Chapter Text
More than a month had passed since Clarissa's visit, and contrary to Monicas intent, she had been so busy with work that she hadn't had a chance to talk or even think much about Bobbie. The day after the orphanage story went public Monica got swamped with interviews and inquiries all over the place. She was asked to document alongside various rebuilding efforts on Earth that were taken place. Her story finally got her into what she always wanted and it helped raise much needed awareness across the system. It even brought the last needed push for Mars to agree sending over resources, engineers and so on. Ultimately, the reporter soon started spending long days working on her new documentary and needing to go back and forth Earth which was consuming all her time and energy with conducting interviews with scientists, engineers, and other experts who were working on the various projects to restore the planet's ecosystems, infrastructure, and society. The series aimed to show the challenges and triumphs of those who were working tirelessly to make Earth more habitable again, and to inspire viewers to support the rebuilding efforts in any way they could. Monica was thrilled to be a part of such an important project, and she poured all her energy and creativity into making it a success. As the days and weeks went by, Monica became more and more invested in the project. She knew how important it was to tell this story, to give a voice to those who were working so hard to rebuild their world - and also her own. She felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment that she had never ever experienced before, and she knew that this was what she was meant to be doing.
In the midst of her busy schedule, suddenly thoughts of Bobbie kept creeping into her mind. She wanted to catch-up with her again. Wondered how her therapy was going and …. wondered what it would be like to explore the possibility of something more than friendship.
As the week drew to a close, Monica found herself feeling more and more restless. She knew she had to do something, to take some kind of action after talking to Clarissa and not busy herself with work, but she wasn't sure what to do. Should she call Bobbie and ask her out? Should she wait longer and see if anything happened organically? Don't fool yourself, it has been long enough of some occasional texts here and there.
The answer came sooner than she expected. On Friday evening, her hand terminal rang, and when she looked at the caller ID, she saw Bobbie's name. Her heart skipped a beat as she answered.
"Heya, Bobbie," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Hey, Monica," Bobbie replied, her voice sounding a little tense. "Listen, I know it has been a few weeks but I want to talk to you about something important. Can we meet up? I am alright by the way."
Monica felt a surge of nervous excitement about this blunt call. But this could be it, she thought. This could be the moment when everything changed.
"Of course, of course Bobbie" she said, trying to keep her voice casual. "When and where?"
"How about tomorrow, at the small coffee shop near my place?" The martian suggested.
Monica agreed, and they arranged a time to meet. After she hung up, she couldn't help but feel a little giddy with anticipation. Maybe this was the moment she had been both waiting and dreading for, the moment when she would finally tell Bobbie the truth. Wonder what her news are, though?
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of excitement and nervous energy. Monica tried to focus on other things, to distract herself from the upcoming get together, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something important was about to happen.
As she lay in bed that night, her thoughts started rushing like a rollarcoaster about all the possible outcomes of their get together. Bobbie had something important to tell her, something that might change everything. Or maybe it was just a casual get-together, a chance to catch up and chat. She couldn't help but wonder how her new project might impact their relationship. Would Bobbie be proud of her work? Would she want to be a part of it? Monica felt a thrill of excitement as she contemplated the possibilities, eager to see what the future held.
Whatever it was, Monica knew one thing for sure: she was ready for whatever came next.
-
They met at the small café, the smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries wafting through the air. Seeing her martian again after all those weeks made her knees feel a bit weak and her heart kept racing. She looked so good. After not seeing her for so long, it was clear that Bobbie had been taking good care of herself. She looked vibrant and alive, her skin was glowing, she wore her hair open which was all shiny and bouncy, and her eyes sparkled with a newfound energy. As they caught up on each other's lives, Monica couldn't help but notice the change in the big martian. She seemed more relaxed, more at ease with herself. When Monica asked about it, Bobbie smiled and said she had been seeing a therapist and learning to open up about her emotions.
"It's been really helpful," Bobbie said in her usual manner. "I've been able to process a lot of stuff from my past and start to let go of some of the guilt and pain I've been carrying around for so long."
The small woman couldn't help but be captivated by Bobbie's well appearance. She had always been beautiful, of course, but there was something different about her now. Maybe it was the therapy that she had mentioned, or the fact that she was embarking on a new chapter of her life. Whatever it was, Monica was smitten. She found herself stealing at her martian, admiring the way her black fitted shirt hugged her curves, and the way her toned arms moved as she talked. She felt that familiar flush of warmth spreading through her body, and wondered how her feelings for Bobbie were growing stronger by the minute.
They chatted for a while longer about the gym and Monica gave some details about the new project which Bobbie suddenly started asking alot of questions on how it is going forward, which area she is covering and so on. Then Bobbie grew more serious.
"Wow all of that is really amazing, I am so proud of you! In fact, it has actually inspired me as well and as I had mentioned I have something I need to tell you, Monica," she said, taking a deep breath and getting her posture all stright up. "I've finally decided to take the leap and I think you could help me with some stuff."
Monica's heart skipped a beat as she watched her friend. She knew that when Bobbie got this serious, it was something important.
"I'm moving to Earth, Monica," Bobbie said, her voice steady. "I want to be a part of the rebuilding efforts, to help make things right after everything that's happened. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time. The gym was an easy life for a while but I finally realized that it's the right path for me. And also seeing you down there from afar made me realize that I could be of so much more help."
Monica's eyes widened in surprise. She had known that Bobbie was dedicated to helping others, but she hadn't expected her to take such a drastic step. But as she looked at her friend, she saw the determination and conviction in her eyes. And frankly, she had always been easy to ignite.
"I know it's a big decision," Bobbie continued. "But I feel like it's something I have to do. And I wanted to tell you first, before I start telling anyone else. I value your opinion, Mon, and I hope you can support me in this."
Monica took a deep breath, trying to process everything that Bobbie had just told her. She felt a mix of emotions - surprise, admiration, and a touch of sadness that her friend would be moving away. But more than anything, she felt a sense of respect for Bobbie's courage and dedication.
"Of course I support you, Bobbie," Monica said, smiling. "You've always been someone who follows their heart and does what's right, even when it's hard. I'm proud of you for taking this step, and I know you'll make a difference on Earth."
Bobbie's face lit up with a smile, and they spent the next hours discussing the logistics of such a move to Earth, talking about the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead as Monica knows a lot more about this broken planet than Bobbie does. And as they said goodbye after that coffee which had become a lunch in the middle and hugged for a moment, Monica felt a sense of excitement but also sadness for what the future might hold. All she wants to do is just drown in that embrace. She does not want them to be apart just like that and with that thought her throat feels thick and her eyes start hurting this familiar pain.
As they parted ways, the small woman quickly started taking her heavy steps out of the small shop, trying to get away as fast as possible to just get under her blanket at home. Already a few steps outside of the café she heard her friends voice again.
"Wait, Monica, hey! I know this might be a long shot, but have you ever thought about moving to Earth as well?" she asked.
Monica struck still, considering the idea. The thought of being able to continue her work documenting the rebuilding efforts on Earth without having to constantly travel back and forth was incredibly appealing. And the idea of returning to her home planet after spending so much time away filled her with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
But as excited as she was about the prospect of moving to Earth, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Bobbie had been opening up to her about her own struggles and therapy, and it made her realize that there were things she herself had been keeping hidden which she still did not open up to, yet.
She knew that if they were going to be even closer to each other on Earth, there could be no more secrets between them. She needed to tell Bobbie the truth about how she felt, and soon.
Monica cleared her throat, took a deep breath and made her decision.
"I think that could work," she said, turning around looking up at Bobbie with a determined expression. The big martian started grinning at her.
"But before we make any final plans, there's something I need to tell you, too."
Bobbie's grin faltered slightly as she sensed the seriousness in Monica's voice. "Of, of course, what is it?"
Monica took another deep breath and a step closer to her friend, feeling the weight of her words on her shoulders. "Bobbie, I know we've been friends for a long time, but I need to be really honest with you. I have feelings for you. Romantic feelings."
Bobbie's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, there was a tense silence between them and the big martian started shifting a bit. Monica held her breath for what seemed to be ages, waiting for Bobbie's response.
To her surprise, the martian`s expression softened, and she reached out to take her small hand. So soft. "Monica, I honestly had no idea about you. But I want you to know that I care about you deeply, too. I may not be ready for a relationship, I want to be honest with you, but I don't want this to come between us. I know this may not be what you want to hear but it is all what I can say for now. We can be friends, and we can take time to work out together how… it works out for us both to be comfortable around each other and still work together to make a difference on Earth."
Monica felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she listened to Bobbie's words. She had been so afraid of losing her friend, but now she saw that their bond was stronger than she had ever realized.
"Thank you, Bobbie," she said, squeezing her friend's big hand. "I just had to be honest with you. And I still want to move to Earth with you. It's the right thing to do, for both of us. We can figure the rest out together."
Bobbie nodded, smiling again. "I'm glad to hear that, Mon. We're in this together."