Chapter Thirteen: Out of Proportion

A few evenings later, Geordi and I were sitting in Ten Forward. He was telling me several humorous stories about his days at the academy. Suddenly, Lt. Gomez looked over at me and started laughing hysterically. It was clear she'd had way too much to drink.

"It's sad when people don't know their limits." Geordi quietly replied as we watched her resist being taken away by security.

"Let me go!" she slurred, "I'll leave in a minute, but first, I want to say hello to the lovely Kadalynn!"

"Oh no." I whispered as I tried my best to bury my face in my hands to shield myself from the crowd's gaze.

"Noooo! Don't try to hide!" she sang, "You should be proud of yourself for what you've done… or should I say, who you've done!"

The crowd murmured as they wondered what Lt. Gomez was talking about. Geordi stood up and addressed her.

"Lt. Gomez, if you don't leave with security right now, I'll have you forcibly removed and cited for public disorder!" he said sternly.

At that moment, Data entered the room and was confused about the unfolding scene that was taking place before him.

"But Commander, don't you want to know more? After all, it does concern your best friend! Oh look! He's right on time!" she said and the crowd gasped before looking at Data, "That's right, everyone! This little tramp has been sleeping with Cmdr. Data!"

Everyone in the room looked as if they'd been slapped. Other than myself, Data looked the most shocked of all.

"Shut up!" I shrieked, my face grew hot and my head felt like it would explode.

I leapt from my seat, but Geordi held me back.

"Lt. Gomez! That is enough! You will leave this area immediately and report to sickbay for detoxification." Data sternly ordered, but Lt. Gomez chuckled defiantly.

"Oh, Commander, you're not going to rough me up like you did Kadalynn, are you? Apparently the poor girl couldn't handle you; she had to come to sickbay for treatment afterwards." she said and Data gave me a prying look, but I averted his gaze and hurled myself over to try to attack Lt. Gomez, but Geordi caught me once again.

"No!" I shrieked tearfully. I wanted to tear her into pieces and didn't care what the consequences would be. She was ruining my reconstructed life by blowing things out of proportion.

"Kadalynn, stop! She's not worth it!" he told me as I continued to struggle against him. He then turned to the security officers, "Ugh! Can somebody get her the hell out of here?!" he hissed at the security officers who promptly grabbed the unruly Lieutenant.

As she was dragged out of Ten Forward, Lt. Gomez continued to rant.

"Serves you right for screwing around with an appliance, Kadalynn! At least I can get a real man!" Lt. Gomez laughed bitterly.

Now, that statement hurt more than anything she said so far. I guess the part that really hurt was that she referred to Data as an appliance. Seeing the shocked look on his face after she said it made me feel even worse. In my opinion, Data was more of a man than many I've met in my entire life. She didn't know him, but was passing judgment on him as if he had no rights, hopes dreams or feelings — feelings that were clearly hurting at the moment. This is what sent me over the edge.

"You bitch! How dare you?!" I shrieked, struggling in vain to break from Geordi's grasp.

"Kadalynn, calm down!" Geordi pleaded.

I was too busy crying to fully grasp what was going on from that point on. I vaguely remember someone telling me to breathe. I felt myself grow weak and heavy while Geordi's hands helped lower me gently to the floor. Geordi and Data were vigorously instructing me to breathe, but I just couldn't. My chest felt too tight and it felt like I was drowning. I could feel my body thrash around violently as it suffered from oxygen deprivation. I could no longer see anything, which added to my panic.

"Medical emergency in Ten Forward!" Geordi reported.

"Hold her down, she's gonna hurt herself!" a voice called and then suddenly I felt someone on top of me, pinning me down to the floor. Geordi held my head still in order to prevent it from banging against the floor. I was barely able to twitch and I felt as paralyzed as the day Data discovered me. Then I heard a terrified scream that I now realize was my own.

"Kadalynn, it is alright. I have got you. Kadalynn, can you hear me? I love you." I heard Data say, his warm breath against my cheek as he continued to hold me still.

I could hear the blood rush to my ears from my frantic, beating heart and I could think of nothing, nothing at all… except for him.

"Data…" I said in barely a whisper before everything went quiet and I realized that I did love him, no matter how hard I tried to deny it.