He'd only intended to stay for "stakes" funeral and head back home but Lucy insisted that he stayed abit longer or "for as long as you want" which is how Lucy put it.

Chris was on enforced sick leave due to his ordeal and was to report back for duty when he felt ready. Chris wasn't ready.

He'd spent the past week thinking about his future and he was still none the wiser.

He'd also spent the past week doing alot of talking. Talking to Lucy about the things him and "stakes" got up to on the "uss carl vinson". Telling her words of comfort when she got upset. Apologising to her for leaving her little brother. Leaving him to die alone.

There was a lot of tears shared that week.

Lucy owned her own business, a coffee house and being the manager it mean't she could take time off when she wanted. That week she'd helped her parents sorting Jeremys things. Stuff to keep, stuff for charity etc. Jeremy's life was now all sealed in boxes.

One afternoon, after a visit to her parents, Lucy came home with a large cardboard box. On top of the box was a large plate pie. Chris opened the door.

"Thanks. Mum sends her love and this apple pie" said Lucy handing chris the box.

"Umm great. What's in the box?" he asked.

"Open it, it's for you. It was Jeremy's. Mum and dad said you should have it" Chris set the box down on the coffee table and studied it for a moment before opening.

"Oh my god" he said in a quiet voice.

He lifted up the contents. It was a model of an F18 jet that Jeremy had built and he'd customised it by writing on it his and Chris's names. Lt Chris Burnett "Longhorn" and Lt Jeremy Stackhouse "Smoke". Chris was choked. "I don't know what to say" "You don't have to say anything" Lucy gave Chris's arm a gentle squeeze.

One morning over breakfast, Chris realised that in a couple of days it would be Lucys birthday.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"Nothing. I don't really feel in the mood"

"Lets go for a quiet meal, just you a me. Let me take you out. You deserve a treat. Just a meal and a few drinks"

"Oh, ok"

Lucys Birthday.

Chris had made Lucy breakfast. He had some flowers delivered for her and got her a gold necklace and earrings which Lucy said she would wear that evening.

That Evening

Chris was putting on the new shirt and tie he'd bought the day after Lucy had said yes. He was feeling a little nervous. He hoped Lucy was going to have a nice time. He wanted her to have a laugh because he'd seen her in tears too many times. Lucy was deciding what to wear. She wanted to look good. Chris was a special friend. She chose a strappy black dress (plain but elegant) she thought, with strappy black high heeled shoes. Lucy wore her hair up, which showed off the earrings and necklace she got off Chris.

"Wow" was the reaction she got from Chris when he saw her "You look great"

"You scrub up pretty well too, Fly Boy!!" laughed Lucy.

That evening over dinner they talked about anything and everything. When the meal was over they stayed in the lounge sharing a bottle of wine. The restaurant was almost empty when they decided to get a cab home. They hadn't noticed the time fly.

Back At Lucy's

Chris was paying for the cab as Lucy searched her bag for her door key. They were both stood on the porch outside the front door, when Lucy turned to Chris. "Thanks" she said.

"Hey, it was only 4 dollars"

"No, I don't mean for the cab. I mean thanks. Thanks for tonight,thanks for everything. For being my friend, for being Jeremys friend, for just being here, for being you"

Lucy looked into Chris's eyes. The words had just come rolling out of her mouth. Maybe it was the 5 glasses of wine she had earlier that made her brave. Chris looked into her gaze and for the first time he took in all of her beauty. Her brown eyes searching his blue, looking for a response. Chris moved in closer,which made Lucy step back, her back was pressed against the front door.

Chris leaned in and gave Lucy a kiss. A light kiss. He then moved away slightly so he could see her reaction. Lucy put both her arms on his and said "I think you can do better than that Lieutenant" and lifted her mouth to his. Their lips met once again. Chris had one arm around Lucys back and the other around her waist,pulling her into himself. Lucy wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss was more urgent now. Tongues were teasing,needing,searching. Chris moved from Lucys mouth to kiss down one side of her neck. "Don't stop" whispered Lucy. She moaned with pleasure as Chris pushed her harder against the door. His excitement pressing between her slightly parted legs.

Chris moved his mouth back to hers. He was turned on by the agreeing sounds Lucy was making. He didn't want to stop, but then a noise from the house next door broke the connection......