Valentine's Day, 1999

By Maureen J. Long

It had been a quiet Friday and Helena Russell had just spent lunch listening to several of her colleagues fret about the upcoming weekend. One had ordered flowers for his wife that had cost an exorbitant amount of money. Another spent his time on the phone trying to book reservations at a popular restaurant to no avail. Everything was booked well in advance for this Saturday night. A third had rushed out to find shoes to match the dress she was wearing to the theatre tomorrow.

Everyone was brimming with plans for the weekend except Helena. It wasn't that she was too busy. She would be leaving London at the end of the month and was hoping to hear that her requested re-assignment had been granted. Her patient load was down and her most recent research completed and submitted to her publisher. She had the weekend free and absolutely no plans.

She had debated about sending John Koenig flowers, or at least a card. When they had met last fall the attraction had been immediate and intense. She had seen him twice since then, at Victor Bergman's funeral in Boston the following week, and at Christmas when he had arranged for a week's vacation and spent the week here in London with her. They talked on the phone weekly and emailed each other daily, but he hadn't mentioned Valentines Day at all, and she had waited too long now to do anything but maybe FedEx a card to him. That certainly would show a lack of foresight. She wondered about taking the Concord to New York, but what if he already had plans to be with someone else? That would be embarrassing!

John Koenig entered Helena Russell's office with a smile. He knew she checked her email after lunch, since that was when she regularly responded to his messages. He laid the two roses he had bought her on the desk and pulled a chair into a corner so she would spot the flowers first. He certainly hoped she hadn't made any plans for the weekend that couldn't be changed.

As he had hoped, she opened the door and spotted the flowers immediately. She walked forward and picked up the two rosebuds and checked the card tied to the roses with a silver ribbon. She read the note and looked puzzled.

He stood and closed the door. "You don't have other plans do you?"

Her face lit up as she turned and recognized him. "John! I thought you were in New York!" Her arms went around his neck and he held her close.

"I was, but I remembered you mentioning that you wanted to see the Lake District and I thought this would be the ideal weekend to do so. I've made reservations and rented a car, so we can leave as soon as you can get away."

"I'll need to go home and pack first."

"Pack what?" he asked facetiously, leaning down to kiss her neck.

"Well, a toothbrush at least."

"Oh, all right. I suppose I can let you pack first," he teased, then gave her a long slow kiss of the kind that stops time.

A knock on the door interrupted them. Helena sighed, but backed away and ran her hands through her hair to straighten it. "Come in," she called.

The door opened and Helena's supervisor stepped in. "Ah, Helena, I was hoping to catch you in. Your transfer papers have just come through." He noticed Koenig. "I'm sorry, am I interrupting an appointment?"

"No," Helena made the introductions. "This is John Koenig, a friend from New York. John, this is Dr. Robert Shaw."

"Pleased to meet you, Captain Koenig. You were operations director for the Ultra Probe weren't you?"

"That's right. It's a pleasure, Dr. Shaw." John watched the envelope still in Shaw's hand. He knew what it contained. He was glad he'd gotten here in time. Shaw smiled and handed Helena the envelope.

She took it with a nervous smile and opened it carefully. She opened it, read it and her smile grew. She looked at John first. "I've been granted the CMO position on Alpha."

"That's fantastic, Helena," John said fondly.

"Yes, congratulations. Perhaps the two of you would like to join Mrs. Shaw and myself for dinner tonight to celebrate." Shaw invited warmly.

Helena glanced at John who replied, "We appreciate the offer Dr. Shaw, but I've already made reservations for the two of us."

"Of course. I understand." Shaw replied with a nod. "Do you have any other appointments today, Helena?"

"No, I don't," she replied, looking up from the letter she was reading again.

"Well then, you might as well begin your weekend a bit early. See you Monday." Shaw nodded to Koenig and left the office.

Helena looked at John, then smiled and pointed her finger at him. "You knew about this, didn't you?"

"Well, I'd heard rumors," he grinned.

"Rumors!"

"From a very reliable source," He added.

"How long have you known?" she asked accusingly, leaning against her desk, arms folded.

"Well, since Wednesday for sure. So I made some arrangements and flew over."

"And you didn't tell me!" she accused.

He put his arms around her waist. "You would have fretted anyway until you got the official word."

She grinned and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, John! I'm going to the moon!"

He lifted her off her feet and swirled her around. "Hey! That's really terrific!" He sat her down and kissed her hungrily. When he pulled back he stoked her cheek. "You know, I'm going to have to make sure I personally check on the progress of the Meta Probe frequently."

"Perhaps you should arrange a way to direct the project from Alpha," Helena suggested slyly.

"Excellent idea, Doctor." After another long kiss he said, "Let's get out of here. We can be in Windemere by dinner if we leave now."

"Give me fifteen minutes. I wasn't planning to go anywhere, you know."

"All right. I'll get the car and meet you at the front entrance."

"I'll be right there."

They stopped briefly at her apartment where she packed a bag and changed into a silk blouse and linen skirt from the suit she had worn to work that day. She packed hiking clothes as well as a slinky black dress she intended to wear if they went out to dinner the next night. She wished she had some suitably sexy nightclothes, but the only thing she could find was a flowing green silk caftan.

While she packed, John selected music to play in the car. He ignored the rock music and settled for a mix of jazz and classical: Greig, Bach, Kindler, and Barbieri. Helena noticed that he selected both Barbieri albums and smiled. The thought of his touch while listening to Barbieri's Europa made her shiver.

They were on the road shortly in the rented Jaguar. Once on the highway John's hand crept from the gearshift to her thigh, lightly tracing patterns with his fingertips. She made herself comfortable, resting her own hand on his thigh. The pair enjoyed each other's company and they had plenty to talk about, from the moonbase to the space program to the countryside they were passing through. They savored the opportunity to be alone together.

The day had been cloudy and a light mist began to fall as they headed north. The windshield wipers provided a hypnotic effect. Helena found herself yawning. John kissed her hand and suggested that she nap. "I plan to keep you up late tonight," he told her.

"I'm looking forward to that," she promised. She reclined her seat and drifted off to sleep with the precise and upbeat tones of the Goldberg variations in her ears

When she awoke, they were turning into a gravel driveway. It was dark and the mist had turned to a steady drizzle. The house ahead of them looked like a large cottage from a fairy tale, with a thatched roof and tiny diamond shaped window panes.

"Good, you're awake. We're here." John announced. He leaned over and kissed her.

Helena pulled herself back into the waking world, and smiled, happy to gaze into his blue eyes. She stroked his cheek drowsily.

John grabbed their bags and they hurried through the rain to the entryway. An elderly woman in tweeds and a hand knit vest opened the door for them. "Come in, come in," she called in a friendly manner. "You'll catch your death of cold in that rain. Don't young people ever use an umbrella anymore?" She ushered them in as John and Helena exchanged smiles and glanced around the room. Coal glowed cherrily from the hearth and the furniture was all polished wood and needlepoint cushions. The ceiling was low and timbered. It was a friendly cozy room, very unlike a hotel.

"You must be the Koenig's. We weren't expecting you for a few hours yet."

John grinned. "We managed to get away earlier than I anticipated."

"Good, Good. Such awful weather for driving, and all the way from London."

"It wasn't too bad," John assured her.

"Glad to hear it. Well, let me show you to your room. Have you had any supper?"

"No," Helena supplied. "Is there somewhere nearby we could get some sandwiches?"

"Oh, we'll get you fixed up. There's some roast left, and a bit of pudding." The lady led them along a hallway and up a flight of stairs. "We've already set a fire, and my sister will bring up a tray shortly." She opened a door at the end of the hallway. It let into a large room with peaked roof and dormer windows to each side. A hearth to the right of the door contained a glowing fire. Before it was a thick rag rug covering the polished floor and a comfortable looking morris chair with crocheted doilies. A table with two chairs sat nearby. The bed was a large high four-poster with a patchwork comforter and fluffy feather pillows. To the left of the door was another door which led to a small but spotless bathroom. A dresser and a full-length mirror completed the rooms furnishings. "Nice and private, like you asked for, Mr. Koenig. I think its so nice, you coming up here to celebrate your anniversary."

Helena glanced at John and smiled, easily playing the part. "Yes, he's full of surprises for me this weekend."

"A valentine's anniversary, how romantic. How many years has it been?"

Helena deferred that question to John who put the bags on the dresser and moved up behind her, arms around her waist. "Ten wonderful years," he lied glibly. "But it seems like just yesterday."

She leaned against him. "Yes, it does," she agreed with a delighted laugh.

"Well, you two enjoy your second honeymoon. My sister will be up shortly with a supper tray."

"Thank you, Mrs. Avery." John said. "Everything is just as nice as I pictured it from your description."

Mrs. Avery smiled and nodded and made her exit.

John held Helena close and nibbled at her neck once the door was closed.

Helena laughed and relaxed in his embrace. "Ten years?"

"Ten wonderful years," he corrected. He turned her around. "I would have married you ten years ago if I had found you then."

She searched his eyes. He was serious. She knew that if she had met him, then, she would have married him in a heartbeat. Their lips met in a kiss that lasted until the next knock on the door.

A smaller lady with a large tray entered. She nodded shyly and sat the tray on the table without a word. She nodded again and left.

He glanced at the tray. "Hungry?"

She smiled and ran her hands down his chest. "Not so much that I couldn't wait a while."

He grinned. His hands touched her lips, cheek, neck, and moved down to slowly unbutton her silk blouse. Eagerness made him clumsy and she helped him with the small buttons while unfastening his shirt. She also unfastened her skirt and allowed it to drop to the floor.

John lifted her easily from the pile of clothing and laid her on the bed. It was a featherbed and she sank deep into the bedding. John quickly removed the rest of his clothing and joined her, pushing the heavy patchwork comforter aside. He knelt above her, supporting himself with one hand while the other explored her breasts and moved down to her thighs which spread wide to welcome him.

Helena's hands played with his nipples then she raked her fingers down his chest and abdomen. She caressed his smooth hardness and felt its movement beneath her fingers. Her hips moved toward him as his fingers explored her own wet arousal. She smiled mischievously and met his eyes. "You'd think after ten years you wouldn't be quite so eager."

He paused, trying to think of a quick retort, but in a flash of insight they both realized the truth. Ten years from now, and even longer, they would still be as eager and passionate. No words were necessary. He leaned forward hypnotically and kissed her deeply, sliding easily inside her with a magical fit that seemed so right that neither could imagine a time when they did not touch each other this way, in the past or future. Helena's hips pressed against his, beginning a slow deliberate rhythm that built steadily to a climax. A low moan escaped her lips as she gasped for air. His lips caressed her neck and ear as her back arched. Her arms spread wide and she felt as if every nerve ending in her body was on fire. His lips sought hers again. She welcomed him inside her and felt his release deep within her. He pressed desperately against her then relaxed, both of them breathless and savoring the aftermath of sensation.

They lay against each other, cocooned within the feather mattress, breathless and tingling. When he caught his breath he asked, "Ready for dinner?"

"As soon as my coordination returns," she replied, drowsily holding him closer.

"Come on," he teased. "You're going to fall asleep."

"I'm just relaxed," she murmured against his shoulder.

"I want you to keep your strength up." He responded, "So we can do this again."

She lifted her head with a drowsy smile. "Shall we come back here for our twentieth anniversary?"

He rolled away from her. "And every one in between," he promised.

There was no dignified way of leaving a feather bed. Once the mattress has formed around you it resists attempts to alter it. He rolled back down into the pocket they had created and the two laughed. They carefully climbed their way out of the bed together. He pulled her to him and gave her a gentle hug and kiss.

The coal fire and the thick walls of the cottage provided a warm environment, but she pulled the caftan out of her bag and slid into it for dinner. John produced a robe of his own and poured tea for both of them.

"Will you be able to visit Alpha occasionally?" she asked hopefully.

"Probably every other month for a while. Maybe more often as we get closer to the launch date."

"I'll look forward to it." Helena smiled and divided the food between their two plates, cutting thick slices of homemade bread and ladling gravy from the wedgewood gravy boat.

"If I could get a permanent position," he mused. "They do have couples quarters you know."

"Are you proposing to me?" she asked lightly.

"Would you accept if I were?" he responded in the same tone.

She toyed with her food and glanced into his eyes. She said softly, "I love being with you, John. And I'm fairly certain that I've fallen madly in love with you. But I don't think I'm up to another long distance marriage."

He reached for her hand and leaned down to kiss her palm. "I understand. We don't have to make any firm commitments right now."

She caressed his cheek. He made her feel warm and safe and loved. She knew with a deep held certainty they would be together for a long time, but any decisions they made about marriage would be carefully considered and mutually agreed upon.

After dinner they stacked the dishes and set the tray outside the door, then they settled in front of the fire, Helena curled up in his lap. They talked for a while, then when they began to kiss and touch more than they talked Helena stood and led him back to bed.

Lovemaking was less urgent this time, but no less satisfying. The two drifted gently from afterglow to sleep.

In the early morning dark, coals burned to embers, lights off and a gentle tapping of raindrops on the windowpanes he woke to Helena's touch coaxing his arousal.

"Helena?" he breathed sleepily.

She laughed softly in his ear. "Were you expecting someone else, my love?"

He gasped as she caressed a sensitive spot and he reached for her. "No, only you." He smiled in the dark as she rolled on top of him. His heart soared as she called him her love. It sounded so right, and she felt so marvelously wonderful. His hands traced her outline in the dark, full breasts with nipples tight and inviting, slender waist giving way to pleasingly curved hips. She shifted above him to allow roaming hands access to her inner thighs. He took great delight in her sigh of pleasure. She pressed down drawing him inside her. He climaxed quickly and she showed him exactly what she needed to complete her own orgasm. As she settled against his chest, satisfied and drowsy again he whispered, "I love you, Helena."

He could feel her smile against his chest. "I love you too," she murmured, drifting back to sleep.

When he awoke again the sky outside the window was gray, a timeless color that could either be early dawn or cloudy midmoring. Helena lay curled next to him, eyelashes dark crescents against creamy cheeks, mouth opened slightly. One hand lay gently on his shoulder. A soft tapping came from the door.

He sat up slowly and made his way out of the bed, careful not to wake her. She settled deeper into the pillow and he pulled the comforter around her. He found his discarded robe and opened the door a crack.

In place of the tray of empty supper dishes was a tray containing a teapot underneath a knitted tea cozy and a stack of fresh cinnamon buns and dishes for two. No one was in the hallway. He took the tray inside and set the table for breakfast. He sat on the edge of the bed and kissed her bare shoulder.

"Breakfast is ready."

She gave a low growl. "Is it morning already?"

"Yes dear, and I'm going to eat all the sticky buns myself if you don't get up now."

She sighed. "I was up late last night."

He laughed. "Don't blame me. I believe you're the one who woke me up in the middle of the night."

"It's not my fault I couldn't keep my hands off of you." She smiled, eyes still closed. "I find you irresistible."

"And that's a good thing," he replied firmly. He took her hands and pulled her into a sitting position.

She looked over at the table. "They do look delicious," she said, tempted.

"We can always come back to bed later."

"Oh, I'm counting on it," she said seductively, cutting her eyes at him suggestively.

The tone of her voice ignited a fire within him. He was tempted to push her back onto the bed right then, but resisted the urge. He returned to the table and poured the tea while she slid into the bathroom and returned in the silky caftan.

They felt so comfortable together. He decided to ask her something that he'd kept from others for a long time. "You know, appointments to Alpha are pretty rare, and usually short term. Have you ever thought about a deep space mission?"

Over the past few years more and more exploration missions had been funded. There was now a division of the space commission that handled long-range deep space missions.

She glanced at him almost shyly. "I've thought about it. I was even back-up physician on the Astro Seven mission."

A wash of emotions ran through him. Relief that she was interested, hope that they might be able to find a mission for the two of them, then terror that she could have been on that mission, which had not returned; and lastly, confusion.

"With your husband in command, why wouldn't you have been given priority?"

She sighed and sipped her tea. "I don't think Lee really wanted me along. I've always thought that if he had, I would have been with him."

"Then he was a fool," John said without hesitation. "How could he possibly have wanted to be away from you."

She shook her head. "Perhaps he felt he was protecting me. I don't really know." She looked into John's eyes. "Lee wasn't you. The way I feel about you -- the way we are together -- is already so different from what Lee and I had together, I can't even compare it."

"I want us to be together, Helena. I know what it's like to have a career that interferes with a marriage. I don't want that to happen to us. I completely understand your fears about a long distance relationship. It tore my marriage apart."

"I'm just not sure what we can do about it," Helena said, frustration evident. "A deep space mission would be ideal. But they're also hard to obtain. And in a way, we're over-qualified. We're both senior management now, and above the level chosen to take those missions."

"There's got to be a way, Helena."

She agreed. It was a discussion they would return to over and over-- and not just during this weekend.

The day remained rainy, and their hiking clothes remained unused. John had no trouble coaxing Helena back to bed where they alternately loved, talked and dozed. John had made reservations for dinner at a nearby restaurant, so Helena had the opportunity to wear her slinky black dress.

Dinner was wonderful and there was a dance floor and a band. They danced until nearly midnight, then Helena suggested that it was time to leave. He dropped her at the door of the cottage and parked the car so she didn't have to walk through the rain. Mrs. Avery let them in with no complaints about the late hour. She chatted pleasantly with Helena until John arrived, then bid them both goodnight.

Once they achieved the solitude of their room Helena laughed. "John Koenig, what did you tell that woman?"

John attempted innocence. "What do you mean?"

"She told me how nice it was that I had kept my figure so well, after having the children."

"Oh, that."

"Yes, that. You told her we had children?"

"Well, a few."

"How many?"

"Only five," he said flippantly.

"Not this white girl!" She indignantly reverted to seldom used slang to emphasize her point.

"Well, how many should we have?" he asked.

"One -- maybe."

"Maybe two?" he tried to bargain.

"Maybe one. And only if both parents are living on the same planet."

He laughed and put his arms around her waist. "You could have the first baby on the moon," he offered.

"I think I'd rather deliver it than have it."

His hands moved down her hips. "Why did we leave the dance so early?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Because your hands were beginning to go places they shouldn't in public."

"Oh," he nibbled at her neck. "You mean like this?" He moved slowly to imaginary music, his fingers travelling underneath her hemline.

She moved with him, sharing the imaginary beat." Yes, that's it exactly."

His hands caressed her gently. "Do you have a problem with this?" he asked softly, gently tugging at her earlobe with his lips.

"Not here," she answered. "In fact, your hands are quite welcome there now."

"Mmm, glad to hear it. Happy Valentine's Day, Helena."

"Happy Valentine's Day, John."

The wedding was attended by everyone on Alpha who could possibly attend. The ceremony was short and the party festive. John had never intended to delay their marriage for five years, but once Breakaway occurred, their priorities had to change, along with the way they lived their lives. He danced with her and held her close, wishing he could take her back to the Lake District for their honeymoon.

She leaned her head against his shoulder and murmured, "Happy Valentine's Day, John."

He smiled, "Happy Anniversary, Helena."

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