"The Promise" by deslea (M)
Fandom: Terminator / Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Pairing: Sarah Connor / Derek Reese
Length: ~1500 words
Author on LJ deslea
Author Website: Literatti
Why this must be read: I prefer Sarah/Kyle, but I'm open to Sarah/Derek when it's done right, and this is one of those cases. "The Promise" is short but packs a heck of a punch as it circles Sarah's single-mindedness, Derek's desire for life, and their shared humanity. You won't believe what this author can do in so little space, really.
"We shouldn't have done that," she says mildly as they walk home, hand in hand.
"I don't regret it." He adds, by way of concession, "I suppose it complicates things."
She smiles a little. "I meant in the street. We shouldn't have let our guard down like that."
"Oh."
They walk like that for a while. He supposes they could boost a car, but there's no need. Street lights glimmer on her tussled hair and their hands are touching and he can't see a reason in the world to be anywhere else.
"Derek, do you love me?" she asks, looking up at the night sky. Careful not to meet his gaze. "I don't like to put you on the spot here, but I really need to know."
He's never been one for games. He nods. Says casually, "Yeah, I love you."
She nods too. Like she already knew. "Promise me you won't ever choose me over John."
He knows what's at stake. "I won't." It isn't a lie.
Suddenly she's shivering all over again. Tugging him urgently against a tree in some nice family's garden.
"That turns you on," he says in wonder. "Why?"
"It means I can trust you," she whispers against his lips as they fall back into the dark.
They make it as far as the garage.
They make love there on the workbench. It seems fitting. Beds are for people who can rest. Workbenches are for people in the trenches together.
They stay there, talking and loving and talking until dawn stretches its fingers across the sky.
They eventually make it into bed, and they find rest there together after all.
Once again, Sarah is pregnant to one of the Reese boys.
She tells their strange little family over dinner. Her hand slips easily into his as she tells them what she wants to do. What they want to do.
"It's tactically dangerous," the metal says, staring at Sarah's still-flat stomach.
"I know that," she says softly. "I know that the chances of us bringing this baby safely into the world are almost nil. But I want to try."
No one argues. She has never asked for anything for herself before.
It strikes him that they are preparing as much to lose this baby as to have it.
The Promise
Pairing: Sarah Connor / Derek Reese
Length: ~1500 words
Author on LJ deslea
Author Website: Literatti
Why this must be read: I prefer Sarah/Kyle, but I'm open to Sarah/Derek when it's done right, and this is one of those cases. "The Promise" is short but packs a heck of a punch as it circles Sarah's single-mindedness, Derek's desire for life, and their shared humanity. You won't believe what this author can do in so little space, really.
"We shouldn't have done that," she says mildly as they walk home, hand in hand.
"I don't regret it." He adds, by way of concession, "I suppose it complicates things."
She smiles a little. "I meant in the street. We shouldn't have let our guard down like that."
"Oh."
They walk like that for a while. He supposes they could boost a car, but there's no need. Street lights glimmer on her tussled hair and their hands are touching and he can't see a reason in the world to be anywhere else.
"Derek, do you love me?" she asks, looking up at the night sky. Careful not to meet his gaze. "I don't like to put you on the spot here, but I really need to know."
He's never been one for games. He nods. Says casually, "Yeah, I love you."
She nods too. Like she already knew. "Promise me you won't ever choose me over John."
He knows what's at stake. "I won't." It isn't a lie.
Suddenly she's shivering all over again. Tugging him urgently against a tree in some nice family's garden.
"That turns you on," he says in wonder. "Why?"
"It means I can trust you," she whispers against his lips as they fall back into the dark.
They make it as far as the garage.
They make love there on the workbench. It seems fitting. Beds are for people who can rest. Workbenches are for people in the trenches together.
They stay there, talking and loving and talking until dawn stretches its fingers across the sky.
They eventually make it into bed, and they find rest there together after all.
Once again, Sarah is pregnant to one of the Reese boys.
She tells their strange little family over dinner. Her hand slips easily into his as she tells them what she wants to do. What they want to do.
"It's tactically dangerous," the metal says, staring at Sarah's still-flat stomach.
"I know that," she says softly. "I know that the chances of us bringing this baby safely into the world are almost nil. But I want to try."
No one argues. She has never asked for anything for herself before.
It strikes him that they are preparing as much to lose this baby as to have it.
The Promise