It was eight in the morning. She had slept for more than twelve hours in the med bay, undisturbed and peacefully.

Coming back to reality felt like a kick in the gut.

Almost immediately, she felt her nerves flutter as she remembered last night- the carefree way she had behaved towards the Elder was surely against protocol and she wondered if anyone had witnessed the event. The memory was blurry in her mind and she couldn't be sure. It bothered her, not knowing if she was going to be in even more trouble than she already was.

Sighing, Jo kicked her legs over the side of the bed and made to stand.

Cade was on her in an instant.

"Not so fast, Polowski," he pushed her back down on the bed by her shoulders. It seemed to require very little effort on his part and Johanna wondered if she was still suffering from any side effects from the medication.

"I feel fine. I'm ready for discharge," Johanna argued, bravely swatting his hands away. The look on his face made her wish she'd just sat still.

"I'm under orders, Scribe. I'm only to discharge you to Maxson himself."

She stared at the man for a moment in disbelief.

"I feel fine," she repeated, bewildered by the news.

"We'll just have a look," Cade muttered, bringing out his medical bag.

She let him examine her silently, lost in thought.

What did Arthur have planned for her? Another lecture? Would he perhaps tell her she couldn't continue training?

She hoped not, but couldn't imagine what reason Arthur had to deny her release.

"Everything is normal," Cade declared as he took her pulse. She patiently waited for him to finish, though she was bursting with questions about her dishcharge. The only thing that held her back was the look on Cade's face, plainly telling her that he wouldn't be entertaining any line of questioning.

"One more thing." He produced a bottle of water and two Rad-X pills in his hand and shoved them into her hands roughly. She brought the pills to her lips with shaking hands and avoided eye contact with Cade.

He really didn't have the best bedside manners for a doctor.

"Ah, Elder Maxson. You have good timing."

Johanna's heart fluttered at Cade's words, and sure enough, Arthur stood in the doorway, looking like his usual stoic self, and not looking at Johanna at all.

"Report, Knight Captain," he asked in that low tone that made Jo want to shiver.

"All vitals are within normal range. No radiation detected. She might be drowsy for a while, but it will pass…"

As the two men spoke, Johanna watched Arthur carefully, trying to determine his mood with no success. He wore the mask of Elder, eyes hard and expressionless. She felt that it did not bode well for her.

"Let's go, Polowski," Arthur said, shocking Johanna out of her dreamy state. She stood slowly, not wanting to make a fool of herself if she tripped and fell on her weak legs.

"Try not to visit again so soon," Cade called out as she crossed the room to Arthur. Her cheeks turned a light pink from his words.

"Understood. Thank you sir."

"Come, Scribe."

Still blushing, she followed Arthur as he exited the med bay.

He held out his arm, letting her pass the climb the ladder to the foredeck. Her tired muscles protested, but did not embarrass her further.

She made it to the top without issue and waited for Arthur to follow.

He turned away from his command center, going to one of the doors behind them. His own private quarters.

She swallowed hard, anxiety at an all time high. She couldn't imagine what he had to say to her that had to be spoken in private chambers.

Allowing him to hold the door open for her, she crossed the threshold and glued her eyes to the ground.

"Sir, I want to apologize," she blurted out as he closed the door behind them. Finding enough air to breathe was becoming difficult.

"Scribe. I want to lock you up on the Prydwen and never let you out."

Surprised by his soft tone, she looked up from the ground, slowly taking in the man in front of her.

He did not look angry, like she had expected, just tired. He looked like a man who hadn't slept decently in a while, a man who had been too worked up to sleep. He had been honestly worried about her.

Johanna relaxed slightly at his display of emotion, but still did not voice her many questions. Perhaps if she let him speak, he would answer them for her.

But he didn't speak again. He crossed the room to stand in front of her, only a foot away, towering over her and highlighting the differences in size.

It was then Jo noticed the discomfort in his features. Muscles that were tight and pinched, as if he wasn't exactly sure what to do.

"I said I'm sorry," Johanna whispered, not knowing what to say either. "Please don't keep me locked up."

He chuckled softly.

"Yes, that's what you'd be worried about, isn't it? Don't worry Polowski, I'm able to be the Elder because I can look at problems objectively. I won't destroy the career of a promising field scribe for my own selfish reasons."

"Sir?" His explanation only left her with more questions.

"I can't keep you locked up just because I'm afraid you'll be hurt."

She stared up at him still, eyes wide.

"Murdoch says you've been doing extremely well at the range. Well enough that he doesn't know what more to teach you."

She couldn't drop the soft laughter that escaped her lips.

"You're kidding. He never has anything good to say about my skills."

"Regardless, the reports I've received are signed and I'm my desk. You're being promoted."

She was taken aback and took in a sharp breath in surprise. It took a few moments to process his words, and then she was confused. He wasn't going to berate her for her recent blunder?

"Sir." She spoke softly, the word a question that she couldn't form.

"Congratulations," he continued with a small smile, as if aware of her confusion.

"I don't understand," she admitted. "I thought I was going to be reprimanded."

"And don't think I'm not upset with you either," he said suddenly, his eyes narrowing a little. "I've given Cade instructions to dose you with Rad-X three times daily. You're to report to him directly at the designated times."

"Sir, that's unnecessary," she argued at once.

"It's non negotiable."

Her cheeks burned again with embarrassment. How helpless he must think her.

"You look beautiful when you blush," Arthur said suddenly, the words even and light.

She hoped what he said was true, but she doubted it as her face colored even deeper.

He had never been so forward and Johanna was in shock.

"Thank you," she said, feeling like an idiot.

"I mean it, Johanna." He slowly brought his hand up to her face, brushing the tips of his fingers against her skin. His fingers were cool against her blush. "You're very beautiful."

"Arthur, what are you doing?" Her voice was breathy and weak.

"What I should have done a while ago," he said, sounding sure of himself.

With that, he kissed her. Just a lingering touch at first, perhaps to see if she would reject him. When she opened her lips for him, it changed into something much more substantial.

Johanna, who had never really been kissed before, scarcely knew what to do. Instinctively, her hands were on his sides, underneath his jacket and against the muscles rippling under his shirt. His lips moved against hers slowly and deeply, as if he were savoring every touch.

She couldn't deny she was enjoying herself. The knot in her stomach, though uncomfortable, wasn't entirely unpleasant. His lips felt like lightning bolts shooting life into her as he pressed them to hers and she nearly swooned as she became lightheaded.

He cupped her cheeks in his palms, kissing her lightly once again before pulling away.

Jo stood still as a statue, her hands still on his hips.

"I had to do that. At least once." He whispered darkly.

"You talk as if you're sending me to die," she said softly, watching his eyes for any hidden emotion.

"It's not you I'm worried about. I have to go on an assignment, Johanna. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone."

"You? But why, Arthur?"

"I can't talk about it."

Feeling as if she had been doused in cold water, Jo let her hands fall away from him.

"I see."

"Don't be angry. I could be wrong. When I come back, maybe…" he trailed off, but she noticed his eyes come to rest on her lips.

He wanted to kiss her again.

She wanted him to, but her mind was reeling.

"Will you be safe?" She asked, breathless as his eyes devoured her.

"Of course. I'll come back to you, Johanna."