Chapter Text
Once Michael had been securely transferred into police custody, the group returned to the flat on Baker Street. Geordi, as Watson, needed to record the final results of the case and then the program should be done and the holodeck unlocked, or so they hoped.
“How cozy!” Kathryn exclaimed upon entering the flat. “See, Tuvok? This is much more what I had in mind when I suggested this program!” She quickly settled herself into one of the large wingback armchairs by the fireplace and began leafing through the books that sat on the side table. Spot, happy to have company again, jumped into Kathryn’s lap and made herself comfortable as well.
Again, Geordi marveled at the way Janeway seemed to be at ease just about anywhere she landed. He supposed that was why she had been so successful out there in the Delta Quadrant. Shaking himself, he crossed to the desk, opened the journal, and began recording the day’s events as swiftly as possible.
Tuvok and Data each stood stiffly on the outskirts of the room, watching their companions. Any other two people might have appeared awkward or uncomfortable in such a situation, but the Vulcan and the Android each took to it quite naturally.
“There. That should do it!” Geordi announced, closing the journal with a flourish.
Nothing happened.
“Computer, end program,” Data tried.
Kathryn and Tuvok’s attire was replaced by their uniforms, but other than that, nothing changed.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kathryn grumbled. She stood abruptly, sending Spot yowling to the floor in surprise. “Where is the access panel? I’m going to do a manual shut down.” At Geordi’s skeptical look, she added “This isn’t my first time stuck in a holoprogram. I know what I’m doing.”
“It is back here,” Data said, showing Kathryn to the small kitchenette where an access panel hid under a rug and next to the cafe table.
Kathryn eyed the rug warily — she thought it looked a little damp and she hoped that was due to their wet boots and not some larger issue. Of course, with the way the day was going… Kathryn flipped up the hatch and abruptly jumped backwards. Sparks shot out of the panel at random and upon further inspection, some of the circuits seemed to have shorted out completely. Drops of moisture glimmered from the dark sections, highlighted by the sparks. Kathryn had never seen anything like it.
Data had, though. “Spot! No! Water is no!” he scolded, picking up the cat who, completely unphased, immediately began to purr in his master’s arms.
“Well that explains all the malfunctions… Data, you’ve gotta stop bringing her in here!” Geordi said, shaking his head ruefully as he moved in closer to inspect the panel.
“This has happened before?” Tuvok inquired.
“Well, not… this … exactly… but Spot has been known to knock over a glass of water or two in her day,” Geordi admitted. “We get more fried circuits this way…” he continued to mutter to himself as he began gingerly mopping around the broken circuits with a kitchen towel before beginning to make repairs.
Kathryn backed away and stood next to Tuvok, surveying the scene. Geordi seemed to be making progress, although he was still dodging sparks as he worked. In the other room, Data still held Spot in his arms but had reverted to a sort of baby talk as he admonished the cat ineffectually and snuggled her.
Kathryn leaned closer to Tuvok with an amused grin. “If we ever get out of here, I’m letting you choose the programs from now on,” she said slyly.
Tuvok continued to look straight ahead as he deadpanned his response. “I look forward to showing you the Temple of T’Pannit.”
“Aha! Got it!” Geordi exclaimed triumphantly as 221B Baker Street faded into a nondescript gray room gridded with yellow stripes.
Kathryn was already nudging Tuvok toward the arch as she addressed Data and Geordi. “Well, thank you for a truly… memorable afternoon, gentlemen. We have more debriefings to prepare for so we’ll just be on our way.”
“Any time!” Geordi called after them, lifting a hand in a wave.
Data turned to his friend with a thoughtful look on his face. “Geordi, are Captain Janeway and Commander Tuvok our friends now?”
“Uh, I don’t know. I guess so? Why?”
“If they are our friends, and friends look after each other, should we not have informed the captain that Spot ripped her pant leg? I assume she will want to change before re-entering her debriefings.”
“I… she what ? Data! I…” Unable to find the words, Geordi took off across the grounds of Starfleet headquarters for the second time that day, trench coat flying out behind him, calling for his new friends.