A/N: Plugging right along…
This chapter takes place during the events of The Complication chapters 49-51 and includes the events of The Battle and The Big Goodbye.
It does not begin to cover everything that happens in those chapters. There's an entire Geordi La Forge/Sonya Gomez subplot, Picard backstory, and more!
If you're just reading the missing scenes – you're missing out on a huge chunk of the story.
But if you're just here for the smut (with a hint of plot) then you're in the right place!
The Ferengi.
The team had been en route to their scheduled mission with the Jarada when a surprise change of orders sent them to a rendezvous with a Ferengi ship.
Tasha had been on guard from the start.
She didn't like the way they leered at Data. She hit the roof when they inquired as to his price.
"Commander Data is a person notan object for sale," Tasha responded from behind in a polite, yet firm voice.
It had taken all of Tasha's strength to maintain her composure.
They'd met the Ferengi once before. Tasha was even less impressed by their second encounter.
Data desperately tried to keep an open mind. But his insatiable curiosity about their culture and anatomy was at odds with his newfound 'gut' feeling.
The Ferengi made him uncomfortable. Data was certain that if they had been the people to discover his deactivated form on Omicron Theta, his life would have taken a drastic turn.
Data was disappointed that his suspicions were proven right.
In the end, the Ferengi rendezvous was nothing more than an attempt to seek revenge on Captain Picard.
The whole encounter had left Jean-Luc shaken as it was a bitter reminder of the Stargazer.
The incident had nearly cost Picard his career.
But what hurt the most was the loss of life. Jean-Luc had never fully recovered from that trauma.
Their mission with the Jarada had gone well (in spite of a series of hiccups).
Notably, Captain Picard had spent most of the day trapped on the holodeck with Data and Doctor Crusher.
Commander Riker had been so worried about getting the Captain out, he'd left Tasha in command.
Tasha had risen to the occasion with aplomb – even striking up a casual acquaintance with her Jaradan counterpart.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
Especially given that the last mission that attempted contact with the reclusive Jarada had ended in the slaughter of the entire crew and a twenty-year end to formal relations.
As she stepped off the Bridge, Tasha rocked her neck side to side in an effort to crack it.
She was practically giddy as the lift started to move.
Tasha had a plan.
In fact, she had a special surprise worked out for the end of the day.
24 Hours Earlier
It had only been a few hours since the team concluded their terrifying encounter with the Ferengi and the recovered Stargazer ship.
They had an equally tense mission tomorrow afternoon to meet with the Jarada.
But for a few hours, they could relax.
Data and Tasha had already had dinner and a quick shower. Now they were relaxing in his quarters in their respective spots.
Data was at his workstation combing over the details of Dixon Hill in anticipation of a holodeck adventure in the morning.
Tasha was scrolling through the latest draft news for the Parrises Squares League.
Data glanced up from his desk. From across the room, their eyes met.
"Bed?" Data asked.
"Bed," Tasha agreed.
Data powered down his computer and Tasha hopped off the sofa.
They were nearly to the doorframe to the bedroom when Tasha's PADD pinged with an incoming message.
"I'll be right in," Tasha assured him.
She snatched her PADD and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the incoming message was from Captain Rixx.
Following their encounter with the Ferengi and their unusual 'Thought Maker' device, Tasha had sent an urgent message to Rixx.
The two had agreed to stay in contact and report anything unusual.
Tasha tapped the screen and quickly scanned the contents of the encrypted message.
Rixx was thankful for the information about the Ferengi device. He would pass it along to a handful of trusted colleagues. More importantly, Rixx had new information about the situation involving the Neutral Zone.
Two more Starfleet officers had died under mysterious circumstances – one was the First Officer of the USS Patagonia. It was a Nebula-class ship that had been patrolling the Neutral Zone for the last two years.
The second death had been an operations clerk with Starfleet Command. While Commander Darla Royce had no name-recognition outside of her department, she had been responsible for overseeing supply requisitions to Starbases in the sectors along the Neutral Zone.
That is, until her untimely demise at the hands of a venomous Struplus plant that was delivered to her office by 'mistake.'
Rixx said he would follow up with more information soon and warned Tasha to watch her back.
Tasha deleted the message from her system. She then accessed the device's memory and created a backup.
Next, she turned the PADD over. Opening the panel on the back of the device, she pulled out the circuit chip and then replaced it, wiping any record of the incoming message from Rixx.
She replaced the panel and reactivated the device using the backup she had created.
Tasha looked up and found Data observing her from the doorway.
"Why are you wiping the memory files on your PADD?" Data asked.
Tasha froze.
"Oh? Is that what I just did?" Tasha questioned, feigning ignorance.
Data cocked his head to the side.
"It was wonky. I was trying to restart it," Tasha lied.
"You removed the communications circuit chip, not the power reset," Data advised.
Engineering wasn't exactly Tasha's speciality, but it was fairly basic Starfleet technology. Data was surprised that she would make such an error.
"If you are experiencing a problem with your PADD I could check into it for you," Data offered.
"No!" Tasha said quickly.
Too quickly.
"I-I don't want to bother you," Tasha covered. "I'll take it to one of the diagnostic engineers in the morning."
She was clutching it tightly – a fact that did not go unnoticed by Data.
"It is no trouble," Data assured her.
He stepped toward her. Tasha instinctively pulled her PADD toward her chest and smiled in an attempt to act like she was not hiding anything.
"No, it's fine. Really," Tasha said.
Data looked as if he didn't quite buy her assurance.
"Is it your intention to hide something from me?" Data asked her directly.
Tasha shook her head.
She didn't feel right about lying to Data. But this matter with Commander Rixx was far too serious. She couldn't risk dragging Data into the middle of a dangerous situation.
"Then why are you concealing your PADD?" Data asked.
As a student of nonverbal communication, Data could read all of the signs that she was attempting to hide something. Her pulse was rapid, her posture was stiff.
"Forget I even mentioned it," Tasha said. "Let's go to bed."
Suddenly, Data was struck with an idea.
"Are you attempting to hide this from me because it is something intended as a surprise?" Data inquired.
"Yes!" Tasha said with relief. "Yes, that's…yes."
She nodded quickly.
Tasha smiled nervously.
"It's a surprise for you," Tasha said.
Data felt horrible for pressing the issue.
"I apologise," Data said in a disheartened tone.
"Oh, it's alright," Tasha responded.
Gods, I'm terrible. She thought to herself.
Tasha could see the regret in Data's expression.
"I will not press the matter," Data promised.
Tasha set her PADD down on the coffee table. Data took hold of her hand.
"You do realise that such surprises are not necessary?" Data commented. "You do not need to do things for me to prove your devotion."
"But it's so much fun to see your reaction," Tasha teased.
Inside, she felt like she owed him something given that she'd just lied directly to him about the nature of her secret message.
An hour later, Tasha was lying awake staring at the ceiling.
What the hell am I going to get for Data now?She thought.
She needed to get him something nice. He deserved no less.
The Sherlock Holmes programme she was designing for the holodeck was still months away from completion.
She had blown through all her saved Federation credits to arrange their recent holiday.
Tasha closed her eyes and exhaled slowly as she rubbed her temples.
Data rolled over onto his side and snuggled up against her. A part of him was intrigued by the idea of Tasha's surprise. Another part of him was concerned about all the attention and affection she had shown him lately.
He wanted her to understand such overtures were not necessary.
"You do realise the greatest gift you've ever given me is you?" Data whispered. "Time in your presence is all I want."
He was far too sweet. And he was always doing such wonderful romantic gestures for her.
Tasha's eyes flew open.
She grinned manically to herself.
She knew exactlyhow to surprise Data.
Present
With Tasha's shower still under repair, they were spending more time in Data's quarters.
Data had slipped down to the lab to check in with Geordi and the Engineering team on the holodeck incident. He promised to be home soon.
He wouldn't stay for a full diagnostic rundown. But as the Chief Operations Officer, Data had a responsibility to check in.
It gave Tasha just enough time to put her surprise plan into action.
Adding to the excitement was the Dixon Hill element.
Tasha had only gotten a glimpse of Data's costume while on the Bridge – but oh did he look heavenly decked out in a pinstripe suit and tie!
She couldn't wait to get him home in that suit.
After jotting down a quick note, Tasha made herself scarce.
By the time he reached his quarters, Data found that he was already full of anticipation for the evening. The incident on the holodeck had left him coursing with excitement.
And the knowledge that Tasha had stepped up to serve as acting Captain during the incident filled him with such a sense of pride that he could barely contain it.
But to his surprise, Data found that his quarters were dark.
"Tasha?" he asked.
There was no response.
He could not hear the sound of her breathing which meant she wasn't hiding somewhere. He also could not hear the sound of the tap which meant she wasn't in the shower.
In fact, he could hear nothing aside from the gentle hum of the life support system.
"Tasha?" Data asked as he stepped through the door to the bedroom.
The room was abandoned.
Data stepped back out into the main room. He was about to hail her with his combadge when his eyes fell on an object on the coffee table.
It was an envelope.
Underneath the envelope was his calabash pipe.
A mystery!Data realised. And this must be a clue!
Data opened the envelope and read the first clue.
Love is constant, just like my light. At the back of the ship, I power our flight.
Data popped his pipe into his mouth and set off into the night.
When he reached the view window in the aft section of Deck 7, Data found the area was deserted just as his quarters had been.
There was a small lounge area that was rarely utilised by the crew.
It overlooked the nacelles below.
From time to time, Data and Tasha liked to sit in this spot and share lunch.
On a chair next to the window was a second envelope. Beside it sat a bottle of whisky.
Inside was another clue.
Love is a story. A journey that must be took. For the treasure you seek, you know where to look.
Data frowned and made a mental note to speak with Tasha.
With the bottle of whisky in tow, he set off for his next destination.
From the clue, he knew precisely where to find the next clue.
Tasha snuck back into Data's quarters. She'd hidden in the supply closet near the lift while waiting for him to go.
She couldn't even risk peeking around the corner to watch him leave for fear that Data might catch wise.
But now that he was safely on another deck, Tasha was free to enact the second phase of her plan.
While the tap ran, Tasha punched in a code at the replicator to produce two short glasses each complete with a singular, thick sphere of ice.
She carried them into the lavatory and set them down on the counter. A part of her was a little disappointed she'd planted the whisky with one of the clues.
Tasha could do with a belt to steady her nerves.
Next, she stripped off her uniform and threw it into the garment reprocessor.
Finally, she snagged Data's lovely handmade dressing gown with the satin brocade. Tasha hung it with care on the hook near the tub and laid out a fresh, fluffy towel for each of them.
Standing in front of the mirror, Tasha took in her appearance. For a fleeting moment, she considered applying a bit of makeup.
Nothing extravagant – just some lippy and mascara.
Tasha shook away the thought.
It will only run in the tub.
The very last thing she wanted was for Data to find her looking like a drowned raccoon.
Feeling a surge of confidence, Tasha slipped into the hot water.
She groaned with delight as she sank down up to shoulders. This was exactly what she needed after a long, stressful day.
Well, that and whisky.
The Library onboard the Enterprisewas an interesting place. It featured a number of study facilities for students and crew alike. There was electronic media available via the ship's computer and a replicator dedicated strictly for producing replicated books, sheet music, and study materials.
There was even a book reprocessor for whenever someone wanted to recycle a physical book they had completed.
It was a place Data and Tasha visited frequently to select new titles. Data also found the atmosphere to be conducive to working. In a way, it reminded him of his time at the Academy.
There were a few people mingling about the Library. A team from the Stellar Cartography department was in the corner pouring over an ancient Vulcan star chart for fun. The Engineering team book club was meeting around one of the larger tables to discuss their latest read. And Wesley Crusher was seated at one of the desks as he typed vigorously on his PADD to complete his Exochemistry homework.
There were literally hundreds of books throughout the Library, but Data had an inkling that he knew where to find his next clue.
There was only one location that made sense.
Data pulled a copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmesoff the shelf that housed Terran fictional classics. He flipped it open to the first Holmes story, A Scandal in Bohemia.
There was a third envelope tucked inside the story.
Love is fluid and surrounds us with its warm embrace. Now find your way home so I can sit on your face.
Data slammed the book shut and glanced around to ensure there was no one nearby.
He slipped the note out of the book and was grateful that androids couldn't blush.
With the third clue firmly in hand, Data turned and set out for his quarters.
"You'll be needing this," Wes said as he tossed a bag at Data.
Data caught the pouch with ease. He opened it to discover there was some kind of finely ground material inside. Sniffing it, he identified the substance as ground Andorian moon salt.
Bath salts.Data mused to himself as he made for the nearest turbolift.
When he reached his quarters, Data found that the lights were off in the main room. He heard a familiar sound as Tasha pulled her hand out of the water in the bath.
Data stepped out of his boots and made a beeline for the bedroom. He reached into the wardrobe to retrieve his dressing gown and found it was missing.
He frowned and turned to the door that led to the lavvy.
Data tapped the controls, and it slid open. Tasha grinned and bit her lip, resting her chin on top of her folded arms on the edge of the tub.
"Hi," she said.
She motioned with her eyes to his dressing gown, hanging on a hook along the wall.
"You didn't bring the book," Tasha commented.
"My dear, I do not require the book," Data assured her.
There were two empty glasses on the counter – each with one large round ice chip waiting for a dram of whisky to free the water from its frozen state.
"Data, I-" Tasha started to say.
Data put a finger to his lips to signify silence and then turned to the glasses on the counter.
"To Sherlock Holmes she is always thewoman," Data recited.
He opened the bottle and poured two glasses, filling them with the amber liquid that they shared an affinity for.
"In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex," Data continued, reciting the text.
He knelt down next to the tub and handed her a glass.
"Watson said that Holmes could not feel emotion for her. He claimed that all emotion was contrary to what he described as Holmes's cold and balanced mind," Data went on.
It wasn't merely Holmes's methodology that drew Data to the fictional sleuth. The idea of a character with a brain that couldn't shut off, someone who also struggled to connect socially, and a person that didn't function in the same way as other people but was still beloved was a welcome thought to Data.
He raised his glass to her.
"And yet, there is but only one woman to him," Data concluded.
Tasha's grin grew wider, and she raised her glass to him before taking a sip.
Data started to loosen his tie.
"Stop," Tasha commanded.
Data froze.
He stood motionless, expecting her to ask him to run out to the replicator or to snag something she'd forgotten to grab before getting in.
Tasha ran her eyes down over his body and grinned with delight. The slim cut of the pinstripe suit fit his frame well.
Tasha wanted to touch.
She wanted to reach up and grab for his collar.
To hear his little gasp of awe as she unbuttoned it.
To palm his cock through his wool trousers.
Yes, his trousers certainly were doing something for her.
Tasha rested her hands over the edge of the tub. She grinned and bit down on her thumb.
It was at that moment when Data realised Tasha was ogling him.
Data couldn't blush – but he did look away in a most bashful manner.
Tasha glanced up and waited for Data to meet her eye.
"I want to watch you take it off," she said.
Data gulped.
"Slowly," Tasha added.
Data felt a surge of confidence from the way she was staring at him. Holding his gaze, Tasha took a sip of her whisky. Her tongue darted out from her teeth and skimmed across her upper lip.
Data reached for his tie and took his time loosening it.
He pulled it through the collar and let it fall to the floor.
Data stripped off his suit coat. That he hung on the rack by the door.
By the time he reached for the buttons on his waistcoat, Tasha's smirk had spread to a brilliant smile.
"Turn around. One at a time," Tasha instructed as Data reached for the strap of his suspenders.
Per her orders, he slipped them off one by one. Tasha watched with hungry eyes as Data guided the straps down over his long, lean arms.
Data's hand reached for his collar next.
"Ah, ah! Not yet," Tasha said, stopping him. "Turn around. Look at me."
In accordance with Tasha's request, he turned back to face Tasha. She was the very picture of giddy, just waiting to unwrap him.
"Now the trousers," she husked.
Data unbutton his wool slacks. They slipped easily from his bony hips. His cotton button up shirt was long enough that it hung to the middle of his thighs.
Data dropped his line of sight to find the top button on his collar.
"Eyes front and centre, Lieutenant Commander," Tasha ordered.
Data cocked his head to the side in astonishment. The tone of her voice sent a spark right down to his core.
"Lieutenant, that tone is-" Data started to warn in a playful voice.
"Acting Captain," Tasha interjected.
Data shrugged.
"I was not on the Bridge at that time," Data said.
"Which is why you get to taste it here at home," Tasha retorted.
She leaned back in the tub to lie back against the cool edge.
"Unless you don't want it?" she asked while tracing her fingers across the swell of her breast.
Oh, he wanted it.
Data cleared his throat.
"Well?" Tasha asked.
Data nodded and started to unbutton his shirt. He kept his eyes locked on Tasha. She was more than receptive to each new inch of bioplast as Data made his way through the buttons.
Tasha's eyes visibly widened as Data's shirt parted.
"Those aren't standard issue," she said, eyeing his jockey shorts.
They were quite a bit tighter than Data's standard issue shorts.
Tasha shifted in the tub.
"Oh."
Data flinched and whimpered as she cupped his bulge.
Tasha teased at the waistband of his shorts.
Data closed his eyes, panting in anticipation as Tasha breath was warm against his cock.
"But your note said ahhh-"
His protest dissolved as Tasha's tongue traced the vein on the underside of his cock.
"Captain's prerogative to change my mind," Tasha said.
She kissed the head of his cock.
Tasha locked eyes on Data. Then her tongue darted out to kitten lick at the tip.
"Mmmm," she hummed as she took him in her mouth.
She released his cock with a lewd 'pop.'
"Mmm… so good of you to stand at attention for me," Tasha said.
Tasha was nibbling at his thighs now. She peppered the line of his abductor muscle with a series of sloppy kisses – all the while stroking the base of Data's cock.
Tasha took her time with him.
Data wasn't complaining – but he had been looking forward to one of his favourite activities.
"Tasha, please," Data requested.
He ran his fingers back through her hair.
"Please," Data urged.
Data squeezed his eyes shut. He clutched the back of Tasha's head, wordlessly conveying his intentions.
He wanted to climb into the tub and then have Tasha climb on him.
Data didn't need to breathe underwater.
Just when Data was at the breaking point, Tasha eased off. Her hands moved to caress Data's backside. She kissed his cock before nuzzling against it.
"May I?" Data asked in a small voice.
Tasha flashed him a smile as she moved back in the tub. She stretched her arms out along the edge. Lifting one leg out of the water, she pointed at the other end with her toes.
"Take a seat in my Ready Room, Commander," she said.
Data slipped into the opposite side of the tub. He didn't quite experience bathing the same way humans did. His bioplast was designed to repel water.
Nonetheless, he could appreciate being surrounded by warm water and pleasant aromas. There was a certain relaxing quality to the atmosphere that he found serene.
Data caught Tasha's foot before she could retract it. Pulling it to his lips, he pressed a tender kiss on the inside arch.
Then Data reached for his own glass of whisky and took a much needed drink.
"Taken," Data said suddenly.
"What?" Tasha asked, perplexed by the odd comment.
"The word is 'taken.' Journey to be taken," Data clarified. "Not 'took'."
"I'm not terribly good at rhyming," Tasha confessed.
She smirked.
"But you'll find that I am rather taken with you, Mr Data," Tasha said knowingly.
Data's bioplast was incapable of changing colour. But it was evident he was feeling shy.
"Tasha, anyonecould have found that note," Data said.
Data's breath hitched as Tasha took the glass from his hand. She set it on the floor next to the tub and then crawled toward Data with a predatory gleam in her eyes.
"I didn't leave it for anyone – I left it for you," she said.
Tasha straddled his hips. She put her hands on Data's shoulders and looked down at him.
Data was captivated by his target. At present, it was hovering inches from his face.
Tasha circled her hips.
"What do you want, Commander?" Tasha asked.
"I want you to rub your pretty cunt on my lips," Data said.
He cupped her arse and pulled Tasha toward him. Tasha ran her fingers through his hair as Data's warm breath tickled, his mouth just inches from her.
Data nuzzled against the small, soft patch of hair that sat just above her cunt. His nose swiped against her clitoris. Data pressed a tender kiss there before he looked up to meet Tasha's eyes.
"With your permission, Captain?" he asked innocently.
His mouth crashed against her body.
Tasha keened. She let her head fall back as Data's tongue lapped at her swollen clitoris.
He was spurred on as Tasha gripped the back of his head, holding Data firmly against her. She ground against his mouth.
And Data adored every second of it.
"Captain," Data murmured against her thigh.
He tightened his grip on her backside, earning the sweetest of whimpers from Tasha.
Tasha's hand shot out. She flattened it against the wall in order to support herself. With her other hand, she twisted her fingers into the back of Data's hair.
An ordinary person would have howled in pain.
Data found it exciting.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah."
The little noises Tasha made whenever Data worked her into a frenzy had reached the point of a nonsensical chant.
"Say it," Data urged.
He squeezed her arse.
"Good boy," managed to choke it.
She yelped as Data brought his hand down to smack her arse.
"Good boy," she repeated.
Tasha was grinding against his chin now, rubbing herself against Data's tongue as he activated the function he reserved to finish her off.
A low, stuttering groan filled the tub as Data's tongue began to vibrate.
One of Data's fingers slipped inside, gently stroking along the wall of Tasha's cunt until she felt a warm, satisfying tingle start to grow in her core.
Tasha clutched Data's shoulders. Her body shuddered. She was breathing hard as she collapsed against Data.
He reached for one of the clean flannels. Data dipped it in the water and then rung it out between Tasha's shoulders, letting the hot water stream down over her back.
He gently cleaned her back and shoulders as Tasha came back to the world.
Data kissed the side of her face. Tasha responded with a small, lazy noise of affirmation.
"I hope my performance was satisfactory, Captain," Data said.
After a performance review (which Tasha called 'outstanding'), Data and Tasha settled down on the sofa.
It was nearly 22:00 hours and Tasha was exhausted.
She had offered to read, but Data said he had a better idea.
Tasha closed her eyes and groaned with delight.
"Mmmmm, I am so glad you suggested this," she said.
"I find the combination of flavours to be an intriguing experience," Data said.
Tasha flashed him a cheeky grin.
Data leaned forward and closed the distance between them. For a moment, she thought he was going to capture her lips in a kiss.
Instead, he reached up to wipe a bit of hot sauce from the corner of her mouth.
Hot wings and ice cream had been the perfect way to end the evening.
Tasha giggled.
"Sorry, it's been a long time since I've done this," she apologised as she reached for a napkin.
"Do not be. It brings me joy to see you happy," Data said.
And he meant it.
He also thought she looked adorable – hair slightly askew, face smeared with hot sauce, and a spoonful of raspberry ripple ice cream hanging from her mouth.
"Please do not ever change," Data said.
"Likewise," Tasha replied.
She spooned up a scoop of pistachio and offered it to Data.
"Try this one," she said.
"Hmm," he nodded in approval.
It was Data's turn to offer her one of his selections.
"What do you think of this?" he asked, offering his spoon to Tasha.
She made a face as soon as it hit her tongue. Tasha shuddered and shook her head.
"Not really my thing," she confessed.
She quickly took a sip of milk to wash it down.
"Strawberry and basil," Data explained.
"Oh," Tasha replied politely.
She reached for another dish.
"How about this?" Tasha asked as she offered Data a bite of pineapple sorbet.
His eyes lit up. Data shook his head furiously in approval.
"Deanna always says you should close your eyes and savour it," Tasha said.
Data was only too happy to comply.
"I really like this one," Tasha said.
She carefully fed him a scoop of Hazelnut Raktajino.
"But this one is my favourite," Tasha said.
Her lips met Data's. There was a lingering taste of nutty caramel on his tongue. Data found Tasha's hand. Their fingers intertwined as they fell back against the sofa together.
When they broke apart, Data stayed close.
"I could become accustomed to calling you Captain," Data said.
Tasha chuckled.
She ran her hands up Data's chest and over his shoulders.
"Don't you want to be the Captain sometime?" she asked in a knowing voice.
Data's eyes lit up.
Tasha sat back and licked a bite of ice cream off her spoon.
"I think you'll find I'm quick on my feet. Good at following orders. Flexible," Tasha said as she poked Data with her foot.
She squealed when Data caught it, tickling the bottom with his fingers.
"And here I thought I would finally get a chance to discipline you," Data teased.
Tasha gasped.
"Why, Mr Data," she said, feigning that she was scandalised.
Data crawled toward her, hovering over Tasha.
"You like it," he growled.
"I think you like it more," Tasha threw back.
In a flash, Data's suave attitude evaporated. He raised his eyebrows and considered her statement.
"I do not know," he said honestly. "The thought is… intriguing. My programming is quite extensive, and we have barely, as you would say, 'scratched the surface' of what I theorise we could explore."
He studied Tasha's and was pleased to see she didn't frown.
"I want to experience new things with you," Data confessed.
He didn't necessarily just mean sexually. There were a great many things Data wished to explore with Tasha at his side.
"Together," she said, clutching his hand.
"Together," Data agreed.
The next day when Tasha was done with her shift, she stopped by Data's quarters.
She was surprised and confused to find him sitting at his workstation listening to a recording of his own voice on loop.
"Computer, cease playback," Data ordered.
"What's going on? Everything alright?" Tasha asked.
Data feigned ignorance.
"I am merely working on a project," Data answered, deflecting her question.
Tasha could sense this wasn't the full story.
"A project for the lab or for you?" Tasha pressed, cutting right to the heart of the issue.
She had a funny way of seeing right through Data when he least wanted her to. Data realised that he was caught.
"Tell me?" Tasha asked.
"I am using a programme designed to analyse and identify the difference between authentic and replicated speech to study my own speech pattern," Data answered.
Tasha's brow wrinkled.
"Why?"
For a moment, her question hung in the air.
"For analysis," Data replied without further explanation.
Tasha crossed her arms. Her lips pursed.
"Data," she said.
"I am merely studying my own audio output," Data answered. "The programme is capable of identifying when the intonation, volume, and inflection are synthetically generated as, unlike natural speech, those things do not alter with repeated usage when they are synthetically generated."
Data paused.
Tasha was still frowning.
"It can determine what is real and what is not," Data concluded.
"I know what it's for, Data," Tasha assured him.
Her expression softened as she studied his face.
"What I want to know is why you think it's necessary?" she pressed.
Tasha sat down on the edge of the desk. She slipped two fingers under his chin, forcing Data to lift his head and meet her eyes.
"The holodeck is designed to allow people to integrate themselves seamlessly into another world, to assume a character and experience life from their eyes. One is supposed to be able to interact with that fictional world as if they were a part of it," Data said.
Data shrugged with a heavy sigh.
"I failed. The holographic characters were easily able to identify that I did not belong," Data confessed. "I do not understand how to fix this problem. I say the same words as them, I wear the same clothing. And yet-"
He trailed off, pausing as he did not wish to admit one of his greatest insecurities aloud.
"It is not enough," Data concluded.
Tasha was hit with a wave of emotions. She was enraged that Data had been made to feel this way – even if it had been at the hands of holograms.
Her heart ached for him, knowing just how much he cherished the dream of being human.
She reached for Data's hand and pulled it into her lap.
"You are enough, Data," she assured him.
To her dismay, Data pulled away.
"You will note that human speech has natural variations as emotion drives much of the inflection," Data went on. "My synthesised voice does not. However, I believe with further study I may be able to write a programme to correct this inadequacy."
He cocked his head to the side.
"And it is evident that I have much work to do," Data said.
Tasha visibly grimaced.
She understood why Data felt as he did. It was years of being conditioned to believe that he couldn't feel, that he wasn't 'natural.'
That he wasn't a person.
His counselling sessions with Deanna were going well and Data had found comfort in exploring himself with Deanna's professional guidance.
Still, it remained a long process to unlearn years of abuse and emotional suppression.
"Data, you don't need to change who you are. You don't need to pretend or analyse," Tasha insisted.
Data shook his head.
"I am merely trying to be more natural in-"
"You are perfectly natural," Tasha said as she slipped into his lap.
Data opened his mouth to protest but Tasha shushed him.
"You have emotion. I hear it in your voice," she said.
Tasha looped her fingers through Data's and rested her forehead against his own.
"I hear it every time you get excited when you figure something out with Geordi," Tasha described. "Or whenever you talk about a piece of music."
Data couldn't see that in himself – but Tasha knew it. She could feel it.
"And when you get more than a little testy with me for overdoing it on the holodeck," she added with a sly grin.
"I appreciate your effort to lift my spirits, but I fear that I find myself at a personal crossroads," Data admitted. "I am uncertain if my dream of becoming human is even worth further effort given that I will never be able to achieve it."
Tasha opened her mouth to counter that, but Data cut her off.
"While I could employ the use of a chemical compound to alter the pigmentation of my bioplast, undergo treatment with an optical hue adaptor, and write a programme to provide vocal variations, I must confess the efforts would be futile as there are still errors in my construction that would be evident," Data said.
He could change the way looked, but Data felt it would never truly be enough. He couldn't sneeze. He was incapable of speaking in contractions. He had a tendency to incorrectly predict human behaviour.
Tasha sat back, horrified that he would consider such extreme measures.
She felt there was nothing she could say or do to sufficiently offer comfort, to show Data just how loved he was. And Tasha was having trouble keeping her own composure.
Her eyes welled up. Her lip began to quiver.
Tasha pulled him into a suffocating embrace.
"If that's what you really want… I just… I need you to understand that you don't have to," Tasha sobbed. "You're wonderful. I know that. Geordi knows that. Everyone around you knows it."
She sniffled. Her voice cracked.
"A-a-and I'm s-s-sorry the stupid Bruce fucking Maddox's of the world have made you think otherwise," Tasha managed to choke out.
She couldn't hold back anymore.
Tasha launched into a long, angry tirade about Maddox and everyone else (that she knew of) that had treated Data like a machine. From the smallest microaggression to the trauma of his captivity, Tasha had choice words to describe exactly what she thought they deserved.
But the passion in her voice for Data's personhood was what finally got Data's self-spiral to cease.
"You are the most beautiful lifeform I have ever known," Tasha said, her voice rising. "You have more compassion and imagination than anyone. You have more love in your heart-"
She broke down, unable to finish.
Eventually, her sobs lessened.
They sat there in silence, Tasha weeping softly, as Data considered this.
He had many friends.
His skills and determination had earned him an exceptional career as a Starfleet officer – during which time he had been awarded numerous commendations for valour, efficiency, and leadership.
Data was an accomplished botanist, musician, and artist.
It would seem I excel at everything I attempt – with the exception of being human. He thought.
Data's neural pathways sparked as he was struck with a train of thought about what it truly meant to be human.
The concept of humanity ran deeper than the pigmentation of his bioplast or the colour of his eyes.
It was something more than catching the meaning of a joke – even Worf and Tasha often missed the meaning behind the cultural references made by most of the crew.
Artificial construction components were not enough to disqualify him.
After all, Captain Picard had an artificially constructed heart.
Geordi utilised a VISOR.
There were dozens of crew members with artificial joints and organs.
Data was capable of independent thought. He could contemplate the past, present, and future. He shared the human notion of desires and dreams.
I am an individual. Data affirmed to himself.
Tasha sat back and cupped his face.
"Sometimes I think you're more human than all of us," Tasha said. "And if you really are the only one of your kind, there's something significant in that. You're beautiful, Data. And I don't want to see you lose who you are simply because people can be cruel."
Tasha's words hit in an unexpected way.
Data knew so little about his own origins.
He had spent countless hours theorising about the matter. He didn't know if he was simply a discarded experiment or the lost son of some great android race. For all he knew, he might have been the only survivor of a mass catastrophe.
Or the cause.
He could sense there were memory engrams buried deep within his neural net. Engrams that held important clues to his origins.
It was like staring at an object under a frozen lake.
Data knew they were there, but he was helpless to access them.
"Have I told you that I love you?" Tasha asked.
"I believe you have mentioned it before," Data replied.
He pulled Tasha into a deep, reassuring kiss.
When they broke apart, Tasha nuzzled down against Data's chest. She sighed, perfectly content.
Suddenly, Data's door chimed.
"Come," Data answered without thinking.
"Ah! Good, you're both together," Picard said as he swept around the corner. "Don't get up."
Tasha froze in Data's arms.
"Sir, we… we weren't uh-" she scrambled to move off Data's lap.
"No, no, no don't get up," Picard ordered.
Tasha made a second attempt to extract herself. But to Tasha's horror, Data took Captain Picard's order to heart. He tightened his grip, holding Tasha firmly in place on his lap.
Her cheeks burned with humiliation. Tasha closed her eyes and prayed for patience.
"I apologise for intruding, but I wanted to commend you for your performance on the Bridge yesterday, Tasha. Your composure under duress has maintained peace with the Jarada," Picard explained.
"You were the very model of diplomacy."
Tasha cringed.
Riker was present too.
This is not happening.Tasha thought.
It was like one of her worst nightmares had become a horrifying reality.
"Now, I've spoken to Commander Riker and the other Bridge crew that were present," Picard said.
"And we're all in agreement," Riker chimed in.
"You took the Bridge Officer Exam ages ago," Picard said. "And it's a damn shame Starfleet hasn't seen fit to keep pace with your accomplishments."
Tasha had a feeling she knew where this conversation was headed.
Yes, she had taken the Bridge Officer Exam (and passed with flying colours) ages ago.
"And you're already doing the work of a Lieutenant Commander," Riker added. "Yesterday only highlighted how ready you are for that promotion."
"If you were in Command Division you'd be there already," Picard said.
They all knew it was true. Command and Science Officers were promoted more readily than other divisions.
Starfleet issued a limited number of Lieutenant Commander promotions, and it seemed Operations Officers were always the last in the pecking order.
It was the reason Tasha and Geordi remained two of the only Departmental Heads on the Enterprise without that coveted third hollow pip.
Tasha had been put up for such a promotion (and declined) several times during the course of her career.
"I don't have the authority to offer a field promotion at that level. But I want you to know that I've submitted your name. Again," Picard said. "Commander Riker, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Doctor Crusher have all signed off on the formal application."
Tasha felt a small swell of pride.
"You didn't even mention it," Tasha teased, grinning at Data.
"I wanted to express my sincere gratitude and inform you that-"
For the first time all evening, Jean-Luc finally bothered to actually look at Data and Tasha. He'd been so wrapped up in his speech that he'd missed the very scene before him.
Picard blustered.
He cleared his throat, stammering for a moment.
Riker was beaming.
"I am so sorry," Picard apologised as he turned around.
"Sir, we were just talking we weren't-"
"I think we'd better go and leave these two to celebrate," Riker suggested.
Tasha opened her mouth to counter that assertion, but Data put a finger to her lips.
"Thank you, sir. Good night, sirs," Data said.
"Goodnight," Riker said as he ushered the Captain out of Data's quarters.
Tasha closed her eyes and let her head fall back.
She should have been overjoyed at the news, but she couldn't help feeling embarrassed about the manner in which the Captain and Commander Riker had found them.
"Well, it is not Captain," Data teased. "But I do like the sound of Lieutenant Commander."
He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Lieutenant Commander," Data whispered as he cupped Tasha's face.
"Nothing is official yet. Remember Starfleet only assigns to less than one percent of the applicants," Tasha reminded him.
Tasha knew these figures only too well.
Captain Picard had submitted recommendations – twice.
Tasha had been up for promotion a number of times during her service. Her name had been considered during her time on the Crazy Horse, the Dunkirk, even going back to when she served with Captain Rixx.
Tasha's promotion had been declined every time.
She didn't take it personally. There were plenty of qualified officers and only so many slots available.
It was typical for officers (especially in Operations) to go their entire career without ever making it past Lieutenant. It was a fa ct Tasha had come to terms with long ago.
"If it happens, it happens," she said. "But best not to focus on it."
Tasha could be infuriatingly practical at times.
"As you wish, my Captain," Data replied.
