What is a "Soul Mate"?

Counselor's Log, Stardate: 52689.5: We're en route to the Hadassah System for much needed shore leave. Captain Data has invited Captain William Riker and his wife, Deanna of the USS Titan. He's also invited Ambassador Jean-Luc Picard and his wife Beverly Crusher-Picard. Personally for me, it will be nice having the old Enterprise crew back. But the Captian seems a little on edge lately. I have yet to know why. Kantar out.

Counselor Aidan Kantar was practicing her daily meditation ritual when the door to her quarters chimed.

"Come in."

A tall, built android with gold pale skin and gold yellow eyes entered the room.

"Data." Aidan greeted, rather surprised. "What brings you here this morning?"

"Greetings, Aidan." Data greeted back. "I have a dilemma that concerns me. Do you have a minute to talk?"

"Of course, Captain. Have a seat." She motioned the Captain of the USS Enterprise-E to sit down.

When Data was first assigned to the Enterprise, he was Lt. Commander under the command of former Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Now Picard is Ambassador to Starfleet Federation and his first officer, Commander William Riker, now commands the USS Titan. Data has now been in command of the Enterprise for about 5 years with his best friend, Geordi La Forge, as his first officer. Data took a seat in the Counselor's chair.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Captain?"

"I have been having these strange recurring dreams."

"What type of dreams?"

"I am walking on an odd bridge with large, golden towers." Data began.

"Golden towers?" Aidan repeated.

"It is nighttime, if I can recall." Data continued. "I am wearing a tuxedo."

"A tuxedo?"

"Yes, and I am carrying a rose."

Aidan smiled. "Sounds to me like you're having a romantic dream."

Data looked thoughtful. "A Romantic Dream?"

"From the way you're describing it," Aidan replied. "Have you painted some pictures about it?"

"Several. One such is a portrait of a young woman."

"Does she appear in your dreams?"

"All the time."

"Is she beautiful?"

"Very. In the dream, she and I are, as you say, a couple."

"How serious is the relationship?"

"I do not know. Possibly to the point where…." Data stopped mid-sentence to regard his next train of thought. "…I almost felt human when I was near her."

Aidan looked at Data in amazement. "Data, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were in love."

"But I never met her."

"I don't think it really matters," Aidan said. "You dreamed about this woman, painted her, know what she looks like. Could you say you have found your Soulmate?"

"What is a 'Soulmate'?" Data asked.

"You don't know what that term means?"

"No, I do not, Counselor." Data thought for a moment. "Although, I have heard the term used very often around my friends, Captain Riker and his wife, Deanna."

Aidan smiled. "It sort of means, that a man and a woman were destined to be together. Even if that man and woman doesn't know it themselves."

"I still do not understand."

Before Aidan could respond, Data's communicator sounded.

Vale to Captain Data

"Come in Lt. Vale." Data responded.

Captain William Riker and Counselor Deanna Riker are aboard the Enterprise.

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Data acknowledged. "Will you please escort them to my quarters?"

Yes, sir.

"And have Commander La Forge and Lt. Commander Crusher report to my quarters as well. " Data added. "You have the Bridge until, then, Lt. Vale."

Of course, Captain. Vale out.

Data closed the communication and looked at his counselor apologetically.

"I am sorry I need to cut our conversation short, Addy." He said.

Aidan Kantar shrugged it off. "That's all right." She said. "I'm sure you, Geordi, and Wes are eager to see your old friends. Been a while since you've seen them.

"Five years, eight months, 56 weeks, and 179 days."

"To be precise," The Lyrican Counselor laughed. "Mind if I join you?"

"Certainly." And with that, the Android escorted Aidan to his quarters.