Movement in the otherwise silent room interrupted his sleep. He wondered at first what had disturbed him. Did he imagine the sound? Had he mistaken a figment of a dream for reality? He lay unmoving for a moment, listening intently and searching with half open eyes.

Nothing.

He took a deep breath and dismissed it. Heavy eyelids drifted shut.

Footfalls on the deck. It was no imagination. When he opened his eyes this time, he spied her silhouette standing in the doorway.

She starred at him briefly, unaware her presence had awakened him. He watched her move about his quarters, using only his eyes to follow.

Deliberate hands reached upwards and released her carefully arranged hair. It fell in cascades around her shoulders, transforming her features from severely professional to acutely feminine. She placed the pins on his bureau, mindful of creating unnecessary noise.

With her back to the bed, she began to undress. First the shoes. She arranged them neatly on the floor next to his boots. Then the suit. She folded it to exact dimensions and put it next to her hair pins.

Chakotay admired her in the near darkness. She came so rarely. These infrequent visits were special. He hoped that they would increase, become part of her routine. The few nights he had spent with her only served to augment his desire.

The top drawer slid open and she reached inside to retrieve the sleeping attire he kept on hand for her for just these occasions. She slipped into it silently.

He was waiting with the covers drawn back when she turned.

"I did not wish to wake you," she told him quietly.

He smiled with all the energy he could muster. After a double shift, it wasn't much. "It's all right."

Lying down on her side, she dipped into bed and pressed her back to his chest. Chakotay pulled the covers up over her and let his arm come to rest around her shoulder.

"Did you regenerate?" he asked. His hushed voice indicated that he was once again moving towards sleep.

"Yes. Six hours. But," she paused, gathering her thoughts, "I was in need of your companionship."

She didn't see him smile.

"I'm glad you came, Seven."

She responded by gently taking his hand. It was warm and inviting.

"Sleep well," he whispered.

She listened as his breathing changed. Sleep had taken him. Moments later, Seven followed. Content. Warm. Satisfied. And happy.