First of all, I would like to apologize for my lack of posting recently. About two months ago I had a huge family crisis and have yet to fulling recover from it, emotionally.

Anyway, as a way to try to get back into the swing of things, I am writing two short stories (maybe three) in honor of veteran's day.

Now, these stories have no beta and are not going to be my best work, but I hope you still like them.

DISCLAIMER: Anything recognizable is not mine.

Chapter 1

"Would you just tell us where you're going?"

Scott sighed inwardly as he closed the lid on his suitcase. Virgil meant well, as did the rest of his brothers. He knew they were probably waiting in the hallway, as the middle Tracy had his turn trying to get the eldest to talk. Only thing was, it wasn't going to happen.

"Virg, there are just some things I guy needs to handle on his own."

Picking up his bag, he headed out through the island's living area and towards the hanger. Just as he thought, Gordon and Alan were right there ready to talk him out of what he was about to do … even if they didn't know what that was. Scott gave them a tight smile and briskly walked down the hall. He didn't have time to explain his actions, even if he could. Their family didn't keep many secrets, not from each other anyway, but this was different.

"Scott."

He stopped at the door of their plane, the sound of his father's voice freezing him in his tracks. He sent up a silent plea that Jeff would just let him go, that he wouldn't ask as many questions as the others had or tell him to stay. He had never disobeyed an order from his dad and he certainly didn't want to start now.

"I have to go, Father"

"I know," Jeff replied solemnly. "I just noticed that you didn't enter a return date in your flight plan."

"What?" Alan exclaimed. "You are coming back … aren't you?"

Scott looked over his shoulder, trying to portray with a smile whatever reassurance he could. He hoped to be back, the only question was whether or not he lived long enough to do it. But if this was going to be the last time he saw them, there was not need to make it depressing.

"Trust me."

With those words he entered the family jet and began the take off procedures. It wasn't until the island was just another dot on the radar that Scott began to let himself go back. As his body steered his plan with practiced ease, his mind drifted to the event that now caused him to leave everything behind …

/'/'/'/'/'10 YEARS EARLIER'\'\'\'\'\

"Heads up!"

Scott looked up from his book just in time to catch an object before it busted his nose. As grateful as he was for a break, and a snack, he couldn't help but glare at his fellow airman, grinning from the doorway. Lieutenant James Jones, son of the near legendary Brigadier General Gerald Jones, always made Scott feel at home. He had John's blond hair, Virgil's brown eyes, Gordon's sense of humor and Alan's knack for finding trouble. Yup, having him around was just like home.

"We got apples," James stated triumphantly, bitting into his own juicy fruit.

"I can see that," Scott commented dryly. "The way you talk, one would think you brought them in yourself."

"Who says I didn't?" The other officer asked mysteriously, dropping into the chair across from Scott.

He set his book on the crate that served as their coffee table and took a bite of his snack. They hadn't had a shipment of fresh fruit in a while and it was a nice changed from their usual processed food. But neither the apple or break lasted, and all too soon Scott had to return to his reading.

"Come on, Saint," James groaned. "You know we are on liberty right?"

"And you know that some of us would like to reach a rank higher then lieutenant, right?" Scott shoot back. "In fact, Joker, it wouldn't hurt for you to hit the books too."

"Been there, done that," James replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I graduated the Academy, got my rank, and made my father proud."

"For about five minutes," another voice cut in.

Instantly, both men jumped to their feet as their commanding officer strode into the room. Lt Colonel Nicolas Stevenson wasn't a particularly tall man, coming about to Scott's chin, but he still carried himself as if he could take the world. This made many of the men under his command fear him, but there wasn't a single one that didn't respect him.

"As you were," he said briskly, moving to stand in front of them.

Scott relaxed, but remained standing. James dropped back into his chair, discreetly knocking the apple cores off the table. Why did the eldest Tracy son suddenly get the feeling he had just eaten contraband? If he wound up on another twenty mile run over an apple, he was going to kill James. Luckily, Stevenson ignored the motion and turned to Scott.

"Tracy, I have an assignment for you."

"Yes, Sir?"

"We have a new guy flying in from the states, a civilian aide coming for an inventory check," the commander began. 'Now I told those bureaucrats in Washington we were doing fine down here by ourselves, but they insist they need a man on the inside."

"You want me to keep an eye on him, sir?"

Scott couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. He was trying to reach the rank of Captain, and getting the job of babysitting a government flunky wasn't exactly the mark of a stellar career. However, an assignment was an assignment and he would do any task handed him to the best of his ability.

"No, no," Stevenson shook his head, alleviating Scott's fears. "I'd never give a crap assignment like that to a man with your record. No, Jones will be babysitting the bureaucrat. I want you to make sure he doesn't screw up."

Scott had to suppress the urge to smile at the look on his friend's face. Too many emotions to name. But, to his commander, he merely nodded and spoke with complete confidence.

"I'll make sure the visit runs smoothly."

"See that you do," Stevenson replied, before turning to look down on James. "His plane lands at 1700; don't be late."

"Yes, Sir."

With one final nod, Stevenson left the tent and James let out a huge groan. This time Scott didn't bother hiding his smile as he took his seat and reached for his book.

"You brought this on yourself, Joker," he chuckled.

"Ourselves, you mean," James shot back. "Or did you forget that while I am babysitting the pencil pusher, you are babysitting me."

"I have brothers," Scott reminded him. "I'm used to it."

"Yeah, well, maybe we'll get lucky and 'he' will turn out to be a hot blonde named Candy or Violet."

"Candy," Scott raised an eyebrow.

"It could happen!"

Shaking his head, Scott returned to his studies. Yup, just like home.

There's part one, what do you think?

Let me know while I work on part two.