Captain Gone AWOL

As it transpired it wasn't either of the delegations who were wrecking havoc with the ship. It was an entity that had somehow been picked up in the ship's circuitry. Singh's death had been an accident. Picard had even taken leave of his senses and tried to join the entity in space.

After the entity had abandoned him, Picard would have perished had Data not envisaged a way to try and bring him back. Yar had remained at her station while Riker, Data and Deanna had raced off down to the transport room. Using Picard's physical pattern, which the computer had stored when he'd first beamed out, Data was able to retrieve Picard's energy signature from the transporter relays. Riker had been doubtful it would work but decided to give it a shot.

Miraculously it worked, the captain reappeared somewhat tired and confused. Yar couldn't believe it when she saw Picard had returned. She'd only left her post to come and inform Riker that all hell had broken loose among the delegates. The Anticans had murdered and tried to broil one of the Selay delegates and really Yar needed Riker's insight on this.

Picard left the matter to Riker and went on his way to sickbay. As Riker and Yar went to deal with the problem she asked: "How did he get back onboard the ship?". Riker explained that Data's theory had proven correct and that it was Data who had rescued the captain.

Yar felt admiration flutter in her chest for the very capable droid and made a mental note to herself that she would pay him that visit she'd tried to bestow on him earlier.

My Good Woman

At 22.00 hours Yar and Data were both relieved by the next shift crew. Without consciously doing it, the pair fell into step together as they made their way to the turbo lift. Data stood back and motioned that Yar should enter the lift first. Smiling she gave Data a little nod and went ahead of him.

"Are you going to the habitation deck?" Yar asked.

"Negative Lieutenant, I am planning on going to the holodeck for recreation and study" he replied. Internally Yar had an 'ah-ha' moment and said without thinking of the implications "Going back to the Sherlock Holmes simulation?".

Data looked perplexed as he processed this bit of information and something became obvious to him, how had she known about that? Indeed, he had referenced Holmes in the meeting and made a great show of his new found knowledge, but he could have easily obtained that information from downloading the novels into his brain. How had she known that he had gone to the holodecks to roleplay as the great detective?

"Inquiry Lieutenant Yar, how did you know about that program on the holodeck?" Data asked inquisitively. Yar felt a dropping sensation in her stomach, clearly, she would have to tell him she'd gone looking for him. As she recalled what had been her earlier intentions towards him, she felt a little awkward and shifted her weight slightly.

"Oh... I just, well you see, um... I had something to ask you about Antican culture" she lied nervously. Data was quick to respond "Curious, but Lieutenant Yar you have been studying about the Antican culture for weeks now and are well versed in their cultural heritage, what could you have possibly wanted to ask me that you didn't already know?".

Yar felt her mind draw a blank, she'd been caught in her lie and couldn't muster a reasonable cover question. She hesitated for a second before thinking 'to hell with it'. "Actually Data, I came to see you, I saw that you were in holodeck four running that simulation."

Data paused for a moment as if he was using too much RAM. He looked deliciously dorky and tantalisingly vulnerable when he made this face. "Why were you looking for me Tasha?" he asked. Yar felt her stomach tighten as he was no longer addressing her formally. He had called her Tasha. The last time he had called her Tasha he had still been inside of her and he was asking if she'd liked it and would she enjoy him trying a different technique.

Hearing her name said like that, it made her think of a lover's whisper. It was just the way he said it. Data emphasised the 'Ta' in her name, he rolled the 's' sensually over his tongue before ending her name in a sing-song Ah. Like the noise, you make when exhaling to relax or an 'ah' of satisfaction. Yar looked at him, her blue eyes hungry to hear him say her name again.

Before she could speak the door swept open and they were on the holodeck. Data didn't wait for a reply but proffered his arm to her like a Victorian gentleman. "Perhaps Miss Tasha you would care to join me in some recreational roleplay?". Relieved she didn't have to tell him she'd been coming to jump his bones, she took his arm lightly and smiled "Why I'd be delighted Mr Data!".

They walked together to the door of holodeck four and as Data was about to tap in the program Yar broke in "Why don't we do a less traditional version of Holmes? Deanna showed me an amazing adaption of the story called Sherlock from the 21st century. It was considered to be one of the best adaptions of that century."

Data tapped the holodeck panel and then looked at Yar with his penetrating amber eyes. "I think you would make an excellent Irene Adler alias 'the Woman!' he said. Yar grinned and nodded "I put myself in your capable hands Data," she said. The holodeck door opened and the two stepped in.

Author's note: If you've seen Sherlock you might guess what's coming next. Next chapter will be fairly racy soooooo maybe don't read on if you are of a delicate disposition. This chapter is shorter too I was worried that maybe my chapters were too long. Also having trouble updating chapters and it is driving me mad because I keep trying to fix typos.