Lay Forth Thy Burdens

Posted on Sat Oct 7th, 2017 @ 2:57am by

Mission: A Day in the Life
Location: Various
Timeline: Night Before the EVA

Talia swept around the room that she'd just finished setting up for the massage therapist that she'd requested. It was a large single room that was sectioned into spaces with various massage tables and spa spaces. They were separated by clear glass tiles that would become opaque when in use. An experiment in the feasibility of it for stress relief for the crew. She'd been granted permission and she'd set up one table with warmed oil and several warmed blankets. Rolling her shoulders from the tension that was spilling over from her romantic interest she dropped her shields, and whispered ~Leo?~

Leo was resting in his quarters when he heard it, he felt it too. At first he thought someone was in his quarters with him because of the infrequency in which he used his ability to communicate telepathically. ~Talia?~ He answered. ~What's wrong?~ He hoped everything was alright, but welcomed the chance to use native racial abilities over verbal communication.

~Nothing. Just finished a project. I can feel your tension from down here. Do you want to join me, maybe?~ She could tell from the tone that he'd had a rough day.

~5 minutes?~ He replied back, it would take him such to change and get to where she was, or at the very least make himself presentable. Last thing he wanted was to appear the scruffy wreck that he appeared to be currently while alone in his quarters.

When he left his quarters he asked the computer where she was, the lights directed him and not too long after the doors opened and he walked in. "Talia." He greeted with a smile. "So, what's this project you mentioned?"

She spread her arms in the room. "This is my experiment, an area for the massage therapists to work- a subsection of physical therapy that would expand our ability to treat people fully." she grinned at him in her enthusiasm. "Want the first massage?"

"I wont say no to a massage, I should warn you that you have the work cut out for you. Dinner was the first relaxing moment in a while and its been a rough day." Leo replied as he started to undo his casual shirt and walked towards the bed that appeared prepared.

"I'd say I'm fairly skilled. Not as good as a professional therapist but pretty good." Her eyes flickered over his shoulders and back, as she watched him disrobe, and she couldn't help but appreciate his physique. She lay a warm towel over his back as she adjusted the table once he was laying on his front. "Any scent preference?"

"Lavender would be nice if you have it." Leo replied as he folded his shirt and lay it on a nearby chair. "As for skill, you are a Doctor so if something goes wrong you know how to fix it." He jested.

"I am not going to break you" she muttered under her breath as she shielded herself as tightly as she could manage and warmed the lavender oil in her hands. She traced it down his spine softly, covering every inch of his exposed skin with the soft oil. Warmth and care trickled from the path of her fingers.

Leo tried his best to relax, letting Talia do her work with the oils and hands which he had to admit was far better than trying to self massage a shoulder. This even beat a proper water shower as far as he was concerned. "I know. I don't doubt you."

Slowly she warmed him up with some gentle long strokes, before getting to work on the knots and spasming muscles. Her hands tingled from the oil she assumed as she focused on his right shoulder. The heel of her hand pressed into the main mass of muscle of the shoulder.

Leo moaned, a tender spot, sore spot it didnt matter. What did matter what it was it would get worse before it got better and this was the 'worse' bit of the treatment. The aroma of Lavender however was very pleasant and soothing as he lay and let Talia do her thing.

~Too hard?~ she asked gently her fingertips caressing his back as she waited for a response.

~Not at all.~ Leo returned. ~Just right.~ He had to admit if even if only to himself that this was just what he needed and he should have thought of it sooner. Perhaps things wouldn't be so bad now if he had.

She worked on that knot for a while longer , feeling the muscle fibers shift under her hands to release their spasms. Gently she moved her hands down the musles of his arm and hands. The warmth in the room was beginning to be noticable by her, even though the ambient temperature had not changed.

Leo surrendered to her administrations upon his tense and troubled frame, all he had to do was lay there, let her work and feel better at the end of it. It was a minor price to pay with a little discomfort but he knew the end result would feel much better than before.

She was starting to be able to read the minor tells of his body to find all the sore spots and gently ease them. "Are you too warm? She asked as she squeezed his hand in a slow spiral motion. Stroking down each finger, almost caressing them.

"Not presently." He replied. "Actually rather comfortable." He concluded with a deep breath and a relaxing exhale.

She had to pause for a moment because she was too warm. Shrugging it off as physical exertion, she repeated her tender ministrations on the other side.

Leo turned his head to look at her wondering if it was not him but her that was too warm. "Not to be rude or our of line, but considering what you are doing, in uniform, the tunic retains heat very well. You have the blue undershirt on, why not take off the tunic." A risky suggestion he knew considering the topic and the implications of how such a suggestion could be taken but he felt it would be understood within the scope of its intent by Talia.

Her hands were on him so she knew immediately that he was not purposely being suggestive. While a part of her hopes that he would make a move of that nature on her, she knew that it was likely she would have to do so to him. If he only knew how desperately she wanted him to desire her. But it was early in their budding relationship. Unbuttoning her tunic she slipped out of the jacket, and laid it over a chair.

Leo heard the zip, seems like his idea was welcomed by the intent it was meant, he was pleased with that, he actually did something right. When he turned his head was when his right idea bit him. He caught a glimpse of a bra, a lacy one at that. He closed his eyes. The resulting emotion that swept through him was strong, he couldn't hide it, it was as much embarrassment for seeing but a degree of pleasure in doing so.

She continued to massage him gently, working more firmly over the areas that were particularly knotted. Little by little she felt the spasms ease under her hands. It was then that she worked down his left arm, however not paying attention to the precise positioning her fingertips drifted over his.

Leo lay in silence still blushing fiercely over what he saw, he felt silly, a 41 year old man, he was an officer, a grown adult. Then why should the sight of a little bit of bra effect him so. Probably because the wearer was less than a meter from him and touching him presently.

His blush was hidden by the warmth in the back of his neck, but the embarrassment flickered through her fingers. Just relax she whispered to him, feeling stronger somehow, as if she'd gotten a full night sleep...

That was easy for Talia to say, but he at least tried to do as she suggested and relaxed. He opened his eyes and stared at a wall while she worked. "So, what is the prognosis Doctor?" He played with a smile. "Will I ever recover?" Acting as if he was on deaths door.

"There are other treatments we can try, I have not exhausted my vast medical knowledge yet." She put on an air of superiority, and then laughed softly.

Leo smiled as she worked, good that she could play along on spur of the moment when it presents itself. "Did you enjoy dinner earlier?" Leo asked. He wondered what she thought after he'd parted ways with her at her door, he enjoyed himself if bar the hic ups that he put himself in.

"I did. The company was excellent. The food could have been better. I don't think I'll go there again."

That raised an eye brow for sure. "Is there any where else that you wanted to try, or even an old favourite?" He suggested, sometimes the old grounds with the best grounds. "Or, if I might suggest, if you don't feel imposed. I could cook at my place." It was an offer but honestly not one he expected her to take, they had shared a meal true and she was attracted to him true, but some women saw an invite home as a step to more and he didn't want Talia to feel pressured.

"That sounds like an offer I can't possibly refuse." She said pausing in her gentle massage of his arm and hand for a moment.

"Anything in particular you like, foods, pasta, steak, veg, fish?" Leo asked feeling that she'd paused. "Is everything alright?" Turning his head towards her but as close as she was he only saw blue, his head at abdomen level.

"I'm a foodie. I like everything. Surprise me." She whispered as her hands with a new application of oil slid down to his lower back.

"Alright." Leo wondered how some of his meals from home would go down, his mother made some amazing dinners and he had all the recipes. Of course if it was to be done then hand cooked, not ready made by a replicator. Cooking was an art form in Italy and he made sure he could live up to that prior to joining Starfleet.

"Noone has ever cooked for me before. " She said softly as she felt the muscles relax under her hands. They quivered a little and she applied gentle pressure to keep them from a painful spasm.

"Well I'll treat you to some of Mother finest creations." He spoke, his accent thickening with the pride he had of the memories. Leo may have left out that some of those creations may not strictly be abundant of the healthy side of things but the tastes, the flavours far outweighed any other aspects.

"I look forward to it.". She whispered as she gently covered him with a blanket. It was heated and designed with a weighted feature to ease tension. She felt a contentment settle over her

Letting her work her magic, laying there was indeed relaxing and he did feel much better. Aside from a handshake that was perhaps the most contact hes ever experienced with another woman but it being Talia and knowing what he did from her touching his hand at dinner, couldn't help but smile contently. "So...dear Doctor, what do you have in store for me next?"

"That depends...". Her voice was gentle and warm "Are you Leo or Commander Luciano right now?"

Leo smiled. "Plain, as you see it Leo." He replied as he lifted himself up a little on his elbows and turned his head towards her so he could see her. His jet black eyes holding a mysterious gleam to them from the lights above

Her eyes flickered down to his, and what she'd been planning was lost in the rush of heady pleasure at the look in his eyes. She saw many things in Leo but not a one of them was plain.

"Why?" He asked with a smile as he rolled onto his side, holding the weighted blanket to his side.

"There are things Talia can say and do to Leo that are not... appropriate for Dr Varen to do to Commander Luciano. ". She teased gently.

Leo smiled, was that how it was going to be? He held his hand out to her.

She didn't hesitate at all in placing her hand in his.

His fingers wrapped around her hand as he lowered his barriers slightly. He'd always kept them ramped up, block the emotions of others, the thunderstorm that sometimes he'd feel every day from the tens of thousands of crewmembers on board. This moment however was different, she, Talia was different. He felt what he did at the dinner table and he took from that everything including comfort, strength and confidence. Now he wanted to return it.

Talia's eyes fluttered closed and her lips parted just enough that she could draw a shaky breath as his emotions washed over her. Inexperience, hesitation, but oh the desire there left her breathless.

For Leo is was the first time he'd let someone in but because he knew she was attracted to him, the affection, the strength and confidence he decided the risk was worth it. Every venture held risk, all relationships did but she was upfront with him so the least he could be was upfront with her. She was attractive, she was confident and forward and for Leo that was not only refreshing but in a way kind of intoxicating.

Talia was nearly panting by the time she released his hand. Bending low so her lips could brush his ear she purred "I have to go back on duty....but..." There was promise in her tone, oh yes, a promise of many pleasures to come.

If Leo could have melted, he would have. He sat on the edge of the bed and Talia was so close he could smell her aroma, feel her hair touch his shoulder, her breath on his ear and this close, yet another fleeting view of the lace. His face blushed, mind raced, heart rate picked up but a smile graced his features. "But......" He replied looking into her eyes with his midnight sky ones.

She brushed a kiss to his cheek and conveyed to him a sense of anticipation, and that she would see him later on, while not answering him verbally. Their connection faded slightly as she went to put her tunic back on.

There was no hiding the sly grin Leo had on his face as he put his shirt on, things were going very well, a perk of Betazoids were they were sexual beings, deep, meaningful and it seemed that Talia was the sort of woman that would match him perfectly.