Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven
By: Jayce
  Sometimes it felt good just to be lazy.

  Niko stretched like a cat in her hammock on the balcony, feeling pleasantly drowsy in the early evening twilight after sleeping the warm afternoon away. She wore a long violet summer dress, silver wrap-around belt, and beaded anklet of semiprecious stones on her left foot.

  It had been a rough past month, going on mission after mission with hardly a break. Much as she loved being a Galaxy Ranger in general and part of the Series Five team in particular, she needed some time off -- badly.

  Commander Walsh had ordered the group to take a few days' "compassionate leave" to recharge their batteries. She suspected it was more to keep them from babysitting Senator Wheiner's latest pet project than anything else, but was grateful anyway. Zach had gone off to see his kids while Doc made some suitably joking comments about looking up old female acquaintances. As for Goose, he'd barely said goodbye before taking off on Triton to explore the wildlife preserves near BETA Mountain. To each their own, though she hoped the Supertrooper was all right; he only checked in to report his whereabouts.

  Her comm system chose at that moment to activate. "Niko, you in there?"

  "Sure, Shane, c'mon in." Rising gracefully out of her napping place, she walked down the hall and stairs to greet her friend. She studied him with sharp green eyes: the casual black duds thankfully meant that this was a social call. "What's up?"

  "Besides us?" he grinned, looking around the place. It always amazed him that someone so young could have such an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts -- Niko must have traveled across half the League to get all that stuff!

  "In other words, the lady's buying," she chuckled. Motioning him over to the couch, she went to the kitchen and poured a couple tall glasses of her patented iced tea/lemonade mix. "Have fun out there?" she asked, taking the drinks over.

  He smiled gratefully and downed half the glass in one gulp while she sat next to him and sipped hers. "Eh, mostly same old, same old. Triton insisted on chasing a herd of mustangs and nearly got us lost in the Grand Canyon, but it was worth it for the view. You know how it is; I just had to get away for a while."

  "Yes," she nodded. "I needed some time alone, too. Gave me a chance to meditate, sleep, listen to music."

  He raised an eyebrow. "What, you like chants and that Old New Age stuff?"

  "Sometimes," she grinned, "but lately I've had a craving for retro-rock. I like to listen or dance to it. Got some good selections, if you're interested..." she trailed off, flushing. I hope that didn't sound like what I think it sounded like!

  Goose saw her reaction and grinned. She's cute when she's embarrassed. "Sounds great. Do you dance a lot?"

  "Off and on when I was at the Academy. Nowadays, I only do it when I'm in the mood and by myself," she admitted, setting her drink down and heading for the stereo.

  "No way! Half the Rangers 'round these parts would love to dance with you," he exclaimed in a surprised tone.

  She smiled wistfully, facing the controls. "If that's true, there are a lot of shy people at BETA Mountain." She punched a few buttons and walked back.

  "Their loss," he snorted, studying her as he put his glass on an end table. Risking it all, which was his specialty, Goose stood up as the first notes echoed through the hidden speakers and held out his right hand. Funny, his heart only pounded that hard in the training sessions. "Shall we dance, milady?"

  Niko blinked and took it with her left hand. If my heart beats any faster, I'll keel over! "I'd like that," she smiled nervously, stepping closer.

  He took the lead, gently bringing their clasped hands to his shoulder as his left hand came to rest on her waist. Her right hand in turn settled on his ribs. They moved at a slow, deliberate pace, her eyes locked on his chest while he gazed at her russet red hair.

  Her emerald gaze met his in an impish, teasing challenge. Goose's eyes grinned back at her as they danced around the couch, neatly dodging the tables.

  As the music picked up, their moves became more energetic. They made their way to the upper deck, twisting and turning in perfect synch as they started to laugh. Niko loved seeing Goose relax; he rarely got the chance to kick back.

  When they reached the stairs to the second floor, Niko surprised him by climbing them in a smooth side-stepping motion learned from her martial arts classes. He changed his steps to match hers. They moved slightly apart, hands remaining clasped in the middle while going up.

  Millions of stars and the First Quarter Moon shone in a darkening indigo-violet sky as they hugged each other. They swayed to the quiet beat, going down a windowed hall towards the balcony.

  They stopped just short of the opened doors, continuing their slow moves in the shadows.

  Goose suddenly twirled Niko into the moonlight. Her body was covered in a mystical blue-white aura as the long violet skirt billowed out. He gently pulled her back-first into his body, clasping his hands around her waist.

  Both were content to simply be together as the last parts of the song played out. More stars appeared as they watched the velvet-black sky.

  "If this is what Heaven's like, I never want to leave," Goose smiled into Niko's hair.

  She took a deep breath, then relaxed against his torso. "Me neither, Shane. Me neither," she softly whispered, squeezing his clasped hands with both of hers.

  Time ceased to have meaning as they stood there, making the moment last. Other, quieter songs played in the background, but they paid them no heed. They knew that they would have to go back on duty soon, risking their lives for the sake of Truth, Justice, and the League of Planets. But for now, they drew strength from each other, silently agreeing to take things slow.

  Goose and Niko knew that they would share many more dances in the future.

  And, eventually, they would create their own Heaven on Earth that no one could take away.

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