I rushed into the main room, dropped my luggage on the floor with a thud and twirled around, taking in the 360-degree windowed views of Colorado's snowy mountains. "Oh Una, this is perfect! How did you find it?"

Una leaned against the wall appreciating the interior sights, in this case the 360-degree view of her lover. "Ah. Yes. The view from this angle is beautiful," she replied with a smile. "It belongs to a friend."

"From your ship?"

"Yes."

"So this friend is not on leave?" I questioned in an amazed tone.

Una closed one eye and tilted her head, "No. I mean yes. I hate double negatives. She is on leave as well. Why do you ask?"

I turned to face Una and responded as if the answer were obvious, "If I owned a house like this nestled in the Rocky Mountains, I would never leave it. Will she be joining us?"

"Unlikely," Una said with a chuckle. "Her partner is not a fan of cold and snow."

The décor was a minimalist palette of creams, off-whites, and white with blonde and tawny natural wood. Sweaters and blankets were stashed throughout the rooms encouraging guests to find a cozy nook and snuggle up. In the middle of the great room was a large grey slate fireplace fronted with a plush silk carpet and large pillows. A perfect spot to slowly undress her while sipping an outrageously expensive bottle of wine, Una thought. Which was thoughtfully available in her friend's well-stocked cellar.

I reached over to Una and tugged her hand. "Let's hit the slopes before its too dark. I saw an assortment of skis, poles, and snowboards on the first floor.

"Tomorrow I've arranged for a low-orbit shuttle drop onto the black diamond runs," Una said as they sorted through the equipment and clothing provided.

As was typical in Colorado the powder was fine and dry, and the sun brightly reflected off the slopes slickening the paths; the conditions were ideal for fast runs on the pipes and downhill trails. We competed with one another until the fading light forced us to stop.

Una had taught an advanced tactics seminar at the Academy. I attended as a favor to a friend. A week later after the grades were posted and all possibility of a conflict of interest between instructor and student was gone, Una asked me out. That was three months ago. We've spent every night of that time together. It turns out date number two is the magic number for one born and raised in the Illyrian colonies. It was a night I won't soon forget and topped only by each night since.

I am a xenogeologist by training and have spent much of the afternoon pointing out interesting rock formations and strata. Una with her insatiable curiosity has soaked up each lesson and asked insightful questions which led to several spirited discussions. I have never before had a girlfriend who not only more than barely tolerated my ramblings but spent part of her leave auditing a class in the subject. Three more months and Una ships out again with Enterprise. No, I will think about that later.

We shared the large multi-jet shower, lingering as we stroked each other's bodies; eliciting hitched breaths and arched backs teasing and kissing sensitive but not too intimate spots. It was a promise for the evening and night to come.

Wrapped in the fluffy robes provided we raided the kitchen which had been well-stocked by the housekeeper and enjoyed a picnic in front of a blazing fire in the great room. At this point we are well into our second bottle of a Russian River Pinot Noir.

"Enterprise's chef is spending the weekend. He's promised a feast worthy of the setting." Una then warned with an impish grin, "He's a bit temperamental so don't salt anything."

I laugh as I reach for Una's portion of truffled scrambled eggs, "The way you describe Enterprise's crew they sound like a family with all the typical quirky aunts, uncles, and cousins."

She playfully bats my hand away and then offers me a bite from her own fork. "Hmmm. We are in a way. For months or years at a time out there in the dark each other is all we have. Our crewmates fill many roles, colleague, friend, comforter, healer, teacher, parent, sibling, the list is long.

"What about relationships?" I ask.

"You're a Starfleet officer. You know intimate relationships are not forbidden among any ranks."

"Yes." I hesitate. "But juggling a romance with a fellow officer on a base is a lot different from doing the same on a deep space vessel. It's not like you can immediately transfer to a new post if the relationship goes south and ends badly."

"True." Una said between mouthfuls. "And privacy is almost non-existent on a Constitution class cruiser. The on board space is a precious and limited commodity. Sometimes it feels as if we are packed in like proverbial sardines. Still those types of problems are rare and never happen more than once. Our Captain is tolerant but there are some lines you shouldn't cross with him, and the crew is well aware of those. And the grapevine makes sure new folks quickly learn the informal dos and don'ts."

I raise an eyebrow thinking, I doubt those types of problems make it past your firm hand. Oh, I coo as Una unties the belt of my robe and slips her hand inside, her fingers caressing my breast, her thumb fondling the most delicate area, speaking of firm hands…

"You like that?" She whispers in my ear.

I nod and climb onto her lap, straddling her thighs. Both of her hands are now stroking my breasts. My fingers twine through her long dark hair. Starting at the hairline, I trail a line of chaste kisses down her temple and across her jaw. I caress the back of her neck and shoulder brushing my thumb across that sensitive spot where they meet. She places her hands on my hips and pulls me closer.

My fingertip lightly traces the outline of her lower lip as I kiss her. I've learned this formidable tower of strength adores soft, sweet kisses. "Let me in sweetheart," I urge quietly.

Her lips part with a sigh and I run the tip of my tongue around them, moistening them. Her mouth widens a little more and I slip my tongue inside sweeping the roof and sides. Luring her tongue into my mouth, I gently suck its tip. Her grasp on my hips tightens and she leans in which is a silent request for more.

Over the next hours, on that soft rug in front of the fire propped on the pillows, we explore every inch of each other's bodies, slowly coaxing exquisite pleasure. As dawn breaks, we collapse sated and happy into each other's arms.