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 Twenty-Three: The Whole Story

The next day, Lore continued his charade of pretending to be Data. He made several attempts to get Jacqueline to resume her confession, but she continually procrastinated.

"Data, I promise I'll tell you later. I just don't have the strength to get into it right now." she sighed, almost as if she regretted bringing up the subject in the first place.

"Alright." Lore replied, reluctantly masking his disappointment.

He and Jacqueline sat at the coffee table in the living area as she attempted to eat breakfast, but she had no appetite. However, she came up with an idea that appeared to cheer her up a little.

"Data, why don't you come to class with me today? I bet the kids would love to see you."

"I do not think that would be such a wise idea."

"Why not?" she answered with surprise.

"I have found that children find my appearance to be… disturbing."

"Data, don't be silly! Have you taken a look around the city? There are people around here that look a lot more unusual than you. Now come on, you're not getting out of this!" she replied with a playful laugh as she guided him out the door.

When they arrived at the school, the class stared quietly at the android with amazement. Naturally, some of the children whispered amongst themselves.

"Excuse me Victor, have you forgotten that it's impolite to whisper in the presence of company?"

"No Ms. Erol." Victor answered.

"Well face the front of the room like the rest of the class."

Victor rolled his eyes and heeded her instruction.

"Ms. Erol?" Lore inquired, failing to keep a strictly neutral face, but Jacqueline didn't notice.

"Yeah Data. Surely you haven't forgotten my last name." she replied with a chuckle before she addressed the class.

"Class, I would like to introduce you to my friend Lieutenant Commander Data of the starship Enterprise." she announced.

At that moment the class bustled with excited reactions and questions. Lore was taken by surprise and couldn't help but be pleased to be accepted — even if it was under the pretense of being his brother. Nearly the entire lesson consisted of the students asking him questions, mostly about the Enterprise. Luckily for Lore, he had retained all of the ship's information in his memory. Near the conclusion of the class, Jacqueline was in the middle of a lesson about a planetary system in the Alpha Quadrant when she suddenly fell backwards. The children screamed and Lore startled a few of them as he shot by. He caught her just before she hit the ground. He completely forgot about maintaining his charade of being Data as he gently caressed her hair when she came to.

"Jackie, are you alright?" he asked.

"Oh my God! What did you say?" she responded.

"I said, 'Jacqueline, are you alright?'"

Before she could debate the issue, two of the other teachers rushed into the room to see what was happening. Jacqueline explained that she'd neglected to eat breakfast that morning and that it was the likely culprit to her sudden weakness. Worried, her superiors dismissed the class early, relieved her from duty for the next week and demanded she get proper rest and nutrition.

Lore noticed the uneasy look on Jacqueline's face as they walked silently to her quarters. He could tell that she was internally debating whether or not she had been things when he called her 'Jackie'. Once they arrived, she made herself a small snack and a cup of tea before she walked over to the sofa in the living area to eat.

"Oh, I'm sorry for being rude. Do you want something to eat Data?" she asked, to which Lore chuckled.

"Oh Jackie, I think we can stop pretending now." he replied with a smirk as he leaned against a wall.

Jacqueline nearly choked on the tart she was eating as she looked up at him.

"Lore! Oh my God, it's really you!" she exclaimed as she dropped her plate to the floor.

Surprisingly to Lore, her expression was not of fear, but of intense happiness as she rushed over to him.

"I've missed you so much!" she cried as she attempted to hug him but he quickly seized he arms, causing her to gasp in shock, but not pain.

"You've missed me?" he laughed sarcastically, "You're only saying that because you're afraid of the punishment I have in store for you for what you've done to me. You pretended to be dead! For your sake I hope it was good practice for the real thing, Ms. Erol." he growled through clenched teeth.

It was an empty threat and he knew that. However, he wanted her to know how much pain she'd put him through.

"Lore, you don't know the whole story." she said urgently, but to his surprise it was not out of fear.

"What's the matter? You're not afraid of me anymore?" he hissed and Jacqueline shook her head.

Lore spun her around and pinned her against the wall, his face just inches from hers.

"Why not?! Aren't you aware of how easily I could kill you right now for what you've done?!" he growled angrily, but it was yet another empty threat.

"Yes," she replied tearfully, "but it doesn't matter anymore. You have every right to be upset, but I don't think you know the whole story. Lore, just listen to what I have to say and if you still feel the need to kill me… I won't try to stop you."

Her last comment took him completely by surprise and he immediately released his grip on her. Jacqueline surprised him yet again by not running away, but taking his hand and guiding him to the sofa and sitting beside him.

"Lore," she cried as she continued to hold his hand, "I didn't mean to betray you. I was forced to. There was nothing I could do about it. However, I should've told you about the pressure that was placed on me at the time; maybe things could've been different. It all started after you brought me to the hospital…"

As Jacqueline began to explain everything; her mind traveled to her last tough days on Omicron Theta. She was still recovering from her injuries in sickbay, but was allowed to visit the lounge in which guests would often visit patients. She looked up through the large skylight and gazed at the stars while sipping a cup of hot tea and contemplating her life.

"Do you have time for a visitor?" a male voice said gently.

Jacqueline turned around and was surprised to see Magistrate Simms standing next to her.

"Magistrate Simms, good evening." she greeted as she attempted to stand, but he stopped her.

"No, don't get up on my account, you need to take it easy young lady." he replied as he sat in a chair across the small table, "By the way, you can call me Thomas. I like to leave the formal name-calling at the office."

Jacqueline was a little unnerved by the magistrate's visit, it wasn't customary for him to visit patients in the hospital — at least not those who weren't directly involved with his career. He proceeded to talk to her about various star systems and how exciting it was for him to travel when he was young. The conversation paused briefly when the server brought the coffee he'd ordered as well as another cup of tea for Jacqueline — who was beginning to feel tired and a bit sore; an indication that another dose of medication was overdue. However, she didn't want to appear rude and decided to tough it out until the magistrate was done with his visit.

"So Jacqueline, how is your recovery going? Well I hope." he asked.

"Yes. I'm doing very well so far. The doctor sees no reason why I shouldn't be released within the next day or so."

"Very good. That's good news indeed!" the magistrate exclaimed happily before his smile faded into a serious expression, "Jacqueline, I'm really sorry about what that… monster did to you. You have my word that I will do my best to see that he is brought to justice and disassembled piece by piece. I've brought you the necessary documentation you'll need to fill out in order to expeditiously file formal charges."

The magistrate slid a PADD across the table, but Jacqueline didn't take it and a somber expression washed over her face.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Sir I don't… I won't be filing any charges against Lore." she replied as she slid the PADD back to the Magistrate.

"Well, why the hell not?!" the magistrate burst out, prompting several visitors to look in their direction. Slightly abashed, he lowered his voice as he took her hand, "Jacqueline, that… thing has brutalized you! Surely you can't let that monster get away with that. Look, if you're afraid of him I can assure you, I can get you the best security there is. They'll fry his circuits to a crisp before he can ever lay a hand on you again."

"No sir, I don't think you understand. I'm not refusing to file charges out of fear; I honestly believe that Lore didn't hurt me intentionally."

The Magistrate lowered his head in disappointed disbelief as he withdrew a loud sigh. As he stood up, he placed the PADD in her hands and regarded her with a gentle smile.

"Jacqueline, at least think about it. Alright?"

"Alright sir, I will." Jacqueline reluctantly replied, on the verge of tears as he walked away.

A few days later, while Jacqueline was resting at home after her release from sickbay, the magistrate paid her a visit. She reluctantly invited him in after which time she offered him refreshment, which he politely declined. He immediately got down to business.

"Jacqueline, I haven't heard from you for the past few days. Have you filled out the forms? Do you have any questions about them?"

Jacqueline quietly handed the PADD to the Magistrate before she slumped into her chair. His broad smile quickly faded as he analyzed the screen.

"Wha — everything's blank! Are you confused about how to fill it out? I'd be happy to —"

"No, I'm not confused sir, I've decided not to go through with it. Lore didn't mean any harm."

"But he sure as hell is capable of it! You've experienced it first hand!" the Magistrate exclaimed with contempt.

Jacqueline became irritated.

"Why do you need me to do this anyway? I thought this was supposed to be my decision to make! Anyway, if you want to charge him so badly, you have the authority to do it on the behalf of the Colony don't you?" she said a little more harshly than she'd intended.

"Yes, but your statement will guarantee his deactivation. If you refuse to submit your statement, he will likely get away with this, just as he's gotten away with the deaths of the research team."

"Excuse me sir, but that's a bit extreme don't you think? Wasn't Lore cleared of those charges? Surely you're not looking to charge him for the same thing twice."

"Jacqueline, why are you so hell-bent on defending him? He…" the Magistrate's voice trailed off as he began to laugh heartily, "Oh, now I see. You're in love with him aren't you! How rich! It all makes perfect sense now. The two of you planned the whole thing haven't you? You needed to get Alex out of the picture so the two of you could carry on with your torrid affair without the risk of getting caught! That's the real reason you ended up in the hospital isn't it? The two of you were so thrilled that your little plan had worked and your consensual passion got out of hand; resulting in your… injuries!" he scowled at her.

"What?! You're just doing this because your own marriage is ruined, but that's your own fault! How dare you?!" she shouted tearfully and made a motion to strike the magistrate but thought better of it. She was shocked at his presumptuous implication that she'd invited her attack.

"No, don't refrain yourself. Do it. Defend your precious android and give me the opportunity to rack up the charges. 'Assault on a colonial official' will go together nicely with 'Accomplice to murder'." he hissed.

"No, you're wrong! That's not true!" were the only words she had enough strength to exclaim.

"Am I? Alright then. Here," he said as he shoved the PADD into her hand, "fill it out."

Jacqueline glanced at the screen and poised her fingers to type, but eventually resisted.

"I can't do this! I just can't!" she sobbed, "I'm sorry!"

"Alright Jacqueline, have it your way then, but know this; you will help me get rid of him. You can be sure of that!" the magistrate growled before he made a very angry exit.

Not long after her unpleasant encounter with the magistrate, Lore paid two visits to Jacqueline. She desperately wanted to warn him about the magistrate's intentions, but she was too afraid. She thought that if she told Lore about it, he would do something rash to defend her so she said nothing. During Lore's second visit a security officer ordered him away. At first, Jacqueline thought it was a random guard on patrol. Then she realized that the magistrate had sent him there. However, before she could warn Lore, she felt the searing hot pain of the phaser blast and was knocked unconscious. She later awoke in sickbay and noticed the doctor and Dr. Soong standing over her. Everything was dark at first and she only heard voices.

"Dr. Soong, thanks so much for your help. I think we would have really lost her without your help." the doctor replied.

"Really lost her? What are you talking about? What the hell is going on?!" Dr. Soong exclaimed.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a handsome, middle-aged man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. She immediately recognized him as Dr. Soong. At first, she had no recollection of what had taken place until the doctor mentioned that she was brought back to life. Jacqueline felt the cool wet substance on her face and thought they were her own tears until she saw the golden color on her hands.

"Why did you wait so long to bring her back?!" Dr. Soong exclaimed angrily as the female doctor proceeded to turn multiple shades of red.

"Oh my God! Lore thinks I'm dead!" Jacqueline shouted, "Where is he? Where did he go? I have to find him!" she exclaimed worriedly as she hopped off the medical table. She immediately fell to her knees when she felt the room go askew.

"No, you have to remain still. You've been through a lot and you're very dizzy, you won't be able to go far in your condition." the female doctor replied.

"Dr. Soong please! Find Lore and tell him I'm okay. I'm afraid he might do something horrible!"

Before Jacqueline could finish her sentence, Dr. Soong sprinted out the door at top speed. The doctor helped Jacqueline back onto the table as the Magistrate entered.

"Oh good, you were able to bring her back." he said coldly before training his gaze on Jacqueline, "See, I told you that you'd help me get rid of him. What do you suppose your precious android is doing right now? Hmm? Perhaps he's exacting some sort of revenge for your death?"

"You bastard! You planned this whole thing!" Jacqueline shouted before gained a sudden burst of energy and ran towards the exit of sick bay. Just as she exited, she saw Lore walking in the distance with a phaser in his hand. She took a deep breath to call out to him, but was interrupted when the doctor came from behind and disabled her with a hypospray. Although she was still conscious, she could not speak or move, but she heard the magistrate's voice loud and clear.

"Get her to the shuttle and make sure no one sees her!" he ordered the doctor before sneering at Jacqueline, "Enjoy your life on Tunqai, Jacqueline. Think of it as a gift of thanks for helping me to prove that Lore is nothing more than a maniacal murderer!"

Helpless tears flowed from Jacqueline's eyes as she finally lost consciousness.