Chapter Text
Geordi La Forge moved quickly across the grounds of Starfleet headquarters, hoping to avoid being stopped on his way to the holo-complex. He was running late because he hadn’t been able to settle on a costume, and now he felt stupid for taking such a long time since they only had the suite reserved for an hour. He managed to arrive at holo-suite two without interruption and he paused briefly to catch his breath and get into character.
Geordi stepped through the arch and into the bustle of London in the early 1900s. As usual, there was a dense fog and overall gray atmosphere that made Geordi glad he had gone with the thicker wool trench coat and matching bowler hat for today’s adventure. He flipped up his collar to protect his neck from the mist and joined the flow of foot traffic as he headed towards Baker Street where Data was no doubt already waiting.
As he approached the flat, Geordi could see Data standing by the window, apparently lost in thought and sucking on an unlit pipe. Geordi let himself in, shaking the moisture from his coat and hat which he then hung on the hook next to the gray tweed cape and deerstalker cap that already occupied the coat rack. He shivered involuntarily and moved close to the fireplace, grateful that Data had thought to light it for him, even though the android had no need for the heat.
While he waited for his fingers to regain feeling, Geordi took a moment to contemplate another type of feelings. Despite his constant claims that he has no emotions, Data always seemed to be coming up with new ways to show that he cared. Like the lit fire. Or the fragrant tea steeping in a pot on the coffee table.
Geordi smiled and shook his head to bring him back to the matter at hand: they had a mystery to solve! “So… what’s so interesting out there?” Geordi asked, though he made no move to see for himself as he was still enjoying the warmth of the fire.
Data did not turn to acknowledge Geordi when he gave his report. “A man has been standing across the street for the last hour. He pretends to be waiting for someone, but I believe he is actually watching this building. Perhaps you saw him when you entered, Dr. Watson? He was leaning against that light post at that time.”
“Sorry, Data - er, Holmes - I was pretty focused on getting out of the rain,” Geordi shrugged as he settled into the armchair with a hot cup of tea, displacing the orange cat who had been curled up on the seat.
“No matter,” Data replied, “It appears he has finally decided to make his intentions known.” Almost before he finished speaking, the bell chimed to indicate they had a visitor.
Data finally turned away from the window and took in the image of Geordi in his vest and shirt sleeves, looking very cozy in the big chair near the fireplace. Spot had resettled herself on an arm of the chair and Data had a momentary impulse to sit on the other arm next to his friend, but his logical subroutines quashed it just as quickly. There was nothing to be gained from sitting down - not when there was a case on the doorstep, nor when his legs and feet did not feel fatigue. Instead, Data crossed the room to open the door for their guest.
A rather humorless black man entered the room, clad in a full length gray trench coat and a matching fedora pulled low against the rain. “Mr… Holmes, I presume?” he inquired flatly.
Geordi noted that the voice sounded vaguely familiar, although he couldn’t quite place it.
Data did not seem concerned. “You presume correctly, sir, and this is my companion Dr. John Watson. Please, come in and take off your wet things. How can we be of service?”
The man removed his hat to reveal pointed ears and sharply arched brows and suddenly Geordi realized why the voice was so familiar. He had been hearing it in the news for weeks. “Commander Tuvok?!” he exclaimed, jumping up from his chair to stand at attention.
“Indeed,” Tuvok confirmed. “Commanders Data and La Forge, I am in need of your assistance. You are familiar with this holo-program, correct?” Geordi nodded dumbly, his mind still trying to catch up with the fact that Tuvok had somehow wandered onto their holo-program. Tuvok continued, “Shortly after our arrival here, my companion disappeared. I need your help to find her.”
“This companion - is she a hologram or flesh and blood?” Data inquired with a slight tilt of the head. “Can you describe her?”
“I believe no description will be necessary,” Tuvok stated. "My companion is Captain Kathryn Janeway.”