pulled her feet right out from underneath her. Not only had Data and Tasha discussed the possibility of having children someday, they'd had three entire counselling sessions with Deanna on the subject.
Given that Data was an android, they had even gone as far as discussing the possibility of adopting children or seeking a donor.
"Talk to me," Tasha pleaded. "What's changed?"
"I believe it would be better if we were to sit down and give serious consideration-"
Data stopped as Tasha walked in front of him, blocking his path to the garment reprocessor.
"Then sit down and talk to me," Tasha insisted.
Data moved to slip past her.
"I do not believe this is a priority at the moment," Data called back from the bedroom.
Tasha put her hands on her hips and groaned in frustration.
"Well I hate to break it to you, but we do need to have this discussion. Commander Riker is waiting for an answer," Tasha reminded him. "Not to mention it was humiliating to sit there and try to explain this when we're not even on the same page. We looked like idiots jumping into-"
Data pressed a sweet kiss to her lips to silence her.
"We will talk about it," Data promised. "Soon."
"So can I report back to Commander Riker? I mean, nothing we say today is set in stone," Tasha shrugged.
She really couldn't understand Data's reluctance.
"We're having kids," Tasha smiled.
"No," Data replied.
Tasha's face fell.
"I mean, we do not know," Data said in an attempt to recover.
But it was too late, the damage was already done.
"You don't want to have kids," Tasha remarked.
"No, I do!" Data said quickly.
Tasha's face blanched.
"You don't want to have kids with me," Tasha realised.
Data could see her hands trembling as she took slow breath to try and maintain her composure.
He rushed forward and took hold of Tasha's hands.
"No, no, no. I do," Data assured her. "I really do."
He meant every word.
"But?" Tasha prompted.
She could sense it was coming.
Data paused and sighed.
"We cannot," Data said. "Not now."
Tasha's eyes began to well up.
"Not because of you," Data said. "Lore."
Tasha frowned as a tear escaped from her eye.
"We promised that we weren't going to let him dictate how we live our lives," Tasha said in a shaky voice.
Data nodded.
"Yes. Us," Data agreed. "But a child. That is a third person that we would be placing in danger. Someone that did not agree to that and that does not deserve to live under the shadow of my brother."
He reached up to thumb away a tear from Tasha's cheek.
"Someone that could not protect themselves like we can," Data went on.
"But we would-" Tasha stopped and sniffled.
"Tasha, I do not believe it would be wise for us to have children," Data confessed. "In spite of how much I desire to."
Data cupped her face and kissed both her cheeks in an effort to reassure Tasha that he loved and cared for her, even with this setback.
"We will not let him control our lives," Data promised.
"Except when it comes to having kids," Tasha countered.
"Look what he did to you," Data argued. "The lengths he has gone to just to harm you. Any child we have would be at risk."
Tasha nodded as she backed away.
"You're right," she sniffled.
"I am glad you understand," Data said with a sigh of relief.
Tasha continued to nod slowly, and Data had a sinking feeling she was more upset that she let on.
"I understand completely," Tasha said.
I get it. Tasha thought.
"We can't have children. It's too big of a risk," Tasha said.
Her face contorted as if she had just tasted something foul.
"Which goes back to my earlier statement. You don't want to have children with me," Tasha said.
"I did not say that," Data said softly.
Tasha wasn't trying to twist his words around, but trauma made one do strange things. In the back of her mind, this was confirmation that Data saw her damaged, ruined.
"So you're just never going to have children?" Tasha asked.
"Perhaps someday when Lore is no longer a threat," Data shrugged.
"But you don't anticipate that being in my lifetime," Tasha finished for him.
Data's heart sank as he realised where Tasha's mind was headed.
"Because in the grand scheme of your life, I'm just a blink of your eye," Tasha said bitterly. "We can't have children but maybe someday you'll work out feeling safe enough to take that step with someone more suitable, right?"
Data felt like he'd been slapped. Worst of all, he felt like he deserved it.
"The next person after me? Or maybe the one after that?" Tasha asked. "Whatever human is occupying your bed for that particular lifetime."
She stopped as her shoulders shook.
Data took a step forward to comfort her. Tasha stepped back away from him.
"Don't," she said. "Just don't."
"Tasha, while it is true that your natural life will end someday and my existence will continue, there is no one that could ever replace you," Data said. "I may find other love, but I will always carry a profound emptiness from your loss."
"Sure," Tasha replied sarcastically.
Data pulled her into an embrace.
"Tasha, I want to have a family with you. But we cannot," Data said as he rocked them back and forth.
"And you just happen to know that Lore is always going to be a threat? Always?" Tasha pressed. "I'd really like to know how and why you think we can't do this safely in two years or five years or whatever."
Tasha paused and took a shaky breath.
"You don't have to say it. I get it," Tasha said sadly. "I'm sorry you feel that way. I would give anything to change it."
Data's mouth fell open as he realised what Tasha was getting at.
"You believe that I do not wish to have children with you," Data said. "Because of you."
Data released her and cupped her force, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"I love you," Data declared. "And I will give you an entire Parrises Squares team's worth of children if only to see you smile again."
To his dismay, Tasha frowned.
She hated to be pitied.
"I was too rash in my thinking," Data admitted. "You have raised a number of logical points. I cannot predict the future, nor how long Lore will be present in our lives."
Tasha relaxed a little.
"I believe we should still talk about this, but I was hasty in declaring that we should never have children," Data acknowledged.
To Data's delight, Tasha's face softened.
"There is no one I would rather tackle that challenge with than you," Data said fondly. "And not merely for the steps required."
Tasha smirked.
"Data, you know that you can't-"
"I was speaking of tending to the every need of an expectant mother," Data grinned. "And what I have been told can be rather strong hormonal urges."
He scooped Tasha up and carried her in through to his bedroom. Their unpacking was completely forgotten as they reacquainted themselves with Data's bedsheets.
A week later, Data and Tasha had settled into a comfortable routine sharing her quarters with Wesley. Though they slept in Tasha's quarters, Data and Tasha used his quarters as their own personal love nest.
They were closer to the bridge, and it gave them ample opportunity to slip away at the end of the workday for a quick canoodle.
Or a hot shower.
Or sometimes a canoodle and a hot shower followed by a lengthy evening in bed.
They hadn't even tied the knot yet, but the honeymoon phase was going strong.
Their application for the change of quarters had been accepted and Commander Riker had explained they would be able to move in a few more weeks' time.
The Enterprise was due to arrive at Starbase 212 overnight where they would conduct an investigation into why the base had suddenly gone silent.
With the ship-wide communication blackout still in effect, Lore was growing increasingly agitated that he could not communicate with the Crystalline Entity.
In an effort to get her mind off the situation with Wesley, Beverly had agreed to cover a few additional shifts for Lieutenant Commander Anderson, who had been feeling under the weather.
It meant Lore was stuck, trapped alone with no channel to the outside world and no Beverly at night.
All he had was the company of himself.
And if Lore was to be honest, he was lousy company.
He couldn't even run off to the holodeck to knock around a holographic Wesley or Riker or fuck a holographic version of his brother's precious Lieutenant until she broke down and told Lore everything he'd programmed her to say about how much better he was than Data.
With Captain Picard watching his every move, that meant Lore had been keeping to his quarters.
Which gave him ample time to play around with his Ferengi Thought Maker device.
Testing it on young Mr Crusher had been a delight.
It had given Lore a chance to fine tune the wavelength necessary for a human brain and to play around with the different settings.
The longer one was exposed, the more susceptible they became to Lore's influence – even when they weren't in physical proximity to the receiver.
Data and Tasha had only been back for a week, so their brains weren't quite attuned yet.
But Wesley was almost entirely in Lore's control.
Poisoning the fish had been the first real test of his abilities and Wesley had performed perfectly.
Lore had even managed to instruct the boy to dig through Tasha's intimate possessions and retrieve a particular garment of his choosing.
Lore had left his combadge in his quarters and met Wesley outside on the lift as he dropped off the garment like a good little mindless thrall.
Given Picard's monitoring, Lore was hesitant to stray too far from his quarters in case there was a surprise visit.
For all appearances, it would appear as if Wesley had simply taken the lift down to another level where Lore had instructed him to dine in the canteen before returning to his quarters.
It was the perfect cover.
A minute later, Lore was back in his own quarters. He locked his door and was giddy with anticipation.
Lore popped open a bottle of champagne and toasted his own success as he ran a soft blue pair of knickers through his fingers.
"You cheeky little minx," Lore said aloud as he ran the garment over his lips.
He was already hard.
Lore groaned as he freed his cock from his trousers. He wrapped the knickers around his erection and began to stroke himself.
"You have no idea what's coming," Lore laughed.
Later that night, Tasha and Data returned to her quarters after having dinner with Geordi in Ten Forward.
They were in a great mood.
Tasha stopped as soon as she stepped inside.
"Wesley?" she asked.
He was sitting on the sofa staring at nothing. Surveying the room, Data spied an uneaten plate of food on the table. The table was set for one but looked as if it had been abandoned.
"Wesley?" Tasha asked again.
He did not respond. He didn't even so much as look their way.
Data stepped over to the table and checked the temperature on the food. It was cold, like it had been sitting there for some time.
"Wes?" Tasha asked as she gently touched his shoulder.
Wesley flinched.
"Whoa, hey!" Tasha said as she sat down next to him. "Are you alright?"
Wes blinked and looked around as he came back to reality.
"Sorry, I must have dozed off for a second," Wes said.
His heart was racing, it was like being woken up suddenly from a deep sleep.
"For three hours and eighteen minutes," Data said after checking the last time the replicator had been used.
Wesley looked terrified.
"What's wrong?" Tasha asked.
"That is the second time I have blacked out with no memory," Wesley said.
There was panic in his voice. During the last blackout, Wesley had poisoned Captain Picard's beloved fish. While Captain Picard did not hold Wesley responsible for such an act, Wes still felt awful.
Wesley didn't want to even think about what else he might have done.
"We should get you to sickbay," Tasha said as she pulled him up to his feet. "Come on."