Chapter Text
The Enterprise-D was quiet.
Not silent. The ship was never truly silent. There was always the soft vibration of the engines or the occasional chirp of a console somewhere on the bridge. But the observation lounge itself was empty.
Or, at least, it was supposed to be.
Data stepped through the doors carrying a PADD, intending to review the analysis you had submitted earlier that afternoon. He stopped. He found you fast asleep at the conference table, your head rested sideways on one arm with other arm loosely curled beside a small stack of PADDs.
Data stared at you for a moment then his gaze fell upon the PADDs beside you. He tilted his head.
“Y/N?”
No response.
Data approached the table. He already knew the likely cause. You had spent the better part of the last several days taking additional tactical shifts, reviewing security reports, training with Worf, and apparently deciding that sleep was an optional recreational activity.
You shifted slightly in your chair. He had also noticed that you hadn’t eaten in a few hours either. He remembered earlier that you informed Commander Riker that you were ‘fine.’ But he knew otherwise. He could see the signs in your face and posture. He noticed the way you leaned ever so slightly over the console or how you let out the occasional yawn when things became too quiet.
Your brow furrowed faintly in your sleep. Data’s expression softened as he reached toward your shoulder. He had intended to wake you gently, of course. Before his hand touched you, he heard you mumble something into your arm
Data paused, leaning slightly closer, and listened. Your voice was barely audible.
“…love you…”
Data froze. For precisely 0.7 seconds, he simply stared at you. You shifted again, your cheek pressing more firmly against your arm.
“…Data.”
Data’s hand remained suspended in the air. He did not move. For perhaps the first time in several seconds, he seemed uncertain what action was appropriate.
You breathed quietly, completely unaware of what you had just said. Data slowly lowered his hand and looked at you, his gaze lingering upon you for a fraction longer than necessary as he processed what you had accidentally confessed.
“I see.”
He remained beside the table.
You murmured something else unintelligible and shifted again. Data listened carefully, wondering whether you would say anything further. You didn’t. Instead, you simply settled deeper into sleep.
Data’s expression changed almost imperceptibly. There was something in his eyes that hadn’t been there moments before. He wasn’t sure how he could classify what he was feeling, but he found the sensation quite…pleasant.
He had heard you say those words. Not in jest. Not under the influence of an alien entity. Not while attempting to explain human behavior. You had simply said them while asleep. And somehow, that made them feel more significant.
Data considered waking you to tell you what you had said. Instead, he reached down and carefully gathered the loose PADD that was trapped beneath your arm, carefully stacking it neatly with the others. Then he looked at you again.
“You really must learn to rest, Y/N.” He whispered.
He heard you mumble something once more.
“What was that?”
Your eyes remained closed.
“…don’t tell the Captain.”
Data’s eyebrows lifted. A tiny smile appeared.
“I had not intended to.”
You relaxed. Data stood there for another moment. Then, very gently, he placed his hand on your shoulder.
“Y/N?”
“Hmm?” You began to stir.
“It is time to wake up.”
“No.”
Data blinked. “No?”
“No.” You shifted your arm beneath your head. “I’ve decided this is my quarters now.”
Data considered this. “That is highly impractical.”
“Don’t care.” You said.
“You are currently occupying the observation lounge.” He told you.
“Best quarters on the ship.”
“That is debatable.”
You cracked one eye open and looked at him sleepily.
“Data?”
“Yes?” He waited.
You looked at the table then at the PADDs beside you.
“How long was I asleep?” You asked forcing both your eyes open.
“I am not certain but I would assume you have been here for quite some time.” He answered.
You let out a groan. “That’s embarrassing.”
“Why?” He asked curiously.
“Because you found me sleeping some place I’m not supposed to. ” You replied.
“I have found you asleep in less convenient locations.” He stated.
“Such as?” You asked.
“In engineering beneath the console.”
You stared at him. “That was one time.”
“You were also holding a tricorder.” Data added.
You slowly sat upright. “I don’t remember that.”
“I do.” He remembered everything. You had overworked yourself then too.
There was a brief silence as you let out a long yawn.
“Did I say anything…in my sleep?” You wondered.
Data paused for a moment trying to decide whether to tell you what you had said or not. Instead, he considered your expression. The sleepiness, the vulnerability, and the faint embarrassment already creeping across your face.
“Yes.” he said.
“What did I say?”
Data regarded you for a moment. Then, with remarkable calm he answered,
“Nothing of importance.”
You squinted suspiciously at him. He seemed to be hesitating, like he was hiding something from you but you didn’t press him for further details. You were far too tired for that.
“I was probably complaining about the replicators, knowing me.” You remarked, gathering up your PADDs.
“Come on. Before I fall asleep again.”
Data stepped aside to let you pass and watched as you headed toward the door.
After a few steps, you stopped and turned back.“Data?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for waking me up.” You said with a smile.
“You are welcome.”
With that you turned and left the room, the doors letting out a faint hiss as you as you disappeared behind them.
Data remained in the observation lounge. For several seconds, he simply stood there. Then he looked toward the empty chair where you had been sleeping.
His expression softened upon replaying the words you had sleepily spoken.
I love you… Data.
He would not tell anyone. Not Picard, Geordi, or Deanna. What happened in your dreams was your’s and until you chose to tell it to him while fully awake, Data would keep it exactly where it belonged. With you.
Though as he walked down the corridor, one thought remained unusually persistent.
He wondered if you had meant it…