Revelations
Simone opened her eyes and looked at her alarm clock; it flashed 08:00 in bright red letters. "Oh GOD I overslept!" she said while jumping out of her bed and grabbing her clothes to run to the shower. Without looking she opened the door to the shower. "Hey taking a bath here!" Lucy yelled when she saw the door open. Simone closed the door again. "Sorry didn't know you were in there, why are you taking a bath when we are late? Can I come in?" Lucy responded that she could and Simone walked in and sat down on the seat beside the bath. Lucy looked at her. "What makes you think were late? It's Saturday." Simone sighed with relief. "Thank god, I came home pretty late last night and forgot to set my alarm. What happened with you? When I came home last night you weren't here, and don't lie cause I went to your room to talk to you and you weren't there." Lucy picked up a sponge and started to wash her arms. "Well after you and Todd left last night I went for a drink." She had hoped this would have been enough explanation but Simone got even more curious. "You went for a drink? You never go out for a drink on your own so who were you with? It wasn't me and you don't know anybody else on base so come on who were you with? And don't say no body cause the look in your eyes is telling me you're holding something back." Lucy looked at her for a moment. "Ok if you must know I was with Hoot." Simone let out a small scream. "You went out with Hoot! Like on a date out?
Lucy's head shot up the second she heard the word date. "No! Not on a date! We went out for a drink, you know as friends." Simone smiled again. "Ah but there might be dates in the future?" she asked while looking at Lucy hopeful. Lucy splashed water at her. "You have a twisted little mind you know that! Just because I go out with a guy a couple of times doesn't mean that I'll end up dating him!" Simone's jaw dropped. "A couple of times?! You mean to say you've been out with him before? No that can't be I would have known by now. So what doe you mean a couple of times?" Lucy had known the second she had said it she had said too much, she let herself slide under water hoping Simone would leave. But her sister got even more curious and persistent, she banged her hand on the side of the tub signaling to Lucy she needed to surface. When Lucy surfaced she started again. "Ok spill what did you mean with a couple of times?" she asked with a now more serious tone in her voice. Lucy whipped the soap foams out of her face. "I'm going to a play with him tonight. Don't give me that look! We both like Shakespeare and he had 2 tickets, one for him and one for Todd. But as you seem to be taking up all of Todd's time these days, he asked me if I was interested in going, and I was. It's been ages since I went to a play and he is not that bad to be around so why not?" Simone just smiled and sat there for a few minutes. "But there is nothing between you to?" She said eventually still with the smile on her face. "NO THERE IS NOT! And if you ask me that again you and I are going to have a serious disagreement!" Lucy said pointing her finger at Simone. Simone stood up and backed up with her hands in the air. "OK, ok if you say so! I'll leave you allone." She turned and walked out. Lucy put her head back down. She had known that Simone was going to read more into this then there was.
Todd looked at Hoot while he was irorning his shirt. "So you and Lucy are going to the theater together?" Hoot just nodded while still working on his shirt. "And you went for a drink with her last night?" Todd asked again. Hoot looked up. "Yeah we did and we turn out to get allong ok, I don't see the problem." Todd got up and moved closer to Hoot. "Well a week ago you to were at all out war with each other and now you're dating!" When Todd mentioned the word dting Hoot slipped with the iron and burnt his finger, he stuck it in his mouth for a few seconds before replieing; "We are not dating! We are two people who both like Shakespeare and who are going to see a play together!" Todd backed off a bit, Hoot had reacted very fierce. "But there might be dating in the near future?" he asked knowing he was out of Hoot's reach. Hoot put the irion down again. "What is this obsession of yours with me and Lucy MacArthur? Why don't you just worry about you and Simone?" Todd nodded. "Well I do hve a problem when it comes to Simone..." Hoot stopped what he was doing for a second and looked at Todd. "What do you mean?" Todd sighed. "Well that night she and I played pool, you know the night you and Lucy almost duked it out in the bar. We talked about our pasts and she was telling me how she hated the army and being an army bratt. So I told her I grew up on a farm in a small town." Hoot again looked at him "Ok so you told this girl you really like that you grew up on a farm. Did the fact that you're a 4th generation army man just pop out of your head for a couple of minutes? Did your brain shortcircuit? You know she might like you but she might just shoot you for telling her a lie like that!" Todd shook his head in agreement. "I know man, but what am I supposed to do now?" Hoot waved the iron at him. "The best thing you can do is tell her the truth tonight, and tell her why you lied as well. Better to tell her everything. Todd stood up and slapped hem on the shoulder. "Thanks man." Making sure he was out of Hoot's reach before adding; "And you and Lucy don't go sitting on the back row making out tonight! Watch the play!" He laughed when Hoot took a swing at him and missed.
Later that day Simone walked into Lucy's roo mto borow a lipstick. Lucy stood infront of her miror brushing her hair. "Woah look at you!" Simone said looking at her sister. "What?" Lucy toorned and looked at her. Simone gestured towards her. "Its good that I know your going to the theater with 'a friend'. Or I might have thought that you were going on a hot date." Lucy looked at herself in the miror. She was wearing a linnen skirt with a silk top and a lace leace top over that. "Well its not like I get to dress up pretty all of the time." Simone smiled. "So this is not meant for Hoot then?" Lucy slapped her on the arm. "NO IT'S NOT! Didn't we have a talk about this earlier today? Simone backed away. "Ok point takken!" she turned and walked out of the room, she still couldn't help smiling. Maybe she didn't want to admit it to herself but Simone knew that Lucy and Hoot were not going to end up as 'just friends'
Tood and Hoot both walked out of the door of their appartment, when Hoot was locking the door Todd turned to him. "So you're picking her up then?" Hoot turned to him. "Yes I am, do you have anymore comments?" Todd rubbed his arm and felt the bruise he had on his upper arm, he had gotten it when Hoot had whacked him on the arm for constantely cracking jokes about his and Lucy's 'date' tonight. "no thank you very much! But I was going to warn you about the general, he might want to have a little chat with you before you two leave the house. He did with me and threatened my ass." Hoot raised his eyebrows. "He threatened you?" Todd nodded. "Yeah he did, im not kidding! He said that if I hurt Simone he wouldn't take it out on my professionally, but personally he would ick my ass. Hoot just smiled. "Well just as long as you don't get nailed in your career....." They both walked out of the building and got into their cars.
Lucy was sittning in the living room on the couch next to Simone. "I'll tell you this, if Hoot is coming to pick you up daddy will have a go at him." Lucy turned to her. "What do you mean?" Simone looked at her again. "What do you mean? What do I mean? You know he had a go at Todd when he came to pick me up the first time. You know he's gonna have a go at Hoot." Lucy smiled. "Ah but you were going on a date and im not!" Simone pulled a face. "A guy iscomming to our house to take you out, that's the same difference to dad."
Their father walked in the second she finished that sentence. "What did I do now?" He asked whil sitting down in his favorite chair. "Nothing daddy," Simone said sweetly. "I was just having a little talk with Lucy about going out with Sgt. Gibson. Ouch!" She finished her sentence because Lucy had pinched her for brining up the subject. "Ah," Her father said. "I want to have a talk with him before you leave." He said picking up his news paper and started to read it. "Why dad? It's not like we are going on a date. We are just going to a play!" Her father looked at Lucy. "None the less I want to have a talk with him." He now said with a serious tone in his voice. Before Lucy could object the doorbell rung. Simone grabbed her bag and coat, jumped up and yelled; "Bye bye! See you later." And shot out the door.
Lucy got up and picked her bag and her vest up. She made her way through the hallway with her father on her heels. Simone had left the front door open, and there just out side it stood Hoot, wearing dark pants and a white shirt with a few buttons unbuttoned at the top. He looked very sexy and Lucy felt her heart jump. When Hoot saw her coming down the hall he took of his sunglasses to see her even better. She looked absolutely gorgeous, her hair loosely around her shoulders. "Hi." She said looking up at him. Before he could answer back the general stepped forward. "Sgt. I would like to have a word with you in my study." The General turned and walked towards his study.
"I'm sorry." Lucy whispered, gently touching his arm. "I tried to tell him we weren't going on a date or something but he won't listen." He touched her hand for a second. "It will be fine but thanks." He walked towards the study; the door was closed so he knocked.
"Come in." The general said sitting behind his desk. Hoot came in and closed the door behind him.
"You wanted to talk to me sir?" "Yes I did, sit down." He gestured to one of the chairs. Hoot shook his head. "No thank you Sir I am quite all right were I am." The General got up. "Ok you stand and I'll talk. You are about to take one of my daughters out. I hope I don't need to tell you to be careful and treat her with respect. I love my daughters Sgt. and will try to protect them from harm. Now I served under your father and hope you take after him, he was an honest and just man! If I find out that it is other wise you and I are going to have a serious disagreement. Is that clear?" Hoot looked at the general for a second. "Crystal clear Sir. Will that be all?" The General made a gesture with his hand that he could leave.
Lucy was still standing in the hallway when Hoot came out of the study. "You ok? I hope he didn't pull his super dad routine." Hoot smiled at her and her heart jumped. "Naw he didn't do anything I can't handle. You ready to go?" He gestured toward the still open door. "Yes I am." She started walking out the door yelling goodbye to her mother as she was leaving. Hoot held open the car door for her walked to the other side of the car and got in himself, he just looked at her for a moment ten started the car and they left.
Simone took a grape from one of the bowls on the blanket. "This was a great idea." She bent over to kiss Todd. It was supposed to be a short kiss, but as usual it didn't turn out that way. She felt wonderful. As a surprise Todd had prepared a picknick for them, they had driven up to Table Top Mountain and sat there eating and watching the sun set. Todd looked at her again; she looked so pretty in this light! He felt his stomach tighten, he was going to tell her about him having lied about where he came from, and he just hoped she would understand. He sat up and looked at her. Simone was getting a bit uncomfortable with him looking at her for that long. "What?" She said a bit harsh. Todd looked shocked. "Sorry it's just I need to tell you something but you must promise me that you won't interrupt till I'm done." She looked at him. "Ok I promise." He got hold of her hand "Ok what I need to tell you is; that I lied to you. Now you promised!" He said when Simone opened her mouth to say something, she closed her mouth again and Todd continued. "That night we played pool, you know for our first date? You asked me where I was from and I told you I grew up on a farm in a small town. I lied...... I had just sat there hearing you tell me that you hated army and I was afraid to tell you that I'm the son of a captain and actually the 4th generation to inlist." When he stopped talking he just looked at her, waiting for her to get angry. "Are you mad?" He asked unsure. Simone didn't know what to say. He had lied to her, but he had been honest enough to tell her. She decided that she was going to let him sweat a little. "No I'm not mad; to be honest I haven't been totally honest with you either." She was desperately trying not to laugh seeing his shocked face! Then she continued. "There is something I haven't told you either." She leant in to him a bit. "You know that night we played pool... I lost on purpose!" She laughed at the face he pulled. "Hey I was being serious here!" he said looking hurt. She put her hand on his face. "Todd if I hated the army that much I would never have gone out with you." She smiled and kissed him. Todd got hold of her pulling her into his arms; they fell back onto the blanket. When he broke loose from her kiss, he looked into her heyes laying half on top of her. "You know you're pretty?" he said a bit out of breath from their kiss. Simone put her hands on the back of his head and pulled him in for another kiss. They laid there for a while kissing when Todd couldn't resist any more and let his hands slide over her body. Simone gave a faint moan when she felt his hands on her body. When Todd heard her he stopped and looked at her. "I'm sorry I got carried away, this isn't really the time or place." He wanted to role of her but she stopped him. "This is the exact place and most definitely a good time. Would you stop worrying and kiss me!" Todd gave up his last bit of resistance and let his longing for her take over. Within a few minutes they were both undressed and they made love under the last rays of the setting sun.
Hoot walked towards the table with two mugs of coffee in his hands, when they had left the theater, Lucy had sugested they would go for a cup of coffee so they went to a close by diner. What had supposed to be one cup had turned into more once they started their conversation. Hoot sat down opposite her again and handed her the mug, he looked at her for a moment. "So you hated being an amry bratt, but have gotten all the training you could. Why didn't you just go civilian once you were old enough?" She smiled. "Weel that's kind of hard when all you've know your whole life is army, besides, being able to shoot a target a couple of hundred yards off is good for the amry but it wont get you very far in the real world." He nodded. "Your right it won't get you a terrific career in an office that's for sure, but you could have gone for a job with the police or something. Their task forces are always on the look out for new people." "Yeah I could have, but that wouldn't have made much difference with the army so I decided to stay close to Simone. She is my little sister and I didn't really want to leave her behind on her own with dad. And all the training courses I did were my way of getting away from my father, he thought I needed more controle and regularity and all I wanted to do was get away. But as he has friends all over and sabotaged all my attempts to transfer out and away from him.... Things have died down between us a bit but when I was about 20 we couldn't even be in the same room without getting into a big fight. But we've coverd me now, what's your story?" He took a sip of his coffee. "Well my story isnt that interesting. As my accent has probably told you I grew up in the south of the country. Im a 5th generation army bratt, but unlike you I loved it. Must be a guy thing but I loved being arround all the weapons and stuff. I inlisted as soon as I was old enough and wanted to become a Delta so that was my goal, my father wasn't to pleased with my chioce, he wanted me to go into officers training so I could follow in his footsteps, he is an Admiral." Lucy looked at him over her coffee mug. "Your father is an Admiral? You mean to say that you are the son of Admiral Gibson?" Hoot looked at her with a surprised face. "You know him?" "Yeah my father served under him when I was about 4. He is still full of praise about him." Hoot smiled, he hasd that effect on everyone he meets I think, he is a good man and I love him very much. He I decided to transfer of his base when he was still a general, didn't want people to think I would get favours because he was my father. I dislike using your relationship with a person to get ahead in the world, so I transferred to Florida. I had a graet time there at first but then it all turned south on me." Lucy listened to him as he told her about Kimberly and what had happened. "And that is probably...no definitely the reason I acted like an ass the first couple of times we met." Lucy looked at him, the way he sat there looking at her made it hard for her to concentrate. "I know I've been trough a simular thing." Hoot wanted to react that he knew but rememberd that she wasn't supposed to know he overheard her and simone talk about that guy, what was his name? Mike.... So he listned to her tell him about Mike. "And that would explain my bitchy behavior towards you as well. They both laughed.
As time went by they talked about everything you could talk about, at one point Lucy sat up with a smile. "There is one more thing I want to know!" Hoot looked at her. "And what could that be? Is there anythingg we haven't already talked about?" With an evil sort of smile she continued. "Why is your nickname Hoot? And what exactely is your REAL name?" He just looked at her for a moment; you're not the least bit curious are you? What about you?" Lucy looked him straight in the eye. "Lucy Theodora Emma Victoria 'Thunder' MacArthur. Owing the Thunder to sniper training when I was 19; I could put my gun back together faster than lightning and shot as hard as Thunder. So spill what about you?" Hoot looked at her again. "You do know that curriosity killed the cat don't you?" She hit the table with her hand. "Oh come on! Don't tell me your first name is that bad you don't want to tell me! What if I promise not to tell a soul? Cross my hart and hope to die!"
Still on top of Table Top Mountain Simone lay content in Todd's arms, he stroked her hair with his hand. "Although that great it wasn't really what I had in mind for our fisrt time together." He said kissing her forehead; he pulled the extra blanket he had gotten from his car over them so she wouldn't get cold. Simone moved even closer to him resting her head on his chest. "I don't care what the time or place is, just as long as I can be with you." Todd felt his hart beating fast when she had said that, he cleared his troath. "If I told you I was in love with you, would you call me crazy?" Simone heard his hart actually skip a beat when he had said those words; she leant on her arms and looked at him. "No I would call you a smart man." She smiled. "Again; being serious here." Todd said with tention written all over his face. She smiled at him and kissed him before looking straight into his eyes. "No I wouldn't call you crazy, because then I would be crazy for loving you back." Under her hand she could feel his hartbeat speed up. "You love me? You mean that?" Simone smiled at him. "I know it sounds a bit fats but yeah I do." He kissed her pasionataly and before she knew it, their game of love making had started all over again.
Hoot looked at Lucy across the table, her eyes were alight with exitment, and he hesitated."Ok but if I tell you I want you to promise NOT to tell anyone about it! I mena Todd doesn't even know." Lucy felt herself glow; he was going to tell her something his best friend didn't even know. "Ok I promise not to tell a soul, now spill!" He took another sip of his coffee befor he started. "Norm 'Hoot' Gibson junior, where Hoot came from I don't know, someone started calling me that in boot and it stuck. I'm named after my father so at home it was always junoir, trust me being called Hoot is a hell of a lot better than Norm. Stop laughing! It's not funny!" Lucy couldn't help herself. "Im so sorry, but when I saw you for the first time I never imagened that you were called Norm! You don't really look like a Norm to me." He looked at her, she was still laughing. "What do I look like to you?" She looked up and he caught her look with his eyes, the tone of his voice had changed and the color of his eyes had changed to a darker shade. She didn't know what to say and she couldn't tare her eyes lose from his.
After a few minutes she managed to look away. "Look at the time; I really should be gettign home. Hoot looked at her, he had seen in her eyes that he had gotten to her, but she was to well on her guard, she wouldn't have said it. They paid the cassiere and went out to the car; the ride to her house was cloacked in silence. He asnt sure if she was angry or just confused. Lucy looked out the window of the car, when she had looked into his eyes she had seen something that she was not sure of.
When they got to the house, Hoot got out of the car to hold open her door and help her out. He got hold of her hand, but when she got out of the car he still had her hand in his. He knew he was supposed to let go but he couldn't, he pulled her a bit closer to him. "I had a realy nice time tonight, im glad we decided to try over." He looked at her. Lucy felt herself blush under his strare. "I had nice time as well; we should do this again sometime..." She was now looking up at him her eyes half closed. Hoot couldn't help himself and leant into her wanting to kiss her, to feel her lips against his. Lucy's hart stopped beating for a second; he was going to kiss her! Her brain told her to pull back but her body really didn't want to. Hoot put his hands on the sides of her face; slightly lifting her head up to his, Lucy closed her eyes waiting for the feeling of his lips on hers. Hoot leant into her he wanted to kiss her so badly it hurt. But before he could the bright light of two headlights shone in his eyes, it was Todd's car pulling up to the curb.
Todd hit the brake's, he looked out of the front of his car and saw Lucy and Hoot standing really close to each other. Simone slapped her self on the head. "Oh my god, I can't believe we just interrupted them!" Todd smiled. "Well actually it's no more then fair, she did it to us." Simone slapped him on the arm. "Be nice! I knew it would only be a matter of time but I hate interrupting them. Who knows when they will come to this point again?" Todd looked at her. "Most likely the minute you get in the house and I drive off." Simone shook her head. "No, they won't, Lucy doesn't downshift that fast; god we're jerks." Todd touched her cheek. "Well there is nothing we can do about it now." He kissed her goodnight. Simone felt her self getting warm all over, he kissed her like he wasn't going to see her ever again even though they were going to see each other the next day.
Hoot looked at the car and saw Todd kissing Simone. If they would have been a few seconds later he could have been kissing Lucy! He had already let go of her but they were still standing opposite each other. Lucy had closed her eyes; she didn't dare look at Hoot. He would have kissed her if it hadn't been for Simone and Todd showing up. After a few minuets she opened her eyes and looked at him. "I should go in, thanks for a lovely time." She put her hand on his chest. Hoot felt like he got hit by lightning the second she touched him. "Yeah that would be better. How about I call you in a few days and we'll meet up." She took her hand of his chest and looked at him. "That would be okay, good night." She now turned and walked towards the house.
Simone had also gotten out of Todd's car and met Lucy half way up the path to the house. Todd looked at her until she had gotten in the house, then he walked over to Hoot. "Hey, I'm sorry man I didn't mean to interrupt." Hoot waved away his apology "Its okay, you didn't mean to I know, cause if you did I'd break every bone in your body." Todd smiled but also felt a small surge of fear. "So I gather you had a good time then?" Hoot closed his eyes. "Yeah we did. I'm going home." He turned round to get into his car. Todd hit the roof of his car "I'll see you there." Then walked to his own car, got in and drove of.
When Lucy got in the house she greeted her parents and went straight to her room. When she got there she let herself fall on her bed. Simone knocked before walking into Lucy's room. She found her sister laying face down on her bed, her face buried in her pillow. "Lucy I'm sorry." Simone said while sitting down on the side of the bed. It took a few minutes for Lucy to look up and turn to her. "Are you pissed?" Simone asked shyly. Lucy put her hand on Simone's arm. "No I'm not; it was probably for the best. Any way this was only the second time I'd gone out with him."
Todd and Hoot came home at the same time. When Hoot got in the apartment he tossed his keys on the table and sat down on the couch. Todd followed him and sat down in the chair opposite him. "You ok?" Hoot looked up. "Yeah I am, just a bit edgy that's all. I just keep thinking about what could have happened if you and Simone hadn't shown up." Todd looked at him again. "Like I said man, I'm really sorry. But actually I didn't think it would go that fast with you two. Hoot nodded "Well neither did I, might just be for the best it didn't happen. How did you and Simone get along? Did you tell her the truth? Judging by the way she kissed you I would say she wasn't angry." Todd smiled "No she wasn't and that wasn't the only thing that was said." Todd smiled widely "She told me she loved me!" Hoot looked at him "And what did you see?" Todd smiled again. "Actually she said it in response to me telling her I loved her." Hoot bent towards him. "You sure?" "No I just go round saying that to every girl I like!" Todd looked annoyed. Hoot smiled. "Ok I just wanted to make sure!"
Simone still sat on the bed looking at Lucy. "So how did your evening with Todd go?" Simone smiled "Absolutely perfect! He told me he lied to me, explained why then told me he loved me! Oh yeah and we made passionate love under the sunset, but did I mention that he loves me?" She sat on the bed with a smile as wide as could be. Lucy looked at her. "So basically you're quite happy about tonight?" Even tough she didn't feel all that up to it she produced a smile for her little sister who was so happy.
Simone grabbed her hand "Yeah overjoyed. You could say that tonight was a night of revelations!"
Simone opened her eyes and looked at her alarm clock; it flashed 08:00 in bright red letters. "Oh GOD I overslept!" she said while jumping out of her bed and grabbing her clothes to run to the shower. Without looking she opened the door to the shower. "Hey taking a bath here!" Lucy yelled when she saw the door open. Simone closed the door again. "Sorry didn't know you were in there, why are you taking a bath when we are late? Can I come in?" Lucy responded that she could and Simone walked in and sat down on the seat beside the bath. Lucy looked at her. "What makes you think were late? It's Saturday." Simone sighed with relief. "Thank god, I came home pretty late last night and forgot to set my alarm. What happened with you? When I came home last night you weren't here, and don't lie cause I went to your room to talk to you and you weren't there." Lucy picked up a sponge and started to wash her arms. "Well after you and Todd left last night I went for a drink." She had hoped this would have been enough explanation but Simone got even more curious. "You went for a drink? You never go out for a drink on your own so who were you with? It wasn't me and you don't know anybody else on base so come on who were you with? And don't say no body cause the look in your eyes is telling me you're holding something back." Lucy looked at her for a moment. "Ok if you must know I was with Hoot." Simone let out a small scream. "You went out with Hoot! Like on a date out?
Lucy's head shot up the second she heard the word date. "No! Not on a date! We went out for a drink, you know as friends." Simone smiled again. "Ah but there might be dates in the future?" she asked while looking at Lucy hopeful. Lucy splashed water at her. "You have a twisted little mind you know that! Just because I go out with a guy a couple of times doesn't mean that I'll end up dating him!" Simone's jaw dropped. "A couple of times?! You mean to say you've been out with him before? No that can't be I would have known by now. So what doe you mean a couple of times?" Lucy had known the second she had said it she had said too much, she let herself slide under water hoping Simone would leave. But her sister got even more curious and persistent, she banged her hand on the side of the tub signaling to Lucy she needed to surface. When Lucy surfaced she started again. "Ok spill what did you mean with a couple of times?" she asked with a now more serious tone in her voice. Lucy whipped the soap foams out of her face. "I'm going to a play with him tonight. Don't give me that look! We both like Shakespeare and he had 2 tickets, one for him and one for Todd. But as you seem to be taking up all of Todd's time these days, he asked me if I was interested in going, and I was. It's been ages since I went to a play and he is not that bad to be around so why not?" Simone just smiled and sat there for a few minutes. "But there is nothing between you to?" She said eventually still with the smile on her face. "NO THERE IS NOT! And if you ask me that again you and I are going to have a serious disagreement!" Lucy said pointing her finger at Simone. Simone stood up and backed up with her hands in the air. "OK, ok if you say so! I'll leave you allone." She turned and walked out. Lucy put her head back down. She had known that Simone was going to read more into this then there was.
Todd looked at Hoot while he was irorning his shirt. "So you and Lucy are going to the theater together?" Hoot just nodded while still working on his shirt. "And you went for a drink with her last night?" Todd asked again. Hoot looked up. "Yeah we did and we turn out to get allong ok, I don't see the problem." Todd got up and moved closer to Hoot. "Well a week ago you to were at all out war with each other and now you're dating!" When Todd mentioned the word dting Hoot slipped with the iron and burnt his finger, he stuck it in his mouth for a few seconds before replieing; "We are not dating! We are two people who both like Shakespeare and who are going to see a play together!" Todd backed off a bit, Hoot had reacted very fierce. "But there might be dating in the near future?" he asked knowing he was out of Hoot's reach. Hoot put the irion down again. "What is this obsession of yours with me and Lucy MacArthur? Why don't you just worry about you and Simone?" Todd nodded. "Well I do hve a problem when it comes to Simone..." Hoot stopped what he was doing for a second and looked at Todd. "What do you mean?" Todd sighed. "Well that night she and I played pool, you know the night you and Lucy almost duked it out in the bar. We talked about our pasts and she was telling me how she hated the army and being an army bratt. So I told her I grew up on a farm in a small town." Hoot again looked at him "Ok so you told this girl you really like that you grew up on a farm. Did the fact that you're a 4th generation army man just pop out of your head for a couple of minutes? Did your brain shortcircuit? You know she might like you but she might just shoot you for telling her a lie like that!" Todd shook his head in agreement. "I know man, but what am I supposed to do now?" Hoot waved the iron at him. "The best thing you can do is tell her the truth tonight, and tell her why you lied as well. Better to tell her everything. Todd stood up and slapped hem on the shoulder. "Thanks man." Making sure he was out of Hoot's reach before adding; "And you and Lucy don't go sitting on the back row making out tonight! Watch the play!" He laughed when Hoot took a swing at him and missed.
Later that day Simone walked into Lucy's roo mto borow a lipstick. Lucy stood infront of her miror brushing her hair. "Woah look at you!" Simone said looking at her sister. "What?" Lucy toorned and looked at her. Simone gestured towards her. "Its good that I know your going to the theater with 'a friend'. Or I might have thought that you were going on a hot date." Lucy looked at herself in the miror. She was wearing a linnen skirt with a silk top and a lace leace top over that. "Well its not like I get to dress up pretty all of the time." Simone smiled. "So this is not meant for Hoot then?" Lucy slapped her on the arm. "NO IT'S NOT! Didn't we have a talk about this earlier today? Simone backed away. "Ok point takken!" she turned and walked out of the room, she still couldn't help smiling. Maybe she didn't want to admit it to herself but Simone knew that Lucy and Hoot were not going to end up as 'just friends'
Tood and Hoot both walked out of the door of their appartment, when Hoot was locking the door Todd turned to him. "So you're picking her up then?" Hoot turned to him. "Yes I am, do you have anymore comments?" Todd rubbed his arm and felt the bruise he had on his upper arm, he had gotten it when Hoot had whacked him on the arm for constantely cracking jokes about his and Lucy's 'date' tonight. "no thank you very much! But I was going to warn you about the general, he might want to have a little chat with you before you two leave the house. He did with me and threatened my ass." Hoot raised his eyebrows. "He threatened you?" Todd nodded. "Yeah he did, im not kidding! He said that if I hurt Simone he wouldn't take it out on my professionally, but personally he would ick my ass. Hoot just smiled. "Well just as long as you don't get nailed in your career....." They both walked out of the building and got into their cars.
Lucy was sittning in the living room on the couch next to Simone. "I'll tell you this, if Hoot is coming to pick you up daddy will have a go at him." Lucy turned to her. "What do you mean?" Simone looked at her again. "What do you mean? What do I mean? You know he had a go at Todd when he came to pick me up the first time. You know he's gonna have a go at Hoot." Lucy smiled. "Ah but you were going on a date and im not!" Simone pulled a face. "A guy iscomming to our house to take you out, that's the same difference to dad."
Their father walked in the second she finished that sentence. "What did I do now?" He asked whil sitting down in his favorite chair. "Nothing daddy," Simone said sweetly. "I was just having a little talk with Lucy about going out with Sgt. Gibson. Ouch!" She finished her sentence because Lucy had pinched her for brining up the subject. "Ah," Her father said. "I want to have a talk with him before you leave." He said picking up his news paper and started to read it. "Why dad? It's not like we are going on a date. We are just going to a play!" Her father looked at Lucy. "None the less I want to have a talk with him." He now said with a serious tone in his voice. Before Lucy could object the doorbell rung. Simone grabbed her bag and coat, jumped up and yelled; "Bye bye! See you later." And shot out the door.
Lucy got up and picked her bag and her vest up. She made her way through the hallway with her father on her heels. Simone had left the front door open, and there just out side it stood Hoot, wearing dark pants and a white shirt with a few buttons unbuttoned at the top. He looked very sexy and Lucy felt her heart jump. When Hoot saw her coming down the hall he took of his sunglasses to see her even better. She looked absolutely gorgeous, her hair loosely around her shoulders. "Hi." She said looking up at him. Before he could answer back the general stepped forward. "Sgt. I would like to have a word with you in my study." The General turned and walked towards his study.
"I'm sorry." Lucy whispered, gently touching his arm. "I tried to tell him we weren't going on a date or something but he won't listen." He touched her hand for a second. "It will be fine but thanks." He walked towards the study; the door was closed so he knocked.
"Come in." The general said sitting behind his desk. Hoot came in and closed the door behind him.
"You wanted to talk to me sir?" "Yes I did, sit down." He gestured to one of the chairs. Hoot shook his head. "No thank you Sir I am quite all right were I am." The General got up. "Ok you stand and I'll talk. You are about to take one of my daughters out. I hope I don't need to tell you to be careful and treat her with respect. I love my daughters Sgt. and will try to protect them from harm. Now I served under your father and hope you take after him, he was an honest and just man! If I find out that it is other wise you and I are going to have a serious disagreement. Is that clear?" Hoot looked at the general for a second. "Crystal clear Sir. Will that be all?" The General made a gesture with his hand that he could leave.
Lucy was still standing in the hallway when Hoot came out of the study. "You ok? I hope he didn't pull his super dad routine." Hoot smiled at her and her heart jumped. "Naw he didn't do anything I can't handle. You ready to go?" He gestured toward the still open door. "Yes I am." She started walking out the door yelling goodbye to her mother as she was leaving. Hoot held open the car door for her walked to the other side of the car and got in himself, he just looked at her for a moment ten started the car and they left.
Simone took a grape from one of the bowls on the blanket. "This was a great idea." She bent over to kiss Todd. It was supposed to be a short kiss, but as usual it didn't turn out that way. She felt wonderful. As a surprise Todd had prepared a picknick for them, they had driven up to Table Top Mountain and sat there eating and watching the sun set. Todd looked at her again; she looked so pretty in this light! He felt his stomach tighten, he was going to tell her about him having lied about where he came from, and he just hoped she would understand. He sat up and looked at her. Simone was getting a bit uncomfortable with him looking at her for that long. "What?" She said a bit harsh. Todd looked shocked. "Sorry it's just I need to tell you something but you must promise me that you won't interrupt till I'm done." She looked at him. "Ok I promise." He got hold of her hand "Ok what I need to tell you is; that I lied to you. Now you promised!" He said when Simone opened her mouth to say something, she closed her mouth again and Todd continued. "That night we played pool, you know for our first date? You asked me where I was from and I told you I grew up on a farm in a small town. I lied...... I had just sat there hearing you tell me that you hated army and I was afraid to tell you that I'm the son of a captain and actually the 4th generation to inlist." When he stopped talking he just looked at her, waiting for her to get angry. "Are you mad?" He asked unsure. Simone didn't know what to say. He had lied to her, but he had been honest enough to tell her. She decided that she was going to let him sweat a little. "No I'm not mad; to be honest I haven't been totally honest with you either." She was desperately trying not to laugh seeing his shocked face! Then she continued. "There is something I haven't told you either." She leant in to him a bit. "You know that night we played pool... I lost on purpose!" She laughed at the face he pulled. "Hey I was being serious here!" he said looking hurt. She put her hand on his face. "Todd if I hated the army that much I would never have gone out with you." She smiled and kissed him. Todd got hold of her pulling her into his arms; they fell back onto the blanket. When he broke loose from her kiss, he looked into her heyes laying half on top of her. "You know you're pretty?" he said a bit out of breath from their kiss. Simone put her hands on the back of his head and pulled him in for another kiss. They laid there for a while kissing when Todd couldn't resist any more and let his hands slide over her body. Simone gave a faint moan when she felt his hands on her body. When Todd heard her he stopped and looked at her. "I'm sorry I got carried away, this isn't really the time or place." He wanted to role of her but she stopped him. "This is the exact place and most definitely a good time. Would you stop worrying and kiss me!" Todd gave up his last bit of resistance and let his longing for her take over. Within a few minutes they were both undressed and they made love under the last rays of the setting sun.
Hoot walked towards the table with two mugs of coffee in his hands, when they had left the theater, Lucy had sugested they would go for a cup of coffee so they went to a close by diner. What had supposed to be one cup had turned into more once they started their conversation. Hoot sat down opposite her again and handed her the mug, he looked at her for a moment. "So you hated being an amry bratt, but have gotten all the training you could. Why didn't you just go civilian once you were old enough?" She smiled. "Weel that's kind of hard when all you've know your whole life is army, besides, being able to shoot a target a couple of hundred yards off is good for the amry but it wont get you very far in the real world." He nodded. "Your right it won't get you a terrific career in an office that's for sure, but you could have gone for a job with the police or something. Their task forces are always on the look out for new people." "Yeah I could have, but that wouldn't have made much difference with the army so I decided to stay close to Simone. She is my little sister and I didn't really want to leave her behind on her own with dad. And all the training courses I did were my way of getting away from my father, he thought I needed more controle and regularity and all I wanted to do was get away. But as he has friends all over and sabotaged all my attempts to transfer out and away from him.... Things have died down between us a bit but when I was about 20 we couldn't even be in the same room without getting into a big fight. But we've coverd me now, what's your story?" He took a sip of his coffee. "Well my story isnt that interesting. As my accent has probably told you I grew up in the south of the country. Im a 5th generation army bratt, but unlike you I loved it. Must be a guy thing but I loved being arround all the weapons and stuff. I inlisted as soon as I was old enough and wanted to become a Delta so that was my goal, my father wasn't to pleased with my chioce, he wanted me to go into officers training so I could follow in his footsteps, he is an Admiral." Lucy looked at him over her coffee mug. "Your father is an Admiral? You mean to say that you are the son of Admiral Gibson?" Hoot looked at her with a surprised face. "You know him?" "Yeah my father served under him when I was about 4. He is still full of praise about him." Hoot smiled, he hasd that effect on everyone he meets I think, he is a good man and I love him very much. He I decided to transfer of his base when he was still a general, didn't want people to think I would get favours because he was my father. I dislike using your relationship with a person to get ahead in the world, so I transferred to Florida. I had a graet time there at first but then it all turned south on me." Lucy listened to him as he told her about Kimberly and what had happened. "And that is probably...no definitely the reason I acted like an ass the first couple of times we met." Lucy looked at him, the way he sat there looking at her made it hard for her to concentrate. "I know I've been trough a simular thing." Hoot wanted to react that he knew but rememberd that she wasn't supposed to know he overheard her and simone talk about that guy, what was his name? Mike.... So he listned to her tell him about Mike. "And that would explain my bitchy behavior towards you as well. They both laughed.
As time went by they talked about everything you could talk about, at one point Lucy sat up with a smile. "There is one more thing I want to know!" Hoot looked at her. "And what could that be? Is there anythingg we haven't already talked about?" With an evil sort of smile she continued. "Why is your nickname Hoot? And what exactely is your REAL name?" He just looked at her for a moment; you're not the least bit curious are you? What about you?" Lucy looked him straight in the eye. "Lucy Theodora Emma Victoria 'Thunder' MacArthur. Owing the Thunder to sniper training when I was 19; I could put my gun back together faster than lightning and shot as hard as Thunder. So spill what about you?" Hoot looked at her again. "You do know that curriosity killed the cat don't you?" She hit the table with her hand. "Oh come on! Don't tell me your first name is that bad you don't want to tell me! What if I promise not to tell a soul? Cross my hart and hope to die!"
Still on top of Table Top Mountain Simone lay content in Todd's arms, he stroked her hair with his hand. "Although that great it wasn't really what I had in mind for our fisrt time together." He said kissing her forehead; he pulled the extra blanket he had gotten from his car over them so she wouldn't get cold. Simone moved even closer to him resting her head on his chest. "I don't care what the time or place is, just as long as I can be with you." Todd felt his hart beating fast when she had said that, he cleared his troath. "If I told you I was in love with you, would you call me crazy?" Simone heard his hart actually skip a beat when he had said those words; she leant on her arms and looked at him. "No I would call you a smart man." She smiled. "Again; being serious here." Todd said with tention written all over his face. She smiled at him and kissed him before looking straight into his eyes. "No I wouldn't call you crazy, because then I would be crazy for loving you back." Under her hand she could feel his hartbeat speed up. "You love me? You mean that?" Simone smiled at him. "I know it sounds a bit fats but yeah I do." He kissed her pasionataly and before she knew it, their game of love making had started all over again.
Hoot looked at Lucy across the table, her eyes were alight with exitment, and he hesitated."Ok but if I tell you I want you to promise NOT to tell anyone about it! I mena Todd doesn't even know." Lucy felt herself glow; he was going to tell her something his best friend didn't even know. "Ok I promise not to tell a soul, now spill!" He took another sip of his coffee befor he started. "Norm 'Hoot' Gibson junior, where Hoot came from I don't know, someone started calling me that in boot and it stuck. I'm named after my father so at home it was always junoir, trust me being called Hoot is a hell of a lot better than Norm. Stop laughing! It's not funny!" Lucy couldn't help herself. "Im so sorry, but when I saw you for the first time I never imagened that you were called Norm! You don't really look like a Norm to me." He looked at her, she was still laughing. "What do I look like to you?" She looked up and he caught her look with his eyes, the tone of his voice had changed and the color of his eyes had changed to a darker shade. She didn't know what to say and she couldn't tare her eyes lose from his.
After a few minutes she managed to look away. "Look at the time; I really should be gettign home. Hoot looked at her, he had seen in her eyes that he had gotten to her, but she was to well on her guard, she wouldn't have said it. They paid the cassiere and went out to the car; the ride to her house was cloacked in silence. He asnt sure if she was angry or just confused. Lucy looked out the window of the car, when she had looked into his eyes she had seen something that she was not sure of.
When they got to the house, Hoot got out of the car to hold open her door and help her out. He got hold of her hand, but when she got out of the car he still had her hand in his. He knew he was supposed to let go but he couldn't, he pulled her a bit closer to him. "I had a realy nice time tonight, im glad we decided to try over." He looked at her. Lucy felt herself blush under his strare. "I had nice time as well; we should do this again sometime..." She was now looking up at him her eyes half closed. Hoot couldn't help himself and leant into her wanting to kiss her, to feel her lips against his. Lucy's hart stopped beating for a second; he was going to kiss her! Her brain told her to pull back but her body really didn't want to. Hoot put his hands on the sides of her face; slightly lifting her head up to his, Lucy closed her eyes waiting for the feeling of his lips on hers. Hoot leant into her he wanted to kiss her so badly it hurt. But before he could the bright light of two headlights shone in his eyes, it was Todd's car pulling up to the curb.
Todd hit the brake's, he looked out of the front of his car and saw Lucy and Hoot standing really close to each other. Simone slapped her self on the head. "Oh my god, I can't believe we just interrupted them!" Todd smiled. "Well actually it's no more then fair, she did it to us." Simone slapped him on the arm. "Be nice! I knew it would only be a matter of time but I hate interrupting them. Who knows when they will come to this point again?" Todd looked at her. "Most likely the minute you get in the house and I drive off." Simone shook her head. "No, they won't, Lucy doesn't downshift that fast; god we're jerks." Todd touched her cheek. "Well there is nothing we can do about it now." He kissed her goodnight. Simone felt her self getting warm all over, he kissed her like he wasn't going to see her ever again even though they were going to see each other the next day.
Hoot looked at the car and saw Todd kissing Simone. If they would have been a few seconds later he could have been kissing Lucy! He had already let go of her but they were still standing opposite each other. Lucy had closed her eyes; she didn't dare look at Hoot. He would have kissed her if it hadn't been for Simone and Todd showing up. After a few minuets she opened her eyes and looked at him. "I should go in, thanks for a lovely time." She put her hand on his chest. Hoot felt like he got hit by lightning the second she touched him. "Yeah that would be better. How about I call you in a few days and we'll meet up." She took her hand of his chest and looked at him. "That would be okay, good night." She now turned and walked towards the house.
Simone had also gotten out of Todd's car and met Lucy half way up the path to the house. Todd looked at her until she had gotten in the house, then he walked over to Hoot. "Hey, I'm sorry man I didn't mean to interrupt." Hoot waved away his apology "Its okay, you didn't mean to I know, cause if you did I'd break every bone in your body." Todd smiled but also felt a small surge of fear. "So I gather you had a good time then?" Hoot closed his eyes. "Yeah we did. I'm going home." He turned round to get into his car. Todd hit the roof of his car "I'll see you there." Then walked to his own car, got in and drove of.
When Lucy got in the house she greeted her parents and went straight to her room. When she got there she let herself fall on her bed. Simone knocked before walking into Lucy's room. She found her sister laying face down on her bed, her face buried in her pillow. "Lucy I'm sorry." Simone said while sitting down on the side of the bed. It took a few minutes for Lucy to look up and turn to her. "Are you pissed?" Simone asked shyly. Lucy put her hand on Simone's arm. "No I'm not; it was probably for the best. Any way this was only the second time I'd gone out with him."
Todd and Hoot came home at the same time. When Hoot got in the apartment he tossed his keys on the table and sat down on the couch. Todd followed him and sat down in the chair opposite him. "You ok?" Hoot looked up. "Yeah I am, just a bit edgy that's all. I just keep thinking about what could have happened if you and Simone hadn't shown up." Todd looked at him again. "Like I said man, I'm really sorry. But actually I didn't think it would go that fast with you two. Hoot nodded "Well neither did I, might just be for the best it didn't happen. How did you and Simone get along? Did you tell her the truth? Judging by the way she kissed you I would say she wasn't angry." Todd smiled "No she wasn't and that wasn't the only thing that was said." Todd smiled widely "She told me she loved me!" Hoot looked at him "And what did you see?" Todd smiled again. "Actually she said it in response to me telling her I loved her." Hoot bent towards him. "You sure?" "No I just go round saying that to every girl I like!" Todd looked annoyed. Hoot smiled. "Ok I just wanted to make sure!"
Simone still sat on the bed looking at Lucy. "So how did your evening with Todd go?" Simone smiled "Absolutely perfect! He told me he lied to me, explained why then told me he loved me! Oh yeah and we made passionate love under the sunset, but did I mention that he loves me?" She sat on the bed with a smile as wide as could be. Lucy looked at her. "So basically you're quite happy about tonight?" Even tough she didn't feel all that up to it she produced a smile for her little sister who was so happy.
Simone grabbed her hand "Yeah overjoyed. You could say that tonight was a night of revelations!"