Disclaimer: As in ch. 1

AN: Sorry for taking so long for an update, both Sigma (my beta reader) and I were very busy at the moment. Thank you for all the feedbacks. I really appreciate it. I'll try to update it as soon as possible but it might take some time as I'm preparing for final exams.  For now, please enjoy the story and send me your opinions about it.

Okinawa Naval Hospital

Trey's room

Brushing his tears away angrily, Trey sat up and morosely looked out the window. His heart told him that he needs to get his head out of his six, but his mind would not comply. He closed his eyes and let just one more tear slip out. He was so sorry...but he knew it was too late for them.

Meanwhile, Grace had wiped her own tears away and strode angrily toward the elevator, determined to finish this, once and for all!

As she stormed into his room, Trey, his eyes still closed, assumed it was the nurse returning. "Not now, Ensign. Please leave me alone for awhile."

"I am not going to leave until we finish talking, Trey." Grace said calmly.

His head whipped around in shock. "Why are you still here?"

"Trey, we need to talk."

"There isn't anything left to talk about, Grace. It's over; you said it very clearly years ago."

"Harmon David Rabb, III, I said no such thing!!" Her voice grew much sharper.

"You said that I was so stubborn that you couldn't stand it more. You said that you don't want to have anything to do with me ever again. You said that *you* hate me, Grace! What was I supposed to think? You wanted me to get out of your life, and I did!" Trey's voice also grew louder and sharper.

He took a deep breath and braced himself, expecting to get screamed at. Instead, to his surprise, Grace closed her eyes and very softly began to speak. "Please don't say that. You know I didn't mean it. You annoyed me with your attitude towards Alex, but that was all it was. It was just annoyance. I don't hate you, or even come anywhere near hating you. We've already wasted 12 years, Trey. Do you really want to keep dancing around each other?"

"It's just too late, Grace. I'm not the man I used to be. I'm no longer Harmon Rabb, III: naval aviator. Now, I'm only a disabled man who would just make your life worse. Besides, I can see you've already moved on past me. You have cute son, Grace. Let the past go. You and I can still be friends, but nothing more."

"You really don't understand, do you?" Grace could no longer keep her tears at bay. "I was in my father's office when the MIA list came through his fax machine. Do you know how it feels to learn that the man you love suddenly has gone MIA? Seven years later, my parents told me that it was over. That you were dead. I didn't believe, you know. Do you know that at your funeral they gave me the flag? I clung to it like it was my lifeline.

"Then I got married, but some part of me still hoped that one day you'd come back and flash that cocky grin of yours at me. I felt like I was betraying Alex. He loved me so much, but he knew that my heart belong to a certain naval aviator. My son was barely three years old when Alex died in plane crash. I only just recently found peace about your death, and now you're back.

"Do you really think I can just the past go!? So what if you are not a naval aviator anymore? I don't love you just because the gold wing on your chest! So what if you're 'disabled?' I don't love you because you are a perfect athlete! I am so tired of this dance, Trey. Twelve years is too long for me, Trey. Far too long." Grace took a shaky breath, wiping her tears away.

Before Trey could think of anything to say, she continued. "I'll understand if you don't love me or even want to have anything to do with me, Trey, but I'm not going to deny my feelings any longer! Yes, Harmon Rabb, III, I am in love with you. I honestly can't remember a time that I haven't been in love with you. Maybe we are too late...but I still love you." She bit her lip and turned to leave before a soft voice stopped her.

"Please don't go." Trey said plaintively. "You are so very wrong, Grace Webb. At the NATO ball, when you said that you hated me, it was as if someone had killed me. It just hurt so much...but I respected your choice. You told me to get out of your life, and I did. Now, though, I feel like I was an idiot. I'm sorry for what happened to you over all the past 12 years; I have no idea. You're so wrong if you think I don't love you.  I loved you then and I still love you now. I've loved you since we were kids...and I don't mean like a sibling!"

Grace spun around, tears of joy in her eyes.

"How I wish I could stand up and hold you in my arm, but..." He trailed off as she rushed to his side and held him close, happy tears streaming from her eyes.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, letting his own tears slip out. "I'm so sorry, honey. I love you, Grace. I love you so much that it scares me."

"I love you too, Trey. I love you, too. Please tell me I'm not dreaming."

Trey gently pushed her away and looked right into her beautiful, brown eyes. "You're not dreaming, Grace.  We were granted a second chance, and I'd be the stupidest man on earth if I don't cherish every second of it. No more denying and no more lying, Grace. I love you."

Once again, they pulled each other close. There was no need for words.

TBC….

A/N: Drop me a word or two, folks