THE NEXT DAY

DISCLAIMER: Don't own them

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Midnight: Gunny's apartment
Gunny lay in bed staring at the ceiling. He couldn't fall asleep because he couldn't stop thinking of Simone. He looked at the phone for about the hundredth time and then looked at the clock. "You cannot call her at midnight. She'll think you're nuts", Gunny thought to himself. He got up and turned on the TV. "Maybe this well help me go to sleep". As he stared mindlessly at the television, Gunny drifted off to sleep with a smile on his lips.

Midnight: Simone's apartment
Simone couldn't sleep either. She was up pacing. She had already drunk a glass of warm milk and knew she should be getting some sleep. The kids would be eager to work on their writing project first thing. It was turning to fall and she wanted her students to write to members of the military during the holiday season. She smiled to herself and thought "Maybe I'll have my own member of the military this holiday season." Forcing herself to go back to bed, Simone fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Friday Morning: Brightwood Elementary School, Room 8
"Good Morning boys and girls"

"Good morning Miss Finley"

The students quickly got to work while Simone took attendance. "Boys and girls, I read the drafts of your letters to the men and women in the military. Is there one particular branch you'd like to write to?"
The children began shouting out answers at a rapid-fire pace. Simone held up her hands and said,

"Enough! We'll put it to a vote." The children voted. Oddly enough they chose the Marines. They worked on several other things and before they knew it, it was time for recess. As the children filed out, one little girl named Grace lagged behind.

"Grace, do you need something?" Knowing how shy Grace was, Simone thought there might be some problem.

"Miss Finley, do you want to know why I voted for the Marines?"

"If you'd like to tell me, I'd love to hear it." Simone answered.
Grace continued, "Because my favorite uncle is in the Marines. When he wears his uniform, he is the handsomest man I've ever seen. He looks like a prince." Grace blushed and Simone put her arm around her.

"Grace, your uncle just might be a prince." Simone said smiling and thinking of another Marine. She was sure he looked like a prince in his uniform.

The rest of the day passed quickly and Simone didn't have time to think of Gunny again. Once again Grace stayed behind to talk to her.

"Maybe you can meet my uncle sometime Miss Finley" Grace said shyly.

"Maybe I will" Simone answered.

"Bye Miss Finley. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye Grace. Don't forget your backpack."

Grace grabbed her backpack and headed out the door. Simone sat down to organize things for the next day. She straightened up the tables and collected all the children's work. At her desk she tried very hard to concentrate on getting some grading done but her mind kept drifting. She said to herself,

"I'm not getting anything done. I'll work on these at home tonight." She closed up her classroom and headed for her car.

Simone's Apartment 4:30 p.m.

Simone walked into her empty apartment and sighed. Ever since the other night when she met Gunny, it seemed lonelier than usual. She looked at her answering machine briefly and was disappointed not to see the message light flashing. She scolded herself. Gunny was at work and he was busy. "A hot bath", she thought, "that's what I need". She turned the tub on hot and poured in some bath oil, lavender to calm nerves. Simone settled into the tub for a long soak and tried not to listen for the phone. Gunny's Apartment 5:30 p.m.

Gunny walked in and threw his keys on the table. He rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair. It had been a rough day at work. He had been so distracted that even the admiral noticed and chewed him out. Hard as he tried to concentrate on JAG ops, all he could see was her face. He wondered if it was too soon to call her. He decided to forget what "the rules" said and picked up the phone. He had looked at the phone number so many times that he already had it memorized. He punched in the numbers, took a deep breath and waited. One ring, two, three. He was getting discouraged but on the fourth ring she picked up.

"Hello" was the breathless response on the other end.

"Simone, this is Gunny, no Victor. We met last night."

He said it like she might have forgotten. Like there was anyway she could have forgotten him she thought.

"Victor, it's nice to hear from you."

"Is this a bad time? You sound a little out of breath."

"Not at all. I was in the other room and didn't hear the phone at first."

Gunny was giving himself a mental kick. Ask her out!

Gunny cleared his throat and began, "I know this is short notice but would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" And he held his breath.

"I'd love to. If you'd like, you can come over here and I'll make dinner or we can order in and maybe watch a movie."

She was perfect. He had known she was the one when he met her the night before but this just reinforced it for him.

Simone interrupted his thoughts, "Why don't you come over about seven. I'll throw something together by then."

Gunny was delighted, "Do you want me to bring anything with me?"

"If you could pick up a movie, that would be great. I'll see you at seven."

"See you soon Simone". He even liked the way her name rolled off his tongue.

Before she hung up she gave him directions to her apartment. After hanging up the phone Simone danced around, feeling more than just a little giddy. Then she thought about what to make for dinner and headed off to the kitchen. She passed a mirror in the hallway and laughed. Simone had forgotten that she ran from the bathroom to get the phone and was dressed only in the towel she grabbed. Off to her room she headed to pick out something to wear and make herself look presentable again. This was going to be a wonderful night, she could feel it.