Chapter Four: It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

Data stood, hand-in-hand with Lisa, along with Ben and the Doctor and a good portion of Starfleet personnel. Everyone was aware of why things were happening so fast. Even if they hadn’t been told they could see it in Lisa’s expression and the way she clung to Data’s arm. Not to mention he had himself plugged in constantly to try to stave off total cascade failure for just a few more moments.

He estimated his power cells would completely fail in a matter of hours, so they were trying to get this over with as quickly as possible, for it would be too much emotional trauma for him to collapse in front of so many people. He also wanted to pass alone, with only Lisa at his side.

Lisa was only vaguely aware of what was going on. She could hear the din of conversation and saw people roaming around, speaking to Data and everyone else that was there. She was even aware of the new starship sitting a few yards away, but nothing, save for Data’s health, registered in her mind.

She could hear how his voice sounded, for lack of a better word, weaker than normal. His motor functions were impaired and he needed support to keep him upright. Things were not looking good for him.

“We must go,” said Data finally and they made their way to their transport.

They reunited with Jamie, who disliked large crowds and elected to stay behind in the quarters Starfleet had supplied them with.

They had left Cambridge the night Ben and the Doctor had informed them the ship was ready. It had been easy, strangely, for them to just pack up and go. It was, of course, because Data had been planning for this since his power cells had first started to fail.

Lisa helped Data sit on one of the chairs and stared at him, concerned.

“How long have you got?” she asked tearfully.

Accessing the information took far longer than it should have.

“Approximately…two minutes.”

“No…” she cried, beginning to sob. “Data, no…”

“Lisa, please…I must tell you…”

She tried oh-so-hard to hold back the sobs so she could hear him.

“Lisa, I love you very much…”

“I love you, too.”

He gently placed one hand on her cheek. “You have brought me closer to humanity than anyone has ever done. I am…grateful…to you. You have given so me so much during our time together…I only wish I had the time to convey my thanks…to give something back to you…”

“The only thing you could give me is for you to stay…”

“I am so sorry.” And he really meant it. “Lisa, please do something for me…”

“Anything,” she readily agreed.

“The new ship…the Victory…I would like you to become its Science Officer.”

“Me?”

“Yes…” It was becoming obvious that every syllable was more difficult to make than the last. He was running out of time. “Lisa…”

She brought him up into her arms. His body was growing stiff as his motor controls shut down.

“Please…be the Victory’s Science Officer…”

“I will. I promise.” She was crying harder and would say anything that would make this easier on him. Jamie hopped down to stand next to her. He had nothing to say; he couldn’t, anyway. The emotions in the room were too strong to allow him to communicate.

Data squeezed her hand. “Do not worry…I am…happy…I only…regret…leaving you…”

“Data…no…”

“Lisa…thank you…I…love you…”

“I love you, too. So very much.”

And with his last seconds, he pulled her close to him and kissed her one last time. Their tears mingled on their cheeks and Lisa’s were stained with the golden liquid from his.

She looked down at him, the tears blurring her vision.

“Goodbye…”

End chapter four.

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