Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

When they bowed to one another at the end of their session, she felt invigorated in a way she hadnt for years. She felt strong and capable. She didnt want to stop, even though she knew she would be sore the next day.

"Thanks. That was excellent," she exclaimed.

"So - same time tomorrow?" Reese responded.

Tory was momentarily caught off guard. It hadnt occurred to her that Reese would want to train quite so seriously. Once again she was aware of the other womans persuasiveness and compelling intensity. She felt herself pleasantly challenged by the offer, and nodded her assent. Reese rewarded her with that dazzling smile which burst from nowhere and seemed to flicker away all too quickly.

"If I have an emergency, Ill call -" Tory began.

"No need," Reese interrupted. "If you arent here, Ill know it is for some very good reason. I know youll be here when you can."

"Are you always so immune to uncertainty?" Tory asked unexpectedly.

Reese regarded her seriously. "Is that what you think? Im uncertain sometimes- just not about what I believe-" She looked at Tory pointedly, "or about those I trust."

Tory blushed, pleased. Reese had a way of making things seem simple, and she knew she never wanted to disappoint her. That thought was enough to disturb her for the rest of the day.

**********

As June unfolded and summer approached, they managed to get together five or six mornings a week. Tory found that she had to rise an hour earlier so she could row and still reach the dojo by six-thirty. Usually she saw Brianna leaving as she arrived, and she knew with certainty that Reese had been up for several hours. She was impressed with Briannas determination and Reeses tirelessness. She found her own endurance increasing, and noted with cautious optimism that her ankle and leg seemed a little stronger, and that she was moving better with the lighter air cast. She wasnt deluding herself with the hope that her leg would ever be normal, but each small improvement cheered her.

In addition to the physical benefits of her new training regimen, she had to admit she was enjoying Reeses company. Reese was single-minded in her pursuit of any endeavor, whether it was training, policing, or simply talking. When she was with you, she was intensely present. Tory tried not to think about just how much she looked forward to her time with Reese, or how much she liked Reese's slow, easy smile and her deep, resonant voice.

On the last Saturday in June, Tory found Reese in her customary position, kneeling in the dojo with her eyes closed, meditating while she waited. When she smiled a greeting, Tory remarked, "Was that Briannas girlfriend with her this morning? I saw them out front as I was leaving."

"How did you know?" Reese asked in surprise. "Caroline came to watch a class."

Tory laughed. "I think it was the way she was hanging onto Brianna - or maybe that she looked like she wanted to lick the sweat off Briannas neck."

"Not too subtle, are they," Reese remarked grimly. When they had arrived Bri had one arm flung possessively around the young blondes shoulders, and Caroline had her hand tucked in Bris back pocket. It hadnt escaped her notice that Carolines eyes never left Bri the entire time they were in the dojo, and the look in them was positively hungry. Reese had hoped they would be a little more restrained on the street.

"Why should you expect them to be any different? Its young love. They dont have any awareness of anything but each other. They probably wouldnt notice a ten car pile-up across the street most of the time." She smiled to herself as she removed her shoes and changed leg braces. "Does Nelson know about this?"

"No," Reese said with concern. "Bri is afraid to tell him. Shes afraid hell try to keep them apart."

Tory nodded. "She might be right, but theres no way theyll be able to keep it quiet for long. Especially if they go anywhere together in the light of day. Anyone whos ever been in love, or lust for that matter, could tell with just one glance."

Reese wondered briefly if she would have known if she hadnt found them locked in one anothers arms that night. Would she recognize what shed never experienced? Was there really something so consuming that she could lose herself, and her eternal vigilance, even for a minute?

"Maybe I should say something to her," Reese mused aloud.

Tory answered carefully, fighting her own defensiveness. "Reese, those girls are acting like any two teenagers in love. Theyre high school seniors, nearly adults. If you ask them to hide what they feel, youre telling them theres something wrong with what theyre doing. Its bad enough that most of the world thinks so, it would be devastating for them if someone they obviously trust said so too. You must realize Bri trusts you, or she never would have brought her girlfriend here! Shes asking you for your acceptance."

"Im worried about them," Reese countered. "A young gay boy was beaten up outside a bar in Truro two weeks ago, and I saw a report from Easton yesterday about a suspicious robbery of two gay men that looked like gay-bashing. We havent had any problems here- yet."

Tory frowned. "Ill certainly keep an eye out at the clinic for anything that looks like it was gay-motivated. But the best thing you can do for those two girls is exactly what you are doing. Keep the streets safe, and offer them a supportive adult presence."

"Im not too comfortable in that role," Reese admitted. "I know so little of what theyre experiencing."

Tory regarded her with more than a tinge of disappointment. It was pretty clear from that admission that Reese wasnt gay. She hated to admit she had been hoping otherwise. "Its no different from what straight teenagers experience, Reese - just more difficult for some of them who are afraid, or sadly, ashamed. Just remember your first time."

Reese looked at her oddly. "Thats my point, Tory. I never had a first time."

The statement was delivered so matter of factly, Tory wasnt sure how to respond. Was it possible that a thirty- something woman, especially such an interesting, attractive one, had never been in love? Or was she simply saying she had never been a crazy teenager in the throws of hormonal insanity?

Thankfully, Reese saved her from her own confusion by saying, "Marge says theres a bar where a lot of the kids go. I thought Id check it out but Marge insists I look too much like a cop. Would you like to go undercover with me and take a look?"

"Reese," Tory said, trying to keep a straight face, "there is nothing on this earth that could make you look like anything but a cop - but, sure, Ill go with you. When?"

"How about tonight? After dinner - my treat."

"Tonight is fine - and your treat only if its on me next time."

Reese smiled, "Deal."

As Tory knelt to bow in for the start of their workout, she wondered just what she had let herself in for. She didnt have time to think about anything further. By its nature, their workouts were intimate in the sense that of all the styles of martial arts, jujitsu was the one that required the most bodily contact. Usually, such contact is automatic and completely devoid of any sensual connotation, as the mind and body are engaged in a different realm of endeavor - that of self-defense. Reese and she were working on finishing pins, which required them to literally lie across each other, applying pressure to the opponents elbow until they were immobilized. Tory wasnt thinking of anything except how to dislodge the person who had her flat on her back, with her arm locked out and a forearm pressed against her trachea. It was not a position she wanted to be in, and she responded automatically.

Reese felt her struggling, attempting to reverse the pin. She let up on the pressure she was exerting against Torys wrist joint. "Tory, wait," she said.