by Quoth

"I treasure your love,
I never want to lose it,
You've been through the fires of hell,
And I know you've got the ashes to prove it.
I treasure your love,
I want to show you how to use it,
You've been through a lot of pain in the dirt,
And I know you've got the scars to prove it." -- Meat Loaf, "Rock 
and Roll Dreams Come Through"

*************************************** 

The sudden chill Geordi felt had nothing to do with the temperature in his 
best friend's quarters. He stared with real concern at his obviously distressed 
friend, waiting as patiently as he could for Data to compose himself. He was 
determined to get his friend to admit why he had been acting so strangely the 
past week, and especially to find out why he was not fighting the blatant 
injustice of the sentence levied at the court-martial.

The engineer was seriously worried, and also a little hurt that Data hadn't 
come to him for help. Data wasn't even talking to Deanna. She'd told Geordi 
worriedly that a week ago Data had suddenly decided he was fine -- although it 
was obvious he was not -- and cancelled all further appointments. Geordi had 
unsuccessfully spent hours racking his brain, trying to figure out what could 
have upset Data so badly that he couldn't even talk about it.

While Geordi waited anxiously, Data stood still, his hands over his face, as 
if preparing himself for an ordeal. "The admiral," he finally began, 
dropping his hands and lifting his head slightly. His shoulders were hunched 
slightly, his fingers curling into his palms. Just mentioning the rank seemed to 
make Data freeze, face reflecting fear, instinctively turning inward to 
safety.

"What about the admiral?" Geordi said, beginning to panic. What the 
hell had the bastard said or done to reduce Data to such cowering fear and 
unhappiness?

"What did Elbrun do to make you take the blame for what happened?" 
he asked, more insistently than he'd intended. He winced inwardly at the loud, 
frantic edge to his voice.

Data closed his eyes slightly, steeling himself. "He threatened the 
entire bridge crew. He used that threat to obtain my silence. Then he..." 
The android's voice dropped to a bare whisper. "Then he assaulted me."

"Assaulted you? How?" The question tumbled automatically from 
stunned lips, as Geordi found his head shaking in denial, mind refusing to 
accept the scenario that those words suggested. 

Data shifted uncomfortably, swallowing, his every tiny movement screaming 
misery as the pause seemed to stretch to infinity between them. Must I say it? 
Please Geordi, do not make me say it... Finally finding his voice, he forced 
the nearly inaudible word from his lips. "... sexually."

Geordi stared in mute horror as Data finished talking, head bowed, waiting 
for judgement. The engineer could still hear the soft words echoing ruthlessly 
in his ears.

No. It couldn't be true. 

But he knew, sickeningly, deep down inside himself, that it could be and it 
was. That terrible dead tone in his friend's voice told him that it was the 
truth. And it explained, so horribly perfectly, Data's recent withdrawn 
attitude, his backsliding in his recovery from the Borg, everything.

"Oh no, no, no," he murmured softly under his breath, hardly aware 
he was speaking. "Oh, Data, I'm sorry..."

Data looked up then, surprise on his face. "For what, Geordi?"

"For not knowing, for not helping you... Data, why the hell didn't you 
tell me?" he demanded, his voice suddenly fierce. "Or 
anyone?"

Data answered slowly, unsurely. "I... dared not, Geordi. I am certain 
that Admiral Elbrun would have made good on his threats had I not submitted. 
Afterwards, I said nothing, for it would not have served any purpose."
"What do you mean, wouldn't have served any purpose? We could have 
helped you and punished him for what he did, dammit!" What threats? 
Geordi thought, desperately trying to think of something important enough Elbrun 
had in his power to have persuaded Data to surrender. 

"I had no proof. It was merely my word against his."

"Data, do you really think anyone on this ship would have for one second 
believed that pompous ass over you? Dammit, everyone hates Elbrun already for 
bullying us all. Trust me, anyone who knows you knows you're telling the truth. 
It'll be hard to stop Will Riker from punching the bastard's face in once he 
hears about--"

"No."

"What?" Geordi stopped short, stunned.

"I..." Data began to speak, haltingly. "I do not wish to tell 
anyone about what happened. But I also fear the possibility that the admiral may 
commit a similar offence in the future. I... do not know what to do. But I can 
not bear the thought of telling anyone else." Distressed, he pressed his 
hands into his face, hating himself for his cowardice. If only I had not been 
such a fool, if only I had noticed the Borg beaming onto the Enterprise in time, 
if I had prevented the shields from dropping while in temporal transit, none of 
this would have happened... I brought this all on myself... 

"Data, we have to tell the captain." 

"No," Data whispered, knowing that he must. "Please do not ask 
that of me. It will mean another court-martial, and I cannot go through that 
again. I cannot."

"Data, I know it's hard for you, but if we don't do something, then the 
bastard'll never be punished for what he did to you! He'll get away with 
it!" Geordi couldn't stand the thought of that. "Data," he 
continued in a gentler tone, "what if he does this again? To you, or 
someone else? You don't want that, do you?" 

"No," Data admitted softly from behind his hands. "I will 
speak to the captain, Geordi. It is just... difficult."

Staring at his devastated friend, Geordi felt sick at heart. Never mind 
Riker; HE felt more than ready to personally smash Elbrun to pulp with his bare 
hands. Without thinking, Geordi impulsively reached out and touched one of 
Data's wrists. The android flinched, gasping in shock at the unexpected touch. 
Geordi cursed himself furiously. You idiot! You should have known how he hates 
that now. If he reacts this badly to just being touched... Deliberately, he 
moved his arm back.

Once Data had calmed from the momentary alarm, Geordi asked gently, 
"Would you like me to talk to the captain first?"

Data nodded mutely, grateful for the relatively small unpleasantness he was 
being spared. Asking permission with his gaze, Geordi kept his eyes on Data's 
face as he reached out for his hand. Data saw and nodded slightly, agreeing 
gratefully to the supportive contact. Geordi squeezed his wrist comfortingly, 
and bit his lip at the weak smile Data somehow managed to summon. The engineer 
did his best to project a comforting image, despite the pain he was feeling.
Finally releasing Data's arm, Geordi gently promised, "I'll be back, 
okay?" 

Outside Data's quarters, he sighed in misery and leaned against the wall. Oh 
Data, why don't you trust me enough to have said something sooner? 

****************************************

"Prosecution, please call your first witness."

Everyone found themselves back in the hated courtroom, this time only one 
Enterprise crewmember on trial. The rest of the bridge crew were sitting in the 
seats, present mostly as character witnesses.

"The prosecution would like to call Mister Data to the stand," 
called Commander John Rutherford, Data's lawyer. He could not help but frown 
inwardly. It seemed so strange to be defending someone with only one name, and 
now stripped of his rank as well. Like taking away another part of his identity 
-- as if what was done wasn't enough, he thought. Talking with his client, 
and his client's crewmates and character witnesses, he believed the charges 
were true. 

Thinking about his character witnesses, he nodded to himself. Quite a good 
hearted bunch -- though both Commander Worf and Commander Riker seemed too hot 
headed to be much use. They'd likely lose their tempers and do more harm than 
good. He wasn't sure of the doctor's ability to stay calm under 
cross-examination either, to be honest. 

On the other hand, Captain Picard, and the Betazoid counsellor were going to 
be especially good allies -- Troi could, in a pinch, argue that she sensed Data 
was telling the truth. But she couldn't read the telepathically stronger Elbrun 
and say if he were positively guilty -- and as Data's personal counsellor and 
friend, her word as to his innocence might not hold as much weight as the 
testimony of an impartial telepath or empath. 

The chief difficulty in the interviews with the crew, though, had been that 
in the pre-trial interviews, none of them could tell him why Data had submitted 
to the threats -- the android had not told them. He had had to tell Rutherford, 
of course, so that the JAG officer could build his case, but he had done so 
privately and Rutherford could see why the android was so nervous about this. 
Data's friends were not going to be happy, hearing it for the first time here in 
this court room... but then, there was nothing about this business to like.
He knew that this was going to be an ugly case -- an ugly crime, an ugly 
charge and only the slightest chance of getting full justice. Data would be 
lucky to get a bare retrial, and he doubted very much that Elbrun would be found 
guilty of rape. This was corruption in the ranks, and he had the feeling it went 
beyond this one incident. How many of the higher-ups knew Admiral Elbrun had a 
personal vendetta against the Enterprise crew before they sent him there? The 
rot can't have spread too far... can it? He didn't like to think about it. He 
had had a short, private talk with Picard, who was pursuing some discreet 
inquiries through some friends in the Admiralty, and he was left feeling rather 
uncomfortable. But he had a duty to defend this one client, this one man, the 
sole but solid proof that there was something very wrong in Starfleet.
Certainly, the instant assignment of Captain Noella Peyhlin -- Elbrun's 
defense lawyer -- to the case must have been more than sheer coincidence. She 
was the sharpest and most tenacious officer in the JAG, and one who had a 
reputation for pulling no punches. She had been reprimanded several times in her 
career for harassing and being unduly harsh with witnesses in her questioning. 
Rutherford had opposed her in court only once, and had been royally defeated. 
The woman seemed to care only about winning the case, not about justice. Heaven 
only knew how she'd made Captain. She had no conscience about dragging 
everything and anything about the witness, every habit, hobby, fear, through the 
mud and using it against them to try and bias the jury. Rutherford shook his 
head in despair. If Data so much as flinched, she'd press him till he panicked, 
then mop the floor with what was left of him...

*************************

Data could not help but shiver a little, so slightly only another android 
would have seen it, as he saw Elbrun's defense counsel conferring with the 
Admiral. His sensitive hearing could pick up enough to know they were preparing 
their strategy for the cross-examination. His own counsel looked at him 
sympathetically as he gestured his client to the witness stand. Data stood, and 
slowly made his way to the stand, feeling all eyes on him. The burning acid of 
Elbrun's hate-filled glare, the concerned gazes of his friends, of Geordi... the 
curious, scandal-hungry eyes of the general public. 

This hearing was, as he'd expected, horrible. The worst part about it was the 
knowledge that this was not only a criminal trial about the charge of Admiral 
Elbrun's abuse of his Starfleet rank and power over subordinates, but it also 
held the key to his own fate in Starfleet. If it was proved that Elbrun's 
judgment was biased, then Data would be re-interviewed and given a retrial 
regarding the Borg incident, and possibly be reinstated. Data was not looking 
forward to yet another interview about the Borg Queen. All he wanted to do was 
forget everything that had happened. The weight of all the upcoming legal 
tangles pressed on his mind, and it took all his determination not to turn and 
run out of the courtroom. His counsel had been sympathetic, but pessimistic 
about Data's chances of winning, unless the Admiral made a bad mistake in his 
defense. 

Glancing away to the side for a moment, he saw his friends, Geordi and Deanna 
and the Captain... all of them, there to support him. He saw them give him nods 
of silent support, and could see Geordi's tension by the set of his lips, 
pressed together firmly. He nodded back slightly, letting them know he was 
ready, if not happy about it. He knew it was going to be the last time he dared 
look them in the face for quite some time.

Geordi fidgeted slightly in his seat. He wished they'd get on with it. He 
could feel Data's misery at being on trial again, and just wanted it finished 
for the android's sake. He wanted Elbrun sentenced, and the sooner the better. 
He'd have to be satisfied with a sentence to compulsory rehabiliation, though, 
since that was the standard punishment for most offenses. Briefly, though, he 
wished that castration of rapists hadn't been done away with centuries ago. But 
still, as long as Elbrun was punished, put away, kept far away from Data, that 
was what was important now. 

Besides, now he'd finally find out why the hell Data had let it happen at 
all...

Rutherford cleared his throat and started to speak, as kindly as he could. 
"Mister Data, you are formally charging Admiral Elbrun with forcing you to 
submit to sexual activity. This is an extremely serious charge. Do you 
understand the seriousness of the charge you are levelling?"

"Yes, I do." Data tried to force himself to calmness. He succeeded 
somewhat, though a small voice inwardly noted, It has begun... no way back 
now... 

"Do you maintain that this charge is the truth?"

"It is the truth." It was said calmly and firmly, and his face was 
a picture of certainty. 

"Very well. In your own words, tell the court what happened the night 
you claim this attack occured." 

Taking a breath, Data started to speak, plunging into the murky legal waters. 


****************************************

Data automatically moved about his quarters, ordering food and water for 
Spot, his thoughts still trapped in that hellish courtroom. The experiences of 
testifying in court and being cross-examined had been even worse than he'd 
expected. Worse than the original interview with Admiral Elbrun which had 
started this whole ugly mess.

Giving his own testimony had been bad enough, though his counsel had been as 
kind as possible, given the circumstances. But he'd heard the gasps coming from 
the direction of his friends, and he fixed his gaze firmly on his counsel, not 
daring to look at them. He didn't know exactly how they were feeling, whether 
they were angry at him or upset, but he knew for a fact that either way he 
didn't want to see the expressions on their faces. 

The cross-examination had been like a nightmare. Captain Peyhlin's diminutive 
size was deceptive -- she was dangerous. He had guessed it from the moment her 
voice went as quiet as the Admiral's had that night... and he had been right. 
The position taken by the defense had been that the whole story was a 
fabrication, revenge for being discharged.

Every explanation of his behaviour was sneered at, cast in the blackest 
light, made to look ridiculous, vindictive, spiteful, promiscuous. He well 
remembered the look of doubt that had come over people's faces when Captain 
Peyhlin had suddenly drawn off onto the subject of his hobbies. He had been 
bewildered for a moment as he mentioned his favourite pastimes -- until she 
pounced on the fact that he occasionally played parts in Doctor Crusher's 
productions.

"So you like acting, Mister Data? I'm sure you're a fine actor, aren't 
you? I'm sure you're finding this "victim" role the role of a 
lifetime, aren't you?"

"No! I am not acting or lying!" he remembered gasping out, 
shocked.

"Objection!" his counsel had shouted.

"Question withdrawn," said Peyhlin, smirking along with Elbrun. But 
the jury were looking at each other, the crowd whispering, wondering... the 
damage had been done.

The only point that Rutherford had been encouraged by, had said might be in 
Data's favour, was the fact that Elbrun suddenly changed his testimony. 
Presumably, he had sensed the sympathy in the air as Data first testified, and 
decided, without consulting Peyhlin, to try and redress the balance. Originally 
denying it all, he had suddenly changed his story and stated in his testimony 
that Data had offered sexual services as a bribe in return for waiving the 
normal punishments. This rape charge was merely spiteful revenge for refusing 
the bribe and recommending to the Board dishonourable discharge for the 
android's actions during the Borg incident. 

Though his lawyer had been surprised -- and quite displeased -- she recovered 
as quickly as she could and tried to cover it up. "Why did you not report 
this before, Admiral?" she asked after a brief glare at him. She did not 
want to lose this case over this mistake.

Elbrun hesitated for a moment. "Why, I did, when I told the Board that 
he actively attempted to hamper the investigation and interfere with it. I 
didn't wish to get any more detailed at that point." 

"Why not, Admiral?"

"The young man in question obviously feels that he can buy what he wants 
-- his safety, his career, his reputation and so on -- through offering his body 
for sexual purposes. It seems obvious to me that he has the mindset of a 
prostitute." Ignoring the infuriated shouts from the Enterprise crew, he 
looked straight at Data, watching like a predator, viewing the painful flinch as 
his reward, waiting until the courts had been called to silence, then continuing 
his testimony. 

"I would have been willing to ignore the illegal and personally 
insulting offer, since he was already to be punished for his former 
inappropriate sexual conduct. The revelation of this evidence would have made no 
difference whatsoever to the outcome. The only thing that could have come from 
my saying what the details were of his attempts to interfere would have been 
just more shame for him. I thought it would be unkind of me, as well as 
unneccessary, to humiliate Mister Data publicly even further. Of course, given 
this false charge, I no longer feel any compunctions about revealing his true... 
nature." 

And that had been that. The mistake covered completely -- painting Data in an 
even worse light than previously. He had heard Rutherford release the excited 
breath he had been holding in a disappointed gust. Despite the younger lawyer's 
best effort at cross-examination, he just hadn't been able to shake that story 
well enough. Noella Peyhlin had smiled -- back in control. 

Still, Rutherford had told Data, the mere fact that Elbrun had changed his 
story would go hard against him, no matter how believeable the new story seemed 
to be -- there was no longer a guarantee for a win for the admiral. 
The final argument to the jury helped to repair a great deal of the damage 
done by the defense. Rutherford had stressed to the jury that the admiral's 
testimony was unreliable. Later, the commander quietly told Data that no matter 
how well the Admiral and his lawyer had covered it up, Elbrun had overplayed his hand. 

The worst blow of all to Data, however, had not been the merciless 
cross-examination, but the announcement that the judge and jury had decided to 
hold off their judgement on the case until tomorrow. He had to wait until 
tomorrow to discover his fate.

And he knew today was not yet over.

*****************************************

When the door signal chirped to indicate that someone was at the door, Data 
sighed, certain that he knew what was to come. He had known it when he had heard 
the angry protests in the courtroom, especially one particular voice.

"Come in, Geordi."

The doors opened and Geordi stormed in, too upset to notice that Data had 
known it would be him. 

"Data, what the hell was all that about? Our careers? That's how he 
blackmailed you, that's what all this was for? My God, Data, I don't care about 
my career!"

"Geordi--"

"Data, it's not that important!"

"It is to me," Data said softly.

"Data, is that what you think of me?" Geordi asked, horrified at 
the thought that maybe it was exactly what Data thought. "That I care more 
about my career than about what happens to you? I don't! You're my friend -- 
you're much more important to me than any promotion. Is that really what you think of 
me -- of all of us?" The memory of Data sitting there, looking so 
vulnerable and frightened, alone on the witness stand... God, did Data really 
think that?

"No, Geordi," Data tried to explain.

"Well, then, would you please explain exactly what the hell you were 
thinking?!" All the anger and guilt Geordi had felt over the past few days 
was finally beginning to boil over, and he was on the verge of irrationally 
venting his temper on Data. 

"I was thinking," Data said tersely, on the defensive for the 
hundredth time that day and finding himself perilously close to the breaking 
point, "that I would not be able to live with myself knowing that I had not 
protected you from a vindictive and psychotic man, when I had the opportunity to 
do so!"

"Oh, that's just wonderful! So now I'm the one that has to live with 
the knowledge that you let yourself be raped just so I could wear an extra pip 
on my collar! Thanks a lot, Data!" The instant he'd said it, Geordi could 
have gladly bitten off his tongue. 

"Oh God, I'm sorry Data, I didn't mean that--" 

"Yes, you did." Data said quietly, head lowering, a horrible 
resignation in his voice. "And you are right to be angry at me. I am to 
blame for this situation. The problem could have been dealt with some other way. 
I have sold myself needlessly. Perhaps Admiral Elbrun was correct. Perhaps I am 
a prostitute." 

"No, Data, listen--"

"Just a prostitute." And Data simply stood there, terrifyingly 
silent and still, staring at the floor with an expression of total deadness on 
his face. 

Geordi was appalled at what his angry, thoughtless words had done. You 
bastard, he thought to himself furiously. You tell yourself you love him, and 
then you go and say something like that! Swiftly moving closer, he intended to 
comfort Data with a hug. The android's instinctive step back reminded Geordi not 
to touch him. He ached to help Data, but he didn't dare touch him without 
permission. He tentatively held his arms out, not knowing of anything else to 
say or do, to repair the damage he'd done.

With a strangled gasp, Data took a shaky step forward and buried his face in 
Geordi's shoulder, holding tightly onto the engineer. Geordi's arms instantly 
went around him, and he felt a little more secure.

Geordi does not hate me, after all. He will keep me safe. Everything will be 
all right as long as he is still my friend. 

Automatically, Geordi hugged Data and soothed him just as his parents had 
soothed him as a young child. "Shhh. I'm sorry, Data. I'm so sorry. I 
didn't mean that," he whispered, one hand reaching up to stroke Data's 
hair. "You did what you thought was right at the time. I didn't mean to 
sound like I was angry with you. I was just upset because you were hurt, and I 
took it out on you. I shouldn't have. I'm so sorry."
Data hugged tighter. He does not judge me, after all. He is hurting for 
me. He felt grateful beyond measure for the unconditional support. 


"It'll be okay. It's okay. We'll get through this." I swear, 
Elbrun will pay for this. I'll make sure of it. Geordi continued to whisper 
soothingly as he held Data gently to reassure him, allowing his hands to 
continue rubbing the android's back and head.

As Data finally began to calm, listening to the comforting sound of Geordi's 
voice, he felt Geordi's finger trace gently, apparently unconsciously, across 
his ear. Puzzled, he paused for a moment, trying to determine why the gesture 
felt strange. It felt almost... intimate?

Not noticing Data's slight change in demeanour, Geordi kept on murmuring 
quietly, just trying to reassure Data that he was here, that he wasn't going 
anywhere. How could I go anywhere... he needs me right now. This is so 
unfair... why him? I love him...

With an unpleasant chill, Data realised that Geordi's heart rate was 
increasing. For no reason the android could adequately define, he somehow 
suddenly felt uncomfortable and trapped in an embrace that had felt so safe 
moments before. He jerked a little, trying to signal to Geordi that he wished to 
move out of the embrace now.

Geordi instantly tightened his grip on Data as he patted his back 
reassuringly. He must be so afraid... afraid I'm going to desert him and leave 
him to face this alone again... I swear, Data, I won't do that. It's okay, you 
can relax. I'll be here.

Data froze, trying to quell the unreasoning fear that rose within him as 
Geordi pulled him even closer. This is foolishness... I must be imagining 
things. Geordi is my friend. He would not betray me this way. Even as his body 
tensed, Data's thoughts grew increasingly frantic; he insisted to himself that 
it was not this way, could not be. 

Geordi smiled as Data stilled his movement. It must have made him feel much 
better, knowing that he would not be abandoned in his time of need. I'm here, 
it's okay, I'll look after you, I love you...

Unconsciously, his hand slid across further to Data's cheek, stroking it gently. 

Data was stunned as he felt Geordi's hand touch his face, the undeniable 
intimacy of the touches cutting through his attempts at denial.

No... I trusted you... 

A taunting voice within him whispered, Obviously his support is not as 
unconditional as you assumed.

The bitterness of betrayal washed over him like an acid flood. For the first 
time, he believed he truly understood the human phrase, "stabbed in the 
back". Allowing himself the strangely liberating feeling of giving the 
searing, painful emotions free rein, he cynically thought, Well, why not? What 
is once more, after all? as he jerked away, this time forcefully enough to 
knock the engineer right off balance. 

Geordi staggered back, blue eyes wide with surprise. "Data, are you 
okay, I ... what are you doing?" he stammered, confused at the suddenness 
of Data's reaction. He was even more shocked to see Data remove the outer shirt 
of his uniform, with a bitter, closed expression that he had only seen once, 
when Data had been under Lore's control. It was not an expression he'd ever 
wanted to see again.

"Data, what--"

"-- am I doing? I would have thought that was perfectly obvious."

Geordi could only stare in disbelief. By now Data's outer shirt was 
completely off, tossed carelessly to the floor in a gesture so uncharacteristic, 
Geordi could almost convince himself this was not happening at all. 

"This is what you want, is it not?" Data asked him, keeping his 
gaze, eyes and voice filled with bitter pain, even as his hands fumbled with the 
undershirt.

"WHAT?!" Geordi managed to gasp out, stunned by this sudden change 
in behaviour. Had Data's sanity cracked under the stress? Where had he gotten 
this twisted version of the truth?

"You need not bother with the pretence, Geordi. I suppose once more 
would not make much of a difference to me. If my body is the price of our... 
friendship, then so be it."

Geordi suddenly realised what had happened. He knows. Oh, God, what a time 
for him to find out. But how could he think that I'd... Geordi found himself 
suddenly getting angry. 

Oblivious to Geordi's growing anger, Data said, "Take what you want and 
let us just get this over with," a soft tremor in his voice that all the 
bitter cynicism could not hide. 

"Wait a minute, Data. Just let me get this straight. You've just decided 
that I'm going to take advantage of you? No way. No way would I ever try to 
pressure you into anything you didn't want!" 

Data stared at him, the betrayal fading off his features, to be replaced by 
confusion. Suddenly, he looked very childlike and vulnerable. 
Geordi, however, was too incensed to notice, all the repressed fury and anger 
of the past few days coursing freely through him. "But you obviously think 
I'm like that, don't you? Great opinion you have of me!"

"Geordi--" 

"I would NEVER do anything like that. I thought you knew me well enough 
to be able to trust me. I guess this just shows how wrong I was!"
Data's expression flickered as confusion was rapidly being replaced by fear. 
I am a fool. Of course Geordi would not force anything on me, or demand a price 
for our relationship. I should have known that. And if I do not apologise for my 
foolishness now, I will lose the best friend I ever had.

"Geordi, listen to me, please--"

Geordi continued his furious tirade. At Data, at himself, at Elbrun... his 
fury burning brighter every moment. "And yes, I love you, but you've 
changed so much that right now I don't think I even know who you are 
anymore!"

"Geordi, please--"

"No, I don't want to hear a word. I've never been accused of anything 
like that in my life before, and I won't take it. Not from anybody. Not even 
you." Turning on his heel, he strode toward the doors in a white-hot rage. 
As they parted, he heard behind him an intense whisper.

"Wait--"

Ignoring it, he stormed out into the corridor, not caring who saw his mood.

As the door closed behind him, Data fell weakly to his knees. The tight bonds 
of control finally cracking, the first tear of a flood sliding down his cheek, 
the last of his hope destroyed.

**********************************************

Geordi to his quarters, still fuming as he entered them and flung himself 
down on the couch. After a few seconds, he found that sitting was no help at 
all, and got back up again. He cursed as loudly as he could and stomped around 
his quarters to work off his rage.

How dare he? How dare he stand there and tell me to my face that he thinks 
I'd do that? I can't believe him. That is just so... so... Dammit, I won't take 
it.

Finally, the worst of his fury spent, Geordi flopped back down on the couch, 
this time staying there, rubbing his forehead. What the hell was that all 
about? It's so unlike him. He's been acting so strange ever since... 
since...

Since the Borg mission.

Geordi massaged his temples, his emotions roiling. It's all just wrong. Damn 
the Borg, damn Elbrun. Damn them all. Look what they've done to him. They've 
made him think he's only a thing to be used...

The truth of that unexpected thought hit him in the gut. It was true. Data 
hadn't meant the accusation, he'd just been upset. And it's not like you 
haven't had to apologise to him already tonight for saying stuff you didn't 
really mean. 

Geordi remembered hearing the objections, the pleas for him to listen... but 
he'd been so angry, he hadn't given Data a chance to finish. With a start, he 
recalled Data's soft but intense cry of "Wait" that had followed him 
out the door.

It had been so frantic... so desperate. As if Data had felt it was his last 
chance to make amends. And his previous actions had already shown how close he 
was to breaking...

Standing, Geordi headed for the door. It was time to make things right. 

Now.

*****************************************

There was no answer to the door when he hit the door signal. Not really 
surprised, Geordi tried again. "Data?" he called out. "Data, 
please open the door. We need to talk." Becoming more and more concerned as 

time passed without any answer from Data, he finally overrode the door lock 
and stepped into the quarters carefully, almost afraid of what he was sure he 
would find inside.

Data was finally crying.

Geordi had expected that, but he hadn't been prepared for the sheer raw pain 
that he now saw. Data was sitting on the floor, his lithe figure curled into a 
tight ball, face buried in his knees, weeping with a quiet intensity that truly 
frightened Geordi. The sobs wracked his slender frame as golden hands 
convulsively gripped his shins. He seemed totally unaware of Geordi's entry into 
his quarters. 

Geordi knelt beside Data, not knowing quite what to do in the face of such 
total despair. Hesitating, he decided to simply wait until Data was ready.
After a few moments, Data realised that there was somebody there. Not caring 
who it was, he raised his head despondently. 

Geordi took a deep breath as Data finally looked at him, the expression on 
the android's tear-streaked face wavering as hope warred with disbelief. 
Tentatively, he extended his hand to Data, unsure of whether or not Data would 
take it, whether or not he had made the wrong move.

For a few moments, Data could only stare at the proffered hand in shock. He 
is here? He has come back? 

Still stunned, he reached out, taking the hand carefully at first, then 
grasping it tightly, drawing the engineer's hand closer to him and gripping it 
as if it were a lifeline.

Geordi's heart ached within him as he drew Data close and stayed silent, 
simply holding him and allowing him to cry. This time Data held his hand 
tightly, allowing his friend to comfort him, not fighting at all. He was still 
stunned that Geordi had come back. Could he truly care for me that much? He 
tightened his hold on the engineer's hand, and felt Geordi's embrace tighten in 
return.

Geordi sighed and rested his cheek on Data's head, while the android's face 
was still against his shoulder. Okay, he's not afraid of me touching him, 
anyway... but that might change once this fit passes. Inwardly steeling himself 
for a rejection, he spoke gently to Data. "Are you all right with this?"

"Yes," Data whispered. "As long as you stay with me." I 
do not deserve it, but please, do not leave me...

"As long as you want me to." The sentence was spoken with a quiet 
solemnity that made it an absolute promise. No conditions.

Data nodded mutely, resting his head against Geordi trustingly. He still did 
not know if he reciprocated Geordi's feelings, or what tomorrow would bring... 
but Geordi still cared about him. And that was enough.

"Thank you." A whisper of gratitude. "I want you to. 
Always."

THE END... maybe.