Michelle leaned across the small table as he held the fork out to her. She took a bite of his eggs and grinned, leaning over further, demanding a kiss, which he eagerly obliged, ignoring the other patrons in the hotel restaurant or his own lifestyle, which never consisted of public affection, but this morning was different from any other in his life.

"Those taste so good," she said licking her lips and then tilted her head. "Everything seems better this morning. I wonder why that is?"

He leaned over this time and kissed her. "If you don't know then maybe I better take you back up to the room and remind you."

She giggled, reaching under the table with her hand on his bare knee, stroking it. "Promise?"

He smiled over her playfulness, feeling the exact same way she did. It was the best breakfast he'd ever had, coming off the best night of his life and sitting across from the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. He was feeling pretty damn good.

"Besides that," he smiled motioning up toward the room, "what do you want to do today?"

She shrugged, taking a bite of her pancakes and washing it down with some orange juice. "Maybe walk over to that market place?"

"That's a good idea. There's a robe I was looking at for Mary over there."

Michelle's eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey, didn't you say last night that you were going to have a birthday in the next couple of days?"

Steve sat back and rolled his eyes. "Yes. I'm going to be thirty tomorrow. Jesus," he groaned, "thirty. I can't believe it."

She huffed, "You look damn good for thirty." She held up her glass as a toast before taking a drink, "Damn good!"

"Well that compliment makes it a little easier. Thank you."

"You're welcome." She bit off the end of a piece of bacon. "We should do something really fun tomorrow."

He hesitated just before putting a fork full of eggs in his mouth. "It's my birthday. Do I get to choose the really fun thing?" he smiled devilishly.

She waved him off. "Oh you'll get that anyway. But let's go someplace fun tomorrow."

He laughed at her reply over his suggestion, taking the bite of food.

"Let's rent a car and go to the coast," she suggested wide eyed.

"Ok, whatever you want."

"No," she said adamantly, "Whatever you want. It's your birthday. What do you want to do?"

"I want to rent a car and go to the beach and then come back and do that other thing and maybe in between too."

He laughed with her, reaching in his pocket for his phone that buzzed. He looked at the text message and laughed even harder, holding it out to her.

She leaned over reading the return message from the 'boy' over the picture from the night before.

"Fuck you asshole! You can have her."

Michelle rolled her eyes at it as Steve pulled it back and typed a return text and held it back out for her to see.

"Already did, twice!"

She burst out laughing as the people at the next table looked over in their direction. "Send that!"

He did and then stuck it back in his pocket. "What's his title anyway? He's not an Admiral is he?" Steve chuckled.

"No!" Michelle laughed again. "He's a Lieutenant. He was a BUD/S drop out. Rang the bell."

"Pussy," Steve huffed.

"I know," she agreed. "He's on the flight deck now of a carrier. This was going to be our first trip together." She let out a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad I never slept with him."

"You didn't?" he said with a pleased smile.

"No, not that he didn't try over and over," she rolled her eyes. "I think that was his only goal." She caught his grin and commented on it. "You're glad I never slept with him, aren't you?"

He sat back; trying to act nonchalant over it "It's none of my business."

She leaned her elbows on the table, looking at him. "What if I told you that I actually did I just didn't want to say it?"

He leaned over toward her. "Then I'd be mad that you lied to me, not that you slept with him."

She sat back grinning. "Well I didn't lie and I didn't sleep with him."

"And to live up to my own standards of the truth," he confessed, "I'm glad you didn't sleep with him."

He was honest; she loved that about him amongst a hundred other things. She hadn't met too many men in her life who were honest and the ones she thought held that quality ended up being anything but, yet she truly believed he was genuine.

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As they approached the busy market area she reached up and held his forearm so they wouldn't get separated. He looked down at the touch and then at her, smiling over it.

"I won't lose you, I promise," he assured her. "And I'm in no hurry, so stop where you want and take as long as you want."

They did just that. She tried some more exotic fruits that she'd never heard of before and saw sushi being made from scratch in the window of a restaurant.

He explained to her the elements of the barter and never say 'yes' right off the bat at something she wanted. She took his advice and got a necklace for half the price that had been originally quoted, feeling ecstatic over the good trade more than the merchandise.

He came upon the stand with the silk robes and did the same bargaining; getting the guy down to sixteen hundred Thai Baht's which was equivalent to fifty US dollars. He pointed toward the red one and then a dark blue one too.

"What color hair does Mary have?" Michelle asked him.

"Blond," he replied handing the man a hundred dollar bill.

"Both of those colors will look good on her then."

He took the bag from the man and pulled out the blue one, wrapping it around her shoulders to see the color on her. "I got this one for you. I loved that shirt you had on last night, blue is a good color for you."

She looked up at him shocked. "This is for me?"

He stepped back admiring it on her. "Yep, it's a good buy."

She pulled it around her, admiring the soft material, glancing back at up at him seeing he was just as pleased with the purchase as she was. "Thank you," she said sincerely reaching up and kissing him. "I love it."

He took it back off of her and put it in the bag. She forewent his arm this time and took his hand, which he liked, which also surprised him. He never thought of himself as an affectionate person, but with her it was easy and felt natural.

They had lunch in a small café that served sandwiches and Cha Yen, the Thai version of Iced Tea, making plans for the next day.

"What time should we leave in the morning?" she asked.

"To get there and get a full day and then back again I'd say around eight. It's about a good two hours to get to some of the good beaches. There are places closer but the water's not so good. It's mostly shipping and industrial. The good beaches are north."

"I just realized that I didn't bring a bathing suit," she sighed.

"Well then, I guess that's our after lunch quest; get you a nice bikini."

"Bikini?" she laughed. "Maybe a one piece."
"What?!" he objected. "No way! That body was made for a bikini. Besides," he said smug, "it's my birthday and get whatever I want."

She shook her head at him. "I don't have the tan like the Hawaiian girls do. Not much sunning in Germany."

"You'll look great, and I've been to Germany. They have sun, sometimes." He felt that first wave of disappointment, being reminded that after four days they would go their separate ways, wondering exactly to what extent that meant. She answered the question for him.

"Will you come visit me in Germany?" She wasn't sure if the timing was right, but she only had four days and wanted to put it out there for him to ponder. The answer she got wasn't what she had expected.

"Sure I would. It's not that hard to get a flight there. Cargo planes are in and out all the time hauling supplies. I wish I could return the invitation but I live in the barracks. I have my own room but you know how that is. Not exactly the privacy you want when you've got a girl."

"I do," she nodded, knowing all too well the conditions of the barracks; paper thin walls and beds that puts a prison cot to the challenge of which is more comfortable. "They got me an apartment on base. It's nothing fancy, but it's a one bedroom, living room and a kitchen. Typical. I decorated it the best I could so it's homey."

"Naval Intelligence has its perks." He tried to imagine her decorating style, deciding he didn't have a clue about any decorating style. "I don't even own a bed," he huffed, wondering again what kind of life he was leading.

"Mine is really comfortable," she said, trying to let him know it was ok if he came to her place every time. "You'll sleep like a baby, and you can come anytime you want."

He liked the added bonus she threw in there, making the invitation open. His schedule was hectic which he assumed hers probably was too, knowing she was on call probably as much as he was. "Maybe I'll just pop in unexpected and surprise you once in a while. Like I said it's an easy jump for me to get there."

"I love surprises," Michelle smiled, hoping he did just that. She had four days with him and knew it could be a couple of weeks if not more before she saw him again.

They finished lunch and came out of the café into what had turned from a sunny afternoon into a cloudy one. The market sensed something they didn't as the streets began to clear of people and shops began to close up.

"Wow, a storm must be coming."

"I guess so." He took her hand and started making his way back toward the hotel.

By the time they got there it was a heavy downpour. The doorman saw them running and held it open for them as they both came in laughing and soaking wet.

"Oh my God!" Michelle declared, running her hand over dripping wet hair. "That is the hardest rain I've ever been in!"

Steve wiped his hand over his face as one of the clerks from behind the desk came out with towels for them. "Holy shit! That's a typhoon out there!"

They each took a towel as the clerk told them of the impending storm that had come from the coast. Neither one had been watching too much TV over the last couple of days and knew nothing of it. He let them know the hotel was safe and to stay off their balconies until it had passed and if they needed anything to be sure to let the front desk know. Room service was going to be available all night if they got hungry not wanting their guests to venture out.

They went to their separate rooms to change and then decided to meet in his room to order dinner.

Michelle came through her door and peeled the shirt over her head, dropping it and the bag with the silk robe on the bed. She stopped suddenly, hearing the rain pound against the sliding glass door being blown in from the wind. It seemed to be getting worse. She feared their coast trip for his birthday the next day was going to be ruined because of this. But even if they were going to be stuck in the hotel all day, she grinned, it would still be a good day just being able to spend it with him.

She slid her shorts off wanting to hurry and get to his room, missing him already. She opened up the dresser and grabbed something to wear and then changed her mind.

Steve slid a pair of sweats on, forgoing a shirt. The weather outside was hot even with the pouring rain, and everyone in the hotel seemed to have their air conditioners on because his wasn't working all that great, and opening up the sliding glass door was out of the question. He threw a dirty shirt and pair of underwear in the closet, closing it along with his freshly unpacked suitcase.

He took a last look around the room when she knocked on the door. A smile erupted on his face and he couldn't help but laugh over his jubilation of her arrival. "You need to settle down," he scolded himself. "Jesus man, get a hold of yourself." But when he opened the door and saw her in nothing but the new blue robe he had bought for her, every bit of good sense he was trying to establish flew out the window.

The look on his face was priceless, and better than she was hoping for. "Do you like my new robe?" she asked, sliding her hands over it, showing off her nipples through the thin material.

He reached out, putting an arm around her waist and pulled her up to him. "You look unbelievable in that, even better than I imagined you would." He lifted her up, carrying her inside. "Get in here!" He kicked the door closed with his foot.

She held on around his neck as he set her down by the bed. He held her hand and stepped back looking at her again up and down. "Damn! I used to think you looked good in camouflage but this tops it all."

She moved up against him surprised over that statement. "Were you attracted to me back then?"

He never wanted to admit it to anyone, not even himself knowing how wrong it would have been, but it was true. "I'm not going to confirm nor deny that."

It was clear to her, it showed in his smile and even more so in the kiss he gave her as his hands roamed over the soft silk, hugging her tightly. It occurred to her then that what she was feeling was genuine but even more so the realities of their lives outside this fantasy they had going were genuine too. They would have to separate soon. That thought hurt, but she pushed it from her mind, it wasn't happening tomorrow so don't dwell on it, she thought.

"What do you want for dinner?" she asked.

He picked her up and playfully threw her on the bed, crawling up to her as he ran his hand over her body. "You."

She giggled as he dove into her neck, kissing her over and over until he finally rested his head on the pillow next to her as they faced each other grinning.

"I like your idea of dinner."

"I like you," he spoke sincerely, meaning every word of it.

"I like you too." She reached up, touching his face with her fingers, gently gilding them over his unshaven whiskers. "Did you mean what you said today at lunch," she asked, needing to hear it again for her own assurance. "You want to come and see me?"

"Yes," he replied without hesitation. "As often as I can. Until you get sick of me," he grinned.

She leaned in and kissed him. "I won't. I'll look forward to every visit."

"We'd have to keep it quiet. If my CO or yours found out, it wouldn't be good. They both know I was your CO and it just makes me nervous that they might take it the wrong way and the repercussions could be difficult for you."

"And you," she reminded him.

"I'm not worried about me." He ran his hand through her still slightly damp hair. "You have a good thing going. I don't want to see you transferred somewhere dangerous."

"It would be worth it," she smiled. "Anyway, I can handle it if they did."

"I know," he agreed, "but I don't think I could."

That statement was filled with so much emotion and sincerity she had to let it soak in before she could actually decipher it. He didn't look at her but kept his eyes down, following his hand that moved down her body and then back up again in the most tender way. He worried about her, but what she found the most enlightening was that he genuinely cared about her.

She rolled him over on his back, bracing her hands on either side of him, looking down at him. She wanted to say so much but what he had just told her was still hovering around her and she liked the feel of it so much that instead of words, she showed him, beginning with his lips and then moving down to his neck.

He couldn't put into words what it felt like as she made her way over his body. It was by far the sexiest move anyone had ever performed on him, not that it was the first, but the fact that it was being done by her left him forgetful of any past performances; this one he would remember fondly.

She had never been so turned on before, finding every inch of him more thrilling than the next. She'd never been the instigator or the adventurous one in bed, but with him it was enticing. The thoughts that were going through her head of what she wanted to do him were just as exciting to her as she knew would be for him.

Her hands moved over his chest as she kissed his stomach, feeling him already through his sweat pants of how much he was truly enjoying this. She opened her eyes and saw the scar just above his hip, knowing immediately it was where he had been shot that night. She touched it with her finger, feeling the rough tissue that had grown over it, reaching down with her lips and kissing it, being reminded again of the events that took place and his earlier confession of having feelings for her back then. He was going to give his life for her.

She looked up at him as he stared down at her, both of them reliving that night. He had been prepared to die, he wasn't ready for it, but he was prepared for it. As he lay in bed with her he thought back to his actions. He didn't stay behind because he was the capable one at the time to fight them off, it was more so because if one of them had to go, he didn't want it to be her.

He pulled her back up so she was lying on top of him, spreading his hands over her face and through her hair. "You make me think about things I never have before."

"Like what," she asked.

"It's times like this that I wish I had a different life. I wish I could pick you up on a Friday night after work and take you out and then sleep in on Saturday morning with you, a normal existence."

"Who says we can't have that? It may not be ideal but it's all we have, so we'll just make the best of it. Besides," she smiled, "just think how great it will be when we do get together after that separation?" She sat up on him, moving her hands over his chest. "Explosive."

He rubbed his hands up and down her thighs, not telling her the other thing he was thinking. 'Love'. He was falling all over it, not sure if it was true yet or not, but if this kept up she could get him there, he was sure of that.

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Steve slept soundly on his back; the sheets pulled up just below his hips, exposing the V that led down to what Michelle considered was one of his best features. She smiled, blushing slightly over that thought as she kneeled on the bed next to him, just admiring him. Their last encounter had been explosive to say the least. She could still feel the lingering effects of it as she looked at him. Her body tingled, recalling the way he said her name as he made love to her. Or the way he peeled the robe off her shoulders as she straddled him, making love to him first.

The rain still pounded on the door outside, but inside that room it was calm and safe. She lay down next to him, finding that perfect spot where she could nestle in close, knowing she was welcome, and just as she had expected, the strong arm draped over her and pulled her in. It was everything she knew it would be, safe and calm. She knew at that moment she was falling in love. It had never happened to her before, but there was no other explanation for what she was feeling. She began to wonder if they were meant to be together, if this is why they ended up in the same place, at the same time. Was he her destiny? She never believed in that sort of thing before, but after being with him now, she began to think that fate held a bigger hand in their meeting like this.

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Steve opened his eyes and stretched his arms over his head. He noticed instantly that she was gone, sitting up on his elbows and glancing toward the bathroom. "Michelle," he called out and then saw the note on the mirror by the dresser written in pink lipstick.

'Happy Birthday!'

He smiled brightly and lay back down again, assuming she'd be back. He was thirty years old. "Geez," he mumbled, "where did time go?"

He thought of the question his father had asked him the other day when he spoke to him. 'Where did he expect to be at thirty?' He had no answer for that. Alive, was one that popped up over the last couple of years, but to say that to him would have been morbid and frightening for a parent to hear from a child so he kept it to himself.

He had made it though, and here he was lying in a five star hotel bed waiting for a beautiful woman to come back and spend the day with him. He was already sure it would be the best birthday he'd had in years. He glanced toward the sliding glass door, knowing their beach adventure was going to have to wait. The rain still came down, not as hard but the weather wasn't cooperating for them. Nonetheless, if he had to stay in the room all day it would still be great, as long as Michelle was there with him.

He threw the covers off and got up, going to the bathroom and turning the shower on, starting out a new chapter in his life that began with the sole promise to himself that he'd get to Germany as often as possible, not that he needed to push himself on that one, the commitment was already there.

Michelle waited at the front desk for the manager to return with a candle for the small cake she had gotten from the kitchen after calling down the day before, requesting to have it made.

He came around the corner holding it up as if it was a treasurer find. "I found one!"

"Thank you so much!" she said taking it from him. "I really appreciate this."

She took the cake and headed for the elevators when her phone went off in her back pocket. She pulled it out assuming it was Steve wondering where she was when she saw her CO's number appear. She set the cake down on a small table and answered it.

"Hello." She prayed he wasn't calling her back early, thinking of Steve and feeling that first glimpse of separation from him.

"Baker?" he said in that stern voice. "I apologize for interrupting you on your furlough but some exciting news just came in. You need to report back to duty tomorrow, but for good reason."

"Yes Sir?" she said, trying to hide the extreme disappointment that was engulfing her.

"New orders came in just this morning. You're being transferred to Langley." His voice was upbeat, assuming she would be happy about it too.

She on the other hand felt her heart drop to her stomach. "Sir?" She didn't think her disappointment could get any worse, but it had, ten fold.

"Langley, Baker! They wouldn't give me the logistics of the job, but you're in. You're going state side soldier to the one of the most prestigious military places on the planet!" he said with even more enthusiasm. "I've arranged a flight home for you. I'll email you the flight info. Congratulations Baker."

If this had been a week earlier, hell three days earlier she would have been jumping for joy, but it was on the other side of the world from Steve and she knew this would kill any kind of relationship with him. The distance was too far and he'd never make it state side, not for months on end. "Yes Sir, that's good news, but I really like where I'm at and…"

"Baker!" he said adamantly. "This is a huge promotion for you. It would look very bad for you and for me if you looked at it as a burden." He huffed, "I don't know why you would anyway. Besides, you impressed someone at the top and they want you there. It's a done deal. You leave two days after you get back tomorrow."

"Yes Sir. Thank you Sir." She was trying her hardest to hold back the tears.

He shook his head at her lack of enthusiasm, wondering what it was that had her doubting herself. "Ok then. I'll see you when you get back and we'll discuss your relocation."

"Yes Sir." They both hung up at the same time and she stood there in shock, her mind reeling over the news she'd just been given. The first tear came out and slid down her face as the elevators opened for her once again. She picked up his cake and got on, pushing the button for her floor instead of his. Two others got on after her before the door closed. She kept her head bent, trying to hide the sadness that was consuming her and fighting back the tears that were teetering on the edge of her eyes.

She made it to her room and stuck the card in the slot through blurred vision, pushing the door open and then closed, leaning back against it as the flood gates opened and she slowly slid down to the floor, cake still in hand. She set it down next to her and put her hands over her face and began to cry, wondering how this would ever work with him now. It wouldn't. It was impossible. They would be on opposite sides of the world.

She wiped her face off and stared out at the rain that poured down, knowing it was a long shot with him anyway. The previous night she had thought he could be her destiny, but she laughed angrily at that idea now. It was a cruel act of fate that put them together and nothing more.

Her thoughts went to him. He had seemed so genuine in wanting this to continue, wondering how he would react to the news. Would he be sad like her, or would he be a little relieved? She wondered then if maybe everything she was feeling was one-sided. She knew he wasn't just using her for a weekend fling. She knew that for a fact, but maybe it wouldn't be as devastating to him as it felt right then to her. She had to prepare herself for that, after all it had only been three days and who fell in love after only three days, she thought.

"I did," she said sadly, wiping another tear as it slipped out. She glanced down at his cake, knowing he was waiting for her in his room, probably wondering where she had run off too. She smiled at the message she'd left on the mirror, giving him the reassurance of her return. She pushed herself up off the floor and set the cake on the table going in the bathroom, splashing some cool water on her face until the redness disappeared. She stared at the image in the mirror and decided she wouldn't tell him right away. She wanted to have a nice day with him on his birthday.

"Tonight," she sniffed, wiping her nose. "I'll tell him tonight." She forced a smile, "Now smile and be happy that you got to have three days with him. Three perfect, memorable days." She felt the tears form again.

Steve stepped inside the warm shower and looked up into the water, letting the soft spray wash over him. He felt pretty relaxed considering he had reached a milestone in his life. It didn't really bother him as much as he thought it would. He was thirty, so what. He smiled over the fact that he was thirty years old yet he woke up after spending the night with a beautiful woman who made him feel more alive than he ever had in his entire life . "Thirty feels pretty damn good," he chuckled.

"I hope I feel that way when I turn thirty," Michelle replied.

He pulled the curtain back, smiling at her as she stood in the doorway, holding the cake with the lit candle on top and then began to sing to him.

"Happy Birthday to you," she sang slowly, setting it down on the sink. "Happy Birthday to you," she continued, pulling her shirt over her head and then began with her shorts. "Happy Birthday to Stevie." She picked it back up walking over to him, naked. "Happy Birthday to you."

She smiled and held it up as he blew out the candle.

"That is the most mouth-watering cake I have ever seen," he smiled brightly.

"Did you make a wish?" she asked, taking his finger and running it through the frosting. She put it in her mouth, slowly pulling it out, enjoying his reaction.

"Jesus," he moaned, "get in here." He pulled the curtains back and took the cake from her, setting it up on the towel shelf next to the shower. "You are my wish." She stepped inside as he wrapped an arm around her waist and closed the curtain with the other hand, pulling her under the warm water, kissing her at the same time.

His body felt so warm and firm as he held her close. She couldn't breathe, not because of the kissing but because of the way he was kissing her. Her arms went around his neck pulling herself up closer to him, encouraging his rhythm that was incredibly sensual, making her all the more heartbroken over her dilemma but not wanting him to stop either, taking what she could, while she could. She was happy for the water spraying her face, hiding the relentless tears that were forming once again.

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Michelle slid down his body until her feet were back on the bottom of the tub again. His hand braced on the wall of the shower and the other still holding her as she rested her head on his shoulder, both of them panting, still overcome by the powerful climax that hit both of them at the same time. Her emotions were all over the place, not wanting to move from this spot, ever.

Steve used his fingers to pull away the soaking wet hair from her neck and then kissed her. "Happy Birthday to me," he whispered to her. She looked up at him but he caught something in her eyes before she smiled at him, and even then the sparkle he was used to seeing wasn't the same. He wondered if maybe he had hurt her, knowing it had got pretty intense for a couple of minutes. "Are you ok?" he put both hands on her face. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

His true sincerity was touching, making her all the more regretful. He was a good man. She refused to let this ruin her day or his and kissed him. "I'm fine. I was worried I had hurt you."

He grinned, both over her statement and the smile that returned to her eyes. "Good pain is happy pain," he said, moving her back under the warm water. He reached over her head and took down the bottle of shampoo and lathered some of it up in his hand. He spread it over her hair, working his fingers into the black silk as it lathered up.

She moaned over the motion of his hands. If she hadn't just had an orgasm she was pretty sure this would have done the trick. "You're very good at this."

"My first time, it's pretty fun." He used both hands to hold her head as he tipped it back under the water, letting it rinse her off, but careful not to get it in her eyes.

She looked up at him as he concentrated on his job, feeling that wave of regret wash over her again. It was horrible. "What do you want to do today? I think the beach is out of the equation."

"We could just hang out in here all day." He pointed toward the shelf, "We have food."

Michelle laughed, replacing the hurt with a genuine smile. She put her arms around his neck. "My face hurts from smiling so much over the last couple of days."

"That's good pain," he informed her. "I'm going to go back with a permanent grin on my face. The next time you see me it'll probably still be there."

Those words hit her hard as her smile faded. She rested her forehead against his chest, hating that she had to go through this alone.

There was defiantly something up, he didn't know what but he could sense it, wondering if the invitation to visit she had put out there wasn't as open as he had thought. He realized then that he really didn't know her, only what he had gathered over the last couple of days. Who knew what she had going back home. She was supposed to be here with another man and here he was. But those circumstances just didn't fit in with what they had accomplished over the last three days either. He felt something with her and up until that morning, he had sensed it was mutual. But the reality kept coming back. How could he rely on feelings like that after only three days?

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They decided since they couldn't make it to the beach they'd settle for the roof top pool after the sky had finally cleared and a mid afternoon sun appeared. Michelle purchased an overpriced bikini in the gift shop, arguing with Steve over who was going to pay. He demanded the bill since he declared it would be he that would enjoy it more than she would. She didn't find that excuse legitimate enough and forced her credit card toward the clerk, which he took.

They sat in lounge chairs, twenty-five stories up and away from the streets below that were being cleared of debris from the storm.

Steve took a drink of his beer and smiled over at her as she stretched out with a margarita on the table next to her.

"This is nice way to pass the day," he said.

She smiled over at him, but beneath the dark sunglasses her eyes showed something different. "It is."

"Are you hungry? Do you want to order something?"

She shook her head with no reply.

He had felt the distance all day, having to drag conversations out of her that had flowed naturally before, wondering if this was her way of letting him down easy, or maybe pissing him off and then that would be her way out. He wasn't going to have it if that was her plan. He sat up on the edge of the chair, facing her. "What's going on?"

She looked at him puzzled, thinking she had been hiding it well. "What do you mean?"

"I'm getting the strange feeling that…" he paused, feeling a little betrayed over her behavior. "I don't know Michelle, I'm getting the idea that you don't want me around right now."

She stared at him thinking that was the furthest thing from her mind. "No," she replied barely above a whisper. "I do."

"Then what's wrong?"

She looked out toward the pool angry that she had to come clean with him now, angry over all of it.

"I don't like games Michelle and I'm not good at them, so just tell me what's on your mind."

She took off her sunglasses and he saw right away the unhappiness in them, hoping it wasn't something he'd done. She sat up on the chair and faced him, their knees barely touching.

"My CO called this morning when I was downstairs."

He didn't like the sound of that. His first guess was that she had to report back to work early, which meant she'd be leaving. He didn't like how it felt either. "Ok?" he said, encouraging her to continue.

She bit her bottom lip, hoping she wouldn't cry in front of him. "I'm…" she started and then stopped looking straight at him to see his reaction, knowing this moment would speak volumes and answer any question she had about his feelings. "I have to report back tomorrow. I'm being transferred to Langley."

He felt his heart drop to his stomach as the words hung in the air, knowing that meant an almost a permanent separation. His chest tightened and he stopped breathing until his body forced him to take in air, reminding him that he was still alive, even though he felt like he'd been run over.

Michelle saw it all over him, the same reaction she had when she got the news, except for the tears, but he stared at her as if knowing as well as she did that this was like a death sentence to any kind of relationship for them.

"Langley," he finally said, his mouth suddenly dry. "That's," he licked his lips, feeling parched. "That's a huge promotion." He was still coming to terms with it and trying to keep face for her sake, proud of her for such an accomplishment but wanting to kill the person with his bare hands who had signed the orders.

"Yes, I guess it's a done deal." She swallowed down the lump in her throat.

He nodded, knowing if she were being transferred there of all places then it came from high up, someone had taken notice of her. By the sound of it he was guessing she had questioned the orders too, he wondered if that was because of him. He reached across and took her hand. "I'm so proud of you Michelle. You deserve it."

They stared at each other but neither one spoke of the real issue, as if afraid to voice it and turn it into a reality.

He looked down at her hand as he held it with both of his, caressing his fingers over it, and thinking for the first time in his life how much he hated the Navy.

"I don't suppose," her voice shuttering, "that there are too many flights going to Langley from where you're at."

He didn't want to look up and see in her eyes what her voice was emulating. Instead he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "No," he said sadly, "there's not." He wanted to tell her everything was going to be ok, but he didn't want to lie to her. It wasn't ok. It was the worst possible scenario.

When he finally did look at her his heart took the brunt of the pain. She looked exactly how he felt.

"I didn't want to tell you today and potentially put a cloud over your birthday. But I guess I couldn't hide it very well either, could I?"

He grinned slightly over that, not yet to able to pull a smile out. "Well at least I know it's not because you don't want me around."

She on the other hand couldn't find a smile if her life depended on it. "I just wanted to have a nice last day with you." She couldn't hold back anymore as the first tear fell.

He switched places and sat down next to her, putting his arm around her. "Hey, this doesn't have to be the last day. I mean that."

She nodded, laying her head on his shoulder, knowing he did mean it, but also knowing he couldn't promise it either, neither of them could.

He wanted to tell her so badly that they'd work it out, but he didn't have a solution to give her. His mind was reeling with possibilities, but none would get him to Langley, Virginia for a quick trip here and there, once maybe twice a year if he was really lucky, and what kind of relationship was that. It wasn't, he thought, it would be a fling. He didn't want that for her. She deserved more. He wanted to be the one for her and was ready to step up to that role but now he was given the horrible task of giving up what he wanted to ensure she would be happy. He was thirty, she was only twenty-five, he couldn't ask her to wait for him and he wouldn't. It broke his heart but he wouldn't put that on her.

She sat up and wiped her eyes with the towel on the back of the chair. "Ok, enough now." She forced a smile, looking up at him. "Just tell me that you won't ever forget about me?"

"Impossible," he said honestly. "If I live to be a hundred years old with Alzheimer's, Michelle," he said touching her face. "I still wouldn't forget you."

She kissed him for that and just as she went to break from it he kissed her again.

What had begun as the best birthday of his life had turned out to be the worst.