A Different Reunion

Posted on Monday, 3 May 2021 - 1:51am by Lieutenant Scarlet Rogers & Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD
Edited on on Monday, 3 May 2021 - 1:51am

Mission: Operation: Neu Reich

The Standing Bear had finally arrived at the base. It was the middle of the night by the standard clock, but even so the base was a busy hive of activity. Ryan ignored it all. His exhausted mind had one goal. Reach Scarlet.

He hadn’t known exactly when they would arrive, so he hadn’t called Scarlet. But now that they were here, he couldn’t just go to sleep and wait for the next day. So with his duffle bag rolled down to about 1/4 of its size and shoved with some bare necessities, he made his way to her lodgings.

He felt only the tiniest bit guilty when he sounded her chime.

The woman had barely slept anyway. Just like being in between projects, her mind had refused to shut off. She had been laid in bed, tossing and turning for hours without avail.

The sound of the chime had her confused. Perhaps an emergency? She grabbed her dressing gown and headed for the main door. "Enter," Scarlet almost questioned as she approached the door.

Ryan stepped in, looking somewhere between sheepish and eager. “Hey there.”

Scarlet stared at him a moment, in disbelief he was actually there. "Hi," she replied, still in shock as a huge smile started forming across her lips.

Ryan dropped the duffle bag and quickly strode forward, then pulled Scarlet into his arms. “Wow, it’s nice to be able to do this.” He said into the top of her head, not letting go.

Scarlet held onto him tightly. "Gawd I've missed you," she said, muffled into his chest.

He gave her another squeeze before pulling back just enough to lean down and kiss her.

Scarlet moved her hands up his chest, and put her arms around his neck, kissing him back. It was clear she'd missed him, though she was unsure how it was possible. They'd dated in person for a mere two weeks and then he'd been shipped out. Though yes, they had kept in touch as much as possible, was this too fast? She didn't care.

Ryan sighed happily. “I hope you don’t mind if I crash here. I’ll take the couch. I just couldn’t wait to see you.” He still had his hands at her waist, seemingly unwilling to lose physical contact with her.

Scarlet blushed, "I insist you take the bed. You let me have the bed at yours. I'd like to return the favour."

Ryan yawned, the word ‘bed’ bringing to the front that he hadn't slept the night before, and it was going on 2:30am the 2nd night. “We can share.” He offered with no hint of ulterior motive.

Scarlet blushed and looked down quietly whispering, "I don't think I could sleep."

“Ok.” Ryan was frankly too tired to argue with her. “I could go though, come back for breakfast.” He had to offer.

Scarlet looked back up to him, "that's not what I meant."

Ryan smiled, and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.

Scarlet smiled and nodded to the bedroom, "your presence may help. I'm between projects -- I can't sleep."

He tugged her along sleepily, and only managed to pull off his boots before flopping onto her bed.

Scarlet smiled, removing her robe and getting into bed. She looked to Ryan. It was strange to see him in her bed. It's not as if she hadn't imagined it, but it was real, this time, "good night."

He mumbled sleepily and snuggled to her. “perfect”

Feeling the presence of Ryan next to her, seemed to relax the woman's mind. She hadn't been held like this before and it was something her soul must have needed. Soon the pair were fast asleep.

***

Ryan awoke slowly. He was tangled with Scarlet, and his groin had taken a distinct liking at the contact. It was actually a bit painful. He didn’t want to wake her, so tried to move slowly. A cold shower would take care of the rest.

Scarlet stirred a little at feeling the bed go cold and then stirred at the sound of a shower. She smiled to herself-- it was nice to know that it hadn't been a dream. She padded out of bed in her shorts and vest, to make a pot of tea.

Ryan had left his duffle out in the living room. So emerged with a towel around his waist. “Good morning. I smell tea.” He grinned.

"Good morn--," Scarlet looked up from pouring two mugs and gulped. She couldn't hide her cheeks going bright right or the fact that her eyes were staring, her eyes tracing him into a mental schematic. She tried to snap out of it, but the muscles turned her brain to mush, "I… umm… yes… yes… tea… sorry-- yes, I made tea."

It was incredibly flattering, and his groin made an attempt to remind him it had been a very long time..”Sorry. I’ll be right back.” He grabbed his bag and fled. He returned in a pair of casual pants and a soft cotton t-shirt, joining her in the kitchen. He couldn’t help but to put his arms around her. “So, what are you doing today?”

"I guess I'm finding my new quarters and saying hello to your science chief," Scarlet replied, turning around in his arms, placing her hands, softly on his chest. She couldn't get the image of him in just a towel out of her mind. Did he know she had her mind in the gutter? She blushed and tried to shake it out.

“So your research on the Standing Bear got approved?” Ryan asked, almost scared to believe it.

Scarlet nodded, "I found out yesterday. Is that still OK? If not the USS Integreon has also said yes."

“It’s more than ok. It’s fantastic. We have to celebrate.” He paused a moment though. “Is it what you want? I want you nearby, of course I do, but if you think the Integreon is a better career move, I understand. I’m not going anywhere.”

Scarlet shook her head, "I can do the study anywhere. The Standing Bear returns to bases relatively often, so I have the opportunity for experiments periodically. I'm not stuck out in the black. I'm terrified about being on a ship, but I'll be OK. I need this."

“Ok.” Ryan smiled, then leaned down to kiss her.

Scarlet kissed him back, her hands moving up a little to his shoulders, deepening the kiss a little. Her mind wandered again and she blushed, pulling her hands away from him completely. To try and cover and stop herself from blushing more, she commented, "I am excited that I will have a friendly face or two on board though. It's going to be a whole new adventure."

He pulled away reluctantly. He knew she was shy. “Well after we have tea, I can give you a tour of the ship?”

"It does seem like a long time since I was last on the Standing Bear," she smiled, "I'd appreciate it." Scarlet looked to Ryan's eyes moment, "am I an idiot for thinking very quickly when we've only had 2 weeks… ish… together in person, but a few months of talking?" It was a bold question for her, but as the words fell from her lips, she could feel her voice crack to a timid whisper, she could feel her cheeks flush and her heart pound. Scarlet blinked, "sorry, you don't have to answer. I'm being stupid. Ignore me." Scarlet looked down and turned to finish off the tea.

“No, no. You aren’t being stupid.” Ryan quickly assured her. “But what are you asking?”

Scarlet smiled at his response. She turned back around, handing him a mug of tea, "I don't know."

“Well, it’s not too fast, if that’s what you are worried about. I want to be with you. I’d love it if you just stayed with me, but I don’t want you to feel rushed. I understand we haven’t actually spent a lot of time together. Which, I plan to rectify.”

Scarlet sipped her tea considering it, "with how I feel, I would not say no to that offer. But I think it may be wise for me to still have a place of my own, just in case you get sick of me or something. Doesn't mean that I can't stay over. I slept so well last night, thanks to you." She placed her tea back on the side, "I also don't think I could cope with you in just a towel much. I think my cheeks may scold permanently red."

Ryan chuckled. “Well I’m flattered, and believe me the sentiment is mutual. But, no rush, on anything.” He took a sip of tea. “You will always be welcome at my place. I might actually see it more if there is a chance you’ll be there.” He smiled.

Scarlet smiled, "I'd pictured our reunion after so long. I'm mortified to admit that just sleeping was not in that fantasy, but it was one I loved."

“Yeah, that was perfect. I haven’t slept so well in ages.” Ryan fidgeted a bit.

Scarlet saw him fidget and instantly felt guilty, "Oh gawd, I'm sorry. I just let my mouth run at a million miles and hour sometimes. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'm sorry."

Ryan took her hand. “It’s ok. I’ve got my mind in the gutter, I love when your mouth runs a million miles an hour.” He smiled. “It’s fine, really. When did you want to go?”

"My mind is in the gutter too," Scarlet admitted, her cheeks flushing once more as she added, "so, I'm in no rush to leave here."

Ryan let out a low groan. He chuckled and smiled though. “Temptress.” He stepped back in, and pulled her to his chest so he could grab another kiss.

Scarlet's heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest as she kissed him back. She wanted to say sorry, instinctively, but her desires took over. She put her arms around his neck, enjoying the kiss a moment before asking, "so… you fancy redoing our reunion?"

“Oh gawd yes.” Ryan needed very little encouragement, and kissed her more passionately.