Nathan released a sigh when Kristin dropped her cards on the table and flashed him a sweet smile.

"You've been holding out on me."  he grumbled lightly as he tossed his own cards onto the table.

"How so?" Kristin supplied innocently.

"You do *know* how to play poker. Admit it."

"All right.  I learned how to play from my brother."

"Then why let me think you didn't know?"

"Well you looked so *cute* trying to cheer me up and so disappointed when I said I didn't want to play chess."

"Is that the only reason?" Nathan wanted to know.

"No.  I wanted to get to know you better." Kristin supplied softly then lifted her eyes to meet his.

Nathan smiled and slid a hand across the table resting it on top of hers.  "I want to get to know you too." he responded quietly.

"So, how do you suggest we start?" Kristin asked quietly.

"Well, how about I order us in some dinner." Nathan suggested.

"I'd like that." Kristin gave him a smile.  Nathan returned it as he got up and crossed over to his desk.  While he talked to the Officer's Mess, Kristin got up and moved to the small stereo unit that sat in the corner of the room.  She looked through the neat stack of CD's and was choosing one when Nathan turned back to her.

"Chicken or fish?" he asked her quietly.

"Surprise me." Kristin replied, flashing him a smile before turning back to the music.  "I never knew you had such eclectic tastes in music." Kristin stated "Rock and Roll, Country... Jazz... Rhythm and Blues... I think you have all the bases covered." she stated with a grin as she slipped a CD into the player.  As the soft music filled the small cabin, Kristin turned back to Nathan watching as he finished speaking with the Mess.

Kristin looked across the candlelit table and smiled at her companion as she took a bite of her grilled chicken.  "This is nice." she stated softly.

"Yes it is." Nathan agreed.  "More wine?" he offered as he picked up the bottle.

"Mmm, yes please." Kristin stated and held out her wine glass.

"Is there anything else you'd like?" Nathan asked quietly when Kristin had finished her dinner.

She gave him a smile and wordlessly got up from the table.  Nathan watched as she crossed over to the stereo and turned up the volume.

Kristin moved back to stand beside him.  "Yes." she finally replied and held out her hand.  "I like you to dance with me."

Nathan returned her smile and slipped his hand into hers as he got up from the table.

There wasn't much room in the tiny stateroom, but they managed as Nathan pulled Kristin close to him.  She rested her head next to his and they began to dance as the low seductive notes of a love song began.
 

Baby take off your coat
We ain't in no hurry
I see the fear in your eyes
But girl don't you worry
I'll keep the candles lit all night
So you'll know everything's all right
We've got everything we need
And it's just you and me
 

The music wove it's seductive web around them as they moved together feeling nothing but each other.   Kristin pulled her head back and met Nathan's eyes.  They were a dark ocean blue,  deep and soulful. They held each other's gaze, bodies moving together with the music as it continued it's bewitching spell.
 

I've got the covers turned down
Come lay here beside me
Oh baby let down your hair
And your doubts about me
I'm gonna make you feel tonight
Like you've never felt in your life
We've got everything we need
And its just you and me

Chorus:
There ain't no one around
And the only sound is your
heart beating next to mine
Cast your fears in the fire
Give in to your  desire
Put your faith into me
'Cause we've got everything we need
And it's just you and me

Solo/ Repeat Chorus

Tag:

Oh, baby let down your hair
And your doubts about me
 

It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do when Nathan leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly over hers.  His kiss was tentative at first as though he were afraid she would change her mind then Nathan smiled against her lips when her arms wrapped around his neck to draw him closer, and he deepened the kiss, his tongue pressing for entry past her lips. She opened her mouth and drew his tongue inside to dance and duel with her own.

When they parted, Nathan looked down into the sable depths of her eyes and smiled softly.  "I love you." he murmured softly, finally admitting what had been in his heart from almost the first moment they had met.  "When I realized that you were alone with that madman I just....."

"Shh..." Kristin stated softly as she pressed her fingertips to his lips.  "It's over and I'm fine." she assured him.  Then taking his hand, Kristin led him across the room to the bunk. "And I love you too." she whispered as her arms snaked around his neck and she pressed herself close.  "I didn't think it was possible to love someone in so short a time." she admitted softly as her hand caressed his cheek.  "I think I loved you from the first moment I saw you."

"And I didn't think it was possible to love someone so much after... Well you know."

"Yes I know." Kristin nodded. "But right now I don't want to talk......" she began as her fingers toyed with the zipper on his uniform inching it down slowly. "Right now I want you to love me." she finished and saw the passion in his ocean blue eyes as he bent his head and kissed her passionately.

The candles had burned down to almost nothing, as they lay together, their bodies intimately entwined in the warm afterglow of their impassioned love making. Kristin's hand tenderly caressed his sweat-damp skin , her fingers combing through the dark hair that dusted his chest

"I love you." she told him in a soft whisper.

"I love you too." Nathan responded tenderly. "Sleep now." he murmured and drew the woman tighter into his embrace.

Kristin pressed a light kiss to his bare shoulder and snuggled close. Minutes later the soft sound of her breathing told him that she was asleep.

Nathan slipped quietly from Kristin's embrace and rose from the bed.  He crossed over to his desk and picked up the framed photo that sat there.  His smile was wistful as he traced the delicate features of his late wife.  "I'll always love you Carol." he began softly "After you went away I didn't think I'd be able to go on much less find love again. But I did.  I love Kristin, sweetheart, very much and I know you understand why I had to move on.  Kristin is a good woman and she makes me happy.  I know you'd like her. " Nathan smiled softly.   "Goodbye sweetheart."  He finished then took the picture and opened the bottom drawer of his desk and slipped the photo inside.

When he turned around and moved back to the bunk he saw that Kristin was awake and watching him with tears in her eyes.  Nathan slipped back into bed and pulled Kristin close.

"No regrets." He said, answering the question in her sable eyes.   Kristin smiled and lowered her lips to hers.

This time their lovemaking was slow and tender.  They shared slow, languid kisses as exhaustion overcame their bodies and they fell asleep in the warmth of each other's arms.

The air in the room shimmered and a form  appeared in one of the still candlelit corners.   The soul of the woman who had been Carol Bridger smiled softly as she looked at the sleeping lovers.   "Be happy Nathan." she whispered softly and blew him a kiss before turning away and disappearing, leaving the room as it was before.