(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/7d/6a00e55003818f883401543213d274970c-320wi.jpg)<br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Sue, the Cook</span></span><br/><strong>Location:</strong>In Keri's bunk, after the crew's dinner on Shadow<br/><strong>With:</strong>Keri<br/><br/>I had finished telling Elfi what to do and how to get the kitchen back in order.  It wouldn't have been too hard.  I tended to clean during those idle moments while cooking, so it was just the silverware and plates that needed a scrubbing.<br/><br/>I was exhausted, which made me think of the exchange Keri and I had earlier.<br/><br/><em><strong>"After the crew has supper, I'll have you for dessert."</strong></em><br/><br/><em><strong>"Promises, promises. We'll see how good you are to your word on that one. Unloading all that cargo is rough work. We'll see just how much stamina you have after all that and cooking dinner! Poor old man might need some rest after such a long day!</strong></em><br/><br/>And she was right.  Ten years ago, at Keri's age,  I would not have been tired at all.  But my body had seen plenty of use and abuse and I had the scars to prove it, and I really was ready to just pass out.  Still, I couldn't help myself to at least stop by Keri's bunk and make good on my word.<br/><br/>I had already taken a shower and changed to more comfortable sleepwear - just a thin pair of pants, a sleeveless t-shirt and slippers.  I left my trademark hat in my bunk.  I stood in front of her hatch and straightened myself up best I could, then lightly rapped the metal.  Upon receiving the invitation to enter, I opened the hatch and stepped through.<br/><br/>She was standing there in the middle of her bunk after I entered.  I closed the distance between us and took her hands in mine, pulling them toward me, wrapping them around me, until I felt her head against my chest.  She was so small compared to me - I must have stood about a foot taller than she.  I ran my fingers through the hair on her head, then tilted her chin up to me as I planted my lips on hers.<br/><br/>Mid-kiss, I opened my eyes and saw her bunk.  I broke the kiss and put my around across her shoulders.<strong>"How 'bout you gimme the grand tour, Keri?"</strong><br/><br/>I picked up the picture.<strong>"This your mama?  I see where you get your good looks from."</strong><br/><br/>I stood in front of her star charts.<strong>"Wow.  Ah look out in the black and all's Ah see is balls of light.  Seems like you see so much more'n that, Keri.  Maybe you can learn me some about these here stars the way you done with piloting this bird."</strong>I squeezed her hand for a moment.<br/><br/>I checked out the wood carvings.<strong>"Looks like yer pretty good with a knife, Keri.  Maybe Ah'll have you help me with slicing and dicing in the kitchen sometime."</strong><br/><br/>I wasn't really aware of it, but I guess in a way I was putting the moves on her - admiring her while adding the possibility for more than just one night together.<br/><br/>We sat on the bed, side by side, and kissed some more.  Our lips locked, I leaned her back until we was lying next to each other.  I was on my side and halfway on top of her while she was flat on her back.  I wrapped my arms around her as one of my knees slowly pushed between hers.  I checked out her outfit, thinking about how I wanted to take off her clothes.<br/>