Carolyn watched happily, as the hapless ghost of Elroy Applegate faded from her view. 'I need to remember,' she thought to herself, 'how truly fortunate I am to have the Captain here, I cannot imagine what our lives would be like if we were haunted by someone like Elroy.' She turned and looked thoughtfully at her Captain. 'I need to give up some of this cranky, bristly attitude of late; my life would be unbearably difficult without him.' She was thinking all those appreciative thoughts as she finally said aloud, "Well, I guess all ghosts can't be perfect Captain."
As if hearing her thoughts, not just her bland words, he looked gently at her, "How very perceptive of you Madam." Smiling and nodding, they looked happily at one another, as they let down some of the difficult barriers that had been building between them of late. The Captain, looked away for a moment, as if considering his next words, but finally took a step closer, and looked down into her eyes. "I suspect if I were truly perceptive, I would be able to recall far more often that perfection requires constant polishing, attention to detail and careful focus on what is truly important in ones world." Carolyn met his gaze, entirely aware of the invitation included within his words. She left a shiver ripple down her spine, and goose bumps travel down her arms as he continued, "It feels as if we have left our own connection unattended for too long."
With that, he held out his hand, and rested it gently on the soft orange sweater covering her arm, "Far too long, I think, M'dear." And as she knew she could, when they both concentrated on what they shared, rather than what separated them, she leaned forward, and felt the thrill of being held against his broad chest, and of his arms surrounding her. She smiled, as she heard him lock the cabin door, and looking up disappeared into their first kiss in many weeks.