"How's your head?" The woman's voice was soft, concerned. "Should you be here?"

"I'm fine," responded a male. "I wish I knew why Jason did it though."

In the darkness, he could feel her shrug as she curled next to him. "All he muttered was something about a gift, and about the universe being out to get him."

"Ahhh. So fairly normal Jason."

"So it would seem. You know, Mark, for somebody who was out cold not so many hours ago, you're remarkably active."

She couldn't see his smile, but felt it against the skin of her neck. "I have unfettered access to the best restorative in the world, love."

She giggled as he moved lower, both of them assisting in removing extraneous clothing. They stretched out together, loving the feel of bare skin.

"You nearly blew it this afternoon," he said, nibbling on her ear. "When you came into the kitchen I wanted to drag you off and ravish you." This time she laughed, throatily.

"I was rather hoping you would. And talking about blowing things, what about your birthday present to me! Mark, it was your decision that we keep this to ourselves. But sometimes, I think that you want people to know." She felt him pull away and moved her hand onto his chest. "Mark?"

His hand covered hers, and he moved it to his lips, kissing the palm before placing it back on his chest, his own securely holding it.

"I suppose, deep down inside, I do. I want to be able to hold you when we're with the others. I want to be able to show I love you," he paused and she could feel his chest move with soft laughter. "On the other hand, it's been rather fun to play dumb."

She laughed as well. "Sometimes. But it's really been like tormenting poor dumb animals, though. I must admit, either we're much better actors than we thought, or they really are less observant than they should be. After all, we've been lovers now for a year, and nobody's caught on yet." Princess raised herself onto one elbow and poked her Commander in the ribs.

"Naughty Eagle. You may need to give the team some more observation training."

"Ow! That finger's a deadly weapon, Princess. And I can think of some other "training" I'd rather be doing right now," he paused and they kissed deeply. "I'm sorry that your birthday dinner was ruined," he whispered, and then moved and turned on the bedside light. Both of them blinked in the sudden light. "I wanted to do something really special there, love."

He pulled them both up. "I didn't give you your whole birthday present then," and he leaned over and fumbled in his pants pocket, pulling out a small pouch.

"This is the last part of that set," he said. "My parents used it as an engagement ring, and I want to use it the same way," and he pushed the ring onto her finger.

"Oh Mark!"

His arms went around her and pulled her close. "Marry me, sweetheart. I know that we're still fighting, and I know that there are a lot of people who won't like it, but my heart's not going to change. I'm sick of sneaking around. I want you with me always."

Her answer was a kiss, long and loving, and that one kiss lead to others, and before long, the two were entwined as only lovers can be.

For a short while. They were interrupted by a knock on the door and it's opening.

"Princess, I'm sorry. I wanted to give you a really special… Shit."

Mark shot up at the first word, followed closely by Princess. "Jason!"

Jason held onto the doorknob as he looked at the two in bed in front of him. "Please tell me this is recent. Like today."

"Actually," began Mark, "we've been together for almost a year now."

"I need to sit down," and Jason sat heavily on the end of the bed. "You utter bastard, Mark. You utter, utter bastard. All the hints we've been giving you…"

Mark snorted. "Hardly hints, Jase." Jason shot him a dirty look, only slightly softened by the soft lighting.

"Hints when it comes to you, Mark. You let us almost make completely and utter idiots of ourselves trying to get you two together and all the time you've been at it like rabbits behind out backs. I am so gonna get you for this."

"Jason…," began Princess

"And you!" Jason pointed at her. "I went to a lot of trouble to organise the thing you wanted most for your birthday. I wanted to give you something really special. I went through hell trying to get it for you. But no. Your present wouldn't co-operate. And the universe is out to get me."

"So you mentioned earlier," she commented dryly. "You want to give us a little more information to go with here?"

"I was trying to give you him," he pointed at Mark now. "All nicely gift wrapped and naked on your bed. Except that he was already there."

"Not gift wrapped," said Princess thoughtfully. "You really wanted to do this for me, Jase?"

"I even bought fabric for a bow."

Princess moved to him and kissed him soundly. "It's a lovely thought, Jason, and I love you for wanting to do it." She sat back again, this time she let her bare foot travel up Jason's back and tickle the small of it under his shirt. He squirmed and a gasp from Mark made him turn around. He wished he hadn't. It now fully dawned on him that the two of them were naked, and just what they had been up to when he came in.

Moving Princess' foot he got up to leave. "Jason," her tone was thoughtful.

"What?"

"You said that you had everything for your plan. You still got it here?"

"What?" came from the two men.

"I'm assuming you still have everything here."

"Yeah…" said Jason.

"Get it."

A repeat of the "what" outcry happened.

Princess sat up straight and looked at Jason. "Get it. " She looked Mark in the eye. "I want my birthday present."