The Experiment (Data x reader)

Resist

"I could imagine," you laughed, leaning in to kiss him again. You were about to allow yourself to lose yourself in the sensation of his kiss again when you suddenly heard a low chuckle behind you.

Q was lounging on Data's couch, his arms lazily hooked around the back of his neck, smirking over at the two of you. "Look at the happy couple," he said mockingly. "And when I say happy, I mean that quite literally. I suppose you're enjoying your new emotions, my little android friend?"

Data had quickly pulled his uniform shirt back on, stepping in front of you to shield you from the uninvited guest. "Q, I will be forced to alert security if you do not leave at once," Data said warningly.

Q sighed, rolling his eyes. "Oh, y/n, y/n, y/n, what did I tell you? This is your last chance to distance yourself from the robot before something terrible happens."

"Android," Data corrected through a clenched jaw.

"Q, what on earth are you even talking about?" you asked heatedly, poking your head around Data to see him. "Why are you so insistent on keeping us separate?"

"Look, kid." Q sat up, suddenly gravely serious. "I'm really trying to help you out. You'll regret ever even considering this experiment. And you." He rounded on Data. "Wasn't the warning I sent you through your doctor enough? I thought that might give you at least a little cause for concern."

"So that was you," Data breathed, gripping your arm tightly.

"Of course it was me, who else could have done something so bold yet so ingenious?" Q was pacing now, worked up into a rage. "Look, Data, you were one of the only members on this ship that I could stand. Get away from all this before you sink to their level... and be warned, my robot friend- there is more at stake here than your dignity." Q flickered, then faded completely before your eyes.

You were breathing heavily. Data was still clutching your arm, obviously shaken by the experience.

"Let's get you back home," you murmured, taking his hand. "I'll give you time to think things over. I'm going to report this to the captain."

Data paused, then glanced over at you. "I would like you to know that there is nothing Q can do to jeopardize my fondness for you. There is nothing in this universe that could willingly take me away from you."

You were comforted by his words, but you were still worried. Once you'd managed to get him back to your quarters (where he cheered up significantly just by seeing Spot again), you hurried to the bridge and found that Captain Picard was about to go on break.

"I'm sorry, Captain," you panted, having run from your quarters to the turbolift. "I don't mean to bother you when you're about to clock out, but there's another Q incident I need to report."

Picard, who had just risen from his chair when you arrived, looked you over and gave his uniform a sharp tug. "You seem badly shaken," he said gently, guiding you back to the turbolift. Indeed, you were trembling. "Allow yourself to calm down first."

Ten minutes later, you found yourself in Picard's quarters, sipping a hot cup of Earl Grey tea and listening to old classical music as the captain sat across from you and read quietly. You felt the comforting sensation of visiting your grandmother's house; Picard seemed to have an aura of peace that followed him everywhere but was especially strong within his own home.

"Feeling better?" he asked, glancing up from his book to check on you.

You swallowed, taking a deep breath and closing your eyes. "Oh, Captain, even Data was frightened. Q tried to corner us in Data's old quarters."