snip

Links to the original posts https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf5/saracen/notes/12140/

Final swings of the hammer put the posts down as she spoke, turning back he smiled at her. “I got it.” he said, the sweating just lightly beating off him as he checked to make certain everything seemed secure.

“Yes you do,” Kalani said in a slow steady rhythm. If there was one thing she needed in a guy it was a guy that could do things: Setting up a tent, changing a tire, putting together furniture, or pretty much-fixing anything that didn’t require tape or glue. The fact that Jarred looked good while doing it was a bonus and one she was happy to have discovered. Nothing was more disheartening than a guy that made you act the handy man. Kalani didn’t care if the guy could or couldn’t do a job. It was more that he attempted it. Jarred seemed ready to attempt any project she put before him. Quickly covering up the sensually charged comment she added, “but any engineer worth his weight in dilithium should be able to put up a tent right Hero.”

“I think this can do, as for swimming… I mean I didn’t bring a suit.” he said as he looked over at her, it was almost an unspoken idea spoken between romantic couples, they wanted to see the goods before they fully commit. When one wasn’t jumping into bed instantly, seeing as little on someone’s body was still a perk.

“We can just go in underwear, if that is okay with you.” he suggested, not wanting to loose that chance to see a little more of her dark luscious skin.

Aliondor, CE

“Of course,” Kalani said balling up her shirt’s hem in her hands before she stopped abruptly. A weird silence fell between them as Kalani’s mind went blank trying to find something to say. She did not want to discourage Jarred’s current line of thinking; however, she could not just strip off her top and jump in like any other girl might. “Turn around,” she said crossing one arm over her body and pointing at him in a swirling motion.

“Really? I mean… I am gonna see you as soon as we get in the water… I am aren’t I?” he said with a raised eyebrow as he wondered if she had a different plan than him.

“Guys don’t respect a girl who doesn’t have a bit of modesty.” The comment was playful but also a ruse to buy her a little privacy. Kalani had no problems swimming in her bra and panties. She had done this numerous times in her life with numerous people to cool off and bath when they were on an expedition but with Jarred, she was suddenly aware of what he would see if she removed that much clothing. Kalani was not sure she was ready for this. There was an easy way to fix this. Keep the north forty covered with her t-shirt but let the south forty remove everything but her intimate wear.

“I have respected the hell out of you for six weeks now.” he said teasingly as he turned around shaking his head. He did find her adorable, and he couldn’t help but feel that sensation of rubbernecking as he wanted to turn back. He didn’t though, he really did care for this girl behind him and she wasn’t something he wanted to screw up.

“And your patience has been duly noted,” she said in an upbeat tone biting her lip. Jarred had been the perfect gentleman. Almost too perfect at times. If her life was different Kalani would not have been able to wait six weeks but they had and now they were here.

Once his back was facing her, Kalani quickly pulled off her shorts and kicked off her shoes. “Juuuuuuuust a minute more,” she said keeping Jarred apprised of the running timeline. With her bottom half ready, Kalani began to wade into the water. When it was up to her waist she called back to Jarred. “Okay ready,” she said turning around so that she could watch him enter the water.

Ensign Kalani Kane

“Really? I mean what if we had swimsuits? Would I have had to turn as you got in as well?” he said as he teased her, he on the other hand had little modesty as he took off his belt from his pants, but paused as he looked at her. “Maybe you should turn around for this too, what if my boxers make you giggle I can’t have that.” he said with mockingly as he gave her a wink before talking the pants off the rest of the way. Striding into the water he got to her location, kissing her cheek as he pushed back as he splashed her.

Kalani let out a long laugh and splashed back at him. “And if you said this life ain’t good enough well I I would give my world to lift you up. I could change my life to better suit your mood because you’re so smooth.” She had no idea if Jarred knew the band called Santana but she hoped he did as she spoke the lyrics instead of singing them as she walked up to him. The height difference was very apparent when she stood next to him or in the case facing him. When she was beside him and he did the buddy drape of his arm over her shoulder, Kalani fit almost perfectly at his side. When she stood in front of him, however, she was staring straight into his chest or having to look up to see his face. “And you have like whale flippers for hands. I mean did you see how much water you sprayed on me compared to my splashing you,” she flicked a bit more water at him. “You got a sprinkling on the chest. I got a bucket dousing,” she clasped her hands behind his back but leaned back so she could look up at him.

“Oh flipper hands…” he said as he looked at her squinting his eyes before gripping her shoulders and dunking her underneath the water before bringing her back up. He knew she wasn’t one to worry about getting her hair wet, though some women might. He did though think the sudden dunk may have her try to get even. He paused as the image of her straddling his back like a monkey trying to bring him under the water screaming something like ‘Get under you giant man ape.’ echoed in his mind as he shook the image from his thought.

“That’s what you get for teasing me.” he said as he couldn’t help but just take her in that moment. She was awfully stunning, he had to admit six weeks of dating and no sex did feel long. When she told him she was a virgin he couldn’t help but feel a bit shocked, but he had settled into a loving tender groove with her. Granted he still was willing to bend her over the waterfall this second if she wanted, he enjoyed her too much to make her ever feel pressured.

Alindor, CE

Something about the utter isolation, the gentle sound of water hitting the surface of the pool from the waterfall, and the way the light filtered through the rock crevices and plant fronds made Kalani want to open up to the man holding her. There was so much they never had spoken about. A few very important things she had neglected to mention but at this moment none of seemed to matter. Time didn’t seem to matter. They had the next sixty-seven hours to talk and share which if this was even a year into the future Jarred would probably condense into ten minutes. It wasn’t a year into the future though and Jarred was still attempting to be himself but his better self around her.

“Jarred,” Kalani said softly drawing his name out and looking shyly into his eyes. She could feel her heart racing. Kalani had her own reasons for being chaste. She also had her reasons for wanting to change this. The moment was perfect. All she had to do was press her lips to his but that would be far too easy. Instead she opted for something more memorable.

“Did you bring me out her to hunt me? I knew it… something about you always seemed to good about you.” he looked at her smiling as he did with that boyish charm. He was feeling at ease with her, something he didn’t even know he was missing. It was as if years of tension fled his body when he was around her.

“Give me your heart, make it real or else forget about it,” Kalani belted out the song in a deep but badly off-key version of that song. It was so bad she could not even try to pull off sexy after that lyrical train wreck.

“You gotta get some newer media, great song… but Star Wars, Santana… how about some Kliopon the all Klingon glam pop jazz metal ska group?” he asked, real group but honestly he would take something from the 21st century over that any day. He just found a joy teasing her and the question took him back just a little. He knew it was a song but it felt more real than just that.

“Kliopon,” Kalani pretended to be awe struck. There was little to no chance Jarred actually liked this group. Kalani could not help but continue to tease him. “I am a card-carrying member of the All boy band Andorian-for-one. I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky,” Kalani crooned the R&B love ballad the group was famous for.

“Plus… your pitch… I mean… I can maybe make a vocoder to cover some of that up but you will need to do a bit better…”

“Oh oh what about this then. Tell me you know the group and the song title and I will be yours forever. Ready.... Listen up everybody if you wanna take a chance. Just get on the floor and do the new kids’ dance. Don’t worry ‘bout nothin’ ‘cause it won’t take long. We’re gonna put you in a trance with a funky song,” Kalani rapped out a beat even throwing a few pop and locks into the impromptu dance that just about every tween was doing from the Alpha to the Beta Quadrant. Seeing the bemused expression on Jarred’s face, Kalani could not keep this up any longer.

Laughing she leaned her head forward on his chest hanging her head as if ashamed. “That was bad,” she admitted still laughing.

“So bad there is probably no way you will ever consent to do a duet during the yearly talent show on the Saracen,” she baited him playfully. “Even if I beg,” she batted her eyelashes at him in an overly dramatic way.

Ensign Kalani Kane

“Oh, I didn’t say that. I would look amazing next to you, like the lead singer of Kliopon… what’s his name, the angry one… George? Paul? Ringo? John? Might be a different band I am thinking of but all the same I would never pass up a time to sing with you.” he said as he pulled her in close as he kept his arms tight around her as he kissed her deeply as the waters washed over them.

Kalani opened her mouth to fire back a witty quip but Jarred silenced her. She let her body melt into his and marveled at how perfectly they seemed to fit in any position. Cuddling on the couch she was low enough that her hair did not bother his face. Standing next to him, his arm draped comfortably over her shoulders. Kissing him, there was just enough rise on the tiptoes for her and bending of the head for him to make each kiss have that romantic ideal image. She could have spent the next two hours in his arms just kissing him. Time stood still as the kiss transitioned from soft and gently to firey and passionate and slowly back to gentle. The kiss might have been eventually broken but the feelings and sensations it aroused only seemed to peak as their bodies separated. Kalani had never felt this way about anyone before. Even though she had only known Jarred a few weeks, the safety and security Kalani felt when she was with him was all-encompassing. He didn’t need grandiose gestures or flowery promises to make her feel this way. All Jarred Alindor had to do to make Kalani feel special was give her the lop-sided grin, the occasional wink, and a witty comment. Looking up at him though right now, Jarred was wearing an expression Kalani had not seen before.

“I think I…” he said but catching his tongue, he wasn’t the time he couldn’t say that. He jumped to that so often. Yet he felt so ecstatic with her that part of him felt the words hanging in his mind love you. he finished in his mind. He hadn’t enough time to even know if he loved her, it had been so short between them. Still, he couldn’t deny the direction she was pulling him in as he felt his checks redden just slightly. He wasn’t sure what else to say as he just stared at her in that moment.

Alindor, CE

She had seen the look in Jarred’s eyes before in other men. His might have been more sincere but she did not know if she was ready to say it back. Life with him was very different and exactly as her mother predicted. As a small child, Kalani’s mom always told her that she would know when it was right to kiss a guy, date a guy, sleep with a guy, marry a guy. Jarred was the first man she could imagine doing all three with given enough time.

“Am gonna loose “ Kalani said in a cocky tone. “Yeah, that’s pretty much a given.” Whether it was the knowledge they were the only humans on the planet or that Jarred could make her feel like a teenager, Kalani did something very out of character. They had all weekend. Kalani needed to slow them down but also not loose the fire she felt in her tummy. Running her hands sensually down Jarred’s sides she let her hands settle on the waistband of his boxers. Running the tip of her thumbs under the waistband, Kalani decided to increase the odds of her winning the challenge she was about to propose. “The first one to the waterfall wins,” she announced. In a sharp tugging motion with her hand, however, Kalani tried to pants him and use Jarred’s reaction time to give her a heads start.

Ensign Kalani Kane, science

“What the…” he said as he looked down then back up at her.

“The last one to the waterfall is a rotten egg,” she said taking off as fast as she could towards the target. Kalani had no idea about how well Jarred could swim. Based on his body, he had the musculature to swim fast. That coupled with his solid foot taller height gave him a longer reach and an advantage. Pantsing him was the only way to buy a few seconds and she was not going to waste them admiring anything lower than he smile and eyes.

“You are assuming I have the same levels of modesty, which I don’t. So better close your eyes if you don’t want a show.” he said with a wink finishing the job Kalani started. Free of his boxers he dived underwater and began to swim to the location. He never expected to enjoy this as much as he was, he came cause she asked but this was more than he hopped as he kept the pace up.

Alindor, CE

“Hey…hey,” Kalani yelled seeing Jarred sailing under the water and already at her spot in the water. The boxer trick had done little to slow him down. Shouting at him did no good since he was below the waves, so Kalani kicked it into high gear swimming for life and the large flat rock at the edge of the cascading water. She didn’t look up nor stop swimming until her hand met the cold and slightly slippery surface of the rock. Turing, quickly she saw Jarred shaking his head to rid his face of the water on it. It was a fair guess that he had arrived her before her but since there was no third party to dispute the claim, Kalani decided to be the judge.

“So we tied,” she announced as if this was the only answer possible. “I will take you next time though,” she pointed a finger at him as she treaded her feet and held onto the rock. The water was deeper here and she could not stand even on tiptoes. This made her breath come out in sharper pants as she had to swim and talk. Pulling herself closer to him on the rock, Kalani moved so that her back was to the rock and she was facing him. Letting go she wrapped her arms around his neck letting him do the work to keep them afloat.

“Tie? You really think that’s what happened here?” he said softly, loving the attention and tenderness and just finding the whole moment perfect in this snapshot. He had not expected this six weeks ago, now he couldn’t imagine doing this without her.

“I’m not sure what is happening here,” she confessed in a soft voice, “but I would like to take a chance it could be something wonderful.” Kalani leaned in pressing her lips to his. If other intimate acts were as powerful as this one, Kalani was going to have trouble staying in control. When she kissed him, she lost all track of time. Her body felt tingly all over and she wanted nothing more than pushing the experience farther. Moving her legs up to around his waist, Kalani deepened the kiss feeling his body against hers. It was hard to think straight and only kiss him. Hs hands were caressing every part of her body it seemed slow and gentle. Her hands were in his hair pulling him closer to her as soft moans escaped their lips. It was clear that right now both Jarred and Kalani felt a hunger and desire to push past the current boundary of their relationship. The only thing that stopped them was Kalani realizing Jarred’s hand had left her back and was settled on her hip right below the hem of the t-shirt clinging to her body.

Jarred pressed into her hard, enjoying the softness of her kiss as he deepened it as he let his hands drift. It was subconscious, no thought just a deep desire to connect touch feel love.

“We need to stop,” Kalani said abruptly pushing back from him as far as possible. The distance between his body and the rock was small enough that she didn’t get far. Not that she wanted to but still she did not get far.

Jarred stopped, his eyes wide as he looked at her, “Lani?” he said softly, breath heavy from the moment. His body was certainly reacting, and her legs wrapped around his bare waist wasn’t going to help much.

Looking in his eyes she knew he needed an immediate explanation. “Jarred, I am not that modest,” she said feeling a ripple run through her body. It could easily have been caused by the adrenaline rush of her previous thoughts or the slight embarrassment she was feeling. “I…You,” she fumbled how to begin. “We are not and haven’t done anything I don’t want either,” she started. “It’s just....you know when I told you I was shot by Jonas. Well, there is a large scar on my stomach and shoulder. I am not shallow,” she rapidly tried to clarify. “I am just self-conscious, okay. I know all the bather about it won’t matter but I don’t want you to be…surprised. You wouldn’t be the first. That is the reason for the shirt,” she averted her eyes to the side uncomfortable. The happy nervous twitters rapidly dropped to a sickening feeling in her tummy. The moment was perfect. It could not have been planned better. Kalani was not mad at Jarred but herself. They had been together for weeks now. She should have told him this was the reason they never explored past some kissing and snuggling on the couch.

Ensign Kalani Kane

Looking at her he felt himself smile softly, resting his forehead on hers he let himself take a deep breath as he proceeded to kiss her forehead.

Kalani took a deep breath as she felt his lips touch her. The action was so gentle and loving yet simple and universal. It spoke of a deeper understanding and long-term intimacy. Red hot lovers concentrated on the lips. Married folks found the neck but only those wanting to denote safety and security kissed the forehead. It had no connection to any erogenous zone. All meaning and sensation given by it were up to the participant to decide what it meant. To Kalani, it meant Jarred cared more about how she felt in that moment over any need he had. She closed her eyes and savored it. As his lips left her she opened her eyes and looked into his.

“I love you… least I am 99.99% sure… it feels like love. All the tell tale signs are there. I… I don’t say that to make you feel more willing of… anything. Just that I am more than willing to wait. You are right, I don’t care about scars. I do care… and I do love you. I will wait for you to feel comfortable exposing that part of you. You have made it more than easy to wait for you baby.” he said, it was a deep confession he knew, but he chickened earlier and only cowards denied their true feelings. He may feel nervous at admitting this so soon but he had been here before and right now, this all felt stronger than Lilly, Ayla, Cori, Jalie… they all paled in comparison to the pure simple feeling Kalani gave him.

Alindor, CE

“Fudge waiting,” Kalani said moving her legs back around Jarred’s waist and letting him hold her up as she worked. Firmly grabbing the hem of her shirt pulling it over her head, Kalani was now rivaling him in the impromptu contest of ‘who has fewer clothes at the waterfall’. Tossing the wet fabric behind her on the rock she pressed her body to Jarred’s and began kissing him madly. He might have thought it was his sweet words and while they did seal the deal so to speak the truth was Jarred looked as good above the water as below it. She could not help but notice earlier when she glanced off to the side explaining about the scar. The uncomfortable feeling and bush weren’t completely due to her only sharing her secret as the crystal clear blue water hid nothing from view. As Kalani moved her lips from his and to Jarred’s neck, she took a moment to speak between kisses.

“I’m ready,” she said in a breathy voice. “Jarred…I want....this,” she mumbled running her fingers through his head as she felt feelings of giddy euphoria filling her.

Ensign Kalani Kane science

Jarred looked at her, he was having a hard time keeping balance with her around his waist but couldn’t help but keeping an eye down as she took of the shirt. He let his hand gently caress the scar but said nothing as he leaned in for a deeper kiss. As he let her lips separate from his he knew where this was heading and he wasn’t sure any girls first time should be under the waterfall. As romantic as that sounded, you had rocks and awkward angles and uncomfortable fish swimming. It honestly was far more idealized than practical.

“Come on my love, let’s get back,”

“Hmmm hmmm…wait..what,” Kalani said opening her eyes and lifting her head upright from the titled position it was moments ago. “You’re stopping. Nah oooooow,” she drew the word out and left her mouth hanging open in utter disbelief. She knew some wire was crossed somewhere. Men did not kiss women like Jarred was kissing Kalani and suddenly quit. That was what women did. It was the cliche of all romantic comedies where a woman suddenly gets a cause of Victorian morals and a man begging her to rethink things. Kalani had not waited all this time to become the next When Hjalmar ch’Enath Met Shussa and spend the next four years in unrequited love until a fateful night where they slept together and had to wait until midnight at the Kot’baval Festival to admit their love.

“Uh uh. No. No way. I think you misunderstood. I said all systems go. Green light. Proceed at warp nine,” Kalani said putting her arms back around his neck and kissing him. Maybe in the moment, Jarred had not heard her right.

“I promise a wonderfully magical evening.” he said as he kissed her once more before prying himself softly from the wrap around his waist.

Alindor, CE

“And a waterfall is not wonderful,” she eyed him suspiciously. “You know it has been ten years since this opportunity has come around and under a waterfall, on an uninhabitable planet is not magical enough,” her voice took on a hint of disbelief. “What else are we lacking? A shooting star? A cacophony of random aquatic life singing and spitting water out of their mouth as a crab sings kiss the girl,” she said humorously. She had no idea what Jarred had in mind. She was always the one reminding her partner to slow down. Now Alindor was reversing the role. Kalani was more shocked than anything in this moment.

Ensign Kalani Kane science

“Baby, I want you…like god I do. Under this waterfall it is going to be sore achy and just a hard time for your first. I want to romance you kiss every inch explore all of your gorgeous body. I don’t wanna hope I am in the right hole only to find I was in a guppy mouth the whole time.”

While she knew Jarred was being sincere his comment broke the mood faster than the icy cascade of the waterfall. She broke out laughing remembering a line form some movie about doing things that frightened the fish.

Everything about Jarred Alindor seemed right. He was charming, witty, smart, and kind. Alindor had more assets but Kalani had not been with him long enough to learn them all. The ones she had discovered though were enough to make Kalani fall in love with him.

He was hard to resist standing in front of her, looking down with almost a concerned expression on his face. She knew he was talking this serious. More so than maybe she expected. All reservations on her part were over. This was the man she wanted to be with. “I love you Jarred Alindor,” Kalani said putting her hands on his shoulders and pressing her lips to his softly. She meant for it to just affirm her statement but instead it intensified the smoldering fire between them. Her kiss became more passionate. Her hands trailing up his neck trying to find his hair as a soft moan escaped her lips.

” On land in our tents is where you want your first time. It’s warm safe and able to explore, and I so want to explore you.” He said as he pulled her along as he dragged her to the shore.
Alindor, CE

“Yes but I was warm and safe in the water,” Kalani said playfully following behind him. She would let him lead her anywhere. “Now I am going to be wet and sandy. Maybe we should just crack open some MRE’s and save this for the stale, canned air of the Saracen,” she teased. The truth was she didn’t care where they were right now. The artificial environment of the ship or the lush landscape of the lagoon was just the icing on the cake. She had found Jarred and wanted him in a way Kalani never had with the other men in her life.

Ensign Kalani Kane Science.

“Baby, do you think I would take you and not make sure you still felt warm and safe?” he asked as he got up on the shore, first thought he had was modesty as he looked over at their clothes but he wasn’t sure it was needed right now. He wasn’t ashamed and he didn’t want her to feel bad for anything. He turned around helping her from the much as he grabbed a nearby towel for her to clean off with as he did the same. She wasn’t wrong, mud and sand could be everywhere. One might call it a beach in most parts of the world, with the fine sand covering the shore of the beach perfectly as small waves crashed onto it.

Kalani tired to act naturally as she took the towel and removed the wet shirt clinging to her body. She had no reservations about the what she was about to do but she still wasn’t comfortable enough to forget the large phaser burn covering the lower part of her stomach. Wrapping the towel around her she rid herself of the sandy attire and finger combed her hair out some. A smile spread across her face as she thought about all the cheesy romance movies where two young lovers had passionate embraces under waterfalls or even underwater yet their hair still flowed perfectly and their make up never ran. At least here since there was no mirror, Kalani would imagine everything perfect like the movies and not how reality was probably presenting it. While she was fully committed to the course of action she set forward the confidence boost of the images Hollywood presented did help increase her confidence and ease her nervous jitters a bit. It was her decision and she was not utterly naive but her mind did race with the technical aspects of what she was about to do.

As they finished cleaning he took her to their tent by her hand, the floor was padded and soft as he turned on the heating unit. The air was cooling and he knew she would shiver as the night breeze touched her skin.

Kalani tried not to tremble when her hand entered his. As she entered the tent a shiver ran up and down her spine so hard it rippled through her body. Whether it was apprehension or excitement, Kalani was too nervous to tell. “Chilly,” she said just to fill the silence between them. Kalani rubbed her arms as if to emphasize the point. “I didn’t think the temperature would drop this low,” she began to nervously prattle on. “The tilt of the planet should keep us at a steady seventy-five to seventy-seven degrees so I am kinda shocked you need that heater,” she began to delve into scientist instead of future girlfriend as she stood and watched Jarred move about the tent.

He lead her gently to the bed before he lay next to her, eager yet reserved as he let himself gaze into her eyes.

“Oh..okay we are turning in for the night,” she nodded as she took his hand and sat down among the spread out sleeping bags. her heart raced and her mouth was going dry. She thought about asking for a cup of water but that seemed too infantile. The minima conversation was making her more nervous than anything else. She and Jarred always bantered back and forth. This quiet moment was as new as what she was about to do. Kalani opened her mouth to speak but Jarred beat her to it.

“I love you… I… I love saying that.” he said softly as he leaned in to kiss her, his hand draping around her back as he caressed her gently.

Alindor, CE

His words froze her stiff. There is was. I love you. He said it again without a hint of reservation or anxiety. Jarred had used the word several times now and each time it was more casual more relaxed as if he had said it three thousand times to her instead of three. Kalani had only one response. Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed him passionately feeling her engine go from zero to sixty in three point five seconds. “God I love hearing you say that,” she barely could get the words out between Jarred kissing her and she kissing him. Her mind was as much a blur as actions occurring between them. The only thing she did know was that this was exactly where she wanted to be and who she had waited to be with.

Ensign Kalani Kane science