Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

Tory smiled softly as she reflected on the woman asleep upstairs in her bed. "She is the most infuriatingly noble person I have ever met. She believes in doing the right thing," her voice caught and she brushed impatiently at the tears clinging to her lashes, "even if it kills her."

She stubbed the cigarette out carefully, continuing in a quiet tone, "And that is as near to innocence as you can get."

"It would be hell to be in love with her," Catherine ventured.

"Yes."

"Its hard not to fall in love with her," Catherine laughed.

"Impossible."

"This place cant always be so dangerous, can it? I mean, whats the chance shell ever get shot again?"

Tory shuddered at the thought. "Cath, she is going to ride out on her white charger every day of her life, and if it isnt her body in danger, it will be her heart. She has layers of armor, but one kid in trouble tears her apart."

"Anybody with half a brain would stay away from her," Catherine concluded.

"Yes."

"You know what the real problem is with people like her? The heroes - well, heroines, I guess."

"What?" Tory asked.

"Theyre so single-minded. Everything is either black or white. Like with love - it has to be this grand passion, you know? Nothing halfway. Mate for life, die in the name of it..."

"Dont, Cath," Tory warned.

"Why not, big sister? Are you scared that you might love her?"

"Yes," Tory shouted, the terror and strain of the last six hours finally erupting. "Yes Im scared! Because Ive known her three months, and Ive kissed her exactly twice, and shes claimed some essential place in me. I cannot imagine what life would be like without her. The last four years - even the time with K.T.- seem like pale imitations compared to what she stirs in me! Now tell me I havent lost my mind!!"

Catherine slipped an arm around Torys shoulders, hugging her in the chill morning air. "You have lost your mind. Thats what happens when you fall in love."

"Ive been in love - I loved K.T. with all my heart. But this! This is too much. She is too goddamned much! This isnt my heart were talking about, this is my soul! I could lose myself here, Cath. When I saw her go down tonight, I thought she was dead. I felt something inside of me begin to die, too. That terrifies me, Cath. I cant let this happen."

"Yes, I know," Catherine rejoined softly. "But whats your alternative?"

"I dont know."

As a brilliant sun broke through the cloud cover, the two sisters stood in silence, wearily awaiting the new day.

Chapter Seventeen

Reese lay with her eyes closed, listening to Tory breathe. She took cautious stock of her body. Her side throbbed, but when she carefully stretched, it didnt feel any worse. She continued to ease her long limbs out until she turned onto her side. She opened her eyes, and studied the woman beside her. Tory was wearing a light tee shirt and loose green scrub pants. The tanned flesh of her smooth abdomen was exposed where the shirt had rolled up. One hand rested on her thigh, the other on the bed between them. Her breasts stretched the front of the thin cotton, rising gently with each breath. Her wavy hair was spread out over the pillow, a few wisps clinging to her cheek. Reese caught the loose strands with one finger, lightly brushing Torys cheek as she did. Tory smiled slightly in her sleep. Reese couldnt remember ever being this close to another human being. She laid her hand against the bare skin of Torys abdomen, rewarded by a flicker of muscle and a soft sigh from the sleeping woman. Warmth spread up her arm, and she tightened deep within. Leaning on her uninjured side, she watched Torys face in wonder as she gently stroked the curve of her rib. Torys lips parted as Reese reached the swell of her breast, and when Reeses hand closed around the sensitive mound, Tory gasped. Her delicate lids fluttered, then opened as insistent fingers caught her nipple in a teasing caress.

"Oh!" Tory moaned, searching the face so near hers. Hazy blue eyes swallowed her whole. "Reese," she murmured brokenly as the hand slid to her other breast. Her back arched in response to this new sensation. "Oh god, wait -"

"No," Reese stated, her breath quickening with Torys, "I wont." She lowered her lips to the taut nipple her exploring hand exposed, catching it lightly in her teeth. Torys hands came into Reese's hair, holding her there, as the breath fled from Torys chest.

Reeses fingers stroked the quivering flesh of Torys abdomen as her mouth moved from one breast to the other. Blood rushed in her head, and the inner tension coiled tighter with each groan from Torys throat.

"Oh please, Reese - stop," Tory moaned, knowing she could no more push her away than she could stop breathing. Her control was shattered, and her need so powerful! Her legs twisted against the sheets, wetness soaking through the light cotton of her scrub pants.

"Never," Reese rasped, raising her head, capturing Torys emerald gaze with her own. "Not this time. Not ever."

Tory stared back into eyes full of fire and promise, unable to look away as her body became not hers, but something Reese commanded with the slightest of caresses. Her vision grew cloudy as a long-fingered hand stole beneath the ties of her pants. She whimpered, aching, when fingers brushed over the fine hair at the base of her belly. For a second she couldnt breathe at all. She clenched her jaws to keep from crying out. Her hips rose of their own accord, seeking that elusive stroke.

Gasping, she turned her face away. "Reese, if you touch me Ill explode-" oh god, you're going to make me come

"Look at me, Tory," Reese demanded softly, her fingers caressing the velvet inner thighs, allowing her fingertips to stray into the heat. She parted the soft folds, teasing the delicate moist lips surrounding the distended clit.

"Oh, god," Tory sobbed, surrendering to those eyes. Her pelvis lifted, the muscles in her thighs tightening. When finally Reese stroked the length of her clitoris, pressing the stiff shaft, she came instantly. She could no more stop the scream than she could halt the eruption that rocketed through her. Her last conscious sensation was of Reeses mouth claiming hers as her body convulsed.

**********

An insistent tapping at the door roused her. Tory reached for a sheet to cover Reeses nakedness. She was still in her clothes, although the scrub pants pushed down on her hips reminded her guiltily of her earlier abandon. Reese slept soundly beside her, one arm encircling her waist possessively. Tory quickly scanned the gauze taped to Reeses side, noting with relief that there was no sign of fresh bleeding

"Tory?" Catherine called softly.

"Come in, Cath," Tory answered, straightening her clothes hastily.

If Catherine was surprised by the sight of her sister holding the woman she had only hours before claimed was "too much" for her, she didnt show it. She simply crossed the room to stand by the bed, whispering urgently, "Theres a horde of people downstairs threatening to come up here if they dont get a progress report on your, uh, patient'." She couldnt hide her grin. "This might strike them as unorthodox treatment."

"It strikes me that way, too," Tory said with real concern.

"Well, ease your conscience, Doctor," Reese said, opening her eyes. "It wasnt your idea." She flashed Catherine a smile, who grinned back. "Who are they?"

"Your boss, two kids who look like punk rockers, and your family."

"My family?" Reese repeated uncertainly.

"Your mother and her lover."

Reese started to rise. "I better get down there."

"Not so fast," Tory ordered, swinging out from under the sheets. "I need to check you over first." She tossed her sister a stern look. "Tell them Ill be with them in a minute."

Reese started to protest, then thought better of it when she saw the look on Torys face. She lay back quietly with a sigh. Catherine decided her sister was not in the mood for levity and made a hasty retreat.