The Experiment (Data x reader)

The Eyes of the Public

An android was giving you a lecture on sobriety. Part of you wanted to laugh, but part of you was hurt that Data appeared to be somewhat angry at you. When you looked in his eyes, you saw traces of emotion there, and the way that he carried himself was now more aggressive; rather than standing upright with his hands tucked behind his back, Data leaned on your doorframe, his arms crossed, his brow raised. You were ashamed and felt the sudden need to defend yourself. "I... Data, I hardly ever do this," you stammered. "I was upset about Beverley... and about you. I didn't want to be called to a meeting only to be told that we had to stop the experiment."

"Yet, your actions last night produced no change in your current situation," Data pointed out. "If anything, it negatively affected your health and your ability to deal with the obstacles that have been placed in our way."

"I know, Data," you said regretfully. "I'm sorry. But I'm glad you're still experiencing emotions."

Data's expression shifted from angry to rather pleased. "It is an interesting new component in my life; I find that the emotions are more constant now than they were before. I always seem to be feeling something, whether it be contentment or something stronger. However, we do not have time to dwell on this new development. I must go to the bridge, and I would like for you to accompany me."

You hurriedly dressed in your uniform and followed Data to the bridge, ignoring the occasional bouts of dizziness that you felt. Once you emerged from the turbolift, you locked eyes with Riker as you went to sit down at Data's station, and he gave you a quick wink before turning back to his work. You were glad that he had agreed to keep last night's incident a secret.

"Mr. Data. Miss y/l/n," Picard greeted you briefly. "Data, you look quite... pleased this morning."

"I am, sir." Data turned to consider Picard, and you thought you saw a trace of a smile on the android's lips. "I am experiencing incredible sensations that I never thought I would have the ability to experience. It is quite remarkable."

Worf grunted his congratulations, and Data looked perhaps even more satisfied. You were intensely happy for him and thought him all the more attractive for his new enthusiasm. He was still purely Data- calm, rational, logical- simply with a hint of something more beneath the surface.

"Sir," Riker said, rising from his seat. "Permission to check on Doctor Crusher."

"On what basis, number one?"

"Wesley seemed upset this morning, sir. He wanted either me or you to stop by her quarters as soon as possible," Riker responded primly.

"Permission granted. And... do keep me updated, number one," Picard said softly. It was well-known that the captain was more than a little affectionate for the doctor, something you'd forgotten completely when you'd heard the news. Personally, you hoped Wesley was okay. He'd looked so confused when he had been called out of class the previous day, and you knew how much his mother meant to him.

As Riker left, you felt a new spell of dizziness wash over you, and quickly grabbed Data's shoulder to keep yourself stable. The android tensed at your touch, and his nimble fingers paused at the keyboard for a brief second before he regained control. Embarrassed, you could feel Picard studying you closely, and you tried to disguise your movements as a supportive pat on the shoulder rather than a desperate attempt to maintain consciousness.

Data's reaction surprised you, however. You didn't think you'd ever seen him stop his work, and you had to wonder if your touch had distracted him somehow. You didn't allow your mind to wander too far down that path, however, and you killed the thought as quickly as it came to your head. Besides, you were still feeling under the weather, and rather wished that Data hadn't wanted you to accompany him that morning.

The loudspeakers suddenly came to life. "Riker to bridge. I'm here with Dr. Crusher. Condition stable, but she feels weak after... the events of yesterday."

"It's remarkable she's not still in comatose," Wesley commented, his voice crackling over the loudspeaker. "What happened yesterday seemed too intense to elicit such a quick recovery. I'll stay with her today and watch over her, if that's okay, Captain."

"Permission granted," Picard said gravely. "Number one, you may return to the bridge now."

"Understood, sir. Riker out."

You turned around to see the captain looking rather amused. "Only Beverley could pull a recovery like that off," he muttered to himself. Coming out of his daze, he straightened up, smoothing his uniform and recovering his dignity. You couldn't help but laugh slightly to yourself.

"Captain, you have to admit it's unnatural." You hadn't noticed Geordi, but he'd either just arrived to the bridge or had been lurking in the background the entire time. "Dr. Crusher has never said a hateful word in her career until what happened yesterday. Regardless of her physical condition, shouldn't we find out whether she remembers the incident? It must be mentally strenuous for her to have said those things. It was so uncharacteristic of her."

"Of course, Mr. LaForge," said Picard gently. "Bev- Dr. Crusher's emotional wounds will be healed as thoroughly as her physical ones; I assure you of that."

You glanced over at Data, watching him work, thinking about his uncharacteristic behavior. If you were interpreting his actions right, you'd made him nervous- and perhaps, you could begin conducting your own experiments.

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