Veronica looked through her books, looking for one with an exciting story but easy words. She settled on a Jules Verne, translated into easy language. She decided to read the first chapter out loud, with Finn following along, to get her involved in the story, and then alternate chapters. Finn knocked on Veronica's door and Veronica turned away from her bookshelf, holding the book affectionately. It was her father's before it was hers, and it was precious.

Finn hovered in the doorway, and she looked small and wary, reminding Veronica that Finn had lost her parents when she was four, and that Veronica had been much luckier than her in many ways. She'd had years with her family, so many years, and while she missed them she was sure Finn didn't even remember her parents. Veronica resolved once more to be patient and went out into the living room, where the others were sprawled, talking. Veronica kicked Roxton off of the couch, patting the space beside her with an inviting smile, earning a pleased nod from Challenger who wasn't setting off until the morning.

Veronica held out the book to Finn, who looked it over, her fingers tracing the letters. "Journey to the centre of the earth," Finn said slowly, after sounding out all of the vowels. "By Jewel Vermey"

"Jules Verne," Veronica corrected mildly. "He's a French author, but we have a nice translation. Names are usually harder to read," Veronica encouraged, Finn's fingers still tracing the author's name on the cover. "I was going to read out loud for a while, and have you follow along and ask about any words you don't understand, and then have you read for a while, and I can help with anything you need pronounced." Finn nodded, handing the book back. Veronica opened it on her lap, holding it between them. Finn shuffled closer, holding the front of the book, fingers brushing against Veronica's as she cleared her throat.

Veronica read for a while, Finn following along with her finger, stopping when Finn let her finger hover over a word she didn't understand. Veronica could see Finn mouthing along. So far so good, so she handed it over to Finn and held her finger under the next word. Finn moved in closer, and Veronica could feel Finn's bare thigh pressed against her own, the strong bare shoulder next to her own, Finn's breath over her finger holding the words. She'd expected Finn to be jittery and interrupting and getting up and down and moving around and fidgeting but so far she'd impressed Veronica. She was doing well, too, slow and unsure but sounding out strongly and continuing to try to sound out words she didn't know. Veronica looked over at the focussed face so close to her own, smelling the lemongrass-clean scent of her hair - she must have taken the shower suggestion seriously. Finn drifted off after attempting a word for the third time, looking up at Veronica, almost bumping her nose against hers. Veronica smiled and looked down.

"Across," she said finally. "The 'C' is like a 'K' here, and the double 'S' is just an 'S'. Finn sounded it out a few times, her finger passing over the word, brushing Veronica's out of the way. She continued reading, and Veronica shook her head.

As a former Amazon, Veronica was no stranger to women. She was no stranger to intimacy between women, no stranger to physical contact with women. But it had been three years with her new friends, and while she wasn't ashamed, it wasn't something the repressed Victorians would discuss. And she'd been attracted to Maloney, so there was no reason to bring it up. She knew Margueriete had been with the Amazons too, had no idea if they'd spoken to Margueriete about her former lovers.

And Veronica had no idea why she was thinking about all of this now, Finn warm against her side, soft in places, comfortable even with her fumbling voice.

"You can go now," Finn said quietly.

"You're doing so well though," Veronica said in surprise as Finn yawned.

"The words make more sense when I hear you say them," Finn said, handing the book over. It was getting heavy, so Veronica let it rest on her lap. Finn had held it close to her face, and Veronica was surprised at how sore her arms were now. Finn still held the front cover, holding back the previous pages, finger still trailing across the page as Veronica read, skimming against the bottom of Veronica's skirt as they reached the bottom of the page. Finn's finger stilled, and Veronica felt a weight against the side of her head as Finn's head lolled against hers. Veronica kept reading the page, then looked over.

"She's asleep," Challenger confirmed, and Veronica sighed and switched out her book to the one she'd been reading. Finn twitched, her hand coming up to rest on Veronica's forearm, thumb rubbing against the soft skin there. "I could take her off to bed, you've been very patient."

Veronica shrugged, feeling Finn settle more comfortably against her, chin resting on Veronica's collarbone, breath skimming across her chest.

"It's fine, I'll wake her when I'm done reading." Veronica said casually, turning her page with more concentration than it deserved. "Reminds me of what she didn't have," Veronica said, looking contrite. Margueriete eyed them with a sly grin and Veronica shot her a glare before reading aloud again.

Finn wasn't easy to wake, and she clung closer to Veronica as she gently jostled her. The others had gone to bed, and for a moment Veronica considered just carrying Finn to bed, but Finn mumbled into Veronica's neck and Veronica steeled her resolve. Finn's fingers tightened on Veronica's forearm before she woke, and Veronica felt the strength in her then, hoped that Finn didn't wake from nightmares fighting. Finn's head moved and she looked into Veronica's face, very close to her own.

"Oh man, did I fall asleep? I wanted to know what happened when they got to Iceland."

"It's ok, we'll pick up where you remember tomorrow," Veronica soothed, Finn still pressed against her. Finn's face filled with joy as she realised Veronica hadn't been angry at her falling asleep.

"You have a lovely reading voice," Finn said, reluctant to move away from Veronica and the warmth she felt. The acceptance she finally felt from her peer. Her fingers wandered Veronica's forearm again, slipped down into Veronica's hand. "Thank you," Finn said, squeezing Veronica's hand.

"I have to get up early," Veronica said quietly. "We both do, if we plan to see Challenger off." Yet Veronica felt unable to move away from the other woman. Finn finally stretched, her neck popping as she did, and she got to her feet.

"Goodnight, Veronica,' Finn said seriously.

Notes: please review if you're enjoying this - it's such a niche piece of work that I'm desperate to flail over Finn and Veronica.