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Chapter 1

Change of Life

Holland stood at the doorway, staring at the empty apartment before him. It may have been filled with furniture, but one thing's absence made it feel so empty and lifeless. That missing thing was Diane Thurston. She was no where he looked. His heart wouldn't accept it no matter what. He wouldn't accept that she was gone. He tried to convince himself that she couldn't have left. She couldn't have gone because of one stupid argument. No, to her it wouldn't have been stupid. She would have cared about every word. Holland remembered every word that was said on that life-changing night.

Rewind: three nights ago:

The night had started out great; Holland had taken Diane to a fancy dinner at the restaurant that she loved so much. He gazed at her with a look that not many people have ever seen; it was a look of care and love. Diane was wearing a low cut dress that rested just above her knees. The neckline was V shaped and ended low enough for Holland to enjoy the view. He looked her up and down and then told her that she looked beautiful in her dress. She smiled and then kissed him on the cheek as if to say thanks. After dinner the two of them walked through the park outside of the military boundary line; as relationships in the military were forbidden. They walked with linked arms. As they approached the lake, Holland stopped and faced Diane. She looked up at him and gave him a look of enquiry. He answered it by saying exactly what was on his mind.

"Diane, we've been together for a while now and I love you so much. It's just that recently you've been so busy with trying to find out what your father's work was that you barely have time for anything else. I know that when we started this relationship I said that I couldn't care less what other people said about you being crazy enough to figure out your father's work. And that I also said that you should take all the time you need to do so. But recently you haven't been around much and when you are you're always at the computer working. Whenever we talk about something you always choose to talk about your research. I know I shouldn't be talking because my head is usually revolving around lifting and the next mission that I have. And that I'm usually off somewhere else fighting someone or the other. But when I am around I'd like just once to talk about something else. I'm not uninterested; it's just that you're too caught up with work."

"I'm preoccupied. I'm just so close to finding out the answer Holland. I know that all I may talk about is my father's work and trying to prove that he was doing, but I just can't think about anything else. I just want to find my father and bring him back to Belforest so that Renton can have a father who's around. And my grandfather could really use him around because he can't really cope. I gotta try to bring him back. He's the only one that understands the scubs that is willing to tell us about them. I know that I can find him. And I need you to believe me and stay with me because I need you Holland."

"I do believe you Diane; it's just that it's been three years since anyone has seen your father. Maybe you should just accept that he's dead."

"No! I know that he's alive. I'm gonna find him and if you won't support what I'm doing any longer than I'll just do this on my own. Goodbye Holland Novak!"

Back to the present:

Holland walked over to the couch and collapsed on top of it. He was exhausted. Not from the battle that he'd been fighting for the past week, but from searching for Diane. The last words she had said to him were burning in his mind as well as the words that the lieutenant colonel had told him- "Holland, the day that you left for Selisa Ole, Miss Thurston disappeared. We've looked everywhere and some people said that she was headed for the Gianas. Search parties have been searching for her. They found the car that she was in, but she was no where to be found. The guards there said that she went in and never came out. She told them to tell Commander Novak that she knew where he was and was gonna get him. She also said that she might not be able to return again. I'm going to presume that you know what she was talking about Holland and I'm also going to assume that you didn't have a relationship with her. If not you'd better clear your head and fast because your team needs a strong leader. As your brother I'm gonna say use your next mission as a way to clear your head."

He was alone. He had friends who could have cheered him up but they would have probably reminded of her. He, Holland Novak was all alone and pissed off with himself for not holding onto her for longer. Maybe if he had she would still be there. Who knows maybe they could have lasted if he hadn't opened his big mouth. Now he had nothing left of her but his memories and a picture of her, her brother and grandfather. Not even one of the two of them. He wouldn't be able to bring her back and he felt like such an ass and completely useless because of that.

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It had been over a year since Diane had disappeared. Holland had given up hope in finding her and his only comfort now where his friend Charles, Ray and Hap. Nothing his brother, Dewey said had any affect on him and he wouldn't try to hide it. The only time he paid attention to Dewey was when he was being briefed on his next mission. Holland had taken up one night stands. Sometimes it would become a relationship but he got bored quickly, so things never lasted with a woman for longer than three weeks. On this particular day, his life would be changed forever. Dewey had requested that he should go directly to him for mission briefing. As Holland walked down the hallway he saw someone from the intelligence department walk out of Dewey's office. That someone walked down the hallway towards him. She had hazel eyes, raven black hair and a pair of legs that any man would have drooled over. The passing female looked up at Holland and then turned down an adjoining passage way just before they passed each other. It may have been a short encounter with no words spoken but he knew that he had enjoyed it and made a mental note to find out who she was. Upon entering Dewey's office Dewey motioned for him to sit down. Holland sat down just as there was a knock at the door.

"Enter," was all Dewey said. In walked the intelligence officer that Holland had seen earlier. Both Holland and Dewey rose as she walked in.

"Holland this is Talho Yuki from intelligence. Miss Yuki this is Commander Holland Novak."

"Pleasure to meet you Miss Yuki," Holland said as he bowed. So that's her name he said to himself.

"The pleasure's all mine Commander Novak," Talho said as she mimicked his bow. All she could think was- omigosh their both so damn handsome too bad I'm with Dewey 'cause Holland's a dish. Once Talho had given Dewey the folder that she was holding Dewey had whispered something in her ear. She smiled then left the room. Holland felt a cringe of jealousy and he couldn't have cared less if he showed it. Dewey had something that he wanted and he would work hark to take it from his brother. He wasn't gonna allow his brother to have a woman that beautiful. As Dewey filled him in on his next mission Holland was already thinking of ways to approach Talho. But which one would work. Only time would tell.