Author's Notes: This isn't the end. I have one more chapter after this. I apologize that Data seemed a little out of character. I struggle with writing him. Poor Nicole though!

Chapter Nineteen

Commander Riker was thrown into the dirt. Nicole just kicked him in the back. His back cried out in pain.

"I knew you would come." Regen said, holding a phaser up to Tucker's head.

"I came to offer you a trade, Regen. The flagship's first officer for Tucker." Nicole said, folding her arms across her chest.

She knew Regen was checking out her breasts. Most of her fellow male Engineers do. They weren't that big, but she also wasn't small chested either.

Regen raised an eyebrow. "You would trade your father for your ex boyfriend."

"Honestly, Regen, I would rather have Tucker die than rescue him, but you told me that if I didn't show then you would destroy the Enterprise."

Tucker narrowed his dark iris at Nicole. Nicole just smirked at him.

"Just hold on. I have a plan." She told Tucker telepathically.

"This guy is a lunatic. I can't believe you dated him."

Nicole had to suppress her laughter. Thankfully Regen pulled her into his arms and planted a wet sloppy kiss on her lips. Nicole suppressed the urge to vomit in his mouth.

Come on Data, hurry up, Nicole thought as Regen continued to kiss her. This time a hand was massaging her breast.

As if on cue though, Data materialized with a Security team. Worf accompanied them.

"Hands off my wife." Data said, his yellow eyes narrowing.

Even for an Android without emotions. Data had always been protective of Nicole. Sometimes possessive too. He wasn't the type to let it get out of hand. He just cared so much for her. He didn't want to lose her.

Regen held onto Nicole tightly while he pointed his weapon at the team.

"I'm sorry but she is mine now. I promise I will keep her safe though."

Nicole's baby blues met the yellow ones of her husband. Being Starfleet officers they knew how to contact one another by their expressions. It took a second or two for Data to catch on. Nicole wanted him to stand down. Data declined.

Nicole wanted to burn her hand after this. She grabbed another man's junk right in front of her husband. It caused Regen to lower his guard. He kissed her once again. This time, Nicole used all her strength and training to push Regen away from her.

Regen stumbled back. Nicole then jumped up and tackled him to the ground. He lost his weapon in the scuffle. A security guard grabbed the phaser. Worf and Data helped Nicole with handcuffing Regen so they could transport him back to the ship.

Once Regen was ready to go, they untied Tucker and Commander Riker.

"I'm sorry for my actions, Commander." Nicole said.

Commander Riker placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"We'll talk about it when we get back to the ship."

Nicole nodded her head. "Yes sir."

"My ready room. Now." Captain Picard said, narrowing his eyes.

Nicole nodded her head. She followed her captain into his ready room. She stood at attention waiting to be reprimanded by the Captain of the flagship. She probably was going to lose her career over this. The career she fought so hard for.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't send you to the brig and drop you off at the nearest starbase."

Nicole stayed silent. She wasn't given permission to speak.

"I fought for several years to keep you on this ship, Lieutenant. And you repay me by pulling that stunt."

"Captain-"

"No. I don't want to hear any excuses. You already know what I expect of my officers. Especially from you."

"Captain, Regen was still contacting me. The suppression wasn't working. He threatened to destroy the Enterprise if I didn't show up."

"Then you should've come to Commander Riker or I instead of pulling that stunt, Lieutenant."

"Yes sir."

Nicole wanted so badly to look away, but she couldn't. She needed to face the music of what she did.

"I am putting you on report. You will no longer be able to work by yourself till I am able to trust you again."

"Yes Captain."

"Dismissed."

Nicole turned on her heels and walked out of the ready room. Her baby blues met the dark iris of her mother. Looking away, Nicole headed to the turbolift. She needed to go to Sickbay to get checked out.

Later that evening, Nicole sat at the table in the quarters she shared with Data. She picked at the supper that Data replicated.

"Babe?"

"Yes my dear."

Data did not look her way. He was too busy going over the reports from his Operations teams.

"Are you upset with me too?" Nicole asked.

This time Data looked over at her. Just by his observations, he could tell that Nicole was upset. She barely touched her meal. Even though he replicated her favorite high protein spaghetti with veggie "meatballs". And her expression looked like she could cry at any second.

"I do not have emotions at all, Nicole. However, I knew eventually you would do something like this. I have learned to anticipate your reckless behavior, love."

"Why do you even try with me? You would be better off with someone else."

Nicole slammed her fork down on the plate. It caused Spot to perk up from where she slept on the couch. She muttered her apologies to the feline. She then got up and recycled her dishes. She wasn't in the mood to eat.

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

Nicole ignored him as she headed to go take a sonic shower. Data got up from his desk. He followed his wife into the bathroom. Using his superhuman strength, he picked up Nicole with ease. He gently placed her onto the counter.

"You listen to me. Right now, Lieutenant." Data held Nicole's gaze. "I do want anyone else. I want you, Nikki. I have always wanted you."

It was the truth. Since the day he met Nicole, there was something that drew him to her. He never really figured out what it was. However, he probably thought it was something close to what humans call an attraction. She always saw him as more than a machine. And he would never tell her, but he could tell she was angered by his relationship with Jenna.

Nicole looked down. "You shouldn't. I'm a mess."

Data took Nicole's chin in his hand. He'd seen many male crewmembers do this with their partners. He pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss.