9. A Perfect Match

Commander Maddox's smug face appeared on the monitor in front of the Captain. It was obvious that he expected an apology.

"First of all," Jean-Luc began, "I want to tell you that I do realize what a driving force scientific curiosity can be. I wouldn't be the captain of an exploration vessel if I didn't. You will be welcome on my ship." He wasn't through when Maddox interrupted.

"I'm glad you finally came to your senses Captain Picard."

Picard gave a knowing smile. "I believe it's Mr. Data who's come to his senses."

Bruce Maddox looked puzzled until Data stepped into view. His confusion turned to shock.

"Are you not feeling well, Commander?" Data asked innocently as he cocked his head in question.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" He was making a great effort to keep himself composed.

"Your face paled, you tensed and began to hyperventilate. These can be symptoms of illness. I would suggest you contact the starbase doctor to…" he paused as if debating on his use of words. "…play it safe."

The Captain suppressed a smile. He was enjoying this as much as the three onlookers (Riker, Troi and Geordi) who stood just out of view of the screen.

"I'm fine!" He insisted. "And you? Looks like you still need some work."

Data looked at his left shoulder where frayed wires stuck out of his torn uniform then at the arm that hung uselessly from it. "It is just superficial damage, sir. No need for concern. It can be repaired easily."

"Oh, good." Commander Maddox became surprisingly quiet. His eyes seemed to focus on everything but Data's. Picard wondered if the man's conscience was bothering him. "I'll inform those concerned that the procedure is canceled in light of your recovery."

"Thank you. I would also like to thank you for your concern in my immortalization. It was a noble thought. After considering the complications my apparent demise caused I believe a will is in order. That way there will be no further misunderstandings. I shall send you a copy when it is completed."

"Uh, thanks."

"You are welcome." And they broke communication.

Geordi had just finished repairing Data's damaged shoulder when soft chimes announced that someone was at the door. Data gave the word and the entrance slid open with a hiss. Wesley stepped into the room keeping his hands deliberately behind his back and out of view. "I've got something for you." He said, stepping a little closer, his face beaming with an 'I-know-something-that-you-don't' grin.

"Oh? That is a kind gesture." A pause. "What is it?"

The young Ensign shook his head. "First, close your eyes and hold out your hands."

He looked questioningly over at Geordi who waved him on. "Go ahead."

He complied but still protested. "I do not perceive the significance of this tradition. I am going to see it sooner or later and weather I do so while holding it or not seems irrelevant." He suddenly felt something warm and furry being lowered into his cupped hands. He analyzed all his senses, other than sight, and began to voice what he deduced. "It seems to be a mammal of some—"

Wesley interrupted. "Data, you're supposed to open your eyes now."

"Oh." He did so. "It is a kitten." He stated flatly.

The boy nodded, waiting for some response.

"This is a very unusual gift."

At that comment Wesley's beaming face seemed to flicker and dim. He doesn't like it, he concluded.

But Data wasn't through yet. "Unusual and…" He paused, glanced at the kitten then back at his young friend. "…precious."

That brought the Ensign's smile back. "Dr. Pulaski says it's a girl. I had to ask her because I don't know how to tell when they're that young."

The android's face seemed full of amazement as he turned back to the tiny life form. She was not much larger than a newborn—so small that if he had cupped one hand over the other he could have concealed her perfectly. Yet her shape, manner and the fact that her eyes were open said that she was somewhat older than her size suggested. For a moment two sets of fascinated golden eyes studied one another intensely. Data's head inclined slightly to the side inquisitively. The kitten copied the gesture almost perfectly.

Crusher and LaForge chuckled at the uncanny parallels between the individuals from two such different species.

"Where did you get her?" Data ignored the sounds of his friends' amusement.

"At the starbase two days before we left. See, our class went to a speech by a Dr. Fargate, a chemist-pharmacist of sorts. The class left but I stayed and talked to him for a while. (Really nice old guy. He had some interesting theories too) Anyway he mentioned that he had to move his lab to a bigger room he'd just got. So I offered to help him pack boxes and stuff. He had all kinds of neat chemical experiments in there. When I picked up this one box I found her hiding behind it. He had no idea how she got there or whose she was. She was all by herself. No mother or other kittens. We asked a lot of people if they knew who her owner was but no one seemed to know. We even put a 'found' add on the local net but no one claimed her. So I guess she's kind of an orphan."

"Like me."

Wesley hadn't thought about that. Discovered all alone in a strange place by unknown creatures. Ironic he thought as he continued. "She's really fast. We chased her for ten minutes before we finally got her cornered. Dr. Fargate thinks that living in his lab and being exposed to all those chemicals could have affected her somehow. But he couldn't keep her so he asked if I wanted her or if I knew anyone who would. And I thought of you. I know you always like to try new things and I know you never had a cat before."

"You are correct. This will be a novel experience and I suspect a quite intriguing one. What is her name?" He asked, not taking his eyes of the fragile little creature.

"She doesn't have one yet. I thought I'd leave that up to you." In gesturing Wesley failed to calculate the distance between his hand and the wall. The two collided with a rather painful 'THUD'.

Both pale faces turned toward the boy who was shaking his throbbing fingers and cocked slightly to one side in almost perfect synchronization.

"You two are perfect together." Said Geordi smiling at the resemblance. "She's the spitting image of you."

" 'Spitting image'? I did not know that cats were able to propel their saliva…"

"Expression, Data! Expression! I meant you are a lot alike."

"We do seem to possess similar mannerisms and complexion."

"In fact," Geordi continued. "If she had an aura I'd swear you were twins."

"Then I shall give her one." At this announcement Data's friends exchanged a puzzled glance. He brought the kitten up to eye level. Her ears perked when he spoke. "Your name is Aura."

"Mew?"

"Sounds like she likes it." Wesley grinned.

"Fits her real good." Said Geordi, genuinely surprised that Data had come up with a suitable name.

"Meow." The kitten rose to her feet and uttered a slightly different sound than before. When she didn't get the desired response she raised the volume. "Meow! MEOW!"

"What is the matter with her?" He turned imploringly to Wesley. "Have I done something wrong?"

The young Ensign smiled and shook his head. "You didn't do anything. She's just hungry." He walked to Data's replicator and placed his order. "Milk, warm, in an extra small bottle." As soon as it materialized he handed it over.

The android immediately assessed the best position for the procedure. He'd seen the way mothers bottle fed a few times so he did the same. Aura cooperated as he settled her on her back in one arm then picked up the bottle with the other.

Wesley frowned slightly as she attacked the nipple and began slurping at it noisily. "That's funny. She never let me hold her like that. In fact that's the first time she hasn't cried when someone put her on her back."

"She must really like you, Data." Was it just Geordi's imagination or did he see a smile playing around his friend's pale lips?

"No. Hold it up so she doesn't swallow air." Wesley corrected.

"Her ease is unusual." Data said as he righted the bottle's position. "I have observed that most animals seem to be wary of my company. Dr. Pulaski suggested that they may sense my artificial origin and are unnerved by it."

"Aura doesn't seem to have a problem with it." Geordi commented, noting the extra loud purr coming from the extra small feline.

It didn't take long for her to finish her meal, although most of it ended up on her face. Content with a full stomach Aura streatched then curled back into a purring white fuzzball. Little by little as the tiny body relaxed the purr grew softer until she finally drifted off to sleep.

Geordi couldn't help but admire Wesley. He'd found the perfect present for their mechanical friend. "Well, I've got to get back to Engineering." He said as he headed toward the door.

"Yeah," Wesley followed. "I still have some homework."

"Wait!" Data whispered urgently. "What do I do now?"

"What do you mean?" Asked LaForge.

"If I move I will wake her."

"Than just wait 'till she wakes up."

"But what should I do until then?"

"You're smart." Geordi said as he stepped into the hall. "You'll figure something out."