She didn't notice him at first. She was typing busily, the light from the computer screen illiuminating her face and reflecting in her golden-brown eyes. Standing there, leaning against the doorframe in the half-darkness of the office, he was able to study her as much as he wanted. Her wavy dark hair was pushed back over her shoulders, and as he watched her, she paused for a few moments, chewing on her bottom lip as she thought about what to write next.

And the man gazing at her smiled, soft emotion in deep blue eyes. Being around her made him feel peaceful, content - all things he wasn't used to feeling. He wanted to be around her as much as possible, so he would be able to feel it more...and possibly understand it. It was like a warm feeling in his heart, something he didn't remember experiencing before with anyone. It had started...when had it started? He didn't know. All he knew was that when he was transferred at Alaska...it had hurt, worse than any other pain he had ever felt. He hadn't wanted to leave her, and so, he'd come back.

And it seemed she had felt the same, at least a little. When he had kissed her for the first time, just a few days ago, she had been surprised..but had kissed him back. And it had been everything he'd imagined it would be. Sure, he'd kissed other girls before, back in the academy, and when he'd been at school. But it had been nothing like this. Nothing like the kiss he'd shared with her.

As if she knew he was thinking about her, the captain glanced up from her work, jumping a little as she noticed him there. Their eyes met for a brief moment, then she looked away again, a faint trace of pink stealing onto her cheeks. He smiled at her embarrassment, but the smile faded as she looked up at him again. Her gaze was...something about it made him uncomfortable, and this time he was the one to look away, pushing a hand through thick blonde hair. The way she had looked at him...he'd felt almost defenceless, as if she'd been able to see straight into his heart with those molten amber eyes of hers.

Is that how I'm supposed to feel? What it's meant to feel like? It's not...I was never able to love my parents, try as I might. And I know that they didn't love each other. And even when I dated girls, I don't remember ever feeling like this. Is this really...love?

A sudden warmth on the bare skin of his arm caused him to look up, startled. She was standing there just in front of him, expression one of concern, one thin hand placed on his arm.

There it was. That feeling again. Like a warm glow in the heart, only stronger than it had been before. He could feel his pulse racing, and off-handedly wondered if she could hear it. But despite the strange feelings, he couldn't help but smile.

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She hadn't heard him come in. It was strange..as usually the Commander was quite possibly the loudest person she'd ever met. She had been working, typing up reports ready for the next day, when something had prompted her to look up. And he'd been standing there, leaning against the door, just watching her. His normally laughing blue eyes had been full of an emotion she wasn't sure could describe, and even his smile had been muted. But even then, his smile caused her heart to begin racing. She looked away, knowing she was blushing. Why does he have to be so handsome? And why am I only noticing it now?

Whatever the reason, he had affected her. But taking a deep breath, she looked back up at him...only to find that this time, he was the one to look away, cheeks pinked ever so slightly.

That surprised her. He was...shy? It was such an unexpected reaction, that all she could do was stare for a moment. Then she smiled. The overconfident and boisterous Commander being shy...it was...cute.

Standing up, she walked over to him quietly, placing a hand on his arm. She was about to say something to him, but he looked up at her. He still looked nervous, the expression making him look more boyish than ever. But then..he smiled. It was a warm, genuine smile...and it took her breath away. She looked away, blushing furiously, hiding her face behind a curtain of dark hair. Her heart was pounding again, and all she could do was stare at the floor. Why do I feel like this?

Before she was able to speak, the Commander reached out, his thick fingers caressing her cheek, then moving down to gently grasp her chin. He tilted her head up until she was gazing at him directly, right into his cobalt eyes, and he smiled again. Leaning down, he very carefully pressed his lips to hers in a light kiss, like the wings of a butterfly. But it was enough to make her feel giddy, almost dizzy, and she closed her eyes, hands moving up to rest on his shoulders

They still didn't know why they felt this way about each other, or even what this feeling was, but neither of them wanted it to end...

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( Tee hee hee. Sorry if it's weird...

Please read and review! )