It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift

[lt_paula]

Two days after the battle, and Paula had only been in her quarters for a brief shower and what felt like an even shorter nap. She'd found Hikaru passed out on the bed, a towel wrapped around him as though he'd meant to wait for her but had fallen asleep before he could even get under the covers. She'd curled up next to him, and vaguely remembered

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[lt_paula]

Her arms lifted as he slipped her nightgown over her head, then Paula let them drop to his shoulders, one hand sliding into his hair. She gave a soft sigh as his lips pressed to her breasts, his breath warm and his cheek a little rough against her soft skin, making her shiver as he moved up to settle his mouth on hers again. And then his strong arms wrapped around her, his face pressed against her neck as he held her close, and Paula nuzzled against him, her hands gentle as they stroked his hair and over his shoulders. "You're all I want," she whispered, her hand plucking at the back of his shirt, pulling it up so she could feel his warm skin.

Everything else could wait; food, sleep, conversation... none of it was as important as this. Paula pulled back enough to tug on his shirt, urging his arms up so she could yank it over his head. Her hands stroked his arms as their kisses deepened, then slid over his shoulders and back as she pressed close, skin against skin. "You feel so good," she murmured, warm everywhere they touched despite the slight chill in the room.

[flying_katana]

"I've missed you," he told her, looking up into her eyes. This was what he wanted all day, to come here and hold her, touch her, eat with her, sleep with her. There was a sort of desperate note to his voice, something needy that he couldn't hide, even if he tried.

She was shivering a bit, and as much as he liked the idea of sitting here, watching her rise and fall above him, looking down at him with those shining brown eyes, but right now, he had another idea he liked better. Reaching for her knees, he slid them up higher on his hips and stood, holding her in his arms. Slowly, he carried her over to their room and laid her down on the bed. Watching her as he undressed, Hikaru slid onto the bed, crawling over over, covering her with his body with kisses until he reached her mouth. "You're perfect," he murmured, covering them both with one of the blankets as he settled between her legs.

It didn't have to be fast or urgent. Now that he was here, it felt like home, and Hikaru was content to just lay here with her, making love to her, loving her, all night long.

[lt_paula]

She recognized that needy tone in his voice. It was the same desperation she'd felt, the need to keep him close once the danger had ended, to lose herself for a little while in the knowledge that they were both safe. Paula inhaled sharply when he stood up, his hands sliding up the backs of her thighs to settle her against him. She groaned softly and wrapped her arms and legs around him, shivering again as she ground against his erection, her breasts brushing against his chest as she pressed soft kisses to his jaw. Her eyes stayed on him, watching him undress while she kicked the covers down and shimmied out of her lacy underwear.

His praise made her flush pink, the color spreading over her cheeks and down to her collarbone as she pulled him close. "You make me feel perfect," she murmured, her eyes half shut as she arched against him, her legs sliding up to cradle his hips, her movements slow and deliberate. They could take the time now that they hadn't earlier, and she made a soft, hungry noise as they kissed again. With the blanket over them it felt like they were wrapped in their own little world, shutting everything else out.

[flying_katana]

This is what he'd waited for all day, half-dreaming all day in his exhaustion. Not just the sex, though as he pushed into her warmth he groaned loud in satisfaction. It was the closeness he craved, the feel that this woman loved him and wanted him and would be here in the morning to talk to, to hold, to ask him how he was doing. A few years ago, he couldn't imaging being this close to someone, and now, he couldn't imagine life without it.

He rose over her, hands planted on each side of her head and thrust in and out, so slow. Their heads were close and the kisses seemed endless, one right after the other as she moved up against him. Her hair spread out all over her pillow, her eyes bright as they looked back up at him. His hips started speeding up as he felt himself nearing the end, that slow burn building inside him. "Love you, baby," he groaned, thrusting harder into her, losing his breath as he spoke.

[lt_paula]

Paula's breath hitched as he slid inside her, and she clung tight to him as they moved together. Her hips rocked against his, mirroring his movements, and she moaned when he began to thrust harder, his movements becoming more desperate. "Love you," she murmured between kisses, arching as she felt the beginnings of an orgasm already.

It built slow and steady, breaking over her like a wave and making her clutch tight around him with a quiet cry. As she shook she heard Hikaru give a low growl. His movements became erratic, and he lifted her hips into a series of sharp thrusts that made her moan and press against him, her mouth meeting his in a slow, lingering kiss. When the kiss ended she tucked her face against his neck, winding her arms around him as his warm body pressed her into the bed.

[flying_katana]

Laying there with Paula in his arms, Hikaru felt complete, the first time in days that he'd had that sense of peace. There was no better way of ending his day than watching her face as she came, trembling under him, because of him.

"Thank you for letting me come here like this," he told her, kissing her cheek, "and just taking advantage of you and your beautiful body." Rolling over on to his side, he stroked her side, resting his hand on her hip. "You're too good to this poor lieutenant."

[lt_paula]

Paula stretched like a cat, curling up next to Hikaru and nuzzling his cheek with a sigh. Her hand lay flat against his chest, his heart beating strong beneath her palm. "I happen to like when you take advantage of me," she murmured, her lips pressing against his in a lingering kiss. "Besides, I like when you're here. It feels... right." She stroked his calf lazily with one foot, tangling their legs together as she nestled against him.

They were together most nights without even talking about it. Paula wasn't sure when that had shifted, how they'd gone from asking and planning to just being together, but she'd noticed the difference on those nights they were apart. It was lonely, sleeping without him, and the danger they'd been in over the past few days had only made that worse. "How long until we reach the colony?"

[flying_katana]

"About a week," Hikaru mouthed into her shoulder. "Three or four days if Scotty can get the warp drive going." Luckily the ship wasn't damaged in many places, but the areas that needed work, like Engineering, were extremely important. The Vulcans' new space dock was finished, but they would have to special order many of the supplies that the Enterprise would need to be completely fixed. "Speaking of the colony, you'll stay with me there?" he asked, touching her cheek, smiling. "Or do you have plans with your friends, gonna go pick up some Vulcan guys, go party with them?"

Thinking back to her first comment, Hikaru smiled at her words. They matched his own thoughts perfectly, and he wondered if this might be the time to ask her about taking the next step in their relationship, something he'd been wondering about for a few months now.

[lt_paula]

If anyone could patch the ship up enough to get the warp drive functioning, it was Scotty. Paula hoped it would work, that they could get to the colony quickly and get the repairs started. They were vulnerable out here with limited power, and they needed the opportunity to stand down after the nonstop action of the past few days. "Mmm, I think Vulcan parties might be too logical for me," Paula teased.

"You don't have to ask," she murmured, remembering their time together on Risa, with no work or other obligations to restrict their time together. It had been just about perfect, she thought, and for a while now she'd been thinking that they should talk about what came next. "We can explore the colony together." Paula nosed against his ear, her lips brushing over the lobe. "Or we could stay in and be illogical."

[flying_katana]

"I'm sure you would be the most sought after among Vulcan party guests," he nosed against her temple. The time spent on Sha-Kwai wouldn't all be vacation, but they'd had that time at Christmas together, so even just a week or two away from the ship with Paula was a gift. "Still, I'm glad that I won't have to share you with too many people, at least not in the evenings. I like our alone time."

Maybe now was the time... "In fact," he began, hesitatingly, "I wanted to talk to you about that, our being together, our alone time. In the evenings." Surely this wasn't so difficult, why was he sounding like some moron?

[lt_paula]

"I like our alone time, too," Paula told him. They would have plenty of work to do while they were on Sha-Kwai, but with any luck they could spend what free time they had together. She nudged against his jaw, pressing a soft kiss to his warm, slightly rough skin before raising up on one elbow. Paula tucked her hair behind one ear as she looked down at him, curious.

"What about it?" she asked. Her free hand stroked his chest in slow, lazy circles. Something about the look on Hikaru's face drew her in, the sleepy, comfortable haze she'd been in disappearing. This was important, she sensed, the way he seemed to stumble over the words and the slight flush rising on his face enough to grab her attention. "What's on your mind?"

[flying_katana]

It was hard to keep the words in his head when she kissed him like that, soft lips pressing against him. So easy to just pull her on top of him and kiss her more, until they were both ready.

But this had been on his mind for a while, and the longer they dated, the more Hikaru knew in his heart that this was the right move. A precursor toward another move, one day, something more permanent, once they were ready. But for now, hopefully, it was enough to show Paula that he loved her, and wanted to offer her a serious commitment.

He took her hand in his, playing with her delicate fingers. So small against his own, he smiled to himself. "I love you, I think you know that," he began. "We're together most nights, which makes me happy. You haven't thrown me out of here yet, so I hope that means you're enjoying our time together, too."

Then his chest got tight. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd like to be here every night." Then Hikaru laughed again. "You know, it would be easier if I had the higher rank and the bigger room. Then I could just ask you to move in with me." Leaning in to kiss her, he sighed. "This way, I feel like I'm pushing myself on you." One more soft kiss. "But I do want to wake up every morning as see this face," he touched her chin, lifting it gently, kissing her again. "So, what so you think, Collins?"

[lt_paula]

She grew still as he spoke, his fingers weaving and playing with hers as he explained what was in his heart. Paula was smiling even before he'd finished, her lips curving slowly as her heart squeezed tight in her chest. Listening to him stumble over the words, his expression so earnest, so loving and open, made her eyes well up just a little. Her lips met his and she followed him back down, sliding on top of him and kissing him back for all she was worth. His words, and better yet the expression in his eyes, told her he was as ready for something serious as she was. And then later, when the time was right...

"I think," she began, pausing to kiss him again, "I'm the luckiest girl on this ship." Paula nosed against Hikaru, her smile lighting her entire face. She was so happy she couldn't help laughing, the sound soft and warm in the quiet of her... no, their room. "Yes, Hikaru. I want you to move in with me," she breathed against his lips. "I'd have already asked, but with so much going on..." She shook her head. This attack on the ship... it had driven home the fact that she just didn't want to wait around for the "right" time and end up losing him. Life was too precious, she mused.

"You're not pushing yourself on me," she whispered, looking him in the eye. "This..." she indicated the room. "It's nice, and it makes sense to keep the bigger room if we're going to share. Besides, you'll have your promotion before long. I know it." Paula stroked his jaw, smiling at him. "So... that's what I think."

[flying_katana]

"When we get back from the colony," he murmured, kissing her back gently. The idea that they would have this little home together, a place that belonged to them. A commitment, making them a real couple, at least in the eyes of Starfleet operations, and in the eyes of their friends. "I'll bring my things," he traced her cheekbones and lips, "do some decorating around here. Give it a man's touch." Lifting his head, his eyes darted around her room, as if he were considering. "I think I'll hang my katana over there."

Leaning back, it felt like such a weight lifted off of him. Paula's eyes were shining in a way that made him feel like a man and knowing that she loved him gave him a quiet sort of strength that he was coming to depend on, more and more every day. "I'm not that concerned about getting promoted. I sorta like sleeping with this strong, powerful Lieutenant Commander." His fingers threaded through her hair carefully, his mouth finding her neck. "Turns me on, when she seduces me."

[lt_paula]

She would have to make room - not that she had that many things with her, but shifting things to make better use of the space would be necessary. Hikaru already had one drawer and a portion of the closet, but making it official and moving all of his things in... Paula smiled, nipping at his fingers as they ghosted over her mouth. "That's a good spot," she agreed, following his gaze to the place on the wall.

Her laugh was warm and soft as she tilted her head back, offering him better access to her neck. "That's.... good to know," she breathed, her breath ragged as he found the tender spot below her ear. "Because she enjoys seducing you. Very much, Paula whispered. Her hands slid down over Hikaru's shoulders and arms, then stroked down his side. She felt like she'd been handed the moon; everything she wanted was right here. "I love you so much," she said in his ear.

[flying_katana]

"I love you, Collins," he murmured back, a feeling of completeness settling inside him. There was still dinner tonight, they needed to eat and to talk more about this. He spent so many nights here, but living together was a big step and Hikaru knew that it would take some compromise from both of them. But right now, with her hands sliding up and down his body, he didn't want to talk about it, just to hold her and touch her and make her come again, if he could.

And they needed to get clean. "Shower time," he whispered, his hands moving up her arms, catching her hands. Sitting up in bed, he brought her up with him, leaning against her smaller body. His hand slid over her breast, down her side, resting against her thigh. "I'll wash you good, if you want," he offered, eyes dancing.