BURNETT Behind Enemy Lines


Title: The Admiral's Daughter; Chapters 5-9
Author: Devilwoman
Type: Behind Enemy Lines
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are borrowed from Behind Enemy Lines. I am not affiliated with 20th Century Fox or Owen Wilson in any way & no copyright infringement is intended.
Premise: Lt. Chris Burnett meets & falls for Admiral Riegart's daughter.
Rating: NC17 - Sexual references, language

 

Chapter 5

             Sunday morning started with breakfast on the terrace. The Riegert's discussed the weather and their plans for the day. Neither of them seemed to be aware of Chris and Denise's rendezvous. Chris was glad.
             Midmorning, Riegert approached Chris and Denise, who were tossing Frisbee with the family dog in the back yard.
             "Mr. Burnett? What do you say I show you my boat?"
             Chris gave an unsure look to Denise. "Daddy is so proud of that damn boat. He has to show it to everyone that comes around".
             Riegert laughed. "She's jealous".
             Chris chuckled. Riegert wasn't taking no for an answer. "Come on. A quick trip". Pointing to his daughter, "I guarantee she won't even miss you".
             Denise laughed. "Nice Dad". She gave Chris a peck on the cheek. "It's ok. I'll go into town with Mom. You have a nice time".
            Chris followed Riegert down to his slip. His boat was actually a fifty foot luxury yacht. Riegert showed him around like a proud papa. He made sure Chris saw all the amenities.
             "What do you think? Is is befitting a retired Admiral?"
             Chris approved greatly. "She'd beautiful. How's she run?"
             Riegert was all ready to take her out. "Come on. I'll show you".
             Chris followed him to the helm and watched patiently as Riegert eased her out of the slip and into the open sea. She was a smooth ride and Chris enjoyed the feel of the saltwater spray that occasionally hit his face. Riegert may have been retired from the Navy, but he still had his love for the sea.
             After a while Riegert slowed the boat down and turned the engines off. The boat drifted softly in the current. Riegert came around with two fishing poles.
            "You still fish?" he asked.
             Chris took the pole with gratitude. "It's been a while".
             "Luckily you never forget how". Riegert cast his line in. Chris joined in. He remembered having a conversation with Riegert years ago about the fishing trips he used to take with his own father. He was surprised that Riegert remembered.
             The sun was hot. Riegert disappeared for a few minutes only to return with a cooler full of beer. He tossed one to Chris before opening one for himself. The beer was cool and soothing to Chris' dry throat.
             "Tell me, Chris. What are your plans with my daughter?" Riegert was watching him with an eagle eye. Chris felt like a bug under a microscope.
             "Well, sir, we're still getting to know each other". Chris took a long drink from his beer. Suddenly his throat was even dryer.
             "I'm not a fool, you know. Obviously the two of you are very involved. You are staying at her apartment, am I right?"
             "Well, I, I...Not all the time", he sputtered. "I see". Riegert was quietly watching Chris. He waited a while before resuming his interrogation. "What are your future plans, may I ask?"
             Chris looked puzzled. "My plans? You mean, my career plans?"
             "Yes".
             Chris didn't hesitate. "I plan on staying in the Navy, sir".
             "I see". Chris heard a negative tone that he didn't expect. After all, Riegert had been a career Navy man himself, not to mention, the man who encouraged him to stay in.
             "I'm working really hard. Staying focused. I hope to be promoted again soon". Chris had changed a lot in the past few years.
             "That's great. Great". Chris could hear a "but" coming. "But surely you understand that I want only the best for Denise. She is my only child".
             Chris nodded. "Of course".
             "Military life is hard. All the stress, the constant moving around; it's not conducive to family life. And let's face it, the pay sucks".
             Chris couldn't believe what he was hearing. He never expected to hear Riegert put down his very own way of life. He wanted to protest, but Riegert cut him off.
             "I want you to break it off with Denise".
             "Sir? I don't understand".
             Riegert had made up his mind long before today, of that Chris was sure. "It's nothing to do with you, Chris. You're a fine young man. I've no doubt of that. But I don't want my daughter hitched to a Navy man".
             Chris was in shock. He didn't know what to say. Riegert patted him on the shoulder.
             "If you think about it a while, you'll see that I'm right. It just wouldn't work out". He smiled and pulled out another beer. "Ready for another one?"
             Chris took the beer without comment. He sat staring at it as Riegert returned his attention to the sea. Suddenly Chris didn't feel so good.
             "It sure is a beautiful day", came the voice of Leslie Riegert. "Just a beautiful day".

             Later that evening, Chris and Denise headed home. Denise noticed Chris was strangely silent and withdrawn throughout dinner. It was the complete opposite of his earlier behavior. When she asked him what was wrong he replied "nothing", yet he continued the silent treatment all the way home. Denise began to wonder if Chris were upset with her.
             Chris pulled the Saturn into the parking lot and turned the engine off. He waited for Denise to get out of the car before exiting himself. Halfway to the door she realized that Chris wasn't following. She turned to see him putting the key in his own car door.
             "Chris? Where are you going?"
             He answered without looking up. "I should go home tonight". The door was open. Denise came forward until her hands rested on the door frame.
             "Why? What is it?" she asked him.
             "Nothing. It's nothing".
             She had had enough of the silent treatment. She wanted answers. "Don't tell me nothing. You haven't said two words to me all evening and now you can't get away from me fast enough. What did I do?"
             Chris was angry at her father, but she was the only one around to take it out on. "For Christ's sake", he snapped, "leave me the fuck alone!". He jumped in the car and slammed the door.
             Denise didn't know what to think. She had never seen Chris so angry. "Chris? Please. Let's talk about this".
             But he didn't want to talk. He backed the car out of the lot and tore off down the street, tires squealing. Denise stood in the parking lot, hurt and confused. She waited, hoping he would change his mind and come back. But it didn't happen. Devastated, she went into her apartment and shut the door.

             Chris lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Several times he picked up the phone to call Denise, but each time he would change his mind and put it back down. Riegert's words kept racing around in his head. Maybe the old Admiral was right, maybe he wasn't good enough for Denise. Still, he wanted to apologize to her for his outburst. He picked up the phone and began to dial. On the second ring, Denise picked up the phone. Chris listened to the sound of her voice. "Hello. Hello?" Not knowing how to begin, he put the receiver back into it's cradle, leaving Denise listening to the cold sound of a dial tone.

  

Chapter 6

             Everyone noticed the change in Chris on Monday. He had barely acknowledged his friends in the locker room and threw himself into work. Even Drew could see that something serious was nagging his pal. He waited until they were alone in the officer's mess.    
            "So, you wanna talk about it?" Drew waited for the response. It would either be an explanation of a flat out "fuck off". To his surprise, it was neither. Chris merely sat quietly, staring at his coffee. Drew regrouped and tried another approach.
             "How's Denise?"
             Chris' eyes flashed anger. In a flash Drew knew the root of Chris' problem.
             "Come on", he coaxed. "You gotta talk to someone".
             Chris let out a huge sigh. "Riegert told me to stop seeing his daughter".
             Drew's mouth dropped open. "What? You've got to be kidding!"
             "I wish". Chris had been up all night, replaying the scene in his head. "He doesn't want his daughter stuck with some Navy dude. You believe that?"
             His friend wanted desperately to help, but wasn't sure what to say.
             "I mean, I knew he wouldn't be happy about it. But to flat out say 'stop seeing her'. Man!".
             "What did Denise say about it?"
             Chris glanced his way. "I didn't tell her".
             "What? Are you nuts?"
             "How was I supposed to tell her? 'Hey, babe. Guess what? Your old man hates me I can't see you anymore'. Yeah, right!"
             Drew saw he had a point. "Still, she really oughta know".
             Chris shrugged. "It doesn't matter. After last night, I doubt she ever wants to see me again".
             Drew eyed him warily. "Why? What did you do?"
             "I fucked up. Plain and simple".
             Drew slammed his fist on the table. "Then un-fuck it, dammit!" Amused, Chris gave a chuckle. "That's not even a word".
             Drew raged on. "Don't correct my grammar. Don't you care about this girl?"
             "Of course I do". Drew of all people should have understood that.
             "Then fight for her".
             Chris wanted to, but he was doubting himself. "But what if he's right? What if she'd be better off with someone else?"
             Drew looked him in the eye. "If you believe that, the there's no point arguing. Just let her go". Chris' eyes dropped. "But if you're the man I think you are, then go after her and tell her how you feel".
             Chris thought for a moment. Drew was right. He had to make up his mind and do it fast. No matter what Riegert said, it was Chris and Denise's feelings that mattered.
             "Thanks man", he told his friend.
             "No problem. Remember, you're the man".

             Several times during the week, Chris dialed Denise's number. He could never manage to catch her at home so he left repeated messages on her answering machine, urging her to return his calls. It wasn't until Friday night that he was able to go by her apartment in person.
             He stood ringing the doorbell over and over. There was no answer. Chris was beginning to worry. Where was she, he wondered. He was about to ring the bell again when a neighbor came out of the apartment next door. She recognized Chris as a frequent visitor to Denise's. "She's not home", the woman announced. Chris turned to see a familiar face; Mrs. Patterson, the neighborhood know-it-all.
             "She hasn't been home all week".
             "Do you know where she went?"
             Mrs. Patterson didn't miss a thing that happened in the Cobblewood Apartments. "I think she went to stay at her parents for a while. She asked me to keep an eye on her place and bring in her mail".
             Chris was disappointed. "Thanks. Thanks a lot", he said. He walked back to his car. What should I do, he asked himself. His first instinct was to go to Laguna Beach and set things straight with Denise, but he knew he wasn't welcome there any longer. He mind wrestled between stay or go. Finally, dead sure of his decision, he headed away from the apartments. As he guided his car onto the freeway, he reminded himself of one important thing. He wanted Denise and he was sure she felt the same about him. That thought alone gave him the strength to head into the lion's den. He only hoped he'd make it out alive.

  

Chapter 7

            Chris arrived in Laguna Beach in the early morning hours. The sun had not yet come up over the Riegert house, so Chris parked himself by the beach and slept in his car. He was awakened by the morning sun, soft and warm against his face.
             Pulling up to the house, Chris felt a know form in the pit of his stomach. The sprawling estate loomed over him like a fortress. There would be no welcoming committee this morning. He tried to collect himself before getting out and walking to the door.
             Much to his dismay, Leslie Riegert himself answered the door bell's call. He took a hard look at Chris before stepping out onto the porch and pulling the door closed behind him. Chris prepared himself for the worse.
             "Mr. Burnett, what brings you here?"
             Chris shuffled his feet and tried his best to keep eye contact with the Admiral's stern gaze. "I came to see Denise".
             Riegert gave an amused grin. "I thought we had a talk about this, mister?"
             "No sir. You talked".
             The old Admiral was beginning to get irritated. "I think you'd better leave".
             "Sir, if you could just talk to Denise. Ask her how she feels".
             "I am well aware of how my daughter feels", the Admiral snapped. "That doesn't mean she is thinking clearly about what is in her best interest".
             Chris needed to hold his ground. "Sir, if I could just..."
             "Lieutenant! I wish you nothing but the best in your military career and your personal future. But it will not be with my daughter. Now I will ask you one more time to please leave my home".
             Chris wanted to speak, but there was no point. Clearly, Riegert could not be swayed. Slowly Chris turned to leave. The old Admiral stood his ground like a sentry. Chris opened the door of his car and looked back.
            "Would you please give Denise my apologies?"
            Riegert nodded.
             Chris was devastated. He had no choice but to leave. Just then, the front door opened and Denise came rushing out.
            "Chris?" She looked at her father. "Daddy? What's going on?"
             "Don't worry honey. Go back in the house. Mr. Burnett was just leaving".
             Denise pushed past him. "Don't be silly". Chris stood at the stairs.
             "Chris? Were you going to leave without seeing me?"
             He hesitated, looking at Riegert. "I was asked to leave".
             Denise shot a look at the old man. "What? Dad?"
             Riegert could only shrug. "I thought it would be best".
             Chris spoke up again. "That's not all. He..." His voice trailed off as Alice Riegert joined them.
             "What in the world is going on? Chris? I didn't realize you were coming".
             Denise found it hard to look at her father. "It seems Daddy has asked Chris to leave".
             Alice looked at her husband with shock and dismay. "Leslie! You didn't?"
             The old sailor was beginning to feel the heat. He never took on both women at the same time. He knew he would never win. "Alice" was all he could say.
             "I see you still think you know what's best for everyone. Leslie Riegert, you butt out!"
             The Admiral winced at her words. "Denise, I'm so sorry. I just...."
             "Just leave them alone, Leslie", his wife suggested.
            He looked at the unfriendly faces around him. Obviously his best defense would be a quick retreat. "Ok. Ok". He disappeared into the house with Alice close behind. At last Chris and Denise were alone.
             Denise was embarrassed by her father's actions. "I'm so sorry, Chris. I don't know what gets into him sometimes".
             Chris shook his head. "No. I'm sorry. I should have stood up to him in the first place". He took Denise by the hand and led her to sit with him on the steps. "When we went out on the yacht, your father told me never to see you again. he said I wasn't good enough for you".
             Tears welled up in Denise's eyes. "Oh, Chris".
             "That's not the worse part. I actually started to believe him. That's why I was angry and I took it out on you".
             Denise threw her arms around him. "Chris, I love you; no matter what you do, no matter what anyone says".
             He held her tight, drowning in the scent of her. Being with Denise made everything right.

 

Chapter 8

             Over the next few months, Chris and Riegert formed an uneasy alliance. Riegert was still convinced his daughter could do better, but he had a hard time finding much fault with Chris. He also decided it was best not to alienate his only child.
             Chris and Denise were living together full time. He had never been happier in his life. Many nights they had lain awake making plans for the future. He was ready to take the next step and make things permanent.
             With the help of Drew and some friends on the Vinson, Chris set up a surprise birthday party for Denise. They gathered at a local bar in the evening, ready to drink and karaoke. The place was packed with Chris' Navy friends and Denise's friends and coworkers. All of them were in on the surprise.
             The night went smoothly. Denise was truly shocked when they got to the bar and all her friends were there. She hugged Chris, thanking him for the surprise. She considered herself lucky to have such a thoughtful man. They spent the next hour chatting and catching up with everyone. Then came time for cake and presents.
             Denise got tears in her eyes as they sang happy birthday and toasted to many more. She sat next to Chris as she opened her gifts; everything from perfume to lingerie. Jokingly she said Chris must have picked out the lingerie pieces himself.
             After the last of the visible gifts had been opened, Chris took his turn. He got up and stood in front of Denise. The room grew quiet as everyone gathered around. Chris gave a nervous laugh as he went down on one knee. Denise felt her knees grow weak when he reached in his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring.
             "Denise, I love you more than anything in this world and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
             She felt herself freeze for a moment, then the dam broke and tears streamed down her face. "Yes!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
             The room broke out in applause. Chris managed to slip the ring on her finger and the room erupted again. A huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. There was no doubt in his mind that this would be forever.

             Chris stood in the rectory, decked out in his dress white's. His best man, Drew, tried his best to calm his pal's nerves. Leslie Riegert approached in a black tux, smiling. He patted Chris on the arm. "She's ready if you are" he warned.
             Chris swallowed hard. "Then I guess this is it".
             Riegert had softened towards Chris. After all, Denise had never been happier. He couldn't argue with that. And he knew what kind of man Chris was deep down inside".
             "Listen, Chris. I want you to know, as much as I've fought it in the past, I am proud to have you for a son in law". He gave Chris a quick hug.
             "Thank you sir".
             Riegert laughed. "You're minutes away from marrying my daughter. Don't you think we should drop the sir stuff?" Chris smiled. "How about you call me Dad from now on?"
             Chris felt the blood rush to his face. "Dad. Yes sir. I mean, Yes,  Dad".
            The old man gushed. "You'll get used to it. Now what do you say we get his show on the road?"
             Riegert ushered Chris and the other men into the cathedral. He felt a mix of pride and sadness as he watched his only child pledge herself to another man. But in he end he would gain a son, one to be very proud of.

 

 Chapter 9

             Chris was drunk with anticipation as they climbed into the limousine for the trip to the airport. The reception had been wonderful, but they couldn't wait to have their first few moments alone as husband and wife. Denise fought to free herself from Chris' hands.
             "Ok. Now you have to tell me where we're going". He had made their honeymoon plans in secret. She didn't have a clue as to their destination.
             "Don't worry. I packed for you". His hands began working their way under her gown once more.
             "And exactly what did you pack, mister?"
             He tilted his head a little. "Oh, let's see. A bikini and some sunscreen". He flashed that killer smile. "Believe me, you won't be needing anything else".  
              "Chris!" She pushed at his hands more firmly. He was stroking her thighs, making her temperature rise. "We can't now. We'll be at the airport any minute".
            Chris' mouth came down on hers, soft and needing. "Not exactly. We're taking the scenic route".
             "Oh, Chris". Denise couldn't wait either. She wanted to make love to her husband and it didn't matter where. She closed her eyes and surrendered to his experienced hands as the movement of the limo urged them on.

              They arrived in Martinique, eager to find their cabana. Holed up inside, they made love over and over again, never leaving the room. Their meals were delivered to them. On the third day they finally made it to the beach. The sun was warm and the white sandy beach inviting. Chris carried Denise into the water, picking her up and tossing her into the waves. After a while they retired to a soft blanket on the sand.
             Chris kissed her stomach as she stroked his hair. It felt as though they were the only ones in the world at the moment. But soon that would change.
             "Chris?"
             He ran his hand along her body, following with his lips. "Hmmm?"
             "What would you think about looking for a house when we get back?"
             His lips kissed the softness of her breast, just above her bikini top. "A house? Now?"
             "Well, there's no room in the apartment for a nursery".
             Chris froze, eyes growing wide. "What?" He looked at her stomach. Denise smiled.
             "Yes. I'm pregnant". She studied him, trying to decide if he was happy or not.
            "But, but...are you sure?"
             A firm shake of her head confirmed it. He put his hand on her belly, rubbing lightly. "Oh my God", he said softly. It almost seemed as if he were in a trance. "I'm going to be a father". The words were sinking in slowly.
             "Yes. You are".
             Chris covered her body with his on impulse. He kisses her long and hard before pulling away. "I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt you". His innocence made her smile.
             "I'm not going to break. And sex can be very good during pregnancy".
             "Oh yeah?" He liked the sound of that.
             She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down. "I love you so much Chris. Thank you for making me so happy".
             His heart overflowed with happiness. He had married the woman of his dreams and now she would give him a child. For a minute Chris thought back to a time when he didn't think he would see the next day. Life was good. He relished in it as he made love to his wife on the sands of Martinique and dreamed of their life ahead.
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