Duke sat down with the skeleton crew of senior staff who were remaining on base for the Thanksgiving holiday. Most others had gone home to their families to celebrate. He took the knife and was about to start carving the turkey in front of him when Gung Ho stopped him.

"Maybe we should go around the table and say one thing we are thankful for before we start carving this baby up." Gung Ho suggested.

"Great idea, GH. You start." Duke acknowledged and each joe went around the table announcing what they were thankful for. It came full circle and it was Duke's turn to say what he was thankful for. His thoughts immediately flashed to red hair and sapphire eyes, realizng how stupid he had been all this time.

"Gung Ho, you take over carving the bird. There's somewhere I need to be. Wild Bill, I'll need your assistance." Duke replied, dropping the carving utensils and standing up.

"Yes, sir." Wild Bill nodded trying to hide a grin as he and Duke left the table. He had a pretty good idea of what Duke needed him for. He just had to gas up his Dragonfly.

XXXXXXX

It was late in the night by the time Duke pulled the rental car up the driveway to the O'Hara family residence in Atlanta. It had been about a three hour chopper ride and then about another 30 minutes in a rental car to get there. He was happy to see the lights were still on and there were still a few cars in the driveway. The front door was open so he let himself in and let the chatter and laughter lead him into the dinning room where Scarlett, her father, brothers, and their significant others were sitting around the table enjoying the tail end of what looked like a magnificent feast. The chatter and laughter immediately stopped once everyone noticed him.

"Conrad?" Scarlett asked as she rose out of her seat. By the time she was standing Duke was already at her side. He grabbed her face and forcibly pulled her into a deep long passionate kiss. Her body melted against his and she threw her arms around his neck. When they finally broke apart, Duke grabbed her hands and held them against his chest, "We were going around the table saying what we were thankful for and when it got to me…you're the only thing that was on my mind and I knew I had to come tell you. I'm thankful for you."

A small tear slid down Scarlett's cheek, "I'm thankful for you, too." He pulled her into another passionate embrace without a care that the whole family was watching. As their embrace ended, he could hear her father shout jovily, "Sean! Get the man a plate!"

Duke looked lovingly into Scarlett's eyes as he tucked a loose strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry, Sir, I can't stay and eat but I had to come and tell your daughter how I feel. I've wasted enough time and I couldn't waste another minute. I love you, Shana."

"I love you too, Conrad." Scarlett kissed him briefly, "Give me five minutes to pack and I'm leaving with you."

"No, you still have two days of leave. Enjoy them with your family. We'll have plenty of time to talk when you get back."

"I don't think they'll be talking," Brian, one of Scarlett's brothers, snorted. Frank, the oldest of the O'Hara boys, threw his napkin at him. Duke and Scarlett seemed to not even hear the comment.

"I want to go with you. Like you said, we've wasted enough time, let's not waste anymore." Scarlett affectionately scratched the scruff on the nape of his neck.

"I don't want to take away from your family time." Duke discouraged her.

Scarlett's father, Patrick, cleared his throat and joined the conversation, "Haven't you learned yet not to argue with an O'Hara? If Shana wants to go with you, she's going. With my blessing to both of you, of course."

"Sir, I appreciate your blessing -" Duke began to protest.

"Then it's settled. Shana is leaving with you. Sean, make up two plates to go." Patrick ordered and his youngest son rushed into the kitchen while Shana quickly passed Duke, and followed Sean into the kitchen. Duke then clearly heard her running up the stairs to get her things.

"Her body may have been here but her thoughts have been miles away. Now I know what...I suppose I should say WHO she was thinking about." Patrick winked.

"Sir, I truly didn't mean to cut your family time short and I apologize." Duke replied feeling guilty.

"Conrad, I've known you for a couple of years now so I know your intentions are honest and good. If I didn't think you were the right one for my Shana, I'd say so and demand that she stay." Patrick replied. "I've been hoping you two would find your way to each other. The spark is undeniable."

"We all saw it while she was shoving her tongue down his throat." Frank chuckled. Brian threw the same napkin back at his brother while the wives and girlfriends glared at him. Conrad actually felt himself blushing.

"Don't pay him any attention, Conrad. We all think it's really sweet that you came here and proclaimed your feelings to Shana, don't we girls?" Frank's wife, Ashley, took over the conversation. The other two women nodded in agreement. "We're so happy for you both."

Conrad gave a small nod of thanks and Shana was already back with her duffle. Sean came back in with two wrapped plates.

"Thanks, Sean, but I'm stuffed. We'll only need one." Shana replied sweetly.

"Who said the second one was for you? They're both for Conrad. We know how he eats!" Patrick exclaimed with a chuckle.

"And I left base before we even started carving the turkey so you know I'll be able to pack it away. Thank you, Sir." Duke gave a small bow of appreciation.

"Son, I've told you before…call me Patrick." Patrick reminded him.

"I know, but that was before…"Duke turned back towards Scarlett, "Before I realized just how much I love your daughter. I want to be respectful of you and your family. My momma would swat me good if I didn't address you formally." It was Scarlett's turn to blush as the other three women let out audible "awwws".

Patrick waved his hand, "Whatever makes you comfortable, Conrad. I have no doubt that you'll be calling me Dad soon anyway." He chortled. Scarlett froze. Her father's words implied so much and she was worried about Duke's reaction.

"While I look forward to that day," Duke slid his arm around Scarlett, "What do you say we get out of here before your Dad calls a priest to marry us on the spot?"

Scarlett stood on her tiptoes and gave Duke a kiss on his cheek, "Let's go." Duke grabbed the two plates from Sean and after saying a round of goodbyes, the two were on their way back to the airfield to meet up with Wild Bill and the chopper.

XXXXXX

Wild Bill could see Duke and Scarlett walking towards the Dragonfly huddled close together, Duke's arm wrapped around Scarlett's waist.

"Howdy, Miss Scarlett, "Wild Bill greeted, tipping his hat once they were at the chopper. "Happy Thanksgiving,"

"Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Thanks for assisting Duke tonight." Scarlett replied, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Duke adoringly.

"I knew he'd eventually be craving a slice of peach pie. Was just waitin' on him to say so." Wild Bill

"Just sorry it took so long." Duke smiled, his eyes filled with the same adoration as hers. He leaned down and kissed her quickly but with tenderness. "Here." Duke replied and handed a plate of food over to Bill. Scarlett's father sent two with me and I saved you one."

"This will be mighty delicious later." Wild Bill appreciatively accepted it and the three climbed into the chopper.

Once Wild Bill was strapped in and finished some minor pre-flight details he commented, "Guess we should have figured you'd want to return to base with your cowboy. We all know it's a tight fit back there for two people." Wild Bill turned to look at them.

"I think we'll be just fine." Duke replied as he pulled Scarlett practically onto his lap and held her close.

Wild Bill gave out a hearty laugh, "Yeah I guess you will be." He turned back around and played with some dials and switches. The chopper blades began to rotate. "I'll keep to myself up here and wear my headset so if you want to create your own turbulence, I won't know the difference."

"BILL!" Scarlett exclaimed embarrassed with his implication.

Wild Bill laughed again, "I'm just saying…feel free to take advantage of the quiet ride and the privacy." the internal lights in the chopper dimmed, "Plus the darkness."

"Sounds like you're familiar with this sort of backseat rodeo." Duke chuckled.

Another ripple of laughter erupted from Wild Bill, "I never kiss and tell but if I had a woman as gorgeous as Scarlett back there…I'm not sure I'd be able to keep my hands to myself."

"Trust me, it'll take a lot of willpower but I promise nothing rated over PG will happen back here." Duke replied as Wild Bill slipped on his head set, soundproofing himself from any more conversation or noises. He leaned his lips close to her ear and whispered, "So much willpower." and kissed her deeply.