Chapter 10

I flopped down on my bed and closed my eyes. I had just had the best date of my entire life! I had never imagined that Zane could be so…perfect! I couldn't wait until I saw him next! But wait, wasn't he leaving for the Navy? I bolted up, my eyes wide with realization.

"I've got to stop him," I said. "But how? He's probably registered. You can't just take that back." I flopped back down, defeated.

"No. I won't give up this easily!" I practically yelled, catapulting myself off of my bed, out of my room, and flying down the stairs.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Gran-gran asked.

"I've got to find out if he's registered!" I yelled as I left. I went running down the street. Luckily there was a recruiting building about a mile away. Wait, why didn't I just drive? Oh well, I guess hindsight is 20/20. Anyway, I sprinted all the way there. In just under six minutes. But hey, I was on a mission! I flew into the building, sweating and out of breath.

"I need to know," I paused to breath, "if Zane Embers is registered for the Navy."

"Uh, ma'am, this is the Marines building. The Navy building is three doors down," I uniformed man behind a desk told me. Without saying a word, I ran out of the building and down to the Navy door. I entered and re-enacted my previous performance.

"We aren't allowed to give out that information," the man said.

"Please, this is really important!" I begged.

"I'm not allowed. Besides, if he is, he's leaving first thing in the morning," the man said, determined not to let me know.

"Listen," I leaned over the desk, grabbing the soldier by the collar, "you'll tell me or you'll hurt!" I threatened. He actually paled. Maybe it was the desperate tone. Maybe it was my frizzy hair, bugged eyes, and bared teeth.

"Okay, okay, what's his name?" the man asked. I released him.

"Zane. Zane Embers."

The man typed a bit on a computer, then read a list.

"Yeah, he's leaving…oh, he's leaving in thirty minutes," he said.

"WHAT?! What airport?!"

"Polk International. Why do you need to know?"



"Where are your keys?"

"What?"

"You heard me. Where are your keys?" I repeated.

"Ma'am, I'm afraid I can't-" my glare cut him off. "Here," he handed them over. I left the building, located his jeep, and left. I peeled out of the parking lot, squealing the tires. I was driving faster than Zane ever had, but this was important. What should've taken me thirty-five minutes took me fifteen. I didn't even bother parking. I just ran into the airport. I sprinted to the gate where he would be. I saw him about to board the plane.

"ZANE!!" I screamed, kicking it into high-gear. I was running faster than I ever had. I got within five feet of him, and leapt, tackling him to the ground in front of all the other recruits. I kissed him square on the lips, almost territorially.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked, catching the breath I had knocked out of him.

"I can't let you leave. Not without telling you…I love you, Zane Embers. I always have. I just didn't know it until now."

Zane studied me for a moment. Neither of us realized it, but everyone was watching us. Then, Zane smiled. His eyes- those glorious, beautiful, expressive eyes- did too. He kissed me, wrapping his arms around my waist. We didn't care that we were still on the floor. Our kissing was interrupted by heavy leather boots coming to a stop beside our heads. We looked up into the eyes of Zane's commanding officer.

"What the hell is going on?" he demanded. I stood up off of Zane.

"Sir, I'm in love with this man, and I had to let him know before he left," I said, my voice somewhere between confident and intimidated. Zane got to his feet and the general (I think that's what he was) studied us for a moment.

"You know, a simple phone call would've done the trick," he said.

"Yeah, but it wouldn't have the same effect," I said sheepishly, grinning at Zane. The general chuckled a little bit.

"Well, like it or not, he has to leave now," he said. I looked at the floor, definitely defeated. "But looking at him, he looks too scrawny to be in the Navy. I don't think he should join." I looked back to the general, confused.

"Son," he addressed Zane, "I think after your twelve week basic, you should just go home."

"Thank you!!" I screamed, jumping to hug the general. Some of the other recruits chuckled, but were silenced by a glare from their superior.



"Just make sure you write to him," he said to me. "Alright boys, let's go," the general led the recruits onto the plane. Zane hung back a little bit.

"I'm gonna miss you," I said, tears beginning to stream from my eyes. Zane brushed them away gently.

"I'll write to you everyday. I'll be back in no time."

"I love you, Zane," I stood on tip toe and kissed his cheek, hugging him.

"And I love you, Kitty," he kissed me back. "Wait for me." I know, a cliché thing to say, but it was a cliché moment.

"I'd wait forever for you," I said. He kissed me again, then left. I watched as he walked down the hallway to the plane that would take him away. Tears were streaming down my face, blurring everything except for him. I smiled as he waved to me, and waved back. I watched as the plane took off.

"I love you, Zane," I whispered to the sky.

Well, that's the end…for now…I might do a sequel, if I get enough requests/interest. Let me know what you think!!