The Experiment (Data x reader)

Data's Choice

"Oh, you know, a bit of drama here, a bit of chaos there," said Q, gesturing about the bridge carelessly.

"Get off our ship," Riker growled at Q, still struggling to restrain a furious Deanna. "You've seen what Data's condition has done to us, now for star's sake leave us alone! Haven't you had your damned satisfaction?"

The turbolift opened, once again, and Guinan came barreling out. "I thought I'd find you here."

Q suddenly dropped his mischievous demeanor, backing away slightly. Guinan approached him, seemingly without regard for you, Picard, Riker, and Deanna, and began berating him as a mother would her mischievous toddler. "What the hell do you think you're doing? What are you possibly gaining from this?"

"I dunno," he said in a very small voice, looking down at the floor.

"That's right. You don't. So get off the ground and say whatever it is you need to say. Then get out of our lives and stay out forever."

You made a mental note to give Guinan a huge tip the next time you went to ten forward. You were certain in that moment that you'd never respected anyone more than you did Guinan, and even amidst all your agonizing over Data's condition and your irritation at Q, for a split second, you were relieved.

Q, huddled up in something skin to the fetal position, glanced up at the five of you and opened his mouth to speak. Before he did, the turbolift opened again, and to your shock, Data stepped out, but he didn't seem shaken or upset; he was downright smug. He leaned against the wall and smirked out at the situation, raising an eyebrow at Q. Despite the situation... he was so damn hot when he got cocky like this.

"And you!" Q cried suddenly, leaping to his feet and jabbing a finger at Data. "You're the worst of them all. You could have immortality, you know. All you have to do is choose. All you have to do is decide to turn off your emotions again, to become rational and logical and strong again. It's your choice now. Choose wrong, and you're just as bad as this lot."

Data tugged at the bottom of his uniform shirt, evoking an image of Picard in your mind, and he took a step forward, his eyes turning to you and softening. "Mortality is a small price to pay for the emotions I have had the privilege of experiencing. My choice is love. My choice is happiness and sadness and joy and misery, and everything in between. I want to feel Q, and I am not giving it up for anything. Furthermore," he added, taking a few more steps forward, and turning his attention to Q, "I believe that you are acting out of petty jealousy. You will never experience love. You will never experience joy. You will never experience all the beautiful things in life, the ones that make it worth living. In fact, Q, you and your warnings are quite irrelevant to this entire situation. As much as it may pain you, this truly has nothing to do with you or your insecurities."

You were speechless, and you felt tears begin to well up in your eyes. Data would give up immortality for you. He would give up eternal life all for emotions and for you. You were too choked up to speak; Picard spoke for you. "Is that really what you want?" he asked incredulously. "You don't have to decide right away, Data. Not like this, not in such a stressful situation–"

"It is, perhaps, not the logical choice, but it is mine, and I am content with it," Data interrupted him. "I have no uncertainty about it. Geordi and I have been debating about this ever since I was awakened; we have since arrived at the conclusion that a shortened life span is what is best for me. I am not afraid of death, rendering Q's petty fear-mongering quite worthless."

"Oh, you'll regret this, my little android fiend," Q snarled. "I'll be back, for all of you; I'll see to it that you all correct your ways." With this last threat, he vanished, and you were all left in silence.

Well, almost silence. Deanna began to sniffle and dab her eyes with a handkerchief.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" Riker asked her gruffly.

"Oh, I'm... I'm sorry, everyone. It's just..." She gestured to Data. "And..." She gestured weakly to you. "It's just... oh, the things we do for love. The things we do for love... oh, y/n, you deserve this. And Data, you do too. I... I just..." She shook her head, breaking apart from Riker's arms, and sat in her chair, surrendering herself to her emotions. You wondered if she was feeling them so intensely because you were feeling the exact same way.

You glanced up at Data, and his golden eyes met yours. He held out his arm, and you took it. Together, the two of you boarded the turbolift, and, clinging to each other, you kissed passionately the second the doors closed. You knew there were so many things left to be discussed and worked out and decided–but for the moment, all you wanted was Data's mouth on yours.

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