Chapter 37
Dance
0900 hours, 14 November 2001, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina.
T-Minus- 57 hours
"Hey Colonel" Billy said as he watched the works setup everything for the wedding, which was in 2 days.
"Yeah?" Colonel Colleton replied.
Has anyone ever told you how crazy your sister is?" Billy asked.
Anne Colleton. The middle of the 3 Colleton children. She had dragooned Billy and Izzy into letting her be their wedding planner. Since they only had 2 weeks to get everything ready, Billy & Iz were open to all the help they could get. And oh boy, they had no idea what they had gotten themselves into. God help whomever she marries one day. "Ya gotta give her credit though, she's pulled this whole thing together in less than 2 weeks" Tom said.
"True, but remember, when she goes this crazy for her own wedding, you have to pick up the tab" Billy smiled.
"Don't remind me" Tom said.
Meanwhile, Bridget and Tali were helping Izzy put the final touches on her wedding dress. "Finished" Bridget exclaimed as she finished the last stich. "What do you think?" she asked.
Izzy twirled around a few times in front of the large mirrors. Her dress was a strapless, ivory silk number, with detailing around the waist and a short train. "I love it" Izzy said. "How goes the setup?" she asked.
"I'll check on it" Tali said as she excused herself. She left the room and made her way to the Marshlands' Grand ball room. When she arrived, she saw her Father and Billy standing on the far side of the room. Standing behind the bar, was Tony, who was nursing a glass of scotch. "It's only 0900, and you're already knocking back 3 fingers of whiskey" Tali said.
"4 Fingers" Tony said with a smile as he held up his 4 fingers.
"Pour me 2, will ya" Tali said. "Neat" she added. Tony poured her a glass.
"Tals, quick question" Tony asked.
"Shoot, Top" Tali said as she took a sip.
"Since when does Marshlands have a Grand Ball Room?" Tony asked.
"My Grandfather had it put in back in the late 70s. Aunt Anne had it updated a few years ago" Tali explained.
"Here's to ya Colleton" Tony said as he held up his glass. He and Tali clinked glasses.
"Yeah" Tali said as she took a big gulp of her whiskey. "Ya know something, I may only have been Catholic for a few years, but that hasn't stopped me from going to church every Sunday, and saying my prayers every night. I pray every night that in the morning, I'll wake up and Tom will be my biological father, not Eli" Tali said.
"You honestly think I don't do the same thing?" Tony asked. "You know how many times I've seriously considered changing my last name to Corinthos" he stated. "Unlike me and Cat, our other siblings lucked out, having Sonny as their biological father".
"On the subject of the boss, any news on who hired that guy to kill Gotti last summer?" Tali asked.
"No, but whoever it was, is positioning for a move into Port Charles" Tony said.
"You want me to look into it?" she asked.
"After the wedding. Head up to Port Charles, meet up with Jason and see what the 2 of you can dig up" Tony said.
"Right" Tali replied. "What about the hitter?" she asked.
"New York will handle it" Tony replied.
"You're sure they can handle it, without Gotti I mean?" she asked. Sonny's New York Caporégime was John Gotti Sr. Gotti had been killed the previous summer by an unknown assassin.
"They'll be fine. The new guy will handle everything. With Bull & Johnny Jr. helping him out, and Jimmy-Jack handling the streets, New York will still be firmly in our pocket" Tony said. He was referring to Gotti's Underboss, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, Gotti's son, John Gotti Jr. and Westies' (Irish Mob) Enforcer James "Jimmy-Jack" Coonan.
"And if Bull and Junior make a move?" Tali asked.
"Then Jimmy-Jack puts em down, old school: 3 in the back, 2 in the head" Tony said.
"You're sure Coonan can handle it?" she asked.
"I played ball with him in high school. He's got our back" Tony said. "The new guy will be fine" he added.
"Any reason why we aren't using his name?" Tali asked.
"Until you and Jason track down the guy who bumped off Gotti, only you, me & Sonny will know his identity" Tony said. "If we lose him too, the family will have a tough time holding onto New York" he added.
"Fair enough" Tali said. "Speaking of family, how did your conversation with Kate go, about adopting Rex and Molly?" she asked. Tony took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Not well" Tony said.
2 Days earlier- Kate DiNozzo's Apartment, Washington D.C
"Damn it, Tony, no" Kate fumed.
"I gave Reggie my word Kate. You know what my word means to me" Tony countered.
"But I didn't, Tony" Kate yelled. "We're in no position to be taking care of 2 more children, Tony"
"We took in Erica Jane without a problem"
"She was 20 years old when we took her in. Your talking about taking in not 1, but 2 children under the age of 18, the younger being only 7 years old"
"So? We raised Three without any major problems"
"No, 'We' didn't raise our son, I did. I raised him while you were off saving the world. Do you know how many times Three asked me 'when is daddy coming home?' and I didn't have an answer for him?" she yelled. "It got to the point, where he stopped asking, because he already knew the answer" she added. "I raised our children, not you!" Kate jabbed.
"You're right, I may have my shortcomings as a father, but you have the same as a mother. Because of you, I lost the 1st 16 years of Liat's life. Liat, ya know, our daughter, the one you gave away when she was born" Tony yelled at her. "Rex and Molly are my 2nd chance at raising children, and I want to raise them with you!" he added.
"We'll I don't" Kate yelled. "I don't want 2 raise to more kids with an absent father"
"Katie, if we don't raise them, then who will?"
"It isn't our concern, Tony. We've raised 3 kids, that's enough"
"Fine, then I'll raise em on my own" Tony said.
"You adopt those kids and I'll divorce you" Kate threatened.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Tony yelled back.
"No I'm not. I am your wife, and I have a say in the things you do"
"Oh, so know you're my wife? Then what are you when you're sleeping around with that Marine Major?" Tony countered.
"You leave Tim out of this" Kate said.
"He's already in it. Hell, he should drop to his knees and thank the lord he's still breathing" Tony said.
"Wow" Tali said after Tony finished recalling the argument. "Come to think of it, why haven't you killed that Jarhead son of a bitch?" she asked.
"If I do, I'll lose Katie for good" Tony said as he poured himself another 3 fingers of Irish Whiskey.
"If you ask me that's a good thing" Tali said. Tony, who was about to sip his drink, stopped, placed his drink down and gave Tali a look.
"Enough" Tony said. "Kate is my wife and I love her" Tony said.
"True, but you ain't In Love with her" Tali said with a wink. Tony, not wanting to lie, chose to remain silent. Tali, knowing when to take a hint, chose to change the subject; but only slightly. "So what are you going to do about Rex & Molly?" she asked.
"I don't know" Tony confessed. "But Rex is on the Olympic Hockey Team, and the games are in February. If he spends the next few months being bounced around in and out of foster homes, he'll never get the chance to play" Tony said. Tony then looked down at his watch and saw the time. He quickly knocked back his scotch and slammed the glass down. "It's 0930" he told her. "Three and Karine will be leaving for New York in a minute. I better see them off" he said as he hustled outside. Tali smiled and shook her head as she watched Tony rush out of the room. Just as Tony left, Bridget came walking in.
"What's his hurry?" Bridget asked as she walked up to the bar.
"He wants to see Three and Karine off to New York" Tali said as she grabbed 2 beers from below the bar and popped em open. "How's the bride?" she asked.
"Stressed" Bridget said as she took one of the beers from Tali.
"Any news from Harm?" Tali asked her.
"He filed the papers for me this morning. I have a court date on December 24th" Bridget told her.
"Christmas Eve?"
"Earliest I could get" Bridget told her.
"You shouldn't be keeping this from Tony" Tali cautioned her.
"In order for this to work, he can't know" Bridget said as she sipped her beer. "He can't know, no matter how much I want him to"
"I still think you should tell him" Tali told her.
"I will" Bridget assured her. "Once it's all said and done I'll handle it"
Meanwhile, Tony hustled out the front door, where Three and Karine were placing their bags in the trunk of Three's red 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I. "Hold up" Tony yelled as he ran over to them.
"What's up dad?" Three asked as he slammed the trunk.
"You 2 both realize that this ain't no vacation don't ya?" he began. "You 2, along with Howitzer, have been assigned to protect the President when he travels to New York for that Catholic Charity event in 2 days. The Premier of Quebec will be there to, so please, don't embarrass me" Tony warned.
"Don't worry Mon Colonel" Karine said in her very accented English. "I will keep him in line" she said.
"I'm counting on it" Tony said as he then turned to Three. "Oh, and just to make sure you stay out of trouble, Gram and Grandpa Sonny will be there too" Tony told him. For as long as he could remember, Three had never called Olivia "Grandmother". He had always referred to her as "Gram" or "Grammy" when he was younger. Since coming into Three's life, both Erica Jane and Liat had also picked up the habit. "I expect you to be on your best behavior" Tony told him.
"Yes Sir" Three replied.
"Also, I need you to make a stop for me in Arlington" Tony said.
"The Gunny?" Three asked.
"The Gunny" Tony said. "I've tried calling him a dozen times. So have the Colonel and Izzy. It's his daughter's wedding, he ought to be here to walk her down the aisle" Tony said.
"I'll see what I can do Daddy" Three said, in his New York-Carolinian twang.
"Have a safe trip" Tony said as he waved them off as they drove off.
1700 hours, 14 November 2001, Gibbs Residence, Arlington, Virginia.
It was just after 1700 hours when Three pulled up to Gibbs' house in his Mustang. "Wait here" he told Karine as he stepped out. "This hopefully won't take long" he assured her. Three made his way up the path, and through the unlocked front door. He quickly made his way down to the basement, where he found the old Gunnery Sergeant passed out drunk, reeking of bourbon. Three slammed down his fist on the table and yelled "Wake up, Jarhead!" Gibbs merely growled in response as he slowly picked up his head.
"Go away" Gibbs growled.
"Get up ya stupid drunk!" Three yelled again. "You've been dodging my daddy's calls" he said. "Izabella, your daughter, is getting married on Friday night. And just in case you're too drunk to realize it, that's in less than 2 days. Both my father and I trust you'll be there" Three said.
"Oh yeah" said the drunk former Marine. "And what if I'm not?" Gibbs said as he staggered to his feet. "What are you gonna do about it?" he said as he grabbed the collar of Three's black t-shirt. Three quickly balled his fist and delivered a hard shot to Gibbs' jaw, knocking the older man to the floor.
"May God help you Gunny. Your Daughter is getting married in on Friday evening. You've disappointed your daughter nearly every day she's known you. And now, she's getting married, and she's expecting you'll be there to give her away. You best be there, for her sake" Three said, as he stormed out.
1800 hours, 14 November 2001, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina. T-Minus 48 hours.
It was 1800 hours, and Billy & Izzy's rehearsal dinner was in full swing. Most of the guests for the wedding had already arrived, and would be attending the evening's activities. Perhaps the most prominent guest would be Miss Catherine Rommel, the director of The GFIS, German Federal Intelligence Service. Accompanying her were her nephew and niece, Wolfgang and Hilda Rommel. Despite not having served in the military, Catherine Rommel technically held the rank of Field Marshall in the German Army, much like her father, the legendary Desert Fox himself, Field Marshall Erwin Rommel.
Also in attendance were Billy's mother, Maude, and one of his older brothers, George, the CEO of Hazard Industries, one of the largest corporations in the world. Also in attendance from Billy's family were his cousin Madelyn Hazard-Truscott, and her daughter Sophia, who would be serving as Flower girl at the wedding. Madelyn's husband, Patrick Truscott, was a firefighter with the FDNY, Fire Department of New York City, who had been killed on September 11th. Unfortunately for Izzy, no one from her family was in attendance. With her mother dead, and with there being nearly a 0% chance of her father making an appearance, Izzy had asked Bridget to stand in her mother's place.
Meanwhile, Deeks and Tali, who would be standing up as Best Man and Maid of Honor respectively, were making final plans for the Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties, which would be held the following night.
Tony, dressed in a black 3-piece suit, but with his jacket off, was behind the bar, serving drinks, when a young brunette, dressed in a purple dress that came to just below her knees, hopped onto one of the stools in front of the bar. "What's a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?" she asked Tony.
"Hey!" Tony said as smiled and made his way around the bar and gave the young girl a hug. "Kitty Cat" Tony said as he kissed her forehead. "It's so good to see you" Tony said.
"You too Tigger" she replied as she kissed his cheek.
"Cheating on your wife, Tony?" asked a smiling Bridget as she walked over. She was wearing a beautiful deep blue dress, with a single strap that wrapped around the back of her neck.
"Funny" Tony said. "Captain Bridget Laura Sullivan, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to my baby sister, Miss Catherine Rebecca" Tony stopped. "What is your last name now, you change it so much, it's really starting to get annoying" Tony said as he turned to his sister.
"DiNozzo, Catherine Rebecca DiNozzo" Catherine said as she extended her hand.
"It's very nice to meet you" Bridget said.
"Likewise" Catherine said. "Tig, where's Tali at? It's been ages since I've seen her" she asked.
"She's over there, with Sergeant 1st Class Deeks" Bridget said as she pointed to a table at the other end of the room.
"Thank you" Catherine said as she placed a kiss on her brother's cheek. "I'll catch ya later Tigger" she said as she walked off.
"No drinking!" Tony called after her. Tony smiled as Catherine pretended to ignore him. Tony leaned back against the and grabbed a beer. He sipped it as Bridget began to giggle like a schoolgirl.
"Tigger?" Bridget asked.
"Not another syllable" Tony ordered her as he held up his finger.
"There's a story there" Bridget guessed.
"Not enough booze in the world to loosen my tough that much" Tony smiled. Tony took one more sip of his beer, before placing it down. By now, the music had begun to play, and the guests were beginning to dance. "Wanna Dance, my sweet Georgia Peach?" Tony asked with a smile as he held out his arm.
"I thought you'd never ask" Bridget said as she interlocked her arm with his. They made their way out onto the dance floor in Marshlands' Grand Ball room as the music changed to "Into the Night" by Santana. Tony quickly spun Bridget around, as the right hand clasped her left, and his left hand made its way to the small of her back.
Like a gift from the heavens, it was easy to tell,
It was love from above, that could save me from hell,
She had fire in her soul it was easy to see,
how the devil himself could be pulled out of me,
There were drums in the air as she started to dance,
Every soul in the room keeping time with there hands,
And we sang...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
And the voices rang like the angels sing,
We're singing...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
And we danced on into the night,
Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night,
Tony brought Bridget closer, their chests pressed together, their lips less than inch apart.
Like a piece to the puzzle that falls into place,
You could tell how we felt from the look on our faces,
we was spinning in circles with the moon in our eyes,
The room left them moving between you and I,
We forgot where we were and we lost track of time,
And we sang to the wind as we danced through the night,
And we sang...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
And the voices rang like the angels sing,
We're singing...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
And we danced on into the night,
Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night,
Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night,
Tony spun Bridget around again, this time, bring her even closer. So close, you couldn't see light between them.
Like a gift from the heavens, it was easy to tell,
It was love from above, that could save me from hell,
She had fire in her soul it was easy to see,
how the devil himself could be pulled out of me,
There were drums in the air as she started to dance,
Every soul in the room keeping time with there hands,
And we sang...
Bridget heart was beating so fast she thought it was going to burst through her chest. She ever so slowly but surely, began inching her lips closer to Tony's, having every intention of kissing him.
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
And the voices rang like the angels sing,
We're singing...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
And we danced on into the night,
Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night,
(And the voices rang like the angels sing),
Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night,
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
(Ay oh ay oh),
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
(Ay oh ay oh),
Singing ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
(Ay oh ay oh),
And we danced on into the night...
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the song ended. Bridget's and Tony's lips, mere micrometers apart.
From across the room, Tali, Deeks and Catherine watched as Tony and Bridget slowly backed away from each other. "It's a crying shame" Tali said as she sipped her whiskey.
"I always said he married the wrong girl" Catherine said.
"Ok, I have a serious question" Deeks began. "If Kate has been cheating on Tony for so long, why hasn't he divorced her? It's plain as day that he's got the hots for Red Cap" he asked.
"He's got more than the hots for her" Cat said.
"He almost did divorce Kate, but then 9-11 happened, and it brought them closer together" Tali said. "After Tony discovered Liat was biologically his daughter, and that Kate had given her up at birth, Tony absolutely lost it" she explained.
"But to answer your question, my brother is one honorable son of a bitch" Cat said. "Unlike my 'oh so wonderful' sister-in-law, Tony takes his wedding vows seriously"
"Let's change the subject" Deeks suggested. "So Cat, now that you're stateside, where are you looking to go to school?" he asked her.
"Touro Law School on Long Island. It's not too far from where my brother grew up. I was just about finished at St. Andrews, and I figure that Dad and Tony could always use another lawyer" she smiled.
"So Sonny and Olivia are your adoptive parents too?" Deeks asked.
"Legally. But to me, they are just 'Mom & Dad'" she said with a sweet smile.
Once his dance with Bridget had ended, Tony had poured himself 4 fingers of straight Irish Whiskey, and had knocked it back all in one gulp. Damn it, come on Tony, you're a married man for crying out loud he thought to himself. He had almost done it. He had almost kissed Bridget. "I need to get out of here" Tony said to himself. He looked around the room. "Vegas!" he called out to Master Sergeant Gardocki. The Master Sergeant quickly came over to the bar.
"What's up Top?" Ronnie asked as he stepped up to the bar.
"Take over for me will ya. I need some air" Tony asked him.
"No problem Top" Ronnie said as he took Tony's place behind the bar.
Tony quickly made his way outside, needing a little piece and quiet for once. He didn't realize it until he hit the cool November night air, but he was sweating. It wasn't from the heat inside either. It was a nervous sweat. Tony reached into his pocket and pulled out on of his cigars. In lieu of using a cutter, Tony bit the end off and took out his zippo lighter. He tried several times to light it, but he found his hands were shaking uncontrollably.
"Here" said a female voice from behind him. The brunette women grabbed Tony's light and ignited the flame in one flick. Tony nodded obligingly as he took a few puffs.
"Much obliged, Robin" Tony said thanking her.
"As your Doctor, I really should encourage you not to smoke these things" she said as she lit a cigar of her own.
"As the guy who put you through Med School, I suggest you keep your trap shut" Tony said.
"Sonny took me in after my parents defected. They were Directorate-S, undercover KGB Spies" Robin said. "Sonny and Olivia took me in, just like they did with you" she smiled.
"Yeah, I know" Tony said.
It was early, and the sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon as Tony, now dressed in his civvies, strode along the National Mall in between the Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial. It was a quiet and peaceful morning, a nice change from the past week. When he reached the Lincoln Memorial, Tony stopped and took a seat on the steps. A few minutes later, a man dressed in a suit sat down next to him. "You're late Clay" Tony said to him.
"Cut me some slack Tony" Clayton Webb replied. "If it makes you feel better, your intel did pan out. We got Belknov's handler" Clay said as he handed him a file.
"Major Anna Devane, KGB" Tony read.
"She was Belknov's and Rokotov's Control Officer during and after the Cold War" Clay said.
"Was?" Tony inquired.
"Frisco caught up with her in Northwestern Canada. He put 3 in her back" Webb said.
"Which means everything she had she took with her to the grave" Tony said.
"Not quite" Webb corrected him. "Frisco also managed to get his hands on Major Devane's files"
"Any leads onto who contracted her to supply the uranium?" Tony asked.
"No, nothing that good, but we did come up with something good" Webb said. "Devane had recently been contacted by Hezbollah, they are looking to contract Rokotov for a job. She was due to head to Beirut in one week's time to negotiate the terms" Webb said.
"Now, with both Devane and Belknov dead, Rokotov is seemingly on his own" Tony said. "Which means that Rokotov will have to travel to Beirut himself" Tony concluded. "Thanks Webb" Tony said as he patted him on the back. Tony stood up and started to walk away.
"DiNozzo, what are you planning?" Webb asked him.
"Don't worry about it" Tony said.
"Major Anna Devane" Tony said.
"And Lieutenant Colonel Robert Scorpio" Robin added. Tony would never admit it, but he was partially responsible for the death of his adoptive sister's biological mother. "Tony, we need to talk" she said sternly.
"What about?" Tony asked.
"You" Robin said.
After her dance with Tony, Bridget had quickly made her way out of the main house, needing some air. She had come so close, so close to kissing the man of her dreams. She had come so close and yet she was still so far. She had hoped, that maybe, just maybe, by the grace of god, that that kiss would be the start of something between them. If only that song had lasted a few seconds longer she complained in her head. Tony would have been mine. She made her way outside and began walking around the grounds. She has walking behind a row of tall bushes, when she heard a female voice.
"Tony, we need to talk" said the female. Bridget slowly crept closer, and realized that the young women to whom the voice belonged, was talking to Tony.
"What about?" she heard Tony ask.
"You" the women said. "We need to talk about you Tony" the women said.
"Spit it out already Robin" Tony said.
"Your test results came back" Robin said. "The nerve damage, is getting progressively worse, it's only a matter of time before you could total control of your motor skills" Robin said.
"So?" Tony said as he continued to puff his cigar.
"Tony, the shaking you had before, when you were trying to lit the zippo, that could become permanent" Robin warned him. "Not to mention the trouble you'll get in for not reporting it"
"You gonna report me are ya?" he asked her.
"No, no I'm not" Robin told him. "I burned the test results"
"Thank you" Tony said.
"You need to be very careful Tony. The nerve impulses can pop up at anytime. And in your particular profession, an "anytime" isn't good" Robin said.
"I can take care of myself" Tony told her.
Back inside, Deeks and Tali had were starting to enjoy themselves. The 2 of them had shared several kisses so far, and their relationship was just being to sprout. But for Tali, she was still having a hard time getting over Malachi. But tonight, she was determined to power through. She and Deeks were leaning with their backs up against the bar when Tali decided it was time. "Come on" she said as she grabbed Deeks' hand. "Dance with me" she said as they made their way out onto the dance floor. Tali locked her arms around Marty's neck as he enclosed his around the small of her back. They began to sway to the music as a slow song came on. Tali looked up at Deeks and smiled as "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack began to play.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give fate the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
The song was like a wakeup call to Tali. It was as if the song was calling out to her. So Tali decided to do as the song said. She was going to "dance" so to speak. When the song ended, she grabbed Marty's hand a quickly dragged him off the dance floor and out of the Grand Ballroom itself. Once she got him out of the room, she made a beeline for the main staircase in the foyer. "Tali, where are we going?" Deeks jokingly said as she dragged him along. Once they were on the 2nd floor, Tali dragged Deeks into a nearby room. She literally tossed him inside, onto the bed, as she locked the door behind them. It was then that Deeks realized they were in Tali's bedroom. A devilish smile appeared on Tali's face as she turned to face Deeks.
That night, Deeks and Tali let their bodies speak the words their mouths couldn't. Tai had always thought that Malachi would be the 1st man she slept with. But as she found out, the 1st man she slept with, the man who made her a women, was Martin Deeks. And that night, she truly believed she was finally over Malachi Ben-Gidon. Or so she thought.
0730 hours, 15 November 2001, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina.
The next morning, Tali Colleton awoke with a smile on her face. She found herself entangled in Deeks' arms, and was quite content to stay there all day. That was until, there was a loud knocking on the front door. the knocking continued, so Tali unwillingly detangled herself from Deeks' arms and quickly slipped on a fresh bra and panties from her dresser. She threw on her white silk, floral print robe and made her way downstairs. She made her way to the front door, and what she fought, took her breath away, and made her heart skip a beat all at one time.
"Well, well, well, longtime no see Miss Colleton"
"Malachi?" Tali replied.
PLEASE REVIEW!
A/N- Sorry about the delay, but just so y'all know, 28 Seconds is back.
(Three's voice)- Next time on "28 Seconds: Strength & Honor"-
Just when she thought he was gone, Malachi Ben-Gidon is back, and with one thing on his mind: Tali. On the eve of Billy & Izzy's wedding, Romance is in the air, fists will fly, and blood will be spilled. Finally, as one couple finds wedding bliss, another, will go up in smoke. Introducing Chicago Fire's Teri Reeves as Dana David. TJ Ramini returns as Malachi Ben-Gidon, next time on the most shocking installment to date, of "28 Seconds: Strength & Honor"