heart |härt|

noun

a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation. In vertebrates there may be up to four chambers (as in humans), with two atria and two ventricles.

Dr. Elizabeth Shaw sat at the counter, tapping her fingers against the metal frame. Although she usually enjoyed the silence, ever since the incident on the Prometheus ship the previous year, she could not stand being alone. She clutched onto her knees, waiting for David, her personal android and now best friend, to return.

"Dr. Shaw?" David said from behind her, causing her to jump. "I am terribly sorry to have startled you."

"No, no, David, it is quite alright…" She hesitated.

"Dr. Shaw, may I ask to speak to you about a personal matter?" David asked curiously.

Elizabeth noticed over time that David enjoyed learning. Although he was created to do what he is told and give information, he wanted to understand the human aspects of life. Their thought process. Unlike Meredith, his deceased 'sister', Elizabeth would try to be as honest with David as she possibly could.

"Of course, David." She smiled- she actually enjoyed the robot's company. "Take a seat."

"Thank you." David said, sitting in the chair next to Elizabeth, facing her. "I have put the ship on autopilot- seeing that I am not in command." He smiled.

"What is it you needed to talk about, David?" Elizabeth asked curiously. She wondered what sort of questions were bubbling in his mind at the moment.

"I do not understand the concept of a… Heart. I have noticed that within mortals, it is used out of context. The heart is a muscular organ that keeps the human body alive. So why do humans state that they 'follow their heart' or associate a heart with 'love?'" David asked eagerly.

Elizabeth sat forward- looking away from David.

"When humans…" Elizabeth started, then made eye contact with David. "Are where they want to be in life, are surrounded by their loved ones, or are truly happy, they generally believe that the warmth they feel is from their heart. Much like a soul." She smiled at him.

David frowned for a moment. "Maybe I do not understand… Simply because, I do not have a heart, nor a soul."

Elizabeth pondered for a moment. There was something about David, some goodness within him, that lead her to believe that he truly did have a soul, and 'heart.' She looked up at him, taking his hands into hers.

"Maybe not physically. But you do have one."

"It is generous of you to suggest that…" David smirked. "But I am afraid that I can only understand emotions, physical and psychological behavior. I cannot truly feel… How would I know that I have 'followed' my heart, when I cannot feel?"

"Maybe when… You feel something is right, and you know it. There is not a doubt in your mind about it."

"I see…"

David pondered for what seemed like minutes.

"Dr. Shaw?" David asked suddenly.

"Yes, David?"

"There happens to be something… That I do not doubt." He said uneasily.

"What is it, David?" She frowned a bit, not understanding.

Elizabeth wasn't sure what happened at that moment, until she realized that their lips were touching. She had once, only once wondered, what it would be like to kiss David. It was nothing like she had expected. She assumed their would be no feeling, or emotion, involved in it, although this did not seem any different from a human to human kiss. She parted so that their lips were just barely touching.

"David…" Elizabeth started- in almost a whisper.

"I am following my heart." He said.

At that moment, the out-of-place feeling she had been having for the previous months was now gone. Both of them knew where their hearts where meant to be.