Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

"Since the day of the accident - almost ten years. I guess its pretty ridiculous to keep hoping, isnt it?"

Reese shrugged. "If its something you want that much, it makes sense not to close any doors. You know how much pain you can take - and if its worth it."

Tory looked at her gratefully. "Thanks. My friends and family might not agree with you. They think I should have let them do it when I was in the hospital the first time."

"The first time?"

Again Tory dropped her gaze. "There were problems - infection, some muscle necrosis. It took the surgeons a few tries to get it cleared up."

Reese regarded her steadily, revealing none of her churning disquiet. Her training had taught her not to personalize pain, nor to be distracted by another soldiers injury, because even a split seconds loss of focus could mean the loss of more lives. But the knowledge of Torys suffering penetrated that shield and Reese had to consciously dispel the vision of Tory in a hospital bed, fighting to keep her leg. Tory would not have wanted her pity then, or her sympathy now.

"Does the kayaking help?"

"Some - Im on the water, the rhythm is good. The damn shell is so heavy, and of course, my body is restrained. Its nothing like the feeling of being alone in a scull," she cried, her frustration evident.

Reese remembered the needle thin sculls from the pictures in Torys office, no more than a sliver between the rowers and the water. She also remembered the long, clean line of Torys legs as she pulled through her stroke. "Im sorry," she said softly.

Tory laid her hand on Reeses forearm, squeezing gently. "Hey, its okay - really. I only get morose when the damn things acting up. Believe me, most days Im just glad its there. But thanks for not saying Im being a fool."

"You said you still work out?" Reese asked.

"Yes, Hapkido, remember?"

"I dont usually forget when someone humiliates me!"

"I cant imagine anyone getting the best of you!" Tory laughed. "As you saw, I do mostly weapons work, with the cane - which fortunately for me is a traditional Asian weapon."

At Reeses nod of understanding, she continued, "With a light air cast I can stand long enough for self-defense drills, and mat work is not a problem. The only things I really cant do anymore are forms. The katas are too much of a strain."

"So, would you be willing to teach me the cane?" Reese asked.

"If youd be willing to work on the mat with me," Tory countered immediately.

Reese smiled happily. "Absolutely. I havent had a training partner in a long time. Just let me know when your leg is better."

"Give me a week," Tory replied just as enthusiastically. "Now wed better get out of here before were both late for work!"

Reese looked at the clock over the stove, amazed to find it was close to seven. She couldnt remember the last time she had lost track of the time.

Randy was just unlocking the front door when Reese pulled into the lot. He watched with raised eyebrows as Reese walked Tory to the door.

"Well! Good morning," he crowed with exaggerated emphasis, looking pointedly from Tory to Reese.

"Sheriff Conlon needs her stitches out, Randy, if you could manage to let us in?" Tory said, frowning at his innuendo.

"Oh, of course , Doctor! Right away Doctor!" he continued with a grin, his tone lightly mocking.

"Cut it out, Randy," Tory muttered as she passed him.

He managed to follow them down the hall on the pretense of opening the exam room doors. He leaned against the door of the treatment room while Tory removed the sutures from Reeses brow.

"Just keep it clean. It should be fine," she said as Reese stood to leave.

"Sure thing. Thanks, Doctor," Reese said. She nodded to Randy as she brushed past him into the hall.

Randy craned his neck to follow her progress toward the door.

"Oh my, what a butch thing she is!" he announced once she had gone.

"Randy!" Tory said in exasperation.

"Oh, come on now, Doctor King, what would you call her?"

Tory grinned at him. "An incredibly stunning butch thing!"

Randys eyes widened in surprise. He couldnt ever remember his solitary employer commenting on a woman before. He had given up nagging her to get a date when he saw the pain in her eyes whenever he teased her about it.

"And just what was Sheriff Heartthrob doing driving you to work?" he persisted, curious and hopeful that someone had finally managed to capture Torys attention.

Tory looked suddenly serious. "She drove me home last night - I couldnt."

"Damn it Tory! I would have stayed! Why didnt you ask?"

She sighed. "I know. Im just not used to asking."

"Then how come you asked her?"

"I didnt. She didnt give me any choice."

Good for her ! Randy thought, but had the good sense not to say. It was about time someone refused to be intimidated by Victoria Kings staunch reserve. Then again, remembering the commanding air of the woman who just left, he didnt imagine anyone intimidated her.

"So-o-o..?" he questioned suggestively.

"So nothing!" she replied curtly. "She would have done the same for anyone. Thats just the way she is."

Right , Randy muttered as he watched Tory move stiffly away down the hall.

**********

Reese entered the office whistling, much to Nelson Parkers amazement.

"Do you mind telling me whats so wonderful about the first day of Memorial Day weekend?" he asked grumpily.

"Excuse me?" Reese asked, perplexed.

"Never mind!" he snapped. "Youre on seven to seven today, okay?"

"Sure," Reese responded. "No problem."

"And youve got traffic detail at the pier from one to five."

"Yep."

He looked at her closelyshe was relaxed, smiling faintly, and, if he didnt know better, not totally present. In the two months he had known her, he had never seen her the slightest bit distracted. His curiosity was more than piqued.

"So what gives, Conlon?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, genuinely confused. "Not a thing." She glanced at him as if he were acting strangely.

"Never mind," he muttered. "Anything new on the clinic break-in?"

Reese shook her head. "No. The things that were missing are impossible to trace. Unless were lucky, well never know. Theres too much traffic in and out of there to making finger printing valuable. Not much to do but keep an eye on the place."

"Well, youd better swing by there a couple of times a shift for the next few weeks. I hope that will discourage any repeat break-ins By the way, nice job out on the jetty yesterday. I heard the guy was a mess."

"I didnt do much. If Tory hadnt been there, I think the guy would have bled to death before the EMTs got him out. She deserves the credit."

"Chances are youll have plenty of work for the doc before this summers over. We spend half our time dealing with accidents, overdoses, and minor brawls - and all of them end up at her place."

"Thats a heavy load for one doctor," Reese commented, remembering how exhausted Tory had seemed the night before.

"Dont remember her ever taking a vacation in the three years shes been here," Parker noted.

Something about discussing Victoria made Reese uncomfortable-she had no idea why. She shook off the sudden urge to drive by the clinic. Impatiently, she grabbed her keys.

"Im going out for a tour before I start the traffic detail," she announced. Maybe that would dispel the odd anxiety.

"Sure," the Sheriff called to her departing back.

Reese traveled out Route six to Truro, then circled back to town along 6A, purposefully avoiding the turn onto Bradford that would take her past the clinic. She stopped instead across the street from her mothers gallery. She sat with the engine idling for a few moments, wondering why she had come. For the first time in her life, she didnt feel entirely sure of herself. Impulses were not something she had ever been prey to, and yet here she was. She cut the engine and climbed from the car before she had any more time to think.