Revelation & Sweet Good-bye

Revelation

Month 11 Day 1

0222 Hours

Smythe

He was alone in a vast field of stars, and completely at peace. Elsewhere, he knew, people were having intrigues and assignations, but that wasn’t his style. He had enough to keep busy, with his duties, his technical magazines and writing the occasional technical article. That was all he needed.

He thought about that, and frowned. It used to be all he needed. Lately, he had been feeling... a touch lonely. He still had friends, although MacGreg, sometimes, was too busy with Colleen to--

He gasped as a stab of yearning went through him. That was what he was missing. A woman. Not just any woman, but Colleen.

He frowned even more. He couldn’t have her. He turned for a fresh view of the stars, trying to put those thoughts behind him, and--

She was there, hardly a step away, looking as beautiful and radiant as he’d ever seen her. Without thinking, he reached out, and she was in his arms, her mouth, sweet and inviting, was pressed to his. He moved to lay half atop her and explored her body with his hand as his tongue explored her mouth. His passion rising, he slid on top of her, and then into her, but he forced himself to keep a slow pace, wanting her to enjoy it fully. She raised her legs and wrapped them around his waist, letting him penetrate even deeper. He quickened his pace as he approached the end, and was gratified to feel her entire body stiffen as she reached climax, which triggered his own final satisfaction. He gave her a last sweet kiss, unwilling to let go of her so soon. “I need you, Colleen,” he whispered in her ear.

“What?”

She looked up at him in contented bliss and... long red curls morphed into short blond curls as green eyes became hazel. “Did you say Colleen?” Beth asked.

Oh, blast, I did it again. Her legs—still wrapped around him—loosened. I can’t blame her. I’d be pretty mad if she called me MacGreg in the middle of sex. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn’t figure out what.

“No wonder you’ve been irritable,” Beth observed. “What about her, is she interested?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry. It was unforgivable. Please forget it.”

“If that’s what you want,” she agreed. With a slight groan, she lowered her legs from around him, and he moved over to take his position beside her again.

He was surprised when she snuggled against him. I know I told her to forget it, but they never do. Playing a game, I suppose. She’ll mention it the next time I—

“Okay,” she stated, breaking the silence. Here it comes. “I was right, you did manage a 2nd time. Now, I certainly didn’t have any complaints about the first time, but this time was fantastic!”

He grunted. Not a word about it. Yet. It will come eventually. “I’ve never had a woman wrap her legs around my waist,” he returned.

She snorted lightly. “Don’t remember where I picked that up. Couldn’t do it anymore if I didn’t do yoga. But it is definitely worth it.”

“Yes, it is,” he agreed, beginning to drift back to sleep.

“Sleep. Good idea,” she murmured and then added, “At least we won’t have to listen to the bridge tonight.”

His eyes opened in the near-darkness. “What do you mean, listen to the bridge?”

She hesitated. “Do you know what happens on the bridge on midnight shift?”

How do I answer that? “I have... recently gotten a vague idea,” he admitted. “I’ve got to do something about it.”

“You wouldn’t be so calm about it if you actually got to hear it from time to time.”

“Hear it?”

“Yeah, M--Uh, she opens a channel from the bridge to... some random place, and just lets Adams’ and Evans’ harassing irritate someone besides her. Just an hour at a time, so no one loses a lot of sleep at any one time. Apparently, she doesn’t ship it to any senior officers, which I think is a mistake. Still, I suppose she has her reasons.” She giggled slightly. “And I hear those 2 can’t figure out why they can hardly get a date any more. But there’s only a couple women who will have anything to do with either one of them.”

“I have to do something about those two,” he repeated.

Beth ran a hand down his chest. “But not tonight,” she told him. “You promised to stay until 5. Anyway, Mac’s not on duty tonight.”

“She’s not?” The communications schedule went through his mind, and he realized she wasn’t. Then we could have--No! She’s likely with one of them. Well, not MacGreg, because he came here... So she’s with Bugalu. Just as well. She’s not for me. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and settled down for some sleep.

Sweet Good-bye

Month 11, Day 1

0433 Hours

Anna Humara

Anna tied her robe closed and turned Drake to face her before her bedroom door opened to let him leave. “I wish you didn’t have to leave,” she pouted, and stood on tiptoe to give him a kiss.

He gave her rear a good squeeze as he held her close. “You’re making it hard,” he told her when they finally pulled apart. “And if you keep this up, you’ll make me hard again. But I already got talked to last night for not being as discrete as the captain expects me to be.”

“Yes, she did seem unhappy with you,” she agreed, and sighed. “Okay, I understand. I just... I get lonely, sometimes.”

He gave her a gentle smile. “We all get lonely sometimes,” he stated, and gave her rump a light swat as he turned away.

“Drake?”

He stopped as the door started to open, and it closed again. “What, Anna?”

She hesitated. What if he takes it the wrong way, gets angry? Well, better to learn about it now, and not get tangled up in a relationship I don’t actually want. She swallowed and managed to say, “I’m not looking for monogamy.”

An amalgamation of emotions crossed his face, leaving him looking serious. “Anna, I’ve tried that once before. It didn’t turn out well for her, and, well, not well for me, either. I’m not ready to try it again.”

I’d heard he was married, once. “Good. Just wanted to make sure we understood each other.”

He smiled again, said, “See ya later.” This time she let him leave.