A/N: This is AU. It's smut. If that's no' your cuppa tea, then read something else.

Yeesh, it's been a hot minute since I've done any work in this series. I've been caught up working on some of my own stuff and haven't had much time for this collaborative effort.

My apologies – the "missing scenes" aren't dead. Just going to take longer to update. I've been fixated on writing Lore/Sela as of late.

Thank you to CharlieFenwick for granting me permission to fill in some missing scenes from her story "The Complication" and support on this story. With Charlie's permission, I've used some of her text in this story to help tie in these missing scenes.

This story can stand alone. However, I encourage you to read 'The Complication' as it's a fuller, more fleshed out plot (and this is basically PWP…). I've attempted to hold true to Charlie's goal of "weaving this in as missing scenes." In order to do that (and with permission from the author) I've taken some of this text directly from 'The Complication.'


The first few days after their realisation had been agony.

Tasha missed him.

Data and Tasha had seen one another plenty of times on the bridge, in briefings, and in the corridors.

And the holodeck – where Geordi had been grievously injured when the Enterprise lost control for an agonising twelve minutes.

Tasha was standing in front of the mirror in her bathroom examining the side of her body. She traced along the side of her torso and over her hip where a nasty purple bruise had formed.

It certainly wasn't anything close to what Geordi had experienced. Doctor Crusher would have him up and around in a day or so.

But Tasha felt horrible, nonetheless.

Data, Geordi, Miles, and Tasha had been participating in a holodeck programme designed to replicate ice climbing. When the Enterprise had lost control due to an energy burst, the four had lost their footing as the holodeck safety parameters had ceased to function and the ice shelf had collapsed.

Tasha couldn't get the site of Data over Geordi's battered body of her mind.

He had been completely shaken.

She knew Geordi was his best friend in the whole world.

Yet, when the shelf had collapsed, Data had lunged for her – bracing her against the fall and sheltering her against the impact of the falling ice.

And when it was all over and they were in sickbay, Data had pulled her close and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head.

Tasha threw her head back and growled in frustration.

At the very least, Miles had agreed not to say anything about what he had seen. Their secret was safe.

But Tasha hated that that was all it was – a secret.

Just when she'd thought she could feel any worse, she found that she could.

She loathed that all she would ever share with Data was a memory.


Several decks down, Data had just finished seeing to Geordi. Doctor Crusher had released him to his quarters and Data had stopped by to ensure he was doing alright.

Geordi had been fine, but he was concerned about Data and Tasha.

Geordi had asked him straightforward if he had feelings for Tasha – he had picked up on the awkwardness between the two over the last few weeks and it was hard to ignore any longer.

Data regretted that he had shared just how deeply he cared.

He knew it was fruitless – the regulations prohibited them from engaging in any sort of relationship.

Data considered how futile such a regulation was as it certainly didn't change the way he felt.

Data left Geordi's quarters deep in thought. As he reached the door, Data realised his feet had not carried him to his own quarters.

He was standing at Tasha's door. It seemed she was never far from his thoughts.

While Data knew it was hard to be around one another, Data also couldn't bring himself to leave.

She had offered her hand to him and did not pull away when he kissed her.

Before he could leave, the door opened.

Tasha said nothing. She smiled, genuinely pleased to see him. After everything that had happened, it felt nice to know he could turn to her.

Suddenly feeling overwhelmed, Data cast his eyes down to the floor.

"I apologise, Lieutenant," Data said. "I should not have bothered you. I merely wanted to inquire as to your wrist, and I will be on my way."

"Why don't you come in?" she offered as she stepped back from the doorframe.

She knew that he had been disturbed by Geordi's injury. Tasha had never believed he was incapable of feeling and she realised he needed a shoulder to lean on.

Something in Data warned him this wasn't a good idea. A sense of trepidation creeped in.

'Could this be what Geordi calls a gut?' Data thought to himself.

"How's Geordi?" Tasha asked as she sat down on her sofa.

"He is stiff but doing well," Data said.

Data's combadge dinged and Captain Picard's came across.

The Enterprise was heading back to the planet where they had initially encountered the strange energy surge that had caused the loss of the ship's controls.

"Mr Data, I've authorised a return trip for a team to take further observations on the planet," Picard stated. "The energy readings we obtained have shown some interesting results in the arboretum. Apparently, it's caused rapid growth among much of our plant life. We'll be arriving in orbit shortly."

"Understood, would you like me to come to the Bridge?" Data asked as he acknowledged the Captain.

"If you wish," Picard replied.

"Acknowledged," Data said as he tapped his combadge to respond.

Data looked to Tasha and noted a hint of sadness in her eyes. Her breathing slowed.

"Well, I guess you have to go," she said standing up. "You know you could come back later. If you want to talk."

"Yes," Data replied but made no move to leave.

For a moment they were silent. Neither party was quite sure what to say. Data knew he should go but found himself unable to leave.

"Geordi believes I am experiencing emotions," Data blurted out fumblingly.

"I'd say that's an accurate assessment," she replied.

"You did not pull away," he said.

She knew what he was referencing - when he'd planted a chaste kiss on the top her head in sickbay after the accident. He had seemed to be overcome with emotion. It was pleasant and spontaneous.

"Also, an accurate assessment," she quipped.

Suddenly the power went out. After a beat, the emergency lighting came on.

"Data to Bridge," Data said as he touched his combadge.

There was no response.

Data and Tasha headed for the door, but it wouldn't activate.

Data placed his hands on the door and tried to manually open it. The door did not budge.

"What's wrong?" Tasha asked.

"I am capable of manually opening these doors unless the environmental safety lock has been activated, Data explained. "The environmental safety lock has been activated meaning-"

"Life support isn't functioning in the corridor," Tasha said, finishing his thought.

He nodded.

They tried their combadges again with no luck.

Tasha grabbed her PADD and tried to see if there was any information she could pull from the computer about their situation. The screen was scrambled, and it was impossible to read.

She angrily tossed the PADD into her sofa. Data watched with fascination.

"May I," Data asked as he indicated to the PADD.

Tasha nodded. Data picked up the PADD and tried to analyse the device. He hypothesised that the energy signature they were there to study was now causing a disturbance in their devices. A reboot failed to produce a change.

"Most interesting," Data stated as he set it down on the sill of the window that looked out into space.

Data stepped over to the com and tried to access information on the situation.

However, the com was of little help. While life support and emergency lighting were functioning, there was no access to communications or the computer.

He spent 2 minutes and 8 seconds attempting to override the system before determining his effort would not be successful.

"The nature of this disruption will require a full system reboot of the computer that can only be instituted from Engineering or the Bridge," Data concluded aloud.

"So, we're stuck," Tasha said as she paced.

"It would appear so," Data replied as met her eyes.

Tasha stopped pacing and looked at Data.

"Data how long was the disruption last time? How long did it take to restore communications?" Tasha asked.

"I am unsure," he replied.

Confused, Tasha looked at him.

"I am unsure," he repeated.

"Data, you're the one person that tracks time down the second," Tasha said.

Data felt his pulse speed up. She had referred to him as a 'person.'

"During the last encounter, my processing was overcome with," he trailed off and dropped his eyes to the floor as he struggled to articulate his thoughts.

"Emotion?" Tasha prompted as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

He looked up and nodded.

"I can't imagine what you're going through right now," Tasha said. "But I can tell you that when I first escaped from Turkana IV, I tried to bury all of my emotions. I was afraid that if I allowed them to show, they would overrun me."

Tasha smiled.

"It took time, but I learned to accept that my emotions are a part of who I am. And that it doesn't make me weak or less competent to display them when appropriate. And with the help of counselling through Starfleet I was able to find ways to process strong emotions through healthy coping mechanisms," she explained.

Although her experience was different, Tasha hoped that her words were comforting. It had taken time, and counselling, and a lot of self-reflection for Tasha to learn to deal with her own emotions in a healthy manner.

"My emotions have caused me to malfunction at times. They have overwhelmed my neural net," Data explained honestly. "I am concerned that I am losing my ability to remain impartial and logical."

"Your emotions are not a malfunction," Tasha replied as a hint of anger rose in her voice.

"I have a responsibility to the Enterprise and-" he started to say but stopped when he saw Tasha's look.

"You're a Starfleet officer. And yes, you are stronger and smarter than the rest of us. But everyone experiences emotion. And everyone has instances in which those emotions can be overwhelming. Your best friend was seriously injured in a freak accident," she snapped.

She crossed her arms. Breathing deeply, she calmed herself before proceeding.

"You saved his life, Data. And Chief O'Brien. And mine," she said softly.

Data took a moment to reflect on her assessment.

"Geordi advised I should not focus on the 'how' or 'why' and instead focus on 'letting it happen'," Data said as he recounted Geordi's earlier advice.

"Well, Geordi is a pretty smart cookie," Tasha grinned.

Data cocked his head at the use of 'cookie.'

"It's an expression," she explained.

"Ah," Data nodded.

Tasha was about to try the com panel again, but the emergency lighting suddenly went out.

Looking around the room, Data observed the gentle hum of the emergency power system had ceased. Undetectable to humans, Data's audio receptors were always aware of the soft hum of the system that ran throughout the ship.

"Why do I have a sinking feeling that it's getting cold?" Tasha asked.

"You are correct. It appears that the emergency life support functions have also become affected," Data said as his bioplast registered a 3 degree drop in temperature.

Tasha shivered as her Starfleet training kicked in.

"You don't require oxygen but-" Tasha thought aloud.

"Humans do not 'run out of oxygen.' Carbon dioxide will continue to accumulate causing respiratory paralysis and then death," Data said finishing her thought.

"Well that's comforting," Tasha said wryly.

Data felt what he could best describe as panic.

"Lieutenant Commander Data to the Bridge," he said, trying his combadge again in hope that communication had been restored.

There was no response.

"I'm going to lay down and try to slow my breathing," Tasha explained.

Data nodded in understanding. Part of their Starfleet training had involved preparing for scenarios of life support system failures.

Placing her faith in that training, Tasha moved to her couch and laid back.

She closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing.

She kept repeating in her mind 'You're just meditating with Worf.'

Data was attempting to divert his processing to finding a way to reactivate the life support systems. He considered for a moment that it may be possible for him to interface with the com and override the controls to reactive life support.

He didn't know how extensive the outage was. It was highly likely this outage extended to the other cabins on the same section of this deck. It was also possible the entire ship had been impacted.

But it didn't matter.

If his plan worked, Data would only have the ability to reactivate the quarters linked to this specific section of the com – meaning Tasha's quarters and three quarters adjacent to the right.

It was a significant risk.

Interfacing with the com would expose his positronic brain to contact with the energy disruption.

There was no way of knowing what effect it would have.

Based on the size of the room and the rate of Tasha' breathing, Data calculated when he would need to act, and it was soon.

For some reason, he felt an immense compulsion to say something to Tasha before proceeding.

He tried his combadge again, but communication remained offline.

He stepped over to Tasha and sat on the edge of her sofa.

"Tasha, I am going to attempt to reboot the emergency life support," Data said.

"Hmm?" She replied through half-lidded eyes.

"I am unsure if this will be successful," Data explained.

She blinked but was struggling to retain focus. The chill from the heat seeping into space was making her lethargic. She just wanted to sleep.

"If this is not successful or if the exposure to the entity should cause a malfunction, I feel compelled to tell you that you are special to me," he said softly.

He gave her hand a small squeeze and then made his way over to the com.

Tasha's brain was foggy, she was having trouble concentrating – but she understood Data's words. She wanted to respond, but she couldn't find the right words.

In a matter of seconds, he had opened the side of his head to access where he could interface. Opening the com panel, he routed a cable into his positronic brain and attempted to isolate and override the emergency life support system. It would require temporarily severing the connection to the main computer, bypassing the control that was subjected to the disruption, and rerouting it to a system that still had power.

Without warning, a flood of energy surged through his system and he dropped to the floor.

"Lieutenant Commander Data, this is Riker. I repeat, this is Riker. Come in," Riker's voice boomed from the combadge.

Full life support began to flood back into Tasha's quarters and the temperature in the room began to slowly increase to a safe level.

"Riker to Lieutenant Commander Data, do you read me?" Riker repeated.

Data sat up abruptly, blinking as he observed that the lights were on and the gentle hum of the life support system had returned.

Looking over at the sofa he noted Tasha was breathing. Relief washed over him. He got up from the floor and made his way over to her.

Kneeling next to the sofa, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Tasha?" he asked gently.

She blinked. She was still cold. Her eyes felt heavy, and she felt a little nauseous.

"Life support has been restored," he said.

As her eyes regained focus, she took in his appearance.

The left side of his head was exposed, the small green and red lights blinking. A cable hung from his positronic brain. His typically well-groomed hair was dishevelled. The distinct smell of burnt polymer lingered in the air.

"What happened to you?" Tasha asked.

"There was some kind of energy surge," he replied simply.

Tasha propped herself on her elbows. For the first time ever, Data felt simultaneously uncomfortable about maintaining eye contact but unwilling to break away.

"I'm glad you were here," Tasha confessed as she reached out and cupped his cheek.

As she noted his damage, she couldn't help but feel simultaneously guilty and warm – he'd done this for her. He'd risked his own safety in an effort to save her.

She stroked his face, trying to wordlessly convey her thanks.

Data inhaled sharply.

"I should go," he replied softly as his hand moved to pull her hand away.

Tasha noted he did not let go of her hand.

"Data, I find myself struggling to reconcile the discrepancy between your words and your actions," she said softly, flipping his own prior statement back at him.

"I should go before I say something that would tread very close to violating Starfleet regulations," Data said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Simultaneously their combadges activated.

"Captain Picard for Lieutenant Yar. You're wanted on the Bridge," the Captain's voice ordered.

"Data this is Riker, where are you?" Riker said as his concern grew for the Second Officer.

Both acknowledged the orders and made their way to the nearest turbolift with haste.


As the turbolift opened, Tasha reached out and ran her hand through Data's tousled hair. His features softened - as if touch was both welcome and familiar.

Data breathed a sigh of relief at her touch.

Her hand was both soft and warm, and it was nice to be treated with such fondness.

She is safe. He reminded himself.

The pair was not expecting Commander Riker to be waiting immediately on the opposite side of the door.

He said nothing as he observed the pair for a moment.

A brief, unmistakable look of affection passed between the two.

Riker cleared his throat.

Tasha pulled her hand away quickly and Data turned wide-eyed to his superior officer.

Riker raised an eyebrow at the pair but kept his observation to himself.

They shuffled past him and assumed their places on the Bridge. Riker was headed down to Engineering to check in with the progress on the system reboot.

"Mr Data," Picard said, taking note of his appearance. "What has happened to you?"

Data looked confused for a moment before he reached up and touched the exposed portion of his positronic brain. He realised the cable was still hanging from the connection.

"Ah!" A dark look flashed across his face as ran his hand along the cable he observed the burnt end where the energy surge had severed the connection to the com. "I attempted to interface with one of the com panels to reboot the emergency life support. It is fortunate the energy surge caused the cable to sever at this point of the connection. Had it reached my positronic brain at its full capacity, I am unsure of what may have happened."

"Mr Data, are you alright?" Picard asked sincerely.

"I will function sufficiently to perform my duties," Data replied as he turned back to face the main viewer.


Their journey back to the planet had yielded no new information. A short time after arrival, the Captain had decided it would be safer to leave the area. They could monitor any changes from a long-range probe.

Besides, they were due to transport the Antican and Selay delegates to Parliament and could not afford to delay that mission any longer.

A few days later, Geordi was back on his feet. While his leg was healing, Geordi's thoughts remained in a dark place. It was obvious that both Data and Tasha had feelings for one another.

How or why it started was immaterial – the attraction was undeniable, and they were both stuck in a metaphorical neutral zone trying to dance around those feelings.

His conversation with Data had stuck in his mind since.

I experience a fluttering sensation in the abdominal portion of my endoskeleton when she says my name. Data had confessed.

He wasn't just intrigued – Data was positively smitten.

It had hit Geordi hard seeing Data so affected like that. His best friend had somehow miraculously achieved his dream of experiencing emotion but was currently feeling blue. Knowing that didn't sit right with Geordi.

"Something on your mind?" Miles asked, noting Geordi's foul mood.

"Yeah," Geordi confessed. "I found out why Data's been acting so weird lately."

Miles raised his eyebrows and took a sip of his pint.

"He's got it bad for, well, you know who," Geordi said quietly.

Miles nodded in understanding.

"So, what's the hang up?" Miles asked with a shrug. "She prefers blue eyes?"

"I wish it were that simple," Geordi sighed as he shook his head.

Miles cocked his head to the side in anticipation of Geordi's explanation.

"Regulations. I don't think anyone ever envisioned the regulations being a problem for an android Second Officer," Geordi explained.

"Ach," Miles scoffed.

He set down his pint, crossed his arms, and leaned into the table.

"Commander Data doesn't understand nuance. And Tasha's by the book. I've got a plan, but I'm going to need your help," Miles explained.

Quietly, Miles filled Geordi in on his plan. In Geordi's opinion, it was good. But Geordi was concerned that Data may not pick up on their message.

"And that's where you'll come in," Miles explained.

"You really think this will work?" Geordi asked.

"Aye, sure why nat?" Miles said with a grin as they toasted their plan.


At 19:00, Data joined Miles, Geordi, Commander Riker, and Worf on the holodeck for the impromptu poker night. He was wearing his traditional green visor and was eagerly anticipating an 'evening with the boys' as Geordi had called it.

Data had no inkling that the entire game was a setup orchestrated by Geordi, Miles, and Commander Riker.

He took a seat between Commander Riker and Geordi and took up his customary role as the first dealer. Shuffling the cards with pristine efficiency, he had Riker cut the deck and then began to deal.

"Gentleman, the game is Omaha-Hi," Data said as he passed the cards out around the table.

"Have your injuries healed, Lieutenant La Forge?" Worf asked as he glanced at his hand.

"Absolutely!" Geordi said enthusiastically.

Miles took a sip of his pint as they began the game. He'd let it play out for a bit to ease into the conversation.

After the first round, Miles gave Geordi and Riker a look. It was time.

"How's your shoulder, Chief?" Riker asked as he drew a card.

"It's great," Miles said with a sly grin before adding, "in fact, I wouldn't mind doing it again."

"Inquiry, is this a human euphemism for explaining that you would like to repeat our holodeck climb or that you wish to repeat your injury?" Data asked.

Miles laughed.

"No, Commander," he explained. "I mean I was glad it happened because it led to summat good."

"Oh really?" Geordi prompted.

"Aye. Since I had a few extra hours, I decided to check out the arboretum," Miles said. "And I saw a real lovely bird."

"I was not aware we had introduced an avian species to the arboretum. Fascinating," Data said in wonder.

Geordi raised the bet. Miles took a swig before continuing. This may take more explaining that he had anticipated.

"A 'bird' is a woman, Data," Riker said, filling in his Second Officer.

"Ah! Are you referring to Professor Ishikawa?" Data asked.

Geordi's eyebrows shot up. He knew Miles hadn't been in the Arboretum. Miles had told him he would plan to say he had met some lovely lady.

He'd never expected Miles to say the Arboretum. Geordi knew Keiko and Data were friends and they might be opening a metaphorical can of worms.

"I'm not sure," Miles recovered. "I'd like to go back and chat her up. I'll…uh… ask fer her name then."

"If it is, in fact Professor Keiko Ishikawa, she is a wonderful friend," Data said genuinely. "And a most excellent botanist."

"Ehr, right," Geordi jumped in. "Too bad that fraternisation regulations prohibit that."

"That is incorrect," Data stated as he drew a card. "Professor Ishikawa and Chief O'Brien do not report to the same chain of command."

"Oh!" Geordi said awkwardly.

Their plan was falling apart before their eyes.

"Good to know," Miles said coolly. "But what about Lieutenant Quinn? If this Professor wasn't interested in a date then I was thinking about asking the Lieutenant."

As he watched Miles's flawless recovery, Riker had to admit it – Miles O'Brien was probably the only smoother man in this quadrant than himself.

"Yeah, they're both in the same chain of command," Geordi played along as he said a silent prayer to whoever was listening for Miles's brilliant recovery.

"If only there were some way," Miles sighed as he trailed off.

The awkwardness of their conversation was largely lost on Data. But Worf had taken note of what was happening and had a suspicion this was about Tasha.

Although she had denied her affection for the Second Officer, it hadn't missed Worf's keen sense. He'd seen the way she looked at him. He'd also observed how unhappy she had been the last few weeks.

Worf had been on the Bridge when Data had returned from her quarters during the polywater incident and he'd put two and two together.

Tasha was his best friend and it hurt Worf to see her feeling lonely.

"Klingons have found such regulations to be unnecessary. There is honour in being happy at home," Worf said wisely.

Miles raised his pint to the Klingon.

"Now I'm curious. I've been around enough starships to know that there are plenty of relationships behind closed doors between folks in the same department," Miles said. "And they're good people. They wouldn't break Starfleet regulations."

"Did regulations change?" Geordi asked with faux curiosity.

Worf gave him a stern look that read 'don't quit your day job.'

"Commander, hypothetically speaking if I wanted to pursue a relationship with the Lieutenant would I be violating the regulations?" Miles asked.

"If this situation were to arise, I would say that Starfleet has a long history of interpreting regulation 1138 from prohibiting fraternisation when it becomes harmful to the structure of command. Otherwise, what my officers do in their spare time is none of my business," Commander Riker said as he delivered his line with a straight face.

Data's positronic brain was firing on all cylinders.

"Commander, may I ask you a personal question?" Data said as he stared intently at nothing.

Geordi could hear him thinking. Miles suppressed a grin. Data had taken the bait.

"Of course, Mr Data," Riker replied as he eyed the android.

"Have you ever engaged in a romantic relationship with a subordinate?" Data asked bluntly.

Data had to know - there were only four officers on the Enterprise under which everyone was technically within their chain of command: The Captain, First Officer, Data, and the Chief Medical Officer.

"Of course," Riker replied.

"And you know that your duty to the Enterprise comes first," Geordi said to explain it in terms he hoped Data would understand. "You balance your personal and professional life so that there is no conflict of interest."

"Exactly," Riker went on.

He turned to face Data eye-to-eye and hoped he was conveying his message clearly.

"And I think you'll find Chief O'Brien," he said as he maintained eye contact with Data, "that you should pursue the relationship. The rewards of a healthy, loving connection can do wonders for a person."

Data turned back to the table. He blinked twice. He laid down his hand and folded his cards.

His bioplast began to prickle.

Tasha.

His positronic brain began to fire rapidly as he combed through decades of Starfleet rulings on Regulation 1138.

"Chief, please let me know if you would like me to introduce you to Professor Ishikawa," Data said absentmindedly.

"Ugh, sure," Miles said.

"Excuse me," Data said as he stood abruptly.

The notion that it would not be out of bounds to hold her, to kiss her once again was too great a sensation to delay.

He needed to find her.

Fast.

The gentlemen at the table exchanged looks. No one said anything, they didn't want to stop him.

Riker was unable to suppress his smile. Miles and Worf shared a glance. Geordi bit his lip to keep from cheering.

"I must attend to something," Data said to the other officers before he made his way to the arch and exited the holodeck.

"Wooo-eee!" Geordi hollered as soon as Data had left the holodeck.

The four men raised their glasses in a toast.

"Well done, Chief," Geordi commented with a grin.


Four minutes and twelve seconds later Data was outside Tasha's door.

He chimed, but there was no response. Data realised tonight was one of the evenings she spent time with Counsellor Troi and Doctor Crusher.

"Computer, locate Lieutenant Yar," Data instructed.

"Lieutenant Yar is on Deck nine in room 0910," the computer stated.

His positronic brain counted every step between Tasha's quarters and Deanna's door.

He pinged the door and after a moment Deanna called for whomever it was to enter.

Data stepped into the doorframe and observed the three women were seated around the table playing a dice game.

"Hello, Data," Doctor Crusher said.

"Has something happened?" Tasha asked.

Counsellor Troi's face registered shock as she could sense a mixture of strong emotions coming from Data.

"Data, are you alright?" she asked as her empathic skills could sense excitement, relief, and a hint of desire.

"Lieutenant Yar, may I speak with you?" Data asked.

Deanna could feel Tasha's pleasant surprise at Data's request.

Tasha got up from the table and made her way over to the doorframe.

"Alone," he said quietly.

"I'll be back," Tasha told Beverly and Deanna.

The door closed and Beverly looked at Deanna for an explanation.

The emotion that was radiating off Data indicated that Tasha's statement had been inaccurate.

"No, she won't be," Deanna said with a knowing smile.


Once they were alone outside the Counsellor's quarters, Data took Tasha's hand and whisked her along the corridor.

There was an urgency in the way he held her hand that left Tasha feeling worried – if he were to kiss her right then and there, she was certain she wouldn't have the strength to pull away.

"Data, what's going on?" Tasha questioned as they stepped on the turbolift.

"I need to speak with you in your quarters," he replied.

She couldn't put her finger on it, but if she had to describe his behaviour, she would call it 'eagerness.'

A moment later they were outside her quarters.

She opened the door and he waited for her to step inside before following after her.

Tasha turned and looked at Data.

"What's this all about?" she asked with a shrug.

He didn't respond verbally. Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest.

Tasha closed her eyes and leaned into it. Breathing deeply, she let herself melt into the embrace.

The part of her brain that was screaming about regulations was battling the part of her brain that wanted to savour the feel of Data's long arms and tight embrace.

They stayed like that for a moment, silently. Tasha felt safe. And warm. And desirable.

Data smiled as he felt her arms snake around his lean frame, her hands resting against his back.

He was so grateful that she had returned her embrace.

His 'gut' told him that this felt right.

He relished in the familiar scent of lavender in her hair and the marked rise of her body temperature.

As much as she wanted to stay like that, the Starfleet officer portion of Tasha's brain was gnawing away at her. She moved to pull away and Data released her immediately.

"Commander," she said. She took a step backward and addressed him by his rank in an effort to put some distance between the two.

It hurt to pull away from him, but she knew she had to before she lost her nerve.

"The more we do this the harder it becomes for me to pretend," she said. "The more I touch you the more difficult it becomes to stop thinking about your hands."

"My hands?" Data inquired.

Tasha pursed her lips in frustration.

"I can't go on like this, Data. Not with you dropping in here with your head tilts and your damn hands," Tasha said frustrated.

"Head tilts?" Data inquired as his head characteristically titled to the left and looked down at his hands.

Had it been anyone else, she'd have suspected they were doing it to annoy her.

"You really don't know how cute you can be," she said, shaking her head.

Data was taken aback as his processing was overwhelmed with an unknown sense. She had called him 'cute.'

Is this vanity? Data pondered.

"I don't want to pretend anymore but I can't go on like this," she confessed.

You don't know what you do to me. She wanted to confess.

Data stepped forward. Raising his hands, he placed them gently on the sides of her face.

"Then do not," he replied brightly.

He leaned down and planted a kiss on her lips.

His lips were as warm as she remembered, and she longed to lose herself in it.

After a moment, he pulled back and looked at her.

To her confusion, Data was staring at her - lips parted, wonder in his eyes, and the corner of his mouth curved upward like he'd just discovered the meaning of a human idiom.

"Starfleet regulations do not prohibit us from pursuing a relationship," he explained.

It was clear from her expression that his explanation had been insufficient.

"Starfleet regulations only prohibit fraternisation when it becomes harmful to the structure of command," Data said. "Even Commander Riker has engaged in romantic relationships with subordinates."

Tasha took a minute to absorb his words.

She blinked rapidly as she considered what he was saying.

They could do this.

They could really, truly be together.

"During the 1,435 steps between the holodeck and your quarters I accessed and analysed over thirty years of Starfleet disciplinary hearings regarding regulation 1138. It is exceedingly rare for Starfleet to pursue disciplinary action against officers. In fact, I could only find two cases during that time frame, both of which involved situations in which the crewmembers' actions led to a harmful command structure," Data explained.

Tasha knew what he was getting at. She knew that there were officers out there that technically 'broke' the regs. However, she had never considered the possibility that a technicality in the interpretation of that regulation was used for such widespread justification.

"Do you think you can sufficiently separate your duty as Chief Security Officer from the feelings experienced in a relationship?" he asked.

Tasha didn't respond immediately. She took his hands in her own and placed a gentle kiss on them.

She stopped and looked up at him, awaiting his answer.

For a moment, neither of them spoke as they stared at one another.

It was only a matter of seconds, but for Data it felt like an eternity.

Data's lips crashed against her own as he gripped the back of her head and pulled her close.

Tasha's hands found clasp of his jumpsuit and worked to quicky free his cock. He hissed pleasantly as she gripped it in her hand, stroking the length of him.

Data groaned against her mouth. Lip-locked, they stumbled backwards into the coffee table. Data caught Tasha before she fell.

Weaving around the table, Tasha pulled him over to the sofa.

As it had been her night off, Tasha had opted to wear a casual jumpsuit to her night with Deanna and Beverly.

In a flash, Data spun her around to unzip the garment.

He placed a kiss at the nape of her neck as he stripped off the garment.

Data slipped it down over her hips. Once she was free of it, Data paused to place a soft kiss on the side of her body, just below her hip. Tasha's breath hitched as he trailed a line of kisses up the length of her spine.

"I have thought of you often," Data confessed. "Of what this moment would be like if I could hold you once again."

Tasha closed her eyes as she felt his breath against her shoulder.

She shivered as Data's fingers ghosted up the sides of her torso and across the curve of her breast. His thumbs brushed over her nipples before he stopped to caress her.

Suddenly, Tasha brought her hands up to stop him.

"Another time," she whispered.

She knew that he wanted to take his time, to savour being together.

But she had waited far too long for this moment.

There would be time later to explore one another.

Data was about to inquire as to the meaning of her statement when Tasha rocked back against his stiff erection.

"We can do mushy later," she groaned.

She guided one of his hands down to her hips.

"Please," she said, urging him to take her.

Data hesitated.

Tasha rolled her hips back against him.

She parted her legs far enough for Data to feel just how wet she was.

"Please don't make me beg you," Tasha said.

Data's cock twitched against her.

He slipped inside and Tasha hissed at the stretch.

The sensation was exactly as he remembered it. As Data held her body against his own, he let himself relax into the feeling of being buried inside of her.

Data began to pump into her.

Tasha closed her eyes and let her head fall back against him. She'd gotten off to the thought of him taking her like this.

The real thing was better than she could have imagined.

Data shut out the sound of the life support system humming along as he focused solely on the sound of her gasping and panting as their bodies smacked against one another.

Tasha whimpered as he nipped at the side of her neck and over her shoulder.

Data let himself go as he plunged into her frantically, working the last few weeks of tension out as he took her.

Despite the gentle nature of their first coupling, there was nothing tender about this.

There was too much emotion and tension that had led to this moment.

Data put his hand on her back and guided her to bend over the sofa.

A second later, he was behind her again as he planted his knees on the edge and resumed his previous pace.

"Ah, ah, don't stop," Tasha said, spurring him on.

It was wonderful as Tasha felt a delicious ache growing in her core. Data gripped her hips, pulling her back against him with subsequent thrust, guiding her along the length of his cock, as his bony hips snapped against her backside.

Data leaned forward and nuzzled against her neck.

He snaked his hand around and between her legs. Data grinned as she trembled when he began to play with her swollen clit.

"Don't stop touching me," Tasha said.

Her tone was breathy. Desperate.

She adored his hands. And she had spent far too much time thinking about them.

Now that they were finally on her, she never wanted him to stop touching her.

And there's no regulation preventing it. Tasha mused.

Data relished in the feeling of her underneath him. Her skin was warm against his bioplast. He kissed the spot just behind her ear and keened. He could feel how wet she was for him as she rocked against him, rubbing herself against his hand.

"Gods, Data," Tasha said. "You don't know what it's been like waiting for this. I was so afraid it would only be a memory."

"We can make many more memories like this, Tasha," Data whispered. "If that is your wish."

"Yes," Tasha breathed as she rolled her hips against him.

Data stopped.

Tasha's groan of complaint turned into a moan of pleasure as he turned them around and pulled her into his lap.

Data's fingers quickly resumed their earlier actions, stroking her clitoris as he bounced her on his cock.

"Can you come on me?" Data said in a low voice. "Can you come on my cock?"

Data rested his chin on her shoulder. His breath was warm, but it tickled her exposed skin.

After their initial encounter, he had been so afraid of losing her. To be her friend was all he had ever wanted – to be her lover was more than he could have dreamed of.

Data felt a surge in his neural net when his name fell from her lips. Tasha's hips bucked against his hand as she came undone.

Data gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh as he began to drive into her.

He had thought he had heard every noise she could make. Data had never expected she could sound like this.

Tasha was a trembling, whimpering mess as he bounced her in his lap.

She squeaked, sounding so unlike the hardened security chief he knew from the bridge.

Data grinned against her neck, feeling a strange sensation of pride in knowing that he could break through the walls of her exterior to see the unflappable Tasha Yar melt in his arms.

Tasha didn't care.

She was happy to let herself go.

Not only did she feel safe doing so, but there was also something incredible about being stuffed so deeply with the length of him.

She called his name as he came, arching her back and squirming in his lap as he spilled himself.

When he stilled, Tasha rested her head back against him. She was breathing heavily, feeling completely spent.

"Tasha?" Data inquired.

"Mmm?" she replied in a hazy voice.

"Are we in a relationship?" Data asked.

"Would you like to be?" Tasha questioned.

Data hadn't been expecting her to ask what he wanted.

It was so unusual for anyone to care about his feelings on the matter. He was expecting her to call the shots when it came to decide what exactly the nature of their relationship was.

"Tasha, as I am incapable of feeling I believe that you should-" Data began to say.

He stopped as Tasha pulled herself up off of him.

"Data," she said, her eyes full of pity as she turned to face him.

She sat down, straddling him and sank back down on the length of his still erect cock.

Tasha rested her forehead against his. She pressed a soft kiss against his lips.

"I asked you if you would like to be," Tasha repeated.

"Tasha, I am incapable of-" he tried again.

"Shut up," Tasha instructed.

Data was confused.

"I do not have the capacity for feelings and therefore-" Tasha silenced him with a kiss.

"You have feelings for me," she said as she nuzzled against his nose. "Don't you?"

Data was unsure how to respond.

For the last several weeks he had experienced feelings for her and about her.

There was no denying this change was both fascinating and alarming.

"I know you do, Data," Tasha went on.

He smiled shyly and looked away, feeling slightly embarrassed at having been found out.

"Was I so obvious?" Data inquired.

"It's alright," Tasha assured him. "I have feelings for you too."

She ran her fingers back through his hair as she held his gaze.

"And if you want to try dating, then I'd like that very much," Tasha smiled.

Data's brow furrowed. He opened his mouth to protest but Tasha shushed him.

"Don't say you don't have feelings," Tasha insisted. "You do. And if we're going to do this, it's because we both want to. Understand?"

"Yes," Data responded. "On both accounts."


Data left Tasha's quarters at 22:35. He was feeling more at ease than he had in the last three weeks. They had developed a set of parameters to 'test the waters' about their relationship. They would maintain a strictly professional relationship outside of their quarters.

Data had inquired if Tasha would be interested in attending an upcoming performance of The Cherry Orchard that Doctor Crushing was directing. Tasha had declined.

She explained that it wasn't that she felt uncomfortable being with him in public. She felt no shame about this newfound relationship. Tasha was a private person in general. In time, they would be able to slowly introduce their relationship more publicly.

But first they had to establish their relationship wasn't going to be a problem.

He'd asked her thoughts on informing the captain. Tasha said she understood his reasoning. Data offered that he would speak with Captain Picard tomorrow and inform him of the situation.

Halfway back to his quarters his combadge pinged.

"Captain Picard for Lieutenant Commander Data," Picard's voice said.

"Acknowledged," Data said as he stopped walking.

"May I see you in my ready room?" Picard asked.

"On my way," Data replied, tapping his combadge and turning into the nearest turbolift.


As soon as he had left, Tasha had clutched herself tightly. She fell back against her door, grinning as she slid to the ground.

"We can make many more memories like this, Tasha," Data had whispered.

She bit down her thumbnail as she caught site of her sofa. There was no feeling of shame, only a sense of fullness that came from feeling adored by another.

It had been years since Tasha had engaged in any kind of relationship that was more than just casual sex.

She'd kept her heart guarded – and for good reason.

Her job was a dangerous one and it came with significant risk. It was safer to be uninvolved.

And after the loss of her fiancé years earlier, Tasha had known she could never bring herself to get that close to someone again.

But Data shared many of the same risks as her.

He was a senior bridge officer, and they worked the same away teams.

And it felt so right.

She'd take things slow – and she knew Data was more comfortable going at her pace.

Tasha pulled herself off the floor and went to take a shower, feeling better than she had in weeks.


Data found Captain Picard behind his desk with a steaming cuppa Earl Grey.

"Please have a seat," Picard instructed.

"How can I be of assistance?" Data asked as he sat down, his perfect posture maintained at all hours.

"I am unsure of how to put this, Mr Data," Picard said as a heavy sigh escaped the Captain. "Are you alright? As of late, I have observed some unusual behaviour."

"I am functioning within normal parameters," Data replied.

"Mr Data, may I ask why you attempted to interface with the com to override the life support shutdown? That was quite a risk. If your plan had succeeded, you may have been able to restart the life support in four rooms. And if it had failed," Picard trailed off. "I don't care to think about the other possible outcomes."

"At the time of the outage I was trapped in a room with a crewmember and concerned for their safety," Data explained. "I calculated when the carbon dioxide production would reach a critical level and waited as long as possible before I made the decision to proceed."

"And may I ask if you would have made the same call for any other crewmember on this ship?" Picard asked.

"I am unsure," Data replied.

"If it had been Commander Riker?" Picard questioned.

"Yes, I believe I would have made the same decision under those circumstances," Data answered.

"Why?" Picard pressed.

"Commander Riker is essential to the Enterprise command structure. As Second Officer, it would be my duty to protect him," Data stated.

"What if this had been Lieutenant La Forge?" Picard inquired.

Data nodded.

"And what about Lieutenant Dean?" Picard pushed.

"The anthropologist?" Data asked in response.

Picard nodded in the affirmative.

"Perhaps, sir," Data said. "I had concerns about what may happen. Specifically, I was concerned that the exposure could lead to malfunctions or pose a danger to my programming and memories."

Picard took a sip from the saucer and set it back down on his desk.

"Yet you proceeded because you wanted to save Lieutenant Yar?" Picard said having finally reached the point of his questions.

Data moved to respond but stopped. He was taken aback by the Captain's statement.

"Yes, sir," he replied after a moment.

"Why?" Picard said as he leaned back.

"Because I care about her a lot more than I am supposed to," Data said honestly.

That is an understatement. Data thought to himself.

Although he reasoned this was not the best time to inform the Captain just how deeply those feelings ran.

"There are 1,478 people onboard this starship, Data," Picard said. "Why did you have to develop feelings for another senior officer?"

Or perhaps I should make my affections clear? Data realised as he listened to the Captain's concern.

This wasn't merely a matter of pheromones – Data's feelings for Tasha ran deep.

She treated him in a manner that was so unlike most humans. She saw him as a person, an equal and it was refreshing to be reminded of such.

More than that, she was adamant about asserting his rights, even within the privacy of her metaphorical bedroom.

"I am unable to explain my feelings other than to say that when I am not around her, I find that I miss her presence. I experience a fluttering sensation in the abdominal portion of my endoskeleton when our lips make contact. I have also observed that at the moment of orgasm she bites her lower lip in a manner that I find most aesthetically pleasing. Her soap has a soft scent of-," Data had said as if her were describing a control chip in Engineering.

The android stopped babbling as Picard slammed his saucer down harder than intended. Calming himself, Picard decided to respond with compassion rather than frustration.

Jean-Luc felt conflicted.

On the one hand, he was pleased that Data was experiencing a relationship with a remarkable woman.

Yet on the other hand, he was concerned by Data's sudden development of feelings.

Furthermore, Picard felt his thoughts drift briefly to his Chief Medical Officer and his inability to act upon his own feelings due to Starfleet regulation.

"It was my intention to inform you of my relationship tomorrow," Data explained.

"I appreciate that notion," Picard replied. "But the less I know the better. I only wanted to ascertain that this will not impact your role as Second Officer nor her responsibility as Chief Security Officer."

"We assure you this will not impact our duty to the Enterprise," Data said confidently.

"See that it does not," Picard responded sternly.

"Sir, you are one 'smart cookie'," Data said fondly before exiting.


Data returned to his quarters and carefully watered his Himalayan Blue Poppy. He sat down at his workstation and pulled out his PADD. Ships stores should make it possible to fulfil his requisition request tomorrow.

"Computer, play music program Data 472," he instructed.

The sound of the upbeat music filled his quarters as he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Slowing his processing, he focused on the feeling of warmth that had overtaken his body.

Blue days, all of them gone. Nothing but blue skies from now on.