Author's Note: Thank you! You folks that read/review/comment/kudos/subscribe are giving me LYFE! I can't begin to tell you how much it means to see whenever one of you leaves another beautiful comment. Seriously, you folks are the best!
This chapter is meant to be fun and light-hearted. We're going to see a little more Sonya/Geordi in the future. This is going to be a slow-build romance. Geordi's got a tender heart and he's not keen to have it broken again.
We've got a series of light chapters coming in the next few instalments – fluff, another Girl's Night, and plenty of family appearances.
"So?" Worf asked.
"So what?" Tasha replied as she ducked his jab.
A second later, Worf blocked her left cross.
"Are we still on for tonight?" Worf questioned.
There was a concert at Ten Aft that Tasha had suggested they attend. There was a crew band performing tonight headlined by one of their security ensigns, Luis Cevallos.
Although they had made plans the night before, Worf wanted to be sure.
"Of course!" Tasha replied as she landed a blow on the side of his head.
Worf made a slow attempt at a jab. Tasha countered by blocking and nailing him with an uppercut. He was clearly distracted by something.
"Why?" she asked as her brow furrowed. "You OK?"
It wasn't like Worf to question or cancel plans.
"I do not wish to intrude if you would rather spend time with Commander Data," Worf explained. "I believe the black hole ordeal has been a reminder of mortality and the importance of treasuring the moments we do have with our loved ones."
Tasha dropped her hands and stopped.
"Is this about the woman on your desk?" Tasha asked knowingly.
Worf looked scandalised.
"No!" he answered quickly.
Too quickly.
"Why not?" Tasha asked.
"I do not wish to discuss it," Worf replied stiffly.
He turned away and stepped over to the edge of the holographic boxing ring. Worf slipped out under the rope and grabbed his workout duffle.
"Oh come on! She's gorgeous," Tasha protested. "And you clearly have feelings for her. Why can't you talk to me about it?"
Before responding, Worf took a long drink of water from his canteen. He returned the bottle to his bag and then rested his arms on the rope.
"Do you wish to discuss the details of where and how you took the oath last night?" Worf retorted as he cocked his eyebrow.
"Ok, point taken," Tasha said as she put her hands up to signal surrender.
Worf climbed back into the ring.
"Someday I hope you will meet her," Worf said.
It was a peace offering and Tasha understood that. It wasn't that he didn't trust Tasha, but he didn't even know where to begin when it came to explaining his history with K'Ehleyr.
The incident with the black hole had left quite an impression on Worf. It wasn't just a reminder of his mortality, it was a matter of honour. He had left too many things unsaid. Worf and K'Ehleyr had gone their separate ways – and he had let her. Because he knew that she wanted her career, and she wasn't ready to commit to a relationship.
Worf had kept his distance since that time.
But now he was beginning to question that. If he were to be true to himself, then he needed to tell her how he felt.
"You know if you're not feeling like going, you don't have to come," Tasha offered.
"Nonsense," Worf replied. "I just thought if you wanted to spend time with Data then I would-" Worf started to say.
Tasha shook her head.
"Data's spending the day with Geordi," Tasha said as she waved her hand. "Hoping to cheer him up after last night."
"I said I'm fine, Data," Geordi assured him for the third time.
Data replied with a short nod and resumed scanning the reactor in Geordi's lab.
"I mean, it's not like she's the only person on the ship," Geordi said.
Geordi stepped away from the reactor and over to the toolbox on the floor. He knelt down and rummaged through his toolkit looking for a hyperspanner.
"And I always said it wasn't going to work out anyways," Geordi went on.
They were in Geordi's lab working to salvage parts from an old warp core. It was a project Geordi, Data, Wes, and Reg Barclay had been working on, off and on, over the last few months.
Despite the fact that the four of them were technically on leave, it was a task they enjoyed.
"But like I said, I don't really want to talk about it," Geordi said as he waved his hand dismissively. "Hell, I don't even want to think about it!"
From across the lab, Wesley Crusher looked up from his workstation. He locked eyes with Data and shook his head.
"Ah ha!" Geordi cried triumphantly as he leapt up having found his hyperspanner.
"I think we can salvage about forty percent of this crystal," Wesley informed them.
The young acting ensign had been sifting through the remnants of the dilithium crystal from the reactor and was hoping to change the subject.
"Are the pieces large enough t-t-to handle the eddy currents?" Reg asked.
Reg slid out from under the reactor and came to inspect the shards.
With a pair of industrial tongs, Wes held one of the pieces up for examination.
"Should be large enough that there's a minimal risk of fragmentation," Wes said.
"N-nice work," Reg said with a grin.
Dilithium crystals were an invaluable resource. It was a material that could not be replicated. Any possibility of salvaging usable shards was a benefit to the Enterprise.
"It's not the first time I've had my heart broken," Geordi said. "And I'm sure it won't be the last."
He slapped Data on the shoulder warmly and then set to work on the conduit on the side of the reactor.
"You guys going to the concert tonight?" Wes inquired.
It was his second attempt to redirect the conversation.
"Lieutenant Yar and Lieutenant Worf are planning to attend," Data offered.
"But not you?" Wes asked.
Data shook his head.
"I would much rather spend the day with Geordi," Data admitted.
It wasn't simply a line. He truly would rather spend the day working on the reactor with Geordi than attend a rock concert in the cargo bay known fondly as 'Ten Aft.' While Data enjoyed an eclectic variety of music, Tasha's fondness for the heavily distorted sounds of Klingon Death Metal, Andorian Darkcore Punk, and the minor-key tonality of Orion Alternative Rock did not translate to Data's choosy musical palette.
"Data, you don't need to skip the concert for me," Geordi insisted. "I'm fine by myself."
"While I appreciate your concern, I have not chosen to spend time with you out of pity," Data assured him. "I do not enjoy the heavily distorted sounds of such music. Nor do I find the prospect of being in a crowded cargo bay a pleasing notion."
"I'm right there with you," Geordi agreed as he stripped the power couplings. "You know it's another reason why things with me and Sonya never would have worked. She's into that kind of thing. I'm not."
"Why?" Data inquired.
Wes closed his eyes in frustration. He'd been trying so hard to get Geordi's mind off of Sonya. But it seemed at every turn, the conversation always landed back on the same subject.
"Tasha enjoys it," Data pressed. "And things are, as you would say, 'working' between us."
Geordi sighed.
"That's different, Data," Geordi replied.
Over at the table, Reg looked up from the crystal shards and met Wes's eyes. They could both tell things were starting to go off the rails, but neither was sure how to refocus the room.
"How?" Data asked honestly.
He cocked his head to the side and looked at Geordi quizzically.
"I don't know, Data," Geordi said. "It just is."
Geordi shrugged casually, realising that he'd just put his foot in his mouth while attempting to reassure himself with another excuse. In truth, he was still kicking himself inside for having waited too long to ask Sonya out. Had he just done it in the first place, he wouldn't be regretting it now.
Data wasn't buying his excuse.
"Geordi," Data began to say.
But Geordi cut him off.
"Ah! I said I don't want to talk about it," Geordi said in a stern voice.
Without another word, Data went back to working on the reactor. Silence fell on the lab as no one was quite certain what to say.
"What happened last night was exactly why I don't get my hopes up," Geordi said.
His lip began to quiver. He sniffled as he turned and set the regulator pump down on the table behind him. Geordi detached his VISOR and wiped his eyes.
A second later, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Geordi, if you do not wish to talk about it, I understand," Data said. "But I am here should you change your mind."
Geordi sighed.
"How can we help?" Wesley asked.
"I'm sorry guys," Geordi apologised. "It's just been hard to get this off my mind."
He wasn't sure if it was the idea of being surrounded by Engineering work, or all the time and energy he'd invested into, or simply the heartache of it all – Geordi couldn't get it out of his mind and that was problematic.
"W-when I have trouble or n-n-need to escape I go to the Holodeck to blow off some steam," Reg suggested.
"Late lunch?" Worf proposed.
"Gods I thought you'd never ask," Tasha grinned.
She was starving. It had been hours since she'd had breakfast and her stomach was starting to protest.
Tasha called for the arch, and they stepped out into the corridor. Tasha and Worf stepped over to the nearest turbolift.
The doors to the lift opened and Worf and Tasha found themselves face-to-face with three curiously dressed officers.
"Are these really necessary?" Geordi protested as he tugged at his shorts.
"In our Antiquities class, we learned that Spartan warriors were often required to parade in the nude for inspection," Wesley said.
"I am not fighting in the nude," Geordi growled.
"It is likely these costumes are historically inaccurate," Reg went on. "But I did not design this particular programme."
"They pinch," Geordi said.
Tasha did her best to choke back her laughter at the sight of them.
Dressed in little more than a small pair of leather shorts, they were sporting spears and shields. Each of them was adorned with a long, red cloak and an open-faced helmet.
Geordi stopped fidgeting the minute he heard her.
Reg and Wes both covered themselves with their shields.
"We're going to the holodeck," Geordi said quickly.
"I would have never guessed," Tasha replied as she snorted.
Worf and Tasha moved aside to allow them room to step off the lift.
"You are dressed as warriors," Worf commented as he took in their appearance. "Are you intending to engage in combat?"
Wesley and Reg looked at each other and grinned.
"That's the idea," Geordi said as he shifted uncomfortably.
"The Battle of Thermopylae," Wesley answered.
"May I?" Worf asked.
He dropped his duffle and gloves on the ground and reached for Geordi's spear.
"Mmm, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans," Worf remarked as he turned over the spear in his hand. "True warriors. The type of legendary prominence achieved only in death that all Klingons aspire for."
Worf was no stranger to the story. The heroes of classical antiquity were a particular subject of interest for the Klingon.
"On a narrow coastal path, they held their own against a million Persian soldiers," Worf went on. "To hold the only road to Greece and save their people. It was the ultimate last stand."
"While certainly facing insurmountable odds, it is widely believed by scholars that the 300 Spartans were also joined by Athenian and Thespian soldiers, slaves from Laconia and Messenia, and troops from Thebes," Data said as he approached the group.
Tasha turned around and felt her face flush as she took in the sight of him.
He was dressed like the others. But unlike the rest of them, the uniform didn't look comical.
In fact, it looked anything but comical.
Data looked as if the costume was cut specifically for someone like him to wear. It wasn't just the android construction his lean, sculpted synthetic musculature – the colour of his bioplast made him look like one of the scandalous Greek statues Tasha had seen during her academy days.
She cleared her throat and was mindful to keep her eyes focused on his face.
Data's android sensors could pick up on the subtle changes in her posture and breathing. Her eyes dilated almost imperceptibly. The changes were so subtle a human would not have been capable of detecting them.
They were signs that Data had long ago learned to associate with a particular emotion.
There had been a time before they had gotten together – an agonising number of awkward weeks – when this very response had been interpreted by Data to signal discomfort and frustration. It had been a confusing time.
But that was then.
Now, Data knew full well these were signs of arousal.
The edge of Data's lip curled upwards as he locked eyes. She looked away, suddenly feeling shy and Data felt a small sense of pride in knowing he could provoke such a reaction.
Geordi could read the corridor.
"C'mon guys, we'll get everything set up," Geordi said as he ushered Reg and Wesley toward the arch.
"I'll be along in a minute," Tasha said to Worf.
"It is fine if you are not," Worf replied knowingly.
Tasha whacked him on the arm. Worf stepped onto the lift laughing as the doors closed.
"It sounds like you guys are going to have fun this afternoon," Tasha remarked. "I'm sorry I'll miss it."
She scratched the back of her neck nervously before shifting the weight of her Parrises Squares bag to her other shoulder.
"If I had known this programme existed, I would have tried it ages ago," she confessed.
It wasn't just the image of Data that had her curious. The idea of hand-to-hand combat in such a setting had a certain appeal.
"Perhaps you and Worf could replace one of your upcoming workouts with the programme sometime," Data suggested. "However, I would request that you keep the safety parameters on."
Tasha grinned and shook her head.
Bad choice. She mused to herself as she momentarily locked eyes on the v-line that cut from his bony hips down the lower part of his torso before disappearing into his costume.
"Yeah maybe," she replied absentmindedly.
Data felt a pang of regret that he had agreed to spend the afternoon with Geordi.
"Tasha?" Data prompted.
"Sorry," she responded, internally chastising herself for ogling him.
It was unusual for Tasha to find herself bumbling and bashful. Data decided to use this to his advantage for the purpose of flirtation. Typically, she was the one with the banter. It was rare that Data could catch her off-guard like this.
Tasha had always found his somewhat mechanical flirtation endearing, but she was more than patient as he tried to develop more humanlike skills on the matter.
He stepped forward and put two fingers under her chin, encouraging her to look up at him.
"Do you see something you like, Lieutenant?" Data said softly.
Tasha bit back a grin.
She took a step back and eyed him up and down.
"Let's just say maybe this does it for me," she replied coolly.
Data's eyes lit up in awe and there was faint intake of breath as all sense of his momentarily dashing personality vanished at the excitement of response.
Tasha chuckled.
"What is so funny?" Data asked suddenly.
He cocked his head to the side.
"Tasha, why are you laughing?" Data pressed, worried he had ruined the moment. "I was aiming for alluring, not comical."
Tasha felt bad, she hadn't meant to discourage him.
She placed a tender kiss on his cheek.
"You don't need to try to be something you already are," she assured him.
Fifteen minutes later, Tasha found Worf waiting outside of Ten Forward.
"You didn't have to wait!" she said.
Worf shrugged.
"A meal is not the same unless shared between friends," he replied.
Guinan spotted the pair as soon as they stepped into Ten Forward. They made their way over to one of the corner tables near the windows. They dropped their bags and gloves into the chairs next to them and breathed a welcome sigh of relief at finally sitting down to rest.
"Don't you two ever get tired of busting each other up for fun?" Guinan asked as she approached their table.
"We do not beat one another up," Worf replied. "We were sparring."
"You're right," Guinan nodded.
She turned to Tasha.
"Don't you ever get tired of beating him up for fun?" Guinan quipped.
"Never," Tasha said as she smirked at a dour looking Worf.
Guinan returned a few minutes later with their lunch.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked.
"Not at all!" Tasha said.
Tasha shifted her Parrises Squares bag and boxing gloves to the floor to make room for one more.
"Thanks," Guinan said as she slipped into the chair.
"How's Geordi?" Guinan inquired.
Tasha nodded and covered her mouth.
"Better," she said through a mouthful of broccoli.
"Last we saw him, he was headed to the holodeck," Worf added.
Guinan had picked up on Geordi's emotional turmoil the night before. When he had first come into Ten Forward, he had radiated confidence and excitement. But about forty minutes after they had arrived, it was as if someone had flipped a switch.
Those feelings had disappeared in an instant and Geordi had left that night feeling dreadful.
"You guys are planning on going to the concert tonight, right?" Guinan asked.
Tasha and Worf nodded.
"Maybe it would be good for Geordi to break out of his comfort zone for a while," Guinan suggested.
"I am not sure Lieutenant La Forge appreciates that kind of atmosphere," Worf replied.
"Call intuition, but I've got a feeling he should be there," Guinan said, verbally nudging them.
"Consider it done," Tasha said.
If Guinan felt Geordi should go, Tasha certainly wasn't going to argue with that.
Tasha trusted Guinan. She reasoned part of it had something to do with surviving a seventy-two-hour Cardassian occupation together.
There was more to it than that.
Tasha wasn't certain if it was superstition or intuition, but she trusted Guinan implicitly.
In fact, she trusted her enough that she was certain if Guinan told her this was all a dream that she'd believe it without question.
"What is that?" Worf asked as he sniffed at the air.
There was an unfamiliar delicious scent that had reached his nostrils.
"Oh!" Guinan said as she put her hands up. "I was mixing some sugar plum cocktails and replicated too much juice. I thought maybe you two might like it?"
She indicated to the cup in front of her.
Tasha picked up the cup and smelled the contents. It had a rather fruity, plum-like scent. She took a tentative sip and wrinkled her nose in disgust.
It was far too sweet for her liking.
She passed the cup across the table to Worf.
Worf took a small sip. He looked at Guinan in astonishment and then back to his cup.
"It's called prune juice," Guinan explained.
Worf down the rest of the contents in one long swig.
"Ah! Most refreshing," he said, pleased at the flavour. "A warrior's drink."
"Another?" Guinan asked.
"Please," Worf replied eagerly.
Guinan returned a moment later with another glass of prune juice.
Worf was thrilled at having discovered such a new favourite.
"I thought you spent part of your childhood on Earth?" Guinan inquired. "Didn't your parents ever give you prune juice?"
Worf tensed at the mention of his parents.
"I'm sorry, Worf," Guinan apologised as she sensed his tension. "Is family a sore subject for you?"
Worf did not reply, instead opting to stab a piece of his blood pie and shoving it in his mouth.
"He's just wee bit nervous about them coming to visit when the Enterprise returns to Earth," Tasha explained.
Worf had shared with her months earlier that Sergei and Helena Rozhenko were planning to come aboard the Enterprise for a tour during their return to Earth. The ship was going back for the Starfleet Academy reunion and would spend ten days in orbit to allow ample time for a variety of functions.
Some members were giving guest lectures at the Academy while others sought to attend continuing education trainings that were offered. There were a variety of award ceremonies for various Starfleet honours and a number of other events including a Captains-only dinner and an exclusive Command Conference After Party.
"My offer still stands," Tasha reminded Worf.
She had made a promise to escort Worf's parents around the ship as he had been worried that they would grate on the nerves of whatever crew member was unlucky enough to get the assignment.
While he adored his parents, Worf knew first-hand just how enthusiastic his father could get about starships.
"You may come to regret it," Worf warned.
"And miss the opportunity to hear all about what you were like as a kid?" Tasha teased. "Never."
At 18:00 Data swung by Tasha's quarters. He found her lounging on the sofa with a bowl of dinner in hand as she scanned through her PADD.
"Are you guys just finishing?" Tasha asked as she caught sight of him.
"We only just concluded our time on the holodeck," Data said. "It was a rather intensive programme."
Data leaned his spear against the wall and set his shield down on the ground.
He didn't see Tasha spring up from the couch.
"Allow me," Tasha said as stopped his hand on the clasp to his cloak.
She unfastened it before rolling it up and placing it on the table. Data allowed her to unhook his leather greaves and gauntlets.
"There," she said as she set the last one aside.
Although Data didn't perspire like humans, he did attract a fair amount of dirt and grime from the programme.
"I was wondering if I may shower here and change before returning to my quarters?" Data inquired.
"Of course," Tasha replied.
"Thank you, Tasha," Data said before kissing her forehead.
She tossed him a flannel from the drawer in the cabinet near the lavvy.
While Data showered, Tasha fetched a clean uniform for him from her wardrobe. Neither of them had ever put much stock into owning a large wardrobe. In fact, most of Data's non-uniform clothing were holodeck-specific costumes for various programmes he and Geordi liked to frequent.
That said, he did keep one spare uniform and a casual outfit in Tasha's quarters.
Tasha hung it on the back of the door for him and then returned to the main room of her quarters. The concert didn't start for another few hours and it wouldn't take her long to get ready.
Once Data had finished showering and changing, he emerged from the bedroom in a fresh uniform feeling much more comfortable. While grime did not impact his ability to function, it did have a certain affect on his self-perception.
In a way, he theorised that it was one of the most human like qualities that he possessed. Like his human counterparts, he was hyperaware anytime something spilled or got on him. And just like humans, such a feeling caused discomfort.
"What's on your mind?" Tasha asked as she looked up from her PADD.
Studying his face, she could see he was pleased with something.
"I have just had what could be considered a moment of self-realisation," Data confessed.
Tasha pulled her feet back and patted the sofa next to her. Tasha set her PADD down on the windowsill as Data sat down next to her.
"My bioplast is capable of registering when foreign contaminants cling to the surface," Data explained. "This is a sensation I can only describe as discomforting."
Data held out his hands and turned them over as he examined them.
"I enjoy the feeling of being clean," Data went on. "And in doing so, it makes me feel closer to humanity."
Tasha grinned.
She pulled him close and inhaled deeply as she took in the scent of his wet hair. It was very human. And she was incredibly proud of him for having come to that conclusion on his own.
Whenever he found little moments like that, Tasha tried to encourage him to lean into it.
"You used that scentless soap to wash your hair, didn't you?" Tasha inquired.
He smelled clean, but in the sort of odd, antiseptic way that she had come to associate with the scentless soap used all throughout the ship for a variety of cleaning purposes.
"That is correct," Data said.
Was it displeasing? Data panicked internally.
All of a sudden, a lightbulb went off as he recalled Tasha's confession about having missed 'the scent' of him. Data had been planning to ask Geordi about the types of products he used for body wash, hair care, and cologne in an effort to further his human development.
"Tasha, does this bother you?" Data asked.
"No!" she assured him. "It's just that a lot of people find that soap irritating to our skin. And we'd never use it on our hair."
She sat back and ran her fingers through his wet, dark hair.
"You're lucky you've got synthetic follicles," Tasha commented as she stroked his hair.
"Hmm," Data replied as he considered her words.
"Say, why don't you bring Geordi down to the concert?" Tasha suggested.
"Tasha, I do not believe that Geordi will find this kind of music appealing," Data protested.
Geordi had never expressed an interest in the kind of rock music that Tasha enjoyed. In fact, Geordi's musical taste focused heavily on the sounds of Latin guitar, soft jazz, and classic blues.
"I need you to trust me on this and don't think about it too hard," Tasha said as she rested her head against his shoulder.
"But Tasha-" Data began.
Tasha sat up and cupped his face, forcing him to look at her.
"Guinan said he should go," Tasha said.
Data could see just how seriously Tasha took this matter. He knew that she valued Guinan's advice – well, more like she followed it as if it were the letter of the law. Data couldn't fully understand this strange devotion, but Tasha could be oddly superstitious at times.
"Then I shall endeavour to do my best," Data promised.
Tasha grinned and gave him a quick kiss.
"Thank you," she said.
It was an old cliché that humans often gained confidence in themselves by helping others.
Data knew this to be true from his own experience in command and decided it was high time to put it to use with Geordi.
So, Data had sent a message to Geordi asking if it would be alright if they were to make a change to their evening plans. Geordi had been feeling better after the holodeck and was open to suggestion.
While Data hadn't lied, he had left his intentions (and their destination) vague.
The two, along with Wesley Crusher, had originally been planning to head to the stellar cartography lab for viewing a rare triple lunar eclipse on a planet that was currently under observation. Three moons of Grivas XI were due to create the phenomena. The visual sensors would relay the event and the stellar cartography lab and built a holographic representation to display the event.
However, Data had suggested they stop by and check in with Tasha, who was attending a musical performance, and stay for a time before catching the replay.
It was shortly after 20:00 hours when the door to Data's quarters chimed.
Wesley and Geordi had appeared to assist with his request.
"So what's this all about, Data?" Geordi asked as he took in the view.
Data's table was filled with a series of short slips of paper that were sorted in neat little rows.
"I require your assistance, Geordi," Data said. "And your's Wesley."
What Geordi didn't know is that Wesley was in on the plan.
Wes leaned over the table and sniffed. He picked one of the pieces up and inhaled deeply.
"Data, are these scent samples?" Wesley asked.
"That is correct," Data answered.
Geordi looked at Data, perplexed.
"Are you running some kind of experiment?" Geordi inquired.
Data shook his head in the negative.
"These are for personal use," Data replied.
There were dozens of slips lined up on the table according to their scent family. Data had painstakingly combed through a series of resources on the science behind olfactory stimulation.
"Geordi, you take great pride in your personal style, and you are always, as you say, well-dressed," Data explained. "I would like to lean on your expertise in selecting a series of personal care items for myself."
Geordi blushed.
He did put an awful lot of effort into himself, and it was nice that someone recognised it.
"Starting with a cologne," Data went on. "And your advice on layering fragrances with an aftershave and body wash."
Geordi grinned and shared a glance with Wes before turning back to Data.
"Data, you don't shave," Geordi said, utterly bewildered by Data's sudden desire to use aftershave.
"I am capable of controlling the follicles that exist in my bioplast," Data informed him.
In fact, his system was designed so that it could convert the nutritional supplement he consumed with his biofluid into additional hair growth. He had the capability of 'growing' a beard, Data had just never seen a need to do so.
"Once we have settled the matter of an appropriate fragrance, I would like your input on several outfits I have compiled for an off-duty wardrobe," Data said as he indicated to a series of garments that were laid out on his workstation.
Wes sniffed one of the slips and scrunched up his nose at the unpleasant aroma.
"Not this one," Wes said as he set aside.
"Data, why now?" Geordi asked.
While he was more than eager to support any of Data's experiments with his human development, Geordi also wanted to ensure that Data understood he didn't need to change himself – unless he genuinely desired to do so.
Geordi knew that Data's ultimate goal was to be human. In fact, sometimes he wanted to be human so badly that Data had a tendency to go overboard. Geordi also understood that humans were each so individually distinct, that there was a fine line between generally accepted traits and behaviours and those that were unique to each individual.
More than that, Geordi knew that Data didn't always grasp this and, from time to time, needed a reminder that there were some things he would have to work out on his own in order to be his own person.
However, this was not one of those scenarios. And as long as Data was doing it for the right reasons, Geordi was more than pleased to help his best friend with a little makeover.
"The Starfleet Academy Reunion is coming up and we will be spending considerable time on leave. As I have made considerable progress in my human development since my last assignment, I would like to demonstrate this through a physical representation of that change," Data advised.
"And you want to impress Lieutenant Yar," Wes added with a grin.
Geordi put his hands on his hips and looked at Wes.
"Well it's true," Wes argued. "You saw what happened earlier."
"I will admit that she confessed during our run-in outside of the holodeck that my presence was pleasing," Data admitted. "It sparked the idea that it would be nice to elicit a positive reaction again."
"A positive reaction?" Wes asked. "Data! T looked like she was ready to tackle you in the corridor and-"
"And I am not sure your mother would approve of you finishing that sentence," Data said, cutting Wesley off.
Data flashed him a bashful smile.
"But yes, I would like to produce such a reaction again," Data added.
Geordi laughed and clapped Data on the side of the arm.
"Oh, Data. You dog," Geordi teased as he chuckled. "Alright, let's get to work."
"Uh guys?' Geordi said.
The trio had just stepped off the lift onto deck ten.
"That's not the way to Ten Forward," Geordi called after Wes and Data.
The two had taken off in the opposite direction of the lounge.
"We are aware, Geordi," Data replied.
Geordi followed them down the corridor as they headed off toward the back of the ship.
As they passed the ship's stores, Geordi suddenly got a sinking feeling he knew where they were headed. There was only one thing in the aft section of deck ten – a sizable cargo bay.
Geordi realised they were heading to the location that had been dubbed 'Ten Aft.'
"Whoa," Geordi said in awe.
The large cargo bay door slid open to reveal a room full of crew and civilian members alike. There was a makeshift stage fashioned out of metallic storage containers. The room was dark save for the flashing lights on the stage and glowing tape on the floor that outlined footpaths through the crowd.
Although he could see that the band was playing and people were clearly shouting and cheering, there was no sound.
"C'mon," Wes said as he stepped inside.
The minute he was through the door frame, he repeated the phrase. Geordi could see his mouth move, but there was no sound.
"Aw, Data. I can't go in there," Geordi protested. "I'd just bring down the mood. I'll meet up with you guys later, OK?"
Data did not like to use physical force. It went against his ethical programming.
However, this was an instance in which he saw the matter as grey enough to warrant such a use of force.
Taking hold of Geordi's shoulders with a firm grip, he guided him into the concert.
The moment they stepped through the door, Geordi was hit with a wave of noise - a distorted guitar riff, loud percussion, people singing and shouting, and a thumping bass beat that was more than sufficient to cause hearing damage.
"I'll be right back," Geordi shouted to Data. "I promise."
Geordi stepped back into the corridor.
It was completely silent.
Stepping into the cargo bay again, Geordi was hit with the loud noise of the concert once more.
He turned back and scanned along the wall of the cargo bay until he spied a familiar energy signature.
Geordi grinned. It was an ingenious idea.
"Audio dampening fields," a familiar voice said from behind.
Geordi turned to find Ensign Sonya Gomez had approached them.
"I think we need them in here!" Geordi shouted.
Sonya laughed and threw her head in the direction of the back of the room. Geordi glanced around. Filtering out the extraneous information readings from his VISOR, he was able to spot that there was a section where an audio dampening field had been placed inside the room.
Based on the energy output, it appeared to be operating at a lower frequency than the barrier protecting the room itself. He surmised it was likely a place for patrons to listen to the concert at much lower volume.
"Clever!" Geordi hollered.
"I'm really happy you came!" Sonya replied with a genuine smile.
She took hold of his arm and guided him toward the back of the room where the volume was lower.
Wesley slipped off to join Commander Riker over near the edge of the stage. Meanwhile, Data scanned the crowd searching for Tasha.
Toward the outside of the main crowd, most patrons were standing and listening. Closer the centre of the group, it appeared there was a flurry of activity.
Data shuffled through the various crew and civilians until he could see the middle of the cargo bay in front of the stage.
In the centre, people were jumping up and down and slamming into one another in an energetic manner. It wasn't quite dancing, nor was it exactly fighting – rather somewhere in between. Data watched with confusion as they slammed into one another in full-body contact with seemingly no regard for injury.
Data sighed as he spied a familiar blonde figure as she was pulled up onto the shoulders of a Klingon.
One of the performers on stage extended a hand and pulled Tasha on stage. A cheer erupted from the crowd. She climbed on top of the audio amplifier. She pumped her fist and shouted something indecipherable.
To Data's alarm, she then leapt off the stage before disappearing back into the crowd.
As he raced forward pushing past various concert attendees, Data was grateful that he was physically incapable of experiencing cardiac arrest or he was certain the stress of Tasha's antics would eventually drive him there.
Tasha was about to slam into Worf again when someone gripped her biceps. She looked down and spied a welcome pair of pale hands.
She turned, smiling and jumping toward Data.
Her face fell as she noticed the look he was wearing.
Tasha mouthed that she was sorry.
"Tasha, why are all of you intentionally slamming into one another?" Data said loudly against her ear. "This is not any known form of dancing I am familiar with."
The song ended and the crowd erupted in applause.
"Thank you!" Ensign Luis Cevallos shouted enthusiastically into the mic. "We are The Neutral Tones! And we're here to disrupt your night!"
Data watched with fascination as the people around him clapped and screamed in response. Somewhere behind them, somebody started chanting 'Sto-vo-kor.' Soon, the entire crowd was chanting it, urging the band to play a familiar favourite.
Although he was concerned about Tasha's choice to engage in such a violent form of expression, Data could help but be entertained as he watched her chanting and shouting.
She was clearly enjoying herself.
Worf threw his head back and let out a loud, unmistakable Klingon howl.
To Data's amusement, Tasha threw her own head back and joined Worf.
Meanwhile, Geordi and Sonya were standing in the back of the room inside one of the sound dampening fields. The music and sounds of the crowd were still audible, but it was soft enough that they could chat.
"I didn't know you were into Cargo Bay Rock," Sonya commented.
Geordi had been dreading this question.
However, Geordi figured that seeing as how things were clearly not going to work with Sonya, there was no harm in being honest. After all, it couldn't do any damage – she was clearly in a relationship with the guy he'd seen at Ten Forward.
"I'll be honest, it's not really my thing," Geordi said.
"Oh, that's alright," Sonya said, feeling slightly dejected.
She had been hoping it might be a subject they could connect on.
"But these guys seem to be very talented," Geordi added quickly. "Certainly drew a big crowd."
He could sense her disappointment and was trying to smooth it over.
Sonya grinned.
"They're really great," Sonya replied brightly. "Luis is brilliant!"
Geordi's heart sank as he spied the Security Ensign he'd met at Ten Forward front and centre on the stage. Not only could he sing – he played guitar.
"Yeah, he's pretty good," Geordi replied, feigning enthusiasm.
"He's so talented," Sonya went on.
Just great. Rub it in. Geordi thought bitterly.
"He's been playing ever since we were kids," Sonya informed him. "Our Abuela gave him a guitar for his sixth birthday, and he picked it up just like that."
Sonya snapped her fingers and laughed.
"Our Abuela?" Geordi pondered aloud.
The wheels in his mind began to spin.
"Yeah, our grandmother," Sonya replied. "She's his number one fan!"
Geordi's brow furrowed as his mouth fell open. He looked from Sonya to the stage, and then back at Sonya again.
"Luis is my cousin," Sonya explained.
"That's your cousin?" Geordi asked in disbelief as he pointed at the stage.
Sonya nodded.
"More like my brother though. We grew up together," Sonya shared.
Geordi could hear she was talking but it was like his brain had blown a fuse.
"So you two aren't dating?" Geordi questioned.
He hadn't meant to ask that aloud, but the connection between his brain and mouth had gone fuzzy.
"Uh, no, he's my cousin," Sonya answered slowly. "That would be weird."
She shot Geordi a sceptical look as she noticed he seemed to be suddenly quite uncomfortable.
"Then you aren't seeing anybody?" Geordi inquired.
Sonya's mouth went dry as she theorised Geordi had to be asking for a reason.
"N-no," she stammered.
"Scorch me!" Geordi said with a small smile.
Sonya's eyes went wide, and she looked away blushing.
She was completely taken aback by how forward he had been in his response. She wasn't sure what to say. While it appeared her suspicion had been true, she certainly hadn't been expecting that forward of a response.
Geordi frowned as he realised something was wrong. He could tell that his reaction had bothered her, and he assumed his worst fear – she was shocked by his interest.
The pit of Geordi's stomach churned. Her response was confirmation of his earlier concerns that the gap between age and rank would make a relationship unworkable.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," Geordi assured her. "As your Commanding Officer, it was inappropriate of me to inquire."
Steeling her nerves, Sonya decided to confront the issue.
"I'm not bothered because you're interested," Sonya confessed. "I'm just not that kind of person. I'm sorry, I'm just not into that type of thing."
She shifted uncomfortably.
"I didn't really take you for that kind of guy," she admitted before quickly adding. "Not that I'm judging, sir. Whatever you do on your personal time is none of my business."
She offered him a weak smile and made a move to leave.
Geordi panicked as an unsettling thought gripped his mind.
"Sonya, did I use that term incorrectly?" Geordi asked. "You know, 'scorch me'?"
Sonya stopped and looked back at him.
"You know, scorch me as in 'brilliant' or 'that's great'," Geordi offered.
Sonya burst out laughing.
"Very funny, Lieutenant," Sonya said. "You almost had me there."
Only Geordi didn't laugh in response.
In fact, her statement had the opposite effect. Geordi took it as another reminder that he was too out of touch with her crowd to ever be in any kind of relationship.
"I'm sorry," Geordi said glumly.
"You really don't know?" Sonya said.
"Commander Riker's used it a few times. Said it's a slang word for something that's neat," Geordi explained.
Sonya felt horrible for laughing and making him feel out of the loop.
"Sir, I can assure you that is not what 'scorch me' means," Sonya said.
She looked around, feeling too shy to explain it within earshot of anyone else. Sonya leaned in and whispered the meaning in his ear.
Geordi blushed.
"I-I-I didn't know," he stammered.
Geordi tugged on the collar of his shirt as he could feel perspiration beginning to form on his brow. He apologised profusely. Sonya assured him it was all just a misunderstanding.
Geordi was going to murder Commander Riker.
"It's fine, sir," Sonya reassured Geordi. "I'd rather laugh about it. But maybe don't use it down in Main Engineering the next time we successfully replace a warp coil."
Over in the corner, Guinan was tending bar at the Ten Aft 'Speakeasy.' While not illegal, everyone got a little kick out of the notion of the underground pub and concert venue.
And Guinan, having considerable experience with actual speakeasies, was more than happy to lean into that vibe.
Data and Tasha were a few metres away against the wall.
Guinan caught Tasha's eye and directed her to where Geordi and Sonya were chatting pleasantly.
Tasha and Guinan raised their glasses to one another from across the room in a toast to their success.
"It would seem Geordi has come out of his funk," Data remarked.
Tasha chortled into her drink at Data's use of the colloquialism.
"Thanks for bringing him," Tasha said. "And he looks good. Real confident, ya know?"
"As Commander Riker would say, it would appear has 'gotten his groove back'," Data replied.
Tasha laughed and leaned in close, resting her head against Data's chest.
A second later, she pulled back.
Tentatively, she leaned forward again and inhaled a few times.
"Data, are you wearing cologne?" Tasha asked as she looked up at him.
Not only was he wearing cologne, but Data had also opted to tousle his hair a little just as he had during their first real date together. He had shed his usual uniform in favour of a pair of casual trousers, a form fitting undershirt, and a dark leather jacket.
Before he could respond, Tasha's brain pieced these various changes together.
"Data, did you 'dress up'?" Tasha questioned.
Data looked down at her, excited that she had noticed the change.
"Does this 'do it for you'?" he inquired, citing her prior statement outside of the holodeck.
Tasha stepped back. Grinning, she eyed him up and down as she circled him.
"I gotta say it's, uh, kinda sexy," she teased.
Data slipped his fingers between her own and pulled her close.
"Then I am glad it is pleasing," he said in a low voice.
Tasha was glad it was dark, they had never been this intimately close in public before.
The crowd at the concert whooped and hollered as the last song ended.
The fast tempo and headbanging riffs of the previous song gave way to a slow tempo with a soft interlude. It was almost like a lullaby.
Data was surprised by the abrupt change.
"Oh I love this song!" Tasha confessed.
She grabbed Data's hand and pulled him back onto the floor.
Reaching down into her boot, Tasha retrieved the torch she kept holstered there. To Data's astonishment, people all across the concert were retrieving torches, mini PADDs, and anything else they had on hand that created light.
It was like a sea of little glowing orbs as the crowd swayed back and forth to the power ballad.
As The Neutral Tones played on, it was evident to Data that this song was considered significantly meaningful to the audience in attendance.
A group of friends from the Operations team were arm-in-arm singing along to the beat. In the middle of the floor, Worf was swaying. His eyes were closed as he howled out the lyrics.
And Data observed that couples all around them were keen to embrace one another as Luis belted out a moving chorus about two Klingon hearts being unstoppable as they turned the heavens to ash.
Data accessed his informational database as he recognised this was a song about the fabled Klingon warrior Kahless and his mate.
He knew that most of the Klingon rock Tasha enjoyed was heavily rooted in the Klingon warrior tradition with themes of glory, political conflict, and philosophy.
However, the idea of a Klingon Death Metal love song was intriguing.
As he listened to the minor tonality and dissonance that accompanied the haunting lyrics, Data considered that, perhaps, he had been too hasty in his judgement of this genre.
Data bent down and pulled Tasha onto his shoulders. Not only did he want her to know he was supportive of her hobbies and interests, but he was also keen to show her some affection during a song that clearly meant a lot to her.
Data smiled to himself as Tasha reached down and took hold of his hand.
It certainly wasn't Data's typical idea of a romantic moment.
And the lyrics may have been darker than the kind of amorous themes that were characteristic of more classical romantic music.
But they were together.
And for Data, that in itself was intimate enough.
Shortly after midnight, Data and Tasha had decided to duck out of the concert before the big finale. Wes and Commander Riker were busy jamming out to the music and Geordi had been chatting with Sonya most of the night.
Tasha did her best to stifle a giggle as they stepped onto the turbolift.
"Sorry," she choked out. "This just feels a wee bit scandalous."
"Are you having second thoughts?" Data inquired as he glanced down at her.
"No, I want to go through with it," Tasha grinned.
Tasha had to admit she had initially been taken aback by Data's suggestion. But she had been intrigued by the prospect and had agreed to go through with it.
But Tasha had been a ball of nervous energy ever since she had slipped on the costume Data had replicated for their midnight holodeck jaunt.
"You look incredible," Data commented, hoping to ease her nerves.
He reached out and stroked his fingers along the side of her exposed torso.
They were both dressed as Spartans – Data wearing the costume he had donned earlier in the day and Tasha sporting a similar version that Data had replicated for her.
Tasha was grateful for the late hour. Thankfully the corridors were deserted. Otherwise, she wasn't certain she would have agreed to be seen by anyone else dressed in such a manner.
"Sorry I'm so anxious," Tasha sighed as she tightened the grip on her spear. "I've just ever done this on the holodeck."
She bit her lip.
"In fact, before today I had never even considered using the holodeck for this kind of thing," Tasha confessed.
Data frowned as he looked down at her, surprised by her statement.
Usually the proverbial shoe was on the other foot. Data was shocked that in all her years in Starfleet she had never before engaged in such an act.
"Tasha, many crew members utilise the holodeck for this purpose," Data explained.
Tasha's eyes went wide.
"Really?" she asked in astonishment.
"It is a common occurrence," Data assured her.
Tasha shook her head.
"Huh," she replied. "I guess you learn something new every day."
When the lift opened, they stepped off and raced for the holodeck, hoping to slip onto it unseen.
Data queued up the appropriate programme while Tasha tugged at her costume.
She could see why Geordi had been sceptical about fighting in such a garment.
"I meant what I said," Data informed her. "You do look incredible."
Data couldn't help but think of the ancient warrior women he had studied during his review of the classic legends of the likes of Artemis, Diana, Boudicca, and the Valkyries.
Tasha felt her face flush.
Data kissed the top of her head.
"If you wish to stop, just say the word and we can return to your quarters," Data assured her.
Tasha shook her head.
"No, I want to do it," Tasha replied. "How do we, erm, start?"
She looked around, unsure of where to begin.
"Computer, begin programme," Data ordered. "Which position would you prefer?"
"Um, this is fine," Tasha answered.
As it was her first time doing so on the holodeck, Tasha wasn't exactly sure what was best.
"This may hurt," Data warned.
"Bring it on, honey," she teased.
Tasha smiled as tightened her grip on her shield.
In the distance, she could see there was an endless stream of enemy soldiers charging toward them as a cloud of dust kicked up behind them.
Tasha dug her heels into the muddy terrain as she took up a defensive stance and braced herself for the incoming assault. It was the same programme Data had engaged in earlier with Wesley, Geordi, and Lieutenant Barclay.
Data had been shocked to learn that Tasha had never made use of the numerous historical battle programmes that the holodeck offered. While she was keen to engage in extreme sports, she had never thought about using these historical programmes for fitness.
The prospect of such a rigorous challenge had been too tempting to resist. So, after leaving the concert, Data had suggested they head down to the holodeck so she could try it out.
They locked shields with the holographic soldiers around them and formed a tight line. Data and Tasha held firm as the enemy force crashed against their shields.
"You know there's nowhere I'd rather be than beside you," Tasha said as she turned and looked at Data.