She stacked files on the corner of her desk, methodically and silent. In fact… in comparison to how her desk normally looked, it could almost be mistaken for Myles’ desk. This fact was not lost on Bobby. He watched her constantly all afternoon. His brow furrowed at her actions. He had no idea why she was acting so unlike herself.

It was finally the end of the day and Tara could hear the clicking of Levi’s claws on the floor as he padded out the door alongside Sue and Lucy… who were talking about the shoe sale at their favorite store. She wondered briefly why it was that they never thought to invite her… she hadn’t minded so much the lack of invitation to join them when they went to work out during lunch, even though that meant that she was ‘one of the guys’ at said lunches, because it was either eat alone at her desk or join the guys for lunch. Tara ate way more lunches at Slappy’s then she cared to mention because that’s where they decided to go. Jack, Myles and D left around the same time, each anxious to be off to their evening. She kept stacking… kept cleaning… waiting to hear Bobby’s footsteps as he headed for the door, with his customary ‘Good night Tara luv’ floating back to her when he was out in the hallway. She sighed lightly when she heard his chair squeak as he got up and his footsteps started.

“Tara.”

She just about jumped out of her skin, and dropped the file that she was holding on the desk. “Wha…what?” She asked, holding a hand to her chest as she willed her heart to stop racing as she raised her eyes to look at him.

His green eyes stared at her, trying to read her mind through her eyes. “Just wondering if you’re okay… you seemed a bit…” He thought for a moment. “…Down today.”

She bit her lip and willed the tears to stay away from her eyes. “I’m fine.” She said abruptly, wishing she could tear her eyes away from his piercing gaze.

Bobby raised an eyebrow at her, and waited patiently for her to tell him what was really going on. After the concert… they’d become closer friends. He’d been her shoulder to cry on when Stanley called it quits and relocated to Chicago permanently… she’d helped him through the ordeal of sorting through Darcy’s cryptic emails… until they’d discovered that Darcy was giving him a firm signal that it was over. Tara had held his hand that night, without thinking about it.

She rolled her eyes. She’d forgotten how adept he’d gotten at knowing how long he had to wait before she said anything. “Six years… Six years Bobby.” She said softly.

His gaze softened and he nodded.

“It’s even on a Tuesday again this year.” She whispered.

I find it interesting that Bobby was the only one who really noticed Tara's moodiness. They obviously have grown closer over the months since Darcry left. Now hopefully, he can be here for her. There's something deeper here than just general mourning, I think.

kav

I'm glad you decided to join this challenge, Mione!! I agree with Kav, there seems to be something else going on with Tara other than the date!! I feel sure that the date didn't escape the rest of the team and there was discussion!!!

I'm glad Bobby noticed Tara's distracted state and is giving her some support by being there!!!

Joy

I love how Bobby noticed that she wasnt up to snuff. I, like the others, am assuming that there is more to the date than....the date. Cant wait to find out. Although, I am concerned that Tara is feeling so left out from the girls....

There's definately something more going on than the date. I hope Bobby is able to help her through thise ordeal. She seems like she needs a big, strong shoulder to cry on, right now.

WOW...what a hard topic...



~laura michelle~

Gee, Mione, this is going to be a tear-jerker story. Such a moving subject those two little words generated in me. I can just hear Wes saying them. You know, I always felt that Sue and Lucy did leave Tara out of a lot of things they did. I'm sure they have not done so intentionally; it is more a result of Sue and Lucy rooming together; but, I've sensed a, I guess you could call it, longing in Tara to have a close relationship with them, as though she were an outsider! I hope you explore that avenue. I know you would do it justice.

But, I agree with everyone else, I don't think it is that or the date that is what has Tara 'down' as Bobby put it. I think I know what it is; however, I won't say just yet. Wouldn't want to beat you to the punch if I'm right, which I'm probably not!

Great start!

Lynn

Wow hun. Great start

His jaw tightened and he reached for her hand. “Tara luv…” He murmured, surprised to see tears shimmering in her eyes. He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “Wes came that day… remember? He pulled Jack and I aside. All he said was Never again.”

“I never made it into the office that day…” Tara reminded him. He frowned slightly, sure she had… hadn’t she? Tara shook her head. “I had a doctor’s appointment. I wasn’t coming in until 11... “ She trailed off before composing herself, wiping a rogue tear from her cheek. “But the appointment was cancelled and so I was watching some morning show to kill time before I came in.” She shuddered.

Bobby studied her carefully. In the last six years… he couldn’t recall talking about the September 11th attacks with Tara. He’d talked about them with Darcy… and Jack, which had also meant having a chat with Sue about them, since she’d been watching their lips. But never Tara. “It’s okay luv…” He said softly.

“I’ll never forget watching that second plane go into the second tower.” Her tears spilled over with the admission. “It was horrible, Bobby… They had swung the show over to show the smoke coming from the first building… no one knew what had happened and then the second plane just… “ Her tears fell unchecked. “And then my apartment shook…”

His brow furrowed again and then he remembered. The apartment that she had lived in six years ago had been not that far away from the Pentagon. She had packed up and moved out shortly after that, saying that the lease was up anyway. He reached over and tugged the folder that she was holding out of her hand before walking her to the end of her desk and pulling her into his arms. He stroked the back of her head, feeling her tears soak through his shirt. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he held her in the darkened bullpen.

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This was my experience with 9/11. Out on the West Coast... it was 6 am. I was working downtown Seattle at the time and had been in the habit of watching the news before leaving for work, mostly so that I could get the last traffic update that I could. They had just broken into the local news to show us that there was smoke coming from one tower and while covering that, the second plane hit the other tower. I'll never forget watching that happen. Never.

Wow. What else can you say? I remember that day too, but I was in school and didn't see it as it was happening. I cant wait to see where this goes.

Kudos to you for taking on such a powerful and fresh event.

i was at work that day, we watched it unfold, it truly was horrific

i'm looking forward to readiing more however painful it might be

cath

Such incredible emotion! Especially for people who work in their field. I'm glad Bobby is there for Tara. Everything is obviously too close to the surface right now.

kav

I remember that day. I wasn't in school because we had this huge festival in my town and I couldn't get out of it! I was watching tv when I saw this news. I saw the second plane hit the second tower as it happened and I remember how scared I was and I live in Canada! I was scared that something like that could happen here too. It must have been so horrible for all these people in New York and the other cities, not knowing what was happening...

Your Story is great (as usual). Can't wait to read more (if there is more.)

I remember that day to, I had just returned on a flight From Nice into Heathrow, I was probably landing about the same time. But I remember when I got home I went into town to do some shopping and was going up an escalator in a department store when I saw the pictures.

How could anyone forget that day? I, too, was working and after the first plane hit, I had gone to our Municipal Court office, where there was a combo TV/VCR for training purposes, and was watching as the second plane hit. I remember standing there, rooted to the floor, not believing what I just saw, my mind unable to comprehend the horrible scene being played out for the whole country to see. I turned to the others in the office, for confirmation. I'm sure their faces were mirrors of my own, shock and disbelief.

The word quickly spread throughout the other divisions in our offices and we formed a circle of prayer. It was a very traumic moment, one that revealed the faith in each of us to each other. Thru those prayers we came to know each other in a way we would otherwise have not experienced. We continued watching. Just before the first tower began to collapse, I knew what was going to happen...I don't know how I knew it, I just knew.

Going back to my desk later, after watching the reruns countless number of times, I could not work and ended up going home and just sitting in front of the TV for the rest of the day, and the night, by myself, weeping for the people in the towers, the pentagon and in the field in Penn and for the innocence lost. I spent every waking moment in front of the TV, watching over and over again, as though I needed to be reminded that this horrific event really had taken place. After a week or so, my family began to worry about me and my morbidity and eventually I stopped watching.

Sorry, I didn't mean to go on. It's just that I never really talked about it either. I couldn't talk about it without crying, still can't and the tears are flowing as I type. I don't like to cry in front of people, especially my family. I told you Mione this was going to be a tear jerker.

Lynn

This is a powerful story, Mione. I see part of Tara's problem is that she was so close to the Pentagon when it was hit. I'm glad Bobby is there to comfort her.

I was in New Hampshire, scheduled to fly back home to Charleston, going through Washington Reagan. Some of my family knew I was traveling that day but wasn't sure of my schedule. There was a lot of personal panic until everyone realized that I wasn't in the air yet. I got home a week later.

Joy

I rememebr that day, too. Here it was early afternoon and I was watching "The godfather 2" with my father and my brother. Suddenly the movie was interrupted and at its place appeared the images of the Twin Towers without any audio comment. We didn't know what was happening. Then, a voice started speaking and while it was explaining what had happened a plane hit the second Tower.
I remember I stayed with my mouth open for what seemed like hours. I couldn't believe it. My mind went immediately to my relatives and my friends. There was someone I knew in NY that day? Luckily, the answer was no. I felt relieved. And then I felt guilty for having felt relieved. Hundreds of people were dying at that moment and I was thinking to my little clan. I stayed in front of my tv for the whole afternoon, glued to the screen, trying to understand what was happening and why. Then I saw something that I'll never forget. I saw a body fall from the higher floors of one of the towers. And then another one. And then another one. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. And I didn't understand. I was fifteen and it was just too much for me at that moment. Now I understand but I can't erase those images from my mind. And I don't know if I want to. That event changed my life.

Ornella

Wonderful start to this story that is sure to be an emotional roller coaster.

I was walking out of the bedroom with my daughter (she was almost 10 mos old and I was 4 mos pregnant with my son). I had the Today show on and they showed the first tower burning and then watched live as the other plane hit. 2 of the strongest memories for me that day was when the towers collapsed (it felt like I forgot how to breathe) and later in the day walking outside our house and not seeing any planes in the air (we were on one of the local flight patterns) it was eerily quiet.

My brother in law worked in downtown NY (across town from the towers). It took him 3 hours to walk out of downtown and my sister was frantic because she couldn't get through to him due to the problems with the cell reception. A couple of people who worked for him were on the planes and they had friends who worked in the towers who didn't make it out. It's still hard for them to talk about. I can't even begin to imagine how it felt for everyone who experienced it first hand.

It was just the reverse for me sue&jacktlf. I live very close to an old air force base, now a municipal airport, which is still used by the Air National Guard. My home is in one of the flight paths of the airport and I am used to hearing the F16s and other planes on the weekends when the reservests fly to get their airtime hours. For over two weeks after 911 the F16s, or whatever the guard flies now, flew continuously, both night and day. We later learned they were patrolling this area of the country and Gulf of Mexico. The constant, never ending drone of airplane engines was an eerie feeling. I remember thinking this must have been what the people of England and Europe must have heard during WW II.

Lynn

Wow, this is going to be a very emotional story mione. Great start. I didn't realize until I read your posts and the replies from others, just how close to the surface those emotions still are. I was quite shocked as I felt the hot tears pour down my face reading what you all had to say. It never will leave us, and it never should.

My story is actually in two parts. On that horrible day, I was still living in NY and was downstairs in the playroom on my computer talking to my youngest daughter when I got a call from my oldest daughter frantic, telling me to turn on my TV. Turning it on, I saw with horror, the second plane hit the second tower and continued to stay glued in horror for I can't remember how long. The Pentagon, FL 93 in PA. I remember praying for all those lost lives as well as their families. I remember feeling such a sense of shock and vulnerability. How could this happen in our great nation? Then I realized, with humility, that there is no such place on earth that is invincible. My trust needs to be in God. With all the blessings, and wonderful world we have been given to live in, unfortunately there are those that are bent on evil. I think that is why I loved Wes's words so much 'not on my watch, never again'. Well at least I know that is what they would do their best to accomplish.

I had an odd experience 2 days before. I flew back from FL to NY on 9/9. On an unusual flight pattern, I flew on the west side of the Twin Towers. Being from NY and having seen them so often, I paid no attention. Two children sitting next to me began to squeal with delight to their mother or grandmother - look, it's the Twin Towers! They were so excited that it made me take a look and put a smile on my face as I saw them through a child's eyes. I'm grateful for those little boys getting my attention. Little did I know, it was my last chance to see the sight I had taken for granted.

Being from NY there were people I needed to be sure were ok. It shook me a bit knowing my son had worked in the Twin Towers on several occasions and his boss had been late that morning for a job there. There are so many stories to be told of the close calls and you wonder, why did that person choose to not go to work for the first time EVER, on that day? And so on....

I had a combination of the sense of where are all the commercial jets? now missing from the sky, very eery. And then replaced with fighter jets patroling the skies to protect from whatever dangers could still be out there. It was a time that will never be forgotten.

Sorry I rambled so much....I guess for some of us, venting for the first time through your story will brng us some healing too.

Looking forward to more!

I think you're right, Anne. I was just saying that to a friend last night. That on one hand... seeing how the topic I've chosen has been more emotional for all of us.... it's a rather daunting task that I've taken on. So I'm not sure how happy I am that I'm writing it... But on the other hand... Maybe it's time. Six years... and seriously... I'm the sort of person who gets struck by huge amounts of apprehension when certain dates fall back on specific days of the week... So believe me when I say that this year... September 11th being on a Tuesday again really truly creeps me out. Six years and if it allows me to actually explain some of what I had been feeling then it's a good thing and we can all share a common bond. So... Please... enjoy... mourn... heal.... share. I consider it an honor for you all to share your experiences in this thread.
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She buried her face in his chest and let go of every last emotion that she had. As her tears slowed, she became very aware of his arms around her and that he was intermittently pressing kisses to the top of her head before stroking the back of it again. She sighed and relaxed against him. “Six years.” She murmured softly. “I wish I’d known… I could have done something. I got ready to come in, only to have them call and say to stay put and get on the computer to see what I could find out about what was happening. That’s why I didn’t make it in… I should have known… I should have caught something.” She nodded. “Chatter… there should have been more chatter and I should have caught it.”

“Tara… those reports already came out. The office… any office that received them… FBI or CIA…. that received them didn’t forward them to the offices that had teams in place to deal with them. You couldn’t have known what was going to happen that day, no more then we know what will happen tomorrow.” He said quietly, tilting her chin up to look at her. “And we didn’t know about chatter six years ago… Not the way we do now. And we weren't the counter terrorism unit six years ago.”

She sighed a deep shuddering sigh. “You’re right.” She finally admitted. “But it’s been six years and it feels like I’ve done nothing but stop watching the morning news. I used to watch it every day before work, but in the week or so after it happened, it was all they showed and I couldn’t watch it anymore.”

“No luv… we’ve done a lot more.” He said, his eyes on hers. “We’ve dealt with more counter-terrorism cases on our team. We’ve prevented it from happening again, thanks to your skills and swift fingers.” He complimented her. It was true… some of the cases that they had solved, depended on her quickness of finding hints and buried clues. They had discovered and put away sleeper cells… Arif Dessa… all in a days work for their team. “Now that Wes is gone…” His eyes grew soft again. “With Wes gone… it falls on us to carry forward his legacy and firm desire that it never happens again… not on our watch. As long as we remain vigilant in our pursuit of every lead… every threat…”

She smiled. “I can commit to that.” She said. “Never again. Not as long as I’m here.” She gave him a squeeze.

“And as long as you’re committing to it, then I’ll be right there with you to help… to watch your back and follow every lead and tip you give me.” He grinned. “Ready to head out for the day?” He asked quietly. “Would you like to go out to dinner with me?” He asked, holding his breath as he waited for her to answer.

“I’d like that.” She said, almost shyly. “I have to go over to Arlington though, would you like to come?”

“Sure… why?”

“Well… you know we’ll be busy tomorrow…” She pushed away slightly so she could look at him better. “I … I always take flowers to the Pentagon Memorial. The night before if it’s going to be a weekday.”

He released his grip on her. “We’d better get going then, if we’re headed there… they should be closing soon.” He glanced at the clock, her eyes following his gaze.

“They should be leaving the gates open a bit longer tonight.” She said softly as she turned to hurry around her desk again and secure her computer. She slung her bag over her shoulder and grabbed her coat. “Do you want to drive or do you want me to?” She asked.

“I’ll drive.” He said, putting his arm around her shoulders as they headed out of the bullpen.

Thank you Mione

I think this is a wonderful idea. I can't think of any other anniversary or subject which will allow, you, the writer, to express emotions that may need to be released, and, at the same time, have such a widespead impact on all your readers who may have that same need to come to terms with their emotions as well. This anniversary is such a shared experience that we all have together, a common bond linking not only those of us in the US, but all over the world.

I have always had a tendency to shield myself from my emotions, not let them out, not think about things which would bring them out because it can be too painful. And yet, I also have come to learn, very late in life, that one must express these emotions in order to heal and be able to move on. So, I have this constant battle going on within me. I found my summer challenge story carthartic for that very reason. Somehow I had reverted to internalizing my emotions, letting them overtake me, affecting my relationships. It is amazing how much better I feel since I wrote it. And now, this story, forcing me to deal with these long deep emotions, on top of that, I know will be painful; yet, I will come through it a more healed person for having done so. I pray this story will be that for you and the countless numbers of other people who, like myself, need healing in some way.

Lynn

Please continue with the story you are doing an amazing job!

The feelings everyone has are there, they can't go away and I dont feel your story will make it any worse. In fact you write such great stories I'm sure an happy outcome will help.

Hint Hint

You've certainly provided a venue for discussion. I've been touched as much by reader's responses as in your own posts. I can just imagine Tara struggling with her feelings of impotency over not being able to 'fix it', but Bobby's right -- she has done a tremendous job. I'm glad he's there to give her a different perspective.

As for me -- I was at school that morning. It was a beautiful sunny day, but my principal ordered an indoor recess and took staff in relays into the staffroom to tell us what was happening. Since we have students with relatives in the states and one family in particular whose father worked in the Twin Towers on contract work and was there at the time, the principal chose to hold an assembly. It was more of a prayer service really. We were also worried that the kids who went home for lunch would come back with all kinds of information and we wanted to head that off.

You're giving us lots to think about, mione.

kav

i'm glad they had the talk, it's such an emotional topic, i didn't know anyone affected that day, live hundreds of miles away in england yet over here we were and still are touched by the events of that day

cath

Wow. That was a very powerful post. I think you are doing a great job handling such a emotional (as you can see by all the replies) event for us. I love that Tara visits the Pentagon memorial every year.

And I agree that it is kinda creepy about it falling on the same day this year.....

This is a powerful and beautifully written story so far Mione. I think you're tackling a very emotional situation really well.

I had just finished teaching for the day. We always have a staff meeting on a Tuesday straight after school finishes. We had just entered the staff room when the Headteacher told us of the situation, I will never ever forget the feeling and shock as we tried to comprehend what had happened. It wasn't until I got home and saw the pictures that it really sank in. Even though we were a continent away, it hit everyone really hard and we spent a long time working and talking with the children about what had happened.

Keep up the truly excellent work you've given us the opportunity to talk about something that has affected everyone.

Take care.

Sairs

Mione, just reading this along with everyone's comments brings tears to my eyes as I remember that day.

My story is kind of odd, because I was in english class that day and even before the Principal said a word when he came over the PA system, I knew that something bad had happened. When I heard the tone for the announcement, something in my mind just told me that everything was not okay and then he started to speak. I remember my heart just dropping and wanting to know what else was going on.

The day went on as planned, though and it wasn't until two classes later that we got the chance to see what was going on. We only recieved one cable channel on our school's televisions, so the picture was not all that clear, but what we could see just chilled me to the bone.

None of us ever thought that something like that could happen and when it did, we didn't know what to do. For three days afterward, I wanted to cry for the people who lost their lives and for the families who lost loved ones. But, for three days, I felt like I had no emotion. I was watching a news program one morning before school and they just flowed.

It will be a day that we'll never forget.

What an inspired idea to write this story, Mione - you write Tara's feelings very powerfully.

It must have been terrible for those in law enforcement/security... one always has a tendency to second guess... "if I'd only...then it wouldn't have happened."

I was in my office at work - prepping classes for the first week of term, and I was logged on to the BBC website when the first reports came in. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - it was just too... big. I remember calling a friend in a different department - there was no-one else around in mine - and I went to their staffroom, and we all just huddled around the TV and watched. No-one could speak, and one of the younger staff members just grabbed my hand and held it for the rest of the time we were there. I don't think any of us could really encompass what we were seeing, it was just too terrible.

Kudos to you for starting the story - I look forward to the rest.

I am so grateful to all of you for putting your 'rememories' into the thread. In almost all of them, I have seen something that mirrors what I was feeling... that has already helped me to know that I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Linny... I was so relieved to see what you had posted... I had mentally berated myself for months... because I didn't cry a tear at all until my engine went out on my car two days later and that was just the straw that broke the camel's back and I know it wasn't the car that made me cry... it was the emotional stress of the week... but I felt horrible because that's what it took to bring the tears. That day... I was shocked... stunned... but still had to tear myself away from the TV and head into Seattle to go to work, arriving just before the first tower fell. It was so quiet that day downtown... As we all struggled to find a bus home. The commuter bus routes stopped at like 9 and didn't pick up again until 3... so since everyone decided right as those busses were stopping to run to close their businesses it still took me a couple hours to get home again, clutching a box of work that I was already behind on. I couldn't sit and do nothing... So I sorted mail and shoved it into envelopes and took it to work the next day again. Oh and Lynn... every time I sit down to post... or write more on the stories, I'm delayed for several minutes to deal with the onslaught of emotions that bring fresh tears as I research things or just channel myself via Tara into the story.
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They made their way down to the parking garage and he held her things while she got into her car and pulled out the large bouquet of flowers that she had brought with her. He stowed her bag and coat in his trunk before opening the car door for her, holding the flowers while she buckled her seatbelt. He handed them back before going around to the other side and getting in. He started the car and headed them out of the garage. “So tell me, Tara luv.” He said. “Why is this part so important to you… going to the memorial tonight.”

She was silent for a bit as she watched out the window as he turned out onto the street and headed for the one that would take them over to Arlington National Cemetery. “Well… for one thing, I’ll be really glad when the memorial opens at the Pentagon next year. It’s supposed to be dedicated and open before September 11th.” She said, still thinking about his question of importance.

“That will be nice.” He commented, quietly waiting for her to continue.

“It’s important because there are people on that memorial that should have never been affected by anyone’s lack of response to chatter, Bobby.” She said, reaching up to wipe a tear that had shown up again. “I know it’s that way for all the victims, no matter where they are or where they were. Leslie and her family should have never ended up the way that they did….” her voice trailed off for a moment before she began to tell him about her friend. Leslie had been a professor at a local University, Tara had become friends with her after taking a statistics class at the University. Leslie had become someone that Tara sought out when she needed advice on the directions she should pursue with a case back when Leslie had been pregnant with her younger daughter. Leslie was very open about her family commitment and never let her work take the place of spending time with her husband and daughter. She had boarded the plane on September 11th with her husband and daughters, headed for Los Angeles and then they would board a plane that would take them to Australia. She was on sabbatical and was going to go lecture at an Australian University. They had all been very excited about spending that time together in Australia and had even sold their home, living for the last few weeks before they left in a hotel. They had planned on purchasing a new home when they returned.

“The girls were so excited.” Tara recalled, glancing at Bobby. “They couldn’t wait to see a kangaroo close up.” She chuckled.

Bobby smiled. “You’ve never lived until you have seen one close up and personal.” He stated. “They would have loved it.”

“That’s right.” Tara agreed. “They sent postcards.” She said softly. “They spent the time waiting to board the plane, writing postcards and mailing them from Dulles. It was a very hard piece of mail to receive.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I bet it was.” He acknowledged.

Tara didn’t let him take his hand back, but clung to it as he drove. “So it’s important to me, to go and do this for Leslie and her family.” She said, smelling one of the flowers in the bouquet. “And I might still have to go out here even after the memorial is open at the Pentagon, because they will still be there and I should still go to visit them.”

You're doing a wonderful job with this, mione!

kav

I agree, you are doing a wonderful job and I think you have got it just right!

You're doing such an amazing job with such a difficult subject!

you really are doing a great job here

cath

Ah... it's the weekend... Which is good for you... more posts!
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Bobby reluctantly pulled his hand from hers once he’d parked the car. He got out and came around, opening her car door for her and holding the flowers while she got out. He handed them back to her before closing the door. He was pleased when she reached for his hand as they started to walk quietly to the memorial. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as she nodded at a couple walking away from the memorial. “Someone you know?” He inquired quietly.

Tara smiled when she looked up at him. “Only from the sense that we see each other here every year.” She said soberly, the smile fading from her lips. “I don’t know their names but we usually run into each other coming or going each year.”

He nodded and reached over to brush a stray lock of hair away from her face, running the back of his finger gently down her cheek. “I’m glad that you’ve let me come with you this year.” He said.

She glanced up at him, a bit startled by the contact of his finger. “Uh… yeah…” She mumbled. “Me too.”

He cupped her cheek gently before tucking her arm in his as they drew closer to the memorial.

She led him to the Pentagon shaped memorial and pulled out of his arm to bend and put the flowers into the container that had been built into the cement support for it. She fished a water bottle out of her purse and poured a good amount of water into the container for the flowers before standing upright again. She pulled a tissue out of her purse and dampened it with some water before gently wiping it on the memorial. Bobby walked up behind her and looked over her shoulder. Tara felt his presence behind her and glanced up at him briefly before continuing to clean the names of Leslie and her family. She finished and crumpled the tissue up before gently running a finger across the names. “Leslie…” She murmured. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m still fighting to take care of things so that this won’t happen again. We’ve been very successful this year… put away a couple sleeper cells…” She sighed slightly and Bobby was a bit surprised to see a small smile cross her face. “Yeah, I know…” She laughed softly. “I won’t have much of an opportunity to take advantage of all the advice that is in your articles if I don’t hurry up and settle down with the right guy.” Bobby’s ears turned a bit red as he realized he was getting inside information on a conversation that Tara appeared to have annually with her friend’s memory. He stepped back a bit to allow her the time she needed. “I know…” She murmured again, tracing a finger across Leslie’s name. “And yes… he’s the same one I told you about.” She whispered before she wiped a finger across her cheeks, removing the traces of her tears that had fallen. “I’ll see you…” She murmured as she turned and went back to Bobby’s side.

This is such a poignant story! I love the care Bobby is taking with Tara.

kav

OK, crying now.

That was beautiful. I love how she was having a conversation with her friend. I do that when I visit my grandmothers' graves. This is going great 'mione.

Mione, Kudos to you for taking on such a hard topic. Until I read the first post I hadn't realized that it was already 6 years ago that it happened. It feels like longer and yet not that long ago at the same time.

I don't think any of us will ever forget that day, not do I believe we should as it has affected our world and our lives drastically. I was in my high school english class that morning. We were in the middle of a lesson when someone came in late and mentioned something about the twin towers being hit by airplanes. No one really took any notice to it for some reason, but when the class was over, there was an announcement about what had happened. We didn't do any work in our classes that day. we just sat around talking about what had happened, listening to reports on the tv and the radio, trying to make sense of what had happened. Living in Canada, it was a different feeling. While it wasn't an attack on our country, it was one for our neighbour. Thoughts of "it could happen to us" were prevalent in all our minds.

Thank you for allowing everyone here the chance to share and remember and to continue the healing process. I know you will do this story justice.

Melissa

Mione

Found myself two posts behind and am playing catch up again. As I lie here in bed, trying to think how I can put my thoughts on 'paper', I am struck by two things. One, these are two very poignant posts. I can feel the hurt Tara is feeling and the wonder Bobby is feeling at a side of Tara he has never seen. Tara's grief and guilt comes across in the simple act of nodding to the couple who pass each other every year; and, in the conversation she has with Leslie. One gets the sense that, if Bobby were not there, she would tell Leslie much more about him, maybe even mention his name. Beautiful posts.

The second is that I have faith in God that He always knows what is best for us and I can't help but feel He is using your writing skills to help, not only you along in your healing process; but, also, as a tool to help all of us reading this touching story to come to terms with our feelings about this horrific event. You shed healing tears researching and writing and we shed healing tears reading and remembering.

I also know we will probably never be totally healed; but by this experience of reliving the memory thru Tara's eyes, we may gain more understanding about ourselves, what touches us, what is important to us; and, hopefully, will have the courage to act on that knowledge. I don't recall who said it, but there are defining moments in our lives that we can point to and say 'I am a better person because of.....'

I know with all my heart that I, for one, will be a better individual because of this story, because I am having to come to terms with all the ugliness and evil in this world and ask myself, 'how can I make a difference?' How can I make a difference in the lives of those near and far, like Mione is making a difference in my life?

The difference I make may not have the world wide impact as this story, but that's all right. If we each can make a difference in two lives because of how your story has impacted us, and those two can make a difference in four lives, and those four make a difference in eight lives, and on and on; just think what a better world this would be. I can't think of a better legacy than that for those who lost their lives. Thank you, again, for answering the call to be a catalyst for making a difference. Now it is up to us, your readers, to 'Pay it Forward'!

Thank you.

Lynn

beautiful post

cath

Mione, what a poignant story you are weaving here. Tara's visit to the memorial was incredibly moving. Reading this reminds me once again how thankful I am for the men and women in law enforcement and fire rescue who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect and serve others.

I'm crying too.... and I'm speechless.

I love this story, Mione.

Another couple of beautiful posts Mione.

Take care,

Sairs

I'm so happy Tara is taking Bobby along on her journey. She needs him.

Amazing, Mione!

So glad Bobby is there for her...

Tara's emotions are so clear here.

I remember that fateful September 11th as well. Even tho I live in Canada it hit us here pretty hard. We lost some Canadians that day and I still mourn and grieve the lost of everyone that was killed that day.

I was at work and my boss came out and told me that she feared that World War III was about to start. After she told what had happened I was in shock...when I got home that afternoon every single station was covering the tragedy I never felt soo helpless in all my life.

Mione...you are doing an amazing job with this story! This is soo powerful and wonderfully written so far Bravo!

He studied her when she returned to his side. “Okay there, luv?” He asked, his eyes not moving from hers until she’d nodded. He put his arm around her shoulders again. “So… is there something else we need to visit here or are you ready to head off for dinner?” He asked quietly, trying to ignore the rumbling in his stomach which was starting to speak to him rather belligerantly.

“Dinner would be perfect.” She said, smiling up at him.

Bobby suddenly felt like he’d been doused in a waterfall, his emotions raced through his body when she smiled at him for the first time today. That was the Tara smile he knew and loved, the one that lit her entire face and made her eyes sparkle at him. He just stared at her blankly, the desire to kiss her… to thoroughly kiss her… hit him like a truck.

“Bobby…” Tara questioned softly, puzzled at his silence.

He finally remembered to breathe and exhaled slowly. “Sorry…” he mumbled, squeezing her shoulders gently as he pulled her a bit closer so they could start walking back to the car.

“It’s okay Bobby.” Tara said quietly, her brow creased slightly by the furrow that was forming. She hardly dared to believe the look in his eye had anything to do with her… choosing to believe he was somewhat struck by a new sense of how senseless the whole situation had been.

He glanced down at the top of her head. She had come to mean something so precious to him… he was hard pressed to find words to describe it. That one taste that he’d had of her… after the concert… came, begging for recognition to the forefront of his mind and made him hunger for another taste. ‘Drongo!’ He mentally slapped himself. First off… they were in a cemetery… not the place for him to exactly choose to demand another taste of her lips… her soft…beautiful… lips… ‘Stop it!’ He hissed inwardly. And secondly… he’d let his mouth get the better of him in the park that day… and in the months since that day… they’d grown close.. But not so close that he would dare to presume that she would welcome the comfort of his lips on hers.

She couldn’t help the tears that still escaped from her eyes, in spite of blinking rapidly in hopes of keeping them from falling. She missed her friend…. She missed watching her beautiful daughters grow up… she hadn’t gotten enough chances to sit with her youngest… but the few occasions that she had… well, that curly haired little angel had wound her little fingers tightly around Tara’s heart. Tara wasn’t one to give in too much to the small twinges of maternal instinct that sprung up in her heart every once in a while… but when she had been allowed to hold that little girl for the first time, a fierce protectiveness had swept her, making her tremble with it’s force. She had harbored a secret desire for a baby ever since… and that had been over 8 years ago. She pursed her lips, the tears drying on her cheeks as she considered why she had really lost out in the dating pool. One… she could never see herself settling down with any of them and having a baby. And two… her heart gave an unexpected flip flop in her chest… none of them could ever compare to the man who currently had his arm around her. Oh, she’d never gone out with him but that one time and even then she was just a substitute for where his heart truly belonged… but Bobby had always been more dedicated… more protective of the women he dated. Jack was extremely devoted when dating someone… but when he was done with the relationship, they never really seemed to go away… popping up again when he didn’t need them to. And Myles… well… given Lucy’s experience and the fact that he never seemed to go out with the same woman more than twice… Bobby was the true picture of a knight in shining armor… and she’d worried about him when Darcy had broken up with him. They’d spent more time together then they did with the rest of the team, but he’d not really been dating and she wondered why more than once… but they had been fleeting thoughts, she preferred to keep him close and not to lose him to anyone… even if they were just close friends.

He was amused, they’d reached the car and he’d even unlocked it, but she still stood, one arm around him. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Tara luv… we’re at the car.” he murmured softly.

She looked up at him, surprised that he’d broken her silent reverie. She blinked once. “Oh…”

His eyes studied her face, reaching to brush away the remnants of her tears with the pad of his thumb. As he did, a small jolt hit him, almost like static electricity and he paused, studying her again, the pull of his heart telling him to just taste her lips again… one little taste…His breathing became slightly labored as he tried to ignore the pull to her.

Her stomach gave a funny lurch at how he was looking at her. Her breathing became shallow with anticipation as he seemed to bend towards her. “Bobby…” She whispered.

“Yes luv…?” He whispered back, still under the spell of her eyes and her closeness. She didn’t say anything, just tilted her head up more to look at him. He groaned softly before lowering his head the rest of the way and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

WOOO HOOO a kiss...a gentle one...but a kiss....it's a start!

My heart ache's for Tara tho...I can't imagine the pain that she is going through.

I'm not going to spoil this moment with words, other than, Devine, Heavenly, I'm in a puddle on the floor!

Lynn