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 21: Family Reunion

Previously…

The Enterprise crew all thought about when Data recited Fenix's words. They realized that they need to rethink how Data thinks and possibly feels, they wouldn't be able to look at Data the same especially after that epiphany and witnessing Fenix and Lore's relationship. The crew watched the Vulcan vessel leave, all of them having a slight emptiness within their hearts. A human girl and an android man has changed so much on how they viewed themselves and each other.

Data sat at his desk in his quarters and checked his email and saw a letter in his inbox from Fenix. His eyes lit up and he smiled as he opened the letter.

Hey Data! This is Fenix, writing. I hope things are going good for you and the Enterprise crew. It's been two months since we last saw you and we both miss you very much. You wouldn't believe the adventures we've been through already! I'll tell you all about it. Lore says it's best if I tell the story since I'm a better story teller than he is. Between you and me, I think he's just being lazy. Any ways...

The first planet we ended up on was a weird-ass place. It was very backwards. It was like mid 1800's Earth, England. Women weren't allowed to walk around without a chaperone (another older female) and I got arrested for my indecent attire. (I was forced to wear a corset and a dress. To say it was uncomfortable was an understatement.) Since I was unmarried and I didn't have a chaperone, folks presumed I was Lore's harlot... as if! But there were some pretty need antiques there that we grabbed so we played the part of 'Lord Lore and his young whore'... Ugh. He had a good laugh at that scenario, I didn't find it amusing at all, kind of sucked. We sent you a beautiful pipe and some fine tobacco from there, I hope you like it.

The most recent planet visited was better than the last one. I believe it was called Ten No Meiyo. It was like 1500 warring states era, Japan. My adoptive mom's Japanese so I'm always intrigued by the history. We found the coolest swords there and the armoury was incredible. We found one that fitted Lore and sent it to you as a gift as well. I'm sure it'll fit you perfectly for an obvious reason. Somehow, Lore managed to get "kidnapped" by monks. They thought he was a God or some shit because of how he looks. A God! Please... I don't know how they did it, but they overpowered him, I guess. I have a sneaking suspicion he kind of just... 'went with it' since I know he finds that kind of thing amusing. And I had to go on a rescue mission to save his sorry white ass. When I infiltrated the castle and reached the top, I see Lore dressed in one of the kimono regalia that a Tenno would typically wear and was pretending to be a fucking God! Of all the things that mandroid put me through! He's sat on a thick gold and silk spun cushion and was all, "Ah, my Goddess finally arrived to take her place next to my throne. Come, sit and drink this sacred saké , my queen." I had my tanto and knife in each of my hands like a total ninja and ready to save the... "damsel in distress" and here he was... getting the royal treatment. I was about to go postal on his ass! But I did drink some sacred saké, it was divine and enlightening. We ended up having a few shits and giggles but that was probably the alcohol talking. Data, this saké was so strong, even Lore got drunk! We still don't know what it is, or how it got him drunk. It was hilarious, he was giggling like a Japanese school-girl and pretending to be Emperor. I somehow ended up wearing the Empress's regalia and called myself Madam Butterfly as I danced around in the long-sleeved kimono singing. Eventually, we left the castle and got back on our vessel. We snatched two full crates of sacred saké on our way out. Don't ask how we managed, we were still drunk at the time. We sent you a bottle of it, too. It's really good and you'll get shit faced. But that's how my 18th birthday went. I had to rescue Princess Lore and get plastered. Probably one of my best birthday's to date. Oh, Lore wants to tell you something, too.

Hello Data, this is Lore. I hope you enjoyed Fenix's legendary story telling skills. We're heading back to Omicron Theta for a bit before we take off again. Cute little Fenix says she misses home. If you're in our neck of the woods, let us know and we can meet. I would like that and I know Fenix would love to see you again, too. Take care, little brother.

Fenix here again, I forgot to tell you. We got hitched! I'll tell you more in the next mail, or maybe in person if things work in our favour. Don't be a stranger! Please tell the crew we said, 'hi'. Talk soon, peace out!

Lore and Fenix Soong

Data smiled after reading the mail and shortly after, he received a pipe with tobacco, a bottle of sacred saké and a Japanese-like ancient armour. He looked at the items curiously. He tried on the armour and sure enough, it fit him perfectly. He heard the door ring and commanded whomever it was to enter. "Wow Data. That armour looks great, it fits you perfectly!" Deanna complimented. "Yes, it is a gift from Lore and Fenix. I have just received email from them. Deanna, what does it mean to get 'hitched'?" Questioned Data. Deanna looked perplexed and answered, "It usually means 'married'. Why?" Data's eyes widened for a moment, "Oh, Fenix informed me that her and Lore 'got hitched'. I did not quite understand what that meant at the time. And, she had turned eighteen now." Data clarified. Deanna looked surprised and said, "They eloped? So soon. And she's so young." "Yes, she is young. But I believe their relationship is genuine and Lore will be good to her. He is the first android to ever marry." Data spoke in confidence. She smiled and agreed, "You're right, he definitely loves her dearly. So how are they doing?" Data perked up and replied, "They are doing quite well, Fenix had to rescue Lore's 'sorry white ass.' And they said, 'hi'." Deanna burst out laughing, "May I read that email? It was Fenix that wrote it, I presume." Data answered, "Yes, you may. She wrote most of it. Lore says her story telling skills are… legendary. I think you will enjoy it." Deanna sat beside Data and began reading. She started to chuckle and eventually burst into a full laugh, "Her story telling is legendary. She writes exactly the way she talks! I could almost hear her reading this." Data slyly smirked and began reading the email in her voice. Part way through, Geordi joined in and listened to Data reading the email using Fenix's voice, "Yeah… that sounds… exactly like Fenix." and giggled. He read the email along and added, "She writes like she's talking." Data paused, "That is what Deanna noted, also." The three of them enjoyed Fenix's stories as they took a break from their duties. After a while, Data suddenly stopped. Standing up, he walked to the helm and re-set their current course after he took control over the Enterprise. Everyone, including captain Picard was locked out and unable to override Data's controls.

Meanwhile...

Lore and Fenix were about a day away from Omicron Theta. Lore looked at his left hand to see a slate grey titanium alloy ring on his ring finger as he piloted the vessel. Fenix was taking a break and eating rice and drinking tea. He looked over to her to see the matching ring on her dainty little finger and smiled. Fenix sobered up, her head rolling to the side to see Lore, "I'm sorry I chickened out on our wedding night. The ambiance was so sensual with the silk, fur, and fluffy bed, sakura blossoms everywhere and the candles... I wore that creamy silk kimono and feeling like a goddess." She smiled and closed her eyes, "I felt like Aphrodite and I was totally feeling the mood..." then sighed, dejected, "...then I ate shit. I promise I'll make it up to you somehow." He laughed at that memory and reassured her, "Fenix, it's fine. I'm glad you felt like a goddess though. I want to make you feel that way more often." Lore thought back to their wedding night and it was a great night even if she couldn't make love to him, yet. It was a Japanese-like setting, very sensual. When Fenix stepped out of the shoji divider, she wore a white silk kimono-like robe that hung off of her lithe body like cream, Lore thought he'd short circuit in that moment. She looked divine and seductive. Bloody hell she was a sex goddess! She displayed her body in the most sensual way, her confidence shone and reminded me when I pranked her on the holodeck, tricking her into giving me a lap dance. Except this time, she was dancing for me knowingly. Her sash started to become undone, her naked body peeking through every now and then. She danced closer to me, started kissing me as I slipped her robe off her body, for the first time I was able to see her fully naked. I laid her down on the bed, crushing the cherry blossoms giving off the most pleasant smell that mingled with her own delectable scent. I threw my robe off, showcasing my body for her in full. I loved how she looked at me... her face flush, love drunk purple eyes and full pink lips. My manhood stood rigid with anticipation as I leaned in to kiss her senseless. I made my way between her lovely thighs and touched her slick folds with my cock. I could tell she was ready as I suckled on her little nipple. She makes the cutest sounds when she's aroused. Lore couldn't stop the smile forming on his lips at the memory. I loved how she squirmed, feeling too aroused to even think... my sweet innocent virgin wife just waiting to be taken by her husband... And then she suddenly backed down. Adorable. But at least she felt amazing. I enjoyed every bit of it. Still would be nice to be inside her one of these days. I wonder how incredible that would feel? I might even end up having a cascade failure! He jokingly thought.

They reached Omicron Theta and parked the vessel. They unloaded their cargo and Fenix had an idea. "Lore, do you feel like jammin'? I've sat on my ass way too long even after the shower I'm still feeling ugh... You know?" Lore smiled, quirked his eyebrow and twirled his drum sticks. After a few hours, Lore suddenly abruptly stopped, "Fenix, collect your necessities, we're leaving now." He commanded, "What? Now? Okay..." She compelled with confusion. She grabbed her usual basics, in less than five minutes, they were back on the vessel and in space. Fenix pouted as her visit home was cut short and glanced over to Lore who piloted the vessel. What the hell, Lore? You're kinda wiggin' me out here. Then again... he looks very... focused? I wonder what got into him? Where are we going? Why the sudden need to leave? Ugh. Oh my god, just ask him. He's your husband for god's sake. Yeah, a husband that's super understanding about me chickening out on our wedding night. Man, I'm pathetic. How much am I going to test his patience!? "Lore, why the sudden need to go... wherever we're going? I'm just curious." Fenix cautiously asked. "Terlina III. Honestly, I don't know why. Please just trust me." Lore distractedly answered. "Duh, of course I trust you. Let me know if you want me to help. I'm taking a nap." Fenix adjusted her seat and laid back. She had a feeling he needed some space.

Eventually, they reached the Terlina system and spotted the Enterprise. "Hey, isn't that the Enterprise? What's it doing here?" Fenix pondered. "It's Data. If I suddenly felt the need to come here then he would've been led here as well." Fenix pondered then it clicked, "Homing device. I bet you anything you guys have a homing device." A few moment later, they beamed down to the surface. Lore and Fenix walked hand in hand and entered a house. Fenix noted the house was more of a lab on the inside. Similar equipment and tools were here that were on Omicron Theta. They saw Data and his father, Dr. Noonian Soong talking.

"Well this has turned into a family reunion. The two of you have a homing device in your brains. Data's was activated purposely." Fenix leaned to Lore and whispered, "Called it." Dr. Soong looked at Lore, "And you... well, I had no idea you had been reassembled." Dr. Soong admitted and glanced at Fenix who smiled and waved, "No thanks to you. This is Fenix, she is my saving grace, she reactivated and fixed me. I didn't need your help, I never needed you." Lore spat, full of resentment. Dr. Soong with wide-eyes looked at the very young-looking woman and asked her, "You fixed his emotional programming?" She felt awkward now as she answered, "Yeah... I did. Seeing him left behind in pieces collecting dust broke my heart. We got a long enough for him to tell me about his flaw, so I fixed him. Then we became friends and the rest is history." Dr. Soong commented, "Remarkable." Fenix blushed and meekly suggested, "Thanks, maybe I should step outside...give you guys some privacy... This seems like a family matter." She finished. "You are part of the family now, Fenix. Please stay." Data interjected. "I agree brother, Fenix stays." Lore reconfirmed. Dr. Soong looked at Lore and then at Fenix who wore matching wedding bands. "The apple didn't fall far from the tree." Dr. Soong quietly commented. Lore's eye twitched and ignored his comment as he confronted, "You left me in pieces, like garbage. You went ahead and began building Data while I was still active instead of fixing me! Be grateful to Fenix she fixed me, old man." "I had every intention to fix you. I'm sorry, Lore. The positronic net is meant to function logically, emotions are illogical. It was difficult to mix the two to function properly. The colonists... they were afraid of you. I had no choice. If I had known you were reactivated, I would've fixed you myself." Dr. Soong pleaded as he genuinely felt guilty. Lore stared at his father, his lips forming a thin line as he clenched his jaw, "Maybe one day I'll forgive you, but not today. I'll leave you with your beloved son. Fenix, we're done here." Lore ordered.

"Lore, wait! There are questions I can answer. You'll have no chance to ask them later. You see... I'm dying." Dr. Soong revealed.

"Dying from what, sir?" Data inquired.

"What? Wait a minute. What do you mean you're dying? You look fine. You're not that old. You look fine... What is this, some kind of a trick?" Lore's eyes held worry and sadness as he denied the obvious.

"I wish it was. You and I aren't as different as I first thought. I too, fell in love with a much younger woman, your mother, Julianna. She was young too, not quite as young as Fenix. But she was very intelligent, also. I can tell she's got a big heart to do what she did. To take a chance on you and never giving up." Dr. Soong spoke, he looked at his two sons and his now daughter-in-law and smiled warmly. "Lore, now is your chance to ask me anything, or tell me anything as I have with Data." Fenix nodded at Lore to give him privacy and let go of his hand then left the house. She stood outside looking at the foliage. Data joined her outside, "Fenix, there is something I wish to discuss with you in private." She nodded and let him continue, "Father offered me this, it is an emotion chip." He opened his palm to show him the tiny chip in his large hand, "He claims I will be able to feel emotions as Lore does. All my life, I wanted nothing more than to feel emotions and now that I have been given this opportunity, I... hesitate. I keep thinking back to when you told me that I already feel emotions, but differently... I am lost. I do not understand my hesitation." Data confined in her. Fenix, touched his shoulders and spoke, "Data, if you want to install the chip, me, Lore, your dad, and probably Geordi can do it for you. If you want to explore the possibilities of what I said, I support you either way." She closed his hand that held the chip, "The emotion chip is yours. The choice is yours. Just hold on to it. You don't have to decide right away." Data searched her purple eyes and came to a conclusion, "I will keep the chip, but I want to explore what I am capable of without it, for now. When and if the day comes, I want you to install it for me, dear sister." She smiled and embraced him into a hug, "It would be an honour, Data. I'm so happy for you. I love you, bro-in-law." Data then admits, "I wish I could feel it with you, sis-in-law." Fenix released him and reassured, "Baby steps, Data. You're doing great." They walked back into the house.

Meanwhile Lore was telling his tale on how he met Fenix, how he fell in love, her unique abilities and how she was from the 20th century. He smiled as he spoke highly about his teenaged wife. Dr. Soong was amazed of how Lore was capable of deeply loving and caring for someone, something he never expected but hoped. "Is she interested in cybernetics?" Dr. Soong asked Lore. "I don't see why wouldn't be, she likes fixing and creating. She's always tweaking this and that on me, making sure I'm in tip-top condition. Did you know, I'm able to swim now? But she's also very spirited, another reason why I gravitated to her. She's… different. She doesn't want to be held down by a job, at least for now." Dr. Soong nodded in understanding, "She could continue my research. You and her." Dr. Soong hinted with a wink. Lore thought momentarily and replied, "Only if she wanted to, it would be on her terms."

"What would be on my terms?" Fenix interjected casually as she stood by Lore, her hand resting on his shoulder. "You and Lore to inherit my research." Dr. Soong answered. Her eyes widened, "Oh, wow. Really? That would be rad. Lore, we could make more androids so you and Data aren't the only ones." She chirped. Dr. Soong tilted his head, "Actually, there's another one. His name is B4 and he was made before Lore. He was a prototype so he's not anywhere as advanced as they are." Lore grasped her hand, pulling her onto his lap as she continued, "B4's the eldest Soong brother. That makes Lore the middle child... Explains a lot." Fenix teased. Lore scowled not understanding her implications. Dr. Soong's eyes warmed seeing his son being so tender towards the young woman, "It seems to be the case every time, whether its biological siblings or in my case, android siblings." Dr. Soong sighed. Fenix saw Lore's confused scowl and elaborated. "What we mean is that, the eldest child (B4) is praised for being the first experiment for the parents, and the eldest just tries his best so they get the love and praise from the parents. The youngest (little brother Data) is the cute baby of the family so they get the love and praise of both parents. The middle kid kinda gets the shit end of the stick by getting neglected since all the attention is spread out between the eldest and the youngest, so the middle kid usually becomes troubled and rebellious." Lore had his head tilted, ready to retort but he couldn't, seeing how undeniably accurate she was. "Fenix, you are an only child correct?" Data asked. She nodded, "Yes I am. Being the only child has its own issues. You either get spoiled or you get your parents riding your ass like crazy. In my case, it was both. That kinda fucked me up a little bit. Dad always praised me and got me things, I was totally daddy's little girl and mom was the dictator. I always wished I had a sibling so I didn't have to suffer my mom's wrath on my own. But now I gained a brother." Fenix concluded and winked at Data. He winked back at what she had said. "Fenix, welcome to the family." Dr. Soong invited. She walked over and gave him a hug. "Thank you, I'm glad to have met you, Papa Soong." he chuckled at his newly bestowed nickname. "I'm so happy to see Lore come a long way. I'm glad he married you. Thank you for taking care of him when I wasn't able to..." He thanked her. "It was my pleasure. He helps me out just as much, if not more, Papa Soong. Besides, most of us deserve a second chance." He affectionately patted the side of her smiling face and then looked to Data, "Data, I'm sorry I expressed my disappointment in you earlier. If being in Starfleet gives your life meaning, by all means. Working on the Enterprise will enrich your life and learning. Besides... Fenix seems interested in carrying on my work with Lore... one of these days. With a little help from Lore, she won't really need much help to figure it all out." Dr. Soong kindly voiced. He clenched his eyes shut in pain and grabbed his chest. Lore caught him just as he started to stumble onto the floor. "Father!" Lore exclaimed as he slowly laid him on the ground. "What is wrong, father?" Data asked and neared the three of them on the floor. "I'm not longed for this world any more, I'm glad to have finally talk to you both before I pass... and... to meet your wife, Lore. Fenix, please take good care of Lore. He needs you more than he leads on." Fenix held his hand and nodded. "Father, I cannot grieve losing you. I am sorry." Data stated. "You'll find your own way, Data. What Fenix said... she's right... feeling emotions differently as she put it... you'll get there... I love you Data, and... Lore..." I'm… surrounded by my family as I die. My two sons and daughter-in-law… Maybe it is my time after all… I can't ask for more than to die here with my children. The children of Soong. To know Lore is fixed and doing better than I had ever dreamed… I… I can rest in peace, even though Julianna ran away. I'm okay. I couldn't right my wrong doings with her… but I guess that's something I'll just have to die with. At least Lore and Data are doing well. And Fenix was able to fix him. Lore… just don't do the same thing I did to Julianna. You need her. With his last breath, he closed his eyes as he left the physical world leaving only an empty shell. "Father, no!" Lore cried, his voice raspy as he held onto his father. Fenix stood up she cried silently. She cried for Lore, and she cried for Data who couldn't grieve. Data gently touched her hand and held it, Fenix squeezed back. Even though she wasn't around when her father passed, this opened old wounds for her also. Being put into the future made me lose my dad… I wish I was there for him. Was he able to grow old and die peacefully? I hope so...

They buried Dr. Noonian Soong. Data urged Lore and Fenix to join him on the Enterprise for a while especially after their father's passing. Lore stared at his father's burial site, never letting go of Fenix's hand. He held it as a life-line. "Lore, it might be a good idea to join Data, maybe talk to Deanna. And I'm always here for you, too. I know it's different circumstances but I had to deal with the loss of my parents and everything I knew disappear in an instant when I was put into this time." Fenix reassured. "Does it get easier?" Lore asked. "No. But you get used to it to the point where it doesn't affect your day to day life. Eventually you accept it and by that time comes, you hardly ever cry." Lore looked at Fenix. When your world and everyone you loved was ripped from under your feet, you gave me a chance at life. You still stand by my side and didn't let the past jade you. Lore looked to Data, "We'll join you for a bit. I'm sure you have a lot on your mind, too. Besides, I know Fenix didn't get her counselling session with Deanna before we left last time." Data nodded.

Lore and Fenix were back on the Enterprise and back in their previous room. She saw the grief stricken expression on Lore and gently touched his cheek. His yellow eyes met hers as tears pool. Unable to hold them back he pulled her into a fierce hug and began to silently cry. Caressing his nape and his hair, she whispered to him, "I'm here, Lore… right here…" His grip on her tightened. "I won't let go… sometimes it's good to let it all out… you're safe with me..." and kissed his ear. A few tears began to escape her eyes seeing Lore in such a state of sadness. He's feeling so many emotions. All this time you harboured so much anger towards your dad, in the last moments of your dad's life, you were finally able to mend your torn relationship with him. It was far too short, and it's not fair. I understand. I left things with my parents on bad terms when I was put into this time. At least you were didn't have to go through that, Lore… I didn't have that chance. Such as life… You had a chance, and I'm so proud of you for taking it. You've grown so much… I'm so glad I took the chance and reactivated you. It means the world to know that something I did made somewhat of a difference to someone. That gave my life meaning… my never-ending life… And I have you with me. She squeezed him as he kept crying in silence, her shoulder becoming damp from his tears. In that moment, she thought of her biological parents and why they didn't want her. In those moments, her tears flowed freely. Why did they give me away? Was I… unwanted? But… why? Fenix would never know why her biological parents rejected her at birth.