Chapter Text
Geordi's first thought when he realized was something along the lines of are you kidding me?
Data. A word for scientific information. Was this the universe's way of telling him he'd just live alone with his VISOR and scientific work all his life? A cruel joke, because if that really was the case, whatever-it-was could have at least put "VISOR" on his wrist. Would've cleared up the ambiguity.
With "Data", he was left to speculate. Would he create himself some sort of computer program he'd fall in love with? Or would he devote himself to a project, make it his life's work, so much that it was his "soulmate", so to speak?
But "Data" was a name. If he created a computer program he'd name them something nice. Something human-sounding. Heck, even a scientific experiment would have a more interesting name than just Data. If he'd had a groundbreaking warp field equation on his arm, that would have made sense. He would have been happy with that.
But "Data" just left him wondering what kind of being would have that name. It couldn't be non-human - those who had non-human soulmates had the names in that person's language. Why would a human name their child Data?
Well, actually, the explanation that whoever-they-were was a human with an unfortunate name was actually pretty reasonable. But Geordi couldn't shake the feeling that the name had something to do with his interest in science and his close connection to technology. This whole soulmate business had so little to do with facts that Geordi was inclined to listen to that feeling.
All of this went rushing through his head as he looked out the spaceport's windows at the Enterprise - the pinnacle of Starfleet technology. And as chief engineer, this masterpiece was his. If only his wrist said "Enterprise", that would make sense.
"Excuse me."
Geordi turned to see a young man who looked human but for unnaturally pale skin and golden eyes. He wore a gold uniform like Geordi's and a quizzical expression.
"Will you participate in a study I am conducting?"
"Sure, why not?" Geordi said.
"I am asking everyone I meet about their soulmate tattoos. I have found that there are very diverse opinions. For example, some prefer to display their tattoos, either because they wish to display their love for the soulmate they've found or advertise their soulmate's name in an attempt to find them. Some hide them, and only reveal them when they meet their soulmate. Some considered my questions intrusively personal and others spoke very freely. In short, it has been a fascinating subject to study."
"Which group do you fall into?" Geordi asked. He regretted saying yes, because he didn't like to talk about it. At all.
A barely perceptible look of regret crossed the man's pale face, and he rolled up his sleeves.
His wrists were bare.
"I am an android. My creator would hardly know whether I had a soulmate, or indeed whether I would have a soul at all."
"Oh. Well, I can see why you'd be interested. I never got all the fuss anyway," Geordi said. Please don't ask why please don't ask why...
"Why is that? Is your tattoo noteworthy in some way?"
"Um...well, it's actually kind of normal, I just have a weird feeling about it. I can't really explain it, but I don't really like thinking about it because I...I get the weird feeling, you know? Or well, you wouldn't know..." Geordi sighed. "I've just tried to go on living my life without making finding my soulmate a priority."
"Most intriguing. I do not understand 'the fuss' either, that is why I am studying it." His eyebrows drew together. "You are the only person who has not been disturbed by my bare wrists. Is that due to your indifference about your own tattoo?"
Geordi shrugged. "Maybe. I've always wondered what it'd be like to not have a tattoo. That'd mean your soulmate could be anybody. It's a universe of possibilities instead of an uncertain clue."
The man raised his eyebrows. "I had not thought of that. I believed my lack of a tattoo simply meant I did not have a soulmate."
"I don't really know," Geordi said. "You're a special case. Maybe you can prove that finding your soulmate isn't necessary. Or that you can find your soulmate without help."
The intercom bleeped. "All engineering staff, report to the Enterprise."
Geordi smiled. "That's for me. Keep me updated on your investigation, will you? The name's Geordi LaForge."
"Certainly, Geordi LaForge. I am assigned to the Enterprise as well."
"Great, see you around," Geordi said, and he turned to leave. He was a few steps away when -
"If you wish to seek me out, my name is Data."
Geordi stopped abruptly in his tracks. "Data?" he breathed.
"Yes?"
Words failed him. It was unreal, and strange, and slightly weird, just like he'd felt it would be, and yet on the other hand it felt so wonderfully right.
He turned around and rolled up his sleeve.