| Chapter 42 Tara slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She wasn't sure where she was until she lifted her head and looked out the windows, seeing the ocean view. She smiled, laying her head back down. She was safe at Lyn's. Tara turned her head and saw Nick asleep in the chair next to the bed. He was holding her hand in his. She smiled, happy to see him, but was concerned. Didn't the army need him there? She sighed, turning her head and seeing Brian laying next to her. Lyn curled up in the chair next to him, holding his hand. Tara stared at Brian, his face was pale, but she couldn't figure out what happened to him. Tara reached over with her free hand and found Brian's under the blankets. She took hold of it and squeezed. Brian's eyes fluttered open and focused on her, "Hey," he said, his voice weak. "What happened?" she asked. "You got hurt, so Jade brought you here. You needed blood, so I gave you some of mine," Brian explained. Tara smiled at him, "Thank you, but are you OK? You look pale." He grinned, "I'll be OK. It's you I'm worried about." "Don't I'm fine," she said. "Good," Brian said, looking past her and seeing Nick, "When did he get here?" "I dunno," she answered, "But he probably shouldn't have come." "I'm sure he was worried about you," Brian offered. "I know, but the army needs him more than I do right now," Tara said. "They can manage for a while without me," Nick said, sitting up and smiling down at Tara. Tara reached up as Nick leaned down, taking her in his arms and hugging her. "I missed you," she said. "I missed you too," Nick said, pulling back just enough to kiss her. Brian grinned at the two as they parted. "What?" Nick asked, "I can't kiss the woman I love after being away from her for way to long?" Brian laughed, "Naw man, kiss away. I think it's sweet." "Well, now that we have your permission," Nick teased, he leaned down and kissed Tara again as she laughed. "What's going on?" Lyn asked, waking up and hearing them laughing. Brian turned to her, "Oh just a little kiss fest. Wanna join in?" Lyn smiled, "Why of course, do we get a prize if we win?" Brian giggled, "Oh yeah, there are prizes." Nick and Tara burst out laughing at their friends. "God, ya'll are sick," Nick protested. Brian raised his eyebrows at him, "Don't make me mention some of the corny things you've said over the years." Nick put his hands up, "OK, I surrender. Go enjoy your prizes." "Thank you," Brian said, pulling Lyn down and kissing her like he hadn't seen her in years. Tara sat up and glanced at Nick, smiling, "Maybe we should leave?" Nick nodded, helping Tara to her feet. "Wait," Brian said, sitting up, and feeling dizzy when he did, "Damn." "I think you gave a little to much blood," Lyn said, helping to steady him. "Maybe," Brian said, as the room slowed to a stop, "Nick, you need to make some calls while you're here." "Calls?" Nick asked. "Yeah man, your family for one. And I'm sure the guys would like to hear from you too. It's getting kinda hard to cover for you now. Management isn't taking the �away on personal business' thing anymore," Brian explained. "Oh, OK," Nick said, "I guess I have time to do that." Brian tried to stand but was to weak and landed back on the bed. "Why don't you rest some more, and I'll go make some calls," Nick said. Brian nodded, "OK, just don't leave without telling me first." "We won't," Tara said, as she and Nick left the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Howie! Quick come here!" Kira yelled. Howie ran around the corner, panic stricken, "What?! What's wrong?!" Kira frantically waved him over, grabbing his hand and putting it on her stomach. She watched as Howie's face changed from fear to overwhelming joy. "Man, she's really kickin ain't she," he said. Kira nodded, "I think she's gonna play soccer or something." They both laughed. Howie took his hand from her stomach and gently caressed her cheek, "That is so amazing." "I'm sorry I scared you, but you've missed it so many times," Kira said. "Baby, you can scare me anytime for that," he said, leaning down and softly kissing her. When they parted Kira looked at his shirt. "Honey, why do you have purple paint on your shirt?" she asked. He looked down, "It's a surprise." Kira looked at him warily, "Would this have something to do with the little one's nursery?" "Um, maybe," he said, grinning profusely. "And just when are you gonna let me see it?" Kira asked. "Soon. It's almost done," he said, standing up, "Can I get you anything before I go back to work?" Kira shook her head, "I have all I need right here." Howie smiled, leaning down and kissing the top of her head, "So do I." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Yeah dad, I promise I'll try to call more often," Nick said. Tara laughed at him and he stuck his tongue out at her. "Don't stick that out unless you plan on using it," she whispered in his ear. "Nick, are you listening to me?" Bob asked. "Huh? Oh sorry dad, Tara was saying something to me," Nick said, scowling at her. Tara giggled and went into the kitchen to get something to drink. "Where have you been?" Bob asked. Nick bit his lip, "Um, well I really can't say right now." "What do you mean you can't say? Are you in some sort of trouble?" Bob asked, getting concerned. "No, nothing like that. It's just that I've recently discovered a few things about myself, and I need to take some time to deal with it, that's all," Nick said. "What kind of things?" Bob asked. Nick sighed, "I can't tell you right now." "Nick, what's with all this secrecy? You know you can tell me anything," Bob said. "I know dad, but this is ..... well, I need some time to straighten things out before I tell you," Nick said. "Nick, you aren't um gay are you? Cause if you are, I want you to know that I still love you," Bob said. Nick almost choked on the drink Tara had handed him, "NO! No it's not that at all. Trust me it's nothing like that." Bob breathed a sigh of relief, "Well I'm glad, but I'm still worried about you." "I know dad, but try not to. I'm fine, I just need to take time with this before I let you in on it, that's all," Nick said. "OK son, I guess I'm gonna have to trust you then," Bob conceded. Nick smiled, "Yeah, I guess so. Listen I need to go, but I'll try to call soon OK?" "Alright son, take care, I love you," Bob said. "I love you too, bye," Nick said, hanging up the phone. Nick looked over at Tara, Jade and Aleisha sitting on the opposite couch. "Let me guess," Tara said, "He thought you were gay, right?" The other girls laughed when Nick blushed, "Oh shut up," he said. "You know, your gonna have to tell him sometime," Jade said. "I know that, but right now isn't the time," Nick countered. "True," Aleisha said. Ted laughed and the group looked over at him. "I was just thinking, the gay excuse would be easier to believe than the truth," he said. Nick laughed, "I think you're right." Chapter 43 |