by AliyahBurke
What about me, Jace? Do you need me?
She got out and moved to his side. “I have to go, Derek. Thank you for this trip, even if we didn’t get to stay the whole time.”
Derek stood and gathered her in close so she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. Expelling his breath, he cupped her face in his hands. “Jace. My sweet princess.”
She dropped her gaze. “I have to go, Derek.”
He kissed her, engulfing her softness. His tongue met by her own and Derek closed his eyes, imprinting this moment in his memory. Each mewl, purr, and arch she released, he filed away for the long nights ahead when memories would be all he had. His body responded almost violently.
His hands held her tightly when he ended the passionate exchange. Her thick curly lashes lifted slowly, exposing her fervid gaze to him. The pulse in her neck beat incredibly fast.
“Never forget, I love you, Jace.” He kissed her one more time.
“Derek…I…take care.” She turned and ran to the waiting plane, vanishing inside it.
Her inability to say those three words to him made him feel uneasy. Derek stayed until the Learjet took to the sky. Then he sat in the driver’s seat, leaned over, and opened the glove box. He reached in and pulled out not one but two envelopes. Derek on one and Caleb on the other. The urge to read them nearly overwhelmed him. Instead, he replaced them and took the Jeep back to the hotel, grabbed their stuff, and headed home.
Caleb met him outside and the boy’s face fell when he noticed his mom wasn’t there. But the smile returned when he handed him the note and the Ankh.
“Thank you, Papa,” Caleb said, walking off with Shadow even as he put the charm on his own chain.
That night, after Caleb had been put to bed, Derek sat on the couch and opened his card from Jacey.
Derek;
I wish I knew how to say what I long to. I’ve never been good at that. Thank you so much, again, for the spade. Thank you for the short trip, all of it. And for telling me what you did. I know I’m not the easiest person in the world, and…there is so much I want to say to you, but I can’t. Take care of our son.
Yours,
~Jacey
“I know you love me, Jace. Why can’t you tell me?” Derek headed up stairs and got ready for bed. As he lay down, he whispered, “Come back to me soon, princess.”
* * * *
Jacey lay in the marshy field, hidden from view by her ghillie suit, which she wore in the military crawling style. She crept along, slowly and carefully towards the hut. A hot bath would be so welcome right now. Another few inches through the muck. Okay, maybe the chance to be dry again.
A rumble from above halted her progress. With caution she moved so she could see the sky and the view made her want to curse. The storm was moving in much faster than anticipated. If those clouds opened up before she got in position, she was fucked. And if that happens, Jack, that young woman never sees her family again, she reminded herself.
Focusing back on her job, Jacey kept moving. Carefully, but definitely pushing it more. Big fat drops began to fall and had turned into a steady downpour by the time she reached her location. The skies were dark and split by the awesome power of lightning. The waves beat against the stone barrier, splashing up over it.
Hunkering in the goo, Jacey ignored the urge to move early. Her mind counting down, she shifted and made sure all limbs weren’t stiff from maintaining the same position for a while. The water rose higher and still Jacey waited.
When the time came, Jacey moved, little by little, up one large stilt the hut resided upon. The darkness cloaked her progress. Crouching at the top, she lunged up and back, her fingers searching for the edge of the floor. Hanging there, she moved at a snail's pace and lifted herself to slither onto the not-so-wide porch. Below her, the waters continued to rise courtesy of the deluge coming down.
Pressing her sodden form against the wall, Jacey peered in the window. There was one other man in there aside from her package. A large man, and he was packing some heat.
Jeez. Out here in the middle of nowhere. Why’s he got weapons? Even as she asked, Jacey knew. This area teamed with dangers. Poisonous snakes and other creatures to name a few. Glancing at her watch, she realized time was swiftly getting away from her. Five minutes until the evacuation would be here. It was a one shot deal—she missed them and she was on her own to get home. The female sat huddled in the corner, shivering in her clothing which was damn near next to nothing. Same clothing she was taken in.
Four minutes.
Jacey withdrew her tactical knife, her SDT, and moved to where she had a better shot at making all pieces fall nicely into place. How I like things.
Three minutes.
“Shut up with the sniveling!” the man hollered. “Or I’ll give you something to cry about.”
Pulling a grenade off her belt, Jacey popped the pin and tossed it into the water near the steps. Tightening her grip, she crouched, waiting for the explosion to reposition herself.
Whoomp! The stilted home shook and a large spray of water shot up.
“What the…?” The man ripped open the door and looked around, guns drawn.
Jacey jumped through the window, rolled, and came up, releasing the knife. The man turned and the razor sharp blade sank into his chest. His gun went off as he fell back to the floor, in and out of the door.
Jacey ran to the screaming woman and grabbed her, dragging her toward the busted out window and through to the rain-slicked porch. The hum of a motor reached her and Jacey grinned. A light flashed and she knew where the Zodiac waited. A shiver skated up her spine and Jacey turned in time to see the man raise his gun and pull the trigger one more time before he died.
Jacey literally threw the girl over the rail to the water and waiting boat below. The slug tore through her ghillie suit and into her back, knocking her forward to fall boneless into the water. She didn’t know who pulled her out but saw her teammates huddled over her while they raced along, jumped the wall, and disappeared of into the ocean’s vastness. Her world went black.
* * * *
She opened her eyes slowly, the room out of focus for a few moments. When it cleared up she recognized the look of a hospital. Beeping monitors, the smell of sterility. Moving her eyes to the left she saw her father asleep in a chair. For the first time ever, Jacob Thompson appeared old to his daughter.
“Papa?” she managed to rasp after a few tries.
He jerked and focused on her. A tired smile filled his face as he pushed up and approached her side. “Hey there, baby girl.”
“What happened? Where’s Caleb?”
“Rest easy, Jacey. Caleb’s with his father. You’re in Germany. Got shot in the back.” Panic flared up. “Before you start worrying, they foresee a complete recovery.”
Relief flooded her. “Then why are you here?”
“Because you are my daughter and it’s about time I behave more like your father as opposed to a federal agent. Plus, with you laid up, you can’t get away from me and have to hear me out.”
“Can we just forget it, Papa? It happened, whatever your reasons for doing it, it happened and now things are as they are.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I thought I was doing right by you.”
Jacey stared into his eyes, identical to her own. “I know you did, Papa. Just please understand you and Mama raised me to be independent and smart. Let me make my own decisions.”
“I will.” He kissed her cheek and sat close. “Now, tell me about this. Thought I taught you better than to get shot in the back.”
Jacey smiled. Things are how they should be. That was her papa’s way of handling his fear. Reaching out, she took his hand and squeezed gently. There were tears in his eyes when he kissed the back of her hand.
Her father’s hand left by the time she blinked away her own tears. She stayed there for a few more days before they released her. Gambit waited outside for her. He wore civvies and had a bag beside him. He pushed away from th
e retaining wall he sat on and said, “Good to see you up and about, Jack.”
“Thanks, Gambit. What are you doing here?”
“You’ve got one free night before we get back to work, so I’m taking you to your hotel.”
“Hotel?”
“We all have rooms there. Come on.”
She laughed. “Right. I wouldn’t want to keep you from the hot piece of ass you have lined up.”
Gambit harrumphed and whispered in her ear while he held her door, “Don’t insult me. There’s at least two on tap for the night.”
“Sick, man, sick.”
He chuckled and headed to the driver’s seat. “The girl’s fine, Jack,” he said with all seriousness.
“Good. I don’t suppose I have a new—”
“I already replaced it.”
Rotating her head so she could see him, Jacey smiled. “Thanks, Gambit.”
“I know how much you liked that knife.”
I loved it. Jacey dozed on the way to the hotel. After seeing the members of her unit, her friends, she closed the door to her room and sighed. A nap is definitely in order.
“When I said be safe, I meant it, princess.”
Swallowing her gasp, Jacey turned to find Derek leaning in the doorway to the bathroom, a towel in his hands. He wore a black shirt, no shoes, and tight jeans.
“Derek,” she murmured. “What are you doing here?” Jacey narrowed her eyes. “Did my father—”
“No. Gambit called me.” He tossed the hand towel behind him and walked toward her. His hands skimmed her silhouette before he tenderly kissed her. “Are you okay?”
“They wouldn’t have released me otherwise.” She gave him a light peck on the lips. “We have less than twenty-four hours, Derek. I’ve not seen you for almost three months.”
He pulled her in close, his blue eyes smoky with desire. “Let’s make up for lost time then.”
And they did.
* * * *
Jacey had a smile on her face while she sat dangling her legs into the crystalline waters. The warm sun beat down upon her. A wolf whistle reached her and she turned her head to see Gambit striding up in nothing but his swim trunks.
“Look at you sitting there lookin’ all sexy and hot,” he said, crouching beside her.
“You want me to take your watch so you can hook up with those triplets. Forget it, man.”
He brushed some of her hair back behind her ear and whispered, “Hey, you owe me. I arranged it for you to get laid.”
“Ohh, low blow man, low blow.” But it was true. For the sixteen hours up until they left she’d remained in the hotel room with Derek. Her body tingled as her imagination recalled their rendezvous.
“Blowing is what I’m after here. Come on.”
Hanging her head, Jacey sighed. “Fine. I’ll take it, but you…you owe me dinner.”
He bussed her cheek with his lips. “Dinner I can do. You’re a cheap date.”
“See, it’s comments like that which make me reevaluate the decision to help you out.”
“How about I buy you something sleek and sexy?”
She narrowed her eyes at him and shook a finger at him. “Don’t be a tease now.”
Gambit moved closer so his mouth was teasingly close to hers. “Oh, I’m not. smooth, polished, undeniably sexy. What do you say?” he purred.
“I think, if we’re talking about the same thing, I’ll even help you get those triplets for your date.”
Trouble flickered in his eyes. “Consider it done. Oh, and cherie, no fair teasin’ me, you know how I feel about you.”
“Get on with you. You’re blocking my sun and I need to tan.”
He scanned her bikini clad body. “You look beautiful to me, cherie. Thanks.” Gambit stood.
“No problem.” Jacey tipped her head back and closed her eyes. she had one more hour before it was time to get back to the room. They were doing recon on a few people and, given her accident, she had yet to be cleared to go totally back out into the field. But staying in hotel rooms she could do.
I hope I make it home in time for Caleb’s birthday. She’d missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. But she’d mailed a bunch of things back to him. Jacey’s smile was still in place when she headed back to the hotel and changed before taking over the surveillance.
Two months later she waited outside in the lobby before her doctor for the results of her last test. Seeing if she could be cleared for full duty. Flipping through the magazine on her lap, Jacey looked up when some camouflaged legs moved to stand before her.
Jeff “Griz” Anderson stood there. “Walk with me,” he ordered.
“Sir? I’m waiting for my results.”
“Now. I spoke to the doctor. And now I need to talk to you.”
Jacey swallowed and replaced the magazine before getting to her feet. “Yes, sir.”
This didn’t bode well. They walked side by side out to the elevator and down to the first floor where he walked her outside to a small area with tables, benches, and a fountain. He headed her toward a small bench away from everyone and gestured for her to take a seat. His large body sank down beside her and he rotated his hat in his hands, not saying a word.
“I’m not cleared to go back to work then?” she asked.
“I have to send you home, Jack.”
“Why? Griz, I feel fine. I’m not quite one hundred percent but I’m damn close.”
He looked at her, his blue eyes unusually gentle. “I know you are, but this is not something that is up for debate. You’ll help us run ops via sat links. But, you can’t be out in the field.”
“Why?” She shook her head. “What did I do wrong? Is this because I’m a woman and I got shot? Don’t pull this macho shit with me.”
“It is because you’re a woman.” He touched her arm. “You’re pregnant, Jacey. You can’t be taking any unnecessary risks. We both know that. There will always be a spot for you out in the field here. You are a member of Zulu. This just puts things a little different. Your ass still belongs to me and I’ve pulled some strings so you will spend the rest of your pregnancy with your family.”
Pregnant. I’m pregnant. Her hand dropped down to settle over her womb. A baby. “I’m sorry, Griz.”
Her CO smiled, a rarity, and it took her by surprise. “Darling, never apologize for that. You are an amazing Marine and one hell of a mother. Now come on, let’s go get you packed. You can hop a transport home.”
Jacey was kind of in a haze all the back to her room. Pregnant. Pregnant with Derek’s child. all the way back to the United States she relived Griz’s words. You’re pregnant, Jacey.
She smiled at Honey, who waited for her at the bus station. On the way back to Leeburg, Jacey had a hard time concentrating on what Honey talked about. But she perked up when she mentioned the Spring Festival.
“Honey, can you help me with something?”
“Anything.”
“Okay, here’s my idea.” Jacey told her as she drove.
* * * *
Derek allowed himself to be pulled along through the crowd. Caleb was overly excited to be taking part in this year’s Spring Festival. Not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm, Derek pasted a smile on his face as they headed toward the stage.
“Where are we going, Caleb?” he asked. “I thought you wanted to go see the fire trucks.”
“There’s a show I want to see. P…please, Papa?”
“Of course. What’s the show?”
“Singing.” Caleb pulled him along faster.
Looking at the stage, Derek nodded knowingly when his gaze landed on Honey and a few others who were known for hamming it up in front of the crowd. Honey stepped to the microphone and said, “Okay. We have a special treat for y’all right now. We don’t get to hear her sing all that often, but our own Jacey has agreed to do a song for us.”
His head snapped up. Jacey’s back? He’d been off on an overnight fishing trip and had come to the festival from there. Looking down at his
son, he noticed the wide, proud grin on his face.
“Did you know your mom was home?”
“Of course, Papa. Are you surprised?”
“Yes. I sure am.” That’s not all I am. He hadn’t seen or heard from her since he met her in the hotel for those sixteen hours of pure pleasure.
He fell silent when she walked out onto the stage. Dragging his gaze up and down her body he took in her attire. Casual, and the Jacey he knew and loved. Slightly baggy jeans, cowboy boots, and a sapphire blue shirt. Her hair floated around her like a silken cloud. She was so beautiful he ached.
“Wow,” she said with a uneasy smile. “I’d forgotten how nerve-wracking this can be. I’m not like Honey here, who we all know loves the spotlight,” she hugged Honey, “but here goes nothing.”
Derek heard the music cue up and he stood with his hands behind his back, listening the second she began the first line.
“Once there was a princess.” Her sultry alto flowed over him and her obsidian gaze was directly upon him. The others chimed in and sung as well, Someday My Prince Will Come. Not the slow, romantic Disney version but a more upbeat, energetic one.
The backup singers asked her, “Was he strong and handsome, was he big and tall?”
“There was no one like him anywhere at all,” Jacey responded in her dulcet tones, looking at them.
“Did he say he loved you, did he steal a kiss?”
Jacey licked her lips and sang back, “He was so romantic. I could not resist.” Her hands fisted briefly beside her and her black eyes fixed solely on him. Tossing her hair, she moved down the stage steps toward him, slipping her hands into her back pockets and continued, “Someday my prince will come. Someday I’ll find my love. And how thrilling that moment will be. When the prince of my dreams comes to me. He’ll whisper I love you. And steal a kiss or two. Though he’s far away, I’ll find my love someday. Someday when my dreams come true.”