Never Boring (2/3)
Title: Never Boring
Character/Pairing: Wash/Taylor, Mark Reynolds, Malcolm Wallace, Reilly
Word Count: this part, ~4875
Genre: Romance, friendship, shameless fluff
Rating: PG-13
Summary: When you have a colony to run, enemies about and distant leaders to answer to, it’s not always simple to just live your life.
Author’s Note: This is, as usual, set in the context of my other stories. I was asked over on FF.net for the wedding story. Here it is. This is some time after my story “Are You Kidding?” - when Taylor proposed - but before “A Phoenix By Any Other Name.” This really did start out as a one-shot, but it got a little long for that. Then, it became a two-shot. Now, it’s officially going to be a three-parter - part 3 will be the conclusion including at least a little naughtiness.
Huge apologies for the delay in posting. It’s been a long few weeks between work and some personal things happening in real life getting in the way. Mea culpa, dear readers!
Part One
Disclaimer is the same as always - don’t own them, just borrowing, no profit here.
Fifteen minutes later, they’ve acquired coffee and muffins from one of the vendors who has a brick oven and open fire for cooking, and they find a table on the edge of the plaza area of the market. Most people have already moved on, so it’s isolated where they’re sitting.
He takes a bite of his muffin before asking, “So, can we actually make some plans? I don’t want to wait, Alicia.”
She blinks. “How long have you been thinking about doing this?”
“A while.” He looks slightly sheepish, so she just keeps her eyes on him. “A few years, since just after the Sixers. I don’t know why that triggered it for me, but it did.”
She has to resist the urge to reach over and run her hand through his hair. Instead, she just gently hooks her foot around his ankle, as much as their combat boots will allow. “Why didn’t you say anything, Nathaniel?”
“I don’t know. I think I knew it was the wrong time. Lately, though, since the tenth, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. When Mira captured you, I started thinking about it even more.”
A thought dawns on her, something he’s not saying. “You think something’s coming. Something not good.”
He sighs. “I do. I don’t know what it is, but I’m worried.”
She furrows her brow. “Nathaniel, if you proposed because you’re worried…”
“I didn’t. I proposed because I love you, and in my heart, you’ve been my wife since 2142. This is just making it official.”
Her eyes soften. “Then let’s make some plans.” He grins, but she holds up a warning hand. “I’ve been thinking about this, and I’m not ready to deal with both the wedding and moving in, Nathaniel. I need to deal with one major life change at a time, OK?”
He looks crestfallen, not a word she can often associate with him. She risks putting a hand on his leg under the table and squeezing. “Nathaniel, I want us to live together. I want to wake up with you every single day. But I won’t lie to you. This scares me. It’s one thing to have our mostly clandestine relationship. Wedding rings don’t necessarily change that. But openly living together puts us out there in a very real way, and you and I both know what risks that brings.”
She looks down at the table, and she feels his hand come up and cover hers on his leg. “Alicia…”
She looks up at him. “I’ll marry you today, if that’s what you want. I want to be your wife, Nathaniel. I don’t want to disappoint you, but please, let’s get the eleventh out of the way and then figure the rest out. Can we do that?”
He entwines their fingers under the table. “We can do that.” He shakes his head. “And for the record, you’re not disappointing me. You’re right. We need to do this one step at a time. But,” he squeezes her hand, “Let this serve as your notice that I’m going to be showing up at your house most nights from now on. We don’t have to blatantly live together, but I’m not above sneaking in and out.”
She laughs. “Fair enough. Now, what do we do about rings?”
“Let’s go to the command center.” He reluctantly releases her hand, and they stand up, going to dump their breakfast trash before heading out of the plaza.
Once they’re inside the office, he closes the door behind them. He walks over to the small cabinet he has behind his desk, opening it up to reveal a metal lock box in the lower corner. She cocks her head. “Is that new?” She can’t remember seeing it before.
He looks up at her. “It is. I had Malcolm get it made for me, it has some information in it about master command codes for different systems. I was going to get you the combination this week. You know it all already, but it’s the written orders and information you’ll need in case something happens to me.” He must notice the frown that crosses her face and the flicker of anxiety in her eyes at his words, because he straightens and walks over to her, hugging her to him. “Alicia, I…”
She shakes her head. “It’s OK. I know it’s a reality. It’s just a reality I don’t like to think about.”
“Same here.” He hugs her tighter to him, and she presses her face into his neck.
After a few moments, he loosens his hold on her, and she steps back. “Sorry about that.” She gives him a self-conscious smile.
“Nothing to apologize for, Alicia.” He cups her cheek with his hand for a moment before turning back to the small safe. “It’s manual, so still works despite the pulse.” He grins up at her. “Not planned, but good side benefit of my nostalgic streak, eh?”
She laughs, coming to stand next to him. He roots through the safe and stands up holding a small box, which he offers to her. “What is this, Nathaniel?”
It’s his turn to look a little self-conscious. “I told you I’d been thinking about this for a while. Just open it.”
Alicia shakes her head with a bemused smile, and she removes the lid from the box. She gasps in a breath at what she sees in it. “Nathaniel, they’re beautiful.” Inside, there are two bands, one large and one smaller. She picks up the smaller one, clearly meant for her, and she examines it. It is relatively simple, but there are designs etched into it, diamond cuts in the metal making it glint in the light. “What is the metal?”
“Platinum. We had it sent for some various electronics and mechanical equipment, but I had Malcolm keep a hunk of it and a hunk of gold set aside for wedding rings for colonists.” She gives him a funny look. He shrugs. “What can I say? I won’t pretend I’m not sentimental.”
“Who made these?” She takes his from the box and examines it.
“One of the vendors in the market; I didn’t tell him who they were for, and he didn’t ask. If you don’t like them, he has a lot of other designs I can get made…”
She cuts him off with a kiss. “I love them.” He grins, and she returns the smile. “Now, who do we have marry us? Malcolm? I know we qualified him as an officiant, despite his protests.”
“That’s who I was thinking. That way we don’t bring anyone else into the equation.” She nods, and he adds, “Witnesses?”
“Guz is going OTG today until at least next week to check the far outposts post-pulse, isn’t he?” At Nathaniel’s nod, she goes on, “I hate doing this without him, but I don’t think he’ll be upset. Reynolds? He’s like my kid brother, and he’ll keep the secret - and I already have something on him that I’ll tell you about later.”
“That works. And Reilly? Keep it military?”
Alicia looks pensive. “I’d consider the Shannons, but yes, I like the idea of keeping it military, with the exception of Malcolm, of course. We’ve also just known the others so much longer.”
He nods his agreement. “And when?”
She thinks for a moment. “It’s Thursday, so why don’t we go with tradition? Saturday?”
“You’re sure you want to do it so soon? I don’t want you to feel like I rushed you into this.”
She laughs softly and leans up to kiss him. “All things considered, Nathaniel, we’ve been together seven years. I don’t think you could call getting married after a seven-year courtship ‘rushing.’”
“Good point.” He pauses. “Should we go ahead and call them all over here? Tell them it’s for a meeting?”
“Yes, but tell them the meeting’s in half an hour, not right now. And I’ll call Mark, have him get here in fifteen minutes.” He looks confused, so she explains, “I need to tell you something about Mark. He’s going to freak out when I call him, and I want him that twitchy. I also need you to have your angry, scary face on when he arrives. I want him to sweat a little.”
“Alicia, what’s going on?”
“Let’s make our calls, and then I’ll tell you a story.” She winks at him and taps her comm. He just shakes his head and does the same.
Fifteen minutes later, Reynolds knocks on the office door and is told by Alicia to enter. Nathaniel is seated behind his desk, and she knows that he’s not having to work very hard to make his angry face. She stands next to the desk, arms crossed and face impassive. Reynolds closes the door behind him and snaps to attention in front of the desk, clearly expecting the worst.
Nathaniel remains sitting, but he asks, voice icy, “Corporal, when we discussed your plan to court Miss Shannon, how exactly did that translate into taking her OTG without informing anyone, including your C.O. and the girl’s father? And I can’t wait to hear your justification for taking a rover without permission.”
Reynolds pales. “It didn’t translate to that, sir. And I don’t have a justification. I acted without thought and without regard for the rules. I screwed up, sir.”
“Yes, Corporal, you did.” Nathaniel stands and comes around the desk, stopping next to Alicia. Mirroring her stance, he crosses his arms. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Permission to speak freely, sir?” His eyes flutter a little, but he stays at attention. Nathaniel nods. “I make no excuses, sir. If I could go back and not do it, go back and fix it, I would. Wash, er, the Lieutenant was right earlier. I endangered myself, and worse, I endangered Maddy. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if she’d been hurt.” He breaks his stance, looking down at the floor. “I’m so sorry, sir.”
Alicia looks at Nathaniel, knowing he’s not going to add to Reynolds’ punishment. He nods to her and steps forward, putting a hand on each of Reynolds’ shoulders. The younger man looks up, probably surprised that Nathaniel isn’t yelling.
“Son, Wash already told me that you’re about to be her personal punching bag for a while. Seeing as I don’t even wish that on myself, I’m going to let that stand as your punishment. But let me make sure you understand something. Wash told me that she already admonished you to not do this again. I’ll take that a step further. You do anything even remotely like this again, not only will we alert Shannon, once he’s through with you, I’ll be hard pressed not to drop your ass outside the gate and leave you there to fend for yourself. Am I clear?”
Reynolds goes back to attention. “Yes sir!”
“Good. Now at ease, Corporal, and go take a seat at the conference table.” Reynolds looks confused, and Alicia notices.
“It’s OK, Mark. We’re done with you being in trouble. The meeting we have coming up is unrelated.” He looks relieved and retreats to the table, sitting at the far end, occasionally casting a nervous look in their direction.
Nathaniel looks at her with a smirk. He murmurs, “I think I scared him.”
She muffles a laugh. “What was your first clue?”
Before he can reply, Reilly and Malcolm enter the office. Alicia walks over to them, Nathaniel right behind her. “Laura, Malcolm, please have a seat.” She nods at the conference table.
They comply, and Alicia and Nathaniel follow, both settling into chairs, Alicia next to Reilly and Nathaniel by Malcolm. Malcolm looks at the two young soldiers and then back to Alicia and Nathaniel. “Wash, Taylor, what’s going on?”
Nathaniel looks at her, and she gives him a nod. He looks back at their three guests. “We have a favor to ask, Malcolm, and the same to you two, Reilly, Reynolds.” All of them look curious, and Nathaniel continues, “Everything we discuss today doesn’t leave this room, understood?” All three of them nod, and he goes on, “Last night, I asked the lieutenant to marry me, and I consider myself very lucky that she said yes.”
They all look momentarily speechless, but Reilly turns in her chair towards Alicia, leaning over and surprising her with a hug. “Congratulations, ma’am!”
Alicia tenses briefly before hugging the younger woman back. “Thank you, Laura.”
After a few more moments of congratulations to both of them, they all settle back into their seats. Malcolm is the first to speak up again. “So, there has to be a reason we’re here?”
Alicia nods, taking the lead this time. “We don’t want to wait. We want to get married on Saturday afternoon. Malcolm, if you don’t mind, we’d like you to perform the ceremony, plain traditional vows.” She turns to Reilly and Reynolds, “And you two, we’d like you to be the witnesses. No one else will be invited or informed. We want this to remain secret.”
Reynolds goes quiet as Reilly says, “Of course, sir. I’d be honored.” She cuts her eyes at Reynolds and elbows him in the side.
He jumps a little and swallows hard. “Definitely. It’s an honor, sir, Lieutenant.”
Reilly looks at Alicia, eyeing her for a moment and then smirking. “You’re not getting dressed up, are you? You’re not going to let me wear a dress.”
Alicia huffs out a laugh, shaking her head. They haven’t talked about this, but Alicia knows the answer. “Even if I wanted to, which I emphatically do not, I can’t wear a dress. If we’re going to keep this quiet, at least for now, we can’t look any different than we do on a normal day.” She feels Nathaniel’s hand grip her hip, and she reaches down and covers his hand with hers.
Reilly looks sad in a sympathetic way, so for both her benefit and for Nathaniel’s, just in case he’s feeling guilty, Alicia adds, “Laura, it’s OK by me. Don’t worry about it. It’s far more important to me that we protect ourselves and the colony. Maybe it’s selfish, and we haven’t worked all the post-wedding details out yet, but it’s what we both want. We don’t know, though, how this will go over, both with the troops and citizens here or with 2149.”
“Ma’am, permission to speak freely?” Reilly suddenly has a determined look on her face.
Amused at hearing that phrase for the second time in under an hour, Alicia looks up at Nathaniel and sees just as much amusement in his face. He gives her a quick nod, and she turns back to Reilly. “Have at it, Reilly.”
“Ma’am, you should know that I can’t think of anyone here who would have a problem with the two of you being married, or even just in a relationship, except for maybe the few delusional people who thought they might have a shot with one of you. I know only a few of us even know about you two, but I don’t think many will be all that surprised,” she pauses, her features going hard, “And if 2149 comes after you two, you should know that we’ll have your back.”
Reynolds sits up straight in his chair. “Damned right we will!” He blushes a little at his own outburst and sinks back into his chair, but Alicia shoots him a smile anyway.
They turn and look at Malcolm. Nathaniel lifts an eyebrow. “Malcolm, you’ve been awfully quiet.”
The scientist, still looking a little surprised, grins at them. “I’m happy to do it. I take it that the hunk of platinum you signed out wasn’t for colonists after all?”
Nathaniel grins back. “Sorry about the white lie, Doc. But to be fair, while I’m in charge and Wash is number two, that doesn’t mean we’re not colonists.”
Malcolm rolls his eyes. “Touché, Taylor.” He looks at Alicia. “Congratulations, Wash. Now, what time were you thinking on Saturday?”
She shrugs a little and looks at Nathaniel. “Late afternoon?”
“Sounds good to me. How about sixteen-thirty hours? The three of you just meet us here?”
They all agree and head out, leaving Alicia and Nathaniel alone again. She looks up at him, and he leans down and presses a soft kiss to her lips. “You sure about this, Lieutenant? You now officially have less than 72 hours to back out.”
She shakes her head. “Not a chance, Commander.”
His face turns serious then. “Joking aside, Alicia, are you really all right with this being so casual? You were right, the safest way to do this is dressed normally. Anything else would draw attention.”
“Nathaniel,” she gives him a smile, “To tell you the truth, it’s a relief to me. I hate being the center of attention - you know that - and there’s nothing more at the center of attention than a bride in a public wedding. This suits me. I’m more worried about it not suiting you.”
“I’d love to marry you out on the balcony with the entire colony watching, but Alicia,” he kisses her again, “All that really matters to me is the getting married part.”
“OK, then I guess we’re both good with the plan.”
“I wish we could have a honeymoon, though.”
She wraps her arms around him and presses her face into his neck. “A quiet night on Saturday is all I need. And maybe the day off on Sunday. We can put Shannon in charge and just hide out in my house, that way we’re here if he needs us.”
He hugs her tight to him and turns his head to kiss her forehead. “Why don’t we just horde some food and not leave your house until Monday?”
“I think that can be arranged. But we’ll have to tell Shannon something, just in case people start asking.”
He nods. “I’ll talk to him, just tell him we’re taking some time. He’s a cop. I’ll let him sort out an explanation if he’s asked.”
“Works for me.” She smiles and then checks her watch. “OK, I have a training class, and then I’m going to go see how Tom is doing with making more new chips. I assume I’ll be seeing you tonight?”
He releases her from his arms. “You will. Remember, pretty much every night from now on.”
“Right, but not tomorrow night.” She gives him a firm look.
He furrows his brow. “Why not tomorrow night?”
“Nathaniel, it just feels off somehow to spend the night before our wedding together.” He grumbles but nods in reply, and she leans up and kisses his cheek. “Have a good day, and I’ll see you tonight.”
She turns to go, but he stops her with a hand on her arm. “Alicia.” She turns back, looking at him with a questioning expression. “Thank you.”
She furrows her brow. “For what?”
He pulls her back to him and hugs her tight before releasing her again. “For saying yes.”
Her expression softens, and she reaches up and runs her hand through his hair. “I love you.”
He nods. “I’ll see you later.” With a quick smile and a kiss to his cheek, she turns and leaves, another uncharacteristic grin on her face.
*****
The next two days pass in a blur. Other than Thursday night, she’s barely seen him. Between her usual work with the soldiers and dealing with continuing issues from the EMP, their only chances for contact have been short staff meetings to hand out duties and get status reports from Jim and the various department heads.
Most of the systems, power, security and medical first, have been brought completely back up. Alicia knows they owe Boylan one for all of his assistance, and as much as Nathaniel is loath to admit it, he knows it too. By the time lunch rolls around on Saturday, she’s tired and a little cranky. At some point in the next few hours, she knows she should go home and at least clean up a bit. Regular clothing or not, she’d like to at least be freshly showered for her own wedding.
She sits down at a small plaza table with a salad, and as she digs in, she shakes her head in wonder at the notion that they’re getting married this afternoon. Lost in thought, she absently eats her lunch, paying little attention to the bustling market. A moment later, she jumps a little at the sound of a voice directed at her. “Ma’am?”
Blinking, Alicia looks up to see Reilly standing there, her own lunch in her hand. “Reilly? Did you need something?”
The younger woman looks uncomfortable for a moment. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I didn’t mean to startle you. All the tables are full, and I was just wondering if I could join you? I hate trying to eat standing up.”
Alicia nods and beckons to the empty chair at the table. “Sure, Laura. And sorry, my head was somewhere else.”
After sitting and looking around to see if anyone was listening, Reilly replies, “Thanks, ma’am, and I think you being a little distracted is pretty understandable.”
Alicia rolls her eyes, but inside she’s nodding. She tries to shrug it off. “It’s not a big deal, Reilly. We’re just making it official.”
Reilly gives her a slightly-smug grin. “Whatever you say, ma’am.”
“Watch it there, Corporal.” Alicia’s voice sounds menacing, but Reilly laughs when she catches the glint of humor in Alicia’s eyes.
“Yes ma’am.” They eat in silence for a while until Reilly looks at Alicia, looking curious. “Ma’am, we never really talked after I walked in on you two in the office last year,” Reilly pauses when Alicia chokes on her food, but a moment later, Alicia, sighing, motions to her to continue, “But I’ve just been wondering, how long have you and…” she pauses again, looking around, “Your significant other been together? And, um, who else knows?”
Alicia sighs again, pushing her food away. She knows she doesn’t have to respond, but she figures Reilly is essentially acting as her maid of honor, so she nods and replies, “First question, seven years, basically since we got here, and second question, you, Reynolds, Malcolm, Guz, Boylan, and Jim and Elisabeth Shannon.”
“Wow. Seven years? Really?” Alicia just nods again. They look at each other in silence until Alicia realizes she’s wasted even more time, and she gets up to go home to shower. Before she steps away, Reilly grins and says, “Ma’am?”
“Yes, Reilly?”
“How many of us found out by…catching you in the act?” She shoots Alicia a smirk.
Alicia smirks back. “All of you except Guz and the Shannons.”
Reilly looks surprised, and then she shakes her head, laughing. “I bet Mark nearly had a stroke.”
With a grin, Alicia gives Reilly a wave. “More like a heart attack. See you later this afternoon, Reilly.”
“Yes ma’am.”
In minutes, Alicia gets to her house, glad that she didn’t run into anyone needing something from her en route. She hurries towards the bathroom, wanting to shower quickly in order to give herself a little time to relax before heading back to the command center. As she stands under the hot water, she has to chuckle a little to herself when she thinks about the night before last.
He’d come over after dark, and she already had dinner ready. After eating, he’d helped her clean up and then tried to get frisky with her. She’d shut him down before he could get anywhere, reminding him of the still relatively new hole in his side. The look of disappointment on his face had made her wish she had a camera.
Last night, as planned, he’d stayed at home. That didn’t stop him from calling her on a private channel and trying to talk her into letting him come over. He’d failed miserably, but she’d softened the blow by engaging in a little description of what she wants to do with him tonight. The funny part is that he’d sounded almost more excited about the parts that didn’t involve sex. She likes the fact that he can still surprise her now and then.
Grinning and running soapy hands over her heated skin, she knows that tonight will be good. She has her outfit picked out, nothing all that exciting, just something that’s an odd combination of comfortable and sexy that’s she’s pretty certain he’ll like. They have low-key plans, and she’s looking forward to a day’s worth of quiet, something she feels sure they need to savor, as it might be a while before they get much quiet again.
As the water begins to cool, she rinses clean and turns the water off, stepping out of the shower and wrapping up in a fluffy towel. Fifteen minutes later, she’s padding towards her bedroom, hair mostly dry and makeup on. She slips into clean clothes, her usual camo fatigues and black t-shirt with her gun in her thigh holster. She laces up her boots and slips on her leather jacket.
She walks over to her dresser to get her watch and put it on. When she does, her eyes land on the photos there, one of her and Nathaniel from years ago, covered in some sort of mud and laughing about it. The other is where her attention lingers. She reaches out and touches it, an uncharacteristic wave of nostalgia engulfing her. The photo is of her and her mother, taken when Alicia was a young teenager, just two years prior to her mother’s death.
Despite her usual ability to keep her emotions in check, Alicia feels tears welling in her eyes, and she murmurs, “I miss you, Mom. I wish you were here for this, even though you might be a little disappointed in me for wearing camo and a sidearm to my wedding.”
“Probably not.” Alicia jumps at the sound of a deep voice behind her, and she spins on her heel. He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and a look of fond adoration on his face. “I didn’t know her, but from what you’ve told me, I can’t imagine her being anything other than happy for you and proud of you.”
She shakes her head and blinks back the tears. “Nathaniel, what are you doing here? Isn’t this bad luck or something?”
He straightens and walks over to her where she stands, hands now on her hips. He reaches up and cups her face in his hands, using his thumbs to gently wipe at her eyes without mussing her makeup. “Considering that I saw you at the command center this morning, I’d say that the bad luck ship has sailed. And I’m here dropping off some things for tonight and tomorrow.”
She starts to say something, but he leans forward to silence her with a kiss. After a moment, he pulls back. “Before you reprimand me, no one saw me. It’s pretty quiet in the residential areas in the afternoons. You know that.”
She sighs and nods. “I’m sorry. I’m think I’m more anxious about this than I expected to be.”
He kisses her forehead. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m more nervous this time than I was when Ayani and I got married.”
She turns her eyes up at him in surprise at that. “Really? Why?”
He looks a little sheepish. “Because I knew Ayani wouldn’t change her mind. With you, I’m terrified that you’ll finally realize that you’re throwing your youth away on a mostly broken old man.”
“Stop that right now, Nathaniel Taylor. That’s just nonsense.” She furrows her brow at him. “There has never been anyone or anything that I’ve loved more than I love you. I don’t give a damn how old you are, and you know that. And you’re not broken, or, more specifically, if you’re broken, so am I - so we’re a perfect set either way.”
“How do you do that?” She gives him a puzzled look, so he goes on, “How do you manage to diffuse everything I’m worried about? How do you always know what I need to hear from you?”
She shrugs. “Same way you always know with me.” Then, she gives him a smirk. “And thanks, by the way, for acting like I actually have any youth left to throw away.”
He chuckles. “Anytime.”
They walk into her living room, and she stops short. There are bags on the counter in the kitchen that she can see from where she stands, and there is a huge bouquet of her favorite flowers on the coffee table.
She protests, “Nathaniel, you didn’t have to…”
His arms encircle her from behind. “I know. But it’s not like I can give you a proper wedding. This is the very least I can do, along with a couple of bottles of decent wine I strong-armed Boylan into coughing up. I also got food, but you know you have to cook it.”
She laughs. “Indeed. Food poisoning wouldn’t make for a very festive wedding night.”
He squeezes her tight before releasing her. “So, Lieutenant, you ready for this?”
She grins, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “Yes, sir. Let’s go get hitched, sir.”
Character/Pairing: Wash/Taylor, Mark Reynolds, Malcolm Wallace, Reilly
Word Count: this part, ~4875
Genre: Romance, friendship, shameless fluff
Rating: PG-13
Summary: When you have a colony to run, enemies about and distant leaders to answer to, it’s not always simple to just live your life.
Author’s Note: This is, as usual, set in the context of my other stories. I was asked over on FF.net for the wedding story. Here it is. This is some time after my story “Are You Kidding?” - when Taylor proposed - but before “A Phoenix By Any Other Name.” This really did start out as a one-shot, but it got a little long for that. Then, it became a two-shot. Now, it’s officially going to be a three-parter - part 3 will be the conclusion including at least a little naughtiness.
Huge apologies for the delay in posting. It’s been a long few weeks between work and some personal things happening in real life getting in the way. Mea culpa, dear readers!
Part One
Disclaimer is the same as always - don’t own them, just borrowing, no profit here.
Fifteen minutes later, they’ve acquired coffee and muffins from one of the vendors who has a brick oven and open fire for cooking, and they find a table on the edge of the plaza area of the market. Most people have already moved on, so it’s isolated where they’re sitting.
He takes a bite of his muffin before asking, “So, can we actually make some plans? I don’t want to wait, Alicia.”
She blinks. “How long have you been thinking about doing this?”
“A while.” He looks slightly sheepish, so she just keeps her eyes on him. “A few years, since just after the Sixers. I don’t know why that triggered it for me, but it did.”
She has to resist the urge to reach over and run her hand through his hair. Instead, she just gently hooks her foot around his ankle, as much as their combat boots will allow. “Why didn’t you say anything, Nathaniel?”
“I don’t know. I think I knew it was the wrong time. Lately, though, since the tenth, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. When Mira captured you, I started thinking about it even more.”
A thought dawns on her, something he’s not saying. “You think something’s coming. Something not good.”
He sighs. “I do. I don’t know what it is, but I’m worried.”
She furrows her brow. “Nathaniel, if you proposed because you’re worried…”
“I didn’t. I proposed because I love you, and in my heart, you’ve been my wife since 2142. This is just making it official.”
Her eyes soften. “Then let’s make some plans.” He grins, but she holds up a warning hand. “I’ve been thinking about this, and I’m not ready to deal with both the wedding and moving in, Nathaniel. I need to deal with one major life change at a time, OK?”
He looks crestfallen, not a word she can often associate with him. She risks putting a hand on his leg under the table and squeezing. “Nathaniel, I want us to live together. I want to wake up with you every single day. But I won’t lie to you. This scares me. It’s one thing to have our mostly clandestine relationship. Wedding rings don’t necessarily change that. But openly living together puts us out there in a very real way, and you and I both know what risks that brings.”
She looks down at the table, and she feels his hand come up and cover hers on his leg. “Alicia…”
She looks up at him. “I’ll marry you today, if that’s what you want. I want to be your wife, Nathaniel. I don’t want to disappoint you, but please, let’s get the eleventh out of the way and then figure the rest out. Can we do that?”
He entwines their fingers under the table. “We can do that.” He shakes his head. “And for the record, you’re not disappointing me. You’re right. We need to do this one step at a time. But,” he squeezes her hand, “Let this serve as your notice that I’m going to be showing up at your house most nights from now on. We don’t have to blatantly live together, but I’m not above sneaking in and out.”
She laughs. “Fair enough. Now, what do we do about rings?”
“Let’s go to the command center.” He reluctantly releases her hand, and they stand up, going to dump their breakfast trash before heading out of the plaza.
Once they’re inside the office, he closes the door behind them. He walks over to the small cabinet he has behind his desk, opening it up to reveal a metal lock box in the lower corner. She cocks her head. “Is that new?” She can’t remember seeing it before.
He looks up at her. “It is. I had Malcolm get it made for me, it has some information in it about master command codes for different systems. I was going to get you the combination this week. You know it all already, but it’s the written orders and information you’ll need in case something happens to me.” He must notice the frown that crosses her face and the flicker of anxiety in her eyes at his words, because he straightens and walks over to her, hugging her to him. “Alicia, I…”
She shakes her head. “It’s OK. I know it’s a reality. It’s just a reality I don’t like to think about.”
“Same here.” He hugs her tighter to him, and she presses her face into his neck.
After a few moments, he loosens his hold on her, and she steps back. “Sorry about that.” She gives him a self-conscious smile.
“Nothing to apologize for, Alicia.” He cups her cheek with his hand for a moment before turning back to the small safe. “It’s manual, so still works despite the pulse.” He grins up at her. “Not planned, but good side benefit of my nostalgic streak, eh?”
She laughs, coming to stand next to him. He roots through the safe and stands up holding a small box, which he offers to her. “What is this, Nathaniel?”
It’s his turn to look a little self-conscious. “I told you I’d been thinking about this for a while. Just open it.”
Alicia shakes her head with a bemused smile, and she removes the lid from the box. She gasps in a breath at what she sees in it. “Nathaniel, they’re beautiful.” Inside, there are two bands, one large and one smaller. She picks up the smaller one, clearly meant for her, and she examines it. It is relatively simple, but there are designs etched into it, diamond cuts in the metal making it glint in the light. “What is the metal?”
“Platinum. We had it sent for some various electronics and mechanical equipment, but I had Malcolm keep a hunk of it and a hunk of gold set aside for wedding rings for colonists.” She gives him a funny look. He shrugs. “What can I say? I won’t pretend I’m not sentimental.”
“Who made these?” She takes his from the box and examines it.
“One of the vendors in the market; I didn’t tell him who they were for, and he didn’t ask. If you don’t like them, he has a lot of other designs I can get made…”
She cuts him off with a kiss. “I love them.” He grins, and she returns the smile. “Now, who do we have marry us? Malcolm? I know we qualified him as an officiant, despite his protests.”
“That’s who I was thinking. That way we don’t bring anyone else into the equation.” She nods, and he adds, “Witnesses?”
“Guz is going OTG today until at least next week to check the far outposts post-pulse, isn’t he?” At Nathaniel’s nod, she goes on, “I hate doing this without him, but I don’t think he’ll be upset. Reynolds? He’s like my kid brother, and he’ll keep the secret - and I already have something on him that I’ll tell you about later.”
“That works. And Reilly? Keep it military?”
Alicia looks pensive. “I’d consider the Shannons, but yes, I like the idea of keeping it military, with the exception of Malcolm, of course. We’ve also just known the others so much longer.”
He nods his agreement. “And when?”
She thinks for a moment. “It’s Thursday, so why don’t we go with tradition? Saturday?”
“You’re sure you want to do it so soon? I don’t want you to feel like I rushed you into this.”
She laughs softly and leans up to kiss him. “All things considered, Nathaniel, we’ve been together seven years. I don’t think you could call getting married after a seven-year courtship ‘rushing.’”
“Good point.” He pauses. “Should we go ahead and call them all over here? Tell them it’s for a meeting?”
“Yes, but tell them the meeting’s in half an hour, not right now. And I’ll call Mark, have him get here in fifteen minutes.” He looks confused, so she explains, “I need to tell you something about Mark. He’s going to freak out when I call him, and I want him that twitchy. I also need you to have your angry, scary face on when he arrives. I want him to sweat a little.”
“Alicia, what’s going on?”
“Let’s make our calls, and then I’ll tell you a story.” She winks at him and taps her comm. He just shakes his head and does the same.
Fifteen minutes later, Reynolds knocks on the office door and is told by Alicia to enter. Nathaniel is seated behind his desk, and she knows that he’s not having to work very hard to make his angry face. She stands next to the desk, arms crossed and face impassive. Reynolds closes the door behind him and snaps to attention in front of the desk, clearly expecting the worst.
Nathaniel remains sitting, but he asks, voice icy, “Corporal, when we discussed your plan to court Miss Shannon, how exactly did that translate into taking her OTG without informing anyone, including your C.O. and the girl’s father? And I can’t wait to hear your justification for taking a rover without permission.”
Reynolds pales. “It didn’t translate to that, sir. And I don’t have a justification. I acted without thought and without regard for the rules. I screwed up, sir.”
“Yes, Corporal, you did.” Nathaniel stands and comes around the desk, stopping next to Alicia. Mirroring her stance, he crosses his arms. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Permission to speak freely, sir?” His eyes flutter a little, but he stays at attention. Nathaniel nods. “I make no excuses, sir. If I could go back and not do it, go back and fix it, I would. Wash, er, the Lieutenant was right earlier. I endangered myself, and worse, I endangered Maddy. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if she’d been hurt.” He breaks his stance, looking down at the floor. “I’m so sorry, sir.”
Alicia looks at Nathaniel, knowing he’s not going to add to Reynolds’ punishment. He nods to her and steps forward, putting a hand on each of Reynolds’ shoulders. The younger man looks up, probably surprised that Nathaniel isn’t yelling.
“Son, Wash already told me that you’re about to be her personal punching bag for a while. Seeing as I don’t even wish that on myself, I’m going to let that stand as your punishment. But let me make sure you understand something. Wash told me that she already admonished you to not do this again. I’ll take that a step further. You do anything even remotely like this again, not only will we alert Shannon, once he’s through with you, I’ll be hard pressed not to drop your ass outside the gate and leave you there to fend for yourself. Am I clear?”
Reynolds goes back to attention. “Yes sir!”
“Good. Now at ease, Corporal, and go take a seat at the conference table.” Reynolds looks confused, and Alicia notices.
“It’s OK, Mark. We’re done with you being in trouble. The meeting we have coming up is unrelated.” He looks relieved and retreats to the table, sitting at the far end, occasionally casting a nervous look in their direction.
Nathaniel looks at her with a smirk. He murmurs, “I think I scared him.”
She muffles a laugh. “What was your first clue?”
Before he can reply, Reilly and Malcolm enter the office. Alicia walks over to them, Nathaniel right behind her. “Laura, Malcolm, please have a seat.” She nods at the conference table.
They comply, and Alicia and Nathaniel follow, both settling into chairs, Alicia next to Reilly and Nathaniel by Malcolm. Malcolm looks at the two young soldiers and then back to Alicia and Nathaniel. “Wash, Taylor, what’s going on?”
Nathaniel looks at her, and she gives him a nod. He looks back at their three guests. “We have a favor to ask, Malcolm, and the same to you two, Reilly, Reynolds.” All of them look curious, and Nathaniel continues, “Everything we discuss today doesn’t leave this room, understood?” All three of them nod, and he goes on, “Last night, I asked the lieutenant to marry me, and I consider myself very lucky that she said yes.”
They all look momentarily speechless, but Reilly turns in her chair towards Alicia, leaning over and surprising her with a hug. “Congratulations, ma’am!”
Alicia tenses briefly before hugging the younger woman back. “Thank you, Laura.”
After a few more moments of congratulations to both of them, they all settle back into their seats. Malcolm is the first to speak up again. “So, there has to be a reason we’re here?”
Alicia nods, taking the lead this time. “We don’t want to wait. We want to get married on Saturday afternoon. Malcolm, if you don’t mind, we’d like you to perform the ceremony, plain traditional vows.” She turns to Reilly and Reynolds, “And you two, we’d like you to be the witnesses. No one else will be invited or informed. We want this to remain secret.”
Reynolds goes quiet as Reilly says, “Of course, sir. I’d be honored.” She cuts her eyes at Reynolds and elbows him in the side.
He jumps a little and swallows hard. “Definitely. It’s an honor, sir, Lieutenant.”
Reilly looks at Alicia, eyeing her for a moment and then smirking. “You’re not getting dressed up, are you? You’re not going to let me wear a dress.”
Alicia huffs out a laugh, shaking her head. They haven’t talked about this, but Alicia knows the answer. “Even if I wanted to, which I emphatically do not, I can’t wear a dress. If we’re going to keep this quiet, at least for now, we can’t look any different than we do on a normal day.” She feels Nathaniel’s hand grip her hip, and she reaches down and covers his hand with hers.
Reilly looks sad in a sympathetic way, so for both her benefit and for Nathaniel’s, just in case he’s feeling guilty, Alicia adds, “Laura, it’s OK by me. Don’t worry about it. It’s far more important to me that we protect ourselves and the colony. Maybe it’s selfish, and we haven’t worked all the post-wedding details out yet, but it’s what we both want. We don’t know, though, how this will go over, both with the troops and citizens here or with 2149.”
“Ma’am, permission to speak freely?” Reilly suddenly has a determined look on her face.
Amused at hearing that phrase for the second time in under an hour, Alicia looks up at Nathaniel and sees just as much amusement in his face. He gives her a quick nod, and she turns back to Reilly. “Have at it, Reilly.”
“Ma’am, you should know that I can’t think of anyone here who would have a problem with the two of you being married, or even just in a relationship, except for maybe the few delusional people who thought they might have a shot with one of you. I know only a few of us even know about you two, but I don’t think many will be all that surprised,” she pauses, her features going hard, “And if 2149 comes after you two, you should know that we’ll have your back.”
Reynolds sits up straight in his chair. “Damned right we will!” He blushes a little at his own outburst and sinks back into his chair, but Alicia shoots him a smile anyway.
They turn and look at Malcolm. Nathaniel lifts an eyebrow. “Malcolm, you’ve been awfully quiet.”
The scientist, still looking a little surprised, grins at them. “I’m happy to do it. I take it that the hunk of platinum you signed out wasn’t for colonists after all?”
Nathaniel grins back. “Sorry about the white lie, Doc. But to be fair, while I’m in charge and Wash is number two, that doesn’t mean we’re not colonists.”
Malcolm rolls his eyes. “Touché, Taylor.” He looks at Alicia. “Congratulations, Wash. Now, what time were you thinking on Saturday?”
She shrugs a little and looks at Nathaniel. “Late afternoon?”
“Sounds good to me. How about sixteen-thirty hours? The three of you just meet us here?”
They all agree and head out, leaving Alicia and Nathaniel alone again. She looks up at him, and he leans down and presses a soft kiss to her lips. “You sure about this, Lieutenant? You now officially have less than 72 hours to back out.”
She shakes her head. “Not a chance, Commander.”
His face turns serious then. “Joking aside, Alicia, are you really all right with this being so casual? You were right, the safest way to do this is dressed normally. Anything else would draw attention.”
“Nathaniel,” she gives him a smile, “To tell you the truth, it’s a relief to me. I hate being the center of attention - you know that - and there’s nothing more at the center of attention than a bride in a public wedding. This suits me. I’m more worried about it not suiting you.”
“I’d love to marry you out on the balcony with the entire colony watching, but Alicia,” he kisses her again, “All that really matters to me is the getting married part.”
“OK, then I guess we’re both good with the plan.”
“I wish we could have a honeymoon, though.”
She wraps her arms around him and presses her face into his neck. “A quiet night on Saturday is all I need. And maybe the day off on Sunday. We can put Shannon in charge and just hide out in my house, that way we’re here if he needs us.”
He hugs her tight to him and turns his head to kiss her forehead. “Why don’t we just horde some food and not leave your house until Monday?”
“I think that can be arranged. But we’ll have to tell Shannon something, just in case people start asking.”
He nods. “I’ll talk to him, just tell him we’re taking some time. He’s a cop. I’ll let him sort out an explanation if he’s asked.”
“Works for me.” She smiles and then checks her watch. “OK, I have a training class, and then I’m going to go see how Tom is doing with making more new chips. I assume I’ll be seeing you tonight?”
He releases her from his arms. “You will. Remember, pretty much every night from now on.”
“Right, but not tomorrow night.” She gives him a firm look.
He furrows his brow. “Why not tomorrow night?”
“Nathaniel, it just feels off somehow to spend the night before our wedding together.” He grumbles but nods in reply, and she leans up and kisses his cheek. “Have a good day, and I’ll see you tonight.”
She turns to go, but he stops her with a hand on her arm. “Alicia.” She turns back, looking at him with a questioning expression. “Thank you.”
She furrows her brow. “For what?”
He pulls her back to him and hugs her tight before releasing her again. “For saying yes.”
Her expression softens, and she reaches up and runs her hand through his hair. “I love you.”
He nods. “I’ll see you later.” With a quick smile and a kiss to his cheek, she turns and leaves, another uncharacteristic grin on her face.
*****
The next two days pass in a blur. Other than Thursday night, she’s barely seen him. Between her usual work with the soldiers and dealing with continuing issues from the EMP, their only chances for contact have been short staff meetings to hand out duties and get status reports from Jim and the various department heads.
Most of the systems, power, security and medical first, have been brought completely back up. Alicia knows they owe Boylan one for all of his assistance, and as much as Nathaniel is loath to admit it, he knows it too. By the time lunch rolls around on Saturday, she’s tired and a little cranky. At some point in the next few hours, she knows she should go home and at least clean up a bit. Regular clothing or not, she’d like to at least be freshly showered for her own wedding.
She sits down at a small plaza table with a salad, and as she digs in, she shakes her head in wonder at the notion that they’re getting married this afternoon. Lost in thought, she absently eats her lunch, paying little attention to the bustling market. A moment later, she jumps a little at the sound of a voice directed at her. “Ma’am?”
Blinking, Alicia looks up to see Reilly standing there, her own lunch in her hand. “Reilly? Did you need something?”
The younger woman looks uncomfortable for a moment. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I didn’t mean to startle you. All the tables are full, and I was just wondering if I could join you? I hate trying to eat standing up.”
Alicia nods and beckons to the empty chair at the table. “Sure, Laura. And sorry, my head was somewhere else.”
After sitting and looking around to see if anyone was listening, Reilly replies, “Thanks, ma’am, and I think you being a little distracted is pretty understandable.”
Alicia rolls her eyes, but inside she’s nodding. She tries to shrug it off. “It’s not a big deal, Reilly. We’re just making it official.”
Reilly gives her a slightly-smug grin. “Whatever you say, ma’am.”
“Watch it there, Corporal.” Alicia’s voice sounds menacing, but Reilly laughs when she catches the glint of humor in Alicia’s eyes.
“Yes ma’am.” They eat in silence for a while until Reilly looks at Alicia, looking curious. “Ma’am, we never really talked after I walked in on you two in the office last year,” Reilly pauses when Alicia chokes on her food, but a moment later, Alicia, sighing, motions to her to continue, “But I’ve just been wondering, how long have you and…” she pauses again, looking around, “Your significant other been together? And, um, who else knows?”
Alicia sighs again, pushing her food away. She knows she doesn’t have to respond, but she figures Reilly is essentially acting as her maid of honor, so she nods and replies, “First question, seven years, basically since we got here, and second question, you, Reynolds, Malcolm, Guz, Boylan, and Jim and Elisabeth Shannon.”
“Wow. Seven years? Really?” Alicia just nods again. They look at each other in silence until Alicia realizes she’s wasted even more time, and she gets up to go home to shower. Before she steps away, Reilly grins and says, “Ma’am?”
“Yes, Reilly?”
“How many of us found out by…catching you in the act?” She shoots Alicia a smirk.
Alicia smirks back. “All of you except Guz and the Shannons.”
Reilly looks surprised, and then she shakes her head, laughing. “I bet Mark nearly had a stroke.”
With a grin, Alicia gives Reilly a wave. “More like a heart attack. See you later this afternoon, Reilly.”
“Yes ma’am.”
In minutes, Alicia gets to her house, glad that she didn’t run into anyone needing something from her en route. She hurries towards the bathroom, wanting to shower quickly in order to give herself a little time to relax before heading back to the command center. As she stands under the hot water, she has to chuckle a little to herself when she thinks about the night before last.
He’d come over after dark, and she already had dinner ready. After eating, he’d helped her clean up and then tried to get frisky with her. She’d shut him down before he could get anywhere, reminding him of the still relatively new hole in his side. The look of disappointment on his face had made her wish she had a camera.
Last night, as planned, he’d stayed at home. That didn’t stop him from calling her on a private channel and trying to talk her into letting him come over. He’d failed miserably, but she’d softened the blow by engaging in a little description of what she wants to do with him tonight. The funny part is that he’d sounded almost more excited about the parts that didn’t involve sex. She likes the fact that he can still surprise her now and then.
Grinning and running soapy hands over her heated skin, she knows that tonight will be good. She has her outfit picked out, nothing all that exciting, just something that’s an odd combination of comfortable and sexy that’s she’s pretty certain he’ll like. They have low-key plans, and she’s looking forward to a day’s worth of quiet, something she feels sure they need to savor, as it might be a while before they get much quiet again.
As the water begins to cool, she rinses clean and turns the water off, stepping out of the shower and wrapping up in a fluffy towel. Fifteen minutes later, she’s padding towards her bedroom, hair mostly dry and makeup on. She slips into clean clothes, her usual camo fatigues and black t-shirt with her gun in her thigh holster. She laces up her boots and slips on her leather jacket.
She walks over to her dresser to get her watch and put it on. When she does, her eyes land on the photos there, one of her and Nathaniel from years ago, covered in some sort of mud and laughing about it. The other is where her attention lingers. She reaches out and touches it, an uncharacteristic wave of nostalgia engulfing her. The photo is of her and her mother, taken when Alicia was a young teenager, just two years prior to her mother’s death.
Despite her usual ability to keep her emotions in check, Alicia feels tears welling in her eyes, and she murmurs, “I miss you, Mom. I wish you were here for this, even though you might be a little disappointed in me for wearing camo and a sidearm to my wedding.”
“Probably not.” Alicia jumps at the sound of a deep voice behind her, and she spins on her heel. He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and a look of fond adoration on his face. “I didn’t know her, but from what you’ve told me, I can’t imagine her being anything other than happy for you and proud of you.”
She shakes her head and blinks back the tears. “Nathaniel, what are you doing here? Isn’t this bad luck or something?”
He straightens and walks over to her where she stands, hands now on her hips. He reaches up and cups her face in his hands, using his thumbs to gently wipe at her eyes without mussing her makeup. “Considering that I saw you at the command center this morning, I’d say that the bad luck ship has sailed. And I’m here dropping off some things for tonight and tomorrow.”
She starts to say something, but he leans forward to silence her with a kiss. After a moment, he pulls back. “Before you reprimand me, no one saw me. It’s pretty quiet in the residential areas in the afternoons. You know that.”
She sighs and nods. “I’m sorry. I’m think I’m more anxious about this than I expected to be.”
He kisses her forehead. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m more nervous this time than I was when Ayani and I got married.”
She turns her eyes up at him in surprise at that. “Really? Why?”
He looks a little sheepish. “Because I knew Ayani wouldn’t change her mind. With you, I’m terrified that you’ll finally realize that you’re throwing your youth away on a mostly broken old man.”
“Stop that right now, Nathaniel Taylor. That’s just nonsense.” She furrows her brow at him. “There has never been anyone or anything that I’ve loved more than I love you. I don’t give a damn how old you are, and you know that. And you’re not broken, or, more specifically, if you’re broken, so am I - so we’re a perfect set either way.”
“How do you do that?” She gives him a puzzled look, so he goes on, “How do you manage to diffuse everything I’m worried about? How do you always know what I need to hear from you?”
She shrugs. “Same way you always know with me.” Then, she gives him a smirk. “And thanks, by the way, for acting like I actually have any youth left to throw away.”
He chuckles. “Anytime.”
They walk into her living room, and she stops short. There are bags on the counter in the kitchen that she can see from where she stands, and there is a huge bouquet of her favorite flowers on the coffee table.
She protests, “Nathaniel, you didn’t have to…”
His arms encircle her from behind. “I know. But it’s not like I can give you a proper wedding. This is the very least I can do, along with a couple of bottles of decent wine I strong-armed Boylan into coughing up. I also got food, but you know you have to cook it.”
She laughs. “Indeed. Food poisoning wouldn’t make for a very festive wedding night.”
He squeezes her tight before releasing her. “So, Lieutenant, you ready for this?”
She grins, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “Yes, sir. Let’s go get hitched, sir.”