Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

"Oh, Reese," she murmured, her throat aching with emotion. "I love you. I love you so much."

She looked over Reeses bowed head to see Nelson standing in the shadows of the door, watching them. She wondered how much he had heard. She motioned him away, not caring what he thought. Reese would not have wanted him to see her this way.

He turned away from the image of Tory cradling the sobbing woman. He had foolishly thought once that Reese had no more needs than a man. Now he understood what bravery it took to let the woman who loved you offer comfort. He walked back to join the young woman who loved his daughter, wondering if he had the guts to love like that.

"Im sorry," Reese mumbled at last, her cheek against Torys breast.

Tory laughed shakily, lifting Reeses face, gently brushing away the tears. "Dont you dare say that. I so needed for you to need me."

Reese looked perplexed. "Didnt you know that I do?"

Tory softly kissed her forehead, shaking her head. "You do give the impression of self-sufficiency, my love."

"Tory," Reese said, anxiously, "I seem like I dont need any help because I never had anyone to ask! How I feel about you - what I feel since weve been together-" She stood, pulling Tory close. "God, how I need you. You mean everything to me!"

Tory ached with feeling. "I love you, Reese. I love your strength, and your integrity, and your beautiful sense of certainty. I need that - it scares me how much I need that. But you dont have to be strong all the time - especially not for me. When you share yourself with me, I only love you more, although god knows how thats possible." She kissed her soundly, then stepped back, running her hands down Reeses arms. "I want to get you home. Im not even going to ask about your ribs."

Reese smiled, slipping an arm around her. "They hurt like hell, and Im beat. I just want to check on the kids."

"I know. Me, too."

**********

After a few hours sleep, Tory got up to go the clinic. Reese stirred as Tory slipped from the bed. Reese grabbed her hand, pulling Tory down beside her.

"Ill miss you," Reese said softly.

"I dont want to go, but there are a few patients who cant wait. I wont be long." She kissed Reese, all too aware of her nakedness. "Besides, since you always seem to be recovering from some injury or another, its just as well I stay away from you. I cant trust myself to have any restraint."

Reese guided Torys hand down over her taut stomach to the spot that ached to be touched. "Too late," Reese whispered unevenly as Tory's fingers brushed over her clit.

Tory groaned, ambushed by the wet warmth of Reeses desire. "You cant know what you do to me or you wouldnt torture me this way- " Helpless to stop, Tory caressed her, gently sliding her fingers up and down the distended shaft.

Reese rose against her hand, gasping. "Just for a minute-" she pleaded, feeling the pressure mushrooming in her belly.

Tory stared into Reeses eyes as she milked the length of her rhythmically, watching the eclipse of color reflect her touch. Reeses blue gaze grew hazy, her lips parting with a groan, as she blossomed into ripe fruition under Torys fingers.

"Tory," Reese sighed as release rippled through her. Eyelids fluttering, then closing, her neck arched with the final spasm. She smiled softly as the tension slowly subsided. "Ahh - god. Thank you."

Tory buried her face in Reeses neck, still holding her fast. "You break my heart, youre so beautiful," Tory murmured brokenly.

Reese languidly slipped her fingers into Torys hair, turning her face to breath a kiss against her cheek.

"May you always think so," she said drowsily.

Tory laughed shakily with the aftermath of passion still gripping her. "Dont worry about that. Now unhand me or Ill never leave."

Reese smiled contentedly. "Hurry home."

**********

When next Reese awoke most of the day had passed. Tory was moving quietly around the room as she undressed. Reese watched her in silence, her pleasure so acute it was almost pain.

"I always want to wake up and see you," Reese said into the still room.

Tory halted, catching her breath. "And I always want to be there when you do."

"Come here," Reese commanded gently, sitting up against the pillows, reaching out to her. When Tory neared, Reese placed both hands on her waist, guiding Tory up over her, one leg on either side of her body. With Tory gazing down at her, lips parted in anticipation, Reese lifted her head to lick her. She held Tory firmly to her mouth, dimly aware of the soft whimpers that grew to a crescendo of throaty cries. She took her time, despite the insistent rhythm of Torys pulsing hips. She lifted her lips away far enough to alternate light kisses on the tip of Tory's clit with circling caresses of her tongue under it. As Tory's movements became more frantic, Reese pushed her tongue into her, fucking her, until Tory dug her fingers into Reeses forearms with a cry.

"Oh god! Reese - make me come, please, please do it now!"

With a knowing brush of her lips, sucking the length of Tory's clit into her mouth, Reese ended the sweet torture. Even as Tory bucked against her, Reese held fast, slowing her strokes until Tory curled down around her, exhausted. Reese settled Tory beside her, then pressed her face to Torys breasts. She rested surrounded by the softness of her, listening to her soft murmurs of satisfaction.

After long moments, Tory said brokenly, "If you ever leave me, Ill be lost."

Reese lifted her head, still faintly flushed from their passion. "Not as long as I live." She wrapped her arms tighter around her love, and they slept.

Chapter Twentythree

It was a clear Provincetown morning in August, a bright blue sky punctuated by scattered wisps of clouds. The waves on the bay broke gently against the sands at Herring Cove. Reese sat in her patrol car sipping her coffee, waiting. She smiled as a flicker of color far off to her left caught her eye. Her heart stirred as she followed the course of the red kayak, cutting swiftly through the early morning sea. Torys rhythm was so steady the craft seemed barely to touch the water as she paddled toward the lighthouse at Race Point. When she could no longer imagine she saw her, Reese drove away, filled with peace.

Nelson glanced up when Reese entered the station, then shied his glance away uncomfortably.

"Morning Chief," Reese said, tossing her cap on her desk and heading for the coffeepot. She grimaced in disgust, emptying the contents into the sink.

"Good to have you back," Parker said gruffly. "Did the Doc clear you for duty?"

"You think Id be here if she didnt?" Reese laughed.

Just a few hours ago, Tory had inspected Reese's side, and poked and probed her rib cage before reluctantly approving Reeses return to work. Tory watched her get dressed, loving her precision and the care with which she assembled each part of her uniform. Standing in front of Reese, Tory had straightened a tie that was already perfectly knotted. Running her hands over the razor-edge creases in Reeses shirtsleeves, she smoothed down the collar of her shirt. With her hands pressed lightly against Reeses chest, she had whispered, "I love the way you look in this uniform. You wont do anything to get any holes in it, will you?" Reese had pulled her close, promising her that she wouldnt.

Nelson Parker watched Reeses face turn inward to some thought he couldnt fathom, but he knew it held her powerfully. Something about her had changed in the two weeks she had been gone, and he figured he knew who had been the cause of it. Remembering the night he wished with all his being he could have to do over, he remembered too the look on Tory Kings face as she stared him down. He knew damn well that if he had struck Reese, Tory would have taken him apart. He cleared his throat, ready to say what he had been preparing himself to say since that night.