Just a reminder as we near the end of this story, that I have taken artistic licence and made Kat 17 years old.

**Can I Wash Your Clothes?, Victoria Spivey**

Kat finally found Ray alone in the laundry room around 2200. Two machines were running and he was bent over the wooden laundry table, sewing a label to the inside of a starchy new uniform. His feet were tapping along to the reggaeton music emanating from his phone. She felt like she had been stalking him ever since Danny surprised Kara in the office that morning, trying to get a moment alone. Although she'd been in the same space with him for hours, they hadn't even really said hi, never mind had the kind of reunion she'd been planning. But if it wasn't one of the kids taking his attention it was someone needing hers for the rushed preparations.

She'd heard about what happened in Mobile from Dylan and a little sliver of fear that he wouldn't feel the same way about her anymore, or worse, think she'd invited Rob's attention had held her back from reuniting in public. Even now her stomach churned at the idea of rehashing what had happened the last time she'd been in the laundry room. She almost turned and left before he noticed her. Watching him, oblivious to her presence, her relief that he was back safely and her grief that he was leaving again convinced her to step all the way into the room. She had to know if he still wanted her before he left tomorrow. "I didn't know you knew how to sew."

Ray's face lit up when he saw her and he set the shirt on the table. "I'm finally getting some use out of the sewing badge my mother made me do in Cub Scouts."

The swinging door whooshed closed behind her and she let go to wring her hands, partly out of nervousness and partly to stop her from just reaching out to him. "I hear Danny recommended you for one of the teams going tomorrow. Weren't you going to say goodbye?"

She caught a flicker of pain before he pasted on a cocky smile. "Of course I was, but not until tomorrow morning, right before we leave. That way you wouldn't waste tonight missing me, or yelling at me for being an idiot in Mobile." He looked up from under his brows to see her reaction and her heart began to pound harder. He thought she'd be mad?

She held out her hand but instead of rising and following her, he pulled her closer to the edge of the table. "Apparently I'm not as mature as I thought because I am kind of glad that he got his nose broken." She shrugged. "But I really don't want to talk about that tonight. I came here to tell you that if you're going to do this Navy thing, you need to learn the rules. A last minute kiss goodbye is not how you leave a girl behind. You're supposed to spend the night before reminding her of why she should pine for you to come back." She supposed his reaction to her words would tell her what he really thought about her now.

He studied her as a grin slowly crept across his face. "Oh yeah? Well, if that's the rule," He pushed back his chair and stood. "I don't want to be making trouble before my first day on the job." He turned her so she was standing with her back to the table and a nervous pressure bubbled up in her stomach. Given what had happened in this same laundry room a few weeks ago she shouldn't have been surprised to feel uneasy. But this was Ray and instead of feeling trapped she felt like he was standing between her and whatever might come at them through the door. So she gripped his shoulders and attempted to boost herself onto the edge of the table behind her. It didn't come out as graceful as she'd planned but Ray didn't seem to care, he just stepped closer and helped lift her. He wasn't that much taller than her so it continuously surprised her that he was so much stronger. She ended up sitting with her legs on either side of his hips. "How would you suggest I leave you with a good memory?" His face brushed against hers as he whispered in her ear over the noise of the washing machines.

"Well you could start with a few unforgettable kisses." She turned her face to capture his lips. Her eyes drifted shut and she pulled him toward the table as they kissed until he was pressed against her, her knees holding him in place. She still couldn't believe she had once thought kissing was kind of boring. She felt him smile against her lips and her own lips curved to match, almost involuntarily. And then they were kissing again.

In her mind, she knew he was only going with the Vice President's escort team and it was only supposed to be a short trip. But the days ahead, being here in St. Louis without him once again, looked bleak and lonely. What if something happened and she hadn't taken advantage of the time they had now? What if she missed her chance? If her encounter a few week ago had taught her anything, it was that things could change in the blink of an eye.

His hands were slowly running up and down her ribs, creating a thrilling tingle when his thumbs caressed the undersides of her breasts. Even through her clothing it was maddening. She wiggled closer to the edge of the table to press together more firmly. Ray mumbled something into her mouth but she was too preoccupied with the exquisite sensations of his lips and hands to register what he said.

She let her fingers slip under the hem of his thin tee shirt and was delighted when he shivered in response. She hadn't been bold enough to seek out his skin before. Her fingertips tingled as they skimmed over the bumps of his spine. She had been foolish to waste one precious second.

His lips drifted to her jaw line and she arched back a little, gasping when his thumbs slid up over her nipples. She hadn't realized she even liked that until now. The lame boyfriend she'd had before the Red Flu had tried feeling her up over her bra, but it had just made her feel irritated and bored. Now she couldn't help but urge Ray on. She wanted every second of it. When he shifted slightly and she felt the evidence of his arousal pressed against her, she surprised herself by moaning softly. She was well acquainted with her own body but she'd never had the urge to make sounds before. Then again she'd had no idea how good it would feel to have someone else's hands on her either. He closed his thumbs over her stiff peaks and she heard herself make a second involuntary gasp. Her face heated, but just then she didn't care. No one could hear her over the washing machines anyway. She twined her fingers in his recently shorn hair. She'd liked it better when it was longer, but still, the feel of the short strands against her palms delighted her.

The dryer chime sounded and Ray broke away, lifting his head. She took the opportunity to kiss the hollow of his neck, sucking in the skin lightly and tasting the saltiness there. "Kat." He smelled so wonderful, like coffee and laundry soap and just him. She kissed his collarbone right above the edge of his shirt and felt him surge against her. Hmm, so that was a sensitive spot? She tested her theory and discovered to her satisfaction that she was right.

"Kat." His voice was more strained but she ignored it, preferring instead to slip her hands from the planes of his back to his abs, working the tee shirt he wore up over heated skin as she did so. "Kathleen!" He caught her hands in his before she could slide up over his chest. "Stop! We need to stop." He brought her hands between them and stepped back a little. "This is definitely not the time and place for this."

She opened her eyes but it took a second to get her bearings again. The dryer rumbled to a stop and in the vacuum of sound all she could hear was their rushing breaths. "This is not the place." Ray let go of her hands as he repeated himself. Should she say what she was thinking? On the one hand, she knew logically that there was no hurry. He'd be back in a couple weeks and they could pick up where they left off then. But a little voice was urging her on. What if? She certainly wanted the first time to be with him, even if this little thing they had going didn't last. She'd already imagined it many times, almost assumed it would happen. And something about the rushed swearing in two weeks ago, the brand new uniforms, the mad dash to make sure there was a quiet moment with each one of the kids before he left again made her feel like it was now or never. And she didn't think she could accept never.

"Then where?" She slid her hands up to either side of his head, holding his gaze. "Where do you want to go?" She might as well make the offer clear.

Ray closed his eyes. "Are you serious?" He asked, eyes still closed, voice tight in his chest.

"Ray look at me." He opened his eyes. In the glaring fluorescent lights of the laundry room they were pitch black. "I'm dead serious."

He kissed the tip of her nose and rested his forehead on hers with a sigh. "But it should be nicer, you know. Like we should have a real date first. And be someplace pretty. And we should have lots of time to you know, spend all night."

"I don't need all that. I just want you." She wiggled against him. "And I can tell you want me so don't even try to deny it."

They leaned against each other for a minute while Ray thought about it. At least she hoped he was thinking about it. Maybe she had been wrong about his interest level. Anxiety returned to gnaw at her gut and she was ashamed to feel the hot prick of tears welling up. Fuck, this wasn't how she'd meant this to go. Get a hold of yourself! She drew in a deep breath, trying to focus on anything else while she waited for a response.

Finally his breath puffed out against her hair. "Yeah. Yeah I don't need all that either." He kissed her temple. "But I have to take this stuff and put it in my bag now and I'll have to get up ungodfully early to get the rest of these uniforms packed."

She nodded, a sudden bought of the butterflies stealing her voice. It was happening It was really happening. "Uh, I'll just uh, help you bring the laundry down then. They gathered the remaining clothes into the housekeeper's cart that she'd commandeered several weeks ago and hauled it to the elevator without talking much. Ever since the day he'd taken her to see the horses, if they were alone in the elevator Ray usually stole a few kisses, but this time they just stood there, both staring awkwardly anywhere but at each other. She was about to tell him that it was silly, they should just be themselves, when the car heaved to a stop and the door whooshed open leaving them staring at the long hallway. Although they were on a floor for civilians and families, they still kept quiet hours. Ray waved for her to go first and then pushed the cart behind her as she led the way down the hall. She stopped at her door, slipping her keycard in the lock and then turning to invite him in. When they locked eyes she felt the rush of blood to her cheeks. She hadn't given much thought to the logistics, but he couldn't exactly leave the cart in the hall outside her room for everyone to see. He reached out from where he was pushing the cart, glancing back the way they had come before slipping an arm around her waist and dropping a peck on her lips. "I'll just put this in my room, grab the last few things I have to pack, and come back. 10 minutes tops." He kissed her again and she felt some of the tension in her muscles slide away as excitement built in the pit of her stomach. He let go of the cart so he could wrap his other arm around her and she delighted in the feel of his hands roaming over her back. Soon she'd know what that felt like on her bare skin.

She had to clear her throat and still all she could manage was a hoarse whisper. "Go. I'll uh, clean up my room a little.." She pushed him away gently and fumbled with her keycard a second time as she watched him go down the hall. There were only 3 doors between their rooms, but it still looked very far.