Title: 'THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS'
Author: Asong2sing2@ aol.com
Category: Gen Het
AU Open
Pairing: Orin and Evie

Disclaimer: The song "THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS"  was composed by Bette Midler, Larry Henley , Jeff Silbar
The Magnificent Seven belongs to Mirsch, Trilogy, etc....this is just for fun, not profit.  So don't sue.

THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine
that's your way
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain

Did you ever know that you're my hero
And everything I would like to be
I can fly higher than an eagle
When you are the wind beneath my wings

He always tried to show her how much he loved her. He always tried to show her how truly important she was. Not only to him, but also to everyone. Every day he invented new ways of telling her, or showing her his love for her. And she loved him for it.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I've got it all here in my heart
I want you to know I know the truth
of course I know it
I would be nothing without you

He realized every sacrifice that she had to make for him. Big and small. He knew just how high a price she paid for him to follow his dreams.  And he loved her for it. But he wished he could change it. Maybe make it up to her somehow.

But how do you make up for something like that?

He loved her with all his heart. With all of his soul. With every fiber of his being, he loved her. But somehow that just didn't seem to be enough. For she reciprocated every last one of those things, so it wasn't like he was making up for anything.

He wanted to do something special for her alone.  But what?

Sighing as he climbed into bed, he reached out to take the magazine she had fallen asleep reading from her.  He paused when a notice on the page in the magazine caught his attention.  Smiling, he ripped it out before he carefully placed it on his nightstand, making a mental note to have his new assistant Barb fax it for him the next day. Then he reached over for her sleeping form.

Did you ever know that you're my hero
And everything I would like to be
I can fly higher than an eagle
Oh you are the wind beneath my wings

Two weeks later, she came home late for a meeting and found him asleep on the couch.  She smiled down at him, he looked so relaxed. Her smile graduated to a grin as she climbed up on the couch with him and laid her head down on his chest. This newly found comfort was enough to make him stir from his slumber.

"My Love..."

"Don't talk to me, I'm mad at you."

"Oh? What'd I do this time?"

"The magazine called me."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Good," He grinned. "I was afraid I might have submitted it too late."

"Was it really necessary to do that? I mean, why? You know how much I hate to be in the spotlight."

"Since when?" He watched as she sat up.

"Since whenever. It doesn't matter since when. What does matter is why you did it?"

"Because I wanted to do something for you ... to show my love and belief in you."

"You don't have to prove any of that to me. I already know all of it."

"Yes, well I did it anyway. And you aren't doing a very good job at playing hurt. I can see the excitement in your eyes. You're glad I did this. Aren't you?"

"I am not glad you did this. And I'm never ever letting you near another of my magazines again."

He laughed and pulled her down into his embrace. 

Did I ever tell you you're my hero
You're everything I wish I could be
oh and I I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath mywings

'Cause you are the wind beneath my wing

~ A MONTH LATER ~

"This year's recipient of the 'Woman Of The Year Award' goes to a lady who has given selflessly of herself for the past 25 years that she has been hard at work as a teacher. Through her work, her love and passion of being a teacher has always been evident. Her dedication to her students, and their achievements because of that dedication, is admirable on many levels."

"In the past two years, she has taken her expertise to places some of us only hear of in the news. Traveling all over the world, she has helped create schools in twelve different countries. And in seven others, she aided in the further development of their educational programs."

"This year's recipient is the example of everything a teacher should strive for. Kind, caring, passionate, and dedicated.
I am proud to give you the 'Woman Of The Year' - Evie Travis."

Oh the wind beneath my wings
Fly fly fly away
You let me fly so high
Oh fly fly so high against the sky
So high I almost touch the sky
Thank you thank you
thank God for you
The wind beneath my wings

"I would like to start out by thanking my students. Without them, I wouldn't be a teacher. It has been a pleasure to educate each and every one of you. Also I'd like to thank all of my coworkers over the past several years, both in the classrooms and on the administrative side. They've been a great support chain, and I couldn't have gotten here today without any of them."

"Next, I would like to thank my parents. They no longer grace this earth. But they are here in spirit. They sacrificed the most, to get me where I am today. They supported my decision to become a teacher and helped me through school financially. And they were always there for me -- giving me that extra push, even when I didn't think I needed it."

"And finally, but not in the least, I want to thank my husband, Orin. His love has inspired me to reach all of those goals I set out with so early on in life. With his help, I have been able to meet every one of them, and even surpassed a few along the way. He's always been there in my corner, cheering me on. Although, sometimes I wish he would cheer a little quieter, I love him all the same."

"Thank you, all of you. This means so much to me. Thank you."