"Hey." Abby looked up from her medical manual, smiling as Apollo moved quietly through the darkened sick bay and returning his easy kiss. "It's late. What are you doing up?"
She shrugged, Lee's hand tracing her spine. "I took the night shift. A lot of the medics do better in an emergency with sleep. And given tomorrow, I wanted to make sure everyone was alert."
He leaned his elbows against the desk, meeting her eye line, "But you don't need sleep?"
Swaying into his shoulder, she smirked, "You should talk. CAG still up at two in the morning the night before the big mission."
She watched as his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"You're nervous?" Lee's brow quirked in response. "You know you're going to be great, right?"
He let out a short breath, "I'm not sure everyone would agree."
"Well, frak them."
His brows raised, "Wow, I—"
"I'm not kidding, Lee. Frak them. You earned this moment. I've seen you in crisis and you're creative and pragmatic," Abby twisted in her chair, grasping the material of his uniform and pulling him to face her. Whispering, she continued, "Without you, there would be no fleet. You're the reason we're here at all."
Lee swallowed roughly, his face pinched, "Listen, if I don't—"
She shook her head, "Don't. I don't want a goodbye. I know your job, and I know better than most that life is often shorter than we would like. So, kick some Cylon ass tomorrow and come back to me. But don't tell me goodbye."
His breath out skittered across her cheek. "I'm coming back."
"Damn straight."
Lee smiled, wrapping his arms around her back. Her arms around his neck, she closed her eyes, memorizing the moment. Clearing his throat, he lifted his head and met her lips. His hands slide up her sides, framing her face as he slowly ended the kiss.
"I'm coming back," he repeated, surer this time.
Abby nodded, her hands gripping his forearms. "I'll be right here."
