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Despite the hell that her last year of war college was putting her through, life was good.
Like REALLY good.
Ever since her debiddification the strong connection that Tally and the general shared did not diminish, but rather flourished.
It had taken some time, and dimpled smiles thrown her way, before the General finally caved.
It started out simple. After Alder was done with her meetings for the day and Tally with classes the two walked the perimeter of the base talking about everything and nothing. Tally cherished her memories of this day. The sun had just pasted its mid point a few hours prior but the two did not separate until it was well set.
Tally can still remember the way the setting sun framed Sarah’s face as she laughed at something the redhead had said. To be honest she can’t remember what it was that caused the great Sarah Alder to laugh, but she would give anything to see that smile grace her face again.
That's how it started.
Since that day the two would try to cross paths as much as possible. Just a glance or brush of the fingers would keep the two satisfied until their nightly walk around base.
It was during one of these walks that Sarah brought Tally to a secluded area in the small forest that inhabited Fort Salem. Here was a small field covered in the most beautiful assortment of lilies she had ever seen. The hues of lavender, magenta, and cyan bleed together in a wondrous cacophony of color that brought tears to the cadets eyes.
Inhaling sharply Tally whispered, “This is amazing Sarah. How has no one told me about this place before?”
Sarah gazed fondly down at the mystified woman holding on to her arm, “Well little dove, I have wards around this area so only people I allow may enter. I guess you could say it's my little oasis to step away from things.”
Sarah pulled her eyes away from the personification of sunshine and stared off at the darkening tree line, sighing, “Unfortunately it has been a very long time since I have visited.”
Before the older woman could fall down a rabbit hole into the past, a disarming pair of dimples pulled her back to the present.
Reaching up on her toes, Tally guided Sarah’s forehead to rest against her own as she cradled the general’s sculpted jaw in her hands.
“Thank you for sharing this with me Sarah. It means a lot to me that you brought me here.”
The two women’s lips meet as easily as breathing. Unnoticed to them was the sun set behind the tree line and illuminated the field of lilies with a golden hue.
--
In the following days the two would meet at the border to this oasis and Sarah would guide them in.
Today the two were lying on a blanket with Tally’s head resting in the general’s lap. Long fingers were making their way through her hair as they wove the strands into an unique masterpiece.
The feeling of the other woman's hands in her hair was one of the most relaxing ways to end her week. Especially this week where Abigail’s incessant need for them to be top of their coven was driving Tally and Raelle up a wall. Overall the youngest Bellweather had mellowed out during war college, but Adil had been away for two weeks without contact. To say she was a bit high strung in his absence would be an understatement.
Another sign escaped Tally’s mouth.
“What’s wrong little dove?”
Tally rolled so that she could match the gaze of the ocean of cobalt above her. She could spend the rest of her life watching how the light would catch in those eyes that show a new hue of blue every time.
“Abigail misses Adil but refuses to acknowledge this so she is taking it out on us.”
The softest of smiles graced the older woman's face. “Ahh yes I have seen her around base looking a bit put off. That makes sense now. I am sorry that her behavior has effected you so.”
Tally moaned lightly as those fingers continued their menstruations. “Well now I am here with you so it’s all worth it.” This was followed but another beaming grin.
--
Honestly it was shocking that no one had yet to find out about the two. They were not as subtle as they liked to think. Coupled with Tally’s inability to secrets to herself, it was truly a miracle that no one had yet discovered their deliance.
Well except the biddies of course and to be honest they may be the only reason the two star crossed witches were able to keep their secret.
While Tally and Sarah would run away to their secret flower field, a few biddies would keep guard around the perimeter of the grove. The others would maintain appearances in the administration building, making it appear as if the general was also there.
The seven women wanted the two witches to announce their relationship change on their own, so they were trying to help maintain the secret in the meantime. That being said the two love birds often forgot where they were when gazing adoringly at each other, such as in the middle of the administration plaza.
Alexandra, one of the younger biddies, was convinced it was going to be Anacostia to catch the duo first. While, Susan, the second oldest, placed her money on Petra walking in unannounced in the general’s office.
Suffice to say some of the General’s biddies would be losing a lot of money very soon.
--
It had been 2 months since Tally and Sarah’s first stroll through the grounds of Fort Salem.
In that time they had evolved from nightly strolls to afternoons and evenings spent in the general’s office. Luckily her unit was also preoccupied with their respective partners, so they had yet to notice Tally’s constant absence.
This afternoon Tally was sprawled across an armchair seated in front of a roaring fire in the general’s office.
Sarah lifted her gaze from the mind numbing paper to the curious posture of her girlfriend. Head cockled slightly the woman asked, “Tally dear, why are you sitting like that? It doesn’t look comfortable at all?” A minor furrowing of the brows accompanied the tilted head.
Hearing the older woman’s voice shook Tally out of the trance her novel had her pulled into. “Huh? Oh! Well you know gay people can’t sit in chairs normally.” She was bouncing her leg that had found its way dangling off the arm of the chair.
A snort for one of the biddies echoed in the room as the others tried to contain their laughter at the puppy like confusion that filled the woman’s face.
“Is that some form of medical condition I was not aware of? I assure you Tally I am not what the world would consider straight, but I always have perfect posture.”
Laughter erupted out of Tally as she rolled to the floor clutching her stomach. She was accompanied by the biddies as the other seven women could no longer hold back their amusement.
“Tally? I don’t understand? What is funny about a medical condition affecting gay individuals?”
Tally held up a finger towards Sarah as she continued to gasp for air. After getting her laughter under control the cadet stood from her place on the floor and walked over to the general.
Tally’s lazy smile was met with the furrowed brows of the general as she pushed Sarah’s chair back so that she could sit on the other lap.
Now seated comfortably, Tally reached up to caress the strong jaw she has always loved. “No love, it is just a silly saying. It’s not actually a medical condition.” This came out softly as the younger of the two started to press kisses all over Sarah’s face.
Forehead
“..Its..”
Eyebrow
“...something...”
Cheekbone
“...a lot…”
Nose
“...of gay…”
Jaw
“...people…”
Neck
“...do…”
If Tally had anything else to say it was lost to the universe as Sarah pulled her in for a heated kiss.
As Tally’s hands found themselves tangled in the general’s braid, the other women’s hands lifted up her dress shirt to meet warm flesh.
Before this could progress further a rapid succession of three knocks sounded on the general’s door,
‘SHIT!’
Thought both women, as that type of knock could only mean one person was on the other side of the door.
Acting fast, Tally jumped from Sarah’s lap and hid under the desk just as the cursed door flew up.
Sarah attempted to fix the mess Tally had made of her hair as Petra Bellweather stormed up to her desk.
Luckily her desk had a panel that prevented the other general from seeing the cadet hiding quietly underneath it.
“Yes Petra, how nice of you to enter my office without permission. How can I assist you today?” While her tone was polite, Tally didn’t have to look to know Sarah was sending daggers at the intruding women.
Petra paused for a moment at the intense scowl, but continued into a long winded speech about the Intelligence departments funding.
Feeling that this meeting may take longer than expected, Tally tried to make herself more comfortable in the small space.
Feeling the minutes slowly tick by as the elder Bellweather continued on her never ending speech, Tally got a wicked idea.
Sarah had not pulled herself fully into her desk, as to leave room for Tally, but her legs were still mostly under the leg desk.
Well within reach of the cramped woman.
Starting at her calves Tally started to knead the general’s calf. Switching back and forth between the legs, Tally slowly made her way up Sarah’s legs.
The ‘hmms’ of acknowledgement the general had been giving to Petra had turned from hostile to warm, as these menstruations continued. Petra, seeing this as a positive sign, continues her speech in earnest.
Feeling brave, Tally started to lightly caress the inside of Sarah’s thighs. She could hear the slight pitch in the other woman's voice as her menstruations continued. Before made it to her center, a hand grasped her wrist.
"Petra, thank you for your presentation. I will get back to you within the next few days with my decision. Now if you would please, I have another meeting in a few minutes I must prepare for."
"But I am not done? And I was under the impression you had concluded all your meetings for today?" Tally could hear the confusion in the woman's tone.
"Well this one was a bit last minute. Yes, thank you again. We will talk again soon."
A few minutes of shuffling papers and feet ensued before the door was opened and shut.
As the door to the office shut Sarah pulled back from her desk.
A sheepish smile graced the cadet’s face as she looked at her girlfriend.
"Heeey…"
Tally could not quite figure out the expression on her loves face. That is until the older woman helped her stand from the ground and proceeded to escort her out of the office and into another room.
Tally could feel the desire pulse through the bond as she was lead through the entrance of the general’s bedroom.
She could distantly hear Susan arguing with Devon about some bet. But that was all drowned out as Sarah lifted her onto the bed and started attacking her neck like it was the last moral of food for miles.
--
Sarah walked out of the Administration building with a smile spread across her face. She ignored the nervous looks of passer byers at her out of character happiness.
Sarah had been doing relatively well at keeping the positive impact of her relationship with Tally from becoming apparent. Her biddies seemed to disagree with her, but Sarah was convinced that the two were being subtle. Not that she didn’t want to brag to the rest of the world about the amazing woman that is Tally Craven, but it was safer this way. However, it would be very amusing to see the baffled look that would grace her daughter's face when she discovers her deliance with one of her former cadets.
Her and Tally had planned on meeting in the evening at their oasis in the woods for the 6 month anniversary. It has astonished the general how much happier her life has been while being involved with her little dove. She had been holding the weight of witch kind on her shoulders for so long she had forgotten what it felt like to share that burden.
Lost in her pondering, her feet led her to the War College dorms.
Her first meeting of the day had been canceled so she decided to pop over to her favorite cadet’s dorm for a few hours.
As she approached she could feel a nervousness thrumming through the bond.
Sarah stopped at the entrance to her cadet's dorm, only to see a frantic redhead comparing two dresses. One was a rich evergreen backless dress and the other a strapless rose dress. Both would look amazing on the woman either way.
Sarah cleared her throat.
In a tornado of fabric, Tally turned around in alarm.
"OH NO! Am I late? I am so sorry Sarah! I couldn't make up my mind on which dress to wear."
Sarah walked over to the frazzled cadet and brought her into a warm embrace.
"It's ok little dove. I am in fact very early. My morning meeting was canceled so I decided to come and see you." This was spoken in the younger woman's hair as the general let the comfort of the embrace over take her.
"That's good to hear. I would have felt horrible if I had been late for our anniversary celebration. I'm glad you are here now." This muffled comment came from the generals neck as Tally’s head had taken refuge there during the embrace.
The general pulled her head back so that she could address bright honey eyes.
"We have a few hours before my next meeting. Is there anything you would like to do in the meantime?"
"Actually yes."
Tally led them to the nearest bed and gestured for Sarah to lie down before joining her.
"Can you just hold me? It's been a very long week."
Sarah gazed down at the young cadet and smiled affectionately while caressing the others' waist.
"Oh course love. That sounds more than fine with me."
Tally snuggled into Sarah’s loving arms and let the calming tides of sleep roll over her.
--
Susan paced near the closed door of the dorm room.
"Look, all I am saying is I think it should count."
"Nope! Petra was none the wiser about Tally being in the room, so it doesn't count as being caught. Now PLEASE let this go already. You lost. Get over it." Moaned the exasperated Devon.
A few of the other biddies chuckled at seeing the aged Susan pout and cross her arms in the corner of the room after losing to the other's reasoning once again.
"Going to be honest. I did not think it would take this long. For someone to find out or for Tally to spill the beans. People on base must be more dense nowadays." Commented Quinn who was laying across a twin bed with her head and legs falling off the edges.
A snort escaped from Alexandra who was leaning against the wall, "You say that like you weren't just one of those clueless people a few months ago."
Before Quinn had the opportunity to respond the door to the room was pushed open and two cadets walked through the door.
--
To say what Abigail and Raelle saw before them was confusing would be an understatement.
Seeing the general’s seven biddies lounging around their room was a red flag to begin with. However, what took the mystifying award home would be seeing the Leader of the Army cuddling their sister.
"Uhhhhhhhhh, what's going on?" Muttered the baffled healer.
While the two girls were lost in their stupefaction, Devon threw a pillow at Sarah’s head.
"Hey love birds the jig is up! Time to wakey wakey!"
--
Sarah was floating on a wave of warmth and comfort. The pressure of her chest was a solace in this already soothing space.
But the relaxing symphony stopped sharply as a pillow hit her face.
“What? Why? What’s going on?”
As the fog cleared from the generals’ head she could hear her biddies snickering at something. Pulling her eyes open was a challenge as moved her gaze towards the source of the pillow.
‘Oh shit’
At the entrance to the room stood two frozen cadets surrounded by a group of amused older women.
“Well that’s a way of them finding out.” Muttered Devon as the three other witches continued their staring contest.
Sarah would have jumped from the bed immediately if not for the viper-like hold from her girlfriend.
“Umm yes hello cadets.”
“Sarah go back to sleep.” mumbled the drowsy redhead, still unaware of the chaos that was starting to unfold.
A flush of crimson was slowly over taking the general’s face as she broke her staring contest to focus on the bundle of limbs in her arms. It pained her to disrupt the woman’s sleep but it had to be done.
“I am sorry little dove but I must take my leave.”
A mumbled agreement was heard as Tally loosened her grip and finally opened her eyes to see her sisters had entered the room.
“Ummm hi guys! Heyo. Look, I I can explain, it may look like exactly what it looks like.” Tally couldn’t seem to stop the torrent of words that were flowing out of her mouth at breakneck speeds.
While Tally was stumbling through an explanation, Sarah had looked down at her watch to see that it was fast approaching time for her next meeting.
Reaching down the general pressed her lips to the younger woman’s head.
“Sorry again little dove but I must leave. I will make this up to you later tonight.”
Sarah pressed one last kiss on Tally’s lips before springing from the bed and speed walking past her little dove’s sisters. Raelle’s mouth was wide open with a grin as she gestured between the retreating general and her flushed sister now hiding under the covers. Abigail was fairing far worse. She had paled considerably when she saw who it was her sister was laying with and now could not seem to stop gasping like a confused goldfish.
Despite the severe embarrassment Sarah could feel coming from Tally as she made her way out of the building, she could also feel the relief at having her sisters finally know.
Maybe they should start telling more people?