Hi Everyone! Happy (almost) New Year! :D

Chapter Thirty

Riker strode into the runabout sickbay, the heavy doors sliding closed behind him as he called, "Doctor?" He squinted through the dimmed, nighttime light. "Oh – Data! Is that you, there?"

"Good morning, Will," Data said. The android had pulled a lab stool beside the glimmering stasis field that surrounded Mikey's biobed. Now, he set down his glowing padd and rose to greet the commander. "Are you well? You are not usually up at this early hour."

"I'm all right," Riker assured him. "I was just looking for Dr. Crusher. Actually, I was looking for Deanna. Have you seen her?"

"Not since last evening's meeting," Data said, choosing not to recall the exchange he and the Counselor had shared.

Riker regarded his friend, fond amusement tweaking his lips as he noted Data's slightly rumpled, unshaven appearance. "I'm going to need more time to get used to this..." he thought.

Out loud, he said, "Data, I have to ask."

"Sir?"

"The facial hair," Riker said with a vague gesture to his friend's dark, morning stubble. "Is it part of the upgrade, or...?"

"Hm?" Data rubbed his chin, and smiled. "Ah, of course. No, I could always grow a beard, if I so desired. However, the responses I received when I tried it were...less than encouraging. So, I chose to inhibit its growth."

"Until now?

"Just because I can control the rate of my follicle replenishment doesn't mean I have to," Data said, brushing back the strands of hair that had fallen over his forehead. "In fact, I quite look forward to shaving, and to regular haircuts, maintaining the length of my nails..." He looked down at his palm and squeezed his hand closed, a happy smile warming his face. "Besides," he said, stroking his rough cheeks, "does it not make me appear more manly?"

Riker choked on a snort of laughter and ended up coughing into his hand.

"Sorry, I'm OK," he said in response to the android's concerned look, and grinned broadly through his own full beard. "You're right, Data. You're absolutely right. In many cultures, a beard is a sign of virility and strength. And, if you need any shaving tips, you can always ask me."

"Thank you, Will, but I am not unfamiliar with that particular human art form, as Geordi put it," Data said.

"Of course," Riker said, and smiled. "You look good, Data. You really do. Are you happy with 'the new you.'?"

"I am still the same 'me', Will," Data said. "But, yes. I believe I am pleased with my upgrade, as a whole." He glanced down at his hand and squeezed it closed again. "Very pleased."

"Well, that's what matters, Data. Far more than anything we might think."

Data's pale face began to blush, and Riker nodded, not wanting to embarrass his friend any further.

"Have you been here all night?" Riker asked and moved closer to the stasis field, speaking quietly even though he knew the boy on the biobed couldn't hear him.

"Not all night," Data admitted, matching Riker's low tone as he followed after him. "The computers are set to transmit an alert should there be any power fluctuations or change in Mikey's status. But I felt, as the runabout will be leaving for Luna colony in the morning…"

"You wanted to spend some time with him," Riker said.

"Yes," Data said, his gaze also turned toward the unnaturally still child. "While I am quite aware that Mikey is currently unconscious of his situation and his surroundings, I…I just…"

"You didn't want him to feel alone," Riker offered, and gave his startled friend a small smile. "You care deeply about Mikey's welfare, and I think that's wonderful, Data. You always did have a big heart. Even before the chip.

Data opened his mouth, but Riker waved his hand before the android could speak.

"I know, I know," he said. "Technically, you don't have a 'heart'. But, you know what I mean."

Data's head made a bird-like nod and he smiled, just slightly.

"Yes, I believe I do. Commander—"

"Data," Riker chided.

"My apologies. Will," Data corrected. "Would you mind if I asked you…a rather personal question?"

"Shoot," Riker said, pulling a chair up beside Data's lab stool and swinging his leg over to straddle the seat.

Data sat on the stool and pursed his lips, his amber eyes locked on his twiddling thumbs.

"Data?" Riker prompted. "You said you had a question. Care to tell me what's on your mind?"

Data breathed sharply through his nose, his feet twitching along with his thumbs.

"Are you familiar with the history of Captain Will Decker?" he asked quietly.

"Decker…" Riker repeated, straining his memory. "Decker... Yeah... He was slated to be then-Admiral Kirk's successor aboard the original Enterprise, but ended up serving under Kirk as his executive officer. Decker was lost in action, if I'm not mistaken. Something about an ancient probe. It had gained immense powers on its travels through the galaxy, then returned to threaten Earth. What was it called… V'Ger? Voyager? It was Voyager, right?"

"Voyager 6," Data confirmed. "Launched from Earth in the late twentieth century."

"Yeah, I thought so." Riker squinted at him. "Why are you asking about Captain Decker?"

"His is a love story," Data said, and looked up at his friend. "I believe it is, quite possibly, the most romantic story I know."

"Oh?" Riker said, struggling to hide his amusement. "You've developed an interest in romance now?"

"I have always had a certain curiosity about romantic love, and love stories," Data said. "But, this one holds special meaning."

"In what way?" Riker asked, his own curiosity growing when Data averted his eyes again.

"It concerns the union of organic and computer intelligences," the android said. "The abiding love that forged the two into one…"

"I see how a story like that might interest you," Riker said. "Why bring it up now?"

"I am curious," Data said, still twiddling his thumbs. "Will… Why is it that you and Deanna have not married?"

"Hmmph."

Riker rubbed a hand over his beard and blew out a sigh.

"That's a long one, Data," he said.

Data blinked at him.

"Are the two of you not in love?"

Riker grimaced.

"It's more complicated than that," he said, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "Being in love is one thing. But, there's a lot of factors that go into making a relationship work, Data. Throw marriage into the mix, with careers like ours, and—"

"It's all right, Will," Data said, cutting him off. "I believe I understand."

Riker regarded his friend and leaned forward, resting his forearms against the back of the chair.

"Is that what you wanted to know?" he asked.

Data seemed to shrug.

"There are many ways in which the story of Captain Decker and his love, Lieutenant Ilia, parallels the situation that currently informs the relationship between you and Deanna," he said, still not meeting the commander's eyes. "I merely thought you might provide some insight."

Riker shook his head.

"Oh, no. There's more to it than that," he said, and he saw Data swallow - a tell the poker player in him just couldn't let pass. "You didn't bring up Captain Decker and that V'Ger probe to talk about me and Deanna. I think this is about you."

"Sir?"

"'The union of organic and computer intelligences'?" Riker repeated, the sly look in his eyes growing as he watched the android's pale face flush. "That's you and Kurak, isn't it? That date you two were on when you uncovered the new panel that's got the archaeologists here buzzing."

Data closed his eyes and let out a long, slow breath, seeming deeply relieved. Riker smirked.

"That's it, isn't it," he said. "That's what all these round-about questions on romance and romantic stories is all about. It's nothing to be ashamed of, Data. If you and Kurak have discovered some romantic feelings for each other, and you both want to explore them, you have to know I'll support you."

Data nodded, and swallowed again.

"Thank you, Will," he said quietly. "You once told me that...that when it really works between two people, the rewards are far greater than simple friendship."

"I remember," Riker said. "And I still stand by that."

"You also told me that such a relationship would be unlike anything I had yet experienced. And, I agree."

Data looked up then, his expression – his entire bearing – warmer, deeper, more incontestably human than Riker had ever seen before.

"Data…?"

"I have been thinking," the android said with a philosophical air that also seemed unsettlingly new. "If life can be viewed as a puzzle, I have always felt like a corner piece. Two smooth edges leading nowhere, connected to nothing. But tonight, Will... Tonight, I discovered that is not necessarily the case. This new connection I have found with Kurak— It has revealed a whole new sector, as it were, placing me - placing us - at the center of a much larger image I feel is only just starting to come into focus."

He leaned closer, his intense amber eyes alive with passion, confusion, hope, fear...

"Am I making any sense, Will?" he asked. "Have you ever felt this way yourself? Could I be—"

He stopped himself, and looked away, running both hands over his bristly cheeks and chin.

"When you...care for someone..." he said. "When you care this deeply... How do you know if what you feel is truly…love?"

Riker unstraddled his chair and moved to place a hand on his friend's warm arm.

"Love comes in many shades and degrees, Data," Riker said. "But, when it strikes, you know. You always know."

"Yes," Data said, his gaze seeming to turn inward as a bright, tender smile spread across his face. "Yes...you are right...!"

The android's look of unabashed twitterpation made Riker's own expression soften.

"Do I take it you intend to see her again?"

"We have plans to meet for breakfast," Data told him, rather proudly Riker thought. "Kay, Ishta, Howard and I will prepare the meal together while Kurak attends the morning meeting with her colleagues."

"Well, enjoy it, Data," Riker said, rather relieved to learn the android and the Klingon scientist were keeping their relationship social, at least for the moment. He stepped back and gave his friend a broad, genuine grin. "I still have to find Deanna."

"Would you like some assistance—" Data offered, but Riker waved him away.

"No, it's all right," he said. "Stay here with your friend. I'm sure she just stepped out early to visit the horses."

"Very well," Data acknowledged. "But, if you should need my help, I—"

"I know that I can count on you," Riker said as he headed through the sliding doors. "Just as I always have."

References Include - Star Trek: The Motion Picture; TNG: In Theory; the Schizoid Man; The Quality of Life.

There's more to come, and pretty soon. I just hit my goal of finally finishing A Different Kind of Ace, and now I aim to finish up this second part of Skin Deep by the end of the holiday break. Wish me luck!

Your comments are always welcome. Please Review! :D