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Lieutenant commander Data walked down the Enterprise corridors at a speed that, according to his research, was slow enough not to be considered running or jogging, since that was not permitted unless there was an emergency, but still fast enough so that he would get to main engineering as soon as posible.
His shift had just ended after a rather uneventful day that had just consisted in a few political mediations. Even if he usually would have found that to be a little under stimulating, he was rather pleased this particular day, because it meant that his date with Geordi (which he was rather looking forward too) would not be delayed by anything.
As he entered the turbolift, he had already checked the time on his internal clock four times, which was rather unnecessary. He made a mental note to investigate into that later at the same time the turbolift doors opened to reveal main engineering.
Data’s positronic systems took less than a second to process that he and Geordi would probably be late for their date.
Main engineering was, if not a complete mess, very close to it. An obnoxious alarm was beeping seemingly from everywhere, probably activated by the destruction of one of the main consoles; which exhibited a hole big as an average chihuahua, smoking in a way that looked dangerous. An unconscious ensign was being dragged away from it by Geordi, who, at the same time, was ordering some other people to raise a containment field around the broken console.
It took Data a few fast steps to be near Geordi and the ensign, which is when he proceeded to help Geordi move the ensign to one of the chairs and let him flop there like a potato bag. Geordi was about to open his mouth to speak, but Data was, as always, faster.
-Geordi, may i inquire what has happened in here? - He asked politely.
Geordi felt kind of relieved at Data’s calmness at the situation. It wasn’t an unusual event, considering how Data insisted he could not feel emotions such as stress, but it always made Geordi feel a bit better.
-I don’t actually know really- He signed- It happened just a few minutes ago. One of the consoles suddenly lost its power, and the other followed rapidly. And then- He said pointing at the broken console that had now a containment field around it- That one exploded, and Ensign Smith here was unfortunately in front of it- He then looked back at Data- I already informed the captain and Doctor Crusher, she should be here any minute-
-I see-
Data looked around the room once again, now that it as a bit more tranquil. This time he noticed the powerless console, even if he didn’t understand how he had missed those before. His mind had stopped analyzing once it had spotted Geordi. His vision returned to him then, trying to make sure that he had not been harmed. If he could feel, he told himself, he would feel relieved that Geordi was alright.
-Is there any other way i can be of assistance? - He asked as he followed Geordi while they made sure no one else was hurt-
-Uhm, i don’t really think so, no- Geordi said, trying and failing to get one of the consoles to work- For now at least. I think it’s better if we try to solve this after the doctor has settled that there is no immediate danger-
As is she had been summoned, Doctor Crusher walked into main engineering and walked straight to the unconscious ensign, scanning him with her medical tricorder.
-La Forge, status report- Captain Picard’s voice echoed through Geordi’s com badge.
Geordi looked at Data before answering- It’s mostly under control captain- He said- A containment field has been placed around the affected console and Doctor Crusher is already here to check for any injuries. Commander Data is also here to assist-
-Very well then, i trust that you have it under control- said Picard with very noticeable relief- Make sure there is no immediate danger and then find out what went wrong and make sure it does not repeat-
-Aye sir, La Forge out- Geordi said a second before he and Data were reached by the doctor.
-Ensign Smith is going to be fine- She stated- He’s just unconscious from the explosion, so I’ll take him to sickbay. You’ll have to work without him for a few hours-
-That’s great doc, thanks-
After the doctor had left, everyone else on main engineering started working on trying to figure out what had gone wrong, which gave Geordi and Data a good excuse to sit next to each other and work on two adjacent consoles.
-Are you absolutely sure you were not harmed in the explosion, Geordi? - Data asked again.
-Yeah, don’t worry about me, I’m fine- He reassured- I’m just sad won’t get to go on our date. I was looking forward to it-
-I must admit i also found myself eagerly anticipating it- Data said while running a self-diagnostic on the console- However, even if the situation is not ideal, i do enjoy any time i get to spend in your company- He added, trying to reassure Geordi.
- Yeah I- I do too, Data. It’s just that, after this many long shifts, i was really excited to spend an afternoon with you-
Since they had started their relationship 23 days, 2 hours and 18 minutes ago, Data had come to lean a whole new side of Geordi. He learned how Geordi’s morning routine was from that one time that he had fallen asleep in his quarters. He learned what dates he liked to go on, and he learned that Geordi enjoyed physical contact a lot more than Data had previously believed. Especially holding hands.
Therefore, Data place his right hand on top of Geordi’s in a way that he hoped was reassuring. He was met with a warm smile.
-I am sure we will be able to reassume our date in no time- said Data.
-Yeah i know- Geordi said- we just have to understand the issue we are dealing with here-
They worked for a couple more hours before they managed to bring almost all the equipment back online and operating. Captain Picard asked for status reports every hour. Unfortunately, they were no closer to figuring out what had gone wrong in the first place. They still had a few tests to run on the console that had decided it wanted to try what being a grenade felt like.
-Would you be favorable to the idea of having some coffee, Geordi?-Data asked when he saw Geordi yawing for the third time. Proper resting would be better, of course, but emergencies like this one always required that the chief engineer stayed no matter his shift. One of the very few downsides of being very experienced with the ship.
-Uh, yeah, sure- Geordi answered, still focused on the task at hand- that- that would be great actually-
Data nodded and went straight to the replicator. Geordi watched him from a distance while Data remembered exactly how Geordi liked his coffee and replicated one for him. God, he was so beautiful and caring. Geordi could totally understand how he had fallen for him from the moment he saw him.
-Geordi, it occurs to me that we could run an electrochemical analysis on the exploded console- Data proposed when he got back- It is a long shot, but it is worth a try-
-Yeah, that’s a good idea- Geordi then looked at his boyfriend with an amused expression- Did- did you just say “it’s a long shot”?-
-Yes- Data tilted his head a bit to the side, like he always did when he was trying to get something. It warmed Geordi’s heart- I am attempting to utilize more human expressions, did i do it correctly?-
A bit of the tension in Geordi left him- Yeah you did, you used it perfectly- he said with a smile.
They were both leaning over the hole in the console while Data performed the electrochemical analysis and Geordi read the results out loud.
-The hipolictus levels are normal, the tetraronic levels are a bit high, but that’s just because of the explosion, the- wait wait, Data, hold on a sec, scan that part again-
Data did, bringing the tricorder even closer to the past indicated by Geordi.
That turned out to be a very bad idea.
The last thing Geordi saw were the immense electromagnetic impulses before the strength of the explosion send him flying backwards.
Geordi know he was conscious again when he realized his eras were ringing. Then he realized he was laying in some kind of bed when he regained tactile senses. Sickbay, he assumed, since he was feeling like shit. It must have been the explosion’s fault.
Suddenly he remembered what had happened. He tried to sit up, but his body was slow to answer.
-Geordi! - He recognized Doctor Crusher’s voice- You are awake now, that’s good, try to relax-
Geordi assumed he must have opened his eyes for the doctor to be able to tell he was awake, since he was kinda sure he hadn’t moved. Of course, he couldn’t tell.
-What- I just- the explosion- is Data o- he started saying, but the he struggled a bit to make a coherent sentence. Dr. Crusher interrupted him.
-You are fine, and so is Commander Data- she said calmly- He asked for you too. I already healed your wounds. The explosion in main engineering left no one else injured-
-Ok then, I’m… uh- he still felt a bit dizzy- Can i have my VISOR? Do you have it?-
After being handed his VISOR, Geordi stood up and immediately noticed Data sitting in one of the other beds. Needless to say, when Data saw that he was awake, he was by his side in a second.
-Hello Geordi, i am glad you are alright- he said. Geordi could swear he sounded a bit shaken.
-Yeah, i’m glad i’m ok too- he said, finally standing up- how are you?-
-I am functioning within normal parameters- the usual answer came, sounding as practiced as always.
-Yeah but, i mean- he signed- nevermind. Do you know what happened? Has anyone figured out why that second explosion?-
-Yes- stated Data- After the explosion, you were unconscious after hitting your head on the main console. I immediately called for teleportation to sickbay, and when you were here, Doctor Crusher assured me that you would be alright but that you would be unconscious for a few hours. In that time, i returned to main engineering and found, after disassembling the console, that an explosive device was programed inside it-
-Unfortunately for me and ensign Smith- Geordi joked.
- Indeed. It was programed to shut down all the controls in main engineering, and to explode only if it was detected. I spoke to ensign Smith, and he was in fact scanning for it when it went off the first time, and we were scanning it again when it went off the second time. I have already disassembled it and given a full report to Captain Picard. He assigned all of security to find out who planted the bomb and why. Then i came back here.
-Well, I’ll be damned- Geordi heard himself say- that was an unexpected evening. Are you sure you are not damaged? You were closer to the bomb after all- he added, a bit worried.
-My body is a lot more resistant than yours. It only took me and Doctor Crusher a few minutes to fix it after she ascertained you were going to be fine-
-He would not let me help him until i had gotten you to a stable condition- Doctor Crusher commented from behind them- if i didn’t know better, I’d say he was properly scared-
-That is not posible, doctor- answered Data- i do not feel emotions. I am an android-
-I know, i know- she laughed, before leaving to attend other patients.
Data and Geordi were walking side to side down the corridor, directed to main engineering. Data was opposed to the idea of going back, since they had no logical reason to do so. The console could be easily fixed by the other engineers, and security was taking care of the investigation. Geordi, however, had insisted, and so Data had agreed.
As they walked, Data looked at Geordi. Admiring him might be a better word for it. Data was conscious about how Geordi was relatively good looking according to common beauty standards, but Data had always thought that Geordi was a unique kind of beautiful. He found Geordi gorgeous in every way, and enjoyed having a portion of his mind busy thinking about him almost all the time, whether it was replaying in his mind their last conversation or the way Geordi skillfully performed his duty in engineering or the way his face looked when he laughed. He found it hard to understand how others could not see that in Geordi, but he supposed that he was biased, being in love with him and all.
Data was in love with him. That had been hard to accept. He knew that he did not experience human emotions, but at the same time he knew for a fact that it was true. When Geordi first told him that he was in love with him, Data had thought that it would not be advisable to start a relationship, seeing how he could never reciprocate those feelings. This had led to a few unfortunate weeks where Geordi had uncomfortably avoided him for a while, feeling awkward from the recent confession.
After some time of not having idea how to fix the situation, Data had gone to counselor Troi for advice. He had explained the whole situation to her and had asked for advice. At first, she told him that Geordi probably just needed time, but after hearing how Data described the situation about how he didn’t want Geordi to be sad because Geordi was so special to him, she had gently suggested that maybe, just maybe, he might also love Geordi back. He now suspected she had had that idea for a while.
Data had rejected the idea at the beginning. He had thought love to be a human emotion, and he did not feel any emotions. However, he was willing to explore new possibilities, so he had spent two more weeks investigating the concept of love, because if it was true he had to be as sure as he could be of it. He had ultimately reached the conclusion that he had been experiencing a strong, romantic love for Geordi for a while now. He had concluded then that love must not be an emotion, since he was able to feel it.
Data was pulled out of his line of thought when they reached main engineering and Geordi immediately went for the officer in charge to ask about any changes in the situation and how the repairs were coming along. Data followed him.
Apparently, security had not yet found a culprit, even though they had a few suspects. That, Data found himself thinking, was unsettling. His chest felt tighter at the prospect that they could not find the culprit(s). He made another mental note to run a self-diagnosis.
Geordi was now approaching carefully the exploded console. Data made two big steps in order to gently grab his arm and stop him.
-Geordi, i do not find it advisable to approach the console- he warned- it might still be a hazard-
-Don’t worry, Data- Geordi answered with a kind but confused smile- the bomb has already been deactivated, it’s perfectly safe-
Data wanted to find a reason for Geordi not to proceed, bu this arguments made sense. Why couldn’t he find a reason? Why did he not want Geordi to go, even when it was safe? What was that other feeling in his throat, like someone had knotted his wires? He should really run that self- diagnostic.
Slowly, Data let go of Geordi’s arm, and watched him kneel down to peek inside the console with palpable curiosity. He looked so beautiful. A lot better than he had looked on the sick bay bed.
Data then left main engineering because he needed to go run that diagnostic. Or, at least, that is what he told himself.
Geordi was sitting in ten forward, mindlessly sipping a drink the color that a potato would be if injected with a lot of red ink. He didn’t really remember ordering it, his mind lost in thought.
When he had finished inspecting the console, he had found himself telling Data something he found interesting about it, only to realize Data had left.
He had then received a message from Data saying that he was running some self-diagnostics in his quarters. Those took at least an hour, and even more if he wanted to inspect everything. Data was almost inanimate during that period, so Geordi had opted to distract himself from the events of the day relaxing a bit in ten forward.
He was failing miserably.
He could sense there was something different with Data. He didn’t have any palpable evidence, not even a phrase out of place, but he was sure of it. He had always been good at detecting simple changes in people he cared about. And he cared about Data a lot.
God, how had he been so oblivious at first? He had thought that all those feeling were normal for a new friendship. Even after years of friendship, he had never once considered it. It had taken a short talk with Guinan to make him realize the truth. And when he knew about it, it became impossible to hide it. So he had told Data.
That was one of the scariest things ever; comparable to the most dangerous missions they had gone on. And then Data had rejected him. Kindly as always, caring only that Geordi might not be fulfilled in a relationship with him, and wanting Geordi to be with someone who would truly make him happy. Geordi almost laughed at that, and it would have been a laugh filled with sadness and heartbreak and amusement at how Data was always, all the time, so kind.
Then came the Weeks Of Awkwardness, as Geordi called them. He had to admit that it was mostly him. He had started avoiding Data outside of professional environments, not really wanting to confront him after what had happened. Data seemed to understand that Geordi needed space, and had stopped proposing things to do together off-hours. That, Geordi remembered, had been at special kind of sad.
Surprisingly, the weeks had ended beautifully when Data had come into his quarters and had started a whole speech about how he had talked to the counselor, and how he had investigated the meaning of love, and had reached the conclusion that he loved him, because, according to him, love was not an emotion, so it made sense for him to feel it.
Geordi had been too overwhelmed to answer, and poor Data believed he had upset him. Luckily for them, he hadn’t, and they had started their official relationship just a few hours later.
And now, almost a month into dating him, he could not figure out what was wrong with Data. He groaned in frustration into his drink.
-Am i correct to suppose- said Guinan, popping out of nowhere from across the bar- that your groans are not due to one of your headaches?-
-No, yeah, it’s- he didn’t really know to say it- it’s silly really. I’m just paranoid-
-Many confuse paranoia with instincts- she answered, pretending to clean a glass that could not have been cleaner- i doubt that ignoring it will make it go away anyways, don’t you think?-
-I- I suppose? - He signed- it’s just- it’s Data. I think something is going on with him. Since the explosion, he is… odd, in a way. I don’t know how to describe it, it’s just a feeling i have-
-Geordi, you are missing the obvious answer- she said with a smart smile- Data watched you be victim of an explosion, and then watched you while you were unconscious for several hours, it’s perfectly normal that he would feel a little worried-
Geordi decided not to dwell on how Guinan knew that.
-But Data doesn’t have emotions- he argued, as if pointing out something obvious- He does not feel worry-
-Geordi, have you honestly, even for a second, ever believed that? - Guinan pointed out, and with a last smile, she had disappeared to talk to another client, leaving Geordi a bit confused.
He felt like she had left him with a puzzle to solve, but all the pieces available.
Counselor Troi heard her door chime.
-Come in! - She said putting down her book.
She was mildly surprised to see Geordi come in and even more surprised when his emotions hit her like a train wreck.
Worry, amusement, excitement, surprise, concern, and if she was not mistaken, a little bit of Geordi feeling lost.
-Geordi, how nice of you to come by- she said with a smile- Why don’t you take a seat? - She pointed at the chair in front of her own.
Geordi did so, a nervous but decisive expression on his face.
-I’m sorry to bother you at this hour, but i need a professional opinion- he said in a hurry- i think Data is starting to feel emotions-
Well, wasn’t that an interesting statement.
-I think he has evolved in a way that goes beyond his initial programing- Geordi continued- I don’t think he realized this, but i think that i his own way, he is actually feeling, and maybe has for awhile-I need… i don’t really know, a way to tell him? Proof? I’m not sure-
Confusion.
-If you are asking if i can feel any emotions coming from Data- she said- the answer is no. But this does not mean they are not there. In fact, i am prone to believe that you may be right. If Data has been repressing these emotions, just because of the fact that he does not believe they are posible, it’s very likely i won’t feel them-
-Do you think… do you think that he would consider that possibility? If i suggested it?-
-I’m sure that if it came from you, he would even consider the earth to be flat-
-The… The what?-
-Oh, it’s just something some people thought centuries ago- she laughed- don’t mind it. I meant that if he would take that theory into consideration, it would probably have to come only from you. He trusts you-
-Okay so- Geordi stood up- i think I’ll go look for him. Thank you counselor-
Deanna smiled while he left her quarters, sensing that he was not feeling lost anymore.
Data had finished his self-diagnostic approximately ten minutes ago, but had found nothing wrong with any of his systems, so he had resigned and had started playing with Spot in an unsuccessful attempt to distract himself.
He heard his door chime. Who could it be this late?
-Come in- he said, and smiled when he saw Geordi- Hello Geordi, would you like to play with Spot with me?-
Data saw him frown a bit at the proposal, and could not blame him. Spot had claws and liked to use them on Geordi, for some reason.
-I think I’ll leave you to play with her- Geordi said while sitting on the couch next to Data, purposely avoiding to get within range of Spot’s claws- How are you?
-I am functioning within normal parameters-
-So, that means the self-diagnosis revealed nothing wrong?-
Data supposed that should be a good thing, but it wasn’t, as it actually had done nothing to explain his recent… malfunctions?
-Yes- he said- I am operating at standard efficiency-
Geordi did not seem convinced. Maybe Data wasn’t either.
-Data- Geordi said softly, but not in a condescending way. Geordi was too perfect for that- do you… do you want to talk about why you did the self-diagnosis in the first place?-
-I do not see how it would be relevant-
-It would make me feel better- replied Geordi, knowing that would work- you have been… I’m worried. If there is something you are concerned about, we should talk about it- Geordi finished with a reassuring smile.
-I have been… experiencing some malfunctions- Data frowned- Incorrect, not malfunctions. But... some experiences that had me worried I might be malfunctioning. Unfortunately, i have not found any explanation for these… experiences-
-What were those experiences like? - asked Geordi, hoping this would get them to the point of the conversation he wanted.
Data doubted before answering- The first one was after the second explosion, it was similar to a contortion in my chest that lasted for some time. Then a similar one in my throat when we were back in engineering-
Geordi almost laughed at that. How could he have missed it? It was so obvious; he shouldn’t have needed Guinan to make him see it- Data, what you are describing sounds a lot like emotions to me-
-But Geordi, that in not posible. I do not experience motions. I am only an android-
God, Geordi was getting very tired of that response.
-Data, before discarding the theory completely, consider it. Are there any other instances where you have felt what I would describe as emotions?-
And Data considered it. He accessed his memory banks, and in the span of 46 seconds, he had found several instances of the kind of experience Geordi was talking about.
When they were on the holodeck together, when they were fighting romulans on their last mission, when Spot had gone missing for a day, when Data performed on the lasted concert, etc. He had previously ignored those, since they were so small, but now…
-I… have found several instances of these- and he raised his hand to make two quotation marks - “emotions” you are talking about. But that theory is not plausible. I do not experience emotions-
Yes, Geordi was definitely tires of that response.
-But you didn’t find any malfunctions, did you?-
-…correct-
-So, Data, if the definitions match, and you have not found another explanation… Wasn’t there a Sherlock Holmes phrase about this? “When you eliminated the options, whatever you are left with, no matter how impossible, is the solution” or something like that?-
-“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth”- recited Data- But Geordi, if i had emotions, would i not have realized it sooner?-
Geordi just shrugged -Not if you just started experiencing them recently, and especially not if you have been repressing them-
Data wanted to protest, but Geordi was making a lot of sense. So he just sat quietly.
Geordi grew a bit concerned.
-Data, you ok there?-
-Yes Geordi, i believe i am- Data said, putting his hand on top of Geordi’s- i am willing to test your theory-
Geordi felt proud of Data. And, even if he would not admit it, Geordi felt proud of himself for successfully making Data realize the truth that had been there the whole time.
Geordi decided they needed some quality time after that, so he reserved the holodeck once more for him and Data to go on a simple Sherlock and Watson adventure.
He adjusted his hat for the twentieth time while he waited for Data outside the holodeck. Hell, he was still nervous on every date they had gone on even after almost a month of dating. It was then that he saw Data walking down the corridor, already into his Sherlock costume.
And maybe it was a trick of the light, but Geordi could have sworn that, just for a moment, Data looked nervous too. When he reached him, however, there was no trace of that, only a kind smile while Data stood by his side and activated the program.