An Ounce of Prevention

Carmen lifted her head and followed his gaze to discover the guard watching her. For only an instant she met his startled gaze. She looked away. The expression in his eyes was not lust, as she would have expected. In fact, it was reflective. She glanced back at Alex, who was now watching her. She met his gaze. This time in a dirty old shack might be their last together. If only she could be close to him - kiss the furrows from his forehead and tell him how much she loved him.

His gaze shifted to the guard. She resisted an urge to look at him and see if he was still watching her. His attention could come to no good - especially here in front of Alex. She frowned, or could it? Why was she accepting this without even trying to get away?

The guard stood and walked to the window, his back to them as he searched the arid landscape. While his back was turned, Carmen looked at Alex again. The furrows between his eyes deepened. He could always read her mind and he didn't like what he saw in her eyes.

She signed to him, instructing him to follow her lead. He nodded and she signed for him to stand.

The guard turned as Alex stood and moaned. The guard took a step toward Alex and turned the gun on him. "Sit down." He ordered in a gruff tone.

Carmen squealed and lunged to her feet. "Something is biting me!" she said as she jerked her blouse open. The snaps popped open in rapid fire succession, exposing her bra. She jerked the blouse from her shoulder and craned her neck to see her shoulder. "Do you see anything?" She said as she moved toward the guard.

The guard instinctively lowered the rifle and turned toward her, his gaze fixed on her breasts.

Alex moved so quickly that neither she nor the guard could have been certain how he did it, but in an instant, Alex had the gun, pointing it at the guard.

Carmen stepped away from them, shamed by the guard's shocked and betrayed expression. She hastily straightened and snapped her blouse. What could he expect?

When Alex spoke, his voice was controlled.

"Stand still, Carmen." He said without looking at her. "You," he indicated the guard with the muzzle of the rifle. "Face the wall. Spread your feet - wide - and lean forward. Put your hands against the wall."

The guard followed his instructions without comment, but when his gaze found Carmen, it was pure fury. Alex handed the rifle to Carmen.