Turning Passion

By Lessa Soong

I am aware that three months after Generations, the crew would still have been waiting for the Enterprise–E to be commissioned, but timing was essential, so I took the liberty of throwing them on the ship early. I also know that Data is not in charge of Stellar Cartography, but I needed a needed a section he would be in charge of and I could not find mention of one. Hopefully those two small sticking points are not too much for you, gentle reader, to overlook.

Part One Turning Passion.....

Chapter 1

Lt. Commander Data had been enjoying emotions, courtesy of his emotion chip, for three months now. The experiences and the difference to his life that the chip had brought were...startling. He had spent days just reviewing moments in his life over again to feel the emotions that these events would now invoke. Tasha, Lal, his father, his mother, all his family aboard the Enterprise....

Family.

The word had added meaning with emotions.

Friendship.

Geordi.

Sometimes he found it impossible to think of the first, without thinking of the second.

“You have been acting just like a human...”

Data grinned with almost giddy glee at the thought.

Human!

He so wanted to be human.

To feel. To care. To feel. To love. To feel. To rage. To feel. To cry. To feel. To mourn. To feel. To scream. To feel. To want....

Data’s shift on the bridge had ended three hours ago and he had met Geordi and Commander Riker in the lounge for dinner. He had eaten a selection of Klingon dishes that Will had recommended, though he now believed that the Commander had constructed the particular menu to enjoy Data’s reaction. Still, it had been an interesting experience. Eating for him, was not necessary, but emotions caused Data to have reactions to the taste of food now, so he tended to eat more then ever before.

Data was making his way back to his quarters when he felt a strange flutter from his chip. The evening had been an emotional one, since Commander Riker and Geordi had both been in very good spirits. The personnel reviews were finally done and since there was to be a three day gap before they reached their next assignment, there would be time to rest. Will and Geordi had been almost drunk with tension releasing joy tonight. Data had found them both very funny.

Data chuckled at the memory of two of his best friends laughing so hard that it had brought tears to their eyes.

It had been a great evening!

Absently, he listed the emotions that he had experienced and was feeling now. He did this just to keep track should a new emotion that he had not experiences before, pop up.

Contentment. Happiness. Joy. Excitement...Arousal.

Data stopped in his tracks. Where had that come from?

He reviewed his memory records for the last few minutes and found that he was not mistaken. There had indeed been a moment where he had experienced sexual arousal. But the feeling had been directionless. He increased his pace in order to reach his quarters. Once there he fed Spot and sat to analyze his feelings in greater detail.

Data’s shift on the bridge, the next day was uneventful, except that he was pleased to be able to announce five promotions in his area on this day. He made the rounds and was able to break the news and extend his personal congratulations to each of the recipients. The pleasure in the eyes of all five and in the eyes of their crewmates was a wonderful experience for Data. This was the first time he had the ability to share the joy of the newly promoted vicariously.

He liked it very much.

Too bad he could not promote them all more often.

Dinner this evening was shared with Deanna, Geordi, and Guinan. Guinan had offered them a new drink, but this time, Data liked it. He did not love it, but he did not hate it either.

On his way back to his quarters, he felt a rush of...rage.

He had no idea why he felt this emotion.

As the days passed, a range of unexplained emotions flowed through the neural nets of the android. Rage, sadness, love, mourning, grief, confusion, jealousy, lust and even baseless happiness. As the days pasted, Data found that his chip continued to cause a rush of incongruent emotion at unpredictable times. Data had Geordi check him over, but the engineer could find no problem with the chips functioning. “Maybe it’s supposed to do this, Data,” Geordi offered. Data went to the Counselor for advise, but she only suggested that he deal with each emotion as they appeared and not to worry. Unfortunately, this caused the next emotion that he got stuck on...worry

Over the course of the next two weeks, Data tried to deal with this onslaught of emotional sticking, by facing each emotion head on. For sadness he would talk with the counselor. For rage, he would make use of the holodeck, and work his way through the highest levels of Worf’s suggested programs. He would mourn Lal, Tasha, his father, and hundreds of others that he had lost in his life time.

With each sticking emotion, he worked out a reaction to cause it to subside....except for one.

Each time he found himself plagued with undirected lust, he found himself at a loss to deal with it. Feeling that Deanna would not be the best choice in this case, he went to Commander Riker for advice. Unfortunately, the Commander’s suggestion of self-satisfaction did not work....and left Data more frustrated and confused. Adding more emotion to one he was already unable to deal with was not helpful.

Data was making his way down the corridors of the Enterprise at 2342 hours, when the emotion that he was still at a loss to deal with, hit again. The android closed his eyes and tried to focus on mathematical problems. He began to assign every level of his consciousness a problem, trying to give this unwanted emotion no room to grow. This, so far, had been the only thing that had come close to helping combat this disturbing emotion.

Calculating pi to a million decimal places, the calculations for the warp field...he went through a long list of tasks....

It was not working. Eyes closed, he reached out for the wall to steady himself...and inadvertently hit the door chime for the occupant of 2727-L. It would be rude to just walk away, and he was not sure he could, so Data remained where he was and hoped no one was home.

No such luck.

The door opened and Lt. Razeene Tell stood before him. Lt. Tell was under his command. She worked in stellar cartography, which now fell under his jurisdiction, and had been one of the five that he had recently promoted. She was a good and capable officer. And she was looking very concerned at this moment.

“May I help you, Commander?” she asked. She was in a plain gray robe. This covered a dark blue gowned that was only slightly longer than the knee length robe. Data looked at her legs.

Bare. Well toned and defined. Her small feet were also bare.

Suddenly his lust was not longer undirected.

While her choice of attire was clearly not motivated by a desire to attract a mate, but rather for comfort and indicated a readiness for sleep, at this moment it made little difference. Data was not capable of rational thought in certain areas. This caused him to see Lt. Tell in one way only.

Female and unattached.

Data reached out for the wall again. This was not proper thinking. He knew this woman, but he had never done more than smile and speak professionally with her before. Having sex with her was not going to happen...but he wanted it....badly.

He closed his eyes, trying to push these inappropriate thoughts away. He tried to recall his mathematical computations, but she was speaking again...

“Commander! Are you alright?” She reached out for him, touching his arm, concern and respect clear in her voice.

“I...am...trying,” was all he could manage. Her touch caused waves of hot desire to shoot through him. NO, this was wrong! She had no idea what was happening to him. She was trying to be helpful and had no idea that her efforts were hampering his attempts to regain control of his arrant emotions.

She was pulling on his arm, telling him to come in and sit down. He let her lead him to her couch. He sat as she directed, but kept his eyes closed. Looking at her was dangerous.

“Commander? Commander?” she called. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes. What would her mouth taste like, he wondered? Was her skin as soft as it looked? He wanted to run his fingers through her cherry wood coloured hair. Pull her face to his own and tasted her mouth. Taste her skin, her body, her...NO! The lust would not subside and her close proximity only heightened the emotions hold on him.

“Please, back away from me, Lieutenant. It is not safe to be close to me at this time.” His warning was met with shock. She did recoil slightly, but only slightly.

“Why? Are you under alien control?” she asked, startled. He shook his head, closing his eyes once again. “Are you...malfunctioning?” she asked, sounding hesitant to use the word for her superior officer.

“In a way. My emotion chip is....stuck.” He forced the words out.

“Should I call Commander LaForge?” she asked.

“No, he cannot help me in this area. I do not believe that anyone can help me. I need to get to my quarters and be alone.” He reached out for the arm of her couch, cracking the frame in the process. She jumped.

“What’s happening to you? You don’t seem in any shape to be alone. Why did you ring my door?” Good questions, logical statements. Or were they?....he was no longer sure. Her voice was enticing. What is would it sound like wrapped in passion? What would his voice sound like effected by passion?

“I am experiencing powerful fluctuations in my emotion chip. This is resulting in unwanted and incongruent emotional reactions.”

“Meaning...what? What are you feeling?” she asked him.

She did not sound afraid. This may be poor judgement.

“I am experiencing....sexual arousal.” He kept his eyes closed, so he could not see her eyes go wide.

“Oh...Is your girlfriend busy?” she asked, innocently.

“I am not intimately involved with anyone at this time. I have no girlfriend,” He informed her. He took a deep breath and found that the scent of orange blossoms filled his olfactory scenes. He had to get out of this room before he asked her to allow him to undress her.

He wanted her...and he wanted her now!

“Incongruent? You don’t know why you feel this way?” she asked, trying to understand.

Data got to his feet. He risked opening his eyes, but avoided looking in her direction. “Correct. I have been experiencing a variety of these emotions without cause. I have found ways to deal with each of them, except for this one,” he admitted, moving towards her door. “I did not intend to announce my presence at your door, Lieutenant. I beg you pardon for disturbing your evening.” He moved to go.

“Commander Data! Have you talked with Counselor Troi about this?” she asked. She was on her feet and had quickly followed him to the door. She sounded concerned and interested in helping him, but not in the way his lust was forcing him to hope for.

“Regarding the other emotional states, yes. I have not spoken to her regarding this one. Other’s suggestions for dealing with this emotion have proven ineffectual.” He remained facing the door, but just out of sensor range to trigger its opening.

“You’ve tried everything?” she asked. Why did she want to know?

“I have considered going to the holodeck and participating in simulated sex, but thus far I have resisted that alternative. Perhaps it is time to stop resisting,” he muttered. He moved towards the door again. But she spoke again.

“Have you considered a live partner?” she asked. It was such a simple sounding question. But it was full of complications.

“That would be...desirable, but as I am not involved with a female, as I stated, it is not a viable alternative.” He should not have told her any of this, he realized. He had to end this conversation, but he had to say one more thing before he did. He turned to face her, no matter how that affected him, and looked her sternly in the eyes.

“I would ask you not to repeat what I have said to you, Lieutenant Tell. My arrival here was definitely unintentional and I apologize for disturbing your evening, but I am-“

“I would never do anything that would cause you embarrassment, sir. I have the highest respect for you, Commander. Nothing you have said here tonight has changed that. I am sorry you are having difficulties. I give you my word that I will never speak to anyone else of this conversation.” Every word sounded as though her life depended on his believing in her integrity.

“I thank you, Miss Tell. I will leave you now. Good night,” he said, and walked unevenly out of her quarters.

She watched him go and wondered if she should have tried to stop him.

He did make it back to his quarters that evening and while he did not look forward to the next time he saw Lt. Tell, he was surprised to find that she acted as though nothing had happened. No one in stellar cartography, gave him a look that would have indicated that she had ‘spilled the beans’ either. However, when he returned to his quarters that next evening, there was a message from her that had had been posted five hours before.

The message read: Commander, You indicate that your condition last evening has afflicted you more than once, but that so far, no course of action or inaction has been helpful. I think that your idea of a holodeck adventure is a step in the right direction...for what my advice is worth, but if you are resisting this, it makes me wonder why?

If your resistance is due to the artificial nature of the holodeck creations, then your only other viable answer would have to be a live partner, as I said before. As you clearly stated that you have no one who would currently ‘fit the bill’ in this area....I volunteer myself.

I am not currently involved in a relationship and have an abundance of free time. While I would, of course understand if you were not interested in an encounter of this nature with me, owing to a lack of any physical attraction, it still may be helpful in gaining control over erratic chip impulses. I am willing to be of help to you, if that help is still needed. No strings need be attached, nor emotional connection. It could simply be two people and an act.

Do not feel compelled to respond to this message if you decide to reject my suggestion.

Respectfully, Lt. Razeene Tell.

Data decided that if he were human, he would have read this note over several times before believing its content. Feeling more in control of his emotions at this moment, Data put a call through on the view screen to Lt. Tell’s quarters. She answered in seven point two seconds.

“Good evening, Commander. May I help you, sir?” She smiled pleasantly, but nothing in her manner implied an assumption on her part. One way or the other.

“I have just read your message, Lieutenant. I would like to meet with you to discuss it further, if that is acceptable.”

This caused her to react. She looked shocked. “If you wish to decline, I-“ he cut her off.

“I wish to meet with you face to face, to clarify certain points, Lieutenant. I will make my decision once those questions have been answered, unless you wish to rescind your suggestion now?” Her face looked expressionless.

“No, sir. I do not. Where and when do you want to meet?” Data asked if he could come to her quarters now and she agreed. With his usual sure strides, he made his way there and rang for admittance.

Lt. Tell was not in her uniform. In the years that he had known her, four years, three months and four days, he had noted that she was one of the members of the crew that wore her uniform as little as possible. She now wore a simple dress of deep burgundy. It hugged her figure, but was not overly suggestive. The neck line was a scoop that went from shoulder to shoulder and draped across her chest. This was a nice effect.

Her hair was pulled back with a band like it usually was during her shift. She looked slightly nervous as he entered. She stood just four meters away, but he wondered why she was just standing there.

She looked down at her dress when she caught him looking at it and shrugged. “There was a dance in Lt. Sawyer’s quarters this evening. I just got back,” she said, by way of explaining her garb.

“Are you considering an association with Lt. Sawyer?” he asked with uncertainty.

“No, I’m considering a sort of association with you, sir.” She looked slightly less nervous as she said this.

“What will be the parameters of this association?” he asked.

“It would be one of...well...need. You need to see if...” she sighed and squared her shoulders, looking serious. “To put it bluntly, sir, you need to see if having sex will help you regain control of your run away emotions. This would not be anything more than my helping you with a problem.”

“May I ask why you would want to do this? I do not wish to mislead you into believing that this would have an effect on your next personal review.” He tried to say this gently.

“No, sir! I would not expect it to have any baring at all. Respectfully sir, were this happening to someone else, forgetting the fact that no one else has an emotion chip, I would not believe them capable of separating off duty activities with on duty conduct. I believe you can and will.” She looked away from his eyes. “I would not assume that if we do proceed with this that you would automatically find me...pleasing in this area. If you don’t I hope you can just tell me and we can end it without either of us damaging our respect for the other.”

“I will agree to that stipulation. Again, I must ask would you hope to gain from this?”

She looked back at him. “Sex without strings. I like sex. You need sex, or so we assume. I have not found anyone I want to begin a relationship with, but I miss sex. Granted, you may find that you get a handle on this after one try, but you may not...”

“And if this proves to be a...reoccurring need?” he asked, watching her struggle to become comfortable talking like this to him.

“Then you would have to decided if you wanted it to reoccur with me,” she answered flatly. Most of her nervousness seemed to be evaporating.

“I feel I should explain in greater detail what is happening to me, so that I am assured that you understand in what you are asking to participate.” They took a seat on her new couch and he told her of the different emotional states in which he had become stuck, in the last month. He told her how he had handled each of the emotional states and how this effect caused him to feel like a musical instrument whose valves occasionally stuck on one note.

They seemed to be coming to an agreement as they work out the finer details of this odd arrangement.

“How can you say you will try and give me notice before you ask to come over?” Tell was asking Data, half an hour later. “You have no warning when this hits you, so that does not sound reasonable. If you make it here and I’m not here, come in and call me. I’ll come as soon as possible,” she told him.

He reluctantly conceded her point. “I will only call on you between the end of your shift and no later than 2100 hours,” he promised.

“You can’t plan this, Commander. If you slept at night that could work, but you don’t so that won’t work for you. In order to meet your needs, you will have to come whenever the need arises...or maybe I should not have used that word?” She looked a little embarrassed, but Data just smiled and laughed.

“What if this happens at 0300 hours?” he asked.

“Then come here at 0301 hours. I’ll instruct my door you allow you immediate admittance, so you don’t have to stand out there in the corridor. Call from the doorway once you’re inside to make sure I’m alone.”

“You stated that you were not currently involved with anyone,” he said, wondering how he could have misunderstood this point.

“I could have a friend here...male or female...talking,” she explained.

Now it was his turn to be embarrassed.

With all of the details worked out, Lt. Commander Data and Lt. Razeene Tell agreed that should the need arise in him, they would have sex, but would keep this arrangement strictly between themselves.

Razeene saw Commander Data briefly during the next two days, as usual, but she saw no indication of any odd flicker in his amber eyes. She relaxed. He was not going to give this away and she was relieved. Still, it may never even happen. Maybe it was just a weird glitch and it was over.

Three days after their ‘talk’, Razeene got the first urgent call from Commander Data. She was just sitting down to a quiet dinner in her quarters, since it had been a long and tiring day of mapping a new area.

“Data to Lt. Tell,” came his voice over the ships communications. She tapped her communicator to answer.

“Lt. Tell here, Commander. Go ahead, please.”

“I am in need of your assistance, at this time, Lieutenant.” he sounded...strange again. Like the other night when he had stumbled into her quarters.

“Understood, Commander. I am in my quarters. Do you wish me to come to you, sir?”

“No, I will come to you. Data out.” He sounded like he was desperately fighting for control...and losing.

She looked at her almost untouched meal. Sex on a full stomach was not a good idea in most cases, she thought, absently. The reality of what was now going to happen suddenly overwhelmed her and the thought of food made her... nauseous. She needed to do something while she waited for him to arrive. The idea of having sex with not only an android, but one who was her superior officer was disconcerting all of the sudden.

“May as well dress the part,” she decided, still weak in the knees. She raced to her bedroom and tore off her uniform. She wrapped herself in her gray robe and absently thought about how very un-sexy it was. Still, if he was in that bad a need, he would appreciate the ease in its removal and not care about the form. Just the function.

The chime rang and the door opened at the same time. Commander Data entered quickly so the door would close behind him. He stood at the door and called for her, as they had agreed.

“Here,” she called, coming out of her bedroom. He crossed the room in a split second and stood just in front of her. With obvious intent, he took hold of her shoulders. Razeene could not help but notice the physical evidence of his condition. He had carried with him a PADD, but had tossed it across to the couch as soon as he spied her. She looked into his uncertain eyes. His need was discernable here too, but he had no intention of forcing her into anything. He had to make sure she was still willing. She smiled gently and leaned closer to kiss him. He moaned and pulled her against him, to return the kiss with zeal.

The next few moments were a blur of activity as he carried to her bed and separated both of them from their clothing. She only had a second to look over his impressive body before he was pressing himself against her. They were both on their sides, so that he would not crush her. He had warned her ahead of time that he was too heavy for them not to keep that in mind at all times. He was not going to hurt her, he assured her, but his loss of complete control during these episodes made it necessary for him to warn her.

Gods, was he a passionate kisser! His mouth was not even opened to allow her to touch his tongue and already her head was dizzy with the sensation he was causing in her. She coaxed his mouth open and delighted in his reaction to this new sensation.

A powerful moan escaped him.

His hands moved slowly up and down her back. She entwined her legs with his, but they too were heavy, so she had to rearrange a few times before she found a way to make this comfortable.

After several more moments of passionate kissing, he pulled back and looked her in the eyes once she opened them. “I need...now. Please, Razeene-“ he cut himself off, he look like he was going to panic, his need was so sharp. She shushed him gently and took his face in her hands.

“It’s alright. I’m here. This is what you are here for. I’m not afraid.” She kissed him again and he sighed...relaxing for just two second before repositioning them.

When he entered her, his face contorted in what seemed like a reaction to great pain. He began to moved in and out slowly at first, but increasing in speed with each thrust. His seemed to be trying to restrain his vocalization, but she did not bother to restrain her own. When she moaned and cried out in reaction to her orgasm, his eyes flew open and his shock caused him to experienced his own orgasm perhaps several seconds later then he would have had he not been taken aback by her strong and loud responses.

He moved them back to their sides, but she pushed him over onto his back once the act was completed. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. As she did, she caught sight of something she had not thought possible.

Data was still erect.

“Commander? It didn’t work?” she asked in a small voice. It had definitely worked for her! But the point of this was to satisfy him.

“I am not certain. I did experience orgasm, but the need remains. It is reduced, but not gone.” He sounded confused, defeated and...still aroused. His actions were making this obvious too. He ran his fingers over her bottom and as much of her legs as he could reach. She expected him to try and get her to spread her legs just enough to allow him to penetrate her with his fingers any minute now.

His other hand had found a breast and he explored every inch of it. His touches were gentle, but there was no mistaking his erotic intent. She lifted herself up on one elbow and looked down at him.

“Do what you want with me, Commander,” she breathed. He looked stunned for a second, but only missed a short beat.

“Data,” he said and rolled her over onto her back.

“What?” she asked, confused. He stopped his movement towards her right breast and locked her eyes with his own. He looked uncertain.

“I would prefer that you call me by name while we are...”

“In bed?” she supplied. He nodded. “Alright. Will that apply to you as well?”

“Do you wish it?” he asked her. She nodded. “Razeene,” he said simply and moved to take her breast in his mouth.

This time was slower paced and the sense of urgency was reduced, but not gone. It was also much more intensely sexual, sensual and satisfying. It took hours of wonderful work to completely dispel the emotional affect on him, but he admitted that unaided, it would last an average of three hours longer than it had with her help.

“I hope this was not only shorter, but more...fun for you.” She remained in her bed as he leisurely attended to replacing his uniform. He turned around to look at her.

“It...was,” he admitted. She grinned at him and reached out for her blankets. She was bone weary now and quite ready for sleep. All thought of her abandon meal was forgotten.

Data was dressed again. He came to the side of her bed and looked down at her, expressionless. He reached out for her hand and she gave it to him. “Thank you, Razeene. I will allow you to sleep now. Good night,” he whispered. She smiled up at him. Lifting up on an elbow, she pulled him down just enough to kiss his cheek lightly. She lowered herself back down and smiled again.

“Good night, Data. See you tomorrow...Commander.”

Data felt that she had added this last to assure him that what had taken place between them would not be even hinted at on the morrow.

And it was not. He spent an hour working with her the next day during their duty shift and tried very hard not to grin when she yawned for the third time.

“Are we keeping you up, Raz?” Lt. Sawyer teased. He too was working with them and had noticed the yawns. Lt. Tell glared at him.

“I am awake and fine. If my performance is not up to par, you may report me to our superior, who just so happens to be right here,” she said this while inclining her head towards Data.

“Must have had a late night for you to be so quick to shoot. Forgive her, Commander, she is not normally this testy.” Sawyer smiled, but Data just looked from him to Tell.

“I infer no insult from the Lieutenant’s apparent fatigue. Her work is showing no ill affects and I did not deem it necessary to comment on her frequent yawns out of a wish to not embarrass her.” Data directed this statement towards Sawyer, but did hazard a look at Tell after.

“Thank you, Commander. It is delightful to know that I work under at lease one person who has tact.” She nodded at him and then stared pointedly at Sawyer. He was shift leader here, but Data was the head over this whole department.

Sawyer sighed. “Fine, I get it. You don’t want to be teased about being tired. Still, makes me wonder...” He left it at that, but Razeene knew that if Commander Data had not been there, Sawyer would have kept going. When the Commander did leave, ten minutes later, Kevin did resume his teasing. She pointedly refused to allow him to get a rise out of her.

She was indeed tired, stiff and sore, but what a sweet soreness it was. Sex with a being who did not tired was not easy, but it was...deep down and penetratingly (pun intended) satisfying. Razeene found herself hoping that his chip got stuck again, but that it waited for a few days. She needed time to recover...and sleep! Still, the commander had seemed relaxed and comfortable in her presence today, so she did not believe that he regretted their actions of the previous evening.

The days went by and Razeene heard nothing from Commander Data, with the exception of a brief message sent to her quarters the next day that again thanked her for her willingness to help him.

It had now been a week and Razeene had come to the conclusion that a good tumble had been just what he needed and now he was all better.

Damn! He was so good! She sighed at the loss, but resigned herself.

After a dinner with three friends and attending a play that another friend had produced, she went to bed.

“Razeene,” a voice called in the dark at 0128 hours. She jerked awake with a muffled scream. She clamped her hands over her mouth and sat up.

“Who’s there?” she called. Had it been a dream?

“It is Data. I am sorry I frightened you. Should I go?” he sounded like he very much did not want to offer her that choice. She called for the lights to raise just a little so she could see him. He looked so...in need.

His desire was clearly written all over his face...and lower. She held out her arms for him, trying to relax her breathing.

“No, you don’t need to go. I’m here. Come to me.” He took a second to remove his clothing and joined her in the bed. Razeene found that his first touch caused her body to react.

It was a damn good thing that the walls were soundproof, because Data made more noise this time.

He did not leave for four hours and she was too wound up to sleep for the tiny amount of time that she had left in which to sleep. This would be a very challenging day, but at least her superior should be understanding.

Razeene wished they could develop a pattern in their meetings, but since she was depending on erratic impulse to instigate them, predictability was out of the question. Yet, perhaps time in between occurrences was good. They had been meeting for about a month and it was producing side effects in her. That being that Dr. Crusher was getting tired of seeing Razeene showing up in sickbay. But sex with Data was a better workout then any workout in the ships gym. Razeene had taken to increasing her calisthenics program in hopes of raising her endurance for him. But that may take a while to show any results.

This sparked a bit of trouble. The first time he needed her two days in a row, even he took notice of how fragile this tough and strongly motivated woman still was.

His arousal hit him during his shift. He had managed to hold back the effect until his shift was over, but once it was, he had headed straight for her quarters, signaling her that he wanted her ‘advise on a project’. This had been the agreed upon phrase that let her know that he was waiting in her quarters for her to arrive.

Once she had arrived, he decisively tore her uniform from her body. His mouth seemed to hunger for every inch of skin that the tears revealed. They had not even made it to the bed, he just lowered her to the floor and devoured her there.

They were sitting, legs of each wrapped around the other. Data was using his strength to start the motion and Razeene used her legs to help him completely penetrate her. He took her in this position once and then lowered her to the floor to take her again.

“I want to be on top,” she told him. He nodded and rolled them over easily. This was her favorite position to play a new game that she had started between them the second time they had been together. They would begin intercourse, but she would stop the progression once they both were suitably close to the edge. Then they would wait until one of them broke and begged the other to start again. Data had yet to initiate this game, but he did intend to even the score with her soon. Even as she stopped moving he knew he would lose this time. The desire that pulsed through him was simply too strong. She rested her elbows on his chest, propping her chin up in her hands. This would be painful for a human male, but it had no ill effect on Data.

“Did you know that you are very sexy when you look at me with those hungry eyes of yours?” she teased.

“I was not aware of that,” he said, straining against the power of his growing need.

“But when you give me those low moans or say my name in that voice that makes you almost sound like a baritone, it just about makes me crazy.” She sat back up and reached behind her to lightly stroke his testicles.

Having no practical use for this part of his body, Data’s creator had obviously decided that there was a need for one. The introduction of emotions had caused Data to notice that brushing this area of his body when he was getting dressed was...different. The introduction of Razeene into his life had caused him to realize that her touching him anywhere on his genitalia caused waves of emotional heat to crash against him. Now was no different.

Before she knew what had happened, Data had grabbed her shoulders and pulled her down into a fierce kiss. His hands slid slowly down her back and over her curves to her bottom. With or without her help, he intended to recover their rhythm.

But Data’s pace was just a bit too ambitious for Razeene and her body protested. Her left thigh muscle cramped painfully, causing her to cry out. Data knew at once this was not a cry of ecstasy. Now it was he who ceased all movements.

“What is it?” he asked, feeling along the area she had grabbed. He needn’t have asked. He could feel the tightened muscle. Carefully withdrawing from her, he moved her again to her back in order to massage the sore muscle. After a moment of wincing, she finally began to relax. Once the muscle had also relaxed, Data lifted her to take her to the bed.

“I am sorry I caused you discomfort, Razeene. I will leave you n-“

“What!” she exclaimed, sitting up. “Data, it’s just a strained muscle. We humans get them all the time. I’m not going to let that stop me. Come back. You are in no shape to be going anywhere.” She reached out for him and reluctantly, he did as she bade him.

“I can give you a full massage. I have given a few before and have been told it was pleasing,” he offered as she ran her hands over his chest.

“That sounds wonderful. I guess that returning the favor would be pointless.”

He smiled as he rose from the bed. “I have no muscles, so a massage does nothing to relax me, but your touch is always...stimulating.”

She grinned at this. “Where are you going now?” she asked his departing back.

“I am going to replicate some scented massage oil. Do you have a fragrance preference?” he called.

“No, what ever you like,” she called back.

He ordered the oil with a hint of orange blossom.

His massage was well received. She told him that she almost went to sleep, but she was afraid that he would disappear if she did. Once he was done, she pushed him down on the bed and hoped her touch would stimulate him. The oils had been so well absorbed by her skin that she was silky smooth, but not slick.

She straddled him again, but he was not within her. She lowered herself down to trace gentle kisses all over his face. Data smiled, oddly flattered by her affectionate attention, but the mild smile did not remain on his handsome face. As her tongue caressed the outer curve of his ear, his eyebrows shot up. She moved on down the side of his throat, alternately licking and kissing him.

His nipples received kisses too, but she also teased his with her teeth, knowing that she could not cause him pain, but that her actions here did bring him pleasure.

But she did not remain here either. He knew that her goal was lower. Just this knowledge caused him to be ready for her once she reached her target. His golden erection responded to the warmth of her mouth, sucking and just grazing him with her teeth. He sighed with delight as she orally took as much of him as she could again and again. Her fingers were not idle either. They would stroke his shaft and then drift down to fondle him teasingly around the base of his penis and over his balls.

He found release easily under her ministrations. His guttural cries of orgasm caused her to grin and this caused some of the come to escape her mouth, slowly dripping down the corner of her lips.

Data had opened his eyes and saw this. He was not sure why, but the sight of his sexual fluids running down her chin excited him all over again. She could not even milk him dry, before he had pulled her over to a position that he knew would please her.

Approaching her from behind, he entered her. He then sat back on his feet, pulling her into his lap without losing their union. With gentle thrusts, he heightened his own desire. With his fingers probing her spread legs, he heightened hers.

Data ran his other hand over her breasts and ran his tongue delicately over the back of her neck. Razeene gasped with desire and leaned into him.

“You are the best lover I’ve ever had, Data,” she whispered, almost soundlessly. She was not able to gather any breath to support the words. His touch was having just too much of an affect on her. As his fingers danced over her clitoris, she moaned, throwing her head forward again. He kissed and licked along her spine while holding her close with the hand across her chest. He still was able to use his fingers on that hand to caress her breast.

Her words seemed to echo back in his ears, but he did not want to take any of his attention away from what he was doing and feeling with her in this moment. As the moments past he felt the tension mounting as he once again neared completion. She was locked in his rhythm, moaning in time with him.

He did not want this to end just yet. On impulse, he moved the fingers of both, hands away from her sensitive areas.

“Data,” she almost sobbed at the loss of his expert touches. He brought one hand to her waist and one to her chest, pressing her back against him.

“What does this mean to you, Razeene?” he whispered in her ear, nuzzling her.

“Pleasure. So deep I get lost in it.” Her voice was softened by her state of arousal.

“What am I to you?” he asked, also fighting to speak through his own desire.

“My lover. My secret lover. But if I broke that confidence, others would be fighting for the chance to be where I am now. I won’t share you.” She moved to reach between her legs, but leaned lower to touch him, gently stroking the only part of his genitalia that she did not contain. He sighed at her touches. He closed his eyes and submitted to the sensations.

“Damn you, you win! I concede, Data. Finish it! Now!” she implored him.

A smile curled his lips as he lightly brushed his fingertips down the center of her body. This touch was intended to stimulate and tickle at the same time. She gasped and squirmed in his arms. He chuckled with satisfaction as he brought his fingers back to where she was directing him and began his thrusts again.

102 minutes later she lay beside him, he believed, exhausted. Still, she had more stamina then he would have believed possible in a human female. It must have something to do with her having been born on Risa. They were both sated and just relaxing together. As he ran his hand over her back, he noticed muscles that again seemed to be tight. He tried to work them loose.

“Is this causing you pain?” he asked her in a hush. If she was sleeping, his voice should not wake her.

“The massage or the muscle?” she asked.

“Either.”

She chuckled. “Always cautious, aren’t you? The muscle a bit, yes. You and your massage, no. But I have to get you to stop at least for a moment. I want something to drink.”

Data released her and she rolled over to get to her feet. Three steps away from the bed, she stumbled. She groaned and grabbed the offending part of her calf that had locked up on her.

“Shit! Charley horse!” she grunted between clenched teeth as she sunk to the floor.

Data reached her a second later and helped her to convince the muscle to relent. “Your muscle felt very hard during this episode. You were in danger of needing immediate medical attention. I am not convinced that you are not in need of it still.” He lifted her from the floor and placed her back on the bed. He then went to get her some tea.

“I’m fine...really. I was just not expecting it. I usually get a warning before it does that,” she told him and thanked him for the tea.

“This happens often?” he asked, concerned.

“I can handle it. Really.” She put her tea down and patted him warmly on the knee. He did not look won over. “Have you heard anything about the new guy whose supposed to replace Lt. Eves?” she asked, changing the subject. It took him a moment to see through this, but by then it was too late.

She told him that she would take a nice hot bath and see the doctor in the morning before her shift if she still had problems. “So don’t worry, I won’t miss my shift tomorrow,” she teased.

He raised his eyebrows it her. She knew that was not why he was concerned.

He left her to bathe, but something about this incident continued to bother him. Later that night, he was taking the night watch on the bridge. He had tried to put the matter out of his mind, but since the watch was turning out to be uneventful, he had too much time and free operating space to not think about it. Finally he relented and went over to the science two station and pulled up Razeene’s complete medical history. What he found did not make him happy.

“I tell you I’m fine!” she told him, exasperated that he would not believe her. He had come to her quarters the next afternoon to call her on what he had discovered. They stood arguing in her living room. or more accurately, she argued, he spoke calmly and with finality.

“You have been to sickbay eight times since we began, Razeene. Each time it was just after I had been with you. It is logical to assume that there is a correlation.” Data showed her the report on the PADD he had brought with him.

“Fine. I admit that I’ve had a bit of overworked areas that complained the mornings after. So I go into sickbay, the doctor gives me a hypo and I leave. No dig deal,” she stressed, shrugging.

“It is a big deal, Razeene. I am hurting you. This goes against my ethical program.” He sounded exasperated.

“A good argument against telling you, wouldn’t you say?” she replied, tersely.

“No, I would say that you should have informed me of this the first time it happened, Lieutenant!” he shot back, sharply.

“Don’t you pull rank on me, Data. This has nothing to do with rank! You and I are on equal footing when we are in that bed,” she shouted, pointing at said bed.

“In that bed, we will not longer be, as I will not be returning to it with you.” He informed her pointedly.

“What!” she stormed. “Then what the hell are you planning on doing? You going to try and find a sturdier girl?” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

“Attempting that would be pointless,” he assured her, firmly.

“Well?”

“My former alternative would seem to be the only option remaining.”

She knew very well what that meant. He left then, thanking her politely for her willingness to help him. She tried in vain to argue him out of this, but it was of no avail. He was not going to listen.

She paced around her quarters for hours, trying to decide if she was going to give in or fight him on this. He was a big boy, so if he wanted her out of the picture there was little she could do...unless she fought dirty!

Ordering the computer to inform her the next time that Lt. Commander Data stepped foot in the holodeck alone, Razeene went on with life.

Chapter 2

Data’s conversations with her the following days in stellar cartography, was clipped and precise. He took her report and went on to take the next one. Of course, he didn’t even need to come down here to take the their reports, but he liked the interpersonal exchange and had said this in front of her years ago. He wasn’t going to stop that just because of her.

It was a Thursday, and one hour before her shift ended. Her communicator informed her that Commander Data had just entered holodeck one. She sighed.

“Four days he can wait, but one more hour, he can’t wait...hope you have fun, Commander,” she mumbled to herself. The ensign at the station next to hers asked why she was informed about Data going into the holodeck, but Razeene just told her that he was helping him work up a surprise for someone. “I just hope it’s not me,” she groaned.

Once her shift was over, Razeene actually decided to get changed first. She became a little nervous about even trying this, but reminded herself of how much she liked him in her bed and that was all the urging she needed.

Tapping her communicator, she hailed him. She was in a tight fitting blouse and a very skimpy skirt.

“Data here,” he answered after a few seconds delay. He sounded...distracted.

Was he in the middle of...her? Why did she feel a serge of envy for a holographic character?

“How’s it going, Commander? Is it working out?” she asked, feeling like that sounded stupid.

“You know where I am?” he asked after a pause. He sounded unnerved.

“Yes,” she said simple.

“I have been here for 98 minutes. When did you know I was here?”

“As soon as you walked in. I left instructions for the computer to let me know the moment you went in...alone. So, I ask again. Having fun?”

“You did not ask if I was having fun the first time,” he corrected her.

“What ever I did ask, consider it asked again,” she grumbled.

“I am fine. Everything is just...fine.”

He did not sound fine.

“Why don’t I believe you? You sound frustrated. Is there a problem, Commander?” she tried to sound sickly sweet. He did not seem the least bit impressed.

“I may need to work out some details, but I am certain that all will proceed successfully in the future.”

“So, you’re fine?” she asked him, knowing damn well that he was not. She was now in the lift.

“I am well,” he replied.

“Good, because I have something I need to discuss with you immediately and since I know where you are, I’ll come to you.” He could not have known unless he asked the computer, but she was only seconds from the door to Holodeck one when she said this.

“I- I would prefer to wait until tomorrow during your duty shift, Lieutenant,” he said firmly.

“It is a matter of great importance, sir,” she assured him. “If you let me in, we can get this over with and you can continue with your simulation.”

She heard him sigh. “Computer, allow access to Lt. Tell upon arrival,” he stated. She grinned as the doors to the holodeck instantly opened.

Before the doors had opened completely she could hear him order the character that had been his companion to be deleted. As the doors closed behind her, she took in the large room. It looked like a parlor, but had a large four poster bed to the right. The blankets had been rumpled, but he was alone in the room and standing on the other side to the bed from her. He was completely dressed...in his uniform.

She walked over to the bed, but he did not move. The bed was so high off the floor, she could only see him from the waist up. His expression was blank as she approached. She looked at the soft white eyelet covers and fingered the fabric once she reached it.

“Soft. Wish I had this in my quarters. Looks comfy. Is it?” she asked, conversationally.

“It served its purpose. What was the matter of importance, Lt. Tell?” He never forgot how to cut to the chase. She smiled and moved slowly to the side of the bed where he stood. “You need not come any closer, Lieutenant. Remain where you are,” he ordered.

“Are you on duty, sir? No, I didn’t thinks so since you have been in here playing footsie with who ever I heard you delete before I could see her.” She rounded the corner of the bed and suddenly understood why he had asked her to remain where she was.

He was erect.

Just the sight of him this way caused her to shudder. She wanted him. The impressive bulge seemed to taunt her...to mock her. It also caused his pull on her to increase. Trying to appear more in control than he was, Razeene lifted herself onto the side of the bed and studied him.

He seemed to be trying to ignore much of the situation.

“The important matter...yes, that was...you see, I know this officer. He is a very competent officer, but he can be very stubborn. Now he is being stubborn to his detriment. He won’t believe that aches and minor pains can even be caused by sleeping the wrong way. Or that sometime things that we want to do, like going through Star Fleet Academy can be very painful, but its for a cause...a goal. This goals make the pain worth it.”

“This cannot be compared to the training involved in Star Fleet Ac-“

“And why not? I also enjoy the various mountain climbing programs stored here. I would ache for days after those if I didn’t see the doctor. You going to make me stop doing that too, Commander? Is this fragile human to be prevented from anything that involves effort or that can cause the sweet soreness like being your lover can cause?”

He looked confused. “Sweet soreness?”

She moved off the bed and walked slowly towards him again. “Oh gods, yes. And each tender muscle reminds me of what we did to cause that soreness.” She stood before him, placing a hand on his chest. “I roll over in the morning and it is almost as though I can still feel you inside me.” She ran her hand up his chest to caress his cheek. He closed his eyes, fighting his erotic impulses. “The muscles across my chest will be tight and it brings back the memory of straddling you and lowering myself down to kiss you. You always pull me tighter against you. Gods, it excites my when you do that,” she moved until her face was just centimeters from his.

“Do not do this to me, Razeene,” he pleaded. “Please, no.”

“I want you back, Data. I kept this from you because I knew you would misunderstand.” She shifted back on to the bed, placing a leg on either side of him, she wrapped her legs around his waist. “If I didn’t have a duty shift the morning after we’ve been together, I wouldn’t bother going to sickbay. I like being reminded of the things you do to me.” She pulled off her top. She had on nothing underneath. “You are the best lover I’ve ever had and I intend to keep this relationship for as long as we can keep it going. As long and you need me...I don’t want anything to change.” She reached behind him and began to unfasten his shirt, pulling him into a kiss as she did. He didn’t even put up token resistance.

He joined her in the bed. But he would not remove the rest of his clothes. “We must come to an understanding first, or I will not comply. Are you listening?” He used the last fraction of resolve to say this.

She stopped trying to take off his pants and sighed. Sitting back on her feet. “Ok, what new conditions are you adding to our arrangement?” She changed her mind about where she was sitting and climbed into his lap, straddling him as she loved to do.

He shook his head at her impetuousness. “Why could it have not been Lt. Lynn’s door that I rang?”

Razeene threw her head back and laughed. “She would never have lasted an hour with you! And...she never would have offered!”

“I do not want to hurt you again, Razeene,” he told her with all seriousness.

“Then don’t run from me again!”

“I am serious, Razeene. If I am hurting you, you are to tell me...then! We will take more breaks, I will massage you during them and I will be more gentle. If you still feel the need to visit sickbay, we will revisit this issue.”

“I hope you don’t intend to be too gentle. Your strength is one of the things I find so compelling,” she said in a suggestive manner.

“Do you agree to abide but these specifications?”

“Yes, yes! Can you get your pants off, please? I have not been sore in too many days now,” she said with a mirthful chuckle.

“Razeene,” he grimace with displeasure.

“Just kidding. Gods, where did you leave you sense of humor?”

It took a while for him to relax into their relationship again, but she did her best to put him at ease. But the anomalous emotional reactions he was suffering form did not help the tension levels. There was a spell, three weeks later, where he seemed to need her every other day. This lasted for just over a week and he worried that this would happen during his shift. Fear of just this happening and being very embarrassed by it, plagued him. She did her best to soothe him, but there was little she could say.

‘Pardon me, Captain, but I am horny and I need to collect Lt. Tell from stellar cartography so that I may screw her silly,’ did not come up as his first choice in dealing with this problem should it strike during his shift on the bridge.

“I know that you don’t want to hear this, but using that PADD to cover yourself doesn’t work either.” He looked crestfallen and she realized that she really should not have mentioned this here. “Maybe you should just meet me here in the mornings and give me a good tumble before reporting for duty.” Razeene was really joking, but Data looked like he was seriously considering this as an option.

“You are suggesting a preventive maintenance tactic?” he asked, intrigued.

“I guess you could look at it that way.” She decided against telling him that she had been joking. Razeene moved to straddle him and Data sighed with pleasure as she lowered herself into his erection.

“What time would you wish to meet in the mornings?” he asked, with a moan. She was moving up and down on him and he was helping by holding her bottom firmly, but gently.

Gods, this was just too good! She had found a way to get sex out of him every day and still not change their relationship! This was heaven! No strings, no demands, except that she spread her legs for him when ever he needed and now EVERY morning! Gods, but this had to be a dream! No way she could be this lucky! The only down side to this was that she could not brag to her girlfriends about how great he was in bed...or even that she had been taking him to bed, but you can’t have everything.

“Well, if I shower in the morning after we...get together, I think I’ll need about forty minutes to dress and eat. Umm, would we be doing our normal marathon sex, or just once?” she asked, slowing her movements and then coming to a stop, despite the cute little objecting noises he was making.

“I should think once would be enough...Razeene?” he was complaining about her cessation of movement.

“Do you give?” she asked, teasingly.

“Yes,” he conceded.

She laughed and squeezed her vaginal muscles as tightly as she could. He gasped and she started to move again. They were both climaxing in seconds.

This conversation took place two and a half months into their ‘agreement’ and at 0112 hours. She found that once he was sated, just after 0200 hours, it seemed silly for him to leave only to return mere hours later. When he moved to go, she pulled him back.

“Stay,” she told him. “You are now planing to come right back. Unless there was something you really needed to see to, why don’t you just stay with me. I don’t snore much and I won’t steal all the covers,” she promised, winking at him.

He looked astonished at her suggestion. She had never before asked him to stay with her. “You are suggesting this because it is a reasonable course of action?” he asked, tentatively. She nodded. “I could stay and initiate my dream program,” he offered.

“Sounds great. Wake me in the morning, ok?” she knew he had an internal clock. He agreed, so curling up next to him, with her head on his chest, she went to sleep. Data found that he liked this. He knew there was trust between them or this arrangement would not have remained secret, but this was somehow different. She slept peacefully in him arms and for a time he just looked at her.

He was programmed to evolve...could he cause this relationship to also evolve?

Finally, he also closed his eyes and joined her in dreaming.

Having sex first thing in the morning seemed to thwart his chips efforts to drive him crazy. He did have an attack of rage on the bridge once, but even this was better than the thought of looking down to see an erection at the exact wrong time.

Two months of beginning her mornings in bed with him did not lessen Razeene’s desire for him...or at least for sex. This morning she had even smiled at him with an evil grin and suggested that he come early the next morning.

“Why?” he asked. He did not mind, of course, but he was still curious.

“I don’t ask you for much, Data, but I have been wanting something from you and I hope to talk you into it.” Her eyes held eager mischief.

“Ask, please,” he told her. He was smoothing his uniform and watching her put on her boots. It was almost time for their shift. He had been unavoidable delayed this morning, so he had taken her in the shower, to her delight.

“Tomorrow, come early, don’t turn on the light, and just take me. Don’t announce yourself, don’t ask for permission and if I startle, don’t let it stop you.”

“Razeene,” he did not sound comfortable with this. She came over and jumped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist. He caught her and held her with his sure strength.

“I want you to come in and just start having sex with me. Do what ever you want, use my body however you want and don’t stop unless I say ‘stop’. Just that. Be direct, firm, forceful.” She sounded like she was talking herself into asking him to go back to bed right now, but there was precious little time.

“I cannot do what you ask, Razeene. It is against my ethical program to force myself on anyone in this manner, and you know I refuse to harm you.” She started to kiss his neck and nibble on his ears, seductively. She did want to be late for duty!

“You would not be doing anything unethical! I want this! The thought of waking to you on me or between my legs or anything that you want, thrills me.” She breathed these words hotly in his ear...and went back to his ear, licking and sucking.

“I have never heard you say that I use your body. Is that truly how you see this, that I am using you and giving you nothing in return?” He pulled her gently off of him. She pouted, like a child.

“No, of course not! I’m saying that I want you to act like that in the morning. I just want to play a little. When you chip was effecting you, you were more...urgent in your need of me. I miss that look in your eyes. It was a very erotic look, Data. If you can’t do it...I guess I’ll have to accept it, but...I don’t ask you for much...” she walked past him and went to brush her hair. He came up behind her and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She would not meet his gaze...even his reflective gaze. He tried to get her to talk to him, but she just told him that she would see him later.

She dismissed him.

She had never done this before either.

Data struggled with her request the entire day. He wondered if part of the reason for her request was that she was growing bored with him. They did not have love to keep their relationship exciting. They only had sex. Alone, in his quarters that evening, Data tried to envision doing just what she had asked for, to see if he would be in conflict with his ethical program.

To his surprise it did not object. He knew how she would most likely react to an assertive move on his part. She had all but begged him to do this, and she was correct, she almost never asked him for anything except, that he continue to see her. She was there when ever and however often he wanted her. How could he justify refusing her this?

The answer was that he could not.

At 0532 hours, Data entered Razeene’s quarters. Having been to her bed many times now, he knew very well how to reach it in silence and in the dark. She had obviously been hoping that he would honor her request, because when he slowly pulled the blanket off her body, he found that she was naked.

She was laying on her side, so he carefully and slowly coaxed her to her back. Once this was accomplished and seeing that she was still asleep, he parted her legs, moving between them. Since this morning was truly about pleasing her, rather than him, he had planned on stimulating her orally. He had worked out, in great detail, what he would do and what he would not do.

With a quick, controlled motion, he slipped his hands under her bottom and moved to allow his tongue to make contact with her clitoris. At his touch, Razeene awoke and sat up, with a gasp, but Data lifted up and firmly, but gently pushed her back down on the bed.

“You will remain as I have placed you, Razeene, until I tell you to move. I will do as I please with you and right now it pleases me to...taste you.” He said this as firmly as he could, but he was still not too comfortable with this kind of talk. He had read erotic material before and had even attempted to create a ‘more assertive’ sub-routine for Razeene, but sexy talk was not part of his sexual programs, and thus, he felt a little silly trying it.

He went back to his oral stimulation and was rewarded by her arching her back and moaning his name, encouraging him to continue. She did not move unless he told her to and she did anything he asked of her, as always. He would have believed that after an hour and a half of sex that she would have been tired and ready for her shower alone, but having been taken by him there the prior morning, she begged him to join her there this morning also.

“I believe that the term ‘sex kitten’ or sex starved could easily be applied to you, Razeene.” He told her between kisses in the shower. He did not think that there had ever been a time in his life prior to these last months that he had spent so much time....naked. Even in his mother’s story about how he had originally found clothing useless, he could not believe that he had been unclothed this often. At the beginning of their relationship, Razeene had teased him about being insatiable. He thought that the term better described her.

“We are running out of time, now shut up and take me!” she ordered, impatiently.

He looked shocked. He was not really, but it was fun to pretend. “You dare to order your superior officer?”

“Yes,” she exclaimed and grabbed him by the penis. She pulled him closer and with a grin, he relented and allowed her to push herself on to him.

This gave new meaning to good, clean, fun.

As they dressed, he watched her out of the corner of his eye. She turned to catch him and grinned, teasingly at him.

“Stop looking at me or you will be very late of duty,” she warned him.

“You are not strong enough to keep me here, Razeene,” he reminded her, grinning back.

“What if I stood in front of the door, naked, and refused to let you go?” she asked, looking like she was beginning to plan.

“I could still get by you,” he assured her.

“But if anyone saw you leaving with me standing there naked, the jig would be up. The whole ship would know we were sleeping together.” She moved to him and slid her hands up either side of his left leg. He was dressed, but still, when she fondled him, he inhaled sharply. Deciding that drastic measure must be taken if he were to arrive on time for his shift, he pulled her arms over her head, gently pushed her back down on the bed and pinning her arms out to her sides, he kissed her, deeply and passionately. She tried to embrace him, but her arms were still held fast. After a moment, she relaxed and submitted to his kisses. He kissed her mouth, her face, her neck and just as she was hopping that he would begin to undo her uniform...he was gone.

“Damned agile man!” she sighed and threw her head back down on the bed. “I have to work on a way to trap him here. Or a way to coax him here on a day off for both of us.” Razeene slammed her fists down on either side of her, but a second later, she smiled and lazily rose from her bed.

She had been on duty for five and a half hours before Data came by. He spoke with Sawyer for a moment and she noticed Kevin throw an uncertain glance her way before nodding at the Commander and walking back to his console. Commander Data came her way.

“May I speak with you in private, Lieutenant? It will only take a moment,” he asked. He had never done this before and she wondered if she had been taking her place in his life for granted. Or was it taking advantage?

“Of course, sir.” She followed him to the shift leader’s office...and closed and locked the door behind them. She was stunned. Had he gotten mad at her for this morning? “Commander, if I overstepped my-“ Data cut her off by caressing her cheek, tenderly.

“You seem...distressed about something. I am not displeased with you,” he assured her.

“I know I went too far this morning, but I promise that I will never-“

Data kissed her. He had never kissed her during duty hour or outside of her quarters, except for in the holodeck, but that was different. This was very strange behavior for him.

“I need to ask your permission to speak about our relationship to Counselor Troi. I will not reveal your identity, but I believe that she may find out even if I do not tell her.” He did not look angry with her. His eyes wandered down her body.

“Why do you need to talk to her about us?” she asked. He was so accustom to touching her, that his hands moved almost of their own volition, down to the front opening of her uniform. He found a nipple and began to roll it sensually between his finger and thumb.

“I cannot answer that question at this time. I require her advice and then I will share my thoughts with you. Will you grant me consent to share our secret with her?” He kissed her neck and had her half undressed before she answered. Where could her place her to take her? This room was not sound proof like her quarters were... He opened her uniform all the way down the front and slid his fingers under the fabric until he found her vagina. She almost went limp, but he held her waist with his other arm. She moaned softly as he stimulated her with his fingertips. He mouthed her right breast, held her securely with his right arm and caused her to come with his left hand. He wished he could get inside her, or at leased remove her clothing to taste her.

Data mentally shook himself. What was he doing? He was on duty and here he was having a sexual encounter with his lover in an office!

“Razeene, forgive me! I do not know what came over me! I... needed to touch you, but this is wrong. I am sorry, Razeene.”

Razeene’s legs felt like jelly. His touch had such power over her, that it had taken him seconds to bring her from worried that he was going to end their affair, to orgasm. She located a chair and sat in it. She refastened her uniform and looked up at a very guilty feeling android.

“It’s ok, Commander. If you feel that you need to talk about us to the counselor, I give you my consent. If you feel that you must tell her my name, warn me, so I will expect her call.” She tried to sound calm, but he had just undressed her and brought her to climax in Kevin’s office. She did not feel calm!

“You know that she would call on you if I reveal you?” he asked.

She nodded. “If you tell her that you have been having sex with someone for months and she didn’t know it before? She will reach light speed as soon as you leave her office on her way to find me. Of this I have no doubt.” She looked at his hand. The hand that had had just been... This relationship was getting almost as out of hand as his emotion chip. “Has your chip been acting up lately?” she asked him, returning her gaze to his face.

“My last incident was four days ago. I was overcome by grief. Are you thinking of discontinuing our association due to my behavior just now?” His expression reflected the emotion that he had just mentioned being plagued by four days ago.

“No,” she told him.

“You were correct, Razeene, I do use your body. I-“

“Commander,” she interrupted. She managed to get her wobbling legs under her and come to a stand. Taking his hand in her she smiled reassuringly at him. “Every time you and I get together, we have sex. Every time you see me alone, we have sex. I think you were reacting out of...habit. I use you and you use me. This is what we agreed to from the beginning. We called it helping each other, but when you explain it to Deanna, she will be thinking ‘use’. I’m not trying to upset you, but this is the simple truth. You are assigning negative connotation to the word, when there is no need. I have enjoyed being your lover. I have tried to see that you enjoy being mine. If I have failed to bring you pleasure, tell me and I will try harder.”

Data studied her face for signs of deception. He could find none. He forced himself to accept what she had said. ‘Use’ was just a word. He also used a replicator or a phaser. There was nothing wrong or unethical implied with the word when applied to this situation. He still had reservations, though. He decided to analyze this and perhaps also discuss this issue with the Counselor this evening.

“You bring me pleasure, Razeene. I am not sure I can excuse my actions as easily as you say you have, but I thank you for...your tolerance.” He still looked upset. She smiled at him, but his smile looked forced.

She sighed. He was so hard headed sometimes. Maybe it would be good if he did tell the Counselor about them, then she too could talk to the woman about him.

“Ready to rejoin the world?” she asked him. He nodded and cleared his expression to his professional face. In other words, he looked blank.

It only took Kevin three minutes to ask Razeene what the Commander had wanted to talk to her about, once Data left. “He wanted to rip my clothes off and screw my brains out. We messed up you desk, sorry,” she replied with mock contrition. Sawyer looked shocked for a moment, but just shook his head at her in expected disbelief.

“If you didn’t want to answer, all you had to say was no, Raz.” She snorted with laughter then and later when she caught sight of him sneaking into his office.....just to make sure.

That evening, she rushed to her quarters to change out of her uniform to prepare for the little party that was taking place in the lounge. She went passed her bed and noticed the cover still bore the imprint of her body from when Data had held her down with the intention of distracting her long enough to escape. She found herself laughing. He really could be quite funny and cute when he wanted to be. But what if he was working his way out of his chip difficulties?

The thought of losing him as a lover made her cringe. Not only was he the best sex she had ever had, but he was so easy to deal with. He was sweet, caring, sexy, strong, agile, and willing to try anything...with in ethical limits. He was the perfect sexual partner. No hang ups and no demands...beyond the one she wanted him to demand.

Grabbing a black dress out of her closet, she dressed and brushed out her hair. Some perfume, lip colour and a touch of rouge and she was out the door. Commander Riker’s birthday parties were always fun, so she expected it to be fun again this year too. The party did not officially begin for another hour, but she wanted to get some dinner with some of her friends first. She absently wondered if Data would be coming this year or not. She was fairly certain that he was talking to Counselor Troi this very minute, so she very well could have the woman giving her funny looks this evening. Here’s hoping that Will could keep Deanna busy tonight!

Razeene’s assumption that Data was in the Counselor’s office, was correct. His appointment had been made for just after his shift ended today so that both he and the Counselor would be able to attend Commander Riker’s birthday party later this evening. All Data had said, when he had scheduled that appointment, was that he needed to talk to her about his chip.

Deanna was already dressed for the party since she knew that Data would be escorting her to the lounge once they had finished. She was surprised when the android enter her office. She sensed a great deal of trepidation from him.

“Sit, Data. How are you?” she asked as he moved to take a seat on the couch across from her. It seemed that his expression in his lips was slightly turned downward. When he looked up at her she again felt a confusing mixture of emotions from him. they flashed by so fast that it was almost impossible for her to identify the majority of them. He was nervous, this she could sense. Anxious and worried.

“I am well, Counselor. And you?” he asked, conversationally.

“I’m fine, but I think we both know that you are very anxious about something. What is it, Data?”

She rarely saw her android friend sigh, but he did so now. He began by referring to the anomalous emotional signals that he had been experiencing from his emotion chip for the last few months. Deanna nodded at all the right places while he worked his way to the point. He finally admitted that there was one emotional state that he was a loss to combat. He had not felt comfortable discussing this emotion with her, so he had sought out other sources.

“What emotion, Data?” she asked point black.

“Sexual arousal,” he answered, just as flatly.

“There is no need for you to be embarrassed about this, Data. It is a very human feeling. It is one all emotional being experience.” Data remained silent, despite her assurance. “How have you dealt with it so far?” she asked him, speculating that he was visiting the holodeck almost like Lt. Barclay would have.

“I attempted to follow others advice and simulate masturbation, but this was unsuccessful. Concentration on mathematical problems was helpful, but ultimately not the answer.” He paused here and she sensed a rise in his stress level.

“Go ahead, Data.” she prodded him. He looked her in the eyes and told her that he had inadvertently confided in a young woman under his command, about the trouble that he had been having. It had been an accident, but the female had not been offended or disturbed in any way. Quite the opposite...she had offered him a solution.

“You’re in love?” Troi asked, confused. This was not something she had sensed from him.

“No, Counselor,” he admitted, softly. “I am not in love with her, nor is she in love with me. Our relationship is one of...mutual gratification. She desired a sexual partner, but not a commitment. I required assistance with my...arrant emotions.”

Troi looked confused. This was not something she would have ever expected from Data. “You asked her to....be intimate with you?”

“Not exactly. It would be accurate to say that she proposed our arrangement. Counselor, I needed you to understand the nature of my relationship with her now in order to seek your advise in...changing it.” His tone became more serious and sure. His thoughts were more focused.

“How do you wish to change it, Data?” Troi asked, still not sure she truly did understand the nature of his relationship with...who?

“While...my lover and I share the act, we do not share the emotion. There is passion, desire and...satisfaction. I...I wish there to be more. Matters of love have often left me...at a loss. This is still the case. I want her to love me and I want to love her, yet I do not know how to even determine if this is possible.”

Troi sighed inwardly. This sounded more like the Data she knew. Still, she was not sure she could help him. “You’re not going to tell me who she is, Data?” she asked, stalling for time.

“She gave me leave to reveal her identity, but I would prefer not to at this time, Counselor. Can you suggest a course of action to determine if love is attainable?” He made it sound like he could just go up to this woman and say, ‘let’s fall in love’ and have it happen.

“Data, there is no formula for love. I can’t give you an easy solution. How long have you been seeing this woman?” she asked with a sigh.

“Five months, three weeks, eight days,” he replied. At lease he didn’t give the hours and seconds.

“That is a significant amount of time. How often do you see her?”

“At first, we would only meet if I experienced arousal. I expressed a concern regarding encountering this particular dysfunction during my duty shift. She suggested preventive measures. We now meet every morning prior to my shift. This approach has proven effective.” He was so factual in describing how he met with this woman to have sex with her each and every morning.

“Data, how do you feel about this woman?”

“I respect her. I enjoy my time with her. I would do anything within my power to help her if she asked. I have discover that thinking of her unclothed for more than eleven point two seconds caused my sexual program to attempt initiation.” As Data thought of this women, Troi could senses strong waves of sexual desire emanating from him. A smile curved his lips. The more he looked inward, the stronger his passion became. Deanna felt the need to block some of his intensity, lest she become swept up in his reverie and the emotions that came with it.

“She is giving, patient and discreet,” he continued after a moment. “We have been careful to see that no one observes my entering her quarters or leaving them, so we have avoided being the subject of rumor. While I believe that you would be able to sense our emotion and deduce her identity, thus far no one else has suspected our connection. Is it your belief that this relationship cannot evolve into something more, Counselor?”

“I really can’t say, Data. If I understand you correctly, the only thing the two of you share is...sex. Have you tried to expand on that? Have you asked her to dinner, to a play? Anything social? You meet in secret and leave in secret. While I understand your reason for beginning this...arrangement, I am not sure you would have not been better sever in create a comparable holodeck program, Data.” Deanna looked apologetic, but Data just sighed heavily again. He carefully considered her words before speaking again.

“I do not believe it would be well received if I tried to take advantage of your suggestion at this time. I calculate a 98.27% probability that she would strongly object and would attempt to convince me to keep things as they are.” He sounded like he was becoming depressed.

“Why do you believe this?”

“I have tried that before.” He paused and looked Troi in the eye. “There is another matter that came to light this afternoon, that relates to my first inquiry. When I went to speak with her and gain her approval to speak with you now, I...I asked her to speak with me in an office, a private office, but I should not have...but I did....” He stopped speaking and looked at his hands. Waves of shame were clearly transmitted to the empath.

“Data, what happened?” Now his emotions were confused again. Desire, shame, hunger, and regret.

“I wanted to touch her. She told me that I was in the habit of touching her...she was making excuses for me, but I behaved improperly towards her. I am not sure what this means.”

“You had sex with her then?” Troi asked, needing clarification.

“The contact was sexual in nature, but intercourse did not take place. I did, however, want it to take place,” he admitted, ashamed.

“Perhaps the two of you need to back off of this relationship.” Data looked about to object. “I’m not saying you should stop it all together, though I wonder if that may not be best. Ultimately, I don’t think this relationship will be satisfying for either of you. One of you will meet someone with whom love is possible than the other will be left. If you want to try to change it, I would talk to her and try it soon. This is of course your relationship and your choice, Data, but I would hate to see you hurt. A holodeck program would have no strings.” The counselor rose to her feet at this time, indicating that she was done with him. Data stood, but he did not feel...done. Of all his meetings with the Counselor, this one seemed very unsatisfying.

No strings....

This was part of the foundations of his relationship with Razeene. Yet the counselor did not see it that way.

Data walked her to the lounge, but did not enter with her. He returned to his quarters to feed Spot and to ask the computer for Razeene’s location.

“Lt. Tell is in 12 forward lounge.”

She was attending the party. This was going to prove a very good evening or a very bad evening. He had decided that he could not simply end his relationship with her. First of all, he did not want to and he did not believe she would react well if he suggested it. Second, he intended to see if they could move their relationship forward. If it was not to be, he would wait and revisit the idea again later.

Tonight would be a social situation, and if he could keep from undressing her in public, maybe this could be the first step towards his goal.

Razeene was sitting with some of her friends when Data entered the lounge. He did not look at her, but he could see her just fine in his peripheral vision. He headed for the table where Commander Riker was sitting. Troi, Geordi, and the Captain were also seated at this table. There was a table for gifts beside the table that the senior officer occupied, and Data added his to the stack as he passed.

“About time you got here! Where were you, Data?” Geordi admonished, teasingly as Data took his seat.

“I went to my quarters to feed Spot.” Data left it at that.

The Birthday Boy was honored, teased and allowed to speak in his own defense in the next hour. He later played some with the band and also danced. Data was not surprised that the first person with whom Riker danced, was Deanna Troi. However he did not expect Geordi to ask Razeene to dance at the same time.

When Riker returned to the table, Troi and Geordi danced together. Data watched as Lt. Sawyer guided Razeene back to the floor.

“Razeene Tell,” Riker said, with obvious appreciation.

“Excuse me, Commander?” Data said, hoping that he had imagined what he knew he heard.

“You were watching her, my friend. Thinking about asking her to dance?” Amusement coloured Riker’s words and his features.

“She is under my command. I am not certain it would be appropriate.” He was stalling, but he was just not sure he should embark on this path after what had happened today.

“You are the second officer to the whole damn ship, Data. That leaves only the Captain and myself who are not under your command. I don’t think you want to dance with either of us.” Riker laughed at his own joke, but he had a point.

“I intent no offence, Commander, but I am forced to agree.” He glanced at Razeene. “I am not interested in dancing with you or the Captain.” Riker laughed again.

“So?” Riker prompt.

“She is engaged at this time.” The song was coming to an end.

“Well, if you won’t, then I will!” Riker got to his feet, and waiting just another moment for the song to end, he latched on to Razeene before she had a chance to even take a step towards her table.

How easily he does that, Data mused. He just gets up, calls her by her first name, and she is dancing with him. He sighed. He would never be relaxed and natural seeming in his attempts to mimic this behavior. Will Riker could charm a woman without thinking.

And this is why you are the only one still sitting at this table!

Data could not help but watch Riker and his dance partner. She moved with grace and ease. Desire shot through him, but Data closed his eyes and insisted that it release him.

I want to know more about her. I wish to learn what she is like away from her quarters, and out of my arms.

Clothed.

Riker did not release Razeene when the song ended. Instead, he took her arm and guided her back to the table were Data now sat.

“...And then the whole thing just exploded in his face,” Riker was saying. The tail end of some funny story, Data assumed. Razeene was also laughing.

“What did he do?” she asked.

“Went to wash his face,” he finished. They both laughed as Riker handed her into a chair and scooted it in. “You’ve met Commander Data, I’m sure, haven’t you, Razeene?” he said by way of needless introduction.

With a brief flash of mild anger...or was it jealousy?...Data wondered what Riker would think if he knew that Data had been in bed with this women just this morning...

“He is the head of my area, Will,” she chided him. “Nice to see you this evening, Commander,” she said smiling pleasantly at Data.

“Good to see you as well, Lieutenant.” Razeene! Her name is Razeene and you have called her by her name 957 times in the past. Why can you not say it now? “I hope you have been well since I saw you last,” he added.

She gave him a confused look for just a second. “You mean since, ah, four hours ago, I think it’s been? Yes, I’ve been just fine. We will be ready when we reach sector 178-L, sir, don’t you worry.” She grinned at him.

“Of that, I have no doubt...Razeene. Your performance is always above my expectations. This was one of the many reasons I recommended you for your recent promotion.” Data was stunned to see her...blush! Not a common occurrence for her.

“Thank you, sir.” She flashed him a bright grin, but looked quickly back to Riker. “When do we get cake and presents?” she asked him. Riker’s eyes twinkled.

“I have to dance with all of the beautiful women in the room first, two down...” he said with a wink.

Data had to admit that it was indeed a wave of jealousy that was rushing through him. He got to his feet and moved over to Razeene. “Since Commander Riker has already taken his turn, may I have the honor of the next dance, Razeene?” He thought for a moment that she was going to refuse. She looked confused and taken aback by his offer and looked from his hand to his face before finally placing her hand in his.

Now if he could just ignore the waves of desire shooting through him, he may just be able to convince her that they could have more than sex. If he could only convince himself of that...

He led her to the dance floor and assumed the proper stance and arm placement. She looked at him as though she had never seen him before in her life. Neither if them noticed that Deanna Troi and Will Riker were both keeping tabs on them...but for different reasons.

“You are unusually quiet. Are you unwell?” Data asked Razeene, after a moment of silent dancing. Even in a room full of other people, he could still detect the hint of orange blossoms.

“No. I expected you to be here, but I did not expect you to speak to me...or ask me to dance.” She studied his face for a clue as to what he was thinking.

“I have been thinking about...redefining the parameters of our relationship.”

There! He had said it.

“Redefine? How?” She looked unprepared for this revelation.

“I would like you to consider... expanding the boundaries of our association.”

“Keep going,” she definitely looked stunned.

“There is a play that Dr. Crusher is directing. They will be putting on productions two evening from now. Will you attend with me?” he asked. She almost tripped. He pulled her closer to help her regain her footing.

“Data? Are you asking me out on a date?” she whispered, breathlessly.

“Yes.”

Razeene stopped dancing.

“Is this what you wanted to talk to Troi about?” she asked, her tone held accusation, but she still whispered.

“Yes,” he admitted, unable to think of a reason to deny the truth. He tried to coax her into dancing again, so that it did not seem as though the were having a...lovers quarrel.

“She thought our relationship was wrong, so you are trying to change the rules to make her happy?” She grudgingly moved in time with him, but she looked insulted.

“No, Razeene. It was not the Counselor’s suggestion to change our relationship. She believes that it would be best to terminate it. I do not agree. I want...to change the rules for myself. I wish to see if more is possible.” She wanted to joke that she gave him everything...all of her body, but he was not talking about her body and she damn well knew it.

Damn him, why now? Why at all? Why why why why?

The song ended, still stunned, she allowed him to take her arm and lead her back to his table. Troi and Geordi were there and talking, but silence fell over the table when Tell and Data sat. Geordi had been listening to Deanna, but the counselor seeming suddenly distracted.

Will grabbed the chair on the other side of Razeene and turning it backwards, sat beside her. “I love birthdays and I love jazz. Isn’t it time for cake?” Will flashed his patented grin around the table, pausing for effect on both women.

Data decided that he should have taken Razeene back to her own table to consider his proposal.

“And the gift opening...can’t forget that!” Geordi added, grinning. Riker rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

“I would never forget gift opening.” Will grinned, glancing over at the stack of goodies.

“Looks like you may need a knife on some of them, Will,” noted Razeene. Will grimaced.

“You think so? Why?” he asked.

“Some may be concealing unsuspected...strings.”

Troi watched as Tell’s eyes traveled from Will’s to Data’s and back again. From the emotional tide the empath had sensed from that pair as they dance, Deanna knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that this woman was Data’ s lover. She also knew for the woman’s words that Data have made a move and she did not like it! Troi silently commiserated with the android, but she had suspected that this was a bad idea. Why had he not listened to her?

“If there’s anything I can’t break, I have Data here. He can be very handy in cases like that. Right, Data?” Will reached over to pat Data on the back, for emphasis.

“Yes, Commander.” But Data was not really paying that much attention to Riker.

At this moment the Captain approached the table with Beverly Crusher in tow. Both were grinning brightly.

“Well, Number One, I think it’s about time for the cake, don’t you?” the captain asked, with a twinkle in his eye.

“I couldn’t agree more, sir!” Will said with the sparkle in his eyes matching that of the captain’s. Picard waved at someone across the lounge and within seconds two attendance were rolling out a huge cake. It was decorated with a picture of Riker playing his trombone done in frosting.

Laughter ensued as the candles were lit, blown out, and the cake was cut. Data took a piece of cake, but he barely tasted it, he was so preoccupied with Razeene.

As the gifts were opened, he tried to take her hand under the table, but she saw his intent and moved her hand away. Crestfallen, Data wondered if he should leave. He was saved the decision as Razeene found a moment to slip out of her seat and escape for the lounge after saying goodnight to Will. Data was so distraught that he failed to notice Deanna Troi slip out just after Razeene.

Chapter 3

“Lt. Tell, wait a moment, please.” Deanna called, walking quickly just a few meters behind. Tell slowed her pace, but did not stop. “Do you have something against birthday presents?” Troi asked, smiling.

“I’m really not in the mood for a party anymore and I suspect that you know why.” Tell was not in the mood for mind games either. She stopped in her track and faced Troi head on. “He told my that you thought we should call it quits. You should be thrilled, Counselor. I just made your wish come true!” Without even pausing long enough to see how Troi reacted, Tell stalked off down the corridor again.

“Lieutenant, wait!” Troi did not catch up with her again until they reached the lift. As it happened, they were the only ones on it. “Lieutenant, may I ask what he said to you?” Troi could feel the woman’s anger, but she could feel her sense of loss as well.

“He wanted to go to a play together. He claims you didn’t put him up to that, did you?” she was shaking with fury and confusion.

“No, I did not. He is quite capable of making his own choices. I take it you found this suggestion unacceptable?” It was immediately clear that this was not a good question to ask.

“I never should have agreed when he asked me if he could talk to you about us!” The lift door opened and Razeene almost ran to her quarters. Troi was right on her heels. The Betazoid followed the human into her quarters and waited for the woman to realize that she was not alone.

“Why did you have to muck this up? Why did he have to talk with you? Everything was perfect until this! I don’t want complications. I don’t want strings or demands. He was everything I wanted and nothing I didn’t want! I despise you at this moment for fouling that up, Counselor!” She turned away after this rant. Facing the wall, she put her hand out, as though needing the support.

“I’m sorry you feel this way, Lieutenant but it was Data who came to me. I told him what I thought he needed to hear. Had it been you who came to me, I would have said almost the same thing. What is your relationship based on?” she asked.

“Sex. Sex that curls you toe, makes you scream and leaves you hungry for more as soon as you’re rested up enough! Have you ever had sex with him, Counselor?” she turned to look, but at the other woman’s expression she did not need to hear her answer. “No, of course not, you’re still hoping for Riker. Well, I guess I should be glad of that because if you were not you would be camped out at Data’s door after this. I understand that as a female of your race gets older, they go through a time of increased sex drive. He’d be perfect for this. He can go for hours and of course he doesn’t ever break a sweat. You would swear that his creator had to be female and trying to design the perfect male. He is as close as we females will ever get to perfection. And now, thanks to you, he wants to redefine our relationship!” Razeene threw her arms up in discussed at this suggestion.

“You do not care for him in this way at all?” How could that really be possible. Everyone who met him was fond of Data. He just seemed to have a way with people.

“I respect him and like him and enjoy him. I am not looking for anything more right now and I am not going to pretend to feel something I don’t to pacify you or him or anyone!”

“Did you end it with him?”

“He brought this up as we danced and I was too blown away to react. Don’t you worry, Counselor, I will

try and let him down easy,” she sneered. Troi tried to not recoil at the feelings that she felt directed her way. “If you don’t mind, Counselor, I would like to be alone now.” The woman did not leave any room for argument, she was even point at the door. Reluctantly, Troi headed for the exit.

“If you decided that you want to talk-“

“Out!” Razeene practically screamed.

That had gone worse that just about any other meeting Troi had ever had before. God help Data, since obviously, Deanna was not going to be any help.

When Data returned to his quarters, he checked for messages, but there was not one from Razeene. Spot jumped into his lap and he stroked her absently. Counselor Troi had admitted to following Razeene in an attempt to talk to her, but had confessed that she had not been successful at communicating with...his lover...possibly his former lover. He had not anticipated this reaction from her. He had thought it possible that she would decline to date him, but a flare of anger when she had always been so...eager to please, he had not thought likely. As a result, he had not formulated a response to this reaction.

Data wondered if someone without a heart could call this feeling heartsick?

Geordi came by to see if he was alright. Data told him that he was experiencing a dilemma with a female, but he had vowed to keep the details private, therefore he was not at liberty to disclose why he was not ‘acting like himself’. Geordi told Data that he would be there if he needed him and left, looking worried.

Realizing that he needed to know one way or the other how Razeene felt towards him, Data made his way to her quarters. He had checked to make sure she was there and had made certain that the corridor outside of her quarters were clear, before he rang for admittance.

The door did not automatically open for him.

Data wondered if this was his answer already?

The door opened and Razeene stood before it. She was dressed in her uniform. She was not smiling.

“Come in, Commander.” There was no feeling in her voice.

He entered and allowed the door to close behind him before speaking.

“It is over, is it not?” he asked simply.

She took a deep breath and went to sit on the couch. She indicated that he should follow.

Once they were seated, she seemed to be gathering her thoughts. Finally, she met his gaze and began to talk.

“I’m not in that place right now, Data. I’m just not ready for this. Even just dating. I may not be anything but your lover now, but I know quite a bit about you. You don’t enter into anything half-hearted. If we began down this road, you would go from sub-light to warp 9.999 in days. I can’t give you that. I can’t give anyone that right now.” Razeene tried to remain calm, but this was not easy to say to Data’s sad looking eyes.

“I rescind my request regarding the play two days hence,” he said, softly.

She just shook her head sadly. “You know that’s not going to work, Data. We can’t go backwards. You pushed us past what we had agreed on. I know you only wanted...something...more, but I know we can’t go back now. You’ll be looking at me with the same expression that’s on your face right now. The ‘what if I...’ look. I can’t do that to you. Despite what Troi may think of me, because of the nature of our relationship, I have a great deal of respect for you, Commander. You are the best superior I’ve ever had. And I do care for you. I know that this is not what you wanted, but I have to end it now. To do anything else would be wrong. And it would be disrespectful. I’m sorry but I’m just not capable of turning passion into love, Data,” she said, gently. She reached over and took hold of his hand.

Her touch caused two emotions to stir within him. Unequaled sadness and longing. It was not just a need for her touch or her body or sex. There was something more this time. The connections were forming, but it had waited too long. Despite himself, he pressed her hand to his chest and closed his eyes. Optical lubricants overflowed in his tear ducts.

How did human’s live through this feeling? It was dreadful! He felt her put her arms around him and pulled his head to her chest. He was sobbing. He knew that many human males would consider this very un-masculine behavior, but he had never experienced this kind of loss before. He did not care how his actions would be viewed by others!

Nothing in their relationship seemed to be traditional. Why should its end be any different?

Data was overcome by grief. He did not want this to end. He still needed her.

He lifted his head, wiped the tears away and took her face in his hands. He gently edged closer, giving her the opportunity to pull back. She did not. He could taste her favorite wine on her lips.

He kissed her again, drawing her into his arms. Her arms slid up his back. After a moment that need was too great and he could not deny it. He lifted her in his arms and took her to her bed.

He made love to her.

He felt it!

He could not bring himself to say it, but it was there.

Turning passion into love....maybe she could not, but he...had.

She did not object when he moved to take her again. But in the middle of a kiss, his eyes filled with tears again.

She tried to kiss them away, but he lifted his torso up enough to look into her eyes.

“Do not end this, Razeene. Please say you will try to love me. I need you to try. Please, Razeene. I believe that it is possible. I know that it is possible for me, say it is possible of you,” he pleaded. She looked sad and began shaking her head.

“Data, I can’t. I-“ He could not bare to hear this, so he kissed her again. He knew he should have just pulled away and left right then, but he stood on the brink and decided to go all the way. Losing his heart, he made love to her one last time.

Two weeks of strained professionalism from him, convinced Razeene that she had to take drastic measures. She stood before that Captain of the Enterprise, and handed him her formal request for transfer. They would be going to Starbase 23 in ten days and she could wait for reassignment there.

“Everything is in order here, Lt. Tell, but you have failed to explain your reasons for requesting this transfer. I must admit to confusion over this request. You were recently promoted, your reviews have all been excellent. Why would you wish to leave the Enterprise?” the captain asked, looking as though he expected to not like the answer.

“I have...I made a mistake that I cannot rectify and it has damaged my relationship with a fellow officer beyond repair. I feel that my only option is to leave, sir.” Her hands were shaking as she spoke.

The captain studied her before speaking again. “Have you made use of Counselor Troi’s services in an attempt to clear up this matter? I would hate to lose a valuable officer if there was an alternative.”

“Yes, sir...we both have. We have both tried to pretend that it does not effect our work atmosphere, but it does. I am aware of your disinclination to become involved in your officers personal lives, sir. I understand your view on this as the captain of a starship. But this kind of thing still does happen.” She looked embarrassed, but after shifting uncomfortable in her seat, she continued. “Have you ever felt as though you were placing someone in an uncomfortable position, even though you had not intended to, sir?” she asked.

Picard gave her a compassionate smile. “I believe that I understand what you are truing to say, Lieutenant, and yes, I have. If you assure me that there is nothing that can be done to rectify this situation and guarantee that this is indeed as you say and not a reaction to another officer’s misbehavior, I will approve your request.”

Despite herself, Razeene gasped at the captain’s suggestion that this could be the result of misbehavior on Data’s part. She forgot for this moment that Picard did not know that it was Data she trying not to refer to.

“No, sir. The Commander has never behaved inappropriately towards me!” The memory of Data bringing her to climax in the shift leader’s office flashed in her brain, but the was no reason for the Captain to know about this little white lie.

“Commander!?” Picard repeated. He knew damn well who her superiors were. And she did not report to but one....Commander. “Commander Data?” he asked, stunned.

How, when this have been just what she was trying to avoid, had she given it away so easily?

“Please forget I said that, sir,” she said, in defeat. Picard regarded her impatiently.

“I most certainly will not, Lt. Tell. Commander Data is the second officer abroad this ship. I have never encountered a situation where he was not able to deal fairly and professionally with those under his command. If this had changed, I want to know why!” Tell jumped to a straighter stance in reaction to the captain’s strong and stern tone.

“Captain, sir. Commander Data is one of the finest officers with whom I have ever had the privilege to serve. I don’t know of anyone in my department or any other, who does not respect him. I cannot say for sure that I am not assigning uneasiness where none exists, perhaps it is just my own guilt over causing him...upset. He is always polite and professional.”

Picard was again silent and thoughtful. Data with emotions added many more variables in to the equations of this command, and Picard was still getting used to each one as they occurred. He would have to speak to Deanna and perhaps even Data to determine if this woman was exaggerating. And if she was, in which direction was the exaggeration? Hers or Data’s?

“I will take what you have told me under advisement. I will let you know of my decision by tomorrow at 1800 hours. Dismissed.” Tell rose to go, but before she made it to the door, she hesitated.

“Captain. May I ask you, that if you approve my request...will you allow me to...tell him. I won’t want him to read it in a report, or be caught off guard by it. He deserves better,” she looked humble and this puzzled the captain. Had this woman and Data tried remaining friends after a failed love affair, but now she just found it too difficult? Was Data truly effected?

“I will inform you of my decision tomorrow, Lieutenant. If your transfer is approved, you will have 24 hours before I officially post the order. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” Lt. Tell practically raced from the captain’s ready room. She had to pass Data, who was at ops, on her way off the bridge. She hoped that he did not guess why she was there. Their eyes met briefly and she could see the very look she had warned him against.

What if....

This look always caused her to pause. To her shock, even here on the bridge, in front of the senior staff...it happened again. But Data was not looking away either. Of course he wasn’t standing there in front of God, Riker and everybody!

She wrenched her eyes away from him and double timed it to the lift. As the lift doors closed she leaned heavily against the wall. If Picard didn’t approve her transfer, she was going to have to give serious consideration to jumping out an airlock or something equally drastic. She laughed and shook her head at the unbalanced thoughts running wildly through her head.

“They say no man is worth killing yourself over, they conveniently neglected to mention whether this also applied to androids!” The lift doors opened as she was giving voice to her frustration.

“What applies to androids?” Lt. Sung asked as she and Tell past.

“They’re great at...lifting things,” Razeene answered as she hurried off. Yeah, like lifting women on to beds before they ravish them...she thought with a sigh. Gods she missed being ravished! Not that he ever took her by force or could...he would never have been forcing her! Would she have even made an effort to stop him if he tried to undress her in public or in a really unsafe hiding place? Doubtful...but that would never happen, his ethical program would prevent it. And they were not seeing each other anymore...

The Captain informed Deanna that he wanted her opinion on the matter between Lt. Tell and Commander Data, just an hour after the young woman had left his ready room.

“For some reason she feels that she needs to leave the Enterprise rather than face him. This sounds so unlike Data, Counselor. I understand they both have spoken to you regarding this matter?” the captain asked.

“Yes, captain. Data is dealing with a new emotional situation as best he can. You know that he does not handle failure very well. He’s not reacting any better or any worst that I would have expected, however it is still difficult for him. I also have to admit that I may have had a hand in...his failure. While of course I can’t go into detail, there were certain aspects of their relationship I...personally found troubling. I may have allowed myself to react out of an need to protect Data from what I saw as an emotional danger.” Deanna looked very shameful. “It went down hill from there. If Razeene wants to leave, she most likely feels that this is her only recourse in order to avoid the pain that they are both experiencing. This is one of those situations that only time will heal.”

The captain sat back in his chair, considering. Data must have been very much in love with this woman for it to be effecting him this much. An android in love... Picard wished that he had actually been able to see his friend when this relationship had been on course. With a smile, he mentioned this to Deanna.

“It would have been a sight to see him swept up with the power of this kind of emotion.” Picard was enjoying thoughts of his friend being happy, but Troi, he noticed, blanched. “Is something wrong, Counselor.”

What could she say? The captain had assumed that Data had been in love with Razeene. Telling him that it had only been sex, would go against her oath as a counselor and could damage Picard’s image of Data. It had damaged hers...until she saw how the loss of their affair had effected both of them. Regardless of her views or understanding of what had taken place between them, it had clearly meant a great deal to both of them. Even two weeks later, they were still mourning the loss of a relationship that they had...needed.

“No, captain. I just wish there was something more I could do help them. Have you made your decision, sir?” she asked, redirecting the subject away from that which she could not talk about.

“I regret losing her, but I will approve her transfer. How do you think this will effect Data?”

“It will hurt at first, but he will heal. Not seeing her every day may help to speed the healing. Perhaps one of us should tell him personally of the news,” she suggested.

“Actually, Miss Tell requested that I delay posting her transfer so that she could tell him herself. Why don’t you inform her that the transfer will be approve and see if she wished one of us, I would prefer you, for obvious reasons, to break the news.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll attend to that at once.” Deanna left the ready room and entered the bridge. She found that she could not help giving Data’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze as she past him. He gave her a quizzical glance, but she just smiled, compassionately and headed for the lift and stellar cartography.

Razeene watched the woman that had the reputation as being the most beautiful female on the Enterprise, enter the room, pause to say a few words to Sawyer and then cross to her side. “How are you, Razeene?” The counselor asked, in a whisper.

“Ok, I guess. How are you?” Razeene was not comfortable around this woman before she had screamed at her two weeks ago, but even after apologizing, Deanna’s exotic beauty intimidated Razeene and made her nervous.

“I am well, thanks. Can you take a walk with me for a moment? We won’t be long and I informed the Lieutenant.”

Razeene sighed. Had Riker mentioned how she had been on the bridge gawking at Data this morning? With a quick nod, She fell into step along side the Counselor as they left stellar cartography together.

“I was just speaking to the captain. He told my about your request for transfer, Razeene. Are you sure this is your only option?” Deanna asked her. She had to give it one last try.

“If you saw the way Data looks at me every time I see him, you would not be asking me this, Counselor. I’m sure he has been to see you. How is he?” Razeene sounded defensive, but Troi could scenes underlying despair.

“He is...as well as can be expected. Don’t you think that leaving the Enterprise will hurt him. He is going to realize the reason behind your transfer request.” Deanna tried not to sound like she was lecturing.

“I intend to be the one to tell him about it, so he will know exactly what my reasons are.”

“If you would be more comfortable, I would take that burden from you.” Troi offered.

“No, I want to tell him. I owe it to him. When will the captain know?”

“He sent me to tell you that the transfer is approved if you still want it.”

Razeene sighed. “I do. Thank you for telling me, Counselor. Please allow me to handle this. If he does not react well, I’ll send him to you.” Razeene turned to look the counselor in the eyes for a second before turning and walking alone back to her duty. Deanna sighed and wished that this had turned out differently.

Data went to stellar cartography three hours later and tried very hard not to even look at Razeene. Her appearance in the bridge this morning had been puzzling to him, but looking into her green eyes when she had departed had been...painful.

Data spoke briefly with Sawyer, taking his report, and then moved on to Lt. Drace. He was inputting Sawyers report into the PADD in his hand when he noticed that his path was blocked. Looking up, he saw Lt. Razeene Tell standing before him, looking nervous.

“Lt. Tell,” he said, inclining his head.

“Commander, I-I have a personal matter which I need to discuss with you. May I meet with you later this evening, sir?” she asked. It was clear that she was making an effort to seem calm, but not quite succeeding. He forced himself not to close his eyes in order to battle the impulse to touch her cheek. Why would she need to speak with him? Had she changed her mind? Did she want to be with him again? Did she want to be his love or just his lover? It this point, Data thought he was accept either. He wanted her back and missed her more intensely each time he saw her.

“Can you come to my quarters at 2100 hours? I should be available at that time.” He did not want to meet in her quarters. She had never been to his quarters and if this was a reconcilement, he wanted to let her know that she was important to him and that he could not longer keep that secret.

“Yes, sir. 2100 hours. Thank you, sir.” Without another word, she turned away. She did not seem excited. That was not a good sign, Data noted. Still, it was possible that she was unsure of his response.

The hours before 2100, dragged. She wondered if she shouldn’t try to not be seen going to Data’s quarters, but it was only other senior officers that would see her and surly they could be trusted to keep their mouths shut!

She rang for admittance at Data’s door and tried to keep from throwing up here in the corridor. The door slid open at his command and she groaned inwardly. He always wore his uniform. Always! Why the hell did he have to choose now to be in casual clothes?

He was dressed in brown from head to toe. It was not a colour she would have put him in, but it was not up to her... The whole thing was loose fitting, though the shirt was cinched at the waist, flaring out again from there. The neckline was unusual for him as well. It was a v-neck that opened to about seven inches below his Adam’s apple. The pants were also loose and his shoes were a perfectly matching brown. He did not look great in this colour, but the cut was...pleasing.

Razeene forced one leg to take a step in front or the other and edged into his quarters. She took a second to look over this new surrounding before speaking. She was not sure what she would have expected his quarters to look like, but this was definitely not it. She saw Spot, who he had talked about before, and painting supplies, his violin, and a vase filled with flowers to name just some of the things she noticed. The room held a warmth one may not have expected from an android. But then, Data held a fire that she knew many would have been surprised to know about.

“Good evening. Would you like to sit down?” he asked and led her to a furniture grouping. He took a seat on one of the couches and she took a chair to his left. She really didn’t want to sit, but maybe that would be easier for him. “Would you care for a beverage or something to eat?”

“No thank you, sir. I’m fine.” She knew she was blushing. He was being so polite again!

“Sir? We are in private, Razeene. Surely a more casual form of address would not be inappropriate at this time.” He seemed more puzzled than offended. He had no idea what was coming, she realized.

“I’m not sure you’re going to feel that way after I tell you this...Data. I told you that this was not going to be easy and it seems to be going worse than I expected. I can’t stand seeing you look at me like you do or trying to avoid me the rest of the time.” She took a deep breath and got it over with. ”I have asked for and been granted a transfer. I will be leaving-“ Data sprang to his feet, his expression one of alarm.

“No!” he cried, his tone pleading.

“Please, Data. It will be easier for both of us this way. I never intended to hurt you, but it had worked out that way and I hate it!” she kept her seat, knowing that she could not stand right now is she tried. He stared at her for several seconds before sinking to one knee before her. He took her hands in his and looked deeply into her eyes.

“Please do not do this,” he whispered. “I need you, Razeene. I still...feel for you. I care for you. I miss you. Be my lover once again. I will not ask for more. I will not go beyond the parameters we originally agreed upon.” He reached up and caressed her cheek with his left hand. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

To have him back...Gods, to have him back...to have him inside of her again. Every morning. Every night. When ever he wanted...she wanted so much to give in to him. So much...

“I can’t Data. I have to go. Troi was right. I would only end up hurting you again later or you would just end it with me. I can’t go through this again. It’s just too hard!” This was just lust, she told herself. He turned her on and she turned him on. There was nothing more and she had to get out of here...now. Gently, she pushed him away. She got to her feet, but he rose too and tried, in vain, to stop her.

“No, Razeene. Please!” he had caught her hand. She looked back at their hands and then to his sad face. He looked so...broken. She did not think she could trust herself to speak. She simply pulled her hand from his grasp and walked as quickly as she could from his quarters.

Ten days seemed like forever.

Data would avoid her as much as he was able. Razeene met with Sawyer the day after she broke the news to Data about the transfer. She told Kevin that she and the Commander had recently broken off a relationship and that neither one of them was handling it very well. She begged him to keep this to himself, but to help her make it unnecessary for Data to talk to her for the remainder of her time aboard the Enterprise.

“He will be grateful for this, Kevin. And I will be your slave if you do this for me.”

Sawyer’s eyes went wide when she said she would be his slave, but he could tell that she really upset by her ended relationship with...Commander Data? Weird. He knew that the android had emotions now, but Kevin had just never considered the possibility of Data...wanting a woman. He was a machine, after all. What would he do with her? He decided that he didn’t want to know.

“I could have your report ready along with mine and give him both when he comes in,” he offered. She sighed and smiled.

“What do I owe you?” she asked.

“Just don’t tell me what he saw in you, ok? That will be enough. Is he why you’re leaving, Raz?” he asked, he still looked like he had just eaten something distasteful.

“Part of it.” Why tell him more than he needed to know? “I really appreciate this, Kevin. I owe you, and you don’t have long to collect if you want to, so keep that in mind.”

Kevin never called her on her offer. He did keep his promise and help her without blabbing to anyone else that she and Data had had something going on. Data, being the sharp cookie that he was, picked up on what was happening and one day after taking their reports from Sawyer, he glanced back at Razeene until she met his gaze. He did not look pleased.

Razeene spoke with Deanna and explained that her intentions had been good, but that Data had apparently assumed that she had negative reasons for having asked Sawyer to help her with this. Deanna promised, reluctantly, to speak to Data for her, but even the counselors intervention did not seem to help. He still looked insulted and hurt. But he went along with it and never looked her way again.

Her friends threw her a little going away party the evening before Razeene was to leave. It was fun, but the fun was bitter sweet. She would miss them all, the Enterprise and... that was all. She returned to her quarters to pack up, sleep and wait. The Enterprise would arrive at Starbase 23 at 1000 hours the following morning. She would be beaming down with her personal effects and that would be it for her tenure aboard the flagship of the fleet.

Her things were packed. Her quarters looked empty. Her stomach hurt and she couldn’t sleep. Razeene rolled over in bed and let out a fierce groan of frustration. She sat up and ripped the covers off. She showered, dressed and paced around her quarters. She could not get that damn...man out of her head.

“It would be wrong to just go without saying goodbye, wouldn’t it?” she asked the recirculated air. “Well, I’m going to say goodbye whether it’s a good idea or not!” she growled and stomped out of her quarters.

Standing in front of his door, she was not quite so resolved. Maybe he would still be angry with her? Actually, that would be good. It may just make it easier, but how ever he reacted, she had to...what was the psychological term they gave it? Oh, yeah...closure. She needed closure.

She rang for admittance. It took several seconds, but the door finally opened. At least he was in his uniform this time.

“I came to say goodbye,” she said hurriedly. Data stood just at the entrance to his bedroom. His face was expressionless.

“Come in,” he said simply. He did not offer her a seat or anything else this time.

“It looks like I caught you at a bad time. I’ll go.” She turned to leave, but he called her back.

“There will not be another opportunity to say goodbye, Razeene. We are due to arrive at the Starbase by 1000. The layover there will only be two hours. I was not expecting company. I had engaged my dream program. Have you been informed of your next assignment?” he asked, taking a step towards her. His tone was very flat.

He had been sleeping. That explained the slightly rumpled condition of his always perfect uniform. “I’m going to the Clemmson array. It takes readings from that unstable wormhole and we’re to be mapping as much as we can with probes sent through and pulled back. Don’t you own any pajamas, Data?”

He looked distracted by her question. “I have never seen the need.” He looked down and noticed he was wrinkled. “Perhaps this was an oversight.”

Not knowing what possessed her, she went to his replicator, intending to order him some. She looked back at him, considering the fabric and colour. “Computer, create one pair of men’s pajamas sized to fit Commander Data. Make the fabric Vulcan ra’tak down and make the colour...black.” This Vulcan fabric was similar to earth silk, but was not as fragile and she liked it better. The computer chirped and seconds later the requested pajamas materialized. She took them over to him.

“Try these.” She almost hated to hand them over. She loved the feel of ra’tak down.

He accepted the garments. He moved closer to a chair and laid them across the back. He then proceeded to remove his uniform right there.

“Data? What are you doing? You can’t just strip down in front of me!” she exclaimed, turning her back.

“While I am aware of the taboo against nudity in most human cultures. You and I have seen each other unclothed...many times. The prohibition should not apply here.” He sounded confused.

“While that is all true, when...when lovers...stop being lovers, the taboo...applies again,” she stammered.

“I am not sure I understand. You have seen me unclothed. Is it that you are supposed to forget what I look like unclothed? I am dressed in the nightwear,” he told her so she would turn back around.

“I’m not sure. I guess so,” she stuttered.

“You are aware that I will never forget what you looked like unclothed? I will remember until the day I shut down or am destroyed.” He watched her look him over. He took a step towards her. “I will retain the memory of every moment that we spent together, Razeene.” Her head came up and she looked him in the eye. He took another step towards her. “I will remember every touch with undiminished clarity. I will remember the scent, feel and taste of your skin for as long as I exist.”

“Data,” she said, weakly warning him.

“I remember every sound you uttered. I remember every scream, every gasp and every cry. I will not forget any of it and I would not want to if I was able to forget, Razeene. I ask you again, do not leave. It is still possible to rescind the transfer order.” He stood just inches from her. She looked up into his eye. Eye full of desire...

“No,” she whispered.

“Then say goodbye to me in my arms...one last time, Razeene. Let me make love to you until you have to leave. Be with me until you have to go.” He was not pleading. He was in control. He almost sounded like he was ordering her, but not quite. She dropped her eyes to his chest. She slowly lifted her hand and touched the fabric covering his body. His beautiful golden body.

“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly.

Data wasted not a second. He pulled her against him and kissed her mouth with an intensity she had tried hard to forget. The feel of the pajamas that covered him was wonderful and they were so sexy on him. But she liked them better on the floor piled with her things beside his bed. When he lowered her naked body to his bed, there was six hours, eleven minutes and seventeen seconds until the time she was scheduled to beam down. He intended to create as many more precious memories with her as was possible in that time.

After two hours, she begged him to let her rest for a moment, and fell asleep in his arms in seconds. As he held her, he was forced to confront the fact that his feelings for her had only grown stronger. He let her sleep for an hour, but woke her with passionate kissed applied to her throat and her breast.

“Will you forget me the moment you leave the Enterprise, Razeene?,” he asked as she moved to straddle him. She looked startled, but grinning, she lowered herself down his impressive length and watched he eyes roll back in his head for a wonderful moment.

“I won’t remember you with ‘undiminished clarity’, like you will remember me, but...no, I won’t forget you.” She did not move. She loved teasing him this way, but he knew this. He would hold out for a bit and then it was a race to see who would break first. She liked the fact that when she had played this game with him before, she was not always the first to restart intercourse.

“Will you...send me word that you are well? It need not be often. Perhaps every month,” he asked. He seemed to be trying to move, ever so slightly, beneath her. She tightened her hold on his penis, and he gave a sharp intake of breath. He narrowed his eyes at her.

Gods, but this was wonderful!

Grinning she lowered her mouth to his, kissing him tenderly.

“If you really want me to write you, I will, Data,” she promised.

“No, I really want you to stay on the Enterprise today and to make love to me right now. I yield! Please, Razeene!” He moaned with pleasure as she accepted his surrender and began moving with him.

“You’re not going to stop asking me to stay until I’m gone, are you?” She gasped as he sat up, and without dislodging their connection, threw her back down on the bed so that he was once again on top of her.

“I may not desist even then. I have no doubt that the captain would approve if you asked to rejoin the Enterprise. Your service here had been above standard at all times. I would also welcome you back.”

“To your staff or your bed?” she asked, knowingly.

“You know the answer is both,” he said, with such seriousness. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she urged him to begin his thrusts. Unlike her, he did not resist.

Before their time together had elapsed, Razeene promised that she would write him, but qualified that it may not be often, depending on the workload she faced on the array. He told her that he too would communicate with her. He came with her to collect her things and take them to the transporter room. Three others were beaming down to the starbase with Razeene and were awaiting the signal for transport. Her personal things were added to the items belonging to the others and Data waited with her for the ready signal.

“I will miss you,” he told her. He held her hands in his. His overt actions towards her surprised her and drew looks from the others in the room, but Data pretended not to notice.

“I’ll miss you too,” she answered. The doors to the transporter room opened behind Data and Razeene saw Commander Riker and Troi enter the room. She tried to unobtrusively pull her hand from Data’s grasp. He turned slightly to see who had entered, but once he nodded at them, he reclaimed her hand.

Will and Deanna moved to join them. The Commander glanced at everyone in the room.

“We came to see all of you off and wish you success in you futures,” announced Riker.

“And thank you for your service to this vessel,” added Troi, smiling her formal smile. Everyone in the room smiled back and happy chatter fill the small space.

This was when both Riker and Troi took notice of Data’s hand and who’s it was holding.

“You planning on leaving us too, Data?” asked Riker, returning his gaze to the pair’s clasped hands.

“No, Commander. Nor am I here in an official capacity. I have...failed in my attempts to convince Razeene to remain on the Enterprise, so I have come to see her off.”

“Hate to lose good help, huh, Data?” Riker teased, trying to lighten the mood. Data looked way too serious.

“That too,” the android conceded and looked down at Razeene. His eyes saying what he could not.

“I wish you well, Razeene,” Deanna said, coming forward. She offered her hand to the other woman and Data was forced to release her.

“Thank you, Deanna. I wish we could have...gotten to know each other better.” Or not have gotten along so badly, she thought.

“You would have the chance to correct that omission if you remained,” Data put in quickly. Razeene glanced at him and then back at Troi and Riker.

“Forgive him, he seems to be experiencing a feed back loop. You should take him to see Commander LaForge.” She looked back at Data, but he just shook his head. He was still painted with that serious expression.

“I am not the one who is leaving, Razeene. I am functioning within normal parameters on every level with one exception.” He took her hand again. Riker, Troi and most of the others in the room looked on at his display with a mixture of shock and trepidation. “There is a 45% increase in activity in the neural pathways of my brain that govern my emotional responses,” he said earnestly.

She blushed and grinned. “You sweet talker, you,” she said, with a laugh. The room also responded to the humor. Data was facing her and she took hold of his other hand. “I’m going to miss you, too. Data,” she told him.

The transporter console beeped and the attendant announced that the starbase was ready for transport. Razeene moved to pull away from Data, but he pulled her back and into his arms in a rare public display of intense affection. He kissed her. It was not a long kiss, or at least not as long as he would have wanted, but it was passionate.

She looked up at him blankly when he loosened his hold on her. Finally she smiled. “Goodbye, Data,” she whispered.

“Do not leave,” he whispered back.

She gave his hands a final squeeze and pulled away, stepping onto the transporter pad along with the other three. Everyone was waving at their departing person as Deanna moved to take hold of Data’s arm in an attempt to comfort him.

Razeene waved and gave him a half-hearted grin.

“Energize,” Riker ordered, to Data’s far left.

As the dematerialization effect caused Razeene to fade for his eyes, Data said his final thoughts to her vanishing form.

“I love you,” he whispered.

TP1_ASSTR