Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Izzy

I zzy woke up to darkness still around her. She gawked at her immediate environment before yesterday’s events crawled their way into her memory, and she smiled mischievously.

Kissing Drew. Mmmm. Sleeping next to her. Feeling the warmth of her body and the press of Drew’s breasts in her back. Izzy couldn’t shake the feeling of how much she had enjoyed it.

As unprofessional as it was.

No, they couldn’t pursue anything. It would get messy. And Izzy certainly didn’t do messy.

Drew stretched beside her and roused in her sleep. Izzy could see the outline of her short tousled blonde hair and she felt like she wanted to ruffle it.

She wouldn’t though. Obviously. That would be entirely unprofessional.

It felt strange seeing the tough soldier so vulnerable.

Look who’s a sleeping princess, she thought. She crawled out gingerly, even though she knew she wouldn't wake Drew.

She could hear soldiers approaching on their morning run. They must have cleared the debris from the sandstorm. Their heavy boots hit the ground in unison, creating a synchronized thud. They were led by a figure she didn’t recognize, and she hid as they shuffled past her.

She couldn’t believe that she, a lieutenant colonel, was hiding from her subordinates. But it was better to hide than face a scandal. She scanned her surroundings, spotting a narrow alleyway between two buildings that would allow her to circumvent the main patrol route.

She darted into the alley, her heart racing as she picked up her pace, determined to reach the safety of her quarters without being noticed.

She felt bad abandoning Drew to whatever came, but it would be worse if they were caught there together.

She hadn’t done anything wrong. Well, not much anyway. But she still felt the guilt of the illicit yet delicious kiss weighing around her neck.

A little later, she emerged from her quarters, properly dressed and ready for the day. She was on her way to the medical center when she was intercepted by Lieutenant Colonel Patel.

“Good morning, Lieutenant Colonel,” she said cheerfully.

“You seem to be in a good mood. And enough with the honorifics, please.”

“Of course, Patel.”

“We have an urgent mission this morning. It's nothing too serious, but it concerns you. An army outpost needs medical supplies and other resources. I want you to oversee what we can spare and pack them up,” Patel said.

“Okay, I'll head to the medical center right away.”

“Thank you, Oakley. You really are the best.” He smiled.

She liked Lieutenant Colonel Patel's playfulness. Although he was older and had joined the army in his later years, he was still good-natured, though strict when required.

As she entered the medical center, the receptionist greeted her. Sergeant Thompson was sitting beside her.

“Good morning, ma'am,” Sergeant Thompson greeted.

“Good morning, Thompson. Where's Lieutenant Lewis?”

Lewis appeared from within. He was a soft-hearted and efficient doctor who she genuinely adored. He met her with a straight face, steadying his lanky frame.

She addressed them both. “We have an urgent mission. You're to go to the storage unit and check the available resources to see what we can spare. Please report back to me immediately.”

After they left, she made her morning rounds, reminiscing on the feelings brewing between her and Drew. It didn't help that she left Drew all alone this morning, and guilt settled in her stomach.

“Lieutenant Colonel Oakley?”

She turned to see a young private who had been shot on his first mission. Not a serious wound. But a bullet wound nonetheless. He seemed to be doing better; the bandage on his right leg was new.

“How are you feeling?” she asked sincerely.

“I'm feeling much better. I should be able to patrol by next week.”

“Now that's good news. Take your medications, and don't hesitate to ask for help. I'll get the nurses to run a general test on you before next week.”

The young private grinned widely, and she walked to another patient. Sergeant Thompson returned with the information she needed, and she sent him back to retrieve the resources and supplies needed for the mission.

A few minutes later, they started sorting everything. Soon, a little crowd led by Smith- one of the pilots- approached them. “Good morning, ma'am. Lieutenant Colonel Patel directed us to you.”

She was surprised that he didn’t choose Drew. Major Drew Mitchell was the best pilot they had. Surely any of them could see that? Her heart fell that she wasn't the one.

She yearned for the crinkle at the corners of Drew’s sparkling green eyes.

She turned to Smith. “The plan is simple. You're to drop off some resources at an army outpost south and circle back to base. I have entrusted Sergeant Thompson with the necessary information. No slugging or funny business. Understand?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

After completing her rounds at the medical center, she had breakfast, gave a lecture on safety precautions, and then headed back to her quarters to rest.

She hadn't seen Drew all day after she had snuck out of the veranda. Her heart yearned to know if she was okay, but her brain had always led her. She had always thought her emotions should never contradict her professionalism.

As she pulled off one boot, the camp siren bellowed, signaling an emergency that demanded urgent attention. Had they been attacked? Is someone dead or badly injured? Is Lieutenant Colonel Patel fine? Is Drew?

She quickly pulled her boot back on, tied the laces firmly, and hurried to Lieutenant Colonel Patel's office. He was aggravated and tense.

“The mission has been compromised. Black Hawk has been shot down, and our troops are in danger.”

She understood the situation immediately. “I'll handle it from here.” She hurried to the assembly where the soldiers were already gathered.

They immediately quieted down when they saw her, and she ordered some soldiers to go grab a few supplies from the medical center.

“Get any emergency med supplies you can get your hands on. And tell the rest of the medical team to prepare to move.”

As she spoke, she felt the intense gaze from familiar eyes following her movements. She turned briefly and met Drew’s sparkly green eyes, staring back at her.

She held eye contact for a few seconds, and something tingled in her stomach. She turned back toward the crowd and stood at the center of the podium.

“Black Hawk has been shot down, which means that Smith and the rest of her team on that aircraft are in grave danger. They need our assistance as soon as possible.” She paused amidst the gasps of the soldiers.

“We’re taking the Thunderbolt, and just some of you are needed. The rest of you know what to do while we're away.”

She could see the soldiers’ eager eyes, but she intentionally avoided Drew’s.

“It's a rescue mission, so the medical team is readying, and then we need a team to get them in and out safely.”

As she called out the team they would be taking, the relevant soldiers lined up.

“Major Mitchell, you're flying.” She settled her eyes on her. Drew’s hair was slicked back. She looked smart and capable and ready for anything. She muttered something to her partner before stepping out. She looked excited already.

The relevant soldiers moved to the Thunderbolt while Drew checked the craft to ensure everything was set.

The soldiers stood at attention as Isabel emerged from her quarters toward them. “At ease, soldiers. We just got word from Smith. They're fine, but they know the enemy troops are likely approaching. I need everyone positioned inside the craft. Be on high alert, please.”

“Let's go save our friends, yeah?”

“Yeah!”

They hopped inside the Thunderbolt and headed south for the rescue mission.

Drew flew slowly and steadily; they needed to maneuver their way past the missile launchers to get to where the soldiers had crashed and locate them by GPS.

Isabel read the situation report. “Although we've lost contact with them, they crashed at the other side of the outpost. I assume they were attacked while circling the outpost. They tried escaping but were gunned down.

“They're hiding in the mountains, and we must get past any hostiles. Major, you know what to do with that information.”

She decided to lay down her fears and trust Drew's experience and commitment. She was willingly giving her valid information, with no command or suggestion. She saw Drew raise her eyebrows, and Isabel smiled to herself.

“Aye, Lieutenant Colonel,” Drew said, and Thunderbolt roared faster than it ever had. As they had presumed in the briefing, the insurgents started shooting once they approached.

“Hold on, everyone!” Drew screamed as she zig-zagged to avert the gunshots. The sharpshooters tried to engage in combat but couldn't steady themselves.

After a life-threatening ruse through the gunshots, they passed the attackers and landed a few feet from where Black Hawk had crashed. It was dry and rocky, as expected.

This wasn't the approach Isabel would have chosen, but she ignored it anyway. She wasn’t a pilot and she had to remember that. If she wanted to give Drew a chance, she should do it wholeheartedly. “Position yourselves, Team Alpha. Protect Thunderbolt and watch out for any movement. Team Beta with me. Let's go!”

She marched on with the medical team and a couple of combat rescue officers toward Black Hawk. She raised her hands as they approached, and upon reaching her, Isabel realized Smith’s foot was stuck behind the seat.

“Breathe, Smith, breathe. We'll get you out. I can see four people here. Where's the rest of the team?” Isabel asked.

“I don't know!” Smith replied, breathing heavily. “I couldn't leave to search for them.”

“I did,” Sergeant Thompson said. “There is a little cave nearby. They went to find if there was anything they could get to improve the situation.” Blood gushed from his nose, and he wiped it constantly. “They asked me to stay behind after I fell from walking a few feet. Lewis is with them.”

Isabel sighed. “It's alright,” she said and held Thompson's hand. She soon settled to work as the other two soldiers were bleeding heavily. She stretched them out, ran the necessary tests, administered painkillers, and asked some comrades to accompany them back to Thunderbolt. All the soldiers came back, but they couldn't leave yet.

She knew they were running out of time, and she began to feel panic. Smith's leg was unmovable, and it was highly likely the enemy troops were drawing close. Everyone was safely secured in the rescue aircraft except for them and Lewis.

As she shook the seat in frustration, she saw Drew approaching, and her anger erupted. “Major, you're supposed to be on standby in case of an emergency evacuation.”

“Lieutenant Colonel, we don't want to lose anyone on this mission. People are already heavily wounded. We have a back up pilot on board. Let me help, please.”

“And what happens if you can't help? What happens if we can't get Smith off this seat? We could all be doomed.” She was slowly losing her cool.

“Let me try my best. Let me see if I can help,” she said gently, with a concern that was unlike what Izzy knew of her.

“Fine.” Isabel sighed.

Drew examined the situation and realized that the linkage rods and cables were wrapped around Smith's foot, holding it in place. She carefully examined the entanglement to assess the extent of the damage and complexity of the situation.

Isabel watched as Drew stabilized the wreckage and sent Lewis to get bolt cutters and pliers. When he returned, she carefully cut the cables that were easily accessible, careful not to put Smith at risk.

She then released the tension on the linkage rods and untangled them from Smith's legs, working from the easiest point of access. Just as she was done, a gunshot flew past her.

“Take cover!” Drew pushed Izzy down, covering her body with hers.

In that very moment that Drew shielded her, nothing else mattered. Not the gunshots, not the fear of losing her life, and certainly not her safety. She was in a world of two people: herself and Drew.

“Arrhhh!” Lewis’ voice jerked her back to reality. He had been shot and was limping into the backseat of the aircraft.

“Do you copy? We've been attacked,” she said over the intercom, sliding from beneath Drew.

Drew extracted an M9 Beretta and shot back, taking someone down.

Lewis shook from inside the plane. Isabel knew he hated this part of the army.

“Burn in hell!” Drew yelled, shooting a few more times.

“That's a nice handgun, Major,” Isabel said.

“Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel.” Drew grinned, clearly confident in this kind of situation.

Team Alpha soon circled around them, took out the hostiles, extracted Smith, and led them all back to Thunderbolt and they were soon up in the air and heading to safety.

No lives lost.

Izzy couldn’t stop thinking about Drew throwing herself at Izzy to protect her. She had liked it. That protective thing Drew had going on and the closeness of her body. Not that Izzy couldn’t look after herself, of course.

But it got tiring after a while, always being the one in charge. Always being the one making the decisions.

It felt nice to have someone who wanted to protect her.

Over the next week, Drew and Izzy dissolved the awkwardness between them. They became more friendly than ever, exchanging pleasantries whenever they ran into each other and making crude jokes.

Isabel soon realized that Drew wasn't just proud and arrogant; she was funny, lively, and happy. Not just that, but she was dedicated, committed, and efficient at her job.

It was admirable to be so full of life despite being in a place where death was a real possibility.

One cool evening after dinner, she invited Drew over for a conversation about strategy and improvisation so they could avoid situations like the one that had just happened.

Although everyone was saved, the daunting questions of "what ifs” and “maybes” bothered her, and she just wanted to talk about it with someone who she felt was reliable and professional.

She also wanted to spend time with Drew, and she couldn’t try and pretend even to herself that that wasn’t part of it. With Drew, she didn't have to be a tough officer; she could express herself a bit more. Most importantly, she could truly be alive.

Were they friends? Something more? Izzy liked her. She knew that. Although she also know she most certainly shouldn’t be taking anything further.

“Lieutenant Colonel?”

“You may come in, Drew.” Izzy nodded, “And when are you gonna drop the honorifics?”

“When milady wills,” Drew said and bowed mockingly.

The sound of “milady” trailed down to Isabel's core, and she laughed lightly to cover it up. “You never get tired, do you?”

“No, Izzy. Life itself is a war. Moreso, we're soldiers. We can't also be at war with ourselves, being all stern, cautious, and unhappy.”

“Are you saying stern people are unhappy? That's judging a book by its cover, isn't it?”

“Most times, the content of the book isn't so far from the cover. You know what I'm talking about.”

Izzy didn't want to bite the bait. She knew where the conversation was headed, and it was better to avoid it. She switched to work.

“I wanted to discuss certain strategies we can take to avoid being forced in vulnerable situations like Smith was. Should we incorporate training focusing on possible measures to take when faced with unforeseen circumstances like that?”

“But we already have Crisis Management and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training. I think we need basic tools that can help in those situations.”

“That's a good idea.”

“Yeah, basically a well-equipped med box, flashlights, blankets, maps, pocketknives, ropes, and the like.”

“Come on, most soldiers carry these things anyway, don't they?”

“They do, but its impossible to have everything on you all of the time. And no mission should be considered too small for these things.”

Isabel knew she was smart, but this sounded like Drew understood her keenness on safety. “We'll be particular about these things. I don't want any casualties.”

“Izzy, I know you were scared about Smith and the attackers coming up on us. But I want you to know that nothing that happened there was your fault. You're trying your best, you are excellent at your job and I see you,” Drew said and she reached and took one if Izzy’s hands in her own.

Izzy felt herself melting at Drew’s touch. She should pull away. She knew she should pull away. But, she didn’t.

“You do?”

“I do, milady. I see your beautiful brown eyes dotted with concern for all members of your team. I see you hitting your head in frustration. I see you biting the skin at the edges of your fingernails when you are stressed. And I just want to tell you that I'm here for you.”

Drew leaned in closer and smiled reassuringly. “I'm here for you, anytime and any day.”

Isabel was taken aback with that smile; something warm was fluttering in her stomach, and she couldn't control it.

She was going to kiss Drew. She knew she was.

As she closed the space between them and captured Drew’s lips in her own, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. She wanted Drew. She wanted her so very badly.

Her senses were heightened in delight. She instinctively plunged her tongue deeply into Drew's awaiting mouth, where it was enveloped in warmth. This sent shivers of pleasure coursing through her, prompting a soft gasp to escape her lips.

She felt Drew’s hands beginning to roam her body.

Izzy pulled away for a second. She saw where this was going and she needed absolute consent. Even though she knew from the hunger in Drew’s kiss that Drew wanted this as much as she did.

“Are you sure? Are you sure this is what you want?” Izzy said and Drew fixed her gaze and took her right hand running her fingers over Izzy’s lips.

“More than anything. I’ve wanted you like this since the first time I saw you.” Drew ran her fingers down over Izzy’s collarbone and Izzy felt a shudder run through her. They were both dressed casually as it was evening and down time. Drew’s fingers reached the hem of Izzy’s shirt and pulled it up and over her head and Izzy raised her arms to allow it.

She felt vulnerable suddenly, sitting next to Drew on the sofa in just her bra. The open fire was burning out. It could do with another log, but it wasn’t going to get one, not right now. She noticed Drew’s eyes drop to her breasts and she felt an insistent throb between her legs. She liked Drew’s eyes on her body.

“We must keep this secret though. If we do this, I mean,” Izzy said, firmly.

“Baby, we are doing it.” Drew’s hands reached behind her back and unhooked her bra and Izzy felt her breasts spill free as Drew pulled the bra off each arm and threw it to the floor with her shirt.

Drew looked over her body and smiled appraisingly. “You are so fucking gorgeous, you know Lieutenant Colonel Isabel Oakley.”

Izzy smiled. “Promise me,” she said quietly, aware that she was in no position to be making commands with her breasts on display.

“I promise we will keep it secret.” Drew ran her hands lightly over Izzy’s body, and Izzy felt her nipples harden under Drew’s soft touch.

Oh my god.

Izzy felt herself squirming with how turned on she was.

She needed this. It had been so long since she had had sex. Such a very long time and she wanted this so badly. There was no going back now.

“Lift your hips.” Drew was now on her knees, unfastening Izzy’s pants and pulling them off of her. Closely followed by her panties.

Oh my god.

Drew stripped off her own clothes as Izzy watched. She was fast and efficient and she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her small breasts were beautiful and her nipples were erect. Her body was muscular and compact, much as Izzy had imagined, but nude, all her true beauty was exposed and Izzy was blown away by it.

“Drew.. I…” Izzy took a deep breath. “It has been a long while since I have done this.”

“Shh, baby.” Drew whispered. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. Anyway, it is just like riding a bike. It will come back to you. I know it will.”

Drew took her hand and guided her to the rug on the floor in front of the fading embers of the log fire.

As Izzy lay down, she felt the beautiful weight of Drew’s body as she lay on top of her and kissed her. The kiss was deep, passionate and filled with the longing both of them had been feeling.

Izzy could hear the crackles of the fire as she felt Drew’s kisses moving to her neck, to her ear and running a tongue around her ear.

“I can’t wait to taste you,” Drew whispered and Izzy felt a bolt of desire run though her like a gunshot.

She could feel how wet she was. She needed to feel Drew inside of her.

Drew’s kisses began to move down and run over her neck, her collarbone and down to her breasts. She felt Drew take one of her nipples into her mouth and she heard herself moan loudly.

She felt Drew pulling at her nipple with her teeth and it send shivers running all through her body.

“Oh, Drew. Oh… oh my god…”

“That feel good, baby?” Drew asked with a smirk.

“Oh yes. So very good.” Izzy thought she might explode with how much she wanted this. She had never felt so turned on in her whole life and as she felt Drew’s mouth release her nipple and her kisses move down over Izzy’s belly, she wondered how long she might last.

Her breathing was quickening and her heart rate was through the roof.

Drew’s tongue trailed down over her pubic area, tangling in the dark hair that was there as she went. It ran down the crease of her groin and Izzy thought she might go crazy with the anticipation.

“Please…” she gasped in desperation.

Drew’s tongue, unhurried, ran down the crease of her groin on the other side. Then up her labia, one at a time.

Drew was drawing this out. In some kind of twisted exquisite torture. And Izzy knew there was nothing she could do except enjoy it.

And she was certainly enjoying it.

And then, Izzy felt it. Drew’s tongue drawing long and slow starting at her anus and trailing up through the very center of her being until it reached her clitoris and then she took it in her mouth and sucked gently on it.

Izzy felt herself swelling in response. Any second, she might come.

Drew’s tongue running the same path. Long slow strokes of her tongue from anus to clitoris. Again. Again. Again. Torturously slow.

Izzy felt her climax building deep inside and she knew it wouldn’t be long.

“Drew.. I’m going to come..” Even Izzy’s voice was shaking as she spoke.

Drew continued exactly what she was doing with the long slow controlled strokes and suddenly Izzy felt her orgasm exploding within her and flooding through her body like a tidal wave.

“Oh my god,” she cried out as her body tensed and released. Releasing everything that Izzy had carried for so long. It felt so good just to let go completely. And let go she did.

She felt tears forming in the corners of her eyes as Drew emerged from between her legs and climbed gently back up her body capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

Izzy could taste her own sex on Drew’s tongue and she kissed her back. The taste of her orgasm mingling with the lovely taste of Drew.

This was more than she had imagined it might be.

Izzy felt Drew’s wetness as she straddled Izzy’s left thigh and began to grind herself against it while kissing Izzy.

Their kiss was intimate and tender and Izzy heard Drew begin to moan into her mouth.

It took barely any time at all before Drew’s own orgasm tore though her and she cried out into Izzy’s mouth. Izzy lay still, holding her while she rode her orgasm out and they both lay tangled in each other’s bodies.

“I think I like you,” Drew whispered.

“Do you say everything that comes into your mind the way it is?”

“We have just one life. You either say it now or regret it later. About me liking you, you don't have to say it back, not until you genuinely feel that way.”

Isabel drew her closer, kissing the top of her head.

I like you, too. Izzy thought to herself. But it just felt way too scary to say it out loud.