Chapter Five

Nicole was back home after spending a couple of days at Starfleet Medical. It took a lot of work, but she had to convince not only the doctors, but Data to let her come home. Since they came home this morning, Data hasn't left her alone for a second to breathe. Not that she minded. She just felt like she was back on Betazoid with her grandmother.

Nicole was in the warm bath. Data was using a washcloth to wash her back. He rolled up his sleeves of the dark blue button down shirt so it wouldn't get wet. He was being so gentle with her.

"I am sorry, baby." Nicole said, playing with the soapy water.

"I am not upset, Nicole. Just curious as to why you did not tell me you were afraid to be alone." Data said.

"I don't know. I didn't want you to think that you had to be by my side the whole time." Nicole said, looking at her boyfriend.

"Nicole, as your boyfriend, it is my job to make sure my girlfriend is taken care of and feels safe." Data said, his yellow eyes meeting her baby blues.

Nicole smiled slightly. "Where did you learn that?"

"Commander Riker."

Nicole smiled slightly again. "Thank you baby."

Data rang out the washcloth and set it down on the side of the tub. "Would you like for me to help you shave your armpits?" He asked.

Nicole couldn't believe he was being so sweet to her. Even taking care of her. "No thanks. I don't feel like it right now. I can always do it before the Enterprise gets here."

"As you wish." Data said, bracing himself on the tub he stood up.

Nicole looked away. She played with the suds in the water again. Data came back moments later with her pale pink nightgown and fresh clean pair of cotton panties.

"You know I don't deserve you." Nicole said, letting Data help her out of the bath.

"Pardon?" He asked, drying her off with a fluffy white towel.

"You, taking care of me like this, babe. I don't deserve this. I hurt you so many times and yet you keep coming back to me." Nicole said.

"I am an android. You can not hurt me. I made a promise to someone years ago, Nikki." Data said, placing the towel on the rack over the door.

"Who?" Nicole was definitely curious now.

Data grabbed the clean pair of panties and handed them to Nicole. Nicole put them on and then her nightgown. She then turned to the mirror to pull her hair out of the hair tie.

"Admiral Collins." Data said, letting the water out of the tub.

Nicole watched her boyfriend in the mirror. Data cared about her enough to get a talking to by Admiral Collins. To even make a promise to continue to watch over her.

"Data." Nicole said, meeting Data's eyes through the mirror.

"Yes?"

"I love you." Nicole smiled.

Data mimicked the smile. Nicole didn't expect Data to say the words back. He couldn't love her the same way she loves him. However, at this moment, Nicole would be more than happy to marry this man.

"Would you like your tea now or later, my dear?" Data asked, after a few minutes of silence.

"Now would be nice, but I will meet you in the living room." Nicole said.

Data tilted his head. "As you wish." And for the first time since this morning, he left her alone.

Nicole looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was looking like hell. Data offered to wash her hair, but she chose against it. She just went for a braid. Her eyes were so tired looking and there was no life in her face. Why would Data want to be with someone like her? She's disgusting!

"No you're not babygirl."

Regen's voice came telepathically, terrifying Nicole. She finished preparing for bed and rushed out of the bathroom.

"Are you alright, Nikki?" Data asked her. He was putting a kettle on the stove.

Nicole shook the thought of Regen off. She walked over to her boyfriend.

"Yes I am. I guess I am more tired than I thought." Nicole said.

Data tilted his head. "The mild swelling under the orbit of your eyes does indicate that you are suffering from fatigue."

Nicole smiled. "You're so intuitive."

"Maybe you should go lay down. I can bring your tea to you."

Nicole yawned. She shook her head. "I'd rather be here with you, baby."

Nicole took Data by the hand, confusing the poor android. She then asked the computer to play Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding. Although she was exhausted, she chose that moment to dance with the love of her life. They took it slow and easy since she was still recovering. Dancing all through the kitchen and into the living room.

They danced till the kettle was ready. Back in the kitchen, Data prepared her tea. Before he handed her the tea, Data went down on one knee, he held up his Starfleet Academy class ring.

"Will you marry me, Nicole?" He asked.

Nicole's eyes went wide. All color went from her face.

"What?" Nicole croaked.

"Will you marry me?" He asked again.

Nicole froze in place. Not trusting her voice, she nodded her head.

Data placed the ring on her finger as he stood up.

"Have you asked my father yet?" Nicole asked, inspecting the ring on her finger.

Data tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Usually you ask the father for his daughter's hand." Nicole said.

"I plan on asking him when we get back to the Enterprise. I did not wish to ask him if you were not going to say yes." Data explained.

Data did have a point. Why ask her father for her hand if she wasn't going to say yes?

Nicole looked up into his eyes. "Kiss me."

Data moved closer, he had to bend down slightly to kiss her.