Data's Journey

“What was so urgent Data?” Troi asked kindly as they took seats across from each other. Data had requested to see her as soon as possible.

“Neara recommended I speak to you. I have just experienced my first emotion,” Data sat forward as he explained. “It lasted nine point eight seconds, and I believe it was love, but I have no basis for comparison. I was hoping you could help me interpret my feeling.”

“Data, that’s incredible!” Deanna enthused. “Tell me what you were doing and what thoughts went through your head at the time you felt this emotion.”

“It was in the morning and Neara was still asleep,” Data described. “I was in bed with her gently touching her face and lips. I do this every morning because,” he shrugged, “I enjoy the closeness – the fact that I am the one who can do this with her. When I suddenly felt a rush through my body. It was warm and wonderful and seemed to beam out of me and expand itself around her. And it came back around and encompassed me, and my body felt as if it was filling up, boiling over with… emotion. Love. The words I would use to describe it are admiration, adoration, awe, belonging, gratitude, a deep-seated connection,” he demonstrated by tapping the fingers of one hand a couple of times into his solar plexus. “She was so beautiful, I felt as if I were going to burst open. And then the feeling vanished. Does this sound like love Counselor?”

“I would have to say, this sounds like a very profound feeling of love Data,” Troi concurred. “For your first feeling, I’m amazed at its depth. Especially as it was only seconds!”

“Neara had suggested I tell the universe that I wanted to love her, instead of preventing it from happening by saying I was unable to feel emotion,” Data shared. “Although it was only a momentary feeling, this technique was the only thing I have done differently. Empirically, it appears to work. I will test it further by asking the universe for other feelings. If, through this process, I am able to experience other emotions, I would appreciate your help interpreting them.”

“Of course Data,” Deanna agreed. “This is an amazing development for you on your journey to humanity. I really do hope your technique works and you’re able to have many more good feelings,” and she patted him on his knee.

Data left Troi’s office and went to see Keiko to get the appropriate food for Troi’s housewarming plant. O’Brien was in the greenhouse with her keeping her company while eating his lunch.

“Well there’s the lucky winner!” O’Brien intoned.

“I do not understand,” Data responded, confusion etched on his face. “I did not win anything.”

“He’s kidding Data,” Keiko explained. “He’s talking about you being the lucky one to be with Neara.”

“Oh, I see. Yes, I am very fortunate,” Data agreed.

“Indeed you are,” O’Brien stated.

“She had a lot of suitors when she came on board,” Keiko elaborated. “I lost count of the number of crew members who offered to show her the ship.”

“And she did not go with any of them,” Data stated.

“No, she went with them,” Keiko informed. “I even heard she gave one of them a passionate kiss, but nothing more happened. Must have been waiting for you,” she said, nudging him with her hand.

“But when I first met Neara, she said she had not seen the ship,” Data was again confused. “She asked me to show it to her. Why would she do that?”

“Oh you clueless sod,” responded O’Brien. “She obviously liked you and was using it as an excuse to spend time with you.”

“But should I be concerned that she lied during our first interaction?” asked Data.

“You should take it as a huge compliment that she was interested enough in you to go through another boring tour,” he chided.

“Why did she not simply ask to spend time with me?” Data wondered.

“Well Data, most people would be uncomfortable with that level of directness. She was probably just trying to make things less awkward,” Keiko explained. “And that way, if you hadn’t been interested, she gave you an out. You could have told her that you were too busy and everyone would have saved face. No hurt feelings.”

Neara obviously did not realize at the time she need not use such social conventions with him. But she certainly was much more adept at human interaction than he was. He could definitely learn a lot from her.

Data came home to find Neara getting dinner ready.

“Hello ka’lee!” she chimed as she flew over and give him a big kiss. “How was your day?”

“It was informative. I understand that you lied to me when we first met – that you had already seen the ship,” Data probed.

Neara covered her mouth with her hand, “Oh no,” she smiled, “you found me out! But it did work – you did go out with me.”

“You did not need the subterfuge,” Data posited.

“I know that now, but I did not know that then,” Neara jokingly defended.

“I also understand you passionately kissed a crew member,” he stated.

“Who has been talking to you?” she laughed. “Yes, Brian Dunbar. He has face hair and Ahmriana do not have face hair. I wanted to know what it felt like. I did not like it. I am glad you do not have face hair.”

“I did grow a beard once, but did not get the reaction from the crew I expected. I decided to remove the facial hair,” Data shared.

“I am glad you did. You have a beautiful face, it would be a shame to cover it up,” Neara said as she stroked his cheek. “Now, if there are no further discoveries, let us eat before the food gets cold!”

As they sat to dine, Data reflected – were there further discoveries to be made?