Author's Note: Thank you for all your likes, kudos, and comments. I love reading your feedback and theories on this story.
In this chapter, Data finally gets to attend the Starfleet Academy Reunion which he's been looking forward to. There are three glimpses of characters in this chapter that we'll see again in the future. I debated about including them or not. However, after I considered the significance of this event, I decided it was likely they would be present at such a big reunion.
And I just love a good foreshadowing.
One of the cameos was inspired by my collaborator Lady_Lore. She put the idea in my head, and it was too juicy an idea to ignore!
Once the reunion is complete, Data and Tasha are heading off for five days together alone. It's going to be a fluffy little moment before we move into The Big Goodbye and The Battle.
If you like chatting about the fandom or writing fanfiction in general – join me on Twitter TheTartanTart.
Data turned his head side to side in the mirror as he took in his appearance.
He snatched his comb off the shelf and brushed his hair back again. Data stopped, evaluated his appearance, and then resumed combing his hair.
Once he was satisfied, Data grabbed his dress uniform jacket and slipped it on.
He turned back to the mirror and smiled. Data had been practicing that smile for days in anticipation of the reunion.
There would be thousands of Starfleet Academy personnel present at Starfleet HQ for the event. There were a variety of receptions taking place simultaneously across the main campus hosted by various departments.
Data wanted to make a good impression. While he had never been close with his classmates. But there were many individuals he had known throughout his years in Starfleet that would be present, and Data was eager to reconnect with them.
Tasha was lying on her bed, watching him.
She'd been ready for over an hour.
Tasha tapped the screen on her PADD to check the time and realised it was probably necessary to step in. The hour was growing late, and they were due across the bay for the Karagite Order of Heroism ceremony at 19:00 hours.
She got up from the bed and wrapped her arms around Data.
"Tasha, I just pressed this," Data protested.
She released him and he turned to face her. Tasha smoothed down the front of his uniform, running her hand over the gold braid.
"You know you're the most handsome android in Starfleet," Tasha said with a grin.
Data cocked his head to the left as the corner of his mouth curved upward.
Suddenly, his smile faltered as he pondered the meaning of her statement.
"Tasha, I am the only android in Starfleet," Data said.
"And we're going to be late," she replied, dodging his question.
She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and made for the door.
"Tasha? Tasha, was that intended to be humorous?" Data called after her.
When they beamed down, Data and Tasha made a beeline for the tram station. Squeezing onto the tram, they made it barely in time to get across the bay.
Data had always liked the tram. It wasn't a long ride, only about twenty minutes, but it was a familiar, tranquil ride.
The bay had always been a refuge for him.
He'd taken this ride many times during his years at Starfleet Academy.
It was the autumn of the year, and the sun was already beginning to set on the bay. It burned with the vibrant glow that accompanied the last burst of light before it dropped into the bay. Long ago, Data had noted to memory the orange and red radiance of the sunset as it sank into the water.
By Data's calculation, fog only occurred approximately a third of the time. Yet, during his time living in the area it had certainly seemed like more.
Data looked over to Tasha who was standing next to him with her arms crossed, chewing on the inside of her lip. Her face was contorted in a manner that he knew well enough to understand she was in deep thought.
"Tasha?" Data inquired.
"Hmm?" she answered as she continued to stare down at the water.
"Are you nervous?" Data asked.
Tasha shook her head.
"I just want this to be over with," Tasha confessed.
Data blinked. He didn't comprehend what the purpose of her trepidation to the award ceremony.
"Tasha, are you apprehensive about the crowd or public speaking?" Data questioned. "I have read about the human experience of 'imposter syndrome' and would like to reassure you that if-"
Tasha chuckled.
"No, Data," she laughed as she turned to him.
The thought of public speaking wasn't a bother. Nor would Tasha describe her feeling as one of anxiety.
Rather, she just didn't get the fuss around these kinds of things. Like Captain Picard, Tasha didn't see merit in the pomp and circumstance that accompanied such Starfleet traditions.
"Data, I've never enjoyed this type of event," Tasha explained. "I'm just not into it. I don't like having to be on my toes all night and I've never cared to schmooze with the brass."
Tasha knew exactly what was in store for them – and it was the last place she wanted to spend an evening.
"We're going to be stuck for hours in a room full of pretentious hopefuls desperate for a command of their own," Tasha huffed as she threw her hands up.
She exhaled heavily, scratching the back of her neck.
"I'm sorry," she said, chastising herself. "I know this is important to you."
She took hold of his hand and gave it a quick squeeze.
"We'll have fun," Tasha said.
She was smiling, but Data could hear that she was attempting to reassure herself.
"Cutting it a bit close," Captain Picard commented as Tasha and Data slid in at a table with the Captain and Commander Riker.
As she took her seat, Tasha cleared her throat and smoothed down her hair. She was doing her best not to look as if she had just raced across the greens to reach the Jonathan Archer Event Centre before the event began.
Unlike Beverly's ceremony earlier, this ceremony was quite different. Starfleet Medical's reception for Beverly's award had been a simple affair tied in as part of a series of Starfleet Medical commendation awards. There had been a reception afterward with polite conversation and the usual networking that accompanied such events.
The Karagite Order of Heroism was a three-hour ceremony complete with lengthy speeches from various Starfleet Admirals, a tribute to past recipients, and formal dinner.
It wasn't the first time Data and Tasha had attended such an event. Data had attended the ceremony several times before in various capacities as Second Officer of the USS Nokomis and twice as First Officer of the USS Orkney.
Tasha had been reluctantly drug along to attend one years earlier while serving as Second Officer of the USS Dunkirk under her old friend Captain Lee Davies.
Just as she had anticipated, the room was packed with Starfleet brass, wannabe brass, and the kind of pencil-pushing administrative bureaucrats that Tasha had always made Tasha feel out of her element.
Tasha stabbed a piece of something blue and leafy on her plate and popped it into her mouth.
It wasn't necessarily unpleasant, but it was certainly lacking in flavour.
As she tried to decide if she liked it or not, Tasha felt Data's hand on her knee.
They exchanged a glance, wordlessly communicating to one another that it would be a long night – but it would be a long night together.
Surveying the room, Data recognised a number of officers that he had served with previously. Captain Anthony Greco from the Trieste. Commander Uriah Stone and Captain Henrietta Maigret of the Saratoga and Hathaway respectively. Even Commander Francis Dupont was present. They had served together on the Orkney, but Data knew Dupont was now posted to Starbase 34.
Some of these were fond memories.
Others were memories that Data would sooner forget.
While none of them were comparable to his experience at the hands of Bruce Maddox, Data had certainly experienced his fair share of prejudice.
Dehumanisation was standard and micro-aggressions from fellow crew members had been a common occurrence during his twenty-three years of service to Starfleet.
Many individuals had stopped by to clap Commander Riker on the back, share a handshake, or a warm embrace.
Will Riker was a natural at this kind of thing.
Across the table, Jean-Luc was feeling much the same as Tasha. He loathed these functions. The atmosphere was too suffocating. In his opinion, such events gave rise to the perception that Starfleet Officers were unapproachable, and it contributed to the brass's reputation for snobbery.
"It is essential for progress. Risk is our business," Admiral Freeman said, wrapping up his speech. "And that is why officers that take the risk to demonstrate such valour are the best of what Starfleet has to offer."
As they clapped politely, Tasha leaned in close to Data.
"Why do I feel I've heard this before?" Tasha asked.
"It was a common phrase employed by the late Captain James Tiberius-" Data began to reply.
"Banter, Data," Tasha clarified in a low voice.
Data nodded in understanding.
Admiral Freeman had been the final speaker before the award itself.
Tasha gripped her glass of wine and took a casual swig. Data observed that despite her earlier discomfort at having to attend the event, she seemed unusually relaxed as the names of the five nominees were read.
"And that is why I am proud to announce this year's recipient of the Karagite Order of Heroism is the late Captain Jianyu Xu," Admiral Freeman announced to thunderous applause.
The late officer's family was in attendance to accept the award on his behalf as his former First Officer offered a speech in his honour.
Commander Riker and Captain Picard offered their condolences. Tasha assured them she was fine -alleviated, in fact. For the first time that night, she felt like she could breathe.
Riker went off to reconnect with a few old classmates and Captain Picard begrudgingly permitted himself to be drug along.
"I am sorry," Data said once they were alone. "Are you feeling sad that you did not win?"
Tasha grinned.
"Are you kidding me? I'm relieved," Tasha said as she sat back in her chair. "I didn't want to go up there."
Data leaned in next to her ear.
"If you are projecting confidence to mask feelings of disappointment," Data said softly.
Tasha shook her head.
She was truthfully feeling quite pleased that she didn't have to go up there.
"Seriously, it was beyond anything I could have imagined just to be nominated," Tasha confessed. "But I am so glad I did not have to get up and give a speech or anything."
Suddenly, Data was struck with a thought.
"You did not write a speech," Data surmised. "That is why you are relieved."
"I wrote a speech," Tasha informed him.
"May I read it?" Data asked.
He was genuinely curious. He wanted to know what she would have said had she received the award.
"No," Tasha replied simply.
It took him 1.87 seconds to conclude that her denial was to cover that she had, in fact, not written an acceptance speech.
They went back and forth for a few minutes – Data arguing that if she had written a speech then she wouldn't have trouble presenting and Tasha insisting she wanted to keep it private.
During their disagreement, Tasha suggested it may be prudent to take their conversation outside. She grabbed the wine bottle, and they made a beeline for the nearest doors.
Once they were free of the room, they found a secluded spot on the backside of the building that overlooked the bay.
Tasha hopped up onto the concrete railing and rolled her sleeves up, grateful for the solitude their new position offered under the moonlight.
"If I may be so bold, this is an example of you 'rushing into' things without a plan," Data chastised.
"Sure," Tasha said in defeat. "If that's what you believe."
She was tired of arguing. She reached for the bottle of wine and refilled her glass. Before speaking, she took another drink.
"It doesn't matter, because I wasn't going to win to begin with," Tasha said.
Her tone was not one of anger. Rather, she seemed shockingly calm.
"You took a gamble," Data corrected. "You could not have known that would be the result with any degree of certainty."
Tasha frowned.
"Let's just say I calculated the probability," she said, referencing one of his go-to lines.
Data's brow furrowed.
He opened his mouth to protest but Tasha put her hand up to stop him.
"There have been 167 people awarded the Karagite Order of Heroism. Over eighty percent of those recipients have been awarded the honour posthumously," Tasha said as she walked him through her research. "A vast majority of the recipients are men, typically Earth or Earth colony humans, and nearly every recipient has held the rank of Captain."
Data listened intently as she continued.
"In the entire history of the award, there have been a handful of lower officers, and other genders, and non-Earth humans nominated. But they rarely win," Tasha went on. "In fact, less than five percent."
As she went on, Data accessed his informational database and confirmed her information.
"Data, I wasn't going to win and I'm really OK with that," Tasha assured him.
He thought back to her behaviour during that portion of the ceremony.
"That is why you were relaxed when they read the list of nominees," Data concluded.
Tasha nodded, confirming his theory.
"I know I'm not good with complex equations," Tasha admitted. "But profiling is what I do quite well if I may say so myself."
She shrugged.
"I had it narrowed down between Xu and Baker," Tasha said.
Data was about to criticise her when he stopped himself.
"Tasha, that is actually ingenious," Data said as realisation hit him.
She raised her glass in a mock toast to herself.
Data pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head.
Tasha looked over her shoulder at the water in the distance.
"How much longer before you think we can slip away?" Tasha asked.
It turned out the answer to that had not been one either of them had expected.
Upon their return to the ceremony, Captain Picard had reconnected with some old friends from the Academy. He'd been eager to introduce his crew and seemed to be enjoying himself.
The Captain was in rare form, and no one wanted to take him away from that.
In truth, all three of Jean-Luc's officers had greatly enjoyed getting to know the Captain's old buddies and hearing stories about Jean-Luc Picard in his youth.
By the time they had finished, the evening was starting to wind down and the officers had polished off more than a few bottles of wine.
Tasha had opted to skip the synthehol, hoping to use the liquid courage to her advantage – both to get through the awkward evening and to help suppress her hangover from the night before.
While she wasn't completely minced, she was definitely feeling the effects.
"I suppose, it is getting on," Captain Picard said as he checked the time.
With a fond farewell to his old classmates, Jean-Luc, Will, Data, and Tasha headed for the tram station to catch a ride back across the bay.
It took them about forty minutes to get back to the transporter site at HQ to beam back aboard the Enterprise.
Once they rematerialised in the transporter room, Will Riker couldn't hold back his question any longer.
"Sir, I have to know," Will began. "Who is A.F.?"
Tasha giggled, clapping her hand over her mouth in an attempt to maintain a small sense of decorum.
The Captain's old buddies had informed them that Boothby, the beloved groundskeeper, had once caught a young Jean-Luc Picard carving the initials A.F. into an elm tree.
"Who was she? A first heartbreak?" Riker questioned.
"First?" Picard responded as quirked his eyebrow at his First Officer.
Jean-Luc hoped that responding with humour would distract the conversation.
"I'll bet she must have been someone special," Will said longingly.
"I'll bet she had red hair," Tasha teased.
Her comment had been intended to insult the Captain – merely to make a joke that he had a 'type' and it was most women of the auburn persuasion.
However, the moment she locked eyes with the Captain, Tasha realised she'd touched on a nerve.
"Sir, I didn't mean anything by-" Tasha stammered.
"Mr Data, it seems our Security Chief has had a snootful," Picard said.
Tasha felt horrible.
"Inquiry, snootful?" Data asked.
There was a tense moment as Jean-Luc considered how to react.
"Goodnight," Captain Picard said with a short bow.
It was evident from his tone the Captain was none too pleased with Tasha's jest.
The Captain stepped off the transporter pad and made for the door. He stopped just shy of the corridor and turned back to the three.
"Oh, and Mr Data, please see that our Security Chief makes it back safely to her bed," Picard ordered.
Data gave a short nod.
Captain Picard was about to turn again when he froze.
"Or your bed, I suppose," Picard commented. "You do understand I just meant back safely somewhere and that was not a specific order to do, erm, whatever it is you intend to do…that is if you were intending to-"
The Captain became uncharacteristically flustered.
"I wasn't implying that you were planning to-" Picard fumbled. "It's really none of my business I just didn't want you to think I was insinuating-"
"Understood, sir," Data said with an air of finality. "Goodnight."
The Captain gave them an uncomfortable nod and scurried off for the nearest turbolift.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Riker said with a wink before heading for his own quarters.
Tasha rested her head against Data's chest and laughed softly.
When they got to Tasha's quarters, she shrugged off her dress uniform and dropped it on the floor.
"Leave it," Tasha urged as Data made to pick it up. "Bed."
"I will be there in just a moment," Data assured her.
Tasha flopped down on the bed. She yawned and was tired enough that the prospect of sleeping in her dress trousers and undershirt was not such an off-putting thought.
At least, not enough to rouse her back to her feet.
Meanwhile, Data retrieved the garment from the floor. He went to hang it on the hook on the door near the lavvy. As he carried it across the room, Data detected a slight variation in the weight of the garment – so subtle that were not for his android abilities, Data never would have noticed it.
He reached into the hidden pocket on the inside of the uniform jacket and smiled as his fingers closed around a small, folded note.
Unfolding the paper, he recognised the handwriting immediately. As he scanned the contents, Data couldn't help but feel bad for accusing Tasha of not preparing a speech.
He was holding it in his hands.
And he understood precisely why she was relieved that she hadn't received the award. This wasn't a speech written for victory. It was a speech written with the intention of never being shared.
By no means was her speech poorly written.
No, her words were something Data had wished she would share with others.
They embodied the best of what Starfleet had to offer, recognised the organisation's shortcomings, and reaffirmed the importance of Starfleet's commitment to providing opportunity rather than rewarding success.
He suspected there was a certain amount of backhanded rhetoric on the last point, likely inspired by the situation that had led to her presence on Starbase 118 and, in part, the plight of the Bajoran children she had rescued.
It highlighted a sentiment that both Data and Tasha shared. As two young individuals alone in the word, Starfleet had offered them a home. It provided a path for not just an education, but to do something great.
During their time, both had experienced the chance to be a part of ground-breaking research, fantastic exploration, and the chance to prove themselves as capable officers.
Much like her, the speech was understated. It didn't carry the fanfare of a Starfleet Admiral.
And true to form, it was a frank assessment.
Data returned the speech to the pocket.
"Computer, lights," he ordered.
When he slipped into bed next to Tasha, she was drifting somewhere between consciousness and a much-needed slumber.
Knackered, but not quite ready to succumb to sleep.
"Is it your intention to sleep like that?" Data inquired.
Tasha didn't respond verbally. Instead, she slipped out of her boots and kicked them off the end of the bed.
"Would you like assistance to change into something more appropriate for sleep?" Data offered.
"Just stay," she mumbled.
Tasha rolled onto her side, and she curled up next to him.
"I must apologise," Data said.
"Hmm?" Tasha asked lazily.
"You are correct," Data went on.
"What are you talking about?" Tasha inquired.
She just wanted to go to sleep.
Data brushed the top of her head with a tender kiss.
"That Starfleet represents a vision where everyone deserves the opportunity, the chance to be valuable," Data said, referencing her speech. "Even little girls from Turkana that stare up at the stars."
The next morning, Tasha awoke to find herself alone.
She grabbed a towel and flannel from her wardrobe and opened the door to the main room of her quarters.
Data was sitting at the table, reading through something intently.
"What time is it?" Tasha asked.
"09:21 hours," Data advised.
Tasha's eyebrows shot up momentarily. It was rare for her to sleep so late.
"I did not wish to wake you," Data explained.
"Thank you," she replied with a yawn.
Tasha grabbed a glass of water from the replicator.
She downed it quickly and returned the glass to be reprocessed.
Stepping into the lavvy, she hung the towel on the rack.
"We have several hours before we are due down on the surface," Data said.
They both had a number of trainings before the reunion receptions began.
"I think I'm going to go for a run," Tasha replied.
She picked up her toothbrush and turned on the sink.
"I believe I will remain here, if that is amenable," Data explained. "I am reading the new report from the Astromycology team on the fungi recently discovered on Runfara VII."
"Fascinating," Tasha said with a mouthful of toothpaste.
"While Astromycologists are often ridiculed, this new type of fungi could hold the key to curing dilithium silicosis," Data advised.
"Ok, that is pretty interesting," Tasha admitted.
She was leaning against the doorframe, toothbrush in hand, only halfway through brushing her teeth.
"Indeed," Data replied.
He turned back to his PADD to resume digesting the report.
"Data, did you mean what you said last night?" Tasha asked suddenly.
Data paused and looked back up.
He cocked his head to the side.
"I said many things last night," Data replied.
"About Starfleet," Tasha clarified.
"Tasha, I believe that you and I are evidence that anything is possible when opportunity exists," Data replied.
Tasha smiled as she popped her toothbrush back in her mouth.
By 19:00 hours, Tasha was ready to go home.
The afternoon had been one meeting after another –updates on Tholian battle tactics, a briefing on new Cardassian disruptors, and a training for rolling out the new security updates to the computer system for Galaxy-class ships.
Most notably, there were no briefings or trainings regarding the increase of Romulan activities. This did not go unnoticed by Tasha and Worf.
In fact, Tasha had raised this point during a panel on 'Emerging Threats' and was readily shut down by one of the panellists – a Vulcan Ambassador named T'Pel that had dismissed her question as being 'out of the loop with current Vulcan diplomatic efforts to thaw the relationship between the two.'
Later that day, they'd been twenty minutes into a lecture on the schematics for the Cardassian weaponry when a Commander had leaned over to ask if they were really from the Enterprise and wanted to share his awe that they had actually seen the Romulans.
Tasha's brain hurt and she was grateful that at least she'd had Worf to bounce sarcasm off all afternoon.
Contrary to Tasha's experience, Data's afternoon had been fantastic.
He'd spent the time with Geordi, the Chief, and Wesley in what Wesley had dubbed 'nerd heaven.'
Not only had they attended a series of fascinating lectures on technical manual upgrades and quantum filaments, but they had also actually gotten the opportunity to tour the lab that housed the newly upgraded antimatter containment field designs for Galaxy-class ships.
It was one of the changes that was being installed on the Enterprise during her docking at McKinley Station.
Geordi had given a low, approving whistle as they got a first-hand look at the upgrade.
"You know we're the first ship getting one of these," Geordi had commented.
Wesley couldn't stop talking about it.
By the time they had met up with the others, the four were in a heated debate about whether they could alter the matter/antimatter ratio 0.003 percent to increase the engine efficiency.
"I'm telling you, we could probably gain another half-second-" Miles tried to say.
"But that doesn't account for the kinetic shift in-" Wesley began to argue.
"You're both forgetting about the coolant chamber capacity ratio," Geordi interjected.
Geordi put his hands on his hips.
"What do you think, Data?" Geordi asked.
All eyes turned to Data.
While he could see merit in each of their positions, Data did not want to get in the middle of that particular argument.
"Was the briefing on the new Cardassian disruptors instructive?" Data asked, stepping over to Tasha and completely avoiding the question.
"Don't think you're getting out of this one," Geordi said as he wagged his finger at Data. "We're going to take this up again."
There were a number of receptions being held in various event spaces across the campus. The crew were free to split up and attend whichever events they pleased.
Geordi rushed off to meet up with his sister. The Captain was off to the archaeology department to connect with an old colleague. Commander Riker, Deanna, Beverly, and Wes decided they'd check out the main reception first. Keiko and Miles wanted to take a walk through the gardens before joining any of the parties. And Worf had made plans to meet up with some of his classmates at a reception hosted by the Starfleet Security Division.
At Data's suggestion, they were headed for one of the more obscure receptions – an event hosted by Fleet Admiral Granger, and it was a veritable who's who of ambassadors, bureaucratic brass, and departmental bigwigs.
"Data, what are we doing here?" Tasha asked as she eyed the crowd.
"It is my desire that you meet someone," Data explained as he guided her inside.
He was scanning the room, clearly looking for a specific person.
"An old girlfriend?" Tasha teased.
Data stopped. He turned back to Tasha wearing a look of confusion.
"I have never had a girlfriend," Data said simply.
"What about me?" Tasha prodded.
Data blinked. He glanced around to ensure they would not be overhead before leaning in close.
"You have stated on numerous occasions that you do not like the term," Data said in a worried whisper. "Would you prefer that I introduce you as such? Or is 'partner' still an acceptable term."
He was concerned that he'd offended her.
"No, partner," Tasha assured him. "I was just teasing you."
Data gave her a short nod. He quickly took hold of her arm and pulled her along once more.
Tasha didn't know where they were headed, but it was evident he was nervous about something.
"Excuse me, sir," Data said as they approached an older officer.
The man had been watching the band. He turned around, expecting to be greeted by yet another young officer looking to schmooze only to find himself pleasantly surprised.
"Data," he said in disbelief.
Data went to shake his hand. Instead, the man pulled him into a warm embrace.
"It's been too long, my friend," the man said.
Tasha couldn't be sure, but she was fairly certain that he was the former head of Starfleet Operations.
"Tasha, I would like you to meet Admiral Rahim Farooq," Data said as he introduced them.
"Retired," Farooq said, correcting him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Tasha said as she shook his hand.
She'd been right.
It was the former head of Starfleet Operations. After a long, distinguished career, Farooq had retired a few years earlier to spend more time with his family.
Tasha had no idea Data knew such a high-ranking officer – let alone one that seemed to treat him with the kind of respect and dignity that was so rarely found among those who interacted with Data.
As she watched them, it was genuinely as if two old friends had reunited.
"Admiral-" Data began.
Farooq clapped his hand on Data's shoulder.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Rahim," he insisted. "C'mon, we've known each other for what? Almost twenty-five years now?"
Tasha was taken aback by this revelation. It meant that Data had known the first few years of his activation. Critically, the math meant Data would have known him before his admittance to Starfleet Academy, during the darkest of his days.
"After I was brought to earth, Rahim is the officer that," Data trailed off as he searched for the right words. "Recognised my sentience."
It was difficult to put into words. But after Captain Mindy Long, Rahim Farooq had been one of Data's first allies. Farooq had gone so far as to take Data into his home until they could establish a position for him and get him into the Academy.
Had it not been for the kindness of Farooq, Data understood he would likely still be in a crate somewhere in the basement of Starfleet's R&D division.
"Data and I go way back," Farooq said. "And I can't tell you how good it is to see you again! I want to know everything about Enterprise."
Tasha breathed a sigh of relief.
"Rahim, this is Lieutenant Natasha Yar," Data said.
He caught Tasha's eye.
"My partner," Data added with no small sense of satisfaction.
It took a split second for Rahim to understand the meaning of Data's statement. Farooq's eyes widened a little as he looked back and forth between the two of them.
"Partner?" he said in disbelief.
Farooq gave Data a small smile, belying just how proud he was of how far Data had come. Data's dream of becoming human had started long ago – since the earliest days of his activation. And Farooq knew intimately the struggles that Data had faced during his time at the Academy.
In a way, Farooq had acted as a father figure or older sibling, guiding Data as he attempted to navigate socialisation, practical jokes, teamwork, and discovering himself.
"Sorry," Farooq apologised. "All of sudden, I feel ancient. The young man I knew who wasn't sure as to the function of a rubber duck now, eh-"
Farooq motioned to the two of them.
"And is a Lieutenant Commander," Farooq finished.
"And third in command of the Enterprise," Tasha added proudly.
Farooq grinned.
Wordlessly, an understanding passed between the Security Chief and the retired Admiral. They both understood that the other truly viewed Data in a way that was unique – a way that only a handful of people had felt.
"Data, I want to hear all about it," Farooq said brightly.
It had been about a year since the two had last communicated. Farooq had retired to spend more time with his family and had been travelling extensively. While the exchanged subspace communications a few times a year, they were long overdue for a good chinwag.
"I'm just going to grab a drink," Tasha said as she excused herself. "Can I bring anything back for either of you?"
Farooq shook his head in the negative.
"I would like a brandy with bitters. And lemon," Data requested. "And a cherry."
Tasha grinned and headed off to fetch their drinks.
Data turned back to Rahim.
"I have developed the ability to taste," Data explained.
Farooq looked at him curiously.
"What?" he asked.
"I have developed the ability to taste," Data repeated. "It has been a wonderful experience."
Farooq was astounded.
He hesitated to say it was like a child had grown up. Data had never been a child – although Data had always possessed the trust and wonder of a child. Rahim understood that Data had learned the realities of deception, distrust, and disrespect the hard way. Yet, despite a lifetime of being treated in such a manner, Data had never developed the cynicism that Rahim thought would be justified.
As Data shared more about his service on the Enterprise, Rahim finally worked up the courage to ask a question that had been burning on his mind.
"Data, I read about you in a little disciplinary scrap a while back. Regulation 1138," Rahim said. "Was she the one that, well, was this the-"
"Yes, sir," Data replied.
"Good for you," Rahim said with a grin.
And he meant it.
"Mindy Long would have been proud of you," Rahim assured him.
"Thank you, sir," Data said in earnest.
Data felt a strange sensation of warmth surge through his neural net.
Across the room, Tasha was waiting patiently at the bar for Data's drink.
A metre away, a group of officers were chatting casually about resources for a Daystrom Institute. One of the officers was arguing that the future of Starfleet operations depended on artificial intelligence. Another officer was sceptical, fearful that 'machines' couldn't be trusted. Another made a crack about artificial intelligence being incapable of ever truly appreciating the things that make life worth living.
"Do you think a computer could begin to comprehend the likes of Shakespeare or Tolstoy?" one of them said. "Is it possible for it to feel moved by Steinbeck? Or is it just words?"
Tasha rolled her eyes and bit back a scoff.
Tasha could overhear the conversation and did her best to keep her cool. Now wasn't the time or place to react. But gods did she want to smack the obnoxious man standing next to her.
"Excuse me," a voice said.
To Tasha's disgust, it was the same arrogant man that had made the comment about 'computer's' being incapable of understanding literary classics.
He was a tall man with dark hair. His uniform indicated that he held the rank of commander. And from what limited conversation she had overhead, she could tell he was full of himself.
It was clear that he had stopped his chit chat with the others to greet her.
Tasha couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something familiar about him.
"I'm sorry, have we met?" Tasha asked, throwing on her best professional voice to mask her disgust.
The man smirked.
"No, I would have remembered that," he said. "Rather, I would have remembered you."
Tasha was taken aback – not just by the tone of his voice, but the manner in which he seemed to be leering at her.
"I will unabashedly admit I have a thing for blondes," he added.
Tasha's glare must have been sufficient in sending her message, as the man's face fell.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "That came off too strong. And probably creepy. I didn't mean to offend you."
He looked sincerely apologetic for his remark.
Tasha nodded stiffly. It certainly wasn't the first time she'd experienced an unwelcome advance. However, she was patient and he seemed genuine in his remorse.
He smiled nervously.
"Lieutenant Yar," Tasha said as she extended her hand.
She figured sticking to her rank would be the best approach to maintain distance and make clear she wasn't interested in interacting beyond a professional capacity.
"Natasha Yar?" he asked with excitement. "Nominated for the Karagite Order? Right?"
"Yeah," Tasha replied.
Instantly, she regretted introducing herself. Tasha wanted to sink into the wall and disappear.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Bruce," he said with a coy smile. "We'll I'm Bruce to my friends and a nightmare to my enemies."
To Tasha's disgust, he winked. In an instant, this man's demeanour had changed once more. The repentant man from earlier had been replaced by the same arrogance she'd seen him display moments earlier. It was as if the apology had been an act – like a manipulator.
"Commander Bruce Maddox," he said, introducing himself properly.
Tasha froze. A chill settled in her chest.
Suddenly, she recognised the same lanky man from Data's memories during their incident with Q.
"The Cyberneticist?" Tasha asked.
The words left her mouth, but it was like she was operating on a tightly controlled autopilot. She was going through the motions, simply feigning polite interest in order to stop herself from losing control.
Tasha understood it was important to maintain composure. She didn't want to tip Maddox off to Data's presence.
"So you've heard of me?" Maddox asked as the edge of his lip curled up.
He moved closer, resting his hand on the bar counter behind Tasha, and she found herself trapped behind him and the counter.
"You could say that," Tasha replied.
She plastered the largest smile she could on her face.
"Excuse me," she said.
Tasha slipped out from under his arm and scurried off.
Data.
She had to warn him.
Data was recounting their recent mission involving the black hole when Tasha gripped his arm.
The manner in which she squeezed his elbow indicated there was something she needed to tell him.
"Admiral, would you excuse us for a moment?" Tasha asked.
She pulled Data aside.
"Has something happened?" Data asked, his voice full of concern.
Data could see Tasha was bothered by something. She was glancing around as if to ensure they weren't being watched.
"Data, I don't want to scare you. I'm not really sure how to say this," Tasha said.
She was struggling to find the words.
She didn't want to alarm him.
While Data had made significant strides during his sessions with Deanna, there were times the memories overwhelmed his neural net.
He'd come so far in the last few months since his panic attack on the Edo planet. Tasha didn't want to see him break down in the middle of a reunion that he'd been anticipating.
"Tasha?" Data pressed.
"He's here," Tasha said.
She was doing her best to remain calm, but Data could detect the slight widening of her eyes.
He scanned the room in an effort to identify anyone that was familiar. Simultaneously, he ran through a list of any possible people that could cause such a reaction.
Tasha took hold of his hands.
Her face was contorted.
"Bruce Maddox is here," Tasha whispered.
Data blinked twice.
"What do you need?" Tasha asked. "If you want to leave or-"
"No," Data said.
He was looking at nothing as he tried to focus his thoughts, his eyes moving back and back forth rapidly. Data had anticipated this possibility – although he had calculated it would be extremely unlikely for the two to physically cross paths.
There were twenty-eight separate receptions being held across Starfleet HQ, Starfleet Academy grounds, and the greater San Francisco area.
Nearly thirty thousand Starfleet alumni were in attendance.
The odds of a run-in had been slim.
"I am not leaving," Data said firmly.
He looked down and met Tasha's eyes.
"He cannot harm me here. I am no longer his prisoner, and I will not give him the satisfaction of ruining my evening with you," Data explained.
Data brought her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of it.
They spent an hour at the reception as Data and Admiral Farooq caught up with one another. To Tasha's surprise, Data had worked in Farooq's office during the interim period between his liberation and admittance to Starfleet Academy.
In fact, this is what had sparked Data's initial interest in Starfleet Operations. With Farooq's guidance, Data had quickly become a competent Operations manager and the Admiral was pleased with his success.
"It's a wonder you've never aimed for a higher command," Farooq commented.
Data was unsure how to respond.
"You know a lot of people thought you wouldn't be able to handle to Bridge Officer Test," Farooq said.
This was not a surprise. Data had faced exceptional scepticism when he'd initially put in to take the examination – not only was he an android, but at the time Data had also been a recent Academy graduate.
It was unheard of.
"And yet your skills and unique perspective were proven in that command," Rahim continued. "You passed with flying colours."
"One of only two perfect scores," Tasha added.
Data cocked his head to the side.
"I did not share that information with you," Data said.
Tasha smirked and took a sip of her drink.
No, he hadn't shared that fact with her. Tasha had read it in his file two years earlier when Captain Picard had tasked her with combing through his list of final candidates for a senior Bridge crew before the Enterprise had been christened.
She remembered being surprised and impressed by his service record – in particular his Bridge Officer Test results.
"Profiling is what I do," Tasha replied.
Data excused himself to get another round of drinks. Tasha had asked if he was certain he wished to go alone, but Data assured her he felt safe.
Once Data was out of earshot, Rahim felt comfortable sharing something he'd been holding onto for a while.
"You're not what I expected," Rahim admitted.
"Um-" Tasha started.
"I just meant, when I had first heard that Data was involved in a disciplinary hearing for Regulation 1138 I was concerned," Rahim clarified.
He glanced across the room to where Data was standing at the bar.
"I've known him for nearly twenty-five years. He's the strongest person I know," Rahim went on. "A duranium skeleton and a heart of gold."
Tasha listened patiently.
"I've always been a little protective of him," Rahim informed her. "And when I reached out following the hearing, Data said he was involved in a relationship but refused to discuss details."
Rahim sighed.
"That worried me," Rahim confessed.
Rahim explained that Data had been scant on details, hesitant to share much of anything with him about this relationship. Knowing full well Data's history, that had sent up red flags.
"You were concerned because he's been taken advantage of in the past," Tasha said, filling in the blanks.
Rahim nodded.
He looked slightly embarrassed.
"He told me that he couldn't talk about it. He insisted on privacy," Rahim said. "So, I asked him to meet me at the reunion because I wanted to suss it out. And initially when he mentioned you were unwilling to attend-"
Rahim trailed off and shrugged.
"You assumed something was afoot," Tasha finished for him.
"Afoot?" Rahim asked as he quirked an eyebrow at her.
Tasha laughed and shook her head.
"Data's quite into Sherlock Holmes," Tasha said as she pointed back over her shoulder. "Sort of a new hobby. We, erm, read them together."
"I misjudged you," Rahim acknowledged.
She couldn't blame him.
After everything Data had gone through, it was only natural for him to be concerned. Tasha could understand how secrecy and reluctance to appear in person could be misinterpreted.
"I'm glad to know he's got you looking out for him," Tasha replied.
Just past her shoulder, Rahim could see Data was heading back their direction.
"You really care about him, don't you?" Farooq asked.
"Yeah," Tasha admitted. "I do."
"Who was the other perfect score?" Data inquired.
"Does it matter?" Tasha asked.
"I must admit the possibility that there is someone else out there capable of impressing you so is unsettling," Data said.
His tone was even, but Tasha knew it was intended as a jest.
Tasha buried her head against his chest, laughing.
It was a relief to see him in this kind of mood given that he'd spent most of the evening in the same building as his abuser.
"You mean to tell me you really don't know?" Tasha questioned.
"Comparing test scores is not an accurate assessment of individual performance or worth," Data advised. "I have never seen value in such a need to compete."
"Commander, well now I guess Ambassador Spock," Tasha informed him.
Data paused.
"Ambassador Spock?" Data asked to clarify.
"Yeah," Tasha confirmed before flashing him one of her signature smiles.
They were walking along the grounds on a path that overlooked the bay. After leaving the reception where Admiral Farooq was present, they'd stopped in to meet up with Deanna and Will at another nearby reception.
Between the thousands of people present and the band, it had been a loud atmosphere. Tasha had been shouting just to communicate with Will and Deanna. Data had turned off his audio receptors – there had been too many sounds and voices to process.
They hadn't stayed long – just long enough to try two of William Riker's 'signature' drinks before ducking out.
Now they were walking alone. The air was cool as it came up off the bay and Data could tell by the difference in the dew point and the air temperature that fog wasn't far off.
"You know once we're done with the reunion our leave officially begins," Tasha said. "Which means, as long as we don't step foot in any other receptions, technically our leave could begin now."
They made a beeline for the tram station.
They were just about to the doors when Tasha pulled Data into a corner behind one of the large, concrete support pillars.
She put a finger to her lips to indicate they should be quiet.
Data looked down at her curiously.
There was a group of men coming out of the doors, heading back toward the reception. It only took Data few seconds to identify a number of factors. Unfortunately, none of these facts helped him understand Tasha's strange reaction.
They were a mix of officers – all Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders.
"C'mon, let's just go back to the party with Kyle and Davey, eh?" one of them said.
"Not until I've spoken with Admiral Jarreau," one of the officers responded in a lazy drawl. "They're looking for a new First Officer on the Sutherland and I'll be damned if they give that posting to someone else."
"Chris! You're killing me," the first officer growled.
"Christopher," a third officer said in a taunting voice.
"Whenever you two decide to grow up, I'll be off at Landry Hall securing my next posting," the second officer commented.
His pips signified the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was tall – nearly Riker's size. But unlike the jovial First Officer of the Enterprise, this man seemed to carry himself with an attitude so different from Riker's approachable manner.
Data was about to speak when Tasha put up a hand to stop him.
He didn't question it.
Once the group had moved on, Tasha visibly relaxed.
"Why did you avoid them?" Data asked.
His tone wasn't accusatory. His eyes were full of patience.
"It's stupid," Tasha replied dismissively.
"It appeared to be significant," Data said, contradicting her.
"Just a nobody ex-boyfriend from a million years ago," Tasha said.
She was hoping her answer was sufficient and that Data would drop the matter.
But Data's sensory receptors allowed him to pick up on changes that may have gone unnoticed by a humanoid. While Tasha appeared composed on the outside, her heart rate had increased, and her body temperature had shot up.
Tasha could tell by the way he was looking at her that Data wasn't going to let it go.
She exhaled slowly. Tasha clasped her hands together and then bit down on the top of them as she considered what to say.
Tasha had to choose her words carefully. They were supposed to be on leave. This wasn't the time or the place to dredge up painful memories.
"This is why I don't like coming back here," Tasha confessed.
Data said nothing, content to be patient and give her time to tell her story at her own pace.
"When I was a first-year cadet I got involved with this guy. He was older. An officer. A Lieutenant," Tasha paused.
She scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"The type of officer desperate to advance. His ego wouldn't fit on a transport freighter," Tasha said.
Data frowned a wee bit. He recognised she was using humour to deflect.
"He seemed so refined. I couldn't believe someone like him could possibly be interested in a scrappy little nobody like me," Tasha went on.
She grumbled under her breath. Tasha closed her eyes and dropped her head back against the concrete pillar.
"I was young. And naive. And desperate to be anything other than who I was," Tasha shared.
Data was listening attentively, but he hadn't blinked since Tasha had started.
"He hurt you," Data remarked.
It wasn't spoken as a question.
Tasha waved her head.
"He was just a prat and I'd rather not see him again," Tasha said.
A dark look crossed Data's face.
"It was the Lieutenant Commander that passed," Data said, adding it up in his mind.
Data looked over to the grounds and Tasha could see he was in deep thought.
"Whoa, hey. We're on leave," Tasha reminded him. "Don't think about it."
"Tasha, that man is at least fifteen years older than you," Data said.
Tasha laughed nervously.
"Not quite. Like I said young and dumb," she informed him. "It's embarrassing and I'd rather we talk about anything else."
She was desperate to change the topic.
"I was a fool," Tasha informed him.
"You were a child," Data countered as he gripped her chin and forced her to meet his eyes.
"Yeah," she replied in a faraway voice.
Before he could ask anything more, Tasha interjected.
"Do you want to head back to my dorm and fool around?" Tasha teased as she tugged Data along towards the tram.
Data stopped and studied her. He was concerned by sudden change in attitude, worried she was attempting to redirect the conversation in order to avoid confronting the issue.
"I'm fine," Tasha assured him. "It was a long time ago."
"Tasha-" Data started to say.
"And I'm not going to let him ruin my evening with you," Tasha said, throwing his own words from earlier back at him.
She gave his hand a squeeze and leaned in close.
Tasha whispered something in his ear.
Data's eyes lit up
She backed away and held out her hands.
"Your move," Tasha said.
Data sat down next to Tasha on the sofa in her quarters. It was early, just before 05:00 and they hadn't slept.
Well, Data hadn't slept.
Fifteen minutes earlier, Tasha had sat down on the sofa to put on her boots and promptly fallen asleep.
"It is time to go," Data said softly.
He brushed her bangs out of her face.
Tasha jolted awake, blinking the sleep out of her eyes as she glanced around.
"Are we late?" she asked urgently.
"Not yet," Data replied.
Tasha grunted in frustration. She hadn't even managed to get her shoes on.
They were due down below at 05:00 and it was important that they arrive on time. Their ride had his own breakfast plans and couldn't afford to be late.
As soon as her boots were on, Data helped her up.
They grabbed their respective luggage bags and headed off to catch their ride to the surface.
Tasha had packed a bag for both of them – refusing to allow Data to see the contents.
"Good morning!" Captain Picard said as they stepped onto the bridge of the Captain's yacht.
"Thanks again for doing this," Tasha said with a yawn as she flopped down at the helm.
"No, no," Picard insisted. "I will pilot my own yacht, Lieutenant."
Tasha didn't protest.
She took up a seat in the First Officer's chair while Data assumed the Operations console.
It was only a short ride to the surface – only about an hour from where the Enterprise was docked at McKinley station – but Data figured he could at least assist with clearing spacedock.
As soon as their pre-flight check was complete, they launched the Calypso.
Captain Picard keyed in a heading to take them over northern Europe and logged their flight plan with the Starfleet station on the ground in Blackburn.
As they approached their target destination, Data could see where they were headed. However, this information only increased his curiosity.
He could fathom no reason why Tasha would take them to such a location.
His neural net was in overdrive as he theorised what was in store.
Captain Picard landed his yacht in a field and Data and Tasha disembarked.
"I'll pick you up in five days' time," Picard explained as he walked them to the door of the shuttle.
As Jean-Luc stepped off onto the grass, he sighed contentedly as he took in the scenery.
"You're going to love it," Picard said brightly as he clapped his hand down on Data's shoulder.
With a short nod, he was off.
Tasha strapped her climbing pack around her chest. She slung her Parrises Squares bag over her shoulder and slipped on a pair of sunglasses.
Data scanned the terrain.
The air temperature was chilly, but not entirely unexpected for Autumn. They were standing in the middle of a field surrounded by limestone hills. There were fields carved out, lined by ancient stone walls that sat low along the ground. In the distance, Data spied mountains.
A metre away, there was a large sign that warned visitors that no shuttles, powered vehicles, communicators, or computers were permitted beyond the sign.
He knew from the coordinates that they were somewhere in the north of England.
But as Data glanced around, he was having a hard time determining exactly why they were in a field in the north of England.
"Tasha, we are in the middle of nowhere," Data remarked.
"C'mon, it's about six klicks to town," Tasha said.
She looped her fingers through his and they set off hand-in-hand down a dirt road.