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gewmme · 3 years

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The Little Ensign - Part 3 (DataxOC)

She had been on board for a total of 8 hours, and while she felt a little bit better about everything, she still hated it here. She waited on the bed as Doctor Crusher finished up her physical. She never was a big fan of doctors, but found that she didn't mind Doctor Crusher as much as she did others. "You're all set Ensign James." The voice of said doctor snapped her out of her thoughts. "Thanks Doctor." She flashed a slight smile as she stood up from the bed.

What now? She wondered as she exited the sickbay. She still didn't know where anything was so there wasn't any point in trying to get somewhere specific. Might as well just wander around, her first shift didn't start until 0800 tomorrow and it was only about 1400 at the moment.

So wander she did, she spent a good hour looking around and poking her head into different rooms before she finally stumbled upon a rather lively looking place. It seemed to be a recreational room of some sort. She wandered over to the bar and sat down, where she was met by a kind looking woman with an interesting hat.

"I haven't seen you here before." She paused to glance at the Ensign's uniform "Are you with the new staff?" Her calm, soothing voice spoke through the noisy conversations of the other crewmates. The younger girl simply responded with a curt nod. "I'm Guinan, what's your name kid?" The woman asked, the corners of her lips turning up into a faint smile. "I'm Kasey." She answered, fidgeting her thumbs. "Well then Kasey, can I get you anything to drink?" Guinan offered, an eyebrow raised. The younger woman shook her head in reply. "No thank you."

The young Ensign sat in silence, thinking over the prior events of the day. How embarrassing, honestly, who gets lost on their first day? She's supposed to be a genius and she can't even find the sickbay, jeez what a--

She was pulled from her thinking by a familiar voice. "Ensign, pardon me if this is a personal question, but how old are you?" Guinan was now back to her spot across from Kasey, raising both eyebrows as she inquired. "I'm fourteen years, three months, six days, thirteen hours and twenty-something minutes old." The blonde stated dryly, pressing her lips into a thin line. Of course she'd ask that, someone was bound to eventually. "Fourteen? My, that's quite young to be an Ensign. Tell me, how did you manage that?" The older woman smiled as she leaned closer to listen.

Meanwhile, down in Engineering, Data found himself thinking of the young girl. He had been quite intrigued by her and his mind kept wandering back to what she had said. 'Maybe you're just a lot more human than I expected.' That's what she had told him, perhaps his efforts to be more human have been paying off? He should probably get Geordi's opinion on the matter.

"Data, are you alright? You look a little out of it." Came the voice of the Chief Engineer in question, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I believe I am functioning within normal perimeters Geordi. However, I do find myself to be somewhat distracted." At this, Geordi snapped his head up to look at him. "Distracted? By what, Data?" "I have found myself analyzing an earlier interaction with a crewmate." This caused Geordi to raise an eyebrow before questioning him further. "Which crewmate?" The android quirked his head to the side before answering. "I am unsure of her name, but she is the directionally challenged Ensign who got lost on her way to sickbay earlier. I find her to be quite intriguing."

"So what is it that happened that you keep thinking about Data?" "She told me that I am 'more human than she expected'. This has caused me to hypothesize that perhaps my endeavors to become more human have been effective." Geordi chuckled, a smile gracing his lips. "Well Data, I think you're right, you're always getting more human each day." Data processed this for a moment before quirking the corner of his lip into a slight smile.

"And then I got assigned to The Enterprise and that's how I got here." Kasey finished, recounting the last of her story to Guinan. "Wow, that's quite the experience." She smiled, raising her eyebrows briefly. "Kasey, have you met with the ship's counselor yet?" "I didn't know there was a counselor." The Ensign raised an eyebrow. "Well there is, she's right over there." Guinan paused to point at a pretty, young woman with black curly hair. "Her name is Deanna Troi, why don't you go on over and say hello?" She gestured for Kasey to go talk to her.

The blonde cautiously made her way over to where the counselor was sitting. "Hi, I'm Ensign Kasey James, you're the ship's counselor right?" She introduced herself, awkwardly fidgeting with her thumbs. The woman smiled. "Yes, I'm counselor Troi, please have a seat Ensign." She mumbled a soft thanks before sitting down across from the counselor. "How are you liking the Enterprise so far, Ensign?" "I uh, It's um— It's nice." Kasey managed a stuttered reply, cursing inwardly. 'It's nice'!? What a dim-witted reply, it's no wonder people don't think you're grown up enough to be here. "I can sense your anxieties Ensign." The counselor smiled softly. "Is there something in particular that you want to talk about?" "Well.." She let out a sigh. "There is one thing, but it's not really important. It's silly really." "If it's bothering you Ensign, then I don't think it's silly."

The Ensign bit her lip slightly, sighing. "I mean, I guess I just sort of feel like I don't belong here." "How come?" "I don't know... I mean, I'm just a kid. Am I really good enough to be an engineer on a starship?" She paused a moment, a frown on her features. "I hear some of the other crew whispering about me sometimes. About how I couldn't possibly be smart enough to be here at my age, and that I probably bribed my way here." She finished, pressing her lips into a thin line. "Well Ensign, the fact that you're here proves that you're plenty smart enough. And I'm sure you wouldn't be able to bribe your way into the Enterprise even if you tried." The counselor chuckled. "My advice is to try your best to ignore their whispers for now and prove them wrong through your actions, show them that you're smart enough to help get this ship through her worst of times. And Ensign, age does not equal knowledge." The counselor concluded, a delicate smile gracing her lips.

Kasey smiled, an awkward, but genuine smile. "Thank you counselor Troi, that actually really helps a lot." She smiled back. "I'm glad I could help Ensign." The counselor looked at her watch for a moment. "It's been a pleasure meeting you Kasey, but I'm afraid I have an appointment in just a few minutes." She chuckled, standing to leave. "Of course, it was a pleasure to meet you as well counselor." The blonde nodded in response.

After the counselor left, Kasey stood, wandering back to her place at the bar. "How did it go?" A familiar voice spoke, causing the Ensign to look up from the counter. "It went surprisingly well, I feel a bit better about everything now." Guinan smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. Can I get you anything Kasey?" A thoughtful look washed over the girl in question, as if she was debating something. After a moments thought she came to a conclusion. "Um chocolate milk please." she mumbled bashfully, a delicate, rosy blush painting her cheeks. This caused the older woman to chuckle before going to retrieve a chocolate milk.

Geordi and Data arrived at Ten Forward, chatting about the day's earlier events. Geordi scanned the room, only half listening to Data's babbling, when he spotted Kasey at the bar. "Data, look, It's that 'directionally challenged Ensign' you were talking about earlier." He gestured in her direction, causing Data to turn his attention to the girl in question. "Why don't we go on over and say hello? It's her first day so she probably hasn't met many people yet." Data simply nodded in agreement, following Geordi to the bar where the Ensign was.

Kasey was cheerfully chatting away with Guinan, a pleasant contrast to her earlier bad mood, when Geordi and Data approached the bar, sitting on either side of her. Kasey managed a quick glance to both of them while Guinan greeted them. She had smiled at them fondly, she seemed to know them pretty well. Maybe they come here often, Kasey pondered to herself, sipping on her chocolate milk.

Geordi nudged the Ensign gently. "I don't think we've formally introduced ourselves, I'm Geordi La Forge and this is Data." He smiled. Kasey glanced at the two of them again, remembering the incident from earlier. She gave an awkward chuckle. "I'm Kasey It's uh nice to meet you." The Ensign fidgeted with her thumbs, wanting nothing more than to get away from this awkward interaction. "So Ensign, I'm surprised you managed to find your way to Ten-Forward, how did you do it?" He smirked, chuckling. Kasey pressed her lips into a thin line. "I was just wandering, I didn't even know this place existed." She remarked dryly. She was getting more exasperated with the Chief Engineer with each passing second.

"Now now, don't pick on Kasey." Guinan placed Geordi's drink in front of him. "She's only been here for half a day, you wouldn't want her to put in a transfer request already, would you?" The woman chuckled, leaning on the bar counter. "Oh alright Guinan, I'll play nice." Geordi snickered, taking a sip of his drink. "Do you want another drink Kasey?" Guinan asked the Ensign who was now toying with the straw in her empty chocolate milk glass. Kasey looked up from her glass, mumbling a soft 'yes please'. The woman smiled at her timidity, heading over to the replicator to get another glass of chocolate milk.

Half an hour passed, along with several failed attempts from Geordi to start a conversation.

("So Ensign, how old are you?" "14." -- "How did you manage to get to be an engineer that young?" "long story, maybe i'll tell you someday" -- "Geordi i do not believe the Ensign wants to talk" "wow Data what would possibly make u say that its not like shes been shooting down my attempts to make smalltalk" "but Geordi??? That is literally exactly what she is doing???")

"Ensign, are we making you uncomfortable?" Data finally spoke up, raising an eyebrow. Kasey turned her head to Data. "Honestly? Yeah, but I've been uncomfortable almost the entire time I've been here." She took a long sip of her chocolate milk. "Would you prefer if Geordi and I left you alone?" The android tilted his head. "Yes but like, it's fine. I have to get used to being around my coworkers sooner or later." The Ensign sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Geordi raised a brow. "So does this mean you're gonna tell us how you got here?" He smirked. "I too would like to know." Data looked at her curiously. Kasey rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Fine." She sighed, beginning her tale of how she came to be here.

Hours passed. Kasey finished her story, They all talked for a while, Geordi left to get some sleep, and Data rambled on about something technical, as Kasey listened intently.

Kasey stood up from her seat, only to stretch her legs, as Data finished his ramble. "Ensign?" The android quirked his head to the side. "May I ask you a question?" "Sure, ask away." The Ensign leaned on the bar counter as she stood. "I have been thinking about what you said earlier, that I am 'more human than you had expected'." He paused for a moment, as if he was thinking of the right words to say next. "What is it that you were anticipating?"

"Well, when I think of androids, I think of like a robotic person that just does what people tells it to, can't think for itself, and doesn't feel anything." Data furrowed his brows, looking almost confused. "Fascinating." He whispered. "How is it that I do not fit those criteria?" The Ensign's eyebrows raised in shock. "You're kidding right?" She took a long sip of her 5th chocolate milk of the night before preparing to answer. "Well for one, you look very human. I did think you looked a bit pale but like, It's just your skin tone, people have been pale before so I just thought maybe you didn't get a lot of sun." The android listened curiously as she spoke. "Secondly, you can clearly think for yourself, nobody told to you think about what I said earlier, but you did anyway." She paused for another sip of chocolate milk. "Thirdly, It's pretty clear to me that you feel things."

Data quirked his head to the side. "But Ensign, I do not have feelings or emotions, it is not in my programming."

"What makes you say that?"

"I am unable to process such things as humans do." Kasey raised a brow as she sat back on the stool. "Well I agree with you on that note." This caused Data to furrow his brow. "Is that not contradictory to your earlier statement??" Kasey chuckled, shaking her head. "No, you see, I said you feel things, you said you don't feel things 'as humans do'. And as much as quite a few humans would hate to admit it, 'as humans do' is not the only way to experience or do something." She paused for a brief moment. "It seems to me that you process them in your own way." Data took a moment to think about this. "I still do not fully understand, what is it that causes you to believe this?" "Think of it this way sir, you enjoy the company of your friends, don't you?" He nodded, seemingly unsure of where she was going with this. "I'm no psychologist, but the way I see it, enjoying the company of a friend ultimately stems from liking that person, in a friendly manner of course, which I believe stems from a positive feeling associated with that person. However, I could be wrong, it just seems to me that if you were truly emotionless, you wouldn't be capable of enjoying the friendships you have." She finished, leaving a rather perplexed Data to process this.

"Fascinating." Data whispered, causing Kasey to smile slightly as she sipped on her chocolate milk.

It was silent for a while, but soon enough Data started rambling again. Kasey smiled, listening as he went on and on about something completely random.

An hour passed, Data was still rambling about who knows what and Kasey was standing again, leaning on the bar counter. Data paused his babbling, noting the time. "Ensign, it is 0100 hours, are you not tired?" "0100 hours? It's really that late?" The Ensign rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn. "Perhaps you should retire to your quarters and rest." "If I don't get lost first, that is." She snickered. Data stood, taking her by the sleeve. "I will escort you there so you do not get lost." "Oh- um I- Thanks." Kasey mumbled, her awkwardness resurfacing for a brief moment.

The two of them left Ten-Forward, Data holding Kasey by the sleeve, as they found their way to her quarters.

Data let go of her sleeve as they arrived. The Ensign sleepily punched in the code to her room. "G'night sir." She mumbled through a yawn. "Goodnight Ensign." The android's lips quirked up into a very slight smile as he went to go back to his own quarters.

Kasey closed the door behind her before wrestling her shoes off and collapsing clumsily onto her bed. She actually had a pretty good time talking with her senior officers, even if La Forge did bring up that whole getting lost incident from earlier.

One thought crossed her mind as she laid in her bed, just before she fell asleep.

She had only been here for 19 hours. But maybe, just maybe — she didn't quite hate it here anymore.

#data #oc #dataxoc #geordi la forge #deanna troi #star trek #star trek TNG

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gewmme · 3 years

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The Little Ensign - Part 4 (DataxOC)

The Ensign woke to her alarm, sleepily rolling out of bed and heading to the shower. She showered and got dressed in her uniform. The blonde combed her hair as her eyes lazily roamed over her figure in the mirror. She stared at the replicator, trying to decide what to eat for breakfast, quickly deciding on oatmeal. It wasn't one of her favorite things, but it gave her the energy boost she needed in the morning. She finished eating quickly and put on her shoes. But as she was preparing to leave, her door chimed. She eyed the door, raising an eyebrow, before opening it to reveal the android who had graced her dreams the previous night.

"Sir?" Kasey began. "What are you doing here?" The android quirked his head to the side. "I came to the logical conclusion that you would be unable to find your way to engineering without assistance." The Ensign made a face at him. "So you're going to walk with me then?" "Affirmative." "Well, I guess it can't be helped. Come on, let's go then." She sighed as he took her by the sleeve and dragged her along with him.

The two of them arrived at engineering, Geordi quickly coming over to greet them. "Good morning you two." The Chief Engineer smiled. "Good morning Geordi." "Morning sir." They replied in near-perfect unison. The three of them swiftly assumed their stations, beginning the day's work.

A couple of hours passed as they worked. It went smoothly aside from the occasional trouble that Kasey had with certain things, either Data or Geordi having to explain it to her.

When Kasey left the area to attend to a piece of machinery that required fixing, Data spoke up. "Geordi, may I inquire about something?" "Of course Data, what is it?" The android paused a brief moment, figuring out how to word it. "Last night, I asked Ensign James what she meant when she told me that I am 'more human than she expected." Geordi nodded, gesturing for him to continue. Data began to relay last night's conversation back to Geordi, taking care to watch for when Kasey would be back.

Geordi listened intently as the android finished talking. "That's an interesting point of view she has, but if you really think about it, it makes sense. You should probably ask Counselor Troi about it though." Data nodded in acknowledgment as Kasey rounded the corner back to her station. Data glanced at the girl before going back to work as usual.

The hours went by rather quickly as the three of them worked, their shift ending in what felt like half the time that had actually passed.

Kasey glanced at the time, noting that her shift was over. She stayed around a while longer, if only because she had no idea where anything is. As she wondered if she should try to get somewhere specific or just wander around, a certain android came up to her. He stared for a moment at the zoned-out Ensign before speaking. "Ensign James?" The blonde snapped back to reality. "Yes?" "Am I correct in assuming that you require assistance in getting somewhere?" Kasey chuckled sheepishly. "Well you're not wrong, but I'm trying to decide whether I should make an effort to get somewhere specific or just wander around and get myself lost." Data tilted his head, thinking for a moment. "Perhaps I could accompany you and show you a few places?" He offered. "I mean, if it isn't too much trouble, that would be nice." She mumbled out awkwardly. And without a word, Data took her by the sleeve and began pulling her along.

The two of them walked around, Data showing Kasey several places before they stumbled upon one of the holodecks. "What's this one?" She asked, pointing a finger at the holodeck room. "That is a holodeck." She let out a small gasp, her eyes widening. "Wow." A big ol' smile graced her features as she stared in awe. She'd heard of the holodecks before but had never actually seen one. Data noticed her interest, tilting his head to the side. "Would you like me to show you how to program it?" Kasey gasped again, eyes sparkling as she nodded enthusiastically.

After he taught her how to program the holodeck, she had asked if they could hang out in there. He agreed, and they agreed upon one of Data's Sherlock programs. The two of them got dressed in era-appropriate clothing and entered the holodeck.

Meanwhile, at Ten-forward, Geordi was looking for Data. He had disappeared from engineering about an hour ago after their shift had ended. He'd looked everywhere for the android, and he was nowhere to be found. He exited Ten-forward, deciding he'd ask the computer where his android friend was. "Computer, where's Data?" "Lieutenant Commander Data is in holodeck nine." Geordi suddenly realized why he hadn't been able to find him and set off in the direction of holodeck nine.

Geordi entered the holodeck, quickly finding Data. "Geordi?" The android in question quirked his head to the side. "There you are Data, I've been looking everywhere for you. Hanging out in the holodeck?" "Indeed Geordi, would you like to join us?" "..Us?" As if on cue, Kasey poked out from behind the wall of a nearby building, giving Geordi a little wave. "Come be Watson!" The girl enthusiastically shouted, a wide grin on her face. And thus Geordi was roped into their holodeck shenanigans, for how could he resist the antics of his friends?

Geordi quickly changed into proper Watson attire and, within minutes, he was back in the holodeck with his pals, ready to get on with some mystery solving.

A few hours passed, they solved their mystery (it was the barber), had a good time, and headed to Ten-forward, not even bothering to change from their Victorian-era outfits. They sat themselves down at the bar, greeting Guinan, who smiled fondly at the three of them. They laughed and talked about their holodeck adventure, Data not quite understanding what was so funny. The three pals talked for hours, Data informing them at midnight that it was late. He walked them back to their quarters, bidding them goodnight before heading to the Bridge to take the night shift.

The night passed and morning came, and Data found himself en route to Kasey's quarters. And as he chimed her door and walked her to engineering, he replayed last night's memories in his positronic brain, oblivious to the warmth in his chest.

#data #dataxoc #Geordi La Forge #star trek #star trek tng #oc

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