THE ESSENCE OF THE OP

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McMurphy's

Webb was sitting in a booth nursing a scotch while waiting for Gunny.  He was waiting for someone else but Gunny didn't need to know that yet.  Gunny arrived and slid into the booth across from him.

"Webb, what was so important that we needed to meet tonight?"  Gunny asked.

The waitress came over and Gunny ordered a beer favoring the waitress with a brilliant smile.  Before Webb could explain the need for the meeting, Isabella walked in.  Gunny's back was to the door and he couldn't see who Webb was motioning over.  Isabella arrived at the table.

"Meet the reason I needed to speak to you tonight.  Miss Santini is going to be your partner.  You two will pretend to be married."  Webb stated and Gunny almost spit beer across the table all over Webb. 

"I'll need a vodka martini please."  Isabella said as she motioned over the waitress and placed her drink order. Gunny was staring at her.  She had changed clothes and she took his breath away.  She was wearing her favorite jeans with boots and a blue v-necked angora sweater.  Her hair was down and she wore light make up playing up her eyes.  Her drink arrived as she sat next to Gunny.

"Close your mouth Gunny.  You'll catch flies" Isabella said and without missing a beat looked Webb directly in the eye saying, "Now Mr. Webb, would you like to tell me exactly what's going on?"

"What I'm about to tell you is classified."  Webb said as he casually took a sip of his drink and began. "There is a Columbian arms dealer importing weapons into this country which are being funneled to terrorist organizations."  Looking at Gunny he continued, "I need you to go in and make the deal so that we can get him." 

"Why not use operatives?" Gunny asked.

"I checked into your activities as sheriff in New Mexico.  You worked a lot with DEA and did some undercover work.  I need that expertise.  And the fact that you speak Spanish is an added bonus." Webb replied.

"What do I have to do with any of this?" Isabella asked.

"I talked to the Admiral this morning.  He's agreed to lend you out with Galindez."  Webb replied.  

"Tell me Mr. Webb, why on earth do I need to play his wife?" Isabella asked.

"Because there is a gala at the Columbian embassy on Friday night and he needs to be there with a beautiful woman as his wife." Webb spoke soothingly to her.

"And there are no beautiful operatives?"  She asked him as if he were a five year old.

"Yes, there are."  Webb continued patiently. "However, when I saw the two of you together this morning, the chemistry was perfect.  You'll challenge each other and I need that kind of spark." 

Before either of them had a chance to continue he handed them their identification, "Mr. Michael Posada and Mrs.  Serena Posada.  You'll both be living in Isabella's apartment." 

"I tried to get you a neutral apartment but the Director put his foot down.  It's only for three months.  I'll be out of town until the gala but I'll be in touch.  I suggest you two get to know each other."  Webb advised them. Before they had a chance to complain, Webb left.

Isabella and Victor just stared after him.  Neither of them spoke for several minutes.  Finally, Isabella broke the silence. 

"I guess we should go get you some clothes if you're moving in with me."  Isabella said as she got up to leave and turned to look at him.  He hadn't moved.  "Suck it up Marine.  We have a job to do." 

She turned and walked out the door to her car and waited for him to follow.  He walked up to her window and she gave him directions to her apartment and her cell phone number in case he got lost. 

"I'll see you at home honey."  Isabella said just to bait him.  She closed the window of her Durango and left him once again with his mouth hanging open.

Isabella's Apartment

Two hours later Isabella was in the guest room putting the new comforter on the bed.  She had planned to use the one she had in San Diego but the memories were too raw.  She sat on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes.  I was so happy to have that brand new comforter.  It completed the master bedroom.  That was supposed to be my life.  Then the phone call came from Brian's mom.  His plane had been shot down during a routine flight over Afghanistan.  She took her wedding dress out of the closet and cried until she fell asleep curled up holding the dress in her arms.  

As a single tear slid down her face and a knock at the door brought her out of her nightmare.  Mechanically she got up to answer it.  Gunny was about to complain about her taking so long but he looked into her eyes and saw a pain he remembered a little too sharply.  She lost someone just as he lost Fareeza.  He reached out to touch her arm and she jumped. 

"Gunny, please come in."  Isabella said. He brought in his bag and dropped it on the living room floor.  He was not totally out of his element with a highly emotional female.  After all he had four sisters.  But with his sisters he could put his arms around them and make everything alright.  He ached to put his arms around Isabella.  He wasn't sure why but he was positive she would run.  Isabella looked up at him and saw the questions in his eyes but she wasn't ready to answer them just then.  "

Why don't you bring your bag into the guest room?  I just finished making the bed for you."  She stated and Gunny followed her into the spacious room and set his bag on the bed. 

Isabella was telling him where the extra blankets and towels were if he needed them.  She motioned for him to follow and she showed him where her office was in case he needed a computer.  Continuing the tour she pointed out her room, the guest bathroom and the kitchen.  As she walked she thought this apartment is normally so big.  His presence takes up so much space.  In the kitchen Gunny finally broke his silence. 

"Isabella, have you eaten?  I don't know about you but I'm starved."  Gunny stated.

"I haven't been to the store so all I have is Top Ramen, cranberry juice and a couple bottles of wine right now." Isabella replied.

"Why don't I order a pizza and you open a bottle of wine.  This has been a long day and I think we could both use another drink after that bomb Webb dropped on us."  Gunny said.

Isabella silently thanked him for asking no questions.  Maybe they would be able to work together. 

"It's a deal."  She grinned up at him, "And if we're going to be married, you should call me Bella.  All my friends use my nickname." 

"Bella it is then" Gunny got a very strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.  It was one he hadn't felt in months.  She handed him the number of the pizza place and opened the wine. 

By the time the pizza arrived they were talking easily.  They finished both bottles of wine.  Bella was thankful for that.  Maybe it would keep the nightmares away.  She may be able to work with him but she hated to show weakness.  She didn't want him hearing her if she called out in her sleep.  They said a quick goodnight and decided to carpool to work the following morning.

"How are we going to explain coming in together and not biting each other's head off?"  Gunny asked before closing his door.

"You're a Marine.  Improvise!"  She grinned back at him.

He laughed as he watched her close her door.  Lying down on the bed he thought Victor, she's dangerous.  She could get close.  You don't want to go through that again.  He fell asleep with the image of her dressed for bed in his mind.  It brought an involuntary smile to his lips.  Thanks to the wine they both slept deeply through the night.

Jen's Apartment

Jen was sitting in front of her computer talking to Jason.

I'm sure of it now.  There's something going on between Gunny and Isabella.  I was walking out of McMurphy's and saw them sitting in a corner booth.  They both had intense and uncomfortable looks on their faces.

But Jen how can you be sure of what's going on?  And what were you doing at McMurphy's by yourself?

I can't but I'm planning on finding out.  I went out to dinner because I didn't feel like cooking.  Tell me what's going on with you.

Well, I have good news.  We're coming into port in six weeks.  We'll be in Yokosuka, Japan.  We can get married in the chapel on the base.  Can you get everything ready in time?

Jen was dancing around her room.  Jason, I could be there in two days if that's what it took for us to get married.  Do you need me to bring anything special?

Yes, please bring my dress uniform.  Honey, I have to go.  I love you.

I love you too Jason.  I'll be counting the days.

They signed off and Jen wondered if Isabella could go with her to be her maid of honor.  She didn't have many friends in Washington and didn't feel close enough to Colonel MacKenzie or Lieutenant Sims-Roberts to ask them.  She knew it was late but hoped Isabella would forgive her for calling.  She dialed Isabella's number and got a strange response. 

"Galindez" Gunny answered before he remembered where he was. 

"Gunny?" Jen said in a completely bewildered voice.   "I'm sorry.  I must have dialed wrong.  Isabella's phone number must be very similar to yours." 

"It's fine Coates.  Tell Tiner I said hello when you talk to him next." Gunny replied.

"I will.  Go back to sleep Gunny.  I'll talk to you tomorrow." Jen said.

Gunny hung up the phone and wanted to kick himself.  The phone rang again but this time Isabella picked it up on the second ring.

"Hello" she said sleepily.

"Bella I'm sorry to call you so late but I have great news.  And the weirdest thing just happened.  I dialed your number and Gunny answered.  Your numbers must be really similar." Jen stated. 

"What did he say?" Bella's eyes were suddenly big as saucers. 

"Nothing, just that I must have dialed wrong.  Anyway, I just talked to Jason and what are you doing in six weeks?  Do you want to go to Japan?" Jen asked.

"What's in Japan?" Bella yawned

"Jason will be in port and we're getting married.  I don't have many friends in DC and I was wondering if you would consider being my maid of honor." Jen bubbled.

Bella's initial instinct was to say no.  It might have been too hard for her watching someone else get married.  But she found herself saying, "I would love to Jen.  I've never been to Japan."

"You're wonderful."  Jen thanked her profusely, "I'll let you get back to sleep and I'll see you tomorrow."

After hanging up Bella got up and opened her bedroom door to find Gunny about to knock on the other side.

"I'm sorry I answered the phone.  It was a reflex." Gunny offered.

"It's ok.  She thought she had the wrong number.  I'm going to go get some warm milk so I can go back to bed.  Do you want some?" Isabella asked.

Gunny was trying hard not to stare at her legs.  She was wearing pajamas with shorts and a spaghetti strap tank top.  Her hair was messy and her eyes were heavily lidded.  It looks like she just had great sex.  She should be having great sex with me.  Where did that come from?  Gunny thought.

"Gunny, hello," Isabella said,

"Oh sorry, yes warm milk would be great." He stammered

Little did he know, but how she looked went perfectly with what she was dreaming.  She had been dreaming of him but would rather die than have him know.  They shared mugs of warm milk and went back to bed, both hoping they would sleep without dreaming of each other.  They would have no such luck.