ParaSpace

"Can you believe this is our last time with this view, huh, Ash'," asked Burke. Ashley and her captain, Burke, were in orbit around Earth for their last mission together as a duo. "Hurts to think we've been doing this for the past 7 years together up here." said Burke to Ashley, saddened by the realization this was their last day working together. "Sure wish we had a little bit more of a heads-up with our company being closed down due to our great owner's money managing skills." Burke continued, "I wonder what we will do after this? I just hope I don't have to settle for a lame job." Ashley laughed and asked jokingly. "What job would you hate to settle for? "I'd love to see you as a rodeo clown or maybe even as a used car salesman!" They both laughed at the idea and Burke replied, "Now I am a trained and tested astronaut of the United States government. "I could get any job and work for any company I want!" Burke said sternly. A few moments of silence passed, and they finally broke down from their serious demeanor into a laughing manor because they both knew how false that statement was. After catching his breath from the laughter, Captain Burke smiled, looked out the viewport and pondered the idea of being a rodeo clown. "You know that would actually be a fun job, dodging bulls, helping out those cowboys and I do the color red." He turned and faced Ashley still smiling, but she could sense he was hiding something. She walked up to him and grabbed his shoulder. "What's wrong, Burke? I feel as if you're not telling me everything." Burke looks into her beautiful eyes and thinks to himself. "Should I just go and tell her how I feel about her or should I keep it strictly business between us as I always had?" Ashley patiently waited for Burke to say something, and finally he started to mutter some words together. "Over the past few years we've built stronger connection. What started out as just friendly work banter has blossomed into something I have grown to cherish. I don't really connect with a lot of people, but when it comes to you, Ashley, everything feels so natural. Burke smiled and felt relief as he could finally get that off his chest after feeling this way for many years. Ashley just stared at Burke, shocked that he confessed such strong feelings to her. Burke puts his hand behind his head and starts to turn away before Ashley grabs him and hugs him tightly. Blushing from what she was told, she buried her head in his chest and held onto him. Burke is happily surprised by bis because he thought he had been politely rejected due to the awkward silence. She pulls her head away to look into his eyes again and Burke stares back intensely. "Why haven't you said anything to me about this all this time? She grinned and softly replied. "Probably the same exact reason as you silly. I didn't want to ruin what we had, so I just kept it at this level to be safe and not lose you." They both just drop their smiles simultaneously and lean in to kiss one another. Just then, a meteor passes by and burns off into the atmosphere, leaving a beautiful streak of bright blue embers in its wake. Just as they started to feel comfortable and think they were alone this whole time, they heard a cough from their intercom. They looked over to see their capcom's face staring back at them. "Uh, hey guys, did not mean to ruin that moment for you." He said apologetically. All three have a short laugh and Burke asks him "What's with the random call and no check in first?" The capcom apologizes again and continues "Well you see Captain Burke, it wasn't me who wanted to call, but it was our new boss, Casimir. Just as he says that, Casimir himself appears on the big screen before them. "Hello my friends, I am Casimir. I have taken over your dying satellite repair company, and I am turning it into something that will make us pioneers of a new industry! He says boastingly to all three of the team. We will be the first people in the industry of space vacation! I'm so excited to share the news with all of you. I will be briefing you and our new team members tomorrow morning at 10. That gives you two plenty of time to continue what we interrupted." Said Casimir humorously. Captain Burke nods and the camera feed turns off and the two can't help but laugh as they get caught after all that. "Well, we have a few hours to kill. I'll go ahead and program the route back home, and then we can discuss what just happened once I complete that. Just wait for me in the boardroom. Commanded Captain Burke to Ashley. Ashley then went to wait for Burke as he got them back to their work base. Burke sits down at the main computer to input the coordinates back home. Before heading to see Ashley, he considers what could be at stake here. He understands that Casimir seemed okay with the fact they kissed, but he also does not want this to interfere with this new gig that they have been given. He knows in his mind he should wait to have something with Ashley, but he's also waited so long for this as well. He goes to discuss and see what Ashley has to say, but when he gets to the boardroom he doesn't have to ask her as he sees clearly how she feels. As he walks in, he notices her clothes are flying round the room and calls out to see if he can find her. "Ashley! We have some serious stuff to discuss! " He smirks and starts to head towards the couch where she could be trying to hide. He looks under and does not see her. He hurls himself over to the closet and peeks through the little cracks at the top. He can't see much there, but he thinks he sees something that he likes. He politely knocks and asks in a medical accent. "Oh my fairest maiden, may I have a gander at thou?" She replies in her version of the accent. "Oh, where are thou my fairest captain?" She unlocks the door from within and pulls the captain into this spacious storage cabinet she had been hiding in. For the brief moment, the light had been touching her. He saw an hourglass shape, and she felt smooth and silky. During the flight home they discussed many things, but also did a little bit more than just talk. .