Working hard within her lab she could lose herself within the complexities of endless scenarios that consumed her every on-world moment. She was grateful for the fact that her workload would never end and that even with downtime she could stay and delve into whatever her heart desired. With some experiments being devised as she went along, knowing that someday the information would prove potentially valuable.
Her job was a natural high to her; it could do things to her that no drug or substance could. She was complete within her work and her work submitted itself gleefully to the expertise and professionalism of her touch. Her job, whether it be on-world or off, was her life and all that she really needed at the moment to be complete, whole, and content.
She had come to terms with her feelings for her commanding officer, although, still not completely sure as to their depth. There were still nights in the sanctuary of her home when she would let herself cry and release. When she would reason out what she may or may not feel. But at least they were out in the open - exposed to her conscience and to her heart.
Ever the professional she worked side by side with her commanding officer once again -- without his knowledge that she was once in despair over him and without his knowledge that she had feelings for him. Despite her professional stance she still moved cautiously around her commanding officer whenever he was near by. Not trusting herself completely yet, she delved more fiercely into her work and the continuous experiments that she endeavored to complete. Time became her friend as she filed each emotion into their appropriate place each day. Her work allowing the respite of only having to think about the moment and what it held.
He had changed too, in the weeks since his rescue. Although he had never outright said thank you for bringing him home. He had shown her in all the small ways that he was capable of that he was truly grateful for her rescue. He held nothing against any of them for taking him away from the life that he had expected to be living for the rest of his days. He still missed to some degree the new relationship he had developed, but his life here was more important to him. His friends were more important, and although he was yet to realize it himself, *she* had become more important.
Their team had become stronger with the experience of the past few months as well. They had grown closer as a unit and had grown more on a personal level. The team had become more that just a team; they had become more than just workmates and comrades in arm. They had become by definition - friends. Not that they weren't friends before but now it was cemented into the foundation of where they worked and into the structure of their lives.
And as with all new beginnings and the changes that come with life she was suddenly gifted with something that she had never thought possible.
While she was working on one of her endless series of new projects he came with an invitation. Hesitant and somewhat elusively he invited her fishing. It took a while for his invitation to register in her mind and while the shock was still fresh he interpreted her hesitation as a 'no' and slowly left her standing to think about what had just transpired.
Not just anyone received an invitation from the Colonel; it was only those whom he deemed as his friends.
What an honor.
Not yet trusting herself, her emotional state being what it was, she really couldn't have allowed herself to accept - not yet anyway. But as she watched him slowly leave her lab, that moment, his proposal, and her deepest desires cascaded around her and the lifetime that had been the past few weeks collided with reality. She began to revel in the glory of his invitation and though she wouldn't change her mind she had to thank him.
It wasn't really thanks for the invitation and it wasn't really thanks for the fact that he thought enough of her to even ask her to go with him. It was because he had given her a hope. A hope of someday and a hope that maybe her deeply concealed feelings weren't as in error as she had thought.
With a smile and a feeling of elation she allowed herself with this new hope to pardon her heart. And with that she ran after him to secretly express her eternal thanks.
Story Notes: 3/3 sequel to "Prisoner Within Her Own Heart" and to "Acceptance Within The Dark" Thanks to Wendy G. for suggesting I continue with this little mini series. And most especially, thanks to Vicky for being my beta reader.
Copyright- Emry Wild 10/02.
Takes place at the beginning of Nemesis
Copyright- Emry Wild 10/02.
Takes place at the beginning of Nemesis
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc, are the property of their respective owners. Any original characters and plots are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. ... [ read more ]