Update! You know, that scene from Pen Pals has always bothered me too - that's actually a big reason why there's a horseback riding trip in this story. :) Data's going to need a powerful horse, though, since he's so heavy. I really like Buck, the horse James Arness rode in Gunsmoke. He was a Buckskin gelding. But I think I'm leaning toward the horse Dan Blocker rode in Bonanza, Chub. I think he was part thoroughbred, but I'll have to do some research before I decide. I'm pretty sure Picard will have an Arabian similar to his holodeck horse. If you have any suggestions about the types of horses that would best suit Troi and Riker I'd be happy to incorperate them into the story! I live near a horse farm back home, and I've been on a riding trip in the desert near Las Vegas with my family (more inspiration for this story...), but I'm afraid I hardly know anything about horses.

Thanks so much for reading, and for your reviews! Here's:

Chapter Three

Engineering was humming with activity, but it was always that way, even when not preparing for extensive upgrades. Data strode through the bustle straight to Geordi's office, where the Chief Engineer sat busily tapping away at his console. Only, he didn't go in. He just stood there, his eyes averted, as if uncertain he should be there at all.

Geordi paused his tapping and started to turn—"Farrell, could you –oh!" he exclaimed. "Data! What's up?"

"Geordi…" Data said. "How do you know…if you are in trouble?"

Geordi furrowed his brow over the blue-irised optic implants that had replaced his VISOR some months before. The blind engineer had made the decision to undergo the operation to replace his eyes with cybernetic implants shortly after they had lost the Enterprise-D. Most people thought it was because Dr. Soran's tampering had damaged the VISOR, but Geordi had confessed a deeper reason to Data. Optic implants couldn't be snatched away like a VISOR…and he never wanted to feel that vulnerable again.

Data knew Geordi didn't blame him for the abuse he'd suffered on that Klingon ship, he had reassured the android of that on one hundred sixty three separate occasions since the incident. But, Data also knew Geordi would not have been kidnapped if Data hadn't talked his friend into installing that emotion chip in his positronic brain just a few hours earlier. To Data, Geordi's sudden decision to have the operation he had avoided for most of his adult life, and his subsequent altered appearance, were further reminders of how much gaining emotions had changed him, and his relationship with his friends and colleagues…for the worse.

"What do you mean 'in trouble?" Geordi asked the nervous android. "Have you done something, Data?"

Data seemed to shrug.

"I…got angry," he admitted. "In Counselor Troi's office."

"What, and you're afraid she'll tell the Captain?" Geordi asked, a trace of amusement creasing his lips. "This isn't high school, Data. You're not going to get sent to the principal's office for getting mad."

"This is not the first time I have lost my temper in her presence," he said. "But it was a rather…intense…episode. I am afraid she may think me…unstable…"

Geordi sighed and stood up, letting his friend see he had his attention. "Data, if this is about that article, you should know—"

"Picard to Commander Data," the captain's voice blared from his combadge. "Please report to my ready room."

Geordi couldn't be sure, but it looked like Data actually paled. His white-gold skin took on a grayish hue, and his whole expression tightened.

Slowly, the android tapped his combadge.

"Aye, sir," he replied, and his hand fell limply to his side.

"You're not in trouble, Data," Geordi tried to assure him. Data nodded.

"Thank you, Geordi. But I fear androids are not given the same amount of emotional leeway as organic humanoids. If I should be dismissed—"

"Now you're overreacting," Geordi said. "Captain Picard is not going to fire you, no matter what you may have said to Counselor Troi. Everyone has the right to blow off some steam now and then, androids included. And I'll tell you right now, if someone had written an article like that about me, Counselor Troi's ears wouldn't be the only ones burning. I'd set the Federation's entire subspace network on fire! -Not literally, of course," he said in response to Data's wide-eyed expression.

"No," Data acknowledged. Then, he glanced at his friend, a touch of mischief glinting in his golden eyes. "But it would be satisfying, would it not?"

Geordi grinned and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "You're just fine, Data," he said. "Now, go see the Captain. For all you know, the lid's stuck on his fish tank and he wants you to help him pry it off."

Data chuckled a little and returned his friend's smile. "Thank you, Geordi," he said. "Your reassurances are very important to me."

"Get out of here before the Captain comes looking for you," the engineer said, and sank back into his chair. Data gave him another little nod, then turned on his heel and marched back to the turbolift.

Picard tapped a few flakes of fish food into the lionfish's tank and replaced the lid.

"Thank you, Mr. Data," he said and gestured for them both to return to their seats at his ready room desk. "I'm sure Livingston appreciates the thought. But I didn't ask you here about my fish."

Data tried to swallow a wince, but Picard caught it anyway.

"Is something wrong?"

"Wrong? No. No, sir. I am 'just fine.'"

"Good…" Picard said, regarding him a little more closely than the android liked. "Counselor Troi seems to think you could do with a rest. A change of scene, I believe is how she put it."

Data seemed stricken. "Please, sir," he said, "I do not wish to leave the Enterprise…"

"Yes, she told me you might feel that way," Picard said, to the android's deepening horror. "But I think she's right about this. It's no good for you to stay here on this ship while the rest of the bridge crew is on leave. That's why…"

"Sir...?"

Picard shook his head at him.

"Data, don't look at me like this is the end of the world. I understand you'd probably prefer to stay on board to help Geordi with the upgrades to the warp core. I'm just trying to invite you to join me on an archaeological expedition to Nineveh IV. If you agree, Commander Riker and Counselor Troi will be joining us."

Data blinked.

"You want me to join you, Commander Riker, and Counselor Troi on an archaeological expedition?" he repeated.

"If you're willing," Picard said.

"Why?" Data blurted, only to wince. "Sorry, sir..."

"No, I know we all usually go our own ways when leave time comes around, but Counselor Troi made a very good point a short while ago. We've all been through a great deal of turmoil these last few years. It's past time the four of us did something together, something fun, outside the bonds of rank and Starfleet formality."

Data looked a little overwhelmed, his golden eyes shooting back and forth as if he'd been asked to process the entire mythological reference base of the Children of Tama.

"You're free to say no, Data," Picard said. "But, you should know that if you do-"

"No…" Data said, his oddly gray expression beginning to brighten. "No, I mean, yes!" he said. "Yes, thank you, Captain. I would be honored to join your expedition. I am just…surprised. Nineveh IV…they use horses for transport, do they not?"

"Yes," Picard said. "As I was telling Counselor Troi, ground vehicles are not allowed—"

"Near the ruins, yes, I know," Data said thoughtfully. "I have never ridden horseback before. Do you think a horse would respond favorably to an android rider?"

"I don't see that it would make much difference," Picard said. "I'm actually more surprised at Counselor Troi. She once told me Betazoids don't go in much for riding. They get too involved with the 'passions of the beast.'"

Data nodded, his brow furrowed. He had a growing suspicion about the Counselor's role in all this, but he knew it would be best to keep any accusations to himself until he had a chance to collect more information.

"It will be a rough journey, Captain," he said. "Nineveh IV is known for its sandstorms, and there has been a recent spate of mild tectonic activity in the region of the ruins. The archaeologists have logged no reports of damage, but there is the possibility we may experience a quake."

"All the more reason to go now, while the ruins are still standing," Picard said, and smiled. "So, Data, are you up for this adventure?"

Data opened his mouth, but his building enthusiasm seemed to puncture just before he could speak.

"Captain…" he said awkwardly.

"What is it, Data?"

"Has Counselor Troi informed you—"

"About your reaction to that article in today's newsfeeds?" Picard shook his head. "Data, you mustn't let outside opinions erode your confidence. I know you've been going through some difficult transitions, that your emotion chip is affecting you in ways you probably never anticipated."

Data nodded a bit sullenly.

"But, for all the mistakes you may believe you've made since installing that chip, I know you've become a stronger person for it," Picard said, meeting his officer's eyes with firm sincerity. "I welcome this time to get more familiar with the man you have become. The man you are becoming. And I think it's time you get to know him too."

The overwhelmed look reappeared in Data's eyes and, for a moment, Picard was almost afraid the android would start crying. But he didn't. Instead, he stood.

"Thank you, Captain," he said again. "May I go make arrangements for my cat Spot to be cared for while I am away?"

"By all means, Mr. Data," Picard told him. "Just be sure to be in Shuttle Bay One at 0600 tomorrow morning."

"I will be there, Captain," Data said, and strode out of the room. Once in the turbolift, though, he leaned against the wall and sighed.

"The man I am becoming…" he repeated softly. "Fine words, Captain. But, I have never truly been a man. And I will never be like you. Any of you..."

To Be Continued…

References include: TNG: Darmok; Pen Pals; and the movie Generations.

Reviews Welcome! :)