Geordi could feel a dense feeling in his chest like something was stretching his heart out; trying to rip it apart. Of course Data couldn't feel anything. He knew this. So why did he even think about it?

Data still had not responded. Instead, he got up and took a step toward the spot Lore had fallen after Geordi tackled him. He surveyed the floor until he found what he was looking for. He bent over and picked up the shiny little chip; noticing the faint scuff mark from where it had skittered onto the floor when Lore evidently dropped it. He turned it over in his fingers, studying it; hoping the fall had not affected it's functionality.

Geordi got up and stood next to Data, looking over his shoulder at the chip. It's hardly noteworthy, he thought decidedly.

"Data, what is that thing?" he asked.

"It was the offer." Data said simply.

Geordi's eyes almost bugged out if his VISOR. That little chip for Data's heart? What does it do, make Data able to fire phasers from his fingertips?

"Um, Data..." Geordi prompted. "What does it do?"

"It is an emotion chip. It would make me feel... like a human." Data responded slowly, his eyes still locked on the chip.

Geordi gaped. To make him feel like a human... Data with the ability to love. To love him back. He stood there in a stunned silence. Then he shook his head, trying to clear away the wild fantasies that suddenly showed themselves, having been given new hope. But none of them are even plausible, he told himself.

"So... what do you plan to do with it?" Geordi asked cautiously. He had no idea how Data would react to this.

"I... I believe I wish to integrate it into my systems." Data responded slowly. He looked at Geordi. The engineer's facial expression could be read as anything from hopeful to merely curious. Although Data had become apt at recognizing many human emotions, he had never quite got the hang of reading Geordi. He inferred that the VISOR was the reason for that minor difficulty.

Geordi grinned widely- he couldn't help himself. "Well then let's see what we can do!" He patted Data on the back and stood up to test his legs; which were now stable. He stepped closer to Data to help him up, but then realized that it may be a bit strange; after all, Data was perfectly capable of getting up himself, and he did. For a moment neither one moved.

"Okay let me see this chip now." Geordi said, trying to overcome the now strained feeling of the conversation.

Data held the small piece of metal out to Geordi who took it carefully. He inspected it, trying to learn something about it. It seemed fairly simple to use.

"Okay, it looks like this can be inserted in a number of places, but for the least uncomfortable situation we are going to insert it into the wrist." Geordi told Data, who just cocked his head in response.

"Geordi, I do not fe-"

"You will once the chip is in, and we don't want the first emotion you experience to be an awkward one." Geordi continued hurriedly. He looked expectantly at Data, who held out his arm and rolled up his sleeve. Geordi stared briefly at the android before him, contemplating the consequences. With this new emotion chip, Data could just as easily dislike him as he could like him. To have a newly emotional Data not able to stand him was a horrible possibility that Geordi would have to risk.

He gently took Data's arm and moved his fingers along the side, searching for the edge of the small plate on his forearm. He found it and pried it open as carefully as he could.

"Are you sure about this?" Geordi asked Data nervously. Was he having second thoughts?

"I am positive, Geordi." Data responded promptly. He would have twitched impatiently if he were human, but seeing as he was not; his eyes locked onto the chip in Geordi's hand.

"Then here we go."

Geordi placed the chip into his friend's arm and searched until he found the wire he was looking for. He connected it.

"Anything?"

Data shook his head. "I do not feel significantly different."

Geordi pulled another wire over and attached it to the chip and was immediately shocked and thrown backward. As he hit the floor, he looked up just in time to see Data fall to the ground. He jumped back up as soon as possible and ran over to the crumpled form of the android.

"Data?" He shook Data helplessly. "DATA?"

Data sat up stiffly. He stared straight ahead, not looking at the engineer beside him.

"Are you alright?" Geordi asked worriedly. Oh god, what have I done to him?

"Geordi... What is this?" Data's eyes remained in the space before him, trying to figure out what the particular tickling feeling in his synthetic heart was. Instantaneously, his mind filled with thoughts; none of which he had ever experienced before. He briefly remembered Lal and how she had told him of her wondrous programs evolved above his own capabilities. He now completely understood her feelings and felt a gash ripped in his heart from the loss of his creation; his daughter. Data leaned forward, clutching at his head with his hands. His eyes were clenched shut, not wanting to produce any new strong emotions. All the years of pain, sorrow, and anguish. Feelings of guilt and helplessness. He felt so much he thought he would burst. The emotions attacked his mind like a tsunami, and Data was drowning quickly.

Geordi watched Data shaking on the floor and tried to reach him.

"Commander? You're alright! Come on, you can do this. You're human, you know you've always wanted this. Don't give in now. Oh god, DATA!" He yelled hysterically. He held back the tears forming rapidly in his eyes, knowing the possibility of shorting out his VISOR. He blinked them away and put his hands on Data's. "Please..."

Data fought through the swirling emotions and slowly brought his head up. His eyes were still shut tightly and he was trembling.

Geordi pulled Data's hands away from his slightly mussed hair and held them firmly in his own.

"Just look at me."

Data was still terrified. He struggled to open his eyes but found he could not. He was in severe shock from the sudden blast of new information for his neural networks. He hung his head down again in shame.

Geordi let go of one of his hands and lifted Data's chin up. "Commander Data. Open your eyes."

The commanding tone triggered Data's programming. He immediately complied and opened his eyes, enabling his vision functions. He halted his movements. The sight of the engineer spread a warmth through him, giving him a fuzzy feeling. His hands automatically gripped Geordi's in return. He tilted his head in curiosity; he had the strangest compulsion to be closer to the man before him. This is what the humans conceive as friendship? Data questioned. No, this feeling is specific.

Geordi noticed the change and gave Data a soft smile. "You did it."

"Affirmative." Data paused. He felt a burning sensation as he looked at the engineer. Looking through his files on human behavior, he categorized this emotion as desire. He obviously thought of his friend as a potential partner, but doubts came to his mind. What if Geordi didn't want him? He had always been there for him through their time on the Enterprise. Geordi was admittedly one of the kindest people on board, but he felt that something special may have been directed towards himself that nobody else received. "Geordi, may I inquire as to how you feel about me?"

Geordi almost laughed, but his heart skipped a beat. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I now recognize the signs of affection you have showed me as we have served together. I am able interpret these as a gesture of more than mere friendship. Have I assumed incorrectly? That might be fairly devastating." Data was holding onto Geordi's hands with a little more force than was necessary. He wanted this. He was finally able to realize he needed this more than anything else in the universe. Geordi was the most interesting human he had ever interacted with, and now he felt the small place in his mind where his desires for Geordi slept fully awaken and take over. His prime directive shifted to the engineer kneeling in front of him, who was obviously contemplating a response.

"Data, if you're trying to get at something more than friendship here, I think this isn't a good time." Geordi averted his gaze as he spoke. "You may think you feel something for me right now due to your new sensations and it's overwhelming you. You just think you love me right now because it's new to you." He removed his hands from Data's reluctantly.

Data ruminated the statement. "If you are correct, then your meaning is that I would feel such desires towards any member of this crew."

Geordi started. "Desires?" he questioned, feeling that small ray of hope burning brighter than before.

"I want to be closer to you. I do not simply want to be your friend, but much more than that; I feel requirements of a romantic nature towards your being. Physically, I-"

Geordi's dark cheeks seemed to redden. "Whoa whoa whoa, I don't need the details. But you really... you want this?"

Data nodded. "Geordi La Forge, it would appear that I am in love with you."

Geordi almost fell over. "Data..." he whispered. "Data, I love you too."

Data's heart almost leapt from his chest again as he took in the sight of his friend's face only inches from his own. A peculiar human custom popped into his mind, and he had the overwhelming urge to try it. He leaned forward and tilted his head to press his lips against Geordi's.

Geordi didn't react; his mind went completely blank. He sat there unmoving for a few seconds before Data hastily pulled away.

"My apologies, Geordi. I do not know why I attempted that." Data felt a new emotion overcome him; embarrassment. He turned his head away from Geordi and tried to think of a proper explanation for his actions.

Geordi finally found his voice. "No, Data that was… you didn't do anything wrong! I was just a bit taken aback, that's all."

"No, I am aware I have acted out of my normal parameters and I intend to compensate for my ac-"

Geordi was the one to lean forward this time. His lips met Data's mid-sentence, and Data immediately stopped talking and tugged at Geordi's uniform sleeve.

So this is how I can get him to be quiet, Geordi thought amusedly. He wrapped his arms around Data to pull him in even closer; his body pressed against the infatuated android's.

Data was obsessed with this new sensation. While he had certainly kissed before, it had never felt quite like this; it was wonderful.

When they eventually broke apart, Geordi was panting softly. Data curled up against Geordi's chest contentedly and reached for his hand again. Taking Data's hand, Geordi absentmindedly caressed Data's hair with the other, smoothing it out where it had been ruffled.

"These human interactions of yours; they are quite enjoyable," Data said idly.

"Yes, they certainly are."

Data moved away and sat up. "Will Captain Picard approve of this situation?" he asked worriedly.

Geordi started to respond and then thought the question over. "Of what, our relationship or the new chip?"

"Either could be an inconvenience."

"Of course he will approve; he does what is best for his crew, and this chip could be useful. We all know you and social interactions." Geordi teased. "Picard is a very reasonable man and you know that. As for the relationship; we all know Riker and Troi are together and he doesn't seem be against that. I'm sure we are no different."

Data nodded. "That is true," he agreed. Then he hesitated. Something was nagging him and he had to, as the humans put it, get it off his chest. "Geordi… I have never been in an emotional relationship before. I may not be an adequate partner, as I have noted in the past."

"Data, I can help you with this. I don't expect you to do everything right on the first try. Heck, I'm normally the one who needs guidance. But don't worry. We are going to make this work."

Data opened his mouth and started to speak but stopped. His hands moved to his face, covering his mouth.

"What are you doing?" Geordi inquired.

"I believe I had an unforeseen reaction to your response." Data's voice was muffled.

"What?"

"I appear to be smiling."

Geordi laughed and tried to tug Data's hands away from his face, but halted. He had never seen a genuine smile directed towards him from the android, and he realized Data wasn't used to this at all.

"Data, smiling is not something to be ashamed of." Geordi reassured. "You see humans do it all the time."

"This is a new concept. Please allow me to process it."

Geordi sighed, but he was still grinning.

"I have been successful in integrating this new sub-routine into my program." Data informed Geordi. "I see no reason to continue, yet I am still smiling. Is it contagious?"

"Well no, but some people believe that laughter is." Geordi kidded. He heard a strange noise from Data, stifled by his hand. It sound suspiciously like a snicker. "That must seem pretty funny to you," he went on. "A simple noise of amusement being transferred to other people when they hear it. It's not very logical."

Data continued making the noise. Geordi had the urge to take advantage of it.

"Now Data, I want you to imagine Commander Riker in a swimsuit designed for a human female."

Data's quieted giggles suddenly turned to outright laughter, making him remove his hands from his face and clutch his stomach. It is quite a pleasing thing; to laugh, he managed to think. Although the image of Commander Riker is comically unpleasing.

Geordi started laughing, too. The ridiculousness of it all- Lore, the chip, Data's laughter; it all made him think this was all some kind of strange dream. He may be passed out on the floor from the effects of the virus and he wouldn't know it, but something told him this was all real.

Data's laugher slowly ceased. Geordi quieted as well, enjoying the presence the android. They sat there contentedly on the floor in Data's quarters, neither wanting to break the spell. Minutes passed, maybe an hour, before Data spoke.

"Geordi, I believe I am going to like this installation," Data stated with satisfaction.

"I think I will, too," Geordi responded sincerely.

Data smiled.