3.
Scotty stood at parade rest in front of the Chief Engineer's desk, and directed his gaze at the cricket poster behind the man's head; "Australia - Winners 2236 Ashes series!" it proclaimed. Scotty was well aware that the banner was two series out of date, since England had won decisively in both 2240 and 2244, but decided this would not be a good time to mention it, since it was apparent that the Chief was already quite miffed enough.
"Mr. Scott, every time I send you to carry out a simple repair," Marsh was saying, "You turn it into a mission to reconfigure every connection within reach." He tapped the padd in front of him and Scott glanced down, seeing a list and some numbers on the screen, though he couldn't read them upside-down. "This is a list of the unauthorized changes you've made in the past month." He threw the padd across the desk, giving it a little twist so that it landed facing Scotty, and went on, "I want you to go back over every single one of those repairs, and return the connections to specification."
"But..." Scotty gaped at the list. "That will take days, sir. And..."
"When you've done that," Marsh went on, as though Scotty hadn't spoken, "You'll report back to me, and I will carry out a random inspection of your work to make sure you've done as you're told."
"But..."
"And when I'm happy that you've learned to carry out a simple order," said Marsh, getting to his feet and tugging at the bottom of his uniform jersey, "You can draw up a list of recommendations for increasing the ship's engineering efficiency, and improving systems connectivity."
"But..."
"There are no buts about it, Ensign. When you've done that, and I have checked them, you will carry out any changes, and only those changes, that I approve and authorize. Is that clear?"
Scotty sighed. "Aye, sir. It is."
As he picked up the padd, Marsh walked around the desk to stand next to him, and when he spoke again the Commander's voice was a little less harsh. "I've seen your record. I've seen your work. I know that you know what you're doing." He jerked a thumb at his chest. "But right now, I'm the Chief Engineer, and I need to know what you're doing, because if anything should go wrong with those re-wires, I'm the one whose head will be on the block. And if the axe man cometh for me, it'll be the end of your career too, Mister. Is that clear?"
"Aye, sir, crystal. I am sorry, sir."
Marsh acknowledged the apology with a small nod, and dismissed Scotty with: "You've got two weeks to get it squared away."
Standing in the corridor outside the office, Scotty scrolled through the list on the padd and comforted himself with the one consoling thought that came to mind: some of those access ways were very secluded.
He decided he'd better take the padd to his quarters before he went in search of Heather. His grumbling stomach hoped she'd be in the mess hall. Other parts of his anatomy hoped she might have found a quiet spot on the Observation Deck, or maybe...
The door to his quarters slid open and he stopped with surprise when he saw Stevens rushing about the place like a dervish, tugging his uniform straight and finger-combing his curly fair hair.
"Hot date?" guessed Scotty, as the other man gave his boots a quick spit-polish.
"No - duty calls," said Stevens, "I swapped with Svenson - he's got a hot date." He winked. "With the Andorian. And you know what they say about them."
Scotty didn't just know what they said, he could actually vouch for it, but he wasn't one to kiss and tell, so he just grinned and nodded, moving across the room to toss the padd onto the desk by his bunk. "What'd he promise ye in return? Bearing in mind that I'm still waiting for that case of single malt he promised me last time he swapped?"
Stevens waved a hand dismissively. "Made sure I got payment in advance. Special Swedish vids." His eyebrows hopped up and down suggestively, in obvious anticipation. "And you know what they say about them too!" He glanced in the mirror, gave the hem of his jersey a final tug, and headed for the door. "Don't bother looking for 'em, they're in my locker. See you tomorrow."
"Aye."
And as the door hissed closed behind Stevens' hurried exit, Scotty realized he had the room to himself. For eight whole hours. All he had to do now was find Heather, and ask her if she'd like to eat in.
No sooner than the door closed, it chimed. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph! What now?" Scotty grumbled, opening the door to a startled Heather Weiss.
"Have I interrupted something?" She asked cautiously. She stood before him with a covered plate on a tray.
"No, sorry bout that," he answered a little sheepishly. "As a matter of fact I was just coming to find ye." Scotty swept one arm back in a gesture for her to enter. "Welcome to Casa De Scott."
Heather smiled, breezed past him and set the tray on a table. He caught a whiff of something wonderful and tried to figure out if it came from the tray or from Heather. His stomach decided it was the tray. His groin decided it was Heather.
"Figured you still haven't eaten yet so I brought you some grub." She pulled the cover off the tray and sat down in the opposite chair. "Nothing special I'm afraid. Just tomato soup, a couple grilled cheese sandwiches and tea- two sugars. I hope you still take it that way."
Scotty beamed at her as he took his seat. "Ye're an angel."
Heather shrugged. "I know, I know, What can I say? I'm a real swell gal. So what'd you get called on the carpet for this time?"
Scotty had already ravenously shoved half of one sandwich into his mouth, barely tasting the food before chewing and swallowing. "Oh, he wasn't too happy about some changes I made and wants me to put them back to spec."
"You know," she said resting her elbows on the table, "if you'd just play along for a few years and make rank as fast as they'll allow, you could be Chief someday and then you could make all the changes you want and no one would say boo about it."
"Ye're right. But every time I see something that I can make run more efficiently or faster, I just can't help myself."
"Ahhh, temptations. I understand - I really do. But if you would bother to get approval first, you'd save yourself an ass chewing."
They both remained quiet for a moment while Scotty finished the remainder of his dinner. He pushed the tray away, leaned back in his chair and patted his belly. "Thanks Heather," he said.
"You're welcome," she returned.
He continued, "For the dinner, the advice and the foot rub."
Heather blushed. "You're never going to let me live that down are you?"
"Not a chance, lass. Do ye have any idea what kind of impure thoughts I've had since that day?" He leaned closer across the table and took her hands, turning them in his, studying them. He pulled her until she got up from her chair and moved to sit in his lap, eager to pick up where they left off in the botany lab. Her body was light and compact and Scotty thought if she wasn't so busty, she might have been an excellent gymnast. That idea alone started a whole new flood of impure thoughts.
"Tell me about these thoughts-I'll be your priest," Heather said with the same sultriness she had used before. She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. Scotty put her hand to his lips and kissed the tops of her fingers. If she was going to be his priest, he thought, he was going to confession every damn day.
"Forgive me Heather for I have sinned," he began earnestly and then smiled when she giggled. "I imagined what it would be like to have this lovely hand gliding gently over my chest."
Heather pulled her hand away placing it over his sternum and slowly stroked it across his pecs and back again. "Like this?" she whispered.
"Oh, aye, exactly like that." He sucked a deep breath in and released it slowly, letting his body relax under her touch.
Scotty glanced down at her, watching her face. Her blonde brows furrowed in concentration, her long lashes hooded her eyes. Her upper lip was almost as full as the lower one with delicate curves that reminded him of a baby doll. He wanted to tell her how pretty she was, woo her with sweet compliments. But before he could think of what to say, he felt her hand slide down lower to his abs sending chills over his body. He had an overwhelming urge to kiss her. He nudged her face up and settled his mouth possessively over hers. She was so soft and warm in his arms, he needed more. He teased her mouth open, letting his tongue sweep inside to mate with hers.
Heather's hand traveled down to Scotty's thigh and he growled low in his throat. So far, her touch felt exactly as he imagined and he could only hope the rest of her would too. His mouth slanted over hers again and again until he felt he could no longer breathe. Breaking the kiss, Scotty was stunned. They stared at each other both panting for air. She had such a lustful expression and her lips were swollen from his kisses. Scotty wanted to kiss her again and he knew that he would not be content until she was stripped naked lying beneath him in his bed.
Scotty shoved an arm under her legs, another around her shoulder, hoisted her up in his arms and stood up from his chair. He carried her over to his bunk but before he put her down he asked, "Ye okay with this?"
Biting her bottom lip, Heather nodded, "Uh huh."
Scotty laid Heather down and began undressing her. He pulled off boots, nylons and science blue. Soon she was wearing nothing but a blush on her pale skin and it made him smile. He began to undress himself and Heather rose up on her knees to help him. He kicked off his boots and toed off his socks. She pulled his uniform jersey over his head and unfastened his trousers. Then, just as he had imagined, she jerked his black regulation undershirt out of his waistband and slid those soft, cool hands underneath the fabric. As her hands moved up his chest he began to tingle everywhere. He felt so damn good when she touched him he thought he would go mad. He let out a groan mingled with laughter. How she'd managed to remove his undershirt, trousers and skivvies without him realizing it was beyond him.
Heather moved over to give Scotty room and he settled beside her. He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her hungrily and deeply, shivering from the touch of her soft breasts against his chest. He felt her heart pounding and sighed from the heat of her body against his. She reached down to stroke the place where he ached for her the most, flinching at her touch. Heather giggled and continued to stroke him. Scotty placed his hand over hers guiding her in the ways he wanted to be touched. He tried to control the pace but it was so difficult. His heart pounded furiously. He was hard and hot and throbbing with the need to be inside her.
Scotty removed his hand from hers and cupped a breast high and hard. Tearing his mouth from her lips he closed it over a nipple, sending a sweet pain through her as she cried out with a voice that begged him to take her. Heather's response fueled his own desire and although he knew he was probably moving too fast, he could wait no longer. He rolled her to her back and stretched her body out beneath him. The sudden power he had over her caused his hands to shake, and he wasn't gentle at all when he pushed her legs apart, settling himself between her thighs. Covering her mouth with his, he lifted her hips with an arm and pushed into her. Thrusting deep, he penetrated her completely and captured her soft moan with another hungry kiss.
Scotty went still for a moment and took deep, ragged breaths to try and make himself slow down. She was so hot and wet and tight and perfect he was afraid to move. He nuzzled along her hair line, kissing her temple.
"Scotty?" She whispered his name, letting him hear a twinge of concern in her voice.
"It's alright, darlin'. Just let me…. ah, hell, you moved…"
She had shifted slightly, and he gasped at the sensation she caused. Heather giggled and moved again. Scotty groaned in reaction. He was planted solidly inside her, yet he battled the demands of his body. When she moved a third time the battle was over and lost. He slowly withdrew and sank deep inside her again.
She became instinctively wild, bucking against him and drawing her legs up to take him deeper. The more aggressive he became the more she responded. Sobbing his name and cursing over and over, she clung to him when the first fires of her climax ignited. She squeezed him tightly inside her, stoking his passion with each thrust. He raised himself over her and hung his head down to watch their bodies join. She lifted her head slightly and her eyes followed his. When his rhythm accelerated, Heather closed her eyes and her head dropped back against the pillow, lolling to one side. Scotty nipped at her exposed neck with his lips and teeth and felt her nails dig into his back. His body beckoned her to ride the swells of her climax with him, forcing a throaty cry from her lips. He grunted softly as his own climax neared, coming against her so hard he shoved her higher on the bed. With a violent shudder, he thrust deep one last time and collapsed over her breasts.
Their bodies slick with sweat, they lay there panting until he felt silent laughter lifting her chest.
He raised a weary head to meet her eyes.
"Look what we did to your bed." She rolled her head to peer past his shoulder and he craned his around to follow.
The coverlet and top sheet were completely gone. To where, Scotty did not know or care. The fitted sheet and mattress pad were both hanging over opposite sides of the mattress which was slightly askew on the box springs. It was a stark contrast to the condition of Stevens' bunk which sat, still neatly made in the other corner of their room. Stevens could keep his damn Swedish vids. Scotty knew he had the better deal.
He laughed and gathered her in his arms, rolling them to their side. One hand brushed her damp hair away from her face. "Was I too rough with ye?"
"Hell, no," she said flashing a brilliant smile. "That was exactly what I needed."
"Good," he said with a yawn.
"You realize this will change everything."
"It doesn't have to, lass. We can still be friends."
"Friends with benefits?" She asked.
"Aye, why not?"
Heather leaned up on an elbow so she could see him better. "But what if everyone finds out?"
Scotty knew then she was testing his loyalty and he understood. She was afraid he would brag and that could seriously damage a woman's reputation in Starfleet. He pulled her back down and tucked her neatly against his chest. "We'll be discrete but I don't care if the whole damn ship knows. And if anyone wants an explanation, I'll give em' one. In very graphic detail, using every dirty word I can think of."
"You would," she said. He felt the shape of her smile form against his skin and knew that before the night was over, he would have her again.