The break before the bond.

It had started off with a mutual respect, their union brought about at a pinnacle turning point in both their lives. A gesture of friendship which initiated a first date, that led to what would be their second official date. He invited her to accompany him on a day trip. Little did he know what this day, in particular would herald for them both.

Edward had decided it would be pleasant to take her on a hiking expedition. Currently on a weeks sabbatical before shipping off to the Mars colony, he wanted one last outing before his assignment commenced.

Edward loved the rigorous exercise, the open air and landscape. There was no better location where he could experience all those things then at The Grand Canyon.

At first she was hesitant to go, but quickly came around once she knew of his experience in navigating the rocky terrain. Things went smoothly up until the last hundred meters of track.

One minute they were laughing and joking about her being out of breath, the next, she had it knocked cleanly out of her. She had slipped down an unstable part of the rocky outcrop and all that registered in Edward's mind was her scream. The loud cry, brutally echoed off the canyon walls. His heart lunged in his chest and in quick succession, he turned, grabbing both of her hands.

His body had slid partially off the cliff with her, only to stop when it was met with resistance from his stomach. Trying desperately to control her thrashing about, he pleaded with her to keep her eyes upon his.

"Look at me. Whatever you do, don't look down", He instructed.

Terrified, she struggled against the ledge, her pants tearing from the sharp edges of rock. She still had her backpack attached, but it was weighing her down making the rescue near impossible. She screamed when he let go of her with his left hand.

Now only holding onto both of her hands with his right, he secured himself against the sharp rock with his left hand. His rapid heartbeat was making the blood rush in his ears and he could hardly hear his own words over the uproar.

"Gretchen, you need to remove the backpack", came his strained voice.

"I can't", she cried back to him, struggling frantically.

"You must. I cannot pull you up with the added weight", he implored.

With a shaky breath she searched his eyes, fear washing over the surfaces. She shook her head in defiance, she didn't think she could reach the pack without loosing her grip.

Realizing that his obvious expression of dread wasn't helping the situation, he cleared his mind to focus on giving her the reassurance she needed. If they weren't to spend their last few seconds on earth falling to their death, she needed to calm herself and trust him. Trust that he wouldn't let them die.

"That's an order", he barked in desperation.

Briefly focused from the change she saw, she took another shaky breath and nodded agreement.
Slowly she released her left hand and reached for the shoulder strap. Unfastening the clip, the backpack fell against her right side. The shift in weight flung her body sideways and the feel of suddenly being thrown off balance, scared her to the point where she started thrashing about again.

"Don't let me fall", she screamed.

"I've got you. I've got you", he repeated.

Her eyes never leaving his, she nodded unconsciously over and over again.

"Now you need to let go with your right hand and let the pack fall off".

"I don't think I can. Please I don't want to die", she begged.

Her arms were growing tired and the adrenalin running through her system was making her feel light headed.

"You are not going to die, you hear me? You can do this, just let it fall and I'll pull you up".

Within a split second she let go of his hand and let the pack slide off her arm and fall. The discarded object bounced off the various rocks and ledges, landing with a thud down below.

With the excess weight now gone, he instantly pulled her to safety. A super human effort that he never knew he possessed.

Gasping widely, the both fell backwards onto the relieving ground beside him, their exerted nerves making them dizzy and wobbly. Catching her breath, she shifted closer to him and laid her head against his chest. She didn't feel like letting go right away, with the shock of it all.

"Are you okay?", he hugged her close to his side.

"Yes, I'm okay, I think".

"That was a close call woman. Never do that to me again", he sternly told her.

"You can't order me around", she joked.

The brisk jab wasn't meant to be disrespectful, more an instant reflex to the overwhelming sense of being alive.

"Still, all the same. I do not wish to repeat that, ever".

"Neither do I".

Once they had calmed themselves enough to trust their legs, the stood up and began dusting themselves off. As they made their way back to the transporter site, they let the air hang silent amongst their heavy steps. Both were taking in the surrounding atmosphere as if it they had never set eyes on the vast colorful landscape before now.

Upon reaching the transport console, Edward put his pack down and began to enter the co ordinates for a site to site transport back to Gretchen's local station. Just as he was about to initiate the transport, she stopped him and pulled him aside.

The days events had scared them both to no end, but the accident was still very raw in Gretchen's mind. The experience left her feeling at a loss, her fears were overtaking her emotions once again. Their imminent separation, once she returned home, had a unexpected side affect that was causing her discomfort and anxiety.

All of a sudden she realized, she didn't want to loose his company so soon after their brush with death. She wanted him to understand that his selfless act had changed her, that she wanted more from him. More then what a standard second date would have amounted too. She needed him to be hers, forever.

Timidly taking a hold of his hand, the very same hand that had saved her life, she rubbed the dust from his knuckles.

"Thank you for saving my life", came her shy words.

"Your welcome", he smiled back at her.

Judging by the look in her eyes, he knew she had more to say. He urged her on with a gentle squeeze.

"If you weren't there, if i...", the last word choking in her throat.

"Shhh, it's okay. Your safe now and if I can help it, I won't let anything happen to you again", he tried to reassure her.

Gretchen nodded in understanding, her watery eyes releasing a single tear.

Edward never thought any woman could look as more beautiful as she did right then.

Covered in red dust with her hair in disarray, the burden of fear being spilled from her small frame. He leaned into the small space that separated them, placing his hand against her cheek, he gave her a slow kiss on the lips. He broke away , smiling at her in wonderment.

Consumed with what they were both feeling and encouraged by his intimate gesture she pulled him into a firm embrace.

Gretchen couldn't hold back the flood of tears, the wash of emotion was just too great. Edward was so understanding, so thoughtful in his protection of her. She inwardly chided herself for appearing like a blubbering mess, but a near death experience could do that to a person.

Edward rubbed her back in small circular strokes, soothing her for a few idle minutes. Gently trying to pull away from the embrace, he was only halted by her arms gripping him more. Smiling against her hair, his chivalrous nature gave her more time to in the embrace.

Holding her in his arms was like nothing he felt before. Today had marked a lot of firsts for him and even though there were some things he never cared to revisit, there were others that he longed for. He wanted her, needed her to be apart of his life from this day on.

They were destined for each other.

Feeling her trembling soften down, he nudged her again letting his words seal the deal.

"It's time to go home. Are you with me?", he prodded.

He felt the deep inhale against his chest, before hearing her mumbled answer against his now sodden shoulder.

"Always".

TBC