Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. Reviews are welcome. I don't own any characters other than Fenix/Fi Flarestone. I own Electi Illiusia/Electi Illiusians, Semita Cealeste Enjoy and stay ethical y'all.
Chapter 27: Sweater
Previously…
After the shower, Lore watched over Fenix as he held her in his arms. He gingerly played with her hair, putting her to sleep instantly. I still feel like you're going to be taken away from me again. He kissed her forehead and nuzzled into her hair making sure he wasn't dreaming. This is real. You're real. You're here in my arms. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he sighed feeling relieved to have her back by his side after feeling like he momentarily lost her forever. He too closed his eyes and let himself rest with his love in his arms.
The next day, Fenix woke up much later than usual. She felt groggy as she stretched her limbs while staying in bed, "Oh man... I feel like I fell of a forty-story building or something… and I know exactly what that feels like." she moaned sleepily.
"Morning Fenix." Lore greeted trying to stifle a chuckle. He walked to her, and crawled on the bed to kiss her. His lips melted hers. She noted he was already fully dressed when he pulled back. "How long was I asleep?" She asked as she flopped on her back. "Twelve hours, twenty-three minutes, and fifty-six seconds." He answered as he laid next to her. She smiled, amused by how he and Data share quirky similarities she found adorable. She began, "You know, you are the definition of 'ride or die' and I'm lucky you're mine." Lore smirked and winked at her, "Told you I'm your eternal." She smiled as she got up, dressed herself and got ready for the meeting in the briefing room. "Oh, my jacket's gone now. I loved that jacket! Damn Borgs." Fenix mumbled with a scowl. Lore quirked an eyebrow and suggested, "Why don't you replicate another one?" She sighed and answered, "Because that jacket was from my dad when I was fourteen... I got it a day before I time-skipped. He and I were heading to Classic Guitars when I spotted that jacket in one of the stores we were walking by. I really wanted it because he had a leather jacket." She chuckled, "I wanted to look like Nikki Sixx." then grinned. "He bought it for me and I loved it... fit me like a glove and I wore it every day since I got it. It made me feel safe, I got to wear a part of my lost life..." She pouted.
"I see. You had fond memories attached to it." He understandingly stated. Her eyes lit up and asked him, "Hey Lore, can I borrow your sweater? I could really use some comfort after yesterday." He quirked an eyebrow and answered, "Why not? You'll need something to keep you warm but you'll be swimming in it." She smiled and replied, "It can't be THAT big, I'm not that much smaller than you, and it'll feel cozy." He grinned at her naïve observations and threw his sweater at her and grabbed another one for himself. She pulled it over her white t-shirt and sure enough, it was loose on her slender, small frame but somehow, she managed to look good in it. Lore raised his eyebrows realizing he liked seeing her wearing his clothes. He watched her pull the sleeves all the way down. Her hands were completely hidden and giggled at how much longer his arms were, "Okay, so I my guess was wrong... But wow, it's really comfy and soft." She sniffed the sweater and commented, "You smell like..." Her eyebrows knit together in confusion, "...You smell girly." He chuckled and answered, "That would be you. I don't have a scent, and we're always at close proximity, so naturally I take on your scent." She then replied, "Oh." then smiled cheekily.
They made their way to the briefing room and sat down at the table. Deanna eyed Fenix's attire and commented, "That sweater looks really cute on you." Fenix smiled, "Oh thanks!" She leaned towards her and whispered, "It's actually Lore's but don't tell anyone!" Deanna smiled with a nod as she continued, "It's really comfy and so soft. Feel it!" Deanna touched her arm and agreed, "Oh! That is very soft. I wonder what material it is…?" Lore suppressed a chuckle at their exchanges. I don't care much for organics, but if Fenix is happy, then I'm happy. Once everyone got settled, Picard asked for her to share what she learned. She began, "Okay guys, so when I was getting hacked up by the Borg, I felt the crystalline entity and this time, it triggered memories that were embedded in me of my origins, totally gnarly right? And it showed me things... Get this, I was originally created on the planet Electi Illiusia in the Semita Caeleste system." Riker commented, "Electi Illiusia? I've heard of it before... but I thought that was just a legend?" Data added, "Semita Caeleste is an obscure system. It is said to be 'so far away' that no one has been able to voyage there, even if we capable of doing such, the entire system is protected by a barrier of 'cloud' that is called the 'draco nidum', so the legend states." Fenix answered, "That's right, Data. There's a reason why it's a legend. The whole system was destroyed by the crystalline entity. Electi Illiusians were an extremely advanced civilization, and I mean way beyond our comprehension, but they were also dying. They lost their ability to procreate. They created androids to entrust the memories of the original inhabitants so their history won't die off. Half the population were androids and they lived in harmony. But they were also in an arms race with a neighbouring planet. That's where the crystalline entity comes in. They knew how powerful the crystalline entity was, so they enslaved it. They wanted to create the ultimate weapon of mass destruction... something that could destroy planets and have complete control over." Everyone in the room listened intently, Lore and Data stared at her as they absorbed the information.
"The greatest minds of Electi Illiusia found a way to harness the power of the crystal and infused their amiable genetic qualities within it. Initially they wanted to bestow this power to an android seeing that they were the more durable. Before they could, they lost control of the crystalline entity. It sought revenge and attacked them and the rest of the planets in Semita Caeleste, but not before the lead scientist (the one who embedded his memories into the refined crystalline energy- I'm going to call it RCE for short, much easier, you know?) sent it into space... The RCE catalogued its journey from when it left Electi Illiusia." Fenix's eyes were almost in daze as she recalled the memories she never knew she had, "It travelled for countless years, until it ended up on Earth. There, my biological mother was picked from millions to be unknowingly implanted with the RCE so her first-born would bear the powers of the RCE. I... am that offspring." Fenis finished with a smiled. Lore smirked. I knew it! I knew you were more than human this whole time, Fenix… my Celestial Queen… Picard commented, "This is incredible. I've read something similar to this years ago, but it was considered nothing more than folklore. Then again, folklores originate from something that was once real at one point." She smiled, her eyes were wild, "Oh, this is very real. So, my momma banged a dude and then I was born. I have no idea who they are to this day." Fenix finished. Her eyebrows knit together wishing she new her birth parents.
"Bravo, Celestial Queen! Bravo! I really do miss Electi Illiusia, such a beautiful place... with extraordinary minds... It was truly beautiful." Q reminisced, "Humanoids and androids coexisting peacefully. It was a world filled with you and Lore. Now you know why you have an affinity towards androids, and why they're so drawn to you." He looked at Lore and Data and continued, "The RCE altered the human genome and gave you enhanced abilities, an evolution if you will. But it also altered the RCE as well. 'Celestial Queen', here..." He pointed at Fenix, "...was supposed to be able to destroy planets just like the crystalline entity but because she ended up being organic and not an android, she lost her original power. She's only about half as powerful as she was meant to be. Lore was unharmed from the blast, because that energy was meant to be originally bestowed onto an android. You're basically a walking self-regenerating battery for androids. I'm sure you felt rather... energized by her friendly-fire, didn't you, Lore?" Q questioned and put him on the spot. Lore looked around the room and answered, "Yeah, I did. It was exhilarating and... uplifting." Q then commanded, "Fenix, do what you did to Lore, onto Data this time, obviously on a much smaller scale, I know you're dying to know under that self-righteous glare." he taunted. Fenix sighed and walked around the table so she was behind Data. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, closed her eyes and focused her energy. She started to emit a bright light that engulfed her and Data. She then hunched over his shoulders, the light disappearing. Data's eyes widened, his expression was a cross between shock and excitement, "Intriguing..." he whispered. His expression of excitement quickly turned into concern as he asked, gently touching her arms, "Fenix? Are you alright?" She answered as she stood upright, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just... I just got a little dizzy. I'm probably just tired from yesterday and I still haven't eaten yet." She composed herself and sat back down beside Lore, he looked at her concerned. "Oops, I forgot... It's because your biological, if she was synthetic, she'd be perfectly fine. Dear Fenix, I suggest you don't over use your power unless you're in a pinch, you will hurt yourself." Q added. Lore remembered how slow she regenerated after the incident as his eyebrows knit together in worry. Fenix sarcastically remarked, "Sweet, thank you so much for the heads up... Hey captain, can I eat those croissants? I kind of need some sustenance after that." Picard answered still annoyed with Q, "Yes, yes. Go right ahead." Q then continued with a melancholy look on his face, "It's quite sad, really. She's the only remnant left of the legendary planet, her origins obliterated for none to know about the once revered, feared and magical race of humanoids with technological advancements people could only dream of... only to become nothing more than just a folklore..." Q looked into Fenix's sad purple eyes and kindly smiled, "You have their eyes you know? Electi Illiusians had beautiful purple eyes." Fenix smiled, "By the way, Lore's sweater looks devastatingly cute on you." then he disappeared as he winked them good-bye.
Fenix then nonchalantly commented as she took a bite out of a croissant, "Huh... So, I'm basically a chimera... part human, part Electi Illiusian, and part crystalline entity that holds the memories of the most elite scientist from a legendary planet." She swallowed the croissant and cheered, "Far out, dude! Honestly, when I was getting cut up on the Borg Cube, I fell into a dark place... If Lore hadn't come, I would've been stuck... even with the Crystalline Entity urging me to fight back. It's true, you know? Saved me, he did." Lore faintly smiled upon hearing her speak candidly. She took another bite of her croissant and remarked, "Seriously, what is up with this table? It's so... rickety." and finished off the last croissant. Riker cleared his throat and answered, "Um... Lore was rather upset when we wouldn't let him transport onto the Borg Cube." Fenix looked at Lore and snickered, she said, "When we were on Ten No Meiyo, he got kidnapped by monks. I was losing my shit when I thought that he was in actual danger only to find out he just wanted to play God and drink the sacred sake. Karma's a bitch ain't it, Lore?" and smirked. Lore looked at her incredulously then smirked at his defeat and responded, "Well played, Fenix. Well played." Data faintly smirked as he added, "Fenix:1 Lore:1 They are tied." and everyone burst out laughing. Fenix leaned forward and raised her hand to high five Data and he did. Everyone looked at them curiously as they kept laughing. Lore was looking unimpressed so Fenix pecked him on the cheek and smiled at him batting her eyelashes innocently. He couldn't keep pouting when he saw her mischievous smile so he shamelessly and passionately kissed her in front of everyone making the women blush with Riker whistling at the couple. When Lore finished the kiss, he licked his lips then flashed Data a cocky grin and raised his eyebrows. He blankly stared back at Lore, then caught the blush on Fenix's cheeks, then his eyebrows knit together. Deanna pinched the bridge of her nose at the tension between the brothers and sighed.
Picard ordered everyone out of the briefing room with a chuckle deciding the meeting was finished. Data looked to Fenix and their eyes met, he demanded politely, "Fenix, I need to speak with you immediately." She looked surprised and asked, "What? Now? Sure... Where do you want to go?" "My quarters, please." Data answered then he looked to Lore, "I am sorry dear brother but this is urgent." Fenix gave him a reassuring look as Data took her hand and guided her away from him. Lore mentioned, Lore scowled at the sight as his brother held her hand then left for the holodeck. He needed to let off some steam and kill some Borgs.
Data and Fenix reached his quarters and sat down on the couch. Fenix asked, "So, Data, what did you want to talk to me about?" He looked at her eyes and began, "The Electi Illiusians created androids, they coexisted peacefully... you have some of their... genetics. Is that why I always felt something towards you?" Fenix looked around the room and searched for words, "I'm not sure, it's quite possible. I know the reason why I got a soft spot for androids, but Q said they were 'magical' maybe there's more to it than we'll ever know. Maybe something about them attracted androids since they created them to replace the dying people of Electi Illiusia... But ultimately, how did you feel about me initially?" His eyebrows knit together as the thought, "I was part of the away-team when we visited Omicron Theta. We were there to investigate the area until we ran into you and Lore's home. That is where I first saw Polaroid photos of the two of you. Initially, I was excited to know there was another one of my kind. Then, when I looked at the photo of you, I felt a magnetic pull. I wanted to... get to know you. I could not pinpoint what I felt at the time, but recalling those memories with my newly acquired abilities to feel some emotions, I understand. I also took some of the photos." She touched his hand in understanding. He continued, "Fenix, I know my feelings for you will not subside, I still stand by my convictions. I love you. But I am also aware that you are committed to my brother. I apologize for my earlier actions when I kissed you, but I must know. Why did you let me kiss you?" Fenix sighed knowing he was going to inevitably ask her. She took a deep breath and answered, "When you told me about your thoughts on immortality, it was what I thought about endlessly. I confided in Lore as you confided in me, and he was the one that promised me to stand by my side as time changed around us while we didn't. I felt... A part of me desperately wanted to be the one you could hold onto, just as Lore did for me... but I knew I couldn't be everything you want me to be because I'm with him. I kissed you because... I understood. I understood how you felt, I knew I was going to break your heart, but ultimately..." Data searched her eyes desperately as she continued, "...I wanted to kiss you. I wanted to kiss you because I have feelings for you. But it can never happen again." She finished as tears welled in her eyes.
She stood up and added, "Data, I'm sorry I can't be with you. But... I really hope you'll still be my best friend... I enjoy spending time with you." Data stood facing her, he face tilted down avoiding his gaze as she spoke, "And I too, feel a connection with you which I'm sure you felt before. I'll always want you to be part of my never-ending life." She finished and smiled kindly at him. His arms lifted, encasing her in an embrace, he then softly admitted, "You make me wish I were an only child. You make it very difficult for me to not kiss you." he tenderly nuzzled into her hair with a sigh, "I understand logically every word you are saying and I agree, but my emotions do not agree. My analytical thought processes are conflicting with my emotions." he finished as he gently touched the side of her face.
"However, I have and always will be your best friend. As much as I wish for this to be more, I will take whatever attentions you are willing to give me I because I love you, Fenix Soong." She blinked, accidentally letting a tear escape. He gently wiped her runaway tear from her cheek, "I know you cannot reciprocate the love I have for you but... I love you." he finished and kissed her forehead, then embraced her tenderly. She felt her body temperature rise, and her breathing was unsteady as she felt torn once again. She gathered up her courage and responded, "Thank you Data, you're so... sweet." You're so sweet it hurts, I feel terrible for breaking your heart… I don't deserve your kindness. "Maybe you, me and Lore can hang out like old times later on." she suggested as she slowly pulled away from his loving arms. He looked at her with longing, his innocent yellow eyes searched her own purple ones, "Yes, I would enjoy that..." then flickered to her lips.
"…but... I am afraid if you stay any longer, I will be tempted to do something that I know is not... appropriate." he warned as he grazed his thumb over her lips as he began leaning in. She smiled with a nod as she existed his quarters, leaving Data standing in his on contemplation staring at the door. With the thumb that just touched her lips he pressed his own lips and closed his eyes. I wish you had stayed...
Fenix walked back to her room to not find Lore there, so she checked the holodeck and sure enough, he was there fighting hologram Borgs on Omicron Theta while listening to Rammstein. She didn't join him this time, still feeling a bit vulnerable from recent events. Instead, she at on a boulder and watched him fight shirtless. He noticed her watching him. As he continued fighting, he asked, "So, what did Data want? Besides you." He added spitefully. She winced at his choice of words and replied, "He wanted to know more about Electi Illiusians and their relationship with androids... if that's why he was drawn to me and what not." she casually spoke. He snickered and asked with a bit more aggression, "That can't be all, Fenix. What else did he say to you?" And twisted the neck of a Borg.
"Naughty Fenix tries to keep secrets, the more she hides the more she regrets." he warned in a sing-song fashion, then punch through the face of a hologram Borg. She averted her eyes from his violent behaviour and answered, "He agreed that we should still remain friends even though I chose you." She proceeded to leave the holodeck but was stopped by Lore who jumped in her way and ended the program, licked his teeth then proceeded, "That's right, little Fenix. You have chosen me, Lore. As I've chosen you before." He touched the side of her face similar to how Data did. "Do I have to remind you that you're mine? Did you forget I was the one that rescued you from the Borgs? I'll be happy to jog that memory of yours, my Celestial Queen." and grabbed her by the back of her neck and kissed her. He overpowered her with ease as he proceeded to undo her pants and slid his hand in, massaging her wet lips. Her voice hitched high, he held her close using his own body to hold her up as he continued skilfully massaged her slick womanhood and whispered in her ear, "Do I have to remind you that I altered my programming to cater to your specific needs?" She couldn't answer him as she felt immense please, her voice raising as she came close to her orgasm. He loved watching her face contort in pleasure knowing that it was he giving her pleasure. She came into his hand and he grinned victoriously then suckled her neck, briefly giving her a love-bite. Grinning as he watched it disappear in moments. It still intrigues me to this day... Too bad they don't stay. If they did, it would signify to everyone that it was I who created those love bites. He licked his fingers clean and commented, "Everyone's right, you do look cute in my sweater." and kissed her once more and she tasted herself oh his tongue. "Let's go to 10-forward. We need to get you fed." and he pinched her bum.
Lore and Fenix were sitting at the counter at 10-forward having a few drinks and eating some burgers. She had her sleeves rolled up and her hair pushed back as she hungrily tucked into her plate of burgers. He watched her with sad yet possessive eyes. I feel like Data's trying to take you away form me… I feel powerless to stop him… You're my one true love and I am yours. I feel it and I know you do too. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear seeing it fall into her way as she was about to take another bite. She smiles at him and her eyes shine playfully. He too, can't help but smile. I do trust you, Fenix… I see the way you blush when I do certain things. I know you love me. She finished her third burger and guzzled down the beer. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she wiped her hands off with a napkin. Lore smirked warmly. Mymessy, bottomless pit. You're too adorable. "Is that better?" He asked. She nodded feeling fully satisfied, "Way better." and patted her full tummy. "Thanks, Lore." Feeling vulnerable, he pulled her into his arms and nipped her neck.