What the movie had been, Evelyn couldn't remember. What she did remember was sitting in the dark with Rafe as he held her hand.

The last few weeks had gone by in a blur and it was already the middle of January. The time she'd spent with him had been so wonderful and had almost forgotten there was a war going on in Europe. Almost being the key, because the newsreels before the main features were always a reminder. He always seemed to grasp her hand just a little tighter when the newsreels showed aircraft being shot down. It was what every pilot feared her father had always told her.

When the movie was over they left the theater and walked up the street to the coffee shop. They found their table and Rafe ordered coffee and pie. As had become his habit, Rafe reached for her hand and he held it as they sat and waited. He'd been awfully quiet throughout the evening and Evelyn was beginning to worry. It wasn't like him to be so silent.

She squeezed his fingers with hers and smiled. "A penny for your thoughts Lieutenant."

He smiled at her. "I haven't been very good company tonight, have I?"

"What's made you so quiet?"

He sighed. "The Brits are really gettin' pounded."

"The president is doing what he can."

"It's not enough. They need pilots, good pilots."

Evelyn didn't like where the conversation was going. "If I didn't know you better, I'd say you want to go over there."

"I could help."

"And get killed in someone else's war."

"They need all the help they can get."

"But it's not our fight." She hoped that statement would put an end to it.

Rafe seemed to understand and picked up her hand to kiss her fingers. "Okay. No more talk about war."

"Thank you." Evelyn took a deep breath before she started. "Rafe we can't keep this to ourselves anymore, our seeing each other I mean. The girls know something is going on. I haven't said anything and I know Barbara hasn't, but they've started wondering why I'm gone so much. Besides, I want them to meet you now."

Rafe nodded. "I think you're right. Danny's been real curious about why I've been gone so much and I want him to meet you too."

Their coffee and pie arrived and they decided to get everyone together the next weekend in New York. Barbara had told Evelyn about a swing band that was going to be playing at one of the nightclubs and everyone could get together. It was her way of telling Evelyn it was time to stop sneaking around and show off her pilot. She knew her friend was right and it was why she finally mentioned it to Rafe. He told her the pilots had all gotten an overnight pass and he knew it wouldn't take much convincing to get them to spend it in New York City.

By the time they'd figured everything out, Rafe had returned Evelyn to the nurses quarters. They sat in the quiet of the car after he had turned off the motor and put his arm around her. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" He asked her.

"No, but I think it's time. I don't want to keep this from the girls anymore." She told him. "And I'd like us to be able to go out on a date and not worry we're going to run into someone we know."

He grinned at her. "It hasn't been that bad has it?"

"Of course not. It's been kind of exciting actually, trying to figure out where we could go without being discovered." That made Rafe laugh. "But that was mostly because everything was so new."

"So I'm old hat now?" He pretended to be hurt.

Evelyn didn't fall for it. "Rafe, you'll never be old hat. Ever."

"I'm glad to here it." And he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

It was a kiss that left her nearly breathless. She could feel her face burn with a flush and when he released her he had a look on his face she'd never seen. "What did I say?" Was all she could manage.

"You are really somethin', Evelyn."

"Rafe, what is it?"

"I just wonder what I did to deserve havin' you in my life. I am such a lucky man."

"And I am a very lucky woman to have you in my life." She answered.

He kissed her again and it was filled with such passion she had to break it off. She put a hand on his chest to stop him when he started to pull her back toward him. She could feel herself shake and tried to keep things light. "Lieutenant McCawley."

Rafe seemed surprised at his own behavior. He let go of Evelyn and put both of his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. "I'm sorry Evelyn, I forgot myself."

"I'm not protesting, it's just that you surprised me. You've never kissed me like that before."

"I think it's time you get inside."

"Are you going to be all right?"

He looked at her and gave her a vague smile. "Nothin' that a cold shower can't cure." And he kissed her cheek.

Evelyn opened the door and before she got out looked at Rafe. His hands still gripped the steering wheel. "Rafe, don't be too hard on yourself about this. You care for me a lot and when two people care for each other the way we do, sometimes things get a little out of hand. It's natural."

He wouldn't look at her. "Do you have any idea what I was thinkin' about?"

"I have a pretty good idea and it doesn't change anything."

"You really are somethin'."

She smiled. "So are you." And she leaned over to kiss his cheek before she got out of the car and closed the door. Evelyn walked up to the front of the house and heard the car motor start up. It was a moment before Rafe pulled away from the curb and Evelyn went inside.

She could hear the girls upstairs talking and Glenn Miller on the phonograph; he was a particular favorite of Martha's. She hung her coat up in the front closet and headed toward the stairs. It was then she saw Barbara sitting on the sofa in front of the fire and she changed course to sit down next to her. "How would you and the girls like to go to New York City next Saturday night? I talked to Rafe and he agrees that it's time. "

"Good for you, honey. I don't think they'll have too much of a problem spending the night in New York."

Evelyn sighed. "Barbara, we came too close tonight." Was all she said and sighed again.

Barbara understood what she meant and folded her arms across her chest. "Who stopped it?"

"I did."

"Why?" The question was without reproach. "You love the guy."

"I don't want it to be like everybody else. I don't want our first time to be in the back seat of a car." She stated matter of factly. "And I know Rafe doesn't want that either. He was feeling so guilty about letting it go as far as it did he couldn't look at me."

"Sweetie, that's because he loves you. I can see that and I've never met him."

"He's never said it."

"He doesn't have to Ev, he's already shown you. You've never told me how you feel about him though."

"Oh gosh Barbara, what don't I feel? He makes me happy just being near me and my life seems to fall in to place whenever we're together. I never feel like we're apart because I feel him in my heart." She shook her head in amusement. "If I heard anyone else say that it would really be corny."

"You're in love all right." And she hugged her friend. "I hope he knows how lucky he is."

Evelyn tried not to blush. "He does." And hugged her back.