Again, a special thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed my story, and for GS335 and Maxx_Dunn, thanks for the idea about the book! It's probably not good enough for that idea, but your faith in me is awesome and appreciated!!!!

Chapter 6

Over the last few weeks of being stuck inside the underground base, Kate had taken an interest in learning how to operate the different types of artillery. She sat down quietly and patiently, as he would show her how to hold the guns close to her body and how to aim. One day they even took one of the large sofas that had been in the office and took it towards the back are of the base. The small room wasn't really much of a room, just three sides of mountain than had been dug open for no apparent reason. They had set up the sofa next to one of the walls to use for target practice. Since there was nothing but dirt and rock in the room, it seemed logical to fire the ammo here so nothing would get damaged. He watched closely as Kate held the Rav-9mm tight to her shoulder and looked through the scope eyeing her target. After releasing several shots, she looked up to see her handy work.

J-Are you sure you haven't done this before?

She smiled as she flipped the safety on her gun and walked over to the paper bulls-eye. She had only missed the center by an inch. Pleased by what she saw, she reached for the loaded AK47 that was in John's hand and waited while he posted the paper back on the sofa.

J-Ready?

She nodded her head and took aim, releasing a couple of shots. The kickback of the gun was a little different of the 9mm she had tried moments before making her shot a little off.

K-How bad was it?

J-Two out of five hit the target, three's in the leather.

K-I think I like the other one better. It felt more comfortable.

J-Well, the "9" has the shoulder rest, and you were about 40 feet back this time. You would have probably shot the same being the same distance back.

K-I guess all you have to do with these is show me how to clean them. After that will you show me the grenade launchers?

J-Sure, hopefully we can test them outside soon and make sure they work proper. Right now I'll show you how to assemble and load them.

She held the now assembled launcher in her hand and glanced through the scope.

K-This seems easy enough. I can't wait until we can fire this thing off.

J-I can't believe how easy you're catching on to this stuff.

K-Well it's not too difficult to load and shoot. I don't think there were any books like "Weapon's for Dummies" published.

J-I guess I'm just surprised that you're so comfortable with it. Most girls I know would be scared to death. I remember my mother hated guns until they had to be a part of daily life. K-Well maybe that's the reason why it doesn't seem so bad. I have to learn these things, I don't really have a choice.

J-I think we should call it a day. Why don't you take a shower and I'll start dinner.

K-That sound's like a plan.

They walked back towards the control room and Kate grabbed a can of juice from the fridge. As she pop the top and took a big gulp, she watched as John turned the radio on. She wasn't sure why, but whenever he was busy in the control room or kitchen he liked to work to the sound of the steady static it produced. She shook her head and made her way to the washroom.

As the hot water cascaded down her body, she thought of the progress that she and John had made over the last couple of weeks. He was teaching her hand-to-hand combat and learning her how to use the different types of weapons they had in the base. They had even started a work out program to make sure that they stay healthy and fit. As she looked down at her naked body in the shower, she could see the changes. She was definitely thinner than what she used to be, but her arms and legs seemed more lean and muscular. She flexed her arm and could see the muscle in her bicep. She wasn't big and lanky at all, but she was impressed by what she saw. Using chairs to do leg lifts and crunches, and ten-pound jugs of corn oil as free weights, she felt like she was in the best shape she had ever been. She turned off the water and grabbed her towel. She said a silent thank you to no one in particular, happy that they still had hot water. John had also questioned the idea of having hot water, gas, and electricity, not really knowing how it was possible. Obviously someone was looking out for them and for that she was thankful.

She walked out of the washroom dressed and towel dried her hair some before going to the kitchen. John was setting the table as she pulled up a chair. They sat down to quiet meal of cheesy macaroni and beans and franks. While eating their dinner, John read one of the strategy planning guides as she wrote in her journal. It had probably been about a week since she had last written in it and she wanted to write about the training that she was doing and the excitement of how quickly she was learning everything. She glanced up at the radio a moment after the static suddenly stopped. She continued to look at it with a surprised look on her face. She listened to the clicking sound it made every couple of seconds. She looked back to John and noticed that he didn't even pick his eyes up from the book he was reading.

K-John, do you hear that?

J-What, the popping sound? It does that every once in a while.

K-I've never heard it do that before.

J-It doesn't happen very often, but that's the only sound it makes.

She walked over to the radio and pulled a chair up in front of it. As she listened to loud rhythm of clicks, she realized that it kept playing over and over, the same amount every time. Then it dawned on her what it was.

K-John! Hand me my notebook and pen! Hurry!

He jumped from the table handing her the binder. She quickly flipped it open to a clean page and started to write down something.

J-Kate what are you doing?

K-Shhh!

He stood over her shoulder and watched closely as she continued writing amazed to see what she writing out.

K-John, it's Morse code. Should I answer back?

J-What are they saying?

K-Their radio is damaged, that's why they can't talk to us. There are four of them, three men and a woman. They are looking for other survivors.

J-Talk to them, but don't give them our location yet. We can't afford to take chances.

Kate picked up the radio in her hands and began clicking the button on the side of the unit. John waited anxiously as she tried to relay their message. A moment later, the radio started clicking a response to them. She wrote down the message as fast as she could translate it. All of a sudden, the radio stopped mid sentence. She quickly began pushing the button, trying to let them know they did not get the full message and to start again. She waited and looked up to John as static filled the room again.

K-We've lost the connection.

J-What did they say before we lost them?

K-They said we were the first people to respond since every thing started and that they would try to figure some plans for meeting up when it was safe.

J-I feel like an idiot, every time I heard that before, I thought it was just some type of interference. I had no idea it was Morse.

K-The only reason why I figured it out was because of my father. I learned it when I was very young. John, I could just scream right now, this is so great! We talked to another person just now. This means that we can get ready to start assembling soon. J-I can't believe this is happening.

A radiant smile appeared on her face as he pulled her tight within his arms. His fingers combed through her hair as she wrapped her arms tight around his neck. He quickly picked her up and swung her in circles making them both squeal with laughter. When he finally set her feet on the ground, both were dizzy and staggered within each other's embrace. She pulled back far enough to look into his eyes. The excitement and hope that she saw there made her heart beat loud within in her ears. He watched as the smile from her face disappeared and her gaze dropped down to his lips. His hand traced the path of her jaw and rested at the tip of her chin. As she met his gaze he tilted her chin up to his mouth. His warm breath tickled her skin as his faced slowly inched towards hers. His other hand pulled her closer and she closed her eyes in anticipation of his kiss. He placed his lips on hers for a brief second then pulled back. She opened her eyes and could see the desire etched in his features. She took a deep breath as her arms tightened the grasp around his neck.

He kissed her soft and gentle. The feather like touch of his lips sent a bolt of heat straight through the core of her body. Never had he known that a simple kiss could be so powerful. For weeks he had obsessed over the fantasy, but the reality was much sweeter. Her swollen lips parted allowing him to deepen the kiss eliciting a soft moan from her. Her knees felt like jelly. He must have felt her give because he buried his face in her neck, holding her to him with an iron like grip. She pulled his head down to hers again kissing him, and letting him know that she was more than happy to stay this way a while longer. Holding each other close they fought to catch their breath, bodies aching, lips burning.

The flushed confused look on her face made him wonder if she was regretting what had just happened. Her arms fell to his sides and she wondered what he was thinking.

J-Are you ok?

K-I'm fine.

J-You're not upset are you? I don't want you to feel that I'm rushing you-

She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick peck on the lips and couldn't help but chuckle from the look on his face.

K-I'm not upset, in fact I'm perfect.

The smile reappeared on his face as he pulled her close and held her for what seemed like hours.

J-Good, because this was going to drive me crazy if you said it was a mistake.

He flopped back in the sofa behind his and pulled her down to sit on his lap. With her head resting on his chest, she snuggled closer as she remembered everything that transpired today. Today was the first day of the rest of their lives together.

To be continued!!!!!! Please review!!!!!