Data Lore Desire

The Feeling Of Emptiness

**** this chapter is based on Season 4 Episode 8 Future Imperfect with a small mention of Season 4 Episode 9 Final Mission****

Dezirae enjoyed the small yet large birthday party that was being celebrated in Ten Forward for Riker "so what did you wish for Will?"  Deanna asks after Riker blows out his candles "music lessons"  Riker replies with a chuckle in his tone Troi, Beverly and the others laugh Riker watches as Dezirae's head tilts in a very Data like way as she looks out the window and he asks "what's wrong!?"  Dezirae replies softly "I'm not sure it feels very.... empty"  he looks at her oddly then hears Picard say through the com "Commander Riker I apologize for interrupting your celebration but I'm going to need an Away Team would you report to the Bridge please?"  Riker points to Geordi and Worf then the three of them leave Ten Forward with Dezirae not too far behind "there's no reason to celebrate if the one you're celebrating isn't there"   Dezirae says as Riker looks at her oddly when he notices her following them he chuckles then wraps his arm around her shoulder as they walk they break apart once the men reach the Turbolift and go their separate ways with a wave and a smile.... a few minutes later Dezirae notices a change in not only the Enterprise but the people within it as a matter of fact she goes through the oddest thing as Data prepares to return to the Bridge he openly kisses her without giving it a second thought seeing her confusion Data asks "is this not something one does with his wife before heading to work!?"  she replies "of course Data.... I'm sorry I'm just feeling a little.... off.... today"  Data's expression seemed to say "hmm" as he nods and kisses her again then walks out of their quarters "wife!?!"  Dezirae whispers to herself "a marriage to rival Spock's I'm sure!"  she jokes then chuckles to herself she starts to walk deeper into her quarters then stops when she senses someone familiar "Will!.... oh good at least one thing hasn't changed!"  she whispers to herself then she turns and walks out of her quarters.... as she passed by the officers in the corridor she searched their memories and found them.... empty.... and yet semi-visual she also found that the Computer seemed to need to.... think.... about what it was programmed to do almost as efficiently as Data.... as Riker was walking from his quarters to the Transporter Room he sees a just as confused as he is looking Desiree walking in his direction and a look of relief flashes over his face "Dezirae!"  Riker says waking Dezirae from her funk "R!.... it's so nice to see a semi-familiar face everyone else feels so.... empty!"  Dezirae says softly "tell me about it!"  he replies sarcastically with a sigh even though she didn't fully take him seriously she says as they walk towards the Turbolift together "I've been trying to read others to reach into their memories so I can "act the part" and even though I can see them they're far to.... bland to be considered real.... apparently Data and I are married.... another one of his "how to be more human" "experiments" most likely.... and that boy.... he is the oddest thing I've sensed since appearing here.... though it could very well be that I have hit this "time shift" without being affected by it.... again....  after all there is no record of me aboard this ship even though I have lived on it for close to 3 years...."  she pauses then says "an odd way to spend your birthday huh!?"  he chuckles with a smile and replies "yeah!"  she says "unfortunately since becoming your Number One Data has been quite adamant about being a true stickler of Federation rules so I no longer can accompany you on your on duty adventures but if you need me you know where I'll be for that is another thing that hasn't changed.... though I think I'll skip going to the holodeck just in case the computer starts to think I'm a part of it"  he chuckles she claps him on the shoulder then walks away with a wave....