A/N: Thank you all!
I want to be clear that this is not the final chapter. There are some big moments – but we've still got a long way to go!
C/W: Contains abusive behaviour, smut, and dub con/rape. Will contain Data/Tasha fluff and eventual smut. Lore is a master of manipulation. Lore/Beverly (but it's not what it seems).
This is a fic in which Lore (still his lovably flawed, chaotic self) plays the long con before showing his true colours. Also, Lore and Data have significantly greater capacity to feel than canon suggests.
Tasha pulled her knees close to her chest. She wrapped her arms around them and rested her chin on her kneecaps as she sat in the warm, sudsy water.
On their first lift ride up after the beach, Tasha had been planning to ask Data to join her.
That was before Beverly had been waiting outside their door.
And before Lore had gotten his latest digs in.
Tasha sighed in exasperation.
She hated the way he got under her skin.
Yet, Tasha felt like she couldn't shake it.
His words had cut right to the heart of Tasha's biggest insecurities, preying on her doubts about her self-image and her relationship with Data, exploiting her trauma, and reinforcing her fears.
Tasha knew it was foolish to fall into that trap.
Data loved her.
He wasn't going to leave her over something like this.
He'd made very clear that he wanted to be with her regardless.
Data had never been put off by the idea of Tasha's previous assaults.
But those other men hadn't been his brother. A little voice said.
Tasha squeezed her eyes shut and tried to push the image of Data walking onto the holodeck from her mind.
It had been impossible for him to hide the look of betrayal upon discovering her and Lore.
Not that she could blame him.
Data had been shocked.
Appalled even.
It wasn't his fault how he reacted.
And while all of his behaviour since had been patient and reassuring, Tasha still couldn't shake that image of his initial response.
You are special to me.
His words echoed in Tasha's mind.
She smiled.
Of course Data didn't mind. She reminded herself.
Despite everything that had happened tonight, Tasha was still clinging to the fact that Data loved her. Most of their day had been lovely and she was determined that she wasn't going to let Lore ruin the rest of this trip for her or Data.
It had felt so nice to relax in the water with Data.
And their little snogging session had reaffirmed everything Tasha had waiting for – Data still loved her.
While they had initially planned on a late-night playing cards, the boat ride had left her feeling completely knackered.
As she leaned back in the tub, she was looking forward to a good night's sleep snuggled in bed together.
Out in the bedroom, Data pulled his suitcase onto the bed.
He unlatched the clasp and reached inside to retrieve his clothing for tomorrow.
Data figured Tasha would be in the bath for a long while and decided to use the time to prepare for their trip to the lighthouse tomorrow.
As he pulled out his trousers, Data's eyes fell upon a small box.
His breath hitched.
He had packed for this trip nearly four months ago – long before he even knew of Lore's existence.
Between everything that had happened, Data had failed to remove this package before leaving the Enterprise.
He picked up the box and rang his fingers across the top of it.
For a brief moment, a sense of bitterness passed through him.
Data knew it wasn't the time.
He couldn't do it on this trip.
Not now.
Data carefully opened the top of the box to examine the contents. He wasn't sure why he did – it only served to hurt himself.
He had spent 283 hours of considerable research before settle on this.
"Data?" Tasha asked from the doorway.
She could see that Data was studying something intently and there was a miserable look in his eyes.
Data quickly snapped the box shut and stuffed it back into his luggage.
"Everything alright?" Tasha inquired.
"You are finished," Data said in surprise.
He had thought she'd likely be in there much longer.
"I can go back if you need a moment alone," Tasha teased.
"I was just preparing for tomorrow," Data said, hoping to change the topic.
"What's in the box?" Tasha asked.
Data feigned ignorance.
"It's just, for a moment you looked rather sad about it," Tasha said in a concerned voice.
"Nothing of importance," Data assured her.
Tasha quirked an eyebrow at Data to indicate she wasn't buying it. It certainly didn't seem like 'nothing of importance' given the kind of emotional response it had garnered.
"Something I packed by accident," Data said. "I did not realise it was in with some of my other personal belongings. Have you seen the moons?"
Data sure seemed to be going to a lot of trouble to change topics.
"Data, you packed for this trip ages ago. How could you misplace something for four months?" Tasha teased as she stepped over to him.
Data shrugged uncomfortably.
"Would you like play cards now?" Data suggested.
He moved toward the door to the main room of their lodgings.
"I'm pretty tired. I was thinking of calling it an early night but now I'm intrigued," Tasha said as she rushed over and snagged the box.
"Tasha!" Data said sharply as he attempted to grab it back.
She had anticipated this – Tasha Yar never made a move without an escape plan in mind.
Tasha rolled back across the bed and laughed.
"I want to know what's got you so worked up," she laughed.
It was the kind of unbridled, warm laugh that she hadn't experienced in weeks.
"What could possibly be so unimportant, as you claim," she taunted. "That it slipped through your trillions of calculations per second?"
Data was genuinely distressed.
"Tasha, please give me that. I-I do not want you to see what is in there as I cannot do it at this time-" Data struggled to get out.
But it was too late.
Tasha had opened the box.
She had seen the contents.
Data glanced up to see her frozen in place as she stared down at what Data had so desperately tried to conceal from her.
"You didn't want me to see this," Tasha said.
It wasn't a question, but rather a statement.
And her voice was full of uncertainty.
"No, I did not. Not now," Data attempted to explain.
Tasha glanced up at Data. She felt numb.
Not now. He had said.
"I understand," she said as she handed the box back to him.
Data took it from her and closed the lid.
"I suppose we should talk about this," Data suggested.
"No," Tasha assured him, feigning confidence she didn't actually have. "You don't need to say anything. I'm the one that should be apologising to you."
Tasha was doing her best to portray a composed demeanour, but inside she felt like she'd just had the wind knocked out of her.
I do not want you to see what is in there.
I cannot do it at this time.
Tasha had just gotten through convincing herself that Data didn't care about what happened with Lore.
She had persuaded herself that Data loved her.
That this was nothing more than a temporary setback and that it wouldn't harm them in the long run.
That they could make it through this.
Through anything.
"Tasha, I packed that months ago at a time when I had been planning to present it to you on this trip," Data explained. "After everything that has happened, it was no longer my intention to do so. I did not feel the time was right as-"
"Data, you don't have to explain," Tasha said.
She was running on autopilot now.
"Now that the metaphorical cat is out of the bag I believe it is only prudent-" Data started to say.
He tried to hand the box back to her.
It hadn't been the manner in which Data had planned to propose. But it didn't change his end goal.
Data had envisioned this would be a moment of joy. Instead, it felt awkward. It was part of why he had decided to hold off for the time being.
It wasn't that his feelings had changed or that Data was having second thoughts.
But Tasha didn't know that.
To her, Data's comments about it not being the right time reinforced her fear that he was actually bothered by her assault – more than he was letting on and in a way that made him question their relationship.
Tasha put her hand up to stop him.
"Data, I don't want you to feel like you have to do this now just because I was snooping where I shouldn't have been," Tasha said.
She couldn't make eye contact with him. Her mind was clouded with too much doubt.
"Tasha, my feelings for you remain unchanged," Data assured her.
"I know," Tasha said.
It was a lie.
She didn't believe that anymore.
"Like you said, it's not the right time," Tasha nodded.
She crossed her arms and looked around the room.
It was suddenly all too small a space for the two of them.
She needed air.
But Tasha knew she couldn't very well go for a walk outside – not when there was the possibility of Lore roaming about the area.
Their lodgings were her only safe space from Lore.
Yet, she was sharing this space with Data, and she desperately needed to get away from him for a while to think.
Just when she needed it most, she felt the breeze from the balcony sweep into the room. Her gaze fell on the open doors that led out to an open space, the doors that led to a place that she could claim as her own.
"Tasha?" Data asked.
"Why don't you take the bed?" Tasha suggested. "I'm going to sleep out here tonight."
She tightened the sash on her dressing gown.
"And I'd like to be alone," Tasha added, unable to look him in the eye.
Data nodded in understanding.
"I understand," he said, belying just how disappointed he was in his botched proposal.
She was just about to the door when Data felt it was necessary to make something clear.
"Tasha, I love you," Data said.
She paused but did not acknowledge his comment.
Tasha slipped out onto the balcony alone.
There was a large, comfortable outdoor bed with a small shade above it. It was covered in plush cushions and soft pillows in every imaginable shape and size.
Tasha had been looking forward to playing cards under the moonlight out here.
Now she was alone.
Curling up with one of the pillows, she cried herself to sleep.
"Are you coming to bed?" Beverly asked.
"I will be in momentarily," Lore replied.
He was standing at the counter in the lavvy.
Lore scowled as he replaced the servo mechanism in the panel on his right forearm.
There wasn't much he could do here.
It would take days for all of his internal systems to dry out.
While Lore was grateful to be out of that wet, inky abyss – he loathed the fact that his rescue had come at the hands of his idiot brother.
Data and his foul do-good, golden-boy attitude. Lore scoffed to himself.
Always swooping in to save the day.
Ever the centre of attention.
The consummate hero.
Lore couldn't wait to shatter his brother's image. By the time he was through, Lore would show them all. And Data would be nothing but a fractured piece of duranium.
A shell.
Just like the cracked hull of that ship he'd discovered on the ocean floor.
At the very least, he could take comfort in knowing he had probably ruined whatever bland night his brother and his Lieutenant had planned.
Probably did them both a favour. Lore mused as he imagined whatever kind of vanilla evening had been in the cards for them.
At the very least, Lore was certain of one thing – they definitely weren't having sex.
Lore looked up in the mirror as he closed the panel on his forearm.
He studied his appearance, turning his head side to side in the mirror as he eyed the line of his jaw.
As much as he relished in his own construction, it was a constant reminder of Data.
And Father. Lore grimaced.
Old Often Wrong had been handsome enough by human standards. But there was something about the sheer hubris that he possessed that had always driven Lore off the idea of praising old Noonian.
Lore had always found it an odd choice that Noonian had created his boys in his image – particularly when he had the ability to mold them into whatever shape he could fathom.
But ego and vanity were hallmark characteristics of a Soong.
And Noonian had been no exception.
"I'm starting to feel just a little bit jealous," Beverly teased as she came up behind Lore.
She snaked her arms around his bare torso as she watched him take in his own appearance.
Lore cocked his head to the side.
"Because you've spent so much time in front of that mirror," Beverly clarified. "I'm thinking you love yourself more than me."
Lore grinned as he covered her hand with his own.
"You know it will take days for me to properly dry out," Lore shared. "All that pressure really did a number on my internal systems."
"I'm so sorry," Beverly said.
"I'll be alright," Lore replied.
"Then come to bed," Beverly said in a playful voice.
She giggled, taking hold of his hand, and leading him out into the bedroom.
Lore followed eagerly.
Beverly pulled him down onto the bed and climbed on top of him.
"I'm so very glad you're back," she purred as she nibbled at his neck.
"And I'm so very glad to be in your arms and not the tentacles of some giant sea monster," Lore teased.
He let his hands wander down to cup her backside as he relished in the soft skin under her chemise.
Yes, Lore took no small sense of satisfaction in knowing that he was enjoying the carnal pleasure of being with this lovely woman while his brother was likely fetching crackers for his nauseous Lieutenant.
Beverly groaned and rolled her hips against him.
She had waited all day for this. And after the incident on the boat, the thought of nearly losing him made her all the more desperate.
Beverly planted a trail of kisses across his collar bone before dragging her teeth up his bioplast to capture his lips in a heated, urgent kiss.
She nuzzled against his neck.
"Is there something wrong?" Beverly whispered into his ear.
She ground her hips against Lore again and tried not to pout when the expected function failed to activate.
Lore rolled them so that he was on top.
"No, no, darling," he said.
Lore nipped at the pulse point of her neck. His hands wandered up over her hips and torso to cup the curve of her breast. His thumb brushed over her nipple, savouring the thought that they were erect and excited for him.
All of a sudden, Lore stopped.
"Lore?" Beverly asked.
His face twitched and his eyes began to flit back and forth rapidly.
Terror gripped his system as he attempted to manually activate his sexuality programme.
Normally, it could be activated by anything that engaged it – visual or audio cues, a soft caress, even memories.
For the last three minutes, he had grown increasingly alarmed as it would not engage.
After it failed to activate automatically, Lore had now made eighteen attempts to manually engage the programme – all without success.
"Is there something wrong?" Beverly repeated.
Lore did not respond.
"You know it's alright, maybe you just need some time," Beverly suggested as she rested her hand on his arm. "It happens to all men."
Lore's head snapped in her direction, and he gripped her wrist tightly.
"Not to me," Lore growled.
It was said in a tone that was cold and different than the sweet, tender android Beverly had come to know that it sent a chill right down her spine.
Lore instantly realised his error.
He released her wrist.
"I'm sorry," Lore said, doing his best to look sincere.
"It's alright," Beverly replied.
She dismissed it as being a combination of fear. Lore had undergone a considerable trauma on their trip out to sea. Men were nervous enough about performance issues. Beverly could only imagine how additionally frightening it would be for an android – especially if this was the first time it had ever happened.
"But of course I can still pleasure you," Lore assured her.
He grinned and tried to swallow the fear that had consumed him.
Lore guided Beverly back onto the bed.
He smirked as he lifted her chemise, kissing and nibbling at her thighs.
Beverly made a small noise of pleasure as he stroked her clitoris.
She groaned when his tongue made first contact.
As he continued to lap at her, Lore's mind wandered.
He tried not to panic, but it was difficult not to let the dark thoughts that had infiltrated his neural net spiral out of control.
This had never happened before.
It shouldn't have happened at all.
It would take time – at least an hour – for his system to run a complete diagnostic check of every piece of circuitry.
Lore was concerned that the water or pressure may have caused internal damage to his system. His sexuality programme was one the most complex parts of construction.
It was also a considerable portion of his self-image.
What if it never functioned again?
Lore's mind was reeling.
"Ah, ow," Beverly's voice brought him back to reality.
Lore stopped.
"Ow," Beverly hissed as she reached between her legs to cover herself.
Lore had been so consumed with his own thoughts that he hadn't been paying attention. He'd been a little too rough with his tongue – not enough to cause any real physical damage but enough that it was uncomfortable.
Lore's eyes glazed over as he sat back on his knees.
"Maybe we should do something else for a while?" Beverly suggested.
"I'm sorry," Lore replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
I like to think what you put out into the world comes back to you three-fold. Juliana had often said.
It was the philosophy that she had lived by all her life.
Is this punishment? Lore considered.
He couldn't believe he was even considering that.
It was a ridiculous notion. He was programming and circuitry, wires, polymer, plastics, and metals.
Every bit of him was synthetic in construction.
Lore had no soul.
Old Often Wrong had frequently reminded him of that fact.
And yet.
Lore glanced down at the neglected cock between his legs and considered if in the grand scheme of the universe this was some kind of poetic justice.
"Don't think about it," Beverly urged as she came up behind him.
She pressed a soft kiss to the top of his shoulder before resting her head there.
"I am going to get some air," Lore said suddenly.
Without another word he got up and headed for the balcony.
"Oh, alright," Beverly replied in a small voice, unsure of what else to say.
She sat back on the bed and watched him go.
Maybe all this business with Data is weighing on him? She considered.
Beverly bit down on her thumb as she contemplated that maybe it was time to make a formal attempt at facilitating peace between the two.
The soft rumble of thunder disturbed Tasha from her dream. She didn't open her eyes. She could smell that there was rain moving in. And from her position on the balcony, she could feel the change in the air as the temperature and pressure shifted, bringing in a storm.
There was another slow roll of thunder in the distance.
Tasha loved when it rained.
It was the one thing she missed about living on a planet.
The holodeck could recreate the idea of rain, but it failed to capture that perfect just-before-rain scent that lingered in the air.
Storms had always served to energise her, they were like a crackle of electricity to her system – and not just because of the lightning.
There was something about the clouds and her that felt so connected.
Tasha inhaled deeply, relishing in the scent of the storm.
As she nuzzled against the warm pillow underneath her head, she was suddenly very aware that it was not a pillow at all.
"Do not get up," Data said. "We still have another twenty minutes before the storm will hit."
He knew just how much she loved the rain and wanted her to enjoy it.
"What time is it?" Tasha asked with a yawn.
"Just before 05:00," Data advised.
It was still dark, and the sun wouldn't be up for another hour or so.
"How long have you been here?" Tasha asked.
"All night," Data confessed.
He'd crept out after she had fallen asleep, pulling her head up to rest in has lap as he kept a silent vigil over her sleeping form.
Tasha didn't flinch when he brushed her bangs back, tucking them behind her ear with care.
A moment later, Tasha felt him pick up her left hand that was resting just above her head. Data slipped something onto her finger and Tasha realised it was the ring that she had discovered the night before.
"Data, you don't have to do that," Tasha said sadly. "I don't want you to go through with this because you feel obligated to."
She didn't want him to feel beholden to maintaining something that clearly disturbed him.
"But I do not feel obligated," Data assured her.
"Why are you doing this?" Tasha sighed in exasperation.
"Because I love you," Data replied simply.
Tasha rolled onto her back so she could look up at him.
"Data-" Tasha began to say.
She frowned.
"Why?" Tasha whined.
She felt like he was doing all of this just to make her feel better. That in itself made her feel ten times worse.
She didn't want his pity.
"I believe we have covered that," Data said in confusion.
Tasha shot him a look.
"You don't need to spare my feelings!" Tasha insisted.
Data remained calm, sitting there in an aggravatingly patient manner.
The corner of his mouth curved upward in a small smile as he stroked her hair.
"183 days ago I decided I wanted to ask you to make this commitment with me," Data explained.
His memory engrams allowed him to remember the exact moment in perfect detail. It had been a routine away mission – nothing special. They were conducting a standard level-three general scouting scan of a class-M planet to suss out its viability as a new farming colony.
Data and Tasha had been walking along a stream while Data collected water samples for evaluation.
They hadn't been discussing anything romantic or personal. In fact, they'd been talking about the possibility that the nearby hills may contain copper deposits.
Here. Let me help. Tasha had said as Data went to pick up the sample canisters. With the rare exception of Geordi and Tasha, no one ever helped Data with such menial work.
They viewed him as a machine, built to service human interests.
But not her.
She had glanced up at him and for a moment they had both stopped, staring at one another.
Tasha had grinned before blushing, biting her lip, and averting her eyes.
And Data had thought she was the most wonderful person. In that moment, he knew he wanted to spend the rest of Tasha's lifetime loving her.
They had already been together for several months at that point.
It was a new experience. In a way, they were both learning to love together.
But none of that bothered Data.
"I wanted to ask you then and there. That day," Data shared. "But I decided to wait so that I might ask you in the formal, human custom."
Tasha grew quiet.
"It had been my hope that such a moment would be romantic and joyous," Data explained. "I no longer wished to ask you on this trip for fear that it would make you feel pressured. It was not because I changed my mind on the matter."
He needed her to understand that.
"My feelings have not changed," Data assured her.
He ran his thumb over her cheek.
"I just wanted it to be a happy memory," Data said.
"It is a happy memory," Tasha said as her eyes began to well up.
As he watched her expression, Data had a difficult time evaluating her mood.
"I don't know what to say," Tasha confessed.
"I understand if you do not wish to make a decision, or if that decision is no," Data explained. "I only wanted to make clear that my offer stands unchanged should you wish to accept."
Tasha held her hand up to look at the ring.
"But if I may add, the thought of not having you in my life is such a profound sense of emptiness that I do not know if words can adequately describe the sensation," Data said. "I may not have a heart but-"
"A heart is a heavy burden," Tasha said as she rested her hand against his chest.
Across the bay, there was another growl of thunder as lightning danced across the sky, trapped in the approaching clouds.
She turned her attention back to the ring.
"Truth be told, so is this ring," Tasha remarked.
Her eyes grew wide.
"That's not what I meant," Tasha said quickly as she scrambled to sit up.
Tasha gripped his face.
"Yes," she said frantically. "It's yes, Data."
"Yes?" Data clarified.
"Yes," Tasha echoed.
She laughed and rested her forehead against his own.
"Yes, Data," she giggled.
There was a loud clap of thunder and the two found themselves in a torrent downpour.
Tasha leaned forward and captured his lips in a warm kiss.
After a few seconds, they broke apart.
Tasha threw her head back and laughed.
"Yes!" she shouted, screaming her answer to the heavens.
She planted a chaste kiss on his lips.
"We should get inside," Data advised.
He scooped her up and carried her indoors, shutting the door to the balcony behind him.
Data picked up her left hand and pressed a tender kiss to the back of it.
Tasha was beaming, unable to control her excitement.
She had never ever picked this up on her sensors.
She looked down at her hand again in disbelief, pulling her hand into a fist, flexing her fingers, and then shaking it.
"I mean it, this thing's heavy. I might take Worf out if I box with it," Tasha teased.
"The ring itself is platinum. The stone is an Andorian Iceolite crystal," Data explained.
Tasha laughed.
"Sure," she said. "Whatever it is, it's beautiful, Data."
"As I said, the ring itself is platinum. The stone is an Andorian Iceolite crystal," Data repeated.
He cocked his head to the side, unsure why Tasha didn't seem to comprehend this.
Tasha realised Data wasn't laughing.
She glanced down at the ring and then back up at Data.
He shook his head ever so slightly, giving her a look that made clear he wasn't attempting to make a joke.
Tasha Yar was suddenly keenly aware of how symbolically heavy the ring on her finger was.
"Data," she said in an uncertain voice. "I can't wear this. I'm going to lose it. Or drop it. Or-"
"Shhh," Data said, stepping over to pull her into an embrace.
He took hold of Tasha's hand and pulled it against his chest as he rocked them back and forth gently.
"I will get you something else if you desire a different ring," Data promised. "It was not my intention to provide an inadequate ring. I will be more than happy for you to select something that is more in line with your taste."
"Data, it's not that," Tasha said. "I just…I mean…you do know how, um, rare Andorian Iceolite crystals are, right?"
Tasha was still trying to wrap her head around the fact she was wearing one on her finger.
"In my research on the subject, I determined it is often valued as the rarest and most beautiful gemstone in the known universe," Data replied.
That was an understatement.
Andorian Iceolite crystals were notoriously rare – even among jewellers.
Data hadn't merely selected it because of its value. In truth, it was a matter of colour that appealed to him.
The stone itself possessed the same colour value as Tasha's eyes – a cold, icy blue that was unlike anything he'd ever seen.
"Data how could you even find one?" Tasha inquired.
She was kind of scared to ask what he went through to get it.
While there was no currency required within the Federation, they did collect Federation credits for use as currency with other cultures.
"Tasha, I have twenty-three years of Federation credits that have been, as you would say, collecting dust," Data advised.
Tasha felt there was no way she was ever going to get him anything that could compare.
"Am I to interpret that you do, in fact, approve of my choice?" Data inquired.
"I'm terrified I'm going to lose it," Tasha confessed.
"It is possible," Data said. "But even if that were to occur, do you believe our feelings for one another would change by the mere loss of a material possession?"
Tasha grinned and rested her head against his chest.
"You're really too sweet," she said.
"It was only my attempt to find something as rare and beautiful as you," Data said before planting a soft kiss on the top of her head.
Up on the Enterprise, Captain Picard was up early. He grabbed a cuppa Earl Grey and took a seat at his breakfast table.
It had felt surprisingly lonely without Beverly's presence at breakfast.
Until Lore, Beverly had often joined the Captain to share a morning meal.
Jean-Luc found he missed their morning chats – even if they were either a mix of mundane chitchat or a heated debate over Federation politics.
He scanned through the Federation news, frowning as he saw the forecast for Tauphi VI called for rain.
Rain would mean Beverley was likely to be holed up in some fabulous room with room service, a cosy bed, a fireplace, and a jacuzzi.
And Lore.
Jean-Luc downed his tea and slammed his saucer down on the table a little harder than necessary.
Beverly awoke late.
She also woke up alone.
The sun was technically up, but it was dark out from the clouds.
Rain pummelled the glass window as a constant rumble of thunder filled the air.
It was the kind of the day that Beverly knew was perfect for hot tea, ginger biscuits, and cuddling.
She slipped out of bed and into a pair of slippers. Beverly threw on her dressing gown, shivering as the air was chilly inside the room.
She padded across the carpet and out into the main room of their lodgings to find Lore.
He was sitting on the sofa, staring out the door to the balcony.
Lore was completely drenched, having sat out in the storm for almost an hour before coming in. He was still dripping onto the carpet, droplets of water clinging to his bioplast.
"Were you out there all night?" Beverly asked, alarmed.
Lore turned and looked at her but said nothing.
"Lore?" Beverly inquired.
She considered that his experience at the bottom of the ocean may have left him emotionally damaged. It was a lot to process.
And then there had been the failed attempt at intercourse.
Surely he wasn't still worried about that. Beverly hoped.
Although Lore had mentioned that it would take days for his system to completely dry out.
But it seemed like the last thing he should have done was to sit out in the storm in that cast.
"Why don't I go downstairs and get us some breakfast?" Beverly offered.
There was a café on premises that served excellent food. Similar to Ten Forward, guests could choose to dine down there in a spacious lounge overlooking the water or take their meals back to their rooms.
Lore nodded.
"Right," Beverly said, brightly.
She was doing her best to stay positive, but it was disturbing to see Lore so melancholic.
Twenty minutes later, Beverly was waiting at a table for their order to be prepared. She was hoping that a good meal and some support would snap Lore out of his funk.
So she'd ordered some traditional Tauphin breakfast options along with Raktajino to get them going.
Beverly was humming absentmindedly when she heard a familiar laugh from the corner of the room.
Data and Tasha were sitting in the corner enjoying a morning coffee as they watched the storm.
Beverly was relieved to see them enjoying themselves.
Tasha looked genuinely happy – in particular compared to how foul her mood had seemed yesterday.
A pang of jealousy and regret struck Beverly.
Just last night Lore had teased them that their evening was going to be dull.
Beverly had laughed along.
After all, it had all been just in good fun.
Yet now here they were enjoying themselves while Lore was dealing with the emotional toll of his experience.
It didn't seem fair – especially given Data's reluctance to save Lore including him hiding the fact that had Lore fallen into that ravine he would have been crushed by the pressure.
As she continued to watch them enjoy themselves, holding hands and sharing a hushed conversation, she was overcome with an unwelcome feeling.
Beverly didn't want to resent them.
But she did, nonetheless.
When they finished their coffee, they got up. Hand-in-hand, they made their way down the short flight of stairs and back toward the lift.
Their path took them through the lounge and right past Beverly's table.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning, Doctor," Data said.
Tasha glanced around nervously, scanning the area for Lore.
"Are you alone?" Data inquired.
"Just grabbing some breakfast to take back to our room," Beverly said with a tight smile.
Data briefly wondered what machinations his brother was up to that kept him occupied while Beverly went down for breakfast.
"Glad to see you two are doing well this morning," Beverly said.
"Yeah," Tasha replied, only partially paying attention.
She was keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of Lore.
"Where's Lore?" Tasha asked bluntly.
Beverly shifted uncomfortably.
"He's, uh, well," she fumbled. "He's upstairs. His system is going to take a while to dry out from yesterday."
Beverly felt compelled to address something with Data.
"You know he mentioned that it was a good thing we got to him when he did. Had he reached that ravine, he would have been crushed," Beverly commented, clearly irritated.
"Indeed," Data replied without further comment.
"He said there's some damage from the pressure and it will take days for all of the moisture to clear up," Beverly said.
She wanted them to understand that Lore was hurting.
That he had come so close to being destroyed forever – and that she was hurt that Data had seemed to have no regard for his brother's life.
"He could have died," Beverly said tersely.
But neither Data nor Tasha cared.
In fact, Tasha was feeling a newfound sense of courage.
Tasha locked eyes with Beverly.
"Why don't you order a bag of rice and tell Lore to stick it up his arse to dry himself out?" Tasha said.
Beverly was flabbergasted.
She blinked slowly, completely lost for words at Tasha's callous statement.
Tasha flashed her smile. She grabbed Data's hand and steered him back to the lift.
"Enjoy your breakfast," Tasha said on her way out.