The Day after the Night Before
The Day after the Night BeforeAlan left the cafeteria with a smile and a light step. He decided to head toward the Eagle Bay to check in quickly with Bill Fraser and Miriam Fenster before reporting to Command Center. With John and Helena on their honeymoon, he and Tony were dividing the main command duties between them, and this shift was Alan’s responsibility. Alan thought they could easily have divided it three ways with Sandra, but then he wouldn’t have been able to share shifts with her. And that definitely went against the plan right now. In any case, he wasn’t sure if Sandra saw herself ready for that level of responsibility. He would have to speak with John about it, after the honeymoon.
Almost at Reconnaissance, he felt a trickle run down his neck and reached up a hand to brush it away. Blood. He must have cut himself while shaving this morning. Alan smiled in memory; besides being sleep deprived for the best of reasons, he had been distracted from shaving by his efforts to practice a wedding proposal. His long courtship of Sandra had finally reached the point of intimacy and he was flying as high as an Eagle.
Alan’s happy reminisces of the night before were abruptly truncated when he entered Reconnaissance’s main work area. He looked through the large viewport into the Eagle Bay and saw one of the birds lying damaged. To a quick look, the front near landing pad was missing, there was a bad gouge along the dorsal spine and the posterior aspect of the command module had been slightly coved inwards.
Bill Fraser walked over to Alan and handed him the report. “Coleman ran into some problems last night but Dr. Mathias says he’ll be fine. Eagle 16 really isn’t too bad off.” Bill saw Alan’s look of disbelief at that assessment. “Miriam says it will be repaired within the fortnight.” And as both men knew that the Chief of Eagle Maintenance usually overestimated the time needed, it probably would be up and flying in half that.
Alan shot Bill an irritable look as he scanned through the report of Rob Coleman’s encounter with… whatever. He was supposed to be notified immediately when anything like this occurred and Bill well knew that.
Bill watched Alan closely. Alan’s crankiness didn’t concern him; Alan was usually cranky when anything out of the expected happened to one of the vital Eagles. Instead, Bill was looking for any signs of what he hoped for had finally happened. If it had, Carter would be a happier man, Eagle 16 not withstanding, and that would make Bill happy for him. At the Koenig’s reception the night before, Annette had noticed on the goings on between Alan and Sandra and had nudged Bill to pay attention.
A mid-level pilot before Breakaway and new to Alpha at that, Bill hadn’t known Alan all that well the first year out. He had had to divide his time between duties in Reconnaissance and the night shift in Main Mission. The horrible attrition on pilots that first year as well as Bill’s good common sense and compatible personality had long since made him Alan’s second, and a good friend besides. He watched as Alan’s frown became deeper. He actually pitied Coleman. The pilot would eventually have to give his accounting to Alan for what looked like a case of pilot error.
Alan looked up at Bill, obviously reaching the same preliminary conclusion. “Why didn’t you let me know?”
“Tony was aware of it when the, uh, ‘accident’ happened, and Annette told me in no uncertain terms I was not to bother you for anything short of Operation Exodus last night. I heard Maya say just about the same to Tony.”
Alan grunted an acknowledgement as he more carefully re-read the damage summary.
“So, was Annette right?” Bill’s grin was somewhere between smirk and sincere hope.
“’Bout what?”
Bill just waited. He knew that Alan knew he was quite aware how things had stood between the chief pilot and Sandra for months now. Bill also knew that it was just about been killing Alan not to follow through on his desires. Nonetheless, Annette had cautioned Alan years ago to go slowly and let Sandra build up her shattered sense of trust; to allow her to make the first move. And when it came to relationships, Annie was usually spot on.
Alan closed the report, glanced up, and saw Bill’s expression. A small smile replaced the look of irritation. “Yeah, Annie was right.”
Bill grinned widely and slapped Alan on the back in congratulations. The two pilots then headed into the pressurized Eagle Bay to look at the broken bird.
In Command Center, Maya covered a yawn. Tony had wanted to make sure nothing bothered the newly married Koenigs, and so had put himself on duty for the just concluding night shift and had made sure Dr. Mathias was on-duty in Medical. Maya had joined Tony to keep him company and to free up another Command Center technician to enjoy the post-wedding festivities. Maya knew she wouldn’t have enjoyed herself once Tony left.
It turned out that Tony’s paranoia was well placed. The night watch had been marked by the accident involving Eagle 16. Fortunately, it had been resolved quickly enough and without having to bother either the Commander or Alan. Like Annette, Maya had caught the looks between Sandra and Alan and had kept Tony from waking the chief pilot as was usual protocol.
She yawned again and glanced at the chronometer. She was tired and ready for bed. Sandra should be here within fifteen minutes. Probably earlier given Sandra’s phobia of running late. Maya hoped she would be early, then they would be alone for the few minutes Maya needed to try to find out what happened after she had left with Tony.
As always, thinking of Tony brought a smile to her face. Maya leaned back in her chair and wrapped her arms about herself in happy memory. He had been very affectionate at the reception. Enough so that Maya had briefly regretted having volunteered to share the shift with him, otherwise they just might have been able to finagle Tony running a little late… Oh, well. She had shooed him out of Command Center a few minutes early to fetch some coffee, and given how tired he was, she did not expect him to make it back for a while yet.
Early as usual, the door opened and Sandra entered. She wished Maya a good day and immediately set to calling up the day’s status reports.
Maya just sat and watched Sandra work. Nothing seemed any different, but…
“Ask your question, Maya, so you can sign over and leave.” Sandra did not bother to look up, but there was a small smile on her face Maya could just see.
“Oh, nothing. Did you sleep well?”
“Very.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Not really. It depends on where you sleep.”
Maya smiled. She didn’t expect to get much else out of the private woman, but that was quite enough for now. Sandra looked relaxed and happy. Maya signed off her computer as more of the day watch came on duty and reported in to Sandra. Maya had no doubts Tony would find out more from Alan in good time. She thought that just maybe another wedding would be in order soon. She hoped so.
By late morning, the events of the Eagle incident had been laid bare and the inevitable conclusion reached. The other pilots in the vicinity had made themselves scarce as Alan’s temper became more and more chancy. Damn. There was no doubt about it and Alan was fuming as he slammed the report down on the desk. It was simple pilot error. Coleman had decided to play cowboy and had simply lost control of the Eagle. Well, by the time Alan was finished ringing him the scold of a lifetime, he wouldn’t try that stunt again. Alan stomped his way to Medical Center.
Sandra looked at the chronometer. It was after mid-day and the Command Center staff was wrapping up the staggered lunch breaks. Others had offered to cover for her, but Sandra had deferred and continued her shift. Alan usually showed up by now, especially if he was senior officer as he was today. The Eagle crash had undoubtedly consumed his attention, but he would be by soon enough. She hoped so. She was becoming hungry, for his company as well as food.
Last night in Alan’s quarters had exceeded her wildest wishes. He was as gentle and passionate a lover as she could have hoped. He had made her feel very special. But for tonight, she had different expectations given what she had overheard this morning as she stood outside the shower in Alan’s quarters…
Once again wool-gathering, Sandra shook her head and concentrated on the screens in front of her. She knew she had been less than attentive today. She had caught Annette looking at her and smiling. Oh, well. The only true question was how long it would take the news to spread across Alpha that she had spent the night at Alan’s. Sandra shivered in happy memory. It had been a long while since she had felt so cared for. And this time is was by someone who had proven his loyalty to his friends and Alpha time and time again. She was ready to make whatever commitment he asked for.
Coleman had looked appropriately cowed by the time Alan had left him lying pale and shaking in Medical Center. And to think that idiot could have single-handedly shattered last night, just as Sandra was responding to years of patient pursuit. At least Annie and Bill, not to mention Maya and Tony had shown common sense, even if they technically had gone against the regs. Alan snorted. Give credit where credit is due, he thought. Annie and Maya had saved the evening.
Looking at the commpost for the time, he realized that he was overdue at Command Center. And with both John and Tony off duty, he needed to look like he at least nominally knew what was going on. Great.
Sandra had juggled schedules for the next few days to make sure the more senior techs covered the nights, but that left the more junior people on duty during the day. And that meant either Sahn or himself had to hang around Command Center just in case. In fact, it meant than Sandra was probably hungry since she wouldn’t leave her post until she was officially relieved.
Alan picked up his pace, but slowed again down just before the final corridor. He’d have to watch himself and not embarrass her. That could come later when they were comfortably acknowledged as a couple. Or maybe not. She was so very reserved in public, but not so in private he recalled with a comfortable warmth in his groin. How did he usually greet her when he arrived in Command Center? Damn, he felt like a schoolboy again. Well, if he didn’t get control of his hormones right quick, the entire Command staff would know where things literally stood the moment he entered. Just great.
The doors opened behind Sandra and she could tell from everyone’s abrupt silence that it was Alan. Courtesy of the whispers that had not quite escaped her attention, she knew all of the duty staff had been waiting to see what Alan would do when he arrived. It was impossible to keep anything secret on Alpha. She briefly glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. He looked so very awkward. Even if the gossip net hadn’t picked up on things by now, one look at Alan’s face and the alert banner would have flashed.
She assigned her monitors to the science station and stood. She walked over to Alan and looked him casually in the eye. “I am glad you are finally here.” Alan’s face broke out in a grin. “What do you want me to bring you back for lunch?” His crestfallen expression was priceless and Sandra thought it a pity neither Maya nor Helena were here to enjoy it. She grinned a teasing smile at him and slipped past to get lunch. She really was hungry, and it was well worth it to leave him speechless. Tonight would be very interesting indeed.
Alan sat in Tony’s usual chair eating the sandwich and apple Sandra had brought back. He watched her work at her station, apparently totally ignoring him. He wasn’t sure if he should be put out with her or not. Or worried. Sandra didn’t seem angry, and last night had been just grand. Slowly, a grin crossed his face. He had liked that mischievous look he had seen just before she had ducked away for lunch. He wanted to see it again and often
He looked around and noticed the occasional speculative look in his direction. Well, let them speculate, but it was a damn good thing everything was remaining quiet. All he had was fluff between his ears today. Yeah, tonight would be the night.
After being relieved by the night shift, they left Command Center walking companionably side by side. Tony was on-call for emergencies, and the look Alibe had given Alan reassured him that she would keep any interruptions to a minimum. Wanting to see how things stood between them, Alan took Sandra’s hand and tucked it under his arm. She allowed herself to be gathered close in a corridor filled with Alphans at shift change. Alan was heartened. Carrying on such a slow romance had been quite foreign to his usual style, but he found himself savoring the expected outcome. Maybe he was growing up. Or maybe just getting old.
They stopped by the cafeteria and picked up dinner. By unspoken agreement, they selected portable meals and exited. While neither held the rank of the Commander or the CMO, or perhaps because of that, they were more approachable. And right now neither wanted to face the inevitable interruptions that occurred when they attempted to eat in public.
As they approached Sandra’s quarters Alan found himself yawning. Sandra looked up at him. “Just tired, Sahn. For some reason.” Alan grinned at her and laughed to see Sandra blush.
Finally there, Sandra used her commlock to open the door, enter and then walk her dinner to the small table. Alan followed and placed his dinner besides hers, but food was the last thing on his mind now. He pulled Sandra into his arms and leaned down to kiss her with the passion he had held in check all day, and was delighted to find she returned his kiss in kind. He felt his belt loosen and fall away and then her cool touch as her hands slipped under his jacket and shirt and caressed his back. The shivers that went through his body were not from any chill. He pressed her slight body tightly against his and was not at all surprised when his body immediately and emphatically responded in the anticipated fashion. Sandra obviously noticed too. She pulled away slightly and Alan briefly worried he had scared her off. The thought faded when Sandra used her commlock to turn down the lights and then left commlock, belt, and shoes behind as she headed towards the sleeping alcove, casting him a questioning look.
Alan kicked off his shoes and slipped off his jacket as he followed Sandra. He glanced at the sofa in passing. There was no way he would wake up on that dratted piece of furniture this time. Standing beside her bed, he turned Sandra around to face him and then kissed her again, gently at first but ending with the hunger of months of waiting. She matched him unhesitatingly. They ended up in bed peeling layers of clothing off each other in a mutual desire to feel skin against skin and to love completely and thoroughly. This was not the gentle lovemaking of their first night together, but rather lovemaking with the urgency to each lay claim one on the other. Once encouraged and reassured, Alan was gratified to find Sandra as responsive as he could ever have wished. In fact, he found himself pressed to keep up with the pace she set again and again.
Quite some time later, Alan collapsed face down in the pillow next to Sandra, exhausted but exceptionally content. He felt the bed move slightly and then Sandra’s warm body on his as she covered his back in an embrace, her breasts pushed tightly against his back and her arms wrapped around his shoulders. He could feel her warm breath against his neck as she reached up to nibble his ear. If at any other time in the past year he had found himself in this position he would have thought himself dreaming. And if by some miracle he hadn’t been, he would have rolled over and, well… Thank goodness for Annie Fraser’s good common sense and his current state of exhaustion.
“Sandra, my love, you might well be the death of me yet,” he mumbled into the pillow.
Sandra chuckled, reaching her arms around his chest. Whatever plans she might have had next were interrupted by the rather noisy growl that came from Alan’s mid-section. Sandra laughed gently. “Dinner will be cold by now,” she whispered after a final moment’s attention to his ear and then pushed herself up and walked over to the bathroom. She exited shortly wearing the soft silky golden sleep-shirt she had worn for him the night before.
Alan turned his head enough to enjoy the view. “Yeah, well, lunch was a little on the light side today for some reason.” He heard the answering laugh and grinned to himself. Although always quiet, he recalled that Sandra had laughed easily like this before Breakaway. It was a good sound.
Mustering his reserves, he sat up and looked around for the clothes he had shed. He pulled on his pants and then added the shirt for warmth. He listened to Sandra’s small sounds by the food warmer as he thought of what he wanted to do next. He could have wished for a fancy dinner at a nice restaurant under a full moon, but… Oh well, a reheated dinner in her quarters on the moon would suffice, if he got he answer he wanted.
Sandra brought the heated plates over one by one to the sofa table where Alan sat waiting. She noticed the funny look on his face and had to be careful not to laugh at the sight of his predicament. Watching the assertive pilot dither was a rare treat. Sandra gave him some more time by returning to fetch something to drink and then sat down next to him and started to eat. For once, dinner was quiet. Usually it was Alan who kept up a stream of chatter that filled the silence, but tonight he picked at his food, watching Sandra closely. The sound of the small recycling waterfall in the background was heard clearly, perhaps for the first time in all their evenings together.
Sandra looked relaxed and happy and Alan thought she seemed pleased to be in his company. She had most assuredly seemed to enjoy their lovemaking. There was none of the self-doubt and hurt that had been present after Paul Morrow had abandoned Alpha. It had been a long three years, but maybe she was ready. Just maybe she trusted him enough to know that he would never deliberately hurt her.
Alan sat looking at Sandra. He had so much to say, but for once was tongue-tied, a sliver of doubt winding its way through his usual confidence. “Ah, Sahn, I know you’ve lost a lot of people in your life, and being a pilot isn’t exactly the safest posting on Alpha, but… well…” Alan broke eye contact with Sandra and looked down at his fidgety hands. Why should she risk her feelings again just to set herself up for yet another possible loss? Alan sat mute, all his carefully practiced words forgotten. He was so wrapped up in what to do next that he didn’t feel Sandra move to be against him, her thigh pressed against his, nor did he see her gentle smile filled with love.
Sandra reached over the small distance and placed her hand on top of his. “What is that old saying?” Sandra asked, brown eyes twinkling in anticipation, “’Always the best man and never the groom’?”
Alan sat quietly for a very long while, and then looked up incredulously. Did he hear right? His doubt fell away as quickly as it had come. She had just proposed to him.
And his answer was a most emphatic ‘yes.’
18 Jan 2006
MDG