Previously:
HMS Andromeda, Mothership Class Spacecraft, Milky Way Galaxy, February 2119
He gulped and stared at her with a mix of fear and arousal. She just said he was hers. Was that a rhetorical comment or merely speaking in the hypothetical?
He didn't have time to contemplate any of this because she was soon face-to-face with him and her hands took hold of his freshly shaven cheeks and even though her eyes are fiery, he didn't want to look away.
"I will not be second best to another woman's ghost," she hissed. "Remember her. Honour her. Respect her memory by all means. She is not to enter here. I know that sounds selfish but I truly believe she wanted you to be happy, which means you must let her be at peace."
He reached up and rubbed her wrists, keeping her hands on his face. "You are second to no one."
She allowed herself a slight smile at that, arching her eyebrow as she shook her head almost in resignation.
"God, I love it when you beg," she whispered, a full-on smile brightening her face.
"I love you," he declared once again.
"I love you too," she nodded, her voice tinged with need. "You better not have forgotten how to kiss me in the past eight months."
He pulled her in and pressed his lips to hers, determined to prove to her he hadn't forgotten a thing.
Chapter 8:
HMS Andromeda, Mothership Class Spacecraft, Milky Way Galaxy, February 2119
Mary blinked, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the bedroom. She let out a long breath, then another, taking her time to slow her pulse and feel normal enough to fully wake up. Her dreams had been quite vivid and she blushed at the thought of them now. Minutes went by while she stared at the wall and listened to herself breathe. There was no rush. She had arranged to be off-duty this morning, expecting break-up sex with Matthew to have worn her out.
She smiled before sitting up, having never been happier to have her plans derailed.
Stretching her arms out, the feel of his dress shirt against her skin was warm and comforting. For the past eight months she had worn one of these to bed and usually little else, the only thing she could do to try and keep a piece of him with her while he was in stasis. Now that he was back, she expected to continue the same trend, though perhaps not all the time.
He usually preferred that she sleep naked.
She laughed to herself, covering her face in blissful happiness. Just days ago, she cringed in sadness and groaned in anger at the mere thought of Matthew Crawley. This morning, she could think of nothing else but him.
'Incoming call'
Lifting her head, she grinned at the display on the far wall lit up with a call from the man himself.
"Connect," she ordered, sitting up and smiling when his face appeared. "Hello, darling."
"Hello," Matthew nodded, his eyes brightening when he saw what she was wearing. "I was wondering where that shirt had gone to."
She arched her eyebrow and ran her fingers along the open neck and down towards the curve of her breast. "I'm sorry that I didn't return it to you. Would you like it back?"
He shook his head, a playful smirk on his lips. "No, you can keep it. It suits you."
"It's a bit big, but I like it, rather," she shrugged. "Did you sleep well?"
He nodded. "Yes. Though not nearly as well as I could have, and I woke up alone, much to my dismay."
She smiled. "You went to bed alone as well, if I recall."
"Another disappointment," he noted, looking at her intently.
"Well, your restraint was most impressive," she remarked. "And appreciated."
He smiled. "Mary, I would never force you to do anything, you know that."
She felt a warmth spread through her at his earnest words and tender expression. "Matthew, I was more than willing to sleep with you last night, but that was when I thought we were having break-up sex, something meaningless, really. Now that we're back together, I just…I want our next time to be perfect, and last night just felt…"
"There were a lot of revelations last night. It was all quite heavy," he finished, nodding in agreement. "I know that we can't just pick up where we left off before. It's likely going to take us some time to develop the way we'll be with each other going forward. I can wait."
"I don't have a specific time in mind," she shook her head. "I know it's been over eight months since we were last together so I can understand you being eager."
"I hope that you're not contemplating waiting for another eight?" he asked.
She laughed and covered her mouth, shaking her head at him before dropping her hand and replying. "No, I don't expect it will be that long."
"Then we'll wait," he assured her. "Just having you in my arms again last night, well, it was very nice."
"As nice as nice can be," she agreed. "Matthew, I'm not doing this to punish you. I hope you know that."
"I do," he nodded. "If anything, you're punishing yourself just as much, if not more."
She arched her eyebrow at his cheeky smile. "Truly? How so?"
His blue eyes turned dark with a knowing confidence that she hadn't seen in over eight months. Just as always, it flared her arousal with shocking intensity.
"Those VR programs of yours might tide you over well enough, but I'm quite certain that being with me in the flesh would shine by comparison," he drawled, quirking his eyebrows at her knowingly.
She swallowed and hoped that his loose fitting shirt disguised the more obvious signs of how he was affecting her.
"Maybe it would. I'll suppose I'll just have to see," she allowed. "For now, join me for breakfast, won't you?"
He grinned. "I'll meet you at the Captain's table in the main cafeteria."
"No," she corrected him, smiling mischievously. "Come to my quarters. I'd like something more private, just the two of us."
He smiled cautiously. "Very well. Shall I wear my uniform or something more casual?"
Her eyes strayed for a moment, realizing for the first time that he was also sitting up in bed for this call and that he seemed to still be wearing what he wore when he saw her to the lift and kissed her goodnight last night – his boxer briefs and nothing else.
"It's not a formal officers' meal, Matthew," she replied properly before arching her eyebrow. "Come as you are."
"Syb, you all right?" Tom asked. "Your eggs must be cold. You've barely touched them."
"I'm fine," Sybil replied, poking at her eggs with her fork listlessly. "Sorry. I'm just thinking."
"About something medical and too complex for your Irish Mick husband to understand?" he probed, giving her a smile.
She rolled her eyes and reached across the table for his hand. "No, not at all. I was just thinking about Matthew."
"Ah," he nodded, patting her hand before going back to finishing the last of his black pudding. "And what about your big brother, exactly?"
"I just don't know what he's going to do, where he's going to go," she shrugged, sipping her tea. "I can't imagine this ship without him."
"If you ask me, I don't think he's going anywhere," he mumbled as he ate.
She looked at him curiously. "What makes you say that?"
"Just a hunch," he replied. "Mary's here. You're here. Alex is here. I'm here. He can't walk away from all that very easily."
"That's what I thought, but he's intent on putting in a transfer request once we reach Earth," she sighed.
"Yeah, but that's another problem he's got," he noted.
"How's that?" she questioned.
He swallowed a mouthful of his breakfast before continuing. "If he was to put in a transfer request, your father would want to know why. That is a conversation Matthew doesn't want to have, believe me."
She blinked in surprise. "That's a very good point. Papa would pry and Matthew's excuse of wanting a change wouldn't wash. An interrogation with Papa is the last thing he would want."
"Exactly," he nodded. "He's going to stay, I bet."
"I hope so," she shook her head, setting her fork down and giving up on breakfast.
"Well, now that one crisis has been averted," he stated, smiling at her. "Let me tell you all about how much fun we're going to have when we get to Dublin. Kieran rented a van for the camping trip so we get to all pile in together for the trip up to the country!"
She rolled her eyes and huffed. Still, she paid attention and did not offer any protest as he described all that was planned for their visit to her in-laws.
"You're going to be evaluated once we reach Earth," Mary noted. "I tried to put them off for as long as I could, but there's great interest in your return, as you can imagine."
"Robert has been messaging me every day," Matthew sighed, taking a sip of milk. "I don't know what insight I can offer. You and Sybil did all the heavy lifting. I was just lying there."
"We've submitted all of our reports already. Now they want to poke and prod you to see how you stood up to eight months of stasis," she replied.
"I feel no different," he shrugged. "I get a backache every once in a while but that's probably more to do with adjusting to exercising regularly again. I fear all these doctors and scientists are in for a big disappointment."
"Well, just get it over with. I should hate to see you kept in an examination room during the entirety of our leave like some sort of test subject," she stated, taking a bite of her croissant.
He smiled. "What concern of it is yours how I spend my leave? Did you have something planned for me?"
She arched her eyebrow and gave him a playful look before going back to her breakfast. "Perhaps. It will all depend on your availability."
He chuckled and spread strawberry jam over his toast. "Other than what we might get up to, what are you thinking for the two weeks that we're back? Please don't say you're going to stay onboard."
"No, although I'd probably prefer it," she shook her head. "Mama is coming to London and she'll be hosting a dinner that we're all expected to attend, including you. I haven't made any plans beyond that. I didn't really put my mind to it until now."
He nodded. "Well, while I do not want to push, I think it would be good for us to take a trip together."
"A trip?" she questioned.
"Yes," he nodded. "I think we should go away and just spend time getting to know each other again, without any responsibilities or people pulling us in so many different directions."
She paused, considering his request.
"Unless you don't want to," he said. "Maybe it's too soon."
"Why don't we wait until we're back and we can make our plans then?" she suggested. "Even if you get through the tests and reviews quickly enough, we'll need to stay in London for the first week for Mama's party. Once we get through that, my schedule is open, so we can decide what we want to do and where we want to go at that point."
He smiled at her with his eyes full of mischief. "Does that mean you'll come away with me?"
She swallowed and looked down at her plate. "I will consider it. It will need to be a proper trip, though. Don't think you can just bring me to some hotel and keep me locked up as your little sex slave for a week."
He coughed on his milk and tapped his chest several times.
She grinned and speared a pineapple wedge in triumph, elated to have thrown him off-kilter.
"Did you get that from one of your VR programs, or is it a scenario in your mind that you haven't managed to act out just yet?" he asked once he composed himself.
She blushed and did not look up at him. "Maybe you'll find out sometime if you're lucky."
"I look forward to it. Ever since last night, I find that I'm looking forward to all sorts of things," he teased.
She met his bright eyes and raised her chin in challenge. "You could always give yourself relief, as I'm sure you know. That is, erm, if you aren't already."
She swallowed and looked away again.
"I'm not," he declared, drawing her eyes back to him again. "I don't want to, not like that."
"Why?" she blurted out before she could stop herself.
He grinned knowingly, as if he had caught her out. "It's as I told you. The VR programs are great and I did enjoy them with you before, but I'd rather have you in the flesh after so many months without you."
She nodded, her pulse and arousal jumping.
"I hope I'm not making you uncomfortable," he muttered. "That's not my intention."
"No, you're not," she shook her head. "It…it feels…flattering to hear that you still want me after so long."
"I do want you," he nodded, his eyes raking over her. "Very much, and I'm not just talking about…well…sex."
She grinned at his sheepish expression.
"Moments just like this one, darling," he shrugged. "Spending time together, being in each other's lives. I think that's partly what helped me come around, when I realized just how much I would miss this with you, this closeness. It's just, well, it feels right."
She could only reach for her orange juice, a stupid smile still on her face.
"Since we're two weeks away from Earth and I still have those tests to face, I don't think I'll come back to active duty until after our leave is over," he continued, taking a bite of his toast.
She blinked and looked at him curiously. "I see. Well, that's probably wise."
"It isn't as if the ship isn't in very good hands," he nodded. "A bit more time to myself to get fully used to being back will do me good."
"And when you do come back, how do you see that transition occurring?" she asked lightly.
He smirked. "You want to remain Captain."
Her eyes widened at how direct he was. "You know that it's always been my ultimate goal."
He nodded. "I won't patronize you by pretending that I don't want my ship back. I obviously was quite comfortable with you as my second-in-command and it would be easy to go back to that structure."
"That's true," she agreed. "I would want Anna to remain as a Commander, though. She's earned it and I won't drop her down in rank when she hasn't done anything wrong."
"I agree," he nodded. "While I don't believe that any officer should lose his position as a result of an injury, so long as he can return to full capacity, perhaps we can work out a change in responsibilities."
"How so?" she asked, watching him carefully.
"The Admiralty will expect me to return as Captain. If I don't, they'll wonder why I'm even on the ship at all. I want to be up front with you. I am the Captain of this ship. However, we don't have to be so rigid that we can't delegate some of the Captain's responsibilities to you. You've already shown that you can handle the position. There's no reason why you can't continue with overseeing administration of the crew and the bridge, for example, while I focus on the fighter squadrons and mission strategy."
She nodded slowly, considering his scenario. "You would want to keep the final say in all matters, though, surely?"
He shook his head. "We've always made decisions together, haven't we? That shouldn't change. With Anna as Commander, we can have another opinion to help us come to a consensus if there's any disagreement."
She arched her eyebrow. "You're saying that if Anna and I outvote you, you'll go along with what we say?"
He blinked. "Erm, in certain areas, yes."
She smiled. "You're quite adorable when you squirm, you know."
He rolled his eyes.
"Let's just focus on getting back home and enjoying our leave. We can iron out the details of your return to power afterwards," she stated.
"Fair enough," he smiled.
He reached across and refilled her glass of orange juice. It was nothing more than basic courtesy, really, but she smiled all the same. He was thinking of her, taking care of her. She raised her glass and nodded to him before taking a sip.
"Would you be able to join me in the gym later this afternoon?" he asked casually. "I find that I hate working out alone far more than I used to."
She nodded. "I can meet you before dinner once my shift is done. I must warn you, though, now that we are a couple once more, that won't spare you another punch to the face if I think you deserve it."
He chuckled and nodded, reaching for another slice of toast. "I'll take my chances. If I deserve it, fire away."
She couldn't seem to stop smiling, even as she focused on her meal and not his playful eyes and gorgeous lips. He's so right. There's something about the way they are with each other, the way they can banter back and forth over breakfast and discuss subjects as wide-ranging from the new engine specifications to the latest player that Matthew's beloved Manchester United football club have signed. It's a bond that Mary has keenly missed for over eight months, something that couldn't be replicated with Anna or her sisters. She was never just his mistress, the woman he was cheating on his fiancée with, no matter how he might have thought he treated her as such. Their bond goes back to when they were children and no matter their mistakes, it has only strengthened over time.
They talk and tease and flirt and laugh and it's all so glorious that when he rises to leave so she can get dressed and ready for work, she feels disappointed.
"Thank you for breakfast," he smiled, walking with her to the door. "It's the best meal I've had in eight months."
"A basic fry-up is hardly something to rave about," she smirked.
"I wasn't speaking of the food, though it was fine," he said, looking at her knowingly. "I was referring to the company."
She rolled her eyes. "Ought I to be concerned that now that you're once again my partner, you feel you have the prerogative to utter the sappiest lines?"
He smiled and nodded. "It is my prerogative and I am quite happy to make use of it. There's something else that I am now permitted to do once again that I am immensely pleased about."
"And what is that?" she questioned.
"This," he drawled, lifting her chin gently with his fingers and leaning in to give her a sweet kiss.
She closed her eyes and pursed her lips, feeling the light touch of his mouth to hers. A faint moan reached her ears and she blushed realizing it was hers.
"Have a good day, darling," he whispered, his blue eyes filling her vision. "I love you."
She stared at him for a moment before blinking and composing herself. "You, too."
She watched him go, a ridiculously childish bubbling sensation seizing her chest. The feeling remained with her as she showered and changed, her smile never leaving her face until she reached the Command Bridge and willed herself to appear serious.
"So, what you're saying is that you could have gotten back together sooner if you'd offered the break-up sex beforehand?" Sybil pondered.
Mary rolled her eyes and busied herself with her sushi. "I'm not saying that at all."
"Why did you decide to take him back, though?" Edith asked, stirring her miso soup with a pair of chopsticks. "He said that his guilt over Lavinia remains. Who's to say it won't flare up again?"
"It probably will," Mary nodded, dipping her sushi in the wasabi and soy sauce and eating it before continuing. "The important thing is that he acknowledged that it was wrong to use her memory to keep us apart and that he promised that he won't allow it to come between us. I don't want him to forget about her, but I don't want him to resurrect her every time we argue, either. He says that he won't and I trust him."
"That's a significant turn from just last night," Sybil noted. "You seemed eager to throw him over as soon as you were done with him."
Mary smirked. "Well, he convinced me otherwise. Even when we were together before, we argued and fought. I'm not having any illusions that everything will be golden this time around."
"You two argued?" Edith asked, giving Sybil a knowing smile. "Never noticed that."
"Edith, dear, bite me," Mary said sweetly.
"Sorry, darling, that's Matthew's job now," Edith retorted.
"Brilliant!" Sybil cackled and clapped her hands.
"Really, though, about the whole no sex thing," Edith continued.
"There isn't a 'no sex thing'," Mary frowned. "We didn't sleep together last night, that's all."
"Why ever not? He begged you to take him back. That must have been so hot," Sybil noted.
Mary looked over at Edith. "Why has she never swooned over Bertie like this?"
"Bertie isn't exactly someone you swoon over," Edith shrugged. "He's more of an acquired taste. He still tenses up whenever Sybil gives him a hug."
The sisters laughed knowingly at that.
"We've been back together for less than 24 hours," Mary remarked. "We're just going to take our time to get to know each other again, get used to being a couple once more. There's no timetable on anything. We might have sex tonight or we might not. I'm just taking things as they come."
"That's fair, just don't get caught up in your own head, darling, please," Sybil warned. "You and Matthew were always so careful and almost calculating before. Maybe this time you ought to just go with your feelings a bit more. There's nothing to hold you back, really, or nothing that should."
"I'm well aware of my feelings, thank you," Mary replied. "Besides, we can't carry on like lovestruck teenagers. We're still the captains of this ship. That brings a responsibility with it, both publically and in private. We need to behave appropriately."
"Well, that sounds the exact opposite of romantic," Edith grumbled.
"Agreed. What's the problem? Matthew's quarters are isolated on a private floor with sound dampening fields all around. You needn't hold back at all," Sybil advised.
"And on that note, I must sadly end this lovely chat," Mary declared, getting up from the table. "I have a duty roster to complete with Anna for tomorrow."
"Are we still having dinner tonight?" Sybil asked. "The eight of us, now that Matthew is once again invited?"
"I don't know," Mary frowned. "I'll ask him. We're having a workout beforehand."
"Now that does sound romantic, in a wonderfully filthy way," Edith smiled.
Mary rolled her eyes and left to the sound of her sisters laughing.
"I need some advice," Matthew said quietly.
"You know, whispering doesn't actually help me give you advice," Alex replied, leaning towards him a bit. "It just makes it much harder for me to listen to what you're saying. It's not like anyone can hear us."
Matthew frowned and quickly glanced about, making sure no one was in earshot. The other pilots were strapped into their simulators and the engineers were observing them from the viewing station above. Crew members were circulating around dealing with maintenance on the drones and the hangar was noisy with activity.
"All right. It's about Mary," Matthew continued.
"I figured that much. You've been back together for less than a day. You can't already have questions, can you?" Alex joked.
Matthew glared at him. "I do, actually."
"All right, sorry," Alex smiled. "Go ahead."
"Remember when you and Anna were engaged? You told me that she wanted to wait," Matthew stated, still glancing around to make sure they weren't overheard.
Alex smiled and nodded. "She did, yeah. What about it?"
"Well, how did you deal with that?" Matthew asked.
"It was difficult at times, but it's not as if we didn't have any intimacy at all. We just didn't have sex," Alex explained. "Why?"
Matthew sighed and looked down at the floor.
Alex blinked. "What? Mary can't possibly…"
Matthew frowned at him. "She just needs some time…for that. I don't know how long, but I just don't want to do anything wrong. I don't really know why she wants to wait, but I don't want to put her off by saying something inappropriate or doing something unwelcome."
Alex shrugged. "If anyone is capable of not doing something inappropriate, it's you."
Matthew shook his head. "Seriously, though."
Alex chuckled and patted Matthew on the shoulder. "From the very little that I know about women, just try and make her as comfortable as possible. When Anna and I finally did it, she told me that she was never intimidated by me, she just wanted our first time to be special because it meant more to her than any of her previous relationships."
"Mary said something like that this morning," Matthew nodded.
"She also told me that she didn't mind that I was sometimes desperate for her," Alex continued. "She actually liked it. It made her feel sexy and powerful. Mary's a very confident woman. She doesn't need any positive reinforcement, I'm sure. But, given your history and how significant it is that you're back together again, she probably thinks that your next time together is more important than before, and she's probably right."
"Right," Matthew agreed. "So, I need to give her space and let her decide when the time is right, while also letting her know that I don't want to wait, but that I will wait. That sounds easy."
Alex laughed. "It's not easy, and it gets no easier, as you well know. Still, I'm sure you think she's worth it."
"She is," Matthew nodded.
"This poor girl, all she wanted to do was find out if the new diffusers were working properly and this one has to absolutely badger her over what the proper definition of a diffuser is, what configuration is used on our fighters and the precise technical specifications. She was on the verge of tears," Anna laughed, shaking her head.
"She was not on the verge of tears!" Alex complained, taking a sip of wine.
"You made another one cry? That's at least four this month alone!" Tom exclaimed.
"She did not cry!" Alex protested.
"Actually, she did," Bertie confirmed. "She came back to the manufacturing bay with puffy eyes, I thought."
The table burst out laughing. Anna pinched her husband's arm.
"I'm sorry for wanting the crew to be properly informed and educated on what they're talking about," Alex grumbled.
"A worthy goal, Alex," Mary agreed. "Perhaps with a bit less crying and destroyed self-esteem next time."
"Yes, Captain," Alex deadpanned, giving his wife a pout.
The conversation remained lively as another wine bottle was emptied and quickly replaced. Matthew smiled and looked around at the three other couples gathered together. They used to do this regularly, at least once a month. The eight of them took over a private room in one of the ship's lounges or using one of their suites and spending an evening eating, drinking and making merry. It was difficult to arrange with everyone having different schedules and it not being advisable to have most of the senior staff off-duty at any given time, but they made the effort. When he was in stasis, they had to carry on without him. When it appeared he might be leaving the ship, these group meals ended altogether.
Now here they were like old times. He looked over at Mary having an animated conversation with her sisters. This was comfortable, as if he had never left.
"Sure we can't talk you into coming along for the Branson family camping trip?" Tom asked, interrupting his musings. "It's been so long since you were in Ireland."
Matthew looked over and smiled as Sybil rolled her eyes before going back to her conversation with Edith and Mary.
"Aren't there strict rules on who is allowed on those trips? I thought you had to be a blood member of Clan Branson or be married to one," Matthew asked.
"Nah, that's just something we made up to keep people from tagging along," Tom scoffed. "We'd love to have you and Mary come with."
"I'm not so sure how willing Mary would be to go camping," Matthew smirked, glancing over at her.
"Yeah, you're right," Tom nodded.
"Thanks, but I think we'll pass this time," Matthew replied. "There's a bunch of Navy stuff I need to deal with when we get back. Besides, we'll all be together at Cora's party."
"Yeah, nothing like a House Grantham party," Tom whinged. "Ow!"
"Don't talk shit about my family," Sybil warned him before going back to her conversation.
"How does she do that?" Tom winced, rubbing his arm.
"I have no idea," Matthew chuckled. "Better you than me this time."
"Yeah, I heard you didn't survive the Jane Austen marathon entirely unscathed," Tom grinned.
"She will fight anyone who dares speak against her beloved Mr Darcy," Matthew grumbled.
"Hey!" Sybil warned, glaring at both of them.
Matthew and Tom each threw up their hands immediately.
Sybil eyed them for a moment before looking away.
"As I said," Matthew smiled ruefully.
Tom nodded and they raised their glasses in understanding.
"It's good to have you back, mate," Tom smiled.
"It's good to be back," Matthew answered.
The party broke up eventually when they were all sufficiently drunk that carrying on further would become dangerous. After their usual mass exchange of hugs and cheek kisses, they all retired back to their quarters, each of the couples headed to different parts of the ship.
Matthew reached for Mary's hand as they left the lounge, a smile on his lips at the feel of her fingers in his.
She smiled back before pulling away once they headed out into the hallway.
He glanced at her with a perplexed look.
"Someone might see us," she explained.
He frowned further. "And? Is our getting back together a secret?"
She rolled her eyes. "It's hardly a secret. Half the ship probably already knows. However, we can't be seen to be fawning all over each other. Even at this hour we're going to run into people."
"Holding hands is fawning now, is it?" he questioned.
Before she could reply, they passed a junior engineer who greeted them before going on his way.
Mary looked at Matthew knowingly. "There. See?"
"See what? Would he have been scandalized to see us holdings hands?" he replied.
"No," she huffed as they reached the lift. "But why draw attention to ourselves unnecessarily."
"Why, indeed?" he muttered. "Captain's quarters."
'Crawley, Matthew Reginald. Access confirmed,' the computer replied.
"Executive level," Mary called.
'Crawley, Mary Josephine. Access confirmed,' the computer chirped and the lift went on its way.
Matthew looked at her in confusion.
"I'm on the early shift tomorrow," she explained. "I need to get some sleep."
"Ah, right," Matthew nodded, glancing away and looking at the display on the wall showing news headlines and sports scores. "How long are you on mornings, exactly?"
"The rest of the week," she replied, glancing down at the floor.
"The rest of the week," he repeated. "I see."
She frowned and pursed her lips, keeping her eyes away from his.
"That was fun," he stated. "The dinner. I expect there will be some hangovers in the morning."
"I'm feeling quite buzzed myself," she smiled. "It was fun, though. I'm glad you decided to come along."
"Well, a good meal and good wine was just what I needed after our workout," he laughed. "I was careful about your punches, but you didn't tell me that you had improved your kicks."
She grinned. "Well, now you know."
"You drove the point home rather well," he said pointedly.
'Executive level' the computer announced.
She frowned. "My, that was fast."
"This is you," he said needlessly. "Well, good night."
She turned as he leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Good night."
She stepped out of the lift and glanced back at him. They shared a smile before the door closed and he went on to his quarters. She walked the short distance to her suite and went inside, a frustrated grimace on her face as she headed for the bathroom.
"The following crew members are going to Bora Bora," Anna stated, swiping her finger on her tablet.
Mary sighed as the information came up on her screen. She filled out the approvals and uploaded the data once completed. "Bora Bora. Well, that sounds just about perfect."
"This is our first return to Earth in almost a year. Everyone's quite excited, I think," Anna noted.
"So they should be," Mary agreed. "We've been traveling non-stop for the past three weeks since we left Praxis. Earth can't get here soon enough."
"How is everything going with Matthew? He came over to ours for dinner last night," Anna asked.
"He mentioned it," Mary replied. "I was busy with another conference call. I didn't see him at all yesterday, actually, and barely saw him much the day before that."
"Early shift is a bit of a pain," Anna nodded.
"It is, yes," Mary sighed. "I always worry that I won't get enough sleep beforehand. It sort of creeps up on you how soon we have to wake up."
"Alex kicked poor Matthew out as soon as we finished dessert," Anna smiled. "He hates it when I go to bed before him, or without him for that matter."
Mary smiled knowingly. "He's a keeper, your husband."
"That he is," Anna nodded. "Did you at least get to talk to him before you went to bed?"
"No," Mary frowned. "We messaged during the day, though."
Anna smiled sympathetically. "I'm sure he's happy to hear from you, even if it's over messaging."
"I think he's getting a bit impatient, to be fair," Mary muttered. "It's been almost a week since we've been back together and nothing much has changed, really. I just can't seem to find a decent block of time for us without interruption."
"He must understand," Anna assured her. "He was in this position before."
"Yes, but he always seemed to make time," Mary complained. "Anyway, enough about that. Let's keep on with this."
Anna nodded and looked back to her tablet. "This next batch is mainly people staying in England."
Mary nodded and skimmed over each report before approving them and sending them on.
The purpose of working the early shift was that the entire evening would be freed up. This was the theory anyway. For a captain of the largest ship in the fleet, getting to leave the bridge once a shift was over was a rare occurrence, and getting to switch off and be free of all responsibilities until the next morning never happened. Mary had to constantly be available, even if the likelihood of there being anything that would require her immediate attention was remote. Traveling at ultra-lightspeed, the Andromeda never stayed still long enough to get into any trouble and there would be no stopping until they arrived on Earth.
So it was that Mary didn't reach her quarters until well past her usual dinner hour after having dealt with administrative matters surrounding the leave of the crew during their three weeks on Earth and issues large and small. She wasn't tired. Work generally invigorated her, regardless of how mundane the task. She had reached the pinnacle of her chosen field and that alone motivated her to continually exude the confidence that such a position deserved.
Her thoughts strayed to what to have for dinner when she came into her large living room and stopped short. She had to glance around to make sure she hadn't gone into the wrong room by mistake.
For one thing, her dining table was set with the fine china and silverware that Mama gave her before the Andromeda left Earth on its maiden voyage. Her dining table is rarely set at all, since she usually eats alone and often just gets her food delivered.
For another, the most delectable aroma was coming from the covered dish sitting in the centre. She smelled tomatoes and herbs and home, a scent that made her warm inside and instantly melted whatever stress from work that she dragged in with her.
Most peculiarly, though, is that the man who apparently went to the trouble of putting all of this together was sleeping soundly on her sectional.
Smiling to herself, she crept over to Matthew's prone form, her stockinged feet gliding across the carpet silently. For a moment she just looked down and admired him. A stubborn lock of blond hair was lying across his forehead, his eyes closed and lips slightly parted. A wave of panic seized her as his tranquil face reminded her of the months he spent in stasis, but then she noticed the rise and fall of his firm chest and all is well again as she just watched him breathe.
Her eyes eventually traveled past his chest, past the strong arms crossed over his hard stomach and to his long legs framed now by elegant trousers. He looked more like himself now, the weight and muscle that he lost in stasis almost entirely restored. He seemed so at peace that she was reluctant to wake him, but she really wanted to see what he made for dinner and so she sat down at his side and leaned over to kiss him softly.
He hummed and his hands reached up to slide over her back. They held her in place while he kissed her back, his tongue swiping at her lips. She laughed in response.
"Hi, he mumbled smiling up at her when she draws back.
"Hi, yourself," she grinned. "Did you do all of this?"
He nodded. "I knew you were going to just get take away or something equally unhealthy. At least for one night, you'll have a proper meal."
She laughed. "Actually, the offerings from Food Services are quite nutritious, you know."
He smiled. "Apologies. I should not have spoken ill towards them."
She reached out and caressed his cheek. "Take away meals are adequate enough, but I much prefer the company that goes along with this dinnner."
He turned and kissed her hand.
She helped him up from the sofa and left him to go freshen up. When she came back out, a generous portion of veal cacciatore on rice was waiting for her, the steam still rising from the hot dish.
"It almost smells exactly like Mrs Patmore used to make when we were younger," she smiled, nodding to him as he held out her chair for her to sit down.
"I tried to get as close to her recipe as I could," he stated, placing her linen napkin across her lap before taking his own seat. "I even let out a few token curses here and there while I was cooking."
She laughed and waited for him to pour the wine.
"Funny story, this is a Pinot that I actually picked up on Praxis. It was a gift from the councillors," he explained. "They couldn't take their stocks with them so they let me have a case of this."
She lifted her glass and took a deep sniff of the red liquid. "Mmm, that's lovely."
"What shall we toast to?" he asked, raising his own glass and looking at her adoringly. "New beginnings?"
"That's rather overdone," she replied. "How about to timely rescues?"
"Timely rescues?" he questioned.
"Yes," she nodded. "You saved me from the terrorists on New Byzantium, we evacuated the colonists on Praxis and here we are."
"All the result of you bringing me back," he added. "I like it. To timely rescues."
They clinked glasses and each took a sip, their eyes remaining on each other.
"How was your day?" he asked, cutting into his veal.
"I managed to clear everyone's leave requests," she replied, taking a bite of her food and humming pleasantly. "Mmm, darling this is delicious."
He smiled. "That must have been quite the task. It usually took me far longer than that."
She nodded. "Anna and I ploughed through it. I was quite determined to wrap it up in one go."
"That's quite impressive," he noted, taking a sip of his wine. "Good on you."
"Yes, well, I was motivated, rather," she swallowed, looking down at her plate. "Clearing the list has freed up part of my morning tomorrow."
He blinked at her comment.
She lifted her eyes and looked over at him intently. "It's also left tonight entirely clear."
"I see," he nodded slowly. "That's good. You deserve a bit of a break. You've been keeping long hours for over a week now."
She took up her wine glass and kept his gaze as she took a sip, her tongue reaching out to lick her lips. "I think so. I'm looking forward to a very relaxing evening."
He pursed his lips and went back to his food.
She smiled and returned to hers.
Dessert was a slice of key lime pie that they shared on the sofa. She sat back against him, resting her head on his shoulder, the pie plate on his lap. She alternated between feeding him a piece and tasting one herself, his arm holding her close. They spoke softly, mainly about some of the latest news from Earth and their schedule for the first week back in London, which was now becoming more and more clear. It was easy and comfortable and when he set the empty plate aside, she turned and snuggled against him, reveling in his warmth and his familiar scent as she closed her eyes and relaxed.
He stroked her back up and down, the thin material of her uniform smooth beneath his fingers. The feel of her body against him was wonderful, stirring his arousal but also filling him with a quiet calm. She really was here. She really was his again. When they had toasted earlier to 'timely rescues' he felt there was a further point left unspoken. She had saved him just in time, not only by removing the venom but also making him see that he couldn't live without her. Lady Mary Crawley never pleaded with anyone. It wasn't her way to urge him to take her back. By remaining true to herself, despite how much pain he had caused her, she showed him all the qualities he loved in her, showed him everything he would be giving up. He knew that if he hadn't made a move they would still be separated today and that was fair. She had already done more than enough to save them. She had brought him to the brink and he finally let himself take the last step back to her.
Back to where he belonged.
His eyes widened when he felt her small hand slip beneath his shirt and massage his stomach. He waited for her to say something or look up at him but she didn't, just carrying on, her fingers dancing across his skin.
"Does this feel good?" she asked quietly.
"Mmm, very much," he swallowed.
"And this?" she asked, her hand moving up to tease the sensitive tips of his chest, giving each of them a light squeeze.
"Yes, very good," he grunted, tensing up a bit initially before enjoying the feel of her playing with him.
"What about this?" she continued, her voice thickening as she moved back down across his abs to his belt.
"Mary," he sighed, her hand fondling him through his trousers.
"Do you like this?" she purred, turning her head to kiss his neck. "Do you like it when I put my hand on you?"
"Yes," he rasped. "Mary, we don't have to…"
"Shh," she silenced him. "We're not doing anything yet. I'm just getting used to feeling you again and you are letting me."
He nodded, breathing deeply as she continued to massage him.
"I want to see you," she whispered, kissing her way up to his ear and back down to his pulse point. "Can I take you out?"
"Yes," he hissed. "Whatever you want."
She chuckled darkly against his skin, her hand making quick work of his belt and zipper.
He lifted up slightly to push his trousers and underwear down to his knees. A moan left his mouth when he watched her lick her palm slowly before reaching down and taking hold of his bare flesh.
"Mary," he sighed, his head falling back as she stroked him slowly.
"Are you getting hard for me, Matthew?" she asked lightly. "You feel so big."
"Mary," he grunted. "God, that feels so good."
She smiled with confidence. "I've missed your cock so much," she drawled, kissing his neck. "You were right. My VR programs do not do you justice at all."
He looked down at the wicked sight of her working on him before turning his head to stare at her dark eyes.
"You've been so patient," she drawled, kissing him lightly. "So good with me, even though I know how badly you want it."
He nodded dumbly, his mouth hanging open.
"Well, we have all night, darling," she smiled between kisses. "Whatever shall we do?"
He swallowed. "Mary, I love you so much."
She blinked at his earnest declaration, her hand stilling for a moment.
"I don't want you to think that you owe me anything," he shook his head, his voice sounding choked and needy. "Not this. Not ever. If I ever made you feel that this was all that was important about us, I'm sorry. You're so much more to me than…"
"Than a good fuck?" she arched her eyebrow teasingly.
"Yes," he coughed. "Yes, so very much more, my darling."
She kissed him, sliding her tongue against his briefly before pulling back.
"Thank you," she nodded. "I appreciate you telling me that, but I already knew that, darling."
He stared at her as she resumed her attentions on him.
"The way you look at me, even when we weren't together," she continued, nipping at his jaw. "I feel so sexy when I'm with you."
"You are," he gasped. "God, you're the most incredible woman I've ever known."
She laughed. "I think you might be a bit biased, darling, but thank you."
"Mary," he said, his voice full of reverence. "So good."
"I had a bit of a revelation today," she continued, glancing down at his lap and grinning before returning to his face. "I was so caught up in making our first time since getting back together as perfect as possible that I lost track of what was truly important. I kept imagining where we do it, how we would do it, when it would be best. I spent more time planning to have sex with you than actually getting to it."
He chuckled briefly before groaning in pleasure, his hips moving in concert with her hand now.
"I realized today that the perfect scenario has always been right here waiting. All that we need to make it perfect is the two of us together," she smiled sheepishly.
"All we'll ever need, my darling," he nodded.
"I do enjoy the VR, the roleplaying, the props," she said suggestively, smirking at his delirious reaction. "We'll get to all that eventually, but tonight, all I need is you."
"Mary," he breathed, leaning in and kissing her deeply.
"Bedroom," she ordered, giving him one last stroke before she stood up from the sectional.
He grunted in protest and followed her, struggling to not trip as he threw off his trousers, boxer briefs and socks.
She laughed and led him to the bedroom, smiling at the sight of him naked from the waist down. Going in first, she walked over and sat down on her bed, nodding her head for him to come stand before her.
"Take off your clothes," she ordered before taking hold of his hips and leaning over to lick his length.
He groaned and hurried to remove his shirt.
"Watch me," she commanded, keeping her eyes on his.
"Mary," he groaned as she closed her mouth around him, taking him in before pulling away. She moved back and forth, swallowing more and more of him with each pass, her hands on his hips holding him in place.
He struggled to stop himself from reaching for her braid and tangling his fingers in her hair. The sound of her allowing him down her throat sent him reeling.
"Did you miss me going down on you?" she asked, releasing him and letting her hands take over. "Did you miss being in my mouth?"
"Yes," he nodded vigorously.
"You taste so good," she teased, licking him again. "Even better than I remember."
He grit his teeth to control himself, her words pushing him closer and closer to the edge.
She kissed her way up his body as she stood up, her hand still stroking him. Swiping her tongue in his mouth, she gave him a sultry stare before turning around.
"Would you mind?" she asked lightly, pulling her braid over her shoulder.
He took a deep breath and reached for the clasp of her uniform, undoing it and pulling the two halves apart along the hidden seam. Her alabaster skin was slowly revealed to him and he kissed his way down her spine, smiling as he felt her shiver.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered, kissing his way back up to her shoulder and reaching around to ease her uniform down her arms and to her hips.
She undid her bra and tossed it aside.
"I've missed you so much," he whinged, fondling her breasts with knowing experience.
"Matthew," she moaned, wiggling her hips to work her uniform down her legs. She stepped out of them and reached up to wrap her arm around his head.
"Keep your stockings on, please," he asked.
She laughed and nodded, her eyes closing as his hands on her breasts stoked her arousal. Arching her back, she pressed her bottom wickedly against him as she slipped her panties off.
"Anything you want, Mary," he promised, kissing her shoulder. "You're the boss."
"Fuck me," she snarled. "It's been so long. Fuck me, Matthew."
"That's what you want?" he questioned, pulling her back against him.
"I know that's what you want," she laughed. "You don't want to be gentle with me, do you?"
"I'll do whatever you…" he began.
"Matthew," she scolded him. "Fuck me and make me feel it."
He grinned and spun her around, his mouth seizing hers in a fierce kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her breasts against his chest, opening her mouth to allow him complete access.
They fell to the bed, scrambling around until she was lying back against the pillows. He laved his tongue across her breasts, his hand reaching down between her legs to stroke her before he slipped two fingers into her centre.
"Matthew!" she keened, spreading her legs and arching towards him, a delicious heat spreading from the two points he was manipulating on her body. His blue eyes stayed on hers, making all manner of dark promises. She could only nod, the delights held in his stare making her embarrassingly aroused.
He removed his hand and made a show of licking his fingers before he raised up and took hold of her thighs. Lifting her legs to his shoulders, he smirked and pulled her towards him.
"Yes!" she cried, her head falling back as he thrust inside of her. She was so slick that he pushed through easily, her body adjusting to him with shocking speed.
His rhythm quickly built up until he was giving her all of him with every plunge. She reached out and grabbed hold of the duvet, moaning as he hit deeper and deeper, his angle touching all of the spots that he knew she loved.
He leaned forward and bent her legs back, opening her up to him. His hips were relentless, the lewd slap of their bodies seeming to spur him on. His face was almost beastly, glaring down at her with a heated hunger that made her gasp.
"Fuck me," she chanted, nodding her head with every forceful shove. "Fuck me, Matthew! Fuck me! Fuck me!"
A depraved thrill set her mind aflame as she shouted louder and louder. He rewarded her with harsh grunts and even stronger lunges, her name murmured from behind his gleaming teeth.
"Yes! Yes! I'm going to, you're making me, oh fuck, Matthew!" she wailed, seizing up as her release blazed through her. He relented a notch, reaching down and rubbing her swollen spot, prolonging the bliss that had her flying.
When she was finally able to open her eyes, he lowered her legs and leaned down, kissing her as his hips continued to move against her. She reached up and grabbed on to his back, keeping him close as she moaned into his mouth.
"I want to feel you fill me," she whispered, drawing a harsh grunt from him. "Fill me. Claim me. Make me yours again, darling, please."
"God, Mary," he groaned, lifting up on his arms and picking up his pace again, soon slamming into her without heed.
"Give it to me, yes!" she moaned, their filthy words so unlike them and yet so familiar from all of their many times together before. She had never acted like this for anyone else and she knew it was the same for him. The thought filled her with a wicked sense of pride, a dirty rush that only she could undo the prim and proper Matthew Crawley like this.
"Turn over," he rasped, sitting up quickly and flipping her legs to the side.
She moved to obey, folding her knees beneath her and lifting her hips. Her arms reached out in front of her and found the edge of the mattress, taking hold just before he spanked her and took her hard from behind.
"Ah!" she cried, tossing the pillows away as she fell forward. He held her hips up, driving into her and reaching further than before. His hand snaked along her back and grabbed hold of her braid, tugging back and making her arch just enough that his every thrust pressed against the spot inside of her that drove her wild.
She whimpered as the knowledge that he was going to send her over again filled her mind. Desperate that he have some pleasure, she squeezed him, firing a litany of vulgar words for good measure. He countered by spanking her again and yet again when she moaned in response. She held out for as long as she could but his hand slipped around and found her spot and she almost passed out from the force of her climax.
"Mary," he shouted finally, her legs giving out as she fell flat to the bed with him on top of her.
She squealed as she felt the hot pulse of him inside her, gasping as he let go completely and gave her all he had.
He managed to turn them on to their sides, his arms wrapping around her and holding her close. She flexed her hips, grinning as he remained within her, their bodies warm and spooned together.
"You're not tired, are you?" she questioned, smirking at him over her shoulder. "That would be terribly disappointing."
He chuckled and kissed her neck. "Don't play with me. You'll regret it."
"Will I?" she teased, grinding back against him. "What are you going to do? After being in stasis so long, your stamina is probably down to nothing."
He tightened his hold around her. "Mary, do not…"
"It isn't as if you've got the energy to go again," she pressed. "Why, if you tried, you might have a heart attack."
He reached up and pinched her breast, smiling when she couldn't stop a moan from leaving her lips.
"You did say we had all night, didn't you?" he demanded, his tone sending heat straight to her core. "And even into tomorrow morning?"
"You're bluffing," she breathed heavily, her eyes shutting as his other hand reached between her legs and stroked her. "You can't last that long."
"Try me," he threatened. "You're going to scream yourself hoarse tonight, Mary."
She moaned when he leaned forward and bit her earlobe lightly.
"I went easy on you the first time," he rasped, licking her neck. "I won't anymore."
"Well, that's a relief," she retorted. "Those spankings were laughable."
He flipped her on to her back. Despite his rough demeanour, she smiled as he cradled her neck and carefully swept her braid behind her so as not to have it tangle beneath them. Looking up into his greedy eyes, she felt her arousal soar once again. This man, this man who she almost lost, first to poison, then to grief, would do anything she asked of him and she knew that for certain. For all their posturing, if she told him to stop, he would. If she said she was tired of their animalistic game he would back off immediately and go back to the sweet, loving Matthew she always knew. Other men lusted after her. Evelyn worshipped her. Tony coveted her. Even Kemal Pamuk wanted to have sex with her upon their very first meeting. She could easily see it in his eyes. Matthew was so very different. He had grown up with her, seen her at her absolute worst and supported her to be her very best. He loved her, all of her, and he made her want to do things that she had never imagined doing for any man.
All the very most wonderfully bad things.
"So if I turn your beautiful ass red, it will endear me to you somehow, will it?" he joked, leaning down and kissing her.
"Matthew," she mumbled against his lips, her legs parting as his hand drifted down to stroke her.
"If I dominate you into total submission, that will prove what a great man I am?" he mused, kissing her again and easing his fingers inside of her again.
"Some would say," she gasped, turning her head into him as he built her up slowly and deliberately.
"Well, I say it's been forever since I made you cum in my mouth," he stated, kissing her and sliding his tongue intently against hers. "And that just won't do."
Her eyes widened as he shifted between her legs and placed a warm kiss on her stomach.
"Sound dampening fields off," he ordered, looking directly at her as her mouth fell open in shock.
'Sound dampening fields off. Command confirmed. Crawley, Matthew Reginald, Captain,' the traitorous computer confirmed.
"Let's see how smug you are now, my darling," he grinned, pushing her thighs wide and moving his mouth over her.
A dark thought came forward that she couldn't shake as she felt the dangerous sweep of his tongue.
Let them hear.
"Love, come on!" Alex called. "You're going to miss it!"
Anna frowned as she emerged from the bedroom, her hair tied up in a towel.
"Sorry that I'm late, my Lord," she curtsied before sitting down on his lap. "I was delayed in the shower."
He grinned and gave her annoyed face a quick kiss. "I didn't hear you complaining when we were in there."
"I'm surprised you could hear anything with all the noise you were making," she shot back, shifting her weight to get comfortable and putting her arm around his shoulders.
"Entirely your fault," he smiled. "Does your Mum still have that washroom in the basement, by the way?"
She slapped his chest. "What did I tell you about us having sex in my Mum's house?"
"Twice on Monday and once every day after that?" he joked.
She rolled her eyes. "Maybe, if you behave and are polite to her, I could convince her not to give up her bridge night during our stay."
His eyes lit up. "A night, you say?"
She smiled and nodded. "She and the girls head over to the community centre from 6pm to 10pm. We'd be alone by ourselves for a good four hours."
"In four hours, we could…well, four hours is quite a lot of time," he nodded enthusiastically.
"Only if you're good, hon," she reminded him.
"I will be the most dazzling gardening conversationalist your Mum has ever seen," he vowed.
She laughed and kissed him before resting her head on his shoulder as they stared out the window.
The bright lights of the stars whizzing by soon calmed from the frenetic swirl of ultra-lightspeed to the calm pinpoints of normal space. Staring out the window, they looked upon a small blue ball in the distance.
"You know what's crazy?" he asked. "When I graduated from the Academy, I couldn't wait to get my first assignment. I didn't care what it was as long as it was on a ship that was leaving Earth. I figured that with all the worlds out there in the galaxy, there had be somewhere better than this place. Somewhere more exciting, cleaner, with exotic alien races and enlightened thinking, somewhere that would make me forget about this little speck over there."
She hummed and nodded.
"Years later we've been to so many planets that I can barely remember them all," he shook his head in wonder. "Yet nowhere feels like Earth. Nowhere feels quite like home."
"Because I'm here?" she added, kissing him softly.
He grinned and nodded. "Especially because you're here."
She laughed and let him pull her into a warm kiss as the Andromeda crossed the remaining kilometres towards Earth.