XVII.

The next day, all of the senior officers and some of the general staff joined together in Ten Forward for Heva's promotion ceremony. Picard had received the okay to do so almost instantly after he sent his request to Star Fleet command. Everyone stood in a semicircle in front of the captain and Heva with their glasses hovering in anticipation for a toast.

"Lieutenant Heva Jane Brookes," Jean-Luc announced loudly. "For your wit, your quick thinking, courage, and honorable service to Star Fleet and here on the Enterprise; I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander." She leaned her neck to the side and Jean-Luc placed he brand new rank button next to the two already sparkling on her collar.

"Here, here!" the group shouted, raising their glasses to her. Data was in front, beaming at he with joy and pride. He thought to himself, this is the woman I love. He then glanced at the captain, who was giving a tight hug to Heva. Data's smile instantly faltered and he felt a sting of jealousy and defensiveness. He felt rooted to the floor where he stood, as if he could not move.

Something inside told him that there was something hidden under the captain's friendly hug. He thought that it might be irrational to suspect that the captain would want the same woman he did, but he just couldn't shake his suspicions and kept a wary eye on him the entire time he was there.

Heva approached him, her arms behind her back and her chin high in a smug expression. "Well, how do I look?" she asked, her voice very professional and light.

Data smiled and leaned in to whisper in her ear. "You look…like a Commander."

Heva's spine trembled as a chill raced uphill on her back. She brought a hand to rest on the small of Data's back, one of his hands repeated this motion and they walked around the party together. Some people eyed them and whispered behind their hands at each other. Others commented on what a great looking couple they made. Data felt pride swelling within him each time someone said it and pulled Heva closer to him, replying "Why, thank you." In a gracious tone.

Jean-Luc found himself sulking at the bar, watching Data glide around the room with what he thought to be the woman of both their dreams. He scoffed; did Data even dream?

Guinan stood behind him for a long time before clearing her throat. "Captain," he turned to face her, startled. "If I didn't know better, I would think that something was bothering you? I would think that considering the circumstances, you would be glowing with satisfaction. You put the murder mystery to rest and we are on our way home to have him tried. You just promoted a very respectable woman to a higher rank. You won a battle against an enemy that you have hardly any knowledge about."

Picard grimaced at her. "Yes, and?"

"And," Guinan replied. "I am wondering why you are over here in a corner with that unpleasant look on your face."

He had been caught. He turned his seat to fully face Guinan and crossed his arms in front of him, lowering his head to stare at the counter top.

"Once again, I; the knight and my fellow knights of the round table have conquered an enemy, solved the medieval murder case, and saved the day. But…"

"But?"

Jean-Luc glanced over his shoulder. Heva had now separated from Data and was talking animatedly to Deanna and Beverly. She laughed out loud in obvious amusement and flipped her hair to remove it from her eyes.

"But…this time, the princess that I should have won is in another castle."

Guinan was unaware that anything had been going on between Data and Heva. So, when she looked over at her to see who Picard had been referring to, she did what she did best: gave him advice without measure.

"Well, who says you have to let her stay there?" Picard looked up at her. "Why can't you go and visit this castle? Who says you can't sweep the princess off of her feet and take her away on your white stallion?"

"Because…" he trailed off. "A fellow knight of the round table has stolen her heart."

"Who?"

Before he could answer, the sound of a glass breaking intervened and forced them both to look around to find the source. An ensign had bumped into Data and dropped his drink. Data was now assisting him in the clean up.

"Look," Guinan whispered, bringing Jean-Luc to look back at her. "I'm sure that there is a way you can woo her. There's no harm in trying."

The captain looked away. How could he even think of trying? Data was one of his best officers, not to mention a very close friend. He couldn't willingly betray his trust and friendship. But then again…he wanted her just as badly. Usually the things he wanted became his one way or another. Who said he couldn't at least try. If she said no, she said no.

He nodded at Guinan with a smile and made his way across the room toward Heva. He kept glancing over at Data to make sure he wasn't watching him. Finally he stood in front of her, his mind racing with questions and versions of each one to ask her.

"Captain." She greeted him with a nod. Jean-Luc returned her short bow and put his hands behind his back. For a moment there was an awkward air of silence between them as the captain attempted to think of a way to say what he had been waiting to say.

For a captain who had encountered numerous enemies like the Borg, Klingons, Romulans, and countless others; it was unusual for him to feel so frightened of a conversation with a woman. After all, he'd encountered women many times. What made this one so different?

He masked a smile and opened his mouth to utter a clever phrase that was sure to sweep her clean off of her boots when, "Heva, I was hoping you would join me in a walk." Data put his arm around her shoulders, looking down at her admirably. Jean-Luc's stomach contracted, pulling his grin down to a grimace. His eyes fell on Data and his heart filled with a light resentment.

Any guilt that had been lying within him seemed to flee before his jealousy. His cheeks flushed and he bowed himself away from them, leaving Ten Forward to his ready room.

He seemed to half run, half walk into his office. He caught himself on his desk, breathing deep and quick breaths.

"This is ridiculous…" he whispered to his wall.

He rounded his desk and lowered himself clumsily into his chair, staring around the dark, empty room. Data was one of his closest, greatest friends. How could he feel such a burning loathing for him over a woman? He had felt like this once before and it had severed ties with someone who meant the world to him. He couldn't do that to Data, never.

He leaned backward and let the office chair fall far until it hit the wall. His head curved to fit with the groove of the chair into the hard surface and closed his eyes, putting his legs up onto his desk. "What am I going to do?"

His question was almost immediately answered by a quiet beep from his computer, a transmission from Star Fleet? No. It couldn't be. Not now, of all times. Please, not now.

He looked at the screen and saw that his log had opened when his feet were put up on the desk. He must have hit the opening command button with the edge of his boots.

Jean-Luc sat slowly up to face his log. A small tab was blinking at the top, waiting to hear the date or if it was only supplemental. He cleared his throat, with some difficulty, and spoke.

Captain's Log:

Star date 578975.2.

I find myself feeling uneasy and uncertain of myself. Commander Data seems to have formed a relationship with Commander Brookes. Typically I would feel great joy in knowing how far Data's programming has come. However, I can't help but admit that I have the green monster of jealousy looming behind me whenever I see them together. I have been planning an attempt at gaining her affections for myself, and I cannot deny that I am reluctant to let go of those plans. I should release them for Data's sake. But I am consumed with longing to be close to Heva, and what I want is something I may not be able to control much longer.