Time Immemorial
Epilogue
July 26th
0637 Hours
She awoke with a start. Elizabeth couldn't remember what her last dream had been about but it hadn't been a pleasant one. Despite how perfect last night had been, her sleep had been fitful, undermined by worry, no doubt. She could guess why.
Rolling to her side, Elizabeth surveyed the battle-worn mattress upon which she lied. The tangle of bedsheets was its only other occupant. She swept a hand over the spot next to her. Empty. She knew what that meant. Burying her head in the pillows, she breathed deeply and immediately wished she hadn't. The sheets still smelled like him.
She forced herself up to a seated position, back propped against the wall. Glancing over, she read her wristwatch from the floor where it had ended up last night. 0638. The Daedalus would have been gone for over half an hour by now, already lightyears into its journey back to Earth, and John along with it.
A sudden wave of disappointment coursed through her. She felt as empty his room. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised at the outcome. Still, it hurt.
At least he'd be safe.
She let her mind dwell on the evening prior, one last reflection before she banished the memories forever — the way he'd held her tight, how his pulse had spiked has her fingernails had raked his scalp, how his fingertips had burned like brands on her skin. They'd spent nearly the whole night together, without a care for what laid in wait for them the following morning.
Now morning was here. He wasn't.
With a lengthy exhale, Elizabeth buried her head in her hands. Not even the cool dawn air tickling her bare arms and legs would be enough to enliven her spirit this—
The sound of the room's doors parting snapped her head upward. Hurriedly she covered herself with bedsheets, her cheeks already reddening in advance of being caught in his room, naked on his mattress, leaving absolutely zero question as to what had occurred the night prior—
Her eyes widened as the newcomer entered, though not for the reasons she had expected. Her fist, clutching the sheets to her chest, fell in disbelief.
John froze mid-stride at the dismay written plainly on her face. He looked around the room, looking for the source of her shock, before his eyes landed back on her, widening as he finally realized.
"What, you didn't think I actually...?"
At that, Elizabeth let out a relieved laugh that came out more as a choked sob. She let her head rest on the wall behind her. "It's past 0600 and you were gone when I woke up, so I just presumed..." She trailed off as she spotted his duffle along the far wall, still empty, his personal effects still unpacked. Still present. She wiped a hand across her brow, embarrassed, before finishing, "... that I am an idiot."
Breaking into a genuine smile, John joined her on the mattress, placing the two coffees he had fetched on the floor beside her. "Left your tablet in your quarters?" he teased, propping himself up on an elbow.
"Yep," she muttered, still mortified.
Handing her his own from nearby, John watched as Elizabeth read the same email he himself had digested over an hour ago as she'd slept beside him. He'd read it eight times before he had believed it. He watched her brow arch as she worked through it. He hid his smile behind his sip of coffee.
"Congrats. The IOA voted. You're both not fired.
Remember my advice.
-JO
PS: Bring some of those Klaan biscuits next time you're in town."
Elizabeth snapped to him, mouth agape but a flicker of hope in her eyes. "So this means you're staying?" She didn't know why she asked — the answer was as plain as day in the email — but she needed it corroborated, needed verification she wasn't still trapped in a dream.
"I'm not going anywhere," he answered warmly.
The coffee he'd been holding nearly ended up all over his shirt as she half tackled, half smothered him atop the mattress. From his back he fumbled to place the cup upright on the floor before its contents spilled out entirely.
Elizabeth grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him fervently. Pressed underneath her, John reached up and returned the sentiment, unable to hide his smile this time. He gazed up into her hazel eyes as she pulled back to look at him, her fingers tickling his hairline as she ran them through his hair.
"So," he began cheekily, "I take this to mean you're okay with the IOA's decision."
Elizabeth shrugged, allowing herself to channel some of his wit. "I suppose I could stand to keep you around a bit longer."
He grinned at that, running his own fingers through her hair as it tumbled over her neck, his other hand resting on her waist. Her freckles seemed to light up with her bliss, and it was the most sublime sight he had ever witnessed. She was truly happy. He could get used to waking up to that.
Suddenly he had a thought that made his face fall. "Listen, um, about last night," he began hesitantly. "Now that we know the IOA doesn't hate me as much as we thought, and that you'll still have to put up with me around the office... Last night was more than a one-time thing. Right?"
She lowered herself to him and kissed him slowly. "I certainly hope so, Major."
He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing her hand reverently. "Very well, Doctor," he mumbled into her fingers, not without a hint of a smirk.
John pulled the sheets over top of them both.
Whatever crisis laid beyond them would have to wait.
THE END.
Author's note: At long last, the end! This story took a TON of work over many, many years. Was it predictable? Maybe. Did I enjoy writing it anyway? You bet. I hope it was enjoyable to read to at least a few of you. Marlab, thanks for your consistent reviews - proof that someone out there was reading this!
