XVIII.
During their walk from Heva's promotion party, her and Data arranged to have their first formal date on the holodeck that upcoming night. Data had only limited dance instruction, so he went to the holodeck early to brush up on his skills.
For hours, he had been practicing on a holographic image of Heva, whom he programmed to have advanced ballroom dance as well as modern Latin and recreational dance abilities.
Geordi had been searching for him for a short time above an hour by then. He finally decided to check on the holodeck to find him and Heva dancing, wearing their uniforms.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Geordi said, amusement sprinkled within the words.
Data immediately stopped dancing and the holographic Heva dematerialized. He looked at Geordi with a look of shy embarrassment. "Forgive me," he said, looking down. "I had forgotten that I was to meet you in Ten Forward for an update on my plans with Heva. I was so consumed with building my dancing talent, it just-"
"Slipped your mind." Geordi finished. He walked over to stand in front of Data, information pads in his hands and a small box under his arm.
"I just kind of suspected that you had…"
"That I had deliberately rejected our plans to fit my plans with Heva?" Data asked. Geordi looked down at his information pads and gave a light shrug. Data smiled and gave Geordi's shoulder a small push.
"No matter how I feel about Heva, Geordi, you are my friend. I understand human feelings about being forgotten or rejected. I could never in my right state of mind bring those emotions upon you."
Geordi's lips curved into a slow grin and he took the box from under his arm.
"I made it the way you asked. And no, it isn't too soon for gifts. Particularly at a formal date."
Data took the jewelry box from Geordi and opened it.
Inside was a small bracelet made from a white ribbon. The tails lay slack against the crushed velvet on the interior. On the ribbon were three, small pearls. The center of which being the classic white and the two bordering it, a soft ivory.
On either side of the ivory pearls, a small, silver ring sat. These were to go along side the knot once the bracelet was tied to signify a solid bond between the person giving the necklace and the person receiving it.
"I forgot what this is called…" Geordi said, mostly to himself.
"It is called a Forget-Me-Knot bracelet." Data said fondly. He lifted the bracelet from it's box and inspected it. The smooth surface of the ribbon, the pearls shining under the lights of the simulated ballroom.
"It is an Irish tradition that Ensign Finley spoke to me of once long ago. What you do, is you first tie knots to lean against the outer pearls. This way, they do not slip from their spot in the center of the top. These signify what is called a Claddagh, an old Celtic symbol that represents the three most important elements of life; according to them. These are Friendship, loyalty, and love. Once the pearls are brought together, they bind these elements into one. Then, once you tie the knot on the receiver's hand, you slip these silver rings to the rim on either site of the tie. This signifies a strong bond between the two people."
Geordi looked very impressed, as well as bewildered. "I never knew you had such a sentimental side, Data."
Data admired the bracelet for another couple of seconds before returning it to its case and placing it in his left pocket.
"Commander Brookes and I have only begun our relationship, and people have called us a couple. I wish to use this as a way of asking her to be my…my girlfriend."
He looked down at a spot on the floor and smiled. Geordi couldn't help but see more than just a smile on Data's face. This far reach in his programming brought him as close to being human as he could get. And being that he was Data's best friend, he felt nothing but support and happiness for his brethren. He slapped Data on the back a few times then put his arm around him, bringing him into a tight side hug.
"You will have a great night, Data. I just know it." He grinned. Data returned his look and sighed. "I suppose I had best finish my dance lessons and change into my formal dress before our date begins. I am planning a wide variety of events. This room is going to be filled with people; who, at the right moment, will watch us do what I have learned is called the-"
"Commander LaForge, you are required in engineering." A voice came over the intercom.
Geordi sighed and raised an eyebrow at Data, curling his lip into a half smile. "Back to the old engineering room, I suppose." He chuckled and gave Data one last pat on the back before leaving the room.
Data fingered the box in his pocket, softly grinning at the anticipation in his mind. "She will like it. I know she will."
Data stood in his quarters, inspecting himself from head to toe. His tuxedo was the standard make. It had the usual tight fitting black jacket. Underneath it was a matching black vest made of a sort of shiny material. Under the collar of his white dress shirt was the traditional black bow-tie sat taught on his throat.
His fitting tuxedo pants and shiny dress shoes completed the outfit, and though he looked quite dashing, he felt something was missing; or at least he thought. Perhaps, he supposed, he didn't feel satisfied with his appearance because of his lack of experience in such form fitting apparel.
He turned to the side, a hand on his stomach. He pressed in on his belly, trying to make it seem like less of a bulge; only to sigh in exasperation. "Computer," he asked, stressing. "Would you be so kind as to tell me the time?"
"The time is 10:00." The computer announced.
Data hastily rubbed any hidden wrinkles out of his tux and picked up the box containing the Forget-Me-Knot bracelet. He examined himself one more time before stepping out of his quarters to go and pick Heva up from her own.