'Coffee. Black.' Janeway instructed the replicator.
It hummed in response, producing a flash of light before materialising the dark brown substance in the standard metallic mug. She grabbed the cup, almost dropping it at first before tightening her grip as she realised her prized drink was in danger of spilling across the floor. Letting out a small yawn, she walked towards the window. It was late at night. Janeway stared out towards her reflection in the glass, asking her star-mangled reflection why she was keeping her up. She didn't answer back, but she thought it was worth the try.
Back when she was a young cadet, Janeway had trouble sleeping on her first mission. When she went to the doctor to ask for some sleeping medicine she was given the advice to go for a short walk instead. Something about expelling pent up energy. She gave it a try and it worked like a charm. Turning away from the window she went and draped a long grey robe on top of her silky pink shorts and tank top set that she had bought from the South of Italy one summer before recent events. Nestling her feet into matching grey slippers, she slowly made her way towards the door.
She had decided she was to make her way towards the mess hall. Caressing her warm slate mug she slowly drifted through the dim lit humming corridors before coming to the tall grey sliding doors of the mess hall. She slipped through the sliding doors and was greeted by a crew of empty chairs and tables. It was shockingly quiet for somewhere which was usually ripe with laughter and chatter. Everyone else was asleep however. Janeway slowly started floating forwards, her reflection in the big black space she was always faced with staring right back at her again. The mirror's replica of the mess hall and herself punctuated with the bright sparks of the different stars and planets in the Delta Quadrant they were stranded in. A thought that never seemed to leave Janeway, forever following her each time she looked upon that expanse.
A shadowy figure silently appeared in the starry hall. Janeway was unsure if the walk had started to work already or if she was finally starting to lose it as she knew no one was with her or her starry doppelganger. Everyone was asleep. It was almost 0300 hours. The small shadowy figure, however, grew larger and closer towards Janeway to the point she had to believe she was not, in fact, alone. Curious, Janeway turned around to look at her fellow insomniac. As she turned her head her eyes caught the soft dim light glint of the silver machinery above the tall blonde figure's left eye in front of her. She had on a maroon jumpsuit made out of soft elastic-like fabric and her hair was tied back into what was a tight updo, though with time it had loosened a little. It was Seven. Her eyes, bright as ever -despite the time- looked at Janeway intensely, as usual.
'Captain. What are you doing, up? Are you not meant to be sleeping still?'
Janeway smiled to herself, even in the middle of the night Seven was still as inquisitive as ever. 'Yes. I couldn't sleep you see so I decided to go for a little walk.'
Seven's eyes dropped from Janeway's gaze down to her arms which cradled her warm brew before rising back up returning to her gaze.'Surely that won't help. Caffeine is a stimulant, it will make it even harder for you to fall asleep.' she pressed flatly.
Janeway turned away for a second. Parting her lips and bringing her tongue to the top of her teeth she breathed in. Looking like she was deeply considering what Seven had just told her. A beat later she turned back to Seven's eyes. 'I'm aware. I'm still going to drink it though'
Seven's eyebrows burrowed as she pulled a face that screamed confusion. 'Hmm curious…why? Do you not want to sleep? It makes no sense drinking an energy filled drink when the aim is to diffuse energy. It would be more logical if you drank something like…' She stopped to think for a second. 'like chamomile tea. And went for a run.'
Janeway, laughing to herself smiled softly at Seven before responding 'You're right Seven. That would be more logical. But sometimes humans don't act logically. Maybe it's the lack of sleep.' She hesitated for a moment but then continued 'However, if you want you could help me sleep?' Seven slowly nodded, trying to conceal a smirk.
Their starry shadows reflected in the black Delta Quadrant abyss drew closer towards each other before uniting as one, joined by their heads. Silently one whispered 'Let's go somewhere more private' and their figures got smaller and smaller, fading away as the sliding doors unzipped before them, engulfing them as it zipped itself together again.