Chapter Four

The trip back to Omicron Theta seemed to take twice as long as the journey to Risa. The only person who seemed happy to be leaving was Juliana. The first few hours were spent in relative silence as Data, Lore and Kendra contemplated what they had left behind and what lay ahead for each of them. Finally, Data could not stand the silence any longer.

“Abella said she will try to come to Omicron Theta for a visit.” Data had hoped the news of a potential visit by her friend would cheer Kendra up.

“I’m glad the two of you had fun together,” Kendra smiled back.

“We did. Our time together was most enjoyable. May I ask you a question, Kendra?”

“Sure, Data, ask away.”

“Is it always so difficult to return to your home at the end of a vacation?” he asked.

“Only the good ones, Data, only the good ones,” Kendra sighed.

When they finally arrived back at the colony things looked just as they did when they had left. It was not until they were walking down the corridors of the facilities that Noonien decided it would be a good time to tell his boys about a special surprise he had for them.

“Data, Lore, I want you to come with me. Kendra, why don’t you just put your bag in your quarters and join us as well,” he said, trying to sound very serious. They walked down the corridor towards the Soong residence but Noonien stopped at the door to the quarters next to his and Juliana’s. Juliana just kept walking and entered her quarters before Noonien could begin his short speech. “My sons, you both mean the world to me. I realized as I watched you both grow as individuals over the past few months that I had made a mistake and I am about to rectify that mistake. You have spent more nights than you should have in that lab and that is a practice that is going to stop. Come with me.” Noonien led the group into the empty quarters. “Data, Lore, welcome to your new quarters.”

The two androids were very impressed with their new rooms and the added information that they could have an allowance to buy items to furnish their place at the mercantile. Noonien had given them a line of credit there to spend.

Noonien gave both of his sons a warm hug and Kendra a peck on the cheek before leaving them to get the feel of their new place.

It took over a week for them to have their new quarters decorated just the way they both wanted. The only argument they had was over the kitten Data had found and fallen in love with. Lore did not want a pet, but Data looked at him with these sad, pleading eyes so, with a sigh of exasperation, Lore caved in.

When they returned to the colony, Kendra told Noonien she was going to start eating her meals in her quarters or the common room, so Juliana would not be bothered so much by her presence. Noonien had been having such trouble with his wife that he reluctantly agreed.

Things seemed to quiet down quite a bit until Kendra told Noonien about an upcoming robotics conference. Noonien made arrangements for Kendra and himself to go, but failed to clue his wife into this fact until two days before they were leaving.

What happened then could best be described as a conniption. Juliana went as far as refusing to even acknowledge Noonien until they left.

As the pair headed to the shuttle, Data and Lore followed. Both kissed Kendra goodbye and wished her and their father a good and safe journey.

“I’ll take good care of her, boys. I promise you that,” Noonien called.

“I’m holding you to that,” Lore called, looking as though he missed Kendra already.

Once the shuttle lifted off, Noonien let go of a deep sigh.

“Are you okay, Noonie?” Kendra asked, hearing this.

“Just glad to get away for a while. It seems like Risa was years ago, not two months. Juliana has been getting completely out of hand. I can’t talk any sense into her anymore. When she found out it would be you and me on this trip, she stopped talking to me and I’ve been sleeping on the couch for the last two nights,” he sighed again.

“Noonie, that’s insane. Why is she doing this to you?” Kendra exclaimed.

“I know she’s not fond of you, you knew that, but I don’t understand what has gotten into her lately. I’m just about at the end of my rope with her.”

“I wish I could help but I don’t know what more I can do. I’m doing my best to stay out of her way,” Kendra sighed. “Maybe I shouldn’t be coming with you to this conference. We are still close enough to the colony if you want me to go back.”

“No, Kendra. I will not allow Juliana’s behavior to affect your professional opportunities. We are going to a robotics conference and we are going to enjoy it - well, we’re going to a robotics conference.”

Kendra’s laughing at his joke helped them both relax. For the rest of the trip, the two discussed some of the recent developments in the robotics field.

“I hope Dr. Horace Applebee and Dr. T’Par will be there,” Kendra mentioned.

“Why? They have done nothing but attempt to discredit my work for years. They are-“

“-going to have to eat crow, Noonie. You’ve proved them wrong and I want to see the look on their faces when they have to admit they were wrong,” Kendra smirked.

“Well, when you put it that way...” he laughed.

It took four hours before they reached their destination. It was not Risa but it was a pleasant enough planet. Noonien and Kendra registered for the conference and received their room assignments. The first session of the conference would begin in an hour so they just had time to take their overnight bags to their rooms, freshen up and find a couple of good seats in the conference room. Their rooms were located next to each other, which was convenient for both but perhaps too convenient.

The first day’s sessions were typical of most robotics conferences, very technical and very boring. Noonien had gone to see about a reservation for dinner for himself and Kendra while she waited in the lobby of the hotel.

“Kendra Reison?” a voice said behind her.

“Yes,” she said as she turned to face the man who belonged to the voice.

“I’m Horace Applebee. I’ve attended many conferences with your father over the years. Is he here with you?” the doctor asked.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Dr. Applebee. No, my parents have retired to Pacifica,” she replied.

“I had heard you had obtained your PhD in cybernetics. Now, tell me, what work has brought you out to this area of the quadrant?”

“I’m at the science colony on Omicron Theta. I have had the great fortune to be assisting Dr. Noonien Soong for the past number of months. Are you familiar with his work?” she asked, knowing the answer.

“Well...I am somewhat...I have read of his recent success.” The words seemed to stick in Applebee’s mouth as if he were trying desperately not to have to admit anything.

“It has been a very exciting and fascinating time. Lore and Data are absolutely amazing. They have both grown so much in the time I’ve been there,” she emphasized her words with deliberation as she spoke of the many accomplishments of the two androids. “Here comes Noonien now.” Kendra motioned for Noonien to join them. “Dr. Horace Applebee, I am pleased to introduce to you Dr. Noonien Soong.” The two men shook hands although it was obvious Applebee was a little uncomfortable.

“Soong,” Applebee acknowledged, “Dr. Reison has been telling me about your accomplishments with the androids. Congratulations. Now if you will excuse me.” The doctor was grumbling as he made his way to the turbolift.

“That was so much fun, Noonie,” Kendra laughed.

“I did enjoy his admission more than I thought,” Noonien grinned. “How did you just happen to be talking to him?”

“He just came up and introduced himself. He said he had attended conferences with my father and wanted to know if he was here,” she explained.

“With Applebee here, I’m sure your father would be quite thankful he’s not,” he laughed. “That windbag’s whole career has been spent trying to discredit others’ ideas so he can steal them for himself. He hasn’t had an original thought in his life. But enough about Applebee, our table is ready. Let’s go eat.”

Dinner was wonderful. Noonien could not remember the last time he had enjoyed a meal this much. It was such a change from mealtimes with Juliana, especially now that Data and Lore were only having dinner with them once a week, a practice that had begun shortly after they got their own quarters. He and Kendra had discussed the various advances in robotics that had been presented at the conference so far. They could not help but laugh when they saw Applebee trying very hard to keep his distance from them as he was seated at a table with three others who were also attending the conference.

After dinner, Noonien and Kendra made their way back to their rooms. When they reached Kendra’s room, Noonien wished her a good night.

“Good night, Noonie,” Kendra smiled. She was about to enter her room when she turned back to him. “Noonie, I know you are bottling up a lot of your emotions, so if you want to talk about what’s happening between you and Juliana, I’m a good listener.”

He hesitated for a second before taking Kendra up on her offer. He knew he had to get this off his chest or he would explode. What he had said to Kendra on the shuttle had really only been the tip of the iceberg. He talked for more than an hour, letting out all the pain, anger and frustration he had been feeling until he finally broke down. He was hunched over, holding his head in his hands as his elbows rested on his knees when a tear slid slowly down his cheek.

“I wish I could wave a magic wand and make this all better for you, Noonie,” Kendra said softly as she put her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a comforting hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her chest as she continued to try to lessen his pain. She rocked him gently for several minutes before he lifted his head, looked into her eyes and slowly brought his lips to meet hers.

Kendra felt torn with Noonien’s kiss. Lore kept coming to mind. Their relationship had been getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. Neither had asked Data to step aside, but he had met a young woman new to the colony and had been spending all his free time with her. This left Kendra alone with Lore and she had nothing to complain about on that front, but for one thing.

Looking into Noonien’s desperate eyes, Kendra felt like she was cheating on Lore, but denying Noonien here and now was just not possible. He needed the sex toy now, maybe a little bit of the shoulder to cry on still, but the toy even more.

Kendra stood up, took his hand and lead him to the bed. She stood beside it and began to unbutton his shirt. Just this made Noonien moan. He began to work on Kendra’s clothing with great impatience. He had only kissed her once, but he was pulsating with desire and rock hard by the time they had undressed each other. He wanted to take this slow, but a madness had overtaken him and he almost pushed her on the bed. Pulling her legs apart, he jammed himself into her with a force only his sons could surpass.

She was not quite ready for him, but Kendra bit her lips and let him move within her. Her juices were soon flowing and the discomfort faded. Noonien, however, was already breathing with haggard breath.

He pumped into her like a wild man. Just before he came, Kendra caught up with him and slipped over the edge, arching her back into him. Two more sharp thrust and Noonien cried out with utter release.

He collapsed beside her a moment later, looking spent, but still restless. Kendra brushed his hair back from his face and kissed his cheek. “That didn’t help?” she asked.

He looked into her eyes and smiled. He reached over to caress her cheek. “Yes, it helped. It’s oddly wonderful to be turned on by a woman and actually have her want you to be with her. I’m sorry. That was wonderful. I just still feel wound up.”

Kendra tilted her head to the side for a moment, thinking. “Did you bring your swimming suit?” she asked him.

“Yeah, but-“

“Nope, no excuses. Get it and meet me with a towel in the hall in ten minutes.” She pushed at him to get him moving. Noonien grabbed his pants and went to his room. He did not feel very enthusiastic about this idea, but when she came out in her suit, the idea was more appealing.

Kendra had become very tan and even sexier during their time on Risa and the nude beaches had allowed her to tan all over. Her long hair was braided back and her suit was a two-piece black number that just tied across the back and was strapless. The bottom was of the thong variety and looking at her delicious ass as she lead the way to the heated pool caused Noonien to have difficulty walking.

“The warm water and exercise will help you relax. Come on,” she told him and then dived in. He followed quickly, but his lust for her was getting to him again. They swam for twenty-five minutes before Noonien grabbed her, thankful that at this late hour the area was clear and they were alone.

He kissed her deeply and hard for several minutes before reaching below the water to nudge her suit aside so he could stroke her clitoris with his fingers. She moaned as soon as he did. Noonien could not wait another second, freeing his erection from his suit, he guided himself home as he pulled the object of his lust closer.

He plunged into her over and over while trying to press against her clit to give Kendra as much pleasure as he could. Her cries indicated his success. She climaxed just before Noonien did and he loved the feel of her clamping down on his shaft. He exploded within her, finally feeling relaxed and happily drained. 

They had remained in the pool, just holding each other, for another five minutes when they heard others entering the pool area. They quickly adjusted their suits before heading for the ladder to climb out. Noonien resisted the urge to reach out and stroke Kendra’s sexy backside as she climbed out of the pool. Once she had her towel, Noonien left the pool as well. They made their way to the turbolift to return to the rooms.

“Kendra, I need to spend the night with you,” Noonien implored. “Please.”

Kendra agreed. The desperate look in his blue eyes made it impossible for her to deny him this. He stopped at his room to grab some clothes before joining Kendra.

As soon as the door closed, he pulled her in his arms, kissing her passionately. His hands roamed over her body, as he reacquainted himself with each sensuous curve. He swept his hands up her back until he reached the tie of her bikini top and slowly removed it. They were pressed so tightly together that it did not fall to the floor until they broke their kiss. Noonien pushed Kendra’s thong down until it joined its mate on the floor with his own suit following quickly. Noonien reclaimed her lips as he led her to the bed. Kendra moved to the center of the bed as Noonien made his way towards her, climbing on top. He moved his kisses down her neck before slowly running his tongue to her cleavage. He cupped her breasts with his hands, squeezing them gently. He brought his mouth down, running his tongue around the areola before taking her nipple in his mouth and sucking. He brought his hand back to fondle it as he turned his attention to her other breast. Kendra’s moans were increasing in frequency as he moved further down her body. When he found himself between her legs, he looked up at her and smiled. He parted her labia and massaged her clitoris with his fingers before diving in to take it in his mouth. He inserted his fingers in Kendra’s vagina, thrusting them in and out. Kendra was grabbing for the bedding, moaning loudly as Noonien continued his oral exploration. As her back arched, she cried out his name and came into his mouth. He licked up all that he could before moving up and penetrating her with his erection. Kendra gasped as he quickened his rhythm until he was pounding into her harder than he thought he was capable of. Her cries of pleasure encouraged him further as he sent her over the edge again and again. When his own orgasm washed over him, it was unlike any he had ever had. He rested his head on her chest for a moment before moving next to her. He pushed some loose hair from her face before kissing her tenderly.

As the lovers rested in each other’s arms, neither was aware of a communication forwarded to Noonien’s room was going unanswered. It would not be until morning that Noonien would discover an angry message from his wife had been left.

Kendra and Noonien made love once more before the need for sleep overpowered them. Noonien’s arms were holding her tight as he drifted off to sleep. Kendra was almost asleep when Noonien’s final words of the night pushed aside any thought of sleep.

“I think I’m falling in love with you, Kendra,” he mumbled.

It felt like a chunk of ice had just appeared in Kendra’s stomach. How could he say that to her? And why now? Kendra had spent such a large portion of her life in love with this very man, but he had never known. After the little fling they had shared on Risa, Kendra felt she had finally been able to put her crush on Noonien Soong behind her.

Since Data had found this new girlfriend, he had no longer been sharing Kendra’s bed, so Lore was there now every night and with her as much as possible every day. He grew sweeter and more dear to her every time the sun rose. And every time it set, he held her close and told her he always would. He never said the words, but Kendra was truly coming to believe that Lore did love her.

Kendra had tried to wait for those words before she allowed herself to fall for him, but she had failed miserably. When Noonien had kissed her, Kendra’s first reaction was panic. Lore would be furious if he found out and she also did not want to betray him. The only thing that had allowed Kendra to justify being with Noonien was that he was married, loved his wife, no matter how hopeless that was, and she was sure he was just looking for sex, like all the other men in her life, but for Lore.

These words changed that.

It took forever, but Kendra finally slept. Noonien woke first and could not help but admire her body after answering the call of nature. She was lying on her back. One arm over her head, causing that breast to rise up more prominently than the other. As if to prove that Data came by his love of breasts honestly, Noonien moved to that side of the bed, leaned over and took this nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it.

In her sleep, Kendra moaned a name. It was not his name.

Noonien pulled back, suddenly wondering if he was treading on Lore’s territory. He knew that his elder son and Kendra had become even closer since Risa, but did he just not wish to see how close? Or did he deny it so it was easier to have her like this?

Noonien looked back at the moist nipple and wished he could take it in his mouth again, wished he could plunge the erection that was already throbbing between his legs deep within her sexy body. But he had asked too much of her already. Gathering his things, Noonien went back to his room, only to discover his absence there had not gone unnoticed.

Noonien listened to the message left by his wife. He went to his bed to make it look like it had been slept in before sitting down at the computer terminal. When Juliana appeared on the view screen, a scowl was what greeted Noonien.

“I’m sorry I missed your communication last night. With everything that was going on at the conference, I was late getting back to my room last night. I was dead to the world when I finally got to bed.” Noonien hoped Juliana would accept this explanation but her face told him she would not believe anything he said.

“And where was Kendra all that time?” she hissed.

“Kendra? She left the conference before me but mentioned she was going to go for a swim and then go to bed. She was pretty tired.”

They spoke for only a few minutes since all Juliana had wanted to know was what time he would be getting home. When the view screen went dark, Noonien sighed. He laid down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling as if waiting for a vision to tell him what to do.

When Kendra awoke she saw immediately that her bed was empty. She lay still thinking about what Noonien had said and about his absence. ~ Empty bed, empty words, ~ She got up and headed for the shower. As the water streamed down on her, she grabbed the soap and began to wash herself, over and over again. She was in the shower for an hour but still did not feel clean. She was angry with herself for not stopping things. She could have told Noonien no when he kissed her but she did not. She fell back on her old ways. Kendra the sex toy would always be there.

“No wonder Lore can’t say the words! I don’t deserve them! I don’t deserve him!” Kendra sank to the floor of the shower as the tears streamed down her face. She cried for twenty minutes until a realization came to her. She climbed out of the shower, wiped the steam off the mirror with her hand and stared at her reflection. “I know what I must do,” she told herself.

Kendra and Noonien had a quiet breakfast together in the hotel restaurant before heading to the conference. Neither could concentrate very well so they agreed to skip the afternoon sessions to return to Omicron Theta.

They had traveled the first hour in silence before Noonien finally spoke.

“I’m sorry, Kendra. I shouldn’t have come to you like that. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“You don’t have to apologize, Noonie. I could have said no but I didn’t. We are both responsible for what happened last night. It wasn’t planned, it just happened.”

“I spoke to Juliana this morning. She tried to contact me last night. I told her I had been at the conference late and had gone straight to bed. She asked what you did.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I said you left the conference before me but you had said you were going to go for a swim and then go to bed.”

“Did she believe you?”

Noonien grimaced before replying. “I could tell Juliana that Omicron Theta has two moons and she wouldn’t believe me.”

“Hopefully things will get better for you soon. I’ve been thinking about everything and I know what I have to do.”

“Kendra, what are you talking about? What do you have to do?”

“I can’t say right now. I’ll tell you soon though. Trust me, Noonie, it will be for the best.”

The rest of the trip was spent in silence. When they reached the colony, there was no one there to greet them. They had not been expected back for another five hours. They grabbed their bags and headed home. Data saw them walking towards the science facility but rather than greeting them, he ran to tell Lore that Kendra was back early. The two brothers rushed back, catching up with Kendra and Noonien as they were nearing the area of their respective quarters. Lore immediately pulled Kendra into his arms, holding her tightly.

“I missed you so much,” he whispered in her ear.

“I missed you too, Lore.”

“Welcome home, father,” Data smiled. “I hope you enjoyed the conference.”

“Thank you, Data. There wasn’t much new information being shared, so we decided to come back early,” he told his son.

Lore finally turned his attention to his father although he did not release Kendra from his arms. “Welcome back, father.”

“Thanks Lore. Do either of you know where Juliana is?”

“I believe she is in your quarters, father,” Data answered.

“I guess I better let her know I’m here. I’ll see you later.” Noonien continued down the corridor and entered his quarters.

“I am glad you are back too, Kendra,” Data grinned. He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “If you will excuse me, I have a date in seven minutes.” Data left the two standing in the corridor outside Kendra’s quarters.

“Come with me, Lore,” she said as she took Lore’s hand. “I need to talk to you about something very important.” She led Lore in to her quarters and to the couch. After she had sat down, Lore moved next to her as a feeling of dread swept over him. The expression on her face was so serious - too serious. They sat silently for a moment before Kendra finally spoke. “Lore, I have to leave. I can’t stay here any longer. Your father has always been a good friend to me and to my family. It kills me that my presence here has caused so much damage to his marriage. I never wanted that-”

“You can’t go, Kendra. Please don’t let Juliana chase you away,” Lore begged.

“I have to-,” she started.

“Where? Where will you go?” Lore interrupted.

“I thought I would visit my parents on Pacifica for a while and then see what opportunities there are for an unemployed cyberneticist.”

“I don’t want you to leave me, Kendra. I need you. You-” This time it was Kendra’s turn to interrupt. She placed her finger on Lore’s lips to silence him.

“I don’t want to leave you, Lore. I want you to come with me.”

“Come with you. God yes, I’ll come with you.” He pulled Kendra into his arms.

“Lore, will you let me tell Data and your father. I think it would be best if they heard it from me.”

Lore agreed and then started to pepper Kendra with questions about what Pacifica was like and when they would be leaving. He could tell Kendra needed to be held so he suppressed his urge to carry her to the bed to make love. That could wait now. They would be together for a long time so there was no need to rush.

Noonien did find Juliana in their quarters. She was in their bedroom staring at their wedding picture. He felt his heart catch for a moment before he backed away, coming in again, but louder this time. Two meters from the door, he called for her.

“Juliana! Where is my beautiful wife? I am in desperate need of wife kisses.” He came in the bedroom to find her still looking at the picture. ~ Oh God, this is not good, ~ he realized. Hoping against hope, he sat down next to her on the bed and looked at the picture with her. “That guy is too ugly for the beautiful woman in that picture. Wonder if she still loves him? I heard from a little bird that he loves you, desperately.” He leaned over and kissed her on the temple.

“You’re home early, why?” she asked, without moving.

“The conference was slowing down and Kendra and I agreed that we wanted to be here. I wanted to come home to you, Juliana.”

Juliana looked at her husband. She saw how worried he was that she would leave him. He was also worried that she knew what had happened during the conference. He was worried, but not guilty looking and this told her something else - it had not been the first time. Juliana’s mother had warned her about men. ‘They’re all animals,’ momma had told her. ‘They can’t control their urges and think they have to be satisfied right then.’ Noonien was not responsible for what had happened. That Jezebel, Kendra was.

Juliana caressed his cheek and thought about the day she had married him. It had been so wonderful. “Do you remember our wedding night, Noonien? Make it like that again.”

Noonien’s eyes went wide, but he did not require any convincing, just like momma predicted. Juliana let him paw and climb all over her until he was happy and fell into an exhausted sleep. She showered quickly, dressed and headed for the lab.

She headed straight for the diagnostic computer and tried to decide how to put her plan into action. Noonien had warned her time and time again that if this one was not calibrated perfectly it would give out a nasty shock. He had warned her never to raise the power levels above 25 milliamperes. It took Juliana only ten minutes to throw the calibration off just enough to bring it out of balance. She raised the power level all the way up and then went to find Data.

She told her son she needed help moving a few boulders out of an area she wanted to use as a little personal garden. Data was in the middle of his date, but Juliana promised it would only take a few moments, so Data agreed.

The boulders were lodged in the earth, so Data had to dig and work rather hard to remove them. The bioplast sheeting, what Data had instead of skin, on his hand was damaged, so Juliana told her son to come back with her to the lab for a diagnostic.

“My self-diagnostic indicates only minor damage, mother,” he assured her.

“I’m sure you’re right, Data, but I want to make sure. I feel bad since you were hurt helping me.” She led him to the diagnostic computer and gave a confused expression, sighing. “Oh, your father’s asleep, he was so tired after the trip. I wonder if Kendra is sleeping too. I really don’t remember how to run this one correctly.”

Data waited on the exam table while his mother contacted Kendra.

“Data’s hurt? Of course I can come. I’ll be right there, Juliana.” Kendra sounded very concerned for him and this flattered Data. He smiled happily as he waited for her. He found it odd that Juliana also looked happy.

No one was surprised when Kendra rushed into the lab that Lore was with her. They both ran to Data to see what had happened. Both were relieved to see only minor damage had been done. Kendra led Data over to the diagnostic computer to make sure.

“Don’t worry, Data, this won’t hurt a bit,” she smiled as she took his hand in hers. She lowered her hand to the console to begin entering the necessary commands to run the diagnostic. As soon as her hand came in contact with the computer, a massive electrical shock bolted through her body and into Data. They both collapsed to the floor as Lore screamed out her name in panic.

“Call for help, Juliana!” he ordered as he rushed to check Kendra and Data. Data lay stiffly on the floor as the ferocity of the shock had shut his systems down. Lore took Kendra in his arms, tears streaming down his face. “Juliana, call for help now!” The anger in his voice finally caused her to move. She walked to the comm panel and spoke to the doctor on duty at the infirmary. If it had not been for Lore yelling out that it was an emergency the doctor would have had no idea it was a serious injury. Next, Juliana contacted her husband calmly telling him he was needed in the lab. She then made her way to a chair and sat quietly, a hint of a smile crossing her lips.

Lore was rocking Kendra in his arms as she stared up at him.

“Hang on, Kendra, help’s coming. Stay with me, stay with me.” Lore was more scared than he had ever been in his life. As he held her, he could feel the life draining out of her as her vital signs continued to worsen. “Think about Pacifica. You and me on Pacifica, together. Don’t leave me, Kendra, please don’t leave me,” he begged. “Please Kendra, I love you. I love you so much. You have to stay with me.”

Kendra looked in to Lore’s eyes, smiling weakly, her lips parted as she tried to speak. “I-I love you,” she managed to say before the last drop of life left her body.

The scene that greeted both the doctor and Noonien when they entered the lab was almost surreal. Lore was cradling Kendra’s lifeless body in his arms as he sobbed uncontrollably. The doctor rushed to her, pulled out his tricorder, hoping there was still time. Noonien looked from Kendra to Data’s still form before turning to Juliana. She sat quietly on the chair, watching the events around her as if she were at a play or watching a holovideo.

“Juliana, what happened?” Noonien stood in shock and disbelief.

“Data was hurt, Kendra was going to run a diagnostic but the computer was misaligned,” she said placidly.

“I’m sorry,” The doctor looked from Lore to Noonien. “There’s nothing I can do. The shock was too massive. I’m so sorry.”

“No, you have to save her. We have plans. We’re leaving for Pacifica tomorrow. She can’t die. I love her!” Lore’s words struggled out between sobs. Noonien rushed to his son and wrapped his arms around him as he too was overcome with grief.

“Father, what about Data?” Lore voice was barely above a whisper.

“I won’t know until I can run a diagnostic but I won’t be able to do that until we know the computer is operating safely.” Noonien desperately wanted to tell his son everything would be okay but it would not – Kendra was dead and Data - he did not know how badly damaged Data was.

Noonien stood in front of the diagnostic computer. His eyes went wide when he saw the power level had been increased to its maximum level. He turned quickly staring at Juliana with a look of horror in his eyes. This look did not go unnoticed by Lore.

“Father, what did Juliana do?” Lore voice was an eerie calm. He turned to Juliana “You did this! Why? I know you hated her, that you hate me but we were going to leave. Why did you do this?” Lore once again broke down in tears. He held Kendra in his arms for over an hour until the facility’s mortuary personnel came to take her body away.

Left with nothing to cling to, Lore’s grief turned to rage. Juliana still sat in the same chair, but she was being questioned by the legal authorities. As Lore hoped she fried too for what she had done, Noonien pulled on his son’s arm.

“Help me lift Data on to the exam table. I’ve recalibrated the diagnostic computer and it’s working fine now. Let’s see how badly he’s hurt.”

Lore nodded, as though coming out of a fog. His face was still wet and he had no intention of wiping the tears away. Lifting Data in his arms, he carefully placed his brother back on the table and helped his father reconnect the ODM connections that had done this damage in the first place. It took no time at all to see that a great deal of damage had been done to Data. There was damage to his chest, effecting his cooling and respiratory systems, he had not suffered cascade failure, but had been damn close to it. Noonien opened Data’s cranial cover and removed all of his memory engrams, looking up meaningfully at Lore.

“They’re all destroyed, aren’t they?” Lore asked, knowing they were.

“I might be able to salvage a few memories from this one but it’s almost a total loss.” Noonien held up one of the engrams for Lore to see. It was still a blackened mess.

“She killed them both,” Lore muttered.

“Lore, we don’t know that,” Noonien said in an unconvincing tone.

“Don’t we? I’ve heard every word she told the authorities. She had no interest in planting any garden. She can’t grow anything, all she knows is digging. I just want to know why she got Data to do it. She acted like she actually cared for him. It would make more sense to get rid of me and then she would just have you and her beloved son.” Lore’s tone was frightening now.

“Data is not dead, Lore. I can repair him. His brain will still function once I repair the damage. It should only take me a few days to get him on his feet again.” Noonien tried to sound like this would be easy, but since he too was still in shock, it did not come out that way.

“Fix him. I‘m going for a walk. I need to be where she is not.” Lore walked from the room in a way that made his steps sound intimidating.

Noonien moved to Juliana’s chair and stared down at her. He only said one word. “Why?”

“You slept with her. You can try to deny it, but I know you did. I had a man go to your room last night at the conference. I told him you had a medical condition and that you may not be able to answer. He went in the room at 0200 hours, Noonien. The bed was made and you were not there.” Her voice was dead calm as she told him this. “The Jezebel deserved to die. She had the nerve to tell Lore she loved him. Is that why she slept with you last night? Because she loved Lore?” Juliana’s voice held such venom, Noonien backed away from her.

He hung his head and sighed, mournfully. Kendra, his friend and the daughter of his most respected professor, was dead. Data, his younger son, could be repaired, but his life for these last few months would be gone to him. Lore was in agony over losing two people he loved at the hands of a woman he refused to call ‘mother’. Noonien was at a total loss about what to do. The officials had believed Juliana’s version of events and ruled it an accidental death. Kendra would be buried tomorrow afternoon.

Noonien decided he needed time too, so he told Juliana to stand and pulled her back to their quarters. Once there, he asked her if she intended to try to kill him now too.

“No. Momma told me how men just have to take sex wherever they can get it. I suppose I need to allow you to paw me more often, but I’m going to make sure you’re not given the opportunity to slip into another woman’s bed.” She turned from him and walked to the living room to read.

Left alone, Noonien went to his study, locking the door. He pulled up the recording of the events that had taken place in the lab today. It pained him to see Juliana setting the trap and Kendra, in her last act, falling right into it. Seeing the charge Kendra had received, it was amazing she had lived as long as she did.

Hanging his head for a long time, Noonien steadied himself before he deleted the file.

Noonien did not see Lore again until the next day at Kendra’s funeral. The young woman Data had been seeing attended the service and asked Lore about Data. She walked away crying when Lore told her he too had been killed, but one does not bury a machine, you just rebuild them.

Juliana did not come to the service. Noonien would not allow it. She did not put up much of a fight. Once it was over, Noonien put his arms around his son’s shoulders and directed him back towards the complex.

“I’m leaving, father,” Lore told him.

“I understand. Will you wait and help me see if I can get Data back on his feet?” Noonien asked.

“Yes, I want to take him with me.”

“Perhaps that’s best.” Noonien turned and took Lore’s face in his hands. “I love you, boy. I love Data and I loved Kendra too. I-I’m sorry I didn’t see how-”

“-Insane Juliana is?” Lore finished for him. “I know you tried, father. I should have done more to protect Kendra.”

“Lore, neither you nor I are responsible for what Juliana did,” Noonien assured him. “She is only her,” he said sadly. “My wife...”

Lore looked at his father with compassion and this time he pulled him into his arms, hugging Noonien tightly.

The two returned to the lab together in hopes of trying to make some progress on Data’s repairs.

They had been there for three hours and were making good headway when Juliana came in to call Noonien to dinner.

Lore glared at her as soon as she walked smugly through the door, but Juliana ignored the heated fury coming from Lore and just smirked at him.

“You’re little friend is in a much better place now, Lore. She can’t tell you any more lies or continue to betray you by sleeping with your father.”

Lore’s jaw dropped as he slowly turned to face his father with eyes filled to their limit with pain. “Father?” Lore looked to Noonien wanting him to deny Juliana’s words. Instead the guilt in Noonien’s eyes only confirmed them. “You were sleeping with Kendra? Data stopped because he knew I loved her. But you?” He came slowly toward Noonien, his intent clear.

Backing away, Noonien went to the head of the exam table and hoped. “It wasn’t like that, Lore.”

With the pain of betrayal in his eyes, Lore kept advancing on Noonien. When he raised his hand to strike at Noonien, the man touched a button only he knew about, creating a field that would stop positronic activity in the room in an instant. Lore moved to grab at his head, but his hands did not make it there before he collapsed on the floor.