A/N: Unabashed DaTasha. If this is no your cuppa tea – don't read. One-shot. Based on the Star Trek universe created by Gene Roddenberry.
It was hot.
They had been in the Jefferies tubes for over an hour already and Data and Tasha were no closer to finding the solution to the problem than when they had started.
In truth, 'Jefferies tube' was generous.
They had eliminated the main Jefferies tubes as the problem and moved to the sub-systems The sub-systems were about half the size of a regular Jefferies tube.
There was no damage, but a joint Security-Engineering team had been dispatched to investigate the matter.
Data and Tasha had been crawling through the Jefferies tube for nearly thirty minutes when they had first encountered a problem.
Data's keen senses had enabled him to first detect the issue while conducting their routine scans.
He'd noticed the disbursement of a chemical agent and had advised Tasha to move quickly through the area.
"Bridge to the investigation team," Captain Picard's voice rang out. "It appears there is an emergence of anesthesine gas throughout the Jefferies tubes in sections 28 through 45."
"Yes, Captain," Data replied. "We are attempting to outrun the disbursement."
He crawled quickly along the access tube with Tasha scrambling right behind him as they attempted to reach an area that was not impacted. Data had identified a portion of the ship that was not a part of distribution.
As soon as they reached subsection Delta 18, Data realised they were surrounded.
He located the closest sealed subtube and opened the access panel. Data slipped inside. He pulled Tasha in next to him and quickly sealed the hatch behind them.
It wasn't a long-term solution, but it would be enough to keep them conscious for the time being.
The Enterprise had been investigating a routine nebula cloud formation. En route, the ship had encountered a series of system issues – navigation and life support were cycling. Main Engineering had been sealed with no way in or out.
All diagnostic testing had pointed to the possibility this nebula cloud must be some kind of entity located in the bowels of the ship.
Data suspected they were getting close to identifying the issue - because the closer they got to Main Engineering, the more the entity threw at them to stop the pair.
First, it had been raising the temperature to an uncomfortably hot level.
Next, the system had sealed the direct path to Engineering.
Now, it was gas.
Under normal circumstances, the ship would be able to flush the area and clear the gas. But their environmental controls were no longer functioning which meant the gas would linger until naturally dissipating.
Although the anesthesine gas would only last for approximately an hour, both Data and Tasha understood it was important to remain conscious.
They had an obligation to find the root of the problem, and neither could accept failure as an option.
"For the time being, we are safe," Data advised as he sealed the hatch.
"Thanks," Tasha replied as she caught her breath.
It had been a fast, hard crawl from their position ten meters back.
Although it hadn't impacted Data, Tasha was thoroughly winded from having raced through the tube on her hands and knees as they had attempted to find sanctuary from the gas.
Fortunately, Data's advanced knowledge of the ship's inner workings had provided them with an escape.
"It appears the atmospheric conditions of this section are functioning independent of the system," Data advised.
Tasha nodded as she caught her breath.
It was a small sentiment of relief – if their life support was still functioning, they would be able to wait. It would take approximately an hour for the system to flush the toxins before they could resume their search.
At the very least, they were alive and well in the Jefferies tube.
Well, at least half a Jefferies tube.
It was tight, but it was safe.
"Thanks again," Tasha said.
"You are most welcome," Data advised. "Although I am immune to most chemicals, the anesthesine is capable of rendering me unconscious."
To Data's surprise, Tasha grinned.
"Really?" she said with a smile.
"Yes," Data answered, confused by her reaction.
Tasha could sense his unease.
"I'm sorry, Commander," she said suddenly.
Data cocked his head to the side.
"It's just intriguing that you would be affected," Tasha admitted.
As Security Chief, she knew that there was little that impacted Data's neural net.
The fact that he could be influenced by the ship's anesthesine gas was fascinating.
"I would theorise that whatever entity is occupying Engineering, the intention is not to harm us," Data explained. "There are far more dangerous chemicals it could have vented."
Tasha nodded in agreement.
"Right," she concurred. "And if it's controlling the system, it didn't have to keep the atmospheric conditions in this section active."
"Correct," Data agreed. "I would surmise it does not want to kill us. Rather, the goal is to prevent our reaching Main Engineering."
An unsettling thought entered the back of Tasha's mind.
"But if we keep pushing, it may escalate," Tasha pondered aloud.
This time it had been a harmless knock-out gas.
Next time it could be something more sinister.
"We may be stuck here for some time," Data cautioned.
Tasha was afraid of that.
"At least it's cosy," she joked.
Data cocked his head to the side as he looked at her.
"Do not most humans find conditions like this unpleasant?" Data asked. "The temperature is significantly higher than ambient levels and my internal scan of this section denote we are occupying a space of less than-"
"It's a joke, Data," Tasha cut him off. "Sarcasm."
Data accessed his internal records on humour and nodded in understanding.
"Ah! I see. Derision, mockery, or ridicule intended to convey contempt," Data identified.
"Something like that," Tasha grinned.
Silence fell on the pair which only added to the awkwardness of the situation.
It was a small space, and both were feeling equally uncomfortable.
Instinctively, they turned their heads away from one another.
For Data, it was a reminder of some of his more unbearable Starfleet assignments. Before the Enterprise, he had previously served on several missions where space was limited. As he required no rest, Data had been offered little more than a storage closet as personal quarters.
Although Tasha wasn't bothered by small spaces, the idea of being trapped in general threatened to surface memories of a time when she hadn't been free to make her own choices – a time she would do anything to forget.
For Tasha, the best remedy was to always take charge of a situation. If she was helping others, it was a reminder that she was in control.
But she had no inkling of how she could 'take charge' of being trapped in a Jefferies tube.
Tasha was about to resign herself to spending the next few hours in agonising silence in this cramped space when she saw an opening.
"Data, what's wrong?" Tasha asked.
His face was contorted into a grimace. His eyes were closed but Tasha could see them flitting back and forth rapidly under the lids.
"Data? Are you feeling alright?" Tasha pressed when he didn't respond.
"I am incapable of feeling any-" Data started to say.
"Bollocks," Tasha insisted. "I don't believe that for a second."
Tasha had never bought into Data's alleged 'emotionless android' excuse.
She had seen him experience emotion plenty of times.
Confusion on many occasions.
Joy at winning poker during Commander Riker's weekly game.
And contented amusement in the afterglow of sex.
It had been a few weeks since the incident with the Tsiolkovsky.
Tasha still felt awful.
She was mortified with herself knowing full well that she had taken advantage of this tender-hearted man. She'd regretted her actions and pushed him away.
Something that, in time, she had come to regret even more than the act itself.
Data had been so intuitive.
Tasha couldn't deny that she'd certainly thought about him prior to the polywater. He was attractive and she enjoyed his company.
Thinking back, he had looked so charming in that moment – lips parted, eyes full of wonder as they had held one another.
Tasha tugged at the collar of her uniform. The thought of his hands on her body wasn't helping her to cool down.
Suddenly, she became hyper aware of his body pressed against her own in the tight crawlspace of their current sanctuary against the anesthethine gas.
Glancing back at Data, she could see his eyes were squeezed shut.
He looked like he was in pain.
"Data, are you claustrophobic?" Tasha inquired.
"Lieutenant, I am not capable of feeling fear," Data reminded her.
Despite his insistence, he winced when she reached up and touched his face, forcing him to look at her.
"Something is wrong, Data," Tasha insisted. "Now what is it?"
Data swallowed hard.
"Look at me," Tasha said in soothing tone. "Data, please."
He couldn't.
Data knew he couldn't look at her.
There was something wrong.
"My processing capacity is having difficulty functioning at the moment," Data said with great effort.
Tasha could hear the strain in his voice.
"Because of the heat?" Tasha inquired.
"Yes," Data replied.
It was partially true.
He was having difficulty with his processing capacity. His system was in overdrive and struggling to handle the strain – but it wasn't due just to the air temperature.
Under normal circumstances, Data's neural net had no problem balancing his typical level of processing in this kind of heat.
What it couldn't handle was having her body against his.
He had catalogued to memory every inch of her frame, the feel of her skin under his fingertips, and the way his name had fallen from her lips.
His sexuality programme was trying to initiate.
Data was using a significant portion of his processing capacity to override the function.
Out of respect for Tasha, Data knew it was vital that he stop himself from displaying any outward signs of his arousal.
She had requested they act as if their liaison had never occurred, and Data wanted to respect her wish.
"Data, open your eyes. Please, look at me," Tasha repeated.
Slowly, he opened them and met Tasha's eyes.
"Data?" she asked.
Feeling crowded, he shifted against her in an effort to put any kind of distance between them.
It was futile as there was nowhere to go.
Data's extra sensory hearing allowed him to pick up on the faint intake of breath from Tasha.
He wasn't erect, but the close proximity of their predicament and tight uniforms meant she could feel every inch of his anatomy.
Data could detect that her heart rate had increased.
Tasha abruptly broke eye contact as she looked away nervously.
It was all too intimate.
The last time they had looked at one another like this it had been in her bed.
Tasha knew she couldn't go through that again – in spite of how much she wanted to.
He does feel nice. A little voice in her head teased.
Tasha squeezed her legs together, cursing her body for reacting like this.
She found herself wishing she had the ability to control herself like Data.
If she was mechanical, she wouldn't be struggling to control her breathing.
Or fighting against the growing ache between her thighs.
Get a grip, Yar. She told herself.
Tasha stiffened as she felt Data's hand against her thigh.
"Lieutenant?" Data questioned.
Shit.
Tasha could feel her nipples were hard and knew Data could feel them too.
Gods this is embarrassing.
Tasha felt her face flush.
She tried to think of anything she could to repress her desire – long briefings, the smell of Risian brandy, Commander Riker's cooking – anything but the thought of Data.
"You are uncomfortable being so close," Data remarked.
Tasha chewed on the inside of her lip.
So much for subtlety.
"I am the cause," Data said. "I am sorry to have made you uncomfortable, Lieutenant. I apologise that I cause you distress."
There was a hint of pain in his voice and Tasha could tell he was hurt.
Data assumed she was anxious, and it stung to know that he was the cause of it.
"I do not mean to be a nuisance," Data went on.
"No, Data," Tasha replied. "You're not a bother."
Data's face soured.
It had been weeks since the polywater incident and Tasha had largely avoided his company since.
Data was used to causing discomfort in humans.
His android nature disturbed most of the people he met.
But there had been a sense of emptiness when Tasha had pulled away from him.
Data considered her a friend and enjoyed her company. Tasha had always treated him no differently than the other crew. She wasn't bothered by his android nature – or so he had thought.
Since their encounter, she'd been reclusive and nervous around him.
"I know that you have requested we not discuss what happened during the polywater infection, but may I once again state how sorry I am. It was never my intention to hurt you," Data said apologetically.
Tasha took a shaky breath.
"I have no excuse for my actions that day," Data continued. "In retrospect, it was foolish of me to expose myself to-"
"Data, stop," Tasha insisted. "There's nothing to apologise for."
She hated to listen to him beat himself up like that.
"But I must confess that it was nice to think, even for a brief moment, that another being could find me attractive," Data admitted.
He was so used to being stared at. Most people found his appearance unsettling. The unnatural tone of his bioplast and his yellow eyes were disturbing for many.
"It has been my experience that I tend to frighten people," Data shared. "I am sorry that I scare you."
Tasha felt awful.
"Data," Tasha said as she squeezed his shoulder. "You don't scare me."
He wanted to believe her, but it was evident she was doing all she could to put distance between the two of them.
She couldn't even bring herself to look at him.
"To think that someone like you could possibly find someone like me desirable," Data confessed.
He paused as if searching for the right words.
"It made me feel almost human," he finished softly.
Lost in his own thoughts, it took Data 1.42 seconds to realise Tasha was kissing him.
His mind reeled as he tried to comprehend the sudden change in her behaviour.
Data's fingers tentatively rested against her thighs, and he could feel his sexuality programme attempting to engage.
Data's eyes flew open, and he pulled his hands back as if he had been burned.
For a moment, neither of them said anything as they locked eyes.
Tasha found her voice first.
"I'm sorry," Tasha said. "I shouldn't have done that."
Data blinked, bewildered.
"I'm not uncomfortable because you're here. I don't care that you're an android," Tasha said. "It's just hard to be next to you like this."
Her cheeks felt hot under his gaze.
"Data, I'm bothered alright," she said. "But not in the way you think."
Might as well clear the air. Tasha surmised.
He tipped his head to the side as he considered the meaning behind her statement.
Data accessed his information bank on human colloquialism as he tried to interpret her words.
She could see he was struggling.
"Gods this is embarrassing," Tasha said with a nervous smile.
She exhaled heavily.
"I guess what I'm saying is that I'm turned on, Data," she said as she cleared her throat. "You kind of have that effect on me."
"Turned-on? As in sexually aroused? Stimulated? Impassioned?" Data inquired.
Tasha bit her lip and nodded slowly.
"May I ask," Data said hesitantly. "Is your embarrassment because I am not human? Is this why you asked that we never acknowledge our sexual encounter? Are you humiliated by me?"
Tasha's eyes went wide.
"Gods, Data!" she exclaimed. "No!"
It was the truth. She wasn't ashamed of him.
"I've never been ashamed of you. You're wonderful, Data," Tasha assured him.
She felt him relax against her.
There was something about the way he was looking at her that made her feel small.
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it wasn't taking advantage of you," Tasha admitted.
Data's lips crashed against her own as he poured the last four weeks of tension into a hungry kiss.
His tongue skimmed across the bow of her mouth. Tasha parted her lips to allow him entrance. His breath was hot, and his tongue was surprisingly soft – it certainly felt human.
She whimpered against his mouth as he deepened the kiss.
In a moment of weakness, Data stopped fighting against his sexuality programme. He dropped the override and permitted it to engage.
He felt a drop in his biofluid pressure as he began to swell followed by a surge of excitement as Tasha groaned against him.
Tasha was certain she had lost her mind as she found herself grinding against him.
There was no room to manoeuvre.
But it felt good.
Needing air, Tasha broke their kiss.
Data buried his face against her shoulder. His breath was hot against her neck.
To her delight, he was panting.
The thought of the ever-composed Lieutenant Commander coming apart sent thrill through Tasha. It rippled through her body and sent a shockwave of excitement straight to her core.
Data gripped her hips, their bodies pressed tightly against one another as Data gave himself over to the sensation.
Tasha growled in frustration, desperate for more friction as she could feel his erection rubbing just shy of where she needed relief.
With considerable effort, Tasha managed to shift enough and gasped when she felt Data's stiff cock hit her swollen clit.
Data nipped at the pulse point of her neck.
Spurred on by the sounds she was making, he let his hands wander – tracing the curve on the underside of her breast and ghosting along the length of her thigh.
Despite the tight quarters, Data managed to work his hands behind her.
Cupping her backside, he held her tightly as he ground against her.
Tasha keened and Data growled in her ear.
There was nothing poetic about it.
It was chaotic – frantic - as they both tried to work out weeks of sexual frustration in such a small, confined space.
Tasha's uniform was damp with perspiration – from the hot temperature, the arousal, and the physical exertion of trying to chase her release in such a limiting angle.
The crawlspace was only about seventy centimetres wide. She wanted desperately to spread her legs, to feel the pressure of holding him deep inside.
It was sweet, blissful torment to be so close and yet not close enough.
She rested her head on his shoulder - content to let him rub against her for all of eternity if it meant feeling this good.
All of sudden, his hips jerked against her. Tasha's eyebrows shot up as she recognised the feeling of something warm and sticky seeping out through his uniform.
Data stilled.
He was mortified at the thought that he'd rubbed himself against a fellow officer – her of all people – like an animal.
Worst of all, he'd spilled himself against her. Data had spoiled both her uniform and his own with a load of biofluid.
He had read extensively about human sexual development and knew that it was something that could occur in adolescence. It was a sensation he had never expected to experience given his alleged complete control of his sexual function.
Until now.
Data couldn't explain it, but something about this left him feeling filthy.
"Um, Data? Are you alright?" Tasha inquired.
He was motionless.
She knew Data had come, but his erection was still stiff against her.
She worked her hand between their bodies and cupped the damp front of his uniform.
Data shuddered as she gripped the length of his cock.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of," Tasha assured him.
When he didn't respond, she pulled her hand back.
"You feel nice," Tasha whispered as she rolled her hips against him.
Data was suddenly struck with the thought that Tasha had not achieved her own orgasm and it was likely due to the cramped circumstances of their position.
To Tasha's surprise, Data placed a tender kiss at the spot below her ear.
"I apologise for pausing," he informed her. "I can resume like this. Or I would be happy to pleasure you with my hand if that would be preferable."
"Oh, um, you don't have to-" Tasha started to say.
No one had ever been so attentive of her needs before.
"I would like to," Data insisted. "If I may."
Tasha wasn't sure what to say.
She whimpered as Data rocked against her. He was still painfully hard, and it made her cunt tingle to know she was the reason behind it.
"How can you…um," she trailed off - suddenly feeling too shy to finish her question.
"I am an android, remember?" Data replied.
He squeezed her tighter as he rubbed against her again.
Data dropped his voice.
"I can stay as hard as you like for as long as you need me to," he said in an uncharacteristically silky voice.
She marvelled at how he could become so fiendishly charming compared to his usual strait-laced demeanour.
He smouldered and Tasha wanted to scream in frustration that there wasn't enough space for them to engage in anything more.
She wanted him to properly fuck her.
There was a tension coiled deep inside her, an ache that needed to be filled.
Tasha wasn't exactly sure when she had started to squirm against him.
She was soaked, panting and whimpering as she rubbed herself against the bulge in his uniform.
"Data," she breathed.
The need in her voice made his cock throb.
Data kissed along her jawline. Tasha turned her head back toward him and Data captured her lips with his own.
His tongue darted out. As it entered her mouth, Tasha keened as she thought about how much she wished it was his cock entering her body instead.
When they broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
"I could do this for you always," Data purred. "If you would let me."
Tasha didn't respond coherently, content to let his words wash over her.
"I have thought about you often," Data confessed. "What it would feel like to be buried inside you again."
She clutched desperately at his uniform.
Data studied her face as he continued to encourage her verbally. He couldn't touch her the way he wanted, but he could caress her with his words.
"I would like to bring you pleasure," Data went on.
"Yeah?" Tasha huffed.
"Yes," Data assured her.
Carefully, he finagled his hands up to cup her face.
Holding her forehead against her own, Data felt bold enough to voice his own desire.
"I want to take you. To make you scream my name," Data said in a low voice.
Tasha was certain if she wasn't trapped between Data and the wall, that her knees would have buckled.
She trembled as she came, a series of soft moans escaping her lips as Data placed a series of unhurried kisses on her mouth.
Data nuzzled against her shoulder, occasionally rutting against her gently as she came down from the aftershocks of her climax.
Data managed to work his arms around her. It was still incredibly warm, but she welcomed the embrace.
Tasha rested her head on his torso.
"It's a good thing we'll be stuck here for a while," Tasha mused aloud.
Her uniform was thoroughly soaked.
"Feel better now that you've got that out of your system?" Tasha teased.
Data brushed the top of her head with a soft kiss.
"I do not believe you will ever be 'out of my system', Tasha," Data remarked.
Tasha grinned against his chest.
Suddenly, Data's combadge pinged.
"Bridge to Commander Data," Picard's voice rang out.
Before he could remove his hands, Tasha reached up and tapped his communicator pin.
"Yes, Captain?" he responded.
"Commander Riker's team managed to isolate the entity and Lieutenant La Forge has successfully regained control of Main Engineering. We've flushed the Jefferies tubes of the anesthesine gas," Picard explained. "It's safe for you to make your escape."
Data and Tasha exchanged an uncomfortable glance.
"You are certain?" Data inquired.
"Yes, environmental readings have returned to normal, and the air temperature should begin to regulate soon," Picard responded.
There was a brief pause.
Data was straining to find an excuse to buy them time.
"Sir, perhaps Lieutenant Yar and I should finish our sweep of the area to ensure the entity is, in fact, isolated?" Data suggested.
"No, we've confirmed the entity is isolated. We'll see you on the Bridge," Picard replied.
Tasha's throat tightened in panic.
She couldn't return to the Bridge like this – not without a shower and a fresh uniform.
"Sir, we are already down here. It will not take more than an hour to complete the sweep," Data said.
"Is there a problem?" Captain Picard asked.
There was something about the tone of Data's voice that made Picard suspicious. It was unusual for Data to dance around a request like this.
Data replied 'no' at the same time that Tasha tapped her communicator and said 'yes.'
Up on the Bridge, Commander Riker and Captain Picard exchanged a concerned look.
"It was really warm down here, sir," Tasha said. "And I think I may have inhaled some of the anesthesine."
Data cocked his head and looked at her curiously.
"I, um, got sick, sir," Tasha lied. "Vomited."
Tasha shrugged nervously.
It was the best she could come up with.
"Are you alright, Lieutenant?" Picard asked. "We can send a medical team to meet you."
Tasha was now thoroughly flustered.
The last thing she needed was Beverly showing up with a medical team.
One look and the good Doctor would know exactly what had occurred between the Second Officer and Security Chief.
"No, sir. I'm fine. Really," Tasha said quickly. "I just need to clean up before returning to the Bridge."
"Understood, Lieutenant," Picard replied. "We'll see you soon then, Data."
Data looked at Tasha pleadingly.
"Um, I erm got sick on Commander Data, sir," Tasha said.
She blushed, feeling utterly humiliated at such a notion. Tasha knew she'd be in for some serious ribbing from the rest of the Bridge crew.
Tasha would never live it down – but it was better than the alternative.
Captain Picard could hear the hesitancy in her voice.
"I see," he replied. "Well then, both of you had better get out of those uniforms."
Tasha bit back a grin as she watched Data's eyes widened at the thought.
With permission from the Captain, at least they had bought some time to get showered and changed before returning to the Bridge.
However, they would still have return to their respective quarters without being seen and that was going to be a challenge.
"I guess we should get going," Tasha said.
"Yes," Data replied.
Neither of them moved.
"My quarters are just a few steps off the lift," Data advised. "There would be a smaller risk of exposure and I could replicate a uniform for you."
Tasha gave him a small smile.
Twenty minutes later they emerged from the access point near one of the Engineering backups.
Data climbed out first and reached back to offer Tasha a helping hand.
"Thanks," she said as she climbed out behind him.
Grateful for the opportunity to stretch, Tasha arched her back and stretch her legs.
She stopped when she realised Data was watching her.
The way in which he was starting at her was enough to make Tasha blush.
A knowing look passed between the two.
They were inches away from one another when they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
Data and Tasha jumped apart.
Geordi La Forge was standing near the doorway with a flannel and canteen of water.
"Geordi!" Data exclaimed.
He didn't need the advanced visual readings from is VISOR to piece together what had actually happened.
"When I heard you had been sick, I thought you could use a hand," Geordi explained.
"Look, Geordi. I can explain. This isn't what it looks like. I was, erm-" Tasha started to say quickly.
Geordi put his hand up to stop her.
"I don't know what happened, and I don't want to know," Geordi warned.
He threw the flannel at Data.
"But it's about damn time," Geordi added before his face broke out into a broad grin.
Thankfully the corridor was deserted. It was about two hours before shift change so there weren't many people wandering about. Data and Tasha were able to ride the lift alone and make it to Data's quarters without running into anyone.
As soon as they were inside Data ordered a fresh uniform for himself and one for Tasha.
"It's a shame we have to hurry," Tasha said woefully.
"I believe the Captain will not expect us back on the Bridge for at least another twenty minutes," Data advised as he stepped behind her.
His fingers found the zipper of uniform and brought it down to expose her back.
She shivered as his fingers traced up the length of her spine.
"It will save time if we shower together," he whispered before placing a kiss at the nape of her neck.
"Yes, sir," she replied with a wicked grin.