~ STARK ~
Walking next to Hildie, knowing what was to come, it was so desperately hard not to take her hand, to touch her. But I was just as desperately aware that none of the rank and file were aware of our attachment. And I didn't want to put a target on her back by revealing it. It would come out, I knew. But that didn't have to be today. Not yet.
To my chagrin, there was more than one reason to visit the Officer's quarters. If I was going to be gone for a full day, there needed to be orders in place—and sadly, someone had to know my location to contact me if there was a true emergency.
But of course, there was also a need to find someone who could bind Hildie and I together in the eyes of God.
And I knew just the man.
"Gabe—"
