"I came as soon as I could," I assured the captain, and she ushered me into her personal quarters. Her digs were larger than anyone else's, and that seemed fitting. She had sort of an apartment, with a lounge area, separate bedroom, and en suite bathroom. The other quarters were more sparse, a single bunk with a shower and toilet at the far end.
The captain had shed her coveralls and wore simple shorts and a cotton t-shirt.
"I appreciate it, doc. Come in and have a seat," she motioned me to the lounge chairs.
"Oh, um...," I equivocated. 'It's probably better if I stand. I'm a bit... sorry... a bit sticky?" I was apologetic, not wanting to insult her hospitality.
"Oh dear," she fawned with concern. "Did Darryl leave you a bit of a mess?" Her voice was kind, as though genuinely worried that I had been mistreated.
"Oh no," I insisted. "I mean... ok, yes. But it was nice, you know? Nothing wrong with it. I just... I came straight over. I haven't stopped to freshen up. Is that ok?" I was now vividly conscious of the stickiness between my thighs, and the additional surges of the mess that were finding their way through the flimsy fabric of my knickers as I walked or stood. My inner thighs were sticky, and in some places starting to get crusty. I bit my lip in self conscious embarrassment.
"Would you like me to go clean up?" I motioned towards her bathroom.
Taking my hand, the one that was pointing to the facilities, she lowered it, saying, "Oh, that won't be necessary." Her other hand came up and ever so gently rested against my lips to signal "Shhh".
I wasn't sure what was happening, but whatever she needed to see me about apparently couldn't wait the five minutes, less maybe, that it would take me to just clean myself up a bit. I wondered what all this was about.
My eyes must have conveyed something of my question. She responded, "How long have we been here now? Less than two weeks?"
I nodded, her finger still blocking my lips. I had never noticed her wearing perfume before, and hadn't thought about it, but as her wrist was so close to my face I unexpectedly caught a luscious scent, it was a welcome change from the masculine deodorants and powerful body odors of the guys. It was a sudden feminine oasis. I was trying to place the scent. Poison, perhaps?
"And you're fitting in so nicely. I mean, I gotta say, nobody in your... role... in the past has been as authentic, and frankly, as popular with the lads," she continued.
I was surprised. I mean, I know they liked me, but why wouldn't they? I was available for the taking, virtually any time, any where!
She lowered her hand and lowered her voice at the same time. "But the boys aren't the only ones with needs," she suddenly seemed uncharacteristically vulnerable.
My thoughts swirled. It hadn't occurred to me, but it made sense. If she needed to blow off steam, why shouldn't she be allowed to use me like the men do? Frankly, back in her office at Spacer Industries on that sweltering day when I met her, things got to a stage I thought she was gong to do just that, but when she didn't, I concluded she just wasn't interested. She had seemed aroused, and I was sure she was undressing me with her eyes after I had taken off the constricting skirt and the devilish stockings. But eventually, after downing our final shot of vodka, we had just stood there, close enough to breathe one another's air, staring into each other's eyes, she just idly tugging at my lapels, pushing strands of hair back from my face, and chewing on her bottom lip. I would have done anything she commanded, but then she stepped back. She put my clothes in a bundle in my arms, and said, "See you bright and early Monday for training." The skirt was too hopelessly soggy to put back on, so I had to scurry to my car wearing only my blouse, bare legs, and mid-height slingback pumps, not knowing who might see me from the office windows.
"I think I understand," I responded tenderly, in response to her openness. "Of course I'm happy to be here for you as well. I just thought you... didn't want me to."
She stood, I hadn't previously noticed how close, but so close I could feel her breath on my cheeks, for a long moment, looking into my eyes. She seemed to be in an inner wrestle, unsure what to say next. Perhaps this was what had been going on in her office on Earth. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. Was this a test? I edged forwards to kiss her, but she pulled back.
"I'm sorry. Please tell me what you want me to do. I want you to be happy," I earnestly pleaded, my hands fidgeting with each other. "I'll do anything," I blurted, throwing them open.
I meant it. She had earned my admiration and respect. Heck, she saved my life in that lander module. I didn't know what she wanted, being inexperienced with women, but I would try my best if only she would tell me.
"Anything?" she asked, with a note of sincere hope in her voice.
I paused. What could she mean? Was it something really bad? Difficult? Painful? I decided it was a moment where I should trust her. I dared to be so forward as to take both her hands in mine. She let me. She seemed small, fragile, even frightened. "Anything," I repeated.
She looked away, seemingly to hide some emotion. She mumbled in that direction, and downwards at the floor, "I want you to be... I need you...," she looked at me squarely and steeled herself, "How are you at being bossy?" Her voice broke a little, as though the sentence had been dragged through shards of glass.
"Bossy?" I responded, surprised. I was trying to be careful, because it was like she was revealing something very intimate and precious. I didn't want to hurt her feelings by getting it wrong.