The BLTS Archive- Shut Down the Sun
#1: Lightning Strikes Me
by Quoth (qtheraven@geocities.com)

---

This story is set after "All Good Things..." a week or so before
"Generations". This is the first story in the "Shut Down the Sun"
series, and the series contains adult themes, including rape. However,
this segment doesn't. Reader's discretion.

---
"What have I got to do to make you love me,
What have I got to do to make you care,
What do I do when lightning strikes me,
And I wake to find that you're not there?"


Elton John, "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"
---

For the second time in as many minutes, Geordi told himself to stay
calm as he worked at a station in his alcove in Engineering. There was
nothing to be concerned about. There was no emergency. Data was just
coming down from the end of his bridge shift to help the Engineering
crew with some slight anomalies for a few hours.

Nothing else.

That was okay. That was no problem. He could keep control of himself
for that long.

Of course he could.

There was no doubt about it.

Until Data came striding smoothly around the corner, and Geordi
instantly had to turn towards his console and take a deep breath.

[No problem. Right. Reality check, LaForge.]

Data came directly over to the alcove and stood in front of the
console opposite the engineer's. "Geordi, did you want me?"

[Oh, Data, don't say that, please...]

"Uh, yeah," Geordi said quickly, covering his slight lapse of control.
"That panel over there's been giving inaccurate readings for the past
hour or so. Could you check it for me?"

"Certainly, Geordi. I am-- glad-- to help."

And Data turned his back and bent over slightly, examining the
readings on the indicated console.

Geordi swallowed audibly at the innocently provocative position--
[Damn, does he even realise how he looks when he does that?]-- and
turned away. After a moment of pretending to work and making sure his
subordinates didn't see, he allowed his gaze a stolen moment to roam
hungrily over that delicious slim body, concealed inside the thick
material of a Starfleet uniform. He recalled the one time he had seen
Data without it, and shivered involuntarily, looking away.

---

It had been a few years ago, while he and Ro had been phased by the
Romulan ship and thought dead by the rest of the crew. He had been
striding quickly through the corridors of the Enterprise, trying to
get to Data's quarters as quickly as he could. Data had mentioned
preparing himself for the funeral service for Geordi and Ro, and
Geordi was hoping to create more chroniton fields to get Data's
attention somehow. Entering Data's quarters, he noticed that he was
getting used to walking straight through closed doors and walls.
Hopefully, he could attract Data's attention soon and make him realise
the situation, so this wouldn't be a permanent state of affairs.

Yet once Geordi was inside the android's quarters, Data was nowhere to
be seen. Geordi frowned in confusion. Where was he? He had heard Data
specifically tell Worf that he was going to his quarters. Why wasn't
he in his living room?

Walking into the bedroom and finding it, too, empty, Geordi became
seriously concerned. He had no idea where Data was-- then he noticed
the sound of running water. Without thinking, he automatically looked
in the direction of the sound, coming from the open bathroom door.

Data was taking a shower.

Geordi was frozen in position, staring. Data was turned slightly away,
and his normally tightly controlled hair had loosened and softened in
the hot humidity, strands wisping along his sculpted forehead and
ears. His defined facial features created a striking profile against
the clouds of steam billowing from the showerhead. Geordi could see
the heat from where he stood.

[I should leave now.]

But he couldn't tear his gaze from the beautiful golden body in front
of him, couldn't move his legs to leave the bedroom if his life
depended on it.

[Dammit, LaForge, he's taking a shower! Give him some privacy!]

It was no use. Geordi simply could not stop looking at Data's slender
frame, the smooth, graceful lines of a physique that was all too well
hidden most of the time.

Before Geordi quite knew what was happening, his feet were moving, and
he had stepped into the bathroom, past the steamed-up mirror, still
staring helplessly at Data.

The android, oblivious to Geordi's presence, knelt to pick up a
container of cleansing gel. Pouring some of the clear, thick liquid
into his cupped palm, he began to gently slide some of the gel onto
his smooth chest and arms, delicate hands slowly massaging the gel to
a rich lather. Geordi nearly doubled over as a wave of potent desire
overloaded his senses. His hands crept of their own volition out
towards the android, then moved away as Geordi remembered that he
couldn't touch anything-- or anyone. The realisation was crushing.

Those golden hands were now sliding over slim hips, down long, slender
legs, and a tormented moan of frustration escaped the engineer's lips.
How was it possible to want another person so much, to need that
person so badly without ever having realised it? Dark hands slid
downwards, rubbing the aching bulge in his uniform. His entire focus
was locked on Data, all thoughts of privacy vanished, all protests
silenced.

When Data's hands slid in between his slim thighs and began washing
that delicious long golden cock, Geordi let out a cry of near-pain.
Oh, stars, there was nothing he would not have given at that moment to
be naked in that shower, to be the one washing Data's beautiful body.

He remained cemented in position, watching helplessly while Data
finished washing and rinsing himself. Turning off the water, the
android stepped out of the shower and into the steamy bathroom,
plucking a towel off the wall rack. As Data began to dry himself down,
Geordi noticed a fine mist of water droplets that had settled in the
soft, silky dark hair.

Data turned slightly, his gaze directed straight into Geordi's face,
and the engineer could no longer help himself. As Data turned away
again to step into the bedroom, Geordi's hand slipped out towards
Data's perfect ass cheeks.

And his hand went right through Data's body.

Biting his lip in frustration when Data noticed nothing, Geordi
followed him into the bedroom where he watched Data slide into a clean
uniform. He ached to see that body uncovered again, wanting nothing
more than to be able to kiss Data and let him know that he was here.

Data crossed the room, unconsciously passing very close to Geordi.
Again, LaForge's hands twitched in useless longing. The android petted
Spot and ordered a feline supplement from the replicator to set down
on the floor before leaving his quarters.

Geordi followed him to Ten Forward, dizzy from the shocking
realisation that he wanted his best friend as his lover. He hadn't
even considered the idea before, but now...

He had to get Data's attention somehow, had to get him to destroy the
cloaking phenomenon. He couldn't cope with the thought of never being
able to tell Data how he felt, with the thought of forever wandering
the ship with Data looking right through him, never seeing him.

That, he reminded himself, and the fact that the ship would blow up if
they went to warp.

Once he and Ro were unphased, he would talk to his friend, he swore to
himself. As soon as everything was back to normal.

---

But it hadn't been that way, in the end, Geordi remembered. Once the
two of them were unphased, they had been surrounded by a crowd of
people, and he had momentarily lost track of the android. Eventually,
he saw Data had standing off to the side, a look of isolation on his
face, as if he wanted to join the joyful throng but felt out of place
there. Geordi had excused himself from the small crowd and gone over
to him, asking how he was. Data had responded, saying how pleased he
was that Geordi was alive.

And that had been the end of it.

He had fully intended to say something to Data, but he simply hadn't
known what to say. "Data, I've realised I want you as more than just a
friend" sounded stupid, and though it was the truth, it was not what
he wanted to say. Nor was "Oh, Data, by the way, while I was phased I
stared at you while you were naked".

So he had left it until tomorrow, and then the next day, and the next.
Eventually, the courage he had gathered to tell Data had died with the
words still unspoken, and Geordi had kept his silence.

[Face it, LaForge. You were chicken.]

Geordi moaned under his breath, not realising Data had been looking at
him worriedly for some time.

"Geordi, are you unwell?"

"What? Oh, no, no-- I'm fine." Seeing Data reach out a hand to steady
him, he quickly moved back a step. If Data touched him now, he would
develop such an obvious erection that none of his crew would be able
to miss it. "I just have another headache. Say, why don't you take
over here? I'll go to Sickbay and get a painkiller or something."

Quickly he walked out, trying to forget the look of sweet concern on
Data's face.

---

Data watched his friend move speedily out of Engineering. After a
moment, he want back to work, attempting to concentrate. But try as he
might, he could not dismiss or ignore one rather unpleasant fact.

Geordi seemed uncomfortable with Data touching him, almost afraid of
it.

This was not an uncommon state of affairs with many other people--
indeed, many people had exhibited an aversion to all forms of contact
with him, had disliked interacting with him in any capacity
whatsoever.

[But Geordi is my friend...]

Tilting his head in slight confusion, he attempted to concentrate once
more on the work at hand. If Geordi preferred to keep his distance,
then that was his right and Data would respect it. After all, he had
no feelings to be injured in this matter.

Absolutely none.

---

In his quarters, Geordi sat on the couch, leaning back and slumping
into the soft cushions. This was ridiculous. He had to get his head
sorted out, and fast. He couldn't go on acting this way. Even Reg
Barclay was beginning to notice lately that there was something wrong.

Geordi sighed. The problem was the same as it always was. He couldn't
tell the person he wanted how he felt.

No, that wasn't right.

Not just the person he wanted, or needed. The person he loved.

Geordi massaged his temples, trying to fight the no-longer-fictional
headache he had told Data about. Again, he tried unsuccessfully to
quash the memory of that damn shower. *That* had not only made him
aware, for the first time, of his attraction to Data, but had slapped
him across the face and forced him to acknowledge it.

He *had* acknowledged it-- he'd had to. And, having failed to tell
Data about it, he eventually buried it deep, trying to ignore it,
knowing that it could never be satisfied. He couldn't do that to Data,
his cowardice argued. He couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to even think
about using him just to satisfy a purely sexual urge.

But after that time a year ago, during the D'Arsey incident, when he'd
finally understood that he wanted Data more than just sexually, the
persistent thoughts and images had simply refused to leave him alone.
They tormented him constantly, asking "what if" questions that could
never be answered.

Geordi remembered all the times when Data had been in danger, from Ira
Graves, from Kivas Fajo, Maddox, Lore... the list was endless. Data,
with his trusting naivete, seemed precision-made for the role of
victim. He recalled the sudden sick fear that always seized in his
guts at every realisation that Data had been hurt or... changed.

For a long time, he'd thought that it was just the protectiveness a
person always feels for a young child, added to what one feels for a
close friend. Maybe once, a long time ago, it had been. When had it
become more?

When Data had almost died from the Iconian computer virus, he decided.
He hadn't realised it at the time, but yes, that had been it. And
after then, figuring it out had just been a matter of time. First the
physical attraction, then finally the deeper feelings... 

Wincing, he recalled the exact moment during the encounter with the
D'Arsey archive a year ago that had finally brought into brutally
sharp focus just how much he did care...

---

Data had been hooked up to the computer in Main Engineering, as they
searched for any signs of possible communication with the mysterious
archive scanning them.

Geordi worked at the nearby console as Data sat patiently while the
tests were being run.

"Lower synaptic functions completely normal," Geordi informed Data as
the results appeared on his screen. "Automonous systems all check
out."

Data nodded. "I suggest we examine my memory subsystem next," he
stated calmly.

"All right," Geordi agreed as he began the diagnostic on the relevant
neural pathways. Everything was processing smoothly, when the panel
lit up and began beeping an alert, as Data suddenly gasped. Geordi
immediately looked up in alarm.

"Data, what's wrong?" he asked quickly.

Data looked bewildered and disoriented. "I am not certain. I am
experiencing  a... curious sensation."

"Well, what is it?" Geordi asked as he moved over to look closely at
Data's confused face. This didn't sound good.

Data hesitated for a moment, then finally clarified, "...An impulse."

"Impulse? What kind of impulse?"

"I... do not know," whispered Data.

Geordi stared worriedly as his usually articulate friend searched
unsuccessfully for words to describe what was happening to him. This
was not like Data. Normally, Data would explain methodically what was
occurring in terms of synaptic relays and programming. Now, he seemed
unable to find even a vague, subjective description. Something was
very, very wrong.

"I'm going to check on your higher functions," he told Data as he
strode back to the console, grimly determined to find out what was
happening to his friend before anything could go wrong.

He had just begun an exhaustive diagnostic of Data's higher functions
when he heard Data begin to talk, and he kept his head down to study
the readouts, though he listened intently.

"Geordi." Data's voice was even softer than normal. "What... does it
feel like... when a person is losing his mind?"

The by-now familiar feeling of sick dread seized Geordi in the stomach
even as his head jerked up in shock. In a voice that was not quite
steady, he demanded, "Data, come on, you're scaring me. Now what's
going on?"

"I do not know." Behind the soft statement was an unvoiced plea for an
explanation, for reassurance, for something, anything. Geordi came
closer, responding instinctively to the unspoken cry for help.

"I... am different." Geordi saw the distressed helplessness evident on
that innocent face, and he couldn't stand it. Bending over and staring
directly into Data's face, he quietly promised, "Well, you're going to
be all right. You're with me, okay?"

"Oh-kay," Data whispered, clinging desperately to the reassurance
Geordi offered.

"Listen, I'm going to disconnect you," Geordi told Data as he reached
up and gently detached the ODN cable from the android's neural net.
Then he went back to the console to look at the readings of the past
few seconds.

Reaching the console, he took one glance at the indicated readouts and
was stunned. "What's going on?" he demanded incredulously of no one in
particular. Moving swiftly back to Data's side, he was aghast at what
he saw.

Data's very neural net had-- changed. It had been altered, so
completely and swiftly that Geordi could not fully comprehend it.
"Data--" he gasped, hands automatically lifting towards the violated
brain, a movement halted as Data spun his chair to face him.

All traces of uncertainty and apprehension had left the android's
face. There was only arrogance and confidence there now. He was
certainly 'different' now, as he looked at Geordi with someone else's
eyes.

He smirked as he informed Geordi that "Masaka is waking," with the
voice of a stranger.

And smiled at the engineer with a stranger's smile.

---

Even a year later, the memory of that moment still sickened Geordi,
and he doubled up on the couch, allowing his head to loll forward.
That horrible smile...

At that instant, the force of the understanding that someone had
casually ripped Data's mind out of his body and taken his place had
truly hit him. Geordi had nearly fainted at the stunning rush of
emotions and thoughts hitting him, overwhelming him. Afterwards, he
was only able to remember one with any clarity.  

[Oh no, Data, don't go, come back, I love you...]

The shock of that thought had yanked him out of his trance, and he had
immediately contacted the captain and gotten him down to Engineering.
As the Captain coaxed useless answers out of the Ihat entity inside
Data, Geordi's heart had sunk at the revelation that Ihat himself had
no idea where Data's consciousness was.

Keeping himself together through sheer willpower during the
schizophrenic time that had followed for both Data and the ship
itself, Geordi had been too confused over the realisation of his love
for Data to even think about actually telling Data. It simply hadn't
occurred to him for a while.

The dreams had started that first night. At first, Geordi had tried to
dismiss them, but they simply refused to stay buried. They were not
all the same, but they were similar, and they always had the same
theme and ending.

Shaking his head to try to clear it, Geordi quickly showered, fiercely
quashing remembered desire as he did so, and went to bed. Maybe
tonight he would sleep without dreaming...

---

A sound kept ringing out, but it took him a few moments to work out
what it was. Oh, yes, of course.

That was the door signal.

He was naked, but he called out "Enter" to whoever was on the other
side of the door anyway. It wouldn't matter. The doors parted to
reveal Data. Geordi smiled at the sight of him.

"Hey, Data, how are you?"

"I am fine, Geordi. I am, however, concerned for you. How are you?"
Impeccably neat in his uniform as always, Data asked his question with
the true concern of a close friend.

His smile spread wider. "I'm fine, Data. I really am. I'm glad you
came over, actually, because there's something I wanted to tell you.
See, I--"

And somehow, Data was suddenly beside him, one arm sliding around his
waist, smiling that small, gentle smile that always made him so
beautiful, one golden finger on full, dark lips.

"Shh," the android said softly. "I know."

His eyes blinked in surprise behind his VISOR, but that was quickly
forgotten as pale, soft lips slowly descended onto his own and
pressed, almost shyly. Eagerly he pressed back, and was delighted to
feel Data's tongue lightly teasing his lips. Opening his mouth, he
returned the exploration with his own tongue, loving the sensations
rippling down his spine, burning a path from his mouth to the rest of
his body.

He felt his hands slide over Data's torso, and he longed to see him
barechested, feel naked golden skin under his palms. No sooner had the
wish crossed his mind then it was granted, the thick, irritating
material under his fingers suddenly gone. He heard Data moan softly as
his hands found golden nipples and began to gently squeeze them to
attention.

He gripped Data's wrists and pulled him over to the bed, pushing him
down onto the mattress and sitting beside him. Data made no
objections, only looked up at him in a way that begged to be kissed.
He gladly obliged, loving the soft moans and sighs of satisfaction he
heard as he switched his attention from the sensual lips to the
sensitive skin of the slim throat. He let his hands roam over the
chest, sliding further down to the hips. He was glad to find out that
the trousers had disappeared as well, and he allowed his mouth to
attend to Data's nipples while his hands slid between slender golden
thighs, found the arousal there.

He heard the cry of pure sensuality that escaped Data, felt it vibrate
on his skin, and he heard his own replying moan. Leaning over to kiss
Data, he held pale gleaming shoulders firmly down on the bed while
sliding his body on top of Data's. Another moan from beneath him, and
their hips were moving together, creating wonderful pressure between
them. He wouldn't have believed that he could feel emotions and
physical sensations entwined this intensely until this moment. Looking
down at Data he kissed him one more time, and whispered, "I love you."

Then the ecstasy took them both, and he dimly heard himself crying out
as he held his lover tight...     

...And he woke in the dark, alone, clutching his pillow, his body and
bedsheets sticky.

Furious at himself, he punched his pillow in frustration and muttered
curses under his breath before fumbling for his VISOR on the
nightstand. Ordering the computer to raise the lights, he attached the
VISOR, wincing at the sudden intensity of input into his brain. Still,
the temporary distraction was welcome, although all too short-lived.

Those damned dreams!

Groaning, he ordered a cup of coffee from the replicator before
heading off to take another shower. There obviously wasn't going to be
much sleep for him tonight...

---

The next morning he could barely keep awake as he walked to the
turbolift. Despite his exhaustion, the occasional image from his
dreams slipped insistently into his mind, and he mumbled various
curses under his breath as he tried to concentrate on his upcoming
shift. It wouldn't do any good to fall asleep on duty. 

Not paying attention to where he was headed, he didn't see the
crewmember step from the door of their quarters into the corridor
until he had run into them. He staggered, and almost fell. Instantly,
strong hands were supporting him.

"Geordi, are you all right?" Data's soft voice filled his ears.

[Oh, no...]

"Yeah, Data, I'm fine. Uh, can you let me go now, please? I'm okay,
really."

Data released his grip on the engineer's arms. "I apologise, Geordi.
Was I squeezing too hard? I did not mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Um, no, that wasn't it. Really. And I'm the one who should apologise.
I just wasn't looking where I was going. I haven't been sleeping well
lately." Staving off the concerned question he could see forming on
Data's face, he said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll get some sedatives
from Sickbay tonight if I have to." [And I'll just bet I *will* have
to.]

"Would you prefer to go to Sickbay now? I am sure the Captain would
not object to your taking some time off duty if you are not well. I
have noticed that you... have not been acting like yourself... for
some time." Data indicated the general direction of Sickbay with his
hand, silently offering to accompany Geordi.

Geordi backed off a step-- fast. [Damn that dream.] "No, no, Data,
that's not necessary, really. I'd just rather deal with it myself,
that's all. I don't want *your* help." Focussing on the need to put
distance between himself and Data, he only then realised that he'd
said the last sentence far more forcefully than he'd intended.

He saw Data's face fall subtly, golden eyes bewildered. [Damn you,
LaForge. You've hurt him now.] Unable to think of anything to say
which could fix things, he quickly said "Look, no offence, but I have
to go now. I'll see you later." Walking off, he cursed himself for a
fool.

He knew the dreams would return tonight. And he knew that all he would
see would be the kicked-puppy look on Data's face.

---

Data stood in the corridor for a moment, looking helplessly after
Geordi's retreating form.

[What have I done to displease him?]

Data combed his memory banks, but could think of nothing that he had
recently done, or failed to do, that Geordi was likely to take offence
at.

[Perhaps I am not nearly as close to humanity yet as I thought. I
cannot find the source of Geordi's displeasure with me.]

He thought with a strangely intense longing of the emotion chip his
father had made for him, resting safely in an alcove in his quarters.
After the incident with Lore and his Borg, he had originally decided
to destroy the chip, but Geordi had persuaded him not to, talking him
into keeping it instead, and repairing the damage wrought by the
phaser blast and the usage by the wrong neural net. It was possible
that the chip may overload his own neural net, but Data had found that
possibility to concern him less and less over time.

Perhaps the emotion chip would help him better understand whatever
emotional difficulty Geordi was currently experiencing.

Tilting his head, he continued on his path to the bridge. His presence
was required there. He could decide on a course of action regarding
the emotion chip later.

He could only hope that, whatever he chose, that the difficulty Geordi
currently had with his proximity would soon end. He did not wish to
make things unpleasant for his friend by being present if Geordi did
not want it, but the sensation of being required to keep his distance
from his best friend for reasons unknown was one that he found
quite... discomfiting.

---

The End