*Disclaimer: Star Trek the Next Generation is property of Paramount Pictures and all respective cast, crew, and employees. I am not making a profit off this. This is simply for fanfiction enjoyment.**

Summary: When parasites feed off the Enterprise, Data makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the entire crew and everyone on the Enterprise.

Ultimate Sacrifice

Beverly Crusher came tearing into the main room.

"What?! What's wrong?"

O'Brien simply pointed at the large monitor, at a complete loss for words. He slid off the biobed and hobbled over to the center biobed. Dr. Crusher was there in an instant, scanning Data with her tricorder. Her heart skipped a beat as the tricorder bleeped in reply.

14.25 percent…

Miles and Beverly looked at one another; wide grins spreading across their faces.

"Dr. Crusher to Captain Picard."

"Picard, here."

"Data's-positronic-activity-is-rising! It's rising, sir!" the doctor blurted out, her excitement spilling out in a flow of words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Within ten minutes, all senior staff were gathered in Sickbay.

"I don't believe it," O'Brien gasped as he watched the numbers continue to climb. He had all but forgotten about his injury and stood on one foot with his hands on the biobed.

32.25 percent…

Riker and Troi grinned, gazing hopefully at the android on the biobed. Dr. Crusher clutched her tricorder, unconsciously fiddling around with it in her hands. Captain Picard's mouth was in a thin line and his eyes never left Data's still unmoving face. While he was thrilled when he heard the news, he knew that Data's positronic activity has stopped before. After seeing several officers die in the line of duty, he had learned never to raise one's hopes prematurely. Yet, he couldn't keep the corners of his mouth from rising in a slight smile.

43.82 percent…

56.12 percent…

"Come on Data," Gerodi urged. Seated beside the android, he had one hand clasped around Data's right hand through a hole between the biobed at the flat hatch that encased Data's body. The other he used to lean on the biobed while he focused on Data's eyes for any kind of movement.

65.23 percent…

73.10 percent…

Gerodi felt slight movement in his right hand. Quickly he whipped his head toward his hand. Data's pale hand was… moving. Slowly, ever so slightly, his fingers shifted. Geordi tightened his grip on Data.

82.25 percent…

"Data," the chief engineer called, "Data, can you hear me?"

Data's eyes opened in a fraction of a second. Almost instantly, he sat up… or at least tried to. His torso promptly hit the hatch and he fell back on the biobed.

"Woah!" Dr. Crusher said, putting a gentle hand on Data's shoulder, "It's alright, Data."

Data's yellow eyes took a quick scan of his surroundings and focused on Geordi.

"Geordi?" Data asked, "What has happened?"

In one ecstatic, contented sigh, the emotional burden of the last several months lifted. Geordi leaped out of his seat and put both hands on Data's shoulders.

"DATA! You're alright!"

"Oh my god," was all Troi could muster through her tears.

"Oh, god Data," Riker echoed. His misty blue eyes revealed his elation.

Worf, who had stood so quietly off to the side, smiled.

Dr. Crusher stole a glance at Captain Picard, whose smile was so broad, his eyes were twinkling crescents. He strode over to his friend of over ten years.

"It's good to have you back, Mr. Data."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My internal chronometer indicates that I have been unconscious for… one hundred sixty two days, twelve hours, four minutes, and seven seconds," Data commented as Geordi examined him with his tricorder.

"And what a long one hundred and sixty two days it's been," Geordi said, looking deep into Data's yellow eyes.

"It is good to see you too, Geordi," Data reciprocated.

Dr. Crusher unlocked the hatch that covered Data's body, joyfully releasing the burden from her friend.

"Well," she said pointing at the life support system with a smile, "you don't need this anymore!"

Data sat up and dangled his legs over the biobed, flexing his limbs. Geordi smiled as the android tested his reflexes at lightning speed. His hands were a blur as he moved his arms back and forth.

"Thank you, Doctor, Geordi," Data said, nodding to his friends. He slid off the biobed… and collapsed on the floor, his legs crumpling beneath him.

Geordi and Dr. Crusher were immediately at his side.

"Data? Are you alright?"

"I believe so," Data responded, still on the floor.

Dr. Crusher helped him back up into a sitting position.

"Be careful," she admonished, "your positronic activity is not at one hundred percent yet."

Data moved his right leg, but his left would not budge.

"It seems that my right leg is functioning within normal parameters," he analyzed, "but my left leg has not regained normal function."

"Are you gonna be alright?" Geordi asked, his voice filling with concern.

Dr. Crusher scanned Data with her tricorder; then ran a diagnostic.

"He should be fine in a couple of hours," she said.

Data turned to the doctor.

"But I must return to duty," he protested.

"Data, you have to take care of yourself first. Just take it easy."

"Inquiry… 'take it… easy'?"

For the first time in months, the doctor and chief engineer smiled contentedly. It had been a long time since they heard their friend's curiosity.

"It means to relax. Give yourself time to recover."

"Ah."

For a split second, Dr. Crusher saw what looked like disappointment in Data's yellow eyes.

"If it's any consolation," she said after some thought, "humans need time to recover after they've been injured."

Data cocked his head to the side, analyzing what the doctor had just said.

"Thank you, doctor."

Dr. Crusher and Geordi smiled.

"Data," Dr. Crusher said, trying to suppress a giggle, "you're the only person I know who takes comfort in recovery time."

Data just stared in wonder at his friends' grins.

"Sorry, Data," Geordi said after a few moments silence, "looks like you're stuck here until tomorrow."

"Not necessarily," Dr. Crusher responded.

"But… he can't walk."

"Normally," Data explained, "my secondary servo mechanisms would compensate for the loss in mobility, but because I have been unconscious for so long and the parasites have damaged my software, my positronic activity will not be at one hundred percent for fourteen hours, twenty three minutes and two seconds. I do not have the strength to carry my full weight on one foot."

Dr. Crusher turned to a replicator behind her, whispered a command, and returned with something in her hands.

"That's why you use these."

"What are those?" Geordi demanded, backing away from the doctor.

"They're crutches."

Data and Geordi looked at one another, then faced the doctor.

"Crutches?!"

"Yes," Dr. Crusher answered, grinning at the confused faces that stared back at her, "they're from ancient history. Humans used these to move around when a leg or foot was injured."

Within seconds, Data had learned how to use the crutches. As Data and Geordi turned to leave, Dr. Crusher watched contentedly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Data and Geordi walked to Data's quarters, every crewman who passed by stopped to commend the android.

Ensigns stopped in their tracks, "Commander!"

Data responded calmly, acknowledging each officer by name.

"I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Thank you."

Each and every person, Starfleet officer or citizen, thanked Data.

"I… I don't know what to say." Ensign Michaels gasped, "I can't thank you enough."

"You are welcome." Data replied time and again as if he had simply picked up something they had dropped.

Each officer also looked behind them as Data and Gerodi walked on, not able to get used to the sight of an android using crutches. With some difficulty, Data proceeded down the hall; his useless left foot dragging on the floor. Geordi walked at his slow pace patiently. Though he did not admit this out loud, it sent chills down is spine watching his friend struggle with simply walking.

"This is an intriguing feeling," Data commented, looking down at his left leg as he hobbled on the crutches, "is this what it feels like to be… injured?"

Data said the last word as if it were in a foreign language.

"Yeah," Geordi replied, "I guess it is."

"Do you remember what happened?" Geordi asked.

"My memory files have stored everything until the time I lost consciousness."

"And what happened?"

By this time, the two had reached Data's quarters. As soon as Data sat on the couch, Spot jumped onto his lap and nudged his face, meowing excitedly.

"Hello, Spot." Data greeted. Geordi caught the corners of Data's mouth turning up slightly. He then continued while the cat settled in his lap, purring.

"When I connected myself to the Holodeck, my optical parameters began to fluctuate. For twenty one seconds, I could not see color. In fifteen seconds, I lost the ability to hear. My motor functions failed after thirty one seconds and I lost consciousness."

"It must've been terrifying," Geordi said.

"… I did not feel anything. I am not capable of feeling fear."

Data picked up a padd the captain had given him. It contained all the ship's files from the time Data lost consciousness. Every detail was in those files; from officer logs to ship commands.

The chief engineer thought back to the moment he realized what his friend had done for the crew.

"Why do I have to be constantly reminded you can't feel emotions?" Geordi thought as he stole a glance at his friend before leaving Data's quarters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's time," Admiral Maddox smiled, the gloat apparent in his face, "Captain Picard, you and I will beam down in one hour to Deep Space Nine where a court martial can take the necessary disciplinary actions."

Captain Picard stood in front of the large viewscreen on the Bridge, arms folded on his chest, his mouth a thin line.

"Just one more thing, Admiral," Captain Picard responded. Behind the captain, Riker, Geordi, Troi, and even Worf were trying to keep their faces still. Picard extended his arm, gesturing to the side.

Data strode into view, stepping in front of the viewscreen.

Maddox stared open mouthed at the android.

"C… Co…. Comm….Commander Data!"

"Sir," Data responded simply.

Picard smiled so broadly, he was about to laugh.

"You.. you're alive."

"My positronic activity is at one hundred percent."

"Bu… but how can this be?"

"My biofunctions suffered severe damage," Data explained, "once the parasites were cleared from my circuitry, my internal backup system had to rebuild all positronic activity. Because my internal backup system was damaged itself, it was uncertain whether I would regain full function."

"But… but you're fine now?"

"I am functioning within normal parameters."

Maddox took a deep breath, the incredulous look never leaving his face.

"May I ask a question, sir?" Data asked politely.

"Uhh… sure," Maddox replied, still stunned.

"Do you wish to proceed with the court martial hearing?" the android asked, taking a step towards the viewscreen.

"I… I… guess..," Maddox stammered. He then cleared his throat and regained his confidence, "Of course, I'll proceed with the court martial. Your captain has disobeyed an admiral!"

"Although that is true," Data replied, "I believe that my captain was acting on… intuition. Given the fact that I am now functioning, it would be difficult to convince the judge to proceed with disciplinary action. My captain is no longer 'a danger to Starfleet' and his intuition was correct. I did regain full function."

"Defending your captain? Typical!" Maddox scoffed.

"I am merely stating a fact."

Behind Data, Picard stood, beaming at his second officer. He relished watching the admiral's uncomfortable stare. Admiral Maddox shifted uneasily in his chair and avoided looking at the viewscreen.

"… seeing as how Commander Data is.. alive," Maddox sneered after a long pause, "The court martial would be a waste of my time. Maddox out." Maddox cut communication with the Enterprise instantly.

Immediately, the Bridge rejoiced. Laughter had finally found its way to the senior officers, filling the Bridge with long-overdue relief. The only one who didn't have a smile on his face was Data, who merely stepped back from the viewscreen.

"Captain," Data said, facing Picard, "may I speak to you in the Ready Room?"

"Of course, Mr. Data."

When the two were seated in Picard's Ready Room, Data looked straight into the eyes of his captain, seated behind the blacktop desk.

"I wish to apologize to you, Captain."

Picard stared incredulously back at the android.

"Apologize?"

"Yes, sir. And I also wish to thank you. When I connected myself to the Holodeck, I did not anticipate what would follow. I did not know that I would become a liability to yourself and the Enterprise . You protected my life at a great detriment to yourself. You put your career and reputation in danger when you defied Admiral Maddox's orders. I cannot thank you enough for saving my life. Had you proceeded with the admiral's orders, I would not be functioning today."

Picard looked in amazement at his second officer. It took a few moments for him to find his voice.

"Data, it is I, who should be thanking you. It is because of you that I… and the entire crew are alive. You saved over a thousand people. How could I not defend you when there was still the possibility that you'd survive? You sacrificed yourself for the sake of this ship...," Picard paused, wondering how to put his next thoughts into words, "… I can't think of an act more human than what you have done."

Data cocked his head inquisitively... and to Picard's amazement, the android smiled. The corners of his mouth turned upward further than they ever had before.

"Thank you, sir."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ugh! What the-?" Riker spat out his drink; his upturned nose and disgusted face said it all.

Deanna, Geordi, Guinan, and even Picard burst out laughing while Data observed, perplexed.

The crew was assembled in Ten Forward, which was decorated in balloons, confetti, and desserts of all kinds. Starfleet officers tricked in to join the festivities, but the senior officers had been there for a while. Picard, Riker, Worf, Troi, Gerodi, and Dr. Crusher had set up the party to celebrate Data's recovery… and honor his valor.

Guinan had switched Riker's sparkling apple cider with Acamarian brandy while the first officer was deeply engaged in a conversation.

"Very funny," Riker said, glaring at Guinan as he washed the acrid taste out with water; but soon, he was smiling with the rest of the officers.

In a corner of the bar, Worf sat alone at a table. Noticing this, Data excused himself politely and approached the Klingon.

"Is there something wrong, Mr. Worf?"

Worf glanced up at Data; then glared back down at the table.

"No, sir."

Data stood watching Worf for a few moments, studying his face.

"Are you feeling guilty, lieutenant, concerning your actions in the past seven months?"

Worf's face whipped back up to the android. How did he know? He then sighed ruefully. Sometimes, the android was more insightful than any of them would ever hope to be.

"Yes," came the barely audible reply.

Data seated himself across from Worf, who found it hard to look at his friend's eyes. He continued to stare at the table.

"I would have killed you. I… I would have killed my own friend. I wanted to take you off life support."

"Is it not true that you wanted me to die an honorable death?" Data asked, recalling the ship's logs he had read hours earlier.

"… Yes," Worf replied reluctantly.

"And you did not know whether I would regain consciousness?"

"Neither did anyone else. But no one gave up hope for you… except me."

Data paused, absorbing the information.

"Given that I had been unconscious for five months, two days, twenty one hours at the time of your protest, it only seems reasonable that I would not regain consciousness."

Worf finally looked up at his friend in disbelief.

"But I would have killed you!"

"I see no greater compliment from a Klingon than the intent to give me an honorable death," Data replied.

Worf opened his mouth, but his next words were drowned in admiration. For an android with no feelings, he sure knew how others felt.

"Sir," Worf replied, "you are more in tuned with emotions than people give your credit for."

Finally, the Klingon felt fit to join in the festivities with the rest of his friends, exchanging smiles with the senior officers, including Geordi, with whom he had finally made amends.

Data then approached Geordi and pulled him aside.

"Wait Data," Gerodi said as Data opened his mouth to speak.

"If you're about to thank me for defending you in Sickbay, don't. You don't need to thank me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I hadn't defended you. I'm just glad you're okay."

"Thank you, Geordi… for being my best friend." Data replied.

"And thank you, Data… for being mine." Geordi said.

The two best friends nodded and Geordi patted Data on the back as they rejoined the rest of the group.

From there, Data proceeded to the dance floor and surprised everyone with immaculate tap dancing.

"He's still got it," Dr. Crusher smiled, remembering the moves she had taught him years ago. The moves Data performed on the dance floor were somewhat different from what she had taught him… as if he had added his own personality to it.

Picard watched his second officer perform in front of his friends. He studied the faces of each of his comrades. There was a joy on the ship unlike anything the captain had ever seen. And when he looked once more at Data, there was no doubt about it this time. Emotions radiated from the android. Joy… friendship… camaraderie. At no other time did the captain feel such strong emotion… human or android.

**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**

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Munchkincat out.