CHAPTER 59 – DEMONS TO PURGE

Major Lorne took her away, holding her firmly by the arm and he simply let her rant. That appeared to be what she needed. He didn't understand much of what she said, and wondered if she herself had full comprehension. Most of it way too mind boggling and to his simple military order, things like this just did not happen. Pegasus galaxy or otherwise.

By the time they got down to the area that they had set up for weapons training and target practice, she was a little calmer and he could allow her instruction on weapons. She had indicated that she was familiar with the older style handguns, trained in their basic use by her brother and father, but the more modern ones in use today were a mystery to her, and Lorne picked up a Beretta 90, thinking that it's weight and size would be a perfect weapon for her to take offworld, once she was cleared for such missions.

He carefully showed her how to pull it apart and put it back together again, a necessary part of knowing how the weapon worked and how to use it. She was a quick study and if he noticed her silence now, in the wake of the ranting she had indulged in just previously, he chose not to comment. She had to fight her battles the way she saw fit.

He flicked her quick glances, watching as the concentration on her face calmed her inner turmoil. Watching as her small quick hands were fast to master the loading and reloading of the weapon, and watched as she took a firm posture to line up the weapon. He moved in behind her, and with a gentle touch, aligned her body slightly to centre her better, then followed down her arms to allow for the weapon to be angled in a position that would allow her to sight it more accurately. He attempted to depersonalise the feel of her body as he stood close and whenever he brushed up against her, he pushed down the somewhat inappropriate feelings that were making themselves known. Tried to imagine she was just another cadet he was training. And failed. Crap, thought Lorne, not a good time to get feelings about someone else's woman... considering who has claim to her. Way to go Lorne. Your timing sucks, really.

He pushed the unwelcome thoughts away and concentrated on giving clear instruction. She was a natural and quick learner and was firing clean shots down to all targets within the hour. She stood back, dropping her arms from their two handed grip and looked tired. He took the weapon from her, checked to make sure the safety was off and put it aside, looking at her in concern now.

"You've not said much this past hour Gina. Worked through some of that crap that's been building up in your mind?" He attempted levity to get her to talk, wanting to see at least a glimmer of a smile. She was too quiet and too serious and mentally wanted to give the Colonel a good shake and maybe more. He had certainly been instrumental in bringing her to this state.

"Thanks Major... really. This has been more than a little medicinal I think – and you have been great. Calm and accepting without pushing too hard. Thank you..." She stepped toward him now, feeling suddenly exhausted and it was natural for him to bring up his arms and fold them around her, drawing her in closer. Knew that it was not a great idea, from his point of view, but argued with himself that he was an adult, and could separate the feelings he found growing for her, from compassion and understanding, which she obviously now needed. There, not so hard, was it? He asked himself. Just hold her like that, she's a woman, yeah... and one you're obviously developing some not so appropriate feelings for, but she could be your friend, if you let her. And maybe you'll just have to settle for that... yeah...

He smiled to himself against her hair, glad that the voice inside was heard only by him, or she'd be running as fast as she could in the other direction about now. He could be her friend, no problem – and that was certainly what she needed right now. Someone to hold her and let her know that he was on her side, and wouldn't judge. He knew that she had likely had enough of the judgemental by now and needed acceptance.

"Glad to be of assistance Gina. Consider me a friend – you ever need to talk, or just hang out... I'll be there for you, just radio me, or whatever. You need someone on your side around here, and I guess I'm looking to fill that role."

Over her shoulder Lorne saw that John had come out onto to pier where they did their weapons training and he had the little girl with him. He saw the way the Colonel's eyes narrowed at the way Lorne was holding his woman, knew also that he wouldn't make a public deal about it in front of the girl or Gina. That would come later, in private. Lorne knew that the Colonel would be paying him a private visit in the very near future and he would be given clear warning. Hands off his woman. Well Colonel – game on! I've more than my share of respect for you as a soldier and a leader – hell, I'd follow you to hell and back in battle. But you're screwing this one up, big time. She's a good woman, and you blow it Colonel? I'll be there to pick up the pieces and you'll not have another chance.

Gina must have sensed him, because she pulled out of Lorne's arms and turned to face John and Carlie. Lorne's hand slipped down to rest lightly on her hip and he had to forcibly tell himself to remove it. It was one command that he had difficulty following.

As John and Carlie neared, Gina dropped down onto one knee to allow Carlie to run into her arms. Over Carlie's head Gina looked up at John, censure in her eyes as well as an unspoken question.

"Don't worry Gina, she remembers nothing. Nothing of what we pulled out. And believe me sweetheart, we found the holy grail, the whole story. In black and white, and once you hear it, you'll see exactly why all this has to be treated as a security risk. You too Lorne – I'm calling a meeting for all military and security personnel – ASAP. I everybody clear on exactly what is going down. You'll be briefed along with the security people Gina and for now, we need to keep Carlie away from the two portals. I've organised a small roster of people to take care of her for a little while so that we can get things sorted out from this end."

He abruptly turned, not wanting to go into things any deeper with her. Gina stood up, keeping the little girl at her side and her own body stiffened. Lorne saw it immediately and knew the reason for it. The Colonel had just blown it again.

"I'll be briefed? Do you even hear yourself John? I'm not one of your security team – we're supposed to be together, a team, my partner... at least I thought that was the direction things were moving in. You treat me like one of your security, someone who needs to be briefed?"

John stopped, and turned back to her. "This is exactly why you need to be briefed. I cannot have you getting emotional and creating a scene every time things don't go the way you planned them to. This has clearly become a military situation, and once you get the full story, you'll see why. I can't have you indulging in theatrics and storming out every time something doesn't go your way."

Lorne closed his eyes. So not the way to handle this Colonel. You've been alone too long. This is your woman, there will be theatrics, she will show emotion, she's not one of your damn soldiers. He saw her posture tense and debated stepping forward to try and diffuse things a little, but he had done that once already, and that had already gotten him into a puddle of something unpleasant. Time to walk away for now and let them try and sort things out.

"Come on Carlie – let's go get some food – I don't know about you honey, but I'm starved... and I think the Colonel and Gina here need to have a little private talk..." Lorne reached for the little girl's hand and trustingly, she took it and he led her away. Tensing his shoulders for the explosion he knew was sure to follow.

She didn't disappoint, simply whirled to face John, anger written across her face and depicted in every nuance of her body movements.

"How dare you speak to me like that – as though I mean nothing to you. If you wanted to have a relationship with a soldier – then feel free. Go. I will think with emotion, and I will react with it. If you can't deal with it, then sod off. I don't need you John, neither of us do. We'll get along just fine..."

His eyes narrowed. "We...?"

"Carlie and I. Let me know when this damn debrief is. I'll be there all right and I'll have a few things to say, you can count on that."

She whirled away then, furious for the way that he had made her feel, and furious with herself for letting his actions get to her. She had been around her father and brother all her life, she knew that emotions were kept in check in military situations... but hell, she was not part of his military world, and she had given her own family the same lecture over the years. Leave the soldier on the base. When you come home, bring the man. But the man is the soldier, and the soldier is the man... A part of her told herself she was being unreasonable, that her actions had caused him to censure his own emotions, if for no other reason, than get the job done as efficiently as possible. She knew that this was not easy on him and to deal with her emotions on top of his? Perhaps she demanded too much.

He watched the expressions hurl like fireworks across her face – hot and uncontrolled and sighed. This was who she was. Passionate, fiery and emotional. Why did he try and compartmentalise her as something she was not? Why did he compare her to someone like Sam who was trained to push all emotion aside to deal with problems in a calm and level headed way.

Sam wasn't the one he had fallen in love with. Gina was. And he wasn't about to let her walk away. Not now, and not ever.

"I'm sorry..."

They spoke at the same time, each come to the same conclusion. Bend or be broken.

Then she was in his arms and he held on as though his life depended on it, because hell, maybe it did. His mouth slid over her jaw and found her lips, hot and needy and he took what he wanted and gave her what she needed.

"Sit down sweetheart... I've a long story to tell you... I'll tell you everything now so you'll have time to process it all before you see Carlie again. And if you need to hit out at something, and believe me, when you hear what I have to tell you – you will, then I'm here for you. In any capacity you need me to be. Lover, friend, punching bag... whatever you need sweetheart..."

And he told her everything that they had learnt and when he was finished, he simply held her in his arms as she cried. That was all she asked.