#signas.

List of Rules for the Maverick Hunters as posted by Supreme Commander Signas

No one talks about Signas and Alia.

Do not piss Rai off. (This also pertains to other medics)

Do not call X and Zero gay. Your limbs are forfeit otherwise.

Tux hates everyone equally...except the Commander, Zero, and Alia. Do not pet.

Never EVER mention the names Colonel or Iris around Zero

Using Newbies as Target Practice is not okay

Everything must be cleared with Signas

Always be sure that Signas and Zero are well caffinated before approaching them

Do not annoy Signas, he will put you on KP duty for a month, he has a sadistic streak

Never ask Signas "how's the weather up there"

Stealing Signas's hat is automatic KP, Hanger, and Mess Hall clean up duty

*coolly looks up from his tablet* If you’re hoping for some kind of emotional response to that you’ll be sorely disappointed. I hardly would think it fair to compare to me to Sigma as well…*ponders* several points.1) I’m not insane. I’ve managed to hold onto this job for about 6 centuries versus Sigma’s rough 35 years.2) Last I checked Sigma as been defeated by my subordinates roughly 6 times now.

“HEY BOSS! DID YOU KNOW ALIA LIKES YOU? THE TWO OF YOU SHOULD TOTALLY GO OUT!” Ely smirked as Signas froze in his tracks and looked over his tablet at her. His back was to Alia, so she couldn’t see his expression…though she had a pretty good guess that it was complete and utter shock.

“W-what? Wait…WHAT?” Signas sure sounded shocked as well, but Alia didn’t wait to see what he would do next.

“ELY WHY!”Alia then took off, not waiting to see Ely’s expression of ‘sorry but you needed it’ or Signas whipping around to look at her. She couldn’t even hear Signas calling after her, she just wanted to be gone and anywhere but there.

And that’s she had ended up on one of the outer balconies in the Maverick Hunter headquarters. She had locked the door behind her and then just collapsed into one of the benches. She concentrated on breathing and bringing her heart rate back under control. She could feel her pumps finally begin to slow and she let out a slow exhale through her fingers.

That Ely, I told her not to tell him! I was going to tell him…somehow…someway…and sometime…but not like this! NOT LIKE THIS!” She moaned in despair. “How am I going to show my face before my Commander ever again?”

The hiss of the door opening jolted the navigator from her thoughts. What? She had locked the-then her processor froze as the large frame of Signas appeared. She stared up at him with wide eyes as his blue eyed gaze turned sideways to take her in.

“I think you forgot that as Commander, I have the override codes for all the doors in this building.” He gestured and his features soften. “Mind if I sit with you?” Alia could only numbly move aside as the bench creaked slightly as Signas’s large frame settled.

There was a silence between them for a while, Signas staring out at the city skyline and Alia too scared to say anything. Seconds ticked into minutes.

The silence was so long that it really was no surprise when Alia had to suppress a jump when Signas suddenly started speaking.

“You know…back in when I was an investigator…times were different then. Well, at least for me. I was just a regular officer with the rest of them…looking up to the Hunters. Back then…I had a relationship.” He sighed. “It was nothing serious really, lots of flirting and what not.”

Alia looked up in surprise at him. Signas had once had someone in his life? Then Alia noticed the sad look that settled over his normally strong and noble features. He closed his eyes and tilted his head down.

“Then I was chosen to lead the Maverick Hunters. And everything changed. Suddenly I was the big, figurative and literal, boss of the most important organization of our world. I wasn’t just…one of the guys anymore. And she…well, I guess she couldn’t cope with the sudden change.” His eyes opened again and he looked into his folded hands. Alia still couldn’t speak, as though compelled to listen. “I was told there had been no one else for the job…or at least that’s what Zero told me when he spoke with me about taking the reins…but I still paid a price. My old life…it just couldn’t keep up…Aurora couldn’t keep up.”

Alia really didn’t know what to say. To her, frankly to all the Hunters, Signas was the leader who was strong and inspiring. To hear this from him that he secretly had suffered and…all for the common good of others was.... She felt her hand move unconsciously to be gently placed over his wrist. “I’m sorry…I had no idea.”

“I’m good at that. I keep my emotions and feelings to myself…but I had always prided myself in thinking that I was approachable for any reason.” Signas’s blue eyes were questioning, but not judging. “How long Alia?”

Alia turned away from his gaze as he thought on it. “…honestly sir…I don’t know. I guess, I didn’t really know what those feelings were at the time. But, the more I worked with you, trusted you, saw how much effort you poured in the Hunters…I guess I just…figured them out.” She looked back up with him, her own blue eyes brimming with earnestness. “I just…felt it was inappropriate for me to tell you. I mean…you’re my Commander and…” she bowed her head, “I’m just a navigator…” She began to slip her hand from his wrist, but started a little when she felt Signas slip a large hand over hers.

“Alia…I have to admit. My surprise is…well,” Signas tightened his grip on Alia’s hand, “I had accepted that I probably would never find a relationship. People were too intimidated by me.” He raised his free hand and turned it slowly, examining it. “My size…my job…everything. I just…accepted it.” He looked at her again and gently tilted her chin up. “Alia…I don’t think you realize how much it means to me to find out that someone…isn’t afraid of me.”

Alia couldn’t stop herself, after hearing him say that…she felt the tears brim up and spill over. Her free hand went up to clutch at his when he gently swept a thumb across her cheek. “I-I’m sorry sir, if I had known-“

“Signas.”

Alia blinked in confusion. “What?”

“You don’t need to call me sir when we’re alone.” His eyes twinkled. “Especially if we are going to take this step.” His expression changed to neutrality once again, but there was that questioning light in his eyes. “…you do want to take this step?” Signas drew back slightly. “I don’t want to rush it…just….I’m sorry Alia.”

She grabbed at his arm, preventing him from drawing back any further. “No…Signas, I’m the one that should be sorry. Sorry I couldn’t work up the courage to tell you sooner.” She hesitated. “Just…a favor?” She blushed when he tilted his head questioningly. “Um…does…does your…” She pointed at his helmet.

“Oh…this.” He smirked slightly as he let go of her and reached up. There was a faint hiss and click as he pulled his helmet off, revealing shaggy black hair. “Yes it comes off; usually don’t see a reason to though.” He ran a hand through his hair as he placed the helmet down.

Feeling a sudden boost of confidence, Alia suddenly go to her feet and stood in front of Signas. “Well then…I hope I give you more reasons.” With that, she leaned over, closed her eyes, and pressed her lips against his.

If Alia was expecting him to hesitate, she was greatly mistaken. She felt his hands take her by the waist and settle her so she was sitting on his lap, legs wrapped around him as he leaned forward into the kiss with her arm wrapping around his neck. Even as they parted after several seconds, Alia pressed her forehead against his and they both kept their eyes closed. The two enjoyed each other’s company and didn’t speak.

“Alia” Alia’s eyes blinked open to look into his and noted the concern she saw in them. “I know that this is probably something you don’t want to rush. Honestly, neither do I. But the speed of this I leave up to you.”

Alia blushed as she tightened her grip around his neck and nuzzled. “Signas…we took the first step already. We’ll take the next whenever we’re ready.”

Signas smiled, actually smiled. Something he didn’t remember doing since…”Well then, how about a dinner date to cement things?”

Alia grinned. “If you’re buying Signas.”