"Jessica" by Annie Hall

She followed him throughout the ship, noting those things that he pointed out as important. She was certainly glad she hadn't depended on simply noting them to memory because she was having a difficult time concentrating.

He smelled different today, or maybe she had just noticed for the first time that he had a scent of his own. Or could it be that she just wasn't afraid of him any more. She took a breath in through her nose as he stopped to make an observation. Actually, she thought, he smelled more than different...he smelled wonderful. Lost in that thought she found herself asking him to repeat what he had just said before they continued on.

At the end of the corridor the door to the lift opened and he motioned her inside following closely behind. She took position at the back while he stood more toward the door; arms crossed two steps ahead with his back toward her.

She tried to go over the list but instead found herself staring at his strong broad shoulders and the arms that pulled his uniform tightly across the muscle definition of his back. She let her gaze inch slowly down to his narrow waist and beyond. Her thoughts wandering toward what it would feel like to touch his skin. To have him touch hers. Too soon her mind had them undressed and intensely intertwined. He shuffled his stance and she, coming to grips with where she was, shook her head to get rid of the thought.

"It's a really tempting thought isn't it?" He asked, catching her off guard.

How could he know? She said nothing, feeling quite awkward for staring at his backside and letting her thoughts go like that.

"Don't you think so?" He asked. He waited. No answer. He uncrossed his arms and turned to face her. "Well I think it is." He said with definition. "Especially now that I know you want it so bad." He smiled with a wink. "Besides, I really think it's about time I gave in and let you give it a whirl."

She blushed in confusion and cocked her head in question.

"Aw, come on" he laughed, "don't be so mousy. You're a Commander for christ sake, you have to learn to just ask for what you want...maybe even use a bit of force once in a while."

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Sir?" She finally squeaked out.

"It is what you want isn't it?"

"I don't know. I guess I never really thought about it until..."

"Well, I'm standing here right now offering it to you. It's never going to get any easier than this is it?"

She kept mum, not sure how to answer.

She baffled him. He shook his head. "Isn't this what you signed up for?"

"I don't know what to say...I never thought..."

He gave her a knowing smile. "I get it now, you're just nervous about it aren't you? Everybody is nervous the first time, especially with me." He closed the distance between them his look softening. "Don't worry, you just need to relax and enjoy it."

"Sir?" She tried to back up but found herself already tight against the wall. Her heart racing.

"Are you okay?" He asked concern in his voice, he reached for her. "It's okay, we don't have to do this right now...but we will have to do it soon, I'll need you to have a feel for it." His hands softly gripped her shoulders. "It won't be long I'm afraid, and I'll be asking you to do this all the time."

She willed herself away from the wall and mustered a stance of attention, taking in a deep breath she answered sternly. "I can do it now, Sir. Right now is fine."

"Wonderful!" He smiled. "The captain's chair is all yours!"