TO SERVE AND OBEY

Chapter 17

'We're literally walking over the treetops!' Simon laughs, extending his hands outwards like a trapeze artist.

'It looks like the Great Wall of China,' Luke adds.

Aleska smiles. She and Stone are right at the back of the line, holding hands affectionately, whilst the rest of the squad are in awe taking in the surroundings. The aerial view offers a spectacular vantage point of the Amazon's wildlife and vegetation. The exotic unexplored world of birds, vegetation and insects are a fantastic sight to behold.

Aleska wants to treasure her last moments with Stone. She knows very soon they will go their separate ways. That's why she engineered this final outing; to treasure her last moments with him.

'Don't look down,' Aleska says to Jane in a cautious tone, as she sees her hesitate momentarily.

'It's like being on the tenth floor of a building,' Jane answers in a daze.

'That's about right,' Aleska nods, momentarily disengaging her hand from Stone's.

'My palms are sweaty,' Nancy laughs, as they move from tree top to tree top. 'I'm feeling the adrenalin rush.'

'It's pretty safe up here,' Stone offers reassuringly.

'Yes' Aleska nods affirmatively. 'We're good with the safety nets on either side.'

They rest for a while atop the canopy, enjoying some snacks and cool drinks. Aleska corners Scott, knowing he will have a cache of chocolates. Amazing how he is in such good shape even with the amount of chocolates bars he consumes. It is late afternoon. They are all reluctant to head back to their base camp, Aleska mostly. She knows they cannot continue with their relationship, living in different countries.

When they return, to base, Aleska observes as each soldier emotionally looks around, remembering their short tour here. She smiles as she watches Nancy and Jane sporting different poses, as they take photos against the backdrop of the waterfall.

They sit around the fire after a scrumptious supper. Nobody seems to be in a hurry to turn in. Scot, Chris and Jane are taking turns telling the most hilarious jokes, mostly about their team mates' embarrassing moments on previous tours to war torn areas. Everybody is laughing; enjoying the gentle banter and camaraderie but Aleska is quiet. It is her last night with this outfit and with Stone and she is hurting ... just a little.

Stone sense her quiet withdrawal. He feels a protective urge to wrap his arms around her, but not here. Not in front of his men.

'Guess it's our final night here guys. Enjoy what's left of it.' Stone announces, standing up. 'We'll call it a night.' He speaks for Aleska as well. His hand lightly touches Aleska's arm. She looks up then and stands up, in response to Stone's subtle command. Stone salutes his team, before he and Aleska return to his quarters in the jungle for the very last time.

Aleska ponders on their future. Stone's hardly going to quit his career for her and follow her to Russia. And she very well can't abandon her beloved grandfather that she loves so much. He is her only surviving relative. And if she did for a moment, madly consider following Stone, what will she do in England? Being a high ranking soldier of another country has its limitations. Her country will not release her easily and neither would a foreign country just accept her with open arms. There are security issues. So this has to be their final night together. She has only the present and aims to make the best of every second that is available to her.

They bask in each other's arms. Their sweat glistened bodies still recovering from the aftershocks of their quick but explosive coupling. They are smiling, their eyes and fingers doing all the communicating as they embrace and cuddle. Stone leans closer and whispers in her ear. Aleska laughs softly and responds with her own teasing.