Angel stood on the porch of the house, watching the mist come off the mountains of his native Montana. It was early morning, the sun yet to come up. Somewhere out there in that wilderness an elk bugled it's challenge to all.
He felt it though. The change. He quickly came back inside, not even looking at the stove with breakfast, the old fashioned coffee pot, or even the fireplace that kept the place warm.
He stalked down the hallway to the bedroom and eased the door open, making his way into the room.
He smiled as he sat down on the bed next to Tracy, his wife, his love. Her hair was now past her jaw-line, finally, the bruising completely gone.
He brushed some off her cheek with care.
Four months ago the battle for the Poighet had ended. Victory, as usual for Angel and the 12th.
He hadn't been there.
For the first time in his life, he'd left a field of battle. He'd forgotten the tactical. The fighting. His mission.
But he had her. Here by his side was the single most important thing in his life.
And today was the first time in those four months he'd been able to watch her sleep. The nightmare's had plagued her since. Every time she had a moments peace she feel asleep. And every time she slept she relived what those bastards put her though.
And those eyes of hers opened.
"I slept," with a smile.
"Yes you did," he said back with a smile of his own.
***
"So I saw that PADD you tried to hide," she said, spooning more food on her plate. Amazing what happened to one's appetite with rest.
"Yeah and?" Mark said from the couch, reading the latest report from Anubis. MACO was doing well.
"Well, Starfleet's greatest pilot, war-hardened hero, legendary warrior and his newly announced wife of shadows and secrets, both sidelined and no where to be found while yet another war breaks out?
I'd be wondering a few choice words if I was anyone."
She came over and sat down, snuggling up on him as she began to shovel.
Mark sighed.
"It was forwarded from Grant."
"He going?" she asked, face full of eggs, sausage and peppers.
"Nah, likes the
Tal'Afar too much. Go figure, switch Val and him and they're both happy as clams."
"But he thinks you should go?" she asked.
And he looked at her. Corner of his eye, sort of. That look that said 'I know what you're thinking even though you think you're sly'.
"I was about to send him a few choice words of my own when you woke up," he said, putting the PADD down.
It was serious now.
"So you're not sending those words now," she led.
"I was thinking."
The weight of the words made the room darker and brighter for Tracy, all at the same time.
"I've been doing the same since I read it myself."
"And?" he asked, taking her hand.
She knew him. She had known him on board the Expedition, had seen him escorted out of the courtroom, pips off his collar and no combadge.
She'd seen him in MACO green. Klingon-blood red.
He lived for the mission. He lived for duty.
He was a tactician. He was good at what he did and he knew it. He was one of the best tools at Starfleet's disposal.
And what a waste it was for him to be here. With her.
Likewise she had more field experience under her classified belt than many other operatives, and her mailbox had been getting fuller by the day.
She didn't know if he knew about that or not.
"Big picture stuff. The Federation can't support the war with the Klinks, the Borg incursions, the Dominion again AND the Romulans. It needs to be nipped in the bud."
"Yup. That's all true."
"And I love it here with you. After Bravo . . I couldn't have gotten through that without you-"
"Cut the bullshit Trace, I suck at it."
Now it was her turn to sigh, although quickly.
"They need a science officer. Remember? That thing I used to do?
Still, do. To everyone else.
And let's not kid ourselves. You not being out there is like having the sharpest knife in the drawer and putting it in storage."
"So you want to get back into the thick of it then? Separate our lives again? Cause let me tell ya hunny, I hate that. I really, really hate that. I hated it before and I'm pretty sure I'll hate it again."
"But you'll do it," she said to him.
He looked down and suddenly smiled, making her realize that the empty plate was still in her lap, ridiculously. It made her smile too.
"Yeah, I suppose I would."
"Can't we ask?" she said aloud, hope full in her voice.
"Ask what?" he said to her.
"Why can't we both go? Together? Seriously!" she said, responding to his smile and chuckle. "I mean they need a Science officer, Section 31 I'm sure would love to have eyes there, and seriously?! Who wouldn't want to have
the Angel? Your mere presence would probably avoid several fights from breaking out."
And she was right, actually, he had to admit. While he'd immediately thought of their previous relationship and arrangement - the fact was that their secret was official. Their files both had them as married to one another.
Why couldn't they?
His pistol had been feeling lonely anyway.
***
It'd been a whirlwind since they'd left the cabin.
Contacting their own people, respectively. General Anubis had put someone in charge of his squad until he returned.
Her superior had given her her instructions, effectively welcoming her back in his own way.
Their transfers approved almost immediately, they'd packed and headed out of atmo for S-39.
It was like a vacation. Sure they'd just had four months off, but this was exciting for the both of them. A side of Starfleet they'd never really seen.
They hopped transports, legally in Tracy's case.
They visited station commanders they'd only ever had to talk to in emergencies.
And then they were on S-39. Not a stranger to the station they quickly found their quarters and hastily unpacked before heading out to find Admiral Klenas.
Neither had had the opportunity to meet her. Only heard the rumors and read the articles, papers and headlines.
Tracy picked up from Mark his curious tones as he read up on his MACO commanding officer. Though superior to the man, Major Silliskian was well respected within the division. Of course he'd seen and met him, but Mark liked to interact with people and it bothered him that he hadn't yet with this one.
He worried about the rank discrepancy, but was determined to make sure the Major didn't feel weird. He hoped he'd respond to counsel, mentoring and coaching, but if he wanted to do it his way, then he'd support that.
Hand in hand, they walked though the doors and almost bumped into one of the senior officers leaving.
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