Sarah - This Seems Dangerous

From last time ...

"Oh, don't worry, Jake. I don't think either one of us could last all night. Maybe you're right. Let's just go to sleep."

"Not on your life, sweetheart. We'll just play it by ear. Just know that tomorrow ... tomorrow we go on the offensive. Tomorrow we attack."

And now ...

Hours later, Sarah and Jake lay in his bed, Jake's head cradled between her breasts. She could feel the tension in his neck and arms.

"You know, I can take the weight of your head. You don't have to hold yourself up."

"I want you to be able to breathe."

"Don't be silly. If I can survive having you on top of me, I can certainly hold your head."

She felt him, slowly, let himself down, letting his head fully onto her chest.

"There. That's better."

He snuggled his head into the softness of her.

"Jake? How are we going to 'attack'? Where do we find them? What do we do?"

"Later. I don't want to talk right now."

He snuggled his head, again, as if he could sink into her, deeper.

"Jake, c'mon. I'd like to know what you're thinking."

"No you don't. Not really. You're just as sore as I am."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. What are we going to do, Jake?"

Jake got up on his elbows and looked at Sarah, then rolled onto his back, tucking a pillow under his head.

"We're going to bring them to us."

"And?"

"And when the time is right, you'll take your shot."

"Jake Bertrett!!! Talking to you is like pulling teeth. How is this all going to work?"

"Well, some of this is gonna be a little 'play it by ear' - but the general outline is this: I call Sully. I tell him I think the newspapers might like to know who did that job at the casino. I tell him that they might not find out if there was a small increase in the money that came to me in my envelope. That will bring him to us. Sully never goes anywhere alone - and I figure Chico will drive him out here. I'll tell him to meet me at Noon at the shop. You'll be on the rise, north of the shop. The shot'll be about 250 yards. You'll have to get them both. You think you're up to it?"

Sarah didn't answer.

"Look, kiddo, you've got the skill to take the shot. I have no worry about that at all. And you're going to have to take the shot at some point or other because eventually Chico is going to remember who you are and then they're coming after you. This way, it's just me. They don't know - if you take the shot, they WON'T know - about you. And you'll be able to pick 'em off one at a time with no worries about them looking for you or finding out who or where you are. But Sully and Chico are the biggest danger to you and if we get rid of them, now, then you're free and clear."

"I don't know, Jake. This seems dangerous. You're holding yourself out as bait. What if something goes wrong? What if I miss? What if there's more than Sully and Chico? If they come out here with four of five guys, you're dead! I'm not sure I like this. I'm not sure I like this idea at all."

"One thing you learn as a sniper, Sarah. Be decisive. You have to act decisively, without hesitation. Keep your head about you and, if need be, plan on the fly. We're headed for a bad situation if Chico remembers - we have to head it off. This is the only way that makes sense. And Sarah?"

"What?"

"I trust you with my life, Sarah."

Sarah reached across and pulled Jake over to her, laying his head on her chest, again.

"I just hope your trust isn't misplaced, Jake."

He snuggled his head into the softness of her, again. She ran her fingers lightly along the top of his head, feeling the stubble there, sensing the tension leave the man and she felt him relax into her.

She lay there a long hour before she finally drifted off to sleep. She knew she needed sleep. Tomorrow was going to be another interesting day.