Small Packages

Part Three of Seven

By GirlX2

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Data studied the tablet intently. "The object is to knock down the adjoining structures and obliterate all life within?"

"Yes. See, you run your finger across the screen, pull the slingshot back, and let the projectile go." Wesley demonstrated, sending the little red ball flying at the other side of the screen.

"It is simple enough to calculate the trajectories needed." Data blinked at Wesley inquisitively. "I do not see the point."
"Well, maybe it's a little too easy for an android." Wesley sighed. "A normal kid would just have to try and aim."

Data ran his finger over the screen. The ball promptly zoomed out and knocked every structure out of place. A brief animation of the creatures inside running around yelling and hooting played out. Wesley smiled. He'd loved that part when he was younger. It'd been the funniest-

Data laughed and a second later clamped his hands over his mouth, shocked.

"Data…did you…did you just…" Wesley swallowed. It couldn't be. "Was that funny to you?"

Data removed his hands. His eyes were wide. "I…felt…amused."
The two stared at each other for a few moments.

Wesley let out a triumphant yell and caught the android in a hug. Data's body weighed the same as an actual child, and Wesley caught up in the moment, picked him up and swung the two of them in a joyous little dance. "Data, that's great!"

"Wesley, this motion is overloading my gyroscopic capabilities. I…I…"

Wesley heard the alarm in Data's voice and set him down. A second later the android was on his hands and knees, dry heaving. Wesley froze for a second before placing his hand on the computer in the wall. "Ensign Crusher requesting medical aid in Data's quarters. Dr. Crusher, please!"

"On my way Wesley." His Mother's cool voice replied a moment later. "Just hold on."

Data gagged a few more times before lying down on the floor on his side. He curled up. "I am unable to assess what the purpose of that reaction was."

"I think you just threw up." Wesley knelt by him and placed a hand on his back. "It happens to little kids a lot. Just lay still. My mom will know what to do."

Data made no reply. At a loss, Wesley began to rub his back, like his mother had done when he was little.

Beverly hurried in a few moments later, trailing Geordi and Riker. Wesley swallowed hard.

"What happened here Ensign?" Riker asked as the others knelt by Data.

"Well, Data and I were playing a game. Something funny happened and Data laughed."
"Data laughed?" Geordi looked up, shocked.

"It was amusing." Data said innocently. He was sitting up now.

"When that happened I got really excited, so I hugged Data and picked him up…" This sounded so stupid! "And…swung him around a few times. Then he dry heaved."

"Sounds like a fairly normal reaction, for a human child." Riker said.

"How do you feel now?" Beverly pulled out her tri-corder. The readings seemed normal.

"The unpleasant feeling has mostly passed. But my abdomen is distressed." Data placed a hand on his stomach.

"I think you may be hungry." Beverly helped him to his feet. "You do occasionally consume lubricants and other things for energy, yes?"

"That is correct."

"Then why don't we have Wesley take you to the commissary. I prescribe water, crackers, and some Jello. Just the thing for an upset tummy."

"Tummy?" Data cocked his head. "Ah: a colloquialism referring to a child's stomach. I see."

"Then…I'm not in trouble?" Wesley perked up.

"No. I should think any of us could get overenthusiastic and react the same way." Riker said. "Just see that it doesn't happen again."

"Yes sir."

Data took Wesley's hand. Wesley shot a quick look at Riker as they left.

Geordi stared after them for a moment. "He felt."

"I know." Beverly scanned through her tri-corder. "It's astonishing. That body is so close to being human. I've never seen anything like it, not even with Lore."

"He feels what a human child feels, body and soul. He even moves like one, according to Worf." Geordi stood up.

"What worries me is Data's mental state. There are signs that he's becoming more childlike."

"He naturally takes the hand of whoever is watching him now." Geordi replied. "And it's been less than a day."

"After Wesley feeds him, you should begin your shift." Riker said. "If something else obvious manifests, report it right away."

Geordi nodded. "I'll meet them in the commissary."

"Good." Riker watched him go. "The body doesn't show signs of growth, does it?"

"How do you mean?" Beverly scanned through her findings.

"He's not ageing."

"Oh, no, of course not." She shook her head. "The tri-corder would have detected the tiny changes that come with a growing child. Data has none. He's still an android; undoubtedly the most advanced one I've ever seen, but he cannot grow or change."

"So if this is a permanent exchange, Data will stay a child for the rest of his life." Riker's voice grew quiet.
"Yes. And with an android that could be a very very long time." Beverly shook her head and made her way towards engineering. They would need to know about this.

Riker remained in Data's quarters for a few moments, gazing at the disheveled contents and obvious recent additions. A book of Grimm's Fairy Tales. A handheld game system replicating ancient Earth video games. A stuffed bear, sitting forlornly in a corner. All procured by Geordi 'just in case'. All unused. So far.

If this was irreversible, Data's loss as an officer would be most unfortunate.

Losing him as a friend and companion would be far worse.

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To be continued.