Dear Diary,

I awoke the next morning feeling incredibly safe, protected, and even loved wrapped in AJ’s arms.  At first, I thought that it was another dream but his arms tightened around me as I rolled over.  I looked at his face, softened in sleep, for a moment before I suddenly noticed him watching me…

 

“Good morning,” he said softly.  “How long have you been awake?”

 

“Two minutes, seventeen seconds,” I said just as softly. 

 

I leaned down and kissed him gently before I propped myself up on my elbow.  I watched him again as he watched me run one finger down his chest. His passion filled eyes found mine and before he could speak, I did.

 

"So..." I ran my finger back up his chest, "Do you think they are going to feed us again this morning?"  I could easily see the surprise in his eyes quickly followed by the laughter. 

 

"Do you always think of food?"

 

"Not always," I said as I once again leaned down and kissed him.  One kiss led to another and we quickly got carried away.  Afterwards, once again wrapped in each others arms, we just enjoyed the closeness of each other.  Unfortunately, my stomach chose this time to announce that it was empty by rumbling, loudly. 

 

"No wonder you were asking about food!" AJ said amused.  "Let me call down for room service."  Before his hand reached the phone, there was a knock on the door.

 

"Wow, AJ.  That was quick."  He smiled down at me, kissed me quickly then hopped out of bed.  After putting on his boxers, he walked into the living room of the suite and opened the door.  Moments later he pushed the cart into the bedroom.  As I watched, he gathered up the tray that the food was on and brought it closer to me on the bed.  We both ate in silence until the tray was nearly empty. 

 

“I guess we need to see about getting ready to leave,” I said regretfully.

 

“Our flight leaves at noon.  How about I pack while you get a shower?” he suggested.

 

I finished my last piece of toast and after giving him a quick kiss I went to the bathroom.  Looking at the massive tub, I decided to have a bath instead.  I poured in some bubble bath as I ran the water.  I pulled off the robe that I had thrown on earlier then eased into the water.  I knew that I had plenty of time before out flight and I didn’t think that AJ would mind if I took my time.  I closed my eyes and let the water relax me.  A short while later, I heard the door open and AJ padded in.

 

“A Jarhead who likes bubble baths,” he said with a smile in his voice.

 

“Yeah, what of it, Squid?”

 

“Oh, nothing.  That tub is huge, aren’t you afraid you’ll drown?”

 

“Well, then maybe you should join me,” I suggested.

 

“Maybe I will,” he said as I heard clothes rustling.  He stepped into the other end of the tub and I waited a moment to open my eyes until I felt his leg brush against mine.  I was glad for all the bubbles since I was still a bit nervous about our newfound intimacy.  He leaned back, resting his arms on either side of the tub, obviously enjoying the hot water.  I again leaned back, relaxing and taking pleasure in his closeness. 

 

Suddenly, a drop of water landed on my nose and I opened my eyes to find AJ just inches from me.  I smiled slightly as he leaned down and kissed me.  I wrapped my arms around his neck and without realizing it at first got bubbles on his head.  After he broke the kiss, I noticed what I had done and looked down to hide my smile.

 

“Is my jarhead being modest?”

 

“A bit,” I said.  “It’s just so different seeing you like this.”

 

“Well, I don’t usually take bubble baths,” he smiled.

 

“Really?  You look good with bubbles on your head.”  He ran one hand over his head leaving more bubbles.

 

“How did I get bubbles on my head?” he asked as he mockingly glared at me.  I tried to look innocent but he knew something was up.  “Come here you,” he said as he turned me around and pulled me into his arms, my back to his chest.  I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of him and the flowery bubbles, before relaxing again, content to just be held.

 

“So, Sarah, what are your plans for when we get home?” 

 

“I need to get Jingo and spend some quality time with him.  Oh!  I forgot about Harm again.  Maybe I can have him meet me at the park when I take Jingo.  Would you like to come too?”

 

“I would love to but you probably need to spend some time with Harm without me there,” he suggested.

 

“You don’t mind?” I asked as I turned to look at him.

 

“Of course not.  You and Harm are friends.  I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

 

“You are incredible.  Any other man I dated was jealous,” I stated.

 

“Maybe they just didn’t trust you enough or know you as well as I do.  Either way it was their fault for not believing in you.”

 

“And you believe in me,” I said more as a statement than as a question. 

 

“With all my heart.”