This is Prompt No. 40-Disappointment

Mitchie rolled over onto her back, slowly waking up, and stretched. Her eyes opened and she stared up at the ceiling, breathing deeply. She turned and her body jerked back, surprised that she wasn't alone in the room. "Ah!" she cried.

Shane grinned sheepishly at her. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Mitchie, suddenly self-conscious, pulled the sheet up all the way to her neck and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Shane sighed and slumped back into the chair. He made a strange noise that Mitchie couldn't identify and said, "Oh…."

Mitchie bit her lip. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked, craning her neck, trying to look into Shane's eyes.

He shook his head. "No, it's not you." He looked up at her and smiled weakly. "I actually came because I wanted to watch you sleep. I loved sitting here next to you when you were wounded."

Mitchie tried not to blush. Shane chuckled and leaned forward to kiss her lightly, making both of their stomachs flutter. "Good morning," she mumbled when he pulled away.

He smiled, a genuine smile this time, and replied, "Good morning to you too."

Mitchie looked deeply into his eyes, knowing that something was wrong, and asked, "Is it?"

"A good morning?" Shane asked, making sure that he understood her question correctly. When she nodded, he replied, "Well, no." He sighed heavily and explained, "We've been honest with each other, so I want to tell you the truth."

"Okay," Mitchie told him.

"The general sent for me this morning," Shane began and then waited for Mitchie to say something to help him along with his story.

"Are you going on another mission?" Mitchie asked, trying to be compliant.

Shane nodded. "Yes," he said, "and I'm going to be gone for a long while."

Mitchie felt a wave of disappointment flood through her. "Oh," she said flatly.

"I know," Shane told her, understanding her disappointment, "but I have to go."

"I know," Mitchie assured him. "I just feel sad."

"I know," Shane said again.

"How long are you going to be gone?" Mitchie asked quietly.

"A while."

Mitchie frowned. "Please," she begged. "You said that we were going to be honest with each other, so please tell me."

Shane nodded and sat back for a moment, thinking slowly. "At least until spring," he told Mitchie.

"Spring?!" Mitchie exclaimed. "What kind of mission is it?"

Shane shook his head. "That I can't tell you. I'm sorry, Mitch."

"But why not?"

Shane tried to explain. "I was sworn to secrecy. I can't tell even you."

He pulled Mitchie close, disregarding the blanket she tried to hold on to, and held her for a long time, not moving or saying anything. After a while, he began stroking her hair, taking in the smell of it and committing it to memory. "I don't want to go," he whispered to her.

"I don't want you to go," Mitchie said just as softly. "Can't I go with you?"

Shane's body tensed suddenly and his hands gripped her arms tightly, so tightly that Mitchie was afraid that she would bruise. "No," he said resolutely, his tone like ice. "I wouldn't take you even if they let me."

"Why not?" Mitchie asked, her curiosity even more peaked.

"Because," Shane said, pulling her even closer so that he could rest his chin on the top of her head, "I love you too much."

Mitchie let the subject drop, switching to a subject that she liked more. "I love you too," she said.

Shane pushed her away at arm's length so that he could look at her face. "Do you?" he asked. "Do you really?"

Mitchie frowned, confused as to why he was asking. "Yes," she said slowly. "Why? Do you not trust me?"

Shane shook his head. "No, it's not that. I just want to be absolutely sure."

"Why?"

Shane took a deep breath and said, "Because I want to ask you something."

A/N: Ooh! What do you think he's going to ask her?? Let me know what you thought about it!