The BLTS Archive - Four of Swords
Third in The Swords Suite
by DataToy (DataToy711@aol.com)

---

February 2000

Thank you Laur for all your praise, support and the buckets of
drool... and for reminding me about the bowl of strawberries
;-)

---
"Hell... with you!" Data screeched, his voice raw. "I am... an
android..." he cried and Q dropped him on the floor with a thud.

- from Three of Swords
---
Well it's too late
Tonight
To drag the past out
Into the light
We're one
But we're not the same
We get to carry each other
Carry each other
One

One life
You got to do what you should

- U2, One
---

"This is my first time, in a way," Data murmured, looking down at
Geordi.

Geordi's mouth was so dry that it was difficult to swallow.
"What... what do you mean?" he asked, rising from the bed to
stand in front of his lover.

"I have never... felt... with this body."

Geordi's groin warmed, and he stifled a groan. It's too soon, he
agonized. It has to be. This just happened to him... And he
doesn't even know the whole story.

Data gazed at the engineer and reached out, placing his strong
android hands upon Geordi's chest. "Is anything the matter?"
he inquired, fingering his lover's uniform.

"Data..." Geordi sighed, dark hands circling pale wrists. "Maybe
it's too early," he said reluctantly. "I mean, Q's just turned
you back into an android again... And -and yeah, he's repaired
your software, but... I don't want to rush you into anything."

"I assure you, it is fine... I am fine. What I need now is to
feel you... as I was always meant to feel you," Data urged with a
low, husky voice.

The engineer hesitated, his fingers tightening around Data's
wrists.

"Do you not want me?" the android asked, glancing at Geordi's
groin. "I want you now... There is no reason to delay."

"Data, I don't think this is a good idea," Geordi rasped, and
tried to pull back.

"Geordi, I know what I am doing. I need to love you with this
body... my body." He pressed his hips against Geordi's.

"But..." the engineer protested.

"I cannot count all the things I wish to do with you," the
android persisted, removing his wrists from Geordi's yielding
grasp. He slid soft golden palms up the engineer's chest and over
his shoulders.

"Data..." Geordi implored, feeling the thud of his own heartbeat
in his throat. Helplessly, he wrapped his arms around the
android's neck.

"I have never felt so good before, Geordi... and I want," Data
whispered, taking a step forward and easing his thigh between
the engineer's legs, "to feel," he continued, molding his body
against his lover's, "even better."

A startled laugh escaped Geordi.

"I think you will find I am now full of surprises..." Data
breathed, his warm lips pressed against the engineer's neck for
a moment.

"Oh, god... ohhhh..." Geordi repeated, letting his fingers sink
in the android's dark, silky hair. "Data, tell me... you're
ready for this..." he said, covering his lover's cheeks with
ardent kisses.

"For so long I feared I would never be myself again," Data
confessed, resting his forehead in the curve of Geordi's
shoulder. "I almost feel... like the past year has been a dream."
He raised his head. His lips brushed the engineer's, his tongue
skimming Geordi's lower lip.

Geordi groaned, his lips tingling from Data's touch.

The android's arms coiled around the engineer and he squeezed,
allowing his lover to feel a hint of his inhuman strength.

The throbbing in Geordi's stiffened cock spread throughout his
limbs. The thought that Data was holding back made Geordi
light-headed, almost feverish with desire.

"Data," he moaned and rocked his hips, rubbing urgently against
his lover.

"Not yet... not yet..." Data chided between kisses. "I want to
show you... show you a nominal part of what I... can do," he
said. "I promise you will not regret it."

The engineer's reply was unintelligible.

"That is correct," Data soothed, a thrill of excitement racing
through his limbs. "Leave it all up to me." He took Geordi's
face between his hands and sampled the smooth brown lips with
tender, halting kisses. "You have been so patient with me... So
kind. I wish to repay you," he said, his long, graceful fingers
probing along the edge of the engineer's collar and unfastening
his uniform.

Geordi's breathing accelerated. He fumbled with Data's uniform.
The android nodded and, releasing Geordi, he slipped his uniform
top over his head and let it fall to the ground. Then Data ran
a hand through his ruffled hair, a sultry smile lifting the
corners of his golden lips.

Geordi followed suit and wrenched his jacket away, tossing it
across the room. Then he folded his arms around Data's lean
waist, pulling him forward. "Data, Data, Data," Geordi chanted,
punctuating the android's name with loud kisses. "I wanna...
eat you... all up," he panted.

Data gasped but he prevailed, carefully twisting the engineer's
arms behind his back. With one hand, he enclosed Geordi's wrists
in a firm grip. "I said, not yet," he breathed, his other hand
cupping Geordi's chin and tilting it upwards.

The engineer's mouth opened eagerly, meeting Data's probing
tongue. As the kiss grew more demanding, Geordi squirmed in a
futile attempt to free his wrists from Data's hold.

Data shook his head. "I will allow you to touch me later."

"Now," Geordi begged, his fingers clenching and unclenching.

"Later. Follow me," Data instructed, guiding the engineer to the
bed. "All right," he murmured, "I will release you now... Sit
upon the bed, and lie back."

"Okay... okay," Geordi said as he obeyed. His muscles tensed
with anticipation.

"Very good," Data said, undoing his trousers.

The engineer's breath grew ragged.

Data removed the rest of his clothing, letting his pants drop
to the floor. He stepped out of them and basked for a short while
in his lover's admiration.

Geordi had raised himself upon his elbows and stared at the
android's tight body, inhaling deeply. Finally, he breathed,
"You're so perfect." He moistened his lips.

Data's eyes closed and a shudder ran through him. "Oh," he
exhaled, opening his eyes again.  He approached his companion,
gracefully sitting upon the bed next to him. "Do you like
what you see?" he asked, caressing the side of Geordi's face.

"Take off my pants... and you'll know if I like it," the
engineer coaxed.

Data breathed a kiss against Geordi's cheek. With one, smooth
motion, he did as his lover had suggested. A low sound rumbled
in his throat. Just once, he stroked Geordi's jaunting sex.

The engineer threw his head back against the pillow and extended
his arms, beckoning Data closer.

Data sat beside him and removed his VISOR. Then he lay on his
side and snaked an arm under his lover's waist, snuggling against
him.

Geordi clasped Data's shoulders and linked a sleek, brown thigh
around his lover's golden one, pulling him so that the android
was almost on top. He felt Data's incredible erection pressed
against his leg, just below his hip bone...

Data smiled and rotated his hips slowly. "Oh, this is good."

The engineer chuckled. The android's arm stole from beneath him
and Data's strong, slender fingers curled around his lover's
quivering sex. "Oh Data... oh yeah..."he groaned, clutching
Data's slender waist. Data's fingertips brushed the length of
his lover's surging cock, barely touching the velvet flesh,
tracing the folds where the shaft joined the flushed head.

Geordi could hardly move because Data's weight restrained him.
"Please... ohhhh... more..." he managed, grasping the android's
hair. Data was so hard, it made his mouth water.

"Shhh... It is my turn to spoil you," Data reassured him. He
shifted, supporting himself upon his elbows as he took his lover
in his arms and held him tight. "It is all right... I am only
just beginning..." he said, pinning Geordi down.

After Data had embraced him for a few minutes, kissing him
slowly,  Geordi simmered down. His fingers slackened and the need
in his groin abated slightly. "I'm... I'm okay..." he panted.

"Excellent," Data murmured, his breath wafting near the
engineer's pulse. He touched his lover's tender skin with the
tip of his tongue. Geordi shook and sighed, so Data licked his
beautiful, dark throat.

"You taste so sweet," the android whispered, moving lower. He
sucked his lover's nipples and they hardened provocatively
beneath his tongue. Geordi's back arched and he caressed Data's
head, urging him lower still. Data looked up at his lover for
a moment, his golden eyes ablaze. His lips and tongue roving over
Geordi's abdomen, he raised his eyes to observe his lover's
reactions and continued his steadfast descent.

Soon Geordi was rolling his head from side to side and moaning.

The android sat back upon his heels and gave Geordi an appraising
look, then went to Geordi's feet and settled between them. He
grabbed one of them and he lifted it to his lips. His other palm
slid down his lover's leg, his thigh, and paused next to his
crotch.

"Yes, yes..." The engineer steeled himself, his fingers sinking
into the sheets, clenching into fists.

He cried out in  surprise as Data gently bit the side of his
foot and simultaneously squeezed his balls. The android smiled
and kissed Geordi's instep, his ankle, while nimble and yet
powerful fingers wound around the engineer's straining shaft.
When his lover began to grind his hips, Data's smile widened.

"Do not... go too fast..." the android said, his lips lingering
against Geordi's knee and then moving upwards along his thigh.
"I am not there... yet..." He closed his eyes, his brows
furrowing as he tried to get his own need under control.

Data resumed his feast, impatient for the sensation of Geordi's
erect cock between his lips. But first he licked it, his tongue
caressing the head with deliberate, playful circles. Then he blew
softly, his breath cool against the velvet skin, and the engineer
moaned. For a moment, Data let him go; his hands gripped the
coffee brown hips and he rubbed his cheek against Geordi's lower
abdomen. "It feels so good... to give you pleasure," he murmured
passionately.

"I'm glad... to hear it," Geordi managed between moans.

At last Data's mouth closed around the base of Geordi's shaft
and he started sucking upon it with intoxicating pressure. With
each stroke, with every flick of his tongue, the android could
feel his cock twitch and he began to flex his hips in time with
Geordi's.

Then, at the last possible instant, Data drew back, breathing
harshly.

Geordi cried out, his sex jerking, his hips still thrusting. His
hands flew to his crotch, but the android snatched his wrists
once more.

Data stretched his lover's arms over his head, driving the
engineer's wrists into the mattress. He straddled Geordi's thigh,
immobilizing him.

Sweat ran across Geordi's face. "Data... ah... ah... I can't-"

With his other hand, the android silenced Geordi, muffling his
lover's urgent prayers for mercy. "Listen, Geordi... listen to
me..." he panted, increasingly aware of his own tormented shaft.
"Calm down... We are almost there. It will be very good..."

Drops of sweat fell from his face and hit Geordi's. The engineer
ceased his struggle and looked up sharply, frowning. "Data..."
he managed, "are you... are you sweating?"

"I think that if I were not... something should be... wrong with
me," the android rasped. He rocked his hips once and then
stopped, looking down at the engineer speculatively. "Would you
like to... come inside of me?"

The engineer nodded eagerly.

"I do not know..." Data reflected. "I am not sufficiently
convinced."

"Please... Data please..." Geordi said, arching his back as much
as he could. His cock quivered. "please... now..."


"Your response is... adequate," Data granted. He bent down to
kiss him one more time, and letting go of his wrists, he got off
of Geordi's thigh. He turned around, curved his back.

Geordi sat up and got on his knees, caressing Data's slick
buttocks. He kissed the small of Data's back, letting his tongue
follow the android's spine all the way to the nape of his neck.

Data was paralized by desire as Geordi's hard cock pressed
against the cleft in his buttocks. "Do not delay... I wish to
caress you... from the inside..."

"Lemme just... just get some... lubricant," the engineer said
hoarsely.

"Unnecessary," Data breathed. "I can... manufacture it..."

Geordi stroked Data's soft, sweaty abdomen and, grabbing the
android by the hips, he began working his buttocks, easing
himself inside his lover's silky depths.

"Ohhhh... oh yeah," Geordi sighed, feeling how Data's passage
oiled to assist his entry. Geordi slowly pumped his hips, pushing
his hungry cock deeper and deeper inside and Data clasped him,
embracing every centimeter, every curve.

Once Geordi's cock was completely engulfed, Data squeezed him
gently. The engineer moaned, leaning forward and wrapping his
arms around his lover's waist. With each thrust, Geordi exhaled
with relief.

The android's eyes shut. A smile etched itself upon his lips at
the sounds of Geordi's unabashed delight. His head swayed and
a few locks of hair spilled upon his forehead.

"Ohh, Data... so tight..." Geordi panted, hips thrashing against
the android's smooth backside.

Data grunted every time his lover's cock plunged and then
surfaced. Then Geordi suddenly slowed his thrusts and his hand
slid over Data's stomach, wrapping the length of his lover's sex.

Data's muscles coiled and he in turn clutched Geordi's throbbing
cock.

Geordi gasped and threw his head back, swirling his hips. His
engorged cock lunged back and forth, while he pumped Data's solid
shaft with quick, aggressive strokes.

The android pushed back onto Geordi, matching the speed of his
lover's onslaught. His skin was gleaming like liquid gold,
accentuating the movements of his undulating spine, the tautness
of his leg muscles, the arch of his neck. At last he froze and
then cried out, convulsing as a warm, creamy, pale yellow fluid
rushed from his quivering sex; drops of sweat dripped from his
face and down his chest.

"Data-" Geordi's voice caught as his own pleasure surged.

Data rested his head against the mattress, relishing each
millisecond of his lover's intense orgasm. Geordi's dripping body
was slumped against his and Data treasured the sensation of his
lover's weight upon him, of his softening sex still buried
inside.

"Mmmm..." Geordi murmured, rolling onto his back as Data moved
from underneath him.

"I will return shortly," the android said, rising from the bed.

Geordi could only nod, the lingering pleasure in his crotch
pulsing like a strong heartbeat. Then he felt a warm, moist cloth
there, and smiled. "It's... it's okay, Data. You don't have to-"

"Let me take care of you," Data interrupted, gently wiping his
lover's sex, then his inner thighs. "During all the time I was
human, you have been so good to me. 'Thank you' simply does not
seem to 'cut it,'" he said ruefully, lying back upon the bed and
drawing Geordi closer. " I do not know what I would have done
without you."

"It's okay, Data, I know you've never had to deal with emotions
as an android, until now," Geordi said.

"What do you mean, until now?" Data asked.

Geordi gave him a startled look. "Data, Q repaired your software,
but-" His heart constricted as a horrible suspicion began to gnaw
at him. Had Q altered Data's programming at an even more
fundamental level?

"There have been times in the past when I have expressed
difficult emotions," Data said, straightening. "Why do you act as
if... as though you've never heard me say such things to you?
Before Q made me human, even though we were not... not lovers,
you were the one I most often sought when I was troubled."

"That's not the problem, Data," Geordi said, sitting up as well.

"You have always been the only one who really understands me,"
Data continued nervously. "You cared for me. Was it so different
between us before all of this happened?"

"Whoa, Data, whoa," Geordi said. "It's just... I'm not sure I
understand what's going on here."

Data stiffened. "Oh?"

"It's okay, don't get upset. Lemme try to figure this out,"
Geordi said, reaching for his VISOR. It snapped into place and he
took Data's chin, turning the android's face towards him. "Why
did Q change you into a human being?"

"My programming had been corrupted," Data replied
matter-of-factly.  "And I supposed it had been... my wish for so
long. Q has been kind to me on many occasions."

"What about the hearing?" Geordi stressed, his hands closing
around Data's arms.

Data's brows met in a perplexed frown. "The hearing?"

"Oh, god..."

The android stumbled out of bed. "What hearing? What are you
talking about?" he said, opening the closet and fishing out a
black silk bathrobe which he yanked on, tying the sash with
trembling hands. "You... you are hiding something from me."

"Data, just listen to me for a minute."

"Why did Dr. Crusher say that androids cannot feel tired? And
why did you want to see if my heart was beating faster? How could
you not know this already?" Data said as he paced across the
room, his voice laced with panic.

"Data, would you just hang on?" Geordi said, reaching for his
pants and quickly pulling them on. He hurried towards his lover
and grabbed his arm. "Sit down, okay? I'm gonna tell you what
happened, just sit down."

Data stopped where he was, and his shimmering golden eyes
searched the engineer's face. "All right," he finally whispered.
He sat on the bed and looked up at Geordi.

"That's better," Geordi said quietly, pushing a few strands of
hair away from Data's eyes. He sat next to him and said, "Q
didn't just fix your emotional response software."

Data gave a little shake of his head.

"What happened to your programming, Data? Why did Q have to fix
it?"

"It was an accident," the android replied apprehensively. "It
happened when I was linked to the Enterprise computer."

Geordi sighed. Q -for an omniscient being, you sure are a moron,
he thought.

"You know," Data insisted, frowning. "You were there!"

"Data," Geordi said gently, "your programming was corrupted
because you'd written a subroutine to block out your feelings...
and then basically forgot about it."

"I did no such thing," Data protested. "Why would I do something
like that?"

Geordi sighed again. He'd suspected it would be complicated to
tell Data the truth, but he'd obviously underestimated the scope
of the problem. He decided that it would be best to take a direct
approach. "A year ago, Commander Bruce Maddox wanted to study
your neural net... by taking you apart," he began. "You refused,
and tried to resign, but Starfleet wouldn't accept your
resignation. They saw you as their property... just a machine.
There was a hearing to determine whether you were a sentient
being."

Data's eyes were widening. "That is not possible," he breathed.

"Captain Picard wasn't able to convince the judge," Geordi
continued, lowering his head. "That's when Q showed up and
turned you into a human being. He... he forced you to remember
why you'd suppressed your emotions."

"I do not believe it," Data murmured.

"You'd been traumatized very early on," Geordi said resolutely.
"You thought you weren't allowed to have any feelings. When Q
did what he did, you couldn't reroute them anymore."

"No..."

"That day, Q... Q exposed your soul."

Data was motionless for some time. Finally, his lips parted. "So,
what you are saying is that for years, I did not... I could not
have any emotions whatsoever," he said evenly.

"Data, you couldn't help yourself," Geordi said softly,
squeezing his lover's knee.

Data stood abruptly. "Years... of emptiness. I cannot... I cannot
imagine anything like that... I cannot accept it," he said,
removing his robe. He bent down and picked up his uniform and
dressed  with brisk, rigid movements. "I cannot." He headed for
the door.

Geordi jumped to his feet. "Wait! Where are you-"

"I must... I need to think," Data said, his voice tight.

Then he stood still. "Geordi... Why did you ask me if I was
sweating earlier?"

The engineer remained silent.

"Why?" Data demanded without turning around. "What else...
what else did Q do to me?"

"Data..." Geordi said.

"Please, Geordi... I need to know," Data said tensely, gripping
the doorframe.

"He added some software that you didn't have before."

"Added."

"He gave you the ability to sleep..." Geordi explained
reluctantly, "and... and the sense of taste... the ability to
feel pleasure-"

The android left and the door whispered shut behind him. He had
not taken three steps before Geordi had caught up with him.

"Data, stop... We have to talk about this. I won't let you walk
out on me in the state you're in-"

"I need to be alone," Data said flatly.

"I don't know about that," Geordi insisted, placing his hand upon
Data's shoulder.

Data shrugged it off. "Please... leave me alone..." he said and
disappeared around the corner.

---

The android stumbled blindly along the corridors of the
Enterprise.

This is a dream... That is it. A dream. It cannot be true... It
cannot be real.

"Data, watch out-"

"Counselor Troi," he rasped, barely avoiding a collision.

"What's wrong?" she asked with concern. "Where are you going like
this?"

"I... I am not going... anywhere in... in particular," he
stammered. "If... if you will excuse me, counselor, I will...
will be on my way..."

"Data, what happened? Why are you so upset?" she persisted.

"Nothing -nothing has happened. I simply wish to be by myself,
that is all... It does not mean I am upset," he said.

"May I walk with you?" Counselor Troi said gently.

"I just said that I wished to be alone!" Data burst out. "Will
no one listen to me?" he said, his voice suddenly breaking, and
he hid his face in his hands.

"Data... I want to know what's troubling you," she said, touching
his arm. "Won't you let me help you?"

He leaned weakly against the wall.

"Let's go to my quarters, all right?" she said, holding out her
hand.

Soon they had reached her quarters. She put an arm around his
shoulders and guided him inside. "Make yourself comfortable,
Data," she said, directing him towards the couch. "Tell me what's
happened."

"Q," he said as she helped him sit down. "He... he... Is it
true... what he has done? Is it true... that I didn't used to
have emotions?"

Troi took Data's hands in hers and looked directly into his eyes.
"Yes, it's true."

Data expelled a sharp breath and gazed upwards, blinking back
tears. "I do not understand. I do not recall any judicial
proceedings... Nor do I recall lacking emotions... None of this
makes any sense to me. It is impossible -impossible!" he cried.
"How could I have lived all those years like some sort of
hollow... thing? Unable to experience, to... to feel anything?"
He began to shake violently.

"Data, try to take some deep breaths," Troi said, alarmed by his
physical reaction.

"Counselor," Data wept, his face sinking into his hands, "tell me
that it is all a dream..."

"I can't," she replied, stroking his head. "You have to face
this, Data. I can help you."

He raised his face, his eyes clouded and far away. "I... was
unable to... to love anyone?"

"You cared for your friends, in your own way," Troi assured him.

"You have not answered my question, counselor," Data said with a
measured tone of voice. "Did I love anyone?"

"Not... not in the full sense of the word," Troi admitted. "But
it wasn't your fault."

He stood. "Did... did anyone love me?"

"Of course we loved you, Data."

"But how could you love a person who could not love in return?"

"We loved you for who you were," Troi said, rising from the couch
and standing next to him. "Everyone has their limitations. We
accepted yours. We loved you unconditionally."

"Now I understand why I wished to be human," he whispered. He
turned to face her. "For it was not solely emotions that I
lacked. Geordi said that Q... Q has done much more than simply
repair the software I had altered."

He walked to the replicator. "Strawberries dipped in chocolate,"
he said. A bowl materialized and he took one of the strawberries
between his fingers. He brought it to his mouth, biting into it.
"It tastes just as I remember," he stated. The chocolate smeared
his lips, and he licked them somberly. "Perhaps this sensation
is as false as my artificial memories. But... but it feels
real... it feels... as always..."

Data fell to his knees and the bowl slipped from his hands, the
strawberries tumbling upon the floor as Troi hurried towards him.

"Data," she said, taking his hands in hers, "it's no good to
dwell upon the past. What you feel now is what matters. Where
you are is where you belong... This is true for all of us. Life
leads us to the place we are meant to be, it's what shapes us,
it's how we grow... Don't you think it's possible that Q's
intervention was part of what fate had in store for you?"

Fresh tears rolled down Data's cheeks.

"Our perception of past events changes as we do," Troi continued.
"What happened before is not a constant. Memories evolve. We view
them differently as we mature. The person we once were can seem
like someone who is so dissimilar to the person we've become that
our memories feel unreal."

"Then... then... in a way... what has happened to me... happens
to humans as well?" Data asked tremulously.

Troi smiled. "In a way," she said. "But you have gone through
ordeals unlike anything anyone has ever known."

Data sighed disconsolately. "It is so much to grasp... I feel as
though I cannot endure much more."

"Data," Troi said tenderly, gathering him in her arms. "It's
going to be all right..."

"Hold me," he murmured, nestled in the refuge of her embrace.
"Do not let go..."

"I'm here," Troi said, patting his back.

He shivered, and she felt his fingers digging into her sides.
"I am afraid..." he whispered.  "I feel I will never know who I
really am."

"Humans feel that way sometimes as well," she said comfortingly.

"Thank you..." Data breathed. "When you speak I do not feel so
lost."

"You won't have to go through this alone, Data," she promised.

"Yes... I am not alone," he recognized, hanging onto her.

"That's right... you've never been alone."

Data sighed deeply.

"Would you like to lie down? I think you should stay with me for
a little while," she said.

"I would like that," he answered gratefully.

"All right," she said, guiding him to his feet. "Let's get you
settled on the couch, okay?"

He nodded and clasping his hand, she lead him to it.

"There," Troi said, sitting down. "Put your head in my lap. Just
stretch out and relax..."

He obeyed, exhaling and closing his eyes as she caressed his hair.

"Don't worry, Data," she said, calming him with her touch.
"Shh... shhh..."

Data pressed his cheek against her stomach and crossed his arms
over his chest, his hands closed into loose fists.

"It'll be all right," she said. "Don't let anything trouble
you... Just think about how nice this feels," she continued, her
fingers brushing his forehead.

"Yes..." he whispered.

"Good," she said affectionately. "Rest, Data... I'm right here."

"Thank you, counselor..." His voice trailed away and he lapsed
into sleep as she stroked his face.

When he awakens, I'll take him to Sickbay, she thought, observing
his peaceful features carefully. Tapping her commbadge, she said
softly, "Troi to LaForge."

"Deanna? Is Data with you?" came Geordi's worried voice.

"Yes," she answered. "He's sleeping. I'm taking care of him."

"Okay," he replied, relieved. "Just call me if you need me."

---

Some time later, Data's eyes opened, and he groaned.

"Data, what is it?" Troi asked.

"Counselor," he mumbled, squeezing his eyes shut once more. "My
heart hurts terribly."

"You must have overslept," she said reassuringly. "And you've
been under a lot of stress. Let's go to Sickbay, all right?
Beverly can take a look at you."

He nodded, and she helped him to stand.

"How's that?" Troi asked.

Data swallowed. "Not very good... But it will be all right."

She squeezed his hand. "We'll take it nice and slow."

They made their way through the maze of corridors as Troi
supported him and Data visibly strained not to crush her with his
weight, his lips drawn in a thin line.

"Almost there," she said encouragingly.

Data nodded stiffly, closing his eyes for a moment.

At last they entered Sickbay. Data staggered and Dr. Crusher
hurried towards them. "What happened? Data, lie down," she
instructed, reaching for a tricorder.

"He's... had a shock," Troi said, holding the android's hand.

"It is so bright in here," Data complained, shielding his eyes
with his other hand and clutching his forehead.

"Computer, decrease illumination by twenty percent," she said,
gazing at the stricken android. Then she slapped her
communicator. "Crusher to LaForge."

"Yeah, doc?"

"Would you come to Sickbay right away? I need your assistance,"
she said, consulting her tricorder. "It's Data."

"I'm on my way," he immediately responded.

A few minutes later, Geordi darted through the door. "Doc,
what's wrong?" he asked, joining her and the counselor at Data's
bedside.

"I'm not sure," Dr. Crusher said with a slight frown. "The
readings seem to indicate that he's suffering from the android
equivalent to a severe migraine."

Data's features were drawn, and a soft moan escaped his throat.

Geordi's lips tightened and he glanced at Crusher.

"How can we alleviate the pain?" she asked him.

The engineer stroked his chin, studying Data thoughtfully.
He peered at the tricorder and said, "It looks like the flow
to his positronic brain is being impeded by increased resistance.
I think... if I recalibrate the overhead sensor cluster's low
level force field..." he continued, his fingers darting upon
the bio-bed console, "so that it generates a magnetic field...
the polarization might enhance the positronic flow."

"Look at how his neural net is reacting. It's working," she said
with some amazement.

He shook his head. "This is unbelievable."

"Geordi," Data whispered.

"I'm here, Data," the engineer said. "How you doing?"

"I would like... some camomile tea," Data murmured, his eyes
half-opened. "It always makes me feel better..."

"Sure, Data," Geordi said tenderly. "Whatever you want."

"He should rest for a while," Dr. Crusher advised. "Then he
should eat something light, maybe a bowl of soup." Then she
looked at Data, and added hesitantly, "I mean, if he needs to
eat... Do you, Data?"

"Yes, doctor," Data said sadly. "Not as often as a human does,
but I do."

"Of course," she said. "I'm sorry, Data. You're aware of more
things about yourself than we are right now... We'll learn
quickly, don't worry."

"It is all right... I understand, doctor. It seems that I am 'a
tough act to follow' these days," he said with a little
self-deprecating smile.

"It isn't your fault, Data," Counselor Troi interjected.
"You've had to go through more adjustements in a matter of
months than most humans do within a lifetime."

"That's true," Geordi agreed. "Let's just get you in bed, okay?
Can you get up now?"

"I believe so," Data answered. "If I proceed slowly..."

Dr. Crusher raised her hand. "Stop right there, both of you.
Data will have to remain in Sickbay under observation for a
while longer."

Data sighed wearily. "Please, Dr. Crusher, I will be fine... I
would very much like to be in my own room now."

"I think it would be better if Data was in an environment that
makes him feel secure," Counselor Troi offered.

"I'll take him back to our quarters," Geordi said. "I'll watch
over him."

The doctor crossed her arms. "He needs complete rest."

The engineer put his hand over his heart. "I promise, doc. If
there's any problem at all, I'll let you know right away, okay?"

"And you'll bring him to Sickbay immediately," Dr. Crusher said,
relenting.

"I swear," Geordi said. "Don't worry. The minute something's
wrong with him, he's right back in here. Guaranteed." He slipped
a hand beneath Data's head and helped him sit up. "How's that?"

"It is... bearable," the android said through clenched teeth.

"Put your arm around my shoulders," the engineer instructed,
holding Data just underneath the arms and supporting him.
"We'll have you tucked beneath the sheets before you know it,"
he said as Data gingerly set his feet upon the floor.

"Complete rest," Dr. Crusher emphasized as they headed for the
door.

---

Geordi felt Data sigh and relax as they entered their quarters.
"Here we are," he said, his fingers giving the android's waist
a slight squeeze. "Want me to help you get ready for bed?"

"I am sorry for the way I behaved," Data said as he sat down upon
the bed, his arm slipping away from Geordi's shoulders. "I did
not mean to keep you at a distance. Everything about me always
seems to be... so complicated."

"Data... You had the right to be mad," Geordi replied. "And I
don't want you fretting over anything right now, okay?" he
continued, getting down on one knee and reaching for Data's foot,
lifting it and removing his boot.

"Yes, Geordi," Data said gratefully.

"That's what I wanted to hear," the engineer said, removing
Data's other boot. "Now we're gonna get you out of that uniform
and you'll lie down and close your eyes."

"Yes, Geordi," Data repeated, nodding and rubbing his temple.

"Good," Geordi said softly. Once Data was undressed, Geordi
covered him with a blanket and asked, "How's your headache?
Would you still like that camomile tea?"

"Perhaps not just yet..." Data said, looking at Geordi through
half-opened eyes. "Thank you... for always being so kind."

"Well, I don't know about 'always,' Data... I'm only human. But
I try my best," the engineer answered with a smile.

"I shall try my best as well," Data whispered. "I am... only an
android, after all," he said, the corners of his lips curving
upwards.

"Yeah..." Geordi said, his smile widening. "And there's nothing
wrong with that."

"No... there is nothing wrong with that," Data replied with a
peaceful sigh.

"You just go to sleep," Geordi said, caressing Data's golden
cheek. "I'll be here when you wake up... right here with you."

---

The End