Data entered Engineering to find it bustling with activity. Crewman hurried back and forth across Main Engineering with PADDS, miscellaneous tools, or parts for the refit. Many voices filled the room with what he determined to be twelve separate running conversations. The excitement over finishing a new upgrade was – fascinating, as always. Data wished he could feel the emotion of the crew, but – well, he'd learned to "Go with the plasma flow," as Geordi was fond of remarking.

He almost bumped into Crewman Aaron Vasquez, who was striding to one of the wall consoles. "Excuse me, Crewman," he greeted.

"Hello, Commander," said Vasquez with a distracted air.

Data opened his mouth to respond, but Geordi interrupted him with, "Alright, everyone. The installation of the new plasma conduit is complete. We're ready to begin the start-up sequence."

Data watched as Geordi contacted the bridge to let Captain Picard know they'd soon have the warp engines back online. The pulsing sound of the engine gradually powering up reached its idle, and everyone on the team smiled at each other.

"Good work, everyone," Geordi congratulated. "Ashford," he called to a tall blond woman near the throbbing warp core. "Keep an eye on the flow regulator. Let me know if anything changes."

"Yes, sir."

"Geordi," Data greeted. "It would appear that the new conduit is – just what the doctor ordered."

Geordi smirked and slapped Data on the shoulder. "Yeah. Captain Picard's happy, which makes me happy."

"I am glad," Data said, his eyes straying back to Lt. Juliette Ashford, who was monitoring a computer interface. "I am sorry I could not assist you."

"Hey, it's fine. The discovery exobiology made on Corbin Seven is important too."

"Yes," Data agreed, but his eyes strayed back to Lt. Ashford. "The fossils we collected will confirm that the planet was once Class M," he continued.

"You sound certain," Geordi said.

"I am."

"What's up," Geordi asked when Data didn't elaborate on his certainty.

"I am sorry," Data apologized. "We have an agreement to have supper, and I am – loitering."

"No, you're not," Geordi looked over at Ashford. "Want to talk about it?"

Data cocked his head. "About what?"

Geordi did his best to indicate Lt. Ashford subtly. "Juliette. You were staring at her."

Data's eyebrows lifted. "I was?"

"Yeah."

"I am wondering the best course of action to approach the Lieutenant. Her feline pet is one of twelve males onboard, and he may be the father of Spot's kittens. However," Data continued as Geordi pursed his lips together. "I do not want to accuse her pet of paternity without cause."

"Have you performed a DNA analysis," Geordi asked.

"Not as yet. I was hoping to narrow down the possible candidates. I have spoken with eight of the twelve cat parents and determined that they have neutered each of their pets."

Geordi followed Data as they entered the turbolift. "Well, just do the same with Ashford."

Data said. "Deck Ten Forward station." Then he added. "I do not suffer from nerves, but – I have worked with Lieutenant Ashford fifty-seven times in Engineering and encountered her twelve times in the pet play area with her feline, Jasper, since she joined the crew one year and nine days ago. We are – friends, and I do not wish to accuse a friend of allowing their pet to misbehave."

"Ah, well then, you need to think carefully. How do you two normally get along," Geordi asked.

"We are friends, as I said. She was instrumental in assisting me with Spot's – personality issues and care. She is a talented artist and a competent engineer."

"It sounds to me like you have a close friendship. Juliette knows about the kittens, right."

"I have not had the opportunity to inform her of their birth."

The turbo-lift opened, and they walked down the corridor to Ten-Forward. "Why don't you invite her to see the kittens? Then you can mention that you don't know who the father is and progress from there," Geordi suggested.

"Thank you, Geordi. I will do as you suggest."

"No problem, my friend. Let's go enjoy dinner."

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

When Starfleet first reactivated Data, he never considered how to approach someone for advice or to ask any questions. He asked, without considering tact or if an inquiry was – appropriate. In the decades since his – rebirth, he'd learned that most beings in the universe valued suitability and sensitivity over practicality and efficiency.

As Data strode to his quarters after supper with Geordi and a rehearsal session with his string quartet, he thought about approaching Lt. Ashford. It was odd for him to become so preoccupied by one data point, which was unnerving.

When he entered his quarters, he could hear the tiny mews of Spot's kittens in one corner. He'd replicated a large, shallow box with blankets and had transferred Spot and her litter to it. He wanted them to feel comfortable at all times.

When he approached Spot and her five kittens, he could see that they were climbing over each other, and Spot was lying on her side, aggressively grooming one of them. The kitten she held with her paws was also orange and a male. The kitten mewed irritably and tried to twist out of Spot's grasp, but Spot wasn't giving an inch.

"I do not understand you," Data said but didn't try to interfere.

Lt. Reginald Barclay had asked if he might have the orange kitten when Spot weaned them. Data knew the kittens needed homes, but for a strange reason, he didn't understand, he was reluctant to give them away.

"A most unusual reaction," Data said to the kittens.

Spot meowed, released the kitten, and looked at Data, indicating she was hungry. He knew her nutritional needs were more significant now that she had kittens to feed, so he replicated her favorite supplement and put the bowl in the box.

He had many projects to attend, but he stayed there and observed the kittens for a reason he couldn't explain. He found them – aesthetically pleasing or "cute," as Counselor Troi said when she visited.

The counselor had assured him that he'd find it easy to locate good homes for them when the time was right. He decided she was correct, but – he still didn't find it pleasant to think about giving them away.

When Spot finished her meal, he returned the bowl, dropped it into the recycler, and then went to his workstation. However, he kept looking over at Spot's box. It was highly puzzling that he struggled to keep his thoughts on his tasks. Perhaps he'd regain his lost concentration if he contacted Lt. Ashford and scheduled a time to speak with her about Spot.

"Data to Lt. Ashford," he said after tapping his communicator.

"Ashford here. How can I help you, Data?"

"Juliette, may I speak with you in person regarding a matter of some importance."

He cocked his head when Lt. Ashford didn't reply and was about to ask if they'd lost connection when she said. "When?"

"Would it be an imposition if I spoke with you in your quarters this evening?"

"No, of course not."

"Excellent. Is an hour sufficient for you to prepare?"

"Yes. I'll see you at nineteen hundred hours."

"Affirmative, Data out."

He went to the kittens' box and saw that they all slept except Spot, who was washing her face. "I am going to see Lt. Ashford and determine if Jasper impregnated you, Spot."

Spot gracefully leaped out of the box. She began to ribbon around his ankles and meow in a manner he recognized as a request for affection. He picked up his pet and took her to the sofa, where he sat and began petting her back.

His internal clock let him know the exact second he would need to arrive precisely on time at Juliette Ashford's quarters. He looked at the box, where Spot was once again with her kittens, and nodded. Soon, he'd have the answer to his question.