That made her smile, which was an odd feeling, and she realized that the last time she'd smiled had been a week ago, also been in his presence. There hadn't been much reason to do so otherwise.

"That's not something I should encourage," she said, but gave no indication she might scold him. Along with his combat skills, Desmond's surprisingly keen mind was what she'd valued most in him, but she was far past the point of viewing him only as a commander should. Truthfully, that had been the case since before he'd come to her quarters and made her forget about everything she'd begun to lose.

Her skin tingled where he touched her, and though Maria knew she made her own decision about what to do next, it didn't feel that way. It seemed more like an inevitability, and not one she objected to.

"But I understand the feeling," she said, and leaned in and over the stable barrier to kiss him softly.