Honor 04 - Honor Guards

by Radclyffe

  "Yes, I've thought of that." Blair gazed past Cam, her eyes distant, an image of Valerie in her mind. "I actually rather like Valerie myself." She looked back at Cam. "But she's beautiful and accomplished and sexy, and I'm not entirely certain that I could be trusted to behave rationally if she were anywhere near you."

  "Jesus. Well. That could be dicey, then." Cam rubbed her forehead. "I guess we'll haye to wait and see what happens between them."

  "I suppose it would be good impulse-control training," Blair mused.

  "I need you to believe me when I say that I'm not attracted to Valerie. And she knows that I love you and will respect that." Cam shifted onto the bed and put her arm around Blair's shoulders, relieved when Blair turned into her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "You're the only woman in my life, in my heart. You're the only woman for me, forever."

  "I do believe you," Blair said quietly. She rubbed her cheek against Cam's breast, more for comfort than anything else. "I'm just so crazy about you. Sometimes it still makes me a little crazy."

  "That's okay." Cam kissed the top of Blair's head. "I love you a little crazy, I just don't want you ever to doubt what we have."

  "I don't doubt it. Sometimes I just worry I'll lose it."

  "You won't." Cam turned swiftly and moved on top of Blair, fitting her thigh between Blair's legs. With one hand, she reached down and pulled Blair's T-shirt up, exposing her breasts and abdomen. As she kissed her, she stroked her fingers along Blair's side and down her thigh. When she felt Blair's breath quicken and her body rise to meet hers, Cam lowered her head and kissed Blair's breast. She ran her tongue lightly around Blair's nipple, then flicked it until it stiffened against her lips. "Do you have anywhere to be for the next hour or so?"

  "No." Blair's voice was already thick with need.

  Cam slipped her fingers beneath Blair's briefs and pushed them down, lifting her hips so that Blair could free herself of the garment. Then she slid down on the bed until her bare breasts nestled between Blair's legs. Looking up, she met Blair's hazy blue gaze. "Good."

  0900 10Sep2001

  Report; Strike Team One pilots have departed for Portland, Maine- Remaining members of Teams One and Two have secured accommodations at Boston area hotels.

  1230 10 September 2001

  "There's something particularly sinful about leaving the office in the middle of the day," Renee Savard remarked as she leaned back into Stark's arms. They sat on the grass a top a knoll that overlooked the Pond in Central Park. Although the walking path was only fifteen yards behind them, they were secluded from casual view by the trees and shrubs that bordered one of the most idyllic spots in the park.

  "Oh, I don't know." Stark clasped her arms loosely around Renee's waist, settled her chest against Renee's back, and nuzzled her lips behind her lover's ear. "Everybody's entitled to a lunch hour, even important FBI agents."

  "Yes," Renee laughed and tilted her head back, turning her face to kiss Stark's neck, "but I don't think they're supposed to sneak off to meet their lovers in Central Park."

  "Well, we could've gone with my idea."

  "Oh, sure," Renee scoffed. "I'd really be able to go back to the office and bore through a hundred field reports about potential subversive activity after having a nooner with you."

  "Do you think it will be any easier going back to work thinking about it?" Stark nibbled on Renee's earlobe. "But not having done anything?"

  "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to tease me." Renee snugged her hips a little tighter into the space between Stark's legs and wrapped her arm around the outside of Stark's thigh. She smoothed her palm up and down the undersurface of her lover's leg.

  "Oh, right," Stark said, her voice husky. "And you're not teasing?"

  "Nope. I'm just appreciating you."

  "Could you appreciate me a little further north?"

  "Not unless you want to risk getting arrested."

  Stark sighed. "Actually, I'd almost take the chance. You make me feel so good, I can barely think of anything else."

  Head cushioned on Stark's shoulder, Renee regarded her tenderly. "Do you know that I spend 90 percent of my waking hours thinking about making love with you?"

  "I still can't believe you...want me."

  "Oh, sweetie," Renee breathed, "I am certifiably crazy over you."

  "I keep expecting to wake up and find out this was all some fabulous dream." Stark kissed the corner of Renee's mouth and held her more tightly. "I didn't have any idea how good it could be."

  "Neither did I." I'd even stopped dreaming.

  "You know," Stark said softly, rocking Renee gently in her embrace, "tomorrow will be three weeks since you came to stay with me."

  "It seems so much longer sometimes, as if I'd always been there with you." Renee's tone was quiet, uncharacteristically subdued. Contemplatively, she ran her fingertips up and down the trouser seam on the inside of Stark's leg. "But you're right. Tomorrow our trial living-together period will be over."

  "Uh-huh." Cautiously, Stark asked, "So, where do we go from here?"

  "I guess we need to talk about that."

  "I have the split shift tonight—I won't be home until late."

  "Mmm, and we'll both have to be up and out again early in the morning." Renee kissed Stark's neck. "I think we should go out to dinner tomorrow night, some place secluded and romantic."

  "That sounds kind of positive." Stark's heart was suddenly racing. Say you'll stay. "Are you going to give me a hint?"

  "Oh, I don't think so." Renee curved her arm back and spread her fingers into Stark's hair, drawing her head down. Against Stark's mouth, she whispered, "Just remember how good it is when I make you wait."

  Closing her eyes, Stark groaned softly just before Renee's kiss claimed her.

  2330 l0Sep0l

  The phone rang in a back room in a dingy apartment in Chelsea.

  "Yeah," the Patriot leader rasped.

  "Our target has returned to the nest. We have a green light."

  "How many opposition forces can we anticipate?" The heavyset man gave a thumbs-up sign to his three comrades, who sat around a low table cleaning their rifles and readying for the morning assault.

  "The routine briefing will be over by 0830, and only the day team will be on-site. Three, maybe four people in the command center, and one in the lobby." In a flat, emotionless tone, the Secret Service agent went on, "I'll handle things upstairs while you eliminate the person on the door and secure the exits."

  "What about Roberts?"

  "I'll make certain she doesn't get in the way."

  "Tomorrow is the dawn of a new era in this country," the large man in the khaki fatigues said fervently. "And may God bless us all."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  0430 11Sep0l

  Patriot encampment, Tennessee

  G eneral Matheson, in a crisp, starched khaki uniform with his rank insignia gleaming on his collar, sat down behind his desk and with a steady hand opened a predetermined satellite channel to monitor the real-time events that were about to reshape history and define his destiny. He pictured a heavily bearded man in coarse, dirty robes, crouched in the caves of his mountain stronghold half a world away, doing the same. They were not compatriots, merely temporary allies forged by necessity, and though their motivations differed, their goal was the same—to demonstrate to the world the weakness and decay at the heart of the greatest superpower history had ever known.

  Whatever success their parallel battle plans achieved, life as they knew it was about to change forever.

  0500 11 September 2001

  Cam awakened without the benefit of the alarm, slipped quickly from bed, and pulled a T-shirt and gym shorts from her bureau. She dressed quickly and walked to the window that faced Gramercy Park. Across the square, above the trees, she could see the windows of Blair's loft. They were dark now, but the lights had still been burning at 2:00 a.m. when she'd finally gone to bed. She imagined that Blair had been painting, or perhaps r
eading, and when she herself had been unable to fall asleep, she'd briefly contemplated calling her. She had resisted the impulse, however, because sometimes hearing Blair's voice and knowing that she was so close was harder to bear than the simple pain of missing her.

  With a sigh, Cam pushed the nonproductive thoughts away and buckled on a small pack containing her beeper, cell phone weapon, and credentials.

  After the briefing, I'll surprise Blair and take her out to breakfast. For once, her schedule is clear.

  As she started her run, Cam thought fleetingly of how pleasant it would be to have a few unhurried hours with her lover.

  0545 11Sep0l

  Report: Confirmed - Team One pilots have passed through security check in Portland, Maine. Departure as scheduled for Logan Airport, Boston.

  0550 11 September 2001

  With her arm around Renee's waist and her breasts against Renee's back, Stark nuzzled her face in the sweet, warm skin of Renee's neck. "What kind of disciplinary action do you think we'd get if we skipped work today?"

  Lazily, Renee turned onto her back and threaded both arms around Stark's neck, guiding her lover down on top of her. Lids heavy with the remnants of sleep and the first stirrings of desire, she murmured, "Do you have something besides duty in mind?"

  "Oh, yeah," Stark said with a grin, settling her hips between Renee's thighs. "First I thought I'd start with this." She dipped her head and nipped the tip of Renee's chin, then licked the spot as Renee arched beneath her with a gasp of surprised pleasure. "And then," she ran her tongue slowly over Renee's lower lip, "I thou—"

  "Sweetie," Renee interrupted, her voice pitched low and husky, "I have to leave in thirty-five minutes."

  "Uh-huh." Stark lifted her head, a perplexed expression on her face. "And your point is?"

  Laughing, Renee reached up and brushed the hair from Stark's forehead. "You're going to wear me out."

  "Is that even possible? Is there like some magic orgasm quota, and once you hit that number, you can't have any more?"

  In a swift movement, Renee lifted her hips and rolled Stark over onto her back, following in one fluid motion until she straddled her. With her palm in the center of Stark's chest, she leaned forward, her breasts swaying in silent invitation. "If there is, I'm going to get there pretty fast, especially if you keep after me the way you have been."

  "Jeez, you look so sexy when you sit on me like this." Stark lifted both hands and cupped Renee's breasts, brushing the tight pink nipples with her thumbs.

  Surprised yet again, Renee arched into Stark's hands with a groan. "I love the way you touch me."

  "That's good," Stark said, her throat dry and her stomach already simmering with need. "Because I can't seem to stop."

  Renee dropped forward, catching herself with her palms on either side of Stark's shoulders, her breasts pressed into Stark's hands, her face inches above her lover's. She rocked her hips over Stark's stomach, slicking the soft skin with the warm, silken evidence of her desire. The tantalizing friction teased her already stiff clitoris, and her thighs trembled. Her eyes, glazed with urgent pleasure, found Stark's. "I don't want you to ever stop."

  Before Stark could reply, Renee raised her hips and slid higher on the bed until she knelt just above Stark's face. Curling her fingers into Stark's hair, she held her head down while she lowered herself carefully to Stark's mouth. "One kiss."

  With a groan, Stark wrapped her arms around Renee's hips as she took her into her mouth, thirsting for her passion. The wild heat and sweet scent overwhelmed her, and she closed her eyes to immerse herself in the wonder of her lover's desire.

  Renee's stomach tightened at the first soft touch of Stark's tongue, and when the sharp pull of Stark's lips around her clitoris sent fire streaking along her spine, she pushed herself away and collapsed onto the bed, panting. "Okay. That will have to do until tonight."

  "Oh my God," Stark exclaimed, rolling onto her side toward Renee and sliding one hand down Renee's abdomen, seeking entrance between her thighs. "I'll die, I mean it. I can't wait until tonight."

  "You have a fabulous mouth," Renee gasped. "And I'm going to be thinking about it the entire day."

  Stark stared in shock as Renee jumped from the bed and hurried naked toward the bathroom. Half a second later, she catapulted up in pursuit, shouting, "I'm going to make you pay for this!"

  Outraged, delighted, and indescribably in love, Stark followed the beautiful sounds of her lover's laughter.

  0800 11Sep0l

  Report: Team One aboard American Airlines flight 11 has departed Logan Airport en route to Los Angeles. 81 passengers and 11 crew members.

  0805 11 September 2001

  "That's it, then," Cam finished. "Egret has no public appearances on the docket for the rest of the week, and her personal calendar is flexible. Standard shifts the rest of the week. She has a luncheon scheduled with the board members of the American Teacher's Association in DC on Saturday. Mac will go over those assignments tomorrow."

  When she and Mac left the conference room to review reports and intelligence updates, the remaining agents began to gather their notes. The conversation was desultory as the night shift prepared to go off duty and the day shift sorted out their assignments.

  Stark, the day-shift leader, looked toward Cynthia Parker. "You've got the lobby this morning, Cyn."

  "Sure," Cynthia Parker replied. "I'll head down to relieve Foster as soon as I grab a cup of coffee."

  Glancing at Felicia, Stark said, "You feel like joining me in the gym for a workout?"

  "You go ahead. I'll join you as soon as I check my e-mail messages."

  "No problem. See you there." Stark's nerves still jangled with an undercurrent of excitement and lingering arousal. An hour or so pumping iron sounded like just the antidote she required to clear her head.

  0814 11Sep0l

  Report: Confirmed - Team Two aboard United Airlines flight 175 has departed Logan Airport en route to Los Angeles. 56 passengers and 9 crew members.

  0815 11 September 2001

  "Everything looks to be routine, Mac," Cam said after a swift survey of the printout's that had come in from the various intelligence agencies. "I'm going to check in with Egret. We may be going out-—I'll let you know."

  "Sure, Commander." Mac rose as Cam left the room and crossed to the desk where Felicia sat studying her computer monitor.

  "We haven't had much of a chance to talk lately," Mac said. When Felicia glanced up, a curious question in her eyes, he shrugged. "I know you're not interested in anything serious between us, but how about a friendly lunch sometime?"

  "Do you really think that men and women can do anything that's just friendly?"

  "I don't know," Mac answered honestly, "I'm not sure that I even want to where you're concerned. Maybe I'm hoping you'll change your mind when you discover what a nice guy I am."

  Felicia couldn't help but smile. "Mac, I already know that." She studied his clear blue eyes, his handsome face, his gentle mouth. "Lunch would be nice."

  0821 11Sep0l

  Report: Confirmed - Team Three aboard American Airlines flight 77 has departed Washington Dulles International Airport en route to Los Angeles. 58 passengers and 6 crew members.

  0822 11 September 2001

  "Hey," Blair exclaimed with pleasure, reaching out for Cam's hand and drawing her into the loft. She pushed the door closed and curled an arm around Cam's neck, pressing close to kiss her. "Mmm. This is a nice surprise."

  Cam tightened her arms around Blair's waist and buried her face in her soft, fragrant hair. Silently, she just held on, filling the empty places inside with the comforting sense of her lover. Blair smelled of sunshine and sweet wildflowers.

  "Cam?" Blair stroked Cam's neck and shoulders. "Darling? What's wrong?"

  "Nothing," Cam replied, straightening. She kissed Blair once more, allowing the gentle heat of Blair's mouth to soothe the last sharp edges of her longing. "Just missed you."

  "Then come to me, Cameron
," Blair urged. "It's all right."

  Cam smiled, the shadows in her eyes lifting. "I know, and I will. I'm still trying to judge how best to balance everything, that's all."

  Her arms around Cam's waist now, Blair nodded. "I understand. But I miss you, too, every night when I close my eyes. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me from calling you is knowing that it will make things harder for you if I do."

  "I love you." Cam kissed Blair once more. "So, if you're not already scheduled, how do you feel about joining me for a walk and breakfast somewhere?"

  Delighted, Blair nodded. "Sounds perfect." She indicated her T-shirt and cotton pajama bottoms. "Let me grab a fast shower and change."

  "Go ahead. I'll read the paper and wait."

  0835 11 September 2001: Federal Aviation Administration has alerted the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) that American Airlines flight 11 has been hijacked.

  0837 11 September 2001

  The radio on Cam's belt crackled as Mac's voice sounded in the quiet loft.

  "Commander, I think you should come downstairs."

  Tossing the newspaper aside, Cam stood swiftly, alert to the concern in Mac's voice. "What is it?"

  "I'm not sure, but I just received word that a commercial airliner has been hijacked in the Northeast corridor."

  "I'll be right down." Cam crossed swiftly to the bathroom, opened the door, and called inside, "I need to check something with Mac. I'll be back."

  "All right," Blair answered from the shower. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

  0842 11Sep0l

  Report: Confirmed - Team Four aboard United Airlines flight 93 en route to San Francisco has departed from Newark Airport. 38 passengers and 7 crew members.