Enemy Lines (7 page)

"If you go, could I come with you?" He had no right to ask, but he heard the words slip from his mouth.

She looked into his sky blue eyes. "You would want to come with me?" Lawton was a confident soldier - she knew how to help others, fight and stay alive. She was a survivor, she always had been. But she had always been on her own.

"I've known you for seven days, Lawton, and yet now… I can't imagine being without you." Connor gently stroked her hair back.

"Would you say my name?"

"Rachel," he breathed.

He felt a cool drop of water touch his arm and he realized she was crying. "I'm sorry,"

"No, it's… I'm always trying to prove to the world that I'm strong - and I am… but sometimes I feel so vulnerable and small." Her voice shook.

"I know who you are. I've seen you, what you do, what you believe - you have given so much of yourself to others
… I think you deserve something back." Connor held her closer.

"I haven't been in a relationship for several years
… it's… easier not to feel." Rachel closed her eyes as she sank into the pressure of his body. "This could be my last night alive, and I realize I am hungry… hungrier than I have ever been in my life."

She sat up and looked in Connor's eyes expectantly. He pulled himself up next to her until they were face to face.

"Thank you for saving my life, Connor." She breathed as more tears streaked her face.

"You had just saved mine - and you didn't even know it." He wiped the tear from her cheek and let his hand rest there. "My name is Noah."

"Noah," she said. It sounded like music.

He pressed his mouth into hers, and t
heir passion ignited. His fingers tangled into her hair to bring her even closer to him. Her hands trailed up his shaped arms, trailing the lines and cuts of his muscles.

His mouth moved to her ear. His lips breathed warm air over it and he whispered, "I am so in love with you, Rachel."

"Then make love to me," She said suddenly. "I have never belonged to anyone and I don't want to die without ever having known what it feels like. I don't want to spend the last night of my life horrified of tomorrow." She took his face into the palms of her hands. She wanted his expression, needed his eyes to speak to her. "I just want to melt into you. To experience that power, until I can't feel anything but you."

His mouth came down on hers with a fevered intensity. His lips caressed hers, felt the softness, the pressure,
and the fit. Then his tongue flickered experimentally over her bottom lip. She opened her mouth for him and his tongue gently explored her and played with her tongue. The sensations kindled fire through both their bodies. A breathy moan escaped her sending further heat into Noah's mouth. He groaned softly in return.

He released her lips and began caressing her down the crescent of her neck with kisses. Electricity coursed through her. He stayed and lingered on her shoulder before trailing his mouth across her collarbone. He wanted to go farther. She could tell because his hands reached to the hem of her shirt and his fingers gripped the fabric. His eyes met hers for permission.

"I'm yours," Rachel breathed.

Both of Noah's hands, ever so gently, lifted her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor, revealing her breasts.

Her breath hitched, "I've never… done this before."

"Neither have I," Noah admitted. "But, I think I know how to make it beautiful."

She wasn't exactly sure what he meant, but before she had a chance to respond, he kissed her softly down the center of her throat to her breast. Then he kissed her nipple savoring it as pulled it in between his lips and sucked the soft flesh into his mouth. Rachel gasped. He added pressure from her cue.

"Oh," escaped her lips and she felt him smile. She blushed. He brought his hand up and cupped her other breast fully into his palm as he continued sucking the first. He rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. It hardened under his touch and he couldn't help moan with pleasure. Rachel's body caved at the sensations. She leaned herself back into the clothes and arched her back toward him, offering herself to him. He was carrying her away.

"You know," he said breathlessly. "It's almost like sculpting…" Noah's mouth counted down her ribs and moved slowly down her belly. "When you become one with the material…" His lips continued over her hip bone and lingered on her thigh.

"I didn't know
… you were an artist," Rachel said between heavy breaths.

"I want to show you who I am, who I really am
… and I want to know everything about you." He said as he carefully touched the sensitive flesh at her core. Tentatively at first, he just stroked his fingertips around the outside of her sex, exploring the area. Rachel realized she had squeezed her eyes shut. Deliberately, she opened them to watch Noah and his advance. He was watching his fingers as he pulled apart the delicate folds.

She thought her heart was pounding so loudly, he must hear it. His eyes rose to meet hers and he smiled again as if satisfied with her expression. He darted his tongue against the back of her knee and tasted salt. It tickled her wickedly. Then he kissed her there like he had kissed her on the mouth with his lips and tongue.

He loved every moment of this - it was as if she were pinned down and rendered motionless by his touch - she was so completely surrendered. He moved to kiss behind her opposite knee and created a path up her other thigh. Again he lingered, but this time his finger gently penetrated inside of her.

"Your center is so hot and wet." He smiled knowing he had made her that way. "Oh God, you are so beautiful!" Noah exclaimed. His eyes had become darkened and stormy with lust. He stared deep into Rachel's eyes as his tongue separated her center, plunging into her slit, climbing, licking, tasting and making a path to the bud at the top of her core.

Her breath caught and he smiled again, pleased with himself. With his tongue he painted swirls. She moaned as her hips rose to push herself into his mouth. Her motions and sounds were driving him fucking crazy! His cock was rock solid and he groaned into her core as he added a second finger.

His moaning on her clit powered strong vibrations through her while her stomach tightened and quivered as he brought his fingers in and back out again, exploring her tight cushioned walls. He was tender and full of love.

"Oh Noah," Rachel whimpered.

He closed his eyes and breathed out hot moist air onto her center. She couldn't take it any more! She reached down and held her hand on the top of his head. He could feel her swell under his tongue.

Just then, sensations rushed like fireworks from the bundle of nerves he had been so attentive to. She pushed up into his fingers and tongue and was thrown over the edge of her burning climax. Her body writhed and contorted losing all self-control. She cried out and crushed his mouth into her quaking flesh. Her legs clamped down on the sides of his head.

"Come here," Rachel cried as she pulled him on top of her.

His face was soaked. His lips were glistening wet. He smashed his mouth on hers - the taste of herself on him brought her even higher. "I want to feel you inside of me," she was breathless.

"Are you sure?" He asked panting too. He wanted her just as bad.

"I've never been so sure of anything in my life,"

He cradled her head in his strong arm. He worked his hand between them and onto the hardness of his shaft. He was overcome with powerful emotions and sensations he felt as he slid into her moisture. Slowly, he penetrated her. Noah groaned sending pulses though both of their bodies - both of them were undone.

Rachel crashed her needy pussy into him. A sharp pain ripped through her, causing her to cry out. He stopped immediately and looked at her wide-eyed.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I forgot it would hurt."

"Do you want to stop? He asked with concern.

"No, please don't stop." She whimpered.

Noah carefully pushed into her and watched her face for a reaction. It took every ounce of control he could conjure.

Rachel's eyes rolled back, "It doesn't hurt anymore," she breathed. "Go faster again."

His hardness filled every inch of her and she became a pulsating mess. They each surrendered themselves to the other and their moment - as one human being, making love - strong, compassionate, and endless.

"Oh Rachel," his voice was husky. She loved hearing him say her name in his pleasured condition. "I never knew it would be like this."

She responded to his voice and words by contracting her core's muscles. Noah let out a breathy moan. His thrusting became harder, more urgent - faster. His lips rushed to meet hers - kissing her deeply. His sweat mingled with hers, his hard body covering her, filling her, claiming her.

He exploded. She could feel his shaft pulse against her walls. He stayed over her catching his breath. Once he did he began kissing her face, her neck, her ears - then stopped, closed his eyes and lovingly pressed his lips to her dampened forehead.

"You are the most incredible woman I have ever known - in every possible way."

Rachel reached up and tenderly held his jaw and thought running away with him might not be such a bad idea.

They laid close through the night and gave each other a part of their strength - as they had their souls.

Venture

Noah woke up first. Before he opened his eyes, he wondered if it had all been a dream. But he felt her soft body curled up tight against him in his arms. He didn't want to move. He didn't want to stir her awake. He wished it were possible for the two of them to stay where they were - together and safe un dictated by everything and everyone around them.

He loved her idea and meant it when he said he would go with her to find a wild country, untouched by war. But he still had unfinished business left to attend to. The Sov was thorough - they would comb the entire
siege area - and upon not finding his dead body would begin metering out the punishment on the one person whose job it was for him to protect.

He didn't have much time and he didn't hold any options. He had no idea where she was. When the Sov split military families, each member was given a false name when they were transferred to their new Selection. That way, they couldn't be found or identified by anyone besides the Sov officials themselves. Worse, there were over two hundred Selections and he had only seen pictures of her over the last four years. The helpless frustration cut like a hunting knife - slicing through to his vitals - gutting him and turning his insides out.

Rachel woke and felt Noah's hard body clinging to hers. She loved the feel of him, his smell, his attentive behavior, and wondered what this thing between them would bring in the hours ahead.

She thought about Smithy. She had to get word to him, find out if he was okay, and see whether or not her plan had worked. The only way she figured she could accomplish that was by making it to Old Detroit and joining with the Rebels there. She could also get word then to the Divisions that Webb was a traitor. It felt like everything hinged on Old Detroit.

"You awake?" Noah's voice floated into her thoughts.

"Yes," she stretched. "What time is it?"

"Just past midnight."

"I hate to say it, but we should probably get moving." She said. "By car it will take at least three hours to Old Detroit
… by foot, too long."

"Then, we'll just have to acquire a vehicle." Noah said assuredly.

Rachel smiled at his confidence.

They dressed in their pl
ain underclothes and hid their glocks by strapping their belts to their backs, hiding them under their shirts. Rachel set her throwing knives into her boot.

"Are you ready?" Noah asked.

Rachel stood up, "Let's do it."

They climbed up the ladder and out of the sewers.

They wore night glasses and scanned the area.

"Let me go out first," Noah insisted.

He moved out so fast, Rachel had no time to debate.

It was all quiet on the surface. The Sov had done their dirty work and appeared to be gone. He waved her up. They ran through the night with no sign of Sov or Rebel forces - or even civilians. They followed Noah's compass and they soon came to the lone and deserted highway.

"Some of the old road signs are still intact!" Rachel exclaimed.

"We have a good chance of encountering a Sov patrol, if they are watching the highways for runners."

Rachel shot him a serious look, "Like us."

"Most Sov patrols are only two soldiers and I can take on at least four. If we come up to a Sov patrol parked and watching, that'll be cake to
acquire." Noah assured her.

They had walked for ho
urs, until they passed the depleted sign that read, "Welcome to Indiana." The old cars abandoned on the roadside were taunting.

"If just one of them could work," Rachel said wistfully. But they were just skeletons of the vehicles they once were.

"They've all been stripped for their parts. Probably during or right after the Great War."

"Have you ever tried to imagine what it was like before the Great War or the Sov?" Rachel asked.

"No," Noah said bitterly. "Daydreaming and wishful thinking never got me anywhere." Then he added, "Scratch that," he said taking hold of Rachel's hand and entwining her fingers into his.

"I've seen old photographs of the cities - they were magnificent - skyscrapers towered hundreds of feet into the air. There were art sculptures and bridges
… and people had their own cars and would drive as far as they wanted to on roads like these with no fear. They worked and lived where they chose to, married who they wanted, had as many babies as they desired - things weren't Sov or government dictated here in the old United States or Canada - people had free choice."

"Yeah, then some asshole decides he hates that free choice thing and and starts a war. What was it for again? Himself? His god? More land? What a great idea the asshole had, made enough chaos to give a way for the Sov and Kain to step in and take control. Son of a bitch didn't even get what the hell he wanted in the first place!" He remarked angrily.

They walked on in thoughtful silence. When Noah's frustration subsided he asked, "How did you get out? Of the Selections I mean?"

"Rebels had infiltrated our Selection in Montana. We supplied a lot of hay and bottled water. My Selection family at the time was abusive. I was twelve and couldn't seem to do anything right." Rachel continued. "School doc noticed the bruises - and put in for a pass for me to be seen by a specialist outside of the Selection - telling them she thought I had some rare blood disease. I hadn't known it then, but she was a Rebel agent. When she got the go-ahead, she smuggled me out to a Rebel Division in Old Great Falls. Thanks to her, I grew up as a Rebel."

Noah stopped and pulled Rachel into his arms, "I'm sorry it was like that for you" and held her there where the stars were spread out over them.

"It's bad for everyone. It's over now.

"And even though it's over, the memories still hurt. I know that from experience."

Rachel held him more firmly. He was right. "I still miss my parents and wonder what it would have been like to have had them. I think about the abuse I went through and ask myself why any person would do that to a child."

There was something powerful in their shared pain. Each had been through so much loss and difficulty.

They continued walking until the power of the morning scattered the dark velvet night.

"We could stay in one of the abandoned homes over the highway fencing. It would be a perfect place to hide out and rest for the day," Noah suggested. "This area was swept long ago, there're wouldn't be any Sov activity."

"Let's take a look," Rachel agreed.

They both hooked their fingers into the steel fencing and climbed over. Silently they investigated for any signs of life. There was none. Each of the houses was tagged with a sign that read - Property of the Sovereignty. The grass had grown tall and wild about the houses. It was evident by the decay of the homes that no one had been in the neighborhood for years.

Rachel held a broken screen door open while Noah kicked in the locked backdoor. He insisted that he go first and drew his pistol - just in case. It was a simple yellow house with white shudders. Inside the home was large. The rooms had been stripped bare except for the carpets. All of the windows on the lower level had been smashed in to varying degrees. The kitchen was completely bare of any tools, food supplies or water.

Upstairs the windows were still intact and the carpets had less use. Rachel stepped into a large luxurious room. The east wall was lined with beveled mirrors, a pretty floral print papered the others, the carpet was a plush grass green, and a deep tiled tub for two sat to the side of the room on top of a section of cherry hardwood flooring. Rachel had never been in a more beautiful home or room in her life. And a feeling of sorrow or envy fogged her mind.

Noah gave her a small smile, "Let's go check the basement. If everything is okay, we can settle back up in this room."

In the basement, dirty, broken toys littered the cold cement floor; chunks of broken plaster had been busted from the walls. Rachel wondered if the family had survived the Great War, or if they had been taken during the Sov regime. She felt her heart breaking and hoped that maybe they had made it to a Rebel Division - but the reality of that…

"Rachel, look what I found!" Noah's voice interrupted her thoughts and she was grateful.

She met him by a concrete dug out that had been concealed by a hidden door. "This room must have been the family's secret storage supply."

Cans of turkey, chicken and beef stews, vegetables, soups, fruit and powered milk lined the walls. There were at least one hundred gallons of water.

"What's in the cabinet," She pointed to a slightly raised panel painted with the same color as the wall - only partially camouflaging it.

"Haven't opened it yet." He answered hiking three of the gallon water bottles into each arm.

"What are you doing?"

"You'll see," he said from over his shoulder.

Rachel opened the cabinet. The deep shelves held three clear, large, sealed, airtight vacuum bags. One she could tell was for the youngest children - diapers, baby clothes, powdered formula packets, bottles, and the like. She left it where it was sitting and removed the two that looked like it contained items she knew she and Noah could use. Just then Noah reappeared and reached for more water.

"Lug one of these up too, they look like they'll be of use."

"Yes, Ma'am," Noah hauled the heavy bag onto his shoulder and gripped two more gallons in his free hand.

Rachel hoisted the second bag and fol
lowed him up the stairs.

Blankets, clothes, flare gun, flashlight,
and batteries… She went over the bag's inventory as Noah dumped gallons of the water into the tub, "Tools, old U S currency, soap and shampoo, medicines, and old passports. Their names were Samuel and Jennifer Nord. They had two children - one-year-old Lacey and three year old Zachary. What do you think happened to them?"

Noah came over and took the cards gently from her hands, "It's been a long time, Rachel - let it go." He kissed her forehead. Now the water is at least room temp so it's not freezing but I'll doubt you'll want to soak. You get washed, I'll bring up some food."

He returned downstairs and Rachel went through the clothes. The men's would never fit Noah - they were much too small. The woman's clothes were a close fit to herself.

She took the soap and one of the man's blue t-shirts, and brought it to the side of the tub. She stripped off the underclothes she had been wearing and submerged her
self into the cool water - it was refreshing. She washed her body and hair, and then pulled on the t-shirt and a pair of the woman's clean packed panties over her wet body.

Noah knocked. "Come on," she
responded.

I brought up different things because I wasn't sure what you'd
…" Noah sucked in a breath. "Like most, God you are stunning."

Rachel loved to hear him say it.

"You can take your pick," he said trying to recover.

She chose the turkey stew. "The water is chilly, but it feels good to be clean. Do you want to wash up first and then eat? I'll wait for you."

"Let's eat now, I'm starving."

"Okay," He had even found a can opener and utensils. He opened her can first and
passed it to her with a spoon, and then his own. When they were finished, Rachel explored the rest of the upstairs, while Noah bathed.

A pink room, a blue room, and an oversized walk in closet painted yellow. Every room was empty. She peered carefully out the windows. No one and nothing stirred on the streets or around the houses. She thought about the neighborhood filled with children playing whiffle ball on the quiet street, while the dads barbequed on their grills and the mom's chatted with iced tea. It was a good vision - of the way things used to be. Could humanity ever be the same again?

Back in the hallway something caught her eye. "Noah, are you about done?"

"Yes, come in." He was still glistening wet from the lack of a towel. He was wearing a pair of the man's too-tight boxers. He had
hand washed his own clothes and was wringing them out and hanging them over the curtain rod to dry.

"I might have found an attic space. Did you see it yet?"

"No, show me,"

She led him into the hall and indicated the ceiling above their heads.

"Oh yeah," Noah said looking up. "It's like a trap door. There has to be a release mechanism somewhere here. Hold the flashlight." He felt over the walls with his hands until he located a divot between the wall and wooden border. "Stand back."

He slid the lever and the panel opened just a crack. Noah jumped up to reach it. Once his fingers caught, he lowered it down to reveal folding stairs.

He was totally distracting her with his sharp mind and his cut body in those tight boxers. Rachel blushed. "What do you think is up there?"

"Only one way to find out," and with that he was up the steps peering around the room with the flashlight.

"Possible jackpot!"

"What is it?"

"Come and see for yourself," he took her hand and brought her up next to him.