Anniversary Waltz Chapter 12/12 (Epilogue) R
Title: Anniversary Waltz (12/12)
Rating: R (mature)
Characters/Pairing: Kirk/Uhura
Disclaimer: Characters and canon belong to Paramount, Roddenberry, Abrams and many others but not me. All rights reserved. No copyright infringement intended and no profit is made by the author.
Summary: One year prior, the Enterprise had shipped out for its first mission under the official command of James T. Kirk and the young captain had deemed it a day worthy of recognition.
In the end, he decided, it came down to this one simple fact: He was the son of George and Winona Kirk.
In his veins ran the blood of a man who had made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his crew and to protect the woman he loved as she labored to bring their child into the universe.
And in every fiber of his body was the DNA of a woman who had struggled with her demons and ultimately discovered a wellspring of strength allowing her to rise above a heartbreaking loss to carve out a life for herself and her children.
He had lived his entire life burdened by the expectations of others, that he be a reflection of his hero father. But it was through his mother’s wisdom that he had come to the realization that his life was his own.
And, the life he had chosen meant that he may someday face decisions similar to those his father had. He prayed he would never find himself confronted with the same overwhelming losses as his mother. But he now knew that at his very core lay the gift of their combined strengths. He was learning that he could rely on his own determined tenacity along with the counsel and friendship of the people closest to him to help him through the good times as well as the dark times that were surely a part of the path he had chosen to travel.
He did not know what the future held, but he was not afraid to meet it head on…
//////
Epilogue
She was sitting cross-legged on the small sofa in his quarters, reading when he entered the room. He dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head as he set down his gym bag and flopped onto the cushion beside her.
His hair gleamed damply in the light and she could smell the fresh citrus scent of soap which lingered from the shower he had obviously recently taken. His head fell back against the cushions and he closed his eyes, sighing contentedly as he toed off his shoes and stacked his bare feet on a low table.
Shifting, she propped an elbow against the back of the sofa and leaned her head against her fist. Her eyes swept over him and she could see a faint bruise forming high on his right cheek.
“Did you win?”
Hands folded comfortably over his stomach, his lips curled into a smile.
“Of course. Was there ever a doubt?”
“Well…”
One blue eye cracked open to level her with a warning glare and she pressed her lips together to hide the smile threatening to break loose.
“It’s just… well, I’ve always wondered, you know…” She paused and examined her manicure closely. “Do you think you ‘win-win’? Or do the others usually let you win because you’re the captain?” she asked in a deadpan tone.
His mouth dropped open and he clapped a dramatic hand over his heart. “I can’t believe you even thought that, let alone said it!”
She pressed a fist against her mouth to stifle a giggle at the calculated look of wounded incredulity twisting his handsome features.
“You know,” he sniffed. “I brought a little something back for you but now I’m re-thinking whether you deserve it.”
“Oooh. But I like presents.”
“Well, you might just have to go without this one,” he suggested loftily. “Maybe that will teach you to curb your disrespectful tendencies.”
Her narrowed gaze traveled over his lean length, searching for the tell-tale bulge of a hidden object tucked into a pocket but found nothing. Her eyes lit on the gym bag lying on the floor and she lunged forward.
“Uh-uh.” He shifted quickly, his feet thumping to the floor as he moved to block her.
Changing tactics, she pressed a kiss to his beard-stubbled cheek and gave him a flirtatious smile.
“Please?”
He pursed his lips and gave her a considering look.
“Of course, you know I didn’t mean it.” Her eyes were wide with exaggerated sincerity.
“You’re sooo brave and strong and powerful,” she continued in a deliberately breathy voice as she stroked one suggestive finger down his chest and fluttered her lashes. “I’m sure the others positively quake in their shoes when they see you coming.”
He gave a decisive nod. “That’s what I thought you meant.”
His stern look was ruined by the grin which trembled at the corners of his mouth before breaking free and they shared a laugh.
“Okay. Now that we’ve reestablished the proper respect you have for my awesomeness…” He leaned down and pulled a square container from his gym bag and held it out to her.
She flipped open the lid and peered inside.
“Huh.”
“It’s cake,” he told her helpfully.
“Yes.”
“Chocolate cake,” he clarified in the same helpful tone.
“It certainly is.” Thick ribbons of fudge were sandwiched between layers of moist chocolate cake enrobed in a dark, decadent frosting.
“Um.” She glanced up at him. “You shouldn’t have?”
He shrugged and waved a hand as if it was no big deal.
“You told me once about how much you like chocolate so…”
She recalled a wish made on a candle and making love with him for the first time. Remembered a lazy day spent in bed with him. Those first hours of truly beginning to get to know one another had been filled with sex, sleep, food, conversation and laughter. So much had happened between then and now, she thought. That had been just about…
Her eyes lit with sudden realization of the date and she looked up, a growing smile wreathing her face.
“Aww, babe. You brought me an anniversary cake.”
He ducked his head and gave her a shy smile, feigning bashfulness, the effect of which was ruined by the eager light in his eyes and the suggestive bobbing of his eyebrows.
She grinned, recalling her assertion that long-ago day of the effect chocolate had on her libido.
“Hmm,” she said thoughtfully. “It’s an awfully big slice of cake.”
“I know,” he said happily.
“And it’s a lot of chocolate.”
“I know,” he sighed lustily. “And it’s all yours.”
The generous offer was accompanied by another waggle of his thick brows and she laughed out loud.
“Oh, you’re just so good to me. So kind and generous. Truly a selfless man.”
He gave her a modest smile and she laughed again.
Swinging one leg over both of his, she settled onto his lap. The faded red cotton of her t-shirt hitched up, revealing smooth, bare thighs. Unable to resist, he laid one strong hand on her leg, long fingers curling possessively over the soft skin.
Holding the carton between them, she dipped a finger into the chocolate frosting and popped it into her mouth, noting the way his fascinated gaze followed her movements.
“Mmm.”
He blinked dazedly at her throaty hum of approval and raised his eyes to hers.
“Good?” He shifted, uncomfortable in clothing that was suddenly too restrictive.
“Mmm-hmm,” she purred.
He scooped up a dollop of frosting but before he could taste it, her hand shot out to stop him.
“Mine,” she growled possessively.
Setting the carton aside, she wrapped restraining fingers around his wrist and drew his hand toward her mouth. His other fingers curled, reflexively cupping her jaw as she sucked his thumb into the warm, wet heat of her mouth.
Enjoying the salty/sweet combination of chocolate and him, she hummed again. The tiny vibration traveled through his arm, arrowed directly to his groin, and his hips arched helplessly beneath hers.
Her eyes were open, locked on his until he tore his gaze away to watch the suggestive slide of her wet mouth over his thumb and his libido jumped up and cheered in enthusiastic response.
“God,” he groaned. “Kiss me.”
Releasing his thumb from her mouth with an audible pop, she speared her fingers into the short thick strands of his hair and obliged him by dragging his mouth to hers. She pressed herself against him, straining into the kiss, straining into him. Wishing she could crawl inside him; wanting him to fill her.
Brutally aroused by the flavors of chocolate and his own flesh mingling with the taste of her, his fingers clamped around her thighs, holding her captive as his hips arched up to grind into her.
Her every sense was attuned to his hands as they streaked over her body. His fingers slid down to cover her breasts, his thumbs rubbing over the alert peaks hidden behind soft cotton and a faded baseball logo.
Breathing heavily, she tore her mouth from his. She saw the flush of arousal staining his cheeks; noted the fever-bright blue of his eyes. But beyond that, she saw the deep emotion swirling in his searching gaze, his love for her etched on his every feature.
“I love you,” she murmured.
“I know.”
The hint of arrogance in his words was belied by the profound joy written on his face.
Laying her cheek against his chest, she listened to his heart pound beneath her ear, its frantic thrum at odds with the soothing stroke of his hand over her spine.
Seeking relief from the ache building deep within her, she laid her lips against his ear.
“Take me to bed,” she demanded softly.
Banding strong arms beneath her, he rose. She wound her arms and legs around him, her ankles locking around his hips.
He stumbled, shuddering as her busy hands slipped under his t-shirt, fingers dipping beneath the waistband of his jeans to skim lightly over the sensitive hollow at the base of his spine.
“Wait.” He turned back. “We forgot the cake.”
“It’s probably time for me to tell you the truth,” she whispered.
His vision blurred as she nuzzled his ear, strong teeth nipping the tender lobe.
“Uh. Wha- ” He cleared his throat. “What?”
He adjusted his grip on her as she leaned back to see his face.
“I lied to you,” she told him, solemn-eyed.
His brow furrowed into a puzzled frown and he cocked his head questioningly to one side.
“When?”
She curled forward again, tightening her arms around his neck.
“It wasn’t the chocolate that turned me on that day-”
He shivered as her hot breath wafted over his ear.
“- it was you.”
“Well, in that case…”
They grinned foolishly at one another as he broke into a run, and the sound of their laughter followed them into the bedroom and beyond.
End
A/N: I cannot believe how long it took me to complete this story from the first posting to the end but I thank those of you who wrote to me to let me know what you thought of it along the way as well as those of you who stuck it out from beginning to end. I appreciate your kindness. - emn
Rating: R (mature)
Characters/Pairing: Kirk/Uhura
Disclaimer: Characters and canon belong to Paramount, Roddenberry, Abrams and many others but not me. All rights reserved. No copyright infringement intended and no profit is made by the author.
Summary: One year prior, the Enterprise had shipped out for its first mission under the official command of James T. Kirk and the young captain had deemed it a day worthy of recognition.
In the end, he decided, it came down to this one simple fact: He was the son of George and Winona Kirk.
In his veins ran the blood of a man who had made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his crew and to protect the woman he loved as she labored to bring their child into the universe.
And in every fiber of his body was the DNA of a woman who had struggled with her demons and ultimately discovered a wellspring of strength allowing her to rise above a heartbreaking loss to carve out a life for herself and her children.
He had lived his entire life burdened by the expectations of others, that he be a reflection of his hero father. But it was through his mother’s wisdom that he had come to the realization that his life was his own.
And, the life he had chosen meant that he may someday face decisions similar to those his father had. He prayed he would never find himself confronted with the same overwhelming losses as his mother. But he now knew that at his very core lay the gift of their combined strengths. He was learning that he could rely on his own determined tenacity along with the counsel and friendship of the people closest to him to help him through the good times as well as the dark times that were surely a part of the path he had chosen to travel.
He did not know what the future held, but he was not afraid to meet it head on…
//////
Epilogue
She was sitting cross-legged on the small sofa in his quarters, reading when he entered the room. He dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head as he set down his gym bag and flopped onto the cushion beside her.
His hair gleamed damply in the light and she could smell the fresh citrus scent of soap which lingered from the shower he had obviously recently taken. His head fell back against the cushions and he closed his eyes, sighing contentedly as he toed off his shoes and stacked his bare feet on a low table.
Shifting, she propped an elbow against the back of the sofa and leaned her head against her fist. Her eyes swept over him and she could see a faint bruise forming high on his right cheek.
“Did you win?”
Hands folded comfortably over his stomach, his lips curled into a smile.
“Of course. Was there ever a doubt?”
“Well…”
One blue eye cracked open to level her with a warning glare and she pressed her lips together to hide the smile threatening to break loose.
“It’s just… well, I’ve always wondered, you know…” She paused and examined her manicure closely. “Do you think you ‘win-win’? Or do the others usually let you win because you’re the captain?” she asked in a deadpan tone.
His mouth dropped open and he clapped a dramatic hand over his heart. “I can’t believe you even thought that, let alone said it!”
She pressed a fist against her mouth to stifle a giggle at the calculated look of wounded incredulity twisting his handsome features.
“You know,” he sniffed. “I brought a little something back for you but now I’m re-thinking whether you deserve it.”
“Oooh. But I like presents.”
“Well, you might just have to go without this one,” he suggested loftily. “Maybe that will teach you to curb your disrespectful tendencies.”
Her narrowed gaze traveled over his lean length, searching for the tell-tale bulge of a hidden object tucked into a pocket but found nothing. Her eyes lit on the gym bag lying on the floor and she lunged forward.
“Uh-uh.” He shifted quickly, his feet thumping to the floor as he moved to block her.
Changing tactics, she pressed a kiss to his beard-stubbled cheek and gave him a flirtatious smile.
“Please?”
He pursed his lips and gave her a considering look.
“Of course, you know I didn’t mean it.” Her eyes were wide with exaggerated sincerity.
“You’re sooo brave and strong and powerful,” she continued in a deliberately breathy voice as she stroked one suggestive finger down his chest and fluttered her lashes. “I’m sure the others positively quake in their shoes when they see you coming.”
He gave a decisive nod. “That’s what I thought you meant.”
His stern look was ruined by the grin which trembled at the corners of his mouth before breaking free and they shared a laugh.
“Okay. Now that we’ve reestablished the proper respect you have for my awesomeness…” He leaned down and pulled a square container from his gym bag and held it out to her.
She flipped open the lid and peered inside.
“Huh.”
“It’s cake,” he told her helpfully.
“Yes.”
“Chocolate cake,” he clarified in the same helpful tone.
“It certainly is.” Thick ribbons of fudge were sandwiched between layers of moist chocolate cake enrobed in a dark, decadent frosting.
“Um.” She glanced up at him. “You shouldn’t have?”
He shrugged and waved a hand as if it was no big deal.
“You told me once about how much you like chocolate so…”
She recalled a wish made on a candle and making love with him for the first time. Remembered a lazy day spent in bed with him. Those first hours of truly beginning to get to know one another had been filled with sex, sleep, food, conversation and laughter. So much had happened between then and now, she thought. That had been just about…
Her eyes lit with sudden realization of the date and she looked up, a growing smile wreathing her face.
“Aww, babe. You brought me an anniversary cake.”
He ducked his head and gave her a shy smile, feigning bashfulness, the effect of which was ruined by the eager light in his eyes and the suggestive bobbing of his eyebrows.
She grinned, recalling her assertion that long-ago day of the effect chocolate had on her libido.
“Hmm,” she said thoughtfully. “It’s an awfully big slice of cake.”
“I know,” he said happily.
“And it’s a lot of chocolate.”
“I know,” he sighed lustily. “And it’s all yours.”
The generous offer was accompanied by another waggle of his thick brows and she laughed out loud.
“Oh, you’re just so good to me. So kind and generous. Truly a selfless man.”
He gave her a modest smile and she laughed again.
Swinging one leg over both of his, she settled onto his lap. The faded red cotton of her t-shirt hitched up, revealing smooth, bare thighs. Unable to resist, he laid one strong hand on her leg, long fingers curling possessively over the soft skin.
Holding the carton between them, she dipped a finger into the chocolate frosting and popped it into her mouth, noting the way his fascinated gaze followed her movements.
“Mmm.”
He blinked dazedly at her throaty hum of approval and raised his eyes to hers.
“Good?” He shifted, uncomfortable in clothing that was suddenly too restrictive.
“Mmm-hmm,” she purred.
He scooped up a dollop of frosting but before he could taste it, her hand shot out to stop him.
“Mine,” she growled possessively.
Setting the carton aside, she wrapped restraining fingers around his wrist and drew his hand toward her mouth. His other fingers curled, reflexively cupping her jaw as she sucked his thumb into the warm, wet heat of her mouth.
Enjoying the salty/sweet combination of chocolate and him, she hummed again. The tiny vibration traveled through his arm, arrowed directly to his groin, and his hips arched helplessly beneath hers.
Her eyes were open, locked on his until he tore his gaze away to watch the suggestive slide of her wet mouth over his thumb and his libido jumped up and cheered in enthusiastic response.
“God,” he groaned. “Kiss me.”
Releasing his thumb from her mouth with an audible pop, she speared her fingers into the short thick strands of his hair and obliged him by dragging his mouth to hers. She pressed herself against him, straining into the kiss, straining into him. Wishing she could crawl inside him; wanting him to fill her.
Brutally aroused by the flavors of chocolate and his own flesh mingling with the taste of her, his fingers clamped around her thighs, holding her captive as his hips arched up to grind into her.
Her every sense was attuned to his hands as they streaked over her body. His fingers slid down to cover her breasts, his thumbs rubbing over the alert peaks hidden behind soft cotton and a faded baseball logo.
Breathing heavily, she tore her mouth from his. She saw the flush of arousal staining his cheeks; noted the fever-bright blue of his eyes. But beyond that, she saw the deep emotion swirling in his searching gaze, his love for her etched on his every feature.
“I love you,” she murmured.
“I know.”
The hint of arrogance in his words was belied by the profound joy written on his face.
Laying her cheek against his chest, she listened to his heart pound beneath her ear, its frantic thrum at odds with the soothing stroke of his hand over her spine.
Seeking relief from the ache building deep within her, she laid her lips against his ear.
“Take me to bed,” she demanded softly.
Banding strong arms beneath her, he rose. She wound her arms and legs around him, her ankles locking around his hips.
He stumbled, shuddering as her busy hands slipped under his t-shirt, fingers dipping beneath the waistband of his jeans to skim lightly over the sensitive hollow at the base of his spine.
“Wait.” He turned back. “We forgot the cake.”
“It’s probably time for me to tell you the truth,” she whispered.
His vision blurred as she nuzzled his ear, strong teeth nipping the tender lobe.
“Uh. Wha- ” He cleared his throat. “What?”
He adjusted his grip on her as she leaned back to see his face.
“I lied to you,” she told him, solemn-eyed.
His brow furrowed into a puzzled frown and he cocked his head questioningly to one side.
“When?”
She curled forward again, tightening her arms around his neck.
“It wasn’t the chocolate that turned me on that day-”
He shivered as her hot breath wafted over his ear.
“- it was you.”
“Well, in that case…”
They grinned foolishly at one another as he broke into a run, and the sound of their laughter followed them into the bedroom and beyond.
End
A/N: I cannot believe how long it took me to complete this story from the first posting to the end but I thank those of you who wrote to me to let me know what you thought of it along the way as well as those of you who stuck it out from beginning to end. I appreciate your kindness. - emn