I was bored yesterday and I asked my dear friend Sira to challenge me. And since she is a nice person, she just did that.

I would like to see: as drabble or in less than 500 words how Janeway accidently watches a tender moment between Doctor and Seven. Her feelings, or what she sees or hears. Your pick. :D

Is this humanity?

Carefully, not to disturb the patients in sickbay, I enter the doctor's sanctum through the lab's entrance at the end of the room. I cross the small space and enter his office, only to find it empty. Thinking he had left sickbay for only a short while and I want to use the chance to look at his patients, that are now sleeping in the adjoining room. I take a step forward, but only to come to a sudden halt at the sight that meets me. Quietly, not to disturb, I step back, behind the window that allows me to oversee the scene unfolding in front of me.

Sickbay is mostly dark, and the lights are almost to minimum, just enough to see, but not to disturb the patients. Only two of the beds are occupied. There, on the first one I notice Ensign Ashmore, who I know will only spend this night in sickbay, until he will be released to his quarters for at least another day.

And there, next to the second one stands our doctor, hovering over the still form of Seven of Nine. His eyes are fixed on the tricorder he is running over her body, before, with a sigh, he closes the medical device and places it on a tray next to him.

He then back to her again and in awe I observe how is hand is hovering over her face for just a mere second, before he gently tucks a stray lock of her blonde hair behind her ear that had come lose from her tight bun. My eyes wander to his face and my heart constricts at the emotions that are clearly showing on his face.

And just as I think I've recovered from the first shock, another one, just as strong as the first, surges right through me: This gesture was just so….so …. human! How could I not see this before? When did this change from a simple computer program to a sentient being happen? Only some nights before I told the very person, who is now lying on the bio bed, that the doctor was nothing more than my replicator, a simple piece of hardware. But this…is…love!

Suddenly I feel like an intruder at witnessing this scene. How many times had I been hovering next to Chakotay's side, whishing just to be left alone with him, to be able to hold a silent vigil?

With that thought I quietly step back from the window and take a seat at the doctor's desk, waiting for him for as long as it takes.

~fin~