Three years later Pauline and Halt sat together on the couch his arm was around her and she was leaned against his side it was a comfortable embrace. They has courted casually and in private not really getting much of anywhere every time they settled into a routine one or the other was called away so they had settled on this. Comfortable companionship without a label. Separate homes separate lives but there for each other when needed without the complications of intimacy. There were whispers of course, there always were people always needed something to talk about. But Pauline brushed it off she had achieved everything she had hoped for in her career and Halt had become quite the legend they were a power couple to be sure if they could every actually call themselves a couple. Halt took a sip from his cup of coffee savoring the dark black liquid and sweetness of honey as he read over a report it wasn't uncommon for them to visit like this when he was at home it was simple and quiet but comfortable. Pauline's hand was rested comfortably on his thigh while she read her book while he finished his work she glanced over at him watching him read momentarily and she gave it a gentle squeeze to get his attention.
He turned his head slightly to look at her she met his green eyed gaze softly and touched his cheek placing a kiss on his lips tasting the sweetness of coffee that lingered there. Halt expected it to be soft and sweet chaste even as their kisses had become but this was no brief kiss her lips lingered in his, he returned it easily surprised but happy with the affection. He had found that to prevent them from getting 'complicated' their relationship often lacked gestures that could lead to more. That wasn't to say she didn't kiss him anymore she would often give him tender pecks to show her adoration for him but this was different. Her eyes were closed and her hand on his cheek held him close. He felt as if he was melting into her as she kissed him like that, he cautiously slipped his arms around her waist holding her close. When the kiss finally broke both were panting softly. Pauline could feel Halts heart pounding in his chest as it pressed against her own. "What was that for?" He asked softly with a smile. She smiled and rested her forehead against his softly "just checking to see what romance is still in you after all these years" she said. He cocked a brow with a smirk "any special purpose behind this exploration?" She smiled "I haven't decided yet" she said leaning back relaxing once more. Halt sat there staring at her and after a few minutes of silence he said "well?" She looked at him "well what?" "What's the verdict?" He asked with a wolfish teasing grin lurking on the edges of his lips. "Jury is still out" she teased back "but your coffee does taste good." Halt cocked a brow looking at her then grinned leaning in "would you like some more?" She smiled and caressed his bearded jaw "hmm perhaps" she closed her eyes as she leaned in closer then his lips never came instead she felt something ceramic in her hand she opened her eyes and found herself holding his coffee cup and Halt sitting on the edge of the couch with a devilish grin "wha-... What is this?" She asked looking at the cup. "Something to speed up the jury's mind" he said eyeing her carefully. She glared at him "death by hanging" she muttered. Halt took the mug and sipped it casually "that's what I thought" he said with a smile. Pauline shook her head and leaned back against his shoulder gently falling back into the comfortable silence with her book.