STF

Shore Leave - Turquoise Mountain Resort

Posted July 2, 2018, 1:30 a.m. by Captain Kelly Shultz (Commanding Officer) (Kate O'Neill)

Ian hit the page on Kelly’s door as he waited for her to answer. He knew her schedule more than most, she would be home now, most likely curled up in her PJ’s watching some old Earth action movie drinking coffee. She may even have a PaDD open with “work” to convince herself she was just having a working at home evening. : : : : : : : : : : Not waiting for her to answer, Ian entered. By now Kelly and Ian had grown very close, they worked wonders together and he knew long ago she wanted him to have an open door policy, both in office and at her home. Looking around for a moment he was trying to gather where she might have placed her couch and viewscreen for her shows. She was still unpacking, well it was better to say he was unpacking for her. She kept changing her mind where she wanted things and he was never certain which area she would deem the “living room” this time. : : : : : : : : : A soft funk pop rhythm was the only reply Ian would hear as he entered Kelly’s quarters. It drifted from the bedroom loud enough to be heard from where he was standing. : : : : : : : : : “Kelly? You got clothes on right?” he asked coyly as he turned the corner finding her, smirking slightly as he took her in for a moment. : : : : : : : : “Heeeeell (hell), what the matter with your head head. Heeeeeeell (hell), what the matter with your mind and your sign and a ohohoh. Heeeeeeeell (hell) nothin the matter with your head baby find it, come on and find it,” Kelly walked back staring at the Jackie Robinson jersey she had just hung on the wall in her bedroom. This was one of the many items in dispute from the marital assets. Ric hadn’t commed her about this one yet but he would in time. : : : : : : Ian couldn’t help but watch her as she moved. He has always found her attractive but had been good at hiding this from her. He needed to be professional at all times but she made it hard in many ways. : : : : : “Heeeeeeell, with it baby cause you’re fun and you’re mine and you look so divine,” she sang along with the song moving towards a box containing more items from her home in San Francisco. Reaching the box, Kelly bent her knees and dance wiggled swaying her hips back and forth until she was low enough to pluck another item from the box. “Come and get your love. Come and get your love,” she sang pulling out a Rubix cube and two slinkies from the box. : : Ian felt himself bite his lip as he saw her more. Damn almighty he thought, as the many ways she could make it hard became more and more apparent. : : : : “Well look who is looking all adorable. You seem to be in a great mood Kel, did you find something new Erin’s wanted back?” He asked her we a wink as he looked at what she took out of the bag. : : : : Kelly spun fast almost losing her balance hearing Ian call her name. “I swear I am getting you a cowbell,” she looked at him with a fake scowl. He had only been her yeoman a month but in that time Kelly found him indispensable. “And yes,” she sat down on her bed still holding the two toys. “I am thinking about giving Drakye’s kid a toy. What’s her name again,” Kelly asked. : : : : “Sowyn my dear, Sowyn.” He said as he smirked at her as he reminded her. : : : “Right,” Kelly filed the name away in her brain hopefully in a place she could retrieve it instantly. : : : : : : : “The former gave from the Hungarian prime minister when Ric did his segment on surviving on the Great Hungarian Plain east of the Danube. That piece had not been one of Ric’s more difficult assignments. For Ric Erin, it was a simple camping trip twentieth-century style but it was almost customary for places to present Ric with a token of the area spotlighted once his show soared to popularity in season two. The Intergalactic Society of Mechanical Spring Engineers had presented Ric with both a Slinky and slinky dog when he created an Archemedies Screw to get water out of the ground in the Bolatial Desert on Vartian XII,” Kelly explained. Staring at the items, Kelly put the slinky dog back in the box. She would give Sowyn the Rubix cube and regular Slinky. The Slinky dog she was not ready to part with. Ric and Kelly had held this item for years planning on giving it to their own child one day. Even though it didn’t happen, Kelly liked the memories associated with it. : : Kelly flopped back on the bed feeling tension radiate out of her body. Between the debacle at the bar that Ric now owns, the death of some of her crew, and the numerous boxes still being moved just back and forth to simulate a sense of progress settling in Kelly was exhausted. : : : : : “Okay I have an idea.” He said grabbing one of the slinkies and flopping down on the couch. He began to play with the toy as he looked at her, Kelly made their relationship easy to work with and comfortable. : : : : : “We move all the boxes back into the living room and go through them there,” Kelly asked in a hopeful voice with a smirk. For the past week, that was all that Ian had done for her when she had taken him up on his offer to help her move in. To his credit, the young yeoman never complained out loud. : : : : : “There is a colony about 10 light years from here, a Swawhli tribe of people that have some great relaxing treatments to help calm and center you. Kukumbatiana is what the treatment is called and I think you would love it.” : : : : “I would hate that,” Kelly said propping herself up on her elbows looking at him across the room. : : : : “I signed us up to go together, “ he said as he looked over at her, smiling as he watched her on the bed. : : : : “You and that cute redhead from engineering. What’s her name Honeydo,” Kelly got a grin? “I am sure she would do whatever you wanted if you looked at her like you did that brunette on the Ticonderoga.” : : “No, this is for us.” “Us. What us? Us should be doing something like inspections or maybe a holodec program where we are being chased by a horde of zombie Admirals ready to choke the life out of us with rules and regulations,” she joked sitting up. “Besides I am not stressed. I am active. with a million things to do. I am an insomniac and I am a coffee aficionado but I am not stressed. I am just…busy.”

:

Ian rolled his eyes as he began to stress the next sentence carefully.

“You have to de stress. We can make fun of the guppies and get drunk afterward with some real booze. It’ll be fun and that’s what you need right now” He said as he found a shirt of hers nearby throwing it at her.

Kelly felt the garment hit her. His aim was perfect. The shirt spread over her head like a veil covering her face. “Ian you know I would love to do this but I truly am too busy but you are free to go,” she said as she removed the shirt form her head. “Ian what I need right now is that fleet report completed Admiral Harkness wanted,” Kelly balled the shirt up in her hands.

:

“Finished and sent this morning, he loved your section with recipes for him and his grandchildren.” He said as he looked completely unamused.

“Okay and what about that statistical analysis on,”

“The spherical tree folk of Sefa III and their matting habits was finished two days ago.” He said, he almost felt insulted she thought he wouldn’t have had that done by now. She was cute so he rotate her for now. Kelly gave him a look and threw the shirt at his face. “You know you should not be such an over achiever. You won’t fit in with your age group,” she flopped back on the bed almost desperately. Yoga was for the weak. It was the main form of exercise for those that couldn’t run a five K. Standing around on one leg in a room where they turned up the heat to make you sweat did not sound like exercise or relaxing. “Yoga,” she asked in a more questioning voice as if she wanted Ian to change his mind.

:

Ian caught it flawlessly and then looked at the shirt. “Wet T-shirt winner Risa 2387?” He said as he looked back up at her.

“Don’t think of it as yoga. Just have fun and let yourself unwind.”

“You are gonna owe me and there had better be beer. If you make me drink weak tea for 8 hours I will shoot you and bury the body,” Kelly reluctantly agreed to go. In truth, the idea wasn’t sounding as bad as it maybe could be. She did a few downward dogs and a crane and then a lunch of greasy burgers and beer. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea.

“God love if I have to drink tea I would die. We are so getting a pint.” He promised her.

TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN RESORT - CUDDLING CLASS

Kelly and Ian entered the Turquoise Mountain Spirit Journey at 0800 the next day. Looking around the room the establishment’s decor was exactly as she expected. It was a large vaulted ceiling room devoid of any electronics visible. Two walls were floor to ceiling squares of glass stacked one on top of each other exposing the room to the beautiful arboreal views of the Huln National Forest. Kelly let out a depth breathtaking in the view. She had her doubts but the view combined with a wall of water trickling down the back of the room gave it a serene feel. The color scheme was earthy with brown, tans, and grays. The only pop of color was rows of rich deep purple mats with circular pillows spread out. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “And let the spirit of Jaku flow and refresh every fiber of your inner being. Know that with each breeze that crosses your face as you leave this place, Jaku is whispering words of hope, strength, peace, and love to nourish your soul,” the instructor bowed to the class that was ending. The class chorused back with a well-wishing phrase they all knew. : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Jaku?” he said in Kelly’s ear. He had to confess this wasn’t his thing either but a little relaxing could go a long way. It wasn’t like they couldn’t use the time to unwind, she had been through a lot and it was his job to keep her top notch. : : : : : : : : : : : : : Kelly nodded to each person as they left and made her way to a mat. She set her bag down next to a mat but as she was preparing to sit, several attendants began to remove the purple mats. Although surprised, Kelly stretched her sides out glad they switched the mats out between session. Far more sanitary, she thought bending over and stretching her hips out. Upon rising, she saw the men returning with futon like sofas instead of fresh mats. Casting Ian a side glance, Kelly straightened out and watched the room transform. : : : : : : : : : : : : “Hey, give it a chance. We ohmmmm and get massages and chill… they claim it does a body good and you need to be more open minded.” he said coming up behind her he placed his hand on her hip for a moment as he got to the side next to her as she stretched. : : : : : : : : : : “They say that about milk,” Kelly eyed him a bit concerned. His voice still held the relaxed, confident demeanor she had come to expect yet, his body seemed a bit stiffer. As if he was trying to sell the idea to her. That is what had her concerned. Up until now everything Ian had been selling, Kelly was buying. The idea of staff development via a baseball game and personal meetings in the department head’s office instead of them coming to her were two off the top of her head she could remember; however, Ian adding the ohmmm filler cued her in instantly that Ian was surprised at something. : : : : : : : : : : : : “What’s the worst that can happen Kelly? You get too relaxed and fall asleep?” he asked her, clearly having some fun teasing her as he saw others begin to enter all wearing vastly different clothes than they were. : : : : : : : : : : : Kelly let out a small laugh wishing she had never told Ian that story. “That was one-time Ian…one,” she held up a finger as if to emphasize the event. “I mean who holds the Downward Facing Dog for three and a half minutes,” Kelly throws up her hands. “I was so relaxed. Of course, I fell asleep. I had come off a triple shift. I was half dead. We weren’t supposed to move.” Looking at the room filling up, Kelly chewed her lower lip in thought. : : : : : : : : : : : “You… think we are in the right room? Do they do roll call?” he asked her as he looked at the people, they all seemed to be pairing up. Most seemed very close, some even gave small kisses as they helped each other. Looking back at Kelly Ian’s eyes became big. Did he sign her up for a couples yoga? Surely not, it was just relaxation. He couldn’t shake the feeling he may have made a mistake, something he rarely did. : : : : : : : : : : “Right room,” Kelly almost growled. “Why would I know that,” her voice took on a more sarcastic twang. “Maybe I should check the reservation,” she began to root around her bag before slapping her forehead with her palm. “Oh, that’s right. You made the arrangements hero. Why don’t you check the reservation,” Kelly gave him a stern look. : : : : : : : Kelly sighed and resisted the urge to groan. Ian had attempted to be nice but clearly what he thought he was getting them into was not exactly what they were currently hip deep in. “Okay so we are going to back out of here slowly,” Kelly said in a soft low soothing tone as if they were surrounded by a pack of wild animals and not a group of docile sentient beings. : : : : : : : Entering the room a young woman of Indian decent nodded at all the people who had entered. She had long black hair down to her waist, wearing a white tank top and purple yoga pants she began to look around smiling at her class. The class seemed to be mixed with young and old couples of all kind, all dressed in similar clothes to the instructor. Ian and Kelly seemed to be a strange sight as the instructor eyed them both. They had causal wear still on, nothing that seemed to match the dress the other people had. : : : : : : And there goes that plan, Kelly thought seeing her clean escape vanishing. : : : : : : : : “Are you two in the right class? What is your name I can cross check you.” Sudah said as she walked up to Ian and Kelly, holding out a bad in hand as she looked them over. : : : : : : : “I am Ginger Rogers and this Fred Astaire,” Kelly said quickly. The perplexed look on Sudah’s face was soon erased as Ian spoke. : : : : : : : “I think so, Iam Bordeaux and Kelly Schultz.” Ian answered looking at Sudah, eyes arching as he looked over at Kelly. Seems their questions where going to be answered. : : : : : : Okay we are so going over the how to escape 101 plans when we get home Ian, Kelly thought returning the smile and letting her earlier comment drift away as if it were never said. : : : : : : : : “Well… you are here. But these clothes just won’t work. I have a replicator in the next room over please see my assistant Yuni she can help get you two loveies settled.” Sudah said as she came back to the front of the class. : : : : : : : : Ian and Kelly began to leave, exchanging brief confused glances, as Ian got the door he heard the swish as the voice of Sudah say something that startled him for a second. : : : : : : : “If they try to braid my hair or make me commune with plants or drink tea I swear I will kill you Bordeaux,” Kelly threatened with a hint of a smile. In for a penny in for a pound as her Grandma used to say. Maybe some deep breathing and crazy one-legged poses might be fun. : : : : : : : “Welcome all to Kukumbatiana, Advanced Couples Cuddling II.” came the trailing voice of Sudah as the door closed behind them. : : : : : : : : “Wait did she say Advanced Couples Cuddling II?” he asked as he looked over at Kelly, but before she could answer the assistance Yuni showed. Yuni was a strong well built Bajoran man who smiled at the two as they entered. : : : : : : : : “Did someone forget attire? It happens in every class… I would be happy to assist you lovely souls, the prophets will help me get you the correct outfits.” he said as he took Kelly by the hand as he brought it to his lips kissing her hand. : : : : : : : Or get me out of it, “Why thank you, thank you so much,” Kelly smiled and flirted back at the man in front of her. She might be a Starfleet captain but she was also a woman and the man before her was pure eye candy. : : : : : : : “I can see what you see in her sir, such a lovely couple you two.” Yuni said as he smiled over at Ian. : : : : : : : : “Wait… couple?” he was right, that is what Sudah said thought Ian as his eyes got wide. : : : : : : : : Bordeaux, Yeoman/Diplomat : : : : : : “I typically am a size 8 but it’s okay if you call me a ten,” Kelly teased the man in front of her. Maybe Ian was right and there was something to this new-fangled approach to yoga. : : : : : : : Ian looked over at Kelly, a smirk forming as he watched her fling herself at the man. : : : : :”Yes well…” Yuni said stopping as he looked over at Ian, his looked lingering for a lot longer than he ever did at Kelly before going back to Kelly as he spoke with Yuni getting Kelly’s outfit. It was not the first time a woman had flirted with him but it was not common for a class such as this. “After class, we can discuss other things if your mume au kijana is open to the idea.” : : : : : : My mother the kitana, Kelly’s smile faltered just briefly at the corner’s of her mouth. “Sure,” she nodded and took the clothes the Bajoran handed her. Glancing down at the garment, Kelly raised her hand as if she was in school again. : : : : : : “Um you musta forgotten something,” her voice trailed off as Kelly looked at the outfit. It was essentially a skimpy sports bra and what could best described as hot pants. : : : : : : “No, lovely. It is essential that there be skin to skin contact in order to achieve maximum results for the class,” Yuni said walking to the door along with the Bajoran. : : : : : : “For yoga,” Kelly’s voice almost squeaked. : : : : : : The assistants let out a small laugh as they readied to leave the room. “Not kupumzika but kukumbatiana. Kumpumzika is the relaxing class but kukumbatiana is…what is would you call it,” Yuni searched for the word looking at the Bajoran. : : : : : : : If Ian’s eyes couldn’t get more large as the words where said Yuni came over at found the clothes set aside for Ian and handed them to him. “What… are these?” Ian asked as he looked over the pants. They seemed a mix of sweat parachute pants. Was this yoga fashion? he wondered as he looked over at Kelly. : : : : “Do I need a shirt?” he asked Yuni, his brow arching as he pondered if this was all. : : : : “Oh no… with your physique you will be just fine” said Yuni as he hand ran over Ian’s chest briefly before he looked back at Kelly. : : : : : “I think the closest approximation would be cuddling,” the Bajoran stated as he closed the door. : : : : : : “Ian,” Kelly focused all her attention on the only person left in the room with her now: her yeoman. : : : : “Kelly?” he said with a wink at her as he looked her up and down. “I can’t deny you would look amazing in that, come on do it for me… team building relaxation… cuddling… I guess.” he said, his look mischievous as he eyed her. “Besides cuddling does cause blood to flow faster, which is good for circulation and helping the body.” :
“Depends on where the blood flow is circulating too,” she said to him with her hands on her hips. “At least for me that can be far more dangerous than just hemorrhaging out and cuddling has never led to relaxation in my experience. It either leads to far more physical activities or snoring,” she cocked one eyebrow up at him.

=/\=We shall begin in three minutes. Everyone please proceed to your mat with your partner or to the front of the room to be assigned a cuddle buddy,=/\= a soft voice rang through the room.

All of a sudden getting dressed was the least of her issues. “Get dressed, turn around and close your eyes,” Kelly said pointing a finger at Ian as she also spun around pulling off her shirt. This was not the first time she had changed in front of men but even in the desolation of the Vulcan desert, the men she had been training with theoretically had spun and not peeked until she was done. Ian was not a stranger but almost worse. In the few short weeks they had been working together, the chemistry between them was altering. At this point, Kelly was not sure if it would create a bomb or a stable soluble in a beaker; however, right now was not the time to debate the finer points of decency. There was no way she was going to attend a relaxation cuddling session with a stranger.

“I am going to give you one chance to come clean,” Kelly said putting on the outfit the attendants left for her. “Tell me that this was a mistake and not some ulterior plan to get me in…to…beh,” Kelly drew out the word seeing Ian for the first time in his assinged outfit. “Wow, they do want skin to skin contact,” she said looking at his bare chest. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : He was tone, muscled and tan. Clearly, Ian took care of himself as he looked at her. “Really?” he said with a roll of his eyes. “Look we can walk out now, you’re call. I didn’t plan anything and I don’t intend to force you to do this.” he said, wanting to give her an out if she truly wanted it. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Hell yes we are going to walk out. I mean you are my yeoman not my date. This is crazy. This is crazy. This is crazy, Kelly’s inner voice answered first with the response that should leave her lips. With a body like his and a mind as adventurous as hers, the superior-junior officer lines would not be blurred but obliterated. Still, she was Kelly the individual and not just Kelly the Captain. Ian and she would never work but the idea was nice. They were on shore leave alone and she was a firm believer in what happened on shore leave stayed on shore leave. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Pity,” she said instead shrugging her shoulders. “I tend to like my men a bit more assertive about what they want,” Kelly said exiting the room hoping that Ian would follow. Why why did you say that, her good angel inner voice chastised Kelly. Because he is young, hot, cocky, and intelligent, her evil angel inner voice replied bringing a large grin to her face. : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Oh my lovely gorgeous Kelly, I do not think you could handle me if I just took what I wanted.” he said with a wink, coming up next to her he smiled at her like she was the only woman in the room. It happened, in a flash, almost if by instinct. Slowly his hand reached out, slapping her tight firm buttocks. There was even a small slight squeeze as he walked off into the room. : : : : : : : : : : The slap on the butt stopped her dead in her tracks creating a look on her face one might call the ‘close your mouth or you will catch flies,’ expression. Kelly’s hand instantly went to her backside in shocked. “Shamble bamble dibble dobble,” Kelly blurted out a string of polite expletives. Lunging forward to return a whack, Kelly did not see the multi-tentacled couple occupying the mat next to the one Ian was walking towards. Her heel came down squarely on a loose tentacle that had been lazily relaxing just off the edge of their futon as the one being was most probably kissing the other being of his species next to him. A high pitched warbly squeal filled the room as Kelly slid forward leaving a trail of slimy like substance behind her. : : : : : : : : : : “I am so so so sorry about that. Let me get you some ice,” she offered an apology but the being simply gave her what anyone could interpret a look of disdain as he clutched his wounded tentacle. : : : : : : : : : : : : Turning around he looked at her smiling brightly. He smirked as he stood in front of the futon and held his arms, chiseled as they were, on his hips. : : : : : : : : : “You can’t just assault the locals, that’s rude.” Ian retorted, a smirk forming on his face as he watched her. Lucky for him he was able to control himself a bit, he was a bit shocked he did what he did himself but he couldn’t go back now. The slap had happened and he had to move on. : : : : : : : : : “Okay maybe we should rethink that plan about leaving,” she said with a sheepish smile. : : : : : : : : : : : : “Come on, you afraid you will like it Kel?” he asked her playfully as he offered her his hand as to her, biting his lower lip as he did. She would notice he couldn’t keep his eyes off her, not once had they dashed anywhere in the room. Not to the hot teacher, or other students. The room was littered with eye candy galore, but his eyes couldn’t help but be focused directly on her as he stood there. : : : : : : : : : : : : Yes, she quietly admitted to herself. “There is nothing I am afraid of,” Kelly said confidently taking Ian’s hand as she lowered herself onto the open futon in the main room. Kelly laid down on her back, crossed her feet, and propped herself up on her elbows. The room was cold bringing a slight rise of goosebumps to her arms and midsection. “You joining me or just enjoying the view,” she said with a grin. : : : : : : : : “A little bit of both I’d say.” he said as he flopped down next to her. He was clearly enjoying himself. Attraction aside she was indeed fun, and made things feel easy with him. Of all his bosses she wasn’t stuck up, and that made it so much easier to be drawn in by her. : : : : : : “Okay,” the instructor started in a soft, melodic voice. “The point to advanced kukimbia is to achieve amani na utulivu or peace and tranquility through touching, holding, and caressing. The point of this class is not to arouse but to calm, not to increase anxiety but release tension, not to experience anger but achieve total peace in the arms of another.” : : : : : : Kell turned and gave Ian a look raising one eyebrow suspiciously. “Arousal, anxiety, and anger? Is this a primer for the Klingon Kama Sutra,” Kelly let out a very teen-like laugh and then covered her mouth receiving a look from the instructor. : : : : : : : “Could be both, maybe this is a pre war ritual.” Ian said with a smirk as he looked over at Kel. : : : : : “Sorry. Please continue,” Kelly offered. Being in this class was definitely a bad idea. Not because of what they were doing but because Ian appeared more and more to have a sense of humor that matched hers. Kelly didn’t need to worry about leaving the class. If the class continued in the direction it appeared to be heading, she and Ian would be thrown out in the next 10 minutes. : : : : : : “The first position we shall start with is Bonding Whispers,” the instructor stated in a calm voice. “Assume the position.” : : : : : : “Did Rinker put you up to this,” Kelly immediately asked Ian. : : : : “No, but I have an idea.” he said as he got up to the instructor. : : Hearing his words, Kelly turned to look at her partner. “No no no wait. Why are you getting off the futon,” Kelly said feeling Ian get up. “What are you doooiiing,” Kelly swiped at Ian’s leg as he left their futon. “Ian…Ian,” she said in a loud whisper. “We don’t know what we are doing. Get back here!” Watching him make his way to the front Kelly’s gaze narrowed on him. : : :”If I may, don’t you usually have presenters? Maybe we can help this isn’t our first rodeo I can guarantee it.” he said, deciding to go for broke. Either they would be the best of friends after this or he would be looking for a new job. “What do you say Kel? Wanna show them the best damn bonding whispers they ever seen?” he said with a sly wink at her. : : : Kelly rolled her eyes with a small shake of her head and a smile on her face. Leave it to Ian to have the situation completely under control. She had doubted him a when they met the Pilardin’s and yet he had managed to talk the Ice Warrior’s back to the arctic regions of the planet. Ian single-handedly replated 50 dinners at the Asperadinians reception when it was discovered that the race was plant-based and the crew of the Atlantis was basically serving them a cannibalistic entree. Standing up Kelly made her way to the front of the room. After all the fires he had put out, Kelly realized that it should not be surprising Ian would be proficient in whatever he attempted. “Damn straight,” Kelly said taking her spot beside Ian in the front of the room. “Nice act,” she leaned her head to the side whispering in Ian’s ear. “Tell me…what crazy splinter skill do you not possess.” Leaning in close, he she would feel his breath on her neck as he whispered to her. “I don’t know how to do made up cuddle yoga.” he said as he pulled back from her, a twinkle in his eye. He was up for some shenanigans, this was going to be fun and he was gonna make the best out of a poor situation. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Kelly gave him a smirk and waited for the reassuring wink he often gave her when he was joking; however, the wink never came. Only a bemused expression was on Ian’s face. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Laying down in the front he sat down first. Looking up at her he offered his hand for her to sit down between his legs. “Come on Kel, what do you have to loose?” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “My dignity for one,” she said through her teeth but with a smile taking his hand and looking at the spot he wanted her to occupy. “Why do you think I need to be sitting there,” she asked realizing Ian truly had no idea what the bonding whisper pose was. This was going to be up to her to figure this out. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Why don’t you get closer and I can whisper to you why this pose is correct.” he said, this time the wink came easily as he knew she would do as he said, she trusted him and he her. In many ways, they didn’t need trust exercises but this was becoming one. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Pulling her hand back, Kelly put her hands on her hips and thought about the words in the title. Bonding was close to…well she didn’t need to even mentally go any farther with that thought but there were no accouterments provided so it had to be only people involved. After coming up with a plan Kelly motioned to Ian. “Okay sit up,” she said. “You dont do this lying down.” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “You do it lying down the way I like it… or horizontal, or bent over… whatever it takes.”He said as he sat up looking directly at her, “Stop thinking, just follow what I say… lay down… it’ll be alright, it’s not like they are filming.” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “All classes are filmed for training purposes.” the instructor said to the two of them in a whisper next to them. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “It’s not like this is uploaded to the intraweb.” he said as he looked over at the instructor as she gave a small shrug. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “It’s not like they know our real names.” he finally said as he saw Kelly sit next to him. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Once Ian was sitting erect Kelly sat on his lap facing him. Kelly crossed her legs behind his back getting her balance. She tried to keep a respectable distance apart because they were in public but not so far apart to have the instructor bring attention to the distance between them. Taking one of his hands in each of hers, Kelly intertwined her fingers and then leaned her forehead against his. The height difference caused Ian to hunch over some so his face was looking down a bit instead of in her eyes but this was yoga and her eyes were closed to appear to be relaxing. His had to be the same right. In truth, she was also closing her eyes to try and help her focus on anything but his broad shoulders, well-defined arms, and amazing eyes. She tried not to wiggle on his lap as the scent of whatever he was wearing began to fill her mind with more pleasant thoughts. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “I saw this once by a different name on a Hindu colony Richard was filming at once,” Kelly said confidently. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Captain Kelly Shultz : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “I don’t think Richard was cuddling at the colony if this was what you saw him doing.” Ian said as he looked into her eyes from this position. : : : : : : : : : : Kelly jerked her eyes up with a shocked and flustered expression as Ian spoke. : : : : : : : : : : :::”Plus, this doesn’t feel at all like what we are supposed to be doing. Is this your warm up act? You want to try again?” he asked her as the instructor sat by looking perplexed at the two. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Bordeaux, Yeoman/Diplomat : : : : : : : : : : : : “I don’t know what we are supposed to be doing Ian,” Kelly said in a hot whisper, “but you…you…you should be watching my six like a hawk. Besides, how do you not know what we are supposed to be doing? I mean have a finally found a splinter skill Cappy America doesn’t possess,” she taunted him. : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Come here…” he said softly as he whispered softly in her ear as she got close to him. Softly, under his breath as his lips just gently touched her ear he began to speak. : : : : : : Do not let this keep going, Kelly’s voice reminded her. He is fun and amazing and easy on the eyes but you are his Captain not his girlfriend. Remember what Dante said. The Captian is the leader of everyone but loves no one. That is why he waited 15 years to get a command with Daye. You can be close but never that close, she lectured herself. : : : : : : : : “The instructor is going to tell us this is wrong, she is going to insist you lay your head on my outstretched legs against my upper thigh… now don’t blush too much cause these pants don’t have a lot of padding.” he said as he pulled back, winking at her softly as he brushed a stray hair behind her ear. : : : : : : Oh god yes, yes this is definitely someone who needs their hair brushed behind their ear, Kelly looked at Ian. It was hard not to look at him in this position. If you were five years older and I was five years younger, oh the things we could have done, she mused. : : : : : : : : : The instructor walked by them and forced a pleasant expression on her face as she said. “Well that was a good try but that is not the Bonding Whispers pose,” she said in a firm but an upbeat voice. “We can easily remedy this however, by you putting your head in his lap.” : : : : : : : : : : “Excuse me,” Kelly jerked her attention to the instructor turning fifty shades of red. : : : : : : : : : : “Yes yes now,” the instructor helped Kelly off her partner with a hand, “Ian you stretch your legs out and Kelly you lay back and put your head on her upper thigh.” : : : : : : : : : : Kelly eyed the easy smirk on Ian’s face as he indicated where she needed to put her head. Her face getting even redder at seeing what she was supposed to be doing, pointed a finger at him and rolled her eyes. Moving to the mat, she let the instructor position her so that her head rested on Ian’s thigh. Kelly looked up and saw his face looking down at her. A smile spread across her face. The position she was in was nowhere close to the pretzel-like combination she had invented moments before. The Bonding Whispers pose was actually calming. It had a simple charm to it reminding Kelly of lazy afternoons when she was 16 prattling on and on to her high school boyfriend about life ending issues as Old Mill High. : : : : : : : : : : “Okay so maybe Rick was not doing this kind of cuddling in the colony,” she relaxed back into his leg. Although she was not ready to admit it, Kelly was enjoying Ian’s company immensely. Without Dante and Rick in her life, Kelly had found herself to be rather lonely. : : : : : : : : : : : : : “His loss, the view seems to be intoxicating where I am at.” he said as he looked down at her, brushing her cheek he felt himself flush too. What are you doing! Ian’s voice came screeching in his mind. You shouldn’t tease this much, she is your captain. he said as he looked down at her, but deep down the other voice that was screaming at him he had been ignoring for a long time kept getting louder and louder. : : : : : : : : She likes you, don’t act like she doesn’t… what’s wrong with that? oh so many things, Ian knew that much. Despite every signal in his mind giving him pause, he found himself ignoring them all and listening more to that screaming voice he tried so hard to deafen. : : : : : : : : : “Now the vertical partner needs to whisper something encouraging to the horizontal partner and then vice versa,” the instructor said in a soft, melodic tone. : : : : : : : : Leaning in he let his lips find her ear again, a small smirk forming on his lips again. “I think they are all jealous right now, don’t forget to put on a great show Kel.” he said, his tone so soft and so seductive as he gave her cheek a small kiss. : : : : : : : Kelly gave him a small wink back and a flirty smile. “I love the way you have coffee for me even before I need it. Keep it up Hero,” Kelly said loud enough to be overheard by people caring to eavesdrop but in the same soft tone, Ian used with her. She didn’t care about the next position. Kelly was actually quite comfortable in this position and the small heart rate monitor on her wrist showed it. Maybe there was something to this cuddle relaxation thing. : :
The young woman teaching the class watched, she smiled softly at the two then looked at her class. Everyone was following suit like them as Ian smiled softly as he looked down at her, “See professional as hell.” he said, his eyes seeming to be looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered in that moment.
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : “Now…” the young instructor said as she came back up. “Lets see if we can’t start the next pose, the Honeymoon Hug.” she said as she glanced over at Ian and Kelly, curious what they would do next.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : Kelly looked at Ian with a half grin. There was only one position possible for this pose. “Okay we got this,” Kelly said sitting up rubbing her hands. “Now lay on your back and do exactly what I tell you to do,” she said rubbing her hands.
: : :
: : : Ian arched his eye brow as she told him to sit on his back. Looking over st the instructor he gave her a wink as he laid down. “Like this love?” He said the words coming out so easy almost dangerously so. He waited with bated breath to see what she was going to do.
: : :
: : : : : Kelly let out a breathy laugh watching Ian follow her direction with a huge grin. “Easy there killer,” she teased. “We are in public. This is not erotic cuddling XXX,” she moved up next to him and laid her head on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat. This was strangely erotic and slightly awkward. She had not been with anyone since Rick in what had felt like a hundred years. Now she was snuggled up on his chest in a position that was common for couples but she and he were not a couple. She took a deep breath and let the tension leave her body. While Starfleet might not approve of the current situation between the Captain and her yeoman, Kelly was finding that for the first time all day, she was actually relaxing.
: : :
: : : So you think this is it do you?” He asked softly as he caressed her hair in the pose. While he was certain it was wrong it felt oh so right.
:
: “I think it feels good,” she said taking a deep breath as if she was settling in comfortably for a nap before a hint of tension filled her body. He is a kid Kelz. Do not lead him on or say things that will make him think he has a chance. Whatch what you are saying. You are a Captain now and not some Department Head that can make mistakes with the crew. Kelly moved back some so that there was at least a hint of daylight between their pressed bodies. While she would not demonstrate this at a staff meeting, it was a bit more appropriate than her earlier position.
: : :
: : : : : “That’s erogenous embraces and that is the advanced class,” the instructor said staring at Kelly and Ian. “You are not ready for that yet but that does not mean one can’t work towards a goal,” she said in a lithe sing-song type chant.
: : : : :
: “If we get any closer to that goal you and I will be throwing a baby shower,” Kelly joked liking the feel of relaxed happiness she had being able to joke with someone in this manner. She had always done this Dante. Maybe one day she would have the same honest, close relationship with Ian in the same manner.
:
: : : : : Staring at Ian and Kelly she kept the same relaxed grin but in a confident tone remarked, “that is not the honeymoon hug.”
: : :
: : : “I know… this is sweet too, lovers embrace if I recall?” He said as he looked over at the instructor.
:
: “I see you have taken this class before,” the instructor looked at Ian with a bit of skeptical scrutiny. Only two types of people came to classes like this: People in love or people looking to score. While she was sure Ian and Kelly were not an official couple based on some of their awkward moments, she couldn’t be sure which one of them might be the one looking to score.
: : :
: : : “Come here Kel, I can help you…” he said as he helped her move to her side as he followed suite, wrapping his arms around her he pulled her in close, letting her arms wrap around his neck as their legs intertwined. Despite not having ever done any cuddling sessions it was clear Ian was a cuddle connoisseur.
: : :
: Kelly grunted and squirmed a bit adjusting an arm here and a leg there until she was finally in a very comfortable position. The process of getting into the position was very technical and analytical with specific instructions from Kelly and Ian to move up, move down, can you shift this, or move in closer. It wasn’t until Kelly found her spot in his arms, that she looked up at Ian.
:
: : : Looking down at her as they finished the embrace, he felt his heart race. This was a bad idea. Very bad. Every fiber of him said he needed to stop yet he didn’t want to. He adored Kelly and felt this urge to always be with her. In that moment as he looked down and so her gorgeous eyes looking back all thoughts fleeted as he found himself leaning in closer, his lips just brushing slowly against her but stopping from going all the way. It was a split second moment, one that would define them for awhile and his heart was no long listening to his mind.
:
: Kelly watched him lean in towards her. If she had been any other person than Ian’s Captain, Kelly would have fisted his shirt, if he had been wearing one, rolled him onto his back, and see where this interaction would take them. The truth, however, was that Kelly was Ian’s Captain. Feeling his lips brush hers, Kelly stop thinking. For a moment she let go of rank and protocol. She met his brush with a hint of pressure. Not enough to get banned from the class but enough that Ian knew she was receptive. The kiss only lasted a few moments. Not enough to make or break a relationship but enough to leave each recipient wondering if there could be more.
: : :
“No kissing! This is not that kind of class!” The teacher shouted at the pair, Ian may have known the pose but this moment had turned from a teaching moment to something far more. Ian was just grateful his pants were so damn baggy.
: : : : :
: : : : “Ian,” Kelly said looking at him to gauge his reaction to what just happened. Her heart raced and she felt dizzy. A warm rush filled her body. Kelly began to over think, which was not the best thing to do in a situation like this or anywhere she needed to be in control.
: : : :
: : : : “Ian,” she said in a more controlled tone. “I think we should get a cold milkshake instead of hot coffee after this,” Kelly let a smile spread across her face.
: : :
: : : “Oh… where would the fun in that be sugar.” he said as he quickly kissed her forehead before getting up from on top of her. Helping her to the feet he, he took her in his arms as she got up for a moment as he looked deep into her eyes. Whatever roadblocks Ian had placed on himself seemed to be vanishing. She’s cute… okay gorgeous. Ian thought as he mind raced a bit. Did he want this? Did he really want the risk? Right now, he felt like he did, she was funny and irreverent and sexy, she made him smile and they got along so damn perfectly. He never felt like he was working when he was with her. She made every day just fun and enjoyable. He never knew taking over Yeoman/Diplomatic duties could be so damn enjoyable.
: :
: : “The Moth don’t care when he sees The Flame. He might get burned, but he’s in the game. And once he’s in, he can’t go back, he’ll beat his wings ‘til he burns them black. No, The Moth don’t care when he sees The Flame. The Moth don’t care if The Flame is real, ‘cause Flame and Moth got a sweetheart deal. And nothing fuels a good flirtation, like Need and Anger and Desperation,” Kelly quoted the poem by Aimee Mann. She had read this in her English class at the Academy and fell in love with it. She had read it so often she had it memorized by heart. “So Ian is this need, hunger or desperation,” she asked him softly. “I can understand needs. We all have them. I can accept hunger for something one desires but desperation,” Kelly let the word hang. Neither she or he were or ever would be desperate for partners. In their case destruction might be a better word than desperate. The Captain was in charge of the entire ship but if she let this feeling continue down the path of more than just crewmates, would their feelings for each other lead to destroying her credibility and his career.
: : :
: : : Looking over at the instructor Ian sighed, “Give us a moment.” he said as he took Kelly and dragged her back to the changing area to the side. He had to get this under control now and he wasn’t going to wait. With Kelly in hand he had the pair leave the classroom as they entered back into the familiar room. Ian looked at Kelly sternly, as if gauging her. He was great at knowing what everyone truly felt and thought, as a diplomat he was responsible of always knowing how to read people. Had he blinded himself to her?
: : :
: : Kelly met his gaze with a perplexed one of her own. Ian might be a a few years her junior but the look he gave her was one of an older man’s with a wealth of life experience. Kelly knew Ian was good at reading people. If he wasn’t he wouldn’t excel as much as he had with his job. She went to speak but Ian spoke first.
: :
: : : “You kissed… we kissed… uhmmmm,” he said as he stopped and paced back a bit. He seemed to be contemplating his thoughts, which seemed scrambled. She had seemed to finally catch Ian in a moment he hadn’t prepared for.
: :
: : “And ths is what concerns me Ian,” Kelly said. Did I want you to kiss me? Yes, but what happens after if we do more than what just happened in there? If you can’t figure out what to do after a kiss than how the hell are we going to handle upping the ante one night and spending the rest of the day acting like nothing exists. I am damn good at burying my emotions deep and locking it up tight but you seem to have reservations.” Kelly didn’t like the next part of her speech but one of them had to state the obvious. Ian you are a nice guy but,”
: : :
: : : “Oh to hell with that nonsense.” he said firmly as he pulled her close, stopping whatever thought she maybe having as he kissed her fully, his tongue slowly playing with her mouth as he wasn’t going to keep second guessing anything. He was done trying to hide and these last few moments felt perfect.
: : :
: : Ian silenced her swiftly with his kiss. Kelly knew she should stop him as his superior officer but right now she wasn’t Captain Shultz. She was Kelly Shultz and she liked the guy holding her in his arms. Kelly opened up to Ian allowing the intimate moment to grow between them. Her lips parted and a small moan escaped as the simple kiss from earlier became something more passionate. It was filled with a hungry need and desperation for it not to end. Kelly ran her hands up his back gently but firmly digging her nails into the area around his shoulder blades pulling him closer to her. Whether the kiss lasted one minute or one hour, Kelly, like Ian, needed it to be complete and leaving them with a feeling of security in each other’s arms.
: :
: : : Within those moments Ian felt his surroundings melt, he couldn’t focus on anything but Kelly, the kiss and sensations as his arms caressed her body as he pulled her closer, both of their clothes leaving little between us. As his lip found her lower lip, he felt himself pulling back just slightly so before he rested his forehead on hers. “Well… that is new, I found out why they make these pants so baggy.” he said as he felt his cheeks blushing as he looked at her, his hand brushing her cheek as he looked deep in her icy blue eyes.
: : :
: : “Those pants are handy,” she let out a small laugh. “You can walk out with no one the wiser…except for me. I know all your secrets,” she playfully looked around even though the room was empty. Seeing the look in his eyes, Kelly stopped living in the moment and began to return to reality. Ian was not being playful but serious.
: :
: : : “Talk to me Kel… don’t leave me hanging.” he asked with an almost pleading element in his voice.
: :
: : “Do you want the truth or the its not you, it’s me speech,” Kelly spoke in a low tone.
:
: “That’s not the question of the hour, and you know it. God Kel, half the reason I took this job was when I saw your photo. Okay maybe that is superficial as hell but I thought it would be fun to have a cute boss. Then I meet you, we spent those months before we got to Atlantis together, you are smart and funny and just so damn perfect. You know how hard it is to keep pretending to be superficial around you? Yes I know the irony of that statement but once I got to know you… I didn’t want to look back. I have fought each day not to do that.” he said as he paused, sitting down on the bench that the changing room had he ran his hands through his hair. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? he said to himself, loud and screaming. Don’t open up to her, tell her it was a joke tell she’s on candid camera, tell her you are a clone from Argus VII and to find the real Ian she has to go through a series of tests of fortitude and strength. Ian rambled off to himself, feeling the straining of his thoughts as he looked up at her. “Ian,” Kelly licked her lips not sure what to say. She had never seen him like this. Ian was being honest but not normal honest. He was being brutally honest with himself. Seeing him sitting on the bench faced with having to think about a decision and not just react with his gut made Kelly pause. Bordeaux never faltered. He was almost Vulcan like in his dedication to his job. “The worst part? I truly didn’t even plan today, the Gods love to make a fool of people cause I really thought it was just going to be massage therapy and you would unwind. I run with the punches and now I am sitting here thinking… I don’t know what I am thinking.” he said as he bolted back up, feeling himself pacing. He steps seemed to be a mix of wanting to flee and crawl up in a ball. The thing is, Ian didn’t run nor did he crawl up in balls. If he had a tough task before he never stopped, he fought through. “I know but,” Kelly replied feeling her own thoughts and emotions swirling around her head. “Look, don’t answer… just… I don’t think I can live with that answer. So I will find a new yeoman for you, and I will make sure they get the coffee right when we get back. Don’t worry about anything, I’ll make it all right.” he said as he looked at her, seeing her mixed expression.

“Bordeaux,” Kelly snapped out his name half in a command and half in desperation. “You are not leaving. You are being insane and irrational. No one makes coffee like you,” Kelly replied without thinking. Quickly regaining her composure she let out a sigh and tried again. “Okay so each of us just scored a tally on the insensitive prick scale. You for saying you acted on your libido when you took the job as my yeoman and me for stating your greatest skill set is being a barista and not a diplomat.” Kelly put her hands on her hips and studied Ian trying to figure out the best way to handle this situation. “Look don’t go. I need you,” she asked looking at him sincerely.

:”Okay fine, I’ll stay don’t… it was a stupid idea, I need to fix this… but all I really wanna do is kiss you again.” he blurted out, finding himself wondering what the hell was wrong with him yet again.

Kelly walked up to Ian. She did not speak or indicate she wanted him to say anything. Kelly simply took control of the situation like she was on the bridge of the Atlantis. There she did not overthink her decisions. Kelly simply reacted with her gut as she was doing now. Pushing Ian backwards hard into the wall, Kelly did not waste time with asking or debating. When her lips met his, it was not a simple brush as before on the mat in the common room. It was harder, more forceful. Kelly knew what she wanted. Ian was a big boy, they were on shore leave, and they were both consenting adults. True the regs didn’t promote sleeping with other crew members but if any talking head thought you could shove a thousand people in a floating tin can and it would not turn into Noah’s Ark after forty days and forty nights, then they were idiots.

“You are going to no longer call me Kelly or Kelz and definitely not schmoopy. Half the crew already thinks we are sleeping together so discretion is the word of the day and every day on and off the ship,” Kelly commanded in a breathy pant as she moved from his lips down his neck and to his chest. Her hands tracing the tops of his shoulders as she worked down his body. “In fact let’s just not talk,” Kelly stopped talking long enough to pull her sports bra off and drop it to the floor beside her. She hooked her thumbs into the waistband of his workout pants and gave a slight tug as she began to drop to her knees.

“Oh and Ian…I don’t think they make pants baggy enough for you to go anywhere public right now,” Kelly looked down and then up at him with a mischevious gleam in her ey*********** : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Hours went by, and what started in a changing room had gotten all the way back to their rooms at the resort. If people had been watching it would have seemed like a the pair never could keep their hands off, the changing room now lighting up like a black room each location they found themselves pausing for just a few minutes on the trip to their room ended up with the pair mauling at each other whenever they found a chance. In the end it was amazing they kept all clothes on after the first tryst in the changing room to be fair. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Getting to their quarters, the door swished and the clothes fell before they even found the bed, they wanted round two, and three and four and five right this second and neither of them was going to wait much longer. Throwing her on the bed Ian crawled on top of her as he let all his carnal desires for Kelly fully emerge. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Now, as the couple laid on the bed their bodies intertwined, this time fully within the lovers pose Kelly tried so long ago, Ian found himself stroking her hair gently as he let himself feel at ease. Neither of them planned this, but he wasn’t at all upset at the outcome. “Alright, so that whole no affection talk… you know that is never gonna fly right Kel?” he asked as he looked down at her, smiling he knew he was never going to be all protocols and proper chain. He was the type of officer to get things done, and get them done well. He didn’t so much care for protocol. “So if you want your coffee, you are just going to have to live with the fact that I am going to be completely smitten as hell about you.” he said as he kissed the top of her forehead. : : : : : : : : : : Kelly let out a half laugh as his lips touched her forehead. Now she saw what all the hub bub was about going for the 2.0 younger model. His stamina and her experience resulted in a shore leave experience reaching the top ten of her all time list. “Shhh,” she said softly placing a finger on his lips. “Enjoy the moment before I send you for coffee,” she said before breaking out in a series of squeals and laughter as he flipped her over tickling her for her response. Feeling him pin her to the bed in a position they did not teach in the self defense Academy classes, Kelly caught her breath in short heaves looking into his eyes beneath the dark brows. She let her gaze linger there until it drifted to his nose and then to his lips and jaw. She liked that he was not perfectly shaved but sported enough facial hair to make him seem rugged and just a touch unrefined. Lifting her head, she softly pressed her lips to his. The kiss did not hold the hunger of the previous ones. It was more intimate and spoke of a relationship between two people with years behind them not hours. The next hour did not hold the frenzied kissing and desire to have a need met. It was slow as they each took their time finding every spot on each others body that made their backs arch and soft pleas to continue what the other was doing. The never ending moment ended with their lips pressed to each others as the world exploded around them dulling any extraneous sound or sensation. As Ian rolled over finally spent, Kelly curled up on his chest letting his fingers trail up and down her back as thuer breathing returned to normal. Small violent shivers raced up her body from the aftershocks of their exertions. Each one resulting in Ian holding her firmly against his body until it passed. Neither of them seem to want to speak as they lay there in each others arms. : : : : : : Some time later, Kelly opened her eyes but didn’t move. Turning her head she blinked several times to read the clock. The time of day shocked her and also didn’t. They have been busy through lunch and it was close to dinner. “Well so much for the art museum,” and she thought letting a deep sigh relax her even more. Slowly Kelly remove the arm that was draped across Ian’s chest and the leg that was thrown over his lower body. She would have taken the sheet to cover herself but that might wake him and Kelly needed a moment to herself. She lsipped from the bed like a seasoned pro not causing him to stir. It wasn’t the first time she had gotten up without waking up her partner but Ric could sleep through anything and he often, Kelly thought, faked a deep slumber simply to not have to let PeeWee out at 2 AM. : : : : : : Grabbing Ian’s navy T-shirt wadded up on the floor she pulled it over her body and walked to the window. Outside the window the landscape was of ferns, vines, flowers, and exotic tree branches. To someone looking at it, it appeared a chaotic mess but it was really a perfect harmony of life balance together. Kelly closed eyes and took a deep breath. The air was damp and smelled of earth and rain with a hint of some exotic flower. “Oh Kelly what are you doing,” she said softly. The ink was barely dry on her divorce. Heck she wasn’t even sure there was ink on her divorce papers and she was screwing around with someone not only eight years her junior but also her junior officer. The timing could not be worse. As the Captain of a new ship, she needed to set a standard not fire up the rumor mill with gossip hot enough to keep the water cooler junkies busy for hours. She did not regret what had just happened. Part of her was shocked it had taken them this long. From the moment they met in Commodore Perkins office Kelly knew there was some connection. At times they had both rebuffed and encouraged their friendship but never at the same time, until now. : : : : : Ian stirred as he heard the murmuring from Kelly. Sitting up from bed, he looked across as he saw what seemed to him to be the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Draping his feet over the edge of the bed, he found his jogging pants as he came up behind her. He knew the look she was having. He had seen her face several times from her. Her heart was always heavy and he their time would make her turn even more. As he wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her neck gently. “Talk to me, what’s eating you baby.” he said as he squeezed her tightly as he let her press firmly against him. : : : “That this weekend is going to end,” Kelly said in a half truth laying her hands on top of his. Kelly inclined her neck more so that Ian could continue to kiss it. “Did you plan this and what do you expect is going to happen when we return to the Atlantis,” she asked softly. She wasn’t sure if she wanted the answer or not. Her gut told her that Ian genuinely wanted something more between them, that this wasn’t some notch in his belt but Ian was motivated. He was the top of his class and came with more recommendations that someone twice his age. He was charming and eager to make a name for himself but at what cost. Over the past six months, Kelly had seen Ian work a room like seasoned veteran. Hell the first time she laid eye on him he was working over Commodore Perkins perky little secretary. Ian was sitting on the corner of the Lt. (j.g.) Piper Parper’s desk schmoozing her with enough charm that her cheeks were so red that she looked like a call girl working her trade. “Plan? No.... I just..” he stopped as he looked at her in the eyes, breathing in as he rested his head on hers. “I had no plans, though… I couldn’t have been more happy.” he said softly as he let his lips find her forehead as he pulled her in closer. : “Ian,” she asked in soft but firm voice. “Are you looking for a transfer? If so I can do it far easier than Piper Parper did that day back at command.” Kelly hated ruining the moment but she needed to know what Ian’s game plan was. “Transfer, lord… from the moment I saw you that day… no I don’t want a transfer. Piper, lord… she was cute but she didn’t hold a candle to when you came in. I don’t know if you knew, I was aware you were going to be my new CO but I didn’t expect…” he paused as he felt himself flush as he pulled away as he turned around. Running his hands through his hair he couldn’t help but feel conflicted in all this. : : : : : : “Expect what. What do you think is going on here, Ian,” Kelly looked at him a bit concerned. : : : : : : : : “I didn’t expect to fall in love…” he finally said as he looked back at her his eyes sharp as he looked her over. “I mean, come on… why do you think I have been working so hard? I don’t do it cause I am efficient or a brilliant officer, I am by the way. I did it cause I love seeing you smile every time I do. Though you could lay off the coffee.” he said smirking as he felt chills go up his spine. : : : : : : : Kelly let her eyes drop for a second. Yes it was a very teen move but Ian made her feel like a teen in love. So much power and responsibility came with being a captain of a ship. Most men treated her like one of the guys but there were the few, the few that remembered that even though she could play ball hard ball, she was a woman also. Ian seemed to never let her forget that. Walking over to him,Kelly wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him in for a kiss. “You cute but not that cute. I am never giving up the coffee Hero,” she whispered then kissed him biting his lip and pulling it out slightly. “And we should not think past this room and the next two days,” Kelly offered. It was not what she wanted to say but needed to say. : : : : : Ian paused as he looked at her, Don’t let it go past this room? were the thoughts in his head as she said the words. He wasn’t ashamed of what they did at all, or if anyone knew. He didn’t feel the need to shout it out though. All the same he couldn’t go into something as life altering, and possibly career destroying without knowing the other person wanted it too. : : : : : : “Look, I know you have your stuff with your ex, it’s all up in the air and I don’t have a damn clue how you feel… or maybe I do a little after today but my feelings… I don’t want to complicate you if you don’t feel the same. I am a professional, not the first person I had to work with I felt something for. I just, I need you to know how I feel if we are going to go anywhere else with this. I don’t want to make our lives harder than they have to be, but I don’t want to end this if you feel even the smallest bit like I do.” he confessed, it felt good to lay everything out. He didn’t know where this would take him but after last night, he knew he couldn’t settle with a one night stand. : : : : : : : Kelly let him go and took a few steps back. “I,” she opened her mouth to spew a half truth about him being Mr. Right Now but she couldn’t finish the sentence. Licking her lips she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Ian i would be a liar to say I don’t feel something and a fool to tell you that all of this ends the second we beam up to the ship. We barely know each other but yes....god yes,” she sighed letting her shoulders relax some in the exhale. “I do want to get to know you better but we would have to be careful. I mean like two catholic kids in a boarding school filled with nuns and monks around every corner careful. The USS Atlantis had to be the USS St. Theresa and St. Peter School for Well Behaved Starfleet Officers if we are going to do this,” she teased. “If you can agree to that....I…I would like to at least get to know you better,” she admitted. “I mean hell I don’t even know what your favorite sandwich condiment is,” she laughed rolling her eyes. : : : : “Cajun mustard, hands down.” he said with a wink before pulling her in, letting her rest her head on his chest as he gently caressed her back. : : Kelly let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes. It was nice to be held. Dante was right. Being a captain was very lonely at times. It wasn’t the entire reason she was opening up to Ian but it felt good. There was so much they were laying on the line. Neither of them needed to be reminded of the risks,yet Kelly felt like she had to say something. “Ian…I don’t want us to be a secret. I don’t want you to be a secret,” Kelly said not looking at him, “but neither of our careers could take the blow right now. As much as I want to be with you I can’t ask you to hide in the shadows and pretend you don’t exist. That would not be fair to you and ultimately doom us. Besides any decision I make could appear to be biased if it involves you resulting in possible accusations about my integrity and your skills. I just wish there were not so many complications.” Kelly hated stating the obvious but in a reverse situation, she would not want Ian to act as if she was a no body on his crew for 8 to 12 hours a day and then the most important thing in the world the next. : : : : “I can promise I am not going to go gallivanting saying I banged the Captain, but love my dad was a Pastor and I never did well being the saint in the family. In fact quite opposite…” he said as he pulled back, he wasn’t sure if the fact him not being a saint would surprise her or not, but his father might. : : : “Wait..what,” Kelly drew back. With his arms around her, Kelly couldn’t go far but she had to let him see the shocked look on her face. “Your Dad is a pastor. I…I thought he was a lawyer,” she held a stunned expression as the ancient song Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield played in her head. There were a lot of things “Billy Ray” had taught her in the past four hours but maybe she shouldn’t have let him. “Makes sense though now. I mean that thing you did with the spin and twist,” she demonstrated with her finger as she spoke and got a mischevious smile until the look in his eye brought her back to reality. “But that isn’t the point. I need to look professional and,” : : : “My job is to keep you looking good, and I always will… you just have to trust my lead I know what’s best to keep you safe, cause I will. I won’t let anyone every second guess you or us. As long as you can give me some faith, I will give you all the support you will ever need.” he said softly, smiling as he looked into her gorgeous eyes before leaning in for one more kiss. That urge to connect and bond with her was always so strong, he knew resisting the urge to kiss her as a greeting would be hard. : : : Kelly closed her eyes and let him kiss her getting lost in the moment. It had been a long time since she had put this much faith in anyone. The last man she had put blind faith and trust into was Rick. Long times apart and not remembering that their marriage was more important than any assignment caused their marriage to crumble. Cynammon was only an excuse Kelly conveniently used. In truth, she had had an affair for years before the red-headed tart came into the picture. Kelly had let Starfleet make Rick feel less than the most important thing in her life. Her affair might have been with career choices but it was just as deadly. Now Kelly was standing on the precipice of something new and bold and exciting. Not taking this chance would haunt her the rest of her life. Yes, there was an age gap between them, yet when she was with Ian, it didn’t seem to matter. Ian had a strength about him. He kept her in line and did so not out of duty but because he genuinely cared for her. Kelly for her part admired his dedication to the job, his ability to produce coffee out of thin air, and his body was one heck of a perk. Women were not supposed to mention things like this but they were no different than men in some areas. Polite but the same. : : “Well right now I need support in only one area,” Kelly said removing his hands from her waist and taking a step back. “I need for you to get back in that bed,” she pulled off the navy t-shirt and threw it playfully at his head, “and show me you know how to follow orders Lt Bordeaux,” Kelly walked around him as she spoke and sat on the edge of the bed. “So can you follow orders,” she asked biting her lip. They had two more days on shore leave and she was going to enjoy them. The job and all the messy responsibilities it contained could wait. : “When you are here… with me… you are gonna be following the orders.” he said softly as he whispered in her ear before giving her a soft nibble before lifting her up and tossing her onto up the bed. With her pinned, her pressed her hands away from her body as he leaned in kissing down her neck. “Now, Kelly… I need you to learn when in here, you follow only my orders.” Ian said with a large grin on his face as he leaned in and gave her a big deep kiss. Kelly walked into the resort’s main room with a smile on her face much like yesterday, however, today was slightly different. Today she was holding Ian’s hand like they were a couple. : : : : : Looking at Kelly, he couldn’t help but wonder what her thoughts were, how she was dealing with this all. It was going to be a bit messy before it got to be where they wanted but he was more than willing to do whatever needs to be done. : : : : : Who knew where this could lead but Kelly was not giving that any thought. She was here with him now and planned on enjoying the promise of a nice massage and day at the Spa. In retrospect yesterday was not that bad. If the cuddling class had actually been the yoga class, they might not have decided to try whatever they were doing. What they were going to attempt might be a mistake but nothing in life was guaranteed except regrets and Kelly was tired of regretting her decisions. If Ian turned out to be a pleasant memory she held on to at 95 then so be it. If he turned out to be more then they would laugh about it when she was 95. Either way, she wanted to take the chance. : : : : : Ian squeezed her hand as she walked with him, looking at her he felt himself swell with pride as he took her hand to his lips as he gave her a soft kiss. : : : : It was amazing what just 24 hours could change. Ian had found himself drawn to Kelly from day one, and he promised himself he wasn’t going to try anything. His promise was broken, but he couldn’t help but find peace in this. Ian knew deep down he would either have to confess his love to her, or leave the ship. He didn’t want to leave, but they were embarking on something strange and unusual yet amazing and wonderful at the same time. : : : : : “So no surprises today,” Kelly said with a grin. “Today is Finding Your Way Mediation and Massage: A Spiritual Journey of the senses,” she repeated the name of the class they would be taking. Over breakfast, Ian had spent twenty minutes assuring her that there would be no tests, quizzes, or on the spot demonstrations today. The morning would be soft music, a relaxing massage, and copious amounts of coffee even if he had to get off his massage table and get it for her. : : : : : “Yes, simple easy… perfect.” he said as he pulled her close, giving her a deep intimate kiss. Ian only let himself separate from her as he heard the steps coming up to them. Pausing he looked at he saw who looked like their handler for the day. : : : : : A cheery Trill walked up to them in the lobby with a clipboard and smile. “So Captain Shultz and Lt. Bordeaux are you ready for the deluxe experience? Since yesterday was not exactly what you expected we upgraded your initial package. If you follow me,” she began to lead them down the hall towards a large airy room. : : : : “Wait, deluxe experience? What all does that entail?” Ian said as he looked at the Trill. He wasn’t wanting to put Kelly through this again, they just cemented themselves the night before but they still needed time for their relationship to dry so to speak so it was rock solid. Ian didn’t really think anything would shake them apart so quickly, but he wasn’t in the mood to test that theory either. : :
“Simple, easy…perfect,” Kelly parroted his words back to him cocking one eyebrow but wearing a silly grin.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : : “No sights, sounds, and sensations,” the Trill corrected Kelly and motioning them forward. “The deluxe package contains fewer people so it is a more personal experience. Yesterday you were in a class with fifteen other couples. I hear you both were the highlight with your antics but you are here to relax. Since you thought you were getting a yoga class and then attempted the self-study class Shibari Shinanigans in the dressing room we thought you might need both a chaperone and a more aggressive approach to finding your life energy,” the Trill tried to keep the small smirk off her face.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : “Say what?” Ian asked as he looked at the woman then back to Kelly. He wasn’t sure he was liking where this was going, but he was willing to find out.
: : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : : Kelly blushed a bit and scratched the center of her forehead trying to hide the silly expression she wore. Her actions yesterday were not something she would speak about but find for at least the next month a dopey grin spreading across her face when she remembered them. “Oh I found my life energy…twice since breakfast but you were wrong Ian,” Kelly whispered under her breath but loud enough for Ian to hear. “I told you Yoga was not relaxing.” Kelly bit her lip to stave off the mischevious grin trying to spread across her face.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : “Do we have time for a third time?” Ian asked the Trill, before winking playfully at Kelly.
: : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : : Ignoring the banter between the couple behind her the Trill continued. “Finding Your Way Mediation and Massage: A Spiritual Journey of the senses is taught by our master guru Opal Doyenne. You are very lucky. Opal is our most sought-after instructor. He is a spiritual teacher who initiates his students with a true sense of peace and calm. Especially those that embrace his unique sense of tutelage,” she said stopping at the door.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : : “Excuse me did you say initiate,” Kelly instantly was focused on the Trill and her words instead of the handsome man next to her.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : : Opening the door to the airy room the first thing Kelly noticed was a man. He was dressed in what appeared to be a leopard robe with a high collar. The outfit underneath looked like a black leather singlet reminiscent of what circus strongmen wore in the 1900’s. His dark hair was twisted into five small buns that circled his head like the rays of the sun. The man resembled an actor in an outrageous Broadway musical than an expert in Buddha-Hindi relaxation techniques.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : : “You’re late,” Opal snapped and walked over to them with what could only be described as an overexaggerated swagger. “I do not wait for anyone. One of you put on this blindfold,” he said with a hint of a lisp giving his words the same over flamboyant feel as his outfit.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : : Kelly looked at Ian concerned at the Trill handler bowed and walked away. “Simple, easy....perfect,” Kelly repeated again looking at the three-inch piece of black silk material Opal had shoved into her hand.
: : : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : “You so can’t blame this one on me.” he said as he looked over at her, his eyes wide but a grin spreading across his face. “This is not my fault.”
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: : : : : : : : : : : : “Bzzzzzzz,” Opal said flitting his hand about Kelly’s face dismissing her words as he moved back to the center of the room. : : : : : : : : : : : OCC: Opal Doynne https://media1.tenor.com/images/884da729c356c5a3ec8c16cfadafb1ad/tenor.g… : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Fine Deputy Danger you get to wear the blindfold,” Kelly said handing it to Ian and walking into the room with the two other couples. One was a pair of Betazoids and the other the Klingon couple from yesterday. She wasn’t sure if she was more worried about the Betazoid’s picking her brain or the Klingon’s breaking their legs. Moving to a spare spot equidistant from both sets of couples Kelly studied the so called guru. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Sweetie, you have go to be kidding me if you think I am putting that on.” he said as he looked at her, his tone wasn’t at all playful as he looked at her with a serious gaze. Looking at the blindfold he tossed it back at her. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “You wear it, I don’t trust you not to leave me here to get back with me for yesterday.” he said as he looked at her and couldn’t help be finally smirk after trying so hard to have a stoic expression. : : : : : : : : : : “Ian I am not trying to get back at you but you are....” she let her voice trail off trying to find a compliment to sway the yeoman to alter his decision. “Smarter,” she announced finally. She didn’t believe he was actually smarter but Kelly was not about to quibble over a platitude. Her goal was to convince Ian to do what she wanted. Looking at the expression on Ian’s face Kelly tried another one. “More agile,” she tried not to cringe anything was better than the stellar adjective she used. Agile. Agile. You could not come up with somethi better than agile, she chastised herself. Shaking it off she took a deep breath, held it and then let it out slowly. There was only one way to solve who was going to wear the blindfold. : : : : : : : : : : “Okay okay we do this fairly,” she said holding out her palm and placing her balled up fist upon it. “Paper scissers rocks,” Kelly announced firmly but in a questioning tone. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Okay okay, fine… rock paper scissor… best two out of three. Loser wears the blindfold.” he said as he looked at her with sparkle in his eyes. It was clear Ian was one for games, he was competitive and didn’t like to loose. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : As the first round began Kelly could barely contain her glee with she produced paper to his rock. She even gave a half happy dance with fist pump. Yes it might be gloating but she only had to win one more. : : : : : : : : : : : : : After the first shoot Ian lost, looking at Kelly his eyes narrowed. “That was luck, lets keep going.” he said as he smiled as they shot again, this time Ian winning the second round. : : : : : : : : : : “Baby luck has nothing to do with it. I have the skills to pay the bills,” she emphasized the words as she produced scissors. Unfortunately, Ian did not follow what she had thought been his typical move. He produced rock and she was beaten. She thought Ian would play paper because Kelly 90% of the time did throw a rock as her second choice. Kelly was wrong. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Oh yes! See come back kid every time, don’t look at me that way you know you like me a little cocky.” he said as he gave her a wink, preparing for the next round. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Ian stared as he looked at the hands, he held out rock, she held out paper. “Oh come on how does paper ever beat rock? Really?” he said as he looked at her with a since of credulousness. “Fine.” he said as he took the blindfold back, rolling his eyes as he watched her move forward. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Now,” Opal spoke spinning quickly from a table at one end of the room. “If you are not wearing the blindfold come get yourself a drink.” Already this day was turning out to be better than yesterday. “You....you others,” Opal waved his hand about, “put your blindfold on and just wait.” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Should we si,” the Betazoid female asked as her partner moved towards the drink table. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Bzzzzzz. What did I say,” Opal waved her off. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Seems Opal is a bit overwrought,” Kelly murmured to the Klingon males next to her as she got her drink and returned to Ian’s side. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Now I am going to tell you a love story. Eon’s ago on ancient Earth there was a man by the name of Marco Polo. He was an Athenian Trader from a town called Sparta who wanted to get the love of his life from a neighboring town of Paris a gift. This wowan was Helena Troy. So vast was their love he would do anything and cross any obstacle to meet her: alligator-infested swamps, erupting volcanos, sea pirates,” Opal’s words carried a wary tone and his eyes grew large as if to impart the perils Marco faced. “So he traveled between Sparta and Beijing looking for marvelous spices and silk to woo her for a wife. History says she had the legs that launched a thousand camels,” Opal’s voice had a soft but very overly dramatic tone to it. His face and hands acting out his words like it was Shakespearian play. “Now we will incorporate this greatest of all Earth’s story into an experience for you.” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Kelly looked at Ian a bit perplexed. This was definitely a new take on history. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : As she returned to Ian, he had a smirk on his lips as he looked at her. He clearly had not put on the blind fold as she came back. “Thank you for getting your own drink…” he finally said playfully as he leaned in and whispered in her ear “I always win, even if I have to cheat.” he said as she felt the blindfold go over her head. : : : : : : : : : : : : “What no,” Kelly began to protest raising her hands towards the black silk piece of fabric Ian was trying to make her wear. This comment was instantly filled by her exclaiming ouch as Opal rapped her fingers with a small cane like rod he was holding. : : : : : : : : : : “Bzzzzzzzzz,” Opal said pointing the weird ruleresque piece of wood at Ian. “This is supposed to be relaxing. Why you two have to be the trouble makers hmmm, hmmm,” he asked Ian. Kelly for her part was too busy trying to shake the sting from her knuckles rahter than fight Ian as he fastened the blindfold to her face. : : : : : : : : : “Oh love we are not being troublemakers, she just needs more house training. You know how Captains can be, their way or the high way. Trying to get her to see there is more to life than just giving orders.” Ian said with a wink at Opal as he fastened the blindfold, before leaning in and giving Kelly a kiss on her cheek as he leaned in to whisper. : : : : : : : : “You can punish me later” was the words she heard just softly in her ear, a hush to all but her as he took her hand in his giving it a kiss before letting her go. : : : : : : : “Oh, will you two stop talking,” Opal snapped at Ian. “Bzzzzz,” he waved his fingers in front of Ian’s face. “You will all get a chance to be blindfolded at the communal lunch. So now can we continue, please. Huh…mmmmm…huh…can we? Can we,” Opal said in a highly condescending tone. It would not be a stretch to imagine Opal’s annoyed expression. : : : : : : “Eeeeeeeee innnnnnnnnn,” she drew his name out as she put her hands on her hips. The kiss was nice but there was no way she was going to go through with this. Turning to face him, Kelly craned her head way back so that she could look down her nose and see a sliver of his face. “Where did you find this place? And what is the communal lunch. You know I am not a fan of buffets,” she said low under her breath. “I think we should go and just get a refund.” : : : : : “I found it on the that one subnet site, Good Mythical Travel guide. They had a four out of five rating. I… well it sounded good on paper. Harpy69 gave it 3 tentacles up, that’s good right?” Ian said softly as he put his hand on her head pushing her down. “Now, focus on Opal, they can help us… reach Nirvana? I don’t anymore I feel like we are making this up as we go along.” he said, not even sure what they were doing any more, but knowing no matter what he wanted time with Kelly regardless of where it was. : :
“Okay today one of you will be Marco Polo and the other the star-crossed love stranded but,” Opal held up a finger, “unlike our hero Marco you can be lead through the wilderness to their arms based on trust. Opal snapped his fingers and instantly the floor fell out of the room in several places creating an obstacle course of sorts. In front of each of the three couples, there was first a thin path with what appeared to be a bottomless trench next to each side. “Now, ” Opal made a twirling motion with one hand while putting a finger to his lips indicating silence. A swooshing sound then followed as what could only be described as a punching bag on a pendulum swung down from the rafters. In succession, two more followed the first so that ultimately there were three bags of pure pounding pleasure were swinging not in sync but in an alternating rhythm. It would soon be very obvious that the blindfolded person not only had to make their was across the trench using a two foot path but also avoiding the swinging pendulum bags.
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: : : : : “I’m gonna be what now?” Ian asked, his brow arching as he took a drink. He wasn’t sure where this was going but he had to admit that he found it amusing all the same.
: : : : :
: : : : : : “Did they just turn on a fan,” Kelly asked feeling the wind on her face and in her hair.
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: : : : : “It’ll be fine baby, just trust me… you can make it.” Ian said as he looked over at the Klingon shaking his head no.
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: : : : : “She is so screwed.” he said under his breath softly.
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: : : : “Indeed,” he nodded at Ian. “May Kahless hold you. Today is a good day to die,” the Klingon said loudly to his mate before saluting her and moving across the narrow bridge dodging each swinging bag. To him there was no reason his mate needed to have all the fun.
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: : : : : : “Reset,” Opal yelled and slowly the bags began to hoist back up to the ceiling. “Your job will be to guide your partner from this bar stool when you are confused and disoriented,” he took a seat and patted the one next to him.
: : : : : :
: : : : : “Oh come on there, what therapy is this?” Ian said seeming confuddled, but not one to back down either.
: : : :
: : : : “Is your mate so fragile she is unable to complete this task,” the Klingon bellowed with a laugh taking his spot at the other end of the room. “Maybe if she took off the blindfold she could cross or is putting on foot in front of the other difficult. I have heard that the yellowed haired of your species are not as dexterous as the dark-haired ones.”
: : :
: : : “Yes but the thing is the ‘yellow’ haired ones do more things in the bedroom than you can imagine, would make a Klingon woman blush how much they are willing to do, I have the scratch marks to prove wanna see?” Ian said with a wide smirk as he looked over at the Klingon, his voice hushed and quiet.
: :
: : “Eeeeeeeeeee innnnnnnnn,” Kelly swatted his arm back and forth several times to stop his sharing of carnal knowledge with the large Klingon. It was then the Klingon’s words registered in her head.
: : :
: : : : “Wait did he just call me blonde,” Kelly looked up at Ian reaching for her blindfold. She had been handling guys like him since she took off the training bra and wore lipstick. Kelly knew she could take on the Klingon as long as she could see him.
: : :
: : : “Yes my love but I totally defended your honor. I said you were amazing in bed and made up for any deficiencies you may have.” Ian said, showing he didn’t mind at all in fact if she knew what he just said.
: : :
: : “Deficiencies,” Kelly put her hands on her hips. “How about I get a notepad and a pen and you can start making a list on what I need to improve on huh? I mean you were not complaining last night. In fact I think there were times you couldn’t even form words,” Kelly grumbled. “You know what…I am done,” she reached up for the blind fold.
: : : :
: : : : “Do not remove that blindfold or you are out of the trust test,” Opal blurted out. “What are you crazy? Why would you think you could do this without the blindfold and still achieve chi,” he drew out the last word staring at Ian. “The point of this is to show blind faith in your partner. To move as one even when you are separated by great distances. How are you supposed to achieve that seeing where you are going. Hmm Hmm,” he taunted Bordeaux. “Make your choice,” Opal dismissed Ian with a wave of his hand.
: : : :
: : : : “Ian,” Kelly said sound a bit unsure.
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: : : : : : “Now partners bring your wine and move across the room to me,” Opal motioned for them to begin walking forward.
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: : : : : : “Wait, what I don’t get to keep the wine,” Kelly said turning slightly. She actually had no idea what side Ian was on but she knew he was behind her.
: : : : :
: : : : : Gently she would feel Ian’s hand, it was calming and almost reassuring. He was enjoying this absurdity but he also knew he would do anything to keep her safe, even in this 7th circle of hell resort. Leaning in he whispered in her ear softly. “I am right here love,” he said gently as he gave her cheek a small kiss.
: : : : :
: : : : “Yes but you are soon going to be right there,” Kelly pointed at the water fountain unsure where Ian was going to be exactly.
: : : :
: : : : “Or he can stuff you in a canvas sack and carry you like a sack of bolla roots,” the Klingon guffawed.
: : : :
: : : “He has a point, we can walk out now… no one will know your shame,” Ian said as he cocked his head to the side as if thinking. “Except I think this session is recorded for training purposes so just the staff, and I am sure they don’t spread any information....” Ian paused thinking again.
: :
: : “Training purposes,” Kelly gave him a blank expression. “If I was just training purposes I would not give a crap but there is no way I am going to let some other couple beat us,” she crossed her arms over her chest. Hearing the loud click of the bags on the ceiling made her stop her tirade and focus on the situation happening around her. “Okay so can I do this,” she said then quietly added “can I do this Ian?”
: : :
: : : Nodding his head, as if deciding her fate Ian kissed her cheek one last time. “You’ll do fine, it’s all in the hips, trust me… just move your hips like you do when on top of me last night you will be fine.”
: : :
: : “Okay here goes,” Kelly said confidently. She only got one step forward before finding there was no where to step. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Kelly pinwheeled a bit before finding Ian’s arm and steadying herself. “Ian…Ian there is no floor. Why is there no floor Ian,” she said a bit desperately.
: : : :
: : : : Captain Kelly Shultz
: : :
: : : “Well it wouldn’t be a challenge love if there was a floor now would there be? You got this trust me, just think of it like on Rho Puppis me driving the car like a mad man, guts and determination will get us through.”
: : :
: : “You have three seconds,” Opal yelled to Ian as the Klingon female finished the course. “Bzzzz,” he motioned for Ian to get to the other side of the room.
: :
: “Oh you are all buzzkills.” Ian said, taking a drink from his wine as he came across the room taking his place to guide Kelly.
:
: “Okay, you need to take three steps forward and, jump, then slide!” Ian said, hoping that made any sense at all. Right now he wasn’t sure she could make it but it was hard to gauge her from this distance.
:
“Step, jump, slide. Step, jump, slide,” Kelly said to herself rubbing her hands together. “Step, jump, slide.” Raising her head to where she thought Ian would Kelly screaming “now?”

She got the step, step but then felt an impact to her side like a punching bag from the gym. Then she felt the free fall. Like jumping from a tall diving board into a pool,it only took a few seconds for Kelly to meet a very warm, very soothing, but very wet pool of water. “Ian,” she said breaking the water line and swimming low over to the edge of the path. “No blindfolds,” she said in a quirky accent imitating a short-statured Disney character that was recently playing on a holovid in the Rec room for the kids. “Can I belly crawl this,” she yelled staying low.

Kelly let out a small laugh as she could feel the woosh of the air above her. “This is just like PT in the academy,” she could not stop laughing. Crouching low to make sure would not get whacked in the head she looked up again to where she imagined Ian was. A loud splash and vicious growl indicated the Klingon couple was not doing any better than she and Ian. The only difference was Ian was not belting out excuses and she was not cursing his progeny in the guttural Klingon tongue.

“Bunny hop or long jump,” she called out between burst of laughter. This was the most ridiculous thing she had ever done but was having a bit of fun doing it.

Matching her jumps to what she thought was the distance Ian suggested, Kelly cockily stood up on the last hopscotch block and put her hands on her hips grinning madly. “I’d like to see some other non-telepathed couple try that,” she boasted proudly knowing she was so talking smack to the obviously dry Betazoid next to her. It was then that Ian would see a large octopus like tentacle snaking out of the water and coming directly for Kelly’s ankle.

Captain Kelly Shultz


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