Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

"This looks fine," Tory said as she inspected the wound. "How do you feel?"

"Like a million bucks," Reese responded, unable to contain a grin. Tory glared at her. "Okay, it stings like hell, but I dont feel too bad." She grasped Torys hand, suddenly serious, "Tory-"

Tory extracted her hand to reach for new bandages, determinedly avoiding eye contact. "You ambushed me this morning, Conlon." She bent her head to work on the dressings.

Reese slipped a hand into Torys hair, stroking it back from her face, running her palm along the edge of her jaw. "I didnt mean to," Reese whispered, tracing one finger down the side of Torys neck. "You are so beautiful. I had to touch you, and then nothing could have stopped me."

"Youre doing it again," Tory choked, finally looking at Reese. Her eyes were hazy, almost wounded with desire.

"Cant help myself," Reese murmured, her hand behind Torys neck, pulling her near for a kiss.

Tory placed both arms straight against the bed on either side of Reese, stopping her forward descent. "Neither can I, it seems," she groaned, "but one of us has to. Please stop."

"I cant look at you without wanting you," Reese confessed, not loosening her hold. Every fiber of her body was taut with nearly unbearable tension.

Tory laughed shakily, "God, Im glad. But if you dont take your hands off me this minute I will not be responsible for my actions, and youre in no condition for what I want to do to you. Besides that, were likely to have an audience if were not downstairs soon."

"Tory," Reese implored, her breath constricting in her chest, "just kiss meplease."

Tory couldnt have resisted the plea in her eyes if twenty men trooped into the room. She took Reese's mouth with bruising authority, shocked by her own possessiveness. Reese opened to her, her whole body pressing urgently upward. When Torys hand claimed her breast, fingers squeezing hard on the erect nipple, Reese groaned, shuddering convulsively. Unbelievingly, Tory felt a rolling tide of tremors rage through the woman in her arms. She raised her head, stunned, as Reese clung to her, shaking.

"Ah, god-" Reese gasped, collapsing against the pillows. "One kiss and Im wasted."

"Did what I think just happened really happen?" Tory asked in wonder.

Reese smiled shyly. "It seems to be happening every time we touch."

Torys mouth was dry, her head pounding. "Every time?"

"This morning, with you- "

"Oh my god," Tory said, shocked. "Youre incredible - in fact, youre dangerous. You are definitely not safe on the streets of Provincetown." She brushed her fingertips over Reeses face in awe, amazed by the feelings just looking at her inspired. "Im getting up, because if I dont Im going to make love to you for the rest of the day."

"Dont think Im going to let you forget that!" Reese warned.

**********

Conversation stopped, every eye in the room on Reese when she walked out onto the deck. She was wearing a pair of Torys jeans and a frayed cotton shirt, both of which were a little snug. Tory hoped no one was looking her way, because she was afraid what she was feeling might show on her face. Reese had to be the most captivating woman she had ever seen, and the most desirable. The urge to touch her was physically painful. To her great consternation, when Reese smiled at her, she blushed.

"Are you all right, darling?" Kate asked anxiously.

"I am, Mother. Just fine."

Kate looked to Tory, uncertain whether to believe her daughter. She was in time to catch the look that passed between the two of them. She was first surprised, then immensely pleased. She relaxed perceptibly, as she added, "Jean and I just had to be sure."

"Doctor King is taking very good care of me."

Tory blushed a deeper crimson as Reese grinned rakishly at her. Im going to kill her for this! Tory thought.

Mercifully, Nelson spoke, dispelling the silence and drawing Reeses eyes from her. "The doctors say Smith is going to be okay, too. Thanks to the both of you. You sure youre okay?"

"Yes, sir. Im fine."

"Theres been a lot of calls from reporters. This is big news. Theyre camping out over at your place. Id stay clear of there for a few days."

"She can stay here," Tory responded.

"Good," Nelson rejoined. "So Ill see you in five or six days."

"Excuse me?" Reese asked in confusion.

"The Doc said youd be okay for desk duty next week."

"Desk duty?" She turned to Tory in astonishment. "Desk duty!!"

"What I actually said was that you might be ready for desk duty next week," Tory replied stonily. Her expression suggested any further discussion from either of them would be extremely unwise.

"Right," Reese conceded, deciding to fight this particular battle another day. Nelson seemed satisfied that his irreplaceable second in command was in good hands. "You coming, Bri?" he asked as he turned to leave.

"I want to talk to Reese. Ive got my motorbike."

"Well, be careful with that damn thing if youre carrying a passenger," he admonished with a nod toward Caroline.

Bri gave her father a look which suggested he had just insulted her. The stiffening of her shoulders and the tilt of her chin reminded Tory of Reese. Oh Lord, not another bull-headed baby butch!

"Im always careful, especially when Im carrying Caroline," Bri replied as if her father should know better than to suggest otherwise.

It was his turn to look confused. He was rescued by Torys suggestion that they all go inside and have some lunch. Nelson declined, but Reeses mother and Jean offered to lend a hand. They followed Tory inside.

"Ill be right there," Reese said. Turning to the two young women she asked, "Whats up?"

The instant her father started down the path to his car, Bri clasped Carolines hand. Her eyes were smoldering with anger. "Someones been bothering Caroline," she seethed.

Reese nodded seriously. "Sit down. Start at the beginning."

"At first I didnt pay much attention," Caroline informed her. "There were some notes pushed into my locker - the usual stupid stuff."

"What did they say?" Reese asked.

Caroline glanced at Bri, uncomfortable. Reese waited. With a sigh, Caroline recounted, "They just called me names. You know, like dyke and queer. Then last week" She hesitated again, and Bri stared at her suspiciously.

"What? Is there something you didnt tell me?" Bri asked.

Caroline nodded, looking miserable. "Someone wrote if I knew what was good for me Id get rid of Brianna and find a man. Otherwise theyd show me what I was missing. And now I think someone is following me."

"Motherfuckers," Bri swore, dropping Carolines hand as she stormed across the deck. She grasped the railing with all her strength to hide the trembling. Caroline started to follow, close to tears. Reese motioned for her to wait.

"Your anger is just," Reese said when she joined Bri at the rail. "But if you let it, it will make you weak. If you don't control it, it will strike anyone in its path. You will hurt those who love you."

"I want to kill them!" Bri choked, struggling for air.

"I know," Reese said.

"When I think about someone hurting her," Bri said, "I cant stand it! I think Ill go crazy!"

"Yes," Reese agreed. "But you cant. You cannot afford to be defeated by words, or threats, or your own undisciplined emotions. You are being tested, Brianna. Its not fair, and its not just, but that is beside the point. Im going to need your help, but more importantly, Caroline needs you."

Bri glanced over at her girlfriend, who was watching them anxiously. Just the sight of her made her heart catch, the joy almost like pain. She wanted so much to deserve Caroline's love. Bri straightened her shoulders, drew a deep breath, and crossed the deck to her.

"Im sorry," Bri whispered, as she sat beside Caroline, slipping an arm about her waist. Caroline kissed her neck, murmuring reassurances against her skin.