Captain Picard was reading his favourite book when the interruption came. He was so very engrossed in the final, gripping chapters of Moby Dick that he barely even registered the fact that someone was stood outside his ready room. He uttered the command, "Come", and saw lieutenant commander Data walk in to the room.
"Ah, Mr Data," Picard said loudly, "I've been wanting to speak to you."
The android raised an eyebrow. He was obviously confused as to why the captain had asked for him to come to his ready room that day. "Sir?" He ventured nervously.
"Sit down," Picard told him and Data did so. "I presume you know why I wanted to speak with you," Picard stated. He placed his bookmark carefully into the book, shut it with a loud banging sound and then pushed it into a draw in the desk.
"No, sir, I do not," Data said quietly and calmly. He could not think of why the captain would want to see him. He hadn't done anything wrong that could earn him some sort of punishment and he hadn't done anything so exceptional that it should warrant a kind of reward or prize. He tried not to think about it too much, but he couldn't stop himself from doing so.
Picard formed a steeple with his fingers as he leant his elbows on the desk. "I am aware that, recently, and for quite a number of times, ensign McAdams has asked for the times and locations of her duty shifts to be altered."
Data considered what his commanding officer had just said and stared at him blankly, saying, "Sir, I do not see how this affects me."
"She was trying to avoid having to have a shift with you," Picard said bluntly as he scanned his android crewmember's strange expression.
"Why would she do that?" Data asked, confused by the captain's statement.
Picard tried to attempt a smile. "I am sure you know why, Mr Data," he said.
Data nodded. He did know why, he just didn't really want to have to admit it. "I am sorry, sir, if it has caused you any inconvenience," Data said quietly.
"Apology accepted, Mr Data," Picard replied.
"Have you not spoken to ensign McAdams about this matter?" Data asked inquisitively.
Picard nodded and sighed. "I have indeed. But, I think we should both agree that you and she need to come to some sort of mutual agreement. I understand that it can't be very easy, as you both live and work here, but it is getting in the way of duties. It is becoming a little ridiculous."
"I understand, sir," Data said softly and a little confusedly.
"Good," Picard decided, "Dismissed."
The android nodded and then left the captain's ready room. Once he was gone, Picard opened the draw and continued to read on with his novel. Every page, every sentence and indeed every wood reminded him of why this was his favourite book.