The Defender, sister ship of the destroyed Defiance, had just returned from her mission to Mars, and none of her crew had been debriefed as yet, so I was surprised when I was called into Colonel Vickers' office. He was the liaison between the US Space Command and the Science Advisory Committee, but everyone knew that he was nothing more than a pencil-pushing brown-noser.

Unlike my colonel, who had eagles on his shoulders, Vickers had silver oak leaves. However, he was still a colonel.

"You sent for me, sir?"

"Ah, yes. Anderson. Here."

I took the paper he handed me. "What is this, sir?"

"Leave. I understand your actions aboard the Defender were above and beyond. This is your reward."

I scanned it quickly. "A week?"

"Yes. Use it to go home and touch base with your family."

"Uh... thank you, sir, but I thought I needed to be available for the inquest into Colonel Carruthers' actions."

"It's been postponed for a couple of weeks. There's a plane ready to take off. I suggest you be on it immediately."

"Yes, sir. I'll stop at the BOQ and pack..."

"No need, Lieutenant. I've had that done for you. Murphy!"

The corporal whose desk was in the outer office appeared in the doorway with a duffel in his hand. "Here you are, sir."

"Thanks." I wasn't happy that someone had been in my things, but there wasn't much I could do about it at that point.

"Now that that's all settled, Lieutenant, you'd better be on your way. Dismissed."

I saluted and did an about face, and left his office. A jeep was waiting outside the building, and I was driven to the airfield.

I should have realized it was an offer that was too good to be true, but I needed to see my Pop, to tell her I was safe and that I'd fallen in love.

Because yes, my Pop was a woman. She and my mother had been friends for a long time. They'd gone to school together, and when my biological father disappeared before I was born, Pop had come to stay with her. They told me it was only supposed to be for a little while, but somehow Pop had never left; even after Mom passed away Pop was there, a solid presence who told me the facts of life, who came to all my baseball games, who wept with pride when I'd been accepted into the Air Force Academy.

This was something the young woman I'd married had been unable to accept. It was the final nail in the coffin of our marriage. She went home to her mother and annulment proceedings were initiated.

I pushed thoughts of my ex-wife aside and concentrated instead on how happy Pop was going to be.

* * *

Magee Air Force Base was about twenty miles from my home town, but I learned as I was about to board that my plane was a civilian one, and its destination was the Blanchardville Municipal Airport, which was only a couple of miles out of town.

The airport was too small to need a taxi stand, and once it landed, I headed for a phone booth to call for a cab.

"Hullo?" The voice was a young boy's.

"Is Ernie there?" Ernie Allen and I had graduated Blanchardville High together, and while I had gone on to the Air Force Academy, he had taken over Robinson's Cab Company from Mr. Robinson, who said he was moving to Arizona because the dry air was better for his lungs, but everyone in town knew why he really was leaving. He liked to drink a bit, and no one felt safe with him behind the wheel. Ernie had worked for Mr. Robinson part time after school, so he was the logical one to take over for him, and his dad went with him to the Blanchardville S&L and helped him take out the loan to buy the business.

Ernie had married his high school sweetheart as soon as she'd graduated, they'd had three children, and it looked like they were living happily ever after.

"Nope." This had to be Ernie's oldest child, his lone son.

Someone in the background called, "Who's on the phone, Junior?"

"Some man, Ma."

"How many times have I told you to answer the phone, 'Allen residence'? Now go outside and play with your sisters."

"Aw, Ma..."

"Now, young man!" There was some grumbling, and then, "Hello, may I help you?"

"Sylvie? It's Tinker Anderson."

"Tinker! How wonderful to hear from you! We're all so proud, you know!"

"Oh, thank you."

"Yes, when we heard you were selected to join the crew of the Defender... well, Miz Anderson wasn't the only one fit to burst a button!"

"Thanks, Sylvie."

"Where are you? This call must be costing you a fortune!"

"Actually, no. I'm at the airport. I just wanted to know if Ernie could come pick me up, but I guess he's not available."

"He's at the airport. Or at least he should be. There's some kind of seminar at Capital City, and the mayor has to go by plane, so Ernie drove him."

"Son of a gun, yes, I can see him from the terminal! Listen, Sylvie, I'd better go. I'll be in town for a week, so I'll be sure to see you."

"Sounds great, Tinker. Take care. Bye."

I hung up the phone, grabbed up my duffel bag, and bolted for the Chevy Suburban that was parked just outside the terminal. Ernie had found the station wagon to be perfect to use as a taxi cab.

"Hey, Ernie!"

"Tinker! Buddy! Long time no see!"

"Yeah." Not since my last leave, which was almost a year ago.

"How are you?"

"Good, Ernie. And you?"

"Never better. You're lucky you caught me. I was just heading home."

"I know. I called your house, hoping you could drive me back into town, and Sylvie told me you were dropping the mayor off so he could catch a plane to Capital City."

"Yeah. He says it's for a seminar. Never mind about him. Throw your bag in the back seat and sit beside me."

Just like old times.

"Did Sylvie tell you how proud we all were when you got that berth to Mars?

"Yes. That means a lot to me, Ernie, but I was just doing my job, y'know."

He gave me a sideways grin. "Yeah, sure. Listen, how long are you here for?"

"I've got a week's leave."

"That's great! Maybe we can get together for a couple of drinks while you're home."

"That will be great."

On the ride to town, Ernie brought me up to date on what was happening with the people we'd gone to school with.

"George has taken over his father's business."

"The S&L? Pop told me something about that, but I thought he couldn't wait to shake the dust of this one-horse town from his feet?"

"His father had a heart attack, and his mother needed him. And George's uncle never had a head for business."

"That's too bad. George always had wanderlust."

"For someone who swore he'd never settle down, he's got an odd way of showing it. He and Mary are expecting. Again."

"What does this make? Four?"

"Five!" There was a grin in his voice. "There's not much else to do here on a winter night."

"Well, she always said she'd love him all her life."

"How do you know that?"

"You know girls have always seen me as the boy-next-door type. I just happen to have shoulders broad enough to cry on."

"Did Sylvie cry on your shoulder too?" he asked suspiciously.

"Don't be an ass, Ernie. You never wanted to get out of Blanchardville." I thought of how George resented being tied down by his family - Mary, their kids, his mother and Uncle Billy - and how some people who wanted children would never be able to have them, and I sighed. "I hope it works out for them."

"Me, too. George does love Mary, but he hates small town life. And the way he feels about his job... I think he may need a guardian angel."

"I think we could all use one. What else is going on?"

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Gaye and Steve are splitting up."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Mmm hmmm." Ernie gave another of his sideways glances.

"I am." I'd dated Gaye when we were sophomores, but she'd preferred a senior who was captain of the football team, and the mayor's son to boot, to the shortstop of the baseball team, and dumped me for Steve. I'd been relieved, although I hadn't told anyone. That was something a gentleman didn't do.

"Sure. Anyway, Gaye is back working at the Five and Dime. She's gonna be tickled when she learns you're in town for a few days. I bet if you ask her, she'd love to go out to dinner with you."

"Ernie, I really don't think..."

"No, you didn't see her face the first time she saw you in your uniform. She always had a sweet spot for you... " not that I'd noticed, "... but that was the icing on the cake. Steve had asked her to marry him, and she'd been putting him off. I think she was really waiting for you, but when she heard you'd got married, she announced they'd be tying the knot as soon as it could be arranged. That was one of the town's biggest weddings. It was too bad you couldn't make it."

I'd been trying desperately to keep my own marriage together.

"Say, maybe the two of you can even get back together on a permanent basis."

Not if my life depended on it. "Ernie, that isn't a good idea."

"How come? Oh! You mean you're seeing someone!"

"Yes." I hoped he'd let it go.

"If it isn't serious... "

"It's serious as a heart attack."

"Shoot. Well, why didn't you bring her along? You know the whole town would be thrilled to meet her."

I didn't think they'd be too thrilled if the town learned 'she' was a 'he'.

"Hey, we're home!" I got out of the cab and took my duffel bag from the back seat. I propped it against my leg and reached for my wallet. "How much do I owe you, Ernie?"

"It's on the house, pal. It's the least I can do for a hero!"

"No, listen, Ernie..."

"I'm not kidding. Now shut up, or I'll mop up the sidewalk with you."

"Yeah? You and what army?" But I laughed. If he was going to be stubborn about it, I'd just take him and his wife out to dinner, and I'd see that the check came to me.

"Tinker!" Pop was on the front steps. She was dressed in casual slacks, one of the few women in Blanchardville who was able to carry off that look. "Oh, sweetie!" She hurried down the steps and ran toward me.

"I'll see you, Tinker." Ernie grinned, waved, "Hi, Miz Anderson!" and drove off.

"Pop! It's so good to see you again!"

"Tinker! You're home!" She flung open the gate of the white picket fence, and I caught her in my embrace and hugged her tight.

"You're home!" Pop kissed my cheek and stepped back. We were the same height, and our eyes were level; hers were bright with tears, but she smiled. "Why didn't you call to let me know you were coming?"

"I would have, but there was barely enough time to catch my plane." I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder, slid my arm around her waist, and we walked toward the house. "Besides, I wanted to surprise you."

"Well, you certainly did."

"You mean to tell me Sylvie didn't call?"

"Scamp." She swatted my backside. "Are you hungry? What am I saying? You're always hungry. Let's go in the kitchen, and I'll make you something to eat."

"Thanks, Pop. I've missed your home cooking. Meals on a spaceship just can't compare." Even the food prepared on Base left much to be desired.

We walked up the steps to the porch and into the house. I left my bag by the stairs that led to the second floor and followed Pop through the dining room to the kitchen.

"Can I help?" She'd taught me early on how to put together a good meal. I was looking forward to dazzling my lover with my culinary expertise.

"No, you sit there and talk to me." She took a package of bacon and a carton of eggs from the refrigerator.

This was it. I swallowed and picked nervously at the crease in my uniform trousers.

"You know I was on that flight to Mars?"

She gave me a look of amused exasperation. "Tinker, we do have radio and television and newspapers here in Blanchardville."

"Sorry. Well, we were going to bring Colonel Carruthers back..."

"I'm aware of that. Tinker, there's been a blackout on any news regarding the Defender." She stood before me and tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet her eyes. "Is something wrong, sweetie? What's going on?"

I took a deep breath. "Pop, you know how you always wanted me to fall in love?"

* * *

I never thought I would meet Colonel Edward Carruthers face to face. After all, I was just a rock hunter who happened to be a lieutenant in the Air Force, while he was a hero, the first man to go solo into space.

I'd been drawn to him from the time I'd seen him in a newsreel at the local movie house. After that I looked for anything I could find about him, the newspaper pieces that lauded his accomplishments, accompanied by grainy pictures, the magazine articles about him, with their glossy photographs. The one that struck me the most was of him on his return, standing proudly beside his rocketship, his helmet tucked under his arm; that was the one I'd tacked up onto my wall.

I hadn't understood what those feelings were; I took them to be hero worship. In the town I grew up in, guys thought of those girls in the centerfold of Playboy when they jerked off. I steadfastly refused to acknowledge that my most intense orgasms were when I found myself staring at that photograph of Captain Carruthers, as he'd been at the time.

He'd received one promotion after another and had gone on to lead the first expedition to Mars.

The expedition to the red planet ended badly, with his entire crew brutally slain by... something. He alone made it back to his broken-backed ship to radio a frantic message reporting the deaths.

Of course, no one believed him. All the great scientific minds insisted Mars was uninhabited, which was why they wanted to claim it for the Earth. Circumstantial evidence decreed that, as the sole survivor, the Colonel was the culprit.

A task force of biologists, physicists, medical doctors, and engineers had been put together. A geologist was also needed, and I'd been selected.

Under the command of Colonel Van Heusen, we would lift off in the Defender from Cape Canaveral, our mission to finish what the ill-fated crew of the Defiance had been unable to, and incidentally to bring Colonel Carruthers back to Earth where he would face a court martial and almost certainly a firing squad.

In the photograph, he'd been attractive, but in person, his dark hair and blue eyes took my breath away. How could this man be responsible for the deaths of nine men?

As it turned out, he wasn't.

We did what we'd come to do and then lifted off, leaving behind the shattered hull of the Defiance, unaware that we carried death in our hold. Of the nine crewmembers of the Defender, only four of us had survived to step out onto the soil of Earth once more. The first of the threats to mankind had been sucked out the airlock, while the second, its offspring, had met its own demise in the nuclear reactor that powered our spaceship, along with our commander, Colonel Van Heusen, who sacrificed himself in the attempt to save the remainder of his crew.

But it had reached sexual maturity before it had been destroyed, and had impregnated the Defender's science officer.

However, more happened on that trip than our battle with the creature who absorbed the fluid it needed by osmosis, who survived on carbon dioxide, who planted embryos in our hapless crew members.

Colonel Carruthers and I became lovers.

He was my first lover. He was not the first person I'd had sex with - that would have been my wife. I'd married right out of the Academy, but that youthful union didn't last. I wasn't what she wanted, being too wrapped up in rocks and the promise of going into space, and she... Well, my Pop had taught me that a gentleman didn't kiss and tell.

Nor was Carr the first man I'd had sex with. That dubious distinction went to Colonel Van Heusen and had been such a disaster that I'd been on the verge of swearing off sex for the rest of my life.

But Carr... he not only made love to me, he loved me.

* * *

Of course, I couldn't tell all that to the woman I'd called 'Pop' since I'd learned how to talk. Some of it was classified, and the rest of it... True, she had told me about nocturnal emissions and that it was all right to masturbate, that I wouldn't go blind or wake up one morning to find my palms covered in hair, but how could I explain to her that I liked having Carr's cock up my ass?

Pop was quiet for a long time after I finished talking. I watched her face intently, but this time she was the one toying with the crease in the slacks she wore. Finally she raised her eyes to mine.

"This won't be easy, you know, Tinker." She wasn't going to order me out of her sight. I released the breath I'd been holding. "If you're found out, it could result in both of you being dishonorably discharged."

"I know, Pop." I'd worried about that. I hadn't told Carr, but there had been nights when I'd lain awake, my lover's warm, solid form curled at my back, and wondered if he would be better off without me. "We'd have to be really careful, but... but Carr has a house off-base, and maybe I could stay with him on the weekend?"

She said nothing.

"Maybe... maybe once in a while?"

The expression on her face was so sad.

"Pop, please, I don't want to give him up."

She sighed but still said nothing.

My shoulders slumped, and I scrubbed my hands over my face. My cheeks were damp. "You're right. I could live without going back into space, but I don't think Carr could. The Air Force has been his life forever. When... when I get back to Base I'll tell him we're through." My throat felt as if it was closing up. "I'll tell him that... that once we got back to Earth I realized it was just... just prox... " My voice cracked. I cleared my throat and finished. "... proximity."

"No."

"Pop?"

"You gave up Angelica very easily."

"I'm sorry, I'm not following you." Why was Pop bringing up my former wife?

"When she told you she wanted the marriage annulled, you shrugged and let her go. You didn't even shed a tear. But with Colonel Carruthers... Tinker, you've been Air Force mad since you were in kindergarten. If you're willing to give it up for him, perhaps... perhaps the two of you just might be able to find a way to make it work. Talk to him about this, and see what he thinks. But, oh, sweetie, please don't lie to him. I know... " She looked away. "Never mind. Just promise me you'll tell him what's troubling you."

"Okay, Pop." Something was troubling her, but I knew from experience that she'd tell me when she was ready, and not a moment before. "I wish... I wish you could meet him."

"Well, why on earth couldn't I? Bring him home with you the next time you have leave."

"You wouldn't mind?" She rolled her eyes at me, and I grinned. "Thanks, Pop. I will."

Abruptly, we both realized the kitchen was becoming foggy with smoke. We'd lost track of the meal she'd been preparing, and it had burnt.

She muttered a mild swear word and scraped the mess into the trash.

"Let me help." I took out a clean frying pan and started frying the bacon while she sliced the bread. "Tell me what needs to be fixed around the house."

Pop was handy, but there were some things it was easier for two people to do, and she began enumerating the chores.

It had been almost a year since I'd been home, and I was a little surprised that there weren't more.

* * *

After three days, Pop could see how jittery I was getting.

"Tinker, I think you need to see your colonel. Go back to the Base, get Colonel Carruthers, and bring him home to meet me."

I hugged her, called the airport to make sure there was a flight out, then called Ernie to drive me there.

Once I returned to the East Coast, I learned that the inquest into what had happened on Mars was underway; it had never been pushed back. I reached the courtroom with barely enough time to have a brief word with General Cameron, my commanding officer.

It all came out, courtesy of the Defiance's log book, which I had found and which had remained in my possession. The Company's plan was to use it in their bio-weapons division. The fact that there was no way to control it had been blithely disregarded; they'd been assured by their pet scientists that they would come up with something long before the threat to humanity became a possibility.

So they said.

Those of us who had managed to survive the journey back to Earth boggled at their idiocy. Who were they intending to act as living incubators for its lethal offspring?

The only answer we could come up with made us sick to our stomachs.

Carr was exonerated, but the Defender harbored a final, deadly secret - the creature that had burst through our science officer's chest had matured enough to prove a potential threat to the planet. Our ship was launched back into space with it still aboard; following orders, I flew my little fighter beside it and fired the missiles that blew it to smithereens, and Earth was once more safe.

General Cameron had always treated me almost like a member of his family. I'd gone through the Academy with his son, and Dusty had even stood up with me at my ill-fated wedding.

The general gave covert approval to my relationship with Carr, and I brought him home to meet my Pop.

Up until that point, Carr thought Pop was a man. I should have told him the truth before I took him to Blanchardville, but I'd done that the first time around and had been stunned by the hostility exhibited by my bride.

I was relieved when Carr just raised an eyebrow at me, smiled at Pop, and shook her hand. He chatted with her in the kitchen while I brought Sunday dinner to the table, startled to find it had been set with the good china.

"Only the best for your 'fella', sweetie," Pop told me, and they sat down on either side of me and proceeded to get to know each other.

And then General Cameron contacted us. We were to catch the first flight out and report to an Air Force Base in New Jersey immediately.

The Earth was under threat of an alien invasion.

Fortunately, the threat of Martians landing in Princeton, NJ proved to be a fabrication. General Cameron tore a strip off the radio people who had broadcasted the hoax, sending millions, panic-stricken, into the streets.

On the flight back from New Jersey, Carr and I discussed our situation sotto voce.

"Even though General Cameron will look the other way, we still need to be discreet. We could get together on the weekends, if that's okay with you?"

"I've got a better idea. I can use the high cost of off-base housing as the reason for you to move into my spare bedroom."

"You want me to live with you?"

"Andy..." He couldn't kiss me - although the plane wasn't crowded there were still too many people on board - but the heated look in his eyes told me he wanted to. "I'll explain to General Cameron that it's easier with the two of us sharing the expenses. Only you won't be sleeping in that spare bedroom. If that's all right with you?"

I could hardly catch my breath. I hadn't dreamed of actually living with him, sleeping with him in the same bed, every night.

"That's more than all right with me!"

* * *

"Andy."

"Yeah?" I straightened from the microscope I'd been bent over and rubbed the strain out of my eyes. "Frosty. What's up?"

"Time for you to get home, buddy." James Frost, a fellow officer who was also my friend, had shared bachelor quarters with me until I'd left for that trip to Mars.

I dug my fists into the small of my back and arched to get the kinks out. The last mission to the Moon had brought back some nice specimens of rock, and I'd spent the last twelve hours examining them under a microscope. I looked at the time and bolted upright off my chair.

"Holy Hannah! Carr's gonna have my ass for not calling. He'll think something's happened!"

"Nah, he called to see what was keeping you, and I promised to send that ass of yours on its way." Frosty looked at the clock on the wall. "When does your leave start?"

"About half an hour ago." I groaned. This was going to be our first Christmas together. "Damn, I hope we won't be late to the airfield."

"You're going home to see your Pop? Well, give her my best." There seemed to be a touch of sadness in his eyes. I'd known that he had feelings for me, but as much as I'd liked him, I hadn't loved him. No one can dictate where their heart will lead them; mine had lead me to Colonel Carruthers.

"Frosty, come with us. You know Pop loves seeing you."

His own family had refused to have anything to do with him once they'd learned about his liking for men.

"No can do, Andy. The General has plans for me." He saw my dubious look and grinned, his smile a slash of white across his dark face. "Something's cooking in the Himalayas, and he wants me to take my squad to check it out. I've got experience with stuff that goes on in mountain ranges."

His last assignment had seen him in the Alps, where mountain climbers had been losing their heads.

"What is it this time? Not more bloodshot eyeballs crawling around in the clouds, I hope."

"No, something called Yeti."

"Yeti?" He just shrugged. I put away the microscope, rock hammer, and Moon rocks. "Well, make sure you watch your ass."

"Always do, buddy boy."

"Listen, we'll be in Blanchardville until the New Year. If you're done before then, I'll expect you."

"Thanks, Andy. Maybe. If we get things wrapped up early..." Again that sadness in his eyes.

I hoped that maybe on this mission he would find someone who'd take one look at his deep brown eyes and chase the sadness from them. He handed me my anorak.

"Look, get out of here, will you? The Colonel said he'd hold dinner, but he's going to think I've kidnapped you if you don't get a move on."

"Frosty," I lightly punched my friend on the shoulder, "take care, buddy, and don't let the Abominable Snowman get you."

"Right." His smile was wistful. "Merry Christmas, Andy."

"Merry Christmas."

I paid a quick trip to the men's room, then went out to the lot where I'd parked my Edsel Pacer convertible. The crew of the Defender had been given a performance bonus, and Carr had suggested I spend mine on a new car.

She was a beauty, the sweetest thing on four wheels, with self-adjusting brakes, a miles-per-hour dial that would light up in red if I exceeded the speed limit Carr had programmed into it, and a switch on the instrument panel that would let me unlock the trunk without leaving the car.

Unfortunately, that evening, no amount of cranking the ignition key would persuade her to start. I raised the hood and studied the engine. It took me a minute to realize that the problem was with the battery: it was dead. I swore at it - I'd need to call the motor pool to have it towed - then went back into the lab.

"Sergeant Goddard? It's Lieutenant Anderson. I've got a problem with my car."

* * *

I was debating whether to call Carr or not. If he came to pick me up, we'd wind up so late it would be touch-and-go getting to the airfield on time for our flight.

"Yo, Anderson! Problem?" It was Lieutenant Johannsen.

"Yeah. My car's crapped out. Dunno what's wrong with the battery. It was fine when I drove her in this morning."

"Need a lift? My heap's parked outside."

"Uh... " I was surprised he offered me a ride; he'd always resented that I'd made the cut to go into space and he hadn't. I would have said no, but Frosty said Carr was holding dinner for me, and there was still packing that needed to be done. "Thanks, Johannsen."

"Don't mention it."

I followed him out into the cold evening air. He got in his beat-up Desoto and waited while I walked to the passenger side and got in.

The conversation on the drive into town was less than riveting.

We had nothing in common. He didn't care about the moon rocks I'd been analyzing, and I didn't care that his girlfriend was pressuring him to get married.

"You're a lucky devil." There was envy in Johannsen's voice. "If I could get that transfer out to the West Coast, to San Diego, I'd be lucky too. As it is, it'll be forever before I can even come up with the down payment for a place off base."

"At least you don't have to snap to attention if you run into a senior officer when you're coming out of the bathroom in your skivvies," I said mildly.

"Yeah, there is that." He laughed, a sour sound, and muttered, "Maybe you aren't so lucky."

I pretended I hadn't heard him.

"Say, listen, Anderson. Why don't we get together for a drink on New Year's Eve? That is, if that Colonel of yours will let you off his leash. Betty can even find a date for you if you don't have one."

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm going home for the holidays. And no one has me on a leash."

"Sorry, I must have heard wrong."

"I guess you must have." It made me nervous that he'd said something like that, but I had no intention of letting him know that. I stared out the side window and made an idle remark about the decorations on the houses we passed, relieved when I could finally point out the left turn he needed to make and he pulled up in front of the house I shared with Carr.

"Thanks for the ride." I didn't bother wishing him a merry Christmas. I shut the car door and jogged up the front walk. It wasn't until I had my hand on the doorknob that I heard Johannsen gun his engine and take off into the December evening.

I let myself into the welcome warmth of our home and stood in the foyer, thinking furiously. It wouldn't be good if Johannsen's envy caused him to look too closely into my relationship with the Colonel; he could very well discover that I never slept in that spare bedroom.

General Cameron liked me, and he liked Carr. Maybe he'd find a way to expedite Johannsen's transfer.

"I'm home, Carr." I hung up my anorak on the coat-tree in the corner. I didn't like the idea of paying Danegeld, but I liked even less the thought of my lover being discharged dishonorably. I'd find a way to take Johannsen out of the picture permanently first.

I took a deep breath, and the tantalizing aroma of tomato sauce made my stomach rumble. I followed my nose into the kitchen.

"It's about time, Lieutenant." Was it my imagination, or did Carr sound tense? A rectangular blue box was on the counter. He took the spaghetti out of the box, broke it in two, and dropped it into the pot of boiling water.

The table hadn't been set yet, so I went to the cabinet that contained the dishes. I couldn't help myself. I sang, "'R-o-n-z-o-n-i is how you spell Ronzoni, America's best spaghetti and the finest macaroni!'" I hoped it would make him laugh.

He turned to face me, and he was smiling. "That's not going to get you off."

"Sorry, sir." I must have been mistaken about what I thought I'd heard in his voice. "Are you going to put me on KP in order to make up for it?"

"No. It's going to take more than washing some dishes or peeling a few potatoes to get you off the hook."

My mouth went dry, and I licked my lips and set the dishes down carefully on the counter.

"I'm at your command." I clicked my heels together and threw him a salute. "What will it take, Colonel Carruthers, sir?"

He walked toward me, tipped my chin up, and kissed me. It was a leisurely kiss, licks, nibbles, and sucks, but it quickly changed to wanting and needy. When he finally released my mouth, he was breathing heavily, and I was shaking.

"That's just a starter." His voice was hoarse. He ran his lips over my cheek and jaw, and his free hand petted my flank, traced the crevice of my buttocks, and I moaned and offered my mouth for another kiss. "Your lips are cold."

"It's the middle of winter." I peered down at his hands. "Carr?" My tie was hanging loosely; he had unknotted it..

"I'm sorry, baby." His navy eyes were hot and filled with passion. "I thought I could wait until we got to Blanchardville, but I can't."

"You don't have to wait, Carr." I threaded my fingers through his hair, letting the soft, thick strands sift through. "You never have to wait... "

The heel of his hand pressed against the front of my trousers, and he made a sound of approval as he found my cock swollen to full arousal. He unbuckled my belt, undid my fly, and my trousers slid to the floor.

Carr sank to his knees and yanked my boxers down my legs.

I was so hard I ached. He leaned into me and licked the tip. "Yes."

My cock quivered and then was engulfed in the wet heat of his mouth. His tongue curled around the head of my cock and tugged.

One hand reached up and cupped my balls, while a finger pressed firmly against the sensitive skin behind them. The other hand caressed the curve of my ass. His palm was warm and calloused.

He let my cock slip from his lips and nuzzled the hair that covered my groin, giving a huff of laughter as another finger slid into my lubricated hole. I'd prepared myself in the men's room on Base before I left for the evening, the same as I'd done every evening.

My knees went weak, and I collapsed over his shoulder. The warmth of his skin radiated through the shirt he wore. The shirt kept me from his skin, but it didn't keep me from digging my fingers into the long muscles of his back, kneading them through the material.

"Oh, baby."

I smiled against his back and wriggled under his touch, then straightened. "Do me, Carr."

He nipped my hip and surged to his feet, his hands working his belt buckle and fly. "The table, Lieutenant. I want you braced and your legs spread."

"Sir, yes, sir!"