XXI.

Data stormed into his quarters and locked his door. He heard Heva outside, pounding on the door and begging for entry. He began to experience such an intense feeling of anger and distress that all he could do was let out a fierce growl and pound his fists onto his desk, frightening Spot and causing him to flee under a chair.

"GO AWAY! JUST GET AWAY FROM ME!" he roared at the door. His hands began to shake, his eyes shut tightly and he began to breath excessively.

Had he seen what he thought he saw? Everything within him was begging it to be a false image. It couldn't be…his captain, his mentor, his friend had betrayed him in such a way he was unsure if he could ever walk onto the bridge again with any respect for him. And Heva…had she initiated the whole thing? What was her part? He needed to think.

"Data! Please! It isn't what you think it was. Please let me explain! Let me in!" Heva begged from the other side of his door. Data began to feel tears running down his cheeks. He wiped them away angrily and stood up. He turned and took a deep breath. "Computer, unlock door to quarters, Commander Data. Confirmation code 73-Beta."

The door slid open and Heva stood before him. Her eyes were red and tears were pouring from them. She rushed forward and stood in front of him, looking at him with a pleading gaze.

"Data…" she whispered. "I did nothing. He came in and provoked me. He started saying all kinds of horrible things like how you could never give me the genuine human love that he could and-"

"Do you believe that?" Data interrupted bitterly.

Heva hesitated, only surprised that Data was so cold about this and at him even asking such a thing.

"No, I have seen what you can give me. It's nothing he could ever offer. I don't WANT him, Data. I chose you."

Data turned from her and leaned forward onto the desk. He glared down at the surface, at the dim reflection of an android whose expression was a mingled form of sadness and distaste.

"Did you…" he began, taking in more air. "Did you kiss him?"

"No." Heva replied flatly. "No, he tried to but he stopped when you came in." She stepped forward, reaching her hand out to touch him. He only had to feel her finger tips to feel a sudden urge to shake her off. This feeling was one that he couldn't handle. The familiarity of it was uncanny, however the bearable trait was lacking in strength as he felt he could not look at Heva even to see her eyes pleading for his understanding.

"Data, I swear to you, the only thing that happened was that he tried to make a move on me and then you stopped it."

"But you did nothing to prevent his actions." Data said in a low growl. "You only stood by and let him provoke you further."

"He grabbed me by the wrist and held me there. He may be getting on in years but he isn't weak in physical strength, Data! I couldn't get away from him."

Data turned to her, a solitary tear invading his cheek as he scowled down at her. "I would very much prefer…if you would leave me alone for now, Heva."

"But, Data-"

"JUST…just leave. Please. I need to straighten my thoughts out before we continue this conversation in detail."

Heva looked at him a moment longer and then nodded, turning around to leave. Data watched her walk slowly to the door. He saw her shoulders tremble lightly and her head shake solemnly. She turned back to him, more tears on her face than before. "If you want to talk to me…if you NEED me…I will be in my room." She said, her voice shaky.

With that, she went and Data was left in a state of despair. He brought a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes, leaning backward onto the desk again.

"I cannot stand this feeling…" he whispered angrily. He pushed his com badge. "Counselor Troi, could you please meet me in my quarters?"

Deanna watched Data pace his room. He had been repeating the same path ever since she had gotten there, his hands behind his back. His expression was blank and emotionless. Though, she knew there was an underlying feeling therein.

"I am not quite certain where to begin." Data finally said, leaning against the edge of his dinging table. Deanna listened to him quietly.

"I was on duty for a few hours this morning." He continued. "Once Commander Riker had me relieved, I went down to the science lab to see if Heva wanted to join me in an early lunch. When I entered, I found the captain…hunched over her. It was as if he was attempting to engage in a kiss. She pushed him off and they looked at me with shock. I stormed in here and couldn't help but feel enraged. I wanted to do horrible things to the captain. And I didn't want to talk to or see Heva at all"

"But you did speak with her?" Deanna asked.

Data nodded slowly. "She claimed that she did nothing, that the captain provoked her. I know the captain. He is not the type to approach someone who did not want his affections. But…It would not surprise me to know that he did do what she said. He has been acting very hostile toward me, particularly when it comes to her. And she seemed so sincere…" Data slumped back into a chair and lowered his head into his hands.

Deanna knelt beside him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Data…I am sure that with the way things are going, Heva would never betray you. On my way here I saw her. She was distraught! I hardly think she would want to terminate such a beautiful relationship for no reason."

Data looked up at her. He considered his next statement and then said it aloud. "I love her very much, counselor. And I admire the captain. Who should I believe? An old friend, or a new woman?" Data stood and approached his desk. Spot lay there, purring loudly. He stroked the cat's fur and looked at him thoughtfully. "What do you think, Spot?"

Deanna walked over to him and made him face her. She took in a deep breath and shook her head. "I spoke with the captain the other day. It was not a session and he actually asked me to speak on his behalf if this sort of thing happened." She paused, then continued.

"Data, he has been feeling jealousy toward you. He felt that Heva was attracted to him instead of you and when you pursued her before he did, he felt regretful and resented you for it. I had been quite tuned in to him since that day and I knew that he was thinking of doing this. Sometimes…people lose control because their emotions take over them. The captain might possibly be remorseful for his actions now. And Heva…well she was telling you the truth. I sensed it in her, she was upset that you didn't believe her."

Data thought on this before turning away from her. "I still do not wish to see either of them right now."

Deanna backed off from him and nodded. "Data," he looked over his shoulder. "You're becoming more human by the second.

"Why do you say that, counselor? Because I am feeling hurt and anger toward the woman I love and a man I believed to be a friend?"

Deanna shook her head. "No."

She walked toward the door and looked back at him. He looked back, still determined to be left alone by both of them.

"You're stubborn." She nodded herself out and the door slid shut behind her, leaving Data to realize…she was right.