Buffy took a shaky sigh, her heart jumping in her chest and placed a hand on the door. It slid open silently and she stepped onto the bridge.
T'pol looked up automatically as the door opened, "Captain!" she said urgently.
He turned in his command chair and couldn't believe his eyes, "Buffy?" he whispered but it was loud in the sudden silence.
Tears of joy streaming down her face, she nodded. "Honey, I'm home!"
Jon unfolded himself carefully from his chair and turned fully around, then dashed over to her. She met him and jumped into his arms, wrapping herself around him and meeting his mouth in a kiss that defied description. She pulled back to breath and gently placed her hand against his handsome face.
"Jon, I love you."
His eyes widened, "What?!" His heart was suddenly pounding and his eyes held wild hope.
She slid down until she was on her own shaky feet, "I love you Captain Jonathon Archer. You've become my heartbeat." She took one of his hands and placed it on her own thundering heart, her face wet with tears.
Jon placed his trembling hands to cup her beautiful face, "Buffy Summers, you are the air that I breathe. I love you heart and soul."
"Then kiss me." She whispered and he obliged. They slowly became aware of the sound of clapping and they pulled apart. Buffy met Hoshi and they grabbed each other in a fierce hug, then Travis wrapped his arms around them, then Malcolm and finally Trip. There was tears and muffled laughter as the women complained about being squished. Buffy looked up and touched Trip's face gently and he nodded. She kissed Malcolm and Travis and finally everyone let go.
"It's so good to see you guys." Buffy said, wiping her eyes.
She looked at T'pol, "I missed you T'pol."
And the other woman nodded, "And I you Buffy."
Jon watched with tears swimming in his own eyes. She had become irreplaceable to him and his crew. She turned to him as everyone went back to their stations and said, "So, can you take a few hours off? I hear your boss is a slave driver."
"I'll take the bridge Captain." T'pol said and he met her eyes gratefully, "Thanks T'pol." He led Buffy out in the hallway and she waved to everyone as the doors closed.
Hoshi sniffed and wiped her eyes. T'pol looked on in askance, "Is this not a happy occasion Ensign Sato?"
Hoshi nodded, "I'm crying because I'm happy." She fished out a kleenex and wiped her eyes.
The men grinned when T'pol said, "That is most illogical."
"It's a girl thing T'pol." Trip drawled and Hoshi shot him a mock glare then stuck out her tongue.
Jon pulled Buffy into his quarters, then pushed her up against the wall for a searing kiss, but they were distracted as Porthos barked and danced around their legs for attention. Jon reluctantly pulled back and they laughed at the dog, Buffy kneeling down to make a fuss over Porthos. She then fed him some food and he crunched on it happily.
They went into the sleeping area where she stood and looked at the man she loved. Slowly took off her blouse, then her bra, letting them drop to the floor. All clear thought was gone as Jon looked at Buffy's body. She pulled off her jeans and then her underwear and stood naked in front of him. He was afraid it was a dream and she would disappear.
She moved forward and caressed his face, "You are so way over dressed." She teased lightly and he groaned, turning his face to press a kiss in her palm.
"I love you." He whispered and quickly unzipped his uniform, letting it fall to his feet. The t-shirt and underwear came off and they embraced, their bodies warm against each other, kisses exchanged with passion.
They stayed that way for a moment, reveling in the knowledge that they were together again and it wasn't a dream. She looked up at him, "Make love to me please."
His amber eyes darkened in just the way that she knew that they would and he swung her up into his arms and carried her to their bed. Laying her down he smiled, "I wish I had candles and music for you." He whispered and she smiled, "Not important. All that I need is you."
He lay down beside her and her hands immediately started roaming his body, the lean muscular shape that was uniquely him. Her hands wrapped around his erection and he moaned, his eyes closed, his head back. She slid her hands up and down gently and he arched helplessly, become harder at her caresses. She let go to lean up and kiss him and he rolled her beneath him. She laughed breathlessly as he pressed kisses on her face, "I love you, I love you, I love you." He murmured, his hand stroking down her body as she moaned. He felt between her legs to find she was more than ready for him, leaning into his touch, moving restlessly, her eyes closed and her face flushed with passion.
"Look at me Buffy." He demanded as he positioned himself over her. Her passion hazed eyes opened to look into his, "I want to see your eyes as I move into you." He said huskily and as he slowly thrust into her she arched, her eyes never leaving his as he filled her completely. He clasped her hand, their fingers entwined as they moved together, he would pull out almost completely and leave her trembling then thrust forward and she would meet him. Their lips met in another kiss and she tightened as he sped up, their bodies fighting for the same thing. He gasped and she closed her eyes and cried out, she could feel him pump himself into her, the feeling prolonging her climax.
Boneless with remembered pleasure, Buffy enjoyed his comforting weight on top of her. She ran her fingers through his hair and smiled, "I'm home!" She could feel him chuckle, his face buried in her hair. His head slowly came up, and he rested on his elbows so that he wouldn't crush her.
His eyes were amber again and shone with all his emotions, "Last night I didn't know if I would ever see you again." His voice broke and he rested his face in her hair and let a few bitter tears fall.
She held him; "I would look at the stars every day and pray that you were ok." She whispered and sighed as she felt the emotions storm through him, his loss, the stress and loneliness. "Oh Jon, I wanted to be nowhere else but here." She gently kissed him and he deepened it, making them both moan. Letting it slide over into passion, they made love again, falling to sleep in each other's arms.
The next morning Jon's internal alarm woke him and he felt warm skin against his body. Buffy. His eyes opened and went to the sleeping woman curled up beside him, one slim leg thrown over him possessively. "I love you Buffy." He said softly, playing with some of her hair. She snuggled and smile without opening her eyes, "I love you more."
"Hey." He said in surprise and she opened her eyes, "Good morning my Captain." She touched his face, rubbing his whiskers and smiled.
