This fan fic story chronicles Lore's life prior to his initial encountered with Data.
Contains mild violence and sexual content

Journey to the Dark Side: A Lore Story, REDUX
Written by: S. Bell

Chapter Six: Misunderstanding

Lore hadn't seen Jacqueline for several days and he sent her several messages requesting to see her during that time. However, she didn't respond and he began to wonder if he had done something to offend her. He felt empty and lonely without her and began to send her flowers and small gifts — he had learned that humans customarily did this as an apology if they had done something wrong. He constantly looked for her in all of the places she regularly visited, but she was never there. Once he even tried to visit her in her quarters, but she wasn't home. Her entire routine seemed to have changed and Lore couldn't help but feel that she was avoiding him. However, on one particular evening, he knew he was sure to see her. She had been planning a going away celebration for a colony member that had been recently accepted to Starfleet Academy. During the party, Lore watched her intently as she greeted guests and even recited a tearful farewell speech to her friend.

"…Daphne, when you get to the academy put in a good word for me, I've been applying for years!" Jacqueline joked, to which the crowd chuckled.

Soon after the party had ended, Lore witnessed Alex — who had drunk way too much — outside flirting with a young woman in the corridor. The woman clearly wasn't interested. Though he was disgusted by Alex's conduct, Lore ignored him and approached Jacqueline —who was straightening up the gathering room.

"Jacqueline, how come you've never returned my messages? Did you receive —"

"Yeah Lore, I got your messages. All three of them." she brushed past him to busy herself with stacking cups and dishes, but Lore followed her, "I'm sorry, but I've been very busy Lore."

Lore was confused; he'd sent Jacqueline more than three messages—most of which were accompanied by gifts. Nine more to be exact. Before he could inquire, Jacqueline spoke.

"Lore, wait. Before you say anything, there's something I have to tell you." she glumly replied, "What happened in the arboretum the other night was a mistake. I shouldn't have kissed you like that."

Lore noticed the way her dark brown eyes sparkled and dilated when she looked at him. The slight pout on her plump lips seemed appealing to him. He could smell the sweet scent of her black, silky hair.

"Jacqueline, you're so beautiful, has anyone ever told you that? Has he ever told you that?" Lore asked, his voice quivered slightly with admiration as he stroked her hair.

The sound of her name in his voice filled her with a discomfort that was only surpassed by the uneasiness she felt when he touched her. She was angry at herself for kissing him a few nights ago and now things were strange between them. Although she couldn't deny her attraction to him, she just wanted her friend back.

"Please Lore, let me finish." she replied softly, "Alex has been trying so hard lately, I mean, he's been very pleasant and gentle. I can't believe it, but he actually started sending me flowers and gifts again. One day he even sent me a poem, can you believe it?! Now it's like I'm starting to fall in love with him all over again. He went through all that trouble and in the meantime, I betrayed him… by kissing you. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we can still be friends, but we just can't see each other as often as we used to."

Lore became furious when he realized that Alex had somehow intercepted his messages and had stolen the gifts and the poem he had sent to Jacqueline. He found it to be despicable that Alex had presented them to her under false pretenses. At that moment, Lore was determined to get him out of Jacqueline's life. Despite Lore's burning rage for Alex, he continued to gently stroke Jacqueline's hair. At first she didn't fight it because the action seemed so natural, but she knew it was wrong.

"Uh, Lore, it's getting late, I really should finish up here." she nervously replied as she moved away from him his reach.

"I'd be happy to help you, it's no trouble." he offered eagerly as he followed her.

His hand met hers as they both reached for the same plate and she swiftly retracted her hand, almost as a reflex.

"Jacqueline, there's no need to be afraid of me." Lore replied with a cool smile as he moved closer, "It's alright; you don't have to hide your feelings for me anymore."

His words were of little consolation to her as she continued to move backwards. Her apprehension seemed to be laced with a hint of temptation and it mounted as he matched her every step.

"Lore please," her voice quivered, "I don't need your help. I just want to be alone right now, okay? Besides, I'm engaged to be married!"

"But you're not married yet." he replied slyly.

She gasped as her back met the wall and Lore was standing toe to toe with her. There was no way for her to avoid him. She could feel his breath on her face and her heart pounding frantically in her chest.

"Are you sure you don't want my help? You'll find that I can be quite… useful." he whispered as he lowered his face close to hers.

Her heart continued to pound anxiously as she tried her best to push him away, but she may as well have tried to push the wall as the results were the same. She panicked when she felt his lips come closer to hers and she turned away in protest.

"No! Lore please, don't!" she exclaimed.

At that moment, Alex walked into the room.

"Jacqueline, are you alright? I thought I heard — what the hell is going on here?!" Alex demanded upon seeing Lore so close to his fiancé.

"Hi Alex," Lore replied casually as he backed away from the Jacqueline, "I was just trying to assist Jacqueline in cleaning up."

Jacqueline promptly walked over to Alexander — who immediately wrapped an arm around her waist. The sight sent waves of intense jealousy through Lore's mind. He wished he could touch her the same way, perhaps even more, without her being so resistant.

"It looks like you were trying to do a lot more than that!" Alexander snapped before turning his attention to his fiancé, "Jackie, are you okay honey?"

"I'm fine Alex. I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding." she replied in an attempt to keep the peace.

Jackie knew that Alex had a short temper and any attempt to face off with Lore — a super strong android — would have devastating results. Also, the fact that Alex was drunk out of his mind didn't help matters much. However, Lore wished that Alex would try to attack him. Lore desperately wanted a valid excuse so he could snap this man in half like a toothpick.

"Yeah," Alex replied with a snarl as he glared at Lore, "well, let's hope it won't happen again! Since you're so… eager to help clean up, I'm sure you won't mind taking over for Jacqueline since she's pretty tired right now. See you tomorrow, Lore."

Jackie tried to argue, but Alex pulled her out of the room — but not before creating a bigger mess by deliberately knocking a huge pile of stacked cups onto the floor. Lore was left to clean up the mess on his own. However, he wasn't having any of that and took his frustration out on a young man just outside the room.

"You!" Lore called forcefully and the young man entered, his eyes wide with alarm.

"Yes?" the man gulped.

"Clean this up!" Lore ordered as he gestured to the mess.

"Yes sir!" the young man replied as he hurriedly began to follow Lore's command.

Lore expelled a quick, silent breath as he smirked to himself. He enjoyed the feeling of having someone obey him. He enjoyed the feeling of being the one who was in control. It felt good not to bend to the whim of another, but to have them bend to his.

"That android must have his wires crossed to think he has a shot in hell with you!" Lore heard Alex chuckle in the distance. The comment caused Lore to scowl. Apparently he didn't know about Lore's phenomenal hearing, either that or he didn't care, but little did he know that he would live to regret his actions — but not for very long.