Archive of Our Own ^beta

The large expanse of the lecture hall rivals some of the ones at Starfleet Academy. Every seat is filled with some of the most brilliant minds in the Federation. For the lecture, Data sat in the back--the very last row. Seeing a man turn his head this way and that, presumably to see who is present, to stop and look in his direction, and seeing that the man is in fact Doctor Julian Bashir.

Data did not anticipate for Julian to be here at the Daystrom Institute facility on Rvash Prime. The reason that Data is here is because of Doctor Bruce Maddox. He is, or to be more accurate was, to be assisting the doctor on his experiments. However, once Data arrived at the institute he discovered a message from Doctor Maddox apologizing that he could not come after all because there was a family emergency. Data is here, so he decided to stay. 

Julian has been glancing in his direction approximately every four minutes. Data can only assume that Julian is looking back at him, but perhaps he is experiencing ego or vanity since his emotion chip is activated that makes him believe that. Data is curious why his dear friend continues to look.

Julian--his friend, and his lover.

It has been three years since Data last saw Julian. In those three years, many significant things have happened in both of their lives. The Dominion War ended--the Federation the victor. However, the station Julian lives on, Deep Space Nine, such an important piece of the entire war, has had changes since the war ended. Many of the senior officers have left--gone to other posts--or in the case of Captain Sisko--disappeared. From what Data recalls, the only senior officers left from when Deep Space Nine was taken back from the Cardassians are Julian and Major Kira.

And now, Data is the rank of Commander, and is the First Officer on the U.S.S. Enterprise. The emotion chip has been successfully installed and Data has the ability to turn the chip off and on at his will. He nearly escaped death on the Scimitar, an act that has seemingly spooked most of the crew. Years ago, ten years in fact, they lost Tasha. Her death confused Data at the time. He was not able to fully understand her death--what it means for a human at least. Data felt her absence, he still does. He is curious what his absence would cause his fellow officers--his friends--Julian. 

Julian is special to him.

They met years ago when Julian, still fresh out of the academy and new to being a Chief Medical Officer, snuck aboard onto the Enterprise while the Enterprise was docked at Deep Space Nine for two days, twelve hours, thirty-four minutes, and fifty seconds. They got along quite well in the few hours--four hours, fifty minutes, and fifty-nine seconds--spent in each other's company. Julian assisted him and Geordi on the experiments to unlock the ability for Data to dream. He was quite helpful and insightful. 

During that time it did not escape his notice that Julian is attractive. He found himself captivated by Julian's intelligent dark eyes. There had been only one other time he experienced sex, but seeing and spending time with Julian made him want to do it again, but with Julian.

Data was prepared to let it go, not pursue him, but as they were making their way back to Deep Space Nine, Julian initiated the physical interaction, saying he wanted to go to Data's quarters so they could chat more instead of heading straight back.

Once they were in his quarters, there was very little chatting, or the sort of chatting that two individuals would have over a cup of tea or coffee. They were in his bed, exploring each other's bodies, with a rushed fervour and passion that Data was unaware could be achieved with sexual intercourse. 

Since that day they have been exchanging correspondence--some of it is intellectual--some of it banter--some of it mundane--and some of it rather explicit. Data is not capable of blushing--he rarely overheats, but the sexual content in their messages could very definitely cause someone to blush.

They haven't seen each other since they parted that day. And now they are both here by chance. 

Chance.

Noun.

A possibility of something happening.

Or:

The occurrence and development of events in the absence of any obvious design.

And Julian continues to gaze back in his direction every four minutes or so--Data meets Julian's heated gaze. Data finds himself staring back at the man--analyzing all he can. Any new things in his features--lateral canthal lines, hair length, stubble on his face. Slight changes, but all still very Julian. Still attractive. It did not escape his notice that Julian might have been doing the same--noticing changes. Julian's vision is better compared to those of other humans, due to being genetically enhanced. He might be able to see key features--any changes as well. 

He wonders what Julian is thinking. Is he being distracted by Data's presence and all Julian wants to pay attention? Is Julian continuing to check on him to make certain that he is in fact there and that they are in each other's presence once again? 

The applause of the crowd is what causes the trance to evaporate. Data claps his hands a few times, and stops when he realizes that no one else is applauding. He remains in his seat as the people around him stand up and leave, chatting about the lecture. Data looks down at his hands that lay on his lap. He does not want to look up and find that his friend (his lover) has gone without a word. It is a possible scenario--one that he does not want to happen.

Data turned on his emotion chip three days, ten hours, seven minutes, and eight seconds ago, and although he has experienced this feeling of longing, and want, anxiety still feels new. 

Having all these feelings can be strange. 

"Hello, Data." Julian's rich voice sounds from above.

Data tilts his head ever-so-slightly to look up at Julian standing there, one arm resting on top of the back of a chair. "Hello, Julian," he replies. "I did not expect to see you here."

"I didn't expect to see you either. You didn't tell me you were coming." 

"I did not know that I was. I came here to discuss the latest results of Doctor Maddox's experiments. He cancelled at the last minute, as it were. I found that I had time to myself. I thought attending one of the current lectures would be a method to pass the time, and I chose one at random."

"And here you are."

"Yes. And here you are."

Julian taps one of Data's legs, nudging them apart so Data's legs are spread. After that Julian straddles one of the long legs, placing gentle fingertips under Data's chin. "It's been a long time since I saw you." Julian caresses along his jawline. "Do you want to come back to my room?"

Data's eyes dilate for a moment at the implications. "Do you mean go to your room with the purpose of having intercourse?"

His lover chuckles. "Yeah," he confirms. "I've missed it--touching you." Julian's nimble fingers trail down Data's neck. "I've missed hearing all the sounds you make. I've missed how you feel inside me."

"Is that… Is intercourse all you wish to do, Julian?"

"No, of course not. I want to talk, and perhaps have a meal together. I know you don't eat," Julian says before Data can get out the fact that he does not eat. "I want to spend time with you. In my bed, and out of it. Does… Does that sound alright to you?"

"That sounds alright to me." 

Data lets Julian take his hand and lead him to where he is staying during the conference. He is certain that there is a big smile on his face the whole time.