Chapter 5 Continued

"Haley, what are you feeling now?" Data asked finally breaking the silence.

"Data, I still can't describe it. I've wanted this for so long and it's even more wonderful than I could have imagined," Haley sighed.

"You have made a number of references regarding waiting for this, for me. I am curious as to when you first knew of your feelings for me?" Data asked.

"That isn't important now, Data. What is important is that we are here, together, now," Haley smiled.

"Please, Haley, I would like to know." At one time, Data would have accepted Haley's response without question however, with his emotion chip installed, he had been able to experience what humans call a "gut feeling" and his gut was now telling him there was more to this.

"Data, please," Haley pleaded. "Let's just enjoy the moment."

"Why do you not want to tell me? I do not understand." Data now knew his gut feeling had been correct.

Her expression looked haunted as she answered him slowly. "The first time you kissed me, Data. I've had feelings for you since then," Haley whispered.

 Data sat up abruptly. “But that was four months, two weeks, three days ago,” he exclaimed.

“Yes,” Haley had to admit.

“Why did you not tell me?” he asked.

“I couldn’t. You just wanted my help as a friend. You were seeing Sharroon and so happy with her, so proud of your accomplishment.”

Suddenly Data’s eyes started moving in that particular way he had. “That time frame corresponds to the date when you began experiencing sleep deprivation. There were also references to disturbing dreams at that time. What were the dreams about, Haley?” he asked, with growing suspicion. “Were they related to the dreams you claimed to have about me?”

Looking desperately sad, Haley nodded. “Not related, the same.”

With an expression of growing distress, Data asked, “The sleep deprivation, was it caused by the dreams?”

Haley nodded slowly.

“You had dreams about me that were so disturbing you could not sleep?” He sounded a mixture of horrified and angry.

“They were not nightmares. I just had trouble dealing with them is all,” she tried to explain.

“What was the nature of the dreams, if they were not frightening?”

Completely naked, Haley turned away and got up from the bed. “They were just stupid dreams. I don’t have them anymore. I’m sure I never will again.” As she spoke, she moved towards the end of her bed. “I don’t want to talk about this, Data. It will only upset you and that isn’t what tonight is about.” She felt the hot tears threatening in her eyes.

She gasped at the touch on her shoulders a moment later. Data turned her around to face him.

“Haley, there is obviously more to this than you have told me. What have you left out?” he told her firmly. “What did I do in your dreams?”

Haley took a deep breath and let it go before answering. “You were with other women. After seeing you with Sharroon, I realized that I simply couldn’t stand seeing you during your dates. It just tore me apart.”

“And the dreams were of this?” he asked. Haley nodded. After another moment to consider, another piece fell into place. “The ball. You did not arrive until after Anne had left. You were so happy that evening until I kissed you," he said with growing horror as the scope of what Haley had gone through, what he had put Haley through, became clear. "You withdrew after that, you avoided my touch, you avoided me," Data recounted. "Haley, you went through hell because of me. I was hurting you so much and I did not see it."

"Data, no, please, I could have stopped the lessons, I could have told you how I felt. It was me, not you," Haley spoke softly as tears began to roll down her cheek.

"You could have stopped the lessons but you did not because you did not want to hurt me," Data countered. "With all of the pain you were feeling, you still did not want to hurt me. Why did you not tell me about your feelings?"

"I couldn't. I didn't know how you would react. You were involved with others. You were so happy and excited to be dating. I couldn't say anything. I didn't want to risk losing you completely," Haley tried to explain.

Data's ethical program was screaming at him now. The guilt he felt was unbearable. He had never wanted to hurt Haley.

"My ethical program is having great difficulty reconciling what I have done," Data stammered. "I believe it would be best if I left." Data started gathering his clothes.

"Data, no, don't go," Haley begged. Data began to get dressed as Haley continued her plea. "Please, Data. I can't lose you - not now. Damn it, Data, I love you.”

Data stopped and turned to look at Haley. Haley was now sitting on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands. She looked up at Data. "Please," she said softly before lowering her head back to her hands.

Data dropped his clothes and kneeled in front of Haley. He wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. Haley wrapped her arms around Data's neck, resting her head on his shoulder as the tears continued to stream down her face.

"I love you so much," she whispered.

"How can you love me when I kept hurting you? Data asked softly.

“When did you try to hurt me?” she asked him in a shaky voice. “I made my own hell, Data. I could have told you like you said or asked Deanna to. You’re not at fault. I started this myself. I’m the one who never noticed how much there was to you until you touched me, kissed me. I fell in that moment, Data and was too stunned to tell you.”

“I wish you had told me,” he said in a voice laced with regret.

“So do I, but I doubt if I had it to do over again that I would expect you to be here with me like this. You do have to admit I am nothing like the other women you’ve dated.”

“That changes nothing. I have still caused you intense anguish,” he countered.

“I caused it. And I’d go through it again if it would get me these last few days. I know you’re upset by all this and that’s why I didn’t want to tell you. Telling you myself would not have made it easier on you. But now you have to tell me something. Can you forgive me, or will you consider this your final exam and leave me behind?” Fresh tears streamed down her face as she offered up this challenge.

"I will forgive you if you will forgive me." Data caressed Haley's cheek as he spoke.

"But there is nothing to forgive you for, Data. I was-" Data placed his finger over Haley's lips to quiet her.

"I need to hear you say you will forgive me. I believe it is the only way my ethical program will allow me to continue our relationship. I need you-"

"I forgive you. I forgive you, Data," Haley interrupted. "Please forgive me."

Data's ethical program did quiet down, causing Data to smile.

"Of course I forgive you, Haley." Data kissed Haley on the cheek. "You mean so much to me." Data cupped Haley's face in his hands, kissing her tenderly.

"Please come back to bed, Data," Haley asked. "I need you to hold me. I need to be in your arms."

Data removed the clothing he had on and climbed back into Haley's bed with her. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her as close to him as he could.

She was shaking. Whether it was from sheer exhaustion, from the many excitements of the day or the after effects from fearing her relationship with Data was again in jeopardy, Haley did not know. Data seemed to assume it was a reaction to cold. Assuring her he would return, he got up from the bed, only to return with a newly replicated blanket. It seemed to help, but his arms around her helped even more.

“Can you sleep, Haley? I believe you are in need of rest. Do you wish me to remain with you?” he asked in the dark. He had ordered the lights out once he had returned with the blanket.

Haley rolled over to face him. Even in the dark, the light from the stars dimly illuminated Data’s face. “I’ll try to sleep. Can you stay with me, Data? I don’t want to be alone right now.”

Data nodded and pulled her back into his arms. Traces of his guilt were still there. He knew she feared him leaving because she worried he would never come back. Not able to stop himself, Data had reviewed every moment he had spent with Haley in the last few months. The shadowy hints of the pain he had been causing her were now screaming reminders of his blindness.

All this time, she had been there, supporting him, teaching him, watching over him and loving him. All that time, Data had been unknowingly teasing Haley with a touch here or a kiss there and then turning from her to offer himself to another woman. He tried to imagine himself in her place. Somehow, this caused him to better understand why she had done what she had. He reviewed his memory records, this time, concentrating on what Haley’s point of view would have been.

Seeing how Data had such trouble believing at first that a woman could even find him desirable, he could better understand how Haley could doubt her own attractiveness and desirability. She had eliminated herself, even as she had cautioned Data not to, in a way. Feeling he had soaked every scrap of information from his memory, Data made a silent vow to Haley. From now on, he would do his utmost to not miss the subtle clues she gave him as to her emotional state. He would also do his best to make reparations for the pain he had caused her by giving her as much joy and pleasure as he was able.

Haley woke up the next morning with a start, surprising Data. As soon as she saw him smiling at her, she relaxed and smiled back.

"Good morning," Data said before gently kissing her forehead.

"Do you have to leave soon for your shift?" Haley asked quietly.

"My next shift is not until tomorrow," Data replied. "It looks like we have the entire day to spend together, if you wish."

"I wish," Haley smiled to Data, kissing him tenderly on the lips. Their emotions bubbled over as this kiss led to another and then another, each more passionate than the one before. Data felt a need growing within him. A need to re-commit himself to Haley in the most intimate way possible. Data's hand caressed Haley's torso as he moved carefully on top of her. She wrapped her arms around Data, stroking his back before moving her hands to his firm buttocks.

Data lift up to look at Haley, smiling with amusement. “Never in my life had I ever believed I would derive such enjoyment from lying on someone else.” Haley started to laugh softly at his observation, but laughed even harder when he slowly added the final word. “...naked.”

“You’ve always been one of the funniest people I’ve ever known, even before your chip,” she told Data. “Now you’re the funniest, naked man I know. Any trouble with your modesty program?” Haley asked, moving her hand up to caress his face.

“Before you awoke, I examined the exceptions to this program. Sexual activity is exempt, of course, as is personal hygiene maintenance. I would not have believed sleeping unclothed would have been allowed but, if you are present and also unclothed, it is.” Data gave her an almost disapproving look as Haley ran her fingers though his hair, completely disturbing it.

“I wonder what that program would think of running around my quarters all day naked,” she said with a wicked grin. She was thoroughly enjoying the feel of Data’s hair in her fingers.

“All day?” Data questioned.

“Why not? Do you have anywhere you need to be today?” She continued when he indicated he did not. “Then let’s stay here and not get dressed all day. Maybe we can see just how many times we can make love before you do exhaust me.” Haley discovered there was at least one part of Data that liked this idea. His erection had been resting between them, patiently waiting for them to get the show on the road, but now she could feel it moving, as though probing for her entrance. Haley moved her hands back down Data’s body to his hips, encouraging the rest of him to follow the lead of the hard length.

Data could see Haley’s desires fully aligned with his own. Unable to wait another millisecond, he plunged into her. Talking was no longer possible with their lips locked together in a kiss of fiery passion. Data was pleased with how quickly he and Haley could establish a perfect rhythm between them. Her body moved with his almost as though this were a dance. It was not until she was close to the edge that the rhythm was broken as she arched her back, pressing herself against Data, out of time. She moaned deeply before starting to pant little puffs of breath that came out sounding very much like his name.

“Data,” she finally called out as her vaginal walls clamped down on Data’s thrusting penis. He wanted desperately to kiss the neck Haley was offering with her orgasm, but Data found he too was drowning in his desire, causing him to throw back his head with a cry of release.

When the ecstasy of their orgasms had subsided, Data kissed Haley gently while still on top of her.

"Would you like to make love again or have breakfast fi-" Data asked.

There was no mistaking Haley's response as she pulled him into a passionate kiss, cutting off his words. Haley's hands roaming his body and the fire of their kiss told Data the only hunger she felt was for him. He liked that - a lot. Data moved his kisses down to Haley's neck, the area he had so desperately wanted only seconds before. He kissed and ran his tongue on her wonderful skin as he moved further down her body. He took one of Haley's breasts in his hand, playfully tweaking her nipple as he moved his tongue skillfully over her other breast. Haley's moans as he licked and sucked were like music to his ears, except they sounded better than any piece of music he had ever heard. After turning his attention to her other breast, Data moved up to reclaim Haley's hot lips, penetrating her as he did. Her moans as he thrust into her had their usual effect on Data. He was so happy he could please his lover as he had been and looked forward to pleasing her over and over again. He took Haley over the edge twice before he exploded within her. Haley's heavy breathing took a few minutes to subside as they recovered in each other's arms.

They decided now would be a good time to eat but were both surprised to discover, once Data’s internal chronometer came back on-line, that it was actually closer to lunchtime than breakfast. After having a quick lunch, Haley's touch and kisses were able to convince Data that making love on the couch was not only acceptable, but fun. He had enjoyed the way Haley had straddled him as his hands were free to enjoy her luscious body. Having made this discovery, Data had wanted to experiment by making love in other areas of Haley's quarters, including on the floor, with Haley on the table and later on a counter, in the bathroom and numerous other areas. After a nice dinner, the lovers returned to Haley's bed for dessert. They made love well into the evening before Data insisted Haley get some sleep as they both had early shifts in the morning. Haley had reluctantly agreed but had fallen asleep quickly in Data's arms. Data was sure the smile on her lips was the most beautiful he had ever seen. He kissed her lightly on the forehead before activating his dream program.

Data’s cognitive functions came back on line at 0400 as he had instructed them to last night. Haley seemed to sense him stir and rolled over to reach for him.

“What time is it?” she mumbled without opening her eyes.

“0402,” Data replied. “I did not intend to wake you. Continue to sleep. I will-“ Haley’s mouth covering his caused Data to lose interest in completing that sentence. He could feel his body immediately respond to Haley’s caresses and kisses, but their shift began in under two hours. Data was not certain he could be ready in time if he remained. His conviction changed to a certainty as his erection began to throb for its only intended target.

“Haley, I need to prepare for our duty shift. I do not wish to discontinue this activity, however I should return to my quarters and dre- Oh, no!” Data cut off his own words this time, sitting up as a feeling of guilt washed over him, replacing his amorous ones.

“What is it, Data? What’s wrong?” she asked, sitting up as she reached to comfort him. She ordered the lights up as she did.

“I have not returned to my quarters since dressing for your promotion ceremony. That was the last time I fed or played with Spot,” he exclaimed, pulling the covers off and rising from the bed. He heard Haley giggle as he moved to retrieve his clothing from the floor. As Data put on very wrinkled pants, he shot a puzzled look at her.

“I’ve never known you to forget something, Data. You forgot all about Spot,” she teased, happily.

Sitting to pull his boots on, Data raised an eyebrow at his lover. “You seem pleased by this disturbing turn of events. You are correct, I have not forgotten a task before unless I had been damaged. Perhaps I should run a self-diagnostic?” Data mused, reaching for his dress jacket.

“I agree. You should run that diagnostic, now, before you leave. After all, if there was something wrong, you may need help.” Something about Haley’s voice made her words highly suspect, but Data decided her logic was not. Fully dressed in the wrinkled naval uniform, he remained seated on the edge of her bed and ran the diagnostic.

Processing the information was difficult with Haley running her hands under his jacket and then around to his groin area. The diagnostic took twice the normal time and Data was uncomfortably erect after he had finished. The report from all his systems came back with only one unusual finding. An 89% increase in his emotional reactions and a 92% jump in emotion chip usage. Data had no doubt the woman whose fingers were fondling the head of his penis through his rumpled clothing was the complete cause of this extreme jump.

“Haley, it would seem I am functioning within normal parameters-“

“Except for the fact that your clothes are getting in the way,” she noted.

“-however, I have recorded a dramatic increase in emotion related areas.” Data turned to look at her face as he finished this statement.

Haley was grinning happily. She moved to sit on his lap, reminding Data she was still naked. “I think that is very good news, don’t you?” she asked, pressing her cheek to his and caressing his face with her hands. 

 Data pulled her hands from his face and took hers in his own. Looking her in the eyes, Data said, “I believe it means I am falling in love with you, Haley Foster.”

This time the tears appearing in her brown eyes were ones denoting joy, and Data knew it.

It took some doing to untangle himself from Haley’s embrace, mostly because neither of them wanted him to leave, but Data did finally manage to exit her quarters. He only had forty-two minutes before his shift started when he walked towards his quarters. Data was relieved the corridors were empty at the moment, considering his most untidy appearance, but his luck did not hold out. As he turned the corner, he found himself walking towards Captain Picard and Commander Riker.

Picard had his head turned as he had been talking to the commander, but stopped as soon as he noted Riker’s eyes had gone wide. Both men stared pointedly at Data. Will broke down and chuckled, ending the laugh in a cough in a halfhearted attempt at discretion.

“Mr. Data,” Picard began. “I had not heard of a promotion ceremony scheduled for today.”

Trying not to meet his superior officer's puzzled gaze, Data shook his head. “No, sir. There is not.”

“I see. Then will you explain to me why you are in that uniform and why it is in such disarray?” Picard asked. The captain did not sound pleased. Will was almost falling over from the sidesplitting laugher he could not release.

“I would rather not explain why I am in this uniform, sir. It is personal,” Data admitted, trying not to turn crimson.

“I see,” the captain commented, making it obvious he, in fact, did not and wanted to keep it that way.

Mercifully, the captain shook his head and began moving towards the turbolift. A moment after turning the corner, Data heard Riker, who had double backed, call quietly to him. “Glad to see you and Haley enjoyed your day off, Data.” 

At this moment, nothing short of complete systems failure would have stopped the redness from rising to his cheeks. He could not help but squeeze his eyes tightly shut until he heard the lift door open and close behind him. Alone again, he walked quickly to his quarters. As he entered, Spot appeared quickly, rubbing up against his leg.

"I am sorry I forgot to feed you, Spot," Data told the feline as he went to the replicator. "Feline supplement no. 43, double portion." As this was Spot's favorite supplement, he hoped a double portion would alleviate Spot's hunger and his guilt.

Data changed quickly into his proper uniform and checked for any messages that may have been left for him. There were three but all were of a personal nature. Two had been from Geordi, wondering what Data was up for on his day off and later inviting him to the lounge for the previous evening.

~I was up for Haley - a lot, ~ Data smiled to himself. He paused for a second. ~ Perhaps Haley is correct in her observation of my being corrupted by Commander Riker and Geordi. ~

The third message was from Deanna Troi. She asked Data to see her in her office at 1430 that afternoon. Data was puzzled and curious by this request as the counselor did not say why she wanted him to come see her.

It was now a few minutes before the shift change. Data headed for the turbolift to go to the bridge. As luck would have it, Haley was already waiting there. Data entered the turbolift with her and the two exchanged a quick kiss after the doors closed. Haley's eyes were absolutely sparkling and she seemed to be glowing. Data reached up to her collar to admire her new pip and smiled proudly. The doors to the turbolift opened and the pair took their respective stations.