1 week to Christmas
Pairing: Wash/Taylor
Disclaimer: NOT MINE...
Rating: R
Timeline: Pre- series
Merry Christmas everyone <3
1 week to Christmas
"That looks really good on you."
Wash turns around slowly, not quite daring to hope that she has actually heard Guzman´s voice but he´s standing there, looking her upside down in an admiring but not inappropriate manner.
She has been attracting looks all morning, it´s her day off and usually she ignores those, preferring to catch up on paperwork or train with her recruits but it´s only one more week until Christmas Eve and the party at Boylan´s and she desperately needs a new dress or rather a dress at all, she gave the few she owned away when she packed her place up before going through the portal.
She´s not exactly known to spend money on clothes and her walking into the market and starting to try on the most exquisite dresses on display has attracted far too much attention for her taste.
Wash decides to simply pretend nothing has happened- it seems to be what Guz has decided on- and simply go with the conversation.
"Thanks, I think I´ll take it, I´m tried of trying on things, I never enjoyed shopping."
She turns to the mirror one more time, the dress is rather elegant with a tight bodice and long sleeves, the skirt flaring slightly and reaching down to her ankles, the fabric a deep red velvet.
"It´s perfect for Christmas with the color and fabric" Guz says, earning himself a frown from his comrade and shrugs, grinning.
"I have a daughter, what can I say."
"Nice safe- I´ll go and get changed."
When she emerges from the shop ten minutes later with the dress wrapped into silk paper Guz is waiting for her.
"So how much did that one cost you?"
"Don´t ask, must be a sin to spend so much on a single dress."
He laughs and it sounds sincere before he bids her goodbye and walks away in direction of the mess hall while Wash makes her way over to her house to put the dress away before joining Taylor for lunch at the office.
At least that has been her plan but when she opens her front door she´s greeted by a wonderful smell and the sight of her CO sitting at her kitchen counter and reading something on his plex.
"Hey, I was about to come and find you."
She closed the door behind herself and walks up over into the kitchen area, smiling when Taylor gets up and pulls her to him, holding her while leaning back against the counter.
"What did you buy?"
"A dress for Friday."
"Can I see?"
"Sure."
She pulls the dress out of the bag and holds it in front of her, her cheeks flushing with pleasure when Taylor´s eyes sweep over her body in an unmistakable manner.
"I guess there´s no use trying to persuade you to try it on for me?"
Wash laughs, shaking her head as she wraps the dress into the silk paper again.
"No way, knowing you it might not survive."
Grinning he pulls the bag out of her hands and sets it onto the counter before reaching for her again, this time his mouth covers her´s in a deep, unhurried kiss and Wash allows herself to fully enjoy it, melting into his arms and sighing happily when he finally breaks apart and brushes his lips against her forehead before nodding towards the stove.
"Hungry?"
"For food?"
"That´s debatable- food first?"
"Only because I´m really hungry" she quips, her stomach rumbling as she once again concentrates on the delicious smell wafting over to her.
"Shouldn´t you be working or something?"
Wash stifles a yawn, hoping that he´ll tell her he´s given up on work for today, it´s so incredibly comfortable to lie on his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat but unfortunately they still have a colony to run.
"In a minute- or ten."
His fingers are playing with her hair and she feels herself drifting off, she has worked three night shifts this week and the idea of catching up on some sleep is more than welcome Nathaniel will work for a few more hours anyway and this way she´ll be more awake later when they have time for each other.
"Wash?"
"Hm?"
"What is happening tomorrow?"
He´s been springing the question on her repeatedly, usually when he thought her to be pliable enough to be tricked into answering but she´s used to it by now and it only makes her smile.
"Nice try but not good enough."
It´s nothing special really, just decorating the enormous Christmas tree that will be put up in the market and of course Taylor is expected to put the tree topper though he doesn´t know that yet.
"And when are you going to tell me?"
"When I´m sure you can´t run anymore."
He groans and she smiles, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder before sitting up and brushing her hair out of her face.
"Anywhere you need to be?"
He looks up at her and she shakes her head.
"Not me, you- come on."
She gets up and pulls the blanket off the bed, ignoring Taylor´s protests and letting it fall to the floor before walking over to her bathroom door where she tuns around and looks back at the man now sitting on her bed.
"If you hurry you can shower with me."
He´s off the bed and by her side instantly and she´s not at all surprised when he reaches around her and lifts her off the ground and into his arms before carrying her into the bathroom, it´s a good thing that she has insisted on them getting up now because the way Taylor is crowding her against the wall as he turns on the shower promises more delightful activities that will take up even more time, time the commander technically should spend at his desk.
"You know" Wash tells him as she seeks her balance and wraps her legs around his hips, "if we keep this up it´s only a matter of time until people will start to notice."
"I don´t care."
His answer takes her by surprise, whatever she has expected it´s not that and she looks at him questioningly, momentarily distracted from the exquisite feeling of their bodies pressed together underneath the warm spray.
"What?"
"Don't say what, Wash, say pardon" Taylor quips, then groans when she pushes firmly against him and digs her nails into his shoulders.
"Not funny, what do you mean by that?"
"I meant it like I said it, I don´t care if anyone finds out, I made up my mind, I want all of you, the whole relationship, no more sneaking around."
"Nathaniel, how can you just say this while we´re naked and in my shower?"
"Good time as any."
He ignores her incredulous expression and hoists her up a little higher and then Wash forgets what they were arguing about when he pushes inside her and begins to move, his lips teasing the sensitive skin on her neck, her head falls back against the wall as she gives herself over to the sensations he´s evoking in her body.
When they finally leave the bathroom, Taylor back in his uniform and Wash in jeans and an extra warm sweater, it´s considerably later but still Nathaniel takes the time to kiss her goodbye thoroughly before promising he´ll be back in time for dinner and that they will talk all she wants then.
Wash has just finished warming up and is wondering what training tool to use for her workout session when Guz enters the gym and when he spots her, he comes over to her.
"Wash."
"Hey, Guz."
There´s a moment of silence, it feels a little strange for usually Guzman hardly ever stops talking and Wash is getting the feeling that something is bothering him.
"Ok, out with it, what´s wrong?"
He blushes, biting his lip and nods towards the sparring ring.
"Would you go a few rounds with me?"
"Sure, if you don´t mind being beaten up."
He shakes his head.
"I don´t."
"Only if you talk to me first."
"I- uh- did I see Taylor leave your house just now?"
"Depends- would that be a problem? Apart from the obvious one we´ve been having the last two weeks?"
"He went over to your place for a working lunch three hours ago."
"So he did."
"I see- well, I guess if you´re happy I´m happy."
He doesn´t look it and Wash can´t blame him but she hopes that he´ll accept her decision anyway and what´s more, that he won´t cause them problems, as third in command he is well entitled to protest if his CO and first Lieutenant engage in inappropriate behavior.
"So how is this going to work, you won´t be able to keep it a secret that way."
Wash hesitates, then she decided to just trust him, she has always done it and she isn´t willing to stop now.
"He doesn´t want to keep it a secret."
For a moment Guzman looks shocked, then he relaxes visibly, nodding.
"He´s better than I gave him credit for, you deserve a real relationship."
"I´m not sure how he´s planning to do this."
"Why, do you think anyone will have a problem with it? You should trust your men more, Wash, no one will begrudge you or Taylor some happiness."
"Are you sure?"
She isn´t, the idea is too good to be true but perhaps luck is on her side this time, she certainly has struggled enough in her life and perhaps there actually is a concept of give and take and fair and square and all the other nice little clichés.
"I´m sure- now stop stalling and get onto that mat."
"So desperate to have your ass kicked into next week?"
Wash jokes as she leads the way over to the training mats.
"Good idea, in that case I´d get around that stupid Christmas tree decoration thing tomorrow."
"Aw, come on, I bet Tasha´s all excited."
"Of course she is- how´s Taylor taking his tree topper job?"
Wash bites her lip and Guz nods knowingly.
"You haven´t told him yet, have you."
"Must have slipped my mind."
An hour later Guzman limps out of the gym with Wash following, she is feeling a little sorry for her friend, actually still feels guilty for turning him down so brutally but he wouldn´t have appreciated her holding back while sparring, Guz is good but Wash is better and she landed a few hard blows while getting out with only slight bruising herself.
"Remind me why I asked you to spar with me?"
"Because I´m brilliant and you want to learn how to be brilliant, too?"
She smiles widely at him.
"If I wasn´t hurting so much, I´d hit you" Guz growls but he doesn´t look serious, for some reason he thinks it´s amusing that Wash, being so much smaller and slighter than himself, always manages to beat him up literally.
"I´ll go home and spend the rest of the day on the sofa, damn, I really need to find a woman to pamper me a little, shame you´re really off the market."
Wash is relieved that he´s over her choosing their CO over him enough to joke about it.
"I´m sure if you limp into the market right now, they´ll flock around you."
"Aren´t you sweet, so concerned for my well being- see you tomorrow."
It´s already getting dark when Wash makes her way to the market to buy something for dinner, it´s still so cold that very few people are outside, everyone is spending as much time as possible in their heated units.
Boylan waves from behind his make shift bar, by far the busiest stall in the market and Wash walks over to him, smiling when he hands her a mug with eggnog.
"I´m going to miss this stuff when Christmas is over" she confesses, then nods towards the customers.
"Looks as though you´re the only one who doesn´t have trouble selling because of the weather."
"No, that´s one reason I wanted to be a bar tender, people will always be interested in booze, no matter what- so how are you doing, haven´t seen you around all week."
Still not sure what exactly Taylor meant earlier, Wash evades the answer.
"I´ve been busy, there´s a lot of work before the holidays."
"Planning on taking some time off?"
"Hopefully, what about you, are you going to stay open all the time?"
"No, I´ll close down on the 25th, people should spend at least one day of Christmas without going out for drinks."
"How thoughtful of you" she teases and Boylan laughs.
"Yeah, that´s me- how´s the great Commander, haven´t seen him around, either."
"Busy as well, how is the party planning going?"
The new topic is well chosen for Boylan instantly forgets all his questions and starts talking about the party while Wash sips her eggnog and wonders what to get for dinner.
She has just finished her mug when Boylan´s face lights up with a mischievous smile, then his eyes widen and Wash feels an arm wrap around her waist, she smiles as Taylor pulls her into his side and his lips brush against her temple, apparently he´s been serious when he told her he didn´t care about anyone knowing about them earlier.
"Evening, Tom, how´s business?"
For a moment Boylan just gapes at them, then he visibly pulls himself together.
"Great- business, I mean, it´s going great- how long have you two been- " he gestures between them and Taylor´s smug smile widens as he observes how flustered the other man is.
"Curiosity killed the cat, Boylan- now if you don´t mind I´d like to steal the lady away from you."
Boylan shakes his head, obviously out of words for the moment and Wash puts her empty mug down.
"Thanks for the eggnog."
Boylan has recovered from his shock and nods cheerfully.
"Anytime, with him you´ll need all the help you can get."
Instead of taking the bait, Taylor tips up Alicia´s head and kisses her, his arm tightening around her waist, his other hand lacing through her hair as he deepens the kiss, ignoring the sudden silence around them as Boylan´s customers stop talking in favor of watching them.
When they break apart there´s cheering and whistling but no negative reactions and Wash looks up at Taylor to find him watching her with a tender smile on his face.
"See, it wasn´t that bad."
She returns his smile and they proceed with their shopping, ignoring people looking at them as they walk arm in arm, the very picture of a normal couple enjoying each other´s company.
"So that´s how it´s going to be now? We just act like a couple and see what happens?"
Wash leads the way over into her kitchen area with Taylor carrying their bags right behind her.
"That´s what I want, what do you want? I should probably have asked out that before kissing you, by the way" he looks anxious and she shakes her head, leaning over and gently kissing his cheek before starting to unpack their groceries.
"It´s ok, I don´t mind, unless you plan on stopping again, then I might shoot you."
He laughs, pulling her close to him to give her a proper kiss, it leaves them both breathless and for a moment Wash is tempted to simply skip dinner completely and seduce him right then, though the smoldering look in his eyes tells her that it won´t take a lot of persuasion to make him comply.
Instead she turns towards her groceries again, there´s no need to rush, they have all night and many more nights to come and her heart soars at the thought, as cliché and ridiculous that image might be.
They have spend the morning catching up on paperwork, a task neither of them enjoys but it has to be done and so they both try and be as efficient as possible and get it out of the way sooner rather than later.
It´s lunch time and they have finally left the office again to get something to eat from the the market, the vendors have finished with their decorations now and Wash can tell that Taylor tries hard not to wince at the sight of twinkling lights everywhere.
"We can go to the mess hall if you want" she teases, grinning when he gives her an incredulous look, they both hate eating there and avoid it as much as possible.
"Don´t worry, I can bear it- I take it that´s the unpleasant surprise for this weekend?"
Taylor asks, looking more relaxed than was to be expected as he watches some of the younger soldiers wrestle the huge pine tree in front of the barracks.
"We´re not expected to dance around it, right?"
"I don´t think so, Sir but you never know."
"Evil woman."
"If you say so, Sir."
"So what´s my part in all this?"
"The kids have been making straw stars and ribbons to decorate the tree this week and they and the teachers will put it up later, some of the soldiers will do the higher branches and you are supposed to climb all the way up to put the tree topper in place."
"Great, just what I´ve been dreaming of doing on my free Saturday afternoon- can I at least climb the tree or do I have to use a ladder?"
"I´m afraid it´s a ladder."
"Should have known, would have been too much fun otherwise" he complains quietly while following Wash over to one of the stalls that sell food.
People are looking at them everywhere, apparently the fact that they are a couple has travelled the colony like wildfire.
"I feel like a movie star, in the negative sense" Wash tells Taylor who just laughs and reaches for her hand, fingers lacing through her´s as he pulls her closer.
"Don´t worry about it, the novelty will wear off in a month or so."
"Let´s hope so."
They get sandwiches for lunch and eat them while walking through the market, Wash is looking for small presents for Guz and Tasha and she also wants to get something for Boylan to take to the party on Christmas Eve.
At half past one they make their way over to the huge tree and watch along with most other citizens as the school children decorate it with their self made ornaments, then as some soldiers take care of the higher branches and finally as Commander Taylor climbs the ladder to put the tree topper in place.
Everybody applauds and cheers as Taylor makes his way down again and both Wash´s surprise and delight when he gets back to her side he pulls her to him and kisses her soundly, the keeps his arm firmly wrapped around her waist while leading her back towards the command center, they will have to work for another few hours until they are finished with all their paperwork.
People are still milling around, children are begging for sweets, adults are drinking eggnog and cider and it takes a while for the commander and his second to get back to their office, they have to stop so often to talk to civilians and soldiers alike.
They are merely finished with their tasks for the afternoon when Taylor asks Wash to tidy up the office and excuses himself, he is looking preoccupied and Wash instantly gets curious and hurries to finish and make her way home, expecting to find him there but when she enters the house he is nowhere to be found but in the bedroom she finds a wrapped package waiting for her, there´s a note attached to it that says to open it and that he is waiting for her at his own house when she is ready.
Not having the slightest idea what that means Wash unwraps the package and the meaning becomes clear when she holds up a new dress, it´s black, made from a soft, shiny material and she instantly loves it, she hasn´t been aware that Nathaniel has such exquisite taste but she certainly isn´t about to complain.
She also finds a pair of black silk stockings and lacy black lingerie and has to smile, she hasn´t worn anything like this in years but if he wants to see her in it she´ll do him the favor.
A pair of high heeled black shoes is the last item she adds to her outfit, the dress looks great on her, showing off her figure and makes her legs seem endless, she has left her hair down and added a little more make up than usual and when she has put on her warmest coat over the dress and exchanged the heels for boots, she leaves her house and walked over to Taylor´s.
He opens at her first knock, smiling widely and steps aside to let her in, waiting until she has changed back into her heels before taking her hand and pulling her after him into the living room area.
A table has been set up there, looking beautiful with a white table cloth and candles, a vase with flowers is in the center of the table and for a moment Wash just takes it all in, she has never been a particularly delicate woman and has never been with a man who would have gone to such lengths to surprise her and she can´t help herself but turn to Nathaniel and kiss him deeply, hoping he understands that she isn´t quite sure how to express herself other than through showing him how much this means to her.
He returns the kiss tenderly, then pulls out a chair for her and Wash sits down, content to let him be as gentlemanly as he wants for the evening, he apparently has it all planned out and she will just wait and see what´s going to happen next.
Taylor offers her a choice of wine and they eat a delicious dinner along with chocolate cake for desert and then they take their glasses over to the fireplace where Nathaniel has spread out a blanket and a couple of pillows.
"How long have you been planning this?"
She asks while settling down against his chest, smiling when she feels his arm wrap around her waist, his lips brush against her neck and she leans her head back to give him better access, sighing happily.
"Why, that good or that bad?"
"That good- so that´s what you meant when you said you´d prove to me that you´re a romantic, Sir?"
He chuckles.
"Back to that, are we- that was part of it."
"And the other part?"
She feels him move and tries to turn around but he holds her in place, whispering into her ear.
"Patience, Wash."
"Patience has never been my strong point" she reminds him but holds perfectly still while re rummages for something in his pocket.
"Now turn around" he sounds as though he could barely suppress his excitement, it´s unusual for him to get worked up over anything and now Wash really wants to know what this is all about.
When she faces him he is holding a ring on the palm of his hand, a slim gold band with a sparkling diamond, his expression very serious and Alicia can do nothing but look down at the sparkling gem, this can´t mean what she thinks- or can it?
"Alicia" he begins, his free hand taking her´s and he links their fingers while Wash holds perfectly still, waiting with baited breath for him to continue.
"I have loved you for a long time and I want to continue loving and cherishing you for the rest of my life, will you marry me?"
It´s not what she has expected and it´s not what anyone would expect from them, neither him nor her but it feels just right to Wash and even though she can´t say that she has ever really imagined that this would happen, let alone how it might turn out but now that it is happening, there´s only one thing left to say.
"Yes" she whispers, feeling tears dwell in her eyes, sees that his own look suspiciously water as well and she gets up on her knees and wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him with all the pent up love and emotion she has for him.
Much, much later they are lying in front of the fireplace, Taylor leaning back against one of the pillows, Wash lying on her back, her head resting against his shoulder as she holds up her hand, admiring the sparkling diamond on her finger, it changes colors constantly in the firelight, she has never been one for jewelry, when she has been a child her mother used to wear a lot of it but it never held any fascination for Alicia, later in life she has been at war most of her time and there has been much more important concerns.
Now she thinks that this ring is the prettiest she has ever seen, not only because it´s simply and yet perfect but also because it symbolizes the unbreakable bond between her and the man she loves, a promise she never dreamed of giving or receiving but is determined to keep for as long as they both live.
Disclaimer: NOT MINE...
Rating: R
Timeline: Pre- series
Merry Christmas everyone <3
1 week to Christmas
"That looks really good on you."
Wash turns around slowly, not quite daring to hope that she has actually heard Guzman´s voice but he´s standing there, looking her upside down in an admiring but not inappropriate manner.
She has been attracting looks all morning, it´s her day off and usually she ignores those, preferring to catch up on paperwork or train with her recruits but it´s only one more week until Christmas Eve and the party at Boylan´s and she desperately needs a new dress or rather a dress at all, she gave the few she owned away when she packed her place up before going through the portal.
She´s not exactly known to spend money on clothes and her walking into the market and starting to try on the most exquisite dresses on display has attracted far too much attention for her taste.
Wash decides to simply pretend nothing has happened- it seems to be what Guz has decided on- and simply go with the conversation.
"Thanks, I think I´ll take it, I´m tried of trying on things, I never enjoyed shopping."
She turns to the mirror one more time, the dress is rather elegant with a tight bodice and long sleeves, the skirt flaring slightly and reaching down to her ankles, the fabric a deep red velvet.
"It´s perfect for Christmas with the color and fabric" Guz says, earning himself a frown from his comrade and shrugs, grinning.
"I have a daughter, what can I say."
"Nice safe- I´ll go and get changed."
When she emerges from the shop ten minutes later with the dress wrapped into silk paper Guz is waiting for her.
"So how much did that one cost you?"
"Don´t ask, must be a sin to spend so much on a single dress."
He laughs and it sounds sincere before he bids her goodbye and walks away in direction of the mess hall while Wash makes her way over to her house to put the dress away before joining Taylor for lunch at the office.
At least that has been her plan but when she opens her front door she´s greeted by a wonderful smell and the sight of her CO sitting at her kitchen counter and reading something on his plex.
"Hey, I was about to come and find you."
She closed the door behind herself and walks up over into the kitchen area, smiling when Taylor gets up and pulls her to him, holding her while leaning back against the counter.
"What did you buy?"
"A dress for Friday."
"Can I see?"
"Sure."
She pulls the dress out of the bag and holds it in front of her, her cheeks flushing with pleasure when Taylor´s eyes sweep over her body in an unmistakable manner.
"I guess there´s no use trying to persuade you to try it on for me?"
Wash laughs, shaking her head as she wraps the dress into the silk paper again.
"No way, knowing you it might not survive."
Grinning he pulls the bag out of her hands and sets it onto the counter before reaching for her again, this time his mouth covers her´s in a deep, unhurried kiss and Wash allows herself to fully enjoy it, melting into his arms and sighing happily when he finally breaks apart and brushes his lips against her forehead before nodding towards the stove.
"Hungry?"
"For food?"
"That´s debatable- food first?"
"Only because I´m really hungry" she quips, her stomach rumbling as she once again concentrates on the delicious smell wafting over to her.
"Shouldn´t you be working or something?"
Wash stifles a yawn, hoping that he´ll tell her he´s given up on work for today, it´s so incredibly comfortable to lie on his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat but unfortunately they still have a colony to run.
"In a minute- or ten."
His fingers are playing with her hair and she feels herself drifting off, she has worked three night shifts this week and the idea of catching up on some sleep is more than welcome Nathaniel will work for a few more hours anyway and this way she´ll be more awake later when they have time for each other.
"Wash?"
"Hm?"
"What is happening tomorrow?"
He´s been springing the question on her repeatedly, usually when he thought her to be pliable enough to be tricked into answering but she´s used to it by now and it only makes her smile.
"Nice try but not good enough."
It´s nothing special really, just decorating the enormous Christmas tree that will be put up in the market and of course Taylor is expected to put the tree topper though he doesn´t know that yet.
"And when are you going to tell me?"
"When I´m sure you can´t run anymore."
He groans and she smiles, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder before sitting up and brushing her hair out of her face.
"Anywhere you need to be?"
He looks up at her and she shakes her head.
"Not me, you- come on."
She gets up and pulls the blanket off the bed, ignoring Taylor´s protests and letting it fall to the floor before walking over to her bathroom door where she tuns around and looks back at the man now sitting on her bed.
"If you hurry you can shower with me."
He´s off the bed and by her side instantly and she´s not at all surprised when he reaches around her and lifts her off the ground and into his arms before carrying her into the bathroom, it´s a good thing that she has insisted on them getting up now because the way Taylor is crowding her against the wall as he turns on the shower promises more delightful activities that will take up even more time, time the commander technically should spend at his desk.
"You know" Wash tells him as she seeks her balance and wraps her legs around his hips, "if we keep this up it´s only a matter of time until people will start to notice."
"I don´t care."
His answer takes her by surprise, whatever she has expected it´s not that and she looks at him questioningly, momentarily distracted from the exquisite feeling of their bodies pressed together underneath the warm spray.
"What?"
"Don't say what, Wash, say pardon" Taylor quips, then groans when she pushes firmly against him and digs her nails into his shoulders.
"Not funny, what do you mean by that?"
"I meant it like I said it, I don´t care if anyone finds out, I made up my mind, I want all of you, the whole relationship, no more sneaking around."
"Nathaniel, how can you just say this while we´re naked and in my shower?"
"Good time as any."
He ignores her incredulous expression and hoists her up a little higher and then Wash forgets what they were arguing about when he pushes inside her and begins to move, his lips teasing the sensitive skin on her neck, her head falls back against the wall as she gives herself over to the sensations he´s evoking in her body.
When they finally leave the bathroom, Taylor back in his uniform and Wash in jeans and an extra warm sweater, it´s considerably later but still Nathaniel takes the time to kiss her goodbye thoroughly before promising he´ll be back in time for dinner and that they will talk all she wants then.
Wash has just finished warming up and is wondering what training tool to use for her workout session when Guz enters the gym and when he spots her, he comes over to her.
"Wash."
"Hey, Guz."
There´s a moment of silence, it feels a little strange for usually Guzman hardly ever stops talking and Wash is getting the feeling that something is bothering him.
"Ok, out with it, what´s wrong?"
He blushes, biting his lip and nods towards the sparring ring.
"Would you go a few rounds with me?"
"Sure, if you don´t mind being beaten up."
He shakes his head.
"I don´t."
"Only if you talk to me first."
"I- uh- did I see Taylor leave your house just now?"
"Depends- would that be a problem? Apart from the obvious one we´ve been having the last two weeks?"
"He went over to your place for a working lunch three hours ago."
"So he did."
"I see- well, I guess if you´re happy I´m happy."
He doesn´t look it and Wash can´t blame him but she hopes that he´ll accept her decision anyway and what´s more, that he won´t cause them problems, as third in command he is well entitled to protest if his CO and first Lieutenant engage in inappropriate behavior.
"So how is this going to work, you won´t be able to keep it a secret that way."
Wash hesitates, then she decided to just trust him, she has always done it and she isn´t willing to stop now.
"He doesn´t want to keep it a secret."
For a moment Guzman looks shocked, then he relaxes visibly, nodding.
"He´s better than I gave him credit for, you deserve a real relationship."
"I´m not sure how he´s planning to do this."
"Why, do you think anyone will have a problem with it? You should trust your men more, Wash, no one will begrudge you or Taylor some happiness."
"Are you sure?"
She isn´t, the idea is too good to be true but perhaps luck is on her side this time, she certainly has struggled enough in her life and perhaps there actually is a concept of give and take and fair and square and all the other nice little clichés.
"I´m sure- now stop stalling and get onto that mat."
"So desperate to have your ass kicked into next week?"
Wash jokes as she leads the way over to the training mats.
"Good idea, in that case I´d get around that stupid Christmas tree decoration thing tomorrow."
"Aw, come on, I bet Tasha´s all excited."
"Of course she is- how´s Taylor taking his tree topper job?"
Wash bites her lip and Guz nods knowingly.
"You haven´t told him yet, have you."
"Must have slipped my mind."
An hour later Guzman limps out of the gym with Wash following, she is feeling a little sorry for her friend, actually still feels guilty for turning him down so brutally but he wouldn´t have appreciated her holding back while sparring, Guz is good but Wash is better and she landed a few hard blows while getting out with only slight bruising herself.
"Remind me why I asked you to spar with me?"
"Because I´m brilliant and you want to learn how to be brilliant, too?"
She smiles widely at him.
"If I wasn´t hurting so much, I´d hit you" Guz growls but he doesn´t look serious, for some reason he thinks it´s amusing that Wash, being so much smaller and slighter than himself, always manages to beat him up literally.
"I´ll go home and spend the rest of the day on the sofa, damn, I really need to find a woman to pamper me a little, shame you´re really off the market."
Wash is relieved that he´s over her choosing their CO over him enough to joke about it.
"I´m sure if you limp into the market right now, they´ll flock around you."
"Aren´t you sweet, so concerned for my well being- see you tomorrow."
It´s already getting dark when Wash makes her way to the market to buy something for dinner, it´s still so cold that very few people are outside, everyone is spending as much time as possible in their heated units.
Boylan waves from behind his make shift bar, by far the busiest stall in the market and Wash walks over to him, smiling when he hands her a mug with eggnog.
"I´m going to miss this stuff when Christmas is over" she confesses, then nods towards the customers.
"Looks as though you´re the only one who doesn´t have trouble selling because of the weather."
"No, that´s one reason I wanted to be a bar tender, people will always be interested in booze, no matter what- so how are you doing, haven´t seen you around all week."
Still not sure what exactly Taylor meant earlier, Wash evades the answer.
"I´ve been busy, there´s a lot of work before the holidays."
"Planning on taking some time off?"
"Hopefully, what about you, are you going to stay open all the time?"
"No, I´ll close down on the 25th, people should spend at least one day of Christmas without going out for drinks."
"How thoughtful of you" she teases and Boylan laughs.
"Yeah, that´s me- how´s the great Commander, haven´t seen him around, either."
"Busy as well, how is the party planning going?"
The new topic is well chosen for Boylan instantly forgets all his questions and starts talking about the party while Wash sips her eggnog and wonders what to get for dinner.
She has just finished her mug when Boylan´s face lights up with a mischievous smile, then his eyes widen and Wash feels an arm wrap around her waist, she smiles as Taylor pulls her into his side and his lips brush against her temple, apparently he´s been serious when he told her he didn´t care about anyone knowing about them earlier.
"Evening, Tom, how´s business?"
For a moment Boylan just gapes at them, then he visibly pulls himself together.
"Great- business, I mean, it´s going great- how long have you two been- " he gestures between them and Taylor´s smug smile widens as he observes how flustered the other man is.
"Curiosity killed the cat, Boylan- now if you don´t mind I´d like to steal the lady away from you."
Boylan shakes his head, obviously out of words for the moment and Wash puts her empty mug down.
"Thanks for the eggnog."
Boylan has recovered from his shock and nods cheerfully.
"Anytime, with him you´ll need all the help you can get."
Instead of taking the bait, Taylor tips up Alicia´s head and kisses her, his arm tightening around her waist, his other hand lacing through her hair as he deepens the kiss, ignoring the sudden silence around them as Boylan´s customers stop talking in favor of watching them.
When they break apart there´s cheering and whistling but no negative reactions and Wash looks up at Taylor to find him watching her with a tender smile on his face.
"See, it wasn´t that bad."
She returns his smile and they proceed with their shopping, ignoring people looking at them as they walk arm in arm, the very picture of a normal couple enjoying each other´s company.
"So that´s how it´s going to be now? We just act like a couple and see what happens?"
Wash leads the way over into her kitchen area with Taylor carrying their bags right behind her.
"That´s what I want, what do you want? I should probably have asked out that before kissing you, by the way" he looks anxious and she shakes her head, leaning over and gently kissing his cheek before starting to unpack their groceries.
"It´s ok, I don´t mind, unless you plan on stopping again, then I might shoot you."
He laughs, pulling her close to him to give her a proper kiss, it leaves them both breathless and for a moment Wash is tempted to simply skip dinner completely and seduce him right then, though the smoldering look in his eyes tells her that it won´t take a lot of persuasion to make him comply.
Instead she turns towards her groceries again, there´s no need to rush, they have all night and many more nights to come and her heart soars at the thought, as cliché and ridiculous that image might be.
They have spend the morning catching up on paperwork, a task neither of them enjoys but it has to be done and so they both try and be as efficient as possible and get it out of the way sooner rather than later.
It´s lunch time and they have finally left the office again to get something to eat from the the market, the vendors have finished with their decorations now and Wash can tell that Taylor tries hard not to wince at the sight of twinkling lights everywhere.
"We can go to the mess hall if you want" she teases, grinning when he gives her an incredulous look, they both hate eating there and avoid it as much as possible.
"Don´t worry, I can bear it- I take it that´s the unpleasant surprise for this weekend?"
Taylor asks, looking more relaxed than was to be expected as he watches some of the younger soldiers wrestle the huge pine tree in front of the barracks.
"We´re not expected to dance around it, right?"
"I don´t think so, Sir but you never know."
"Evil woman."
"If you say so, Sir."
"So what´s my part in all this?"
"The kids have been making straw stars and ribbons to decorate the tree this week and they and the teachers will put it up later, some of the soldiers will do the higher branches and you are supposed to climb all the way up to put the tree topper in place."
"Great, just what I´ve been dreaming of doing on my free Saturday afternoon- can I at least climb the tree or do I have to use a ladder?"
"I´m afraid it´s a ladder."
"Should have known, would have been too much fun otherwise" he complains quietly while following Wash over to one of the stalls that sell food.
People are looking at them everywhere, apparently the fact that they are a couple has travelled the colony like wildfire.
"I feel like a movie star, in the negative sense" Wash tells Taylor who just laughs and reaches for her hand, fingers lacing through her´s as he pulls her closer.
"Don´t worry about it, the novelty will wear off in a month or so."
"Let´s hope so."
They get sandwiches for lunch and eat them while walking through the market, Wash is looking for small presents for Guz and Tasha and she also wants to get something for Boylan to take to the party on Christmas Eve.
At half past one they make their way over to the huge tree and watch along with most other citizens as the school children decorate it with their self made ornaments, then as some soldiers take care of the higher branches and finally as Commander Taylor climbs the ladder to put the tree topper in place.
Everybody applauds and cheers as Taylor makes his way down again and both Wash´s surprise and delight when he gets back to her side he pulls her to him and kisses her soundly, the keeps his arm firmly wrapped around her waist while leading her back towards the command center, they will have to work for another few hours until they are finished with all their paperwork.
People are still milling around, children are begging for sweets, adults are drinking eggnog and cider and it takes a while for the commander and his second to get back to their office, they have to stop so often to talk to civilians and soldiers alike.
They are merely finished with their tasks for the afternoon when Taylor asks Wash to tidy up the office and excuses himself, he is looking preoccupied and Wash instantly gets curious and hurries to finish and make her way home, expecting to find him there but when she enters the house he is nowhere to be found but in the bedroom she finds a wrapped package waiting for her, there´s a note attached to it that says to open it and that he is waiting for her at his own house when she is ready.
Not having the slightest idea what that means Wash unwraps the package and the meaning becomes clear when she holds up a new dress, it´s black, made from a soft, shiny material and she instantly loves it, she hasn´t been aware that Nathaniel has such exquisite taste but she certainly isn´t about to complain.
She also finds a pair of black silk stockings and lacy black lingerie and has to smile, she hasn´t worn anything like this in years but if he wants to see her in it she´ll do him the favor.
A pair of high heeled black shoes is the last item she adds to her outfit, the dress looks great on her, showing off her figure and makes her legs seem endless, she has left her hair down and added a little more make up than usual and when she has put on her warmest coat over the dress and exchanged the heels for boots, she leaves her house and walked over to Taylor´s.
He opens at her first knock, smiling widely and steps aside to let her in, waiting until she has changed back into her heels before taking her hand and pulling her after him into the living room area.
A table has been set up there, looking beautiful with a white table cloth and candles, a vase with flowers is in the center of the table and for a moment Wash just takes it all in, she has never been a particularly delicate woman and has never been with a man who would have gone to such lengths to surprise her and she can´t help herself but turn to Nathaniel and kiss him deeply, hoping he understands that she isn´t quite sure how to express herself other than through showing him how much this means to her.
He returns the kiss tenderly, then pulls out a chair for her and Wash sits down, content to let him be as gentlemanly as he wants for the evening, he apparently has it all planned out and she will just wait and see what´s going to happen next.
Taylor offers her a choice of wine and they eat a delicious dinner along with chocolate cake for desert and then they take their glasses over to the fireplace where Nathaniel has spread out a blanket and a couple of pillows.
"How long have you been planning this?"
She asks while settling down against his chest, smiling when she feels his arm wrap around her waist, his lips brush against her neck and she leans her head back to give him better access, sighing happily.
"Why, that good or that bad?"
"That good- so that´s what you meant when you said you´d prove to me that you´re a romantic, Sir?"
He chuckles.
"Back to that, are we- that was part of it."
"And the other part?"
She feels him move and tries to turn around but he holds her in place, whispering into her ear.
"Patience, Wash."
"Patience has never been my strong point" she reminds him but holds perfectly still while re rummages for something in his pocket.
"Now turn around" he sounds as though he could barely suppress his excitement, it´s unusual for him to get worked up over anything and now Wash really wants to know what this is all about.
When she faces him he is holding a ring on the palm of his hand, a slim gold band with a sparkling diamond, his expression very serious and Alicia can do nothing but look down at the sparkling gem, this can´t mean what she thinks- or can it?
"Alicia" he begins, his free hand taking her´s and he links their fingers while Wash holds perfectly still, waiting with baited breath for him to continue.
"I have loved you for a long time and I want to continue loving and cherishing you for the rest of my life, will you marry me?"
It´s not what she has expected and it´s not what anyone would expect from them, neither him nor her but it feels just right to Wash and even though she can´t say that she has ever really imagined that this would happen, let alone how it might turn out but now that it is happening, there´s only one thing left to say.
"Yes" she whispers, feeling tears dwell in her eyes, sees that his own look suspiciously water as well and she gets up on her knees and wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him with all the pent up love and emotion she has for him.
Much, much later they are lying in front of the fireplace, Taylor leaning back against one of the pillows, Wash lying on her back, her head resting against his shoulder as she holds up her hand, admiring the sparkling diamond on her finger, it changes colors constantly in the firelight, she has never been one for jewelry, when she has been a child her mother used to wear a lot of it but it never held any fascination for Alicia, later in life she has been at war most of her time and there has been much more important concerns.
Now she thinks that this ring is the prettiest she has ever seen, not only because it´s simply and yet perfect but also because it symbolizes the unbreakable bond between her and the man she loves, a promise she never dreamed of giving or receiving but is determined to keep for as long as they both live.