Takes place a few days after "The Hand of the Goral"

Wilma came out of her bathroom wearing a robe. Buck was standing outside the bathroom door with his back pressed against the wall. When she went by he grabbed her from behind with one arm, with his free hand he pushed her robe out of the way and kissed her on the shoulder.

Wilma had thrown him to the floor and had a laser pistol trained on him before she realized who it was. Her expression changed to one of surprise, "Buck! What…? I thought you were out on patrol."

He grinned up at her, "You didn't scream."

"What?" She put down her laser pistol and kneeled down next to Buck.

He sat up wincing, "You didn't know it was me right? You didn't freeze, you didn't scream, you didn't grab your cloths." As he spoke Bucks eyes moved briefly to Wilma's robe. The belt had loosened and the robe was open slightly at the front down to her waist. It seemed to cost Buck some effort to bring his eyes back to her face.

She glanced down at herself but did not fix her robe, "You're right. But what are you doing here? Why aren't you on patrol?"

"I switched with Hawk so I could take you by surprise. I figured it was the only way to test your reflexes in a real life situation. Now you know how you'll respond when you don't think you're safe."

She smiled "I guess I do. It was kind of risky though wasn't it?"

"Nah, you never kill anyone if you don't have to." He stretched flexing his back, "Of course I didn't realize how much harder you would throw me if you didn't know it was me."

Wilma studied his face for a few moments and then said seriously, "Thank you."

"No problem. Are you going on duty now?"

"No I have a couple of hours."

"I'm free for a couple of hours too. Do you want to practice some more throws?"

"Not just yet. As long as I have you down here Captain there's something else I would like to practice."

"What's th…?"

Buck's question was cut off as Wilma leaned forward and kissed him. At first Buck returned her kiss with equal passion but when she started to undo his shirt he took her hands, stopping her, and pulled away, "Wilma, I don't think this is a good idea."

"I'm sorry." Wilma pulled her robe around herself more snuggly and tightened her belt. She didn't meet Bucks eyes as she spoke, "Lately I …I thought I sensed… something but I was wrong. It won't happen again." She stood, "I'll get dressed."

Buck stood up quickly, "No, don't do that."

She raised her eyebrows looking at him quizzically.

"I just want to talk to you for a minute." He gestured to the couch and they both sat at opposite ends.

"Buck you don't have to say anything. If you're not interested, you're not, it's fine."

"It's not that I'm not interested. Look, Wilma you weren't wrong. I'm attracted to you. I mean who wouldn't be?"

"But?"

"But, where would it lead?"

"Where would it lead? I don't understand, you've been with a lot of women, when have you ever been concerned about where things will lead?"

"It's different with you."

"Why?"

"Because it's you! With you it would mean something."

"And that scares you?"

"No it… Alright, I guess it does, a little. I told you when I first got to this century that I didn't want to put down roots here."

"I remember."

"I've already gotten closer to you than I ever intended to.

"Wilma, I don't know if you can understand this but I lost everyone I cared about. I've learned to live with that, I had to, but I don't want to go through it again. And you aren't exactly in the safest line of work, for most of the time I've known you we've been risking our lives at least once a week. If I get any closer to you and then anything happens… I mean this assignment isn't too dangerous but…" he shrugged.

Wilma swallowed and blinked several times, "I do understand, Buck. I realize I haven't been through what you have but I know what it's like to lose people you love, not to want to feel that grief again, to love someone like that again.

"Ironically…" her voice cracked and she cleared her throat before continuing, "Ironically you're the one who taught me not to be afraid of my feelings, not to be afraid to care for someone. You taught me that, shutting yourself off, from people, from your feelings, that's no way to live Buck."

"Maybe not but it's the only way I can keep going."

Wilma nodded.

Buck spoke again, "I never wanted to hurt you."

"I know. Buck, I'd like to be alone right now."

"Wilma, your friendship means I lot to me. I don't want to lose that."

"You won't. I just need some time. Please, Buck, just go."

He signed, "Yea, OK."

He got up and walked to the door. He looked back at Wilma who was sitting with her back to him. He looked like he was about to say something, changed his mind, and left.


Several hours later.

Wilma sat behind the control station on the bridge her shift was almost over. Admiral Asimov entered, "Buck didn't report anything unusual from his patrol did he? He seemed upset when he got back."

She answered under her breath, "Good."

"What?"

"Everything was good, all routine."

Admiral Asimov gave her a penetrating look, "Wilma, is anything wrong?"

"No."

He lowered his voice, "If there was I hope you would feel like you could talk to me."

"Thank you Admiral, I appreciate that." She forced a smile, "But I'm fine, really, just a little tired."


Buck sat at a table eating with Lieutenant Devlin and Lieutenant Martin. Wilma entered the mess and Buck looked up at her hopefully. She ordered a beverage and left with it without ever looking at him. Buck's shoulders dropped.


A short time later.

Wilma sat alone in her quarters. A chime went off letting her know someone was at the door, "Come in."

Buck entered, "I know you probably don't want to talk to me yet but I need your help."

Wilma stood and moved toward him, "What is it?"

"I don't want to be afraid."

Wilma took him in her arms. He nestled his face against her hair. They stood that way for a long time.


Twelve hours later

Buck, Wilma and Hawk sat eating breakfast. Twiki stood at the table with them. Buck and Wilma kept exchanging smiles when they thought no one was looking.

Wilma stood, "I better go I'm on duty soon."

Buck looked up at her, "I'll see you later for practice?"

"Mmm hmm."

Buck watched her walk away. He was smiling when he turned back to Hawk and Twiki. Hawk was studying him looking smug and Twiki was holding his head at a slight angle as if he was studying Buck as well.

Buck looked quickly from one to the other, "What?"

Hawk answered, "You human's make everything so complicated. I am surprised your race has expanded as quickly as it has if you all take so long to choose a mate."

"What makes you think…?"

"It is obvious." Hawk stood up to leave, "If you will excuse me, I have a transaction to complete with Dr. Goodfellow before I go out on patrol."

Buck looked at him in surprise then turned back to Twiki. Twiki was turning to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"To find Crichton, Bidi-bidi-bidi, he owes me ten credits!"


Takes place several hours after Testimony of a Traitor

Wilma entered her quarters. Buck was sitting on the couch.

"Buck! I've been looking all over for you."

"Sorry. I was waiting for you here."

"Are you OK? You snuck out of your own party." She came up behind him, leaned over, put her arms around him, and kissed him on the cheek, "Are you still upset about the trial?"

"It's not that." Buck picked up her photo and turned on the anti surveillance device.

Wilma came around and sat next to him, "What is it?"

"This" he handed her the petition the crew members had all signed supporting him.

"I don't understand."

"All these people believed in me, supported me, and I'm here to spy on them."

Wilma took his hand, "I know. It's hard for me too but, we have to remember, if there really is a threat to earth here most, if not all, of these people could be in danger as well."

"Yea, I know." He put his arm around her pulling her closer, "It's just hard sometimes."

"I know."

They sat silently for a few minutes and then Buck said, "Speaking of people believing in me, I never really thanked you for your support. You risked your career for me, maybe your life."

Wilma laughed.

"What?"

"Buck, I've been doing that since we met!"

Buck turned to her in surprise, "I guess you have. I never really…"

She shook her head, "It was the right thing to do."

After a brief pause she spoke again, "Buck, I was going to wait until things settled down to tell you this but I talked to Dr. Huer a few hours ago."

Buck looked curious and Wilma continued, "Once he learned about your trial Dr. Theoplis started looking into the case trying to find something to help you.

"He did? I take it he didn't find anything."

"No, but he did learn who turned the videocassette over to the Alliance Judiciary Council in the first place. It was Counselor Apol."

"The Quad who handled my prosecution when I first came to earth? Why would he have anything to do with artifacts from the 20th century?"

"He wouldn't unless he was specifically investigating that time period in an attempt to find something to use against you."

"Talk about being a sore loser. Do Huer and Theo really think he would bother looking for something against me after all this time?"

"Apol is one of the members of the council who has argued most adamantly against humans taking more responsibility for running earth. He was also one of the biggest advocates for the Searcher but he was not so happy to learn you would be part of the crew. Dr. Huer thinks he wanted to get you out of the way."

"Hmm, if he went to all that trouble to get me off the Searcher maybe there is something to Dr. Huer's suspicions. I was beginning to wonder, we've been on the Searcher a long time and nothing has happened that could threaten earth and least not anything the computer council could have been connected with. Did Theo learn anything else that could help us?"

Wilma shook her head, "No and there's no evidence of Counselor Apol having any kind of contact with the Searcher with humans or otherwise."

"So I guess we continue to keep our eyes open."

"It's all we can do at this point." she patted him on the leg, "Shall we get back to your party? People are going to wonder what happened to you."

Buck grinned, "After the way you kissed me today they'll probably just think I snuck off with you."

Wilma didn't return his smile, "I probably shouldn't have done that. Do you think I made it too obvious that we're…" she made a vague sort of hand gesture.

"Actually that's something I wanted to talk to you about." He took his arm off her shoulders and turned to face her. "I'd like to stop. I mean it was kind of fun in the beginning but it's getting a little old. Don't you think?"

Wilma looked hurt for a moment but quickly changed her expression to a neutral one. She kept her voice even, betraying no emotion, as she answered, "Oh, well, if you want to stop we'll stop."

"If you think we should keep doing it I don't really mind. I just don't think we need to."

She shifted a few inches away from him, "No, not if it isn't what you want."

"I mean most people have probably guessed anyway and it can only help the mission to give us an excuse to be alone together."

"The mission? Buck, what are you talking about?"

"Keeping our relationship a secret. I don't see the point. I mean, it's not like we need to make some big announcement but…"

Wilma laughed in relief and Buck asked, "What did you think I was talking about?"

"I thought you wanted to end the relationship."

"How could you think that? You know how I feel about you!"

"No."

"What?"

"No, I don't know how you feel about me. You've never told me."

Buck frowned, "Do I really have to spell it out?"

"Only if you want me to know."

"Well alright," he looked away speaking quickly, "I love you… so…so now you know."

Wilma moved closer to him and took his face in her hands, gently turning his head until he was looking at her. She smiled, "Now I know." She kissed him.

It was several minutes before Wilma's lips were free again and she could whisper, "I love you too."

"Well then," Buck smiled mischievously pulling her closer, "I say let's give 'em something to talk about."


A/N: Many thanks to those who have reviewed!