Chapter Six Continued

The next morning, Geordi had breakfast with Data in the first officer’s quarters. The two friends were discussing the wonderful reunion that Geordi had enjoyed with Kaylith last evening and how they both hoped that Gemma and Data would join them for dinner tomorrow.

“I am sure that Gemma will agree. I will ask her once I get to the bridge,” Data said and took a bite of the Jamaican dish that Geordi had replicated for their morning meal.

Geordi grinned at his friend. “So you have to get her permission to come now, Data? What if Gemma doesn’t want to come?” he teased.

Data looked confused. “Do you know of plans she may have of which I am unaware?” he inquired.

Geordi laughed at his friend’s confusion. “I just meant that you two are almost never apart anymore. I’m not complaining...I still get to see you...” Geordi looked embarrassed. “I’m not sure what I’m driving at, but I was also thinking that if it hadn’t been for Q...you would never have finally gotten that long overdue third full pip, and you would never have met and gotten so close to Gemma.”

Data smiled and put down his fork, the food was not as interesting as the topic of conversation. “Agreed. While I understand that StarFleet Command has seemed hesitant to promote me due to their concerns over my loyalties, I was pleased to have reached this rank. As for Gemma...we are more than close. I love her, and we have performed a bonding ritual that in her culture is more than-“ Data’s explanation was cut off when both men heard a crash coming from Data’s bedroom.

“That has to be that wild cat you call a pet,” Geordi said with a sigh as the two got to their feet and headed towards the location of the sound.

“Spot is a good pet, but she can be...troublesome.”

The door to Data’s bedroom opened and Data ordered the computer to raise the lights. Geordi noticed two things once they came up. Data’s bed was bigger and there were a bunch of little figurines that had been knocked over on the android’s bedside table.

“Spot!” Data admonished his pet with irritation. The cat raced from the room and Data moved to put the disturbed objects back in order.

“Data....why did you get a bigger bed?” Geordi asked, staring at the object in question. Data did dream for a few hours at times, but he didn’t toss and turn and never even took his uniform off to “sleep” so this larger bed confused the chief engineer.

 Data looked over at his friend to give him a disbelieving look and Geordi almost gasped with his embarrassment. “Oh, God! Data I can’t believe I just asked that...I...I’m a little more distracted than I thought, I guess.” He laughed and shook his head at his own foolishness.

Data just smiled and went back to his task. “I am just relieved you did not force me to answer that question.”

“Data, what are those things?” Geordi asked, coming closer to his friend. Data explained about Gemma’s nightly religious ritual and how he had replicated this set to surprise her. Data also added that he intended to purchase an authentic elltot prayer collection as soon as possible.

Geordi looked from the statuettes to the bed and then back to Data. “She’s not seen this yet?” he asked.

“No, not yet.” Data answered. He had just finished his task and came back to a stand, looking at the set. He hoped Gemma would be pleased when she saw it.

“Does she know about...the bed, Data?” Geordi asked, hesitantly.

Data tuned to look at his friend. “I would assume so, since she has slept in it.”

“The two of you are intimate?” Geordi whispered.

“As I was saying, Gemma and I have performed the bonding ritual, which must occur before a formal commitment can be made,” Data responded quietly. “Geordi, why are we whispering?”

Geordi cleared his throat before answering, “I didn’t realize you two were that serious, Data. This formal commitment…are…are you thinking about asking her to marry you?”

“I love her very much. I would be lying if I said I had not given the subject of marriage thought, however I am taking things slowly. I do not wish to rush Gemma in to something she may not be ready for.”

“Data, you’ve become really immersed in Kriosian culture, haven’t you?” Geordi motioned towards the figurines as he spoke.

“Gemma has taught me much about her beliefs, her way of life. I find it to be very fascinating…and comfortable. It is difficult to explain as I am not sure I fully understand myself. I have performed the eeltot with Gemma and find it to be a most enlightening experience. It is...”

“Picard to Commander Data. Report to my ready room immediately” the voice on the comm badge stated.

“I am on my way, sir,” Data acknowledged. Data turned to his friend, “Excuse me, Geordi. I must leave now.”

“We’ll see you and Gemma tonight,” Geordi smiled as Data rushed to the turbolift.

When Data entered the ready room, the captain’s view screen was lowering as Picard turned to face his first officer.

“Please sit, Number One,” Picard started. “The Enterprise has been ordered to rendezvous with the Titan. Admiral Nechayev has been called away from the talks with the Romulans. StarFleet Command wants me to join the negotiating team during her absence.” Picard hands a PADD to Data before continuing. “After the rendezvous, the Enterprise has been assigned to patrol an area adjacent to the neutral zone. Romulan intelligence reports have indicated a small group of Remans may attempt to disrupt the talks by attacking Federation outposts along the neutral zone. Hopefully the mere presence of the Enterprise will act as sufficient deterrence. Any questions?”

“How long is the admiral expected to be away, sir?”

“The Enterprise will be yours for approximately ten days, possibly longer.”

Data promised to keep the Enterprise in the same condition in which the captain left it, but in the days that followed, some thought he was trying too hard. Data missed hosting poker night. For dinner with Kaylith and Geordi, Gemma was the only one to join them. Data asked Gemma to feed and check on Spot after her shift, the following day, but he refused to leave the bridge to accompany her.

Gemma was encouraged to stay the night in Data’s quarters to keep Spot happy and Gemma agreed. She was greeted well by the cat, but Gemma didn’t like being in his quarters without Data. After a lonely dinner, Gemma made her way to Data’s bedroom, discovering the eeltot prayer set. She was deeply touched that he had taken the time to have this here for her, but it made Gemma miss Data all the more.

Five days after the captain had left the Enterprise, Data still had not left the bridge and even the counselor was becoming concerned. The Remans had given the Enterprise some minor trouble, but the ships they had were nothing when compared to the destroyed Scimitar.  

Counselor Faalox made her way to the captain’s ready room. The Danobulan gave the second officer a wink and Gemma gave her a hopeful smile. Ten minutes later the counselor left the ready room with a profound look of discouragement on her face.

“I don’t know if you have any tricks to pull out of your sleeve, Gemma, but if you do, try them,” Faalox said with a defeated sigh. “Commander Data won’t be pried off this level with a crowbar!”

Gemma waited until just before her shift was over and Data was again in the ready room before she approached him. He was looking over reports of all the sector activity for the last twelve hours. Having complied that report, Gemma knew the information he had listed everything down to the shift changes of bridge crews on even freighters that passed through this area. Data put the report down to give her his attention.

“How can I help you, Commander Corazon?” Data asked, formally.

Gemma sighed, took a seat in the chair on the other side of the desk and studied the face that she hadn’t kissed in almost a week. “Have dinner with me,” she said simply.

Data looked shocked. “I assume you mean in your quarters. My presence is required here, Commander. I cannot abandon my duty in favor of personal desires,”  he told her, firmly, but gently.

“Don’t you miss me?” she asked, in a pleading tone.

Data got to his feet and came to Gemma’s side. He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He caressed her cheek with a finger and smiled, with a misty expression entering his eyes. “I see you each day, but I know that you are referring to spending time alone with you. Yes, Gemma. I miss our time together, but I cannot shirk my duty to the ship and its crew. Will you wait for me?” he asked her.

Gemma looked at her feet, feeling like a heel. Returning her gaze to his beautiful eyes, she nodded. “I’d wait a lifetime for you, Data. But I still don’t think this is what the captain expected you to do in his absence. Have dinner with me and hold me, please?” Before Data could answer, Gemma reached up, grabbed his face and kissed him with great passion.

 The days apart began to melt as their kiss deepened. Data wrapped his arms around Gemma, holding her tightly.

“Please, Data, have dinner with me. Captain Picard doesn’t spend twenty-four hours a day on the bridge and he wouldn’t expect you to either.”

“What if I am needed?” Data protested.

“They will contact you if you are needed on the bridge. Please, Data,” Gemma pleaded.

The look on her face completely broke Data’s resistance. He smiled and walked out of the ready room to the bridge. Gemma sighed and followed Data as she was certain he was going to take his seat on the bridge.

“Mr. Worf, you have the bridge,” Data ordered. He turned to Gemma and smiled, “I have a dinner date.”

“Thank you, Data,” she mouthed silently before turning towards the turbolift. Once the door closed, Gemma wrapped her arms around Data’s waist, holding him tightly as if to make sure he could not go back to the bridge. When they reached deck two, Gemma took Data’s hand as they walked to his quarters. As they entered Spot took one look at her absentee owner and ran to another room.

“I have been thinking of taking some shore leave upon the return of Captain Picard. I would very much like it if you would accompany me,” Data mentioned casually as he replicated dinner for Spot and placed it on the floor for his finicky feline.

“Shore leave sounds wonderful. Where did you want to go?” Gemma asked.

“Krios,” he grinned. “Someone I love very much is from that planet. I would like to visit to learn even more about her and hopefully meet her family as well.”

Gemma threw her arms around Data’s neck, “Data, I’d love to go to Krios with you!” She then kissed him with great vigor. “I know you’ll love it there.”

“I know I will too. How could I not love the planet which produced such a special woman as Kamala,” Data teased, “…and you too, of course.” Adding his final words still did not save him from a playful swat on the arm from Gemma though.

“Let’s have dinner before I change my mind about this,” Gemma teased back.

Data replicated a wonderful dinner complete with wine, romantic table setting and candles.

“I am glad you convinced me to leave the bridge,” Data smiled as he reached across the table to squeeze Gemma’s hand.

When the meal was finished, Data helped Gemma from her chair and pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss.

“I’ve missed you so much, Data,” Gemma whispered when their kiss broke.

“I have missed you too.” He kissed her deeply once again. “I believe it is time to perform the eeltot and then go to bed,” Data informed her.

“Data, it’s only 2100 hours,” Gemma laughed.

“It is much later than I thought,” he grinned as he took her hand to lead her to the special area set aside to perform the eeltot.

Gemma was delighted that she was finally able to use this prayer set with Data instead of using it alone. This night, all she could think to pray about was her thankfulness for having found Data and for having finally managed to convince him to leave the bridge. Data made a noise that resembled displeasure, but Gemma just added that it had taken divine intervention to return her bond mate to her and she was eternally grateful. Data just sighed.

Once Gemma was silent, Data said his own prayers of thanksgiving for Gemma and asked for protection for the Enterprise and for her captain’s safe return. Once he finished his prayer and closed his eyes, the wave of peacefulness wove a web of calm over him, but this time Data could feel a stirring between himself and Gemma.

As he opened his eyes to look at her, Data saw Gemma open hers to look back at him. The same flame that he felt ignite within him, burned in her eyes. They could not even make it to the bed, Data pulled Gemma into his arms right there and had a great deal of trouble not ripping her uniform from her body, his need was suddenly so great.

When he heard the fabric of his own uniform being torn from his body by his passion filled bond mate, he threw hesitation out of his mind and tore her remaining coverings instantly from her body. Data crawled over Gemma, touching and tasting every inch he could reach as she struggled to have the same access to him. His frenzy to unite with her was so great that Data blindly roamed her body until he found her vagina and penetrated her with two fingers. Gemma was already very wet and this only served to heighten his arousal. Data added two more fingers and moved them in and out, collecting some of her nectar. Drawing his fingers out of her, he brought them to his lips, claiming her juices as Gemma opened her eyes to watch, enthralled.

She grabbed his face, kissing him savagely and tasting herself on Data’s lips. He took hold of her hips and, plunging into her, wished he could have savored her sweet juices more, but he was simply unable to wait another second before burying himself as deeply inside her as was possible. Data was thrilled by how quickly he brought Gemma to climax and surprised at how quickly he followed her, but what stunned him was how little satisfaction he gained from this orgasm. Gemma too seemed to only want to go again the instant their breathing was slow enough to speak again.

Something was wrong!

They made passionate love twice more before Data could convince himself to question Gemma, while holding off her sexual advances, but his resolve was quite low.

All Gemma was able to say was, “Mating fever!” before she reclaimed his mouth again.

Tearing his lips from hers, Data asked, “What is the cause?” He could not help but roam her body with his hands and kiss her sensuous neck as he waited for her answer.

“Successful bonding. The acceptance of the gods and complete devotion to the union between the bonded pair,” Gemma gasped, returning to her attempt to get Data to again enter her.   

“What will stop it?” Data asked, his voice muffled by the breast in his mouth.

“Conception or exhaustion.” 

“Conception?” Data said after removing Gemma’s breast from his mouth. “Gemma, you do know that I am unable to father a biological child?”

“Yes, Data, I assumed as much,” she panted as she grabbed his face to kiss him again. “We have to continue until I can’t.”

Data was surprised by the strength being exhibited by Gemma. She pulled him desperately in to position so he once again could penetrate her although Data didn’t put up any struggle. He needed to be in her as much as she wanted him there. He pounded in and out of her still dripping vagina as Gemma called out for more. He reclaimed her mouth, their tongues doing battle as the tides of passion rose within them. Soon Gemma was crying out in pleasure.

“Keep going, Data, please,” she begged. Data complied, soon bringing her to orgasm again and again before the passion within him exploded. But he still didn’t stop, he continued thrusting in and out, harder, deeper, pushing Gemma over the edge of ecstasy as many times as he could until she finally collapsed from exhaustion. Data slid next to his lover, wrapping his arms around her as she slept. The peaceful look on her face belied the rawness of the evening’s lovemaking. Data watched Gemma sleep as he accessed all the information he had on Kriosian mating fever. What he learned both pleased and dismayed him. The fact that they were experiencing this phenomenon meant their bond was only breakable by death. Having this knowledge was a great comfort to Data. What caused his dismay was their apparent missing of an important step in the relationship “rules”. The gods may have blessed their bond but Gemma’s parents hadn’t...not yet. Data was unsure how this would affect his relationship with Gemma.

When Captain Picard returned to the Enterprise six days later he expressed his pleasure with his first officer’s performance during his absence but then he always had the utmost confidence in Data’s abilities.

“You’ll make a fine captain one day, Mr. Data,” Picard offered after Data completed his report on the happenings over the past eleven days.

“Thank you, sir.” Data paused for a moment, “Sir, I wish to submit a request for seven days shore leave for myself and Commander Corazon.”

“You both certainly deserve some time off. When do you wish to take the leave?” Picard asked.

“When convenient for you, sir, since you have just returned…” Data began.

“Data, tomorrow is convenient for me, if it is for you and Commander Corazon,” Picard interrupted.

“It is, sir. Thank you,” Data smiled.

“Now tell me, where are you and Gemma going for your leave.”

“We are going to Krios. I wish to obtain her parents’ blessing of our relationship. I am nervous though, sir.”

“Nervous? Why, Data?”

“If Gemma’s parents do not approve of me, we must cease our relationship.”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Data. You are one of the best officers I have had the privilege of serving with and, more importantly, one of the finest individuals I have had the honor of knowing. I am proud to consider you a friend and a member of my family.”

“Thank you, Captain. I owe much of who I am today to you and the guidance you have provided me over the years.”