A/N not mine, I own nothing.

Someone for Her

Chapter 10

A Realization and a Mission

I woke up in Tank's arms. The feeling was wonderful. Although it was then that I realized that we were still skin to skin...SHIT! We were skin to skin all night, No condom!

"Tank!"

"What's wrong, Baby?"

"Condom, we never used a condom last night."

"Shit!"

"Exactly!"

"We'll get through this. We don't know anything yet."

"Tank...I can't go through what happened to me and Lester again. I don't think I can handle it mentally.

"We need to figure out who is after me and why. Then we can figure out what's going on with us. Maybe, someday, if things work out with us, we'll have a family. This is not the time for it."

Tank only nods his head at me. I'm afraid I may have hurt him. I just wasn't ready to face the possible consequences of last night. Someone was trying to kill me. I just had unprotected sex with a man that I just started to really get to know.

There was a knock at our door, Lester.

"Beautiful, Tank, you guys ready to roll? We'll be in Miami in about six hours."

We grab our gear and head out, my fears gripping at my stomach.

"Hey, Beautiful? Can we talk for a minute?"

"Yeah, Les. What's up?"

"Steph, you need to let go of the past. We can't change what happened. Sophia would have been so spoiled by us, just as any child you and Tank may eventually have."

"Lester," I growled.

"You two were a little loud with your talk. I heard everything. No worries, we've all got your back. We'll get whoever is behind this, and then you can go back to the life you want.

"Remember, you're my best friend. I have loved you for so long and am happy you found someone I think is almost good enough for you."

"Almost?"

"No one, and I mean no one, will ever be good enough for you."

I get into the driver's seat of the SUV, it my turn to drive the lead.

Nearly three hours into the drive my phone rings. I put it on speaker.

"Yeah."

"Shadow, the air field has been compromised. Go to Benning." Nighthawk hung up.

I heard a sharp intake of breath as we pulled into a truck stop. This was becoming more and more fucked up by the minute. Fort Benning was the last place we could hide. If that's where we were going, then something big was coming our way. Thompson was no longer my largest concern.

Tank and I run inside and grab food for everyone as they fill up our gas tank. He keeps a hand on me at all times. He must have the same bad feeling that I do. Something isn't right.

We get back to the vehicles and Tank takes over driving. I don't think I could handle any more. I am too distracted. A sudden thought comes to my mind.

"Lester, why would D.C be after me?"

"No clue, Beautiful... wait, wasn't the secretary of staff your CO at one point. What's his name? Matthews?"

I nod. That's it, there's the connection. He had been my CO and had not been happy when I turned down his advances.

"How would he convince the current CIC to call me and threaten me?"

"Blackmail. Using the Moambi family as a scapegoat."

"What would he have on him?"

That's when Tank spoke up. "There are rumors that our president did not legally win his term."

"Shit," I reply.

An uncomfortable silence filled the SUV. The opponent in the election had backed out two days before the election. He had not given any explanation.

Four hours later we arrived at Fort Benning. Two MP's took our prisoner and we made our way to Nighthawk's office.

"Plum, we need to get you out of the US until this can be resolved. I have made arrangements for all of you."

"No! They are after me, and I need to be the one to end this."

"Stephanie, we can't have you harmed. You are this country's most valuable asset. Damn it! I promised your Mom I'd keep you safe!"

"My mom, the woman who handed me over to the sadistic Helen Plum, or the bitch herself."

"Jessica loves you, Steph. She did what she and Frank thought was best," he whispered.

"Listen, now is not the time to discuss my messed up family. I think I know who is behind this."

"Matthews; he's behind this. He's blackmailing the CIC to take you out. He blames you for his demotion while he was a CO," Nighthawk tells me.

"I had nothing to do with that!"

"I know. Listen, we have housing set up for you. Why don't you all go get settled in, and I'll check on you all later."

I nod and we follow the Private who is taking us to our rooms.

Once there, Tank pulls me into his chest.

"Baby, we should talk about last night."

"I know."

"No matter what happens, you know I'll be there, right?"

"I know Tank, I know. I'm just apprehensive about the whole thing. We barely know each other."

"We'll be alright. I promise, no matter where this road leads us, we'll be alright."

Just as he was leaning down to kiss me, there was a loud knock at our door.

"Plum, Tank, we need you in the CO's office now!"

Well, so much for resting. I think to myself.

We head back to Nighthawk's office.

"Plum, we need you and Tank for a mission."

A/N CIC: Commander in Chief, aka the president.

Thank you again to Ms. Maggie, AKA Vulcan Rider, who has made this chapter readable! Love Ya!