Disclaimer: I don't own them. I own Dani and Luka, but if anyone wants Luka they can have him…he's arrogant.
A/N: Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! I wanted to list everyone's name, but my computer's being spastic and not letting me see them at the moment and I don't want to leave anyone out. I will tell you that you all did very well on the quiz at the end of last chapter. While the rate of update will not match this weekend, it will be much better than before. I return to work from vacation tomorrow, but unlike those terrible school months, I have no homework, so I will be able to update once ever few days. Yay! Happy reading!
0015 ZULU
HOTEL ST. REGIS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
"Mac?" Harm set down the blueprints he had been unwrapping, "What's wrong?"
"Uh, my zipper's stuck."
"Do you need help?"
"Um," she made sure that the partially zippered dress was covering her. It was a halter dress, but she wanted to be safe, "Yeah, if you wouldn't mind."
"No problem," he walked behind the screen, If I wouldn't mind? I'd never mind with her.
"Thanks," she smiled gratefully over her should and noticed him staring at her reflection in the mirror, "What do you think?"
"You're beautiful," he paused admiring the way the deep plum material hugged her curves, "It looks like it was made for you."
"Thank you, it was," she slipped on her shoes, mindful of the long slit on the dress, "Dani insisted."
"It was worth it."
"Thanks," she lead the way from behind the screen to where Harm had been laying out the blueprints, "So, what do we got?"
"Danaë?"
"Coming," she darted across her room in her dress without shoes and opened the door, "Hey."
"Hey, yourself. I–"
"Is anyone out there?" she broke in before any comments could be made about her red eyes.
"No."
"Good," she rushed into the common room, grabbed her makeup bag, and returned to her room closing the door behind them, "Sorry about that."
"What's going on? You sounded terrible over the phone."
"Everything's falling apart, Luka, and I don't know what to do," she sniffed.
"It's okay, Danaë," he hugged her, "It's going to be okay."
"Not if I ruin your tux," she pulled back so her tears would not hit him.
"Here," he grabbed a hand towel and put it on his shoulder, "Ruin away."
"Thank you," she said a few minutes later, "I don't know why I'm so emotional."
"Your just upset."
"Partially because half of my make-up is ruined," she sighed, "They make waterproof mascara, but they can't do the same for eye shadow?"
"Don't ask me," he sat down on the bed to watch her, "So, what's going on?"
"When the major and I were getting ready, I accidentally picked up her phone and heard something I shouldn't have heard."
"What did you hear?"
"That my life was in danger."
"What?" Luka jumped to his feet, "Why?"
"Some Kazakhstani rebels need capital, so they're blackmailing my uncle with my safety to get it," she focused on fixing her make-up, "The U.S. State Department thinks that they will make their move tonight at the embassy."
"Well, then you cannot go to the ball," he declared.
"I'm going."
"Danaë."
"Your right to tell me what to do ended when we broke up," she said as if suddenly remembering that Luka and she had actually broken up.
"Sorry."
"It's okay, besides if I do not go, my life will still be at risk."
"Your uncle could always--"
"No, I will not allow him to give in to these people, and the major and the commander will keep me safe."
"Is that why they both took you sightseeing yesterday?"
"It was part of the plan."
"And my brother and his wife getting food poisoning, was that part of the plan too?"
"That's ridiculous!"
"But it made you smile," he grinned, "But my super powers tell me that you have not completed your rant."
"Ha!"
"Based on your frequent use of 'the major' instead of 'my sister,' I guess that it has something to do with her," he held his hand to his head imitating a psychic.
"You guessed right," she bit her lip, "She's known about it since Thursday, and she's been acting like my sister the entire time when she was actually on a job."
"Your upset she didn't tell you?"
"She didn't trust me to handle it."
"I'm sure she was trying to keep you safe."
"She still should have told me!"
"I agree," he said calmly, "But I'm trying to play devil's advocate for you."
"Sorry. It's just that she's my sister and she couldn't tell me. She put her job first, and even if I am the job that should not have happened," she looked at Luka, "Am I completely irrational?"
"No, you have every right to stay mad at her, and tomorrow you'll be fine."
"But what about tonight?"
"Let her do the job, okay?"
"Sure."
"Now finish getting ready," he glanced at his watch, "We have to leave soon."
"Okay, thank you, Luka," she kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll wait outside."
"I'll be ready in five minutes," she led him to the door and closed it behind her. Her mind was still reeling, but talking to Luka helped. She should just let Sarah do her job tonight and then they can get back to being normal on Sunday. Then Dani could apologize for the things she said. She felt guilty about that, and using Luka for help. Calling Luka was a bad habit, but all through boarding school Luka had the amazing power to make everything better. Even so, this was the last time she would do that. She picked up her cell phone and hit speed dial, "Hey, Jason, it's me. I hoped I would get more than voicemail, but you must me in the shower or something. I wanted to talk to you about some stuff, but you'll just have to wait until after the ball. I love you. Bye."
"Yes?" a voice answered his phone from the service area inside the Kazakhstan Embassy.
"The countess is fully aware that she is in danger," the other voice reported, "She will be directly guarded by a Navy commander and a Marine major."
"Keep me posted."
"Will do. Bye."
"Hello Luka," Harm walked into the common room.
"Hello Commander," he closed his cell phone and stood up.
"Business?" he referred to the phone call Luka had just ended.
"Yes, with Mika getting food poisoning last night, I have to pick up the slack."
"It's a shame he and Giselle won't be able to make the ball tonight."
"It is," he glanced at Mac's room as she came out, "Good evening, Major, you look wonderful."
"Thank you, Luka," she walked over to Harm, "Is Dani ready?"
"I'll check," Luka knocked on her door and Dani stepped out, "Wow, you look beautiful."
"Thank you," she smiled, "Hello, Commander."
"Hello, Countess," he smiled back and Mac elbowed him at the use of Dani's title, "You look great."
"Thank you," she ignored Mac and turned to Luka, "Are we ready?"
"Yes," he opened the door of the suite for her, "After you."
"'Hello, Countess,'" Mac teased Harm as they followed Luka and Dani, "You're just feeding her ego."
"Oh, come on, Mac," he laughed, "In that dress--"
"And with that attitude," she threw in.
"Dani looks every bit the countess she is," he finished, offering his arm, "But don't worry, you make a stunning lady-in-waiting."
"Thanks," she laughed taking his arm, "Let's go."
To be continued…review and let me know what you think!