by Overload

It had been a long day, and Geordi LaForge was glad it was over.  After he was cleared to go off duty, he headed straight back to his quarters.  On the way back, the engineer thought about all the things he would do to relax.  He would grab a quick bite to eat, take a nap, maybe kick back with some soft music.  He smiled to himself as he reached the door to his home and stepped through the automatic portal.  Perhaps a nice bath would be in order...perhaps shared with....

"DATA?!?!?"
"Greetings.." came the quiet reply.  Geordi looked around.  His quarters had been redone somewhat.  The shelves now held both Data and Geordi's belongings, Data's artwork hung on the walls.  There was an extra computer terminal set up next to his.  And in his living room, Data's art supplies took up one of the corners.  Spot reclined on the bed.

And the culprit responsible for all this stood in the middle of the room, regarding Geordi expectantly.

"Data!"  Geordi sputtered.  "What is all this?!  What did you do?"
Data replied, sounding extremely pleased with his task.  "We now share our quarters together!  Just like we had been discussing as of late!  I know this is what you had been desiring for quite some time!"
"But..but Data!  You can't just move everything just like that!  We BOTH have to have permission from the Captain first!"
"Yes, and the Captain shall be contacting you shortly in order to discuss the matter with you and thus get your "go ahead" as it were, just as a formality.  I spoke with the captain earlier, and he does not deem it a problem, so long as you agree!  So, I decided to move everything out of my quarters into yours as a surprise!  For now we are together!"
Geordi fumed.  "Data, how could you..."  he sighed, a little more than annoyed with the android.  "Look.  Yes ,I wanted to share my quarters with you.  But I wanted us to talk to the Captain together, and I wanted to talk it over with you more before we did!"
Data looked at Geordi innocently.  "So....you are not surprised..?"  he asked.
"Oh, I'm surprised all right.  But I don't think it's the kind of surprise you were hoping for, Data!"  Geordi sighed and looked around the room again, still trying to sort the situation out in his head.  Data's face fell.

"I..I am sorry, Geordi.  I comprehend the errors of this situation.  I shall move my belongings back into my residence and..and I will not repeat such actions again without asking you first.."  Data sadly gathered up some of his things and began to head towards the door.  Geordi stopped him, gently putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait a second Data.  I didn't say I wanted you to move out."  Data looked at him, tilting his head in confusion.  Geordi smiled a little and continued.  "See, moving in with someone...that's a pretty big step.  It takes a lot of preparation, and a lot of discussion.   But when a transition that big gets fast-forwarded, you're not going to get a desirable reaction because then you have to take all that preparation and cram it into a very short amount of time.  That's a lot to let sink in, and that's a lot of pressure."

Data swallowed.  "I....I did not think of that, Geordi..I am sorry.."
Geordi nodded wisely.  "It's okay Data.  Just think of it as a learning experience.  but from now on, if we're faced with a big step in our relationship that will effect both of us, then we need to face it TOGETHER, and make sure we're both ready before we make any moves okay?"
Data nodded eagerly.  "Agreed!"
"Good!"  Geordi drew his lover into a hug, and then kissed him on the lips.  Data responded in kind.  Finally after about a minute Geordi reluctantly broke the kiss and grinned at the android.  "Now, I'm gonna go talk with the Captain, to make things official about our living arrangements.  Put your things away, and I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Okay," Data said, getting to work.  He then paused as Geordi started through the door, and he called out.  "Geordi, wait!"  The engineer turned around, quizzically.  Data grinned and trotted over to him.  "I want to come too!"
Geordi chuckled.  "I think that's a great idea!"  he said.  They both hugged briefly and then left their quarters.

Together.

Fin.