Private communications

[lt_paula]

Encrypted message to: Lt. Sulu
Subject: Tonight

19:00, my quarters.

DO NOT open the attachment on the bridge. Or in the mess.

...Love you.

Attachment:
[Preview]

Comments

[flying_katana]

Maybe it was cliche, the whole flowers and chocolates thing, but Hikaru liked the idea of doing something old-fashioned like this for his girl. It had been tempting, wanting to open the image as soon as he saw the small thumbnail, but he'd waited for a moment when he was on break, walking down the corridor to pick up some lunch.

The first thing he did was stare at the image. The second thing he did was make sure no one else was around. Something about Paula generated this jealous feeling inside him that no one else ever had, and he'd even snapped at Doctor McCoy for some innocent flirting. He knew in his heart it had all been silly, but right now, as he stood in front of Paula's room, hands full of small gifts for her, he knew she was worth fighting for.

The door opened to him, which pleased him to no end. "Hey," he said, stepping inside, turning his head, looking for her.

[lt_paula]

"Hi." Paula stood framed in the opening leading to the bedroom, watching as Hikaru looked around, searching for her. She'd been planning this for days, and her stomach had been filled with butterflies when she'd sent the picture to Hikaru. But judging by the look on his face, her teasing preview had been well worth the little bit of anxiety she'd had.

The tiny slip of a nightgown had caught her eye in one of the shops back on Risa. On the hanger it had looked pretty and a little old-fashioned, the lacy trim adding an air of sweetness. But when she'd tried it on, the silky material had been light as air, and so sheer that with the right lighting, she suspected it would reveal more than it concealed. She'd bought it and the matching panties, and had tucked them away for the proverbial rainy day. Or Valentine's Day, as it turned out.

She'd never been a huge fan of the holiday. But cliched as it was, she liked the idea of surprising Hikaru.

[flying_katana]

The candy and flowers fell to his side. She had no idea how beautiful she was, the look on her face so sweet and hopeful.

"Hi," he said, walking toward her with a sort of dreamy look on his face. "I brought these for you," he said, offering her his small gifts.

[lt_paula]

The last of the nerves melted away, replaced by heat from the way Hikaru looked at her. A slow, satisfied smile crossed her face as Paula met him halfway. She accepted the flowers, a mix of tulips, roses, and a spiky flower she couldn't identify. They looked lovely, and as she breathed in their scent she realized they smelled better. "They're beautiful," she murmured. The box of candy, too, made her smile. But even better was Hikaru's expression.

Paula turned to put her presents on the table, then closed the distance between them. "I do have something else for you, too," she murmured, her arms going around his neck. "But first..." Her lips brushed his, then settled for a slow, thorough exploration of his mouth.