It was late and Alder had sent her biddies to bed while she finished up some paperwork, a light knock sounded from the other side of Alder's door, she signed the last document in front of her and informed the knocker they could enter.

Tally walked in with a shy smile on her face, "You wanted to see me, ma'am?"

Alder looked up at her while straightening up the pile of papers in front of her and setting them aside, "Yes, I'm sorry it's so late, I thought I'd take you up on your offer of learning the colors. As I haven't told anyone about this and well I've given this a lot of thought and I would like to get to know you more. So let's start with colors?"

Tally beamed at her like the sun, "Really? Are you sure? I don't want you to feel obligated or anything."

Alder nodded and stood, "I took into consideration what you've said and although I know it's not appropriate with the age difference and being your superior, I'd like to take it slow and see where this goes if you are comfortable? It's not ideal and it'll be difficult, you could be in danger because of me and you're still very young. I don't want you to go without experiencing all the things young people your age get to experience."

Tilting her head at Alder's words Tally took to heart what she said and she wanted to respond but feared what she was about to say would be out of line.

"Feel free to speak freely, Tally."

The redhead looked down at her feet and straightened her uniform, "I've taken everything into consideration already and although I appreciate your concern I made my choice a long time ago with the thought in mind of everything you just stated. And I don't want to be a burden like I said, I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything," Tally blushed, "You're like the moon and I'm just lucky enough to be in your orbit."

Alder smiled and took a few steps until she was standing in front of the young girl, lifting a finger to run along her cheek with the curiosity of a child, "What do you call this color?"

Tally laughed, "It's probably a combination of reds and pinks. Blushing from embarrassment or being shy causes the red blood to rush to the surface….sorry."

Alder took another step forward and brought Tally's hair to the side, "And this?"

"Some call it red, but it's orange or you can call it ginger."

Alder marveled at the color and then looked up to meet Tally's eyes causing her to blush again, "I think I like these reds and pinks. So tell me more colors, Tally Craven."

Tally smiled and spent the next few hours pointing out all the colors in her office and the childlike curiosity Alder had for the colors gave Tally butterflies. As they wound down, Tally sitting in the chair in front of the fireplace and Alder pouring herself a small cup of whiskey Tally remembered rainbows.

"Just wait till you see rainbows, they're like all the colors. One of these days after it rains, you'll see."

Alder smiled and sat in the chair opposite from her and got lost looking in the flames until a response came to her, looking up at the eager young woman she tilted her head and smiled, "How about we do it together someday? Rainbow hunting?"

Tally ducked her head and nodded, "Yeah, okay, I'd like that. I'd love it!"

"Are you settling in fine? Are you getting along with your unit? I know Bellweather can be a bit demanding," Alder laughed at herself for that, "But you're doing okay?"

Tally nodded and put a strand of hair behind her ear, "Yeah, it was a bit rocky at first but I think we're coming along. I have no doubt we'll make you proud."

"That's good to hear," Alder paused and a sadness came over her, "Have you tried speaking to your mother?"

Tally deflated and tried not to meet her gaze as tears pricked at her eyes, "I...no, not yet. I don't know that she wouldn't want to speak to me."

Alder set her cup down and got down on one knee in front of Tally, taking her hand, "You should at least try. You will regret it if you don't. What I wouldn't give to speak with my family one more time."

Tally nodded and wiped a tear away from her eye as Alder squeezed her hand before standing, "Well, I think I've kept you long enough, you should probably run off to bed."

"Thank you, general, tonight was nice. Thank you for checking on me even though you didn't have to."

Alder called out to her, stopping her in her tracks with her hand on the doorknob, "Tally, when it's just you and me you are free to call me Sarah, if you like," she joined her by the door and placed her hand over hers on the handle, "You said, earlier, that I was like the moon. Then you must surely be the sun, you brought colors into my world. Thank you, Tally. Goodnight."

Tally blushed at the compliment and the feel of the general's hand on hers and she beamed up at her, "Goodnight then, Sarah."

They both opened the door together and Tally gave her one last smile before turning and walking down the hall. Alder quietly closed the door behind her and felt a small blush come over her cheeks.

She smiled softly and whispered to herself, "Reds and pinks."

She was pretty sure she hadn't blushed since she was a young girl and it felt so foreign to her to feel what she was feeling and the thought that young Tally Craven was behind it, although her soulmate, she entertained the idea that she very well could possibly fall in love with her.