Nathan Bridger looked around the table that had been erected in his quarters.  Manilow Crocker sat to his left, a deep scowl on his face as he perused the cards he held in his hands.  To his right sat Kristin Westphalen who was also scowling, not at the cards in her hands but at the dwindling number of chips in front of her.

Nathan smiled to himself; the doctor had been doing well up until the last game when he had bluffed her out of most of her chips.  Her warm brown eyes caught his as he looked at her.  She made a disgusted face at him, which only made him smile more.  She let out a small ‘humph’ and turned her gaze back to her cards.

Katie Hitchcock sat next to Kristin with a small smile gracing her lips.  She was way too easy to read but she had been lucky tonight and was breaking even.  She knew she was easy to read so didn’t take too many risks.

Ben Krieg on the other hand knew his way around a poker table although tonight he was on a loosing streak only interrupted by the doctor’s last hand.  Tim O’Neill had given up completely and Miguel Ortiz wasn’t doing much better, the two men just waiting for Ben’s ultimate demise at the hands of their captain.  Lucas had decided against playing especially when the captain told him he couldn’t. Instead he had sat helping Kristin every now and then while munching on chips, popcorn, or pretty much anything else he could get his hands on.

Jonathan Ford who had the ultimate poker face was holding his own against his crewmates.  He sat next to Crocker who was starting to annoy him as the security chief who had started to tap some of his chips together making a clicking sound that was getting on Jonathan’s nerves.  “Do you mind Chief?” asked Jonathan as he glared at the man sitting next to him.

“Sorry Commander.”  Crocker said as he stilled his tapping chips.

“Shouldn’t we be drinking alcohol?” asked Kristin with a slight scowl to her face.  “It would make losing so much more enjoyable.”  She said with a smile.

Nathan chuckled as he replied to his CMO.  “Normally yes but since we are on a sub in the middle of the ocean, no. There is no alcohol on board, or at least there shouldn’t be.” He said this last part looking directly at Ben who shrugged his shoulders and asked “what?” innocently.  Nathan just shook his head.

“Alright ante up everybody.” He said as he threw a chip into the center followed by several other chips.

“Alright then chief any cards?” he asked as he turned to his executive officer.
“Two please cap.”

Nathan dealt out cards to the other players.  Ford raised the bet and Katie folded throwing her cards down on the table in disgust.  Bets were raised and hands folded as the game proceed until only Kristin and Nathan remained.  He loved playing with her.  Her eyes twinkled as they rested on him a smile gracing her lips.  He wasn’t sure if the smile was because she had a good hand or if it was because of the fact that she loved to go head to head with him.

“Alright doctor. I see your two and raise you six.”

Kristin looked down at her cards and then at her three remaining chips.  “I’d love to see your six but I only have three chips left.”

“So you fold.” Said Nathan as she smiled at him.

“No, I don’t want to fold.” She said as she looked at her cards.  Katie Hitchcock looked over at Kristin.

“I’ll loan you some of my chips Kristin.” She said as she picked up some of her chips and was about to hand them over to her friend when her captain stopped her.

“You can’t do that.”

“What’s the matter captain afraid of losing to a couple of girls?” Kristin asked her eyes challenging as the met his.

“As I see cap it there are some things about the doc here that we don’t know.” Said Ben.

Kristin turned a glare on him as she said, “I’m not taking off my shirt Krieg so forget it.”  She returned her glance to her cards as she muttered, “we would need at least a couple shots in me before I do that.”

Katie couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s statement and her mirth increased as she cast glances around the room.  The men around the table didn’t know how to react to her statement but more than a few of them wished to God that Ben had brought his alcohol stash with him.  Kristin for her part was trying not to laugh as she glanced at Nathan with an impish grin on her lips.

He just shook his head and brought a hand to rub his forehead as he tried desperately to banish the vision of her he had in his head.  Kristin could help but laugh at his reaction.  ‘I hate it when she does that.’ He thought referring to the fact that it sometimes seemed she could read his thoughts.

“That’s not what I meant doc.” Ben said as soon as he recovered his voice.  “I mean there are some rumors going around the ship about how many times you’ve been married and well I guess I would like to know that.”

“I’ll bet you do.”

“And I’m sure he has a pool on it too.” Said Katie with her arms crossed her chest looking at her ex-husband.

“Well yeah. What do you say cap, I’ll split the winnings with you if you win?” Ben said.

Nathan stopped to consider the wager and found that his curiosity was definitely peaked by Ben’s question. Kristin saw that he was actually considering the proposal.  “Now wait a minute don’t I have a say in this?”

“What’s a matter doctor afraid you’ll lose to a couple of boys?” Nathan asked challengingly now feeling he had an advantage over her.

“Fine.” She said turning her gaze back to her cards.

“I raise you ten.”  Bridger said as he looked at her.

She glared back at him.  “You can’t do that I don’t have anything else.”

“Just making it worth you’re while doctor.” Nathan said with a smile, he loved teasing her.

“Fine.” She said.

“Let’s see your hand doctor.”

Kristin laid down her hand and Katie almost jumped out of her chair.  Kristin had laid down three kings and two six’s. All around the room the men laughed and shook their heads.  Kristin ignored the excited yells of those around her as she kept her gaze on Nathan as he looked down at her cards, his expression never changing as he brought his eyes back to her gaze.

Even before he put his cards down Kristin knew she had lost.  She could see it in his eyes even though he tried to hide it.  She could just see it.   Nathan had thought about letting her win, had seriously thought about just putting his cards down and letting her collect all the chips but he knew she would be able to tell that he had lied and he would rather win than lie to her.  ‘That’s funny.’ he thought as he thought of the illogic of his feelings at beating her.  He laid his cards face down on the table.

She broke eye contact with him and shot out of her chair.  “Bloody hell.” She said as she stood up and walked over to where Lucas had been sitting on Nathan’s bunk.  She sat down next to the boy sulking as she grabbed some chips from the bag next to the boy and shoved a chip in her mouth.

Her actions stunned the crowd sitting at the table none so much as Nathan.  Everyone including him took his actions for defeat and he was a little nervous to say the least that she could have read his eyes and knew that she had lost and he had won.  The hairs on back of his neck seemed to stand on end as he thought about how well she could read him.

“Kristin? What are you doing?” asked Katie.

“Losing.” She said scowling as she stuffed another chip in her mouth.

The crowd looked back at Nathan who was looking at Kristin with a small amount of disbelief readable on his face.  He turned his attention back to the table when Crocker called his name. “Cap? We gonna see your cards?”

Nathan picked up his cards and laid them face up on the table.  Four queens stared up to the ceiling as the crew stilled in disbelief.

“Well what did you have?” asked Lucas from the bunk as he sat next to Kristin.

“Four queens.” Nathan said.  Crocker couldn’t believe it; he just shook his head and laughed.

“How did you know you lost Kristin?” Katie asked somewhat perplexed.

“Oh, he had the same look in his eye when he won our argument the other day.” She said dejectedly.

Nathan smiled as he remembered their rather heated discussion and his ultimate victory.  ‘Did my eyes betray that much? Or does she just know me that well?’ he thought as he looked over at Kristin.  She turned to look at him and he gave her a sheepish smile and shrugged his shoulders.  She rolled her eyes at him and he saw a small smile play across her lips.

“Well then doc since you lost fair and square we seem to have a score to settle.” Said Ben as he leaned back in his chair and glance over at Kristin.  She just scowled at him but then stood up and walked back over to her chair and sat down.

“Alright, on one condition.”

“Okay.” Ben said eyeing her suspiciously.

She looked around the room at all the occupants and her gaze finally fell on Nathan and then back to Ben. “If I’m going to be sharing, so to speak, I’m going to need a drink.”  She turned her attention to Nathan.  “Alright?”

Nathan wasn’t so sure it was a good idea but his curiosity was peaked.  He slowly nodded his head. “Good, Ben run along and bring me some of your finest.” She said.

Ben looked over at Bridger who nodded and with out another word Ben fled the room.  He was back in two minutes with a bottle of whiskey in his hands and a box full of shot glasses.  Kristin took the glasses from him and asked, “okay who wants one?”  All at the table raised their hand except Lucas who knew better.  She took out nine glasses and poured eight full and the ninth she only filled halfway.  She handed everyone a glass and picked up the half-full one and walked over to Lucas.

Lucas and all else in the room were completely taken aback as the doctor handed Lucas the small glass filled with amber.  He took the glass from her with his mouth hanging wide open in a state of shock.  “That’s all you get.” She said firmly and she returned to her chair and the glass on the table.

“This is going to be good.” Krieg said quietly before the doc returned to her seat.

Nathan looked at her as she sat down.  She just shrugged her shoulders and said “why not?” Nathan just shook his head and smiled when he saw the boy’s expression.

“Okay before we start does anyone want to guess at the number of husbands I’ve had? I’m actually a bit curious myself as to what the crew thinks.”

“I say two.” Said Katie Hitchcock with a shrug.

“Three.” Said Ben said confidently.  Miguel and Tim agreed with Ben and Jonathan agreed with Katie.

Kristin turned to Crocker and Nathan with an upturned eyebrow.  “Any guesses gentlemen?”  Crocker shook his head; there was no way he was going to get into guess about something like that.  That was just dangerous.

Kristin looked at Nathan.  “One.” He said as looked at her.

“Oh, captain are you sure about that?  You aren’t just saying that because no one else has said it.”  Her smile teasing him.

“No, doctor. I’ll stick with my answer.”

“Very well.”  She said.

“Some people think four.” Said Ben from across the table.  Kristin just laughed at that.

She took a deep breath and picked up her drink.  “To love.”  Nathan raised his eye and looked at her, he saw a mischievous smile play across her lips as she added, “and to the bastard who invented it.”  Laughter sounded over the room that was quickly silenced as everyone drank.

Coughing was heard from Lucas’ end of the room and everyone turned to look at the boy who had downed his small portion.  “I think he’s turning green.” Said Miguel as he turned to look at the crowd at the table.

“Okay doc time to spill it.” Said Ben

“Okay but you asked for it.”  She took a deep breath and wondered how she had ever gotten herself into this situation.  “Once.”

“No way.” Said Ben.

“Yes, married once cured forever.” She said with a laugh.

“Huh, nobody got that.” Ben said. “Except the captain. How’d you figure it sir?”

Nathan just shrugged his shoulders.  “Just a guess.”

“So you thought we all needed to have a drink to here you were married once doc?” Crocker asked.

“No, I needed a drink to tell you all that I was married once.”

“Who was he?” asked Katie.

Kristin shrugged, “just a man who wasn’t good at marriage.”

“What do you mean he wasn’t good at marriage.” Asked Ben.

Kristin took the bottle of whiskey and poured herself another shot.  She looked down at the drink in her hand exhaled deeply and downed the glass in one gulp.  “Fifteen.”  She was all she said.

“Fifteen, what does that mean?” asked Jonathan.  Kristin rested her right elbow on the table and laid her chin in her palm as she looked over at Jonathan and replied.  “He just wasn’t good at being married.” Was her only reply.

“You mean he had fifteen affairs don’t you?” Lucas asked as he moved from the bunk to a chair nearer the table.

“Very smart boy.” Kristin said.

“Fifteen?” Ben said incredulously.

“Well I guess that fourteen were probably my fault since I stopped sleeping with him after the first one.” She gave a short laugh.

“Why the hell did you stay married to him?” asked Crocker.

“I had to wait ‘til Cynthia was old enough to legally choose who she wanted to live with.  She had to be thirteen.”

“How old was she when it started?” Lucas knowingly.

“Eight.”

“Jesus Kristin how could you do that?” asked Katie.

“I loved my daughter and couldn’t chance losing her and a small part of me still loved him I suppose. And well I really believed the words ‘til death us do part’.”  She said sadly.

“What was his name?”  Asked Bridger.  He had been silent, as she had talked.  Nathan couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  How could someone hurt her like that for so long?  It was unthinkable. And how could she stay in a relationship like that for so long? Nathan was beginning to realize just how strong the woman sitting next to him really was.  He respect for her increasing rapidly and as did his admiration of her character.

She turned a lazy gaze on him, the effects of the alcohol starting to haze her brain.  “I don’t want to tell you that.”  She said.

“I won the hand doctor, you still owe me for the last ten.”

Kristin eyed him critically for a moment and then grabbed the bottle and refilled her glass along with everyone else’s.  Ben toasted this round.  “To alcohol, the cause of and the solution to all of life’s little problems.”  ‘Here, here’s’ sounded and the drinks were downed.

Kristin just stared at her empty glass for a moment before she spoke.  “Um, if you don’t mind I would like to keep this little discussion with in the confines of this room.”

Nathan nodded, “what is said here doesn’t leave this room.”  He said firmly and waited ‘til all in the room had given their word that the conversation would not leave with them when they parted at night.

Kristin took a deep breath,  “David Hunter.”  She took the bottle and was about to pour herself another shot but Bridger took the bottle from her hand.

“Senator David Hunter?” he asked with what Kristin thought was a mix of anger and astonishment.

“Yup.”

“Oh my god Kristin.” Said Katie in a shocked voice.  “How could you marry that pig?”

Kristin wore an expression of hurt and sadness as she replied “I didn’t marry Senator David Hunter. I married David Hunter, the district attorney of New York City.  He was an idealist then not a bloody politician.  But what they say is true: power corrupts.

We were very happy for a while. Cynthia came along and everything was great. I was happy, he was happy. Then he changed after he was elected to the senate.  First he was eager to do all the good he could but things changed.  He became a politician.  He sold out some of his causes to help others; those you could help him get re-elected with all their money.

I tried to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible. I hated going to the parties, having all those other politicians grab my backside and leering at me.” She shivered as her mind brought scenes from her past for her to see.   “David soon wanted me to become the politicians wife, you know support just causes, host charity dinners, inane stuff that I didn’t have time for.  I had my research and that was important to me.

He was furious but I wouldn’t budge.  That was when he had his first affair.  He didn’t even try to hide it, or if he did he didn’t do a very good job.  I pretty much knew from the first time he returned home.

He was so damn cocky about it too.  Not really flaunting it but not hiding it from anyone but the cameras.”

“I was going to vote for that guy when he announced his bid for the presidency.” Said Jonathan quietly.  Kristin laughed.

“Yes well he’s a very good politician.” Kristin said dryly.

“He didn’t get a chance to even make it to the primaries though because the scandal broke.” Said Ben.

“Yes it did.” Replied Kristin with a big grin on her face.

“You mean you could have been a first lady?” asked Lucas.

“Oh my god could you imagine?”  Said Kristin laughing. Dark clouds seemed flit across her face that seemed to disappear as quickly as they had appeared.
“Well anyway that was that.” She said matter of factly.

“Well doc I’m glad you decided to leave the creep. He obviously didn’t deserve you.”  Said Lucas as he got up to leave.

“Thank you Lucas. You are sweet when you’ve been drinking.” She said as she watched him leave along with Jonathan, Tim, Miguel, Ben and Katie.  Goodnights were exchanged.

“I’ll hold on to this lieutenant.” said Nathan as Ben went to reach for the bottle of whiskey.

“Of course captain.” He said as he quickly retreated from the room with the others.

“Now you are going to pour us another drink right Nathan?” Kristin said as soon as the door to the cabin was closed.

“Why of course doctor.” And poured Kristin, Crocker and himself another shot.

“To good friends.” Said Nathan and the three clinked their glasses and downed their drinks.

“Doc you drink like a pro, I’m impressed.” Crocker said as he watched Kristin refilled their glasses.

“Why thank you chief I’ve gotten drunk with the best of them.”  She said laughing as she looked at the glass in her hand.

She was feeling positively great.  The whiskey had warmed her insides perfectly.  She laid her head down on her folded arms on the table and just smiled she felt wonderful.  She was so happy but the dark clouds soon gathered.

“It a took a week in hospital for me to recover enough to be able to sit up.”
Nathan and Crocker looked at one another not quick sure they had heard her correctly.  They silently watched her as she continued to talk.  Actually it wasn’t like she was talking to them but just talking.

“David came to me with his plan to become president and that meant that I would have to give up my work.  I told him no.  He was so angry.  He said I would do what he asked of me. I told him that I couldn’t give up my work.  It was all I had left.”  She had tears in her eyes as she spoke.  “Then he threatened that it might work to his advantage if he was a widower.”

The tension in the room was almost palpable as silence prevailed.  “I laughed at him. I thought he had gone totally insane and I laughed at him.  Next thing I knew I was waking up in hospital three days later.  It took three months to recover from all he did.  Four of the ribs on my left side were broken.  My lung collapsed.   I figure he probably kicked me more than few times.  I had a bruised kidney. My right arm was broken in three places.  Three fingers on my right hand were broken. Along with numerous cuts and bruises, I think in all I received twenty-seven stitches.

I didn’t remember any of it except for the first punch.  Cynthia never knew.  I didn’t want her to know what her father had done in a stupid drunken rage.  Some of his staff weren’t so pleased with my decision.  They didn’t want him running the country and I couldn’t be his happy little wife anymore.  I told them to leak to the press his affairs.  That seemed to stop him in his tracks.  He was never able to recover even though he was able to keep himself in office even now.  Guess people expect it from politicians these days.”

Nathan and Crocker sat in stunned silence.  The only noise was when Kristin grabbed the whiskey bottle and shakily poured herself another drink and quickly downed it then laid her head down on the table pillowing her head with her arm.

Crocker reached over and grabbed the bottle and was pouring himself another drink.  He noticed when Bridger lightly tapped the side of his glass indicating for Crocker to fill it.  The two men just sat in shocked silence just looking at the woman, the friend, who had been through hell and back.

No wonder she never backed down from anything.  She had looked the dragon in the eyes as it breathed fire on her and had survived.  Nothing could ever fill her with fear ever again.

Crocker didn’t think he had ever been prouder to serve with anyone except for maybe the captain but hell just barely.  This tiny woman, as he considered her, was the strongest woman he had ever met.  He swore to himself that as long as he knew her he would never let anyone harm her.  Especially as he saw the emotions running over Bridger’s face as she had been telling her tale.

Nathan quickly swallowed his drink and reveled in the way it burned his throat on the way down.  While Kristin had been talking Nathan was trying to remember the newscasts of the sex scandal that happened so long ago.  He never remembered a picture of the wife but clearly remembered senator hunter apologizing for his behavior.  Nathan remembered his wife’s reaction to the news.  She had been disgusted and angry.  Carol had cried for the poor woman who had to endure such a man as a husband.

Nathan remembered the night the story had broken.  Carol had clung to him as she watched the newscasts and she had cried herself to sleep in his arms that night.  She felt so badly for the poor woman she had never met before and would probably never meet.  He loved her dearly for that compassion.

And now here he was sitting next to this woman who had evoked such compassion from his late wife.  This woman, now one of the people he considered to be one of his best friends, maybe more, was sitting next to him half drunk telling him about the real reason David Hunter never became president.  He looked down at her face.  She had closed her eyes but he could see her lips were moving and knew she was awake.

Anger had coursed through his veins and he had to control himself from clenching his hands into fists.  How could anyone do that to another human being?  It was unthinkable.

Crocker stood up a bit unsteadily.  “That’s one tough cookie cap. You want me to take her to her quarters?”

“No Gator. I’ll take care of her.”  His words were quiet and Crocker nodded and put his hand on Nathan’s shoulder.

“I know you will cap, I know you will.” He said and left Nathan alone with Kristin.

Nathan leaned forward and put his elbows on the table, his hands together in front of him.  He just stared at the woman next to him.  Her eyes had opened part way and he could hear her humming softly.  He wasn’t quiet sure what it was but it was a soft sound.

She was so beautiful he thought how could anyone ever want to hurt her.  Her eyes were so warm and inviting and her laugh was a sound that warmed his insides.  He shook his head trying to clear it but he knew he would never understand how anyone could hurt someone they were supposed to love, who they married and had a child with.

“How many people know what he did to you?” Nathan asked softly.

“Mm maybe eight. It was very hush, hush.” Kristin said her words slurring slightly.  “everyone was told it was a horrible car accident.  Probably the sympathy alone got him re-elected since he took care of me.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“To protect Cynthia.” She said sadly.

Nathan kept his eyes on her as her words sank in.  ‘All to protect her daughter from her father and the press. She has sacrificed so much.  She deserves so much better.’

“Come on let’s get you to bed.”  Nathan said as he stood.

“Why captain are you propositioning me?” Kristin said with a small laugh, which made Nathan smile.

“Come on doctor.” He said as she slowly and unsteadily got to her feet.  His left hand grabbed her elbow and his right arm went around her waist to help steady her.  Nathan was feeling particularly light headed himself so they stood for a moment before moving.

Nathan steered Kristin towards the door and the two stumbled out into the hall with a small giggle escaping Kristin’s lips. “Sh doctor or we’ll be found out.” Nathan said which only made Kristin laugh again.  She tried desperately to keep herself from laughing even going so far as to put both of her hands over her mouth.  Which made Nathan laugh.

Kristin removed her hands and tried to shush him but quickly covered her mouth again as she felt the bubble of laughter rising in her throat.  They finally reached her quarters and both stepped in and Nathan quickly closed the door as the two burst out into laughter. As Nathan had let go of Kristin she had sunk to the floor in the middle of her quarters.  Nathan leaned against the door ‘til his laughter subsided.

“Do you need help up?” Nathan asked.

“No I was just going to sleep on the floor.” Kristin said as she let out a small laugh.  Nathan knelt down next to her his knees touching her thigh.  The contact sent a jolt of electricity through his body, which he quickly suppressed.  He looked at her smiling face as she watched him sitting there next to her.  The sight seemed to take his breath away.

“How could anyone ever hurt you?” Nathan said as her ran his index finger down the side of her face.

“You are on the receiving end of my temper on a weekly basis and you wonder?” she said smiling her eyes closed reveling in the touch of his finger as it caressed her skin.

Kristin swayed slightly trying to keep her balance with her eyes closed when she felt Nathan’s palm brush her cheek his thumb caressing her lips.  She slowly opened her eye to find Nathan mere inches away from her.  His gaze locked on hers and he slowly inched closer.

She could feel his warm breath on her lips.  Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest and she was sure he would be able to hear it.  Her breathing became shallow as his eyes turned dark with desire.  “Nathan.” She whispered.

As soon as she said his name Nathan could no longer stop himself.  His lips were on hers kissing her desperately.  His hand had moved to the back of her head holding her close to him.  Her left hand now rested on his chest and only seemed to fuel his desire.  The kiss deepened and Kristin snaked her arm around his neck.  She pulled him down as his tongue slipped between her lips.

Kristin felt the weight of Nathan’s body on her and her desire mixed with alcohol increasing the urgency with which she kissed and caressed him.  As Nathan’s hand roamed over her body Kristin let out a low moan. Nathan trailed kisses from her lips down the delicate column of her throat.  “Nathan.” Kristin moaned his name.

Nathan’s hand found its way under the fabric of Kristin’s T-shirt.  His hand started caressing the skin of her stomach when the thought of what was happened suddenly dawned on him.  He pulled back from her as quickly as possible.  Kristin let out of small whimper as she felt Nathan lift off her.  The sound almost made Nathan forget himself and make love to her then and there but he had to get control of himself.

“Kristin we can’t do this when you’re drunk.” He said as he himself tried to fight the haze of drunkenness.  Her next action caught him completely off guard.  She pushed him onto his back and straddled him.  Her hands rested on either side of Nathan’s head as she looked down into his eyes. The desire he saw in her eyes sent shivers down his spine.

Carol had never been aggressive when it came to making love.    She had been passionate and giving but not at all aggressive. The woman who was now sitting astride him were awakening feelings in him he couldn’t ever remember feeling.  Her eyes were pools of ebony that Nathan could lose himself in if he were not careful. The small impish smile she had on her lips was making it even more difficult for him to think clearly.

Nathan wanted to make love to this woman more than he thought possible but he couldn’t.  He kept telling himself that.  All coherent thought escaped his brain as she rocked her hips back and forth once.   His hand gripped her hips to still the motion.  He closed his eyes tightly willing his body to calm down and his breathing to slow.

“Kristin we can’t do this, you’re drunk.”

“I’m more fun that way captain.”  Her voice was low and husky and it drove Nathan wild especially when she called him captain.  He had no idea why that would make his heart race as it did but he wasn’t going to last much longer.
He sat up pushing her off him. She rolled onto her side laughing as he quickly stood up and backed up against the door trying to calm his body.  All the while Kristin was on her side laughing softly and sleepily.

She slowly got up and looked at Nathan.  Thankfully she didn’t come any closer than she already was.  Kristin could see how uncomfortable Nathan was about the situation. And tried to make amends.  “I’m sorry Nathan. I didn’t mean to become so… forward.” She said with a small laugh.  The twinkle in her eye made Nathan relax and he returned her smile.

“It’s okay. It’s been a while since I had a woman literally jump my bones.” He said.

Kristin laughed.  “Yeah well it’s been a while since I’ve jumped anyone’s bones.”

Nathan straightened up his body finally calmed down.  “Well I think I better go before I get caught in here at such a late hour doctor.”

“Of course captain.”

Nathan turned and opened the door.  He looked back at her “Goodnight Kristin.”

“Goodnight Nathan.”  Before the door shut completely Nathan heard, “sweet dreams.”  and a soft laugh from Kristin.
 
 

The end.