Nope, still not mine.

This story is still tied closely to me headcanon for Syzygy, so some parts are similar.

He hadn't seen a shower in their earlier exploration of the bar(n) so he was surprised when Audrey- Damn, Lexie. He had to get used to calling her Lexie- stopped at the door to the back room, pressing her hand against it and concentrating before she opened it up to a large marble bathroom.

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"It can be anything. FBI field office, Bar... it can manage a bathroom."

"Well now I know that. So we could have had a bed?"

"Uh, yes. I didn't think about it."

"You really are a dirty, dirty girl."

"That's why we need the shower."

"As long as I can scrub your back."

"Of course. You're a gentleman, after all."

The shower took longer than they planned- they kept getting distracted.

When they finally turned the water off, shaky and out of breath, there were clean clothes on the counter. Lexie had grabbed a fluffy towel and she stood, dripping wet and glowing as she rubbed it over Duke's skin. His hair, neck, back, over his ass and down his legs. "Turn around, Duke." Lexie commanded, squatting by his feet.

He turned and she started to dry the fronts of his legs, rubbing the towel between his legs to dry him with a wicked grin on her face. "I like how you look from down here."

"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"

"I can think of worse ways to go than with your cock down my throat."

He gasped again, laughing. "That's #5 on the list of things I never thought you'd say to me."

"You have a list?"

"Well yeah. I mean, I have these daydreams, and usually they end up being things you'd never actually say."

"I have a list, too."

"What's on yours?"

"Not a chance, boss. Too embarrassing. I'll be sure to let you know if you ever say one."

She was drying his stomach and chest, and when he was dry, she started on herself.

"Nuh-uh. Gimme the towel, Lexie."

She handed it over with a smile.

He got her hair dry enough not to drip, and he dried her back, wrapping his arms around her to dry her front. Duke gently yet insistently moved her until they were facing the mirror, so he could watch her as he worked. He took his time, and when he got to the apex of her thighs, he actually did try do dry her until he couldn't stand it anymore.

"Put your hands on the counter, Lexie. Bend a little. Now move your legs apart a little. Perfect."

He threw the towel on the counter, watching their reflection as he pressed against her from behind. His arms went around her, one spread across her stomach, the other playing with a nipple.

Lexie wiggled and made a tiny mewling sound that went straight to his groin. He moved his hand from her stomach to her sex, watching her reactions and the way he looked with her.

He finally understood why people put mirrors on their bedroom ceilings.

"You look so beautiful, Lexie."

Lexie tried to answer, but her mind was blank, she was so focused on his hands and their reflection. How could she think with his long, clever fingers inside her?

She said the only thing she could.

"Fuck me, Duke."

"And that was #9 on my list. It's sexy when you curse."

"Duke..."

"Yes, Lexie?"

"Now."

"Yes, ma'am." He moved his hands to her hips, gripping her firmly as he pushed into her.

The angle was so different, Lexie threw her head back, and the reflection in the mirror made him harder.

Lexie was pushing back against him, giving and demanding at once.

Duke brought one hand around her again, rubbing his fingers around and around, and her muscles clenched so hard around him that he moaned. "God, Lexie. You feel so good."

She was gripping the counter with white knuckles, back arched as she pushed back onto him, driving him deeper.

"Duke, Duke- gods yes, like that. Duke. Fuck!" She was splintering apart, and she cried, "Duke, I love you!"

He held her, moving faster, coming with her.

"Lexie," he whispered, "Never leave me."

They stayed locked together for long moments before he pulled out, his arms around her as he kissed her shoulder.

Lexie turned, wrapping her arms around him. She kissed him, whispering, "I mean it. I love you. I'm in love with you. I couldn't ever leave you, not now. Not ever again. Wherever we go, we go together. Promise?"

"I swear. I'm with you no matter what. For as long as you'll have me."

"That's a lifetime contract, Duke."

"I would happily take a lifetime contract. I'd marry you. I want to."

She held her breath, eyes searching his. "That's on my list. That's probably #1 on my list, actually."

"I mean it. I know it probably sounds silly to you, but when I think about marriage, I've always known that I'd never marry again unless it was you, but I knew that was impossible." He was blushing, like he was embarrassed about it.

"Lexie Crocker. Alexandra Crocker." She slapped her hand over her mouth, flushing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud. I swear I'm not that needy. Sorry."

Duke smiled a hopeful, crooked grin. "You're not entirely opposed to the idea?"

"Duke, right now you're the only thing in life I am sure about."

They shared a lingering kiss before they dressed.

They spent some time just cuddling on the couch.

"We're going to have to go soon. I guess Dwight got in touch with Nathan. I- I'm really anxious."

"Don't be. It'll be okay, no matter what. And we're learning how to cure the Troubles. That's a bonus."

She nodded. "I need to bring some of the Aether back with me. I need it to fix you. I have a little backpack I filled up, I'll release the rest into the Void, where it comes from.

Lexie was taking long, cleansing breaths.

"Remember," she whispered, "You'll get your memory back when we land. You'll have to act uncomfortable about me, even though I'll be 100% Lexie. Be convincing."

"I don't have to lie to look uncomfortable around the Guard, Lexie. Trust me. Or around Nathan, for that matter. He's going to want to kick my ass for being with you."

"I won't let that happen. We'll be fine." She gave him a lingering kiss before standing to grab the backpack, Duke's denim shirt tucked safely in one compartment, orbs filling the other. She wrapped the rest of the orbs in a blanket.

"Come on, Duke. You'll want to see this."

He followed her to the door. "Stand back, this might freak you out. I put us as close as possible, but there's still Void to see."

Exhaling, she opened the door.

"Holy... that's the Void?"

"Yep. Welcome to my world."

"It looks like clouds."

"When we go, don't let go of me, okay? It may look pretty from here, but inside it's like... overload. I don't know how to explain. Let's let these extra orbs go."

She set the blanket on the floor, against the threshold. She carefully unwrapped them.

They responded to the open door, taking on a less solid form and floating out in groups. It reminded him of birds again, migrating out into the Void.

"How long, Lexie?"

"Any second."

"Then come here." He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her. "Audrey. Mara. Lexie. I love you. I believe in you."

"I love you, Duke. No matter what, you and I are going to be okay."

They glanced up at a flash of light to see a rectangular shape opening a long way away.

"You ready, Lexie?"

"Not even a little." She wrapped her arms around him. "Don't let go of me, Duke."

"Never."

They jumped.