This is a patriotic and romantic tale set in the West prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor that sent the United States into World War II. Army Air Corps pilot Lt. Zane Nolen and American female aviator Trisha "Trish" Summers finds themselves falling in love during this critical time in American history. Be prepared to have a box of tissues because the ending is a real tear jerker!
This story made the second cut but didn't advance to the top 10 in this year's Moonlight and Magnolia Fiction Writing Contest, that I've entered for the last three years. This was the last year for the contest, and this is the best I've ever done.

Orange, yellow and red tinted the afternoon skies over the mountains, plains, prairies and deserts of the West.Sticks maneuvered her plane until it skimmed in a graceful arc across the painted prairie into the setting sun.She always enjoyed flying at this time of day. Actually she loved flying period.For as long as she could remember, Sticks, aka Trisha Summers, was "Trish" to her family and friends. Her father had taught her to fly when she was a youngster. She was one of very few females of her time who were licensed to fly. Flying gave her the chance to travel to a place of beauty and peace where she could escape from the drudgery of everyday life and think.Soaring through the skies was probably about the only place in the world where anyone could find a sense of normalcy and calm, especially with the war waging in Europe. She had heard the news about how Hitler and his Nazi army were sending thousands of Jews to concentration camps, while storming aggressively across Europe on a quest for world domination. Even with the atrocities being committed in Europe, America hadn't gotten involved in the war yet.She wondered how long America would continue to ignore and isolate itself from the war in Europe. She didn't understand why her country wasn't interested in fighting in the war in Europe, when she thought they should be. While secretly helping out the British the American government probably worried about sending its boys into the war in Europe, a war politicians believed was too remote and not the United States' concern. Although she didn't agree with her government's policy about the war, she felt her country's isolationist stance would soon lead them into the war brewing on the horizon. American engagement in Europe's war seemed imminent that fall of 1941. Even if America did eventually engage in the war in Europe, she wouldn't be involved in the conflict because of her sex. Members of her sex were prevented from being sent into combat to do their patriotic duty. That was just unfair. She wanted to be allowed to serve and to fight, and she doubted it would happen in her lifetime.As dusk slowly stretched across the sky, she headed her plane for home. She followed the familiar terrain of the desert southwest to Biggs Army Air Base's runway and landed flawlessly.She popped the plane's canopy and gracefully slid down the side of the plane. A sudden surge of desert heat disguised her as a barely distinguishable blur. Anyone who looked at the pilot clad in the baggy pine green flight suit would have easily mistaken her for a boy. After taking off her flight goggles, she removed her brown leather flying cap that had restrained her long brown hair, releasing it so it fell like rain around her, the only sign of the 19-year old pilot's femininity.She headed toward the hangar where she saw many familiar faces. "Hey, Sticks, where have you been?" one of the ground crew asked her warmly, and received a cryptic answering smile. An older ground crewman shook his head at her thinking how nice it must be to have a daddy who was the base's top instructor because then you were given free rein to do whatever you wanted. "We have a bunch of FNGs coming in at 2400 hours." Had El Paso's dry heat warped the older ground crewman's brain? So what if another batch of brash pilot officer training was on the way. They came through like clockwork every six weeks.Pulling her hair into a pony tail, and tossing it in dismissal of the crewman's message, she strode to her plane to conduct post flight maintenance. Popping the compartment underneath the nose of the plane, she twisted the plane's oil filter loose and quickly placed an oil pan beneath belly of the plane's nose to catch the stream of black ooze. Finishing changing the plane's oil, she fidgeted with the other devices inside the compartment, getting very oily and dirty in the process. But getting dirty never bothered her. A true tomboy, she climbed trees; could do push-ups and other strenuous physical activities; occasionally swore; enjoyed getting dirty and causing trouble; like bugs, amphibians and reptiles; could outdrink any guy; and fight better too.She didn't seem to realize that she wasn't a boy. Her mother had died from complications from childbirth not too long after she was born, leaving her to be raised by a man who had no clue how to raise a daughter. Having been a longtime military man, her father used the only thing he knew, understood and had any experience with to bring up his child. She had not really been exposed to women either, since her father never remarried. All she knew was men. And without knowing any better her father had turned his daughter into a boy.Engaged in her work, she didn't notice the 20 officers wearing polished brown formal headgear and clad in their pressed dress brown uniforms heading in her direction. The sounds of rhythmically clacking dress shoes marching nearby distracted her. Glancing toward the group of fresh, green, hotshot pilots, her eyes engaged a pair of interested blue ones. Feeling caught up, almost lost, in his pale blue pools, she stared at him bemused. She was nonplussed. No man had ever given her more than a passing glance. Lean and of medium height, the blond young pilot beamed at her before disappearing on the opposite side of the hangar.Shaking herself out her daze the pilot had put her into, she returned to her work.*Danny Maher elbowed his buddy, Zane, in the ribs and said. "Was that a girl?"He grinned at his longtime friend, Danny, who had a medium height and build, red hair and an Irish broque and temper. The two 24-years-olds had grown up together in a small town in Kansas. He and Danny had been boyhood friends. Actually Danny was more to him than a friend, he was more like a brother. Danny knew him better than any one else knew him, including how he'd come from a long line of pilots. His grandfather had been around when Orville and Wilber Wright had launched their first famous flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C., then later flew in WW I, his father was pilot now retired, so it was only natural for him to follow in what he considered a family tradition.He and Danny had done everything together, including learning how to fly when they were young boys to recently joining the Army. Danny's excitement about being around women once again was understandable. Neither of them had seen a woman during the eight weeks in basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. So the sight of any women even if she only had two legs and a pulse was a sight for sore eyes.He didn't get a chance to answer his friend's question as the sudden order "Fall in!" resounding in the area brought both of them back to reality. The two friends rushed to take their places in the formation where they stood at attention, as an older man, whose manner and insignia gave away his superior rank, approached them.Slowly walking around their formation, Col. Brian Summers scathingly appraised them as he coolly greeted the group. "Welcome, men, to Biggs Army Air Corps pilot instruction and training. Let me begin by telling any of you hotshots who are cocky enough to believe they're already pilots that they've been living a very nice wet dream." There was scattered laughter throughout the formation. Once things had died down, Summers continued with a serious tone. "Dreams are great things, boys, but we live in the real world, a world where we can't afford to believe that we know more than we do. So far all any of you know is how to be infantry grunts, but here you'll learn how to become pilots. This is serious, rigorous and intense training, men, and some of you will not successfully complete this course. Those who succeed in navigating and graduating from this training will be called pilots." Summers leaned close to the two friends but directed his question to the entire group. "Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Sir!" they shouted in unison."Good." Summers said with a curt nod. "Dismissed!"The group headed for the barracks where they began unpacking their duffelbags. The two friends selected their bunk beds. Without a word, he knew his bed would be the top bunk while Danny would have the bottom. He put his neatly folded uniforms in his wall locker as Danny made his bed.After they'd finished unpacking and making their bunks, the two friends retired so they could get a few hours of sleep before the 0600 wake call for PT.Atop the coarse green blanket, he lay awake staring at the ceiling. He always had difficulties sleeping in new places.A soft psst from below him indicated to him that he wasn't the only one having difficulties sleeping."Zane," called a familiar whisper. "Are you awake?""Yes," came his soft reply."So, was that really a girl we saw this evening on the flight deck?"He laughed lightly then quietly teased his friend. "I think you should concern yourself less with women and more with getting some sleep."Danny softly chuckled in response. "Good night, Zane.""Good night, Danny."He closed his eyes. As he drifted off visions of the girl he'd seen on the flight deck slid into his dreams.***The first several weeks of pilot training at Biggs consisted mainly of classroom instruction where he, Danny and the rest of their classmates learned everything they cared or ever needed to know about aviation and the theory of flying. All of them had become tired of only being exposed to book instruction and were itching for some hands-on experience in the air. Col. Summers could see by the glazed eyes and listless postures of the students under his tutelage that it was time to move on to the next phase of training. Just as the majority of his students had begun to fall asleep, Summers' voice cut across the classroom, demanding their attention. "Men, on your feet. Meet me on the strip in 20 minutes."A scattering of cheers could be heard as the students dispersed from the classroom to pre-flight locker room to don their flight suits.While his students were preparing for flight, the colonel went to speak to the airbase's best pilot, aside from himself, his daughter, asking her to participate in a training exercise with his students. When the students reported to the field they saw a pilot wearing thick, black flight goggles, a brown leather flying cap, a gray flight suit and a white aviator silk scarf around his neck, standing with his arms crossed over his chest, defiantly staring them down. Looking at the man standing next to the colonel made the young pilots think either the pilot was the colonel's equal or he was another instructor. The pilots didn't have to wait long to find out the identity of the mystery pilot because the colonel introduced him."Men, let me introduce you to Sticks, the best pilot in the West. You'll be flying against Sticks in this initial exercise. This will be your first opportunity to show me what you're made of and what kind of pilots you are." The group stood there staring at the colonel who angerily demanded. "What are you waiting for? Get your asses in the air!"The young military pilots scattered like windblown leaves and scrambled into their aircrafts. As soon as his plane taxied off the runway, he, also known as Knight, shot his aircraft straight up, climbing in altitude, into the clouds above. He didn't get a chance to dwell on the usual instinctiveness, rightness, peace, natural high and comfort he felt while flying. Right now he had a mission to concentrate on. He flipped the switch on the console before him to open his communications channels. "Inferno, do you copy?""Roger," returned a familiar voice belonging to Danny, also known as Inferno. His friend had gotten his call sign because of his red hair and fiery Irish temper and personality. "Do you see our bogey?""Negative, Knight." Before he could make another comment, a shudder from another plane caught their attention. Even though both had scanned the skyline Sticks' aircraft suddenly dropped from out of nowhere above them.Nearly wetting his pants from the shock, Inferno cursed. "Son of a ..." "Don't let him get a lock on you, Inferno!""I don't intend to," snapped his friend as he vectored on a path that would make him less of a target.Sticks didn't seem interested in targeting them though. The mystery pilot sped his plane up till their classmates' crafts were dwindling specks on the horizon.The two friends watched as Sticks swept in and attacked the others by surprise. If the exercise had been actual combat, the other pilot would have eliminated their classmates as combatants."Did you see that?" Danny said impressed."I saw it," he said with an interested, not impressed, tone to his voice. "We'll just have to watch ourselves, Inferno. I've got your back.""And I've got yours.""Let's show this guy what we can do, shall we?" He invited his friend with the sounds of a friendly challenge in his tone."Roger."The two friends made their stealthy approach on Sticks' position. The other pilot must have seen their approach because he executed some very crafty, suave and smooth moves to elude them.Danny increased his plane's speed to close the distance between him and Sticks. As he flew hot on the other pilot's tail, Sticks slammed on his plane's brakes causing Danny to fly right by him.He laughed loudly over the open communications channel. Danny didn't take too kindly to his friend's gentle ribbing and said a few choice phrases of profanity over the communications channels in frustration."Don't let him get to you, Inferno," he chidingly advised his friend."I'm not letting him get to me," Danny assured his friend. "But I would like to take out this fancy flying hot shot pilot.""Roger that."Danny continued to pursue Sticks with his friend close on his wing. As the chase went on, Zane grew more and more impressed with Sticks' skilled techniques and natural piloting talents he'd demonstrated.This guy's good. Very good!To throw off his opponents, Sticks abruptly turned his plane, zipping it between he and Danny, cutting the friends apart like a knife through bread. He quickly scanned the skyline and noticed Sticks plotting a course toward him seemingly intent to target him for a kill.Oh, I don't think so!He turned the control wheel, sharply banking right, and then barrel rolled his plane until it was on a direct collosion course with Sticks' plane. Gritting his teeth, he mentally dared the pilot: Let's play chicken!Sticks' plane continued coming straight toward his. Neither of them reduced their speed or waivered from their flight paths.At the last moment, Sticks turned his plane arcing it in a V, so their planes brushed past one other's in close proximity.That was close! Too close! He heaved a relieved sigh as Sticks' plane headed off in the opposite direction from them."Guess our bogey is bugging out," Danny commented as he watched Sticks' plane decended toward the airstrip.He refrained from commenting. As Sticks' plane landed, a gruff voice crackled over the communications channel. "Get your asses on the strip now!""Yes, Sir!" both of them answered and exchanged concerned looks then they landed their planes.After the two friends exited their aircraft, they expected the colonel to immediately demand to see them both in his office for some wall to wall counseling. Not seeing their superior, they headed toward the flight locker room.When the friends arrived at the hangar, they saw the pilot they knew only as Sticks in front of them. Not aware they were behind him, the pilot removed his leather flying cap, releasing his long, flowing brown hair causing a realization to hit them.Sticks was a girl! A girl who had outflown the majority of them."Holy, shit!" Danny uncontrollably blurted out in surprise.She turned and regarded them. The encounter was short lived as her father approached from behind.The colonel pointed at him and Danny. "You and you. I want to see you both in my office now!!!!""Yes, Sir!" Both of them knew they were in deep trouble and faced the very likely possiblity of losing their wings and being kicked out of the pilot training course.Sticks watched them dejectedly follow her father. Danny glanced back at her, noticing how she looked at his friend in grave concern.It seemed that Sticks was more concerned about his friend than him. That interested and perplexed Danny since usually he was the one who attracted the attention of the ladies. He didn't have time to figure out how or why Sticks would be more interested in his friend than him.Once inside the hangar, he and Danny went into the first office, followed by the colonel who slammed the door behind them.He and Danny stood rigidly at attention before the wooden desk in front of them and directed their gazes out the window. The colonel stormed around them and got right in front of their faces."What in Hell did you two think you were doing up there?" He demanded."Flying, Sir," he answered."Don't be a smart ass, son, because what you were doing was reckless endangerment of military equipment and personnel. Not to mention endangering the life of a civilian who happens to be my daughter," The colonel lectured them, and then calmed slightly. "Despite your recklessness, I must say I was impressed with both of your piloting talents." The colonel locked eyes with Zane. "Especially yours, and I want to know how you learned to fly like that, pilot.""For me, being a pilot is a family tradition, Sir!" He replied."I know it's more than a tradition, lieutenant. I'm familiar with your grandfather's service record as a pilot during World War I and I've flown with your father. After watching you today, I can say you're very instinctive, got a lot of natural talent and are a better pilot than both your grandfather and father combined."Before he had a chance to thank the colonel, a knock at the door interrupted them."Come," the colonel said.She barged right into the office and immediately began speaking. "Father, I can't let you kick these men out of the pilot course on account of me."The colonel smiled at his daughter then looked at the two men in front of him. "I think you two should be the ones to tell your classmates that you two were the only ones who didn't get their asses out piloted by a woman.""Yes, Sir!" The two friends remarked in simultaneous argeement."Dismissed," the colonel told them as he took a seat behind his desk.The two friends saluted him then did an about face rushing out of the colonel's office followed closely by the colonel's daughter."Wait, I want to talk to you!" She called after them. The friends stopped short, turned to face the young woman, regarding her with interest. It became apparent to them that the young woman had no idea how attractive or beautiful she was.After a few momentss of silence, Danny said. "I don't think we have time to chat."She seemed to understand but failed to mask her disappointment. "Oh. Well, I understand. I've already gotten you in trouble once today."He felt intrigued by her. He didn't care if he did get in trouble. Danny could do whatever he wished; he intended to stay and talk to her. Danny had had his share of trouble for the day so made his departure from the flight deck, thereby leaving his friend alone with the colonel's daughter.He looked at her with interest. "How did you learn how to fly like that?""My father taught me but I'm sure you figured that," she smiled at him. "From what I saw today, you're a pretty good pilot.""Well, that could be because I come from a long line of pilots," he said modestly then grinned at her mischievously. "Besides I was only trying to avert a collosion with you."She laughed appreciatively. He smiled softly. She had such a beautiful laugh. Her laugh was just one of many things he found himself attracted to and "So, how did you end up with a call sign like Sticks?" I thought it appropriate because my father raised and always treated me like I had three legs instead of two, if you know what I mean.""I see," he laughed. "Do you have a real name? Or do I have to call you Sticks?""I don't even know your name, Lieutenant Nolen.""Yes, you do," he teased. "Because you just read it off my uniform.""That's not what I meant." She told him perturbed."I know," he said gently. "My name's Zane.""My friends call me Trish but my name's Trisha."Trisha, what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. A woman he wouldn't mind getting to know a lot better. A woman he wanted to have a romantic relationship with even though he'd be at this base temporarily. He knew he was on borrowed time but still didn't care about how much time he had with her. He knew it was risky getting involved in a relationship in these times. He could be ordered at any time to go over to fight alongside the British. Even with the risks, he was certain of one thing. He didn't want to regret not having been involved with her. That was a regret he wasn't willing to live with. Which meant he had to take advantage of whatever time he had with her and make the best of it.She seemed to be thinking the same thoughts as he was as he shyly admired her without her knowing it. As their eyes meet, he said. "Would you go flying with me sometime, Trish?"A beautiful smile crossed her lips. "Yeah, I'd like that, Zane."Her smile didn't fade as she walked away parting from him for now. Feeling light hearted, he went on his way. ***After several weeks of flight exercises with the end of the pilot training course no where in sight, Col. Summers gave his students a three-day pass. Many of them were planning to enjoy the sights around El Paso, travel to Carlsbad to visit the caverns or cross the border into Juarez where they could indulge in some tequila and Mexican women. None of those things were on Zane's to do list during the furlough. Danny had gone with some of other of their classmates to tour Carlsbad Caverns while he headed toward the area of the base where the officers' quarters were located. After asking others for directions, he made his way up the walkway to the Summers' residence. As he rang the bell, he silently prayed the colonel didn't answer because he didn't feel like explaining why he was calling upon Trisha. He was relieved when Trisha, clad in knee high black boots, tight black slacks and a short sleeved black shirt, answered the door. Casually leaning against the door, she smiled teasingly at him. "Without your uniform I almost didn't recognize you, lieutenant." Having worn his most casual civvies consisting of tennis shoes, blue jeans and a red polo shirt, he laughed appreciatively then teased her back. "Well, Sticks, I almost didn't recognize you without your flight suit." She laughed then bluntly said. "I'm sure you didn't come here to swap fashion tips with me, lieutenant. What can I do for you?""Is your father here?" He had to ask because it would probably be a good idea to ask the colonel's permission before he took her anywhere."No," she said simply then sharply pointed out. "And I don't think you came here to see my father, lieutenant.""You're right," he said not the slightest bit bothered by her blunt, untamed behavior and nature. "I came to see you.""Oh?" she replied with curiousity."Yeah," He looked at her meaningfully. "I was wondering if you'd like to fly with me." Her eyes wizened in surprise. "Now?""If now's a good time for you." He answered seriously as he shyly gazed at her."I think I can take you up on that offer, lieutenant," She teased as a warm smile crossed her lips.He extended a proffered right arm toward her. "Shall we?"Closing and locking the door behind her, she stepped outside. Instead of allowing him to escort her, she challenged him. "Race ya!"Without waiting for him to agree to the challenge, she shot forward like a bullet giving her an excellent head start in the race. As he tried to catch up, he heard the sounds of her laughter and saw her hair flying behind her like licks of flame as she ran toward the airstrip with him hot on her tail. She briefly spared a glance behind her where she saw him closing the distance between them. As he ran beside her, she threw herself into him in the hopes of tripping him up. He laughed at her as the two of them wrestled with each other until both of them were rolling around like siblings engaged in a playful fight on the airstrip. Both of them were laughing so hard when they stopped after rolling underneath the belly of a plane where they found themselves looking into each other's eyes. The world seemed to stand still in that moment. By simply enjoying the other's company and being alone together, no words they could have expressed what they shared in their silent closeness. After what seemed like an eternity, he slowly brought himself back to reality where he found himself lying on top of her, cradling her in a way a lover would, and pulled away. It was in that breathing space he'd put between them that she managed to catch her breath and regain her composure.He looked at her concerned. "Are you OK?"She accepted the hand he'd extended toward her. As he carefully pulled her off the ground, she answered reassuringly. "I'm fine." She brushed herself off then glanced at him sideways, noticing an awkwardness between them. Wanting to eliminate that unease, she quietly suggested. "Let's get up into the air."He grinned in agreement as both climbed into the plane from opposite sides heading for the cockpit that had two pilot seats. They exchanged looks and she graciously gestured for him to take the pilot's seat. He nodded at her in thanks and like the true gentleman he was he let her take her seat before sitting in his.After buckling themselves in and flipping a few switches on the console that activated the propellers, they felt the plane's vibrations flowing through them.He looked at her with a smile. "Are we ready for take off?"Aye, aye, captain," she teased him with a warm smile. He laughed then smiled appreciatively at her then reached for the wheel control. Instictively stretching out to pull back the wheel control, his hands brushed against her hand. His expression softened as he gazed over at her and saw her hand resting on the opposite side of the wheel control. As the plane taxied down the runway, together they increased the thrust sending the plane soaring into the skies. Once they reached an altitude of 20,000 feet, they leveled their plane so both of them could enjoy the scenery, beauty and peace flying brought them.He was enjoying flying with her. It felt so perfect, right and was the most beautiful thing they could share together. He could have flown with her forever.She was special to him. The two of them shared a common bond: flying. Through that common bond, she understood him better than any other woman because the two of them flew so close. He had never felt this way about a woman before. He'd had a few girlfriends but nothing serious like the way he felt now. Feelings that were both frightening and exhilarating. He glanced at her gazing out, lost in thought, at the clouds that surrounded their plane. Almost hating to interrupt her from her reflections, he couldn't suppress his desire and need to have her close to him.Gently clearing his throat, he called to her. "Trish, come here.""Huh?" She remarked distracted."Come here," he gently requested again, indicating the space on his lap.Briefly mulling over his offer, she rose and snuggled herself against him. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and she lay her head against his chest. He smelt the sweet smells of the shampoo she used in her hair and the soft fragrance of her perfume as he let his hands stroke her hair. She cautiously caressed his arms her hands. Then without thinking about it she let her hands seductively slide all over his legs.The way she touched him thrilled and excited him so he reciprocated by tenderly caressing her back and arms with his hands. She tilted her head and gazed at him tenderly.As they looked deeply into each other's eyes, there was no denying that a powerful, strong, deep and true love existed between them.Unable to deny his longings, desires and needs any longer, he leaned forward and tenderly brushed his lips against hers in a passionate kiss. She had never kissed a man before and felt kind of self-conscious about kissing him. Kissing him was extrodinarily pleasant, enjoyable and addictive; she kept wondering if she was doing it right. Despite her inexperience with kissing men, he seemed to enjoy kissing her as much as she enjoyed kissing him.As they continued to kiss passionately over and over again, she heard him murmur softly in pleasure. He knew he was in over his head, feeling the pleasant thrills traveling over his body as he kissed her. To him, it was fairly apparent that he'd fallen head over in heels in love with her. And he felt pretty sure she felt the same way about him. One thing was for sure. There would be no way either of them could hide a romantic involvement between them from her father. He dreaded having to ask the colonel for permission to date his daughter but that's how it worked.As they continued to kiss, a realization that they hadn't been flying the plane hit her that made her quickly disengage herself from him. She assessed their situation. She hadn't needed to worry because everything was fine.But she was avoiding the real issue. She wondered if she should tell him that she'd never kissed a guy before. Or had he been able to figure that out while he kissed her? She probably should tell him she'd never had a boyfriend either.He also avoided the real issue as he struggled with his own thoughts and concerns. After a long silence, he looked at her in grave concern. "Trisha, what are we going to do?"She didn't know. She felt just as confused as he did.She answered his question with a question. "What do you mean?"He asked. "Don't you know?"She shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't. You see, I've never been in this situation before, Zane." His eyes wizened in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me.""No, I'm not kidding," she said. "Does that bother you?""No, it doesn't bother me," he remarked. "But it does shock me.""Why?" She asked not completely understanding him."Because I figured an a beautiful and attractive young woman like yourself would have had tons of boyfriends.""You forget that I've never seen myself as a woman until now." She looked at him. "It was you who made me realize that I was a woman."He adverted his eyes. "I'm flattered you feel that way about me. I'm also very flattered that you chose me as the first man to kiss as well as considering me for your first boyfriend. That makes me feel very special and happy.""You deserve to feel special and happy." She kissed him on the lips. He kissed her back softly and murmured. "You know we can't hide this from your father; I'm not looking forward to asking his permission to date you."She grimaced. "I've put you in a bind, haven't I?""Sort of." "He wouldn't kick you out of the pilot's training course just because we're involved, would he?""It's a possibility. He outranks me. He could have me reassigned or simply kick me out.""You're too good a pilot for him to kick you out of the course.""How good a pilot I am has nothing to do with it. Fathers usually don't react well when a man becomes romantically involved with their daughter." "I don't want you to lose your wings on account of me, Zane. So, maybe I should talk to my father about this," she suggested.Her concern for him deeply touched him. She meant well by offering to talk to her father but he knew that it was his job to do that.He gently pulled her into his embrace and kissed her, whispering reassuringly. "You don't need to worry about talking to your father about this. I'll do that. I can handle him."She admired his confidence and assurance but wasn't absolutely certain he, or any man for that matter, could handle her father.***Later that evening he returned to the barracks. He still felt like he was floating on cloud nine after spending a pleasant day with Trisha.Danny greeted him. "Hey!""Hey! How was the Caverns?""Amazing," Danny answered simply then looked at his friend with interest. "What have you been doing all day?""Not much," He remarked, drastically downplaying how he'd enjoyed how he'd spent his time."Hmmm," Danny said musingly. "Well, maybe you'd like to join me in engaging in some extra curricular activities tonight.""What did you have in mind?""A double date with the colonel's daughter.""Are you sure that's a good idea?" He asked, hoping the tone of his question sounded casual enough. "I mean she's got a lot of spirit to go with her sass."Danny carefully analyzed his friend. He wondering why his friend had made that comment especially since his friend knew he was interested in any woman regardless of her personality type. "Girls with spirit and sass are just what I like," Danny reassured him. "So, what do you say?""I don't know," He replied hesitantly."Oh, come on, Zane," Danny cajoled his friend persuasively. "It'll be fun."The two friends made their way to the part of the base where the officers' quarters were located. As they walked up to the walkway that led to the Summers' residence, he experienced a sense of deja vu. Danny rang the bell and flashed Trisha, who answered the door, a warm smile.Still clad in the black outfit she'd worn that morning, she greeted them warmly. "Danny?" She locked her gaze on Zane. "Zane? This is a pleasant surprise."Without any hesitation, Danny got right to the point. "We were wondering if you'd like to join us for a drink?"After considering his offer briefly, she said. "Sure.""Great!" Danny remarked with excited pleasure."Do you have some place in mind?"Not really wanting to go to the officers' club to drink since he was afraid they might run into her father there, Danny admitted, "Not really.""Well, it just so happens that I know a place that I think you'll both like.""If that's the case, then lead the way," Danny gestured for her to lead them.She took them to the bus stop where they caught the shuttle and rode to some clubs on Dyer. The threesome walked into the dank, dimly lit club that looked more like a hole in the wall than a bar. Without waiting for them, she sauntered up to the bar obliviously unaware of the numerous male heads she turned as made her way across the bar. As she took her seat, a Mexican male greeted her in heavy Spanish. "Que quieres (What do you want?)?"As he and Danny looked at each other in confusion, she answered, "Tequila.""Tequila, Si." The bartender scurried off then came back with a tall, lean bottle of Jose Cuervo, three shot glasses, a salt shaker and a bowl full of limes.As she poured some Jose Cuervo into their shot glass, she glanced at them mischievously. "Have you guys ever drank this stuff before?"Both of them eyed the alcohol suspiciously. The two friends exchanged looks.He cautiously flicked his glass with his fingers. "What is it?""Tequila," She told them, then saw by their confused faces they had no clue what she was talking about. "It's good stuff, trust me." The two friends looked at her skeptically. "Let me show you how to drink it." She shook the salt on her balled fist then licked it with her tongue, sucked the ime, lightly tapped her shot glass on the bar then downed the alcohol in one gulp. "Ahhh," She smacked her lips, then wiped her lips with the back of her hand.He and Danny stared at her in surprise. She teased them. "What are you waiting for? Go ahead and try it."Both of them copied what she had showed them.She looked at Danny and him expectantly waiting for their comments after their first round of drinks."I like it," Danny said and helped himself to more tequila."Told ya you would!" She gloated, seeing how Danny had become more engaged with his alcohol than the conversation.As the drink hit his throat he nearly choked, gasping for air, he blurted out. "Damn, this stuff's strong!""You would be used to it if you were from around here," She teased him affectionately."Obviously, we're not from here," he said flatly as he tried to shake off the after effects of drinking the tequila. "We don't have stuff this strong where I come from." "And where might that be?""Kansas.""You're a farm boy?" She said with a mischievously teasing gleam in her eyes."Yes, I'm a farm boy," he said a bit miffed. "And I can't handle exotic alcohols from Mexico." She poured them both another and glanced at him challengingly. "Come on, farm boy, are you going to let a Mexican girl outdrink you?""You're not a Mexican girl," he said, feeling very dizzy. He didn't know how he could be drunk after only having one. But this tequila was pretty strong stuff."If I'm not a Mexican girl, then what kind of girl am I?" She said casually."A very beautiful and attractive one," He said truthfully even though he happened to slightly be under the effects of alcohol."Oh, yeah?" She gazed at him softly."Yeah," he murmured and leaned over and kissed her lips over and over again.Although their kisses were passionately bliss filled, they were short-lived."Hey!" Danny demanded angerily as he pulled his friend and Trisha apart. "She's my girl!""Your girl?" He demanded incredulously."Damn right!" He laughed harshly at his friend. "I hate to tell you, my friend, but she isn't your girl." "Well, she isn't your girl," Danny pointed out."We'll see about that," he said challengingly.She saw visions of the bar brawl between the two friends erupting at any minute. "Stop!" She spread her arms between him and Danny to keep them separated. "There's no point in fighting over me.""She's right," he agreed. "If you like her, Danny, then you can have her. I refuse to fight you for her."She glanced at him sharply, softly protesting. "Zane...""If he's interested in a woman, he gets her because he's the ladies man, not me. Besides, what kind of battle buddy to him would I be if I stood in his way from getting a girl he liked?" He shook his head. "I just can't do that to him."He slid down from his bar stool and headed across the bar without looking back. The pleading in her voice as she gently called out his name haunted him as he departed the bar.***She felt really confused and had no idea what to do. She'd never been in this situation before. Not that she really was all that sure exactly what situation that was. She had never been interested in men before. But she hadn't known to be interested in men considering she thought she was just one of the guys. However, that wasn't the case now. Or was it?Shaking her head, she didn't know what to make of what had been happening to her lately. She searched inside herself for an explanation for these topsy turvy feelings churning inside her. Was it love that she was feeling? She wished she knew. But how could she tell? She hadn't been in love before.There must be someone who knew what these emotions she felt were. She hesitated to ask anyone since she didn't want anyone to know that she was inexperienced in the ways of love.Love hadn't been a possibility she'd considered for herself. It hadn't been a possibility she knew existed. Love didn't happen to girls like her. Did it? She'd not been expecting love. Nor had she been looking for it. Yet, somehow love had managed to find and come to her. She sighed. Love wasn't an easy to understand, comprehend and explain. She wondered if others experienced these same feelings and thoughts about their first love experiences. To her this experience was brand new; all she wanted to do was try to understand or at least to make sense of it all. But no amount of reasoning, or anything else for that matter, could solve the greatest mystery of the universe, love.So, where did that leave her? Right where she started, trying to figure out how love was involved in her situation. Everything that had been going on between her and Zane Nolen made her feel like she'd never felt before. He made her laugh and happy. Zane made all her dreams come true and her life complete. He didn't expect her to be any different from the way she was. Zane loved her unconditionally. Just as she loved him unconditionally.She steadied herself as this overwhelming and profound truth hit her. A truth she knew she couldn't deny or escape.Even though she loved Zane, she had somehow become the middle of a lover's triangle. She'd never had two guys interested in her before. Which was flattering. The crux of the problem was the two guy who were interested in her were best friends; she hated to think of coming between such a longtime friendship like Danny's and Zane's. Yet, unintentionally she had.Without asking her Danny had made himself her primary love interest. Although both of them were extrodinarily nice and wonderful men, she felt nothing aside from friendship for Danny while being very deeply in love with Zane. Danny kept asking her out. She accepted because she didn't want to hurt him by rejecting him; every time they went out she felt guilty and wrong. She loved Zane; all she could think about was him and how much she wanted to be with him.She knew she should tell Danny the truth about her feelings for Zane. She hadn't broken a man's heart before so didn't want to do that to Danny. She didn't want to hurt him.She failed to realize this whole frustrating situation with Danny was hurting her and Zane because they both had to lie about their true feelings for each other. She was getting tired of being untruthful to herself but what could she do about it.Love could be so unfair sometimes. She didn't understand why she had to make sacrifices just for the sake of saving a friendship between two longtime friends. Women had to make a lot of compromises! And it seemed like men didn't have to make any compromises. It was so wrong!Her situation with Danny was driving her crazy. She was sick of Zane avoiding her. She couldn't stand it anymore. She'd had enough. She strode determinedly across the flight deck. What she had in mind was asking for trouble, but she didn't care. Nothing could stop her from accomplishing her mission.From afar, she spotted Zane, clad in his BDUs, pretending to do maintenance on his plane. As she came closer it became apparent that he was lost in a day dream.Hoping to gently nudge him back to reality, he greeted him lightly. "Hi."Seemingly distracted, his glazed eyes focused on her. "Hi."She decided to skip the small talk and come directly to the point. "This whole competition between you and Danny over whose girl I am is really ridiculous. Neither of you seemed to consult me about it and it pisses me off."Taken aback by the brunt of her anger, he glared at her unsure what her problem was.Crossing her arms across her chest, she demanded him. "Well?""Well what?" "You know what," she rolled her eyes at him. "Why have you being avoiding me?""I've been busy," he lied. "Besides, I've not been avoiding you.""Oh, really?" She retorted flatly with a noteable hint of disgust in her voice."What do you expect?" He demanded angerily. "I'm not the kind of guy who goes chasing after his best friend's girl.""I'd like to inform you that I'm not your best friend's girl.""You're not?" He pointed out hotly. "Then why in Hell are you going out with him?""Because the two of you put me in the middle of a lover's triangle without giving any consideration to me or my feelings."That comment caught his attention because it had a certain ring of truth in it. Neither he nor Danny had considered her feelings. By ignoring her feelings they'd committed a grievous mistake.She realized this knowledge had finally begun to dawn on him. "Now you get it. Do you have any idea how difficult this is for me? I've never had two guys interested me. It's flattering but it's tearing me apart watching the two of you competing over me. Do you have any clue how hard this is on me? I've never been in love before. Yet, I'm forced to be with a man I don't love because I'm afraid of breaking his heart, something I've never done before, when all I'm doing is hurting myself in the process." Tears welled up in her eyes and slowly began to trickle down her face. He couldn't bear to see her cry. Gently he pulled her into his embrace and murmured comfortingly. "Trisha."She snuggled next to him, enjoying how safe, warm and loved she felt next to him. Somewhere in that tender moment, he slipped out of the role of the comforting friend into the affectionate man who was in love with this woman he held in his arms. Although he tried to resist his urges and needs, he found himself helplessly and passionately kissing her again and again.He murmured in pleasure as she returned his kisses with a passion that matched his. It had been so long since he'd felt her touch or kiss him like this all he wanted to do was enjoy it.As he continued to kiss her, he softly expressed a reoccurent nagging thought before gently pushing her away. "Trish, I..I can't..He's my best friend. I shouldn't be doing this.""I don't love him," She looked him directly in the eyes so he could see the truth present there. "I love you, Zane.""I know," he said simply, locking his eyes on hers. "I love you, Trish."She looked at him sadly. "If we love each other, then why aren't we together? Why are we torturing ourselves like this?"Not really having a good answer for her, he shook his head. "I don't know. It's complicated.""We don't have time for complicated," she said bluntly, turned on her heels and began walking away. "I don't have time for you to figure out how to make things less complicated."Quickly he grabbed her by her arm, yanking her back a few steps. "What are you going to do?"In answer, she pulled him into her embrace and kissed his lips over and over. He couldn't get enough of her kisses so just let himself enjoy being with her. He closed his eyes and let her tender touch, her loving caresses, her sweet lips against his, the warmth of her soft body against him and everything about her that he felt to be etched into his mind. As they continued their passionate exchange, he murmured. "Trish, don't..."She ignored his pleas and continued to kiss him with greater passion. With a passion that matched hers, he kissed her harder and more demandingly."Trish, please..Please..Don't..I..Trish, I love you," he murmured breathlessly. "I love you, Zane," she murmured.He wrapped his arms around her tightly and continued to kiss her feverishly. His hands tenderly stroked her hair, her face and then moved to caress her back. Slowly disengaging himself from her so he could catch his breath, he told her. "Trish, we can't do this.""Why not?" She angerily demanded him.He sighed. "Because my friend thinks he's in love with you.""But I'm not in love with him!" She protested."I know but you've been going out with him.""Only because you both forced me into this predicament!""He's my best friend," he snapped in frustration. "And I shouldn't be making advances on his girl.""I'm not his girl!" She snapped at him."How do you think Danny would react if he saw you and I kissing like we were? He wouldn't have liked it; he would kick my ass. Trish, what do you want me to do?" He asked her in frustration."I don't think you should do anything. You can't." She locked her gaze on his. "Someone has to tell Danny the truth, and I have to do it."He hated to admit it but she was right. Usually women didn't do the job of heart breaking. He should be the one to do that. He wished it didn't have to be this way.He gazed at her in concern. "Be careful.""Don't worry. Everything will be fine," She said reassuringly, then gave him a light kiss on the lips before she headed off on her way.***Zane returned to the barracks. He had to report to the Headquarters Building since he and Danny were scheduled for CQ duty there.The classmates who they were replacing signed them in the log book. The two friends settled in behind the metal desk with a black phone on top that gave them a clear view to the main entrance to the Headquarters Building.Their duties as CQs included answering the phone, logging in any high ranking visitors or mishaps, if any, and running any errands if requested. While on CQ you could do anything you liked except for sleep. For the most part CQ duty was pretty boring and you did anything you could just to keep yourself awake.Danny pulled a deck of cards from his the cargo pocket of his BDUs and nudged his friend with a friendly suggestion. "Wanna play?"He nodded in approval. "Poker?"Danny nodded in agreement. He pulled the cards out of its back, lightly tapped them against the desk to even them out before shuffling the deck with the skill of a Las Vegas dealer.As Danny distributed five cards between them, he said casually. "How are things going between you and Trisha?""OK, I guess." Having gotten such a uncaring, casual response from his friend, he immediately sensed something was amiss. "What's wrong, Danny?" He set the third cards he wished his friend to replace on the table.Danny gave him three new cards, gave himself two, and said with a sigh. "I don't know how to say this, Zane, but being with Trisha isn't what I expected.""Oh?""When I'm with her, I feel like I'm responsible for taming a shrew. Plus, she has a lot of spirit and sass." Danny told him dryly."I told you," he gloated."Yeah," Danny said in slow agreement. "She's not as experienced as I'd thought either. I'm beginning to wonder why I ever found her attractive.""What are you saying, Danny?" He asked his friend to make certain the feeling he had that Danny wasn't really interested in Trisha wasn't merely a dream."She's not my type, Zane. I thought I liked her, but I'm not interested, not romantically anyway, in her." "I see," he said, hoping he sounded casually enough."I hate to say this but while I was seeing her I became romantically interested in someone else.""You didn't intend for that to happen," Zane told his friend wisely. "But sometimes things like that happen when you're in a relationship where you're not happy.""Yeah," Danny admitted. "I just don't know how to tell her." "Just tell her the truth. Honesty is the best policy and the least hurtful way to approach situations such as this; although things didn't work out between the two of you in a relationship, by being honest with each other you can still remain good friends," he said.After considering his friend's words carefully, Danny nodded his agreement. The two friends resumed their poker game and continued playing cards until the end of their CQ shift.***After pulling an all night CQ shift, Danny got a few hours of sleep before his afternoon date where he'd have a picnic with Trisha. He carefully planned out how to tell her that their relationship wouldn't work out. He wanted to let her down easy without hurting her too much. He had to treat the matter very carefully since he knew this was her first experience with romance and he didn't want the way he dumped her to make her never want to get involved in a another romantic relationship with a man.They rode in silence to the park for their picnic. Neither seemed to enjoy themselves even admist the serene beauty of their surroundings. Both of them settled themself on a blanket in the middle of the tall grasses shifting and fidgeting in the awkwardness that engulfed them. After a long silence, both of looked at each other simultaneously. Not sure who should speak first, she blurted out. "Danny, I've got to tell you something.""I've got to tell you something too," he said. "But you go first.""All right," she agreed. "Danny, I don't quite know how to say this; I should have said something earlier, but I'm not interested in you in the way you think I am.""I'm not really interested in you either," he confessed."You're not?" She said relieved then expressed something they'd both been thinking. "Then why have we been going out?" "I don't know. I guess I thought I liked you.""Did you ever consider that I might not like you in the same way as you thought you liked me?""Yeah, that was a bit selfish of me," He said grudingly, then looked at her. "Matter of fact, I think I suspected that something was going on between you and Zane. I was so jealous that it made me more determined to get what I wanted just like I always do.""But you didn't get what you wanted, so I guess you learned your lesson, didn't you?" He nodded."I suppose you found someone else.""Yeah.""Good," She wanted him to be happy. He deserved that much.He gazed at her. "Even though things didn't work out between us, Trisha, I hope we can be friends.""Certainly."He nodded then turned toward her. "You love Zane, don't you?""Yes," She said simply. "Then go to him," he urged her.She smiled warmly, then kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Thank you, my friend."She rose and scurried off. "You're welcome," he said to himself knowing now that everything would be all right.***Her long brown hair tossed wildly about her as she frantically raced across the flight deck calling out excitedly. "Zane! Zane!"Without paying much attention to where she was going because she was so excited to share her good news with him, she recklessly headed onward, accidentally plowing into someone.He fought to stay on his feet after the force of her crashing into him almost sent him to the ground. Steadying himself and her, he jokingly said. "Whoa, where's the fire?""Zane!" A smile immediately crossed her lips and she hugged him warmly."You're in a good mood," he affectionately teased her."Oh, Zane, I never imagined telling Danny the truth would work out so well.""Yeah, I figured it would," he grinned."You know something, don't you?"He nodded. "He told me he wasn't interested in you, and he had found another girl that was more his type.""And when were you going to tell me this?" She asked him amusedly."It wasn't my place to tell you. It was his," his smile broadened. "Besides it doesn't matter now.""I guess; there's been a lot of wasted time where we could of been together.""Then we'll have to make the best of catching up on that lost time in what little time we have left together," He said, gently pulling her into his embrace and kissing her passionately on the lips.People stopped and stared at them; neither of them paid any attention and continued to kiss.She giggled, and he held her close to him. It was going to be hard to leave her after graduation in two weeks.He whispered into her hair. "Do you have a dress?"She laughed lightly. "I don't think so, but I can get one. Why?""I want you to wear one to my graduation," He told her as he lightly kissed her lips."Is this what you call a date?" She teased him affectionately."Yes," He laughed affectionately in return then passionately kissed her lips for a long, long time.***Danny, Zane and their fellow classmates graduated from Biggs Army Airfield's pilot instruction and training advanced individual training course on Saturday, Dec. 6, 1941. The ceremony was held at the Biggs Army Airfield's Officers' Club.Trisha, dressed in a navy blue skirt and matching silk shirt and blazer, attended the festivities and applauded proudly when Danny and Zane got their wings pinned onto their formal brown dress uniforms.Following the ceremony, family, friends and guests of the graduates headed into the club's ballroom for cake, punch and conversation.He had told her he'd been issued orders to Fort Bragg, N.C., where he'd assigned a flight crew and his flight training would continue. She hated to see him go but that was how the military worked.He had brought their relationship out into the open when he'd asked her father if he could court her. The colonel didn't react the way typical fathers did about their daughters dating. He casually accepted his daughter's romantic involvement with him. Matter of fact, the colonel spoke to a friend he had at Fort Bragg and put in a special request that his daughter's boyfriend be kept out of trouble and harm's way while he was at his future duty assignment.She planned to frequently visit him at Fort Bragg. It'd be easy for her to fly there. They both knew their love would survive and work despite their long distance relationship. Gently nudging her, he whispered. "Let's get out of here."She nodded in agreement and both of them headed out into the Officers' Club parking lot. He lead the way to a black 1939 Pierce-Arrow and opened the door to let her in while she gapped at him in surprise."Where did you get this?" She teased him with an affectionate smile.He grinned broadly. "Don't worry. Your father let me borrow it.""He must like you then," her smile glowed with approval. "I think so," he laughed, gesturing for her to get into the car then getting in it himself. "Let's go.""Where are we going?" She asked him.He looked at her. "Well, I hoped you could suggest some place.""What did you have in mind?" "Even though it's ungentlemanly for me to admit, a hotel."She laughed. "Luckily for you, I love you enough to agree to go to a hotel with you." He laughed appreciatively. "Just drive and I'll tell you where to go."He started the car up and it hummed like a finely tuned kitten as he drove it off Biggs Army Airfield with her prompting him to head for downtown El Paso. She continued to direct him until they arrived at the Rex Arms Hotel in the heart of the downtown area.He drove the car underneath the red and white extended awning that marked the front entrance of the hotel. The doorman opened the door and let her out. He jumped out of the car not long after her then flipped the car keys and a folded $20 bill toward the door man. "Take care of her, my good man.""Yes, sir!" The door man said excitedly then gave him a perfunctory salute.As they entered the lobby of the hotel, she whispered to him. "Are you sure about this?""Yes," he assured her as he whispered back. "Trust me."She did trust him. Implicitly. And she knew he trusted her.The desk clerk looked at the two of them as they approached the front desk. Politely the man asked. "Can I help you?""Yes, we'd like a room for the night," he said."Very good, sir. That'll be $50." She nearly choked at the expense. In disbelief she watched him pull a $50 from his uniform pocket to promptly pay the man. The man took the money and handed him a golden key. "Your room will be 1264. That's right off the main hallway here.""Thanks," he said simply, then gently nudged Trisha. The two of them began to walk away."Before you go," the clerk called after them. "Please sign the register.""Sure," he said. She had to keep herself from laughing when he signed the book Lieutenant and Mrs. Zane Nolen. He tilted his head toward her in an indication for her to follow. As they made their way down the hall, she gently teased him from behind. "I take it you've done this quite a few times before."He laughed softly, turned the key in the door then looked at her. "Actually, no."She graciously swept into the room before him where she found herself awe struck by the elegance of their room. As he closed the door behind them and locked it, he stood next to her in the room."You've never done this before?" She found it hard to believe that this was his first experience. He gazed at her, knowing full well what she was asking. Although it was ungentlemanly to discuss such matters he wanted to be honest with her. "No, this isn't my first time," he said with sad regret in his voice. "I wish it were."She knew she shouldn't ask him such questions. It was unladylike and considered unappropriate, but she really wanted to know. "Your first time wasn't like this, was it?""No, it wasn't.It happened in a bedroom in a pink house, a place that is no where as nice as this," he said quietly then gazed at her embarassed. "I didn't even do it for love. It was a meaningless experience I had with a whore before I went to boot camp because I was afraid I'd get razzed by my friends and fellow soldiers if I hadn't been laid. It was stupid, really. I really regret doing it. Now I wish I would have waited." He gazed at her meaningfully."Yeah," she murmured in understanding. "Was that your only experience?""Yes, and it wasn't much of an experience either, so I would have been wiser to wait for the real thing," he gazed at her tenderly. "I'm really just as clueless as you are." She smiled softly but didn't answer. "Are you mad at me?""No, I understand," she said reassuringly."Trisha, I..." He shook his head and cursed himself for not having the foresight or the strength to wait to share his virginity with her.He gently pulled her into his embrace. "Trisha, I'm sorry.""Zane, how could you have known what to expect? There would have been no way for you to have predicted that. I understand. I would have done the exact same thing you did if I had been in your shoes. It's OK." She kissed his lips softly.That kiss so sweet started a much more intimate expression of the deep, powerful and strong love they felt. As they kissed over and over, they caressed each other, beginning their discovery of their bodies.Wanting him more than life itself, she clutched him tightly, fidgeting with his uniform jacket, uncertain if she should remove it. She tenderly whispered. "Zane, can I take your clothes off?"He kissed her with passionate desire and love in response, murmuring huskily. "Yes."She giggled as she fought to take off his uniform jacket then began to go to work on the rest of his uniform. He let her do this on her own even though he wanted to help her. The light brush of her fingers moving across his body tickled him and he laughed softly, enjoying himself as she undressed him. He looked at her in shyly as he stood before her in his brown military issue underwear. He admired her teasingly. "Something's wrong with this picture."She laughed and then felt a warm smile spread across her lips as he lovingly touched her body as he slowly removed her clothing. She pulled herself away from him after he'd gotten her down to her lace bra and silk underwear and blushed as his eyes moved down her body appreciatively.They admired each other in their state of near undress. A pleased grin split her lips as she casually pointed at his erect manhood.She teased him gently. "What's that?"Glancing at himself, he grinned, laughing appreciatively. "That doesn't usually behave like this. It's only does that when I'm with you."She laughed out loud. "I can see how much you want me."His expression softened as he gazed at her meaningfully. "Yes, but it's more than that. I've never wanted or needed someone like this until you, Trish.""Zane," she murmured deeply touched. "I love you.""I love you, Trisha."Their declarations of love to each other started their caresses and kisses anew. She gently pulled him down on the bed with her where they began to lovingly fondle each other's bodies.He caressed her breasts while she lovingly groped his manhood. Both writhed against each other in excitement and pleasure and kissed each other lovingly. Both moaned softly in pleasure. "Trisha, I..." He began unable to finish, knowing how he wanted and needed her. She wanted and needed him just as much as he did her. She fumbled with his underwear, trying to remove it.Even though he wanted and needed her, he gently stopped her. "Trisha, don't."She gazed at him confused. "Zane, why?"Bowing his head slightly, he gazed deeply into her eyes. "Trisha, I want to do this with you. I love you so much that I need you. Believe me, I want to share myself with you but I don't want us to have a one night stand." She understood what he meant. He was leaving on Monday for Fort Bragg, and he didn't want to do that to her.He shifted his position so he was sitting on one knee. He took her hands in his and locked his gaze on hers. "Trisha, will you marry me?"She covered her lips with her hands and looked at him with tears welling up in her eyes. She could hardly believe he was proposing to her. His timing was perfect though. She hadn't wanted to be without him after he left. If they were married then she could go to Fort Bragg with him.Barely able to compose herself, she stammered. "Yes, Zane, I will.""I don't have an engagement ring to give you," he murmured affectionately."Don't worry," she assured him as she lovingly stroked his cheek. "When are we going to do this? You're leaving Monday.""How about tommorrow?" He suggested. "We can be married by a military chaplain; I promise I'll have a ring to give to you then.""You better pinch me," she teased him. "Because I think I'm dreaming." "You're not dreaming, silly," he teased her warmly then sobered. "I hope you don't hate me for asking you to wait to do this until our wedding night, but I promise you it'll be worth the wait for both of us."She gave her agreement as she softly kissed his lips. They snuggled next to each other, kissing and caressing, until they both fell peacefully asleep in each other's arms.***She felt safe, right, loved and how perfect they were together as she lay in his arms in their hotel room on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. She failed to convince herself she wasn't awake as she nestled herself closer to him but the fragment of the sunlight warming her face brought her out of her pleasant slumbers.She turned slightly and gazed at him with his eyes closed still in the midst of a deep slumber. He looked so peaceful, sweet and cute when he was asleep.Trying not to wake him, she stretched and switched on the radio sitting on the nightstand by their bed. She kept the volume low as she lie there enjoying the soothing sounds of Glenn Miller's "Moonlight Serenade" playing over the airwaves.In the middle of the song, the voice of the radio announcer crackled through the radio saying. "We interrupt the Glenn Miller Hour to bring you this special news bulletin. At about 7 a.m. the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. I repeat the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor."A sense of fear and dread gripped her. She lightly shook the man sleeping next to her. "Zane! Zane, wake up!"He groaned softly. He gazed at her groggily and then saw the concern etched on her face. "Trisha, what it?""You better listen to this," She told him as turned up the radio, so he could hear the radio announcer say:"Thousands of service members are dead after the Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor at about 7 a.m. today. Shortly after receiving word of the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation with these words." The voice of the radio announcer became replaced by FDR's. "This is a day that will live in infamy. While claiming to want peace, the Empire of Japan launched an attack that cost us grievously with the loss of thousands of lives of our fine military service members stationed at Pearl Harbor. America can not let this unproked attack upon its soil go without a response so I ask Congress to declare war on Japan." During the applause, they exchanged looks that said the same thing: America was at war.He jumped out out of bed and threw on his uniform. She also quickly dressed. They both knew both of them had to get back to Biggs as quickly as possible.They hurried to check out of the hotel and he sped the Pierce-Arrow down the El Paso streets back to Biggs. After having to wait for nearly an hour then undergoing a security search, they were allowed onto the base.Trying to tuck in his shirt and smooth out his hopelessly wrinkled uniform, he made a mad dash for the hangar while she followed closely on his heels. Summers didn't comment about his slovenly appearance or tardiness as he continued his briefing. He told his former students that all of them had been issued new orders in light of the Pearl Harbor incident and now that America had joined the war in Europe.She had predicted that America would eventually enter the war in Europe but she would have never imagined it would happen this way. Now she had to stand back and watch as the man she loved went to war. As Summers distributed the orders, he glanced at his daughter, wondering if she was considering joining the war effort, by enlisting in the WAC. The colonel knew that this call to war would be hard for his daughter especially with her emotional attachment to him. He promised himself that he'd provide the support and love his daughter would need in this trying time.After they'd been dismissed, she sought him out. He stared at the orders in his hands. With fear in her hazel eyes, she asked him. "Where are they sending you?"His eyes met hers. "To England, to fly with the RAF.""No!" She protested in despair.This was not happening. They were supposed to get married today. He wasn't supposed to be on orders to go half a world away from her to fight in a war. Seeing his daughter on the verge of an emotional breakdown, Summers gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Trish, I know this hard for you to accept. It's just that only the best pilots, and Danny, Zane and a few others were given the assignments to go where the government felt they were needed most.""But it's dangerous," she murmured on the verge of tears."I know," Summers replied in complete understanding of how his daughter felt."He can't go," she persisted, refusing to accept facts. "We're engaged."Summers smiled softly at his daughter and looked toward him in a complimentary manner. "Congratulations! But that doesn't change the fact that America is at war.""He's not going without me," she said to her father with a flame of conviction and determination burning in her eyes.Gently grabbing his daughter's shoulders, Summers locked his eyes on her, saying lovingly. "You're an excellent pilot, Sticks, but they don't let women go to war."She refused to give up. "I'll join the WAC then." "That'd be a waste," he gently told her as her father nodded in agreement.She glared at him. "What do you suggest I do? Wait here?"Even though he loved her for the sass and spirit she had, and he would have liked for nothing better than to have her fight beside him, he wanted her to be somewhere she'd be safe and protected."Yes, I want you to stay here," he gazed at her lovingly. "Your time and talents would be better served if you stayed and helped your dad train the pilots who came through here on their way to fight in the war."She hated to admit it but he was right. "This isn't fair." "You're right it isn't fair," he agreed, kissing her. "This isn't what I planned.""I know," she whispered simply, kissing him over and over again.Mumbling softly, he gently disengaged from her. "I've got to go get my things together. Your dad said my train leaves from the downtown station in a couple hours. Will you take me there?"Tears streaked down her cheeks as she nodded in agreement. He tenderly kissed her and then raced off to pack.About an hour later, she drove him in her dad's 1939 Pierce-Arrow to the downtown El Paso train depot. He would be departing from El Paso to Savannah, Ga., where he'd be taking a boat to England. As they stood on the platform, she glanced over at him. He looked serious and thoughtful. His gaze flickered periodically at the tickets in his hands to the trains rolling past on the tracks in front of them.She'd always remember him but especially how he looked that day standing there with his green duffel bag hanging casually from his shoulder, so handsome in his uniform. It brought tears to her eyes. Casually he glanced at her and reached out to gently caress her arm. "Don't cry, Trish. You know I can't bear it when you cry."The tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook her head. "I don't want you to go.""I know," he kissed her softly then pulled a small black box out of his uniform jacket pocket. "What's that?" She asked him through her tears.He opened it and showed her a diamond ring, which flooded her eyes with more tears."I promised you an engagement ring," he teased her affectionately.She embraced him tightly. "I love you, Zane.""I love you, Trisha," he kissed her lips softly. "I meant it when I said I wanted to marry you. Will you wait to marry me until I get back?""I'll wait forever for you," she told him meaningfully.He embraced her tightly. He closed his eyes so he could always remember the way she smelt, felt and everything about her.A shrill train whistle and the conductor yelling "All Aboard!" cut the tender moment short.With a gentle sadness in his eyes, he murmured, "That's my train."She kissed him passionately, crying at the same time. He gently wiped away her tears and gazed at her softly."I'll write you whenever I can. I'll be back and I'll find you, I promise. But know that wherever I am that my heart and love is with you always."He kissed her tenderly one last time then pushed her away as he climbed onto the train.From the platform she saw him wave from the window as his train pulled away from the station. She waved back.She remained on the platform watching the train clack down the track heading East. Watching the train leave, she slipped on the engagement ring he'd given her on her finger as a reminder of their love. She briefly wondered if she would ever see him again but the notion became quickly dismissed as she promised herself she'd wait for him forever. Glancing to where the train had become a blur on the horizon, she silently prayed for his safe return to her after the war. She fixed her determined gaze on where the train had once been and knew one day they'd both be reunited again, and then they'd be together, flying forever, on the wings of fire.Copyright.2002 Marie Wadsworth