Chapter Seventeen

"Data, my love, I promise you I am alright." Nicole said.

"Nikki, allow me to assist you to our quarters. I do not have to be on the bridge till 1400 hours." Data said.

Nicole sighed. She knew Data wasn't going to let her return to work. Captain Picard (and Geordi) had her relieved of duty for a few days to get acclimated to having no telepathic abilities.

When they entered their quarters, they were bombarded by an orange tabby.

"Hi Spot." Nicole said, crouching down to pick up the feline. Spot immediately purred in her arms.

Data went to the replicator to get food for Nicole. He gave her something light. A faux tuna salad with romaine lettuce. He also replicated some warm tea.

Nicole placed Spot on the ground before she sat at the table. Data sat across from her. He read a PADD while Nicole ate. Or attempted to eat. He observed she only ate a couple bites.

"You need to eat, my dear." Data said.

Nicole shook her head. "I am not hungry, babe."

Data tilted his head. He overheard her telling Geordi that she was hungry. Geordi tried to have her take a break earlier but she declined.

Nicole smiled weakly as she got up. She headed into the bedroom to change into comfortable clothes. Data recycled the dishes and this time he replicated some dairy free yoghurt with mixed berries in the center topped with a peanut butter chocolate chip granola. It was one of Nicole's favorite snacks.

He had it in his hand as he entered the bedroom. Nicole was already getting into bed. Spot was preparing a place next to her. Data sat at the edge of the bed. He swirled the spoon into the yoghurt for 0.2 seconds before holding it in front of Nicole.

"Eat Lieutenant." Data said, sternly.

Nicole sat there in bed, letting her husband hand feed her till the yoghurt was gone. Data rewarded her with a small gentle kiss on the lips.

"Sleep my dear. I will come by and check on you later." Data said.

Nicole nodded her head. The minute her head hit the pillow she was out. Data knew he shouldn't have talked to Doctor Crusher without Nicole's consent, but he needed her to sleep. So she gave him some sleeping pills for Nicole. They were in a capsule so it made it easy for him to sneak them in things like the yoghurt.

He kissed Nicole's forehead and whispered, "My apologies, Nikki. I needed you to sleep. Do not be upset with me."

Data then left their quarters.

Nicole was in the gardens on Betazed. She was looking at the flowers when someone's arms wrapped around her waist. She already knew who it was before he began talking.

"He snuck you some sleeping medicine." Regen said.

Nicole placed her hands on his. "Yes, I know. He cares so much for me."

"Now you will be mine for quite some time."

Nicole pressed her lips together. This was the last thing she wanted.

This was why she tried her best to keep from sleeping. Regen invades her dreams all the time now. It was the only way he could contact her since her telepathic abilities were off for the time being.

Nicole turned in his arms to wrap her arms around his neck. She fought the urge to kiss him. She already wanted to burn her skin for touching the man. Hopefully a scalding shower would help disinfect her skin from his scent.

"Why are you like this?" Nicole asked.

"Like what babygirl?"

"This possessiveness. You never used to be."

Regen thought about it for a moment. He then pulled Nicole closer as he kissed her. Nicole did her best to hold back the bile in the back of her throat.

"You know how I feel about Starfleet."

Nicole raised an eyebrow. "It wasn't Starfleet's fault your mom died, Regen."

Nicole winced as Regen gripped her sides. His eyes narrowed at her.

"Yes it was. Instead of trying to save her, they left her to die."

"I read the report Regen. Your mother interfered in a race's culture. She got put into prison for it. The Prime Directive states that we shouldn't interfere in other cultures."

One minute Nicole was being held by Regen. The second, she was thrown into the thorn bush. The thorns caused some cuts on her skin. Regen then had her give him oral. He grabbed her roughly by the hair. Her lips were swollen from the rough oral.

"Regen please." Nicole pleaded.

"You will NEVER speak of that trash in my presence again!"

He spit in her face before letting her go.

Nicole crawled out of the thorn bush. She let Regen lead her to a secluded spot where he violated her. She couldn't do anything but let him.

Data, Nicole said quietly in her mind.

"I am here, my dear. It is alright."

Nicole opened her eyes. Data was holding her tightly. Not tight enough to hurt her though. He even turned his internal temperature down to keep her cool.

"Panic attack?" Nicole asked. She almost didn't recognize her voice.

"Yes. You are safe now though." Data said.

There was another presence there. Someone on the other side of her. She tensed, thinking it was Regen, but the soothing hand running through her hair told her otherwise.

"Geordi?"

"Yes Nikki. I am here too."

Nicole groaned as she sat up in bed.

"What is it?" Geordi asked.

"I don't know how much more I can handle this, Geordi." Nicole said.

Geordi placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to keep fighting this on your own. Let us shoulder the responsibility."

Nicole shook her head. "I can't do that."

"I am curious as to why you will not tell us what is the matter, Nikki." Data said.

Nicole sighed. She moved to climb out of bed. The heat from the boys was making her overheat. She hid herself in the bathroom.

"Nikki, Data and I are worried about you." Geordi said.

She sighed again as she came out of the bathroom wearing a baggy tee and shorts.

"I don't know if you two can help me." Nicole finally admitted.

"If we can't, then we'll figure this out. Together." Geordi said.

"Geordi is right, Nicole. You are not alone, my dear." Data said.

Nicole smiled. She then took a deep breath as she sat in the chair across from her husband and best friend.