Charlotte's Poodle Skirt swished around her as she headed down the corridor. She looked behind her as someone's footsteps fell in line with hers.

"Hello, Lieutenant!" she said, surprised.

"Wow, that's some outfit." Geordi grinned. "Where are you going?"

"To the fifties, Mr LaForge. I'm going to dance the night away!"

"With Data?"

Charlotte looked at him, confused. He laughed.

"Charlotte, surely you don't think that no-one knows about your relationship with him! Is it true that you kissed him last week?"

She turned pink. "Yes."

As they came to another corridor, Geordi clapped her on the back and smiled. "Best of luck, girl."

"Thanks," she called as he walked away. Then, shaking her head, she approached the holodeck doors and tapped something into the computer.

"Hello, Charlotte."

Charlotte jumped and turned around, smiling warmly. "Hello, Data. Computer, Hope5Beta."

The was a beep. "Enter when ready," replied the computer, and the doors opened.

The small restaurant was a trip back in time. James Dean and Elvis Presley posters adorned the walls. High gloss red and black was accentuated with glistening, polished chrome. Holding a place of honour was a Bubble Wurlitzer Jukebox, playing a song Charlotte had never heard before. Girls in skirts like Charlotte's sat around tables and giggled with friends while their dates bought them drinks. Outside, the city lights sparkled in the blackness of night, and rain fell gently against the windows.

Charlotte and Data crossed the Diner and found a small table. Picking up the menu, Charlotte licked her lips. "I'm in the mood for something sweet. Now let's see…" she ran her eyes down the menu and gasped. "Hot Fudge Ice Cream Brownie Dream Boat! That sounds amazing!"

A waitress strolled up, notebook out. "Would you like to order?"

Charlotte put in her order and looked at Data. "Do you want anything?"

The android shook his head. "I am unable to choose."

"Ok." The waitress disappeared, and Charlotte sat back in her chair and gazed out the window at the street outside. "Have you been telling Geordi and the others about our dates?"

"I tell them anything they ask. Is that a mistake?"

"I guess not. How's Wes going? I hardly ever see him now."

"Wesley is progressing well in his studies, and he is becoming a reliable member of the crew."

"I'm glad to hear it."

The waitress returned with a shallow bowl piled with brownies, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Charlotte took one look and gave a low whistle. "Wow! I don't know if we'll be able to finish this!"

For a while there was silence as both of them began to eat. When half of the dessert was gone, Charlotte put her spoon down. "That's enough for both of us, I think. I don't think your body would appreciate being stuffed with more than it can process." She looked over as a teenage boy slipped a coin into the Jukebox in the corner. Music started up, and a few couples started dancing.

A boy walked over to them. "Would you like to dance?" he asked her, holding out his hand. "If your dad wouldn't mind, that is."

Charlotte had studied and practiced a few dances the week before, so she was ready. She took the boy's hand. "I'd love to. Oh, and he's not my dad." To Data, she said, "Watch the dancing, and you can come and interrupt when you've got the gist of it."

She let herself be led to the dance-floor, and they started to dance. They moved quickly, swinging and jiving, and Charlotte could not remember when she had had so much fun. Suddenly, a hand came out of nowhere and swung her away from the boy, and she found herself face to face with Data. Laughing, she led him into the lively dance and helped him with some of the steps as they whirled and stamped and swung.

They continued dancing as the songs changed, Data copying everyone around them and doing a pretty good job of it, Charlotte thought. The jukebox didn't falter for an instant, for the others in the diner kept feeding it dimes to keep the dancing going. Finally a slower song came on, one that she recognised from when she was researching 20th century music- 'I Can't Help Falling In Love', by Elvis Presley. As the first strains of music came out and the lights dimmed, Charlotte guided Data's hands around her waist and rested her own lightly around his neck. Around them, the other couples were doing the same.

'Wise men say, only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay, would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?'

"Inquiry," began Data softly, "Are we in a… romantic relationship?"

"Yes," Charlotte answered, drawing closer and resting her head on his chest. "Yes, we are."

Data looked at her for a moment, then looked at the other couples, wondering what to do next. After studying them for a few moments, he tightened his arms around Charlotte's waist and leaned his cheek on the top of her head.

'Like a river flows, surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you.'

Charlotte closed her eyes and smiled. The hammering of her heart had stopped, and she felt completely at ease. Something had changed, and it was for the better. She sighed with happiness into their close embrace.

'Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you.'