The EMH lay very still, unblinking eyes fixed on the ceiling. It was a strange thing, being horizontal. He could probably count on one hand the number of times he had decided to try lying down. He wasn't sure he liked it. On his feet or seated at his workstation, there were always things he could do, things to occupy his holomatrix. Lying still like this, he could almost feel his program fidgeting.

The bed was comfortable, he supposed. Warm, soft, inviting. But for a hologram with no need for rest, it took a surprising amount of effort to stay motionless.

A bare, slender arm snaked around his chest, interrupting his reverie. A throaty "good morning" accompanied the sensation of a warm body molding itself to his side. He didn't realize he hadn't responded until an auburn-haired head raised itself from his shoulder. He looked over to find himself nose-to-nose with a tousled and blushing Kathryn Janeway.

He was at a loss for words. Her eyes were half-lidded with sleep and her mouth wore a self-satisfied little smile. Her hair was a disaster. His sudden-onset mutism seemed to amuse her.

"Well?" She prompted, gentle teasing in her voice.

"Well, this is an unprecedented violation of privilege." The remark slipped out of his mouth before he could think, delivered in his usual acerbic way. He was relieved when she giggled and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

The silence that followed seemed to stretch on and on. The Doctor wasn't sure what to do. He had been waiting all night for her to wake up and tell him this was a mistake. He had steeled himself for what he knew had to happen next. While he could hardly call himself an experienced lover, he understood the etiquette of a one-night stand, particularly of a one-night stand on Voyager. It was a small ship.

Kathryn finally sighed and rolled out of his arms. "You're waiting for me to tell you that this can't happen again."

"The thought had occurred to me." He waited.

"Alright, this can't happen again." Then, as he had just begun to consider decompiling himself on the spot, her lips twitched. "Not until tonight. I'm due on the bridge in half an hour."