Outside it's too cold to snow, and windy; the strongest gusts are audible through the windows.

Simon's at his desk, where he's been since immediately after dinner, poring over the lists he has to memorize for the first exam.

(Distantly, from the kitchen, he can hear water running.)

The restaurant is a short walk from the monorail, and he gets there at twenty-three after five.

He fully expects Jordie to be there already, and isn't disappointed.

It happens between one step and the ( next... )

Three years ago today.

He didn't quite dare bring it up last night, but it's been on his mind most of the week. Remembering their first anniversary, and their mostly-ignored second, on which it seemed unlikely that their marriage would survive to have a third ( Read more... )

They can afford to travel Alliance-class from Persephone, a comfortable if not luxurious berth in a passenger transport. The trip takes the better part of two days, and it's mercifully early evening on Sunday -- barely past late afternoon -- when they dock at the Isis Spaceport ( Read more... )

Kaylee, ai renI've known you now for over five years, and been married to you for almost three of them, and it seems impossible that in all that time I've never written you a love letter ( Read more... )

It's Christmas morning at Southdown Abbey ( Read more... )

It always seems to be late at night when they have these conversations, Simon thinks as he starts up the steps to the bridge. The simple explanation for that is the obvious one: it's easier to find relative privacy when half the crew's gone to bed, or at least retired to their bunks ( Read more... )

The desk in their room has gotten a little cluttered, over the past couple of weeks. Simon's putting things away when he comes across the unfamiliar bundle: dark fabric, wrapped haphazardly around ... more fabric, he discovers on unfolding it. And a few other things ( Read more... )

It's late evening, after dinner, when Simon goes to talk to River. He finds Kaylee first, as promised.

"Meimei?" he calls softly, sliding open the door to her room.