Just Because..... I Love You

Posted on Tue Jan 13th, 2026 @ 1:27am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Lieutenant JG Zac Smithson [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Emily and Zac's cabin
Timeline: Prior to the battle
2734 words - 5.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Zac had gotten home before Emily so he had time to hide the gift he had gotten for her. It was what he called a 'just because' gift. Emily did so much for her daughter and himself that he wanted to show her how much he loved her and all she did for the family hence the buying and now hiding of the gift. He knew of her love of climbing so he had purchased a pair of rugged hiking, climbing boots for her along with a pair of walking sticks to help when walking on a steep or difficult trail. Now where to hide it? The box was wrapped (Thank goodness) so Emily couldn't peek if she did find it. He took it to their bedroom and opened their closet. he saw the pile of his junk lying in the corner and the box went under that. Emily would never find it. Closing the closet he went back ito the living room to wait for her arrival.

Emily walked in the door stifling a yawn after a long shift in sickbay. She loved her job but some days felt more tiring than others. “Hi handsome” she smiled as she walked over to Zac giving him a kiss. “How’s your day been?”

Hi sweetie!" He greeted her happily as he returned her kiss.. "Come on in and take a load off. Would you like me to fix you a drink or perhaps a snack to hold you over until dinner?"

“Erm…a snack and a lemonade would go down a treat please” Emily smiled. “I’ll just go and change out of my work clothes and I’ll be right back.”

"Sure thing sweetie!" Zac replied getting up and heading for the kitchen. "I'll get started on it right now so it will be ready when you are done changing."

Emily nodded and disappeared into the bedroom, changing out of her work clothing she decided to wait for a shower to save it for time with Zac after dinner. Instead she freshened up before choosing a dress that would make his eyes pop at the sight of her.

As Emily went to change, Zac was in the kitchen. He paused in preparing dinner as he reflected on just how lucky he was to have met and fallen in love with Emily. She was the best thing to have ever happened to him. Every day with her was a joy and he wanted it to go on forever.

Walking into the living area Emily smiled as she walked across to Zac, hoping her dress would have the desired effect.

Zac's eyes almost bulged out of his head at seeing Emily in her dress. Oh my! Emily, you look fantastic! That dress really shows off your gorgeous figure!"

“I thought you’d like it” Emily grinned happy that Zac loved how she looked. “I’ve never met anyone like you before Zac, I’d be lost without you now.”

"Like it? I love it and how great you look in it!" Zac repeated. "Meeting you and falling in love with you is the best thing that has ever happened to me." He looked deep into her eyes, "I love you Emily! Now and for evermore."

“As I do you Zac!” Emily smiled as she walked over to him giving him a loving kiss. “I don’t want my life without you in it.”

Zac wrapped his arms around her and tugged her close. "I have a surprise for you, I was going to wait but I don't want to. You deserve this. Its in our closet in a box under a pile of my junk."

“Really!? You know I love surprises!” Emily grinned. “Can you go and get it for me?”

Zac nodded, "I sure can. Just sit right there, looking beautiful and I'll be right back." he answered as he got up and went into their bedroom and retrieved the box and brought it back to Emily. "For you darling, thank you for coming into my life and I love you so very much."

Emily grinned as she looked at the box wondering what might be in it. Slowly opening it she smiled. “Walking boots! Ohh and sticks too!” She grinned. “Planning on going hiking soon?” She put down the box and leant over giving him a kiss. “Thank you Zac!”

Zac grinned, "You never know and you are welcome honey. I'm glad you like them. I figure you can always use the boots and sticks on any of our holo adventures."

“Then we’ll have to arrange to go on an adventure” Emily grinned. “It’ll give me a chance to try these out.”

Zac grinned, "Now that is what I call down right good thinking and I couldn't agree more. Besides using them, you will look super cute in them."

Emily grinned. “I’m so lucky to have you, whatever I did to deserve you I’m glad I did it.”

Zac chuckled. "Oh, I am the lucky one Emily. Trust me. Now we just need to decide which holopragram for you to use them in."

“Why don’t we look together? I’m sure we could find something suitable between us” Emily offered.

"Now, that is a great idea. I know between the two of us we can find a suitable program. I think to narrow the search, we need some parameters though."

“Okay, what parameters do you think we need?” Emily asked curiously.

"Welllll." Zac said slowly, "Like indoors or outdoors. What kind of terrain, you know level, hill, rocky, jungle and of course the difficulty of the hike.'

Emily grinned. “I’ll tell you what, choose us something not too difficult, that has a nice pool at the end where we can go skinny dipping!” She gave him a wry smile.

Zac cave her a bewildered look for a moment before a slow grin appeared on his face and his eyes were full of delight. "Oh, you got it sweetheart. One not too difficult hike with a secluded pool for just us to enjoy. Coming right up."

Emily nodded. “I want to be able to treat you, just as special as you treat me Zac.”

Zac smiled and kissed her softly. "Oh Emily, my sweet you already do by loving me." He answered softly.

Emily grinned. “So what have we got to choose from? I want to help plan this little walk of ours.”

Zac showed her some of their options. We have outdoor walks at Yosemite National Park that's on Earth also on Earth a walk at Yellowstone National Park." He smile broadly as he said his next, "On Rigel we have the the moonlight outdoor trail and on Wrigley's Pleasure Planet we have the Trail to heaven that leads through dense forest and ....... ends at a small cove that has a pool."

Emily nodded. “Then that’s our destination, Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet. Sounds like the ideal place to have some fun.”

Zac nodded happily in agreement. "Perfect Emily! Wrigley's Pleasure Planet, look out for here we come!" He shouted before he hugged Emily happily.

~ A while later, Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet ~

Emily grinned as she and Zac made their way along their planned route, she wasn’t a nurse really enjoying herself. The planet itself was amazing, there was everything you could ever want to do and they had it all to themselves on the holodeck, so much better than holidaying on the planet itself. “This is so much fun!”

Zac grinned and nodded, "I agree and the best part, I mean the very best part is I get to spend it with you. Just us. Nothing beats that." He answered as they walked along their route. He helped her over a fallen log and as he did he brought her close and kissed her tenderly. "I love you Emily," He whispered.

“I love you too Zac” Emily smiled as she returned his kiss. “That pool shouldn’t be far away now.”

"Now, that would delightful." He grinned at her, "Maybe it's around the next bend in the trail and then we can have it all to ourselves."

“Now that I’m looking forward to” Emily nodded as she continued walking. It didn’t take long before the pool started to come into view.

Say Emily." Zac said a bright smile on his face, "Do you see what I see?" As the pool came further into view. it's crystal blue waters simmering invitingly in the sunlight.

“You bet I do!” Emily nodded picking up the pace a little, but being cautious where she was walking as well. Last thing they needed was a tumble now.

Zac nodded and picked up his pace as well as they hurried without running to the inviting pool and the fun it promised. " Good times ahead sweetheart!" He told her happily as the pool grew in size the closer they got to it.

“Oh wow! This is so much more than I was expecting” Emily grinned as she paused to look back at Zac.

"This is fantastic !" Zac gushed, smiling broadly at Emily as they drew closer to the pool. "Are you ready for some quality one on one time sweetie?"

“Am I ever!” Emily nodded as they reached the pool side. Dropping her backpack and sticks, she took off her boots followed by her clothing. “You coming?”

"Right behind you!" Zac replied as he took of his boots, his clothes quickly following and falling into a pile next to Emily's, "Here I come!"

Emily was enjoying the water, swimming around and across to the waterfall at the one end of the pool.

Zac stood at the edge of the pool and watched Emily swim. She was like fish in the water her lithe form cutting through the clear waters like a knife. He once again thanked his lucky stars for meeting and falling hopelessly in love with her.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you coming to join me?” Emily grinned as she turned to look towards Zac standing there naked watching her. “Though I have to admit I'm enjoying the view!”

"Oh is that a fact?" Zac bantered back, putting his hands on his hips and striking a pose. "I too am enjoying the view from my perspective as he gazed at Emily nude in the clear waters of the pool.

“Then what are you waiting for?” Emily grinned. “Come and get me!”

At that Zac's smile grew broader. "Your wish is my command." As he ran toward the pool and dove in a with a few strokes he had reached Emily's side, His arms circled her, "Got you and I am never going to let go!"

Emily smiled. “That’s what I hoped you’d say.” She gently kissed him before leaning back. “You know we haven’t…” she paused. “What I mean to say is, I want to…” she paused. “I want to make love with you.”

Zac was silent even as he continued to hold Emily as she spoke of her desire. When she finished he replied, "I know we haven't Emily because I didn't want to force you into something you weren't prepared for. However, being here with you like this and hearing you say what you want, I can honestly say nothing would please me more than for us to make love, to bring us even closer and show the love we have for each other."

Emily nodded. Gently motioning them towards the riverbank behind the waterfall where she had a hidden surprise. Set back in the mountain wall was a cave, but this cave was different, inside was a warm glow with a roaring fire waiting and soft fur rugs to lie on. She had planned ahead and added her surprise to the program settings. Emerging from the water she grabbed a towel and lead Zac inside.

With Emily holding his hand, Zac followed her into the cave where he gave her a surprised look at the soft fur rugs, the roaring fire supplying a warm glow. "Emily, this is... beautiful, I never imagined anything like this." He turned to her and placing his hand at her waist he kissed her tenderly, "I love you Emily."

“I love you too” Emily smiled as she returned his kiss before offering up towels to dry off so they could enjoy the fur rugs infront of the fire, and enjoy each other as well.

Zac took the towel and began drying himself off but his eyes were on Emily. he again reflected on just how lucky he was to have met and then fallen hopelessly in love with her. "You did a first rate job here Emily. This is great!"

Emily smiled as she made herself comfortable on the rugs, lying waiting for Zac to join her. “It’ll be even more special soon” she motioned for him to join her.

Zac knelt and the laid down next to Emily. he knew this was a big moment for her and he was going to do everything he could to make it special for her.

Emily cuddled up pulling a warm blanket over them as they lay in the glow of the firelight. “I want this to be special for both of us Zac, not just for me. Until now I’ve never trusted any man enough to want to make love, hell I never bothered with men at all until I met you. You’ve shown me that I can trust again, and I want to enjoy this time with you.”

Zac took Emily's hand and he kissed it softly. "I know this is a big step for you and I am grateful for the trust and love you have in me. I will never do anything for you to ever have to doubt those feelings. You can trust me in all things Emily." As he leaned forward and kissed her lips softly.

Emily returned the kiss, she’d waited for the perfect man to come along one that she could truly trust, and that was Zac. She didn’t say anything more instead she encouraged him onward, this was going to be the moment she put her fears aside.

Zac leaned forward and tenderly kissed Emily again and again, tasting her full lips as they met his, he then slowly drifted to her chest and again tenderly, slowly kissed first one nipple and then the other. Smiling as they rose and became erect. He wanted this moment to be perfect, one Emily could always look back on with fondness and happy memories. He didn't talk, he wanted his action to speak for him, to convey and express his total love for Emily.

Emily relaxed and let herself truly enjoy, running her fingers through Zac’s hair as encouragement to continue what he was doing. She wanted this more than anything.

Zac felt Emily relax as he tenderly kissed her. It was exactly what he was hoping for. That she would trust him not to harm her and to fully enjoy this intimate moment they were sharing.

Emily let herself relax, all worries were fast disappearing as she enjoyed this time with Zac. He was free to enjoy himself with her.

Zac continued to kiss Emily tenderly, he kissed her lips softly, enjoying every kiss they shared. He looked up at her as he moved to her breasts and again softly kissed first one nipple and then the other. He paused to make sure Emily was okay with this approach.

Emily smiled and nodded before encouraging Zac to continue, she was having to reign in her abilities or George would pick up on what she was feeling.

"Just making sure love." He whispered as he continued with his kisses and gentle massages. he wanted this to be truly special for Emily.

Emily was in heaven, her fears pushed aside she encouraged Josh’s every kiss and touch. “Ohhh Josh…that’s so good!!”

"Emily. my love. Let yourself go. Enjoy this completely. "I am for you. Always for you."

Emily nodded. “For you, I’d do anything Zac.” She smiled as she encouraged him onward. “I want you.”

Zac smiled at her words. "Emily, my love, your wish is my command." As he tenderly kissed her and moved to grant Emily's request.