Shore Leave

Tomorrow

Mia woke up, sweating heavily. She was really disoriented and was having a hard time reading the digital clock on the bed.

"Ailis!" Her head was spinning. She heard footsteps running across the house, the door to their room flying open. Ailis was there, looking around.

"What is it? What's going on?" She asked. Her hair was disheveled and she was wearing her pajamas but she looked wide awake. Mia scrambled out of bed, taking a long look at her wife.

"I love you," she said. Ailis froze, blinking in confusion. She was watching Mia like she was a startled animal.

"Are you okay? What happened?" She asked softly. Mia walked up to her wife and gently pulled her in.

"What happened is that- in 2003 I walked into a bar and fell in love with the most amazing woman, and I waited for her to come home and I'm glad I did," she said, feeling her voice crack. Ailis stared at her for a moment. She looked exhausted, she hated sleeping without Mia. Ailis hesitantly cupped her face and Mia leaned into the touch.

"Mia? Is it you? My Mia?" She asked shakily.

"Yes, and I wish you'd kiss me please," Mia could feel a few tears running down her face. Ailis let out a shaky breath, eyes filling with tears of her own.

"Oh my god," she whispered before pulling Mia in for a strong kiss, holding onto her desperately. Mia could feel her shaking, grabbing her and trying to pull her as close as possible. "I missed you so much," she whispered into the kiss. Mia started pulling her to the bed.

"I missed you too, I know it didn't feel like it but I was here," she said, holding on to Ailis desperately.

"I could feel you, it's like you were asleep. Just under the surface," Ailis started kissing all over her face, bundling her up. "Oh my baby, my Mia, oh my god. Are you okay? Was it a sudden surge or gradual? How's your head feeling? Sometimes this can trigger a headache-" Mia cut her off with another kiss.

"The only thing I need right now is for you to make love to me, please," Mia begged. Ailis kissed her hard, still crying, and picked her up by the back of her legs, laying her back gently on the bed. Mia felt like she was missing a part of her that only Ailis could help her get back. Ailis pressed against her like she needed Mia to breathe, both of them yanking off clothes until they could finally feel each other again.

Mia didn't sleep much, she was watching Ailis and was asleep and holding onto her like she was a lifeline. Ailis woke up a few hours later, tightening her grip. She buried her face in Mia's shoulder, breathing her in.

"I'm really happy this wasn't a dream this time," she said softly.

"I'm so sorry," Mia said. "I know it's been hell for you, thank you for not giving up on me."

"Never, not until the moment you told me to," Ailis responded. "You have nothing to apologize for, I'm just really happy you got your memories back."

"There's still a few blank spots, but it's mostly there."

"Mors is going to be really relieved, he's been so scared," Ailis took a shaky breath and Mia felt more tears against her skin. "I just did what I could to keep us together until you were available."

"I know, you did great. I feel like I'm just waking up from the accident. Like I know I've been here, but this is the first time I'm here."

"You're here," Ailis let out a harsh sob, holding her tighter, and Mia could feel her starting to have a breakdown. "You're here again."

"I am, I'm not going anywhere," Mia said, holding onto her tightly while Ailis let it all out. Ailis cried into her chest for at least five minutes before finally calming down, breathing evening out. She sniffled a few times, clearing her throat.