Disclaimer :: I don't own anything Star Trek. Or Data... though I wish I could... But Starfleet ruled that he is sentient and, therefore, not property.

Dialogue 1

Data and Geordi were seated at the bar in Ten Forward, at the far end nearest the door. They'd been discussing their project in Engineering, their current findings and how they could improve on the results.

But Geordi had noticed something... off about Data. At lulls in their conversation, he seemed... distracted.

"What if we reversed the polarity in the-" Geordi stopped short. Data was staring off at a spot behind the bar. "Data? What's going on with you? You seem distracted? Is everything okay?"

"I am sorry, Geordi." Data looked at him. "I did not mean to ignore you - or upset you, if that is the case."

"I'm not upset, Data. I'm concerned. I've never seen you this preoccupied before."

Data blinked and glanced back at the drink that Guinan had left in front of him despite the fact he probably wouldn't drink it.

"Do you want to talk about it, Data? Whatever it is..."

Data looked back at him. "Geordi, I have been dreaming... of a woman."

"A woman?"

"Yes." Data nodded, keeping his voice rather low. "For the past couple weeks now."

"Hmm," Geordi nodded, "I can see how that could be distracting." He smiled, "So what's she like, Data?"

"She is blond and very beautiful. And she has grey eyes."

Geordi laughed. "No, Data, I mean, what is she *like? What is it you enjoy about her? Or are these dreams not enjoyable?"

"No," Data stated, "I enjoy them very much. She is kind to me. And gentle." He paused briefly before going on. "I can feel things in these dreams, Geordi. And then when I am awake, I am faced with new emotions - emotions which I am unfamiliar with. I have never been so distracted before. I am beginning to worry that it may interfere with my work."

Geordi nodded, thinking. "What do you mean, you *feel things, Data? You mean fear, or joy?"

"No," Data shook his head, "I mean I can feel touch. I can feel her hands on my skin. I can touch her hair and legs. I feel sensations. I was thinking about her kiss-"

"Data." Geordi cut him off, "what exactly do you two do in these dreams?"

"We mostly have sex." Data said very frankly. "They are quite... intimate, actually."

Geordi huffed uncomfortably and looked down, but Data apparently missed it because he went on -

"I keep thinking about her body and the feel of her skin and-"

Geordi put up a hand. "Stop, Data." He said quietly. "I don't think I'm the best person for you to talk to about this." Data looked at him concernedly. "I'm sorry, Data," he patted the android on the shoulder, "just... maybe it'd be better if you talked to Counselor Troi instead."

Before Data could respond, Geordi turned and walked away, leaving Data with his mouth hanging open and wondering exactly what he'd said wrong.

Data turned back toward the bar to find Guinan smiling at him.

"I do not understand what I have said wrong. Can you tell me Guinan?"

Her smile broadened. "I think Geordi's right, Data. Maybe you should go to Counselor Troi on this one."

~.oOo.~

AN :: I've been fighting with this chapter for two weeks and finally decided to just go with the shorter cut... which I'm much happier with. ...chapter 3 is turning out to be a real bear too...