Rae laughed, and Sarah looked up. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, Professor." Rae picked up the bottle of wine.

Sarah put her hand over her gla.s.s. "No, thanks, I'm done."

Rae shrugged and poured another gla.s.s. All at once, she was staring at the gla.s.s, her mind far away. Sarah watched her as she almost angrily drank the wine. Then she shook herself from her reverie. "Well, maybe I'll drop by tomorrow and run into this Molly Eastman on campus. I know it's Sunday, but who knows," she said tiredly.

"You don't sleep well, do you, Rae?" Sarah asked frankly. Sarah noticed the cigarette lighter Rae played with. "Does the bald eagle have some significance?" Sarah touched the lighter.

"It's from the 101st Airborne. It was given to me when I left."

Sarah's eyes widened. "I don't know anything about the military. However, I love old war movies. You jumped out of a plane?"

Rae laughed; she realized this woman completely amused her. "Yes, Sarah, I jumped out of a plane. Nearly pile-driving my ankles up to my a.s.s bone on the first attempt, but yes."

Sarah laughed, nearly spitting up her coffee. Rae, though, was far off again, her mind wandering; she was helpless to stop it. She drank the contents of her wine and poured another gla.s.s.

"Someday you'll have to tell me all about your military service," Sarah said softly.

"Boring stuff," Rae a.s.sured her, then hailed the waitress for the check.

After Rae paid the bill, they walked out of the restaurant in silence.

"Well, this was enjoyable, thank you," Sarah said as they walked out into the crisp fall night. She pulled her coat around her and noticed Rae glancing around. "Next time, my treat."

"I had a good time. Where's your car?" Rae felt nervous suddenly, not knowing why. Now Sarah looked around. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Clark Street was busy, but that was the norm for a Sat.u.r.day night.

"I walked. I live about two blocks, thataway," she said lightly and pointed.

Rae chuckled and took Sarah by the elbow. "Okay, Magellan, I'll walk you home."

"That's not necessary, really," she said. "But if you insist, who am I to argue?"

They walked side by side in silence. Rae felt Sarah glancing every now and then. "So what made you become a teacher?"

"I can't sing," Sarah said with a sad sigh.

Rae glanced at her and shook her head. "Are you ever serious?"

"I've been too serious for too long. Spent most of my life in my work and missed a great deal. This is my house," she said and stopped.

Rae looked at the two-story brick house. It looked cozy and comfortable.

"It was my parents'. They pa.s.sed away six years ago in a car accident."

Rae winced. "I'm sorry."

"Thank you. I miss them both. No siblings, so I really miss them." They stood there for a second. "Would you like to come in for some coffee?"

Rae looked down at her, and for a moment, she almost said yes. Any other time, she would have suggested it herself, and in no time, they'd be in bed. Why did she hesitate with this woman? "It's late, perhaps another night."

"When? How about tomorrow night?" Sarah asked boldly.

"I...Well...Okay," Rae said, caught totally off-guard, something that rarely happened. She began to feel like a teenager on her first date.

"Good, I've got your number."

Rae narrowed her eyes for an instant.

"Your phone number, that is. I'll call you tomorrow." Sarah then reached up and kissed her on the cheek. "Good night, thanks again."

"Good night, Sarah." Rae watched her as she walked in. Sarah turned and waved, then locked the door.

Rae stood there for a moment, then scratched the back of her head and walked down the street. "Intelligence could have used her."

She heard something behind her. As she turned, a black blur loomed over her. She raised her arm, trying to protect herself as the metal pipe found its mark.

Chapter 6.

Sarah watched Rae walk away, then turned off the lights and headed upstairs. She almost wished Rae had come in for coffee. She found herself liking the way she fumbled, trying to talk about her life. Rae Jefferson was confident and self-a.s.sured when talking to that policeman but blushed horribly when asked about her life. Sarah also knew Rae had something going on; she could almost see it in her eyes-eyes that were incredibly blue. Sarah sighed, thinking how easily it would be to get lost in those eyes. But as beautiful as they were, Sarah thought there was a good deal of pain in them, as well.

"Or perhaps you're being an old sentimental Irishwoman as usual."

As she undressed, she heard someone ring her doorbell and grinned. "Maybe she changed her mind."

Sarah threw on her robe and ran downstairs. She flipped on the porch light and looked out. "Good Lord!" she exclaimed as she opened the door.

There stood Rae, leaning against her door, holding her head. "Sorry," she mumbled.

Sarah reached for her and pulled her inside, then slammed the door and locked it. "What happened?" She turned on the hall light. She gasped as she saw Rae, her hand bleeding, as she held the side of her head.

"Sorry, am I bleeding on your floor?" Rae asked.

"Come into the kitchen," Sarah ordered and pushed her down the hall.

Rae nearly fell into the closest chair. Sarah grabbed a towel and pulled Rae's hand away. "Christ," she exclaimed softly as she wiped away the blood. Rae winced and pulled back. "Sit still," Sarah said. "Hold this."

Rae held the towel to her temple as Sarah left the kitchen to gather the a.r.s.enal of antiseptic from the bathroom. She heard Rae cursing as she returned.

"f.u.c.k." Rae stood, then sat right back down. "What's that?" She motioned to the brown bottle Sarah held. She struggled to get the cell phone out of her pocket.

Sarah watched as Rae dialed.

"Delia? I need your help. Somebody clocked me a few minutes ago. Well, no, I haven't a clue by whom. I wouldn't be calling you if I knew...Yeah..." She looked at Sarah. "Can I have your address?"

Sarah recited it as Rae repeated it to Delia. "Great, thanks." She sighed and sat back. "Delia is a friend of mine and a cop. She's going to stop by in a few minutes. I'm sorry. I should have asked you first."

"Don't be silly. That's fine."

"I need to call Jane and Pam and make sure they're all right."

After hearing both women were home and safe, Sarah opened the first-aid kit. Sarah cleaned up as much as she could. The gash was not too bad, just above Rae's eyebrow. She then took the brown bottle, and Rae leaned back.

"What is that?" she asked again as the doorbell rang.

"This stuff will have you screaming like a little girl," Sarah said as she walked out of the kitchen. "Do not throw it in the sink, either."

"You have a definite way with women," Rae called after her.

Sarah laughed as she opened the door. "You must be Rae's friend."

The woman smiled. She was not quite as tall as Rae and stocky with short brown curly hair and piercing green eyes. When she smiled, it took up her whole face. Sarah couldn't help but smile back.

"Guilty. Detective Delia Grainger."

"Sarah Connelly. The victim is in the kitchen."

"Can't be alone for a minute."

Rae opened her eyes and smiled ruefully. Delia stood there, hands on her hips, sporting a wary grin.

"As you were, Ensign Grainger," Rae said flatly.

"You know it's detective now, Commander." Delia shook her head.

Sarah sat next to Rae and continued with the first aid. "Tell her what happened," she said as she dabbed the wound.

Rae winced but didn't flinch. Sarah could see every muscle tense. However, she sat perfectly still. Her self-control amazed Sarah; it also made her a teeny bit nervous. Although, truthfully, Sarah would be crying like a baby right now.

"I was walking back to my car, and some jacka.s.s blindsided me. He hit me with something. I thought it might have been a metal pipe. I caught a glint of it from the streetlight. He took off, and I ran after him."

"You what?" Sarah asked and sat back. "Are you nuts?" She shook her head and continued her first aid.

Delia raised an eyebrow. "Miss Connelly, I hardly know you, but I like you. I agree, are you nuts?"

Rae glared at both of them. "Great, bookends. No, I'm not, but he was too fast. I slipped, and well, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here, but I was on the verge of pa.s.sing out."

"Of course you should have come here. Bleeding all over the place, chasing muggers. You are nuts," Sarah said.

Rae laughed sadly. "You could be right," she agreed in a defeated voice.

Sarah softened and cleaned up the table. "Well, I think you'll live."

"You've got a pretty nurse taking care of you. It's about time. I'm surprised this two-headed commander never told me about you," Delia said, smiling. "So how long have you two-"

"I met Professor Connelly today. I had just walked her home from dinner." Rae scowled at her navy buddy, who turned bright red.

"Oh..."

Sarah chuckled. "It's an honest mistake. Thanks for the compliment." She looked at Rae, who blinked but said nothing.

Sarah was having the time of her life. Nothing ever happened to her. Now she had two former sailors in her kitchen-two attractive female sailors. She grinned happily-fleet's in!

"Okay, Commander, I'll have a patrol car cruise around for the next few days." Delia scribbled in her notepad.

"Don't call me commander," Rae said tiredly and rubbed her forehead.

Sarah watched Delia as she smiled sadly and patted Rae on the shoulder. "Still beating yourself up?"

Rae shot her an angry look, then leaned back and sighed.

"I'd offer to drive you home, but I have to get back to the precinct."

"I can walk back to my-"

"Sarah, would you keep this wayward commander overnight? May I call you Sarah?"

"Of course, you can, and of course, I will. She shouldn't be walking around anyway."

They looked down at Rae, who sighed and held up her hands. "I give."

"She's so easy," Delia said. "I remember back in Pensacola, we-"

"Scram, will you?"

Delia laughed and kissed her forehead. "Call you tomorrow." She looked over at Sarah and winked. "Take care of this woman. She won't do it herself."

"Goodbye, Detective Grainger," Rae grumbled as Sarah led the laughing Delia out the door.

She found Rae staring at the table, deep in thought when she returned. She hesitated for a moment before clearing her throat. "Well, your shirt is ruined. Take it off and I'll clean it for you."

"Thank you, but I'm fine. I should be going." Rae stood.

Sarah put her hand on her shoulder. "Rae Jefferson, you're not going anywhere. You can take the spare room." She laughed almost like a kid. "This is like an old movie."

Rae laughed. "You are goofy." She started unb.u.t.toning her shirt.

Sarah gaped at her. "Wait. Let me get..." she said and turned around.

Rae let out a hearty chuckle. "Professor Connelly, you're a prude." She continued laughing and took off her shirt. She was wearing a snug-fitting tank top under it.