Page 69 of Fear and Desire

“Let’s just say that after seeing the two of you here together—well, I’m counting my winnings now.”

She flashed him a wistful smile. “Well, we’re not together. You haven’t won the bet yet.”

“Are you kidding? This man has been eaten up from the inside since the moment you went missing. I doubt he’s spent more than a few hours sleeping the whole last week. He’s been angry and combative and confrontational. He told his boss to go to hell and refused to show up for the debriefing. Then he disappeared to come find you, with all of us tagging along. He probably doesn’t have a job when he gets back, so I hope you do.” He winked to show he was teasing. “Just give him time.”

“I wouldn’t count on my job,” she chuckled ruefully. She put her chin in her hand. “Anders?” A germ of an idea was forming. “What would happen if I went for a long walk by myself right now?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re not strong enough yet. You’d probably get a few hundred meters down the road and collapse. You’ve hardly had any real food.”

“Good. Let’s hope you’re right. The IV is done. Please take it out.” She held out her hand and Anders removed it. She pushed herself to her feet, and once the world stopped spinning, she headed down the stairs.

Anders’ understanding laugh from behind gave her just a little more courage, and she went off in search of Dan.

39

Laura:

Sheheadedoffinthe direction Dan had disappeared to. She’d have to time things just right to avoid having him find her too soon. Since he wasn’t in the backyard, the only direction he could have gone was the footpath that led into the woods, so she crossed her fingers and entered the cool, dark forest.

Laura had been in fantastic shape while a prisoner, thanks to Dan’s workouts, but a week without food and four days without water had taken its toll. When the world started spinning, she stopped to catch her breath and lean against a tree. She wouldn’t have to do any acting.

She had a sudden vision of the warm bread waiting for her in the kitchen and almost turned around to head back. But as soon as she could stand upright again, she pushed against the tree and resumed walking.

“Dan?” she called. Her voice was weak. He might be here and not hear her unless she could get her voice to carry. “Dan! Where are you?” That was better.

He appeared on the path, his eyes flashing with anger. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“We weren’t done talking.” She found another tree to lean against.

“So you thought it would be a good idea to come looking for me? In the forest? How did you know where I’d gone?”

She shrugged. “It seemed logical.”

“Goddammit, Laura! You could have been stranded out here! Did Anders tell you that you could do this?”

“I don’t need permission from him. He’s not my master.”

Dan turned away from her with his fists clenched. She waited silently. When he turned back around, his voice was quiet. “Neither am I. I never want to be called master again. Don’t you understand? That word will never hold the same meaning for meever again!” His eyes were brimming with tears.

“Then how about ‘Sir’?” she asked.

He stared at her for a moment, then suddenly and fiercely pulled her into his arms. “Goddammit, Laura,” he wept, “I do not deserve you.” He held her close as the breeze gently rocked the trees overhead. “If you’re that determined to try,” he whispered, “then so will I.” He took her head in his hands and kissed her hard. She reached up to tangle her hands in his hair and kissed him back. It was a kiss that was years in the making, and full of longing and sadness, and hope.

When they reluctantly pulled apart, she was breathless. He clasped her gently against his chest. Her legs buckled, so he eased them both down to the ground. She nestled into his arms while he played with a curl of her hair.

“Laura, are you sure about this? It won’t be easy when we get back. The press has already gotten hold of the story. It was too good to stay under wraps, and they’re going to have a field day over what I did. The President promised all of us a pardon, not that I deserve it, and someone will try to prosecute me anyway, I’m sure. I’ll spend a lot of time testifying for the next couple of years. They’ll pressure you to testify against me. There’s going to be a lot of people saying ugly things about me and speculating about why you’d stay with me after what I did. They won’t be kind to you if you’re with me.”

“I know the truth. I’ll stand at your side and defend you as long as I have to.”

He squeezed her tight. “You might be the only one who does that.”

“That’s okay. We’ll make it through.”

They sat in silence as they listened to the breeze in the trees and he played with her hair.

“Dan?”

“Hmm?”

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