Spike Harris

[Ant]

Canaria Cafe.

It's late morning on Gran Canaria.
Spike Harris and Kate McKintyre walk into the cafe. Arms around each other's waists they talk in low voices. Kate's copper coloured hair hangs loose below her shoulders and she walks with a light bounce to her step.

Walking up to the counter Spike glances at Kate with a grin. "Your turn to order."

Kate's eyes sparkle as she gives him a stern look back. "Well after the "meals" you managed to order on the shuttle I should hope so!"

The waiter looks at them with a smile. "Hi Kate. What would you like?"

She quickly puts on a smile and replies in a bright voice. "Oh hi Steve. We'd like a number 2 and a number 11 please... aannd... a cappucino and a single espresso."

Spike holds two fingers up. Kate grabs his hand and starts wrestling it away before realising what she's doing and looking back up at the waiter, a slight flush on her face from the effort.

"Sorry, that's a double espresso." she says, the two fingers Spike points above her head accentuating the point.

The waiter grins. "Coming right up. Please have a seat and your meal will be delivered in a moment."

Looking around, Kate realises what Spike is doing with his hand and frowns. "Well?"

"Well what?"

Kate leads him towards an outdoors table. Her eyes narrowing, she whispers, "You just wait."

"Wait for what?" Spike replies with a laugh.

Blushing, Kate pulls Spike into a seat next to her, whispering, "Stop that."

"Stop what?" Spike asks, an innocent look on his face.

The sound of the waiter clearing his throat interrupts them. He sets their meals down and they set to on the best food they've had in a week.

After finishing their meal, Spike's face turns serious. "Why do you want to join the Armed Forces Kate?"

She looks at him, strangely silent for a moment then looks down, "I...I don't really... It's just that you are...and the Nomads...and..."

Gathering her in his arms, he starts musing to himself, "Maybe it's to soon to go back. Perhaps it would be for the best if I just stayed..."

Kate looks up from his shoulder, brushing a hand across her eyes. "You'd do that for me? Give it all up?"

Spike grins. "Of course. If you want me to."

She looks up at him, her expression a little sad. "No... it's fine, really. There's nothing for me here."


-----


Exeter

A security recording showing a CRI tech releasing Nomads from their containment fields finishes playing on the main screen.

Spike paces the command deck of the Exeter, concern showing on his face.
From the nav station, Kate watches worredly, twining a loose strand of hair around her fingers.

"Why was he sabotaging York?" he finally asks, looking at her.

Kate walks over from the nav console. "They thought he might be a Gaian sympathiser..."

He turns back towards the recording. "Why would a Gaian let the Nomads out and sabotage the York in the middle of Nomad space though?"

The communication officer speaks up. "Sir, we have a message coming through from Cambridge. Corsair Gunboat near Planet Cambridge. Defensive patrols are not able to handle the threat. All available ships are requested."

Spike frowns. "What about that Nomad battlegroup we were after?"

Looking at the scanner, the fire control officer replies, "Out of range still sir, and running. We could be chasing them all day."

Spike paces the deck for a few moments. "Looks like the Corsairs and Order are going to have to handle the Nomad threat on their own for now then.
"Helm, set course for Cambridge."

"Aye Sir. If you don't mind giving us a course nav?"

Kate hurries back to her station.

The communication officer speaks again, "Sir, more possible hostile contacts inbound towards Cambridge. That merc group again. It could get messy."

Spike looks concerned. "Let Stormpike know we may be needing assistance. Hopefully the Repulse is available." After a moment he grins. "Perhaps if we leave the Nomads alone for long enough, they'll get into Gamma and Theta and cause some distraction."


-----


The lights from the massive space battle going on all around them wash over the interior of the escape capsule.

Through the rear panel, Kate can see the disintegrating wreck of what used to be the Exeter.

"Spike, do you think she can be salvaged?"

Leaning around her to see out the viewport, Spike notices the continuing explosions coming from the hull, "Looks like someone really had it in for Exeter. She's nothing but space junk now." He shakes his head and pulls Kate closer. "At least we got out alive."

Kate leans towards him and rests her head on his shoulder. "Why do they do it Spike?"

Spike looks down towards her questioningly.

Kate looks up at him, her eyes reflecting the lights of the battle going on around them, "Why do they keep attacking when they have nothing to gain from it? The Nomads could be all over the place without someone to stop them."

Spike sighs, looking thoughtful for a moment. "I wish I knew, I really do." After a moment he smiles and looks down at her. "I do know one thing though. I.." A loud bang against the hull of the escape capsule interrupts him.

"What was that?" Kate turns to look out the viewport behind them.

"I love you Kate."

"No I mean what was that noise?" Kate turns back towards Spike, to see an emerald ring in a box held towards her.

"Time is short." Spike says with a grin. "Will you marry me?"

More clanks and bangs ring through the hull of the escape capsule. Kate hardly notices the noise, her mouth dropping open.

"Well?"

Laughing, Kate pulls him towards her. "Oh, Spike! Of course I will!"

A hiss of escaping air from the airlock disturbs their embrace.