Small Packages

Part Six of Seven

By GirlX2

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Data knew where he was now, but he did not care. Somehow in all the confusion he'd made it back to Geordi's quarters: He'd inexplicably found himself tangled in the bed cloths, actually. But that was the first place Armus would look. He had decided to hide in the Jefferies tubes until he could form a plan.

That was not going very well. All he had managed to do was drag Geordi's blanket with him in the vain hope that it would somehow prove an effective barrier against Armus. It made little sense, but he could not shake the idea.

He wrapped himself in the cloth and cried. The emotions were too strong. Fear. Guilt. Sorrow. Rage. Others he couldn't identify, far too complex for his overtaxed system to handle.

Everyone was dead. Armus had killed them all, and it was only a matter of time until he found his way into the tubes. There was nothing he could do to prevent this.

Data buried his face in the blanket. He wanted Geordi to rescue him. But Geordi was dead. He was never going to see Geordi again.

The little android was crying very hard now, sobs echoing off the smooth walls of the tubes. Knowing Geordi was dead did not stop the wanting; it only made it worse.

He should be trying to think of a plan to avenge the crew: to contain Armus so that he could not get off the ship and hurt anyone else.

Data cursed himself for his cowardice. He could not face the monster that had killed all those he knew and cared for. He could not.

He had to.

Data stood up, legs wobbling, still clutching the blanket. If he had to die, he would meet his fate like the others undoubtedly had: bravely. He could not do them the dishonor of hiding while that monster ravaged the ship.

"Data?"

He froze. A trick. Armus had found him. Data walked forward, trying to be brave. No matter whose voice Armus used, he could not stop.

A shadowy figure, hunched and deformed appeared at the end of the tube.

"Armus, I w-w-will not let you t-take the ship w-without a struggle." His voice was malfunctioning badly. This body was wearing down under the stress. At this rate he would become inoperative before Armus could destroy him.

That was little comfort.

"Data, no. It's me." Geordi came forward into the light.

"B-but Armus said he killed you. I saw your VISOR!" Data felt frozen. This body was no longer obeying his will. It was no wonder Dr. Soon had never installed a personality: Something was very very wrong with it. This could not be what being a child was really like.

"No Data, that didn't happen. I think you had a nightmare." Geordi came forward slowly, not wanting to spook the android.

"A nightmare?"

"It happens when you sleep, sometimes. It's just your mind playing a story for you."

"Like the Holo Deck?" Data's voice was faint. He'd been crying, and was fighting not to cry now, Geordi saw.

"Yes, just like that." Geordi edged a little closer. If Data fled further into the tubes, he'd easily elude a full-sized adult. It was possible he could be hurt in this body, especially by running around the ship's access ducts.

"That was why I was transported out of bed?"

"Yes."

"And why I could not recognize the area of the ship that I was on?"

"Yes."

"And why Armus was able to consume every crewmember?"

Geordi stopped moving. That world-class boogieman has invaded Data's dreams? "Oh Data. No wonder you ran."

"I was afraid." He clutched Geordi's blanket tightly with both hands, skin looking whiter than normal, if that was possible. He hadn't just been afraid, he'd been terrified out of his wits. And he'd dealt with it like any child left to his own devices would.

"I would have been too." Geordi held his hands out to his friend. "Come here."

Data took a tiny step closer. "You are sure it was not real?"

"I promise you Data: Armus is not on the ship and he never was."

"But…He did kill Tasha."

"Yes, Data. That's true."

"Oh." The android dropped the blanket and his legs crumpled beneath him.

Geordi managed to catch him as he fell. He sat cross legged, holding Data tightly as sobs shook his small body.

"It's okay. It's alright. You're safe." He rocked gently, as much as the tubes allowed. "You're safe."

"You…do not…understand." Data managed between sobs. "I was always safe. You are the one who Armus killed. You were dead…everyone was d-dead."

"Shh, it's alright now."

"I was alone." Data's yellow eyes were overflowing with saline tears. There was no accusation, only desperate unhappiness.

"I'm sorry." Geordi said quietly. "I should have stayed with you."

The two sat for what seemed like ages. The sobs struck Geordi deep: Data had never cried out, especially in fear or sorrow. It was a lot for anyone to take, especially a child. Once Data's cries began to subside, Geordi tapped his communicator. "I've located Data. He's physically unharmed. I'll be out shortly."

"Acknowledged." Worf replied.

"Come on Data. Let's go back to my room." He wrapped his friend in the blanket and led him out of the tube. Once free of the constraint, he Picked Data up: he was on the small side for a child of four, and easily carried.

Data laid his head on Geordi's chest and closed his eyes. By the time they got back to the room he'd fallen asleep again. The tears had left streaks all down his face. Geordi gently placed Data on the bed and daubed at the streaks until they vanished.

He looked very small.

Geordi threw away the tissue and spotted a small teddy bear the nursery had sent over. Children on the ship were generally fond of Data, seeing him as a cross between a computer and a bigger child. They'd gladly donated the bear once they'd heard about his condition.

Geordi picked up the bear and tucked it into Data's arms. He clutched it tightly without waking. Geordi sighed and sat in his armchair, wondering what to do for the next few hours.

He wouldn't be leaving this time.

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To be continued.