Disclaimer: Saban and Disney's, not mine

Notes: Post series, spoilers apply, mild Jen X Wes

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Trip was alone on his balcony as he watched the first rays of dawn hit the urban landscape. There was still an hour or so left before the daily rush of people going out to live their lives, so the city was quiet. It wouldn't have been too hard to pretend that he was the only living being in the city. That there was no job he should be getting ready for instead of watching the rising sun.

That Katie wasn't fast asleep in his bed.

Trip didn't really feel like pretending.

He knew what he wanted to do next. He'd been in love with her as long as he could remember, and after last night when they had… well, they had, it seemed only logical. Or it would have been on Xybria, at least. But as his view of the morning metropolis made so abundantly clear, this was not Xybria. And considering what would be waiting for her (for them both) on his home planet, he wouldn't blame her if she said 'no'. He was half expecting it, to be honest.

Still, he had to ask.

"Good morning." He hadn't heard her creeping up behind him, so the strong arms around him (and the kiss) came as a surprise. "You always wake up this early?"

Reluctantly, he pulled away. "Katie, I… listen… I really wish I'd planned this out more."

"Is this about last night?" Her voice was laced with concern, and maybe even a little hurt, which just made him feel worse. "Because--"

"No! No." Trip flinched at his tone. He had not meant to sound that panicked (even if he was). "Trust me, I'm happier now than I've ever been." He looked out to the horizon again as he began to realize it. "That may be my problem."

"… Okay, now I'm confused."

He could sympathize. "Last night, I was so happy I couldn't sleep, so I came out here. And I guess, somehow, I started thinking about Wes and Jen."

Katie wasn't confused in the least now. "Oh."

"They waited until it was too late. I don't want us to be like that." He dug in his pocket and hoped for the best. "So, that's why I want to at least give this a shot." He unclasped his hand. "Look over here, please?"

Her brow furrowed as she took one of the bracelets from him, running her thumb against the small green stone in the center.

"My grandfather gave me these when I left home, so that I'd have a part of home with me, you know? When my grandmother was alive, they each wore one, because… that's what married couples do on my planet."

She didn't say anything. She wasn't even looking at him.

"I know, pretty stupid, huh? Boy, this was a bad idea, I'm sorry for even bringing it up--"

Katie shut him up with another kiss, one that seemed to last forever. But eventually she broke it off, grinning wildly as she placed the bracelet on her wrist.

"That, by the way, was a 'yes'."