Chapter Text
Anacostia walked into Alders office with a manilla envelope. Sarah takes the envelope with a soft smile. Her - no, not her - Craven was being promoted. Captain was a step up for Craven, and that means she was one step closer to being in Sarah’s inner circle. Sarah had missed Craven’s presence in her life since she allowed Craven to slip through her fingers. She had known for nearly a year what a mistake that was.
Sarah quickly sent a summons for Craven, like she had many times before when the bond became too raw to bear. She was surprised at how quickly the redhead had made it into her office, she must have been nearby. Suddenly Sarah was aware of how under dressed she was. Craven was in her uniform with a perfect braid in that gorgeous hair that I wish I could run my fingers through. She was truly stunning and Sarah couldn’t help but let a small smile through. Sarah had mentioned that this occasion called for celebratory drinks and thought that Craven may have come in her informal wear as well.
“Good Afternoon, Tally” Sarah startled even herself by using Tally’s first name. She was trying to make the atmosphere informal. Tally didn’t have much of a reaction to that, so Sarah assumed that using her first name was okay with Tally.
“Hello General, you wanted to see me?” Tally’s tone was professional and Sarah couldn’t help but feel a bit rejected. Sarah smiled a half smile to try to convey that Tally was free to speak freely.
“Tally, I have been telling you for years to call me Sarah. Especially when we're here.” Sarah had hoped Tally would trust her as a friend by now, or at least be able to tell when Sarah was in friend mode. She felt the need to clarify, “I felt, that I should deliver this news as a personal friend rather than the general.” It was entirely possible that the tone of her voice gave away her excitement, but she hoped that it seemed like it was from the news, not from just having Tally in her office.
Sarah felt kind of pathetic being so excited to see the redhead. Tally was in he office frequently and it was quite rare that her presence was for official business. Tally’s presence shouldn’t still effect her in this way, the bond should be gone by now. It had been 3 years, Tally should be able to live her life and not have to worry about the female general who couldn’t produce offspring for her already dying line. Although she hadn’t mentioned it, Sarah had notice the considerable lack of dating Tally had done since becoming and unbecoming a biddy.
Sarah was pulled from her musings by Tally’s response. “Of course, Sarah. What is it?” The sound of her name falling out of Tally’s lips so effortlessly was the most beautiful music Sarah had ever heard. What she would do to hear it again could very easily go to some very inappropriate places very quickly. Sarah put a quick stop to that train of thought.
Sarah smiled softly, eyes shining. “You’re being promoted, congratulations, Captain.” Sarah scanned Tally’s face. She was not disappointed by the absolute beam of sunshine that Tally’s smile was.
That beautiful smile fell from her face just as quickly as it arose. Something had crossed her mind. “What about Raelle and Abigail? They’ve worked just as hard as I have and have accomplished just as much.”
I had prepared for this question, and Tally was not wrong, all three girls in the Bellweather unit deserved this promotion, which is why I did not allow myself to choose, I made a panel of judges from the commanders to select who received this promotion.
“Promoting you all would mean splitting you up. If you all have battalions to command, you wouldn’t be together.” Sarah assures Tally, who seems to take this answer and process it. Tally seems to realize that I am not lying to her and seems content.
“Thank you Sarah. I will make you proud.” Tally seems to fumble with her hands for a split second, possibly considering something, possibly unsure of what to do with the pause in conversation. Before Sarah can make a complete assessment of Tally’s body language, Tally’s body is on hers. Sarah freezes, not because she doesn’t want this, but because she does. Oh how she was waited for this exact moment. Through this thought process Sarah realizes that she is still indeed standing there. Tally begins to let her go, and Sarah can’t stand the thought of this ending so soon, so she wraps her arms around Tally and pulls her back in. After a few seconds have passed Tally once again pulls away, but this time Sarah lets her. For the briefest of moments the two women share the same air, and they gaze into each others eyes. The tension is thick enough that if something doesn’t separate them soon, Sarah may just kiss Tally and ruin her life. Tally deserves better than that. She doesn’t deserve to be stuck with someone who will outlive her my many years, she deserves children, she deserves someone as wonderful as she is.
Suddenly Sarah remembers that she invited Tally for drinks, and this entire time both of their glasses have remained empty. Briefly Sarah feels guilty about being a bad host but quickly decides to remedy the situation.
“I invited you over for drinks and I’ve yet to pour you a glass. What a bad host I am. A toast! To you, and your accomplishments and many more to come.” As Sarah raises her glass, she fills Tally’s. Tally takes the glass directly from Sarah and as their fingers blush Tally blushes.
Tally takes a sip from the wine, and seems to enjoy it. This brings Sarah great satisfaction, and before Sarah can process that, a Tally moans. And it is the most beautiful sound Sarah has ever heard, if tally’s laugh was music, this was heaven. Sarah would not be surprised if her eyes had very little blue left to them. Her thoughts were instantly focused on the things she could do to make her make that sound again. Tally spoke up, entirely oblivious to the way she was making Sarah feel. “Sorry, this is good wine. What is it?”
Sarah was grateful for the continuation of the conversation towards innocent topics. “It is a family recipe, from before my family was even in America. It is said that my family owned a Vineyard in Germany. I must’ve made this bottle 10 or 11 years ago.” Tally beamed that sunshine smile at her again and Sarah couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
“You could be selling this and making so much money. This is an amazing wine, and the fact that it’s The General’s means it would be even more popular.” Tally’s enthusiasm was absolutely adorable, and Sarah couldn't help bit remind herself of the feeling she had been hiding for so long.
The though makes her chuckle as she says, “I could sell it yes, but I choose to keep it for myself. In fact, you are the first person I’ve let taste the wine.”
Tally’s mouth opens and closes a few times, she decided to forgo words as she hugs Sarah again, and this time Sarah doesn’t miss her opportunity and immediately hugs back.
After they pulled away Sarah poured them new glasses. Conversation flowed smoothly and they continued to drink. Sarah noted that Tally had drank more tonight than she normally had when they spent time together in her office. After her fourth glass Tally spoke up.
“Sarah, may I speak candidly.” Tally’s voice wavered, Sarah could tell she was nervous about something.
Trying to comfort Tally Sarah spoke softly, “Please do so.”
“This is probably, no it is, entirely inappropriate, and I apologize for that. But I am in love with you. I want to be with you, in every way.” Sarah couldn’t care less about the appropriateness of the statement, she was just trying to figure out how to not ruin this girls life. Sarah loved Tally wholly as well, and because of that she had already decided she would let Tally go. She had never considered that Tally may want to be with her.
“You can’t be. You’ve so much life ahead of you. So much to live for. I will not be responsible for you regretting your young adulthood. You could do so well in the army. I can’t take that from you.” Sarah’s thoughts were flying in her mind so quickly that she could barely keep up.
“Please do take it. I don’t want it. Not without you. If being with you means I can’t climb the ladder then fine. If it means being without you I don’t want to be Captain. Give it to Raelle, she’s just as gifted as I am. Give it to Abigail, she’s a better leader than I am. If it means I have to sit on the sidelines to be with you, fine! I’ll teach, or write, or take up desk work. I just want you.” Tally seemed so sure, so entirely sure of what she wanted that Sarah couldn’t resist anymore. It was clear that Tally had given some thought to this, and Sarah trusted her judge meant, if this is what she truly wanted Sarah would not stop her.
So, Sarah kissed her. The kiss was supposed to be chaste, but Tally was just so intoxicating. Sarah’s hands moved on their own to Tally’s cheeks and Sarah’s thumbs rubbed Tally’s cheeks. They kissed for what seemed like hours in heaven. Sarah finally came to her senses when she felt a cold hand pulling on the hem of her t-shirt. Sarah pulled away from the kiss and held Tally’s hands.
“I’m sorry, I got carried away.” Tally looked guilty and like she was going to leave any second. That was the very last thing Sarah wanted.
The last of Sarah’s resolve left in that moment. “Please, stay.” Sarah didn’t know what was in store for the future of their relationship. All she knew was that she wanted to hold Tally for at least tonight.
“I love you.” Tally sighed out.
“I love you too.” Sarah pulled Tally back into her for another kiss, this one slow and loving.