A/n the one shot was inspired by a song called "Body Language," from Peter Cetera. Please enjoy and thank you for your support.
Star Date 41333.1
Tasha Yar kicked off her boots the moment she stepped into her quarters. Six weeks, a battle to the death, and one flirtation with the type of man that – she shook off the thought of her uncomfortable attraction and sighed. The passage of time hadn't taken her mind off the polywater infection and her – hour with Commander Data. God, it had been – she had no words.
She raked a hand through her hair and blew out a breath. She'd practically ordered the third-in-command of the Enterprise to forget their lapse in judgment.
"Who're you kidding," Tasha said to the empty room. "You did lay down the law, according to Tasha Yar. Would you've used such a tone with Riker, Geordi, or Worf?"
She giggled like a lunatic. She knew she'd spoken to Data in such a manner because she knew he wouldn't push back on her.
"Doesn't make it right."
Tasha unzipped her uniform and removed it with her underclothing. She dumped everything into the clothing processor and hit the shower. She stepped in and ordered the water at 37 degrees Celsius. Tasha had a roommate at Starfleet Academy who preferred to shower with water three degrees below body temperature daily, which made Tasha shiver at the thought. Patti had said it was invigorating. Tasha had said it was insane.
The memory of Starfleet Academy faded after a few minutes, and her thoughts returned to Data.
Damn him for his gentleness, kindness, and deceptive innocence in his eyes that hid many incredible skills that had shocked, delighted, and moved Tasha.
"It's all programming," she told herself as she scrubbed away the stress of the last days.
Is it?
She couldn't deny that she'd seen something in his eyes that – she squeezed her eyes shut and rinsed out the shampoo in her hair.
He's a machine!
Was he? Tasha didn't know anymore.
"It was the infection and nothing more." She told herself sternly. "Get over it!"
She thought she had gotten over it, but the incident on Ligon II with Lutan had shaken her to her core, and the expression on Data's face when he asked her if she had feelings for the Ligonian had been – bizarre.
Data doesn't have emotions! He mimics them but doesn't feel them.
How do you know for sure?
Data always insisted that he didn't have emotions, but Tasha sometimes wondered. They were – or had been good friends, she'd thought, but the last six weeks had been a round of avoiding him when she could, and when she couldn't avoiding his green-yellow eyes, that saw everything and commented on it whether or not it was – appropriate.
That day, after they'd obtained the vaccine and warped away to Styris IV to deliver it, she'd found herself staring at the back of Data's head as he sat at OPS. Then she'd wondered if he could feel her stare and if it bothered him. If it did bother Data, would he mention it to her?
Thus, she was drying off her hair and thinking about getting some sleep. She pulled on a tee shirt, tattered shorts, and slippers. Half an hour later, she tossed and turned because her brain wouldn't shut off.
She sat up and slipped out of bed. She pulled off her sleepwear and put on a fresh uniform. If she were going to do this, she'd wear her uniform.
Tasha tapped her communicator and left her quarters after a short conversation.
STSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTST
A little after five a.m., Tasha strode toward a turbolift. She was due to be on the bridge in two hours and needed a shower and strong coffee. Tasha pushed the call button for the lift and waited impatiently until the doors slid open.
When she saw the person standing inside, she almost turned and fled down the corridor to another lift, but then squared her shoulders and stepped onto the car. "Hello, Commander," she said stiffly.
"Lieutenant," Data said.
The doors closed, and Tasha said, "Deck 8."
The lift began its swift journey to her destination. Tasha stood in silence next to Data, who, as usual, stared straight ahead. The tension in the lift was so thick it felt like she tried to breathe syrup.
What drove her to snarl the word "Halt" was that Data was utterly unaffected by – everything, and she was ready to burst.
"Damn it, Data," she snapped. "What's wrong with you?"
"I am functioning –"
"Stop it with the 'I'm functioning within normal parameters" nonsense. I'm sick of you skipping through life without a care in the world when I – "
She trailed off as her rage abated and realized she was acting like a first-year cadet overwhelmed with her classwork. "I'm sorry, Data."
"Resume," she said, and when they reached Deck 8, she stepped off, only to realize that Data was following her.
"Data?"
"You appear to be in distress. As your friend, I – "
Tasha grabbed his hand and led him back onto the turbolift. "Deck 16," she ordered.
Five minutes later, they sat in a crew lounge, and Tasha sipped hot coffee. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, Data."
"There is no apology necessary, Tasha. I have observed that you have been – distant since the polywater infection. You clarified your desires then, but I thought we would still be friends. Still, I am not surprised that we are not."
Tasha choked on her coffee. She looked at Data, studied his face, and saw something in his golden eyes that rocked her back in her chair. He was – unhappy. She could see it!
"Is that what you think?"
"Yes."
His simple declaration made her stomach churn. She looked down at her cup of coffee and then back at him. He sat straight and tall, but again, there was a flash of distress in his eyes.
"I'm sorry if I – caused you pain, Data. It wasn't my intention. You see," she stopped because she didn't know what to say.
"I am not – "
"Don't say it because I can see it in your eyes, and I know you well enough that I refuse to believe you're simply imitating emotion.
"I do not understand how you can believe what I know is untrue."
Tasha sighed. "I know because we were close, Data, more than I've ever been with another – being. I –"
"You have feelings for me," Data said.
"I –" Tasha swallowed hard and cleared her throat so she didn't cry. "I – yes, but damn it."
"What is it?" Data asked. "You have ignored or avoided me for six weeks, three days, and seven hours. I do not understand why."
"Because I told you it never happened, but I was telling myself because I can't stop thinking about wanting to be with you again."
"If that is what you wish, then –"
"Data! Why do you think I was wandering the corridors at five in the morning?"
"I have found that my human friends sometimes suffer from insomnia, especially in times of stress. I determined that asking you about your inability to sleep might cause more stress and exacerbate the problem. Was I in error?"
"Yes."
"I see. Do you wish to talk about the reason you were not resting?"
"No, but you deserve to know because I made a mistake."
"You once told me that humans learn from their mistakes." Data said. "Perhaps you will learn from this error."
Tasha wanted to throttle him, but she blew out a breath instead and said. "I was awake because I had just left Ensign David Ashbury's quarters. We were – "
"Indeed," Data said. "Did you find his company pleasurable?"
"Data!"
"Have I said something wrong?" Data said, and she could see the genuine confusion in his eyes.
"No, yes, I don't know. Alright, the truth is that when the polywater infection happened, I met Ashbury in the corridor, and we made out. He wanted more, but I said no. I don't know why. I guess my judgment wasn't completely impaired. He yelled at me as I walked away that if I changed my mind, no strings attached."
"Tasha, I understand. You are not the first humanoid to proposition intercourse with me. Most of my partners were – without strings attached as well. It is normal, is it not."
Tasha stared at him in utter disbelief. "No, Data, it's not normal. Many couples marry or carry on monogamous committed relationships."
"Yes, I understand this is normal for organic beings, but I am an Android. No one desires to spend their affections on a being that can not return them."
Tasha lost the battle with her emotions, and tears slid down her face. "That's not true!"
"Why are you crying," Data asked. "I do not - like to see you so distressed. What can I do to repair our association?"
"It's not your fault. I screwed up, and I'll fix it, Data."
"You do not wish to continue a romantic relationship with Ensign Ashbury. He has many fine qualities and –"
"No! Data, at times, you're so – dense. It's infuriating."
"My physical structure is indeed highly compact, so – "
"No, Data," Tasha finally laughed. "I mean, you don't understand some of the subtleties of human behavior. I have feelings for you and thought I could drown them out by spending time with someone else. I was wrong."
"I am unsure what to do," Data said.
"You don't have to do anything. Also, don't you ever say how other partners have treated you is normal or okay because it's not unless you consent?"
"Tasha, I do not have – "
"Stop it, Data! Look, I'm sorry," Tasha said after a beat. "I'm tired and have to go on shift in an hour and a half."
"Would you like me to accompany you back to your quarters?"
"No, Data. I started the walk of shame alone and have to finish it alone."
Data's head cocked left, and after a beat he said. "Ah, walk of shame. I see – fascinating."
"Yeah, well, I need a shower and more coffee. I'll see you later."
"Tasha," Data said and stopped her in her tracks. "We have not discussed how you wish to proceed in our – relationship."
Tasha turned back and reached for one of his hands. "What I desire doesn't matter. I want you to think about what you expect from us, and then we'll talk."
"Your feelings do matter, Tasha, but I understand what you mean to convey. I will consider your words carefully and – let you know – as humans say."
"Alright, take your time," she squeezed his hand. "Perhaps we could walk in the Arboretum if you consent, Commander."
"I do, Lieutenant."
"See you after bridge duty then."
"Yes, I will see you later."
Tasha studied him briefly, then leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I've missed your sensory input, Data."
Data's eyebrows went up. "Is this teasing?"
"A little."
"It is pleasant from a friend. I have missed your sensory input as well."
"Good. Now, I truly have to go. I'll see you at 1600 hours in the Arboretum."
"I look forward to our meeting."
THE END