Faithful Service, Silent Hearts Read online

  Mac grinned back, then seeing a large tear in Devon's shirt and what looked like blood, she frowned, "Let me see that." She pulled the outer shirt open, revealing the corresponding tear in the t-shirt beneath. Raising the t-shirt to get a better look, Mac saw a laceration approximately four inches long at the left side of Devon's abdomen that looked deep enough to need stitches. "You need to get that looked at."

  Devon started to protest, but Mac put her hand up to silence her. "I'll pull rank if I have to lieutenant," she raised an eyebrow as if daring her to argue.

  Devon raised both hands in surrender, "Okay, okay."

  "That's better. Let's go," Mac helped Devon to her feet and together they walked to the field hospital.

  #

  "Get out of my way!"

  Just as the corpsman was pulling the last suture into place, the green curtain was forcefully jerked aside and Devon looked up to see Alex's panicked face. Mac stood just behind her looking sheepishly at Devon.

  "I tried to stop her." Alex flashed a glare over her shoulder at Mac as the captain looked at Devon for help.

  "What in the hell happened?" Alex demanded.

  Mac started to retreat back behind the curtain. Again, Alex momentarily fixed the brunette with an icy stare, "Oh, I'll be out to talk to you later." Devon tried to suppress a smile as she heard Mac moan from the other side of the green drape. Alex rounded back to her, "I don't see what you find funny right now, Devon James." Her hands were on her hips, eyes flaming, and Devon thought she'd never seen Alex look so beautiful.

  "It's just a little scratch," Devon offered, her eyes fixed on Alex's letting her feelings show. The tenderness in her blue eyes melted her heart and Alex couldn't help but release her anger.

  She blew out a sharp breath and looked away momentarily, "Damn you," she said under her breath. She moved to a stool beside the bed and sat quietly while the corpsman bandaged the wound, then gave Devon a tetanus shot. When she saw Devon wince slightly as the shot was administered, she thought, It serves you right.

  The young man gave Devon instructions for cleaning the wound and told her to come back in a few days to have it checked.

  "You'll be good as new in no time, Lieutenant." He smiled at her.

  "Thanks," Devon said as the medic stepped out. She stood and began pulling on her t-shirt.

  Alex stepped closer, retrieving the outer shirt from the bed. She looked up at Devon, trying so hard to be mad, but she couldn't. When they heard that a member of the ISA team had been shot during a raid on the Shi'a compound, Alex was in a panic. When she couldn't get any information at the headquarters, she decided to come straight to the hospital herself. She was so damn glad that all Devon had gotten was a few stitches. Now, all she wanted to do was hold her.

  After checking on Armstrong, Mike gave the three women a ride back to the barracks. The captain took a round to the right leg, but no permanent damage was done. The doctors expected him to make a full recovery. Devon had stuck her head in to say hello before leaving the hospital, but he was asleep. She resolved to return the next day following the morning debriefing.

  Once upstairs, Mac offered, "Can I buy you ladies a drink?"

  Devon looked at Alex for an answer. Alex shrugged, "Why not, I feel like I need a double."

  "Great," Mac said, "I know you two must be hungry, 'cause I know I'm starving. I'll have one of the guys go grab us a pizza from the mess tent. That okay?"

  "You are a lifesaver," Devon said gratefully.

  Alex and Devon sat on the small loveseat next to the desk on the opposite wall of the bed in the small room while Mac poured each a shot and handed both women a cold beer. She raised her shot, "To successful missions."

  Alex finally spoke, looking back and forth between the two Army officers, "So, now is somebody going to tell me just what was successful about today's mission? Other than the fact that you didn't get yourselves killed?"

  "That would top the list," Mac laughed, then stifled it quickly when she saw the laser stare that Alex shot her. "How about I go check on the pizza and let you two have a few minutes?" She made a hasty exit without waiting for a reply.

  Alex rested her left elbow on Devon's right shoulder and lightly traced the line of her jaw and down her neck with her index finger. Devon closed her eyes and let her head fall back onto the top of the cushion, letting out a soft groan. It was nearly 2100 hours and she was exhausted from the day, plus her side was starting to ache.

  "Dev," Alex said softly.

  "Hmmm?"

  "Part of me is really pissed, you know." The sharp edge in her voice made Devon sit up and look at her closely. Alex placed her fingertips lightly on Devon's lips as she started to defend herself. "No, hear me out." Her voice was softer now. Devon nodded.

  "I've been thinking all day about territory and who's right and agency rivalry and God knows what else. I finally realized it doesn't matter who gets the credit. The important thing is that those bastards who are responsible for the April bombing got what's coming to them." Devon smiled at Alex. Alex continued, "Of course, my team is mad as hell right now. I guess sleeping with you affects my judgment."

  Devon reached up to slide her hand along the side of Alex's neck and caressed her creamy skin. She let the brown hair flow over her fingers as she ran her hand through the silky shoulder length strands. "Lucky for me, I guess." She allowed a slow smile form first in her eyes then tug at the corner of her mouth for a soft crooked grin.

  Alex couldn't resist that oh so sexy look and she dipped in for a sweet gentle kiss full of gratitude and wonder. They jumped when the door opened and Mac stepped through carrying a large pizza box and another six pack of beer.

  An hour later, the pizza box was empty and they were finishing the last of the beer. Standing to pick up the empty bottles and deposit them in the trash, Devon looked gratefully at Mac.

  "Thanks for everything today. We wouldn't have made it out if you hadn't kept your cool."

  "Hey, I stayed inside the chopper. You were the one who jumped out to grab Dale and pull him in with bullets zipping past your head. You earned your money today, kid." Mac gave Devon a look of respect that made her blush.

  "Thanks," she managed. "Sorry to eat and run, but I feel like I could sleep standing up right here and we have a lot of work to do in the morning."

  "You two get some sleep."

  "Thank-you Mac. Goodnight." Alex said.

  "Goodnight," Mac replied. Just before the door closed, she called, "Devon?"

  Devon leaned back into the room. "Yes?"

  "Great job today, I'm proud to serve with you. Goodnight." Devon nodded thanks and closed the door quietly.

  Chapter 26

  When Devon woke, the first hint of morning was casting a mute grey light across the room. Alex was still curled up on her right side, and she thought that neither one of them must have moved once they fell asleep. Turning her head slowly, trying not to disturb the sleeping woman, she checked the bedside clock which read 0517. She closed her eyes again, grateful that the major had given them a reprieve, they weren't briefing until 0900. The thought of having a few extra hours was heavenly.

  "What time is it?" Alex's head was still resting on her shoulder.

  "Early."

  "Good, then we can stay here and snuggle," She adjusted her body to fit more closely to the contours of Devon's.

  Devon smiled and kissed the top of her head. "What time do you have to be at work?" She absently ran her fingers through Alex's hair.

  "Seven."

  Laughing, now, Devon said, "Well, then, I've got bad news, for you it's not that early. You'd better get going."

  Leaning up on one elbow and pouting, Alex playfully squeezed Devon's left nipple, her eyes danced when she felt it immediately stiffen at her touch. "You really want me to leave?"

  "No, I do not," Devon said her voice low and husky. She t
ightened her hold on Alex and pulled her down onto her. She winced when Alex's body made contact with the injured area on her abdomen.

  "A little sore still?" Alex asked her eyes full of concern.

  "Not too bad," Devon replied. She cupped her hand on the left side of Alex's neck and ran her thumb along her jaw before tracing the outline of her lips. "Have dinner with me tonight?"

  "If I can," Alex kissed Devon lightly then climbed out of the bed and reached for her clothes. Pulling on her shirt, she continued, "Everything's gonna be crazy now that you guys have stirred up the hornets' nest. We'll have to get a handle on what is happening with the various terror groups in the wake of the strike." She tucked her shirt into her jeans, "could be a long day."

  "That's alright," Devon said, "I'll be at the command center all day, and by the time we sort through everything we confiscated out there, I figure it will be late. Just call me and we'll try to make it work, if not I understand."

  Just as they predicted, they day was beyond hectic. The extraction team had confiscated good intelligence materials, but they were coded and referenced other organizations and the team would need time to trace the information to credible sources for additional target identification. Devon drove over to the hospital at lunch to check on Armstrong, who looked to be in good spirits and itching to get back to work. The rest of the afternoon was spent poring over seemingly endless data in the computers, searching for the elusive but vital link to the main terrorist headquarters.

  #

  A little after eight o'clock, the phone on the wall rang and Devon picked it up on the second ring. "Com center, Lt. James speaking, can I help you sir?" She recited the standard military answering protocol in a staccato, machine like monotone.

  "Why, yes, lieutenant, you may help me," the warm female voice answered.

  Alex could hear the smile in Devon's voice as she spoke, "Well, then it must be my lucky day."

  "Could be. Are we still on for that dinner you promised me?" Sitting back in her chair, Devon closed her eyes and allowed the softness of Alex's voice to melt away the tension of the day.

  "You know it, but I still have about an hour of work to do. You want me to come there?" Devon asked, "It might be a good idea to have dinner in. Her voice was a low sultry timbre now. "I think you will find that I'm not as tired as last night."

  "Well, then, I can hardly wait," Alex replied softly, "But, I can take care of dinner, if we're staying in. I'll come to you."

  "See you in about an hour and a half?"

  "Make it less. If I get there before you, I'll get Mac to let me in." Devon could hear the desire in Alex's voice as she countered, then the line was disconnected.

  Devon checked her watch as she hurried from the ops center, feeling like she was late already. It was just over an hour since she had hung up the phone with Alex, but a sixth sense told her that she would be early. She took the stairs two at a time and nearly double-timed down the hallway to the door at the end.

  Opening the door, she saw that Alex had not yet arrived, so she quickly stripped off her uniform, grabbed a clean t-shirt and boxers and headed for the shower.

  Less than ten minutes later, she returned rubbing a white towel furiously over her head, as she entered the room. She stopped suddenly to allow her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Alex had lit several small candles that were now the only illumination in the room. Their dinner plates were on the small coffee table in front of the tan love seat, along with a bottle of white wine and two glasses.

  Devon could only shake her head and grin with wonder. "Where did you get the wine?"

  "I have my sources," she smiled coyly.

  Alex slowly crossed the distance to stand directly in front of Devon, so close that Devon could feel the heat of her body. Devon combed her fingers through the dark hair that fell across her forehead, brushing it back from her face. She bent and kissed Alex softly, her lips lingering longer than the usual greeting, a promise of more to come. Alex leaned back breaking the contact, smiling as she saw the desire swimming in the pools of blue that held her gaze.

  Devon wrapped her arms around Alex's tiny waist pressing their hips and thighs together. Her eyes roaming over the darker woman's face, traveling down her neck, finally resting on the hint of her breasts visible through the nearly sheer white fabric of her shirt, Devon let out a growling noise. "Why didn't I ever realize how truly amazing and beautiful you are when we were in college?"

  Alex shrugged and looked shyly up at Devon. "I'm glad you're here now." She led Devon to sit at the table. Raising their glasses, they sipped the chilled wine while they lost themselves in each other's eyes for long moments. They ate dinner quietly, content to be together. About halfway through the meal, Alex dribbled some wine on her chin and Devon leaned over to catch the drip with her tongue, then moving down the column of Alex's neck, she kissed and lightly nibbled the exposed skin as Alex let out a soft moan.

  The food now forgotten, Devon reached down and cupped Alex through her shorts, feeling her need soaking through the fabric, the sensation sending Devon's blood racing and her head spinning. "Ahhh, God Alex," she breathed as she felt her own wetness flow. "Bed." Alex gasped. They stood and pulled off the shorts and t-shirts as they moved to the bed and again found each other.

  Soft moans, kisses, and the rustle of the bed linens gave way to the sharper cries and groans as the two lovers soared in the sensations of the other's body and unbridled desire. Devon held Alex as the aftershocks slowly gave way to blissful exhaustion, "Wow," she slowly grinned. She felt as if her bones had melted.

  "Yeah," was all Alex could manage in response. She had never experienced the intensity of the passion she felt with Devon and she never wanted it to end, but she knew instinctively that Devon's heart was still not healed. Don't push her too hard, she'll run. Just be patient, she'll see how right we are together.

  "Dev?" When she got no answer, she realized that Devon had already fallen asleep. She kissed her gently on the temple, then laying her head on her shoulder, allowed the steady cadence of Devon's breathing to lull her to sleep.

  Chapter 27

  Devon woke early, energized and ready to get to work. She and Alex parted company outside the barracks and Devon hurried to the operations center. She felt certain that the break they needed was imminent. At just after 0600, she turned to see Mike making his way across the room to her, a pink message note in his hand.

  "Morning," she smiled, and held the coffee pot up, offering him a cup.

  Mike held the paper out to her exchanging it for the coffee in her hand. "You got a call early this morning from somebody stateside," he said, "a Petty Officer Baxter?"

  Devon snatched the paper from his hand, "Ann?" she said aloud as her eyes scanned the message scribbled on the paper. Urgent that you call me. She looked at the large digital clock on the wall, displaying current time zones across the globe, 2105hrs Eastern Standard Time. Not too late to call Ann at home.

  "Thanks," Mike looked at her with a puzzled expression as she strode away from him to the small office area and her desk.

  Finding Ann's name in her rolodex, Devon dialed the number to Ann's apartment in Chevy Chase, MD. After what seemed forever, she heard the ringing on the other end of the line. "Hello?" Ann's voice sounded tired and guarded even through the slight static on the line.

  "Ann, its Devon."

  "Devon? Oh, thank God you got my message." Her voice was stronger now, but still strained.

  "I did. What's going on?" There was a silence on the line. "Ann?"

  "I'm here." Again silence as the petty officer weighed what she could say. Finally, she decided that she should just spit it out and trust the lieutenant to know what to do. She could get into trouble for giving out this information, but it directly affected U.S. forces' safety, and that included Devon. Nothing was more important than that. To hell with the
political bullshit.

  "A message was intercepted last week. It came from Iranian intelligence headquarters in Tehran to their Ambassador in Damascus." Ann drew a deep breath and continued, "It instructs him to contact Islamic Hamal, and take spectacular action against the marines in Lebanon."

  Devon's mind raced with the implications of this information. Islamic Hamal was a splinter faction of the new terrorist group Hezbollah. That would explain the gaps in the intercepts that her team was able to intercept. Hamal might be using separate channels to send messages independently of the Shiite leadership. Iran is backing this? With Syrian connections? That's the worst possible scenario. That means that they have monetary and military capabilities far beyond what was previously believed. Devon shuddered.