Scarlett, her brothers, and father had just arrived back home from Christmas Eve mass. She loved being home for the holidays. It was like wrapping herself in a warm blanket of comfort. She could indulge in everything she enjoyed and missed about Atlanta plus enjoy the bonus of being there during her most favorite time of year. She walked out onto the front porch of her family's home and took a seat on the porch swing. She lazily moved the swing back and forth pushing with her foot as she reveled in the wonderous magical feeling of Christmas Eve. Excitement swirled in the air and Christmas lights seemed to twinkle and sparkle extra bright. It was perfect, or almost perfect. Scarlett was happy to be on leave but she missed her other family, her family of teammates. Christmas Eve was quite a spectacle at Joe base. There was a wonderful feast prepared by Roadblock and afterwards there would be singing of Christmas carols and a gift exchange.
Her thoughts settled onto one specific member of the joe team who seemed to be creating his own magic lately. Duke. What the hell was happening between them? He was her best friend and closest confidant, but the past few months things had started to feel different. A friendly pat on the shoulder had turned into a lingering squeeze. Their workouts together were becoming more frequent and longer. They had been spending so much time on duty and off duty together that joes had started accepting them as a package deal. It didn't help that she had accidentally walked in on him shirtless in his office a few weeks ago. The site of his chiseled chest and muscular arms had sent her hormones into overdrive and now it was hard to picture or think of anything else when she saw him except his naked upper body. It also made her wonder what the rest of him looked like unclothed too.
The day before her scheduled leave, she and Duke had been in the mess hall sharing dinner together as usual. The banter between them teetered dangerously close on the edge between friendship and something else. Something Scarlett realized she desperately wanted to explore with him but knew the likelihood of him returning those feelings was low. He was her commanding officer and with that came a duty to respect the rules and regulations. Sure, others had skirted around the issue and even Hawk, their general, seemed to be able to turn a blind eye but that's not how Duke operated. He was the All-American boy scout. A real-life Captain America. He wore the rulebook like armor. His loyalty to the military was practically blinding. It's what made Scarlett question if all the extra nuances she had been noticing had really happened or if she had exaggerated them in her head. Maybe because she wanted him so badly, she was trying to convince herself he wanted that too.
After the meal, Duke had walked her back to her quarters which was a little unusual but nothing out of question. In front of her door, Duke pulled her into a tight hug and whispered a promise that he'd see her off and that they could exchange gifts then. Scarlett floated into her apartment giddy. The anticipation for what Duke was going to give her rivaled the excitement she had as a child waiting for Santa to come. She eventually drifted off to sleep dreaming that his gift would be to tell her how he felt and then sweep her into the most passionate kiss she ever shared with someone.
The next day on the tarmac her stomach filled with butterflies as she waited for him. She decided that if Duke didn't kiss her, she was going to take matters into her own hands and kiss him. Her whole body felt like it was on pins and needles while waiting for him to show. Her scheduled lift off time ticked closer and there was no sign of him. She even convinced Wild Bill to delay for thirty minutes hoping Duke was just running late…but he never came. Disappointed, she quickly stashed the gift that she had for him in her duffle as Wild Bill lifted the chopper into the sky.
Scarlett took a deep breath and came back to the present time. She wiped away a few tears that had spilled onto her cheek before looking up into the night sky wondering why Duke had stood her up. Then she chided herself for even having that thought. It's not like he was her boyfriend and he didn't show up for a date. He didn't owe her anything special. It's just, she thought, that just maybe…
"Fat chance…" Scarlett snorted to herself reminding herself that Duke was Mr. Rulebook.
The screen door slammed and she whipped her head toward the front door to see her father had joined her on the porch. "Are you enjoying your time at home, little one?" he asked her.
"Oh yes, Dad. I'm really happy I'm home. I've missed you all so much." Scarlett gushed.
"But there's something that's troubling you, Shana. Your body is here but your mind is miles away." her father instinctively replied.
"I'm fine, Dad, really. I just came out to clear my head a little." Scarlett tried to convince him.
"Clear your head of anyone in particular?" her dad fished.
"What?" Scarlett cried sounding offended.
"I was just wondering if you were thinking about that Snake Eyes fellow. I know you've been broken up for a while but sometimes the holidays make us think about old flames." her father replied, his voice treading timidly over the subject.
"Oh no. Not him." Scarlett shook her head back and forth.
"So there's another 'Him' you're thinking about?" her father deducted. Scarlett opened her mouth and then closed it quickly realizing that her father was getting more information out of her even without her talking. She guessed that is where her strong intel skills came from.
"It doesn't matter. Even if there was, it's not going to happen. It can't." Scarlett replied sounding more bitter than she realized.
"What's this 'can't' word you uttered? I didn't think that word was in your vocabulary." Her father joked.
"Not for me. For him." Scarlett sighed glumly.
"Well…" Scarlett's father started sounding outrageously offended, "then I don't think this Mr. Can't is right for you. You deserve someone who will take risks for you. You better hope I never run into this Mr. Can't!"
"It's not like that, Dad. It's complicated." Scarlett sighed rolling her head back, staring at the roof of the porch.
"Ráiméis! Any man worthy of you will make it uncomplicated!" her father exclaimed intertwining some of the old Irish language with English as he waved his hand dismissively. "Let's go inside and make some hot chocolate, huh? I've even got some Bailey's we can add."
"I'll be in in a few." Scarlett promised with an impish smile. Her dad kissed her on her forehead before slipping back inside. Scarlett rocked back in forth thinking about her father's wise words. Maybe he was right. She had spent years waiting for Snake Eyes to fully commit and look how that had turned out. Maybe she was self-sabotaging her own dream of marriage and children by falling for men who were for one reason or another were unobtainable.
Just then she saw a light out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head to see a car had just turned into her family's long driveway. "Dad, are you expecting someone?" she yelled even though he most likely wouldn't hear her through the door. The car continued to pull down the driveway and Scarlett sat upright feeling uneasy about a car coming to her family's house so late on Christmas Eve. It was a taxi. Scarlett jumped up and stood rigid as the taxi pulled right up to the front of her house. After a few moments, the car door opened and a man stepped out of the car carrying a duffle bag. Her stomach dropped as she realized who it was.
"Duke?" Scarlett asked in disbelief as the first sergeant stepped into the glow of Christmas lights and driveway lanterns. Was she dreaming? The taxi drove off and she and Duke continued to quietly stare at each other for a few minutes.
"Yeah…uh, it's me." Duke finally replied shrugging boyishly.
"Is everything okay? Is anyone hurt? Lady Jaye?" Scarlett worriedly guessed why he was there.
"Oh! Yes, everything's okay. It's nothing like that." Duke replied. Scarlett sighed relieved and then went back to interrogating him.
"Then what are you doing here?" Scarlett asked curiously.
"I'm sorry I wasn't at the tarmac." Duke apologized as he came closer to the small set of steps leading up to the porch.
"You came all the way here to tell me that?" Scarlett asked tilting her head.
"Yes. I'm really sorry I wasn't there and want to explain to you why." Duke apologized again.
"There are things called telephones, Duke. You could have just called and told me." Scarlett replied leaning against a post. She was surprised at how snippy her response sounded.
"Yeah…I guess you're right and now I really wish I would have used one of those instead…Sorry for intruding. I'll, um, try to run to catch up with that taxi." Duke stumbled over his words and turned around to head back down the driveway by foot.
Scarlett quickly jumped down the three steps and put her hand on his shoulder to stop him, "Duke, stop. You're not intruding. I'm just surprised to see you. You really caught me off guard coming here. I didn't mean the telephone comment like the way it came out. I'm glad you're here." Duke turned around and they locked eyes. His eyes were a gorgeous crystal blue color. It wasn't hard to drown in them immediately.
"Shana, are you coming in?" her father popped his head out of the screen door and saw his daughter standing on the front walkway with another person. He came out onto the porch squinting to try to see who was outside with his daughter. Once his eyes adjusted to the dark of night for the second time, he thought he recognized the mystery person as the first sergeant of his daughter's unit. He had met Duke briefly after an incident where Cobra had devised a plan and had brainwashed a few of the joes' families to turn them into an army fighting against them.
"Duke?" her father called out still squinting. He hoped Duke hadn't come with tragic news or orders to report back to base.
Her father's voice broke whatever connection they had been having and they both turned toward her father's voice. "Oh, yes, uh, Mr. O'Hara. It's me." Duke replied as he walked past Scarlett with an extended hand to greet her father.
"What are you doing here, on Christmas Eve no less? I hope it's not bad news. Does Shana have to leave?" Scarlett's father asked as they shook hands.
"No, nothing like that. I, uh, had an ultra top secret message for her that I had to deliver. I'll be heading out. Sorry to intrude." Duke bowed his head and retreated a few steps toward the driveway.
"Son, where you going to go so late on Christmas Eve? Both of you in the house. Now." Scarlett's father commanded. Both Scarlett and Duke retreated into the house with their heads hung low feeling like somehow they were in trouble.
"Really, Mr. O'Hara…" Duke began.
"None of this Mr. O'Hara stuff. Call me Patrick." Scarlett's father waved off Duke's formality as they entered the living room. "Are you hungry, Duke? We have a lot of food left over from dinner."
"A bite would be nice. If it's okay with Scarlett that is." Duke looked at Scarlett for approval.
"Of course, Duke." Scarlett nodded. Her father looked from her to Duke and then back to her again. She wondered if he had already figured out Mr. Can't was in their living room. But by Duke being here, did that mean he could possibly be changing from Mr. Can't to Mr. Can? Patrick led the two of them in the kitchen where Scarlett's three brothers were playing a card game at the table. They all looked up at Duke, put down their cards, and stood up trying to look intimidating.
"What's he doing here?" Frank, the oldest, inquired with a sniff while looking Duke up and down. All three brothers had also met Duke after being brainwashed by Cobra.
"I told you he had a thing for sissy." Sean, the youngest, hissed loudly to Brian, the middle brother.
"Duke came here on business and he's just getting a bite to eat." Patrick settled his sons down.
"On Christmas Eve?" Brian asked suspiciously.
"The military clock never stops." Duke shrugged as Patrick extended his hand for Duke to take a seat at the table.
"Trust me, I'm just as surprised to see Duke as all of you are." Scarlett casually folded her arms in front of her and leaned against the doorframe.
"So you're not here to ask for Dad's permission to marry her?" Sean asked sounding disappointed. The blood drained out of Scarlett's face as she became completely mortified.
"SEAN!" everyone except Duke exclaimed.
"What? It's not like the rest of you weren't thinking it." Sean pouted.
"Duke is my friend. That's all." Scarlett replied hoping she sounded convincing.
"You heard your sister." Duke agreed as the three brothers still eyed him suspiciously. Patrick put a full plate of leftovers in front of him that had been warmed in the microwave.
"Patrick, this is too much. Thank you. I really don't want to impose." Duke's mouth watered at the home cooked meal before him.
"Nonsense. You've come a long way just to deliver a message." Patrick patted Duke on the shoulder as Duke began to shovel food in his mouth. "Shana, why don't you get some blankets and towels for Duke. Make sure the guest room is presentable." That caused a flurry of murmurs among the brothers.
"Oh, no, sir, that won't be necessary. I'll call a cab and get back on my way again." Duke protested the invitation.
"Duke, it's almost midnight on Christmas Eve. There's no cab company that will come out all this way to pick you up. You're staying, I insist." Patrick sternly replied. He nodded again to Scarlett who took that as her cue to head upstairs. She climbed up the stairs and went into the guest room to see what she needed to get for Duke's stay. She went into the hall closet and grabbed some new sheets and a heavier blanket to put on the bed. It still felt so surreal that Duke was here and that she was making up the guest bed for him to spend the night.
"Your friend Duke is certainly hungry." Her father's voice called from the doorway, startling her.
"Yeah, he always packs a good appetite." Scarlett chuckled. He might not have been talking about hungry for food, but Scarlett wasn't going to fall into any of his traps for more information.
"Seems silly that the military told him to come all this way with a simple message that he could have given you over the phone. Doesn't it?" Patrick tried to pry.
"That's the government for you. Spending the taxpayers' dollars frivolously." Scarlett replied as she shook out the heavy blanket to lay it flat on the bed.
"Or maybe it was Duke's idea to come all the way here and deliver it himself?" Patrick suggested.
"You should get back to the kitchen. I don't like the idea of Duke alone with Frank, Brian, and Sean. They're going to give him trouble for nothing." Scarlett frowned as she fluffed the pillows.
"Are you sure it's for nothing?" Patrick raised his eyebrow. Scarlett turned around and glared at him. "All I'm saying is the only thing that might be for nothing is you making up this extra bed." Patrick chortled.
"Dad!" Scarlett exclaimed both embarrassed and surprised at her father's insinuation.
"Don't think I don't know how things are today. Besides it's not like you're a teenager anymore." Patrick smiled wistfully.
"Trust me. Duke WILL be sleeping in this bed." Scarlett replied fluffing the pillows. She wasn't sure if she was emphasizing the statement more for her dad or more for her at this point.
"Shana, if he's your Mr. Can't…he's certainly trying to uncomplicate things by coming here." Her father's voice softened.
"I'm going back down to the kitchen to make sure the rest of your offspring aren't circling Duke waiting to make the kill." Scarlett ignored her father's words. She pushed gently past him and sure enough when she got back to the kitchen her three brothers were all hunched over Duke who looked like he was being interrogated for murder.
"Alright, all of you shoo! Go home to your wives or girlfriend! I know they graciously let you spend extra time with me tonight which I appreciate but now go." Scarlett's voice boomed. Her brothers scattered from around Duke. Patrick appeared in the kitchen seconds later. Each brother gave Scarlett a kiss on the cheek and hugged their dad before quickly scurrying out the door.
"Sorry if they were giving you any trouble." Scarlett apologized.
"Ah, it's fine. They're just protective over their baby sister as they should be." Duke grinned.
"I'm going to retire for the night too. Just make sure you turn off all the lights and that you turn off the fire before you come up for bed." Patrick winked quickly at his daughter before disappearing up the stairs. Both Duke and Scarlett stayed quiet for a few moments as Duke finished eating.
"Really, I'm sorry about my brothers. They've gotten really protective over me after the whole thing with Snake Eyes. They are constantly trying to pry into my personal business. And Sean…I don't know where he gets his crazy ideas." Scarlett finally spoke. She could feel her cheeks slightly burning.
"I don't blame them. Snake Eyes deeply hurt you and they don't want you to go through that again." Duke replied and then added, "I don't either." Scarlett's heart flipped and she hoped he'd say more but he didn't.
"Are you still hungry?" Scarlett asked changing the topic noticing Duke had scraped his plate clean.
"Only for your company." Duke grinned.
"Then why don't we go into the family room and watch a little TV before bed?" Scarlett suggested.
"Sure, but could I change first? Get a little more comfortable?" Duke asked grabbing his duffle and standing up.
"Sure. Guest room is the door straight back when you get to the top of the stairs. The bathroom is on the left." Scarlett directed. Duke took his duffle up the steps while Scarlett washed his plate, cup and utensils. She decided to go upstairs and get changed as well. She was still in the clothes she wore to church. She pulled off her blouse, bra, and slacks and threw on a sports bra, oversized t-shirt, and her favorite leggings. Not too glamourous, but her selection was limited. She quickly went back downstairs into the family room and flopped down in the middle of the oversized sectional. She flipped on the TV and came across a program with a church choir singing Christmas songs with an organ accompanying the singing. The fire and dim Christmas lights on the family tree gave off a cozy glow. Duke emerged moments later in a t-shirt and pajama pants. Scarlett's eyes immediately darted to the pajama pants.
"What?" Duke asked trying not to sound self-conscious.
"I just didn't peg you for a pajama pants type of guy." Scarlett smirked.
"I'm usually not, but I didn't really know where I was going to end up sleeping. I figured if I wasn't back at base, I didn't want to sleep in just my underwear in the airport." Duke replied taking a seat at the end of the letter L shaped sectional.
"I'm sure everyone there would be grateful that you chose to cover your tighty whities." Scarlett chuckled.
"You had to bring that up, didn't you?" Duke shook his head grinning. "I just think you're jealous that you missed out on being an eye witness." He teased.
"Of seeing your memories about slave girl? No thanks. I was more content being captive in Cobra's lair." Scarlett spat out in a cross between sarcastic and bitter.
"Aw, you still sore about that? You know you're my best girl." Duke replied with a genuine smile on his lips. Scarlett looked at him and swore his eyes were twinkling and it wasn't the reflection of Christmas lights from the tree. Scarlett knew this was it. The moment of truth.
"Am I, Conrad?" Scarlett asked challenging him. Duke slid down the couch until they were sitting so close their thighs touched.
"Of course you are. Why do you think I came here?" Duke asked his voice dropping low.
"Because you forgot how to use a phone." Scarlett's voice was shaking.
"Because I had to see you to do this…" Duke trailed off as he brought a hand to Scarlett's chin and gently tilted it up while leaning in, bringing his lips to lightly brush against hers. At first, the kiss was light and hesitant. Scarlett melted into it, turning the kiss into a hungry passionate lip lock.
"Shana…" Duke breathed in between kisses as the heat between them began fan into desirous flames. He moved from her lips to her neck and smiled as her breath hitched as he nipped and kissed any exposed flesh he could get his mouth on. He gently pushed her back until they were laying on the couch making it easier to explore each other's bodies.
She wasn't sure how long they had spent tangled together making out before breathily suggesting, "Let's take this upstairs".
Duke paused his caress, pulled away slightly, and asked, "Are you sure? What about your dad?"
"My dad always has a glass of whiskey at night to help him sleep. Tonight, I noticed he had two. I assure you he's down and out for the count." Scarlett informed Duke. He lunged toward her, wildly kissing her again in agreement to her suggestion. Scarlett pushed herself upright and Duke let her take the lead. She pulled Duke around the room with her, never breaking contact with him, as she turned off the tv, tree, and fireplace. Before ascending up the stairs, Duke pinned her against the wall kissing her deep and slow. He grabbed her ass and pressed his hardening cock against her. A groan of arousal escaped from her throat in response. He reached behind her head and slowly pulled out her hair bands, releasing her long locks from its signature pony tail.
She lured him up the stairs with sensual kisses and quickly pushed him into her bedroom, slamming him against the back of the door as she rubbed against him eager to take things to the next level. She wasted no time pulling his t-shirt up as far as she could and then Duke helped discard it the rest of the way. She catapulted her own t-shirt off and threw herself roughly against Duke's chiseled upper body. Her nipples were already hard from the foreplay in the family room and were burning against the material of her sports bra, begging to make skin to skin contact. She moaned as Duke nipped and sucked her shoulders and clavicle.
She tugged at her sports bra when Duke covered her hands with her own. "Shana, only if you're sure…" Scarlett yanked off her sports bra letting her breasts fall right into his hands.
"The only thing I'm sure of is I never wanted someone so badly in my entire life." She throatily replied as Duke began fondling her globes, giving extra attention to her already sensitive nipples. He rolled them between his thumbs as Scarlett pulled him towards her queen size bed. Her knees caught the edge of it and she fell back, sending Duke tumbling on top of her. He slithered down bringing his mouth to her chest and swirled her left nipple with his tongue while he continued tweaking the right one with his fingers. Scarlett arched her back in approval and shimmied quickly out of her leggings and panties. As Duke continued to pleasure her nubs with his tongue and mouth, his hands caressed her whole body until one of them reached her moist folds. Two fingers tentatively slid inside causing Scarlett to purr his name. She clenched a tuft of hair from the top of his head in each of her hands.
"I want you inside me." Scarlett shivered.
"I don't have a condom. I wasn't thinking…" Duke trailed off.
"I'm on birth control. It's a military girl's best friend. We're good." Scarlett assured him. Duke nodded and stood up and yanked off his pajama pants and underwear, his cock springing to attention. Scarlett grinned admiring his size and immediately became wet in anticipation of him entering her. He climbed over her into a mounting position and pinned her arms above her head one on each side. He slowly lowered himself against her, guiding his member into her hot center. Scarlett moaned loudly and arched her back as Duke slipped in further and further. With her arms still pinned above her head, he threaded his fingers in between hers as he rocked against her in a steady rhythm. She began bucking against him her breath hitching each time his tip tickled her innermost flesh. Duke could feel his cock expand with every pump inside. He finally let her arms go and she immediately wrapped them around him while gyrating her pelvis faster and faster creating a hot friction that made her toes curl. Duke grunted matching her rhythm, wanting nothing more than to make her climax.
"Harder…faster…" Scarlett moaned as he rammed in and out of her as commanded. The mattress squeaked and the headboard smacked the wall every time Duke thrusted. He hoped she didn't share a wall with her father's bedroom and if she did that Scarlett was right and he was long passed out asleep.
"Oh, Conrad…yes…." Scarlett cooed as her walls clamped around his throbbing member. Her moans escalated in volume as Duke moved within her. Her warm juices dripping down his shaft sent him into his own orgasm. He collapsed on top of her before rolling to the side as they both tried catching their breath. They stayed quiet for a while, Scarlett eventually curling up beside him, resting her head on his chest. Duke lazily played with the strands of her hair as their heart rates slowed down to normal.
"Shana, I need to tell you why I wasn't at the tarmac." Duke finally spoke.
"It doesn't matter, Conrad, you're here now." Scarlett replied not wanting anything to spoil this moment. Duke sat up causing her to sit up too.
"But it does matter, especially now." Duke argued, "I want to be honest with you." Scarlett felt her stomach do a dive as she worried about what Duke was going to say. "I was scared."
"Scared?" Scarlett wondered if she heard him right.
"I had a whole plan of what I was going to say and then I was going to give you the gift…You know this might make more sense if I give you the gift…" Duke replied and rolled out of her bed. Scarlett admired his near perfect body as he moved around her room collecting his clothes and almost pouted as he redressed. The only thing stopping her from begging him to stay in his birthday suit was the tone of vulnerableness that was in his voice. "I'll be right back" he replied and slipped out the door. Scarlett scrambled out of bed and threw on her t-shirt. She jumped back on her bed and sat up with her back against the headboard, her mind beginning to process what had just happened. She just had the best sex of her entire life…with Duke. It had been better than any lustful fantasy that she had dreamt up. She closed her eyes and leaned back against her headboard as she reveled in the memory of their love making. His hands sliding all over her…the way he kissed her so hard it made her lips hurt…the way he looked deep in her eyes as he entered her…and oh, the orgasm. It made her see stars.
She opened her eyes and the smile she hadn't realized she had plastered on her face slid away. Duke hadn't returned yet. It's not like the guest room was far away. She wondered if he was now regretting what happened and wouldn't come back. She started frantically trying to piece together what she would say if/when he came back in to let her down. Her bedroom door opened and she stared as Duke entered and came back over to the bed with two wrapped gifts. She tried reading his expression, but he was wearing a damn good poker face.
"Here." Duke handed one of the gifts to her as he sat down across from her. It was pretty thick but bendable. If Scarlett had a guess, she would guess it was some type of book. She carefully ripped the paper away revealing a paperback copy of Army regulations. Oh god, this was the way he was going to let her down. He was giving her the list of rules to remind her why they couldn't be romantically connected.
"The Army Code of Conduct…" Scarlett replied pursing her lips together and feeling her Irish temper rising within her, "You know what Duke? I know the rules. You don't have to throw them in my face. I get it! We can't be together because of frat regs. I just wish you would have said something before I brought you to my bedroom!" Scarlett raged and threw the book so hard at him he winced. "How could you? How could you kiss me and…." Tears started streaming down Scarlett's cheeks.
"Oh god Flint was right! This was a terrible idea!" Duke freaked, his eyes wide at her outburst. "No! No! That's not what this is about! Oh god, no! Please, let me explain! This is not what it seems!" Duke exclaimed trying to calm her down.
"Then what Duke? Why else would you think the Code of Contact would make a great gift?" Scarlett sarcastically spat at him as she cried.
He timidly handed the book back to her and said, "Do you see the bookmark sticking out? Open it up to there."
Scarlett opened the book and turned the pages slowly until she reached the divide of the bookmark. "Look at the page numbers at the bottom." Duke instructed encouragingly. Scarlett looked and saw that the numbers skipped.
"So? There's pages missing." Scarlett replied softly with a sniffle.
"The missing pages set out the rules about fraternizing. I'm falling in love with you and I'll be damned if two pages are going to tell me that's not allowed. So I ripped them out." Duke explained.
"You're in love with me?" Scarlett repeated dropping the book in her lap. She wasn't sure she heard him correctly.
"Since day one, Red. It's always been you." Duke replied with a hint of red creeping into his cheeks. He grabbed her hands in his. "These past couple months have made me realize just how in love I am with you. I just wasn't sure if you felt it too. My plan was for you to unwrap this on the tarmac and then I'd tell you how I feel. Flint told me it was a stupid plan so I got cold feet. Now I see he was right." Duke replied
"No, he wasn't. This gift is…amazing. You're amazing. I'm sorry Flint made you doubt yourself. You see, I told myself that if you didn't make a move on the tarmac, I would have. I've been feeling it too, Duke. I wasn't going to go on leave without knowing if what I was feeling was real or if it was all in my head." Scarlett started crying again, this time tears of happiness. "I'm sorry I threw the book at you."
Duke leaned over and wiped her tears away with his thumbs, "I deserved it. I never even thought about how giving you this would send the wrong message…and after what we just shared…I'm sorry it made you think for even one second that all I wanted was to add another notch to my bedpost."
"I can't believe you ripped out pages from the Code of Conduct. For you that's like ripping pages out of The Bible." Scarlett replied still in shock of what was being revealed.
"Nah, it was easy. The person I was doing it for is worth it." Duke replied. He leaned in and kissed her tenderly.
When they broke apart, Scarlett remembered that Duke had had a second wrapped gift. "What else do you have there?" Scarlett nodded in the direction of the second wrapped item.
"Oh, God, I got this for you too but again…I'm so embarrassed because Flint pointed out you probably already had something like this and he told me it was cheesy." Duke sighed handing over a small box.
"I've seen some of the things he's given Lady Jaye. His taste isn't the greatest. I would not go to him for advice. He was wrong about the book and I bet he's wrong about this one too." Scarlett replied eagerly ripped off the wrapping paper. She opened the box to find a silver bracelet with a Celtic knot design all around the cuff. In the middle of the bracelet was the claddagh symbol. There was a green stone nestled in the heart of the claddagh.
"I'm sure you have a ton of jewelry with the claddagh symbol on it coming from a strong Irish lineage. Flint told me you probably did." Duke shrugged. "But this bracelet is special. That stone in the claddagh? It has a homing beacon just like my ring. As long as you're wearing it, I'll always find you."
"Duke, it's beautiful. I love it. Really, I do. And Flint's right, I do have a few pieces with the claddagh on it, but nothing as special as this." Scarlett gushed staring at it.
"May I?" Duke asked indicating that he wanted to put it on her.
"Of course." Scarlett nodded. Duke gently lifted the bracelet out of the box.
"You do know the meaning behind the claddagh, yes?" Scarlett asked as he gently placed it around her wrist.
"Love, Friendship, Loyalty, right?" Duke answered.
"Yes, but it also matters on how you wear the claddagh symbol. See, if I wear it like this with the heart pointing outwards it means I'm single and looking for a relationship and that my heart is open. If you turn it around and I wear it with the heart facing inward it means that I'm in a relationship and that someone has captured my heart." Scarlett explained.
"Well then I best be turning this around. I don't want anyone to think your heart is open to anyone else but me." Duke replied and quickly flipped it around and secured it around her wrist.
"I like your thinking." Scarlett smiled and this time she leaned in to kiss him.
"This is turning out to be a really wonderful Christmas." Duke smiled and tucked a lose strand of Scarlett's hair behind her ear.
"Oh, I have a gift for you too!" Scarlett exclaimed suddenly remembering.
"How about I open it in the morning? I think maybe it's time we should really try to get some sleep." Duke replied, leaning in and kissing her again.
"Will you stay here with me?" Scarlett asked hopefully.
"Shana, you never have to ask me that. I'll always want to be wherever you are." Duke grinned. Scarlett pushed the wrapping paper on the floor and put the code book on her nightstand and turned off her lamp. They both got under the covers and snuggled into each other.
"Oh yeah, I like this." Duke sighed and kissed the top of Scarlett's head. She nuzzled into him and instantly fell asleep to the sound of his beating heart.
The next morning arrived quickly and the sun was strong coming in Scarlett's window causing them both to stir at the same time. Scarlett yawned and opened her eyes relieved to find Duke was really in her bed and it hadn't all been just a wonderful dream.
"Merry Christmas." Duke smiled stretching out.
"Merry Christmas to you too." Scarlett smiled shyly back.
"I don't want to get up but I know eventually we'll have to." Duke sighed pulling her closer to him so they could spoon. He enveloped her in his arms and kissed the back of her neck. "I'm sure you and your dad have plans today."
"How long is your pass?" Scarlett asked snuggling against him.
"Not sure. Hawk was already gone for the day so I just told Flint I was leaving and he was in charge. I ran straight to the tarmac. Wild Bill already had the Dragonfly fired up to go. I figure if they need me at HQ, someone will page me." Duke murmured nuzzling his head against her.
"Wow, that's pretty bold of you, Hauser. You could be charged with desertion. Let me look that up in my new code book." Scarlett grinned reaching for her nightstand.
Duke grabbed her arms tightly restricting her reach. He then wrestled his way on top of her, pinning her to the mattress. "Not unless you want me to desert you in this bed."
"Or hold me prisoner?" Scarlett waggled her eyebrow.
"Now you're talking. Duke leaned down and kissed her hard. Scarlett instantly curled her arms around his shoulders and wrapped her legs around him pulling him down on top of her, grinding against him.
"Don't start anything you won't be able to finish…" Duke growled as Scarlett continued to grind her pelvis against him.
"I'll be quiet as a mouse." Scarlett whispered into his ear causing him to shiver. Suddenly, the sound of Christmas music came floating through the door. Scarlett released him from her arms and legs and sighed in annoyance. "Sounds like my dad is already downstairs. He'll probably start breakfast soon." Duke flopped onto his back and sighed with defeat.
"Raincheck for later?" Scarlett offered rubbing his chest.
"Promise?" Duke grinned.
"Absolutely." Scarlett replied kissing him to seal the deal.
Duke rolled out of bed and said, "Ok, I'll meet you downstairs in a bit." Scarlett nodded. He opened the door slightly and looked for any sign of Scarlett's father in the hallway. The coast was clear so he slipped back into the guest bedroom. Scarlett went over to her bag and rummaged around for her toiletries and clothes for the day. She also remembered she had Duke's present stashed in there. She'd give it to him after breakfast. She took her toiletry bag and went to the hall bath and heard the water already running. Duke had already beaten her into the shower.
"Shana?" her father's voice called from downstairs.
"Yes, dad." Scarlett called in response.
"Is Duke up too?" he asked.
"It sounds like he's in the shower." Scarlett replied. "I'm going to get in your shower and we'll be right down."
"Sounds good." Her father called back up. Scarlett went into her father's bedroom and took a quick shower.
About twenty minutes later Scarlett and Duke ascended down the stairs, the scent of pancakes grilling wafting through the air.
"Duke, did you sleep well?" her father asked.
"Oh, yes. Thank you again for your hospitality." Duke replied gratefully. Scarlett and Duke helped set the table and get it ready for the meal.
"You know, Shana, I haven't been able to find my spatula. Have you seen it?" her father asked as he watched over the pancakes.
Scarlett looked at her father funny and replied, "No, Dad, I haven't seen it. Do you remember last time you had it?"
"Duke, you haven't seen my spatula, have you?" Scarlett's father asked looking at him.
"No…" Duke replied unsure why her father was asking him. He turned to Scarlett who just shrugged at him.
"Are you sure you didn't find it, Duke?" Patrick asked again grinning.
"No, I…" Duke started
"Oh, God…" Scarlett called and rushed back up the stairs. She came back down the stairs much slower than she had raced up and put the spatula next to her father before returning to her seat at the table. Patrick's mood seemed to be lifted now that he had his spatula back. He laughed heartily as he flipped the pancakes. Duke looked at Scarlett questioningly.
"Hey hid the spatula in the guest bed." Scarlett softly replied dropping her head into her hands as her father continued to chortle. Duke tilted his head puzzled and then realized what it implied that he had not found it.
"Sir! "Duke popped up from his seat.
"Calm down, Duke, it's okay!" Patrick laughed. "I told her she was making up that extra bed for nothing!" he continued laughing. Shana continued to hide her face in her hands. "Shana, can you take over the pancakes? Duke and I are going to have a little talk on the porch." Duke swallowed hard and watched as Scarlett went over to the stove not daring to look at either of them.
"Come on, son." Patrick called and waved to follow him. Scarlett watched the pancakes bubble and brown. Her father had always been a jokester but never in a million years would she have guessed that he would pull something like this. She scooped the pancakes off the grill when they were done and poured a few more on the grill. She hoped her dad wasn't scaring Duke off.
Meanwhile on the porch, Duke was feeling horribly guilty and blurted out. "Sir, I am so sorry. It wasn't my intention to break any rules or disgrace your home."
"Duke, stop. You and Shana are both responsible adults and can decide for yourselves how you spend your time here. That's not why I called you out here." Patrick replied and then paused to collect his thoughts as he looked out towards the driveway, "That Snake Eyes fellow nearly destroyed her. Never in my life did I want to harm someone the way I wanted to make him feel the pain he caused my little one." Patrick turned back and looked at Duke, "I see the way she looks at you and I know she's in deep with you. I believe you are a good, decent man, Duke, but I can't have her get hurt like that again."
"It won't. Not as long as she'll have me." Duke vowed solemnly.
"Do you love her?" Patrick asked point blank. Duke nodded vigorously, even surprising himself at his quick answer. Patrick nodded in response, accepting the answer. "Don't let me down, Son."
"I won't. You have my word." Duke replied stoically. Patrick nodded again at the acceptable answer.
"Let's get back to breakfast." Patrick replied putting his arm around Duke's back and patting him in a fatherly way.
They entered the kitchen and Scarlett eyed them suspiciously wondering what the talk had been about.
"You go sit and enjoy pancakes with Duke, Shana. I'll eat the next batch." Patrick offered and took over at the stove. Scarlett brought a stack of pancakes over to the table.
"So how mortifying was it?" Scarlett asked as she doled out the pancakes.
"It wasn't at all. It was good. Real good." Duke smiled at her.
"What did you all talk about?" Scarlett asked.
"I think we came to the conclusion that Sean's pretty smart and his ideas aren't so crazy after all." Duke smiled as he took a bite of pancake.
THE END.