Survivors - Jean Lorrah [88]
“When we strike, three days from now-when the effects of the drug wear off, and we organize the uprising against Nalavia. I want you at my side.”
“I can’t,” she said tightly. “The Prime Directive-“
“Tasha, this planet called for Starfleet help! Give it!”
“We were called to fight you.”
“That will change as soon as people’s heads are clear. If we stay here and monitor, will you come with me as soon as the people move against Nalavia?”
“Do you really think one person will make that much difference, Dare?”
He put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “You will to me,” he said softly … and kissed her, this time very gently, tenderly, waiting for her response.
Which she could not hold back. Desperately, she put her arms about his strong torso and hugged him close. “It can’t last, Dare,” she whispered fiercely.
“I know,” he replied softly, stroking her hair. “Tasha, I know you. It would be wrong to ask you to leave the life you have made for the hit-or-miss existence of an outlaw. I shan’t ask you that, I promise. But I will ask you one question: do you still believe I am guilty? Do you still think I betrayed you?”
“No,” she answered. “I never completely believed it, Dare. I don’t know how there could have been all that evidence against you-but I’ve known all along that the man I love could never do such a thing.”
She felt him relax in relief beneath her touch. Then he kissed her again, just as tenderly, and murmured, “We may never see one another again.”
“I know. But let’s not think about that now. We have three days, Dare-some people never have even that long.”
He smiled, the wonderful, warm sweet smile that she remembered so well, and stood, extending his hand to her.
She took it, determined to take what she could have, now, and let tomorrow take care of itself.
If life was bliss, albeit only temporarily, for Tasha Yar, it was painful confusion for Lieutenant Commander Data. His discussion with the warlord Rikan left him questioning the feelings the old man claimed he had. Did his concern over Tasha’s behavior stem from that noble form of brotherly love Rikan wanted to credit him with?
Or in his search to comprehend the human spirit had he stumbled into the dark and self-defeating emotion of jealousy?
Data knew textbook definitions for all these terms, but they were little help, as he so often found when faced with human reality. He noticed Tasha disappear with Adin a second evening-and this time they came to breakfast together the next morning, perfectly groomed and perfectly relaxed … and just a little too perfectly content.
Doubt about his own motives kept Data silent for most of the day; besides, Tasha was constantly at Adin’s side, and what he wanted to say to her should be said in private.
Finally, though, as people began leaving to dress for dinner, Data managed, “Tasha, may I speak with you?”
“Of course, Data. Come along to my room.”
When they entered, Tasha closed the door and took off the light jacket of the outfit she was wearing, hanging it on the peg rail.
For one horrified moment, Data thought she meant to change clothes in front of him, a way of saying, “You mean no more than any piece of machinery that might be in my quarters.” But she did not. Instead, she waved him to the single chair, then sat down on the bed. “I think I know what you’re concerned about, Data-and you needn’t be. I won’t let my feelings for Dare get in the way of my duty.”
“That is, indeed, my concern,” he said, grateful that she had broached the awkward subject. “However, in your plans to monitor the expected uprising against Nalavia, I wonder if you have considered what will happen when it is over and peace has been restored.”
“Data,” she said in her favorite tone of utter reasonableness, “I have no plans to turn outlaw and join the band of the Silver Paladin.”
“I did not think you had,” he replied. “I meant our immediate duty once we are back in contact with Starfleet.”
She chuckled. “If you think you can succeed in arresting Dare, you go right ahead and try.