F.A.B.

June 6, 2038

London, England

Lucille Tracy looked up at her groom of less than twenty-four hours as he lay propped on one elbow beside her. She reached up to lightly trace her fingernails against his bare chest, grinning as he twitched reflexively.

Jeff cracked a smile. "Hey, that tickles."

"Big tough hero is actually ticklish," Lucy mused. "So it's true that you learn all your spouse's secrets when you get married."

"Just don't tell anyone," he quipped. "It'll damage my reputation as a big tough hero."

Lucy assumed an expression of mock seriousness. "Oh, don't worry, Colonel Tracy, your secret's safe with me."

Jeff lowered his face to hers. "I certainly hope so, Mrs. Tracy." He brushed his lips against hers, and she responded by wrapping her arms around him and pulling him closer. Jeff shifted his weight and rolled onto his back, pulling her slight form across his lean, muscular torso as he went. Her red-gold hair fell around them like a silken curtain, and he caught the scent of her lavender perfume as their movements stirred the air.

Lucy pulled back to smile down into her husband's warm brown gaze, knowing he was seeing himself reflected in her turquoise eyes. "I love you."

Jeff reached up to caress her cheek, a smile tugging at one corner of his mouth. "F.A.B.," he said, his hand continuing to his brow to snap her a salute.

She laughed. "What in the world does that mean?"

"'Fully Advised and Briefed,'" Jeff informed her. "So yes, I am fully advised and briefed that you love me. Hey!" He brought both arms up to shield his face as Lucy sat up and whacked him with the pillow.

"What, you can't damage your rep by saying 'I love you' back?" She made a face. "You just made that up, didn't you?"

Jeff shrugged. "Okay, I did just make that up." Lucy hit him again and left the pillow over his head. "But you have to admit, it sounds cool!" he said, muffled.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Hmmm. I'll reserve judgement on that one," she retorted, as Jeff tossed the pillow away and sat up. "Next you'll be telling me that big tough heroes can't even kiss their wives."

In answer, Jeff leaned into her and pressed his mouth against hers as if she were water, and he a man dying of thirst. When they parted, her eyes were dancing and her cheeks were pink.

"F.A.B.," she murmured.