"Lieutenant, join me in here please."

"On my way." When Leo arrived in front of the captain's desk she couldn't help but notice his expression, as if he were holding something important back.

"What do you need?" The angst she'd put between them had evaporated with surprising speed as Leo had begun to realize that there'd been no need for it at all.

"Please arrange transport to Starfleet Academy," he recited the star date, "for myself and the following command staff: Commander LaForge and Commander Data. And include yourself as well. Accommodations have already been arranged; you'll be receiving the details shortly."

She'd been noting the names, though wondering why he was relating the information verbally rather than via datalink, until she heard her own name. "Myself sir?" While it wasn't unusual for her to accompany the captain on various diplomatic missions Leo couldn't imagine what at the Academy would require her presence.

"But of course, Lieutenant," the captain smiled widely, confusing Leo even more, "We can't have the second officer of the Enterprise accepting the Cochrane Award without his wife in attendance."

Leo nearly dropped her PADD. "Excuse me sir? The Cochrane Award?"

As in, Starfleet's Zephram Cochrane Award, awarded only when warranted and only for achievements that literally shifted the technological paradigm, the latest having been bestowed to acknowledge the most recent advance in warp technology several decades ago.

"Yes, Lieutenant." Picard's expression made his pleasure more than evident, "Commander LaForge and Commander Data will share the honor with Commander Bruce Maddox, with official Federation commendation of Pran and Juliana Tainer for their contributions as well."

Leo still had no idea exactly what Data and Geordi had been working on for so long, to the utter exclusion of their routine duties. "I'll get right on it." She paused before returning to her office. "So am I official, or un?" It made all the difference in what she'd be allowed to wear.

Picard was feeling generous. "Your discretion, Lieutenant."


"And tonight we recognize those individuals who have given to Starfleet more than could be expected." One of the numberless dignitaries at the top echelon of the Federation was playing emcee.

Geordi and Data sat a bit straighter as Leo muttered to them, "Wow, I hope he can contain all that enthusiasm..."

Geordi, seated to her left, elbowed her sharply. Data, who had not engaged his e-chip nonetheless believed that if he were sitting next to Leo, and not once removed to the right of Captain Picard, he may have considered doing the same thing even as an android. She had, after all, promised to "behave" even in the presence of "enough empty suits to fulfill a million prom rentals".

"The Cochrane Award is not bestowed lightly. It is not awarded frequently. But the advances achieved by tonight's Cochrane honorees leave no room for doubt. The potential for cybernetic advancement in AI development and global positronic adaptation that has been proven by these valued members of Starfleet and their associates must not go unmarked. Commander Bruce Maddox of the Daystrom Institute, Commander Geordi LaForge and Commander Data of the USS Enterprise, to you we grant our highest technical honor, the Zephram Cochrane Award, with special acknowledgment of the contribution of Doctors Pran and Juliana Tainer."

Applause filled the enormous holo-auditorium (it had to be enormous, to admit representatives from every Federation member planet together with every Starfleet dignitary imaginable) in Starfleet's home base in San Francisco, Planet Earth, UFP.

The Federation dignitary continued, "This team has achieved advancement in the field of positronic cybernetics that will help to define a new paradigm in their use by Starfleet."

Leo smirked. "'Use', yeah, I was waiting for that."

This time it was Picard who "elbowed" Leo via a sharp, raised-eyebrow glare.

"We now invite the honorees to share their perceptions of this achievement with all of us."

That was the official invitation. Geordi, Data, and Maddox (who was seated with the Daystrom Institute contingent which included, unofficially, Pran and Juliana Tainer) rose and went to the podium.

Bruce Maddox spoke first. "I could say a great deal about the defining theories put forth by Doctors Tainer and Tainer, and their invaluable contributions to this project," he nodded in their direction, "but I believe the primary recognition should be directed toward Commanders Geordi LaForge and Data, of the USS Enterprise. Without their participation, indeed, without Commander Data's very existence and willingness to offer himself for study, our new knowledge would never have been achieved."

Geordi stepped up to the podium, a little unsure of what to say. He'd been rehearsing an acceptance speech for days, but now it felt pretty dry, so he abandoned plan and ad libbed.

"Science is an array of accidents, lucky enough to be observed by those who might make sense of them. To achieve that, we need people willing to take the risk of being wrong. I can't say I'm all that willing to be wrong," a ripple of polite laughter ran throught the assembly, "but I'm always willing to take a risk for the right reasons. But if it weren't for the partnership of my colleague," here he paused, and decided that personal considerations must be acknowledged, "and friend Commander Data, there would have been no risk to take, and no reason to take it, and nothing to be learned." He motioned for Data to stand beside him. "We share this award for good reason; it would not have been possible without all of us."

Now Data stood before the full Starfleet and Federation assembly. He was not unaccustomed to public speaking, but very unaccustomed to being the focus of the attention of such a multitude.

"Friends and colleagues," he began, consciously choosing the order, "I am honored, as are my fellow scientists, to be before you here. I cannot claim credit for my form or creation," here he looked pointedly in the direction of Juliana and Pran, "but I am pleased to have been able to take advantage of my nature to the advancement of others." He chose not to mention the advancement of other non-organic humanoids, being fully aware of the limitations of humanoid acceptance. "On this occasion I must also acknowledge the contributions of my fellow crew and the commander of the Enterprise Captain Picard, who have provided me collectively and individually with support and opportunity beyond all expectations." Data paused then, and only Geordi at his side and Leo sitting out in front could notice the "twitch" as the e-chip was engaged. "And, especially, I must thank my wife, Lieutenant Leora Eileen O'Reilly-Soong, whose patience, encouragement, and love have guided me further than any science alone might allow. If you will allow me," he addressed the assembly, then focused where Leo sat, "Grazie, cara mia, ti amo."

Leo thought she would bust out crying then and there with pride, and love, and a million other things even a human couldn't hope to define, but she managed to hold it together. I would love no other she mouthed silently, knowing Data would see.

Noting Leo's expression Picard leaned toward her. "Well spoken don't you think, Mrs. Soong?" he whispered.

Leo smiled sidelong at the captain, "He has his moments." Returning her attention to where Data, Geordi, and Maddox stood rather awkwardly basking in the thunderous applause she added, "Only millions of 'em."