The Experiment (Data x reader)

Truly Recognized

            It seemed inherently against your nature to be acknowledged or recognized on a grand scale; not only because of your uncommon profession, but also because you simply wouldn't put up with it. Attention and admiration brought chaos and disorder to a carefully organized life, and thus, you truly enjoyed your position aboard the Enterprise.

 As the head of the education department, you still had an exceptionally active career. You taught classes, of course, and were required to attend some diplomatic events. Not only that, you were considered an expert in your field, and were sometimes recruited to assist other planets' governments in their education programs during the Enterprise's stay. However, the majority of the crew never gave much of a thought to the education program, and your work was always conducted in the background of more exciting conflicts and mysteries. You were glad for this, because, after all, acknowledgement rather frightened you, and you enjoyed being left out of the spotlight.

 It wasn't as though you were totally isolated, though. Being a literature professor, Counselor Troi had taken an interest in your work, and she had quickly become a trusted friend. This gave you an 'in' to the higher officials on the Enterprise, as well as Dr. Crusher's favorable opinion for you and everything that you'd taught her son. For the most part, you enjoyed spending time with them, although Captain Picard had always intimidated you. Regardless, the crew seemed to hold reasonable respect for you and your work.

No, you were never truly recognized until that fateful night in the bar, when your life changed for good.

It was a Friday night, and the top Enterprise officials had gathered in the bar to celebrate, as was tradition. Counselor Troi, or Deanna, as she allowed you to call her, had invited you along, and although part of you wanted nothing more than to remain in your room and read, you realized that isolation could be taken to an unhealthy extreme, and forced yourself to accept.

You and Deanna sat at a table beside the windows, earnestly discussing the Jane Austen book that you'd recommended to her. "I must say, you never steer me wrong, y/n," Deanna admitted, turning the book over in her hands and smiling down at it. "I'm afraid I've become hooked."

"Good," you said sincerely, excited at her enthusiasm. "My mission is to make everyone on board addicted to reading, after all. Jane Austen seemed like your type of author."

"I think it's interesting how accurately you personalize your suggestions," Deanna said with admiration, looking up at you and smiling gently.

"That's why I'm thinking of starting a new program with my students. I want to do private interviews with each of them, and then be able to have a unique book recommendation prepared for them. One kid who hates Jane Austen might love Kurt Vonnegut, and one kid who hates Vonnegut might love Dickens. Literature is too diverse to condemn all of it based on one author they might dislike," you gushed. You'd been developing the idea for quite a while, and already had an extensive list of students' names with book titles next to them.

"That's a wonderful idea," Deanna said encouragingly. "I think that whenever you have the time, you-"

"Counselor? Sorry to interrupt." You looked up to see Geordi standing politely next to your table, his hands tucked behind his back. You were relieved to see Geordi; you'd gotten along fairly well with him in the past, and, unlike Picard or Riker, he was openly friendly and had never intimidated you before. "Captain Picard wants to see you on the bridge."

"Of course. I'll see you later, y/n," Deanna called over her shoulder as she stood to leave.

"Sorry, y/n, I couldn't help but overhear what you were talking about. I think it's perfect," Geordi said, smiling kindly.