The Classified Incident

A Change of Plans

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-X-

"Good morning," Data said as Keiko emerged from the bedroom.

Data had spent the evening at his workstation.

While he suspected he had a sleep programme, there had been some trepidation between Data and Keiko had discussed their sleeping arrangements the night before.

Both felt that despite the overwhelming evidence of their marital union, it would be best to hold off on sleeping next to one another until they were more comfortable together.

There was certainly a sense of familiarity that they shared.

However, it was like getting to know each other all over again.

And they just weren't quite ready to get that close.

"I have prepared a nutritional breakfast for you," Data informed her.

Keiko glanced over to the table to find that Data had not only laid out breakfast for her—he'd taken the time to clip one of his carnations and place it in a small vase on the table.

It was a sweet gesture, and Keiko was taken aback by Data's thoughtfulness.

And it didn't stop there. To Keiko's delight, Data had served up kelp buds, plankton loaf, and seaberries.

"How did you know this was my favourite?" Keiko asked in astonishment.

Data shrugged.

"I just did," he replied simply.

"This is lovely, Data. Thank you."

"You are most welcome," Data replied. "I wanted to ensure that you are properly prepared for your day as I theorise the Security office will be quite busy."

Keiko's heart sank.

She was dreading her role as Chief of Security. Keiko didn't even know where to begin. Keiko had initially pushed back on Data's insistence that she was the Security Chief.

But he had overwhelming evidence. It left only one conclusion.

Keiko had to report to the Observation Lounge at 09:00 hours for a morning briefing with acting Captain Riker and the other senior officers.

Keiko hoped that when she got to the briefing, things would start to come back to her.

-X-

Several decks down, Beverly knelt down next to the blonde on the floor.

She gently shook Tasha's shoulder. She awoke with a start—surprisingly alert and instantly ready for action.

"Whoa," Beverly said as she ducked the woman's defensive stance. "It's just me."

"You're the doctor, right?"

"I'm a doctor," Beverly replied.

Tasha had barely slept.

There was only a single cot in the cell, and she wasn't about to suggest Captain Picard take the floor.

He'd been seriously injured the day before. Tasha had done her best to watch over him during the night, but it seemed she must have dozed off at some point.

Beverly scanned over the Captain with one of her portable tricorders.

Unfortunately, the Captain's condition was far too serious to enact Tasha's plan. Worse than that, because she had dozed off, she wasn't in a position to reach the Doctor's medical kit.