Avon stood watching, his teeth trapping his lower lip. He had heard people talk about the powerful emotions children could inspire in their parents, and he had often scorned the idea. The drive to care for children was pure biology, evolution; there was no need to bring soppy foolishness into the mix.

And now? He had not believed himself possible of having such strong feelings for a being he had essentially only just met. It was almost frightening, the intensity of it. It was frightening. He found himself entertaining endless alarming scenarios, all the things that could go wrong with Roj. And even if nothing went wrong with his neural net, what if Roj simply didn't like Avon? What if he was a terrible father? What if...

"Do you think he understands yet," Avon asked, keeping his voice firmly steady, "the difference between us? That you are an android like him, while I...am not?" He hoped Data would understand his concern, without Avon having to lay it out explicitly. It was embarrassing to feel so vulnerable.