Dana couldn’t stand it.  The last day of school before the beginning of
spring break was inching forward at an agonizingly slow pace.  What was
worse, Fox wasn’t there.  He had taken the day off in preparation for his
trip to England.  Nancy & Bobby tried to cheer her, but nothing lifted the
dark cloud hanging over Dana’s head.  She tried to remind herself how much
she missed Ahab, how wonderful it would be to see him again.  The image of
her father made her smile but could not lift the heavy ache in her heart.
She glanced out the window, stifling the urge to jump up and run out. Lunch
was dreary and uneventful.
As she made her way to 6th period Biology, normally her favorite subject,
(when her lab partner was there,) she was stopped in the hallways by Ms.
Ripley, the office secretary.  
"Dana I have a message for you...." she handed her an envelope and continued
through the hallway.   Dana froze, immediately recognizing the familiar
handwriting.  She smiled tracing her fingers over the ink, Fox had such
beautiful handwriting.  She was suddenly overcome by nervousness and tucked
the note into her binder, scurrying in to the biology lab just as the bell
rang.  Mr. Munekee glanced up at everyone, grinning.
"I can see you are all almost as thrilled as I am to be here this afternoon.
As a method of passing the time, let me suggest that you open your textbooks
and try to locate the answers to the questions written on the board.
Consider it an open book scavenger hunt.  Anyone who locates 100% of the
answers correctly will receive an A for the week."  Books flew open, as her
classmates hurried to the task at hand.
Dana opened her book slowly, and withdrew the envelope, turning it over in
her hand.  She raised it to her face inhaling deeply.  No, it wasn’t
perfumed, she knew better than that, but it did carry a lingering trace of
his musky aroma.
She sighed for a moment, then tore it open.  Joy spread across her face as
she read it.

Dana-
Hey.  Sorry I’m not there to make the last day of the semester.  Mom seemed
pretty intent on making sure we were prepared for the trip.  It seems funny
since we won’t even leave ‘til Monday.  I want to tell you although I’m
really excited I will miss you.  As soon as I have my address, I'll write
you, and probably before that as well.  I want us to spend some time
together & talk before you leave to meet your dad.  I’ll be waiting out
front at the beginning of 7th period if you’re bold enough to skip!!  I
dare you!! (he had underlined the word dare, and beside it drew a smiley
face)
Fox

She beamed, re-reading the letter several times before finally putting it
away.  Looking up, she scanned the questions and began to jot the answers
down on her own.  She smiled.  The textbook wasn’t even necessary.  Fox
would have loved that.  He always made her feel as if her textbook mind was
a gift, not a brainy curse.   Finished, she began to tap her fingers
absentmindedly on the table until Mr. Munekee interrupted her.
"Dana? If you have completed your work, you may bring it up here and be done
for the day."
He smiled at her.   "And that goes for the rest of you as well.  Once you’re
finished, get out of my sight!   And have a safe week," he added. The room
was filled with excited murmurs as students continued their frantic rush to
get out of school early.  Dana gathered her books up and dropped her paper
on Mr. Munekee’s desk.  "Thanks, Mr. Munn, she offered then waved, stepping
out the door.
She breathed an audible sigh of relief and hurried to her locker.  Putting
her workbooks away, she paused to brush her hair quickly, then made for the
front door.  She took a deep breath, and closing her eyes, uttered a short
prayer.
Let him be there, please, let this work.......she exited out the front of
the school and stopped short, her heart sinking.  Fox was there all right,
waiting in his car as promised.
And standing outside the car, a pouty brunette was scolding the driver in
her best little girl fashion.  She seemed  visibly upset.
Dana turned to go back into the school building when Fox spotted her.
"Dana!"
She turned and saw him smile and wave her over.  "C’mon, we need to get
going!"
Smiling self consciously, she strolled over towards the car, trying her best
to appear casual.
"Uh, Hey Molly," she offered, rather flippantly.
For her effort she was rewarded with a dark sneer.
Suddenly the expression "If looks could kill" held more meaning to her.
She made her way over to the passenger side door.   Fox leaned over and
opened it for her from his seat.  As Dana slammed the door shut, he leaned
over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.   Stunned, her eyes wide, she
turned to Fox, who was rolling up the window.  "I’m sorry Molly, but like
I said, it’s really over between us."
If Molly said anything or did anything, Dana was completely unaware.  She
simply sat there, shocked by what had just transpired.   She turned to look
at him, her eyes asking an unspoken, but rather obvious question.  She felt
like a deer facing oncoming headlights.
Grinning his evil wicked wonderful grin, Fox  looked over at her. "What?"
Dana blinked for a moment then tried to regain her conscious thought.  
"What do you mean,  What?  What do you think I mean?"
"Huh?"  He seemed perplexed, as if he really didn’t have a clue.
"That thing-just now-with the kiss-what was that?"
"Let’s just call it an encore of the night after prom, a command
performance, and a way to get Molly off my back."
"So, a command performance for an audience of three??"  She looked annoyed.
Dana enjoyed the kiss, she really really enjoyed the kiss.  And on a certain
level maybe even relished the fact that it had happened in front of Molly.
But it was a level she strove to avoid.  And she despised the idea that the
kiss was orchestrated as Fox’s signal to Molly that the relationship had
ended.  No, that kind of behavior was too much like Molly herself.
Fox started to say something. He bit his lip and paused, then began again.
"Dana...."
"Yes?" 
"That was a dumb thing to do, I’m sorry."
She considered this.
After a few minutes of silence, Fox started to squirm.  Dana reminded
herself she had less than 24 hours to enjoy his company.   Knowing his
discomfort, she decided to let him off the hook, *sort of.*
But not too easily.   Still silent, she turned and stared at him, her eyes
an unreadable sheet of cool blue ice.
And then it came to her.    As they pulled up to a stop light he turned
towards her.  The cold blank expression she fixed on him was having its
effect.  When she sensed the timing was right,(she swore she saw sweat
begin to bead on his brow), she did it.  With his questioning eyes still
locked on hers, she turned her gaze down to his feet and moved slowly up
his body.  As she hit the surprised expression on his face, she turned her
gaze down once more and briefly fixed it on his lap.  She then looked him
straight in the eye, expression unreadable again, and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he quizzed her nervously, what?"
She acted as if suddenly roused from a trance.  "What?"
"What do you mean what?" As soon as he had spoken the words, he realized
what had just happened.
Dana was triumphant.  "Gotcha!"
"You’ve got nothing!"
"Oh no, I really had you worried there..." She chuckled good naturedly and
he returned it with a smile.
"OK, maybe for like a millisecond."  He mimicked her gaze up down and up
again.  "What exactly was *that*, anyway?"
"I dunno, Fox, mental payback maybe, or just being silly, I guess.  It’s
just that whole ...thing...in front of Molly, I’m not sure I understand."
Fox’s face turned softly serious.  "I really am sorry Dana, for using you
that way-in front of her to make a point..." When he saw how downcast the
expression was which crossed her face, he continued.  "I didn’t plan for
it to happen that way, it was just very spontaneous-I needed her to know
that I don’t have those feelings for her anymore, and that...."he paused,
wanting to chose the next words very carefully, "that I think, I mean, I
want to have-that I do have..those feelings," he looked at her with an
intensity which gave her goosebumps, "for you."
He pulled into the driveway of his house, and put the car in park.  He
turned the engine off and turned towards her, his arm on the back of the
seat behind her-close enough to touch her-
(God, he wanted to touch her) but unsure.
He waited patiently for her reply.
She looked out the window.
Without looking at him, she began.... "Fox, I’m just not sure that *those*
feelings are a good idea right now."
He started to say something, but she interrupted, "please Fox, let me
finish-this is hard enough as it is."
(Oh god o god..think think think, -just look at him-he wants to be with you-
just look at him)
She looked towards him for just a moment and he could see them pooling in
her eyes, tears she refused to release. She turned back to look out the
window. "I’m going away tomorrow ,Fox, and then  you’re leaving Monday
for the rest of the semester and-" she paused, trying to hold back the
tears, "and it’s good that you go-it’s an incredible opportunity-heaven
knows I’d be on a plane this second if  I had a chance like that-" 
(OK, maybe not *this* exact second-I’d freeze this moment in time if I
could!)
"But it’s not fair-to either of us to start something tonight which we know
would  be a long distance...thing."
"I’ve tried it Fox, and it’s just..." she halted, choking a sob which was
trying to escape, "it hurts too much."
She turned towards him, a tear running down her cheek, expecting to see
anger or confusion or resentment.
What she saw instead made her heart very nearly break--his eyes-his face
were filled with nothing pure love and concern-for her.  He rested a thumb
against her cheek, brushing away the tear, softly turning her head to face
him. 
"Dana, I would never-I could never..,ever hurt you.  I know it sounds like a
line, but I’ve never met anyone like you-I don’t know how to explain it
except to say I can’t imagine not knowing you-being near you.  And I know
that whatever time I can spend with you before I leave- before Oxford-before
life-our lives -go on, well it would be a precious gift.  However (and he
emphasized this) you’re willing to give it."  
She looked at him, tears now streaming from her eyes. "I just don’t know
Fox....I..."
She could no longer hold back the sobs and Fox slid over to her, holding her
against his chest, letting her tears flow.  She wrapped her arms around him
trying to commit the sensation to memory-his soft clean scent, the warm,
solid curve of his back, the feel of his arms around her shoulders, holding
her, his heartbeat pounding.  
Fox seemed to understand her hesitation, but suddenly a nagging thought
occurred to him.   He turned towards her.   "Dana-I don’t want you to think
that I’m asking you-I mean, this isn’t about, what I’m trying to say is that
I’m not trying to...." embarrassed, he felt his cheeks burning.  
"What I want is to assure you that I’m no Zack Heflin.  I just want to spend
the night--he locked his gaze upon hers-or as much of it as possible, with
you.  And I’m not asking you, to...to...I mean, of course if you 
wanted to I would love to I mean....argh."  He sighed in exasperation.
Dana smiled at how embarrassed he seemed by the whole matter.  It made her
heart soar to know how he respected her wishes so fervently and earnestly.
That the choice was hers to make.  
"So are you asking me out on a date?"
Fox brightened. "Yes."
"Well it’s about damn time."  Dana grinned.  "What do you want to do?"
"Well right now, I’d like to show you my room..."
Dana raised both eyebrows.  
"And the rest of my house--my mom is home--no monkey business, I swear."
Nodding her approval, Dana acquiesced.  "O.K."
It was a nice little house, smaller but nicer than the one they were
renting, Dana noted.  Still, there was a quiet sadness to the home,
something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.  She knew Fox had a sister,
and that something bad had happened to her.  It was an obviously painful
subject for Fox, one she had not pursued.  She found herself gazing at
pictures on the wall, merriment in her eyes as she came upon a baby
picture.  "Oh, this is nice, Fox, really nice."
"Hmm?"
"I didn’t realize you were into kinky naked pictures."
He came up behind her rather abruptly, "what?"
She motioned to an incredibly embarrassing picture his mother had displayed
of him holding on to a coffee table.  He was obviously just learning to
walk, and stark naked except for a pair of cowboy boots and matching hat.
He groaned.
"You know, Fox, Nancy is on the yearbook committee, if you like, I could
pull a few strings and see that this gets added in next to your senior
portrait..."
"You wouldn’t dare!"
"Oh, now if it’s a dare, I  have no choice but to follow through."
"Yeah well to do that you have to live through today!" He threatened her
teasingly, and began to tickle her.  Dana stood stifling a  yawn.  "Uh, Fox,
she asked, "you may not realize it, but having an older brother and sister,
one builds up immunity to certain tortures."
He looked into her eyes, fooled for a moment, then caught a twitch at her
mouth. He continued until finally, giggling, she relented. "OK! ok! ok! , I
give up!, Uncle!, now please, cease fire!"
Her gasping laughter subsided to a giddy heavy breathing as she sank to her
knees.
"I had you going there for a second."
"You did not, he replied indignantly, "I knew you were trying to trick me,
you had nothing!"
He looked at her face, slightly flushed from laughter & realized he had
never truly realized how beautiful she was. "Wait."
"Hold on a second--don’t move."
Dana frowned a little, but remained there, letting her breathing return to
normal.
"Dana."  She looked up and saw stars as a blinding flash went off in her
face. The Polaroid camera spat out a picture as she got up to cover her
face *flash* another one went off.
"Fox! Cut it out!"
"Aww come on Dana, you have to give me *something* to remember you by in
England," 
"Oh I’ll give you something to remember me by, all right, she threatened,
yanking the camera out of his hands, but not before he made off into the
living room with the still developing pictures.   She gave the camera the
once over, and turned in the other direction, towards his room.
"A-ha," she shouted,  "just as I thought!" *Flash*
The sound of the camera going off drew Fox towards the rear of the house.
"What are you doing?"
"Gathering evidence, she grinned, then turned and flash, the camera went off
in his face.  "I should have known you were a KISS fan," she laughed,
waggling her tongue at him Gene Simmons style.
"Honestly Fox, how you managed to pass as cool all these years is beyond
me!"
All Fox could see were little white spots.  Blinking, he complained, "hey!
that was a long time ago--I just haven’t found a poster to replace it with."
"Mmm-hmm" Dana’s tone smugly told him she believed everything but.
"Gimme that!" He reached for the photos, but she waved him off. "Unh -uh-uh"
"Maybe we can exact a trade. You show me yours....." She stopped, wary of
the implication.   "Never mind."
"No, no, Fox teased her, this is starting to sound interesting, please
continue."
"He looked down at the photos in his hand.  The first one was incredible. 
Dana looking up from her crouch on the floor, incredibly un self-conscious.
Her expression was soft, her blue eyes clear, and a slight trace of an
almost smile on her lips.  He turned eagerly to the next one, and laughed so
hard he nearly fell over.
"What?" Dana was obviously irritated.
He flashed her a quick glance of the photo. She was reaching towards him,
mouth agape, her eyes in an expression she hoped never again to see, her
face contorted  in a weird grimace.
"Give me that!"
"Oh no, this is too precious, I could never..." he began.
"Just give me that!"
"Now now Dana, lets come to an agreement."
"I’ll trade this for the photos of me & my room."
She examined them both for a second, and feigned agreement.  Nodding she
offered them out to him with one hand.
As he held it out to her, she dropped the Kiss photo and grabbed the one of
her, snatching back the hand which still clutched the photo of Fox in the
hall.  No way was she going to give that one up.  
It was a far cry from a great portrait, but somehow his serious expression
was captured perfectly in that moment.
"I’d say that we are just about even, Fox.  Now if you don’t mind, if our
date has concluded, I’d like to go home."
Fox leaned up and looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. "I’m sorry
Dana-I thought..."
"It’s OK Fox, I’m only kidding.  What I want like to do is decide on our
plans are so I can call Mom."
Fox looked relieved. "Oh." phew.
"They sat at the kitchen table going over the available choices of movies in
local theaters.  They agreed on "Alien" which was showing later that night
at the El Rey theater on the other side of the point.  
It was a bit more of a drive than most kids took, but the idea of avoiding
any friends from school was a great motivation.   Neither one wished to
share the other with anybody.  Fox drove Dana home, promising to return in
an hour.  She practically floated to the front door, which was opened by
an irritated Bill. 
"Where the heck have you been Dana?"
Surprised to hear him call her by her full name, she nonetheless ignored
him.
"Mom, I’m going out with Fox tonight, ok?"
"Well it’s about time...cutting it a little close aren’t we, Dana?"  Her
mother smiled.  
"Be home by midnight, K?"
Dana was up the stairs in a heartbeat.   "OK Mom, thanks Mom!"
Bill started to interject something, a complaint, since they were leaving
the next day.  Both Missy & his mom instantly shot him the look, and he
drew back, silenced.  They then smiled at one another.

Fox & Dana enjoyed dinner at a local cafe together, and had a good time at
the movie.  Both of them realized there was still more that they wanted
to say. Lingering outside in the theater parking lot, Fox dropped his head
down to meet Dana’s.  "I wish we had more time, it’s almost 10:30 now."
Dana met his gaze.  "I really do have to get home on time, mom always waits
up.  But I have an idea..."
Any idea which came from the mind of the stunning beauty before him had
merit.
"What?"
"Take me home now-early" her heart skipped as she saw the instantly wounded
expression cross his face, "and then come back for me a little bit later.
I’ll sneak out and have Missy cover for me if need be."
His face lit up. "Are you sure?" She nodded. "Ok-ok, but how do I get your
attention?"
"You’ve always had my attention," she purred, smiling.
Appreciative, he grinned back, "Ok,  how do I let you know when I’m there
without alerting the media?"
"Don’t you watch  TV?  Just toss a pebble at my window!"
"Which window?"
"Hmm, they all have mini blinds-but it’s on the top floor on the right."
Seeing doubt in his expression she made a face.  "I’ll  leave a mark or
something at the window, all right?"
"Will that work?"
"Works for me." He grinned.
As they pulled into her driveway, they both fell silent.  Dana’s heart
racing, she started to turn the handle on the door. 
Fox pulled her hand away...."Don’t."
Confused she turned towards him.
"We don’t want to....arouse suspicion, he murmured, his eyes lowered.  We
just arrived.  If you go bolting in there right away, your mom’ll know
something’s up.  No teenager leaves a date that quickly...except for Zack."
He smiled mischievously.
Smiling at his brilliant logic, she agreed.
"Oh yeah, that’s a very important point....You’re absolutely..."
He leaned over to her, his hands on either side of her face.  The kiss was
gentle yet so demanding, it took her breath away.  Moments after the initial
shock wore off, he drew back slightly, his eyes heavy with desire.
She took one look at him then returned the kiss so fervently it almost
startled Fox.   She tasted faintly of peppermint as her soft lips explored
his.  He opened his mouth and she parted hers, welcoming his tongue
greedily.
Fox knew he had grossly underestimated this petite girl once again.  His
adolescent dreams of this fiery redhead paled in comparison to the real
Dana.  He answered  her passionate kiss in kind, biting gently at her lower
lip, planting kisses along the side of her face and neck. She gasped at his
caresses then pulled his mouth back to hers, teasing it with her tongue. He
accepted this, and pulling her hard against him ran his hand through the
silky soft flames of her hair.  He inhaled deeply, taking in the incredible
overwhelming scent of her before she pulled away a little bit.  She was
breathing rather heavily, her face flush and her eyes were glassy.  
"Fox? Walk me to the door?"
He could tell by the expression on her face that she did not want to stop
any more than he did.  But Dana  possessed a reserve he lacked in moments 
like this.  Grumbling good-naturedly, he agreed.
As they stepped up to the porch, Dana turned and flashed him a knowing
smile, winking.  She spoke a little louder than necessary.
"Thanks alot, Fox, I had a really nice time tonight! She bugged her eyes out
at him.
"Yeah, me too Dana.  Have a nice spring break!"  He made a face & stuck his
tongue out.
She waggled a finger at him, eyebrows arched with curiosity.
"Yeah, have a good flight & write me when you get there."
"Oh I will, if I can find the time....."  He was cut short as she jabbed him
in the gut.
"Yeah, well, Ok......good night then."  She turned as if to go inside when
he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him as if in a very
passionate embrace, then paused to merely give her a slight peck on the
cheek.
"I wouldn’t want you to think I’m easy," he  said with a twinkle in his
eyes.
Dana feigned mock disappointment.  "Why not?"
He raised his own eyebrows up and down.  "Hmm, good question....why indeed?"
Gazing at her with an intensity that sent a shiver of pleasure corsing 
through her body, he claimed her mouth one more with his, and for a moment
they were one.
Breathless, they drew back, their gaze never lifting.
"Good night Fox," she murmured.
He smiled very softly, his hand on her cheek.  "Good night Dana."
She closed the door behind her and met the gaze of her family. 
"Yes?" 
They all stared at her, as her mother broke the silence, smiling. "Hi honey,
did you have a nice time?"  Dana wasn’t ready for all this right now, and
ran up to her room, closing the door behind her.  Missy came in.  "You all
right, Day?"  Dana looked up at her older sister, smiling through tears.
"Yes and no."
Missy sat down on her bed, perplexed.  What do you mean?
Dana wiped a tear from her eye.  Missy I need your help.  Missy raised her
eyebrows in concern.  As Dana related the story, Melissa found herself
surprisingly nonplused.  Her concern for Dana’s spirit overriding her
concern for Dana’s virtue, she agreed.  She went down to her mom and
outlined the details of Dana’s sorrow at leaving Fox, and her fear of never
seeing him again.  She explained that she and Dana were going to share a
room that night & try to talk it out.  Margaret agreed wholeheartedly.
She knew the many tolls of military life were difficult ones, and was
grateful that her daughters were able to comfort one another so readily.
"If she needs anything, Missy, I’ll be in my room."
"Thanks, mom."

Dana was elated.  The plan was going fine.  Her brothers were asleep in
their room and her mother would soon be as well.  Luckily, Dana’s room was
nearest the stairs, and her Mother’s the farthest, all the way to the end
of the hall.
Missy, how should I signal Fox which window is mine?
"How about a candle," Missy suggested? "One if by land, two if by sea?"
Dana tossed a pillow at her.  "This is romance, not a revolution!"
"I don’t know Dana, the idea of my baby sister sneaking out to meet a boy
sounds pretty revolutionary to me..." This time Missy ducked and avoided
the pillow sailing towards her.
"I've got it," said Dana, "hand me a lipstick you don’t like."
Melissa frowned, then went to her dresser and removed one in a deep shade of
red.
"Here, this was never my color, anyway. I really don’t think it’s you,
either..."  
She trailed off as Dana shot her a look that said she should have known
better.
Switching on the desk lamp, she made a big red X in the pane of  one of the
windows.
"Tic tac toe, anyone?"  she offered.
"Seems to me like it’s Fox’s move now" was Missy’s smug reply.
Dana’s face turned serious.   "What am I doing Missy?"  Her shoulders sagged
a little.
"Following your heart.  If this guy is the one for you, nothing can keep you
apart."
Gratefully, Dana looked up at her older sister, her eyes misting a little.
"I’m serious, Day-I don’t know how else to say it except that I truly
believe love always finds a way.  Maybe not at the exact moment you ask the
question, but eventually it’s answered.  I know it may sound a little trite,
but I mean it.  Do you love him?"
Biting her lips, Dana nodded meekly.  "I think so."
"And does he..."   Missy stopped when she saw the expression in her sister’s
eyes.  "Yeah, of course, how could he not?"
Dana hugged her tightly.
"Now as your older sister I do feel compelled to explain a few things
first."
She handed Dana a small foil square which she had removed from her wallet.
She couldn’t duck in time to miss the pillow, which landed squarely about
her head.  
"Missy!" Dana exclaimed, her eyes widening.
"Hey you’re my little sister and I just wanted to make sure you were
protec...
Dana interrupted her.  "Missy I’m going to be a doctor someday, I think I’ve
got the birds & the bees covered.  Besides," she added, her eyes flashing,
"I’m not sure that’s going to be part of the plan tonight. We haven’t really
.. discussed it yet."
Missy eyed her with disbelief, her mouth twisted & head to one side. "He’s a
guy, right?"  She pressed the condom into Dana’s hand.  "You’ll *discuss*
it. Trust me."
Dana blushed, and tucked the condom into her jeans pocket.  She knew better.
Fox was not the type of guy to pressure her into anything.  She smiled,
remembering his discomfort earlier when he was so worried that she might
think that was all that he wanted.  No, she was safe with Fox.
The question was, was Fox safe with her?