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take all or bust.” 
     
    PACING THE DOCK WAS becoming a habit in times of stress.  Sergeant Warrington’s body was buzzing with electricity.  The expected jitteriness often followed an adrenaline rush.  Today was as close as he had ever come to losing a troubled teen.  The thought of turning Rocky Hernandez away made him nauseous.  But the success of this program—one he had designed and spearheaded—rested on a strong foundation of trust.  The first step to building it was to show those kids his word was his bond.  His mouth always had to be backed by his actions.
    He was confident he had proved himself to them today.  Now if he could only find a way to build a bridge between him and Blythe.  Like all good soldiers, Sean was a trained multi-tasker.  He had the ability to focus on what was directly in front of him while also taking in everything and everyone on the edges.  He registered her every reaction at the bus.  He sensed her slightest nuances along with a shift in her attitude toward him.  For the first time since their blind date, he felt a glimmer of hope.  With a little luck, he just might win her over. 
    Sean knew she was there before he turned around.  He could feel her.  Hear the soft crunch of her feet on the grass.  Smell her sweet, tropical scent filling the evening air.  Standing at the top of the dock near the water’s edge, she was so damn lovely.  A reflection of perfection.  He made his way to her, wanting more than anything to take her in his arms.  To kiss her passionately.  To absorb her heat into his own.  A few steps more and he froze, trying to control his breathing.  He offered her a reassuring smile before speaking.
    “Blythe, whatever you do, don’t move.”
    She gave him a quizzical look.  “Why not?”
    Slowly crouching, he lifted the pants leg of his uniform and removed his service weapon from his boot.
    She gasped.  “Oh God, no.  I thought you were different, but you’re just like he was.  Always seeing danger where there is none,” she cried, stomping her feet in frustration.
    “Blythe, don’t!”
    It was too late.  The second her foot vibrated the ground, the water moccasin struck her ankle.  Sharp fangs hooked her flesh.  Sean called on his sharpshooting skills to pick the snake off, preventing it from milking any more of its venom into her bloodstream.
    Jumping to his feet, he scooped her up and broke into a dead run.  He needed to get her to his cabin and inject pit viper anti-venom into her ASAP.
    She was clinging to his neck, shaking and crying.  Her fear and pain tore at his heart, making him wish he could stop and comfort her.  But both of them would have to wait for that luxury.
    Despite trembling on the inside, his voice was steady and soothing.  “Take slow, deep breaths, Blythe.  I need you to stay calm.” 
    “E—easy for you to say,” she whimpered.
    “I know, but the more upset you get, the faster your heart beats, spreading venom to places we don’t want it to go.  You’re going to be fine.  Trust me.”
    “Trusting a marine isn’t my strong suit.”
    “Because of your dad?”
    “Yes.  How’d you know?”
    “Shelly.”
    “God, she’s such a blabbermouth.”
    “A blabbermouth who loves you very much,” he said, realizing in that moment, he loved Blythe, too. 
    Kicking his cabin door off the hinges, he whisked her across the threshold.  The second he had her situated on his bed, he made haste getting the anti-venom.  She was still sniffing back tears, but he was proud of how calm she had been.  Gently taking her extended arm in his hand, he felt for the best vein.  He quickly swiped the injection site with alcohol and tied the tourniquet above her brachial artery.  Then he inserted the needle into the vial, filling the syringe with the precious, life-saving drug.  With a steady hand, he injected it. 
    He watched her closely as she let her head drop back against his pillow.  She sighed and