A NEW Beginning - Book 2

Chapter 5 - Day 1 - Shiro

I paused just outside the door, fighting with myself because I wanted to go back in. Sunday's were a slow day at the Garrison, and I really only needed to clock a few hours, and those calls could wait until tomorrow. It wouldn't have been disastrous if I hadn't gone in, but Adam had been adamant that he was going to be okay. I shook my doubts off, put my leather jacket and helmet on, and got on my bike. 

Curtis and I usually travelled in together, but Iverson had called him in early today, so he took the car, and I got to ride the sleek black beast that purred below me. She was nowhere near as fast, or as responsive as Black, but as she turned the corner with the slightest lean of my body, I was content in the fact that this was the closest thing I was going to get to flying while remaining firmly on the ground.

I loved the feel of the salty ocean wind blowing past me as I took the coastal route, and my mind remained worry-free as I turned off the highway, and drove along the straight desert road towards the Garrison.

I greeted the staff at the gate with a friendly smile and parked the bike in the spot reserved just for me.

~

I stopped by Curtis' office on the way to mine, and found it empty. As I stepped back out into the hallway, I almost ran straight into Iverson.

"Good Morning Sir!" I said, snapping to attention.

"Afternoon, Shirogane," he corrected. "And you know there's no need to be so formal with me, you aren't a young officer anymore,"

"Right, sorry Sir." I eased up, "I was wondering, have you seen Curtis?" I asked.

"Oh," he replied, and coughed, "He had to run some paperwork to the biology department on the other side of the facility," he said, "he should be back shortly."

"Thank you, Sir," I nodded, "I'll see him later. I had better get started on those calls,"

Iverson gave a gruff laugh and stepped out of my way.

I made my way to my office and sat at my desk. I started up my computer, and shuffled the papers on my desk, making sure they were in order before I dialled up my first video call.

~

It had been 2 hours, and one very long phone call later when Curtis knocked on my door, just as I was hanging up.

"I come bearing food," he smiles, as he sits in front of me with two salad wraps.

"You're a gem," I smile at him, and then let out a long sigh. "That was only one of the calls I needed to make today, I was hoping to postpone some of them until tomorrow, but I can't. I don't know when I'm going to get out of here. Would you be okay picking Adam up from Romelle's?"

"Of course," he shrugged, "any excuse to see the little terrors," he paused, backtracking. "Not that Adam's an excuse. You know what I mean!"

I laughed, "you're cute when you're flustered."

Curtis picks up a piece of lettuce he's dropped on the table and throws it at me.
I chuckle, but then I sigh.

"What's eating you up, Taki?" Curtis asks.

"I've been worried about Adam lately. I seem to be catching him drifting off more often, and the night terrors have got worse again."

"Hmmm," Curtis agreed, "But I don't know what else we can do for him. He's got Lex, he's got his doctors, he's got us and Lance, and everyone that loves him."

I nodded in agreement, "Maybe we should have a word to his doctors, but I'm sure Lex has been doing that."

"I think we just need to surround him with love, and support." Curtis suggests, "Not that we don't already, but it can't hurt to remind him."

"He's still so distant from us," I sigh, "I don't know if it's because of our history, or because he's worried things are going to change after the wedding. It's been so long. He's the same old Adam that I know so long ago, it's like nothing has happened, but I know he's hurting. I wish he'd open up."

"Maybe you need to be vulnerable to him too, Taki. He knows we've got each other, Keith and Lance and Pidge have each other, maybe he feels he can't talk to you, or them. But maybe if you open up to him, it will help him."

"Hmmm," I murmur in contemplation, "you're probably right," I agree, "and maybe I can ring Ronnie and Acxa, see if I can convince them to come a couple of days earlier, I know he can't wait to see them, and maybe they can talk to him, help him. Ronnie has been his best friend for a long time, he might open up to her."

"That sounds like a good idea, Taki," he smiled, "it would be good for both of you, I think. I hate to see you so stressed."

"It's just a lot of things," I sigh.

"You know, if you want to change your mind about everything, I would whisk you away with no hesitation," Curtis assured me, "I never wanted all this big fuss."

"No, I know I'm stressing, but it is exactly how I want it." I say, getting up and walking around the desk to take his hands in mine, "I couldn't imagine our big day without our family and friends." I leant against the desk in front of him, "And almost everything is in place now. We've just got to wait for everyone to arrive. Adam has done so, so much. Hunk's got the food under control, Lance has got the music, Lex is organising the flowers. We've just got the final suit and dress fittings to do, and we've got a whole team of decorators to help us out beforehand, so we really just need to show up on the day." I smiled, "Once I see you at that Alter, everything else will just melt away, and it will all be worth it."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm sure I'm sure," I laughed, and took his face in my hands and kissed him.

"Okay," he hummed against my mouth.

"I regretfully need to get back to work," I say placing my forehead against his, "Are you sure you're good to get Adam?"

"I'm sure I'm sure," he laughed back at me, "Any requests for dinner while I'm at it?" he asks, standing up.

"Actually," I reply, "seeing as everyone is so stressed, why don't we ask Lex to stay, and invite Keith, Lance and Pidge over? We can get pizza or something, have some wine?"

"Sounds perfect Taki," he says, giving me one quick kiss before walking to the door, "I better let you get back to it. I'll let everyone know about tonight, and I'll see you later. Love you!"

"Love you too!" I called, but he was already out of sight.

A/n: Sorry it's a short one guys! And it's kind of just filler, but it's setting a few things up for future chapters. I also argued with Shiro a lot during this chapter, and almost killed him off, just for funsies XD Enjoy! Lex