Una entered her quarters and collapsed on the sofa. She unbuttoned her uniform jacket's collar and tugged at the zipper, but it was, once again, stuck. To weary to care, she laid her head back and closed her eyes.
It had been a very, very bad, awful, no good day.
Four independent, redundant fail-safes collapsed allowing static electricity to build up in an area where it shouldn't; it sparked and arced near a fuel source, and fire erupted. Feeding on the ship's oxygen, the fire split into two and each quickly escalated out of control.
Such is life on a ship in deep space.
Una had taken charge of one of the fire control teams while Louvier coordinated from the bridge. Chris had rushed to battle the more dangerous of the two fires. Both were now extinguished, and Engineering was working overtime cleansing life support, repairing the resulting damage, and investigating the causes.
I should take the conn, Una thought as she pushed to the edge of the sofa, willed herself to stand and walked to the door. When it swished open, Anna was standing on the other side. "Just where do you think you are going?" she asked in a concerned tone of voice, eyes narrowed.
"To the bridge, to check on the ship's status." Una answered trying to look determined and failing.
Anna shook her head slightly and thought, she and Chris are so alike at times. "Spock has the bridge, and everything is under control." She grasped Una's hand and led her to an armchair. Gently she pushed Una into it. After sorting through the closet, Anna returned with a soft robe draped over her arm. "Let's get you out of this smoke-filled uniform."
"You should be taking care of Chris." Una protested with a frown.
Freeing the zipper, Anna parted Una's uniform jacket and tilted her forward and away from the back of the chair, cradling Una against her chest. She tugged Una's arms out of its sleeves and then pulled the undershirt over Una's head. "I will. Now I am tending to you." She sniffed and wrinkled her brow, "Your bra has to go as well." Unhooking it and tossing it to the side, Anna laid Una back against the cushions, sank to her knees and unfastened Una's pants. Soon the boots and pants joined the heap of clothes on the floor. "Too tired for a shower?"
Una nodded.
"No matter," Anna helped Una stand and wrapped the robe around her. "Get comfortable and I will get you something to eat."
"Not hungry. Glass of whiskey sounds good."
"I'm sure it does." Anna called out as she gathered the spoiled uniform and tossed it into the reclamator.
"When did we start serving whiskey in china cups? And pouring it from teapots" Una asked dryly after seeing the tray Anna placed on the low coffee table.
"When it's lavender and chamomile tea." Anna replied with a chuckle as she poured a cup and lightly sweetened the pale brew with a bit of honey. "And by the way, just for the record, Chris has also asked me those exact questions. Try it, it will be more satisfying than alcohol right now and the honey will soothe the irritation in your throat caused by the smoke."
Inhaling the steam and aroma, Una relaxed a little. "Smells like Provence."
Anna sipped from her own cup. "It's my grandmother's recipe. I programmed it into the replicators. It reminds me of a warm summer's night at home." Once Una's shoulders fell from their ramrod straight posture, Anna handed her a plate containing half a bagel smeared with cream cheese. "Just nibble on it. I hate to eat alone."
"Where's Chris?"
"In Sickbay with the two who were burned in the explosion. He'll stay there …" Anna started.
"until they are stable." Una finished.
"Yes. More tea?"
Una took a tiny bite of the bagel and held out her cup. Anna rambled on about inconsequential things. Una, surprised that she was hungry after all, took another bite. And another and another. "Why ballet? For a workout I mean." Una asked between mouthfuls.
"Oh, I like that it's a slow gentle exercise. But mostly habit I guess," Anna replied as she slipped the untouched half a bagel from her plate onto Una's. Not noticing, Una started on that second half. "My grandmother was a professional ballerina. Renowned in her day. When my parents died and I went to live with her she taught me ballet as a distraction. It helped me find peace then and still does." She smiled, as if at a fond memory. "She would approve of us, the three of us, by the way."
"Uh-huh," Una responded, sounding unsure. Since that night with Anna, she was having second thoughts about the arrangement.
Anna decided to drop the subject when Una's shoulders tensed. She gathered up the now empty plates and cups, removed the tray and found Una's hairbrush and comb. Sitting on her knees by Una on the sofa in order to have enough height, Anna started running the comb through Una's long dark hair. Its ends were snarled with tangles and singed from the heat of the flames.
Reaching into the bag she brought, Anna pulled out a bottle, squirted a large quantity of its contents on her hands and gently ran her fingers through Una's hair distributing the conditioner. "This will help with the tangles," she murmured. Once the hair was again silky smooth, Anna gently toweled off the excess and brushed the tresses one hundred times. Her slow whispered count lulled Una into drowsiness. A muted rose scent filled the air.
Next, Anna twined her fingers through the locks again working her way to the scalp. There, with short strokes and small circles, she massaged Una's scalp, temples, and forehead with her fingertips. Una's mouth parted slightly, and a tiny moan escaped her lips. She leaned her head closer to Anna's ministrations.
"Shall we continue this massage over the rest of you?" Anna whispered in Una's ear.
A shiver ran down Una's spine.
Interpreting silence as permission, Anna picked up her bag and disappeared into the bedroom.
Curious, Una followed a few minutes later.
On the floor, at the foot of the bed, Anna had layered pillows upon pillows, creating a comfortable, inviting nest. The lights were low and soft jazz was playing. Una closed her eyes and swayed slowly to the music, finding its rhythms soothing. "Chris likes this artist, so I played it on a hunch." Anna explained.
Una opened one eye and arched the eyebrow over it. "On the floor?"
"On the floor," Anna said firmly. "Trust me, Chris loves this. And take off your robe, it gets messy," she added as she pulled off her own dress and was now nude except for her panties. "Don't look like a frighted cat. We're not having sex." Anna tilted her head at Una's robe. "Taking off your underwear is optional."
Una hesitated, thinking. What the hell is up with you? A woman you desire is practically naked in your bedroom and you've suddenly embraced modesty? Obediently, she took off the robe. No, you made a vow to yourself, not again, leave them to be with each other, don't be a third wheel. She left on her panties as a reminder of that promise … and as a shield.
During Una's mental conversation, Anna had settled on the pillows with her back against the bed, sitting with her legs spread wide. She opened her arms in an invitation for Una to sit on the pillows between them.
"What the hell kind of massage is this?" Una asked, puzzled.
Anna smiled impishly, "A really good kind so come here. Sit with your back against my chest." When Una joined her as requested, Anna moved her legs closer together until they were touching Una's. "Relax into me," Anna instructed as she wrapped her arms around Una's waist and waited, giving Una time to enjoy the sensation of this cozy hug.
Una relished the feel of Ana's breasts pressed into her back and Anna's head leaning against the back of hers. Savored the warmth of Anna's steady breath on her neck. Forget the massage, just sit with me like this, I feel safe and protected. Usually I'm the guardian. "Thank you," Una whispered, her voice barely audible.
Familiar with Chris' similar reaction to this same cuddle, Anna didn't pull away, offering to Una what Una gave to everyone else, a safe harbor. Una shifted in relaxation and Anna quietly asked, "Ready for the next part?"
When Una nodded almost imperceptibly, Anna handed her a large pillow and guided her friend to bend over it. Coating her hands with a lightly scented massage oil, Anna ran her them across Una's shoulders, down her arms, then back up and across the shoulders again. Inch by inch, stopping frequently to add massage oil, Anna kneaded Una's back with fingertips and the palms of her hands, starting with the shoulders, continuing down to the lower back, and then working up again to the shoulder blades, increasing the pressure with each circuit.
Una sighed with pleasure and shifted her hips so Anna could reach lower. Anna obliged by cupped the cheeks of Una's ass and massaging them. As she worked Una could feel Anna's breasts, now slick with massage oil, rubbing up and down her back.
Anna ran her hands up Una's sides and down over her arms, this time twining her fingers with Una's and running their clasped hands over Una's upper and inner thighs. Una's breath hitched and she protested, a little. "You said this wasn't sex."
"It isn't. Your thighs are so silky and smooth and strong. I want you to feel what I feel."
When Anna released their hands and turned her attention to Una's upper arms and collarbone, Una brushed her hands against Anna's inner thighs, closing her eyes while she relished the feel of her palm and fingers caressing Anna as her knuckles flexed against her own thigh. Una's eyes flew open when Anna began kneading her breasts and thumbing the nipples.
"I'm massaging your breasts, not having sex, so be quiet and be in the moment." Anna instructed.
Una felt a tiny throb in her groin as Anna's own breasts continued to rub against her back and her hands ceased kneading and began playfully fondling Una's breasts.
"OK, maybe a little sex, but I can't help myself. Your breasts are magnificent, and I've always dreamed of having a cleavage like yours. So indulge me." Anna whispered that and other endearments in Una's ear.
Una's sex throbbed more insistently, and she began squirming. "Oh Anna …"
"Shhh. There, there. Time to move on." Anna continued the endearments as her hands massaged Una's abdomen. "I also envy your abs, but I will never be as disciplined at working out as you." Her hands drifted over and across Una's hips. Anna kissed Una's shoulder and said, "At this point I usually take Chris' cock in hand …"
Una plucked at the waistband of her underwear and held it open, inviting Anna to slip her hand inside. So much for the shield.
Taking the hint, Anna rubbed Una's mound through the material while promising, "I'll take you close but not to a climax."
Una whimpered as Anna increased the friction while snaking her other hand inside the underwear and separating Una's folds. There was a rush of moisture as Una's clit and vagina took notice. Una reached down and wrenched the fabric apart providing Anna direct access.
With her hands well oiled, Anna continued massaging Una's groin and vagina, sometimes parting the lips, sometimes over the lips, rubbing harder and harder with increasing speed. She was careful to stroke the clit here and there only lightly. Una thrust into Anna's hand, trying to hump it, and ground her ass into the pillows. Anna decreased the pressure and speed, drawing down Una's stimulation. Yet, Una didn't feel a desire for relief, for a climax, instead wanting the massage to continue and continue and continue as sensation built up in her sex and started rushing to her abdomen and up her spine. She breathed deeply over and over. Reveling in Anna's touch without the expectation of having to give or have an orgasm felt … freeing … and … very intimate.
Anna withdrew her hands and said softly, "Sex is about a lot more than those few intense seconds everyone is aiming for."
Una purred and nestled against Anna's chest. Anna tenderly wrapped her arms around Una's waist, embracing her friend with a light squeeze. "When you are ready, and there is no hurry, we will continue in the shower."
"There's more?"
'There's more." Anna promised.
ooooo
After the shower, Anna spooned Una in bed until Una fell asleep. Awakening alone, Una didn't feel the usual loneliness that sometimes enveloped her when a lover left in the middle of the night. Rather she felt content and cared for.
Anna had stuck to her promise, she and Una never actually engaged in sex this evening, not traditional sex anyway, but as her thoughts drifted to what was most likely happening at this moment in the quarters across from hers, Una felt an intense desire to relive the experience. She slipped off her nightgown and told the computer to cool the room.
Vibrator? No, tonight I only want to feel a human touch. I'm craving simplicity.
Una ran her hands up and down her arms as she thought of Anna coaxing Chris out of his ruined uniform and … and into a robe? Can't see that, probably workout sweats. Maybe pants only. Envisioning Chris bare chested, arm and back muscles flexing as he moved about his quarters flooded Una with warmth.
She caressed her shoulders while thinking of Anna's deliberate rambling diverting Chris' attention, so he ate before having the chance to protest he wasn't hungry.
Una traced her fingers over her cheek and jawbone and across her lips seeing in her mind's eye Anna slowly and deeply kissing Chris as he encircled her waist and lifted her onto his lap.
She ran her fingers through her hair as she imagined Anna's hands running through Chris' thick dark hair that was starting to grey at his temples.
Una licked her finger and traced a line down the middle of her chest, between her breasts and lower still. By now Chris is tucked between Anna's legs. The mere thought of burrowing between those milky thighs made Una wet.
She kneaded her breasts and pinched her nipples as she pictured Anna's hands massaging Chris' chest and tweaking his nipples. I will get massage oil. Just for myself.
Una pinched her nipples hard, rolling them back and forth between her forefinger and thumb, thinking of the endearments Anna was whispering to Chris as she splayed her hands across his taunt abs. As she caressed his powerful legs.
Her hips began to sway thinking about Anna's hands roaming to Chris's groin.
Una moaned as she pictured Chris' cock in Anna's hand, hardening as Anna stroked it. This is unexpected, the idea of Anna and Chris together is all the lube I need tonight.
As Chris' cock became engorged in her mind's eye, Una's fingertips began circling and then roughly rubbing her clit. The circles targeted its shaft. Una stroked and pinched and rubbed harder and harder. She began panting, felt herself cum and climaxed with a shout. Smiling Una imagined Anna tamping Chris' need down, not yet giving him release so when he did climax it would be longer and more intense.
That was good, but not enough. By now they have moved to the shower.
As Anna joined Una in the shower she had asked, "Why have you been avoiding me these past two weeks since we were together? I miss my friend." Una remembered how the sponge felt like a caress as Anna wiped away the massage oil from Una's body. How Anna looked sad when she asked the question. Her answer was, "You are important to Chris and I don't want to come between you. That's sounds wrong. I appreciated what you gave to me and what Chris offered. But … but …" Anna had smiled, "I've never seen a hesitant Number One. And yes, you should, ask for one of us when you … you desire it. But enough of that for now."
After Anna wiped off the massage oil, she had washed Una's hair. Washed Una's body in a way that felt like a private dance. Sucked her breasts. Are you teasing Chris' erect nipples with your tongue right now, Una asked as one hand lazily stroked her inner thigh and the other fondled within the lips of her vagina.
Anna had clasped her ass and rubbed her pelvis against and up and down Una's groin, grinding hard and close. Are you cupping and fondling Chris' balls right now? Rolling them through your fingers? He craves that. Una curled into a sitting position and inserted a finger into her vagina, crooking it dead center against that sensitive spongy area.
Adding a second finger and thrusting them both in and out repeatedly, Una pictured Chris' rock-hard cock upright between his and Anna's abdomens, straining and pulsing, leaking pre-cum. Una shoved a third finger into her opening as she imagined Anna smearing that pre-cum over the tip of his penis.
Rapidly thrusting her fingers in and out of her vagina, crooking and scissoring between thrusts, Una panted and then held her breath as she came with a bang. Moisture flooded her hand. She pictured Chris doing the same, cum cascading between Chris and Anna, swirling with the water from the shower.
Una laid back on the pillow and let the cool air soothe away the rest of the day's stress. Her nipples were erect again from the colder than usual temperature, and she gingerly ran her palm over them, exhaling slowly from pleasure and with contentment.
And the very, very bad, awful, no good day faded away as Una and Chris slept peacefully.