A/N: I know there is a plethora of post-finale fics but I had to add my own because the idea would not leave me alone. It starts 8 months into their year apart and then will go into how I think season 6 will play out. Hope you enjoy! Please review.
It was eight months into his yearlong rotation with the Rangers before things took a turn for the worse for Booth. He had spent the last eight months training soldiers, showing them what it took to be not only a great sniper but also how to survive. That was why he decided to accept returning to Afghanistan; he wanted to make sure he saved as many lives as he could. He had spent the last eight months focusing entirely on the soldiers, he was able to compartmentalize to such an extent that Bones would have been proud of him. He had infrequent correspondence with her and Parker and Cam mostly. He tried to keep them to a minimum, it was easier for him to compartmentalize that way. He had not been in the way of any danger for those eight months, no chance for him to act like a hero.
It was sudden, as it usually is in war, the attack was completely unexpected. Shots tore through the silence, disturbing everything in their path. He quickly grabbed his gun and motioned for the soldiers to follow his lead. Their training was about to be put to the test. The insurgents fired without pause, the Rangers fired back in response. Finally after what seemed an eternity, but in reality was about three hours the firing began to slow. Booth looked around, counting his men, making sure that they were all still alive. He felt personally responsible for these men; he refused to give even one up to death. It would not be acceptable.
Unfortunately, it is the fortunes of war. Death is inevitable and unpreventable. Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief that all his men were okay, one of them shouted that they needed help, Private Edwards had been shot. Racing to the other side of the camp, the shooting had all but stopped now, Booth suspected that the insurgents had run out of ammunition, he had quickly picked up the wounded soldier and ran into a nearby tent. He had told the other Private to go find a medic as he ripped open the soldier's uniform and tired to stop the bleeding. Booth was concentrating on trying to stop the bleeding and made the mistake of looking at the man's face. The soldier was young. He could not be a day over twenty if that; the sight of the clean, baby-face caused tears to sting Booth's eyes. He tore his eyes away from the soldier's face and started to apply more pressure to the wound. There was so much blood.
Booth could hear the soldier's breathing become shallower as the time passed and Private Simmons had yet to return with a medic. Private Edwards used all the energy he had left to grab Booth's hand.
"Sarge" He whispered hoarsely "Sarge, it's not your fault." That was the last thing he said before releasing his final breath and letting go of Booth's hand. Booth stared at the young soldier in disbelief. He could not be dead. Taking a step back Booth looked back at the young man's face only to have it be replaced by Teddy's. He was forced to take another step back as the image of Teddy's bloody corpse hit him like a train. Booth blinked and Teddy was transformed into Parker. Booth felt as though he had been hit by a bullet. He was unable to breathe as he stared at the corpse that now had the face of his son.
Booth heard someone approaching the tent and quickly composed himself. He would not allow his men to see him fall apart. He would not allow himself to fall apart. He was in charge and he had to be strong for all of these men.
It was that night that the nightmares started.