Been Waiting for Love Ch. 05

After work, Scott went back to the house to shower and change. He called Katrina to check how the guys were and she said that they were doing great but that Nikolas kept flirting with her. Scott thought to himself that he was going to talk to Nikolas as soon as he saw him. After she left, he could barely concentrate on work.

He kept thinking about how he should handle this situation. He could try to give this therapist thing a try but he doubted they would actually understand the magnitude of the situation. He needed another starting place and then he realized, he knew right where to start.

Before he went to the restaurant he went to pay a quick visit to his parents. As soon as he walked in he kissed his mom on the cheek. He saw his dad sitting at the table drinking coffee.

"Hey guys," Scott said, sitting across from his dad.

"Hello Scott, glad to see you here," his dad smirked.

"What's going on?" Scott said, feeling a little bit uneasy.

"Nothing son, do you want something to drink?"

"Yea, some water. I can't stay long, James and Nikolas are here and probably waiting at Katrina's restaurant." His mom came back with a cup of water.

"That's great. So, how has the house hunting been going?" his father asked; Scott just blinked.

It's true that every since he's been with Katrina, he has put the house hunting on hold, "It's not so good. Can't seem to find anything that fits me or anything for the right price." he said tugging on his hot ear.

"So, I thought I heard something about you dating a woman around here. Katrina doesn't mind you bringing her to the house?"

He was so use to lying these past couple of weeks that it became like a second language, but for some reason his parents were different, "Um, no dad I'm not dating anyone." he said pulling his ear, "So Katrina doesn't have to worry about me bringing anyone over."

"Really?" his dad said.

His mom held out her hand to his dad and he gave her some money. She walked back to the kitchen with a smirk and his dad just shook his head. What's going on here, he thought.

"So, James is here?" his dad asked.

"Oh yea, Ricky told me to invite them to the wedding."

"It will be good to see him again." his father nodded.

"I'll bring him by tomorrow." Scott said taking a huge gulp of water.

"So, how long have you been sleeping with Katrina?" Scott started choking and coughing up water.

Where the hell did that come from, Scott thought. He looked at his dad and was in shock by the cool demeanor on his face.

"What are you talking about?" Scott asked.

"Listen, you are my son. Anything that you say you are going to do, you do it. You have been planning on getting your own place out here for the longest time and you haven't done it."

"Well the house market is bad and I can't find anything that is totally up to par." Scott said tugging on his ear.

"And that's another thing, you tug on your ear. You only do that when you are lying to us."

"Dad, I..." he stammered and then realized what's the use, "Alright, I have been sleeping with her since I got back." surprisingly it felt good to admit it to someone.

"I knew it." his dad said.

"No, I knew it!" his mom shouted from the kitchen, "Your father bet me that you weren't doing that."

"You two bet on my sex life? Come on."

"Oh really Scott, we are your parents we already know about your sex life. At least the part we allow our self to understand." his mother said.

"Are you sure about this? I mean this is Katrina, your best friend's sister that you are starting something with."

"It's different with her dad, I mean she's actually my girlfriend."

"What did he say?!" his mom shouted again from the kitchen and then ran in to sit next to his dad who had a shocked look on his face.

"Wait son, did you actually say the g-word?" his dad said.

"Come on guys, I have had a girlfriend before, what did you call my last girl?"

"A big mistake." his dad responded.

"You never called her your girlfriend, you always said she was your sort of girlfriend." his mom said, "This is serious isn't it?"

"It is somewhat serious."

"My little Scotty likes someone." his mother beamed, "And you couldn't have picked a better person that Katrina. I take it that Ricky doesn't know."

"She wants to keep it from him till the wedding day." Scott said

"Well, I really don't want to keep something this big from Ricky. Tanya and I have been talking about this for awhile."

"Wait, Tanya knows?" Scott said, getting a little nervous.

"You think she doesn't know what's going on with her own children. Besides, she's not going to tell Ricky." Scott settled back in his seat, "So, do you love her?" his mother asked.

"I don't know. I mean I can't imagine being without her right now. That's why something is tearing me up right now."

"What's that?" his dad asked.

"It's about some of those scars that were left from what happened. I'm just not comfortable showing them to her yet."

"You will in your own time son. I know you don't like to relive that moment, but you have to face it, not only for Katrina but for you too." Scott nodded as he listened to his dad.

He had to get out of there and catch up with the guys. He had been pushing them off long enough. He went to the restaurant and saw that it was still packed with people. There were plenty of women at the tables surrounding his friends. Typical, new guys come in town and the women start to drool.

Katrina was at their table, laughing with them. He loved to see her smile like that, especially when she threw her head back, showing off her neck. That gorgeous neck that he, on more than one occasion, had left little marks on. Damn, just the thought of that made his cock ache. She glanced up and they made eye contact. His hungry eyes met hers and she felt weak in the knees. Scott had to get himself in order. He couldn't have her just yet. James and Nikolas looked up at Scott as he walked towards them.

"I should have known you asses were causing a scene around here." Scott said, and they both got up to embrace him.

"Good to see you solider." James said, "About time you showed up."

"Yea, this beautiful woman has been keeping us company for so long that I was getting use to it. You can go away again for longer if you want." Nikolas said with his thick northern accent as he eyed Katrina. Scott had never been so ready to punch his friend in the mouth.

"I see what you mean about this one, he is trouble. I'm going to go check on Jade. Like I said before James, don't worry about it." she said patting his shoulder and she walked to the back.

His brows drew together in confusion as he sat down, "What does that mean?" Scott asked.

"It doesn't matter." James said reaching into his pocket for a cigarette.

"You didn't tell me this place had a wonderful variety of women around here man." Nikolas said flashing his perfect teeth.

He just shook his head thinking about how different his friends were from each other. When on duty, they were all focused and ready for combat, but off duty they were completely different. Nikolas made women his hobby. He was the youngest of the group that came from New York. He had that smooth GQ swagger that women seemed to love and he ate it up all the way. He wasn't as tall as Scott, but he had lean muscle. He had brown hair that was buss cut and he had the deepest green eyes anyone ever seen. That was his trade mark that made girls wet in their panties. It was funny because Scott always saw himself in Nikolas, at least how he used to be.

James, on the other hand, was way different. He was older than the both of them and more rough around the edges. His had a buzz cut as well but his hair was blonde. He had deep hard blue eyes. James towered over most of the guys in his command, not just by height but stature. He commanded respect with just one look and didn't apologize for the way he was. His shoulders were wide and he was built entirely of muscle. He wasn't exactly as big as a bodybuilder, but you could tell, he was definitely cut. Sometimes Scott and Nikolas would say that he reminded them of Wolverine from the X-men only taller and short hair.

"So, how was your trip down here?"

"You know the usual, when you've been on one plane ride you've been on them all. So where is the dead man, I mean the groom to be." James said and Nikolas couldn't help but smile.

"I don't know, probably with the wife. I'm going to call him in a little bit. Did ya'll find a good hotel?"

"Yea, that little dish in there helped us pick a good place. Damn Scott, where have you been hiding here?" Nikolas said and Scott had to bite the inside of his mouth.

"That's Ricky's sister, Katrina. I told you both about her."

"You didn't say how fine she was."

"At the time I didn't think about her like that." it slipped out before Scott could stop himself and he immediately regretted it when they both stared at him.

"At the time?" James said and that's when he was saved with Jade coming to the table.

"Here you go Nikolas. This is the recipe for my famous apple pie." she smiled. Don't tell me that she fell for his game too, Scott thought.

"And then I get a beautiful woman serving me food. Thank you so much, Jade."

"You are welcome. How are you doing Scott?"

"I'm good, how about you?" Scott smiled.

"Great, you want some pie?"

He blinked in confusion as James looked at her and she was obliviously avoiding him, "Oh no, I'm full thank you."

"Where's my pie?" James demanded.

He saw an aggravated look spread across her face, "In the trash where the other food you spilled on me." she turned around swiftly and made her way to another table as Scott and Nikolas started laughing.

"Damn women." James muttered, finally locating a cigarette.

"What did you do to my friend?" Scott asked.

"She's just being like all other women, stubborn and unforgiving, for the smallest thing. You know she looks like the type to bring up old stuff just to make a man feel bad."

"Yeah, I think she is fine too." Nikolas said and Scott couldn't help but shake his head.

"Quiet you." James said as he was switching his lighter on.

"There is no smoking in here." Jade said as she walked by and took the cigarette from his mouth.

She marched back to the kitchen leaving James dumbfounded and the guys laughing. Scott should have known it would be Jade that didn't buy into his macho side.

"I'll be back." Scott said getting up and heading to the kitchen.

He wanted to know what happened and also steal a kiss from Katrina. He saw Jade on the phone as Kendra, Katrina, and Dominique surrounded around her. It was clear that Jade was upset with whoever was on the phone, must be that loser she's dating. Katrina turned to smile at him and then turned her attention to Jade. He went over behind her to fit her snugly against him. Since no one was really back there with them, he could be affectionate with her without risking anyone telling on them.

"What happened between her and James?" he whispered in her ear.

She shivered feeling his breath on her neck and leaned against him, "He was coming in and didn't see her holding a tray full of food. He bumped into her accidentally and food went all over her. He said he was sorry but she just yelled at him and called him an idiot. She's mad at Dante again." It was amazing that him being around her can make her tune out the whole world.

"I figured." he said shaking his head at that loser, "Does she want me to beat him up?" he felt her shake with laughter.

"No, we got this baby." it was little things like that, that made Katrina love him more, even though she hadn't told him.

"Alright, I'll let the girls handle this one." he put his hands on her hips holding her tightly to him, "You have no idea what I want to do to you in this dress." he whispered hotly in her ear. Her head was swimming in desire and she was getting wet. She licked her lips, "And what's that?"

"Scott." he heard and turned to see who interrupted them, "Are those your Marine buddies?" Dominique asked.

"Yea, that's my Commander and Nikolas."

"Is that the asshole with the darker hair?" she asked and he couldn't help but shake his head.

"What did he do to you?" Scott smiled.

"He dared to flirt with the great Dominique." Kendra said and they laughed.

"It wasn't that he flirted it was the way he flirted. He is so vulgar and he thinks women like crap like that."

"Well ladies, I apologize for my friends."

"Yea, we like you Scott, but your friends are total assholes, well I can deal with Nikolas." Jade said.

"She is marrying one of my friends, does that mean he's an asshole?" Scott asked.

"Yes and I love the asshole." Kendra beamed, "You better go away, I called Ricky for you and he is on his way."

"Thanks babe." he turned his attention back to Katrina and she turned her head slightly to look up at him, "I'll see you tonight."

"Of course." she whispered and he leaned down to press his lips against hers. His arm came around her waist as he deepened the kiss. She held on to him as she melted into him. She forgot where they were for that moment.

"Alright you two pull it back." they heard and he reluctantly pulled away.

"See you later." he said, leaving before he took her back to her office. He had to shake off the erotic thoughts that plagued his brain. He knew that Ricky was coming soon and he had to get his head straight for his friends. He sat back down with them as Nikolas finished the rest of his pie.

"Damn, can I borrow that Jade girl? She sure can cook." Nikolas said.

"I'll see if her boyfriend will let you." Scott replied.

"She has a boyfriend? That's a shocker, from the way she acts you can't tell." James replied.

"Lay off Jade, she's a real nice girl. She is just having boyfriend issues."

"Now that doesn't shock me. She probably doesn't know how to pick a good one. She seems like one of those women that likes to find someone she can mold into what she likes, but, in the end, puts up with all her crap."

"Damn James, you must think she's really hot." Scott replied and Nikolas nodded.

"So, what's going on with you and Katrina?" James asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"You spent an awfully long time in there just getting the scoop when you could have easily gotten it from us."

"Nothing is going on between us."

"Well you are a fool for not trying something." Nikolas said getting up, "I'll be back." Once Nikolas was out of the picture, James leaned in a little closer which made Scott sit back in his seat. He knew that look on his face, it was his interrogation look.

"So, you want to tell me again that nothing is going on between you and Katrina."

"There isn't."

"She told me that you still stay at her house and it's almost been a month. You may be able to hide that nothing is going on but she can't hide it."

"What are you talking about?" Scott said wrinkling his eyebrow.

"You don't see she is in love with you?" Scott's eyes widen as he listened to his mentor, "I can tell by the way she talks about you and the way she looked at you when you walked in."

Are the really that oblivious, Scott thought? This was starting to get ridiculous, before he knew it Ricky would find out. He hated this part of James, he can so easily read people. One reason he lasted so long in the service, the only person that slipped through his fingers was that viper woman.

"I'll take your silence as your admission. It's alright Scott, you know your secret is safe with me." James said clearing his throat.

"Well, I actually do have a question for you now that you know," he looked up to see Ricky walk in, "but I'll ask you about it later." they both got up as Ricky headed to the table.

"What's up old man?" Ricky said slapping hands with James.

"Don't make me show you what this old man can do by laying you on your ass." James smiled as he hugged Ricky.

"Hey there is the dead man, I mean the lucky groom." Nikolas appearing at the table.

"Hey, you have seen my wife. I am lucky." Ricky said.

"What's up with you and Scott arriving late and things?" Nikolas asked.

"I had to get everything setup for Gary and my mom's anniversary party tomorrow. You two are going right?" "I guess so, it's not like we have a big agenda on our plate." James said.

"Well, let's get out of here. I have to go pick out a gift." Ricky said.

The women came out from the kitchen as the men were leaving. Scott gave one lingering look at Katrina before he left.

After they came back from the mall, they went out to dinner and drinks at Chad's. They swore that they would behave themselves as they sat around talking about women and work. Scott nursed the beer in his hands thinking about how he was going to approach this question he had for James and what he had in his pocket. He secretly went and bought something that just screamed Katrina to him. It wasn't much but he wondered if it was something that was going to scare her away because of the type of gift it was. Besides his mom, this was the first time he had ever bought anything for a woman himself and he was nervous.

"Earth to Scott." he heard and he shook his head to see the table looking up at him.

"Sorry about that, just zoned out a little." Scott said taking a swig.

"So we see. I need to hear something other than this my old sad country love bullshit. I'll be back." Nikolas said getting up.

"I'll go with you, I need to get a refill." Ricky said getting up.

"That's right, it's your turn to buy." James reminded.

When they both left the table, Scott turned to James, "You want to talk now?" James asked.

"I need to get this off my chest."

"Okay, what's going on?"

"That day, years ago when you found me." he saw James' jaws flex as he recalled the memory, "I told you I didn't remember what happened after I blacked out and I know I never asked you about it. Well, I want to know if you know." James sighed and sat the bottle down, "I know most of it. From what I understand you got free and most of the men that came after you, you did what you were suppose to do. You took out maybe five guys before we found you. I remember seeing a girl run out towards us, crying."

"A girl?" Scott's eyes widen, "I didn't kill her?"

"No, she said you were close though. You kept squeezing until one of the men showed up. She said you were like a mad man and she kept out of your way. I remember hearing her apologize so many times when she fell into one of the soldier's arms."

Scott sat back into his seat as he felt one weight being lifted off of him. It haunted him to think that he could have possibly killed that girl after she set him free. Now he knew, he didn't do anything to her, just the ones that tortured him.

"Why are you asking about this now?"

"I haven't really gotten over it as much as I'd like to. You know the doctor's said some of the wounds wouldn't heal right because of what they did to me. I still see the scars and I don't look at myself in the mirror without having a shirt on. I feel like, if I see it, then I will recall that day and realized that maybe I did kill an innocent bystander."

"I know what you mean. I use to think about that all the time when I was out on missions like that. Where I'd be just minutes from dying or, I'd be seconds from possibly killing an innocent family, but it never happened. In this line of work, you have to take the good with the bad and think about what you gained from that experience: your life. You are still here! You have your family and apparently a good woman."

"That's the other thing. I remember when I first showed the wounds to my ex, she couldn't even look at me. That's when I realized that we didn't belong together. Even when I went to see female doctors and they would see the scars, I would see either pity or fear in their eyes. Then I would think to myself do I really want to open up to someone enough to share what happened."