Launching New Things....Together

[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

Standing outside the closed door, Alexis raked her teeth across her bottom lip. She knew he had already cleared her to enter, but should she without chiming first. His message had said to just come in and that he had found a perfect place for them to witness the historic re-launch of the Nike.

"Computer, open door," Alexis stated, surprised to note that the computer did just that without a signal ounce of hesitation.

"Okay then," she murmured to herself with a bit of a smile forming on her lips.

Walking in, however, she found the quarters to be a bit dimly lit. Looking around, she didn't at first see him. That was until she saw the outline of a form laying across his bed. He'd obviously awoken at some point since she'd left, enough to send her the message she'd received and to make it to his bed.

Stepping quietly to the doorway, she saw that he was laying ontop of the covers, not under them. Moving forward as though a wisp of wind, Alexis crouched down alongside the bed and gazed up at his sleeping face. Her heart constricted in her chest. How could she feel such things for this man, whom she'd just met. Yet there was no denying it. Her heart called out to him.

Unable to resist the temptation, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his.

"Time to awake sleeping beauty," she whispered with a Cheshire-cat style grin on her face.

Tag Nick
"

[Commander Nicholas Grant]

He hadn't gotten to be a Doctor without the ability to wake instantly and in full possession of his faculties and besides, he was a man with a plan.

He heard her coming and kept his eyes closed. The brush of her lips was a sweet way to awaken.

"Time to awake sleeping beauty,"

He grinned and opened his eyes and stretched. He reached up a hand to thread his fingers through her hair and caress the back of her neck as he pulled her close for another kiss.

Then he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood to his feet.

"I need a shower" he said and moved toward the bathroom. Then he looked back at her. "I'll be back out in a minute... or... " he tilted his head in indication of the bathroom as an invitation.

Tag Alexis

[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

Alexis couldn't help but to savor that kiss for a few seconds even after it ended. Nick's next words however sent a blush clear down to the roots of her hair.

"I...um..." she stammered. Oh, yes, she was surely tempted, but her mind warred with her hormones and told her it was too soon for such antics. Oh, but she wanted....For a moment Alexis wished she could just shut off her inner brain and follow the lustful thoughts that had taken hold of her. Even the thought of where such a venture could lead, nearly had her squirming in place and heat rushing through her body.

"Why don't I, um, just go get us some drinks for later," she finally stammered out. Chicken, she chided herself, knowing she hadn't had the guts to take him up on his offer quite yet.

Tag Nick

[Commander Nicholas Grant]

'Terminally cute' he thought as she blushed in what he was certain was a full body blush... but he'd obviously have to wait to check that theory 'til later.

"I...um..." she stammered. "Why don't I, um, just go get us some drinks for later,"

He chuckled at her obvious indecision She was clearly not quite ready for the step her note had suggested to his mind. He chuckled and walked into his bathroom, he left the door agar so he could still hear her if she tried to talk to him. Then stripping quickly he tossed the clothes into the 'fresher for later. He hopped into the shower and cleansed himself thoroughly including his hair, humming and scrubbing enjoying the heat and fresh feeling.

When he'd finished he toweled his hair still humming, the flipped the towel around his waist before walking back out into his room to grab fresh clothing. He pulled some boxers and drawstring pants out and since she wasn't in sight he tossed the towel on the bed and pulled them on. He quickly added a wifebeater and straightened the mess in his room then brushed his hair before finding her in the other room.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

Tag Alexis

[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

She didn't want to admit it, but she was glad when Nick didn't press the issue. Moving out of his room to give him some privacy and to allow her skin color to return to normal, Alexis wandered around a bit, looking at different objects. She ran her hands over a few pieces of artwork that adorned the room. She paused at a holo of a happy family. Lifting the small, framed object up, Alexis traced her fingers over Nick's image and smiled. His family looked so happy.

Sitting the object back down, she examined some of the other images. Nick skiing, Nick looking ready for a swim, Nick engaged in various other sports, often with the same individuals she'd seen in the first picture. He always seemed so happy. She ran her fingers over the young woman at his side. A sister, perhaps? Alexis had always wished for a sibling of some sort, but she had learned to be happy with just her and her parents. Each engrossed in their own science projects, rather than sharing a meal over a table.

Her eyes rested next on an ornately decorated mask. Standing before it, she gently ran her fingers along what appeared to be a crown. Daddy would like that, she thought to herself with a smile. With his interest in geology he had also developed a liking of ancient cultures as well.

It was as she stood before the mask, which sat atop a stand directly in front of his somewhat large window, that she heard him re-enter the room.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

Alexis turned and her eyes immediately lit up. "For you," she answered and then couldn't help the blush that tinged her cheeks. Her eyelids drooped down a bit at her own embarrassment over her words. She had never been good at flirting, which is why she'd spent so much of her time with the plants that never talked back to her. Yet, she had always tried none-the-less.

She looked up again to see that he was but a few steps from her. Taking in a breath, she crossed the distance between them and leaned up to kiss him. It was then that she could almost feel the hum and change in the ship as she began her journey into the stars.

Glancing to the window, Alexis saw the blinking lights of distant galaxies soon flash before her eyes. As the Nike soared into the stars for the first time since her nearly fatal encounter with the Borg, Alexis found herself exactly where she wanted to be, enfolded in Nick's arms.

Tag Nick

[Commander Nicholas Grant]

His whole world telescoped down to that moment. He turned and looked out the window with her as the ship launched.

Looking down into her eyes he knew this was the start of something special.

He picked her up and walked into his bed room and closed the door.

End Nick and Alexis

(with permisson)