My second one-shot of 100 - 98 left. Sweet. This one's a little Scandalous, just like the last. OH, I forgot to say last time but if any of them go beyond the "T" rating of this collection as a whole, I'll make sure to say. I'm sure they won't, but maybe considering the pairing. Lol. Anyway, time for the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: I don't own Eureka seveN, Bones does. But I will write this fic, because I - like AD - am an American Cowboy… girl.

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"Always"

By Ren-chan(aka shinigamivc)

Holland was staring at the ceiling of his cabin, hand behind his head. The room was dark and the sheets covered him to about halfway up his chest. It was as if he was trying to stare down the ceiling or will it to move.

The door slid opened then shut. He didn't have to turn his head; he knew it was Talho. She moved around the room, digging for something. There was the rustling of fabric and then the soft squeak of the mattress as her knee made contact.

"Holland…" She moved close to him, a hand falling on his chest as she rubbed her thigh against his. He didn't look at her, barely moving.

"Don't do that." He said after a few seconds.

"Do what?" She whispered, her lips barely caressing his ear. Her hot breath made him falter.

"THAT." He said gasping and shifting away from her hastily. "Not Tonight."

"Why not!?" She said, pulling back quickly and frowning, obviously thoroughly insulted.

"Just… not tonight."

"What kind of man are you!?" She said sharply, sitting up and staring down at him. He was still watching the ceiling, a distant look in his eyes. She fell back against the bed, suddenly remembering something.

"…sorry." She said quietly after a pause, turning away from him and curling her legs toward her chest. It was the anniversary of that day - the last day he'd set eyes on Diane. "I'd forgotten."

He didn't reply, though he did look at her back, shoulders hunched, curled up into something of a ball. They stayed like this for a few minutes in awkward silence.

"Who's watching the bridge tonight?" Her voice was weak and quiet.

"Renton." He replied.

"Why?" She said.

"He insisted… I don't know why."

"I'll go sit with him. He'll probably screw it up on his own." She said, finding any excuse to get away from him for now.

He watched her get up and walk toward the door. She was wearing a black slip, both straps off her shoulders. The slip itself barely covered her. The door slid opened and the thought crossed his mind that only Talho would wear something like that out of their room… or was it because she wanted to embarrass Renton. He sighed and quickly looked away as she turned in the doorway.

"I'm sorry Holland, really." She said, a certain sadness in her voice that made him thoroughly glad he was not looking her in the eyes. The door shut and he sighed and went back to staring down the ceiling.

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Meanwhile, Talho appeared on the bridge and watched an unsuspecting Renton sitting in her seat, staring at the ship's controls with interest. She walked down the steps, hitting each one a little harder than usual to get his attention.

"M-M-M-M-Miss Talho!" He blushed a deep crimson as he saw her, having spun around quickly. She, however, was watching the controls of the ship.

"RENTON!" She said, walking over quickly and reaching over his shoulder to hit a few buttons on the control panel. "Get out of my seat! You're gonna wind up activating the boosters or turning off the autopilot or something."

"Y-Y-Yeah, ok." He said, watching her lean over him. She stood up strait again and placed her hands on her hips, staring at him.

"Why are you blushing? Pervert." She looked very annoyed.

"S-Sorry." He jumped up from the seat and stood stiffly, not looking at her. Her expression softened slightly as she watched him. It wasn't his fault he had the same blood as her. She sighed, moving around him and sitting down.

"Come on, you want to know how it works, right?" He nodded and watched as she pointed out the controls.

Sometime passed and Talho had moved to the captain's chair. She yawned once and leaned her head in her right hand, which rested on the armrest. She sighed openly, watching Renton try to memorize what she'd just taught him. The sound of footsteps above her eluded her at first. It was only as they descended down the stairs that she took notice. She glanced over and instantly straitened in the chair as she saw Holland walking over, stopping in front of her. She watched him curiously as he looked her in the eyes, a blank expression on his face. As it became more apparent that he wasn't planning on saying anything, her eyebrow twitched.

"What?" She said plainly, staring into his piercing oceanic eyes.

"Sorry." He mumbled after a moment, looking up and scratching the side of his head before meeting her eyes again. The edges of her lips had turned up slightly. "You coming back to bed?"

"…" She stared at him, raising her left eyebrow.

"Well?" He said, matching her stare.

"You sure you want me there?" She replied finally, crossing her arms over her chest. She couldn't help it, she was still angry with him despite his reasons.

"Yeah." He said, crossing his arms as well. Renton, the unbiased observer, would later call it a 'stand off', each one waiting for the other to crack.

"Prove it." She stated firmly, shutting her eyes and turning away from him in the chair so that her legs fell over the armrest nearest to the stairs. Her arms were still crossed, her expression firm and unyielding.

Holland sighed and moved toward her, sliding one hand under her knees and the other under her shoulder blades, lifting her up bridle style.

"Ahh!" He took her by surprise and she untangled her arms quickly to loop them around his neck.

"Do you trust me?" He said, starting up the stairs.

"Always." She replied, tightening her arms around his neck and leaning her head against his bare shoulder.