Peace treaty
That Saturday night Simone was in front of her mirror in her room, she had changed clothes about 5 times already and still didn't know what to wear. "Lucy! Will you just come and be a supporting sister for a moment!" She waited a whole minute and yelled again. "Jeesus, I don't know what your all bothered about, your going out to dinner with the guy!" Lucy said walking in, trying not to break her neck over one of the many dresses scattered over the floor. Simone stuck out her tongue. "I really, really like him and want this first date to go smoothly. Oh my god! A first date! I can't do this... having a drink with a guy is way easier than the whole dinner thing! What if I choke on my words and just sit there like the female version of the Rain Mann! What if he doesn't like me? What if... I don't know anything could go wrong!" Lucy looked at her little sister while sitting on the bed. "Those are a lot of what if's how about you just go and have a good time? You'll talk a bit, have some food, some drinks it will be fine!" Simone smiled at her in the mirror. "O God I hope your right! Would you do my hair? I don't know pinn it up in a nice way or something."
Lucy shook her head. "No I wont, you look a lot better with your hair down." She smiled and walked out of the room again.
In a way she envied Simone, it had been ages since she had gone an a "Real" date, one of those the whole 9 yard deals were you get picked up and go to dinner and all that.
Todd looked at his shirt again, decided that wouldn't do either and walked over to his closet again. He had now chanced his shirt 7 times and still wasn't sure if he could wear this one either. He looked over to Hoot who was calmly sitting on the couch. "Does this shirt make me look like an idiot? Or should I just wear the dark green one?"
Hoot looked at his friend and just smiled. "Al the shirts you've had on looked good, where are you going anyway"
Blackburn unbuttoned his shirt and reached for a dark green specimen that hung over the back of a chair. "To a restaurant in town and then out for a drink or something, or are you supposed to go for a drink before you go to dinner?"
He was very nervous, this was the first "First date" he had ever had, he didn't know how you were supposed to go about it. He had met up with girls before but that was usually for a drink in a bar. "Man, what if she hates the restaurant, or I mess up, or we don't have anything to talk about?" He looked at Hoot with a worried face.
Hoot sat up now. "Would you stop worrying, you're going to be fine! You will have dinner, get to know her and then take it from there. Just have fun."
Simone sat on the swing bench on the front porch, she didn't want to wait inside because her father had been on about wanting "To have a little chat with Todd" Before they went out. And she really didn't need her father threatening her date, she was nervous enough without her father butting in.
At the corner of the street Todd was sitting in his car, he only had to turn round the corner and he would be at her house, but he was 30 minutes early so he had stopped here and waited, he didn't want to seem too eager.
Simone checked her watch again, 20 more minutes, or was her watch fast?
Lucy lifted up the curtain a bit to see if Simone was still sitting out front, if that guy stood her little sister up she was going to use his head for target practice........
Simone started pacing now, 10 more minutes what if he was late, what if he stood her up?? She got more nervous as the minutes ticked away on her watch.
At one minute before eight Todd started the car and drove round the corner, right on time! He got out the car and walked toward Simone, who was now uncomfortably standing on the porch. Not knowing what position to stand in let alone how she was going to greet him. Would she just simply say Hi, or Hello Todd, or nice to see you again? No not nice to see you again! She just saw him yesterday...
Todd walked up the path to the house, his hands wear sweating like crazy, and how come he was so nervous? He stepped up the first step of the porch and stopped to look at her.
"God you look pretty!" he said while taking her hand, wanting to lead her to the car.
Simone was glad he'd made the first step of their conversation; all she had to do now was blush (totally against her will) and say thank you.
They stepped of the porch and wanted to walk to the car when the front door was opened and the general stepped outside. Behind im Lucy made a gesture of apology to Simone, she had tried to distract him so they could get away but had failed. "Young man, come here for a moment will you." Her father had put all the authority he could in his voice and Simone's inside went soft with anxiousness.
Todd walked back to the porch; the general looked him straight in the eye. "You and my daughter are going out to dinner I understand." Todd said nothing but shook his head in confirmation. "Well son I don't need to tell you that I love both my daughters very much, and I will do everything in my power to protect them from hurt. So I will just tell you this; I am not the type who takes it out on a person by my higher rank but that is my little girl out there, and this is my boot." He said first pointing at Simone then at his foot. "And I will fit up your ass if I apply the proper amount of force! Are we clear on this?" Todd looked at the general. "We are sir!" They shook hands and Todd turned round and stepped off the porch.
He walked back to Simone and guided her to the car, held the door open for her and then walked around the car and got in himself. "I hope my father wasn't rude to you or anything." She said to Todd before he started the car. Todd threw her a smile. "Naw he didn't he just wanted to make sure you were going to be ok." He really didn't want to tell Simone the truth about what the General had really said, because it had scared him a little.........
Hoot sank into the couch and took up his book, he had wanted to finish this for some time now, and tonight would be the perfect night to do it. He hoped it would take his mind off the conversation he had overheard between Lucy and Simone yesterday. He looked at the cover, the name of Charles Dickens was written on it in gold letters, and the name David Copperfield underneath that. He had read the book several times already but never grew tired of it; he made a point of reading it at least once a year. Lucy sank onto the swing bench on the porch, put her tea down beside her and grabbed her copy of Great Expectations; she loved reading Dickens......
In the restaurant Todd led Simone to their table, took her coat from her, and held her chair back. She felt like some kind of royalty, the way he was treating her.
Their waiter walked up to them and asked if the wanted to order, Todd left the choice of food to her, to find out that they both liked the same kind of food.
While eating dinner they talked about al sorts of things, their likes, dislikes, favorite books, movies and bands. At times when Simone had asked Todd a question she had to repeat it, because Todd would just be sitting there looking at her and never heard a word she had said. By the time the had finished they had almost gone trough every subject.
Todd looked at Simone. "Are you having a good time? Because I thought we might go for some ice-cream as desert." Simone felt her hart jump, for the last half hour she had dreaded the end of this dinner, because she would have to go home. "Im having a wonderful time, and I would love to go for some ice-cream."
The got their feet and left the restaurant to cross the street to the ice- cream place. When they got inside Simone turned to him. "As you paid for dinner, dessert will be on me. What would you like?"
Todd smiled; I'll have a chocolate vanilla fudge then."
Simone let out a little scream. "Now things are getting scary, that's my favorite as well!" They waited for their ice-creams and walked towards the park to eat them; they came to a bench and sat down.
They sat talking for a little while when Simone's ice-cream started melting; she bent forward to lick a stray drop off the side of the cup. While doing that her nose rubbed past her ice-cream. "Owh! Cold Cold Cold!" She said wanting to rub it off.
Todd had beat her to the punch and now had the top of his finger covered in ice-cream, he bent forward to lick it off but Simone stopped him. "I know a good education tells me that I should play nice and share and all, but technically that's mine and I don't want to share." She said with a smile. She grabbed his hand and licked the ice-cream off his finger. "Im sorry but it was just too good to let you have it." Again faintly smiling.
Todd didn't know what to think, but he wanted to kiss her, he was sure of that.
Like ha had done 2 nights ago he leant into her wanting to kiss her, as she leant into him. Again their lips were inches apart. All of a sudden a bright light shone on them. "He you kids get out of there! No hanging about!" a policeman shouted from his car.
Todd moaned, damn him, he had been so close! Simone sighed, god if it wasn't her sister messing it up for her someone else would. "Lets get out of here before he gets out of his car shall we?" She said to Todd.
He took her by the hand and led her back to the car. She knew that the moment had been ruined and he would probably take her home now.
They got into the car and drove off in the direction of the base, Todd was wondering what he would do now. Should he take her home? He actually didn't want to say goodnight just yet, but were else could they go? All of a sudden it came to him; he would take her to Tabletop Mountain!
Simone was trying very hard not to pout and sulk, she didn't want to go home yet! Secretly she was wishing the engine would brake down or something, anything that would make sure she could spend more time with Todd.
When they reached the exit for the base and Todd just drove past it Simone was very surprised. "Todd you missed our exit." She said trying to sound very calm and nonchalant. Todd looked at her. "If it's ok with you I don't want to take you home just now. I wanted to show you something."
Simone had to suppress a "YEAH" escaping from her lips and again calmly said; "Oh no that's fine by me." While her insides were reeking havoc on her.
He drove trough the dessert a while and turned onto a dirt road that seemed to be leading straight into the rocks, but just at the last point there came a turn and a path upwards.
"We will have to do the last bit on foot, if you don't mind" Todd said while helping her out of the car. "No I don't mind." Simone said now getting very curious as to what they were here for.
Todd led her up the path, helping her climb over big rocks and supporting her on the tricky parts of the path.
When they reached the end of the path they came to a large open space at the top of the rock. When Simone saw the view all she could do was stare breathlessly at it. "God this is wonderful!" She let go of Todd's hand and walked towards the edge to get an even better look at the view.
Todd stood a bit behind her. "Im glad you like it, I love this place. Its like a safe heaven for me, I can just sit here and stare at the night sky for hours on end....."
Simone knew what he meant; this view just took her breath away. A soft wind passed over her; she felt a chill and rubbed her hands over her arms.
Immediately Todd took of his jacket and stood facing her. "Are you cold? Here take this." He leant forward and put his jacket around her shoulders.
Simone closed her eyes and breath his scent in from the jacket, God! Was that what he smelt like?
Todd still stood opposite her, hands on her shoulders. She had closed her eyes and he just stood their looking at her face. When Simone opened her eyes she stared straight into his.
After a few seconds he lifted his hand and put it at the side of her face. He hesitated a little then he leant in to her and softly kissed her lips. He leant back again so he could see her reaction; she had her eyes closed again as if she was evaluating his kiss. When she opened the again she smiled, in her turn putting her hands on his face and kissing him Todd could have jumped for joy, but instead put his arms around her waist and held her tight while passionately kissing her back......
When they broke apart he touched her cheek. "I have been wanting to do that since the first time I laid eyes on you" She looked up at him and just smiled. "Same here." Again they leant in for another kiss.
Some time later the walked down to the car again, and drove back to base. When he pulled up to her house she really didn't want to go but knew she had to. Her father was having his lunch tomorrow and she couldn't sit at the table yawning the whole afternoon. She looked at him. "My dad has this thing tomorrow, but if I can get away maybe we could meet up?" Todd looked at her "You mean that lunch he's having? I'll be there, he invited me and Hoot yesterday. So I will see you there." He bent towards her to kiss her one last time. After a few minutes she got out of the car and walked up to the house, he sat in the car looking at her until she got in the house, then he started the engine and drove of. He wasn't sure but he thought he might be in love.
Simone closed the front door behind her and lent against it for a moment, the evening had been fantastic. She could still feel his lips on hers......
She walked straight into Lucy's bedroom and sank onto the bed. Lucy looked up from her book. "And how did it go?"
Simone turned onto her back. "It was absolutely terrific!" she turned onto her stomach so she faced Lucy and told her about everything that happened that night. Lucy patiently sat there and listened to what she had to say.
Simone ended with; "And I know it might sound funny after just one date but I think im in love!" Lucy smiled. "So you will definitely be seeing him again?" Simone sat up. "Definitely, and I wont have to wait long either. He and Hoot are coming to daddy's lunch tomorrow."
When Simone mentioned Hoot she saw Lucy's face going blank. "Remember what we talked about yesterday; just try to find out who he is before you judge him."
Lucy said goodnight to Simone, as she walked out the room. Lucy turned off her light and got under he blankets. She hoped that when she met Hoot tomorrow she could give him a chance, but if he started at her she would tare him apart!
Sunday morning Lucy had spent 3 hours getting ready for church, something she normally did in 10 minutes.
After they got back form church she and Simone helped their mother in the kitchen, as it was lovely weather they had set the table outside.
At exactly 2 o'clock the doorbell rang and their father opened the door. "Gentlemen welcome! Nice and on time, I like punctual people." Lucy felt her stomach turn as she walked to the hallway to great her fathers guests.
Hoot stood in the hallway waiting to be led trough to the next room when he felt someone bumped in to him. "Oh excuse me." He said while catching who ever bummed into him. "Miss MacArthur, im sorry I didn't see you there." He said still holding on to her. Lucy looked up at him. "That's quite alright Sgt. I should have paid more attention to were I was going. She felt herself flush; he was looking straight into her eyes. But this time it was with out the anger she had seen before, it was a gentle look that hit her in a soft place in her chest. "Ah Sgt. You have all ready met my daughters, come and I shall introduce you to my wife." Her father said while edging him along. Hoot tore his eyes of Lucy's and followed the general out to the garden.
In the mean time Simone had also made her way to the hallway and just stood there looking at Todd. When he caught her eye he smiled. He wanted to walk up to her and kiss her, but didn't think that would be a good idea with her father standing right behind her. He decided not to and followed the general to the garden. Simone felt her stomach give a jolt as Todd had looked at her. When he passed her he stuck out his hand let the tops of his fingers slide over her bare underarm. She felt Goosebumps spread over her body and couldn't help shivering.
When Hoot had held on to her Lucy had lost her grip on reality and was now trying to get it back before going out to join the rest in the garden. There was something about the way he had looked at her, something in his eyes....... Lucy looked at Simone who was still standing there with a glazed look in her eyes. "Are you ok she said while touching Simone's arm." Simone jumped as if she was rudely woken from a pleasant dream. "Oh! Yeah Im fine." She said while looking at Lucy. "Let's go out and join them shall we...... And remember what we talked about, try and get to know Hoot a bit, he might turn out to be ok." Lucy just nodded and they both walked out.
The lunch was going great, their father was enjoining himself and everybody praised their mother on her cooking. Lucy hoped that Simone could have given her some support but she was in deep conversation with Todd, who was sitting opposite of her. Beside Todd and directly opposite her sat Hoot, she had bee very civil and had passed him everything he had asked for, but she hadn't dared to start a conversation with him. She didn't want to risk one of their little verbal disputes here, not now she was still in the good books with her father. "Lucy!" her father looked at her. "The Colonel asked you a question." Lucy showed a faint smile. "Im sorry Colonel I just got lost in my thought, what did you say?" The colonel smiled. "That's quite alright my dear, what I wanted to ask is why you haven't transferred to Delta yet? You did complete your training?" Lucy looked at her father before responding to the question. She had wanted to transfer, desperately even, but her father had worked against it in every way that he could. "Well sir I had gone trough training but decided I couldn't leave my family, so that's why I stayed regular. But who knows, I might change my mind and still transfer to Delta." Again she looked at her father to see his reaction but as usual his face was clear of emotion.
Hoot had almost chocked on his drink, she was Delta trained! Every time he thought he'd figured her out something new popped up again. The Colonel now turned to Hoot. "Speaking of Delta, I might just give you the news now instead of tomorrow. Your transfer to Delta came trough from Florida, some how the paperwork of you completing the training got seriously misfiled. As of Tuesday you are Delta! Congratulations Sgt." Lucy looked at him; he was smiling and accepting all the well wishing and congratulations. "Man that's great!" Todd yelled while slapping him on the shoulder. Lucy felt deep envy towards him but mumbled a congratulations anyway.
Later that afternoon Lucy sat in a lawn char listening to the conversation between Hoot and Todd about the Delta squad, when her mother walked out. "Girls. Im running low on ice, could one of you go to the store and get me some?" Simone shot up from her chair. "Ill go and get some, private Blackburn could you give me a ride?" she asked Todd with a distinct tone in her voice. As the both of them walked off Lucy couldn't help smiling. 'Getting ice...... sure they were'. After she had helped her mother wash the dishes, she decided that she had heard enough stories of the good old days her father and his guests were telling. She stood up and walked trough the doors, she would go and read her book for a bit on the front porch, at least until Simone would get back. Hoot followed her with his eyes, she had hardly spoken to him al afternoon, could she still be angry with him for what happened on the shooting range? He still needed to talk to her, see if he couldn't smooth things over between them. Todd had been right he had judged her the second her father came into the picture. Maybe if the started over they would get along a bit better, that is if she would accept his apology. He waited a little while, got up, excused himself and followed her. His hand were damp of sweat, god! He was like a schoolboy asking a girl to a 9th grade dance.
Lucy had sat on the bench for half an hour reading when she heard someone clear their throat. "I'm sorry Miss I don't want to disturb you but do you have a minute?" She looked up at him. "Look if you are here to get to me, you can save yourself the trouble. I don't want to get into this right now; my father will kill me if I do and frankly im getting sick and tired of being judged by you." She looked up at him, it had been the truth, but she wasn't sure how he was going to take it. Hoot just looked at her again. "Look im not here to have an argument with you again, I just want to explain something is that ok?" Lucy closed her book and put it on the table beside her, and took her legs of the bench so he could sit down. "Ok so what is it you want to tell me?" He just sat there for a moment looking at her before he started. "Well Miss I can't help but feel that we got of on the wrong foot. That 1st day we met I thought you were someone...... No, you reminded me of someone I really don't like. Although all that happened between us isn't just my fault I should have made an effort of getting to know you before judging you and acting like a complete jerk every time we met. I was kind of hoping we could start over again, you know a clean slate? So we might get along a bit better." Lucy just sat there and looked at him in amazement, for one of the few times she was absolutely speechless. Hoot still sat there waiting for a response, he hoped she would accept his apology. Ever since he had overheard the conversation she and Simone had his conscience had haunted him. She wasn't some spoiled little brat; she had just reacted to him in response to something that had happened in her past, as he had done....... The minutes ticked away and she still hadn't said anything! He sighed and got up, she wasn't going to accept his apology, and well he had tried. He had gotten up and had started to walk away when she spoke. "Sgt, im sorry!" He turned and looked at her. "Sorry for what Miss?" She had stood up and walked towards him. "For also having judged you before knowing you, for behaving like an complete bitch when ever I met you and anything else I might have done that im not aware of but should apologize for." She now stood in front of him looking up at his face, she never realized how tall he was. Hoot just looked at her, he had to fight back the urge to make a joke about her apology. They had just gotten that out of the way, and he didn't want to start another fight. Instead of saying anything he just smiled at her and said; "So lets start over then shall we Miss?" He held out his hand and Lucy took it. "Ok we will but do me one favor? When ever my father is not around drop the whole Miss thing and call me Lucy?" She smiled while they shook hands. He smiled again and looked in to her eyes, if he would kiss her would her eyes show what she felt? He dropped that idea immediately that was not a good idea! They had just made a first step as to getting to know each other, if he would kiss her she would shoot him for sure! So instead he said; "So you like Dickens, have you read much of his work?" She smiled at him and a few minutes later they were talking about the books they had read and what their opinion was on them.
Time flew by and before they knew it Todd came to get Hoot to go home, they said their goodbyes and Hoot and Todd left.
Lucy was still sitting on the bench when Simone walked out. "So what have you been up to?" She asked while sitting down next to Lucy. "Not much, I had a talk with Hoot." Lucy said straightening her skirt. Simone looked at her. "Oh my god, what went wrong now?" Lucy looked at her. "Nothing! You should talk by the way, I never knew it took 3 hours to go buy ice!" Simone gave a little smile. "No buying the ice only took 5 minutes; it took some time before we got to the store." She winked and now it was Lucy's turn to be shocked. "Oh my god! Don't tell me you did IT with him in a car! Not to mention the fact that you've only know the guy a week!" Simone slapped her on the arm. "What do you take me for? I'm not some kind of slut you know! I did not sleep with him, although I wouldn't say no if he asked.......but he is a GRAT kisser though." She smiled. "But don't change the subject, what happened between you and Hoot?" Lucy sank back into the bench. "Nothing we talked." Simone was amazed. "You mean to say you sat her for hours just talking with him and you to didn't end up shooting each other?"
Lucy looked at her. "I do know how to have a conversation with someone without getting into an argument you know. He apologized as did I, and we talked. You could say that we made a peace treaty."
That Saturday night Simone was in front of her mirror in her room, she had changed clothes about 5 times already and still didn't know what to wear. "Lucy! Will you just come and be a supporting sister for a moment!" She waited a whole minute and yelled again. "Jeesus, I don't know what your all bothered about, your going out to dinner with the guy!" Lucy said walking in, trying not to break her neck over one of the many dresses scattered over the floor. Simone stuck out her tongue. "I really, really like him and want this first date to go smoothly. Oh my god! A first date! I can't do this... having a drink with a guy is way easier than the whole dinner thing! What if I choke on my words and just sit there like the female version of the Rain Mann! What if he doesn't like me? What if... I don't know anything could go wrong!" Lucy looked at her little sister while sitting on the bed. "Those are a lot of what if's how about you just go and have a good time? You'll talk a bit, have some food, some drinks it will be fine!" Simone smiled at her in the mirror. "O God I hope your right! Would you do my hair? I don't know pinn it up in a nice way or something."
Lucy shook her head. "No I wont, you look a lot better with your hair down." She smiled and walked out of the room again.
In a way she envied Simone, it had been ages since she had gone an a "Real" date, one of those the whole 9 yard deals were you get picked up and go to dinner and all that.
Todd looked at his shirt again, decided that wouldn't do either and walked over to his closet again. He had now chanced his shirt 7 times and still wasn't sure if he could wear this one either. He looked over to Hoot who was calmly sitting on the couch. "Does this shirt make me look like an idiot? Or should I just wear the dark green one?"
Hoot looked at his friend and just smiled. "Al the shirts you've had on looked good, where are you going anyway"
Blackburn unbuttoned his shirt and reached for a dark green specimen that hung over the back of a chair. "To a restaurant in town and then out for a drink or something, or are you supposed to go for a drink before you go to dinner?"
He was very nervous, this was the first "First date" he had ever had, he didn't know how you were supposed to go about it. He had met up with girls before but that was usually for a drink in a bar. "Man, what if she hates the restaurant, or I mess up, or we don't have anything to talk about?" He looked at Hoot with a worried face.
Hoot sat up now. "Would you stop worrying, you're going to be fine! You will have dinner, get to know her and then take it from there. Just have fun."
Simone sat on the swing bench on the front porch, she didn't want to wait inside because her father had been on about wanting "To have a little chat with Todd" Before they went out. And she really didn't need her father threatening her date, she was nervous enough without her father butting in.
At the corner of the street Todd was sitting in his car, he only had to turn round the corner and he would be at her house, but he was 30 minutes early so he had stopped here and waited, he didn't want to seem too eager.
Simone checked her watch again, 20 more minutes, or was her watch fast?
Lucy lifted up the curtain a bit to see if Simone was still sitting out front, if that guy stood her little sister up she was going to use his head for target practice........
Simone started pacing now, 10 more minutes what if he was late, what if he stood her up?? She got more nervous as the minutes ticked away on her watch.
At one minute before eight Todd started the car and drove round the corner, right on time! He got out the car and walked toward Simone, who was now uncomfortably standing on the porch. Not knowing what position to stand in let alone how she was going to greet him. Would she just simply say Hi, or Hello Todd, or nice to see you again? No not nice to see you again! She just saw him yesterday...
Todd walked up the path to the house, his hands wear sweating like crazy, and how come he was so nervous? He stepped up the first step of the porch and stopped to look at her.
"God you look pretty!" he said while taking her hand, wanting to lead her to the car.
Simone was glad he'd made the first step of their conversation; all she had to do now was blush (totally against her will) and say thank you.
They stepped of the porch and wanted to walk to the car when the front door was opened and the general stepped outside. Behind im Lucy made a gesture of apology to Simone, she had tried to distract him so they could get away but had failed. "Young man, come here for a moment will you." Her father had put all the authority he could in his voice and Simone's inside went soft with anxiousness.
Todd walked back to the porch; the general looked him straight in the eye. "You and my daughter are going out to dinner I understand." Todd said nothing but shook his head in confirmation. "Well son I don't need to tell you that I love both my daughters very much, and I will do everything in my power to protect them from hurt. So I will just tell you this; I am not the type who takes it out on a person by my higher rank but that is my little girl out there, and this is my boot." He said first pointing at Simone then at his foot. "And I will fit up your ass if I apply the proper amount of force! Are we clear on this?" Todd looked at the general. "We are sir!" They shook hands and Todd turned round and stepped off the porch.
He walked back to Simone and guided her to the car, held the door open for her and then walked around the car and got in himself. "I hope my father wasn't rude to you or anything." She said to Todd before he started the car. Todd threw her a smile. "Naw he didn't he just wanted to make sure you were going to be ok." He really didn't want to tell Simone the truth about what the General had really said, because it had scared him a little.........
Hoot sank into the couch and took up his book, he had wanted to finish this for some time now, and tonight would be the perfect night to do it. He hoped it would take his mind off the conversation he had overheard between Lucy and Simone yesterday. He looked at the cover, the name of Charles Dickens was written on it in gold letters, and the name David Copperfield underneath that. He had read the book several times already but never grew tired of it; he made a point of reading it at least once a year. Lucy sank onto the swing bench on the porch, put her tea down beside her and grabbed her copy of Great Expectations; she loved reading Dickens......
In the restaurant Todd led Simone to their table, took her coat from her, and held her chair back. She felt like some kind of royalty, the way he was treating her.
Their waiter walked up to them and asked if the wanted to order, Todd left the choice of food to her, to find out that they both liked the same kind of food.
While eating dinner they talked about al sorts of things, their likes, dislikes, favorite books, movies and bands. At times when Simone had asked Todd a question she had to repeat it, because Todd would just be sitting there looking at her and never heard a word she had said. By the time the had finished they had almost gone trough every subject.
Todd looked at Simone. "Are you having a good time? Because I thought we might go for some ice-cream as desert." Simone felt her hart jump, for the last half hour she had dreaded the end of this dinner, because she would have to go home. "Im having a wonderful time, and I would love to go for some ice-cream."
The got their feet and left the restaurant to cross the street to the ice- cream place. When they got inside Simone turned to him. "As you paid for dinner, dessert will be on me. What would you like?"
Todd smiled; I'll have a chocolate vanilla fudge then."
Simone let out a little scream. "Now things are getting scary, that's my favorite as well!" They waited for their ice-creams and walked towards the park to eat them; they came to a bench and sat down.
They sat talking for a little while when Simone's ice-cream started melting; she bent forward to lick a stray drop off the side of the cup. While doing that her nose rubbed past her ice-cream. "Owh! Cold Cold Cold!" She said wanting to rub it off.
Todd had beat her to the punch and now had the top of his finger covered in ice-cream, he bent forward to lick it off but Simone stopped him. "I know a good education tells me that I should play nice and share and all, but technically that's mine and I don't want to share." She said with a smile. She grabbed his hand and licked the ice-cream off his finger. "Im sorry but it was just too good to let you have it." Again faintly smiling.
Todd didn't know what to think, but he wanted to kiss her, he was sure of that.
Like ha had done 2 nights ago he leant into her wanting to kiss her, as she leant into him. Again their lips were inches apart. All of a sudden a bright light shone on them. "He you kids get out of there! No hanging about!" a policeman shouted from his car.
Todd moaned, damn him, he had been so close! Simone sighed, god if it wasn't her sister messing it up for her someone else would. "Lets get out of here before he gets out of his car shall we?" She said to Todd.
He took her by the hand and led her back to the car. She knew that the moment had been ruined and he would probably take her home now.
They got into the car and drove off in the direction of the base, Todd was wondering what he would do now. Should he take her home? He actually didn't want to say goodnight just yet, but were else could they go? All of a sudden it came to him; he would take her to Tabletop Mountain!
Simone was trying very hard not to pout and sulk, she didn't want to go home yet! Secretly she was wishing the engine would brake down or something, anything that would make sure she could spend more time with Todd.
When they reached the exit for the base and Todd just drove past it Simone was very surprised. "Todd you missed our exit." She said trying to sound very calm and nonchalant. Todd looked at her. "If it's ok with you I don't want to take you home just now. I wanted to show you something."
Simone had to suppress a "YEAH" escaping from her lips and again calmly said; "Oh no that's fine by me." While her insides were reeking havoc on her.
He drove trough the dessert a while and turned onto a dirt road that seemed to be leading straight into the rocks, but just at the last point there came a turn and a path upwards.
"We will have to do the last bit on foot, if you don't mind" Todd said while helping her out of the car. "No I don't mind." Simone said now getting very curious as to what they were here for.
Todd led her up the path, helping her climb over big rocks and supporting her on the tricky parts of the path.
When they reached the end of the path they came to a large open space at the top of the rock. When Simone saw the view all she could do was stare breathlessly at it. "God this is wonderful!" She let go of Todd's hand and walked towards the edge to get an even better look at the view.
Todd stood a bit behind her. "Im glad you like it, I love this place. Its like a safe heaven for me, I can just sit here and stare at the night sky for hours on end....."
Simone knew what he meant; this view just took her breath away. A soft wind passed over her; she felt a chill and rubbed her hands over her arms.
Immediately Todd took of his jacket and stood facing her. "Are you cold? Here take this." He leant forward and put his jacket around her shoulders.
Simone closed her eyes and breath his scent in from the jacket, God! Was that what he smelt like?
Todd still stood opposite her, hands on her shoulders. She had closed her eyes and he just stood their looking at her face. When Simone opened her eyes she stared straight into his.
After a few seconds he lifted his hand and put it at the side of her face. He hesitated a little then he leant in to her and softly kissed her lips. He leant back again so he could see her reaction; she had her eyes closed again as if she was evaluating his kiss. When she opened the again she smiled, in her turn putting her hands on his face and kissing him Todd could have jumped for joy, but instead put his arms around her waist and held her tight while passionately kissing her back......
When they broke apart he touched her cheek. "I have been wanting to do that since the first time I laid eyes on you" She looked up at him and just smiled. "Same here." Again they leant in for another kiss.
Some time later the walked down to the car again, and drove back to base. When he pulled up to her house she really didn't want to go but knew she had to. Her father was having his lunch tomorrow and she couldn't sit at the table yawning the whole afternoon. She looked at him. "My dad has this thing tomorrow, but if I can get away maybe we could meet up?" Todd looked at her "You mean that lunch he's having? I'll be there, he invited me and Hoot yesterday. So I will see you there." He bent towards her to kiss her one last time. After a few minutes she got out of the car and walked up to the house, he sat in the car looking at her until she got in the house, then he started the engine and drove of. He wasn't sure but he thought he might be in love.
Simone closed the front door behind her and lent against it for a moment, the evening had been fantastic. She could still feel his lips on hers......
She walked straight into Lucy's bedroom and sank onto the bed. Lucy looked up from her book. "And how did it go?"
Simone turned onto her back. "It was absolutely terrific!" she turned onto her stomach so she faced Lucy and told her about everything that happened that night. Lucy patiently sat there and listened to what she had to say.
Simone ended with; "And I know it might sound funny after just one date but I think im in love!" Lucy smiled. "So you will definitely be seeing him again?" Simone sat up. "Definitely, and I wont have to wait long either. He and Hoot are coming to daddy's lunch tomorrow."
When Simone mentioned Hoot she saw Lucy's face going blank. "Remember what we talked about yesterday; just try to find out who he is before you judge him."
Lucy said goodnight to Simone, as she walked out the room. Lucy turned off her light and got under he blankets. She hoped that when she met Hoot tomorrow she could give him a chance, but if he started at her she would tare him apart!
Sunday morning Lucy had spent 3 hours getting ready for church, something she normally did in 10 minutes.
After they got back form church she and Simone helped their mother in the kitchen, as it was lovely weather they had set the table outside.
At exactly 2 o'clock the doorbell rang and their father opened the door. "Gentlemen welcome! Nice and on time, I like punctual people." Lucy felt her stomach turn as she walked to the hallway to great her fathers guests.
Hoot stood in the hallway waiting to be led trough to the next room when he felt someone bumped in to him. "Oh excuse me." He said while catching who ever bummed into him. "Miss MacArthur, im sorry I didn't see you there." He said still holding on to her. Lucy looked up at him. "That's quite alright Sgt. I should have paid more attention to were I was going. She felt herself flush; he was looking straight into her eyes. But this time it was with out the anger she had seen before, it was a gentle look that hit her in a soft place in her chest. "Ah Sgt. You have all ready met my daughters, come and I shall introduce you to my wife." Her father said while edging him along. Hoot tore his eyes of Lucy's and followed the general out to the garden.
In the mean time Simone had also made her way to the hallway and just stood there looking at Todd. When he caught her eye he smiled. He wanted to walk up to her and kiss her, but didn't think that would be a good idea with her father standing right behind her. He decided not to and followed the general to the garden. Simone felt her stomach give a jolt as Todd had looked at her. When he passed her he stuck out his hand let the tops of his fingers slide over her bare underarm. She felt Goosebumps spread over her body and couldn't help shivering.
When Hoot had held on to her Lucy had lost her grip on reality and was now trying to get it back before going out to join the rest in the garden. There was something about the way he had looked at her, something in his eyes....... Lucy looked at Simone who was still standing there with a glazed look in her eyes. "Are you ok she said while touching Simone's arm." Simone jumped as if she was rudely woken from a pleasant dream. "Oh! Yeah Im fine." She said while looking at Lucy. "Let's go out and join them shall we...... And remember what we talked about, try and get to know Hoot a bit, he might turn out to be ok." Lucy just nodded and they both walked out.
The lunch was going great, their father was enjoining himself and everybody praised their mother on her cooking. Lucy hoped that Simone could have given her some support but she was in deep conversation with Todd, who was sitting opposite of her. Beside Todd and directly opposite her sat Hoot, she had bee very civil and had passed him everything he had asked for, but she hadn't dared to start a conversation with him. She didn't want to risk one of their little verbal disputes here, not now she was still in the good books with her father. "Lucy!" her father looked at her. "The Colonel asked you a question." Lucy showed a faint smile. "Im sorry Colonel I just got lost in my thought, what did you say?" The colonel smiled. "That's quite alright my dear, what I wanted to ask is why you haven't transferred to Delta yet? You did complete your training?" Lucy looked at her father before responding to the question. She had wanted to transfer, desperately even, but her father had worked against it in every way that he could. "Well sir I had gone trough training but decided I couldn't leave my family, so that's why I stayed regular. But who knows, I might change my mind and still transfer to Delta." Again she looked at her father to see his reaction but as usual his face was clear of emotion.
Hoot had almost chocked on his drink, she was Delta trained! Every time he thought he'd figured her out something new popped up again. The Colonel now turned to Hoot. "Speaking of Delta, I might just give you the news now instead of tomorrow. Your transfer to Delta came trough from Florida, some how the paperwork of you completing the training got seriously misfiled. As of Tuesday you are Delta! Congratulations Sgt." Lucy looked at him; he was smiling and accepting all the well wishing and congratulations. "Man that's great!" Todd yelled while slapping him on the shoulder. Lucy felt deep envy towards him but mumbled a congratulations anyway.
Later that afternoon Lucy sat in a lawn char listening to the conversation between Hoot and Todd about the Delta squad, when her mother walked out. "Girls. Im running low on ice, could one of you go to the store and get me some?" Simone shot up from her chair. "Ill go and get some, private Blackburn could you give me a ride?" she asked Todd with a distinct tone in her voice. As the both of them walked off Lucy couldn't help smiling. 'Getting ice...... sure they were'. After she had helped her mother wash the dishes, she decided that she had heard enough stories of the good old days her father and his guests were telling. She stood up and walked trough the doors, she would go and read her book for a bit on the front porch, at least until Simone would get back. Hoot followed her with his eyes, she had hardly spoken to him al afternoon, could she still be angry with him for what happened on the shooting range? He still needed to talk to her, see if he couldn't smooth things over between them. Todd had been right he had judged her the second her father came into the picture. Maybe if the started over they would get along a bit better, that is if she would accept his apology. He waited a little while, got up, excused himself and followed her. His hand were damp of sweat, god! He was like a schoolboy asking a girl to a 9th grade dance.
Lucy had sat on the bench for half an hour reading when she heard someone clear their throat. "I'm sorry Miss I don't want to disturb you but do you have a minute?" She looked up at him. "Look if you are here to get to me, you can save yourself the trouble. I don't want to get into this right now; my father will kill me if I do and frankly im getting sick and tired of being judged by you." She looked up at him, it had been the truth, but she wasn't sure how he was going to take it. Hoot just looked at her again. "Look im not here to have an argument with you again, I just want to explain something is that ok?" Lucy closed her book and put it on the table beside her, and took her legs of the bench so he could sit down. "Ok so what is it you want to tell me?" He just sat there for a moment looking at her before he started. "Well Miss I can't help but feel that we got of on the wrong foot. That 1st day we met I thought you were someone...... No, you reminded me of someone I really don't like. Although all that happened between us isn't just my fault I should have made an effort of getting to know you before judging you and acting like a complete jerk every time we met. I was kind of hoping we could start over again, you know a clean slate? So we might get along a bit better." Lucy just sat there and looked at him in amazement, for one of the few times she was absolutely speechless. Hoot still sat there waiting for a response, he hoped she would accept his apology. Ever since he had overheard the conversation she and Simone had his conscience had haunted him. She wasn't some spoiled little brat; she had just reacted to him in response to something that had happened in her past, as he had done....... The minutes ticked away and she still hadn't said anything! He sighed and got up, she wasn't going to accept his apology, and well he had tried. He had gotten up and had started to walk away when she spoke. "Sgt, im sorry!" He turned and looked at her. "Sorry for what Miss?" She had stood up and walked towards him. "For also having judged you before knowing you, for behaving like an complete bitch when ever I met you and anything else I might have done that im not aware of but should apologize for." She now stood in front of him looking up at his face, she never realized how tall he was. Hoot just looked at her, he had to fight back the urge to make a joke about her apology. They had just gotten that out of the way, and he didn't want to start another fight. Instead of saying anything he just smiled at her and said; "So lets start over then shall we Miss?" He held out his hand and Lucy took it. "Ok we will but do me one favor? When ever my father is not around drop the whole Miss thing and call me Lucy?" She smiled while they shook hands. He smiled again and looked in to her eyes, if he would kiss her would her eyes show what she felt? He dropped that idea immediately that was not a good idea! They had just made a first step as to getting to know each other, if he would kiss her she would shoot him for sure! So instead he said; "So you like Dickens, have you read much of his work?" She smiled at him and a few minutes later they were talking about the books they had read and what their opinion was on them.
Time flew by and before they knew it Todd came to get Hoot to go home, they said their goodbyes and Hoot and Todd left.
Lucy was still sitting on the bench when Simone walked out. "So what have you been up to?" She asked while sitting down next to Lucy. "Not much, I had a talk with Hoot." Lucy said straightening her skirt. Simone looked at her. "Oh my god, what went wrong now?" Lucy looked at her. "Nothing! You should talk by the way, I never knew it took 3 hours to go buy ice!" Simone gave a little smile. "No buying the ice only took 5 minutes; it took some time before we got to the store." She winked and now it was Lucy's turn to be shocked. "Oh my god! Don't tell me you did IT with him in a car! Not to mention the fact that you've only know the guy a week!" Simone slapped her on the arm. "What do you take me for? I'm not some kind of slut you know! I did not sleep with him, although I wouldn't say no if he asked.......but he is a GRAT kisser though." She smiled. "But don't change the subject, what happened between you and Hoot?" Lucy sank back into the bench. "Nothing we talked." Simone was amazed. "You mean to say you sat her for hours just talking with him and you to didn't end up shooting each other?"
Lucy looked at her. "I do know how to have a conversation with someone without getting into an argument you know. He apologized as did I, and we talked. You could say that we made a peace treaty."