Paramount Global owns the Star Trek franchise. This is a piece of fan fiction based on Star Trek the Next Generation.
The Claddagh
The Jormungand smelt of lavender and roses. Data was lost in a moment of scent-ual pleasure. Steam came rolling through the living room. “Sher?”
“I am in here.”
He walked to the bathroom. She had the curtain pulled almost covering the tub. Steam puffed from the water in little clouds. “How hot is that water?”
“As hot as I can stand it.” She smiled. Her hair was starting to grow. She had little tuffs all over her head.
“From the amount of steam in here, I would estimate it is 150 degrees
Fahrenheit.”
“You are welcome to test it.”
He knelt by the tub, sticking his hand over the side. “160, I was off a little.” She was covered up to her neck with bubbles. “How does a hot bath feel?”
“Like a gift from God.”
“I have been dying to talk to you. Now that I have the chance, I do not know what to talk about.”
“Well, I do. I want to thank you. I never would have made it without your help.”
“You are welcome. You know I would have done more if you would have let
me.”
“No. I had no idea you had the emotion chip Noonien made for you installed. I never would have imposed upon you if I would have known.”
“Would you have asked me?”
“I didn’t have the energy to ask. So, no I wouldn’t have.” She caressed his face with a bubble-covered hand. “I have missed you my golden prince.”
“I wish I could say the same. I am just discovering what we meant to each other. I am amazed at the things we did.”
“I don’t hold you responsible for that. I cursed Noonien for years. But looking back on it, he did the right thing. The villagers would have destroyed those memories.”
He leaned over and kissed her. It was that kiss he was hoping to have; those soft lips that he remembered in his dreams. The feeling of being alive grew in him. He let go of the kiss breathing deeply. “Something wrong?”
“Yes,” he continued to breathe. “No. I have longed for your touch. Wept because of it. I wondered if that feeling was real or not.”
“And?”
“This feeling is very real.”
“Yes it is.”
He cleared his throat, “are you moving too fast?”
“How do you mean?”
“You are up already.”
“I couldn’t lay there any longer. I was half afraid Dr. Crusher would come back
with her needles. No offence to you, I feel safer over here.”
“No offence taken. I have been a horrible protector.”
“No you have not. You have been wonderful. I couldn’t have asked for better.” She reached up and kissed him. He wrapped his arm around her waist. “You are going to get your uniform wet.”
“I do not care.” He slid down the side of the tub sloshing water in the floor.
She giggled, “what are you doing?”
“Being right where I want to be.” He slid under her. She laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed her earlobe.
“What would your friends think?”
“That I have lost all my mental faculties.” She snuggled into him. “They were
starting to think that anyway.”
“Did that make you the least bit bitter?”
“No, they did not understand. I knew I was not going crazy. You taught me a saying once, ‘people fear what they do not understand.”” He lifted her hands out of the water. On her right hand, she was wearing a Claddagh. I gave you that did I not?”
“Yes, you did.”
“For love, we wear the heart. In friendship, we wear the hands. And, in loyalty and lasting fidelity: we wear the Claddagh crown. Worn on the right hand, with crown and heart facing out, the ring tells that the wearer’s heart is yet to be won.
While under love’s spell it is worn with heart and crown facing inwards. Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards, signifies that your love has been requited.” She was wearing it with the crown and heart facing inwards on the right hand. “I have won your love?”
“Yes, you did.”
“I do not remember fighting anyone.”
“You fought years of bitterness and hatred. You fought thousands of memories from tainted lies. You fought your battle well and won the prize.” Together they sung the Claddagh song: “My thoughts are as glad as the morning
My heart is as light as the dew
With this ring, / remember the passion And I can think only of you
Your gift of those bright happy hours
Stay with me through each night and day
With hands joined forever and ever
More than mere words can ever convey
Together we stand in a rainbow And glow with the colors of love
Forever, we will be together Held in the bond of our love.”
“Do you remember making this ring?” She asked.
“No, I made it.”
“Yes.”
“Silver because you cannot wear gold. A yellow stone to remind you of me.”
“You wrote in it as well.”
He took it off of her finger, “love always Data.” He put it back on her finger with the heart and crown facing inwards.
“That was the first thing you ever attempted to make.”
“I made 30 before I got one right. I remember now. It had to be as lovely as you.” He let out a long sigh. “I remember Dr. Soong did not like it that we were getting close.”
“He felt he was loosing control again.”
“I now know that he made many androids. For the longest time, I thought I was the only one.”
“I know.” She changed the subject back to the ring. “What made you choose the Claddagh?”
“It was such a sweet story”
“Do you remember the party where you first met Guinan?”
“Yes. I saw that picture of her on your wall.”
“I was at that party.”
“You were not.”
“Yes, I was. I hid when you walked in.”
“Why did you hide?”
“Seeing me would have stirred memories. You were not ready for that.”
“Is that the only time you have been present?”
“Yes. In this time, I was on HaBlich. Things happen for a reason, my love.
They must be allowed to happen. No matter how much they hurt.” In a matter of minutes, she was asleep.
“Sleep my Princess.” He whispered. He dried her off, wrapped her up, and put her to bed. He watched her sleep until his shift started the next day.
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