Title: Just To Sleep
Author: creek_chub
Fandom: Star Trek Enterprise
Pairings: Archer/Sato
Characters: Captain Archer, Hoshi Sato
Rating: PG-13.
Warnings: None.
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and no money is being made from this stuff.
The door to Jon's quarters slid open and he was greeted by a rare sight that never failed to make him smile. Hoshi was sprawled across his bed on her stomach, one knee cocked up and an arm flung out, as though reaching for something…or someone. Her breathing was deep and heavy, her face relaxed into an expression that could only be described as innocent. He loved the nights she surprised him like this.
Not wanting to wake her yet, he stepped past the bed and headed for the shower. As soon as he had the water started there was a part of him, albeit small, that wanted to linger, letting it sluice his troubles away with the dirt. Nothing major had happened that day, but all the little details and problems that could crop up on a starship had decided to make an appearance, one right after another.
Remaining in the shower, however, would not be as comforting as Hoshi could be with her arms around him. He finished up and turned the water off, listening. Nothing. The noise hadn't awakened her. He rubbed a towel over his head and then wrapped it around his waist before walking back out. Once again, he paused, letting his eyes survey her form. She had moved to her back while he showered, and instead of the tempting view of her backside he had enjoyed previously, he now had an equally pleasurable view of her breasts. The tank top she wore was stretched tight and, he was thankful for this, the fabric was sheer enough that almost nothing was left to the imagination.
Those jumpsuits do nothing for the women, he thought to himself, a half-smile touching his lips.
Letting his towel drop to the floor, he crawled into the bed and gathered her into his arms. He loved the catch in her breathing as she came awake and realized he was there.
"What time is it?" she asked, her sleepy voice sounding somewhat petulant.
"A little after midnight," he answered, letting his lips land on her neck.
"Oh. And everything's ok?"
He stopped nibbling her earlobe with a chuckle. "Yes, Hoshi, everything's fine." He wondered if she'd ever stop being nervous about being in space, but that thought was superseded by the desire to quit talking and put his lips back to her skin.
He continued kissing her neck and let his hand drift to her stomach, where he hesitated, as though trying to decide in which direction to move. It was then he realized she wasn't responding the way she usually did and he pulled back, only to hear her give the tiniest of snores. He laughed and decided to give up, reaching down to pull the covers over them both before settling his body against hers.
He had to admit, he even loved that she sometimes snuck into his quarters just to sleep.