Skinny Dipping
Troy was enjoying their brief stay in Benghazi, especially reconnecting with his friend, British Sergeant Victoria "Vixen" Moore. They had known each other for several years and enjoyed a casual relationship. She was the sexiest and most exciting woman Troy had ever known and he always looked forward to any time they might have together.
Currently Hitch was assisting Isla as she entertained the Allied hospital patients, Tully was treasuring every moment with Mary Ellen, the nurse with whom he had fallen in love and Moffitt was discussing archaeological finds with several local scholars. All of which left him completely available for time alone with Vixen. He was ready for some downtime and excited to spend it with her.
They had shared a candlelit dinner at one of the better restaurants and several drinks, followed by a number of slow, romantic dances.
"How about a swim?" she whispered sultrily in his ear.
"Well, Britannia rules the waves," he whispered back with a grin, and they left the building. Sam drove the jeep to a favorite spot on the beach. The Mediterranean was beautiful in the moonlight, and they walked toward an isolated little grotto that was well known to the both of them. The moon was reflected in the water and the starlight bounced back across the tide. Sam spread a blanket on the sand in the protective shelter of the grotto and they proceeded to exchange sweet kisses and caresses.
Sometime later, Hitch & Isla with Tully & Mary Ellen discovered the jeep where it was parked.
"I don't think this is such a good idea," Hitch said.
"We just want to make sure he's okay and not all alone," Tully replied looking around. "No one should be alone on a night like this," he gave Mary Ellen a quick kiss.
"What makes you think he's alone?" Hitch continued. "It's not like he can't get a date. Sarge is pretty good with the ladies."
"Is that something he learned from you?" Isla teased.
"No, but I have picked up a few pointers from him," Hitch teased back.
"Hey, look," Tully said, discovering the grotto.
"Well, this is cozy," Hitch said ducking beneath the opening to the small cave. "Looks like he's been here," he pointed to the blanket.
"But where is he now?" Tully asked.
"I think maybe he wants to be alone," Mary Ellen commented.
"Why do you say that?" Tully asked as they moved out of the grotto and back near the jeep.
"Looks to me like he's not exactly alone," Mary Ellen pointed to two sets of bare footprints in the sand.
"Tully, we need to get out of here, NOW!" Hitch lowered his voice and spoke with urgency.
"Why, what's wrong?" Tully went on alert.
"That's what wrong," Hitch nervously pointed to the front seat of the jeep. Troy's uniform, boots, boxers, and slouch hat were lying in the front seat. The passenger seat was filled with the uniform of a British sergeant, and it definitely wasn't Moffitt's. There were lacy undergarments lying on top.
Tully took one wide-eyed look, grabbed Mary Ellen's hand, and repeated the need to go. About that time, they heard laughter coming from the water: a woman's giggle and a man's deeper chortle. Tully and Hitch glanced at one another and practically ran from the jeep, pulling their dates with them. In the morning it was going to be difficult for them to make eye contact with Troy.