Sparks leaned up on her side, and asked him, “How's your back feeling, John?"

“Sorry honey, I didn't mean to wake you up too," John apologised, which was met with a warm smile of forgiveness.

“Actually, I feel great! There's no soreness at all, and I feel completely refreshed,“ he said, happily.

Sparks rose from the bed smoothly, and then gracefully glided around to the other side to check his battered back.

"Wow! The bruises have all gone!" Sparks said stunned.

She ran her hand delicately over his back and shoulders, tracing the areas that should have been an ugly mottled patchwork of black and blue. Seeing no evidence of any kind of injuries, she moved forward to wrap her tanned arms around him, pressing her big full breasts against his back and kissing his shoulder tenderly, her long hair brushing softly against him. John reached back to caress the side of her face affectionately.

“I wonder why you healed so fast," Alyssa said, looking up at him with a puzzled expression on her stunningly beautiful face.

“I can understand us healing when our bodies feed off your cum, but this doesn't make much sense," she continued. "Do you think your orgasm triggered your faster recovery?" she asked him doubtfully.

"Hmm, that doesn't sound right to me," John replied. "It must be the love of a good woman that did it," he added playfully.

“Good women!" Sparks insisted, grinning at him happily. "You know I'm hopelessly in Love with you John."

John turned and picked up the lovely redhead, sitting her in his lap, her toned thighs wrapped around him.

“I've fallen in love with you too," he told the girl with heartfelt conviction in his voice.

“Oh, John," Sparks sighed, melting into his arms.

Alyssa lay on the bed watching the two of them kiss lovingly, happy tears welling in her eyes. She was delighted to see her lover and best friend falling for each other, and she felt a warm glow in her heart, knowing that she had been able to bring about such a dramatic change for the better in her old friend's life.

The poignant moment was interrupted by the flashing of the communicator, indicating an incoming call. Alyssa reached over to answer the communication, and Calara's beautiful face filled the view-screen.

“Sorry to interrupt your rest," she apologised . "I just wanted to let you know several ships have appeared on the long range scans. From the transponder codes, it looks like it's the relief you mentioned. They are reading as a group of Terran Federation vessels.”

“Thanks Calara, we'll be right there,“ John said, Looking over Sparks’ shoulder where she sat in his Lap.

Calara smiled at them affectionately and ended the call.

"Come on you two Lovebirds," Alyssa said, grinning playfully. "You can make her your woman later" she added good naturedly, causing Sparks to blush.

John looked back at the blissfully happy redhead "Sorry honey, duty calls. We'll continue this later, I promis he said, smiling at her.

“Consider that a date!" Sparks said, beaming back at him.

The three of them dressed quickly and headed back up to the command deck. Icons showing a Terran Federation Cruiser and three Destroyers were highlighted on the tactical map, as the incoming vessels approached their position. John had just settled in to his command chair when the flashing light on his console indicated an incoming hail. He pressed the button to receive the call and the view-screen in the centre of the bridge flickered into life. A distinguished looking man with greying temples and wearing a Terran Federation Navy uniform filling the image.