°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡not¡¡going¡¡there¡¡today¡£¡¡I¡¡got¡¡stuck¡¡with¡¡a¡¡seminar¡¡at¡¡the¡¡Academy¡£¡¡I'm¡¡afraid¡¡the¡¡department¡¡is¡¡a¡¡little¡¡miffed¡¡with¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡kept¡¡looking¡¡in¡¡the¡¡minor¡£¡¡Her¡¡eyes¡¡were¡¡closed¡¡now¡£¡¡Screw¡¡the¡¡department¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡¨God£»¡¡I¡¡love¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Tonight£»¡¡Jack¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Promise£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You've¡¡sold¡¡me¡¡on¡¡the¡¡idea£»¡¡okay£¿¡¡Now¡¡I¡¡¡¨¡¡She¡¡reached¡¡up¡¡to¡¡grab¡¡his¡¡hands£»¡¡pulled¡¡them¡¡downward£»¡¡and¡¡pressed¡¡them¡¡against¡¡the¡¡taut¡¡skin¡¡of¡¡her¡¡belly¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡the¡¡baby¡¡was¡¡definitely¡¡a¡¡he£»¡¡insofar¡¡as¡¡that¡¡was¡¡what¡¡they¡¡called¡¡him¡¡¡¡was¡¡wide¡¡awake£»¡¡rolling¡¡and¡¡kicking£»¡¡pushing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡envelope¡¡that¡¡defined¡¡his¡¡world¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Wow£»¡¨¡¡his¡¡father¡¡observed¡£¡¡Cathy's¡¡hands¡¡were¡¡over¡¡his£»¡¡moving¡¡them¡¡about¡¡every¡¡few¡¡seconds¡¡to¡¡follow¡¡the¡¡movements¡¡of¡¡the¡¡baby¡£¡¡¡¨What¡¡does¡¡that¡¡feel¡¡like£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡head¡¡leaned¡¡back¡¡a¡¡fraction¡£¡¡¡¨It¡¡feels¡¡good¡¡¡¡except¡¡when¡¡I'm¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡sleep¡¡or¡¡when¡¡he¡¡kicks¡¡my¡¡bladder¡¡during¡¡a¡¡procedure¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Was¡¡Sally¡¡this¡¡¡¡this¡¡strong£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡think¡¡so¡£¡¨¡¡She¡¡didn't¡¡say¡¡that¡¡it¡¡wasn't¡¡the¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡thing¡¡you¡¡remember¡¡in¡¡terms¡¡of¡¡strength¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡just¡¡the¡¡singular¡¡feeling¡¡that¡¡your¡¡baby¡¡is¡¡alive¡¡and¡¡healthy£»¡¡something¡¡that¡¡no¡¡man¡¡would¡¡ever¡¡understand¡£¡¡Not¡¡even¡¡Jack¡£¡¡Cathy¡¡Ryan¡¡was¡¡a¡¡proud¡¡woman¡£¡¡She¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡best¡¡eye¡¡surgeons¡¡around¡£¡¡She¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡attractive£»¡¡and¡¡worked¡¡hard¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡herself¡¡that¡¡way£»¡¡even¡¡now£»¡¡misshapen¡¡by¡¡her¡¡pregnancy£»¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡carrying¡¡it¡¡well¡£¡¡She¡¡could¡¡tell¡¡that¡¡from¡¡her¡¡husband's¡¡biological¡¡reaction£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡small¡¡of¡¡her¡¡back¡£¡¡But¡¡more¡¡than¡¡that£»¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡a¡¡woman£»¡¡doing¡¡something¡¡that¡¡Jack¡¡could¡¡neither¡¡duplicate¡¡nor¡¡fully¡¡prehend¡£¡¡Welt£»¡¡she¡¡told¡¡herself£»¡¡Jack¡¡does¡¡things¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡much¡¡understand¡¡either¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡have¡¡to¡¡get¡¡dressed¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Okay¡£¡¨¡¡Jack¡¡kissed¡¡the¡¡base¡¡of¡¡her¡¡neck¡£¡¡He¡¡took¡¡his¡¡time¡£¡¡It¡¡would¡¡have¡¡to¡¡last¡¡until¡¡this¡¡evening¡£¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡up¡¡to¡¡eleven£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡¡as¡¡he¡¡stepped¡¡back¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡turned¡£¡¡¡¨Eleven¡¡what£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Counting¡¡the¡¡ways£»¡¨¡¡Jack¡¡laughed¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡turkey£¡¡¨¡¡She¡¡swung¡¡her¡¡bra¡¡at¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¨Only¡¡eleven£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡early¡£¡¡My¡¡brain¡¡isn't¡¡fully¡¡functional¡¡yet¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡can¡¡tell¡¡it¡¡doesn't¡¡have¡¡enough¡¡of¡¡a¡¡blood¡¡supply¡£¡¨¡¡The¡¡funny¡¡thing£»¡¡she¡¡thought£»¡¡was¡¡that¡¡Jack¡¡didn't¡¡think¡¡he¡¡was¡¡very¡¡good¡looking¡£¡¡She¡¡liked¡¡the¡¡strong¡¡jaw£»¡¡except¡¡when¡¡he¡¡forgot¡¡to¡¡shave¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡kind£»¡¡loving¡¡eyes¡£¡¡She¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡the¡¡scars¡¡on¡¡his¡¡shoulder£»¡¡and¡¡remembered¡¡her¡¡horror¡¡as¡¡she'd¡¡watched¡¡her¡¡husband¡¡run¡¡into¡¡harm's¡¡way£»¡¡then¡¡her¡¡pride¡¡in¡¡him¡¡for¡¡what¡¡he¡¡had¡¡acplished¡£¡¡Cathy¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡Sally¡¡had¡¡almost¡¡died¡¡as¡¡a¡¡direct¡¡result£»¡¡but¡¡there¡¡was¡¡no¡¡way¡¡Jack¡¡could¡¡have¡¡foreseen¡¡it¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡her¡¡fault£»¡¡too£»¡¡she¡¡knew£»¡¡and¡¡Cathy¡¡promised¡¡herself¡¡that¡¡Sally¡¡would¡¡never¡¡play¡¡with¡¡her¡¡seat¡¡belt¡¡again¡£¡¡Each¡¡of¡¡them¡¡had¡¡paid¡¡a¡¡price¡¡for¡¡the¡¡turns¡¡their¡¡lives¡¡had¡¡taken¡£¡¡Sally¡¡was¡¡almost¡¡fully¡¡recovered¡¡from¡¡hers£»¡¡as¡¡was¡¡she¡£¡¡Cathy¡¡knew¡¡it¡¡wasn't¡¡true¡¡of¡¡her¡¡husband£»¡¡who'd¡¡been¡¡awake¡¡through¡¡it¡¡all¡¡while¡¡she¡¡slept¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡that¡¡happened£»¡¡at¡¡least¡¡I¡¡had¡¡the¡¡blessing¡¡of¡¡unconsciousness¡£¡¡Jack¡¡had¡¡to¡¡live¡¡through¡¡it¡£¡¡He's¡¡still¡¡paying¡¡that¡¡price¡¡for¡¡it£»¡¡she¡¡thought¡£¡¡Working¡¡two¡¡jobs¡¡now£»¡¡his¡¡face¡¡always¡¡locked¡¡into¡¡a¡¡frown¡¡of¡¡concentration£»¡¡worrying¡¡over¡¡something¡¡he¡¡can't¡¡talk¡¡about¡£¡¡She¡¡didn't¡¡know¡¡exactly¡¡what¡¡he¡¡was¡¡doing£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡was¡¡certain¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡yet¡¡done¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡medical¡¡profession¡¡had¡¡unexpectedly¡¡given¡¡her¡¡a¡¡belief¡¡in¡¡fate¡£¡¡Some¡¡people¡¡simply¡¡had¡¡their¡¡time¡£¡¡If¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡yet¡¡that¡¡time£»¡¡chance¡¡or¡¡a¡¡good¡¡surgeon¡¡would¡¡save¡¡the¡¡life¡¡in¡¡question£»¡¡but¡¡if¡¡the¡¡time¡¡had¡¡e£»¡¡all¡¡the¡¡skilled¡¡people¡¡in¡¡the¡¡world¡¡could¡¡not¡¡change¡¡it¡£¡¡Caroline¡¡Ryan£»¡¡MD£»¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡this¡¡was¡¡a¡¡strange¡¡way¡¡for¡¡a¡¡physician¡¡to¡¡think£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡balanced¡¡the¡¡belief¡¡with¡¡the¡¡professional¡¡certainty¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡the¡¡instrument¡¡which¡¡would¡¡thwart¡¡the¡¡force¡¡that¡¡ruled¡¡the¡¡world¡¡¡¡but¡¡she¡¡had¡¡also¡¡chosen¡¡a¡¡field¡¡in¡¡which¡¡life¡and¡death¡¡was¡¡rarely¡¡the¡¡issue¡£¡¡Only¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡that¡£¡¡A¡¡close¡¡friend¡¡had¡¡gone¡¡into¡¡pediatric¡¡oncology£»¡¡the¡¡treatment¡¡of¡¡children¡¡stricken¡¡with¡¡cancer¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡field¡¡that¡¡cried¡¡out¡¡for¡¡the¡¡best¡¡people¡¡in¡¡medicine£»¡¡and¡¡she'd¡¡been¡¡tempted£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡the¡¡effect¡¡on¡¡her¡¡humanity¡¡would¡¡be¡¡intolerable¡£¡¡How¡¡could¡¡she¡¡carry¡¡a¡¡child¡¡within¡¡her¡¡while¡¡she¡¡watched¡¡other¡¡children¡¡die£¿¡¡How¡¡could¡¡she¡¡create¡¡life¡¡while¡¡she¡¡was¡¡unable¡¡to¡¡prevent¡¡its¡¡loss£¿¡¡Her¡¡belief¡¡in¡¡fate¡¡could¡¡never¡¡have¡¡made¡¡that¡¡leap¡¡of¡¡imagination£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡fear¡¡of¡¡what¡¡it¡¡might¡¡have¡¡done¡¡to¡¡her¡¡psyche¡¡had¡¡turned¡¡her¡¡to¡¡a¡¡field¡¡that¡¡was¡¡demanding¡¡in¡¡a¡¡different¡¡way¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡one¡¡thing¡¡to¡¡put¡¡your¡¡life¡¡on¡¡the¡¡line¡¡¡¡quite¡¡another¡¡to¡¡wager¡¡your¡¡soul¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jack£»¡¡she¡¡knew£»¡¡had¡¡the¡¡courage¡¡to¡¡face¡¡up¡¡to¡¡that¡£¡¡This£»¡¡too£»¡¡had¡¡its¡¡price¡£¡¡The¡¡anguish¡¡she¡¡occasionally¡¡saw¡¡in¡¡him¡¡could¡¡only¡¡be¡¡that¡¡kind¡¡of¡¡question¡£¡¡She¡¡was¡¡sure¡¡that¡¡his¡¡unspoken¡¡work¡¡at¡¡CIA¡¡was¡¡aimed¡¡at¡¡finding¡¡and¡¡killing¡¡the¡¡people¡¡who¡¡had¡¡attacked¡¡her¡£¡¡She¡¡felt¡¡it¡¡necessary£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡would¡¡shed¡¡no¡¡tears¡¡for¡¡those¡¡who¡¡had¡¡nearly¡¡killed¡¡her¡¡little¡¡girl£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡a¡¡task¡¡which£»¡¡as¡¡a¡¡physician£»¡¡she¡¡could¡¡not¡¡herself¡¡contemplate¡£¡¡Clearly¡¡it¡¡wasn't¡¡easy¡¡for¡¡her¡¡man¡£¡¡Something¡¡had¡¡just¡¡happened¡¡a¡¡few¡¡days¡¡ago¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡struggling¡¡with¡¡whatever¡¡it¡¡was£»¡¡unable¡¡to¡¡discuss¡¡it¡¡with¡¡anyone¡¡while¡¡he¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡retain¡¡the¡¡rest¡¡of¡¡his¡¡world¡¡in¡¡an¡¡undamaged¡¡state£»¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡love¡¡his¡¡family¡¡while¡¡he¡¡labored¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡to¡¡bring¡¡others¡¡to¡¡their¡¡death£¿¡¡It¡¡could¡¡not¡¡have¡¡e¡¡easily¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡Her¡¡husband¡¡was¡¡a¡¡genuinely¡¡good¡¡man£»¡¡in¡¡so¡¡many¡¡ways¡¡the¡¡ideal¡¡man¡¡¡¡at¡¡least¡¡for¡¡me£»¡¡she¡¡thought¡£¡¡He'd¡¡fallen¡¡in¡¡love¡¡with¡¡her¡¡at¡¡their¡¡first¡¡meeting£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡could¡¡recount¡¡every¡¡step¡¡of¡¡their¡¡courtship¡£¡¡She¡¡remembered¡¡his¡¡clumsy¡¡¡¡in¡¡retrospect£»¡¡hilarious¡¡¡¡proposal¡¡of¡¡marriage£»¡¡the¡¡terror¡¡in¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡as¡¡she'd¡¡hesitated¡¡over¡¡the¡¡answer£»¡¡as¡¡though¡¡he¡¡felt¡¡himself¡¡unworthy¡¡of¡¡her£»¡¡the¡¡idiot¡£¡¡Most¡¡of¡¡all£»¡¡she¡¡remembered¡¡the¡¡look¡¡on¡¡his¡¡face¡¡when¡¡Sally¡¡had¡¡been¡¡born¡£¡¡The¡¡man¡¡who¡¡had¡¡turned¡¡his¡¡back¡¡on¡¡the¡¡dog¡eat¡dog¡¡world¡¡of¡¡investments¡¡¡¡the¡¡world¡¡that¡¡since¡¡the¡¡death¡¡of¡¡her¡¡mother¡¡had¡¡made¡¡her¡¡father¡¡into¡¡a¡¡driven£»¡¡unhappy¡¡man¡¡¡¡who¡¡had¡¡returned¡¡to¡¡teaching¡¡eager¡¡young¡¡minds£»¡¡was¡¡now¡¡trapped¡¡in¡¡something¡¡he¡¡didn't¡¡like¡£¡¡But¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡he¡¡was¡¡doing¡¡his¡¡best£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡just¡¡how¡¡good¡¡his¡¡best¡¡was¡£¡¡She'd¡¡just¡¡experienced¡¡that¡£¡¡Cathy¡¡wished¡¡that¡¡she¡¡could¡¡share¡¡it£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡occasionally¡¡had¡¡to¡¡share¡¡with¡¡her¡¡the¡¡depression¡¡following¡¡a¡¡failed¡¡procedure¡£¡¡As¡¡much¡¡as¡¡she¡¡had¡¡needed¡¡him¡¡a¡¡few¡¡painful¡¡weeks¡¡past£»¡¡now¡¡he¡¡needed¡¡her¡£¡¡She¡¡couldn't¡¡do¡¡that¡¡¡¡or¡¡could¡¡she£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What's¡¡been¡¡bothering¡¡you£¿¡¡Can¡¡I¡¡help£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡can't¡¡really¡¡talk¡¡about¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡Jack¡¡said¡¡as¡¡he¡¡knotted¡¡his¡¡tie¡£¡¡¡¨It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡right¡¡thing£»¡¡but¡¡not¡¡something¡¡you¡¡can¡¡feel¡¡very¡¡good¡¡about¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡people¡¡who¡¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡not¡¡them¡£¡¡If¡¡it¡¡was¡¡them¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡¨¡¡He¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡face¡¡his¡¡wife¡£¡¡¡¨If¡¡it¡¡was¡¡them£»¡¡I'd¡¡be¡¡all¡¡smiles¡£¡¡There's¡¡been¡¡a¡¡break¡£¡¡The¡¡FBI¡¡¡¡I¡¡shouldn't¡¡be¡¡telling¡¡you¡¡this£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡doesn't¡¡go¡¡any¡¡farther¡¡than¡¡this¡¡room¡¡¡¡they¡¡found¡¡the¡¡gun¡£¡¡That¡¡might¡¡be¡¡important£»¡¡but¡¡we¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡for¡¡sure¡¡yet¡£¡¡The¡¡other¡¡thing¡¡¡¡well£»¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡talk¡¡about¡¡that¡¡at¡¡all¡£¡¡Sorry¡£¡¡I¡¡wish¡¡I¡¡could¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡haven't¡¡done¡¡anything¡¡wrong£¿¡¨¡¡His¡¡face¡¡changed¡¡at¡¡that¡¡question¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡£¡¡I've¡¡thought¡¡that¡¡one¡¡over¡¡the¡¡past¡¡few¡¡days¡£¡¡Remember¡¡the¡¡time¡¡you¡¡had¡¡to¡¡take¡¡that¡¡lady's¡¡eye¡¡out£¿¡¡It¡¡was¡¡necessary£»¡¡but¡¡you¡¡still¡¡felt¡¡pretty¡¡bad¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¡Same¡¡thing¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡looked¡¡in¡¡the¡¡mirror¡£¡¡Sort¡¡of¡¡the¡¡same¡¡thing¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Jack£»¡¡I¡¡love¡¡you¡¡and¡¡I¡¡believe¡¡in¡¡you¡£¡¡I¡¡know¡¡that¡¡you'll¡¡do¡¡the¡¡right¡¡thing¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡glad£»¡¡babe£»¡¡because¡¡sometimes¡¡I'm¡¡not¡¡so¡¡sure¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡held¡¡out¡¡his¡¡arms¡¡and¡¡she¡¡came¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡At¡¡some¡¡French¡¡military¡¡base¡¡in¡¡Chad£»¡¡another¡¡young¡¡woman¡¡was¡¡experiencing¡¡something¡¡other¡¡than¡¡a¡¡loving¡¡embrace£»¡¡Ryan¡¡thought¡£¡¡Whose¡¡fault¡¡is¡¡that£¿¡¡One¡¡thing¡¡for¡¡sure£»¡¡she¡¡isn't¡¡the¡¡same¡¡as¡¡my¡¡wife¡£¡¡She's¡¡not¡¡like¡¡this¡¡girl¡¡of¡¡mine¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡felt¡¡her¡¡against¡¡himself£»¡¡felt¡¡the¡¡baby¡¡move¡¡again£»¡¡and¡¡finally¡¡he¡¡was¡¡sure¡£¡¡As¡¡his¡¡wife¡¡had¡¡to¡¡be¡¡protected£»¡¡so¡¡did¡¡all¡¡the¡¡other¡¡wives£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡the¡¡children£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡the¡¡living¡¡people¡¡who¡¡were¡¡judged¡¡as¡¡mere¡¡abstractions¡¡by¡¡the¡¡ones¡¡who¡¡trained¡¡in¡¡those¡¡camps¡£¡¡Because¡¡they¡¡weren't¡¡abstractions£»¡¡they¡¡were¡¡real¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡terrorists¡¡who¡¡had¡¡cast¡¡themselves¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡civilized¡¡munity¡¡and¡¡had¡¡to¡¡be¡¡hunted¡¡down¡¡one¡¡way¡¡or¡¡another¡£¡¡If¡¡we¡¡can¡¡do¡¡it¡¡by¡¡civilized¡¡rules£»¡¡well¡¡and¡¡good¡¡¡¡but¡¡if¡¡not£»¡¡then¡¡we¡¡have¡¡to¡¡do¡¡the¡¡best¡¡we¡¡can£»¡¡and¡¡rely¡¡on¡¡our¡¡consciences¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡us¡¡from¡¡going¡¡over¡¡the¡¡edge¡£¡¡He¡¡thought¡¡that¡¡he¡¡could¡¡trust¡¡his¡¡conscience¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡holding¡¡it¡¡in¡¡his¡¡arms¡£¡¡Jack¡¡kissed¡¡his¡¡wife¡¡gently¡¡on¡¡the¡¡cheek¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Thanks¡£¡¡That's¡¡twelve¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡seminar¡¡led¡¡to¡¡the¡¡final¡¡two¡¡weeks¡¡of¡¡classes¡¡which¡¡led¡¡in¡¡turn¡¡to¡¡final¡¡exams¡¡and¡¡missioning¡¡Week£º¡¡yet¡¡another¡¡class¡¡of¡¡midshipmen¡¡graduated¡¡to¡¡join¡¡the¡¡fleet£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Corps¡£¡¡The¡¡plebes¡¡were¡¡plebes¡¡no¡¡longer£»¡¡and¡¡were¡¡finally¡¡able¡¡to¡¡smile¡¡in¡¡public¡¡once¡¡or¡¡twice¡¡per¡¡day¡£¡¡The¡¡campus¡¡became¡¡quiet£»¡¡or¡¡nearly¡¡so£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡underclassmen¡¡went¡¡home¡¡for¡¡brief¡¡vacations¡¡before¡¡taking¡¡cruises¡¡with¡¡the¡¡fleet£»¡¡and¡¡preparing¡¡for¡¡Plebe¡¡Summer£»¡¡the¡¡rough¡¡initiation¡¡for¡¡a¡¡new¡¡class¡¡of¡¡mids¡£¡¡Ryan¡¡was¡¡incongruously¡¡trapped¡¡in¡¡his¡¡real¡¡job¡¡for¡¡a¡¡week£»¡¡finishing¡¡up¡¡a¡¡mountain¡¡of¡¡paperwork¡£¡¡Neither¡¡the¡¡Academy's¡¡history¡¡department¡¡nor¡¡the¡¡CIA¡¡was¡¡very¡¡happy¡¡with¡¡him¡¡now¡£¡¡His¡¡attempt¡¡to¡¡serve¡¡two¡¡masters¡¡had¡¡not¡¡been¡¡a¡¡total¡¡success¡£¡¡Both¡¡jobs£»¡¡he¡¡realized£»¡¡had¡¡suffered¡¡somewhat£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡he'd¡¡have¡¡to¡¡choose¡¡between¡¡them¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡decision¡¡that¡¡he¡¡consciously¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡avoid¡¡while¡¡the¡¡proof¡¡of¡¡its¡¡necessity¡¡piled¡¡up¡¡around¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hey£»¡¡Jack£¡¡¨¡¡Robby¡¡came¡¡in¡¡wearing¡¡his¡¡undress¡¡whites¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Grab¡¡a¡¡seat£»¡¡mander¡£¡¡How's¡¡the¡¡flying¡¡business£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡¡plaints¡£¡¡The¡¡kid¡¡is¡¡back¡¡in¡¡the¡¡saddle£»¡¨¡¡Jackson¡¡said£»¡¡sitting¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡should¡¡have¡¡been¡¡up¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Tomcat¡¡with¡¡me¡¡last¡¡week¡£¡¡Oh£»¡¡man£»¡¡I'm¡¡finally¡¡back¡¡in¡¡the¡¡groove¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡hassling¡¡with¡¡a¡¡guy¡¡in¡¡an¡¡A¡4¡¡playing¡¡aggressor£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡ruined¡¡his¡¡day¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡so¡¡fine¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡grinned¡¡like¡¡a¡¡lion¡¡surveying¡¡a¡¡herd¡¡of¡¡crippled¡¡antelope¡£¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡ready£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨When¡¡do¡¡you¡¡leave£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡report¡¡for¡¡duty¡¡5¡¡August¡£¡¡I¡¡guess¡¡I'll¡¡be¡¡heading¡¡out¡¡of¡¡here¡¡on¡¡the¡¡first¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡before¡¡we¡¡have¡¡you¡¡and¡¡Sissy¡¡over¡¡for¡¡dinner¡£¡¨¡¡Jack¡¡checked¡¡his¡¡calendar¡£¡¡¡¨The¡¡thirtieth¡¡is¡¡a¡¡Friday¡£¡¡Seven¡¡o'clock¡£¡¡Okay£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Aye¡¡aye£»¡¡sir¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What's¡¡Sissy¡¡going¡¡to¡¡do¡¡down¡¡there£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡they¡¡have¡¡a¡¡little¡¡symphony¡¡in¡¡Norfolk¡£¡¡She's¡¡going¡¡to¡¡be¡¡their¡¡number¡two¡¡piano¡¡soloist£»¡¡plus¡¡doing¡¡her¡¡teachin'¡¡on¡¡the¡¡side¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡know¡¡they¡¡have¡¡the¡¡in¡vitro¡¡center¡¡down¡¡there¡£¡¡Maybe¡¡you¡¡guys¡¡can¡¡have¡¡a¡¡kid¡¡after¡¡all¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yeah£»¡¡Cathy¡¡told¡¡her¡¡about¡¡that¡£¡¡We're¡¡thinking¡¡about¡¡it£»¡¡but¡¡¡¡well¡£¡¡Sissy's¡¡had¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡disappointments£»¡¡you¡¡know£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡want¡¡Cathy¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡to¡¡her¡¡about¡¡it¡¡some¡¡more£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Robby¡¡thought¡¡about¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¨Yeah£»¡¡she¡¡knows¡¡how¡£¡¡How's¡¡she¡¡making¡¡out¡¡with¡¡this¡¡one£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨She's¡¡hitching¡¡about¡¡her¡¡figure¡¡a¡¡lot£»¡¨¡¡Jack¡¡chuckled¡£¡¡¡¨Why¡¡is¡¡it¡¡that¡¡they¡¡never¡¡understand¡¡how¡¡pretty¡¡they¡¡look¡¡pregnant£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yeah¡£¡¨¡¡Robby¡¡grinned¡¡his¡¡agreement£»¡¡wondering¡¡if¡¡Sissy¡¡would¡¡ever¡¡look¡¡the¡¡same¡¡way¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡Jack¡¡felt¡¡guilty¡¡for¡¡touching¡¡a¡¡sensitive¡¡topic£»¡¡and¡¡changed¡¡the¡¡subject¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨By¡¡the¡¡way£»¡¡what's¡¡with¡¡all¡¡the¡¡boats£¿¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡a¡¡bunch¡¡of¡¡yardbirds¡¡parked¡¡on¡¡the¡¡waterfront¡¡this¡¡morning¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡'moored£»'¡¡you¡¡dumb¡¡jarhead£»¡¨¡¡Robby¡¡corrected¡¡his¡¡friend¡£¡¡¡¨They're¡¡replacing¡¡the¡¡pilings¡¡over¡¡at¡¡the¡¡naval¡¡station¡¡across¡¡the¡¡river¡£¡¡It's¡¡supposed¡¡to¡¡take¡¡two¡¡months¡£¡¡Something¡¡went¡¡wrong¡¡with¡¡the¡¡old¡¡ones¡¡¡¡the¡¡preservative¡¡didn't¡¡work¡¡or¡¡some¡¡such¡¡bullcrap¡£¡¡Your¡¡basic¡¡government¡contractor¡¡screwup¡£¡¡No¡¡big¡¡deal¡£¡¡The¡¡job's¡¡supposed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡finished¡¡in¡¡time¡¡for¡¡the¡¡next¡¡school¡¡year¡¡¡¡not¡¡that¡¡I¡¡care¡¡one¡¡way¡¡or¡¡another£»¡¡of¡¡course¡£¡¡By¡¡that¡¡time£»¡¡boy£»¡¡I'll¡¡be¡¡spending¡¡my¡¡mornings¡¡at¡¡twenty¡five¡¡thousand¡¡feet£»¡¡back¡¡where¡¡I¡¡belong¡£¡¡What¡¡are¡¡you¡¡going¡¡to¡¡be¡¡doing£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡mean£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡you're¡¡either¡¡gonna¡¡be¡¡here¡¡or¡¡at¡¡Langley£»¡¡right£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ryan¡¡looked¡¡out¡¡the¡¡window¡£¡¡¡¨Damned¡¡if¡¡I¡¡know¡£¡¡Rob£»¡¡we¡¡got¡¡a¡¡baby¡¡on¡¡the¡¡way¡¡and¡¡a¡¡bunch¡¡of¡¡other¡¡things¡¡to¡¡think¡¡about¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡haven't¡¡found¡¡'em¡¡yet£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jack¡¡shook¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡¡¨We¡¡thought¡¡we¡¡had¡¡a¡¡break£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡didn't¡¡work¡¡out¡£¡¡These¡¡guys¡¡are¡¡pros£»¡¡Robby¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jackson¡¡reacted¡¡with¡¡surprising¡¡passion¡£¡¡¡¨Bull¡shit£»¡¡man£¡¡¡Professionals¡¡don't¡¡hurt¡¡kids¡£¡¡Hey£»¡¡they¡¡want¡¡to¡¡take¡¡a¡¡shot¡¡at¡¡a¡¡soldier¡¡or¡¡a¡¡cop£»¡¡okay£»¡¡I¡¡can¡¡understand¡¡that¡¡¡¡it¡¡ain't¡¡right£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡can¡¡understand¡¡it£»¡¡okay£¿¡¡¡¡soldiers¡¡and¡¡cops¡¡have¡¡guns¡¡to¡¡shoot¡¡back¡¡with£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡got¡¡training¡£¡¡So¡¡it's¡¡an¡¡even¡¡match£»¡¡surprise¡¡on¡¡one¡¡side¡¡and¡¡procedure¡¡on¡¡the¡¡other£»¡¡and¡¡tha