The Experiment (Data x reader)

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"Mr. Data, you may decrease warp factor," Picard said gently, leaning forward in his chair.

"Very well, sir," Data responded, clearly bewildered. "But... sir, just two minutes ago you wanted me to increase."

Damn it. You had to remember to teach him about mood swings.

"Yes, Mr. Data, yes I did," Picard responded. "And now I'm changing my mind."

"Oh." Data tilted his head to the side, his brow furrowing. "I see."

You thought you heard Riker chuckle under his breath.

For a while, all was peaceful. Picard had settled down quite a bit (thank the heavens for Deanna), and Geordi had entered the bridge and gone back to the research station to do work as well. Geordi always cast a good mood wherever he went- soon, he was exchanging cheerful jokes with everyone on the bridge, making everyone there feel welcome and happy. Despite his efforts, you were still hung up on the threat of Q returning. Data was quite clearly an emotional being now- would Q punish him for that?

"Y/n," said Deanna quite suddenly. "The experiment seems to be going very well. I've sensed Data's emotions for a while now. You two seem to have gotten... very close."

You bit your lip, feeling your face heat up. "Yes, Deanna," you responded, turning around. "I think Data's doing very well, and we're not seeing any complications."

"I could not have made any progress whatsoever without Miss y/l/n," Data added. "I was extremely fortunate that she agreed to assist me." You glanced over at him- Data had the perfect poker face. He looked entirely neutral when he was discussing you. And yet, you thought, smirking to yourself, you knew he felt strongly for you.

Deanna must know this as well, you realized, as she continued to gaze analytically at the two of you. You hadn't had the chance to talk with Deanna in a while, and now that you were seeing her again, you realized that she would be able to pick up on the romantic connection between you and Data in a heartbeat... but you trusted her to keep it a secret. Deanna had always been a kind friend to you, and you would trust her with your life.

"Captain?" Geordi piped up. "Request explanation for the increase in speed about twenty minutes ago?"

Riker stifled another laugh, and Picard rolled his eyes. "Denied, commander."

Geordi shrugged and let the subject drop. You made a mental note to tell him about Picard's argument with Beverley later. You weren't sure quite how you got sucked into the world of your superior officers' drama, but you truly hoped Picard would smooth things over with the doctor.

"Y/n?" Data asked quietly.

You pulled yourself out of your thoughts. "Yes, Data?"

"Why do humans fear death?"

Oh, boy. You weren't in the mood for a philosophical conversation. Fortunately, Picard had overheard and he stepped in. "It's very simple, Data. Humans cannot experience the world but through their own perspective, and once that perspective is stolen from them by death, there is no world anymore. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, sir," Data responded, tilting his head to the side in thought. "I myself am... frightened by the idea of mortality, sir."

"Well, fortunately for you, that's not something you have to worry about," Geordi added, coming to stand by you and Data. "You're going to exist until you become damaged beyond repair, and forever, if that never happens. That's something a lot of people would kill for, Data."

The thought of Data getting hurt distressed you immensely, and you found yourself putting a protective arm around him. Data himself appeared somewhat bewildered by the whole concept, and he glanced up at Geordi. "But Geordi- I have recently come to realize that I have... so much to live for." He glanced back at you, a discreet, quick look, but it was enough to make your day. You felt a blush creep up your cheeks.

"Data," Riker interrupted, concerned. "Perhaps you're overexerting yourself. You and Miss y/l/n are dismissed. You shouldn't try to dwell on these thoughts."

"Yes, sir," Data said quietly, standing and escorting you to the turbolift. As the doors closed on the many worried faces that were looking in at you and Data, you felt him slip an arm around you, pulling you closer to him. When you looked up at him, you found his expression stony, his eyes somewhat frightened. Something told you that, even though nothing had shown up yet, there would be horrible consequences to pay for your little experiment.

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