Melanie walked slowly into the driving section of the car, rubbing her face, trying to wake herself up, after a restless night lying in her bunk on her own. Ben was already sitting, slumped forward in his seat, looking tired and drained after a long night shift. Although the train was shorter now and therefore more responsive, they were both worried about the decision they'd made to separate from the other carriages on Snowpiercer and what the future would hold. Melanie leaned forward resting on Ben, enjoying the closeness and contact with him, especially valuable after the tough six months enforced solitary confinement, she had endured. Her chin met his shoulder and her hands draped themselves around him, resting along his chest. She sighed with pleasure and her head slowly turned to kiss him on the neck, relishing the masculine feel that was the brush of his soft beard and the warmth of his touch, as his hands reached for hers.

Ben appreciated the spontaneous, intimate gesture from this proud, complex woman, and he sat still, soaking up the smell of her and the way her touch made him feel. He stood then and pulled her into a long, close hug, unable to resist her nearness. They stood together for a long time, resting on each other, relying on each other, reinforcing their unbreakable bond built over the years, to be a healthy, solid thing. She kissed him then, full on the lips, exploring, urging, interested. He returned it without hesitation, loving the contact, her tactility, loving her. She felt honoured to have been chosen by him time and time again.

"Oh god," he murmured in her ear, breaking the kiss, breathing heavily.

"I want you, Bennett," she said, suddenly sure there was nothing she needed more in the world.

"I'll call Miles," he replied, picking up the phone.

Miles arrived and after a brief handover, they retired to their bedroom, walking hand in hand.

"Yell if you need one of us," Ben called as they left the room.

Miles smiled indulgently, before looking away, back at the driver's view of the train.

Back in their bunk, now shared for many nights, Melanie pulled Ben's clothing off, a beige boiler suit, white t-shirt and trousers. She stroked his thin but well-muscled physique and wondered about how much she still desired him. They had been together nearly ten years, and known each other over fifteen, and she had thought he was kind, good looking and highly intelligent from the start. He smiled at her, and then leant over to remove her clothes, not self-conscious in any way. She loved that about him. They made love slowly, in no rush, savouring every moment, and appreciating each other the way people who have known each other so long, can do. Ben fell asleep afterwards, still naked and with his legs tangled with Melanie's, under the warm covers. Melanie, feeling relaxed and content, lay quietly, watching him breathe and rest. She stroked his face tenderly and soon fell back to sleep herself. They slept entwined together for a few hours. Still naked, Melanie got up and made a coffee for them both. Ben roused and murmured quietly that they shouldn't leave Miles alone for too long, and sipped his coffee, before he saw that she was still undressed, and his eyes widened.

"I just love the feel of you inside me Ben," Melanie answered indulgently, watching for his expression.

Ben smiled broadly, and pulled her back into the bunk, placing the cups to one side. He kissed her and began to run his hands all over her body, exploring the lines of her naked form. Melanie gave herself to the moment, making up for lost time, time when she had been alone and time when she had turned against Ben. She still felt guilt, but also relief that he had forgiven her. She lay on her raised arms, on top of Ben, looking down on him with affection and deep love, as he touched her and loved her. She gave herself to the moment once more. Later they dressed and left the bunk, still close and still touching from time to time. They returned to the driver's cabin, and relieved Miles, and sat together in amiable silence, watching the track.

"Ben?" asked Melanie, tears springing to her eyes, created by the continued depth of her feelings for this man.

"Yes?" he answered softly.

"Have I told you recently that I love you?"

Ben smiled, a warm smile that reached his eyes and made them crinkle. His hands found hers. He leaned across and kissed her moistly on the lips.

"I love you too Mel," he replied. "I always have, and I always will." He carefully wiped away the tears that threatened to spill down her face.

They held each other tightly, each unwilling to let go as the train travelled through the icy swathes of frozen earth, and she rested her face on his shoulder, thinking of their love and their future. Ben was aware of how Melanie had become more honest and tactile after their enforced separation, keen to touch him, tell him how she felt. In truth, he had become resigned to the cold, distant Melanie, who would sleep with him but rarely hold him, and never say how she felt. He stretched slowly, savouring the change she had seen in her since her return.

Before, people had known they were together through rumour only, there had never been any real evidence of that to actually see. She only spoke to him when they were alone, and rarely seemed to need a hug from him, or any other form of affection. But now, she rarely left his side during the day, and they were together most nights. They made love with the frequency of a brand-new relationship, and he realised how much he enjoyed the intimacy with her. She was more relaxed and seemed happier, with the fraud of impersonating Wilford behind her, and carriages full of people who now supported her, and had chosen to be with her, despite her old and more recent lies. She seemed to have turned over a new leaf, determined to be more honest in all areas of her life, including her personal life.

They ate a small breakfast together, and sipped more coffee. One or other of them was usually at the front of the train, and they had recently trained Miles to take over, when need be, as Javier had taken the other section of the train when they split for New Eden. Although Bennett should have been taking some rest, he remained with her, relaxing. He noticed a mischievous glint in her eye, before she knelt before him, unzipped his fly and gently took him into her mouth. He inhaled sharply, with pleasure and anticipation, as well as the thought that someone might come into the carriage and find them. The old Melanie would never have performed such an action, but now it was a more frequent pleasure for him. He relaxed and savoured the moment, the loving action of his partner. He came and exclaimed with enjoyment, as she made eye contact, and, slipping him out of her mouth, smiled and kissed him. He was a little lost for words, but held her as he recovered.

"Go back to the cabin and get some more rest," she requested. "I'll take over for a while." He did as she asked.

"Will you look in later?" he mouthed as he left, and she nodded, watching him as he left the carriage. She was in no doubt that she loved him with all her heart, and that he felt the same. She had finally realised how lucky she was, and it made her heart want to burst.