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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[flying_katana]

Private to Comd. Paula Collins
Helping out in Engineering, if you can imagine. Scotty thinks we might get the warp engines revved up, for just a little bit, getting us to the NVC sooner.

I'll be home soon, I hope.

It was a lot later than he'd hoped when Hikaru finally made it to Paula's rooms, but given the option to work on one more project for Operations in exchange for a half shift of in the morning, he jumped on it. Entering her room, he headed toward the small kitchen area and poured himself some ice cold water, flopping down on the sofa. He didn't see her, but if she were napping, he didn't want to disturb her either.

[lt_paula]

The word "home" made her smile, that simple word conveying so much. Paula put her communicator away and walked home wearily. When she got there she unfastened her belt, checked that her phaser was locked and put it in its place. With luck, she might manage seven or eight hours of rest, but her mind was churning with the events of the past few days, and she knew she needed to wind down and eat something before she could sleep. Waiting up for Hikaru was also in the back of her mind, so she bypassed the replicator and went straight for the shower, discarding her clothes in a heap and relaxing as long as she dared under the spray. It wasn't long, and the water shut off before she was ready, but she felt a million times better once she was clean and dry and wrapped in her bathrobe

[flying_katana]

She looked like an angel as she floated toward him, a look on her face that he'd waited for all day. "Hey you," he murmured, turning his cheek to find her mouth, soft and full as it met his own. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, nuzzling her neck, warm and clean and that scent that was just her.

It just took a tug to pull her into his lap, both his arms around her as he kissed her deeper.

[lt_paula]

"I slept some," she said between kisses, her arms winding around Hikaru's neck as she straddled his lap, pressing close. "Missed you, though." Paula nosed against his ear with a sigh, holding him tight. He was warm and smelled of soap and sweat. "So glad you're safe."

Her hands were slow as they roamed his body, stroking lightly. She couldn't help the urge to touch him, something in her needing the reassurance that he was all right. "Are you hungry? I waited for you..." Paula lifted her head, one hand rubbing his neck, and she dropped another kiss on his mouth when he groaned softly, leaning into the touch.