A/N: Thank you so much!
C/W: Contains abusive behaviour, smut, and dub con/rape. Will contain Data/Tasha fluff. Lore is a master of manipulation.
This is a fic in which Lore (still his loveably flawed, chaotic self) plays the long con before showing his true colours. Also, Lore and Data have significantly greater capacity to feel than canon suggests.
Doctor Selar frowned as she studied Wesley's scans.
"She appears displeased," Data whispered.
"She's a Vulcan. She always looks like," Tasha replied out of the corner of her mouth.
They'd been waiting patiently in sickbay while Doctor Selar conducted a series of tests on Wesley.
Blacking out with no memory was a big problem for an officer – especially one in Wesley's position. He may have only been an acting Ensign, but Wes had enormous responsibilities.
Geordi had decided he would immediately take over monitoring Wesley's experiment personally and he'd been temporarily restricted from bridge duty.
"Doctor?" Tasha prompted.
"Well there's no tumour present," Selar remarked.
"Don't sound so disappointed," Wesley said.
"I apologise if my comment seemed to indicate as such," Selar replied. "That was my final theory. While I am relieved you do not have a brain tumour, I am concerned as we still have no explanation for your blackouts."
They'd already ruled out a seizure. His blood sugar levels were normal. Tox screens came back with no indication of drug use, and he wasn't anaemic.
"I'd like to keep you overnight for observation," Doctor Selar said.
"That's an excellent idea," Beverly said as she swept into sickbay.
She was furious that she hadn't been informed the minute of Wesley's arrival. In fact, were it not for the fact Beverly was on Night Watch, she never would have known about Wesley's second episode.
"Start him on metrazelpan," Beverly ordered.
She took the tablet from Doctor Selar and skimmed through their findings thus far.
"Keep monitoring his blood oxygen levels. I want hourly updates," Beverly said.
"And I want you to leave," Wesley declared.
He was none too pleased with his mother's presence. The situation was already scary and stressful, and he didn't want her adding to that.
"As the Chief Medical Officer, this is my sickbay," Beverly said in response. "And as your mother, I'm not going anywhere."
"Maybe we should all give Wesley and Doctor Selar some space?" Tasha suggested.
"You stay the hell out of this!" Beverly snapped.
Wesley groaned and fell back against his pillow, covering his eyes as if he were in pain.
All of the yelling was making his brain hurt.
"I have a headache," he grumbled.
"Beverly, please," Tasha pleaded. "This isn't about us. This is about your son."
"Exactly," Beverly agreed. "My son."
The door to sickbay slid open and Captain Picard swept inside. Data had informed him about Wesley's latest scare and Jean-Luc had come to check on him personally.
"He's my son. Not yours," Beverly went on as she stepped between Tasha and Wesley. "You stay the hell away from him."
"I asked you to leave," Wesley reminded her. "I don't want you here, mum."
Beverly's face began to flush with anger.
"Shut up, Wesley," she barked.
"Shut up?" Tasha asked in disbelief. "Do you even hear yourself? You would never have said that to him before-"
"Don't!" Beverly warned. "I don't know what kind of gap you think you're filling in your life by trying to take my son so you can play house and act like your life isn't falling apart-"
Tasha baulked.
"Excuse me?" Tasha asked.
"You're so desperate to pretend you have an ounce of what Lore and I share that you would sink to this," Beverly said, shaking her head and clucking her tongue.
"Your son lives with me because he doesn't feel safe in his own home," Tasha roared. "I wonder why?"
Jean-Luc didn't want to step between them.
In fact, he would have given anything to avoid intervening.
But he knew it was necessary.
"Doctor Crusher, may I speak to you in your office?" Jean-Luc inquired.
Data, Tasha, Wesley, Doctor Selar, and the other residents in sickbay went about their business pretending like they couldn't hear the tirade of one particularly angry Chief Medical Officer as she laid into the Captain.
Data could sense just how uncomfortable Tasha was with the situation. He reached over to take hold of her hand, offering her silent reassurance.
"This is all my fault," Wesley lamented. "I never should have dragged you into this."
"This is not your fault, Wesley," Tasha insisted.
"We are happy that you felt you could come to us," Data added.
"AND YOU CAN TELL THAT WHORE I DON'T WANT HER-" Beverly went on.
Three cots over, Ensign Blake looked from the window to Tasha and back again.
Tasha closed her eyes and dropped her head in despair. It was humiliating. But she knew she couldn't abandon Wesley.
"This all started because she can't KEEP HER FUCKING LEGS CLOSED!" Beverly shouted.
Beverly had intentionally raised her voice because she wanted to hurt Tasha with her words.
It stung. And it made Tasha's heart ache for the friendship she had lost.
"What is wrong?" Data inquired.
"This isn't like her," Tasha sighed. "She was never like this before. She's changed."
Data had to admit it was certainly strange that Beverly, a woman who had always upheld the strictest medical privacy practices, would be shouting in sickbay with information that was certainly not meant for public consumption.
"You guys should go," Wesley encouraged.
"We're not leaving you here," Tasha vowed.
She knew exactly how it felt to feel unsafe and alone.
"I will be moving Mr Crusher to a private room for overnight accommodations," Doctor Selar explained. "Where I will be monitoring his vitals every fifteen minutes."
She could sense they were concerned for safety, and it was obvious Wesley was terrified of being left alone.
"I'll be watching over you all night, Mr Crusher," the Vulcan said.
It was a far cry from a reassuring smile, but Wesley did trust Doctor Selar.
"Really, I'll be fine," Wesley insisted.
He wasn't entirely confident, but he didn't want Data and Tasha worrying.
"We're not going until we know you're safe," Tasha assured him as she glanced over to Beverly's office.
"I'm tired you questioning my judgement, of Wesley questioning my ability to think for myself, of everyone judging me," Beverly went on.
Jean-Luc's brow furrowed with concern. At the very least, Beverly wasn't shouting anymore.
"Beverly, who is-"
"Lore! You all think that I can't see who is, that I'm confused, or lost," Beverly continued. "But the truth is that none of you can understand who is, what he's been through."
Jean-Luc was growing increasingly concerned about Beverly's behaviour.
She was angry about Tasha's presence and obviously terrified about her son's health. But her anger had transformed into a nonsensical rant.
"And now that jealous cunt thinks she can just take my son?" Beverly scoffed. "It's her fucking choice to bed that pathetic, sexually immature Pinocchio."
Jean-Luc's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"He can't satisfy her, you know?" Beverly smirked. "Can't even manage to get it up save for when he's rubbing one out into her knickers like some kind of pervert."
She paused and shook her head, wagging her finger at Jean-Luc.
"The things Lore's had to suffer through because of his brother," Beverly said.
She threw her hands up.
"He just wanted to help. She asked for his help," Beverly said wildly. "Then she begged him for it like the whore she-"
"If you use that word again in reference to one of your fellow officers, I will file a report on your behaviour," Jean-Luc warned.
Beverly stopped and chuckled.
"Let me guess, you're on Data's side for all of this because of her? What did she do, come to your office, bend over, and beg for you to release her boyfriend from the brig?" Beverly spat.
"Beverly!" Jean-Luc snapped.
Beverly suddenly stumbled, catching herself on the desk.
"Beverly?" Jean-Luc asked in alarm.
"I'm, I'm fine," she said in a strained voice.
She straightened up and shook her head as if she were trying to wake up.
"What were we just talking about?" she asked.
"Well they're both sedated and down for the evening in separate isolation rooms," Doctor Selar informed them.
Captain Picard, Data, Tasha, and Commander Riker were waiting in sickbay.
Jean-Luc had paged Riker after Beverly had been relieved of Night Watch duty. Fortunately, Worf had volunteered to cover her shift.
He had to be up in a few hours anyways for their arrival at Starbase 212.
"She blacked out for about forty-five minutes," Selar explained. "Thus far, I still haven't found any possible cause."
"Is it possible we're dealing with a contagion?" Picard inquired.
Much to Jean-Luc's relief, Selar advised a contagion was unlikely.
"Given that they're related and are, thus far, the only two people experiencing this, I'd say it's much more likely this is genetic," Selar said.
"Alright, keep me informed," Picard instructed.
Tasha was standing at the window, watching over Wesley.
"We should go," Data said.
"I just feel awful. He's so frightened," Tasha commented. "And he's going to wake up here all alone."
"You will be on report, but I will come back in the morning and ensure he is not alone when he wakes," Data promised.
"You're a good man, Data," Tasha smiled.
By the time they returned to Tasha's quarters, Tasha was still feeling weird about the situation with Wesley.
His empty space on the sofa felt like something was missing.
Though it had only been a few weeks, Tasha had rather gotten used to having Wesley live with her.
She slipped out of her boots and went in to brush her teeth and see to her evening routine.
Ten minutes later she emerged from the lavvy having washed her face and slipped into her nightclothes. Tasha pulled back the blankets and climbed into bed next to Data.
"You should get some sleep," Data suggested. "You have an early morning."
"Don't remind me," Tasha replied.
Now that they were back from their holiday, Tasha was back on report – and she still had another fifteen days to go.
05:00 came early and Tasha knew Data was right.
But she wasn't ready for bed yet.
Tasha scooted over next to Data and climbed on top of him.
"You know we're alone here tonight," Tasha murmured.
"Perhaps it would be wise for you not to start things you lack the energy to finish?" Data replied without missing a beat.
"Oh I think I can muster the energy," Tasha responded.
Data rolled them together so that she was pinned under the weight of him.
"You know Lieutenant, I have no doubt in your ability," Data said as he nibbled at the pulse point of her neck.
Tasha keened as she felt his sexuality programme engage and she reached down to stroke him through the thin fabric of his drawstring trousers.
"Who told you that you could do that?" Data asked.
"I like to take initiative," Tasha replied before adding a cheeky, "Sir."
Tasha gasped as Data's hand worked its way under into her shorts, his thumb circling her clitoris.
"It would seem you do," Data said. "You are wet."
Tasha nodded, almost embarrassed at how badly she wanted him.
It made Data's cock twitch with anticipation to think of just how eager Tasha was.
For him.
Tasha sucked in air sharply through her teeth as Data began to stroke her clit.
"Talk to me, baby," Tasha pleaded as Data nuzzled against her neck.
"So wet," Data husked. "For me."
"For you," Tasha replied.
She was scratching at his back, running her nails across the length of his spine as she urged to get on with it.
"Baby please, I don't have all night," Tasha reminded him.
She reached down, desperate to free Data from his trousers. She fumbled with the drawstring before pushing them down past his bony hips so she could cup his arse.
"Mmmm," she groaned, giving it a squeeze.
"Play nice," Data warned as she pinched his cheeks.
"I always play nice," Tasha replied.
"Do not make me spank you," Data warned.
He smirked as Tasha rocked up to meet his hand, excited at the idea.
Before Tasha could protest, Data had flipped her over. He pulled down her shorts to reveal his target. Data ran his hand over her backside appreciatively before giving her playful smack.
Tasha giggled.
"No giggling," Data teased before bringing his hand down on the other cheek.
Then he kissed both of them, before removing her shorts completely. Data discarded his own trousers and then climbed back onto the bed, pulling Tasha flush against him as he sat on his knees.
He rocked his hips against her, teasing her with his stiff cock pressed firmly against her arse.
Data reached up under her shirt, kneading her breasts as he kissed the spot below Tasha's ear.
"Eager, are we?" Data asked.
"Mmm hmm," Tasha replied.
She squirmed against him, desperate for him to slip between her legs.
Data pulled her shirt up overhead and tossed it aside. Tasha used the opportunity to smile back at him over her shoulder.
For a brief second, neither of them moved as an understanding passed between them.
They were back.
Everything felt right.
Tasha and Data both recognised there would be moments when they would have setbacks, small triggers that could cause disruption.
But tonight, none of that was present.
They were back to the same sexual energy they had shared prior to Tasha's assault.
"Fuck me," Tasha breathed.
Data slipped his cock between her legs, teasing her with the length of it as he rubbed himself against her swollen clit.
"Fuck me," Tasha repeated.
"Oh I will," Data promised. "You have such a fuckable little cunt."
Tasha smirked.
She'd taught him that one.
"Ah," she squeaked as he slipped inside.
"And you feel so good wrapped around my cock," Data growled against her ear.
Tasha clenched around the length of him and smirked when he shuddered.
Data wrapped one arm around her waist. With the other, he reached for one of his favourite spots. Data's beautiful, long fingers closed around her right breast as he began to move.
It wasn't long before they found a comfortable rhythm as Data's bony hips smacked against the flesh of Tasha's backside.
Her quarters filled with an obscene sound as Data plunged himself into Tasha.
"Ah, ah, ah," she panted.
"Mmmm," Data groaned, his breath hot in her ear. "Say my name."
"Data," Tasha murmured.
It sent a surge through his neural net whenever his name fell from her lips.
"Data," she repeated in a heady voice.
A long whining noise escaped from her throat.
"Oh gods, Data," Tasha whimpered.
He lost his rhythm, his hips jerking as he spilled himself.
There was no reprieve.
Data scooped Tasha up, pulling her cunt against his face as his tongue darted out and planted itself firmly against her swollen clit.
She was close and Data could tell.
"Daaaaatttaaa," she groaned in a strained voice as he lapped at her cunt.
There were other ways Data could have gone about it. But his choice to simply pull Tasha back like this had been intentional.
He wanted to take her wholly and completely in a way that was primal.
Data wanted to taste himself on her cunt, the lick clean all the places he had made sore.
Tasha squirmed against him, but Data held her firmly in place. She twisted her fingers into the bedsheet below, arching her back in a desperate move to find relief.
"Oh, oh," Tasha snivelled as Data squeezed her arse.
His lips closed around her clitoris, sucking on the organ until Tasha shook apart, writhing against lips as she came.
When he finished, Data licked along the length of her, cleaning away the remnants of where he'd claimed Tasha as his own.
Then he kissed her pussy and lowered her gently to the bed.
Data helped Tasha roll over. He looped his fingers through her hand and then knelt down to press a tender kiss there once more.
Data rested his chin on her abdomen and looked up at Tasha, his eyes full of love.
Tasha grinned as she caught her breath.
"You're filthy," she remarked.
His nose, lips, and chin were coated with her slick.
Data was beaming.
Across the ship, Jean-Luc was up late.
They were due to arrive at Starbase 212 in just a few short hours and Jean-Luc couldn't sleep.
Wesley's blackouts were a terrifying development in what was quickly becoming an uncomfortable series of incidents over the last few months.
Beverly's condition only added to the concern.
So far, these blackouts were a recent occurrence. Beverly had only experienced one.
That we know of. Jean-Luc thought darkly.
She had become so isolated since starting her relationship with Lore it was difficult to determine just how and when her behaviour had changed.
Their usual habit of sharing breakfast was no more.
Hell, Beverly could barely tolerate being in the same room as Jean-Luc unless it was required for duty, or she dropped by to get after him about some new perceived slight against Lore.
Jean-Luc swirled a glass of wine as he mulled over the situation.
Tasha grinned as Data pinned her wrists against the tile. It felt cool under her breasts as steam rose from the floor of the shower.
Data's nose swiped along her neck as his lips ghosted over her shoulders.
"Settle," Data instructed.
His fingers caressed down the length of her spine and over the curve of her backside.
Tasha shivered.
Data dropped down next to her and kissed the outside of her thigh before turning his attention to her arse.
"Mmmm," he groaned, nibbing at the flesh of her cheek as he pinched and played with the other one.
"Don't tease me," Tasha pleaded.
She was so worked up already.
Data scooped her up. Holding her firmly with his hands under her thighs, he pulled Tasha along the length of his cock.
"Is this what you want?" Data asked in an aggravatingly calm tone.
He was taunting Tasha with his thick cock, teasing as he rubbed against her dripping cunt.
"Data, please," Tasha urged.
To her delight, Data slipped inside.
She gasped and sat up in bed.
Tasha glanced around as her eyes adjusted to the dark.
Disappointed that it was nothing more than a dream, Tasha fell back against her pillow. Data had heard her stir, and moved in to snuggle up against her, pulling Tasha flush against his nude body.
Oh. Right. Tasha smiled to herself as she recalled the events of the night before.
They were both naked, wrapped in her sheets. Tasha had the most delicious ache deep in her core and Data looked divine with his tousled hair and post-coital glow.
Tasha's alarm beeped again, and she groaned.
Report.
It was bad enough having to get up so early for extra duties. It was ten times worse when she was terribly aroused.
Resigned to the fact that her dreams to make her steamy shower dream a reality would have to wait, Tasha gave Data a quick peck before stumbling out of bed.
"Any life signs?" Riker inquired.
"None," Worf replied.
"Alright, let's get this over with," Riker said.
Chief O'Brien activated the transporter.
A moment later, the away team appeared in the operations centre of Starbase 212. They were all fitted out with EV suits for protection given that they didn't know what to expect.
Normally such a dangerous task would not be given to those on report, but Riker had convinced Captain Picard to make an exception.
Tasha was currently the only crew member on report for the day and would have to have been present anyways as the Security Chief.
It only made sense to count this toward her sentence.
Tasha had insisted they keep the team small given that there might be unknown assailants, aliens, or contagions present.
"Eerie," Tasha remarked as they surveyed the room.
This was her first time seeing such a sight as she had not been present on either of the previous planets. Everything was still in place. The lights were still on, consoles running.
It was as if the crew had simply abandoned their posts.
Worf stepped up to the operations helm and began skimming through the logs.
"A distress signal was transmitted six hours after we lost contact," Worf shared.
"Which we didn't receive because we were in a communications blackout," Riker grumbled. "Damn."
"There was another distress signal transmitted three hours later," Worf reported.
Tasha and Worf exchanged a glance.
"So what happened in those three hours?" Tasha asked.
They were all thinking it.
Riker hailed the Enterprise to advise it would be safe to start beaming over the search parties they had waiting on the ship.
They would conduct a level-by-level search of the base looking for any survivors or clues.
While teams began to beam over, Worf, Tasha, and Commander Riker worked in tandem to piece together what happened in the last three hours before Starbase 212 went dark.
By 13:00, the team was back aboard the Enterprise and assembled in the observation lounge for a briefing.
"We know that three runabouts were launched in what we presumed was an attempt to escape," Riker said. "While we cannot confirm that all three were destroyed, the debris found around the base would indicate that they were not successful in fleeing."
Jean-Luc felt horrible.
There was someone or something out there that had managed to destroy two heavily populated worlds and an entire Starbase.
"There were seven thousand people on that starbase," Picard said.
Riker nodded glumly.
"We also know from the logs that the USS Manhattan, a Miranda-class ship, acknowledged the distress call and attempted to assist," Riker said.
"We have found debris consistent with a Miranda-class vessel in the area. However, we cannot confirm it's destruction without lifting our communications blackout," Worf added.
"Sir, Lieutenant La Forge and I have been exploring alternative options for communicating with Starfleet Command," Data offered. "We believe we will have something for you by the end of the day. In the meantime, may I suggest using the communications array on Starbase 212?"
Picard nodded in agreement. It was a good plan.
"Is there any good news?" Picard asked.
He was desperate for something.
"We can determine from the log entries that whatever it was they encountered, Starbase 212 was able to hold out for three hours and nineteen minutes," Tasha said.
It wasn't great news, but it provided several important clues.
"And we know from the console logs that phasers and photon torpedoes had no effect on whatever it was they encountered," Tasha shared.
"Any description or clues?" Picard pressed.
Tasha shook her head. She'd been combing through the final logs for any possible leads on their mysterious culprit.
"They described it as massive, huge," Tasha shrugged. "But they don't go beyond that. No indication or markings on the ship that might have hinted at its origin."
"If it even is a ship," Geordi chimed in.
He had a point. There was no telling what was out there.
"One thing that is for certain, they dropped their shields after the last distress call. I don't know why, maybe they were trying to beam aboard folks from one of the runabouts," Tasha said. "Regardless of the reason, it seems that's when they all disappeared."
Jean-Luc eyed her carefully from the opposite end of the table.
"What are you saying, Lieutenant?" Picard asked.
"That whatever this is, I don't think it can penetrate our shields," Tasha theorised.
While Tasha headed off to sickbay to check on Wesley, Data, Geordi, and Worf beamed over to Starbase 212 to begin transmitting to Starfleet Command.
They also wanted to check in with other ships in the area to see if they had picked up anything.
"Maybe another ship came in and evacuated the base?" Geordi suggested.
He was trying to think positively.
"They might be there somewhere," Geordi said.
"There were over seven thousand people on this base," Worf said.
"It would take a fleet of ships to evacuate that many people at one time," Data added. "And even the Romulans could not hide an entire fleet for that long."
"Nor do I believe the Romulans would be very keen to come to the aid of a Federation Starbase," Worf muttered.
"Fair point," Geordi acknowledged.
He tapped on the computer screen to bring the communications array back online.
"All set and awaiting your message," Geordi reported.
Data clicked to open a channel to the nearest Starfleet Command outpost.
"Command Outpost Gamma 487, this is Lieutenant Commander of the Data of the Enterprise transmitting from Starbase 212," Data said.
There would be a slight time delay given the distance between the two.
Subspace communication had become nearly instantaneous for some distances. But in spite of the vast improvements in the last hundred years, there were still delays – especially over particularly large distances.
After ten minutes, the console blinked with an incoming transmission.
"Starbase 212, this is Command Outpost Gamma 487 acknowledging your hail," a voice said. "Please be advised, we are launching a level one priority communication satellite to establish real-time video link with your location. The link should be operational by 18:30 hours, your time. Stand by."
After advising Captain Picard of the situation, Data remained on Starbase 212 for the day as he worked with Worf and Geordi to condense all of the files from the main computer for transmission back to Starfleet Command for further study.
"How are you feeling?" Tasha asked.
"I don't know," Wesley replied honestly.
He was sitting up in bed and eating.
Tasha had dropped by to grab a late lunch with Wesley.
Following the sedative, he'd slept for nearly sixteen hours – and woken up with one voracious appetite.
"I can't explain it, this is like the first time I remember eating, tasting food for days," Wesley said.
Tasha chuckled and she watched him polish off a ration pack of chocolate pudding.
"Here," she said, giving him her pudding cup. "You earned it."
"I'm really sorry about what my mum said to you last night," Wesley apologised.
Tasha shrugged it off.
"You don't have anything to apologise for," Tasha assured him. "I'm sorry you've found yourself in the middle of all this."
"It's alright," Wesley replied. "Not your fault."
He flashed Tasha smile.
"Doctor Selar said she wants to keep me here for another night," Wesley said. "But as long as I don't have another blackout, I'll be free to go after that."
His shoulders slumped.
"On restricted duty," he added with a hint of disdain.
"Just temporarily," Tasha said, hoping to cheer him up. "You'll be back on the bridge in no time."
From his position outside in sickbay, Lore listened intently to every word of their conversation.
He'd already been thrown a curveball that morning when arrived in sickbay and found Beverly had been admitted overnight after erratic behaviour leading up to a blackout.
Lore suspected the Ferengi device was responsible.
Though he had not planted a receiver in her quarters, the frequent exposure to the transmitter in Lore's quarters was likely to blame.
Lore knew it had a way of getting into human brainwaves and altering their behaviour. Determined he would need to be more cautious, Lore realised it was the perfect excuse to plant a receiver in Beverly's quarters.
It would help him manage her behaviour and get rid of that snivelling brat Wesley once and for all.
Building a third receiver would take several days – especially with the Captain watching his every move. But Lore would have it ready within a week and it would make the perfect addition to his little scheme.
"I'm sure your mum will come around," Tasha said encouragingly.
Oh you have no idea. Lore mused as he listened through the glass.
At the designated time, Captain Picard beamed over to Starbase 212 with Tasha and Worf. Commander Riker stayed aboard the Enterprise to occupy the command chair in Captain Picard's absence.
Data and Geordi were already on Starbase 212 while Deanna had remained behind along with Commander Riker.
"Picard?" a woman said as she came on screen. "Admiral Decorah. It's good to hear from you, we were growing worried."
"My apologies, we've been trying to fly under the radar out here," Picard responded.
"Given what we've now confirmed about Starbase 212, I don't blame you," the Admiral responded.
As they caught up, the two were able to fill one another in on some details.
Tauphi IV, Tendria III, and Starbase 212 were not the only victims of this mysterious culprit. The USS Manhattan had, in fact, been destroyed.
It had sent its own distress signal warning off other ships before she had been lost.
"We were beginning to fear the same fate had befallen the Enterprise," Admiral Decorah shared. "You can imagine our relief in finding out you're still out there."
Picard nodded.
"You'll be interested to know that the Lexington reported finding a similar level of destruction on Entropa Centauri," the Admiral shared. "Including these bitrium deposits you've reported. They had the sense to turn around rather than chase this thing down."
She chuckled.
"Actually, we're glad you're out there. And I'll be sending a fleet of ships to your area-"
"No," Picard insisted. "We don't know what this thing is. There's no sense in risking further loss of life."
Admiral Decorah's brow wrinkled.
"I don't like the thought of you out there on your own," she remarked.
"We're going to transmit all of the information we have so far," Picard advised. "I'd like to continue our search out here. We're going to check on the nearest planet next. We'll stay in radio blackout, but I will transmit a message to you in seventy-two hours after we check out Invernium Strata."
"Alright. Good luck, Jean-Luc," the Admiral advised before disconnecting the channel.
After dropping dinner off for Wesley, Tasha had returned to her quarters for the evening. Data was still down in the lab, so Tasha opted to shower alone.
The steam and warm water had been a welcome relief on her muscles after trekking about Starbase 212 into an EV suit for hours.
By the time she got out of the shower, it was nearly 21:00 hours and Data still wasn't home.
Since Wesley's makeshift bedspace was still occupying her sofa, Tasha had snagged a mug of herbal tea and settled into bed with a book.
She wasn't tired.
In fact, she felt restless. She'd been itching to get her hands on Data ever since she'd woken up that morning.
And while such feelings usually evaporated as the day wore on, Tasha had found herself uncomfortably aroused by the end of her shift.
With a grumble of impatience, she opened her tablet to read until Data got home.
Across the ship, Tasha wasn't the only one feeling restless.
Doctor Selar had insisted on keeping Beverly overnight for another evening which meant Lore was all alone. He'd shared dinner with her in her isolation room before returning to his own quarters.
Lore had scowled as he passed Ten Forward where happy couples were eagerly enjoying themselves.
It wasn't fair.
Data and his little Lieutenant were probably holed up in his quarters enjoying an evening free of that brat Wesley.
Meanwhile, Lore was left to suffer.
To make matters worse, he couldn't even stalk off to the holodeck for a quick release. Though Jean-Luc had eventually reopened the holodeck facilities (with zero explanation for their apparent days-long malfunction), Lore was hesitant to rush back.
Now that the Captain had assigned him a combadge, he could easily find Lore on the holodeck.
It would just like Picard to drop in by surprise and interrupt one of Lore's carefully designed programmes.
The last thing he needed was for that meddling Picard to walk in on him stuffing his cock down that pesky Lieutenant's throat to shut her up.
Resigned such an activity would need to wait for more opportune hour, Lore decided to get to work on building another receiver.
It was shortly before midnight when Data finally arrived home.
He slipped into bed and Tasha could sense there was a lot on his mind.
"Everything alright?" she asked.
"I apologise. I lost track of time working with Geordi," Data said.
"It's alright. You're here now," Tasha smiled as she set her tablet down on the nightstand.
She curled up next to Data and threw her leg over him. When that didn't bring a reaction, she nuzzled against his arm.
"Welcome home," she said.
"You should get some sleep," Data suggested.
"I will," Tasha promised. "Eventually."
She walked her fingers up his chest.
"I had a very interesting dream this morning," Tasha said playfully. "Involving you."
"And that is why are feeling particularly amorous?" Data inquired.
"Maybe," Tasha said as she climbed on top of him.
She rolled her hips in Data's lap, hoping that it would activate a specific function.
"Maybe you do this to me," she said as she rocked against him.
She grinned as she felt Data get hard under her.
"Seems I have the same effect on you," Tasha said.
"You have no idea," Data replied.
He sat up and pulled her into a heated kiss, his fingers twisting into the back of her hair as his other hand settled in the small of Tasha's back.
Data was delighted that she had opted to wear a short, strappy nightdress to bed as it provided him easy access to all his favourite spots to nibble.
Tasha giggled as Data began to nip at the swell of her breasts poking out just above the thin fabric that covered her chest.
His teeth closed around her breast as Data playfully gnawed at the material, his tongue wetting the fabric and leaving a wet spot before he moved on to lave equal attention to the other side.
Tasha threw her head back and chuckled as Data continued to tease her.
Tasha took great pleasure in stripping off Data's shirt as she lavished attention on his long, lean arms.
It wasn't long before they were divested of their clothes and back in one another's arms.
Tasha was sitting Data's lap with her legs wrapped tight around his waist. They rested their foreheads against one another as Data began to rock into her.
"I wanted you all day," Tasha confessed as she held his face.
Normally such a thought would be more than sufficient to send Data's neural net into a spiral. But tonight, his thoughts were fixated on the bitrium deposits they kept finding in the wake of their mysterious culprit.
"The whole time we were in the briefing I couldn't stop thinking about how I wanted to climb into your lap and ride your cock until I was sore," Tasha went on.
"Hmm?" Data said, snapping back to the present.
He was having a difficult time focusing his attention.
Data could shake the feeling that he was overlooking something vital.
"I said I've been thinking about you and your body and your glorious cock all day," Tasha said, breathing heavily. "What it would feel like to pounce on you."
Tasha's body tensed as she stopped rutting against Data.
"What's wrong?" Tasha asked.
She wasn't upset – merely concerned.
"I apologise, I find I am having trouble shutting down the portion of my brain that is thinking about work," Data confessed.
"Oh," Tasha said.
She guided Data to lay back on the bed. Taking hold of his hands, she sank down on the length of him.
Tasha grinned and brought his hands up to her breasts, encouraging him to play with them.
"You feel so good," she groaned as she began to drag herself up and down his stiff cock.
"Uh huh," Data replied.
He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the feeling of being encased in her wet heat, the feel of her soft breasts in his hands.
"Mmmmmm," Tasha sighed, content.
She finally had the prize she'd waited all day for – now safe and snug deep inside of her.
She reached down to caress Data's chest.
"Baby," she breathed.
"Bitrium," Data whispered in response.
Tasha froze.
"Sorry," Data said, peeking out of one eye.
Tasha collapsed on top of Data, grinding against him gently as she tried to test just how lost a cause sex was for the evening.
"Data, I've wanted you for hours," Tasha pleaded.
"There's a researcher from Omicron Theta," Data remarked as his positronic brain began to whirl.
Data stopped and looked up at Tasha.
"I am sorry," Data apologised.
"It's alright," Tasha sighed. "That's where your head's at."
It was hard to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"I must get back to the lab," Data said.
"Go," Tasha replied with a smile. "I'll be here."
She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. It was hard to say no to Data – especially when he had that brilliant twinkle of discovery in his eye.
Data hastily threw on his clothes and dashed off to his lab.
It took him all of three minutes to get there. And during that time, Data had a feeling he was onto the right trail to find answers.
"Computer, pull all relevant information regarding research on bitrium deposits from the last twenty-six years. Cross reference mysterious disappearances and Omicron Theta Colony," Data ordered.
Data had no sooner entered Tasha's quarters when she made her move.
"You work too hard," she said, running her hands all over his chest.
She adored the way he filled out his uniform.
"Far too hard," she purred, cupping his soft cock.
She chuckled as she felt it begin to stiffen in her hand.
"I missed you," Tasha went on.
Data hissed with delight as she palmed his cock through his uniform trousers.
"I've waited so long for this," Tasha said.
To her great pleasure, Data did not resist as she unzipped his uniform and slipped it down over his broad shoulders.
Tasha ran her hands up the length of his arms, savouring in the feel of his lean biceps. There was so much strength deceptively hidden in his lithe frame.
"I want you to take me," Tasha said as her lips ghosted over his neck and jawline.
"I endeavour to fulfil your every need," Data replied.
"Good," Tasha grinned.
She took hold of Data's hand and led him back toward the bedroom.
They barely made it inside the door when Data pressed her up against the wall.
"Oh," Tasha said in surprise.
"Is this not to your liking?" Data inquired as his cock rocked against Tasha's clit, teasing her with just enough stimulation to stay on edge.
"Don't tease me," she pleaded. "Please don't tease me."
Tasha felt like she'd been waiting ages to get her hands on Data.
Data's head weaved in front of her face, taunting her with how close it was and placing a series of almost kisses on her lips.
He moved in for a kiss and then jerked away at the last second, planting it on her chin or cheek instead.
It drove her mad with desire.
Tasha's entire body felt like it was going to overheat as Data blew over her neck, across her clavicle, and between her breasts.
Before she could register a protest, Data adjusted their position. Slipping his hands under her legs, he lifted Tasha until she was quite literally trapped between Data and the wall – her back against the polymer wall, her knees resting on Data's shoulders, and Data's cock pressed firmly against her eager cunt.
"Take a breath," Data said.
Together, they inhaled.
As she exhaled, Data slipped inside.
"Ah," Tasha whimpered.
"Awwww, do you feel that?" Data asked. "Does it feel good to feel so full?"
"Uh huh," Tasha nodded.
She let her head fall back against the wall as Data began to drive into her.
"Ah, ah, ah," Tasha panted as her back hit the wall with each subsequent thrust of Data's magnificent cock.
There was faint noise in the distance that threatened to pull Tasha away from her momentary bliss.
Data stopped moving.
"No, don't stop," Tasha urged.
"The noise," Data said.
"Ignore it," Tasha pleaded.
"It is growing louder," Data commented.
Tasha tried to rock against Data and instead found herself sitting up in bed as her alarm blared on the nightstand.
Tasha slammed the button to shut it off. With an exasperated groan she collapsed back against the bed.
"Sorry," Tasha apologised as she reached for Data.
She turned and found the bed empty.
He must have worked all night. Tasha realised.
With a huff, she rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.
It was just a dream. She realised.
Tasha bit her lip and squeezed her thighs together in frustration.
But it felt so real.
She was uncomfortably aroused. Her thighs were soaking. In fact, Tasha could ever recall feeling so painfully eager. There was an ache between her thighs. Her body flushed with desire. Even her nipples hurt.
Settling for a quick cold shower, Tasha threw on her uniform and rushed out so as not to be late for morning report.
It's gonna be a long day. Tasha thought.