Author: Claire Vincent

Date March 2004

This is the second chapter of what will be many chapters in a series titled: Webb Odyssey. Watch for more stories under this title or my name. Clayton Webb has become a favorite character with me, and the story really involves him. Enjoy.

This Chapter is rated PG for some danger, and adult content.

Disclaimer: The Clayton Webb character, and other JAG characters, belong to Donald P. Bellisario, Bellisario Productions, CBS, et al. All other characters and situations of this story belong to the author. No copying of this material is allowed without my consent. For your reading pleasure, one copy is allowed.

WEBB Odyssey II

Adventures of Clayton Webb and his friends at JAG, and certain special someone.

Rating: PG

Classification: JAG - Story

Webb/other Romance - Adventure

Spoilers: None, written after Tangled Webb.

Parts 1, 2, & 3

Summary: Clayton meets a woman from his past, and has a second chance at love. But, will his job get in the way?

See Chapter 1, 'Twice' for the beginning of the story.

This story takes place after Season 8 where Webb declares his love for Sarah Mackenzie. We all know this will fail, and even Webb knows it, and of course it does. The story picks up where Webb and Sarah have ended their relationship, and Harm and Sarah have finally decided to accept their feelings for each other, and try and work something out.

Chapter 2

Second Chances

Part 1

1147 hours

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

Colonel Sarah MacKenzie was sitting in her office looking over a case file when Tiner quietly knocked on her door. 'Ma'am, there is a Major Harris out here asking to see you.'

Mac kept looking at the file, and started searching through her memory for the name of Major Harris. Was it someone connected to this case? Or one of the others on her desk? Major Harris...Major Harris, common enough name, could be anyone. 'Show him in Tiner.' Mac said without looking up. Who ever they were, Mac would find out soon enough.

Mac heard, rather than saw the person enter her office. Then she heard a vaguely familiar voice say, 'Major Harris, reporting as ordered Colonel.' With a special emphasis on the word Colonel.

Mac looked up to see the major standing at attention. 'Amy!' Mac shouted and came around her desk to give her old friend a hug. Amy kept up the stiff attention until she got the hug, then she hugged Mac right back.

'Amy, it is so good to see you. How long has it been? What are you doing in Washington?' Mac began asking as soon as she let go of her friend.

'Which should I answer first Colonel? ' Amy asked. 'Geez, a Colonel! Do I have to salute you now and follow direct orders and everything?' Amy asked with a laugh.

'Yes, Major. And you can start by sitting down and telling me how you have been, and what you have been up to.' Mac said with fake severity.

'I have a better idea, begging the Colonel's patron.' Amy said. 'May I invite the Colonel to join me for lunch?'

'Excellent suggestion, Major. I am due for a break.' Answered Mac. She grabbed her cap, and the two women set off toward the elevators.

They went down to the cafeteria, picked up a couple of sandwiches, and headed outside to a bench to enjoy the spring weather, and catch up. Mac and Amy had been roommates while stationed on Okinawa. They had kept in touch, and were able to see each other often while Mac was in law school, but then had lost touch when Amy went to serve in different Embassies in Europe. The last couple of years they had lost touch all together.

'Where have you been, you seemed to drop completely off all radar scopes a couple years ago?' Mac asked.

Amy finished her mouthful of food, and her face took on a serious look. 'I asked to be stationed in Wisconsin for the past two years, Mac. My mother was diagnosed with cancer, and I wanted be closer to home. We lost her six months ago, and I stayed around to look after my Dad, and help him decide what to do with the farm. Things have settled down, and Dad told me to leave and get on with my life, and now I am here.

'I'm so sorry, Amy. That must have been very hard for you and your Dad.' Mac offered sympathetically. She felt bad for her friend to have had to go through something like loosing a beloved parent.

'Thanks. But I am here now in a great position at the Pentagon, working for the office of Homeland Security. I was just getting settled in, and knew that you were here, and thought I would get in contact again. I know no one in the DC area besides you.'

'I'm so glad you did come by. I can introduce you around. It will be great to have you in Washington.' Mac said

'In fact' Mac continued, 'a few of us are going out to the local watering hole tonight to celebrate the close of a particularly tough case. Why don't you join us? It will be the perfect time to meet everyone here at JAG.'

Amy looked sideways at Mac. Knowing Mac's history with alcohol, Amy wasn't sure she wanted to join her friend drinking. 'Mac...' she said.

Mac smiled at her, knowing right away what Amy was worried about. Amy had helped Mac through some tough times during her initial recovery. 'Don't worry. I only drink tonic and lime, I assure you.'

'Glad to hear it.' Amy smiled back. 'And thanks for the invitation. I would love to join you.'

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH, VA

1743 local time

Sarah was finishing up some work in her office when Harm entered her office.

'Have you talked to Clayton lately?' he asked.

'No, Clayton really doesn't call me anymore, Harm. Not since we broke up.'

'I haven't talked to him for a while either. Maybe I will stop by his office and invite him to join us for a drink after work.' Harm suggested with a smile.

'Do you really think he will accept? We are probably not his two favorite people right now, Harm.' Sarah reminded him.

'Sarah, I consider Clayton to be a friend of mine, and I hate to lose his friendship over our relationship. It can't hurt to try.'

Sarah thought for a moment. 'Clayton and I did say we would still be friends. I guess we can at least invite him to join us. And it's not like it will be just the three of us. Bud will be there, and the Admiral, so it might not be too awkward.'

'I will go talk to him, and meet you at McCully's.' and with that, he went to his office, grabbed his cover, and headed for the elevator.

CIA HEADQUARTERS

LANGLEY, VA

1815 hours

Clayton Webb was in his office, packing up his briefcase and preparing to go home when heard a knock on the door. He looked up and saw his ex-best friend. Clayton mentally sighed, and said 'Harmon Rabb, Jr. To what do I owe this pleasure? What highly classified information have come looking for at this hour on a Friday afternoon?'

With an innocent look on his face, Harm entered the office. 'I'm not here to ask for any information. This is purely a social call.'

'I'm not in the mood to socialize with you right now, so if you will excuse me.' Clayton got up to leave, but Harm blocked his way to the door.

'Clayton. I haven't talked to you for a while, and I wanted to see you.'

'You've seen me, I'm fine. Good-bye.' And Clayton tried to step away from him, but Harm wouldn't let him. I don't want to force the issue, thought Harm, but I want to talk to him, if he will only listen. 'Clayton, please. I thought we were friends.'

'We were, until you stole away the woman I love.' Clayton told him rather harshly.

'Clayton, please, don't take it that way. Sarah never meant..., we never meant to hurt you.'

Both men paused, and looked at each other. Then Clayton set down his briefcase, turned around and said, 'I know. I knew all along where her heart was. I just hoped...' he stopped there. He had hoped what? That he could a love enough for both of them? That he could make her forget Harm? He had wanted a chance to try and make Sarah happy, knew that he could. But he had also known from the beginning that she was in love with Harm, and always would be.

Harm just listened, hurting for his friend. He hated to have been the cause of it. Maybe they could not be friends anymore, but Harm had wanted to try.

Clayton turned, and faced Harm. 'Did she send you over to check up on me?'

'No' Harm answered, 'but she knows I am here and talking with you. She feels bad about how things turned out, we both do.'

'Don't worry about me.' Clayton said. 'I'm fine. I want Sarah to be happy.' He really did, he realized after having said it out loud. He would let it go here, now.

'Come out and have a drink with us. We are meeting at McCully's' Harm suggested.

'Oh, no. Thanks, but I don't think I am ready for that yet. I am not interested in being the 3rd wheel.' Clayton declined.

'You wouldn't be. Several people from the office will be there. We finally finished up that big Rawlings case, and it is Bud and Harriet's anniversary. It is just some friends getting together for some drinks, and maybe some dinner. Come and join us. Did you have other plans?' Harm asked.

'No, I had no plans.' A group of people might not be so bad, thought Clayton. And he was tired of going home to his empty townhouse each night. Another thought came to him. "Do the people at JAG know about you and Sarah yet?' Clayton asked because he knew that for two officers to fraternize in the same chain of command was not at all acceptable. Suddenly he did not envy Harm and Sarah. One of them would have to leave JAG, and he knew that would be hard for both of them. Why does love have to be so hard, he thought.

'No one at JAG knows yet. Sarah and I are taking it slow, and will have to come clean soon. We just want to find out our options, and take everything very carefully. Will you keep our secret for now?' Harm asked. He knew that Clayton could make trouble for the two of them, if he wanted. But Harm also knew that Clayton was one to get revenge. Or was he?

'I won't say anything. And thank you for the invitation. I think I will join you.'

'Great.' Harm said with a smile and the two men started to walk out of the office. At the door, Clayton stopped and looked at Harm.

'There's just one more thing, Harm.'

'What's that?'

Clayton was suddenly very serious. 'If you hurt Sarah, I will be right there to pick up the pieces. And I will probably kill you.' It was said with no hint of a smile. Harm understood that Clayton was completely serious. Harm answered with the same seriousness. 'I understand Clayton. I would have done the same if you had hurt her.'

Once that was said. The two friends left the office to make their way to the pub.

Harm could be heard saying to Clayton as they made their way down the hall, 'There's someone out there for you Clayton. Who knows, maybe you will find the love of you life tonight.' He said it to try and lighten things up. Clayton only groaned.

McCully's Tavern

Falls Church, VA

1845 hours

Amy met Mac at the tavern as they had arranged that afternoon. They were sharing a table, still catching up, and waiting for the others from JAG to arrive. Bud and Harriet were there, and had been introduced to Amy, and they had gone back to the bar, to let the two friends have some time alone.

Mac and Amy were talking together when Rabb and a friend entered the tavern. Mac had described Rabb to Amy, and she noticed him first as he entered. He wasn't hard to miss.

'Ah, here comes your commander, and who's that with him? Looks like a spook.' Amy said.

'You've been working in security too long. Everyone looks like a spook to you.' Mac said as she started to turn around to see Rabb. He saw the two sitting at a table, nodded to them, and started making his way through the happy hour crowd to their table.

As this was going on, Amy said 'I would be a poor security officer if I could not tell a spook when I saw one. Besides, this one practically has CIA tattooed on his.. forehead..' As she said this, the person behind Rabb could be seen through the crowd, and Amy thought she recognized him. 'Wait a minute....' She said, and then fell quiet.

The two men had made it to the table, and Mac began the introductions. 'Harm, I want you to meet one of my good friends. Amy Harris, Harom Rabb, Jr.'

Harm held out his hand and Amy took it, turning all her attention to him for the moment. 'Nice to meet you commander.'

'Likewise.' Harm said.

'And this is...' Mac started, but was interrupted.

'Major Harris, it is nice to see you again.' Webb said, taking Amy's hand, shaking it, and holding on to it, just a little longer than necessary.

Amy was staring at him, a small smile on her face. 'Nice to see you again too, Mr. Webb.'

Harm was watching the exchange carefully, and became very curious. 'You two know each other?' he asked. Mac was just as interested, as the four of them sat down at the table, looking at Amy carefully.

Webb answered for both of them. 'We met in Moscow. The Major was stationed at the Embassy, and helped me with an unfortunate incident there. That was almost two years ago now, right Major?'

Amy just smiled at Webb as they both thought of the first time they met, and what happened afterward.

Harm's eyebrows went up at that explanation, and his curiosity grew. 'An unfortunate incident...?' Harm prompted, hoping for more information.

'It's classified, Commander.' Was Amy's reply, and she and Webb shared a private smile. The story of the intrusion at the Embassy two years ago had been all over the press, but none of the names of the Marine squad, their commanding officer, Major Harris, or any of the agents involved had been disclosed. So, the story itself was not classified, but Amy and Webb's involvement in it was.

'Classified, huh.' The Commander grunted. 'She does know Webb I guess.' Shifting his glance from Amy to Webb, who were still looking at each other, and then back to Mac, to share his own 'knowing ' look, as if to say 'We will never get the full story out of these two.'

Harm and Mac let it lie, and the conversation turned to other things.

'What brings you to Washington Major?' Webb asked.

'I am beginning a new assignment at the Pentagon in the office of Homeland Security.' Amy answered.

Webb's interest was spiked even more at this news. So, she was going to be living and working right here in the DC area. 'Congratulations, Major.' He said.

After a while, Amy excused herself to go the ladies room, and Mac followed her. While they were at the sinks, Mac tried to get some more information.

'There is nothing to tell, really Sarah.' Amy answered. 'We met while at the Embassy in Moscow a couple of years ago, and we had dinner together. Nothing special, and nothing more happened. No big deal.' Amy tried to down play her knowing Clayton Webb. What she told Mac was the truth, just not the full story. She and Webb did have dinner together at an Embassy reception, but she left out the part about dancing, and the closeness she was beginning to feel for Clayton at the time, as hopeless as it was. She was flattered that he remembered her, and he seemed to be watching her a lot tonight. She wondered what would happen now, if anything, since she was living in Virginia, and working at the Pentagon. It could be very interesting she thought to herself.

Mac was not completely satisfied by Amy's answer, but let it be for now. If Amy and Clayton got together, that was their business. She had felt sort of sorry for Clay since they had broken things off. They had decided being friends was better for them, since she was in love with Harm, and Clay knew that, even though the two of them had never discussed it. She hoped Clay found someone to share his life. He seemed ready to settle down a little bit, and seemed so lonely.

Both women exited the restroom at the same time, and standing there, with his cell phone to his ear stood Clayton Webb. He seemed deep in conversation with someone. He caught Amy's eye, and sort of nodded to her, as if he wanted to talk to her. Right next to him was the jukebox, and Amy told Sarah she would be right with her, after she ordered up some songs. Sarah knew Amy's love of music, and accepted the excuse with out any comment. Sarah made her way back to their table and rejoined Harm, and the Admiral who had just arrived.

Amy stood looking over the selections, and waiting for Webb to finish on the phone. He stood at one end of the jukebox, facing the other direction, and continued to talk into the phone, but he began to talk to Amy.

'You sure fell of the radar, Major.' He said.

Amy was not sure if he was talking to her, or still to the person on the phone, and looked up at him. He was looking right at her, waiting for an answer.

'That's the second person to say that to me today.' She said.

'I looked for you the next time I was in Moscow, but you had been reassigned.' He was talking to her, but was not looking at her, and was saying his words into the phone.

'Are you really on the phone, or just pretending, so no one notices we are talking together?' Amy asked, as she focused her attention on the jukebox.

'Need to know, Major.' Clayton answered. 'I am not ready to have my private life the subject of conversation around the coffee pot at JAG. If you know what I mean.' He said, looking directly at the group of officers from JAG.

Amy glanced around and looked at the group too for a moment, then went back to the Jukebox and put in coins to make a selection.

'You still haven't answered my question, Amy.' Clayton said.

'My mother was dying of cancer. I asked for a posting closer to home and some hardship leave to be there with my family. But that is over now, and I am stationed here.' She answered.

Clayton felt terrible to have pushed the issue. 'I am sorry Amy.' He said, understanding now where she had been.

'I think I still owe you an evening at the Ballet.' He said to change the subject.

'Yes, you do.' She said.

'It so happens the Russian National Ballet Company is performing in town next weekend. Care to join me?'

'I'd like that.' She said.

'How about dinner tomorrow night to work out the details, and get reacquainted?' He asked.

Amy was a little surprised he was asking to see her so fast. But she was happy that he did wish to get reacquainted. She wanted to begin the acquaintance too. 'Sure. Do you want my phone number or address?' she asked.

'I can get that myself.' He answered with a wink. 'I'll pick you up at seven.'

'See you then.' She said as she moved back to their table.

The rest of the evening the JAG officers talked about the case they had just wrapped finished.

Clayton added to the conversation when required, but spent most of the evening just enjoying the talk going on around him as he watched Major Amelia Harris.

Life is strange he thought. He had hoped to see the Major again when he next went to Moscow, but when he found out she was reassigned, he did not think too much about it. Just another one who got away. But here she is, as pretty and witty as he remembered, living and working in DC. The possibilities were endless. He was looking forward to getting to know Major Amelia Harris much better.

As the party was breaking up, Harm and Sarah left the pub, and made their way to their cars in the parking lot.

'Amy seems very nice.' Harm said.

'Yes, she is a good friend. I am glad she will be here in DC.' Sarah replied.

'I don't think you are the only one who is glad she is here in DC now.' Harm said with a knowing smile. 'Did you notice Webb? He couldn't take his eyes off her all evening.'

'I don't think it was quite that bad, Harm. They had met before you know.' Sarah said, trying to down play what she had seen between Amy and Clayton also.

'Jealous?' asked Harm.

'What have I to be jealous about? If they get together, that would be great. I would like to see Clayton with someone. He's vulnerable right now, and it would be nice if he met someone.'

'Vulnerable? Webb?' Harm asked surprised.

'Well,' Sarah paused. 'Maybe vulnerable is too strong. Maybe I think Clayton is just ready. He has a lot of love to give to someone, and he is ready to settle down and have a loving relationship.' She said.

Harm snickered. 'Oh, that's good from the woman who broke his heart.'

'Harm, please. I feel bad enough about what happened between Clayton and I, don't rub it in.' Sarah felt hurt at his teasing her. Harm recognized it, and decided to back off. 'Well, if Clayton is looking for love, it will have to be a pretty special someone.' He said.

'Yes, it will.' Sarah agreed. 'Clayton needs someone who is understanding, and can put up with his job, and taking second place to it in Clayton's life. You know, the CIA is not just his job, or career, it is more to Clay. It is protecting this country. Protecting something he loves, very much.'

'Interesting you should say that Sarah.' Harm said. 'Clayton's mother said the same thing about him when I called her looking for information on you and Clayton while you were in South America. "Clayton is very protective if people he loves." She said. I suppose that goes for things too, like America. Does your friend Amy have that kind of understanding?' Harm asked.

Sarah thought a minute, thinking. 'Amy loves whole heartedly, and easily. She is also very patient, and forgiving. She might be very good for Clayton.' She said, with a little smile. This all might be very interesting she thought.

The next evening

Amy's Apartment, Georgetown

1850 local time

Clayton parked his car, and walked up to the security door of Amy's apartment building. He had no trouble finding her address and phone number. Sometimes it was good being a CIA agent. He knew he was early, but he had been ready in record time, and gotten to her apartment sooner than he expected, and what was a few minutes early...really? A little voice in his head told him he was anxious to see her again and rushing things, but Clayton had chosen to ignore that voice all afternoon.

He buzzed the intercom to her apartment to ask to be let in the building. Her voice came over the little box, and Clayton could tell she was surprised he was there already, buy not angry.

'You are a little early Mr. Webb.' She said.

'I know,' he answered, 'I hope not too early?'

'No, come on up.' And with that, the door buzzed, and he was able to open it, and enter the building. He took the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator, and walked, maybe a bit too quickly, down the hall to her door. He knocked, and there she was, a smile on her face, and a hair brush in her hand.

'Come in Clayton,' she said as she opened the door wider to allow him inside. 'I am just about ready. Please make yourself at home. I set out some hors d'verves on the counter, and some thing to drink, please help yourself. I will be back in a minute.' She gestured toward the small kitchen, then left the room going down a small hallway to finish getting ready.

Clayton surveyed the apartment. Small, but comfortable. All traces of moving boxes were cleared away. A galley kitchen, with a lunch bar separating it from the sitting room. On this counter was some bread and cheese and some soft drinks, and sherry. Clayton poured two sherries, and helped himself to some bread and cheese. It was simple, but very good fresh bread and excellent cheese. He could taste roasted garlic spread on the bread. Delicious. There must be a bistro in the neighborhood that does take out he thought.

As he munched, he walked around the small sitting area. Comfortable, neutral furniture, some personnel touches, and a few photos on the wall. One painting, hand done by a fair artist, of some woods and a stream. There was a bay window looking out on the street, with a street lamp shining in the room. There were also windows that met to form the corner. In this was a stand of some kind, with a hoop attached to the top. Hanging over the stand, in the middle was some kind of blanket. 'What's this?' Clayton called to her in the next room.

'What's what?' came the answer as Amy joined Clayton in the front room. 'It's a bird bath.' She added sarcastically as she saw what he was looking at. 'What does it look like?'

'If I knew what it looked like, I would not have needed to ask the question.' Clayton answered good naturedly, glancing back at her.

Amy came over to where he was standing and finally answered his question. 'This is a quilt stand.' She said, indicating the stand with the hoop. 'And this is the quilt I am working on.' Saying this, she picked up the quilt, and opened it up for him to see more of the design. It was white, with different shades of blue fabric that made different designs all over the top. Parts of the quilt had tiny stitches that outlined the pattern of the star, and other areas were not stitched yet.

'You made this?' he asked in amazement. She nodded yes and let him continue to look at her work. 'You sewed all these pieces together, then stitched all these tiny....' He looked up at her to see a proud smile on her face and that she was still nodding.

'Its beautiful.' He said, impressed. 'Wouldn't sewing these stitches by machine be easier and faster?' he asked.

'Yes.' Amy answered. 'But doing it by hand is something I enjoy, and it makes the quilt more special.' She began folding it back up, and laying it on the stand as before. 'I am making this one for my niece in Wisconsin. I have a couple here that I did, but mostly now I make them to give to people. Just how many quilts does a person really need after all?' she asked.

Clayton thought about the time and patience, and love that would go into such a gift. He found he would like one too. Or maybe just wanted someone to care enough about him to make him such a gift. His family loved him, he knew, but to share such a gift as that? No, it wasn't in his family.

Amy walked over to the counter and helped herself to some bread. She saw the sherry he had poured for her, and held it up to him in sort of toast to thank him. He watched her move across the room and admired how she looked. A simple, attractive dress. She wore her hair down, but pulled in a loose ponytail which hung over to one side resting on her shoulder. The effect was soft and elegant, and left her neck and shoulder on the opposite side exposed.

Clayton joined her at the counter, and offered a toast with his sherry glass. 'To tonight. And a chance to get to know each other again.' He said, and raised his glass. Amy touched her glass to his, and they both drank. 'Where would you like to go to dinner?' Clayton asked her.

'You forget, I am new in town. Why don't you suggest a place.' She said with a smile.

'How about the place where you got these excellent hors d'ovures?' Clayton suggested, as he grabbed the last one off the plate and popped it in his mouth.

'Well, thank you, I think.' Amy said with a laugh. 'I made them myself. I would enjoy cooking for you sometime, but I don't have anything in the house yet...' and she trailed off, looking in the kitchen with a little worried look on her face.

Clayton almost choked on the bread in his mouth seeing the slight panic on her face. Had he just insulted her for thinking she had bought these, or complimented her cooking? She seemed to take it as a compliment, so maybe he was ok. The evening was not starting off as smoothly as he had hoped. But he was finding out a lot about Amy Harris, that is for sure.

'Oh, I love them, really. I just thought....I guess I don't know that many women who are such good cooks.' He finally fumbled out. 'I know a great place not far from here. Maybe we could have dinner in another night.'

'Yes, that would be fine. Shall we?' she asked as she picked up her evening purse.

'Allow me' he said, and offered her his arm and opened her door. With that, they left for dinner.

The restaurant he took her too was small, and casual and they had a terrific meal. They talked about so many things, schools they attended, books they enjoyed, their favorite movies. They talked about horseback riding, as they had sat over coffee after the meal talking into the night. As they finally stood up to leave, Amy suggested they walk down the street, take the long way back to the car, before going home. Clayton was happy to delay taking her home as long as he could. He had enjoyed spending the evening with her so much, he did not want it to end yet. So they walked down the block. They were quiet for a while, and Clayton finally broke the silence.

'Do you have plans for the weekend?' he asked.

'Well,' Amy began. 'You will probably find this silly, but I was planning on playing tourist.' She answered, a little embarrassed.

'Tourist?' Clayton asked.

'I have never been to Washington, DC. And this is my first weekend free that I don't have to unpack, or report for duty, and I wanted to go around and see the sights.' She said.

'I would love to show you around.' Clayton offered.

'No, you don't have to do that.

'I would like to show you the sights.' And he found that he really did want to show her Washington DC. He had lived here most of his life, and all the famous sights were routine to him. Showing them to Amy, who had never seen them, would be fun.

'All right. If you are sure.' She said, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

Clayton smiled. 'I will pick you up at 9:00 am Saturday. We will have breakfast, and play tourist all day.'

'Thank you Clayton.' She smiled at him, and leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Clayton smiled the rest of the evening.

Saturday

09:00 hours local time

Clayton was as good as his word. He picked Amy up at her apartment. They had breakfast in Washington, and began seeing the sights. On an impulse, Clayton even brought along his camera, to try and get a picture of Amy when she wasn't looking. She of course had her camera, planning on snapping pictures to send home to her father, of all the sights.

Clayton felt like a kid, seeing all the sights that were routine to him through her eyes. Amy was so excited and impressed with all the memorials. Read all the information on plaques, or speeches that had been etched into walls. She became a little misty at the Marine memorial, the Iwo Jima statue, and he let her take all the time she wanted there, looking at the statue from all angels.

When he brought her to the Viet Nam Memorial, they both became quiet, and stopped a little way from the wall, to get the full effect. Amy had a lump in her throat, and she could feel the tears welling behind her eyes. 'I have seen pictures of course, or seen it on TV, but is it is very....' Words failed her. 'It is much larger than I thought.' She finally finished.

'Come on, I'll show you something.' Clayton said. He led the way to the wall, walked up to one panel, and started following the names with his finger, until he found the one he was looking for.

'Harmon Rabb, SR.' he read. 'Harm's father. He was shot down over North Viet Nam, Christmas Eve, 1969.' And there on the black granite was the name. Amy touched it too, trying to make contact with a man she never knew, but felt a loss for him. 'Harm must have been pretty young.'

Clayton only nodded, and took his hand away. He swallowed hard. 'Harm comes here every Christmas Eve to spend some time with his father. I sort of envy him that.' Clayton finished in a whisper.

Amy felt they were moving onto some sacred ground, but did not want to push Clayton. She asked what she hoped was a simple question. 'Did your father serve over there?'

'He was head of Station in Saigon. But he came home from that assignment.' There Clayton abruptly stopped.

Amy thought it best to be quiet, and see where Clayton would go from there. She decided to just let him speak, or stand quietly beside him. She sensed there was more, but was he ready to talk about it?

Clayton looked up and down the wall, at all the names, and mementos left on the ground beside the wall. He looked at the people, like he and Amy, that have come to pay their respects, to either loved ones, or just all the fallen men and women of a far away war.

'You know. Not all those who die for their country get their name on a wall somewhere to be remembered and honored by everyone.'

Amy saw his jaw clench. He was trying very hard to hold in his emotions, but it was difficult to do that here. She looked at him, and took his hand in hers and said 'You're right. But those people do have families that remember them and love them still, and they will never forget their sacrifice.'

Clayton looked down at her, and saw that she was looking very intently at him, then she turned and faced the wall of names again. Without him telling her the whole story, or as much of the story as he knew, she understood. She understood that Clayton missed his father too, and however silly it may be, was a little jealous that he did not have a memorial to go to, to honor his father like Rabb did. And he missed that. Did she know that the CIA had a wall of anonymous stars for the fallen agents? That he had picked one out, just in his own mind, that he considered his father's? But that, sometimes, it just wasn't enough.

They stood there, with their own thoughts a few more moments, holding hands. Then Clayton turned, and still holding Amy's hand, made his way down the wall, and back onto the main walkway.

They didn't start speaking until they were well away from the wall, and began talking about where to go next.

They grabbed some lunch, and were still enjoying the view of the Mall as the afternoon drew to a close. Clayton saw a sidewalk flower stand and headed toward it. He decided he wanted to buy Amy some flowers before taking her home. As she looked at the different bouquets, Clayton wondered to the other side of the stand and took out his camera. He took a couple of pictures of Amy in the mist of roses and Iris and all sorts of flowers. Amy had picked up a bundle of pink sweetheart roses and was taking in the scent of them, when she saw Clayton across from her and she smiled at him at being caught like a little kid sniffing the flowers. At the moment that she smiled, Clayton snapped a picture. And that one became his favorite picture of her from their day together. He paid for the roses, and they strolled off to the car when Clayton's cell phone rang.

'Excuse me for a moment please.' He said as he pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket. 'Webb'

Amy moved away from him a few steps to give him privacy for his call. It had been a wonderful day. She had loved walking around Washington, and seeing all there was to see. And learning more about Clayton, and how he loved his family, and how he had lost his father somehow while he was away working for his country. This service runs deep in his family, Amy realized, and she respected him for it.

'I'm sorry Amy, I have to report into the office.' Clayton came up behind her with a troubled look on his face. 'I have to go in immediately. I'm sorry, I can't drive you home. Here,' he pulled out his wallet. 'let me arrange for a cab.'

Amy pushed the wallet aside. 'I'm a big girl Clayton, and a marine. I can get myself home.'

'No, I insist. A gentlemen makes sure a lady is taken home.' Clayton said a little sternly.

'You go to the office. Don't worry about me. Call me when you can. I'll talk to you later. Thank you Clayton, for a wonderful day.' And she kissed him again, and began walking away.

'Amy,' he began, and started walking toward her.

She turned and looked at him. 'I'm fine Clayton. Really. Bye.' And she turned and kept walking across the street, very sure of herself.

'Well, call me when you get home, so I know you are all right.' He called after her.

She looked back at him one more time, 'OK dad.' Then she was gone.

'That's what I get for dating a Marine.' Clayton said out loud. But really he was thinking, she understands me and my job so well. Then he turned, and headed for his car.

END of Part 1

Chapter 2

Second Chances

Part 2

Weeks later

CIA Headquarters

Langley, VA

2030 hours local time

Clayton Webb was working late, again. The new investigation he had begun on an insurgent group operating in Northern Iraq was keeping him, and a few other agents very busy lately. No one seemed to know much about them. How many there were, or where they were operating from, but they were raising havoc up there in Iraq, and he had been assigned to find out what he could about them, and how they could be stopped before they grew any stronger.

His mind was turning to mush. He had been at it since very early this morning and he was tired. He glanced, for at least the 100th time today, at the small picture of Amy on his desk. It was the one he had taken weeks ago, at the flower stand on the Mall in DC. It was a very small, unassuming photo, that he sometimes slipped in his drawer before holding a meeting in his office. Who he was seeing was not anyone else's business. And so far he had been able to keep their relationship under wraps. He was becoming very fond of Amy. They enjoyed each other's company very much, and she made him laugh, which was not an easy thing for someone to do.

The past few weeks, he had broken some dates, or came late, or left early, all because of his job. And unlike other women he had gone out with, she was very understanding, and accommodating. He was very lucky, he thought.

When could he see her again he asked himself? It has been a few days, and he felt he deserved a break. He should pick a night, and take her out to dinner.

Clayton pulled out his PDA, and looked at his calendar. There, on the small silver screen for today was the message:

7:00 Dinner w/ Amy. Layffette.

Dinner with Amy! Oh my God, I forgot! She's gonna kill me.

Clayton pushed the PDA back into his coat pocket, closed his laptop, and raced out of his office. As he rode the elevator down, he started thinking of how he could make it up to her. They had arranged to meet at a great French restaurant he knew about. It was one of his favorites. It was to have been a make up dinner, to make up for all the times previously that he had stood her up, or left early.

This will be the end of the understanding girlfriend. Be ready for a blow up Clayton, he thought to himself. He got in his car and headed for the restaurant.

Layfette's Restaurant

Arlington, VA

2100 hours local time

Amy was just going out the door of the restaurant, walking down the steps, when she saw her errant boyfriend, one Clayton Webb, come hurrying down the sidewalk on his way to the stairs. He stopped at the bottom and looked up to see her standing at the top, smiling down at him. Was that a smile, or smirk, Clayton wasn't sure. But he was prepared for the worst.

'Working late again?' Amy asked.

'Yes' Clayton carefully answered.

'Maybe I flatter myself too much, but with you Clayton, I believe you each time you say you missed a date with me because of working late. I am sure it is the truth, and that you are not really going out with another woman on the side. Unless of course it is your mother, and I can hardly be jealous of her.' As she said this, Amy slowly made her way down the stairs, until she ended on the stair just above where Clayton was standing. She was still looking down at him, with the smirk on her face, and he had to look up at her, and she liked this vantage point. She waited there for his reply.

'I was working late, and not with another woman, or my mother this time.' He promised.

'You can still take me home.' She said, and moved past him toward the sidewalk.

'Don't you want some dinner?' he asked, but as if on cue, the lights on the front of the restaurant went out. That's right he thought, it is just a little dinner place, and they close early.

'Are you hungry?' she asked.

'Well,' he said, 'I did grab a sandwich earlier at the office. You ate though, without me?' Clayton said it in a hopeful way, indeed hoping she did not waste the whole evening. 'Isn't the food terrific?'

'I didn't eat anything in there Clayton. I couldn't afford anything on their menu. But what I saw looked really good.' And she turned and started walking down the sidewalk, expecting him to follow her.

'Wait a minute.' Amy turned and faced him. 'You're telling me you waited 2 hours for me, and you didn't eat any dinner, and you are still speaking to me? Why didn't you order something? They know me in there, they could have just billed me.'

'I didn't know I could do that. It's ok, I'll eat when I get home. Come on, I'm tired and I want to get going. It's been a long day.' And she started walking again.

Clayton caught up with her and stopped her. 'You should be furious with me! I stood you up tonight, you didn't get anything to eat. This is what...at least the 4th time in 3 weeks that I have either stood you up, or left early when we were together. Most women would be making a scene, or broken up with me, long before this.'

Now Amy was getting mad. 'Clayton, how many of those women knew what you did for a living?'

'Not many.' He answered.

'Yes, well I do know, and I know that whatever was keeping you at the office was something important for our Nation. Right?

'Right.' Came the guarded answer. Where was she going with this he thought?

'Something you can't tell me about.'

'Right.'

'Something that will eventually take you out of town...for some amount of time. You won't know when you will be back, and you will not be able to contact me while you are away.'

Clayton nodded to all of this as Amy spoke.

'Clayton I may not like the effect your job has on our relationship, but I understand it. And please,' her voice rose a little with anger now, 'don't put me in with the group of self centered, selfish, women who you have gone out with, that didn't understand. I know what duty is, and I respect it. As I hope you respect it in me.'

'I do respect you. And I think you are a wonderful, caring woman, and I am lucky to have you in my life.' He said very sincerely.

'And as long as you keep thinking that, we will have no problems at all.' She said light heartedly, but she smiled and winked at him to let him know she was kidding, and appreciated the compliment.

'Now, will you take me home please? I'm beat.'

Clayton held out his arm for her to take. 'Right this way.' And lead her to his car.

The ride home was very quiet. They both enjoyed the comfortable silence between them. They seemed to have arrived at a new point in their relationship, and they just wanted to stay and enjoy the moment for now.

Clayton walked Amy to her apartment door. Amy had toyed with the idea of inviting him in for the night, but was just not sure if they were ready to go to that next step. Really, not sure if she was ready to go to the next step. It would be very easy to fall in love with Clayton Webb. He was honest, loyal, good looking, charming, and treated her like a lady when they were together. It was just getting together that was the hard part.

They arrived at her door, and she still had not made up her mind, when he made it for her.

'I'll say good night here.' He said. 'We both have had a long day, and I leave early tomorrow.'

'Ah, one of those 'Don't ask where, don't know how long trips' right?' She asked.

'Yes.' He leaned in and kissed her very tenderly on the mouth. 'You take care of yourself. I will call you when I get back.'

'You take care of yourself, Clayton.' She said with emphasis. She was going to say more, but his arms tightened around her, and he kissed her again. This one was deeper, and longer, and said good bye.

When he pulled away, there was a little sadness in his deep green eyes. He stared at her a moment, as if to memorize her face. 'Good night Amy.'

'Good night, Clayton.' Neither one of them had the strength to say good bye, so good night would have to do.

Amy turned and opened her door and walked through, into her apartment. He stood outside the door, and waited for her to lock the door. Then he turned and slowly walked down the hallway, to go home.

End of Part 2

Chapter 2

Second Chances

Part 3

Somewhere in Northern Iraq

Just before dawn

Grey light filtered through the small window at the top of the room. The sun was just about to come up. It had been a very long night.

Clayton Webb, CIA agent, was sitting on the dirt floor of a locked room, looking at the dust floating in the beam of light from the small window above him. 'Funny things you think about on nights like this.' He said aloud to no one.

He had spent a sleepless night in the dark, listening to things that went on outside this small room, and listening to the memories that went through his head.

He had relived so many things in one night. School days, family picnics at the beach, getting that green bike for his 8th birthday. His experience in the Olympics, his father's death and funeral, his first mission, his first love, and the first time he had been with a woman.

Clayton had thought of his mother, and what would happen to her now. 'I'm sorry, Mother.' He said aloud, as if his saying it here, so far from home, she could possibly hear it.

And Amy. He could admit now that he was falling in love with her. Was in love with her. And he had wasted so much time. He did not regret much in his life, but he did regret that. It was silly, but he said this out loud too, as if to make it official. 'I love you Amy Harris. And I am sorry.'

The door to his small room opened, and two men came in, one holding a rifle, the other had a side arm stuck in his belt. Side Arm looked at him and said, 'Are you ready to answer our questions?'

'No' Clayton answered calmly.

'Then it is time to die.' Side Arm said as calmly.

The one with the rifle moved to Clayton, and dragged him to his feet. He pulled Clayton's hands around to his back, and tied them there. Clayton recognized him as one of the thugs who had beat him over the past few days.

Clayton had been in Iraq 5 days, trying to gather intell on the insurgent group that was causing so much trouble in this area. He had been picked up in a village, where he may have asked one too many questions of an informant. The informant and some friends had jumped him, and dragged him off. Clayton did not believe this little group was the insurgents he was looking for, but they may have been part of the larger group.

It didn't matter now. Over the past few days, Clayton had lost count, they had beaten him, trying to get information out of him. Where were the American soldiers, who was he, why was he asking so many questions....etc. He knew they did not suspect him of being a CIA agent, just some US military personnel. He had not told them a thing, but it had been uncomfortable, to say the least. Now they were going to have to move on, and they could not take him with them. So, today, at dawn, he was going to be executed. These people have seen too many Hollywood movies. Shooting me at dawn, really, thought Clayton.

The three men made their way outside. Clayton looked around, and saw that there were a few clouds in the sky. Just enough to make some color as the sun came over the edge of the earth. It was a beautiful morning, he thought. What was the old American Indian saying? 'It is a good day to die.'

They walked him over to the clearing behind the building where he had been kept, and pushed him down to his knees. Side arm asked him 'Any last requests?'

'Yes,' Clayton said, 'I'd like a deep grave please.'

Clayton did not get an answer to his request. Up until now, he had been able to depend on his bravado to face this moment. But now it had come, tears came to his eyes. 'I'm sorry mother, I love you.' He whispered.

Side arm held the weapon to the back of Clayton's head, and Clayton tried to look up to the sky. 'Father....' Was on his lips, as he heard the bullet enter the chamber. He squeezed his eyes shut, and heard a shot fired. He fell forward, with Side Arm, laying on top of him, and heard shouts and more gun fire around him.

What's going on! Am I dead? Clayton thought, while he lay very still in the dirt.

When the firing ceased, he lay motionless. He could not see anything around him and was afraid to move, fearing who had fired the shots.

Then he heard voices. They were speaking English. He didn't know what to do, so he stayed on the ground, motionless.

A pair of dusty black boots came into view. Then the tip of a rifle as it was pointed at Side Arm, who still lay on top of Clayton. Then the face of..., a US Marine.

'You ok?' the face asked. Clayton only looked at him. The Marine moved Side Arm off to the side, and Clayton rolled over, looking up at the Marine.

The Marine's face broke into a smile. 'Good Morning Mr. Webb.'

'Golindez?!' Clayton couldn't believe his eyes. 'Gunny?'

'In the flesh Sir. You alright?' Gunny asked.

'I'm fine.' Clayton answered. He still couldn't believe it. He was alive, Side Arm lay dead beside him, and here was Gunnery Sergeant Victor Golindez, standing over him, with a smile on his face. 'What are you doing here?'

Gunny slid his weapon over his shoulder, and took out a knife from a pocket. He bend down and cut the rope around Clayton's hands. 'Looks like I'm saving your life, Mr. Webb.'

'Yes, you have. Nothing short of saving my life.' Clayton slowly got up off the ground and faced Gunny, still trying to grasp what was going on. 'Thank you for this Victor. I'm in your debt.'

'My pleasure, Clayton.' Gunny said. Then he looked around at the ramshackle buildings, and the men that he and his team had taken down in the raid. 'I saw you a few days ago in the village. I thought about walking over to see you, then thought better of it. It might have blown your cover. Then last night we heard that some local thugs were holding an American. Don't take this the wrong way, but I thought it might be you. So I asked if I could take a team and go check it out, and here we are.'

'I'm glad you did. And I'm not insulted that you thought it was me.' At that Clayton started to take a step forward, and became very dizzy. Gunny had to hold his hand out to catch him.

'How long have you been here, Sir?' Gunny asked, taking notice for the first time that Clayton looked a little worse for wear. There were bruises on his face, his clothes were ripped in places, and he was barefoot.

'A few days, I'm not sure.' Clayton said, holding his head, trying to stop it from spinning.

Gunny took his arm and walked him over to the side of the building, where there was a bench. He asked him, 'Have you had anything to eat, or drink lately Sir?'

Clayton gratefully sat down, 'Not a bite since I got here, Gunny.'

'Here, why don't you start on this. Eat slowly, and here's some water.' Gunny pulled out his canteen, and a packaged MRE, and gave them to Clayton. 'I'm going to check on my team. We will clean things up here, then we have to hike back to camp. Think you can make it?' he asked Clayton.

'I have to make it, don't I.' Clayton stated. 'Yes, I'll make it. This will help.' He said, indicating the food and water Gunny had given him. He opened up the package, and started eating.

'I'll also find you some shoes.' Gunny said and moved away, leaving Clayton to eat.

Clayton took a bite of food, and as he chewed, he looked around him. The sun was fully up over the horizon now. It was going to be a beautiful day, he thought to himself.

The marine team helped Clayton on the hike back to the base. He was bruised, and light headed, and exhausted, but he made it.

Clayton was also anxious to get back home. He had to see Amy. Had to talk to her, tell her how he felt. He promised himself he was not going to waste anymore time.

As soon as they reached the marine base, Clayton was able to hop onto a chopper, and get back to the city where he had started his investigation from. He picked up his clothes at the CIA station, covered as an import business. He did not have to wait long before he was able to get on a military flight out of Iraq, and start the long flight home. He did finally get some rest on the plane, and if he wasn't sleeping, he was thinking of what he was going to do. How was he going to tell Amy he loved her? Why hadn't he done it before? He had cared very deeply for a couple other women in his life. Sarah MacKenzie being one of them. He had told Sarah he needed her, and that he loved her. But he knew was afraid of love, and never had a good definition for it. He was never willing to give up his career for love, which he was sure he would have to do, but maybe he was ready now. Some agents were able to be married, and stay effective operatives, he could too. But what would Amy think? Would she be willing to live that kind of life? Did she love him? What if she didn't? What then. Clayton's fuddled mind went over, and over these questions on the flight back to Washington, and no answers were found.

Amy's Apartment

Georgetown, VA

0300 hours local time

Amy Harris could of swore that was the door buzzer she just heard. But that was not possible, it was 3:00 in the morning.

BUZZZZZZZZZZ

There it was again. Must be some juvenile delinquents, buzzing all the apartments just for kicks. She rolled over, and tried to ignore the noise, and go back to sleep.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

'For crying out loud!' she yelled as she stumbled from her bed, and made her way to the front door, and leaned on the intercom button.

'What!' she shouted, expecting some laughing teenager on the other end.

'Amy, its me, Clay. I'm sorry about the time, but I have to see you.' Came the mechanized voice over the box. It sounded like Clay, but then again....

'Clayton? What is it?' Amy asked.

'Please, can I see you? Just for a minute?' Clayton said again.

'All right' and Amy buzzed the door, so he could come into the building.

Amy opened her apartment door and watched for Clayton to come off the elevator. He came up the stairs instead, and made his way down the hall to her door. Only this was not the Clayton Webb she was used to seeing. This was a completely different Clayton Webb.

His hair was dirty, and a mess at the top of his head. His face was bruised, and he had cuts on his cheek and forehead, and he had several days growth of beard on his face. His clothes were ripped and dirty. As he came closer to her, she saw that he looked exhausted, and beneath the beard and bruises, he was pale. He came up to her, and embraced her in the doorway, holding on to her as if she was a life preserver in the middle of the sea.

'Amy, Amy.' He said as he almost fell into her arms.

'Clayton, what happened?' Amy gasped as she stood there holding him. No answer was given. He just kept holding her.

Clayton felt as if he had finally made it home. He was safe now. Home was in her arms, much like a child finds safety and security in a mother's embrace, he felt that here, in her arms, and he felt so much more. As long as he could hold her, everything would be all right.

Amy backed up, into the apartment. 'Lets go inside, and sit down.' She closed the door behind them, and with one arm around Clayton, she helped him to the couch. He sat down, and kept a hold of her hands, and brought her down to sit beside him.

'Amy, I'm sorry to wake you in the middle of the night, but I had to come and see you, talk to you.' Clayton began.

'Clayton tell me what happened. You don't look so good. Maybe I should take you to the hospital.' Amy began to stand to get dressed, but Clayton kept her beside him.

'No, no hospitals. I just need some rest, but I need to talk to you first.' He said.

'All right Clayton, what is this about?'

Clayton began his story. 'Amy, the past few days.... Its never been this bad. But I had time to think. I'm tired of being alone. I've wasted so much time....I don't want to waste any more time. I am happy when I am with you. I want to be with you. I love you, Amy.' And there he stopped, and looked at her, and there was a trace of fear in his eyes. That was not the way he wanted to tell her, it is not the way he had practiced it on the plane. But there it was, and he was not sure what kind of response he was going to get.

Nervous, he rushed on. 'I don't know what that means, what it will change for us, or how I will have to change. But I am ready now... I'm willing......'

Amy stopped him, placing two fingers gently on his lips. 'Shhh, I love you too, Clayton. And I don't know what that means for us either, but we don't have to figure it out tonight. We can work it out as we go along.' And she leaned in, and replaced her fingers with her lips.

Clayton touched her face with his finger tips, making sure she was real, and here with him. The tender kiss ended, and he leaned his head against hers, and began to relax, to give into the exhaustion.

'Clayton, please. You've been hurt, you need to see a doctor. Let me get dressed and take you to....'

'No. I hate hospitals.' He said. 'I just need some rest. I'll go home, and I'll be fine....'

Amy interrupted him again. 'You are not driving yourself home in this condition. You should not have driven yourself here. You just got off a plane, didn't you, and came directly here, right?' Amy asked.

'Something like that', came the drowsy answer.

'Well, now that I have confessed to loving you, I get to help take care of you. You will sleep here the rest of tonight, and we will see how you are in the morning.' With that Amy stood up, and helped Clayton to his feet. 'Come along, you will sleep better in the bedroom.'

Clayton protested. 'I will not kick you out of your bed. Give me a blanket, I will sleep fine here on the couch.'

'Don't be ridiculous.' Said Amy as she led him to the bedroom.

She sat him on one side of the bed, and helped him slip off his khaki jacket. This caused him pain, and he tried to hide it without success. 'Your ribs hurt?' she asked.

'Everything hurts.' Clayton said. 'My head is pounding like a jack hammer.'

'Wait here a moment. Try taking off your boots.' Amy left the room, and came back with a glass of water and bottle of over the counter pain reliever tablets. She shook a few into her hand, and gave them to Clayton, who immediately dropped them in his mouth, and drank down the glass of water in one gulp. 'Thanks.' He said.

Amy began taking an inventory of his injuries. Bruises, contusions, probably bruised ribs, concussion, lets hope there are no serious internal injuries, she thought. What happened to you Clayton? She asked herself again. And she knew she would never hear the answer.

He still had the boots on, and she bent down to take them off herself. These were not his boots. For one thing they were too big, and were in terrible shape, with holes and rips, and broken laces. She slipped them off his feet, and saw that his feet had blisters, and bruises too. 'Oh, I would have taken them off,' he said 'but I couldn't reach them.'

'That's all right. Now, just lay down...' she said, as she helped him swing his legs up and lay down on the bed. She covered him with her bed quilt, and tucked it around him. 'This is nice.....' he whispered. The word 'nice' passing his lips as he drifted off to sleep.

Amy kissed him on the forehead, and watched him sleep a moment, to be sure he was settled. Then she quietly turned out the light, grabbed a smaller quilt from the end of the bed, and left the room.

She made herself comfortable on the couch, and tried not to think about what had just happened. He loved her, he said. How much of that was fear and panic, aftershock of whatever he had been through in the past few days? She felt that he did have feelings for her, but Love?

And what, if anything was he willing to give up for that love? Did he have to give up anything? Could she make him give up a job he was so good at, and that he loved, maybe more that he loved her?

She loved him. She was sure of that. She had known for a while now, and had decided to keep it quiet. But that flew out the window when he showed up at her door, and needed her so much.

What would the future bring? Could they work out something together? Only time will tell, and there was no reason to try and plan it all tonight. She closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

Amy's apartment

Georgetown, VA

0743 local time

The room was bright with sunlight, blinding light. They came into the room and grabbed Clayton and began dragging him outside. He could not see their faces, but he did see their guns.

They dropped him on the ground, and saw another person was being dragged passed him by other guards. He saw Amy's face.

They were dragging Amy to the middle of the field. They pushed her down to kneel. They were going to shoot Amy. They were going to kill Amy.

'NO!' he screamed. 'Not her, take me. I have to protect her. Please, take me. Please.....No..... Amy!"

He pleated with them, he got on his knees, pulling at their legs. He still could not see their faces. They ignored him and would not listen to him. He was crying, he could taste the tears, he was begging them. 'Please....no....no...'

In the living room, Amy awoke, for the second time that morning with a start.

There was shouting coming from her bedroom. 'NO.... PLEASE....'

Clayton? Oh, yes, Clayton was here and asleep in the bedroom.

'AMY NOOOO!....PLEASE.......STOP!'

Amy jumped off the couch, wide awake now, and raced to the bedroom.

Clayton was still asleep, but was spread out on the bed, kicking and thrashing, balling his hands into fists in the bed sheets.

Amy moved over to the bed and took hold of Clayton's shoulders, to hold him and try and wake him gently. 'Clayton, its all right. I'm right here. I'm fine. You're home, you're safe.'

Clayton twisted, and his eyes popped open. He looked at Amy without any recognition, then began looking around the room. He was still in the nightmare, darting glances all around, like a caged animal. He looked back at Amy, and this time saw her.

'Amy, are you all right?' he asked with panic in his voice.

'Yes, I'm fine. You are too. You are back home. You are in my apartment, remember? You flew home, and came here last night.'

Clayton took hold of Amy's arms. She was here with him, and she looked fine. She wasn't shot, and bleeding. Scenes started flooding back to him. A man dead, bleeding on top of him. The plane ride home. Coming to Amy's apartment last night. He looked around the room again, and began to relax. Yes, he did remember. He was safe, and so was she.

The vice grip Clayton had on Amy's arms began to loosen, and he began to tremble. Amy pulled him into an embrace, resting his head on her shoulder.

'It was a nightmare. You are fine. Everything will be all right.' He rested in her arms until the trembling stopped, and his breathing was regular. 'Yes, it was a nightmare.' He said. She was speaking of what had just happened, he was thinking of the past week.

She pulled him away for a moment, to look at his face. If possible, in the morning light, his face was paler than last night. Or maybe that was the nightmare. The dark smudges under his eyes were still there, but the fear wasn't.

'I should go home, Amy. I don't want to impose.... And you have to get to work....'

'You are staying right here where I can take care of you.' She said in a way that did not allow any argument. 'Besides, it is Sunday, and I do not have to go into the office. And neither do you.'

Amy continued. 'When was the last time you ate?' she asked.

'I don't even know.' He said, and he really didn't. Was it the MRE Gunny had given him, or did he have a sandwich on the plane? He really could not remember, but he knew he was hungry.

'Do you have any other clothes?' she asked.

'Yes, there is a bag in my car.'

'I will go and get the bag, and start some breakfast for us, and you can clean up, and then we will eat.' She suggested.

A shower, and food? Clayton was sure he was in heaven. 'That sounds perfect.' He said.

Amy got his bag,for him from the car, and he slowly made his way to the bathroom and started a shower. While he did that, Amy began a big Sunday breakfast for them both.

After the shower and shave, Clayton felt a lot more human. The clean clothes that were actually his helped too. He opened the bathroom door, and the smell of pancakes and bacon waived over him. Ah...perfect, he thought. I could get used to this.

He joined Amy at the table, and dug into the food like a starving man, which he was. Amy just sat back and enjoyed watching him eat.

'I will defiantly go home after this, after I help with the dishes of course.' Clayton said between mouthfuls.

Amy began eating too. 'There is no need to, you know. I did not have any big plans for today. And someone should keep an eye on you for a few more hours, you probably have a concussion you know, and whatever other injuries I don't know about.'

She had a point. And this sure beats a hospital, Clayton thought.

'Why not stay the rest of the day. Sleep when you want. I can keep an eye on you, and drive you home later.' Amy suggested.

Clayton hated being taken care of, but the thought of spending the day with Amy, quietly resting, talking, just being with her was too good to pass up. 'All right, you have convinced me.'

And that is just what they did. They watched old movies, Amy did some sewing. Clayton napped on the couch. As he was dozing in the late afternoon while Amy started fixing something to put in the oven for their dinner, Clayton thought about Amy, and himself.

This is what I've been looking for, he thought, without ever knowing this was the piece that was missing. Not just someone to take care of me, but a place I can really relax in, a safe place. Some peace in life, and someone to share it with. Can I really have this in my life, and still be who I am? Do CIA agents get to have peace in their life, and still be agents? I want a home, and more than just a townhouse where my clothes and things are, and not my mother's home any more. He closed his eyes, and listened to the sounds of cooking, and Amy humming from the kitchen. A place to rest, he thought. A safe place in the world. In his world. And he drifted off to sleep, under a warm quilt made with loving hands, with a soft smile on his face. All was right in the world.

The End

Chapter 2.