Someone's at the door...

You're sitting alone in your quarters, reading "The Teachings of Surak," upon recommendation by Tuvok, when suddenly you hear someone at your door. "Come in?" you say, sipping a cup of coffee.

"Crewman," says the Captain, standing in your doorway.

"Captain!" you say, springing to your feet, nearly spilling your coffee in the process.

"Keep your seat, Crewman," she says, moving into the seat across from you. You sit, tentatively, trying to figure out just what brought the Captain to your quarters.

She smiles, taking the carafe and an empty cup. "Coffee?" she asks, approvingly.

"Um, yes, Captain. I know most people prefer--"

"No need to apologize," she says, pouring herself a cup. "It's an acquired taste. But one I've always enjoyed."

You nod, sipping your own cup of coffee, still unsure as to just what is happening.

"Um, Captain, was there something you--"

"B'Elanna tells me you proved quite resourceful earlier. Managed to spot and repair some kind of problem with Seven?"

You nod, but decide to come clean. "Well, sort of. After I ran the diagnostic, I took Seven to sick bay and...I don't know. The anomaly was...gone."

"Gone?" asks the Captain, leaning forward.

"Yes, Captain. I can only assume that her nanoprobes repaired the overload." You narrow your eyes, trying to get a read on the Captain. She's fishing for something.

"Captain, if you don't mind my asking...is there something you're looking for? Something you wanted to know? I mean, I'll have my full report for you tomorrow, but--"

She waves her hand, stopping you. "No, Crewman. Nothing like that. I'm here in a more...unofficial capacity. As you might know, I've always taken a special interest in Seven. So I-- She asked about you, crewman. Seven."

You lean back, confused. "Asked about me, Captain? I don't--"

"Neither do I, crewman. She seems to have taken an interest in you. I think--" Janeway smiles, "I think she likes you, crewman."

"I see..." you say. "Captain, I'm not--"

"Crewman, honestly, I'm happy, if not a bit baffled. I don't mean that as an insult, crewman. Your service record is impressive and you are..." she pauses "...handsome. It's just that, you haven't had much contact with Seven, have you?"

You think back. "Well, not really, Captain. Occasionally, I've been assigned to work on a project under her, a few diagnostics when engineering gets busy. Not much, really."

"Well," she says, standing. "Thank you for the coffee, crewman. And keep me posted. Not that your private affairs aren't private. But...Seven is younger than her yeas in a way. She might have some...growing pains to deal with."

"I understand, Captain. I think." You walk her to the door.

"Very good, crewman." She looks down at the book in your hand. "And if you actually make it past the third chapter, let me know. I think there's a prize..."

You chuckle. "Good night, Captain."