IV.
Heva and Data had toured every single deck by the time midnight had come around. They were now sitting in the mess hall, she was sipping a human gin martini, Data had his usual non-alcoholic Data's Day.
"So, Data." Heva inquired, making Data look up from his drink. "Who was your creator?"
Data set down his glass slowly, knowing that she was already slightly intoxicated. However, he knew that this was an attempt to get to know his personality. This gave Data a feeling of pleasure, he dug deep into his memory, intending to tell her in detail what she wanted to know.
"Well…my creator's name is Doctor Noonien Soong. I was created at the Omicron Theta science colony in 2338."
Heva smiled at him, stars in her eyes. By now, she had had about three of the martinis that Guinan had made. Data was sure that even so, this attempt at gaining knowledge of his past and present being was a positive thing on his part.
She looked at him and took a big gulp from her glass. She wiped her mouth and shook her head rapidly. "That's amazing. Why were you created?"
Data opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the com link.
"Captain Picard to Commander Data, I need you and Lieutenant Brookes on the bridge in fifteen minutes."
Heva looked at him dreamily. "The bridge? Really?"
Data felt panicked. He was sure that if the captain saw her like this, Heva would be taken as an irresponsible person.
"Data?"
"Yes, captain. I will go and get Lieutenant Brookes from her quarters now. Data out."
He walked to the counter to find Guinan. "Guinan? Guinan?"
She came from around the corner and looked at him. "Yes, Data?"
"I need your help. Lieutenant Brookes seems to be fully intoxicated, however her and I are required on the bridge in fifteen minutes. I fear that if the captain sees her in this fashion, he will get a bad impression of her off duty demeanor."
Guinan nodded, "I have just the thing. One moment."
She disappeared beneath the counter of the bar. Data leaned over to try and find her only to jump back as she reappeared with a glass and three bottles.
She pointed to each bottle one by one, naming the liquids within. "Premelene, Voxinil, and Trepolestenol. All are a quick fix for a hang over from an alcoholic beverage. I am sure that mixed together, they will sober her up for her appearance on the bridge." She began to pour significant amounts from each into the glass and mixed them together with a spoonful of sugar. She handed it to Data and rounded the counter to assist him.
Heva was now spinning on her bottom in the chair, staring out into space and giggling uncontrollably. "This is fun!" she squealed.
Data sat beside her. "Heva, you must drink this, we have to go to the bridge in only ten minutes. You must be presentable."
Heva pushed the glass, making Data cover it with his hand to avoid a spill. "I'm fine! The captain will just love my rapport." She began to stand only to be shoved back into the seat by Guinan, who grabbed her nose. "Hey!" she argued.
Guinan motioned for Data to give her the drink. Data began to pour it into her mouth and Heva gagged, but swallowed it. Once it was empty, Guinan let go of Heva's nose and stood back.
Heva shook her whole body and let out a whoop of surprise. She looked at Data then at Guinan.
"Wow! What in God's name was that? It tasted like the cough medicine my mother used to give me."
"It was a detoxifying agent. You and Commander Data are required on the bridge, but you were drunk so.."
Heva blushed and looked down. "Oh my goodness, I didn't think! I should have known that even at this hour my assistance may be needed. Oh, thank you so much…what is your name?" She held out her hand, Guinan shook it.
"I'm Guinan, I work in here. I made your drinks. Heh, I suppose you wouldn't remember at the moment."
Heva stood and nodded. "Well, thank you so much for your help. I'll have to get that recipe from you. I'm not much of a drinker, I'm such a light weight!" she chuckled and followed Data out into the corridor.
Data couldn't help but notice Heva wouldn't look at him. He kept glancing at her to see if she was alright, but couldn't tell. "Are you okay, Lieutenant?"
Heva looked at him, a small smirk on her face. "I usually never drink so much…I must have been acting like a fool! The captain didn't hear me when he called did he?"
Data shook his head. "No, he did not. Even if he did, I would have made up an excuse for your laughter. I do not mind it, I have never gotten drunk myself, but it seems like an interesting experience."
"Not if you're a loony like me. The last time I got drunk like that, I put on my commanding officer's uniform and did an impersonation of him."
Data let out a small laugh, then put a blank expression back on his face. They both walked down the hall in silence before reaching the lift. Once they reached the bridge, they instantly felt an air of excitement around them.
"Ah, there you are!" Captain Picard cried. "We have just entered the uncharted system, take a look. On screen!"
The system came up on the view screen, it made Heva gasp. It was positively beautiful, the stars seemed to be shining in different shades of purple. The planets around them were different shades of blue, purple and green, all of them sported rings around them that glowed like the sunset. The space around them seemed to be light in a starry fog that made every planet look like a nightlight in the mist.
It was so breathtaking that the whole team on the bridge stood in awe of it. Data couldn't help but feel a strong urge to make physical contact with Heva. Resisting, all he could do was look at her. It was then that he felt a desire he never felt before. He felt as though he must take in all of the details on her person to appreciate this moment more than he already did.
He observed the auburn color in her long, wavy hair. Her thin, beautiful face painted in an expression of wonder and amazement. He saw her blue eyes glowing with excitement and surprise, reflecting the mustard yellow of her uniform. Even her rank buttons seemed to shine with a special radiance and pleasure being attached to that collar, so close to her. Her porcelain, milky skin glowing. He felt his mouth gaping and snapped it shut, making a noise that caught her attention and she looked at him. He quickly looked back out at the solar system before them. Glancing to make sure she hadn't noticed anything.
Heva smiled and looked back out herself.
"Isn't it beautiful, Data?"
He looked back at her, he felt all control in his systems failing rapidly. He held on to at least one, but let out one thing he couldn't keep inside. "Yes…you are." He slapped a hand to his mouth, and a nearby Ensign looked at him peculiarly.
"What, Data?" Heva asked.
"Er…" Data sputtered. "I…I said yes. Yes it is."
He then walked to his station and relieved the Ensign sitting there. Heva looked after him, feeling a rush. Had he said what she thought he said?
"Lieutenant," Picard snapped Heva out of her wonderment. "I want you and Commander Data to round up an away team, you are in charge. Especially if you encounter any Borg."
"Sir," Data cut in. "I am picking up no signs of Borg activity. But I am picking up massive organic life forms on the planet closest to us. I am uncertain if they are humanoid or animal creatures."
Jean-Luc nodded. He went to stand beside Brookes, putting a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him and he smiled at her. "I have the utmost confidence in you and Data."
He looked back to the view screen. "It is positively amazing, isn't it?"
Heva looked at the back of Data's head as he did more scans on the nearby planets. "Yes," she said. "it is."