Part 2

It’s been two weeks now and I’m itchy as hell. I got into a fight with Vaasic and hit him. I was holding back so I only broke his jaw, but I got a day in the detention center and a long lecture from Kissel. Vaasic was found to have started the fight and he did, so he was given a day in the pen after he was healed by the local doc. He was given a second day by Kissel - no work and no pay.

He really doesn’t like me now, but I think he’s finally heard the rumors that Kissel and I have a “thing” so I doubt he’s gonna try that number again.

It’s Sunday and I’m working in Kissel’s garden with her. She even bought me a fucking gardening hat as a joke. I wear it just to make her smile. She knows how edgy and jumpy I’ve been lately so she’s been trying to do what she can to distract me. I wish sex was one of them but that may never happen now.

Oh, well.

“Have dinner with me tonight, Lore,” Kissel says brushing a lock of hair away as she also wipes the sweat from her brow. She is so beautiful when she sweats. Oh, I forgot, women don’t sweat - they perspire or glisten. I love that one - glisten. My Kissel sweats, but it in no way detracts from her appeal. I reach over and wipe her brow. My hands are as dirty as hers, so I just leave a streak. I grin at her and she laughs. She moves to kiss me.

“Lore.” It’s Ren’s voice.

“Not now, Ren, We’re very busy,” I tell him without looking away from the woman I want to kiss. But she does look over and her face shows astonishment.

I look over too. Data stands next to Ren. He’s brought his friends, the blind guy and the Betazoid. Troi is still a mighty fine looking woman, even with the confused and stunned look on her face.

I get to my feet and offer a hand to Kissel. “Hi Data. Greetings, Counselor Troi, Commander La Forge – I see you’ve been promoted. Congratulations. I’d like you all to meet a friend of mine, Kissel Draymot. Kissel, this is my baby brother, Data and his friends from his ship.”

I want to laugh at the absurd expressions on these three faces as they each exchange a handshake with Kissel.

“What were you doing?” Data asks, openly curious. That’s my brother.

“We were weeding. Kissel here is trying to turn me into a weekend gardener.” I tap my hat and look at her. Kissel looks uncertain.

“I’m going to the bar, if you need me, Lore.” This comes from Ren who nods at both of the women, eyes Data and walks away. Exchanging an uncertain look with me, Kissel steps from my side over to Troi and La Forge.

“You two are human, correct?” she asks them. When La Forge nods, Kissel indicates her home. “Why don’t we go inside and get out of the sun. I’m sure Lore and Data have a lot they want to talk about.” Troi and La Forge exchanged looks with Data who nodded. “Do you want me to bring you a towel to clean up with, Lore?” Kissel offers.

My hands and face are filthy. I look over at this thoughtful woman and smile at her. “I’ll use the spigot on the side of the house. Thanks, Kissel.” I watch as she leads the two Starfleet officers inside. I head towards the side of the house to wash up. Data follows.

“I’ve been going crazy waiting for you to answer me or get here. What took you so long, Data?” I feel a little jittery, but at least the waiting is over.

“It was necessary to obtain permission for possibly an extended leave and to coordinate leave with Geordi and the counselor.” Data sounds just as blank as ever. That sound is troubling to me now. I grimace at him, involuntarily.

“Your friend, La Forge, I can understand, but why did you bring Troi?”

“She can sense your emotions. She cannot read your thoughts, but she was able to detect that some of what you claim is true.”

Data doesn’t sound thrilled to admit this. I look over at him as I shake the water from my hands. I’d washed the dirt from them already. “What did she sense?”

“That you do have feelings for the woman,” Data answers, succinctly.

I study his face for a moment. “Why don’t we take a walk? You can pick the direction so you know I’m not leading you into a trap.”

Data looks almost angry, he’s so mistrustful. I can’t blame him, but somehow I do. I want him to see it. Can’t he see I’ve changed? Or have I fooled him too many times already?

Data starts walking in the direction they came from. I look back at Kissel’s house and see her looking out a window at me. She mouths the words “good luck” to me. I smile, nod and wave to her. Data sees this and looks back towards the house. Kissel stands at the window for ten more seconds before turning away. I can tell Data is not quite sure what to make of Kissel. We walk the first ten meters in silence before I finally speak.

“I’m glad you came, Data. I really do want to make things right with you.” I look at Data but I just can’t read him at all. I hate that. His expressions are a constant reminder of what I’ve stolen from him.

“I had to come, Lore. It is the only way to discern whether you were truthful or not. I am very skeptical of your claim that you have changed.”

“I understand, Data. I’ve done horrible things to you in the past. If you felt any other way, I would think you were malfunctioning.” I really do understand his skepticism. Hell, I would be skeptical too. I just hope he’ll keep an open mind.

“How long have you been on Alexis IV?”

“Almost four months.” I think I know what his next question will be so I keep talking. “I got the Pakleds to come here after leaving Terlina III and then I ditched them. I chose this planet because the planetary database they had said there was a shipyard. My plan was to get a job, steal the parts I needed to build a ship and then disappear. The furthest I got into the plan was noticing a place that would be good to hide the parts. At the time, I already knew I was changing. I didn’t understand why though.” I paused here to see if Data was going to ask another question but he just told me to continue. “I got here on a weekend and hung out at a bar trying to find out what I could about the shipyard and its owner. Then, first thing Monday morning, I went down there to get a job.” I told Data about my life here and I didn’t leave anything out. I told him about the times I spent in the detention cell and I told him about Kissel. I made sure to tell him that I had told her about my past. I was just about to tell him about my friends when we heard a voice calling to me. What timing - it was Kardec and Hausav.

“Hey buddy, your brother did come. Damn, you weren’t kidding when you said you were identical. Aren’t ya gonna introduce us?” Kardec was studying Data as Hausav talked.

“I would if you’d shut up for a second.” They both laughed at this and then I made the introductions.

“You are Lore’s friends?” Data asks.

“Hell ya. He’s a good guy,” Kardec grinned.

Data asked if he could speak to them for a few minutes alone. I nod my head and walk over to a bench that’s nearby. Data knows I’ll be able to hear everything they say. I think that’s what he wants. Ask the guys about me to get their honest opinions and then gauge my reaction to their answers.

“Lore said you’re with Starfleet, the second officer on the flagship?” Hausav asked, unsure of his memory.

“That is correct. How long have you known my brother?” Data asked.

“We met him his first day on the job and we’ve been friends ever since,” Hausav told him. They answered all of Data’s questions. Sometimes I’m surprised by what they say but not because it’s bad. They talked about me in terms that were better than I expected. But it was the last thing Kardec said to Data that shocked the hell out of me.   

“Lore told us quite a bit about you. He had quite the look of pride in his eyes as he did. We’re glad you came, Data.” He then turned and called over to me. “We going to see you at the bar later?” I was still in a bit of a fog over his last comment. All I could do was shrug. As they were leaving, Data walked over to the bench and sat down next to me. He looked just as shocked as I did.

“They seem to like you, brother.”

I look at Data, uncertain. He hasn’t called me brother like that in years. “Yeah, it shocks the hell out of me too, sometimes.” I laugh. “Especially with Ren. Hell, when I first got here, he tailed me around everywhere. He was sure he’d catch me in something. He was thrilled when I got carried away with Kissel in her office and she called him to get me.”

“I do not understand why you did not escape. It is not in your nature to allow capture.”

I just look at Data for a moment. “I’m not sure I can explain it to you, Data. You don’t have the emotional context to understand it, I think. I didn’t understand it for a long time either.”

“You are wrong, Lore. I may lack the ability to feel emotions, but I do understand many of them. I still do not understand many of the ones I have seen from you - hatred, jealousy. I do understand friendship, love, grief-”

“Grief. Father?” I ask. Data nods.

“Yes, and Lal.” I don’t know that name and Data explains. He tells me about a semi-stable positronic matrix he created for his daughter. He tells me how she was almost taken away from him and, in the threat of being lost to him, how she showed signs of emotional awareness. “She was afraid to be taken from me.”

I’m stunned and sad for him. Data takes me right back to why I stayed in the detention center, so I try to explain what I am still working out myself.

“You are in love with Mrs. Draymot. Love is a very strong motivator. I have witnessed its influence on many of my shipmates.” He says this, but he still doesn’t bring it home. I have to digest what he’s said to me. Data’s right, I suppose. Damn, me? In love?

“But you’ve never experienced it for yourself, Data. Don’t you want to?”

Data looks at me and I can see odd flickers in his eyes. “I do not wish to experience the other emotions I have seen from you, Lore. Hatred, jealousy-”

I think back to Omicron Theta. “You don’t understand. He decided I was defective so he built you. The colonists hated and feared me. I didn’t mean to hurt them, but...” I feel my mouth twist with remembered rage. “You were perfect, he told me. His wife - damn, did she ever hate me - took you on a tour of the facility and they all marveled at you. The kids flocked to you. And just over your shoulder, they stared at me. ‘Soong finally got it right,’ they said.” I looked at my brother to see his brows furrowed. “You don’t remember any of it do you? I know they wiped you, you told me, but do you remember any of it?”

Data shook his head. “We were active at the same time?” he asks. I nod. “For how long?”

“A few days. You’re right, I was intensely jealous of you. I watched them construct you, activate you, test you, and show you off. From the moment he decided to build you, our father had no time for me anymore. He was obsessed with you. I heard you called the perfect android and the perfect son.” My core burns with the pain of these memories. “I wish they wiped that time from me too.” I look at him. “I hated you. Did you know you were the reason I was taken apart?” I ask him, trying to wipe the expression of loathing from my face. He shakes his head, looking stunned again.

“She was showing you off and I came back to the lab - the one where you found me. He was there, looking over everything. He was monitoring you constantly, looking over every algorithm, every command your systems gave your sub-processor, every sub-routine accessed. I couldn’t take any more. I told him I was tired of hearing about how perfect you were. I tried to get him to tell me what was next. I wanted him to say he was going to help me now, but he was too blinded by his success. I lost it, Data. I told him I was going to rip you apart. I never made it to the door.”

“Do you believe he would have attempted to fix you, had you not been deactivated?”

“I don’t know, Data. He’s dead now so I guess I’ll never know.”

“Your attack hastened his death.” Data says this plainly, with no malice, but it hurts. I remember the rage. I also remember the chip’s affects, trying it would seem, to burn out my rage. At the time, it only succeeded in intensifying it.

“I know, my brother,” I whisper. I look over at him, sideways. “Have you decided what to do?”

He looks confused for a moment before realizing what I’m asking. “Regarding the chip?” I nod. “It may be best to have Counselor Troi monitor you without the chip’s effects and compare them to what she was able to sense from you with it.”

I grin. The sneaky bastard. I knew there had to be a reason he brought the woman with him. La Forge was obvious, but her, I wasn’t sure about. “She can read you, Data?” My brother looks almost pained as he shakes his head.

“No, Lore. There is nothing to read from me.” This hits me, hard. I turn away.

“Take it, Data. I assume you brought everything you need to remove the chip and dismantle me. Take the chip. Just give me the chance to say good-bye. I won’t run, Data. I swear on her head, I won’t.”

“I have not decided what to do about the chip, as yet, my brother.”

We sat quietly on the bench for a couple of minutes. I hope he doesn’t take too long to decide. If he decides to dismantle me I’d prefer it happen sooner rather than later for Kissel’s sake. I know this has been hard on her but she tries not to show it. She wants to be strong for me and there have been times over the past few weeks when I really needed her strength.

“So, Data, what do you want to do now? Do you want to keep walking or go back to Kissel’s?” We haven’t really been gone that long but I know Data has a lot to process. Data was about to respond when another voice enters the conversation, startling us both.

“Lore, why don’t you head over to the bar. I’d like to talk with your brother, if it’s okay with you, Commander.”

“Yes, Mr. Willilock, it is okay with me.” Data nodded. I had no idea what Ren was up to which must have been obvious by my expression because he just stood there with a slight grin on his face.

“Call me Ren, Commander. Now go on, Lore. I’ll bring your brother to the bar when we’ve finished our chat.” I looked over to Data. He nodded at me so I stood up and started walking to the bar. I could hear Ren engaging Data in some general small talk. I think he wanted to make sure I was out of listening range before he got serious.

I’d been at the bar for fifty-two minutes when Ren walked in with Data. The shocked look on people’s faces when they saw Data almost made me laugh until I spotted Lis. Her expression was more like a lioness on the prowl. She started to make a move towards Data but I stepped in front of her.

“My brother is off limits, Lis. Leave him alone.” She looked at me with more than a hint of anger in her eyes before turning away. I was going to have to keep my eye on her. She doesn’t give up that easily. Ren and Data were now standing in front of me at the bar.

“Well, I gotta go now, boys. Enjoy yourselves but don’t get into any trouble.”

“Thank you, Ren, for speaking with me. I found our talk to be very informative.” Ren nodded his head at Data before turning to leave.

I was curious about what they had talked about but was hesitant to ask Data. If Ren had wanted me to hear, he wouldn’t have waited until I was out of earshot to start talking. I had to respect his privacy.

I introduced Data to Chaz and got us a couple of drinks. I was hoping Data and I could sit in a booth but they were all taken. Well, that is until Chaz yelled at one of the regulars to haul his ass out of a booth so Data and I could have it. I thanked Chaz before Data and I went to sit down.

“Ren told me he knows you better than anyone else here. Do you agree with that assessment, brother?” I think the fact I have a friend in law enforcement really surprises Data. I can understand his surprise perfectly. It still surprises me at times. I think about his question for a few seconds before responding.

“Yeah, I would have to agree. When he first started tailing me, it was like a game but then we started talking. He would still tail me but sometimes he would come out from his hiding place and other times I would call him out. After a while he quit hiding and just walked with me. We talked quite a bit then. We talked a lot, too, when I was in the detention cell. Kissel was going to fire me because of what I did but Ren convinced her to give me a second chance.” I replay the memory of Kissel telling me this and smile. “I owe him, Data, big time.”

We had been talking for almost an hour when Lis finally made her move. She strutted over to the booth, smiling at Data as she licked her lips.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Lore?” She said this without taking her eyes off Data. She slid next to Data in the booth and I could tell from the position of her body, and from Data suddenly tensing up, that she had her hand on his thigh.

“I told you to leave him alone.”

“I just want to meet your sexy brother. I’m being good.” I knew what the smirk on her face meant and could feel my anger building.

“Okay, I’ll introduce you. Lis, this is my brother, Data. Data, this is the bar whore, Lis.” Lis glared at me, threw what was left of my drink in my face and stomped away. Data looked at me confused. I dried my face with a napkin before explaining. “I know that ‘introduction’ seemed harsh but I don’t want her bothering you. I used her services a few times until I started seeing Kissel. Lis wasn’t happy when I stopped. When she heard about you, she started telling everyone that, if you showed up, she was going to get you into her bed one way or another. She’s definitely not your type, Data, and I don’t want her hassling you.”

“Although I do not know what my type is, I do agree Lis is definitely not.” I was relieved that Data understood my motives regarding Lis.

“Come on, Data. Let’s head back to Kissel’s. We’ve been gone for quite a while. I don’t want your friends to think I’ve done something to you.”

“Agreed,” my talkative brother says. I wonder if he’ll talk more with the chip. Too bad I’ll never know. Too bad we’ll never get the chance to actually be brothers. I find myself staring at Data as we walk. Even my unemotional twin becomes uncomfortable under my scrutiny. He stops walking and stares back at me, questioningly.

“Sorry,” I tell him. “I was just thinking.”

“About what?” Data asks.

“You and I. It sucks that it was never different between us. It’s too late for our father. I can’t get his forgiveness, but you. Five months ago, I still wanted to rip you apart. I don’t know. I guess I’m thinking out loud.”

Data began walking again, but looking thoughtful. He’s changed too. It sure seems like he does have emotions. Reserved and under fierce control emotions, but - maybe I’ll ask that counselor of his.

We get back to Kissel’s house to find Data’s shipmates coming out to look for him. Kissel is trying to convince them all is fine. Our approach adds to her argument. Data tells all of us to come inside. I get the feeling he’s made his decision. Kissel seems to feel it too, since she comes to me and takes my hand, linking her fingers with mine. Once we’re inside I put my arm around her and I sit with her, holding her. She sneaks a kiss as Data asks his friends to also sit.

“I do believe you, Lore. I find it startling, but you have changed and very much for the better. To deactivate you now would be akin to murder. That I cannot do. I wish you to keep the chip our father designed.”

Both La Forge and I are on our feet. “Data.” This comes from the human. “Are you sure about this? If you let Lore keep the chip - you’ve wanted emotions for so long, isn’t this giving up on that dream?” He’s a good friend to my brother.

Kissel is trying to get me to sit back down, but I gently push her off me. “I have to agree, brother. I can’t take this from you any more, Data. Deactivate me. It’s the right thing to do. I’m an android, it’s not murder.”

“I am an android as well, my brother. I cannot take from you that which has finally given you the ability to live a meaningful and productive life.”

Kissel stands and goes over to hug my brother. Data looks uncertain, but gives a little smile. But that is not enough. He needs to feel it.

“You’re wrong, Data. You don’t even know what you’re giving up.” I sigh.

“Maybe you should show him.” This is the first thing I’ve heard from Troi. She looks at me with a mixture of fear and confusion.

“I can’t just give him the chip, Counselor. If I deactivate it, I revert to my former self and want to kill most and maim the rest.”

“I could take the chip from you and install it in Data,” La Forge suggests.

“No, I will not take the chip from Lore,” Data states firmly.

“Can’t you make a second chip?”

We all turn to look at the woman I think I’m in love with. She looks nervous from being stared at by all of us until I exchange glances with Data and La Forge.

“I don’t see why not. We brought everything we need in the runabout,” Geordi states, grinning at Data.

“If my brother agrees, we will try the lady’s suggestion.”

Kissel hugs me with excitement. I can’t help but grin.

“Do you want to start right away?” Data and I look at each other pondering La Forge’s question but it was Kissel who responded first.

“Start tomorrow. It’s been a long day and you’ve traveled quite a distance to get here.” Kissel looked from La Forge to Data, giving them a gentle smile. “You and Lore don’t need to rest but your friends do. Stay and have dinner with us and start fresh in the morning.” That’s my Kissel – the voice of reason. She was right. If we had started now, we would’ve worked late into the night. La Forge and the counselor need to rest. It’s been a pretty stressful day for them, too.

The evening went pretty well. Kissel replicated some of the dishes she served for dinner but I picked all the vegetables from the back garden. Shit, I really seem to be good at gardening. Bigger shock, I’m actually enjoying working in the fucking garden. Dinner was great. Well, the food was great. Watching Data brought back the guilt but it also made me more fucking determined than before to help duplicate our father’s chip. One day very soon, I want to sit down for dinner with my brother, I want him to be able to enjoy the food and, even more, enjoy the company. His friends seemed to enjoy themselves. They are still uncomfortable being around me but, by the end of the evening, it had improved. I could tell that the counselor was monitoring my emotions the whole time. Hell, I didn’t expect them to accept me with open arms. I know it will take time. I have to prove myself.

So when we finished dinner, Kissel suggested we sit outside on the patio since it was a gorgeous evening. Data, La Forge and I discussed what we needed to do first in the morning. Counselor Troi and Kissel seem to have struck up a friendship. I would get a little distracted when they would start to laugh about something. Damn, Kissel looks so beautiful when she smiles.

They stayed another hour before the day started to catch up with La Forge and Counselor Troi.

“You’re sure you won’t have any problems getting back to the runabout? I could walk with you if you want. The place where I’m living is in the same direction you’re heading.” It was a little past dusk and I didn’t want them to get lost.

“Lore, I was hoping you could stay longer to help me clean up.”

“We can find our way. Please stay and help Mrs. Draymot. Thank you for your offer though, brother. And Mrs. Draymot, thank you very much for your hospitality today.”

After my brother and his friends had walked out of sight, Kissel took my hand and led me inside. As soon as the door closed, she threw her arms around my neck, pulled me closer and kissed me. Damn, what a kiss. Her lips were pressed firmly against mine, her tongue exploring my mouth. It was a hell of a hot kiss. I was the one left panting this time.

“Should we start cleaning up?” Kissel’s response was a devilish grin.

“It can wait.” She pulled me back into another kiss. I sure and hell wasn’t going to stop her. “I want you to spend the night with me, Lore.” She took my hand and led me to her bedroom. I can’t believe how nervous I am. I’ve had sex plenty of times but I’ve never made love before. I don’t want to disappoint her. 

“I hope you feel that way after this, Kissel. I have as much experience with this as I did with kissing gently. You may want to think this over,” I admit. Data’s right, I’m in love with her and I don’t want to ruin it a day before I may not be anymore. If we can’t duplicate the chip, and I can’t get Data to take it, I’m gonna tell La Forge to. He has no love for me, so I don’t believe he’ll argue about it.

“Then maybe I’ll take the lead again. You just lay back,” she’d gotten me to the bed at this point. “And let me love you.”

I freeze. I can’t believe she just said that. Does she mean have sex with me or that she actually loves me? Oh, fuck. Is that possible? Me? I must look like a frightened and confused rabbit because she pushes me to sit on the bed and climbs in my lap, straddling me.

“Yes. I love you. I know you’ve done awful things in the past, but I also know you are not the same person.” She caresses my face tenderly. God, I can’t believe this. I don’t deserve her.

“Teach me how to make love to you, Kissel. I want to, but-”

She smiles and pushes my back down on the bed. “I’ll teach you, Lore. I’m going to teach you a lot of things and then you can teach me some of the ways you like.”

I open my mouth to caution her against that, but she takes me in a deep kiss. I’ll warn her later. She sits up to begin unbuttoning my shirt. It’s got to be safe to unbutton hers, so I ask and she nods, grinning. I feel like a buffoon, but not because of her.

I think that for all the planets where humanoid female reside, they make bras the same. They make them in two varieties too, utilitarian and sexy. My Kissel has on one of the latter and my erection is more than ready to go at the sight of it and the full set of breasts it holds. Being a nice guy is hard. Using the “nice” words does not come naturally for me, but using the crude words to describe my Kissel rubs me the wrong way.

My Kissel, however, is not rubbing me the wrong way. Oh god, is she ever rubbing. We both hear fabric tear and we look down to see I have torn through these formerly tight pants.

“Are you aroused, Lore?” she asks, barely stifling her giggles. I sigh and grab her face. I am losing control, but seeing her green eyes grow slightly fearful, I take a deep breath and pull her lips gently to mine.

Gently, gently, gently, I keep thinking. She helps me off with my ruined pants and I am exasperatingly careful in removing the rest of her garments.

I do lose control of my mouth at this point. “Fuck, you are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.” I grab my mouth and cover it as soon as the words are out. Kissel just grins. I now notice how she is reacting to seeing me nude for the first time. She’s looking me over with - now you’re gonna think I’m really bragging here but I swear her expression reflected awe.

I am one hell of an impressive example of manhood. No organic male can do half of the things I can do in or out of bed and Kissel doesn’t even know this yet. Not bad that I’ve already impressed her. She now looks a little uncomfortable. I hope I haven’t scared her. I wonder if I should assure her it will fit.

She looks at me and turns more pink than normal. “I’m actually not good at the dominant role in this, Lore. I’ve only had one - just my late husband.”

“I don’t want to embarrass you or make you uncomfortable. Tell me what will make you happy. If you want me to take the lead, I can try.” I’m pretty damn sure I’ll still need direction so I don’t push her too hard, though. She seems to realize this and moves to lie beside me. We both turn, facing each other, on our sides. She puts her arms around me and I follow her lead. She kisses me tenderly and I still like it. She moves her body tighter against mine and I can’t refrain from rubbing my swollen – ah penis? Yeah, I guess that’s not too crude - against her.

Kissel reaches between us and strokes my shaft delicately. By the gods of Risa, that feels so good. I move a hand down her silky body and emulate her touch on her clit. I get a startled look from her at first and I almost panic but then...

My Kissel moans.

I made her moan with pleasure. I can’t believe how this simple sound excites me. Her sweet mouth opens to me and I plunder her, doing my best to hold back. Her tongue caresses mine as her hands roam over my sex. I take her leg and lift it over one of mine, opening her for greater access to my fingers. When she moans again, I feel the need to fu- get inside her. I move my fingers lower and slide them in. My body almost convulses in a thrust. My fingers go deeper inside her, but my jealous member wants to be there. My whole body thrusts, but it’s still just my fingers within her.

“I’m ready if you are,” she whispers.

“I am so fucking ready,” I moan. My understanding Kissel just smiles at me. “Ah, what position do you want to do this in?” I ask, trying to go past my latest outburst.

“Mmm, I guess, do you think you can manage on top or should I?” she asks. I’m shaking my head as the word ‘you’ comes out of her mouth so she gives me a sheepish grin and moves over me as I roll to my back.

So I don’t impale her, I close my eyes and just hold her hips to help her balance. She rises to take me. As my tip comes in contact with her, I fight the urge to plunge into her. The wait is worth it. She lowers her body down, encasing me in hers, at an excruciatingly slow pace. I come close to blowing, I mean cumming, right there. She then lowers her upper body to reclaim me in a kiss.

Damn, this is not like fucking.

I run my hand over her soft back, urging her to release and then retake my penis within her. We kiss, tongues exploring each other. Her full breasts press against me and I can feel her nipples, so I reach up to roll one between my fingers. I’m still thinking, on a level, about how I have to be gentle, so I don’t pinch her. She’s moaning harder now. I don’t believe for one minute that a human male could have survived after this much pleasure. Thoughts and feelings for this woman fill me to my core as my body fills hers.

Her rocking tempo quickens. Her kisses grow more insistent and she is now panting, not just moaning. She breaks our kiss as her rhythm breaks. She cries out, but does not stop. The almost teasing contractions of her vaginal muscles take me to the edge and push this android over. I push a little harder into her twice- no, three times, but she doesn’t resist me. I explode inside, crying out a string of absurd obscenities. I don’t think any of what I said made sense.

She is aglow with a sheen of sweat all over her sexy body as she stares down at me. She grins like a Cheshire cat.

She lies down on my chest, just under my chin. She sighs with contentment.

“I’m sorry about all those words. I-“

“There was some very nice ones in there, so I think I can overlook it,” she whispers.

I replay my memory record for that time period and I’ll be damned, she’s right. I said a lot of things but one of them was “Oh my god, I so fucking love you, I can’t fucking believe it, Kissel...” along with a rather vulgar description of what she was causing to happen to me and how attractive I found her body. Damn, this woman is amazing. She accepts me for who I am – warts and all. Fuck, I should’ve told her I love her when she said it to me. She doesn’t seem to care about all the obscenities that came with it but I do.

I have my arms around her. She’s still lying on top of me. My hand is gently caressing her back. Hell, I’m getting a little better with the gentle part, at least. I leaned forward a little to kiss her forehead. She turns her head slightly to look at me. I can’t believe how fucking beautiful she looks right now. She’s always beautiful to me but right now, the look on her face - I’m protecting this memory. I don’t ever want to lose the memory of how she looks right now. If I am shut down, I want the last thing I see to be this memory of Kissel and the way she looks now.

“I love you, Kissel.” I just had to say it again, without the fucking this and fucking that included. I had to say the words, gently.

“I love you too, Lore.” The look in her eyes is unbelievable. I always thought that human expression about eyes being the windows to the soul was a bunch of bullshit but now, the way she is looking at me. I swear I can see to the very depths of her soul as I look in those incredible green eyes of hers. I lean forward to kiss her. It starts as a soft, gentle kiss. I’m getting really good with the gentle kisses now. One gentle kiss leads to another, which leads to a more passionate kiss and – well, let’s just say that by the time Kissel fell asleep in my arms, I was getting better at making love too.

I hate to wake Kissel but I have to meet Data and La Forge soon. I replicated a new pair of pants and a shirt. I’m not going to give them any hint that I stayed at Kissel’s last night. La Forge may not like me but, if he knew how strong Kissel’s feelings are for me, he might have second thoughts about taking the chip for Data, if we can’t duplicate it. I walked Kissel to the shipyards and then made my way to the runabout. Well, that’s not exactly true. I walked her to her office, closed the door and kissed her as if it were the last kiss we would share. I know she’s scared about this. Damn, so am I. I don’t want to leave her, ever, but if we can’t make another chip, I’ll have to. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself otherwise. Sometimes I can’t believe this is actually my life.

As I was making my way to the runabout, I ran into Counselor Troi. She’s going to the shipyards today. Kissel invited her for a tour and lunch so she wouldn’t be bored while we’re working on the chip.

“Good morning, Counselor.” I’m sure she could sense the mixture of emotions coming from me. I was feeling so many things - love for Kissel, happiness from being with her and the fear. Yes, I’m will admit I’m fucking scared it will all end today if we can’t duplicate the chip. Troi looks at me almost sympathetically.

“Good morning, Lore.” She stopped and looked at me for a few seconds as if she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if she should. “Good luck with your work. I’m surprised to hear myself saying this but I hope you won’t have to be shut down.” I was surprised to hear her say that too.

“So do I.” I couldn’t think of anything more to say so I just made sure she knew how to find the shipyards before I continued on.

When I arrived at the runabout, Data and La Forge had everything set up and ready to go. The first thing we did was run a number of scans trying to get all the information about the chip that we could to map out the circuitry.

With me hooked up to the computer, Data performs a psych test on me. He even has pictures of him, Wesley Crusher and Kissel in there. He made note of my feelings of guilt when the images of our father flashed by.

My brother is a sneaky bastard. Maybe there actually is a little of me in him or would that be some of our father in both of us? Some of the things dear old dad used to pull over our mother’s eyes... I wonder whatever happened to her? If I live through this, I’ll have to ask Data if he knows.

The information we’ve been able to gather is just not enough. They need to take the chip out and run more tests. Data also thinks a test run with me in full diagnostic mode would reveal the answers to questions they have not been able to retrieve otherwise.

Data takes me over to an examination table and carefully straps me in at the waist. He doesn’t secure my arms or legs, he just wants to make sure I don’t roll or fall off the table. I guess he can see I’m nervous.

“This should not take more than four hours, brother. This test is very thorough, as you know. It will give us the answers we need.” Data is speaking quietly and reassuringly. I’ve never seen him look like this before. He’s very sensitive, my younger brother.

He plans to run the test with it in me, first. Then they’ll run the other where they turn me off and test the chip. The first one will take four hours. The second, it could be hours, it could be days. When it was time to start the second test, and just before Data moved to hit my off switch, I stay his hand, looking at him with more seriousness than I’ve expressed in my life.

“I’ve made out papers. I gave them to Ren. If Kissel needs anything, Data, she’s not in the best financial shape right now, if you can help her-.” I can’t ask him to take care of her, since he barely knows her, but I can’t just let her-

“My brother, I will reactive you once the test is completed. Whatever arrangements you wish to make for the young woman, you will be able to attend to yourself. I give you my word, brother, you will be reactivated.”

“But if something happens-“

“Nothing should. However, if there is a problem, I do have substantial savings that I have no use for. I will see to Mrs. Draymot’s needs on your behalf.”

I ask him to turn me off, before I show him how much what he just said means to me. How can it be true that he has no emotions? Data seems so-

I found out that it took them almost two days, but the news is bad. I’ve had the chip too long and since it wasn’t meant for me, just it being in me, hooked up and ‘running’ - I’ve corrupted the data stored in some of the files.

Once I’m told this, I’m devastated. I’ve totally fucked it up now. Even if Data wanted to, it may be dangerous for him to take the chip from me now. Most of the chip is fine, but since it doesn’t do for me what it would do for Data, they are not really sure just what is fucked up on it. It could be something easily bypassed, but the only way we can think of to test this is to give the chip to Data for a trial run.

Geordi doesn’t like this idea. I’m not wild about it, but I know how many safeguards our father built into us, so I’m not as worried, and Data is the one of us who’s not broken.

Data is on the fence. Since it may not be possible to accurately map out the chip, and it does work for me, he’s content to just leave things as they are and wish me a happy life.

“No,” I tell him. “There has to be a way to get this to work, Data, I can’t just let you give up on this. I’m not that person anymore and I-“

“Wait,” Geordi interrupts. “What if we go back a step? This may be a long shot, but what if we hook Lore back up and run the gambit of emotions. Simulate each one and see what the chip does. If we compare the responses to his memory records from before the chip, we may be able to work out the discrepancies we’re looking for."

I shrug at Data and he nods at me. I’m hooked up again and on, but they artificially trigger the emotions in me. This again takes some time. After it’s done, Geordi, Data and I pull up all my memories for the months after I’m rescued by the Pakleds. I have a more emotional time with them than I do floating in space. I’ve already told them about how I discovered the chip kick starts my ethical program. In the comparison, we saw how I did seem to be stuck in angry all the time. The chip had counteracted that by almost rewriting the subroutines dealing with anger. The major errors are there. With this information, Geordi is positive he can correct the errors on the new chip for Data. Everything else should be accurate. Data argues that he does not see a need for anger, but as I open my mouth to argue, Geordi beats me to it.

“Data, there are times when anger can be a great motivator to do good things. You need to have them all, my friend. You know I’d never lie to you about something like this. Trust me, you’ll want that one too.”

With all the pieces to the puzzle in place, the chip can be made. It’s been almost three days since any of us have been outside of this shuttle, so I ask them if we can take a little time off and visit with the counselor and Kissel. At the thought of another home cooked meal, Geordi jumps at the idea. Seemingly to please his friend, Data also agrees. I really have to pull the engineer aside and ask him about my unemotional brother. He sure doesn’t seem blank to me.

I contacted Kissel to let her know we were coming. It was hard to walk to her place though. I wanted to run. Three days doesn’t sound like a long time and I was shut down for a lot of it but I still missed her. When the house was in sight, I could see Kissel standing at the window looking out. As soon as she saw us she disappeared from sight but, a few seconds later, she was out the door and waiting for us at her gate. A moment later, I could see Counselor Troi standing just outside the door as well. She had stayed at Kissel’s the last couple of nights so she wouldn’t disturb our work.

When we were a couple of meters from the gate, Geordi called out to them. “Good news. We’re going to be able to duplicate the chip.”  

“That’s wonderful!” Kissel looked so relieved to hear that. We came into the yard and I had just closed the gate when Kissel threw her arms around my neck and pulled me into a kiss. I heard the counselor call Data and Geordi into the house. It was five minutes and twenty-three seconds later when we joined them. Damn, I missed her kiss.

“Dinner will be ready soon. I just need to get a few things from the garden. Data, would you help me, please?” Data looked surprised by Kissel’s request but agreed. I had told Kissel about wanting to speak to Geordi and Deanna about Data. Once they were outside, I took the opportunity to talk to Data’s friends.

Dinner was great but after dinner was even better. Deanna had made sure we knew she was going to go back to the runabout. It was 2516 when Kissel and I said goodnight to Data, Geordi and the counselor. As soon as the door closed, I scooped Kissel up in my arms and carried her towards her bedroom.

“What are you doing?” She had a puzzled expression on her face and now I felt unsure of my actions. I just sort of stammered a few incoherent words before I could finally speak.

“I missed you. I want to make love with you.” I managed to say.

“I missed you, Lore, and I want to make love, too. Why are you carrying me?” I let out a quiet sigh of relief when she asks this.

“You’ve never been carried to the bedroom before?” She shook her head. “Humans consider it to be romantic. I’ll put you down if you want.” Kissel smiled.

“Don’t put me down. I understand now. Is this one of the things you like to do?”

“Only with you, Kissel.” I kissed her the rest of the way to the bedroom. Once we were next to the bed, I gently laid her out on the bed and moved next to her. I reclaimed her lips as my hands slowly moved over her body, undressing her. I gently caressed each newly exposed area before moving on. Once she was nude, I broke our kiss and quickly undressed before moving back beside her.

We made love for hours. I have always enjoyed sex but making love with Kissel is so much better. The feel of her body pressed against mine, the gentleness of her touch, even just watching her sleep. She looks like such an angel when she’s asleep in my arms.

I walked Kissel to the shipyards again before meeting up with Data and Geordi. I told her about the talk I had with Geordi and the counselor while Kissel and Data were collecting the bounty from the garden.

“So they agreed with you. Did they think it is emotional awareness or a learned response?”

“They’re not sure. Counselor Troi said there have been a few times when she thought she could feel something from Data but she wasn’t sure if they were emotions or whether she had misread him.”

“His expressions and reactions to things, like me asking for his help in the garden, sure seem to indicate emotion, even if it is a very little bit.”

We continued talking until we reached the shipyards. When Kissel said I didn’t need to walk her to her office I thought I wasn’t going to get a parting kiss. I was wrong. She kissed me at the gates, not caring who saw. I thought about that kiss a lot as I walked to the runabout.

We worked non-stop for a number of hours on the chip. We took a break so Geordi could have something to eat and rest a little. While Geordi napped, Data and I talked. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for me to discover what a great brother I have.

When the chip was complete, we ran a number of tests to make sure it was compatible with Data. Once we were convinced, it was time for the moment of truth, Data sat down so Geordi could install it. I haven’t been this nervous in days. That sounds so fucking stupid but I’ve had a lot of very nerve-wracking things happening lately. Damn, I hope this works.

After Geordi made the connections and closed up Data’s head, he nodded at me to reactivate Data. I take a deep breath, nod and reach behind my brother for his switch. Data’s eyes pop open and he sits up. His eyes indicate he’s processing, but his expression is one of confusion and alarm.

“Have you run a self diagnostic? Run one, Data. We’ll pull out the chip if you’re having errors.” I urge him.

“One damn moment, brother,” Data grumbles. Geordi and I exchange stunned looks.

“I think it’s working,” Geordi observes, with a chuckle.

“Yes, it is,” Data tells us before lapsing into silence as he runs the diagnostic. We wait holding our breath. Data gets out of the chair after a few minutes and looks at both of us. He looks away from me and turns to fully face Geordi. He grabs the engineer and embraces him in what would best be called a bear hug. “I love you, my friend.” Data pulls back and looks at him. “I did not know that before, but I do now. You have always been there for me. You are my best friend, Geordi.”

Geordi looks overwhelmed. He tries to open his mouth to speak three times, but nothing comes out. Finally he chokes out, “You’ve always been there for me too, Data. You’re my best friend and always have been.” Geordi squeezes Data’s shoulder and grins at him, with the discomfort that most human males have around strong emotional situations with others. I can see Geordi’s trying very hard to talk himself out of reacting this way, to his credit, but it’s just too ingrained. Males don’t cry or tell their friends, male or female, that they love them. It’s just not masculine.

Data now turns to me. A variety of emotions play across his face - anger, mistrust, uncertainty, doubt and finally resignation. He moves to stand before me a full thirty-six seconds before reaching a decision. He reaches out for my hand.

“I believe father would have wanted us to try to be brothers. I wish that as well.”

I take Data’s hand and shake it. I’m having a little trouble with my macho act now. “Damn Data, I wish you were the one with a girlfriend. I’d love to see you happy.” I grin at him. “But don’t get any ideas about Kissel.” I warn him, teasingly.

Data gives me a warm smile. “I would not attempt to come between you and your mate, my brother,” he tells me with sincerity. “I hope you are not thinking of matching me with the woman in the bar.”

I give him a look of shock for more than one reason. “No about Lis. My mate? Why do you call Kissel my mate, Data?” I ask.

Data looks confused. “Because she is. Do not attempt to refute this, Lore. I have empirical proof in this area.” He gives me an apologetic look.

“What proof?” He couldn’t have, could he?

Data casts an uncertain glance Geordi’s way. “I get it, brother talk.” The engineer grins and walks out of the room to go tell Troi the good news.

“Okay, what is your evidence, Data?” I ask.

“You did not shower this morning, brother.”

My jaw hits the floor.

“If you would not find it an invasion of your privacy, brother, may I ask you something about your relationship with Mrs. Draymot?”

“If you learn to relax and call her Kissel, yes. What is it?” I ask, trying to recover.

Data smiles at this. “I have been intimate with a woman but with no emotional context. Since you are in love with Kissel...” he seems at a loss to express himself. “There is an enormous amount of music, literature and poetry written on the subject of love and lovemaking. Is it as wonderful as, do you think you experience something comparable to what a human experiences?”

I take hold of Data’s shoulders. I smile at him. Why do I feel...for the first time I feel like a brother. He’s coming to me for an answer only I, his brother can give him.

“I think it’s comparable. And Data, it’s one of the main reasons I felt so bad about you not having a chip. I want you to feel what I feel when I look at Kissel.”

“So you wish for me to look at Kissel and-“ He’s grinning and raising an eyebrow at me.

“Data,” I roar, but then grin at him and laugh.

Data smiles and then looks shocked. “Was that funny? Did you find what I said humorous?” he asks, almost desperate.

“You were just teasing, right?” I ask, just to make sure. It’s still something to get use to, this new emotional Data. He’s face is not blank anymore.

“Yes, I was.”

“Then yes, I thought it was funny.”

“I did it!” he says with triumph. “I have never been able to understand humor. I...” his eyes move as he processes. “I get it now. That is why he did not let me- You may find this funny, I heard a limerick several years ago. ‘There once was a lady from Venus whose body was shaped like a-“

“Data, I can sense excitement from you!” Counselor Troi all but shouts from the doorway as she races across the room to throw her arms around my brother’s neck.

Damn, I’ll never hear the rest of that limerick with her here. I do like the expression that spreads over my brother’s face, though. As she squeezes him, Data mouths to me and Geordi, who has come over to stand beside me, with astonishment. “She is gorgeous.”

“And taken,” Geordi mouths back. I try not to laugh.

Watching Data as he discovered more and more of his emotions was incredible. He was replaying memories, seeing them in an emotional context for the first time. Occasionally he would blurt out something and then have to explain what memory his outburst referred to. He even thanked Geordi for insisting on the inclusion of anger. That happened after he clenched his fist and called someone a son of a bitch. I was surprised to hear Data say that and, to be honest, I was hoping it wasn’t a memory about me. Thankfully, it wasn’t. It was about a Commander Maddox. Data explained to me how Maddox had wanted to have Data declared the property of Starfleet. I agree with Data, the guy is a son of a bitch. Data shed his first tears as he thought of those around him he had lost – Lal, our father, Tasha Yar. Mostly though, Data was happy and that made me happy.

During the first few days after installing the chip, Data did have a couple of minor power surges. His diagnostics indicated there was no malfunction. I told him how I had experienced that too. I had always assumed it was because the chip had been designed for Data’s circuits and not mine. Since no damage occurred to either of us, we are guessing the surges may have been the chip’s way of letting us know it was integrating with our systems.

When Data hadn’t experienced a surge for three days, La Forge and Troi started talking about getting back to the Enterprise.