Author's Note: This chapter is mostly told through the conversation between Data and Nicole. I can't be the only one to think that Data has emotions in his own way. Data being the supportive husband that Nicole needs.

Chapter Eleven

Nicole was on the holodeck. She was sitting on a rock ledge that had about a 20 foot drop. Her knee was pulled to her chest while her other leg dangled off the ledge. Her arms were resting on her knee and her chin was on her arms. Her eyes were focused on the rocks below. Without the safeties in place, someone could've really hurt themselves.

She had just been relieved of duty. Again. Not for surgery though. For her low psilosynine levels. Regen was draining her.

He was still quite obsessed with her, but Nicole couldn't figure out why. Why did he want her so bad that he was willing to destroy her telepathic abilities?

This was so unlike him. He never used to be like this. When Nicole met him, he was the sweetest boy ever. He loved walking Nicole home from classes. And hanging out in the gardens.

Nicole was ecstatic that she was going to marry him. However that changed when he found out her love for starships and Starfleet. She was going to follow the lead of her parents and join Starfleet. Regen didn't want her to put herself in danger so he tried to stop her from going to the Academy to take the entrance exam. It didn't work though, she took the test, passed with flying colors, and joined the Academy.

Mrs. Troi's still madder than hell at her for not telling her about the scars or about Regen's true colors.

"May I join you?" Data asked.

Nicole looked up at her husband and shrugged. Data sat down next to her. Her eyes drifted back down the ledge.

"I have been looking for you." He paused. "Why did you not stay in our quarters like you were asked too?"

Nicole stayed silent. She knew she needed to answer him, but she couldn't.

"I am curious as to why you are running such a dangerous program?" Data asked.

Nicole turned to her husband. "It's the thrill of falling off the ledge that is calming." She finally said.

"But the safeties are on. You can not hurt yourself, Nicole." Data said.

"I know." Nicole said, smiling.

"Why did you not stay in our quarters when I asked you to?" Data asked again.

Nicole looked down the ledge. For a split second she felt like jumping.

"I know I should be resting, but I couldn't." Nicole said.

"Nicole, why are you so depressed?" Data blurted the question.

Nicole looked over at Data. "Did I ever tell you about my life on Betazed before I joined Starfleet?"

Data paused for a moment. "No you did not."

"I know you've seen the scars, you asked me about them once when we were intimate for the first time. The only person who knows the truth is my grandmother. She promised that she wouldn't tell anyone." Nicole said.

Data stayed silent. Nicole looked back down the ledge. She let her leg swing a bit.

"Due to Betazoid tradition I was supposed to marry someone else. He was the sweetest boy when we met. He used to walk me home from school and we hung out a lot. His parents were friends with my grandfather. However…" Nicole trailed off.

"When he found out I had a love for the warp core. He became violent." Nicole let the tears she was holding back fall. Someone needed to know what happened. "He tried to keep me from going to Earth with me mother. He felt that beating me would get me to listen to him." Nicole sighed. "Grandmother came home early one day and saw him…." She trailed off again.

That whole time Data stayed silent. Nicole wiped the tears with the cuff of her uniform. This is why she was diagnosed with PTSD. Regen made her feel like dirt. It also made her work harder than ever before which is why she gets overwhelmed at times and chooses to harm herself.

"This is why Admiral Collins wanted me to watch over you." Data said, quietly. It was like a light bulb went off in his android mind.

"Yes. This is why I work hard. I take on extra duty shifts and extra workloads, because if I focus on my work, I won't have to focus on…"

"Your mental state." Data finished for her.

Nicole nodded her head.

"I am curious as to why you never told me this before." Data asked, puzzled.

"I told you on Earth. I didn't want you to worry about me."

"I am incapable of worry, Nikki."

Nicole smiled slightly. "Data, I am married to you! You do worry about me. Just not in the way humans feel it."

Nicole leaned back. Her legs dangled over the ledge while her hands were resting on the dirt.

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

"Every time I look the slightest bit tired or I get snappy you start watching me closely. You even had Geordi keep an eye on me loads of times."

Data titled his head again. "I never noticed this before. My internal sensors have identified a positive association with you, my dear. I had learned how to anticipate your actions and emotions. I know when you are able to lose control of your emotions. Which is how I am able to anticipate your menstrual cycles just by your volatility."

Nicole sat up and raised an eyebrow. I guess this is what she gets for being married to an android.

Data looked at her puzzled. "What is it?"

"It is nothing." Nicole shook her head. "I am just thankful to have someone like you in my life. You know exactly how to pick up the pieces and put me together when I break." She smiled.

Data mimicked the smile and the first time he said something that he never says. "It is because I love you, Nikki."

Nicole was the one to tilt her head. "You know I don't expect you to say that, because I know you don't have emotions."

"That may be true that I do not have emotions, but you said that I do not experience emotions in the way humans do. Plus, Commander Riker suggested that it might make you feel better. Does it?"

Nicole threw her head back and laughed. "Leave it to my dear ole dad to try and lift my emotions."

"I wish to hear you laugh more. I do not want to see you upset." Data said.

Nicole looked over at her husband. "I am sorry for being so moody, babe. I am trying not to let this PTSD control me." She said, smiling.

"I am here for you." Data said, resting his hand on hers. "I noticed that humans hold hands as a way to show affection." This caused Nicole to laugh again.