Chapter 1 - October 27, 2003



Hunter let a small smile play across his lips as he stood out on the balcony and stared out over the water. Finally, after months of preparation, he was married, and his long-overdue vacation was under way. Turning his head, he smiled at Stephanie, who stood beside him, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Reaching over, he lightly massaged her bare shoulder, getting her attention. As she turned to him, he reminded himself how lucky he was.

"I can hardly believe this is all real. I woke up on Saturday so sure that something was going to stop us from enjoying this, but it looks like I was wrong."

Stephanie sent him a promise-filled smile. "Why don't we go find our stretch of beach and take a walk before we decide what we're doing today."

"Despite the local attractions, I'm tempted to just spend the entire day in bed with you." He responded, hooking an arm around her waist and pulling her close. She laughed and leaned in to kiss him, but the chirping ring of his cell phone interrupted them. He scowled and snatched the phone from its holder on his belt, glaring at it.

"I'm tempted to toss this damn thing straight into the ocean." He growled.

"Just answer it, Hunt. I'm sure whoever it is wouldn't bother you without a good reason."

"Unless it's just one of the guys calling to yank my chain."

"I'm sure they wouldn't do that. It's got to be something important."

"That's what I'm afraid of." He muttered, flipping the phone open. "Speak." He commanded, knowing it was rude and not really caring.

"Oh, Hunt, thank God. I thought I might not be able to get you. I'm really sorry to disturb you on your honeymoon, but this is important." Sean's voice was high-pitched and fast-paced, two sure signs of stress. Hunter grimaced and ran a hand through his hair, wishing he hadn't answered the phone, wishing he'd turned it off, wishing he'd left it at home.

"Just spit it out, Kid. What's wrong?"

Sean heaved a ragged sigh, and Hunter felt his stomach clench with dread. A laundry list of possible disasters ran through his mind, each one worse than the one before. "Hunt, it's Shawn. There's been some kind of accident. He's hurt bad, real bad, and he was asking for you."

Sean continued to speak, but the words were like a buzzing in his ears as Hunter stared out over the ocean, realizing that it was almost the same color as Shawn's eyes - that deep blue just touched with gold. His brain pounded with a single thought - his best friend was hurt, and he was hundreds, maybe thousands of miles away.

"Where are you, Kid?" he ground out, his free hand vising on the balcony railing, holding on to it like a lifeline.

"San Antonio. Kevin and Scott are already on their way here. I know the timing's inconvenient, but you have to get here, Hunt. I know you'd never forgive yourself if anything happened and you weren't here."

"I'll get there, if I have to fly the damned plane myself. Is he...well, is he conscious?" he asked, hoping against hope.

"He was in and out when they brought him in, I guess, from what the doctors told me. He blacked out a few hours ago, and hasn't woken up since."

"I'll be there as soon as humanly possible, Sean, I swear it. Tell him...tell him to hold on for me."

"I will." Sean's voice cracked on the promise, and Hunter hung up. His eyes were anguished as he turned to Steph.

"We...I have to get out of here. I have to go. There's been an accident...Shawn's hurt badly."

Stephanie's face went pale, but her blue eyes fixed on him, steady and calm. "We're going. You pack our things up while I make the arrangements. Where?"

"San Antonio." Reaching for her, he hugged her tightly to him, silent for a long moment. "Thank you for understanding that I need to be there. I just hope it's not as bad as they think it is and that he'll be okay."

Read the Next Chapter of My Sacrifice by Melissa