From Sea to Shining Sea (Closed)

[momoftwins13]

Sydney Hemingway
Age 22

Sydney stepped from the shower, using a giant white fluffy towel to dry herself off before slathering a floral scented lotion of her entire petite body. She glanced at the clock. She had to leave in 25 minutes. Quickly she went into the bedroom closet and pulled out a pair of denim blue jeans, and a black top as agreed upon with her friends. The top was clingy, and sleeveless with a deep V neck that showed the perfect amount of cleavage.

Their friend Margie was getting married two weeks later and this was her bachelorette party night. Everyone was wearing black tops and jeans, while Margie wore a white sundress.

Sydney pulled the clothes on overtop of a pair of hot pink thongs and a matching lace bra, then slid her feet into her favorite worn in cowgirl boots. She brushed her dark hair and blew dry it, making it curl slightly so it framed her face. She quickly applied just a light hint of makeup to her eyes... She never overdid it with makeup. Then she sprayed on some perfume and was out the door.

Fifteen minutes later she pulled up in front of Laredo's, the local watering hole. It was a dingy little place, full of smoke, but it had great live bands and kick ass bartenders ... People came from all over the county to celebrate at Laredo's if they wanted to have a good time.

Stepping from her new Jeep Wrangler, Sydney walked towards the entrance and saw her friends all gathering there. They were a good looking bunch of girls but they didn't act like it. They just were there to have a good time and celebrate Margie's impending marriage.

After exchanging greetings they all headed into the smoky room, not noticing the many pairs of eyes that traveled their direction when they did.

 

[pjt7611]

Shane Collins
Age: 24

Shane was in his apartment getting ready for a night out. He had been making calls all day long saying goodbye to everyone he could think of, except for the few that he would be meeting up with tonight. He had already taken care of everything else like setting up someone to take care of his place while he was gone. You see, this was the last night he was going to enjoy a laid back, hanging out evening before he was shipped out overseas to only God knows what.

He had grown up hearing military stories from his dad and grandfather about going places and seeing things. As soon as he had graduated, while his other friends were out partying, he headed to recruiter's office and enlisted to carry on the tradition and make his family proud. That had been 6 years ago, and now he was well within his second term, although this was the first time he was being sent overseas. Nervous? Of course. Ready? Definitely.

He checked the clock. 7 PM. Damn, he better get going. He had on his jeans and a dark blue button down shirt. He slid his feet in his boots, grabbed his wallet and keys and headed out the door. He jumped in his mud-caked Silverado and headed out on the road. The designated meeting place was a little hole in the wall called Laredo's that was going to be having live music tonight and he pulled up in the lot 20 minutes after leaving his place. He saw the group of guys standing up by the door. Damn, he was the last one here. 'Oh well' he thought, 'It's my night anyways.' He climbed out of the truck and made his way up to the door and they all went inside together.

The band was up front, warming up and the guys had just finished their first round. They were crowded at a table stuck over in the corner and Shane was constantly looking around. He had been here at this particular bar often enough, but he was trying to take every memory in to hold him over until he came back. If he came back. He pushed that thought from his mind as soon as it entered.

As his eyes were scanning the place, they fell across the front door when a group of girls walked in. They were all dressed alike, except for one. 'Well, well. Somebody else is having a party too.' He smiled to himself as he emptied half his bottle. He watched the girls coming in about halfway through the room and set up at a table a few over from theirs. All of the other girls were blond or red heads, but his eyes kept drifting to one in particular. An attractive curly brunette. He would have to go over and at least say hi before this night was out.

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney ordered a round of shots for the girls, Tic Tac shots for everyone, and they all took them down before ordering their prospective drinks. She wasn't a fancy girl and ordered a plain ol Bud Light while all the other girls got mixed drinks of some sort. Her eyes traveled lazily around the bar.

They weren't here to meet any guys but it didn't hurt to look... Did it? Her eyes traveled to one table in particular, a group of guys all having some drinks, chatting and laughing. Her eyes happened upon one in particular, a tall one with short hair and an athletic physique ... He was pretty hot.

Just as she thought that, he glanced her way and their eyes connected. She quickl looked away, smiling. She wasn't a forward type of girl. She usually left it up to the man to approach her.

"LET'S DANCE!" Her friend Jaymie shrieked and they were all dragged off to the dance floor. The band was playing country western hits, and the girls began to dance together. They were laughing, twirling and spinning about together having a great time as for that precise moment men weren't on their minds.

Margie took Sydney's hand and they danced together laughing.

"So that guy..." Margie said nodding towards the table of men she had seen. "He is totally checking you out and watching you".

Sydney rolled her green eyes and smiled. "He's probably watching EVERY girl in here, Marj."

But Margie shook her head. "Nope... He's watching YOU. And their entire group is headin this way".

 

[pjt7611]

Shane's eyes kept drifting over to the brunette girl every so often and eventually his buddies every once in a while him not paying attention to their conversation. Everyone was laughing, but him. Chris reached over and punched his shoulder. "Shane, wake the hell up man, what are you doing?" All the other guys laughed and took turns taking at jab at Shane.

"I'm good guys. Just thinking about tonight, tomorrow, and mainly that group of girls that came in earlier." As soon as he said it, she turned and their eyes locked for a minute. Another of his buddies, David, saw him lock a stare for a minute and turned his head quick to see what Shane was staring at. "Oh shit, Shane's in love." They all started laughing again and this time it was Shane's turn to punch somebody's shoulder.

They had all noticed the girls head out to the dance floor earlier and they had all just finished off another beer. Chris looked around the table and then at Shane. "Hey, lover boy, that chick is out on the floor with all her friends. There's all them without dates and there's all us without em either." They had hung out enough and nothing else was said. They all just got up as one and headed out to the floor.

Each of the guys walked up to a different girl but Shane still had his eyes locked on the one. He made his way up to her and flashed a smile. "Hey there darlin. Would you care to dance with a guy like me?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney watched as the guys all walked over. Every one of them went to a different girl almost like it was planned. She watched one guy walk up to Margie, and watched her show him her ring. He said something to make her laugh and made what looked like an innocent gesture, and then those two were even dancing.

And the one guy she had been watching came directly up to her.

Sydney's face lit in a shy but beautiful smile. "Id love to" she said quietly and held her hand out for him to take. Then she was spinning around the floor in his arms which she noticed were pretty muscular.

"I'm Sydney" she told him, her sparkling green eyes looking up at him since she was so much shorter. She nodde towards the girl in white. "That's Margie, she's getting married two weeks from now so this is her bachelorette party".

"What brings y'all here? Just a night out on the town?"

 

[pjt7611]

She smiled back at him and he noticed she was even more beautiful up close. He took her hand and wrapped his arm around her and spun out across the floor keeping up with the tempo of the music.

"Well hello there Ms Sidney. I'm Shane." He listened to her and turned away from her constant smile to look over and see the other girl she was talking about. She looked like she was having a good time too with Chris spinning her around the floor and he turned back to look at Sidney again. "Bachelorette party, huh? Well Chris is gonna be disappointed. He looks like he's in love." He laughed hoping she would too and not think they were all a bunch of creeps.

He heard her ask why they were there and he breathed in and sighed a little. He didn't want to think about it right now since they were all having such a good time, but he answered her anyways. "Well, to be honest, we are out here tonight having my going away party. I'm getting shipped out tomorrow and we all came out to have one more good time before I go."

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney saw his reluctance to answer her question and when he finally did she realized he didn't really want to talk about it, so she smiled at him and nodded. Instead of pursuing the subject she merely said...

"Well if tonight's your last night we will have to make it a good one".

Chris and Margie spun by and Margie shouted "HE DANCES BETTER THAN JAKE!!" which made them all laugh. Margie was hopelessly in love with Jake but she was a constant kidder.

Sydney turned to focus back on Shane. She tried to think of something to talk about besides his job.

"Do y'all come here often? Don't think I've ever seen you around". Most people in those parts knew everyone but if they were from different towns it was possible they just hadn't run across each other before.

 

[pjt7611]

She nodded at his answer but he caught a glimpse of a look on her face. He wondered if he had said something wrong. So without coming out and saying it again, he only backpedaled slightly.

"Yeah tonight's it. Gotta love the military when duty calls, ya know. And you're already making it better than I hoped. Nothing like spending the last night at home in the arms of a beautiful girl."

He laughed and nodded at Chris as they came spinning by and he heard the girl Margie shout. But once again, his attention went right back to Sidney as she moved the conversation forward.

"Umm, well not often, but yeah a few times we've been here. And no I don't think I've seen you around before. I would have definitely remembered your face and smile." I smiled again and winked at her as they continued across the floor.

 

[momoftwins13]

She listened intently as he spoke again of the military. They kept dancing and she smiled at him as he said he would have remembered her had he seen her before. The song ended and they stopped dancing.

"Wanna get a drink?" Sydney asked him and they headed towards the bar. It was a scuffed and marked wooden bar, but the tenders kept it wiped clean and immaculate at all times. As they waited to get served Sydney stood close to Shane.

"So what branch of the military are you in? Is this your first tour?" She was really curious about him... It was a shame he was leaving the next day because she imagined they could really get along great.

The bartender took their orders and gave them their drinks but they remained at the bar chatting, getting to know each other slightly more.

 

[pjt7611]

The music ended and they stopped dancing. It sucked but he knew a song couldn't last forever. She took a step back from him and asked about having a drink.

"Yeah, getting a drink would be good." He took her hand and led her off the floor towards the bar. As they stood there waiting, he felt her slide up against him and a slight smile crossed his face.

He looked down at her as she asked about him. "Well, I'm in the Army. Kinda following in my dad's and granddad's footsteps, ya know? I signed up right outta school and I've been in ever since. This is my second year of my second term but the first time I've ever been sent overseas. Kinda nervous but ready at the same, if you can understand that."

He took the drinks from the bartender and handed one to her. "We can't spend the whole night talking about me though. What about you? You from around here?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney respected how he was following in his family's footsteps. She respected him completely. She wouldn't have the guts to go across seas like that.

"There's not much to say about myself. I haven't done much interesting stuff... I'm in my senior year of college to become an elementary school teacher. I've lived here my whole life and never even really traveled much unlike you". She smiled up at him. "I guess I shoulda asked you earlier but you don't have a girlfriend or wife, right?"

She knew he didn't but she had to voice the question anyway just to check. She didn't want to step on another woman's toes so to speak.

Just then a popular song, Hey Girl, by Billy Currington came on. Sydney smiled at Shane. "Let's dance... This song seems to fit the night anyway don't ya think?"

She held her hand out to him and waited for him to lead her to the floor.

 

[pjt7611]

He listened to her talking about her plans and was impressed. "Elementary school teacher huh? God, I could never do that. I love kids and all but I couldn't teach them all day. I can handle a weapon better than I can a textbook." He laughed as she looked at him and then asked her next question.

"Nope. No girlfriend or wife. I had one but she couldn't handle the thought of me being called away at a moments notice, so we split. That was over 6 months ago."

He heard the song start playing and smiled at her as she reached out her hand for him. This was one of his favorites. Hell, he liked them all. He would be driving down the road in his truck just singing away to the radio. "Yeah this one fits just perfect." He took her hand and they walked out on the floor together. His friends were off the floor now, talking it up with the other girls and they threw their hands up at him in a wave.

He and Sidney started dancing around the floor and he was singing the words the whole time. About halfway through the song, he stopped singing the words and looked down at her and spoke them.

"Hey girl. Whatcha say girl, about you and me getting away girl?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney had a blast dancing with Shane. He was funny and animated and danced really well. Towards the end of the song he looked down at her and sang the words to the song- but she knew instantly he was asking her for real. She grinned and nodded.

"Gotta go talk to Marj" she said and led him towards the others.

As soon as they walked up Margie looked at her and threw her hands up. "FINE leave me on my BACHELORETTE PARTY! It's ok!" She already knew what they wanted.

"You'll still be here after tomorrow" Sydney pointed out and Margie laughed.

"Have fun. Shane... Treat her right" Margie replied with a grin.

Sydney turned and smiled at Shane. "Your car or mine?" She asked.

 

[pjt7611]

He smiled at her as she looked up at him and smiled and nodded. He let her lead him across the floor to where both groups of friends were together. He smiled again as he heard Sidney and Margie picking at one another and he turned to the guys. "Well boys, we're out. I'll get in touch with y'all tomorrow before I head out."

He looked and Margie as she spoke to him. "I will. You don't have to worry about me. I'm one of the good guys." He smiled at her as they turned away and walked through the bar towards the door.

As they walked out, he said "we can take my truck if you want."

He opened the door and helped her in then walked around and climbed in his side. He turned the guy and it roared to life. The Jason Aldean cd began blaring through the speakers. He looked at her and laughed as he reached up and turned it down. "Sorry about that."

He drove through town and stopped by the store to grab some beer and then drove out to the river. He backed the truck up down to the riverside and they climbed out. He walked back and let the tailgate down and he helped her up, then hopped up next to her and cracked the top on both of them a beer.

"Is this ok with you?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney laughed when Jason Aldean blasted through the speakers. He seemed to like music as much as she did. As they drove she kept her hands to herself but she but she was wanting to reach over and take his hand. She was majorly attracted to this soldier and that made her nervous because he was leaving tomorrow.

But instead she focused on the night they had before them. He grabbed them some beers and drove down to the nearby river landing where he backed up and parked. Simultaneously they got out and walked around the back where he helped her on the tailgate. He had turned the music up in the cab so she swung her feet to the beat.

"I couldn't think of anywhere better" she said to him.

"I bet this isn't how you imagined your night, huh? I sure didn't expect this..." She hesitated as she took a drink of the beer he gave her. "But im sure glad this is what happened".

The moon glowed off her hair and beer bottle, her eyes dancing happily as she smiled at him.

 

[pjt7611]

She couldn't think of anywhere better. He looked down at his beer and a smile spread across his face. When he looked up at her, he was still smiling. In just a few hours with her, he was happier than he had been in a long time and the fact of leaving tomorrow bothered him that this seemed to be only for tonight.

"No, I honestly didn't imagine it going like this." He laughed a little. "I figured me and the boys would go out, have a few drinks, and I would just go home and sit awake all night thinking about tomorrow. But I'm glad it's happened like this too."

He looked at how her face lit up in the moonlight. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 'I want to ask her to come tomorrow as I leave but I wonder if that will freak her out' he thought to himself.

He looked down and saw her hand on the tailgate with her fingers curled over the end of it. He reached over and put his hand on top of hers. "Hey Sidney..." He waited before speaking again. It was funny he was never nervous walking with a weapon in his hand but this girl had him all messed up. "What if I asked you to come see me off tomorrow?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney's eyes widened as he asked her to come see him of the next day. Her heart jumped in her throat. "Um, well... I'd... Isn't that for like family and loved ones?" She asked softly. "Then again... This has been the best night I can remember having in a long, long time. I'm lucky to have met you Shane..." She paused again. "You know what... I'd love to come."

But she had a feeling it was going to be hard watching him get on that plane... They'd just met. Yet she knew he was a great guy and they had a connection like she had never felt before... At that moment in time everything was about him in her mind.

"You sure you want me to come? I know we just met..."

Her hand curled around his as they sat on the pale moonlight together enjoying the cool river breeze.

 

[pjt7611]

He heard the beginning of her answer after she asked about loved ones. "Oh, well it's ok then. I mean you don't have to. It was just a thought." It bothered him a little because he already knew his parents weren't able to come out and his buddies wasn't sure, but he doubted they would make it.

Then she continued answering and said she would love to. That made him smile again. "This has been one of my better nights too. You just seem so different than anyone I've ever known. I can't place what it is but I'm really glad I got to meet you and spend tonight with you like this."

Then she asked for confirmation. "Yes, I really would. To be honest, you'll probably be the only one there for me and it will be nice for yours to be the last face I see as I leave."

He looked down as she turned her hand and curled it around his.

 

[momoftwins13]

Sydney too looked down at their entwine hands.

"You're really brave you know. I couldn't do what you are about to do... I know it's probably cliche but thank you. I admire you and those like you... I know I know... I sound like a hallmark card... But aren't you scared, Shane?"

she imagined what he would be facing and was embarrassed to find her eyes filling with tears. "I'm scared for you" she muttered softly. "I know we just met but I don't want to lose you. I know its selfish but I wanna keep you here with me so we could see where this could lead... If you even want It to lead anywhere at all?"

She was looking into his eyes, her own eyes watery but no tears escaping just yet. She felt like a silly emotional female but it was the truth. She felt like they could have a future together but if he went away there was no telling what would happen.

 

[pjt7611]

Shane took his hand out of hers and hoped down off the truck as she began talking. He turned and stepped over in front of her. Due to his height, even with her sitting on the tailgate he was able to be eye to eye with her. Then he wrapped his hand around hers again.

"Brave? I don't know about that. Ready to go? Not really. Especially after tonight. Scared or nervous? Hell yes. I've never been anywhere like where we're headed. I don't know what I'm going to see or have to go through. Anybody that says they're not nervous when going into something like that is a fool. Willing to do it? Always. Its what I signed up for. I knew the possibility and I trust my training and the guys that are going to be around me."

He saw her eyes tearing up. "You don't have to be scared for me. I don't want to lose what we've started tonight either. And I wish I could stay here but I can't. I do know that I will be coming back though. Before tonight, I wasn't sure. I didn't really care honestly. There wasn't much to come back to. But now, I do want to come back. Because of you. And then yes, I would like to see where this could lead."

His thumbs rubbed over her hands as he held them. "And I can write you while I'm away. You can be my small piece of home I have with me that will keep me coming back."

 

[momoftwins13]

Her heart seemed to bloom within her chest at his words. He wanted to see if they could make this work. She had pause for a moment and thought about what it would be like for him to be across seas an her here waiting. She knew she would do it for a shot with him.

Her eyes gazed into his.

"I won't see anybody else Shane. Not until you come home to me. I won't want to see anybody else. I want to get to know you and see if I can build a relationship with you... I know there won't be many women where you're going but I just wanted to let you know that. I will write you. Email. Whatever we can do talk to each other. Webcams even maybe? Depending on if you can access one..."

"And when I get lonely I will come down here to this spot and remember this night with you. Because its been amazing".

Just then the song "Runnin Outta Moonlight" by Randy Houser came on. Sydney smiled.

"You hear him... We are runnin outta moonlight... Lets make the most of this night". She stood and began to dance, her body begging him to dance with her, to be in his arms.

 

[pjt7611]

He stepped back away from her as she hopped down from the truck and came up next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and they swayed standing next to the river while the music came from the truck. He didn't say a word. He just wanted to stand there and hold her for the little bit of time they had left. Eventually the song ended and they stopped swaying but he still held her tight to him.

"I'm not sure what kind of access I'll have to anything over there but even if there is nothing else, I will write. And yes, tonight has been amazing and if this is the spot that you use to get through the time that I'm gone then I'm glad I brought you here and showed it to you."

He realized they had been out here all through the night when he saw the sky beginning to lighten slightly. Amazing that he wasn't the least bit tired.

"There's only one thing that could make this night better."

He slid his hands up to either side of her face and turned her face up to face him. He tilted his head down and kissed her. It wasn't a forceful, I want you now kind of kiss. It was one of the soft pleasant ones that express feeling more than anything.

 

[momoftwins13]

As they swayed together, Sydney realized she had never felt like she belonged anywhere more so than being in Shane's arms. It just felt... Right. When the song was over they remained in each others' arms, neither wanting to break that contact with the other.

And then he moved his hands to cup her face and kissed her. The kiss caused multiple feelings to stir within her belly at one time. Desire. Attraction. Tenderness. Mostly she just knew this had to last.

The kiss ended after several sweet moments and she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close, wanting to never let go. The sun was coming up.

"When do we have until?" She asked quietly.

 

[pjt7611]

He stood there and kept her wrapped in his arms long after the song was over. He knew what it meant once he finally let her go and answered her question. The sun was coming up and this was the morning he was going to be leaving this girl that he was already falling for hard. It was crazy. How could he be getting attached to someone so quick after only one night?

He didn't know. He didn't understand it. And frankly, he didn't care. It was happening and it was good. Finally, he knew the inevitable was here. He took a step back but still keeping his arms wrapped around her.

"Not long. I have to head home first, grab my bag, change and get to the post."

 

[momoftwins13]

The answer was hardly what she wanted to hear. She had been hopingfor at least the afternoon but it appeared that wasn't in their cards. She sucked in a deep breath and nodded, putting on a brave face for him. She even managed a smile.

"Right... Well that stinks" she said. "But I'm proud of you".

She smiled again and leaned forward to place a small kiss to his lips. "So I guess you can just like... Drop me off back at my jeep? Did you want some alone time before you go?"

She didn't know if he wanted a chance to think without her around, to get his kind straight or anything. She ached to just follow him to his apartment and stay with him the entire time but she had to give him space... If he wanted it.

She wondered briefly who was taking care of his apartment and stud while he was gone.