The Experiment (Data x reader)

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That evening, you sat placidly in the meeting room, running over the events of the past few hours in your head. Helping Data move his things, showing him around your quarters, explaining your schedule to him... Data had even brought Spot, his cat, who had presented a bit of a challenge at first. Upon her arrival, she knocked over a neatly stacked pile of books and chose to sleep on them immediately thereafter. However, Data had gotten her settled in quickly, and when you'd left, she'd been sound asleep on your desk.

Data had left for bridge duty, and it was then that Beverley Crusher had summoned you to the meeting room. She had informed you that she would arrive in five minutes, and requested that you simply wait until then. You were still having trouble wrapping your head around the fact that you were living with Data. Not just working closely with him, not just conducting research with him, but actually sharing a living space with him. What in the seven heavens would that be like? You turned the matter over in your mind, your heart beating rapidly.

The doors opened to allow Beverley Crusher in, and she smiled kindly at you, sitting across from you. "Thank you for meeting me, y/n."

"Of course." You had been doing so much thinking about your new living situation that you hadn't even begun to wonder why she had summoned you. "Is there something wrong with Wesley?"

She shook her head, glancing down at the table. "It's... it's not Wesley I want to talk to you about. It's Data."

You nodded. Doctor Crusher had yet to tell you her opinion on the matter of the experiment. She hadn't uttered a word about it in your presence, and you wondered how she felt about it.

"Data informed me today that he had felt his first emotion. He informed all of us, actually, and announced that he would be residing in your quarters until he became fully accustomed to the new experience." Beverley folded her hands neatly in front of her, clearing her throat. "Data has always seemed to be more than a simple machine to me. The fact that he is capable of feeling simply confirms that. In fact, Deanna mentioned that she felt a changed emotional presence within him. I'm very happy for him, because he's been wishing for this as long as I've known him. However..." Beverley paused. "I may have a theory on why Q was so desperate to end this experiment. I wanted to share it with you so that you were aware, but I don't think it's important enough to be taken to the captain."

"What is it?" you asked, trying to keep the impatience out of your voice.

"Data is already one of the most powerful beings that humans have had contact with," Beverley explained. "Thank heavens he was programmed to help rather than harm, because I have no doubt that he has the resources and the capability to destroy the human race if he wished. Q may fear that, by gaining emotional intelligence as well as infinity knowledge, we may utilize Data as a form of warfare." Beverley took a deep breath, looking up at the ceiling and rubbing her temples. "Oh, y/n, it sounds crazy, I know, but I simply can't stop thinking about it. It's been running through my mind all day. I needed to tell someone, just to get it off my chest."

"Of course," you said slowly, considering the idea carefully. It did sound crazy, but not impossible. Data was, after all, more than capable of mass destruction if he chose to be, and Q knew that very well. Did he fear some sort of attack? You drummed your fingers on the table in deep thought.

Beverley gave you a gentle smile. "But anyway, that's just my take on the matter," she said. "I imagine it will be interesting to have a roommate. You two are going to have to make sure you both have an equal amount of space and privacy."