Let's Give This One More Go.... - Part 2

Posted on Sun Apr 26, 2026 @ 3:37pm by Commodore Kate Banninga & Commander Richard Fitzsimons
Edited on on Sat May 2, 2026 @ 7:41pm

1,172 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: S03E01 - Something about Tribbles
Location: Langley Station - Arboretum
Timeline: MD03 - 19:00hrs

ON:

"It's not really a now and then thing." Kate started explaining, although how could she explain how her mind worked. She wasn't completely aloof as to the fact that the way she dealt with things wasn't normal. Although, what was really normal. "I've had these words at the back of my throat for eighteen months. I saw every look you gave me. I felt every word. I just didn't know how to say them back." She leaned her head on his shoulder. A combination of feeling close to him but also hiding herself now she was finally opening up.

Taking a deep breath, Richard pushed a space between their bodies. As one part of him cursed and screamed at the distance; another part felt relief as he could start to properly think and focus. To give this what was actually needed.

The man lead them both to a bench; angled to show the arboretum laid out in front of them. He moved Kate to sit at his side before gently guiding her head to his shoulder while his fingers continued to play with her hair. The soft feel of the strands against his heated skin, acting once again as a means to ground his emotions. "When I fall, I normally fall fast and hard. In the past it's gotten me into alot of trouble; it's landed me with a child because I didn't deal the right way with it at the time. All be a child I don't regret; I still regret that he didn't come from a place of love but a place of lust instead because I acted irrationally to rejection."

"But you Kate..." Richard's fingers continued to play with her hair as he brushed a kiss against her crown. "I want to find a right way to make this work. I don't know why but you are different to women before. Obstacles placed in our path only worked to shine a light on you as a woman and showed me so much more depth than I've experienced before. You are this amazing woman. Not just looks but your intellect. How much you care not just for your station and crew but every person, every child, every adult that crosses your path."

Richard took a small breath as he just allowed himself to open up at this point, with nothing left to loose. "I've seen you at your lowest; dealing with death and the feelings and emotions of everyone around you while not looking after yourself. And you were as beautiful in those moments are you are here today."

She looked up and smiled. Really smiled. Lifting her hand she put it at his face. "You are quite brilliant yourself. You've been this rock I could lean on, even if I didn't show I needed that support. You've been there all this time for me, even when I pushed you away," her smile faltered a bit. She felt so guilty for how she'd acted. "I know I'm sorry doesn't really cut it, I just..." she took a deep breath. "I'm just terrified."

Richard's hand moved to cup Kate's cheek. It seemed easier to talk once they continued this physical contact. It was as if his mind was clearer and words flowed more easily with a controlled contact. The heat of her skin against his was almost like a beacon. "Can you explain to me this terror?"

"I've lost so many people. not just as their commanding officer, also personal. My parents, grandparents. I know it's not logical, but opening up means I could lose another loved one. Sometimes I feel like I've gone to hell and back several times in the last decade." Kate wondered had she started rambling now? "But a wise woman said to me recently that it's better to have loved for a short time then not at all. And to be honest, I don't want to live life without you."

Richard's breath caught at the woman's final words. It was all he needed; nothing else matter once he knew that she wanted him. All the rest could take the time it needed to happen; all that mattered was her wanting him.

The man moved his fingers to under Kate's chin as he tilted her head back; claiming her lips once more in the softest, briefest and most fleeting kiss. A small reward as his emotions soared.

Breaking the kiss withing seconds, from fear of falling the wrong side of his emotions again; Richard leaned his forehead against hers once more. "One step at a time mo chroi...what matters is that we both want each other and the rest we can figure out."

Was he really saying that. She let out a breath of relieve. "But don't you think it's better to clear the air now?"

Confusion crossed Richards eyes as he kept his eyes on Kates. His other arm pulled her in close to his side; almost out of a small fear that she was trying to find a way to pull back again. "Clear the air? All that matters is working together to move forward and being on the same page. Is there something else between us that worries you?"

"Really, I've been leading you around for a year and a half and it's all forgotten." Kate asked. "Specially how Fiona hinted at the night you met with and talked to both my brother and Ron, I kinda had expected a bit more questions."

Richard felt more confusion; uncertain of where Kate was going with this. He thought that surely it was clear that none of that mattered now because they were both in agreement of their feelings for eachother. "Ah...well there seems to be two issues there. What's gone in the past is in the past; we choose to step forward on a different foot. I don't hold against you the last year and a half. Holding onto things can lead to poison developing. I'm a grown adult Kate...if you didn't mean so much to me I wouldn't have waited this long. I have ownership over that waiting period; you never led me on or promised anything. I knew I was waiting for when you were ready to let me in."

Kate couldn't help it as a tear fell from her eye. She didn't deserve him. "Thank you, for waiting. You mean so much to me as well." she let a breath escape.

Richard caught the tear with his fingertip, pressing a gentle kiss against the eye it had fallen from before pulling back to look at Kate properly as he tried to process the next part. "The night with Hawk and your brother. Your very lucky to have family like them Kate. It's so easy to tell how much they both hold you in high regard. How they speak of you and all you've been through. It's with such pride and reverence; especially David."

[TBC]

Commodore Kate Banninga
Commanding Officer
Langley Station

Commander Richard Fitzsimons
Executive Officer
Langley Station

RSS Feed