Part 6

Curlly and Sinjin walked up at that moment. "Hey guys," Curlly interrupted. "North, I wanted to thank you again. This party is great. And things seem to be going well," she said as she looked over to Sherry and Harm. Sinjin, who had been informed of what was going on by Curlly, decided to chime in. "I’d say Sherry is certainly having a wonderful time. Michael, my man, I don’t know if you’re gonna be able to get your lady back anytime soon."

As the couple walked away, North decided to cut him a little slack. "There’s nothing physically wrong with her, Michael. But I can’t say the same thing for her emotionally."

Michael was bewildered. "What are you talking about? Would you please tell me what you all are getting at?"

North had been keeping her eyes on Sherry. She and Harm had left the dance floor and joined Jarod and Duncan who were chatting with some of the others at the party. The three men were all surrounding Sherry and waiting on her every whim. Sherry’s face was lit up like a Christmas tree.

"I’m waiting, Northstar," Michael commanded. North turned to him. "Michael, I’m not going to say anything else. If you don’t know what’s wrong, then maybe she should move on with one of those guys. I mean, just look at how happy she seems."

Rita noticed North walking away from Michael and walked over and whispered something to Duncan. He excused himself from the group and headed in Michael’s direction.

"Hello, Michael," he said as he turned to follow Michael’s gaze in Sherry’s direction.

Michael glanced at him and returned his gaze to his fiancé. "Why are you here?" Michael demanded.

Duncan smiled. "I was invited and couldn’t pass up a chance to visit one of my favorite people. I’m certainly glad I did. She looks great tonight. She’s as lovely as ever. I should have taken advantage of our living together when I had the chance. Made her forget about you."

Michael turned on the man. "Who invited you? Did she?" Duncan ignored him. "Maybe I can still make my move. I mean, you aren’t married yet. I may just have to point out the error of her ways."

Michael took a deep breath and then repeated his question. "Who invited you?"

Duncan looked at Michael with a serious expression on his face. "I shouldn’t tell you, but I will. Sherry didn’t invite me. Someone else did and I’m glad. She deserves better." With that, Duncan walked away and headed back toward the group.

Walter walked up to Michael and noticed the expression on the younger man’s face. "Having a rough night? Seems your lady has quite a fan club. If it were me, I’d be making sure she knows how special she is. That way she wouldn’t be tempted by all those other handsome fellows."

Michael turned to Walter and studied his face. "You know what’s going on. Tell me." Walter shook his head. "Not my story to tell. Remember your dance lessons, Michael? They tell you that you must be in tune with your partner. If you’re not, it could spell disaster. Just take my advice. Start paying attention. In life as in dancing, you’ve got to watch your step."

As Walter walked away, Harm moved in. Michael held his temper in check and kept his expression blank. "Commander."

Harm was studying the man in front of him. He wasn’t sure what Sherry saw in him, but he knew she loved him. "Lovely party," he commented.

Michael turned to him. "You didn’t come over here to discuss the party."

Harm nodded in agreement. "No, I didn’t. Just thought I’d renew our acquaintance. It’s been a while."

Michael didn’t speak. He turned back toward Sherry. He was going to get her out of there soon if he could. They needed to talk.

Harm watched him for another moment. Shaking his head he decided to say his piece. "Let me give you some advice, Michael."

Michael looked at the Commander. "What would that be?"

"Don’t take things for granted," Harm answered. "Believe me, you’ll be sorry. I did that once. My mistake."

Michael was immediately both jealous and curious. "Sherry?"

Harm smiled. "No, I’m talking about my partner. There’s something special between us, we both know it. But working together, I didn’t think we should get involved. I was afraid to take the chance for a long time. I took it for granted that when I was ready, she would still be there."

"And she’s not," Michael answered blankly.

Harm sighed. "No. At the moment she’s deciding whether to marry another man. Biggest mistake I ever made."

Michael nodded. "Our situations are completely different. You know nothing about me."

"Yes the situations are different," Harm agreed. "You’ve already got her. And you’re right, I don’t know you, but I do know her. Your problem now is keeping her."

Michael was curious and a bit bewildered. Did these people know something he didn’t? Was she about to leave him? "What are you talking about?"

Harm smiled sadly. "From what she’s told me, I always thought you were an intelligent man, Michael. I know you are the most important person in the world to her. Apparently, though, it’s not mutual."

Michael was stunned. What had he been told? "You don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Don’t I? How much time have you spent with her lately? How many things have you put ahead of her or canceled with her to spend time with other people? Do you do anything she wants to do? You expect her to be at your beck and call whenever you say so, but do you offer her the same?"

Michael listened silently and thought about it. As he replayed the past few months through is mind, he could see that he had let those things happen. He wasn’t sure why or how, but now it made sense. "Did she discuss it with you?"

Harm smiled sadly. "No. You know she doesn’t talk about her problems that much. She tends to keep things bottled up. I believe Northstar made her talk about it. She could tell something was wrong. What I don’t know is why you didn’t see it." The Navy commander then walked away from him.

Michael started toward the group when Jarod broke away and stopped him. Michael sighed. "I need to speak with Sherry. Excuse me."

Jarod blocked his way. "Not just yet. We need to have a little discussion first."

"I’ve had all the discussion I can take," Michael warned. "Now get out of my way or you will regret it."

Jarod smiled. "Threats, Michael? Surely you can spare me a couple of minutes of your time. Seems you have plenty for everyone except Sherry."

Michael relented. "Fine. Say your piece and then leave."

"Such hospitality. Does the heart good. So, Michael. In my line of work, I can become anyone or anything I choose. I’m good at it. But it’s a very lonely existence. And let me tell you, being alone is not all its cracked up to be," Jarod began.

"Sounds great right about now," Michael retorted.

Jarod shook his head. "Trust me, it’s not. And if you persist in your current behavior, you’ll find out the hard way. She won’t stand for it much longer."

"You all seem to know her so well. How is it that none of you ever managed to keep her?" Michael retaliated.

Jarod shook his head. "We do know her. Some of us have known her longer than you. As to why we couldn’t keep her, I guess because we weren’t you. But don’t make that mistake, Michael. She may love you, but she won’t stick around if you continue to ignore her and take her for granted."

Michael finally let it sink in. These men weren’t here to take her away from him. They were here to help her, and by extension, him. Nodding, he turned to Jarod. "Thank you." Then he walked away from Jarod and went to Sherry.

Rita, North, Walter, Sly, Duncan, Harm, Curlly, Sinjin and Sherry were sharing a laugh over something when Michael joined the group. He moved to Sherry’s side and turned to her. He picked up her hand and whispered, "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

Sherry looked at his face and saw the serious expression. "Sure." Turning to the group, she said, "Will you excuse us?" The others nodded, smiling knowingly at each other. This was the make or break moment. They kept their collective fingers crossed for the couple.

Once they were outside of the ballroom, Michael found a quiet room down the hall and they went inside and closed the door. Sherry was concerned.

"What is it Michael? Is there a problem?" She hoped there wasn’t a mission that had to go out right now and spoil the party.

"Yes, there’s a problem. Apparently I’m the problem," he answered.

Sherry looked at him curiously. She had an idea of what was coming. Since North had explained her little plan, and she had noticed the guys all taking turns talking to Michael. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself.

"What do you mean, you’re the problem?" she prompted.

Michael took her hands and looked directly into her eyes. "I’ve been neglecting you. I’ve been taking you for granted."

Sherry nodded. "Yes, you have."

Michael gave a half smile. "You’re not going to make this easy, are you?"

Sherry shook her head. "Why should I? You haven’t been making it easy for me."

Michael nodded. "You’re right and I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you or make you feel unimportant. I don’t really have an explanation for why I did it. I guess I’m just so used to you always being there when I need you. I can always depend on you no matter what happens, or what I’ve done. I guess I’ve come to depend on it so much that I just assume you will always be there."

Sherry was happy that he felt that way. She always wanted to be there for him. But she wasn’t going to let him off that easily just yet. "I’m glad you feel that you can depend on me, and that you understand I will always be there for you. But, that doesn’t mean that you can treat me this way. I am not at your beck and call just because you want me to be. And I don’t appreciate having our time together constantly put on the back burner. That’s not fair. I want to be able to count on you just as you do me. I haven’t felt able to do that lately."

Michael looked away from her. He knew she was right. "I’m sorry. You’re right, it’s not fair. I want you to always feel you can depend on me. I WILL always be there for you no matter what. You have to believe that."

"I want to, Michael. I need to feel that I can. If I can’t, then we should just forget about us."

Michael shook his head. "No. I won’t let that happen. Please, let me make it up to you."

Sherry studied him for a moment. She reached up and slid her hand down the side of his face. "Okay, Michael, you can try, but it won’t be easy," she warned him.

Michael smiled, knowing he was safe for now. "Oh, I’m sure it won’t be. If tonight was any indication, I think I have my work cut out for me."

Sherry laughed. "You certainly do. And I’m looking forward to it."

Michael pulled her close and they shared a passionate kiss. Pulling back, he asked, "How was that for a start?"

Sherry smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Oh I think that was a promising start."

Wrapping his arm around her waist, Michael escorted her back to the ballroom. All those that had been in on North’s plan were impatiently watching the door for their return. Once they entered, the group relaxed. They could see that things had been worked out.

As they walked up to the group, Sherry smiled at all of them. "Thank you all. I had no idea what North was up to."

There were general murmurs of "No problem," "Glad we could help," "Glad to see it worked." Sherry next turned to Curlly and Sinjin. "And you two. Sorry they did this to you. I’m sure you would have preferred we’d have done this another time."

Curlly laughed. "Don’t worry about it. If you guys can’t make it, then what chance do we have? You helped us, we’re returning the favor. North checked with me first to make sure it was okay. Besides, it was fun watching Michael squirm for a change."

Michael glared at her but didn’t say anything.

Sherry hugged North. "Thanks, lady. You’re a life saver."

Walter laughed. "Yeah, North. What flavor? Cherry, Orange, Lemon? That must be it. Lemon. Why else would Operations be so attached. He is the king of sour!" Everyone laughed at that.

Michael turned to Duncan, Jarod and Harm. "Thank you, gentlemen. I can see that Sherry means a lot to you. I’m glad. And thanks for pointing out the error of my ways."

The men all nodded and Duncan said, "Well, just remember what I said. We could still point out the error of HER ways." Again the group laughed.

Sherry walked over and hugged each of her visitors. Then she got a naughty look on her face. "So guys. Do you think you could maybe stick around a while. Just in case."

Michael pulled her back to him and threw his most threatening glare at the other three men. "Don’t even think about it. She’ll be too preoccupied to see you anyway."

Sherry sighed and then exclaimed, "Promises, promises."

The End