<em>~ Nicci and Bo in the kitchen, in the afternoon of the second day ~</em><br/><br/>(A joint IM post)<br/><br/><br/>Nicci looked up as Bo walked into the kitchen and smiled at him, "Hi there, would you like a coffee or anything?"<br/><br/>Having just cleaned his diving gear, Bo's thoughts as he headed back into the kitchen were on finding the others.  Perhaps finishing that game of pool that had been aborted the night before.  When he saw Nicci, his plans changed, a small smile reflecting the warmth he suddenly felt in his heart.  "Do we have any juice left?  Not much of a coffee drinker."<br/><br/>Wiping her hands Nicci went to the fridge, "Yes, plenty, looks like they have stacks of orange, apple a tropical fruit drink and a few others, what would you like?" She looked up at him as she bent over to look in the fridge, "would you like some ice too?"<br/><br/>Bo strode over by the fridge and leaned back against the counter, his arms casually crossed over his chest.  Nicci's outfit was stunning, the way she filled it even more so.  He had never seen jeans quite like hers before either.  From across the room, he had been shocked, thinking she was wearing little more than a thong and jean chaps, but as he got closer he realized it was all one piece.  But even close up the effect as she bent to look into the fridge was mesmerizing.  He found his voice after a moment's hesitation, "Apple.  Apple sounds perfect, with a little ice, please."<br/><br/>Snagging the carton and then moving round him to reach for a glass, which she held in front of the the ice dispenser ion the door of the freezer and half filed with ice before she handed it to him.  She poured the juice into the glass, not looking up until she had done so, and then pausing for a moment as her eyes locked with his.<br/><br/>She smiled, "So what have you been up to?" she asked as she put the apple juice away and then went back to the table, "There's cookies left in the tin, if you'd like any."<br/><br/>"Just did a little swimming this morning. And wanted to rinse out my gear before it set too long, so it's hanging in the breezeway."  He glanced toward the entranceway where his wetsuit was drying, then back at Nicci, smiling.  "How was your run this morning?"<br/><br/>"My run was great, thank you, I am such a bear if I don't get moving first thing in the morning." She thought about how cold the water had been down on the beach with David, "Swim?" she asked, looking up from the mushrooms she was chopping, frowning slightly.<br/><br/>A bear was the last thing that came to mind when thinking of Nicci, and Bo had a very difficult time believing that she wasn't exaggerating a bit.  Still, it was a cute thought that brought a smile to his face when she said it.  "You'd make one stylish bear," he said, his eyes trailing down her gentle form.  Then he noticed the frown on her face and thought perhaps she didn't approve of him checking her out in that way.  He couldn't think why after last night, but ever the gentleman he returned his gaze to hers.<br/><br/>"Yes, swim."  He chuckled.  "I try to swim a little everyday when I have the opportunity."  He paused for a moment, his face drawing slowly into a more thoughtful expression.  "It's something that I've learned to enjoy."<br/><br/>"I swim too, love it." she said, her face still with a slightly worried frown, "And dive and snorkel, but Bo, you shouldn't do that her, not on your own, the water is too cold."<br/><br/>Her tummy tightened, she'd been on a film once when one of the pro divers had had cramp in the freezing cold water, had had an accident, and had nearly died.  She knew from Bo's background he was probably a very proficient swimmer, in fact, she thought she could see him being dam proficient at quite a few things.  But he wasn't in the forces anymore, no-one was watching his back  and every diver knew just how important their buddy was.<br/><br/>Bo was about to blow off Nicci's comment and respond with a superficial reassurance, but he could see the genuine look of concern in her expression.  He was hesitant to invite her to dive with him.  Swimming in the mornings was not only a time for reflection, but also a time to push himself a little, and he doubted that her experience, however extensive it may be, would allow her to keep up with him.  The last thing he wanted was for his morning dives to become a hand-holding operation.<br/><br/>But the need to reassure her was powerful.  Perhaps after a couple of dives, she'd realize that she was slowing him down and bow out on her own.  If not, he'd figure something out.  He could just explain his SEAL background and hope to assuage her concerns with his experience, but the worry in her eyes i<br/>Jonathan: indicated a strong emotional reaction, and emotion was rarely overturned by logical arguments.<br/><br/>His decision made, he made his offer.  "You know, you're right.  I guess that I was a little eager this morning.  The way this group was put together, I shoudn't be surprised that you are an experienced diver too."  He smiled.  "That's fantastic.  Go with me tomorrow.  With both of us together, we'll be able to explore a little more than I did today."<br/>tag<br/><br/>She could see his hesitation, and she wasn't stupid she could also hear the condescension in his tone, he may not realise it but it came off him in waves.<br/><br/>She laid her knife down on the chopping board, her eyes flashing, "OK you can write me off as a stupid dam girl, but I've done a fair bit of things too, I'm not some worried fussing ninny....... She took a deep breath, "I'm sure you are some kind of superman, but I've seen....." she shook her head, she was not going to cry, she always got so dam emotional when she got riled, and cared so much....<br/><br/>Her eyes darkened when she realised she did bloody well care,  "I'm not trying to muscle into your swim, and yes, I'd love to come with you sometimes, you don't need to baby me though...<br/><br/>"If you got a serious cramp out there, on your own, you'd sink like a stone, with no-one to help you." she said her tone raw with emotion.<br/><br/>She walked round the table to him and rested her hand on his shoulder, "Bo, she said calmly, "Everyone needs someone to watch their back, just bear that in mind, you could at least tell us when you are going to swim, if I was taking a boat out I'd let the coastguards know, let me be your coast guard, your back up, your buddy......"<br/><br/>Bo's first reaction was surprise.  'Stupid damn girl?'  But as she ranted, the emotion clear in her eyes, he began to realize that he had underestimated this woman.  She read him so well, and he felt the perfect fool.<br/><br/>Taking her hand from his shoulder and holding it in his own, he stood, drawing her close.  He gazed down into her pleading eyes, his own dilating with caring desire as his lips curled back into a half smile -- an expression of surrender<br/><br/>He thought to apologize, but standing so close, the warmth of her body resonating with his own, her lips so tantalizingly close, he acted on instinct.  As he pressed his lips firmly against hers, his hand slid along her neck until it came to rest with his thumb pressing against her jawline.  His heart raced.  All thoughts escaped him.  For that moment, he wanted only to bring Nicci into his world, while joining himself to hers.<br/><br/>She'd never come up against such calm acceptance, it was if he was a solid wall of amazing strength.  She wasn't sure what she had expected, an argument, a put down, even mockery, but he seemed to just suck in her every word and process it calmly, his face a mix of rueful acceptance and tenderness.  And it was this gentle reaction which made him feel so strong, so safe, someone who would.....<br/><br/>She didn't even get to complete the thought before his mouth swooped to take hers.  Their kiss merging from tender to forgiving and then  heated to downright overwhelming in a matter of moments.<br/><br/>It was a hell of a way to win an argument she thought, a soft weakness drenching her limbs.  They were now pressed so hard together she could feel the graze of his stubble around her lips and the hard muscular planes of his chest as she was taken into an even tighter embrace.<br/><br/>As they broke for air and she tenderly kissed the corner of his mouth, she said softly, "Was that a yes then.....?" Her smile pressing against his as she kissed him gently once more.  She already thought she knew the answer, his kiss seemed far more than a moment of passion, although passion had been allowed to speak.<br/><br/>The moment lingered, a part of Bo felt adrift as their kiss broke and he found himself holding her more tightly than he had remembered, her return embrace just as strong.  Her gentle, soft kisses and playful question caused him to smile as his breath returned.  He stroked her back lightly.<br/><br/>"Yes," he replied through a quick breath.  "I'm not sure I remember the question, but the answer is 'yes'."  His expression softened, and a sincere glint sparked in his eyes.  "I won't underestimate you again, Nicci.  Please join me tomorrow and let's just take it one day at a time."<br/><br/>"Yes," she breathed, so hopeful of their future, even more so than if they had sat and just laughed together........ he had listened to her, and now, even though he teased her lightly, there was no mockery in his voice only joy.  "At least I remember the question." she teased back, but unable to waste the opportunity of his mouth she reached for it again, her own mouth softening and opening, her tongue questing.  He tasted of desire and longing, of hard places and peace won. And she felt her heart welcome him, a soft sound of joy ringing like a bell in her head.....<br/><br/>He smiled at her response, but his retort was swallowed up in her kiss.  The passion changed, subtle but distinct as their mouths danced.  This is the moment he would remember.  The moment when caring and desire that he felt for Nicci turned into something more.  A space in his heart was filled.<br/><br/>With an effort, his sense of time treading ever forward, he slowly pulled back, his lips peeling away.  Her taste remained.  "Maybe we should continue this later," he spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Could you use some help with dinner?"<br/><br/>He was right she thought, she was getting carried away, or rather she soon would be, and she did need to finish prepping the chicken.  "Yes...later...." she said, with the promise clear in her voice, although of course she said nothing of the girl's plans.<br/><br/>She caressed his cheek lightly and then followed the line of his jaw, leaning back a little and looking into his eyes, "We mustn't let our men be hungry, must we?" she said, very obviously not talking about food, her eyes speaking another language entirely.<br/><br/>"Most of it's done, but your company would be very welcome," she said, moving back a little and then taking his hands in hers, she kissed the backs of them both, before reluctantly letting them go, turning and walking back round the table.<br/><br/>"Tell me about your service career Bo," she said gently, she needed to know him she realised, and hoped he would give that part of himself, she knew it was something she needed to hear.<br/><br/>As Nicci's hand trailed along his jawline, Bo took it in his and pressed his lips against her palm.  His gaze shot to meet hers as she mentioned hunger.  The suggestion was unmistakable and his heart skipped a beat.  Her question upon parting caused him to pause a moment.  But something in the last few minutes had changed inside, he realized that he had let Nicci in, had lowered his guard.  He trusted her.<br/><br/>He took a swallow from his glass of apple juice, then set it thoughtfully back on the table.  Starting with his decision to become a SEAL in the Navy, he began to relate to Nicci his experiences.  He skimmed over much, and left out most of the unpleasant details; preferring instead general expressions, such as, "it wasn't always easy" or "that time was particularly tough" when thoughts of charred remains, broken bodies, and severed limbs came to mind.  But he found himself sharing more with Nicci than he had with anyone in a very long time.  Something about her made him feel that she would understand more than some.<br/><br/>Nicci knew when to stay quiet and when to make small noises of acceptance and proof of her attention. She didn't try and fill the pauses she let him speak, hearing the fluency of his words gather pace as his story unfurled.  It meant more to her than anything so far that Bo was talking to her about his life.  She knew from how hesitantly he started that it wasn't something he often did and she felt honoured by his trust in her.<br/><br/>Her hands busy her eyes often lifted to his face, he was one of those men who had seen too much she thought, and one of the even rarer breed who had felt it and not shut themselves off from the hurt but rather born it and her heart opened to hims even more, his words forming a tie between them which would never be lost.<br/><br/>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/5124547/Pictures-of-the-day-8-April-2009.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/5124547/Pictures-of-the-day-8-April-2009.html)