Title: Honoring the Memory

Author: Dontia

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

Spoilers: Includes things from 1947 in Season 2.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Tess and Michael do Veteran’s day.

Notes: Sequel to "Defining"

Feedback: It keeps me writing and thinking of new stories.

***************************************

Tess shifts the grocery bag in her arms so she can knock on Michael’s apartment door.

"What’re you doin’ here?" asks Michael as he opens the door.

"Nice to see you too. Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Tess moves inside and puts her bag on the counter.

Michael gestures to the bag. "What’s in there?"

"The ingredients you told me to get. Remember, you’re gonna teach me to cook."

"Damn Tess, I’m sorry."

"You forgot?"

"Yeah. I need to finish this painting tonight so I can mail it."

"Who are you mailin’ it to?"

"Remember I told you about Hal, the old guy who told me about the crash? I’m sendin’ the painting to him. Don’t tell Max or Isabel."

"You still haven’t told them you told Hal about us?"

"Not yet, I’m waiting for the right time."

"You just don’t wanna get into it with Max."

"Maxwell has nothin’ to say about it. He told Liz."

"Yeah, but he justifies it by saying she’s his soulmate."

"Whatever. I trust Hal to keep our secret."

"What’s the painting of?"

"The New Mexico desert. He has a lot of bad memories of this place. I thought it’d be nice to give him a good memory for the holiday."

"What holiday?"

"Veteran’s Day. It celebrates people who fought for and died for this country."

"Good holiday."

"What, no moral objections like you had to Halloween?"

"Of course not. They’re honoring their warriors, people who fought for their freedom. I wonder if there’s a holiday like that on our planet."

"If not, we should instate one when we get there."

"Course, since we’re the Royal Four, the conquering heroes, it might seem a little self-serving if we bring it up."

"It might. We’ll do the cooking lesson another time."

"All right, finish your painting." Tess leans up and kisses Michael’s cheek. "See you later. Keep the food."

She leaves. Michael stares after her, not sure what, if anything, just happened.

***************************************

THE END