Divertissement

(noun, a minor entertainment or diversion, an interlude.)

Stardate 45285.49

(Sunday, 14 April 2368, 11:47 hours, ship's time)

I turned off the shower, bundled my hair into a bath towel, and wrapped a second one around my body before sliding my feet into the terry-cloth slippers I'd started keeping in Data's quarters. The simple gold chain necklace I'd worn to Vulcan the day before was still around my neck, and it was beginning to irritate me.

As I exited the bathroom, I thought I heard the murmur of voices coming from the main room, but the bedroom door was still open a Spot-width, so I assumed my android boyfriend had merely been cooing to his cat, and padded out to join him. "Data, I forgot to take my necklace off, and I can't manage the clasp, can you…"

I froze, because not only was Data not talking to Spot, but he was also not alone, and the person who was chatting with him was someone with whom I was familiar. Intimately familiar. It wasn't going to be awkward… was it?

"Hey, Zo.'" The shaggy hair and insouciant grin hadn't changed, but there was something a little darker, a little older about his black eyes. Eyes that were lingering not on mine. "Interesting outfit."

"Tev, what are you doing here? I mean what are you doing here? In Data's quarters." I glanced at the suspiciously quiet android. "You might have warned me we had company before I came out here dressed in…" I looked down at myself. "I'll be back."

I retreated to the bedroom and got dressed as quickly as I could. Because I was in Data's quarters and we were still in the stage of our relationship that involved being on our best behavior, I even took time to toss my towels into the laundry unit. In my own space, I'd probably have left them on the bed or the floor. Well, no, not really. But I'd have been tempted.

Data came in when I was almost finished and wordlessly removed the necklace I'd initially asked about. I turned to face him, and he must have seen the accusing glare on my face, because he pulled me into a loose embrace, his crossed wrists resting against the small of my back. "I apologize for not warning you that the Mairaj boy was in our quarters," he said softly.

'Our' quarters? I made a mental note to question him about his choice of words at a later time. "'The Mairaj boy' has a first name." I teased gently, before I tilted my head back for a kiss. "Why didn't you warn me?"

"I had a limited amount of time that I could reasonably allow him to remain in the corridor without being rude. I chose to use that time to cover the painting I completed this morning."

Viewing that painting had been the first thing I'd done when I'd rolled out of bed that morning. It was… taken purely artistically it was brilliant. Data had captured his subject in a naked – both figuratively and emotionally – and vulnerable moment. But there was a whole other impact from it for me, because I was the subject he'd put on that canvas. It was my form – it was me - just after we'd made love the night before, surrounded by his sheets.

Data, being Data, was more concerned about my assessment of his artisanship, rather than whether or not I minded being a nude model. I had led him back to bed to show him precisely what I'd thought, which was why I had been showering when it was nearly lunchtime.

"Oh," I said. Was I blushing? I hoped I wasn't blushing. "Is he still out there?"

"He is."

Nope, not awkward at all.

"Did he happen to mention why he's on the ship, or how long he's staying?"

"He is on the ship because he was on Vulcan, and when the Enterprise arrived for Ambassador Sarek's memorial, he took advantage of the opportunity to travel back to the Berlin and see friends at the same time."

"Okay, fair point." I took a deep breath. "Look, it's not like he didn't know we were… 'dating' isn't really the right word anymore is it? But anyway. He knew you and I were a thing. This doesn't have to be weird unless we let it be."

"That is true. However, you are wearing one of my shirts. I can only assume you chose it to 'make a statement.'"

He'd noticed that? Of course, he'd noticed that. "Do you mind?"

"I do not." He bent his head and breathed his next words into my ear. "Seeing you in my clothing is aesthetically appealing in a manner I have not been able to quantify."

I laughed softly. "If that painting is anything to judge by, I think you find an equally aesthetic appeal in seeing me out of your clothing. Or out of any clothing."

He managed a credible version of a smug smile. "Is that not 'how it should be?'"

"It is," I said, "exactly how it should be."

We walked out of the bedroom together.

T'vek was leaning against Data's console pretending to be nonchalant, but I caught him looking closely at what I'd chosen to wear, and I could tell he knew my shirt hadn't been designed for a woman.

He stood up straight when we re-entered the living area. "I'm really sorry I interrupted your morning," he said to both of us. "I went to your mom's first," he continued addressing only me, "and she said you'd be here. But it didn't occur to me that…" He trailed off. "You're not living together, are you?"

"Zoe stays here on weekends," Data said softly. "Perhaps it would be wise if we moved to a new venue. We typically have a mid-day meal in Ten-Forward on Sundays. My experience has been that humanoid males of your age are 'always' hungry, and Zoe skipped breakfast. Would you care to join us?"

"I'm hungry even if Tev isn't," I added. "And Guinan's mochas are better than the replicated ones."

For a moment, I thought my… ex… was going to decline, but I met his eyes, and he accepted the challenge. "I could eat," he agreed.

(=A=)

The lounge that occupied the forward section of deck ten was abuzz when we walked in, unusually so for a Sunday, but the reason became clear almost immediately: the brown-skinned, white-haired woman sitting alone at a table in center of the huge window. She wasn't holding court, as other visiting dignitaries often had, but was serenely sipping something from a mug.

Guinan greeted us at the door. "T'vek, welcome back to the Enterprise," she said to our companion. "I hope your parents are well."

"Thank you, they are," he answered. "It's crazy in here today."

The enigmatic bartender surveyed her domain. "Is it?" she asked. "I thought it was merely full of energy. Data, Zoe, I believe the Ambassador has been waiting for you."

"Forgive me," Data answered before I could say anything, "but we did not have plans to meet today."

"Nevertheless, I'm fairly certain she'll welcome the two of you at her table."

"Tev's with us," I pointed out.

"I'm certain she'll welcome him, too."

I was half-expecting that Admiral Uhura would politely decline our request to join her, but the wrinkled cheeks spread into a soft, sincere smile, and her dark eyes sparkled with contained mischief. "Commander Data, Ms. Harris, you are just the company I was hoping for. Who is this handsome young man with you?"

T'vek was both goggling and blushing – I hadn't ever seen him do either, before – but he recovered himself (with the assistance of my elbow meeting his ribs) and said, "I'm Stevek Maraij, ma'am. It's an honor to meet you."

She chuckled at his formality. "Yes, I'm sure it is. I'll tell you what, I'll overlook the fact that you called me 'ma'am' if you'll sit beside me and help balance the conversation when your friends forget they're not the only people in the room."

Data and I shared a look. There had been a moment at the dinner on Vulcan when it had felt like we were the only people there. "Hmm," he said, in the way that meant he was noting something for later analysis.

"We were not that bad," I protested, dropping into the chair that Data had pulled out for me, the one across from the ambassador. "Were we?"

Her expression softened. "Not really. And even if you were, no one would have minded. The Vulcans would have rejoiced in your happiness and the rest of us would merely have felt a bit wistful about finding our own soulmates."

I could almost hear Data spinning over the word soulmate, but I had to ask, "Vulcans rejoice about that?"

"Yes, of course they do. When children are bonded, it is in the hope they will grow to find the kind of match in each other that you and Mr. Data have. When they recognize such a connection in others, they celebrate the strength of the union."

I wanted to hear more, to ask exactly how 'matched' she thought Data and I were, but I was also cognizant of T'vek's presence. We'd broken up more than a year before, and spent time together in San Francisco the previous summer, but somehow his visit to the Enterprise was awkward, rather than easy, and we hadn't even had five minutes of actual conversation.

But he surprised me. "My parents had that happen," T'vek said softly. "They met when my father was doing an internship with a design firm in San Francisco, while Mother was doing an enrichment course at Starfleet Academy, and the first time she brought him to Vulcan, people kept quietly congratulating them on their bond."

"That's really lovely," I blurted.

"Indeed," Data put in. "Many telepathic cultures have bonding rituals or special recognition for romantic partners who are connected in that way. The Aguarians of Okeanos Three have such a strong bond that if one member of a pair sings a song, the other member will echo it from one-hundred-eighty degrees around the planet."

"I've heard performances of their songs," the ambassador said. "When they do quartets, with two bonded pairs of singers harmonizing, it's quite haunting." She glanced at T'vek and me, adding, as if she wasn't sure we knew, "The Aguarians are humanoid in appearance but closer to Earth's cetaceans in biology."

Tev laughed. "You don't have to tell Zoe that; she's got a mental catalogue of every world where surfing is a thing."

"You surf?" she asked, turning her focus back to me.

"Zoe excels at the sport," Data answered before I could. "I have had the privilege of watching her in a friendly competition."

I suddenly felt as though Data and Tev were trying to demonstrate who knew more about me. From Tev, this was almost expected. But from Data? Maybe I was imagining it.

"I mostly grew up on Centaurus. Gran runs the family farm, and Dad has a 'cottage' at Beach Haven," I explained. "I was practically born in the ocean."

As if they had rehearsed it, Data and T'vek said at the same time, "Zoe's parents believe she may be half-mermaid."

I glanced from my current partner to my ex and back and wasn't sure if I wanted to burst out laughing or hide under the table.

Ambassador Uhura, at least, seemed to sense my discomfort, as she changed the subject slightly: "Beach Haven is lovely; but if your father lives there, he must be Maestro Harris, yes?" I nodded and she continued. "Then you and I are actually old friends."

I stared at her, "We are?"

"Mmhmm. Though you may not remember. There was a party at the Federation embassy on Nordstral, and the maestro brought his then-five-year-old daughter as his escort."

I'd been dragged to so many parties and gatherings as a child, that they all sort of blurred together. "The CEO of Nordstral Pharmaceuticals had a son about my age," I recalled, letting the words come slowly as the memory unwound. "They made us pose for all these pictures holding hands, and his were sticky. I remember that all I wanted to do was curl up under a table and color."

"You fell asleep in the cloak room," she reminded gently.

"Oh, right! Was it winter? I remember that a lot of people had been wearing fur – real fur – and it was so soft, and warm."

"It's always winter on Nordstral," the ambassador said. "Your father wanted to scold you, but you were so precious that the Kitka chief insisted he let you sleep."

I grimaced at the memory. "I woke up with all these strange people staring down at me, like some runty version of Sleeping Beauty. But the chief used the opportunity to invite Dad and me to stay a while. We did – and I had a really good time in the caves with the fishermen, but we could only stay for three days. Dad still owes me a proper look at a Kraken."

"The Nordstral Kraken are not a species people typically wish to encounter in person," Data pointed out. "They have been known to eat people who stray too close to their territory."

T'vek shuddered. "You and your sea creatures, Zoe. Are you still working with the grace sharks?"

"They're almost ready for pupping, and after that the pups will be moved into separate tanks, and then the whole family will be rehomed on Pacifica." Answering in detail, instead of simply saying 'yes' or 'no' was something I must've picked up from Data, and I blushed faintly at that realization. "It'll be about eight… weeks…." I stumbled over the last two words.

"Zoe, are you alright?" It was Data, always solicitous, always aware.

"I just realized… I won't be here. I'll be at Idyllwild, and I'll miss it." I turned to him, knowing it was rude to ignore the ambassador and T'vek, and not caring. Later, I would realize that I was having yet another reaction to what had happened with Lore, but in that moment, all I knew was that my head was swimming, and I was suddenly terrified about what would happen with Data and me when I left the ship in six weeks.

"Do you wish to leave?" he asked softly.

I shook my head slightly. "I'll explain later," I told him, in a voice just as soft as his.

"Zo', are you okay?"

Tev's question brought me back into focus. I shook my head. "I'm sorry," I said. "Yesterday was a really long day, and I think it's catching up to me, is all."

Uhura reached across the table and touched my hand. "Yesterday was fraught with emotion. From what I could tell in our brief meeting at dinner, you handled it with poise and grace, and I should shoo you away to get some rest, but I'm curious: when you say Idyllwild, do you mean the theater company?"

I nodded, and answered, "Yes. I'll be joining them for their fall season and tour, and then returning to the Enterprise to finish my senior year."

"And then off to The Martian, like your father?"

I shook my head. "I auditioned, but I'm leaning more toward a proper university. My top three right now are Yale, NYU, and Caprica University."

"Caprica and NYU are both excellent schools, and someone with a love of theater and music would excel at either. Why is Yale your first choice?"

"There's an interdisciplinary pilot program: Theatre and Social Justice. It's a double major – theatre studies with political science, history, or sociology. The concept of learning how entertainment can be used to provoke social change is something I'm really interested in."

"And the fact that you're dating a decorated officer…?"

"… is an influence," I said, "of course. It's next to impossible to be on this ship, with these officers around, and not feel drawn to do something worthy. But if you know my father, then you also know my grandmother is Irene Harris. Activism runs in my blood as much as the arts do."

The ambassador laughed, and it was a warm and throaty sound. "Well said, Zoe. If you manage to keep that passion and temper it with the education and experience you seek, I suspect we'll be hearing your name quite a lot." She turned to T'vek then. "What about you? I know you were on Vulcan, but not at the memorial…"

"My mother is posted to the Berlin," Tev explained. "But she was here until the January before last – Zoe and I met in Data's math tutorial."

"T'vek asked to reroute his transport back to the Berlin by coming aboard the Enterprise," Data explained. "The math tutorial he referred to was comprised of a select group of top-performing students. Zoe, of course, is no longer part of the class."

"No, she wouldn't be," Uhura agreed, and I had the impression she understood far more than she let on. "But right now, I want to hear T'vek's side of things – is the nickname taken from the Betazoid children's series?" she added. "Mairaj is a Betazoid surname."

"Yeah," he said, "I mean, yes, ma'am. I mean…" he grinned helplessly. "Who wouldn't want to be a Pirate of the Opal Sea?"

Again, she laughed. "I know many young people who feel the same. So, you were on Vulcan for… what? Your Academy interview?"

"Actually no. I was interviewing with the architecture school on the island."

"I didn't realize they'd rebuilt since the last temblors shook the foundations of the last incarnation." Uhura smiled. "It isn't logical."

"Isn't it?" T'vek countered. "Where better to study architecture than in an environment where constant innovation is required. The new school also serves as an adjunct campus for the Vulcan Mining Institute."

"Was your interview fruitful?" Data asked, re-joining the discussion. It wasn't unusual for him to take the part of an observer during conversations, and I had the distinct impression he was analyzing my answers and behavior.

"I think so. It pleases my mother that I want to study on her homeworld, and my father is just happy I'm not planning to actually be a pirate."

"I am certain Kenash is quite relieved that you plan to become a 'respectable member of society,'" Data observed, with a surprising amount of wryness in his tone.

Uhura favored the three of us with her warm smile, but then she pushed her chair back from the table. "Please excuse me," she said. "I'm not as young as I used to be, and yesterday was a long day for me as well. Commander Data, Ms. Harris, I hope we'll spend more time together while I'm here. Mr. Mairaj, could I trouble you to escort me back to my cabin?"

T'vek said something to the effect of being honored, as he got up and offered the ambassador his arm. She wasn't as frail as she was pretending to be; I was sure. Data and I left soon afterward, heading back to his quarters, after I declined his invitation for a walk in the arboretum.

"Are you unwell?" he asked, as we entered his so-familiar rooms.

I shook my head. "Just overtired, overstimulated, and a little bit overwhelmed. Would you… I know you have work you want to do. Would you mind if I stayed here and took a nap while you work?"

"You do not 'have to ask' about such things," he told me. "My home is your home." I stepped close to him for a lingering hug followed by a brief kiss. He nuzzled my hair, but after a moment he asked, "Do you wish me to wake you in time for you to meet Ensign Barnett at the pool?"

"I don't think I have the energy to swim today," I said. "Wake me when it's time for me to go back to Mom's?"

"As you wish," he said.

"What I wish is that I didn't have to go back and forth. It's… it's getting harder, shifting between being my own person and being her daughter – her child. I love my mother but…" I stopped myself. "I'm sorry. I really am tired, and I have no filter right now."

But his yellow eyes regarded me from within a serious countenance. "There is no need to apologize. I will contact Ensign Barnett for you."

I pulled away from him but reached to squeeze and release his hand before I really left his space. "Thank you, Data," I said.

"Pleasant dreams, Zoe," he replied.

I went into his (our?) bedroom, stripped off most of my clothing, and curled up in his (our?) bed, but all I could think about was that I was leaving in six weeks, and my mother was right: leaving was going to be so much harder than I thought. It wasn't even about the act of sex, per se, but the increased connection, the incredible intimacy we shared.

(=A=)

Stardate 45293.50

(Wednesday, 17 April 2368, 10:07 hours, ship's time)

"You're late," T'vek accused as I dropped into the chair opposite his in the lower decks mess (port side, aft) where we used to meet some mornings before class. "Are you nervous?" He was teasing me, I knew, and it wasn't helpful.

"Kind of," I said. "But I'm late because I got the official notification from The Martian, and there was someone who had to be the first to know." I'd actually been avoiding him since our lunch with Ambassador Uhura several days before, using the excuses of a session with Counselor Troi, school, play rehearsal, and various other things, until finally, I couldn't delay any further.

"Data." It wasn't a question.

"He was my music theory tutor before we were anything else," I said, not sure why I was feeling defensive. "He coached me for my audition, made sure I was note-perfect. He deserved to be told."

"He's also your soulmate," my shaggy-haired table companion added softly.

"Yeah," I said, lowering my eyes. "He is." I left the table long enough to replicate two mugs of mint tea and a couple of egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches. "Here," I said, placing the tray between us on the table. "I was afraid you were going to be jealous and weird."

"I was a little freaked out when you walked out in a towel the other day," he said. "I didn't realize… the last I heard you two had just started dating, and then I saw how comfortable you are with him. Zo' we were friends before we were anything else. We were friends after everything else. I'm hurt that I had no idea you and Data had gotten this far."

His liquid black eyes were huge in his face. I could see the hurt in every line of him. "Oh, Tev –." I reached across the table and covered his warm, strong hand with mine. "I didn't… I felt weird telling you because we were so close, and I know I was a little jealous last summer, hearing about your harem."

"It's not a harem," he protested, chuckling. "It's not even really a string of girls. I mean it is, but one at a time, because no one fits right."

That was more in line with the boy I'd known. "But you didn't say anything…"

"It was easier, when you were with Theo, and seemingly happy, to let you think I was a total playboy."

"Theo and I were never serious."

"No. But that's because you'd already started turning toward Data." His words were matter of fact, but he was rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. He stopped, all of a sudden, though. "There's something else. Something dark."

I pulled my hand away from his. "Are you reacting to rumors or getting that from my thoughts?"

"The latter. You and I still have a sort of connection."

"From the mind-meld. I know. I felt it… When Sarek died and all the Vulcans on the ship were mourning, I felt it a little, too." I nibbled at the breakfast sandwich in front of me. "I can't talk about this here. Come with me?"

"Where to?"

"Data's. He's in class right now, and he won't mind."

"Are you sure you don't live with him?"

I laughed. "I sort of almost do, I guess. I'm there as much as I'm anywhere else, and… his space is where I feel safest."

I waited while he recycled our mostly-untouched food, and then I led him back to Data's quarters using a route that wasn't frequently traveled – dating the second officer had been instructive in more ways than I could count – where I sent a message to my boyfriend's padd before settling on the couch.

"Zoe, you're starting to scare me," Tev said, sitting on the opposite end of the sofa. It was Data's side, but his position was an echo of mine: cross-legged, back against the arm of the furniture.

"You know how I was convinced Lore was stalking me last summer?" I began, and my friend nodded. "Well, I ran into him again on the way home – I'm pretty sure he was the real perpetrator of the bombing at Starbase Twelve…" I told him the rest; how I'd stayed with Data for a week afterward, how we'd started getting closer, and then were sort of not-dating after that first tongue-stud-releasing kiss. "And then I was part of the mission to plant the Melona colony."

"I remember you telling me you were going, but what does that have to do with Lore?"

I was quiet looking for the right words, choosing and discarding several versions of what happened, until he began to get antsy, and I finally just blurted. "Lore raped me."

"WHAT?"

"Lore… he was with the Crystalline Entity, and he grabbed me from Melona after the killer snowflake did its work. He took me to his ship – it was cold and broken down, and he… he was awful. I was with… I was there for three days, and when the snowflake - he called it 'Phil' – when the snowflake shattered, he had me pinned to the deck, naked, and he… raped me."

"How did you get away?"

"He left my communicator when he beamed away. I think… some part of him was aware that he'd gone too far."

"Data rescued you?"

"He did. He… he's the one who held me together, after. I cried on him, and yelled at him, and once during a flashback, I even hit him – hurt my hand, in the process – but – he was my anchor. Is my anchor. We were already close, before it happened. We were already pretty physical. But after… he and Mom alternated staying with me day and night the first week. I couldn't sleep alone. I still have nightmares, though they're getting farther apart."

"Wow," T'vek said. "Wow. I wish I'd known, and at the same time I'm glad I didn't." He was silent for a long while, but I could tell he was processing everything I'd said. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and serious. "I can't imagine what I would have done if I'd been here," he said. "I'm glad Data could give you the support you needed."

"He always has," I said. "I don't know why we fit, but we do, and now I'm terrified when I leave the ship, I'll lose him."

I expected T'vek to agree with me. I expected him to be at a loss for what to say. He surprised me on both counts. "I don't think you have anything to worry about, Zoe."

"You don't?"

"Uh-uh. If he's been everything that you say he has. If he's as all-in with your relationship as it seems like he is – I mean, Zoe – come on. I was in his class. I've seen the way he is with people, and he was always different with you. Besides, the Commander Data I know wouldn't date a student, even one who's technically legal, if it wasn't real, and you wouldn't be kinda-sorta living with him, if he didn't mean for it to last."

I grinned at him through misty eyes. Telling him what happened had been harder than I anticipated, and I was emotional from it. "You think?"

"Yeah," he said, "I do."

We moved to the table, and I replicated grilled cheese and avocado sandwiches and glasses of iced tea. The food and the less intimate seating helped lighten the mood, and soon enough we were laughing as we played catch-up.

Tev and I stayed in Data's quarters talking until I really did have to leave for a class, exchanging a hug that was only slightly awkward right before we separated outside the turbo-lifts. He was going to see his art mentor, and I was going to the school deck, but before the doors to my lift closed, he asked, "So, what was on the chip?"

"Hold," I instructed the computer. "What?"

"The chip in your tongue stud. Did you ever find out what was on it?"

I shook my head. "No… there were… issues."

"Don't you think you should?"

The boy had a point, and I didn't mean the one on either of his ears.

(=A=)

Stardate 45298.29

(Friday, 19 April 2368, 04:14 hours, ship's time)

I couldn't sleep.

From the moment T'vek had asked me what was on the chip Lore had stuck in my tongue, the question had been stuck in my head.

The tongue stud I'd actually chosen to replace the one Lore had… installed… was, I knew, in a small container in Data's medicine cabinet, 'in case you wish to insert it again later.' I'd assured him that I had no plans to do so, but he had quietly insisted that it be kept.

What I didn't know was where he and Geordi had stashed the other stud, or, more specifically, the data solid that had been stored within it. Mostly, I tried to forget it had ever existed. I didn't like remembering Data with Lore's personality overshadowing his. I didn't like that I'd had to deactivate him. I really didn't like that the events of that night had been one more time that something Lore-related had ended up catapulting my relationship with Data forward.

In my heart, I knew we weren't together only because of Lore.

But late at night, when I was sleeping alone in my bed in my mother's quarters, sometimes I worried.

I had to know what was on that chip, and I was pretty certain Data hadn't dropped his research.

I reached for the comm-badge on my nightstand, activated it, and asked, "Computer, tell me the location of Lt. Commander Data."

Lt. Commander Data is in the cybernetics laboratory on Deck 36.

"Is he alone?"

Affirmative.

I left my bed, pulled on jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed my comm-badge and padd, and slipped out of Mom's quarters, taking the fastest route to the engineering deck, but turning toward the smaller laboratories, rather than main engineering.

The last time I'd been in Data's lab was when he had been trying to remove that tongue stud without kissing me, even though we'd both eventually admitted to knowing that kissing was the only solution, and for a moment, I hesitated. Maybe he was really working on something else. Maybe I shouldn't have barged down there.

I pressed the annunciator button and waited for the door to slide open so I could step inside.

Unlike the last time I'd been there, Data's lab was softly lit, and a couch – the one that used to be in his quarters, from the look of it – was nestled into a corner with a small table near it. It wasn't furniture I'd gone there to see, though.

"Zoe!" his bright tone betrayed his surprise. "I was not expecting you," he told me honestly. "It is very early; are you alright?"

"Mostly," I said. "I couldn't sleep. Ever since I had my talk with Tev the other day, I can't stop thinking about Lore's data solid, and what's on it. I think… Look, most women who are raped get to confront their rapist. They get to see him in court. There's closure. I won't ever have that opportunity, will I?"

I met his gaze and held it.

"It is unlikely," he admitted, after a long pause. "I am sorry."

"I figured as much," I confirmed. "I think if we solve that mystery, if we find out what all this was for, it'll be the closest thing to closure I can get."

Data had been using 'we' and 'our' in relation to things ranging from his bed to the aftermath of my rape, and every time I'd questioned him, he had reminded me that we were a couple. I half-expected him to question my use of the word this time.

"It will still be necessary to insert the data solid into my head," he said, rising from his chair and guiding me to the couch, where he sat down, and gestured for me to do the same. "I have not wished to trouble you by bringing up the data solid. I have been working with it, and I have isolated the personality overlay, and neutralized its effect."

I gave him a wry shake of my head. "I knew you wouldn't have just let it go."

"And I suspected you would look for me here when you were ready to face the problem again."

I reached for his hand, but he was faster, and folded my hand within his own. "I need you to let me be part of the process," I told him. "I know I won't be able to do much, except maybe sit here and offer moral support –"

"You may be of more help than you believe," Data said. "When Counselor Troi and I were attempting to decode the Tamarian language your presence as a 'sounding board' was useful. As well, you have insights into my brother that I do not."

"Believe me, I wish I didn't." He didn't need to tell me that he wished the same thing. We were both quiet for several seconds, and then the seconds stretched into minutes. Finally, I asked, "Data, do we really have to put it in your head?"

"I have tried running it through the ship's computer, and it would not function."

"I don't suppose you could use the holodeck and make a duplicate of yourself to insert the solid into?"

"That is an interesting notion," he said. "But a holographic representation of me would only look and behave like me; there would be no circuitry available to accept the chip."

"Sorry, I'm sure you've thought of everything already anyway."

"Not necessarily," he said. "You are often able to leap intuitively to concepts I have never considered."

"Often?" I snorted. "Doubtful."

"Do not doubt. No one but you has ever asked if my physical responses are 'pure' programming." He lifted our joined hands slightly, directing my attention to them, "No one but you has questioned whether I am 'allowing it' when our fingers twine. It is true that you lack real expertise in computers or cybernetics, but… that is not 'what you are here for.'"

The audible quotation marks never failed to make me smile. "Okay," I said, and then something struck me. "Data… what happened to the contents of your father's place on… whatever that planet was."

"Terlina III," he said. "After we disposed of Dr. Soong's remains, I sealed the structure. Why do you ask?"

I tried not to cringe at his casual reference to his father's death, and just focus on the issue at hand. "He had to be able to test the emotion chip Lore stole, right? Maybe there's something there that this chip could interface with?"

I saw Data's eyes widen and his features resolve into his 'processing' expression. When his focus returned to the here-and-now, his face brightened even further. "I believe you have solved our dilemma," he said. "I did not have the opportunity to catalogue the contents of my father's home, but with the assistance of Nick, I did ensure that ownership was transferred to my name. We are currently only two day's travel from the Terlina system." He released my hand, rose, and moved back to his workstation. "I am requesting two week's leave in order to go back there."

His hands were flying as he sent text messages to the Captain and Commander Riker, to Lt. Barclay, asking him to care for Spot – all of this I knew, because he was giving me a play-by-play as he did everything. Wait… care for Spot? But before I could ask, he added, "I am sending a message to Geordi asking if he will accompany us."

Wait… us?

"Data?"

He kept issuing commands to the computer, plotting navigation, requisitioning one of the larger shuttles.

I raised my voice, "Data!"

He immediately stopped what he was doing and turned to face me. "Zoe?"

"You're not expecting me to go with you, are you?"

"Did you not just convey to me the importance of being 'part of the process?'"

"Well, yes, but… my mother will never allow it."

"As she recently told you," he said, "it is no longer 'her call.'"

"It isn't," I said. "But it also is."

"I do not understand."

I wasn't sure I knew how to explain it. "It's a… a mother-daughter thing. Going to Vulcan with everyone, via transporter, is very different than jaunting across the quadrant with my lover and his best friend."

"Does that mean we should not ask her?"

I sighed. "Oh, we can ask. I'm just not sure we're gonna like her answer."

(=A=)

Stardate 45300.15

(Friday, 19 April 2368, 20:33 hours, ship's time)

It wasn't until Data brought coffee and dessert to the table that my mother finally realized that the dinner he and I were hosting in his quarters wasn't merely an attempt to establish a new way of interacting.

"Alright kiddo," she said, stirring cream into her coffee. "Out with it."

"Mom?" I asked, feigning innocence.

"I've known you since you were a zygote, daughter-of-mine, and I know the way you act when you want something you don't think you can have." She put both elbows on the table so she could hold her coffee cup in both hands and glare at me over the top of it. "Spill it."

I saw Ed flash both my mother and me bemused looks. "I can't deny I'm curious to know if there's a greater purpose to this dinner," he said. "Not that it hasn't been wonderful."

I waited for Data to return to his chair, glancing at him in momentary surprise when he covered my hand with his. "If you wish me to…" he began softly.

"No, I'm fine," I said. We had discussed it and he had agreed to let me do the talking, at least until I needed him for backup. "Mom, Ed, Data and I have something to tell you…" I waited for their total focus and blurted. "We're eloping. We leave in the morning."

I saw Ed rest his hand on my mother's shoulder, probably holding her down as much as reassuring her.

"Over my dead bod –" my mother began.

I cut her off. "Relax, Mom. I'm kidding."

"Zoe, if you think this is funny…"

"Mom, chill, really. Look, I just want your permission to go with Data to Terlina, so we can pack up his father's belongings, and hopefully solve a puzzle."

I saw my mother take a couple of cleansing breaths, and then an extremely slow, contemplative sip of coffee. "Tell me more," she said.

And so, we did. Actually, I did, with Data only offering clarification from time to time. I knew my mother would approve when she asked her last question:

"What about school?"

"I'm ahead in most of my classes, now that I don't have a tyrannical math tutor to deal with," I was teasing Data with that line, and he knew it. "And I'm pretty sure I can get my assignments early; do you really think either Data or Geordi would allow me to ignore my obligation to school?"

Mom and Ed shared a look, then he inclined his head slightly toward her, and I saw her whole demeanor relax.

"We talked about this when you asked about Vulcan, kiddo," she said softly. "It's not my call anymore. I'm glad you asked me, and I understand why you need my approval, but the decision to go, or not, is ultimately yours."

I opened my mouth to thank her, but Data spoke before I could. "Emily, I wish you to understand I do not intend to do anything that will undermine your relationship with your daughter. I believe our motivations are the same, where Zoe is concerned; we both wish for her to be safe, happy, and fulfilled. She cannot be any of those things if she perceives that you are not 'on her side.'"

His words both eased the mood and finalized our plans.

"Promise me you'll keep her safe," Mom said. None of us needed her to add the words this time. We all heard them in our heads.

"I promise to try," Data answered honestly. "Always."

The somber moment threatened to overwhelm what had been a pleasant dinner, until Ed said, "Tell me more about this planet… Terlina? Why hasn't anyone heard of it?"

"Terlina is not a habited world, and while it is only two days from our current position, it is 'off the beaten path' in terms of established trade routes," my boyfriend explained. "As well, Dr. Soong managed to acquire ownership of the entire planet and keep it off the official star charts."

"Wait, you own the entire planet?" I asked.

"Yes," Data said simply.

None of us had a good response to that.

Our little party broke up not much later, with my mother and Ed taking leave of Data and me. We wouldn't really be departing until late Sunday, so I promised Mom I'd see her the next day when I went home to pack.

She pulled me into a warm hug, and for a brief moment, I was a little girl again, wrapped in unconditional love and motherly acceptance. Then she surprised me by letting go of me and reaching to embrace Data, as well. That hug was a lot shorter, and a lot looser, but it was a big gesture, and I was touched by it.

(=A=)

Hours later, after I had cast off proper clothes in exchange for a good-as-new Starfleet Academy Athletics Department t-shirt that Data had apparently been issued as an incoming cadet, and stored away 'just in case,' I pulled him away from his console for some 'couch time.'

"Thank you for hosting dinner tonight," I told him after we'd talked about a few other things.

"I believe it was merely the first of many such events that our quarters will be home to," he said.

"Are you aware that's the second time you've referred to your quarters as 'ours?" I asked him. I'd been letting that question simmer for nearly a week.

"I am aware," he said.

"But they're not."

"You may not live here 'full-time,'" he explained. "But a significant number of your belongings have made their way here. Your cello has not left this space in months. We share a bed, and a routine. Does that not make these rooms as much your home as mine?"

"I wish…"

"Tell me, Zoe. What do you wish?"

"I wish I did live here full-time, but I'm only seventeen, and even though it's not illegal or anything, if I were to actually live with you, it would reflect poorly on you."

"I do not believe that it would. The specific living arrangements of Enterprise personnel are not reported to Starfleet. "

"It would also harm my relationship with my mother."

"That is valid," he agreed. "You will be nearly eighteen when you return to the ship at the end of your time with Idyllwild," he pointed out.

"Speaking of that…"

"Zoe?"

"What happens when I leave, Data? Do we try the long-distance thing? Do we break up? I love you, and I – I love us. But I'm going to be away from the ship for six months. We've both said we want a future together, but long distance never works."

Data lifted me onto his lap and nuzzled my hair before he responded. "The future we both envision will happen only if we ground it with a solid present." I wondered who he'd been talking to, and when he'd become so wise. "I must remind you that some long-distance relationships do last. I must also remind you: no one has ever attempted a long-distance relationship with an android."

I laughed. "Tev said I was worrying over nothing."

"It is not 'nothing,' Zoe, but I do believe your worries are unfounded."

"So, when I come back after Idyllwild…?"

"I would like you to move in with me, yes," he confirmed. "It is the logical next step in our relationship."

"I'd like that," I said, feeling as though he'd given me something to hold onto. "I'd like that a lot."

We proceeded to demonstrate to each other exactly how much we each liked our future plan.

Notes: Revised (fixed typos) 24 August 2019). The painting Zoe refers to is what Data painted in the one-shot Carte Blanche (the piece is M-rated, but not really explicit, if you haven't read it). The planet Nordstral, the Kitka, and the kraken are all from the TOS novel Ice Trap, by L.A. Graf. The last active appearance of Lore's data solid was in chapter 13 of this story. Terlina III is the planet where Data (and Lore) are summoned by Dr. Soong in the episode Brothers. While it's never named on-screen until Inheritance, I think it's safe to assume that Data learned the name from title documents and Soong's will, if not other sources. Remember to check my profile page for updates to the chronology, as well as news about what's going on with me.