This chapter takes place right before Ch55 of SFTD.

It was Fal-Mai's day to be with Eliza, and she was more nervous than she'd ever been.

She'd already watched as Bradford walked out of the room, almost reluctantly. Fal-Mai knew she'd stay as long as she could if she was allowed, so she didn't blame him one bit. It just meant that now she had to climb the stairs to the Commander's Quarters and walk down the hallway, anticipation rising. It was with a gently shaking hand that she tapped the pad to open the door.

Fal-Mai's heart stilled as she looked into the room. There Eliza was, lounged on the bed, smiling over at her-only in a shirt and underwear. Fal-Mai had seen her in less, she supposed, but this was... different. She was seeing Eliza as a lover now, not as her blade. She still was, but...

"Everything alright, Fals?"

Eliza's voice broke her hesitation, and she swallowed, walking into the room further. "I..." Best to be honest. "I'm nervous, Eliza. What if-what if I am not enough?"

She quirked an eyebrow, patting the bed as the Assassin approached. "Not enough... what?"

"It's..." Fal-Mai gave a hum of mild frustration, wringing the end of her turtleneck. "It's hard to explain... I do not feel as if I am worthy of you. So I feel like I am not enough of a lover?"

"Oh, Fal-Mai..." Eliza's face softened, and she beckoned again. "Come here." When Fal-Mai did, sitting down on the bed, the Commander came over and hugged her. "Don't try to be 'enough' for me. I fell in love with you as you were, and as you are."

Some of her worries eased, but something still ate at her. She returned Eliza's hug. "I suppose... I am just lost. I think I can say I have never experienced any kind of love before-and I have certainly never received and been in the position to return romantic love. I... I want to return your affections, physically, but I don't know what to do."

Eliza pulled back enough to look up at Fal-Mai. "I think it's something you kind of feel more than you can be told. We've got an hour to ourselves, Fal-Mai-I can show up late to breakfast. What do you want to do?"

What did Fal-Mai want to do? She looked at Eliza, almost wishing for instruction. This was completely unfamiliar territory for her. Fal-Mai did have something to go off of, at least; what did she feel like she wanted to do with Eliza? As she looked at her, the love of her life... well. Fal-Mai deepened the hug, leaning down and kissing Eliza's forehead. In return, Eliza pressed one to her jaw, causing a spike of new feelings. Fal-Mai's sensitive skin practically tingled where Eliza's lips had been-and she made an appropriate noise of surprise.

Chuckling, Eliza's hand stroked Fal-Mai's side. "Did you like that?"

Fal-Mai could feel her face heat up. "S-so much more than 'like.'" Fal-Mai wanted more. She squeezed Eliza, tilting towards the bed. Eliza took the hint and fell with her, leaving them both lying down on it. Her neck... Fal-Mai wanted to kiss Eliza's neck. Gently, she moved her way down, hands planted on her lover's back. Her lips found their way to the crook of Eliza's neck, heart turning circles at the noise she made in response. For a moment, Fal-Mai just... stopped, there. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead into Eliza's skin, breathing gently. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she felt both excited and at peace. This was somewhere she truly belonged, so close to the one she loved.

As she laid there, Fal-Mai could feel Eliza's hands smoothing over her turtleneck-down her sides and over her back. Even though the fabric, it was like Eliza was leaving little lightning trails on her skin, making Fal-Mai squeeze Eliza more in response to the feeling. She could hardly imagine what it would be like to have the shirt out of the way! It would be vastly overwhelming and Fal-Mai... Fal-Mai wanted it, but knew it would be too much at the moment. Even the muted feeling of Eliza's touch was giving her nervous energy. Her fingers pressed into Eliza's back uncertainly. What did she want to do with her hands...?

Slowly, Fal-Mai took her left hand away from Eliza's back. Her fingers trailed down her side before she huffed in minor annoyance. She still had the glove on. Bringing her hands together, she quickly tugged it off, pausing as her skin was exposed to the open air. Resting her palm on Eliza's side again, the texture of her shirt wasn't unpleasant. But it certainly wasn't the only thing she was there to feel-even as the fabric pressed against Fal-Mai's skin, she could also feel the Commander's heat. She felt so relatively cool, like a gentle warmth against Fal-Mai's hand. Fal-Mai's fingers traced lightly up and down Eliza's side, simply trying to get used to the feeling of the fabric.

Meanwhile, Eliza wasn't still. She had rested her head against Fal-Mai's, one arm staying around her, the other hand coming up and running her thumb over Fal-Mai's cheek. Fal-Mai hoped Eliza could feel the way her smile creased her cheek, could know just how happy Eliza made her. But Fal-Mai couldn't rest with just hoping. "Eliza. I... I don't think I can ever properly express my love for you. I could tell you I loved you for the rest of my immortal life and it would never come close to what I feel for you. That is why I feel I am not enough, because I will never truly approach telling you just how much you mean to me. I love you. I love you."

Eliza's response was to pull back, initially worrying Fal-Mai-worries that were quickly quashed once Eliza's lips met hers and she closed her eyes, simply drinking in the moment. The Commander eventually parted, leaving Fal-Mai to open her eyes and look into Eliza's as the latter smiled warmly. "-I honestly wish I had something so pretty like that to say back. I love you from the bottom of my soul, Fal-Mai, and I'll never stop being able to say that. You have my love, and always will, no matter what happens between us. And I'll say that as many times as you need to hear it to believe it."

Oh, Fal-Mai loved Eliza so much. She went back to nuzzling Eliza's neck, closing her eyes in bliss. "Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. I would be lost without you, lost without being able to be here, in this moment in time." Fal-Mai pressed her face into her. "... can we stay here? I know there are things to be done, but for the hour... I just want this. I just want to prove to myself that this is real."

She could feel Eliza kissing her head. "Of course, and I'm happy to have you as part of mine, Fal-Mai. Let's enjoy the morning."

As Fal-Mai took in a deep breath and felt a brief nap coming on, she knew she'd do just that.