by Gunn, Autumn
“Why weren’t they expecting us to fall in love?”
“You know how official government business is. They called me in to warn me not to become involved with you. I downplayed it. Told them it was just a fling to get them off my back, but of course I knew. I wasn’t going to let my job, or anyone, get in the way of us.”
“And you still feel that way?”
“I do.”
I didn’t say anything. I just rolled my head back and stared at the ceiling. Kate let a few minutes go by.
“What are you thinking?”
“Well, first I have to process everything. And I’m still doing that. Second I’m just thinking about what the Navy shrink said when I was separating.”
“Do you care to share that information?”
“I don’t mind. She said not only was I physically damaged from the op, but she detected I had undiagnosed mental anguish resulting in trust issues with women. Unresolved childhood issues she said. I remember it specifically.”
“And what do you think about that?”
“I think I didn’t like it very much when she said it. And of course part of the reason I didn’t like it was because she was right.”
“And how do you feel now?”
“Well, a certain woman I know, let’s even say she might be in this room…,” I turned to Kate and smiled, “might not really be helping with my issues regarding women and trust.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.”
“But on the other hand, maybe she is. Sometimes trust is not just seeing what is on the exterior and trusting that, but it’s about seeing what’s inside, what’s real, and putting your faith in that.”
“Wow, that’s deep.”
“Very funny.”
“I’m not joking. It’s deep, and it’s also beautiful. Part of the problem I have is that everyone just sees what’s on the surface and doesn’t take the time to get to know me. With my line of work I can’t just trust people unconditionally right away. I have to keep some things to myself. In some ways it’s not fair, but I let people know up front there are some things I like to keep personal. Most people hear that then never take the time to get to really know me. They just want to skim over my life at a 30,000 foot level in two minutes and then make a snap decision. Unfortunately that happens a lot.”
“I know what you mean. You know how many women out there are looking to add a SEAL notch to their bedpost?”
“I thought only guys did that kind of thing.”
“I did too, until I got my trident.”
We both laughed.
“What happened to Kong?”
“He was brought to justice.”
“They’re going to try him?”
“Are you joking? You don’t remember?”
“I passed out. I remember that.”
“Well you passed out right after you delivered justice yourself, Mr. Justice. He’s not going to hurt another woman ever again.”
“Good riddance. And the rest of his guys and his operation?”
“His guys, well the ones that you left somewhat upright and able to breathe air, are not talking. It doesn’t really matter though. They’re going through that Seven Seas bogus operation and putting the pieces together. The files were encrypted, but our guys cracked it pretty quick. A lot of names are going to come out. High level names too. It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s going to help moving forward. It’s really going to put a huge dent in human trafficking around the globe.”
“I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that, especially as a dad to a young girl. Have you heard from Cole?”
“Of course. We filled him in last night. He’s got Jasmine safe and sound back home. She doesn’t even know so she’s not stressing out. She just thinks we’re on a vacation.”
“And Jerry?”
“Well, some reporters did manage to get ahold of him. It was kind of cute though. They were asking him questions and his only answer was no comment.”
I burst out laughing which led to coughing.
“Be careful. You’re hurt pretty bad.”
“That kid is great. He’s a hero and he even knows how to deal with the press afterwards. He really does have a future ahead of him in this field if he wants it.”
“Oh he definitely wants it.”
“Well he was raised well, so I’m sure he’ll make the choice that best suits him.”
Kate smiled. “Thank you, and with the way things are going with us I hope that part of his upbringing will include a strong, sexy, man who survives bridge falls and saves damsels in distress.”
Kate reached down and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“It’s going to. With his mother’s permission.”
“You definitely have his mother’s permission. Not only her permission with her son, but her permission to do what you need to do to her.”
“Hmmm, I can think of a few things.” I winked at Kate. She smirked.
“And I can think of a few more.”
We laughed and Kate reached in and delivered a big, but soft hug.
“I want to just hug you all day and all night, but the doctor said to limit the physical contact due to your injuries.”
The door swung open. “You? You’re back again.” I burst out laughing. It was the salty old doc from before. “I thought I got rid of you.”
“I missed you so I decided to come back.”
“Well I certainly didn’t miss you. You walked out on us yesterday. You’re lucky you’re some sort of hero or else we’d have you strapped down. Is this the gal you rescued? The one I saw on the TV?”
“That’s the one.”
“Well, at least I can say you made one good decision. She’s a keeper. She’s been waiting by your side since you arrived”
“Thanks, doc.”
“Don’t thank me. Get to sleep so you can get on up outta here. How’s your memory?”
“I remember most things, but some of it is a little sketchy.”
“Makes sense. It might come back, it might not. Most important thing is to remember the big stuff. Do you remember that?”
“I think so.”
“Then you’re OK. Now get some sleep.”
He walked out and shut the door.
Kate and I both looked at each other with smiles and held the glance until we burst out laughing. I started coughing again.
“He’s so cute.”
“Salty old dog. He’s great. No PC whatsoever. Does he even know about malpractice and misdiagnosis?”
“It doesn’t look that way.”
“I think he just told me I have amnesia, but not to worry about it too much.”
Kate smiled. “Yeah, it sure sounded that way.” We both laughed.
“Jax, I have one other question I’m dying to ask you?”
“Uh oh. More surprises?”
“Well, if there are, they’re from your end.”
“OK, shoot.”
“Everybody at the agency, including me, is dying to know. Is your last name really Justice.”
“You know I used to get asked that a lot, but not so much anymore.”
“OK, and?”
“Yes. Yes, that’s my last name, but not my given name.”
“What’s your given name?”
“I don’t know. I was dropped on the doorstep of an orphanage as I mentioned. When I was old enough I legally changed my name. The judge asked me about 10 times if I was sure. All my friends tried to talk me out of it…told me I was going to get made fun of. My reply? Who’s going to make fun of the biggest kid around? One who’s built of muscle named Justice that looks out for others. Their reply? Good point.”
“My reply too. It’s very superhero, but it’s my superhero.” Kate hugged me then pulled away just enough to look me in the eyes. “I never properly thanked you. Jax, thank you. Thank you for saving my life. And Jerry’s life.”
“No need to thank me, but you’re welcome. And for the record Jerry’s just as responsible as
I am for anything good that came out of that night.”
“He definitely did a great job, especially for such a young man, but nothing would have been possible without you.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s just forget about it though. I’m looking forward now and you know what I see?”
“What’s that?”
“That nothing is possible without you.”
Kate stared at me deeply. I could see a tear run down her cheek. She leaned in for a hug. We held that one hug for as long as I could remember, which was until the medicine kicked in and I passed out.
Chapter 21
It was great to be home. Most of the people in town had seen us on TV. Word spread that Kate was an FBI agent. No one had suspected. A SEAL and an FBI agent in one sleepy Midwest town. Both trying to lay low. That didn’t exactly work out so well, but what did work out perfectly is that they found each other.
We would go for walks, talk about our future, and play games with the kids. It felt great to have Kate in my life. Jasmine loved her almost as much as I did.
Kate took a remote position with the bureau after her cover was blown. It was OK, great actually. It allowed her to work remotely from home so we got to spend more time together. We discussed business ideas. Maybe we could start some sort of security company together or even look a little bigger. We wanted to somehow help women and children involved in trafficking. The world is a beautiful place, but there are still some bad seeds out there who try and mess up this magnificent place for the rest of us.
There was a lot of joy and excitement in all aspects of our life. Everything was moving so fast, but there was one thing I wanted to happen first. I wanted to show Kate I loved her and trusted her. She already knew, but I wanted to show the world.
Cole took the kids to Cedar Point for the weekend and I planned out a perfect weekend in the hills for Kate and I. We would hike, camp, take relaxing walks, and swim in the clear cool rivers and streams. The river bottoms were covered in rock so the water was crystal clear and a beautiful blue. Clean, clear, cool water was the perfect escape from the summer heat. The best part was no one would be around. I mapped out everything so we’d be about as far from civilization as you can get. I knew Kate wouldn’t mind.
My good friend, Chip, from the SEAL Teams now had a helicopter rescue business. He’d get calls around sunset to rescue hikers and also air lifted other people when the police choppers were already in use. He agreed to drop us at a predesignated point in the woods on a Thursday morning and pick us back up on Tuesday afternoon. Five whole days alone. I couldn’t wait.
The first afternoon was light. We didn’t get far from the drop point, but that was OK. We set up our tent by the stream and watched deer come down for a drink. It was beautiful.
At the warmest point of the afternoon I suggested we skinny dip.
“It’s like we’re teenagers.”
“I know, doesn’t it feel great?”
“It feels more than great. It feels amazing.”
“So you accept?”
“I’d love to.”
I was out of my shorts and t-shirt in about one second flat. I looked over at Kate and she was laughing.
“Somebody in a hurry?”
“No stall tactics, young lady!”
“I’m not stalling. Believe me.”
She slowly lifted her shirt over her head. She stopped and lowered it partly back down so she could see through the neck hole. She looked at me and smiled, sticking out her tongue for added emphasis.
“Are you teasing me?”
“Moi? Never. OK, maybe just a little, little, little bit.”
“I think the U.S. government would classify this as torture.”
Kate looked at my groin area. “Well I can see that’s how you seem to be interpreting it.”
“No more playing around, missy.” I ran to the bank after Kate. She put up a pretend struggle to get away. We both laughed. I ripped off her clothes, literally, and walked into the river.
“Don’t throw me in! It’s cold.”
“It’s not cold. Ready?”
“No!”
“One…two…three!”
I carefully shot her up and over my back into the refreshing stream. She emerged about three seconds later. “Oh my gosh. This feels so wonderful.”
“You know what else feels wonderful,” I teased.
She looked at me sideways, “Hmmm, what would that be?”
“You.”
I pulled her in close and stared into her eyes. I pushed away her wet hair with my right hand and kissed her lips. Our bodies pressed together in the stream. Our faces pressed together in the warm, summer air. It was as perfect a moment as I had ever experienced in my life. I only knew one way to make it better.
“I hear this steam used to have precious gemstones.”
“Really, I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah, it’s true. We can try and look for some. The water’s clear so we can take a look.”
“Maybe we should take a look a little later? After we finish what we…ummm…started?”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to forget.”
“First one to find a gem stone wins.”
“And what do they win?”
“They get to do whatever they want to the other.”
“Whatever?”
“Whatever.”
Kate pushed my head underwater playfully and then dove down herself to look.
I dove down under the water and pretended to look as well. We both came up out of breath. We kissed.
“Did you find anything, sweetheart?”
“Nothing yet? You?”
“Just this.”
I lifted my hands from the water and held them together in front of Kate.
“Oh my. Oh my, Jax. I can’t breathe!”
Kate began crying and jumped into my arms. I closed my fist quickly and caught her.
“Oh sorry. I’m so excited I’m losing my mind. Did you drop it?”
“Never.”
I returned Kate to her feet.
“Kate, my best friend, my lover, my life. Will you do me the honor making me the happiest man to ever walk the face of this earth? Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes a thousand times! Yes a million times! Yes a thousand million times!”
I slid the three-carat ring onto her finger.
“It’s perfect. It’s beautiful. It’s so big I’m going to always be thinking about it. And you. Us.”
“Perfect thoughts to have.”
We kissed under the afternoon sun. Still naked. Still in the stream. Still and forever in love.
“Where did you get such a ring?”
“A magician never reveals his secrets.”
“It’s incredible. Thank you. It has such a sparkle”
“Just like you. The sparkle in your smile. The sparkle you put in my eye.”
“Awww, Jax. That’s so sweet.”
Kate hugged me as tight as she ever had. Then we kissed and picked up where we left off. I never knew romance underwater could feel so amazing. I guess you never know what to believe until you put a little trust in the process, and in others.
We spent the rest of the vacation nude. It became our running joke. First one that puts on clothes becomes the sex slave.
“Wait a minute. If I put on my clothes and I lose then I become your sex slave, right?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“And the first thing you would order me to do would be…”
“To remove your clothes.”
We laughed and embraced. I loved the freedom and the naturalness of being nude with Kate. Of course I also loved admiring her beautiful, feminine curves. Even the mosquitos couldn’t ruin my view. We would just retire early to the camp for what we started calling Bite Night. Instead of the mosquitos biting us we much preferred to nibble each other, and kiss, and cuddle, and remain joined at the hips. It was magical.