Chapter-specific content warning: discussion of the polywater incident.

Data looked at Tasha for the first time since Geordi had exited the room and asked the question that had burned in his mind for the last four days.

"Am I the 'complication' of which you spoke?"

Tasha blinked.

She did not need time to process the question. She knew full well what Data was referencing.

"I said there would be complications," Tasha replied, emphasising the plural and avoiding the question.

In truth, Tasha's mind was still reeling from the revelation that Data had told Captain Picard about the polywater incident.

"I have noticed that humans sometimes use the plural form of a word when they are attempting to—"

Data stopped as he observed Tasha bristle. He was perceptive and mindful of her discomfort.

"Have I embarrassed you?" Data asked.

"You told Captain Picard?" Tasha asked incredulously.

She was still too stunned to focus on anything else.

Tasha was lucky her career in Starfleet wasn't over. Not that she didn't trust Captain Picard, but she felt betrayed.

Mortified.

Captain Picard and Tasha had known one another since her time at the Academy. She considered him a role model, her mentor.

She was utterly ashamed of her behaviour during the polywater incident with the Tsiolkovsky—and doubly so now that Data had shared the details of that mistake with the Captain she admired.

"It was not my intention to betray your confidence," Data replied softly. "But Captain Picard refused to accept my resignation and ordered me to disclose the reason behind my request."

Resignation? Tasha thought.

"I informed him that I had violated Starfleet regulation 1138. He ordered me to disclose the name of the other party involved. I believe that he was able to piece together what I had left out."

Tasha's anger dissipated as she tried to process this revelation.

"Wait, Data. Your resignation?"

Data was unfazed. To him, it had seemed only apropos at that time.

"Yes. Officers are prohibited from engaging in fraternisation with those that serve in their direct chain of command. As Second Officer and Chief Operations Officer, you are directly under my command."

He thought that was obvious. Data paused briefly and summoned the courage to voice something he had long wanted to address.

"I have emotionally injured you. I took advantage of you during a vulnerable moment. Because of my failure, resignation was the only appropriate action," Data said flatly as if he were explaining a routine engineering procedure.

Tasha was at a loss for words. He had come to her following the incident—full of concern and remorse—and had offered to accept any retribution or criminal punishment that Tasha sought for what Data viewed as a grave injustice.

At the time, Tasha had dismissed him, insisting it was nothing to be concerned about and encouraging Data to forget the matter entirely.

She had no idea that Data had attempted to resign. Tasha felt horrible.

"Data, I—"

She paused, unsure of how to proceed. Tasha was a wreck. She was drowning in guilt. Her hands trembled with anxiety.

"It wasn't a failure. And this was not your fault," Tasha said.

"If I may continue, I—"

Data stopped. He rose from his seat and took a step toward Tasha. For a moment, he glanced away and took an artificial breath before turning back to meet Tasha's line of sight.

"I… regret my actions and the harm I have caused you."

"I'm the one that should be apologising," Tasha said as she threw her arms up. "It was my failure."

She started to pace in front of his workstation as she ran a shaky hand back through her hair.

"I outrank you, Lieutenant. The fault is mine," Data said in a tone that indicated the conversation was done. "When combined with the information you have disclosed about your past and my understanding of the situation on Turkana, I cannot stress how sorry I am for having caused you any trauma."

Tasha stopped and whipped around, suddenly angry.

"Look, I'm fine!" she fumed.

"With all due respect, Lieutenant, you are not fine," Data replied matter-of-factly.

Tasha clamped her mouth shut and frowned. She hated that Data was right.

The moment was interrupted by a chime at the door. They had forgotten Geordi was waiting outside.

"Everything OK?" Geordi called out, peeking in from the doorframe.

Simultaneously, Tasha replied 'yes' as Data said 'no.'

Geordi stepped in front of the workstation. He put his hands on his hips and looked back and forth from Tasha to Data.

"Thank you for coming earlier, but I think Commander Data and I have the problem under control now," Tasha said.

Geordi cocked his head to the side and quirked an eyebrow, signifying that he wasn't buying that excuse for a second.

"Do you have time, Geordi? So that we may remove the engrams immediately?" Data asked.

A soft gasp escaped from Tasha's lips as she turned to Data, horrified at the prospect that he would simply abandon something so important, something he called 'treasured,' simply to give her peace of mind.

Tasha desperately wanted to forget about the polywater incident, to put it all behind them. But she couldn't live with herself knowing what Data had lost.

She was always direct. It was foolish now to dance around the obvious.

"I don't think that's necessary," Tasha said a hushed voice.

Data had been open and honest, sharing that he considered the memories to be 'of great importance to him.'

Tasha didn't have it in her heart to demand their removal. Just because he could remove them, it didn't mean he should.

Data may not have been human, but in her eyes, he was still a person.

He deserved the same experience—even if that included confronting the uncomfortable reality of an awkward one-night stand.

Data cocked his head to the side as he processed this sudden change of heart. His dark brow furrowed.

"Lieutenant? Have you changed your mind about discussing my questions?"

"Goodnight, Geordi," Tasha said as she maintained Data's gaze.

Geordi was thoroughly confused—and happy to keep it that way. He didn't want to spend another minute intruding on, what he suspected, was an intimate moment.

"Alrighty then," Geordi said, snapping his fingers awkwardly as he made a hasty exit.

As soon as Geordi left Tasha visibly relaxed. She audibly exhaled and her shoulders slumped in relief.

"Why don't we sit down, and I'll answer your questions then, hmm?" Tasha said, gesturing to the sofa.

Data followed her into his sitting area and sat down. He chose the chair opposite the sofa, the farthest space from Tasha as possible.

"May I offer you anything before we begin? A beverage perhaps?" Data inquired.

"How about a glass of water?" Tasha replied.

Data asked the replicator to produce a glass of water at five degrees. He handed her the glass and resumed his seat across from her.

"Ok, shoot," Tasha said before taking a sip of the cool water.

"I will begin with my most pressing questions," he said.

Tasha could not have anticipated the nature of Data's questions. She expected some puppy-dog crush or naïve inquiries about the nature of love.

Instead, Data was anything but.

He wanted to know how he could help Tasha, if she needed someone to confide in regarding her recent captivity on Ligon II. She had been abducted, objectified, and placed in an impossible situation—something Data could relate to.

Data was genuinely, deeply concerned about Tasha's wellbeing. He was worried the situation might have caused or retriggered trauma from the violence she had experienced in her youth.

Additionally, he explained that he was concerned his own actions had caused her further harm—and that his efforts to help following the polywater incident and Ligon II had only added to the strain of it all.

"I observed you wanted to meet here rather than your own quarters," Data said. "Does my presence in your quarters cause you discomfort? Would you prefer that I only communicate with you during certain hours? Perhaps you would like me to refrain from ever contacting you at your quarters?"

Before Tasha could answer, Data also asked if she could describe what level of personal space she wished to have.

"If my presence causes you distress then I will stop attending the poker games," he explained. "We could limit our interactions to their professional capacity. However—"

Data paused.

"I have come to value your friendship. And I find that I would… I would miss your presence in my life," Data continued.

Despite his repeated insistence that he couldn't feel emotion, Tasha could read it on his face. Data was worried. Data was scared.

And his yellow eyes were full of empathy and compassion.

When Tasha first met Commander Data, she considered his eyes to be a constant reminder of something cold and machine-like. But she had learned quickly that Data was gentle and, in some ways, like a child.

Looking at him now, all she could see was his humanity.

"I don't know what to say," Tasha confessed, picking at her fingernails.

She shared that Ligon II had been a confusing experience and that she was still working through that with Counsellor Troi. She assured Data that his concern did not cause her any harm.

"You were very kind, Data," Tasha explained. "I just wasn't ready to discuss it with anyone. Least of all you—not after I took advantage of you."

Data put up a hand to stop her.

"You did not take advantage of me," he explained as he angled his head to give her his signature 'look.'

Tasha scoffed and laughed.

"Look, Data. I know what I did, I know it was inappropriate, and I can't tell you how horrible I feel that you thought you had to resign."

Tasha took another sip of water and set the glass back on the table. Data looked away to consider something before turning back to the conversation.

"Why do you believe you took advantage of me?" he asked bluntly.

This was the first time they had discussed the polywater incident since that brief night outside of Tasha's quarters. Tasha's comment had left Data with many additional questions. But presently, the one burning in his mind was something that Data often struggled with when it came to human interaction.

"Was it because you felt as an android that—" Data started to ask but Tasha shook her head.

"You're like a child, Data," Tasha said. "You're learning to be human, and I completely took advantage of you. You're so sweet. So gentle."

"Ah," Data nodded slowly.

It was as he suspected. Data could not explain it, but he greatly disliked when humans presumed that he was incapable of having sufficient human experience to understand situations. It made him feel as if a part of his own autonomy was in question.

"If you believe you took advantage of me due to some naivety, then I would like to clarify that, in addition to my extensive programming, I have accumulated a total of 8,280 hours of first-hand experience in the matter of humanoid sexual relations with twenty-three partners."

Tasha choked on a sip of water. She returned the glass to the table and spluttered, coughing as she tried to regain her composure. Covering her mouth, she supressed a grin.

"Lieutenant, are you alright?" Data asked.

"You dog."

It was all Tasha could think of to respond.

"Dog? Ah! Dog as in rogue, scoundrel, or libertine."

Data's momentary pleasure at having discovered a new idiom immediately gave way to a quizzical expression.

"Is this considered extensive?" Data asked.

Tasha bit her lip as she was unsure of what to say. She was shocked to say the least. Data had seemed so… inexperienced.

That's a lie. A little voice in Tasha's head reminded her.

He was anything but inexperienced. Data was communicative, perceptive, mindful of her own body and emotional state. He certainly wasn't shy. Tasha grew warm as she thought back to how well their bodies had fit together that night. Data knew exactly what he was doing with his lips and his tongue.

And his damn hands.

Tasha mentally shook herself. She needed to focus.

Tasha was still having a difficult time reconciling the discrepancy between the two radically different sides of Data's personality.

How was it possible that this tender-hearted Second Officer that viewed the world with childlike wonder could also leave her flushed when he dropped his voice?

"Data, if that's true then why did you have to ask Commander Riker for advice on dating at poker?" she questioned.

Shortly before the polywater incident, Data had publicly asked Commander Riker for his advice on pursuing a woman. It had gotten him a round of teasing from the others present. It was like a geeky little brother asking for advice.

"I have found that a romantic relationship and sexual activity are not one in the same," Data replied calmly. "And while I would seem to… excel at the latter, I have struggled to develop the former."

Tasha nodded, surprised by his comprehension of that fact.

Unease began to set in.

A large part of why Tasha had told Data that 'it never happened' after the polywater incident was a fear that he may misunderstand their encounter. She had been worried Data didn't know enough about human interaction to understand that a sexual liaison was not a formal relationship.

"I didn't realise that you understood that," Tasha admitted.

"It was a lesson I learned shortly after my first sexual experience," Data explained. "When I approached her the next day to ask if she would like to repeat the activity, she made it abundantly clear to me that she had no desire to engage in a romantic commitment. Kindly though, she did take the time to explain to me the nuances of the matter. Socialisation became much easier after that."

Tasha was relieved—but only for a moment. Tasha was struck by a sudden, second unsettling thought.

"If you understand this, Data, then why all the questions?" Tasha asked tentatively.

Data stood up and paced back and forth as he explained he had other questions that he would like to have answered. But before proceeding he wanted to ensure she still wished to continue.

Tasha gave her consent and Data sat back down.

"What attracted you to Lutan?" he questioned.

Tasha blushed. She certainly hadn't been expecting that.

"It's hard to explain," Tasha said with a small shrugged. "I wasn't attracted to him, Data."

Lutan was a perfectly handsome man. She could appreciate the beauty of his physique. But Tasha wouldn't consider herself attracted to him beyond any kind physical desire.

"I suppose that, in a way, it was nice to feel desired. Everyone likes to find out they have that effect on someone. It's very flattering. But those feelings went away in seconds, Data. His intentions were… well, I could never love someone like that."

Lutan was far too like the warlords she'd known on Turkana.

"For me, attraction is about more than just a physical component," Tasha explained. "Sure, it's a part of the equation. But love is… well, it's something that's not easy to fall into. There's got to be chemistry. It takes work. And it has to be with someone you trust, someone that you're willing to risk losing—"

Tasha paused, momentarily overcome by grief.

"Most people aren't like that. Most people aren't worth that kind of heartache."

Tasha Yar didn't get attached to people—she had good reason. Life in Starfleet was too unpredictable. There was no telling what might happen. One could be reassigned or killed in the blink of an eye.

"It's just too risky," Tasha concluded.

"Then you do not believe in love?" Data asked.

Tasha shrugged.

"I want to," she said with a small smile. "I just… there's a lot that it takes. You need friendship. Chemistry. Trust."

Suddenly, Tasha grew serious.

"Data, I think it's sweet that you want that. Finding someone, your best friend that can cheer your triumphs and share your sorrows. Someone to come home to—" Tasha paused. "Well, it's really… it's magical."

Tasha chuckled.

"We all want to find that companionship, someone to make you laugh. Someone who can watch you vomit and still thinks you're beautiful."

Data made a mental note of this.

"But we live on the Enterprise," Tasha remarked. "We're always jetting halfway across the galaxy. Gone for months at a time. No knowing when or where we'll be. Where the hell do you find that out here?"

Data gripped Tasha's hand. She did not pull away.

"Then I feel I should inform you that during the polywater incident, I accepted the invitation to your bed because the sound of your laughter is enjoyable. I find you to be a clever and intriguing officer," Data stated. "You should know that I respect you. And that you are… most aesthetically pleasing."

Tasha felt like her breathing stopped.

"You should also know that the polywater did not affect my positronic brain until eleven minutes into our sexual experience. That is why I felt it was appropriate to submit my resignation," Data said flatly.

It took Tasha a moment to fully comprehend what Data was saying.

"Are you saying you feel guilty about what happened?" Tasha asked.

She thought they had covered that.

True to form, Data reminded her that he was incapable of feeling.

"I do regret my actions," Data explained. "As I have said before, I believe I took advantage of you. After you shared the information about your childhood, I should have made a different choice."

Data still felt regret.

"But I share this because I want you to understand why I accepted your invitation," Data pressed. "I did not kiss you because of the polywater, Tasha. I did so because of, what you would call, 'a lot' of reasons. And because—"

Data's mind had been consumed since that night with one prevailing thought.

"Because you give me gentleness. You bring me joy. And… and what I believe is love. I would like to give those things in return. To you," Data confessed.

It took Tasha moment to absorb Data's statement.

Her unease about the polywater incident had been embarrassment over a perceived view that she had used Data and failed in her role as Chief Security Officer.

She wasn't ashamed of her behaviour during the incident.

Nor did she find the experience unpleasant.

"It was never my intention to cause you harm," Data said. "Nonetheless, my choice was unacceptable."

"You didn't cause me harm," Tasha said.

Data had been so sweet. He had been sensual and surprisingly intuitive.

Thinking back, Tasha had told him she wanted 'gentleness and joy' and Data had endeavoured to fulfil that request.

Despite being under the influence of the polywater, he'd asked for her consent throughout the encounter. Tasha recalled he had even apologised saying he was 'incapable of fulfilling her request for love.'

"Data the polywater only decreased our inhibitions," Tasha said. "It didn't force me to engage in anything I didn't want to."

"For all intents and purposes, you were intoxicated, and I took advantage of your inability to consent," he retorted.

"Well, I think I get to make the choice about what I did or didn't consent to," Tasha snapped.

There was a momentary pause in the conversation before Data nodded slowly.

"Data, can I ask you a question?"

He nodded in agreement.

"When you asked Commander Riker for dating advice… did you have someone in mind?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Was it me?"

Tasha was always direct. It was one of the many qualities that Data admired.

"Does that make you uncomfortable?" Data asked in response.

"No," Tasha replied, shaking her head. She bore a hint of a smile. "It certainly explains some things."

Data's earlier behaviour was starting to make sense—in a way. Tasha found that she herself now had several questions. For an allegedly unfeeling android, Data certainly seemed to be emotionally invested.

"Speaking of explanations, I would still like an answer to my previous question. Am I the complication?" Data asked.

Tasha bit her lip.

"I observed that you were looking directly at me when you mentioned it—and when you explained your feelings on Ligon II. At the same time, you avoided my eye contact at other moments when you displayed signs of embarrassment," Data pointed out.

He was too damn perceptive for his own good.

Tasha asked Data to give her a moment before responding. Data told her to take all the time she needed to formulate an answer. Taking another sip of water, Tasha reflected on all they had discussed while wrestling her own feelings.

"It's complicated," Tasha confessed.

She wasn't trying to give Data the run-around. It truly was hard to put words to her feelings. Tasha wasn't ready to jump into anything. Yet, at the same time, she could deny that there was something more than a professional relationship between them.

"I suppose you could say you were a variable in the equation," Tasha said diplomatically.

To her amusement, Data smirked.

"What are you doing?" she asked with a disbelieving grin.

Data's hand touched the left side of his face where the side of his mouth had turned upward into a smile.

"I do not know," he said. "But it…feels…wonderful."

Tasha grinned back as she studied Data's genuine emotional response. She found it endearing.

"Does this bring you joy?" Data asked.

"Yes," Tasha said, beaming.

Half an hour later, Tasha decided it was time to call it an evening.

Data now understood that Tasha wasn't frustrated or uncomfortable around him. And Tasha knew that Data was far wiser and more experienced than she had given him credit for.

Tasha now saw Data in a whole new light.

She had tried to pry into his newfound past, but Data was rather coy regarding the details—only reminding Tasha that Data had spent four years at Starfleet academy and another nineteen as an officer.

So, you've… been around? Tasha concluded.

That would be an accurate assessment. Data had responded.

Although, chronologically he was only twenty-six, Data had largely functioned as a human adult for those twenty-six years.

As she left his quarters, Tasha paused. She turned back to flash Data a brilliant smile.

Data stood in the doorway wearing a neutral expression.

"Tasha, would it be alright if I were to check on your wellbeing tomorrow?" Data asked.

"Yeah." Tasha nodded.

Data gave a small wave as he bid her goodnight.

Tasha walked down the corridor. Before she reached the curve, she turned back to see if Data was still standing in the doorway watching her leave.

"Goodnight, Commander," she said with smile before stepping onto the turbolift.

Later that night, Tasha towled her wet hair and inhaled deeply. The bath salts Data had gifted her certainly made Tasha feel at ease. It was a thoughtful gesture. Tasha used the towel to wipe the fog from her mirror and took in her appearance.

The sound of your laughter is enjoyable.

She threw on a dressing gown and made her way into the main room of her quarters. She had the replicator conjure a cup of mint tea before Tasha sat down on the sofa. She set the tea on the ledge of her window. Tasha rested her head on her folded arms and stared out into the stars.

I find you to be a clever and intriguing officer.

Data was analytical and professional. But his comments had left Tasha feeling that there was a far more to the man than met the eye.

Android. She corrected herself.

Tasha still wasn't exactly sure how to feel about Data's confession. He had all but admitted he was in love. But Data was supposed to be incapable of feeling and this was all so new.

Thinking back, the entire time Tasha had known Data, he had frequently made statements about things he wished to do or not do, he had used the words 'I desire' or 'I would prefer not to', and she really couldn't answer if that was just a matter of his language programming or some kind of actual feeling.

And regardless of Data's feelings on the matter, Tasha had her own emotional mess to sort through when it came to relationships and dating.

And Data.

Tasha sighed. It was going to be an unusual session with Counsellor Troi tomorrow afternoon.