First off, I'm ranting. I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate when this sight wont allow me to upload my story. HATE IT! I had this thing ready to go this morning and now here I am at 2 o clock in the morning to upload this to you guys. Ain't I the dedicated one?

So anyway, thought this would make a lovely side story. It has three parts to it so, yeah. I'm doing this in the hopes of getting back on track with my EllisxFrancis learning to live again, but I love the idea in my head for this one story. Also, I do take requests for fics on these couple, so PM me or review me. ok, enough ranting, on with the show.

Oh and also, I would like to thank a recent reviewer on here, FadedHunter, for all their reviews to my stories and I would like to also apologize to this said user on here, like I said, this site faught with me tooth and nail. so I hope you enjoy :D

Disclaimer: (Hahaha, you thought I was done) I own nothing but my own ideas. The characters belong to valve, except for the man in black. He's mine. Just all mine...muhahahahaha.

Part 1/3: The letter from a man

It was an average sunny day, a day much like any other, when a man clad in black ascended the concrete stairs of a two story house. A house looking like any other in its row on the street that was probably a little too clean for this kind of city.

The man stood out, there was no doubt about it. It didn't matter if it were the people walking their well tamed dogs or a happy couple taking a stroll, bicyclists or even the occasional jogger, they all had stopped to stare at the man periodically on their routine outings.

But every time the man had drawn attention to himself he never once acknowledged their existence and if he did spare a glance they were unable to see him do so through his thick dark glasses.

Stepping on the 'Welcome' mat the man knocked on the cedar wood door. Moments later a man dressed in a plaid half way buttoned up shirt and faded blue jeans answered the door.

"Mr. Nick Niles I presume." His voice seemed judging as he stood on the porch in the blazing hot sun.

"You presume correctly. How may I help you?" Nick's slim figure took up most of the space in the doorway as he took in the man standing before him. Cars zoomed by reaching speeds far over the posted limit but the two men didn't seem to notice as they stared at each other.

"May I come inside, I'm afraid that I have some grave news."

"About?" He asked nonchalantly.

"About your husband."

He froze up.

No.

Oh Dear God No.

Nick found his gaze shifting and now instead of looking at the man before him he seemed to look past him, focusing instead, on nothing. This couldn't be happening. Not to him. Not to him.

His breathing was calm, his emotions, in check, on the outside at least. Moving out of the middle of the doorway he gestured for the man to step into the house.

"Of course."

The man muttered a quick thanks and stepping inside, he took off his sun glasses. "Where-"

"Into the living room, make a left when you reach the stairs." Nick interrupted. He pointed the unknown man in a general direction. "You must be thirsty. I'll get refreshments. Coke ok?"

"Oh ah, yes and thank you." He replied as he began his stride to the stairs.

Nick merely nodded as he made his way into the average looking kitchen. Going to the wood table he slammed his hands down onto its surface, forcing it to hold all his weight.

He fell apart.

This couldn't be happening. Not when Ellis was so close to coming home. Not when he finally wanted to settle down with the one person he loved. Not when he was finally a week away from coming home. Not now...not now...

No...

Please...

Nick gasped for breath as he felt tears threatening to fall, and he quickly whipped them away. He had to be strong. He just had to be. After all, he didn't know what th man was here to say. True, it did involve Ellis but maybe he was in an accident that left him paralyzed or something, anything, far better than what he had in mind.. He knew it was a long shot but he was good at lying. And the denial card was one of his mostly played cards in his deck.

Denial, after all, was strong. It always won.

And so for now, he would lie. To himself. To stop the pain that was obvious to come.

He wouldn't cry.

Not until he was sure. Not until he heard the words himself. And so, with a deep sense of dread, he put on the best poker face that he knew would never be put on by the stakes of mere gambling. He got the refreshments from the fridge and made his way into the living room were he was sure that the man in black was getting ready for his prepared speech than was inescapable.

Rounding the corner Nick stopped and with looking around he managed to spot the man with ease. He stood, back to Nick, by the shelf that was decorated with pictures of the happy couple smiling into the camera. The setting in the pictures showed a variety of different locations. Each portraying a different adventure the two men had taken.

The man examined each one with great care as if looking for a hidden code in the very texture of the picture. Picking one up, he turned it over in his hand.

"That's the time Ellis and I went to the beach." Nick explained walking into the room. " He had never been to the ocean and he had complained for over a week about it being to hot to stay here in New York so I thought we could get away for awhile." He smiled to himself, the vacation was wonderful. They had camped out in an old shack that, with much persuading, Keith had let them barrow. It was great, especially when they walked hand in hand at sunset, barefoot, across the beach.

The vacation was great, everything about it was like the perfect romance movie. Right down to the very end.

"I proposed to him then. On the beach..." Nick wasn't talking to the man but to himself. Smiling at the memory of how the kid had literally thrown himself onto the kneeling conman. Screaming over and over again that word that changed their lives forever.

"Yes, well..." He put the framed picture down and finally turned to look at the Nick who handed him one of the two cokes in his hands.

"Thank you."

"Not to be rude but, why are you here sir?"

The man tensed up. His body language became mechanical as though he had hardened his heart to deliver the inevitable. But his eyes shown with sympathy for the poor man that stood before him.

"I'm here, Mr. Niles, because of a little thing called The Zombie Training Ac-"

"Yes, I'm aware. The act that allowed you people to rip one third of the U.S male population from their lives, homes, and families to serve five years in the new military branch called the Zombie Alliance."

The man shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, umm..."

"And I am also aware of how you made it mandatory for every survivor that lived in the more infected areas to go in and serve their full term." Nick knew his voice was getting harsh and angry but somewhere along the way he just stopped caring.

"Yes-"

"I also know that you took Ellis away from me when we were about to begin our life together." He wouldn't call it yelling, but he was mad. No-he was far past mad, he was fuming.

"I know you're mad but-"

"Please," All anger left him. What was the point? It was inevitable after all. He couldn't stall it any longer, so why try? "I haven't the time or will to continue this, just get on with it."

"I understand."

The man dressed in black fished in the inside of his hidden coat pocket and pulled out two letters, holding on to one of them he extended the other out to the man.

Nick put down his soda on a near by table and hesitantly took the letter.

"What is this?"

"It explains itself." Nick turned it over in his hands. The official Z.A symbol of two katanas crossing each other and an M-16 assault rifle was branded onto one side of the envelope and on the other side, in written cursive, was his name.

Nick didn't know how long he had been staring at the object in his hands but when he looked up he was not able to locate the other man.

Quickly turning around he spotted him as he was leaving the room. Nick noticed that the man had placed the other enclosed letter on the table next to the coke that Nick had forgotten all about.

He didn't even look back as he walked out of the room.

"Read it when you're ready." And with that he left. Leaving behind just one person, one man, in many that had the miss fortune of crossing. It was a depressing job, but then again, someone had to do it.

Nick didn't move until he heard the click of the front door. He let out his breath slowly, not realizing he had been holding it. Looking down at the envelope he contemplated not opening it for a split second. But then quickly rejected the idea as he was just ready to get it over with. He needed to know. And so, with opening it up, he read.

Dear Mr. Niles,

This may be the most demoralizing thing that I, in my long carrier, have had to write. Please, brace yourself for this shocking news. My lieutenant, Ellis S. Niles, is dead.

Unfortunately I cannot discuss any of the detail about his death until I meet with you in person at his funeral. But I can tell you this, it was a brutal attack on us all and you were not the only one who lost someone dear to them.

I'm so sorry that I must deliver this horrible news to you. Unfortunately, I have not know this man for very long but every chance he got, ever since he got here, he never stopped talking about the man he left behind. Always chatting on about his husband Nicholas and all the great things that you two went through.

He never once regretted what he did to protect you, always remaining ever so optimistic. He loved you, and I know you loved him. If evident as the amount of letter between the two of you.

He missed you and knew that he was doing the right thing in protecting you and more importantly this country. He made the ultimate sacrifice, and for that, he died a hero.

Even though he's gone Nick, I know that he wouldn't want you to mourn over his death. He would want you to move on with your life. To be happy.

My lieutenant, before he died, wrote you one last letter the night before the attack. The sender that I sent should have delivered it as well, and I should take this time give my deepest apology for this horrific tragedy.

The funeral for our fallen soldier will be held the week following the next in his home town of Savannah. I do hope that you will attend so that we may discuss further into the matter involving his untimely end.

Once again I must give my deepest condolences, he was a great soldier, and he died a hero.

Sorry for your loss,

Captain Kane

Z.A; Zombie Allience unit 103075 Hotel co.