Posted by Commander Daniel “DaVinci” Colter (Chief Intelligence Officer/ 2nd Officer) in After Duty

<snip>

Hannah laughed. She’d laughed more in the last two days than she had in a long time. Daniel always had that effect on her. And here just the two of them she didn’t have to worry about how she sounded. “Two hours? Oh Cowboy, if you want to stick to full recovery in 5 days, it’s more like 8 intense hours of therapy every day for the next 3 days. Then on day 5, you get to have fun. If you want to continue PT after that, we can certainly arrange that.”

Looking around for a blanket she signed, “Why does it always get so cold?”
Lt jg Asimina, Doctor

DaVinci reached down to the floor and retrieved the blanket that had been kicked off with all the extensive therapy. Covering both of them, he wrapped his arms tightly around Hannah as she rested on his chest. “It’s that darn automatic environmental control. Between the two of us, we raised the temp quite a bit, so the EV controls responded by turning the temp down. Now, we have two options here. I can turn the temp back up a bit, or. . . . we can raise the temp again like we just did. Personally, I’m good for option #2. We do have 5 years to make up for. . . .”

Colter (CIO)

Hannah sighed softly, resting against his chest. The feel of his arms around her was something two days ago she didn’t think she’d feel again, and she was content to stay there for the time being. She grinned as he explained the temperature problem and raised up to look at his face, “You’re teasing.” There was no way they caused the EV controls do that. She searched his face though and he was serious. She blushed, the temperature rising again. “Well in that case I think option 2 is a great idea.” She kissed him. “Five years and a few more hours of therapy for the day.”
Lt.jg Asimina, Doctor

Bump

He rolled over on top of Hannah, using his arms to keep most of his weight off her. “I’ve missed you so much, Hannah. I honestly thought we’d never be together like this again. . . holing each other, kissing each other, making love together. . . . I never stopped loving you and never will.”

Colter (CIO)

Hannah wrapped her arms around him, searching his face. “I never doubted you loved me. Though I tried to convince myself that you found someone else and were happy, but I never believed it. It was easier, though, than thinking you might…might be dead.” She hid her face in his shoulder, holding him tight, denying the tears that wanted to escape. When she took the transfer to Saracen she had no idea she was getting a third chance. She’d ruined their second chance. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I am so sorry. I ruined our second chance. We could have had two more years…” She blinked several times in rapid succession, but the tears slipped out anyway.

“YOU. . . .have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one that’s sorry. I should have come forward and at least let you know I was there. I should have given you a chance to tell me wasn’t really the situation it was. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

It hadn’t occurred to her that Daniel would see her sitting, with what appeared to be another man in her life, and think she’d moved on. It had been purely selfish of her to have lunch with a childhood friend, innocent, but selfish none-the-less. “I never stopped loving you, never. I always will.” Her eyes took in his face, she’d never thought to be with him again, and now she was here, in his arms, in his bed, home. Her fingers brushed the hair from his temple, her palm resting along his jaw. “Promise me, if they ever take you away again, no matter what, you’ll come home, no matter what it might look like.” She didn’t blame Daniel, he’d loved her enough to let her have the happiness he thought she’d found. She blamed herself, her actions had made him leave, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever stop being grateful for the third chance they’d been given.

“I promise, love. I would go through the fires of Hell to feel you in my arms. You are the light to my darkness.”

“You are the pulse in my heartbeat, you always have been.” She kissed him slowly, relaxing in his arms, the temperature increasing again.
Lt jg Asimina, Doctor

Colter (CIO)

Hannah rested against his chest feeling the beat of his heart against her cheek. She was floating in a bubble of warmth, peace, and silence. She had removed her implants at some point earlier. Thumb, forefinger, and pinky out, the other two tucked in, I love you, she placed her hand in his. Eventually, the feel of his arms around her relaxing her enough, Hannah fell asleep secure in the knowledge he would be there when she woke up.

She probably should have stayed awake because when she did finally wake up and look at the chronometer she let out a very feminine squeak. She launched herself from the bed, grabbing her implants and attaching them while she demanded a uniform from his replicator. She didn’t have time to go to her quarters. 10 minutes - she was going to be late if she didn’t hurry. She disappeared into the bathroom and reappeared quickly after in her uniform. “Two hours, Daniel. You have physical therapy in two hours, and you better be there, or I’ll get in trouble. Oh my god, Claire is on duty today, too. I’ll never hear the end of it if I’m late. Shoes, I need my shoes.” She was flustered and babbling. She was hopping from one foot to the other while she tugged her boots on. Then she was in the living room muttering, trying to finger comb her hair into some order, and then back in the bed room, throwing discarded clothes and blankets everywhere. “Where is my shirt? I can’t find my combadge!” Now she was flustered and blushing.
Lt. Asimina, Doctor