Chapter Four: Moving On

In the months that followed, I even worked up enough courage to take the next step in moving forward… dating. There was one person who I really started to hit it off with, Lt. Baxter, but before things had a chance to get serious, he'd been transferred. Talk about rotten luck! My friends were all supportive and some of them even tried to set me up on a few dates… all of which failed. Of the most disastrous, were the dates Data had set me up on. Although all of the men he set me up with were decent, all they talked about was work. Others had some rather peculiar habits, nothing disturbing, but annoying nonetheless. Things got to a point where I practically begged him not to set me up on any more dates. I found it funny that for an android that had remarkable intelligence and analytical skills, he had such poor taste in when it came to match-making. However, I've heard that one of his successful matches resulted in marriage.

I was in Ten Forward one afternoon having lunch with Beverly when I saw a studious young woman. Her chin length hair was black and glossy, her skin was peachy in color and her eyes were gray. She was pouring over some notes on her PADD. I noticed an instrument case by her side which, I guessed, contained a violin.

"Beverly, do you know who that woman is?" I asked.

"Lt. Cynthia Cromwell. She's visiting the Enterprise for a few months. Engine propulsion is a particular interest of hers."

"Looks like she's into playing music too. She seems looks like a pretty good match for Cmdr. Data." I said.

"Careful Kadalynn." Beverly sang cautiously while raising an eyebrow.

"What? Everyone else is playing matchmaker around here. I think I might have better success than everyone else." I chuckled.

"Okay, I just hope you know what you're getting into. Cmdr. Data may be a great friend, but he hasn't had much luck when it comes to romantic relationships."

"Story of my life." I glumly replied.

Beverly looked at her chronometer."

"I'd better get going. I have two prenatal patients to see this afternoon. I'll see you later."

"Goodbye Beverly."

I took a deep breath and walked over to the table at which Lt. Cromwell sat and introduced myself. Despite her stolid appearance, she was actually quite friendly.

"Nice to meet you Kadalynn, I'm Lt. Cromwell, but you can call me Cynthia." she greeted warmly.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." she replied. I took my place in a seat across from her, "I was wondering when someone would work up the nerve to approach me. Most people are usually intimidated by my serious appearance."

I gestured to the music case. "You play?"

"Yes, but not very well. I haven't really had much time to get much practice in. I took my violin along since I know I'll have a few gaps in my schedule I could use for some much-needed practice." she replied.

That was my cue.

"You know, my friend is a wonderful violin player. Maybe I could arrange for him to give you some lessons?"

"Ah-hah. There's the hook." Cynthia said with a raised eyebrow, "Okay, Kadalynn, come clean. Are you trying to set me up on a date?"

"You caught me." I sighed with a smile, "But really, he's a great guy and I bet you have a lot in common."

"If he's so great, why haven't you grabbed him for yourself?"

Hmm. That was a good question, but I already knew the answer… at least I thought I did at the time.

"Well, we're just friends and I'd like to keep it that way. I don't really see him as being anything else, but my friend." I explained.

"Very well. What's your friend's name?"

"Lt. Commander Data." I replied nervously, not sure of her reaction.

"Ah! The android!" she replied with a bright smile.

"Oh, so you've heard of him?"

"Who hasn't? At least on the Stratus. I've heard very good things about the commander, but I didn't know he was also musically inclined."

I felt like doing a cartwheel! I had found a potential match for Data; an intelligent, beautiful woman who didn't seem to mind that he was an android.

"Yes. He's extremely versatile when it comes to music. He sings, plays the violin, classical guitar and a host of other instruments." I explained.

"Okay. I think I'll take you up on the offer of the music lesson. When do you think he'd be able to instruct me?"

It took me a moment to remember what Data's schedule was like, but I narrowed down a date and time.

"How about tomorrow at 20:00 hours? Think of it as a tentative time. If I find out he's unable to make it, I'll let you know well in advance, but I don't think it should be a problem."

"That works for me!"

"Great! I'll let you know where to meet him once I've booked a holodeck." I said before standing.

"Alright. It was very nice to meet you Kadalynn."

"Likewise, Cynthia." I said before leaving.

When I returned to duty, I was cataloging information in the computer in the research lab. Data entered with a puzzled look on his face.

"You wanted to speak with me?" he asked.

"Yes Data. Please, sit down." Data took a seat and I couldn't mask the stupid grin on my face as I started talking, "Data, do you have any plans tomorrow night at 20:00 hours?"

"No, I do not."

"Great! How would you like to give a private music lesson?"

"Whom will be attending?"

I felt my face grow warm. I didn't want him to think I was setting him up, so I decided to twist the truth just a little.

"Me… and a friend, Cynthia."

"I will be happy to conduct the lesson. In whose quarters will the lesson be held?"

"Actually Data, I was thinking about using one of the holodecks. You know, to add a little atmosphere." I said with a gentle smile.

"That is a most unusual request. However, it can certainly be arranged."

"Thanks Data."

"You are welcome, Kadalynn." he replied with a smile before leaving.

"Yes!" I whispered to myself.

I enlisted the help of Geordi to help me program a subtle, romantic, garden setting in one of the holodecks. I checked every detail over and over; I wanted it to be perfect.

"Kadalynn, you know I think you're worse than Data when it comes to details." Geordi joked.

I playfully rolled my eyes at the remark. "Right." I chuckled, "Where do you think the dinner table should go; by the fountain or in the moonlight?"

Geordi and I looked at each other and simultaneously answered the question: "Moonlight."

"Kadalynn, you're going through all this trouble. I'll really feel badly if this doesn't work out."

"You seem so certain that it won't. Why?" I asked. Geordi seemed to be acting very strangely.

"Um… no reason." Geordi hastily replied, "I guess I'm letting personal holodeck experiences cloud my judgment."

After programming two seats and music stands by the fountain, I finished entering the finishing touches and smiled at our work.

"Thanks Geordi. I couldn't have done it without you." I beamed and noticed that Geordi had a glum look on his face, "Geordi? What's wrong now?"

"Oh, nothing, Kadalynn. I was just thinking about my last holodeck experience, it didn't go so well. Hopefully, Data will have better luck."

I was on edge the night of Data's blind date. I don't know why I was so nervous. As Data, Cynthia and I walked to the holodeck; I made my move to bail out — as planned.

"You know what guys? I might have to join you next time, I'm suddenly feeling very tired. I don't want my snoring to interrupt your lesson." I blurted out.

"Kadalynn, are you alright? Would you like me to escort you to sickbay?" Data asked.

"I'm fine. It's nothing a little sleep won't fix." I said with a smile before walking away.

I went to my quarters for a while, but couldn't sit still, so I went to Ten Forward for a drink. Lt. Helenia Gomez entered and immediately walked in my direction.

'Oh no.' I muttered under my breath. Lt. Gomez had been hounding me to set her up on a date with Data, but I constantly avoided doing so. She was only interested in Data for physical reasons. She couldn't care less about his feelings, dreams or goals. I was certain that setting the two of them up would be a disaster and I didn't want to do that to my friend. I thought he deserved an intelligent, caring companion who sought a relationship on a deeper level than mere physical attraction.

"Hi, Kadalynn!" Lt. Gomez greeted as she sat across from me, "You never got back to me. Were you able to talk to the Commander about me? Will he be interested in going out on a date?"

"Helenia, well, I haven't exactly spoken to him about it."

"Why not?"

"Because…" my voice trailed off when I saw Cynthia enter Ten Forward. She saw me and walked over.

'This can't be good.' I thought. Their 'date' hadn't even been on for two hours.

"What happened?" I asked when Cynthia approached.

"Nothing happened. That's the problem, he was so guarded; all he would talk about was work, music and… well, he seemed pretty upset about the fact you couldn't join us tonight. Don't get me wrong Kadalynn, I appreciate your efforts, but Cmdr. Data will be a tough guy for you to match." Cynthia answered.

"Excuse me? Did you say Cmdr. Data?" Lt. Gomez asked.

"Yes, I did. Why do you…" Cynthia answered, but was interrupted as Helenia lashed out at me.

"Now it's all clear now Kadalynn! You don't think I'm good enough for him do you?" Lt. Gomez spat.

Seeing Helenia's hostility, Cynthia quietly walked away.

"Helenia, it's not that…" I tried to explain.

"Whatever! Save it!" Lt. Gomez stood up and stormed out of Ten Forward.

I slumped in my seat and sighed.

That night, I returned to my quarters and was surprised to see Data standing outside, waiting for me.

"Hi, Data." I greeted.

"Hello, Kadalynn. May I speak with you a moment?" he asked with a serious look on his face.

"Sure." I replied as I entered, "Come on in."

"Kadalynn, I believe you have arranged the music lesson under false pretenses. Was it your intention to… set me up on a blind date?" He asked.

I paused for a moment before answering: "Yeah, you got me. I was only trying to help though. What went wrong with Cynthia? She's a really nice woman, but she said that you would only talk about work… and music."

"Nothing went wrong. Cynthia simply is not… my type."

"What is your type? I'm sure I could find…"

"No!" Data exclaimed impatiently, causing me to jump. He then calmed his voice, but was still firm. "Please, Kadalynn, do not set me up on any more dates."

I felt terribly. I had upset my friend and I felt embarrassed for what happened that evening.

"Okay, Data. I promise, I won't do it again."

Upon hearing about the disaster the next day, Geordi was diplomatic enough to spare me the 'I-told-you-so's'. I guess he figured I had suffered enough and I was very grateful for that.