"Good luck. . .to all of us." Admiral Hackett says these final words, almost a final farewell and his usually hard gaze softens.
Anderson ends the transmission and it's just the two of them. Her jade eyes take him in and for a second he glimpses some emotion in their untelling depths. He sees right through the mask she has put on not only for others, but for herself. He notes the weariness and the exhaustion swirling in them, knowing full well that the weight of this war is crushing her. His heart aches as he no longer sees the fire that always accompanies her gaze when he sees her, something he has grown to love about her no longer there. He yearns to reignite the quenched flames and see her smile once more. It's then that he realizes that his feelings for her have surpassed those appropriate for a soldier and her superior.
He itches to touch her, to pull her close and tangle his fingers in her crimson locks. His gaze briefly leaves hers to examine the war room and he notes that no one is paying the comm room containing the two no mind.
"Jane." He says her name softly and watches as her mask shatters at the use of her name.
The fact that she feels the same for him as he does for her is as clear as day and erases any doubt he once had. He invades her personal space in three quick strides and she doesn't seem to mind, subconsciously leaning towards him. An arm around her waist pulls her close as his other hand caresses her face. He relishes in the small shiver that goes through her body as he strokes her cheek whilst gazing deeply into her eyes. His head dips down and her eyes fall shut as his warm lips graze hers.
"I fear I've fallen for you." He admits, his lips gently moving against hers as he speaks.
"I'm afraid I've fallen with you, Steven." She whispers just before tilting her head up slightly and firmly pressing their lips together.
His touch and kiss rekindle the smoldering coals within her. It takes every bit of restraint she has not to slip her hands beneath his clothing to feel him or not to release the moan that so desperately wants to escape as his tongue gently parts her lips. Her hands grip the decorated shoulders of his uniform tightly as he explores her mouth, tasting faintly of whiskey and something so indescribably Hackett that has her pressing impossibly closer. For the first time in a long time she relaxes, all the stress leaving her body, and enjoys the way he dominates the her mouth.
He releases her lips, leaving her breathless as her eyes slowly open again to look up into his beautiful blue pair. He barely manages to suppress a grin and settles for a small smile as he notices her eyes raging with the flames of passion and love.
"Come back to me, Jane." He places one last chaste kiss to her lips before stepping back from her and composing himself, smoothing out the wrinkles in his uniform before walking away.
"That's an order, Commander." He commands, turning towards her once again at the door.
"Yes, sir." She replies and her back automatically straightens at his authoritative tone, he leaves after one last hard look.