Thanks to all of you who continue to read this little brain child. I'm glad someone else likes it.
Particular thanks to Golden Arrow for the help with this chapter and 4. I'm always glad for suggestions.
Chapter 5 That Old Feeling
She was just finishing the makeup and hair preparation when Dana got another visitor. Ryan, he knocked and she let him in, wondering what was on his mind. He never willingly sought her out and yet this was the second time in a day.
"Hey you look great. What time are you meeting this guy again?"
"In about twenty minutes." Dana said checking to be sure her makeup was perfect.
"I'm guessing that the talk with Carter didn't go so good." He said and their was a groaning as he sat down on the bed.
"No, he says that I look silly, not at all like me." She sighed and flopped down on the stool.
"Well Dana it is a pretty big change." Ryan reasoned and glancing in the mirror she sighed.
"I know, I just feel like everyone wants me to be this little girl, everyone's best friend." She admitted glancing at herself in the mirror.
"Well all I know is you should do what makes you happy."
"Ryan?" She asked a little surprised by his now relaxed tone of voice. Glancing back she almost smiled at the sight of him reclining on her bed. He looked so at home. Without thinking she ran over, pouncing on him and hugging her big brother tightly.
"What's this for?" He asked surprised by this show of affection, it was the first physical one he'd ever had. Not that he minded but she was supposed to be more worried about the date.
"I love you." She said and then as if only now realizing what she said she jumped back. He saw the fear and uncertainty come into her pretty blue eyes and didn't want to see that, not from her, not now.
"Better go on sis and get ready we have to meet this guy at the docks in ten." He said amused by her reaction and his own.
"Ten oh my…" and she was up, running around like a nut.
***
Carter watched as the blonde and her brother disappeared onto the lift and felt sick, how could he have screwed everything up so badly? God she'd been trying to tell him how she felt about him but then he'd???
Closing his eyes Carter wished he could repeat that day. But then he remembered the last repeated day and a shiver went through him, hell he'd never want to go through that again. No, he'd not risk her life or those of his friends for another chance. He'd just have to fix this, he'd wait until she got back and then…
***
"Nervous?" Ryan asked and Dana nodded clutching her little purse in a death grip. "Don't worry, you're a competent, confident woman, you'll be fine."
"You think so?" She asked him and he did smile at her. God, his little sister was so innocent, totally unaware of her own power over men. Hadn't she ever noticed how they looked at her?
"Yeah, I know so." He smiled at her, and she felt better, maybe he was right. Either way as the doors opened they stepped out into the fading daylight.
They waited for about ten minutes for Dana's date to arrive and Dana began to realize something she'd not even questioned. Why was her brother there? Why was he acting all of a sudden so brotherly? What had he been watching "our House" or something? She was about to ask him when a red sports car pulled up.
Ryan had a strange feeling as if something was wrong but he couldn't place it. Yet, as he watched the red haired young man climb from behind the wheel it intensified. There was an odd sensation emanating from the guy but what?
***
"Hey," Mark called and Dana felt her nerves intensify. He had really come; he really wanted to go out with her. She didn't know what else to say so called.
"Hi." Then as she felt Ryan shifting at her side she took his arm. "Oh Mark this is my brother Ryan."
"Hey." Mark said looking over the other guy. Dana didn't see any animosity or annoyance at having to meet her big brother.
"Yeah hey." Ryan said resigning himself to the situation. "I have just one thing to say to you." Stepping forward he got right up in mark's face before growling. "You better not hurt her."
"I won't." Mark said meeting Ryan's eyes levelly.
"Good, well you two have a nice night." Ryan said and turned to go back inside the base.
TBC
***
And so it truly begins. What do you think? please R and R and let me know.