TITLE: Shark – "Fleeting Glances"
AUTHOR: D M Harper.
SUMMARY: From the deep sadness of loss, a strong bond can sometimes be formed. A/U
PAIRING: Jessica Devlin & OFC; Sebastian Stark & OFC
RATING: MA for Mature readers.
DISCLAIMER: This story is simply entertainment for those of us who like to dabble in subtext. There is no intent to infringe on the copyright of 20th Century Fox Television and creator Ian Biederman. This tale does feature realistic consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, you have taken a wrong turn at the last intersection and need to back the bus up drongo!
A/N: Much gratitude to Wendy Woo proof reader extraordinaire. Be kind, read & review.
Chapter 36
"Have you heard from Sam?" John asked of Jessica as he accepted a beer.
"Yes actually, I spoke to her just a moment ago."
"Rose and I talked to her on the phone last week and she sounded drained."
"She looks weary too," noted Jessica as she walked John and Rose into the living room where the other quests were.
After greetings, Jessica handed Rose a glass of wine and put the bottle on the low table.
"Did you talk to Sam via Skype?" enquired Rose.
"No."
On cue, Sam stepped out of the hallway and into the spacious room, "Surprise everyone."
The room erupted with gasps, cheers, hugs, tears and kisses.
For the following five hours, Sam stayed close to Jessica's side as she cooked and savoured every minute of being around normalcy.
The couple spent time playing with Adam and Hannah before they were put to bed then Sam answered a bevy of questions.
"When are you due to return?" asked Louise.
"I fly out midnight Friday."
"Well I hope we don't have to wait another six months before we see you again."
"I'm hoping I don't either," said Sam, squeezing Jessica's hand. "Although, having all of you communicating with me makes the time easier to bear."
A short time later, Sam was chatting with Sebastian in the kitchen, "So how has Jess really been at handling things?"
"Remarkably well Sam. Oh, she cried for a week when you first left, but with everybody rallying around her and the court time she is putting in, she has been exceptionally stoic."
Sam wiped away a stray tear, "I feel so bad for not being here."
"It's certainly not your fault and Jessica's so proud of you."
"I'm proud of her too Sebastian."
-o-
Once the guests left, Sam and Jessica stumbled into the bedroom in a frenzy of flying clothes, arms and legs. Their love making was fiery, yet tender and hours later, Jessica was lying on top of Sam's back and slowly kissing perspiration soaked skin.
Sam was nearly asleep when she mumbled, "Baby."
"Yes darling?"
"Will you stay in that position?"
"Yes Sam, go to sleep."
With a heavy sigh, Sam closed her eyes and drifted off.
-o-
All too soon, Sam was packing in preparation of her trip back to Pendleton.
"Have you got everything honey?" enquired Jessica.
"Yes babe, including the two containers of cookies."
Jessica smiled, "I hope you don't share them."
"I occasionally allow my Lieutenant and Sergeants to indulge."
"I better send more then."
"There will be no argument from me Jess."
Jessica hugged her wife tightly as the doorbell rang, "That will be Roger and Martha."
"Okay, let's get going and thank you for the best liberty ever."
"The next one will be better," promised Jessica before kissing Sam deeply.
-o-
Jessica lived up to her promise when Sam returned home on June the twelfth for five days.
After a barbeque with friends and family, the couple secluded themselves at home and shut out the outside world.
"Only four months," pointed out Sam as she turned onto the Interstate.
"Sixteen weeks to get through until you are home for good."
"It will fly sweetheart then you and I can finally go on our honeymoon."
"And start our family," added Jessica with a grin.
"I'd like two thanks."
Jessica laughed at the request, "Are you placing your order?"
"I am, so you better start the ball rolling this end."
"I'll phone the Clinic on Monday and discuss our options."
"Sounds good to me and I'd like to try as soon as I get home."
"Do you think you'll have any more liberty before then?"
"I'm not sure baby. Activity had slowed down when I left this time, but that may have changed."
It had, Sam and her unit were thrust back into battle the following day and stayed out in the field for four weeks straight.
Communication back home was sparse and on July third, 5th Marine Regiment Delta Company came under heavy artillery fire. Their three Humvees were pinned down in a narrow laneway between buildings after RPGs took out the structures in front and to the rear of the vehicles.
Sam activated her radio and contacted the Humvee at the back of the lead vehicle, "Gunney report - over."
"Captain," answered Bixby from his position in the ringmount behind the M2 heavy machine gun. "We've got gun fire on the western roof tops two blocks out and at least two snipers - over."
With poor visibility, Sam knew they were sitting ducks in their current location and had to move to safer ground. The barricades of fallen rubble made the use of the Humvees obsolete. "Gunney, give us some suppression fire on my mark - over."
"Yes Cap - over."
"Adams, get on the radio and inform HQ of our grid and situation," commanded Sam.
Lieutenant Talbot glanced at her and she said, "I know what you are thinking, but there are just too many civilians in the area."
"Agreed, an air strike is out of the question."
"Everyone, move out," ordered Sam. "Take up position behind the building directly one block to the west."
As cover fire rang out, the unit swiftly alighted from the vehicles, using them for cover while they moved out.
"Lay down some cover for Bixby," instructed Sam to Stewart and Adams.
The remaining Marine withdrew from his position and joined the unit.
Sam hand signalled for Thomas, Fisher, Stewart and McGuire to advance the stairs as the lead Humvee was taken out by several RPG rounds. This was followed by the destruction of the other two vehicles seconds later.
Sam sent Bixby, Adams, Swain and Talbot to the building to the east to provide crossfire and surveillance. Along with Barrett and Quinn, Sam made her way stealthily between the buildings towards the source of the gunfire and clearing the structures as they progressed forward.
Sergeant Thomas' voice came over the radio, "Captain, building is clear. We do not have a visual on the hostiles - over."
"Hold your position Sergeant – over and out."
"Roger that."
Bixby contacted Sam, "Captain, I have a clear shot on one sniper and another two in view. There are a total of twenty hostiles on the roof top - over."
"Take your shots Gunney, we will standby – out to you. Thomas, Fisher, Stewart and McGuire advance to this location - over."
"Understood," responded Thomas.
Sam, Barrett and Quinn held their positions as gunfire was traded above them and the other four Marines joined them.
"Snipers are down Captain - over," announced Bixby.
"Roger, do you have any further clear shots Gunney – over?"
"That's a negative. Hostiles are constantly on the move. Captain, enemy is departing roof top for lower level - over."
"Understood –out to you. Lewy give us some cover, we are advancing to tango – over and out."
"Roger that."
Moments later, Sam ordered Talbot and the others to regroup to the east of her current position.
Once they were under strategic cover, she gave the order to engage. The Marines were confronted with twenty fleeing hostiles and the ensuing skirmish was over in minutes without causality to the unit.
"We'll need to clear the building," suggested Sam to Talbot. "Adams, get onto HQ and organise an extraction once we are clear, I think we have played enough for today. Stewart, you're with me. I don't trust that these people haven't left us and civilians a surprise. Lewy, take the unit and wait out in the building to the east. Be alert, there may be others hiding."
"Roger."
Once the others moved out, Sam and Stewart painstakingly searched the lower levels for incendiary devices and insurgents. They reached the roof top as gunfire shot out from the building to the north.
Both Marines dropped in behind the cover of a wall.
Sam got on her radio, "Lieutenant, we have hostiles four blocks to the north - out to you. Adams, where's our backup - over?"
"Ten minutes out Captain – over and out."
"Lewy, two teams to flank. We are under sniper fire here - over."
"Understood."
"Bixby, I need a fix on that sniper A-SAP - over."
"Roger Captain - out."
Sam got into a low position and withdrew her binoculars as Bixby set up his rifle.
"Got him," announced Bixby over the radio. "Bottom left corner below a turret with two other hostiles - over."
A heavy exchange of gunfire erupted as Bixby declared, "Sniper is down Captain - over."
"Well done Gunney, move out – out."
Between a volley of ricocheting bullets, Sam and Stewart headed for the stairs.
"Shit," uttered Stewart. "I've been hit."
Sam turned to see the Corporal prone on the floor, "How bad?"
"Left shoulder and right leg."
Sam combat crawled over and dragged Stewart to the top of the steps. She assisted him downstairs and eased him into a sitting position up against the inner wall. Quickly, she inspected his wounds and applied pressure dressings from his kit.
"Sorry about this Cap."
"Don't be." Sam radioed Talbot, "Lewy, Stewart is down. I require McGuire – out."
"He is on the way – out."
"Crap!" exclaimed Stewart.
"What is it Stewie?"
"I've lost my explosives pouch in the fall."
"It's probably near the stairs; I'll retrieve it once McGuire arrives."
"Thanks Cap."
McGuire entered the room and set to work. "He'll be fine ma'am," he said moments later.
Two helicopters came into view as the gunfire ceased and Talbot announced the remaining two hostiles were on the move again.
"Take Stewart to the extraction point McGuire."
"Yes ma'am."
"I'll be right behind you."
After a rapid radio transmission to Talbot, Sam ran up the stairs to Stewart's previous position.
As she picked up the kit, she spied movement to her left. She flung herself across the roof and onto the next building as the RPG round hit her location with a massive ball of fire and airborne debris. Excruciating pain pierced Sam's legs and back as darkness mercifully engulfed her.
-o-