A/N: And the second part where our lovely Lucas makes an appearance ;) And welll... sexy times of course :)

2. Second Chances

It was lovely outside the gates at this time of year: the nature was fresh and lush, everything was screaming for attention with bright colors. The dinosaurs didn't come by the road much and it was easy to spot them at a distance, but Skye kept her eyes open. She missed her trips OTG, however, recognizing that she needed to live more responsively with this new chance at life. She wondered if Lucas had perhaps adopted the same pattern of thought, choosing start anew little by little.

The trip to Station Six took a little over an hour, but the drive was pleasant and the road was in good shape, so it didn't feel as long. It was interesting that Station Six was the biggest outpost they had with the dome for the botanic garden stretching over a wide area, yet it had always been quite outmanned. Skye recalled there'd been an accident there one year, a disease that had taken out most of the research team. They hadn't really been replaced, so the only people on the outpost were the visitors that came by.

Taylor had asked that the station be used only during daylight hours, which meant that everyone who had business there would drive in during the day and out before nightfall. Everyone except Lucas, who lived there full time, monitored with the tracker and the daily reports he gave.

Some people thought Taylor was nuts for giving Lucas so much leeway, basically a base of operations of his own, but Skye had realized there was no other option to mend the infected relationship besides time and distance. Besides Lucas was a genius, he did important work out there, and according to Taylor the arrangement was working out.

Skye parked the rover near the entrance of the complex, grabbing her satchel and the documents. She threw a hostile glance at the samples and decided she'd make Lucas carry them. They were his after all. She walked to the door, bracing herself with an inhale and an exhale before she rang the doorbell. Then she waited, anticipation clinging onto her body like a second skin.

A moment later she heard a click and a pull, and then the door opened. Lucas stood behind it, visibly surprised when he recognized her. His hair was messy and he looked tired. She could tell he'd worn the same clothes for awhile now, they were frumpy and full of stains. He fit the stereotype of an absent-minded scholar perfectly, if you didn't count his rugged beauty. Skye felt like sinking into his intense eyes for a moment there, having forgotten how pure their green was.

"What do I owe the pleasure?" he asked sarcastically, stepping closer to her. His voice was soft, almost caressing. Skye batted her eyes a bit in bewilderment, before she realized how scatterbrained she was acting. It woke her like a good slap in the face.

"I have a delivery for you," she said, handing him over Malcom's papers, which he took without objection. His fingers brushed against hers while he did so, and the small contact felt as electric as ever, but not as overwhelming as before – no, this was completely innocent.

Lucas read the papers she'd given him, leaning against the door frame casually. His sleeves were rolled and the top buttons of his short were open, revealing a glimpse of his chest. Skye shivered when she thought about the scars he still had to carry because of her. She was tempted to lean in and get a better look, yet chose not to. She wasn't here for that.

Lucas took his eyes from the papers now, capturing her attention fully the same instant. "Alright, you have a delivery," he said with amusement. "Now tell me why you're really here?"

Of course he just had to be as vigilant as ever, Skye thought bitterly, realizing she had no excuses for him today.

"I wanted to see you," she blurted, hoping he'd just leave it there.

Her honesty seemed to pique him even more though. "Why?" he asked her again, straightening himself, his seemingly easy-going demeanor changing with that question.

She just wasn't willing to discuss it outside, where he had the option of slamming the door to her face any moment he chose to. Skye stared right back at him, not giving him an inch of control over her.

"We can talk about that inside," she said with assertion, then adding, "But if you want me gone, just sign the form, and I'll be right on my way."

It didn't show, but she was silently begging for him not to send her on her way, not when she'd gone through all of this trouble to come here. Skye couldn't quite explain it; she just needed this right now, whatever this turned out to be.

Lucas took a moment to absorb her words, before he opened the door all the way and motioned her to step inside. "Be my guest," he said, inviting her into his evil lair.

"Actually the samples are at the rover," Skye explained and turned around, taking a few running steps to reach the rover. She was happy he'd seen the light and decided not to resist. It would make things so much easier.

She opened the side door and wrapped her arms around the container, lifting it up with great effort. He walked to her slowly, taking notice of her trouble to lift the box and then grabbed hold of it himself, removing it from her hands. He lifted the container easily, made carrying it seem like no task at all. Skye couldn't find the words to thank him, when he'd already started walking towards the complex, leaving her to stand behind alone. She paced after him though, leaving the gun in the rover.

Lucas led them down a dim corridor mutely. She sensed he was somewhat tensed though, and wondered if he got lonely here every once in awhile. Truthfully she didn't know if she could've handled living here alone. But Lucas was a whole different animal, now wasn't he? He thrived in these circumstances, probably feeling right at home.

The corridor ended and they arrived to a long lounge that was filled by sunlight and shadow. There were computers, samples, work desks and all sorts of equipment across the room. But what really caught Skye's attention was the glass doors that connected to the garden outside. It looked so bright and heavenly out there, she could see the plants and flowers.

Lucas put down the container on one of the desks and glanced at her, realizing she was captivated by the garden outside. He didn't say anything for a moment, just admired her. Skye looked as beautiful as always, and was probably still unaware of her own attractiveness. She looked natural, unspoiled by makeup and other feminine tricks. To him it was what made her so alluring.

"I'm surprised," Lucas confessed, waking her from her thoughts. "I didn't think you'd just show up here alone on a day like this."

So he knew what day it was. Obviously it'd been on his mind too, Skye figured.

"It must be something pretty important for you to come here." Lucas had to force himself to remain civil, to keep distance, even when he wanted to call her Bucket, pretend she was here to be with him. He'd fallen prey to his desires before and had no intention of doing so again. One of the things he'd learned out here was restraint, self-control. She could be so treacherous when she wanted to, despite her sunny personality.

Skye knew this was her chance, but the words were somehow lost to her. What would she say? How could she just bring it up?

"Don't you get lonely here?" Skye asked, running her fingers over the edge of one of the tables as she approached him. Lucas stood in the shadow while she was embraced by the sunlight. She wanted to pull him outside with her; she didn't like this newly-found reserve for her. The Lucas she knew didn't care what others thought, he did what he wanted to.

Lucas looked at her even more surprised. "I came here willingly," he claimed, amused by her. He honestly didn't get what she was trying to achieve this time.

"Doesn't it get tiresome? Working on something single-mindedly without any chance to unwind?" she wondered, knowing he was putting on a brave act. The card was her proof that even the great Lucas Taylor wanted company, her company. Not too many people did nowadays.

He chuckled and stepped forward, approaching the twin doors to the garden outside. "I'm learning other things and when I'm done, there'll be even less traffic through here," he noted dryly, clearly meaning gardening with his 'other things'.

It sparked a careful smile on her face, "You? A botanist?" She couldn't imagine him, a physicist for crying out loud, tending to living things.

Lucas didn't pay attention to her disbelief; he eyed the garden with serene eyes, actually giving credit to the claim that he was perfectly happy here. It didn't feel right though, didn't fit with the picture.

Skye walked up to him, asking gingerly, "Would you show me?"

Lucas didn't need to be asked twice. He was secretly enjoying every moment of her company. It hadn't been easy to be at the colony after they'd found him. The hostility towards him had been intense, and the gunshot wound had made him weak, bound to his bed. He'd drifted between consciousness and sleep, usually guarded by his own father, but now and then he'd woken up and seen her by his bed. He'd feigned unconscious of course, curious how she could look at him like that after shooting him. She'd treated him like anyone else, mumbled words of regret while she'd thought he wasn't listening.

And once he'd been mobile again, she'd vanished. Just seeing her had been enough to ruin his calm, rekindle those painful feelings again, so he had chosen to come here. His father had approved, naming a few conditions like a weekly report by video and the demand that Lucas needed to make himself useful. But now she was here again, acting like she wanted to be around him, when he so painfully recalled her pulling away from his touch, telling him to stop, and tricking him into an ambush.

He guided them outside to the narrow fairways between the segments where plant life grew. Much of this had been the work of others and they brought in new variety at least once a month, but Lucas had had his own handprint here too. It had been Doctor Kayla's idea that he work in the garden since he was already here, although it hadn't taken long for Lucas to realize that her specialty wasn't plants, but people. The low-key way she approached him every time she came to visit though had made him accept the fact that his father had hired a specialist to visit him. Sometimes they didn't talk at all and sometimes – when he was on a good mood – he told her about things on his mind.

Skye loved the garden; it was so beautiful and alive. She'd lean in and sniff the flowers, or observe how vicious some of the less harmless strains were. They walked for a few minutes, neither of them speaking. Then she noticed the lilies and rushed towards them. Elizabeth had been correct: they did grow here. She studied them, finding an empty spot in their midst, proof that someone had disturbed the flowerbed recently.

Finding courage in the light of the evidence she turned to him, asking, "Why did you send me those flowers?"

Lucas didn't seem to know what she was talking about though. "I'm sorry, what?" he asked, uninterested in the topic and more interested with his impulse to frame her face, to kiss her.

Skye couldn't believe he was still dancing around this, so she dug up the card from her pocket and handed it to him defiantly. "Look, I know the flowers came from you. And that card has been on my mind all day," she told him, hoping he'd give up the act and just tell her.

Lucas took the card in his hand, a frown soon appearing on his face as he began reading. Then he burst into a mocking laughter, "This is really tacky, Bucket," he told her, her nickname slipping by his censorship unnoticed.

Seconds later he took notice of the way she was looking at him: eyes wide, demanding for answers. His smile vanished. "You honestly think I wrote this?" he asked, unable to connect the dots here.

Skye was so angry, so pissed that he couldn't just stop playing games. She pointed at the lilies behind them with her hand, her face showing off her extreme vexation. "Lucas the flowers came from there, I can see you took them," she sighed with annoyance.

Lucas was serious now, still holding onto the card and trying to understand what the hell was going on. He snorted at her, shoving the card back into her hands. "It's not my style," he explained, tired of her accusations already.

"Well it's your scene," Skye argued back, hands on her hips, those smooth lips pursed slightly. He loved it when she took charge, how her body looked like it was meant to be held, caressed.

"I know how you feel about me, Lucas," she continued, suddenly sensitive and anxious. She didn't know this Lucas, who wouldn't say things the way they were. Did he honestly not feel attracted to her anymore?

He didn't care if he was reading into things wrong again, or if it was just a sick game to satisfy her ego. Lucas took her face into his hands and kissed her, relishing the feeling of her lips beneath his. He'd dreamed of this for so long, spent countless nights lying awake, wondering how things could've gone if she'd just let him love her. She opened her lips like she was trying to say something, yet he used the opportunity to deepen their kiss with his tongue. He felt her sink, give up and just enjoy the feeling.

All rational thought flew out the window when he kissed her. It was so different from what she'd imagined, so exhilarating. These sensations were crashing against her body, arousal on top of everything. It wasn't a chaste kiss like with Josh; it was something hungry and passionate. It left her loopy, a little elated, and definitely wanting for more.

Lucas finally parted their lips, hoping he wouldn't see her pull away with hurt, take his affection and spit it right back. She was still standing when they stopped, his second hand having slid down to her waist; it was keeping her up. She relished his taste, trying her hardest to recall what she'd been so angry about. All she could think was the way he looked at her, as if waiting for her to storm off. He was vulnerable.

"That's how I feel about you, Bucket," he told her huskily, his breath stolen by her charms. "But I didn't send you anything, and I didn't write that note."

Skye blinked in shock, believing him now. She'd driven all this way here and for the wrong man. Yet she didn't want to leave now, not even if she'd come here under false pretense. The person who'd sent her the gift had been a coward, something Lucas had never been with her. Then reality reared its ugly head and she was reminded by all the reasons she should hate him: the threats on her mother, the occupation, nearly killing Washington, and stabbing his own father.

Skye pulled away, hating how good his arms had felt. Lucas sighed with disappointment immediately, returning to his formal coldness to protect himself. "Yes, I'm the bastard who cares for you. Go run and find that mystery Valentine of yours," he cursed bitterly.

"Screw that!" Skye snapped at him, her anger rising again. "I don't care who it is."

"Then why did you come here?" he asked with a grin, although you could tell from his voice that he was extremely irritated. She kept sending him mixed signals, and his brain couldn't keep up – not that he'd ever been that good at deciphering human behavior anyway.

Skye wanted to wipe that grin off his face. How could someone grin like that, and then talk with a completely opposite tone of voice. "Because I thought it was you!" she shouted, throwing her hands in the air.

"I thought you might be a decent human being underneath. But you're the same sick bastard that threatened my mom, stabbed my foster father, invaded my home and wouldn't take a 'no' when I said it," she ranted, a hurtful tone creeping into her voice. She even managed to upset herself.

Because she realized she had missed him all these months. Every piece of information Taylor had given her had made her more and more lonely. She'd been by his bedside, praying he wouldn't die, that she wouldn't be a killer. All she'd wanted was to protect Taylor, not harm Lucas. As crazy as it was, she'd felt his pain despite everything that went around them. Perhaps it made her betrayal even worse.

"For the record," Lucas said, defending himself for once, "I was never going to hurt your mother. Yes, I lied to get your help. And I'm not…," he paused for a second, having trouble acknowledging he'd made a mistake, "I'm not proud. I regret that."

His apology diminished her doubts somewhat, made her recognize that the Lucas she'd met all those months ago wouldn't have said these words to her. But there was so much other shit between them, actions he'd done willingly. How could let herself fall for such a man?

Skye swallowed painfully, her throat feeling unusually dry. She didn't know how to respond, what to do. So she turned on her heels and started walking away. Lucas followed her only a few steps behind, trying to catch up, but she kept quickening her paste until they were back inside, and she remembered that he hadn't signed the paper yet. God damnit!

Lucas noticed how she froze when she was about to grab the papers and run off, and it calmed him down. He had leverage; he could keep her here for a little while.

"I hear he talks to you all time, that you're doing well," he said, recalling his most recent conversation with his father, how Taylor would drown him in details of Skye. How he could tell his father cared for her well being like she was his daughter for real.

Skye really didn't want to get into this with him, not when that kiss had put a dent in her armor and made her realize this growing attraction. "The reason I don't have a Valentine is because I'm a traitor," she confessed, knowing she couldn't speak about this with that many people. "I'm still lumped with the rest of you, on constant probation, and on everyone's target list."

She sounded sad, regretful. Well he wasn't. He would've never met her if she hadn't been in that position.

Skye offered him the papers, eyes begging. "Please just sign it."

He couldn't, he wouldn't. Despite the tacky gesture, Lucas really wished he had sent those flowers. He wished he had told her how sorry he was. He wished there was something he could do to make her see he'd changed.

"I'm sorry, for everything." He finally caved in, unable to keep the words inside. She could laugh all she wanted, tear him to pieces, but at least he'd said it.

Her hand shook a bit, her eyes were cast down. She listened to him though, every wall she tried to build collapsing under his stare. She felt that incredible feeling again, his affection. The conflict within her was becoming unbearable.

Lucas inched closer to her, bringing his finger beneath her chin to lift her face so he could see into her eyes. What he saw surprised him: it was a love restrained, right there in her gaze. She fought so hard not to show it, not to give in, but deep down she was already his, had been for a long time now. The confession hung between them unsaid, as Lucas moved his hand to her cheek, caressing her soft skin patiently and waiting for her to say it.

His touch felt good; it was the kind of natural spark she'd seen with Kara and Josh. She didn't need to envy anymore, she actually had it here all along, lying in wait. Skye pressed into his touch lightly, watching Lucas drown in happiness now that she reciprocated his affection. She put down the paper silently, taking hold on his wrist, as he continued to stroke her cheek. Her grip was tender, she relished the feel. And his green eyes sparked with desire and need.

When she pushed herself against him, rising on her toes to meet his lips, he was caught spinning. His hand slid to her neck, he grabbed a hold of her hair, so smooth and silky between his fingers. Skye kissed him fiercely, really allowing herself to enjoy every aspect of him: his feel, his taste, his smell. She wrapped her arms around him, holding onto him with the unexplained fear that he would disappear if she let go. Her lips quivered, when he broke contact to inhale. Everything around them was darkness, and this was light.

"Stay with me," Lucas whispered, the sound of his voice eliciting her wishes.

"I will," she promised him, smiling sweetly.

Her fingers slid roughly across his chest, a nail grazing his skin, causing him to grimace with pain. Her hand stopped and she looked at the spot, the flesh marked by her. Lucas saw what she was looking at, his hand retreating from her hair. He began opening his shirt to show her. Skye sucked her bottom lip in anticipation and watched as he revealed the scars to her. Her hand found the stigma of his gunshot wound once the shirt was open, and she covered it, anguish visible on her face.

"I did this," she told him, her voice tainted by sorrow. She wanted to cover the scar with her hands, and find healthy skin beneath them through some miracle.

"No one's ever given me a scar like that," he simply smiled, completely smitten, no longer blaming her for what had happened.

Skye leaned in to kiss his scar, her lips caressing scar tissue and the sensitive skin around it. It felt insanely good; he could barely keep himself from pulling her away. His hands were on her shoulders, squeezing her and then falling, when she finally stopped. He watched her pull off her shirt, reveal herself only for his eyes. Lucas threw his shirt off as well, admiring her beautiful frame.

He took her hand, yanked her into motion and walked her by another table. Lucas swept the table clean of equipment with his hand, making room for them. Skye opened her pants, wriggling out of them, guessing full well what he had on his mind. Their eyes met again with them communicating silently, and she wrapped her hands around his neck, as he grabbed hold of her and helped lift her on the table.

He pushed between her thighs, snuggling his face in her neck, leaving small kisses across its side. His hand worked behind her back to release the hook of her bra, while his free hand held her neck. He nibbled her skin with his lips, murmuring something she couldn't quite make out, seduction of the edge of his tongue, despite knowing she didn't need that to give in to him – not anymore. His hand finally got her bra open, and his fingers helped slide it off her.

Lucas stopped to look at her, aroused further by this sight. Skye sat in front of him, wearing only her panties now, and she was so delicate, his desire come flesh. And she saw the effects of her nakedness in the way he was lost for a moment, just watching, perfectly content. He was ready to fall apart and be undone just by looking at her. Skye was the sun, burning hotter and hotter the closer he got, yet he didn't care if her shine would blind him. He no longer had the willpower to pull away.

Skye felt his arousal now, it pressed against her thigh eagerly, and she felt a low laugh bubble in her throat, her happiness given voice. With a wink she began working on his belt, opening it and then unzipping his pants.

The action woke him from his trance, a smile curving on his lips as well. Lucas cupped her breast, finding it so perfect in his hand, the way it fit. He rubbed her nipples, pink and hard in his hand. The friction felt heavenly, he teased her towards release. She moaned, her body recoiling unintentionally at the savage sensations. Her desire had never been this powerful, so overwhelming. Her heart was drumming loudly, met only in intensity by the throbbing need between her legs.

She released his pants, pulling them down until they slid off to his ankles. Lucas stepped out of them hastily, holding back a convulsion, as she rubbed his length through his underwear with her hand. Skye just smirked at him, knowing she was doing everything he wanted and more. She wanted to return the favor, drown them both in passion until they could just sink happily and with no regrets.

She was ready, tugging at his waistband playfully, her eyes asking for permission. And everything about her was so soft and inviting, too good to exist. Her skin against his made everything burn, his every sense was clouded by her. Lucas slid his hands on her waist and then down, his fingers clasping her underwear as they slid down, pulling it way along with his hands. She leaned back on her hands, lifted her ass just enough for him to pull her underwear away. And she yanked his down fast, excited. He was hungry for her magic, that spark she lit in her.

She moved closer, his length teasing her entrance. He braced her, tying his hands on her sides, keeping her still. She gave him a slight nod, and he entered her, eliciting a moan from her lips. At first she felt a slight sensation of discomfort in her pelvis, and then he started to move, pressing into her, reaching that sweet spot she was no stranger to. Her hands sought his shoulders, she grasped onto them, her nails digging into his skin.

The pain sparked in his eyes, made him quicken his movement. She moved along, pressing into him with each thrust, her breasts bouncing along the movement, until he could ignore them no more. One hand closed around her left breast, kneading it. His breathing grew faster along with the release building inside. His eyes remained fixated on her though, her pleasure being his priority. He knew she was guiding him to the right place, the right way. So he continued rocking, feeling her move in unison with him towards satisfaction.

She kissed him suddenly, devouring his lips, breathing his name. Lucas sunk faster than he would've liked; he lost control in a blaze and then sweet emotions rushed through him, leaving him full. Skye eyed him curiously as he came, entranced by the view of him so vulnerable.

Lucas didn't stop though, a small hint of resistance visible in his eyes. He lowered his hand, bringing his thumb to her clit and rubbed it slowly, watching her reactions carefully. Skye threw her head back in pleasure, her moans becoming more frequent. He could feel her nails draw blood, yet it only urged him to push her further, until she tensed with a gasp, suddenly freezing still and releasing him.

Lucas caught her as she relaxed, her muscles giving in, her release rushing through her. He pulled out of her, taking her into his embrace with a smile. Her head rested against his head, her eyes weary and body sated. He drew her closer to him, asked her to hold on. Skye wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands twining around his neck while she smiled to his chest. He picked her up, carrying them both towards his quarters for rest.

A moment later they were already slumped together beneath the covers, half asleep, half awake. She rested in his arms, forgetting all about her delivery and timetable or the fact that he still had no signed the papers and Lucas had no intention of reminding her just yet…

Skye woke up sometime later, alone in his bed, wrapped in a blanket. It took her a moment to place everything and even then she still blushed at the thought of what she'd just done. It was official though, she was in love with him, had been for some time now. She'd just fought it, tried to hide it somewhere deep inside.

She sat up, still holding the blanket on her to keep the chill away. Her eyes discovered her underwear and clothes on a chair near-by, but became more fixated on one of his shirts. She decided to put on her panties and bra and then his clean shirt. His shirt was a bit large for her, its hem covering her thighs half-way. She desperately wanted a shower before putting her own clothes back on. Without further ado, she set off to find him, sneaking silently in the corridor.

Lucas was in the main lounge, leaning against his desk, fully clothed and somewhat serious. He was looking at something, she realized while she tiptoed around. A frown came next, as she approached him from his side and couldn't see yet what he was looking at. Then it suddenly became all too clear, as Taylor's face appeared into view on the wall, and Skye realized she'd walked into a video conversation.

Her expression was priceless, when she realized Taylor had noticed her too and was looking straight at her. Like a deer caught in headlights, she froze completely, not having considered she'd need to deal with him right away. Lucas also noticed his father's gaze was fixated on something else for a change, and he turned with a frown that turned into panic, when he saw her standing behind him.

"I see," Taylor said with a dry tone, "She's outside, prepping the rover to head back."

Lucas had lied to his father to cover her ass, Skye realized. She wanted to kick herself and tried to run off next, only to get stopped by Taylor's voice. "Skye, please come forth."

And like a good soldier, she walked right back into view, making her way to Lucas' side. She then leaned against the desk, defeated. "Commander," she said, noticing how the tension was strong enough to be cut with a knife.

Lucas had crossed his arms across his chest; he didn't reach for her, or show any signs of affection. She felt abandoned, but realized why he was doing this. This time she really hoped she would've had the foresight to at least wear some pants.

"So," Taylor said with a hint of amusement. "Did you bring a gun?" he asked next, alarming her already.

Not knowing what to say, Skye gave Lucas a careful glance from her eye corner, hoping he'd tell her what the hell she should say. His eyes were fixated on his father though, so she got no help from there.

"Yeah, it's back at the rover," she explained, trying to keep her tone light and conversational.

"Good. Why don't you go get it, dear?" Taylor instructed her, the underlying message quite clear. Skye chose to follow his command this time, eager to slip away at the first given chance. She made a bewildered nod at the Commander and fled towards the corridor, not looking back.

"Is she gone?" Taylor asked some seconds later, his expressing softening already. Lucas looked at him with bored disdain, tilting his head at the direction she'd fled in. He heard the door close and then gave a nod.

"Are you going to ask her to shoot me?" Lucas asked his father, disbelief all over his voice. Taylor just smiled back, relaxed and easy-going. Yeah, it was just as Lucas had thought.

"It was your bright idea to send her the flowers, wasn't it?" he asked, not knowing whether he should be grateful or pissed off. There'd been no way of knowing she'd link it to Lucas after all.

"The card was a bit tacky," he then added, realizing he couldn't blame his old man for this stunt, not when it'd brought her to him so brilliantly.

Taylor rolled his eyes. "I thought it was tacky too," he then admitted, shooting a blaming look off-camera.

"Washington wrote it?" Lucas guessed, the idea immediately feeling quite solid to him.

"It worked, didn't it?" a disembodied female voice commented on their conversation, bringing Taylor to a full-on smile. Lucas just shook his head slightly; unconvinced with the way these adults were interfering with his life. It felt good to know they cared though, even if it had been an elaborate ruse that had conveyed this caring.

"So you should probably send her back soon. It'll get dark in a little over an hour," Taylor said a-matter-of-factly, gaining an instant reaction from Lucas. His cold expression shattered, leaving behind worry and passion.

"I'd like to keep her for the night," he commented, not believing he had to ask his father for permission. The humiliation was all over him, but the prize was good enough to withstand it.

"Fine," Taylor admitted. "But she's driving back first thing in the morning."

Taylor was still acting like a protective father figure, even when it'd been him, who'd pushed them together in the first place. Lucas feared he'd never grow to understand that man. He was glad he didn't have to.

"Of course," he said, fully intending to allow that little detail to slip his mind too. Maybe he'd hold her here for a few days. The jungle was so dangerous, the rover could malfunction and it would be irresponsible to leave her outside in the cold. Anything could happen really…

Skye jogged back to him, this time wearing pants and holding the gun in her hand. She sat on the desk and showed the gun to Taylor, pursing her lips in disapproval. "What now?" she asked, fully expecting things to get ugly.

"It's probably better you don't drive back tonight. It'll be pretty dark if you leave now. So you're going to sleep over and use that gun on him if he gets too frisky," Taylor advised with a strange gleam in his eyes while he spoke to her. Skye wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but something was definitely going on.

But she had no objections to his instructions this time, so she nodded faithfully, accepting this for now.

"Alright, I will," she said with twisted delight, feeling Lucas stiffen next to her, clearly thinking she might actually shoot him again.

"Don't worry Commander," Lucas said, finding an ounce of his famous arrogance, "I'll look after our Skye."

"You do that," Taylor said to them, and cut the connection.

Skye was left staring at the blank screen suspiciously. "Something's up with him," she observed, gun sitting on her lap. It took her a second to notice Lucas was eyeing the gun and her in turns.

"Like I would shoot you again," she complained, finding his worry endearing.

"You just might. You're very unpredictable," he joked with a serious tone, almost fooling her.

Skye pumped her shoulder against his gently. "I bet this calculation just drives you crazy," she twisted the word crazy with a hiss, looking straight at him.

"Oh, you can believe it," Lucas responded, recalling the times he couldn't make any sense of her. Now he knew he didn't have to. He already had her heart.

Then she was already kissing him, lifting the gun from her lap to the table, where it lay forgotten as they were lost in kisses for the rest of the evening.

-fin