Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

Tory gave her a stern but fond look. "Go!"

Reese smiled, snapping a crisp salute. "Yes, maam!"

She slipped out as Sheriff Parker entered with the little girls parents rushing before him. The satisfying sounds of relieved cries and a happy reunion followed her retreat.

It took a few moments for Tory to convince the childs parents that she was absolutely fine, but finally they began to relax after the hours of frantic worry. At length she glanced toward the hall, stunned to silence by what she saw. Reese stood quietly at the door, watching. She had pulled on a pair of faded grey sweat pants and a tee shirt, well-worn clothes that accentuated the shear physicality of her form, stretching tight across her broad shoulders, exposing the highly defined muscles in her arms, clinging to her narrow hips and strong thighs. Torys throat tightened as her heart began to race. She wanted to look away; she wanted to deny the unmistakable wave of desire; she wanted not to find this unusual woman more beautiful than anything she had ever seen. Mercifully, the parents spied Reese standing there and descended upon her, releasing Tory from the gaze that unwittingly held her captive.

Reese was clearly uncomfortable with the attention as Mr. James gripped her hand, shaking it furiously as he exclaimed, "Thank you so much, Sheriff. I cant tell you how much we appreciate what youve done!"

"Youre welcome - really," Reese responded, while trying to extricate her hand from his vice-like grasp. At last he stepped aside, only to be replaced in an instant by his wife. She gazed up at Reese for a moment, her tear-reddened eyes fixed on Reeses. Then, unexpectedly, she laid her palm against Reeses cheek in a gentle caress.

"I dont know what I would have done if you hadnt found her," she whispered softly.

Tory watched, transfixed, as Reese tenderly placed her hand over the womans trembling fingers and clasped them softly.

"I would never let you lose your daughter," Reese murmured.

Reeses blue eyes lifted above the womans head and found Torys gaze. The depth of Reeses compassion lay open before her, and Tory was amazed that she ever could have questioned Reeses feelings. Reeses caring, exposed for an instant, had the intensity of a mortal wound. Tory comprehended in that moment that what Reese hid so well with her strict professionalism and rigid discipline was a degree of empathy that clearly verged on painful. That she hid it unconsciously, probably even from herself, came from years of habit. Tory had no doubt of that. She wondered what hurt had necessitated those barricades, and found herself even more intrigued by the impossibly handsome, impossibly compelling sheriff. Reese blushed under Torys intense scrutiny, finally looking away. The parents continued their thanks as they gathered their children and followed Sheriff Parker out, leaving Tory and Reese alone in the sudden silence.

"Well, I -" Reese began.

"Have you -" Tory said simultaneously.

They laughed, each relaxing as the hours of tension finally dissipated. Reese leaned against the doorjamb and regarded Tory with a smile.

"You were saying?"

"Im starving. How about you?"

"I didnt have dinner, and I dont remember lunch." Reesse glanced at her watch, frowning. "Unfortunately, its eight oclock on a Saturday night. Well never get in anywhere."

Tory held up one finger, motioning her to silence as she lifted the phone from the wall behind her. She dialed a number from memory. "Claire? Tory King. Can you fit me in? Yes, right away would be great." She paused for a second, glancing up at Reese. "No - for two."

She laughed, coloring slightly. "Dont jump to conclusions. Well be right over."

"The Flagstaff," she said as she replaced the receiver, "lets go."

"Wait a second," Reese protested, gesturing to her attire. "Look at me. I cant go like this!"

Any further looking at Reese Conlon was exactly what Tory did not want to do. "You look great," she said, meaning it. "Besides, this is Provincetown. There is no dress code. No arguing!"

For once, Reese accepted the order, sensing there was no room for negotiation. In truth, the crowd was casual as the hostess led them to a corner table with a beautiful view of the harbor. When chilled champagne in a bucket appeared at their side, she raised an eyebrow in question.

Tory shrugged, embarrassed. "Old friends. I knew both the owners in Boston years ago." And now theyre trying to match-make!

She busied herself pouring the champagne, disconcerted by Reeses silence. She looked across the table into Reeses searching eyes. "What?" she asked.

"Tell me about Boston," Reese replied. The look on Torys face when she mentioned it told Reese whatever happened there haunted Tory still. She wanted to know what caused that fleeting glimmer of pain.

Tory could pretend she didnt understand, but decided in an unguarded moment not to. She rarely spoke of her personal life, but she wanted to now. Reese was looking at her as if her next words were the only things that mattered, and Tory wanted her to know. She wasnt ready to ask herself why.

"I lived there for ten years, during my residency, and a few years after. My lover trained there also, and we both went into practice at Boston General when we finished. Claire and Sheila, the women who own this place, were good friends of ours. They moved here to follow their dream of owning a restaurant, and when Katherine left me, they convinced me to move here. At first I thought it would just be temporary, until I got my life in order. But now I know that this is my life."

"Had you been together long, you and Katherine?" Reese asked, her eyes never leaving Torys face.

"Since medical school - almost twelve years." Without being asked, she continued. "I was an ER attending. She was a trauma surgeon, and dashing as hell. All the women were after her, and finally she strayed. I found her with one of the nurses in an on call room in the middle of the day. She said it was the first time, but Ill never know, will I? She left me a short time after that." She couldnt keep the pain from her voice, and she was shocked to find tears in her eyes. Tears that she knew were not so much for Katherine, but for her own disappointment in love.

"Im sorry," Reese murmured, hearing the tremulousness in Torys voice. "That was stupid of me. I didnt mean to stir up old wounds."

Tory smiled grimly. "Dont be sorry. I thought what we had was forever. I was mistaken. I wont make that mistake again."

Reese understood the subject was closed. "My dojo is about finished. Still interested in training?" she asked, searching for safer ground.

"Absolutely," Tory responded enthusiastically, grateful to turn the conversation away from herself, and genuinely eager to discuss their mutual attraction to the martial arts. "When?"

Reese laughed. "You remind me of Brianna. Always ready to go."

"Thanks, I think. Hows she doing?"

"Really well. Shes got natural ability, and if she stays with it, shell be good."

"Im glad to hear it. Shes needed some direction."

Reese debated discussing her concerns about Brianna with Tory, but decided she shouldnt betray the girls confidence. She sensed Tory would know what to do if things got out of hand, and resolved to talk to her if and when the need arose.

"So how about tomorrow morning? Six thirty?" Reese asked.

Tory laughed ruefully, realizing that for Reese, Sunday was no different than any other day of the week. She obviously had no concept of sleeping in.

"Ill be there. Now lets order. I have to go home and go to bed."

Reese looked at her in surprise before Torys gentle laughter informed her of the joke.

The meal passed quickly as they spoke of the tourist season and exchanged light gossip about the small town inhabitants. The food was excellent and the effect of the shared champagne relaxing. They had just ordered coffee when Tory realized that Reeses eyes were riveted on someone across the room.