Author's Notes: I thank you all for sticking by me. I know this story isn't the best, but I am running out of ideas. Which is why a lot of chapters are shorter than normal. I hope to update as fast as I can. Anyway, this Chapter will have mention of the Pegasus episode.

Chapter Sixteen

"Brown, I need that report." Nicole said.

"In a moment." Brown said.

Nicole narrowed her baby blues. "No, not in a moment. I need it. Now!"

Data and Geordi entered Engineering. Nicole locked eyes with Data for a moment before she turned her attention to Geordi.

"Have you finished the reports yet?" Geordi asked.

Nicole shook her head. She motioned at the Engineer reading the datapad he had in his hand.

"I am waiting on Brown to hand me his report." Nicole said.

Geordi sighed and rolled his eyes behind his VISOR. They've been having issues with Brown lately. He struggled with getting reports in on time. He barely showed up on time for his shifts. And both Nicole and Geordi were afraid to send him to do work on his own, because they didn't want him messing something up.

"Well if you want a break, you can always help Data with the transporter pad in Transporter Room 3."

Nicole raised an eyebrow as Geordi handed her a datapad.

"What's wrong with it?" Nicole asked, reading the information before her.

"Commander Riker transported down about an hour ago. O'Brien said it sparked afterwards." Geordi said.

"The pad itself or the console?"

"The Transporter Pad." Data said.

"I will grab my tool kit and head that way." Nicole went to grab her tool kit. She checked over to see if everything was in there. Geordi handed her the screwdriver he borrowed.

"Sorry." He said.

"At least you return items you borrow." Nicole said.

"Are you having problems with your tools going missing, my dear?" Data asked, letting her pet name slip.

Nicole stayed silent as they headed out of Engineering. Regen was contacting her telepathically, but she ignored him. Or at least tried too.

Data's fingers brushed up against hers. Nicole gave him a lopsided smile.

"Sorry Commander." She said, moving a little to put some distance between them.

Data titled his head as they walked. They were on duty, yes. However, Nicole normally flirted with him or held his hand. This time though, she seemed focused on something else. She kept on muttering about something. Even with his advanced hearing, Data could not make out what his wife was muttering.

As they entered the turbolift. Nicole placed a hand to her forehead. She did this when she was getting a headache.

Although he did not have feelings, he was concerned for his wife. She has not been the same since she woke up from the coma.

"Are you alright, Nikki?" Data asked.

The lift stopped. "I'm fine babe." Nicole said, not meeting Data's gaze as she walked out.

Data watched as Nicole worked. She was visibly tired. Last night she struggled to sleep. Not even him cuddling her helped. He needed to talk to Dr. Crusher about giving her some sleep medicine.

At one point Nicole closed her eyes and muttered something before continuing to work on the pad. Captain Picard came in to check on them. Data gave him their report.

"Are you alright, Lieutenant?" Captain Picard asked.

Nicole opened her eyes. Her smile did not reach her eyes. "Yes sir."

Captain Picard knew Nicole was lying. He chose not to address it further. He nodded his head and left the transporter room. When he was in the corridor though, he tapped his communicator.

"Picard to Troi."

"Troi here."

"Please report to Transporter Room 3."

"On my way. Troi out."

"Mom, I promise you. I am alright." Nicole said, looking at her tricorder.

"Nikki, baby, I can sense that you are not." Troi said.

"There's nothing you all can do." Nicole said through gritted teeth.

"Have you tried taking a break? I am sure Geordi would understand."

"My job is the only thing keeping me sane right now, mom!" Nicole exclaimed.

Data didn't mean to overhear their conversation. It was hard for him not to. Nicole kept raising her voice because she was upset. He wished he could switch places with her. He wished he was the one dealing with Regen instead of his wife.

"I can always order you to take a break." Data blurted.

Nicole and Troi turned to The Android.

"Do not bring rank into this, Data." Nicole warned.

"Nikki, love, I have noticed the lack of ship's efficiency in Engineering, because you are under various amounts of stress. Counselor Troi is right. You may not want to take a break, but we need to think of another option." Data said.

"I don't know if there is another option." Nicole said.

"We can always suppress your telepathic abilities. You don't really need them. And we can always talk verbally." Troi said.

Nicole thought about it for a moment. "We can always give it a try."

Nicole sat on the bio bed. Data stood next to her. He was in a red shirt with an acting Commander rank. Commander Riker had to leave. He was dealing with what happened on Pegasus. Data had to take over in his place.

"Are you able to sense anything?" Dr. Crusher asked Nicole.

Nicole concentrated really hard. She even tried to telepathically talk to her mother. She couldn't. It felt weird not being able to sense anything. However, it may make things easier. Her mother was right. It was really needed in her line of work.