The Savage Horde

Chapter 19

John Rourke sat quietly, listening. What he listened to was the regular sound of Natalia's breathing. She was still sleeping. He had sat beside the bed for nearly an hour, ever since leaving Gundersen. Paul was being shown about the submarine—Rourke had postponed the grand tour until later. He had wanted to think, and the quiet of Natalia's room in sick bay had been the best place, he'd thought.

What would happen when he found Sarah and the children?

He had not thought of an answer—for over the weeks since the Night of The War and his meeting with Natalia he had formed new bonds, in some ways stronger bonds than he had ever had. There was Paul Rubenstein—once a man who could do nothing for himself, now a man who could do most things—and most things well.

There was Natalia herself—Rourke looked at her, her eyelids fluttering. She was awakening.

He stood up, walked to beside her bed and touched her, reaching out his left hand to her left shoulder.

Her eyes opened, the brilliance of the blue somehow deeper in the gray light of the room.

A smile tracked on her lips, her voice odd sounding. She whispered, "I love you," then closed her eyes.

John Rourke stood beside the bed for a time, watching her as she slept.