If asked, he would admit that the he did not expect such a thorough answer. But he certainly appreciates it. Even more pleasing than the amount of detail, however, is the content. Her words cause a warm smile to spread across his features, and compel him to roll over and tackle her onto the mattress again, pinning her there and greeting her lips with yet another quite enthusiastic kiss.

"I am sad at the prospect of having to let you go as well," he tells her, stroking her cheek with his thumb and burying his fingers in her hair. He means it in both senses of the phrase, in that he does not want to be physically parted from her in the present, and it is even more depressing to think that he will eventually have to say goodbye to her and return to the Enterprise. He is quiet for a moment, and simply looks at her face, studying the flush to her skin and the glistening beads of sweat that still hang there.

"But you should probably drink something," he agrees finally, with an almost inaudible sigh. "I suppose that you will also require food within the next few hours."