SITN17
Disclaimer: I only wish I could try this at home. Author's note: I know it's been an eternity, but FF.net has been down. Here is the new chapter; I hope it's been worth the wait.
Regina and her entourage made it to the Eureka Maru with two minutes of the ten she had promised to spare. She paused to check her hair, and to smooth both hands down the dress. She really didn't dress up much, and she didn't want anything to be out of place. With the way the Universe had been treating her lately, it had been a great surprise not to be attacked en route. In a way, she had been hoping for it. Ambushes she knew how to deal with. Relationships she did not.
"Quit fussing, you're beautiful." Alyxandra teased gently. She could see how nervous Regina was, and wondered at it. Her friend was not a shy, inexperienced woman. "Thanks. Tell Ice I promise not to leave the ship alone. I know the drubbing I'll take in the practice ring if I do." The redhead shook her head ruefully, and then took her bag from Alyxandra.
"Will do, and remember, I want details." Alyx grinned impishly.
"What, and have you perish with envy? Would I do that to you?" Regina smiled, nerves momentarily forgotten as she fell into the familiar verbal exchange with her friend.
The second guard ignored them and continued to watch the perimeter. She was not so sure that the danger had ended with the capture of the mercenary unit.
Alyx and Regina were still laughing when the hatch to the Eureka Maru opened. Tyr stood in the doorway, the light from inside the ship spilling around him. Both women fell silent in tribute to the sight. He had changed into dark brown silk pants that hung low on his hips. The silk teasingly clung and slid over his form as he padded on bare feet down the ramp. He was wearing a vest of matching fabric, left open to reveal an impressive torso. His hair had been set free to fall around his face, bringing attention to eyes dark with hunger.
If he had any sense, he would have delayed their meeting until he had calmed down. His argument with Dylan had left him feeling raw and aggressive. He should have realized his mood would transfer to sexual aggression the moment he saw her. It was all he could do to leash his desires and extend a hand in courtesy, instead of sweeping her up and carrying her straight to the bedchamber.
Regina felt an answering hunger rise up inside her from where it had been restlessly coiled. She moved to meet him, her eyes locked in silent communication with his. She could see that he had not reconsidered during their time apart. If anything, he had become more intent.
Tyr waited for her at the end of the gangplank, watching her move. She stalked toward him like the great cat her Pride took its name from. She had let him know she wished to mate with him in that moment during the battle with the mercenaries. Now she was here, and her body language told him she had not changed her mind.
His gaze was intense, and she could feel the restraint in the tension of the arm he extended to her. After a moment of hesitation, Regina took his hand instead of handing him her bag. She didn't want him to accidentally feel the Helix bands through the soft fabric. They were going to stay in reserve, so to speak, unless Tyr made it clear that he wanted this to be more than a port romance. She wasn't sure she could work up the nerve to propose, or cope with the rejection if the answer was no.
The two turned and proceeded up the gangplank in silence. Tyr wondered what had caused the momentary hesitation and pain that had flickered through her eyes before she had reached for his hand. Although he had intended to take her bag for her, he was glad she had chosen to reach out to him instead.
The outer hatch closed behind the two, leaving them alone at last. Regina realized she should say something; it was traditionally the woman's place to do so. She settled the bag a little more comfortably over her shoulder as she turned to face Tyr. As she did so, the bands clinked gently against one another.
Tyr heard the faint contact of metal on metal, and felt a weight lift from him. He had wondered where the Helix case was. Her bag would have shown the outline of a box, but there had been none in evidence. So, his mate could be cautious in an unknown situation. Good, he had been a little concerned over her apparent disregard for survival during the firefight. Using their still-joined hands, he pulled her against him. His free hand cradled her face and he looked deep into her eyes. "I did not verbally declare my intentions earlier. I believe it would be best if I did so now, and saved any miscommunication. I have been in display for you. I want you as my mate. Does your presence here denote your acceptance, or did you come to see a further display?"
"I think I should break away from the teachings of Jaguar Pride for a moment, and be as honest. I was impressed from the moment I saw you. Everything that has happened since we met has only increased my regard; I would be honored to mate with you. I did not realize, given our earlier conversation, that you felt the same. I did not perform any DNA compatibility tests, bring a DNA work-up, or have my implant removed." Regina said, not certain if she should bring up the implant. It emphasized the fact that she had been sexually active with others. That was probably not the best thing to be discussing right now, but it would keep her from conceiving. Not telling him could be worse.
"If the Matriarch of Jaguar Pride found your DNA acceptable for adoption, I am sure it is exceptional. No force in the universe could have made her accept you, were it otherwise. The implant will have to be removed as soon as possible. I want children, and I must assume you do as well or you would not have brought it up." Tyr smiled as she nodded solemnly in agreement.
"I wish to be your mate, the mother of your children." Regina said the formal words; glad to have a ritual to fall back on. She was so overwhelmed by her emotional response to his acceptance that she could not have thought of anything intelligent to say on her own.
Tyr felt the words reverberate through his head. Such a simple phrase on the surface of things, but it held the power to reorder his universe. He was no longer alone. His plans for the future possessed concreteness, a reality, that they had lacked before. He lowered his head to pay homage to the lips that had uttered the traditional proposal.
The kiss began gently, just a soft brush of lips. Regina's lips parted slightly in an invitation to deepen the embrace. Tyr took his time exploring her mouth, tasting her thoroughly. The hand that had been cradling her face moved to the back of her neck, and his other hand settled at the small of her back.
Regina was vaguely aware of the bag slipping through her fingers as she responded to his embrace. She wrapped both arms around his shoulders, pressing herself into the hard line of his body. The contact brought a small sound from her throat, which Tyr echoed. The thin silk of her dress was no true barrier. She could feel the way his muscles bunched and moved as he picked her up without breaking the kiss.
He carried her back toward the Maru's sleeping area, fleetingly grateful that he had the small ship memorized. His familiarity let him focus on the woman who was about to become his mate.
Disclaimer: I only wish I could try this at home. Author's note: I know it's been an eternity, but FF.net has been down. Here is the new chapter; I hope it's been worth the wait.
Regina and her entourage made it to the Eureka Maru with two minutes of the ten she had promised to spare. She paused to check her hair, and to smooth both hands down the dress. She really didn't dress up much, and she didn't want anything to be out of place. With the way the Universe had been treating her lately, it had been a great surprise not to be attacked en route. In a way, she had been hoping for it. Ambushes she knew how to deal with. Relationships she did not.
"Quit fussing, you're beautiful." Alyxandra teased gently. She could see how nervous Regina was, and wondered at it. Her friend was not a shy, inexperienced woman. "Thanks. Tell Ice I promise not to leave the ship alone. I know the drubbing I'll take in the practice ring if I do." The redhead shook her head ruefully, and then took her bag from Alyxandra.
"Will do, and remember, I want details." Alyx grinned impishly.
"What, and have you perish with envy? Would I do that to you?" Regina smiled, nerves momentarily forgotten as she fell into the familiar verbal exchange with her friend.
The second guard ignored them and continued to watch the perimeter. She was not so sure that the danger had ended with the capture of the mercenary unit.
Alyx and Regina were still laughing when the hatch to the Eureka Maru opened. Tyr stood in the doorway, the light from inside the ship spilling around him. Both women fell silent in tribute to the sight. He had changed into dark brown silk pants that hung low on his hips. The silk teasingly clung and slid over his form as he padded on bare feet down the ramp. He was wearing a vest of matching fabric, left open to reveal an impressive torso. His hair had been set free to fall around his face, bringing attention to eyes dark with hunger.
If he had any sense, he would have delayed their meeting until he had calmed down. His argument with Dylan had left him feeling raw and aggressive. He should have realized his mood would transfer to sexual aggression the moment he saw her. It was all he could do to leash his desires and extend a hand in courtesy, instead of sweeping her up and carrying her straight to the bedchamber.
Regina felt an answering hunger rise up inside her from where it had been restlessly coiled. She moved to meet him, her eyes locked in silent communication with his. She could see that he had not reconsidered during their time apart. If anything, he had become more intent.
Tyr waited for her at the end of the gangplank, watching her move. She stalked toward him like the great cat her Pride took its name from. She had let him know she wished to mate with him in that moment during the battle with the mercenaries. Now she was here, and her body language told him she had not changed her mind.
His gaze was intense, and she could feel the restraint in the tension of the arm he extended to her. After a moment of hesitation, Regina took his hand instead of handing him her bag. She didn't want him to accidentally feel the Helix bands through the soft fabric. They were going to stay in reserve, so to speak, unless Tyr made it clear that he wanted this to be more than a port romance. She wasn't sure she could work up the nerve to propose, or cope with the rejection if the answer was no.
The two turned and proceeded up the gangplank in silence. Tyr wondered what had caused the momentary hesitation and pain that had flickered through her eyes before she had reached for his hand. Although he had intended to take her bag for her, he was glad she had chosen to reach out to him instead.
The outer hatch closed behind the two, leaving them alone at last. Regina realized she should say something; it was traditionally the woman's place to do so. She settled the bag a little more comfortably over her shoulder as she turned to face Tyr. As she did so, the bands clinked gently against one another.
Tyr heard the faint contact of metal on metal, and felt a weight lift from him. He had wondered where the Helix case was. Her bag would have shown the outline of a box, but there had been none in evidence. So, his mate could be cautious in an unknown situation. Good, he had been a little concerned over her apparent disregard for survival during the firefight. Using their still-joined hands, he pulled her against him. His free hand cradled her face and he looked deep into her eyes. "I did not verbally declare my intentions earlier. I believe it would be best if I did so now, and saved any miscommunication. I have been in display for you. I want you as my mate. Does your presence here denote your acceptance, or did you come to see a further display?"
"I think I should break away from the teachings of Jaguar Pride for a moment, and be as honest. I was impressed from the moment I saw you. Everything that has happened since we met has only increased my regard; I would be honored to mate with you. I did not realize, given our earlier conversation, that you felt the same. I did not perform any DNA compatibility tests, bring a DNA work-up, or have my implant removed." Regina said, not certain if she should bring up the implant. It emphasized the fact that she had been sexually active with others. That was probably not the best thing to be discussing right now, but it would keep her from conceiving. Not telling him could be worse.
"If the Matriarch of Jaguar Pride found your DNA acceptable for adoption, I am sure it is exceptional. No force in the universe could have made her accept you, were it otherwise. The implant will have to be removed as soon as possible. I want children, and I must assume you do as well or you would not have brought it up." Tyr smiled as she nodded solemnly in agreement.
"I wish to be your mate, the mother of your children." Regina said the formal words; glad to have a ritual to fall back on. She was so overwhelmed by her emotional response to his acceptance that she could not have thought of anything intelligent to say on her own.
Tyr felt the words reverberate through his head. Such a simple phrase on the surface of things, but it held the power to reorder his universe. He was no longer alone. His plans for the future possessed concreteness, a reality, that they had lacked before. He lowered his head to pay homage to the lips that had uttered the traditional proposal.
The kiss began gently, just a soft brush of lips. Regina's lips parted slightly in an invitation to deepen the embrace. Tyr took his time exploring her mouth, tasting her thoroughly. The hand that had been cradling her face moved to the back of her neck, and his other hand settled at the small of her back.
Regina was vaguely aware of the bag slipping through her fingers as she responded to his embrace. She wrapped both arms around his shoulders, pressing herself into the hard line of his body. The contact brought a small sound from her throat, which Tyr echoed. The thin silk of her dress was no true barrier. She could feel the way his muscles bunched and moved as he picked her up without breaking the kiss.
He carried her back toward the Maru's sleeping area, fleetingly grateful that he had the small ship memorized. His familiarity let him focus on the woman who was about to become his mate.
