Chapter Seven

Gemma was still bubbling over with excitement the next day as she and Data set out for Krios in a Type-9 shuttlecraft. At warp five, it would take only thirteen hours to reach Krios. Gemma’s parents were expecting them and looked forward to meeting this Commander Data that Gemma had told them about. She mentioned him often in her communications however it would be two things she had not told them that would prove to be a problem. The Corazons did not know about their bonding ceremony nor did they know that Data was an android. Gemma had not mentioned the bonding ceremony on purpose. Her parents had always instructed her to get their approval before she chose a mate to bond with and she had not. As for Data being an android, Gemma had not thought to tell them. To her, Data was a man and, more to the point, the man she loved more than anything in the universe.

The Ver’meta took Gemma over once they had been away from the Enterprise only forty-five minutes. Data believed it to be caused by their close quarters and the pull of duty not being applicable. They had been staying in other’s company or they stayed away from each other so this had not replayed since their initial time, but there was no stopping it now.

Gemma moved to touch Data’s cheek. “Your skin is so soft, Data. I find it impossible to resist touching you,” she told him, her voice a purr.

Sensing through their bond what Gemma was feeling, Data made the last logical choice he would be able to for a while. “Computer,” he commanded, “engage automatic helm control.” Coming to a stand, Data took Gemma in his arms and kissed her. Without breaking the kiss, he lifted her and carried her to one of the small cabins. He did not leave her for several hours.

Gemma was sleeping soundly when Data returned to the pilot’s chair to send a brief message to her family saying they would be arriving on time. He was relieved he remembered to brush his hair before sending the recorded message. Thinking about what had caused his hair to be out of place sent a wave of desire to race through Data. His superior hearing and the bond with his mate afforded Data with the knowledge that Gemma would wake if he did not suppress these musings. Pushing aside the temptation to have her back in his arms, Data focused on composing his message to his mate’s family.

“Shuttle Janova to Krios communications. Please forward the following message to the residence of Plaree and Yedray Corazon. Greetings, the shuttle bearing Commander Data and Lieutenant Commander Corazon will arrive on schedule. Will rendezvous with you at 1530 in south quadrant of Central Square. Looking forward to a joyous meeting, message ends. Janova out.”

Satisfied that his message would be well received, Data relaxed and studied some of the latest Kriosian musical selections he had been given by his mate.

Once Gemma awoke, it was very difficult to keep their hands off each other, but remembering that her parents would not be pleased if they were detained because of the insatiability of their daughter and her bond mate, they managed.

To insure they maintained an air of restraint, Gemma led the way and Data followed several paces behind her. He hung back for a minute as Gemma ran to embrace her mother and then her father. A second male received a hug that was not as warm and Data assumed this was her brother by her reaction, coupled with the fact he was younger than the other male.

“So where is your Commander Data, Gemma? We received a message from your rather unusual looking pilot that you would be arriving on time. He didn’t feel the gods’ fear and remain behind, did he?” Gemma’s father asked, teasingly.

“The pilot?” Gemma repeated, confused.

“Yes, my daughter. Didn’t you know your pilot-” Her father’s words stopped suddenly as his gaze fixed on the being now coming up behind her.  Gemma turned to Data, extending her hand towards him. He smiled at Gemma lovingly, taking her hand in his.

“Mother, father, I would like you to meet Commander Data. Data, this is my father, Plaree and my mother, Yedray.” Gemma looked over at her brother and sighed. “And this is my brother, Thierry.”

“I am very pleased to meet you all. Gemma has told me much about you.” Data reached out to shake Plaree’s hand but the elder Corazon just stared at Data.

“Gemma has told us about you as well, although it would appear she has left out some important details.” Plaree was still giving Data the once-over as his wife and son stood by silently. “I’ve never seen anyone like you before, Commander. What species are you?”

“I am an android,” Data informed him.

“What?” The shock of this news was obvious on the faces of the three Corazons.

Data turned to Gemma, puzzled, “You did not inform your family of this fact?”

“I-I never thought to say anything. I told them you’re the man I love. Your being an android didn’t seem important,” she explained.

“Not important!” her father injected. “He is an android, Gemma. How, in the name of Howniya, could you possibly think that his being a machine wasn’t important?”

“I have told you about many people in my life who are not Kriosian and you have accepted them without knowing what species they are.”

“This is different, Gemma, and you know it,” her mother finally spoke. “You have brought home this android to meet us, to get our approval for you to bond.” Yedray looked to Data, “Are you capable of fathering children, Commander?”

“No, ma’am, I am not.”

“Did you know this, Gemma?” Yedray quizzed.

“Yes, mother, Data and I discussed this some time ago.”

“Gemma, walk ahead with your mother. Thierry and I need to talk privately with the commander,” her father instructed. Gemma stared at her father disbelievingly but did not move. “Now, Gemma!” His voice was more forceful than Gemma had ever heard. Her mother grabbed her hand, pulling her down the street as Gemma looked back helplessly at Data.

“Sir, I understand my being an android has come as a shock to you. I will do whatever is necessary to alleviate any fears you have regarding my relationship with Gemma.” Data was doing his best to stay calm. He could feel Gemma’s fear and was trying to send her peaceful thoughts.

“Commander, I suggest you get back in your shuttle and return to your ship. My wife and I will not give our approval for you to bond with our daughter.” Father and son Corazon then turned away from Data to begin their walk home.

“Sir, please. I love your daughter very much.” Data could not stop the panic that overtook him. ~ I cannot lose Gemma. I love her too much. I must find some way to gain her parents’ approval. ~ After the Corazons were out of sight, Data returned to the shuttle, heading to the back as soon as he entered. He sat on the edge of the bed that still showed the signs of the passion he and Gemma had shared. He could smell Gemma’s scent all around him. He laid down on the bed, clutching the pillow she had been resting on earlier, to draw in more of that wonderful scent.

Gemma was entering her parents’ home with her mother as Data’s panic started. She watched the door, waiting for him to arrive with her father and brother. When the two men entered, Gemma felt overcome with emotion.

“Where’s Data?” she whispered.

“I have told Commander Data to return to his ship without you,” Plaree informed her angrily. “Gemma, what were you thinking? An android! I know many fine men who would be honored to bond with you.”

“Data is the finest man I’ve ever met,” she replied through her tears. “You didn’t even give him a chance. I know no man could ever love me as much as Data does.”

“He is a machine! How do you know he loves you at all?” Yedray questioned. Gemma tried to answer but her sobbing left her unable to speak. She ran to her old bedroom, collapsed on her bed and cried.

Data was startled out of his thoughts when the shuttle’s computer informed him of an incoming transmission from the Enterprise. He turned on the view screen and was greeted by Captain Picard.

“My apologies for interrupting your shore leave-” Picard stopped abruptly, shocked by the appearance of his first officer. “Data, has something happened to Gemma?”

“Her parents do not approve of me, Captain. I do not know what to do.” Data took only a moment to relate every detail of his brief meeting with Gemma’s family. Despite his shock, Picard put his personal feelings aside to help his friend.

“Data, from what I understand of Kriosian bondings is that once they form, they cannot be easily broken. I remember mention of an ancient ritual that Kriosians use to undergo to ensure that their bonding was successful.”

Data’s eyes began to move in the characteristic fashion that indicated he was processing information. “Yes!” he exclaimed. “You are correct, Captain. It is called Meta’lema. Its use was to verify all bondings, although now its only use is to settle disputes similar to mine.” Data pulled his inward focus back to the captain and gave him a joyful smile. “That is the answer, sir. I will challenge her family for the right to her hand and use this ritual to prove the validity of my claim.”

“Precisely,” agreed the captain. “I wish you success, Data. I hate to ask you this now, but could you do me a favor while you’re there?” Picard asked. When Data agreed, the captain made his personal request and signed off after wishing his first officer well.

Accessing the Kriosian informational database, Data began to research the necessary requirements to accomplish his goal. He found and contacted an Amado, or Kriosian cleric, named Teyo Gildas who was willing to perform the rite, should Gemma’s family refute Data’s claim to being her bond mate. Amado Gildas expressed surprise upon hearing that anyone would doubt such a claim, until Data admitted there had not been time for him to tell the Corazons that he and Gemma were bond mates.

Since Data could still feel the influence of the Ver’meta, he questioned the Amado on this issue as well.

“If, as you say, you are not able to impregnate your mate, then you and she must see to this at once, Commander. The remedy for this condition is simple. I can release you both from its affects in just a few minutes, but separation of a bonded partner at this time can quickly prove to be fatal. You must act today to safeguard both of your lives.”

After receiving a blessing from the Amado, Data moved quickly along the streets until he reached the Corazon home. He rang for admittance, rehearsing what he was going to say to Gemma’s parents as he waited. When the door opened, the angry face of Plaree Corazon was confronting Data.

“I told you to leave, Commander. We will never allow our daughter to bond with you.” Plaree was almost shouting the words at Data.

“That is why I am here, sir. I have spoken with Amado Teyo Gildas and have requested he perform the Meta’lema. Gemma and I are already bond mates.”

“What? Gemma would never bond without first receiving the blessing of her mother and I.”

“That is why she did not inform you. Gemma did not wish to anger you.”

“I don’t believe you. Even if you have been intimate with my daughter, I do not believe you are capable of a bonding.”

“Sir, Gemma and I have bonded. We love...we...love” Data suddenly closed his eyes tightly, his head tilting to the side. His expression was one of great pain.

“What’s the matter with you? Are you malfunctioning or something?”

“Gemma!” Data ran past the startled man, his bond directing him to Gemma’s bedroom.

“Stop where you are! Stay away from her, android.”

“Gemma, open the door!” Data called. There was no response from behind the sealed door.

“You see, she doesn’t want to see you.”

“Gemma, please answer me!” Data pleaded, growing more and more concerned with the silence from the bedroom. Knowing something was terribly wrong, Data used his strength to pry open the doors as Plaree and Yedray shouted at him to stop. Seeing Gemma’s still form on the bed, Data rushed to her side.

“Data,” Gemma smiled weakly. “Have you come to say good-bye before you leave?”

“No, Gemma. I will not leave without you.”

“They will not change their minds, Data. I can’t live without you. I don’t want to live without you,” Gemma whispered faintly. Data could feel the life draining slowly from Gemma. He took her in his arms and turned to face her parents. As he did, Gemma’s condition became apparent to her father and mother. They looked on in horror as their now-fragile daughter clung to Data.

“We must see Amado Gildas immediately. Gemma and I entered Ver’meta seven days ago. We must go now!”

As though in a trance, Gemma’s family led the way to the shuttlecar and helped Data get Gemma into a seat. Being in close contact, the Ver’meta began to affect the pair. This disturbed him, but when Gemma responded with rising strength to his kiss, Data sighed.

The group entered the temple with Data in the lead, carrying Gemma in his arms. They came upon Amado Gildas speaking with a young woman, but seeing Data, he excused himself.

“Come, bring her out to the garden,” Gildas urged him, doing his best to quickly lead the way for the more agile android.

The temple interior felt old and dusty, but the garden was fresh and beautiful. The area was domed for temperature control year-round. Flowering vines and bushes encircled it, but the eye was drawn to the large stone statue that dominated the space. Three times the size of the people who stood under her towering frame, the female figure radiated power. She stood tall, with her arms raised skyward, holding an ocean blue crystal between her hands. The area below her had been carved out to form a small stone pool, containing a bath of water.

“She is Sheel, the goddess of union. All the gods bless a bond through Sheel. Into the bath, Data. You must kneel together in the bath,” Gildas instructed.

Gently, Data helped Gemma kneel in the water. Once she was settled, he knelt down in front of her, holding her hands to steady her.

Amado Gildas retrieved a staff as Gemma’s family took a seat on one of the surrounding benches. Gildas raised the staff to the crystal held by the goddess. He removed the crystal, lowering it until it was within Data’s reach.

“Take the stone, my son. You and Gemma must hold it between you.”

Data could feel the power of the crystal with his first touch. Gemma lifted her hands to make contact, in kind. The affect their touch had on the stone was astonishing. The crystal felt warm to the touch and touching it warmed Data. Gemma closed her eyes and smiled. It obviously influenced her as well.

In seconds, the dome began to rain, but the water was warm. Looking to the side, Data observed dozens of smoke-like tendrils emanating from his back and curving over his body, slowly moving upwards. Stunned, Data looked at his mate, to discover tendrils were also emanating from her. Gemma’s tendrils were red in color and Data’s were blue, and as they flowed higher, seeming to rush towards each other, the blue and red tendrils crashed together, swirling as one.

The purple of their combined tendrils shot straight up, beaming an intense light between the hands of the goddess and onward. The rain that fell gently on the garden, bathed it in the warm purple light.

Gemma’s family gasped from their bench, but Amado Gildas just smiled proudly.

“I have not seen this strong a display in many years, my children. Your bond is truly strong and well blessed. I regret forcing you to undergo the Meta’lema, but it was necessary before I could perform the Dow’kitar, to resolve your Ver’meta.” The elderly man came closer, placing a hand atop Data’s head and then Gemma’s. He whispered a prayer, causing the crystal to flash blue three times before it resumed its intense purple glow.

Data opened his eyes to witness the crystal spontaneously rising until it again rested in the hands of the goddess. The rain ceased, but as Data looked at her face, what appeared to be tears streamed gently from Sheel’s eyes and down her stone face. The android turned a questioning face to the amado.

“Tears of joy, my son. The goddess rejoices in the bonding of her beloved children,” the man explained with a patient smile. He beckoned the mates out of the bath. Data was overcome with relief to find Gemma’s strength had returned. She pulled Data in a strong and tender embrace, kissing him with feeling. The happy pair got to their feet as Data looked to the amado for more answers.

“Amado Gildas, can you tell me what the blue and red lights signified?”

The priest smiled. “Of course, my child. The blue color signifies male, the red is female and the tendrils themselves show the wishes of the soul with regard to a mate.”

Data’s expression turned to one of skepticism. “While I can feel that the affects of the Ver’meta have abated, I must question your statement. I am a machine. I do not have a soul.”

Beside him, Gemma laughed. “That’s ridiculous, Data. Of course you have a soul,” she chastised him.

“That is not possible, I-“

“Data, you-“ the amado began, but stopped. “I think I can prove it to you. I hope this does not offend you, but I own a service robot. If I perform the Meta’lema on the robot and Gemma, you will see the proof.

The silver bodied machine came when the amado called and knelt before Gemma in the pool, as instructed. As Data watched, he could see the red tendrils flow from Gemma once her fingertips made contact with the crystal. Nothing came from the robot. Gemma’s tendrils seemed to search until they found Data. Once discovered, they flowed around him.

To further prove his point, the amado told Gemma’s brother to join her in the pool. His tendrils flowed, but they just surrounded him, as he was unbonded, while Gemma’s still looked for Data.

Everyone turned to see an android that was stunned speechless.

Gemma came to him, taking Data’s hands in her own. “Are you all right, Data?” she asked.

Data looked at her, still trying to assimilate this information. “I-I did not believe...I would not have believed it possible. How is it possible?” he stuttered.

The amado laid a comforting hand on Data’s shoulder. “We do not always understand the ways of the gods, my son. You must simply accept this. You could not have bonded with Gemma without a soul to join with hers. Data, what is the name of your father?” Gildas asked.

Puzzled by his question, Data furrowed his brows, but answered despite this. “My father was Noonien Soong.”

Gildas smiled and nodded, obviously pleased. “Data Soong, yes. A fitting name. Very fitting.”

Data looked to Gemma, who grinned. “Your full name also has meaning in Kriosian, Data. It means ‘beloved son’.”

Plaree Corazon took his wife in his arms, whispering in her ear, “Our daughter is not our little girl anymore, Yedray. Her bond with Commander Data is stronger than any I have ever seen.”

“Including ours, my husband.”

“Yes, including ours.” The couple smiled at each other knowingly. “We must make amends.”

Gemma and Data were still speaking with Amado Gildas when her parents approached them.

“If you will excuse me. I must now return to my other duties. My blessings to you both,” Gildas smiled.

“Thank you, Amado Gildas. I will be forever grateful to you for your assistance.” Data wrapped his arms around Gemma, pulling her close.

“As will I,” Gemma added, as she embraced Data.

“Seeing a bond as strong as yours is thanks enough.” Amado Gildas turned, nodded at Gemma’s parents, and reentered the temple.

“Commander, please forgive us. Our behavior was inexcusable. Gemma was right, we didn’t give you a chance. We want to rectify that now. Please join us at our home so we can get to know you.” Plaree offered his hand to Data, who accepted it immediately.

“Thank you, sir. I accept your apology,” Data replied as the two men shook hands. “I too wish to get to know all of you better.” As the group walked to the shuttlecar, a concerned look came over Data’s face. “Sir, when we arrive at your home, please allow me to repair the door I damaged.”

“No, Comm...Data, I think I would like to leave it as is for now. It will serve as a reminder not to judge others so quickly,” Plaree smiled at Data. “But thank you for your offer.”

Gemma and Data’s visit to Krios went by quickly. Gemma took Data to many of her favorite spots including the real café that had been in her holodeck program. They even had time to do some shopping. Data purchased an authentic eeltot prayer set, some real morsalov ale and a case of Vorim wine for Captain Picard, as a thank you gift. The highlight of the visit for Data was the huge celebration Plaree and Yedray threw to celebrate Gemma and Data’s bonding.

Gemma and Data were sitting in their shuttle getting ready to depart from Krios. They waved to Plaree and Yedray as the shuttle started its ascent. Once they had left the system, Data entered the coordinates for their rendezvous point with the Enterprise and engaged the automatic helm control. He stood, pulling Gemma out of her seat as he did.

“I love you, Gemma. I am very happy your family has accepted and blessed our relationship,” he smiled, before pulling her into a passionate kiss.

“And I love you, Data. When do you think I will be able to meet your mother?” She reclaimed his lips before he could answer.

“I do not know. Altrea IV is in a remote area of the Quadrant.” Again he kissed her with a blazing passion.

“As long as I meet her before we marry I’ll be happy.” Her lips returned to his before he could respond.

 “Then we see eye to eye on this matter,” he grinned as he gently caressed the tears along her hairline.  “Our Ver’meta may be gone however my desire to make love to you for hours is stronger than ever.”

“Now that sounds like a plan,” Gemma laughed as Data scooped her up in his arms and headed for the back of the shuttle.

Data gently lowered Gemma onto the bed in the shuttle’s cabin. He quickly maneuvered himself to her side. Gemma continued her gaze into Data’s golden eyes as she drew him closer to her. As their lips were about to touch, Data closed his eyes as he sought out her kiss. Not being able to find her sweet lips, Data opened his eyes. He looked around seeing only white.

“Q!” he called out. “Please return me. I beg you!”

“Don’t fret now, Data,” Q said as he appeared before the perplexed android. “I will reunite you with your beloved bond mate in time. First, we talk.” There was another flash of light, this time Data found himself lying on a couch with Q sitting in a chair next to him, pen and paper in hand. The scene reminded Data of the Sigmund Freud holodeck program he had created years ago. “Now tell me Mr. Data, how does it feel to be alive?”

“Alive? I do not understand what you mean?”

“At the hearing where you were declared to be sentient, what were the requirements that Commander Maddox stated you must have to be considered alive.”

“Intelligence, self-awareness and consciousness. Captain Louvois ruled that although she did not know if I had a soul that I must be allowed to find out for myself.”

“Exactly, Data! And you did find out. When you opened yourself to the possibility of love, you found a woman whose love for you proved the very existence of your soul.” Q paused momentarily before continuing. “A human’s journey towards enlightenment never ends. There is always something more to learn, to discover. Your own quest for humanity will never end either, Data, but now...now you are so much more than a sentient being. You are alive. Enjoy it, Mr. Data, enjoy it.”

There was another flash of light. Data felt the bond of his love as his lips met Gemma’s. He thought of Q’s words and smiled to himself.

“I love you so much, Gemma,” he whispered in her ear. “I am the happiest man alive.”