A/N: Part two…. Revisiting soft domme Tasha in this chapter.
I want to thank Charlie Fenwick for penning the poem that Data recites toward the end of this chapter (with a small nod to Sherlock Holmes).
Enjoy!
The team on Starbase 118 was doing everything in its power to locate the parents of the two young Bajoran children.
By late afternoon, they had come up with no leads.
They had been skittish about leaving Tasha's side. She had anticipated there would be attachment issues. After all, she had found them alone and hidden in a wardrobe.
Tasha surmised their parents must have hidden them before being taken as prisoners.
Starbase 118 was one the largest starbases in the quadrant. There were thousands of people to go through. The fact that the communications system had been knocked out in the fight didn't help matters much.
Data and Tasha were waiting on the promenade as Beverly and the medical team checked over all the survivors.
As they stood there, Data watched as the wee boy snuggled against Tasha's shoulder, occasionally peeking out to sneak a glance at the peculiar android.
Whenever he caught Data staring back, he buried head against Tasha again.
It seemed in spite of the commotion around them, Data and Tasha finally had a moment alone together.
Well, as alone as it could get with the children in tow.
"I was concerned," Data confessed as he looked down at the ground.
"Hey," Tasha replied.
With her free hand, Tasha placed two fingers under his chin and forced him to look up.
Data raised his eyes.
"We're alright," Tasha said simply. "We're both alright."
Data wanted nothing more than to hold her, but he knew that wouldn't be possible as her hands were quite literally full.
He settled for brushing a soft kiss on the top of her free hand.
"Probably not the reunion you were expecting," Tasha laughed.
"I am just pleased you are safe," Data admitted.
"C'mere," Tasha said as she pulled him close.
For the first time in days, Data leaned forward and gave her a quick peck.
When they broke apart, the small boy was staring wide-eyed at Data, no longer afraid of him.
He reached out and gripped Data's nose.
Tasha bit back a grin as she watched them.
She mused to herself it was probably a good thing that Data didn't feel pain as she watched a pair of tiny hands tweak and twist Data's nose.
"I think he likes you," Tasha commented.
"Human children often grab for things in an attempt to achieve tactile stimulation," Data said scientifically. "It is an important part of their development."
For the first time since they'd rescued him, the little boy was starting to giggle as he squeezed Data's ears, poked and prodded at his face, and was completely fascinated by his yellow eyes and lack of nose ridges.
Both Data and Tasha were relieved when the young child reached for Data and went willingly into his arms.
Tasha sighed in relief at having to no longer bear the weight of a three stone toddler.
"Tasha, what will happen to them?" Data asked.
He could see the immediate change in Tasha's demeanour.
"If their family didn't make it then they'll probably be sent to a Bajoran orphanage until they can find a home," Tasha said with a blank look on her face. "If they ever do find a home."
Tasha pulled back the wrap and looked down at the baby in her arms.
"They may get split up if they can't find someone willing to take both of them," Tasha added darkly. "There's a lot of orphaned Bajorans."
Data didn't need to be an empath to know just how much the thought of that hurt Tasha.
"I believe it would be in their best interests if we continued to watch them until their family can be located," Data advised.
From a second story window overlooking the promenade, Captain Picard and Guinan sat and watched the people below.
"Took a lot of heart to save those kids," Guinan said as she poured the tea.
She handed Picard a saucer.
"Thank you," he said as he took it from her.
"But something tells me that's not out of character for her. She'd do anything to save anyone, wouldn't she?" Guinan asked.
Captain Picard nodded as he buttered a piece of toast.
"Yes," he agreed.
When Guinan didn't respond, Captain Picard looked up from his plate.
"That's what I was afraid you'd say," Guinan replied honestly.
"Guinan, what is it? What did you see?" Picard asked as he observed a dark look pass over his friend.
There was something in the way Guinan had reacted that left him spooked.
Captain Picard followed her gaze down to where Tasha was rocking back and forth with the baby.
"People like that have a tendency to run into danger rather than away from it," Guinan replied vaguely. "You were lucky, Jean-Luc. You got a second heart and a second chance."
Guinan turned back to him.
"Most people don't," Guinan concluded.
Captain Picard looked down at the couple below him.
Was something going to happen at the hearing?
"You're debating if you should warn her," Guinan said.
Captain Picard looked aghast.
"You know I get feelings," Guinan went on. "But they aren't premonitions or omens. There's no telling if or even what that feeling is associated with nor when such an 'if' or 'what' would occur."
Captain Picard sighed as he stared down at the crew members that he cared for deeply.
"I've told you a dozen times," Guinan assured him.
"It's just a feeling," they said aloud together.
At the end of the business day, Commander Elliot sent word that the hearing would resume tomorrow morning at 09:00 hours.
They would be expected to report in at 08:00 to debrief and strategise.
As Tasha's Commission was still provisionally revoked, Captain Lee suggested she stay on the base at the quarters she'd been previously assigned. They were still intact as there was little damage done to that portion of the base.
Captain Picard was more than pleased to grant Data permission to remain aboard Starbase 118 for the time being.
Best of all, Beverly had stopped by with excellent news.
"I think we've found their parents," Beverly said. "A young Bajoran couple looking for two children – a young boy and a baby girl."
"Data, I'm going to go with Doctor Crusher, and I'll meet you back at my quarters," Tasha said with a big smile.
She could barely contain her excitement about finding their parents.
Tasha wouldn't call the experience 'fun,' but she was grateful for the time she'd had with the two small kids.
More than that, it was so gratifying to know Beverly had found their family and the two would be going home.
As soon as the door closed, Data set to work. Captain Davies had been willing to permit them to remain in the temporary quarters Tasha had been granted on base. It would save them having to go through a checkpoint procedure travelling from the ship and back.
They would get another night before their hearing and Data had every intention of making it special.
If it was anything like their last 'last night together' then Data had high hopes.
And he knew just who to call.
"Data to Commander Riker," Data said as he tapped his communicator.
"Where's the emergency?" Riker asked.
Data raised his eyebrows.
"Sir?" Data inquired.
"It sounded urgent," Riker replied.
"Ah," Data responded. "Sorry, sir."
Riker frowned.
"My request for your assistance is really more of a personal matter," Data said.
Riker turned his head to the side, wordlessly asking Data to elaborate.
"I would like your…expertise on a delicate subject," Data clarified. "For tonight."
He glanced down at the floor.
"For Lieutenant Yar," Data said sheepishly as he raised his eyes.
Riker's face slowly broke out into a grin as he realised what Data was after.
Will rubbed his hands together. There was an eager twinkle in his eye.
"Alright then, what's the theme we're going for here tonight? Candlelight and soft jazz? Chocolate and canoodling? A quiet dinner? Leather?" Riker suggested.
Data understood this was no time to be shy. Riker wouldn't judge him.
"I was thinking something more," Data paused as he searched for the right word.
Riker raised his eyebrows in anticipation.
"Humid," Data settled on.
Humid? Riker mouthed.
Then it clicked.
He chuckled.
"Steamy?" Riker smirked.
If he could blush, Data would have been beet red.
"I mean I wasn't planning on this, but I suppose since it's your last night before the hearing," Riker shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Why not?"
"Thank you, sir," Data said, relieved.
"Data, is Tasha okay with this?" Riker asked. "I mean, shouldn't she be a part of planning this out?"
Data shook his head.
"No, sir. It is my desire to surprise her," Data replied.
Commander Riker looked pretty distressed at this news. He wasn't exactly sure how to broach the subject with Data.
The last thing he wanted to do was insult him by assuming his level of intelligence on the matter.
"Data, it's just that this is really something we all need to discuss. Our hard limits. I don't know the first thing about what you two like," Riker explained. "I really don't want to muck this up given it's the night before the hearing and all."
Data was disheartened.
"Sir, we do not have much time," Data insisted.
Tasha would be returning shortly, and he wanted to have everything set by the time she arrived.
Riker made a face. He ran his hand back and ruffled his own hair as he weighed his options.
"Look, Data. I'm flattered," Riker said. "But I'm really not comfortable under these circumstances. I mean, I didn't think Tasha would be into this and I don't want make things awkward between you two before-"
"Sir, please," Data urged as he motioned for Riker to join him in the bedroom.
There were three outfits laid out on the bed.
"Your opinion is vital to the success of this evening," Data said.
Will Riker nearly fell into the door laughing.
"Sir?" Data asked, blinking in confusion.
He was concerned his selections were inappropriate.
Through a fit of laughter, Riker cleared the whole situation up.
"No, Data. These are great," Riker assured him. "I thought you were-"
He trailed off and chortled.
Riker cleared his throat before continuing.
"I thought you were propositioning me to erm, well, to join you and Lieutenant Yar this evening," Riker explained.
Data assumed his request for assistance had been unclear. Though he failed to see how that was possible.
"No, sir," Data said. "I am planning a romantic evening for Lieutenant Yar. Why would I-"
Data trailed off. Riker slowly nodded his head as he watched realisation dawn on the android's face.
"Oh," Data said. "Oh."
He cocked his head to the side for a moment as he now fully grasped just why Commander Riker had insisted Tasha be present.
"I need your help selecting an outfit," Data clarified. "I do not wish for you to join us."
Forty-five minutes later, Data stood at the edge of the room and surveyed the space. With the help of Commander Riker and Keiko, he'd managed to have them beam down a care package containing items from his room.
Commander Riker had helped Data select both an appropriately casual outfit and music for the evening.
"She's going to find you irresistible," Riker assured him.
Keiko had gone to his quarters to fetch the materials he'd saved from their last night on the Enterprise. To Data's delight, Keiko had thrown in several suggestions of her own including a case of Orion crystal candles and a bouquet of black baccara roses renowned for their deep, rich colour and velvety petals.
Data had utilised the replicator to fashion one of Tasha's favourite meals and produced a bottle of wine he'd saved from their failed date in the arboretum.
"Computer, please lower the illumination intensity of the room," Data said aloud.
A moment later the lighting dropped a bit and Data was pleased with the soft, ambient glow that danced off the walls.
He checked his internal chronometer and knew Tasha would likely be back any minute.
Data stepped into the lavvy to take one last look at the set up – Tasha's favourite whisky, soft flannels, bath salts, and a rose-petal lined bathtub.
"Computer, please begin playback of Data's music file 8741," Data instructed.
He smiled, proud of himself as he soaked in the atmosphere of the room.
"Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars," Data sang as he lit the candles around the room.
There was soon a soft glow as the candlelight flickered, dancing off the walls.
"In other words hold my hand," Data went on.
He jammed a corkscrew into the wine. A second later there was a satisfying 'pop' as it came out with ease.
"In other words, baby kiss me," Data crooned.
Although Tasha had initially felt guilty about some of Data's lavish ideas for romance, she'd started to come around.
It wasn't that she didn't appreciate them – sometimes she just needed reminding that it was acceptable to indulge oneself from time to time.
Having grown up in a world full of scarcity, she needed reassurance that it was alright to enjoy fine things. Data shared some of those concerns.
As he had no biological need to eat or drink, it was difficult for him to sometimes let go and indulge in the moment.
Bit by bit they were learning to enjoy life together.
On Commander Riker's suggestion, Data had donned a casual black shirt and pair of grey trousers. It was a little tighter fit than he was accustomed to, but it flattered his lithe frame.
And not a moment too soon!He thought eagerly as he heard the door slide open.
He was practically giddy as he theorised about the look on her face.
Data stepped out the arch that separated the bedroom and main space of the quarters.
"Hello darling," he said in an uncharacteristically smooth tone as he leaned carelessly against the doorframe.
He was making his best attempt to emulate the suave nature of characters he'd read about.
"No, this way," Tasha said as she motioned with her head. "That's it."
Tasha froze.
She glanced around the room, blinking several times as she took in the candlelight dinner set for two and the sound of soft jazz playing in the background.
To Data's surprise, Tasha still had both of the children with her.
"It wasn't their parents," Tasha said sadly.
She wasn't merely upset because they had failed to find these children's parents. She was equally as heartbroken that there were two children missing – and likely dead – out there somewhere.
Before she could stop him, the little boy ran over to Data as he was eager to see a familiar face.
Data bent down and picked him up.
Immediately, the child began to tug at Data's hair.
"Worf gave him some sugar," Tasha said as she stepped into the room. "He's really taken a shine to you, you know?"
"It would appear so," Data replied as he allowed the boy to yank his head back and forth.
A moment later, a storage crate materialised in the centre of the room having been transported down from the Enterprise.
"We just sent down the package," Beverly's voice rang out from Tasha's combadge.
"Are you sure you don't want us to come down?" Deanna's voice followed a moment later.
Tasha tapped her combadge to respond.
"No," she replied. "Got the package. Thank you, but I think we're fine."
Tasha turned to Data.
"I'm sorry," she said as she looked around the room. "I know this isn't how you were planning to spend the evening."
Data cocked his head to the side in concern.
"Tasha, I am not bothered by this," Data replied. "I am happy to be in your presence in any capacity."
"I couldn't leave them," she confessed.
"I know," Data responded in understanding.
"Can you, uh," Tasha said as she handed Data the infant. "I'm just going to change."
She glanced down at her uniform where the baby had spit up.
Tasha stepped into the lavvy and spied the bathtub. There was a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket. The edges were lined with candles. The tub itself was filled with rose petals.
It made her heart ache.
There would be no possible way they could make use of his romantic setup – not with the kids in her quarters.
Tasha closed her eyes and sighed.
She adored these children. But their presence on a night like tonight was a reminder of why she was happy putting off that particular milestone.
An hour and forty minutes later, they were sitting across from one another eating dinner.
It had only taken Data a few moments to assemble the temporary cot for the baby and a small bed for the toddler. Doctor Crusher and Deanna had sent down a package with formula, nappies, toys, fresh clothing, age-appropriate toys, and a baby box.
It created a non-dangerous forcefield that could be modified for any space up to two square metres.
The baby had been the easiest to take care of. To their relief, she had been perfectly content to let Data and Tasha feed her, bathe her in the sink, and slip on a fresh pair of jim-jams.
She'd cooed and blown spit bubbles as Tasha had slipped her wee feet into a pair of baby socks.
In addition, she'd smiled when Data had softly sung her a lullaby before they'd put her down for the night.
"Blue skies, smiling at me," he crooned softly, rocking her in his arms.
She'd grasped her tiny hands around his finger and Data gasped softly with wonder at the feeling.
He couldn't exactly put words to it. But if he had to describe it, he would say it was a mixture of awe and euphoria. Children were fascinating to Data in terms of how they observed the world around them – learning and growing at an astonishing rate.
Tasha had watched out of the corner of her eye as she stacked blocks with the toddler. She couldn't help but smirk as she observed Data living it up.
No, the wee lass had been no trouble at all. On the other hand, her older brother had been a ball of unruly energy.
He'd thrown a fistful of mashed tatties at Data and made a proper mess of the room during his dinner. As they didn't have a proper baby seat, Data and Tasha had both attempted to feed him on their laps.
The energetic little lad had slipped through arms like a pasta noodle before running around the room. Bath time had been equally as messy. He giggled and squirmed - splashing both of them repeatedly.
Tasha was grateful Data's bioplast shielded his circuitry. Eventually he settled enough so Data could gently clean his face with a flannel.
"You're sweet," she commented, motioning to the bathtub with her head. "But I bet you didn't think you'd be washing-"
Tasha paused and leaned over to smell a spot of something on her shirt.
She scrunched up her nose.
"You know what, never mind," she said quickly, shaking her head in disgust.
Now, nearly two hours later they finally had the chance to sit down to dinner themselves.
The baby was fast asleep by this point and the little boy was racing around in the baby box with the energy of two Klingon targs.
"What?" Data asked as he noticed Tasha staring at him.
"I think you should let him do your hair every day," Tasha grinned as she took in his tousled hair. "It's uh, pretty sexy."
It seemed no amount of running had any impact on burning off the boy's energy. In an effort to get the little boy to calm down, Data had suggested a story.
So Data, Tasha, and the boy had settled in on the sofa after they got him into his jimjams.
If You Give a Tribble a Piece of Grain had been such a hit that it was one of the only things that got the little lad talking.
"Again! Again!" he had clapped.
After several encores, Data had opted to move to something more appropriate for bedtime.
"Goodnight room, goodnight moon," Data went on. "Goodnight little starship."
Data and Tasha exchanged a glance as the young boy yawned and curled up against Tasha, his eyelids heavy as he fought to keep them open.
As his eyes followed up from the child in her lap, he watched Tasha yawn.
"Don't stop," she said sleepily as she snuggled back against him. "Tell me a story."
Data nodded as he acknowledged her request.
"I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the autumn of last year," Data began.
Tasha sighed contentedly as Data proceeded to recite The Red-Headed League for her.
It wasn't the evening they had planned, but she just wanted to hear the sound of his voice.
As he finished the tale, Data looked down at the woman asleep in his arms and the child curled up in her lap and contemplated what to do.
Data knew he was certainly capable of lifting them up and carrying them both to their respective sleeping spaces.
But he just couldn't bring himself to disturb them.
After all, unlike a humanoid, he was perfectly capable of remaining completely still to allow them to rest in this manner until morning.
Data didn't have long to wait.
Shortly after they dozed off, Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher had arrived.
They had located the children's family. As it turned out, these two kids were in the care of their grandparents.
The sound of their arrival had been enough to rouse both Tasha and the boy.
He wiped the sleep out of his eyes and yawned.
"Papa!" he cried as he spied the elderly couple.
He was so excited he rolled off the couch and stumbled onto the carpet.
With a great heave, the older man lifted the boy up into the air and they rubbed their noses against one another.
"JeJe, my little milaberry," he said fondly.
The grandparents had been part of a group rounded up by the Cardassians and had left the children in the cupboard as part of a plan with neighbours. Tasha had gotten there first before the neighbour.
When the children were gone, it was assumed they had been taken as hostages.
But now much to everyone's relief, they were reunited again.
Fortunately, the children had been so exhausted that their farewell had been short.
For the best. Tasha mused.
Tasha wasn't sure she could get through a lengthy farewell without tears. She had been starting to grow attached to those two wee buggers.
As soon as the door shut, Data and Tasha found themselves alone.
Completely alone.
"Oh I'm going to miss those two," Tasha said with a sniffle.
"I find I share that sentiment," Data agreed.
Tasha turned to Data and walked her fingers up his chest.
"But I'm also really glad it's just you and me right now," Tasha said with a wicked grin.
Data cocked his eyebrow at her.
Tasha grabbed his hands, intertwining her fingers with his own as she pulled him close.
"And as it is only 21:00 the night is still young," Tasha teased.
Data's positronic brain began to whir as he realised where Tasha's thoughts were headed.
"Why not slip into the bathtub while I put away the dishes," Data suggested. "And I will be right in."
Tasha gave him a slow, lazy kiss in response in the affirmative.
"Are you saying you don't find me attractive when I'm covered in saliva and carrots and flaked mackerel?" Tasha asked.
"I do not believe you ever before looked as radiant as you do now," Data assured her.
Tasha rolled her eyes and meandered off to the bedroom.
It only took Data one minute and thirty-six seconds to clear the table and return the dishes to the replicator.
After dousing all of the candles he walked through the bedroom and straight into the lavvy, stopping to do a little turn as he sang aloud.
"In other words, darling kiss me," Data sang.
He stopped mid-turn.
Data cocked his head to the side as he observed the bathtub was empty – devoid of both water and Tasha.
Spinning around, he found her fast asleep on the bed – completely knackered.
Data smiled to himself and pulled back the covers to tuck her in.
He extinguished the last of the candles and crawled in beside her. Data pulled her close and Tasha unconsciously snuggled up against him.
"Mmm," she mumbled.
Data closed his eyes. He felt like his system had been running too many processes for too long. His bandwidth felt stretched thin.
Tasha had survived. They were both safe.
And – at least for the next ten hours – Data would get to hold her.
He shut down his extraneous processes and allowed his sleep programme to take over.
The next morning Tasha woke up to the welcome feeling of Data against her back. She yawned and used the PADD on the nightstand to check the time.
Her eyes went wide when she realised it was nearly 07:15.
Tasha's hand shot to her temple as she chastised herself for dozing off like that.
"Good morning," Data said as he deactivated his rest programme.
"I'm so sorry, honey," Tasha said apologetically. "I didn't mean to fall asleep and leave you hanging."
Data shook his head.
"Your body required rest," Data replied as he placed a kiss on her forehead.
Tasha closed the distance between them and nuzzled against his neck.
"No time like the present though," she said.
"Tasha, are you propositioning me?" Data asked to clarify.
Tasha snaked her hand under the blanket and Data got the message loud and clear.
"Tasha, we do not have time," Data informed her as his internal chronometer reminded him they had less than forty-five minutes to get ready and reach the legal counsel office.
"Data, I'm so worked up I promise it won't take long," she assured him.
And if I'm headed for prison this may be my last chance. Tasha lamented as she tried desperately to suppress that thought.
As much as he wanted to give in, Data knew they couldn't risk being late.
He caught her hand, stopping her before things went any further.
"Tasha, as much as I would like nothing more than to engage in an act of spirited lovemaking right now, we are due at the hearing and you are still wearing last night's dinner," Data reminded her.
Tasha pouted briefly before brushing his lips with a chaste kiss.
"You can't blame a girl for trying," Tasha said with a sigh. "Not when you look so dashing."
Data rolled them so he was on top of her.
"I believe we need to be dashing to the hearing," he said.
He returned the kiss and then quickly got off the bed leaving Tasha staring at the ceiling.
"You don't get to word play me!" Tasha protested.
"I believe I just did," Data retorted as he pulled her off the bed.
Breakfast was rushed and Tasha had been unusually quiet as they sat across the table from one another. She felt she had to tell Data about her conversation with Walsh – though she had no desire to revisit it.
A part of her wanted to push it off for as long as she could.
In the end, Tasha realised it would be better to address it while they were alone rather than having Data find out at the hearing.
"Data?" Tasha asked.
He looked up from his tablet.
"I'm not really sure how to say this," Tasha began.
Data's heart sank.
Though a remote possibility, Data had calculated there was an eight-point two percent chance Tasha would attempt to end their relationship before their inevitable reassignment as an attempt to 'spare' his feelings.
"Something happened during the occupation," Tasha said.
She was staring off at the wall. She couldn't bring herself to make eye contact with Data.
"Walsh, Gomez, Harris – they were trying to flee," Tasha explained. "And they nearly blew the whole escape."
Her lip began to quiver.
"I intervened. I had to," Tasha went on. "As you can imagine, that didn't sit too well with Walsh."
She paused and took a shaky breath.
Tasha tried to take a sip of her tea. But her hands were trembling, and she didn't trust herself with the saucer.
Tasha quickly put them back in her lap.
"He's planning to introduce this as evidence at the hearing. I'm not going to be reassigned, Data," Tasha said.
Data cocked his head to the side.
He didn't follow.
"Walsh said his grandfather is going to ensure I go to prison. And, well, with the way this hearing has gone I'm sure you can appreciate how seriously I take that threat," Tasha concluded.
She felt almost relieved now that she had gotten that off her chest.
"I'm only telling you this because I don't want you to be surprised at the hearing," Tasha added.
Data's brow wrinkled.
"Tasha, the hearing has not yet concluded. We do not know the outcome," Data advised.
Tasha wordlessly pleaded with him from across the table.
"But we both can tell which direction the wind is blowing," Tasha retorted.
"The wind?" Data asked, failing to comprehend the idiom.
"The odds, Data. They're not good," Tasha clarified. "Not when they control the panel."
Data was alarmed. Tasha sounded resigned to this fate.
"We must speak with Commander Elliot," Data said as he made to get up.
"No!" Tasha said.
Her hand shot out to stop him.
"No," she repeated in a much softer voice.
Tasha had thought long and hard about this.
"Data, if they're capable of this, what do you think they'll do to you?" Tasha asked.
She let her question hang in the air as Data's imagination ran wild.
His rights as a person were so precarious. Data could find himself easily reassigned or shipped away as some research project.
He could very well wind up back in a storage crate in the basement lab of Starfleet's Cybernetics R&D department.
"I won't let that happen," Tasha said.
She reached across the table and intertwined her fingers with his.
"I don't care what happens to me," Tasha confessed. "I don't want to poke the bear. At the very least, I'm still a person in prison."
She pulled Data into an embrace. Tasha needed Data to understand this was her decision.
"Whatever happens in there, we're going to be alright," Tasha said as she pulled him close.
"This day and every day," Data responded as he rubbed her back.
From the moment the hearing resumed, Commander Cole was back to his old tricks.
"Sir, I'd like to begin by calling Commander Data to the stand. There are a number of questions I would like it to answer," Cole requested.
Data took his position on the witness stand and answered a series of routine questions from the Commander regarding his duty responsibilities, the timeline of their relationship, and if there had been any impact to his job requirements.
"I would like you to imagine a hypothetical situation in which you are serving on the Bridge of the Enterprise," Commander Cole said. "If Lieutenant Yar were in a shuttlecraft that had been taken hostage by Cardassian or Romulan or Breen forces and rigged to harm the Enterprise, would you follow protocol and give the order to destroy it without regret?"
"No," Data answered simply.
Commander Cole clasped his hands together.
"There you have it," he said as he motioned toward the witness stand. "The only answer that matters today. As we have argued from the start of this deliberation, they are not capable of separating their professional and personal relationships."
"Excuse me," Data interjected.
"Starfleet Regulation has been interpreted for decades to consider Regulation 1138 to be-" Cole went on.
"Excuse me," Data insisted.
Commander Cole stopped and looked at Data.
"What is it?" he snapped.
"Your analysis is incorrect," Data said. "You asked if I would be capable of making that command decision without regret, not if I would be capable of making the decision itself."
For a brief moment, Tasha thought she saw Vulcan Counsellor T'Pyxis smirk at Data's keen perception of language.
He could be terribly clever when he wanted to be – and this was no exception.
It was a small victory.
But they both felt a small thrill at finally being able to give the unscrupulous Commander Cole a taste of what he deserved.
Surprisingly, Walsh's threats to paint her actions during the occupation as intentionally harmful never materialised.
Tasha suspected that Captain Bradbury may have had a hand in that.
With nothing left in their playbook, the defence rested their case.
Commander Cole was quite satisfied with himself and agreed to rest as well.
During his closing statement, Commander Cole focused on the testimony from Lieutenant Harris and Ensigns Gomez and Walsh as he attempted to paint a picture for the panellists of a couple of officers determined to break the rules, risk lives, and hellbent on opposing anyone that stood in their way.
When it was Commander Elliot's turn, he decided to make an emotional appeal with his closing statement. It was a risk – but a calculated one based on what he had observed.
Commander Elliot decided to focus on the Cardassian situation without naming it specifically. He cited that there were 'numerous' examples of situations in which both Data and Tasha had performed above and beyond the expectations of their role in an effort to save lives, defend the Enterprise, or to protect civilians.
"I couldn't do what they do on a daily basis," Elliot said passionately. "Could you?"
He turned Commander Cole.
"Could you?" Elliot asked as he looked up to the panel.
For seven minutes the panel deliberated.
There was a tension that had settled in the chambers.
When the panellists returned, Commander Riker closed his eyes and braced himself for the worst.
It was never a good thing when a panel came back so quickly.
Captain Crozier was the first to speak, finding in favour of the defendants.
This was not unexpected and did little to ease the pressure of the crowd.
Counsellor T'Pyxis spoke next. She was considered to be the swing vote of the panel.
"After reviewing all available evidence, I find in favour of the defendants," she said simply.
Captain Picard gripped Tasha's hand.
They'd won.
They had actually won.
Data felt surreal as his mind raced as it was struggling to compensate for the wave of emotional output he was feeling.
It took him nearly nine seconds to register that Captain Bradbury was speaking.
"Based on Starfleet's lack of evidence, I also find in favour of the defendants," Bradbury announced to the shock of the hearing.
Tasha felt like she'd had the wind knocked out of her.
Not only had they beaten back the charges – they'd won 3-0.
As they filtered out of the chambers, Commander Elliot leaned in close.
"I would have never seen that coming," Elliot confessed.
"What do you think that was all about?" Riker asked.
"I have an inkling," Tasha said as she watched an infuriated Ensign Drew Walsh storm out of the courtroom with his friends and grandfather in tow.
Ensign Walsh, Gomez, and Lieutenant Harris were sitting in the corridor outside of a private, second story office.
Inside, the raised voices of Commander Cole and Admiral Walsh could be heard spilling out.
"You assured me this problem would be dealt with!" Admiral Walsh hissed.
Captain Bradbury calmly took a seat at his desk in a large, executive chair.
"No, I assured you that I would grant you a trial," Bradbury clarified.
He turned to Commander Cole.
"And you assured me that upon reading all of the evidence it was an open and shut case," Bradbury reminded him. "You stated Starfleet had a rock-solid case against these officers whom you claimed were a danger to Starfleet."
The disdain in his voice was apparent.
Bradbury had been assured by his brother-in-law, Admiral Walsh, and by Commander Cole that he had to take this case. They had urged him to take swift action, claiming Data and Tasha were a threat to the Enterprise.
"You urged me to take this case," Bradbury went on. "You claimed Commander Data and Lieutenant Yar were a threat, a danger to the ship. You insisted she couldn't be trusted."
Captain Bradbury pulled out his schedule and began to flip through it casually.
"I've found no evidence to support that accusation," Bradbury explained. "On the contrary, I have found both of them to be exemplary officers representing the finest of what Starfleet has to offer."
He looked up at the two men in front of his desk.
"Which is more than I can say for either of you," Bradbury added. "You're fired, Cole."
Commander Cole began to sputter, completely taken aback.
"And as for you," Bradbury said as he stood. "Your grandson is a fool. As are you."
Admiral Walsh's face turned red as he clutched his fist in anger.
"Your grandson – my great nephew – had the misfortune of encountering me during the Cardassian occupation," Bradbury explained.
Bradbury went on to describe in detail the conversation he had overheard.
"Do you have any idea the kind of harassment investigation your nepotism has exposed us to?" Bradbury asked. "I'm not just talking about your arse. I'm talking about Starfleet itself."
At this point, Admiral Walsh had heard enough.
He wasn't going down without a fight.
"Drew is young," Walsh argued.
"I've already issued a summary decision in the case involving Ensign Drew Walsh," Bradbury informed them. "He's been found guilty of the charges and will be dismissed from Starfleet immediately."
Commander Cole helped Admiral Walsh down into a chair before he collapsed.
"Sir, you can't just-" Cole began as he fanned the Admiral with his hand.
"I can and I have," Bradbury replied simply. "There is more than enough evidence to completely blow away any shred of credibility to your grandson's claims of being a poor, abused Ensign."
He was disgusted that such behaviour could come from someone in his own family.
"Don't," Walsh pleaded.
"Your grandson's career in Starfleet is over," Bradbury said. "And good riddance."
Admiral Walsh found a second wind of energy and stood up.
"I'll go over your head," Walsh warned menacingly.
Captain Bradbury was unphased by the threat.
He resumed his seat and casually shuffled through his list of upcoming appointments on his tablet.
"Be grateful I've spared him time in prison," Bradbury replied coldly.
While the rest of the Enterprise officers headed off to Guinan's pub with Captain Picard to celebrate their victory, Tasha had other plans in mind.
"Coming, T?" Miles asked as he threw his arm around her. "You and I have the first game of darts."
"I'll catch up to you guys in a few moments," Tasha said strangely. "I just want to check on someone and make sure they're alright from the occupation."
Garak was certainly an unusual man, but he had endeared himself to the Security Chief and Tasha felt a responsibility to ensure he'd made it out alright.
Garak's shoppe had been completely destroyed.
All of the other buildings around it had remained intact. But the tailor's storefront had been decimated – almost as if it were done on purpose.
Tentatively, Tasha crept forward as she surveyed the damage.
Where there had once been bolts of fabric and dummies dressed in the latest fashions, now there was nothing more than an empty shell.
The Cardassians hadn't just smashed in the door and windows – they'd torched the entire building leaving nothing but charred inventory behind.
There had been no evidence of a body. But that did little to settle Tasha's nerves.
She stopped an Ensign on the promenade to ask if there was any information on Garak's whereabouts.
"As far as I know, no one has seen Garak since the occupation began," the ensign reported.
Tasha thanked him and stepped back into the ruins of the store.
Tasha wiped some of the ash off the mirror along the wall.
She'd stood in the exact spot three days prior. It was where Garak had helped her unwind after the trauma of that first, awful day of the hearing.
It was also one of the only times she had allowed herself the vulnerability to shed her hardened exterior.
For once, Tasha had permitted herself to purchase something simply because it was beautiful, and it made her feel that way.
It was a pity Data wouldn't get to share in that.
She took one last look in the mirror and thought back to how empowering it had felt to feel that way – even if it had only been for a brief moment.
Tasha had slipped into Guinan's pub on the starbase to join the rest of the team. She shared a knowing look with Data as she slipped into the seat next to him.
Repairs to the Enterprise and the base would take at least another forty-eight hours. As a result, Captain Picard had granted Data and Tasha those two days off.
News of Ensign Walsh's discharge had spread quickly. In addition, his co-conspirators had been reassigned pending an investigation.
And the good news hadn't ended there.
Guinan had announced plans to come aboard the Enterprise. She was looking for a change of pace and Jean-Luc had been keen to bring her aboard.
Everyone was having a great time – even Captain Picard stayed to celebrate.
Several seats down, Geordi and Wesley were discussing the ruling with Tasha and Data.
"It's not fair," Geordi complained. "He belongs in a Federation prison."
Captain Picard had explained the details of Ensign Walsh's punishment for his actions. Although he had been found guilty and would be discharged from service, he would not face any further punishment.
"While I am disappointed he will not be held fully accountable for his actions, I am relieved he is no longer an officer in Starfleet," Data said.
"But all they're doing is throwing him out," Wesley protested. "His grandfather is probably going to land him some cushy job. It's wrong!"
Tasha reached over and took hold of Data's hand.
"I'm just glad it's over and done with," Tasha admitted as she looked at Data. "And that we all get to stay together."
Tasha gave Geordi a warm hug and then looked over to Wesley.
Reaching across the table, she ruffled his hair.
A moment later, Guinan appeared next to Tasha with a box.
"This came for you earlier," Guinan said as she handed the box to Tasha.
Tasha looked at it curiously.
It was a simple brown box with a twine string wrapped around it. On the top was a card.
Tasha pulled the card out and glanced at the note.
Lieutenant Tasha Yar,
I always find a way.
Curiously, Tasha flipped over the card to see if there was any kind of stamp or signature on the backside that would indicate the source of the package.
She smiled when she read the signature.
It simply said, 'Friend of Garak.'
Data studied Tasha's reaction and could see she was pleased.
"Tasha?" he asked. "It would appear the contents of this package have made you quite happy. May I ask what it contains?"
"Nothing important," Tasha replied coyly. "Just a little something from a friend."
Aboard the USS Shepard, Admiral Josiah Walsh stepped into the executive guest quarters.
He stepped over to the view window and stared down at Starbase 118.
"You have to appeal this!" Drew Walsh snapped as his grandfather came up beside him. "It's not fair!"
Admiral Walsh did not respond.
"That bitch cost me my fucking career," Drew Walsh snarled as he hit the wall in anger.
"I've pulled some strings and lined up a position for you as a civilian advisor to Starfleet," the Admiral explained.
It had taken some considerable legwork and influence, but Admiral Walsh had managed to save his grandson's career.
Drew swallowed hard as he braced himself for the news of what was to come next.
"How many times have I told you to behave? Never pick a target you can't handle, is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," Drew replied nervously.
"You will be conducting research on Federation prisons for the next year. You'll be expected to prepare a detailed report on best practices that Starfleet could utilise based on the various methods you will observe from different Federation members," the Admiral explained. "Starting with Rura Penthe."
Drew Walsh's jaw dropped.
"Not fair!" Drew cried. "It's basically a Klingon graveyard! It's freezing there!"
The younger Walsh felt as if he couldn't breathe. His dreams of a prestigious position had evaporated in front of his very eyes. He'd been planning to go to Risa for a week with his friends when their next leave came up.
"I won't do it!" Drew said angrily.
Admiral Walsh gripped the front of his grandson's civilian jumpsuit.
"You'll do it and you'll be grateful for the opportunity," Walsh ordered. "Walsh's don't ever give up, Drew. We are strategic."
Drew knew his grandfather was right. It was what infuriated him the most. He had failed. If only he had been more careful in his dealings with Lieutenant Yar and the other crewmen, he wouldn't have cost himself the opportunity of a Starfleet career.
"Do you remember my victory over the Breen at Pericles 54?" Admiral Walsh asked.
Drew knew the story well from his youth.
"Yes, sir. You were in command of the Unitarian at that time," Drew said recalling the story. "And you'd been chasing them across the sector for weeks."
"Indeed we did," Admiral Walsh said.
"They refused to leave the area. So you regrouped and then turned back to destroy the Breen colony on Bentora instead," Drew went on. "You killed their families to drive them away."
"We're not giving up," Admiral Walsh assured him.
Drew wasn't sure what his grandfather had in mind.
"Regroup?" he asked.
"Precisely," the Admiral replied.
Drew felt a wave of relief.
"Sometimes in order to hurt someone, you have to hit them indirectly," the Admiral explained. "Where it hurts the most."
"Data," Tasha said in a soft voice from the archway that led into the bedroom.
They had left their friends at the pub and returned to the temporary quarters where they were staying on Starbase 118.
Tasha had said she was tired, but Data had suspected she had merely feigned exhaustion in hopes of enjoying the romantic evening they'd hadn't gotten the chance to finish the night before.
Now that he saw her leaning against the doorframe, his suspicion was confirmed.
"Data?" Tasha prompted.
He hadn't said anything and suddenly she was starting to feel embarrassed about her decision to buy such a thing.
Tasha was chewing on the inside of her lip as she watched Data's eyes study her.
"Um, it's what was in the package," Tasha said awkwardly.
Data blinked a few times out of sequence from his programmed blinking pattern.
He didn't mean to cause her concern. He was merely overcome with a series of memory engrams that had overwhelmed his neural net as he took in her appearance.
It was the same pale, orchid colour as the gown she had worn on Ligon II.
Data thought back to that night. He'd been unable to tear his eyes away from the sight of her wearing something so uncharacteristically delicate.
He'd catalogued to memory that moment as she had looked positively stunning.
Data had recorded to memory the sight of her that evening. It had taken all of his willpower to resist the temptation to touch her when she had first emerged from behind the changing screen to ask for his assistance.
He also recalled how difficult it had been to stop his sexuality programme from activating.
Data could also remember exactly how it had felt when the fireworks had started. At the time, he'd been uncertain what had caused the loud booming noise.
Instinctively, he had pulled her close.
Data felt his fingers tremble as he recalled the sensation of his hand on her back.
And the way she had looked up at him – attempting to hide her desire.
Data was warm.
Unlike the dress she had worn on Ligon II, this was significantly shorter. Data knew every centimetre of her body. Judging by the position where it fell on her thighs, he was certain that if she were to turn around there wouldn't be much covering the bottom portion of her backside.
Data's eyes were almost black, his pupils blown as he tried to slow down his processing.
As Tasha watched him from the doorframe, she suddenly felt uncomfortably small.
Had it been too forward?
She dropped her eyes down to look at herself and instantly regretted spending so many credits on such an impractical purchase.
Tasha couldn't tell if Data's silence was disappointment or confusion.
"I'm sorry," Tasha said as she nervously tugged down the hem in a futile effort to cover herself. "It was a just a silly, erm, nevermind."
She trailed off.
"Data? What's wrong?" she asked, finally working up the courage to bite the bullet. "You haven't said a word."
"I am having trouble processing," Data confessed as he indicated to her attire.
"It's called a chemise," Tasha explained, assuming his silence was due to confusion.
Tasha shook her head.
"Humans wear things like this because they think they're alluring," Tasha said as she tugged at the fabric.
She laughed at herself.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking," Tasha went on. "I guess I just got caught up in the moment at this shoppe and-"
"I am aware of the function of the garment," Data said.
He was still standing motionless across the room.
"Oh," Tasha replied.
She felt her face flush with humiliation.
Gods he must think I'm an idiot standing here looking ridiculous.
"It is working," Data said in a strained voice.
Tasha's brow furrowed and Data registered that she did not grasp the meaning of his statement.
"That is to say, I believe it is having the desired effect," Data clarified. "I am sorry if my silence has created a lack of confidence in your decision."
Tasha scratched her head automatically, suddenly feeling even more shy.
"So you…you like this?" Tasha asked hesitantly after a few seconds.
"Very much so," Data confessed.
Data blinked rapidly.
"I must confess that I am presently struggling to contain my thoughts as I find myself overcome with a memory," Data said. "For you see, when we were on Ligon II you wore a garment with this exact same hue."
Data closed his eyes and his head twitched.
"I must apologise, because despite the danger, I found myself captivated by it," Data said sheepishly.
Tasha thought back to their encounter with Ligonians and her unusual abduction.
It wasn't as if his desire had necessarily been a secret.
At the time, Tasha had feared it was some sort of puppy-love crush.
Looking back, she now understood just how deeply he had cared.
"I am afraid I must inform you that my offer that night was not sincere," Data admitted.
Tasha looked at him in confusion. She was pretty certain that if Data had offered her anything, she wouldn't have been able to refuse.
"Offer?" she asked.
"When it became apparent that you had difficulty sleeping, I suggested a massage," Data said as he recounted the memory.
Tasha's lips formed a silent 'oh' as she recalled his offer – and just how much the thought of his hands on her back had caused the opposite effect of relaxation.
"I am ashamed to confess I made such an offer with an ulterior motive in mind," Data went on. "You looked so aesthetically pleasing that night I wanted to touch you."
Tasha wasn't sure what to say.
Compliments made her feel uneasy.
But she knew with Data, it wasn't just a line.
"I fell in love with you that night," Data said. "And before we began our relationship, I thought about it often."
Tasha blushed.
"You thought about me?" Tasha asked as she met his eyes.
He was staring at her as if he were mesmerised.
"I fantasise about you, about us, often," Data confessed.
Tasha was pleasantly surprised.
"I know it is not appropriate," Data said apologetically. "I would like to apologise."
Tasha's skin prickled.
"You don't need to apologise," she assured him.
There was something empowering about it all, knowing that she was capable of producing such a reaction in the ever-composed android.
Even now, he was having difficulty as his system began to overheat.
"Tasha, do you know the garment you purchased?" Data inquired. "The one that was in the package?"
"Yes, Data?" she replied.
She didn't understand the question.
"You should wear it," Data said breathlessly, unable to tear his eyes away.
Tasha bit her lip.
"Data, I am wearing it," Tasha reminded him in a low voice.
"Right," Data said quickly before closing the distance between them.
He had her up against the wall before Tasha knew what was happening. His hands were everywhere.
Data grinned as he confirmed his theory about the length of the garment. There was next to nothing covering Tasha's backside. His fingers dug into the cheek of her arse as Data relished in finally being able to hold her.
This garment offered the best of both worlds – Data could appreciate the aesthetic value of such a piece, and it did not interfere with his ability to touch, pinch, play, or caress.
His mouth was halfway down her neck when the door chimed.
They broke apart and for a brief second, they both considered ignoring it.
"It may be important," Data said.
Tasha asked Data to wait a moment as she slipped into a dressing gown.
"Um, Data," she said as she cleared her throat.
Data stopped a metre from the door.
"You might want to deactivate," she said knowingly.
Tasha's eyes dropped to the considerable bulge in his trousers.
"Ah," Data replied. "Thank you."
They opened the door to find Wesley Crusher on the other side.
"Hey Data," Wesley said as he stepped into their quarters.
Wesley was over-the-moon about his performance during the Cardassian blockade and he wanted to share it with them. He was oblivious to the fact he'd interrupted an intimate evening.
"You may tell us all about it in detail when we return to the Enterprise," Data suggested.
He was about to shoo Wesley into the corridor when the door opened to reveal Geordi.
"Boy, am I sure glad to see you two," Geordi said brightly as he pushed into the room.
Geordi stepped inside carrying a bottle of champagne.
"Oh, hey Tash!" Geordi waved as he caught sight of her in the doorframe to the bedroom.
Geordi grabbed four glasses from the shelf near the table and began to pour out the chilled, sparkling beverage.
"My date cancelled," Geordi explained. "And I certainly didn't want this to go to waste."
Beverly had been just a step behind Geordi. She had dropped in to pack up the baby items.
As he poured the champagne, Geordi caught a brief flash of frustration on Tasha's face.
Geordi surveyed the room and spied the whisky and flowers on the table. For the first time since entering the room, he noticed Tasha was wearing a dressing gown.
Realisation hit Geordi hard.
"We can do this later," Geordi said quickly.
Geordi mouthed an embarrassed 'sorry' to Tasha. Geordi gripped the arms of the Doctor and her son and turned them toward the door.
"We should be going," Geordi encouraged as he guided them out of Data and Tasha's quarters.
To their horror, the door chimed again.
"I apologise for the intrusion," Picard said as he slipped past the android.
He was sporting a bottle of wine in his hand and seemed unaware of everyone else inside.
"Now, who'd like a glass?" Picard asked as he turned around excitedly.
Before anyone could speak, Miles and Keiko showed up.
"We thought we'd stop by and see if you wanted to join us for a double-date? There's a Bajoran band playing at the arboretum," Miles explained.
"Um, thanks Chief but I was actually just going to bed," Tasha said in hopes that the comment would spur their friends to leave.
Beverly turned and studied Tasha for a moment.
It wasn't even 21:00 hours and it was unlike Tasha to turn in so early.
Tasha added a fake yawn for effect.
As Tasha raised her arm to really sell the yawn, Beverly's spied the wrapping from the mysterious package she'd received during their time at the pub sitting on the bed.
Tasha followed Beverly's eyeline to the package in the bedroom behind her and the two shared a knowing look.
It was clear it had been opened.
Beverly looked her friend up and down.
"Of course," she said aloud.
She stepped over to Tasha and gave her a hug.
Half a metre away, Captain Picard was pouring everyone a glass of wine.
He stopped as he overheard the conversation between the two women.
"That package is from the tailor, isn't it?" Beverly whispered. "Let me see!"
"Can't. I'm wearing it," Tasha replied quietly.
Beverly leaned in close.
"Can I see?" Beverly whispered.
She was practically giddy.
"Absolutely not!" Tasha whispered back.
"Fine," Beverly replied glumly.
The Doctor's eyes lit up.
"You know I had this little pink number that Jack practically ripped in half when we took a cruise on Melvaroan," Beverly told her.
Captain Picard choked, unable to help himself at the thought of Beverly wearing something salacious.
"Well, we were about three stitches away from a cigarette when you lot showed up," Tasha replied.
The Captain froze as his brain began to piece together the clues from the conversation he had unintentionally eavesdropped on.
Jean-Luc was mortified.
He suddenly understood what had been going on between his Second Officer and Security Chief before the crowd had arrived.
He didn't want to turn around and address the woman behind him, but he knew he must.
Summoning his courage, doing his best not to look any lower than eye-level, and to avoid eye contact with Beverly at all costs - he turned to face the Security Chief he regarded as his protege.
He clapped his hands together.
"I believe we've stayed long enough," Picard announced to the room. "Goodnight."
Before any of them could respond the door slid open again.
"I saw everyone was here!" Commander Riker said as he stepped inside.
"Good evening, Commander," Data said.
Data politely, but firmly took hold of the First Officer and turned him around.
"Good night, Commander," Data added.
As soon as everyone had shuffled out, Data turned back to Tasha and breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm so happy Worf isn't here," Tasha said.
Data cocked his head and looked at her strangely.
"You have often commented that Worf is your best friend," Data said as he tried to follow her meaning.
"Exactly," Tasha replied. "He knows enough not to disturb us."
Data watched as Tasha fiddled with the sash on her dressing gown before dropping it off her shoulders.
For a moment, neither of them said a word as they held one another's gaze.
Tasha took a few steps forward and gripped Data's cock through his trousers, stroking him back to hardness.
"I've waited a long time for this," Tasha said.
"Forty-eight hours," Data remarked.
"And now we have forty-eight hours," Tasha reminded him.
She grinned as she felt his cock twitch in her hand.
"Forty-six hours, thirty-two minutes, and seventeen seconds," Data advised.
Data gasped as Tasha dropped to her knees.
"That is not counting minimal allotted time for-" he paused and shuddered.
Data was still fully clothed, but Tasha was now nuzzling against his erection.
He glanced down at Tasha and his breath hitched.
"Perhaps we should go to bed?" Data suggested.
His voice was timid, a far cry from the usual commanding tone he demonstrated on the Bridge.
"I don't want to go to bed," Tasha replied in a low, playful voice.
Data whimpered as tips of her fingers ghosted across the length of his erection.
Tasha had the ability to command his attention with nothing more than a gentle touch and a few soft words.
Her voice was as smooth as glass. Data found it comforting and simultaneously unnerving as it had the ability to interfere with his sexuality programme.
"I am glad that we are now alone," Data stated.
Tasha stood and grinned.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and Data responded by picking her up.
"Just you and me," Data commented. "No friends. No children."
"Would you care to not make a baby with me?" Tasha asked.
"More than anything," Data replied as he carried her over to the doorframe.
Data set Tasha on the edge of the bed and then knelt down in front of her.
His hand slipped under the hem of her chemise and came to rest on the outside of her thigh.
"I would like to take you to bed," Data shared.
He looked up at her, golden eyes full of desire as he asked for Tasha's consent to proceed.
Data wasn't the only one affected by the garment.
Tasha felt a strange thrill. She felt desirable and energised.
She decided to use this as she tapped into one of the fantasies Data had shared with her.
Tasha reached down to cup his face.
"You are so sweet," she cooed.
Data closed his eyes as Tasha stroked her thumb over his cheek.
"Do you want to fuck me?" Tasha asked.
Her voice was soft, but her words were raw. It was a sweet mix of praise and power that made Data's neural net surge.
"Yes," Data confessed.
"Would you like to come apart in my hand?" Tasha teased.
Data swallowed hard.
"Y-yes," he stammered.
"Will you let me take care of you?" Tasha asked as she nuzzled against his nose.
"Please," Data begged.
Tasha pressed a series of slow kisses across his jawline.
"And once you've come, will you be my good boy?" Tasha went on.
Data's grip on her thigh tightened. He was desperate for more contact.
"Tell me what you want," Data pleaded.
Tasha pulled his head tight against her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Mmm," Tasha keened. "I want you to fuck me like no one else can."
"Uh huh," Data agreed, his voice muffled as he was sandwiched against her breasts.
Tasha smirked. She could feel he was salivating against the thin fabric.
"And when you're done, will you kiss every inch of my body?" Tasha questioned.
She twisted her fingers into his hair, tugging it just enough to garner a response.
"Yes," Data promised in a strained voice.
Tasha pulled him onto the bed and carefully stripped him of his clothes.
Data longed to make love to her, but he found this sort of play enticing. It wasn't exactly denial – but it wasn't quite satisfaction either.
Tasha looked utterly delectable in her short little ensemble. Her legs and shoulders were on display. There was so much skin just waiting for his lips. And the cut was cheeky enough that the bottom of her backside was peeking out, teasing him with how tantalisingly close it was.
But in his current position there was little Data could do.
He was on all fours as Tasha caressed the length of his spine, pressing kisses up the back of his thighs, as her hands worked ever closer to his throbbing cock.
"Relax," Tasha purred before giving his arse a quick kiss.
Data's breath was shaky as Tasha massaged his ballsack. She rolled it around in her hand, squeezing just the right side of too much as Data did his best not to squirm.
He may have been an android with impeccable self-control.
But he was putty in her hands.
"My beautiful golden boy," Tasha murmured. "And his big, beautiful cock."
Data sighed, utterly content to fall to pieces under Tasha's tender ministrations.
"Mmmm," Tasha groaned.
She rubbed her face against his hip appreciatively before resting her head on his lower back.
Her hand continued to massage Data's scrotum, all the while ignoring the cock hanging heavy between his legs.
When Tasha's fingers finally reached his erection, they were teasing at first. The tips of her first two fingers softly stroked the length of him – offering just enough touch to let him know she was there.
Her touch was light. Data was so worked up his cock twitched.
"Oh," he breathed.
Data's back arched as she pulled his cock back between his legs.
While holding it in one hand, Tasha continued to tease him. She was barely touching him and yet Data's hands were clenched tight around the bedsheets.
A low, almost painful groan escaped from his throat as she continued.
"Awww, does it hurt, baby?" Tasha asked.
"No," Data replied.
There was desperation in his voice. He didn't want her to stop.
It was sweet agony.
"Feels, feels good," Data choked out. "Please."
"More?" Tasha asked.
"Please," Data whined.
He adored everything about what Tasha was doing. With Tasha, Data could allow himself to be vulnerable. His activation switch was completely exposed in this prone position.
The soft way in which Tasha dominated him overwhelmed his senses.
It touched on Data's fear of being objectified. But in this setting, in Tasha's arms, Data knew he was safe.
When she called him her good boy, it wasn't because she was looking down on him.
This was an act of love.
Of devotion.
"So heavy," Tasha tutted as she squeezed his balls.
Data was dribbling precum now.
Tasha's fingers closed around his cock.
"You're so hard," she went on.
Data's hips began to rock as he fucked her hand, desperate for more friction.
"You poor thing," Tasha said.
She was taunting him, keeping him just on the edge of pleasure.
Data gasped softly as her fingers teased around the edge of his anus.
Data whined against the bed sheets. He was normally capable of processing trillions of calculations per second.
But Data's neural net was struggling to keep up with all that he was experiencing.
He squeezed his eyes shut as he concentrated on the sound of her voice.
"Please," he sobbed.
Tasha pressed a finger inside, lubricated with his own biofluid. She moved slowly, probing gently as he adjusted to the pressure.
It felt wonderful.
"T-Tasha," he panted.
"Of course," Tasha replied. "Mmm. Is this what you wanted?"
She worked another finger into his tight hole. Data clenched around her fingers, wordlessly begging for more.
"Or is this what you want?" Tasha asked.
With her other hand, she ever-so-slightly increased the speed and pressure with which she stroked his cock.
Data was utterly wrecked.
All too soon, Data found himself shaking apart.
His whole body tightened as his cock spurted onto the bed.
"That's it," Tasha said as she continued to stroke him.
Data grimaced as the biofluid spilled from the tip and onto the bedsheets.
Tasha gently tugged on the length of him until he was done.
"Ooo," Data hissed.
He had never experienced overstimulation before.
Tasha guided him to roll over onto his back.
She carefully bent down between his legs and licked his cock clean.
Data bent his knees up toward his chest and let his head fall back against the bed.
He was delighted. He felt small and safe.
And spent.
Tasha kissed the tip and then crawled up to the head of the bed. She quickly cleaned her hand with a flannel on the bedside and then pulled Data close.
He rested his head on her lap as Tasha ran her fingers through his hair.
"My golden boy," she whispered.
Data brought her hand to his lips.
Then he pulled it close to his chest and held it there.
They stayed like that for quite some time as Data came back to the world. It had felt divine, but it took an emotional toll. Tasha had recognised that Data would need some time to decompress or 'reboot' as he put it.
She was more than content to hold him while he sorted through his feelings. She wanted to give him time and space. More than anything, Tasha hoped to assure him of her love.
Data struggled at times accepting that he was worthy of that love.
And putting himself in Tasha's hands was a way to remind him that he was.
Eventually, Data began to come out of his shell.
He could feel the cool fabric of Tasha's chemise under his cheek. It was as smooth and silky as her voice.
The sensation was enough to remind Data of all the things he had theorised about doing to her.
And of the promise he had made earlier.
"Tasha?" Data asked tentatively.
"Hmm?" she replied in a lazy voice.
"May we continue?" Data inquired.
"Do you want to?" Tasha asked.
She wanted Data to understand that he was under no obligation to reciprocate.
"I do. Do you?" Data asked in response.
"No complaints here," Tasha remarked.
Data looked up at her with a wickedly devious gleam in his eye. All trace of the tender-hearted android was gone.
No sooner had he flashed her a smirk than Data had Tasha flipped around, lying face-down on the bed.
"Data?" she asked.
She gasped softly as she felt Data's hand on the nape of her neck.
"Settle," he ordered.
Tasha shivered as Data's hand slowly traced up the back of her leg across her hamstring muscle.
His hand travelled under the edge of her chemise and stopped at the edge of her string knickers.
"I do not recall giving you permission to wear undergarments under this," Data said in a dark voice.
Tasha's whole body tingled with anticipation as Data tugged at the garment.
His hands were big enough that he could very nearly fit her entire arse cheek in them. With one hand, Data squeezed her right cheek hard. Simultaneously, his teeth grazed over the left one as he nipped at her sensitive flesh.
Data gave her a small smack before pulling her string knickers down over arse.
"It is a crime to cover such a masterpiece," Data said.
"They're really not covering anything," Tasha quipped, relieved to finally be free of the garment that had ridden up her arse all night.
She hadn't meant to be funny, but Tasha couldn't resist getting in the jibe. Data was having fun and he wasn't about to let her comment pull him out of the moment.
"Regardless of their size, the infraction stands. I shall have to administer discipline for wearing such a piece," Data went on.
He playfully smacked her other cheek.
"And deny you the pleasure of stripping it off?" Tasha asked.
Data realised she was being cheeky on purpose to get a rise out of him.
Data reached up and around her body. One hand closed around her throat. The other went to her chest as he pulled her up off the bed.
"If you cannot behave then I will put a cock in your mouth," Data warned.
"Mmmm," Tasha grinned.
"And that will be all you get," Data added.
Tasha's face fell as she realised what he was promising.
"That is what I thought," Data growled.
A moment later, he nuzzled against her neck.
"I promised to kiss every inch of your body," Data whispered against her ear.
All trace of his previously sharp tone was gone, replaced by this low, amorous voice.
"I have no wish to fail in the endeavour," Data said.
Tasha let her head fall to the side as Data nibbled at her neck.
"Start here," Tasha breathed.
"I will start where I choose," Data declared.
He set Tasha back down on the bed and pulled her to the edge.
Data crawled off the edge and pulled her foot up.
He kissed the tip of her toes.
"Her feet are free and carry her as she runs circles through my mind," Data said.
He paused to kiss her ankle.
"Her legs are a contradiction. The soft flesh of her thighs longs to be claimed by my lips. Yet the power with which she is capable of kicking would cut straight to my heart were she to deny me such a privilege," Data went on.
His audio receptors picked up on a soft intake of breath as Tasha realised this was poetry.
"I would fall to my knees for the pleasure that is to be held between her thighs and the taste of her sweet sex," Data said.
Tasha whimpered as Data dove below the hem of her garment to plant a slow, sloppy kiss on her cunt.
He emerged a moment later looked dishevelled and licked his lips as he held her gaze.
Data sat up on his knees. On instinct, Tasha leaned back a few inches as he towered over her.
He carefully slipped the straps of the chemise over her shoulders before kissing each one.
"Her shoulders make me swoon whenever they are on display," Data continued. "They are equally alluring whenever I am granted the opportunity to reveal them."
He began to work his way down her arm, kissing over each scar until he reached her wrist.
"Her arms are my refuge," Data said. "And her hands are my torment. For though they are lovely, I fear that I shall never hold them as much as I desire."
He kissed the tip of each fingertip before turning his attention to her torso.
"I would worship daily and devoutly at the altar that is the soft swell of her breast," Data said.
Data pressed a slow kiss to the swell of each breast as he carefully traced the curve of each one with his hand.
"For they are divine. A testament to the goddess that she is," Data remarked.
Tasha was too enthralled to be embarrassed.
No one had ever spoken to her with such tender affection.
"The span of her hips can captivate a room with their gentle sway," Data said as he stripped away chemise. "Even clothed, they cannot be confined."
Data sat back and studied her expression.
"Her eyes carry planets," Data said. "And in them there is all the fire and passion of a woman that is free. For she is untamed."
Tasha bit her lip. Suddenly, she felt shy.
"And from her lips the sweetest tenor slips," Data continued.
He moved in close. Tasha closed her eyes as he kissed along her jawline.
"It breathes life into my soul," Data said. "She is a path not everyone knows how to traverse."
Data's hand was at the back of her head, holding her close against him.
"Her smile is like sunshine on my face," Data went on. "Her heart so open and pure that mine feels full."
Data inhaled deeply, relishing in the soft lavender scent of her shampoo.
"She eclipses the whole of her sex. She conquered my heart so swiftly that I did not fathom it was in her possession until I was completely lost," Data said softly.
Data pulled back and studied her expression.
Tasha's eyes were starting to water.
Data reached up to cup her face.
"It is said that she is so lovely, the heavens would weep upon sight of her presence for they knew they could not shine as brightly nor burn as intensely," Data concluded.
He pulled Tasha into an ardent kiss.
They held one another close as they made love. Hand in hand, their bodies pressed together, Data and Tasha said little.
It hadn't been the wild, passionate sex they had set out to do at the start of the night.
But it was exactly what they had needed.
Later that night, Data was laying on his back looking up out of the large window that spanned the length of the room.
Tasha was lying across his chest. He traced the length of her spine as he watched the stars.
They were so pleased to be alone together – finally.
"Data, can I ask you a question?" Tasha inquired.
"Of course," Data replied.
"Was that a real poem?" Tasha asked.
Data blinked. It took him a second to realise she was asking about his earlier statement.
"Yes," Data responded, proud of his work.
"Oh," Tasha replied.
Her voice belied just how hurt she was.
"Tasha?" Data asked. "Does that bother you?"
"No, no," Tasha assured him. "It was lovely."
There was a pause.
"I just thought," Tasha stopped and laughed.
"What?" Data pressed.
"I briefly wondered if maybe you'd come up with that. You know, about me," Tasha confessed.
Data took hold of her chin, forcing Tasha to meet his eyes.
"It is about you," Data said simply.
Tasha smiled.
"I know. And it was sweet. I just thought maybe you'd, you know, penned it," Tasha admitted.
She felt foolish that she'd ever considered such a poetic verse could be written on her behalf.
"I did compose it," Data clarified.
He had thought that was obvious.
"My status as the author and you as the subject does make it any less real," Data advised. "In fact, I am planning to share it at my next poetry reading."
Tasha's face blanched.
The thought of such an intimate description being read in the middle of Ten Forward was too much.
"I was only teasing," Data assured her before quickly adding. "About the last part. I did truly write it with you in mind."
Without warning, there was a loud 'pop' and a blinding flash.
It startled Tasha and she fell out of bed in a tangle of blankets.
Data looked across the bed where Q wiggled his fingers.
"Isn't this great?" Q asked.
Tasha was mortified as she looked up from the floor at their unwelcome guest.
"You," she hissed.
Data reached out and gripped her hand, wordlessly cautioning her to mind her temper in the presence of such a powerful being.
Q snapped his fingers and a bucket of popcorn appeared next to him.
He reached into the bucket and then threw his head back as he casually tossed a few pieces into the air and caught them in his mouth.
"You know I was so nervous," he said as he waved his head. "All the drama from the hearing and then the Cardassians."
Q grabbed another handful of popcorn.
"I just had to shut it off for a while," Q told them. "You humans didn't even realise I suspended time."
Q stuffed a fistful of popcorn into his mouth.
"Where are my manners?" Q said.
He offered the bucket of popcorn to Data and Tasha.
Tasha looked down at it and then back up to Q.
"No," Data answered as he shook his head.
Q shrugged and resumed munching on the snack himself.
"I was so distraught I headed for the pools on Casperia Prime to cool off," Q explained. "Then I popped into this little canteen on Trureen VII where they make this drink with little umbrellas and something blue."
Q kissed his fingers.
"Played a round of golf with Willie Anderson," Q added as he stared at the ceiling.
He sighed and turned back to the pair.
"And then I came back because I just had to know how it was going to end," Q said with a wicked grin.
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Data was concerned about upsetting such a powerful being.
But there was a curiosity deeply ingrained in his system that was stronger.
"You are still observing us?" Data asked.
Q grinned and nodded in response.
Tasha felt sick to her stomach.
"Oh, not anything…. I mean I would never," Q said in an effort to reassure them. "I slipped away to catch the last bit of a London Kings game after you said the part about not making a baby and all."
Tasha looked at him as if she were not convinced.
"What?" Q asked. "I'm not completely without morals."
He huffed and snuggled back against the pillow.
"Certainly morals far more sophisticated than your teeny-tiny human brain can comprehend," Q grumbled.
Tasha was ready to snap but Data squeezed her hand to stop her.
"Though, mmmmph!" Q said as he kissed his fingertips.
He applauded slowly.
"The heavens would weep," Q said, reciting Data's poem. "Even I had to admit that was gold."
Suddenly, Q sat up and looked at them.
"I'm so sorry! I've ruined an intimate moment," he said. "I waited until, you know, you were finished but you probably thought I was…oh, oh no."
Q shook his head.
"I forgot you humans consider post-coital cuddling an intimate activity," Q said apologetically. "Forgive me."
He folded his hands and bowed his head.
"Just pretend I was never here," Q winked.
In a flash, he was gone leaving Data and Tasha completely dumbstruck.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Tasha said.
Her stomach was feeling squeamish from Q's appearance.
"Come here," Data said as he reached down and pulled her back onto the bed.
As soon as she was on the bed, Data rolled them so that she was on her back underneath of him.
He made a move to kiss her, and Tasha put a finger up to stop him.
"This feels weird," Tasha whispered. "How do we know he's not still here watching?"
Data tilted his head to the side and looked down at her curiously.
"The Q are omnipotent beings capable of controlling both time and space," Data advised. "In theory, they are always watching."
"Not helping," Tasha replied.
"Tasha, I only mean that with their ability to-" Data started to say.
Tasha put her finger on his lips to stop him.
"Shh," she said as she looked up at him.
Data leaned forward and kissed her slowly.
After a few seconds, he stopped.
They broke apart and he looked to the side as if he were listening for someone.
In truth, he was listening for any sign of Q.
When nothing happened, they resumed.
