LIGHT-YEARS AWAY (Data x Reader) // Star Trek

Chapter Six

"This is the usual station I occupy." Data said as he gestured to his seat. 

You nodded you head, "Very nice." You said, not sure how else to reply. 

Data smiled as he took a seat, you thought you caught the tiniest glimmer of pride behind his eyes yet again.

"Lieutenant (y/l/n), why are you on the bridge?!" Picard snapped from behind you. 

You felt a shiver of guilt go up your spine, much the same of a little kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar. 

"Ehhh..." You swallowed.

Without a beat, Data spun his chair around and stood up, "Captain, you had assigned us to study one another, I thought it was thereby a good idea if we were always within close proximity. I invited Lieutenant (y/l/n) to the bridge. If there is a problem with my thinking, please take the matter up with me." 

You stared wide-eyed up at Data, you wanted to kiss him in that moment you were so grateful.

"Thank you Data," Picard said shortly, he seemed too busy to think about this problem extensively. "(y/n), go sit over there with Wesly." He pointed to a seat in the corner where a youngish boy sat watching everything eagerly. 

"Yes sir." You said as you quickly went to your seat and sat down. Data looked over to you. You nodded thank you and blushed, he nodded back and sat down. 

"You must be Wesly?" You asked quietly so you wouldn't get snapped at again.

"Yes, that's right!" He said enthusiastically.

 "I'm (y/n). It's nice to meet you." 

"Nice to meet you too! Wait...you're from the past right?!" You noticed he had picked up his voice a little louder.

You both looked over to see Picard shooting daggers. 

You and Wesly looked back at each other and laughed slightly at how awkward being in the bridge "corner" was. 

"Yeah, I am from the past." You replied.

"Oh! Do you think you could help me with my school history project? It would be an interview, you just have to answer a few questions about the technology from back then."

He was too excited to say no to, "Yeah, of course, I can."

He pulled out a little notebook and began.

Several hours later and you were just finishing up answering all of his questions. All the time being you couldn't help but notice your eyes drifting back to Data as he worked, sometimes for several solid seconds, you couldn't help but hold your gaze on the back of his head.

Even now you stared.

"Why do you keep looking at Lieutenant Commander Data?" Wesly asked curiously, a little too loudly.

The bridge went still as everyone looked over to Wesly. You heard a few disguised laughs and your face heated up, you knew since this morning there was now the running joke of you and 
Data being intimate and of course, this didn't help your case any. You didn't dare to look to see if Data had also heard.
 

"Shut up Wesly!" Picard said, the irritation rolling off his tongue as all he wanted was silence to concentrate on whatever mission was at hand.  

"Sorry, sir," Wesly said quickly as the two of you went completely silent again until all attention left the both of you. 

"He has just been a good friend and I'm feeling a little nervous being somewhere new, I guess he's familiar already." You whispered.

"Don't you also work with androids?" He whispered back.

"Yes." You said not wanting to explain the whole thing again, although you knew your job title was definitely a unique one and was bound to bring curiosity. 

You tuned back into the bridge to see what the crew were talking about. For the most part, it was all technical and of little interest.

Picard yawned, "How long has this shift been?" He asked himself rubbing his head. 

Data turned around confidently in his seat, "Roughly, 800 hours, Sir." He said matter of factly.

"Oh no..." You muttered under your breath. 

Everyone paused and looked to Data.

"What?" Picard cocked an eyebrow, "Data, when was the last time you were calibrated? I can assure you it was not 800 hours, that number is wildly off. I think you and Geordi should report to engineering to clear up this problem."

Data looked at you for help, confused why his second attempt at humor had gone so wrong. 

You stood up, "Sir, if I may."

Captain Picard shot daggers at you. You were scared he was going to say, "Shut up (y/n)!" next.

"Yes (y/n)? You are the expert on synthetic beings, what is the cause for this?" 

You swallowed, "Actually sir...I am the cause. Data and I were discussing humor last night and I believe I may have led him astray. I told him to exaggerate for comical effect." 

You noticed Riker was holding back a laugh from the mention of last night and the morning's "napkin" incident. You knew it would only be a matter of time before that story too reached Picard's knowledge. 

"Data's main purpose on this bridge is to give us accurate calculations and detailed information. Do you understand the harm that could be done if we did not know of Data's attempts of humor and he gave us a false number?" Picard asked although you could sense a tinge of amusement behind his voice. 

"I did not think of that, sir. I apologize." You wanted to disappear. 

"You and Wesly are excused from the bridge," Picard said. As he turned back to the tasks at hand.

"Sir, I believe my shift is over too." Data said as he stood up.

"Yes. Thank you Data. You are excused." Picard said as he tiredly gestured for him to leave. 

Data took his place beside you and Wesly on the turbolift as you began to descend. 

You sighed a sigh of relief as you got away from the bridge. 

"I'm sorry Data, I didn't mean to get you in trouble." You said.

"I thought it was funny," Wesly said, trying to be helpful. 

Data nodded, "Perhaps I should try the joke again, but next time not on the bridge." 

You chuckled, "Good idea." 

You got off the turbo-lift and Wesly said goodbye as he ran down a corridor. You stood alone with Data.

"I don't think I want to be going on the bridge again anytime soon." You said shuddering. 

"I apologize if you felt uncomfortable. Data said.

You gently touched his arm, "It's not your fault, I'm just not used to that sort of thing." 

He looked at your hand and cocked his head slightly in confusion, instantly making you pull it back. 

"Would you like to meet Spot?" Data asked. 

"Spot?" You asked curiously.

"Yes. Follow me." Data said as he set off walking.