Hey guys! This was just an idea I came up with while writing Queen of Coney Island, so I decided to give it a shot. It can't give any indications on this story's length, but I'm positive it won't be as long as my other stories. Anyway, I hope you like it.

December 31, 9:00 AM – John F. Kennedy Airport

I yawn and glance at my bulletproof watch. I laughed at the thing at first, when my mother gave it to me as Christmas present last year, but the present was still wrapped around my wrist tightly, having survived a numerous amount of attacks. And it wasn't even scratched yet. Since it was the time of the year everyone would make good resolutions –which they by the way probably canceled the minute the New Year started-, I decided to participate for once. I'd thank my mother as soon as I could finally leave the airport, because damn, it took a long time for the first suitcase to show up on the baggage carousel.

At least I wouldn't lose any precious time hysterically hugging family members in the arrival hall, I thought as I saw a woman in advanced state of pregnancy leaping into the arms of her crying husband.

Because, there was no one waiting for me in the arrival hall. No one to give me a warm hug after having spent more than a year between war victims in Iraq. Not that I would ever admit that, yes, being away from family and friends for over a year actually made a person feel pretty goddamn lonely. My mother, but also my friends had ran out on me because they had other places to be, but whatever. I am a grown ass man now and I can't blame them. One of the main reasons I am back in my home country is because I got shot down again, and my general had demanded me to take a break.

My thoughts got interrupted by a loud shriek. Apparently, the baggage carousel had started and the pregnant woman had been too busy clinging her husband to notice that her suitcase had already passed her by.

''Laris!'' the husband blurted from under his ridiculous mustache that made him look like a fourteen-year old with a severe growth problem. ''Your bag!''

I follow his glance and assume the leopard printed suitcase that almost reached him, was hers. Leaning forward, I grab the bag and hand it over to the teenage kid with mustache, who had a panting spouse in his wake because she had tried to keep up with his spurt.

''Thank you, officer…'' he shot a brief glance at the name badge pinned to my uniform, ''Puckerman.'' He awkwardly patted my left shoulder to save his face, which only made it more awkward but he obviously didn't realize.

''No need to call me officer, sir'' I laugh on the wrong side of my mouth. I hate the fact that people treats me different while having my uniform on. Normally, they would probably think I am just a piece of shit that would loll on his balcony all day, drinking beer and whistling at girls down the street. But, with his uniform on I immediately turn into a life-saving angel, the hypocrites.

''Uh, if you don't mind,'' I lift my camo backpack from the baggage carousel while shooting a meaningful look at the exit, and the man seems to get my hint.

''Oh, sure,'' the man cleared the way, ''thanks and happy New Year, offic… Puckerman.''

I grin at him over my shoulder and raise my hand in acknowledgement. With this good deed, my karma was somewhat improved. Right now, the only thing I crave is a cold beer and then nap until the beginning of the evening. I am supposed to meet my friends after ten anyways, so there would be enough time to nap. Pushing my way through the people, I come to a halt. I spin on my heels to see if I am right, and I goddamn am. I hadn't been hallucinating.

''Dude!'' I blurt as the long man with blonde, lank hair and his huge mouth curled into a grin, pulls me into a bro hug. ''What the fuck? I thought you couldn't come because of your chick.''

''Bros before hoes man, bros before hoes,'' Sam roughly pats my back.

''Long time no see,'' I state when I step back to size up my friend. ''Shit, you almost look like… an adult. What's up with the suit and the leather shoes? Bet they aren't cheapass.''

''I've finally grown up,'' is Sam's answer. ''Believe it or not, the lawyer I had an internship last year offered me a contract. Here, give that to me,'' he says, grabbing one of the backpack's straps and shifting the backpack over to his own back.

''So, what about a beer?'' Sam speaks the magic words I wanted to hear so badly. It was 9 AM, but whatever. I think I deserve one.

''Exactly what I thought,'' I couldn´t disagree with him. ''Shotgun.''

With a grin, Sam lifts my backpack in his trunk. ''Good to have you back Puck.''

This would be the first time in years my New Year's Eve would actually be nice, I would bet my fine ass on that. Because, I couldn't come up with anything that was worse than celebrating New Year's Eve somewhere at the other side of the world in a warzone, far away from family and friends. And that was exactly what I had been doing the past few New Year's Eves.