“How much work is needed, Colonel?,” she asked.

“I think they just need to document one last cave, and then they’ll have what they need,” the colonel was explaining.

After a few minutes, locking eyes with Tina, remembering Katy’s anguish, Bette reached a decision.  She turned to Tina, “T….”

“Bette, please…” Tina was saying, tears in her eyes.

“I’ll be careful, T… I promise.”  She gave Tina a deep kiss, reassuring her.

She flicked the microphone on, again, “Colonel, ok.  I’ll go.”

“Great.  You’ll ship out in an hour.  We’ve got a team ready to accompany you.  I’ll see you here, then you’ll head out with another team to the site.”

“Ok, I’ll be in my quarters ‘til then.  What should I bring?”

“Just an extra shirt, I guess.  My team will have everything that you’ll need.”

“Alright, see you soon….and, Tina?” the Colonel asked, gently.

“I’ve got a wife, too.  And I’ll have to answer not only to you and to the government, but also to her if I mess this up….so believe me, Bette will be as safe as can be in our care.”

Tina couldn’t respond, as she cried into Bette’s embrace.

“T….,”Bette was saying, soothing the blonde, who was wracked with tears.

Cheryl began to tear up also, as she observed them from the back of the room.

Bette and Tina walked slowly to their quarters, with the brunette supporting the blonde, arms around her.

Cheryl was shaking her head, as she watched them walk down the zigzag path.  Mike was lucky to have friends like that. Risking life and limb for him, not to mention breaking away from their honeymoon!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tina was kissing Bette’s bare back, tracking a trail of soft kisses up her spine, licking the slick moisture covering the brunette as she moved up the brunette’s back.

“You better come back in one piece, Bette Porter-Kennard,” she whispered, huskily.

“You’ve got a wife now, you know.  And a child,” she continued, voice trembling.

Bette turned to her back, and pulled Tina up, gently.

“I know…,” she kissed the blonde deeply.

“I’ll be careful, T,” she whispered, as she reluctantly ended her kiss.

They heard a knock on the door.

“Bette, time to go,” they heard Cheryl’s voice.