If Gh just had to fire JG, then this is the story I would have given as his exit.

The TMK storyline doesn't exist in this story.

This was written for the weekly prompt at Soap Fan Fiction. It will only be three chapters long, I think.You can read about Glo in chapter two, if you want.

Save Tonight

February 2008

Cooper Harlan Barret couldn't believe how fast a life could change. He had opened the envelope, while standing in his room above Kelly's, not even thinking it was a big deal. He read the first sentence over and over, till the words swam in front of his eyes and they burned with tears that he choked back, refusing to be weak or feel cheated. He had a duty. He would do his duty. Like he had been taught.

Anything else would be selfish and a slap in the face to all that he believed in: his country, his family, his friends.

Logan strolled into his room, like he owned it, as he was prone to do. "Hey, there, old buddy of mine. Got fifty bucks for your best friend?"

"Not now, Hayes."

Responding to the anguish in his voice Logan froze, forgetting all about the loan he wanted and asked "Coop?"

Cooper looked up, finally dragging his eyes away from the letter.

Logan looked at him with concern. "Man, what's up? What is that?"

"Nothing."

Logan grabbed it away. Cooper jumped up but then sighed, giving up on stopping him. Instead Cooper just looked away, staring out the window, as Logan read aloud "To Specialist Cooper H. Barret,

You have been recalled to duty for the United States Armed Forces and are hearby ordered to return to Camp Pendleton by February 10th, 2008 at which time you will begin preparations to return to Iraq for a year long tour of duty."

Logan stilled. He swallowed hard. Letting out a long breath he said "Oh, God, man...I'm sorry. I knew they could call you back up but I didn't think...Cooper, maybe you should just..."

His head whipped around. "What?"

"Not go over there and get your dang head blown off, that's what!"

"Run to Canada? Become traitor to my country? Never, Logan. Never."

Logan shook his head, in frustration and sadness. "Why? Why you want to be a hero so damn bad? Have you not learned there is no glory in it? No one...cares. People who love you Coop- Maxie and your mom and your aunt...me...none of us care if you save the world, not if it gets you killed."

Logan demanded to know "What are trying to prove? Who are you trying to prove it too?"

There was an intense desperation in Logan's tone that spoke of his fear that his best friend was about to vanish from his life, from this whole damn world, and where would that leave Logan? No one had stuck by him longer than Cooper. He couldn't let Cooper go back into Hell without him.

What kind of God, Logan wondered, would be so cruel as to send Cooper back there again? We barely made it out of there the first time.

Cooper said "I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm doing my job. The one I signed up for. The one I'm proud of. You used to be too."

"Not proud enough to die. Not now. We did our time. I gave them all I promised."

"Well, I didn't. I knew I was subject to recall until 2009. I don't have a choice but to report." Cooper pushed past him and walked over to his night stand, where a photo of him and Maxie sat. He picked it up.

Logan picked up a glass off the desk and threw it against the wall.

Cooper asked, smiling slightly, "Feel better?'

"Hell no."

"Watch that temper. I won't be here to pull your ass out of trouble."

"You'll probably come home to find me in the State Penn."

"As long as I come home..."

They looked at each other for a long moment. Then Cooper said "Maxie."

Logan looked down. "Don't, man. I can't do anything for her. She can't stand the sight of me. I don't even like being around her if there are knives nearby."

"There's no one else I can ask. No one else I trust. Keep an eye on her. But don't...don't...don't fall for her."

But they both knew it was way too late for that. Logan had fallen for her, hurt her, been hurt back by her, and lost her all in the span of one night: the one when they consummated their sex bet. He had no illusions that him and Maxie would ever be more. But he also knew their feelings for each other would never be simple. It wasn't love, but it was a million crazy other things that Logan didn't know how to deal with. Especially without Cooper around.

"Me and that crazy blonde? I learned my lesson, believe me, Coop. Besides...I don't think she will ever love anyone besides you."

Cooper prayed that was true, but only if he could make it home one day again. If he could have the life he dreamed about sharing with her. The life he hoped Maxie wanted just as bad as him, the love he hoped she could hold onto when they were miles apart.

XXXXXXXX

That Night

Maxie knocked on the door at the Metro Court. Cooper opened it and smiled at her. "You made it."

She came walking in, grinning from ear to ear. "What is with the fancy digs? Are we celebrating something?"

Cooper didn't answer her question, instead he took her into his arms and kissed her. She brought her hand up to caress the side of her face. When she pulled back she said "Well, hello to you too. I think you missed me today, huh?"

"More than you know." Each word was soft and verged on being broken.

Her eyes changed, taking on a concerned glint. They searched his. He eased away and walked over to a bottle of champagne he had chilling. "Want a drink?"

"Sure! You know I love the bubbly stuff." She took the glass he offered and then went and plopped on the bed, bouncing a little bit. "So, what is the story behind this big romantic gesture? Valentine's Day come early this year for us?"

"I just thought we deserved one perfect night."

"All my nights with you are perfect."

"Oh yeah?" he asked as he walked over and kneeled in front of her.

She placed one hands on the side of his face. "You...make my life."

"You make mine, too."

Slowly, he leaned forward, trying to memorize every second of this moment to relive later, the way her eyes sparkled, the way her mouth looked when it was curved into a smile, the way her sighs sounded, and her breath caught right before their lips touched.

A perfect kiss. A perfect love.

He tried not to be greedy and ask for more. But for once this man was fighting his natural inclination to be selfless. He did want more. More and more and more. He wanted forever with her. He could only get it by going by to war, one more time, and fighting for his life, their freedom, and the peace of this very world he hoped to raise their children in.

It seemed like a hell of a price to pay, but he would pay any price he had to in order to get back to Maxie again.

She pulled toward her on the bed, but he pulled back. He took the glass out of her hand and set it down on a nearby table. Then he swooped Maxie up into his arms, carrying her toward the door.

She laughed. "What are you up to now?"

He opened the door and set her in the hallway. "Would you mind?" He motioned at the door.

"What? I don't get it."

"I know this isn't our honeymoon but...if I was a smarter man I would have made you my wife by now...so how about me carrying you over the threshold and just for tonight...we have everything we should have had?"

Her smile was the only answer he needed. He picked her up and carried her back inside, kicking the door closed behind him.