"I love her Red, it hurts just being away from her for a minute. How'm I gonna do it for the rest of my life?" Rafe's smooth Tennessee accent called over the P-40 he was polishing.
"R-R-Rafe at least she's s-s-still around. You can see her, tell you love her." Red always told everyone he had a nervous stutter but lately it seemed to me more when he thought of Betty. Everyone noticed but no one had the heart to say anything. Why work him up more.
"Geez Red I'm awful sorry. I shouldn't be talkin' about this to you."
"Rafe if you really love her do what ever is going to make her happy." Now that Red had calmed down his stuttering was starting to cease.
"The only problem with that there plan is if what I do is wrong she ain't happy anyway."
"Rafe I wish I knew how to help you."
"It's alright Red, hey pass me the yellow rag." There was no sense in beating a dead horse.
That night was the annual Army-Navy dance off the first actual joint activity since the attack. The remaining members of "The terrors of the skies" and "The Pride of the Pacific" all put on their dress uniforms and cologne and headed to the main airstrip at Hickam. The nurses were already there waiting patiently for the pilots to arrive. How do you hold a dance on a runway you ask? It's simple really, the debris had been cleared away and the remaining planes placed in the hangers. Tables were set up along the tarmac and the p.a. system was playing music.
"Danny I hope you don't mind I don't feel much like dancing tonight." Evelyn stated apologetically.
"Are you feeling alright? Is the baby okay?" Her fiancé worried.
"I'm fine trust me, if something was wrong I'd know. I'm just a little pregnant." She laughed for the first time in days.
The young blonde nurse across the table perked up.
"Good then you won't mind if I borrow him for a while."
"I don't mind, do you Danny?"
"No that's okay with me I guess."
"Great I know I can win this thing I just needed a partner."
Gooze and Red both raised their hands along with a few other guys near by. All but Rafe. Annaly just shook her head.
"No thanks fellows I think Danny will do just fine."
Danny looked at her; he could see why his friends would jump at he chance to dance with her. Her long wavy blonde hair was cascading down her and floated with the wind and her eyes where so dark a blue they matched the sky at mid night. She skin was flawless the color of fresh cream, her cheeks matched the coral that lived near by. She was beauty in it's definitive form. He only wondered why of all the men to choose form he wanted him.
"Maybe we can get your friend and Rafe together." Danny said when he noticed how lonely Rafe looked.
Evelyn heard him and her mind agreed but her heart didn't.
"Maybe"
Annaly paced slowly over to Danny her lavender dress sort of swishing as he walked. Danny blinked pretending he didn't notice her long shapely legs. He was in love with Evelyn.
"Are you ready?" Annaly asked softly
"As ready as I'll ever be." He answered standing.
The contest started off with something by the Bill Travis Swing Orchestra. And Danny was busy twirling and swinging Annaly around when she finally introduced her self.
"My names Annaly by the way." They had never officially met when Annaly got to Pearl Danny had already left for the Doolittle training. "Annaly Pierce."
"Daniel Walker." The sound of Danny's deep and quiet voice gave Annaly a little charge. "Nice to meet you ma'am."
"I know who you are. Evelyn never stopped talking about you. You and what was the other pilot's name? McCawley?"
"Rafe?"
"That's it Rafe McCawley."
Danny looked over at the table where Evelyn and Rafe were seated. They were all talking, well mostly Rafe, more then likely about some great combat story he endured. Everyone was listening intently even Barbara who thought Rafe was sort of weird. But the part hat really caught Danny's attention was the look in Evelyn eyes as she stared at Rafe. They twinkled with a light that shone brighter the must illuminating star in the heavens. And he wondered if he could remember a time when she looked upon him that way. Distracted by thought Danny swung Annaly out and forgot to brace him self for when she spun back into position. She collided into his chest and he doubled over in pain.
Annaly tenderly put her hand on him as he stood back up.
"Are you alright? I'm so sorry Captain Walker."
"I'm fine, I'm okay."
"No you're not you bleeding." Annaly noticed the blood seeping threw the brownish green material of his shirt.
"I guess this would be a good time to tell you I got shot in the chest in Japan." Danny leaned on her.
"Oh no I must've torn your stitches."
For the second time in two days Danny was sitting on an exam table with a pretty nurse fussing over him.
"Thank you for you know leavin' early to come fix me up." It was the first time Annaly noticed the sexy southern twang in his voice.
"It was the least I could do. It's my fault anyway. You would've been better off staying at he table with your friends." To say there were butterflies in her stomach would've been the understatement of the galaxy.
"Nahh it wouldn't have been as much fun."
"Yes because this is so much fun." She looked deeply into the two pools of brown that sat on his face. She could see his very soul.
Danny turned his headed quickly.
"He sure is handsome, obviously shy though. That doesn't matter I'm anything but. I'll make the first move. No I better ask Evelyn first. (Annaly doesn't know Evelyn and Danny are together. She assumes the baby is Rafe's from the way Evelyn talked about him while they were away.)
"So Captain Daniel James Walker what part of Tennessee are you from?"
"A small only bout 200 people. Wait how'd you know my middle name and where I'm from?" Curiosity prevailed despite that Danny just wanted the conversation to end, so he could go home. He was shy and unsure of himself and not to mention engaged to Evelyn. He feared Annaly would just be another obstacle.
"It's on you medical chart." She dropped the folder on the gurney beside him.
"Where are you from?"
"Massachusetts." She answered with a slightly northern demeanor. Accent s aren't really common in the North.
"Is it nice up there?"
"Not nearly as nice as it is right here." She regretted saying it as soon as the words left her mouth.
"I better go. Thanks again ma'am." Danny hopped down form the table "Hope to see you again."
"So do I." Annaly whispered as he exited.
