Written for the '101 ways to snog en route to a colony' fanfiction and fanart challenge. Please visit the archive at http://happyfangirl.org/snogs/ and take a look at the contributions so far, then write/draw your own!
It came to her as she sat by an open window one day, with the sun pouring in and lighting her golden hair, and a soft breeze skimming the surface of her coffee, and stroking the downy hairs of her face; she had a realisation. Just a quiet one, of the sort that people have, from time to time, and that feels a little like turning the page of a book to discover that the word that comes next is 'tomorrow'.
She considered her newfound understanding for a while, then stretched back in her chair, a lazy grin on her face, and closed her eyes to take a midday nap.
The following morning, she handed in her notice at work, and a fortnight later, she packed up her bags and set off for the nearest shuttle port.
The first available flight was to an L4 Colony, where she had never been before. She bought a ticket, then settled down in the port's crowded café to wait. A friend of a friend caught her eye, and they chatted for a while, until his companions returned from the gift shop, laden down with cheap plastic souvenirs to remind them of their time on Earth, at which point he had to take his leave.
An announcement sounded, and she stood, and made her way to the boarding area, handing over her luggage for an employee to toss onto a shaky pile of rucksacks and cases in the depths of the shuttle underbelly as she went, before making her way onto the craft and into her seat.
The take-off was smooth, and soon she was being served herbal tea by a pretty flight attendant whose face she remembered, but could not place. Time passed, as it must, and the attendant returned, and said, "Hey, don't you work with the guy who once saved my life?"
"I don't think so," she laughed, "I quit."
"Yeah?"
"Uhuh. Just realised something, and knew I had to leave." She squinted at her companion for a second. "It's Hilde, isn't it? You look different."
"Well, over ten years, it's natural to go to twenty-five from fifteen. And, since you're not wearing a name-badge, I guess I'll have to ask your name."
"Ah! You caught me!"
Hilde grinned, and took an empty seat. "You don't seem to mind being caught. Now, name, please, or shall I just introduce you to friends as 'she'?"
"It's Po. Sally Po."
"So, Mistress Po, did you really think you could outsmart me?"
"Well, not really. To be honest, I wasn't thinking at all; certain parts of my brain have a tendency to shut down in the presence of pretty girls." Sally drawled, twisting her body round so that she was face to face with Hilde, her right arm resting upon the left armrest, supporting some of her weight as she leaned in close.
"Oh, smooth! So, did you really quit Preventers, or are you just working undercover, trying to seduce me for information?"
"I really quit. Although, that second option doesn't sound half bad."
Hilde groaned. "What is it that makes me feel I'm playing the girl here?"
"Perhaps it's the job? Come to think of it, shouldn't you be working?"
"Nah. I get breaks for being chatted up by sexy government agents."
"How lucky for you that one happened to show up."
"Guess so. Still, that doesn't mean I'm not mad for being treated like some kind of female."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'd probably treat you exactly the same if you were a male," Sally said, with a smile.
"Oh, so now I'm the guy? That's even worse than being the girl!"
"You'd prefer to be some kind of genderless alien? Are you sure? You do realise, they don't have half as much fun."
"You're calling this fun?"
"Well, I don't know." Sally tilted her head, and pressed her lips to Hilde's, in a half-tender, half-fiery kiss. "You tell me."
"Mmmmmm," Hilde brought up a hand to touch Sally's face, and brush away stray wisps of hair. "You're good at that," -- they kissed again -- "Now... What was it you realised -- what are you *really* doing here?"
Sally paused for a moment, and then said, "Well, it was really very simple..."
"Oh?"
"Yep... I realised I wasn't happy. So I thought I'd go somewhere new, to see if I could be."
Hilde turned her gaze away, to the blackness of space outside the window. "Think you'll have any luck?"
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and suddenly, she was looking straight into Sally's eyes.
"I believe I will, yes."
Hilde grinned once again. "I'm glad."
Fin.
(:./psyche/snogsimp)
