After a night of very good sleep, Maria woke up with quite unusual feeling. First of all, she was alone in bed. Second, whoever lay behind her made her feel pretty good and safe, the only explanation she had for being so well rested and not panicking immediately at the foreign presence. When her mind caught up with her and she understood who it was behind her, she tried not to think anymore about the nice things this night brought her, knowing that she's not supposed to feel this way. But then again, she was the one who said they'll talk about it later. And really, nothing happened, they just snuggled in sleep… And judging by her current feelings, they will have their talk at the first opportunity. Choosing not to think about it right now she decided to stay like this as long as she could, which wasn't long since she heard a voice behind her.

"I know you're awake."

"You want to get up?"

"I'd rather not, besides, we don't have to be anywhere for a few more hours."

At that she turned in his arms, keeping his hand on her waist with her own on it, which he decided not to comment.

"You still didn't tell me why we're here."

"I believe I did."

"Not exactly."

"You'll see it yourself."

A thought struck Maria, one she didn't like. "We're not here for this?" She motioned at their position in bed.

"No, we're not. But that would be a nice bonus."

"You're straying."

"Alright then, let's finish what we came here for."

"Then what?"

"We think about it later."

"You're avoiding it."

He moved to get up expecting a reaction to his next words. "And you enjoy being in my arms."

"Hey!" She rolled out of bed and tried to look at him but only saw his back.

"Get ready, the sooner we move out, the sooner we finish with it."

She could only roll her eyes and do what he said.


After they left the cabin, the day moved pretty fast for them. A short walk to their true destination. Some action that would seem difficult for someone who doesn't know much about what they do. Then a few hours wait for the clean up team. Perfect for a show for the counsil, but awfully boring for them. Maria's been extra restless during the wait. When she thought of it, she was telling herself that it was because of not being told what was expecting her here, but it was also all the things that were and weren't said in the morning. What was worse, they didn't allow themselves to talk about it in that time, mindful of the fact that it can reach wrong ears that way. So, it took them hours to get away, and since they didn't go with their teams, they didn't even oversee them do their job trusting them not to screw up all of it, it's been hours before they found themselves in a quiet moment alone. For some crazy reason they went back to the cabin even though they didn't have anything left there, probably subcounciously wanting to have a save place for the conversation, and wanting to have it now, because if they go back to their work they might not have a moment for a very long time. So, here they are, alone, back in the cabin, maybe even for the night. And this time, it was her who started the conversation.

"Is this the later where we talk?"

"About?"

"The morning."

"A lot happened this morning, what exactly?" Now he was just getting on her nerves.

"Nick." Her tone was threatening, the one that in any other situation he'd think twice before saying anything at all.

"So now you want to talk about it?"

She took a moment to think about it, what exactly she wanted from this conversation?

"I want to finish it."

"How do you want to finish it?"

"I... I don't know."

At that he smiled with something playful in his eyes.

"Maybe we could start with how comfortable you were in my arms?"

At first she was speachless, but it didn't last long. "That probably would be the best place to start."

"So?"

"What?"

"Is there a reason for such a reaction?"

"I don't know, but I'm clearly more comfortable with you than I thought."

"Is there anything you want to do about it?"

"I think so, but I'm not sure it's a good idea."

"Then how about we try it?"

"No, not now."

"Look at how comfortable we are with each other?"

She contemplated it for a bit before answering. "Maybe. But how?

"We can think about it on the go. Now we need to decide if we're staying here for the night or getting back to base."