"Commander Data to Enterprise, I am approaching your location. Stand by for shuttle landing in shuttle bay 3." Data said idly as he concentrated on his landing preparation.
"We read you loud and clear, Commander." Captain Picard's voice replied. "You are cleared for landing. And, welcome back. You're late."
"I apologize, Captain. We had a slight delay in our departure." Data replied apologetically, casting a side glance at Commander Atkins.
Atkins, on the other hand, stared at the Enterprise with a childlike sense of wonder. Data couldn't blame him, he still felt the same way at times whenever he saw it. The slack jawed expression on the young man's face seemed to mirror his own at the time of his first assignment to the Enterprise. It seemed like so long ago to him now. He had had so many wonderful adventures here. Not to mention, he was a completely different person now than he was then.
"It's simply marvelous." Atkins breathed, settling back in his seat. "Nothing like the Laconia. I always wanted to SEE the Enterprise at the very least. But to be temporarily assigned to it…"
"It is understandable to feel this way." Data remarked, never looking up from his consoles. "The Enterprise has an astounding history. You are not the first officer to desire a look inside. I was that way once. However, in those days, my interest was purely duty driven. Now, the crew has become my family."
"I wish that things were like that on the Laconia…" Atkins said, though holding an instant look of regret. "I guess I shouldn't talk like that about my crew…" He turned away, holding a hand over his mouth as though he'd uttered something of great offense.
"It is only human to have personal opinions. I am certain that your crew values you and your abilities."
"Right…" Atkins turned to face Data for a moment, studying this man-like machine as he steered them into the docking bay.
As the shuttle came to a stop, Data sighed and turned to Atkins, smiling. "Welcome to the Enterprise, Commander. Do you wish me to show you to your quarters?"
Atkins held up a hand and shook his head. "I'm actually supposed to meet with the Captain for a quick debriefing before I'm even allowed to think about sleep. I'll just gather my things really fast and then you can lead me to him?"
"Agreed. I apologize, I did not think about the schedule set out for you."
"It's quite alright, Commander Data. You didn't know."
With that, he made his way to the back of the shuttle while Data sat and grinned. Heva would most certainly be asleep by now, dare he wake her? Then again, it had been nearly a day and a half since he was able to see her. He was very sure that at this point, she wouldn't care in the slightest.
"Data to Commander Brookes. Guess who is home? Meet me in the shuttle bay before I hunt you down."
All he heard in reply was what he could only guess to be an excited gasp. He gave a quiet chuckle as he stood from his seat to exit the shuttle. Just as he stepped out, he heard the shuttle bay doors open and grinned as he saw Heva rushing through with her arms outstretched. Data held his out in turn and allowed Heva to careen into him.
The two of them collided and he reveled as he felt her arms wrap tightly around him. She gave a happy moan as he squeezed her back, pecking her on the cheek.
"Welcome back." She said, a heavy exhaustion in her voice. As they parted their embrace, she planted a joyful kiss on Data's lips, making him feel slightly weak at the knees.
"Thank you. It is good to be back….you look so tired. Did I not instruct you to amend yourself with adequate rest and recreation along with your assigned duties?" Data scolded, running a hand down Heva's clammy cheeks.
"Oh, I'm fine." Heva said, brushing off Data's concern and cradling her hands behind his neck as his met her waist. "Besides, I haven't had any dinner yet. I wanted to at least see you before I ate and went to bed. When you weren't there, I was starting to get worried. Geordi was worried to. You shouldn't do that to us."
Heva pouted slightly, giving Data a mock look of anger. He scoffed and shook his head at her.
"There was a slight delay. The Commander forgot a few of his belongings and had to retrieve them before we departed. It was nothing serious. While I am known for my pique punctuality, there are often elements that deter me from having it 100 percent of the time."
As Heva was about to inquire about Data's mysterious passenger, her eyes steered to look behind him. Data turned to see Commander Atkins, his bags in tow, staring at Heva with his mouth agape. He looked down at Heva, who appeared to have an equally surprised look balancing itself on her face.
"Willam?" Heva gasped, letting go of Data to walk forward toward him
"It's been a very long time, Heva." Atkins replied, his eyes becoming slightly glassy.
Data looked from Atkins to Heva, grasping immediately that there seemed to be more in their past than Atkins had previously let on. This created a sense of unease as he watched Heva's eyes tear up, her head shake from side to side in disbelief, and Atkins smile animatedly while they gazed open mouthed at one another.
The three Commanders walked down the hallway in heavy silence toward the Captain's ready room. Data couldn't shake the irritability that had slithered its way back onto his shoulders as he observed Commander Atikins' constant glances toward Heva. Heva, on the other hand, stared straight ahead. A look of definite unease had settled itself on her as she squeezed Data's hand, which she grabbed the moment they left the shuttle bay. This gave Data a sense of comfort as well as defiance against whatever interest Atkins had in her.
As the three of them entered the turbolift, Data's uncomfortable stance began to overwhelm him. He stood between Heva and Atkins like a barrier between them. Yet, he steadily began to feel himself being overcome with a sense of possessiveness.
"Tell me, Commander Atkins," he said, breaking the silence. "How was it you said you knew Heva?" As he finished his question, his arm crawled its way around Heva's stiff shoulders.
"We graduated together…" Atkins replied, keeping his eyes forward now.
"Yes…class of 2364." Heva added, giving a brief smile to Data.
"That is interesting. And why is it that you have not seen one another in such a long time?"
Before Data could receive an answer to that question, the turbolift opened to the Bridge, where Captain Picard awaited them.
"Ah, Commander Atkins I presume?" Picard inquired, smiling with his hand outstretched.
Atkins took it and exited the lift with the speed of an animal outrunning a predator. He hastily shook Picard's hand and smiled up at him.
"It is a great pleasure to meet you, Captain. It is an honor to be able to serve here on the Enterprise, albeit for a short time. Shall we go to your office for the debriefing?" His tone, while eager, also held a twinge of urgency that Data picked up instantly. Picard, however, didn't seem to notice as he led Atkins to his Ready Room.
Data took a step forward to follow before the Captain relieved him of duty and ordered him and Heva to get some rest. Reluctantly, Data complied and instructed the turbolift to take him and Heva to their deck. As they descended, Data kept glancing down at Heva. She appeared distinctly nervous and uncertain, which troubled him.
"You never mentioned Commander Atkins to me before, Heva." Data said, trying his best to cover up the deliberate tone of jealousy that leaked with his words.
"Well…I kind of put him out of my mind, to be honest." Heva replied after a short silence.
"He seemed to have quite an impact on you." Data added, slightly comforted by her statement.
"I didn't think he would be…I mean our last meeting wasn't exactly pleasant."
The turbolift doors opened and the two of them continued down the hall together. Heva held onto Data's arm and lay her bouncing head against his shoulder as they walked, causing him to puff up slightly.
As they entered their quarters, Data leaned down to retrieve the excited and noisily mewing Spot as he rushed forward to greet him. As Data petted Spot, he watched as Heva crossed the room, removing her uniform top as she did so. As it slid from her shoulders and he watched her skin leak from beneath it, he felt a mixture of the possessiveness he felt before mingled with the gelatinous consistency now forming in his limbs.
As Heva continued to undress, he watched her contentedly from his desk. Her lavender undergarments winked at him as they were again covered by her nightgown.
"May I ask…" Data said at last. "Why was your last meeting…unpleasant…?"
Heva turned to him, her eyes widened as though the question shocked her. For a moment she hung in suspense before apparently resolving an internal conflict. She approached him and leaned up against the desk beside him.
"Well…it was the night we broke up…We used to date. And it didn't end very well. But I want you to know, just because we dated does not mean that there are any lingering attachments. I was just shocked to see him because…well…he's a painful memory."
Data turned to look down at Spot, contemplating what she had just revealed to him. He wasn't sure why it bothered him so much. Heva was his now, Atkins was merely a relic of her past. Yet something about his presence on the ship, despite her reassurance, bothered him even more now. Her honesty on the matter should have been comfort enough, yet he couldn't rid himself of the discomfort he felt.
It hadn't occurred to him before that Heva had had past relationships. He knew very well that humans often dated many partners before settling on their desired life partners. It also didn't occur to him that, had he known of any of her past boyfriends, he would ever run into one.
Much less that one would be working so closely with her.
Seeming to sense his discomfort, Heva rounded to stand in front of Data. She placed her fingers at the hem of his pants and she leaned forward, kissing him.
"I promise you, our work will be completely platonic. I have…absolutely NO desire to be anything but coworkers with Willam. After everything he put me through…he doesn't deserve much more than that from me."
Data looked into her eyes and felt his unease melt away with their sincerity. He smiled at her and gave her a small peck on the lips before she ran her fingers through his hair.
She smiled at him and let her hand rest on the back of his head. "YOU are the only man for me now."
Data smiled softly at this, pressing his forehead to hers. "And you, Heva, are the only woman for me." Heva closed her eyes, smiling as Data set Spot onto the floor and approached the bed. He turned back the covers and beckoned Heva to him. Heva settled herself beneath them, letting herself be swallowed by the soft cotton as Data covered her with the blanket and kissed her cheek.
"Get some rest now, sweetheart. You have had a very long day."
As he approached his desk, Heva turned over to face the other way, a look of concern written on her brow.
"Yes…" she whispered to herself. "Yes, I have."