Author's Notes: This is finally starting to take flight. And I apologize but I am starting to get to the end. I don't know if I will continue to write about Nicole and Data. Well maybe. For now enjoy this story.

Chapter Eighteen

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

"Regen's been invading my dreams." She admitted.

"Is this why you are struggling to sleep?" Geordi asked.

Nicole nodded her head. "Yes."

"Can you explain what has been happening?" Data asked.

Geordi refrained from calling Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troi. Nicole didn't need them. She needed her husband and best friend.

Nicole rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't know how to explain it. Every time I sleep, Regen invades my dreams. He keeps forcing me to sleep with him."

Data tilted his head. An unusual sensation was brought to his attention. Although he was an Android without emotions, he did not approve of another man forcing himself on his wife. His wife was hurting because of it. This made his need to protect her even more stronger. He could not allow it to continue. If he did, it would be intolerable.

"Data, babe, are you alright?" Nicole asked.

Geordi's gentle touch on his shoulder brought Data's attention to the Lieutenant sitting across from him. Her unruly dark hair was pulled into a side braid. Although she slept for 5 hours, 20 minutes, and 30 seconds, there was still swelling and dark circles around her normally bright baby blues.

"I can not allow Regen to continue to harm you, Nicole." Data blurted. "It is causing an unusual sensation. My sensors are having a rough time trying to compute the response."

"You're angry." Geordi said.

"Pardon?" Data asked, looking at his friend.

"Geordi is right, my love. You are pissed off at Regen." Nicole said.

"I do not have emotions though." Data said.

"Data, honey, we talked about this before. You do not have humanoid emotions. Your emotions are more like sensations." Nicole explained.

Data felt the need to clench his fists so he did.

"Oh my, Nicole you are right." Geordi said.

Data looked down at his clenched hands. He wasn't feeling anger like Geordi or Nicole would. He was a sensation similar to it though.

"Interesting." Data said.

Nicole smiled. She felt a little more relaxed around her husband and friend. Especially now since they were going over how Data was feeling and ways to help overcome Regen.

A few days later, Commander Riker was back on board. He had to now prove himself as an officer. Nicole and him were talking by one of the shuttles in the shuttle bay when an image popped into her head.

There was a barren planet with nothing but sand for miles. Nicole knew this place as where Captain Picard and Wesley Crusher crashed landed. They passed by that area a couple hours ago. However, something was odd about this image.

Regen was there with that childish grin, but so was Tucker. Regen had Tucker bound at his feet. A weapon was pointed to his head.

"What makes you think Nicole will come save me?" Tucker asked.

"She is a Starfleet Officer. Her duty is to the ship and crew. If she doesn't save you then I will have my cloak ship destroy them."

"Nicole, honey, are you alright?" Commander Riker asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.

Nicole shook the image off. She gave him her best fake smile.

"Yes sir. I am alright."

"Perhaps you should go to sickbay."

Nicole shook her head once again. "I much rather get my work done, dad."

Nicole turned to look at the shuttle she was working on. If she left now she could be there in 2 hours. She just needed to go without Commander Riker knowing or maybe…..

Commander Riker followed her into the shuttle. Nicole took the phaser and stunned her commanding officer. She then stunned the officer on duty. She had to rush to the doors and preflight sequence done before she could leave.

"Picard to Commander Riker. What's going on down there?"

Nicole took off their communicators and left them in the shuttle bay. Within a minute or two she was out in space. She made a circle around and ignored the hails from the ship. She could get in a lot of trouble for this, but Regen was right. She needed to protect the ship and crew.

On the Bridge,

"Who was on that shuttle?" Captain Picard asked, turning to look at Worf at Tactical.

Worf tapped his fingers against the console. His eyes went wide as he rechecked the console.

"Who was on that shuttle?" Captain Picard asked again. His patience was running thin.

"Parker to Bridge." Came the crewmember in charge of the shuttles.

"Bridge here."

"Nicole Soong kidnapped Commander Riker and stole a shuttle, sir."

Data turned around in his chair. His yellow eyes met the brown eyes as his captain. Even Counselor Troi was shocked.

In the shuttle,

Commander Riker woke up. He sat up on his elbows as he looked around. He was in a shuttle that his daughter was piloting. He slowly stood up, but as he attempted to enter the cockpit he was greeted by a force field.

"I would be careful if I were you, sir. That is a level 10 force field." Nicole said, keeping her focus on the console in front of her.

"Where are we going?" Commander Riker asked.

"You'll see soon enough." Nicole said. "Just sit down and relax."

Commander Riker sighed. He sat down on one of the benches, observing his daughter. He knew she was a talented pilot. She was on the flight team at the Academy. Her piloting was not his concern though. It was her behavior.

She was indeed exhausted. Her normally styled bushy black hair was unkempt. The bags under her eyes were pronounced. Once again her irritation with others was in full force due to the lack of sleep. And kidnapping her commanding officer and stealing a shuttle was icing on the cake.

"Nikki, honey, you don't have to deal with this on your own. We can help you." Commander Riker said.

"If you help me then you will get hurt." Nicole admitted.

"Is Regen threatening you?"

Nicole closed her eyes and sighed. She put the shuttle on autopilot to face her father. His blue eyes weren't filled with anger for what she did, they were more filled with concern. Concern for her.

Commander Riker held out his arms as he stood. "It's alright honey, daddy is here."

Nicole dropped the forcefield and ran into the arms of her father. They collapsed to the floor. Commander Riker held her as she cried. She was an adult now. She was almost 30. However, she still needed the comfort of her parents. Mainly her father.

"Tell me exactly what he said. Maybe I can help."

And that was what Nicole did. She told him everything. Even the parts where he threatened to destroy the Enterprise if they followed.

"We need to figure out a plan." Commander Riker said.

"I may have something in mind." Nicole said, holding up a pair of handcuffs.