When Tally returned to Sarah later that night she found her reading, smiling at her as she finished her page and put it down to give her her full attention.

"I take it that your unit indulged in their time with you to the fullest extent?"

Tally giggled, kicking her shoes off, perhaps she'd gotten a little buzzed with her unit while she was out with them, "No worries, I think they'll be good for a few days."

"You could have stayed the night with them, you still have a bed there. I can manage alone."

Tally gave a sad puppy look as she sat on the edge of the bed, "I know, but I don't want you to be alone," she paused to take notice of the book on the nightstand, "What were you reading?"

Sarah sighed and brushed a hand through her hair, "I was reading up on the Cession to see if I could find anything I might have missed about biddies and perhaps not dying once severing our links. But found nothing I didn't already know, I may have to send word myself for any further knowledge of this."

"We'll keep looking, I'll start doing some research too. I said I'd help you but I feel like I've just been useless."

Sarah stood and stretched, "It's quite alright, you've been busy with training," walking over to her satchel she pulled out some papers and a pen and laid them out on the table, "I know that in our eyes we are legitimately married but in the eyes of the law we aren't. I made sure to get a marriage license, I know it doesn't matter to us but in the eyes of law it does. And if anything should happen to me I'd like for all that I am to be left to you."

Tally looked like she was on the verge of tears and walked over to join her, hugging her tightly and reminding herself she needed to try harder to find any answer to cutting the biddy link without killing Sarah, "You know you don't need to do that, everything that you are is already right here," she placed her hand over her heart.

Sarah leaned down and kissed her, "I know but please, I just want you to be secure. Besides, I want the history books to tell everyone that you were my wife."

"Well. When you put it like that then how could I not sign them?" Tally took the pen and signed where Sarah pointed to. Sarah having already signed, no hesitation on her part. Tally ran a finger over Sarah's signature like it was a magic sigil.

Sarah pulled her flush against her and kissed her passionately, "You know once I have this submitted it might get out to the country. Are you okay with that? People will talk. I am prepared to take it on, I'm sure there will be a 'cradle robber' comment in there somewhere."

Tally burst out laughing, "Oh goddess, Sarah, it's so weird hearing something like that come from your mouth. Besides, if anything they'll be calling me a 'grave robber'."

Sarah tilted her head, "Is that a joke about my age, Mrs?"

"Perhaps, but you look very very good for your age," Tally looked her up and down.

Sarah composed herself with a serious look, "But honestly Tally, I will request this not get out when these get submitted but it could make you even more of a target because of me."

"Sarah, I want this, I don't regret any of it. We'll take it all on and I'll protect you."

Laughing Sarah pressed a kiss to her forehead, "If anything I'll be doing the protecting."

Tally frowned at her, "How about we protect each other?"

"Well, when you put it that way then how could I not agree with you?"

Pressing their foreheads together Tally laughed, "Look at us getting along and agreeing with each other."

Sarah hummed in agreement before kissing her forehead, "Now get ready for bed, cadet."

Tally laughed and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth but stopped in the doorway, "Sarah?" Sarah looked at her and waited. "I know we're already married and all but can I take you on a date sometime?"

Sarah tried really hard to not give herself away with a big smile but contained it to a small smile and nodded, "I look forward to it."

Tally bit her lip and fumbled trying to get herself through the doorway, blushing as she shut the door behind her.

When she came out in her pajamas and her teeth all brushed she found Sarah already asleep, Tally looked at her worriedly and brushed her hair away from her face. Sarah must be so tired from worrying, trying to find some way to stay alive with the threat of her biddies ending and the Camarilla out there. It was taking its toll on her and Tally hadn't realized how much it weighed on her.

Even now she was still trying to carry everything herself, Sarah had forgiven her for everything she had taken from her and she had given her so much in return. Tally wanted to do something more for her, she wanted to show her how loved and cared for she was. So she was going to plan the perfect date and just shower her with love.

Tally turned off the light and squeezed into the too small bed that had become theirs and rested her head on the older woman's chest, listening to her heart beat beneath her ear. It took her awhile to fall asleep that night as her own worry started to bleed through. She had to try harder for Sarah, she needed to be a soldier, she needed to be stronger.

When she finally managed to fall asleep she had the weirdest dream, Sarah was there and she held a hand to her cheek and simply told her, "Whatever happens, remember it's not your fault."

"Sarah, what? What are you talking about? I don't understand."

When Tally woke that morning she found herself alone and the feeling of dread deep in her heart.