WHO DO I LOVE THEE? ^{© 2003-2007}

By Lessa and Takara Soong

Chapter Three

The trip to Risa went by fairly quick for most of the occupants of the runabout. They played games, sang songs and talked for the duration of the trip. Kendra had painted a beautiful verbal picture of what they should expect to see. Even Juliana perked up when she described the unique rock deposits and formations that could be found a few kilometers from where they would be staying.

The resort was one of the smaller ones in the area and it also happened to be the one Kendra had worked for during her summers. As soon as Treena, the desk clerk and Kendra's roommate of the previous summer, saw she was a member of the Soong party, she immediately upgraded their rooms at no extra cost. The three rooms they were given were all on the same floor. They were quite large and beautifully decorated in a tropical motif. It was almost dinnertime so they agreed that, after they settled in, they would head down to the dining room for something to eat. As the dining room was semi-formal, they would also have to change. They agreed to meet by the turbolift lobby on their floor in one hour. Data and Lore were the first to arrive. They had changed quickly and had spent most of the time on the balcony looking out at the incredible beauty of their surroundings. When Kendra arrived next, wearing a red halter-top dress that accentuated her gorgeous figure, the brothers' eyes went wide as they admired her form. Kendra placed a hand on each of their chests and remarked how handsome they both looked. When the Soongs arrived, Noonien did his best to concentrate on his wife, who was wearing a dress more appropriate to a woman twice her age, but his eyes kept focusing on how sexy Kendra looked.

While Data did seem disappointed he was not naked already, the group’s first dinner on Risa was very pleasant. The food was exquisite and everyone was relaxing and enjoying themselves. Kendra even managed to coax Juliana into trying some of the local drink specialties. The flavor was so fruity, the younger woman did not realize how much alcohol there was in the drink so she had three with dinner.

Everyone agreed on going dancing afterward and Data was allowed to change into less. The dress code at the dance club was ‘anything goes’ so he ran to his room and changed into shorts and a black tee shirt. Lore considered changing, but since Kendra declined the idea, he remained with her and they danced.

Seeing Lore and Kendra dance had an odd affect on Noonien, so he decided to try to convince Juliana to dance with him. The music was faster than she normally liked, but her state of intoxication had loosened her up just enough, so she agreed.

Data returned and took a turn dancing with Kendra. Lore, still trying to please his father, asked Juliana to dance. Noonien had enjoyed the feel of his wife in his arms, but still was pleased with the effort Lore was making. Juliana also seemed happy. Looking over at Data and Kendra, Noonien could see his younger son’s hands roam her body as they danced. They did not kiss but, by the way they looked at each other, Noonien had no doubt they wanted to. The fact Data and Kendra were lovers was all too clear to him. The fact Lore had been more restrained, but had still looked at Kendra with obvious affection, left little doubt he also shared her bed.

This fact and Noonien’s wonderings about them, caused him to be, once again, distracted. He did not notice Kendra was in front of him until she put a hand on his shoulder.

“Noonie, dance with me,” she pleaded. She moved her hand from his shoulder to take his hand. She pulled him to his feet, not intending to take no for an answer.

Glancing over, Noonien saw Data was now twirling his mother around the dance floor. Juliana was laughing brightly. Turning to smile at Kendra, he nodded and joined her to walk to the dance floor. He was relieved the pace of the music was too fast for her to really press her sensuous body against him but, as the evening did not end with that dance, the next time around, she did. It was a slower dance so Kendra had wrapped her arms around Noonien’s neck. Moving her curves in time with the music, she brushed against him over and over again.

It was more than any healthy man could take. As soon as the song ended, Noonien thanked Kendra for the dance, said good night to his sons, grabbed the hand of his wife and raced her back to their room. He found he could not even wait that long. He began kissing her with pent-up passion in the lift. Juliana had not stopped drinking, so she did not spurn his advances.

When they reached their room, Noonien was almost blind with need. Juliana tripped three times on the way to their bed but he got her there. He was pulling the clothing from their bodies as fast as he could, when Juliana suddenly turned decidedly green, grabbed her mouth and raced on unstable legs to the bathroom. The sounds of her retching filled the room a moment later.

In that moment, with his blood boiling and now no chance of release, Noonien Soong very much wanted to die. 

The night was long for both Noonien and Juliana. She had thrown up twice more before falling into a deep slumber. As his wife slept, Noonien sighed as he stepped into the cold stream of water in the shower. After, he had put on his pajamas and stepped onto the balcony to catch his breath. As he looked out towards the beach, the image of Kendra walking slowly out of the lake filled his mind. He returned to the room, slid in to bed next to Juliana and fell asleep.

Kendra, Data and Lore had stayed at the dance club a little while longer. Over the course of the evening, several friends and acquaintances had stopped by the table to say hello or to ask Kendra to dance. Some of her female friends had also begun to show an interest in her two golden dance partners. Data and Lore did dance a few dances with the ladies but they only had eyes for Kendra. It was a few hours later when Kendra suggested to her escorts they take a walk on the beach to get some fresh air. Although they were having fun at the club, they both jumped at the opportunity to be alone with Kendra for a while.

The sand was warm and soft as they walked arm in arm in the moonlight along the beach.

"What do you think of Risa so far?" Kendra asked them. "Is it as wonderful as you thought it would be?"

"Better," Data responded quickly. "I am very happy we are staying longer than originally planned."

"Your friends are very nice, Kendra," Lore commented. "That was the first time I've been to a social gathering and felt accepted as part of the group."

"I felt the same way, brother," Data concurred.

"Maybe a little too accepted," Kendra commented to their surprise. "With the way some of my friends were coming on to you two, I had to get you out of there quick or I was going to be the one alone tonight."

Lore leaned over to tenderly kiss Kendra. "There was no chance of that happening. You are the only lover I want."

"I once again agree with my brother," Data smiled before kissing her.

They continued walking down the beach until Kendra led them down an unused path towards a wooded area.

"I want to show you my special hiding place. I used to come here when I wanted to get away from everything and everyone. There is a little clearing ahead that I used to lie in and stare up at the stars. You'll love it," she assured them.

Once the threesome left the area where others were about, Data began to pull off his clothing. Lore chuckled at his brother, but decided to follow his lead. They left the clothing they had removed right where it fell, knowing no one would bother them. Once nude, Lore and Data began to work on ridding Kendra of her sexy dress, even as they still walked.

Not wanting to get sand in it, Kendra convinced Lore to hold her dress, if she agreed to remove it now. She walked with them only in a blood red thong.

Once they arrived at the clearing, Kendra stretched out in a bed of soft leaves. Data was delighted by the wonderful view of the heavens, but Lore, who had missed his time with Kendra the previous night, was more interested in the view between her legs. He removed her thong at once and immediately dove to take her clit in his mouth, sucking her like a starving man.

Seeing this, Data realized what he was missing, but had already lost the chance for the favored area of Kendra’s body.

“Come over here, Data,” Kendra moaned. She moved Data until she could take his penis in her mouth. He was hard for her at once. Both were moaning and panting in minutes, but now Lore wanted more. Lifting up to whisper to Data, they changed positions. Data was now on his back, with Kendra over him, once again devouring his penis. Lore was behind her, and thrust into her with sheer delight. Data was turned so while he could not orally stimulate Kendra, he could finger her clit. Kendra came first, with Data exploding in her mouth once she had recovered and could suck him dry. Lore enjoyed the sights and sounds of the other’s passions being spent before he too reached the delightful edge and erupted within Kendra.

The three lovers enjoyed hours of love play before Lore carried an exhausted Kendra back to her room while Data carried all of their clothing. As the threesome made their way through the more crowded areas, it was obvious to all they passed, what had taken place between the three naked people. Looks of envy from those of both genders were noted by both Data and Lore.

Kendra woke the next morning with Lore at her breast and Data’s tongue teasing her clit. It was a wonderful way to wake up for a sex toy.

Kendra smiled and moaned a good morning to her bedmates as she enjoyed their efforts. They both looked up at her with smiles in their eyes but did not stop their feasting. Data continued to work his magic between her legs as Lore orally manipulated her breasts while occasionally claiming her mouth with his. It was not long before Kendra's back was arching from the wonderful release she felt. When Data had completed his task, she sat up and grabbed his face to kiss. She then coaxed Lore onto his back before taking his erection in her mouth as Data moved behind her to penetrate her with his own erection. Lore moaned as Kendra ran her tongue over the head of his penis before sliding her mouth down the shaft. They continued to play together for another hour until it was time to get dressed for breakfast.

The pleasure being experienced in Kendra’s room was in stark contrast to the goings-on in the Soong room. Juliana was not feeling well so Noonien had suggested she stay in bed and sleep longer instead of coming down for breakfast. Just the thought of food made Juliana feel nauseous so she agreed.

Data and Lore had already slipped back to their own room so Kendra decided to have a quick shower and change into a three-piece sarong outfit. Noonien had come to his sons' room to fetch them for breakfast before they made their way to Kendra's. All three men smiled as Kendra joined the group, each enjoying the vision in front of them in their own way.

"Where's Juliana, Noonie?" Kendra asked.

"She wasn't feeling well. She's going to sleep in a little while longer," he replied.

"I hope you two had fun last night. You left so suddenly," she grinned.

"Dinner was wonderful and we did have a really nice time at the club. It was nice to see Juliana so relaxed," Noonien commented. "Data, Lore, how did you two enjoy your first night on Risa?"

"It was incredible," Lore smirked.

"We met some of Kendra's friends and they were very nice to us. It was very different from home," Data added.

Kendra convinced them to try a small eating establishment down the road from the resort that was a favorite of hers. They had a leisurely breakfast at the quaint café with the wonderful view and incredible food.

Both of the androids seemed to know their father knew of their relationship with Kendra, so they made less effort to bridle their feelings for her. Noonien was impressed with not only how tender and loving they were to her, but how much genuine affection Kendra showed for both of them. The smiles, and little touches the three exchanged made it clear this relationship had grown. It was also clear that Kendra was a special woman to be able to not only care that much for his android sons, but to be able to satisfy two beings that did not tire.

A few minutes before they had concluded breakfast, Kendra’s friend, Treena came by their table and joined them for a moment. Another female friend of both of the women had left the security codes to a boat and Treena wanted to know if Kendra would join her later for an overnight trip out to sea. Data and Lore looked reluctant to part with their lover, but Kendra looked so excited about the idea, they sighed and encouraged her to go. The two women exchanged a warm hug and agreed to meet up just before noon.

“Well, I don’t know about you three, but I want to have some time to swim in the water before I cruise along on top of it.” Grinning at the three men, Kendra stood up from the table and pulled off her sarong. Throwing it into the beach bag she had brought with her, she smiled at the men and turned towards the beach. All of those who remained at the table gasped audibly when she turned to reveal her suit bottom was a thong.

“I’m going to go check on your mother,” Noonien said, feeling like he needed another cold shower. “I’ll see you boys at noon for lunch. Let’s meet at the place next to our resort, okay?” Noonien raced off before either android had a chance to reply.

When he arrived in his room, Juliana was in the shower, so he was prevented from going there himself. Juliana thought of showers as a private thing and insisted their marriage did not change that fact.

When she got out, Noonien was pleased to discover his wife had been visited by a local doctor in his absence and was fully recovered now. He was, however, not pleased that she now did spurn his advances.

“Juliana, please, I wanted to make love to you so badly last night when you got sick. I need you.” He made sure she could see the prominent bulge in his shorts. He moved to take her in his arms, but she pushed him away again.

“It’s indecent, Noonien. It’s first thing in the morning and the breakfast I ordered has not even settled in my stomach yet.”

Biting his upper lip, Noonien headed for the now empty shower.

Since Kendra was wearing a bathing suit, the brothers rushed back to the hotel to change into suits as well. They made their way to the beach to look for Kendra. They were not able to see her at first but then she surfaced from under the water. The two androids made their way towards her as she smiled and waved. She disappeared under the water again but surfaced a moment later a few feet in front of them.

"You've come to join me?" she smiled brightly.

"We wanted to spend some time with you before you go on your boat trip," Data smiled although there was a hint of sadness on his face.

"You two are so sweet but I won't be gone that long," she reassured them. "What are my guys going to do while I'm away?"

"We haven't really thought about it," Lore realized.

"I think this would be a perfect opportunity for some family time. Why don't you ask Noonie and your mother to go on an overnight camping trip into the hills. Juliana seemed very interested in visiting that area when I mentioned the rock deposits and formations," Kendra suggested.

"It would be a good opportunity to get to know mother better by sharing her interest," Data acknowledged.

Lore and Data looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement. They would ask their parents to go exploring in the hills.

"And I bet you’ll have so much fun, you won't even miss me," Kendra teased.

"It doesn't matter how much fun we have, we'll still miss you," Lore sighed.

They enjoyed some time in the water before heading back to the resort. Data and Lore got ready to meet their parents for lunch as Kendra got dressed and packed for her overnight trip.

Noonien and Juliana were already at the restaurant when Data, Lore and Kendra arrived. The two men sat down with their parents while Kendra stopped only for a moment to say goodbye.

"Data and I were thinking it would be fun to go exploring in the hills. We would like to invite you both to come too," Lore asked cautiously.

"We would like to camp overnight and look at the different rock formations and explore the caves. Mother, you would enjoy that, would you not?" Data asked with wide eyes.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Juliana smiled, much to Data and Lore's surprise. "What do you think, Noonien?"

"That does sound like fun but I think I'll stay behind. This trip definitely sounds like a mother/sons trip to me," he replied. "I'm feeling a little tired so hiking through the hills is a little too physical for me right now. I'll just relax at the resort.”

"Are you sure?" Juliana asked.

"Yes, my love. I've heard there is an interesting rain forest display nearby and I think I would like to check it out. You three will have a great time without me," he assured them.

"Okay then. Why don't we get the supplies we'll need after lunch and then we can set off," she spoke with more excitement in her voice than Data or Lore had heard before. They were actually looking forward to spending this time alone with their mother.

After everything they required was packed, Data, Lore and Juliana headed off on their adventure. Noonien was now alone for the next twenty-four hours but he did not want it to remain that way.

It took Noonien no time at all to locate and purchase a Horga’hn. He at first took it to his room and stared at it for a time, wondering if he really wanted to do this. He loved Juliana more than any woman he had ever known, but he was not able to live without sex. Lately, he had only been able to talk her into it once a week but that was only enough to whet his appetite.

The fact he was near certain Lore and Data were both having sex with Kendra and, most likely here on Risa, everyone else was getting it from someone, made Noonien half mad with desire. If using the Horga’hn to solicit jamaharon was what it took to satisfy the insatiable desire that coursed through him, then so be it. He took another shower, but this time to make sure he was clean for what he hoped was to come. He dressed in shorts and a shirt set that he felt made him not look too geeky and decided he was ready. Grabbing the wooden statue, Noonien covered it in his over shirt and headed for the door.

Still suffering from uncertainty, Noonien took a lounge chair just outside the resort, so he could run if he thought he was in over his head. It still took him forever to gather the courage to pull the shirt off the statue. Once he had, he lay back and tried to relax. He still had not been able to convince himself to let his breath go when he spotted a woman who looked just like Kendra.

Sitting up, he realized she was coming towards him. As she moved closer Noonien realized it was Kendra. Gripped with fear, Noonien grabbed the Horga’hn, tossed it under his lounge chair and got up to see why Kendra was here.

“There’s a hole in the weather control net and it just happens to be over the sea,” Kendra explained once she reached him. “Treena and I are going to try to get together in two days when they expect to have it repaired. Where is everyone else?” she asked him.

“The boys invited Juliana and I to go with them on a little expedition, but I didn’t really want to go,” Noonien explained with a shrug.

“Well then, I guess I’ll just have to take care of you while your family’s away.” With a sultry smile that took his breath away, she linked her arm with his and pulled him along towards the beach.

“Where are we going, Kendra?” he asked, still fighting to get air to his lungs.

“You need some sun, Noonie. We’re going to get some towels and lotion and you’re going to gain some color. You look deathly white.”

Gulping, he nodded. He knew he was helpless to refuse.

Once they were on the beach, Kendra spread out the towels and made Noonien lie on his stomach, without his shirt, on one, so she could put the lotion on his back.

“You’re back muscles are as stiff as boards, Noonie,” she exclaimed, beginning to work over his clenched shoulders. “Relax, I’m going to give you a nice massage. Maybe it will even put you to sleep and you’ll feel better.”

“Little chance of that,” he mumbled under his breath, wondering how much of this he could take. He could feel her breasts brush his back as she worked, but this was nothing compared to when she decided to straddle his back to better reach his shoulder muscles.

“Does that hurt?” she asked, sensing him tense even more.

~ Only my aching balls, ~ he thought, but did not say. “No, I just wasn’t expecting it.” He managed to say. The more she touched and massaged him, the harder Noonien got. Even with not being able to see much of her from behind him, he could feel her hands, breasts and bare thighs. She still had on that thong bikini and all he could think about was wanting to rip it off her and plunge into her depths.

“Noonie, roll over and let me rub this other lotion on you. It has very relaxing properties,” Kendra told him as she moved her soft skin off his back.

“No, I’m relaxed enough, Kendra. Really, I’ll be fine,” he assured her. He could not let her see what she was doing to him.

“Come on, Noonie. Just roll over. It will only take a minute,” she insisted, trying to roll him herself.

“No, Kendra!” he almost shouted.

Stunned by his outburst, she recoiled from him, looking very hurt. Shame consumed him or at least that which was not already alight with desire. With eyes full of regret and repentance, Noonien slowly rolled over. Kendra could not help but see the huge bulge he had been trying so desperately to conceal from her.

“Noonie, surely you and Juliana-” The sad shake of his head stopped her flow of words. “But you two were kissing when I saw you leave last night.”

“She got sick as soon as we got back to our room,” he explained, moving to sit with his legs folded, hoping that would cover some of his condition. “I’m sorry, Kendra. I don’t want to insult or offend you. I know you are involved with Data and Lore. I had hoped to find someone to give me a little relief while Juliana was gone. I don’t want to hurt her.”

“If you want discreet companionship, then look no further, Noonie. I’ve always dreamed about being with you, since I was a girl. If you’d like...I swear, I won’t tell Lore or Data. I’ll never tell a soul,” she vowed.

Noonien’s jaw dropped and his groin throbbed. He could not even choke out the word “yes”, but Kendra understood. She brought her lips to his and was not surprised when she was propelled to the sand and he moved to cover her body with his.

Since this was an adult only beach, the pair did not have to fear exposure. Within seconds, Kendra moved her hands down Noonien’s lean and muscular frame until she reached his shorts. She was not surprised at how little effort it took to get him out of them.

Noonien pushed down Kendra's thong with his hand without breaking their kiss. Her lips were so soft and sensuous he had difficulty giving them up. He ran his hand slowly up the outside of her thigh towards her firm stomach. Her skin was so smooth it was like caressing satin. Kendra lifted herself slightly to allow him to undo the clasps of her top. He pushed the fabric away, bringing his hands up to cup her ample breasts.

"Noonie, take me now. We have all day and night to explore each other but you need relief now," she whispered in his ear after they finally had broken their passion filled kiss.

He moved himself into position between her legs plunging his rock hard erection into her. He reclaimed her lips as he continued to thrust deeper and deeper into her. Kendra's hands caressing his body felt intoxicating to him. She broke their kiss to allow a gasp to escape her lips as her orgasm rushed through her. Noonien was not far behind. Soon he was crying out as the frustration he had been feeling was released in his climax. Kendra had such an effect on him he had not lost his erection. He continued his penetration of her, pounding harder and harder until she again felt the passion rise within her, calling out his name as she came again and again. His own orgasm had a powerful effect on him. As he moved next to her in the sand he realized he had not felt this whole in years. There had been times when he had blamed himself for the unsatisfying sex life he and Juliana shared. He had wondered if the difference in their ages made him physically unattractive to his wife but Kendra had proven to him he had been wrong about that. The smile on her face, the look in her eyes, the way she was running her fingers over his chest as they both basked in the glow of this encounter told him that. She kissed him tenderly before gently tracing the outline of his lips with her finger.

"You were right," she whispered in his ear. "My memory is faulty." She grinned at him and both began to laugh.

They were both covered in sand, so they decided to go back to Kendra’s room. Noonien asked her if she wanted to shower first, and she laughed at him.

“What do you mean, first? Come with me, Noonie.” Kendra held her hand out for him to take as she led him to the bathroom. After laying out towels for them both, she turned on the water and pulled him under the spray with her.

It felt like culture shock for Noonien. In the time they had been married, Juliana had already brainwashed him into thinking that taking a shower together was wrong. He stood there with her, but would not touch Kendra, but he could not take his eyes off her beautiful body.

Kendra instinctively knew what was happening to him, so she moved to him slowly. “How long?” she asked, gently.

“What? What how long? What do you mean?” he stuttered nervously.

“How long has it been since you’ve showered with someone, or felt desired by someone – attractive, sexy, like a man? We just made love twice and yet here you are, like a frightened rabbit. What has she done to you, Noonie?” As she spoke, Kendra moved her hands to his chest, slowly moving them up his body and neck until she held his face between them.

He looked down at his feet. “I love her, Kendra. I have since the first time I laid eyes on her. She’s gentle and sweet and looks after me-”

“But does she treat you like a man?” Kendra countered. “I’m not trying to tell you to leave her, Noonie, but maybe it’s time to look for some solutions to the problems you two have. It will end your relationship one day if you don’t.” She lifted his chin and smiled at him encouragingly. “I’ll do anything you want me to do, including nothing,” she assured him.

Noonien smiled slowly back at her. “Remind me again what it feels like to be a man.”

Kendra’s smile got bigger as she nodded. Moving closer, she kissed him tenderly.

The discomfort and uncertainty left Noonien and his erection soon returned to him as Kendra kissed her way down his body. He was trembling again when she took him in her mouth.

“She does not do this for you?” Kendra asked, after only one lick of his engorged shaft. Noonien shook his head. “And you don’t get to enjoy her orally either?” Another shake. Kendra sighed before giving his penis a fond sucking for only a moment. Coming back to her feet, she looked Noonien in the eye. 

“I want you to feel comfortable, Noonie. We can go to the bedroom to continue, so let’s get cleaned up and out of here,” Kendra instructed, carefully.

Once they were dry, Kendra draped her body across the bed and looked at Noonien with inviting eyes. “Do whatever you want with my body, Noonie. Anything you want me to do, I’ll do. Any position, any act you want me to perform - anything.”

Noonien’s eyes lit up and he had trouble keeping himself from drooling. The very idea of what she was offering him made him light-headed. Moving to join her on the bed, he just wanted to hold those perfect globes that had been teasing him for days. He fondled and caressed them, taunting and teasing her nipples as Kendra moaned.

Thrilled by how only his touch had caused her to respond like that, he moved his hands down her slim body. Her triangle of pubic hair was trimmed down to allow a greater view of what lay beneath and Noonien wanted very much to see her this time. Moving lower, he moved her legs wide apart and studied her for a moment. Reaching out, he finally touched her with a tentative finger.

Kendra moaned again. “Oh, Noonie. I have fantasized about being with you. Since I was a kid, I’ve dreamed about getting closer to you.”

He was shocked again. He had never known she felt that way about him and now it had a huge affect on him. He was much less timid as his fingers explored her folds. Feeling daring, he pulled her labia apart to reveal her hardening clitoris. Excited that it was he who was causing it to harden, he leaned in to take it in his mouth, something he had never been allowed to do with Juliana.

Kendra arched her back and moaned much louder this time. Noonien pulled her lips farther apart, recalling a former lover and drawing on that knowledge. He teased her clit with his tongue and then sucked and flicked it furiously. Reaching up, he took hold of a breast and fondled her nipple until it too was as hard as a rock. A second later, his face was drenched with her juices as she cried out and came loudly.

Noonien hoped Kendra did not become upset with him, but he could not contain himself a second longer. He impaled her with his aching erection. It seemed she did not mind as she grabbed his face and kissed him with a ferociousness he had never seen before. Pulling him tight to her body as he thrust in and out of her, Kendra wrapped her legs around him and practically clawed at his back.

Noonien came like a volcano within her, shooting his seed deep inside, calling out her name in a panting moan.

They had been making love for hours before they decided to take a break to replenish their energy. Kendra placed an order for room service to deliver a seafood platter, a fruit tray and a bottle of wine to her room. Kendra could sense Noonien was a little uncomfortable with the idea of eating in the nude so she retrieved the two robes the resort supplied from her closet and gave one to him before slipping into the other. Dinner arrived twenty minutes later. Kendra brought in a large tray placing it on the table by the balcony doors.

"Seafood," Noonien exclaimed as he sat down at the table. "I haven't had lobster, crab or oysters in years."

"You do still like seafood?" she asked. "They were your favorite or is my memory really that bad."

"They are my favorite but Juliana doesn't like it so it's been a while," he smiled. "So, did you really have a crush on me all those years ago or were you just trying to make me feel good?"

"It was much more than a crush," Kendra smiled. "When you're 13 years old, Noonie, it’s an undying love. You have no idea how much of an influence you were to me, Noonien Soong. I had absolutely no interest in cybernetics until you started hanging around our house and now look at me, a PhD in cybernetics," she laughed.

"You want me to believe your father had no influence on your decision to pursue the field?" he asked skeptically.

"He and mom wanted me to follow in her footsteps. They thought there were more opportunities for a chemist compared to a cyberneticist."

The pair enjoyed the seafood platter. Everything tasted better than Noonien had remembered and it was also a much sexier food than he remembered. When they had finished the platter and half of the bottle of wine, Kendra picked up the fruit tray and took it over to the bed. She motioned for Noonien to join her. She removed her robe before undoing his and sliding it off his shoulders. They crawled on to the bed where Kendra picked up a piece of a luscious pineapple-like fruit and fed it to him.

"Dessert is always so much more fun in bed," she smiled before kissing him tenderly.

Noonien was already regaining his erection when Kendra asked him to close his eyes for a moment. He looked uncertain, but nodded and did so. When she told him to open them again, her intentions were quite clear.

She was stretched out beside him with a slice of the curved liksin fruit garnishing each breast, a tillic cherry between her perfect globes and a trail of diamond berries running down to her navel. She had her knees up and together as Noonien moved to devour the first of the liksin fruit.

Once he had consumed the last diamond berry, he turned to grin at her, having enjoyed this fruit tray and his tray’s moans as he partook of what she had to offer. But Kendra shook her head at him.

“Oh, you’re not done, Noonie. You missed one.” She parted her knees and allowed him to peer between them. He could see a tickle fruit, one that resembled a finger sized banana, but pink in color, peeking out of her luscious folds.

“Looks like someone’s tongue is already there. I think I’m jealous,” he teased with a grin. He moved from beside her to between her legs and just enjoyed the view for a moment. Until this day, it had been many years since he had been able to enjoy this act of sex and oral sex had always been one of his favorites. Not just having it performed on him, but performing it as well.

Reaching in, Noonien drew the tickle fruit from Kendra’s vagina, dragged it lazily across her clit and brought it to his mouth. She moaned at his efforts. Reaching over to the fruit tray, he selected the most sticky, juicy fruit there and picked a slice to enjoy. He ran the fruit over her delicate folds before bringing the fruit to his mouth. Each time, he would collect some of Kendra’s sweet flavor on the fruit, while leaving behind the fruit’s sticky sweetness.

When he had eaten all the fruit, Kendra was saturated with the sweet syrup of the fruit and her own sweet juices had been combined with it, just as Noonien wanted.

Feeling like she had gone from sex toy to feasting table, Kendra had been writhing at his and the fruit’s delicate touches for what seemed like tantalizing hours.

Grinning at her with the devil in his bright blue eyes, Noonien dipped a finger into the succulent nectar between her legs and then licked the ambrosia from his finger.

“Mmmm,” was all he said before moving in to devour her folds with hungry licks and sucks. He consumed every last drop of the sticky juice and her wonderful wetness, cleaning every inch of her delicious sex.

Kendra thrashed, moaned and even screamed as she finally came from this wonderful torture. She was hard to reach at this point, but Noonien grabbed hold of her ass cheeks and locked his lips to her lower ones, determined not to let a sweet trace escape him. She screamed out his name and panted heavily two more times before he was satisfied with his efforts.

But now, he was determined to have something else. The need he had for release was so great, he was certain he would cleave her in two as he buried himself to the hilt in her depths. Just before he exploded within her, Noonien wondered if the scratches she was making on his back would show tomorrow. 

"You are such an amazing man," Kendra spoke softly as Noonien slid next to her. "You're brilliant, fun, handsome, sexy and an incredible lover." She gently caressed his cheek as a look of regret suddenly took over her beautiful face.

"What's the matter, Kendra?" Noonien asked. "You aren't having second thoughts about today, are you?"

"No, not about today," she smiled. "Regrets about a day six years ago when I went to see you lecture at a symposium sponsored by the Daystrom Institute. You talked about the strides you had been making in developing a positronic brain. You were so fascinating, I was completely enthralled."

"Why didn't you come and say hello to me?" he questioned. "I would have loved to have seen you again."

"I started to but all the feelings I had for you when I was a kid had come flooding back and I felt like that shy, skinny 13 year old again. You walked past me and smiled but you didn't recognize me. I let my only chance at having you slip through my fingers because of my insecurities and that is what I regret."

Noonien was dumbstruck by Kendra's words. The idea he could have that kind of an affect on any woman, let along this beautiful creature he was laying next to, seemed impossible to comprehend.

"You are a beautiful, vibrant, sexy woman and a brilliant scientist. I see the way people look at you. The men with a burning desire for you in their eyes and the jealousy of the women who wish they were the ones instilling those feelings."

"Men lust after me, Noonie. They don't love me," she whispered.

"Kendra, you are so young and you have your whole life ahead of you. You'll find that special man you are meant to be with." Noonien pulled her closer to him, trying to comfort her as best he could.

Kendra looked into his eyes and smiled weakly. ~ But what if I have found him and he's taken? ~ she thought.

Noonien gently caressed her face before bringing his lips to hers. In an instant the need returned for both of them. Kendra moved to straddle Noonien, her forearms resting on his chest as the passion grew in their kisses. She raised her upper body to give her lover access to her ample bosom which he immediately took advantage of. He cupped her breasts in his hands before bringing his mouth to one. He ran his tongue over her breast before taking her hardening nipple into his mouth. He licked and sucked her breast until her nipple was rock hard then switched his focus to the other. His fingers had already been working their magic so it was not long before her moans became louder and louder. His erection had returned so he moved his mouth from her breast to reclaim her lips as he slid his hands to her firm ass and guided her down onto his stiffness. Kendra gasped in delight before leaning forward with her hands gripping the bedding on either side of Noonien's chest. She quickly established a heavenly rhythm as Noonien moved his lips and hands between her beautiful face and her bouncing breasts. Kendra's back arched as she cried out from the massive orgasm coursing through her. Noonien grabbed her ass to maintain their rhythm and soon found himself calling out as his own orgasm overcame him.

The lovers decided it was time to stretch their legs, so they dressed lightly and went for a walk along the beach, hand in hand. They were silent for a while, and Noonien dared to wonder what his life would be like if Kendra had just had the nerve to come talk to him that day, six years ago.

He had not known Juliana then. He had seen a few women in that time frame, but mostly he had been too busy being brilliant. He wondered if he had paid too high a price for that brilliance, the years of loneliness and now years with a wife who attracted him and told him she wanted him, but would not give herself to him.

“Noonie, we need to talk,” Kendra said, bringing him out of his wonderings.

“Those words have never been spoken by a woman to herald good news for a man,” Noonien said, raising at eyebrow at her.

“It’s not bad news, but there are things we need to discuss,” she said, trying a reassuring smile.

“Okay, like what?”

“Well, I know today is not going to have an affect on your relationship with Juliana and, well, I don’t want it to have an affect on my relationship with Lore or Data. I’d like you to - let’s both agree to keep everything we did and said to each other today, just between us. I know Data and Lore love you very much but Lore is rather possessive and Data is in a way too, but I think it would upset Lore to know what we did.” Kendra’s eyes were pleading.

“You really do care about my boys, don’t you?” Noonien asked, surprised.

Kendra looked slightly insulted. “Of course I do. Maybe at first I was attracted to them because they look like you,” She looked a little embarrassed, and turned to resume their walk. “But now, they’re both so unique and they’re people. I never really believed it would be possible, but they are. They both have their own likes and dislikes. They both have their own sense of humor. I care for both of them in different ways.” She stopped walking and looked him in the eyes. “I don’t want it to end with them,” she confessed.

Noonien nodded his understanding. “I understand. They do seem to be very caught up in you. I’m glad you feel it for them too. You’re very special, Kendra,” he told her.

“There is another thing I want to discuss. I want you to promise me that you’ll try to work this out with Juliana. You have to make her understand what you want from her and-“

“She knows, Kendra. I assure you, she knows.” It was now Noonien’s turn to look pleading. “I’ve tried with her over and over. I’ve begged and pleaded. I’ve cajoled, and-“

Kendra took hold of his shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. “Then maybe it’s time to get some counseling.”

Noonien pulled Kendra into his arms. “Maybe it is. And maybe now it’s time for another kiss.” With that he pulled her closer and brought his lips to hers. 

It was three in the morning, and Noonien was asleep beside Kendra. She had awakened about half an hour ago and just wanted to watch him sleep. Since Lore and Data did not sleep, this was a pleasure she could not indulge in with them.

She felt very conflicted as she stared at the face she had dreamed of for so many years. Kendra had, in the last month, kissed that face hundreds of times, but it belonged to three different men. And she had feelings for all of them.

Lore, Data and Juliana had spent the afternoon and early evening hiking through the hills and exploring the various caves they came upon. They had seen many interesting rock formations in the caves. It was 2100 when they finally returned to the campsite for dinner. They made a campfire and sat around it talking about the day. Juliana actually did most of the talking but had been much more interested in Data's opinions about what they had done that day. She hardly noticed Lore was with them. She had been very obvious in showing Data was the favored son. She had been uninterested in Lore's discoveries but heaped praise on Data for his. When Juliana said good night to them and crawled into her tent at 2300, Lore made his way to the top of a small hill where he sat down and stared up at the sky. Data joined him five minutes later, after cleaning up the site.

"I have never seen mother like that before," Data commented as he sat down next to his brother. "She was so talkative and excited."

Lore shrugged his shoulders and continued to stare up at the stars.

"What is the matter, Lore?" Data asked. "You have been so quiet."

"I shouldn't have come, Data. I'm sure mother would have preferred to spend the day with just you. I don't think she'll ever accept me as a son."

"Please forgive me, Lore. I feel guilty over the treatment I have received-" Data began.

"Don't apologize, Data. It's not your fault, it's her...and me. It's been this way since I was first activated so why should I expect it to change now?" he sighed.

"There is more bothering you, is there not?" Data questioned.

"You know me well, my brother." Lore smiled slightly as he glanced at Data briefly. "I miss Kendra."

"I understand. It was your evening to be with her," Data commented.

"No, Data, you don't understand," Lore shook his head. "Yes, I miss being with Kendra but I really miss Kendra. In the beginning it was just sex but now-" Lore paused. "She's different, Data, special. She is the first person who accepted me for who I am. She sees us as men first. She means so much to me."

The two brothers stayed on the hilltop and talked through the night. They talked more about Kendra, their parents, what they wanted to do the next day when they got back to the resort and how much they both dreaded going back to the colony. As the sun started to rise, they decided to return to the campsite to make breakfast for Juliana. As Data started down the hill, Lore stopped him and gave him a hug.

"I love you, my brother," Lore smiled.

"I love you too, brother."

The rest of the morning, Data kept an eye on Lore, but his mood did not improve until just before they were on their way back to the resort. Data did his best to lift Lore’s spirits, but failing in that, he decided that as soon as Kendra returned, he would make sure Lore was able to have some uninterrupted time alone with her, even if Data had to bodily drag his parents away from them.

Noonien awoke just as the sun was coming up that morning. He rolled quietly out of bed so he did not wake Juliana. He made it to the bathroom and seeing discarded clothing his wife would never have consented to wear, realized he was not where he thought he was.

The morning fog lifted and his brain was flooded with the memories of his hours with Kendra. He freshened up before he returned to the bedroom to peek back at Kendra. She opened her eyes to look at him in the early morning light.

“You okay, Noonie?” she asked, with a yawn. She noticed he did not move from the door of the bathroom.

“Fine. I just forgot where I was for a moment. It just came back to me.” Noonien felt he could move again, so he crept slowly back to the bed. He was glad he had grabbed a robe.

Kendra’s expression darkened. “You regret it, don’t you?” The closer he came, the paler he looked. Her stomach hurt at the thought he was coming to collect his clothes and leave her.

“I think I’m shocked it wasn’t all a teasing dream,” Noonien replied as he approached the bed. Kendra sat up, not thinking about how the sheet was falling from her upper body and that it was the only thing covering her.

As the white fabric flowed down her curves, revealing inch after glorious inch of her beautiful body, Noonien lost his ability to walk again. It had not been a dream. He had truly been here in Kendra’s bed most of yesterday. He had made love to her at least a dozen times and, if the swelling under his robe was any indication, his body and mind very much enjoyed it and wanted more.

While his conscience was bothering him, he was able to rationalize that it had been many years since he had been so completely satisfied - body, mind and soul.

Setting his guilt aside, Noonien commanded his legs to take him to the bed. Ripping the robe from his body, revealing his raging erection, Noonien moved to push Kendra back down on the bed.

“I don’t regret this, Kendra. I only regret that it’s almost over.” His mouth covering hers prevented her from responding. His urgent penetration caused her to forget if she had one.

They made love as if there was no tomorrow and, in a sense, there was not. Both knew in their hearts this would not...could not happen again. Noonien had Juliana to think of and Kendra did not want to hurt her two golden lovers. It was 1000 when Noonien dragged himself from Kendra's bed to return to his room. He needed to shower and change, to make sure there was no trace of Kendra left on his body for Juliana to find. Kendra too needed to wash away the traces of the many hours worth of passion from her body. She stood in the stream of the water thinking about what had happened and the three men who all meant so much to her. Noonien and Kendra did not know the other was thinking the same thing. ~ How can I go on as if nothing has happened? Will they suspect? ~

It was 1130 when they emerged from their respective rooms. They had decided to have lunch together at the café next to the resort. It would be their last chance to talk about the time they had spent together. As fate would have it though, they had just sat down at a table on the patio when Lore, Data and Juliana came into sight.

"Look, father and Kendra are at the café," Data pointed out with a hint of surprise in his voice. They had not expected Kendra to be back until later in the afternoon.

Both Juliana and Lore focused on the pair however their expressions were much different. The melancholy Lore had been feeling was gone in an instant and a smile returned to his lips for the first time since they had left. Juliana, on the other hand, was trying her best to not let her face show how upset she was to see her husband and "that woman" together.

"Kendra, you are back early," Data commented to her when the threesome had reached the café.

"Actually Data, I was barely gone. There was a hole in the weather control net over the sea so Treena and I weren't able to go out," she explained.

"Why don't you take your things back to your rooms and then come have lunch with us?" Noonien suggested.

"Brother, if you wish to remain I can take your pack to our room," Data offered. Lore thanked Data as he handed his pack to his brother. "Father, can you accompany us? Mother has brought some samples back that she wishes to show you." Noonien smiled his agreement and left with his wife and Data.

"Data still isn't the most subtle is he," Kendra smiled. "I have the feeling he wanted us to be alone."

"He knows how much I missed you, Kendra," Lore smiled and took her hand.

"That's sweet. We'll have some special private time later. How's that sound?"

“You don't understand, Kendra. I didn't mean I missed the sex. I meant I missed you - everything about you."

Kendra knew from the look on Lore's face that he was deadly serious and she was surprised by this revelation.

"Lore-" she started but her words were cut off as he leaned over to kiss her.

The kiss Lore gave her was like none Kendra had ever received before. There was a question, a hopeful searching question in this kiss, and Kendra was shocked to realize this. She was also shocked at its source. Lore was critical of everyone, hated most humans, ridiculed 99% of the rest and only seemed to love his brother and father. Kendra had firmly believed all Lore had been interested in was her body. Kendra pulled back from Lore’s kiss and gave him a look of confusion.

“What do you mean, everything?” Kendra sputtered.

“Just what anyone else who would say it means.” Lore gave her a grimace, as though insulted.

“I’m sorry, Lore, but you are not anyone else. You’re one of only two of your kind, and you’re not fond of most of my kind. Please, I can see that you’re serious, but I’m not sure what it is that you’re serious about. What’s going on? What happened on your hike?” Kendra asked, truly at a loss as to how to interpret this.

Lore got to his feet, obviously angry, but hidden in his amber eyes, Kendra could also see pain. “My mother showed me just who she considers to be her son and who she does not. Now I get back and I see you too have chosen. Data seems to have a way with the ladies. I do too, but my way just pisses them off.” Lore turned on his heels and stomped away from the table as soon as the last word had left his lips.

Kendra sat there aghast for a moment before running after him. As she ran to catch up with the long legged and fast walking android, her thoughts were a jumble. The three men in her life had become much more difficult to deal with in the last twenty-four hours, and Kendra felt like her head was spinning.

“Lore, wait!” she shouted, trying to get him to slow his relentless pace so she could catch him. “Please!” she cried out as their chase had taken them into the shopping area of the resort. Finally Lore halted, but he just stopped in his tracks and did not turn around.

“I have no intention of standing here and allowing you to belittle or patronize me, Dr. Reison.” Lore’s tone was dangerous, and this time Kendra was not so sure she was safe in his presence, but she had to try.

“I don’t want to do either of those things,” she defended, moving to stand in front of him. He looked like he would turn away, but Kendra grabbed his arms and held him tightly. She knew her strength was nothing compared to his, but she hoped he would just give her an inch.

She looked him in the eyes, trying to decide what to say to him to get the ball rolling. It seemed she waited too long.

“Well?” Lore snapped.

“Forgive me, I can’t do sixty trillion operations per second. Sometimes, I can barely do one. I want to talk to you and try to get a handle on what you want from me. Something has changed for you, but you’re not even giving me a chance to understand what it is before deciding I’m rejecting it...or you...or what’s going on. Lore? Tell me what happened on the trip with your mother.”

He grimaced and sighed, but Lore relented and told her how Juliana had behaved towards him and towards Data. He told a story of how he and Data had both discovered interesting finds, but even though Lore’s had been just a bit more unique, Juliana had waved him away while bubbling over with pride at Data’s find.

“What the hell is the matter with that woman?” Kendra asked, her hands on her hips.

“She does not like her older son. She is not alone in that opinion.” Lore raised an eyebrow at Kendra.

“Well, you can’t count me among that number. I do like you. I like you a lot. Now tell me how your not getting along with Juliana relates to me?” she questioned.

Lore still did not look convinced it was wise to say and possibly bare feelings, or even just part of them, to someone whose loyalty he now questioned.

“I simply found myself thinking you wouldn’t have acted like her if you were there. You wouldn’t have ignored me. Even if what I had found was not as exciting as what Data had found, you would have just treated me with a fair reaction. My being an android would not have colored your response.”

“You feel it does with Juliana?” Kendra asked, gently.

“Perhaps not, because she seems fond of Data, but I have never been well liked in the colony,” Lore admitted.

Here, Kendra smiled. She put a hand on his chest and gazed fondly into his eyes. “That’s because you don’t want people to like you, you want them to worship you and listen to you like you are so much better than they are.”

“I am, by far, superior to humans and humanoids,” Lore reminded her, tersely.

“And it just pisses you off that you haven’t been elected ruler of them all yet, doesn’t it?” she goaded him, with a devilish smile.

Something in Lore’s eyes changed again. Suddenly, he grabbed Kendra by the waist and crushed her body against his. “That is one of the things I missed about you. You see things so clearly.” He did not give her time to dispute him, he simply pulled her closer by the back of her head and plastered her lips to his.

This time, Kendra felt her resistance breaking.  

When the kiss finally ended, Lore smiled at Kendra as if indicating that at least part of his question had been answered. He gently caressed her cheek and was about to kiss her again when Noonien called to them to come for lunch. Lore sighed but then could not help smiling when Kendra took his hand to lead him back to the table.

Kendra's mind was even more of a jumble now. She looked up at Lore.

~ Is it really more than sex for him? I'm sure he'll change his mind later. It's just his reaction to his problems with his mother, ~ she thought as her words to Noonien came back to her. ~ After all, men lust after me, they don't love me. ~

Lunch was pleasant despite the tension felt by many of the people sitting around the table. Data did his best to keep the conversation going. He told Kendra and Noonien about the trip, even emphasizing the find Lore had made, before asking his father and Kendra what each had done while they were gone.

"I spent some time on the beach with Kendra," Noonien told them. "And I also exercised quite a bit. I haven't had a work out like that for years. It felt great."

"What did you do, Kendra?" Data asked.

"Other than going to the beach with Noonie, I stayed in bed most of the time," she smiled.

When lunch was finished, Juliana dragged her husband away to do some shopping. Kendra had a bathing suit on under her wrap dress and was going to relax at the resort's pool. Data and Lore went to change into their suits so they could join her.

As Data was about to head down for the pool, Lore asked him to wait.

"Data, thank you for allowing me that time alone with Kendra.”

"Lore, as your feelings for Kendra are changing, are you uncomfortable with my relationship with her? If you wish me to discontinue-"

"I don't know what I'm feeling, Data. I don't know what Kendra is feeling either. I couldn't ask you to give her up...not now...not until I know," he half-smiled. "It means a lot to me that you asked though. I'm so glad you are my brother."

"And I am glad you are my brother," Data smiled back.

When the brothers arrived at the pool Kendra had indicated, Data was thrilled to discover it was clothing optional and that many were exercising that option. While Lore got in the pool to join Kendra where she was talking to a friend they had met the other night, Data stripped down. Abella had danced with both androids that night, but had danced more dances with Data. Once Lore made it clear he wished to stay by Kendra, Abella winked at her friend and swam over to the side of the pool where Data was sitting. His legs were in the water, so he playfully splashed Abella, but she just laughed.

As Kendra and Lore moved closer and just held each other, Data and Abella flirted with each other. Abella was still in the water and between Data’s legs, so she had an easy time of letting her fingers do the walking up his legs, and then jumping out of the water, kissing him quickly on the lips.

Her actions were having the desired affect on Data, who soon was looking over at Kendra and Lore with a question in his golden eyes.

“What do you think? Shall we make him suffer or let him play with his new sex toy?” Lore whispered in Kendra’s ear. He stood behind her with his arms around her waist.

Kendra elbowed him gently. “You’re so mean. I want Data to have good memories from his first trip to Risa. Now you nod at him with me,” she admonished her lover. With a chuckle, Lore did as she wished and, in the next instant, Data was pulling Abella out of the water to kiss her passionately.

In no time at all, the two were completely tangled up in each other and since Data was already naked, there was no hiding his desire. Helping Abella dispense with her swimsuit, he lifted her over to one of the lounge chairs and lay her there. When Data reclined there as well, he took her back into him arms and their kissing continued, quickly growing more intense. Their hands roamed each other’s bodies, leaving almost no place untouched or licked. They did not care one bit that most of the others here were watching their actions with interest and approval.

Soon, the two began to change their position and Data took his place between Abella’s legs. He fingered her briefly before plunging into her and beginning a rhythm few could match. Abella was already arching her back, so Data took one of her breasts in his mouth and sucked it greedily.

“Data loves breasts. Too bad he was never a baby. He would have loved breast-feeding,” Kendra quipped as she and Lore enjoyed the show the other two were putting on.

“I like breasts too, but only if they’re yours,” Lore intoned. He nuzzled the back of her neck, kissing her just below her pulled up hairline.

“There’s nothing like watching two people, especially two people you know, having sex before your eyes. No holorecording is as intense,” Kendra mused, her breathing becoming slower as Lore pulled her tighter against him and continued to tease the back of her neck with his tongue.

“It’s much more erotic when it’s live, I agree,” he said and just blew on her neck.

Kendra sighed with contentment. She could feel Lore’s erection pressing against her bottom through his swim trunks.

“Do you want to go to the room?” Lore asked her. “I still want to talk to you and I would like to make love, but I want to be alone with you for both. Is that all right with you?”

Kendra turned in his arms to face him. “What more do you want to talk about?” she inquired.

“The fact that what Data is doing right now, I have no desire to do,” he informed her.

“Have sex?” Kendra asked, stunned.

“No, have sex with someone who is not you,” Lore corrected. He grimaced here and Kendra was not sure why so she stayed quiet and let him continue. “I have always thought humanoid mating rituals, rites and traditions were pointless. Why would anyone want to commit to one being and just stay with them. No variety, boring...human.” Lore looked almost angry as he told her this. “I thought my father a great fool for his marriage to mother dear. The same for the other humans on the colony who are paired. All fools, I told myself.” Lore’s expression became pained, as though what he was about to say was hurting him. “I may have been in error to believe that.”

Reaching down, Lore took Kendra’s hand and laced his fingers with hers. Bringing their joined hands into view, he gave them a squeeze and gazed meaningfully in her eyes.

The meaning of what Lore was saying to her, but fighting actually saying, stunned her.

“So many things humans say to each other, mean nothing. I refuse to do that as well. Do you understand, Kendra?”

Kendra was about to answer Lore but they both were suddenly distracted by the loud evidence of Data and Abella's orgasms. When she turned back to face Lore, Kendra smiled at him and gently caressed his cheek. She was about to speak again when Data and Abella rushed over.

"Will you please let father know I will not be dining with him and mother tonight? Thank you," he turned and rushed off with Abella before either Lore or Kendra had a chance to respond.

"Looks like you might need to find some place to stay tonight. Would you like me to ask Treena if there are any rooms available?" she teased, not knowing Treena was standing on the edge of the pool behind her.

"Lore, if you need a place to stay tonight, you are more than welcome to stay with me," she offered.

Kendra turned to see her friend, who was obviously on a break from work as she was wearing her front desk uniform, winking at Lore. Kendra knew that look so she knew Treena was serious about her offer.

"Treena, find your own man. This one’s mine." There was more than a hint of anger and annoyance in Kendra's tone to her friend. ~ Whoa Kendra, where did that come from? ~ she thought.

"Okay, okay," Treena apologized. "I didn't mean to upset you, Kendra. I'll-I'll see you later." Treena turned to go back to the resort's lobby.

Kendra looked back at Lore who had a big smirk on his face.

"Oh, so you enjoyed that, did you?" Kendra asked sarcastically.

"Yes, I did." The smirk was still evident on his lips. Before Kendra had a chance to say anything more he pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately. "Let's go to your room, shall we?" Lore whispered in her ear.

"Yes, let's do that," Kendra replied.

Lore helped Kendra out of the pool, grabbed a towel and helped her dry off. As they waited for the turbolift, Noonien and Juliana were just returning from their shopping trip.

"Father," Lore called out. "Data, Kendra and I will not be able to join you and mother for dinner tonight." He waved to his parents as the door to the lift closed. Lore looked over at Kendra and could see from her expression she was lost in thought.

~ What is going on here, Kendra? ~ she asked herself. ~ Why do I have no problem with Data and Abella fucking each other's brains out but I practically bite Treena's head off when she came on to Lore? ~ Kendra realized her life was becoming even more difficult than she had originally thought. The turbolift door opened, pulling Kendra back to reality. Lore took her hand as they walked to Kendra's room. He had decided there was no need to talk now. Kendra's actions at the pool answered his question. He was now looking forward to making love with Kendra for the rest of the day and into the night.

When the pair reached the door to Kendra’s room, Lore scooped her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold. Kendra gave him an astonished expression, but did not fight him.

“I read something about a human custom where the man carries his female through the doorway. It was a boring file, so that was as far as I got before I went on to something else.” He let Kendra back down on her feet as she stared blankly. “You know what the reasoning behind it was?” Lore asked her.

“Ah, well, not really. But it was thoughtful of you to do it, Lore,” Kendra stammered. Truth be told, she did not know why the tradition had started, but she did know when it was supposed to be done. She wondered if Lore did too and was pulling her leg.

Deciding that things were getting too heavy around here, Kendra pushed Lore and took off to run behind a couch in the living room group of her room. "Catch me if you can, Lore,” she taunted him.

Not one to refuse a challenge, Lore smirked and shook his head at her. Walking with slow, measured steps, he replied. “You don’t believe for a moment you can escape me, do you? I am faster, stronger and smarter than you. You are very limber and agile, not to mention, very gifted for a human – sorry - but you cannot hope to win.” He stood on the other side of the couch, grinning with his most cocky expression.

“Perhaps what you say is true, but you haven’t caught me yet.” She stuck her tongue out at him and quickly moved to behind one of the chairs to her right.

With an incredulous expression, Lore moved to follow, but she leaped over the back of the chair, bounced on the cushion, and took off across the room, towards the bed. Lore was on her heels as she bounded over the bed and rolled to a stand on the other side. Lore made a dive for her, but missed by a hair. Getting to his feet, he ran after her, soon trapping her in the corner of the room. She gave him a mischievous smile as Lore put an arm up on either side of her, to ensure she could not escape him.

Kendra was breathing hard from the exertion, but Lore now planned to have her breathing hard for another reason. Pinning her firmly against the wall with his body, Lore took her in a deep, passion filled kiss. After a moment, one hand came down from the wall to roam her body. The other hand followed a moment later. Kendra felt the erotic fever take her as Lore’s lips moved between her breasts.

Thoughts of Data, Lore and Noonien ran through her mind, but this was not the time to think about what to do. At this moment in time, there was only one thing she could do - whatever Lore wanted.

Kendra tried to keep going, but Lore just laughed. They had been going at it like crazed animals for hours, so he told her to sleep. He decided he would just enjoy holding her as she slept. Many thoughts and plans entered Lore’s mind as he listened to the soft breath of his lover, but one was at the forefront. He did not want to lose or be parted from Kendra. Perhaps it was a weakness, but he could still glare down anyone who dare throw that in his face.

Kendra rolled over in her sleep. Her shapely ass was now pressed against Lore and this aroused him. He did not try to suppress his growing erection, so very soon it was pressing into her sexy ass cheek. He took pleasure in the feel of her soft skin against him.

“Not now, Noon. Later. Let me sleep more,” she mumbled in her sleep.

~ She is tired but I’ll be damned if I let her sleep until noon. ~ Lore mused.

The sun was just starting to peek through the window as Kendra opened her eyes. She turned her head to see the amber eyes of her lover staring at her.

"Good morning." Lore caressed her cheek gently before kissing her.

"Hello there," she smiled as she pulled him in for another kiss.

"You seem to be well rested. I'm glad because there was no way I can wait until noon to make love to you again," he smirked.

"Noon? Why would you have to wait until noon?" she asked confused.

Lore laughed. "You have such an affect on me, even when you’re sleeping. That affect was pushing in to you and you said 'not now - noon' but I can't wait that long."

Kendra's eyes went wide and she was sure the color had drained from her face.

~ Oh my gods, Kendra, you almost destroyed everything. You have to be more careful. ~

"What's wrong? I can wait if you want. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do," Lore whispered. Kendra could see the guilt in his eyes and this made her feel even worse.

"Nothing’s wrong." Kendra tried her best to sound convincing. "I was just shocked that I could even suggest waiting that long, even if I was asleep." She pulled Lore to her and kissed him passionately, not only because she wanted to make love again but to also cover her mistake.

It was almost noon when they got out of bed. Kendra was feeling wonderful as she climbed into the shower. She soon was deep in thought as she absentmindedly lathered her body. She was so surprised when she felt a gentle kiss on the back of her neck that she let out an audible gasp as well as having the soap slip from her hand. She turned to see Lore standing there with that smirk she found so sexy on his lips. He bent down to retrieve the soap and, after working up a lather, ran his hands over Kendra's shoulders and down to her breasts. He cleaned every inch of her body using the gentlest strokes Kendra had ever felt. He only stopped the caresses to get more lather or to kiss her. When he was finished, Kendra was mad with desire. As the water streamed down on them, she maneuvered herself against the wall of the shower and pulled Lore to her.

"I need you now, Lore," she moaned. Lore did not need to be told twice. He lifted her onto his erection and began to thrust deeply into her. Her moans were becoming more frequent and louder as he slammed his hardness in and out of her. It only took moments before Kendra was calling out his name as she climaxed. Lore had been so turned on from touching her that he joined her in feeling the ecstasy of orgasm a few seconds later. As the two lovers stood recovering from their pleasure, Kendra wrapped her arms around him even tighter, leaned her head on his chest and sighed a very contented sigh. They stood silently entwined for several minutes before Lore gently coaxed Kendra out of the shower. They dried each other off before returning to the bedroom. Their kisses were leading them on to another lovemaking session when a view screen rose from the desk announcing an incoming message from Room #1834, Noonie and Juliana's room. Both lovers sighed. Kendra threw on a robe and went to answer the communication.

"You aren't dressed yet," Juliana exclaimed more than questioned. "Noonien asked me to let you know he and I are meeting Data for lunch in twenty minutes at the café if you would like to join us. I can't find Lore so if you see him tell him to meet us there." The tone in her voice sounded more obligatory than inviting. Before Kendra even had a chance to respond the screen went dark. She looked over to see a seething Lore glaring at the screen. Kendra made her way to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"It's okay, Lore. I know she doesn't like me-" Kendra started.

"No, it isn't okay, Kendra. She has treated you so badly since you first came to the colony. It really angers me to see her behave like that towards you."

"Just like her behavior on the hike angered you," Kendra commented.

"No," Lore corrected her. "Her behavior towards you angers me more."

Kendra’s features softened at his words. Lore was not a man to shower women in flowers, candy and empty praise. He may feel compelled to offer up words he felt were more factual, but still resembled a compliment, so Kendra knew this anger in his amber eyes was one inspired by a fierce protectiveness for her.

Kissing him with new feelings emerging, Kendra encouraged him to join her in getting dressed. He was still fuming when they made their way to the café, but Kendra pleaded with Lore to make things easy on his father and not start a scene here and now. After some grumbling, Lore agreed, but she could tell he still had something in mind.

When they arrived at the café, Kendra and Lore both were tickled to see Data arrive with Abella in hand from the opposite direction. Noonien and Juliana were already seated, so the androids and their respective ladies joined them.

The meal was a distracting one. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Data and Abella had continued to get along quite well last night. They still seemed very wrapped up in each other, speaking to others only when addressed at least twice.

Lore did have a great deal of trouble not openly glaring at Juliana, but with Kendra squeezing his knee under the table it was easier. Once lunch was over, Lore asked his father if he could speak to him alone for a few minutes. Nodding, he told Juliana he would be back in a moment and followed Lore away from the group. Father and son grinned at how fast Data had taken off with his new girlfriend.

Putting an arm around his son’s shoulder, Noonien asked Lore what was on his mind.

“I find myself very angry with Juliana, father,” Lore informed him. His features already twisting with rage.

“What’s this about?” Noonien asked, concern in his voice. “Your mother led me to believe your trip together was quite pleasant.”

“It was, if you were her or Data. I don’t fault my brother. He is everything I could want in a sibling. Juliana, on the other hand, falls short of my expectations for a mother in almost every area.” Lore turned to stop their slow walk so he could face his father. “Your happiness is important to me, father. I do not wish to displease you or cause a rift between you and your wife, but I do not feel for her as you would have me feel.” The effort Lore was making to keep his rage in check was quite clear to Noonien.

He placed a consoling hand on his son’s shoulder and looked him deep in the eyes. “I understand. I get the feeling there is something more you have to say. Tell me, son.”

“I would like you to assist me in keeping Juliana away from Kendra. I want her out of the line of fire. Juliana doesn’t like her either and it pisses me off to hear her speak to Kendra with contempt. I will swear to keep my feelings buried and show Juliana respect if you will help me protect Kendra from her. Will you, father?” Lore was still irate, but there was also a pleading quality to his voice.  

 "You care a great deal for Kendra, don't you?" The answer to this question was quite obvious to Noonien but he had to ask anyway.

"Yes, father, she is very special to me."

"Let's sit down for a moment." Noonien motioned to a nearby bench. "I've noticed you have been calling your mother by her first name. Is your relationship with her that bad?"

"Father, as I said, I don't want to cause any problems between you and your wife but Juliana made it very clear while we were away that she considers Data to be her son and not me. I can accept her as your wife but not as my mother. I can accept her behavior towards me but not towards Kendra."

"I'll talk to your...Juliana," Noonien promised.

"Thank you." The relief in Lore's voice was very evident. The two men stood but before Noonien had a chance to move, Lore embraced his father. "I love you, father."

Noonien could not remember the last time Lore had made such a public display of affection towards him and was very moved by this.

"I love you too, son," he responded. Noonien watched as Lore walked to rejoin Kendra before he headed back to the café where Juliana was waiting. He noticed Juliana had pulled out a book and was reading while he had spoken with Lore. He sat down next to Juliana at the table, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"What did Lore want?" she asked, although she seemed more interested in her book.

"Juliana, I want you to be honest with me. Do you dislike Kendra?"

Juliana was surprised by this question. She lowered her book and turned to her husband with a look of disbelief on her face.

"Is that what Lore was talking to you about?" she asked. Noonien nodded. "I can't believe this," she fumed. "You really want the truth? I do dislike Kendra. She is too hedonistic. I don't like the influence she has over Data. Look what's been happening here on Risa - encouraging him to go to nude beaches and look at how he was behaving with that friend of hers. It was disgraceful!"

"You don't like the influence she has over Data?" Noonien repeated. "What about her influence on Lore?"

"Lore is already a lost cause," she said as she turned back to her book.

"Lore is not a lost cause. He's a good boy," Noonien responded angrily. "I don't know why you think that but it is obvious that your relationship with him is beyond repair. Juliana, from now on, let me deal with Kendra. If you have anything to say to her, tell me and I'll pass it along." The tone in his voice made it clear there would be no debating that.

"That won't be a problem as the only thing I want to say to her is good-bye and I hope I'll have that opportunity soon." Juliana turned back to her book obviously angry about this entire conversation.

Noonien understood why Lore was so irritated with Juliana as he too was finding it difficult to be near her just now. “I need to go for a walk. I’ll see you in a little while, Juliana.” As Noonien rose from his chair, his wife gave him a dismissive wave of her hand without even looking up from her book.

Suppressing a sigh, Noonien headed for the beach to see what the “children” were doing. The area where they were making themselves comfortable was part of the clothing optional area. Abella and Data were entwined on a large blanket, but not yet nude. Noonien had no doubt this was a temporary condition for his younger son.

As Noonien took a seat in one of the many lounge chairs, he looked over to scan the beach for Lore and Kendra. He spotted them further down the beach, sitting by the water’s edge. Their legs were in the water, and the waves of the tide washed over them in what looked to be a soothing way. The two were enjoying the water, sun and sand. Lore splashed Kendra and she was trying to cover him in wet sand. Both seemed relaxed, content and happy.

A few moments later, Data was scooping Abella up in his arms. He ran at half speed and jumped into the water with her laughing the whole time.

Kendra and Lore noted the antics of Data and Abella and seemed to think it looked fun, so they quickly jumped into the water as well, chasing playfully after each other. Data and Abella stayed in the water for no more than fifteen minutes though, before they came out from beneath the water, kissing. After several passionate kisses, the pair raced back to their blanket, tossed off their suits and began making love.

Noonien was impressed with how well Data had assimilated his sexual program, but felt uncomfortable watching his son involved in this intimate act. Moving his gaze further down the beach, he noted another couple similarly engaged. Since he did not know these people, he felt less compelled to avert his eyes. He watched the unknown pair for several minutes before the movements of Lore and Kendra again caught his attention.

To his chagrin, they too had returned to their blanket. They were not having sex, but they were kissing, holding each other and seemed to be speaking tenderly to each other. This, Noonien did not want to see. The memories of having Kendra in his own arms and making sweet love to her were still too fresh. Noonien tried to pull his eyes from them, but found himself riveted to them.

He heard himself gasp audibly when Kendra lifted up, seductively removed her suit and nodded at Lore to do the same. She pushed him back down and mounted Lore’s prominent erection. Noonien groaned as he felt a tightening in his own loins.

When Kendra threw back her head and her long wet hair trailed down her sexy back, Lore reached up to play with her full breasts. This was all Noonien could take. He recalled the feel of Kendra’s nipples in his mouth and the hardened bud of her sex as she came.

Noonien practically launched from the chair, heading back to the café. Finding Juliana, he took her hand and pulled her to a stand. “It’s time to return to the room, my wife. I require you – now.”

Juliana seemed too stunned to argue, but when they reached the lift, she seemed to find her voice. “What’s going on? Why do you need me, Noonien?” she demanded.

His answer was to grab her and crush her body to his in a fiery kiss. Juliana struggled a bit, but Noonien did not intend to take no for an answer this time. He raced her to their room as soon as the doors to the lift opened enough for them to slip though. Once in the room, he pulled her to the bed and ordered her to remove her clothing.

“It’s not even 1:30, Noonien,” she objected.

“If you don’t take them off, I will,” he told her, shocked at the force in his voice.

Her eyes wide, Juliana followed her husband’s command, looking slightly pale. Noonien removed his own clothing while watching the inches of his wife’s body become visible. His erection was rock hard when his shaking wife was finally nude and scrambling under the covers.

“No, I intend to rid you of this fear you have of sex and nudity.” Reaching up, he ripped all the blankets from the bed, leaving Juliana with nothing with which to hide her nakedness. Crawling on the bed, he headed for the legs of his wife, pulling her from her sitting position to a reclining one. Spreading her legs, he brought his mouth to her sex.

“Noonien!” she all but screamed. “No, please!”

“I need you now, Juliana. This will get you ready for me. I need you ready.” Not allowing her objections to deter him, he took her into his mouth, exploring a region of her body in a way he had never before been allowed.

Juliana tensed under him, but her body responded. She was ready quickly, but he remained here, enjoying the feel. When the throbbing between his legs could wait no longer, he rose up and plunged within her. 

Noonien claimed Juliana's mouth, kissing her with a desire she had never felt before. As the speed of Noonien thrusts increased, Juliana found herself moaning despite herself. Soon she felt a sensation rush through her body that she had not felt before or, more precisely, had not allowed herself to feel before. Noonien soon let out his own loud moan as he reached his climax. Noonien leaned down to kiss Juliana but she turned her head, only offering her cheek. He moved next to her, trying desperately to wrap his arms around her, to hold her in the afterglow he was feeling.

"Juliana, please, let me hold you," he pleaded.

Juliana was very confused. Many of the things Noonien had done to her she found to be abhorrent but it had felt good - too good.

"I need to be alone, Noonien." Juliana's voice sounded emotionless.

"Juliana, please, I want to be with you completely. I love you."

"Go to your sons. I'll meet you for dinner later," she directed.

Noonien's sons were still on the beach with their respective ladies. Lore and Kendra had moved their blanket next to Data and Abella's and the two couples were now talking and laughing together.

"Data, Lore, will you two get Kendra and I something to drink, please?" Abella requested.

"Is that a task that requires both Lore and I?" Data queried.

"Come on, Data," Lore laughed as he pulled his brother to his feet. "That's a code women use. It means they want us to leave them alone for a few minutes so they can talk about us."

They started walking to the outdoor bar located 100 meters down the beach from their position.

"They are both so cute," Abella laughed.

"So, what do you think of Data?" Kendra prodded.

"He is so sweet and such an amazing lover. I'm going to need to take a vacation to recover from this vacation," Abella smirked. "I don't know how you do it, Kendra. Data hasn't said anything but I can tell you've been with both of them, probably at the same time on more than one occasion too." Kendra did not need to respond as her grin confirmed Abella's beliefs. "Are they different - Data and Lore - in bed, I mean?"

"Very. They look alike but they are very different in so many ways, including in bed," Kendra told her friend.

"What's going on with you and Lore? Your feelings for him are very different from how you feel about Data?"

"I care for both of them a great deal. Why do you ask that?"

"You are genuinely happy to see Data and I enjoying each other like we have been and yet, with Lore...well, Treena told me about what happened yesterday at the pool."

"Ah." Kendra could feel her face going flush. "I honestly don't know, Abella. Lore is much more complicated than Data. I'm not sure what's happening between us or whether it will grow into anything more than it is now."

"It's so obvious that he cares about you a great deal, Kendra. What's the problem?"

"I'm not sure I can explain it. Let's just say there are things I have to know he is capable of before I can even think about changing my relationship with him." Kendra had a faraway look in her eyes for just a moment. "They're on their way back. Let's change the subject, okay."

Abella agreed, so they talked about what they all should do for the afternoon. “Oh, I have an idea,” Abella confided, leaning to whisper in Kendra’s ear. “Clothes shopping can be fun, if you pick the right outfits to try on,” Abella grinned wickedly at her friend. Kendra gasped as her meaning became clear and then laughed, nodding.

The four had put their suits back on, but decided a shower and change of clothing would be a good idea before their shopping jaunt. Lore and Data did not seem particularly enthusiastic about the shopping idea, but since they did not want to be without the ladies, they relented.

While the stores had holographic fitting available, the ladies decided that trying on the actual clothing would be more interesting.

While the men sat in chairs in an area surrounded by mirrors, the ladies came out one at a time to model. First was Abella who came out in a white floor-length dress that covered her entire front, but was sleeveless and formfitting. When she turned around, both Lore and Data gasped at the sight of the backless dress that plunged so low it showed more than a hint of the cleavage of her very sexy and firm bottom. Her flowing blond hair trailed down her nude back, drawing one’s eyes lower. There was also a slit that went all the way up the back of her legs.

“I wish this establishment had a clothing optional rule. She is-” Data faltered here for the right words.

“Tempting you,” Lore snickered. “Restraint, my brother. We will show them tonight.”

Next Kendra came out in a mini-dress as gold as the androids. The top was a real showstopper. It was a crossed halter style that barely covered her breasts but if that was not enticing enough, the whole dress had centimeter wide lines where the fabric became alluringly transparent. One such line ran to the right and left of each of her breasts.

Data noted Lore’s reaction to Kendra’s dress and grinned. “I hope you are forming a plan for payback, my brother. I will be eager to cooperate.”

Abella came out with a new item, a short, sleeveless dress. Ninety percent of the dress was completely sheer. The only places that were not were two stripes of hot pink, one that almost covered her nipples and one that did its best to hide the treasures between her legs.

“I wonder if those dressing rooms are soundproof?” Lore reflected.

“I do not believe our rooms are, but I do not care,” Data assured him.

Lore patted Data on the back, chuckling with approval. He stopped laughing when Kendra came out of her dressing room. She now wore a very short black mini-skirt that showcased her long, sexy legs. It was topped with a black and royal blue lace overlay bustier that created more cleavage than the brothers thought possible.

“I think we are done shopping. Do you concur, brother?” Data asked Lore.

Coming to a stand, Lore said, “Truer words have never been spoken.” Pulling out a payment chip, Lore handed it to the clerk and told him to deduct the cost of the two the women were wearing. Once that was done, Lore grabbed Kendra’s hand and Data took Abella’s, pulling the sexily clad woman from the store and back to their shared room.

Once the four were in the room, Lore smirked at his brother. “Time for payback, Data. Let’s get them.”

"Mmm, I've always loved your idea of payback," Kendra purred.

"Oh my! What are they going to do to us?" Abella added, feigning distress.

Lore and Data moved towards the ladies, forming a circle, in the center of the room. Lore leaned over to claim Kendra's mouth for a passionate kiss as Data did the same with Abella. Lore then brought his lips to Abella's while Data turned his attention to Kendra. The brothers began to remove each woman's clothing, gently caressing each new area of skin as it was exposed. Once they were nude, it was now Kendra and Abella's turn to help the men. The foursome moved down to their knees, sharing kisses while groping each other as the excitement grew between them. It was not long before both men were rock hard. Kendra lay on the floor as Abella moved behind her, sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs spread. Lore was the first to move. He positioned himself so he was straddling Kendra's chest and bent forward to begin a detailed exploration between Abella's legs. Abella lay back, draping her legs over Lore's shoulders as he began. He started by massaging Abella's clit with his fingers causing her to moan. He moved his fingers to insert in her vagina as he moved his mouth to suck her hardening clit.

As Lore was pleasuring Abella, Kendra had his stiffness in her mouth. She raised and lowered her head, gently brushing her teeth on his shaft. She slowly moved down so only the head of Lore’s penis was in her mouth. She ran her tongue seductively over the most sensitive areas before blowing gently. Lore’s moans were all that interrupted his feasting between Abella’s legs.

Meanwhile, Data had slid down on the floor between Kendra’s legs and had begun his own oral attack on her sex. He thrust his fingers in and out of her wet vagina as he sucked ferociously on her clit. He knew Kendra was near the edge so he moved to his knees, lifted Kendra’s sexy butt, plunging his erection into her.

The sounds of pleasure filled the room as one by one each of the four called out as the passion swept through them. When Kendra released Lore’s penis from her grasp after catching all she could of his cum, he stood up, allowing Abella’s legs to slide down before he plunged into her with his still hard penis. Abella gasped in pleasure as Lore began his thrusts. Kendra took Data’s hand and pulled him to the bed. She had Data on his knees at the head of the bed before moving to position herself so Abella would have access to her wetness while she took Data in her mouth.

The foursome continued their session, at times breaking into couples and other times enjoying a group encounter. At one point, Kendra whispered to Lore that Abella would really enjoy the treatment she had received on the beach during their first encounter on Omicron Theta. Kendra was correct. They continued into the evening before Data and Lore took mercy on their lovers and allowed them to rest.

Lore and Data lay with their bodies entwined with the women as they slept. The two had been talking quietly, so they would not wake their lovers. Data told Lore about some of the things he and Abella had done together the night before. Lore enjoyed the tale and the telling.

“I have noticed when Abella refers to the act, she calls it sex, but Kendra refers to it as making love. When I look up the definitions, sex is listed as an act, a part of the body or the method for reproduction. Lovemaking refers to emotions and personal attachments and the expressions of those emotions. I am confused.” Data looked to his brother for clarification.

“I think our father wrote both of those definitions, Data. Two terms for the same act,” Lore said, but his voice did not hold much conviction.

“You do not believe there is a difference, brother?” Data asked.

Lore looked down at Kendra, asleep, with her hands pressed to his chest. Absently, he brushed a few strands of hair from her beautiful face. “I used to think there wasn’t, Data. Maybe our father is smarter than I’ve given him credit for in the past...at least in this area. I like making love.” Lore looked from his lover’s face back to that of his brother. “Is there a difference for you, Data? Is it different for you when you’re with Abella than when you’re with Kendra?”

Data considered this for a moment before speaking. “I enjoy sex with Abella and I enjoy it with Kendra. I am not certain of what I feel for either of them. I do believe Kendra feels something for you, brother.”

Lore’s expression became harder, suddenly. “Emotions - what a foolish thing to give to a machine. Androids shouldn’t have emotions. We should be creatures of facts and not have to be dragged down by these foolish emotions. Data, Lore. Our names even mean facts and information, knowledge and wisdom - nothing about emotions in there,” Lore lamented.

“Kendra also means knowledge, Lore. She does not mind having emotions. She does seem to prefer you, as I believe she sees me as too inexperienced, too naïve,” Data sighed at this.

Lore smiled consolingly at Data. “You won’t always be naïve, Data. You’ll see. You’ll grow up and be just as sharp as your big brother, but meanwhile, don’t sweat it, you’re fine just the way you are. If fact, you’re my favorite brother.” Lore reached over and patted his brother on the arm.

Data gave him a skeptical look. “I am your only brother, Lore.”

Lore nodded at him. “I know, I like that about you too.”

The brothers continued to talk quietly until dawn. Lore felt a discontentment, a yearning. It was an odd feeling and it was growing. In her sleep, Kendra’s hands moved against Lore’s chest, almost like a caress. Data had fallen silent, so Lore looked down at the woman whose movements beside him were causing these feelings. Lore slipped his other arm back under the blanket in search of Kendra’s back. He found Abella’s breast at first, but this was not the skin he wished to touch, needed to touch. He craved the feel of Kendra’s flesh under his fingers. Ever so slowly, Lore ran his fingers over her silky softness. He closed his eyes and just took in all the information his fingertips gave him. He also allowed his emotions to run wild.

Passion. This was what touching her meant to Lore. Touching Abella had been sexually exciting, it had given him release, but the deeper emotions only came at the sight of this one woman.

~ Damn these emotions, ~ Lore cursed. ~ How cruel to give us these emotions. To allow us to feel for their kind but are they capable of feeling the same for us? ~ Kendra moved again and Lore felt that yearning again. He knew what it was and the feelings mocked him. He wanted this woman to wake up and be with him. Sex, lovemaking, talking, walking - Lore did not care, he just wanted her and it was tearing him apart.

Kendra continued to move in her sleep. She pulled herself closer to Lore, wrapping her arms around him as if they were the only two in the bed. Lore smiled as he wrapped himself around her. Kendra whispered his name in her sleep as a warm smile crossed her lips.

Kendra awoke before Abella, smiling up at Lore, she leaned towards him to kiss him gently on the lips.

"Good morning." The look on Kendra's face, the sparkle in her eyes had such an effect on Lore.

"Good morning, Kendra. I hope you slept well," Lore whispered.

"As do I," Data added although his words had an unexpected effect on Kendra, they seemed to startle her. Kendra turned her head to give Data a warm smile. She had forgotten Abella and Data were lying next to her. Lore had that affect on her, when she was in his arms she felt like no one else existed. She liked that feeling but it scared her too. She knew she could not lose control until she knew what Lore was capable of and what she was capable of as well.

"Good morning, Data," she whispered, not wanting to wake Abella.

"If you wish to go for breakfast, please do," Data encouraged the couple. "I will stay with Abella while she sleeps."

Lore and Kendra quietly got out of bed and got dressed. They waved to Data as they left the room.

"I need to change my clothes. Do you mind if we stop at my room first?" Kendra asked. Lore took Kendra's hand as they walked down the corridor to her room.

"Did you have fun last night?" she asked as they entered.

"It was an enjoyable evening of sex," Lore replied.

"Yes, it was," Kendra agreed.

"As good as it was, it didn't come close to how great it is to have you to myself," Lore said as he pulled Kendra into his arms, kissing her passionately.

Kendra was again swept up in emotion as Lore explored her mouth with his tongue. She had heard him say so many things that his flippant attitude had not surfaced for. Did he mean what he said? Was it more than just words to him? What had yesterday meant to him?

When he finally broke the kiss, Kendra decided to ask. Running her hands over his chest, she said, “I’m sure we can convince Data and Abella to join us again here tonight, if you’d like. Abella gave me a wonderful tongue-lashing and I owe her payment for that.” Kendra smiled at him suggestively.

“I don’t want to cause an imbalance in your friendship with Abella, but perhaps you can find a different way to repay her. I believe that since Data will have to be parted from the woman soon, we should allow them private time together. Fucking her was interesting but that was all. I think you need a shower, Kendra.” His tone made it clear he would brook no argument. He took off her clothes, stripped off his own and picked her up, carrying her to the shower.

The warm water streamed down her body, and Kendra felt herself come fully awake under the spray. The touch of Lore’s fingers moving in an oddly familiar way down her back heightened this state of awareness. Slowly she turned to face him, catching the intense look of concentration on his face. His eyes were riveted to the spot his fingers caressed.

Not allowing her movement to disrupt his detailed exploration of her body, Lore slowly moved his fingertips from her navel, traveling upwards. Something about the almost unreadable expression on his face caused Kendra to stand statue still, just watching him.

It took an eternity, but when his fingers touched the curve of her left breast, Kendra’s tenuous ability to remain still was lost. Desire had been filling her up and just this flooded her.

“Lore...” she moaned, bringing a hand up to touch his face. Her fingers traced his lips as his eyes finally locked with hers.

“Until we get back to the colony, Kendra, I refuse to share you with anyone. Is that clear?” Lore ordered her in a tone she had never heard before. She answered before she could stop herself.

“Yes, Lore,” she replied.

“I’ll wash you, then I want to make love, just once. I know you’re hungry, but we’re going to make love first.” The commanding tone prevailed, faded and then prevailed again as he spoke. All Kendra could bring herself to do was nod.

She almost expected his touch to be harsh after this statement, but he fooled her. He washed every inch of her body with exquisite care and tenderness. He massaged her scalp when he began to wash her long tresses. She was almost faint she was so overwhelmed by all the sensations.

When Lore lifted her out of the shower, it was like a fog lifted and Kendra almost cried out in dismay. Lore moved her quickly to the bed without even stopping to dry either of them. He impaled her with his rock hard length a moment later.

Kendra gasped as he entered her. Lore felt so good inside her, better than anyone she had ever been with. He seemed to have knowledge of her body even she had been unaware of. His touch, his kisses, his thrusts all seemed designed to bring her maximum pleasure. As Lore quickened his pace, Kendra's moans became more and more frequent. He claimed her mouth as much as he could between her outbursts of pleasure. Kendra's body was soon pushed to the brink as she grabbed at the bedding trying to find something to grip.

"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! YES! YES!" she called out loudly as her orgasm pushed her over the precipice. Lore continued to pound into her causing her entire body to quiver with pleasure. His own moans were drowned out by the sounds of Kendra's cries.

"Oh Kendra, I l...aaaaaaaahhhhhh," he gasped as the waves of his climax shot into Kendra.

She grabbed his face, pulling his mouth to hers for a savage kiss as if pleading for him to continue. When their lips parted, Lore moved beside Kendra.

"It's time to eat. We have all day and all night to spend together," he whispered.

Lore stood up and held his hands out to Kendra. She took hold of his hands, trying desperately to pull him back to the bed.

"Kendra, breakfast first," he commanded. Kendra nodded, allowing Lore to pull her up from the bed. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her. "You need your strength. We have lots of time to be together."

Kendra tried to seduce Lore back to bed as they got dressed but he was having no part of it.

"Why couldn't we stay in bed and replicate something?" Kendra pouted.

"Because everyone is waiting for us," Lore said as he could see his father, Juliana, Data and Abella all sitting at a table, looking at menus. "Now, I want to see a smile on those sexy lips of yours."

Kendra sighed before putting on her best smile as they reached the table, wishing everyone a good morning. Her smile faded though, as she could see the obvious tension between Noonien and Juliana. She was becoming nervous. Kendra was not sure if the occasional glare Juliana threw in her direction was one of her usual glares or if she suspected something had happened between Kendra and Noonien.

Lore had noticed the glares too. His dislike for his father's wife was growing, but he had promised to keep it under control and he was going to keep that promise. All of this lead to a relatively quiet breakfast, except for the happy banter between Data and Abella.

Once breakfast was over, Data leaned over to Lore and whispered in his ear. Lore gave a nod and Data got up from the table, taking Abella’s hand as the two hurried off towards the beach that allowed nudity. Grinning after his brother, Lore got up too.

“What would you like to do on our final day here, Kendra?” Lore asked, looking down at her.

“Well, whatever we do, I think I want to change my shoes first.” She scooted back and lifted her left foot, rubbing her ankle. “These shoes are killing me.”

“Maybe you should take her to her room, Lore. We wouldn’t want anything to hurt Kendra, now would we?” Juliana said in a very unconvincing tone.

“No, I wouldn’t!” Lore answered, allowing some of his anger to show. He took Kendra’s hand and helped her to her feet.

“I want all of us to have dinner together tonight, I told Data before you and Kendra arrived. Meet us in the lobby at seven and we’ll go from there. We leave at ten tomorrow morning. See you later,” Noonien said before they left the table. Both agreed they would be there.

Once they were out of earshot, Lore virtually growled. “That woman is going to cause me to lose my temper one day.” He now had his arms wrapped around Kendra’s waist.

“She does have it in for me, doesn’t she?” Kendra said, squeezing him around his waist. “Forget about her for now, Lore. Let’s go back to the room and make love until you have me screaming for mercy.”

He looked over at her with a suspicious expression. “Your feet don’t hurt at all, do they?”

She grinned. “Nope, but I do have this very empty place that I need you to fill, because you know how to fill it so completely. I’m aching for you, Lore.” Her voice, filled with need, had an immediate affect on Lore. He picked her up, threw her over his shoulder, gave her ass a whack and then proceeded to carry her like this to her room.

Once they arrived, he ordered her to take off her clothes and show him this empty place. As he lay back on the bed, he enjoyed the view as Kendra seductively removed her dress, sliding it off her body until it fell to the floor. The second the last item dropped to the floor, leaving her nude, Lore moved and grabbed her. He threw her back on the bed and crushed her body beneath his own.

His kisses were hard and fierce at first but, after a moment, they became soft and tender. His hands gently caressed her sides. Kendra only knew that however Lore touched her, he made her alive with passion and desire. Between heartbeats, he took off his clothing and moved again with her. When he entered her, slow and easy, she moaned with anticipation.

Lore’s hands continued their slow dance up and down her body as he moved his penis in and out of her with equally deliberate movements. Kendra moans had turned to quick pants as the fire built up inside her. She reached for Lore’s face as a powerful need to kiss him overtook her. His kiss was still tender but filled with an all-consuming passion that pushed Kendra to new heights. Lore continued with the pace of his thrusts trying to draw Kendra out as long as possible as if he was torturing her with pleasure. Kendra’s back began to arch as she screamed out Lore’s name. She was so completely overcome with sensations she was sure she was going to pass out at any moment. Lore now quickened his thrusts bringing her over the edge again and again until he joined her with his own mighty climax. He kissed the tip of her nose as Kendra caught her breath, then he reclaimed her mouth for another sweet kiss. He moved beside her, gently sweeping the strands of hair that were covering her face away with his hand.

“What do you want to do now?” he asked teasingly. “That sounded like a cry for mercy to me.”

“Whatever you want, Lore,” she panted. “As long as it’s something we can do together.” She wrapped her arms around him tightly.

Lore gently pushed her chin up with one of his fingers so they were now staring into each other’s eyes. He was sure at this moment he could see to the depths of her soul as he looked into her striking gray eyes.

“You are so beautiful. You could have any man in the colony fall head over heels in love with you, yet you show no interest in them. You stay with Data and me. Why?” This was a question Lore had wanted to ask Kendra for some time but had not been able to.

“You’re exaggerating. I am not the type of woman men fall in love with, Lore. I’m just a sex toy, remember?” she whispered.

Lore’s expression became angry. “Do you think of Data or me as a sex toy?” he asked, drawing up sharply from her.

“No, of course not,” she defended, sitting up as well.

“Is that how the human men have treated you before, Kendra? As a toy and nothing more?”

Kendra lowered her head. “Yes. I’m not exactly the woman you bring home to mother.”

Lore lifted her chin and looked into her eyes fiercely. “I would not bring any woman home to my mother because I don’t care for my mother. We have joked about you being Data’s and my sex toy in the past, I’m not going to do that anymore, Kendra. We will all stop saying that.”

“All?” she questioned.

“Yes, you as well. You’re not a toy. Insensitive humans taught you to believe that and now an android is going to unteach you.” Lore moved his hand from her chin and caressed her cheek. “I’m here to spend time with you. All of you.” He ran a hand down her body. “This is just the shell, the casing. I want all of you.” He took her hand and brought it to his penis. “Is this all you want from me?”

“No,” she insisted, looking hurt.

“We’re not toys, Kendra. I will never again treat you like a toy. I swear it.”

The fire in his eyes as he spoke to her was almost frightening to Kendra. So much had happened on this trip and she was not sure she could keep up with the pace. In a way, she was disappointed that her and Treena’s plans for a second try at getting away had fallen through. Two of Treena’s fellow workers had taken ill, so everyone else, including Treena, had been forced to pick up the slack. It would have been good for Kendra to get away with just a girlfriend and be able to talk about all the men in her life.

Kendra brought a hand up to trace Lore’s lips. Her head was spinning, but she knew one thing, Lore was trying. He was trying very hard to take care of her and make her happy. How ironic that he spoke so often about Data’s growing up and here Kendra felt as though she was a part of a growth spurt of Lore’s. He was learning to think of others and not just himself. Data, Noonien and now her. Kendra was flattered to be in such good company.

“Thank you, Lore,” she whispered, unable to gather the breath needed to speak louder. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

Lore laid back down and pulled her into his arms. “I want you to tell me about how this started, this crap about you being no more than a toy. Tell me, Kendra. I want to know.”

His request stunned her, but slowly, Kendra’s tongue loosened and the story of the past men in her life just came flowing out of her. She talked so long and about such painful things that she cried herself to sleep in Lore’s strong arms. He let her sleep, holding her and whispering in her ear words of comfort and caring until it was time to get ready for dinner.

It was 1800 when Lore woke Kendra.

“I must look horrible,” Kendra said as she wiped her eyes.

“You always look beautiful.” Lore leaned down to kiss Kendra’s forehead.

“Thank you for getting me to talk and for listening. I had so much pain bottled up-” she started to say but the tears had started again.

“I promise you, Kendra, I will never hurt you,” he whispered as he wiped the tears away.

“This isn’t exactly how I had hoped to spend our last day on Risa,” she sighed.

“We spent the day together. I didn’t care what we did today as long as we spent it together.” Lore climbed from the bed, holding out his hand to Kendra. She smiled as he helped her up. “Now let’s see what you have in this closet that you can wear for dinner tonight.” Lore looked at the different dresses hanging up before he stopped, smirked and brought out a strapless black dress that was so short it would barely cover Kendra’s sexy ass.

“I take it you want me to wear that tonight?” Kendra grinned.

“I think it will have the desired effect I’m looking for,” Lore nodded.

“Okay, so exactly what effect are you looking for?” she asked.

“I want to drive Juliana crazy,” he laughed.

“Lore, that’s horrible,” she cried out. Lore was starting to believe he had gone too far when she laughed and added, “I love it.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her closer, his lips pressing hard against hers.

“If we don’t stop we won’t make dinner,” Kendra reminded him. Lore handed the dress to Kendra, kissing her gently as he did.

“I better go change. I’ll be right back,” Lore dressed quickly and headed for his room. Kendra was dressed and had finished her makeup when he returned. She was standing in front of a mirror, brushing her hair when Lore took the brush from her so he could finish. He had enjoyed washing her hair earlier and found the act of brushing her hair to be surprisingly soothing. Before they left, Kendra kissed Lore gently.

“You look amazing,” Kendra smiled. “So handsome and sexy. There are going to be so many women who will be jealous of me tonight.”

“Kendra, it’s the men who are going to be jealous of me. You are incredible.”

It was shortly before 1900 when they left Kendra’s room and made their way to the lobby. Data and Abella were already waiting when they arrived.

“I love that dress, Kendra,” Abella exclaimed as soon as she saw her friend. Before Kendra could respond they heard a gasp coming from behind them. It was Juliana’s reaction to seeing her dinner companions.

“Perfect,” Lore whispered to Kendra. 

Kendra shook her head at Lore, but still gave him an amused grin. The party made their way to the place where they had gone the first night and enjoyed dinner, but this time Juliana could not be convinced to have any drink she did not recognize the name of.

Noonien was trying very hard to keep the conversation going around the table. Considering the activities everyone had been participating in for the last few days, it was almost impossible to talk about what anyone had done lately without causing Juliana to threaten to leave the table. Noonien had to talk her back down into her seat three times during the evening and everyone could see how wearing it was becoming on him, so they all tried harder. But it still was not easy.

Finally, Lore suggested they move to the area where the dancing was going on. The unmarried ladies found this idea very appealing, but Juliana did not seem pleased.

“I am not moving around like some whore to noise that sounds like a call for animals to mate, Noonien!” she told her husband, once again becoming very agitated and, this time, also insulting.

“Juliana, that’s enough! I will not have you ruining our last day of vacation. If you insist on behaving this way, go back to the room.” Noonien’s tone was more forceful than anyone around the table had ever heard before.

Tossing her nose in the air, Juliana told him she thought that was a fine idea. She turned to leave, but had expected him to follow her. When she saw he was not moving, she turned back. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

“No, I intend to enjoy my last few hours of vacation - with or without you.” Noonien did not even meet her eyes as he said this, and that almost enraged Juliana. She stormed off, absolutely furious.

Everyone was quiet for a few moments before Abella got up from the table and came over to him, giving him a friendly and consoling hug. “I’m sorry you and your wife are fighting, Dr. Soong. Do you want to dance?”

Noonien smiled appreciatively up at her. He patted her hand, but was about to refuse when he saw all the other faces around looking expectantly at him. He took a look at each of those faces - Lore, Data and Kendra. He had very strong feelings for all of them. They had been trying very hard this evening. He would not let their efforts go unnoticed. Finally coming to a decision, Noonien got to his feet.

“Yes, lovely lady. If my son does not mind parting with your charming company for a time, then I would be honored. I can still shake it with the - well I can still shake it, anyway.” Everyone smiled and seemed to relax at this statement.

The evening proceeded without a hitch once the only thorn had been removed. But what no one knew was the thorn returned to observe the movements of that brazen hussy. Juliana had the feeling that as soon as Kendra thought she was gone, she would try to get her evil hooks into her easily corrupted husband.

She had been right. Only moments after Juliana returned to the scene, Kendra took Noonien’s hand and lead him to the dance floor. The evil harlot pressed her almost unclothed body against Noonien in a way that caused Juliana to see red. It was all she could do to not race from her hiding place and slap the hussy right across the face.

But Juliana restrained herself and instead made a plan. “There are laws in this universe, Kendra. You reap what you sow. Very soon, very soon you will reap.”

 Juliana spied on the group for an hour before going to her room. She had seen enough, more than enough to confirm in her mind what she had to do.

Shortly after Juliana had skulked off, Treena joined the remaining group at the table. She was finished working for the day and was looking to relax. Lore was amused with the way Treena was openly flirting with Data and his father but not with him. She even asked Kendra if it was okay to ask Lore to dance before inviting him to join her on the dance floor. All three men took turns dancing with each of the ladies during the course of the evening. It was during one of those turns Noonien had with Kendra that she had brought up the events of the evening.

“Noonie, I’m really sorry to have upset Juliana-” she started.

“You don’t need to apologize, Kendra. It’s not your fault. Hell, there are dozens of women here wearing outfits much more revealing than yours. I have always known Juliana is old fashioned but I guess it wasn’t until we came to Risa that I realized how big a stick-in-the-mud she can be,” he sighed.

“Will everything be okay when we get back to the colony? Maybe I should have stayed behind...”

“I’m glad you came. I had a wonderful time,” Noonien reassured her. Kendra knew he was speaking of their time together and smiled. “Besides, can you imagine what type of vacation it would have been without you. I would have been saddled with two moping sons and a spoilsport wife instead of just the spoilsport wife.” Kendra could not help but chuckle at his words. When the music ended, Noonien returned to the table alone as Data had come to dance with Kendra.

“Kendra, when we return to the colony, if you wish to end the sexual portion of our relationship I will understand,” Data smiled.

“Do you want it to end, Data?” Kendra asked.

“I know the relationship you and Lore have has grown to be much more than a sexual one. I do not-”

“Has Lore asked you to end your relationship with me?”

“No, he has not.”

“Data, that was very sweet of you to offer but, no, I don’t want to end our relationship. You’re very special to me.”

“But it is very different from what you feel for Lore, is it not?”

“To be honest, Data, I’m not sure what I feel. Lore is so difficult to figure out sometimes. He’ll say one thing but his actions will indicate the opposite. I don’t know what to think but I do know I don’t want anything to change between you and I until I have figured it out.”

Data hugged Kendra, kissing her lightly on the cheek before they returned to the table.

“Those two look like they’re up to something,” Kendra motioned to Abella and Treena. “You may be in for an enjoyable final night on Risa, Data.”

Kendra was right. When Data sat down at the table, Abella whispered in his ear, he nodded his head in agreement and soon he, Abella and Treena were leaving together. Noonien sighed to himself as he watched his younger son leaving with two gorgeous ladies while his older son fawned over Kendra.

“I’m going to call it an evening. You two have fun,” he smiled to Lore and Kendra before rising to leave. The pair wished him a good evening before Lore led Kendra back onto the dance floor. It was a slow, sultry song playing and Lore had pulled Kendra closer to him than Noonien thought possible. They were wrapped in each other’s arms moving to the music but completely oblivious to those around them. Noonien sighed again and left to join his wife in their room, not knowing what to expect when he arrived.

Noonien was relieved, in a way, that all he received was the cold shoulder. Since they had to leave in the morning, he packed up all he could before getting ready for bed and joining his wife. She was reading, but did not acknowledge him the whole time he packed nor did she react when he kissed her on the cheek and told her goodnight.

Data had an exciting evening keeping up with and for two very sexy women. He spent hours with his penis in some part of one of them while he was sucking, licking, kissing and/or fondling some part of the other. He was even told he could touch and fondle them when they slept, so Data enjoyed his entire last night on Risa.

Lore and Kendra took a long walk along the beach, splashed each other, rolled and kissed in the sand and made love once there before returning to her room for a shower to wash off the sand. They fell into bed and, to Kendra’s surprise, Lore was again in the mood to talk. It seemed tonight was his turn to unburden his soul. He related to Kendra some of the things that had been said about him by the colonists. He talked of the women in his past who had pretended to care for him but, in fact, had only wanted sex and of the others who were upfront about only wanting to use him like some battery operated sex toy. His feelings were irrelevant to them.

Kendra felt as though she had shared in almost every moment of his time alive after that. While Lore had been a spectacle and a “thing” of interest, he was treated by most as one would treat a backward child or, even worse, a monster to be feared and mistrusted.

“When I first talked with your father, after I had arrive, he told me Data and you were not ‘things’ or ‘its’. You were his sons. I was skeptical at first too, but it took only moments for me to see how wrong I had been.” Kendra stroked Lore’s cheek. She knew he was not the kind to cry. He just got angry and bottled up the pain, but she still tried to tenderly kiss the pain away.

“You’re tired, Kendra,” he told her. “Sleep. I’ll hold you.”

“Let’s make love, Lore.”

He looked in her eyes and shook his head. “No. We made love once tonight. If you want, we can again in the morning before we leave. Right now you are going to sleep and I am going to hold you. I will not argue with you. You will do as I say. Please.”

Kendra lifted up too, but to kiss him. His eyes were filled with tenderness even after all his blustering and thundering. She knew this was his way of saying he just wanted to be held like she had wanted this afternoon.

She laid back in his arms, resting her head on his chest and held him tightly until she fell asleep. Lore clung to her, listening to her breath. 

The morning came much faster than Lore wanted. He dreaded going back to Omicron Theta. He had thought of staying on Risa but only if Kendra would stay with him. The thought that she would reject him overpowered this desire to stay. He would rather go back to that rock if it was the only way he could be with her. It was shortly after 0700 when Kendra woke up. He gently caressed her cheek as she smiled up at him.

“Hiya sexy.” Kendra leaned up to kiss him tenderly on the lips.

“Good morning,” Lore smiled before kissing her again.

“How are you feeling this morning? Are you okay?” she asked concerned.

“I’m more than okay. Every morning that you wake up in my arms is a good morning.”

Lore never ceased to amaze Kendra. She never knew what he would say next. Just when she thought she had almost figured him out, he would surprise her again.

“It’s going to be so difficult getting back to the routine of working in the lab,” she sighed. “This trip has been so special. It’s hard to believe so much could happen in such a short period of time. The wonderful memories of this trip will be with me forever.”

Lore kissed Kendra first tenderly and then with more passion. “What do you say we make one more wonderful memory?” he smirked as he moved on top of her. Her response was to reclaim his mouth with hers. They made love for the next two hours. Kendra was certain Lore was touching her very soul as he caressed her body. The emotions she felt when he was penetrating her were unlike anything she had ever felt. He kept taking her to new levels of pleasure that she had not known existed. When the time came for them to leave the bed Kendra had never wanted time to stand still as much as she did then.

Chapter Four

The trip back to Omicron Theta seemed to take twice as long as the journey to Risa. The only person who seemed happy to be leaving was Juliana. The first few hours were spent in relative silence as Data, Lore and Kendra contemplated what they had left behind and what lay ahead for each of them. Finally, Data could not stand the silence any longer.

“Abella said she will try to come to Omicron Theta for a visit.” Data had hoped the news of a potential visit by her friend would cheer Kendra up.

“I’m glad the two of you had fun together,” Kendra smiled back.

“We did. Our time together was most enjoyable. May I ask you a question, Kendra?”

“Sure, Data, ask away.”

“Is it always so difficult to return to your home at the end of a vacation?” he asked.

“Only the good ones, Data, only the good ones,” Kendra sighed.

When they finally arrived back at the colony things looked just as they did when they had left. It was not until they were walking down the corridors of the facilities that Noonien decided it would be a good time to tell his boys about a special surprise he had for them.

“Data, Lore, I want you to come with me. Kendra, why don’t you just put your bag in your quarters and join us as well,” he said, trying to sound very serious. They walked down the corridor towards the Soong residence but Noonien stopped at the door to the quarters next to his and Juliana’s. Juliana just kept walking and entered her quarters before Noonien could begin his short speech. “My sons, you both mean the world to me. I realized as I watched you both grow as individuals over the past few months that I had made a mistake and I am about to rectify that mistake. You have spent more nights than you should have in that lab and that is a practice that is going to stop. Come with me.” Noonien led the group into the empty quarters. “Data, Lore, welcome to your new quarters.”

The two androids were very impressed with their new rooms and the added information that they could have an allowance to buy items to furnish their place at the mercantile. Noonien had given them a line of credit there to spend.

Noonien gave both of his sons a warm hug and Kendra a peck on the cheek before leaving them to get the feel of their new place.

It took over a week for them to have their new quarters decorated just the way they both wanted. The only argument they had was over the kitten Data had found and fallen in love with. Lore did not want a pet, but Data looked at him with these sad, pleading eyes so, with a sigh of exasperation, Lore caved in.

When they returned to the colony, Kendra told Noonien she was going to start eating her meals in her quarters or the common room, so Juliana would not be bothered so much by her presence. Noonien had been having such trouble with his wife that he reluctantly agreed.

Things seemed to quiet down quite a bit until Kendra told Noonien about an upcoming robotics conference. Noonien made arrangements for Kendra and himself to go, but failed to clue his wife into this fact until two days before they were leaving.

What happened then could best be described as a conniption. Juliana went as far as refusing to even acknowledge Noonien until they left.

As the pair headed to the shuttle, Data and Lore followed. Both kissed Kendra goodbye and wished her and their father a good and safe journey.

“I’ll take good care of her, boys. I promise you that,” Noonien called.

“I’m holding you to that,” Lore called, looking as though he missed Kendra already.

Once the shuttle lifted off, Noonien let go of a deep sigh.

“Are you okay, Noonie?” Kendra asked, hearing this.

“Just glad to get away for a while. It seems like Risa was years ago, not two months. Juliana has been getting completely out of hand. I can’t talk any sense into her anymore. When she found out it would be you and me on this trip, she stopped talking to me and I’ve been sleeping on the couch for the last two nights,” he sighed again.

“Noonie, that’s insane. Why is she doing this to you?” Kendra exclaimed.

“I know she’s not fond of you, you knew that, but I don’t understand what has gotten into her lately. I’m just about at the end of my rope with her.”

“I wish I could help but I don’t know what more I can do. I’m doing my best to stay out of her way,” Kendra sighed. “Maybe I shouldn’t be coming with you to this conference. We are still close enough to the colony if you want me to go back.”

“No, Kendra. I will not allow Juliana’s behavior to affect your professional opportunities. We are going to a robotics conference and we are going to enjoy it - well, we’re going to a robotics conference.”

Kendra’s laughing at his joke helped them both relax. For the rest of the trip, the two discussed some of the recent developments in the robotics field.

“I hope Dr. Horace Applebee and Dr. T’Par will be there,” Kendra mentioned.

“Why? They have done nothing but attempt to discredit my work for years. They are-“

“-going to have to eat crow, Noonie. You’ve proved them wrong and I want to see the look on their faces when they have to admit they were wrong,” Kendra smirked.

“Well, when you put it that way...” he laughed.

It took four hours before they reached their destination. It was not Risa but it was a pleasant enough planet. Noonien and Kendra registered for the conference and received their room assignments. The first session of the conference would begin in an hour so they just had time to take their overnight bags to their rooms, freshen up and find a couple of good seats in the conference room. Their rooms were located next to each other, which was convenient for both but perhaps too convenient.

The first day’s sessions were typical of most robotics conferences, very technical and very boring. Noonien had gone to see about a reservation for dinner for himself and Kendra while she waited in the lobby of the hotel.

“Kendra Reison?” a voice said behind her.

“Yes,” she said as she turned to face the man who belonged to the voice.

“I’m Horace Applebee. I’ve attended many conferences with your father over the years. Is he here with you?” the doctor asked.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Dr. Applebee. No, my parents have retired to Pacifica,” she replied.

“I had heard you had obtained your PhD in cybernetics. Now, tell me, what work has brought you out to this area of the quadrant?”

“I’m at the science colony on Omicron Theta. I have had the great fortune to be assisting Dr. Noonien Soong for the past number of months. Are you familiar with his work?” she asked, knowing the answer.

“Well...I am somewhat...I have read of his recent success.” The words seemed to stick in Applebee’s mouth as if he were trying desperately not to have to admit anything.

“It has been a very exciting and fascinating time. Lore and Data are absolutely amazing. They have both grown so much in the time I’ve been there,” she emphasized her words with deliberation as she spoke of the many accomplishments of the two androids. “Here comes Noonien now.” Kendra motioned for Noonien to join them. “Dr. Horace Applebee, I am pleased to introduce to you Dr. Noonien Soong.” The two men shook hands although it was obvious Applebee was a little uncomfortable.

“Soong,” Applebee acknowledged, “Dr. Reison has been telling me about your accomplishments with the androids. Congratulations. Now if you will excuse me.” The doctor was grumbling as he made his way to the turbolift.

“That was so much fun, Noonie,” Kendra laughed.

“I did enjoy his admission more than I thought,” Noonien grinned. “How did you just happen to be talking to him?”

“He just came up and introduced himself. He said he had attended conferences with my father and wanted to know if he was here,” she explained.

“With Applebee here, I’m sure your father would be quite thankful he’s not,” he laughed. “That windbag’s whole career has been spent trying to discredit others’ ideas so he can steal them for himself. He hasn’t had an original thought in his life. But enough about Applebee, our table is ready. Let’s go eat.”

Dinner was wonderful. Noonien could not remember the last time he had enjoyed a meal this much. It was such a change from mealtimes with Juliana, especially now that Data and Lore were only having dinner with them once a week, a practice that had begun shortly after they got their own quarters. He and Kendra had discussed the various advances in robotics that had been presented at the conference so far. They could not help but laugh when they saw Applebee trying very hard to keep his distance from them as he was seated at a table with three others who were also attending the conference.

After dinner, Noonien and Kendra made their way back to their rooms. When they reached Kendra’s room, Noonien wished her a good night.

“Good night, Noonie,” Kendra smiled. She was about to enter her room when she turned back to him. “Noonie, I know you are bottling up a lot of your emotions, so if you want to talk about what’s happening between you and Juliana, I’m a good listener.”

He hesitated for a second before taking Kendra up on her offer. He knew he had to get this off his chest or he would explode. What he had said to Kendra on the shuttle had really only been the tip of the iceberg. He talked for more than an hour, letting out all the pain, anger and frustration he had been feeling until he finally broke down. He was hunched over, holding his head in his hands as his elbows rested on his knees when a tear slid slowly down his cheek.

“I wish I could wave a magic wand and make this all better for you, Noonie,” Kendra said softly as she put her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a comforting hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her chest as she continued to try to lessen his pain. She rocked him gently for several minutes before he lifted his head, looked into her eyes and slowly brought his lips to meet hers.

Kendra felt torn with Noonien’s kiss. Lore kept coming to mind. Their relationship had been getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. Neither had asked Data to step aside, but he had met a young woman new to the colony and had been spending all his free time with her. This left Kendra alone with Lore and she had nothing to complain about on that front, but for one thing.

Looking into Noonien’s desperate eyes, Kendra felt like she was cheating on Lore, but denying Noonien here and now was just not possible. He needed the sex toy now, maybe a little bit of the shoulder to cry on still, but the toy even more.

Kendra stood up, took his hand and lead him to the bed. She stood beside it and began to unbutton his shirt. Just this made Noonien moan. He began to work on Kendra’s clothing with great impatience. He had only kissed her once, but he was pulsating with desire and rock hard by the time they had undressed each other. He wanted to take this slow, but a madness had overtaken him and he almost pushed her on the bed. Pulling her legs apart, he jammed himself into her with a force only his sons could surpass.

She was not quite ready for him, but Kendra bit her lips and let him move within her. Her juices were soon flowing and the discomfort faded. Noonien, however, was already breathing with haggard breath.

He pumped into her like a wild man. Just before he came, Kendra caught up with him and slipped over the edge, arching her back into him. Two more sharp thrust and Noonien cried out with utter release.

He collapsed beside her a moment later, looking spent, but still restless. Kendra brushed his hair back from his face and kissed his cheek. “That didn’t help?” she asked.

He looked into her eyes and smiled. He reached over to caress her cheek. “Yes, it helped. It’s oddly wonderful to be turned on by a woman and actually have her want you to be with her. I’m sorry. That was wonderful. I just still feel wound up.”

Kendra tilted her head to the side for a moment, thinking. “Did you bring your swimming suit?” she asked him.

“Yeah, but-“

“Nope, no excuses. Get it and meet me with a towel in the hall in ten minutes.” She pushed at him to get him moving. Noonien grabbed his pants and went to his room. He did not feel very enthusiastic about this idea, but when she came out in her suit, the idea was more appealing.

Kendra had become very tan and even sexier during their time on Risa and the nude beaches had allowed her to tan all over. Her long hair was braided back and her suit was a two-piece black number that just tied across the back and was strapless. The bottom was of the thong variety and looking at her delicious ass as she lead the way to the heated pool caused Noonien to have difficulty walking.

“The warm water and exercise will help you relax. Come on,” she told him and then dived in. He followed quickly, but his lust for her was getting to him again. They swam for twenty-five minutes before Noonien grabbed her, thankful that at this late hour the area was clear and they were alone.

He kissed her deeply and hard for several minutes before reaching below the water to nudge her suit aside so he could stroke her clitoris with his fingers. She moaned as soon as he did. Noonien could not wait another second, freeing his erection from his suit, he guided himself home as he pulled the object of his lust closer.

He plunged into her over and over while trying to press against her clit to give Kendra as much pleasure as he could. Her cries indicated his success. She climaxed just before Noonien did and he loved the feel of her clamping down on his shaft. He exploded within her, finally feeling relaxed and happily drained. 

They had remained in the pool, just holding each other, for another five minutes when they heard others entering the pool area. They quickly adjusted their suits before heading for the ladder to climb out. Noonien resisted the urge to reach out and stroke Kendra’s sexy backside as she climbed out of the pool. Once she had her towel, Noonien left the pool as well. They made their way to the turbolift to return to the rooms.

“Kendra, I need to spend the night with you,” Noonien implored. “Please.”

Kendra agreed. The desperate look in his blue eyes made it impossible for her to deny him this. He stopped at his room to grab some clothes before joining Kendra.

As soon as the door closed, he pulled her in his arms, kissing her passionately. His hands roamed over her body, as he reacquainted himself with each sensuous curve. He swept his hands up her back until he reached the tie of her bikini top and slowly removed it. They were pressed so tightly together that it did not fall to the floor until they broke their kiss. Noonien pushed Kendra’s thong down until it joined its mate on the floor with his own suit following quickly. Noonien reclaimed her lips as he led her to the bed. Kendra moved to the center of the bed as Noonien made his way towards her, climbing on top. He moved his kisses down her neck before slowly running his tongue to her cleavage. He cupped her breasts with his hands, squeezing them gently. He brought his mouth down, running his tongue around the areola before taking her nipple in his mouth and sucking. He brought his hand back to fondle it as he turned his attention to her other breast. Kendra’s moans were increasing in frequency as he moved further down her body. When he found himself between her legs, he looked up at her and smiled. He parted her labia and massaged her clitoris with his fingers before diving in to take it in his mouth. He inserted his fingers in Kendra’s vagina, thrusting them in and out. Kendra was grabbing for the bedding, moaning loudly as Noonien continued his oral exploration. As her back arched, she cried out his name and came into his mouth. He licked up all that he could before moving up and penetrating her with his erection. Kendra gasped as he quickened his rhythm until he was pounding into her harder than he thought he was capable of. Her cries of pleasure encouraged him further as he sent her over the edge again and again. When his own orgasm washed over him, it was unlike any he had ever had. He rested his head on her chest for a moment before moving next to her. He pushed some loose hair from her face before kissing her tenderly.

As the lovers rested in each other’s arms, neither was aware of a communication forwarded to Noonien’s room was going unanswered. It would not be until morning that Noonien would discover an angry message from his wife had been left.

Kendra and Noonien made love once more before the need for sleep overpowered them. Noonien’s arms were holding her tight as he drifted off to sleep. Kendra was almost asleep when Noonien’s final words of the night pushed aside any thought of sleep.

“I think I’m falling in love with you, Kendra,” he mumbled.

It felt like a chunk of ice had just appeared in Kendra’s stomach. How could he say that to her? And why now? Kendra had spent such a large portion of her life in love with this very man, but he had never known. After the little fling they had shared on Risa, Kendra felt she had finally been able to put her crush on Noonien Soong behind her.

Since Data had found this new girlfriend, he had no longer been sharing Kendra’s bed, so Lore was there now every night and with her as much as possible every day. He grew sweeter and more dear to her every time the sun rose. And every time it set, he held her close and told her he always would. He never said the words, but Kendra was truly coming to believe that Lore did love her.

Kendra had tried to wait for those words before she allowed herself to fall for him, but she had failed miserably. When Noonien had kissed her, Kendra’s first reaction was panic. Lore would be furious if he found out and she also did not want to betray him. The only thing that had allowed Kendra to justify being with Noonien was that he was married, loved his wife, no matter how hopeless that was, and she was sure he was just looking for sex, like all the other men in her life, but for Lore.

These words changed that.

It took forever, but Kendra finally slept. Noonien woke first and could not help but admire her body after answering the call of nature. She was lying on her back. One arm over her head, causing that breast to rise up more prominently than the other. As if to prove that Data came by his love of breasts honestly, Noonien moved to that side of the bed, leaned over and took this nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it.

In her sleep, Kendra moaned a name. It was not his name.

Noonien pulled back, suddenly wondering if he was treading on Lore’s territory. He knew that his elder son and Kendra had become even closer since Risa, but did he just not wish to see how close? Or did he deny it so it was easier to have her like this?

Noonien looked back at the moist nipple and wished he could take it in his mouth again, wished he could plunge the erection that was already throbbing between his legs deep within her sexy body. But he had asked too much of her already. Gathering his things, Noonien went back to his room, only to discover his absence there had not gone unnoticed.

Noonien listened to the message left by his wife. He went to his bed to make it look like it had been slept in before sitting down at the computer terminal. When Juliana appeared on the view screen, a scowl was what greeted Noonien.

“I’m sorry I missed your communication last night. With everything that was going on at the conference, I was late getting back to my room last night. I was dead to the world when I finally got to bed.” Noonien hoped Juliana would accept this explanation but her face told him she would not believe anything he said.

“And where was Kendra all that time?” she hissed.

“Kendra? She left the conference before me but mentioned she was going to go for a swim and then go to bed. She was pretty tired.”

They spoke for only a few minutes since all Juliana had wanted to know was what time he would be getting home. When the view screen went dark, Noonien sighed. He laid down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling as if waiting for a vision to tell him what to do.

When Kendra awoke she saw immediately that her bed was empty. She lay still thinking about what Noonien had said and about his absence. ~ Empty bed, empty words, ~ She got up and headed for the shower. As the water streamed down on her, she grabbed the soap and began to wash herself, over and over again. She was in the shower for an hour but still did not feel clean. She was angry with herself for not stopping things. She could have told Noonien no when he kissed her but she did not. She fell back on her old ways. Kendra the sex toy would always be there.

“No wonder Lore can’t say the words! I don’t deserve them! I don’t deserve him!” Kendra sank to the floor of the shower as the tears streamed down her face. She cried for twenty minutes until a realization came to her. She climbed out of the shower, wiped the steam off the mirror with her hand and stared at her reflection. “I know what I must do,” she told herself.

Kendra and Noonien had a quiet breakfast together in the hotel restaurant before heading to the conference. Neither could concentrate very well so they agreed to skip the afternoon sessions to return to Omicron Theta.

They had traveled the first hour in silence before Noonien finally spoke.

“I’m sorry, Kendra. I shouldn’t have come to you like that. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“You don’t have to apologize, Noonie. I could have said no but I didn’t. We are both responsible for what happened last night. It wasn’t planned, it just happened.”

“I spoke to Juliana this morning. She tried to contact me last night. I told her I had been at the conference late and had gone straight to bed. She asked what you did.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I said you left the conference before me but you had said you were going to go for a swim and then go to bed.”

“Did she believe you?”

Noonien grimaced before replying. “I could tell Juliana that Omicron Theta has two moons and she wouldn’t believe me.”

“Hopefully things will get better for you soon. I’ve been thinking about everything and I know what I have to do.”

“Kendra, what are you talking about? What do you have to do?”

“I can’t say right now. I’ll tell you soon though. Trust me, Noonie, it will be for the best.”

The rest of the trip was spent in silence. When they reached the colony, there was no one there to greet them. They had not been expected back for another five hours. They grabbed their bags and headed home. Data saw them walking towards the science facility but rather than greeting them, he ran to tell Lore that Kendra was back early. The two brothers rushed back, catching up with Kendra and Noonien as they were nearing the area of their respective quarters. Lore immediately pulled Kendra into his arms, holding her tightly.

“I missed you so much,” he whispered in her ear.

“I missed you too, Lore.”

“Welcome home, father,” Data smiled. “I hope you enjoyed the conference.”

“Thank you, Data. There wasn’t much new information being shared, so we decided to come back early,” he told his son.

Lore finally turned his attention to his father although he did not release Kendra from his arms. “Welcome back, father.”

“Thanks Lore. Do either of you know where Juliana is?”

“I believe she is in your quarters, father,” Data answered.

“I guess I better let her know I’m here. I’ll see you later.” Noonien continued down the corridor and entered his quarters.

“I am glad you are back too, Kendra,” Data grinned. He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “If you will excuse me, I have a date in seven minutes.” Data left the two standing in the corridor outside Kendra’s quarters.

“Come with me, Lore,” she said as she took Lore’s hand. “I need to talk to you about something very important.” She led Lore in to her quarters and to the couch. After she had sat down, Lore moved next to her as a feeling of dread swept over him. The expression on her face was so serious - too serious. They sat silently for a moment before Kendra finally spoke. “Lore, I have to leave. I can’t stay here any longer. Your father has always been a good friend to me and to my family. It kills me that my presence here has caused so much damage to his marriage. I never wanted that-”

“You can’t go, Kendra. Please don’t let Juliana chase you away,” Lore begged.

“I have to-,” she started.

“Where? Where will you go?” Lore interrupted.

“I thought I would visit my parents on Pacifica for a while and then see what opportunities there are for an unemployed cyberneticist.”

“I don’t want you to leave me, Kendra. I need you. You-” This time it was Kendra’s turn to interrupt. She placed her finger on Lore’s lips to silence him.

“I don’t want to leave you, Lore. I want you to come with me.”

“Come with you. God yes, I’ll come with you.” He pulled Kendra into his arms.

“Lore, will you let me tell Data and your father. I think it would be best if they heard it from me.”

Lore agreed and then started to pepper Kendra with questions about what Pacifica was like and when they would be leaving. He could tell Kendra needed to be held so he suppressed his urge to carry her to the bed to make love. That could wait now. They would be together for a long time so there was no need to rush.

Noonien did find Juliana in their quarters. She was in their bedroom staring at their wedding picture. He felt his heart catch for a moment before he backed away, coming in again, but louder this time. Two meters from the door, he called for her.

“Juliana! Where is my beautiful wife? I am in desperate need of wife kisses.” He came in the bedroom to find her still looking at the picture. ~ Oh God, this is not good, ~ he realized. Hoping against hope, he sat down next to her on the bed and looked at the picture with her. “That guy is too ugly for the beautiful woman in that picture. Wonder if she still loves him? I heard from a little bird that he loves you, desperately.” He leaned over and kissed her on the temple.

“You’re home early, why?” she asked, without moving.

“The conference was slowing down and Kendra and I agreed that we wanted to be here. I wanted to come home to you, Juliana.”

Juliana looked at her husband. She saw how worried he was that she would leave him. He was also worried that she knew what had happened during the conference. He was worried, but not guilty looking and this told her something else - it had not been the first time. Juliana’s mother had warned her about men. ‘They’re all animals,’ momma had told her. ‘They can’t control their urges and think they have to be satisfied right then.’ Noonien was not responsible for what had happened. That Jezebel, Kendra was.

Juliana caressed his cheek and thought about the day she had married him. It had been so wonderful. “Do you remember our wedding night, Noonien? Make it like that again.”

Noonien’s eyes went wide, but he did not require any convincing, just like momma predicted. Juliana let him paw and climb all over her until he was happy and fell into an exhausted sleep. She showered quickly, dressed and headed for the lab.

She headed straight for the diagnostic computer and tried to decide how to put her plan into action. Noonien had warned her time and time again that if this one was not calibrated perfectly it would give out a nasty shock. He had warned her never to raise the power levels above 25 milliamperes. It took Juliana only ten minutes to throw the calibration off just enough to bring it out of balance. She raised the power level all the way up and then went to find Data.

She told her son she needed help moving a few boulders out of an area she wanted to use as a little personal garden. Data was in the middle of his date, but Juliana promised it would only take a few moments, so Data agreed.

The boulders were lodged in the earth, so Data had to dig and work rather hard to remove them. The bioplast sheeting, what Data had instead of skin, on his hand was damaged, so Juliana told her son to come back with her to the lab for a diagnostic.

“My self-diagnostic indicates only minor damage, mother,” he assured her.

“I’m sure you’re right, Data, but I want to make sure. I feel bad since you were hurt helping me.” She led him to the diagnostic computer and gave a confused expression, sighing. “Oh, your father’s asleep, he was so tired after the trip. I wonder if Kendra is sleeping too. I really don’t remember how to run this one correctly.”

Data waited on the exam table while his mother contacted Kendra.

“Data’s hurt? Of course I can come. I’ll be right there, Juliana.” Kendra sounded very concerned for him and this flattered Data. He smiled happily as he waited for her. He found it odd that Juliana also looked happy.

No one was surprised when Kendra rushed into the lab that Lore was with her. They both ran to Data to see what had happened. Both were relieved to see only minor damage had been done. Kendra led Data over to the diagnostic computer to make sure.

“Don’t worry, Data, this won’t hurt a bit,” she smiled as she took his hand in hers. She lowered her hand to the console to begin entering the necessary commands to run the diagnostic. As soon as her hand came in contact with the computer, a massive electrical shock bolted through her body and into Data. They both collapsed to the floor as Lore screamed out her name in panic.

“Call for help, Juliana!” he ordered as he rushed to check Kendra and Data. Data lay stiffly on the floor as the ferocity of the shock had shut his systems down. Lore took Kendra in his arms, tears streaming down his face. “Juliana, call for help now!” The anger in his voice finally caused her to move. She walked to the comm panel and spoke to the doctor on duty at the infirmary. If it had not been for Lore yelling out that it was an emergency the doctor would have had no idea it was a serious injury. Next, Juliana contacted her husband calmly telling him he was needed in the lab. She then made her way to a chair and sat quietly, a hint of a smile crossing her lips.

Lore was rocking Kendra in his arms as she stared up at him.

“Hang on, Kendra, help’s coming. Stay with me, stay with me.” Lore was more scared than he had ever been in his life. As he held her, he could feel the life draining out of her as her vital signs continued to worsen. “Think about Pacifica. You and me on Pacifica, together. Don’t leave me, Kendra, please don’t leave me,” he begged. “Please Kendra, I love you. I love you so much. You have to stay with me.”

Kendra looked in to Lore’s eyes, smiling weakly, her lips parted as she tried to speak. “I-I love you,” she managed to say before the last drop of life left her body.

The scene that greeted both the doctor and Noonien when they entered the lab was almost surreal. Lore was cradling Kendra’s lifeless body in his arms as he sobbed uncontrollably. The doctor rushed to her, pulled out his tricorder, hoping there was still time. Noonien looked from Kendra to Data’s still form before turning to Juliana. She sat quietly on the chair, watching the events around her as if she were at a play or watching a holovideo.

“Juliana, what happened?” Noonien stood in shock and disbelief.

“Data was hurt, Kendra was going to run a diagnostic but the computer was misaligned,” she said placidly.

“I’m sorry,” The doctor looked from Lore to Noonien. “There’s nothing I can do. The shock was too massive. I’m so sorry.”

“No, you have to save her. We have plans. We’re leaving for Pacifica tomorrow. She can’t die. I love her!” Lore’s words struggled out between sobs. Noonien rushed to his son and wrapped his arms around him as he too was overcome with grief.

“Father, what about Data?” Lore voice was barely above a whisper.

“I won’t know until I can run a diagnostic but I won’t be able to do that until we know the computer is operating safely.” Noonien desperately wanted to tell his son everything would be okay but it would not – Kendra was dead and Data - he did not know how badly damaged Data was.

Noonien stood in front of the diagnostic computer. His eyes went wide when he saw the power level had been increased to its maximum level. He turned quickly staring at Juliana with a look of horror in his eyes. This look did not go unnoticed by Lore.

“Father, what did Juliana do?” Lore voice was an eerie calm. He turned to Juliana “You did this! Why? I know you hated her, that you hate me but we were going to leave. Why did you do this?” Lore once again broke down in tears. He held Kendra in his arms for over an hour until the facility’s mortuary personnel came to take her body away.

Left with nothing to cling to, Lore’s grief turned to rage. Juliana still sat in the same chair, but she was being questioned by the legal authorities. As Lore hoped she fried too for what she had done, Noonien pulled on his son’s arm.

“Help me lift Data on to the exam table. I’ve recalibrated the diagnostic computer and it’s working fine now. Let’s see how badly he’s hurt.”

Lore nodded, as though coming out of a fog. His face was still wet and he had no intention of wiping the tears away. Lifting Data in his arms, he carefully placed his brother back on the table and helped his father reconnect the ODM connections that had done this damage in the first place. It took no time at all to see that a great deal of damage had been done to Data. There was damage to his chest, effecting his cooling and respiratory systems, he had not suffered cascade failure, but had been damn close to it. Noonien opened Data’s cranial cover and removed all of his memory engrams, looking up meaningfully at Lore.

“They’re all destroyed, aren’t they?” Lore asked, knowing they were.

“I might be able to salvage a few memories from this one but it’s almost a total loss.” Noonien held up one of the engrams for Lore to see. It was still a blackened mess.

“She killed them both,” Lore muttered.

“Lore, we don’t know that,” Noonien said in an unconvincing tone.

“Don’t we? I’ve heard every word she told the authorities. She had no interest in planting any garden. She can’t grow anything, all she knows is digging. I just want to know why she got Data to do it. She acted like she actually cared for him. It would make more sense to get rid of me and then she would just have you and her beloved son.” Lore’s tone was frightening now.

“Data is not dead, Lore. I can repair him. His brain will still function once I repair the damage. It should only take me a few days to get him on his feet again.” Noonien tried to sound like this would be easy, but since he too was still in shock, it did not come out that way.

“Fix him. I‘m going for a walk. I need to be where she is not.” Lore walked from the room in a way that made his steps sound intimidating.

Noonien moved to Juliana’s chair and stared down at her. He only said one word. “Why?”

“You slept with her. You can try to deny it, but I know you did. I had a man go to your room last night at the conference. I told him you had a medical condition and that you may not be able to answer. He went in the room at 0200 hours, Noonien. The bed was made and you were not there.” Her voice was dead calm as she told him this. “The Jezebel deserved to die. She had the nerve to tell Lore she loved him. Is that why she slept with you last night? Because she loved Lore?” Juliana’s voice held such venom, Noonien backed away from her.

He hung his head and sighed, mournfully. Kendra, his friend and the daughter of his most respected professor, was dead. Data, his younger son, could be repaired, but his life for these last few months would be gone to him. Lore was in agony over losing two people he loved at the hands of a woman he refused to call ‘mother’. Noonien was at a total loss about what to do. The officials had believed Juliana’s version of events and ruled it an accidental death. Kendra would be buried tomorrow afternoon.

Noonien decided he needed time too, so he told Juliana to stand and pulled her back to their quarters. Once there, he asked her if she intended to try to kill him now too.

“No. Momma told me how men just have to take sex wherever they can get it. I suppose I need to allow you to paw me more often, but I’m going to make sure you’re not given the opportunity to slip into another woman’s bed.” She turned from him and walked to the living room to read.

Left alone, Noonien went to his study, locking the door. He pulled up the recording of the events that had taken place in the lab today. It pained him to see Juliana setting the trap and Kendra, in her last act, falling right into it. Seeing the charge Kendra had received, it was amazing she had lived as long as she did.

Hanging his head for a long time, Noonien steadied himself before he deleted the file.

Noonien did not see Lore again until the next day at Kendra’s funeral. The young woman Data had been seeing attended the service and asked Lore about Data. She walked away crying when Lore told her he too had been killed, but one does not bury a machine, you just rebuild them.

Juliana did not come to the service. Noonien would not allow it. She did not put up much of a fight. Once it was over, Noonien put his arms around his son’s shoulders and directed him back towards the complex.

“I’m leaving, father,” Lore told him.

“I understand. Will you wait and help me see if I can get Data back on his feet?” Noonien asked.

“Yes, I want to take him with me.”

“Perhaps that’s best.” Noonien turned and took Lore’s face in his hands. “I love you, boy. I love Data and I loved Kendra too. I-I’m sorry I didn’t see how-”

“-Insane Juliana is?” Lore finished for him. “I know you tried, father. I should have done more to protect Kendra.”

“Lore, neither you nor I are responsible for what Juliana did,” Noonien assured him. “She is only her,” he said sadly. “My wife...”

Lore looked at his father with compassion and this time he pulled him into his arms, hugging Noonien tightly.

The two returned to the lab together in hopes of trying to make some progress on Data’s repairs.

They had been there for three hours and were making good headway when Juliana came in to call Noonien to dinner.

Lore glared at her as soon as she walked smugly through the door, but Juliana ignored the heated fury coming from Lore and just smirked at him.

“You’re little friend is in a much better place now, Lore. She can’t tell you any more lies or continue to betray you by sleeping with your father.”

Lore’s jaw dropped as he slowly turned to face his father with eyes filled to their limit with pain. “Father?” Lore looked to Noonien wanting him to deny Juliana’s words. Instead the guilt in Noonien’s eyes only confirmed them. “You were sleeping with Kendra? Data stopped because he knew I loved her. But you?” He came slowly toward Noonien, his intent clear.

Backing away, Noonien went to the head of the exam table and hoped. “It wasn’t like that, Lore.”

With the pain of betrayal in his eyes, Lore kept advancing on Noonien. When he raised his hand to strike at Noonien, the man touched a button only he knew about, creating a field that would stop positronic activity in the room in an instant. Lore moved to grab at his head, but his hands did not make it there before he collapsed on the floor.

~  Epilogue  ~

Thirty-six years had passed since the events on Omicron Theta. Noonien Soong was dead. Juliana Soong was dead although no one knew it but for a few members of the crew of the USS Enterprise. An android Juliana eventually had left Noonien, remarried and was living out her life on Atrea IV. Lore had been re-assembled and disassembled. The pain and anger he had experienced had changed him to the point where he was virtually unrecognizable to anyone who had known him during his time with Kendra. Data, having been repaired but with no memories of his previous life, had been left on Omicron Theta when the planet came under attack by the Crystalline Entity. He reactivated when found by the crew of the USS Tripoli. Along with no memories of his own, he also had no emotions and he would not have emotions again for another thirty-five years. Data had joined Starfleet and was now happily the second officer aboard the Enterprise-E. He had very limited knowledge of life on Omicron Theta. The personal logs and journals of the colonists had been downloaded into his memory but there was no mention of him in any of them. His “mother” provided him with a few glimpses into that time when the Enterprise-D had been sent to Atrea IV to help avert a natural disaster. Nothing, though, could have prepared Data for the information he had received while attending a science conference on Pacifica.

When Data had returned from the conference, he had immediately gone to Captain Picard to request he be relieved from his next two duty shifts. He had some personal business that needed his urgent attention, he explained. He then went straight to his quarters, secured the door and sat down at his computer terminal to review the contents of a message he had received from a retired chemist he had met at the Pacifica conference. The message had contained the personal logs and correspondence of a young cyberneticist whose work he was unfamiliar with as well as a plea for him to contact the elderly doctor after he had viewed them, which he did. He then sat for two hours fifty-four minutes going over the information he had been given. Finally, he knew he had to speak to someone about what he had learned.

“Data to Counselor Troi,” he said, after tapping his comm badge.

“Troi, here. What can I do for you, Data?” the voice replied.

“I am in need of your guidance regarding a personal matter. If you are available, would you please come to my quarters.”

“I’ll be right there, Data. Troi out.” Deanna Troi rushed to her friend’s quarters. She knew this had to be very important for Data to ask her to come there. He had never asked her to come to his quarters to discuss a problem before. He would always make an appointment to see her in her office. When she rang the door chimes to his quarters, Data immediately granted her access but secured the door again once she was inside.

“Please sit down, Counselor. I hope you can forgive me for taking you away from your activities. I am very much in need of your counsel as I have been given information regarding my past that is not what I expected.”

Data proceeded to tell Deanna how the science conference on Pacifica had started out like any other conference. It was not until after a ceremony honoring the lifetime achievements of a renowned chemist named Dr. Marla Reison that Data discovered this conference would be like none he had ever attended. Dr. Reison had asked to meet with him after the ceremony. He did not know why but had felt honored to receive the invitation.

“What did Dr. Reison want to see you about?” the counselor asked.

“She began to tell me about her daughter, Dr. Kendra Reison. I did not understand why until she explained that Kendra, Dr. Reison had been quite insistent that I call her daughter Kendra, had worked with my father on Omicron Theta until her death,” Data started.

“Was she killed by the Crystalline Entity?” Troi inquired.

“No. Her death was due to an electrical shock. Dr. Reison said it was the reason why I have no memories of my time on Omicron Theta. She had been repairing me when an electrical current was discharged from a diagnostic computer, going through her body into me. My memory engrams were all destroyed. My father repaired me but when the repairs were complete I had no memories of my own...and no emotions.”

“Data, she told you you had emotions when you were created?” Troi gasped.

“Yes,” he answered. “She then told me she wanted to send me the correspondence Kendra had sent to her and her late husband as well as Kendra’s personal logs. She said she had never watched the personal logs, that she could not bring herself to do so.”

“Did she tell you why she wanted you to have these, Data?”

“She is dying. She is afraid when she dies no one will remember Kendra and that thought is worse to her than her own death.” Data paused for a moment. “I have watched everything Dr. Reison sent me and I have since spoken to her again. It has been a very upsetting experience, to say the least, as what I have discovered contradicts everything I had believed to be true, especially about Lore.”

“Lore? How is Lore involved in this? I thought he had been disassembled before you were created.”

“So had I. According to Dr. Reison, Lore was not disassembled until after Kendra’s death. Her death had affected him so deeply...the pain and anger...changed him. He had been in love with her. When I watched Kendra’s logs, she indicated Lore and I had been extremely close. We were real brothers yet I have no memory of those times.” Data paused again. “When I joined Starfleet, I believed Geordi was the first person to accept me for who I am, but Kendra was the first ever to accept me. She was my teacher, my friend, my lover yet I have no memories of her.”

“Data, may I see some of the entries in the logs? All of this is so unbelievable. It may help me to better understand if I could see them.”

“Of course, Counselor. There are many portions I wish to keep private though, if you do not mind.”

The counselor agreed so Data pulled a chair around his desk so they could watch together. The first thing Deanna noticed was how beautiful and full of life this young woman had been. Data played portions of several log entries, stopping them when they became too personal. He also shared two pieces of correspondence Kendra had sent her parents. The first had been sent two weeks after her arrival. She had wanted to introduce her parents to her two favorite men. Deanna gasped when the smiling images of Data and Lore appeared on the monitor. The second piece of correspondence had been sent less than an hour before her death. Lore’s image was on the screen with Kendra as she appeared to be sitting on his lap while she told her parents she was going to be leaving Omicron Theta with Lore. They were going to come to Pacifica for a visit. The way they looked at each other it was very obvious they were in love.

Both Data and Deanna were silent for several minutes after viewing the entries.

“Data, do you believe and accept this information to be the truth?” Deanna broke the silence to ask.

“Yes, I do,” he responded. “I am very grateful Dr. Reison shared them with me. I feel I have been given a part of my life back.”

“When I arrived you told me you were very upset by what you had learned. Why are you upset?”

“I am upset for two reasons. The first reason being I was robbed of so many wonderful memories, of relationships that were very dear to me. Thirty-six years ago I lost someone who was very special to me but I am only now able to mourn her loss.”

Deanna could see the pain Data was feeling. This was only the second time she had seen tears flow from his eyes but the first time had been tears of joy.

“Data, it is understandable that you are feeling this pain, not just for losing Kendra but for all that you lost when you were damaged. I want you to come see me tomorrow so we can start grief counseling. I think it will help you to deal with your losses.”

Data nodded. “Thank you for coming, Counselor. I needed to talk but now I feel the need to be alone.”

“Of course, Data.” Deanna stood up and began to leave Data’s quarters. She was almost to his door when she stopped suddenly and turned back to Data. “Data, you said there were two reasons you were upset but you didn’t tell me what the second was.”

Data took a deep breath before speaking. “Kendra’s death had been ruled accidental when, in fact, it was not. I was told the identity of the person who was responsible for Kendra’s death and my damage. Dr. Reison did not tell me how she came about this information but I believe it to be true.” He paused for a moment. When he resumed speaking his voice was filled with more anger and disgust than Deanna had ever heard. “My mother murdered Kendra.”