Chapter 5 Departures
Laying there he just watched, watched the steady rise and fall of her body. She was always like that, steady and unshakable, well he'd thought so but lately… A smile touched his lips, she looked like a fallen angel, and her golden tresses spread over her pillow, her face replete in slumber. Was it any wonder he had realized last night that he was falling, or had rather fallen for the good doctor along time ago? He'd never felt as happy as he had holding her as they talked, kissed and…
His mind shifted to a few hours ago after she'd drifted off to sleep, he'd been watching her then too, wondering if this had really happened, hoping it had not been a dream.
"Pleasant thoughts?" The soft voice asked and he found his angel looking at him through heavy golden lashes.
"Hmm." He murmured and she moved slightly so she was lying on her side.
"Everything alright?" She asked then and he smiled a little, she was so sweet, even half asleep, worrying about him.
"Fine," he shifted so he could brush a stray lock of spun gold from her sleep flushed face. Heavens she was beautiful, so sweet, so gentle and so real.
"Share?" She asked and he looked at her hand resting on her pillow between them. It was so slender and yet so strong, like his angel…
"You're beautiful." He said honestly.
"Carter…' She blushed and that made him grin.
"Especially when you go and blush." He added and she playfully batted at his shoulder.
"Our impossible." She giggled.
"Well, that's the first time I've ever been called that." He admitted honestly. He'd been called many things from a tyrant to a perfectionist but never impossible. then again she'd always seen him different from the others, she could kid with him, right from the start, just be silent if it felt right or stand up for him to anyone who spoke against him. It had at once baffled and touched him. Even back when they'd first been rangers she'd been kind and understanding. He just hoped he could return that.
Coming back to the present he remembered then that this was not the first time he could watch her sleep. After she'd quit working for Glitz
Magazine she'd dove back into training, studying so she'd not have time to worry about Ryan. One night he'd come across her asleep in the infirmary, using a spare surface to study. She'd looked so innocent, the look of loss, worry and weariness gone.
He'd wondered then what she dreamt about. He'd wondered what her life had been like before the rangers. Sure they were best friends but it was almost like her life had begun with their new job. He'd not even known she'd had a brother before he'd appeared.
Now, after they'd ended their own agendum, she was not going to do that again. He'd made the decision tonight if unconsciously that he was not going to let her be like that. He was going to open her up all the way, he'd do that and then, they were going to do things right.
First things first, he thought about what he'd do in the morning, breakfast in bed. He'd run to the galley, grab her customary coffee and things then surprise her with them in bed. That would throw her off balance, not that she'd be completely on balance after THAT NIGHT but…
He herd it then, the faintest chirping and wondered who was calling him at this hour, glancing at the clock he saw that it wasn't even four. Carefully he extricated himself from Dana's arms and slid from the bed.
"Grayson here."
*****
Stretching sleepily Dana wondered faintly at the lazy feeling that seemed to emanate from somewhere deep within. Then she remembered. Opening her eyes she could see that she was alone. Where had he gone? Knowing Carter he'd probably gone off to run in the park or get a jump on work. He was not the type to get those last minutes of sleep before the alarm went off.
Glancing over at the alarm she noticed two tings, it was after ten and there was a little sheet of paper standing on the clock. Ten O'clock? She was sooo late. Jumping up she found she was A little sore, probably from how'd she'd had to sleep to fit Carter on the bed, she mused.
The little note came to mind again and moving over she picked it up.
Dana,
There's trouble I'll be back as soon as possible.
Carter
Sighing Dana wondered if it was just her or if he'd always be so single minded. She had a feeling that work would always have to come first, she really couldn't even be sure that last Night meant anything more than TWO FRIENDS AND A mutual attraction. The thing is she wanted to believe that it was more, that he loved her.
Well, she had already slept in, that hit her then and she moved to check her alarm clock. It was set alright but either she'd forgot to turn it on or he'd turned it off.
****
"Hey, here." Dana was surprised to find Ryan standing at her door a bag in hand.
"What's this?"
"Breakfast or something to hold you over until we grab lunch." Ryan shrugged adding.
"Um yeah, thanks." She smiled at him gratefully taking the sack from his hand. "Sorry I'm late."
"No problem, Carter said you'd be running a little behind but that you needed the rest." He said and there was a slight sparkle in her brother's eyes.
"You saw him?"
"Yeah, there was an emergency of some kind and he had to go to the G.S.A. base in Angel Grove." He told her and she nodded. She couldn't tell him what she knew so she glanced at her watch.
"We should probably get going."
"Right." Ryan said and as one they turned and headed towards the submarine bay.
TBC