Emily refused to let trifles like if they would even let her on to the base on a weekend, never mind find Finn, hold her back. If there was a chance he was still here, nothing was going to stop her.

Entering the reception area, Emily barely noticed George standing at the desk. Once upon a time, the man in the black suit before her had been her family's chauffeur. But as money got tighter and her father had to 'trim the budget' things like personal limos quickly fell by the wayside. Luckily, Lance's father had saved the day, bringing George over as a driver for the law firm.

"You'll need more than that flimsy coat if you're going out in this weather, Miss Montgomery," the older gentleman admonished in his broad New England accent.

Emily had always liked George. He was attentive, kind and considerate, feeling a little like the grandfather she never had. During her university years, he often picked her up to bring her home for holidays or special occasions. That first year after Finn disappeared, when it was obvious she was struggling, he offered words of comfort and a stream of tissues, never denying her emotions. Unlike her family.

She smiled at him as they entered the elevator together. "I just hope I can find a cab," Emily grimaced. Finding a taxi on a sunny day was sometimes difficult. In this downpour, it might be near impossible. Why did she have to leave her car at home today of all days?

The day she found out Finn still had feelings for her. The day she could see a future for herself again. The day she could imagine a life together with the man she loved. Another tingle ran up Emily's spine.

"Sorry?" George had said something but Emily had missed it, caught up in thoughts of finding Finn.

"I said, I'm off duty now. I could give you a ride."

Under any other circumstances, she would never have taken George up on his offer, not wanting to take advantage of his kindness or some sense of obligation. But today she wanted to kiss the man. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Now, Miss Montgomery, you know I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it."

Emily felt a sense of comfort in his honesty and thanked him profusely. When he asked where she was going, the story of the last hour poured out of her.

Only when she had a moment to think, as George sped through the back streets towards the base did it occur to Emily that Finn must have written the letter days ago. Maybe on Tuesday. That was when her assistant had tidied up her desk, placing his note in her pile of file folders, probably assuming it was some formal correspondence. The thought horrified Emily. For four days Finn, who took the slightest rebuff as a rebuke, was under the impression she had rejected him.

"Oh George, can we go any faster?"

Would Finn even be at the base?

Please, please, let him still be there, Emily begged any of the fates listening. If only she could talk to him before he deployed. Or better yet convince him not to go at all.

Turned out getting on the base was easy, which was a good thing because Finn's flight out was leaving within the hour. The front guard was surprisingly helpful, even arranging transport for Emily as George and the car were not allowed beyond the visitor's area. Despite being completely drenched by the time she got there, Emily was brimming with a heady mixture of hope and excitement. Finn was still here.

The sergeant in the office of the hanger housing Finn's transport plane was a different story. His attitude was as stiff as his shirt collar, insisting no one could see the crew or team. They were already in pre-flight.

No way, thought Emily. She was so close. One bureaucrat adhering to the rules was not going to stop her.

Tamping down her desperation and pulling on years of hiding her emotions, Emily calmly and rationally argued with the veteran. She insisted it was urgent. It would only take a few moments to speak with the Captain. Lastly, she made it clear she was not leaving without seeing him.

The middle-aged man glared. Emily glowered back.

After a moment, the man in uniform blinked. He huffed and told her he would return, insisting she wait in the lobby.

Emily's heart started racing. Her mouth felt dry and her palms sweaty. Trying to adjust her dripping hair, she made an effort to look good for Finn. Pacing the small reception area, she practiced what to say to him. How to explain the situation. How to ease his probably bruised ego.

Then the door at the opposite end of the room sprung open.

Jumping at the sound, Emily swung around to see the sergeant leading the man she loved out of the hanger. Her body relaxed at the sight of him as a sense of assurance ran through her. He was here. Everything was going to be okay.

Dressed in army fatigues, Finn looked every bit the soldier reminding Emily of what was at stake. As he rubbed the back of his neck, his long legs carried him with confidence. Until he looked up and caught sight of Emily. Then he stumbled. Soon righting himself, his body stiffened. His expression, serious but soft moments before turned to stone and after a brief moment of meeting her eyes, he quickly looked away.

"Alright Ma'am, here he is." The sergeant refused to look at Emily as well, turning to Finn. "5 minutes tops," he barked and made to return to his desk.

It took everything Emily had not to run and embrace Finn. Instead, she turned her attention to the sergeant and firmly asked, "Can we have some privacy please?" Emily thought she saw Finn flinch at her words. Her heart was breaking. This reaction was not good. Did he not realize why she was here?

The sergeant huffed but got up and disappeared back into the hanger. The moment the door closed, Emily barreled towards Finn, his name on her lips.

She froze when he stepped back, as if afraid of her. The visible pain in his expression stabbed at her insides. Taking a deep breath, she cautiously launched into her explanation.

"I'm so sorry. You know I'd never hurt you." It wasn't what she had practiced, the wrong words falling out of her mouth. He was staring at a spot somewhere over her shoulder, back ramrod straight.

"Finn, please look at me." She gingerly walked forward. This time he did not move away, but a muscle in his jaw twitched.

"There's been a mistake," she started again. He sucked in a deep breath, nostrils flaring.

"No, no." She flung out her hand in desperation. It was clutching his note as if waving a white flag against his anguish. "Your letter. I only just found it. Today. Not half an hour ago."

At last, he blinked. With the slightest motion, the ocean of blue she longed to connect with finally met her gaze. "Today?" he whispered.

"Yes." She inched closer. "I called you right away. But it went to voicemail."

"My..." he swallowed, "My phone is off. Protocol."

Emily nodded. He seemed to need her understanding. "I didn't know what to do so I came here." Another step towards him, "to find you."

"Why?" The word was so quiet, she wasn't sure Finn actually said it. His hand moved to the spot over his heart, massaging his chest.

"You know why." She closed the gap between them, positioning herself before him. Reaching out, she placed her hand over his, gently stopping the motion. "Because I love you."

A wretched ragged breath, half sob half groan erupted from Finn. He sucked in more air and forced out another rush, this one a little less tormented.

Entwining their fingers, Emily pulled his hand away from his chest and laid them over her own heart.

"This heart beats for you." The very organ was threatening to burst out of her chest. Before her, Finn's eyes softened slightly, taking on a glossy veneer as some of the pain appeared to recede. "I never stopped loving you."

"Are you sure?"

Emily could not help smiling. "Yes, Finn. I'm very sure. It's only ever been you. I will always love you."

At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to embrace him, or reach up and press her lips against his. This time not in a distracted spur of the moment way, but in a purposeful determined show of affection.

But Emily resisted. In this relationship, it was always her making the first move. She needed Finn to take the lead now. To show her he meant the words he wrote in his letter. To prove he would not run away from her like last time.

Hi all!  D. L. Croisette here. At last these two are on the same page. Thank you all for your comments. I love reading them and they help me understand what is right and what needs to be improved with the story.  Please keep them coming. 

Speaking of comments.  I have a little knowledge of the US military but I had to research a lot of this. If I make any errors you see need correcting, please let me know.