Pixie Ships: Data and Geordi La Forge

[pixiedane]

Geordi is The Worst at dating. I have very strong feelings about this. All his canon romantic “relationships” (they never quite achieve relationship status) are terrible. Cringeworthy, inappropriate, just. Terrible. I don’t ship Geordi with anyone because every Geordi-in-love moment is gross.

That said, I love his friendship with Data. They work off each other very well, with Geordi being one of the first to really see Data as an individual, not an oddity, and reach out. But because Data is an android, Geordi doesn't have all the preconceptions about their compatibility or expectations of what their relationship should be that he stumbles over in his other attempts at connection. They help each other relax without really trying to and I think that's great.

Scenario
Data comes to Geordi for relationship advice (Geordi is probably the worst possible person to give relationship advice but Geordi is his bestie, and Data doesn't know any better).

Geordi takes it very seriously, and sets up lessons, while simultaneously going on about how it has to be natural and organic and he should trust his instincts.

They go to the beach, they have a romantic dinner, maybe a boat ride. A potpourri of Geordi Dates, and at each one he tells a story about how he really liked this girl and it didn't work out.

And Data listens, in that Data way, and asks questions, and on their sixth or so outing he observes that dating is fun.

And Geordi's like "not in my experience!" and Data says, "are you not having fun?"

And Geordi shakes his head and answers "of course I am, but we're not dating, we're just pretending to be dating."

And Data cocks his head and says "what's the difference?"

And Geordi feels super awkward and explains "it has to do with feelings and attraction and desire and physical intimacy and all that stuff."

And Data says, "ah, you do not want to date me because I am an android."

And Geordi gets upset because "of course that's not what I meant! Data, you're my best friend! And I love you! And I know you are perfectly capable of proving your affections, which are REAL. I just don't want to date you because, you know."

And Data's like, "...no?"

And Geordi sighs and says "I'm tired, can we talk about this tomorrow?"

And Data agrees, of course.

So Geordi goes to get a drink and a pep talk from Guinan. And she listens and then swats him and he says "Hey!" and she swats him again.

"Geordi," she says, "when was the last good date you went on?" (He always ends up in Ten Forward for a drink and a pep talk from Guinan after his inevitably disappointing dates.)

"That’s not the point," Geordi argues.

Guinan raises an eyebrow. "What is the point?"

Geordi doesn't answer. He thinks about it all night.

In the morning, after the staff meeting, he approaches Data and apologizes.

Data says "there's no need," but Geordi says "I want to make it up to you." He suggests the beach.

Data agrees, but reminds Geordi they already went to the beach.

Geordi says, "yeah, but this time it's a date."