A Most Agreeable Arrangement

Chapter 12 - The Question of Sentience

"You're supposed to tear the wrapping off," Wesley was telling Data.

Data was carefully removing the wrapping paper from a small rectangular shape. It reminded me of the way my parents and siblings had always joked about me doing the same thing at Christmas; I always pulled the tape loose and gently unwrapped it with my tiny fingers, then sat it aside while my siblings tore into their presents like they were uncovering food and they hadn't eaten in days.

"With the application of a little care, Wes, the paper can be utilized again," Data stated calmly.

Wesley sighed, shaking his head. "You're missing the point."

Data was holding the paper in his hands now and he looked directly at Wesley before gripping the paper and tearing it in half. That caused me to nearly double over with laughter, despite my sadness at Data's departure.

"Here," I pushed my present towards him after he had examined Worf's gift. "Open mine next."

He reached down and took my present carefully in both of his hands. He reached to undo the tape from one corner before glancing up at me.

I smiled. "Go ahead."

He grabbed the paper with one hand and tore it all away easily in one motion.

In the paper's absence, my present was revealed; a canvas with paint carefully depicting a scene.

"The Cliffs on Serenia," Data recognized it instantly. The suns were setting over the ocean while two figures sat on the cliff, huddled closely together.

It had been one of our favorite holodeck programs ever since I found it in the database, and we'd spent many evenings after our shifts there just watching the suns set.

"It is very aesthetically pleasing," Data stated as he gazed down at it. "Your thin brush strokes accurately depict the light of the sunset and the way it is cast on the two figures." He looked up at me. "It is a fine tribute to our time together in the holodecks. Thank you."

I smiled sadly, nodding before moving to the edge of the room as Data opened more presents.

I took a seat next to Geordi, who glanced over at me, but we sat in silence and watched the rest of the people at the party mingle.

Eventually, Data made his way over to us.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, and Geordi scoffed.

"Of course there is," he said, looking up at him. "You're going away."

"No one regrets that necessity more than myself," Data looked between us. "You do understand my reasons?"

"Yeah, of course," I said, mentally noting that regret is an emotion. "That doesn't mean we're not still sad. We'll miss you."

"I will miss you, too, Fae," he said, taking a seat next to me before looking over at Geordi. "And you. You are both my best friends."

We smiled sadly at him.

"Yeah, I'll miss you, too, Data," Geordi said. "Take care of yourself."

The night went by like a blur; I didn't ask Data to stay with me this time. It would be better to begin getting used to him being gone than to get used to his presence and miss it that much more.

In my nightmares, I saw two figures. One of them was a hulking mass against the dim lighting of a doorway, and the other had the same face as my best friend, though his eyes were sharp and unsettling.

I woke up once again with bags under my eyes and slipped on my blue uniform in a daze.

I went through the motions, performing my duties, assisting in some scientific evaluations, when Captain Picard called me to his ready room.