Since the formation of the new Federation of Planets, Hoshi Sato's life had been one long diplomatic conference after another ... all blending together in a mind-numbing blur. Of course, she wasn't the only one who was beyond the point of exhaustion ... but at times, she felt as if she were. After all, it was her responsibility to ensure that the negotiations and discussions didn't break down due to communication complications.
But six months had passed. A dozen treaties had been created and signed, followed by numerous ceremonies and celebrations to commemorate the completion of the new charter. She should have been elated that it was finally over and Enterprise could get back to their mission of exploration, but she was too tired to care.
In two weeks, they would ship out once again ... and for the next two weeks, all she wanted to do was sleep.
******
Somehow, Hoshi managed to get home that night. If asked, she would not have been able to say how, but she was there, slipping her key into the lock, on the verge of collapse. But as the door opened, she was suddenly alert once more ... the glow of candlelight filled the room, and the scent of jasmine filled the air.
Cautiously, she stepped into her apartment, and closed the door behind her. As it latched, T'Pol stepped out of the kitchen, two champagne flutes in hand.
"Happy New Year!" she said, as she handed one to Hoshi.
Hoshi looked at her, puzzled. Could it really be New Year's Day, already? she thought. She was aware that her days had become a blur, but how could she have lost track of time so thoroughly? Hadn't Christmas only been a few days ago?
"Yes, it is already the new year," T'Pol said, sensing Hoshi's puzzlement. "Come, sit by me, and relax," she added, knowing just how stressful the past week had been for her.
As she sat, she noticed the tray of food T'Pol had set out, and realized that she was famished. She picked up a spring roll, dipped it in the sauce that she knew would be quite spicy, and took a bite. The soft noodles and crispy veggies combined with the spicy sauce perfectly, and Hoshi sighed. "Delicious," she said around the mouthful, then took a sip of her champagne.
She ate a few more bites, as T'Pol watched ... both of them occasionally sipping their champagne. That surprised Hoshi the most. T'Pol had never shared a drink with her before. But it had been a remarkable year, especially the last six months of it.
Noticing that her glass was empty, Hoshi asked, "is there more champagne?"
T'Pol nodded affirmation. "I will get the bottle," she said, but Hoshi moved faster ... wincing as she stood.
"I'll get it," she said, adding, "if I sit much longer, I'll fall asleep."
"Perhaps sleep is what you need right now," T'Pol said, standing as well, and placing her hands on Hoshi's shoulders. "Our celebration can wait until you are rested, if you wish."
Hoshi smiled, and pulled T'Pol into an embrace. As always, the physical contact made Hoshi react ... suddenly, sleep was the last thing she wanted. She breathed in T'Pol's scent, as her hands wrapped around her slim waist.
T'Pol began to gently massage Hoshi's shoulders, feeling the knots of tension melt away almost instantly. "The champagne can wait," she whispered into Hoshi's ear, as she shifted their positions and lifted the smaller woman into her arms, as if she were a child.
******
Once in the bedroom, their clothes seemed to miraculously disappear. Hoshi was consumed with the feel of T'Pol's body, pressed against hers, as their mouths locked together in a kiss. She opened her legs slightly, as T'Pol's hand slid down her body, slipping between her thighs and found her moist center.
She moaned at the intimate touch ... overwhelmed at how expertly T'Pol manipulated her. As T'Pol's fingers worked to bring her to orgasm, she reached out to fondle the taut nipples of her lover. At the touch, she heard T'Pol's sudden intake of breath, and knew that her arousal was as intense as her own. She bent her head slightly, to take one hard nipple into her mouth, and sucked gently, teasing with her tongue and teeth as T'Pol moaned her pleasure.
The sound of T'Pol's moans, combined with the fingers sliding into her, sent shivers of pleasure throughout Hoshi's body. As the orgasm hit her, she felt T'Pol stiffen, her back arched so that her groin was pressed tight against Hoshi's leg. Hoshi moved her leg slightly, rubbing against the warm wet flesh of her lover, knowing she, too, was fulfilled.
******
Lying sated in each others arms, Hoshi marveled at the intimacy they shared. Although they had been friends for many years, they had only recently become lovers ... yet even that first time, they had 'known' each other. She had never experienced anything like it before. It made her profoundly happy ... and deep down, she knew that T'Pol shared this happiness, even if she would never admit it aloud.
THE END