A Classified Visit (part 4)

Posted on Wed Jul 31st, 2013 @ 11:33am by Admiral Kathryn Burke & Admiral Maximilian 'Max' Hunter
Edited on on Wed Jul 31st, 2013 @ 11:41am

1,112 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What Dreams May Come?
Timeline: En route back to Athena Shipyards

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"Somehow, I knew you would say that." Max replied with a bit of a laugh and ended it with his own relaxed smile. "I am afraid for your image, to be honest. As much as I would like to, I don't want to be the one who single handedly brought down Theta Fleet by just... being with you."

[NEW]

"Max, I've always done what I feel is in the best interest of the Fleet, not in the best interest of the individual. People will think what they want regardless of how I behave." She looked him in the eye and continued. "And I do my best to keep my private life private."

Max nodded as he got up from the couch and then turned to look at her. He dropped down to a knee and took her hand, looking deeply into her eyes. "Kathryn, over the time we have spent together I have kept my boundaries after James died. You know I liked James. We got along great and I checked in on him and your kids with no problem, but a part of me knows that wall wont change how I feel ... about you. You make me want to change the person I am outside these doors, just to be able to be with you."

She looked at him for several long seconds. "Oh, Max," she said softly. Then she put her other hand on his cheek, leaned forward and gently kissed him.

Max closed his eyes and put his hand on the side her face. Slowly, he leaned more into the kiss, deepening it. Unlocking all the passion and love he had held back all in one action.

She let go of his hand and slid her arm around his neck, returning his kiss with equal ardor.

When the kiss ended, Kathryn sat back and smiled. "Wow," she whispered.

Max opened his eyes softly and smile widely. "You took the words right out of my mouth." He said softly, running his hand through her hair.

Kathryn could think of nothing to say, so she ran a finger across his lips and smiled.

He put his head down slightly and smiling at the touch of her finger to his lips. Slowly, he looked up and laughed softly, stopping his hand on her cheeks and putting his forehead to hers. "So what do we do now, Kathryn." Max whispered and then kissed her forehead lightly.

"I'm not sure, Max," she replied honestly. "But I don't want to go back to where we were before."

"Neither do I." Max whispered back.

She kissed him again, her kiss soft and tender.

Max held onto the sides of her face and slowly stood up with her, not breaking a moment of the kiss itself. He soon took her hands in his and remained kissing her for some time before breaking it and pulling back into a deep breath. "There are so many things going through my head right now, Kathryn. I don't know what to say or do." He whispered softly, placing his forehead to hers.

"Me, too." She shook her head and then rubbed her nose against his. "I could leave and come back tomorrow; give us both a chance to let this change in our relationship sink in."

Max shook his head No and let out a sigh. "Having you leave would only make my chest hurt from being away from you." He whispered softly, running his hand through her hair and kissed her on her forehead, then to the tip of her nose, and finally ending at her lips. He kissed her deeply and quickly before pulled back and whispered. "Stay with me tonight, Kathryn."

"I don't want to leave you, either," she whispered back. "But as I said, I'm old fashioned. I've only ever been with James and," she paused, feeling incredibly awkward. "I would like to be married first."

Max smiled and couldn't help but burst out into a slight chuckle. "I had a feeling you were going to make this difficult for me." He let out a sigh and ran his hands through her hair and smiled, closing his eyes. He had only thoughts of her, but this wasn't really anything new for him. "Would it surprise you to know, I have a ring all picked out. It's just not with me on this ship."

"You do?" she looked up at him, surprised. "And here I was, half expecting you to tell me the price was too high."

"I am a man of many mysteries." Max replied with a smirk and then laughed again. The laugh slowly settled as he spoke up. "You know what this means, don't you?" Max paused and let out a sigh. "I am gonna have to let down every female officer on that long list you were talking about earlier."

"Then I would say it's about time," she teased. She was still a bit trepidatious, but he DID say he made that up and she was going to believe him. "Are you sure you want to be saddled with the likes of me?"

Max raised a brow to her and smirked. "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

"Max, I love James, I always will." Her eyes met his for a long moment. "I also love you. We've been dancing around our feelings for years. Okay, *I'VE* been the one doing the dancing. But I'm not doing that any more. I want to be with you. I've had more than enough time to be sure of what I want and how I feel."

"I know you do, Kathryn. I don't want you to think I am trying to, but this is a big step. For both of us. Once we do this, its out in the open and everyone will know." Max replied softly, putting his hand to the side of her face again and stroking her cheek gently.

"So you want to wait," she interpreted. "I can appreciate that."

"Only if you want to wait, Kathryn." Max said softly. "You know me. I am a Fly By the Seat of Your Pants kind of guy. I live for the moment and is a moment I want to last forever, but I know that Theta Fleet may take this news with open arms, but some will see it as an opening for something dangerous. I can't risk your life over one of my old grudges."

"Then we don't tell anyone," she said. "Max, I'd marry you tonight and have no regrets." Her gaze was warm and confident.

(To be continued...)

Admiral Max Hunter
Admiral Kathryn BUrke

 

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