Please understand this is not meant snarky: The University of Alasa Fairbanks has one of the top engineering schools in the US. It has a Land, Sea and Space grant research capabilities, there are 3 AF bases with huge radar etc facilities, and the Geophysical and Arctic Research depts are also pretty well known... so, they could wind up there and Zane would be a-ok.

:-)

LOL - "Oh, that kind of domestic"

yeah. this could work. no sugar-coated promises, just a heartfelt commitment to make a go at it.

this could also be the start of other little stories, yes? life in boston? fbi assignments? kids in the kitchen? hint! hint!

You're so good at writing the two of them facing real-world, ordinary drama from a Eureka-style angle. It's very relatable. There was a lovely point-counterpoint flow that fit your scenario well. I like how they were ultimately willing to compromise and come out of their comfort zones a little bit for the sake of just the potential of spending their lives together. That's some well-earned growth and maturity for them and leaves me with awesome warm fuzzies.