11. Apology Not Accepted

Geordi sighed deeply as he absently scanned the monitor of his pad. It was a bored sigh. The screen was filled with the results of routine engine checks and other such monotonous information he was sure was compiled specifically to drive him into a boredom-induced coma. At the moment there really wasn't much else he could do. But it was his shift and he had to look like he was doing something.

He was greatly relieved as the intercom chime broke the monotony. "LaForge here." He acknowledged.

"Geordi, are you busy?" Data's voice said over the speaker.

The Engineer glared at his pad in revulsion then tossed it onto the nearest counter. "No. Why?"

"There is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Well, what is it?"

Data hesitated a moment, which for him was very unusual. Geordi noted this with interest. "It would be preferable to speak in person."

In person, huh? This ought to be interesting. LaForge thought. I just hope it's not another beard. "Sure. Come on down."

"Thank you." Another pause. "May Aura come with me?"

"Who? Oh, the cat. Yeah. Just make her promise not to get cat hairs in the warp drive."

"Are the containment fields malfunctioning?" Nobody else could have picked it up but Geordi could hear the urgency in his friend's voice raise a notch.

"No. The shields are fine."

"Then how would it be possible for Aura's fur to…" He stopped in mid-sentence and Geordi could almost hear the gears (he has circuits but that's beside the point) turning with realization in Data's head. "You were telling a joke." He finally said.

"You're catching on quicker every time." Geordi said with a smile.

"Thank you. We will be there shortly."

Only moments later, as promised, Data marched into Engineering. LaForge chuckled at the sight of the kitten perched contentedly on his shoulder watching the world go by like some ancient queen on her litter.

By now most of the staff were watching from their stations.

When they reached Geordi, Aura squeaked a small protest at being lowered from her perch. With a flat palm Data held her up to the Chief Engineer. "This is Geordi." He told her. Her large golden eyes gave him a once over then turned back to Data with a look that seemed to say; 'So that's a Geordi. Now what?'

"Say hello." At the command she raised a paw and stared at LaForge expectantly. Data explained. "She wishes to shake your hand, but considering her size I believe a finger will suffice."

One eyebrow raised over Geordi's VISOR as he held his index finger up. Aura took it with one tiny pink paw and pumped his finger in a miniature version of the human handshake.

There was a giggle from the corner of the room where two young Ensigns had been watching. "That's so cute!"

Geordi thought about shooting them a 'back-to-work' look but thought better of it. After all he wasn't exactly breaking his back either. Instead he turned back to Data. "That's great! How long did it take you to teach her that?"

"Thirty-five point three minutes." This time both eyebrows shot above Geordi's VISOR and quiet murmurs could be heard around the room. Not that having a cat in Engineering was all that exciting but it broke the monotony so everyone had at least one ear perked.

"That's amazing, Data!"

"Yes, it is. Especially considering her age and the reputation cats have for being stubborn and untrainable." As Data spoke Aura had become transfixed with the flashing coils of the warp drive. She watched intensely as each series of blue lights ascended into the ceiling. He noted her interest. "That is the warp drive." He explained, pointing at it. "It is what makes the ship go." The fuzzy white face looked from Data to the blue illumination and back again.

Geordi shook his head. That was a bit too much. "Do you really think she understands you?"

"I do not believe she comprehends the exact meaning of my statement. But the more I speak to her the more her understanding will progress. After all, her intelligence is much higher than most of her species." He frowned ever so slightly at the end of his sentence. "But the foremost reason I wish to speak to you is not to discuss Aura's intellect."

"Oh?"

"I brought her along with the intention of eliminating two fowl with one piece of mineral."

"You mean 'kill two birds with one stone'?"

"Is that not what I just said?"

Geordi chuckled a bit before he spoke. "So what did you really come to talk about?"

"I came to apologize."

"Ap-apologize?" Geordi stammered in bewilderment. "For what?"

"For my lack of foresight during the disturbance on the planet."

"Data," LaForge's tone was almost irritated. "You saved my life down there. What could you possibly apologize for? Except, of course for saving my life." The last comment was thrown in as kind of a joke, but Data's humor deficiency prohibited him from recognizing it as such.

"No. My apology was certainly not for your continued existence. My regret is only that in my haste to remove you from danger I injured you." It was obvious that Data wasn't finished when Geordi interrupted.

"Who told you that?" He knew Data would have found out sooner or later but he still wanted to know who found it necessary to tell him.

"Dr. Pulaski informed me when I brought Aura in for examination."

It figures. Geordi thought. What did she have against Data anyway? She hadn't been on board for very long but even in that short time she made her disliking of him quite clear. She seemed to go out of her way to be, if not rude, very curt. Sometimes he wondered if it wasn't some sick experiment to see just how much it would take to get a reaction out of the android.

Aura had begun to get bored and commenced cleaning herself methodically, putting great stress on the areas between her back toes.

"Look, you don't have anything to be sorry about."

"On the contrary. My lack of consideration for your organic fragility caused you a great deal of pain. Furthermore, had the velocity at which I shoved you been any greater we would not be conversing presently."

"Hey, if you hadn't done what you did we wouldn't be 'conversing presently'."

"You do have a point."

"I'm glad you agree. So why don't you just forget the whole thing?"

"You wish for me to wipe the event from my memory?"

"No." Geordi groaned. His implants often bothered him during conversations with Data. But he had to admit they were always amusing. "It's fine. You're forgiven. It's over. End of subject."

"Before we completely terminate this conversation may I ask you one question?"

"You just did." His teasing grin faded a bit as Data simply waited for his real response. The android had caught on to that joke a long time ago. "Yeah, go ahead."

"Why did you not tell me you were injured during the planetary survey?"

"I…I didn't want you to worry about it."

"You were concerned that I might feel guilty about my actions, correct?"

The engineer nodded. "I guess so."

"But, Geordi, you know I am not capable of feeling emotions."

"Are you sure?" LaForge wasn't. Some of the things Data did could not be explained by anything else.

"Yes. I am not programmed for them."

"Well, if you're not guilty then why are you down here?"

"I told you already. I came to apologize."

"Why?"

"It is the proper response in the event that you have hurt someone."

"Let me put it another way. We're friends aren't we?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact I consider you my best friend."

Geordi's face broke into a broad grin of shining white teeth that contrasted greatly with his dark complexion. It almost looked like an extra VISOR. "Me too." He put a hand on Data's shoulder. Aura glared at this gesture. She seemed irritated that his hand was occupying her favorite spot. "And if you ask me friendship is one of the best feelings there is."

Data's head inclined to the side as he considered this statement deeply. Then a rare thing happened. When He looked back at Geordi he smiled. This was more than just a slight upturn of the mouth (which in itself was unusual). Of course it couldn't compare to LaForge's half moon either. It was, however, a very noticeable pleased expression. For anyone who knew Data that was a thing to treasure.

"Thank you, Geordi. I have never thought of it quite that way before."

"Always happy to help." He gave Data's shoulder a small pat before removing his hand.

At that moment Lt. Reginald Barclay entered Engineering with a pad and began purposefully approaching LaForge. He stopped mid-stride as he noticed the little cotton-ball in Data's hand. "Well, who do we have here?" He reached to pet her but paused halfway, realizing he was being presumptuous. His wide, terminally worried, eyes looked up at Data. "Uh, may I, sir?"

"Of course." He held the kitten out. "Aura, say hello to Lt. Barclay."

She obediently lifted one white paw. Reg did not seem to need an explination. He made a slight bow and shook her tiny pad between his thumb and forefinger. "Nice to meet you young lady." This got a raised eyebrow from Geordi. "She's very polite." Barclay said as he stroked the purring kitten.

"Did you want something, Reg?"

"Sir? Oh, uh, yes sir." The man snapped to attention. His brown apologetic eyes reminded LaForge of a puppy; trying so hard to please his master and terrified of disapproval over even the slightest mistake. "I'm sorry, sir. I shouldn't have got distracted with the…um…the."

"It's okay. I don't care if you pet the cat. But I do want to know what you were going to show me."

Barclay nodded stiffly and handed Geordi the pad. "It's a…a systems report."

"It appears that your attention is needed elsewhere. Thank you for your time, Geordi." Data then spoke to Aura. "Say goodbye to Geordi and Lt. Barclay."

With a tiny 'mew' she waved at the two engineers.

"Goodbye." Reg waved enthusiastically.

"Keep your nose clean." The second it was out of his mouth Geordi could have kicked himself. He should have known better than to say something like that to Data. Although he didn't expect the exact response he received.

Data cocked his head in his characteristic confused look. "Are you suggesting that I should act immature?" He inquired.

"What?"

"I am not familiar with the expression 'keep your nose clean'. I am guessing that it is referring to the childhood obsession with the nasal cavity. I have observed that many children under the age of five constantly have their fingers up their—"

"No that's not what it means!"

"Oh." Data didn't see the need to say anything more since Geordi was busy so he simply left.

LaForge waited until his friend had exited Engineering before he turned to Barclay and laughed. "So, what about those systems reports?" How boring his life would be without such little conversations.