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Blind Chess	By : madradena Category: Star Trek > The Next Generation Views: 1334 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own ST:TNG, nor the characters. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
Emma and Data got back to their accommodation only in the evening. They left before the others, Emma not being able to bear to sit in one room with Ed any longer. The sun was slowly setting, the shade of the trees in the neat garden of the residence grew long, and the temperature dropped. They stepped up the porch, but as Data was about to open the entrance door, Emma lagged behind, and he turned back to her questioningly. She walked to one of the columns holding the roof of the porch and leant to it tiredly looking out over the garden.
Data stepped up to her and looked at her expectantly "I thought you'd like to rest."
Emma sighed "Isn't it beautiful, Deadpan?" she asked nodding toward the nature in the garden and the setting sun. He rested his gaze on her for a moment longer. Her features were deepened by the shades of the faint light, her hair was glowing yet again in a thousand colors, and her huge eyes reflected sorrow and fatigue. She stood there hugging herself as she spoke "I always loved this planet." she confessed on a thin voice "The nature, the lights... everything about it is so beautiful - it's a crime that my species ever set foot on it." she added on a low disdainful voice.
Data looked out on the garden "It bears a resemblance to certain places on Earth. Perhaps you feel nostalgic because of that." he turned back to her, and as a tremor ran through her, he realized she must have felt cold in her thin long-sleeved top. He unbuttoned his waist-long jacket and swiftly taking it off, he gently wrapped it around her shoulders.
She took in a deep breath "Oh, you're sweet..." she whispered gratefully, and as he adjusted the jacket around her, she instinctively snuggled into his touch. He slid his hands to her shoulders and inhaled the fragrance of her hair. He wanted to bow to her and kiss her on the temple and hold her close from behind, but based on her earlier reaction, he knew that she wouldn't approve of that - so he just let her go and went on staring at her while standing beside her.
She pulled the two sides of the jacket more tightly together and looked at him with the same devotion his eyes were reflecting. She contemplated the tantalizing situation for a moment. Even knowing that it would be immensely difficult to keep their hands off of each other, she wanted him to be there with her. Her excuse for it was that she needed protection. But in actuality, she had lived with the Resistance for two years and could protect herself quite well. What she really needed was his presence. Solid, trusting - loving. She wanted to hold on to those things and hoped that they would keep her sane.
Ed played with his hands laid out on the table for all to see. All their suspicions about him wanting to trade dilithium with the Federation as the real cause of him wanting them on the planet were not only confirmed but given them as an official offer. He wanted democracy, he wanted help from the Federation to achieve it, and he wanted to pay with the dilithium for it. It all seemed clear and transparent and honest. So much so that by the end of the day, Emma started to seriously believe that she was paranoid simply because she must have gone mad.
But she looked up into the eyes of her lover and knew that she didn't have to doubt herself. She was not alone.
Suddenly, Data turned his head toward the road leading up to the entrance, listening.
"What is it?" Emma asked concerned.
"The others are coming." he answered, and she smiled faintly - she was always amazed at his awesome android senses.
Before long, Beverly, Juliana and the Captain walked up to them.
"I thought you would already be eating." Beverly told Emma as she stepped up to them "I don't know how you're with it, but I'm starved."
They all smiled and nodded to this - Data noticed relieved that Emma seemed somewhat more relaxed, especially compared to how she seemed in the afternoon. There was no doubt that they needed to talk not only about their personal matters but also about what to expect of this mission after the first day, but still he was relieved to see her a bit more calm. His gaze simply was forgotten on her as she chit-chatted with Beverly - his resources once again almost thoroughly claimed by thoughts and sensations about her - and he was startled by the voice of the Admiral inviting them to have dinner together. The old man seemed very satisfied by how the day turned out.
Data politely let everybody go inside and was about to go through the wide entrance door himself, when he heard a voice from behind him:
"Mr. Data, may I have a word with you."
He turned back and saw Edmond standing at the same column Emma had stood a few minutes before.
"Premier Jones." he walked back to the man "Excuse me, I have not noticed you. I didn't realize you came with the rest of our team." he told him on a polite but ice-cold voice.
Ed snorted and seemed to change his mind about his reply as he said "I escorted the Admiral. I was hoping to have a word with my wife, but I rather let her have her dinner first. She can become really upset if she's hungry." his lips curved up into a smile which seemed rather unsettling to Data as he went on "As you might have noticed perhaps."
Data stepped opposite him beside the railing of the porch and looked into his eyes. He understood that the other man wanted to gain information on his level of relationship with Emma. And though he didn't understand why Emma wanted to keep it a secret, he would never sell her out. He remained silent and let Ed go on.
"Tell me something, Mr. Data." Ed began and turned toward the garden, putting his hands on the railing. Darkness slowly descended on them, the last rays of the sun just disappeared behind the tall bushes of the garden. Ed went on "How did you end up in the bodyguard business? As I understand, you're a rather high-ranking Starfleet officer of the flagship." he turned his head to Data "And no offence meant, Sir, but you don't seem particularly strong either."
"Strength is by no means the only ability that a bodyguard needs to possess. I can assure you, I am fit for the task." Data answered as neutrally as he could think of.
"Did my wife ask you to escort her here?" Ed went on trying to get a grip on him.
Data shook his head "I was ordered by Captain Picard." It was actually true.
"Hmph..." Ed grimaced seemingly disappointed. He straightened, and looking deep into the other man's eyes, he stepped up to him - Data had the impression that Ed wanted to intimidate him by that intense look. Data just stared blankly into his eyes with as a deadpan expression as ever.
Ed then stepped around him and looked out into the darkness that once was the garden. Data turned to him and watched him waiting for the next question.
"And tell me, my friend," Ed started on a casual tone "have you fucked her yet?" the question was thrown at him with such nonchalance that Data had to check his memory files, if he had heard it well - he did. He stood there gaping as his chest was squeezed by anger he rarely felt.
"The nature of my association with Lieutenant Jones is none of your concerns. And your words, Sir, are lacking the respect she deserves." he said on a low voice completely neutral of his feelings.
Ed laughed out loud and stepped to him with a delighted smile "Don't get so wound up, my friend. We're just talking. Besides I've seen you looking at her. And she at you. I know her for a very long time, you know..." he took a few steps again from Data and rested his hands on the railing once again "I don't blame you. She can be amazingly attractive..." he chuckled "AND attentive, if she wants to enchant a man. I bet she's showed off at least some of her skills to turn your head." he glanced at the other man for his reaction.
Data stepped to him at this "I believe I have mentioned that your words are disrespectful. If you wish to continue this conversation, I suggest you change the language you apply to Ms. Jones." this time there was a warning edge in his tone and Ed recognized it with satisfaction.
He straightened and looked at Data with a content smirk "Fine. I've already got the answer to my question anyway." his features then turned really serious "Believe it or not, I'm merely trying to protect you. You seem to be such a decent guy. You have no idea what you get yourself into with Emma."
Data's heart sank - he did not expect any such answer "What do you mean?" he asked on a silent voice.
When Ed answered his voice and face were both dead-serious "Has she told you that she's a drug addict? And that she was treated in a mental institution?"
Data just couldn't hide the shock that appeared on his features, and Ed was patient, he waited for him to speak. Data stared into his eyes for a few moments then glanced away - it was impossible to wrap his mind around what he just heard! He looked back at Ed and gave him the most professional answer he could "Her records don't mention anything about an addiction, neither of a hospitalization."
"How would they, Mr. Data? Her records show only facts about the time, when other Starfleet officers were on the planet. For years, she was the only one... How long have you known her?" Ed asked seemingly curious.
Data could think of no rational reason for not telling him the truth: "I've known her for two months." he answered silently.
Ed nodded and went on with the same curiosity "She never showed any signs? Never got hysterical without a compellingly good enough reason? Never tried to fight you or anybody whom she felt would impose his authority over her even if it was completely unreasonable to do so? Never even got drunk?"
Data gazed away again not being able to hide his emotions, his distress over this man's words was written on his features. His simple questions described Emma precisely! And it was only a day ago when he needed to bring her home from Ten Forward. But that was only...
"It was only one or a few occasions. That's what you're thinking, right?" Ed finished his thoughts, and as Data gazed at him clearly hit by all of this, he nodded "Well, if you want to keep your 'association' up with her, you'll need to be prepared for such incidents, my friend." he shrugged taking a few steps away from him "Two months you say... You've been lucky, she does have some stable periods, you might have another few weeks of it. But then a problem comes up, something she has no idea how to resolve, and she would drift away, the way she always does... No sane man could blame her, you know... Her father beat the shit out of her and her brothers from a very young age. With a past like that, she constantly needs something or someone to lean on to, to keep her going." he looked back at Data who stood there petrified "I'm sorry if I've destroyed the image you had about her in your head. But after seeing how you look at her, I thought you'd better be aware... I just ask you to give me a call, if you can't handle her any longer. Though our marriage has been effectively over for years as it is, but... I'd still like to protect her."
Data finally got himself together enough to find at least one free processing thread to use for logical thinking, and he stepped up to Ed "You've given me nothing but allusions and implications, Sir. But apart from the fact that I've seen Ms. Jones drunk once, there's no proof to support what you've just told me."
Ed smiled kindly and put a hand on Data's shoulder "That's alright. You don't have to believe me. She'll give you proof herself, if you spend enough time with her." he squeezed his shoulder, then took his hand away.
Data's emotions finally took the better of him, and his hands came up into fists as he replied on a low tense voice "Even if she did, after a marriage she had to suffer through with someone as self-centered as you are, no wonder she expects everybody to hurt her or to exploit her."
Ed snorted but didn't seem to be insulted "Ah, yeah, me, the self-centered husband. She's told you that I was a monster with her, who never let her do whatever she pleased, right? The one thing she always forgets to mention is that she NEEDS those restraints, she needs boundaries. Because she herself has no idea where they lie." he smiled regretfully "You'll learn that yourself soon enough if you haven't yet..."
Data felt cornered by this. This man was a fine debater but not because he could use eloquent words or logical arguments in any particularly extraordinary fashion. He was challenging to argue with because he knew Emma... he had to admit better than he did. He'd never had to face any such conflict ever in his life before! The dispute was not based simply on logic or rationality. It was overwhelmed with strong emotions, implications, doubt and the manipulation of all of the above, and he was not sure if he was ready to handle anything like this! The gap between what his rationality dictated and what his emotions screamed at him to do had never been wider ever before in his life: rationally he knew he had to question Emma about all that Ed'd told him and draw conclusions based on both of their statements, but his emotions roared at him to simply break the neck of this liar and abuser and be done with it!
Even though Ed didn't completely understand Data's inner struggles, he could very well see the seeds of doubt he had planted in the other man's mind - and he smiled satisfied as he looked into his eyes. However, Data didn't have time to decide on how to handle the situation. The entrance door opened, and Emma stepped out with a smile on her face:
"Hey, Deadpan, aren't you coming..." she let the door swing shut behind her as she spotted her husband standing next to her lover "...in yet." she finished in a sigh. She turned her head to Data and tried to search his eyes. He held her gaze for a moment then somehow something made him bow his head. Emma understood right away, and all her desperation, all her frustration welled up in her with such force that she felt she could scream! No! She strode to them and grabbed Ed by the collar "You son of a bitch! What did you tell him?!" she demanded, and Ed tried to fend off her attack only half-heartedly.
Data grabbed her from behind and pulled her away from her husband: "Emma, stop it!"
Ed straightened his suit and cleared his throat with a slight smile as he gazed into Data's eyes then looked at Emma, who, though stopped struggling, was not let go by Data "Nothing, ma chérie. Nothing that your behaviour wouldn't betray in a short while, anyways." Emma looked up at Data now with tears of frustration in her eyes, and gasping for breath. Data only looked at Ed as he went on "I take you have a lot to discuss, so I'll be on my way. Good night!" he nodded politely to them and walked off into the darkness.
When Ed was off, Data finally let Emma go, who swirled around and looked at him exasperated and out of breath. Data gazed into her eyes for a moment then glanced away forlorn. She let her tears fall as she watched him standing there a few inches from her, and yet isolated by a wall of doubt. And in that moment, as her hands came up into fists in her frustration, an overwhelming sense of determination flooded her mind. This was the last crime you committed against me, Ed Jones! The last one! she swore to herself, and a strange tranquillity possessed her she never before felt.
- 18
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