“I love you,” she whispered to Tina, who began to cry again.

“Let’s go, T,” she said gently.

Tina took a deep breath.  She didn’t want to see Bette off, crying like this.  She shut her eyes to gain control of her anxieties, then sat up, and joined Bette to dress quickly.

They stepped out of their quarters, holding hands.

Tina forced a smile at a Bette, as they followed Cheryl to the helicopter pad.

Oh, Tina.  Trying to be brave.

Bette gave Tina a quick kiss.

“It’ll be my turn to woo you, Tina Porter-Kennard, when I get back.”

“Get ready!,” she said, flashing Tina a 1000-watt smile.

They arrived at the helicopter pad.  “Bette?,” one of the men asked.

“That’s me,” the brunette responded.  He handed her a camouflage jacket, eyed her desert-colored trousers, and nodded his head.  He then gave her a tightly packed back-pack.  “Everything you need will be in there. Hmmmm….you may want to give her your rings.”

Bette frowned.  She thought a moment before responding, “No…I’ll wear my wedding ring, at least.”  She tugged her engagement ring off, then handed it to Tina.  “Give it back to me when I get back?,” she asked, kissing Tina softly.

“You bet,” Tina whispered back.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By the time they got to the base, they were told it would be too late to deploy the small team that would be accompanying Bette.  Bette was directed to a room set up next to the Colonel’s office, where she would be able to sleep that night.  Mike was still in the clinic, and was asleep when they got there.  He’d been shot in the arm and leg, and was under a morphine drip.  Bette swallowed as she observed him. Boy, what was she getting herself into out here?

She was woken early the next morning.  The sergeant who’d woken her explained that while the sun wasn’t out yet, the Colonel had suggested they eat an early breakfast and go over the plans they were to follow, so that they could head out as soon as light broke.

As Bette and the Colonel were talking, another group of men joined them.  Bette observed them.  Different from the men who were in the helicopter with me yesterday.

One of them was explaining to the Colonel that they were a security team assigned to Bette.  As the Colonel nodded his head, Bette looked at the man who was apparently the leader.