{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}{\s4 heading 4;}} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\li1080\f0\fs24 \par \pard\s3\li1080\sb100\sa100\b\fs27 Fallen Angel\par \pard\s4\li1080\sb100\sa100\fs24 Chapter 3\b0\par \pard\li1080\sb100\sa100 "Sian Moc," I said softly, waking her up. An image of \line her ravaged body came to mind as I contrasted it with \line her beautiful face I looked upon, that was unmarred. \line What would compel a human being to do that to another \line person, of any ethnic origin? The VC, with their \line senseless cruelty, had preyed upon eleven beautiful \line young girls for their own pleasure. Bringing them here \line from who knows what province, simply because their \line fathers were not Vietnamese and abused them beyond my \line comprehension. \par I felt that I understood more about her now. I watched \line as she arose, making her bedroll, concealing the shame \line that must have eaten away at her heart. She seemed \line different, after having released the anger I had seen \line in her just two hours ago. Her demeanor had changed to \line one of serenity, but there remained a certain timorous \line appearance about her. I couldn't help but feel pity. \par "Brine and Sian Moc ready?" Phon asks, having placed \line his pack over his shoulder. \par I reached down, offering my hand to Sian Moc. \line Hesitantly, she looked at my hand and then took it as I \line helped her up, never looking into my face. \par We began our trek back to the Da Fu River and at first \line with each step, I contemplated every possible scenario \line that might help keep us alive. I didn't want to lose \line another person at any cost, however, I knew it would be \line near impossible to control every situation. \par Phon took the lead as I followed in the rear, keeping \line my eyes open for possible surprises. We walked along \line the opposite side of the creek that seemed more \line difficult to travel, not wanting to retrace our steps \line for security precautions. Traveling at night, with the \line help of the moon was our only option, knowing that the \line VC could possibly be nearby. I knew how serious \line they would take their women suddenly missing, and I \line would do everything not to be caught. I knew \line somehow I had to get my hands on other weapons besides \line the 38 I was carrying, which would be useless against a \line Chinese SKS sniper rifle or a Russian AK-47 assault\line rifle. I felt almost naked and needed more firepower for \line fear that we would be overpowered. \par \pard\s4\li1080\sb100\sa100\b Week 3-Day 4\par \pard\li1080\sb100\sa100\b0\line We had traveled most of the night, about six miles, \line without much light from the moon, making it more \line difficult. A large boulder blocked our path along the \line creek bed, diverting us up a steep bank. Phon had \line easily made it up the fifteen feet and Sian Moc had to \line struggle, sliding down each time she was near the top \line of the ridge. \par "Phon, give her a hand," I said. \par He turned his head ignoring me as if he didn't hear. \par "Phon, help her!" I said, raising my voice. \par Again, he acted as if he didn't hear me; causing me to \line think he wanted nothing to do with her. Maybe he felt \line as most Vietnamese, and abandoned those who were not of \line pure Vietnamese blood. I wasn't going to judge his \line motives, having faults of my own, many probably worst. \line I climbed up beside her and took hold of a limb that \line was hanging and took her arm, pulling her up. Phon had \line walked a few meters ahead, avoiding any words I might \line have to say. In return, I ignored his response and \line began walking as if nothing happened. Sian Moc's \line expressions never change, as though she had anticipated \line being treated in this manner. \par Suddenly I realized how my feelings toward these people \line had changed in the past few days, and how I had hated \line them all. Maybe it would take similar circumstances to \line change his mind. However, I wouldn't want anything to \line happen to him. \par I held Sian Moc's hand, walking with her along the \line sloped ridge because of the unsure footing. The leaves \line were slippery, making it difficult to walk sometimes. \line She grasped my hand tightly as we worked our way the \line few meters as the ridge gradually tapered to the creek \line bed. I noticed Phon's unapproved expression as our \line hands remained clasped when we reached the creek bed. \line I didn't know why but she didn't let go and we \line continued walking that way for a while until I told \line Phon, we should rest a few minutes. \par "Sun be up soon. Maybe we stop here short time. I go \line look for good place to sleep." \par "Okay Phon. We could use a long rest. Be careful," I \line said as he walked on. \par A light misty rain had started and I dreaded getting \line wet. I would be so glad to get home and enjoy the heat \line and air-conditioning in a comfortable home. I had all \line but forgotten these comforts. \par I unrolled my poncho and pulled it over my head as I \line searched for a dry spot. I found one at the base of a \line tree up the hill about ten meters. I watched Sian Moc \line as she sat on a fallen tree, wrapped in a worn blanket \line that would absorb rain the longer it fell. \par "Sian Moc!" I said, holding my poncho open for her to \line sit beside me out of the mist. \par She turned and looked at me, and then stood up walking \line up the hill toward me. I opened it wider as she \line approached letting her know I was serious about us \line sharing my poncho. Without any kind of expression on \line her face, she sat next to me as I wrapped my poncho \line around her body, only our faces showing. I felt her \line trembling, being cold from the dampness. I placed my \line arm around her waist, pulling her close to warm our \line bodies. Surprisingly, she leaned her head on my \line shoulder, resting. \par I was staring over the creek and for some unknown \line reason I began speaking to her, knowing she couldn't \line understand anything I was saying. \par "I couldn't pretend to understand all of the horrors \line you've been through during your lifetime. Oh, by the \line way, thank you for the candle. All of you contributed \line so much to me when I was delirious for those two weeks. \line I owe my life to all of you. As I was saying, I know \line you don't think so now, but you have a whole life ahead \line of you and it would be a shame to throw it away. Think \line of all the people in this country that are disfigured \line in one way or another and go on with life the best they \line can. You have nothing to be ashamed of and personally, \line I think it would be a waste. You have a beautiful \line face, and smile if you could learn to show it more \line often. I promise that no one will ever hurt you again \line as long as I am with you, I promise you that. Just to \line let you know, I won't let them take us alive if it \line comes to that. Like you, I wouldn't want to live \line knowing what they would do to me. But, it won't come \line to that, I'll get in and out as quick as I can, and \line then we'll find all of you a safe place to live." \par I laughed to myself thinking, if I took all of them \line back to the states, wouldn't that draw attention. \par "What is so funny?" She asked, shocking me. \par "What did you say?" I asked, uncertain I heard her \line correctly. \par "I asked, what you thought was funny." She replied, \line calmly. \par "You speak American!" I stated. \par "No, I speak American English." \par "Where did you learn to speak it?" \par "I've spent most of my life in Bien Hoe going to \line school. I worked in the American embassy for two years \line translating Vietnamese military forms into English." \par "Why did you wait until now to let me know you spoke \line English?" \par "I was afraid." \par "Afraid of what? You must have known I would never \line hurt any of you." \par "Many times if the VC find out we speak English, they \line will torture and kill us. They say we are spies." \par "Why did you wait until now?" \par "Because I see now that you have a good heart and you \line have been good to the village people." \par "You all had a part in saving my life. I owe it to the \line people of your village to help in any way I can," I \line explained, feeling obligated. \par "No, some would have left after they healed. You \line different because you stayed to help my people." \par "You are," I stated, correcting her. "You said, 'You \line different'. It should be, 'You are different." \par "You are different," she said, and then smiled. \par "That's it, that's the same smile I was talking about!" \line I stated, smiling and placing my hand to her cheek. \par "I have not had much to smile about for two years." \par "Is that how long you have been here?" \par "Yes, I was visiting my family in Loc Ninh, not far \line from here when VC captured our bus and killed everyone \line but me and Kim Wae, my relative. Colonel killed her \line when he found out she speak English." \par "Spoke English," I said correcting her again. \par "Do not make fun of me. I will speak it well someday," \line she said. \par "I know you will. I have faith in you," I said, \line pulling her tighter to me. \par We sat quietly for several minutes. I was thinking of \line what to say and my mind wondered back to base camp. I \line had imagined that they searched for us until there were \line no clues to our whereabouts. \par "Do you have a girl at home?" She asked. \par "No." \par "You have many girls here." \par "What's that suppose to mean?" \par I saw Phon walking our way and when he was close I \line asked, "See anything?" \par "Many VC tracks. They look for us. They want girl \line back," he stated, looking at how we were sitting so \line close. \par "Phon, you know they will hunt everyone down. Not just \line the girls." I stated. Thwarting any ideas, he might \line have about turning the girls over. \par "Yes. The Colonel no give up searching. We better \line stay here, getting light." \par "Do you want to share my poncho, to keep the rain off \line you?" \par "No, I see good place to sleep, under log, over there." \par "Then you don't think it safe to travel during the \line day?" \par "No. VC send many soldiers looking." \par "Well, it looks like we're stuck here for the day. Let 's\line get some sleep." \par "Yes, Phon very tired. I sleep long time," he replied, \line walking away. \par "Phon and the other men hold us responsible for the \line VC," Sian Moc stated. \par "I think it goes much deeper than that. I'm here only \line to fight a war, and I see things that shouldn't be, but \line I'm not the one to judge. We have many of the same \line problems in the states." \par "What are you speaking of, Brian?" \par "Hey, you didn't call me Brine," I said, squeezing her. \par "Isn't that your name?" she asked, understanding my \line remark. \par "Your father, was he a French soldier?" \par "Oui," she joked. \par "Do you speak french too?" \par "No, just a few words," she answered, laughing. \par "Sian Moc, I know the Vietnamese people consider \line children with fathers other than Vietnamese, outcast," \line I said, explaining. \par "The Vietnamese people regard the family as the \line beginning and ending of life. When young people get \line married and grow old, it is a custom for the children \line to care for them. This war has changed many of the \line customs and they have lost many things they once \line valued." \par A torrential downpour began so I reached my hand out \line and dug a small trench above us, forcing the water to \line flow around where we were sitting. I rolled out the \line raggedy blanket I slept on and invited Sian Moc to curl \line up with me. I knew it was possible for the rain to \line remain steady for hours. \par "I should sleep alone," she stated, and turned to get \line out from under the poncho. \par I took her by the arm firmly to keep her from moving, \line and said, "Please, stay with me." \par "I will be fine. Thank you for talking to me. It has \line been a long time since I have talked about these \line things," she replied and tried to leave once again. \par I held her arm and leaned within inches of her face and \line repeated, "Please, I want you to stay with me, and then \line kissed her softly. \par "Uh," she groaned and tried to pull away as tears \line formed in her eyes. \par "Sian Moc, I have seen your body and I don't want you \line to be ashamed." \par I kissed her again, slipping my tongue between her \line lips, and gingerly traced her lips from one side to the \line other. She continued her effort to pull away, but I \line held her close. I began kissing her all about her face \line and she squirmed, turning her face from me, trying to \line discourage me from kissing her. \par "Don't. Please don't. You don't want me. I am ugly," \line she said, and began crying. \par I placed my hands on her cheeks, holding her face \line steady, preventing her from turning her head. \par "Sian Moc, don't ever say that to me. You are a \line beautiful and wonderful woman, and I want you so much. \line Do you want to make love to me?" \par "Yes, but I am afraid," she answered, her voice \line weakening. \par I put my arms around her and pulled her body to mine \line and said, "Don't be afraid." \par I kissed her cheek and the corner of her mouth, and \line placed my hand on her breast, causing her to take a \line deep breath and flinch. \par "Hey, don't be afraid," I said, speaking softly in her ear. \par The rain began pounding on my poncho, and the humidity \line was so thick it was hard to breathe. With the lack of \line air movement, our body heat raised the temperature and \line we were becoming soaked in our own perspiration; her \line hair was sticking to her face and mine. \par I turned her head and kissed her mouth while holding \line her breast. She began to weaken and no longer \line struggled. Our heads held up the poncho as I used my \line hands to undo her top and slide it back over her \line shoulders. Her body trembled in my hands as I sensed \line her fear. My hands roamed her body, touching every \line bare spot, and caressing her scars with my fingertips. \line Her breathing, like mine, became heavier as I laid her \line down. I removed my boots and flight suit, and lay \line naked beside her. \par She lay still as if she was unsure of her own feelings. \line Lying on my side, I caressed her moist body, kissed \line over her face, and then began removing her bottoms. \line With our bodies pressed together, the excitement within \line us heightened to the point our breathing was becoming \line difficult in the confined area. I raised the corner \line allowing fresh air to enter, which allowed the rain to \line sprinkle our faces. The icy droplets against our \line heated bodies caused us to gasp and we began laughing \line at one another. This brief moment of laughter quickly \line relieved the tension we shared. \par I was unsure how she would react if I kissed her \line breasts, but I felt a strong desire to try. While \line kissing her, my hands caressed her body, caressing each \line of her scars, getting her use to the fact they didn't \line bother me. I began moving my mouth along her neck, \line kissing and licking her skin inch by inch, moving \line closer to each breast. Her chest and stomach rapidly \line raised and lowered, stirring a sensation within me \line knowing she was excited by my touch. I kissed around \line her breasts, finally licking over them and placing my \line mouth on one and began sucking. Light screams and \line moans filled my ears as she placed her hands behind my \line head and pressed my mouth firmly to her breast. \par I slid my body up and began kissing her again allowing \line my hard prick to press against her. We randomly gasp \line for air as our tongues mingled, not wanting to separate \line our mouths. I wanted her now; so much my mind \line struggled to maintain self-control. I sucked her \line tongue furiously and humped her, pressing my aching \line prick to her body, causing each lingering second to \line become increasingly tense. \par She felt my emotion and placed her fingers around my \line prick, and guided it into her. Without hesitation, I \line thrust it deep, causing her to grunt. \par "Yes, I want you deep in me." \par Uncontrollably, I pushed faster and deeper, feeling \line pleasure differently than anything I had ever \line experienced. Her small frame rocked with each thrust, \line jolting her body with intensity as I had lost control, \line desperately craving that moment of total pleasure. \par "Uh, uh, uh," she sounded with each thrust, wrapping \line her legs around my ass, attempting to hold me deep into \line her. Her strength was no match, as her legs gave way \line with each withdraw and thrust. I felt the sensation \line beginning to overcome me. Seconds later, I was \line consumed in ecstasy; every nerve in my body numbed with \line pleasure. She held me in, with her legs tightly \line wrapped around me. We were soaked with perspiration \line caused by the heat and humidity locked in the confined \line area. I tried to rise but she held our slippery bodies \line together with her legs around me. I fell limp atop her \line gasping for air and then lifted the poncho, seeing \line daybreak. \par The rain was relentless as I felt it pounding my back \line through the poncho. Finally, she released me, allowing \line me to sit up. Rain trickled down my face and body from \line the center opening in the poncho. I reached my hand up \line atop my head, repositioning the hood to stop the leaking \line as Sian Moc traced up and down my side with her \line palm, still not able to see me. \par "Brian?" \par I placed my hand over hers. "Yes." \par She turned her hand clasping mine and remained silent. \par I was exhausted, flopping down beside her. Seconds \line later, I fell asleep. \par _________________________________________\line\par "Brine! Brine! I heard, waking up. Phon was tapping \line on my poncho. \par The heavy rain had slowed to a drizzle as I poked my \line head from under the poncho. \par "We must hurry. VC passed short time ago." \par I looked at my watch. "Damn, 1500 hours!" \par He looked at me and then where Sian Moc laid, who was \line completely covered up and remained asleep. \par "Hurry, we must go!" He stated, and then walked away. \par Teasingly, I pulled the poncho back, allowing the \line drizzle to awaken her, and getting a second look at her \line body. Her eyes opened, grasping for the poncho to \line cover her. I quickly took hold of her wrist, \line restraining her from doing so, and then straddled her \line body, blocking the light rain from hitting her face. \par "Please Brian," she said, feeling ashamed. \par "No!" I replied, placing my palm on her breast, and \line began caressing it. \par She turned her face to one side, avoiding having to \line look into my eyes. \par "Sian Moc, look at me," I said as she slowly turned her \line head. "There is nothing to be ashamed of," I continued \line saying, and then lowered my head between her breasts, \line kissing her, and then moving my mouth up to her lips \line and pressed my tongue into her mouth. She wrapped her \line arms around my neck, putting her tongue in mine. \par _________________________________________\par Quickly, we moved along the creek another two hours, \line reaching the point where we made the turn. Still, \line there was no sign of the VC, since Phon had seen two of \line them pass while Sian Moc and I slept. With just over \line two hours of daylight remaining, we hurried, traveling \line most of the same path we use before. At this pace we \line should arrive just after sunset, insuring us the cover \line of darkness to carry out the strategy, I had planned. \par With a light fog, a misting rain and soft ground, \line everything was working my way. We were able to move \line without making noise or being seen, unless we just \line stumbled upon them. The closer we came to the village; \line I began seeing a change in Sian Moc's face, one of \line fear. I held her hand the remaining time, reassuring \line her that I would be with her every second. The rain \line had stopped and there were breaks in the clouds, \line allowing light from the moon to shine through, giving \line me a little hope of finding our way. \par We stopped short of entering the village and I told \line them of everything I wanted to mark on the map. Each \line of them explained what they had seen and where they \line knew most of these places could be found. We then \line circled the village and pressed south, where the VC \line site would be, about one kilometer from the village, \line along the river. \par I knew we had the element of surprise on our side \line because they would never expect anyone to sneak up on \line them. This was evident when we spotted a fire just \line ahead. We crept in a semi- circular path around it, \line counting three Vietnamese soldiers kneeling around it, \line talking and laughing. I noticed their weapons stacked \line in the form of a tripod a few feet from them. If \line possible, I would try and get them on the way out. \par In the distance, I heard the river, making me aware \line that we were close and should be extra careful. We \line began crawling, moving in closer to the sound of \line voices. \line \par \pard\s4\li1080\sb100\sa100\b Week 3-Midnight-Day 4\par \pard\li1080\sb100\sa100\b0\line "Soon, they will pull the bridge over the river," Phon \line whispered. \par "What bridge?" I asked, seeing nothing indicating \line there was one. \par "Wait and see," he replied. \par We lay for an hour and suddenly, with the aid of the \line moon; I saw ropes coming up out of the river, extending \line from one side to the other. A dozen men began \line uncovering a mound of logs stacked, held together by \line rope. Tension on the ropes became tight as each of the \line logs was dragged into the river, giving them a platform \line to cross the river. This took about an hour as we \line waited patiently to see who or what would cross. \par Someone began shouting as we saw many men coming out of \line a tunnel. \par "What's he saying?" I asked either of them. \par "He say, quickly, quickly, you have 10 minutes to \line cross." \par I counted about sixty-two, a company of men, heavily \line armed and each carrying what appeared to be a fifty \line pound sack of rice, crossing over. As the last man \line stepped onto the bridge, three small trucks from \line another cave, carrying what I assumed to be, rice and \line ammunition pulled up to it. When the men neared the \line other side, the trucks began crossing; when one reached \line the far side, another would start. \par I crawled over, getting next to Phon, and ask him in \line whisper so Sian Moc couldn't hear, "That man, giving \line the orders, is that Colonel Shu?" \par He looked at me shaking his head, indicating yes. \par My mind raced, thinking of a way I could get to him \line without being seen. Phon looked at me, seeing this in \line my eyes, placed his hand on my shoulder and shook his \line head, no. \par "Where do they go once they cross the other side?" I \line asked, curiously. \par "More caves on other side," Phon answered. \par "More caves? I need to know exactly where," I stated \line anxiously. \par "No place to cross river," he replied. \par "There's got to be a way over," I said, pulling out my \line map. I marked our location and exactly where the \line bridge was placed. I guessed in meters at what \line position the caves were located and marked them on the \line map. \par "I have seen these caves. They are on other side of \line that hill," she said, pointing across the river. \par "Sian Moc, come here," I said as she crawled to me. \line Barely visible I held the map in front of her. \par I pointed on the map our exact location. "Can you see? \line This is where we are, can you show me exactly where the \line caves are?" \par "I cannot tell. I don't understand how to read this \line map. If we go across, I can show them to you." \par "Let's wait a while until I can figure this out." I \line said, rolling over on my back, being frustrated. \par We waited a while and all the traffic had stopped \line crossing, but the bridge remained. \par "Why don't they pull the bridge back? What are they \line waiting for?" I asked myself aloud. \par "He say leave bridge out, more men come up trail soon \line and cross." \par I turned and looked around for a way to get to the \line bridge, seeing I could crawl down to the river and work \line my way up to it. Then, I would have to lower myself \line into the river and pull my way across holding onto it. \par "Sian Moc, are you sure about the tunnels. I mean, are \line you sure they are just on the other side of that hill?" \par "Yes, there are two caves for men and one that has many \line weapons." \par "Both of you wait here, and if they remove the bridge \line before I get back, I want you to go back to the others \line and wait for me. If for some reason I don't return, \line take my compass and the map directly east, three and a \line half days to Firebase Beaver, right here on the map," I \line explained, pointing to it. \par "No, I must go with you. You will never find the \line caves. They are hidden too well," Sian Moc stated, \line excitedly. \par "No. It's too dangerous. I'll go alone," I said \line firmly. \par "Sian Moc right. You not find cave. You not find \line these caves if soldier not come out," Phon explained, \line making sense. I rolled back over on my back, thinking. \par I realized my affection for her when I felt fear in \line letting her go with me, thinking something might happen \line and I might lose her. Was I feeling this way about her \line because I am thousands of miles from home, alone in a \line world where there are no checks and balances and I \line control my own destiny? When and if I reach \line civilization, will all that has changed in me revert to \line how I once was? I was feeling just as much for Sian \line Moc as I do for Lin. What the hell is wrong with me? \par I rolled back over looking at each of them. "Okay, \line this is how it will be. Sian Moc and I will cross \line over, if anything, anything, happens that we don't come \line back in, at the most, three hours, or if they pull the \line bridge first, you will get to the others and see that \line all of you get to Firebase Beaver. Do you understand \line me Phon?" I explained, as I wrote a note on the map, \line to whoever was in command of the base. I also marked \line on the map where I guessed the caves to be on the other \line side. \par "Yes," he replied. \par "Take care Phon. Are you ready Sian Moc?" \par "Yes." \par We began crawling down the hill when Phon said, "Sian \line Moc!" \par We stopped and turned to look at him. \par "Sian Moc, you are brave woman." \par She smiled at him, and then turned, we continued down \line the hill to the river and worked our way along side it \line until we were at the bridge. I pulled my knife out of \line the sheath that I had slid down my boot and cut a \line portion of rope dangling from the bridge and tied one \line end to each of us. \par We slipped into the river on the upper side of the \line bridge, holding onto the rope that was strung along the \line side of it, and pulled ourselves along its length. The \line current was pulling at us but we managed move very \line quickly. The moon continued to shed light every so \line often, giving us some light to go by, but also gave the \line VC light, enough to keep us cautious. \par It took us about forty-five minutes to cross but we \line managed without incident. We kept a distance from the \line path they had used. The VC were clever and efficient \line in using this operation, always at night and so well \line organized, it could not be detected in the daylight. I \line figured it was so efficient they knew everything was \line concealed and there was no point in having to guard it. \par We made it around the base of the hill, never seeing \line any lookouts; we maintained silence anyway to be safe. \line We worked our way another three hundred meters and Siam \line Moc stopped me, pointing to one of the entrances. Phon \line was right; I would have walked by it without seeing \line anything. It was so well concealed it could never have \line been spotted from the air. \par "That is where the weapons are stored," she whispered. \par "Okay, where is the other two?" \par "At the base of that ridge," she said pointing. \par These hills were formed in almost a horseshoe shape and \line covered so much area; a B-52 strike may or may not be \line totally effective. I needed to know the exact \line locations. \par "Okay, show me," I said, taking her hand. \par There was no avoiding it; we had to wade through a \line marshy area that came up to our waste. It took about \line thirty minutes to wade through and when we neared the \line other side, we heard voices and had to stop and wait in \line the water. It sounded as if they were unloading a \line truck but that didn't matter at this point. I was more \line concerned with the leaches I felt crawling over my \line legs. After an hour had passed, I heard a door slam \line and the truck drove off. I pulled us out of the marsh \line and I knew our lower bodies were covered with leaches. \line We stripped down to nothing and I began scraping them \line off of her, careful not to cut the skin. We packed mud \line where I had removed them and I then scraped them off of \line me, cutting myself twice, and then packed mud on me. \par Leaches or no leaches, I had become aroused seeing her \line naked body and this was noticed by her when she saw my \line hard on. \par She smiled seeing it, and said, "You have an active \line mind." \par I turned being embarrassed, not expecting her to say \line anything like that. She got up on her knees, pressed \line her body to mine, and said, "You have nothing to be \line ashamed." \par I wrapped my arms around her, kissing her until the \line embarrassment went away. \par "We need to hurry. In one hour Phon will leave," I \line stated, as we hurriedly put our clothes back on. \par I looked around and got a fix on this location so I \line could find it on the map and we continued for twenty \line minutes and she pointed out the last cave. We turned \line and walked back as I stepped off the distance between \line the two entrances. Having completed what I came after \line we hurried back, again wading through the marsh. Not \line having to sit still in it, we only had a couple leaches \line between us. I removed them, packed the mud and we \line continued until reaching the river. The bridge was in \line tact. \par The natural sounds of the river, added with the water \line splashing against the bridge drowned any noises we could \line make, but I heard shouting from the other side. I \line could barely make out that there was some kind of \line movement on the other side. \par "Sian Moc, we're going to attempt to cross the same way \line we came, but if any troops begin to cross, we will have \line to turn loose and float a ways and then swim to the \line shore. Will you be able to swim in this current?" \par "I am a very good swimmer." \par "Okay, we will only hold the rope this time. What ever \line happens, don't turn loose. Okay?" \par "Okay." \par "Let's go," I said as we waded in. \par As before, everything went well until I felt slack in \line the bridge. There were no soldiers, and they began \line retracting the bridge. \par "Don't put your hand between the logs, hold on until I \line tell you to let go!" I said. She nodded yes. \par Because of the slack in the bridge, water was pounding \line against our heads. We were about halfway when her arms \line gave out and she turned loose. Instantly, I did the \line same, trying to keep an eye on her and remaining afloat \line was difficult, but I managed. After thirty meters, I \line saw that she was swimming to the bank and I did the \line same. I don't know what I was worried about; she \line seemed to be a better swimmer than me. I pulled myself \line up the bank, just below her and rested a minute. \par She came over and sat next to me laughing. "I was \line worried about you," she said. \par I caught a breath and said, "I was worried about me \line too," and laughed with her. "We're forty-five minutes \line late, and I know Phon has left, but we need to check \line anyway." \par "Come on then, let's hurry," she said, pulling my arm, \line continuing with her giggling. \par Just as I suspected, he had left, however, that was \line good. At least he did as I had told him. We had an \line hour and a half before the sun rose, and that should \line give us time to get well beyond the village. \par We walked as fast as we could, given the light from the \line moon was not always on our side. We neared the guard \line post and I saw that there was one that remained awake \line and the other two were lying next to the smoldering \line fire, sound asleep. As we had gotten a ways past them, \line I knew this would be the best opportunity to get \line another weapon. \par "I want you to wait here until I get back. I've got to \line do something before we return." \par She threw herself at my feet and began begging, "No, \line no, please don't leave!" \par "Sian Moc, I'm coming back," I said, kneeling with her. \par Throwing her arms around my neck, she began crying \line profusely, and saying, "No, no. I don't want you to go \line back. \par I grasped her wrist, pulling them in front of me and \line said, "I have too. I need those weapons for our \line protection. I said this because she knew why I was \line going back. \par She leaned over leaning her head against my chest and \line continued crying. I couldn't think of anything other \line than what I had said to convince her that I needed \line those weapons so I placed my arms around and just held \line her. I stood, lifting her with me. \par "I'll be back soon," I said, turning her loose, and \line walking away. \par I approached the guard post and found the three, as \line they were when we passed earlier. The two remained \line laying by the fire asleep and the other was sitting \line against a tree, carving on something with his knife. \line The ground was soft from the rain, making it less \line likely that I would be heard when I came up to him. I \line walked slowly, hearing him humming a tune. I had \line pulled my knife out of its sheath and continued \line creeping toward him from the rear. I was within ten \line feet of him and froze, dropping to the ground, as he \line got up. He turned and walked directly toward me as he \line began pulling his pants down. I knew he was going to \line take a piss. Not seeing me in the dark, he walked \line right up on me. I jumped up and thrust my knife into \line his throat and then pulled it out, pulled his head back \line by his hair, and thrust it in again. I continued \line holding him by his hair, letting him down to the ground \line easily. \par My hands were shaking and my heart was beating so fast \line I was panting short breaths to get enough air to \line breathe. I turned and crept over to the others, \line picking up a football size boulder he had been sitting \line on next to the tree. Slowly as I walked toward the \line other two, I raised the boulder and slammed it down on \line ones head, immediately I pulled my knife out as the \line other had awaken, and cut his throat before he could \line get up. He lay, gurgling his own blood as I stood and \line collected two of the AK-47's and searched, finding four \line bandoleers holding clips, along with a water pouch. \line Knowing I didn't have time, and it probably wouldn't \line help hiding the bodies, I left them there. \par I ran with the weapons slung over my back, not having \line much time before sunrise. \par "Brian!" Sian Moc said, running up and throwing her \line arms around me. "Brian, Brian," she continued saying. \par "I'm here now. Let's hurry, we don't have much time," \line I said, taking her by the hand. We walked quickly \line until there was full light and stopped to rest. We \line were about three kilometers from the creek, not far \line enough along to suit me. I knew when the bodies were \line found they would send out every man available to hunt \line us down, maybe fifty or a hundred, I wasn't sure. I \line was now willing to take a risk and travel during \line daylight. After we had rested fifteen minutes, I took \line her hand. \par "We need to be going. We can rest when we get far \line enough away from here," I said, lifting her from the \line ground. We moved at a fast pace, covering a lot of \line distance before my legs got heavy from carrying the two \line weapons and ammo. I had to stop after going a \line kilometer. \par "Let me have those," she said, grabbing the strap of \line the bandoleers. \par "If they get too heavy for you, I'll carry them again," \line I said, but happy that she took them. \par "Come on," I said, leading the way. \par At this pace, I counted on catching up with Phon, \line thinking he would stop and find him a good hiding place \line to rest. Two hours had passed and we finally reached \line the creek, stopping to rest again. Heavy clouds began \line moving in and I knew we were about to get another \line downpour. That would benefit us, limiting the distance \line we could be spotted and cool us enough that we could \line cover more distance. Either way I knew we had to keep \line moving. \par We followed along the same route we traveled the first \line time. The rain came down all at once so I put my \line poncho on her and continued moving. The rain was \line coming down so hard I had to put my blanket over my \line head to keep it from stinging my scalp. This continued \line for a while and noticeably became worse, making it \line difficult to see further than five meters. \par I looked back and Sian Moc was stumbling, unable to \line keep her footing on the rocks at the pace we were \line moving. I searched for a spot we could wait this out. \line The level of the creek was rising rapidly and I knew \line the safe thing to do was to get on the other side to \line where the elevation was higher, but I knew there was no \line chance of that. The rain was getting worse with every \line passing minute, but Sian Moc never said a word. \line Finally, I took her hand and led her into the \line undergrowth, but the water remained about six inches \line deep until I reached the base of a hill. It was a \line steep climb, however, it was dryer up there and I knew \line it would be a struggle. I took the bandoleers, putting \line three over my shoulder and had her grab a hold of the \line end of the other as I pulled her up with me. We would \line get ten steps up and slide back five, this went on \line until we topped the first slope of the hill. \par I found two trees at the perfect distance, allowing me \line to string the bandoleers between them and hang my \line poncho over it. After I did this, I wrung the water \line out of my blanket and placed it under the poncho to lie \line on. We used her blanket that was mostly dry to cover \line us. \par Finally, we were out of the rain but still in our \line soaked clothes. Both ends of our little tent were \line open, and some rain splashed in but it felt good being \line out of the downpour. I immediately removed my boots, \line and then my jumpsuit, leaving me naked. \par "What are you looking at?" I said, noticing she was \line staring at me. \par She burst out laughing. \par "Come on, what's so funny?" I asked, seeing nothing \line funny about it. \par "The way you plopped in here and just started taking \line your clothes off, it struck me to be funny. \par "Let's see if it strikes you funny while I watch you \line remove yours. \par Her mood changed quickly, removing the smile from her \line face, leaving a solemn expression. \par "I'm waiting," I said with a grin. \par Almost reluctantly, she untied the strings that held \line her front closed and as she did this, the smile on my \line face was replaced with one of anticipation. My eyes \line remained fixed on her, watching every move of her \line hands. When she had untied all of them, she hesitated. \line I rolled my finger, urging her to continue and she did, \line letting it slide off of her shoulders. \par I felt my heart pounding and a tingling sensation began \line to fill my body. Her left nipple had been cut and \line never grew back together, leaving it with a split down \line the middle. Several knife scars covered both breasts, \line not disfiguring them, but very noticeable. Their round \line shape had remained, leaving the impression she at one \line time had perfect breasts. \par She leaned back, sliding her bottoms off, and when she \line sat up, her legs crossed at the ankles, leaving her \line cunt exposed. The thick black hair around it stuck out \line against her light colored skin, exciting me more and \line more as I couldn't keep my eyes away from it. \par The thought of going down on her entered my mind but we \line hadn't bathed in over two days. I remembered \line something, and looked in my survival bag, finding a \line half bar of soap Lin and I shared. \par "Come on," I coaxed, taking her hand. She followed me \line out into the pouring rain and I began washing her hair. \line She looked at me and laughed as if I was crazy, but I \line continued. While I lathered her hair, she took the bar \line and began washing the rest of her, running the bar over \line her body. I wasn't going to miss out, so I took the \line bar back and when I came near her cunt, I hesitated. \line She took a hold of my arm, balanced herself, and spread \line her legs, inviting me to wash it. I took the hint and \line rubbed the bar between her slit and when I had plenty \line of soap on it, I held the soap in my other hand and \line massaged her cunt with my fingers, of coarse not \line forgetting to wash inside her. I had never been turned \line on so much in my life as I was now. The rain continued \line pounding us, but I didn't care. I continued cleaning \line between her legs until she finally said, "It should be \line very clean." \par I grinned, washed the rest of her body, and then washed \line myself, starting at the top, working my way down until \line I began washing between my legs. She took the soap \line from me and washed my prick for a minute, and then my \line testicles and ass. It was so stiff I was aching. \par I crawled back inside and watched her as she rinsed the \line soap out of her hair and then did something unusual but \line it turned me on. She cupped water in her hand and \line forced it in her cunt, several times. \par The soap burns," she said while looking at me. \par "I'm sorry. I didn't think about that. Is it\'85Are \line you okay now?" \par "Yes, it is much better now," she replied, crawling \line back in. \par I immediately put my arms around her, pulled her \line breasts to my chest, and wiggled my upper body against \line her. She began giggling. \par "Now what are you laughing about." \par "You." She giggled a little more. "You like a lot of \line sex." \par "You will to in a few minutes," I replied and began \line giggling myself. \par "What do you mean by that," she asked with a serious \line look. \par "Come here and lay down," I said, helping her down on \line her back. "Now I want you to close your eyes for now \line and don't open them." \par I moved down and edged my knees between her ankles. I \line lifted her knees from he inside and pulled them up and \line apart, and then lowered my face down to her cunt, \line placing my mouth on it. She jerked, closing her legs. \par "What are you doing? You can't do that!" she said \line scolding me. \par "Haven't you ever had anyone do that to you?" I asked, \line being curious and serious. \par "No. I would never let men do that!" \par "Are you serious?" \par "Yes, it is very unclean." \par "Where did you hear that?" \par "Our mothers teach us." \par "Sian Moc, do you trust me?" \par "Yes, why." \par "There is nothing unclean about that. Americans do \line it all the time." \par "That may be so, but we are not taught that." \par "Sian Moc. If you trust me, I want you to lie still \line and don't move. You can close your eyes or leave them \line open, it's up to you, but I don't want you to pull away \line from me again, okay, will you trust me." \par "Yes," she said, in a way as if she really wasn't sure. \par "Don't pull away!" I repeated, placing her legs on \line either side of me. \par I lay down between her legs with my legs extended out \line in the rain. I didn't care about that right now. With \line my elbows on the ground, I placed my hands underneath \line her knees and pulled them apart, lowering my face down \line to her thighs. I began kissing the insides of them \line causing her to flinch over and again. I looked at her \line as she watched and pointed my finger, warning her not \line to move. \par I began kissing the length of both her thighs to get \line her use to the idea of my face being down here, moving \line from one side to the other. Her legs were trembling, \line more with each kiss. \par "Brian, I feel funny," she said, her voice was \line quivering. \par "That's okay. Lay still and don't move," I repeated \line again. I knew she was either having and orgasm or \line nearing one. \par I worked my kisses ever so close to her cunt, inching \line my way closer and closer until I had my lips touching \line her patch of hair. I was ready if she tried to pull \line away, I would hold her and force my tongue into her. \line This was the moment. \par I pressed my mouth to her cunt and slid my tongue into \line her slit. Her body began shaking and she began moaning \line repeatedly. \par "Brian-----Brian-----Brian-----Brian." \par I lunged my tongue against her clit, rolling the tip of \line it around continuously as her body went crazy, bucking \line and twisting. I then thrust my tongue into her cavity \line and licked up in her, and around, all that I could \line reach. \par "Brian-----Brian." She repeated, continuing to squirm. \par I knew she was having an orgasm, so I continued licking \line her and thrusting my tongue against her clit. Her body \line continued shaking for another half minute and then \line began slowing until she lay, only quivering. \par I pulled myself up even with her and looked at her \line face. She opened her eyes and grew a big smile, and \line then grabbed my neck, pulling my lips to hers. She was \line almost hysterical, kissing all over my mouth. \par I backed my head away and asked, teasingly, "Do you \line trust me now?" \par "Yes, yes, yes!" she answered excitedly. \par I was just as excited as she, maybe more now because I \line needed my own relief. \par "Can we do it again?" she asked, with a big smile, \line placing her hands on my cheeks. \par I had a big smile on my face. "I can't right now," I \line replied, taking hold of my prick and inserting it into \line her. \par "Oh," she responded, understanding what I had in mind. \par She was wet from her own juices and my saliva, allowing \line me to easily slide my prick the full length into her. \par "Oh god that feels so good," I said, slowly sliding it \line in and out and holding that rhythm. \par Every man thinks he knows everything about lovemaking \line but the truth is, we learn with each experience. I had \line no preconceived ideas that I knew anything about making \line love. To me, every experience was new, not having the \line variety of women as some men do. I knew in my heart \line she, because of the past two years, had experienced \line almost every imaginable thing having to do with sex. I had \line never experienced many of the things I had imagined \line while I grew up, or since I had made love the first \line time. I wanted to now, but the shyness within me held \line that back and for some reason I was afraid to try or \line even ask. \par My arms were rigid as I held up my upper body, slowly \line pressing inward, savoring each amorous stroke, as our \line eyes were fixated on the others, sharing a little \line smile. I continued pushing slowly, turning my eyes to \line her breasts, down to her cunt, and watched as my prick \line slid in and out. Seeing this, excited as much or more \line than any erotic fantasy I had ever imagined. \par I began pulling out, just allowing the tip of my prick \line to exit and then push it in all the way and repeat this \line over and over. I glanced at her face, seeing she was \line also watching, and then she put her hand on the side of \line her knees, opening them wide. The view of her spread \line legs and my prick sliding in and out caused tingling \line sensations to fill my body. I began to increase with \line each thrust, pushing faster, letting my prick pull all \line the way out and I would thrust again, watching as I \line felt my body thirst for fulfillment. Each stroke \line brought me closer and closer, finally my body exploded \line into ecstasy as my eyes closed and my mind relished \line every second of this erotic sensation. She wrapped her \line legs around my body pulling it to hers engorging \line herself in the pleasure she was giving me. \par "Rest!" She pleaded, having her arms around my chest, \line pulling me to her. I lay, panting, out of breath, my \line throat thirsting for moisture. After a moment, I slid \line forward with my head from under the tent and turned my \line face toward the rain, lapping as it fell on my lips. \par A while later, still nude, we were sitting up looking \line out of the end of our little tent. Our bodies were wet \line from the wind blowing the splattering mist of the heavy \line rain. Staring into the rain was having the same affect \line on me as when I was home watching the flames burning in \line the fireplace. My thoughts changed from one moment to \line the next, thinking of my warm bed at home, missing Cal \line and feeling bad for his family, to how revenge for my \line fathers death brought me to this point. I knew I was \line considered MIA, Mother, Karen and Steven in their own \line hearts thinking I was dead. I would be as happy to see \line them as they would me. \par It was near three weeks since my crash, and I was going \line to kill that avionics man, I laughed. I turned my eyes \line and watched Sian Moc, as she also appeared hypnotized \line by the rain. What was she thinking? Where was her \line mind, in her warm bed, with her family, or maybe \line wondering if her family thought she was dead? \par She looked so beautiful. Her long silky hair flowed \line over her breasts and thighs touching the wet blanket we \line sat on. It remained wet, and as mine wouldn't dry \line until after the rain stopped. \par The pain and suffering she must have endured the past \line two years was more than I could imagine. What I saw \line happen to Lin, and the screams I heard coming from Shen \line and Loi, how many times, repeatedly, had this happen to \line her. I wondered when she got back to Saigon, would her \line life return to normal, at least as normal as things \line could be in a country at war. \par I was staring into her, not realizing she was looking \line at me. "Where is your mind?" she asked. \par "Everywhere, but at this second I was thinking of you. \line Will you be okay when you return to Saigon?" \par She smiled. "Life is much better already. What about \line you? Will you be happy when you get home?" \par "I think so. We have seen much and it will be hard to \line forget. You more than me," I replied. \par "The good always outweigh the bad. We will never \line forget, but what happened to us will fade over time." \par "You know something, I have never thought of you as a \line philosopher," I said bringing a little laughter from \line her. \par "I was studying mathematics at the university." \par "You were in college?" I asked, being surprised. \par "Is that so unusual?" \par "No, it's just that \'85 \par "It is okay, I understand," she interrupted, letting me \line off the hook. \par "How old are you?" \par "Twenty." \par "Twenty! I thought you to be eighteen or nineteen. \line So, what are your plans, ___ I mean for the future, once \line you get back?" \par "My uncle, on my mothers side, was Chief of police in \line Saigon before he was killed. He paid for my \line scholarship at the university. I will go back to \line school and get my degree, and then I think I would like \line to teach." \par "That's the hardest job in the world and you don't get \line paid enough. I couldn't be a teacher." \par "Did you go to college?" \par "Is that so unusual?" I asked. We broke into \line laughter. "I graduated from Georgia Tech, and have a \line degree in engineering. I had this big notion of \line designing buildings someday, but I'm not sure anymore. \line I'll just have to wait until I get home before I make \line any decisions about my life." \par "What about Lin?" \par "What do you mean?" \par "Do you love her?" \par "Yes, but I love you too," I replied in a joking \line manner, placing my hand on her knee. \par "She understands you will not take her back to the \line United States." \par "Have you two been talking behind my back?" I asked, \line wondering what they could possibly have to say about \line me. \par "All of us have talked about you. Yam Nah and Komi say \line you are a very good kisser." \par "What do you say?" \par She looked out into the rain for a moment, and then \line looked at me quickly and said, "Come on, we should get \line some rest." She lay down, pulling the damp blanket \line over her, and held it up for me to get under. \par _____________________________________ \line \par I awoke every couple of hours, checking my watch and to \line see that the rain had not let up. Unless she was \line awakening at different times, she was sleeping well. \line Six hours had passed and I saw no hope in traveling \line anytime soon. I hate the monsoons. I wondered where \line or what Phon was doing. Did he forge on through the \line rain? He could be within a hundred meters from us and \line we would never know it. Hell, he could be ten meters \line away and we wouldn't know. If I were alone I would \line have gone on, so I figured he would do the same. How \line many soldiers are looking for us now? I curled up \line beside her warm body and fell asleep again. \par Almost 1730 hours and the rain has let up, I thought, \line looking out. It was hot and sticky, and I was hungry. \line I removed the package of dried spaghetti from my \line survival pack and tore the top off. In the nude, I \line crawled out and dipped the water pouch into some water \line from the top of the tent that had sunk in. I poured \line some into the pouch. There was no hot water so I would \line have to wait until it softened enough to eat. \par I was sitting at her feet, about to awaken her when she \line turned on her back with one knee up, pulling most of \line the blanket off her body. Everything but the leg of \line the raised knee was showing. I sat for five minutes \line looking over her body, until her eyes opened. She \line pulled the blanket over her, knowing I had been \line looking. I turned my head looking away, avoiding eye \line contact, but not being embarrassed. \par "Brian." \par "What?" \par "Brian." \par I turned to answer and she had removed the blanket, not \line only that, but her legs were slightly separated, the \line one knee remained up. \par "Sian Moc, I don't have to have sex every five minutes, \line I was only admiring you," I said, defending my action \line that I felt were innocent. She was lying nude, in \line front of me. Again, I turned my head away. \par "Brian, I want you to look at me." I turned, looking \line at her. "You have made me feel very special, you may \line ask me anytime, and I will remove my clothes for you." \par I leaned over, pulling the blanket over her. "Let's \line eat," I said, picking up the packet. \par After we ate, I dressed and went out to use the \line bathroom, a little further up the hill, behind a tree. \line There remained a drizzle, I looked at the base of the \line hill, and I knew the creek had overrun its bank. We \line would have to wade in water for a ways until we reached \line higher elevation. \par We packed what we had and set out, wading in knee-deep \line water. I couldn't tell if any of the banks had washed \line away so we kept at further distance from the creek. I \line knew we both were anxious to see if the others were \line where we left them so we moved at a steady pace. In \line reality, I knew they would not be there; Phon would \line have taken them on as I told him. \par At almost 1900 hours, we finally walked on dry ground, \line and went into the thicket for a few minutes to rest. \line It would be dark in a couple of hours and I planned to \line cover as much ground as possible during that time. \par "Brian!" she whispered, holding a finger over her lips. \line I sat quiet and heard the same voices. I turned to see \line three VC walking up the same way we had come. I \line couldn't let them get ahead of us, knowing they might \line turn back at anytime, and have the advantage on us. \par I slowly stood up holding an AK-47, and moved toward \line them just as they passed. I was scared, hoping I would \line not make a mistake and they would see me. They were in \line the open as I weaved through the undergrowth, about \line fifteen meters from them when I raised the Ak-47 to my \line side, ready to pull the trigger and made a suction \line noise pulling my boot out of a puddle. Automatically I \line pulled the trigger as they turned. My mind went blank, \line squeezing the trigger in short burst. Two fell quickly \line as the other fired back hitting me in the left side. I \line fell to one knee and continued firing, finally hitting \line him, causing him to fall. I popped another clip in and \line walked toward them, bending my body over to the left, \line feeling a burning sensation in my side. I had hit the \line last one in the head, evident by the blood that \line surrounded it. I didn't feel safe checking the other \line bodies so I opened up with two short burst into them, \line and then fell to one knee, propping myself up with the \line gun. I began gasping to breathe and feeling \line light-headed. \par "Brian! Brian!" I heard Sian Moc's voice, and then \line saw her face as she knelt before me. \par "Please don't die," she said, trying to help me up. \par "I have to hide the bodies," I grunted, short of \line breath. \par "Come with me!" she shouted, helping me off the path. \line I felt dizzy, and if I had walked a thousand miles. I \line watch her as she frantically undid my jumper, pulling \line it back over my shoulders. She cut a portion of her \line blanket and wrapped it around my side, crying all the \line time. Suddenly, everything went black.\par }