The BLTS Archive- The Language of The Soul
by Ken Parker (parkekn@okstate.edu)

---

Author's Note: This isn't really an episode addition as I define them,
as it takes place several days later. But it works well as a  study in
character interaction. It didn't start out that way, but  that's how
it ended up. This is what happens when I try to write some  pointless
fluff, the characters just assault me with dialogue.  Nevertheless,
this is still pretty pointless. Don't read too much into the title; I
know my titles are pretentious compared to the  subject matter of my
stories, but that's just how they come out of my  head. And that's it
for this note. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns everything in this piece except the plot,
such as it is. That came from my own warped brain, so blame me.

This story takes place a few days after the second season TNG episode
"Pen Pals."

---

"Computer, repeat diagnostic. Begin."

Since Sarjenka had been  returned to her home, sans any memories of
him, Data's systems had  been out of kilter slightly. The only similar
situation in his  experience was the resource problem that had
occurred when Tasha had  been...gone. Then, as now, he seemed to have
a feeling of emptiness  tempering his experiences, though the present
situation was not as  severe as it had been when Tasha was...gone. If
he had emotions,  again, this might be categorized as sadness. But of
course, he had  none, so it must be a malfunction, as before. His
problem was that he  had no idea how the original malfunction had
corrected itself, and he  thus had no idea how to fix this one.

Data considered Geordi's advice from the previous experience, to
"talk things out," but again could see no way it could help. But as
before, it could do no worse than his traditional attempts at fault
correction, so he decided to go ahead and discuss the situation with
a friend. Data considered his options for a few nanoseconds, and then
asked the computer for Geordi's location. It replied that Geordi was
off duty in his quarters, but, for reasons he could not fathom, Data
decided not to talk to him. Instead, he asked the computer for the
location of Tasha Yar.

---

Tasha sat in her quarters, reading Hamlet. She had requested it
because she knew the Captain enjoyed Shakespeare, and she wanted to
be better able to understand and impress him. Unfortunately, the Bard
didn't quite agree with her.

How can the Captain stand to read this? It's so confusing... Tasha
was desperately trying to comprehend another soliloquy when her
doorchime broke her concentration. I don't know if I should be annoyed
or grateful, she smirked. "Come in!"

To Tasha's surprise, the door slid open to reveal her android best
friend. He hasn't been in here since... she searched her memory, and
blushed slightly when she realized exactly when Data had last visited
her quarters. That's best forgotten, Tasha, she admonished herself.
You told him it never happened, and it's better that way. Some inner
part of her protested that last statement, but she ignored it,
instead deciding to focus on the current situation. "Hi, Data. What
brings you to my humble abode?"

Data looked unsure of himself, but it wasn't his usual state of
naivete. No, thought Tasha, this looks like a different sort of
confusion altogether. He stood contemplatively a moment, then finally
spoke.

"Tasha...I need your help with a malfunction."

Confused, Tasha replied, "Me? Wouldn't Geordi be a better choice,
Data?"

Data shook his head, "No, Lieutenant. This is a very strange
malfunction, one which I have been unable to localize. I have
encountered something similar before, and on that occasion I was
instructed that I needed to 'talk things out' to correct the
problem."

More confused than ever, Tasha replied again, "I don't understand,
Data. How can talking to me help you fix a malfunction?"

Data cocked his head to one side. "I do not understand either, but
this method can do no worse than any of my other attempts at
correction. Will you help me?"

Tasha nodded slowly, though she was still skeptical. "Okay, Data.
What do you want to talk about?" This should be interesting...

"Since we returned Sarjenka to her home, I have been...unsettled."
Data looked very confused. "My perception of events has been altered,
and I do not understand how or why."

I think I may get it now...Let's see. "How are your perceptions
different, Data?"

Data appeared lost in thought for a few moments. "It is difficult to
explain. I wonder if she is all right, and the knowledge that she
does not remember me causes my thought processes to change. I find
myself wanting to talk to her over the radio, even though I know it
is impossible. I cannot explain where these thoughts come from."

I knew it. Yet more evidence of his emotions, but we'll let him stay
in denial for a while longer. "I see the problem now, Data. You miss
her, in some way." He opened his mouth, but Tasha cut him off. "I
know, you don't have emotions, right. We'll save that argument for
another time. For now, you need to learn to get past this, but I'm not
sure I'm the right person to help. Maybe you should talk to
Deanna..."

Data stopped her, "I have considered all the options, Tasha. You are
the one I want to help me."

Tasha shook her head, "Data, I'm one of the most screwed up people on
the ship."

"You are also one of my closest friends. I trust you above all others
to help me with my problems."

A great sense of warmth permeated Tasha at that statement, and she
decided she'd better try to live up to his expectations. What the
hell, I can at least give this a shot. "Okay, Data. Let's see.

You need to work through missing Sarjenka." She thought for a moment.
"How about this: for every bad thing that happens, there are many
more good things yet to come."

Data cocked his head. "Elaborate, please."

Tasha sighed. "You have to accept your situation and move on. Look
for the good things on the horizon. The future is filled with
possibilities." She paused, gathering her strength. "That's what kept
me going on Turkana. I knew that no matter what happened to me, I
would find a way off that rock. Believe me, things got pretty dark at
times, but I fought my way out to this bright future. In your case,
you have to remember that Sarjenka is happy and healthy back at home,
and you get to go on having more adventures with many friends."

After processing this for a moment, Data replied, "I know all of
those things already, Lieutenant. I do not see how I can change my
perception."

Tasha huffed in frustration. How can I make an android convinced he
has no emotions accept his emotions and work through them? What can
get through without him thinking about it? She pondered for a moment,
then remembered a stray comment Picard had once made. Music is the
language of the soul. It can convey emotions without words. That's it!
"I've got an idea, Data. Come on, we're going to the Holodeck."

---

Minutes later, the two stood outside Holodeck One, with Tasha busily
tapping commands onto the control panel. She was quickly searching the
database for programs that looked promising for her purpose.  Finally,
she came across something that stirred her memory. Didn't I hear some
story about this once...oh, right! Perfect! She activated the program
and grabbed Data's arm, "Come on, Data." They entered the simulation.

When they stepped through the doors, they found themselves in an
early nineteenth century grand opera house. There was a full house of
spectators, and a full orchestra and chorus on the stage. Standing
next to the conductor with his back to the crowd was a gray haired man
dressed in black.

Intrigued, Data asked, "Where are we, Tasha?"

Smiling, she replied, "We're at the premiere of Beethoven's Ninth
Symphony. According to the computer, that's him standing next to the
conductor. He went deaf many years before this, and suffered all kinds
of setbacks in his life. Yet he still completed this piece, and it's
considered his best work. I want you to listen to it, that's  all."

Data nodded his agreement, and they sat in two conveniently empty
front row seats. When the symphony began, Data was enraptured. As the
music dipped and swelled, Tasha watched his face change. It was
obvious he was feeling the emotion Beethoven had written, and it was
helping. When the last movement, the "Ode To Joy," began, Data's face
lit up. By the end of the performance, Data was obviously moved, and
sat in a stunned silence.   Tasha nudged him, "Well? What did you
think?"

This shook Data from his reverie, and he turned to regard her with
his usual impassive gaze. "A very complex piece. I must study the
orchestration, it should prove most fascinating."

Tasha smiled slightly at his return to normal form. The "malfunction"
had disappeared as he had been taken on Beethoven's emotional ride,
and he hadn't even noticed. Mission accomplished, Tasha. "You do that,
Data. Let me know what you find out. Come on, let's get out of  here."
They adjourned to Ten Forward, and their conversation was once again
their normal fare of questions and answers on human and android
nature.

---

Two days later, Data was studying arrangements of Beethoven's
symphonies when his doorchime sounded. "Enter," he called.

"Are you busy, Data?" came Tasha's voice.

Data looked up, starting to speak, and stopped when he took in her
attire. She wore black boots, black pants, and a black t-shirt. He
had never seen her dressed like this before, and decided to ask about
it. "No, I am not, Lieuten..." She shot him a glare. "...Tasha. May I
inquire as to why you are dressed as you are?"

Tasha smiled, "Of course, Data. Since we had so much fun at the
Beethoven concert on the holodeck, I wanted to try another concert
program. I was browsing through the databanks last night and came
across a group that sounded interesting. Going to this concert should
give us an energy boost for whatever lies ahead. And it'll be fun.
Interested?"    Data nodded, "Of course, Tasha. I am always happy to
share recreation  with you. May I ask the name of the group whose
concert we will be attending?"

Tasha smiled once more.

"Black Sabbath."

---

The End