Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. Reviews are welcome. I don't own any characters other than Fenix Flarestone. Enjoy and stay ethical y'all.

Chapter 4: Friends?

Previously…

Lore tried one of every kind and decided he liked eating most things. It was an odd feeling for him, sitting at the counter eating with someone. It was something he never done, but realized Fenix was happier when he ate with her even when he didn't require food. Her cranial chamber has brightened quite a bit when I started eating with her. I wonder why she likes it when I eat with her. Strange girl. Lore smiled in amusement and enjoyed this very organic act of having food with her.

Fenix was gathered the necessary tools to fix Lore. He pristinely sat on the stool as she hovered over his head, "Okay, Lore... Just hold still, please. I'm going to open up your, um, scalp-flap-thing..." her face tense. "Oh, I love how confident you are with this procedure. I'm so glad that I'm putting myself in your hands." Sarcastically commented Lore. Fenix whined in annoyance, "Ugh, Lore! Just because I didn't know what to call a certain body part doesn't have anything to do with my abilities in fixing you, geez." With that, he chuckled as he sat completely still in perfect posture in comparison to Fenix who stood hunched over whilst performing his operation. They stayed quiet the entire time, Lore knew to give her some space for this procedure. I don't feel anything whatever she's doing. I feel… neutral. I guess the real test would be when I'm upset. We'll have to wait and see I suppose… Fenix touched a part of his sensors that made his eye twitch, "Oh shit, are you okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine. I think you fixed that twitch I had. It didn't feel like it was as dramatic as it usually happens." He noted. "I'm glad, what did it feel like having that twitch?" He sighed tried to explain in a way an organic would understand, "I guess it was like the equivalent of having hiccups, I assume..." still in full concentration, she responded distractedly, "That would suck… I hate hiccups. No control over it what-so-ever. And they're painful, too. Totally fucks with the breathing bit." For the rest of the time she worked on him, they stayed silent.

Fenix clasped his 'scalp' back on and it was done. She was mentally worn out after hours of staring into millions of circuits and lights. "There... you sir, are good to go. You'll still feel an elaborate array of emotions… You already had some self-learned ethical pathways, but this time, you'll be able learn more of that through living life and experiences. How do you feel?" Inquired Fenix and spun him around so he was facing her. "I feel like frolicking in a field of flowers, thanks for asking." He answered sarcastically. Fenix looked unimpressed, the air filling with pregnant silence. Rolling his eyes, he replied more genuinely, "To be honest, I don't feel that much difference… I guess I don't feel as angry or as ambitious. I still resent my father and brother. I don't want to kill people but if they were a threat, I still would... only if I had no other alternative. I still feel superior than them... I'm also still very sarcastic, aren't I?" he asked as he stood. "Well yeah, that won't change because that's your personality, you'll still be a sarcastic and cynical asshole mandroid. Why do you think we get along so well, right?" She chuckled. He quirked an eyebrow and gave her a faint yet kind smile. He grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her in for an embrace. His arms wrapped snugly around her with her returning the jester. She noticed his hug was different from before she fixed him. His hug feels more natural now. Whilst in his arms Fenix commented, "You're more friendly." And chuckled. "I couldn't be before. I felt like I was getting held back, almost." he replied as he snuggled his face into her soft locks. A few moments later, she felt mildly uncomfortable and started to blush then carefully released herself from his grasp. He looked at her with confusion and she answered uneasily, "You're... um, 'fully functioning.'" and pointed down to his lower body. He shamelessly said, "It seems I am. Now that I think of it, I've never used that function before, would you like to try it out?" and winked suggestively. She face-palmed her fully flushed face and avoided his question, "Thanks but no thanks, I'm actually getting pretty tired." He noticed it was five in the morning. She stayed awake to fix me to follow through with her promise… "I'm not surprised, it's 5:24 in the morning. You should get some sleep." Fenix smiled as she stretched, "Okay, I'm hitting the hay for a little bit. I don't really need much sleep but I still need sleep."

He smirked with mischievous eyes, "I could sleep with you..." She turned around and blinked a few times innocently, "I didn't think you needed sleep." She tried to keep things non-sexual. He shrugged, "I don't, I wasn't implying actual sleep." She shook her head with a blushing smile, "Ugh… You're impossible, Lore." His grin widened, "Now you're picking up what I'm putting down…" Fenix added as she rubbed her eyes, "There's only room for one on the couch any ways." Lore chuckled but decided she was in need of sleep and turned off the main light, "G'night, Fenix." A soft muffled 'G'night Lore' was heard from the other side of the room. It wasn't long before he noticed she was fast asleep.

Looking at the replicator, Lore quietly walked to it. He reprogrammed the caloric density of all the foods, increasing the calories by 65%. When finished, he faintly smiled, satisfied. That should help her out a little since she seemed to have forgotten to adjust the replicator for her needs. She needs extra calories unlike most organics. She expending more energy than she's able to take in. He went to his couch and laid down, only for him to stand up again. He slowly paced around, looked at the mess of tools and equipment Fenix left on all over the work station and faintly smiled. For one so bright, you'd expect her to be a little more organized, but she's messy. It looks like she dumped her entire bag on the table. Then he realized something as he saw a pattern with her clutter. Oh, I see now. It's not that she's unorganized. She's placed certain tools in specific areas of the clutter. To anyone else, this is just clutter. To her and to myself, there is a method to this chaos. Once he figured out her clutter, he walked to the bathroom and saw her now yellowish brown stained white shirt and made a face. Ugh… those stains aren't coming out, and it's so tattered, only use it have is to be used as a rag. She did ricochet off the cliff like a pinball when she fell. She has a very high pain tolerance now that I think about it. Once he was bored in the bathroom, he walked back to his couch and laid down, closing his eyes. He laid there contemplating on what to do while Fenix slept.

His long legs in a shape of the number 4, he tilted his head to see her still sleeping. His eyes traced her soft youthful face and small full lips. His eyes widened when she began talking in her sleep, "Why did you leave me? I don't belong here… I don't… belong..." she mumbled with her eyebrows knitting together. I wonder what she's dreaming of… Her heart rate is up. Wait… are those tears? He stood up and walked to her, placing his large hand on her shoulder he gently shook her, "Wake up, Fenix. Wake up." She opened her teary eyes to see Lore with a look of concern, "I… I was dreaming." Lore tutted, "It seemed like you were having a nightmare or something. You were crying." She wiped her eyes, "I guess I was… It wasn't a nightmare… just… don't worry about it. I'm awake now." she smiled, but Lore knew she was only trying to hide whatever had shook her in her dreams. He changed the subject, trying to cheer her up, "You hungry?" She nodded, "Yeah… I am." "Good, I did something to the replicator, let's see if you can guess what it is I did." he grinned. Throwing her blanket off, she walked to the replicator and glanced at Lore with suspiciously, "What did you do?" "Just try it out." Unsure of what he was getting at, she got herself a dozen doughnuts. Fenix grabbed the plate of food, grabbing a Boston cream, she bit into it and her eyes widened, "Why is this tasting way better?" With a cocky smile, he answered, "I upped the calories for everything edible since the replicator was set to it's factory settings." She was touched hearing that, "Lore, thank you… that was thoughtful of you." "Pfft… Don't mention it, you seemed to have forgotten to do it yourself when we were fixing it." Fenix asked, "Do you want some? I don't need to each as much now. I don't have to stuff myself to the point where my stomach hurts." He shrugged, "Sure." He humoured with a sly smile. Silly creature, you never cease to amuse me. She treats me as she and I are equals, accepts me for exactly how that I am.

They sat down by the counter, Fenix placed the plate between them and gestured him to have some by slowly pushing the plate in his direction. He scanned the variety of doughnuts and picked a jelly filled one. Biting into it, he noted "Everything about it is very sugary, the filling is jelly-like and red. I do like the texture. I like it." Once finished, he picked the same doughnut she had eaten, "I like this one more." Fenix chuckled, "Glad you like it, they're all really good. Have half the plate. Eat if for the hell of it if you like it, right?" He nodded, "I never eaten until you came along since I don't require food." "Your first food you ever tried was fish semen nigiri." Lore rolled his eyes, "Yes, that it was… unfortunately…" Fenix added, "You like creamy things in your mouth." Lore choked on his doughnut, and watched her pick up cream-filled long john, "So do you." Fenix coughed, "I had that coming, didn't I?" Lore grinned, "Definitely, I liked all the other raw sea creatures. I like doughnuts, too." She smiled, "I can't wait for you to try everything I like eating! I gotta say, these are the best doughnuts I've had since… can't remember the last time I had really good doughnuts." Lore knew that wasn't what she was about to say but let it slide. I'm sure she'll tell me more about herself as time passes. It's just us here. He glanced at her, "You should eat the rest." Fenix inquired, "Why?" He sighed, "You lost 5.6cm circumference around your torso, 1.7cm around your chest, and 4.9cm around your hips, and 7.21lbs in weight from the moment you activated me. Even though your muscle percentage has stayed adequate, however, your fat storage has become too depleted." Informed Lore. Fenix smiled and laughed at this, "Should I stand on you?" she joked. Lore scowled in confusion,"What? No. Why?" "Because you sound like my bathroom scale." And she burst out laughing again. Lore looked mildly irritated so she added, "What? I thought it was kinda cute coming from you. Besides you're always taking jabs at me every chance you get." "That's because you make it so easy... I don't even have to try." When their laughter diminished, he took the opportunity to ask her, "What do you think of me?" his question was genuine. Fenix chewed her food as she contemplated, "You're a lot like me in many ways. Like, when people wrong us, we both have a hard time forgiving them and controlling our emotions. It takes time, but I'm sure we'll be better at coping with emotions, I think." Lore listened intently, "Other than the obvious things like your intelligence, you're thoughtful, but you try not to show it. You're very complex, very tricky because of that you keep me on my toes. What else? Oh yeah, you're also kinda conceited, but it's not anything I can't handle. Honestly, I think you're awesome. I like you, I consider you a friend... a friend that I've always wanted. None of my other friends are anything like you." she candidly answered.

"Friends?" His eyes softened, tinged with anxiety. It was a very strange feeling for him. He never had a friend before until now. The thought of it both excited and scared him, unsure as to why he was scared, he pushed that feeling aside. "Well, yeah… we got good chemistry, we have our playful banter… Do you want to be friends, Lore?" She asked casually. I know I sound really chill but… I'm actually pretty nervous right now. What if he doesn't want to be friends with me? It'll hurt a lot. Why am I letting things that haven't happened affect me? Stop it, Fenix. Get it together! Lore contemplated and heard her heart beating faster. Give her a chance just as she has done for me. She's different. She won't betray me. I want to be friends with her, too. He genuinely smiled, "Yes. I want us to be friends." Fenix beamed, "Wanna drink to that? Wait, the replicator will only give us synthahol... lame." "Wait a minute..." Lore stood up and walked to the replicator and asked Fenix, "You have a high tolerance for alcohol, don't you?" She nodded, "Yeah, I get tipsy and drunk for like 5 minutes or something then my liver just regenerates." He nodded and started punching the buttons. Once done, he walked back with a cocky smirk, "Try it out, now." Fenix grinned and hopped over to the replicator, "Four tequila shots." and walked back to the counter. Fenix explained, "Okay… First, lick the back of your hand so the salt sticks to it..." The two did as she taught him, "…it goes… salt, shot, then lime." He added, "Bottoms up!" Their glasses clinked and did their ritualistic choice of drink. Fenix immediately felt the effects as her vision began to rock, she began laughing, "You rigged it! Holy shit, Lore! You're so amazing!" rejoiced Fenix. He coyly smiled, "Yeah, I adjusted the alcohol levels slightlyso you feel more effects." She sloppily wrapped her arm around his shoulders, "Dude… you're so rad. Thank you." her cheeks flushed from the tequila, she giggled. Lore couldn't help himself as he too, began to laugh with her. A drunk Fenix is just… so precious. She's… adorable. She commented, "That saying 'bottoms up' always makes me think of having your ass up in the air or something." Lore burst out laughing, "I'll get more." He walked to the replicator and retrieved ten more tequila shots. He nodded and said, "Asses up." Fenix laughed and the two did their ritualistic drinks. Fenix hollered and shook her head, "Whoa! YES! I love this! Another!" Lore shook his head with a bright smile. They linked their arms with the hand they had their shot glass in as they took their shots. He was happy to see her happy and that was something he didn't really understand but also didn't mind not knowing.

An hour into their drinking session, they downed over a dozen drinks. Tequila has been downed and they moved on to something easier, beer. Fenix was plastered, slurring her words and becoming less articulate with every drink. Lore was grinning from ear-to-ear, watching her talk whilst intoxicated was amusing. She loudly slurred, "I swear, those the high-end tequilas tastes so great… and it gives me jolt of energy. And then there's old faithful… beer. It's foamy." With her mug raised to her face chugging the ale down like water, she inadvertently stared at Lore suggestively. He gave her a quizzical look and she continued, "I like your face. Nice shoulders, too." He quirked an eyebrow whilst letting her ramble on, "I'm gonna get some sticky rice and some green tea. Drinking made me really hungry." She skilfully used chopsticks to shovel mouthfuls of rice, washing it down with some tea. By the time she finished her bowl of rice she was beginning to sober, dread crossed her face realizing what she had said moments ago. God damn it... Let's get drunk, it'll be fun and just check out my new friend like he was a piece of meat or something… Maybe he won't bring it up? Please, please, please don't bring it up! As if he read her thoughts, he nonchalantly stated, "So, you like my face." then took a gulp of his beer.

"...See anything else you like?" and he gave her an impish smile sealed with a wink. She had to accept defeat, "Yeah… no point in denying after how I stared at ya… You're nice to look at." she chuckled feeling mildly embarrassed. He let her take the win this time. She added, "Besides, I like hanging out with you. That's what matters, everything else is just a bonus." He wasn't excepting such a sincere answer, her sentiments made him feel something that was foreign to him. Friends… we are friends… you are my first real friend. Fenix added, "Yeah, sorry about that whole… checking you out bit. That was awkward." And never have I ever see anyone in that light in my life. Never found anyone I was attracted to until now... Lore glanced at her. With everyone else, I findit most annoying. But not you. He added, "That was… adorable."Fenix changed the subject, "Hey Lore, did you want me to install the floatation device and make you waterproof? I think I'm sober enough now." Lore observed her for a moment to assess her sobriety and faintly smiled, "In exactly two minutes and twenty seconds, you'll be completely sober. Relax for a little bit until then." Fenix smiled, "Okay, sounds good. My tools and stuff are out and ready to go already." "Because you're messy." Lore snickered. She nudged his shoulder and defended, "I have a system! I don't care if you don't get it as long as I get it since I'm the one fixing you." And with that, Lore sputtered into his drink. "Hey, thanks for drinking with me even though you can't get drunk. Its more fun when you have someone to drink with." With a faint yet sincere smile, he mumbled, "Anytime, kid." Lore sipped on his beer enjoying the bitter dry taste and the company of his new friend.