2300 Zulu the next day

Albuquerque International Airport

"Well," Harm said, "thanks for the ride."

"Any time." I forced a smile. "At least you don't have any luggage to check."

"True enough." He didn't get out of my truck. "Do you have time for a cup of coffee?"

I shook my head, thinking of an excuse. "I'd love to, but it's too hot to leave Timber in here. Besides…." I stumbled a bit, "Besides, I ought to head home. I've got to go to work tomorrow." I forced a smile.

He saw right through me. "It will be all right, you know. Just give it some time."

I sat still, not trusting myself. Or him. Or my memories.

"No, Harm, it won't be all right." I turned and looked him directly in the eye. "Ever again. Nothing," I continued, "will ever be the same again."

He nodded, then climbed out of the truck, and started toward the terminal. I put the truck in gear, only to hear the passenger door open again.

"Just remember," he said, "just remember that NOTHING is EVER the same again, anyway. They call it 'life'." He flashed that smile, leaned across the seat, and gave me a deep, lingering, electrifying kiss. I sat there, stunned, until the car behind me honked it's horn and I realized that he was in the terminal building and gone.

Somehow, between the time Timber and I left the airport and the time we arrived home in the mountains, things seemed a bit better. And the next morning, when I drove to the K-9 barracks and put my badge back on, the world again seemed like it might be right again - very different, but very right indeed.

The End