Chapter 5

"It is called bowling." Data explained. Tasha looked around the holographic bowling alley. "Bowling?" She repeated as she glanced at the long parallel lanes.

"Yes." Data answered holding up a black ball with three holes in it. "It was a popular Earth game in the late 20th and early 21st centuries."

"Do we have to use bowls?" Tasha asked curiously.

"No." Data answered. "The goal of the game is to toss the ball down the lane toward those pins." Data gestured with the ball at the pins at the end of his lane. "And you attempt to knock down all the pins."

Tasha slowly nodded. "Okay I will try it. But can you demonstrate first? I would like to see how you do it before I try."

"Very well." Data conceded. "I have studied every book on bowling and watched several holodeck programs showing different techniques. However, I have yet to master it." He walked a few paces back from the line. He scrutinized the pins while holding the ball up to his chest. He sprinted a few steps forward, swung his arm and quickly let go of the ball. It rolled beautifully halfway down the lane before swerving to the right and down into the gutter.

Data furrowed his eyebrows. "I do not understand the problem. I am imitating his technique perfectly, yet the ball always veers right and into the gutter."

"Perhaps this game involves more than just technique?" Tasha suggested.

"Perhaps you are right." Data nodded. "It is your turn now."

"Alright." Tasha took a ball with three of her fingers from the ball return and imitated Data's performance exactly, with the ball rolling down into the gutter.

Data gave her a sympathetic look. "Indeed, this game is harder than it looks."

"Good game." Data said to Tasha as they finished their program.

"I am not sure you could even call that a game." Tasha added. "I think we set the record for lowest score ever."

"You managed hit more pins than I did." Data pointed out.

"I hit five pins Data. Five pins. In the whole game."

"Yes and I hit four; you still did better than I. At least we are making some progress." Data smiled. "Computer end program."

The room was awkwardly silent as the holodeck grid reappeared. Tasha walked closer to Data. "Thank you Data." She smiled affectionately. "You've always been so kind to me."

Slowly Data leaned close to Tasha and their lips met for a short moment in a soft kiss. Data slowly pulled back.

"Tasha?" Data whispered gazing deeply into her sparkling blue eyes.

"Yes Data?" She answered quietly.

"I-I have never experienced this sensation since my emotion chip has been in place. I feel so…strange when I am around you." Data's voice was overcome with emotion. "I find my thoughts wandering to you constantly. I have run several self-diagnostics and nothing seems to be malfunctioning." Data took her right hand with his own and squeezed it gently. "The only possible logical conclusion is that I love you."

Tasha smiled up at him. "I love you too, Data. I have for a very long time."

Data smiled and gently brushed a few of her stray blonde hairs behind her ear. He slowly bent close but was interrupted when the door to the holodeck opened.

Data and Tasha both looked up to see Geordi. They quickly stepped apart.

"Data," Geordi began walking over.

"Yes Geordi?" Data asked a little self-conscious.

"I've been trying to reach you for twenty minutes! Are you wearing your comm badge?"

Data looked confused. "Yes." He tapped it with no result. "Strange." Data commented.

"Well anyway I need you in engineering. While we're there we can take a look at that comm badge."

"Alright Geordi." Data consented. "Good-bye Tasha."

"Bye Data."

"Data can I talk to you about something?" Geordi asked Data while he was looking over Data's comm badge.

"Of course Geordi, what is it?" Data responded continuing his work.

"Don't you think it's a little suspicious that we found Tasha here? And that she seems to want to talk only to you?"

Data stopped and looked up. "Why would you say that?" Data asked.

Geordi shrugged. "I don't know, maybe because she's dead?"

"She already explained that." Data said going back to his work.

"Yes but we still never ruled out the possibility that she's not really Tasha." Geordi sighed heavily. "Look Data, I'm your friend; friends look out for each other. Sometimes we can see things that you can't." Geordi added. "There are some strange life-forms out there."

"Thank you for your concern Geordi," Data acknowledged. "But I can take care of myself."

"Captain's personal log, stardate 2382.37. I have made First Officer Data our temporary captain for a few days while I care for my two young children. It is nothing like I expected. They are very needy and I have to give them my constant attention. Being an only child who was never around babies made me nervous for a while; yet I have bonded to them so quickly I feel the need to check on them at all hours of the night. I just hope that I can make it through by myself until Deanna is better."

William Riker sighed as he sat up in his bed. Loud cries from the other room had awakened him from his sleep once again. "I wonder which one it is this time?" He grumbled as he walked over to the twin cribs he had replicated and now occupied the other room of his and Deanna's quarters. He brought a bottle of milk that he had synthesized as he approached the two cribs.

Sleepily he realized that it was Kestra Riker who was in need. "Come here." Will said as he gently scooped up his crying child. Kestra stopped crying momentarily upon seeing her father but kept fussing.

"Shh it's ok." Will soothed. "Please don't wake up your brother." He sang quietly as he sat in the rocking chair on the other side of the room. He gently slid the nipple of the bottle into Kestra's mouth and the baby stopped fussing and began to drink.

Will sighed and looked at his child. "Hopefully, mommy will be back soon to help daddy take care of you." The baby looked up at him with her trusting big blue eyes as she drank. Will cradled the child in his arms. "I would have never thought that I could do this." He whispered to himself.

Soon Kestra nodded off into sleep once more. Will carefully slid the bottle out of her mouth and set it on the floor. Then he slowly stood and gently put the baby back in her crib. Relieved, he quietly tip-toed back to his own room, but before he made it, Jean-Luc had awaken and started to whimper.

"Oh no." Will dropped his head into his hand feeling his exhaustion hit him hard. He ambled back into the room and gently lifted Jean-Luc. Just then, Kestra woke up again and also began to cry.

"Oh," Will groaned. "This is going to be a long night."

Will awoke the next morning to see that he had fallen asleep in the rocking chair the night before. "Oh no." He whispered to himself as he realized how late he had slept. Will looked down to see that Kestra was sleeping soundly on his chest. He quickly got up and laid her back in her crib. "Computer, lights!" He called as he quickly ran to his communication panel and summoned the bridge.

"Data here." It responded.

"Data, it's Will, why didn't anyone wake me after I didn't report to the bridge?"

"Sir, you informed me that I would be the captain temporarily."

"Oh yes that's right. Thank you Data. I'll take my place again once Deanna is better."

Will turned his panel off and took a peek at his children. They were both sleeping quietly. Satisfied Will sauntered back to his room and went back to bed.