Adam Striker was exhausted, coming off his third double shift in the past five
days. Ever since the Borg’s invasion of the Enterprise E, practically the
entire crew had been working non-stop, trying to get everything back in order
aboard ship. Those who had been busiest were namely, the Bridge crew and
Engineering. Adam’s shifts had felt interminable lately and with good reason.
They were. And his mind’s drifting hadn’t helped much either. For the past few
weeks his thoughts had been turning to the more… pleasurable aspects of ship’s
life, but there hadn’t been time for things of that nature lately.
Striding down the corridor of Deck 8, he headed towards his quarters, looking
forward to putting on his robe and going to bed. Although the chronometer at
the end of his shift had said that it was only 2200 hours it felt like much
later. He mentally cursed these 16 hour shifts as the doors hissed open,
granting him access to his quarters.
Surprisingly, the sitting room was illuminated with half lights, and Adam
couldn’t remember leaving them on when he left earlier that morning, and they
hadn’t been set on an automatic brightening schedule due to the problems there
had been with the Computer as a result of the invasion. Too tired to think
about this, he walked over to the replicator and ordered a drink, but set it
down on the table without sipping from it when he realized that something else
was not quite right in his quarters. The door to his bedroom was open.
In fact, it was more than just slightly ajar. Adam usually left that door
closed, due to the fact that he rarely made his bed, and knew that his unkempt
‘bachelor pad’ was already somewhat of a legend and he took enough good-natured
ribbing about it as it was. Adam walked slowly to the door and peered around
the corner. If there was someone in his quarters and the tell-tale hiss of the
door opening did not already alert him/her to his presence, Adam wanted to keep
the advantage by keeping them off guard. It was Striker, however, who was caught
off guard when he more fully opened the door and stepped into the room. Sighing
with relief as a smile broke out over his bearded features, Adam approached the
bed quietly, this time for another reason. He paused at the foot of his bed,
savoring the sight before his eyes.
Apparently he wasn’t the only one with the idea of relaxing in his quarters
after a long days work, because laying on top of the rumpled covers which he
had so hastily tossed over the bed, was the most amazing woman in the universe,
although to look at her now, someone besides himself probably wouldn’t realize
it.
Wild black curls were flowing in all different directions over the covers and
pillowcase, half hiding her exquisite features and lovely face, which was
propped slightly on her arm. And she was wearing… of all garments, the blue
velvet robe he had been coveting during his shift. It all but swallowed up her
slender form, save a pair of tiny feet peeking out from the hem, and one
shoulder was revealed, where the mammoth robe had slipped off her body.
Adam just gazed at her, still surprised that she was here, (She had told him
that she had appointments scheduled past midnight and it was obvious that she
had been sleeping soundly for quite some time) and thrilled that she had chosen
his quarters to come to, rather than hers right next door.
Sensing his presence, even in sleep, Eve McEllen stirred and her eyelids
fluttered. Slowly awakening she opened her eyes fully and sat up, looking
directly into the brightest pair of blue eyes she had ever seen.
‘I should have known better than to try and sneak up on an empath huh?” He
asked, speaking for the first time since entering his quarters and sitting down
on the edge of the bed.
“Yes, you should. Especially this empath, Commander.” She scooted closer to
him and hooked her arms around his neck, completely oblivious to the fact that
robe had slipped further down on her arm, now revealing the swell of one creamy
breast. Adam noticed, of course, but did not draw attention to it. 
“I thought you were working late.” He said, tangling his fingers into her
silken hair, and noting with pleasure that it was still damp. She had probably
curled up on his bed right after her bath, and if he hadn’t been working that
damn double shift he would have been more than happy to wash her back, as well
as the rest of her incredible body.
“Well one of my appointments was canceled, another rescheduled and the third
finished earlier then I had expected, so I came here. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Are you kidding? Eve, you can come here whenever you want, you know that.”
“I know, but still…” She trailed off as she felt the warmth of his hand
against the skin of her shoulder, slowly sliding up and down, and easing the
robe further down her arm.