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

---

October 1999

Thank you Laur for being so absolutely fabulous!

---
"Data," Geordi said, prompting him upwards until they lay face to
face. "You can always tell me your feelings. Okay? I'll be there
for you... I'll listen to you... You can always count on me when
things aren't so easy."

- from King of Cups
---
Soundtrack: Do you want a taste of pure heaven while
reading this story? Listen to Bilitis- by Sarah
Brightman, "Time to Say Goodbye" album, or There's
no one like you.

In your eyes are my secrets
that I've never shown you
in my heart I feel
I've always known you
in your arms there's a comfort
that I never knew
you're what I've been waiting for
there's no one like you

Every dream I abandoned
since it could come true
I believe in miracles
there's no one like you
---

Geordi reached over to the other side of the bed and groaned
when he found it empty once again. "Data," he mumbled with a
weary sigh.

He rose from the bed, putting on his VISOR and slipping into a
bathrobe. He left the bedroom and padded across the living room
into the work area.

The former android was asleep, his head on the console, his
fingers still splayed over the keypad.

Geordi shook his head and walked over to his slumbering friend
and lover. "Hey... hey there," he said, gently placing a hand
upon Data's shoulder.

Data inhaled sharply and woke, his startled, bleary eyes meeting
Geordi's. The chief engineer was looking down at him
reproachfully. "Data... You've got to stop doing this."

"I'm sorry, Geordi," Data said, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
"I was getting ready to quit and go to bed last night... I just
got caught up... I never have enough time to do everything that
needs to be done."

"I know," Geordi said, helping Data to his feet. "But sooner or
later, you're gonna have to get it through your head that you
need to rest sometimes. You just can't do everything that you
used to."

Data released an impatient breath. "You're not telling me
anything I don't already know," he said, his voice tinged with
annoyance. "Do you realize," he continued as Geordi guided him to
the couch, "that I can't even mentally calculate the decrease in
my overall efficiency? I had to use the computer, and it comes to
over ninety-nine percent. Roughly," he finished sarcastically.

Oh man, he really needs to get some more sleep, Geordi thought,
bending down to remove Data's boots.

"What are you doing?" Data asked with an exhausted frown. "I'm
due on the bridge..." He ran his hand through his hair. "Damn it,
I can't remember... Computer-"

"Wait, wait," Geordi said, stopping him. "If you won't be
reasonable and get some shut-eye now, you're not going anywhere
except Sickbay. I'm sure Dr. Crusher will have some choice words
for you when she sees the state you're in."

Data's golden eyes widened in alarm. "That won't be necessary,"
he blurted. Then he wavered and added, "But Geordi, I've been
working on this project that the captain-"

Geordi raised one hand, halting Data in mid-sentence. "I'll talk
to the captain. I don't wanna hear any arguments from you now. I
mean, just look at you, Data! Don't you have any common sense
left?"

Geordi regretted his words as soon as they went past his lips.
"Look, I'm sorry..."

Data flushed and his shoulders sagged.

"C'mon, let's get you to bed, okay?" Geordi said with a gentle
voice. "I'm just worried about you."

Data took his friend's extended hand and let Geordi escort him
to the bedroom.

"All right," Geordi said, helping Data slip out of his uniform,
"that's better. I'll tell the captain what's going on. You just
get some rest."

When Data's head sank in the pillow, he found it impossible to
resist the urge to close his eyes, no matter how much he fought
to keep them open. "Uh huh," he mumbled.

Geordi stroked his lover's smooth cheek with tender fingers.
"I'll see you later." Before he turned to leave, he said,
"Computer, decrease illumination by ninety percent." Satisfied,
he gave Data's cheek one final affectionate pat and departed.

Once the engineer was gone, Data breathed, "Computer... wake
me... in an hour..."

---

When Captain Picard saw Data striding to the Science Officer's
console, he sighed. Obviously, Lieutenant LaForge's threat of
warning Dr. Crusher about Data's destructive work habits hadn't
proved sufficient enough to discourage the former android. Though
Data seemed alert and rested as he sat at his station, when the
captain said, "Commander, will you see me in my ready room?"
Data's shoulders slumped.

He followed the captain, everyone on the bridge glancing
discreetly in his direction and noting the weariness that
surfaced in his golden eyes.

"Please sit down, Data," the captain said.

Data obeyed. He looked at the captain hesitantly and said,
"Sir... I apologize for not having completed the analysis
of the navigational deflector emitter dish yet... I believe I
can enhance the parabolic shields' ability to deflect submicron
particulates that-"

"Data," the captain said, "would you like something to drink?"

Data blinked and stammered, "I... yes, I- thank you, sir. Coffee.
Black, please."

"Chamomile tea, with honey," the captain said as he stood in
front of the replicator. Then he took the cup of steaming liquid
to Data. "This is more suitable," he enjoined.

Data's hands closed around the cup and he lowered his head, his
thin veneer of energetic vigor melting away completely. "Thank
you, captain." He sipped the sweet herbal tea, and then placed
the cup on the side table.

"Earl Grey, hot," the captain said. "Data..." he continued,
turning to face the window that overlooked the vast ocean of
stars, "there is no denying that since Q turned you into a human
being, you have strived to match your former android capacities."

Captain... Please get to the point... Quick, Data thought
drowsily. The couch was comfortable -so very comfortable... He
pinched his arm, struggling to remain awake.

"I wish I could appreciate how difficult it has been for you to
adjust. No one is in a position to imagine what this must be
like for you." The captain raised the cup of tea to his lips,
carefully selecting the appropriate words. He was well aware of
the impossible standards that Data had set for himself, and how
vulnerable his second officer was to anything that might be
construed as criticism.

"However, it appears that you have been neglecting your health
in an effort to perform as you once did. No one on this ship has
such expectations, Data, except for you." His voice softened.
"You are now subject to some physical limitations. And while your
intellectual capacities surpass those of an ordinary human, they
won't serve you as well unless you're properly rested. Do you
understand?"

Met with silence, Picard turned around. Data sat, asleep on the
couch, head lowered upon his chest. The captain appraised the
exhausted man thoughtfully as Data began to snore.

Setting down his tea, Captain Picard tapped his communicator.
"Lieutenant LaForge."

"Yes, captain?"

"Please come to my ready room immediately."

"Right away, sir..." He paused. "Sir, tell me that's not Data
snoring."

"I'm afraid so, lieutenant," the captain said. "I believe it's
time he was compelled to go on a vacation."

---

Data looked a bit surly as he packed, but Geordi was inclined to
be indulgent. He suppressed a smile, once again picturing Data's
flustered expression when he awoke in the captain's ready room.
Data had flushed a deep red and he'd nodded contritely as the
captain gently rebuked him. "We are approaching the Delta
Quadrant. A shuttle will depart in four hours for Paradisia,
where you will remain for two weeks of mandatory shore leave,
Commander," he ordered. "Mr. LaForge will accompany you. In the
meantime, you are off duty."

"Yes, captain," Data had dutifully replied, resigned.

"Enjoy yourself, Mr. Data," the captain had added. "It is part of
being human."

During the trip to the planet's surface, Data's stomach had
churned at first. It's fine for them to tell me what to do, he
thought with frustration. 'You're new at this, Data, we know
what's best, just drop everything and-' He glanced at Geordi, who
had been casually observing him out of the corner of his eye, and
Data was suddenly startled by the turn his thoughts had taken.
What's happening to me? My friends care about me... I know
that... Why am I so angry and irrational? Perhaps... perhaps I
do need to rest... It's been so difficult to think clearly.

Once again, Q's words came to his mind: your body will betray
you.

"Hey..." Geordi said, seeing how dejected Data appeared as he
rubbed his tired eyes with the back of his long fingers. "You
okay? You'll see, you'll feel better after a couple of days on
Paradisia. Once you've begun to learn how to relax, it won't seem
so bad, just lazing about, doing nothing."

Or almost nothing, Geordi thought with wanton delight.

Data lifted his head and gazed at Geordi, a small, cheerful
smile etching itself upon his finely drawn lips. "Thank you for
being so kind to me, Geordi. I'm sure I haven't been easy to
live with lately..."

Oh Data... Who could stay mad at you? Geordi leaned over, taking
Data's head between his hands, and kissed him tenderly.

---

Data gasped, his hands fumbling for the device that escaped his
grasp anyway. "Shit!" he exclaimed.

Geordi crossed his arms in front of his chest, staring at Data
with a frown.

Data's eyes darted to the ground. The padd that had accidentally
fallen out of his bag as he unpacked lay on the floor between
them, pointing towards him like an accusing finger.

"Why the hell did you bring that thing with you?" Geordi fumed.
"What did the captain say? Shore leave, Data. Rest and
relaxation. Goddammit! Which part of that was so hard to
understand? Do you want to make yourself sick? Maybe we should
just let you find out how fucking great that is!"

For a moment Data said nothing. Then to Geordi's amazement,
Data bent down, snatched the padd and hurled it against the wall.
"There!" he yelled, his voice catching in his throat. "Are you
happy? I hid it in my bag when you weren't looking because I was
angry about this damn trip! I wasn't even going to use it after
what you said on the shuttlecraft! "

Geordi was so taken aback by Data's burst of temper that he
forgot about his own anger.

"Perhaps I am exhausted!" Data said, stomping around the room as
he continued his tirade. "Yes, perhaps I do realize I need to
take it easy for a while! I'm still able to make a few
intelligent decisions, believe it or not!"

"Data-" Geordi said, trying to get a word in, unsuccessfully.

"Poor little Data, he can't take care of himself! We must hold
him by the hand otherwise he's going to get lost! No coffee for
you, Data, here's some goddamn camomille tea!" Data ranted as he
paced, breathing hard.

"Listen-"

"I sense that you're upset, Data," the pale man said, mimicking
Counselor Troi's soothing voice. "Would you like me to schedule
more frequent appointments?" he went on. "Well, screw her and her
goddamn empathy!" he exploded. "I don't need more sessions, I
need enhanced memory systems!"

Geordi's mouth dropped open.

"Or how about this! Data, your blood pressure is too high," he
stormed, shaking a stern finger. "Have you been eating a
balanced diet? Well, I've yet to see ANYONE who does!

"Then there's the classic, Data, you can't do everything that you
used to -oh, like I don't KNOW that already! Like it isn't
painfully obvious! It would be more accurate to say, Data, you
can't do ANYTHING that you used to!"

"Oh god, Data..." Geordi said softly.

Then, as abruptly as it had begun, Data's outburst ceased. "You
don't... you don't know what it's like," he said wretchedly,
standing in the middle of the room, his arms hanging limply at
his sides. "I feel so diminished, Geordi... Sooner or later,
I'll... I'll make a horrible mistake... I won't have the answer
and people will get hurt.

"Maybe... it would've... would've been better... if Maddox had
taken me apart," he whispered. "He probably would have been able
to put me back together... Even if... if he'd lost part of me...
I still could have fulfilled my duties, at least."

"Stop that," Geordi quietly said as he approached his distraught
friend. "I mean it, Data. I'm not gonna listen to that sort of
talk."

"I... I didn't mean to yell at you, Geordi," Data murmured,
lowering his head, his face burning with guilt. "I'm sorry about
my behavior... It's inexcusable..."

Geordi put an arm around Data's shoulders and gave him a friendly
little shake. "You're worn out, that's all. You're blowing
everything out of proportion."

Data's chest hitched. "Geordi... Do you still enjoy spending time
with me?"

"Hey, I'll put up with you if you put up with me..." the engineer
said affectionately.

Data sighed, disconsolate.

I have to loosen him up, Geordi thought. Then he'll be able to
see things the way they really are. That was when he noticed the
colorful bottles of oil scattered on top of the dresser next to
the bathroom door. That's it... perfect.

"I've got an idea," Geordi said. "I promise you'll feel better."

Data nodded meekly, his eyes bright with tears of fatigue and
sadness.

"You just get undressed and lie down on the bed," Geordi
instructed. "I'll be right with you."

Once he'd stripped, Data reclined against the pillows.

The engineer consulted the computer console. Calling up the
beverage menu, he chose "Local Favorites, Cold" and browsed
through the categories. Alcoholic drinks, energy drinks, fruit
juices, relaxants. Whistling softly at the descriptions of the
effects, Geordi read more carefully. Any one of these would
definitely get Data relaxed in no time.

Geordi went to the wall replicator unit. "Two Visions of Venus,"
he ordered. A pair of tall glasses filled with a light pink
concontion instantly materialized.

He walked to the bed and sat down next to Data, putting one of
the glasses on the bedside table. Data was gazing at him through
half-opened eyelids. "Here... have a sip of this," Geordi said.
"It'll relax you."

Data's brows furrowed. "Are you sure I should, after what
happened last time I ingested an alcoholic beverage?"

Geordi almost laughed out loud. "It's not alcohol, go ahead, try
it," he encouraged.

Data eyed the cool pink liquid with a curiosity that was
undampened by his tiredness, then he brought the glass to his
lips and tilted it upwards. His eyebrows rose slightly as an
intriguing sensation of warmth permeated his body.

"How is it?" Geordi asked.

"It tastes like... like sugar and... cream with...
strawberries... and..." He took another long swallow.

Geordi grabbed Data's glass just before the former android's
hand fell to the mattress.

"Let's get you on your stomach," Geordi said, assisting his
mesmerized lover.

"Mmm-hmm..." Data mumbled, a bit disoriented. Then at last he lay
upon his stomach, his head turned to the side. He watched as
Geordi opened the doors that led to the balcony. A warm breeze
lifted the translucent, gossamer curtains, making them look like
wings that rose and fell.

It was growing dark outside. In the distance, Data could see
the dark purple waves of the alien sea coming and going with a
soothing, hypnotic rhythm. His eyes were hazy and he blinked
slowly a few times, captivated.

"Oooooh..." Data sighed, his gaze dropping near his fingers, a
drowsy smile curving his lips. "Geordi... look..." he drawled.
"A butterfly... has landed on my hand... beautiful..."

Chuckling softly to himself, Geordi lit the candles that graced
the room, one by one, and soon the air was imbued with the heavy
fragrance of vanilla. Rolling up his sleeves, Geordi reached for
a bottle of oil, selecting one that contained oil suffused with
brilliant flecks of gold. He unscrewed the cap and inhaled: it
smelled like honey. He poured the oil in his left palm and slowly
rubbed his hands together.

Geordi started rubbing his lover's shoulders, massaging the
gleaming flesh in circles, sliding up to the nape of Data's neck
and going down again. Placing one knee upon the bed and leaning
forward, Geordi began kneading his lover's back muscles and
continued until he felt the knotted muscles begin to yield. He
moved to Data's legs, his strong fingers digging into the soles
of Data's feet, his slim ankles, his calves, his thighs. Then
Geordi pushed his palms against Data's lower back.

Data's lips parted slightly. "Ooooh..." he exhaled, easing into a
state of complete, abandoned repose, yielding to the engineer's
expert touch.

"Does that feel good?" Geordi asked softly.

"Mmmm..." Data groaned in response. His mind was being emptied of
all the worries and doubts that had plagued him, and he felt like
he was sinking into clouds. Letting out a deep sigh, he shifted,
bringing one of his legs higher up. Shortly after, he fell
profoundly asleep.

"Okay," Geordi whispered, his gaze wandering over Data's still,
glittering form. "That worked well..."

His mouth had gone dry and he wiped the sheen of sweat from his
forehead, craving the polished texture of Data's skin beneath
his hands again, the hills and valleys of Data's smooth
muscles... He -he needs to sleep, Geordi reminded himself. A few
hours... I'll live.

He grabbed his drink and collapsed in the chair near the balcony
doors, admiring the slim elegance of Data's body -it had once
belied incredible strength... He swallowed the pink liquid, and
swallowed again. Soon he had consumed the entire contents and
the chair he was sitting in felt like it was floating right off
the floor.

Whoa... he thought before he fell asleep as well.

---

When Geordi's eyelids fluttered open, he had no idea how long
he'd been asleep. He groaned, rubbing the stiffness in his neck.
The second he cast his eyes in Data's direction, however, his
discomfort as well as the passage of time seemed completely
irrelevant.

Data was still lying on the bed, one hand curled just below his
chin, his other arm hooked above his head. In the candlelight,
with the oil glistening upon his lithe form, his skin was the
smooth shade of gold it had once been, illuminating him like the
halo Geordi remembered so well.

"Data," he gasped, overcome by the heavenly golden vision just a
few feet away from him, an exquisite display that warmed his
groin.

Beautiful... beautiful... Geordi thought, his heart beating so
forcefully it felt bruised.

Data's face in repose was open and vulnerable, a poignant
reflection of the innocence that had always characterized him.

He avidly drank in the sight of Data's glittering limbs, the
curve of his spine from his neck to the small of his back, the
dip behind his knees, and the engineer was thirsty for more. He
got up from his chair, took a few unsteady steps towards the bed,
and peeled his uniform away. Admiring Data's shimmering skin one
last time, he removed his VISOR and joined Data in the bed.

Data awoke. With a lingering, sensuous gaze, he caressed the
engineer's surging cock, and his golden eyes travelled from
Geordi's abdomen, up his chest, to his face. He turned to his
side, and Geordi wrapped his arms around him, pulling his lover
closer.

Geordi trapped Data's head between his hands, tilting it upwards,
his fingers tangled in the waves of Data's hair, and his dark
lips caressed his lover's pale ones sensually. "God, I want
you..."

Data moaned and ground their hips together.

"Let me... let me..." Geordi breathed, feeling Data's cock
stirring against him. "I'll... I'll give it to you slow..."

Excercising deliberate control, Geordi kissed Data's throat, his
jawline, tongue skimming along the edge all the way to his
lover's chin. He wound one arm tightly around his Data's waist,
bringing him yet closer. With his other hand he cupped one
smooth, oiled buttock, then his hand slid down to Data's golden
thigh, lifting it over his own coffee brown hip.

Data groaned languorously and his arms snaked around Geordi's
neck. He squirmed as the hardness in his crotch increased.

Geordi gritted his teeth, determined not to succumb to the
overwhelming desire that shot through him when his lover's sex
brushed his own aching cock. He let his hands glide up and down
Data's deliciously oiled back while he kissed him with measured
passion.

"You feel so good," he breathed from deep within
his throat. "You're perfect..."

Data's eyes were closed and his lips curved in a smile.

"Perfect," Geordi repeated between fiery kisses, his fingers
digging in the softness of Data's ass. He took a handful of
Data's hair and gently pulled his lover's head back, trailing the
curve of his neck with his tongue. Then Geordi delicately sucked
the pale skin, moving upwards until once again he was sampling
Data's fine, supple lips.

"Phenomenal," Geordi whispered, and the caress of his breath
against Data's flesh made the former android sigh with delight.

The engineer trembled at the sound. He pushed Data's shoulder,
prompting his lover to turn on his side, and Geordi drew him
close, enveloping Data's torso with his arms. As he kissed the
nape of Data's neck and then his shoulders, he stroked his
lover's slim hips and lean stomach. Data convulsively gripped
Geordi's wrist.

"Oh!" Data cried when Geordi's fingers rubbed the line of hair
from his navel to the base of his straining, engorged penis. He
reared back against the engineer, his chest wracked by harsh
little breaths.

It was almost too much for Geordi -he knew he wouldn't be able
to wait much longer. He flexed his hips, resting the length of
his erection in the cleft of Data's buttocks, savoring the way
it taunted him with the promise of even greater bliss.

He reached behind him for the small jar of lubricant on the
bedside table. Once his fingers were coated with the rich,
slippery cream, he prepared Data for the sweet onslaught,
massaging his entrance carefully.

At last Geordi began to penetrate his grateful lover, slowly
pumping his throbbing cock deeper and deeper, his calculated
thrusts punctuated by Data's gasps. Geordi screwed his eyes shut
and quaked, reigning in the temptation to lunge forward. Instead,
he worked his buttocks, taking long, lazy strokes, and fondled
Data's tense balls.

"Oooooh..." Data moaned, and turning his head, he looked over his
shoulder at Geordi, his golden eyes hazy with lust. "Yes...
Faster..."

Geordi immediately capitulated and he shoved his hard shaft
inside Data with strong, eager thrusts, bending his head and
meeting Data's lips with his own, their tongues intertwining as
their bodies rocked together.

Suddenly Geordi cried out, his limbs tensing as release coursed
through him. He crossed his arms in front of Data's chest
tightly, holding him in a crushing embrace. Then Geordi's muscles
sagged, his grip relaxed and he kissed the back of Data's head,
the soft brown waves like silk next to his lips.

Data whimpered.

"Yes... your turn now, Data..." Geordi panted.

Data surprised him.

"On top... I want to be over you," he demanded, his voice hoarse
and thick.

Geordi rolled on his back and spread his legs, allowing Data to
settle between them.

Data moistened his lips, arching his back with the pleasure of
feeling his taut cock touching Geordi's smooth stomach. Then he
pressed his body against the engineer's, devouring the dark lips
with a possessive need.

Geordi rested underneath Data with a contented air, feeling how
stiff Data's cock was, feeling his lover's hot, shaking body.

Data's lips quivered and he breathed, "Make yourself ready for
me..."

Once again Geordi reached for the jar which he'd replaced on the
bedside table after he'd lubricated the split of Data's
delectable buttocks.

Data lifted himself slightly upon his forearms, allowing Geordi
access. He cried out when Geordi grazed his unbearably hard sex,
and his limbs were gripped by fierce tremors of want.

Geordi lubricated himself and moved his hand upwards, pausing
to envelop his lover's pulsing cock firmly, and began to stroke
the column of flesh at a leisurely pace, relishing its rigidity,
a tangible manifestation of Data's overwhelming lust.

Data's teeth clenched and he released a long, quivering sigh,
flexing his hips, exulting in the purely physical instincts that
ruled him. He thrust in Geordi's slick hand, lost in the 
voluptous sensation of engineer's grasp as he pumped Data's hard 
cock from base to tip.

"Oh yes..." Data moaned, reveling in unadulterated
pleasure.

Then Geordi slowed down and Data groaned, jerking his hips. The 
arousal in his cock was excrutiating, glorious...

"Let me take you in my mouth," Geordi whispered.

"Yes... yes..." Data gasped, sitting back on his heels, his bold, 
upright penis trembling with hunger.

The engineer joined Data, getting on his hands and knees before
the former android whose fingers curled in anticipation against
his lover's head.

Geordi's lips brushed the former android's engorged shaft. Data's 
mouth fell open, the muscles in his thighs laboring as he rocked 
his hips, panting heavily.

Geordi savored Data's helpless rapture, licking the length of his 
lover's erection thoroughly, his tongue drifting over the velvet 
skin.

Data groaned, almost delirious with the unrelenting desire that 
flared in his loins and reached up inside his chest, clutching
his heart.

Then Geordi sucked Data's jutting shaft up and down a few times,
tasting the sweet drops of semen that appeared at the tip, and
at last the former android couldn't wait any longer.

"Quick... I want to be inside you now..." Data gasped, sweat 
rolling down his lean face.

Geordi let Data go and kneeled in front of him, pressing his
chest against his lover's and stroking the glittering shoulders
and back. Data's arms flew around the engineer and he writhed
against the engineer, his haunches rotating sensuously.

Once more, Geordi lay back against the bed. He grasped Data's
waist, kneading the former android's flesh for a moment before
moving on to his buttocks, stroking them amorously.

Data's breath was shallow as he positioned himself, Geordi's
thighs pressed against his hips. At last he drove into Geordi,
his throbbing cock sheathed by the engineer's sweet depths, and
he cried out again, his voice tinged with ecstasy. He rolled his
hips slowly, small gasps of delight escaping his lips.

"I love you," Geordi said, rubbing Data's chest, and then 
caressing his shoulders before sliding down the length of his 
back to the curve of his ass, which began pumping, hard and 
furious, filling him with Data's luscious, jaunting length.

Data threw his head back, pounding against Geordi with strong,
greedy lunges, carried by the primal waves of his urgency, 
impervious to everything except the carnal appetites that fed his 
passion.

"Data... oh yeah... oooh... harder..." Geordi murmured, his 
fingers digging in Data's lower back.

Suddenly, Data tensed, sensing he was on the verge of climax.
"Ah!" he cried, his hands clenching into fists. He inhaled
sharply, his hips burying him deeply within Geordi's intoxicating
warmth, semen pouring from him like honey as he came.

His arms trembled and he collapsed upon Geordi, caught in a
dizzying euphoria that left him reeling.

Geordi wrapped his arms around Data, kissing his lover's dampened
hair. "Data," he said softly.

After a while, Data was able to speak and whispered, "Geordi..."

Geordi smiled, rocking Data slightly from side to side. "Do you 
feel a bit more relaxed now?"

Data's laugh was muffled by Geordi's skin. "A lot more relaxed," 
he said, nuzzling his lover's neck. "I'm... I'm sorry I didn't 
listen to you sooner," he added quietly.

Geordi shook his head. "You have to learn to listen to yourself, 
Data."

"I've discovered that I can be hard-headed," Data confessed.

It was Geordi's turn to laugh. "This is a recent discovery, huh?"

"Hey!" Data exclaimed, raising his head.

"You've always been a bit stubborn, Data. But it's always  been 
one of the things about you I've loved the most," Geordi said 
with a tender voice.

"Really? Why's that?" Data asked ingenuously.

"You don't give up," Geordi answered, kissing his lover's 
forehead. "You're the kind of person anyone could count on, no 
matter what."

Data's eyes turned to liquid gold. "Thank you for saying that, 
Geordi. I just... I just need to know that I'm still... still 
the same person... that I'm still Data, the one you knew. That 
probably sounds very strange, but... I guess that part of me is 
still mourning his loss..."

Geordi listened quietly, holding the former android in a 
reassuring embrace.

"It's like I died and came back to life in someone else's body," 
Data said, furrowing his brow as he searched for the words that 
would explain how he felt. "Suddenly, my body wasn't familiar to 
me anymore, it... it didn't speak to me anymore, and had ideas of 
its own. It could delight me in ways I'd never imagined... But it 
could also frustrate me, embarrass me, and refuse to cooperate 
with me. Before, my mind and body had been one... almost... and 
after what Q did, it was like... I... I didn't know who I was, or 
even what I was. So I tried to be the person I'd been, as much as 
possible. Recently I've had to face the fact that it wasn't going 
to work," he admitted, pressing his cheek against Geordi's chest. 
"That frightens me, Geordi..."

"I can understand that," the engineer soothed. "Why didn't you 
tell me about it before, Data?"

"There's nothing to distract me here," Data said softly. "I 
mean... Since Q turned me into a human, it's the first time... 
the first time I've left the Enterprise. It was familiar, it was 
easier to... to play Data there. The Enterprise was my new 
mechanical shell... That's why I didn't want to go on shore 
leave, that's why I brought my padd... That's why I worked and 
worked until I couldn't even stand anymore. I was... I was 
looking for myself, clinging to things I could recognize..."

And then Data burst into tears. "Geordi... I know how stupid this 
must sound after I spent so many years wishing I were human, 
but... but I miss Data... And now that I'm here... far away from 
the Enterprise... it feels like he's really gone, like everything 
I experienced before was just a dream... and I have no past... 
no real memories."

Geordi wiped Data's tears with gentle fingertips. Then he cupped
his chin, tilting his lover's head, and drew him close. "Data..."
The engineer shrugged and shook his head.

Data swallowed, choking back his sobs.

"Data... Remember when you came to main engineering to see me? 
The minute I heard your voice, I knew it was you."

"How?" Data asked with a faltering voice.

"You called my name," Geordi replied, stroking Data's face. "I 
could feel how close you were to me, even though you were across 
the room. I'll never forget that sound. It was like someone 
hitting the right note after years of trying."

More teardrops streaked Data's features.

"Don't live with regrets, Data... It's no use. Everything that 
happens in life makes us who we are. We can't stay the same. But 
I'll always love you," Geordi said.

"I'll always love you too, Geordi," Data murmured. "That, I know 
for sure."

---

Data sighed, puzzling over one irritating problem that had 
prevented him from concluding his report on the interaction
between relativistic warp velocities and interstellar medium 
density. "Damn it," he whispered. The pleasant vacation he'd
spent with Geordi on Paradisia already seemed light years away,
though they'd only returned to the Enterprise the day before.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm ready to call it quits for 
the day," Geordi said. He stretched, groaning a little, and 
yawned. "Why must annual personel evaluations always be so boring 
and tedious?" He smiled, bending down behind Data's chair and 
kissing the back of his lover's neck. "I had such a good time 
with you... Getting back to work isn't easy, I guess."

Geordi straightened again and patted Data's shoulder. "You
coming?"

Data's fingers hovered over the console for a moment. Then he 
stood. "I'm coming, Geordi," he said, joining the engineer in 
the bedroom.

---

The End