( nsfw open )

[skittys]

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[whistles_loudly]

[He puts his arm around her. This might be one of his favorite ways to be with her.]

That sounds like an excellent plan. I'm leaving the communicator here. If they want me they have to try to find me.

[unas]

If they want you they're dealing with me.

( and she would be brutally honest about where they could go. they already took starfleet itself from her, she'll say her mind about anything else now. now that it won't get her court martialled )

Though they're not usually that stupid.

( they've only ever pulled him away when it's been a true emergency )

[whistles_loudly]

[He laughs.]

I like how you qualified that. [There are lots of times when they are that stupid.]

If they ever make me an Admiral there's so much I want to change.

[There really was no good time to bring up that he was offered captain of the flagship.]

[unas]

I can't hate them, not when joining Starfleet had been my dream.

( not when she'd jump at the chance to do something with them again. it may sting, it may hurt, she may disagree with many things but she still wants to be in starfleet )

And they'd be fools not to listen to you.

[whistles_loudly]

I always think they're fools when they don't listen to me.

[That would be one of the first things he'd at least try to change. Genetic modification wasn't always a bad thing. He knows some of the history, of course, but mistakes made centuries ago should at least have a chance not to impact polices forever.]

[unas]

( and she'd be by his side to give him the information about her people, everything she knew. and contacts for geneticists he could talk to for more )

I might be biased... but you are usually right.

( she might definitely be biased but he'd helped give her a life again, a much better life than she could ever have imagined )

But-- ( onr hand reaches up, finger pressing to his lips ) No more Starfleet. I still have a weekend.

[whistles_loudly]

[One nod is what she gets.]

I promise, I'll try to stop thinking about it.

[Try is the best he could do. But he's starting now.]

Think we'll have time to take the horses out this weekend?

[unas]

They could come the trail with us tomorrow?

( she'd thought at first about camping out tomorrow but if there was somewhere he didn't mind leaving the horses overnight it could work. or they could stargaze on his roof. they'd done that before )

[whistles_loudly]

[He's done it before with Tango.]

They could, but that sounds like changing your already good plan for the weekend. I could always go out on Sunday.

[unas]

Plans are meant to be adaptable. And they don't see you much either.

( and whilst she did take the horses out sometimes it was never the same as when he did or they both did. he had a connection with them she wouldn't )

[whistles_loudly]

I think they're used to it, at least a little, and I'm glad they like you.

[It hadn't been that way with the very few other women he introduced them to. Reflecting back on it? He should have listened to the horses.]

They must know I love you.

[unas]

It took me a while to get used to them.

( which he knew, he'd been there with her each moment. she hadn't been spooked by them but after never seeing a horse before coming to his ranch it had been an experience.

but the horses had been gentle with her, careful about her caution, as gently encouraging as he'd been. it had taken a long while before she'd ridden one but they'd been ready then.

maybe they did know, maybe they'd also known how much she'd loved him )

They know you well. Probably better than I do.

[whistles_loudly]

You did really well with them.

[There's a fondness there, that she actually took all that time to learn something that he loved even if it was something new and a little scary at first. It meant a lot to him.]

They might, I certainly talked to them enough. Might've even mentioned you a few times over the years.

[unas]

( she laughs slightly )

You still do.

( she might have heard him in the barn a couple of times as she'd been passing, always keeping quiet to not disturb him. it was sweet and she liked hearing the little whispers )

[whistles_loudly]

They're good listeners.

[He is just a little embarrassed that she'd heard, not that he was going to change anything.]

[unas]

And good gossips. They've given away a few of your secrets.

( now she really is just teasing. but he was right, they were good listeners, she'd had her own conversations with them when he'd been gone )

[whistles_loudly]

Oh yeah? [he's so amused] What have they told you?

[unas]

Do you really want to know?

( she pushes herself up just enough to kiss him, hoping to distract him )

Or shall I let you have your secret?

( that she supposedly knows )

[whistles_loudly]

[At this point, he just wants to see what she makes up. But he tries his best to make that kiss a good one.]

You don't have to tell me, but I'm interested.

[unas]

( and it really is a good kiss, one that has her smiling after, brain a little frozen with just how good it was. give her a few seconds.

after which she settles back on his chest, content )

They told me how different this year would have been if I wasn't here. How happy we both are.

[whistles_loudly]

I have said that to them a lot.

[And he found it to be true too. Now that Una's here, everything's different. He was happy to be there, and the ranch wasn't just a place to be until the next mission.]

Before that they'd just hear about how much I wanted to get back out into space.

[unas]

I think they're glad that you're around more to. And they've got my company when they really miss you.

( which was never the same, he was the favourite, but it amazed her how much they did like her, how well they'd taken to her )

And they've helped me a lot, given me something to do when you're not here. Starting over, starting a planet life... isn't easy.

( some days she really does consider getting an actual job instead of using her skills around the nearby ranches )

[whistles_loudly]

Especially on a planet that isn't yours.

[He was there at the beginning, when she got booted out of the fleet, how lost losing the one thing you dedicated your life to could make someone. He was just starting to handle being planet bound for the next few years, and he still had the opportunity to go back out there someday.]

I'm glad you're happy being here, at least.

[If she wanted to go do something else, he wouldn't stop her of course. That was the last thing he ever wanted to do, hold Una back. He'd support anything she wanted to do.]

[unas]

That's because of you.

( she tips her head up again to look at him. she's told him this many times before but she'll keep telling him it )

You made it easier. You helped me figure it out, gave me a home... and you. You make me happy.

[whistles_loudly]

Love you.

[There was nothing else he could think to say after that, other than the truth. Someday, maybe, he'd actually ask if she wants to get married, but right now it seems like this is working out for them.]

It's one of the reasons I was always so eager to get back on the ship.