A SONG FOR LINDA
by
Diane Farnsworth Kachmar
He never wrote a song
for Linda
He wrote as though he
lived alone
He wrote of dreams that
end
And of sad brave men
Exploring worlds they'd
never known
But he never wrote a
song for Linda
and she was right there
all along
The one real thing in
his crazy world
But he never wrote a
Linda song
Barry Manilow
And now for something completely
different!! Happy Valentines Day!
Author's
Note: This is story #3, even if it is
the oldest in the series and was finished 9 years before the first two. The action picks up where Crisis leaves off, but this is a love
story and quite different in tone and content from the other two. The time is late October 1980 to November
1981. This story was first published in
FANtasy #2, May 1985. It was reprinted
(with Crisis) as a one shot
fanzine in 1994. Third Revision February
2005. DFK
Lee
Crane came awake slowly, savoring the crisp clean of the sheets and the
softness of the infirmary bed.
Seaview had docked in Santa Barbara three days ago, but he was still
in Jamieson's care. At least this time
it wasn't his fault.
Still,
Lee wished the Russians had better aim.
There was no logic to an invisible command beam, if it fried all the
communications in its path. Not to
mention any Flying Sub traveling through.
NORAD had taken over tracking the spy satellite and had even thanked
NIMR for finding it. Too bad the
Institute couldn’t sue the Russians to fund the new flying sub. Their insurance company wasn't the least bit
happy about paying to replace it.
Crane
shifted his legs carefully on the mattress.
The coral cuts were almost healed, but his ribs still ached. Next time, use the parachute. Better yet, let somebody else chauffeur.
"Captain?" A soft voice from the doorway broke into his
thoughts.
"Hello,
Linda." He greeted his grant
coordinator with a smile.
She
returned it, coming in to stand beside his bed.
"I'm glad you're awake. You
look better today."
"I
feel better." Lee gave her a
lopsided grin. "Jamie says I mend
fast."
"He
should know," she answered wryly and then her expression turned dismayed.
"I've
been making a habit of this place, haven't I?" Crane answered.
Linda’s head came up at his rejoinder and
she almost smiled back. "I take the
Fifth, Captain."
He
laughed. "You would."
Linda
grinned this time. "You don't like
being here, do you?"
"I
can't do my job stuck in bed," Lee replied, shrugging.
"There's
not that much to do at the moment," she assured him. "The grant's nearly wrapped. After that-- it’s up to Senator Evans." Linda did a fair imitation of his shrug.
"Have
you decided to accept the Admiral's offer?"
"I’m
still thinking about it," she answered slowly, her eyes searching
his. "Did you have anything to say
about my new contract?"
Lee
pushed himself higher on the pillows, returning her gaze. "Yes.
He asked me before it was drawn up.
I told him truthfully I didn’t want to lose you."
"Thank
you, Captain. That explains quite a
bit." Linda dropped her gaze, her
blond hair falling forward, not quite fast enough to hide the red flush of her
cheeks.
"You
do want to stay?"
"Yes. Once you’re back, we’ll finalize the Evans
proposal. If he accepts it, we'll have
plenty to do." Linda glanced at her
watch quickly. "I have to go. Doctor Jamieson said five minutes. If you were awake."
Lee
rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.
"He gets like that."
She laughed, but quickly brought it under
control and glanced at her watch again.
"I really should--"
"Linda." Lee propped himself up on one elbow. "Have I thanked you for asking Gil to
search islands for us?"
"The
Admiral already did," she answered quickly. "I thought you might have--" Linda
trailed off, ducking her head again, as her cheeks flared.
"You
thought right. If you hadn't sent Gil,
they might not have found us."
"I
know. I had this feeling." Her hands twisted around each other. "I
had to do something."
He
reached out, taking her clasped hands in his.
"I never realized you--"
Linda’s
hands started to tremble. She pulled
loose and turned away, but not before he caught sight of her eyes, brimming
with unshed tears. Then Linda ran from
the room. By the time Lee found his
voice to call her back, she had disappeared out the far door.
What had he done to
deserve that? Spent most of the year hiding
in a bottle. Lee had learned to seek
out his friends now when he felt low and needed company. Apparently, he had another friend he hadn't
known about. Wait a minute. Last time he was here, she was around. Until Jamie had remarked how helpful she had
been. Linda had become
embarrassed and quickly left, citing work.
How much more help had he failed to notice? Now, she was responsible
for their rescue. For that she deserved
a special thank you. Lee lay back on his
pillows, thinking. There had to be
something he could do.
* * * * * *
Crane
soon decided, but Linda didn't visit the next day. It was possible she got tied up doing
something he should be doing. The
painkiller Jamie had him on put him to sleep about an hour after taking it, so Lee
was sleeping more than he really wanted to.
It was late the following afternoon when he finally heard her voice
again in his doorway.
"Captain?"
Crane
gestured her inside, smiling a greeting, as he quickly put aside the reports
Chip had brought him to read. "I
see this isn't social," he said as he saw the stack of folders in her
arms. "You’ve been busy."
"Yes,"
Linda replied. "These all need your
signature."
"Okay, let's have
them." Crane pulled his clipboard
back into his lap, extending his hand for the first folder.
She
quickly flipped it open. "Here and
here."
It took a while to complete the
stack. Lee leaned back against his
pillow as she restacked the folders carefully.
He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling tired. Damn medicine.
"Sir?" Linda’s formal tone brought his eyes open
again. She stood stiffly beside his
bed. "I need to apologize for my
emotional behavior the other day, I--"
Lee
raised his hand slightly. "No
need."
She
dropped her head. "I was way out of
line."
He
shrugged. "You didn't do anything
wrong."
"Thank
you, Captain." She sounded
relieved. It was hard to tell with her
hair hanging down over her cheeks.
"I'm sorry."
He
raised an eyebrow. "One apology is
sufficient, Miss Allen."
"Yes,
sir," she answered resigned and shifted her folders.
"I have something to say to you,
too. I thought maybe when I got out of
here-- you might consider--" Lee
sought her eyes. "Would you allow
me take you out to dinner?"
"Dinner,
Captain?" Linda was surprised.
"As
a thank you."
"You
don't have to. I really didn't do
anything."
"Yes,
you did. Please?"
A shy smile came to her lips. "I’d love to." Linda began fiddling with her folders. "I have to get back to the office."
"All
right. You will call me if you
need anything else?"
"Of
course," she answered. "The
Doctor said to tell you to stop fighting the medication and go to sleep."
Lee
sighed. "So now he’s enlisting you
to do his dirty work?"
"Sleep
well, Captain.” Linda smiled down at
him. “You won’t be here much
longer."
Crane
gazed up at her. “From your lips to the
Doctor’s ear.”
“I’ll put in a good word for
you. Promise.” And with that, she left again.
*
* * * * *
Linda's
hand strayed to her skirt as she heard the car pull up outside. She smoothed the fabric nervously. On time, as usual. Don't keep him waiting. She heard his slow footsteps out on the
porch. Her hand went to her skirt again,
but she snatched it away. It was so
ridiculous to be nervous. They
had been working together a year now.
He feels he has a duty to thank me. She would have accepted words, but Crane
didn't work that way. Linda made herself
walk calmly to the door.
She
opened it at his knock, taking a moment before greeting him. The navy blue jacket complemented his dark,
good looks, as did the blue striped shirt and navy tie. He had also gotten a hair cut. She liked the way his locks curled when they
grew long enough, which wasn’t very often.
About as often as she saw him in civvies. Crane was leaning slightly on a black
cane. After the argument he'd had with
Jamieson about using it, she was a little surprised to see him with it. Will had probably refused to release him
otherwise. Linda smiled softly. "Hi," she ventured.
"Hi." His eyes took her in for a moment. "You ready to go?"
"Yes,
let me get my coat." Linda turned
to go back in and then stopped.
"Would you like to sit down?"
She gestured him inside.
Crane
smiled wryly as he came in after her, his steps carefully stiff. "No, thanks. It's bad enough we have to bring my friend
along."
"I
don't mind," she assured him, taking up her jacket and purse from the
sofa. "I'm ready now."
"You
look great," he said, his voice dropping as he shifted awkwardly.
She
was glad her hair covered her heated cheeks as she pretended to check the clasp
on her purse. For all her agonizing, she
had chosen the right dress; her pale blue silk was exactly right for his navy.
"I
don't recall seeing you wear that to the office."
She
heard him take a few steps toward her and she quickly raised her head.
"It's
too dressy," she answered, as he stopped beside her. "And not very efficient."
He
laughed. "True, but it is
becoming. I like it."
"Thank
you." Linda wished she could tell
him how handsome he was; despite the fact his dark coat emphasized his
gauntness so much more than his khakis did.
There was nothing she could do about that until the Captain was back in
the office.
Crane
extended his arm. "May I escort you
out?"
Linda
took his arm gingerly, being careful not to put him off balance. He was recovered enough to take her, but she
still wished she could drive. To insist
on that would only hurt his feelings.
Linda buried her misgivings deep as Crane led her to the passenger side
and opened the door for her. She quickly
slid into the seat. Linda enjoyed riding
in his yellow and black Camaro. It was a
beautiful car, not what she had expected him to have.
They
talked shop all they way into Santa Barbara; it was the easiest conversation to
keep going. She hadn't asked where he
had reservations. Linda suddenly
realized she should have, when he pulled into Molinaro's. Crane would pick the most expensive
restaurant in town. She had never been
there, but Marion had made many reservations there for VIP visitors.
It
was too late now. The whole layout as
they were shown to their quiet back table too subtly screamed money. Her menu had no prices on it. She immediately thought of a saying she had
heard in college. If you have to ask,
you can't afford it. Linda quickly
ordered ginger ale and studied the menu, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
"Decided,
Linda?" The Captain asked a few
moments later, as she tried to figure out something that wouldn't be expensive.
"The
salmon sounds good." It was near
the top of the menu and sometimes entrees were arranged by price, but she had a
feeling everything was expensive here.
"And a Cobb salad, with tea."
The waiter left with their order as she tried to think of another topic
of conversion. They couldn't talk about
the grant all night. Somewhere off to
her right soft music played. She had no
idea what kind of music he liked.
He
spoke suddenly, scattering her thoughts.
"Like it?"
"It's
very impressive, Captain."
"Chip
says it reminds him of a renaissance drawing room, only he's still looking for
the rich Medici widow." Lee
laughed softly.
"I
thought Commander Morton was dedicated to staying single."
"Only
until he meets the right girl."
Linda didn't know how to take his
light tone; Crane never told jokes in the office. "You've known Commander Morton for a
long time, haven't you?"
"Yes,
we roomed together at Annapolis. He was
full of schemes, even then."
"I
thought, with all the discipline there, that wouldn't be allowed."
"Oh, it wasn't. You see, Morton isn't normal." He leaned across the table, giving her a
conspiratorial wink.
"He
isn't?"
"No. You have to wait for a full moon," Crane
answered, deadpan.
She cocked her head. "You're teasing me."
"Yes,"
he admitted. "You don't mind, do
you?"
"No,"
Linda smiled shyly, before dropping her gaze to the table. Morton teased her sometimes, but Crane never
had.
Luckily,
the food came and she could concentrate on her plates. They could only comment on the food so
long. There had to something intelligent
they could talk about.
"Captain," She looked across the table at him. "Why is herculite a superior hull
material over steel?"
He
gave her a strange look; half surprised, half quizzical.
"Is it
classified?" she asked quickly.
"No. Why do you want to know?"
She
shrugged. "Curiosity. Seaview looks so beautiful moving
through the water."
"Doesn't
she though." Crane’s voice went
warm for a moment, before he leveled his dark hazel eyes on her. "It's a little hard to explain to a
layman. Do you know anything about
Levine's theory of packing?"
"A
little."
"Taken
to the fifth level?"
"Yes. The units are packed so tightly together that
an outside force has no stress point to work on."
"That's
right." The Captain gave her his
measuring look. She had seen him use it on
others, trying to size them up. Linda
met his gaze.
"What
did you study at Berkeley?"
"Anything
that impacts my field. You have to know
about machines if you expect to work with them."
"True. Only they don't teach Levine. He hasn't been accepted by mainstream
engineers."
"I
looked him up."
Abruptly,
Crane smiled. "All right. Maybe you can follow me. The Admiral always asks me to explain to our
visitors and I'm sure I lose them the minute I go into the theory. They nod and look blank. We've been in operation for six years without
an incident, but the Navy still won't change over. It would cut their upkeep in half."
"Some
people can't accept change. They do it
one way for so long--"
"--they
don't know another way. I know." He smiled wryly. "You sure you want to hear this? I can be pretty boring."
She
smiled. "I would like to know, if
you don't mind telling me."
"No,
I don’t mind."
She
never realized how involved the bonding process was. It looked like fiberglass, except for the
silver sheen. The molding process alone
was seven stages. The waiter came and
went with dessert, looking askance at several diagrams hastily drawn in the Captain's
pocket notebook. He returned with their
check. Linda winced at the amount the
Crane gave him. It didn't bother
him. All he wanted to know was if she
had a good time. She assured him she
had. He really enjoyed talking about his
submarine, continuing to explain her capabilities all the way home.
They
pulled into her town house driveway. She
waited for Crane to come around to get the car door. She let go of his arm at her doorway,
pulling out her key.
"Would
you like to come in?" she invited, hating to keep him standing on his
injured legs.
"No,
I'll be going. I've bored you quite
enough tonight."
"No,"
she replied emphatically. "I had a
wonderful time."
"So
did I," Crane replied softly.
"Thank you, Linda." He
took her hand in his and squeezed it.
"I'll see you Monday."
"Good
night."
Linda
watched him from the doorway as he got into the car and drove away. It was a dinner she would not soon
forget.
* * * * * *
"Admiral?"
Nelson
glanced up at the sound of Lee Crane's voice.
"Here's
the performance report you asked for."
Lee came into the office. Harry
took the paper he extended.
Harry
glanced through it briefly and then laid put in his in box. "Right on time."
Lee
shrugged. "Anything else you wanted
today?"
Nelson
shook his head. "No, that should do
it."
"Then
I'm giving Linda the afternoon off."
"Fine. Don't forget the reception tonight."
"I'll be there." Crane did not sound very enthusiastic.
Harry
smiled. "This bunch is much better
than the last group we had through here."
"Anything
would be better than--" Lee stopped.
"Sorry. You know how I feel
about politicians."
"Unfortunately,
they are part of all our government grants."
"Yes,
sir." Lee turned to go. "I'll be my office if you need anything
else."
"Why? You and Linda are current or she wouldn't
take off." Harry glowered at
Lee. "Take the afternoon off,
too. Go surfing or something."
"Surfing?" Lee looked bewildered.
"You
know what I mean, son," Nelson replied quietly.
"Aye, sir." Crane smiled faintly. "Can I borrow your board?"
"Only if you bring it back in one
piece," Harry growled. "Now
scram. That's an order, mister."
Lee
brought his hand up in a semi-salute.
It felt so good to be
able to tease Crane again. "Oh,
tell Linda she's invited, too."
"Nobody's safe around here."
"What?"
"Nothing. I'll remind her. See you tonight."
Harry
watched him leave and turned back to the papers in front of him. Jamieson had been right about Lee. Crane was more his old self than he’d been in
months. Now, if only they could keep it
going.
*
* * * * *
Linda
looked up as Crane walked into the office.
She wrote the last name on the detail list and placed the paper in
Marion's box for typing and posting.
"Well,
was it fast enough?"
He
smiled. "He wasn't expecting it, so
we're off the hook. I see you've
finished off everything else."
Crane gestured at her empty in basket.
"There
wasn't that much to do."
"Must
be our lucky day."
"Why?"
"We
are too efficient. I'm giving you
the afternoon off, so he decided to give me the afternoon off."
"That's
wonderful, Captain."
Crane
leaned down on her desk. "There's a
catch, though. The Admiral wants you at
the reception tonight."
"I'm
only the grant coordinator--"
"That's
no protection."
"From
what?"
He straightened, looking at her
intently. "You've never been to a
VIP reception before, have you?"
"No,
I went to the last grant acceptance speech.
Isn't that about the same?"
"Not
really." Crane continued to look at
her and she thought he would explain, but he shrugged instead. "Maybe it's me. Never mind.
So--" The Captain straightened the papers in her out box
unconsciously. "--what are your
plans for the rest of the afternoon?"
"I
haven't made any."
"The
Admiral said I should go surfing," he said, with distaste.
"You
surf?" she asked, surprised.
"No,"
Crane answered flatly.
"Oh." Linda dropped her head, embarrassed. Private joke. Real smart move.
He
remained silent, riffling the papers in her out box. "I'm sorry, Linda," he said
suddenly. "That wasn't fair. These dinners-- I mean-- the people, they are
so-- " It was strange for Crane to
have to search for words, he always knew exactly what he wanted. "I don't like them," he finally
said.
"Then
why go?"
"I
can't disappoint the Admiral."
"Of course not. What time should I be there?"
"We
need to greet the VIPS when they arrive.
You can come with me."
"You
wouldn't mind?"
"No. Can you be ready by 18:15?"
"That's
formal dress, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"I'd
better be going." Linda pulled her
purse from the bottom drawer of her desk.
"Shall I tell Marion to close up shop?"
"No,
I have a few things to square away. Let
me do it."
"I'll see you tonight. Thanks for the afternoon off. I hope you enjoy yours."
"Oh,
sure, I love polishing brass."
She
looked at him a moment, not sure what he meant. Then Crane smiled. She returned it with relief. She was getting more used to his teasing and
wished she knew better how to recognize it.
Maybe tonight would help.
* * * * * *
There
was something different about this VIP reception. It didn't drag like others in the past, plus
Lee had a responsibility to see Linda had an enjoyable time. Yet, it was her sly wink kept Crane from
losing his temper when Senator Wilkins wouldn't stop talking party politics
over dessert.
The
orchestra had begun playing and there were a few couples out on the dance
floor. Lee picked up Linda’s ginger ale
from the bar, heading back to their seats.
He hadn't told her why he was having tomato juice. He was driving, that was reason enough. He hadn't known she was allergic to
alcohol. He should be so lucky.
His friends hadn't given
up on him and now Lee no longer needed several stiff drinks to get through one
of these. The days when music brought
memories of laughing emerald green eyes, gazing up at him, glowing with love as
they spun round and round the dance floor.
Lee forced that memory of Cathy from his mind, feeling a sudden twinge
of pain. They believed in me. I owe them for standing beside me until I
found my way. Get moving. Linda's waiting.
He
found her talking with Chip. Lee
wondered how long it would take his Exec to notice she was alone. She did look different in a long dress. Crane smiled to himself. That's what she had said about his service
blues.
"Hi,
Lee." Morton greeted him, grinning
widely. "You bring that for
me?"
"Not
quite. Here, Linda."
"Thank you, Captain."
"I
have to get my own?"
"That's
right. Don't worry, there's plenty
left."
"Won't
be by the time I get done. If you'll
excuse me?"
"Bye,
Chip."
"You
know, Skipper, you really shouldn't leave her unattended. Somebody else might decide they need
assistance." Morton winked at Linda
and then walked off toward the bar.
Lee shook his head, sitting down in
the seat Chip had vacated. "He
wasn't trying to pick you up, was he?"
"No,
just shop talk. Chip is quite sweet,
actually, once he stops trying for a date."
"He
asked you out?"
"Once. Last year.
Commander Morton and I have an understanding. I'm not his type."
"Oh." Not really knowing what else to say, Lee fell
silent. He watched the dancers going
by. He smiled when Chip showed up with
Senator Wilkins' wife. There would be a
pool by now, betting when she'd fall out of her dress. Crane looked around for the Admiral, but
couldn't spot him. Lee glanced over at
Linda. She was really enjoying the music
and smiled broadly when she saw Chip.
Crane wondered why Morton hadn't asked her to dance. She would be a much better partner.
Linda
appeared content to stay with him, but that wasn’t right, she should be
dancing. Suddenly aware of his gaze,
Linda turned toward him and the words tumbled out. "Would you like to dance?" he found
himself asking.
Linda
looked at him, surprised and then she smiled.
"Yes, I'd love to dance."
Lee
rose, extending his hand. She took it,
following him out onto the floor, sliding into his arms fluidly. After a few steps, it started coming
back. He spun Linda experimentally and
she came back to him. It felt good,
holding her close. Looking down into her
sea green eyes, for a moment, it could almost be the past, except Lee knew that
he couldn’t go back. It would never
be the same. Crane shook his head
slightly, to scatter those memories. Stay
in the here and now. And watch where his
feet were going.
* * * * * *
Nelson smiled from his vantage point behind
the band, watching Lee and Linda out on the dance floor. That was more like it. Harry knew giving Lee someone to look after
would bring him out. From the pleased look
on Linda Allen's face, he hadn't been wrong there, either. Nelson had suspected there was more to her
than she let show. Linda was one
very organized grant coordinator. They
made a fine couple. Harry shook his
head. It might never come to that. Lee looked happy, though. Sometimes Crane only needed a small push in
the right direction.
* * * * * *
Before
Linda realized the time, the reception was breaking up. All the guests had been seen to and they were
free to leave. Crane didn't have much to
say on the drive home. Linda was content
to sit, remembering the music and his strong hands guiding her. The car swung into her town house driveway
much too soon. She waited for him to
come around and get her car door. The
Captain followed her up to the front door.
"Well,
I'll say goodnight. I had a better time
than I expected."
"Different
crowd this time?"
"You
could say that." His eyes traveled
over her. "Thanks for going with
me."
"Thanks
for taking me. I had no idea you could
navigate a dance floor so well."
She
caught his shy smile. "I'm out of
practice. Surely, you had better
partners. The Admiral doesn't dance with
everyone."
"I
felt so clumsy. What if I had stepped on
his foot?"
"Nelson is a gentleman. He wouldn't have said a word."
"Now
you tell me, Captain," she teased.
Crane
looked at her a long moment. "Do
you have to call me that all the time?" he asked quietly.
"What
else am I supposed to call you?"
"I
have a first name."
"I
know. But you're my boss--"
"Chip asks you to assist him and you
don't call him Commander all the time."
"That's
different. Chip is--"
"--your
friend, while I'm--"
"I didn't say that!” Linda interrupted. “In Chip's case it isn't that critical. How would it look to outsiders if I ignored
your position?"
"Do you think I care what they
think?"
"Yes, I do. Especially, if it will reflect badly on the
Admiral." She dropped her
head. "I don't want to give them
anything to talk about." Linda grew
red with embarrassment. She hadn't meant
to say that.
Linda
suddenly felt his hand under her chin, tilting her head up. "People will always talk. You'll find most of it isn't worth listening
to." Crane looked deep into her
eyes. "I realize it's difficult for
you. I appreciate you trying to follow
the proper military courtesy." His
thumb brushed along the edge of her jaw as he withdrew his hand. "When we're off duty--" he caught
himself. "I mean, when we're at a
social function, you can use my first name."
"All
right. I'll try to remember-- Lee,"
she answered tentatively.
Crane
smiled down at her, his face lighting up.
"You've been a good friend.
I don't appreciate you enough."
Linda fought her
embarrassment down. "I don't have
any complaints."
He
took her hand in his. "Thanks for
going with me."
"I enjoyed it."
Crane
let go of her hand. "See you
tomorrow."
"Good
night, Lee."
* * * * * *
Linda
carried the master report with the attendant copies back into the office with a
feeling of triumph. They had brought the
grant in a week ahead of schedule. Now
Lee was back in the office full time, things were really rolling.
She
had felt so hamstrung during Crane’s convalescence. Chip tried to help, but he could only do so
much. Then he'd take her down to the
Admiral. Linda was feeling more
comfortable with Nelson. The Admiral's
reputation was much more daunting than the man.
She heard voices from Lee's office.
She found Chip perched on the desk as she came in. She walked around to Lee's side, placing the
report down in front of him.
"Hi,”
Morton greeted her. "I was
wondering where you were."
"Hello,
Chip," she answered. "I've
been working, which is more than I can say for some individuals."
"That's
the whole trouble around here, everybody's working. It's Friday afternoon."
"It's
still a work day, Chip, at least for thirty more minutes." Lee said, lifting the top paper. "What do I need to do on these?" he
asked, looking up at her.
"They
need your approval and signature. I
thought I'd send the whole package off Monday."
Lee
thumbed through the first few pages, scanning the data. "This is good. That Tuesday dive really sealed the case,
didn't it?"
Linda
nodded. "It only needed collating
after that. I couldn't see
waiting." His praise made her feel
warm inside.
"Don't tell me
you've finished the Sullivan grant."
Chip reached for one of the reports.
"That still has a week to run."
"You keep telling
us we're efficient, Chip." Lee
looked over at his Exec. "Now you
see why." Crane reached for his pen
as he continued to read the report.
After a few moments, he put it down and signed it. "Looks like you covered
everything."
"Maybe
I should borrow your assistant for my eight o'clock reports," Morton
teased.
"Fat
chance."
Morton put the report down on the desk in
front of Lee. "Now look, if you're a
week ahead, there is no reason you can't come to the party."
"I
don't know, Chip."
Linda
gathered up the reports from under Crane's elbow. She hoped Chip could convince him to go. There was nothing else that had to be done
today. She quietly went back to her
desk, their voices carrying through the open door between the offices.
"We
need you, Lee. Stu's quick off the mark
but he has neither your aim nor range.
Besides he's a sucker for Kowalski's inside fake."
"Didn't
you tell him to watch Ski's stance?"
"His
stance?"
"He
always leans slightly left when he's going to fake. Gives him away every time."
"That's
why we made you quarterback in the first place.
You're the only one who noticed moves like that."
"It
only takes observation."
"Who has time for that during a
football game, especially with Bronowski after you?"
Lee
laughed. "Don't let him catch you,
Chip."
"Well,
he's on our team, now. It was easier
when you called the plays. We miss you
out there, bud."
"I
haven't touched a football since--"
Lee's voice went soft. "More
than a year, at least."
"It'll
come back," Morton encouraged.
"Beats hanging around here."
"All
right, maybe this once. You sure you
want me?"
"Of
course, we want you. I asked, didn’t
I?”
"Still
meet at the same place?"
"Yep. Got any charcoal lying around?"
"I'll
get some. Need anything else?"
"No,
we're covered. Hey, why don't you ask
Linda to come too?"
"It's
not my party, Chip."
"Then
you don't mind if I ask her."
"Be
my guest."
"Man, once the Forecastle sees that
suit of hers--"
"And
when did you see her in a swim suit?" Lee asked quietly.
Morton
laughed. "You're not the only one
who dives around here. Think she'll
go?"
"You'll
have to ask her."
Linda
dropped her eyes to the report in front of her as she heard Chip approach. She waited until he perched on the edge of
her desk before she looked up.
"Got some unfinished
business," he announced.
"Oh?"
"I
was wondering if you'd come to our party?"
"Sure,
why not."
"It's
lots of fun."
"Is
that why you invited me?"
"Of
course." Morton grinned at her
innocently.
"And
here I thought you liked the way I look in my bathing suit." She dropped it on him.
To
her surprise, Chip got embarrassed. A
red flush crept up from his collar to his cheeks. "Aww, Linda."
She
reached out quickly, taking up his hand and squeezing it. "I was only teasing you, Chip. Don't worry about it."
"I
didn't mean to sound so--" Morton
started to apologize.
"I
know."
"I
told you, she doesn't miss much, Chip."
Lee's voice came from the doorway.
"I've
got a few errands to run. See you two
later."
"Bye,
Chip."
They
shared a smile after his departure.
"Do
you know what you agreed to?" Lee
asked lightly.
"Are
they really that bad?" Linda
matched his tone.
"No. I'll show you where they meet if you'd
like."
"Thanks. I've heard the music. I could follow it, but--" She
laughed. "I'd rather have the
company."
"Then I'll pick you up at your town
house, say in about an hour?"
"It
shouldn't take that long. Why don't you
drop by as soon when you're ready?"
"Okay. You go and I'll tell Marion to close up. See you in a little while."
* * * * * *
At
first Linda wasn't sure they would let her play. No one laughed; they only looked at each
other doubtfully. She could feel their
eyes on her, weighing her size.
Chip
shrugged. "It's only touch."
"And
we are one short." Kowalski
added. "We'll take her." He glanced at his teammates; they made
various gestures of acquiescence.
"You
want six to even it up?" Chip
asked.
"She
won't be a liability, Chip," Lee broke in quietly. "In fact, they should probably give us
six, as rusty as I am."
None of the others believed
that. Finally Chip held up his hands,
silencing their voices. "All right,
we'll start even. Channel marker 7 is
one goal, the stairs the other, okay?”
Kowalski
lost the toss and Linda followed him down the beach to kick off. She smiled as she heard Chip admonish his
players. "Remember, anything above
the waist is an automatic fifteen, so watch it."
"They're
supposed to be gentlemen, Chip," Lee reminded him wryly, but she didn't
catch Chip's answering smart remark as Kowalski beckoned her over. He assigned her to cover Malone, the shortest
player on Chip's team. All she had to do
was keep her man out of the play.
Apparently,
Lee had once been the leader of Chip's team.
The Captain refused to be in charge, but he did agree to play
quarterback. Stu Riley stepped aside
gladly. It would be interesting to see
how good Lee was.
"It's
weird to play 5 man ball, again," Patterson said to Kowalski as he made a
few practice kicks. "If Chip gets
the Skipper to come back, then we'll have to replace Dave Wilson."
"We
don't know the Skipper's coming back. It
was the missus that brought him in the first place. He probably has more important stuff to do
now."
"Yeah,
you're right. It sure surprised me to
see him here."
"I think they're ready down
there," Nick Peatty broke in.
"Kick us a long one, Pat."
"Okay,
here goes."
She
had wondered what being one of the boys was like. Linda suspected Chip had told Malone to go
easy on her, but after she tagged Lee behind the line Boots got more
aggressive. It took a while for the
other side to get together, but she could see the game turning in their favor. Not that Nick couldn't hit Pat or Randy when
they were open, but Chip was everywhere in the backfield. Nick didn't have much time before Bronowski
broke through. Her side was better at
defense. Kowalski had a terrific
rush. If they tried to double team him,
she or Pat would get through.
Lee
was fast and could get the ball off quicker than Nick. If Bronowski took out
either Randy or Nick, a score by either Chip or Stu was pretty inevitable. Despite the captain's protests of being
rusty, he could put the ball where he wanted it.
Linda thought briefly
about asking Nick to take her off the line to cover Chip, but she
hesitated. They were letting her
play. They might not appreciate any
suggestions and she was having far too much fun to leave the game now. Peatty decided to shift her on his own, to
run interference for Pat and let Randy play the line for a while. Now Linda felt she was helping, that and
Kowalski's slap on the shoulder acknowledging a good play.
They
managed to score after that, tying it up again, but then Lee sneaked his way to
a touchdown. From the disgusted looks of
her teammates, they had been taken in by that play before. It took a long set of downs but they finally
managed a touchdown at the end. It was
becoming harder and harder to find ways to fool the other team.
Linda
was running when she heard Pat yell her name.
She turned and saw him barely ahead of Bronowski and then the ball was
coming straight for her. Linda
concentrated, getting under it, pulling the ball to her. She knew with a head start Malone couldn't
catch her. All she had to do was
run. Linda could see the buoy in front
of her. Only a few more yards.
Something struck her
around the hips. The force of the hit
spun her. Linda felt herself falling,
tripping over someone. In midair, she was
twisted. Don't drop the ball. Linda waited to hit. Whoever tackled her was in for it, this close
to a touchdown. The sand came rushing
up, but she landed on something softer.
He went limp beneath Linda, his arms falling away from her hips. She quickly scrambled off, still clutching
the ball. Linda turned around and the
ball slipped from suddenly nerveless fingers.
No, not him. The next
instant, she was kneeling, grasping his shoulders, pulling him up. Lee made a half-hearted attempt to push her
away, as he doubled over, breathing in ragged gasps. "'s. . . okay," he whispered, his
face red.
Linda did not let go,
but slid behind him, holding him up with her body. She heard Chip yell, "Time out" and
found herself surrounded by the other players. Lee's hand closed around her arm as he raised
his head. "You all. . . right?"
"I'm
fine," she answered.
"Look
out, now." Chip pushed his way
through, dropping to the sand beside Lee.
"I
was about to. . . land on
you." Crane grinned sheepishly. "I . . . couldn't let you . . .
score."
“Might
have been better,” Linda answered.
“Tackling's a fifteen yard penalty." She gestured at the nearness of the goal.
"I
got . . . carried away," Crane admitted.
"And
Will may come and do that," Chip growled, running his hand along Lee's rib
cage. "Does it feel like you
cracked anything?"
"All
she did was . . . knock the wind . . . out of me," Lee answered,
disgusted. "I miscalculated."
"You're
too light to be a tackle!"
"I
couldn't . . . land on her. I meant to
tag. . . and roll free, not knock her over.
I was moving too fast and--"
"Two
person pile-up!" Riley injected.
"Right." Lee shook his head. "I've lost the timing. There is a right way. . . to bring someone
down--” He looked up at Morton
accusingly. "I told you I'm
rusty!"
Chip
smiled. "A little out of
practice," he granted, amused.
The
others chorused agreement and Riley suggested Crane had been teaching Linda
some of his moves on the side.
"She
doesn't need my help, Stu," Crane answered quietly.
Linda ducked her head to hide her
embarrassment. It was bad enough she had
fallen on him. Lee was still much too
thin and the flying sub crash two months ago hadn't helped. All she could do was make sure there was
something tempting to eat by the coffee.
"Well,
you don't have fifteen to get."
Chip looked up at Kowalski.
"Half the distance would make it 1st and 2 on the 2."
Ski looked at his
teammates. They indicated agreement.
"Fine," Pat said.
"Of
course, we could leave it a draw."
Kowalski stated with a grin.
"After all, I'd hate to take advantage of you, with your star
player down."
"Look,
Ski." Lee sat up. "I'm not--"
Ski
looked down, his grin getting wider.
"Skipper, we could argue all day, but the tide has turned and some
of us--"
"Don't
tell me, surf's up."
"You
got it, Skipper," Riley replied.
"Draw?" Morton asked Kowalski.
"Draw. We'll beat you next week."
Chip
turned back to Lee. "Are you sure
your ribs are okay?"
"Yes,
Chip." Crane did not hide his
exasperation.
"Okay,
then let's go hit the water."
They
moved off down the beach where Linda could see several wetsuits hung up and
boards standing in the sand. Chip hung
back for a moment.
"Make
sure you assist him," he said, winking slyly.
She felt Lee tense under her hands and
start to rise. Linda was glad the
football was out of reach. She tightened
her grip on Lee's shoulder to distract him.
He turned toward her. By that
time, Chip was out of range.
"I'm
sorry. They get out of hand,
sometimes."
"I've
noticed. They don't mean any harm."
"They
like you."
"Of
course. I'm your assistant."
"No,
if they didn't want you around, you'd know.
Rank doesn't get you anything here, except as a target." Crane
smiled. "It gives the juniors a
chance to get out from under the discipline." His expression grew thoughtful. "With you--" Lee shrugged. "They like you, period." He looked up at her intently. "You never told me you played
football."
"It
isn't something that comes up working on marine biology grants."
Lee
laughed. "No, I guess not. You're good."
"Lots
of practice in Long Beach. Neighborhood
tomboy."
"Well,
next time you'll have to play for our team."
"What
would Chip say?"
"That
you'd be an asset." Lee extended
his hand suddenly. "Want to go watch the hot dogs surf?"
"I'd
like that." Linda took his hand,
scrambling to her feet. Sensing he did not
want help, she stood still while he gained his feet. Then she followed him down the beach. His hand felt warm in hers. Linda was glad she had decided to stay on
another year.
Sitting
on the sand, watching the surfers and listening to Crane’s stories of their
various escapades, she felt a growing contentment. Ever since the crash, Lee had been
different. Linda liked being teased by
him and she hoped there would be more times like this.
* * * * * *
"You
can put your shirt back on now," Jamieson directed, turning away to fill
in the chart.
Lee
put his hand into the right sleeve, shrugging the khaki over his shoulders.
Then he put his left hand through the other sleeve. Crane had thought Jamie's temper would
improve once he submitted to the examination, but it hadn't. He buttoned up the shirt, keeping his eyes
downcast. Lee hadn't been deliberately
trying to avoid the physical. With
one-hundred-twenty-four other crew members to process, Jamieson had plenty to
do. He felt fine; it could wait.
The
doctor muttered something to himself.
"Everything
check out okay, Jamie?" Crane asked quietly.
"No,
damn it!" Jamieson whirled around
to face him, his eyes wrathful, as he flung his pencil down on the chart. "You're still underweight. And anemic." Will ran a hand through his thin hair
distractedly. "This has to
stop!"
"What
else can I do?" Lee pushed off the
examining table, tucking his shirt tail in.
"I've been trying to do what you told me to."
"Everything?" Jamie raised an eyebrow.
"Whatever
I've had time for."
"Specifics,
Lee. How much and when?"
Lee shifted, leaning back against the
exam table. "I always try to have
more than coffee for breakfast and make a decent supper if I get home early
enough."
"If?" The Doctor scowled. "I told you three meals a day."
"Jamie! I don't have a schedule. I have people to see, places to go--"
"And
a boat to run." Will picked up the
chart. "I've heard this before,
Lee. I'll tell you again. You keep this up and you'll end up right back
here."
"No,
not again." Crane pushed away from
the table. "I can't command lying
--”
"And
you'll never heal if you don't start taking better care of yourself." Jamieson shoved the chart into his
hands. "One hundred-fifty-three
pounds. That's way too low. You should weigh one-seventy-five."
"I've
never weighed a hundred-seventy-five."
"I
know." Will smiled wryly. "I would be content with ten more
pounds." He pressed his hand
against Lee's side suddenly. "I can
find your ribs without even trying."
Jamie removed his hand and took back the chart. "Now, do I have to supervise your
meals?"
"No,"
Lee answered, resigned. "I'll try
harder."
"See
that you do." Will put a light hand
on his shoulder. "You could
probably get Linda to bring you back something, if you are too busy to get out
for it yourself."
"She
does think I need some fattening up."
"Oh?" Jamieson looked at him quizzically. "She say something?"
"Not
in words, Jamie."
The
Doctor grinned.
Lee
smiled at Will's teasing. "It's the
way she acts sometimes."
"How
so?" Jamie's grin widened as he
dropped his hand.
"Never mind."
"Now
remember, either you gain ten pounds by your next checkup, or you'll stay here until
you do."
"I've
never been one to gain weight," Lee countered.
Jamieson
went over to his files. After a few
minutes of riffling through the various folders, he pulled out a printed
sheet. "You follow this and I
guarantee you'll gain weight."
Crane
folded the sheet carefully, tucking it into his front shirt pocket. "All right, I'll try, but I can't
promise anything. Can I go now?" He tugged his shirt into place, looping his
tie around his neck.
"Let
me guess. You are needed on the boat." Will smiled.
"She's
a very demanding lady."
"Make
sure she doesn't take too much."
Lee
paused in the doorway. "I do my
job, Jamie. It works best that way. All the way around."
* * * * * *
"Listen,
I really appreciate you staying late to help me collate that report. I'm sorry it was such short
notice." Lee pushed open the front
door of the main administration building.
He held it, gesturing Linda to go first.
He followed her out and then locked the door behind them.
"Don't
worry about it," Linda hastily reassured him. "It wasn't your fault . . .
Lee." She still felt strange
calling the Captain by his first name, but it was getting easier. He liked it.
Crane
smiled-- the smile he gave his friends.
"Let me walk you home."
"No,
your town house is in the opposite direction.
It’s out of your way."
"I
want to. Besides, it looks like
rain."
"I'll
be fine, Lee," she insisted, touched by his concern. Something in his expression made her
relent. She did enjoy his company. "Well, it is late."
Crane’s
eyes lighted up, turning amber for a moment.
She was glad to see it. The
somber quietness, so much a part of him when she first came here, was much less
evident now.
"You're
on the north end?"
"Yes,
number 27."
They
walked down the main street of the Institute, under the yellow street
lights. A freshening breeze blew in from
the ocean carrying the damp tang of salt.
Thunder rumbled distantly.
"Smells
like rain too," Lee observed suddenly.
"Not the best night for
walking."
"No.
I wish the stars were out."
Crane gazed upwards. "They
make you feel closer to the earth somehow." Lee usually didn't talk like that. His voice was wistful and soft.
"You
like the stars, don't you?"
"If you could see them, I'd show
you the Seven Sisters, Cassiopeia, Orion and Polaris, the North Star. They call it the Sailor's star because it’s a
navigational bearing at sea. We used to
use it more before navigational computers." Lee paused, pointing upward. "Tonight, it would about there."
Linda
stopped next to him, looking up.
"Did
you see it?" he asked softly.
"No,
there are too many clouds." She was
suddenly aware of how close he was.
"I
didn't, either," Lee answered as he looked down at her.
She dropped her eyes,
disconcerted. "Maybe some night
when it's clear you could show me," Linda said softly, not wanting Crane
to go back to his usual, polite demeanor.
"I'd
like that." Lee grinned shyly at her.
She
made herself look into his eyes. He'd
really like to.
His
dark eyes roved her upturned face. He
raised his hand, laying it hesitantly on her shoulder.
A sudden loud clap of thunder startled them
both. Lee dropped his hand quickly and stepped
back, looking skyward in concern. A
quick thrumming began toward the sea.
Raindrops began to splatter around them.
"Oh!"
Linda exclaimed, as the rain began to fall harder. She felt something draped over her
shoulders. The sleeves of Lee's brown
jacket fell in front of her.
"Here," Lee
said, almost in her ear. "Let's
make a run for it. It's not that
far." He took her hand in his and
tugged.
"Lee,
wait. I can't run in heels." Linda kicked off her pumps, bending to
recover them. Crane's jacket began to
slide.
Lee
tugged the jacket back into place.
"Ready?"
She
nodded, pushing her shoes under the jacket.
She
couldn't have kept up with Crane, but his grip on her hand compensated for his
longer stride. Linda trusted him as he left
the road and began running through yards.
In a few moments they were back on another road and then she saw her
complex ahead. They sprinted up the
walk, up the stairs and onto the small porch.
Off balance, she tripped on the last stair and fell against him. He
caught her in his arms, helping her back to her feet.
"See, we made
it. I told you I'd get you home
safe."
"How'd
you know which yards to cross?"
Lee
smiled. "Family secret." He stood, looking at her with a crooked grin,
the rain dripping off his hair. His
soaked khaki shirt clung to him.
"You're
dripping, Captain." Linda felt an
uncontrollable urge to giggle.
"So
are you."
She
slid off his jacket. "Here, you'd
better put this on." It hung heavy
in her hands and belatedly Linda realized it was soaked, too.
"Uh,
that's not going to help." Lee
regarded it skeptically as she held it out.
She
had to laugh. His expression was
priceless.
After
a moment he joined in, the green glints in his dark eyes gleaming with
amusement.
Linda
reached up, draping the coat over his shoulders. Without her heels on, he was taller. She went to step back and found his arms
around her.
Lee
looked down into her eyes, his gaze soft and tender. Without thinking, she lifted her lips to
his. He brushed her lips so softly, she
barely felt any pressure. Then he pulled
back, gently removing his arms from around her.
"Thank you, Linda," he said quietly.
"For
what, Lee?
"For being you." He shrugged into his damp jacket. "I'll be going now. It's slacking off." He turned to go down the steps.
"No
way, Captain Crane." She caught his
hand, pulling him back toward the door.
"It is not slacking off and you're not going anywhere until you're
dry. I'll not have you catch your death
on my account. The Admiral would
court-martial me."
Lee
laughed again. "I have it in my
will he can’t do that."
She
began searching for her key. "I'll
pop that shirt into the dryer and then I'll make some coffee."
"That
sounds wonderful. Here, let me."
He took the key from her hand, as she
tried to open the lock without dropping her shoes. Lee put the key in the lock, turned it and
pushed the door open for her. She went in
and he followed, closing the door behind them.
* * * * * *
"Are
you having a good time?" Lee's
voice was barely audible above the crashing surf. They sat together on the sand several feet
above the tide line, watching the waves.
"Yes,"
Linda leaned back against him, feeling his arms tighten around her. "It's all you said it would be."
Lee
laughed, looking down at her. "I
wasn't sure how the suggestion would go over."
"Oh?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Well,
a moonlight drive to a deserted beach-- You know what they say about
sailors."
"If
they don't know enough to say seamen, who cares? Besides," Linda batted her eyelashes
ingénue-like. "Is my honor in
danger, Captain?"
"No,
sweetheart, the only dastardly deed I planned tonight was ditching Chip."
She
laughed. "I bet he still hasn't
noticed."
"Don't
count on it. Morton can take a
hint. He won't come looking for
us."
"Don't
you bring all your girls here?" Linda said jokingly.
He
stiffened beneath her, dropping his arms from around her. "No," Lee answered quietly. "Never had a reason to. I never had a lot--"
She
laid a soft hand on his lips. "I'm
sorry, that wasn't fair." Linda
dropped her head. "I can't get used
to the idea that you want to be with me.
You could have any girl--"
He
took her chin and tilted it up. "I
want you, okay?"
She
snuggled closer to his shoulder.
"I'm not complaining."
He kissed her gently and placed his
arms around her again. "Was it
worth the drive?"
"It's
gorgeous."
"No submarines
races."
She laughed. "I know.
We never saw any subs in Long Beach, either."
"What
a shame."
"You mean we actually came for the
view?" She matched his wry
tone. "How boring."
Lee
laughed. "Found out at last."
"It's
terrific. Thank you for showing
me."
"My pleasure, sweetheart. You appreciate moonrises."
"Sometimes." She reached up to stroke his dark hair.
Crane
shook his head free from her touch.
"Don't. The wind's already
is doing a number on it." He caught
up her hand, enfolding it in his. She
pressed close to him. His arm tightened
around her. She glanced up at Lee. A shy smile played around his mouth and then
he bent down, his lips caressing her neck.
"Really,"
she whispered, seeking his lips.
"Uh
huh," he replied, his lips soft against hers. Lee slid down on the sand, pulling her down
on top of him.
"And
what of your intentions, Captain?" Linda asked after a long, tender kiss.
"What
intentions?" His dark eyes twinkled
with amusement.
"The ones you're so conveniently
forgetting." She tapped him on the
nose.
"It
was never my intention--" he started and they both burst out
laughing. Suddenly, his arms tightened
around her, pulling her down again and his lips were on hers. Insistent, with such longing, she
automatically returned his kiss with equal passion.
It
took a moment to realize what was happening.
Wait, we're only friends.
Even as she started to pull back, he abruptly released her, letting her
up. A troubled look crossed his features
as he sat up, then he reached out tentatively to straighten her disheveled
blonde hair. "I'm sorry, sweetheart.
I don't know what came over me.
Forgive me?"
"It's
okay," she replied softly, reaching up to push the dark hair off his
forehead. "There's too much
moonlight here."
He smiled. "You are so beautiful sometimes."
She
dropped her head, but quickly raised it to give Lee the reply he now
expected. "And you're crazy."
"Blame
Chip," he answered lightly, then dropped the tone. "It's late. I'd better take you home."
"All
right." Linda trailed her hand down
his cheek for a moment. "It's a
long drive."
"But
the company's good."
Linda put her arms around Crane and
hugged him. "The company's the
best."
Lee
returned the hug, then drew back, gathering his feet under him. She waited until he stood, then took the hand
he extended to her, letting him pull her up.
"Thanks
for bringing me."
"My
pleasure," Lee answered and then his features twisted in dismay. "Ah, maybe I should rephrase that."
Linda
laughed. "Don't worry about
it. Lead on, Captain." They began walking up the dune together and
she looked over her shoulder for one last glance. The sea gleamed in the moonlight. Linda was grateful he wanted to share it with
her. The more she learned about him, the
more she didn't know him at all.
* * * * * *
There
were times, when Linda managed a peaceful moment during one of the Friday
parties that she wondered how she ended up being den mother to a bunch of
overgrown boy scouts. No, she better
make that sea scouts. Somebody had to
look after these crazies. Katie
needed the help. Randy's fiancée was the
only other female regular. Katie was worried
there would be no one to restrain their antics, once she started her
residency. Linda assured her Lee would
keep them in line, but she couldn't vouch for Chip. They had both laughed. All they could do was love them. Linda knew she was very lucky they had
accepted her into the group.
Linda
twirled her marshmallow over the fire and glanced around. They really were lovable. Stu always leading with his mouth and Pat
waiting to trip him up. Ski with his
boundless enthusiasm for everything. Boots
trying so hard to keep up. At least now
Malone was taller than someone. Randy
and Nick and Al. Her gaze fell on
Morton.
Then there was
Chip. He knew she knew damn well it was
an act, but he continued to flirt with her at every opportunity. He was doing it to tease Lee, so she went
along with it. Lee always laughed at
their back and forth, his dark eyes twinkling.
Those times, he wasn't Captain Crane, her boss. In soaked denim cutoffs, his dark hair
curling wildly, no one would mistake him for the neat, efficient officer who
commanded Seaview. Especially
with the faces he made at Chip's awful puns.
Even
in uniform, Chip's humor came through.
Heaven help the unprepared Senator; there was no telling what he'd
learn. All of it wonderfully embroidered,
of course. Then Lee would have to
explain the reality, sometimes more than once, to some of the really dense
ones. Chip did only do to the ones that
asked for it and Lee knew that.
Crane was the quiet one,
as long as she'd known them. It drew her
to him. Lee rarely let him relax, except
with his friends. Chip and the
Forecastle. Seaview’s first Chief
of the Boat, Curley Jones had coined the moniker and the name stuck. People knew exactly who you meant. They were the unofficial leaders of the
crew. Anything instigated usually found
them at the bottom, in cahoots with Chip.
The
officers here were an interesting group.
Of course, the Admiral did whatever he wanted to, whenever he wanted
to. It was only natural they'd follow
his lead. They followed him everywhere
else.
Linda
pulled her marshmallow from the fire, letting the freshening sea breeze cool
it. She prodded gently to see if the
middle was soft. Not quite. Beside her Boots pulled a blazing one from
the flames. He snuffed it, popping the
gooey charred mess into his mouth. Linda
lowered her stick back over the fire, cocking her head to catch the melody Stu
was teaching Chip. It was his latest composition
and Linda liked it very much. It was
more wistful than usual. Pat had ribbed
him about mellowing out. Stu struck
several bars of `Wipeout' on his guitar and they all laughed. She preferred his melody.
Chip
was picking up fast, his fingers soft on the strings of his guitar. Once he got it down, Stu could work out a
harmony line. Only this time Linda
didn’t feel it was necessary. On her
other side, Kowalski sat quietly, watching their fingers moving in the
firelight. Chip had offered to teach him
to play, but Ski said he'd rather watch.
He'd sing if they wanted him to.
They all had good voices, even if their songs were a little
off-color. What did they do with a
drunken sailor? Some of their answers
were quite, ah, creative.
A
navy windbreaker, much too large, came down over her shoulders. "Here, it's starting to cool off."
Lee dropped to the sand between her and Boots, giving the fresh packs of
marshmallows to Malone. "Now stop
worrying about saving any for the others," he teased.
Boots
tossed a pack over to Patterson.
"Start some for the musicians, Pat." He placed another one on his stick. "Thanks, Skipper."
"No
trouble," Lee answered, shrugging.
Linda felt him leaning close, his head almost on her shoulder. "How're you doing?"
"I'm
fine," she answered, knowing better than to refuse the jacket. He'd only insist more. Lee was always thinking about her
comfort. If she let him, he'd spoil her.
She pulled the marshmallow from the fire, offering it to him. "Here, it’s done, but not a char mark on
it."
"You'll
make me fat," Lee kidded as he took it.
"I can't get these clowns to cook them right."
"You
like 'em raw, Skipper," Malone answered, with loathing.
"The
idea is to eat them, not burn them, Boots." Crane grinned wryly. "Fire's hot enough as it is."
"It's
also cook your own. We don't have
assistants."
"Boots,
when you're the Captain--" Lee answered, his bantering voice shaking with
laughter.
"Yeah,
I know, Skipper." Malone shook his
head, grinning. "When is the
operative word in that statement."
"Maybe
when you can see out the periscope," Pat suggested innocently.
"You
guys keep setting the automatic height control for the Skipper--" Boots
shot Pat an exasperated look.
"He's
the one that uses it," Ski chimed in, his innocent look a match for
Pat's. He grinned widely, giving his
marshmallow a deft turn.
"Forget
it!" Boots quickly jerked his
flaming mallow from the fire, twisting it so the fire enveloped the whole
marshmallow before he snuffed it.
"Hey,
you guys done practicing yet?" Pat
looked toward Chip and Stu.
"Our
public's getting restless." Stu
smiled at Chip, removing his fingers from the strings. "You ready?"
"Time
to earn our keep," Chip replied.
"Except I can't play on an empty stomach. Ski, that looks about right. Fork it over." Chip grinned wolfishly. "The piper never plays for free."
Ski
tipped his stick so it hung in front of Chip's face. "That's one request you owe me. Careful, you don't end up with your fingers
stuck to the strings."
"That's
for amateurs," Chip answered, eating the mallow off the stick. "Hey, that's pretty good."
"It's
the wrist action." Ski twirled his
stick, spearing a fresh marshmallow.
"Bull,"
Pat replied. "You've got a good hot
spot."
Stu quickly interceded before Ski
could come back with a suitable rejoinder.
"How about Buffett?" Riley asked. "Treat Her Like a Lady?" He strummed a few chords as they agreed.
Chip
joined in, picking up his rhythm.
The
words came easier now she had learned their favorites. They did treat Seaview like a
lady. She loved listening to Lee's soft
baritone. The golden glow deep in his
brown eyes, especially when he sang about the sub. The reverence they gave the submarine had
surprised her, at first. Now that she'd
been on a cruise, she was beginning to understand. She was fond of the old girl herself. More than once, she'd come silently down from
the front wardroom to sit on the winding stairs and watch them run the boat in
the control room.
They had brought the
last grant in early. Linda was enjoying
the breather, before the next one started.
Lee often worked late and she welcomed these Fridays nights with the gang. As long as Crane kept inviting her, she'd
come. Lee needed the time away from his
responsibilities.
Linda enjoyed being here, sharing his
friends. The others treated her like a
kid sister. She had become ‘The
Skipper's Lady.’ Linda didn't know what
the sub crew meant by that term, but she had heard it a lot lately and it
translated to acceptance and respect.
Linda wondered if there was a term for their relationship. It was more than enough to be his friend and
give him the companionship he wanted.
Linda felt his arm go over her shoulder, pulling her back to rest up
against him. Eight months ago Lee had
been so slender, she'd been afraid to rest on him. Crane looked so much better with some weight
on. Even Jamieson had let up.
All that rich food at
Molinaro's. He knew how Linda felt about
that place. Lee claimed it as an excuse
to splurge. She insisted that for every
time he took her there, he had to let her fix him three meals. He'd eat whatever she cooked, but Linda knew
he liked rare steak.
She
leaned against Lee, savoring his nearness.
In the circle of his arms she felt content. Linda was drawn to him. She cared about him. Maybe even loved him. Dream on, girl. You'll never take her place. Part of him died with Cathy, like you lost
part of yourself when Rob was shot down.
And he'll never be Rob. Like him,
but never him.
That
didn't matter now. She liked the way Lee
cared about others. He had a way, hard,
when called for-- but with compassion.
His hand brushed her knee softly, his finger tracing the seam of her
jeans. Linda caught up his roving
forefinger cradling it in her hand, squeezing gently. He returned the pressure and she glanced up
into his deep hazel eyes. He had the
same soft look from that rainy night two months before, the first time he
kissed her. The night their relationship
began. Where it was going, Linda wasn't
sure, but Lee was happier than she had ever seen him, much more open and
content.
At first she had been afraid his friends
wouldn’t accept her, but the trouble Linda anticipated never materialized. From
the people that really mattered, the Admiral, Doctor Jamieson and of course,
Chip and the Forecastle, there was no resistance at all. Sometimes they were too helpful. If Lee wanted to be with her, she wouldn't
refuse him. They were so obvious about it. She had conveniently ended up with Lee,
alone, too many times. Crane wasn't
dense either. When she told him, he had
laughed. They meant well. Unfortunately, he had seven mother hens. They then sneaked off a few times in
retaliation, to show they didn't need any more help.
The
last chord echoed against the surf.
Linda glanced around the fire at her friends. This place could be home. She'd been a nomad for so long, moving from
place to place, grant to grant, never wanting any roots after Rob's death. She could plant some here. Pat kept telling her she was one of the
gang. Lee's hand felt so warm and strong
enfolding hers. Linda wanted to hold on
forever.
Chip
began strumming an old ballad from the age of sail, about steering to glory and
leaving the girls behind. Stu started
harmonizing, with Lee joining him. The
others came in on the refrain. They were
good. She'd enjoy the harmony while she
could. A couple more songs, a few more
beers and they'd get rowdy. Never
failed. Then Chip asked her to sing
for them.
Linda was about to
decline, until Lee asked, in the soft, gentle tone she couldn't refuse. She picked a song he had taught her, one of
his favorites. Linda loved to watch the
glow come into his eyes. She was careful
not show it, or the others would rib Lee all night. She knew and he knew that was what
mattered. If Linda could have one wish,
she would never leave this place.
*
* * * * *
Lee
Crane brought his thoughts back to the report in front of him. Quit daydreaming. Of course it's boring. Aren't all NRC reports? They made the same observation six different
ways. He'd rather think about
Linda. The way she laughed that made him
laugh, too. With her sly humor, she
could get through this. Lee sighed
quietly. Get on with it; the report
wouldn't magically disappear because he didn't want to read it. And they needed to do something about the
hatch covers. The fix worked, so what if
it wasn't regulation. Why a research
submarine needed MIRVS in the first place-- They were the most advanced
submarine afloat. Someday they might
have to help with national defense.
Lee smiled, remembering Linda’s disgust after the members of Congress
had left.
Lee
agreed with her, but was easier to give.
The old man still felt a responsibility to the government. And when did they ever help us? Lee shook his head. He was doing it again. It's only a couple of days. Berkeley had their chance to get her
back. Linda had decided to stay here for
another year.
Crane
found himself suddenly wishing she would never leave. What could he offer her to stay? They were only friends. She was easy to work with. And more fun to play-- Lee quickly thrust
an image of her, laughing and throwing water out of his mind. That would not get his report read. He missed her. She was so warm; they could talk for hours
and after the talk--
Linda had never laughed at his awkward
attempts. He hadn't meant anything at
first; he was only trying to be more considerate of her help. She hadn't demanded anything, but freely gave
him the companionship he wanted and didn't know he needed, until she was
there. Lee glanced at the report,
resisting the urge to pitch it in the garbage can. He thumbed through it quickly. Twenty pages, he could get through that.
After
he finished it, he'd go down to the beach and look for some of those purple
shells she liked. A homecoming
present. Lee knew a spot just
offshore on the north beach where he'd probably find them. Get some free diving in; he'd spent too
much time at his desk lately.
Crane
turned back to the report. It is the
recommendation of this committee that the conclusion drawn by the first survey
team is essentially correct, however the committee feels that the unorthodox
matter in which-- These guys went on
forever. It was a good twenty minutes
later when he finally finished the report and initialed it.
He'd
discuss it with the Admiral tomorrow.
Lee threw the report into his out box and glanced at his watch. It was definitely time to leave.
* * * * * *
Sitting on the edge of
her bed, Linda leaned down and unbuckled her right high-heeled sandal. She let it fall to the floor. Stretching her foot out in front of her, she
wiggled her toes, letting the stockings scratch them. Ah.
Good
way to end an evening. Too bad it was
over so soon. There would be other
Friday nights, but next month they had to schedule the cruise. The way the L-47s were piling up, no telling
how long they be out.
Monday
through Friday, it was Yes, Captain. No,
Captain. Yes, sir. Linda was glad she had decided to stay on
another year. Now, she knew of even
better times. She couldn't hold back a
smile as she remembered his face at dinner.
Lee couldn't decide want he wanted.
Her suggestion of snails, nails and puppy dog tails had drawn a blank
look. She figured the joke had fallen
flat, until he told the waiter she wanted sugar, spice and everything a la
carte.
The
waiter didn't get it, but they couldn't stop laughing for five minutes. Then he wanted to feed her some of his crepes
suzette. She offered him some scalloped
scrimp. Trying to feed him across the
table was tricky. It felt so good to
laugh with him. The green glints in his
dark eyes would sparkle, like when he gave Chip a hard time. She remembered the mischief that danced in
his eyes the day they built the sand castle on the north beach. She'd never forgive the tide for ruining
it. Of course, Lee had flattened it
beyond repair when he tackled her on top of it.
She shouldn't have started the water fight. Linda wished she could tell him how she felt. Lee was willing to be her friend and she
wouldn't ask any more of him. Linda
loved Lee in a way she had never felt about Rob, but he hadn't asked for her
love. If she made him happy, that was
enough.
Prying
the other shoe from her foot, she let it drop to the floor as well. Reaching over, Linda lifted her blazer from
the bed from earlier that day. Rising
with it, she shook it out. Holding the
blue jacket by the shoulders, a slow grin crossed her face.
"Dance?" She feigned surprise. "Me?"
The coat nodded.
"Oh,
Captain, really, I can't."
The
coat nodded again.
She
gave the coat a coy schoolgirl look.
"Oh, all right, if you insist." She placed one sleeve on her shoulder and
took the other in her hand. She began
waltzing around the bedroom, the limp coat in her hands.
The
sleeve fell from her shoulder.
"Captain, really!"
She
firmly placed the sleeve back on her shoulder.
Her feet began moving again to the half remembered strains of an Anne
Murray tune.
After
a minute or two of dancing, she stopped and curtseyed to the jacket. "Thank you, kind sir, for such a lovely
dance." The coat bowed to her and
she laughed, clutching the material tight to her, dropping onto the bed.
Dream
on, girl. Don't push, love him. Slowly, her laughter died as she took down a
hanger for her blazer. Tomorrow the
senators were coming, but there was always next Friday.
*
* * * * *
Lee
paused, the untied shoe still in his hand, remembering her laughter. Talk about a crazy movie. Now, he wasn't sure what he enjoyed
more. The movie or her delight in it.
When Linda pressed against his shoulder,
laughing, he had put his arm around her and laughed, too. He felt so close to her then, a sharing he
didn't want to end. For the longest
time, he wasn’t sure he could feel that way about a woman again.
She
was different. He felt drawn to
her. Like they had always known each
other. Linda. Shoulder-length honey-blonde hair blowing in
the sea breeze, framing her heart shaped face. Serious, but with the
playfulness of a child in the tilted eyebrows and button nose. She'd kill him if he ever told her that. His overly efficient grant coordinator? Really, Captain!
Lee
chuckled to himself, hearing her tone.
She was a gentle tease, keeping him from taking himself too
seriously. He liked her company. The rest wasn't so easy. For the first time in two years, he felt
content and together they found reasons to laugh.
The
tide had overrun the sand castle they had worked so hard to build. Linda enjoyed everything they did
together. Ice cream on a hot day, walks
on the beach, even his piano playing.
She loved to hear him play, although Lee knew he wasn't very good. She would look at him and not believe a
word. He
enjoyed having Linda around. She was
stubborn, yet willing to give in. She
had a mind of her own. Crane had offered
to be a friend back and she had accepted that, without any demands for anything
more.
Now
Lee felt he should offer more. Was their
friendship strong enough to build on?
Tonight, when she gazed up at him, her laughing green eyes teasing him
about being shy as the movie's hero, he had almost asked her. Only he couldn't. Lee wanted to spend the rest of his life with
her. He could take care of her and make
her happy. Give her back the love she
had shown him. Crane bent down and
placed his oxford next to the other one.
Chip said they were a pair. He'd
have to see if they went together.
*
* * * * *
"Well,
that went quick." Linda gathered up
the spec sheets from the table.
"Could we be keeping them from the golf course?"
Lee laughed.
Linda
brought the sheets back to the head of the table and placed them in their
proper folder.
"Maybe they planned
to give it to us all along," Crane ventured.
"That
would be a first," she answered wryly, gathering up the folders. "It will be an interesting grant, at
least."
"Yes. Here, let me take those." He lifted the stacked folders from her arms.
She
tried to take them back. "I can
manage, Lee, thanks."
"No
trouble." He cradled them in one
arm. "Is that everything?"
"Yes."
Linda glanced around the room again.
"Okay,
let's drop these back in the office, then you can take off. Got any plans for the afternoon?"
"No,
I didn't make any. These meetings, well,
they never run on a regular time schedule."
"True. I would have bet we'd still be at
it." Lee stopped in the middle of
the corridor and looked down at her.
"Uh, since you're not doing anything, I was wondering-- I mean,
would you mind-- if you don't have anything else you rather--"
"Lee." She took him by the arm gently. "How can I help?"
Crane shifted uncertainly. "Remember I told you, I was moving back
into my house."
Linda
nodded.
"Well,
I was never good at keeping house. I
thought maybe a woman's touch-- You’re so good at organizing, I naturally
figured you could help me get everything. . ."
"Of
course, I'd be glad to."
"You
sure you don't mind?"
"No,
Lee, I wouldn't offer to go unless I wanted to."
He
smiled as she put her arm through his.
"Lead
me on, Captain."
Linda
had only been there once before. Lee had
rented the house out shortly after that, moving into a town house next to
Chip. Once inside, she saw what he was
talking about. Boxes were everywhere in
the living room. Several were open, but
the rest were taped. Lee stopped next to
the sofa, looking around the room. Then
he turned back to her.
"Chip
emptied my storage, too. I didn't think
there would be this much. It's not fair
to ask you--"
"Lee." She raised her hand to his lips. "I promised to help. I've moved too many times not to know what to
expect. It has to be done
sometime."
He
kissed her palm gently and she lowered her hand slowly, caressing his cheek.
"You're
beautiful, do you know that?" His
hazel eyes went soft.
"And
you, Captain, are crazier than your Exec."
Lee
laughed. "No one is crazier than
my Exec."
"Oh,
yeah?" Linda grinned wickedly,
looking at the top of the nearest box.
"Galley?" she read, glancing at him with a raised eyebrow.
"They
get used to Seaview. That means
kitchen."
"They? I thought Chip was helping you move."
"He
gave the detail to the Forecastle."
"Bet they were thrilled."
"They
cleaned out the town house in nothing flat."
"Will you find
everything?"
Crane
laughed again. "I'd better or
they'll spend the cruise scrubbing E deck." Lee walked around the sofa and paused, his
hand resting on a box. As she watched,
his eyes swept around the room, going distant.
"I wonder if I should have come back." His smile faded as a flicker of pain flashed
across his face.
Linda
came around the sofa, putting her arm around his waist. "A house is only a home when someone
wants it to be," she said softly.
His gaze remained on the
far window for a moment and then he looked down at her. The smile returned to his face. She felt his arm go around her shoulder and
tighten.
"You
make it so easy," Lee said, with a gentle tenderness she had never heard
before.
She
saw the glow come into his brown eyes.
She hugged him.
He pulled her close. "Yes, maybe it is time to come
home."
Linda noticed the slight moodiness
leave him as they tackled the boxes together.
Despite their reputation, the Forecastle had managed to keep the boxes
for each room together. From there, it
was easy to move them out into the various areas.
Lee
didn't want her moving boxes, but she grabbed the nearest one and walked
off. She took on the kitchen, leaving
him with the den. The more she saw of
the house, the more she liked it. It was
very functional, with more room than she would have thought from the outside.
Linda
shook her head. Give Lee a blueprint and
off he went, finding a better way to do it.
She lifted some plates from the last box. The brown and bone. The first night she made him dinner at the
townhouse. She placed them carefully on
the shelf with some yellow flowered plates already there. They ought to be on the bottom shelf, and
if it were her kitchen they would be. Linda stopped. Dream on.
Cathy was special to him, he'll never forget her. Even now, he still grieves--
"Linda!" Lee came into the kitchen, scattering her
thoughts. "I realized how late it
is." Crane reached up for her. "Come down from there and let me buy you
dinner. At least you'll get something out
of this."
She
put her hand on his shoulder and hopped off the chair. "I don't want to go out. Don't you have anything here?"
"There’s hamburger
in the fridge, but you deserve--"
"Look,
I don't want to change clothes. There
still so much to do. It would take too
long to get dressed."
"I'm
not much of a cook."
Linda
gave him a gentle push toward the door.
"I'll cook."
He
stopped, turning around. "No
way. I asked you to help me unpack. I don't expect you to cook, too.”
"I
told you, I don't offer unless I want to.
Now are you finished in the den?"
"No,
there's another box or two--"
"Then
go finish. Give me about twenty minutes
and I'll have something ready."
Lee
started to protest, but she lifted her hands.
"You heard me, Captain, shoo."
He
laughed. "This is my house."
"Captains
don't do KP." Linda cocked her head
at him, smiling.
"Cooking
me dinner isn't in your job description."
She put her hands on her hips. "Are you telling me you never let your
girlfriends cook for you?"
"Well,
no --"
"I
don't want to hear any more objections."
"Aye,
sir." He grinned. "Sure I can't peel potatoes?"
"Out,
mister." She almost threw the dish
towel at the swinging kitchen door but decided not to. That wouldn't get dinner ready any
faster. She found the hamburger in the
fridge and set to work.
It was a thrown
together, whatever-was-there supper, but Lee really dug into it. Linda enjoyed cooking for him. She couldn't talk him out of helping with the
dishes. She had finished the living room
boxes. It was getting late, but he
didn't want her to leave.
Lee
sat her down on the sofa. Then he pulled
some records out of an open box. Crane
switched over from the radio to the stereo.
After a moment, soft classical music filled the room.
He flopped on the sofa next to her. "I never realized how much stuff I
had. I think we'll quit for
tonight."
"I
can come back tomorrow."
Lee
looked at her. "No, you need some
of your weekend for yourself."
Linda
snuggled up next to him. "I'd
rather come over and get you settled, so if it's warm enough in the afternoon
we could go swimming. Besides I wouldn't
have any fun thinking of you stuck here working."
Lee
turned toward her, putting his arm around her shoulder. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of
course." Linda looked up at him.
"Do
you like it here?"
She
looked at him, confused. "You mean
working at the Institute? It's
wonderful, all the different grants and the people--"
"Even
the long hours?"
"I
don't mind the hours. Don't you listen,
when I tell you your company makes the difference?"
Lee
laughed softly. "Then your decision
to stay for a third year, it was because you like working with me?"
"You're
the best."
"What
you would you say if I made your position permanent and not subject to renewal
next year."
"You
can do that?"
"If
you want me to, I will."
"Oh! Yes! I
do." She hugged him in her
excitement, overwhelmed.
Lee returned the embrace and then gently
disengaged her arms from about him, taking her hand in his. "I'm very fond of you, Linda," he
said quietly. "You've helped me
more than I can ever repay."
She
dropped her head, embarrassed. "I
wanted to." Linda felt his hand
tighten around hers. She made herself
look up again. The shy smile was on his
lips.
"Linda,
I-- " His eyes sought hers. "I
never was good at saying the right words.”
He paused, looking at her.
"I want to marry you."
She
could only stare at him, stunned. Linda
wanted to throw her arms around him and tell him yes, but she couldn't
move. Suddenly
the pressure on her hand eased and she felt Lee pulling away.
"I'm
sorry." he said, his voice pain-laced.
"I shouldn't have assumed you felt the same way--"
His
hurt broke her shock. She grabbed him by
the shoulders, pulling him back and threw her arms around him.
"No,
Lee! I never dared hope you would ever
say those words to me."
He crushed her in his strong embrace. Then his lips were on hers, insistent. She clung to him, returning his kisses,
knowing now what she felt the first time he held her. This was where she belonged. He made her feel so warm and safe. His touch was so gentle, yet she knew the
strength in his long fingers, their slight roughness as they slid down her
neck. With him she felt alive again, a
feeling she had lost when Rob died. They
remained close for a long moment, and then he began kissing her neck. She held him tightly to stop her trembling,
laying her head on his shoulder.
"I
love you, sweetheart," he whispered into her hair.
She raised her head. "There's been no else in my heart since
that night at Molinaro's."
He
smiled, stroking her hair softly.
"You were so beautiful that night."
"And
you are--"
He
kissed her and then pulled back gently, removing his hand from her hair. "Wait here a minute," he said
suddenly, getting up from the sofa.
"Only take a moment."
She
leaned back against the sofa, not sure she could take any more surprises
tonight. She heard him go upstairs two
at a time and after a moment he came clattering back down. She heard him come around the sofa, and then
he dropped to one knee in front of her.
"Linda,
would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he said, extending his
hand toward her.
"Yes,"
she answered softly, taking his hand. He
laid a heavy gold ring in her palm. She
looked at it a moment, confused, then she understood. She grasped his hand, pulling him toward
her. He rose and sat beside her, his
hazel eyes shining with happiness.
"Oh,
it's beautiful!" She turned the
ring over in her hand, the dark blue stone gleaming. She ran her fingers over the full sheeted frigate,
pausing when she came across the numerals nineteen sixty-two. She looked at him.
"I
know it's not the proper diamond, but at the Naval Academy, we have a
tradition. We give our fiancées a
replica of our rings instead."
"This
isn't a replica," she pointed out.
"Please,
take it. I want you to wear it until I
can buy you something more appropriate."
It
obviously meant something special to him.
"Thank you, I'll treasure it always." Linda reached out to stroke his hair
gently. She turned the ring over in her
hand. It was much too large for any of
her fingers. Her hand went to the chain
around her neck. "Here." Linda
gave him back the ring. "Hold it
for one second." She unloosened the
chain from around her neck and threaded the chain through the ring. "There, it’s too important to
lose." Linda smiled at him
tenderly. "Would you put it back on
for me?"
He
returned her smile, looping the chain gently around her neck, reclasping it,
and then he began to kiss her on the neck.
She tried not to squirm.
"You know that tickles."
"Uh huh," he affirmed,
continuing to kiss her nonetheless.
"Come
here, you." She lifted his chin,
seeking his lips, feeling the weight of the ring on her chain, but she didn't
mind. It was close to her heart there.
He
pulled away from her gently, gazing at her tenderly. The look on his face brought a half buried
memory to her as she ran her fingers along his jaw.
"Lee,"
she asked softly. "Will you find
Polaris for me?"
He
looked her a moment, puzzled, then he remembered. Crane reached for her hand. "The lady has only to ask." He stood up and pulled her to her feet
beside him, putting his arms around her and kissing her gently. "Right now?" he whispered.
Linda
nodded. He lifted her hand once again
and she followed him toward the back door.
Once outside, he turned to her.
"It's a bit of a walk, but well worth it."
She
put her arm around his waist. "I'd
go anywhere with you."
Lee
laughed softly. "You wouldn't want
to go some of the places I've been."
"E
deck isn't so bad," she teased.
"Sure." He put an arm around her shoulder. "C'mon then."
They
walked slowly along the shore, listening to the crash of the waves and the
wind, the autumn sky bright with stars. The
breeze plucked at her hair, lifting it and twining it with his. Linda laughed, pulling it down.
Crane
stopped, looking down at her. "Are
you warm enough?"
She pulled her shirt
sleeves down from their cuffs.
"Yes, I'm fine. She leaned
into him, giving him a nudge.
"Besides, you make an excellent windbreak."
Lee
smiled. "Oh, so you want to stay on
my lee shore."
Linda winced. "That was bad. In fact, that was terrible," she added,
trying not to laugh.
"Terrible?" He looked at her innocently.
"Worse
than that," she affirmed. "It
was awful."
"Awful!" He suddenly grabbed her, swinging her around
in a spin.
She tried to squirm out of his hold. "Lee!
Put me down!" She couldn't
stop laughing. Then there was sand under
her feet and she found his arms around her.
She gazed up into his deep brown eyes, glowing with tenderness. Then his lips found hers.
Linda
finally pushed him away, leaning her head on his shoulder. He began stroking her hair.
"Is
it much farther?"
"Beyond
the next dune," he assured her, reaching for her hand. "It's perfect for star-gazing."
She
glanced at him. "You come here
often?"
"Sometimes. When I need to think."
It
took a few minutes to climb to the top of the rocks. When he pulled her up after him, the view
made her breath catch in her throat.
Directly below them was a little cove, not noticeable from the
shore. The height gave them a view
straight out to sea. The rocks were
higher beside them. Over the years on the
seaward side, the wind had hollowed a depression, making the topmost rock into
a crude chair. Plenty of room for one to
sit, two if they stayed close together.
The starlight shimmered on the crests of the waves, making them sparkle
as well.
Lee's
hand tightened on hers. "Like
it?"
"Oh,
Lee, it's gorgeous." She raised
shining eyes to him. "Thank
you."
He
shrugged. "I knew you would
appreciate it."
"How
did you ever find it?" She gestured
back the way they had come. "You
must be part billy goat."
"Or
crazy."
"Not
unless Morton had something to do with it," she teased back.
Lee
grinned. "Now, come here."
He
boosted her up onto the chair, the hoisted himself up after her. She sat down on the rock next to him, leaning
against his shoulder.
"Now." Lee looked skyward, his expression going
studious. "This time of year
Polaris is--" He searched the
heavens for a moment and then pointed out a rather bright star. "Right there. First you look for the Little Dipper. When you find it, Polaris is always the last
star in the handle. It's named Ursa
Minor."
She looked in the
direction he indicated, finding the star. "See
those two bright stars there?"
She
nodded. "The Big Dipper."
"Those two stars are known as pointers. They are always in line with Polaris. It's one of the few stars that remain
stationary. That's why we use it as a
navigational bearing."
"Doesn't
the Earth's rotation--” She looked up at him.
"Well,
it's not completely immobile. It's only one
degree from the Earth's axis, so it stays on station and doesn't rise and set
like the planets do."
"Oh,
that explains it."
He
smiled. "Let's see what else is up
tonight."
"Not
the Southern Cross."
Lee laughed softly. "That's naval tradition, sweetheart and
part of getting your Southern Hemisphere sea legs. Chip’s supposed to do it."
"I
understood that, but I still don't get what was so funny."
He
put his arm around her. "Give
yourself some time. A couple more
cruises and you'll understand."
"Aren't
we a civilian outfit?" she teased, kissing him.
"Not quite." He bent down to return her kiss and for a
while the stars were forgotten. It was
only when she took his hand that she saw the time.
Lee
laughed. "I should have left my
watch home."
"After
the honeymoon, love, you can throw it away."
Lee
grinned wolfishly and pulled her close.
She didn't want to go home either, but in the end she did. It wouldn't be for that much longer.
*
* * * * *
Chip
Morton stopped in the middle of the inner corridor when he heard singing. Somebody's happy. He followed the sound, going down toward the
front door to his office area. Marion
was on the telephone. Lee was down at
the sub pen. He moved down to the last
door. Bingo. Linda was proofing a grant report and singing
to herself.
Morton
smiled. "Good Morning," he
drawled, to get her attention.
"Hi,
Chip." The smile she gave him was
almost blinding. "What do you
need?"
"Nothing." He shrugged.
"I want you to tell me what you are so pleased about." He gestured over his shoulder. "Heard you all the way down the
hall."
"Sorry." Linda laughed, a faint red blush coming to
her cheeks. "It's a beautiful
day."
"If
you like autumn." Chip’s eyes narrowed
as he saw something hanging from her necklace.
Funny, that gold chain never had a pendant before. It looked familiar, too. He left the doorway and crossed the room to
her desk. "Excuse me, may
I?" He reached for the chain. Once in his hand there was no mistaking
it. An Annapolis class ring, class of
1962. Wait a minute-- No, couldn't
be. Chip turned it to see the
initials engraved inside. LBC. Morton turned the ring over. "Where did you get this?" he asked
softly.
"Lee
gave it to me."
Chip
turned the ring over once more, before he let the chain fall from his
fingers. Then he started to laugh. "That son of a gun! So he finally got the nerve up!"
Linda
dropped her head and blushed. "It
certainly surprised me."
"When?"
"Saturday
night. After he asked me to help him
move in."
"I'm
with him all morning and Lee didn't say one word."
"We
decided not to announce it until he buys me a proper engagement ring."
Linda reached for his hand.
"Please, don't tell everyone."
"A
proper engagement ring?" Chip
looked down at her, surprised.
"Didn't Lee tell you what it means that he gave you his class
ring?"
Linda
looked at him, uncertain. "He
mentioned a tradition of giving replicas."
Chip
leaned down the desk. "He intends
to marry you, for keeps."
"Oh!" Linda's hand went to her chain. "Then this is an engagement ring."
"You
could say that." Chip grinned. "You two decide on a date?"
"Chip,
we haven't even officially announced our engagement. May, I guess, if everything works out after
the cruise. Promise me, you'll give us
time to get organized."
"Mum's
the word, sweet lady. Only there's a
price. A kiss from the bride."
"All
right." Linda laughed. "Come here."
She
stood up as he came around the desk and gave him one smack on the forehead as
he bent down.
"Linda!"
She
smiled wickedly. "Deal's a
deal. Now, remember not a word until Lee
says so."
"Okay." He shrugged, grinning. "If he really wanted to keep it quiet,
Lee shouldn't have given you that ring.
Too many people around here know what that means."
"I'm
sure he knew exactly what he was doing, Chip." Linda fingered the ring again.
"I
was wondering why he kept grinning all morning."
"The
senator cancelled. I told you it was a
great day."
Chip
laughed. "Okay, that too. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got
requisitions to fill out and supplies to take back to the sub."
"Mustn't
keep him waiting," she teased.
"Tell
me about it."
Chip
turned away, walking toward the door. He
paused in the doorway.
"Linda," he asked hesitantly.
"You do love him?"
"Very
much." She answered with an
intensity he hadn't heard before.
"He
needs that."
"I
know." Her green eyes met his.
Chip
smiled. "I always thought you
understood."
Linda blushed.
"Welcome
to the family."
Linda
raised her head. "I hope I don't
disappoint anyone.
"You haven't so far." Chip glanced at his watch. "Uh, I've got to run. See you later."
"Bye,
Chip."
A
little later Chip found himself whistling.
It was catching. Come May, he
would be polishing his sword. Morton
liked that. Now, he had to think of a
way to get Crane back for not telling him.
It was going to be a beautiful day.
End of Part III