A/N: This is another of my fics inspired by Season 2, Episode 7, "Parturition" and the doctor letting it slip that he's been eavesdropping all over the ship using the commlink system. I don't own any of the characters, this is written purely as entertainment: mine, and hopefully yours.
The doors to the Captain's Ready Room have barely closed behind her, before she starts pacing. Her arm cocked, fingers to her lips, she tries to think. Her other arm comes across her body and hugs herself around her middle unconsciously. The idea that the Doctor has been eavesdropping on goings on all over the ship….He may say that his sole intention is to monitor the health of the crew, but the Doctor has also of late been developing more curiosity than a hologram has a right to have.
The chime at her door interrupts her pacing, and Captain Janeway forces herself to stop moving. Instead, she faces the door, though her arms remain in their places. "Come in!" she calls.
The doors open, and it is none other than Chakotay. He waits until the noise from the bridge is cut off by the doors before speaking. "So the Doctor has taken up eavesdropping, has he?"
Kathryn rolls her eyes at him and her hands drop to her sides in surrender. "Who knew an EMH would want to know so much about the goings on in the rest of the ship? Smart of him really, to use the commlink system," she replies.
"Well, it must get boring for him down there, having to be activated all the time," Chakotay says, moving to perch on the edge of her desk. She can tell he's amused.
"You think this is funny, do you?" she replies sternly. "Aside from being an invasion of privacy for the whole crew, I am concerned—do you think he knows about—" she stops. Chakotay has just placed his finger over her lips.
"Nothing we can do about it now, is there?" Chakotay says, barely suppressing his grin. He is always the one reminding her not to worry about things she can't change. His finger is still over her lips.
She stares at him for a moment, eyes wide, and they share a look that seems to warm the air in the Ready Room at least five degrees.
Chakotay's finger lowers slowly until his hand is at his side. His eyes remain locked with Kathryn's. He's as lost in the moment as she is.
She is the one to look away first, a wry grin reluctantly sneaking across her face.
"Well," she says, placing both hands behind her on the desk, to lean against it, while tilting her head in her First Officer's direction, "Let's hope the Doctor is as discrete as he says he is."