| Primary Characters: | Geordi La Forge, Data |
| Rating: | M |
| Spoilers: | Some |
| Warning: | m/m sex |
| Description: | Geordi decides to tell Data how he feels about him. At first he can’t believe his luck – Data agrees to have a relationship with him – but then he begins to see that something is missing. |
Geordi was keeping an eye on a level 2 diagnostic in Engineering. It was simple routine work and his mind longed for a challenge. Of course he knew he shouldn’t complain. Working on the Enterprise usually provided more than a few of those. It was just one of those slow periods in between. He had to be prepared for them too.
A familiar voice came over the communications system.
”Lt Commander La Forge -”
”Hello, Data. What can I do for you?”
”I was wondering if you might help me with a project I am working on.”
”Sure. No problem. Lieutenant Ellior -”
”Yes, sir.”
The younger officer stepped up to take Geordi’s place. Geordi went to the turbolift and travelled up three decks to join Data in his lab. This might not count as one of his favorite challenges, but it would usually be interesting enough. Besides, though Geordi tried not to show it, he always enjoyed spending time with Data. He tried not to even think about what way that appealed to him.
”Thank you so much, Geordi. It’s this -”
Data showed him the gadget he was working on. Geordi lost himself in the brilliant construction. Data’s skills at inventing clever devices were impressive. Not that Geordi thought he himself wasn’t too bad at his work. They made a good team.
Once his part in the project was over, Data thanked him gravely for his help, then began focusing on his work again.
Geordi remained standing where he was, studying Data’s slightly downturned face and his hands, flying over the components he was working on. There was something so perfect about the image that Geordi almost sighed. He felt a longing for something – Then he realized what it was. His friendship with Data wasn’t enough. He needed more. Wanted more. Of course he was a fool to even think this way. What was wrong with him? First a hologram, now an android. A male android too. That had to be a first. Though he’d heard that Data and Tasha Yar – Unbelievable.
”Data -”
Quickly now, before he lost his nerve.
”Yes, Geordi?”
”Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
”Dinner? Yes, of course, Geordi.”
”Great. Your place or mine?”
Inside, Geordi giggled at his own words.
”Which would you prefer?”
Geordi thought it over briefly, then decided they might as well meet at his place. After all, it was his idea.
”My place.”
”Then I shall see you – at what time?”
”Will 8 work for you?”
”Yes, that will be fine.”
”See you then.”
Data looked up and faced Geordi, blinking slightly, with an expression Geordi knew didn’t really mean anything, or at least not what he was hoping for. Even so, he couldn’t help smiling at his friend. Tonight he would make his suggestion. Maybe they could have something –
After his shift, Geordi prepared a meal that he knew would be mostly for himself, but he still made an effort to set the table pleasantly and to put a bit of thought into what he knew Data might appreciate. Some music and a little art. He replicated some new reproductions of paintings and other works of art, then made up a play list of a few works of classical music, that he thought Data would – like – except of course, liking didn’t really come into the picture. Still, whatever you called it, it was far more than just a random selection, so he was still hoping it might – almost – mean something to his guest.
At exactly 8, Data showed up outside Geordi’s door and Geordi immediately let him in. They sat down at the table and – in Geordi’s case, had dinner, and in Data’s case – strictly speaking – went through the motions of eating. Even so, Data complimented Geordi scrupulously about his decorations and about the way the table was set and so on.
Geordi thanked Data and then the conversation ended. What was wrong with him? Geordi knew he wasn’t usually this tongue-tied. They could easily talk for hours about their work and even speculate about other projects they might some day work on – for fun – at least in Geordi’s case, but even in Data’s case, there was an intellectual curiosity that had to be more than just the workings of a machine.
Geordi ordered the computer to turn on the music, remembering to be a good host even if his conversational skills were suffering from his – emotional state.
When the last piece of music was playing, Geordi desperately decided to get the words out. If he didn’t – then all this would have been for nothing and he’d be back to alternately dreaming and suppressing his true intentions even from himself. Better to get it out into the open, even if he didn’t have any high expectations.
”Data – I – there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
”Yes, Geordi? What is that?”
”I – uh – heard about you and Tasha Yar.”
Data looked at him, his head slightly tilted to the side, as if wondering what he was getting at.
When Data didn’t reply, Geordi forced himself to continue.
”I – have feelings for you, Data.”
”I see. As you know, I do not, strictly speaking, have any feelings, but I am flattered. Did you want to pursue a romantic relationship with me?”
Geordi stared at Data. Was it going to be that easy? On the other hand, what Data had said couldn’t really be construed as truly encouraging.
”Yes. That’s what I would like. If that’s ok with you?”
”I would find it very interesting to have a romantic relationship with you, Geordi. You are my friend. I believe humans sometimes become romantically involved with their friends?”
”Yes, that happens. It’s what happened to me. First you and I were friends, then I realized it was something more.”
”As you know, my – father – Dr Soong – created me to be like him, that is, to be heterosexual, but I am capable of adapting and I have already had sexual relations with another male, so this should not be difficult to achieve.”
Sexual relations with another male? That was news to Geordi. He caught himself wondering who it would be. He wanted to ask, but knew Data would probably not be willing to share this information. In fact, Data’s next words confirmed his suspicion, and even hinted to Geordi that Data knew more about human reactions than he would have guessed.
”I am afraid I can not tell you who that was.”
”No, of course not. I understand.”
”Geordi? Would you like to kiss me? Do you want me to spend the night here with you?”
Geordi was torn between disappointment and excitement. Of course he couldn’t expect Data to be like other humans. That was one reason he felt the way he did about him. And this did mean he was going to get what he wanted, at least to some extent.
”Yes, Data, that’s what I want.”
Geordi moved closer and reached out to pull Data into his arms. His kiss was returned in a very skillful way that sent little sparks through Geordi’s entire body. Again, he caught himself wondering who Data had been with, but he didn’t wonder for long. They moved over to the bed and stretched out together. Whoever the other guy had been, Geordi didn’t have anything to complain about.
The following day Geordi began to consider how they – or at least he – would handle this. Did he want the entire ship to know about his relationship with an android? He wanted to think that he did want everyone to know, but suddenly he found himself doubting that. Perhaps it would be better to wait a while. He told Data – feeling ashamed of himself – but Data didn’t seem to wonder at his decision. Not that he would, in all honesty, Geordi knew that.
Over the following week, they kept meeting almost every night, and in a way, it was everything that he had hoped for, but then again – it wasn’t.
As the weeks went by, Geordi began to realize that while the sexual side of things was working out great, there was still something he was missing and he knew he should have seen this coming. What had he expected? Data was unique, wonderful in every way, but he was still an android and as such incapable of returning anyone’s love.
After mulling over this insight for a few days, Geordi decided to tell Data. He knew that he wouldn’t be hurting Data’s feelings. At least that was an advantage to being involved with an android.
That evening Geordi braced himself and started.
”Data – I – there’s something I need to tell you. This isn’t working out. Something is missing for me. We can’t do this anymore.”
”You want to end our relationship?”
”Yes, Data, I think I’d better.”
”I see. I am very sorry you feel this is not working out. What is the problem?”
”I – need more.”
”I see. What?”
”It’s a bit hard to explain.”
”Can I help you find whatever it is?”
”I don’t know, Data.”
Then Geordi started thinking. Once he had been – involved – for want of a better word – with a hologram. Perhaps that might be better at – emulating – human romantic behavior. Until such a time that he really met someone – in real life – someone made from flesh and blood – perhaps a hologram would fulfil more of his needs than Data could. And they’d still be friends.
”You know, Data, maybe you can help me. I was thinking you might be able to help me program a hologram that will be able to give me more in a – relationship.”
”I will try my best.”
”Thank you.”
So they worked together over the next couple of weeks, programming a hologram to be Geordi’s dream mate. He spent the most time considering what looks the hologram would have, and he was slightly ashamed of himself for that, but aside from that, he never hesitated over what inner traits his dream partner would have.
Almost six weeks later, they were ready to unleash the companion hologram in the holodeck.
”Thank you, Data. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone now.”
”Of course. I will leave you now. If you need more help, please just ask.”
”Thank you. I will. I – really appreciate this. You’re still my best friend.”
”Thank you, Geordi. I really appreciate being your friend.”
When the doors had closed behind Data, Geordi paused for a moment, hoping that this hologram would be all that he was missing in life. He didn’t think so, but at least if it performed as he and Data had programmed it, it should give him more than he’d previously found in relationships.
In the past, Geordi had almost exclusively tried to get involved with female partners, and lately he’d begun to fear that perhaps that was the problem. This time, he had decided to go with a male. He hadn’t been aware of it earlier, but when he started the hologram, he realized that it looked a lot like – him. A younger, taller, better looking guy but still someone who closely resembled Geordi La Forge. He smiled sheepishly, but decided he liked the looks of the guy anyway and didn’t waste time changing the appearance.
”Hello, Geordi.”
”Hello, Jimmy. I thought we could go on a little vacation.”
”Great. Where did you have in mind?”
The hologram – Jimmy – walked over to meet Geordi, leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips.
”Hawaii?”
”Sounds cool. Will you program it, or shall I?”
”I’ll get started, but you can help me.”
”Ok.”
A couple of minutes later, they were sitting on a perfect beach in deck chairs, each sipping a refreshing drink. As they sat there, watching and listening to the waves crashing on the beach a couple of yards away, Geordi glanced over at Jimmy, thinking that maybe this time, he’d found what he was looking for. If not everything, than a lot more than he’d had in the past.
When they’d finished their drinks, they retreated into the bungalow behind them. Though Data’s skills had been perfect, Geordi somehow felt different with Jimmy. It was probably his way of talking or the way he at least seemed to return Geordi’s feelings. In any case, this was better and more fulfilling than anything else up to now. Even so, Geordi caught himself hoping that some day he’d find someone alive. Someone like himself. But until he did, this was great. He knew he would be happy with Jimmy. And he and Data were still best friends. This was just a different kind of love.
FIN
© Tonica