Posted by Civilian Jason Reilly (Assistant Director - Colonial Intelligence) in How I Met Your Mother

Posted by Lieutenant Hannah Lori Asimina (Asst. Chief Medical Officer) in How I Met Your Mother

Posted by Civilian Jason Reilly (Assistant Director - Colonial Intelligence) in How I Met Your Mother
Posted by… suppressed (38) by the Post Ghost! 👻
snip

“I don’t know if that will stay my schedule, and I won’t always be on call so I don’t have to stay. There is a lot that has to be fixed. The last senior staff team didn’t leave things in a good spot. Dr Fayth and I want to make sure we are putting people where their skills and experience will do the most good. To do that we have to work with them. And there are A LOT of Medical staff.”

Hannah reached over and held his hand for a long minute. “I’ll be here for two weeks and then the ship a week and then 2 weeks here again. Maybe…maybe you could come see me?”

Hannah

Jason looked at her and smiled. “On the ship? I doubt they would let me.” and a sudden realization hit him and his eyes widened in shock and trepidation. “Shit… I didn’t tell you something. It just… slipped my mind. I… we can’t talk about it here. Its not important, but its part of my answer to your question. And I promise to tell you when we go back to the apartment, ok?”

Jason

Hannah didn’t see why not, he was still a reserve officer…but he was working for the colonial government. And he had been with SFI. That carried its own issues. She tried not to sigh, not to show it, but why did everything have to be so complicated? “Yeah, okay. It happens, we can talk later.”

The waiter returned to refill drinks and offered to bring Hannah more soup, but she declined. He set a small box on the table. “Compliments of Mr. O’Dowd. He asked if you would remind Oj’kiv to come in once in awhile.” Hannah nodded and then looked at the box curiously and opened it. Her mouth made a little “O” shape. Deserts, all with ginger.

She turned the box so he could see. It was filled with Gingerbread Truffles, Gingersnap Cookies, Ginger-Cardamom Cowboy Cookies, Ginger Lemon Cremes, and Gingerbread cookie men.

Hannah

Jason grinned and said “So you can’t use nausea as a reason not to kiss me again.” and he winked at her. The waiter returned and Reilly paid. He then looked at Hannah and smiled. Do you want me to take you home? And where we are at with this- and he gestured between them, “- you will have to be specific on where that is exactly.* and he laughed. He wasn’t wrong. There was a lot they needed to unpack, settle, talk through… but he wasn’t worried about it. Nervous? Sure. Scared? More than a little. But worry was behind him… for the moment.

Jason

Hannah shook her head with that look like she was laughing silently again. That was a tough question. Hannah didn’t really feel like anywhere was home. Not yet. She knew where she wanted it to be. Hannah was having g a hard time reco ceiling who she used to be with who she had become. Some of it was necessary and some felt like an ill-fitting costume. I’d like that if you’re done with work. Can we go to your place? Hannah took the box and put it inside that pack she had carried with her that morning. It was mostly empty now. She had left a change of clothes and the Candied in her office. It seemed like a good idea, so she didn6have to worry about where she was or if she had what she needed each morning. Then she stood and before they started to leave she kissed his cheek.

Hannah

He smiled at her and then walked her out of the pub and to a waiting ground car. It was a quick five minute ride back his… their?… whatever… apartment building. They walked in and the guard smiled. “Welcome back. Hope the day was a good one.” Reilly smiled and said “I think so.” and he led Hannah to the private lift and up to the penthouse.

As they entered, he took her arm gently and signed I am not sick. I fabricated that so I could leave Intelligence without them following me. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to not tell when I told you the rest. I really did just forget.

Jason

Hannah took his hands and squeezed before letting go. I already knew that. No, I didn’t scan you. Don’t lie to a doctor about an illness. You don’t have the symptoms that go with it, even with treatment. 3 times a week with a hyperbaric chamber indicates a moderate to acute case. You would still have small symptoms and you don’t. She kissed his cheek again. Thank you for telling me, and I’m really glad you’re okay.

Hannah

Jason looked at her and then put his hands on her waist and then, for the second time in the past day, kissed her. He then smiled and said Now. Now I am okay. and he moved towards the stairs. I’m going to change out of work clothes. and smiled and started up the stairs.

Jason

Hannah stepped into him, her hands resting on his shoulders, kissing him in a way that left no doubt about how she felt about what was happening between them - tentative but sure. She liked his smile it made the corners of his eyes crinkle and they looked greener. Good. Me too.

Changing sounded good. She headed for the stairs, snagging a candy from the bowl and popping it in her mouth. She went into the room he had set up for her and emptied the pack and set it down. She had gotten a reply from Alexis earlier and would have to call later.

The only other clothes Hannah had, besides pajamas, was soft black cotton pants and a peach sweater. Then she carried the deserts and drink container back down with her and went to the sink to wash the bottle.

Hannah

Hands settled on her waist and a light kiss settled on her cheek. Jason stepped around and opened a door to the chiller and pulled out a bottle of an amber-colored beverage. He was dressed in a pair of gym shorts and a gray t-shirt with faded red letters that said ‘Annapolis Crew’ and he leaned against the counter and looked at her. He set the bottle down and signed Do you need anything in your room? You are welcome to bring as little or as much as you want, you know.

Jason

Hannah turned off the water and dried the bottle and her hands. A few more clothes and toiletries, but she had enough for now. It wouldn’t be that hard to grab them later. I will. She had to go through her things first. It was part of going through all that baggage. But there was something. Be right back.

She went up to the room and came back carrying her alarm. “It’s my alarm clock, but it can connect to lots of things. Like my comms. On the ship it will wake me if the red or yellow alert klaxons off. I tried to connect it to the building emergency alarms but I couldn’t get it. I was tired. I realized today it was because I didn’t have the codes for it.”

Hannah

Jason smiled and nodded. He took the device and walked over to the main computer terminal in the wall. He tapped a few commands, a few more, then turned and looked at her. “Give me a six digit code for you.”

Jason

Hannah considered, she wanted it to be something she would remembed, “823179.” She moved over to the kitchen and poured a glass of the real ginger ale, snagging another hard ginger candy from the bowl.

Hannah

Jason tapped a few more commands and then said “Done.” and handed her the alarm back, now synced to the building. He looked at the candy and said “You know, any good doctor would tell you that the more you use something, the less effective it becomes and the more reliant on it you become as well.” and he chuckled.

Jason

Hannah looked at him a bit confused then followed his gaze toward the candy. There was a significant dent. Part of that was the container she took to the hospital. She grinned sheepishly. “Less than 24 hours. I will risk it.” She lifted a shoulder, “They help. And something with ginger seems to be the only way I can keep anything down.” She set her glass down and waved the alarm a little. “Thank you. I should have asked last night.” She took it back to her room and came back down and sat on the couch.

Hannah

Jason came and sat next to her. Want to watch something? Talk more? and he grinned. Or… more? and he laughed. I am kidding. No jostling the stomach until you can eat without herbal assistance. He looked at her for a moment and then said Ask me anything. Anything you want to know.

Jason

There is probably a lot we should talk about, but I’m not sure where to start. Hannah flushed, but she didn’t look embarrassed. I hope the need for herbal assistance is over soon. On so many levels. “Ummm, what do you like to watch?” Getting to know each other had to start somewhere.

Hannah

His eyes went wide in surprise at the admission of her… desire for lack of supplements… and he grinned, but let the subject drop. “I am more of a reader, but I enjoy documentaries and history vids. Although I am a sucker for a good romantic comedy.” he said with a soft laugh. What about you? What do you like to do on your time off?

Jason

“Get outside. Hike, climb, swim, ride bikes, ski, camp. I’m a bit nuts for the outdoors. When I can’t I like to read, more than shows or movies. History is good. I like older fantasy movies like Willow or Labyrinth or Legend. Romantic comedy?” That kind of surprised her. “Ever see The Proposal? Roommate on the Fearless was crazy about that movie.”

Hannah

He shook his head “Never heard of it, no. Maybe we can check it out if you aren’t sick of it.” He was silent a minute and then said How many times have you been in love in your life?

Jason

“Sure, why not. Laughter and happy endings are always good.” Hannah smirked, Actually in love or ‘thought’ I was in love? There is a difference. Maybe 2 or 3. You? Hannah remembered he’d said he’d never done anything long term, never thought about doing it. Love didn’t have a time limit though or rules.

Hannah

He shrugged and said As far as I know, actually in love-love? Just once.

Jason

Ah well, if we are talking actually in love then we take Nathan off the list. She grinned, “I was 12 and thought he was amazing. I just knew I was in love. Until his father finished his research and left the colony. And like a typical 12 year old, I forgot all about being in love after a day.” The next words were signed before Hannah thought about whether she should or not. What were they like?

Hannah

Jason smiled and said “Oh… smart. Very smart. And brave. Didn’t back down from a challenge. And caring. She genuinely cared for others. Wanted to do right by them. And so very, very beautiful. I’ve never seen another that looked like her.” As he spoke, his eyes almost lit up as he described whoever it was he was seeing in his mind. Yeah… in his mind. Right…

Jason

Hannah had her arm resting on the back of the couch, bent so that her hand rested on the back of her neck and her head resting on her arm as she watched him. The look on his face was captivating, his eyes brighter and a richer green. Maybe it wasn’t a fair question with all her baggage and how crazy things were, but Hannah asked anyway, “Would you have left Intel for her?” She didn’t ask why he didn’t leave, or what happened between them. She asked if he would, knowing full well he was as far away from SFI as he could get and working Oed Intel now.

Hannah

He looked at her for a long moment, his eyes going far away. “I would have left everything for her.” he said with a sense of absolute conviction. “And I would have never once looked back. But… that was never a choice I had to make.” His eyes refocused and he blinked. “If you could live anywhere in the galaxy, where would it be?” he asked in a blatant attempt to change the subject. Not because he was feeling awkward… but because he wasn’t.

Jason

Hannah watched his face, getting butterflies. She really wanted to lean over and kiss him, but she didn’t. She wasn’t sure why. She thought about it a moment and then shrugged. “I’m not sure. There places I would like to visit, but live? I guess somewhere like Oed. Where my work would make a difference, and lots of people, culture. Plenty of wild too. To hike, climb, camp. Oed doesn’t have a lot of that yet, but it will. Maybe like Beltane IX.” She bit her lower lip and blushed, Oed is better, it has you.

He grinned. I was thinking the exact same thing.

“What will your family think of this?”

Hannah

He looked confused for a moment and then understood the entirety of the question. “Well… I honestly don’t know. My parents are both retired, so the idea of me in place permanently would appeal. The idea of me with someone would make my dad happy. My mom was very dedicated to her job. Family was important,but the job came first. My dad is more family oriented, so it would make him happy. And a grandchild would be welcome, certainly. Now as to the specific nature of the addition of a child like in this case? I would like to think it wouldn’t matter. And I don’t believe it will. Mostly they will be concerned with timelines. Which would be a normal reaction, I think.”

Jason

Hannah nodded. She was sure they would probably wonder about her along with the time line. “What are they like, your parents? Now that they are retired?”

Hannah

Bored. and he laughed. “They are learning to adapt to life without the constant demands of work. But they are working on the house which was always needed and rarely done. And they are, I think, learning to reconnect to one another. When I talk to them now, there is a lot more talking to them than one or the other.” He leaned back in the cushion and set his arm on the back, his fingers lightly resting on her arm. “What is your family going to think? And the offer still stands, by the way.” and he winked.

Jason

Sparks danced up her arm, and Hannah’s eyes closed briefly, soaking up the sensation. She shrugged a shoulder as she looked at him again. “I can’t imagine that they would do anything but love a grandchild, no matter the circumstances. I know they won’t be thrilled with the circumstances…if…they find out, if you say it’s yours. Only if that is what you want, though.” Her mouth twitched slightly. “I think they will be concerned because it will appear we are only together because I am pregnant.”

He smiled and said “We can burn that bridge when we get to it.” and he winked at her. “We can play it by ear. You decide what to say. I’ll back you up, no matter what.”

“There…there is a good chance the baby will be deaf too.”

Hannah

He looked at her and said simply “So?” and he smiled. Deaf mom is amazing. No reason they won’t be either. and he laughed. “Besides, they and I can learn to sign-” and he made the sign she had taught him, “- together.”

Jason

Hannah swallowed against the sudden emotion and looked out the window. Everything seemed so surreal and he said exactly the right things. His body language was so genuine too. Another person might wonder if it was an act, but Hannah wasn’t that type of person. She couldn’t be. She did worry over her own reactions though. Everything was tumultuous and she really didn’t want to hurt him.

Hannah sat up a little as she looked at him. What is something you always wanted to do but haven’t? Another change of subject because Hannah still hadn’t wrapped her head around being pregnant.

Hannah

Jason stared at her a moment. One side of his brain screaming “NO NO NO NO NO NO NO DON’T YOU SAY IT!!!!” and the other part of him laughing and daring him to do it.

A small smile played across his face and he said “Well… my first instinct is to say ‘You.’, but I think I’ll go with learn how to cook. I can make a few things well, but I’d like to be able to be more creative without a recipie.”

Jason

Hannah got up and moved over to the kitchen. She rinsed her glass and then filled it with ice and water. She took a long sip, her eyes watching him the whole time. They were warm and teasing. She passed the counter, not taking a candy, and resumed her seat, closer than she had been before. “We could make that happen. My stomach feels fine right now.”

Hannah

Jason looked at her for a long moment before he reached over and took the glass from her, setting it aside. “Do mean you are going to teach me how to cook, Hannah?” and he slid right next to her and put his hands on her waist, leaning slightly closer to her.

Jason

Her heart began to race, and her stomach fluttered, and his hands on her waist felt like the only solid thing in the world. She forgot how to breathe, and was quite certain kissing him would remind her how. “Yes, if you…” Her voice sounded different to her, like it didn’t want to work right. It embarrassed her. Yes, if you want. Hannah had a flash of a second to wonder what she was doing. Her lips brushed his once, twice, and then she kissed him, and it changed everything.

Hannah

Many, many hours later…

They laid together on the large chaise lounge on the balcony. They had a blanket to cover themselves, but there wasn’t anyone to witness what had led them to get the blanket… and if there had been, they probably wouldn’t have noticed. Kissing had led to touching which in turn had led to them under blanket on the balcony watching the sunrise… skipping a few steps, of course.

Jason held her close to him and kissed her shoulder. He took a deep breath Hannah? I just wanted to say… if this for some reason doesn’t work out… this was the best night of my life. And I wouldn’t choose anything or anyone over this moment.

Jason

Hannah turned her head so she could watch his hands. She had been thinking the same thing. I feel the same way. There is nowhere else I want to be and noone else I want to be with. None of the baggage she had been so afraid would ruin things had interfered, and even now she wasn’t thinking about it. She was just thinking of them. Just us…together.

She settled back against him, curling into their warmth under the blanket. The sun was coming up and in a couple of hours Hannah would have to get ready. She wanted to stay there outside of time and responsibilities for awhile, with him. Jason? What does more look like to you?

Hannah

He laughed and said aloud “More of this? Anti-inflammatories and dehydration.” and he squeezed her tight to him.

More to me looks like more nights like this. And then going to the doctor with you. More is you waking me up at three AM because you want fish and chips with strawberry yogurt or something else weird. More is you having a baby and us bringing it home. More is baby carriers and loose teeth and growing pains and helping with homework. He paused for a moment and then signed More is wedding planning. More is maybe having a baby that is both of us. But mostly more is you and I… together.

Jason

It was tease him or cry from the guilt, and Hannah was really too happy to cry. And she couldn’t change the circumstances. She pushed up on an elbow and looked down at him with a grin. Jason? Are you telling me, the man who never thought about long term anything, you want children? As in plural?

Hannah

He looked at her and said I’m going to have one regardless if we are gonna do this thing, right? May as well go all in. He laughed and then said *But let’s get through the first one and see how that goes. I won’t lie. I’m a little nervous about it. And I’m not sure how the feelings will play out; but I’m not gonna run away.”

Jason

Hannah laid her head back on his shoulder, pulling the blanket back up where it had slipped as a cold shiver raced over her skin. Hannah was so nervous it was giving her panic attacks. And that was so unlike her that it just made her more nervous. “That’s good because most of the time I wish I could run away.”

Hannah

“Better not. You know I can find you.” and he chuckled. “As long as we are scared together, I think we’ll manage.” He pulled the blanket tighter around her and pulled her closer. “And besides… you can’t leave. You said you loved the view.”

Jason

“That would be easy since I wouldn’t be running away from you.” How could being here with him feel so right, so much like home after two days. “I do love the view.” Except she wasn’t looking out, but at him.

Hannah

He leaned in and kissed her, and then there was a chirp. Someone’s comms was getting a call. Jason wrapped her up and carried her inside and set her on the couch as the incessant chirp continued. He began digging through tossed cushions and the disheveled rug until he found the one making the noise. “Mine. Sorry.” and he turned it on and said “Yeah, this is Reilly. Go ahead.” There was some muffled speech and he looked back at Hannah. “Tell you what… just put this on the back burner until tomorrow. I’m… out of the office today. And it can wait.” and he hung up and walked back to her and sat down, crawling under the blanket. “Now… where were we?”

Jason

Hannah signed a rapid, nonononono when he said he was out of the office. As much as she would like to be out, she couldn’t, could she? Oh she wanted to be. Then he was back under the blanket with her and she decided she still had a few hours before she had to worry about it. Her hand slipped around him, and her stomach had that happy watm feeling. “I was entranced by the view and you were kissing me.”

Hannah