[004] Arriving at Birach Highport

[shaidar]

Anne looks at Rob "So far today has been about Julliette and me. So now it's your time, Rob. How have you been?" she smiles.

[joertexas]

Anne looks at Rob "So far today has been about Julliette and me. So now it's your time, Rob. How have you been." she smiles.

Rob gazes at her for a moment. "Lonely, to be honest. I've been here for a year."

[shaidar]

Anne cocks her head slightly

"I know what that's like. No dating then? It's easier when assigned to a planet.

[joertexas]

Anne cocks her head slightly

"I know what that's like. No dating then? It's easier when assigned to a planet.

Rob puts the last dish in the dishwasher and closes the door. He starts the machine and turns to Anne. "Ever since I've had Juliette, I've dated two women. Between my career and my daughter, it's been really hard to include anyone else." He sits down at the kitchen bar. "What about you?"

[shaidar]

Anne

"I've had, what...six almost serious relationships over the years, none recently. Almost all my assignments were space based, which didn't help. Each time we decided to put our careers first. I suppose I threw myself into my career so that I wouldn't think about my past. Thinking about it maybe I got cold feet and subconsciously sabotaged things. The navy is good at teaching you to control your emotions and get on with the job. "

[joertexas]

Anne

"I've had, what...six almost serious relationships over the years, none recently. Almost all my assignments were space based, which didn't help. Each time we decided to put our careers first. I suppose I threw myself into my career so that I wouldn't think about my past. Thinking about it maybe I got cold feet and subconsciously sabotaged things. The navy is good at teaching you to control your emotions and get on with the job. "

The pair talk for a while longer, and then Rob looks intently at Anne. "Forgive me if this is terribly forward, but what are your plans, now that you're retired?"

[shaidar]

Anne

"Short term or long term? I realise it might seem strange that I've joined the comte's retinue. But I honestly think he'll be a breath of fresh air for the family and I hope it will stop any other women having the same problems I had growing up. Once the comte is in power..." she shrugs "...I hadn't really thought that far ahead. Sometimes I wonder if joining the comte's team is just another way of avoiding the reality of retirement. Where do you see your career going?"

[joertexas]

Anne

"Short term or long term? I realise it might seem strange that I've joined the comte's retinue. But I honestly think he'll be a breath of fresh air for the family and I hope it will stop any other women having the same problems I had growing up. Once the comte is in power..." she shrugs "...I hadn't really thought that far ahead. Sometimes I wonder if joining the comte's team is just another way of avoiding the reality of retirement. Where do you see your career going?"

"I've not thought much about it," Rob admits. "I've been focused on work and raising Juliette, though not in that order. Now, though, I think I'm ready to retire in a year or so."

[shaidar]

Anne

"Hopefully by then the Comte will have been successful. Maybe we can go travelling. I have a reasonable pension and membership of the explorers society"

[joertexas]

Anne

"Hopefully by then the Comte will have been successful. Maybe we can go travelling. I have a reasonable pension and membership of the explorers society"

"I'd like that. A lot," Rob says with a smile. "Who knows, I might be ready when you come back through here."

[shaidar]

Anne smiles back "Sounds like a plan. There's life in these old bones yet. We should start on an itinerary soon, so we'll be ready to go as soon as we can. You've been in the Navy longer than me so you're pension should be just as good."

[joertexas]

Anne smiles back "Sounds like a plan. There's life in these old bones yet. We should start on an itinerary soon, so we'll be ready to go as soon as we can. You've been in the Navy longer than me so you're pension should be just as good."

"Why, Mizz DuBois, or might I say, Foix," he uses her former name with an impudent grin, "that sounds like an invitation. I will warn you, I might be one of those critters that won't go away once you start feeding it."

[shaidar]

Anne

"I've always had a soft spot for strays" she says with a smile.

[joertexas]

Anne

"I've always had a soft spot for strays" she says with a smile.

Rob looks down for a moment, his face a bit redder than usual. "You know I've always cared for you, Lil," he uses his old nickname for her as he looks at her again. "I have some things to wrap up here, and then I will come find you." He makes to rise, but hesitates as he watches for her reaction.

[shaidar]

Anne blushes

"I think I realise that.. .now. More than once I've wondered what might have been if we'd made a go at it with Julliette. At the time there seemed to be no other option... "

[joertexas]

Anne blushes

"I think I realise that.. .now. More than once I've wondered what might have been if we'd made a go at it with Julliette. At the time there seemed to be no other option... "

"I thought it'd be crass to ask. I was young and foolish." Rob holds up his hand comp. "I can ask Juliette to stay with the LeFrons. She's probably with Alistair, anyway." He takes a breath. "Stay with me for the evening."

[shaidar]

Anne blush deepens

"I thought you'd never ask"

[joertexas]

Anne blush deepens

"I thought you'd never ask"

Rob sends the report, and stands to offer Anne his hand...

Please post in the 005.1 thread when Anne is ready to rejoin the main group.