Everyone watched in anticipation as the final projectile launched across the main viewer and smashed into the massive asteroid in the center of the screen. No one had commented on Data's bloodsoaked uniform when he arrived on the bridge this time, but he had noted concerned looks from the entire crew.
"Captain, the target asteroid is no longer on course to collide with Megdana IV," Data reported. Cheers of relief broke out from around the room.
"Excellent work, everyone. Standard orbit, please, Mr. La Forge," the Captain called.
"Standard orbit, sir," Geordi confirmed.
The mood of the room quickly turned from triumph to unease. Everyone was thinking of Lieutenant Yar and the blood covering Data's uniform. Captain Picard slowly sauntered up behind Data, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"In my ready room, please," he said, then turned to walk away. Data quickly rose to follow. All eyes were on the two of them as the door slid shut behind them.
The Captain walked to the window and remained standing. He fixed Data with a grave expression. "Data. Please explain to me what is going on with Lieutenant Yar."
Data blinked. "Sir. You know as much as I know. I am only aware of her condition as far as Dr. Crusher's last report-"
Captain Picard shook his head, cutting him off. "No, Data, I mean what was the purpose of her medical leave in the first place, and why did she request for you to join her? I want an answer, now."
"She had an abortion, sir," Data answered, his tone matter-of-fact. The Captain stopped short, crossing his arms.
"An abortion? She was pregnant?" he asked, his interest plain on his face. Data answered in the affirmative.
"But who was the father? And for what purpose did she want you there?" the Captain asked, addressing the room as much as he addressed Data. His gaze wandered as he considered the questions. To anyone other than Data, the questions would have been taken as rhetorical.
"I am the father, sir," Data answered. He stood stiff, clearly uncomfortable to any who knew him well. Captain Picard snapped his gaze back to Data, staring at him in open shock.
"You? The father? But that's-"
"Impossible, sir? I admit, I too was hesitant to believe it at first. However, Dr. Crusher has confirmed it to be true," he cut in.
Captain Picard's eyes widened. He leaned against the wall, pressing his knuckles to his lips, thinking. He stood still for a moment, then looked back at Data, his eyes narrowed. "But how can that be?"
"I do not know, sir. I am to see Dr. Crusher for further tests."
The Captain nodded. Data carried on. "It is a conundrum causing much anxiety for me, sir. On the one hand, what I am experiencing is undoubtedly human, and I find it to be deeply compelling. On the other, I cannot help but feel that I have been irresponsible, and caused Lieutenant Yar's present suffering."
The Captain looked hard at Data for a long moment, his head full of unasked questions. He looked away, rubbing his temple with one hand.
"Yes, now that you know, you will certainly need to take more care. However, there is no need to hold yourself responsible. I'm sure Lieutenant Yar doesn't." Data nodded, then looked into the middle distance, thinking. They sat in silence. Again, the Captain worked to bite down the questions that he had.
"Sir," Data said, breaking the silence. He paused before continuing. "What does it mean to be a father?" His expression was thoughtful. "There was a period of time between finding out about the pregnancy and knowing that Lieutenant Yar would choose to terminate that I had to consider…" he trailed off, unsure of how to finish his sentence.
The Captain scoffed, turning to look out into space. "I'm certainly the wrong man to ask. I have no children of my own. I barely know how to act around Wesley half the time, and he's nearly grown."
Data stepped in closer to the window, frowning. "Hm. I was under the impression that humans, like other mammals, knew instinctively how to care for their young."
The Captain smiled, his eyes twinkling. "No, like all other things we humans do, it's a learning process, one with many mistakes made along the way. We learn from how our parents raise us, and we try not to replicate the same mistakes that they made, with varying success. Often by doing so we make new mistakes of our own."
Data turned his head, processing this new information. The Captain crossed the room, settling down into his chair. He watched Data for a few moments as Data stared out into the stars. He had never thought of Data as anything less than a person, but this new revelation added a dimension that he had never ascribed to the android before.
Data turned from the window. "May I go to her, sir?" he asked, his expression grave.
The Captain nodded. "Yes, take all the time you need. And clean yourself up," he said, gesturing to Data's uniform, now a solid reddish brown from the drying blood.
Data arrived at sick bay minutes later in a clean uniform. He rushed to Tasha's side. Dr. Crusher nodded to him as he entered, but the room was still teeming with activity. She moved quickly from one Megdanan patient to the next, treating their injuries alongside her fellow medical officers.
Tasha was awake, her eyelids heavy. She smiled when she saw him, reaching out for him weakly. He took her hand, relieved to see her conscious. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his eyes searching her for signs of further harm.
"Wiped out, but there's less pain now. I'm going to be fine," she answered quietly, her voice raspy. He brought water and held it steady as she drank.
"I am sorry. I should not have left you alone. I cannot ask for your forgiveness, but know that I apologize sincerely. This would not be happening if it were not for my errors in judgment," he said, holding eye contact with her. She laughed feebly, rolling her eyes. She reached out for his face and he bent down to allow her access. She cupped his face in her hand.
"Data, none of this is your fault, or anyone's. Sometimes things just happen. There's nothing to forgive. I'm so glad you're here," she said, stroking his cheek. She let her hand fall back to her side and he reached up to touch his face where it had been.
Dr. Crusher walked up from behind him and he quickly let his hand fall to his side again. "It's a madhouse in here," she exclaimed, holding medical instruments in both hands. She scanned Tasha's body, staring at the readout carefully. "You're safe to discharge, and this time I'm certain. The bleeding is under control. How is the pain?"
"Manageable. That's wonderful news, doctor. I'm ready to get out of here and get some real rest, I'm exhausted."
"Excellent. I sent someone down to clean your room, so it's all ready for you. Data, can you escort her down? No need to carry her, I can get her a wheelchair this time," she said, turning to go and retrieve one.
"No! I can walk," Tasha insisted. "With a little help," she corrected herself, looking at Data. He smiled, nodding down at her.
They covered the distance back to her chamber slowly, taking breaks for her to rest. She leaned on him heavily, but made it back on her own two feet. He helped her down onto the bed when they finally arrived.
All signs of the earlier bloodbath were gone. He climbed into bed with her, holding her close. She settled in against his chest and fell into a light sleep. He stayed until her sleep had deepened enough for him to go without waking her. He left a short message for her on the wallscreen imploring her to contact him for anything, then left reluctantly.
Tasha woke hours later, feeling much recovered. Her strength was returning. She was ravenous. She changed from her sick bay clothes back into her uniform, her limbs much stronger, and ate heartily. Just as she was finishing her food, her doorbell chimed.
"Come in," she called, and the door opened to reveal Counselor Troi.
"Tasha. How are you feeling? Dr. Crusher sent me to check on you," she said, her dark eyes cutting through Tasha's instinct to feign toughness.
Tasha sighed heavily. "I'm okay now. I was unconscious for the scary parts," she said, laughing at herself. She invited Troi to sit. "I think I'm more bothered by the initial procedure itself," she said, turning serious again, then shaking her head. "It's not so much that I'm bothered by it. I don't know how to feel."
Deanna leaned in, intrigued. "And what procedure was that?" she asked.
"Oh, Dr. Crusher didn't tell you? I was having an abortion," she answered. "I feel… conflicted about it. I know I made the right choice, but…" she trailed off, turning her head to gaze at the floor. She turned back to meet Deanna's eyes. "I feel like I've been unfair to the father," she said, emphasizing the word father to make it clear she didn't intend to disclose his identity.
Deanna's expression didn't change. "Did he disagree with your decision?" she asked.
Tasha shook her head. "No, we were both in agreement, but it's more complicated than that."
"How so?"
"He had reason to believe before this that he was incapable of having children. I know it's irrational since he agreed with me about the abortion, and according to the doctor, the embryo wasn't viable anyway, but I can't help but feel that I've taken a choice away from him. I can't shake the feeling that he would have gone along with whatever I decided, regardless of his own feelings. I feel like I've closed a door for him that he just found out was open."
Deanna nodded thoughtfully, considering Tasha's answer. Tasha sprawled on the couch, exhausted already from all the analysis.
Troi answered after a short pause. "The father must rely on himself to make his own decisions. You can't focus your energy on second-guessing what other people tell you. And even if he wasn't in agreement with you to have the abortion, that's your decision to make, not his. You haven't closed any doors for him. Now he knows that he is capable of having children, and can do so in the future if he chooses."
Tasha nodded, one arm thrown over her eyes to block out the light. She sat up, looking back at Deanna. "I know all these things logically," she said, "but I'm having a tough time getting it through here," she finished, pressing her hands to her chest.
Troi nodded. "You should talk to the father about it. I'm sure he'll help reassure you."
Tasha's eyes lit up. "Yes, you're right. He's been nothing short of amazing through this. I'm sure that will help."
Suddenly the door chimed again. Tasha called to admit the new person. When the door slid open and revealed Data standing in the corridor, Deanna sensed an overwhelming rush of emotion from Tasha. She looked back and forth from Tasha to Data, then remembered the scene on the bridge, Data covered in Tasha's blood. Abruptly, things clicked into place for her. Data was the father. As impossible as it seemed, she knew it to be true now as the pair stared at each other as if she didn't exist. As usual, she could sense nothing from Data, but she would have to be blind not to see the emotion in his expression, his body language. He hurried to Tasha's side, sitting next to her and holding her hands in his. Their every movement confirmed Deanna's assessment.
"You are awake," Data said, smiling. "How are you feeling?"
"Better now," she replied. "I'll be back to normal soon." Data nodded, relieved. Counselor Troi stood to leave, not wanting to further intrude upon the pair. She smiled to herself as she made for the door.
"Thank you, Counselor," Tasha called from the couch as she left.
Deanna walked through the bridge to the Captain's ready room, catching Commander Riker's eye as she passed. He followed her in, letting the door slide shut behind them. The Captain gestured for them both to sit.
"How is Lieutenant Yar?" he asked.
Troi smiled. "She's feeling much better. She's able to walk around now."
The Captain nodded, relieved. Riker leaned in closer, his eyebrows knit together in concern.
"She couldn't walk? She lost all that blood? Deanna, what happened to her?" he asked.
She glanced at the Captain, who nodded faintly, before responding. She turned to Riker. "She had an abortion, but there were serious complications. According to Dr. Crusher, she would have bled to death within a few more minutes if Data hadn't brought her back to sick bay," she answered. Riker listened, breathless.
"Based on their reactions to one another when I saw them together just now, I think Data may be the father," she continued, looking at the Captain this time. Riker sat back in his chair, mouth hanging open in shock behind his hand.
Captain Picard nodded. "Yes, he told me earlier. I could barely believe it."
Riker looked from Troi to Picard, his expression unchanging. "Why am I the last to know? This is incredible. Just imagine, a bunch of little Datas running around the ship. Someone will have to be our new boy wonder when Wesley grows up," he said, breaking into a wide smile. Troi and the Captain laughed.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Number One," the Captain said, smiling as he admonished him. "Counselor, how did you know that Data was the father? I thought you couldn't read anything from him," he asked, his expression turning pensive.
"Sir, I think even a human would have been able to tell. The way that they looked at each other was unmistakable. I knew it seemed unlikely, but there was no other explanation for what I was seeing."
Riker smiled at her and squeezed her hand, delighted at the thought of his friends happy together. She smiled back, ever so slightly flustered at his touch. Captain Picard watched the two of them, a smile in his eyes. He leaned back in his chair.
"Yes, I believe I know what you mean," he said, grinning.