Author's Note #1: Written for bellebby's prompt Story in the Friday's One Word Fic Challenge - Week 8. No spoilers since this is all happening in the future. :)
Author's Note #2: This is the last chapter and I'm a little sad to see the story ending because it had been really fun to write them. I'd like to thank all those wonderful readers and reviewers on LiveJournal, and Tumblr - you all have been such a great support. :D Thank you so much! *squishes*
Disclaimer: I own neither the show nor the characters. I don't earn any money with this piece. I just do it for fun.

Kiss of Love

The fifth kiss they share is strictly speaking not their fifth but it outshines all the others.

Their life may not be a fairytale but they do have their own Happily Ever After, enjoying every single moment - from a hug when one of them goes OTG or returns to the mornings spend together at his housing unit. Bittersweet smiles have turned into teasing grins (Nathaniel watches her training the recruits, arms crossed over his chest, a smirk on his lips as he helpfully points out what she could do better until she cracks and challenges him), a touch is no longer brief but lingers on purpose (Alicia reaches for the plexpad on the table, lets her hand rest on his shoulder, her fingertips grazing his skin, and he literally growls at Shannon and Guz to clear the room), and eyes flash with desire, not pain (the rovers haven't even stopped yet when he jumps out, stalks to the other vehicle, hauls her out and slants his hungry lips overs her, not caring about the dirt and blood – or their audience). They have everything they want, each other, and for the first time in years, they are truly content, she is, sharing a life with him, loving him - that's all she ever wanted.

Then one night, Nathaniel brushes his mouth over her body in almost reverent fashion, paints a possible future in vivid detail with lips and fingers on her sensitive skin until she's writhing beneath him, hands clutching at the sheets, whimpering, gasping as he brings her close to the edge again and again. With startling clarity Alicia realizes, she wants that, wants this future, their future, more than anything, and when she clutches at his shoulders, her eyes shimmering with tears, he grips her hips and whispers hoarsely into her ear the same moment he slides inside her body, her back arching from the force of his thrust. All she manages is a chocked "Yes", losing herself in the pleasure, in him, and as he pulls back to look at her, his pale eyes bright with emotions, she cups his cheek, and captures his lips in a fervent kiss.

Alicia sees the same emotions the day of their wedding, doesn't notice anything else, not the pretty flowers or the beautiful decorations around the plaza, there is only Nathaniel, waiting for her at the gate in his dress uniform. Taking her hand in his, he lets his heated gaze rake over her, and her skin flares hot under his slow deliberate perusal of her, his small smirk telling her he's well aware of what he's doing to her. For a moment, she lets him have his victory, then she curls her mouth into her version of his smirk and shifts slightly to the side, reveling in the darkening of his eyes to a deep shade of blue as they come to rest on the shadow of his knife strapped to her thigh under her ivory dress.

"I take, this is your 'something borrowed', Lieutenant?" He murmurs quietly, his thumb lightly rubbing over her wrist, and she makes a non-committal sound, eyes twinkling mischievously. His grip on her hand tightens, eyes stormy with the promise of laterand heat rises between them, a steady burn just beneath their skin. And yet there is more to it, something else coming to life, it's not just about the passion that's always between them, it's about their connection and throughout the day and evening, they're never far from each other's side.

The first stars appear in the cloudless night sky as Alicia walks up the stairs of the Command Center and leans against the railing of the balcony to watch the few couples left dancing to the music, one corner of her mouth crooked up. Her focus shifts as he steps up behind her, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her into his chest. With a sigh, she relaxes in his embrace and places her hands on his forearms, her head tilting to the side as Nathaniel lowers his to her shoulder, his warm lips a sharp contrast to the bristles of his beard. Unexpected desire washes over her and she pushes back against him involuntarily, moaning softly as she feels his arousal. He reacts instantly, spins her in the circle of his arms and buries his fingers in her hair before his mouth claims hers.

He's demanding, taking but she's giving herself willingly to him. He licks at her lower lip and she parts for him, his tongue sweeping inside, the tip of it grazing hers. Sliding her hands up his chest, Alicia links them behind his head and molds herself to him, smiling into their kiss as Nathaniel jerks against her, his groan rumbling through her. The kiss gentles, becomes more sensual and languid, and she feels the tension easing out of his body. She knows exactly what he's feeling, it's the same for her, this need to show him how much he means to her, how much she loves him.

One last brush of her mouth across his and Alicia draws back, the tips of her fingers lingering on his skin as she caresses his face, tracing over his cheekbone, down along his jaw. Nathaniel's eyes are dark, intense, but a smile flits over his lips, and when she turns back around, he settles his hands on her waist, his thumbs smoothing over her hips. She gives a content hum and they slowly start to sway to some old 20th century Earth song, losing themselves in the magic of the night.

They don't need words.

Their love speaks for itself.

ooo

Over the years, many layers are added to their love, some laced with joy, other more painful, but every single one serves to strengthen the bond between them.

The last time they see Lucas, Alicia stands beside Nathaniel and watches the young man spitting his hate like venom at his father's feet. It breaks her heart as the first cracks appear in those silvery-blue eyes, fingers flexing against his gun holster, but he stays silent while his son's rant becomes more and more incoherent. Lucas throws them one last bitter look before he turns his back on them and walks away, disappearing forever. They never hear from him again and one day in autumn, they lay his memory finally to rest.

One morning she feels terrible, can't stand the sight of her favorite food, actually craves his disgusting but healthy fruit shakes, and even though she loathes to admit it, she obviously needs Elisabeth's help. When Nathaniel returns from OTG later that day, he finds Alicia sitting in their kitchen, half a dozen glasses filled with various fruit and vegetable shakes surrounding her. She mock-salutes him with a rather colorful drink and bluntly tells him, his daughter has inherit his horrible taste, and he better makes it up to her. He follows her order promptly and most of the juice ends up spilled on the table's surface, soaking into her shirt.

It's a truly dark night, no matter how often Shannon assures her Nathaniel is going to be fine. She may only be a field medic but she knows what kind of damage a head injury, and especially one that's been inflicted by a Slasher, can cause. When Alicia is finally allowed to see him, she's prepared for the worst, hesitates at the door, but then he calls out to her, his voice low yet strong, and the ice around her heart shatters. He may have lost his left eye but not his life and that's all that counts. And the eye patch Boylan provides him with has a certain appeal after all.

On the day, Nathaniel discovers his little girl isn't so little anymore and has not only her mother's blazing amber eyes but also her temper, he also learns that there are some things he can't change, no matter how much he wants to. It's the one and only time he agrees with Carter. Alicia tells her daughter to ignore her father and follow her heart. If Skye's son is the right one for her, she should not let him slip through her fingers. As she looks up, Nathaniel is there, standing in the doorway, an affectionate smile on his lips. Like mother, like daughter, he teases and Alicia rolls her eyes, holding her hand out to him. He gently links their fingers and pulls her into his arms. He wouldn't want it any other way.

It will come the day the last layer will be added but that time is still far away. Until then they will laugh, kiss, fight, cry, smile, mourn and be happy – but most importantly they will love.