It was a Wednesday afternoon; weekends were a thing of the past for federal agents, so they took the respite where they could.
Myka reclined in a chair out the back of the B&B, book in hand, eyes glancing over the words now and then but mostly enjoying the soft afternoon sun of early spring. HG came out with a cardigan - one of her own, not one of Myka's - a rug, and a telescope.
"I read that there was an asteroid shower tonight," HG said tentatively. "I hope you don't mind, but I intend to set up in readiness."
"Won't you be cold?" Myka asked.
"I'll make tea. South Dakota spring has nothing on England's winters."
"Tell that to the Oregon Trail," Myka muttered, watching HG set up the scope. She turned back to her book, looking up again when HG came back out with what looked like a compact satellite dish and an antenna, setting them up in earnest.
"I don't mean to disturb you," HG said meekly; she was still like this, still unsure of her place at the Warehouse. Still unsure if Myka had gotten over the betrayal. "It's much easier to set up before the daylight fades," she added, watching the sun sink, the golden glow of sunset casting a glow over Myka that made HG's breath catch. She averted her eyes, still so uncertain of her standing with Myka.
"Is Claud helping you?" Myka asked, interested despite herself.
"No, she's going out with Steven tonight." It's odd to hear his full name, but HG was often formal. "I wouldn't... I wouldn't want you to think I was corrupting her."
"Are you?" Myka asked, but her voice wasn't hard, just curious.
HG laughed a little indignantly. "I may not approve of the turns society has taken, but I'm no longer consumed by my own grief. I don't want to separate anyone else from their loved ones." Her hand lingered near Myka's shoulder before pulling away; two planets in orbit. HG looked as though she wanted to say something else, but instead she ducked her head and went back inside. Myka put her book down.
A few hours later, HG came outside to a few tealights Myka had lit earlier in the evening, her binoculars around her neck, a heavy coat over her shoulders.
"I've never seen a meteor shower," Myka said, looking away from HG's inquiring gaze. "I hope you don't mind the... the company."
"Yours? Never," HG said honestly. She set her Thermos on the table. "It gives me hope."
"Hope?" Myka asked, looking up at the sky because HG's face was too full of raw emotion for her to withstand another second of it.
"Hope that I can be redeemed," HG said quietly. "That I have a purpose."
"You do have a purpose. It comes from the Warehouse, not me."
"I am grateful for the Warehouse," HG said carefully. "But the Warehouse has never made me feel as though I am worth... all this fuss," HG sighed and sat on the chair. The other one was broken, so Myka sat next to her, let HG wrap the blanket over their shoulders as they brushed together. Myka watched HG set up all her complicated tools, peering through the telescope, hearing HG's breath catch.
"Darling, look," HG breathed, pulling away from the lens so Myka could see the night sky, the streaking lights of space rocks hurtling through the stratosphere. HG hadn't called Myka any pet names since she came back. She hadn't touched her, but now HG's forgetful hand rested on Myka's back as they both gazed up in wonder to the night sky.
"It's your equipment," Myka said as she finally pulled back, HG's arm slipping around her waist as HG tucked her cold body against Myka's side. HG reluctantly released Myka, reaching instead for the thermos to offer it to Myka; it was a warm, fruity tea, perfect for a chill spring night. They could hear the distant sound of Claudia and Jinks slamming the car doors, and their relentless youth and energy as they talked over the band they'd seen. Myka's hand crept into HG's as they stare up into the night sky.
"You brought the telescope out; aren't you going to use it?" Myka asked finally as she pulled away from the lens again, HG cuddled into her side, half asleep with her cold little nose pressed to Myka's collarbone. Her hand rested under Myka's thick coat, and Myka was acutely aware of its presence.
"Oh, it's recording and sending data back to the storage Claudia helped me set up," HG said sleepily. "I just needed to confirm my coordinates." Myka wrapped her arms around her stubborn scientist, sighing. Soon she'd have to suggest they go inside; it really was too cold for stargazing, even with HG's warm body pressed against her own. She heard the sliding door open, Leena's warning and Claudia's giggle as it closed again. She pulled away from the telescope reluctantly, and HG pulled away from her as well, yawning and stretching.
"Thank you," Myka said finally.
"I'm recording it," HG repeated, looking confused.
'Thank you for coming back to me,' Myka said, under the broad night sky of South Dakota, meteors flying overhead, the eerie light giving her courage as she leaned forward to kiss the soft lips that tasted of peach and roses.