Chapter 8

The best-laid plans often go awry faster than imagined. Oh, how true that was! Their roles switched, and now she was following Leaper to his house, when his motorcycle began spewing dark smoke.

Pulling her car over to the side of the road, she followed Leaper’s lead into the small airport parking garage. Kerry kept her lights on, as the overhead lights were not very strong. After about fifteen minutes of his toiling with the engine, he pulled out a part, locked up the bike, and got into the passenger’s seat of her car.

“Sorry about that. A part gave out. I have a spare at home. Just need to swap it out, and I’m back on the road. I’m constantly fixing this thing, but it’s hard to give up the wind in my hair.” Leaper sighed.

“You could buy a convertible,” she teased.

He smiled. “Gee, thanks.”

She pulled the car out of the parking garage and turned onto the main road. Driving was relaxing. Kerry’s hand held the steering wheel gently as she turned the corner. Sometimes, when she was feeling sad, she drove to lift her spirits. On the flip side, her friend Emme was notorious for being an angry driver. Personally, Kerry never understood why; extreme emotion tended to exacerbate situations. She’d tried to communicate that fact to her friend, but it never sunk in. But maybe being happy was an extreme too.

Tonight, Kerry knew she had every right to be bouncing off the walls, but her habit of being peaceful in the car was still comforting. She gave in to it and relaxed. Leaper was scraping the edge of his motorcycle part and blowing on it.

Her mind was spinning with too many thoughts at once. She needed to slow down and give herself time to digest and then prioritize her actions, to make a list and construct a plan.

Kerry’s mother had always teased her about needing to be in charge. Maybe her mom had been right. Management of her faculties was a big factor in Kerry’s life. She rarely drank more than a few sips of wine or beer, and she was a stickler about doing things in a certain way. Looking at the man seated in her passenger’s seat, she could honestly admit she was having a hard time processing her emotions about him, other than knowing…she liked him a lot.

A phone beeped loudly.

“Hey, I just got a text from Command,” Leaper said, interrupting her thoughts. “Admiral Dale thanks me for my help with the Marine Mammal Program. Told me to keep up the good work.” Leaper did a little happy dance in his seat.

“Don’t look so smug and self-satisfied,” Kerry teased. “You are not Mr. Perfect.”

“Aw, you’re just jealous because I got ‘snaps’ and you got nothing.” Leaper sniffed. “I may not be perfect, but I’m right most of the time.”

“Really? You think so? Well, Mr. Right-Most-of-the-Time, I got the best reward of all—the Navy offered to help to heal my dolphins. Nothing can top that,” she said, sounding smug and satisfied. Kerry turned her head as she spied activity in the water. “Wait, do you see something going on over there?”

“Polar bears—the people, not the actual bear.” Leaper waved his hand at them. “It’s colder in the bay at night, so the people start their preparation in San Diego and work their way up the coast. Slow down, and you can see their bathing caps—there’s a polar bear on it.”

“Brrr. I’d put on a wetsuit.”

“Yeah, they don’t. The Council told them they had to wear bathing suits or shorts or something to cover their, uh, private parts while they swim in San Diego. But there are many stops on their coastal tour where they swim with nothing on.” Leaper chuckled. “As freeing as that is, I can name a few places I wouldn’t want my willy hanging out for something to nibble on.”

Kerry laughed. “I can imagine. I didn’t expect to see them. I guess sometimes a banana is just a banana or a cigar is just a cigar.” She pushed on the accelerator and the car shot forward as it climbed to the speed limit. They zipped along the streets, taking the back roads along the water. They passed Midway and Seaport Village, the Hyatt and Marriott; they passed the convention center and the Hilton and then sped over the hill and across the trolley tracks to take the Cesar Chavez on-ramp onto the Coronado Bridge.

“Don’t monkeys eat bananas… Well, monkeys and me.”

“You’re bananas,” she quipped.

“No, you are.” Leaper mimicked a monkey, banging his chest and scratching under his arms with his fingers.

Kerry couldn’t help but laugh again. “Leaper, you’re better than cable.” She blew him a kiss. “I mean, thank God you’re completely bonkers. Never a dull moment.”

“Hooyah to that.” Leaper put the motorcycle part on the floor mat in front of his seat. “Don’t let me forget this.”

“Sure thing.” Kerry added, “So you have a stockpile of parts for your motorcycle?”

“Yeah, I practically have three-quarters of another one, if I’m honest. I’ve a habit of helping other Team guys with their hogs.”

The car sped onto the Coronado Bridge, where there was hardly a car in sight. At night, the bridge was even more intimidating than during the day. The lampposts highlighted patches of the bridge and left other places in shadow. Beyond the sides were long, long drops through the inky darkness into the cold Glorietta Bay.

“Do you see that? There! Someone’s running. That’s dangerous.” Leaper pointed at a person running along the bridge. “Wait! I know that gait and that hair. Fuck, it’s Watson. Put on your hazard lights and block the lane. Something’s going on. Watson wouldn’t be up here unless there was shit going down.” Leaper looked behind them. “No one’s coming. Trigger the lights now and keep them on.”

Kerry pushed the button and brought her car to a halt. She picked up her phone. “I’m calling 911.”

Leaper didn’t hear her. He was already out of the vehicle, running after Watson.

* * *

“Hey, Watson. Hold up.” Leaper gained on the group leader, clamping a hand on the trainee’s shoulder and encouraging him to stop. “This is the worst place to run. You could get killed. What gives?”

“It’s not me,” he said, his breath coming in short puffs. “It’s Worthington.”

Loosening his hold, Leaper scanned the bridge, looking for Quentin Kirkland Worthington, the trainee that he’d nicknamed Captain Kirk. “Where is he?”

Watson looked around frantically. “Fuck! I had him in my sights. He’s so damn fast. Wait!” He pointed. “Up there, on the edge of the railing.”

Leaper spotted Quentin. Shit! There he is. One wrong move and it’s toes up. Hell no!

“C’mon, Captain Kirk. Stay with me.” Leaper wasn’t going to let the boy jump. He took off at his fastest pace. “What happened? How did he get to this point? Brief me as we move.”

Watson barely kept pace with Leaper as he managed to say, “Anxiety. Hiding medication. Didn’t know. Until today…’cause he had no more meds.” He sucked in air and continued. “Think he was rationing the stuff.”

“Damn. Anything else?”

“Yeah, Quentin talked to his dad. Discussion was bad. The Admiral said not to come home if he rung out of BUD/S.” Watson struggled to keep up. “Quentin was crushed, and then he wanted to run along the shore. Didn’t know he was heading for here.”

“Cold news from a parent.” Leaper weighed his options. “Okay. Go back to the car, get inside, and wait with Kerry. She’s my girlfriend, so be polite.” Over his shoulder he added, “Dude, you’re on Goon Squad until your stamina is better.”

“Thanks.” Watson shook his head. “Wait, shouldn’t I help?”

“This is how you can help. Leave it in my hands. One sniper, one voice, one shot.”

Watson paused. “Is he…going to be all right? I feel responsible for him.”

“Go,” said Leaper gruffly. “Let me do my job.” Without turning to see if Watson was following his request, Leaper closed the distance until he was less than six feet from the recruit. “Hey, Captain Kirk. What’s going on?”

Quentin was shaking like a leaf as he straddled the railing and hugged the nearby utility pole. “Don’t…don’t come any closer, or I’ll jump.”

Oddly enough, Leaper knew this part of the bridge well. As a recruit, he’d scaled it several times. There had been a heavy metal safety fence underneath this portion. God, he prayed, let it still be there. He hopped up onto the concrete edge of the bridge and wavered for a few seconds before he found his balance. “Hey, Quentin, I’m just going to hang out with you. We can talk…or not.” Leaper lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bridge. His feet dangled over the side; if he fell right now, he’d most likely die. Of course, he couldn’t think about that right now. His full attention had to be on getting this recruit off the edge—literally. Time to change tactics. “Trainee, sit. It’s an order.”

Quentin actually sat down. It was slow going, watching the boy move, but he obeyed the order. This had been a test and it was a good start.

“Talk to me.” Leaper used his firmest voice. “I need to know what’s happening. Sit rep.”

Quentin nodded, licking his lips. “I’m not… I didn’t want to do this. My father wants me to be like him, but I’m not. I need my music and I live for making art. But I had to do this.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose. “I don’t like the smells—coppery blood, gun powder, grit and grim caked in your sinuses, and the noise. So much screaming. I can’t do this anymore.”

“What do you want?” Leaper scooted closer. He was near enough to Quentin to pull him backward onto the concrete, but that was a last resort. If the trainee could talk everything out of his system, maybe he’d relieve some stress and be less likely to attempt something like this again.

“I like my friends and the boat stuff. Even the shark thing was cool.” Quentin’s hands shook as he rubbed them over his face. “But I can’t kill anyone. I won’t.”

“What do you see, when your finger’s on the trigger?”

“Me.” Quentin slapped his hands on his thighs. “I see me. I’m shooting myself if I pull the trigger, and when I hear shots being fired, it’s like everyone is attacking me.” Tears washed down his face. “I can’t be what they want me to be.”

“Who’s we?”

“My parents. Well, I guess it’s just my dad. He’ll never accept me.” Quentin’s body was racked with sobs.

“The only thing that’s important is that you accept yourself. It’s your life. You need to decide how to live it. And there are ways to let go of other people’s voices in your head. Trust me—I’ve been through some serious shit storms.” Leaper put his arm around the recruit, and Quentin leaned into him. Using his momentum, Leaper turned them and took them both off the edge of the bridge. They landed back on their feet on the concrete roadway.

Leaper waved off the police officers who had been gathering at either end of the bridge and walked Quentin back to the car. There would be a lot of paperwork to file in the morning, but if Leaper could just get this guy into the car and off to medical, it would be a win. Leaper typically hated dealing with doctors, but in Quentin’s case, he knew medical intervention could be the start of a special relationship that could save the recruit’s life. The boy had a long road ahead of him, but Leaper would keep tabs on him, let him know he wasn’t alone. He wondered how the father, the Admiral, was going to take it all.

From what Leaper knew of the Admiral, he was a good guy. Did he really pressure the boy, or was this all in the recruit’s head? Hopefully, it could get resolved.

As Leaper opened the back door of Kerry’s car and clipped a seat belt over Quentin’s shaking body, he made a mental note to talk to Watson. He didn’t want another recruit going off the rails. This event was nobody’s fault. Sometimes people snapped. What mattered was how the issue was resolved. Luckily, everyone here was safe.

Leaper closed the car door and headed back to the center of the bridge to speak with the police officers. They weren’t going to like what he had to say, but they’d deal with it. This was life and death, and this recruit was going to be submitted to Balboa as soon as possible. Spending time in a jail cell was not going to help anyone.

Offering his hand, Leaper began. “I’m Leaper Lefton, Instructor at BUD/S. I’m taking him to Balboa for medical care. You can follow, if you like, and I can give you a full statement of this evening’s events. Also, I can be reached at this number for any further questions…”

* * *

Words had deserted him.

Standing on the patio of his home, Leaper looked out at the bay.

Having Quentin committed to the psych ward took less than twenty minutes. Talking his way out of the cop situation took over forty minutes, but they finally gave way when Leaper mentioned the need for pharmaceuticals and that the boy might have a seizure without them. If the cops hadn’t let Quentin be transported to the psych ward, it would have been a serious violation of his right to seek medical attention. It also helped that Declan as Commanding Officer of BUD/S showed up to back up Leaper.

It had been one hell of an experience. What Leaper cared about most was that Quentin received the support and help he needed.

Damn, but it was true that Leaper would rather face a dozen terrorists than watch someone’s mind crumble before his eyes. Healing a mind was tough stuff. He should know; he was still dealing with his own. Of course, his issues were a walk in the park compared to Quentin’s.

Listening to the water was calming. The night was still overcast, and the rhythmic sound of the waves against the shore lulled him. How strange to think that despite the chaos that had just taken place on the bridge, the earth continued to turn on its axis.

Kerry wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. “Are you okay?”

“I suppose. Are you? You were white as a sheet when I finally got back to the car.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I nearly wet myself when you jumped up on the railing of that bridge. My heart was in my throat the entire time you were up there.” Kerry held her hands over his heart. “I’m glad it all worked out.”

“Me too.” Leaper sighed. “Honestly, I was winging it. I find that if I trust my instincts, the situation resolves more organically.” He turned in her arms and kissed the top of Kerry’s head. “That kid’s going to need a lot of therapy. He’s probably going to get a medical discharge from the Navy, if it’s anything more serious than a case of the jitters. I suspect there’s some serious stuff going on that makes him manic, with extreme highs and lows. Just a suspicion.”

“The Navy will help him get a good diagnosis and treatment, won’t they?” she asked. “I’ve heard good things about Navy doctors.”

“Yes. They’re well versed and pretty thorough. When he gets home, though…that’s not going to be a fun experience. To have a father that would rather you didn’t come home, unless you stayed in the Navy—that’s some cold stuff.” Leaper shook his head. “I couldn’t give someone I love an ultimatum about how to live life.”

“That’s one of the things that makes you different, Leaper. You encourage an individual to live boldly, to enjoy who they are on the inside. Very few people celebrate the inner child as a part of the adult.”

“I’m all kid.”

“No, you’re not. You’re mindful and awake, which makes you aware of yourself on a soul-deep level. You’re comfortable and happy with who you are. If only more people could accept themselves…” She looked away sadly.

“I’m learning…about where I belong in this next phase of my life and what I mean to me. This is a hard journey. I know I struggled with it during BUD/S—getting to know myself and understand my place in the Teams, making the decision that I was going to fight each and every day for my country and my Teammates and myself. What I’m discovering right now has to do with how I relate to myself and the outside world for this next phase of my life. It’s a necessary evolutionary process.” Leaper took a deep breath. “I understand what Quentin is going through, with one small exception. I wanted to become a SEAL—it’s my life’s purpose—and he’s doing it because he thinks he has to live up to some grand plan. Someone’s purpose or reason for going through training can make or break them. I’ve said it a hundred times: it’s never pretty or easy. The mind is complicated, and it will oftentimes stop us when we walk to the edge of the abyss and look in.” He swallowed and coughed. “I’m grateful Watson was there and we got there in time, and that the kid is safe. No one should feel like they’re out of choices.”

“I agree. Please let me know if you think there’s any way I can help.” She touched his cheek.

“Thanks. Letting me talk, being with me, that helps a lot.” He laid his hand on hers. “Being with you, it’s peaceful.”

She nodded.

He gathered her in his arms. They held each other, just being together, until she noticed that their hearts were beating the same rhythm.

“How do you do that? Chase away the world until it’s just the two of us?” Kerry looked into his eyes earnestly. “It’s a gift. You know that, right?”

“Well, you inspire me. I’ve only been able to do this with you. Enjoy the silence.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s happiness.”

“Fascinating. Leaper, I cannot imagine you being unhappy.”

“That’s part of my internal struggle, what fills me with joy, out here in the real world.” Wagging his eyebrows, he said, “Of course, I can think of one or two things that give me instant pleasure. Things you’ve told me I’m good at…”

She swatted a hand playfully at his chest. “Leaper.”

He drew her closer and tenderly kissed her cheek. Then her neck. “A little bliss here.” Working his way down, he slowly disrobed her, kissing his way down to nirvana. When his mouth was tucked tightly between her legs, he lapped at her clit, making her breath catch and her pulse race.

“You should give master classes,” she stuttered out.

“Are you trying to loan me to others?”

“Never!” She pushed his head back to where it was. “Don’t stop, Leaper. Heavens, please don’t stop.”

“Right-o.” His tongue worked over her clit in a way that pushed her over the edge. Heat and hunger zipped through her body as pleasure swept her senses. A full-body orgasm caught her by surprise and made her shake and shudder.

She sighed, “Leaper. Leaper. Leaper.” As his tongue waged war again, he sent her climbing to the highest peak again until her body climaxed. She couldn’t wait any longer. She craved his touch, needed him inside of her. “Please.”

He trailed his hands down her body, and she felt him gently climb on top of her until his cock was snuggled at her entrance, thick and hard. She longed to taste him on her tongue, and yet she needed him inside of her. “Take me now.”

Leaper thrust into her, and all her thoughts disappeared. There was only the two of them and the marvelous sensation of how fully he filled her. Her body held him, cherished him. Her back arched as he moved, opening herself wider to his ministrations.

Her sheath shivered with the intensity as the pleasure built.

She slanted her mouth, welcoming him. Their tongues played, teased, and tantalized each other with strokes and touches as he plunged in and out. Her hips met the rhythm easily, urging him to go faster and faster. The climax built to an incredible pressure.

“Kerry,” he shouted as he came. “Oh God, Kerry!”

It was a gush of pleasure so intense that it brought her climax too. For several seconds, it actually took her breath away as Kerry’s heart slammed hard in her chest. Her body had never felt so aware. Making love was an affirmation of life, a way to honor the trek of getting up and fighting to survive the pain.

Her hands stroked over his skin, tracing the scars on his back. She’d kissed, caressed, and rubbed those places. Did she reach into him as deeply as he did into her? She hoped so.

Intimately connected like this, she felt safe and protected in his arms. She’d never felt that way about anyone. If only she could keep the rest of the world away and stay here with him forever. But she knew it wasn’t possible. She’d have to leave the comfort of Leaper’s embrace to deal with reality, and that sadness lingered at the back of her mind as he pulled out and tucked her close to him.

Staring into the darkness, she knew she wasn’t going to sleep, not tonight. And she watched the clock and wondered how long it would take before he fell asleep and she could sneak away. Until then, she’d lie here and worry about all the things she needed to do, making mental lists to help save the other creatures she loved: her dolphins.

Love. Had she really used that word when thinking about Leaper?

She smiled to herself. The night was full of revelations, wasn’t it?

* * *

Leaper noted the sounds: running water, the shower turning on and off. Then he watched Kerry dress in the dark. His eyes adjusted to darkness very quickly. They should have, after years of wading through pitch-dark horror shows.

Honestly, Kerry could have turned on the bathroom light to help her bathe and dress. That would have ruined his night vision for several seconds, but the woman deserved to protect her toes, which Leaper had just watched her stub.

She looked over at him. He didn’t move. She thought he was sleeping, and he didn’t want to disabuse her. It appeared to be important to her that he rest. He presumed it would make her feel better if he continued with the pretense.

Have a good night, Kerry, and Godspeed in figuring out the correct protocols for the vaccine test. He willed the message to her as he watched her feel around in the dark for her purse and phone. She slipped out the door, locking it behind her. As if a thief would be dumb enough to break into a SEAL’s home.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Leaper wiggled his toes in the carpet. He loved those plush fibers. It beat mud caked under his toenails, feet so cold that frostbite was a dire concern, or sand so hot that it seared your skin.

All the things he didn’t have when he was away from here were luxuries. Was a girlfriend a luxury or a necessity? He didn’t want to answer that question.

Leaper reached for his pants and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He checked the time, but it didn’t matter to him; it had only been two hours since they arrived home, and it was still the middle of the night. Leaper knew he could call Declan at any hour. He pushed the autodial.

It rang only once.

“Hey, Leaper. What’s up?” Declan yawned.

“Did I wake you?”

“Hell no. Maura’s had a craving. I’m making bacon burgers on the grill. Want to come over?” A sizzling noise filled the line. “I made ten of them.”

“Can you bring me one?” Something in Leaper’s gut didn’t want Kerry to be alone at the base this late at night. He could have brought it up to her before she left, but he didn’t want to give her an opportunity to say no. This way, he could show up with Declan, and they could hang out while she worked.

Of course, Leaper knew there was security at the base, but after the incident on the bridge, and the fact that he was so jumpy, he knew he’d be happier if he was close to Kerry. Having his swim buddy, Declan, guarding his six was another plus. If nothing came of the excursion and this odd feeling in his gut, at least Declan would have a nifty tour and Leaper could blame his nerves on something else. Maybe he’d blame it on the hamburger he was going to eat, though Declan did make a great burger. The key was the crisp bacon and the three different types of cheese stuffed inside. When you took a bite, the cheese just oozed out with all the yummy meat juices. Leaper’s mouth watered just thinking about it. “Put ketchup on mine.”

“Sure thing. Give me five minutes before I hit the road.” From the sounds Declan had been making, which Leaper had heard a hundred times before, he had closed up the grill, locked the back door, wrapped the burgers, and dumped the dishes in the sink.

“Good. I was hoping you might be up for an adventure. I’ve got this bizarre feeling that I can’t shake.” Leaper pulled his pants on and slipped on his shoes. “It could be boyfriend jitters. Damn, I can’t believe I just called myself someone’s boyfriend.”

“Not someone’s—Kerry’s. You’re Kerry’s boyfriend. Pretty cool, Leaper. I’m happy for you.” Declan cleared his throat. In a low tone, he added, “I trust your instincts. They’ve been right more times than I can count. Do I need gear?” That was their code for weapons, usually being two 9 mms, a Ka-Bar, and some additional hidden toys.

“Nah.” Leaper picked up his shirt and pulled it over his head. “I’ll meet you in front of the Marine Mammal base entrance.”

“Roger that.” The phone clicked off.

Leaper pocketed his phone and grabbed the keys to his scarred and battered backup hog, the one he held in reserve to scavenge pieces off of, if the occasion should arise. Right now, it just looked like a beat-up hunk of junk, but it functioned. Maybe he had more in common with it than he let himself consider.

The night air was cool, and it smacked at his face as he drove the motorcycle down First Street, onto Orange Avenue, and over the Coronado Bridge. The path was well-worn, and his motorcycle seemed to know the way as it sped along.

There were very few souls who would meet at any hour and at any place without a lengthy discussion. Declan was there, no matter what. They were brothers. Teammates. It was a bond more vital than anything Leaper had ever known.

Though Kerry…was coming very close. Her presence in his life was turning his personal rules of engagement upside down. He had never let a woman into his head and heart this intimately.

What would his friend say to this information? Leaper chuckled. Most likely, Declan would say About fucking time you fell for someone. And fuck it all, he was probably right. Perhaps Leaper was finally ready for the straight-and-narrow path, just like a regular, ordinary guy, which is something he never considered himself. As a SEAL, Leaper was prepared for all manner of issues, whether it would be by sea, air, or land. But this… Was he ready for full-time Kerry and full-time togetherness? The boat was still out on that question.