disclaimer: I own none of the characters used in this story. I'm merely borrowing them.
a/n: this starts between 1 and 2 months after Rafe "dies." and I really changed it cause I like it better when Danny and Evelyn are together, instead of her and Rafe. (sorry all you Rafe lovers!) this is told in the 3rd person, but kinda follows Evelyn around. Oh yeah, she and Danny are NOT together when this starts. That comes later.
She sat on the beach watching the sunset. It had been over a month since Rafe's death and yet, she still felt cold and dark inside. All Evelyn could think about was him. Sometimes she'd find herself crying in her sleep. She'd wake up and wonder why she was so upset. Then the realization that Rafe was really gone crept into her heart. When she had seen Danny step out of the car, she felt as if everything in her picture perfect life had been slapped in the face by reality. Danny stayed with her that night. He sat with her and held her gently in his arms on the very beach she now watched the sunset from.
She had spent alot of time with him since then. They'd become very close friends. In fact, he had watched the sunset with her practically every night since she found out about Rafe's death. He was the one person she felt she could really talk to. He was the one person who truely understood.
It was just as she was thinking of Danny, that she felt him sit down beside her. She turned to him and smiled. He smiled back with that sweet smile that always gave her butterflies in her stomach. Everytime she'd think about him, she'd almost slap herself for doing so. She told herself that it was Rafe that she loved and would always love. Not Danny. But there was something about him that made her know that he was special.
"Your late." Evelyn said, brushing a stray lock of her dark hair out of her eyes. "Yeah," he replied, "I had some extra work to do down at the base."
She could tell that something was on his mind. Instead of looking at her or the setting sun, he simply watched his fingers as he ran them through the sand.
"Is something the matter?" She asked him, knowing that there was something truely bothering him. "No, no, everythings fine," was his only answer. "Are you sure?" He looked up at her with those dark, serious eyes and said, "Actually, I have something to tell you." She glared at him, knowing that what he was about to say would be something serious. "I'm going away for a few weeks."
All expression faded from Evelyn's face. Danny looked down again not wanting to see her reaction. "Where... where are you going?" she managed to stammer out, afraid of his answer to this question. He took a deep breath and glanced up at the small slither of sun that was now on the horizon. "They're running out of good pilots over there, they need help. I've been asked to go." This was the worst answer he could have ever given her.
Danny really cared about her, and knew she cared about him. He knew it would be upsetting to her to find out he was about to do something that could end his life.
Evelyn felt herself panicking. How could he do this? How could he leave her when she needed him? He had told Rafe he'd take care of her and now, he was going to risk his life because he was asked to! After what seemed like forever, Danny looked up. His eyes met Evelyn's. He saw that she was about to cry.
"No," she said shaking her head, "No, Danny, you can't. You can't do this. What if something happens to you? What if you get hurt, or killed? What then?"she blurted out. "I have to go it's my duty. I promise it's only for a few weeks. I told them I wouldn't go for longer than that." Evelyn broke her eyes away from him and hugged her knees to her chest, burying her face in them. Danny watched her and wrapped his arm protectively around her. She reached for him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. "Please, please don't go," was all she could say. He didn't answer her.
They sat there holding each other, like they had done so many other times. But this was different. All the other times it was because of Rafe. Now it was because of Danny. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle it if something was to happen to him. She didn't realize until then how much she depended on him. How much she cared for him.
He told her later that Red had also been asked to go. Knowing this made her feel a tad bit better. At least he wouldn't be alone. He left her not long after that to go pack. He told her to meet him and everyone else that night at the bar. They were leaving early the next morning and they were gonna hang out with the gang that night.
On the short walk home, all Evelyn could think about were the negative outcomes of Danny doing this. She tried to tell herself that he'd be alright, that he was a good pilot. Then she'd think about Rafe. He was an even better pilot and he never came back. When she went into her room, she found better sitting at the vanity brushing her hair.
"Did you talk to Danny?" she said. Already know that he and Red where leaving. Red had told he earlier that evening. "Yeah." replied Evelyn. "You ok with this?" Betty said. "No, not really. But he's made his decision. I'm just really worried about him." "I know what you mean, Red's such a sweet guy, and I really like him. Why do we always get stuck with the daring ones?" Evelyn smiled at Betty's attempt at humor. "You coming tonight?" Betty asked. "Of course. I actually better go get ready. Hey, can I borrow those red shoes of yours? "Sure." "Thanks."
After getting ready, Evelyn sat down on her bed and let herself think about what was going on. Danny was leaving, really leaving. He was going all the way on the other side of the world in the most dangerous place he could possibly be sent. Tears instanly began to fall. She wasn't sobbing, just letting tears slide down her face. She close her eyes and laid back on her pillows. Almost immediantly after that, a picture of Danny drifted into her mind. But he wasn't the smiling, caring Danny she was so familiar with. It was Danny, but he was lying in a field covered in blood. And he was alone. She could think of nothing more horrible then him dying cold and alone. She quickly sat up and her eyes darted around the room. Before she could think about what she'd just imagined, she heard Betty call to her and ask if she was ready to go. Evelyn quickly brushed the tears off her face, put on some powder and left.
A/N: I already have most of the 2nd chapter done. I just haven't had a chance to post it. Review and tell me if I should keep going.