Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

"Whatre you drinking?" Marge asked as they threaded their way through the throngs to the outside bar.

"Just a diet coke," Reese said, heading toward the end of the deck that overlooked the beach while Marge joined the long line at the bar. She leaned against the rail, one booted foot up on the lower rung. She watched the couples strolling along the water's edge, some of them running playfully in and out of the froth. Two women stopped to share a kiss. The sight stirred her unexpectedly, and she had to look away. She was unsettled enough that she wasnt aware of the woman beside her until she spoke.

"I thought I saw you come in," Tory said, one hand shielding her eyes in the sun. Reese had a strangely distant look in her eyes. "You all right?"

Reese shook her head, smiling. "Just daydreaming."

Tory smiled back. "Glad to hear it. Listen - theres someone here I want you to meet. Have you got a second?"

Reese looked around and saw Marge deep in conversation with someone in the bar line. "Sure."

"Great - Catherine just got here and _"

Reese recoiled with an involuntary gasp, stepping back a pace in surprise. "No, I - I dont want to intrude," she managed to say as an unfamiliar tightening in her throat threatened her voice. Whatever was causing the icy ache in her chest was enough to force her to turn away, searching frantically for Marges familiar back and the offer of escape.

Tory reached for the tanned forearm, shocked at Reeses reaction. She had never before seen Reese lose her composure. Her entire body was stiff with tension.

"Reese!" Tory cried in alarm. "Whats the matter?"

Reese couldnt explain to Tory what she didnt have words for herself. She only knew that if Tory was here with her former lover, she didnt want to see them together. She struggled for an excuse. "Its late - I should go-"

Tory continued to study her intently. There was no mistaking the turmoil in those deep blue eyes. What she didnt understand was the fleeting look of something close to pain that had marred Reeses usually implacable features. And she wasnt about to let her away before she did understand it.

"Reese! Damn it! Tell me whats wrong!"

"Nothing -really," Reese responded evenly, her feelings now firmly in hand. "Im sorry - it isnt you. I really cant stay."

Tory didnt believe her, but she knew by now how stubborn Reese was. She wouldnt talk until she was ready. "At least stop and meet my sister?" Tory asked.

"Your sister?!" Reese couldnt keep the confusion from her voice. "But I thought-"

"Yes," Tory replied, just as surprised. "Who did you -" She stopped in midsentence, staring, trying not to blush. "You thought I meant Kathrine - my lover, Kathrine."

It was Reeses turn to blush. "Yes," was finally all that she said.

They stared at each other as the air around them grew dense with feelings neither of them dared put words to. Tory finally broke the silence, her hand still grasping Reeses arm.

"It wouldnt be her," she said softly, "for a number of reasons. We havent kept in touch, and I dont want to see her. There is nothing between us now." As she spoke, her fingers slid slowly down to lightly clasp Reeses. It was important that Reese understand that Kathrine held no claim on her.

"You dont need to explain," Reese responded quietly.

"No?" Tory queried just as gently, feeling Reeses fingers intertwine with hers, trying to ignore the quick thrill of excitement that small closeness produced. "Perhaps not, but I wanted to."

Reese smiled slowly, giving Torys hand a tug, breaking the tension. "Come on then. Introduce me to your sister!"

Marge joined them eventually at the small table they had commandeered. Torys younger sister was as extroverted and gregarious as Tory was solitary, and in no time she had talked Marge into taking her off to the dance floor.

"Thats the last well see of them for a while," Tory remarked as she glanced after her sister fondly. "Cath loves to party."

Reese stretched her long legs out to the side of the table and settled back with a sigh. "At least shes in good company. Marge has enough energy for two or three people!"

"Besides that, Marge is a great dancer, and Cath could dance all night," Tory added. "Its so great to have her here. Shes got two kids, a demanding job - even with a husband whos willing to help, its hard for her to take time away. Shes between jobs now, so Ive finally got her to myself. I was worried about showing her a good time."

Reese saw Tory glance down at the brace protruding below the cuff of her white cotton slacks. In some part of her mind, Reese was always aware of it, too. When she and Tory worked out without it, Reese was careful to temper the force of her throws and takedowns. She would never risk further injury to someone who had already suffered so much. Even when they walked through town in the evenings after a dinner out, Reese was aware of their pace, the surface of the pavement, the surge of the crowds around them. Although she never thought of Tory as disabled, or less than totally capable in any way, she felt an instinctive protectiveness she would never admit to her. Knowing that Tory felt inhibited by her injury made her long to change it.

"You know something," Reese said. "Ive never learned to dance. I always managed to avoid those insufferable military affairs by volunteering to take the duty."

Tory stared at her. How could it be that someone so accomplished could have missed so many of the simple pleasures of life? And why did it not seem to bother her? Could she really be so self-sufficient that she didnt need what most people spent their lives seeking - some connection with another human being? That thought saddened Tory unaccountably.

"Well that has to change." Tory stated emphatically. "As soon as Cath gets back Im assigning her the task of teaching you."

"If I have to learn, Id rather it be with you."

Reeses tone was so gentle, Tory found herself struggling with tears. "Id love to," she managed finally. "But I dont think I can."

Reese pushed back her chair and held out her hand. "Lets find out."

There was something about the compassionate insistence in her voice, and the comfort of that outstretched hand, that Tory couldnt resist. Without wanting to think what it might mean, she stood, grasping the strong fingers.

"All right - but we have to at least wait for a slow song."

Reese nodded and led the way through the crowd to the edge of the dance floor. When the pulsing music slowed, they stepped to a corner of the small space and faced one another.

Tory looked up into Reeses smile and stepped into her arms. "You lead," she said quietly.

"As long as you keep me on track," Reese rejoined as she slipped one arm around Torys waist. Tory fit effortlessly against her, and despite the frequent physical contact they had on nearly a daily basis in the dojo, this felt vastly different. Reese was aware of the press of Tory's breasts against her chest, and the length of firm thigh just touching her own. Torys head rested lightly on her shoulder, her hair rich with the scent of sunshine and sea. For a second Reese was breathless from the assault of sensation.

"Youre shaking," Tory whispered, hoping that Reese couldnt feel the trembling in her own body.

"Nervous," Reese murmured, closing her eyes, unconsciously tightening her hold as they moved together, tentatively at first, then with a growing confidence as each sensed the others rhythm.

Tory couldnt remember the last time anyone had held her, and she could no more control her response than she could stop her heartbeat. It was as if her skin was opening, allowing the heat from Reeses body to penetrate to her core, and the fire that flared within had a life all its own. Unconsciously she pressed closer, cleaving to the strong frame, her fingers on Reeses back tightening as waves of heat threatened to eclipse her senses. When Reeses hips shifted naturally forward into her, she couldnt prevent a soft moan.