Chapter 4 Continued

The hotel where the couple had a reservation was elegantly appointed. In the lift up, Raygan kept giving Data flirtatious looks. Raygan’s expression reminded Data of the look on Spot’s face just before he would lower her feeding bowl to the floor. The lift ride lasted long enough for Raygan to reach over and run her hand over Data’s backside, causing his eyes to go wide with shock. The bellman could not help but smirk as even he could feel the heat building between the two guests.

Once the bellman had led them to their room and left, Raygan practically pounced on Data. Her first act was to reach under his shirt and run her hands up his back. She kissed him with hunger, pushing him backward towards the bed. She was undoing his pants, so Data felt it would not be out of line to begin helping her out of her top. When his leg made contact with the bed, Data started to sit down just as Raygan pulled his pants down. The result was Data missed the bed and, since Raygan was holding on to his pants, she fell on top of him, facing Data’s already prominent erection.

Raygan looked up at Data with a smirk on her face. Raygan took Data's erection in her hand and gently lowered her mouth around the head of his penis. She ran her tongue along the underside of the head before lowering her mouth further down the shaft. She began to raise and lower her mouth along the shaft of his penis. It excited her to hear his moans of pleasure. As soon as she lifted her head to smile at Data, he pulled her up to him and pressed his lips against hers, hard. He ran his hands down to her firm ass. Picking Raygan up, he moved them to the bed without changing their position. He pulled his shirt over his head before lowering himself to Raygan and reclaiming her lips.

Data pushed Raygan's skirt down her smooth body, touching her as he freed her of it. Data was relieved his modesty sub-routine was not acting up at all. But his sexual program was acting just right. He moved her over on her back and continued to kiss her. Raygan wrapped her arms around him, rubbing his back and encouraging him to enter her. He was only too happy to comply. The sensations he experienced were no less powerful this time than when he had made love to her in her bedroom. Her body, moving with his, made him feel so human.

Her soft cries of passion excited him in a way Data did not believe possible. Raygan broke their kiss and was breathing harder, causing Data to almost pause to study the expression on her beautiful face. No, not just beautiful - sexy. Raygan was sexy to him. This realization excited Data all the more causing him to quicken his sexual pace. Raygan's moans increased.

Data's thrusts were long and deep and his rhythm was perfect. Data turned his attention to the nape of Raygan's neck, kissing her soft skin, running his tongue on it and lightly sucking. Raygan was soon overcome with passion. Letting out a tremendous moan, Raygan grabbed on to the bedding tightly as she arched her back. Data loved to watch her orgasm. The pleasure she experienced only intensified his own. He continued his thrusts and soon she was on the brink of another climax. As her joy was released from her body, Data experienced his own climax within her.

Bliss.

This surely must be bliss.

Raygan lay beside Data, grinning at him. Her expression was soft, happy and filled with love. It was unlike any expression Data had ever seen directed at him before. It filled him with joy. They lay in each other’s arms, simply being together. For a long while, neither said a word. Nothing really needed to be said. It was all understood.

"So, am I going to need to hide your clothes in order to keep you here with me? Or will you stay willingly, Data?" Raygan asked, breaking the long but enjoyable silence.

"I will stay wherever you wish me to stay, for as long as I am able." Data reached up and caressed her cheek, tenderly. "There are so many words I now understand the meaning of because of you." He sounded so serious and so sensuous that Raygan had trouble responding.

“For me, I think I knew the meaning, but had never felt the feelings. You give them new meaning, Data. I love you.”

“And I love you.” Data leaned in and kissed her ever so gently.

One gentle kiss led to another, which lead to a more passionate kiss. Data's hand roamed Raygan's body charting every sensuous inch of her. Her breasts were so soft yet firm. He ran his thumb over her nipple feeling it getting harder with each touch. He broke their kiss to take her breast in his mouth. His skillful use of his tongue on her nipple, the little nips and kisses, all left her moaning in pleasure. He ran his hand down her body, caressing first her stomach before moving his hand further down.

Raygan parted her legs for him, allowing Data greater access to regions of her body he had not seen, but had been. His fingers familiarized themselves with every fold as his mouth explored her other breast. Her body seemed a feast of tastes, scents and sensations. The gasps and moans she made as Data pleasured her enhanced it all. He tongued the curve of her breast and kissed his way down to her navel. She giggled as he licked her here. He surprised her by moving all at once and taking her clitoris and the surrounding area in his mouth, sucking gently. Raygan sighed deeply, but also squirmed slightly. Wishing to bring her as much pleasure as possible, Data carefully slid two fingers inside her and then out again, mimicking the rhythm of lovemaking.

Raygan’s gasps became more frequent as her body filled with fire. She began to writhe from the pleasuring Data was giving her. She let out another loud gasp as Data brought her to climax. Data was not finished yet. Her body had not finished experiencing the magnificent sensations when Data moved up and penetrated her with his rock hard erection.

Raygan took Data into her arms as she took him into her body. She opened her eyes to look deeply into his beautiful amber ones. The passion she saw there enthralled her. Data was always attractive to her, but now, wrapped up in desire, he was the sexiest man she had ever seen. Moving in a perfectly joined cadence, the tempo to this rhythm of love increased slowly. Data’s own gasps seemed to accentuate the downbeat. Raygan grabbed his face, needing to kiss him and be kissed by him. Every new thing he made her feel made Raygan want more. He was learning how to please her all too quickly and it was driving Raygan half mad with desire. She felt as though the heat they were generating would melt their bodies into one any moment now. The sweet abyss was fast approaching again and Raygan was only able to accede to this need and fall. This time, she took Data with her.

Through the throws of her ecstasy, Raygan tried to study Data's face as he experienced his own orgasm. She wanted to see his reaction to this pleasure they were experiencing. When both of their bodies' reactions had subsided, Data lay next to Raygan. He gently brushed some strands of Raygan's hair off her face and kissed her.

"I believe it would be prudent if we did see some of the sights of the area while we are here. I am sure your parents will ask about our visit."

"Later." She did not say anything else on the subject. She and Data were now lovers and Raygan wanted to bask in the glow of that. She intended to hold him and enjoy the feel of his body next to hers. It had been years since Raygan had been in a physical relationship and she had never felt like she had been in love before. This time it was different. Data was different. He was not one you took for a spin and then left the morning after, not that Raygan had ever gone in for that kind of thing. She did not have the time. But now, the time was right and the man was more than right. This time, she planned on making it last.

"Data, hold me. I want to lie here in your arms and feel you next to me."

Data kissed her gently as he wrapped his arms around her. "We can stay here for as long as you wish, Raygan," Data whispered.

They had been cuddling for some time when Data suggested Raygan take a shower. "If we are to go out, I think it best if you have a shower first," Data told her.

"Are you suggesting I stink?" she feigned indignance.

"More than suggesting," Data teased.

“Well, what if I don't want to go out?" Raygan teased back.

"That does not affect your aroma," Data laughed.

"You have been working on your humor too much," Raygan laughed. "Okay, I'll take a shower."

She was in the shower for only a few minutes but she already missed Data. Lost in thought as she re-played the events of the past several hours in her mind, Raygan was jolted back to reality when she suddenly felt lips on the back of her neck. She let out a gasp of surprise.

"You did not believe I wanted you to shower alone, did you?"

It took a moment for Raygan to regain her composure as Data had startled her so. Then, seeing him standing there in all his glory again, gave her pause. He was so desirable.

"Data, is the water dangerous for you?" she asked, suddenly alarmed. Causing Data any kind of harm was not on the agenda.

"If I am immersed for a prolonged period of time, the water can cause limited damage. A shower will not damage me, being away from you, just may." Data grinned and took Raygan into his arms to kiss her tenderly. Tender kisses again quickly turned to passionate ones.

"You’re full of surprises, Data," Raygan smiled and kissed him again. The combination of the water from the shower and Data's touch brought wonderful sensations to Raygan's body. Data took the soap and lathered it in his hands and began to wash Raygan's body sensuously.

There was not an inch of her that went untouched. Every touch relaxed and stimulated her at the same time. Once she was completely lathered, Data pulled her under the water spray to rinse away the soap. He shampooed her hair, making her scalp tingle. When she was under the spray again, he kissed her.

Raygan picked up the soap once they parted.

"Does the soap bother you, Data?" she asked.

"No," he assured her.

"Good because you had me all over you. So you must be very dirty as well." Raygan grinned at him and started with his chest. She worked quickly downward.

"My penis must have been very dirty with all the ahhhtention you aaaaare giving aaaaaaait."

"It's very dirty, Data. It will take a great deal of work to get it clean again," Raygan told him in a very suggestive voice.

Raygan cleaned Data for several minutes until he was unable to take it anymore. Taking the soap from Raygan, he dropped it on the floor of the shower. The water rinsed his body as he maneuvered Raygan against the wall of the shower. He kissed her hard as he entered her and began thrusting deeply within her.

Raygan pressed her body firmly against Data's, grabbing hold of his butt to assist him in penetrating her deeper. She realized she had never before been so consumed with desire for a man who filled her with fire as Data did. His touches were always so tender to start, quickly turning to touches of intent and then to ones of need. Every time he made a sound of pleasure, it felt like molten lava was being poured on her chest, slowly igniting the rest of her body in the flame of intense desire.

Everything about him had become sensual. Every time she looked at him, she was sexually stimulated. She thanked the gods she seemed to be having the same affect on him.

Data raised Raygan's leg with his hand, holding it at the level of his hip to allow him to penetrate Raygan deeper. Her gasp indicated her approval of this move. Data found so many things about Raygan to be intoxicating. Just the fact she made love with him rather than just having sex meant so much to Data. Her gasps of pleasure, the look on her face when she climaxed, the way she touched him and kissed him - everything brought such intense pleasure for him. A pleasure he thought he would never experience.

Data kneaded her bottom as he continued his deep thrusts. The next moment, Raygan pressed against the shower wall and called out his name. He could feel a shudder race through her body as her orgasm took her. She cried out again as she reached for him. She opened her eyes, staring into his intensely. Her expression was so serious it startled Data.

She moved with him faster, adding her strength to his and pulling him in deeper.

"I've never had a man turn me on like you do, Data. You're amazing," she leaned in to kiss him.

Data was enthralled by her words. The expression on her face still confused him. She looked almost angry.

"I want to excite you, like you excite me."

Determination. That was the expression. She grabbed his face and kissed him hard. Data lost all control, cumming powerfully as Raygan moaned with delight right along with him.

"You do excite me, Raygan. You excite me more than I thought I was capable of experiencing," he told Raygan between kisses.

"Data, every moment we are together I will remember and cherish forever. I love you so much."

"Raygan, you will be a part of me forever. I too love you more than anything."

They got out of the shower and dried each other off. Data surprised Raygan by scooping her up in his arms and carrying her to the bed. He put Raygan down in the center of the bed and sat next to her.

"I need to ask you something, Raygan," Data told her. He looked very serious as he spoke.

"Go ahead, Data. You can ask me anything," Raygan told him. Data took her hand in his and looked at her as though trying to decipher her answer before he had asked his question.

“You understand that as an android, I may live for a thousand years or possibly even more. I do have an aging program, however I do not wish to look too old to perform my duties. While I have considered taking a mate, I am concerned with the emotional effects my outliving her will have on both of us. Do you understand?”

Raygan smiled gently at Data. “The likelihood of a couple being killed together on a starship is greater than other places, but I do understand what you’re saying. The time we have will just have to be cherished.”

“You are thirty-three years old, Raygan. You may only have seventy more years, but it will most likely be less than-“

“Data, you’re not taking into account my Rekellian half. They are rather long lived. My mother is 268 years old and is expected to live to be close to 400. While there are not many Rekellian/Human hydrides out there, there are some and it seems the Rekellian genes are the dominant ones. I’m expected to live for 300 years or more.”

“Three hundred years or more," Data repeated.

"Now, if you don't think you can put up with me for that long, I'll understand," she teased. Data leaned over, kissing her hard.

"I am most certain I could put up with you forever," he smiled as he kissed Raygan again.

"You say that now. But when I'm a little gray haired old lady of 290 will you still mean it?" she teased again.

"Yes," Data said, pushing her back down on the bed. He covered her mouth with his as he positioned himself over her, nudging her legs apart and entering her once he had.

"Mmmmmmm" Raygan could not speak with Data kissing her (or with Data's tongue down her throat) but she could let him know how his actions pleased her. She wrapped her arms around him and her legs too.

It seemed as though Data had just discovered sex and decided he loved it. After some thought, Raygan decided that may just be what had happened. And he was not alone in that opinion.

Data did not fully understand what was happening to him. He knew he loved Raygan and found her to be very desirable however this feeling of insatiability was new to him. He could not get enough of her and wanted to stay in bed with her forever. Raygan's gasps became more frequent as he thrust deeper and harder in her. As Raygan was in the throws of orgasm, she began to call out his name but also words Data did not recognize.

Data’s curiosity was piqued, but the desire was building in him too. He lost the ability to think of anything, he could only go where this intense feeling was taking him. It seemed that Raygan’s orgasm had not been interrupted, but continued until Data joined her there.

"Raygan, I did not understand some of your words after you called out my name. What did you say?" Data asked. Raygan looked at Data a little confused. Data repeated her words in his voice, without the emphasis she had used. Raygan giggled when she heard him repeat her words.

"I said 'Data, I love you. So good, that's so good' in Rekellian." Raygan was a little embarrassed. "I actually learned to speak Rekellian before English. When I was a little girl and it was just my mother and I, we only spoke Rekellian. My father has learned to speak it too but isn't as comfortable."

"Then I will learn Rekellian immediately," Data smiled.

Raygan grinned, thinking how interesting it would be to teach Data to speak a language so few people they would come across would know. Rekell was not part of the Federation, being too far away and, as they were an older and rather powerful race, they did not feel they needed the protection. Everyone left them alone.

“I can teach you some right now, if you want?”

“I can learn the language in its entirety in only a few seconds by-“

“This will be more fun,” she told him, raising up on one elbow to look down at him. She grinned flirtatiously at him. “This is how you say, ‘I love you’ – eth di ownigh, Data.”

Data at once realized she was right. He was touched at the words she had chosen first.

“Eth di ownigh, Raygan. Eth di ownigh.”

Raygan taught Data a number of words and phrases. Kissing him gently, she smiled.

"Last phrase for today's lesson, repeat after me - 'oshu ownigh a mi'."

Data repeated the phrase. "What does it mean, Raygan?

"Make love to me," she smiled.

"I will," Data laughed and began to kiss her passionately.

Raygan was still trying to catch her breath from this latest lovemaking session when Data pulled her into his arms so she could rest her head on his chest. She ran a hand over his body, but Data caught this hand that had erotic intent and held it just under her chin.

"You need rest, Raygan. You did not sleep well last night and we have been very active this day already. Sleep, ownigh."

"I couldn't sleep because I needed to be with you. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to sleep without you again, Data."

"Then you will not. Rest now. I believe we will leave this bed when you wake."

"Why would we want to do that?" she only half teased. Data grinned and kissed her forehead.

"Food? Seeing the sights?" Data told her.

"Finding interesting places to hide and make love?" she suggested.

Data chuckled at her and gave her a squeeze.

"Maybe," he told her and ordered her to sleep.

It did not take long for Raygan to fall asleep in Data's arms. Data had been right as she was exhausted from all of the activity of the day both in and out of bed. Raygan slept for ninety minutes before waking, feeling quite refreshed. The pair got dressed and began to make plans for the rest of the day.

"Do you have any suggestions regarding where we should visit first, Raygan?" Data asked.

"Yes, Data. I know exactly where we should go first," she smiled. "There is a museum I think we will both really enjoy. You are going to have to wait and see what I have in mind though," she teased.

They began to walk the historic streets of London when Data noticed a street sign. It said Baker Street.  Raygan stopped them in front of a small museum with the numbers 221B above the door. It was a Sherlock Holmes museum. A huge smile came over Data's face. He kissed Raygan before they entered the ancient building.

The museum was fascinating. Both Data and Raygan enjoyed ever minute of it. Data was intrigued how, if Raygan moved from his side, his eyes were drawn to her. The intrigued expression on her sweet face, the look of happiness and contentment - it was astonishing to Data that he was part of why she had this expression on her beautiful face. He had never believed he would be able to make someone happy in this way. But she seemed as happy as any other woman he had seen who had fallen in love. She was in love with an android, but it did not seem to make any difference. Raygan loved Data and Data could not be happier.

The museum had many interesting displays and they took turns taking holographic photos to send to Raygan's parents and to their friends. They spent hours there before they had finally seen everything the museum had to offer. Data found that once again Raygan seemed to be leading him somewhere.

"Where are we going now?" he asked.

"Time to eat," she replied.

Data could tell she was taking him somewhere specific but decided he would not prod her further. He liked that she wanted to surprise him again. They walked to the Regent Park train station and boarded a reproduction of an early 20th century train.

"Our stop," Raygan told him as the train pulled up at Charing Cross station. When Data looked down the street, seeing the famous Strand Theatre that Holmes' enjoyed visiting, he turned to Raygan again.

"You have planned many surprises for me, have you not?"

Raygan smiled. "Tonight we will attend a performance by Chevlox but first, dinner at the Savoy."

The Savoy Hotel was magnificent. Data was amazed there were areas of the building original to the 1880's. They were seated in the Thames Foyer where they enjoyed High Tea. The food was exquisite as was the music being played on the grand piano at the end of the room. When they finished, they walked across to the Strand Theatre to take their seats for the rare performance of the Denobulan violin virtuoso. Raygan loved watching Data react to the music as much as she enjoyed the performance itself. When the concert ended, they decided to walk back to their hotel.

Data and Raygan walked slowly, hand in hand. It was quite dark, but there were streetlights. Data grinned at the idea forming in his mind regarding Raygan's suggestion about finding hiding places to make love. He released her hand but when Raygan looked for Data, he was already gone.

“Data," Raygan called out in alarm.

Suddenly, a hand shot out of the darkness, pulling her into it. Raygan gasped, but Data's mouth covering hers stopped the sound.

Data pulled her further into the darkness, pressing her back against a building wall as he wrapped her up in his arms. He let his hands wander down her body to her butt and squeezed her cheeks while pressing her body firmly against him.

"Release her if you know what's good for you," came a shout from behind them. Data and Raygan turned to see who this voice belonged to. As soon as their kiss had been broken, Raygan was grabbed away from Data by the man who had just spoken.

“Let go of me," Raygan shouted as Data moved to intercept.

"Unhand her or I will be forced to take action," Data said as he stepped out of the shadows to see Raygan's arm still being held by a large human male.

"What are you?" the man demanded incredulously.

"I am an android and you are holding my girlfriend against her will so desist with this behavior immediately," Data replied calmly although Raygan could see anger entering his features.

"An android." The man let go of Raygan's arm as he now became much more interested in Data. "You, android, represent everything that is wrong on Earth - a dependence on artificial intelligence."

Raygan moved quickly behind Data.

The man did not pay any mind to Raygan until he noted Data's protective stance. "Girlfriend? What kind of sick joke is that? You're just a machine. Why would you call her that?"

Data looked confused. "Because she is. I have no quarrel with you now that you have unhanded her. I will consider this incident to be a misunderstanding and we will be on our way." Data turned to Raygan and pulled her along with him as he moved to go. Raygan was still staring at the man as though he was out of his mind.

"You’re not going anywhere." The man, armed with a phaser, was aiming at Data's chest. Data, being familiar with this type of phaser, could see it was set high enough to not only severely damage him, but it would most likely kill Raygan.

“We are both Starfleet officers. Our whereabouts are known. If you do not desist, you face imprisonment-“

“Shut up or I’ll kill her where she stands.”

Raygan could see a change in Data's demeanor as soon as the man made her the target rather than him. In a motion so quick, she barely saw it, Data grabbed the phaser from the man before the thug knew what had happened. Data crushed the weapon in one of his powerful hands, dropping the pieces to the ground. The man lunged at Data, trying to punch him, but Data just grabbed his fist and squeezed slightly. The man was obviously in pain.

"Now, sir, I suggest you leave, before you are injured." Data pushed the man's fist out of his hand.

"I won't forget this, android!" the man called as he ran off into the night.

Raygan threw her arms around Data holding him tightly. Data could feel her trembling.

"I believe it would be best if we returned to the hotel," Data suggested. Raygan nodded as she was having trouble speaking.

Data had an arm around her waist, helping her to hurry. He had decided to contact Starfleet Security in San Francisco to inform them of the incident along with the local authorities.

Data took Raygan to their room, holding her as he tried to reassure her everything would be okay before he placed the call. Data drew a sketch of their assailant in a PADD and had the image downloaded to the officer he spoke with. Data was assured every step possible would be taken to apprehend this person.

“I am sorry I put your life in jeopardy, Raygan,” Data told her once the call had been placed.

“You? You protected me. You saved us both from that maniac. Data, you did nothing wrong. How could you think that?” She wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly.

“I pulled you into the dark alley. Had we proceeded here, we would have been safe.”

"Data, we don't know that. If we had kept going, he might have seen us walking and fired without warning. Besides, I'm the one who talked about finding a hiding place before we left. I'm sorry, Data. I want to be with you so much that I didn't think about what would happen if someone found us," Raygan said as tears made their way down her cheeks.

Data took her into his arms, holding her tightly. "Perhaps we have allowed our preoccupation with each other to override our better judgment. We will be more careful in the future. Do you concur?" he asked her.

Raygan looked into his golden eyes. "Yes, I do."

Data pushed a stray hair away from her eyes before kissing her forehead. Lifting her chin, Data kissed her lips. Pulling back, he looked into her eyes to see the desire was already ignited. Drawing her back into his arms, he kissed her again, but this time with need.

The events of the evening had made Data realize how much he needed Raygan. He had known he loved and needed her a lot before but now those feelings had intensified tenfold. It was a feeling Raygan shared. The wanting in their kisses seemed to compare to the wanting of lovers reunited after being pulled apart. Data slid his arms around Raygan's waist and under her sweater, feeling the softness of her skin. They broke their kiss only long enough for Data to gently pull Raygan's sweater over her head and for Data to pull his own sweater off as well.

Raygan had her hands running all over Data's back. He loved the feel of her touching him. He began to undo the fasteners on her pants without breaking their kiss as Raygan eagerly helped. Once she was free, they turned their combined attention to Data. When they were both nude, Raygan pushed Data back on the bed. He opened his mouth to object, but she kissed him to stop the words. She ran her hands over Data's chest in circular motions. She kissed his chest as she moved her hand lower. Data was already erect, and that, fortunately, was her goal.

Raygan straddled Data, lowering herself on his wonderful erection. She rhythmically raised and lowered herself slowly at first but soon quickening the pace. She leaned forward to kiss Data hard. When she sat back up, Data's hands began to roam her body. He cupped her breasts in his hands, kneading them gently. He raised his head and ran his tongue around her nipple. Raygan moaned in pleasure and quickened her rhythm even more.

Data tried to continue his oral caresses of her breast but he could feel the tension, the pleasurable tension, building in him already. He threw back his head and gasped.

Data reached for the back of Raygan's head and pulled her down to him. He kissed her hard, hungrily exploring her mouth with his tongue. His hands moved from the back of her head to her back and then to her bottom. He assisted in her movements, quickening her pace until both of them were panting from impending release.

Raygan cried out, once again in Rekellian, as the powerful orgasm raced through her body. This time, Data understood what she was saying and it added to his own climax moments later. Once the sensations subsided, Raygan climbed off Data and lay next to him. As he wrapped his arms around her, Data whispered in her ear, "Eth di ownigh". Raygan smiled

"Eth di ownigh, Data, aush mok." Raygan fell asleep in Data's arms with a big smile on her face. Data kissed her forehead and activated his own dream program.

They had been sleeping for almost six hours when Data opened his eyes. Raygan lay next to him, still asleep. She was facing him with hair falling across her closed eyes. Data reached over to gently push the hair away from her face. She sighed in her sleep.

“Ithta omish owgeeca, Data,” she murmured in her sleep.

Data had not heard any of these words before. “What does that mean, Raygan?” Data wondered out loud.

“Ithta omish owgeeca - walking together forever. Eth di ownigh owgeeca.” She reached across the bed, searching for his hand but she was still asleep. Data helped her find it and laced his fingers with hers as tears streamed down his face. Even asleep, she loved him. Any doubt Data had harbored regarding her commitment to him vanished with these words. He wanted her to wake up now, he had a very important question.

Data kissed Raygan softly on the lips. Her eyes fluttered open to see Data smiling at her.

"Good morning, Data."

He leaned over to kiss her again when the door chimes to their room interrupted them. A male voice identifying himself as Lieutenant Sullivan from Starfleet was announced. They both sighed and threw on some clothes before Data reluctantly called out for the person to enter. After entering the room, Lieutenant Sullivan explained he had been instructed to interview Data regarding the incident as soon as possible. He requested Data bring a PADD with him. Data thought this was an odd request but turned to retrieve one. Raygan had a bad feeling about Sullivan. She did not know why, so she was keeping a close eye on him. She watched as he started to pull a small handheld phaser from his pocket and raise it in the direction of Data. Raygan called out to Data to get down just as Sullivan fired. Raygan grabbed Sullivan by the neck from behind and administered a Rekellian technique, similar to a Vulcan neck pinch, causing Sullivan to collapse to the floor. Data ran to Raygan.

"Are you okay, Raygan?”

"I'm fine. Are YOU okay? He was going to kill you. Oh Data, I can't lose you, I just can't." Raygan pulled Data to her, hugging him tightly. He ran a hand over her hair, almost as though she was Spot and he was petting her.

"I am undamaged, Raygan. I believe we should pack our bags and leave here. I will contact the authorities to arrest this person and then we will go.” Data pulled Raygan to the bed, looking her in the eyes.

“But where?” she asked.

“I believe, at this time, it would not be prudent to return to your parents’ home. As the captain is in mourning, it would not be appropriate to burden him with our troubles, however there is Commander Riker.”

“Didn’t he go to his home in Alaska?” she asked.

“Correct. And so shall we.”

By the time the authorities came, Data and Raygan were already packed and ready to go. Sullivan was taken away while an officer told Data and Raygan the man was actually a member of a radical anti-technology group and was most definitely not with Starfleet. They thanked Data and Raygan for apprehending the man as they had been looking for him for some time. The officer then told the couple they could leave at any time. Data thanked him before informing the officer he and Raygan would be leaving immediately.

"Shouldn't we let Commander Riker know we're coming, Data?" Raygan asked as he hurried her out of their room.

"The communications here may be monitored by associates of our attacker. I do not wish to take that chance. We will use a public communications device on the way.”

When Will was contacted, he was pleasantly surprised that Data and Raygan wanted to visit. He told them he was visiting with an old friend from his Academy days, but they were more than welcome. When Data warned there may be trouble following them, Will’s expression became completely serious.

“You two come here, Data. We’ll take care of it together, my friend.”

Pleased and warmed by Will’s words, Data agreed.