Making Memories

Posted on 04 Dec 2016 @ 7:02am by Commander Terry Walsh & Lieutenant JG Daniella Blake

3,089 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Click Three Times
Location: Dani's Quarters
Timeline: MD 11 || 0030 hours

Terry couldn't sleep. He'd tossed and turned for the last three hours or so. He couldn't get the whole pirate thing out of his mind. Granted, they had won and not lost anyone during the battle. But they were in another universe and it was all hard to digest. He rolled over one last time and stared at the ceiling. The brawny pilot took a deep breath and wondered. But it was too late, there was no way she'd still be up. And he didn't want to wake her. A few minutes later, he threw the covers back and grabbed his flannel pajama pants, pulling them on. He then grabbed a white, v-neck tee shirt from the drawer and pulled it over his head. He left his room and headed for Dani's.

---

Settled on the couch in the t-shirt Terry had given her, Dani stared at the ceiling. She just couldn't bring herself to crawl into her bed. It was too big with just her, so opting for the discomfort her couch provided was the way too go. Not only that, her mind replayed the days events. The computer was offline for quite a while, which meant critical systems were gone, too. A few of their more critical patients required manual care, but thankfully, no one had been lost... no one would be lost. There were too many people determined that they all make it.

She sighed and rolled onto her side, tucking an arm under her head once she was as comfortable as she was going to get. There was something else that plagued her mind. Terry Walsh. She knew he and the other pilots went up against pirates, but that was it. She had no idea they chose to retreat, or if he was truly okay. His name never popped up on the main display screen, but that didn't mean much to her. The young woman needed to know he was all right.

With a frustrated noise, she shoved the floral blanket off of herself and rose to her feet. If she had any chance of sleeping that night, she'd have to see he was okay with her own eyes. The need was so great, she wasn't even going to bother with getting dressed. Nevermind the fact they agreed they'd see each other once all of this was over. Dani just couldn't wait. With a look of determination, she stepped forward to activate the sensors of the door and stepped forward when it opened.

Terry was walking up to her door to push the chime when they suddenly parted. The next thing he felt was the bump of his Spider Monkey. "You know, the last time you torpedoed me, we were in the water. I never thought it would happen outside of the pool." He looked down at his special blonde and grinned.

Dani stumbled back a couple feet when she walked into him, but stopped herself by grabbing onto the door frame. She looked up after hearing the words that left the very mouth of the man she was on her way to see. With a happy sound, the petite woman leaped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck as happy tears welled in her eyes. "You're okay!" she said, unable to keep the happiness and relief from her tone. "I was on my way to see you just to make sure."

When she leapt up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, he smiled. He placed his arms around her and held her up. Terry then walked into her quarters enough to let the doors close behind him. "Yeah, I'm okay," he said. "I didn't expect you to be awake at this time. But I'm glad you are." He could hear how relieved she was and rubbed her back with one of his hands as he continued holding her up. He had no intentions of putting her down until she was good and ready. "Thanks, hon," he said, "for being concerned enough to come find me right away."

"I would have come a lot sooner, but I've only been off duty for half an hour. I'm so glad you're okay!" Dani said, hugging him tight. The day had taken its tole on her, and exhaustion was clearly etched on her features. "I couldn't wait even though we said we would."

"I know. I figured you'd be really busy with everything that has been going on. It's okay, Dani." He then moved over to the couch and paused. "You look a little tired. And if you've been sleeping on the couch, I'm not too surprised. What's the matter with your bed? It'd be a whole lot more comfortable than the couch." He was still holding her up and looked into her eyes.

"The bed isn't as comfortable because I was in it alone," she answered softly as a slight blush crept up her cheeks. "The couch is a bit uncomfortable, but it's smaller and not nearly as lonely."

He watched as the slight blush colored her cheeks and stood out against her bright blonde hair. He smiled down at her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "That may be the case, Spider Monkey, but you'd sleep better in the bed. Can't have the best nurse on the whole ship running around tired because she sleeps on a couch." He walked over to the couch and sat down, holding her in his lap. Terry grabbed the floral blanket and wrapped it around her back and shoulders. "My shirt looks good on ya. Glad you kept it."

"It happens to be my favorite shirt now," she said with a smile just before snuggling against him. It was easy to relax around him, and that was because of how comfortable she was with him. "As for being tired, I know I wouldn't be the only one walking around like a zombie. This is all part of the job when you're is Starfleet. Long hours... sleepless nights...it's nice when you have someone to keep you company during those times."

He started rubbing her back as she snuggled against him and talked. "I know, it's all part of the job, it's all part of Starfleet. It's what we signed up for. But you're right, it's nice to have someone keep you company." He sighed a bit and continued rubbing her back. "So now that you know that I'm okay, there's no reason for you to toss and turn on this couch." He hugged her gently as she lay against him.

"It's always better when you're there," she said, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

"Thanks," he said. "And you too, believe me. I couldn't sleep at all thinking about those pirates. Being out there, the near misses, and then the bearing the burden of the rest of the squadron... I've had to write several letters already due to the Hadyn Nebula mess. I didn't want to write any more. And I don't have to. We all survived. But, the idea of being in another universe with no backup and going up against a bunch of pirates...it messes with you. And that's why you found me right outside your door. I knew I could talk to you and I knew that you'd listen."

"I'll listen to anything you need to talk about. I can't even begin to imagine what any of that must have been like for you," she said softly. "Everyone made it back safely?"

"Yeah, we did, Dani. Everyone made it back. There were some bumps and bruises I'm sure. It comes with the territory," said Terry. "Usually I can handle it. But this time, we faced so many unknowns...being in this universe. Unknown enemy ship configuration, to a point. Unknown weapons capabilities. I could go on, but I don't want to bore you with it. It's just...it's been a long time since I've felt that much like a rookie pilot. It shook me up, hon."

Dani slipped a hand around the back of his neck and began to run her fingertips over his skin in an effort to relax him. "It's all over now," she said softly. "They retreated, and hopefully we won't have to worry about them again for the rest of the time we're in this universe. I'm so sorry it affected you that way, though. I can't even begin to imagine what going through something like that would be like."

She raised her head so she could look at him and offered him a smile. "You're an amazing man, Terry, and you're a great pilot. This crew is lucky they've got you and the other Black Knights to help keep them safe. I'm even luckier because I get to be with you."

Terry rolled his head as he felt Dani's fingers on the back of his neck. Then a shiver went down his shoulders. "Yeah, they're gone, and I don't want to see them again either." He relaxed even more as he looked down at her smile. "Thanks. We do our job, that's all. Every one of those pilots is good at what they do." He paused a moment before continuing. "You're really sweet, Dani. I'm a lucky one, too. Just to have you around." He rolled his head again. "That feels terrific, Spider Monkey."

Dani smiled. She would never get tired of him calling her that. "Now that you're here... why don't we go lay down? I think we can both use some rest. I can continue your massage, too."

"Ohh, I think I'd like that," Terry said. "laying down and you continuing the massage." He looked at her and smiled. "Hold on." He then stood, Dani in his arms. The blanket fell to the floor and he carried her into her bedroom.

Once they were in the bedroom, the petite blonde leaned forward and kissed him. "You're going to have to take your shirt off and stretch out so I can help you relax. You'll be asleep in no time if I have anything to say about it."

Terry grinned and set Dani down. The he removed his shirt, tossing it on the floor beside the bed and closed the gap between them. "Sounds like a plan." He pulled her in for a hug and then kissed the top of her head. Terry went over and laid down on the bed on his stomach. He turned his head to the side and said, "Alright, let's see what ya got."

Dani admired his muscled back for a few moments before she climbed onto the bed and settled down next to him. "You certainly are an impressive sight," she said with a smile, moving her fingers over his back. Thanks to her nursing background, she knew exactly what muscle groups she needed to go for to help him relax.

Terry chuckled. "Thanks. I appreciate...ohhhh...those fingers." He took a few deep breaths as she continued moving her fingers along his back. "If that's just the beginning, I can't wait for the rest of it. Do you want my arms and hands by my sides or what?"

"Put them wherever they're most comfortable for you," she replied, placing her hands at the small of his back before running them upward toward his neck. "We'll have you ready to go to sleep in no time." She leaned down to press a kiss to the back of his neck while her hands continued to worm their magic.

"I'll just leave them at my sides, then. And I like the sound of that, sleep." He quieted himself and then felt her kiss the back of his neck. A smile crept across face. She was wonderful. Too wonderful at times, it seemed. Then she continued with the massage. It was relaxing indeed. "Dani, you really know what you're doing. That feels so good."

"It comes with the territory of being a nurse. I know where tension likes to hide," she said, applying as much pressure as her little body wohld allow.

"Then I'm glad I have a nurse that I can come to." Terry groaned as he felt the tension release from his back. "Ahhh, what other massage tricks do you have up your sleeve, Dani?

Dani blushed at the question, silently thanking her lucky stars he couldn't see it. "I don't know if I really have any tricks exactly. I'm still pretty new to that."

"New? To giving massages?" he asked. "You could've fooled me." He shifted a bit as he wiggled, feeling more of the tension flow away as he relaxed. "Magic hands, that's what you have, Spider Monkey, magic hands."

"Massage... I thought you were talking about..." she said, her voice trailing off. Dani's cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson as she faceplanted into one of the two pillows on the bed. If there was a hole she could have crawled into, it definitely would have been the option to go with.

Terry listened to her voice trail off and then she suddenly stopped massaging. He felt the bed bounce a bit as she landed near him. He moved so that he was laying on his side, resting his head on his hand with his elbow on the bed. "Hey you," he said, rubbing her back with his other hand. "Roll over here." A kind, gentle smile spread across his face.

She rolled toward him, but kept the pillow against her face. That was one hell of a mistake she'd made. Terry was such an amazing guy, though, it was unlikely he'd make a big deal out of it. "I'm embarrassed," she mumbled.

"Don't be, Dani." He chuckled a little at the pillow still over her face. "You know, I bet I could make you to throw that pillow either across the bedroom or at me?" He didn't give her a chance to respond and quickly reached over, tickling her ribs and stomach. "You never told me if you were ticklish. Time to find out."

Dani squealed as the pillow was launched across the room thanks to her thrashing. She was highly ticklish, and therefore, started laughing uncontrollably. She wasn't going down without a fight, though. Her smaller hands found his ribs and began to wiggle in an effort to tickle him.

Terry started laughing and said, "Well what do you know? You're the most ticklish woman I've ever met!" She had a really cute laugh and he was enjoying it. Then he felt her little fingers wiggle their way onto his ribs. Terry tried as hard as he could to hold back, but it was no use. He started laughing. Loudly. He fought to keep tickling her and defend himself, but it was hard to do. Swatting her hands away with one of his didn't work either. She wasn't called Spider Monkey for nothing. Really, though, he could have easily taken her, but he was having fun.

Somehow Dani maneuvered herself so she was on top of him, fighting to get his ribs between bouts of laughter. She knew he could take control of the situation easily enough, but he was clearly having as much fun as she was, and that's all that mattered. With a giggle, she brought a single hand to one of his armpits. With her size, he little blonde needed to find a way to get the upper hand in all of this.

Dani caught Terry off guard when she managed to get on top of him. But he was laughing so hard that it didn't seem to matter. This was fun. And it had been a very long time since he'd had any fun. It was when she moved her hand up to his armpits that he started laughing uncontrollably. Without much choice left at this point, Terry pulled his arm down and clasped her hand between his side and arm. In that moment, Terry calmed a bit and grinned. He then put his other hand on her waist, winking at his Spider Monkey, and rolled her off of him. He then moved so that he was on her, pinning her hands to the bed. "Gotcha. Now what are ya gonna do?"

Dani's chest heaves from all the laughing she'd just done, and there was still a smile on her lips. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had fun like this. It'd been a long time, and now she found herself wondering why. Since her hands were pinned and he was above her, there was no hope of the tickling continuing... but she wasn't thinking about that any longer. "I can think of a few things."

Terry smiled and moved his hands to the bed, just beside hers. He then leaned down next to her ear and whispered, "Why don't you just whisper a few of them and we'll see what we can do about it."

"They say... actions speak louder than words... so why don't I just show you?" Dani askrd with a grin before she lifted her head from the bed and leaned in to kiss him.

Terry returned her kiss and then rolled over to her side, propping himself up on an elbow. "That is what they say alright. So... show me." He smiled affectionately at her, remembering what she said earlier about still being new to a lot of things. He was just going to let her set the pace for what the two of them had going.

"I'm sure if you thought about it, you'd know," she said with a shy smile.

He looked at her, the smile still on his face. "I know," he said in a low voice. Terry placed his hand on her hand and 'walked' it with his two of his fingers up from her wrist to her shoulder. He let it rest there for a moment before he brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. She made him feel...different.

Dani shivered. He made her feel different, too, and in nothing but a good way. The more time she spent with the pilot, the more she liked him, and when they weren't together, she found herself thinking about him when she wasn't running around in sickbay dealing with patients. "What do you say we lower the lights and make some memories?" she asked softly.

"Computer, reduce lighting by seventy percent," said Terry. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I say yes." He gently pressed a kiss to her neck, just below her ear.

 

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