Chapter 3

It was three evenings later when Will and Geordi invited Haley to join them in the lounge for a drink. With Deanna not there to help, the conversation soon turned to Data.

"You did a great job helping Data. Maybe you could help Geordi next," Will laughed.

"Very funny, Commander," Geordi sighed. "Where is Data anyway? I haven't seen him all day."

"I think he has a date tonight," Will grinned. Haley had been taking a sip of her drink when Will had spoken and suddenly started to choke. "Are you okay, Haley?"

Haley coughed a few more times while nodding her head. "It just went down the wrong way. Go on," Haley managed to say.

"Data came to me for some advice," Will continued, "I hope you don't mind. Data didn't want to disturb you since you were so busy. He wasn't sure what to do next since things hadn't gone completely as he thought they should with Sharroon. I told him that if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Will nodded in the direction of the door as Data and Lieutenant Miller entered. "I'm glad he took my advice."

While Haley was also glad Data had gone to Will, she was certain that before Data decided he had dating down, she was going to have a stroke. "Or would heart failure be more appropriate?" she asked the mirror late one night, as she pulled the clips from her hair. She sighed and turned from the vanity as she ran her fingers through her locks, finally shaking her head to allow her natural curl to once again frame her face.

The fling with Lieutenant Miller had lasted eighteen days and five dates before Data decided she was not for him. Ensign Marribar lasted twelve days and four dates before she went the way of the other two. Lieutenant Rosterlin had agreed to a third date tonight, but Data had wanted to see Haley just prior to his date to ask her advice again. This would be the fourth time this week and the dreams had returned.

Haley was putting makeup over the dark circles under her eyes when the door chime sounded. Putting everything hastily away, she called for her visitor to enter. Data strode confidently into the room and to Haley's side. He greeted her with a warm hug. He had started doing this about four weeks ago and she had noticed the dreams had returned about that same time.

I can't exactly ask him to stop hugging me, now can I? she had groaned to herself on more than one occasion.

Taking her hand, something he had started two weeks ago, Data led Haley to the couch and sat beside her. "I am taking Anne to the ball Commander Riker arranged for this evening. Are you planning on attending?" he asked, with that sweet smile he used so well.

"I hadn't planned on it. Come on, Data. You don't need me to hold your hand anymore. You're doing wonderfully on your own," Haley assured him.

Data reclaimed her hand and grinned at her, playfully. "I enjoy the feel of you holding my hand. While I may not need it, I value it," he told her earnestly.

Once again, she felt herself grow weak. Data had gained some power over her and there was practically nothing she could deny him.

"I wish you to come to the ball," he told her.

"Why?"

"I intend to save at least one dance for you. Anne must leave at 2000 hours. At that time, will you take her place as my dance partner? Please?"

Haley wished she could plead she was a bad dancer, but Data knew better. She had danced with him in the past, but now it was different. Before his touch did not send chills up and down her spine. Now it did, and sometimes more.

"Data, I don't know," Haley stammered. "I don't have anything to wear. I don't exactly keep 19th century formal wear in my closet."

"I am sure you can find something suitable at the stores," Data smiled. "Please, Haley."

"Okay, okay. I'll go," Haley could never refuse Data when he gave her that look. That look was what started all of this in the first place.

"Thank you, Haley," Data hugged her again but this time for a little longer than before. Haley was sure her knees were going to buckle at any moment if Data did not release her.

"I look forward to our dances together." Data moved towards the door to Haley's quarters, turning back to smile at her before he left. Haley's stomach began to ache.

"I don't care what the doctors say, I swear I'm getting an ulcer," she groaned to herself.

With great reluctance, Haley left her quarters to seek out a dress when she saw Deanna walking in her direction.

"Hello, Haley," Deanna smiled. "Are you attending Will's ball tonight?"

"I wasn't planning on it but it looks like I will be now," Haley sighed.

"What made you change your mind?" Deanna questioned although she suspected she knew the answer.

"Lieutenant Rosterlin has to leave early and Data asked if I would be his dance partner after she left," Haley explained.

"And he had that look on his face that you've told me about and you couldn't refuse," Deanna finished.

"That one, exactly," Haley sighed again. "I don't know how I'm going to get ready in time. I don't even have a dress."

"Let me help. I know what size you wear and I think I can find something you'll like," Deanna offered. "Go back in your quarters, take a short nap and I'll be back soon."

Haley took Deanna's advice regarding the nap. She slept for 45 minutes before the door chime sounded. Deanna came in holding a formal Victorian era gown of deep burgundy. There was delicate embroidery along the bodice and a synched waist. The neckline plunged a little lower than Haley would have picked herself but the dress was beautiful.

"Do you really think I can do justice to that dress?" Haley questioned.

"You will look absolutely gorgeous," Deanna reassured her. At least I hope that's what Data will think. "I'm going to start getting ready. If you think you'll need help, I can come back later."

"Please. I need all of the help I can get," Haley was practically pleading.

After Deanna left, Haley held the dress up to herself and looked in the mirror. She laid it out on her bed before having a quick shower. After looking at some Victorian era hairstyles on the computer, Haley pulled her hair back with a ribbon imitating one of the styles. By the time Deanna returned, all that was left for Haley to do was put on that dress. It took a few minutes to get the dress done up and adjusted but it was worth it.

"You do look gorgeous," Deanna smiled. Haley was looking at herself in the mirror having a hard time accepting that it was really her reflection staring back at her.

"Damn, I do look good," she said, grinning. "Thank you for everything, Deanna. Not just for tonight. You've been such a rock for me and I really appreciate it."

"That's what friends are for. Now come on. Let's go to the ball, Cinderella," Deanna smiled.

The two women received many appreciative glances on their way to holodeck two, where the ball was being held. They chatted happily as they approached the open doors, but when they did, Haley stopped dead.

"What's wrong?" Deanna asked, taking Haley's arm. The empath could feel her friend's distress.

"I can't go in there," Haley declared in a tone that left no room for argument. She stared with a blank expression into the busy room. Deanna could see Haley's eyes were not expressionless. They were filled with dread.

"Data?" Deanna whispered as other party-goers passed them to join the festivities.

"SHE will be in there with him, Anne. I can't do it. I can't be there while Data's romancing her," Haley affirmed under her breath. She closed her eyes and turned away from the entrance.

"But, Haley, you went to all this trouble and you looks so wonderful," Deanna reminded her. But Haley was shaking her head and moving away. "And you promised Data," Deanna added, using her final trump card.

Haley turned back to look the Betazoid in the eye. "Go on ahead. Anne is due to leave around 2000. I'll come back then," Haley pledged. Deanna looked sad, but nodded slowly. "Go on. I'll see you later. Have a good time."

With no place else to go, Haley returned to her quarters. She realized that without help, she not only could not get out of the dress, but she would not be able to get back into it. Feeling defeated, she sat carefully at her dining room table. After ordering the computer to signal her when it was 2000 hours, she lay her head down on the tabletop and closed her eyes.

Data and Anne were just moving to the dance floor when Deanna arrived, but she assured him later Haley would be there, but not for a while.

"Is there a problem, Counselor?" Data asked, exchanging glances with Anne. The perimeter of the huge room had been encircled with tables for sitting and eating. Deanna, Will, Lieutenant Lil Quata, Ensign James Trec, Data and Anne had been sitting together at one.

Deanna tried not to sigh at Data's question. "She just couldn't make it until then, Data," she told him with as much certainty as she could muster. Data seemed content to accept this and nodded. Anne teased him a bit about wanting to make sure he had a pretty woman on his arm the whole night. Data just grinned.

Anne had left at 1940 claiming she had some preliminary test findings to go over before she started her work in the Chem Lab that night. Exchanging a rather uninspired kiss with Data, she left the ball. Fortunately, no glass slipper was left behind.

Deanna noticed Data seemed anxious soon after Anne's departure. He turned to glance at the door frequently. "Haley will be here, Data," Deanna assured the android, but as 2000 came and went, Deanna began to wonder herself.

A song had just concluded and many were returning to their seats when Will, who was facing the door, suddenly exclaimed. "Damn!" Everyone turned to look at him with concern or confusion. "Sorry. That was just my sexy woman proximity detector going off. Look." He pointed across the room to where Haley stood, looking for Data.

Deanna heard Data sigh with relief as he quickly moved towards Haley.

Haley turned to see Data approaching her.

Please, no hug, Haley thought as Data stood in front of her.

"Haley, I am so happy to see you. You look very beautiful," Data said with a big smile before giving Haley a quick hug.

"Thank you, Data. I said I would be here and I could never let you down," Haley smiled back. Even though she was feeling such a jumble of emotions she could not help but smile when Data was looking at her like that.

Data had taken Haley's hand and was leading her back to the table when the music started up again. It was Will, however, who beat Data to having the first dance with Haley.

"Excuse me, Mr. Data. Ms. Foster, you look stunning this evening. May I have the pleasure of this dance?" Will smiled.

With a disappointed look on his face, Data released Haley's hand as Will led her to the dance floor. Data returned to the table and watched as Will and Haley twirled around the dance floor. It was obvious Haley was enjoying her dance with the commander and this bothered Data but he did not understand why. Data started to feel better when the music stopped and Will and Haley started to make their way to the table. Data's discomfort returned quickly though when Lieutenant Reed intercepted the pair and escorted Haley back to the dance floor. Haley glanced over to Data with an apologetic look on her face as she walked with Lieutenant Reed. This scene repeated itself again when Lieutenant Torres approached Haley as soon as she had finished her dance with Lieutenant Reed.

"Data, let's dance," Deanna smiled as she pulled Data to the dance floor. "Tell me what's bothering you."

"I do not know. I have never experienced this emotion before. I do not know how to describe it but it occurs whenever Haley is dancing with someone." Data words stumbled from his mouth.

It's called jealousy, Data, Deanna thought to herself before speaking. "Haley does look very beautiful tonight. It's not surprising others have noticed that fact as well."

"Yes, that is true, however, I wish they would stop asking her to dance so I can," Data lamented.

Deanna quickly changed the subject to Data's evening with Anne. "Will you be seeing Anne again, Data?" she asked.

"I do not believe so. Anne is a pleasant woman, however, it is obvious her duties are a priority greater to her than a relationship," Data responded.

"That's too bad, Data." Deanna tried to sound like she meant what she was saying.

"I am starting to get discouraged, Counselor. I am wondering whether there is someone out there for me."

"Data, I am certain there is but sometimes, when you're looking too hard for something, you miss what's right in front of you." Deanna smiled as the music stopped. "Now go ask Haley to dance."

Data made his way towards Haley as Lieutenant Reed was asking Haley for another dance.

"I am sorry, Lieutenant," Data interrupted. "Lieutenant Foster already has a partner for this dance." Haley smiled as Data took her in his arms as the music began. Data and Haley danced together for the rest of evening.

Data held Haley's hand as he escorted her back to her quarters. She was aglow with happiness and a light misting of perspiration that covered her brow. Data had stepped up the pace of their last dance and it seemed as though she was still recovering.

Data still felt slightly discouraged over his newest failure with Anne. Each of the women he had been dating had many pleasing qualities and seemed to enjoy his company, but Data knew there was something else - something more he craved from each pairing.

Perhaps the fault still lay with him, Data decided. As they entered Haley's quarters, Data was glad they were together, he needed her very much right now. He needed to check something important.

"Haley," Data began once the door had closed behind them. He did not even let her go to the couch. He looked intensely into her eyes as he continued. "I require your assistance."

Haley's expression of happiness evaporated as Data's became extremely serious.

"What is it, Data?" she asked in a small voice.

"I have thus far failed in my attempts to find a suitable mate, despite your generous assistance. Since your guidance is supported by numerous entries I have read previously..." He gave her an apologetic smile for not disregarding his past reading. She raised an eyebrow at him, but remained silent. "...and I can see no serious flaws in the ladies I have selected, the fault must therefore lie with me." Haley tried to interrupt here, but Data prevented her with a finger to her lips. "In this case, I would like to review your lessons for areas I have faltered in my learning. I wish you to tell me if I have improved or declined in my effectiveness."

Haley sighed and smiled up at him, waiting for the string of long worded compliments to begin.

"Go ahead, Data but I'm sure if you are still being yourself, you're fine."

"I have added some improvisations. You can inform me if they are indeed still fine." With a nod to indicate he was ready to begin, Data took gentle but firm hold of Haley's shoulders, walking her backwards to the nearby wall. Backing her against it, he moved in. Tilting his head to the side, he leaned in to press his lips to hers. But this kiss was different. If the first one he had given Haley took her to first base, and the following one to second, this kiss bypassed third and went straight to home. Data held her tightly against the wall and somehow it heightened the excitement of what he was doing.

"Do you note improvement or a decline in my performance?" he asked her softly. Haley still had not opened her eyes.

"Improvement," she finally mumbled.

"I see. Perhaps the following type of kiss," he mused.

Haley tensed noticeably as she opened her eyes. "Following type?" she repeated, nervously.

Data moved his hands from where he was holding her against the wall to her cheeks. "You must open your mouth slightly this time, Haley. You have become tense. Please try to relax," he instructed as he again brought his lips to hers.

His lips caressed hers before his tongue darted from between his lips to tease her lips into parting and allowing him access. With a small start, Haley did as Data wished. The heat that always accompanied his touch now seemed a flame. It was causing her to melt into him. She could not stop herself from praying he would take her into her bedroom and keep going.

Instead, Data gradually pulled back from her, taking his sweet kiss with him. "Your opinion, Haley?" he asked her.

"What comes after home?" she whispered in a dreamy voice.

"I do not understand the question," Data told her.

Haley opened her eyes and looked Data in the eyes. "I mean, you're just fine...you...your kiss... it's very nice. There's nothing wrong with it." She took a deep breath and ordered the fuzziness to release her. Taking hold of his elbows, she looked him firmly in the eyes. "Data, I think you're expecting to hit a home run your first time at bat. It takes time to find a mate. If they aren't right for you, it doesn't mean there is something wrong with them or you, just that you are not fully compatible with each other. Just give it time, Data. You'll find her," she assured him.

Data grinned that grin that always felt like a blow to the stomach to Haley. "You are very wise, Haley. I cannot thank you enough. I will heed your advice. Thank you for everything," he said. He pulled her back into his arms and hugged her tightly. Pulling back, he kissed her temple with affection.

"I will go now. Thank you," he concluded.

Haley forced another smile and nodded. "You'll find her, Data," she called to his departing back. As soon as the door closed, Haley fell against the wall and sunk to the floor. "And the day you do find her, it will kill me."

Haley could not stop the tears that followed. She sat sobbing on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees and her face buried in the folds of her dress for almost an hour. When the tears finally slowed, Haley stood up and went to the mirror to look at the damage. Her eyes were red and puffy and her make-up was now a disastrous mess.

"Go to bed, Haley," she ordered her reflection. She reached to the back of her dress. She struggled trying to get the dress undone becoming more frustrated with each try. Finally all of the turmoil she had been going through for so long boiled over.

"Damn!" she exclaimed loudly as she pulled at the fabric, releasing all of her emotions as she did. Now the only sound filling the room was that of ripping fabric as Haley tore the dress off and threw it on the floor. She ran to her bedroom, throwing herself on her bed. The tears were back and no matter how hard she tried they would not stop. Finally, Haley cried herself to sleep. She was totally spent, not just from the evening but from everything that had happened over the past months. She then had the best night's sleep she had experienced in a long time. She had been too tired, too wrung out to even dream.